Black Music 2007 - Part I: Moving Forward But Still Behind

Statistics Show African Americans Made Progress On Many Fronts But Still Lag Behind

As we begin the celebration of Black Music Month 2007, it is no surprise that a revival of public support for what is being called "vintage soul" is occurring as students of the nation's black studies programs are becoming knowledgeable music consumers. Taught that African-American music, the foundation for all of America's popular music, is an art worthy of study and appreciation along side any other tradition, we want more from the music industry than the adolescent-driven flavas of the day. Surely there must be a place in today's black music market for its veteran innovators. Just as the top-40 and rock worlds have continued to make a place for their super stars, including those such as Eric Clapton, with deep roots in the blues and black music, we must recognize and keep alive the spirit of those who create black music.

Roots Of Soul

America must enjoy making the angels cry. While we've gotten some things right, we've certainly allowed others to go terribly wrong. During the next four weeks as we celebrate Black Music Month, we will examine the latest findings and share with you the reasons we say not only are all men not created equal they are not connected equal either.

The origins of the entertainment culture can be traced back to the phonograph record and the radio, both of which made possible for the first time the development of a genuinely mass culture. But until very recently, entertainment was a luxury in which we could indulge upon only on occasion. Now it is a daily reality, perhaps a necessity and certainly, in the minds of many of us, an entitlement.

During the next four weeks we will continue in our proud tradition of recognition by combining our dreams with those whose dreams have been affected by consolidation, downsizing, unemployment, accidents, illness, poverty and misunderstanding.

We know the clock is ticking. During Black Music Month 2007, we will continue to touch on and recognize some distinguished people and events - from all sides of our industries. Men and women who have taken the lead in helping to mend the ugly rips in the fabric of society and restore the fragile bonds that so many of us thought we were building. Just by believing in themselves and refusing to give up or give in, they have given back.

Some of those who we want to recognize this month are people whose efforts and contributions have enriched lives and whose sacrifices might have gone not unnoticed, but unheralded.

From Duke Ellington to Stevie Wonder. From Dinah Washington to Ciara. From Lena Horn to Lauryn Hill. From Hal Jackson and Jack Gibson to Tom Joyner and Steve Harvey. From Dave Clark to Geo Bivins. From E. Rodney Jones and Reggie Rouse to Vinny Brown and Doc Wynter, From Quincy Jones to Jermaine Dupri. From Yvonne Daniels to Wendy Williams. From Sarah Vaughn to Mary J Blige - their contributions represent every type of music, R&B, hip-hop, jazz, film and television scores, gospel, neo-soul and smooth jazz - the entire musical spectrum.

There is a chance that our generation may reclaim their earlier legacy. They could have a second coming in terms of social idealism and find new ways to contribute that mean something beyond themselves. In some realms this new generation already takes pride in what they have bequeathed. Women, for example, are breaking into many male dominated fields on a broad new scale providing expanded options for those who follow.

This generation didn't invent the genre, but they were the fans and the participants that made it so durable. Even as music remains youth-oriented, today's young music purchasers couldn't escape the feeling that they wanted something more. They now have to admit that both the performers and the times have changed. The explosion of energy that began in the 90's is just a memory

Although there has been some progress made, even since this time last year

we still live in a time and country where many of us continue to be deliberately isolated, racially classified and often systematically deprived, of both the resources and the opportunities to succeed. For too long and despite our obvious talent and gifts, we have been allowed to only assume severely limited roles in our industries.

Black Music Month allows us to reflect upon the rich history of the radio and music industries that conveys from one generation to another its lessons and obligations. Accumulated experiences and sharing of the histories is what Black Music Month is really about. They define our opportunities. It is our hope that by recognizing those people, events and opportunities we've selected, we will help to encourage dignity for what they accomplished. And perhaps most importantly, we hope to inspire tomorrow's leaders with the idea that integrity still matters - that family values still matter - as does respect. It is still our feeling that our industries may be on the verge of a new era - one that is faster, funkier and filled with bold challenges, new opportunities and for a select few, huge rewards.

Despite the struggle and the obstacles, the future looks bright. It's a future that began with a dream and continues by remembering the dreamer and the reason for the dream. That's part of the new reality of June- Black Music Month 2007.

Have these recent changes really impacted those of us in the radio and music industries? Definitely. For one thing, because of the popularity of our music, urban and urban AC radio are enjoying their finest hours. As a result there has been tremendous impact and influence on not only music, but also fashion, movies even language and ideas.

Because of that impact and influence, particularly on our youth, we have an obligation to get a grip and get in step. Getting in step doesn't mean getting rid of the music sweeps, formats and research that have been part of our success. Rather, it means changing our show prep to include some brief information bits that may just spark the interest of some to change. Next year is an important election year and we need to encourage all of our listeners, young and old, to stay up on the issues that affect them and then turn out and vote.

Getting in step also means that those who are in charge must begin paying more attention to our public affairs shows, many of which still run on the weekends, especially early Sunday morning. It means a mention of our musical history that reflects our achievements, not only to preserve the legacy of hundreds of years of struggle, but also to provide a bridge across adversity to a better life.

While we as African-Americans may remain an underrepresented segment within the mainstream, urban radio and its music have come to mean more than ever before. There are always some who are out front. There have been radio stations who have become leaders in many cities and hopefully, there will be even more as markets with smaller minority populations discover the influence our stations still have in our communities. All of this serves to prove that we really don't need quotas to succeed, just opportunity.

There are still opportunities for us to refinance the future and redistribute the wealth and the knowledge. But the only way for us to do this is through change. Change in attitude and change in responsibility. We as African-American communicators must become more aware and more committed to the use of our skills and talents for a purpose greater than ourselves. We must be ready and willing to take full advantage of some earlier lessons learned in the 90's. We must develop an ear of responsibility - one that owes a great deal to the lessons learned in the era of excess.

The past decade produced uneven black economic development, but also provided several lessons. For one thing, human capital investment pays off in higher earnings. And second, income and employment gains alone do not produce economic equality. And finally, even in a crucial and divided economy, we are all connected.

When we forget that we are all connected, we are capable of the unspeakable. Now would be a good time to wake up to our connections. If you need proof that we are all connected, look into your own heart.

In order to survive a divided nation and turbulent times, we must remember the message and the messengers. For those of us in black radio, we are the new messengers. In many ways, although the method of communicating the message has changed, the obligation is the same. We have come a long way from the message drums of yesterday to the digital, high-tech sounds of today. Black music has always has a message. Back in the day, the drums and chants sent a message and told a story. It made the toil a little easier to bear...and it still does.

We are moving forward, but we are still behind.

Word.