Learning From the Greats

Today was wonderful at Verve Records. I got the opportunity to meet a legend, Gene Paul, Les Paul's son. Les Paul was the first to develop the multi-track studio. Y'all know about the Les Paul guitar, right? Well, anyway, my supervisor, Jesse, and I had to drop off some music so it could get mastered. Jesse introduced me to all of the engineers, but it didn't ring a bell that Gene was Les Paul's son. I started looking around at some of the pictures on the walls of the studio. Then suddenly, I saw a picture of Atlantic recording artists, Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett, and Donny Hathaway, together. I was tripping out. Y'all know that Donny Hathaway is one of my favorite singers!!! "That's Gene Paul, right there," Jesse said. He was standing right next to Aretha and Donny in the photo. I was tripping out! I later realized that the man who was mastering our music was Gene Paul. I was about to go crazy! This man has engineered some history’s greatest albums. He engineered all of Donny Hathaway's albums. He engineered Aretha's "Young, Gifted and Black" album and he engineered Roberta Flack's hit, "Killing Me Softly With His Song." I was about to lose my mind!!!
We sat there for hours talking. He talked about going on the road with his father, seeing Ella Fitzgerald perform when he was a kid, and he told stories about all of his legendary studio sessions. I was like a kid in a candy store. He talked about how he remembered watching Aretha Franklin singing on Ed Sullivan; he hoped to work with her someday. Years later he found himself engineering most of her albums on Atlantic. That story blew my mind. He told us that Donny was a genius. Everything that Donny touched was amazing!! He told us when Donny died; everyone was so torn up at Atlantic.
As the hours went by, I sat there with my mouth wide open. This man worked with the greats. He kept emphasizing how important it is to learn from the greats. He didn't believe the "kids" today were educating themselves. He felt like the music today is not reflecting pure talent; I wanted to give him a high five after that comment (hence Paris Hilton's new album). This man had some wisdom; I could have picked his brain all day. I can't believe how God is working things out. My passion has been ignited again. As a young artist, it is our obligation to the artists who came before us, to revive music into its original purpose: to heal, to uplift, and to empower. The world is waiting!
Let’s live out our passions,
Ra

The Legendary Buck O'Neil (1911-2006)

My mother told me this morning that Buck O'Neil passed away a couple of days ago. I've been behind on the news since I don't own a TV. Buck O'Neil is gone; I was tripping out. He became a hometown hero in Kansas City. He was a part of the Kansas City Monarchs along with Satchel Paige during the Negro Baseball League. He also became the first black coach of a baseball team. He was also influential in creating the Negro Baseball League Museum on historic 18th & Vine. The museum is truly amazing!! He worked there as chairman up until his death. It's actually directly down the street from my mother's house.
He was a legend. Whenever I would see him around town, I would become star struck. I always wanted to sit down and talk with him, pick his brain. I wanted to just soak up his wisdom and lsiten to his stories. I'm sad that I never got the chance to meet him. The last time that I was in Kansas City, I saw him getting out of his gold Cadilac in front of the museum. I should have approached him.
It's unfortunate that he didn't make it into the Baseball Hall of Fame this year, but it didn't bother him. He walked this earth for 94 years impacting this world, giving hope and diginty to African Americans, that's the greatest honor. I hope to follow in his footsteps. I hope that God would allow me to live a purposeful, long life, so that I might be able to leave a legacy that will never be forgotten. Thank you Buck, for showing this world that a life soley based on God can create a wellspring of blessings. You have impacted me.
Thank you,
Raffeal A. Sears
P.S. Check out MSN's video tribute to Buck O'Neil. Feel free to leave comments.

Makin' Whoopi

What's good y'all,
It's been a while. Warning: THIS IS GOING TO BE A LONG ENTRY But you don't care, because you are going to read every word, right? RIGHT?? God has been blowing my mind, y'all. Let's start with today. Y'all I got to meet Whoopi Goldberg at Barnes and Noble today. I almost lost my mind!!!! She was doing a signing for her new children's book, "Whoopi's Big Book of Manners." Everyone lined up to get an autograph; everyone was ready to take pictures. I wanted to be set apart; I wanted her to notice me. I asked God if He would show His favour on me.
So, I finally got to the front of the line; I was trying to get my words together, because I knew that my time was limited. I finally got right in front of her my heart was beating so fast. She reached for my book, ready to sign it. "I don't want your autograph," I said. "I just wanted to thank you for your body of work. I am an aspiring actor/ singer. I just moved to New York to further my career. Thank you so much for inspiring me." She put the sharpie down, sat back in her chair, and grinned. "Thank you so much,"she sighed. "I really appreciate that. You made my day." I was going crazy inside. I wanted to say, "Fo' Real?"
I couldn't leave. I still wanted to tell her what was on my heart. STALKER,RIGHT?! (LOL) I sat in the back of the room and started writing a letter. I wanted to emphasize my desire to learn. After reading, Rainer Maria Rilke's book, "Letters to a Young Poet" (Y'all Need to read this) I've been so inspired to go for my dreams. She gave “Letters” to Lauryn Hill's character in Sister Act 2. I believe if you truly want to be great, you have to learn from the greats. I just told her that I want her wisdom on becoming a better actor/ performer.
I jumped back into the line once the line got shorter. I was nervous. “Were they going to turn me away?” I finally approached her; she greeted me with a big smile. I put the letter in her hands. “Now, I’m not trying to stalk you!!! (lol) She laughs. “I didn’t get to tell you what was truly on my heart, so I decided to write you a letter.” “You are all right,” she laughs and gives me a high five. I was on cloud 9. God is the bomb!!
Last night, my boy Chester and I went to the famous Blue Note. Now, y’all, this is the place where famous jazz cats like Sarah Vaughan, Count Basie, George Benson, and Ray Charles performed. I was trippin’. We went to see Robert Glasper’s band and special guest Talib Kweli. Marcus (Hill), “Lil’ Lil’ Boy” the drummer was amazing!!! His name was Chris Dave (www.myspace.com/chrisdaddydave). The band was amazing!!! Talib came out and rocked it. He did some new materials which were hot!!! I can’t believe all that I’m experiencing.
God, is doing His thing!! I just can’t wait to see what God has in store. I have to remember this day. I have to remind myself of God’s grace and blessings, so I can combat the dark hours of discouragement and warfare. It is so easy to forget what He’s done when darkness arise; I’m so bad at that. Well, y’all keep praying for me. New music is on its way. God’s been teaming me up with some really creative people. We’ve been really vibing. Pray that God would lead me to those who are like minded and willing to help make my dreams come true. Still looking for a church, please pray. I’ve seen some bad days, but days like this have to override my bad days. I have not time to fret and feel discouraged. God, Jesus Christ, is powerful and He lives in me. I’ll be ok. Well, until then, I’ll talk to y’all later.

Peace,
Ra
P.S. I just got my Bible Experience audio Bible. If you haven’t ordered or picked up these CDs you are sleep. Wake up!!!!!