DAY 236 GRAMMY CHASE: HOW IT FEELS

The Just Doin’ It video is approaching 400k views and maybe there is something wrong with my view of success, as I only see it as the first leg of the journey as opposed to being the finish line. I haven’t made time to really enjoy this stretch of the road, but after I publish this post, I think that I WILL! I’m reminded that even the smallest of breakthroughs deserves recognition. So, exactly  how I will celebrate is still up in the air, but it may be as simple as doing nothing and catching a nap, seeing how sleep is always fleeting.

Yesterday, my mother in-law called me and read me an article that she discovered in the Buffalo News Gusto section. It was a brief write-up on GMA and how it was a great offering to the music scene and compared me to one of the giants in the industry in regards to being the pride of my city. In my head I had always wished to be a shining light, a beacon of hope for Buffalo, as it has certainly been in some of its darkest hours. But the bottom line is, 400k views with next to no budget or promotions in a crumbling city like mine with nothing major or positive to tout about, especially musically, is something that SHOULD be backed and supported by the likes of the movers and shakers in The Nickel City, however, it goes back to my point, that I still have so much further to go, as only a select few people right here in town TRULY want me to succeed. That’s how it feels.

DAY 202 GRAMMY CHASE: JUST DOIN IT

Well, here we are! More than 200 days into the year and approaching the closure of 2010 already. Unbelievable how much time has passed. As I’m typing this, I’m watching the story of Janet Hubert on TV1’s “Life After” series. Janet was the mother from Fresh Prince of Bel Aire. If you recall, the episodes where she was pregnant, well that child she was carrying is now 17 years old. So, in regards to time, it surely waits for no man and can be a detriment when mismanaged. I feel that I have truly mismanaged my personal time in trying to balance career, parenting, talents and other projects as well as necessary obligations. Fortunately, I have found somewhat of a remedy and solution, inspired by my own work. My latest offering from Good Morning Amy entitled “Just Doin It” is a testament and reminder to the brilliance that I can’t let go to waste and it is also a mantra to get things accomplished. Thanks to the incredible talent of Dominic Luongo, director and editor who was able to extract my motion picture thoughts directly from my brain, I present my finest work to you. Live the mantra!

DAY 194 GRAMMY CHASE: VISUALIZE

1:23 a.m., I just finished watching MTV Cribs where they featured Josh Hutcherson, the young actor who was in Journey to the Center of the Earth, Zathura and Bridge to Terabithia, some pretty big movies. He had a painting of an Oscar Award on his wall as he wished to one day win it and it reminded me that maybe I should paint a Grammy Award on my wall to better visualize the trophy that I desire to bring home to Buffalo. Just a thought, but I think that it’s becoming necessary, as I feel myself getting closer to the goal but at the same time feeling like the mission is even more impossible that I originally anticipated. Looking back at past accomplishments, everything that I’ve ever drawn on paper, as usually come to fruition, so with that being said, I’ll be putting paper to pen shortly. Visualizing!!

DAY 184 GRAMMY CHASE: YEEEEAH BOWIEEEEE

David Bowie – 1984  – Album of the Year Nomination, losing to Lionel Richie’s “Can’t Slow Down.” Nevertheless, a nomination is a nomination and who better to lose to than a sensation like Lionel. However, one of the most popular cuts from David’s album, was the title track, “Let’s Dance,” which was sampled  years later by the “80’s Sampling Don,” Puff Daddy or better known now as Diddy. Diddy’s version titled “Been Around the World” was featured on his Grammy Award Winning Album, No Way Out – 1998 – Best Rap Album – Puff Daddy.

DAY 181 – 182 GRAMMY CHASE: GAMBLER

I’ve experienced the low’s of failure and the high’s of success and both have come at the risk of a gamble for better or worse. I’m currently at the point again where I feel like the lyrics of this song are speaking to me. “Know when to hold em’, know when to fold em…know when to walk away” etc etc…”
In the fiber of every success story lies the thread of a gambler at heart, someone who is willing to put it all on the table. Many of my friends and associates would agree that when this is all said and done at the top of 2011 when the Grammy’s are announced, that even if my gamble doesn’t pay off, everyone will know that I played my best hand. So today, we throw it all the way back to 1979 recognizing Grammy Award-Winning Kenny Rogers –  Best Country Vocal Performance, Male – The Gambler.

DAY 179 GRAMMY CHASE: SHUT THE GATE

Good Morning Amy officially released on June 22 with great reception. Today marks the release of the Worldwide video debut of “Shut the Gate”, directed by Kevin Lopez. Be on the look out for the follow up video “Just Doin’ It.”

Props to the JustOffElmwood blog for leaking the video last friday. I likes!!!

DAY 177 GRAMMY CHASE: HOW DEEP

I wasn’t quite old enough to dig this song upon its release, however I do remember hearing my Mom play it frequently around the house. Great arrangement, lyrics, production etc, and I truly appreciated this style over the saturated “disco” music of the late 70’s. The year was 1977, so in honor of the year, today is the one hundred and seventy-seventh day of the Chase.

Best Pop Vocal Performance By A Group – How Deep is Your Love – The Bee Gees.

DAY 176 GRAMMY CHASE: PURPLE

I’m way behind in my “Chasing” only due to being preoccupied with GMA’s launch. I’ve got a lot of catching up to do, so lets pick it right back up with Prince, born Prince, then to formerly known as and back to his birth name. The year was 1984 when he won his first Grammy, of which he now has several. I’m not sure how many artists were making movies and making an album the entire soundtrack before Prince, but he killed it with Purple Rain, and album and movie that undoubtedly bronzed him into the landscape of great music.

Best Album Of Original Score Written For A Motion Picture Or A Television Special – Purple Rain – Prince and the Revolution.

DAY 175 GRAMMY CHASE: NIGHT OF GMA

Words truly can’t explain, but it’s said that a picture says a thousand words and it’s clear what this picture says. Courtesy © of Joe Cascio.

DAY 169 GRAMMY CHASE: FUGEES 1996

The year was 1996 and what an great time for music and Hip Hop. The Fugees, starring or featuring one of the greatest if not THE greatest female emcees. I’m up late working and up early……working!! My overtime fuel has been The Score album. I’m listening to it and feeling like I’m in a time warp, as if I haven’t aged because I feel the exact same feelings as when I first bought the Cd. The fact that Rah-Digga was just as ill on the mic as Lauryn. The fact that I’m still not quite sure what Praz’s function or contribution was, as he certainly wasn’t the lyrical one. The fact that the skit at the 1:45 mark on “The Beast” with the Chinese Muslim restaurant, is STILL hilarious. “You think I open a restaurant in the middle of the hood and not no what’s up…F*&$% Represent!”

Well, in light of my personal quest of a presenting a classic masterpiece with Good Morning Amy, I find great inspiration in “The Score.”
Best Rap Album – The Score. Best R&B Performance by a Duo or a Group – Killing Me Softly With His Song, 1996.