The release of "CONFLICT" has proven to be another Sy Smith landmark. With sales orders coming faster than we can keep up with and "Conflict" ranking number 4 on CD Baby's top seller list within one week, Sy Smith's growing popularity is evident. It's time for the Sy Smith "Conflitct Tour"! If you're interested in bringing Sy Smith to your city, contact Pattie Howard at bookingsysmith@yahoo.com or drop a message in my inbox.

For more info on the hot new release "Conflict" and Sy Smith, check out some of the links below.

Coming into 2008, I was proud to see the advancement of Independent Artist in the industry and the impact that this select group of people have on the music industry as a whole. With grammy nominations, CD sales, music video channels, Billboard charts, and internet digital content sites all reflecting the impact that indie artists have on the entertainment industry, I think it is fair to say that the music industry has been forced to make some changes, and respectfully take a serious look at the independent artist.

This change in the industry’s climate obviously has had an effect on the club scene straight across the board. There are more venues benefiting on their door from appearances by indie artist from the open mike nights to artists that have a large following placing them in the "headliner" category, and these are artists without major label deals or label support.

Sy Smith is one such artist. Having climbed the indie artist ladder pretty much single handedly, Sy Smith has become a popular beauty and contender among female indie artist across the country, and is a sought after headliner for venues in Los Angeles and other major cities looking to increase their door or audience attendance and her fan base is international. That’s not to say that there are not those venues that are true Sy Smith and indie artists supporters. Most venues currently support the indie artist scene and promoters are fair in their payment policies and contractual obligations... well at least I thought this was the case until a recent performance at BB Kings Restaurant and Night Club in Universal City became my first nightmare of 2008.

In an incredible non stop performance by Sy Smith and Deez Nut’s for one and a half hours straight at BB Kings, Ms. Smith performed her popular Go-Go show for a crowd that was so entertained, her fans and supporters never left the floor during the performance. Sy Smith had been asked to perform at BB Kings for a solid year (I can attest to that as I see the booking inquiries that come in on a daily basis). Upon finally agreeing to perform her Go-Go show, and fulfilling her agreement as an artist, the payment ball has been bouncing around Universal City since her performance.

After countless attempts to rectify the problem, and graciously extending every available opportunity to the parties involved (Cool Out Promo), this entertaining event still remains and unpaid venture. Oddly enough, it is a fact that several other payments that were also bouncing around, have been reissued to predominately male parties. I stress "male" parties, because it is no secret that females continue to be treated differently in many areas of the entertainment industry and not given the same respect when it comes to representation, particularly in financial matters that require a female to collect or enforce payment. It is assumed that we are powerless when it comes to "muscle" and that our sensitivities will keep us in line. Then, when you come hard as a female, the notorious "B" word becomes the primary ammunition deployed as a defensive measure in a counter attack.

Well, some of these things may have been true in the past, but when you’re dealing with women who have a plethora of strong networks and capabilities, you may not want to lump them into a stereotype. Sy Smith and Pattie Howard together more than likely have more industry contacts than the average independent artist and have participated beyond their musical skills in more industry related projects than one would imagine. They are not prone to the "B" word attitude and are committed to the use of intelligence, experience, and common sense in business ethics, but don’t take their kindness for weakness.

Pattie Howard is a veteran singer, song writer, producer, recording artist, Grammy nominee and Sy Smith bolsters the same credits with additional nominations as a songwriter (Emmy) and recording artist (Grammy). Ms. Smith is the youngest member of the Recording Academy Board of Governors (NARAS), the familiar voice of the Soul Food intro with Al Green, writer of the title soundtrack for the film Havana Nights performed by Mya, has several songs in the film "Deliver Us From Eva, featured vocalist with Grammy nominee Meshell N’Degeo Cello, Modern Groove Assembly, Chris Botti, and this is the short list. They both have performed with the likes of Whitney Houston, Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, Mary J. Blige, Michael Jackson... I could go on but just read the bio’s. This is not a duo you would want to mess with.

It is unfortunate that people do not do their homework before making certain decisions and in this case, it may not fair well for D. Anthony and Cool Out Promo.

"It’s not just the money" says Pattie Howard who is also VP of Special Projects for a national distribution company that caters to the needs of independent artist, "it’s the money and the disrespect shown to the advertised performing headliner for the evening who without a doubt drew a paying audience for this show, and gave the audience a great hour and a half performance."

Sy Smith always brings it and her band, which featured Chante Carmel, Cassandra O’Neil, Ron Brunner, Tim Baily, Kat Dyson, Anthony DeTieggs (Big Tone), Kamassi Washington and Ryan Porter are some of the most sought after musicians in the city. "You never know what V.I.P’s are going to show up at Sy’s show, like the night Prince walked in to see her Go Go show at the Temple Bar, or when Rahsaan Patterson hit the stage with Sy. She just called out some chord changes and it was on!" There were V.I.P.’s at BB Kings from Warner and Hidden Beach in the audience and veteran producer Keith Crouch made a surprise appearance and graced the stage with Sy Smith. If you didn’t know, now you know... just check out The Syberspace Social CD. ’Nuff said.

Booking Sy Smith