One on One with Dream: The Urban Musical Star SIERGIO

As soon as Empire goes off make sure you log onto www.theurbanmusical.com and continue the vibe of good music and entertainment. September 23, 2015 is the premiere of Dream: The Urban Musical, a web series that features talent in the Atlanta area. This week I had a conversation with SIERGIO who plays the main character of Chase, a hungry and ambitious young man who has dreams of becoming an actor and singer. During the series Chase gets the opportunity to pursue his dreams while struggling to balance family, romance and the temptations of the industry. SIERGIO says he has a strong connection to the character because he is also a big dreamer and is no stranger to hardships. 

The series was created by talented celebrity director Theshay West who realized his skill and knack for performance when he was working as an extra. SIERGIO made a connection with the crew and was later invited back to become a main character. He spoke about the amazing chemistry with the other actors and how they are a big family.  When asked why audiences should tune into this series he explained the relatability and talent. "We all have a dream whether it's to act, sing, write, fashion design or start a non-profit everyone is a dreamer," he said.   

SIERGIO has been making music for years and is a very talented performer. In my opinion, his music gives you the feel of the old RnB we all miss with a contemporary flow and style. Currently, he's working on his LP "Songs for the Jeep." He emphasized how close and personal this project is to him. His hope is that it speaks to at least one person. SIERGIO grew up in Chicago and is a graduate of THEE Clark Atlanta University. 

Check out the trailer for Dream:The Urban Musical and let me know what you guys think of it! 

Twitter/IG: @Siergio 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SiergioMusic

Twitter/IG: @TheUrbanMusical

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheUrbanMusical/

TheUrbanMusical.com

 #WatchDreamAfterEmpire 

-- <33 AKC

A.K.C. LLC Press Release

Hey Guys!

As you know I'm a firm believer in passion and entrepreneurship. 

Therefore, I've really been working on growing A.K.C. LLC. I'm sending out my press release this week. I'd appreciate it if you all can share it with your network, and I'd love to hear feedback. I'm really excited about this. 

In advance, thanks for the support and continuing to read my blog! As corny as this sounds I really hope these posts encourage others to go after their dreams and aspirations. Some things I do to make a living. AKC articles are simply a fun way to inspire others.  I hope its working. :) 

-- <33 AKC 

A.K.C. LLC Press Release 

________________________________________________

(HAMPTON ROADS, VA)-SEPT. 14, 2015-A.K.C. LLC is an emerging media company serving the Hampton Roads, DC area and beyond. The goal of AKC staff is to create compelling, unique and marketable content for clientele. AKC staff specialize in promotional and creative video, public relations and the curation of entertainment.  

The first element of the company is the creation of promotional and creative video.  Clients who wish to create a video promotion go through a host of three meetings.  The first determines the need of the client and goals of their campaign.  The following is a brainstorm session where various solutions and ideas are presented.  Finally, the last meeting serves as simply a wrap-up. Budget and marketing plan is agreed upon and the creative process begins.  The second  element is public relations.  AKC contains a collection of writers, bloggers, radio personalities, actors and more.  These individuals vary in experience and personality. The team works to find exposure opportunities through online, radio, television and live event exposure. The company believes that luck is when preparation meets opportunity. AKC clients are talented and have worked very hard for their positions. AKC works to ensure they get the luck and exposure they deserve. “The DMV area has so much talent. It is my hope to use my passion for entrepreneurship to highlight the talent of the community,”says creator Kirby Carroll. 

 AKC also produces content through web-series, short-films, exclusive interviews and television. In order to schedule a consolation or view their content interested parties should visit the website online at AskKirbyCarroll.com 

info@askKirbyCarroll.com

@askKirbyCarroll

Talent of the Month: Dominique Da Diva

It's important to dream but it's also important WORK.  August's talent of the month is someone who I really feel embodies that idea.  She's  grinded really hard to get where she is, and now she's one of the biggest radio personalities in the Hampton Roads area! What is your dream? What is your passion? I challenge you to go after it!

Check out Dominqiue's bio below!  

From her humble beginnings at WBTJ-Richmond 106.5 THE BEAT, Dominique's charismatic personality, passion for music & ability to captivate an audience immediately shined through. A native of Richmond, VA Dominique is a graduate of Virginia State University with a B.A. in Mass Communications Radio/Television. Joining the esteemed Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated while at VSU gave her a renewed focus in the importance of teamwork and accountability in her own community.

Her favorite saying may be that "being a 'Diva' is just an attitude, but it's more than just a catchphrase. She models that quote after the way a young woman carries herself with respect, confidence and poise. She embodies  a "Diva" personality, making it less about singular success and more about knowing your worth and never settling for less. "Every woman should add DIVA to their name!"

You can currently catch her on air on WOWI- 103 JAMZ in through out the VA Beach area Monday-Saturday 10a-2p! & also in her hometown of Richmond, VA during the weekend on WBTJ-106.5 THE BEAT. Catch her while you can! This diva has her focus on being the next multi-media queen!

IG/Twitter: @dominiquedadiva


-- <33 @askKirbyCarroll 

Talent of the Month:Ronnique Murray

Ronnique was born & raised in Washington, D.C.  She trained in classical ballet throughout her youth, Ronnique has studied a wide range of styles including Jazz, Pointe, Lyrical, Praise, Tap, Hip-hop, African, swing & Modern.  Ronnique was a member of Donna Apperson ‘A company’ ensemble for five years throughout Maryland. This experience exposed Ronnique to a range of musical styles—which continues to inspire her to this day.  Since 2006, Ronnique has performed extensively as a soloist throughout the metropolitan area including performance in Apperson’s show solo debut Haunted at the LaPlata College of Southern Maryland.  She was also invited to perform at the Virginia Beach Health & Dance Conference and LilyVonn dance company in 2009.  Ronnique has had the opportunity to perform in works by Daniel Gwirtzman (‘Volcano’)file:///Users/Kirbycwright/Desktop/Screen%20Shot%202015-07-05%20at%207.36.03%20PM.png, Judith Steel (‘Night Chatter’), Rodney Williams (‘Fix Me’) at the Grace Street theater in Richmond, VA as well as Scott Putman (‘Equalizing the Lines: Prelude to a new dream’), a work performed in Richmond: 34: VUU student sit-in Thalheimer project which was headlined under singer John Legend.  In 2010, Ronnique was featured in a reconstruction of the seminal work ‘Shelter’ by Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, Founder of The Urban Bush Woman Dance Company which aired in a documentary on PBS station.  Ronnique has a BFA in Dance& Choreography from Virginia Commonwealth University.  Ms. Murray has choreographed as well as co-choreographed for various dance competitions, showcases, pageants, and volunteers at local middle/high schools teaching workshops.  She began her professional teaching career as a High School Dance Teacher at Fairmont High School located in Fairmont, NC and currently teaching at various public school systems in the MD/VA instructing Jazz, Modern & Hip-Hop.  Ms. Murray debuted her one woman show titled "The MENstrual Show" in March 2015 in Washington, DC as well as her second work "Ugly Disposition: The Ronni Kitt Story at The Howard Theatre in Washington, DC.  Ronnique is now working with Clancyworks Dance Company, Roger Lee Dance Company, LLC & various choreographers and continuing to present choreographed solo/ensemble work in the metropolitan area. Ms. Murray is a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.

Check out her work here: https://vimeo.com/131383930

Her new work Ugly Disposition: The Ronni Kit Story will be presented in a showcase in Washington DC called GLIMPSE on Wed. July 18, 2015 at 7PM 

--AKC <33

Indie Artist Spotlight: Twan Swanson

Check out my Q&A with indie Ohio artist Twan Swanson. 

1. When did you get started in music?

Twan Swanson (L)

    - Originally my Madre set me up for Piano lessons when I was probably 9 or something. But as of now I've really been doing music with a focus and goal, consistently for 2 and a half years. Going to buy medicine from my local pharmacist, he and a friend of his were making beats, I was always curious to see what I could come up with, creatively, with music. I saw that time as an opportunity to do so. Ever since that day I've been doing music with a focus on a daily basis.

2. What inspires your music?

  - Life inspires my music. Feelings, emotions, ideas, theories. Things I feel should be said or need to be. Lack of artistry in music now a days, lack of soul. I only write songs in moments that come naturally. I try not to force any part of the process. 

3. Your music seems a lot more conscious than other artists, agree or disagree? 

  - if by conscious, you mean aware of our surroundings, real life, then I would say I'm very conscious. I feel any music made  is conscious in some matter, everything is apart of life, everything is real, even being fake. People can be really fake. I think my topic of music may just be an aspect or an angle a lot of people haven't put together in the way I have, with Glances of Gold especially.

4. Whose style influences you?

  - Bob marley, Kanye, Jimi Hendrix, Andre 3000, Eminem, Dr. Dre, Pharrell, Pharcyde, Francis and the Lights, James Blake, Key Wane, and Mos Def all inspire me.  There are a lot of people who influence my style, my homies from Ohio, friends from college- a lot of influence.

5. Name an artist with a similar style. 

 I don't think there's anyone with a similar style. If anything I would say my style would have to sound like someone else's because I released music after everyone out now!  But, even with that I don't think my style is similar to anyone's that much. There's so many different moods on Glances of Gold that people, depending on their preference of music will say. I've gotten Currensy, Wiz, James Blake, Kanye, Chance the Rapper, Big Sean. It's all over the place. 

6. What makes you different from the many other indie artists?

  - I'm different simply off the fact that im trying to find my own center and not try to be like other people or impress other people. 

7. How can we hear your music and keep up with you?

  IG: air_swanson

  Twitter: arucker_oh

https://soundcloud.com/twanswanson 

-- <33 AKC

Talent of the Month: Taylor Terrell

I'm starting a new segment called Talent of the Month.  On the first of every month AskKirbyCarroll.com will feature a young professional who is doing positive things in his/her community or career.  The first one goes to the talented Taylor Terrell. #AKCTalent 

Taylor was born in Atlanta, raised in Conyers, Georgia, and now welcomes Middle Georgia as her new home.

She got her start in news at 41NBC as an intern in May 2013. Taylor’s passion to tell stories that matter landed her a full-time position as a multimedia journalist with the station.

You can wake up with this Georgia peach as she co-anchors Daybreak in the morning, and 41TODAY.

Before being promoted to morning anchor in September 2014, Taylor produced, filled-in as anchor and reported for the Sunday night newscast at 11 p.m.

Taylor graduated from Georgia Southern University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Public Relations, and a minor in Journalism.

She is an active member of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ).

When she’s not working hard to find Middle Georgia’s news, you can find Taylor cooking, traveling or spending time with close family and friends and taking a lot of pictures.

She welcomes all ideas and stories. If you have any, let her know at tterrell@41nbc.com. Look for her on Facebook: Taylor Terrell and Twitter: @_taylorterrell. 

If interested in interviewing or booking Taylor leave a message here.

-- AKC <3

Pain Into Power: A Talk With Alissa R. Jones

When Alissa was just eleven years old she was sexually abused for the first time.  The pain and hurt she felt was unimaginable.  She hated coming home and had many thoughts of suicide.  Today she is the Founder and Director of SWV, Survivors with Voices.  SWV is a non-profit foundation created in 2012 to help individuals cope with the affects of sexual abuse.

As a child Alissa's parents went through a divorce.  Her mother was not financially stable and made the decision to lease their basement.  The room was rented by a man who would eventually take advantage of her.  For months she tried to deal with the abuse alone before finally confessing to a friend and counselor.  When the news got to her mother it was obvious she was not happy Alissa shared her story.  It would be years before Alissa discovered that her mother had also been abused and was still dealing with her own issues.

Alissa spoke to AskKirbyCarroll.com about how SWV has greatly and positively changed her life.  She has written two books that talk about her story.  One is a novel, the other is a workbook on how to remove the anger of abuse.  Writing has been very therapeutic for her.  In fact, in order to truly forgive her mother and move forward she wrote her a letter.  She recommends  this tactic to anyone having issues with forgiveness.  Her mother has passed away, but they mended their relationship before her death.

April is National Sexual Abuse Awareness month.  SWV has composed a campaign called "Survived and Revived."  The campaign will consist of self defense classes, webinars, testimonies and more.

Event Info

 There are chapters in numerous cities including Orlando, Cleveland, and Houston.   We can help their efforts by participating in the campaign and purchasing the books and merchandise on http://www.survivorswithvoices.com/ .

You never know what people are going through or where they've been.  I admire individuals who transform their pain into power to help others.  How can you use your story to help someone else? Sometimes simply being an ear to listen speaks volumes.

Alissa advises anyone who has been abused to speak to someone you trust and reach out to the foundation. 

Stay In Touch With Alissa at the plugs below.

Twitter: SWVFoundation 
FB: Survivors With Voices


---AKC 
@askKirbyCarroll/@askNowShow