MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Thank you, Lord for all of the blessings you have rained down on me this past year. Though Ive gone through many trials, and struggles, I am thankful for the fact that you sent your son from heaven to die on a cross for the sins of mankind. I ask that if you allow me to see tomorrow, that you would guide my steps so that you get the glory for all of my success. Amen

Count Your Blessings

I was just walking down the streets of downtown Duval, and I looked down and saw a program for a funeral. The deceased was a child named Jared...9 months old. It just made me think of how blessed I was to even have made it this far, especially at my age. I'm young, but by music industry standards, I'm approaching my climax! Hopefully, a lush retirement is waitin for me at around 30 (*wink*).

Deep Inside A Don, Part II

...For about 8 years my piano teacher, Cameron Warner, would come to my house once a week and teach me different fundamentals, techniques, and musical theories regarding reading music. Every week at the end of my lesson I would ask him to play whatever piece he left for me once, so I could "hear how it sounded". Little did he know that I NEVER understood what the notes on the pag really meant, or how to read them, but my ear was so detailed that I could play exactly what he played when he came back that next week. My mother finally figured it out when she started watching me practice...with no sheet music! She immediately took me out of lessons b/c it was a waste of money at that point. So there it is...I never really learned how to read music, I go strictly off of what I hear, and lately, what God has put in my soul.

About 4 years ago I completely stopped watching television (well, music videos to be exact) and listening to the radio b/c I needed to develop my own sound. A purely sonic representation of what I am, unadulterated by the perverse shell of what used to be a reputable industry. I had to disappear off of the face of the planet for a minute, and I'll admit that it took a while, but I think I'm finally ready. I parallel it to how there is nothing documented about Jesus Christ between the ages of approximately 18-30 (don't quote me on that).

Last night I dreamt of snow and thoughts of all the family I have lost dwelled on my spirit...what does this mean?

Enough with the intro...It's Time

Aight yall, truthfully, this blog is the only spot I feel I can really let some of my feelings go. It's my new outlet and release from the world. I wont be giving my whole life stories at once, but I'll be doing the whole Tarantino thing, giving you glances into the past as my future continues. So here goes...

I believe you will need to know a lil bit about me before you begin this odyssey. I was born Jameyel Ontonio Johnson, an 11 pound baby born to a beautiful, fair-skinned, backwoods N. Carolina native on Labor Day (how ironic!) in 1984. I have two sisters, and my parents are still together after 30-somethin years. I was four years old when my musical gift from God manifested itself in the form of defiance and Beethoven's 5th symphony. My sister had been takin piano lessons for a couple of years at the time and I wasnt really allowed to bother her while she was playing, but for some reason one day, I REALLY wanted to play! I had never played before, but I just knew deep down in my soul that I could play what she was playing. After a swift pop on the bottom, my mother sent me back to my room. Crushed, I waited until her lesson was over and everyone was going to bed before I crept back in the room where the piano was. I struggled a little bit climbing up the previously mountainous piano bench, and slowly opened the piano. There were no music sheets on the mantle, no notes, and no teachers. There was only a memory that had been there ever since my sister was playing...and it wouldn't go away until I played it! So I sat there, four years old, and played what I had heard (Beethoven's 5th symphony) by ear! My mother promptly told my sister to go to bed, thinking she was up playing when she wasnt supposed to be, but when the playing didnt stop, she marched in the room and stopped dead in her tracks when she saw her young son smiling at her while continuing to play. The next week, I was in lessons too! I stayed in lessons for around 8 years, but NEVER learned how to read music!!! How? (to be continued...)

A Looney Tune Christmas

So I'm back in Jacksonville on the corporate grind right now. While I'm here, I might as well make moves, right? I'm slowly, but tactically leaking out some tracks from the "The Odyssey Of A Corporate Looney Tune" album, and thus far I have heard nothing but positive feedback. I am now in contact with Sweetwater's production studio about some mastering work for the project. I'm still waitin on Breez to send me some copies of the mixtape (10-20-Life, hosted by DJ Drama and the Aphilliates) so I can get them out to you hungry individuals!

In January, I'll be joining The Recording Academy, so I can attend the Grammy Awards. I'll be able to bring guests with me also, but as soon as I link of with the people in the Florida chapter (who happen to be located in Miami, the same place where my artist will be moving to) I try to sprinkle some pixie dust on my rolodex so that mug can fly high!

But somehow, even though I can work in corporate america, run my business, plant seeds in lost souls, and continue to make music...I still don't know what to get my fam for Christmas!

Just Taking A Minute...

I just wanted to take the time to give glory to my Lord, and Savior, Jesus Christ for He is doing in my life, and the lives of those around me. His blessings keep coming down and I don't have room to receive 'em. Push come to shove, I can't ever let any of this get to my head because NONE of this would be possible without heavenly grace.

To everyone listening, you will always hear me glorifying God in my music ...

What's Happening?!?!

Lately I have been put under a lot of high-pressure, high-stress situations, and for some reason I'm making more quality music, more frequently than I ever have! I have had final exams, recording sessions, meetings, phone negotiations, and legal council meetings, but I've somehow managed to make at least two beats per day! I guess I work better under these conditions. Mincey's mixtape is finished and is scheduled for release VERY early in 2006. This will be the year that SlapDash Productions starts to stand above the rest. Stay tuned to witness the creation of a dynasty!!!

Awkward Moment Of The Week!

Don't you hate it when you're talkin' to somebody and then when the conversation is over and you've said your farewells, both of you start walking in the same direction?! There are two things you can do at this point: 1.) Laugh it off, or 2.) Ignore the person's existence even though they just sat down on the bus next to you and you're the only 2 people on it.

Now, imagine if that happened right after you broke up with your significant other...

Agbedidi Africa

4 Days.
4 Shows.
A tiring, but fulfilling experience that resulted in two job offers in Jacksonville and a thought of goin on a European tour with world reknown percussionist/choreographer, Mohamed DaCosta. Every show was packed, and on the last day we brought the audience up on stage to dance with us. By the end of the last show my arms felt like a separate part of my body and my hands felt like a mix of porcupine and sandpaper! In other news, following the show I went to publix and picked up the newest copy of scratch magazine and saw the keyboard of my dreams! It's called the OASYS and cost a little more than I can afford at the moment ($8499.00), but I'll make it happen.

Check it out at http://www.sweetwater.com/feature/korg/