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Black Music Month Keeps Telling The Story …
June 15, 2021
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The narrative of Black Music Month is a continuous story highlighting the contributions of African Americans to the world of music. It’s a part of pop culture. We must keep updating and telling the story or it will become a two-paragraph historical footnote with selective memory loss.
At the Beginning …
The names credited for the creation of Black Music Month include Kenny Gamble, Dyana Williams (formerly Mrs. Kenny Gamble) and Ed Wright. There was another person who was instrumental in getting everyone in one room. In 1979, Clarence Avant, an African American record exec/entrepreneur was asked to help get a night at the White House with President Carter and his wife Roslyn. The hope was to have an evening like the one the Country Music Association had enjoyed. Avant’s influence reached far beyond the music industry. He was later part of the Clinton White House economic transition team.The Night That Led To A Month …
The Black Music Night at the White House gave birth to a Black Music Month. The guest list that night included Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Andre Couch, Evelyn Champaign King and Billy Eckstine. The Black Music Association (BMA) selected June as the month to celebrate the economic and cultural power of Black music. President Carter gave it his stamp of approval on June 7th with that first night of celebration at the White House.Then & Now …
The original model for Black Music Month relied heavily on “brick and mortar” independent and chain record stores to package and sell Black music product. Unfortunately, most are no longer in business and despite the resurgence of albums on a “boutique level,” there is not a high demand for creative artwork for music artist displays anymore. The new metric for music sales is music consumption, streaming (music & video services), new portals like Tik Tok, downloads, and social media.The Record Company Facts …
Economics rule in the business of music. When an artist or music becomes a commercial success, it is only at that point when the “cultural wonderment crown” is bestowed. The record companies were the original economic vehicles for Black Music Month, but tradition is forever changing. There is still support.Very Personal …
Individually record company executives are still huge supporters of Black Music Month from a cultural standpoint. In fact, many belong to groups that perpetuate the history of African American music artists and those who’ve helped navigate careers --then and now. Some of those organizations include the Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC), The Living Legends Foundation (LLF), The Blues Foundation, The Black American Music Association (BAM), The Show Must Be Paused (#TSMBP), The National Museum Of African American Music, NABFEME, The Motown Museum, The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame, and the Stax Museum of American Soul.The Promoters of Black Music Month Today …
Black Music Month has become syndicated radio programming, recorded vignettes, SiriusXM & Music Choice features, music and video streaming service salutes, cable TV music specials, PBS documentaries, and some well-produced NPR programs. The month is celebrated, but it’s not the same, but what is in 2021?The Future Will Look Back & Still Grow …
People have said to me "Black Music has changed." Sorry, it's called growth. Inevitably there will be more artistry hybrids and more new music delivery systems. Thanks to technology, Black music and artists will be archived more effectively for years to come. Black Music Month is art for the ages. -
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