Kurt Scobie's lyrics strike a familiar chord but carry a refreshing tone, and the catchy melodies enable listeners to sing along, even after hearing his songs for the first time. He has performed over 400 shows, including seven NACA showcases, and a performance for the Atlanta Braves. Kurt has also shared the stage with The Civil Wars, Matthew Perryman Jones, and Montell Jordan. Influences such as Mat Kearney, Dave Matthews and Jason Mraz have helped Kurt create a sound that is winning over audiences across the country.
Sometimes I wonder why you don't see many groups anymore.....I'm not saying that they don't exist because they do! I just wonder why there aren't as many...For example name some groups of the 90s.........(I bet you were able to name at least three!) Now, name a group of today!
(Want me to give you more time?)
It seems that everyone is only out for themselves now! I'm not saying that you shouldn't look out for yourself but I think that everyone always wants to be out front (ALONE!)
There's absolutely nothing wrong with that! But what I learned happened with this is: we stopped appreciating the value and harmonies that more than one vocalist can bring! I've seen and meet alot of great solo vocalists but can you name one that can sing harmonies simultaneously? ME NEITHER!!!! So although some people have great voices, their voice is at it's essence's peak when accompanied with other vocals.....That doesn't discredit them in any way!
I said that to say that I believe that's how we got to not understanding and appreciating the value of the background singer. Well I wouldn't say this is true for most "singers" and "artist" because I would hope that they understand the dimensions that great backup vocals can bring to a song or performance. I think is more so, non musical people that I'm referring to....I've heard so many people say stuff like..."She just sings background" or "The should put him in the background cause he can't sing"............ WHEN DID "BACKGROUND" START BEING "WHAT YOU DO WHEN YOU NOT THAT GOOD OF A SINGER"?
.......With this in mind, I keep trying to think of how I could do my part to change that perception, so I started thinking about a few people that I've seen singing backup vocals on the regular that I know can "SANG!"....... Then I thought of one person I could talk to......... Crissy Collins!
I had no idea how I would get Crissy Collins to join me on When We Speak. I had never met her, I had only been to her shows and we had been in a few of the same places at the same time. So I just added her name in my prayer journal and went on.
Why did I want to speak with Crissy so badly? Well, she has been singing backup for a long time with artists like Kelly Price and Beyonce. Not only that she sang with B. Chase Williams and Shabach for many years too! Who better to speak with?
TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT....... God opened the door for me to finally meet Crissy one on one, and she accepted the interview! NOW YOU TELL ME IF YOU STILL THINK THE BACKGROUND IS FOR PEOPLE THAT CAN'T SING!
Then to my surprise, in 2010, I was singing in a choir for a Christmas celebration and Crissy Collins was one of the featured vocalists….. I was so amazed to see her but was too afraid to speak!Then, once again to my surprise, the group I sing with was invited to sing at a program for guess who?Crissy’s mom!Once again, I saw Crissy but was afraid to speak to her!
…To make a long story short, I ran into Crissy a few more times, as well as, attended some of her shows.Each time I was too afraid to speak.
Then one day, I decided that I wanted to attend a show that Crissy Collins was having at Acoustix Jazz Lounge and Restaurant in Atlanta, but the only problem was I had an interview scheduled with Gareth Asher on the same day (around the same time).That didn’t stop me….I decided I would do the interview at Eddie’s Attic in Decatur and then go to Crissy’s show even if I have to arrive late. Well, to my surprise I made it on time and to my benefit I was seated right in front.
That night, Crissy did an amazing performance and she also did something else that I didn’t expect….I was aware that Crissy loves audience participation and loves to put the microphone in your mouth for you to sing….well gues who she spotted out!Yep! Me!I was so nervous that I didn’t sing…… (but that’s ok, the next show that she did it, I was ready!)
Fast Forward…….
One day I was online and I received a message from someone on my Facebook wall and guess what it said……something like this……”Jermaine, inbox me, I want to give you my number so we can talk!”
Do I need to tell you that I was extremely excited?You already know who it was…Crissy!
I am such a fan of Crissy and I feel so blessed to have the opportunity to speak with her on When We Speak!I wanted to share that story just to encourage you that sometimes things don’t happen the way you want them to but if it’s God’s will, It will be done!Have a great day!
I'm currently running into people that inspire me.....some more than others.......When I sat down with a group out of Atlanta by the name of IDK....it was more than just an inspiration, it was an encouragement. I know you're probably wondering what I mean by that....Let me explain!
In the world that we live, youth is often what everyone is searching for. I'm not saying that I want to be in my 20s again but sometimes I feel like I don't have the same fire I had when I was in my 20s.
Speaking with IDK reminded me of that fire, because as they spoke, I could see it in them....as I sat there speaking to them, I remember asking myself, "Do you still have that fire that they have?". As I sat there, my mind rushed to many different places and I just remember smiling in my heart and I started to feel that fire's flame brighten.
Thank you IDK for adding a little coal to the fire!
Each interview on When We Speak, encourages me, more and more. Sometimes it's just the thought that the show is growing. Sometimes its something the artist said. Sometimes its just the spirit and warmth of the artist.
I was honored to sit down and speak with Gareth Asher before his show at Eddie's Attic in Decatur, GA recently.....Do you want to know what blew me away with Gareth? His vocals! OMG! Below is a video of Gareth singing but the video doesn't begin to describe how great Gareth sounds in person!
I remember thinking to myself..."He sounds like a recording!" I keep looking at his mouth because it sounded as if I was playing a cd........
It was definitely lots of fun speaking with an entertainer like Rahbi...I hope that you enjoy watching this video as much as I enjoyed conducting it......
Please take a moment to share this video. In order for me to continue bringing great Indie Music Interviews like this, I need you to help me promote the videos and support these great Artists...... Thanks for the support!
If you are familiar withRahbiand his music, then you are aware thatRahbiis always coloring outside the lines......so I was inspired to do something outside my norm! Hope you like the video.... And "Continue2Inspire" Rahbi's website:www.theplaground.com Follow Rahbi on Twitter:@rahbi Purchase Rahbi Music:Rahbi Music CHECK OUTRIPGIRLBY RAHBI
Independently releasing her debut cd in 2004, Carmen Rodgers has become one of the bright stars of the Indie Soul Movement.
Once a background vocalist for soul singer N'dambi, Carmen is now out front and becoming an Indie MusicStar.
Her songs have been in rotation on VH1 Soul, Music Choice, and many others.
I was blessed to speak with Soul Singer Carmen Rodgers on When We Speak. Carmen was full of positive energy and very encouraging.... I see why she is such a musical flower....because she has the sweet personality to match!
On May 5, 2012, I got a chance to
see Julie perform again at John A White Park in Atlanta for an event called
Jazz in the Park, hosted by Atlanta City Councilwoman Keisha Lance Bottoms and
Atlanta's public safety agencies.(Julie was wonderful as usual). She performed a number of songs
but I wanted to definitely share with you her song Who I Am off her albumNewAgain.
It's amazing how God allows you to be at the right place, at the right time!
Recently I was checking out music (as I always am) and I ran across and artist by the name of Carmen Rodgers. I liked what I heard so I decided to check out some more of her music. In the midst of checking out her music I ran across a video by Carmen Rodgers called It's Me. Ironically, when this song started playing, I new the hook already! (How did I already know this song? Til this day, it still boggles my mind)....anyway, once I realized that I knew the song I decided to try to find out how I knew this Carmen Rodgers girl. Unfortunately I still wasn't sure. Then I found out that she was performing in Atlanta.....once again, how ironic that I would find out about her show, right after finding her music.
Since I definitely believe in a higher power, I was convinced that none of these things were by coincidence. I decided to reach out to Carmen's booking agent about an interview on When We Speak. Her booking and I and I waited for confirmation of the date.
By the time Friday came, I was still hopeful but I started to tell myself, "Jermaine, be patient and if now is the time, it will happen". (Keep in mind I started getting worried because it was Friday and we had talked about interviewing the next Monday, and since that was my birthday weekend, I knew I would not be readily available to my emails).
CONTINUING....
I had planned a few things on my birthday weekend but I had one event that I still wanted to attend (a listening party for Atlanta artistRahbi). I wasn't sure if I would be able to attend but luckily I made it...... Remember how I said at the being that "It's amazing how God allows you to be at the right place, at the right time!"? Well, I get to the event and guess who I run into? Yep! You guessed it......CARMEN RODGERS! So when she walked past me, I had to take the opportunity to introduce myself............and guess what? We interviewed the day after my birthday.....what a great birthday gift!!!
I wanted to tell the full story about how I felt to encourage you today! Nothing ever happens by chance! Each breathing moment of our lives, we have to remember that God will present the door of opportunity. We have to be bold enough to knock when the door is presented! I hope this story encourages you and gives you hope to keep focus of your vision and destiny!
Just Remember: Nothing happens by chance......you are not reading this by chance! It was meant specifically for you...TODAY!!!
Years ago, when I moved to Atlanta, I stated to my mother that the next time she sees me it would be in a Tyler Perry play.Unfortunately, that has not happen yet!That doesn't mean that it won't, it just means that now is not the time.I really do want to do it too!I have never even met Mr. Perry.If I keep on the path I will meet him and he will one day be a guest on When We Speak.("Death and LIFE are in the power of the tongue!")
Speaking of When We Speak...... I may not have accomplished the Tyler Perry play that I set out to do but I've been entrusted a vision by God.When I moved to ATL I never thought I'd be doing this!I guess it's true what they say...."God works in mysterious ways.."As you know, I've interviewed people like Trina Braxton, Quan Howell, Julie Dexter, Leaf Newman, and Winston Warrior on the show.Even today I believe that each and every one of these acquaintances where destined by God to help me along my path and the list isn't finished.There are many more!But I said that, to share with you how God will open a door if you just step out on faith, acknowledge him in all your ways, and "Keep Movin", as Winston Warrior would say.
OK...I'M GETTING OFF TRACK
I wrote this blog to talk about acting.How did I get off track?I said all the prior stuff to say that you never know who you're going to meet once you start moving by the power of God and believing in the vision and destiny He has for you.I never would have imagined years ago when I interviewed BETWelcome to Dreamland Winner Leaf Newman, that I would also get a chance to interview her mother, Alison Newman.
I met Ms. Alison at the same time I met her daughter, Leaf.At that time, Leaf hosted a showcase every 1st Saturday at a coffee shop in Atlanta called Urban Grind (you should check out Urban Grind the next time you are in Atlanta).I remember meeting Ms. Alison and thinking, "Wow, she is so supportive of her daughter." I also loved her spirit!If you came to the show and was a new face, Ms. Alison would introduce you to other people in the crowd.She is such a nice lady, that’s why it was such an honor a privilege to sit down with Ms. Newman on When We Speak.And guess what? Do you remember what I said about wanting to be in a Tyler Perry play?SHE’S AN ACTING COACH!TYLER PERRY HERE I COME!
Hey everybody...I want to apologize that I originally took down the interview with Quan Howell due to some technical difficulties but I'm glad to announce that I have now put it back up, so enjoy, LIKE, and SHARE.
Jermaine Sainis the host/ creator of a talk show called When We Speak. After exiting the U.S. Army in 2003, as a Medical Sergeant, Jermaine began pursuing a career in music after he auditioned for American Idol in 2005, in Austin, Texas.
