What’s up everyone…

Just a quick one here to let you know that your boy is doing well – great, actually – and enjoying the love of God.  The EBT/BRB went back into the studio with my man Rocket – http://youtu.be/RTmK85WGPVc  - and created some fun music…really swingin’.  The CD will be out when it’s done so keep on the watch for that.  Join us on Facebook and Twitter to keep up to date.

If you’re in the Columbia area and looking for a great church, I found one:  St John Baptist Church.  This church is doing and will do a mighty work.  If you want to be fed the Word and you want to be amongst friends, this is the place to be.

Heading into the Fall I am a bit overwhelmed!  Trying to record 2 new CD’s with my girl Janine Gilbert-Carter, Lavenia Nesmith’s CD is brewing, the EBT goes back to Bolivia (hola mis amigos!!), and I have about 90 jobs to work.  But when my anxiety starts to rise and my panic level flares, I am reminded by the words of a song by Walter Hawkins, gospel legend who left us way too soon but perhaps God missed him too much:

“I have a friend indeed/one who supplies my every need”

I can cast my cares on Him and my strength is renewed.  What great news!!

God is creating a new thing in me and I am excited to see what those new things will be.  What will be your new things this year?  What are your plans?  Write them down, pray on them and they will come to pass.

Peace and Soul!

Keep swingin’

ebb

You know, it’s always nice to work with someone that knows what they’re doing.  So often you have people – even cats in authority – that you have to deal with that generally don’t have a clue.  That wasn’t the case a week ago when we ran into a rocket.

Rocket is his name and it was the first time I had ever seen him.  We’ve shared emails and phone calls, but when I walked into Shenendoah U’s recording studio – where Alphonso teaches – I was looking at this kid Rocket for the first time…

…man, was I pleasantly surprised

this kid had a team of cats waiting on us, set up the mics, manned the board, even ordered pizza.  He was waiting on us!  The session couldn’t have gone any smoother and he has put the unmixed sessions up so that I can hear what we did.  Yes, he knows what he’s doing.

I can’t wait to go back and finish the tracks.  Rocket is the man.

Tracks we’ve recorded are GREENBACKS, EVERYWHERE, GIVE ME JESUS, COME ON CHILDREN LET’S SING, HARD TIMES, BUSTED, GEORGIA, FURTHER UP THE ROAD, MARY ANN, O DEATH, SHE’S NO LADY and they sound so good they all might make it on the new one

God Bless,

EBB

For the past 2 weeks I have been working with some of the brightest, most special, talented and positive people I have had the pleasure to be with – some HS kids from the district of Columbia.

Common Ground on The Hill here at McDaniel College has spread its wings a bit wider to welcome these kids from DC; they are taking classes all day and get some CG classes too!  I specifically taught alongside Gabe (poet, break dancer) and Jonathan Gilmore (Lea’s grown up kid!!) to talk about Black culture, music and poetry.  It would be easy – and incorrect – to say I taught the class of eager kids; they taught us.

They laughed, they dropped their eyes, they poured their hearts into their work and it was very moving.  It’s easy to see these black kids from the city come up to this white suburb and let the media define for you what black youths are all about…but, here’s a thought: the media doesn’t always portray black people correctly.

…shocking, i know…keep it together now….no need to lose it….

I was reminded that teenagers both black and white care about their future no matter how they front like they don’t.  They need someone to mentor them, they need parents to listen to them, they need love, support and discipline.  They want to know right from wrong.  They want to be told to be quiet when someone else is sharing.  They want to give respect and they desire to earn yours.  I am personally making sure the 30 or so kids I came into contact with know they can count on me to write a letter of recom so they can get into a great college.  I am hopeful I’ll get the chance to teach some of them at McDaniel.

Don’t give up on our kids.  Don’t judge them by the package they come in.  Don’t let some stupid stereotype come in-between helping a good student.  They need you.

and by the way….

….we need them even more

God Bless,

EBB

It was a great week and weekend…Ocean City with the family was wonderful and we had an old fashioned neighborhood block party for the 4th.  I don’t like to brag but my bbq ribs were the hit of the party.  (thanks patti labelle cookbook)

my pastor reminded me on Sunday that while it’s good to pause and remember our freedom as a nation on the 4th, we should also acknowledge that God’s sacrifice, grace and mercy provides liberty for all.  In Him, we are all free  amen

props to my good and best friend Brian Ford for updating the great webpage that Brad Wantz created for me.  Between Brad and Brian I am convinced the page will continue to be flexible to the needs of the band and the music.  We are doing some fantastic things over the next few months and i will let you know about all of it, right here.

goodbye for now as i’m still going through a week’s worth of mail.  love yourself, love somebody and love God.  That’s all you need.

God Bless,

ebb

Hello everyone,

It’s wonderful to talk to you all again. Gonna keep this one short and sweet and try to catch you up on all things EBT! Here goes:
-thanks for all the love and support for Umoja Gaelica, the Scotland project. The gigs were smashing and Lea was in fine voice. Everything was recorded and the project should be released later in 2010
-my college gospel choir just performed for the Haitian Ambassador. Wow! He mentioned that half – HALF – of all America gave some money to Haitian relief. Great job, people
-The EBT/Bro Ray Band is heading into the studio this summer to record a follow up to the smash ‘Brother Ray’ CD. Dates have been booked and songs have been selected.

Finally, we are coming into yet another Memorial Day weekend and my thoughts and prayers go out to all those serving in harm’s way to make/keep us safe. I especially thank Steven, my wife’s cousin, for making the ultimate sacrifice for our country. When you’re at a ball game or graduation, or any place where the National Anthem is performed make sure you set an example of respect for others. Make sure you stop children and kids from fooling around during the song. People fought, bled and died for that anthem – people like Steven. Show some respect. After the cookouts, the trips to the shore, the family parties, make sure you take a moment to pray for those men and women. They are fantastic.

Keep Swingin’
EBB