You're from Trinidad originally but now in the US is that right.
Yes, I was born in the Islands "Mon."
How long in the States, and how long in Vegas.
I've lived in the States most of my life, about 20 years. I grew up in San Diego, California, and I've been living in the desert of Las Vegas for the past 8 years.
Why Vegas? Is it good to you/ for you. Are you just a performer or do you do anything else.
My former manager/producer lived here in Vegas, and a couple of my childhood buddies moved here, they just kept nagging me to come out here. Besides I used to travel to Vegas on business quite often, so it made sense for me to make the move. I initially thought I'd give it a try for one or two years, but eight years later I'm still here.
I don't consider myself a "Vegas Performer" although I have been in a few major Vegas production shows. Gotta pay the bills..know what I mean?
What kind of work have you done, are doing, do you keep busy around town. You've done some male vocal groups like BoyzIIMen. How does that go down. Good training.......or just a chore?
I've done all kinds of work, I've been a background singer, I do jingles for radio and television from time to time, I also write and produce, and like I said, I've been in a few production shows on "The Strip."
I have been In several vocal groups, I 've always been fascinated by the concepts of singing groups. The last group I was in was a six piece a cappella vocal group called "One Spirit." It was good training, you've got to know your stuff to be in this kind of group, It takes a lot of musical skills as opposed to just raw talent. The harmonies are quite intricate and there were usually no musical tracks to hide under. Although I love vocal groups, I believe I'm best as a solo artist.
Then came EFX with David Cassidy at the MGM Grand, whats that like, it's a huge show isn't it...you still doing this.
EFX is an awesome show, there has never been or probably never will be anything like it. There's music, dancing, singing, special effects, magic, explosions. There are even two 30 ft tall fire breathing dragons that rise up on the stage. It's a 54 million dollar special effects musical. I am no longer in this show but I am proud to have been a part of it. There is a whole new cast and Rick Springfield is now the new star of EFX which is in it's final year after a seven year long run.
As regards your own musical being - who are your influences, both currently and in the past.
Well, being from the Islands I'm a huge fan of Bob Marley. I love Michael Jackson, I think he is the greatest entertainer of all times. New Edition and Boyz II Men have been great inspirations. I also admire great writers and producers such as Quincy Jones, Babyface, and Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis. I love hip hop too, Dr. Dre is the best!
What do you think of the current R'n'B stuff.
I think R&B is in an emergency state of near extinction. There are a few artists out there that are good, but the over kill of other genres is overshadowing R&B music as a whole. I think it's up to new up and coming artists like myself to break new ground and bring this music back to the forefront.
You acquired some achievement awards. TONOS and John Lennon.......what was that all about?
Tonos is an online company owned by legendary songwriters/producers Babyface, David Foster, and Carole Bayer Sager. They held a national singer/songwriter contest of which I was ultimately the winner after my song "Flesh Of My Flesh" beat out thousands of other contestants.
The John Lennon songwriting contest is held annually, I was one of the three winners in the R&B category this year.
At what point did you think about doing your album, how long did it take and how did it come together.
Throughout my career, many music industry people and companies have made promises to me that have been broken time and time again. You know the old saying, "you want something done, gotta do it yourself." I started my own label called TnT Entertainment and "Ready For Me" Is my debut CD. I really took my time with the album. I wrote and produced it along with my buddy Keith D. Nelson. I did a track with a producer in Venice, California Named Kumagai whom I've worked with since my teenaged years. All together, we spent three years writing songs, throwing songs away, and doing songs over till we felt it was right.
What's TnT - is that just you, or is there more talent involved.
TnT (T&T) stands for Trinidad & Tobago, it's my dedication to my birth land. Right now it is just me, the success of my CD will determine how many other artists I will sign. My plan is to be the Puff Daddy of R&B. What he's done for Hip Hop, I'd like to do for R&B. To be a successful artist and have several other successful artists on my label.
There's some pumpin R'n'B and some smooth soul on there. What cuts do you like and which ones are getting reaction.
These 12 songs on my album are my babies, it would be a difficult thing for a father pick one of his children as his favorite. The fact that they're on the album and not in the trash means I like them all. But I have been getting the biggest reactions from "Shake That Jelly" and "Flesh Of My Flesh."
And what kind of reaction is it getting from home and overseas.
I am amazed at the response that it has been getting at home, "Shake That Jelly" has gotten a lot of club play and some radio play. The overseas response especially has been incredible. The main thing I've been hearing from people , especially radio people and music reviewers, is that it sounds better than most of the stuff they get from major labels, they can't believe I did it independently.
Any hints from the majors
I didn't do this project with the idea of soliciting major labels, but if the right label came along and I was confident that the record would get the proper promotion it deserves, and the contract was fair, I would consider it. I did however, recently sign a distribution deal with a company called Dogma Music distributed by Sony for the release of my CD in South Africa some time in 2003.
What are you workin on now......anything new or do you still need to push this one.
Yes to both questions, I'm working on some new stuff and I still need to push this one.
Keith and I are also preparing to produce a few cuts for a Latina artist on BMG named Maria.
What can we expect for the future
More Good music, I'm writing a movie script. I just directed and produced the commercial to promote my CD on S. African television, so that has boosted my confidence to do films. I'll do them independently and hope they get picked up by a distributor. But music will always be first and foremost.
Anything else you'd like to add.
God bless you Mike for your support and interest in me and my music. I wish you nothin' but success and prosperity.
Good luck, thanks for your time and stay in touch, keep me informed of what's happening.
