March 1, 2010 by Jamal Mathis.

Just yesterday, I ministered to a woman’s prison. I was there to accompany my praise team to jump start the service. We ministered in song, praise dance, and word. The event was very high and emotional. The ladies in the prison are receptive and loves to praise and worship God. Before we could go inside to minister, we had to go through security. Just like at the airport. Once we walked in, the ladies stood up and applauded like we were the president. Before we ministered, we prayed and set everything up.

During the program, there was laughter, cries, shouts, claps, and hugs. I even shed some tears because I was touched. By the end, we all had a chance to talk with the ladies and encourage them. They were even begging me to come back and minister to them again at least every now and them. I told them I’ll pray about that. Although it was my first time, I enjoyed it.

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February 24, 2010 by Jamal Mathis.

It was a regular day on that Monday (Feb. 22, 2010) when my vehicle clutch pedal went out. I was about to bag out of my parking space when all of a sudden, the clutch pedal was stuck to the floor and wouldn’t come up. I was glad that I wasn’t stranded on the side of the road. I went back inside and called the auto service company to come out and tow my vehicle to get it fixed. I asked them how much would it cost to get it fixed, and they told me around $65o.00, but if I had to get the clutch pedal replaced, it would be between $1200-$1300. I knew that would set me back a bit, but praise God, my total bill was $776.28. My clutch didn’t have to be replaced, the cylinder of the clutch needed to be fixed. All the other fees was for labor, towing, and parts. I needed a vehicle to get from point A to point B, so it didn’t take a long time for them to fix the vehicle.

When the towing company came to my place to tow the vehicle, the auto service company was about to close, so we headed back to another auto service company so they can fix it. It was on the other side of town. When we arrived, most of the mechanics weren’t present for me to talk to, so I called there main phone line and spoke with a representative. Unfortunately, I had to keep the vehicle their so they can work on it the next day, but it was done. The towing company dropped me back home, and during the way, I started a conversation with him. His name was Mark. He was a cool guy, and really enjoyed his job. I invited him to one of my upcoming shows so he can check me and my band out. He gladly accepted and said he would also invite his family.

I didn’t know from a minor breakdown of my vehicle, I would make a connection. However, all things happen for a reason right? So from now on, I’m going to take life as it comes. No matter what happens good or bad, I will look for the positive out of every situation. How about you? Let me know if you experienced something like this. Talk to you later.

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February 7, 2010 by Jamal Mathis.

Barnabas Oroka Wamao comes to you as a chaste Tenor, second Born of the wamao’s ABC. Abigael, Barnabas, and cleopas. Barnabas is a mold of his late father (Wilfred Wamao Ongwenyi.) A musician, a teacher and Izri choir director, he captivated his son to that love of sacred songs. Barnabas hails from the great Republic of Kenya, he is a major vocalist, song writer, and producer. Praise to be almighty! Psalm 100. Currently Barnabas is working on an album “Footsteps” a solemn tribute to a man who God chose to give talent and then decided to split it in half for his son. Songs on the album are total collections of hymns that dad loved to train his choir and fortunately they happen to be those loved by most congregations. These specific hymns talk about love, peace, true and, dedication to our maker. However, have been rearranged from their original style to the next level. Many artists might perceive hymns as a forgotten case, but to Barnabas they are food to his soul, a parody uprooted from his father. “Dad’s volume 8 cassette always makes me want to cry” “Footsteps” cd would not come any better time than this, when our current society is so pe perplexed. Barnabas is tirelessly working to make sure his peers get to that kingdom of heaven, he also hopes that this music he presents will speak life to your dead issues. Barnabas first took stage at 10 with a junior choir that his dad began to train when no one else could at Nyanchwa Seventh Day Schools. (Naps) they ended up recording a single. Since then Barnabas has not rested on pulling together musical notes, in high school he joined men’s chorus later joined the jazz and ensemble which travelled to Carnegie Hall in New York City 2005. Later back in Minnesota he had a tremendous opportunity to sing in the Ordway performing Arts Center. In November 2008, Barnabas collaborated with Jamal Mathis a jazz legend (Pianist, Composer and Producer) and other gospel singers at the Dallas Convention Center for a benefit Concert. Barnabas is also looking forward to teaming up with R&J on an upcoming cd the duet (….) Barnabas is so glad to take the advent word in this generation, be it any day of the week, any minute of the hour or any second of a minute. He’s always prepared. Barnabas’s style music is being shaped day by day and hoping to be bring you more soulful music. He is unstoppable and surely this cd won’t be his last. “Foosteps” cd release. Coming to stores near you 2010. Stay tuned and May the Lord meet your needs today. “I encourage each and all to listen to music as much as you use water, for it is essential to your soul” -Barnabas Oroka Wamao

For more information, visit: http://www.myspace.com/bwamao

http://www.bwamao.com

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January 24, 2010 by Jamal Mathis.

CD Baby will donate $1 toward Haitian earthquake relief for every CD and album download I sell online.

The earthquake and its aftermath in Haiti have touched all of our lives. Many have already contributed as individuals, but we can always do more to help the victims of the horrible earthquake tragedy. By purchasing my music on CD Baby, you can help raise funds towards those affected by the disaster.

Starting on Monday, January 25th and continuing for two weeks, CD Baby will donate $1 of their cut from every CD sale through the website, and $1 from every download sale over $8.99 on the site, to the American Red Cross and to Mercy Corps, a Portland-based relief organization with a large presence in Haiti. With your help, they hope to raise tens of thousands of dollars.

Please donate directly
I also urge you to make your own direct donation if you haven’t done so yet. Together, we can make a difference. Please click below to make your tax deductible donation right now.

Mercy Corps donation form
http://links.mkt1524.com/ctt?kn=3&m=34573305&r=OTA1MzkwOTE1S0&b=2&j=NjQ3Mjg1MjUS1&mt=1&rt=0

American Red Cross donation form
http://links.mkt1524.com/ctt?kn=11&m=34573305&r=OTA1MzkwOTE1S0&b=2&j=NjQ3Mjg1MjUS1&mt=1&rt=0

Text “Haiti” to 90999 and a $10 donation will be charged to your phone bill.

To purchase my music on CD Baby, visit these links below:

http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/jamalryan

http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/jamalmathis

I thank you for helping out during this time of great human tragedy in Haiti.

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November 17, 2008 by Jamal Mathis.

On October 2, 2008 in Washington, the Copyright Royalty Board announced new mechanical rate terms for physical products (such as CDs), permanent downloads (such as iTunes) and ringtones.  Songwriters and music publishers will be paid a rate of 9.1 cents for digital downloads. The CRB judges also ruled that the rate for physical products will remain at 9.1 cents.  Each will be subject to an overtime rate. The CRB judges also established for the first time a rate of 24 cents for each ringtone subject to the Section 115 mechanical license.  Furthermore, music publishers will have the right to seek a 1.5 percent late fee, calculated monthly.

The Board also adopted the terms of an historic industry settlement on rates for two other types of services – interactive streaming (such as some Napster services) and limited downloads (such as Rhapsody To Go). Details of that agreement between NMPA, the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI),  the Songwriters Guild of America (SGA). the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and the Digital Media Association (DIMA) were announced last week.

The announcement is the culmination of a trial that began in January, and marks the first time the Board has established mechanical royalty rates for songs distributed digitally.

The Songwriters Guild of America (SGA) said, they were gratified that the CRB has adopted these rates, which will assist music creators in their quest to make a living from their profession.

David Israelite, President and CEO of the National Music Publishers’ Association – represented songwriters and music publishers before the Board. He hailed the decision as a positive development for all songwriters and music publishers. He adds, “Today’s announcement is the culmination of months and months of tireless work by staff and outside counsel on behalf of music publishers and songwriters, and I want to acknowledge and thank them for their commitment.”

This was an excerpt of the NMPA Hails Copyright Board’s Rate Decision

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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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April 1, 2008 by Jamal Mathis.

Yes April first is my birthday. No joke. Most people can’t believe it, but it’s true. I am twenty-six today and still feel like I’m twenty-one. People asked me, “So how do you feel?” I always wondered why people ask that question when you turn a year older. Is it just a tradition?, or are you suppose to feel something when it’s your birthday? I responded, “well I’m just wiser now than I was yesterday”. I kept my schedule open just in case my family wanted to surprise me.

My parents gave me a birthday card and attached it with a Sears gift card. I guess I’ll be going shopping soon. My younger sister, now going to College in Michigan said, she was going to call me and mail to me twenty-six birthday licks to Texas. The last one being the hardest. We always do this on each of our birthday’s. Don’t worry, I don’t hit her hard anyway. Don’t know what my older sister got plan, but I’m sure she got something underneath her sleave.

For myself, I’m just going to enjoy the day and reflect on the goodnees and faithfulness of God and His favor over the past years for bringing me this far by faith. Here are a few situations on how God brought me:

1.) Just graduated from High School and had no desire to attend college. (May 2000)

My dad persuaded me to attend a Junior College for a semester. I attended and met so many friends that I decided to go all the way. I received a Performing Musician for Commercial Music Certificate (December 2002)

2.) Just wanted to get out of the house (August 2003)

I transferred to a University to experience a home away from home. Got an apartment with a roomate for a semester or two.

 3.) Roomate left me to pay the full rent by myself for a two bedroom apartment for $550.00 a month. (August 2004)

Put my faith to work. I prayed to God for wisdom in this situation, and He told me to move out and get my own place. I applied for the next available one bedroom apartment. To make a long story short, I was offered the apartment and another job to pay for the rent on my own.

4.) Graduated and couldn’t believe it (August 2006)

Thought I would never make it, but I did. Graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance. Praised God for bringing me this far by faith.

Now with my debut album completed too, I know I can do all things through Christ Jesus that gives me strength. So I believe all things are possible and I also believe that through my experiences, I have grown and matured. So all praise and glory to God Almighty.

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