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Black Music Month ..Still Playing All The Right Notes ...
June 6, 2023
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Black Music Month holds significant importance in both American and global pop culture. It's a time to celebrate and appreciate the diverse and influential contributions made by African American musicians to the world of music. Black musicians have shaped genres From Blues, to Jazz, R&B, and Gospel, Funk, Rap, and Hip-Hop. And it's incredible to consider how Black music has even influenced other genres like Rock & Roll and Country. Singers, writers, musicians, producers, composers, and sound engineers, each one of them has played a vital role in shaping the journey of Black music. And let's not overlook the behind the scenes contributions of Black Music Executives at every level over the last 60 some years.
Something Else To Consider ...
Additionally, Black Music Month is a reminder that its impact extends far beyond music itself. It has influenced our fashion choices, shaped lifestyle trends, and even left its mark on the way we speak. This year is particularly special as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Hip-Hop, a genre that some initially dismissed as a passing fad, but it never faded away. The influences of Black music will always be with us if we don't let it become a historical footnote. If we don’t keep telling the story, things have a way of becoming a faded memory. Or worse, rewritten and not in a good way.How The Month Came To Be Recognized ...
Black Music Month's origins can be linked back to Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees Kenny Gamble, Dyana Williams (formerly Mrs. Kenny Gamble), Ed Wright, and Clarence Avant. In 1979, Avant, an African American record exec/entrepreneur, played a role in organizing a White House event with President Carter and Rosalynn Carter. The aim was to replicate the success of the Country Music Association's evening.A Night Turns Becomes A Month ...
The Black Music Night at the White House led to Black Music Month. The attendees that evening included Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Andre Couch, Evelyn Champaign King, and Billy Eckstine. The Black Music Association (BMA) designated June as the month to honor the economic and cultural influence of Black music. President Carter endorsed the idea on June 7th during that night’s festivities at the White House. From that night on it was celebrated every June but did not become official until Dyana Williams co-authored House Concurrent Bill 509.Visions In The Stream ...
The original model for Black Music Month relied heavily on “brick and mortar” independent and chain record stores to package and sell Black music. 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), and platform portals like Tik Tok, Pandora, Spotify, and social media.The Record Company Facts …
Economics rules 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, but it's nowhere near what it once was in terms of utilizing the month to showcase Black music.Still Honored ...
Individual 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.How The Month Is Promoted Today ...
Black Music Month has become syndicated radio programming, recorded vignettes, SiriusXM & Music Choice features, subscription based 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 2023?
All Access Urban/R&B Editor Sam Weaver is also a radio talent coach and consultant, working with beginning and veteran personalities. His 35-year programming and on air career has covered CHR, Urban, Country, Sports, Talk, and Rock. Sam has worked in St. Louis, Detroit, New Orleans, Chicago, Memphis, San Francisco, Greensboro, Kansas City, Pittsburgh, and Dallas. Lists of other accomplishments include teaching in Chicago at Columbia College and hosting Westwood One's Superstars of R&B concert series. He has moderated or been a panelist at conventions for Billboard, NAB, NABOB, The Concave, and the Canadian Music Festival. For his coaching services, his web site is http://radiocoach.biz, phone, (888) 680 7234, or email, thecoach@radiocoach.biz.
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