The artist this week is one that I know personally. He is not famous, but he was very talented in his work.  He is my cousin, Eric Brown.  He recently passed away in August at the young age of 26. Eric has lived his whole life for his music. At the young age of 14 he really started getting into music and would create his own remix of songs. When he had enough money he bought his first keyboard which he and his buddies used to make beats and mess around.

                Eric had been through so much in his life. He was the most caring and generous person you could ever meet. No matter the situation he always had a smile on his face and whenever he talked about music you could see the passion in his eyes. Eric spent most of his free time in his own little studio he had set up in his parent’s basement. He would be down there for hours and hours just making his music.

Two weeks before Eric passed he was able to fulfill one of his lifelong dreams. He took a trip with his mom, my aunt Coleen, down to St. Petersburg, Florida, and while they were there he took a trip to a recording studio. Eric recorded one of his songs that he and his buddies had written together, “Money Makin’ Paper Chasin’.” It’s crazy to think that Eric was able to record in a professional studio that artists such as Reba McEntire and many others had also recorded at. Even though his song wasn’t produced, it shows that he had great talent!

               

 Eric was able to record his c.d. in Florida, which has six songs. He wasn’t able to finish the c.d. because his last few songs had not been finished. He had been working on a song for his one year old son Evan just before he passed. Evan was his pride and joy and was the reason that he kept going every day, he wanted to be a great dad and to give his son a good life. Evan lives on in Eric every day.

                We, as Eric’s family have been trying for some time to get his song on the radio, and we have done it. The song “Money Makin’ Paper Chasin’,” will be playing on Power 92.3 on August 15^th, Eric’s birthday at 7:15 p.m. I hope you all will tune and listen to it, the song will be cleaned and shortened, and there will be a letter that was written by his cousin Amber, read before the playing of the song.  R.I.P Eric, you were my best friend and a great musician. =]

this song, is not edited.

Find more artists like E. BROWN PRODUCTIONS at Myspace Music

You gotta Learn to Live

                Coming from one of the greatest bands, Hootie & The Blowfish, Darius Rucker is climbing the charts. To prove it, his first country album debuted at number one on the Billboard charts and was followed by a multi-week number one debut country single. “Learn to Live” is covers all aspects of life, from falling in  and out of love, to having children and watching them grow and also talks of death and how people react to it. Darius takes us into the depths of life and puts all emotions on the line. Along with having an amazing voice for country Darius is a natural at the guitar. His chords and style are beyond anything I would dream to play. He is one of a kind.

                Rucker grew up in South Carolina where he always had country music playing on the radio. He first became a fan of Buck Owens and then started listening to Radney Foster, who he thought had a voice bigger than Texas. Darius learned his advanced degree in songwriting while working on “Learn to Live.” Rucker quotes one day while working on songs, “So many people in pop try to write all these psychedelic crazy lyrics, and I’m sure I’ve been part of that - but that’s something you don’t find in country music. The thing I like most about country songs is that they keep it simple. I love that, and I love the melodies.”  Darius speaks the truth when it comes to writing country songs. He puts his heart and soul into his music.

                Having seen and heard this amazing musician live just puts chills down your spine. His presence on stage is so powerful, and he knows how to set the crowd off. Darius Rucker’s voice is unlike any other country singers; it is unique and really draws you in. He is making a name for himself in the music industry and will soon be the next big thing!

http://www.dariusrucker.com/

I'm Not Afraid To Take A Stand

From his birthplace in Kansas City, Missouri, this boy has a way with his words. He started signing or in other words rapping at the age of 4. At 14 he got very serious with his rapping but it wasn’t until he reached 17 that he finally gave a name to himself. No, I’m not talking about the M& M’s we snack on; I’m talking about the rapper, Eminem. His real name though is Marshall Bruce Mathers III, with the nickname of Slim Shady, or in the movie 8 Mile where he played the lead roll and is called “B Rabbit.” Marshall has a daughter, Hailie Jade, who he raps about in many of his songs.

                His music career started out rocky, like it does for most. Because of his race he was rejected by many other rappers. He finally got fed up with it and forced himself on the radio, in freestyle battles, where he could get his voice heard and people would know he was serious. His first album sold less than a thousand copies, leaving him stranded and not knowing where he would be sleeping at night. All the struggles he faced he put into the lyrics of his songs. He ranted and raved about his life and everything in it. Fighting to make money he entered into the 1997 rap Olympics where he battled for an hour but ended up in second place. Little did he know there were producers in the crowd and they really liked his voice. Dr. Dre, one of the most famous rappers was told to listen to his first album “Infinite,” and tracked Eminem down. Dr. Dre and Marshall recorded many songs together and coming up with the album “Marshall Mathers LP.” It won 3 Grammies and was the first rap album to ever be nominated for “Album of the Year” selling over 8 million records in the U.S. alone.

                Eminem is going strong and is selling and recording with singers like Rihanna, Lil Wayne, Dido, 50 Cent, Lloyd Banks, and of course the famous Dr. Dre.  As his raps get better and better, I have come to really enjoy his songs. They may sound like crap, most raps do, but I like to listen to the lyrics. Most of his songs are powerful if you take the time to comprehend what he is trying to say.

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0004896/bio

It's Not My Time

Formed in the petite town of Escatawpa, Mississippi this five some is an amazing rock band. 3 Doors Down is more than just a rock band; they bring fire to the stage while still keeping their small town feel alive. With their hit song "Kryptonite," fans and music critics knew this band was in for the long haul.
Like many bands, 3 Doors Down has been through rough patches. Many times the boys spent weeks back home to recollect themselves and to come back together as the band they were set out to be. At one time they spent almost a year apart and came back stronger than before.
With 3DD's first four albums being successful they could hope nothing but the best for their next upcoming album. They got more than they expected with their debut album with songs such as "It's Not My Time," and "Train."
“Were not a band that just goes through the motions, we go at everything hard. What I’m most proud of about the new album is we left ourselves a way out. Everybody hit the proverbial brick wall. Everybody fell down and everybody got back up, then we all went back in the room and, what was great was we found all these different paths to go down.” says Chris. These boys don't stop. They come home from a tour and within a matter of days they are in the studio starting to record their next hit album.
3DD says that you have to have fun while also being serious, it keeps things under control. With "Train" as the first song they wrote for this album, it was a song they could build off of because it was so powerful already.
Being southern boys, this band is all about giving back to the community. They have a homegrown foundation called "The Better Life Foundation," which has raised more than 2 million dollars for local children’s charities since its inception in 2003.
I have always been a fan of 3 Doors Down and can't wait to see what they have coming out next. Great work boys!

Brad Arnold - Vocals
Matt Roberts - Guitars
Todd Harrel - Bass
Chris Henderson - Guitars
Daniel Adair - Drums

http://www.3doorsdown.com/page/biography-1

Nothing is Impossible

Don't be mistaken by the beauty of her. This young new singer and songwriter is fighting her way to the top. At the age of 23 Shontelle is becoming more than she imagined. She has always loved singing and performing on center stage. She is the oldest of her three sisters, and has always been an over-achiever. Whether it was in sports or on the stage. Her aunt who was also a singer encouraged her the most to pursue her career in singing, while the rest of her family didn't feel it would be the best choice.
One year Shontelle went to "Cadets" camp, where she was a drill sergeant to a newcomer by the popular name "Rihanna." Both girls never thought they would end up fulfilling their dreams and be famous singers. They still remain friends to this day.
Shotelle's career for singing kicked off in 2005 in the Caribbean as the writer of the girl-power anthem, "Roll." If she hadn't written that song for Rihanna, she might not have been found. The producers loved her voice and she now has hit singles. Such as, "T-shirt," and the newest of her songs, "Impossible."
Shontelle is becoming a hot new artist that has a unique style of music. She is becoming one of my favorites! If she keeps up with the great songs she will be hitting the top of the charts very soon! I hope this Bajan girl can go all the way like Rihanna did!!!

http://www.shontellemusic.com/bio.aspx

Sharp Knife of a Short Life

Siblings Kimberly, Reid and Neil come together to form the famous band "The Band Perry." These three have always had a love for music and played throughout their summers in Mobile, Alabama. Kimberly being the oldest started her own band at the age of 15 having her younger brothers as her roadies. After years of helping their sister they got tired of it and started their own band where they would open up for Kimberly's band.
"My bass and I've been attached at the hip since I was 10 years old, while most of my friends were playing little league, I was sitting in my room learning Rolling Stones' and Beatles' bass lines. It's really all I've ever known." explains Reid.
The three were in separate bands as they grew up, but could recall many buggy nights in Alabama sitting on the front porch playing Hank Williams and Bobbie Gentry in a three-part harmony.
Kimberly says, "We all knew we would take the stage together -all we were waiting on was the right moment."
In July of 2005 these three very talented siblings finally decided to come together after years of writing. Coca-Cola Bottling Company asked them to open all of the dates on their "New Faces Of Country" Tour that year.
"The three of us bring different strengths into the writing room,"
"Kimberly carries in a bag of melodies and lyrics, Reid always has some really great
musical ideas in his back pocket, and I bring in a sense of humor and some thread
that ties it all together." Neil points out while writing one day in Nashville.
To these three, family is the most important thing to them. They are so different but yet so alike. For instance they all read the same novels and cook from the same cookbook.
Reid states, "Blood runs thick. The music business can be hard, but the three of us are committed
not only to our lives in music, but to living them together." The Band Perry is not only a band of siblings but is also a band of best friends.

Their newly top 20 single, "If I Die Young," has passed over 5 million video views. This song is not only a feel of country, but has some pop in it as well. I can honestly say that at this moment in time, this is my favorite song and I listen to it at least 3 times a day. It has a catchy beat and if you really listen to the lyrics it can be a sad song. To view their video--->

 http://www.thebandperry.com/bio.aspx

This...That and ALL THE ABOVE!

I got my topic of this week’s blog off of a new show on MTV called "World of Jenks." This episode was aired on September 7th. This ex-con is now a famous rapper. He sings...well raps the very popular song All the Above and many others. MAINO is hot and has a fresh new style that is coming to the streets.

This new swagger-rich MC is hoping to bring a new look to hip-hop. He recently came out with his hot debut album, If Tomorrow Comes. Maino's songs not only tell stories about his past but also give advice to young teens today. Some could say he's been through hell and back.

Maino was faced with many challenges throughout his life and still faces hardships today. Was he was about 7 years old both his parents had drug problems, his dad worse of then his mom. When he was in his teens Main had to fend for himself as well as take care of his younger brother. He was young and thought that committing small crimes were needs of survival, because he was taught nothing else. These small crimes eventually led to a drug related kidnapping which he was then sentenced 5-15 years in prison. I remember Main telling Jenks on the show that before he was in prison he never really liked music, he didn't listen to and he never thought he would be in the music industry one day. But after sitting in a prison cell for 23 hours a day, rapping was something to cure the boredom. Maino never wrote his raps down on paper, which is one reason why he is such a great MC. After getting out of prison his music career took off, but he did go through some hard times. Like any musician does, he fails, but gets back up again. While becoming a great artist Main also became a family man. He has a son who he loves dearly, who was also featured in the show.

The show featured so many aspects of Main's life, but I don't want to ruin them all on here. I advise you to go watch the episode, it is great. Maino gives a lot of advice on the show and he is a great man! As I finish this blog I leave you with one line, Maino's quote towards the very end of the show..."Sometimes you have to go through hell to get to heaven!"