At the respective ages of 15, not too long ago for high school graduates Darius Person and Victor Stephens, the two teenagers who had bonded over a respect for one another’s style and drive, joined forces in an effort to “go get doe.”  Bread Cheese and Doe, the brainchild of that effort, is now a start-up clothing company with wares displayed on the racks of such popular Atlanta boutiques as Adrene and Vinnies Styles in Little Five Points.  While other high school seniors were preparing for a prom that was a week away, Victor and Darius were celebrating the success of their first fashion show- a long way from the lockers where they began selling sunglasses and mix tapes.  Not long after Darius received his scholarship from Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) and Victor was accepted at Auburn University, The Real Atlanta catches up with the hard-working twosome a week before graduation.

TheRealAtlanta.com: Congratulations, both of you.

Victor and Darius: Thank you.

TRA: Victor, I heard you were accepted into Auburn’s business school two years early.  That’s quite a feat.

Victor: When I did the application I incorporated everything that I was doing, including [Bread Cheese and Doe], and I guess somebody read that and was like, “We need to go get him.”  So we’ve had a lot going on.  We were featured on Thrillest blog.

TRA: Tell me about Thrillest.

Victor:  It’s done in Chicago, Las Vegas, Atlanta, New York, San Francisco, even Japan.  Like, for real?!  So it’s like the who’s who of what’s hot for the top ten cities.  And we were featured in the fashion section of what’s hot so. . .

TRA: So while you were dancing at your senior prom they were already hyping about your fashion line in Japan?

Victor: I guess so. I pray so.  A lot of different feedback we’ve gotten off of that.  And actually a little further back we even met Johnny Cupcakes.  He came down for his annual Suitcase tour and we got pictures with him, we got a spot on his blog, and they had us on a video.  His Mom fanned us on Facebook.  When you go on her Facebook fan page, she’s only a fan of four pages.  Her son’s page, our page and like two other pages.

TRA: Nothing like a proud mama.  And to be in such exclusive company at such a young age is impressive.

Victor: Yeah we’re 18.

TRA: How old were you when you got started in the fashion industry?

Victor: People always ask are you a fashionista or whatever, and it’s not really that.  It’s our mentality, you know.  That’s what our brand is- it’s a mentality.  We’re trying to go accelerate and do something that we started in December 2008.

Darius: About a year and a half ago we were in Victor’s attic just throwing around ideas.  Before that, Victor and I met in tenth grade and we were always just business minded and had the mentality of going and getting dough.  Which is what the brand stands for.

TRA: BC&D, right?

Darius: Right- Bread Cheese and Doe Clothing’s mentality is “Go Get Dough.” Which is what we stand for- going out after your dreams and what you believe in.  So we got together and laid down the foundation of what you see today as BC&D.  About a year and a half ago is when it really started to take off.

TRA: You were fifteen when you came up with the idea?

Victor: Fifteen, sixteen.  It’s funny because me and Darius have only known each other for like two years, and even though it seems like we’ve known each other a lifetime, I met him literally like, in the tenth grade in Language Arts class.  I’m like, “Who is this guy?  Why does he wear the same shoes I wear?” You know, like, “Why are we so cool?” [The two laugh.]  But really we clicked right away.  There aren’t many people I know who I can call on my phone, like, “Yo.  I’m tryin to sell sunglasses.  You down?”  He’s like, “Yeah, whatever, let’s do it.”  Just to be able to talk to someone about moving forward with something worthwhile, like, “Yo, let’s do it.”

Darius: A month after we met we were selling sunglasses out of our lockers.

TRA: That’s how you got started?  Selling sunglasses out of lockers at the high school?

Darius: I mean, it was a source of commerce [He laughs].

Victor: That, and we had mix tapes.  We had the Andre 3000 v. Kanye West mix tape.  On the illegal side, we had American Gangster like five weeks before it came out, and were selling those to teachers and janitors.  The movie came out in November and we started selling it in October.

Darius: That was so soon after we met that it just goes to show you the partnership is here for bringing in the dough.  We saw the vision in Victor’s attic.

TRA: You already shared a business mindset that I think that even Denzel Washington and Andre 3000 could appreciate.

Victor: You know, it was a really clean cut copy of [American Gangster] that I had found.  I was like, “Whoah, this doesn’t come out for a little while. This could be a good copy.”  So I put it in and it was like pristinely clear!  It had the main menu options and everything.  I was like, “Whoah! Let’s get twenty dollars up, let’s go dub a hundred copies of this.”  Sure enough, we were sold out in like a couple of days.

TRA: So when did Bread Cheese and Doe shift from selling other people’s ideas and other people’s intellectual property to marketing your own ideas?  After the attic meeting, what were the steps to starting your own clothing designs at the ages of 15 and 16?

Victor: I mean the house wasn’t exactly where it all began.  Before that too, we printed t-shirts for all the local high school organizations. I was doing the debate team stuff, the Junior class stuff, and it was like, “You know what? I’m doing all this other stuff for people.  What can we do for ourselves?”  And that thought had been going for a while, but you know ideas are just ideas, and it was raw.  It was just like, “How are we gonna fill this canvas out?  This blank sheet of paper?”

TRA: Tell me how Bread Cheese and Doe went from the canvas to having your first fashion show just shy of prom week?

D: Immediately after [the attic meeting] we started to get the word out.  We probably put about twenty designs together.  And within a month we were releasing our first shirt that was the original staple shirt.  If you have that shirt, you’ll probably be a millionaire.  It was a chef we had drawn up.  With the bread, cheese, and doe logo.  It was a yellow and white shirt with turquoise paint.

TRA: Are there any left?

Vic:  Those were gone the first two weeks out.  And then like the week after that Obama had gotten inaugurated.  I remember that was January 19^th.  So we designed “What Up Barack” shirts the week he was inaugurated and the next week they were gone.  So everything went with the time.

TRA: It sounds like you couldn’t make them fast enough.

Victor: We tried to keep everything going, but we don’t want to over-rush the market.  So it was like 24 shirts and I guess when you start doing something you never realize how fast it’s going to grow. A year ago I never would’ve thought I’d be doing a fashion show.  Getting interviewed, getting column write-ups from people.

Darius: A month after we started selling tees we’d be out and see people wearing our shirts.  It was surreal.

TRA: Where were you the first time you saw somebody wearing one of your t-shirts and how did you feel?

Darius: I was actually at the mall.  And I saw he a guy in a BC&D button.  I was like, “Wooow.”  So over the next couple of months we would meet people.  We met this ten-year-old kid who was wearing the Black Bart tee that we did.  It was this ten-year-old white kid that we didn’t know who had our shirt on.  It was like, “How does this happen?”  It’s amazing.

TRA: That is amazing.  So how do you come up with ideas for your designs?  Obviously I get that Barack was gonna sell, and that was a perfect opportunity.  He was trendy.

Victor: That was like pop culture’s Superman.  But more specifically with the stuff we’ve done for the Spring collection…  Of course Outkast inspired the name if you’re familiar with Aquemini.  That was Andre 3000’s bar:  “Street scholars, majoring in culinary arts, you know, how to work for Bread, Cheese, and Dough.” And so that’s the brand and I was like, “Well I got this man’s bar as my brand so I definitely have to pay homage.  I wanna do a t-shirt.”  Also as a huge Simpson’s fan, I like artwork; I like animation.  But it was like, “Let’s get Outkast.  Then we got the Bart idea from our man Jabari Graham, who does Arts, Beats, and Lyrics here in Atlanta- a huge urban art show that gets all the Graffiti artists from the area together.  He said one day, “I remember growing up in the ‘90’s the Black Bart thing was hot!” And the original Black Bart, if you remember, they were about the Apartheid.  Then came the Michael Jordan Series- so you see a lot of old vintage ones on E-bay.  It was like pre-Mandela, End South American Apartheid with Mandela wearing a Michael Jordan Jersey on.  [Jabari] was like, “Man we should re-vamp it and try to do something with it.”  And then in the following few days I had an artist friend, Kendall Putmon, put up a few designs sketches together, before you know it, we were printing the t-shirt.  Getting ready for the spring fashion show.

TRA: So there have been a lot of people involved in making this happen, but mainly you two.

Victor: Yes.  You know, we always try to incorporate people and let everybody exercise their talent.  Doing this gave me an opportunity to meet people and kids all over Atlanta and all over the world who are doing the same thing.  It’s just that nobody necessarily has the direction to what they’re doing, they just have a raw talent.  And everybody needs direction, or they need somebody to lend a helping hand and that’s what we’ve been able to do. So that’s definitely my favorite part about being a clothing designer so far.  Our company motto is, “Teamwork makes the dream work.”  And we feel like we have one of the strongest teams as far as clothing starting out in the industry.  We have dope designers- one kid goes to Georgia Tech and another kid is still in high school.  It’s kind of like a new conglomerate.

TRA: You have youth’s momentum in your favor.  So, did somebody get in touch with you about the Fashion Show or was it someone from this network you’ve created?

Darius: It was us.

TRA: You put together the entire fashion show?

Victor: It was us.  We did the production, we had the talent, and the venue.  We were the coordinators and the designers for it.  We had Miss Gretchen Smith help us with the styling.  Miss Gretchen is a local stylist who coordinated all the models for us.

TRA: So how was the turnout for the show?

Victor: It was a very respectable, very good turnout.  A lot of apprehension prior to it, though.

TRA: I can imagine!

Victor: You know it was our first time coordinating an event, or participating in the coordination of an event, and of course I had a lot of doubts, a lot of anticipation for it.  But it was an excellent turnout, and we got a lot of love from it.

TRA: Was there one particular meltdown moment or was it all smooth sailing?

Victor: The meltdowns occurred beforehand.  It was like, “Whoah!  What are we doing?  This is retarded!  People might not come- we didn’t do this in enough time.” But all of that was beforehand.  By the time the event came it was like, “All right.  Blackberry is full.  Let’s make some phone calls; let’s get some people out here.  Now, you do this.  You do this.”   You know, “Let’s keep it professional; let’s keep it going smooth.  And let’s show these people a good time.  Let’s show ‘em what we’ve been working on.”

TRA: Following the fashion show, you were picked up by Adrene Boutique on Peters Street and by Vinny’s Styles in Little Five Points.  How is the boutique business?

Darius: Sold out, I believe.  So it’s great.

Victor: It was great.  That’s something you always want to hear.  Sold out!

TRA: Are you restocking for Summer?

Victor: We’re definitely going to be making a staple with Black Bart for the Summer collection.  We’re going to design something for the ’96 Olympics, so it will be a fun collection that brings back some old memories.  You’ll be saying, “Wow, I remember when that happened!  I remember when [Interstate] 75 was two lanes!”  And that’s what we want to do is to remember: this is our city; this is what goes on every day.  This is where the Atlanta you see today came from.  You know Jabari Graham went to a neighboring high school- Lithonia High.  Now he has a successful promotion company, Shamless Plug.  I mean he did the Goodie Mob concert.  Who can be more Atlanta than Goodie Mob? You know, his Urban Arts show sponsored by Gentlemens Jack!  Then you’ve got me and Darius.  I mean we’re from Decatur, Georgia.  Most people don’t know what that is, and we just want to showcase our city through ourselves and other people that grew up around us.

TRA: So you’re really trying to represent Atlanta in your fashion and your style.  Do you plan on expanding that to other cities?

Darius: I think so.  If you see brands like I’d say The Hundreds, those brands have infiltrated the South.  Kids are walking around, and you’re like, “Are you from the South, really?” So we want to take that same idea of showing California culture to Atlanta and showing Atlanta culture to let’s say New York and California.  And then we want to show the world.  So we’re just coming to plead our case to the world saying, “This is what we’re about.”  We’re about getting dough, and going after what we believe in.  We’re going to sell you Atlanta, and this is our collection.

TRA: Atlanta is becoming the next international city.  L.A. and New York are there already.  It’s like we’re not even up and coming anymore.  We’re arriving, and I feel like you guys really embody that.  It’s exciting for young artists in Atlanta to see that and to see you guys be so successful.  So, with one of you at SCAD and one of you at Auburn, do you plan to continue this partnership?  If so, how are you going to accomplish it?

Victor: Teamwork makes the dream work, you know?  We have a staff of young people who are on the same level trying to accomplish the same type of goals.  David Smith from Georgia Tech, I previously mentioned Kendall Puttmon from North Druid Hills High, Tyler McCullers from the The Yard Radio is helping out, Matthew Moses from Shalimar Media Group. Doing this project has been a way of connecting people.  So it’s not just a Vic and Darius thing anymore.  We got all the dough getters.

Darius: We don’t see us going to school as the end of BC&D.  We see going to school as us having an opportunity to expand our brand to different parts of the South.  I mean [Victor] is going to Alabama and I’m going to Savannah.  We see it as a way to tell more people about us- not a stoppage.  As you can see, we’re in stores.  It’s kind of a progression.

TRA: So your college experience is just a way of furthering your business.

Darius: Absolutely.  It’s all about organization and good time management.  And being able to see how to keep a calendar and keep yourself grounded.  Knowing what’s important helps put things into perspective.  Of course getting your classwork done is number one.  You don’t have to go to that party on Friday- you don’t have to go to that party on Saturday.

TRA: Or you can go in a BC&D shirt!

Darius: Right, or you go to rep your brand.   BC&D is kind of incorporated into our lives.  Like while we’re at school, we’re selling the product.  Like we’re wearing the BC& D and people are wearing it.  It’s just another extension of Bread Cheese and Dough.

TRA: So what began as a long term project has continued.  You’ve kept the same vision.

Victor: We make every place our workplace.  If Darius is at school he always has his camera.  He shot our 2010 class documentary.  I’ve always been there- selling t-shirts, selling mix tapes, selling whatever.  Then it’s standard to me selling my own brand.  So wherever I go I make it my workplace, or a place where I can leave my staple or my business card.  I want people always say, “Hey, that’s the guy you want to go talk to.”

TRA: So when is the Summer line coming out?  Is there a set date?

Victor: No set date.  We’re working around the Spring feed and enjoying that success.  And while we’re working on that we’re working on releasing the Summer collection.

Darius. We’re graduating this coming Sunday, so I mean, yeah, it’s been a busy month, but it’s obviously all worth it.

TRA: How do you feel now that high school’s over?  What are your feelings now?

Darius: Better make it a dough-getter summer.

[We all laugh.]

Victor: We’re not gonna stop!

Darius: [Not being in school] is giving us more time to work on our Summer Collection.  We plan on hitting ArtBeats and Lyrics, with the more Black Bart stuff.

Victor: We were at the ABL Show in Charlotte and Alien (B.O.B.’s former drummer.)   is on the drums just beating it. You know he must’ve gone through every genre and pulse of hip-hop.  We went from TuPac- Gangsta Party, to Atlanta- Bombs Over Baghdad, To New York- The Rock, and the guy was just killing it.  Throwing sticks out into the crowd- the crowd throwing it back.  He’s standing on top of the base just going in with it.

Darius:  He was doing all that in our Black Bart tee.  The shirts were being sold at the show, and it wasn’t like they were featured, he was just there showing love.

TRA: So hello world, goodbye high school.

Victor: A lot of people are caught up on hype- everybody wants to be that cool person.  But I think what’s definitely been a help for us is we’ve always reached back.  We were always helping whoever wanted to be down.  We put somebody to work.  Whoever wanted to be down we were always there for them.  I might not necessarily know what you need, or I might not deal in it.  Take my good friend Ahmed. I got her an Atlanta internship at the Atlanta Bar Association.  Now that doesn’t deal with Bread, Cheese and Doe, but it does.  She’s trying to go get dough.  She’s trying to be an entertainment attorney.  So I said, “Wait a second.  Let me give a call to my attorney.” He’s like you know, “Go down to the Atlanta Bar Association.” And you know she got her job, and we’ve done that for a lot of different people.

TRA: Networking is crucial.

Vic: That’s the most important thing.  You know it’s not about necessarily how much money you make, or how famous you are, or how many friends you have on Facebook, or how many follows you have on Twitter, but those moments of integrity really going after your dreams, saying, “I’m gonna do this!  And it’s going to get done, and it’s gonna be done like this!”  It’s those moments of integrity that really make life worthwhile.

TRA: So what is it that keeps you guys grounded?  When you’re young you have so many distractions.  What helps you maintain your vision and your inspiration to keep this company going?  What keeps that drive?

Darius:  I think just staying focused on what we’re after, because in the end our aim is to get all our ideas out there.  We stay grounded by having good people around us so that if somebody’s acting up, we have to say, “Stop that.”  And get back on track.  That’s what it’s all about- looking out for each other.  Like I said, “Teamwork makes the dream work.”

Victor: When it comes to the people that I work with, everybody’s family, you know?  Our photographer, Aniz, came over to do a commercial on us and he ended up staying for Easter Dinner.  It’s all family.  That’s what keeps the drive going is by knowing that what we’re doing is not only progressing us but also the guy sitting next to us and the guy sitting next to him and the guy sitting next to him.  You know, I go to school with some of the most talented people there are, but because of the lack of help from others we can’t necessarily make it as far as we want.  I always wanted to be that person that helped the next guy in line.  I just didn’t want to do something for myself.  Yes I do have a family that I want to see well taken care of, but at the same time, I want to be able to look at the next person’s family and be proud that they were able to do the same thing as I was.

TRA: So where do you see your dream fashion show?

Vic: I don’t know.  On the moon!  [Laughing.] You said dream!

TRA: So you don’t see any limits.

Darius: The sky’s the limit, but not even the sky cuz like the quote goes, “The sky’s not even the limit ‘cuz there’s footprints on the moon.”  Basically, we just see Bread Cheese and Doe everywhere.  Within the next ten years, we want to be in New York and L.A.  Actually within the next five years, next year-

Victor: Next Day!

Darius: Next day, tomorrow!  We just expect to keep progressing and steamrolling and take this moment we have now and just keep capitalizing on it.  Roll into the Summer collection, then Winter.  Then do it all over again.

TRA: What are you most looking forward to learning from your college experience that you can then incorporate into BC&D?

Victor: I really want to get more into the cut and sews, really going across seas, picking out different fabrics.  Really what I do now is print on t-shirts.  I have pins, I make hats and different things like that, but I really want to be in the grassroots of textile.  I want to make the shirt, cut this jean, make the coat, make the bag, and the luggage.  It’s a real creative process where I have an opportunity to go all the way down to the t’s as far as getting fabrics- getting the cut and color of everything.  I really want to get into that.  And I think there’s always more to learn as you progress.

Darius: I mean, better ways to go about marketing your product, producing your product.  There’s always room to learn.  And we just try to learn from other’s mistakes and try to work on what we’re doing and succeed with it.

TRA: So right now your brand is unisex and geared towards everyone with the t-shirts and the buttons.  Do you see yourself doing a women’s and men’s clothing line?

Darius: I mean being a doe-getter is unisex.  So we don’t really see ourselves more focused on a men’s brand, or a women’s brand, or a kid’s brand.  We’re all about expressing to the world about being what being a doe getter is all about and in turn people showing us love back.

Victor: I think we’re firm believers in John Rockefeller’s life.  He is our ultimate guide and he said, “Every man has the right to earn a living for his family.”  So he was constantly involved in giving back.  Whether it was through the Rockefeller University, giving money to Chicago, building up different platforms.  He was constantly working with other people, and people will always remember that.  It’s all about building good relationships with people.  And that’s what’s important in doing whatever it is that you’re doing.

TRA: Any last words?

Darius: You can check out Bread Cheese and Doe at www.gogetdoe.com.  Follow us on Twitter @gogetdoe.  I just wanna thank everybody that’s been down with Bread Cheese and Doe. Keep going after your dreams.  That’s it.

Victor: Best of luck to all the people we work with.

Darius: And we would also like to give a shout out to the graduating class of Southwest Dekalb High School 2010, and also all the graduates around the world and the country.

Vic: Whether street scholar or otherwise!  Graduating from Northwestern or graduating on the street- good job!  Keep your head up.

TRA: Thank you so much!  Congratulations and good luck!

BC&D’s most recent creation, the “Make It Hot” tee designed for rapper Nesby Phips, is now being produced and distributed by the legendary Damon Dash.  For purchasing info, or for the latest on BC&D, visit www.gogetdoe.com.

Interview by: Camillia Harris.

I met the R&B singer Ray Lavender at Café Nineteen in Atlantic Station to interview him.

As I sat in front of Mr. Ray Lavender. His intriguing eye-catching, million dollar smile, with an innocent cocoa brown complexion, comforting a warm charisma captures my attention, to say the least. From the moment he introduced himself, I knew this interview would come at ease. Although I would have preferred him to sit across from me, he sat beside me and warmly introducing himself “Hello, I’m Ray Lavender”.

TRA: Who is Ray Lavender?

Ray:   I’m from Monroe, Louisiana. Earl Ray Lavender is the representation of two people. I am a strong representation of a true Gemini. Earl Ray Lavender has a mission to get the key to the state of Louisiana. Earl Ray wants to definitely keep within the standards of making his mother and father proud. I would have it no other way. My energy and hard work pours into my music. My passion shines through my words. However, Earl Ray becomes strictly Ray Lavender the moment I perform. So let me give you the brief introduction of Ray Lavender. Ray Lavender is very passionate about his music. When he gets on stage he turns into this sexy, powerful, pelvic thrusting man. Ray is a beast, and the Gemini shines at all time. When performing, I need to be the main attraction. I don’t need the women looking at their husbands and boyfriends. I need their undivided attention. I seek the lusting moments of the women and the energy they bring. Ray is here to entertain and to take your mind places you never been before.

… I don’t need the women looking at their husbands and boyfriends. I need their undivided attention.
…

TRA:     How long have you been singing?

Ray:     I have been singing since I was 4 years old. I sang my first lead in the church choir, singing ”White Christmas”. Believe it or not, I am the only singer in my family. I loved listening to the radio. I became very intrigued on how artist performed and how it made me feel when I heard their songs. By mocking, imitating, and rehearsing the words, you can say I taught myself how to sing, or it was merely a God Gifted talent, gaining recognition. A few of my favorite songs of all times are, “Let’s get it on”, by Marvin Gaye, and “As We Lay”, by Shirley Murdock.

TRA:     Describe for those that don’t know you, your sound?

Ray:     I would say I have a gumbo of rhythm. A mixture of Babyface, Marvin Gaye, Sam Cook, and R-Kelly blended together. If they had a baby, it would be me. (laughing). I am full of soul. I have been asked to sing a lot of pop, but it’s hard for me to run from the soul that’s embedded in me. It’s in my blood stream.

TRA:     Who are some of your musical inspirations or mentors?

Ray:     Babyface, Sam cook. (I’m a big Sam Cook fan). Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, and Elvis. Between Elvis and Mike [Michael Jackson], I have mastered satisfying the crowd with my pelvic thrusting motions.

TRA:     What record label are you apart of, or signed to?

Ray:     Interscope Geffen [Interscope-Geffen-A&M] & Konvict Musik with Akon.

TRA:     I’m familiar with “My Girl Got a Girlfriend”, which was a hit, what have you been doing since then? Any movies, tours, TV shows?

Ray:     I have been getting my life together. Once I did My Girl Got a Girlfriend. God really showed me a lot of faces. Those that were around me and in my inner circle were stealing from me. A lot of people were around me for all the wrong reasons. I’ve been staying under the radar. I’ve been real good at starting things that create a fire that’s hard to put out. I love putting out a dynamic record and making you love it. So I’ve been getting all my music together while making sure that the right people are around me and that it’s a hit. While getting things together and trying to make it happen in the back scenes, a reality show found me. Donald Trump personally had the producers of the show come find me. The show is titled, “Donald Trump Presents The Ultimate Merger”. The show is in regards to the well known Ms. Omarosa which is scheduled to air on June 17^th at 9pm.

… Donald Trump personally had the producers of the show come find me.
…

TRA:     How is it working with Omarosa?

Ray:     She is very intelligent. I understand why Donald Trump picked her. She has a go-getter attitude. She is dominant in her stance as a woman. The average man would be intimidated by her. However, being who I am made her adapt to my world. I sang for her. Whoo, whoo, whoo…(laughing). There was another performer on the show Al B. Sure.

TRA:     Can you give one word to describe her?

Ray:     One would be [insufficient], so can I give two?

TRA:     Sure

Ray:     Her world. (laughing)

TRA:     What is it, you think, that persuaded her to be into you?

Ray:     I have a charm that is out of this world. I know what to say and just when to say it. I am a man of truth. I will tell you just like it is. I keep it one hundred percent real. On top of that I am genuine. One thing a woman will know is that when I have a focus on her, my eyes will never wonder.

TRA:     We’ve been embraced over the past decade by a new generation of listeners. What do you think is the appeal for the musical fans nowadays?

Ray:     It’s real simple. They like simple one-two-three music. Something they can sing and dance to. Nowadays the melodic lines are very important. Akon, has a song entitled, “Smack That” as an example. It’s straight to the point. The words are easy to remember, easy to vibe to, and the reality of our today. People want stuff they can rock with. That’s why simple is better. Listeners don’t want to have to figure it out. They want to one-two step and drink. There is nothing better than an 808 drum in music.

TRA:     What is an 808 drum?

Ray:     It’s a deep bottom, heavy base drum.

TRA:     Do you think R&B has changed for the good or bad?

Ray:     I can’t say for the good or bad, but it has changed. The old was traditional. The slow songs that we used to thrive for that talked about love, being passionate and making love is not the main focus anymore. Nowadays we say what the fans like to hear, “My Girl Got a Girlfriend”. We are straightforward and to the point and you have to adapt to what the world accepts.

TRA:     I had a chance to listen to, “Text Me a Pic”. I’m almost certain we all can relate to that title. Tell me what was going thru your mind and the reasoning’s behind this song?

Ray:     I have a different reality than others while traveling on the road. There are women out there whose main goal is to set me up, or to get with me, in some fashion or another. So that I don’t fall victim to the average groupie. I feel that if and when my girl texts me a sexy picture, more often times than another, it keeps me from straying too far into what I shouldn’t want.

TRA:     Interesting. Do you have other songs that may have direct but hidden meanings?

Ray:     Yes, I have a song called, “Checking My Phone”. We all have gone thru a case of someone checking our phone or we have been the phone checker. I feel that this is a total violation of privacy. It actually hurts when you go looking and you find what you are looking for.

Sidetracked from the interview momentarily, we glanced at passer-bys, which happen to be women, and we made a few comments, and gave a few opinions in areas of women needing improvement or in my opinion, women just simply out for a gold digging moment … (laughter).

Ray:     It’s sexy to me when a woman has it all together. She has her own intellect and persona of who she is, and what she wants. Not just what I have.

TRA:     Any artist you want to work with in the near future?

Ray:     Timbaland, Will I Am, Brandy, Kirk Franklin, Cold Play (soft rock group), they have a song called, “Clocks”.

TRA:     Do you have any upcoming events any time soon?

Ray:     I will be performing at the Essence Music Festival in New Orleans on July 4^th. I have a show scheduled in Mississippi and New Jersey in August. I will be doing a party with Al B. Sure and Isaac Keys on June 20^th, which is my birthday. Of course I have a lot of promotions with the Donald Trump show and pre-parties to attend. So I am hoping to keep my plate full.

Ray:     I have my own production company now called  Ray’s World Music. I have my own production team that is working under me that consist of song writers, artists and producers. J-Hot is my main producer. Kaira is another producer. I have K-Hill on production. I have two artists by the name of D-Rose and Day-lyric. I am hoping to make promises of a pop artist as well.

TRA:     Any collaborations coming into play anytime soon?

Ray:     None at this time. This first album I want it to be all me. I gave them Fab, I gave them T-Pain. I gave them Stack Quo. Now they need Ray Lavender. I want to be a household name. Now I want the fans to get into who I am and remember me.

TRA:     Tell us something we wouldn’t know about Ray lavender.

Ray:     I am a very down to earth, humble guy. I like fishing. I can definitely ball, I am a true basketball hooper. It’s in me. It’s my natural “high”. I love bowling. If you can’t bowl at least a 200, you may not want to bowl with me. I am a song writer. I write all of my music. I don’t even use a pen. The songs that I do with no pen are usually the ones that are a hit. I write how I am feeling at the moment. That’s how I get the essence of the song. If I can say it and remember it, then it’s going to be easy for someone else to remember it. Which is what I want.

TRA:     Upon introduction Earl dived right into Ray, so since Ray is who I started with, then let’s end with Ray. Any final words?

Ray:     When I’m on stage I feel that I am the one, whether I’m opening the show or not. And if they didn’t come to see me, after my performance they are going to google and find out about me.

Ray represents confidence, hard work and determination. I am so driven that I push myself to indescribable limits. I call myself the R&B Godzilla. I feel like a monster when I am in the booth, so when I hit the stage, I’m like this big ball of energy that you cant move and that you are going to like. When the fans see me, they want to scream, they want to jump on stage, and they want to hear the sounds of smooth rhythmic R&B. As my mother would always say, “it’s not a coincidence that these people like you and love your sounds.” I represent “sexy” and “greatness”, and because of that, it makes them [the fans] want me more than ever. My mom couldn’t have put it any better. Another sure representation of me is that when it’s important, I am always on time. I require promptness. I want to close in saying, I’m sorry to my fans. Due to unfavorable business decision, it caused me to pull back and regain a greater focus. But I plan to make it up to them by giving them this album, giving them the movie roles, and giving them all that Mr. Lavender has to offer. If they loved my music then, then the Gorilla in me is about to explode. I want to create a state of shock to the airwaves.

… I represent “sexy” and “greatness”, and because of that, it makes them [the fans] want me more than ever.
…

TRA:     Do you have a website that fans can go to?

Ray:     Website: Raylavender.com, Myspace: myspace.com/raylavender

TRA:     Myspace. You don’t have a Facebook page?

Ray:     There is an imitation of me on Facebook that literally portrays being Ray Lavender. So fans be aware. We are in the process of contacting the necessary executives of Facebook to get this matter resolved, so until then, do not try to communicate and reach me expecting the real Mr. Ray lavender to respond. His is truly an imitation.

As the interview came to an end, this handsome, energetic, flirtatious  Mr. Ray Lavender had the audacity to mention that he is going to beat me in bowling. “We will see”.

TRA:      Ray, It was a pleasure interviewing you. I look forward to the promises of your future and career in music. I can’t wait till the album drops, and see the fans drooling all over you….(laughing) Good luck and best wishes.

Contact/Booking info:

Management: Robert Miller 810-210-7616

Pops: 678-698-8870

TheRealAtlanta.com: So, I want to start by thanking you for agreeing to share your story with us – I look forward to hearing you expound on what your struggles have resulted in – your own jewelry line, community activism, and tireless advocacy of the homeless.  It’s so brave of you and I think it’s a gift for people to be able to hear about your journey.  We have a lot to talk about, but to begin, on a more personal level, because you have experienced homelessness, I wanted to know your opinion on how it is a stigmatized condition and how you combat that.

JA: The worst part of it is that most people think that somebody’s homeless just because they’re lazy, that they don’t want to work, that it’s something they’ve done. And I remember I had a home, a husband, a job, one on the way, life was beautiful, and one day it’s all gone and it’s just me and two children – homeless – and there was nothing I did.  It made me stop and look at maybe the person on the street who needed a hand like I needed it.  It’s not always something you’ve done.  You could catch a cold and it turn into something more serious and you miss some days from work.  They say we’re all two paychecks away from being homeless ourselves, and it is that.  It is truly that simple.  I just want people to know that not everybody who’s sitting out there homeless is there by a decision they’ve made.  Sometimes things happen beyond our control, and [the homeless] are not all begging for a dollar.  Sometimes they’re begging, “Can you help me find a way to get back on my feet-a safe transition?”  Because I reached a point where I was a single mom with two small children under the age of four, and to make a safe transition where I was fortunate enough not to have to sell my body or do anything to get back on my feet was amazing, but there’s a lot of women out there that don’t have the same opportunities that I had. 

TRA: Right.

JA: And I think it’s important to raise awareness that not everybody is on drugs and some people just want a job so they can provide for their family.

TRA: And that’s absolutely what you’re doing with your company – raising money.  It’s all over your Facebook, you’re always talking about it, and that’s so valuable because finding volunteer opportunities in this city that are worthwhile can be a challenge, but you’re definitely a voice for that.  You’re a networker and you’re a warrior.  So what were the events that resulted in you becoming homeless?  You went through a divorce and then. . .

JA: I found myself in a bad marriage.  Two people that probably should’ve never had a first date ended up getting married.

TRA: I think that happens a lot.

JA: It does happen a lot.  And one day he had enough; I had enough.  We had one child already with one on the way and the thought of the rest of our lives together was more than either one of us could bear.  Also through decisions I’d made in my past I had nowhere to go and nowhere to call my home, so I started relying on some family and friends and we moved from couch to couch.  You know I don’t regret my decision to leave a bad situation, I just regretted having to drag two children through it. 

TRA: I can’t imagine.  Just to paint a picture for people, what was your greatest daily challenge when you were going through that?

JA: Sometimes just finding something to feed my son.  And the questions he asked, you know,  “Where are we going to sleep tonight?  Do we have enough gas in the car to get somewhere?”  A three year old shouldn’t have to be worried about those things.  And then when my daughter was born, it got harder because it’s hard enough to find a place for a toddler and a full-grown woman but an infant?  Then it reached a point where we were running from my ex-husband, and were moving from place to place just to avoid that harassment so it got kind of tough sometimes.  You know, when you go to ask for help they all look down on you like you should just get a job.

TRA: And you had a job, right, but you fell ill?

JA: Well, when I first left I was pregnant with a difficult pregnancy.  I wasn’t allowed to work – the doctors wouldn’t allow me to go to work.  I couldn’t do anything.  The system was set up in such a way that when we finally got some help, as soon as I got to work they cut off the assistance, so I couldn’t afford what we had so it was either stay home and not work and stay on the system so I could feed my children, have a roof to put over their head, or go to work and then we’d be back out on the street.  So it wasn’t until the President enacted a plan to help people go back to work where you could go back to work and keep your assistance for so long and then they would reduce it and eventually take it away so you could transition into a working life and learn how to budget your money and learn how to get a place with all of those things that I was able to go back to work.

TRA: That was something I wanted to ask you about too, but first I have to ask to which President were you referring? 

JA: It was Clinton.

TRA: He’s cute.  I love that he plays the saxophone.  I always had a little crush.

JA: He actually made it so [the bill] provided childcare for a working single parent because that’s the most expensive thing that you have.  I was able to receive my childcare, keep my children covered with insurance while I went to work and those were the two biggest concerns of mine.  Going to work to have to pay for childcare – there goes my whole check, and also no insurance?  Um, children get sick. 

TRA: They’re into everything.

JA: Yes.  They get sick; they get hurt.  And I couldn’t stand the thought of not being able to take my children to the hospital if they needed to or to the doctor to get their regular shots, they’re immunizations.  It was one of the best things the President did.

TRA: Absolutely.   Actually my next question was concerning that transition when you were getting back on your feet.  What government institution, organization, or individual was most resourceful to you during that time – other than obviously yourself?

JA: I have to give the DEFACS system in South Carolina a big shout out for that.  They truly took the President’s plan – taught me how to do a resume, taught me how to interview, helped me find the perfect childcare, set me up for a lot of success so when I walked in one day to an optical shop I was prepared to interview. 

TRA: Talk about your experience with that.

JA: I walked into an optical shop one day and told the guy if he took a chance I would never call in sick for work, I would never miss a day, I’d never be late, I’d be his hardest worker, there’s nothing he would ask that I couldn’t do.  I didn’t want him just to give me a job, I wanted an opportunity, and he took a shot on me.  A big shot on me and put me to work.

TRA: Did you have any experience?

JA: None whatsoever.  No optical experience whatsoever.  I was fortunate enough that my mom had been in optics for a while, but that’s what she knew that’s not what I knew.

TRA: Well girl, you always have on a killer pair of shades!   I don’t know if that has always been . . .

JA: Yes.

TRA: Then you had it in you all along! (We laugh)

JA: He gave me a shot and I was able to work with him for a year, then through many difficult situations I had to move out of the state, so I ended up in Georgia and my greatest joy was the day I got to walk into a general manager’s meeting and there he was.  I got to hug him, and we cried, and just to [be able to] thank him for giving me a shot.

TRA: Wait, you were in the same board room?

JA: Well the company had a conference for all the general managers and I had risen to the point where I was a general manager as well and [my former boss] was there.  So, to get to thank him for giving me a shot to supply for my family, to be a productive member of society was the most wonderful thing.  We cried for 20 minutes. 

TRA: I’m crying now!

JA: But I took every chance he gave me, every piece of information and latched onto it and just climbed and clawed, and when they told me I was too young to be a general manager I didn’t listen.

TRA: How old were you at the time when they told you that you were too young to be a general manager?

JA: Twenty-six.

TRA: Wow.

JA: And by twenty-seven I was a general manager.

TRA: You showed them.

JA: Yeah.  (She smiles.)  I’ve been a general manager up until about a year ago in optics, but when I left the last company I was with and I Joined the company I’m with now, Show Your Colors By Jennifer was starting to evolve so I knew I had to step back from all the strain from being a general manager so I could run [my own] company the way it needed to be.

TRA: Now tell me about your company Show Your Colors by Jennifer because this is really special.  Tell us how we can buy bracelets .

JA: Well we do have a website, ShowYourColorsByJennifer.com, and you can contact us on Facebook through Jenn Austin.  We also have just had our first wholesale deal in a boutique store in Riverdale.  We just put the product in the store today.

TRA: Congratulations!  I didn’t realize this was such a big day for you.  I’d buy you a shot but you don’t drink.  I’ll buy you a book, because I know you like to read a lot.

JA: That’ll work.  We just put our first one in there today, sold one in California off our website yesterday so yeah, it’s been crazy.

TRA: So you’re already intra-national, next step is international.

JA: We’ve sold two in Afghanistan.

TRA: Really?  Wow.

JA: Yeah, we reached the world even before we hit the United States.

TRA: Another tribute to our technological age.  Sometimes it’s quicker to reach the world.  (We laugh.)

JA: And then if you’re fortunate enough to catch us at some of the events, I’m usually making the bracelets on site.  I always have my stuff to make [the bracelets] with me wherever I am.

TRA: I’ve seen you even at the bar.  Working away.

JA: It’s actually very relaxing to me, especially when my team’s losing in football, but we won’t talk about that.

TRA: I know.  I’m so sorry your team lost the SuperBowl, but I think that we were all Saints in our hearts this year even if it was just a little bit.  In fact, I was at a Superbowl party with you and your husband when I found out that you bedazzle your bracelets.  You know I love to be bedazzled.

JA: I put sterling silver letters into them, and we’re working on some other projects right now.

TRA: What other projects?

JA: Well I just took my first order for a dog collar, and I’ve got some other things coming. 

TRA: So are you transitioning right now from working for someone else to owning your own company or are you already at that point?

JA: I’ll probably continue to work for somebody else just because I love to give back so much. Truly that’s what attracted me to optics, but [my husband] has been fortunate enough that he is able to exclusively work for [Show Your Colors by Jennifer].  He’s not doing anything else.

TRA: What a blessing!  So his company isn’t separate from your company?

JA: It’s all one group – it’s all underneath me.

TRA: He works for you.

JA: He does.  That’s why his car license plate says, “VP/General Manager.”  Mine says, “Founder.”

TRA:  I love it.  That was actually something that I wanted to touch on a little bit here.  Jay, your husband, was homeless for a time and now he’s the Vice President of your joint company that gives twelve percent of its proceeds to Crossroads Community for the homeless.

JA: We give to various homeless organizations.  Last quarter was Crossroads Ministry, and we’re probably going to roll into this quarter with Crossroads just because we believe so much in what they do.

TRA: And I want to get back to what they do because I think it’s a great organization as well. But first I wanted to ask, taking into account that you and Jay were homeless together for a time, and have both risen to such success, what is it like to have someone who is not only your partner but also a fellow warrior?

JA: It’s wonderful.  The passion for [combating homelessness] never dies.  It’s not something I have to revive in him or that he has to revive in me because we remember what it’s like not to have anywhere to go, or the cops harass you because you’re trying to stay out of the way and they see you, or when you’re not eating right but it’s what you have.  The fact that somebody gave both of us a chance at one point when nobody else would really makes us want to work hard, and this one thing we’re going to pride ourselves on as we go forward.  We’ll be hitting some of the homeless shelters [looking] for the people who are really wanting to make a change in their life, and we’re planning on putting some people to work as we go forward.

TRA: Eternally giving back.  That is you and Jay as I’ve always known you.  So, tell me a little bit about meeting each other, and you’re journey through homelessness and back together.  Also, of course, I’m curious about the initial spark because I see it every day still with you two.

JA: I actually met him when I was at work at my second job.  When I finally got on my feet the last thing I ever wanted to do was go back to not having anything so I worked two jobs.  My children would never have nowhere to call home again.  So it was during that time that I met him at a baseball game.  As you know we’re two baseball junkies.

TRA: I didn’t know that about you two.

JA: Love baseball.  And my mother said when she heard me talk about him the very first time she knew he was the one. 

TRA: How did she know?  Did she say?

JA: She told me right away, she said, “Oh my god, you’ve met the one.” And she said she knew because I compared him to my father.  All the things I loved about my father, all the things that drove me crazy, there he was.  She said she knew right then that this was the one, and it was perfect from the beginning. Then through a series of events Jay and I became homeless again, and because I wouldn’t put my children through any more drama, they went and lived with their father.  So, Jay and I struggled together.

TRA:  So when you and Jay implement the purple and black colors in the bracelets that you make, what does that represent for the homeless?

JA:  Well the black is the despair and the hopelessness that you live in when you’re homeless.  You don’t see an end to it.  You feel like you’re in a room with no lights.  The purple is the royalty. It’s the first time you’re a productive member of society.  You have a house – I remember moving into my first house with my kids.  We had nothing but they were so happy to say, “This is my room – this is mine.”  It’s just such a wonderful thing, and the first time you’re writing that rent check or mortgage payment.  You might as well be king or queen.

TRA: What a feeling to have!  Getting back to Crossroads, what were your reasons for choosing that particular organization to donate twelve percent of Show Your Colors by Jennifer’s proceeds towards, and what other organizations do you feel are doing a worthy job of helping people to plug in?

JA: Well, Crossroads is an amazing ministry.

TRA: Where is it located?

JA: On Courtland Street in Downtown Atlanta.  It’s a wonderful, wonderful organization.  They really work with the whole entire person.  They actually have a program where they bring you in for ninety days.  They help you get your medicine.  They help you get your I.D.  They get you a mailing address.

TRA: I think a mailing address is key.  That’s something that I feel sets it apart from other organizations, and it seems to me communication is one of the biggest advancements toward accelerating the transition out of homelessness.

JA: It truly is, I mean when you apply for some jobs, you need a mailing address to put on your application.  [Crossroads] is a place for your family to correspond with you, it’s a place to get your driver’s license and your birth certificate.  If you’re fortunate enough to get food stamps or a check or these things, it’s a mailing address for these places to send it to you.  A lot of people don’t think about that – and you can’t do anything without a driver’s license or a birth certificate.

TRA: Right.

JA: You have to have an I.D.  You have to have a birth certificate.

TRA: So they’re really good about gathering the essentials. 

JA: And the wonderful thing is they have a clinic there, and if you have high blood pressure or diabetes or AIDS you can go get their medicine there.  [The people who run Crossroads] said that the ministry started just by giving out sandwiches, and then they started noticing the same people coming through and so began to ask questions like “Why are you here?” “How can we help you not be here tomorrow?” Their whole program is about helping you get off the streets to be a productive member of society, and anybody who will help [the homeless] instead of just feeding them is wonderful in my book.

TRA: I know that from personal experience volunteering with Crossroads when you shared with me how to connect to them.  I found out that you just show up from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. any day and volunteer to make sandwiches and serve food.

JA: They give them a warm meal, not just the sandwiches.  It’s something warm every day to eat.  And we’ve had several canned food drives where we take the food to them, and they take that food and actually prepare it for the homeless.  But you get a meal and a lesson and it’s a wonderful place to donate your time.

TRA: Definitely.  I’m sure they appreciate all you have done through Show Your Colors.  Speaking of which, your husband mentioned that you guys were celebrating the one year anniversary of your business soon.  Where da party at?

JA: Well it will be in May at Highland Cigar Company.

TRA: Is there an exact date yet?

JA: No exact date, but check Facebook for the upcoming announcement.

TRA: What can we expect from this party?  Will your bracelets be for sale?

JA: I’ll have bracelets and bow ties and for the select few I may be actually making them there.  Our last party we did have an auction.  We’ll be having a silent auction, and a vegetarian spread.

TRA: Sounds like great food, great people, and a great cause.  Is the crowd going to consist of people that have worked for you in your company or will the invitees be those who support the cause and support you?

JA: We want to bring a lot of people together who support the cause.  We’ll try to bring some people from each organization that we’ve helped this year so that everybody’s represented, and we’re trying to reach out to different organizations because the idea is to bring awareness for the homeless, and not just Show Your Colors by Jennifer.

TRA: Understood.  I can’t wait until May for the party.

JA: You have to wear purple and black to come.

TRA: Perfect, I’ve been looking for an excuse to buy a purple dress.  Anyway, I thank you so much again for sharing your story, and here’s to many more years of success for Show Your Colors by Jennifer.

JA: Thank you very much.  Thank you.

By Dee Corley

Orchid Daze: Tower of Flowers at Atlanta Botanical Gardens

February 6 through April 11

If you are a flower lover you’ll be in your element as walls and banners of orchids surround you as high as you can see, cascading and climbing with each step you take at Atlanta Botanical Gardens.  Since 2003 Orchid Daze has been an Atlanta tradition, sharing the Garden’s world-renowned collection of around 10,000 orchids with all who will make time to enjoy them.  This year, rather than the usual carpeted layout the Garden has built towers with their beautiful orchids. The arrangements appear as a mosaic, filling the air with fragrances and splashing vibrant colors throughout the show.  Although the Gardens are closed on Mondays, you’ll find plenty of beauty and things to enjoy throughout the rest of the week.

Tickets and Directions.

The Greatest Show on Earth: Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey

February 12^th through 21st

Everyone should enjoy an amazing night at the oldest and greatest circus on earth at least once in their life!  Nothing can compare to the form of entertainment that’s about as old as our nation itself with the wonderful circus animals and amazing shows you’d only expect to find at a real old style circus.

Barnum’s Funundrum is a show that celebrates P. T. Barnum himself, with the chance to get acquainted with the circus animals and learn about them before the show starts.  Illuscination is a show centered around a modern day Houdini by the name of David Davinci.  Zing Zang Zoom is a traditional style circus show with acrobats, clowns, elephants and more.  You’ll have the time of your life, so hurry and get your tickets at http://www.ringling.com.

Choose a Magical Night for Your Valentines Day at The Mansion on Peachtree

February 12^th – 15^th

If you’ve found yourself in a hectic weekend schedule and just haven’t had room to fit celebrating the love of your life into the fourteenth like you normally would, The Mansion on Peachtree can make up for the missed event with a luxurious one night stay on the day after Valentines.  Through the 15^th you’re greeted with a tea light and rose petal turndown, sharing champagne and Essence of Chocolate.  Then wake up to a full breakfast for two.  A candlelight dinner and spa treatments are available, too. Check out The Mansion at http://www.rwmansiononpeachtree.com/index.cfm

Mardi Gras Madness at Serpas Restaurant

February 16

Serpas brings Mardi Gras to Atlanta with true, traditional Cajun foods, drinks and décor from 5:30 to 10:30 Tuesday night.  Come out and enjoy a $4 Hurricane, a mixed drink that is well known on Louisiana’s Bourbon Street and enjoy the atmosphere that a lively Mardi Gras celebration is all about.  This is a restaurant that has been voted One of the Ten Best New Restaurants in America.  Housed in an original cotton storage building, this restaurant boasts a huge mural of a cotton flower most Georgians would recognize as a “bole” in recognition of the buildings history.  Chef and owner Scott Serpa draws from his Louisiana upbringing to bring this fabulous Mardi Gras styled event to you.  The restaurant has been managed by Scott and his wife Dawn for more than ten years.  For Reservations go to http://www.serpasrestaurant.com/

Victory Beer Tasting fun at Octane Coffee Bar and Lounge

February 17^th

If you’re a beer lover you’ll want to be at the Octane Coffee Bar and Lounge, where Hop City is having their Victory Beer Tasting event from 5:30 to 7:30 on Wednesday evening. Octane coffee Bar and Lounge was named one of the top ten boutique coffee shops by Bon Appetit Magazine!

Enjoy a Night of Laughs at The Punchline Comedy Show

February 17^th

Wednesday at the Punchline is variety night unless a scheduled entertainer is present, which happened to be Grandma Lee until a TV appearance changed that for this week.  She’ll be back and in the meantime you get to enjoy the variety of fun comedians that will be available to keep you rolling.  Drinks of course are available and the staff really makes you feel welcome.  Careful, it may make you want to come back again.  Smoking is permitted outdoors.  Check out seating and order tickets for the table of your choice at http://www.punchline.com/.

Donnell Rawlkings  at the Laughing Skull Lounge
February 18^th – 21^st

Donnell Rawlkings, better known as “Ashy Larry” on The Chappelle Show livens up the Skull Lounge for three nights only.  Rawlkings took over where Dave Chappelle left off on the show, a huge undertaking for him that went well for him.  This is an 18 and over show, so don’t bring the kids.  Got get your tickets in time at http://www.vortexcomedy.com/.

Nigel Dupree with Breaking Vegas and Citizen Icon at The Hard Rock Café
February 19^th

One of our own bands from Kennesaw Georgia, Nigel Dupree is onstage at The Hard Rock Café with Breaking Vegas and Citizen Icon.  This is a newer band, formed in ‘09.  Nigel grew up with the best of the best Rock and Rollers, forming within him a dream of being a Rock Star.  Nigel is the son of Jackyls Jesse James Dupree.  He’s on a mission to soar and no less, and with him are Josh Hilton on Bass and Adam Townsend on the drums.

Citizen Icon (read detailed TheRealAtlanta.com coverage) is also a group out of Atlanta and is nothing to take lightly.  A rock show for sure, this is another team that’s only been around a little while although they all have been members of successful bands beforehand.  Breaking Vegas, another group out of Atlanta, was formed in ’08 and rocks with a flavor of their own.  All three of these groups will be awaiting your arrival ready to show you how to really rock at The Hard Rock Café.  Get your tickets at the door or by going to www.ticketalternative.com

The Larry Griffith Band at Beluga Martini Bar
February 19^th

One of the winners of the 2005 People’s Choice Award and 2006 Best CD for the album “High Wire Walkin”, The Larry Griffith Band will be at the Beluga Martini Bar on Friday the 19^th with the Blues they’re known for and their fun mix of new and old R&B, old Rock and Roll, and ’70 hits.  Prior to starting his highly entertaining band, Griffith performed as a drummer for Taj Mahal, Sean Costello and Best New Artist winner Susan Tedeschi, to name a few.  Griffith is an award winning singer/songwriter/performer that picked up the electric guitar and never looked back.  Lots of fun awaits you starting at 10:30, so you’ll want to get a good table and your favorite martini.

Beluga Martini Bar is famous in Atlanta for their fine cocktails and for service that can’t be beat.  Six days a week you can find live entertainment for your dancing enjoyment in Buckhead at the place with the top reputation and with some of the best bartenders a martini could ask for.  For more information on Belugas location and to see their events page listing a two month schedule of  top-rate entertainment you’ll want to visit their website at http://www.belugamartinibar.com/.

Last Comic Standing Winner Josh Blue at the Punchline

February 19^th -21^st

This guy is funny!  Blue has Cerebral Palsy and shares many of his obstacles and experiences in life with his audience to keep you holding your sides with laughter.  Blue has been on The Ellen Degeneres Show talking about his artwork and Paralympic Team experience. For tickets and seating go to http://www.punchline.com/shows.asp?showdate=2/19/2010

Think Sex and the City.  Think vintage classic style with a young, edgy twist.  Southern Dropout’s monthly trunk show at Mint Gallery delivers Carrie Bradshaw’s ideal shoes and more minus the Manolo Blahnik price tag.

Tucked away nearby the Sampson Street lofts, Mint Gallery is nestled in a mostly residential area along John Wesley Dobbs Avenue.  A non-profit gallery, Mint is renowned for promoting local artists, those fresh as well as seasoned.  The cheap drinks and good music at the parties they host doesn’t hurt either.

Southern Dropout’s trunk show, hosted by Loren Lankford, Entertainment Weekly journalist by pay, fashionista by birth, boasts a refined, trendy collection including heels, nightgowns, eveningwear, and partywear that has been accumulating since she was twelve.

Growing up with little money to spare, Loren was savvy, and she soon found those same Abercrombie and Fitch t-shirts, for which the other kids were paying exorbitantly, at the thrift stores for significantly less.

Yet her style was always more sophisticated than the fads.  But the concept of obtaining popular items for a cheap price planted a seed.

Far before vintage chic was all the rage, Loren had a taste for the style and began acquiring a wardrobe as a pre-teen that has now burgeoned into a sought-after exhibition.  When it was cool to sport Tommy Hilfiger, Aeropostale, and the Limited Too as largely and abundantly as physically possible, Loren was inclined toward a more elegant taste.

Into adulthood Loren continued to nourish her artistic flair, and she now designs and creates certain accessories in her show.  Most notable is her jewelry that displays a keenness for asymmetry, color, and texture.

When Loren witnessed her first trunk show after befriending Mint’s director, she realized her matured collection had found its platform.

Mint recognizes the financial struggle that often goes along with commitment to the arts, and only keeps a meager percentage of the profits for the gallery itself.  The obvious benefit is that the artists themselves get to buy groceries, but what Lankford appreciates most is that it allows her to maintain a relatively low markup.

Though Lankford could easily quadruple the prices of her wares, she isn’t interested in the exorbitance epidemic that has infected much of the boutique world.  Lankford champions affordability, most likely the reason that she still was able to clear a respectable return in the midst of an ice storm.  People still show up for a good deal.

Don’t forget to mark your calendars for next month’s show, February 6^th and 7^th, for unique finds at basement floor prices.  From $10 boots to $5 jackets, and everything in great condition, you won’t even have to worry that Mint doesn’t take plastic.  Just crack open your piggy bank in a few weeks for your next foxy frock and continue to enjoy 2010 in style.