12.17.09 | On Tour with Tyler Perry
I have just begun rehearsals with the Ronnie Garrett Orchestra for Tyler Perry's latest tour, "Madea's Big Happy Family!!" The play will mark the first time in 5 years that the Producer, Filmaker, Actor, Philanthropist will personally be on tour as Madea, so he's making this one a really big deal!! This is truly exciting, as I have never been on a tour this extensive before. Even better, I will have the opportunity to return to my hometown (it's been a loooooong time!) while on tour, as well as hit a couple cities where my family members reside. The production is slated to run from January 4 through May 2010. Hope to see you there. For more details on the tour and the cities in the run, either click on the link or log on to www.tylerperry.com. Good Times on the way!!

12.04.09 | Updates on My Life in 2010
So I haven't provided updates in a really long time, but my career and life have been extremely interesting and event-filled over the past year alone. So here are my most up to date tidbits.

I made my first major motion picture appearance in Tyler Perry's hit, "I Can Do Bad All By Myself." This was a great opportunity as we were able to perform both on and off screen. There are not many musicians who can make that particular claim! Also, I got the opportunity to get an inside look at the dealings of a major film production. This was an enlightening experience. However, I have to say the Tyler centered this particular film around the musical aspect, so we were treated like royalty on the set. Fantastic!

The movie was a result of my newly developed friendship and business association with Grammy Award Winning Producer, Singer, Songwriter, Bass PLayer, and just overall beautiful person Ronnie Garrett. He is a somewhat unsung hero in the industry, but the people that know what they "should know" are well aware of Ronnie's presence on the scene. Though he's performed for everyone from Miles Davis to Toni Braxton, he has maintained a level of humility unmatched by other artists in his calibre. Needless to say, whenever this brother calls i make it point to be available. One of the results of working with Ronnie (as sort of a face of Ronnie's projects) is the sensational "Simply Irresistable Band."

This band hit the corporate and party scene with a level of talent and skill that the rest of the industry was not ready for. Now the group has raised the bar for other bands in that circuit, with the one of the most impressive rosters of talent in the country. You can get an idea of what I'm talking about by logging on to www.simplyirresistibleband.net. You'll see exactly what I mean!

As well, my educational career has been going very well. The band program a Morehouse College has grown significantly over the past few years. This past marching band season saw an extreme combination of tragedy and triumph with the band emerging as one of the most notable forces in the HBCU Band world! I'm so proud to have been a part of it. Now, my career is taking a new direction as I step away from Morehouse College to focus on my performance career.

I have always been torn between the two worlds of performance and teaching. They are both such rewarding careers, and the balance between the two careers was practically impossible to find. However, I felt that I could no longer ignore the performance path and the doors which have been opened for me. I'm a firm believer in "Ordered Steps" and I feel that all I can do in the end is follow GOD's plan for me. Just as unexpected as my employment with Morehouse began, it had to end. (temporarily??..who's to say right now?) Maybe one day I will be "ordered" to return to the House. until that day comes around, I will do all that I can to make sure that i honor all those that made my success possible.