XS10 Magazine - Nov 2020

Founder Michael Neely CEO Rasheed J. Neely Editors Aidem Media Group David R. Navarro Graphics design&print

Contributing Writers Michael Neely David R. Navarro Misty White Addison Coleman Sherry Nelson Advertising + Promotion Aidem Media Group B & S Designs - Digital Marketing Cat Peterson

Copyrights XS10 Magazine is sole property of AidemMediaGroup/AMGmusic.Net. Which is owned by Michael Neely and any articles and pictures are sole property of XS10 Magazine and any likeness. XS10 Magazine has been copyrighting since 2012.

In memory of Kandi Dales, a good hearted friend.

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design&print

Page 23 Cover Feature:

Marian Shanley

Table of Contents Page 4 Elodie Reverie

Page 18 Ya jna

Page 38 Mr. Chenier

Page 7 Alonzo Cartier “The Painter”

Page 23 Marian Shanley

Page 40 Baby Magic

Page 29 Kenny Aronoff

Page 43 Ashes to Omens

Page 32 Suburban Amz

Page 45 Leland Sklar

Page 9 Nana Churcher Page 12 Rene Krystle Hamlet Page 14 Elijah Maximus 2

Page 36 Pervis Taylor, III

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ELODIE REVERIE Ethereal, Mesmerizing, Intriguing.

What inspired you to begin a career in music?

In December of 2018 while I was living in LA working as a documentary production assistant I decided I wanted to learn to produce music using Logic.

Although those close to me would agree it came out of the blue, they’d also agree that it made sense.

I’ve played piano since I was 5 years old, which allowed me to hone my naturally instinctive ear.

In college for an assignment to create a documentary, I’d recently started voice lessons and made a documentary about my quest to write a song, deciding at the very least it would be a good portrait on dealing with gender, elite higher education, and failure, and I surprised myself and the songwriting seed was planted.

I loved jazz singing so much, I even opened for Macy Gray and Wyclef Jean at a Jazz Foundation of America event for an audience of 500 people.

I was discouraged by the Amy documentary, and decided to focus my efforts on documentary and moved away from music.

It was always on and off. I remember when I was living in LA, I went on a karaoke date with a CAA floater and I BOMBED so I quit for months.

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I worked on a documentary about slam poetry called Don’t Be Nice as a post-production assistant,

and at the center of the storyline was an incredibly creative inspirational coach, and I think being exposed to her was formative for my creativity and decision to create my own music.

In December of 2018 I set my resolution to create music. I think LA gave me the space to dream and think and let my mind wander in a way New York(where I’m from) didn’t.

I stumbled into a free intro to Logic class at the Apple Store in January of 2019 and I created Fire in the Desert.

I began to release music under the stage name Elodie (rhymes with Melody) Rêverie (also rhymes with melody and means daydream in French). Within a year I had 12 pages of google results, close to 200 reviews of my music, traveled to Scotland for a songwriting retreat, and opened for Hoobastank.

I’m approaching 2 years and haven’t looked back.

Describe your sound in 3 words?

Ethereal, Mesmerizing, Intriguing.

What differs you and your sound from other upcoming artists in the music industry?

One key thing. I harness my emotions, and other people connect with my lyrics, voice and melodies on an emotional level. I think we should all be tak ing our time to create music we want to hear in the world, and focus on that emotion. Today, there is so

much music and so much of it sounds polished and well produced but it lacks emotional depth and thus gets lost in the noise.

You have just released your new single ‘Red Carpet.’

Can you please describe the meaning behind the single and the creative process?

Red Carpet was inspired by an experience I had 18 years ago. When I was 10, I had the opportunity to be in a Sundance film called Pieces of April written and directed by Peter Hedges(What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, About a Boy, Dan in Real Life) starring Katie Holmes. I had a small role, but I was allowed to walk down the red carpet because Peter knew how much would it would mean to me. It meant a of a lot to me, because I’ve written about it nearly 20 years after the fact. After releasing my most recent single Under the Radar(July 2020)I saw that 68 people were listening at once on my Spotify for Artists app and I texted my mom saying that I felt like I was walking the red carpet again.

Everyone experiences good days and bad days, as a musician, when you have a bad day, what motivates you to keep moving and look ahead to the future?

Sometimes I do wallow, or get lost in the noise of my own thoughts. I haven’t found a quick fix, yet for whatever reason I keep plugging away. One thing that motivates me is the thought of my grand-children listening to my music.

In your own opinion, what is the most meaningful song you wrote? What makes you say that one?

My song Skeleton Castle has an interesting back story.

I wrote it on a retreat in Scotland I found off the internet led by Grammy nominated Verlon Thompson.

I was the youngest person in the retreat, and the song is inspired by a family trip I went on when my parents were married. When we landed, I convinced my family to drive four hours, followed by a two hour hike in the mud to see a Castle Threave, which was home to my ancestors centuries ago. There was barely anything left of it, but I thought it was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen.

The song is about connecting to my lineage, and also the peace I made with my family’s divorce I felt returning to a place I associated with my happiest family trip. The production is up beat so that you can move along with it and you can take in the lyrics if you want to. I produced it entirely by myself in my hotel room in London and was so excited that I recorded it the next day at StrongRoom.

What personal advice would you give to someone wanting to pursue this career?

A career as an independent musician is well-suited to someone nerdy who will arm themselves with as much info as possible!

Throughout your musical career, have you experienced any ‘wow’ moments? Those moments that you stop to reflect and can’t believe you are where you are?

Yes! One exhilarating moment I experienced was opening for Hoobastank at the Mesa Music Festival.

I befriended a fabulous women who happened to take me to Guitar Center during the weekend I was there for the festival!

During soundcheck I decided I needed a sign with my name and Instagram since I was playing on the main stage, and I texted her asking if she could get poster board and markers for me.

I hand drew the sign right before going on.

I remember singing out into the open air and she and her son were in the audience. My mother and my best friend’s parents were also there who were hosting my my mom and I for the weekend, and I employed letting go in the moment without judging how I was sounding and it was exhilarating.

I still have the sign, oh and I gained 30 Instagram followers :)

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First and foremost, focus on the music. Make music you want to hear. Learn how to produce, in a basic way. Packaging and branding is important, but think of it like this: if you see an amazing ad or Instagram for a cookie, but the cookie tastes bad, the product isn’t going to thrive.

What does the foreseeable future hold for you as an artist?

We will have to see!

In the short term it be cool to see you watching my animated video for Under the Radar: https://youtu. be/b-DiP7Wz_PA Connect with her on here social media: https://www.facebook.com/elodiereveriemusic https://www.instagram.com/elodiereverie/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH_qu2y8t3kS-mlOm78S3Qg?pbjreload=102 https://open.spotify.com/artist/2wgprKjXOQKYR90B6XfFQO?si=oQK4cquKSvuPAl6pr7t5QQ https://www.elodiereverieofficial.com Photos by Arthur Lang

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ALONZO CARTIER a.k.a. The Painter Artist Name?

Alonzo Cartier aka The Painter Style of music?

Inspirational, Hip Hop, street edgy story telling.

What made you get into the music industry?

The absence of my father initially, he was in jail most of my life for selling drugs. I had no true male guidance so I turned to writing music .

How long have you been on this grind?

A easy consistent 20 years for sure.

Who is your favorite artist and why?

Jay Z, he is literally the blueprint to me to this game.

No one has done it like he has. He set the bar extremely high to say the least. Second is Pimp C merely because I was able to witness how he moved first hand.

If you could do a callabo with any artist who would it be and why?

Older artist Jay Z, Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, Newer artist H.E.R, Chris Brown, Jhene Aiko, Ty $ Sign, J Cole, Kendrick.

How would you describe your style and the message you want to put out into the world?

Naturally original! unforced, extremely authentic and true to who I am. Very coded & personal from my

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hooks to verses, the most vivid paintings you can find on my side of the map! until I reach yours (lol).

What are your goals when it comes to music?

Providing a financially free lifestyle for my two little ones through my passion is always the ultimate goal of mine as well as consistently feeding ONLY my painters aka my fans.

What projects do you have going on currently?

Possibly “The Ticket 2 ep “ by 12/24 at the same time working on my next album Loyalty Issues.

Tell us about your current music projects?

NNtroverted is my latest project to date. It was released of 9/11 this year. It has been received really well and opened a lot more doors! my team and I are pretty excited about it.

Any lessons learnt from your musical journey?

To many! and still learning! as long as i continue to just be true to myself i will be fine, but I am loving the journey.

Any people you want to shout out?

Yes YOU Ms Martha! Overly appreciative for this opportunity! Shoutout my daughter Judy Jetson who has a birthday coming up! Shoutout to everyone who worked on making NNtroverted such a dope project.. be looking forward to more hits !

Shoutout to Jason Pruitt in the USA Navy one of my most favorite people in the entire world.

Shoutout to Beat Masta Wes! Your saying is? “ .. if I was .1 percent wack I would have been quit! unfortunately God made me the best so here we r! lol”.

What would you like people to get out of your music?

Simple, Inspiration!

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NANA CHURCHER ‘The Nana Churcher Show’ How did you become a motivational speaker?

I started my motivational speaking from being a Mary Kay Sales Director, training and empowering both clients and team members.

How do you, personally, define success? What’s your criteria, the markers you’re looking out for, etc?

Finding and living my true purpose and having a positive impact on the lives of others by uplifting and inspiring them to change their mindset and transform their lives.

Has it been a smooth road?

It’s hasn’t been a smooth road. Not having the finances to start a business limits you so much. It was really frustrating not having money to pay for studio, cameras and a videographer. I also got a lot of rejections from sponsors and celebrities as I was the new kid on the block. We are in a society that many want to associate when you are well known and have a following.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with The Nana Churcher Show – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.

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The Nana Churcher Show is my childhood dream come true. It’s a testament that dreams really come true if one believes and work at it. The Nana Churcher Show is a motivational, inspirational, educational and entertaining talk show. I am the Host and the Executive Producer of it. I interview celebrities, professionals and extraordinary individuals who are working hard in their fields. The aim of the show is to ignite the greatness in others as I believe each and everyone of us have greatness in them. It premiered on Voxafrica TV in the UK, and around Europe, on DSTV in Africa. It also aired on ABN TV in the UK and TV3 IN Ghana.

The Nana Churcher Show streams live every Sunday evening from 6pm UK time on Facebook/YouTube and on Instagram.

I am most proud of my interviews because of how I tell the individual stories to bring change and transformation. What sets me apart from others is I make my guest and audience feel very important in how we associate. And also out of the show, I have written a book titled ‘The Power of Your Words’.

Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?

I like the diversity that is seeing all different people from every part of the world living in one city. The least is the traffic.

What would the world look like if you realized your vision – who would benefit, and who would suffer?

I have realized my vision and mission and impacting lives with the platform I have been blessed with. I believe everyone who connects with me be it my talk show or book takes away life changing advice. Those who suffer are those who don’t want to live their comfort zone.

Where does your passion come from?

My passion comes from within. I love what I do. It is so fulfilling and makes me very happy.

What and whom do you love best?

I love spending time in God’s presence as that’s where I am refreshed and get new ideas, I love to travel, learn and meet new people. I love my husband Pastor Alfred Churcher who is my main man and best and love my child (Lois, Esther, Grace and Jeremy).

What are you most afraid of? Getting your way or not getting your way?

Getting my way as it sometimes hinders my growth process. I get too comfortable.

Who else has been down your road before you?

No one. I am the first in my family.

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What do you spend most of your time doing?

I spend most of my time with my family. My family means the world to me so when I am not filming, or on a book and speaking engagement, I am home spending quality family time with my husband and kids.

When are you most fully yourself?

When I have a great interview What one word best sums up you and your vision?

Authentic What and who inspires you with awe?

Nature inspires me with awe and people who bounce back after being knocked down by life Do you have a website or social media?

Facebook: @nanachurcher , @thenanachurchershow YouTube: The Nana Churcher Show Twitter: @nanachurcher Instagram: @nanachurcher Interview Photos by A-klass Photos

RENE KRYSTLE HAMLET Fully Submerged When did you first get involved as a model?

I first became involved in modeling when I was 15. I previously had been very enthusiastic about playing volleyball, but doctors said I couldn’t play sports anymore after a severe sternum and rib injury. My parents searched for something else for me to do, and we chose modeling and acting classes.

What or Who inspired you to pursue such a competitive career?

I pursued modeling just for a fun activity and had no particular expectations of what might come from it.

After meeting and working with other models and on sets, I really enjoyed the atmosphere.

I’m sure you have met a lot of talented individuals and/or celebrities along the way. Would you share 1 or 2 of your favorite stories with us?

I had the opportunity to meet one of my favorite bands, go on tour with them for awhile, and hang out at their studio in Los Angeles. I learned a lot about what their daily grind of rehearsing is all about, and I had fun watching their talent in action.

How has your modeling evolved since you first started?

I’ve become locally known in my market and, because I have networked for so many years, people contact me to do work for them.

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Interview Photos by evankanephotography.com

I’m sure you have met a lot of talented individuals and/or celebrities along the way. Would you share 1 or 2 of your favorite stories with us?

I had the opportunity to meet one of my favorite bands, go on tour with them for awhile, and hang out at their studio in Los Angeles. I learned a lot about what their daily grind of rehearsing is all about, and I had fun watching their talent in action.

How has your modeling evolved since you first started?

I’ve become locally known in my market and, because I have networked for so many years, people contact me to do work for them.

If you were forced to choose only one, which emotion, more than any other drives you to stay in these tough careers? Is it joy, anger, desire, passion or pride and why?

I would say passion drives my interest. I feel the happiest when I am working on set with everyone involved and I like how we become an extended family for the time spent on our project. Having that connection and fun makes me excited to keep going.

Which ingredient do you think makes you special and unique as a model in an industry overflowing with new faces and ideas?

I’d say my attitude is what keeps me going. I think my approach to each project inspires in me fresh determination and dedication.

What has been your biggest challenge as a model? Have you been able to overcome that challenge?

If so, how?

My biggest challenge was to relax enough to be comfortable with who I am. I think most people in this industry feel unsure of themselves at least once.

You have to find a point where you’re comfortable with yourself by embracing what makes you unique.

A common phrase as a performing artist is, “you must suffer for your art”. Do you agree with this statement? If so, how have you suffered for your art?

I don’t agree with that statement because I don’t look at it as suffering. I look at it as an opportunity to learn and to improve. That translates into a benefit, not a hardship.

How do you feel the Internet has impacted the modeling business?

I have mixed feelings about the Internet impacting the modeling business. On one hand, I feel it helps expand exposure and being seen by others who probably wouldn’t have otherwise seen me. But on the other hand, I feel like many companies care more about how many followers I have than any talent I may possess.

Do you have any hidden talents?

I’m pretty good at fixing things around the house, and I’m a serious gardener.

What is the best advice you have received?

The best advice I’ve received is to listen to myself and to not measure myself based on anyone else’s experience. Everybody’s journey is different.

What projects are you currently working on... that you can talk about?

Due to COVID, some things have been put on hold.

Prior to COVID, I was involved in an international Bollywood film where I played the wife to Michael

Madsen’s character. It will be released when the COVID circumstances allow.

Currently, I have been working on a radio show that I host, called See PTSD. I was diagnosed with Complex PTSD over a year ago and am now the Ms Washington Ambassador FoRe! PTSD. The FoRe! Ambassador program has been an amazing platform for me to connect, help others and to have a voice for those of us who have C-PTSD. How can fans-to-be follow your career?

You can follow me at any of the following: Instagram: @rene_k_hamlet_modeling_page Public Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/renekhamlet/ Ms Washington Ambassador FoRe! PTSD FB page: https://www.facebook.com/MsWashingtonAmbassadorFoRePTSD/ See PTSD Radio show page: https://www.facebook.com/SeePTSD TikTok: @renehamlet IMBD: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9180885/

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ELIJAH MAXIMUS One Step at a Time!

How did you get into acting?

I started acting when I was three years old (in theater). My parents always took me to see local plays and I kept wanting to get on stage until one day the director let me audition! After a few plays under my belt, my first big role was “Dolore” in Madama Butterfly Opera when I was four.

What has been your favorite moment as an actor?

My favorite moment as an actor is getting to meet all the people involved in the project—by the end of production we start to feel like one big family!

I know this has been said by many, but it really is true; we spend so many hours with each other filming and (before Covid) even breaking bread together! When a project ends, I really feel it. I miss the crew, the cast—everyone!

What do you do to prepare for a scene?

Well the first thing I do is try to understand what is going on in the scene, then I work on memorizing my lines. Once that is done, I like to ask the director (or have my Pops ask sometimes) what it is he or she is looking for so that I make sure I am interpreting the character’s thoughts and actions correctly.

Every director is different, so you never know what they are looking for!

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What does a typical day on set look like for you?

This could take a while!

It looks a bit different after Covid, but it is still very similar as before. For one thing, when I’ve been on location, we usually don’t get the call sheet until late the night before (after I’ve already gone to bed) or sometimes we even get it the morning of! Even though there is a schedule of where to be and what time with what scenes, you often need to be flexible because things can change, like the weather or a scene taking longer than expected. Sometimes I arrive for my call time but end up waiting an hour or more. There have been many times where a scene is changed completely, or they do a re-write and add new lines that I learn on the spot!

Sometimes we go to so many different locations that we might wake up, drive two hours to film all day, drive two hours back, pack and go to bed, then get up and go somewhere new the next day. There’s been times where we were in a different location every other day!

So far, my experiences have been shooting outside in extreme heat, cold, rain and of course beautiful weather too! Usually you shoot the same scene several times and it could be a couple of hours, or the

entire day. They need so many different angles and close ups and different character’s viewpoints. It motivates me to see the other actors giving their all every single take. They never let their tiredness show and I try to do the same.

Sometimes you are crammed in the smallest space with the crew and other actors and you’re all hot but you’re acting as if you’re comfortable near a warm fire eating a bowl of stew, or you’re outside and its super cold, but you’re supposed to be filming a summer scene. Luckily for me, production always makes sure I am cool (if it’s hot) or warm (if it’s cold). Before Covid, we would all break for meals and eat together, but since Covid, we have to eat at different times with our food in individually wrapped containers. Before Covid we could all hang out during filming but after Covid we need to be tested continually and be divided into different zones. Everyone must wear masks the entire time; the only time I could remove my mask was when filming a scene and then afterwards I had to put it right back on.

During filming I also manage to do my schoolwork! I either do it before call time, in-between scenes (if I have a long-enough break), or at the end of the day.

Then, we do it all over again the next day and the next until the film is finished!

So, despite what people may think, it is all work and in no way glamorous—not even a little bit! But I wouldn’t want to do anything else!

Do you have any projects in the works?

I do! I just finished filming a movie called Saturn (directed by Eric Esau). I’m excited about this role because my character had some really emotional scenes; I had to do them over and over and over again, because as you know, the director needs different takes and angles. I hope that I did the character justice and that this becomes my breakout role because I put my whole heart into it!

What is your favorite pastime?

I like to play Chess, listen to music and I really love reading! I find reading helps increase my imagination, writing and vocabulary, which also helps my acting as well.

How has your life changed since the Covid-19 situation?

I was homeschooled before the virus, but I went to a campus for some of my classes, so now all my classes are on Zoom at home. I also went to Muay Thai, Jiu-Jitsu, basketball and church and now I do all of those at home the best that I can, but nothing compares to doing it in person!

Can you tell me a bit about your birthday party from this past year?

It was so different this year! Since we now live in Los Angeles, all of our family is either out of state (Brooklyn, NY) or out of the country (Colombia) and with the quarantine, I couldn’t really have a birthday party, so I had a virtual party at home, which was still fun, but not the same. So, picture my parents at home with me, while my friends and family are on Zoom watching me hit my very first pinata! It was a red ninja, and it was so dope! It was weird hearing people cheering me on to hit it harder and being the only one doing it! But it was definitely hilarious, and I got to keep all the candy!

Do you have any pets?

I used to watch the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles a lot, so we got four Musk turtles and guess what I named them? If you guessed Leo, Mikey, Donnie, and Raph, you’re correct! Raphael is my favorite because he has an edge to him (and red is my favorite color).

What is your favorite movie?

That’s a tough one because even bad movies have good parts. I just really like movies!

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What is currently your favorite food?

First of all, I LOVE food. If I had to pick just one, it would be pizza!! Of course, not just any pizza will do—it’s all about the sauce!

What is your least favorite food?

Broccoli—I’m still not a fan.

Where do you see yourself in ten years?

That’s easy—I want to still be acting and one day become a great filmmaker!

Follow Elijah Maximus on the web: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElijahMaximus13 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Elijah_Maximus IMDb: imdb.me/ElijahMaximus Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCCmhpSQANc0XOfInn_N0p7A Website: https://www.ElijahMaximus.com

Photo (Bottom) on set of “Barkskins”.

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IGNITE APPAREL’S focus is in fueling creative expression of designs and ideals from around the world.

“We IGNITE the fuel to Be different, Think different, Act different with passion and love for the art”.

YAJNA

Talented Performing Artist When did you first get into music?

I have always been into music. I grew up in a family of musicians. My mom is a composer, my dad plays the guitar, one of my brothers plays drums and guitar. I wrote my first song when I was 10, and I performed solo in the church for the first time when I was 9. Music has always been a big part of my life, and music has always been a way for me to express myself. Ever since I was a little girl I’ve been dreaming about being an artist! But to be honest, it wasn’t until after my divorce that I finally understood where to go with my music and how to get there.

I needed to restart and focus on myself and my true passion to find myself again, and that was through music!

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What genre of music do you perform?

I would say a mix of soul/rnb and pop. I call it atmospheric/cinematic soul/rnb. I have also been working on a EDM/pop sound that I will get myself more into.

Who or What inspired you to pursue a career in music?

My mother has been my biggest inspiration since she has always played music for us kids and she was touring around the world when I was a kid.

She can play any instrument you give her! Strong female artists such as Beyonce, Rihanna, Madonna, Whitney Houston and Alicia Keys have also been a great source of inspiration to me! They are all strong women doing their thing and have taken their talent to the stars! They have given me strength to follow

Is it joy, anger, desire, passion or pride and why?

It’s passion. I am very passionate about what I’m doing and that is my drive. I always follow my heart and I do what I feel makes me happy. I do what I love and I love what I do, for me that makes my music and art my passion. And that also makes what I’m doing something that I am always true about.

my heart and to believe in my talent! My children have also inspired me a lot, showing me what true love and passion is, they have helped me become a better person and they have tought me to listen to my heart.

How has your music evolved since you first began performing/songwriting?

I have sharpened my skills and I have found a sound that I feel represents me. I always want to evolve and I feel that music is a way for me to express different stages in life. My sound has changed from when I started, and I am getting to know my voice more and more for every day. I also feel that the more you work with music, the more you understand all the hard work behind a success story!

I’m sure you have shared the stage with a lot of talented artists/celebrities along the way. Would you share 1 or 2 of your favorite stories with us?

One is when my mother booked a very talented Swedish artist, Jon-Henrik Fjällgren, to perform in the church where she used to work. This time it was my children performing on stage with him.

The church was packed with people and when they started to sing, omg, not an eye was dry and it was so emotional, even my brother sitting next to me started to cry! Can you imagine angelic voices from the children together with a lovely sami jojk? It was amazing and so magical, it was so lovely like I was in heaven! in heaven!

If you were forced to choose only one, which emotion, more than any other drives you to stay in this tough business?

Love. I’m in love with music!

Which ingredient do you think makes you special and unique as an artist in an industry overflowing with new talent and ideas?

That I have turned my pain into my passion. I have a message that is built on my own experience, and I want to inspire others to follow their hearts and to believe in themselves. I really believe that to be able to love others and to love what you’re doing, it all starts with self love. I have been through a lot in my life, as all of us have. I went through a tough divorce after a very emotionally tough relationship. That led to a deep depression, that I was suffering from for almost a year. It is a miracle that I’m still alive.

The depression had me facing my worst nightmares and I had to face my demons. I was literally walking in the Valley of death, but I conquered death and I made peace with my demons. The love for my children, my love for music and God saved my life! I see myself as a Rising Phoenix, I have been in the ashes and from the darkness I have risen into the light into a stronger and more powerful version of myself, into a beautiful and strong Phoenix. So, I call myself a Rising Phoenix, and I have built my whole business on my story of the Phoenix. I am grateful and blessed to be working with music and entertainment. When I’m telling my story about how I survived clinical depression, there are so many out there that can relate to my story and what I’ve been through. That makes me work even harder to spread my message and that also makes me wanna help others out of depression and I am a living proof that there is a way to a happy, healthy and independent lifestyle!

What has been your biggest challenge as a performing artist? Have you been able to overcome that challenge? If so, how?

My biggest challenge has been to find a balance between being a mother and a passionate artist. And to be a single mom in a very tough industry. I have defenitely overcome it, and I have two amazing kids that are proud over their brave hearted mom!

My children are the love of my life and all I want for them is to be free thinking, motivated, loving and open minded individuals. The challenge for me have been to be combine a lifestyle of a single mom with traveling and making music at the same time. My way to have this working in the best ways, have been to have a great team of friends and family supporting me and I have a very open communication with my kids about my work. We have shared custody and I have my kids every other week, and it works great I must say! You just gotta find a tempo

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and a lifestyle that supports you and your loved ones, and working with music makes me a happy and passionate mother!

A common phrase in the industry is, “you must suffer for your art.” Do you agree with this statement?

I agree 100%! It’s so true because making something sustainable and something great doesn’t come easy! If it was easy anyone could do it! I can asure you that every artist have been through some kind of struggle anf suffering. Its part of the journey and it also makes you genuine and true to your art.

Because you will do all it takes to make it. No exceptions. Hard work always pays off, and if you wanna make it, you have to suffer. You will not have success served on a golden plate. That I know for sure!

If so, how have you suffered for your art?

I have put my soul and heart into my work with music and entertainment. I have spent so many sleepless nights thinking about how to make it without having any money and how to be the best mom while working my ass of to make my dreams come true. I have faced my demons in my depression, I have worked so hard Iand put so many other things in life aside. I have learnt everything myself, I am a fast learner, thank God for that. So many hours I’ve spent making music, being in the studio, working on my next move, while others are spending time with friends, having dinners, partying etc. I can give up all that, as long as I can work with my passion music. My children will always be my first love. After family comes my love for music.

How do you feel the internet has impacted the music business?

It’s making it way easier to distribute your music!

And it also makes it way easier to connect with your fans and people in the biz. Thanks to internet you can also work from anywhere in the world, you don’t have to be at a certain place to work, if it’s not performing of course!

And also thanks to internet you can easily have a fanbase globally, and your fans can follow you on so many platforms. I certainly makes the big world into an easier and smaller work space!

If you could change anything about the music industry. What would it be?

I would love to see more women being on top positions running labels and shooting music videos etc. I know there are a lot of women in positions like that already, what I am saying is like in all businesses, being taken care of. This I can see in all parts of the world and all types of jobs. So I think we all need to make a change for a better world letting more women come through my mom, yeah you know almost everyone have been listening to MJ. I am blessed to have seen him live in Stockholm during his “Thriller”

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What are the 5 albums that have helped make you the person you are today? And why?

Michael Jackson, “Thriller” - The King of pop have always inspired me with his amazing beats and always giving his all to his music. His vocal and dance skills don’t need much of explanation and his work has inspired my music a lot. He has been working with some of the greatest names in the industry and the way his music has inspired so many generations, it’s massive! I can listen to his miusic with my kids, tour. Rest in Power, King of Pop. Lauryn Hill, “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” - I have always been listening to Fugees and Lauryn Hill has inspired me and my musical journey in so many ways. Her sound and her voice is just magic to me!

I love the way she mixes rap with soul and rnb and how her voice goes into your soul. Lauryn inspired me to focus on my passion for music and to focus on my sound and my message. She is a true creator and she has made a foot print for the worlds future female rap scene.

2 Pac Shakur, “All Eyez on Me” - Without no doubt the worlds best rapper! I remember the first time I listened to 2 Pac. I was introduced by my brother when I was about 17 years old, and HipHop entered my life with instant love! I have listened to his music ever since I was in my early teens and I still rank him as the worlds best rapper. His amazing poetry lyrics and outstanding ways to rap about hot topics, politics, gang violence and empowerment! Things he did for the rap culture and society will forever be

remembered! I always say that hiphop raised me, and that’s partly thanks to 2 Pac. His music touched me in levels and still does. He made my heart beat for hiphop, and I am still a fan of the culture and the music. RIP in power King Shakur.

Beyoncé, “Lemonade” - Queen of soul rnb. Bey has inspired me in so many ways. She is a strong female role model in the music industry, and an amazing singer! She has a message with her music and she combines being a mother with being an artist and businesswoman in an amazing way! Bey inspires me to be a female role model and to be an artist with skills beyond making music, she makes me wanna push my music and working into new dimensions!

Prince, “Purple Rain” - I love Prince and everything he was standing for. His iconic voice and his passionate lyrics, his outfits and his way of being a unique artist! Purple Rain is one of my all time favourite songs ever and Prince made love to his guitar while playing it. He left a legacy for all of us to love and continue sharing with next generations.

He will be forever missed. Rest in Power Prince.

Tell us about your current project.

Right now I’m working on my next music releases, and I am so excited to soon share my new music with all of you! I have some amazing new tracks and music videos waiting to drop! I have some EDM tracks and powerful soul rnb. I am still working on my Rising Phoenix project about following your heart and finding selflove. I want to inspire people to go for their dreams and to find their inner strenght. I believe in God and in the Law of Attraction. You attract what you are. And I’m all about good vibes. I’m also about to launch my jewelry line “Rising Phoenix”. I am also pushing my documentary WOMAN. I produced it and it tells my own story from my darkest moment in life, to my highest points. You can follow me and my kids on a roadtrip across Sweden. It can be seen on Amazon Prime US and UK and also on FilmFreeway.

What is the best advice you have received?

To surround myself and work wit people that belives in you and that shares your vision. In this biz it’s really important to work with people that knows what the biz is about and that you can trust.

So I have learnt the hard way, and I now have a great team I can trust and I am so grateful for every single one I have worked with and still working with!

What is the best advice can you give someone who wants to get into the music industry?

Find a great team and great people to work with.

Never give up, hard work always pays off! And find your way to express yourself in your own unique way! In this biz it’s so important to be unique and to have something that people can referr to. Be true to yourself.

What’s next for you?

I am working on some new collaborations and I am also working on new music for my next project that I will not announce yet. I am writing on a book as we speak and also working on my next jewelry line. So, stay tuned and follow me to see what will pop up next from my side! Join the movement of the Rising Phoenix!

How can fans-to-be gain access to your music?

I am on all music platforms such as YouTube, Spotify, Apple, Soundcloud, Amazon, Tidal etc.

Check out the links in this interview and make sure to follow me on my Instagram, YouTube, Spotify and Fcebook to stay updated with my new releases and upcoming projects! You can also watch my documentary on Amazon Prime and FilmFreeway on the links below! I am so excited to share my music and work with all of you, and I can’t wait to meet you in person one day! Much love and blessings to all of you! // Ya jna Spotify https://open.spotify.com/artist/6vRcQwJni6XQcoQFeYlPu6?si=EgRaua87QoKs9W7ZECkOAw YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDjn4ac4V9o4OMNv9kXfPVA?view_as=subscriber Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ya jnamusic/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ya jnamusic Website: www.ya jna.se Instagram: Ya jnamusic Instagram: Risingphoenixmusicgroup Instagram: Risingphoenixentertaining Facebook: Ya jna Facebook: Rising Phoenix Music Group Facebook: Rising Phoenix Entertainment Spotify: Ya jna Youtube: Ya jna

Also, I’ve learnt to never give up, I don’t even know what giving up is! I will always push myself and my music, my work into new levels!

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We caught up with...

Marian Shanley

The Power Of Dreams positively impacting and promoting Wellness, In The Arts, Sport & Creative World.

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How important is it to never give up on your dreams?

Well for me I think essentially the core of who we are as human beings is to always have hope, and it’s ok to believe in something better. There is always a possibility, even if its a very small the percentage that dreams do come true. No matter what we go through in life it’s important that we have this sense inside us that somewhere along the way things will get better and Miracles do happen in life. It’s so vital to the inner peace that we always reach for our goals and know that we are already enough. Everyone needs an anchor to life, a vision of hope, a reason behind why we do what we do but most importantly to know that even on the worst day things do get better, and sometimes after the lowest points beauty comes to us to remind us that we should never give up.

How important music and the arts contribute to our mental health?

Firstly, to have access to Music and The Arts is a blessing and should be something everyone has in their world. I believe that having a positive outlet especially if its a creative one is essential to our wellbeing and mental health. So many people have been taught or learned from their society that the answer to pain, fear, upset, anger and so much more that affects our mental health lies in the bottom of a bottle, in drugs, abuse, or anything destructive, but I believe that when we use the other parts of our brain to create it develops synapses and releases good happy chemicals that no substance can replace!!!

We can essentially save our own lives and change the lives of others with music and the arts.

Everyone needs a positive outlet to express themselves and were better than into word, music, performance, and being creative!

I experienced bullying growing up and I got through my teenage years by writing poetry from the age of 14yr and then progressed to composing songs on the piano. It became my outlet and my best friend.

Which led me onto winning a National Song Contest called Mol On Oige in my native language Irish.

I was exhibiting my artwork at 17yrs of age and had been classically trained in Irish dancing and Ballet from 3yrs old. All outlets, all places to place the ache of our soul. In fact, I’m sure that’s what kept me balanced.

When we didn’t have a piano I lined up wooden sticks of the streets from ice pops and lined them onto the table and practiced there first. So I believe we are only limited by belief...It’s possible to change your life and mental health with positive action and linking into Music and The Arts. And no matter what if you want it you will make it happen somehow.

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What’s your feedback on this issue?

All my life I have been watching and learning and at age 3yrs I remember thinking that hugs could fix anything! With that kind of start, I learned that people have a bright and dark side to them. For a long time, people didn’t talk about feelings unless they were positive. Now we are at a point in society where it’s ok not to be ok but there is still a growth curve for so many people as stigma still exists. However, one thing that has come from the lockdown is that people have been forced to adapt very fact to a new reality, and unfortunately the usual platforms to express themselves and offload thought, words, feelings, creative energy have been taken away.

What’s good is that people have started to adjust move to different platforms where possible but there have been so many affected by the current climate that it has been very hard on so many.

Expression of the soul is key to mental health particularly in the creative industry and a lot of what I do here in Ireland pivots around supporting as many creatives as possible. My goal now with recently setting up my Media and Wellness Company The Power of Dreams as well as being made a member of the Dublin South FM Board of Management, and part of the Media Team in Dublin Gazette Media Team, is to continue to support mental health and the community of creatives and their extended family, friends and businesses in Ireland by offering positive platforms of hope and connectedness.

What drives you to do what you do Ms. Marian?

I believe that I was born with a sense of connectedness to others and wanting to help them and create a better world. This was something that almost overwhelmed me as a child as my empathy was very strong for all souls and I felt powerless in so many cases as I simply wasn’t old enough or hadn’t the life tools to make a difference except for the power of compassion and kindness and that became my superpower as a child. Then I remember at age 13, having a moment where I chose not to say words that really could have scarred another person, and had a profound moment where I decided that words could heal or could destroy. So my drive and my passion for Love, and positive change were inherent, and to be fair I am blessed to have people around me who taught me very well. There was no job description for what I wanted to be when I grew up. I knew I was creative but it was more than that!

There was something in my soul reminding me that I was here for a purpose and divine energy leading me to America, England, and back to Ireland where I studied, educated myself, and Knew that I was being led on a journey that was much bigger than me. A greater power than directed my decisions and helped me pick myself up every time I fell down, but peace in my soul that never left me no matter what.

I’m a spiritual person and embrace all cultures, races, and the right to follow your truth, but when it comes down to it I have the safe hands of GOD with me all the way. Let it also be said I have some very powerful Ancestors and Angels walking with me all the way too.

How do you manage to be a mum and being an influencer in the entertainment industry?

Like most people with children on this planet, we make a decision about getting on with things for the children and a lot of my choices in life have been directed by the desire to create a better world not just for others but now for my 3 children. In fact, I learned a whole new set of skills from being a mum, and especially now that Isabella (15), Harry(13), and Erin (10) have gotten to a stage of their own independence it’s a whole new level of juggling life.

The industry with Covid has changed so much with the new multimedia platforms that we have to now work from and in a lot of cases remotely, but that in essence has given me time to be with them much more and I love it.

I can remember the days when Harry was very ill from birth with severe kidney reflux and for 5 years it was a nightmare, so to be honest having healthy children, wifi that works, and a network of contacts my world is actually no so bad and we are all gonna get through this ok.

You have interviewed many celebrities and Global Star and I heard that you interviewed Gloria Estefan

by zoom during Lockdown. What was that like?

Funny enough the one thing about Lockdown that has actually been a plus are we have learned to connect with others on a whole different level. I’ve been blessed to have had some amazing names on the show and skype called with a few. However, Gloria was my first big Zoom interview and she is as beautiful and as charming and witty as you would expect. What I did love was the honest conversation we had about her family, and also her passion for Law and the new album Brazil 305. I have to say she is a very funny woman and even in the midst of her own losses and journey she constantly gives back to others. it was reassuring for me to see my little show getting out into a Global platform also to highlight the humanitarian work and efforts of the bigger names like herself as well a unsigned and original Global and Local artist. It’s actually funny because she had been on a list of women in Music that I had wanted to interviewed and a few months ago I picked up a vinyl of The Miami Sound Machine... and then that happened.

How did you get your Covid Hero Award in Ireland by the Lord Mayor of Dublin?

There has always been a mission behind my work and my focus has been to make a positive difference to others and more recently to those who need it most in society. i believe that our work no matter what we do can change a persons life, even with singles word or a smile. For years I have worked a volunteer with charities from the Homeless, Teenagers, Suicide awareness, and so much more and the reason I started my own radio show is to send a message to everyone that good things come, that life can get better. During Covid, I reached out to artists, creatives and anyone who could benefit from my Show as a platform. I felt the ache of a community without a direction and of other souls who deserved my support. So, that’s what I did!

Every week in the midst of my own journey I pulled a show together and gave a voice to others. Somehow, I was nominated for the Award and next it was a reality. I nearly cried with delight and also when you do what I do, believe it or not, I never expected anything back. However, when I do get a thank you or an Award it feels like I have just won an Olympic Gold. I’m blessed to have a network of amazing people around me and yes I am proud of myself, too.

What made you start The Power of Dreams Show?

For so many years I have been working in Media and Wellness and at one point I was National Speaker for Teenline Ireland and managed to reach 22,000 children Nationally. However, I felt that a more effective platform to help support others and use my skillset would be to have a Radio Show of my own.

That’s when a miracle happened and I was introduced to a friend who invited me onto his show as a guest and I ended up co-hosting that show. I still

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kept my own Dream alive and waited and believed that it would happen. Then the time came where I knew it was time to go for the show and i got it. A pivotal place in my life to be honest when I knew that someone, somewhere would hear my positivity and change their own life or even reach out for help.

And that’s really why I set it up. For the little 3yr old me who never stopped Dreaming and believing that she could help others and make this world a better place. I want to show others that anything is possible, and never give up that we are all connected.

It’s led me onto following the next part of my dream which is my Book to come out in 2021.

onto beats that don’t really need to be there. The thing for me is that there are so many really good artists out there, with amazing hooks and melodies and then they lose me the second they have to use words that I dont want my 10yr old singing?

So, during your downtime, what are some of your hobbies?

I absolutely love composing music, painting and being around nature, doing exercise or dancing.

Downtime for me is rare at the moment, but when it’s filled with love, rest and peace, it’s the best.

Last week, I got a poem sent to me from Australia, and listeners comments from Brazil and the USA. So, it’s all good. Music is a Global language and my show is a Global Show based in Ireland, but the mission of The Power of Dreams is much, much bigger.

How did you come about being a Fashion Journalist, and are you still doing it?

Fashion has always been a part of my world growing up designing outfits, like every teenager I know. I took my first steps into Journalism at 19yrs of age while I was studying Sound Engineering and Production in a college in Ireland called Ballyfermot.

The Fashion of the music industry and genres fascinated me as I took my own wardrobe to some fairly interesting levels but I also worked with a woman Fashion Magazine in Ireland called Modern Woman!

Since long gone but more recently I have ventured back into it again with Dublin Gazette Newspaper recently publishing my “Mask is the New Black” article. It included some established and rising talent in Ireland and to see them supporting others and making Masks a fashion accessory was beautiful. One designer in particular that I follow as she designed for the Oscars recently and Pink is Clair Garvey. I’ve been writing since 14yrs old and had an NUJ (Equity) card by 21yrs. So, I guess that writing, supporting, and creating will always where I go with my life, and once it benefits others too, I’m very happy.

So, being a very popular radio personality, what is your opinion on the way today’s music is sounding when it comes to listening to music from around the world?

Coming from a background of being Classically trained in Piano and also composition, for me Music is a Global language and I am now listening to a lot of Cuban and Brazilian music recently. With my show, I air everybody regardless of genre. If it’s good and produced to a high quality and will add to the show I will play it. What’s wonderful is there is such an amazing cross over of cultures and flavors in music these days. I’m still not clicked into the Tik Tok world like my 15yr old as I guess my ear gets distracted with some of the swear words thrown

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For the most part, I am embracing the surge in talent, recently doing a Covid Creative Show to show support for what’s happening and listening to music that feeds the soul, ranging from hip hop to country, RnB, and much more. If it lifts me up then I will air it.

I respect passion in music and the arts and I embrace submissions from anywhere in the world.

What advice can you give to people that may be following in your footsteps?

The first thing is to decide what it is you want? Take time to figure that bit out. There are so many areas to what I do that it’s important to pick the part that your soul resonates with. Figure out how that translates into reality for you and start making a plan of action. Try the link in with others who will guide you.

If you can start with something small to build up

confidence and no matter what don’t tell yourself you cant do it. It’s ok to change the plan to suit you!

There’s a voice inside all of us that directs us and we need to connect to that. So make time to look after yourself in the midst of all the planning. To study this would be so beneficial. Even if that means going online and reading, researching, teaching yourself, get involved in group chats, the community of people who have already done it and learn, listen, ask questions, take action, and know that every time you do that your one step closer to your dream. i consider everyone unique so your journey to what you want doesn’t have to be like anyone else. Always give your time to help others and support those who have less. Value yourself but don’t ever undermine anyone else and where possible leave people happier than before you were with them. If you live a compassionate and kind respectful life with a focus on your goals you will attract those people into your life that can help you change. I offer my help to anyone who would like to do any of the things that I do because i know how important it is to have some belief in you, even when you believe in yourself.

Trust your gut instinct and go for it. Every day learns every day be grateful for your health, life, and being alive. It won’t happen overnight, but never give up.

So, being a person of a sound mind and a sound body, what is your advice when it comes to this Covid issue?

With my Science Degree and a part of that being Immunology and also being a mum with 3 precious children and involved in the Media, I believe that we all have to make decisions for ourselves as to what serves us best. There are 2 things that come to the mind when I hear the word Covid. The first is Fear and the second is Survival. Now the reason I say that is because behind all of the conversations we have the route of a lot of the discussions online is based in answering the question. How does it impact us? Which then can cause Fear. Also, the confusing information can cause Fear and The misdirection of Governments and inconsistency of plans of Action has left people wondering about self-preservation, and their future.

How was it to meet the dali lama, what was that experience like to be around such a great man of wisdom?

Well to be honest the first introduction to the Dalai Lama was of him sneaking into a press call on his tippy toes to sneak up on speaker Richard Moore (founder of Children in Crossfire Charity who was blinded by a rubber bullet when he was 10yr old).

He was like a little boy and both adult men sat holding hand the whole of the Press Call for a Peace Event in Derry in Ireland. I’m smiling here because the night before I had a dream Id hug the Dalai Lama so I was convinced that it would happen and it did. I was there with Irishwebtv, coms Brian Daly and as I walked into a packed press call there was a single space right at the front. Well, me being me I headed into it and got to ask the Dalai Lama for a hug. It was something special, to be honest, but I always believed that hugs heal and I also gave Richard Moore a hug too as that’s how Im reared. All souls are equal and for me, it was further proof that anything is possible if you believe it. And so the seed was growing for The Power of Dreams even then.

What is the website of your radio station?

My radio Show The Power Of Dreams Show 93.9FM https://dublinsouthfm.com/ Marianshanley1@gmail.com Also, launching a Graphy: “The Power of Dreams” Also, launching my Podcast: “The POD Podcast” My Media Wellness Company: The Power of Dreams Ltd

Interview Photos: Photographer, Stephen Fleming, Director, Colin Fleming Gown by Irish Designer, Claire Garvey

The bottom line for me is I won’t risk exposing my children or parents to something that potentially can kill them. However, I know enough to question information and responses and science and as an adult what’s great is that we have a choice (right now) to decide what’s best for our little units. For anyone who has lost someone and is experiencing it right now, I send my love and support. I am optimistic that in time this will eventually level off and we shall return to a new kind of normal.

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KENNY ARONOFF “The Alchemy of Rhythmic Development” “The passion for techno is older than that now itself.

The passion for drums is older than their invention.

And the time will come when the reason for both surpasses them”....DAN Van Casteele An animated avalanche faster than God on a skateboard, loud is the tsunami with the power of a nuclear blast, but with the dazzle, blaze and sparkle of fireworks on the Fourth of July, master drummer Kenny Aronoff is the backbone of any band or artist he performs with....and there have been many.

Celebrated as one of the planet’s most influential rock drummers and dubbed one of the top hundred drummers by “Rolling Stone”, superstar Kenny Aronoff has enjoyed a riveting, larger than life orbit through the time and space of music. Recognized for providing John Mellencamp with 17 years of success, Aronoff has also been responsible for contributing his rhythms to more than 60 Grammy nominated recordings and over 300 million records sold worldwide. He has also worked with artists including: Beatles Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, Jon Bon Jovi, Neil Diamond, Stevie Nicks, Brian Wilson, Kelly Clarkson, Rod Stewart, Bob Dylan, Alicia Keys, John legend, Pharrell Williams, Stevie Wonder, David Grohl, Dionne Warwick, Johnny Cash, Celine Dion,

Eddie Money, Mick Jagger, Smashing Pumpkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, Lady Gaga, and countless others, too vast to mention.

Aside from keeping the beat, Aronoff has also penned his best-selling book, “Sex, Drums, Rock n’ Roll! The Hardest Hitting Man in Show Business.”

He is also a well- respected corporate inspirational speaker.

Providing integrity and sparkle to the global soundscape, Aronoff continues to relentlessly bedazzle audiences. He is a free spirit with a wild heart.......

What inspired you to become the drummer and the person that you are?

First of all, the drums picked me. I was born a hyper, super energetic kid who was drawn to sports, drawn to action, drawn to adrenaline, serotonin, things that would make me feel good. I grew up in Boston Mass. in a beautiful little town with 2000 people. There was nothing on TV to watch, so my twin brother and I were always outside playing. On one particular day when we were outside playing my mom screamed from the porch, “boys you’ve got to come in right now.” We froze in our tracks. It sounded like we were in trouble, which was usually the case. We ran

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across our big lawn that looked like an NFL football field, and we get into the family room where my mother was pointing to our RCA, black-andwhite TV set, with the rabbit ears. There were these four guys on TV with suits, long hair, guitars, bass, drums and they happen to be playing music.

The lead singer was singing “She loves you yeah, yeah, yeah”...WOW...who the hell were these guys?

I was electrified! I’ve never seen anything like that before. At that very moment I realized what my purpose in life was going to be, before I even know what those words meant. I wanted to be a part of it. Not knowing how to do that I asked my mom who those guys were. She answered, “The Beatles.” I asked her to call them up and get me in that band. Basically, I told her that I wasn’t going to play piano anymore, and I was going to play the drums. She didn’t call the Beatles up...I wonder why? She didn’t get me a drum set... so I decided to start my own band. Two weeks later I started my own band called “The Alley Cats”, and of course we played Beatles music. The amazing thing about this is 50 years later I got called to do a CBS show called, “The Night That Changed America”, a show honoring The Beatles. I then got to perform with the two remaining Beatles, 50 years later, after that famous Ed Sullivan Show. I played with Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr along with many other amazing celebrities including Stevie Wonder, Joe Walsh, and on and on.

So, I can tell you that at that moment when I was 10 years old, I was smitten with passion, truth, and my deepest desires, and I followed my heart, not just my brain. That’s what has given me this amazing career where I record it over 300 million records. I’ve had four decades of recording and touring with everybody.

What was your most triumphant moment in your very decadent and extraordinary career?

I’ve had a lot, but I would say the biggest one was when I exploded John Mellencamp’s career and launched my own career which was when “Jack and Diane” (one of the most aired drum solos) went to number 1. That album “American Fool” won 2 Grammys. That was like hitting a homerun and winning the World Series.

You’re waiting for success to land in your lap, it isn’t going to happen. If you are waiting for it and I am around you, I’m going to take it. I am going after it.

I’m not trying to take it from you, but if I see it and I want it I go after it.

What was the moment that changed the tra jectory of your life?

At 10 years old I started a band and played in bands until I was 18 years old. I decided to go to college but there was no School of Rock back then. I spent the next five years studying classical music in the number one music school in the country, Indiana University School of Music. It was the number one school of classical music and very difficult to get in, and very difficult to stay in. One summer I went to the Aspen School of Music, run by Juilliard which I auditioned for. Then I spent four consecutive years trying to get into the number one student orchestra in America, if not the world, called Tanglewood, and it was run by the Boston Symphony Orchestra. It took me four consecutive auditions over four years and I eventually got in. I eventually graduated and then got into the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra. My pivotal moment was when I turned it down!

People’s mouths dropped including mine. Here I had been working and practicing 365 days a year, nonstop studying, working, conducting, playing the piano, learning music history, music literature, music theory, for four years. I was in recitals, orchestras, big bands, small ensembles, large ensembles, operas,....it was full on. I worked with Leonard Bernstein, one of the greatest conductors, Aaron Copeland, and to get into the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra was a big deal! What an honor...and I turned it down.

The point is I turned down certainty for complete uncertainty. But I followed my heart to be a part of the rock ‘n’ roll music business. It goes back to realizing what your purpose in life is. That’s the magic... right there. My brain said go to Jerusalem, but my The point is I turned down certainty for complete uncertainty. But I followed my heart to be a part of the rock ‘n’ roll music business. It goes back to realizing what your purpose in life is. That’s the magic... right there. My brain said go to Jerusalem, but my heart said play rock ‘n’ roll. I had nothing on the table. So I started studying. I went back to Boston and started studying with two real Drum teachers.

At Indiana University there was no drum instructor.

It was all classical, so I was on my own. This was the first time I really had lessons. I had been self-taught before this on the drum set. I spent four years busting my ass and trying to make it until I got a break with John Mellencamp.

I was in that band for five weeks and then making a record after two days I got fired from the record.

John fired me but the producer told him to. They

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needed a seasoned session drummer because they had to record the album in eight weeks. Back then there were no ProTools and you had to be able to play drums from beginning to end of a song with times, feel, sounds, parts. You had to be able to take instruction, all the skills that I had no experience in. The producer knew it, so he asked for another session guy to play. So, John told me to go home, I think he’s firing me, so I told him, “No, I’m not going anywhere.” The band was in shock. That’s like your boss saying “you’re fired”, and you saying, “no I’m not.” I then said to John, “Am I still your drummer or not?” This was not calculated. This came from a place of fear and being overwhelmed, and feeling failure. I didn’t want to go home and tell everybody that I wasn’t going to be on the record after I told everybody that I was. I told everybody that I finally got my big break. John was trying to take away my purpose in life and there was no fucking way. So,I went to the studio and watched these guys play my drum parts. I was going to learn, observe and get better. And then I told John that he was going to get better because I was his drummer...and there was silence. It was the most awkward silence. Then I told him that he didn’t have to pay me and that I’d sleep on the couch. He said....”Well alright.”

That was a pivotal moment because if I had gone home who knows what would’ve happened. I did stay and I did learn. I had felt all these negative thoughts, but by the time I went home four weeks later with all the drum tracks I had already started to reshape my business model and how I was going to serve John Cougar’s music, how was I going to get songs on the radio, and what do I need to do to be a better drummer for his style of music. That was the beginning of 17 years making records and touring and being very instrumental in coming up with the direction and the beats that were impactful to everybody in the band and make those songs what they were.

What is your ultimate stage fantasy?

Me with a power trio including Sting, singing and playing bass, and Jeff Beck the guitar player. Look at all the power trios, Cream, Police, Hendrix.... all power trios.

Do you have an idol?

I have people that I look up to tremendously. Guys like Winston Churchill. He was the type of guy that could take diversity and make a negative thing into a positive thing. He was brilliant. He was an artist and a visionary.

You’re in the coffee business as well....

KA-BAM! So, I can stay awake when I play the drums.

Someone sent me some coffee and it was great.

They asked me if I wanted my own coffee. I told him if it was that one then yes. I thought it was a

cool thing because I drink a lot of coffee. So, I am endorsing something that I drink every day. I was going to call it KA-BOOM, but it was already taken. It was a toilet bowl cleaner.

If you could help me ask you any question on the planet what would it be?

People ask “you played on 300 million records sold, you’ve broken all the rules of performing in different genres.... usually the rock drummer gets the rock gigs, the blues drummer gets the blues gigs....but I play all genres including Symphony Orchestra’s. I have my own studio where people send me music and files and I send it out, so what is my next step?

Well I’ve already started my next step. I’ve been an inspirational speaker. The reason that serves me well is that all I am doing is taking the things that I’ve learned from being a great communicator, a great connector, collaborator, creative person, team player, always trying to get better by working hard, adapting, adjusting, staying relevant in my career..... those skills are all action items that I have learned and then have made me successful. Now I’m sharing those ideas with people and inspiring people. The nugget that drives those action items is realizing what is your truth and what’s your purpose in life?

Simply if you operate from a place in your heart and your passion and what you really want to be, you become unstoppable like me. You will be undeniable and authentic, because you are being what you are.

That is the thing that I enjoy speaking about when I give my lectures to corporations because I believe in it. It’s what I’ve been doing, what I’m still doing, and I’m getting better at it. Now that I have a better understanding of it, I love sharing it and inspiring people. The greatest compliment when I give a speech for a corporation is not man you played great but instead damn you’ve inspired me so much.

That’s what I like. So, I perform and inspire people as a drummer with music, but now I inspire people with words and I love it.

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SUBURBAN AMZ Reaching for New Heights Tell us a little bit about yourself?

I am Suburban AMZ from New York City. My family and I moved to CT for a quieter life. I eventually got kicked out of the fourth grade public school system for rapping Eminem’s (lose yourself) in science class.

I ended up getting sent to three different schools two being boarding. I call myself Suburban AMZ because my real name is ARIELLE MAXINE ZWIEBACH, but I feel I am the definition of the Suburbs. I am a product of what it is like to grow up in a small community .. but I also am different from them, I am what they wish they could be. I am the girl next door (like the movie) the sexy definition. I am not afraid to be who I am and I definitely am not afraid to push boundaries and make someone uncomfortable (in a good way) that’s what makes life fun. The mystery I bring is addictive.

What inspired you to begin a career in music?

Eminem. I was coming back from day camp in 2002, and my bus driver was playing (Without Me) on the radio. I remember hearing the line (no matter how many fish in the sea, it will still be empty without me) I asked the bus driver when he stopped at my house who he was listening to and he said Eminem.

I remember laughing and thinking what kind of rapper is named after a candy. I always sang Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera but I became addicted

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to Eminem since that bus ride. I went inside and asked my mother If she could drive me to the local CD store. My mother had absolutely no idea who Eminem was so she let me scoop up every album he had ever made at the time, including the infamous (The Eminem Show) I would come home every day after camp and school and plug in the karaoke machine (at the time TRL made one by MTV) and I would sing over the songs (Say Goodbye To Hollywood) and (My Dad’s Gone Crazy) I related so much to Eminem because I had a horrible (relationship) upbringing. My dad was married before my mother and had two girls. My two half sisters always had an issue with my dad remarrying and having me. I always lived a split life because my father was always afraid to put them in their place and say (Suburban AMZ is also my daughter) This created a lot of anger which then boiled over into my current years. I still am a very damaged person due to the trauma of always feeling left out and different. My mom through out my life has been my rock. I don’t know what a normal relationship looks like therefor I am always single or only last in a relationship for a couple months. Music is my marriage.

Thats why I do music. I don’t think I would really be alive if it were not for music. Music gives me the therapy that I could never get elsewhere. I also get

to tell my story to the world through every song I write. Especially on my albums Fantasy Island and Dead Weight. I want to show people it is ok to be different. I am the definition of different.

What differs you and your sound from other upcoming artists in the music industry?

My sound is what I like to call therapy. There is something for everybody. When I write my music (all my own lyrics) I don’t structure things. I don’t like structure. I like people to feel the ups and downs. Whether it’s in my voice or my manic lyrics. I suffer from mania openly and I honestly think that’s what makes me special. I speak to the people who don’t know who they are on Monday and by Friday they are a whole new person. It’s absolutely amazing to me. My brand is just so psychotic. It’s all over the place but at the end of the day my fans and I are all over the place. I notice one similar trait amongst us all , we are all the (outcast) kids. We never fit in.

Somewhere in life someone did us wrong. So when they turn on my music. Whether they are 12 years old or 92. They find themselves in my music. I speak on truth, and write on truth. I sing and rap on fantasy but somehow my fantasies at times can be someone’s reality. I am different because I am the truth. I don’t lie. I never give anyone the opportunity to pull the whole (when SUBURBAN AMZ said) it’s always, I know I said it and I stand by it. I can’t lie. That’s why I’m mostly alone. I am an honest person. Not many people like honesty. My fans love it. They have been looking for loyalty. I am their loyalty.

Your latest release is out now. Can you please describe the creative process and explain the meaning behind the single?

My latest release is FANTASY ISLAND. The lead single is TOO YOUNG TO DIE. I wrote Too Young To Die on my bed after we received a foreclosure notice on our house. My dad had always been successful but as a man with many problems he failed to do the one thing that a man should do. Take care of his family. I felt suicidal. Hopeless, completely gone and lost. Living a lie I say in my song. Is the truth. Many people don’t know I go through some of the craziest financial hardships because I always look good and manage to keep on going. I don’t believe in allowing people to see your pain in a way they can use it against you. When I wrote the song, I really meant I am Too Young To Die, but i’d rather die than live a lie. I was living a lie at the time. I am not anymore. I am choosing to come forward with the truth that I have no family aside from my mother, that I suffered from having very envious half sisters. I suffered from no friends and from a sexual assault. I really just did not want to be here. The song pulled me through.

The album pulled me through. Fantasy Island talks about my father, my half sisters, fake friends and jealous people. I speak on it in a way where people can still dance but also feel my pain and their own.

I am giving people the power to heal. The whole vibe behind fantasy island is me making fun of my family. They all call me delusional. That I live on “Fantasy Island” that I should do something else, that I am not a talented musician. So I took their insult of me living on a “Fantasy Island” , spun it, and made an album. The skits on the album you can hear a woman scream. That is me killing off all the negative people on the (Welcome to Fantasy Island) track. The meaning behind this album is a big fuck you. I get it, want to say I live on Fantasy Island, that’s great, I am going to turn around and write an album.

Everyone experiences good days and bad days, as a musician, when you have a bad day, what motivates you to keep moving and look ahead to the future?

My Mother. I don’t want to end up like her. Where she loves a man who doesn’t respect her. I don’t want to end up where you feel trapped. I always flash right back to the days on that summer camp bus. Where my eyes and ears lit up at the sound of Eminem. I honestly just remember those days and the days I’d get ready and put on fake concerts in my living room. Where I’d use a tape recorder and make tons and tons of tapes which I’d call my albums

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when I was only in the second - third grade. I cannot quit. I am not a quitter. I’ve had moments where I just wanted to crash and burn but that gets you nowhere. I remember how far I’ve come and how I started with nothing. That’s what keeps me motivated. Knowing where I came from music wise and also my fans. I have the most amazing fans. I call them the Suburban AMZ Cult because they are there through thick and thin. They never have left me.

In your own opinion, what is the most meaningful song you wrote?

The most meaningful song I ever wrote would have to be Barbie World. Seems funny because of the name. I chose to stop talking to my family after being verbally and physically attacked in 2019 of July.

In the song I go “drinking martini’s in my bikinis, do you see me touching my body, daddy never loved me, so I got issues, got screws loose, I just want to kiss you” That was me writing about the final straw with my family. They all made it clear they are very jealous of me. My bikini wearing, my musical life, my love of (Jack Daniels) even though I said martini’s.

I was making fun of them. For making fun of me my whole life. Yes I love to be in my bikini and yes I know Daddy never loved me. I know I have issues and that’s ok. So now what? What is left to say? I turned all your insults into a song.

What makes you say that one?

Just the feeling I get when I remember writing the song. In the kitchen. With chicken in the oven.

Right after the fourth of July. Just that feeling. The bone chills.

Throughout your musical career, have you experienced any ‘wow’ moments?

Not really because I always look at myself as an equal. I believe you can be in a room with a (celebrity or a famous person behind the scenes person) but you should never let that (get you) You always have to remain vigilant and work hard and never for one second stop working. I never gave myself the luxury to have wow moments, even when my records started streaming the most they’ve ever done, I did not stop and give myself a wow moment.

A Wow moment for me would be a grammy or a house in the hills. No time for wow moments.

What personal advice would you give to someone wanting to pursue this career?

I would say you really have to have a thick skin. You have to be different. You can follow the trends and it may take you somewhere but it won’t keep you there. You have to believe in yourself and completely ignore any advice that makes you feel sideways.

Always listen to constructive criticism but a lot of negative comes disguised as (constructive) 95% politics 5% talent nowadays. You have to know how to work people, connect with people, and love people.

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You can’t be a sensation and just have a singing voice. It doesn’t work that way. The industry can put tons of money behind you, and you can have billboards all over the world but if you don’t and cannot connect with people, this is a wasted career for you.

What does the foreseeable future hold for you as an artist?

More and more success. Learning experiences.

Moments .. no WOW moments yet though .. until like I said! I’m clutching some award, making some speech, on some radio show … something where I can say WOW .. I need to be able to say it to have it.

Did you learn any new skills during a lockdown?

Yes, I learned that I wasn’t connecting with my fans enough. I didn’t know there was ways to connect with them that I was not doing. I was not doing many lives. I started doing live concerts on FaceBook and selling merchandise and talking with them day in and day out. I love my fans. I am so glad I learned new ways to connect with them.

Anything else you would like to add?

I started in Moscow, Russia. Russia is the country that started to drive Suburban AMZ, I am here because of Russia. Albania and Ukraine, and now the United States and other countries. In 2018 Russia was my top fan base. Even catching the eye of famous Russian celebrities.

Do you have any social media? www.instagram.com/suburbanamz www.twitter.com/suburbanamz and google Suburban AMZ

www.rsvpcigars.com

PERVIS TAYLOR, III “Surthrival Mode” Pervis Taylor, III is an award-winning celebrity life/ identity coach, inspirational speaker, contributor and author who has channeled his childhood trauma into a means of making the world better for others.

Tell us what was the inspiration for your new book, “Surthrival Mode”?

The inspiration for Surthrival Mode really came from me seeing the crisis a lot of men were in with their emotions and mental health. It was starting to become a national issue. I wanted to contribute to the solution. Also, I wanted to give a voice to those brave men who went through the Surthrival Mode process and are now doing better.

Who is Pervis Taylor?

Pervis Taylor is a simple country boy from Lancaster, Texas. I’m a man of faith (Jesus lover). I’m a really

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wild and fun guy who is passionate about people thriving and being whole.

What would you say is the most important lesson that readers should take from your book?

The most important lesson one should take from the book is that wholeness is possible for you. Moreover, if you do the work, you’ll learn to master the things that once mastered you.

What made you decide to write this book?

What made me write the book was again to give a voice to the experiences of men and myself. I wanted to normalize men speaking about their pain.

What motivates you in the industry that you are in that has so many people pretending to be something that they are not. How do you stay grounded?

That’s a very difficult thing to navigate. I sit somewhat

in a place of authority in the eyes of some. I do my very best to be transparent and raw about who I am and where I am. Accountability is key.

In what ways do you feel that the culture oppresses people from realizing that?

I think as a culture we’re afraid to say ‘I don’t have it together.’ Our egos are slowly killing us. We view vulnerability as a weakness and really it’s a strength.

I think for many of us we’ve had to be tough and survive a ton of things. However, it’s damaged a lot of us.

You discovered an untapped market, Share with us the steps that you believe the people who influence the culture should take, because a lot of the toxic behaviors you mentioned are reinforced through entertainment.

You have to be intentional and fearless. You have to not be influenced by the culture. It’s the rebels who change the world. You have to know your voice and your message. And be able to couch it in such a way that it’s unique to you.

It saddens me to think of your experiences as a child, those are truly terrible things to go through at any age. I can appreciate how you channeled your traumatic experiences into a mission to help others.

Describe the most difficult part of that.

The most difficult part of childhood trauma is that it transforms over time and can show up in the most subtle ways. I remember having to do a workshop in front of a group of very successful men and this overwhelming sense of inferiority came over me. I know that was directly connected to my childhood of being bullied and emasculated.

Outside of your accomplishments as an author and life coach, you have had highly successful careers as a model and music executive. In what genre of music was your specialty?

I worked and interned at Def Jam Recordings. I don’t know if I have a specialty, but I love R&B music.

Did entering the entertainment industry help you through your trauma or add on to it?

I’d say it added to it. I was so green and insecure and seeing others who appeared secure and had success made me feel less than often. In response, I created a character. One who had it together and wasn’t intimidated by anyone. It was exhausting.

Where can our readers get the book from and do you have a website as well?

Yes, they can get my book, “Surthrival Mode” from Amazon and/or SurthrivalMode.com

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MR. CHENIER R&B Artist & Emcee Turning Heads!

We caught up with the artist called “Mr. Chenier” during some of his down time.

When did you first get into music?

I’ve been singing since about the age of 5 but 2003 was when I first recorded professionally my song One Fantasy. My vocal coach found out I write songs and turned me on to my producer (who I still work with to this day) and the rest is history.

Who or What inspired you to pursue a career in music?

Michael Jackson was my greatest inspiration when I was little. I sung in choirs, talent shows, vocal lessons but once I went to college R. Kelly took the football and ran with it for me. Then Babyface, and Brian McKnight.

How has your music evolved since you first began performing/songwriting?

I learned to be creative with both singing, songwriting and performing. I push the envelope and do not care what people think, as long as it feels good to me. I credit that to R. Kelly. His famous words “Hit song or not, I’ll give you all of me”.

I’m sure you have shared the stage with a lot of talented artists/celebrities along the way. Would you share 1 or 2 of your favorite stories with us?

I was one of the opening acts for Ginuwine one year in Raleigh, NC and the promoter didn’t have a host

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for the event. I told him to let me host because I do that too, but I would need to go on first. After I did my set I started hosting. I also became the stage manager. Ginuwine’s people were working with me diligently to make sure everything was set for his performance. When it came time to introduce him, I went to let his people know, but Ginuwine was already in place and when he saw me, we greeted each other like we have known each other for years.

I opened up for Tony Terry one year in Durham, NC and he was performing with tracks off his phone.

The DJ wasn’t sure how to hook everything up, so I assisted him to make sure his set was straight through the sound board. That situation got him to remember me. When he is in town and they say we got Mr. Chenier to open for you, I was told he was like “yeah I remember him!”.

If you were forced to choose only one, which emotion, more than any other drives you to stay in this tough business? Is it joy, anger, desire, passion or pride and why?

Passion. I wake up, go to sleep, and crave this business. 17yrs and counting! I’m more concerned about not being able to sing due to the flu then, not being to go to work and getting paid due to the flu.

Which ingredient do you think makes you special and unique as an artist in an industry overflowing with new talent and ideas?

I go back to that adult Grown & Sexy style of music. I’m the local Charlie Wilson. I don’t try to mimic what I hear on the radio to stay relevant, I push my music right along with the New School.

What has been your biggest challenge as a performing artist? Have you been able to overcome that challenge? If so, how?

Getting my surroundings to enjoy my music live. I overcame it by giving the people show. Just standing on stage singing is not enough for me. I’m very animated on stage and I make sure I put on a show.

I also perform with dancers.

A common phrase in the industry is, “you must suffer for your art.” Do you agree with this statement? If so, how have you suffered for your art?

I disagree with how it’s worded. I would rather say “you must pay your dues”. That can be anything from paying to perform, sing on a street corner, perform in places that you wouldn’t even go to during the day. Yes, I have “paid my dues”.

How do you feel the internet has impacted the music business?

It’s very easy to promote and push your projects as well as record. No more needing to be in the studio to collab. You can send the session to its destination and then send back the finished product.

love with music and actually sounded just like little Michael Jackson before puberty hit.

2. Brian McKnight’s I Remember You album. I fell in love with the love songs and was told my voice was smooth like his.

3. R. Kelly’s 12 Play. 12 of the best songs with a street edge. Inspired my writing style.

4. Babyface For the Cool In You album. Inspired me to write my first song “One Fantasy”.

5. R. Kelly Chocolate Factory album. Introduced me to steppin music. Inspired me to write The Nite (Give It To Me).

Tell us about your current project.

I’m also working on my upcoming album titled Allow Me To Reintroduce Myself. I’ve been in the business for 17 yrs and it’s like a reintroduction to the Mr. Chenier brand.

What is the best advice you have received?

Be passionate about your craft. Eat, sleep, and drink it!

What’s next for you?

I’m currently shooting in an upcoming indie film called 20Banz where I play 2nd in command for a mob crime boss. It’s like a new millennium “New Jack City”.

I’m also working on my upcoming album titled: “Allow Me To Reintroduce Myself” How can fans-to-be gain access to your music?

Website: www.misterchenier.com Social Media Links: > https://www.facebook.com/mrchenierwilson > https://twitter.com/iammrchenier > http://instagram.com/iammrchenier > https://www.youtube.com/user/Syxxthree74

If you could change anything about the music industry.

What would it be?

Make it more about talent and not who you can market. Too many, “One Hit Wonders”. And bring back REAL R&B! What are the 5 albums that have helped make you the person you are today? And why?

1. Jackson 5 first album. That’s when I really fell in

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BABY MAGIC Artist on the Rise We caught up with a young lady that goes by the name of Baby Magic and how she got started on YouTube and why?

My sister and I actually started years ago when I was just five years old. And then we restart it again just for fun. People were always telling us it was funny and we make them smile. So, we decided just to put our life out there and be just us, being us or just enjoying being me!

What are your 3 favorite tools for doing [something your audience cares about]?

Smiling, just enjoying seeing others smile, and having fun.

What 3 things does anyone starting in your industry need to know?

Have fun, don’t get caught up in the negative comments and you got to know yourself.

What would you do differently if you were starting in your industry now?

Do it more often!

Which people or books have had the most influence on your growth and why?

Honestly, I’ll just have to say my sister DebriaTyler aka DebriaLove.

What would you say is the #1 key to success in your business?

Me being able to relate to the fans and making them feel good about who they are.

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Talk about the biggest failure you’ve had. What did you learn from it?

Engaging in negative comments . Defending myself with someone who doesn’t know me I really learned that if they don’t know me why am I in defending myself.

Talk about the biggest success you’ve had. What did you learn from it?

I guess going out to LA and performing in front of people life and that was kind of a nice, exciting, and scary at the same time, but fun.

What has been your biggest customer success story?

Why do you think it was a success?

Just to see how people react when they get to meet me in public and getting paid for just being me.

What are the most common objections you get about buying your product/service? How do you answer them?

I haven’t really gotten any objective objection, yet.

What does a typical day in your week look like?

At this moment, it’s school work. Weekends, I go to the games and next week I’ll be starting back training for track.

Do you have social media?

I have Instagram, Snapchat,TickTock: @yalbabymagic

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ASHES TO OMENS Talented Rockers out of Georgia!

Hard Rock superstars, Ashes to Omens are one of the hard rock anomalies to come out of Athens, Georgia. Headed by mastermind James Branton, their vision is inspiring and their music is a tantalizing mix of edgy lyrics and hard driving instrumentals. Certainly a faction destined to become a household name, “Ashes to Omens” might very well be 2020’s biggest surprise. Their highly anticipated new single, “War Cry” has just been released worldwide, and in celebration lead singer James Branton and I exchanged some questions and answers......

anxiety and PTSD. War Cry is a song that was built around those feelings to lift one another up and support one another in times of mental distress. We think that the song finds a way to let people know that they’re not alone and if they’re struggling with that sort of thing, reaching out for help is what they should do. Ultimately, that there will be someone there for them.

What inspired the birth of “Ashes to Omens” and how did you get the name?

We actually thought for a long time about the name for the band. We wanted something that represented who we are individually and where we came from. Our thoughts were, “We’ve all been in previous bands” and this is something newer so the name itself represents the ashes of previous bands coming together to create a new vision that honors the past.

Please introduce your band to the planet and what influences your music?

We are a 5 piece hard rock band from Athens, GA! Home of the Bulldogs, R.E.M. and the B52’s. We became a band in 2017 and are influenced by tons of mainstream rock bands like Breaking Benjamin, Shinedown, Nothing More, and Tool. We’ve went on several tours in the U.S and opened for numerous national acts like Tom Keifer of Cinderella, REHAB, Hallow Point, Demon in Me and Lullwater. Our music is influenced by everyday life, overcoming adversity, building relationships and standing up for what we believe in.

What inspired the theme of your newest song?

I think a lot of our music that we have released in the past comes from a place of personal experience.

This song specifically comes from a darker place.

Two of our members struggle with depression,

Do you recall a moment in time that changed the tra jectory of your life?

For me at least, I can’t really speak for the rest of the band, but not long after I founded the band I was diagnosed with Thyroid cancer. It was a pretty

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scary time for me and really made me think about life and mortality and the time we have here. I decided then that was going to give everything I had to the music I was creating and everything I had to my family regardless of the outcome. That moment changed me. It made me stronger in my beliefs and who I am as an individual and the relationships I have, they’ve gotten stronger as a result.

What is your ultimate stage fantasy?

I used to say it would be to have fans sing our music back to us, but that’s already happened and it’s the greatest feeling in the world. So, it would probably be to be able to go on tour with some our influences. We’d love to tour with Breaking Benjamin or Nothing More or some bands that we’re huge fans of like Ice Nine Kills, Buck Cherry and tons more.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

110% touring the country and fingers crossed, getting a Grammy!

If you could send a message to the planet what would that be?

Music heals. It really does. It gives you a way to connect to other people during your happiest times and times where you’re ready to quit. Take care of one another and love one another and be there for each other.

If you could have me ask you any question on the planet what would it be and how would you answer?

Would you like to play a show with the Foo Fighters? Why yes, yes we would.

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LELAND SKLAR Legendary Bass Player “Guitar is for the head, drums are for the chest, but bass gets you in the groin”.....Suzi Quatro “The bass, no matter what kind of music you’re playing, it just enhances the sound and makes everything sound more beautiful and full. When the base stops, the bottom kind of drops out of everything.”....

Charlie Haden

Ghost, My Best Friends Wedding and television shows such as Hill Street Blues and Knight Rider. The name Leland Sklar appears on many album cover backs along with drummer Russ Kunkel, guitarist Dan Kortchmar, and keyboardist Craig Doerge, who would come to be known as the legendary band the “Section.”

With his long, silky, fluorescent white beard, making him look like a holy figure or an ultimately thin Santa, Leland Sklar, one of the planet’s most iconic bass phenomenas, sat prepared to shed some sunshine, effervescence and humor on his legendary career and his highly anticipated coffee table book. Like fireworks plunging into the night sky and shattering the darkness, Sklar defied music and defined it at the same time. His career was orchestrated with a sophisticated anarchy while celebrating the threat of imagination.

Ever since the early 70’s Leland Sklar has been a discriminatory symbol amongst the Hollywood session Bass players and the L.A. rock music community having done over 2600 records. His signature bass style has been heard on hits by James Taylor, Phil Collins, Linda Ronstadt, Reba McEntire, George Strait, Willie Nelson, Jackson Browne, Hall & Oates, and many more. Not at all limited to music Sklar, has played on film soundtracks including Forrest Gump,

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Currently Leland is playing with his band, “The Immediate Family” and awaiting the unveiling of his book which is an artistic collection of profound images that he’s photographed throughout the years of celebrities and other people flipping him the bird....so while every inch of heaven (California) was engulfed with smoke Sklar proceeded with our conversation....

My first inquiry is how does someone start a YouTube page and the within 24 hours get over 100 thousand subscribers?

The people that do that are the people that go on YouTube and do a video of like eating boogers.

Well in this case I was talking about you.

When you really look at those kind of numbers, the ones who are getting five hundred thousand views are the ones with those weird jackass movies and things like that. As far as mine goes, I’’m totally blown away by the whole thing. I never thought I was doing a channel. I just thought I was putting up a couple of videos. The next thing I knew people were writing to me about how they loved my channel. I said, “what are you talking about?” Then suddenly there wasn’t a day I didn’t post something because I felt too guilty....It’s one of these things that when people are writing to you and telling you that you’re their oasis, and all of this madness.... all of a sudden I find myself sitting there and feeling a sense of obligation.

When did you decide during your life that it was your destiny to become an icon?

I never thought about any of it. I’ve always been very happy to be a working musician. That’s all I’ve ever cared about. I had real jobs before I met James Taylor. I had things that I did back in college, stuff to pay rent and things like that....

I’m wondering what kinds of rent paying jobs did you have?

I ran an off-set printing press at a place that made porno magazines. It was 2 blocks from the college and the guy told me he’d pay me $5 dollars an hour.

I worked at a pool place that made pool filters... all kinds of shit that paid bills. I had no expectation that music would ever be a career. I was playing in bands and we were playing in bars. It was one of these things that happened so fast. It was like driving a dragster, you went from 0 to 300 in five seconds.

It was two- fold....it was because of James Taylor, because he was the perfect storm at that time for a new movement and music, and Peter Asher. He insisted that when we recorded with James that our names appear on the album.

That was smart.

It certainly was for us, because back in the Wrecking Crew and all of those people....people were listening

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to Sinatra, The Mamas and Papas , The Association and The Beach Boys without a clue that it was the same musicians on everything. So for us, it was really a godsend that Peter told us to put our names on it so that people like Jackson Browne and people that would be following in the wake that James Taylor created would know who we were. They would look at James’s album and they would see me and Russ Kunkel on the album and say, “ look what they did for James’ album.....and the next thing you know they’d be calling us. I had been in the studio without ever being in the studio before to do demos. Suddenly were like the A-list guys and having to figure out how it all works right on the job.

Can you recall a single moment in time that changed the tra jectory of your life?

I really thank it was the first thing we did with James at the Troubadour, because we really didn’t know what to expect. We felt we were doing one gig and really I’m still on that gig 50 years later. It was a real pivotal moment for the whole band, Russ Kunkel, Danny Kortchmar and Carole King. Carole was our piano player then. We just kept trying to encourage her to step out and do some of her songs at the beginning of the show, And the next thing you know she goes into the studio and cuts “Tapestry.” All of a sudden we have a side person in the band that has the biggest record in the world. So, she had to move on at that point. We spent like a year and a half with Carol and then “Tapestry.” I was doing and album with Tom Jens and Mimi Farina who was Joan Baez’s younger sister. The keyboard player was this guy Craig Doerge and I called Peter Asher and I told him that I found a replacement for Carol. He came in and out of that “The Section“ formed. It’s kind of like knowing Kevin Bacon. There is six degrees out of all of this.

Do you remember the first time anyone ever asked you for your autograph?

Not really. You know the hard part of the career to me is in the beginning you don’t see where it’s going. So, you’re not really paying attention. You’re just happy to have that day. The one thing I regret is that I didn’t have a camera from the first day on, taking pictures of the artists, the producers, the studios and the musicians. Even if it was just an Instamatic. But I was just happy to have a gig for a day and the idea of it documented a half century later. Even if I was the only one who saw it to kind of relive, because the studios are gone, the people are gone. That’s my only real regret. So even things like autographs, it never even registered on me that somebody would come up. I remember one of the first reviews of James Taylor, they referred to me as Lewis Sonoma. On James’ English album, his very first album the bass player was named Louis Sonoma, so the people just assumed that I was the guy on that record because they didn’t know who I was. So, for a while everyone just kept on calling me Louis.

Have you had your ultimate stage fantasy?

Wow. One of the coolest things I remember was when Phil Collins was doing the music for “Tarzan.” We went back to New York to do the premier of “Tarzan.” One of the main songs on it was sung

by Tina Turner. She flew in from Switzerland to do the show with us. I’ll tell you it was one of those things where...I had seen Ike and Tina back in the day but to actually see her come bopping on the stage, and how she took over the stage was incredible. It was just one of those things that because of the soundtrack we ended up with about 14 or 15 background singers, because it was a choir thing.

She walked in immediately and organized all of the background singers around a couple of mics.

I looked back at Phil and all he had to do that day was play drums. It was so beautiful because I looked over at him and he was a pig in shit that day because that’s all he ever really wants to do is play drums. Everything else that came to him was lower on his priority. If you bumped into him on the street not knowing who he was, and he started a conversation and asked him so what do you do, he would say “I’m a drummer.“ For him that’s what it is all about. So, I looked back on that and he was so thrilled, he didn’t even have to be out in front, and he just played drums. That was one of those moments. It isn’t so much that I had fantasies, but there has been some remarkable moments on stage. I feel fortunate that most of them I’m cognizant of and able to frame in my mind and I just don’t have to tell people what happened because they don’t remember. Not drinking and not doing drugs helped me stay cognizant of my life. There’s no virtue in it, it’s just for me what worked. I was around some pretty fucked up people at really young age and I saw

how bad it could be. So for me I just knew from the get-go that I’m too much of a Type A personality to give up any control. I’ve been the designated driver since I was like 14.

Let’s talk about your coffee table book. Did the idea for the book or did the picture come first?

It’s about 300 pages and 6,000 photographs. There is some text in it. We are creating a website, and everything will be directed to the site. I’m also going to offer my artwork on it because I’m also an illustrator.

It’s one of those things had it not been for the pandemic this would not have happened. Everybody’s searching for things to do.

I feel like all people can do is watch, read, listen and be creative now.

Yeah...It’s an interesting space that we’re in. There’s a grotesque monster side of it all that’s playing on the detriment of so many elements in society. Especially that it’s going on month after month, you can just fall into a depression, a deep funk over it.

Suddenly I look at it as a year of war completely vanished and I thought “what the fuck am I going to do?” People have been bugging me for this book for years. I started taking these pictures back in 2004. It’s just been hovering. I go to the NAMM show and people run over to me and flip me off and ask, “is that what I’m supposed to do?” It’s become an urban myth. So now fuck it, it’s time to commit and let’s just really do it. It’s turned out unbelievable.

The hard part now is I’m going to take delivery of 10,000 books and I’m going to be doing it as of now by myself. I’m also going to have a different level of books that are signed so I would have to have

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are so fabulous. The pages of the book are really high quality too. The cover is padded so when you pick it up it feels really good to hold.

It’s about 320 pages, so it’s a substantial heavy book. It’s a really high quality art book and it isn’t expensive. I have a product and I just need a physical one to show and that will be in November. I will have them for Christmas. I’ve got a Santa suit and I’ll do a video.... I just want it to be fun. I just want people to have joy and to have a good time. I got on a flight once and Mary Wilson was sitting there reading this book the whole time. Then I saw what she was reading, and it was her autobiography. But the funniest one was...Dolly Parton has been a friend of mine forever. We’ve been really close friends. I got on a flight and there she was sitting there. I sat next to her and I looked over and she was reading Stephen Hawkins “A Brief History of Time.” I looked at her and said, “ that’s pretty good.” Then she opened the book and it was “Harry Potter.” She had put Stephen Hawkins as a cover just to fuck with people.....

When is the last time you shaved?

The last time I saw myself absolutely clean shaven was when they handed me my high school diploma in 1965. I’ve been with Maureen, this is our 50th anniversary in December and she’s never seen my upper lip. When I was in high school it was incredibly restrictive. I looked hippie but I was never a hippie, in fact Ozzie Nelson was freakier than me. My sister was taking acid and everybody was worried about me because I was the one that looked like a freak and she was the one that looked like Gidget. But it was an extremely restrictive time in high school where we had grooming guards, and where girls couldn’t wear patent leather shoes because they thought that maybe boys could see reflections under their skirts. So, the minute they handed me that diploma I was just “fuck you I’m out here.”

I’m excited for the release of your book!

The thing is I have between 11 and 12 thousand photos and we used 6,000. So, if this goes really good, I’ll do a volume 2. The thing that’s fun about the book is that there are all these different characters.

There is Joe Average person in the street and all the people like Gwyneth Paltrow or Jack Nicholson.

I’ve got Jay Leno and Matthew McConaughey, Paula Deen. I would just go to people and say “flip me off” and they would agree. The thing is there’s like a half a million ways of doing this, but to me the thing I find the most intriguing is the faces. When people are giving you the finger their expressions are infinite. To me that’s the thing that I am intrigued by in the book. If you go through all these pictures every face is a different emotion. I mean there are many ways of giving the finger, but boy the faces

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What’s the name of your band?

The “Immediate Family” and it all came together because of Danny Korchmar. The thing is Danny, myself, Russ and Waddy have been together for 50 years and Steve Postell who I’ve known for 15 years ended up joining us. Danny had a record deal with a Japanese company called Vivid Records and had to fulfill an obligation and he called all of us to see if we wanted to do it and we said “absolutely.” He ended up calling the album “Danny Korchmar and The Immediate Family.” Then after that, everything just became the “Immediate Family” and we signed with a label called Quarto Valley Records. The American release will be with them, but that won’t be out until early next year, and Denny Tedesco from The Wrecking Crew is doing a documentary about us. Everything was going great until the pandemic.

It’s still really deep here and it’s adversarial. People are looking at this like it’s fucking gun rights. Even if you don’t believe in wearing a mask for yourself do it for the people you’re around so that they feel more comfortable. I remember there was a quote on Facebook, “ Fuck you, you don’t wanna wear a mask, try wearing a bra in August.”

Follow Leland Sklar and subscribe to his Youtube Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs5yDeiOgkyRZGZGphlSbIw

Stay Safe. Stay Healthy.

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