Background Singer/ Artist Workshop by Crissy Collins (Background Singer for Beyonce)

I'm trying to get better at sharing the things that are going on in the city of Atlanta, guests on When We Speak, as well as myself.  So I'm covering all three; by talking about what happened on July 11th.  As many of you know, I've had the pleasure of being acquainted with a background singer who has sang with some of the biggest names in entertainment....Crissy Collins!!!   She is a past guest and huge supporter of my show When We Speak.

If that name doesn't ring a bell to you, then you obviously aren't a Beyonce or Tyler Perry fan!!  And you definitely need to check out this interview with her on When We Speak!!!

Crissy Collins has been a background singer for Beyonce for more than 10 plus years and has acted in several Tyler Perry plays!  And that's not all!  She has sang with Kelly Price, Monica, Luther Vandross, and many others.  Recently, I saw pics with Crissy and R. Kelly in the studio, as well as,  of Crissy with Fantasia!!!! I wonder what they are cooking up!?!?   CAN'T WAIT TO FIND OUT!!!

BACK TO THE BLOG!
Well, the reason for today's blog is..... I want to tell you about the Background Vocalist/Artist Workshop that Crissy conducted on July 11th in Atlanta, Georgia.  Crissy is a very busy lady and when she comes home to Atlanta, she's usually back out on the road in a few days, so for her to choose to do a workshop in Atlanta was #SuperAwesome!!! And for her to personally invite me to assist her for her first workshop was #MoreSuperAwesome !!!

Not only was this an awesome idea, it was also a heart felt action by Crissy Collins.  During the workshop she shared lots of information and music industry stories.  She also shared her heart's desire to help people that are want to get into the entertainment industry.  (That's what my show, When We Speak, is all about so of course, I was sold when she said that!  By the way, if you haven't seen my show, please go and check it out: WATCH WHEN WE SPEAK)

During the workshop, Crissy covered things like microphone technique, image, marketing, headshots, press kits, selecting audition songs, how to get a gig, promotions, finances, networking, and much more.
In addition, there were two guest speakers that joined the discussion:  Eboni Stephans of ESMV Creative Arts Agency and DJ Blak Magic.
Now of course I can't tell you all the details of the workshop!
ONE.....I was working!
TWO... I'll hoping to see you at the next!!!
However, I will say, that I got a chance to speak with all the attendees of the workshop before it was over and all of them were well pleased with the outcome and provided great feedback for the next one!!!  Hope to see YOU at the next one!!!!

SPECIAL THANKS FROM CRISSY COLLINS:

Adoration of The Magi featuring Crystal Torres

Trumpeter, Crystal Torres, is featured on Lupe Fiasco's new single Adoration of the Magi off his upcoming album, Tetsuo & Youth.

 PURCHASE ADORATION OF THE MAGI FEATURING CRYSTAL TORRES BELOW:

Meet Kat Rodriguez!!

Kat Rodriguez (aka Kat) is an incredible saxophonist, singer, songwriter, arranger, and composer with an accomplished resume. As a saxophonist in Beyonce's all female band, she has toured the world with one of the best, but is now ready to step into the limelight and show the world what she is made of. Kat currently has a CD out titled Mockery on iTunes and Amazon. 

Kat is one of 1000 girls who auditioned. She was handpicked by Beyonce herself. Kat took a break from singing for the opportunity of a lifetime. Since then, Kat has recorded The Beyonce Experience Tour, the I...Am Tour (with a featured solo on both DVDs), Beyonce Live at Roseland, An Intimate Night at The Wynn, Live at Revel, and Beyonce Live in London. 

 Pictured L to R: Kat Rodriguez (tenor sax), Crystal Torres (trumpet) and Adison Evans (Alto Sax)

TV appearances include: Oprah, Ellen DeGeneres, Today Show, Good Morning America, Tyra Banks, BET Awards, Black Girls Rock Awards, American Music Awards, Fashion Rocks, Grammy's, The World Music Awards and the SuperBowl XLVII.

She has performed with: Ray Santos, Louis Bauso, Patato Valdes, Charlie Persip, JJ Hairston, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Slim Thug, George Michaels, Monica, Keri Hilson, Marsha Ambrosius, Fantasia, Ledisi, Kelly Price, Jill Scott, VV Brown, Estelle, Mary J Blige, Mary Mary, Pastor Shirley Caesar, Melonie Fiona, and many others. 

She has recorded with: Beyonce, Destinys Child, DJ Mark Ronson, Mobb Deep, Kidd Kidd, 50 Cents, Anthony Hamilton, Big Krit, Big Boi, Trumpeter/Producer Keyon Harrold and KeyKat Productions to name a few.

Working and touring with Beyonce inspired Kat. 

"When I was younger, I would always pretend to sing in front of the mirror with a brush. Yes, it sounds cliché, but I did. I've been fortunate enough to travel the world and share the stage with Beyonce. Now that I've seen the masses chant her songs, my heart yearns even more to follow my childhood dream," says Kat. 

That is exactly what she is doing. With her musical background and extensive performance experience, she blends talent and drive to create the phenomenon that is Kat Rodriguez.

Watermelon, Mint, and Miles Davis- #AdisJazzKitchen

Watermelon, Mint, and Miles Davis
  COURTESY OF ADI'S JAZZ KITCHEN

I stumbled in the door after my run and went straight for the watermelon.. not a water bottle.. the watermelon that’s bigger than my head. While cutting it, I must’ve eaten the whole other half. So delicious. Watermelon juice everywhere, even the dog looked at me like “really”? Ah yes, Beyhive feel free to insert your Beyonce “watermelon” quotes here.. right there. ok. good. Basically while listening to this jam you need to have a handful of watermelon in your hand and be doing the “running man” at the same time. Trust me on this one.. Miles Davis “Big Time”


What you need:
2 tbsp honey
juice of 1 lime
handful of mint sliced thinly
3 cups your favorite berries and watermelon cubed
Whisk together honey, lime juice, and slices of mint. Pour over watermelon and fruit. Marinate in the refrigerator for 15 minutes. Scoop into a bowl and eat properly (or not..)

Be like Miles Davis:
Try adding a different herb (basil is yummy too)
Try your favorite fruits
Use the zest of citrus fruits, and different citrus fruits too!
Are you still doing the “running man”?
Me too..

WATCH AS ADISON EVANS (ADI'S JAZZ KITCHEN) MAKES HER COCONUT CURRY WINGS:

MORE VIDEOS FROM ADI'S JAZZ KITCHEN:

 

#OnTheRunTour: Cooking on the road!

I have always expressed that I have a great admiration and respect for artists/ musicians that tour because they work so diligently on small amounts of sleep.  Recently, I was afforded the opportunity to speak with several musicians that definitely know the meaning of touring on a small amount of sleep.

I got the opportunity to speak with members of Beyonce/ Jay Z's, On The Run Tour band.  Yep that's correct!!!!  

First up is Adison Evans!  

She is a saxophonist in the tour, and she also hosts her own show called Adi's Jazz Kitchen, in which she combines the art of music and cooking.  Stay tuned for more episodes with the On The Run Tour Band!!!!






Enjoy this great recipe from Adison and Adi's Jazz Kitchen!!!

Advice For Aspiring Singers

Jermaine Sain (When We Speak TV) asks Crissy Collins (Background Vocalist for Beyonce), what would be the best advice she could give to someone aspiring to be an entertainer......... Check out her response.

MORE VIDEOS OF CRISSY COLLINS

What are Back Up Vocals

Sometimes I wonder why you don't see many groups anymore.....I'm not saying that they don't exist because they do! I just wonder why there aren't as many...For example name some groups of the 90s.........(I bet you were able to name at least three!)   

Now, name a group of today!

(Want me to give you more time?)

It seems that everyone is only out for themselves now! I'm not saying that you shouldn't look out for yourself but I think that everyone always wants to be out front (ALONE!)

There's absolutely nothing wrong with that! But what I learned happened with this is: we stopped appreciating the value and harmonies that more than one vocalist can bring! I've seen and meet alot of great solo vocalists but can you name one that can sing harmonies simultaneously? ME NEITHER!!!! So although some people have great voices, their voice is at it's essence's peak when accompanied with other vocals.....That doesn't discredit them in any way!

I said that to say that I believe that's how we got to not understanding and appreciating the value of the background singer. Well I wouldn't say this is true for most "singers" and "artist" because I would hope that they understand the dimensions that great backup vocals can bring to a song or performance. I think is more so, non musical people that I'm referring to....I've heard so many people say stuff like..."She just sings background" or "The should put him in the background cause he can't sing"............ WHEN DID "BACKGROUND" START BEING "WHAT YOU DO WHEN YOU NOT THAT GOOD OF A SINGER"?


.......With this in mind, I keep trying to think of how I could do my part to change that perception, so I started thinking about a few people that I've seen singing backup vocals on the regular that I know can "SANG!"....... Then I thought of one person I could talk to......... Crissy Collins!

I had no idea how I would get Crissy Collins to join me on When We Speak. I had never met her, I had only been to her shows and we had been in a few of the same places at the same time. So I just added her name in my prayer journal and went on.

Why did I want to speak with Crissy so badly? Well, she has been singing backup for a long time with artists like Kelly Price and Beyonce. Not only that she sang with B. Chase Williams and Shabach for many years too! Who better to speak with?

TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT....... God opened the door for me to finally meet Crissy one on one, and she accepted the interview!
NOW YOU TELL ME IF YOU STILL THINK THE BACKGROUND IS FOR PEOPLE THAT CAN'T SING!

Crissy Collins of Beyonce's "The Mamas" makes an appearance on When We Speak TV!

I have been an admirer of Crissy Collins ever since I saw her in Tyler Perry’s Madea Goes To Jail (the play), in which she sang one of the best renditions of Jesus Loves Me that I’ve ever heard…..

…One day, I was sitting at Philips Arena in Atlanta, at the Beyonce, I AM Tour and when Beyonce introduced her background singers, to my surprise she says….”and Atlanta’s own Crissy Collins”.  I was like, “what?”!  I didn’t know that she sing background for Beyonce!

Then to my surprise, in 2010, I was singing in a choir for a Christmas celebration and Crissy Collins was one of the featured vocalists….. I was so amazed to see her but was too afraid to speak!  Then, once again to my surprise, the group I sing with was invited to sing at a program for guess who?  Crissy’s mom!  Once again, I saw Crissy but was afraid to speak to her! 

…To make a long story short, I ran into Crissy a few more times, as well as, attended some of her shows.  Each time I was too afraid to speak.

Then one day, I decided that I wanted to attend a show that Crissy Collins was having at Acoustix Jazz Lounge and Restaurant in Atlanta, but the only problem was I had an interview scheduled with Gareth Asher on the same day (around the same time).  That didn’t stop me….I decided I would do the interview at Eddie’s Attic in Decatur and then go to Crissy’s show even if I have to arrive late.   Well, to my surprise I made it on time and to my benefit I was seated right in front. 

That night, Crissy did an amazing performance and she also did something else that I didn’t expect….I was aware that Crissy loves audience participation and loves to put the microphone in your mouth for you to sing….well gues who she spotted out!  Yep! Me!  I was so nervous that I didn’t sing…… (but that’s ok, the next show that she did it, I was ready!)

Fast Forward…….

One day I was online and I received a message from someone on my Facebook wall and guess what it said……something like this……”Jermaine, inbox me, I want to give you my number so we can talk!”

Do I need to tell you that I was extremely excited?  You already know who it was…Crissy!

I am such a fan of Crissy and I feel so blessed to have the opportunity to speak with her on When We Speak!  I wanted to share that story just to encourage you that sometimes things don’t happen the way you want them to but if it’s God’s will, It will be done!  Have a great day!

MORE VIDEOS OF CRISSY COLLINS

@CrissyCollins presents "Date Night" in #ATL

I just wanted to share an event with you that you don't want to miss....If you are in Atlanta, come out and enjoy Crissy Collins at Acoustix Jazz Restaurant and Lounge. She will be there on September 12th and 26th.

If you don't know who Crissy Collins is; she currently sings background vocals for superstar Beyonce. She has also acted in Tyler Perry productions such as Madea's Big Happy Family and Madea Goes To Jail.




Here are a few clips of Crissy Collins:

Watch Beyonce- "Run the World" Video Premeire

Run the World- Beyonce -Video Premeire 


This song is by Beyonce called "Run the World", the video is scheduled to air tonight during or after American Idol.
Do you like this song or do you think it's a joke? Please comment.
Video courtesy of beyonceVEVO
To watch Beyonce video premiere for Run the World, click below:

"Run The World" Video Premiere