Well, I wanna thank my princess Kori (my daughter!) for tending to myspace. Yo Tim! We ARE the band.
Influences
Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston (performed with her for 7 years), Hank Crawford, Arnette Cobb, Ronnie Laws, Wilton Felder, Grover Washington, John Coltrane, Joe Henderson, and more recently, Soweto Kinch and Kenny Garrett.
Sounds Like
ME (but I wouldn't mind sounding like Joe Henderson)
-- Rendezvous Entertainment -- KIRK WHALUM ROUNDTRIP More Kirk Whalum
I love LOVE what I do! I have the best job in the world. It can be really hard at times, especially being away from my girlfriend (she's also my wife) and our kids and grandson. But I still love it. My philosophy of "the big break" comes from my actual story.
I was fronting my own band (by God's grace and utilizing the gifts He graciously gave me) in Houston, Texas at a club called Cody's in the mid-80's when I got a call to open a concert at a theater (oooh, big stuff!) for Bob James (oooh, even cooler)! My band and I had been fine-tuning our music and working REALLY hard for over 2 years in all kinds of funky situations before this magical call came in. But when it did...we were ready!
We had learned not to get our hopes up because we had opened a few concerts before -- no big break happened. Not even a little one! So we just took the stage and did what we do -- no expectations.
Little did we know that God's hand was already at work and that night became my big night! I got a call from Bob's manager that next week asking if I could come to New York and record with him on his album (no CD's at the time!) called "12."
Of course I said yes and the rest is history. Touring the US, Europe, Japan with him, signing my own deal with Bob as producer, etc. It all started that night! BTW, I now have 18 solo or collaborative CD's!
But here's the deal: It didn't really start that night. It started with us giving our all in the "small" places. There's a proverb in the bible (my favorite book) that puts it like this: If you'll be faithful in the small things, God will give you bigger things to do!" (my paraphrase)
Don't spend too much time networking and posturing and worrying about how you can get "the big break." Spend that time fine-tuning your game -- practicing, studying, private lessons, college...whatever it means for you. And make real sure you attack EACH performance opportunity with hard work and preparation.
And remember; it's not WHETHER the break will happen, it's whether or not you'll be READY when it does!
Kirk out
PS. Drop by www.kirkwhalum.com for my full bio -- and some cool pictures of me doing what I do!
Tonight is the first day of winter and is the longest night of the year. It is the time of year to go deep within to renew and regenerate your energy. It is a time of rebirth, a time to plant seeds for the future and to set intentions for the next cycle as we return to light.
As we let our light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence actually liberates others.
Wishing you positive energy to move into the light.
Post this address all over the Internet and curious people will click to a simple explanation of God, the Bible and the value of attending a Christian church.
Print the address on business cards and pass them out wherever you go. Make posters and put them up wherever you can. Share the address with everyone in your network of friends and family.
This is yet another tool to help you find and save the lost.
"The Harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few." Matthew 9:37
Thanks for inviting me to the party. It's an honor to be here. I wish you continued success with an endless supply of happiness and creativity. You're invited to check out the tunes and leave a comment – I'd love the feedback.
