Kent Communications - Kent Blog

RoyaL KenT RaaaadiO

Wed, 7 Mar 2007 16:49:25 CST

RINGTONES

Ringtones you can be proud of! Unique, dynamic and positive! Your friends will wonder not only whose calling you, but where did you get that Ringtone?

Song	Download	Price
Walkin'		$.99

Jah Provide		$.99

Ringtone store powered by iSOUND.COM

Art As Business

Sun, 18 Jun 2006 23:16:13 CDT

The Art Of The Deal, the best seller written by Donald Trump, is a very compelling title. It reflects both business and art. So what does that mean to an artist? Most artist I know confess having an aversion to business. I had one myself for many years. Yet at the same time, I always had an entrepreneurial fire in me.

Maybe you do too. Think of business as an art.

I think the main problem I had with “business” was the money and the sales part of it. I had been under the impression that “money was the root of all evil.” I wanted no part of it. As far as the sales part…I wanted no part of that either. Nevertheless, my first real professional job was a sales job. I worked as a young 20 year old salesman for Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. Don’t get me wrong, I needed money and I was smart enough to know that much. But I learned something from that company, which was one of the biggest in the country at the time. I learned that “nothing happens until a sale is made.” Something for all artists to ponder.

For those of you that love what you do, just imagine how much you would love it if it supported you. If it paid the bills. Well, guess what. It can and should support you. So, let’s get down to business. Let’s talk about your art as a business. And it doesn’t matter if you’re a musician, painter, photographer, writer, dancer, comedian, DJ, glass blower or dog walker.

The first thing you want to do is decide on the name of your business. Then, go down to the nearest City Hall and apply for a DBA (Doing Business As). It is very inexpensive to set up a dba, yet it gives you the ability to open a bank account in the company name. Afterwards, visit your local libraries business section where you can select books on the various aspects of running your own business. Look for books on business plans first, then accounting, marketing, website design and so on. Seek out competent legal representation. For example, in the Bay Area we have the non-profit, Lawyers For The Arts. I’m sure there are similar organizations in your area.

Look into the best structure for your company, for example, sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, LLC and so on. If you need to raise capital to get started, consider all of your options. My strategy was to pitch anyone who would listen. You may want to start with family, friends, co-workers and even bosses. Anyone you can think of, ‘cause nothing happens until a sale is made. Feel me? Paint the picture, share your vision. The supporter will come forward. Let them know that you know…nothing trumps cash in the bank.

COPUS

Wed, 5 Apr 2006 01:25:19 CDT

Many our the original fans of COPUS were in attendance of our “round 2” at the Emergenza Festival held at 12 Galaxies in San Francisco’s Mission district. To say the least we were proud of the turnout of old and new fans alike. How good and how pleasant it was to be amongst those who have seen and heard us through all of our transitions over the years.

Prior to our set, we were met in the greenroom by a dynamic women / priestess who is known as Mother Mars. She came to guide the band in a prayer and meditation before embarking upon the stage. There we were, a group of 8 or 10 people holding hands in a circle, with heads bowed and eyes closed, calling upon the ancestors for their presence and guidance through.

Once we hit the stage, the audience let out an enthusiastic cheer. We felt right at home. The band was ready. I was ready. From the first note Wendy sounded on the keys, it was on. The Fool. After all it was April 1, Fools Day. The audience ate it with a spoon. It was the feeling we have strived for these 10 years. Wendy and I. It was “University Meets The Street”! Everyone in the place knew they were in for an musical and poetic experience.

THE FOOL

Now you may all sit there and wonder

Just what manner of fool under

The all mighty sun

Has nerve enough to stand there

Telling everyone

The things he’s been told

I bet you think he’s pretty bold

But he tells just the same

It was for this he came

So it would be wise

Not to just sit there and criticize

But take of what he says what you can

And then my friend just

Spit out the rest

Well and then

Further on up the road

There just may a fool

Standing there telling everyone

The things he’s been told

May that fool

Be you

For Grandmother

Tue, 7 Feb 2006 13:23:43 CST

*****************************

She is the Matriarch
She gave so freely
She gave us sustenance
To carry us daily

She provided a home
From which we could grow
Little else we need to know
She is the Matriarch

Mother, Grandmother
Great Grandmother
Great, Great Grandmother
Mae T Edwards

You God gave us
To bear us
To love us
To nurture us

We are yours forever
We are proud
We are strong
We love you

We are your son's
Sons, Daughters
And Grandchildren
We are EDWARDS

**************************

Grandmother Passing

Fri, 3 Feb 2006 19:08:12 CST

Dear Dad,

I didn’t go into work today after receiving your email about Grandmother’s passing. Someone once told me that when a close family member passed on, spend time soaking up their spirit. I’m doing that as I go through the day.

It has brought in a flood of memories to me. The one that I have a special affinity for is the time I had returned to Los Angeles right after being discharged from the Navy. At one point, when I was between addresses, Grandmother gave me a home. I remember getting up every morning to go to work, (I had my first sales gig at Metropolitan Life Insurance Company), and having to push my little MGB out of her driveway to get it started.

One morning Grandmother and I were talking, as we always did, about my goals and aspirations. At one point, she said to me…“I don’t know if you will reach your goals, but I know one thing; You’ve got the willpower!” I was 20 years old. I have carried those words with me from that day ‘til this day.

She could be pretty ornery though. A couple of times she scared the living daylights out of me. The next day, however, she would cook me a mouth watering meal and that would be the end of it. What I learned from her is, it is not the getting there, it is what you make of the road you take.

When you took me to visit Grandmother last year, after not seeing her for many years, I was thrilled to see and be with her. You may remember as she looked at the promo photograph of me and Wendy as Copus, she asked me..."what kind of hat is that you have on"?

It is a crown, Grandmother. The one you gave to me!

It’s to the journey we give everything

The stops along the way

The roads in between

Praises be we’re not fooled by the suffering

For it’s to the journey

We give everything

In living

In dying

In the middle of a dream

We give and we take

But of nothing

Except for the sake

Of spreading our wings

It’s to the journey

We give everything

Fly on, Grandmother, fly on home. Fly on to the place Dad calls ‘A Better Place’.

Thank you for showing me that I too have wings. Thank you for what you have given me and for what you have given to all of us. May God rest you up real good! Your work is done. You did your work well. Peace be upon You.

Love,

Royal

Seashore

Wed, 1 Feb 2006 02:09:55 CST

Our Souls Collided

Upon the Seashore

Neptune swept us

To Safety

And Two Elephants

Rose Up

From Deep Beneath

The Sea

Sacred Ground Touched

Our Feet And

I Remember Laughing

In Unison

We lit Candles

Recited Poetry to Our Ancestors

And Then We Danced

The Night Away

A Crown

A Crystal

A Rose Pedal

The Future

Colliding on the Seashore

We Danced all Night

Upon The Seashore