8/28/06
Hey everyone,
Today was a wonderful day. Some of us Belmont East students were giving free tickets to The Ellen Degeneres Show; she was filming her premiere of her new season in Central Park. My friend Josh and I got to Central Park around 8:40; we beat the long line. We were actually second in the line. We stood in that line from 8:40am to about 2:15pm. It was crazy. Folks were getting antsy, I was getting hungry.
Finally we got to our seats; we were in the 5th role. There were 11,000 people there, it was amazing. We were told that there was going to be a special guest then before you know it Justin Timberlake came out. The man was awesome! I still can't stand that, "SexyBack" song. He sung the current single, a new song, and "Seniorita." The new song was classic Justin Timberlake; I liked that one. The band was clean and hitting every hit. It was incredible. I couldn't believe that I was experiencing this.
Then when we thought it couldn't get any better Beyonce came out; she was the special guest. I couldn't believe it!! I straight turned into a groupy. She was incredible. She had an all girl band who was killin' 'em. They were amazing!! Oh my gosh! That Beyonce was amazing. She sung "Deja Vu," a new single, and "Crazy in Love." People were going nuts, shoot I was tripping out. I couldn't believe that I was witnessing this. The whole time I kept saying to myself, "I can't wait to do that. I can't wait to perform in front of all those people." I was like a kid in the candy store.
So you guys gotta catch the show next Monday (Labor Day) and next Tuesday. Monday the Timberlake show will air and Tuesday will be the Beyonce one. Look closely you might even see me. Check your local listings to find out what time the show comes on in your city. I'm seriously loving what God is doing. I can't wait to see what He has planned.
Also, check out my new bio, my friend Chasity Gunn wrote it.
I'm @ the B.E.A.C.H. (Basking Everlasting After Choosing Heaven),
8/19/06
What's good y'all?
Yes, I'm finally in the world of New York City!!! Finally!! The journey was long and strenuous, but I'm here. I recommend to everyone: if you truly have to travel DON'T TRAVEL ON THE GREYHOUND!!! I repeat DO NOT TRAVEL ON THE GREYHOUND!!! It was horrible!! It took me over twenty hours to get from Kansas City to New York. I was supposed to arrive on Friday at 12pm, but Greyhound thought it was funny to get me to NYC at 4pm. Then, my Ipod broke down minutes before I got on the bus. I had to spend the whole bus trip without my music; I was trippin' out!!! My Ipod is dead y'all!!!
Ok...let me get back to the wonderful world of New York. I had 3 big ole' humongous suitcases; I had to drag them everywhere. I had to take a taxi from the bus station to my dorm. I got in the taxi and I was like a kid in a candy store; I was trippin' out. "Man, I'm in New York!" I can't believe that I am finally here.
Ok... now....here's the funny part: I got to my dorm thinking that my room was going to look like the pics on the internet. My New York experience has begun; my room was very small and the windows were facing the next building; you can't see the sky. I was surprised but it was all good. My dorm is in a great location. I'm next to central park (my place to write my new hit songs) and close to Columbia University. I'm staying in the Upper West Side. Man, it's beautiful! It's quite. I'm glad that we are not living down in the tourist area like Time Square or something where it is always busy.
Fast-forward to today, I started to walk. I walked from 107th street to 68th street to try to feel my way around. While walking I discovered a block party where a live arigatone band was playing. Man, it was so awesome! The block was having a good time. I couldn't believe that I was witnessing this! I mean, families were barbequing and dancing. It looked like a scene in a movie. It was amazing!
So I kept walking right, still upset that I wasn't listening to my Ipod. Guess what? I discovered two Barnes and Noble, a Tower Records, and 3 or 4 Starbucks; I was in Heaven! I visited all of them.
I still can't believe I'm here! I can't wait to see what God has in store for me. Tomorrow, we are taking a cruise around New York. I'm a little nervous; I don't like floating on water. On the 28th we're going to a live taping of the Ellen Show in Central Park. Justin Timberlake is going to be the special guest. This week I have three interviews for an internship at Sony, Verve, and Warner Music Group. Praise God! Please pray that God would place me where I could learn how to be an effective businessman and a better artist. I'm so excited.
I didn't tell you about the Subway...man, I love it! It can get you anywhere! I got the subway for Broadway down. I've been on that train everyday. Tomorrow, I'm going to get on it and ride it so I can get more familiar with the city. Ooh.. I can't wait to go see Carnegie Hall, The African Slave Cemetery, The Huxtables' house, Billie Holiday's grave (morbid huh?), and the area where Cafˇ Society used to be. Ooh... I can't wait to start gigging up here too. This place feels like home.
I want to say thanks to everyone who came to my going away party. You guys were sharp in your white. I also want to personally thank Crystal, Zakiyah, and Asa for planning the party behind my back and lying to my face when I was trying to get the details out of them (lol). I praise God for you. God always seems to show out when you feel like nothing's going right. The love in the room was amazing that night; I could feel it. I thank y'all for your donations, advice, and prayers. Thank you guys for believing in me.
Well, this is the first of many emails that you guys are going to get about my new journey in the Big Apple. Well, ya'll it's getting late. Email me or call me if you guys have any suggestions on where to gig, eat or just visit. Talk to y'all later. I love y'all.
I'm @ the B.E.A.C.H. (Basking Everlasting After Choosing Heaven),
7/4/06
What's good my people?
It's almost time!! I have 42 more days to go before I step onto the wonderful world of New York City. I am sooooo excited! Y'all don't understand; I've been wanting to live there ever since I was a kid. This is going to be an amazing experience.
It's crunch time; I'm just now planning out my trip. Shoot, I need an assistant. This is too much work! (lol) The preparation is exciting though. I feel all responsible and stuff.
I just can't wait!!!!
If you guys are not doing anything on Saturday. July 8th at 7:35pm, I will performing at 12th and Porter. I will be involved in a DVD recording by Lovenoise. I will be sharing the stage with some amazing people: Darnell Levine, The Light, Krystal, Tim Dillinger, Rich Brown, RheaSunshine, JMC, Cadence, and DJ Sound Bwoi. We are trying to do thangs in Nashville. It's going to be a great show.
On the music note, I hope y'all picked up India Arie's new album, Testimony: Vol.1, Life & Relationship. The album is amazing! I have got to work with her one day. I play her song, "Good Morning," every morning. Real music is taking over!!!! Also, y'all got to pick up my girl, Carol Riddick's album, Moments Like This. She kills this album. Her voice is amazing. You can find her on my links page. Let me repeat, REAL MUSIC IS TAKING OVER!!!
Well y'all, I'm about to go stuff my belly with BBQ. Make sure y'all check out my audio journal at raffealsears.blogspot.com. I'm so hooked. Keep me in your prayers as God moves me to new lessons, blessings, and a new season.
No need settling, go for your dream y'all.
I'm @ the B.E.A.C.H. (Basking Everlasting After Choosing Heaven),
5/17/06
What's good people?
Praise the Lord, finals are over and summer break is finally here. I'm up here celebrating like I'm going to have a break. Shoot, I'm going to be working mad hours to save up for my trip to New York this fall. Ooh.. I can't wait!! I have 95 more days till New York.
Music is coming...slowly. I just want it to be right. I don't want to just throw something together and it turns out wack. I like what Jill Scott once said, "I'm not a microwave, I'm a oven." Good music needs time to create itself. I believe that God's going to give me songs, but I know that I need to be obedient and write them. I keep claiming that I have writer's block, but that, seriously, is fear. I just have to trust.
Anyway, I know y'all are coming to the CD Party DVD recording on Friday, May 26th at the Rhythm Kitchen? It's going to be the BOMB!! I will be sharing the stage with some awesome performers, Jason Eskridge, The Light, Bekah Shae, Red Storm, and Catt.
By the way, y'all need to check out my boy, Jason Eskridge at Lovenoise this Sunday. He is amazing; I want to learn from him.
Well, I think I've talked enough. Don't forget to sign up on my mailing list so I can keep y'all updated. Oh.. I also put some new pictures in the photo section.
I'm @ the B.E.A.C.H. (Basking Everlasting After Choosing Heaven),
3/30/06
Hey,Hey,Hey!!
What's good people? Man, I want to thank y'all for coming to the Lovenoise show. It felt so good to see my people represent. I felt all of the love at Lovenoise. The radio interview was sooo fun; I enjoyed every bit of it. Man, I almost cried when I heard them play my song, "Do You Wanna Go" on the radio for the first time. Y'all I almost fell out!!! I felt like God was giving me a glimpse of my future! I can't wait!!!! I am so excited about next week, I'm performing at Tom Joyner's Block Party. God is doing His thing! Well, keep me in your prayers.
I'm @ the B.E.A.C.H. (Basking Everlasting After Choosing Heaven),
