Industry Life & Times

The Hype Man's Sticky Fingers

2014-05-08T19:47:00.000-04:00

He said he was a rapper. He landed on our doorstep with nothing. When he arrived with a mutual acquaintance he seemed cool but there was something he wasn't telling us. Having close ties to the group he was suppose to be apart of, we launched a full investigation into this person. Many would not talk about it but shortly after he left something surfaced...Yes he had been a possibility to "fill in" but he was a problem. Seems he wanted more money than what he was being paid but he was only working as a hype man for spot gigs. Sure he had been featured on their album but again he had been HIRED as a hype man and that is what he was being paid, not to shabbily, to do.

The final straw came when one member of the group discovered a very valuable chain missing. Going over the facts he realized the hype man was the person who stole it and so he was fired! (That's how he ended up on our doorstep.) At the time we had access to several properties so we put him up for a few. After a few days he told us he decided he was going back home so we paid for him to get there, no questions asked, no money to pay back. Once he was gone, we lost contact for a few years and then one day he sends a friend request on Facebook. I was happy to hear from him and when we did speak he told me he was doing well, working and being a family man. Well we managed to visit with this guy and his "family" and boy were we not prepared. See this guy, now pushing forty and still trying to launch a rap career. His "wife" a woman that he said he had been dating for seven years, was approaching her 22nd birthday. (Yep, dude started dating a teenager in his 30s! (WTF). Now who knows how this all came "together" but at this point there were children involved and a lot of drama. Since the guy hadn't quite capitalized on the opportunity in his youth, he was eager to do it now and show "them haters"! No one took him serious except his mom. Whenever someone tried to get him to see it from a different perspective he referenced...Jay Z. (Sure Jay Z is the forty plus rapper but he started working way before he got to forty and at forty he is reaping the fruits of his labor) but this guy was hyping himself up with the idea that he could launch a rap career at forty with no music registered with the creative agencies, no high school education (WTF) and no money. How was he going to do it you ask? Via social media. He spent his days posting random camera phone videos of himself saying the album was coming soon but dude was living in the past, what he had done was over 10 years ago and at this point no one was listening.

Then as luck would have it, he met a new guy while doing his regular job of moving furniture, who gave him a listen. The guy a popular television actor and musician wanted to hear some of his music, he wanted to see if they could work together so they exchanged information. For a few days the hype man tried to connect with the guy but could never get him on the phone until one night about a week later. The guy answered and off the bat he starts telling his ideas. The guy stopped him in his tracks and said "I would never work with you because you are thief!" and then hung up. Seems the rapper had gotten himself into another situation where his sticky fingers would cost him an opportunity.

The actor reported his missing property to the company and needless to say they never worked together. The hype man is still dealing with the frustration via social media posts.

Getting the Elusive Interview Done!!!

2014-03-25T06:21:00.001-04:00

One evening as I rode to dinner with my husband, I got a frantic phone call from my former boss. Since it was at least 7pm, I answered and found him just a bit outta breath, we said our hello and then he asked me, “Do you know who the Neptune’s are?” Of course I did. Everyone that knows me knows that I love hip hop music but the way that he asked me, the tone in his voice said more than he just wanted to know. I said, “Of course, why, what’s wrong?” He went on to say that he needed me to fly out to Miami the next morning to get an interview with them. Ok I said. He told me to stay by my phone as he would have one of the girls in the office call me back with flight arrangements etc.

I did as I was told and waited for the call. When the lady called to go over my travel agenda, I took notes and assured her that I would get this done, no problem at all. Before we finished she told me that this was a big deal around the office because The Coca-Cola Company needed this last piece to complete an advertising campaign that involved the duo. Ok, shouldn’t be a problem I thought.

When my flight arrived in Miami, my camera man and assistant picked me up and I went over the day’s assignment. They were two very nice men but like my former boss, they had no idea who the Neptuneso it was up to me to put the fire under the pot. As we drove I told them all that I knew about Chad & Pharell. They were these superstar producers who had a credits list of superstar performers; they were the hot boys of the time. The guys said they understood and I believed them. We decided that we would get this done no matter what.

Now the guys were in Miamiworking on a music video directed by Paul Hunter. The video set was off in a banana field somewhere deep in the trenches. We had to hit dirt roads to get there. When we arrived on the set, I got a call from the lady in the office informing me that The Coca-Cola Company also had a rep on site that could assist us, great I thought, the more the merrier. I jotted down the woman’s name and began making my presence felt on the set. I found the video producer and informed them of the mission. They told me their schedule was really tight and that they didn’t know if they would be able to accommodate us. (WTF) I smiled and started plotting on how to get this done.

Since the set was so deep in the woods, it was open; I mean know one was bum rushing this set so security was light. The one security person on set that I met was the personal security for Pharall so I told him why I was there and why it was very important for me to get a few minutes with his boss, he said he would see what he could do. I thanked him but kept an eye on him just in case the opportunity presented itself and he forgot.

Well the day progressed and I heard that Chad had arrived. I grabbed my crew and we rushed over to the trailers that he was occupying. Now you can never tell how someone will react to a crew with full gear approaching them so I decided I better test the waters before we just started shooting. I knocked on the door of the trailer and an assistant answered. I told her who I was with and then asked if I could speak with Chad for a few minutes. She told me to wait there. Within a few minutes she came back and gave me the ok to speak with him. When I entered the trailer he was sitting there on some gadget but looked up kinda suspicious. I guess he didn’t know what to really expect. I introduced myself and explained to him why I was there. He said he thought they had gotten everything they need so I had to explain that once they got to the editing process they realized there was no interview or soundbite from him nor Pharell. He understood and gave us about 8 minutes of face time, signed his release and told us his partner should be ready soon. Wonderful I thought, we may get this done is half the time and then I can have some time to kick it in Miami.

Well that soon turned into two hours later. By that time my crew and I had posted back inside of the van and was watching intensely for any sign of Pharell. It was around that time that the assistant from Coca-Cola came over and suggested that we just go with what we had from Chad and call it a day. We all looked at her like she had just offered us crack…she couldn’t be serious but she was. We told her we would wait a while longer. Then as we sat there trying to understand why she would abort this mission, I saw him standing & talking with his security guy. I alerted the guys and we ran over to him, yes ran. Time was of the essence, I had flight to catch in order to get the tape to the editor so that we could make our deadline. One misstep and it was thousand of dollars going down the drain, I couldn’t have that on my watch.

When I approached Pharell, the assistant joined us and got star struck. She grabbed his hand and introduced herself saying she need to get a few minutes of him on camera and how much she loved his work, WTF, did she even know their work? Anyway, Pharell kinda looked her up and down and then replied; no I really don’t have time. WTF, did he mean he didn’t have time; he was standing talking to his security and on his phone???

I wasn’t buying that bullshit. I stepped in, introduced myself and asked him again if we could have a few minutes of his time to complete this project. Before he could reply the assistant said, “He’s doesn’t seem up to it so let’s not bother him.” (AGAIN WTF) I came to get an interview or at least a sound bite from him and he was going to give me something. I told my camera guy to start rolling anyway. And again he replied no but suggested that maybe later if he was around. Then I got pissed. I looked him in his eyes and said, all I need is less than five minutes of your time and then we are gone and you have this off of your to-do list. If I have to wait until later that means I will be damn near stalking you for what we can knock out now!

He looked at me like she is not going to take no for an answer with a sneaky grin on his face. It was then that he realized I had not let his hand go from the introduction. He asked me if I promised it would only take about five minutes, I said yes, my guy is rolling right now so if you are ready we are…he laughed and said let’s do it.

Everyone around just kinda gave me this shocked looked but also one of relief because no crew wants to go out to get a story, soundbite, interview and come back with nothing. I told him what the subject was and wouldn’t you know it, I had to call time on him he must have given us about 6-8 minutes of talking about the wonderful experience of creating something for the Coca-Cola Company before we wrapped. When we finished, I thanked him and attempted to walk away but not before he grabbed me and said, you are pushy that’s why you got the interview, good job!” Before he let my hand go, he said if you still in town tonight why not meet us for drinks? I thanked him but politely told him I had a deadline to meet back in Atlanta. We ran to the van. The assistant followed. When she got to the van she said, I would have just given up but I’m glad you didn’t. The camera guys laughed so hard when she left, we all knew she was new to this so we didn’t make much commentary about her easy going nature but hoped she would toughen up soon.

As they drove me to the airport and arrived just in time for my evening flight, the guys asked me why I didn’t just wait like he wanted me too? I really didn’t know except that I was hot standing in that banana field and the subject of my trip was right in front of me. The opportunity was now not later so I was not about to let him get away that easy. I made it back to Atlanta with the final element of the campaign tucked into my carry on bag and my boss awarded me with a bonus for getting it done!

Think Tank:

Celebrity can be tricky. You have to keep in mind that when someone is “hot”, they are getting requests all the time. They get tired just like us, the don’t feel like doing stuff just like us but you have to have that power of persuasion, you have to take charge and do the job no matter how upset you think they will be. You are helping to keep money coming in their pockets and yours.

Always be personable with your talent. Sure neither of the guys knew me from a can of paint but I had to make them know I had an agenda that I was not going to be deterred form. I think they got the message.

Everyone you work with will not be as seasoned as others so you have to take charge. If you are the lead on the project lead, don’t take no for an answer just find another way to get it done. Deadlines are there for a reason and there are always some financial ramifications if you don’t met them. One could be you not having a job when you’re done.

If some one hires you for a job, no matter how small it seems do everything in your power to get the results they hired you to get. However as a very smart man told me, manage their expectations along the way. I really didn’t see any reason why I would return to Atlanta with no footage for them so I guess my vision spilled over to the people I was working with and the talent we were working with. The Coca-Cola Company got a lotta of exposure for that campaign and I was proud to have been apart of it.

The DJ Gets Played By "Fake" Love

2013-09-14T16:38:00.002-04:00

When it all began, he was so smitten. She was a cutie, who seemed like a cool around the way girl. . Since he didn't have much going on at the time, he tried his best to get her to talk to him. She wasn't interested but kept it friendly enough to make him think that someday maybe they could hook up.

As time went on, she was offered an internship in at a company out of state which she took that lasted for about a year. Now while she was away, the DJ set out to be come a world famous DJ. His skills on the turntables were carving out a nice name for the young man and before you knew it, he was building his brand and getting in where he wanted to be. Now as luck would have it, the young woman was wrapping up her internship and decided to return to Atlanta to complete her studies. When she settled back in to the city, she could not help but hear about the DJ who had tried so intensely to make her his woman because he was everywhere. From celebrity parties, to charity events, if a DJ was needed he was on the bill.

Eventually they bumped into each other and thanks to his current status, this chick decided she was NOW interested. Not much had changed about him, except for the amount of money that he was making and his status in the industry so the people around him began to wonder if her intentions were honorable. Time went on and this guy, who was still a humble guy, who had no idea what his image was doing for his love life. Immediately the woman began to make it very easy for the dude. If he wanted to take her out, she now had time. He wanted to come by for visit, he was welcomed. Eventually things got intimate and before long they were an item. Time passed and soon people forgot about how this union had began before her internship sent her way all except for a select few who could see past the fake "love" she was showing.

After some time news came that they were having a baby. AWWWWW!!! Dude was excited. He was going to be a dad and in an attempt to do the right thing, he began making plans to buy a house for his family, to adjust his schedule to be there for his family and then he made the decision that it was time for them to make it official and get married.

Now while he was planning all this, the woman was making other plans. Since she never really liked him in the beginning and was only there for the perks, she was having major reservations about being with this dude in a house or a marriage. As it got closer to the baby arriving, there was a huge shower planned to welcome the bundle of joy. When the people who didn't trust it from the beginning arrived, they noticed just how foul this chick was, she was down right mean & disrespectful. She was nasty to his friends and even nastier to him. Everyone just watched in shock while the elephant in the room whispered, "She does not want him, she wants the fame & money!" And the elephant was right.

Some time between the house being bought, the baby coming and the shower, he popped the question and she answered with a big fat NO! He was devastated. He had so many plans to make this work but that was the last thing on her mind. To her, he was just a paycheck so that she wouldn't have to work. She didn't want to marry him, she wanted to marry his money!!!

Heartbroken, the DJ decided not to go backwards, he wouldn't give her the satisfaction. He pulled himself up by his boot straps, paid her the child support, became a good dad to his son and moved on with his life. Eventually she tried the same move with another dude but wouldn't you know it, he had a surprise for her. He was already married with a family and wanted nothing to do with her or the baby she was expecting. Thank God she did finish her education because she had to get a JOB!!!

Spouses, Significant Others & Jump-offs

2013-07-31T17:29:00.004-04:00

In the world of sports, you will at sometime come in contact with the wives, significant others and the infamous jump-offs. Often you will come into the players and athletes lives with little to no introduction which in turns has the spouses, significant others and even the jump-offs giving you the side-eye. They don’t care how many degrees you have, how you have your own man, how you don’t even think this one is cute; they will give you the side eye and if you wanna keep your job, you will have to build trust with them.

I once had a client who I had come aware of years before. He had been a major player at Georgia Tech and when the draft came, they came for him. By the time he and I began working together he had moved on to the Miami Dolphins and was married with three or four children. He wanted to get more exposure back home in Atlanta so he was referred to me. We worked out a great plan to get him radio, TV and special appearances. At first we kept our working life at the office but one day on our way to an event he had forgotten something and needed to make a stop by his house. When we arrived, I told him that I would just wait in the car but he vetoed that idea and said get out, plus my wife needs to meet you. I agreed. When we entered the house there was an eerie calm, it felt as if someone had been watching us as we sat in the truck before coming in…. Well the wife came down from the top floor of the immaculate house, as she walked down the stair case the scowl on her face was not warm and well wishing. Her eyes looked like daggers and she was looking at me. He hardly paid any attention and just said something like yeah, this girl I told you about that works with my agent. She do our Marketing.” Well I turned back to see if that would break the ice queen stare, it didn’t. A bit weary, I walked over to her, extended my hand and formally introduced my self. She hit me with “Hi”, no handshake. OK then I thought as he disappeared down another stair case. She and I just stood in the kitchen. I was hoping she would just say something; ask me whatever question that was burning through her eyelids but nothing. I keep smiling when ever I looked in her direction. Finally he comes back and says let’s go. I grab my bag and head for the door. His wife screams, what time are you coming back and he say, later. (WTF).

Being a woman who has had her heartbroken before, I was disappointed in him and told him he could have at least given her a kiss before we left, he replied fuck her. Ok….As we drove to our destination I began to ask more about his personal life and he basically told me they weren’t in love and doing the marriage thing for the kids. I was speechless but it wasn’t hard to tell.

Now since he was a veteran NFL player, who had been married for almost as long as he had been in the league, his wife had seen it all. She’d had the groupies calling her house, she’d hired private investigators, she’d moved out and most importantly she didn’t trust any woman around her husband. She was apart of a crew of women whose men were professional athletes. They all had the same style, same high priced designer bags, same stylists, same attitude – stank as hell but could you blame them. They had the rings, the kids, the house, the cars, the money but their man was somewhere else doing God knows what else with someone else.

One night as our firm was courting a young athlete and the sports agent set-up a night for the vets to take him out to see Atlanta and told me I needed to tag along. We all met at the office then picked the rookie up and headed to the infamous Magic City. Luckily a guy I knew from undergrad was managing the club and because I came in with all that potential money, my drinks & food was free. (I was quite happy with that deal!) Now what I didn’t know is that one of the dancers had an on going relationship with one of the players who was out with us that night. I’m not sure how long they had been involved but I did know she didn’t like him bringing what seemed like sand to the beach. The guys were in VIP and I killed time by seating at the bar with my guy friend and going over to check on the party. Somewhere in the evening I had to go to the ladies room. When I finished in the stall I walked out to three young ladies fixing their make-up. As I made my way to the sink, one chic bumped me. Side stepping it as an honest mistake, I was quickly informed that it wasn’t when one chic said, “So you with (bleep)?” Knowing exactly what it was at that point and replied, “Yes.” The other chic said, “So what are you to him?” I laughed and asked “why, cause you are not his wife, so why are you asking?” The chic that bumped me chimed in and said because we wanna know.” I just looked at them and walked out of the bathroom, right over to VIP and told him what had just went down in the bathroom. He laughed....

Get the rest of this story when you pick up your copy of Industry Life & Times ebook series, Vol. II

An Excerpt From Vol. I ---> What RHOA Didn't tell you!

2013-04-10T13:01:00.002-04:00

(Chapter Title: Liar, Liar) From the outside looking in, he had it all; good looks, education, nice home and a luxury car to boot. At one point he was a highly sought after counselor on the subject of love and relationships. He taught at a few prestigious universities, made television and radio appearances and published books. His star was rising until the layers were pulled back and his lies started to catch up with him!

One day, just as he was about to make his television debut as a reality TV personality, a story was published on the front page of the Atlanta Journal Constitution saying that this guy was a fraud! A reporter had checked into his claims and discovered quite a few holes in his story. Seems he was touting himself as a "doctor" on his website and written materials but when the reporter checked she could only confirm that he had received his Master’s Degree not a PhD. The story turned into a PR nightmare. The guy tried to do some damage control by making an appearance on the highly popular Frank and Wandaradio show to discuss the story. With no answers, only vague references about where he earned his PhD like "from an online" university, the city was a buzz about how his lie had been caught.

So if you are thinking, what else is this guy capable of well keep reading? His back-story is sorted with drama. Born in Chicago, he was considered a have not by many who knew him. The son of a heroin addict, his mother did her best with raising the children. He grew up craving the expensive clothes and cars but could never afford them. He knew education would play a big part in making that a thing of the past and set out to get what he could earn. After completing his Master’s Degree he moved to Atlantawhere he had many friends from back in Chicago. He saw the city as a gold mine. Women loved him and soon he started to come up. He got into the right parties and was seen with the right people. He taught on the college and university level and the students loved him. Then as luck would have it, he blossomed into a media personality. He was featured on television and radio talk shows as the resident counselor giving advice about love and relationships. But know one could really answer any questions about his love life that is until a few of his life long friends began to talk. Although he changed his name, he was known to his friends as the “Bare Banana King”, because he always seemed to have something against using protection, per some of his conquests. Flat out this dude said he just didn’t like condemns.

Shortly after the PR nightmare in Atlanta, he moved to Los Angeles to pursue other opportunities. While in LA this guy, landed yet another TV gig on an also short lived show. Then his next move brought the drama front and center again. He shows up on the highly popular reality show, The Real Housewives of Atlanta as a..."Doctor". His role consisted of playing the love interest of one of the main characters. He appeared in several episodes and when it was uncovered that he might be a fraud, the love interest and other ladies set out to find out the truth. When the love interest confronted him about the situation, he defends himself by asking her if she is really a woman and then pulls a few folded papers from his back pocket as proof that he is a doctor. Needless to say, she never got a straight answer, never got to look at the papers he pulled from his pocket and he was never seen on the show again.

With his professional life in question you have to know his personal life was also being questioned. According to several former friends he is not a "Doctor" but is working on it. In his personal life there are just as many holes in the story. At one point he dated a successful and beautiful TV anchor woman but this dude has true commitment phobias, so he ended it because he stated "he could not marry a woman who made more money" than he did. He was married once before to a woman who worked for Delta Airlines but my sources tell me that the shame of a marriage ended because it was revealed that he only married her to get the free tickets/buddy passes that spouses are given.

Liar, Liar

Think Tank:

Fake it until you make it is one sure way to end up not making it. When you present yourself to people be truthful. Again this industry is very small. Once it has been discovered that you have lied about what you have done it will automatically make you suspect in peoples minds.

Material things don’t make you who you are. If they do you should seek some help for that condition. Sure people like to do business with people they perceive as successful but think of how much they won’t be willing to do business with you if they discover you only have a good presentation with no substance.

Check and double check who you are dealing with. It has been said time and time again that people will give you their best representation when they first meet you. Don’t be in a hurry to get involved with people, sometimes what you don’t know can and will hurt you.

Don’t think you can invent lies and people won’t find out the truth. The truth always comes out. It’s better to be up front in the beginning. You can earn more respect when people can trust your words.

If you must pretend that you are something that you are on your way to being then say that. Don’t say I’m a producer and you have never produced one thing. Don’t allow people to label you as something you are not. Correct them as often as you have too, no one wants their dirty laundry aired on the front page of the daily newspaper or blog.

Vol I: The Table of Contents

2013-02-28T13:26:00.001-05:00

Opps, look what we never released for Vol I, Perspectives, Thoughts and "WTF" Moments...The Table of Contents! Well no time like the present for you to get a better perspective of what Industry Life & Times is about! Enjoy!

Table of Contents....

1. The Unexpected Opportunity -
The story of how a sandwich shop became a "must be" place for music & entertainment

2. Always Business...Never Personal -
The story of how a start-up PR agency was disrupted due to personal drama

3. Background Check Your Employer -
The story of the Boss who wanted way more than expected!

4. Dependecies Can Derail Plans -
The story of the Sports Marketing Firm

5. Your Role & The Environment -
The story of knowing how NOT to play your position!

6. Maxamizing Opportunities -
Turning a freelance opportunities into real world work

7. When Fun Turns Dangerous -
The story of being "Superstars"

8. Do You...On Your Own Dime -
The Story of the Director who went too far!

9. A Chance Meeting -
The Story of how a College girl almost got caught up in a hip-hop scandal!

10. The Energy You Bring -
The story of the Tough Guy who never got the shot he wanted in the industy!

To get more, download your copy of Industry Life & Times, Vol I from Amazon.com today! :)

Actress Thandie Newton: Director Filmed My Abuse

2013-02-15T18:13:00.001-05:00

When you are young and in the business people will try to take advantage of you. Peep actress Thandie Newton telling CNN about her ordeal and how she discovered what had happened when you click the link.

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/bestoftv/2013/02/14/ctw-newton-abuse.cnn

A R&B Snitch?

2013-02-12T10:21:00.001-05:00

Once there was a young woman who came from a family of means, meaning they were loaded! She lived a charmed life with private jets, trips to the Oscars and a bevy of stars in and around her life. As luck would have it, she met and fell in love with a dude from the other side of the tracks. Not one to judge people, the young lady did not care that he basically came from nothing and the two got married.

Dude, a burgeoning music mogul, was going hard with starting his label. He even got his wife's family to invest a little. Now as most people do, dude had a past and his past included a woman who was a member of a successful R&B group. She was not the cutest chick but from all accounts she was an excellent bed fellow. Now as I mentioned dude's wife & her family had connects everywhere!!! One day the wife gets a call from a friend informing her that her new husband is on the set of music video with the R&B chick. The wife being several hundred miles away, calls a few trusted friends to ask if they can confirm the allegation. They tell her its true.

When the wife confronts dude about his dealings with this R&B chick, he does not deny his involvement and goes on to say that he and the R&B chick are "business partners". Not a complete dummy, the wife files for divorce. Now somewhere between getting the divorce finalized and this situation, dude trys to find out who busted him about being with the chick in the first place. He narrows it down to a few and decides to give one chick a call. She answers the phone and he proceeds to ask her why would she tell his wife his business? (WTF? That's your wife dude!) The chick proudly announces that not only was she not on the set that day but she was not the one who spilled the tea! Seems he forgot that his wife was a socialite and knew plenty of people not just a select few. Dude became so enraged that he began screaming that he would kill this chick because of what he thougth she told and by all accounts he was dangerous enough to do it, but before anything could happen, the chick gets a call from the wife saying "Don't worry about anything he says, he's on his way to do a five year bid." Damn! But a big question remained, FOR WHAT? Well seems dude and the R&B chick really were "business partners" and their business involved something about guns, illegal guns...

Get the rest of this story when you pick up your copy of Industry Life & Times ebook series.

Chasing Lance Armstrong

2013-01-18T10:14:00.002-05:00

Well the world of sports & entertainment was all ears as the cycling god, Lance Armstrong came clean about the doping that he's done in his career. He seemed to be at ease with the whole situation to which I attribute to the statue of limitations having run out. Anyway as I sat and watched the man who, without a doubt was the biggest "rock star" in the history of cycling, admit to lying to everyone repeatedly, I couldn't help but remember the time I spent with him as he and his team won the Dodge Tour De Georgia event in 2005.

The event was a major undertaking. Spanning 600 miles across the state of Georgia with hundreds if not thousands of people coming out to witness his "greatness". I had been hired to produce interviews with Lance's team and to gather b-roll that would be used by the sponsor. The assignment was a week long and it would take me to areas in Georgia that I had never seen and truthfully would be just fine if I never see them again. It was March and the weather was weird. Some days it was cold and snowing others sunny and not a cloud in the sky. As I began my journey of chasing Lance Armstrong, I knew it would be an adventure. The company that hired me for the job had done other projects where he was involved and my colleagues always came back with some tale about him. It was always a split decision, some said he's as nice as can be while others flat out called him a a-hole. So I had no idea of what to expect.

As my camera man and I set out, one thing we knew is that it would be first rate. We got our schedule and our hotel at the start of the race in Augusta, GA, we were taken care of. When we arrived, we settled into a lovely hotel where we met with the client. They informed us that the first footage we would need to get would be of the press conference where Lance would be announcing his retirement from the sport. This was HUGE! He was at the top of his game and to think he would pick this event to make such an announcement had everyone buzzing. Well the client had the details of the press conference all mapped out. She had all the confirmed journalist (who had to have credentials) listed, she had a seating chart and she had an additional assignment for me. Seems she felt the conference may start a little slow or have some "downtime" and she asked me if I would be filler to ask question if indeed that did happen. I was cool with it, after all she was the client so I was willing to help her make this thing great. As the time neared for the conference to start, journalist from around the world started to arrive and all were speculating on rumors of his retirement. I found a seat and watched as everyone reviewed their questions for the cyclist. When Lance arrived to take his seat there was flurry of flashing lights and scrambling to get just the right shot of him. Talk about paparazzi crazy, this was it!!! Finally everyone settled down and Lance read his prepared statement. As he said the words retirement, the room erupted. People began texting, running from the room to get those words to their editors etc. After he finished his statement it was time for the Q&A.

Since our client was commanding the conference she would pick who would ask the question and also keep track of how much time each journalist had. Well after Lance spoke to reporters from AP, Reuters, Cycling News etc, the noise in the room settled but we still had more time. Our client immediately threw it to me and I was on the spot! To be honest, I did not give a rats ass about cycling. I had done a poor job of learning to ride a bike at 12 so I really did not understand what all the fuss was about but it was my job so I stood up and greeted Lance and his team mates with a smile. I addressed Lance directly and asked him, "Are you 100% sure this will be your last race, I mean you are a rock star and I can just imagine that the response to your retirement announcement could change your mind." (smile). Well, Lance did not like that question and wasted no time cutting me up. His facial expression changed and he looked me directly in the eye and said a bit annoyed, "Yes I'm sure. I love this sport but my time is up and there is absolutely no way I am doing another race. (I can even remember him rolling his eyes at me after I sat down, oh well.).

As the event got under way, my crew and I followed the cyclist to Peachtree City, Macon, Thomaston, Rome, Chattanooga, Tenn., Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain, Brasstown Bald Mountain, Dalton, Lake Lanier Islands, Stone Mountain Park, and Atlanta GA. The race covered over 600 miles in seven days. (http://www.tourdegeorgia.com/). Lance was at the top of the food chain. I watched as some cyclist would complete a leg of the tour and be exhausted. Cramps would send them limping away to their team doctors etc. Lance looked great. He would get off his bike and make his way to the media area and give comments no matter how long that leg had been, not matter how bad he smelled he was a professional who delivered. As the week progress, Lance seemed to mellow out on me. The first time I approached him to get a few words at the first stop, he looked at me like, "What is this broad gonna say now." But as the days went, he realized I was working for his team and soon, my requests were priority and he would just come over and tell me he was ready to give his comments. Cool, we had made it past the press conference BS.

Now before I go further let me just give you some background on just how crazy this tour was. Basically the fans were just nuts!! People (who were not getting paid or working the event) were following them to every stop. They were camped out at the hotels. Moms & Dads and their children were wearing Lance Armstrong t-shirts, hats and holding signs as they made it into each stop. It was mass hysteria every time someone "thought" Lance was heading their way. Some people so excited about him that some were even bold enough to jump into the race way to try to get a picture of him in action. Needless to say they were taken away by security and security was not playing, crazy, just crazy. Well as we made it to the final day of the stop, the fans were in a frenzy. This was Lance's "last" race and everyone, I mean everyone wanted a piece of this dude. At the final stop in Alpharetta, GA, we arrived and man, the crowd was barely being contained by the barriers or the police. Since this was the end of the race, it was ultra important that we got some last word from Lance. Well as he rode over the finish line and brought his team to victory, the crowd went wild. People began pushing and shoving trying to get his autograph, a picture, a lock of his hair, a drip of sweat ANYTHING Lance Armstrong. I was horrified watching parents running with small children trying to get close enough to smell him and there I was in the middle of all of this working!

As I stood at the walk way to his trailer, I braced myself for anything. Lance's security team had him very protected but just as in the previous days, I got close enough to get the comments I needed from him but just as we finished, a riot erupted. Women and screaming girls we not letting this dude just get on his bus without some memento to take away. Women became hostile with each other, with his security team and even the police. My camera man Blair saw the mayhem just as I did and demanded that we get the hell out of there. I agreed totally! We retreated to a BP gas station parking lot and got our footage from a safe distance. But just as we were leaving, wouldn't you know it, somebody got close. Lance erupted and screamed at everyone to just clear out, he needed to get to his bus. But just as with all fans who feel they are apart of a star's journey, they got pissed. A few even took to rocking his bus while others just stood their weeping and holding paraphernalia from the race.

Now that was years ago but as I sat and watched Lance tell Oprah the details of how he cheated and lied to millions of fans, sponsors and supporters, I couldn't help but feel sorry for them. They LOVED this dude and man what a let down. To think that a "god" might be actually living among us, who could do these amazing things on a bike, then to find out it was all a lie. What a let down!

Professional Athletes & The Women Who Love Them

2012-11-21T14:32:00.000-05:00

We were sent the following story which shows that professional sports may not be all that its cracked up to be...especially for the women who love the players.

There are only a few colleges that scouts and sports agents frequent when looking for talent. They are usually the large schools with huge alumni support. Back in the days before camera phones and the internet, there was a guy who was on his way to becoming a huge star in the NFL. He was cool so a lot of women liked him or was it because he was on his way to the NFL? Don't know but back to the story. Now dude started in almost every game that his school played. He was very generous with giving tickets to friends and family who wanted to take in some Saturday football.

At the time that I encounted him, he was dating a young woman I knew. She was in LOVE, head over hills and this dude could do no wrong. Anyway, she was driving a off to the side ass car and as time would have it several problems began to happen with her car. She was stressed out trying to figure out how to get this car fixed. One of her friends suggested that she ask her beau to help out with the expenses especially since he had her cooking, cleaning, washing clothes and she was not even referred to has his girlfriend, woman or significate other. Well she did finally get up the nerve to ask this dude to help her get her car together and wouldn't you know it dude says, "That's not what our relationship is about, you know how we do!" This chick was speechless, how could the dude she had been f*cking and sucking for almost two years just give her a response like that? Well he did.

As football season kicked off, it was getting cold. This chick was riding around with electric tape holding her windows up while dude had purchased a new truck and was rolling!!! Now of course with him being a student and knowing his parents were not well off, we wondered where did he get the doe to purchase this car and did I mention he no longer lived on campus in student housing but a few miles away in some very nice apartments. Well come to find out...

Get the rest of this story and tips on how to deal if you are in this situation when you read Indusry Life & Times ebook series.

How Not to Make the News.

2012-11-19T11:27:00.005-05:00

When I first heard about this story a lot of thoughts rushed through my mind, as usual. I wasn't going to write about it but when I read this, I knew I didn't have to because someone else had summed it up. Click the link below and get inside an insiders view on a high profile news anchor's arrest.

http://liveapartmentfire.com/2012/11/19/no-stones-thrown/

Television on 9.11.01

2012-09-11T10:52:00.000-04:00

September 11, 2001 started as a beautiful day. The sun was shining, the air was crisp announcing the that the fall season was just around the corner. I was running late that morning and got caught in Atlanta's killer traffic. As I slow trotted down I-20, my normal mix of hip hop & R&B was interrupted by a breaking news alert announcing a plane had flown into a tower of the New York World Trade building. I continued to drive but thought that was the strangest thing. As I neared the office, I noticed that things were unusually quite and went inside to find the same atmosphere. I placed my belongings at my desk then set out to find my co-workers, normally a very vocal group, sitting quitely in the VP's office staring intensly at the broadcast of Katie Couric. I joined them. As we watched, we noticed a small object enter the frame and crash into the remaining tower. Obviously stunned and alerted by the BTS staff, Katie turned to look out the huge window just as the smoke began to plummet from the tower. As we all sat, stunned and staring at the scene, the news cast was interrupted by a burst of ringing phone lines in our office. The news had alerted them that something was going on that would affect the television coverage that they were expecting from us. Armed with NO answers, we focused on reassuring our clients that we would find out what the next steps were if any. Most cooperated, one did not, he demanded to know why this turn of events would derail his pre planned broadcast of some product that I can't remember now.

As we scrambled to shift into crisis mode, our focus turned to our clients. Thousands of questions were now filling their heads and ours like will we have to reschedule the feeds? When? Would the world even care? We did not know but kept our focus on customer service. As the day went on, and more news began to emerge about the plane in DC and New York, we knew nothing that we produced would make it on air today so we left the office early that day and headed home to watch more TV.

As the night turned into morning, we all converged upon the office still not quite sure what we were to do. Since yesterday had passed some things did become clear, the news stations were busier than ever and had no time to take in our news stories but what we didn't know is how long that would last. This was the first time in history that competing stations were sharing information and footage. Turns out it lasted for weeks. The first week we went into the office everyday making ourselves busy with the things that had fallen by the waste side due to the work load and watching TV. Most of us began to wonder if we would have a job after all this was done. More and more we started to watch the money we were scheduled to make dwindle. Our boss, a smart and quick thinking man, advised our GM to contact all the news stations that we had relationships with to see if anyone was interested in sending our satellite truck to cover any of the events. They were and within hours the truck crew was headed to the streets of New York, straight to ground zero. Once our truck arrived on the scene, a whole new ball game started. Since most crews were without access to ground zero, our truck and crew were bombarded with request to rent the truck for live shots. I estimate in a three day time period that the truck was running full time all of those days. Back in the office, we got busy coordinating live shots, feeds, billing and connecting our crew with still other crews working to get the information to the masses.

The next week, our office was closed until further notice and most of the team stayed home unless you were involved with the operations of the satellite truck, then you were on call. For those who were, they basically worked around the clock to accomadate the many requests coming in.

Finally as week three began, we were all called back into the office. The world we knew was different but trying to get back to business. Before 911, most of the projects were produced were gladly taken in with out question but after, everything was being scruitnized. No more "just feed it" now we were explaining why this should even make it to air and the stories that were making it air were only the light fluffy feel good stuff that stations felt Americans needed.

The road back to the glory days of producing a piece and getting on air with out much pain were over and a new path was now being chartered that would make us all question life, career and purpose. Our satellite crew worked many hours exhausted but soon made it back to Atlanta some what in tack but the stories that the crew returned with were almost too heart wrenching to hear. From hearing how people were lost, how people came from the rubble covered and smelling of destruction, how loved ones would show up at the truck with pictures asking, Have you seen my husband, my mother, my father, will haunt us for ever but we will never forget how 911 changed the world.

Suicide and The Music Industry

2012-08-30T18:14:00.002-04:00

Two men. Two industry executives. Two fathers. Two suicides. No Notes. WTF is going on????

Always Business, Never Personal.

2012-08-28T14:16:00.001-04:00

The world of entertainment & music are difficult, this we know but what so many fail to realize is that it is always BUSINESS. Sure you are going to meet a few friends along the way but when money comes into the picture it's gonna get sticky.

In a recent interview on Power 105 NYC, veteran rapper Beanie Sigel voiced his knowledge on what he learned during his Roc-a-fella days. Seems Beanie was never out for the money but he was in business with people who were. What he didn't know is that since he displayed his ideas or as he says, "Thinking out loud", in an open forum he set himself up to be robbed. Beanie says, "We were family" but admits that is a word that is thrown around so loosely in the business that you better not trust it. Since Beanie was under the assumption that the click was "family" he thought everyone was looking out for each other but as it turned out they were not.

Beanie has had his share of problems but when watching the interview you see this is a man who has been hurt. He had love for his dudes but in the end he learned that no matter the amount of love, it's always business. Click the link to read more....Cash Rules Everything!

http://www.power1051fm.com/cc-common/news/sections/newsarticle.html?feed=449850&article=10369491

Video: Industry Life & Times Vol. 1

2012-07-14T16:57:00.001-04:00

Celebrity Blog AskKissy.com's Review

2012-06-15T18:01:00.000-04:00

It’s a book written about the entertainment industry with a bit of a twist.. While giving you the lessons and stories about the “Back Alley” deals, and the shadiness of the industry, the book takes time out between each chapter to explain to you the lessons that you should have learned and what you should do in those situations.

The stories are Primarily Atlanta Based, and written by a woman who spent the beginnings of her adult life in the industry, the book speaks on some Major Players in the Entertainment Game. And the Foreword is written by another Industry Insider and Entrepreneur, my friend C.F. Hutton, who took the time to edit the original version to include an incredible opportunity within its pages. I won’t give away too much but you can check it out when you get your copy.

The book details the humble beginnings of the music industry in Atlanta..

Industry Life & Times The Book?

2011-12-09T08:31:00.001-05:00

When we started this blog it was to purge all the things and stories that we had experienced. Well we have not published a new blog for a few month because we are busy compiling more stories into a book entitled, Industry Life & Times: Perspectives, Thoughts and WTF Moments, that will be available for purchase by Spring 2012. Check back for more info!

Young & The Rappers

2011-11-16T16:46:00.001-05:00

At the time, he was just an up and coming rapper but he and his click were making a lot of noise in the industry. While on a trip to to LA he met a young woman, a dancer. She was a beautiful girl, kinda in the "girl-next-door" sorta way and the two connected. The story goes that he mistook her for her sister, a choreographer responsible for quite a few music video routines. After the mistaken identity was cleared up, the rapper became quite smitten with the chick. There were trips and frequent calls between the two.

On one occasion, the Rapper did a show in Atlanta where baby girl lived, she and her crew were invited to the show. The chick and her crew were always trying to make moves in the business and tonight would be no exception so she accepted. Seems one of the chicks in the crew had heard that this guy was preparing to fund some films and she had some ideas she wanted to put in his ear. They decided that this would be the place to make the introduction and put the play into motion. Little did they know that nothing planned would happen. As time came to make it to the venue, one of the chicks in the crew decided she didn't wanna be VIP, she just wanted to see the show. This chick, whom some liked to call a weed head, had been home all day smoking and sipping wine without eating anything (bad combo!). Well as the day turned to night she was feeling great or so she thought. When they arrived, the venue was packed and dude had looked out for them. He got them in with no problems & backstage with no problems. But near the stage was another story. The AC stopped flowing like it should and the place became a sweat box.

As luck would have it, people were everywhere and the stage area was not the best place to be. The chick sensing this, decided to get to an exit ASAP and try to catch some air but as she walked, the place just started spinning. People's faces were jizz saw puzzles. She moved as fast as she could through the crowd. Just as she got close to the door, they announced that the Rapper was coming to the stage! Everybody else in the place began rushing towards the stage, pushing her back in the direction that she had just come from. She fought to get to an exit but just as she did, she felt her body falling backwards and then...black out!!!!! Now some people who witnessed this hot mess, say she would have busted her ass that night but just as she was falling another rapper whom some would describe as a "has been" saw the whole thing and caught her! The chick so dazed from smoking and drinking all day with no food on her stomach, passed out for a while. When she did open her eyes, there holding her head was a rapper from back in the day holding her head and asking, "Are you ok?" Embarrassed, confused and again a hot mess, she immediately recognized him and replied with, "Father, is that you?" (Father was apart of the performance name he used.) He laughed, said yes and asked someone to get her some water. Well the night went on and "Father" got the chick to her car. He stayed with her until her friends returned but needless to say "Father" and hot mess missed the show.

Now as baby girl was passed on the dance floor of the club, her friends were getting the VIP treatment backstage at the show...

Get your hands on a copy of Industry Life & Times ebook series to find out how this story ends.

The Queen of Pop & the Thugged-Out Prince of R&B

2011-11-14T14:23:00.001-05:00

When I first got the call to work on the project, I was excited! Who wouldn't be, she was the Queen of Pop!!! She had sang for Kings and Queens, sold million of albums, won multiple Grammy's, traveled all over the world and her voice was amazing. The project in the works was to support her comeback efforts. See she had been getting a lot of flack for her behavior over the years and to make matters worse, it seemed the whole world blamed her husband. Sure he was the resident bad boy who had multiple baby mamas, was a regular in court/jail but truth be told this dude was really talented. Hell I personally bought his first solo album three times!!!

On this particular day, we were to be on set at 7am. I had met with the producers the day before to pick up money for supplies but all anyone could talk about what how bad she looked and how crazy dude was. At first I thought, they really need to stop hating, it can't be that bad!!!! Anyway, when the date arrived, I left my house at about 6 am and arrived to the location about 6:30 am. It was busy. Equipment trucks were everywhere. It was a crew of say 20 people, some extras and we were all waiting on the stars!! Her call time was 10 am. So in the three hours before she arrived we prepped everything. We made sure no press had access, we made sure all the parking signs were discreet, we made sure the extras were comfortable as the could be and we made sure we had everything requested on her rider including the Earl Grey tea. Time was moving and before we realized it it was 12 noon! Now let me just say that the Thugged-out R&B prince was not suppose to be involved with the project but we all knew that he would surface at some point. Now here we were six hours into the day and we were still waiting for them to arrive! Another few hours passed and like a rocket they arrived, I guess it was about 2 - 2:30. Anyway they pull up in a black Cadillac Escalade with the music blasting. The windows were down and the Thugged-out R&B prince was driving, with half his body hanging from the window. He came at an alarming speed and everyone was running like hell to get out of the way. We got them parked and with out turning down the music the occupants of the car started to get out. There was the Queen, her baby girl and her mother, who was about 60, all inside this vehicle with blaring rap music. Anyway, we get the Queen to wardrobe and after what seemed like hours she finished and came out to set. The Queen's stand in was a young woman about 18 and green to the business. She was very pretty and for some reason she came out and sat right next to me. She looked frustrated so I asked, is everything OK? She took a drink of water and said, I'm speechless. About what I inquired. She told me that at 18 she was a size 1 and what had taken so long was that all the clothes that had been pre-fitted for the queen had to be taken up because she was smaller than a size one! Now since I was working, I really didn't spend much time looking at this woman but when I did she did look deathly thin. I will say she looked so thin that I shed a tear.

During one break, I noticed the Queen and a few of her immediate entourage standing in a circle in prayer. The Queen who was leading the prayer began to jump up and down and praise God for everything and things seem to be going well regardless of us being behind that was until the Thugged out R&B prince got comfortable. Now the craft services folks had provided some very tasty Swedish meatballs and the Prince really like them. He seemed to have gotten the impression that they were all for him and not the crew. Well the craft services folk tried to keep them coming but the Prince and his crew were eating them as quickly as they put them out. Now since they were for the crew, other members would walk over to the table and snack etc. Well as night fell one crew member an older gentleman made his way to the table to look over the spread. Just as he was grabbing a had full of nuts, the Thugged-out R&B prince who was coming back to the table for a 10th or 11th time, saw this guy with his hands in those nuts and nutted up!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He began screaming, What the f*ck are you doing? Who told you to come put yo nasty hands on my food?! I was in shock and as luck would have it, I found myself right in between the Prince and the older gentleman. I stopped and looked at the Prince scared to death! I turned to see who exactly he was talking too because I hadn't touched the table, that's when my eyes met the gentleman's who was at least 60 years old. He didn't look scared but he did know that this crazy anger was directed towards him. He did not say one word and continued to eat the nuts from his hand. I could feel the Prince coming closer and knew it was time to run when a whole crew of people got up and started grabbing him begging him to calm down....

Get the rest of this story & tips on how to deal with situations like this when you read Industry Life & Times ebook series.

Is this a Rap Show or a Church?

2011-11-08T16:42:00.000-05:00

A few years ago, I was invited to visit a church with some family friends. They asked me weeks before and since I was not really into the church thing at the time I put them off. Well time passed, life was getting harder and I was in search of something. I contacted my friends and asked if the invitation was still on? They said of course! Great, we planned that they would pick myself and a friend up on the following Sunday and off we would go.

As Sunday was coming around, the friend who would be accompanying me asked if I knew who the pastor? I didn't but felt it was no big deal and would ask once they arrived to pick us up. When they did arrive we got into the car and rode off. The church was quite a distance from my house so I asked the question as we rode, "whose the pastor?", to my surprise I did not get an answer so I asked again and still no direct response except, you are going to love it!

When we arrived at the church it was not a traditional little brick church, it was a old bank building and the parking lot was packed! We walked in and being a former church kid, I instantly grabbed a program and looked for the pastor's name. To my surprise it was a former rapper who had found Christ!!!! Ok, I admit I was shocked but hey you can't knock somebody on how and why the find Jesus Christ. As we are sitting and the deacons were having the opening prayer, I whisper to my friend, hey look who the pastor is....he does and OMG...state of shock. Having a big voice he tried to whisper, no take that back he didn't try but said out loud, NOT THIS N*GGA, Ain't he signed to G-unit??? I could have died but he was right. The pastor had recently struck a deal of some sorts to be apart of the rap crew G-Unit. I managed to calm my friend just as the rapper/pastor entered the church. He was dressed in a very nice suit, not tailored but nice, and loads of jewelry. He looked just like he had from all the rap videos and even had the same annoying laugh. My friend wanted to leave immediately but we persuaded him to stay and just hear him out.

Now dude was no fire and brim stone preacher but he was a cool speaker. The congregation seemed to be in tune with him but for me and my friend we were watching everything. Now there were a few church goers who looked like they had just left the night club but hey, we were here to get the word, and the bible does say come as you are (shrug). Anyway we sat through the "sermon" and my friend the skeptic says, that was a good talk, I'm going to tell him so. After the offering plate went around and prayer at the alter was called, we noticed that the rapper/pastor was being escorted out the side door. My friend stands and walks behind him to shake his hand but before he could, security circled him and informs him that he can't be in the hallway when the rapper/pastor is leaving. My friend a guy of scarce Muslim faith says ok but jabs them once with "but you know he's not Farrakhan right?"

As our friends joined us outside, they asked how did we like it. We kept it real simple with "it was cool." They ask if we will come back so we agree, everybody deserves a second chance. On our second visit, we were prepared. We sit quietly in the church and got to see the full show this time. The rapper/pastor is escorted to the pulpit as if he was Jesus Christ Superstar. There were several ushers or bodyguards on each side of the pulpit standing at attention watching the crowd or should I say us since we made such a loud introduction the last time. The rapper/pastor gaves his lecture, passed the offering plate and was again escorted out of the building before fellowship of any kind with his congregation!!!!! That didn't set right with me. Another friend who wanted to see it for themselves had joined us this day but excused himself early to go out and grab a smoke. When we join him in the parking lot, he told us of how we had just missed dude. Seems he literally ran out of the church like it was a rap concert with fans screaming and chasing him. He said dude had jumped into a range rover so fast that you could possibly see smoke coming from the tires as he left with his driver. Now as I mentioned, I'm a former church kid and I have never seen a pastor (except for in those mega churches) act this way. Which leads me to ask a few questions like 1). Why couldn't our friends tell us who the pastor was before hand? Were they scared we would say know off the rip? 2). Why was dude running out of the church like he had just finished a show at the Garden and 3). Why does he need bodyguards? Is there somebody out to get him?

Since my visit to his church, it has been reported that the pastor has gotten into another deal of sorts with yet another rap crew..... I still don't know what to make of it all but I do know he will never ever see me in the congregation again. I pray that he is for real but something still questions that in my mind. Also I pray that this does not end up being another Jim Jones type situation! AMEN.

Don't Film My Wife!!!!

2011-10-31T16:33:00.000-04:00

Back in the day when there were million $ videos, artist would come from near and far to be featured in a hot artist's video. Seeing and meeting artist and musicians were always fun until this day.

The video being shot this day was for a hip-hop fav. He was like everybody's little brother. Rapping since the age of five he was a platinum teenager. In this particular song he featured a rapper from an up and coming crew. The rapper flew in with a full entourage including a barber. Since the platinum teenager was a shot caller all hands were on deck to make this happen. Cameras were everywhere, the south's largest newspaper had sent a reporter to cover and all was well until the rapper noticed the media cameras. Being apart of the production team we had to be on top of everything!!!! I noticed a group of 4-5 men standing in a circle talking with a lot of passion and anger and a camera being tossed back and forth so I stepped to them to find out what the hostility was about.

The rappers turns to me and screams directly in my face, "I don't want these n*ggas filming my wife!!" after smelling his breath for far too long, I cleared my throat and replied, "so who is your wife"? See dude was all over the rap magazines with different chicks and who knew he was married??? Anywho, he gets in my face yelling, "if I catch any camera on her, I'm coming to see you!" WTF? Did he just threaten me? Yes he did. I stood there as the whole lot got quite, I then replied in my most professional voice, "ok I'll take care of it." and walked back to the other crew members standing near by. Everybody was in shock. Standing there in amazement somebody asked, what's up with him? So I relayed the story, he does not want us to film his wife and he's serious! Everybody had these strange looks on their faces because like I said dude was always with a gang of different chicks. Ok so we made sure not to film the "wife" cause truth be told, these dudes were kinda new to the game but their reputations proceeded them.

The day went on but since he made such a deal about the "wife" we all couldn't help but keep looking in her direction. After a few glances and positioning of where we could stand and get a better view without being seen, we all stored a mental picture of this girl, not woman but girl. ..

Get the rest of this story & Tips on how to deal with a situation like this when you read Industry Life & Times ebook Series.

The Day After All Hallows Eve: Shakir Stewart

2011-10-29T19:46:00.000-04:00

November 1, 2008 Shakir Saeed Stewart's life ended by his own hands. A successful music industry executive, engaged to be married with two small children was dead. He was 34 years old.

First reports stated he had been shot, possibly killed in a robbery attempt. Then confirmation, Shakir committed suicide. He lead a life filled with star power. Forever the friendly, charismatic, laid back guy who had the details on who was having a party, rockin a show or recording the next big track. His demeanor was cool and friendly, when you'd see him at a gathering, party, video shoot or just grabbing a bite to eat at Marco's Pita, Shake radiated warm energy.

2008 something changed. Friends remembering seeing him in April of that year and noticing he was a little different. Still cool, obviously working but a bit aloof. In early June it was announced that he would take the spot Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter left vacant and become Senior VP Def Jam Records. Shake had hit a career milestone. He was at the top of the food chain, something he had worked for and earned. Then fall came. The day after All Hallow Eve. That Saturday morning began with text messages, phone calls, email messages etc. Calls from LA, New York and Atlanta all asking "What the hell is going on with Shakir?" Nobody had solid answers. Then confirmation from a life long friend. Shakir was dead, he committed suicide. Silence replaced the buzzing phones and message lines. Weeping filled the air. People gathered in small groups to try to make since of it. Was he dealing with some deep depression? He had been deeply affected years prior when his longtime girlfriend was killed in a traffic accident during Christmas. Was it the pressures of the music business? With a position like the one he was in, sure there was going to be pressure but what kind to make you take your own life in the house with your fiance and children? No one knew except for the man who lay dead on the bathroom floor.

The service in his honor at Morehouse's King Chapel was filled with celebrities, friends, acquaintance, business partners past and present and associates.You could hear a pin drop. The speakers spoke of the man who lived a full life. The video showing his life in pictures had the room choked up but still very much composed. As we watched and sat silent, the elephant in the room whisper why? But still no answers.

Most have come to grips with the idea that they will never know the truth as to why Shake took his life. Some have committed to remembering the man that they knew as just that, the man that they knew. A cool dude always trying to make something pop. It is with that notion that we also remember Shakir Saeed Stewart, a smart, charming, well dressed and respected son, father and friend. May your memory live on.

Industry Life and Times Writers

Women on a Mission: The Story of Ms. Pretty

2011-10-27T07:00:00.000-04:00

When Ms. Pretty arrived on the scene, it was during the time that a chic would have to be tight!... not just cute, but exotic beautiful, not just cute shape, but killer body, to be considered a suitable side piece for particular men in the music business and she fit the bill. Off top, the first adjective to describe her in conversation was pretty. She had grown up in one of those "off to the side" mid-west big cities and as young adults sitting and talking she shared that she was on a two-fold mission, to go to college yes, but most important to also snag a dude with money. She told us, her mom put and kept her up on game. Plain and simple.

One day we noticed she was moving. She said her mom had transferred her to the all girls school a few blocks away because it had a more prestigious name. *wink* We only saw her occasionally after that but when we did we saw the changes. Sure she had been seen in almost every hot car but now she was driving a fly truck or two. She dropped the thick herring bone necklace she was known for sporting and replaced it with a diamond tear drop necklace with matching earrings and bracelet. She went from being seen on campus to being seen ridin' through, sometimes solo but often shot gun with random rappers, producers and actors. She was seen at parties in their entourages and there are those pictures floating around with she and Tupac on vacation. It became so common place for her to be associated with people of name that you just stopped listening. But everything does change, as time passed we got older, people tried their hands at different careers and she attempted to transform or reinvent herself into a stylist. Nothing ever really came of that but she was still a very big staple on the scene.

Then word came around that she was preggers, ok but what everyone wanted to know was by who? It could have been a number of people but we knew it was not a 9-5 type dude. When she gave birth, a popular gossip site known for inventing stories had for once, gotten it right, a high profile, controversial and wealthy music mogul was the dad....

Get the rest of this story when you pick up a copy of Industry Life & Times ebook series.

Industry Life and Times

2011-10-19T12:24:00.000-04:00

Industry Life and Times began as a project to document and record experiences from those who have worked, lived and been apart of the music and entertainment world. We set out to create a capsule of stories, experiences and appropriate fodder from across the current music, entertainment and sports community.

Since that time, our goals changed and grew into more. From the blog came the ebook and then the ebook grew into a series. We are very happy that you have decided to stop by and visit with us and as always we hope that in creating this space, where we document and share adventures from the life and times of those in and round the business of music and entertainment, that you enjoy our stories, learn from our mis-steps and share your feedback.

(Note: We change or do not mention some of the names involved to protect the guilty.)

Industry Life Book Series