Notes From The Road Blog

If a Tree Falls…yada yada

admin — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 22:52:54 +0000

I saw a comment on my Facebook page that said “Where’s the Notes From the Road commentary? Don’t stop writing I read them.” It’s funny I thought to myself “Wow, someone out there cares what I have to say.” Well after a hiatus in writing blog posts I must say I was touched by that person’s comment. It showed me that my writing was not in vain. So often as a songwriter or citizen of the world one starts to question whether or not anyone out there is even listening or cares. Well, I have received an answer to the age old question “If a tree falls somewhere in the forest does it make a sound yada yada?” Yes, it does. Just because “everyone” isn’t buzzing doesn’t mean that we aren’t being heard. It simply means that only those listening for the “tree to fall” are waiting with ears tuned to the ground! For all of you with your ears to the ground waiting…I’m on the way and I can’t wait to meet you. Until then…

The Help and Having it All

admin — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 21:17:08 +0000

Has anyone seen “The Help?” I saw this movie yesterday and I must say I thought it was a beautifully written story and it brought up so many issues that it has me thinking about our collective consciousness about work, family, status, marriage, and a host of social issues. It is apparent the non-minority women featured in the movie were able to “maintain” because of the sacrifice of the women of color who practically raised their children. The movie put me face-to-face with the premise that women can have it all. I’m sorry to say, but I don’t believe we can have it all if we are unyielding or ignorant to the cost of battle. The first step is to define what “all” actually means and if we actually want it at the price that it will cost. This brings me to another point. We will not escape this battle called life without a fight and without paying some sort of price. I’m still chewing on the movie, but you should definitely see it if you haven’t done so yet.

Temika Moore Competes For Opening Act Spot On The Jill Scott – Anthony Hamilton Tour

admin — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 15:36:02 +0000

Join me this Friday, August 5, 2011 7pm at Love Night Club (Washington, DC) with special guest Dwele as I compete for an opening act spot on the Jill Scott and Anthony Hamilton Tour. I would love to see your faces in the audience cheering me on. If you are unable to attend you can see my live “tweets” by visiting my Twitter page and following me. Hope to see you there!

The Let it Go (Terel Wallace aka”Tall Black Guy” Remix)

admin — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 04:04:42 +0000

It’s been 5 years since I released the “Doing Just Fine” project (my times flys), and in commemoration of the 5 year anniversary Terel Wallace aka “Tall Black Guy” created a hot remix of “Let it Go,” a fan favorite from this project. This song is special to me because it was the first track for which I received international airplay, a Wammie nomination (Washington DC’s version of the Grammy’s) and the song for which I received my first ever royalty check (woo hoo, who doesn’t like getting checks in the mail?). Terel has been on fire since he created the “Two People” remix from Eric Roberson’s Music Fan First album and graciously lent his talents to help me celebrate the 5 year anniversary of this special song. Listen to the original and remix version here.

DY Magazine Article (July Issue): Temika Moore Making Music We Can All Believe In

admin — Sun, 17 Jul 2011 03:56:53 +0000

These days when the music industry is consumed with image rather than quality and talent, true music enthusiasts are left wanting more. Few artists today offer up the lyrical quality and passion that singer/singwriter Temika Moore brings to her listeners. Read more

CD Three

admin — Sun, 10 Jul 2011 21:29:47 +0000

It’s been over 5 years since my last full length cd project, and I have been working feverishly writing new songs and recording new music. I haven’t titled the new project yet, but will be posting them soon for your feedback. Stay tuned for more in the next weeks.

May Issue of Notes from the Road Blog Newsletter Now Available!

admin — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 13:36:13 +0000

May issue of Notes from the Road Blog now available! http://gmtiny.com/eEqTN via #Emailbrain

Available Now – April Issue of Notes from The Road Blog Newsletter

admin — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 18:56:00 +0000

The April issue of Notes from the Road Blog Newsletter is now available. http://gmtiny.com/1DuF2 via #Emailbrain

Writing Songs Like a Man

admin — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 16:03:46 +0000

I came across an article a few weeks back on Marsha Ambrosius (I wish I could remember where it was I’d link to it here) where she was interviewed by someone where she stated she writes like a man. Since reading that article I’ve been marinating on that statement. Her statement was basically saying she was not afraid to say want she wants to say in her songs. She is unapologetic in the words she chooses to convey an emotion, feeling or thought. This article has challenged me to not be afraid to say what I need to say…no fear!

The Woodcutter’s Wisdom

admin — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 23:32:20 +0000

A good friend sent me this and it was so timely! This is a great story full of inspiration. I hope you are encouraged. Read more

What song(s) would you like to hear me record?

admin — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 23:28:03 +0000

I’ve been in the studio working on new music and I thought I’d pose this question to my NFTR family. What song(s) would you like to hear me record and why? I’m looking forward to your response.

Female Music Industry Insiders Talk Gender, Race, Sexuality in Pop Music

admin — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 21:08:46 +0000

Excerpt from an article written by Gerrick D. Kennedy — Artists utilizing and exploring their sexuality through music isn’t news — it’s part of their self-expression. But today, as much as ever, pop music’s biggest players, especially female — be it Lady Gaga, Beyonce, Rihanna, Katy Perry or Nikki Minaj — have all found ways to harness their sexuality to their benefit. As the artists in the spotlight are considered by many to be heroes, the women who play quieter roles behind the scenes — music critics, managers, publicists and industry leaders — face obvious hurdles in a historically male-driven record industry. Read More

The App Guide: 5 Best Music Apps

admin — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 23:21:35 +0000

Here are five don’t-miss music apps that will help you bring a little more music into your life.

Hip-Hop Word Count: A Searchable Rap Almanac

admin — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 22:45:15 +0000

Excerpt from article by Johnny Firecloud — The Hip-Hop Word Count (HHWC) is a searchable ethnographic database built from the lyrics of over 40,000 Hip-Hop songs from 1979 to present day. It’s the cumulative results of an online analysis tool that generates textual and quantified reports on searched phrases, syntax, memes and socio-political ideas. Read more

10 Most Famous Movie Soundtracks

admin — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 23:00:24 +0000

Chances are you may be familiar with several songs from the 10 most famous movie soundtracks of all time. With millions of units sold, these soundtracks are hugely popular around the world. Here are the ten most famous movie soundtracks of all time according to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Read More

How the iPad 2 Stacks up Against the Competition

admin — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 23:14:00 +0000

Excerpt from an article by Ben Patterson — Now that we’ve finally got the official details for the next iPad, those in the market for a new tablet can begin comparison shopping in earnest. Read more

Why Music Keeps Us Coming Back For More

admin — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 22:30:54 +0000

Excerpt from an article by Vanessa Wheeler — “Music itself can be identified as a language. Every language has structure, each with a set of grammatical rules put into place for correct communication. Yet beyond structure music also has the ability to create feelings and emotions without a verbal context. Music, like words, has the ability to make us cry, enlighten and transcend us. By alternating the pitch, rhythm and tempo, we are subsequently intrigued by these violations in communicating through music, which leaves us coming back for more.” Read more

6 Major Trends That Will Change Radio Forever

admin — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 23:03:57 +0000

Excerpt from an article on Hypebot.com – Radio hasn’t changed much in the last ten years. In fact, radio hasn’t changed much in the last twenty years. The single most impactful change in radio happened with the passing of the Telecommunications Act of 1996. It deregulated media ownership, allowing a company to own more stations than previously. Read more

Harlem’s Apollo Theater Gets Its Own Show

admin — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 22:40:44 +0000

Excerpt from an article by Robert Smith — The improbable story of the Apollo Theater in Harlem is the subject of a new museum exhibit in New York City. The show, designed by the Smithsonian, looks at how an all-white burlesque theater became the cultural center of African-American showmanship. Read More

Grammy Awards Provide a Big Boost for Indie Music

admin — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 22:50:14 +0000

Excerpt from an article from the LA Time Blog – Indie artists and labels — broadly defined as any musician or company that owns and control its master recordings — often have watched from the outside as major label acts have gone home year after year with the music industry’s most prestigious awards. But in recent years, they’ve made steady inroads in the world of industry honors. This year, indie labels and musicians accounted for just over half the total Grammy nominations, picking up 273 of 542 possible nominations across 108 categories. Read more

What do we really want?

admin — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 17:09:35 +0000

I recently stumbled upon a marketing book in my personal library that I didn’t remember I purchased. Oddly enough, this book must have been purchased during a time where I actually thought I had free time to read (I relish the thought). Anyway, as I flipped through the pages, I came across a section of the book that posed an interesting question “What do we really want?” It’s the question I’ve been pondering for some time. I ask myself all the time “What do I want out of life?” What do I want from my dreams? “What legacy do I want to leave?” As I continued to ask myself these questions I started to think about the music industry – what do we really want out of music? What are we all looking for that we believe music gives us? Why do we want it? What do you really want from music?

Word, Shout, Song – Even Slavery Couldn’t Kill the Music

admin — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 16:15:07 +0000

“Word, Shout, Song” are three stories in one: scholarship and success against the odds, a quest to crack a linguistic code and a discovery spanning continents. An exhibition currently being featured at the Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum presents Lorenzo Dow Turner, the first African American linguist whose pioneering work in the 1930’s established that people of African heritage, despite slavery, had retained and passed on their cultural identity through words, music and stories wherever they landed. His research focused on the Gullah/Geechee community in South Carolina and Georgia, whose speech was dismissed as “baby talk” and “bad English.” He confirmed, however, that quite to the contrary the Gullah spoke a Creole language and that they still possessed parts of the language and culture of their captive ancestors. Turner’s linguistic explorations into the African diaspora led him to Bahia, Brazil, where he further validated his discovery of African continuities. Read more and visit the Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum

American Masters: An Evening with Quincy Jones

admin — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 16:00:24 +0000

Although Quincy Jones was doing his thing as a big band master decades before I was a living cell, I must say I’ve been a fan of Quincy Jones ever since I saw the Wiz as a child. I remember loving the orchestral arrangements for this movie. It had numerous elements of classical, jazz, blues, gospel, funk, soul and R & B wrapped up in a wonderful amalgamation of sound. No wonder I’ve never been quite at home proclaiming one genre. My musical palette is way too broad for that kind of isolation.

What better time to reflect on an American master who has contributed to not only black history, but also American history. Tune in as Gwen Ifill interviews Quincy Jones about his life and career with musical performances from artists Jones has worked with through the years, including Lesley Gore, Herbie Hancock, James Ingram, Bobby McFerrin and Bebe Winans. Check your local listings for dates and times.

Black History Month 2011: Facts on the Annual Celebration

admin — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 15:30:01 +0000

One of the running good-natured jokes about Black History Month is that it just so happens to be celebrated in February — the shortest month of the year. How did February become Black History Month? Read more

Celebrate Black History Month with Public Television

admin — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 15:15:53 +0000

Public Television’s (PBS) local affiliate stations in the DC/MD/VA area proudly celebrates Black History Month with a special lineup of nearly 20 television programs that highlight the rich culture and history of African Americans. Check your local listings for dates and times.