Thursday, October 31, 2013

Rick and Jilda Watson at Kentuck Festival


Rick and Jilda Watson at Kentuck Festival


Alabama Music Office.com goes to Kentuck Festival 2013 at Kentuck Park in Northport, Alabama to attend a performance by Rick and Jilda Watson.
Rick & Jilda have performed at the Napa Valley Folk Festival, Montgomery Jubilee Fest, The Frank Brown International Songwriter's Festival, Daniel Day Art Gallery, Berkeley Bob's Coffee House, Just Folks Coffee House, Legal Grounds Coffee House, and Local Color, the Black Creek Festival, Jasper Arts Festival, The Raspberry in Sylacauga, Emma's Tea Room, Huntsville, Opelika Unplugged, and the Frog Festival.
They have opened for the late John Steward (Day Dream Believer), Dan Crary (in Ireland), The Kingston Trio, and Three on a String.
Their songs have been used in corporate videos, independent films and plays.
A song they co-wrote with Nashville songwriter Marty Rainone, The Night a Country Star Was Born, (recorded by Lamar Morris) charted for 2 weeks at #1 on the European Country Charts, three others have charted in the top 20 on ICC in Europe.
For the past couple years, their song, Bright Side (co-written with Tracy Reynolds) has aired on a MTV Reality Show in Canada.
They currently have songs playing in Australia and the UK as well.
Rick and Jilda live on a small farm. He is retired from AT&T and currently works as a writer/columnist for several newspapers in north central Alabama.
Jilda is a yoga therapist.
For booking information call:
205-648-9952 or email to jildawatson@gmail.com

Monday, October 28, 2013

Max Russell Art



Max Russell Art


Alabama Music Office.com goes to Florence, Alabama to interview and video the artwork of Max Russell. Many accomplished people are multitalented and active, even exceptional, in more than one area of creative expression. The multi-talented artist, Maxwell D. Russell, fits that description. Max uses an etching method in his paintings. He does very large music related multi-media collages. He is best known for his lamps which adorn many offices and homes in northwest Alabama.

Friday, October 25, 2013

Max Russell at DPs in Sheffield Alabama


Max Russell at DP's in Sheffield, Alabama


Alabama Music Office.com goes to DP"S Classic Grill in downtown Sheffield, Alabama to attend a performance by bluesman Max Russell.
Maxwell Russell was born and raised in northwest Alabama. He grew up in the Colbert County area, a region which has had its share of music greats. It is home to Muscle Shoals Sound, Fame and other famous, ground breaking studios. It is also the hometown of Blues legend W.C. Handy. Maxwell has been playing the guitar since he was a youngster but started his journey in the "business" at the age of 26, forming bands along the way and playing his originals at gigs. He writes music ranging from Country ballads and Country rockers to Blues and Jazz numbers and old time Rock 'n' Roll. Maxwell has a catalog of over 200 songs, not very many by today's song writing and music business standards but each song has a personal feeling or story that has taken a lifetime of work in preparation. . His music is influenced by old school Delta music, Slide, Boogie, Shuffles, Swing and old Rock 'n' Roll. He plays songs by the likes of Howling Wolf, Ike Turner, Muddy Waters, Carl Perkins and newer artists like Tony Joe White and Stevie Ray Vaughan to name a few. Max has played mainly throughout the southeast for festivals and clubs. In 2006, he entered and won first place in a Blues band competition in Birmingham, Alabama and was sent to Memphis for the international competition. He has two albums of original music with his band The Shakedown Kings,one is titled One Step From The Blues and the second is due for release in 2011. A solo Delta Blues album using only his unique collection of acoustic guitars and his scorching slide work on his 1929 National resonator guitar ,titled Once It Gets In Your Bones that was released in 2010 ...and his album Alabama Moon which was released in 2006 features some of the Shoals finest musicians. He is hosting his newest endeavor...The Shoals Songwriters Showcase a weekly event at local clubs that features up and coming signed and unsigned songwriters.Its a goal of his to help as many people as he can to get on stage and play their music . Max is still hammering away at the clubs with his band,and playing his acoustic Blues at as many venues and festivals as possible ... Any info needed for bookings or merchandise contact maxwellrussell256@gmail.com. Bookings for Maxwell Russell and the Shakedown Kings ...message me or call 256 856 1961..

Thursday, October 17, 2013

Max Russell Interview


Max Russell Interview

Alabama Music Office.com goes to Florence, Alabama to interview bluesman Maxwell 'Max' Russell. We did our interview in his home studio. Maxwell Russell was born and raised in northwest Alabama. He grew up in the Colbert County area, a region which has had its share of music greats. It is home to Muscle Shoals Sound, Fame and other famous, ground breaking studios. It is also the hometown of Blues legend W.C. Handy. Maxwell has been playing the guitar since he was a youngster but started his journey in the "business" at the age of 26, forming bands along the way and playing his originals at gigs. He writes music ranging from Country ballads and Country rockers to Blues and Jazz numbers and old time Rock 'n' Roll. His music is influenced by old school Delta music, Slide, Boogie, Shuffles, Swing and old Rock 'n' Roll. He plays songs by the likes of Howling Wolf, Ike Turner, Muddy Waters, Carl Perkins and newer artists like Tony Joe White and Stevie Ray Vaughan to name a few. Max has played mainly throughout the southeast for festivals and clubs. In 2006, he entered and won first place in a Blues band competition in Birmingham, Alabama and was sent to Memphis for the IBC competition. He has two independent albums and one live recording of solo Delta Blues music which will be released soon. He is working with his band The Shakedown Kings...a group of seasoned players from in and around the Muscle Shoals area. Max is still hammering away at the clubs with his band,and playing his acoustic blues.

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Jason Isbell at Revival Music Festival


Jason Isbell at Revival Music Festival

Alabama Music Office.com goes to Railroad Park in downtown Birmingham, Alabama to attend a performance by Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, headlining for the Revival Music Festival. Revival Music Fest was on Saturday, August 24th at Railroad Park with music acts; The CO, Elenowen, Leagues, The Apache Relay, The Dirty Guv'nahs, Drew Holcomb and The Neighbors and Jason Isbell!  Food trucks were on-site so folks enjoy some of Birmingham's finest culinary offerings!

Monday, October 14, 2013

Groove Daddy at Billy's in Northport, Alabama



Groove Daddy at Billy's in Northport, Alabama 


Alabama Music Office.com goes to Billy's in downtown Northport, Alabama to attend a performance by Groove Daddy. Based in Birmingham, Alabama, Groove Daddy has been playing and performing together since the early 1990s. The band plays Rhythm & Blues, Rock & Roll, Jazz, Motown, Ballads, Funk and Contemporary Gospel. The band also features originals written by Marc Phillips, some of which can be heard on his first solo recording "Color Me His".


The band's experience both in live settings and in the studio make it well suited for festivals, concerts, parties, banquets, weddings, receptions, corporate events, fundraisers, reunions, conventions.

Groove Daddy is Marc Phillips, Steve Sample, Barry Page, Joe Terry, Rich Daviston and Michael Panepento

Friday, October 11, 2013

The Birmingham Seven at Shelton State Community College


The Birmingham Seven at Shelton State Community College


Alabama Music Office.com goes to Shelton State Community College in Tuscaloosa, Alabama to attend a performance by The Birmingham Seven. The Birmingham Seven (B7) is a jazz septet comprised of some of the finest and most sought after jazz performers in the region. Their repertoire consists of transcriptions and adaptations from iconic recordings by artists such as Duke Ellington, Oliver Nelson, Gigi Gryce, and Lee Morgan as well as original arrangements and compositions by B7 members.

Rob Alley-Trumpet
Jon Noffsinger-Alto & Soprano Saxophone
Gary Wheat-Tenor Saxophone
Daniel Western-Baritone Saxophone
Tom Wolfe-Guitar
Chris Kozak-Double Bass
Michael Glaser-Drums

Thursday, October 10, 2013

Dan Penn inducted into Birmingham Record Collectors Hall of Fame


Dan Penn inducted into Birmingham Record Collectors Hall of Fame


Alabama Music Office.com goes to Birmingham, Alabama to attend the Birmingham Record Collectors Show & Hall of Fame Inductions. In the late 1950's and early 1960's, R&B music was beginning to see some offshoots. Artists such as Jackie Wilson and Sam Cooke were taking R&B to a slightly smoother sound. Then came the Motown Sound - R&B blended together with a pop sound. There were artists such as Smokey Robinson, Mary Wells, and Marvin Gaye who took this sound to the top of the charts. While all this was going on in Detroit, New York, and Philadelphia, there was a growing R&B emergence that became known as 'Soul'. One of the early movers and shakers that brought soul music to the forefront of popularity was Dan Penn. Dan helped shape the development of southern soul music with legendary songwriting, musicianship, and production.

Dan Penn - 2013 Hall of Fame Bio-http://www.birminghamrecord.com/home/node/10073

Spooner Oldham inducted into Birmingham Record Collectors Hall of Fame


Spooner Oldham inducted into Birmingham Record Collectors Hall of Fame


Alabama Music Office.com goes to Birmingham, Alabama to attend the Birmingham Record Collectors Show & Hall of Fame Inductions. Percy Sledge's "When a Man Loves a Woman", Wilson Pickett's "Mustang Sally", Arthur Alexander's "You Better Move On", and "I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)" by Aretha Franklin. These are classic songs that have transcended the natural change music went through in the late 60's. One common thing shared by these songs is the smooth keyboard sound that carries each of them. This sound was the result of one Spooner Oldham.

Spooner Oldham - 2013 Hall of Fame Bio-http://www.birminghamrecord.com/home/node/10076

Donnie Fritts inducted into Birmingham Record Collectors Hall of Fame


Donnie Fritts inducted into Birmingham Record Collectors Hall of Fame


Alabama Music Office.com goes to Birmingham, Alabama to attend the Birmingham Record Collectors Show & Hall of Fame Inductions. Funky Donnie Fritts is known for many things: songwriter, session player, performer, soul man, pianist, and friend.

Donnie Fritts (born November 8, 1942, Florence, Alabama) is an American session musician and songwriter. A recording artist in his own right, he has been Kris Kristofferson's keyboardist for over forty years as of 2013. In 2008, he was inducted into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame.
He began playing drums in local bands such as the Satellites and Hollis Dixon at age 15, and later developed into a session keyboard player.
Working closely with Rick Hall, Billy Sherrill, Dan Penn, Arthur Alexander, David Briggs, Jerry Carrigan and Norbert Putnam, Fritts was involved in many of the early songs and recordings created in the Muscle Shoals music industry.

Donnie Fritts - 2013 Hall of Fame Bio-http://www.birminghamrecord.com/home/node/10077

Don Mosley inducted into Birmingham Record Collectors Hall of Fame


Don Mosley inducted into Birmingham Record Collectors Hall of Fame


Alabama Music Office.com goes to Birmingham, Alabama to attend the Birmingham Record Collectors Record Show & Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies. Over the years Don Mosley of Sound of Birmingham studios has engineered or produced records that were released on Atlantic Records, MGM, Stax Records,  Rounder Records, Shelby Singleton labels (Nashville),  as well as his own label.  - See more at: http://alabamamusicoffice.com/recording-studios#sthash.1foerW1O.dpuf

Don Mosley

Don Mosley was born in Columbus, Mississippi on June 30, 1945. He grew up on a small farm. Living in the country was great but there were plenty of boring times with nothing to do. He entertained himself for hours on end playing a harmonica with melodies that he 'made up'. Little did he know at the time this would benefit him greatly in his adult life.

At the age of 15 he applied for and got a part time job as a DJ/announcer at a local radio station, WACR, in Columbus, Mississippi. Although he was just a sophomore in high school, within a short period of time he was signing the station on a 6 AM, leaving for school at 8 AM. Through an accredited course called Distributive Education, he could leave school at 2 PM everyday, return to the radio station and sign the station off, usually around 6 PM.

Around the same time, he and four other friends formed a band called 'Pre-Dawn 5' of which he was the lead singer. They played at area high schools and colleges, but no night clubs because they were all too young. Eventually that changed and they branched out to nightclubs along the Gulf Coast, including Gus Stevens and the Vapors Lounge in Biloxi, Mississippi. While in Biloxi, they appeared on the national TV show, 'Where The Action Is'. On the same bill were Paul Revere and the Raiders, The Knickerbockers, and Gary Lewis and the Playboys. It was in Biloxi that he met his future wife, Betty. Being in a band allowed for a lot of travel and eventually the group headed west and ended up in Los Angeles where they played at Club Hullabaloo, which hosted yet another national TV show. The band got a long term gig at a restaurant/night club out in the San Fernando Valley. As with most guys, a major change of direction often involves a female. Don was thinking of settling down and marrying that girl from Mississippi. At the same time, the band's bass player had been hired by Johnny Rivers and the band eventually dissolved. Don headed back south, married Betty, and settled back into radio as a sensible solution to supporting a family. He worked at WKIZ in Key West, Florida from there to Alabama where he worked at WTQX in Selma, WHHY in Montgomery, and at WSGN 'Good Guy' in Birmingham working the afternoon drive shift. It was while at WHHY in Montgomery that he wrote, recorded, and produced his first 'jingle' in the radio station studio. The talent that was developed during those early days of 'made up' melodies on the harmonica was now beginning to pay off. The capabilities of recording music in a radio station were soon exhausted and he began booking sessions at Boutwell Studios in Birmingham. After moving to Birmingham, he and Ed Boutwell of Boutwell Studio formed a production company with the mainpurpose of producing jingles.

In 1974 Don bought Sound of Birmingham Recording Studio which he presently owns and manages. Over the years he has written and produced over 500 jingles, many of them national. In advertising, he has won over 100 Addy Awards and 2 Clios Awards.

Don has worked with or recorded the following Birmingham Record Collectors Inductees: Shelley Stewart, Eddie Kendrick, Henry Lovoy, Country Boy Eddie Burns, Jerry 'Boogie' McCain, Roscoe Robinson, Larry Parker, Doug Layton, John Ed Willoughby, Three On A String, Tommy Charles, Les Hollifield, Bunky Anderson, and Dan Penn. Other well known celebrities or artists he has worked with are President George H. Bush, Nell Carter, Rick Dees, Roy Orbison, Kenny Rogers, Fredrick Knight, The Temptations, The Blind Boys of Alabama, Peggy Scott and Jo Jo Benson, Sam Dees, Beth Nielsen Chapman, Candi Staton, Ruben Studdard, David Camon, Rozetta Johnson, David Sea, Lady Smith Black Manbozzo (from South Africa), Dorothy Love Coates, Jake Hess, The Blackwood Brothers, Bobby Horton, Big Sam Frazier, Brother Al and Pashion Lewis, Vince Dooley, Gene Bartow, and Charles Barkley.

Don and Betty, that girl from Mississippi, live in Vestavia Hills, Alabama. They have 2 sons and 4 grandsons.

Henry 'Gip' Gipson inducted into Birmingham Record Collectors Hall of Fame


Henry 'Gip' Gipson inducted into Birmingham Record Collectors Hall of Fame


Alabama Music Office.com goes to Birmingham, Alabama to attend the Birmingham Record Collectors Record Show & Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies. Henry 'Gip' Gipson was recognized as having one of the world's most popular backyard parties/juke joint that has been going on since the '50's.

Henry 'Gip' Gipson - 2013 Hall of Fame Bio

HENRY 'GIP' GIPSON

Bessemer resident Henry Gipson is known worldwide for his Saturday night backyard parties. These parties are a coming together of all peoples who share Mr. Gipson's love of music, particularly blues, gospel, and country. Since 1952, this gathering spot for those who love to play the blues - the likes of Kenny Brown, Shar-Baby, Clay Swafford, Chris Simmons, Johnnie Reese and Kent Duchaine, to name just a few - and those who love to listen, has been known simply as "Gip's Place".

Mr. Gipson was born on a plantation in Perry County, Alabama, southwest of Selma, according to the family Bible. Raised there and, later, in Bessemer, his love of music began in church and graduated to small juke joints. He began singing the blues, playing harmonica, piano, and then guitar. Because of his love for his church and God, he spent four years in Huntsville at Bible college. To this day, he will quote you scripture any time he thinks you need it.

In the early 1950s he began sharing music with the kids in his neighborhood and teaching them to play guitar. These small lessons evolved into the famed parties of today, where crowds of hundreds from all over the map gather in Gip's backyard to sing the blues. It's hard to describe the feelings you have after spending an evening at Gip's Place, but it's an experience you won't soon forget. The party always begins with a prayer and, by the time it ends, you all feel like family.

Every Saturday evening, Mr. Gipson himself plays and sings for the eager crowd. He then turns the microphone over to some other artist who stopped by for the honor of playing at Gip's Place - folks like Earl "Gator" Williams, Mojo Child, Johnny No, Willie King, Debbie Bond, Randy Buel and Bobby Rush. Other bands you might have caught some Saturday night at Gip's include Microwave Dave and the Nukes, Elliott and the Untouchables, Robin Bibi from London, Todd Simpson, and Big Al and the Heavyweights. During the party, Gip meets and greets with his visitors, shaking hands and posing for pictures while the music greats play on his stage. Over the years, party after party, Henry Gipson is now one of the most photographed people in the world, having had his picture taken tens of thousands of times.

In recognition for his contribution to keeping the Blues alive, and his tireless efforts throughout the Bessemer community and the state of Alabama, The Birmingham Record Collectors are pleased to honor Henry "Gip" Gipson by electing him to the 2013 class of the Birmingham Record Collectors Music Hall of Fame.

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Song Co-Writing by Jerry W. Henry


In all genres of music a majority of the hits are collaborations. In the Country genre, in fact, ALL of the top songs are collaborations! If you look at the current issue of Billboard magazine and check out the radio play list charts closely, you will quickly notice that the vast majority of the songs you see charted there were co-written by two, three or more writers.

There are the obvious benefits to co-writing for songwriters. The most obvious is being able to bounce ideas off of each other. This process allows you to say dumb things to each other until the profound ones come out. Collaborating brings you new ideas and cannot only bring in other ideas; it can also inspire you to new ideas that you would not otherwise have found on your own. A co-writer benefits from another point of view or another’s way of saying the same thing differently than ourselves.

Co-writing can help you write more songs and stronger songs if both writers are focused on the same goals. Writing with more experienced songwriters teaches you quickly the do's and don'ts that exist in the world of pro songwriting. Collaborating builds a songwriters catalog faster. You share the frustration and celebrate the victories with a co-writer.

One of the major benefits, but less obvious, is the shared connections to get the song heard, pitched, recorded and released. The royalties are divided, but the marketing efforts are multiplied. This really comes into play if you are fortunate enough to write with already established successful songwriters who have publishing deals or just lots more connections in the business than you do. Also the cost of demoing your song can be half what it would be if you wrote it alone.

Creative energy is a powerful force and sometimes it is magnified when two or more writers are batting ideas around and reacting to each other. You will grow together and find opportunities are multiplied by your co-writing relationship as you share your resources. Never hesitate to discuss writer share percentages with a co-writer. But remember, anything too formal too early can kill the fun and desire to continue working together. Find someone that is trustworthy because you trust him/her with your ideas and those are worth money.

Chances are you’re stronger in one area (lyrics or music) than another; a collaborator can add strength where you’re weak. When you write with other songwriters you can open up incredible paths for your music that you would never explore alone. To be a good co-writer, you must be willing to be completely open. You then can explore any subject without inhibitions. That is the only way you can write honestly with another person.

Published in October 2013 issue of The Leaf

Monday, October 7, 2013

Birmingham Record Collectors Show & Hall of Fame Inductions


Birmingham Record Collectors Show & Hall of Fame Inductions


Alabama Music Office.com goes to Birmingham, Alabama to attend the Birmingham Record Collectors Show & Hall of Fame Inductions. Those inducted this day was Henry 'Gip' Gipson, Don Mosley, Donnie Fritts, Spooner Oldham and Dan Penn.

Don Mosley - local 60's - 70's DJ and owner of Sound Of Birmingham Recording Studio.

Henry 'Gip' Gipson - Bluesman and owner of Gip's Place in Bessemer.

Donnie Fritts - Muscle Shoals singer/songwriter. Kris Kristofferson's keyboardist for 25+ years.

Dan Penn - Muscle Shoals singer/songwriter. Produced the Box Tops & Sweet Inspirations.

Spooner Oldham - Muscle Shoals singer/songwriter. On much of Aretha Franklin's early LP's. With Neil Young for over 20 years. Member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. He and Dan Penn wrote songs such as 'I'm Your Puppet', 'Cry Like A Baby', and 'Sweet Inspiration".

The Birmingham Record Collectors is a gathering of various people who in 1984 decided to establish a special record club to satisfy their individual tastes. As the name implies, the club found its roots in Birmingham, Alabama, USA and includes international membership. BRC members were exposed to every type of music (and dance) imaginable. The club turns no prospective member away. To be a member a person need only possess the three club precepts which are devotion to:

1. "The collection of music".

2. "The preservation of music".

3. "Lasting friendships".

BRC currently has over 400 members. Chicago, Milwaukee, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Houston, New Orleans, and Atlanta are home to BRC members. We also have members in Great Britian, Holland, Japan, Austrailia, Germany, and France. We are the largest organization of its type in America.

Members of BRC meet the second Sunday of every month for the main purpose of sharing and discussing music. When possible, we have special guests who either have been or are still active in the music industry in some form or fashion. This includes the recording artists themselves as well as record producers and radio personalities. Some programs are presented by our own members in an area of music they are particularly interested in and who have become experts on the subject. We discuss local talents and labels, record discographies, genres of music, and much more. We choose two meetings a year and designate them as mini-record shows where we have members bring records and CD's to sell/swap/buy and we invite fifty non-members to join us.

To expand our activities, BRC club members travel together occasionally to musical points of interest such as New Orleans, Nashville, Memphis, and Clear Lake, Iowa - and also go on record hunts in other cities and to concerts and shows.

In 1985 the inaugural BRC Record Collectors Show was launched, and continues to grow in size and popularity every year. In addition to our own members as merchants, dealers from well over a dozen states and some from as far away as Great Britain and Germany look forward to our annual event where they buy, sell and deal in records, CDs, memorabilia, tee shirts and many items connected to recorded music. Buyers from France, Japan, and Holland come to the show every year.

In 2001, our own "Hall of Fame" was established and remains an attraction during the final hours of our annual Record Collectors Show. During our Hall of Fame program, we honor people in the music industry from around our area. We want to show our appreciation to these artists and personalities for the music, fun, and memories they gave us. This is our way of letting them know they will always be remembered. Some BRC Hall of Fame inductees include such celebrities as Eddie Kendricks of the Temptations, Harmonica Blues Man Jerry "Boogie" McCain, singer Roscoe Robinson, recording artist and local performer Henry Lovoy, songwriter and recording artist Larry Parker, and bands such as The Tikis, The Premiers, The Distortions and many more.

A monthly newsletter is published to give members updates on current events of the club, provide special articles regarding the music business, and post reminders about upcoming meetings. Over 250 BRC members look forward to the newsletter sent by either email or postal delivery.

The club is a non-profit organization giving donations to area charities such as Toys for Tots, Meals on Wheels, Kid One, and the Jimmie Hale Mission.

Again, The Birmingham Record Collectors was formed to "Preserve the Music" in whatever form the particular member appreciates the most - whether that be vinyl, compact disc, or the rapidly evolving high tech modes. In the end, the byproduct is "Lasting Friendships!"

Saturday, October 5, 2013

Secret Stages presents JazzMine Garfield


Secret Stages presents JazzMine Garfield


Alabama Music Office.com goes to Secret Stages VIP Lounge in the Historic Loft District of downtown Birmingham, Alabama to attend a Jazz performance by JazzMine Garfield.

JazzMine 24, born in Birmingham, Alabama the guitarist, lyricist, and singer has made the stage her home for many years. Owning the mic in many talent shows, show casings, and collaborations it is evident that her passion bleeds heavily through entertainment. Although she's equally skilled as a vocalist and guitarist, Garfield is a natural innovator, fusing her brand of acoustic jazz with hip hop, soul, and even a few well-appointed electronic samples. Through her experimentation, she has developed a modern jazz sound that's updated into the electronic age while remaining soulful in meaning and melody.

Friday, October 4, 2013

Secret Stages presents Pen Pals


Secret Stages presents Pen Pals


Alabama Music Office.com goes to Matthew's Bar & Grill in the Historic Loft District of downtown Birmingham, Alabama to attend a hip-hop performance by the Pen Pals for Secret Stages.

The Pen Pals are a hip-hop group from Tuscaloosa, AL comprised of two emcee-poets. With a borderline religious view of hip-hop, they aim to maintain a certain quality with their soulful approach to writing rhymes. The two emcees spent nearly two years getting familiar with each other's styles in freestyle sessions before taking on the title "Pen Pals". Fathom and sLanguage came together and blended many different inspirations. They started writing as a group in the summer of 2012 and quickly formed a distinct writing style that they like to call "punch-line poetry", in which they take concepts of substantial and/or poetic nature, and deliver them in a way that will immediately be attention grabbing. This writing led to the release of their first project, a 5 song self titled EP, in November of 2012. Each track offered something different yet true to hip-hop, and that attracted a wide variety of listeners both locally and online. Soon after the EP's release, the two started performing together, winning crowds over with an infectious energy and stage presence. Through this the Pen Pals have helped shape and revitalize true hip-hop music in the 205 area.
A bit of The Weekend Kids from Jackson, Mississippi on the end of this video.

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Secret Stages presents The Ninjaz


Secret Stages presents The Ninjaz


Alabama Music Office.com goes to Matthew's Bar & Grille in the Historic Loft District of downtown Birmingham, Alabama to attend a hip-hop performance by The Ninjaz.

Hailing from the Dirty South's Heart of Dixie, Birmingham, Alabama, The Ninjaz are the embodiment of style and substance set to varying sounds. Forming in 2010 during high school, 3 friends with similar tastes decided to form a musical group to express their passion for music, fashion, and art. They quickly gravitated toward a classic hip-hop sound with a modern twist developing what would take the city by storm as The Ninja-Nation Collective.