We need your help finding old photos, home movies in Silver Springs Park

Springfield, MO— Last year, Plotline, A Girl Like Me, Timmons Hall and the UniteNews Publication collaborated on a project to to highlight the historic ParkDay Reunion Celebration and Silver Springs Park.

The ParkDay Reunion Celebration is one of the longest running African American events in Springfield. Traditionally celebrated on the first weekend in August, the event takes place in Silver Springs Park, Springfield’s only public park open to black residents during segregation. Park Day festivities fill three days and are held at venues all over Springfield.

With help from the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, the four collaborating organizations were able to fund part of the project. While the group has collected oral history interviews with several local families who have a long history in the area, the project lacks photographs and home movies that were taken in the park and at the annual celebration.

If you have any of the following items, we ask that you contact

Samuel Knox, UniteNews publication (417) 864-7444, email: unitepublication@yahoo.com or Christine Peoples, Timmons Hall (417) 983-1171, email: researchrethinkreimagine@gmail.com

Looking for photos of:

• Silver Springs Park Pre 1965-1975

• Aeiral photos of Silver Springs Park Pre 1965

• Older buildings no longer standing in the park

• Housing around Silver Springs Park Pre 1965

• Black families in the Silver Springs Park

• Sporting events in Silver Springs Park

• People celebrating at the Park Day Reunion Celebration

• Activities in Silver Springs Park Pre 1965-1975

If you have photos you would like to share, please contact us anytime between March 1 and March 15, 2023. We can do a quick digital scan within seconds while you wait. We will make sure all your photos are handled with care. You will also recieve recognition and credit for the use of your photo in the final project.

Jamerson

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Quickly, I bought a one-way ticket to LA through Allegiant Air. I left everything else behind except my clothes, my MPC Music Production Center, and my keyboard that I shipped with my car. I officially moved to Los Angeles March 15, 2017.

Upon arriving in LA, I found out that another engineer had the job I was supposed to get, so I panicked. I eventually got my foot in the door and was working in the studio when a group was holding auditions for an act named Jorge Blanco. My job was to turn on the sound and ensure everything was fine. They bring in a bunch of keyboard players to try out for the artist. For the first time, I am hearing all these great musicians rip music, and I say to myself this is crazy. It was a reality check for me, that I needed to step it up.

After the audition, the music director and the artist were still in the room, and I joined their conversation. The director asked me if I played keyboards, and I said humbly, “I play a little bit.” He was impressed with my knowledge and asked for my name and Instagram. After listening to some of my playing on Instagram, he later messaged me telling me that he thought I could play really well.

Fast forward, he called me for a gig when they had issues locking down a keys’ player. I was on standby, and an hour later, he called me to pack my bags as we were going on tour in Europe. We traveled to several countries, including the UK, France, Poland, Netherlands, Czech Republic, and Austria, among others. This was my big break into the music industry.

UniteNews: Can you mention some of the artists you’ve played for?

Pierre: I’ve played for BTS, Kiana Lede, Yuna, Jorge Blanco, Bea Miller, among others. I’ve written songs with Kiana Lede, such as ‘Chocolate. (feat. Ari Lennox).’ and ‘Movin.’ and I’ve written and produced songs with Yuna for her Album Y5 ‘Can’t Get Over You’ ‘Relax Your Mind’ ‘Enough’ and the highest streaming song we have which is ‘Fool 4 U’

UniteNews: What has been your most rewarding experience in the music industry?

Pierre: My most rewarding experience has been writing and producing music that I believe in. Traveling the world to perform on major stages and venues. I’ve met several major artists and legendary musicians. I’ve played on TV for BET Music Awards and, more recently, the American Music Awards show. Finally, by far the most rewarding thing is keeping my mom informed on my next moves!

UniteNews: What are some lessons you’ve learned from your experiences in the music business?

Pierre: I’ve learned that attitude is everything, and how you conduct yourself professionally is what gets you the callback. Being pleasant to be around is important, and staying focused and on top of your craft is crucial. If you’re passionate about something, you must do it wholeheartedly for the love of doing it, not just for the money. There are no shortcuts, and it’s a building process.

UniteNews: What does your future in the music industry look like?

Pierre: In the future, I want to start a record label and A&R for artists and continue to write and produce music for talented Artists. An A&R (artists and repertoire) representative is responsible for finding promising new artists for a record label or music publisher to sign. l plan to have some hits under my name while taking care of my family, my wife, Karina and our daughter Alaya.

Lastly, I want to thank Mr. Sam Knox and Unite for the opportunity to tell a brief story in this interview. Most importantly, I could not do any of this without the grace of God, I thank him and when I’m not on the road performing music, I play at Cali Worship Center on Sundays, Who’s Pastors are Warryn Campbell, Grammy Award winning producer and songwriter and his wife, Erica Campbell who’s half of the artist Mary Mary. If you don’t already, follow me on social media to keep up with the latest! Instagram @pierrejamerson