May 2008

It seems like it has only been a couple of day since I sent the last newsletter and can't believe I am at it again; and truly stressing...

When I first started Peepin', I really did not have a clue where I was going with this nor did I ever realize how far Peepin' would come. During this tenure of my Life, I have felt certain insecurities in my speech, and my demeanor, I am very critical of myself, but bragging as it may sound...I always tried to keep it real and with humor, but as it happened, I have matured somewhat in my writing techniques...(not trying to get a job with the LA Times or UNrealistic enough to believe, I will get any form of a Pulitzer Prize.) However, was given a blessing by the Almighty to start writing some of my thoughts (even if I have to call Terri Rossi and ask her how to spell the word... "the"! Whether this gets read or not...writing now seems to be my source of releasing some of my mental stress. With that said, if you have been a consistent reader, you know where I have come from since the earlier issues of Peepin'. It is at this time, I want to THANK ALL OF YOU who have supported me with emails and phone calls.

I may have told you that one of the words that I very, very seldom use, is the word AWESOME...I resigned that term for the "Almighty"... I got tired of hearing...that awesome song...that Awesome movie...that Awesome computer...and I had to stop at...those a-Awesome - Pigfeet!!!

But I will use it this time by saying...God is in the Awesome business and once again...the kid has been blessed...again!! This is the official announcement of Peepin' The Scene Internet Radio Show, presented by New Artist Radio.Net. When I was approached to do this, the first words out of my mouth was..."Get outta here (I might have embellished a little on this one)...I am a behind the scenes person!!" With three "taped" interviews...in the can, I MUST say it has been a journey...a scary one at that! My first taping was in front of a microphone..I went "nutzville USA. Wondering where did that voice that sounded like a frog come from!!! And believe it or not...I was at a lost for words!!! For the second and third show, the engineer Denole Christy aka Luggnutt saw my distress and connected me to a telephone to complete the taping....Now I was in my world...I give good phone!!!!

As I embark upon this new adventure, hopefully I will get the same response that I have received from my reading audience...Prayer is definitely necessary...I will only use Prozac when absolutely needed! It is up and running...be sure to check it out...The first interview is with LAKWANZA DIXON...with music from ELOISE LAWS & J. RANDALL filtered in... Here's Peepin' at ya!

P.S. When I started this article...my soul intent was to stop looking at the TV regarding Rev. "Wrong"...I was truly ready to let the "fickle finger of fate on the keyboard" commence to start goin' into a whole another arena...I said a prayer AND took a Prozac (just kidding on the Prozac thang)...and by the grace of God... moved into a more positive mode.

BUT I AIN'T THROUGH WITH THE REV.!!!!!!!!!!!!God and I will have to re-negotiate! But I keep hearing a voice saying..."Peace Be Still" - Lord you made me...You know I am hardheaded!..But I am listening! I'm Still!...for now!

There has been an ultimate change within the radio/records community worldwide that has not become apparent to the new breed of label owners. Contrary to popular belief you can no longer buy your way into a lucrative record label contract. The reasons are varied however, let's take a look at history first.

A good independent record company would first find an artist that they wanted to record. Then they would hire a good songwriter to create the musical story that the artist would interpret. Next a producer that worked alongside of the songwriter to make sure that the song structure was compatible to the artist was hired. The recording process would include live sessions and multiple retakes to get the best possible rendition of the song on tape. Finally the entire session would be sent to a mastering lab where a professional that was NOT in the session would make sure that every sound on the recording was ultimately tweaked for the best possible final sound.

Reference copies of the song were created at the mastering lab and sent back to the recording company for authorization. The recording company then had jackets, posters, labels and one sheets designed and manufactured. The different configurations had to be mastered and created and these included singles, cassettes, albums, 12 inch singles, cd's and audiophile creations. Then the hard part started with promotion and marketing. Companies had to test market their music so they sent a sampling of the project out to club and radio disc jockeys. These disc jockeys, often timed members of record pools, were suppose to be the first line of real feedback to the companies. Record pools started as a service for the record company, charging fees to its members to receive music on a weekly or monthly basis that was given to it FREE from the record companies. The concept was to have the pool member test market the music either on air or at the local club and give constructive criticism back to the record company. With this feedback the record company would design their marketing plan and proceed to hire a radio promoter to obtain radio airplay consistently over their desired market.

As radio airplay increased the record company hired independent marketing people to make sure that their products were available at the stores and marketed to the local populace. Billboard magazine charts were posted at every music retail outlet and most consumers bought music that had shown up on the chart. So record companies hired independent chart specialists to make sure that their perspective projects stayed on the charts for a reasonable time, and multiple products were purchased by the store owners. This system worked well until changes started occurring directly effected by the major labels.

First education and recording technology changed how music was made. The artist became more aware of the publishing business and decided to start writing and in some cases, producing their own music. This made the songwriter and word smith become a business without a home; multiple writers were put out of business. It was no longer necessary to have a recording session with multiple professional players when one person could make ALL of the music at their home studio without learning music, so many true musicians found themselves out of work. With this came a laziness that had music creators "sampling" other peoples musical ideas and calling it their own NEW creation completely limiting new musical thoughts and starting the "bubblegum" music era.

Scores of new entrepreneurs started record companies and throwing so much money at disc jockeys that the record pool concept became twisted. In reality these record pool individuals and organizations became thugs who charged ever increasing fees to the recording company to obtain skewed results of their test market. Disc jockeys at the street level along with their radio brethren had an unwritten code of PAY FOR PLAY to create the desired positive results of positive feedback even though this information was false. The concept that the Billboard charts would guarantee airplay, sales and ultimately a major record deal became lost and the Billboard charts are no longer seen at retail accounts.

Radio's action in this historical perspective was no less altering. Initially radio was a mirror image of the community that it served, giving relevant information, political statements, local advertising and music enjoyed by its listening audience. The radio announcer was the neighborhood champion regardless of the radio format. Consolidation killed this model dead in its tracks, initiating syndication programming, national play lists for formats, national advertising sponsors and multiple layers of corporate lackeys so that everyone could "pass the buck". Where years ago radio musical renditions reflected the community on a day to day basis sometimes having play lists of hundreds of songs per week with songs being chosen to become a musical backdrop to the listeners daily routine, today's radio stations have a weekly playlist of no more than 35 songs which have to be selected by "research" designated NOT by the community but by the corporate radio heads. The multiple corporate layers of executives means that Radio promoters can not create PAY FOR PLAY but many can take your money and tell you that the station they have approached has any number of excuses for not playing your music. Chart specialists are totally unheard of for there are NO CHARTS which are truly reflective of the current musical climate.

The new model lies within owners having education of today's technology and new business models of entertainment delivery. Formation of financially tight and positive structured businesses with an eye for new technology usages and using the social networking capabilities of direct to consumer practices.

Good business sense and a strong song can still get you a major record deal, but do you really want one? Or are you still trying to buy yourself into the industry?

Now, you know this Allan fellow can really tell it like it is...You go Boy! - Peepin'

I received this announcement and thought it was very interesting and needed to be sent out...since this is the time for CHANGE in furthering our youths growth and possibilities process!!!! - HERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUTH 14-18 INTERESTED IN AVIATION...SUMMER PROGRAM Peepin'

This summer the Organization of Black Airline Pilots (OBAP) will hold 2 Aviation Career Education Camps sponsored by Delta air Lines. The purpose of each one-week program is to introduce interested youth to the world of aviation by exposing them to the many challenging careers and opportunities which the aviation industry has to offer. This is a program which has been around for several years and is an outstanding opportunity for all of our children.

Application deadline is June 2, 2008 - Please visit www.acecamps.org...for additional information!

RichEscape Music Recording Artist Terrell Hunt Enjoys National Distribution And Airplay...

Multiple Award Winner Vickie Winans Hails Hunt as "One Of The Most Crazy-Gifted And Anointed Psalmists I've Had The Pleasure To Hear Or Meet!" Washington, D.C. - May 1, 2008 - RichEscape Music recently celebrated its artist, Minister Terrell Hunt and his debut CD release, Awesome. The Washington, D.C. area native and psalmist is no stranger to the industry having sung with artists like Karen Clark-Sheard, Daryl Coley, Yolanda Adams, Donnie McClurkin, CeCe Winans, and BeBe Winans. Known as one to bring worshippers to their knees, Hunt has been hailed as one of today's up-and-coming worship leaders. Vickie Winans says he's "one of the most crazy-gifted and anointed psalmists I've had the pleasure to hear or meet!" Now with a new distribution, marketing and radio promotions deal, the country will be hearing why Winans raves over this amazing talent.

Edmondson Communications, Inc., headed by industry veteran Al Edmondson, and RichEscape Music, LLC led by gospel jazz producer, instrumentalist, arranger, and artist, Terrence Richburg, signed a distribution, marketing and promotions deal taking Hunt's ministry nationwide. The artist's project can be found in Christian bookstores everywhere as well as in stores of the mainstream mega-retailer Wal*Mart. To date, Hunt has secured radio airplay with close to 300 stations nationally (including syndicated and satellite radio stations). Radio announcers all over the country have been supporting Terrell's upbeat praise anthem, "This Is The Day", and the worshipful title track, "Awesome".

Hunt continues to experience unprecedented feedback on his debut project and ministry. He completed taping his national television debut for the 2008 season of Bobby Jones Gospel performing his acclaimed single, "This Is the Day." Airing in February 2008, Hunt received a thunderous ovation and overwhelming response during the taping and afterward. Also, his project was reviewed in the March/April 2008 edition of Worship Leader Magazine where they said, "His debut release is nothing short of authentic, inspirational worship, rich in Scripture and repetitious praise, Hunt is the devoted leader of one choral anthem after another that are breathtaking reminders of what whole-hearted, submissive worship can be.".

Publicity Contact: Andrea R. Williams Tehillah Enterprises, LLC info@tehillahenterprisespr.com 1.888.844.7701

New Orleans, came to Las Vegas The incredible Dirty Dozen Brass Band, compliments of Clark County Parks and Recreation,bowed in at the amphitheater Saturday eve. HOT HOT HOT, a performance off the charts. A mixture of jazz New Orleans style, a traditional blending of harmony that reached out and truly touched the audience. It was a pleasant evening a slight breezy that added to the comfort of all. Folks came with their chairs and picnic baskets with anticipation of what was to unfold.

The Band struck up the music and from the first note ,the crowd started swaying, that was the beginning of the evening. By the third song, the audience had gotten to their feet. For those familiar, they had started a second line...handkerchiefs, napkins, scarves were waving in the air the line had formed and everyone was Strutting. Several Ladies got on the Stage to shake their rumple rumple rumples, no holds bared. It was sho nuff show. If you had to pay for this performance surely the ticket should have cost at least $75.00 a seat. It was New Orleans Raw,Incredible traditional and Fun. No one in the Audience could not help but join in the infectious rhythm . One thing for sure, Hats off to the insight of those who booked this show. IT WAS A SHOW STOPPER.

Peepin' wishes to welcome back ALICE WILSON a contributing writer for this publication. - Love ya Alice!!!

NOLA.TV's mission is to utilize the tools of technology and the Internet to build and bind the New Orleans community. Our goal is to provide useful, quality content about New Orleans and surrounding areas to help generate an even greater interest in our local organizations and businesses. In the process of reaching our goal, we aim to inform, entertain, promote awareness, and develop an interactive relationship with our users. We're leading the way.

Join Bishop David G. Evans and Bethany Baptist Church for The Pastors' and Laymen's Power of God Convocation, June 15 - 20, 2008. Power of God is six days of anointed, profound and powerful preaching and teaching as well as awesome worship ministry. It is not a week of random activities loosely tied together. This week has been prayerfully planned to impact your ministry and life on every level.

Special Guest Preachers: Pastor Jamal Bryant, Apostle R. J. Washington, Bishop Noel Jones, Apostle Ron Carpenter, Dr. Creflo Dollar, Bishop Kevin Long, Bishop Eric Garnes, Bishop Neil Ellis, Bishop S. Todd Townsend, Pastor Dharius Daniels and Bishop David Evans

Musical Guests: Tye Tribett and Greater Anointing, Jonathan Nelson, Darius Brooks and Vickie Winans