Just Mad Rantings ~ something for the saggy pants

So I wrote this one while teaching our young people in high school. 62 of 300 was an actual graduating class at the public school I worked at. We're in a desperate situation with all the Chicago school closings, people still thinking 'saggin' is cool and lack of art, business and physical education classes in schools. Be inspired to help make the changes people!

62 of 300 – The State of Our Youth

 Saggy pants symbolic of jailhouse sex

Frantic for hallway fights

Retarded membranes, an overindulgence of

Tetrahydroclouds and spirits

Too much sex

Too little protection

Loss of self. Finding something else

What happened to February?

Where’s the PTA?

The blue boys need their quota, where’s Dad?

Smith & Wesson supersedes their quota, there’s Mom

Crying. That was her Junie boy running around

With that mad crowd

Throwing ‘niggas’ around with the Bama boys

Because it’s ‘different now’ with the same result

80% in the shiny newly renovated facility

20% in last year’s graduating class

Available at Amazon.com. please support and get yours!!

Just Mad Rantings ~ something for Charles Bukowski

so I mention in the forward that Charles Bukowski aka Hank Chinaski is one of the writers that inspired me. But as you'll also read in my book sometimes it frustrated me a little bit that we seem to have similar writing styles and ways of being. But I also came to realize that perhaps we share a similar spirit, and I appreciate that.

 

Appreciation for the Naked Drunk 

 he wrote a poem for me 
one of many for the foxes 
I read and relate 
He’s competent and satisfied, the naked drunk 
“he speaks in a down-to-earth realistic voice” 
and bets on horses, uncrippled jockey killers 
I defended him to her because her box was too small
Because she’ll be an artist one day 
But today she doesn’t feel him 
Fidgeting complainer 
Rearranging furniture like my mother’s once a year habit 
Attitudinal discontent 
Constant confusion 
Live LOVE laff and learn….

Just Mad Rantings

so I finally re-released my book of poetry on Amazon.com. Just Mad Rantings is a short book of writings including haikus, short prose and random thoughts pooled together and disguised as poetry. Check it out and Thank you in advance. For an autographed copy and added bonus click the payment link below.

I welcome your feedback and appreciate you for reading! Til next time...Let's Build Empires Together!!

Shark Tank Review 05/10/13

Hello entrepreneurs! It's good to be back posting and sharing with you. I have some good ideas going forward including interviewing artists and entrepreneurs about what they're doing as well as getting back to reviewing some lessons from my favorite show, Shark Tank. This week had some fairly decent entrepreneurs and products. I won't review the pitches, but I will indicate some useful lessons learned from this episode for the next entrepreneurs that are pitching to investors. 1. Be flexible to change when pitching to the investors. By change I mean be able to listen and appreciate the feedback and quickly determine whether it will work for you, as opposed to being unmovable on your original idea. 2. Don't try to expand too soon. Sometimes what is working is working because of the factors surrounding the idea. We all want to expand but make sure your original concept is tried and true before expanding into a bigger market that is untested by yourself. 3. Be prepared for the presentation. This sounds simple but sometimes people go to court without pictures to help their case and sometimes people approach the sharks without having all the information i.e...forecasting profits, marketing plan, etc. Have answers and exhibits ready for the investors as opposed to having to say "I'll get you that information." 4. Be willing to negotiate and compromise while being firm in knowing your company valuation. This is similar to point #1 and actually goes with the next point even better. When the investor makes an offer be quick and know how this offer affects your bottom line. 5. Make strategic valuations and smart counter offers. As mentioned in #4, know your company's value and present your offer in an upfront and honest approach. Sometimes entrepreneurs over or undervalue the company to look good and get more money. But numbers don't lie. Take into account what's fair for the company and for the investor. 6. Know when a good offer is made and jump for it. Try to work out win-win situations and don't be too slow to move on opportunities. Til next time, Let's Build Empires Together!

You're an indie artist!! Get noticed!!

Here's an interesting article I ran across from TAXI, a great resource for indie artists! Enjoy!

A&R — Getting Signed

By Kenny Kerner

One of the most difficult things to understand is what the A&R Community is really looking for. What does an artist have to have to get signed to a recording contract? For lack of a better name, I call these intangible things "signing ingredients." And the more of them you have, the more likely you are to get signed!

During my 30 years as an Editor and Music Journalist, I've interviewed over 200 members of the A&R Community and, based on those interviews, was able to compile a Top 10 list of important signing ingredients. So, in order of their importance, here's what you need to get signed:

1. Passion

   That intangible, inner-emotion a singer or band possesses that makes him/them believable. Otis Redding, Janis Joplin, Aretha Franklin--all possess it.

2. Songs

   The very essence of success. The reason this did not come in at #1 is that songs can come from many different places--publishers, covers of other songs, the artist, himself, collaborations, etc. So, if the artist isn't an amazing songwriter, he/she can still obtain amazing songs.

3. Live Show

   This is how a musician sells his CDs and merchandise. A poor live show, and you turn off your audience. A great live show, and you've made a fan for life. Live shows also tell an A&R person whether you are communicating with your audience and if they are accepting your music.

4. Star Quality

   Is there someone bigger than life in your band? A Gene Simmons? A Mick Jagger? Rock star Billy Idol wasn't much of a singer, yet he went on to become an international rock icon because of his star quality. Skid Row's Sebastian Bach had star quality. Remember him?

5. Marketability

   Can your image and music be marketed to a targeted audience? Who is likely to buy it and why? There is little demand for Lithuanian accordion music, so regardless of how you shine on that instrument, the chances of you landing that big-bucks record deal are slim, at best.

6. Group Focus

   For a solo artist or duo, this is a no-brainer. But, as a band, is everyone pulling in the same direction? Does the band/artist have a plan? Is the manager aligned with the artist's plan? Where are the trouble spots?

7. Hunger

   How hungry are you to make it? And I don't mean when did you eat last! Is the artist spoiled? Will the artist do anything to make it? Are they willing to earn a record deal? Many artists that have been around for years are under the misconception that because they're still performing and staying together, they've earned the right to be signed. Not true.

8. Business Savvy

   Does the artist know how things in this industry really work? What kind of "Pro-Team" have they assembled? Do they need a manager? Attorney? What do they expect?

9. Red Flags

   Are there any troublemakers in the band (or is the solo artist himself unreliable)? Any personal problems like sex? Drugs? Money problems? Is there anything or anyone that might prevent this artist from pursuing a career in the music business? Girlfriend? Boyfriend? Former wife? Children?

10. A&R Instinct

    What does my A&R instinct tell me about this artist? Am I in love with this band? Am I willing to risk my job, my benefits, my vacation and my expense account to get them signed? What do others in my company think? Bringing an act into a record company when you are the only one championing their cause is the beginning of the end--for both of you.

    Before making his final decision, an A&R person will see how many of these talent ingredients his act has--and then go from there. Considering it takes about one-million dollars to properly promote each new act, don't expect a flurry of signings at any one label.

Need a Record Deal, Publishing Deal, or Film and TV placement for you music? Then check out TAXI: The World's Leading Independent A&R Company.

Unwrap Chicago

Chicago is a wonderful place to get lost, experience culture and visit thriving small businesses that add to the overall health, pride and well being of the neighborhoods.  The Chicago Black Business Network has started a website highlighting businesses in the many diverse areas of the city (http://www.eatdrinkbuylocal.org/).  From Divine Healing Herbs on the southside at 87th and Ashland to businesses in Wicker Park, Old Town, Hyde Park, and all over the city, shopping at a small business is a definite must for this holiday season. Support the small neighborhoods and especially minority owned businesses. We are all as strong as our weakest link and we know the minority communities spend billions of dollars. Please use some of your spending strength on a neighborhood small business and/or a minority owned establishment.

Click the link and Unwrap Chicago

Coaching Creativity

As I get remotivated to continue working on my second book as well as the many other projects that I juggle on a daily basis, I'm reminded of my conversations on keeping a job as opposed to creating one. Some of us are great career builders, others of us have to figure it out. Furthermore, the economic standings of today are forcing some of us to create. So I'm here to encourage us to do just that, CREATE! Don't wait for that pink slip before you start following your passion. Don't wait until the bills pile up, the creditors are calling and you're having sleep for dinner. CREATE! Determine what you love and start figuring out how to go for it.

I love coaching so let's do a virtual coaching session to determine how we can be more creative.

1. What do you really love to do? Or restated, what would you do that you love without being paid for it? I may be hurting myself with this statement but I love dj'ing and have been doing it for the love since day one. Yes I have been paid to dj, but it's my passion and I would do it without being paid. (Shhhh, don't tell the promoters or club owners =)
2. Are you good at doing what you love? Are you good enough to charge for your services or products?
3. Who is doing what you love and getting paid for it? If they're doing it, do you think you can do it?
4. So what's stopping you?

Simplistic thinking perhaps, but that is the point. Try to keep it simple. Often our minds will throw up hurdles that make us pause (hem and haw) instead of moving full steam ahead (scurrying). Don't listen to ALL those voices in your head, some of them whisper frustration, desperation and insanity. Listen to the angels whispering for you to follow your dreams because all of them are rooting for your success. CREATE!!

Until next time, let's build empires together!