Preface from the book ‘Dixie Lullaby: A Story of Music, Race, and New Beginnings in a New South,’ by Mark Kemp (Simon & Schuster, 2004; The University of Georgia Press, 2006)
The ‘Troubles’ with Mickey
A North Carolina singer revisits the ‘Wasteground’ of his Northern Ireland youth In 2018, I got a CD in the mail from an Irish singer-songwriter […]
David Childers: North Carolina’s most underrated songwriter
Facing cancer and a long-overdue honor, this small-town Renaissance man reflects on his faith, his art, and his gratitude
New Day Rising
I’m excited by the endless possibilities of where retirement will take me and the people I love during this new chapter of my life. If you’d like to join us, please follow this blog
Introducing … Cyanca
The choice was between music and track. Fortunately for all of us, this Charlotte-based hip-hop R&B singer chose music.
Mercury Rises
Kevin “Mercury” Carter released a homemade six-song EP that reveals a vocalist of uncommon abilities. Not only does his extraordinary range rival those of Prince, Mariah Carey, and Queen’s Freddie Mercury, but Carter’s nuanced sense of tone and dynamics, the melodic creativity of his arrangements, and his mature lyrical abilities are as remarkable as his voice.
Where Were You on 9/20?
I was talking to a friend recently about police violence against people of color. It hasn’t stopped. According to January 2023 data from Mapping Police Violence, Black people are still three times more likely to die at the hands of police than white people, even though they were 1.3 times less likely to be armed.
Black-Alternative Music Fest: Reclaim Your Space
A talented and energetic young singer-songwriter named Le Anna Eden decided that Charlotte, North Carolina, needed a Black alternative music festival. So she gathered her tribe and made it happen.
Erykah Badu: Hello, It’s Me
By 2012, Erykah Badu had undergone a beautiful evolution from pioneer of late-’90s neosoul to hard-hitting, politically inspired, space-funk godchild of George Clinton. I needed to talk to her. And so I did.
The Sonics: How to Lead a Punk-Rock Double Life
When mild-mannered Rob Lind isn’t on the links at Birkdale Golf Club near his home in the suburbs of Charlotte, North Carolina, he’s onstage with his legendary garage-rock band The Sonics