M.I.A.

Yes, I admit it. I've been missing in action, but even I didn't realize it's been this long. So sorry. However, the important part of M.I.A is the A = action. So, though I've been missing from this blog, I have been doing things. In fact, I maybe doing a little too much, making me ineffective at what I should be doing...like communicating with you. Did I say sorry? Well, the truth is Michelle & I have been working hard on the Joe Bryant documentary: Impassioned. There's light at the end of the tunnel though, almost there. We have a couple of proposed finish lines, but we'll probably shoot for the later one so as not to rush the final product. More on that as we get closer.

I was also elected to the board of directors of FAITH = Finding All Individual Talents Hidden, last Fall. It's a brand new organization focused on after school learning for kids with Autism. It is the dream of my very gifted niece, Tiffany Andrews. I am very proud of her and to be a part of this wonderful program; but it is a lot of work getting a new organization off the ground.

I've also been spending a lot of time working with Electro-Funk. Man, the band sounds good! Okay, that may be a biased opinion, but I am really proud of their growth. Hoping more people will get a chance to hear and dance to our music in the very near future. Check out our revised Reverberation page.

I added new audio play widgets to the Duane M. Carter Projects page for all the bands as well. Go there to listen to some of the samples.

Of course, amongst all of this I squeeze in some time to write, both words and music. I even had the opportunity to publish both in a wonderful digital creative journal, Soul by Southwest, and participate in their release party back in May. It was a beautifully creative evening, and I am so thankful to be a part of this publication.

Anyway, I'll try to communicate a bit more frequently over the remaining months in this year.

Let me know your thoughts, follow me on my social media pages!

Peace

New Beginnings

I like the idea of cycles, such as the beginning of a new year. The new year affords the opportunity to reflect upon past accomplishments and failures, and start afresh with a clean slate. Though I dislike setting myself up for failure with those impossible resolutions, I do think setting goals for yourself is healthy. They give you something shoot for. I have a ton of goals for the year. Of course, I hope I can attain each and every one. Wish me the best, and I wish you the best on yours as well. But remember should either of us fall short, there is always another cycle just around the corner.

Peace

Always a Saint

I was blessed to be a member of a phenomenal group of musicians during my formative years, led and guided by some exceptionally visionary teachers. This weekend we will be gathering to rename the Locke High School band building in honor those teachers: Donald Dustin, Frank Harris, and Reggie Andrews. In doing so, I will join the bandstand with an illustrious list of alumni, to include: Patrice Rushen, Leon "Ndugu" Chancler, Fritz Wise, Daniel Le'Melle, Tyrese Gibson, Raymond Pounds, Gerald Albright, Gary Bias, Charles Mims, Danny Cortez, and many more sung & unsung greats from this South Central Los Angeles bed of talent. It is indeed an honor to have once been and to always be a Saint.

~Once a Saint, always a Saint~

Peace

Autumn

I came out of the house this morning to be greeted by an undeniable change in the temperature. Unfortunately, I'm not in a place with the dramatic and gorgeous turning of the leaves, but Fall is making its presence known nonetheless. So with that, I felt it fitting to post my poem, Autumn, on the writer side of my website. Hope you enjoy it.

Peace

The Wait is Over

If you're an Amazon shopper like so many of us are, I totally understand. Convenience can be so simplifying. That said, if you've been waiting for my ebook, No Promises to come to Amazon, then wait no more. The official Kindle version is here. On that note, you can find it through Barnes & Noble for the Nook, iBook for your tablet & computer, and of course Smashwords for every format. Enjoy.

Peace

Q & A

"I'd say the real story is that things happen to us for a reason. There are no coincidences. One of my poems speak of finding love across time and space. I believe this book has the same underlying premise. I find it amazing how people encounter one another, even if it's just a momentary glance where eyes meet in the acknowledgement of another's existence, at a particular point in time and in a particular space..."

Check out the rest of the interview for No Promises here.

Peace

New E-book Published!

Okay dear friends, here's the e-xciting news I was hoping to share with you. My new novel, No Promises, is now an e-book! You can click here for a free sample. I hope you like it. If you do, and you feel so inclined, go ahead and downloaded the full book to your favorite device from the same page. And, I just got word that it has just been picked up by a few of the other popular e-book retailers that you probably already use. E-njoy!

Peace