Winter Vacation in Atlanta

As a independent musician, it's often a challenge to find time or money to go home and visit with family. Add to that a younger brother who now lives in Dallas pursuing his career goals and an older brother who was traveling a lot with his job, and you get a family who doesn't get to see each other all at once very often.

With the economy going the way it's going and anticipation of the new LP release, life itself has been quite a challenge to say the least. With so many things that have gone lacking, the one things I yearned for was to see my family. I turned 26 this year on November 17, and I have to say I have the best friends in the world! We celebrated the ENTIRE month! Yet, my heart still yearned for my family. It's like we as people give so much of ourselves in our day-to-day interactions, especially those of us who are in business for ourselves, leaving one void that only family can fill.

So, not long before my birthday, my mom and I were on the phone, and somewhere in there my birthday came up. Now, I'm not really one to ask for things, even for my birthday, unless I'm down to the wire and I need a bailout. In a way, I usually enjoy the risks and challenges of life, but this was one of those times I needed a bailout. I needed to be bailed out of DC and to Atlanta to spend some quality time with my family, who I had not seen in about a year. So, I said to mom, "Mom, you know what I want for my birthday?" My mom didn't know this, but my eyes were full of tears.

She said, "What?"

I said, "I want to come home."

"When," she asked.

Initially, I wanted to come home for Thanksgiving. Honestly, If I could have gotten on a plane that same day, I would have, but she reminded me that my younger brother was out of town, and a few other family members (who I can't recall right now) would not be around for Thanksgiving. As a performer, my holidays are usually a hectic time to try and take a vacation, but somehow the weeks of Christmas and New Years were wide open!

Anyone comes into their adulthood away from home might say that suddenly returning home to Mom and Dad's house is an interesting situation to say the least. Though I absolutely LOVE my parents, the thrill of my own independence usually calls me back to DC after a few days. However, this time (and last time, to be honest), was so different! Though I was a little upset because I was challenged financially for the entire vacation, there's something soothing about being around a group of people who love you just as much as you love them, despite any shortcomings or achievements.

Though the entire trip was great, there were a few moments that really stood out to me. The first of them was seeing my mom and dad exchange gifts. Stylistically, my parents are exact opposites; my dad is very basic while my mom is tastefully flashy. It was touching to see them acknowledge each other for exactly who they are through their gifts. One of my best friends/manager also joined us for Christmas, and my entire family agrees that she was a fantastic addition to the celebration. I was also introduced to my new favorite game Cranium!! My niece, who is only 6, sang so beautifully for a group of us, and she really commanded the audience's attention. I was so proud of her. My aunt took me to see this incredible band at a place called Arizona's in Lithonia and actually worked me into the set! Right afterward, I rushed over to see another of my best friends and his wife, who I haven't seen in about 6 months, at a jam session. During our sibling outing, the first we've all really been able to do together since we're all separated by three years, except my younger brother, who is four calendar years younger than me, I took up a new hobby, POOL! I also, got to hang with a family friend who I had not seen since he was a toddler, and he's grown to be an INCREDIBLE producer! We actually did some recording together while I was in town. Then, I found out that my mom is good friends with one of my favorite songwriters ever, and she had been in my parents' home for hours before I found out who she was! I think what made the biggest impact on me during my vacation was finding out that my grandfather was not only part of the first integrated troop from the US during the Korean War, but he was also the only African American from Georgia.

Needless to say, this trip was packed with some incredible experiences, and I return to the District refreshed and with a new drive. 

Falling

A lot of people are asking about this song and what it's referring to. First of all, if folks are asking about it, that means they're listening, and that's a great thing! Ultimately, I'm one of those artist who creates are for art's sake. I don't often like to define it, because it may take away from what it means to the listener, but since folks have been asking for my take on the song, I'll give it.

Many people live their entire lives without actually knowing what their life's purpose is, a situation which can lead to all kinds of frustrations with - and confusions about - life itself. "Falling" is about a boy who has know his purpose his entire life, making his journey a very lonely one. In a desperate attempt to fill this void, he cries out for companionship, be it through people, substances, or activities, only to find those things as cold as the life he would have led without them. In this stage of his life, he doesn't realize that this is part of the preparation for his destiny of greatness and success, and he feels that though he's losing his grip on life.

He says, "If I could fly, I'd soar to you and touch the sky, but I'm falling." Sometimes we have to realize that God's purpose for us is so great that He has to remove all that we're attempting to hold onto so that we can fall back to our designated place on our life's journey. That way, once we reach our destiny, we've walked our paths and learned all we needed to in order to fulfill our purpose with excellence.

Sometimes even eagles have to walk. So, don't try and fly through life; take your time and learn with every step. Understand that hurdles are not set-backs, but they're challenges intended to push us forward toward that destiny of excellence and greatness. Artists don't create things to be mediocre. How much greater is our Creator?

Wrapping Up 2008 - Preparing for 2009

I'm grateful to say that 2008 was exactly as I said it would be. It was full of progress. Most call 2008 the Year of New Beginnings, but I called it the Year of Movement. My goal for the year was to have a complete and professionally packaged recording project, and shortly after I declared the goal, people and things began to move into place for that to happen, and it did. I'm elated to say that I have a beautiful project to call my own.

I've learned so many great things, but most of all I've learned to be more vocally assertive. Most recently, I picked up one of Jimi Hendrix's biographies. Let me first say that never before was I a huge fan, but it was definitely divine intervention that caused me to pick up this book! Aside from learning from many of the mistakes he made in conducting business, and affirming our common experiences as artists, he talks about the significance of my favorite color - orange. In matters of life, he defines orange as a safe color - afraid to be either red (bold and aggressive) or yellow (meek and mellow). I was almost brought to tears, because at that moment I realized that my "safe" place - somewhere in between - would be challenged, and I would have to chose to either be red and conquer or be yellow and lose all that I've worked my whole life to achieve.

I was looking through some old pictures with my mom the other day while on vacation in Atlanta, and I noticed a common trend in my clothing as a baby. If I wasn't wearing a neutral color, like black, white, or gray, I was wearing red. In that moment, I concluded that I was raised to win, and I'm dedicating the rest of my life to honoring that.

Now, next year is officially the Year of Judgement, but the pastor at church today gave me another idea. He called it the Year of the Set Up, and I'm gonna go with that. I believe 2009 will be the year that all I've done and learned in 2008, including the record, will be put to the test. Upon passing these tests, I can already feel that 2009 will open some really big doors for me. Right now is about preparing for that time.

The Village Underground

So...

I just got back from a one-day stop in NY to visit the Village Underground. I had heard so many great things about this place. So, since I had a quick break, I thought I'd make my way up.

For those of you who don't know what Village Underground is, in short, it's an open mic set, but, of course, nothing is ever simply what it is in NY. This place gets some of the best, worst, and interesting talent in the world. Think American Idol auditions with a live band and a host that could slay any of us! The band... what can I say? They KILL!

I've heard they can be quite an audience to win over, but I'm glad to say that they were with me, and I actually sold some music. (I don't know if that was legal or not. So, let's keep that one on the low. LOL!) Thanks to those of you who were able to make it out at the last minute! I plan to be back again very soon. Hopefully, that time I'll be a feature! If you know somebody, please put in a word. I definitely don't mind.

Peace.

Kev.O

Never knew...

...I'd have so much support! Friday, June 6 marked my first full show of my own, and the house was full of enthusiastic friends and fans alike! I really had to try and step outside of myself so that I wouldn't be overcome with emotion and completely wreck the show. I mean, I've done guest spots with tracks before, but you can only do so many of those before they flat-line in my opinion. I love the energy of a live show. Nothing can compare to it.

First of all, I'm blessed to not only have great management who really understands me personally and as an artist, but to also have the "killingest" band and singers! I mean, they SLAYED!!! Even with all the timidity that comes with the first show, I know that things will be that much better at the next one.

I can't wait for the Richmond show! I'm so excited.

2008 - The Year of Movement

It's funny. I just got through reading a note from one of my best friends, and it actually inspired me to write a note. Putting things in writing has its way of making things official. When you write it down, you kinda have to do it. So here I go.

Well, to say the least, this year has been quite a year! It's like my life has been a steady ramp of positives with a few brick walls (lined with thorns, poison ivy, an electric fence, the National Guard, and a few Secret Service Agents) to burst through on the way up. But, I can definitely say that I've staked a flag on the high side and am still climbing. It's like each wall has given me more fuel to conquer the next.

More than anything, I believe the common denominator among each of them has been learning to trust God. I've learned to trust Him with my education, bills, career, relationships, and most recently my health. I've learned how to say, "Let Your will be done," and what that REALLY means. We usually say it with an underlying request that He'll do what we want Him to do. As selfish and controlling as I can be, I've learned (and am still learning) how to step out of the way and let God do His job. After all, He is the creator of this universe I call Life, and because He is the creator, no one understands the way it works it better than He does. All I get to do is accessorize what has already been put into place.

You know how you might get up out of bed in the morning, heading for the shower, and you're still in sort of a zombie state? That is until you step under the running water and realize that it's FREEZING cold! You might kick, sream, and utter a few choice words (unless you particularly enjoy cold showers), but the next thing you know is that you're fully alert. Well, let's just say that I've been walking through life in somewhat of a zombie state. Now, I've received my cold shower, kicked, screamed, uttered a few choice words, and am now ready to take on 2008 fully alert.

I won't go through a list of New Year's resolutions, because there are too many to name, and I'm bound to forget or neglect quite a few of them. So let me narrow it down to one. Most have titled 2008 as the Year of New Beginnings, since that's what the number 8 represents. However, in order to get anything new started, one must first make the conscious decision to move. So, for me it's the Year of Movement. So I resolve to approach this year (and life itself) with a more keen focus so that I can make the moves necessary for the fulfillment of my purpose in this life.

Know & Protect Yourself!

Peace.

Kev.O

BeProfessional.

I just thought I'd blog a little bit on this subject. During the course of my life as a musician, I have been blessed to come to become acquainted with quite a few GREAT musicians! I mean these folks really play/write/sing/arrange their asses off! The common thread among quite a few of them, though, is that they don't really know how to handle themselves as professionals. Though "professionalism" can mean quite a few things, I want to blog a little bit about professionalism as it concerns time commitments. Professionals are expected to do three basic things.

Be accountable. Deliver what you've committed to deliver, and be upfront about everything. If you've accepted a gig and later realize that it require the ability to read sheet music, and you know you can't read sheet music, let somebody (who is in charge of making decisions) know ASAP! If you've accepted a gig backing an artist that you've never heard before (not the smartest move in the first place), and you later realize that this is neither your ideal situation nor a situation you're willing to endure, be upfront and say, "I apologize. I'm not going to be able to continue with this gig." You'd be surprised how many people would rather hear that than show up at the second of two rehearsals before a big gig without a board player and no real alternative. Don't leave folks "out in the cold". Being upfront gives others the respect of choice and an opportunity to regroup and reorganize things. It's also great karma for when you decided to do something big on your own.

Be prepared. Don't accept a gig if you don't think you'll have time to learn the material. Remember that all music (and art is general) is somebody's blood, sweat, and tears. Nine times out of ten, there was a vision for the performance, and a timeline by which certain rehearsal goals are set to be achieved. To be prepared is to show respect for others' time and energy. Also, who knows better how you learn that you? So be prepared with your learning utensils (i.e. pen, paper, recorder, dictionary, pitch pipe, instruments, microphones, etc.)

Be on time. Remember that to be early is to be on time. To be on time is to be late, and to be late is unacceptable. We all have issues with time from time to time. (That was hot! You like that, don't you? Don't steal it!) However, if you're gonna be late or not arrive at all, let somebody know as soon as you know or even think so. It's cool to arrive earlier than expected…not so cool to arrive later. It's all a matter of respect for others' time and energy. Some folks don't perform so well after they've been stressed about whether or not their background singers are going to make it or not.

For the selfish folks (LOL…no seriously.), try thinking about it like this. Think about how your behavior will affect the outcome of the show. The better the show, the more bookings will come (if it's good enough). The more bookings, the more gigs for you. More gigs usually mean more money in the bank to use as you will.Just thought I'd drop that little bit here on my blog for the folks who don't know, and apparently there are a LOT of them!Peace.Kev.O