PRISONER EXPRESS

Give it up for music everyone. I wonder if you like music as much as I do? Music can be used for many different functions. I believe the main function that music serves, is entertainment. Music, for me, is an escape hatch for those times when I am troubled in my mind. Music is inspiring to me. I came to appreciate music when I was about six years old. But before that, I can remember even as a small boy my big brother dancing to the music. I can remember the feelings of amazement I experiences as I would watch him dance to the music. Even years later my mind would reflect, looking back at my big brother and those fancy moves of his. Coming of age on those occasions when I would listen to the music and dance I would think back to my brother's dance moves and try to imitate them. My brother was a better dancer than I am and the fact is he had a fond love of music. I guess you could say that most of my brothers and sisters were musically inclined. I can remember performing in a talent show at six years old, singing the Jackson Five's "Rockin Robin". Naively, even then I had the love for music. I found that I liked to sing along to the music. Performing in that talent show provided me with some things, like the attention I craved that music provided for me. It was like an unspoken need, applause, was also something that I craved which music and performance provided me. When I was six years old I was not even aware that I craved these things, having a need to be commended and acknowledged. There are other unmentionable things that music provided for me. Plain and simple; I had a fond desire of music. Do you remember James Taylor's Handy Ma? How about this, "You've got a Friend" How about Captain and Tenneil's Muskrat Love, Chicago's Color my World, or Elton John's "Daniel, if you leave me now' et cetera.

There were a lot of songs back then that have caused me now to acknowledge what part music played in my life. Music was, and still has a major role in my life. Even here in prison, music still has a key role in my life. I do own a radio here in prison and I still like to listen to music. My favorite type of music is R+B and gospel. Rap music was not prevalent then as it is now, I like some rap music, and however, there is some rap music I do not care too much about. Okay, so now allow me to share with you a gift of mine that God gave to me along with a love of music. I've known for quite some time that I can sing very well. I like to sing. I grew up singing in the church choir and therefore I had an outlet to express myself. I have always had dreams of being a recording artist, such as Michael Jackson or Usher...but it never did happen. I guess that I still have that same desire buried deep in my subconscious. I've lost a lot of enthusiasm but it would take only a little spark to get the fire going. Good and enjoyable music soothes my soul. What type of music do I like today? Plain and simple, R and B is my favorite type of music. Do you like R and B. If so who are some of your favorite artists. Do you listen to gospel? I like Kirk Franklin, Bebe and Cece Winan, The Reverend Paul Jones, Jimmy Swaggart...et cetera. My nationality is African American and so my taste of music may differ somewhat from yours. Some of my favorite recording artists are Jagged Edge, Mint Condition, Elton John, Styx, George Michael, Isley Brothers, Bobby Valentino, Al B. Sure, Lou Rawls, One way featuring Al Hudson, Earth wind and Fire, Confunkshun, Minnie Ripperton, Cece Peniston, the Eagles...etc.