September 8, 2010 by Jamal Mathis.

It has now been one year ago since the legendary musical icon Michael Jackson had died. He was the only artist I’ve imitated when I was a kid back in the day. Dancing as he did while playing his song: “Billie Jean” and doing the moonwalk. When I had heard the news, I was shocked and appalled. I started to think who was behind this tragedy. It was hard to believe that he had passed away like he did. I’ll admit, I shed a few tears when his daughter said a few words about him at his memorial service. That was very touching. No one will ever come close to his talent, and I doubt that anyone will ever surpass him. He has set the bar very high for the next soon to be musical icon. My favorite performances of his was: “Billie Jean” at the Motown 25, and the Superbowl halftime show.I had the chance to visit his small humbled beginnings in Gary, Indiana. 2300 Jackson Street, was where the Jackson’s lived and began their musical journey. It was an honor just viewing their house from the outside. While I stood their gazing, I heard loud music from across the street. Some of the neighborhood people were selling posters of Michael Jackson, and his music. They know tourist stop by and take pictures of the house and stuff, so now it’s sort of like a tourist site. I’m sure the Jackson’s still own the house and everything, but I’m assuming just to remember Michael’s passing, the neighborhood people wanted to honor him as well. Here are a few of the pictures I took from my phone.

I also visited the original Motown Records building founded by Berry Gordy Jr. Just to be on the scene taking pictures and seeing it in the flesh made me realize that you don’t have to have a big studio or room to produce a good professional recording. They purchased the building on a $2000.00 dollar loan and began its journey. Here are a few more pictures that I took on my phone. Enjoy!!!…

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May 3, 2010 by Jamal Mathis.

Every year, ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers) does a major music conference and workshop for their members and anyone who is willing to attend. The conference features interviews, live showcases of performers, one-on-one sessions, lectures regarding the music industry, and a networking reception. I’ve attended my first ASCAP EXPO this year, which was held at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel in LA California. The experience was very encouraging and motivational. Most of the information that was given at the EXPO was information I already know. However, to be up close and personal at the EXPO was very rewarding. I had a chance to meet and greet with top music executives, and various songwriters, composers, authors, and publishers.

This year’s EXPO conference was April 22-24. I arrived at the EXPO a day before just to get a feel of it. That day, I made sure I received my badge, and just walked around and did a few sight seeing round Hollywood Boulevard. When the next day came, the EXPO began, and it started with the ASCAP’s General Membership Meeting. Which was lectures on the current operations of ASCAP and the financial reports. It was also, highlighting the many ASCAP members careers in music and awards received within the previous and current year. Throughout the three days of the EXPO, I’ve attended meetings and lectures that I thought would be beneficial to advancing my career as a musician, artist, composer, publisher, songwriter, and producer.

The first day, I attended: The Membership Meeting, Making the scene as a TV composer, We Create Music (interviews of top producers, songwriters, and composers), Exploring the International Market, and the Networking Reception. On the next day, I attended: Music Licensing, To Feature Film Score, Emerging Writer Teams, Publishers & Writers/Artists Development, and Quincy Jones Interviewed by Ludacris. The final day, I attended: Copyright Issues, Production Music Libraries, Rocking the Cradle (writing music for children programs) and Bill Withers interviewed by Justin Timberlake.

The most valuable feedback I’ve received from this EXPO was to work very hard to get to where you want to be in this industry. No one will do it for you, you have to do it yourself. The secret is who you know in the industry that can be of assistance. It’s all about connections. For example, if you’re an independent film maker just starting out who needs a film composer to write the music for your film, how do you go about finding such a person? By word of mouth, asking your colleagues who they know or worked with, attending music conferences, and or calling/looking for ads in music magazines, and music trade publications for composers. Go where the stuff is happening, or take a business trip and network your butt off. Be sure to contact me if you need a composer, orchestrator, pianist, arranger, transcriber, or producer for your project at: www.jamalmathis.com.

September 30, 2008 by Jamal Mathis.

Last year ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers) held a meet and greet party in Corpus Christi, Texas. This party was FREE and opened to the public. The main purpose of this party was to network with various composers, arrangers, songwriters, musicians, artists, lyricists, and publishers. I attended with my parents. We really didn’t have to RSVP because it was opened to the public as well. However, once we arrived, we got a hotel and unpacked. I gathered all my information I was going to freely pass out at the event. Once we arrived at the event, I heard everyone speaking spanish. I was shocked and apauled. I thought, “does anyone here speak english”? The majority of people there were Hispanics, and Latinos. My parents and I sat down at a table in the middle of the room and tried to socialize. They said, “well since we’re already here and drove all this way, you might as well make some kind of contact”. I thought the same, so I got up from the table and made a few rounds. I came across a mother and her teenage daughter. They sat right beside our table. They wasn’t really walking around socializing as much, so I approached them. I sat down at their table and introduced myself. I asked them their profession in the music industry, and the mother answered me saying, “we’re not in the music business profession, we’re just here to meet artist and to know more about ASCAP”.

I told them everything I knew about ASCAP and tried to convince them that they should join the organization. Anyway, a few minutes had passed and the host of the party started a prize drawing. Afterwards, everyone started taking pictures. I tried to take some, but the room was too dark. So, my parents and I took some pictures on the beach the next day just to remember the event. It was a great time for me, and I’m sure for my parents as well, but I did get some business cards, and gave my information to whomever wanted it too. Although this event wasn’t what I expected, I still had a good time meeting and greeting various publishers and composers in the Latin genre. (enjoy the pix we took @ the beach the following day below)…

Me relaxing on the beach.

Mom and Dad relaxing on the beach.

Here are just a few more pictures we took in the city area in Corpus Christi. I don’t remember, but I think this was a Catholic Church across from the beach.

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