Live @ Next Door Recap

So, if you're an artist reading this, you know that it's not often that we feel like we're being set up for a great show. I won't say "more often than not", but pretty often, it's as if we're fighting through a thick cloud of adversity and ignorance just to make it to the stage. For me, fortunately, my love for my artistry and those who support me overrides all of that, and I'm able to have a great show, minus the new twitch I'd have developed in my left eye and the new knot in the right side of my neck.

Last night, none of that existed. Clearly, Wes Felton brings his understanding of the indie artist's plight to the table and knows what it means to make an artist feel at home and among family down to the fine details. There was a tarp up to keep the bar noise to a minimum, great lighting, and the sound was fantastic! Besides all that, he's a ginuinely warm and compassionate host. Oh! AND he took care to be sure my name was spelled correctly, too!!! (You'd be surprised at how many folks don't.)

I mentioned during the performance that Wes (at that time better known as W Ellington Felton) was the first indie artist's name I heard when I moved to DC years ago. So, performing as part of his series brings things full circle for me. Needless to say, I am grateful for and humbled by such a great experience!

..:: IMUNURMe ::..

Stereotypes are stupid!

Folks say that I should pay more attention to stereotypes, because
they "come from somewhere", almost like jokes - at least the funny
ones - which always have elements of truth to them. So, I've made it a
point to be conscious of the stereotypes that precede me and folks
like me (i.e. Negroes, men, southerners, etc).

Like most performers, I have facilitated a good portion of my career
through work in service industries, namely waiting tables at
restaurants, and I've learned that a big part of human nature is self-
preservation and survival. So, we look for indicators that supposedly
predict the outcomes of our efforts, and quite often those include
race. I admit, I've been on both ends of the pistol. So, I understand
both perspectives, as ludicrous as either of them may be. However, as
that person, I now make it a point to attempt to contradict those
preconcieved notions that negetively effect me and people like me.

In Washington, DC, it's no secret the racial prejudice that limits
opportunities for black folks to do simple things, like catch cabs. In
fact, I had a Caucasian friend who recently relocated to DC from
France. We were leaving a bar, and needed to catch a cab. We had been
discussing race issues here in America, and I thought I'd use that
opportunity to illustrate my point. So, I asked him to step back from
the curb, and I would try to hail a cab. At least five passed by as I
was left standing with an exhausted arm. Then, we switched. One lift
of the hand, and we were warm and toasty inside a cab. Point proven.

Now, I assume many cab drivers pass on black folks because of the
notion that we don't tip well, live in "dangerous" neighborhoods, and/
or are dangerous/risky ourselves. However, to the contrary, I tend to
tip at least 20%, and I live in a pretty nice area, and my firm belief
on karma keeps me from intentionally harming anyone. Since, my friend
offered to pay for the cab, I offered to pay the tip, but his response
was that he'd take of everything.

The ride cost us $10.50. So, based on my tipping rule, the driver
should have recieved at least $13. However, I noticed my friend only
pulled out $11 and told the driver he could keep the change!! So I
asked why he didn't leave a tip, and his response was that he had a
rule against tipping service workers. What?!?!

The very evil the driver was trying to avoid, he ran into head on!
This is not to say that I don't stereotype folks to some degree,
because we all do, whether we admit it or not. However, it almost
always puts us on the losing end of the stick. Plainly put,
stereotypes are stupid!

Gratitude for ALL things

I never know how the various people, places, things, and ideas that
find themselves around me will effect the person that I ultimately
become. But because you are, thus am I, and because I am, thus are
you. I'm grateful for both the "good" and the "bad", because
ultimately, it's all good!

In the beginning, God created this amazing universe - the heavens, the
earth, and everything in between - that is brilliant, especially when
it comes to keepig things balanced. Too much positive can make us
arrogant, while too much negetive can make us bitter. But just the
right combination of the two makes a beautiful confidently sympathetic
being who has unlimited potential.

So, to all who have helped thus far, thank you for connecting with the
light inside of me and helping it to shine brighter! To those who have
attempted to hender me, thank you for being the extra weight that
builds the muscle that makes me stronger! Someone once said, "Make
your helpers your homies and your haters your motivators." Any
successful person will always have and need both.

Kev.O's Top 9 of 2009

Only by the grace of God, 2009 has been an amazing year in so many ways! It has been the joy of new opportunity and the pain of the purge. I've learned to not only be grateful for what I've gained, but to also to be grateful for the things I've lost, as hard as they may be to separate from. I've learned to love myself in a completely different way, which has allowed me to love others that much more, and to accept help where I clearly need it. Yes, 2009 has had its trials, but I would like to acknowledge (in no particular order) the triumphs of 2009!

1. Lovolution: The Urban Alternative is finally finished and available at KevOTheArtist.com. Go get it! I'm so proud of it. Lots of pleasant surprises there.
2. We had the pleasure of performing with great artists like Andrae Alexander, YahZarah aka Purple Saint James, Bilal Salaam, Deborah Bond, Jessica Gabrielle, Candace Coles, Kim Poole, Emmanuel, KONSHENS, The Andrew Rankin Memorial Chapel Choir, Bomani Armah, Reverb, Maureen Andary, SolEdler, Tre' Thomas, Shaun H Mykals, Alison Carney, Amber Mimz, Jay Mills, Tamika Jones, J Hill, Green Tea, Distinction, Jon Bibbs, Midian, Indigo Rose, Jason Reynolds, David James, Terrence Cunningham, Carolyn Malachi, Marc Evans, Wayna, and Ayanna Gregory.
3. I was honored to work with the kids at The Grammy Foundation's annual Career Day Vocal Coaching Workshop. Special shout out to Mrs Williams and the students at Wilson High School for coming out the past two years!
4. I reached #5 on the ReverbNation.com Alternative charts! Thanks to all of you who have supported by listening and purchasing my music!
5. I got to hang out with Chanel, CL, and JJ at WOLB a couple times and had a blast both times!
6. We performed on Live! on Woodrow Wilson Plaza this summer. Thanks Aisha Davis for taking a risk on us!
7. We appeared on WHW Rocks! Thanks April Watts! We had so much fun both on stage and in the audience.
8. We performed for Gap's Born to Fit launch, an opportunity for which I am humbled and grateful. A special shout out to the folks at the Bowie Town Center location! Thanks for the jeans!
9. I received my first award as a solo artist this year - "Best Alternative Artist" from Velocity Magazine. A big Thank You to Anthony Anderson!

I'm also grateful for those who have been working with me behind the scenes and on stage with me to make this all possible, including Kimberly E Douglas, Keila White, Frank Sheffield, Eric Pogue, Scott Flicker, Eric Harris, and my incredible band, including Mr. Turner, Jesse Daumit, Robbie McDonald, Zach Cutler, Biscuit Bynum, Sol Zahran, Andrae Alexander, Harris James, Christie Dashiell, SolEdler, and Carmela. Thanks to all the radio personalities, journalists, promoter, venues, and DJs across the nation and around the world who have helped to spread the word! I have the best family in the WORLD, and they've been a great support to say the least. So, thank you Wayne (my dad), Beryl (my mom), Tia (my sister), and Kris and Ken (my brothers) for EVERYTHING!

Finally, none of this would be possible without ears to listen, feet and money to get to the shows, and mouths to spread the word. So, thanks to all of you, my support, for your dependable presence! With your help, I'm looking forward to an even greater 2010!

Peace.

Kev.O

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Searching for Strenth in the Stride

Though I try my best to be positive and encouraging, it's tough when you know your purpose and it seems like everything is coming to hold you back. I mean, I've hit a dry spot with performing, my album release is on hold, which is holding back the bigger, paying gigs, and I can't seem to find employment that'll sustain me in the mean time and allow me enough freedom to keep this ball rolling. (Yes, even with a degree!) So, I'm broke right now. I mean, I am B-R-O-K-E!!

Never been so broke in all my life. So broke it makes me question my drive. Am I working, searching, listening, thinking hard enough? How driven am I? What am I willing to do? Am I as ambitious as I think I am? Am I relentlessly driven enough to be successful with the career path I've chosen? Do I have things mixed up? How irresponsible am I? Will I be an old man in the same position I'm in today or is success really right around the corner, as I tend to believe?

Of course, the plan is always to stay positive, but is what's positive what's true? I guess no one really knows until they do. I just thank God for strength, courage, wisdom, peace, patience, kindness, humility, joy, and faith to see this through and find out.

The Strength of Legacy

It's times like this - having most recently lost musical legends like Michael Jackson - that help us to realize the strength of legacy. Most of us live our lives building a reputation, but legacy goes much further than that. Legacy is that which inspires others and lives beyond the body the concieves it; it lives, breeds, and transforms into generations that fuel a movement.

As we each continue to pave our own roads, whether we're using gravel and a rake or a steam roller and gold nuggets, let's not forget to concider the legacy we each create for ourselves and those inspired by us. True, we may not be the next MJ, but each day, we're the hottest new version of ourselves, and rest assured that the rest of the world is watching and taking notes. Be a legend.

In the mean time, if you haven't already, please opt-in to recieve updates on future appearances, releases, giveaways, and contests right in your Inbox from Kev.O by signing up for the email list. Just click the link below:

http://www.reverbnation.com/KevOTheArtist?add_email=true

Peace.

Kev.O
info@KevOTheArtist.com
www.KevOTheArtist.com

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PO Box 44297
Washington, DC 20026-4297