New Release: OMNI

OMNI practicing in the background as Barbara Jenice watches from the shadows. 

The much anticipated release from a new group on the scene OMNI is scheduled for today!

Last weekend I was invited to join OMNI during band practice. When I walked in to the house, where they hold practice, boy was I blown away! Chase Craven on guitar, Ross Hansom on bass, Ra'id Omar on drums, and JR Truth bringing vocals have an amalgamation of hard rocking guitar rifts, a solid core of drums, with fast and hard slapping bass lines marrying heavy metal and funk combined with the rap stylings of JR Truth. This sound is unlike anything I have heard.

Ross Hansom

Ross Hansom and Chase Craven

Ra'id Omar

Chase Craven

OMNI practicing 

J.R. Truth

Barbara Jenice and J.R. Truth practicing their vocals.

 You'll have to hear it yourself and lucky for you their CD release party is tonight without a cover charge at Rockhouse Live on Poplar with special guest Barbara Jenice. I'll see you there tonight at 8pm!

New Release: Sinsere Amir "Are You Influenced?"

On March 10, 2015 I had a short chat with Memphis rapper Sinsere Amir about his upcoming release. 

Memphis Famous: "How are you doing?"

Sincere Amir on February 12, 2015 in the recording 

booth at Studio 224 Memphis Recording Studio 

& Printing Co. while  recording "Are You Influenced?"

Sinsere Amir: "I'm awesome I just quit my job today and it's all up hill from here."

MF: Damn!! Quit your job and uphill, can I quote you on that? Are you going full-time in the music industry?

Sinsere Amir: "Yes, If you wanna be a boss, you have to be a boss,"

MF: When I came up to 224 Studio on February 12 to see you record, you were on top of it - in and out of the booth with a great determination. Within ten minutes you had recorded an entire track. What is your writing process?

Sinsere Amir: My recording process is simple. I just like to go in and smoke a lot of pot and drop dope music. It is real simple. Hahaha.

MF: How do you prepare to go into the studio? 

Sinsere Amir: I write all my material before I go into the studio. But the way I record and finish, it depends if the chemistry between me and the engineer is good.

Sinsere Amir live in the booth as all-around hustler and engineer 
Sky Beats sits and the controls and INFAMOUS45 chills out. 

MF: You have an impressive way of communication with your recording engineer, Sky Beats. You two shared very few words and immediately you two would understand each other. That type of team work is usually seen in people that often work together, have you recorded with Sky Beats before?

Sinsere Amir: I never worked with Sky before. That day was the very first time we met. And what can I say? We hit it off great. She's great to work with!

MF: What is the title of this new album you recorded?

Sinsere Amir: The album is called "Are You Influenced?"

MF: Is this album going to be an LP OR EP?

Sinsere Amir in the recording booth at Studio 224 with Sky Beats.

Sinsere Amir: It is an EP.

MF: When do you expect to release this EP?

Sinsere Amir: The release will be in August.

MF: What are your goals for this album?

Sinsere Amir: I want to influence people to truly be themselves, and nobody else. Like, my artist mind state when I write records is cinematic to me, it's like seeing sounds. Ya feel me?

MF: Yes, absolutely. Those are lofty aspirations, to see sounds. How exactly do you get a listener to see sounds?

Sinsere Amir: Getting people to see sounds is just another way of being creative without pictures. It's like reading a booking with pictures, but you can imagine what's going in the story I'm telling

MF: How did you react when you found out you are listed twice as "#Coast2Coast's hottest artist in the state" during the month of February?

Sinsere Amir: Being on the hottest in the state mix-tape was awesome! I'm very excited about it. Now we're going to keep moving forward. It will help with my single I'm releasing next month and my tour "Members Only Tour" starts March 8th.

Sky Beats, INFAMOUS45, and Sinsere Amir all listening to the newly recorded track
for "Are You Influenced?"

 MF: Do you submit your work to Coast 2 Coast as an indie artist? How does this work?

Sinsere Amir: With Coast 2 Coast I pay a fee monthly and I get shows in whatever city I want & it comes with other things like promotion & radio spins on the radio station.

MF: What does this EP say about who you are as an artist?

Sinsere Amir: I'm a really big Jimi Hendrix fan and the title came from that. I'm an artist so I'm Influenced and sensitive to everything around me, So, the things that influence me are like different styles of music, weed, gin, friends, family, life, being a father, and I lost my mother 3 months ago. Everything!

MF: What do you want your fans to get from listening to "The Green Light District"?

Sinsere Amir in the recording booth.

Sinsere Amir: To smoke as much weed as possible. LOL. I just want them to have a good time and have fun and party with good music with great substance & don't be afraid to have a good time, being you at all times and being comfortable around other individuals like you too that want and do he same.

MF: Where will you be touring to promote this EP?

Sinsere Amir: I will be touring in New Orleans, Nashville, Atlanta, L.A , DMV, & LITTLE ROCK AR & DON'T FORGET AROUND THE CITY OF MEMPHIS

MF: After the release of "Are You Influenced?" what is your next project?

INFAMOUS45 watching Sinsere Amir
record.

Sinsere Amir: After the tours and album release me & my homie, INFAMOUS45, will be doing an EP together called "Hustlemania15" for a fall release.

Thank you for chatting with me. 
You can catch Sinsere Amir currently on his Green Light District Tour, or you can find him on Facebook, Instagram, and Soundcloud. 

Sinsere Amir laughing while recording "Are You Influenced?" 

Going Viral

I do not think of myself as cool. I am outspoken. I am obnoxious. I am inappropriate and have been a cussed of being vivacious. And I am proud that I am a weirdo. I am not the trendsetter I wish I could be and I am completely comfortable in myself with all of this. For some reason that confidence does wonders. This comes sometime after you turn 30 and of course by accepting yourself for who you are. 

So last week, when given the challenge to try to make something go viral I begrudgingly accepted. I am not a media darling. There is no way in hell I can making something go viral. 

With that attitude I sure am not going to make it. But I tried. 

After the staff meeting at Radio Memphis I walked into a little mischief. 

Obviously, I went for sensationalism. What the hell is he even doing?! 

I posted it to Twitter, 

to no favorites or retweets, Facebook on my personal page

 

to only one like from my coworker at Radio-Memphis and two shares, and my personal Instagram to not even find

crickets. 

The Radio-Memphis Instagram faired only slightly better with a handful of hearts and a comment: 

And the Radio-Memphis Facebook page reached 153 people for a whopping 2 likes. 

All of this began on the Memphis Famous blog post. I logged in to find 

only 68 people clocked the link to see the original post with teaser. 

Just because I sometimes post the links to "You won't believe what happens when" does not mean my readers and Radio-Memphis' listeners will click on something similar. They have higher standards than simple sensationalism. I do not have any tricks up my sleeves as to making a post go viral or anything I could have tried differently, I believe I will stick to music reviews, man on the street questions, and album releases. This "going viral" stuff is for the cool kids. I am content sitting back, having a drink, and listening to some damn fine music. 

Until the next time, y'all take another look at this little work of art that took the world by video storm this spring, recorded in Memphis at Royal Studios with Boo Mitchell 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=OPf0YbXqDm0

Shenanigans at Radio-Memphis

What the hell goes on after a Radio-Memphis staff meeting? 

Brother Doug thought he was alo and boy was I surprised!! 

Brother Doug was caught in the act of these wild shenanigans with Rosie Palms!!! 

Let's bow our heads and #prayforDoug! 

#communityservice #thisiswhywecanthavenicethings 

#thenighttimegroove

#radiomemphis

Play for Exposure

I logged on to Instagram this afternoon to find a long comment left on one of my #onmycommute photos. 

Naturally when I read it I was flattered. But the more I think about it the more perturbed I become. This is the equivalent of asking a musician to "play for exposure" or a photographer to produce work in exchange for "telling all of my friends about you." It is total crap! 

As we all know, exposure does not pay the bills. Last year a bookstore on the University of Memphis campus, a national chain store, was asking Memphis Musicians to provide entertainment for their store for exposure! Exposure is blatantly asking an artist to work for free. That is telling them that their experience, musical education, years of practice, the process it takes to write and compose a song, perfect it, load in, perform, and load out is not worth squat. 

You would not ask a lawyer to go to court on your behalf, a stylist to coif up your do, or a chef to feed you only for their education and hard work to be rewarded by praising word of mouth. I certainly hope not. 

Stop asking creative people to work for free! Just stop it. 

Tundrea Lyons, Accendo Media

Tundrea Lyons is one of the most humble, congenial, excitable, beautifully honest person that sees others at their potential and the goodness they possess. She is also one of the busiest people in Memphis show business. She hosts multiple open mic nights in town including Soul Speak on Tuesday evenings at local soul food eatery Mot & Ed's, manages a music artist, and spends her free time visiting venues to get a feel for the local scene. She enjoys every minute of it and everywhere I have ever been with her she is popular, not a popularity contest but genuinely loved and greeted like Norm walking into Cheers. Tundrea is the epitome of Memphis Famous. If keeping up with all of that is not enough she holds down a day job, family life, is a mentor, conducts a bible study, and volunteers for Accendo Media too.

Brother Doug of Radio Memphis with The Admiralty including Andy Parrish, Mick Parrish, Aaron Bennett, and Tundrea Lyons of Accendo Media on June 6, 2013.

I sat down with Tundrea today and asked her four questions about Accendo Media.

Memphis Famous: What is Accendo Media?

Tundrea Lyons:  Accendo Media is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that promotes local artists and musicians. We operate as a professional, philanthropic organization with the good will of Memphis at its core.

MF:  What is your position at Accendo?

TL: President

MF:  What all does that entail?

TL:  I am responsible  for continuing the legacy of Accendo Media that our founder, Will Scheff, started in 2012. As President, it 's my responsibility to make sure that even during our current restructuring period, that the name "Accendo Media" is still as strong today as it was in the early days.

MF: How and where is Accendo Media represented and visable in the Memphis community?

TL:  Accendo Media is in the process of partnering with the non-profit organization Art for Life Sake, which will allow Accendo to start our musician mentoring program with children who cannot afford music lessons.
Currently Accendo Media is partnering with Radio Memphis and has a weekly internet radio show called Accendo Artist Hour. Our guests are interviewed and perform live in the studio, where they are broadcast to over 140 + countries. The show is on Thursday evenings from 8:30-9:30 pm CST at Radio-Memphis.com.*

 

Radio-Memphis' very own Brother Doug with Accendo Media's Tundrea Lyons and Will Scheff with performing artist Dai Williams and her manager Amanda Allen.

Find out more about Accendo Media at their website or on Facebook where Tundrea regularly updates the pages with performing artist's photographs and videos.


*Averill R. Conway, who writes this blog, also works at Radio-Memphis and cohosts The Accendo Artist Hour with Tundrea Lyons on Thursday evenings.

Memphis Music History: The Levitt Shell

It is getting warm in Memphis! Do you know what that means? The Shell season is coming! 

If you live in Memphis you know The Shell is the amphitheater in the middle of Overton Park, located near The Memphis Zoo, that hosts weekly entertainment and musical acts. 

#Photographing tonight #schoolofrockmemphis @ #theLevittshell #levittshell #levittshellmemphis @schoolofrockmem @b_raby402 @genevieve_raby

A photo posted by Averill Conway (@averillconway) on Jun 19, 2014 at 8:00pm PDT

Many do not know much history about The Shell. While visiting The Memphis and Shelby County Room located in the Memphis Public Library I browsed through stacks of The Memphis Press Scimitar and The Commerical Appeal to find the most interesting facts on The Levitt Shell. 

#LevittShell #LevittShellMemphis #schoolofrockmemphis @schoolofrockmem #dressingroom

A photo posted by Averill Conway (@averillconway) on Jun 19, 2014 at 5:36pm PDT

When the Overton Park Shell was proposed the estimate to build was only $10,000. The actual cost to build was $11, 935. It is built in a natural amphitheater providing a fantastic view from every seat in the house. 

September 13, 1936 was the opening night. At the time The Shell accommodated 6000 people, 4000 of which were able to be seated leaving standing room only for 2000 guests. The orchestra pit seated 50 musicians. On stage an orchestra of 75 musicians could be seated. 

Opening night was the only concert given in 1936. And it was free; consisting of classical music & ballet. The esteemed Mayor Overton conducted the keynote address dedicating the Shell.

In 1948 The Shell was given a major overhaul, costing $80,000.

On July 30, 1954 Elvis Presley's 1st concert performance as an opening act was performed on the stage of the Overton Park Shell.

In 1966 The Shell was proposed to be destroyed. It was to become the Performing Arts Bldg for The Memphis Academy of Arts & Brooks Art Gallery.

On November 24, 1969 The Shell was set fire by a 19 year old homeless man, Scott Stone Whitting.  Whitting was staying wherever he could after his girlfriend, the secretary of the AAA club, quit seeing him. The estimated cost to rebuild was $55,000.

On July 2, 1971 the Memphis Police were used as guards at Overton Shell instead of security guards due to complaints of drinking, drug use, and love making by nearby neighbors.

According to a Memphis newspaper on July 8, 1971 it cost only a $2000 deposit by any promoter who schedules an event. This money includes rental fee, police protection, and insurance against personal injuries or damage to The Shell.

1971 continued with numerous complaints from neighbors about noise levels.

#musicians #stickfigures #backstage at #levittshell #levittshellmemphis #thelevittshell #memphisdoesmusic #memphismusic

A photo posted by Averill Conway (@averillconway) on Jun 19, 2014 at 8:21pm PDT

In 1973 the fences surrounding The Shell were trampled. This prompted the Memphis parks commission to remove the fence and provide only free shows.

In September of 1982 The Shell was named Raoul Wallenberg Shell after the Swedish diplomat who saved thousands of Jews from Nazi death camps.

On September 16, 1983 Arts in the Park revived a 1960's tradition of music and dance performances, displays of local artists, food from local restaurants, and exhibits from Memphis Academy of Art & Memphis Brooks Museum of Art at The Shell.

Mayor Dick Hackett on April 17, 1984 proposed to tear down the Shell for a Memphis Brooks Museum parking lot.  Renovation was chosen over the Shell's destruction.

During the 1990's The Shell was used for Pagan, peace, Earth Day, and animal rescue rallies. 

For three years prior to October 20, 2004 The Shell was closed.  While anticipating reopening, The Shell had become dilapidated and no funds were set aside for rejuvenating it.

On June 29, 2008 The Shell was renamed Levitt Shell. It was named after The Mortimer Levitt Foundation that nationally funds the revitalization of band shells around the U.S. This leads to The Shell reopening on September 8, 2008 to rock concerts with audiences estimated at 1000.

Everyone at the @levittshell is up and dancing tonight! #levittshell #levittshellmemphis #60yearsofrocknroll #memphismusic #memphisdoesmusic

A photo posted by Averill Conway (@averillconway) on Jul 5, 2014 at 6:55pm PDT

 

Just a few of the many artists that have played The Shell include: 

Benny Goodman, leader of the big band, Seals & Croft, Allman Brothers, Isaac Hayes, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Elvis Presley, Marguerite Piazza, Marshall Tucker Band, Hubert Sumlin, the Rebirth Brass Band, The Memphis Dawls, North Mississippi Allstars, Star & Micey, Dead Soldiers, Ori Naftaly Band, and the Memphis School of Rock. 

Memphis School of Rock performing on June 19, 2014

Today The Levitt Shell is a beloved destination for thousands of Memphians every weekend to enjoy free concerts Thursday through Sunday evenings. The Shell boasts of hosting over 50 free concerts a year. That is certainly something to be proud of. 

When the new season is announced, bring your picnic and your friends. I cannot wait to see you there! 

What do you antipate the line-up will be like this year? Who has been your favorite act to see at The Levitt Shell?

Feel free to post your favorite Shell photographs in the comments section below.

More current information can be found at http://www.levittshell.org/

Rules and Moderation Policy

We are mostly cool here. However, some people have tendencies to be haters. So, a few guidelines have been set to keep it cool. 

1. Your comments will be deleted if they involve:

   a. Name calling, insulting, abusive, attacking, trolling, threatening, harassing, slanderous, baiting, sexist, homophobic, or racist hate speech.

  b. Spam postings

  c. Promoting commercial services, work from home services, independent sellers, or direct sales

  d. Copyrighted material that is not indicated as such, permission not given for commenter's use, or not tagged back to the artist.

  e. Not remaining on topic

   f. impersonation or false representation of an individual or organization

2. Photographs that are not property of Memphis Famous or Averill R. Conway Photography are used with the permission of the musician or artist. 

3. The work of Averill R. Conway Photography is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDervis 3.0 United States License. Go here to see all that this entails. 

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United States License.

4. Your privacy is important. Please remember that any information in your post is public and available for all to see, including that psycho-ex you blocked on other social media sites and "The Man."

Terms and moderation policies are subject to change at any time without prior notification. 

Be civil. Be respectful. Be cool. 

Superstitions, Rituals, and Routines

It is a new month and time for Memphis and Mid-South Musicians and Artists to answer another question. 

In March many people celebrate Saint Patrick's Day. St. Patrick's Day is synonymous with luck. Do you have a good luck charm or a superstitious pre-performance routine before going on stage that you follow to influence the outcome of a fantastic show? What is it?

Self Portrait

Sinsere Amir

"Easy! Smoke a lot of doobies. That's all and take a couple of gin shots."

You can find Sinsere Amir here. Look forward to his upcoming new release in July 2015.

Photograph by Edna Donald

JR Truth of OMNI

"Before every show I find a space alone to stretch and shadowbox. Gets my adreneline flowing."

JR Truth can be found performing with OMNI and as a solo artist.

Photograph by Adam Holton

Misti Rae Holton, singer-songwriter and ukulele extraordinaire 

"I am probably the least superstitious person you could ever meet. I at least run a close second behind Stevie Wonder. Stevie says it better than me but superstition is based in fear & the need to control. There's no freedom in that.

I do have something I like to do before every show & that is to pick a flower from my garden for my hair. If there aren't any in bloom I get one from the store on the way to my gig. My husband is even used to this routine of mine. He knows that it is one of those small things that makes me very happy. It makes me feel connected to the magic of nature and makes me feel beautiful and feminine. And flowers & gardening are one of my favorite conversation topics, whether it's between me and an avid gardener or someone who wants advice on growing something for their first time. See how much connection I can make with nature & people just by simply putting a flower in my hair? They have brought me immeasurable joy and are responsible for creating many new friendships & deepening old ones. Nature is a conduit, like music & art but perhaps more powerful than music & art because it is our source, our inspiration. I am humbled by its power. Getting in touch with humility & gratitude is important before I get in front of people. It helps me to more effectively be a conduit."

Misti Rae's music can be found on Reverbnation.

Photograph by Darius B Williams,
design by Brandon Eso Tolson

Arean Alston

"I honestly don't believe in luck so much but more so in hope/strong faith. The regular routine I do before gracing a stage is pray that all goes well and that the music/performance truly touches someone."

Arean, a native Memphian, is currently following her dreams in Los Angeles, California. Her inspirational song Believe is on YouTube or you can purchase it on iTunes.

Bruce Cole Photography

Conscious Leo of Y.R Generation

"I have both a good luck charm and a superstitious pre-performance routine. My good luck charm is my Ankh, which is supposed to be "the key of life." I wear it because it symbolizes me being in control of my destiny. My routine includes doing a couple of push ups and drinking at least two bottles of water. I like to get my blood pumping and get hydrated. LOL. I also meditate. I block everything out and get into myself."

Y.R Generation is currently living and performing in New York City where Conscious Leo is also teaching Hip-Hop History/Culture classes in the public school system. Listen to Y.R Generation on SoundCloud. 

Photograph by Andrew Adkins

Leeah Vickers, poet and author

Leeah's marble

"She carries hope around like a marble in her pocket. Clutching a reminder that peace is possible when the rest of the world scrambles because they lost theirs in this game they play called life."

Leeah carries a small blue and white marble as her good luck charm. She has had it since she moved into her house, "I found it in the overgrown flowerbed our neighbors left behind."

Leeah, originally from Memphis, has found love. He has taken her to Nashville. When she is not in the classroom as a public school teacher she writes inspirational and reflective Facebook posts as well as poetry with compassion and imagery that calls upon the reader to move into action. Her first collection of poetry is Free to Fly. 

Photograph by Ashley Benham

Mike Hewlett & The Racket

"Well we do have a few pre-show rituals that include but are not limited too... Bush not eating on show days, Grizz gear if it's a game day, and Bush and Jon smoke healthy amounts of cannabis. Some booze is generally involved at some point. If Bush feels that I, Mike, is not hyped up enough he tries to hit me in the balls. That usually gets me good and pissed off. LOL. I funnel the energy toward the performance. LOL. (You don't have to use that if you don't want) LOL. We always have to bring The Racket. As in, the actual beat to hell green tennis racket from our photos. It finds a place on the stage at every show.

Mike, Bush, and Jon keep it lively. They are known to put on a show that some might consider too loud for rock 'n' roll. You can judge that for yourself at their Facebook or Bandcamp. Better yet, see them live in Memphis. Also, be on the lookout for the anticipated June release of "Happy Fucking Birthday: A Rock & Roll Mixtape from Mike Hewlett & The Racket." 

Lighting and design, Darius B Williams Photograph, Self Portrait Series, by Eso

Eso of Artistik Approach

"I'm not really superstitious. I do know that strange and unpredictable things happen everyday. Some good. Some not so good. I think a lot of luck is truly believing in the possibility of the chance of those things actually happening. However, I believe that being prepared for life to come at you from all directions beats luck any day. And those who are "lucky" just had the cards in their favor that day.

Before a performance, I gargle...A LOT. Drink plenty of water and throw in a Hot Toddy into the mix. The performance is really an energy thing. If you have good energy combined with preparation, you're sure to have a great show."

Eso is an a cappella artist. Check out Artistik Approach on Bandcamp. 

Photograph by Bill Piacesi 

Faith Evans Ruch

"I like to have a couple beers and socialize a bit with some of the audience members before the show. It makes the experience more personal which makes me feel more comfortable, and when I'm relaxed and feel like I can be myself, things go much more smoothly!" 

Faith is a labor and delivery nurse here in Memphis. In her spare time she is a singer and songwriter. This summer Faith will tour in the UK. Find all of the impertinent information on her website including her schedule and latest music videos. 

Averill R. Conway Photography

Jaeci King

"I don't typically go to the gig early and hang out. I sit in my apartment & smoke no less than 5 "re-rolled" cigars. Drink several pints of IPA & the only "weird" thing I like to do is take a long hot shower before I head out (I drink & smoke in shower btw.) I jump from shower to ablutions to car to gig. Makes me feel like the planet slows down enough for me to light the fuse, lose it on stage & watch the flames. So much FUCK YEAH right there!"

Jaeci labels himself as a "singer, songwriter, poet, and Las Vegas Dancer." He's quite the comedian. You might recognize him as the vocalist of Modern Slang or the Mane 1. Jaeci is also the voice of Radio-Memphis.com's announcer guy. 

Photograph by Justin Fox Burks

JR Blu

"I always have to buy a new pair of socks. Thin silk socks.. Comfort.

JR Blu is a Rhythm and Blues artist from Ruleville, MS. Follow his New Old School style of music here. 

 I hope you are wearing your green today! But whatever you views on luck are, may the luck of the Irish be with you. Or, may your luck charm suit you well today. Happy Saint Patrick's Day!