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Interview With Avery*Sunshine

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Today we have the great blessing to speak with Avery*Sunshine and understand a little bit more about her wonderful voice, talent and positivity.  With the release of her debut album last summer, she has brought an energy to the genre, that was lacking in my opinion.  You can gather that vibe from her music, watching her perform or just hearing her in a voicemail. (Which I had the pleasure to receive, I will never delete):)  Anyway, if you haven’t picked up the album please do, and give yourself a treat.  Also, if you are in the Memphis, she will be performing at The Vine this Saturday January 15th.  You know I will be there.

Soulified: With the release of your debut album last summer, how has your career changed?

Avery*Sunshine: We are definitely a lot busier!!! The album helps to increase awareness.

Soulified: What was the message that you were trying to convey to your fans with that album?

Avery*Sunshine: I wanted to encourage people to not be afraid of honesty. I hope that my honesty and “realness” (That word is not in the dictionary lol) encourages others to be honest and real. From that honesty will flow healing and from that healing will flow “SHINEABILITY”: the ability to SHINE! . (I made that word up too.) ;)

Soulified: As each song is an intimate creation of talent, heart and soul, what song had the most meaning to you on this album, if you had to narrow one down?

Avery*Sunshine: They are all very meaningful to me. If I’d have to pick,  I’d choose UGLY.  From that tune we were able to create an album. The vocals on that tune were recorded in my closet!!!!

Soulified: I really enjoyed your video “All In My Head”. What songs are next to make the transitions to a music video?  Why was that one picked to be the first?

Avery*Sunshine: Thank you! We thought that the story of ALL IN MY HEAD would visually be interesting. We hope that it was! I GOT SUNSHINE and PININ’ will be next!

Soulified: I love that you are touring, even to the smaller cities like Memphis. How has the experience been for you?

Avery*Sunshine: The touring experience is very close to my heart. I am privileged to have the opportunity to travel the world doing what I love to do. BLESSED.

Soulified: Since you gave your fans such a great album last summer, what are you plans for the next album?

Avery*Sunshine: First of all, THANK YOU. Secondly, the thought of creating another album is TERRIFYING but a feat we intend to take on nonetheless!!! We, my music partner Dana Johnson and I, plan to write from our hearts again and see what happens. Wherever God leads, we’re gonna follow!  Can’t go wrong that way. I’d like to have a few guest artists on the album too. (We’ll let you know if Prince agrees!!!) I’M KIDDING!!! well… ;)

Soulified: I can tell by your music, videos and just how you carry yourself. How do you keep your positive nature and outlook?

Avery*Sunshine: Prayer. My family. My friends. Music. Getting rest when I need it and being adamant about having personal time to “re-up”.

Soulified: With the growth of twitter and facebook as ways for artists to connect directly with the fans, what method do you prefer and what was the most surprising thing that you have noticed about the increased fan connection?

Avery*Sunshine: I am both a Twitter and Facebook junkie. When I first started, I was surprised that people were actually interested in the seemingly mundane things that I was doing!!! Now I realize that the social networks allow artists to have the necessary connection with the people who help to make the artists who they are. I was not a fan initially. Now, I’M SOLD!!!!

Soulified: So what are you plans for your music in 2011?

Avery*Sunshine: We intend to continue  our touring to further increase awareness about the project. Of course we’ll be making more music too. ;)

Soulified: Thank your for your time, and best wishes.

Avery*Sunshine: Thank you Eric for your interest!!!  I’m Honored!





Ledisi Releases video for “Going Thru Changes”

Ledisi

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Ledisi has returned, to bring us a video of her latest single “Going Thru Changes”.  Which is from her latest album “Turn Me Loose“.

P.S. People in Memphis, don’t forget she will be here in December with Mint Condition and Eric Benet.

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFIrCtGYZz4

Memphis: Najee & Will Downing Coming this October

Najee

Good morning.  Wifey just let me know that two of my favorite performers, Najee and Will Downing, are coming to Memphis in October.  The full details have not been released yet, but that should be soon.  The event is being put on by Mix & Mingle, who is no stranger to bringing good music for that Grown Folks vibe. Both artists have new material to entice listeners.  Najee’s releases “Mind Of Matter” on August 25th, 2009.  Also Will Downing released “Classique” on June 16th. I’ll update once more information is available.  Thanks.

Will Downing

Update 8/19/09

Mix & Mingle Entertainment have announced the details for this concert.  It is set for October 24th, 2009 @ 8pm at the Cannon Center.  Tickets go on sale this Friday August 20th, 2009 at 10:00am EST.  You can purchase them TicketMaster or call the Cannon Center Box Office at 901.314.2924. Tickets prices: $69.50, $59, $54, $49, $45 & $39.

Endangered Species: Black Owned Business Customer Service

Black Business

As lovers of great food, and especially Soul Food, we tend to frequent small mom and pop restaurants.  Being in the South, we to try to give our dining dollars and support to fellow Black owned businesses, that happen to have great food. This policy of ours is becoming harder to continue. What’s the reason of this declining desire to give our valuable dining dollar to these businesses? Very simple….  consistently bad customer service.

Why is it that some of our Black owned restaurants can have such bad service, and seem not to be concerned about it?  Also, why is it expected for us to give then our business, regardless of their customer service? You want to give them the business, and enjoy the food.  Which would be a win-win for everyone, but some businesses don’t see it that way.  Below I will give three recent examples of this problem. Each restaurant’s service has varied problems, but problems none the less. Continue reading “Endangered Species: Black Owned Business Customer Service” »

Soul Food Festival Coming Near You

Soul Food Memphis

Here is the last event to help fill up your weekends.  The Soul Food Festival.  Bet you didn’t know one of those existed.  I was really taken aback when I saw the size of this event, and the numerous cities that it is taking place.  It has many musical groups for the “Grown Folks” crowd.  From Peabo Bryson, Silk, Ready For the World, O’jays, MC Lyte, and quite a few others.  The artists do vary from city to city, so check the flyer for your location.

There will be a variety of Soul Food vendors, some local and some national.  To become a vendor for your city’s event check here. Also for general rules about the event check here.

Tickets range from $25 – $35 for general admission, and VIP tickets are from $45- $50.  Gates normally open two hours prior to show time, and the show lasts about four to five hours.  Tickets can be purchased in advance at Front Gate Tickets. Below are the upcoming dates and cities for the Soul Food Festival.

July 11th   Nashville, TN

August 1st   Memphis, TN

August 8th   Charlotte, NC

August 15th   Cleveland, OH

August 22nd   Kansas City, MO

August 29th   Cincinnati, OH

September 5th Palm Beach County, FL (Info not released)

Erykah Badu Performing for Southern Classic

Erykah Badu

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Good news Memphians.  Erykah Badu is coming to town for Southern Classic, on September 10th, 2009.  She will be performing at the Classic R & B Concert, which is being held at the Orphuem Theatre.  Presale tickets go on sale at 10:00am CST today. Tickets for the public go on sale tomorrow, Friday July 10th at 10:00am CST.  You can purchase tickets at Ticketmaster. Ticket prices range from $57 to $87. They haven’t stated if there is anyone else performing with her, but that information should be released shortly.

UPDATE: The password for buying the tickets early, during the pre-sale event is “honey” or “classic20”

Summer Concerts in Memphis

It looks like Memphis will have a much better summer concert turnout, compared to last year.  With Memphis it has become harder and harder to really grab the headliners, or even leseer known artists.  So, to make sure that we don’t miss the good shows, I have compiled a list of the shows that I am currently aware of.  If you know of any that I am missing, please let me know and I’ll update the list.  I’m also working on a interactive calendar that will work a lot better.  It looks like India Arie, Anthony David w/ Musiq Soulchild, John Legend, and Anthony David w/ N’Dambi.  So far so good.

India Arie

India Arie (Buy TIckets)

Place: Orpheum Theatre Memphis

Date/Time: Sun, May 24, 2009 08:00 PM

Anthony David

Anthony Hamilton & Musiq Soulchild (Buy TIckets)

Place: Desoto County Civic Center

Date/Time: Sat, May 30, 2009 08:00 PM

John Legend

John Legend (Buy TIckets)

Place: Harrah’s Casino Tunica Event Center

Date/Time: Thu, Jul 2, 2009 07:30 PM

N'Dambi

N’Dambi & Anthony David (Buy TIckets)

Place: Minglewood Hall

Date/Time: Sat, June 27th, 2009 08:00 PM

Memphis music lovers have more days to enjoy

Taste Of Thursdays

Taste Of Thursdays

Being kind of new to Memphis, it has been hard for us (wifey and myself) to find some places to really enjoy music. Hard to believe, that can happen in the City Of Memphis. We have found two places recently, that are great examples of grown folk chill spots. They have the prerequisite of the great music, delicious food, and a full calendar of events. The first we tried was Soul Cafe, which Dave Hollister frequents, performs and hosts in some of the events. You can count on them to have a show every Friday, to help relieve the end of the week stress. The second place that really eximplifies the term “hole in the wall”, is Cafe Soul. Don’t let that turn you off. The outside of the building, doesn’t do any justice to the inside. With the stage in the center, it really makes for an enjoyable time. Will Graves & Soul are there the 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month. So, there are two great ways to spend your Friday and Saturday nights.

Now there will be two more days. Your Thursdays can now be filled with Taste Of Thursdays. It’s going to be a blend of Jazz, wine and Italian food. It starts March 19th, and will be every 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month. Then your easy Sunday’s can be made easier with Sax On Sunday. They’ll have various sub genre’s of Jazz, and also a poet on hand to drop a stanza or two. I haven’t been to either of these new events, but once I do, I’ll give the full report.