During a recent recording session for Tree-O Productions, I conducted an interview with the artist known as Reggie Hamilton.
Interview conducted by Dwayne Nelson
D: Hello Reggie, the public is interested to find out more about the man behind the music. First, what prompted the current current CD release "The Liberation Experience" and How old are you?
R: First of all, the cd is going well and on time. What prompted the cd is the notion that in this day and age, we need 2 have more reflection on relationships and how we treat people (self, spouses, family, friends and loved ones) in contrast to chaos and disorder that we see on a daily basis in our lives; thus a "Mellowland". We, here at Tree-O Productions and our record company, TRG Records, are committed to positive change in the musical as well as the social arenas. and we vow to promote positivity in every aspect of our musical and social endeavors. And I am 35 years old.
D: Well, what is Tree-O Productions?
R: Well, Tree-O Productions is the musical productions company that I own and operate.
D: Why is the company name spelled the way that it is?
R: I'm glad that you asked that question. First and foremost, the "Tree" part of the name represents the Black family tree and that at one point in our history we began to become a diverse people in physical, mental, economical, moral and spiritual ways. The hyphen "-" represents the things that we have gone through, the things we are going through and the things we must go through to get to a point of unity. The "O" represents the oneness or rather the unity that we as a people can should and need to achieve at this day and time. And our overall objective is to promote positivity, to erase or at least diminish the ills of society in the areas of poverty, poor education, poor housing, homelessness, rampant drug abuse, unemployment, etc. And one day, hopefully in the near future, once enough revenue is acquired by Tree-O Productions and our various other companies; we plan to sponsor a collegiate scholarship to any financially deprived person wanting to enter into their proposed field of endeavor.
D: Wow, that's a lot that you want to do!
R: That just the beginning of the world-wide revolution. We're going to "branch out" if you will, into every aspect of human life to bring forth an ultimate and positive change. Whether that be through music, literature, media, charitable functions or motivational speaking.
D: Back to the music, How many instruments do you play?
R: I play a total of 27 instruments.
D: Now that's a lot of instruments.
R: (smile) Not really, I mean there are still a lot more intruments that I would love to learn how to play. I would say that I've been extremly blessed in the area of music. I guess you could say that I'm a perfectionist or a workaholic of sorts.
D: I've noticed when I was listening to the variations of musical releases ("Mellowland", "When U Need A Love: The Majestic Suite", "The Liberation Experience", "Truth or Dare?", and The Rapture") CD, your music touches many differnt genres (Neo Soul, R&B, Soul, Jazz, Funk, House, Smooth Jazz, Spirituality, Spoken Word, Adult Contemporary and more). One can safely assume that you're heavly into variety when it comes to music. Was this music by design for this release? What was the inspiration behind the singles such as "When U Need A Love", "Liberation (Revolution In Da House Mix)" and "N2U? (The Seduction Mix)"?
R: Yes, the music was and is by design. This CD is reflective of me in totality. Being that I listen to ALL types of music, including classical, I thought that the variation would be befitting as a music, lyrical and spiritual display of myself to the world and the peace that I've come to now know. My inspirations are from just living life as seen through my eyes or vicariously through others - reflecting and expounding on what we deal with, aspire for, yearn for and need. Everybody needs love, trust, belief, hope, faith, a dream for a better self and world. Don't U think?
D: What other talents do you posess?
R: I'm a computer programmer, web designer and business man; but I just do what I know how to do. I love being progressive in every way. I'm an author of a book entitled..."The Crossroads" (currently on sale now). I'm a concert promoter, manager, clothing designer, motivational speaker, publisher, owner of a national investment group The Renaissance Group (http://www.welcome2forever.com/TRGmembership.htm), marketing specialist, visionary and thinker (I like to make other people think), songwriter, producer, arranger and composer. I want to get into a lot of other things in the future, who knows what God has planned for me. I'm an overall renaissance business man, I guess you would say. Some have determined arrogance, but confidence in blessings is more of what i call it. When you know what GOD has blessed you with, you don't hold it and hide it under a basket otherwise HE will take that talent/gift away and give it to someone else more appreciative of it.
D: Seems like you have a good head on your shoulders and you know what you want to do in life.
R: I would like to think that I have my head on straight, but I would have to give all props to God. For without him I could do nothing. I guess U could say my mom raised me right!
D: I noticed that you gave props to God? What bearing does your faith have on you in the musical arena?
R: My spiritual belief has a very strong bearing in everything that I do, not just in the musical context. It creates the standard in which I conduct myself and all that i'm involved with. A spirit of excellence is what's commanded in whatever U do! in other words give your all an ddo your best everytime...like grandma used 2 say "U only get one chance 2 make a 1st impression" and "If U can't give your best, then don't give anything at all". I like that one (smile) its like with me and how I deal with other people "either put up or shut up, there's no middle ground or gray areas with me, playtime is over. U can stay in the sandbox 2 play while I leave the playground". U have evolve from doing child-like things. Either be about it or leave me the hell alone....NEXT! Either come on and ride in the tank with me; or get rolled over..simple as that! Be about it!
D: That's very commendable. I gather from this interview that you are a very respectful young man and that you have and ultimate mission in your life.
R: (smile) I don't believe that a person was put here on Earth for no reason at all. I believe that a person has an extreme obligation to the "Creator", for the allowance of your conception and birth on this planet. And I believe that person should do everything within whatever capacity that God has given, allowed and commissioned for them to do what it is 4 them 2 do. Exemplify your purpose! (musically, verbally, literally, socially, etc.)
D: How long have your been involved with music?
R: I've been singing and acting a fool since I was 2 years old (LOL). My mom says, I started singing and reading at the age of two. I started playing my first instrument (the violin) at the age of 7. Then at age 10, I started junior high school playing guitar. My Dad wasn't feeling that! He was like "U go 2 learn NOT 2 play no damn guiar..Don't bring nothing less than a "B" home or that's yo ass" is what he'd say..lol! I didn't understand it then; but I do now. He just wanted me 2 have the best in life, 2 have a chance. Being one of the few Black kids (token) growing up in white suburbia and going 2 schools being ostrasized cause you're different from the norm in that area and also that your at the top of the class and being comminssioned by other teachers 2 take the book "Reading Rainbow Scholastics" 2 teach 6th graders how 2 read when you're ONLY in the 4th grade, U need all the chances U can get! But look at me now (smile)! In retrospect, it gave me a sense of culture, diversity, it made me well-rounded as a person. Most of my friends back then were Black, Hispanic, White and Japaneese - that's alll i knew). In the summer of 1981, I taught myself how 2 play the piano by ear. I was playing everything that came on the radio either on my keyboard or guitar trying 2 find and match the chords...lol! I'd started playing just 1 key note, then 2, then 3; then trying 2 play with my left had and doing the same on that one...till I got the whole song. Man those days were wild. My lil sister, Tamika, was teh one initially 2 take the piano lessons; but she hated them with a passion. Me on the other hand loved watching Ms. Ragland (God rest her soul) trying 2 teach her how 2 play the chords (while me on the other hand was inquisitive as hell...lol and apply what i learned when I got home on the lil portable Yamaha keyboard thatwas bought 4 my sister but never used by her). Here I was this lil young brotha, this lil young buck in 7th grade taking my lil keyboard 2 school and playing in the back of the classroom...Man, I had that place rockin' either singing or playing. Displaying every song that I learned..."We're only buggin" by Whistle;"OUt on A Limb" by Tena Marie, "Do Me Baby" by Prince, the theme from Andy Griffith, Lisa, lisa and Cult Jam;.u name it i tried 2 play it..lol. I really didn't get serious about music until the age of 14. I vividly remember the day of Decenber 14, 1984. I was coming out of the church choir that day singing the song "A Change" (a duet with my cousin Lisa); then her mom came up 2 me and said "You two should do this for real, I can hear that on the radio"....thus the epiphany. When I started High school in the Fall of 1984; i got into band (that's where most of my musicianship came from) playing percussion and learning 2 play bass. By the time i graduated High school in '88 i was playing around 19 instruments at that time. Of course U had your haters and "the Negatives" as I call them always trying 2 disclaim my stuff saying I couldn't sing or play an that I wasn't good enough...look at me now! I has some folks walking around calling me Lil Prince..lol Man, those were the days! That's when I started on the journey to where I am now.
D: How many songs have you written?
R: I've written several hundred songs. At present (with about 12-15 songs each); I have over 25 CD's worth of music just sitting in the vault waiting 2 be unleashed 2 the masses.
D: Who were and are some of your greatest muscial infulences?
R: Well first it would have to be, without a doubt, Prince...by listening to his music and sudying him and his artistry I instantly had a connection and respect for him (we basically grew up the same way - turbulent households; using music as an escape) - for he's the major person who got me interested in playing various instruments, writing, producing, composing, doing ALL the vocals and taking control of everything musically and otherwise. I was only 8 yrs old riding around in the back seat of my Uncle Isaac's Chevy Impala, listening 2 the radio and sightseeing (being that mischievious, nosey, inquisitive child that I was) - lol...man that takes me back! and I instantly became a die-hard fan of his the 1st time I heard him...October 8, 1978 at 10:23 am!!! Yes, i remember it vividly! (as U can tell I'm good with dates and have a very good and vivid memory - lol) Secondly, Stevie Wonder. The first time I saw him live in concert was on July 4th of 1974 at the Liberty Bowl Stadium in Memphis, TN (I was only 4 years old at that time)...that was it! I was up in the stands with my parents, dancing (doing the old school dance "The Robot") and just enjoying life as a child and acting a fool. I was like...I wanna do that! Donnie Hathaway, Marvin Gaye, Michael Jackson, Jimi Hendrix, Luther Vandross, Will Downing, Peabo Bryson, Patti Labelle, Duke Ellington, Herbie Hancock, Quincey Jones, Barry Gordy, Roberta Flack, Aretha Franklin, etc. I can go on and on, but I have a lot of influences from various styles of music (R&B, Jazz, Rap, Rock, Heavy Metal, Pop, Reggae, Funk, etc.) That's where I get my versatility, I guess.
D: What it it that you want to do with your life?
D: I want to do everything that God has commissioned 4 me 2 do. Whether it be...motivational speaking, producing, arranging and composign music, or just working behind the scenes trying 2 uplift, motivate and inspire someone's life. That's really where the essence of life is, when U make a connection with someone and GOD uses U and your gift that he's given you 2 create a positive change in their life (whether knowingly or unknowingly). And 2 the things that people say couldn't, shouldn't and won't be done or that its impossible for me to do..I wanna do it and just sit back in the aftermath smiling at who i call "The Negatives" as they see the manifestations of what they thought would and could never be... I love challenges. "I Accept The Challenge"
As long as God IS, I am...I'm a child of HIS so since He doesn't have any limitations, why should I? If anyone has a problem with what I'm doing, take it up with GOD.
D: Well, it looks like your going to successful in whatever you do. I wish you the best and much continued success.
R: Thank you. Thank you for having me here with you. I was indeed and honor and a priviledge.
Interview conducted by Dwayne Nelson at Tree-O Productions.
(c) Tree-O Productions
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