Kirk Franklin -- A Pimp (Positive Image Making Progress)

It is hard to picture Kirk Franklin as anything other than a gospel music artist. From his hip-hop meets church boy demeanor to his impeccable sense of style the King of Soul Gospel says what he means and means what he says.

In the middle of the second week of his HERO tour with Mary Mary and Philadelphia based Da Truth, Kirk pulled into Jacksonville, Florida ready to rock the house.

Years ago a gospel concert consisted of a microphone, an artist, a drum set and a whole lot of shouting! However, Kirk opened a door for a new wave of showcasing gospel music. Taking the best parts of major tours including state-of-the-art sound, choreographed lighting, a mechanical stage and dancers – his show rivals some of the biggest pop and R&B artists today.

Spending more than an hour and a half on stage, he wowed the crowd of babies to seniors. Even for a man of 40 years, his enthusiasm and stamina were amazing. From his trip down memory lane with traditional gospel to his-hop personal story SHOUT, he gave everyone in his audience something relatable. That is why the beauty of Kirk Franklin and his message is so infectious.

It was a wonder that Kirk had any energy after a show like his but he was in the halls of the concert venue making jokes with fans and the crew after the show. Back here, he was just one of the boys. But his light was evident. So when, I was invited in the dressing room for our interview, it was like talking to someone I had known for years.

He had just finished his after show ritual of calling his wife and children and making sure everything was well on the home front when I entered. Sipping peppermint tea, he seemed just as home there as he did on the stage ministering to the masses. And it was me and Kirk kicking it like old friends.

Rahman Johnson: You are from the south (Texas), do you feel that your southern upbringing has really influenced your style and what you bring as a gospel artist.

Kirk Franklin: You know, it does but I think that it is more about the soul of the music. I know that growing up in the church and the choir and all of that put the soul in me and the love of God as well. That’s what I put in the music and I thank God for that.

RJ: What makes Kirk Franklin who he is? There are many doors you have opened and others who are great but what puts you where you stand?

KF: First and foremost it is God. He put within me the inspiration to be all that I am today. But I don’t see myself as greater than any other person or performer. It’s like this I look at Martin Luther and Billy Graham and others like that are links on a chain. And on God’s chain there in no link that is greater than the other. It takes all of these links to make the chain strong – I am simply just a link on the chain.

RJ: Nah, you are more than that. I know that it is God who put you where you are but your entrance onto the scene with your type of gospel makes you more than ordinary and I thank God for that because you can touch more people.

KF: Yea, you know he is the reason that I do what I do.

RJ: So I know with a concert like the one you just did, you won’t be retiring any time soon but where do you see Kirk Franklin in 45 years.

KF: Well I hope that I have slowed down a bit by then but I will still be me – probably chasing my wife Tammi on the beach somewhere!

RJ: Well we know that’s a long time off before you even talk retirement. But you know from your song SHOUT which was one of my favorite parts of the show, I see a great actor. A lot of the action in the song was portrayed on screens behind you. Do you see yourself bringing it to the big screen or maybe to television?

KF: You are the actor man, but thank you for the compliment. But, if that is what God has for me to do then I am open. We have to be ready to do what ever he needs whenever he needs it.

After spending some personal time with him, I could truly say that if anyone regardless of any reason doubted how serious Kirk was about his mission, they would be wrong. He is man on mission and God’s got his back. Like he said from 1993 – it’s about God’s Property and Kirk Franklin represents the property well.

Autumnal Equinox

Saturday evening was the Autumnal Equinox. This marks the official end to the summer season.

In many ways I will miss this summer but as always look forward to the future. Now is the time to look forward to the cloak of fall and winter. Time to dismiss yesteryear and prepare my cocoon of retreat. Time to hibernate and take must needed rest to prepare for the constant journey. Time to embrace the flame and emerge unscathed as the phoenix of tomorrow.

As I look back on the summer here’s just a few things I have learned:

· Two Urban Licks- the food was good but the company was even better
· The death of my uncle – I met a new sister at his funeral; damn she’s already begging for money
· Atlanta – Metro PCS is off the chain
· The Urban League Conference has lost its luster, or did I just grow up
· It’s OK to have a memory box – yea I am a real MAN and I got one --- SO!
· 30 ain’t so bad after all – I still look good don’t I? Don’t I? Answer me???
· I think I can fall in love with Connecticut
· You mean another class reunion is on the way, we just had the last one!
· It’s almost time for a new computer
· A Mercedes Benz E500 is not a practical vehicle – but it is great to look at!
· Really, I care less what YOU think about ME . . . REALLY
· I miss my grandmamma (she died last year)
· 30 is the new 20 and when I get 40 . . . 40 will be the new 30!
· I still love Law and Order in any form
· You can never forget your first love . . . ever
· You never know where you will find a friend – just be open and available
· I knew this one but it is always reaffirmed – GOD LOVES ME

I am thankful for the me that I was and I am glad that I am The Me That I Am. Fall is allowing me to be and grow. I look forward to all that it is and is not. I at look at the past and am thankful that it is just that . . . the past!

I am headed off to the set to shoot a short film project. As usual there are always stories on set. Stay tuned for the 411!

Light!

Julius Mainor is Awesome!

Julius Mainor is awesome! Some time ago, I met one of the most amazing cats in the world – Julius Mainor.

I met him about 12 years ago right after we had both graduated from high school. I had just taken my first full time gig on radio and was excited. He was just excited to be living and that is what made him amazing to me.

Julius grew up with Cerebral Palsy. Because of this debilitating disease he has spent his entire life confined to a wheelchair. He has endured painful surgeries and just living without the ability to do the things that many others take for granted. Nevertheless, Julius struggled on and was able to graduate from high school on time with excellent grades. Not withstanding the fact that he could not write one note and had to take all exams orally. Even more amazing Julius did not attend a high school for special needs students – he went to regular old Edward H. White High School. He attended school functions and parties motorized wheelchair and all!

In fact, I met him at a party that I was hosting and he was on the dance floor with one of the tightest females there. See, J was that PIMP (positive image making progress)! He would never allow a disability to make him disabled. Every concert – he was there (usually backstage as well). Every party – he opened and closed it. He knew everyone and to everyone – he was just Julius.

Since, I left town I hadn’t seen J in quite sometime. Then, at a local poetry set who pops up but Julius. We reminisced for a few about old times and he brought me up to speed on what he was up to. Since we had talked last he was living ON HIS OWN is an apartment, had a job as a youth counselor and had just completed his bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice! He had left a job as a school security officer a few years before! He told me that just as when he got his High School Diploma and Associates Degree – he actually walked down the aisle to get his degree. For him this was a challenge and he had to train for months – but he did it. He gave me his email address so that we could keep in touch and told me that he had been through a lot. All of a sudden all of my issues and problems became even more trivial. Even illness has its meters when compared to others.

When we finally talked he told me that he had been through three major surgeries in the past few years. One of the surgeries even left him completely paralyzed from the neck down for some months. The little mobility he had was gone. Doctors even told him it may not return – but Julius doesn’t believe in never!

In Julius there in an unwavering spirit of perpetual optimism. In the twelve or so years I have known him, never once has he complained or felt sorry for himself. His attitude is always can-do and will-do. We can learn a lot from my friend. Its resolve like his that brings peace and creates the unthinkable. Those of us, who don’t have to deal with debilitating conditions like this, take life for granted. To me Julius is the one who is normal and we are the messed up ones.

I am glad that I saw Julius. I am excited that he is doing awesome and happy that he continues to break barriers. I have never once felt sorry for him and I never will. He is the man that many of us aspire to be. Cool, confident and radiantly wonderful – regardless of his body says completely a real man. Julius Mainor is awesome!

Celebrating Single

I have so many things to blog about today but in the essence of trying to maintain continuity I will take my time and hit other topics on other days. By the way, I am an incurable fan of the most supreme John Coltrane. I write this blog as I listen to his classic, A Love Supreme. I must take a small journey on the “Trane” everyday. Just click the PLAY icon on the player above to take today’s journey with me. I hope to one day visit the ashram of his wife Alice in California. This man was so far ahead of his time.

Today is the beginning of National Singles Week! I am sure you ask, why be so excited? For me its cool. The celebration of being single!

Today I flipped through a list of celebrity “singles” and was shocked to find that Charlize Theron is actually listed. Now technically, she is single but has been in a committed relationship for over five years.

Maybe they should change the name of the holiday to National Unmarried and Unattached Persons Week. If you have someone in your life then you can’t be down. I’m serious, single means just that – by yourself and loving it.

As for me I know that whenever it is time for me to be in a stable committed relationship then I will be ready. Right now, I date me. I take myself to great restaurants, movies and of course trips. I go to see shows, take walks on the beach and do things with me. One friend told me that doing that wasn’t healthy but it does it’s do whilst I wait!

I don’t want to be like other friends I have had that are serial daters going from person to person never enjoying alone time. There is something to be said for really getting to know yourself all over again. It helps you to fall in love with your insecurities! That’s right, find what you consider to be your best feature and fall in love with that. Watch the difference it makes. Anyway, I also know that I will never be one of those individuals who are so jaded that they are suspicious of anyone that comes around showing genuine interest. So messed up inside until they chase the possibility away. Like my grandmother used to say, “How can I invite you in my house if it’s dirty inside?”

In essence, I love the me that I am. My daily evolution into being fuels my fire to always want and discover more. For now I am single but I envision myself as a committed father and husband ready to deliver A LOVE SUPREME to those in my life.

Notes from the Bottletree

Addae Moon is amazing! This brother and playwright from Jacksonville has only been back to Jacksonville for a few years but he brings culture with him. His work Notes from the Bottle Tree is currently running so I had to make my way to see it.

Moon is currently an instructor of Creative Writing at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts.

To truly understand the play, you must understand a bottletree. A Bottle Tree is not grown it is created. In folklore, it is the southern tradition of hanging bottles by string all over a large tree. This was supposed to keep the evil spirits from coming into a home. It was a usual occurrence to see these “bottletrees” in the yards of many southern rural homes.

Moon took this reference and used the tree to rid two siblings of the evil that plagued their lives in the loss of a father. He wove family, friendships, harsh memories and relationships into a symphony of thoughtfulness. The photos by master photographer Billie Anderson, were also essential characters to the show. Each photo showed meaningfully beautiful glimpses of southern living.

I knew that some of the attendees in the audience were not ready for the subject matter but you could not help but to respect the presence of this masterpiece. The stars of the show were Stephen Anderson, Denise Nicole and my friend Al Letson. Al’s energy is always full of chaste power. I can’t wait to work with him one day. We always vow to work together but the stars just haven’t lined up yet. It’s coming.

After the play, I deiced to stop by THE CYPHER! My good friend since high school hosts a bi weekly cipher at her home. It is a bohemian set for artists to get together and share art thoughts and experiences. This was my first one and it was truly a wonderful way to end a great evening. There were poets, singers and just great times and she had a ROOM FULL of FOOD and best believe the girl can burn. Frijoles Negroes (Black Beans) and Rice, salad, baked chicken, fresh green beans – just the works! In fact Wylie’s birthday was that night and he celebrated there. I had not seen him in five or six years. He let us hear a few tracks from his soon to be released LP. The years have done him oh so well. His voice will be a welcome addition to the smooth R&B scene.

This day caused me to think a lot about the future and my place therein. I am in awe of the talent that surrounds us in this world. I can only hope to do justice to the gifts that God has given me. If you don’t use them, you loose them. So I must do more. I will. I will do more, starting now!

Cool Slideshows

Today

The last few days have been eventful to say the least – travel and work have taken up most of the time.

This week I just signed the contract to officially co-star in a new film project. I am at a point in my life that I really am not into taking roles that don’t challenge me. I think that it is important right now for me to take roles that speak to me. Sometimes people take roles just to work but I want to be much more than that. However, getting the role is not the interesting part.

Several months ago while I was at the American Black Film Festival down in Miami for the Actors Boot Camp(click HERE to see the blog), I met some really cool people who ended up being like family. In fact there were a few who decided to do our own thing after class for a more intense session. One of those people was Diva K. Diva K is very kind, sweet and extremely talented. We exchanged numbers and managed to keep in contact since that time. Well it just so happened that Diva K and I happened to be talking and found out that we were cast for the same film. She and I work so well together. The only thing that we could say was look at GOD! There was a reason we met at the workshop and kept in touch. It was all a divine plan coming into fruition.

So after talking to my girl and saying that we couldn’t wait to work together, I knew that “it” was starting to happen. The future was unfolding.

So, I had to go hit up Target for a few things! I actually went for one thing and spent a few hundred dollars – don’t ask!

All in all today was cool, I’m rushing out to check out a friend and author, launch his new work. It is a play called Notes from the Bottlenut Tree. I’ll let you know how it goes.

When To Let Love Go

Whitney Houston in Days Past

I never thought that I would see the day but it happened officially yesterday.

After fourteen years of wedded um er ah – “bliss”, Bobby Brown and Whitney Houston have called it quits. According to Whitney’s publicist they are legally separated which will lead to an October divorce.

We have all seen how Whitney has loved her man through jail stays, extramarital affairs, drug binges and just extreme craziness. The Whit has been a trooper and she has always been there for her man. I am sure that as she prepares to emerge and reclaim her superstar status, it is difficult to imagine life without Bobby.

Over and over again, you have seen her say that the love between her and Bobby was forever. She is right love is truly forever but you have to know when to say when.

This begs the question, when is the right time to let go?

In relationships it is pretty easy to think that love is the only thing that you need and everything else will just fall into place. But in reality sometimes we love so hard that we miss the fact that the love is destroying us.

I remember a time when I hung like four flat tires with a best friend. Frequent meals, trips and daily conversations made me know that this was truly my brother. As time progressed, I noticed that when he was in need I was always there but when I needed he was busy or nowhere to be found. Being a loyal friend, I chalked it up to conincidence. Then things started adding up and I had to distance myself from my boy. Now although, I love him – it was an unhealthy friendship and I had to back away. Interestingly enough when I backed away and revaluated my life, shortly things began to change. Opportunities presented themselves and I was able to reach higher heights and move beyond being stagnant. Although, I still care for my friend – I learned a valuable lesson. Sometimes people are placed in your life or you in theirs for a reason, a season or a lifetime. Once you discover the purpose or time, then you can truly be productive.

I can’t wait to see what Whitney comes up with. I am sure all of her joy, pain and hope will be put in her next CD. I know that right now she is hurt but she has started the healing process by shedding the old and embracing the possibilities of what is to come. We may have laughed at Whitney and wondered what she was thinking through some of her antics but I know God had a reason for allowing her to experience what she has been through.

There is no magic time to know when to let love go but one line in the movie love jones sums it all up for me. “When people say that they have fallen out of love, it’s not that they have but that they have exhausted all of the possibilities”.

Well here’s to NEVER exhausting ALL of the possibilities and knowing when to bow out with dignity. Here’s to real love. . . loving yourself first!

We Remember

It is hard to believe that it has been five years since the attacks on September 11, 2001. I can remember all that went on like it was yesterday. Like most people around the world I was glued to my television screen wondering what was next. I knew full well that no matter what happened the world would never be the same again.

As I sat there watching, I knew the images would remain with me forever. The most haunting were the people jumping from the World Trade Center towers in New York. I watched them and wondered what was going through their minds as they jumped. Then the ultimate question came to me. What do you do when you are faced with death and death?

I thought about it. I pondered it. I mulled it. Then I had to write about it. I remember sitting there in front of my computer determined to get “this thing” out of me by writing it down. At that point, I don’t remember much more. Literally, I sat in front of my computer for about an hour and a half and just cried. I cried and wrote and wrote and cried. When I came to my senses, I had composed an epicesque poem – Journey Toward Peace. I would share it here but it is more of a performance piece (I am working on a short film based on the character).

When I actually was able to compose myself and read the work, I knew that I had not written this thing. I knew that God had allowed one of the people that made that journey toward peace to speak through me. It was a story that needed to be told and it was from a perspective that provided a unique vantage.

I remember that day. It was obviously a chance for me to leave reality and allow myself to be used as a vessel.

Completing this film project, I hope will bring some closure and healing for those that were personally affected. It could have easily been any of us there in those places. Still today we never know what the future holds.

We remember those that made the journey. With love, we remember. . . .

Decision 2006

Recently the Gubernatorial Primaries occurred in Florida this week and that has really been the talk of the area. Being that I am a journalist and former elected official, I have to be a pundit and give my take on some of the elections that took place.

First, the race for governor. George W. Bush’s little brother Jeb is currently the Governor of Florida and due to term limits this is his last term. Now he has public ally said that he will not be running to succeed his brother in the White House. So a part of his legacy as the only Republican Governor of the state to be re-elected since Reconstruction, he wants to make sure that he is picking the successor to his office.

The Republican side saw four candidates. The two main candidates were actually both elected members of the current Governor’s Cabinet. Tom Gallagher, the state Chief Financial Officer and Charlie Crist, the State Attorney General. The latter candidate was endorsed by the governor and touted his experience as the reason that voters should choose him. Florida voters decisively chose Crist as the Republican Nominee with a whopping sixty-four percent of the vote. The campaign went pretty much as expected with not much dirt being dished by either candidate.

The Democratic side was much less of a high profile race than the 2002 campaign but interesting nevertheless. Current U.S. House Member Jim Davis was up against State Senator Rod Smith. This was the best match up due to the fact that both candidates had experience and were pretty well funded. Jim Davis having served on the National level was a bit more polished than Rod Smith and came with the help of high name recognition in South Florida. Davis also had the luxury of being endorsed by most Florida Congressional Delegation members. Smith however, brought the North and Central Florida to the table and was able to boast of having most of the state legislature on his side. Up until the last days of the election Davis constantly held a double digit lead. But that’s where it got interesting. In the last 10 days of the election the Smith camp rallied forward in the polls and closed the lead to within 6 points. It was like they (the Smith Campaign) were rabid dogs. They truly made it happen. Although Jim Davis took the Democratic Nomination, he had forty-seven percent of the vote to Rod Smith’s forty-one percent. Smith’s group really pulled the votes out of thin air. They get the award for best campaign during the election.

Now Jim Davis and Charlie Crist have already begun taking shots at each other in preparation for the November primary. Florida has been leaning heavily Republican lately so Charlie Crist is favored to win. However, hard work from Rhea Chiles (the widow of former Governor Lawton Chiles), former Governor Buddy McKay, former Governor and Senator Bob Graham and current U.S. Senator Bill Nelson give Davis a fighting chance. This is sure to be a great race. Although my eye is on the Connecticut General Election which it seems like Joe Lieberman is favored to win.

The other interesting race in Florida was for Florida House District 15. That was the election I lost four years ago. Audrey Gibson was the incumbent and Reggie Fullwood was a quazi-incumbent as a sitting member of City Council. The race was pretty dirty. Signs saying no to Fullwood, him attacking her record and her attacking him on his campaign contributions were all par for the course on this one. Even another member of council got involved and opposed her best friend and area Congressional Representative. At the end of the day, I was glad that my race never got that ugly.

It’s sad that when we (African-Americans) run against each other we can’t keep it to the issues. We get dirty, personal and just mean. We loose life long friendships and when we can’t find the dirt that we need we just lie. I remember during my election one of the candidates had it out that I had a kid out of wedlock and that I was behind on child support. Of course I have no kids but just to come up with something so far fetched shows the levels we’ll stoop to for our purposes. Politics is a dirty game and maybe I’ll get involved again but we have to make sure that it is not so nasty where people stop wanting to seek elected office.

Finally what shocked me the most about the election is the fact that so many people did not vote. There was only a fifteen percent voter turnout. Even though, I made sure that my staff and six other people got to the polls, I spoke to with at least ten other people the next day who said that forgot to vote. These were intelligent well educated people. In fact one friend who is in college said, “Well no one came on campus to tell us about the election”.

The one of the few rights that we have that cannot be compromised in this country is the right to vote. After the election of 2000, I cannot see how anyone would take voting for granted. I mean we had thousands of votes that were not counted and the will of the majority of the people was usurped. We have to bond together to say, regardless of what the outcome is our voice will be heard and we will vote. If we don’t then the sacrifices that our ancestors made would truly be in vain.

MUSINGS

A lot of work and thoughts means there is so much to write about but that takes time.

Today it rained really bad all day. The weather was awful but the thing that was the most interesting was that there was a tornado watch in the area becuase people thought that they saw a funnel cloud. Now even though it turned out to be a water spout, people left cars took cover and some even professed to see the "tornado coming".

So it proves the point that in the eyes of the beholder -- perception is reality!

Enjoy the musing . . . .

MUSINGS

Staying positive reigns supreme above all the indiscretions in life.
Regardless of the past, promises of the unknown future make living all the more bearable
Honoring the existence of past demons that once controlled me,
Through the mantra that banishes them from my current existence is enough for salvation.
Is it really my thoughts that save me or my actions that sustain me?
I have the answers but the questions eternal evade my grasp, for alliance with the answers means that the search ends.
Then, what has really been accomplished?
So, I’ll continue to allow my existential freedom to manifest as thought.
Always searching for the path to fulfill my intellectual desires.
And to inspire my MUSINGS . . .

SOULSPIRATION

Again time is flying by so quickly but you know what I am blessed to have it fly by on this plane.

First, Soulspiration was mad hot. I have been meaning to post the pictures for some time so here they are. Soulspiration is a quarterly event that serves to inspire the soul. It is an event that includes live bands, poetry neo-soul a fashion show and just positive vibes. It is the brainchild of Jason Pearson and I was glad to have helped host the event.

Networking, great drinks and good food added some fire to the furnace.

You can see from the pictures, some of everyone was there. One of my boyz even was creating some performance visual art during the evening. There were vibes galore. Shouts out to Mr. Al Pete, Bella, Cherub S., Mincey, Jen, Ari, The Cool Crew, PeDro, Prada, D. White, The Twinz, Javan (Man you can make some clothes), Lady G, Tonya Smart, Rayn, Maylee, The House of Zodiac and everybody who came out to make the event hottt! Thanks to club Endo Exo for giving up the venue and Rook you are the man.

And let me tell about a wonderfully random experience last week. I was set and hype to attend a poetry reading and cipher set in 5 Points. All of the hot poets were supposed to be there and I got a bug in my butt to spit that night. Plus Tonya Smart is mad fine and I would get a chance to see her. So I get to the Whalebone Grill and I am told that it was a mistake since this was the fifth Wednesday – so there would be no session. Well something convinced me to hang around for a while and being the eclectic area that Five Points is I was directed to the small park just across the street. I was told that all the poets had gathered there and decided to spit out doors in front of the water fall.

I hurried over giddy with excitement and was pleasantly surprised and satisfied. They were there doing their thing outdoors in the dark and bringing some serious fire! I ran in to my girl Nubia while I was there and bought Mr. Al Pete’s Mix CD. I am so proud of him, I remember him from the band in High School.

This is what life is supposed to be about. Good times, positive vibes, good people and great experiences. It makes the expectations of the future bearable.

Just Thoughts on LOVE

I wish that I could have stayed out there at the beach forever but it started to get dark and right at dusk on the beach but the night bugs started to come out. I had I been thinking I would have brought the citronella. Oh, well as you can see from the pictures, I enjoyed it for what it was.

The day has been pretty uneventful but nevertheless filled with thoughts.

How do you know when you have found the ONE? That really keeps popping up in my head. Granted I am all about expanding the horizon of possibilities, I wonder if I will ever know. Even deeper than that, I know without a shadow of a doubt -- that the answer to this question today, will not be the truth that holds for tomorrow.

See right now more than anything, I know that who ever I choose to be with has to choose me as well for us to be equally yoked. Even better than that, can I deal with waking up every morning looking over and regardless of what – still feeling love? See what many miss out on is that caring friendships are more important to employ before emotional relationships. That means that if something ever happens to the romantic part of the relationship there is still something to sustain the two of you. Often when dating, I have a litmus test that I use to help with knowing a person. I ask, “Were you in love with the person in your last relationship”? Then the follow up is, “Do you still love that person”? Now the answers are where it gets interesting. If the response is, “I was in love but I don’t love him anymore”, it sends up a red flag. Love is an emotion that doesn’t end with the demise of an erotic relationship. If you once love someone truly, you will love them forever. Does this mean that you’ll be in love forever? Of course not!

I think that if more people could wrap their minds around the true meaning and concept of love relationships on the most part would avoid the perils that they face. One day I’ma put you down on my definition of the word but that is an entire blog unto itself. This is one of several poems I wrote while hanging out on the shore. What you think?




Untitled

As I walk on sacred sand
Pieces of a dreams make their way between my toes
Creatures scurry about for food and fun, there is a purpose for all.
Each empty vessel that litters the shore has a story to tell
I will be the scribe to pull forth the nuances of separation
In foresight, now is then so past meets future in a continuum of theory
An Amuse Bouche of words before awaken the palate
Flavor Supreme!