Billy Nichols – AKA PoppaDollaBill – AKA BT Express - he’s been there and done that. Worked for Motown, directed the band for Marvin Gaye, written hit songs for Millie Jackson, BT Express, Full Force, Doug E Fresh – toured, traveled, played, directed – for decades. He knows all the who’s who in the music industry. In his heart he is and always will be a songwriter. Like any other artist, he has not choice. The songs insist that he write them. Billy Nichols, with a lifetime of experience in the music industry, is an independent artist and records those songs that insist he write them.
It’s a wonderful conversation with someone who has a lot to offer. Enjoy it. And, for those aspiring artists, learn from it!
We talk to MaSiv Markus (Mark Reid) of the band Crucial Massive. His life is music and his message. He won’t stop working at getting the message to the people.
Video is 16:45 min.
Please allow time for buffering.
He’s had decades in the music industry on a professional level. He can tell you stories about when African American entertainers were not allowed to walk in through the front door of an establishment that they were hired to work at – or allowed to even have a drink of water while they were performing. The racism was so prevalent many years ago. These historical experiences in themselves are very interesting and are things that people need to know about because they were real.
Kenny today is an independent artist and has released his first gospel CD. Kenny Hamber was awarded 2008 Best Male Gospel Vocalist for New England. The work doesn’t stop though and he is already working on his second one.
For more information about our guest:
http://KennyHamber.com
Photos and camera work by Azeem Govan
Everyone else has theirs. Have you got yours? Can’t build a website? Don’t worry – Get Your WebSpot has
easy, easy templates you can use!
We never know if the course of our lives may be altered. All we can hope is that there is help when we need it. – Tomaca
photos by Jennifer Strader
Kelly Buchanan needs your help. She’s a talented artist who has worked very hard for years developing a career in music. For those of you that don’t know, the life of an independent artist is not easy and the road is not paved with gold. You work for years to develop your skills as a singer/songwriter/musician or whatever you choose to be. You pour every available penny into your craft and development. And why do you do this? Because it is who you are! Most artists don’t have a choice! It is our soul and our being that commands this of us. The artists’ job is to contribute to society by creating music or whatever art form they pursue. It is a giving life and artists make a difference in society. They bring color and sound into being for everyone else. So Kelly’s story is not much different. She has worked very hard. She created and financed her own tour down the east coast of the US twice. By financing, that means she drove her own beat up vehicle for miles, broke down, got stranded a couple of times, but kept on going, booked her own shows in a various clubs, bars and coffee houses, and lost more than she made financially. Then there’s the thousands of dollars spent in studio time and equipment… But, in the pursuit of ourselves, we are willing to sacrifice because it’s a labor of love. The payoff, if you’re lucky, is that you get signed to a big record label and you actually make money. But, even without a big contract, you still sing your songs and bring joy to people. I reality, that’s the true payoff.
Kelly Buchanan was at the point where MTV was interested in doing work with her and she was signed to a label. An exciting step in her life. Suddenly, an accident caused her traumatic brain injury to the point where she had to learn how to walk and talk and do basic things again. Her prognosis for a full recovery is good, but she’s got a long way to go. Interestingly enough, the CD she was working on is entitled “Healing.”
So, like many others in our world, Kelly could use the support of good people and the support is as easy as buying one of her CDs at http://KellyBuchanan.com. She wrote a letter to her friends and we’ve included it here because it tells about her road to recovery and about her compassion and passion.
I am so passionate about this because I am an independent artist myself. I was on Kelly’s email list for years and enjoyed reading about her life’s musical journey and her adventures. I want to see her get back out there and continue to do her music thing because her courage to pursue her art inspires people. – Tomaca
Dr. Nancy Nelson is an educator and artist who writes poetry, designs artistic dolls and sings. She dreamed of becoming a singer and pursued theatre work and other forms of vocal expression. She was also passionate about African American music and its history. She found a way to combine her heart’s desire to sing and to educate people at the same time.
Everyone else has theirs. Have you got yours?
Can’t build a website? Don’t worry,
Get Your WebSpot has easy, easy templates you can use!
Bobbie Mercy Oliver has been dubbed the “Texas Blues King.” He was born in the 1930′s and grew up picking cotton alongside his father, mother and siblings. The blues was everything in those days and he slowly gravitated toward it.
Though he and Eva met late in life, it was as if they were waiting for each other. She not only got him back into playing music which he had stopped, but she also manages his career. The two of them couldn’t be happier because music is everything to him and thus to her. Interesting how life finds its way to us, isn’t it?
The music of wolves. He wanted to be an artist – musician and singer. He’s toured with some major artists and recorded a number of his own CDs. Then the music in his soul began to take on a change. Mother Earth, whose heartbeat is our own, called to him and he was placed in service to the planet by caring for wolves. Jim Windwalker raises, protects and cares for wolves. He also educates people about our connection with mother nature, about the Cheroke people and their language. He is a published author with all the proceeds from the sale of his book “Kettle Creek” benefiting the non-profit Defend the Wolves organization.
The music of wolves. He wanted to be an artist – musician and singer. He’s toured with some major artists and recorded a number of his own CDs. Then the music in his soul began to take on a change. Mother Earth, whose heartbeat is our own, called to and and he was placed in service to the planet by caring for wolves. Jim Windwalker raises, protects and cares for wolves. He also educates people about our connection with mother nature, about the Cheroke people and their language. He is a published author with all the proceeds from the sale of his book “Kettle Creek” benefiting the non-profit Defend the Wolves organization.
Part One
For more information about our guest Jim Windwalker:
“Kettle Creek” written by Jim Windwalker.
Click the image to learn more about Jim’s book. When you make a purchase, you contribute to the Defend the Wolves organization.
some major artists and recorded a number of his own CDs. Then the music in his soul began to take on a change. Mother Earth, whose heartbeat is our own, called to him and he was placed in service to the planet by caring for wolves. Jim Windwalker raises, protects and cares for wolves. He also educates people about our connection with mother nature, about the Cheroke people and their language. He is a published author with all the proceeds from the sale of his book “Kettle Creek” benefiting the non-profit Defend the Wolves organization. 
The music of wolves. 
Through the Lens of Laurence’s Cell Phone Camera
Tina Toler-Keel: God Said What?
J.V. Harvey – Man With A Camera and A Plan
I for Color – Manning Marable
African Hair Products, Sold By Us to Us!
I for Color – Leigh Whipper
African American Voices – I for Color
Once For All Inc. – Creating A Safe Haven
Shelly Linton – Helping Women to Help Themselves
