R.I.P. CD101.9FM NY

If you live in the New York Metro area, you probably know by now that Smooth Jazz CD101.9FM is now a ROCK station. While CD101.9 was often criticized, it was the only commercial smooth jazz station in the NY metro area.  It is now only available on HD radio. 

As an up-and-coming smooth/contemporary jazz artist from NY, I am shocked and saddened to see the loss of yet another outlet. While I would LOVE to use this particular blog as a venting session, I have decided to take a more positive route (since, as we all know, negativity begets negativity).  So instead...

I challenge the powers that be; the folks with the financial means, to hook up with music connoisseurs and resurrect the smooth jazz genre in New York. There is a huge opportunity to breathe new life into this genre, which will allow musicians to eat and business to thrive.  I'm quite sure there is someone out there who is up to the challenge...

Peace,

Ragan   

I want to send a shout out to thank everyone who came out to the WTCC listening event and Organix Soul this past weekend!  We had a great time up there and hope to groove with you again soon.

Special thanks to my new friends at WTCC 90.7 FM and the Springfield Holiday Inn!  You showed us a lot of love and support and I can't thank you enough!

Those of you who are in the Springfield, MA area, make sure you support the Organix Soul events.  You can get info here: www.organixsoul.com

Also, check out one of the few music stores around that actually carries VINYL as welll as CDs: Reflections Emporium, 195 Worthington Street, Springfield, MA

Hey Everybody!

I have been away for a while, but I am now back online and will be answering all messages (it may take a strong minute, but dammit, I'm gonna get to everyone!) .  Sorry for the delay and thanks for being patient with me!!!

Peace,

Ragan

I'd like to send out a HUGE THANK YOU to the following stations for spinning my new CD, Class Axe! 

The radio campaign has begun!  I'd like to extend a huge "THANK YOU" to the DJs who have added cuts from Class Axe!!!

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..> ..> June 18, 2007

..> ..> ..>..> ..> ..> ..>..> ..> ..> ..>..> ..> ..> ..>..> ..> ..> ..>..> ..> ..> ..>..> SMOOTH JAZZ MOST ADDED© ARTIST Title Label ADDS RICK BRAUN & RICHARD ELLIOT R n R ARTizen 7 MARION MEADOWS Remember Me Heads Up 4 KEIKO MATSUI Black River Shout! Factory 3 U-NAM Street Life Trippin 'N' Rhythm 3 DOWN TO THE BONE Parkside Shuffle Narada Jazz/BLG 3 JAY SOTO Slammin NuGroove 2 DAVE KOZ The Pink Panther Capitol 2 JEFF KASHIWA Forever Native Language 2 ..> ..> ..>..> ..> ..> ..>..> SMOOTH JAZZ INDICATOR MOST ADDED© ARTIST Title Label ADDS RICK BRAUN & RICHARD ELLIOT R n R ARTizen 5 RAGAN WHITESIDE Meu Amigo, Meu Amante Randis 3 CHRISETTE MICHELE Best Of Me Def Jam/IDJMG 3 JEFF KASHIWA Forever Native Language 2 SUPER GROOVERS Super Groover ADG 2 PHIL PERRY The World Is A Ghetto Shanachie 2 ROCCO VENTRELLA Give Me The Groove Prosthetic 2 MARC ANTOINE Hi-Lo Split Peak/Concord 2 ED SPARGO Brother Andrew NF 2 ..> ..> ..>..> Issue date June 22, 2007. "R&R Most Added This Week" is a list of all songs with two or more new adds either reported by each station or by automatic add thresholds from R&R's exclusive panel of reporters. On holiday weeks fewer stations may report and/or add new music. © 2007 Radio & Records, Inc., 770 Broadway, 6th Floor, New York, NY 10003. All rights reserved. Permission granted to reprint "R&R Most Added This Week" in whole or in part as long as R&R is properly credited.

It's finally here: 

The PREMIER of the film

UNFORGIVEN SINS!

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Host:  Perla Faye Humphrey Location:  Club Desiree / Showtime 13334 Almeda Rd @ Fugua, Houston, TX 77045 View Map When:  Thursday, October 19, 5:00pm Phone:  (713) 433-2563 Movie Synopsis: After being kidnapped by members of a drug cartel and escaping her captors, a young woman is instrumental in assisting local authorities in solving a highly publicized serial murder case. However, there's much more to the kidnapping than the authorities are led to believe. 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm (Happy Hour, Drink Specials, Free Buffet) 7:30 pm - 8:00 pm (Live Performance by Ragan Whiteside -flutist) 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm (Premier of Unforgiven Sins) 10:00 pm until (Q & A with Filmmaker / Live Performance by Too Laid Back Band) Proper attire, no baseball caps, no tennis shoes Age 25 and up No drinks allowed inside club

To book Ragan Whiteside & The Fam at your next event, call (212) 561-0253

or send an email to raganw@yahoo.com

For a stage plot, equipment rider, press releases and more, check out my electronic press kit: www.sonicbids.com/raganwhiteside

If you just want to see what you'll be getting, visit my website at: www.raganwhiteside.com

First, I would like to thank everyone for their congrats and well-wishing! 

The 2006 Capital Jazz Challenge took place on June 3rd in Columbia, MD.  (Check out the website: www.capitaljazz.com)  The competition was fierce...  everyone was talented and driven.  We were fortunate enough to have an "on" day...  you know, those days when you pick up your instrument and everything comes out "like butta, but betta"...   When we finished our set, I was very happy with the way we played.  For that moment, it didn't matter if we won or not... we played with a lot of heart and that's what really matters to me.  That being said, it still felt great to win! 

The next day, we were the opening act for the festival so we got to perform on the main stage.  I don't think I have ever performed on a stage with that many monitors!  There were at least 5 in front of me and at least 2 on each side of the stage.  (Usually, I'm lucky if I can hear myself at all!)  We also had a real dressing room...  with couches, bottled water, private bathroom and everything!  We got to be stars for a day...  :) (I know I must sound like a kid, but after years of schlepping equipment and changing in the car and/or bathroom stall, getting a real dressing room is quite an experience!)

One thing I have learned from this whole experience is that it's really easy to let your head swell.  HOWEVER...  it is just as easy to stay grounded. I think that the folks who have let their egos get out of control have forgotten what they went through to get to where they are.  With the exception of "flash in the pan" artists who have their careers handed to them like a winning lottery ticket, every musician has to work hard and make a LOT of sacrifices.  I'm quite sure there has been at least one day in every musician's journey when there was $1.73 in checking, $.50 in savings, rent was past due, and a gig just got cancelled.  The struggle makes you appreciate success that much more.

This was sent to me via email and it made me feel a lot better on a very discouraging day:

Success is the sum of small efforts,
that you repeat day in and day out.
Many people take the first step and then stop.
Yet, with every additional step you take,
you enhance immensely the value of your first step.

All masters of success are chiefly distinguished
by their power of adding a second, a third,
and perhaps a fourth step in a continuous line.

There is no royal road to anything.
One thing at a time, all things in succession is the rule of life.
That which grows fast, withers as rapidly.
That which grows slowly, endures.

Do not despise the bottom rungs in your ascent to greatness.

Over the past few weeks, the issue of signing with a label or going the independent route has come up in many conversations with many different people.  Some were die-hard independent cats, some die-hard traditionalists.  Both sides have very strong pros, but at the same time, both sides have their cons.  I would like to offer some advice to anyone who is stuck in the dilemma of choosing which way to go:

1. Understand the business side of the music business before making any decisions.  You will be amazed at the way things actually work, as opposed the to the way you thought they worked.

2. Do not limit your options! It's a tough world out there, so the more options you have, the better chance for success.  Stay open to all possibilities!