Howard Dukes, a free lance journalist and music reviewer for Soultracks.com, is our special guest in this week's podcast episode. He discusses his diverse background in journalism including his passion for music especially r&b/soul, neo-soul and funk music. Howard explains how his passion for finding new and noteworthy music by independent artists lead him to being a music reviewer. In addition to exploring the many facets of Howard's interest in music, he provides an extremely insightful discus...
Nov 19, 2018•42 min
Melissa McMillan, a New York-based soul/jazz singer and songwriter originally from Dallas, is our special guest in this week's podcast episode. She discusses her music journey that ranges from listening to pop & r&b on the radio as an adolescent being inspired by vocal giants Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey to truly finding her voice in college at University of North Texas as a music major being inspired by vocal jazz legends Billie Holiday, Dinah Washington and Nina Simone to name a few. Melis...
Nov 12, 2018•43 min
Marqueal Jordan, a Chicago-based soul/jazz saxophonist and singer, is our special guest in this week's podcast episode. He discusses his music journey that includes a variety of experiences from playing in marching bands in high school to playing at night clubs in college to now being a full-time recording artist who has toured both nationally and internationally with some of music's greatest artists. Marqueal explores the many lessons he's learned in the music business and explains how he gaine...
Nov 05, 2018•42 min
Gretchen Parlato, a tremendously talented jazz vocalist, joins us as our very special guest to discuss her incredible music journey. From being the winner of the Thelonius Monk International Jazz Vocalist Competition to working with Grammy award winning jazz recording artist Robert Glasper to winning numerous awards and being nominated for grammy awards herself, Gretchen provides engaging stories of how she found her voice as a singer and the village that allows her to balance her music career w...
Oct 30, 2018•40 min
Jason Gorov, a smooth jazz radio promoter and music marketing professional, joins us as our special guest to discuss his professional expertise in radio and promotions. Jason explains how he has been interested in radio promotions since childhood while watching and learning from his father, Cliff Gorov who is a pioneer in smooth jazz radio promotion. Once Jason became an adult, he dived straight into radio promotion and joined his father's company, Gorov Music Marketing. Jason provides an excell...
Oct 23, 2018•31 min
Brandon Williams, a dynamic producer and multi-instrumentalist, joins us as our special guest to discuss his incredible music journey including his diverse experiences and collaborations with such artists as Robert Glasper, Marcus Miller, Vickie Winans, Eminem and many other noteworthy artists. Brandon shares why he is committed to doing quality music despite some of the common challenges that musicians and independent artists face in today’s music industry. He describes how he has built a varie...
Oct 19, 2018•40 min
Co-host Kenya McGuire Johnson does a solo broadcast where she explores what appears to be a significant missing gap in the music industry- artist development. Kenya discusses the history of A&R and it's historical importance as it relates to artists being developed at major music labels. Now that many labels no longer exist and A&R departments are scarce, artists are responsible for the majority of their own development. This process can be daunting and overwhelming, but is critical for success ...
Sep 30, 2018•26 min
Claude McKnight, who is a founding and current member of the Grammy Award winning jazz & gospel group Take 6, joins us as our very special guest to discuss his noteworthy journey in music including how Take 6 was formed and how they continue to be successful after 30 years of creating award winning music. Claude shares extremely enlightening insight on how artists need to build a foundation in order to navigate the music industry while also remaining authentic in the process. Finally, his phenom...
Sep 23, 2018•42 min
Such, a singer/songwriter and actress, joins us as our special guest to discuss her remarkable journey which includes going from a career in nursing to independent artistry. Such shares the various highlights in her music and acting careers including being selected to attended Grammy Camp as an adolescent, appearing on television's American Idol, being casted as Celie in the stage play "The Color Purple" and independently producing as well as distributing two albums. She attributes her success t...
Sep 16, 2018•40 min
Duane Powell, a DJ and music historian based in Chicago, joins us as our special guest to discuss his extremely diverse career in music which includes international distribution, being a buyer for soul and acid jazz music, and music retail in addition to being a DJ. Duane describes not only the highs but also the incredible challenges in his music career. Such experiences have allowed him to fully embrace his passion for music which allows his career to now include a myriad of roles including be...
Sep 08, 2018•41 min
Kisha Scott, a publicist based in Los Angeles, CA, joins us as our special guest to discuss her career and professional background including her extremely progressive and contemporary approach to public relations particularly on digital platforms. Having began her career at Music Choice company and a host of other noteworthy music entities, Kisha describes how independent artists need to approach selecting a publicist, when to use a publicist and how a publicist can be the most effective in gene...
Aug 31, 2018•37 min
In this week’s podcast we talk about 5 way to help and prevent music business burnout.
Aug 26, 2018•30 min
Soul/funk/r&b songstress Deborah Bond joins us as our special guest to discuss her diverse background in the music industry including working at XM Sirius Radio, being a DJ, recording and performing with some of jazz and soul's greatest recording artists such as Incognito, Melba Moore and The Foreign Exchange to name a few as well as pursuing her own journey as an independent recording artist. Deborah provides stunning details about her personal challenges, rewards and outlook on being an indepe...
Aug 18, 2018•47 min
Chicago-based independent artist William Kurk joins us as our special guest to discuss his background in music including his diverse experiences leading to his primary instrument of piano/keyboard as well as how he manages to be a full time working musician. William explains how remarkable mentorship from noteworthy musicians in the music industry not only guided him in building his craft, but also challenged him mentally as an artist. Always listening to music, evolving within his craft and nur...
Aug 03, 2018•42 min
Paige Martin, a publishing administrator based in Atlanta, GA, joins us as our special guest in Part One of our discussion about how to navigate publishing, performing rights organizations, copyright registration, royalties and licensing. In addition to publishing administration, Paige is a songwriter and has written songs for such artists as Tamia, Avery Sunshine and India Arie. Her experience as a songwriter and having to negotiate publishing contracts in the past are what lead to her passion ...
Jul 27, 2018•34 min
Legendary r&b/soul & jazz recording artist Will Downing joins us as our special guest to discuss his background and 30 year tenure in the music industry. He explains the process of becoming an artist including the challenges many face in the early phases of attempting to gain exposure. Will reveals his most remarkable moments as a singer while also emphasizing strategies to establish longevity in the industry. In addition, the interview briefly explores highlights of a recently aired broadcast e...
Jul 21, 2018•40 min
Kenya M. Johnson discusses Creating Crimson's upcoming Facebook Live Series "Finding Your Voice: Singers Guide to Success in the Music Business" which is a monthly free FB live coaching session and Q & A to assist singers with navigating major components of the music industry and building your business. The topics of the series will include: - Vocal ID (identity) - Branding - Building a team - EPK's - Social media management & marketing - Recording, mixing and mastering song productions - Effect...
Jul 07, 2018•20 min
Dr. William Smith and Kenya M. Johnson discuss 5 factors to consider when you're no longer a novice in the music industry and needing to shift your focus on other creative interests. These factors include: 1. "Don't throw the baby out with the water"- in other words, don't lose touch with your primary talent and craft in music as it can still serve as a basis to what you may venture into next. 2. Don't be afraid to shift your focus 3. Don't get caught up in labels and finding the perfect title f...
Jul 01, 2018•19 min
Cynda Williams joins us as our special guest to discuss her background in musical theater, singing, and acting in films, specifically her leading role in Spike Lee's movie Mo Better Blues. Cynda explains how she enjoys singing a variety of genres including jazz, soul and classical. She provides a wonderful and engaging perspective on music and how it has always been a foundation in her life despite departures into acting. Always practicing, preparing and being in alignment with her truth have be...
Jun 23, 2018•40 min
Mark de Clive-Lowe joins us as our special guest to discuss his background as a classically trained pianist and how he developed into one of music industry's top progressive producers and DJ's. He provides an engaging discussion about how he found his unique sound in an ever changing music culture. From performing internationally within genres of jazz, new jack swing, progressive soul to dance music and so much more, Mark shares an in depth perspective on how he manages both his artistry as well...
Jun 15, 2018•47 min
Maritri Garrett joins us as our guest today to discuss her background as a pianist, guitarist, vocalist, composer and songwriter as well as the many shifts and transitions she's had to make as a full time independent artist. From working with Mary J. Blige to performing intimate shows in her fans living rooms, Maritri shares an in depth perspective on the importance of remaining open to life's experiences and how they impact you as a developing artist. To learn more about Maritri and hear her mu...
Jun 09, 2018•47 min
In this podcast episode we interview singer/songwriter Chantae Cann on how she got started and what it was like to work with all the amazing artists she has worked with including India Arie and Snarky Puppy.
Jun 02, 2018•50 min
In this podcast we celebrate our 1 year anniversary by re-broadcasting our most popular episode about 20 ways to make a living in the music business.
May 21, 2018•43 min
In this episode we interview entertainment attorney James L. Walker Jr. about his illustrious career in the music business and how he has been on the front-line for artists rights.
May 12, 2018•45 min
In this episode we cover the 10 mistakes most indie artists make when trying to succeed in the music business
May 04, 2018•49 min
In this podcast we interview R&B, soul vocalist Selina Albright about her current projects and what are some of the highlights as well as challenges being the daughter of a well-known artist (saxophonist Gerald Albright).
Apr 27, 2018•43 min
In this fun podcast interview we talk with film maker and producer Damon Jamal of In Yo Face Filmworks. He talks about how he got started in film making from a do-it-yourself standpoint and his video work with E-40, Kendrick Lamar and his upcoming show on Netflix.
Apr 20, 2018•57 min
In this podcast we interview DJ/Producer Darren "Daz-I-Kue" Benjamin. We talk about his work with Amy Winehouse, Macy Gray and how working with 7 producers can be a fun and rewarding experience. We also delve into his work with the Red Hot Riot tribute project to Fela Kuti.
Apr 14, 2018•44 min
In this podcast we interview soul music blog Soultracks.com founder Chris Rizik. We also talk about his recent article on how Spotify is potentially killing off the soul, jazz and classical genres with its payment structure.
Apr 07, 2018•37 min
In this podcast episode we interview vocalist Meagan McNeal who's recent appearance on the show "The Voice" has jump-started her singing career. We talk about what happened leading up to that appearance and how life has changed for her since.
Mar 22, 2018•40 min
