http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6v-N_G4Pwk

This is on it's way to BETJ as we "speak"! They are already on board to start spinning it! Hooray! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6v-N_G4Pwk

Sy Smith's "Spies" to air on LOGO's video show "NewNowNext" on Feb 11, 2009 at 9pm Pacific (please check local listings for accurate airtime!)! Here's the press release!

Weekly Logo Video Update:
NewNowNext PopLab is the home for party music in all its
forms. It's the
glossy, brighter side to LGBT music. Radio stars, club
favorites, and
established and future divas blend together in an hour of
music videos
focusing on artists and material that matter the most to
the LGBT music
fan.

NewNowNext PopLab premieres a new episode each Wednesday
night at
midnight. Each week's playlist can be found here:
http://www.logoonline.com/video/franchise.jhtml?ctid=2073

Here is the list of videos for the NewNowNext PopLab show
airing on
Wednesday, February 11th. This week's show will be
hosted by the cast of
Noah's Arc: Jumping the Broom. Logo premieres this week
include Ciara,
Kelly Clarkson, Annie Lennox, Sy Smith and Ariel Aparicio.

1. Lily Allen "The Fear"
2. Sy Smith "Spies" (Broadcast Premiere)
3. Ciara "Never Ever" (Logo Premiere)
4. Asa "Jailer" (Logo Premiere)
5. LMFAO "I'm in Miami Trick" (Broadcast
Premiere)
6. Kelly Clarkson "My Life Would Suck Without
You" (Logo Premiere)
7. Annie Lennox "Shining Light" (Broadcast
Premiere)
8. Ariel Aparicio "Pretty In Pink" (Broadcast
Premiere)
9. SirPaul "Objectified"

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids....

I've been singing with Chris Botti for a little more than 2 years now, and stumbled across this footage from one my earlier shows with him... Thought I'd share!

(I'm having some trouble uploading photos, so gimme a couple days to resolve this...)



The last 10 days have been FABULOUS! First, I went to Cincinnati to rehearse and perform with the Cincy Pops Orchestra. My single "Fly Away With Me" was the most added at Urban AC radio with 7 adds. Then I return to L.A. after playing in San Diego with Chris Botti and I find out that "Fly Away With Me" got the most adds AGAIN (with 5 adds!)... Please allow me to elaborate.

I had an absolutely darling time in Queen City with the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra! From the conductor (Erich Kunzel) to the CPO staff (especially Shannon, Sam, Joe, Peter and Michael), to all of the musicians (especially Julie, Steven and Vince!), to the wonderful Cincinnati Children's Choir and the May Festival Chorus (can't leave out the Madcap Puppet Theatre and the Cincy Handbell Choir), OMG, I can't forget the Cincinnati Studio for Dance!- everyone was absolutely delightful! Not to mention the other singer with whom I shared the stage (Colin Brush of UMCP)... I had a wonderful time! Thanks to the patrons of the CPO who supported these wonderful holiday concerts... And especially thanks to my family and friends who came from far and near to see the shows! I love you guys so much!



Now - on to the radio airplay! I had a modest 47 spins last week for "Fly Away With Me". So I'll need YOU to call up your local stations to request it! Here's a list of the stations currently playing "Fly Away With Me":


KNEK - (337) 920-5635 -Lafayette, LA
WAGH - (706) 576.3000 - Columbus, GA
WHUR - (202) 806-3500 - Washington, DC
WKXI - (601) 995-1075 - Jackson, MS
WMPZ - (423) 265-9494 - Chattanooga, TN
KMEZ - (504) 260-1029 - New Orleans, LA
KQXL - (225) 929-5129 - Baton Rouge, LA
KOKY - (501) 433-0102 Little Rock, AK
WLXC - (803) 796-9975 - Columbia, SC
WMGL - (843) 721-1073 - (Text Requests to 67663, enter keyword "Soul" then "Fly Away With Me by Sy Smith") - North Charleston, SC
WXST - (843) 278-7827 - Charleston, SC
WAKB - (803) 279-0155 - Augusta, GA

(This blog is a work in progress... Check back tomorrow for more radio stations and photos from Cincy!)

(all photos by Darien Davis)

First off. Appendicitis is not a good look.

That being said, let me back up to Tuesday, November 11 and give you the details of my latest adventure with as much (and as little) detail as possible while still keeping your attention.

This past Tuesday, 11 Nov 2008, we shot a video for my tune "Spies" from the soundtrack of the movie "Noah's Arc - Jumping The Broom". (Fantastic movie! Go see it if you can - Click here for cities/dates!)



We were shooting down at the Catch One Disco, a well-known hot spot here in Los Angeles. The day started for me around 10:30a. All was well and good. My director, Shawny P, had everything lined up. My glam squad was ready to go! (Shout out to Hollis - stylist to the stars, baby!, Sir Tony on hair, and of course Eric Ferrell on brushes!) The production crew was all set (Prentiss Smith - first AD, Brian Vellum - director of photography, Taylor - playback, Craig & Miko - riggers/lights/et al, Neecole - producer, Rosano - b-roll footage/interviews, Odis - still photography, Kamesha - craft services, Tracy Kennedy - brushes, Natasha - wardrobe... whew!, just naming everybody is tiring me out!). And as soon as I got into my first look (a fabulous beaded gown by Project Runway's Jerrell Scott), we started shooting!



Actor Doug Spearman of Noah's Arc joined me for a few shots and we got a little acquainted (as it turns out, he's from my hometown and went to a neighboring high school). I got into my second look, a Matrix-like spy costume courtesy of Los Angeles designer Sterling Capricio! And then we broke for lunch around 6pm... Yummy! Collard greens, rice/beans, macaroni/cheese!! We all needed a nap after that meal. But there was no time for sleep. After lunch, we resumed shooting. Derrell, our choreographer, was getting the dancers into shape (shout out to the DANCERS and Mykal Bean!!!!!), and all seemed to be running smoothly on the set.




It's probably an hour after lunch, yeah, around 7pm or so, when I first began to feel ill. Actually, my whole lunch came up. But I didn't want my director to know that I wasn't feeling well, plus I thought that the worst of my stomach ache was over and that I'd be back to full speed after a few minutes, maybe a half hour tops. So I continued working. Got a couple of great takes with actor Jonathan Julian of Noah's Arc (and a couple of great laughs, he's a riot!). And I got into my third and final look. Only problem was, my tummy still ached, and I was still ... well, you know... throwing up. Almost every 45 minutes or so at this point. The "tummy ache" was steadfastly attached to the bottom right side of my abdomen. It wasn't a throbbing pain. Just felt like someone had his finger jabbed into my side and wouldn't let up. But the show had to go on, right? And I still didn't think it was serious. I thought maybe just one unladylike belch would make me all better. The dancers shot their scene and were absolutely wonderful I heard, but I was upstairs in the dressing room calling for God, Allah, Jesus, Jay-Z... whoever was up there listening. After getting some very cool takes with actors Jason Steed (aka Baby Gat of Noah's Arc) and the ultra-cool Darryl Stephen's (aka Noah of Noah's Arc), I was completely done. Shawny P announced I was wrapped. Darryl was sweet enough to applaud, but I was too ill to return the appreciation. Rahsaan Patterson had just stopped in to say hello and wish me the best, but again, I was barely able to stand up straight at this point.

So I know that a belch won't help. It's 1am and Eric F. offers me a ride home because it's very clear that I can't drive myself. By 2am, Shawn comes by the crib to check on me and by 2:45am Tuesday night, I'm in the ER. It was a little scary. I'm basically a ball of tears, barely able to hold a pen, let alone fill out hospital forms. I'm taken in, vitals taken, blood and specimen taken and then strapped to an IV for pain medication. After lab results and an ultrasound ruled out other ailments, the nurse had me drink an internal dye so that I could get a CAT scan. This was at 5am. After the 6am CAT scan, I was diagnosed about 2 hours later at 8am with APPENDICITIS and was told by the doctor that they would have to perform surgery on me as soon as possible.

WHAT?!

WTF?!

More tears.

By 11am Wednesday morning, I was transferred to a real hospital room and by 5pm that day, I was in the OR (although the anesthesiologist gave me something that made me feel like I was on a cloud)! Mind you, the face was STILL BEAT from the video shoot, so I was the fiercest chick in the hospital for a day and a half! LOL!

There is a lesson to be learned in all of this. If you have a persistent "tummy ache", particularly on the bottom right side of your abdomen, and if you have other symptoms that are persistent such as loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting - don't hesitate to get yourself checked out by a doctor! I was so distressed about the possibility of being labeled a "drama queen", that I put myself at a grave risk by not immediately taking action regarding my health! Of course, it all worked out in the end, but some people aren't so lucky and appendicitis can be fatal if not treated. (Click here to learn more about appendicitis ).

I've gotta thank all my family and friends for the kind words, the text messages, the flowers and for stopping by to check in on me. (Hollis, Spark, Chante, Shawn, and Charmaine especially)! I woke up from surgery and returned to my hospital room where I stayed for 2 days and ate (drank) liquid diets (yucky!). But after seeing that my recovery was going normally, my doctor discharged me Friday night and now I'm FREE! I'm still recovering, taking it easy, but I'm up and about in Los Angeles! I just wanted to share my story with all of you because so many of you have been checking on me and asking what happened (especially those of you who were at the shoot)!

All is well. It's gonna take a little more than a laproscopic appen..omy to keep me down. But in all seriousness, your concern and kindness was most humbling and made me feel loved. For that I thank each and every one of you...

Kisses,
Sy

Hey Syberfam!

I'm shooting a video for my tune "Spies" this Tuesday night, November 11, 2008 - here in Los Angeles. I need experienced dancers who learn quickly! It's a club scene, so I also need funky-styled people, fresh-faced folks, and people who LOVE bringing good vibes to any setting! (Some of you might remember what we did at the "Fa' Sho" video shoot a couple years ago! Well, I need THAT kind of energy!)

About the tune, "Spies" is on my CD "Conflict", but ALSO on the soundtrack to "Noah's Arc - Jumping The Broom". So a couple of the cast members of the movie are going to come down and join us in making this video!

My director, Shawn Carter Peterson (see in my top friends), is going to get you all the information you need if you are interested. Please e-mail your name, photo, and contact info to spiesbysysmith@yahoo.com IMMEDIATELY so the producer can get ya in where ya fit in!

I'd love to see all my folks there! So e-mail us at spiesbysysmith@yahoo.com RIGHT NOW!

Kisses to you all! I'll see ya Tuesday night!

Sy

Well, not really the way you might think! (Gotcha, suckas!) But I have a tune on the soundtrack to "Noah's Arc - Jumping The Broom"! This movie is sure to have us laughing and crying at the same time. I couldn't be happier to have writer-director Patrik-Ian Polk hand-select "Spies" for his soundtrack! The soundtrack will be available TODAY (OCT 21, 2008), just click this link to purchase!

Click here to find out more about the movie (see the trailer, find out if the limited engagement comes to your city, etc.)! Shout out to Darryl, Patrik and the entire talented cast! I'm such a fan...
Kisses,
Sy

(Just in case you don't get the reference... peep the video at this link and be prepared to have a strong reaction...)

Yo... This weekend, I had a wonderful time in Detroit, MI as we celebrated the Soultracks' Readers Choice Awards Gala! In short, the awards were wonderful. Hosted on Friday night by a lovely Jodine Dorce (known in the soul community from Jodine's corner), with an equally personable co-host from the local Urban AC radio station (forgot his name, please forgive me).

There were performances from April Hill, Heston, Conya Doss, Algebra, Monica Blair, and myself. But most memorable was the tribute to The Dramatics, who received the Lifetime Achievement Award, by Gordon Chambers and the saaaangin-est fool I've ever met, Phil Perry! (If I'm leaving any performance out, please please forgive me).

Chris Rizik, the founder of Soultracks, really showed how passion he has for this music we love, called soul, with his organization of this event. In fact, he organized the whole weekend!

The following Saturday afternoon, we were treated to a discount rate at the Motown Museum. This tour was the most humbling experience I've ever felt (aside from the time I toured a slave depot/castle in Ghana, West Africa). We learned all about Berry Gordy's vision, his enterprise, all of the artists/writers/choreographers/stylists/charm-school teachers/etc., who were involved with Motown. This tour brought tears to my eyes - but I can now say that I sang in the Motown studio A! That's right, I, along with Kendra Ross, and two other young ladies, volunteered to learn a quick routine and sing "Stop In The Name Of Love" in Studio A! LOL! Too bad we don't have that on video, but alas, there's no video or photography allowed at Hitsville, U.S.A. You'll just have to take my word for it...

That evening, there was a Motown tribute at the Museum of African American History. The performers included Dain Harris, AB, PJ Morton, my girl Yahzarah (aka Purple St. James), Maya Azucena, Rhonda Thomas, Kendra Ross, Abby Dobson, Spyder (can't remember his last name, yikes), and more! It was a cool way to end this 2-day salute to indie and (damned-near-indie) soul artists!

Although I didn't walk away with any coveted awards, I think I left with some new Syberfriends, and that feels really good! I'd like to thank Miles, Russell Taylor, Stevie Soul, Chris Rizik, Duane Powell of Dr. Wax in Chicago, David Nathan, Soul-Patrol, Jodine, Nina Morena and all Soultracks Readers for all the support to this community of artists! We live, make music, dance, shout, yell, cry, and share all kinds of emotions when it comes to this life. At the end of the day, I'm proud to participate in journeys such as this one, where we all do it together! Chris Rizik, you really outdid yourself - but please keep outdoing yourself... Just like the "I Got Soul" conference in Dallas, we need to keep doin' it for ourselves! When the radio won't play the PJ Mortons of the world, we need the ProjectVibes and the NeoSoul Cafes (and please, somebody, bring back XM's The Flow!!!!).

I left Detroit feeling invigorated. Feeling rejuvenated. And most of all, feeling good knowing that PJ Morton is gonna work on some new music with me! LOL!

Thanks everyone for the smiles, good words, and for the LOVE during my performance at the Awards show (I was told several times that I "turned it out in one song"... I can't mad at that!).

I'm looking forward to staying in touch with Anita, Miles, David N., Tom Paul, Drake, and everyone else I connected with! Shout to Pearls Music in Detroit - That's the one-stop for all your soul music needs!

xoxo
sysy


P.S. - If you have pics from this event, email me at sysmithevents@hotmail.com and I'll post in the "You And Me" photo album, okay?

For all of you who don't know yet, Santa Monica's Temple Bar is closing it's doors on September 30, 2008. Here's my message from my last newsletter regarding this sad news. However, I encourage you all to celebrate the legacy of the Temple Bar by joining me and Deez in our last show on the TB stage, this Monday, Sept 29!

From the newsletter:
It is with bittersweet emotion that I say farewell to the Temple Bar. This premier music venue in Southern Cali has been a home to artists like myself and so many others in the genres of soul, funk, salsa, hip-hop, weirdness and more! Temple Bar is where I filmed my DVD Worship At The Temple. It's where I've been able to experiment with sounds and words, it's where I've launched west coast go-go shows, and more importantly, Temple Bar is where I met many of you! So, we'll play a farewell concert this Monday, September 29 (TB will close it's doors after Sept 30). To say thank you, the first 25 folks who arrive to see my show will receive a free DVD or T-shirt! Please see the flyer to the right (below) for information.



I've had a pretty exciting weekend... Here's a recap from the newsletter!

My summer was absolutely amazing and couldn't have gone out with a bigger bang! I was absolutely thrilled when Chris Botti asked me to join him for his PBS special/DVD recording as a special guest! Other special guests included Sting (as in The Police... yeah, Sting), John Mayer, Josh Groban, Yo-Yo Ma (Yo-Yo friggin' Ma!!!!), Steven Tyler (Aerosmith y'all!) - all backed by the Boston Pops under the direction of Keith Lockhart! This event took place on Sept 18 and 19. The evenings were full of love and light (I was so moved after receiving standing ovations on both evenings and a nice mention in the Boston Globe) although we did have a scare with one concert attendee having a serious medical emergency during the show. (I'd like to send my prayers to him and his family for a speedy and full recovery.) I'll be sure to include more photos from this concert in the next newsletter.(I failed to mention that this will air on PBS stations nationwide in March 2009! So you can all check it out then!)

My latest video for the tune "Conflict" will premiere this Tuesday evening, Sept 30, on BETJ's "Soul Sessions" show at 6pm - but I advise you to check local listings for time!

Click here to join my mailing list! Don't worry, I won't bombard you with e-mails every other day!"

Well, that's all for now guys... Although I'm saddened about Temple Bar closing, I look forward to helping it go out with a BANG this Monday night! I hope to see you all there!

xoxo
sysy

Hey all!

It's occurred to me that I should have a photo album dedicated to all the folks that I meet when I'm on the road doing shows (and playing locally too!). So I'm starting a new photo album on my page called "You & Me". So for all of you taking photos when we see each other, shoot me a couple pics so that I can add to the photo album!

To make things interesting, I'll do a give-away for the "PHOTO OF THE MONTH" so get creative when we do our 30-second photo shoots, okay guys/gals!?

I'll get things started by adding a few photos to this new album tonight. You can submit your photos to me by sending to this myspace page or e-mailing them to sysmithevents@hotmail.com - don't forget to tell me who's in the photo, where it was taken and who took the photo!

Looking forward to getting some cool pics!

xo
sy