August 2008

The Chinese Shows the World a New Way
From A College Point of View - WFVS Radio/Ft. Valley State
The Living Legends Foundation
Marian Penick - "An Electric Mix Like Me"
Diamond in the Desert Blues Festival

August and September has been an extremely busy month for Peepin'...as a result of that, a separate Peepin' newsletter entitled - THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS will be sent to you a couple of days after receiving this.
Please walk down memory lane with me with the JOY & PAIN of the current electoral process.
Will be Peepin' at you!!

Paulette De Suzia

The Olympics is showing the world that the Chinese way of life is NOT what the American mass media has made it out to be over the past years. There is an upward mobile, well educated population that is increasing in size, stature and financial independence. One of the things that the Chinese have gotten right is the ability to create contemporary entertainment careers. How they have accomplished this is exciting and seems to be a road map to success. Let me give you a few examples that may assist you in creating your entertainment career.

1. In China music is looked at in a very different way. There music is part of their culture and should be enjoyed by all and not guarded by the creators. They have found ways other than selling CDs to make money from music in Asia, such as live shows, merchandise, downloads and ring tones.

2. Fans are the record companies. Ownership of the song does not lie with the artist or the label or the publishers, but rather the consumer. This concept is basic to the establishment of a continuing flow of interested entertainment seekers and consumers.

3. Fans get involved. Chinese artists make special mixes of popular recordings available for fans to create their own versions of artist's songs. Some fans create band merchandise and make videos then the artist has competitions to see which the best is, and which can be used as the next music video. Getting fans involved builds the Chinese artists' brand and the connection with the artist. It's economical and extremely beneficial.

4 . Artists are brands. You may not like the word but that is essentially what Chinese artist are, and in order to succeed they have focused on ways of building that brand. The Chinese see the importance in maintaining a brand image.

5. Mobile is the delivery system of choice. China as is India are miles ahead in their mobile technology and so are able to consume content differently than Europe and the United States.

6. The Chinese understand TRIBES. Understanding the concept of tribes, means knowing that you have fan based groups or tribes and within these tribes fans will like the same music, clothes etc. Getting early adopters in the tribes liking an artist will build exposure.

7. Amazing technology is available and the Chinese embrace it, build online communities and create opportunities within the digital world.

8. The Chinese marketplace sells digital tracks cheaper (the tipping point)......possibly 25 cents US. This seems to dissuade people from illegally downloading and the artists end up making more of a profit from selling a lot of cheap tracks than a few higher priced tracks. This also makes the consumer think that music "feels like free".

Finally the Chinese government, although much more repressive than the United States government, does NOT try and Legislate to solve the copyright ownership problem. Suing consumers won't make the problem go away or help to promote their national musical treasures.

The Chinese are showing the world that not only are they able to become a super power in sports but also in how to revitalize the entertainment industry,

Front Row (l to r): Arsenio McCallum, Cortni Jordan, Uniqeka Jenkins, Randy "Bacari" Jackson, Lauren Robinson and Shirley Ellis Back Row: Desmond Mitchell and Roger Reeves

Now those of you who REALLY know me, know that promoting music to college radio is my passion!!!...One of the most outstanding Program/Music Directors is Paulette friendly SHIRLEY ELLIS.

Mind you, I talk to about 60 college radio stations and some stick out in a crowd...WFVS Radio - Ft. Valley State is one of them. I had the pleasure of meeting Shirley in person about a month ago when she came to Las Vegas...it was truly a pleasure!

The 29th Annual Black College Radio and Television Annual Awards Banquet, held April 3-6 at Atlanta's Renaissance Downtown Hotel, ended on an exciting note for WFVS staff members. The Fort Valley State University crowd jumped to their feet when their station was announced as Station of the Year. On stage, BCR host Lo Jelks handed a beautiful plaque to station manager Shirley Ellis, who accepted the award and a $1,000 cash prize on behalf of the staff. (Ellis is also an announcer for Clear Channel's WRVB V101.7 in Macon, Georgia)

"Amazing," Ellis said, "This is an amazing feeling. I'm proud to accept this prestigious award on behalf of The Fort Valley State University."

Every year, Historically Black Colleges and Universities throughout the country compete for the award by submitting a CD highlighting their station's special features with a brief synopsis of programming to the BCR Awards Committee.

According to Jelks, the panel of professional judges selected WFVS for the top award because of the quality of the station's presentation and its commitment to community service.

"BCR doesn't just depend on what the station says it is doing to impact the community," said Jelks. "We also monitor the stations and get feedback from the people outside of the station to determine the station of the year. WFVS proved to live up to its commitments."

"You could not imagine the utter excitement and pride we, the campus radio staff members, felt,'" said Ellis. "It was like beautiful music to our ears."

"I knew that we were the winner when Mr. Jelks called out the letter V," said WFVS Station Program Director Randy Jackson. "It's a great feeling to know that all of our hard work paid off."

In addition to the awards ceremony, the station staff attended a three-day conference, "The Leading Edge of Excellence in Broadcast Education," - a networking event for college students with professionals in the broadcasting industry. Friday's keynote speaker was Patricia Russell-McCloud, J.D.

To see the highlights from the 29th Annual Black College Radio and Television Conference ‑ where Fort Valley State University's radio station, WFVS-LP 104.3, was awarded the "Station of the Year" award visit www.blackcollegeradio.com

I'VE BEEN TOLD I HAVE A STYLE LIKE BILLY HOLIDAY & A SOUND LIKE SARAH VAUGHAN, PHILLIS HYMAN, SADE AND OTHERS, BUT TO ME I SOUND JUST LIKE ME... MARIAN PENICK" Marian Penick hail from Los Angeles, CA and now reside in Las Vegas Nevada

When I first met Marian Penick, I said..."What a unique and distinguished vocalist...such stage presence...and...her song writing abilities speaks for itself with her newly released debut CD..."An Electric Mix Like Me" on AsiaBlue Records... shows the talents she has in the vocal and songwriting arena.

"An Electric Mix Like Me" says it all...her style, phrasing and musical content makes for a "star" package...real smooth jazz at its best..."Baby I'm Addicted", a lyrical "cutesy" fun song...The mellowness of "You Make Me Weak"...A respectful duet ballad...you just don't hear this kind of stuff now days...to the Latin feel of "Can I call you my Baby makes for a truly great feel from a truly great lady with great lyrics, for those of us that like great MUSIC..

SAVE THE DATE...NOVEMBER 1st - FOUR SEASONS HOTEL, LAS VEGAS - 8AM - 4PM.
Come and meet well known designers...Noreen Phillips from St. Martin West Indies...Palden Hester, Gibetan Jewelry and Rowhina, Los Angeles who specialize as an Indian Designer.

This will be the fashion show of all fashion shows..FOR MEN...FOR WOMEN...FOR YOU!!

Now you know, I must really like this Nancy lady...she is my Dentist wife!!! I am not fond of Dentist...but I am making an exception to the rule...Personable, talented and a all around NICE lady..

A Fashion show with a purpose...Giving back and enriching lives is more than a business accessory, it is sewn into the fabric of A Link to Fashion's philosophy. Aside from sharing a world of fashion with discerning individuals, A Link to Fashion is dedicated to making a world of difference to individuals in our community. A Link to Fashion proudly supports the following organizations: 100 Black Men Shade Tree Shelter Peace Academy Now this is FASHIONABLE!!!