…artist spotlight -all things musical

Below is a re-post of the “Artist Spotlight” I did on the Facebook Group ALL THINGS MUSICAL with host Cerise Cameron. It was my 1st “live chat” with the fans and I’m not the greatest typist… kinda of fun actually!

Cerise Cameron Hello there Gregory Abbott
July 24 at 4:01pm · Like

• Gregory Abbott HI Cerise!
  July 24 at 4:01pm · Like · 1
  
  
• Cerise Cameron We are so excited to have you here today
  July 24 at 4:01pm · Like · 1
  
  
• Gregory Abbott Great to be here. This format is a first for me.
  July 24 at 4:02pm · Like · 1
  
• Cerise Cameron Wow!!!! I feel special
  July 24 at 4:02pm · Like
  
  
• Gregory Abbott You ARE special ha ha
  July 24 at 4:02pm · Like · 2
  
• Cerise Cameron Don’t worry, most of us type with one finger LOL
  July 24 at 4:03pm · Like · 1
  
  
• Patrick Murchison Hello Gregory!! I’m here….and glad to be so!!!
  July 24 at 4:03pm · Like
  
  
• Cerise Cameron Thank you so much for giving it try
  July 24 at 4:03pm · Edited · Like
  
• Gregory Abbott what a relief although with me its more like typing with my fists
  July 24 at 4:03pm · Like · 3
  
• Gregory Abbott Hi Patrick Murchison
  July 24 at 4:04pm · Like · 2
  
  
  
• Cerise Cameron Glad to see you here Patrick Murchison
  July 24 at 4:04pm · Like · 1
  
• Cerise Cameron Fists!!!! LOL
  July 24 at 4:04pm · Unlike · 2
  
  
• Cerise Cameron Well, Gregory Abbott why don’t we start from the beginning
  July 24 at 4:05pm · Like
  
• Hershel Myers Jr. Good afternoon/evening to everyone
  July 24 at 4:05pm · Like · 2
  
  
• Gregory Abbott Good afternoon
  July 24 at 4:05pm · Like
  
  
• Hershel Myers Jr. Hello Cerise, Patrick & MrGregory Abbott!!!
  July 24 at 4:06pm · Like · 2
  
  
• Cerise Cameron Where are you from and how did you get started in music?
  July 24 at 4:06pm · Like
  
  
• Cerise Cameron Hi there Hershel Myers Jr.
  July 24 at 4:07pm · Like
  
  
• Donna Patrice Moses Good evening to everyone!!!
  July 24 at 4:07pm · Unlike · 2
  
  
• Gregory Abbott Well I’m from NYC although I’m also a dual citizen of Antigua.I always sang and played a musical instrument because I come from a musical family; but I officially got involved in music after reading various spiritual books like Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse. I was in graduate school at the time. The book is about an Indian man’s spiritual journey through life. This and other books instructed me that life was a personal journey– one in which it was important to follow your nature and pursue your bliss…. after that- I took music much more seriously, pursuing what I WANTED to do as opposed to what I was “supposed” to do. So, it changed from singing in cafes and on street corners…. to learning my way around a 24 track studio. I wanted to live the life of the “artist” I wanted to CREATE. Thats’ when I am the happiest and feel most like myself.
  July 24 at 4:07pm · Like · 2
  
• Cerise Cameron This feels like dejavu Hershel Myers Jr.
  July 24 at 4:08pm · Like · 2
  
  
• Cerise Cameron Wow!!!!!! Gregory Abbott, guess what my son is reading right now for honors English, entering freshman in high school
  July 24 at 4:09pm · Like · 1
  
  
• Gregory Abbott no kidding! good major.. prepares you for all types of professions
  July 24 at 4:09pm · Like · 2
  
• Cerise Cameron Reading is foundational
  July 24 at 4:10pm · Like · 1
• Gregory Abbott Yes. A lost art.
  July 24 at 4:10pm · Like · 2
• Cerise Cameron I’m struck by the depth of this response
  July 24 at 4:10pm · Like · 1
  
• Patrick Murchison You’re living the dream, huhGregory Abbott?
  July 24 at 4:11pm · Like · 1
  
  
• Cerise Cameron You wanted to CREATE! And you did
  July 24 at 4:11pm · Like · 1
  
  
• Gregory Abbott Definitely Patrick Murchisonwho’d have thought…
  July 24 at 4:11pm · Edited · Like · 1
  
  
• Cerise Cameron So many have this dream but somehow miss the opportunity
  July 24 at 4:12pm · Like · 1
  
• Hershel Myers Jr. Also, your music showcases the spirituality in which you refer to earlier.
  July 24 at 4:12pm · Unlike · 3
  
• Cerise Cameron How were you discovered Gregory
  July 24 at 4:12pm · Like
  
• Cerise Cameron Yes Hershel Myers Jr.
  July 24 at 4:13pm · Like · 1
  
• 
  Gregory Abbott To make a long story short- my Uncle was an A&R man and I got him a copy of my demo tape which lay hidden away in his briefcase. He was in a meeting to push several other artists, none of whom they were interested in. I was just his “little nephew” but he went ahead dug out my tape… played it for them and “voila” lol This culminated in a deal with CBS records.
  July 24 at 4:13pm · Like · 3
  
  
• Patrick Murchison So true, Hershel Myers Jr.!!!
  July 24 at 4:13pm · Like · 1
  
  
• Cerise Cameron No way???????
  July 24 at 4:14pm · Like
• Gregory Abbott Yes WAY
  July 24 at 4:14pm · Like · 1
  
  
• Cerise Cameron God’s hand all the way
  July 24 at 4:14pm · Unlike · 2
• Patrick Murchison Wow….It was meant to be……Kizmet!!!
  July 24 at 4:15pm · Edited · Unlike · 2
  
  
• Cerise Cameron LOL
  July 24 at 4:15pm · Like
• Gregory Abbott Thats for sure.. This happens to me a lot
  July 24 at 4:15pm · Like · 3
• Hershel Myers Jr. Your music also displays positive vibes/messages. How important is it for you to convey this through your songs?
  July 24 at 4:15pm · Like · 3
• Cerise Cameron Great question Hershel Myers Jr. and I wanted to explore the spiritual nature of your work Gregory Abbott
  July 24 at 4:16pm · Edited · Unlike · 3
  
  
• Gregory Abbott Its so important for me Hershel Myers Jr. to have this in my life…. that I believe it comes through in my music. In these tough times. its more important than ever to keep positive and find our own strength.
  July 24 at 4:16pm · Like · 5
  
  
• Hershel Myers Jr. Yes it is & I would like to thank you for recording music that is respectful & uplifting to us all.
  July 24 at 4:17pm · Like · 4
  
• Cerise Cameron What happens a lot Gregory Abbott?
  July 24 at 4:17pm · Like · 1
  
  
• Cerise Cameron Hershel Myers Jr. you are so right
  July 24 at 4:18pm · Like · 1
  
• Gregory Abbott The hand of something greater than myself Cerise Cameron granting me a blessing.
  July 24 at 4:18pm · Like · 3
  
  
• Cerise Cameron Awwww that is beautiful
  July 24 at 4:19pm · Like · 1
  
• Cerise Cameron Recognizing this is key to life
  July 24 at 4:19pm · Like · 1
  
  
• Gregory Abbott so true.. as the years progress this becomes more and more apparent to me.
  July 24 at 4:20pm · Like · 2
  
  
• Cerise Cameron Can you tell us about one of your most memorable experiences with your music?
  July 24 at 4:20pm · Like · 1
  
• Gregory Abbott I love the story about when I was receiving 4 New York Music Awards one year along with various other artists one of whom was MILES DAVIS! I met him… we chatted back stage and I was awe struck.. This mas was the picture of “cool”. Green alligator skin jacket and matching boots soft as tissue paper. Oh yeah.. he had it going on…. I grew up listening to this man and my parents were huge fans… after the event we were taking some pictures together…. and 4 awards is a lot to hold… so the pile teetered and came crashing down right on his soft alligator skin boots and THEN YOU HEARD MILES BLOW FOR REAL LOL. He came out with curse words I didn’t even know existed! When I told my parents they were horrified! Later, I sent Miles flowers and apologies up the wazoo… he forgave me.. and we remained friends until his passing. Whew!
  July 24 at 4:20pm · Like · 3
  
• Hershel Myers Jr. Your music has a “Caribbean” element to it…where did this influence originate & what has your experiences been performing overseas?
  July 24 at 4:21pm · Like · 2
  
• Hershel Myers Jr. LOL about Miles Davis….
  July 24 at 4:21pm · Like · 2
  
  
• Cerise Cameron Alligator boots???? LOL
  July 24 at 4:22pm · Edited · Unlike · 2
• Cerise Cameron You must have been mortified
  July 24 at 4:23pm · Like · 1
  
  
• Hershel Myers Jr. Cerise, Miles is from St Louis so yeah…alligator shoes LOL
  July 24 at 4:23pm · Like · 2
  
  
• Kitts Cyntrell Awesome years of music you given us….its more than joy, its been part of many lives.
  July 24 at 4:23pm · Like · 3
  
• Gregory Abbott Hershel Myers Jr.
• I grew up listening to Caribbean music. My father was from Antigua and I am a dual citizen.. must be in the DNA! Performing overseas is always a blast. its incredible the power of music to tear down walls and establish camaraderie between different cultures.
  July 24 at 4:23pm · Like · 6
  
  
• Cerise Cameron I know that was cool back then and I remember it well
  July 24 at 4:23pm · Like · 2
  
  
• Gregory Abbott Alligator shoes… Cerise Cameron… Not politically correct but… they were sweet lol
  July 24 at 4:23pm · Like · 2
  
• Cerise Cameron Oh yes, love that Caribbean sound in some of your recent material! What are you working on now?
  July 24 at 4:24pm · Edited · Like · 1
  
  
• Kitts Cyntrell When was you last in England (UK)?
  July 24 at 4:25pm · Like · 1
  
• Hershel Myers Jr. You also had the chance to perform with Princess Stephanie of Monaco…..That had to be mind-blowing
  July 24 at 4:25pm · Unlike · 2
  
• Gregory Abbott Cerise Cameron I’ve focused on releasing singles on my own label Mojo Man Entertainment in recent years… and now I’ve amassed enough material for a full album. In it- I have stretched beyond the borders of romance (although that’s in there too) I’ve addressed some topical issues that we all encounter in modern life…. like tolerance… ambition versus quality of life… keeping your sense of humor… loyalty… honesty… things of that nature.
  July 24 at 4:25pm · Like · 2
  
  
• Cerise Cameron We’re going to post some of your music while we chat
  July 24 at 4:25pm · Edited · Unlike · 2
  
  
• Gregory Abbott I was last in England two years ago. Kitts Cyntrell
  July 24 at 4:26pm · Like · 1
  
• Hershel Myers Jr. That is awesome….we need motivational music to keep us going
  July 24 at 4:27pm · Unlike · 4
  
  
• Cerise Cameron Having your own label is IMPRESSIVE Gregory Abbott
  July 24 at 4:27pm · Like · 1
  
  
• Gregory Abbott We do Hershel Myers Jr. and music is such a powerful part of our lives… and it can empower us.
  July 24 at 4:28pm · Like · 2
  
• Patrick Murchison Gregory, how was the experience making the “Three Little Birds” Duet with Phoebe Snow?
  July 24 at 4:28pm · Like
  
• Cerise Cameron What made you decide to start MOJO MAN?
  July 24 at 4:28pm · Like · 2
  
  
• Sharon Floyd Please come to the east coast (CT, NY, MA) to perform? my dream is to see you perform live one day. I love your music!
  July 24 at 4:28pm · Unlike · 3
  
• Gregory Abbott Cerise having my own label allows me FREEDOM.. what more can an artist wish for.
  July 24 at 4:29pm · Like · 2
  
• Cerise Cameron I hear YA Sharon!!!
  July 24 at 4:29pm · Like · 1
  
  
• Cerise Cameron Yesssssssssss
  July 24 at 4:29pm · Like
  
  
• Kitts Cyntrell Kool!
• Missed that !
• Is it easier to sing about love these days? Or is the motivation not as great as before????
  July 24 at 4:30pm · Like · 2
  
  
• Cerise Cameron What are you working on now?
  July 24 at 4:30pm · Like
  
  
• Gregory Abbott Patrick Murchison Phoebe was a neighbor of mine in New Jersey we’d get together at various restaurants and solve the problems of the world lol…. it was just a matter of time before we did something together and three little birds was her idea.
  July 24 at 4:30pm · Like · 2
  
  
• Gregory Abbott I love singing about both…. love will always be important… these times however deserve special attention to other matters as well
  July 24 at 4:31pm · Like · 4
  
  
• Cerise Cameron Yes our world is in trouble
  July 24 at 4:32pm · Like · 2
  
  
• Gregory Abbott but we have the POWER…
  July 24 at 4:32pm · Like · 2
  
  
• Patrick Murchison Wow….your life had been amazing!!!! And there’s so much more to come!!!!
  July 24 at 4:32pm · Like · 1
  
  
• Gregory Abbott Thank you Patrick Murchison…… God willing
  July 24 at 4:33pm · Like · 2
  
  
• Cerise Cameron Power to do what Gregory Abbott?
  July 24 at 4:33pm · Like · 1
  
  
• Cerise Cameron I believe if everyone did one thing, imagine the improvement
  July 24 at 4:34pm · Unlike · 1
  
• Gregory Abbott Power to develop the world WE want according to our highest notions of what is good Cerise Cameron
  July 24 at 4:35pm · Like · 1
  
  
• Cerise Cameron No matter how small
  July 24 at 4:35pm · Like · 1
  
  
• 
  Cerise Cameron Live with purpose Gregory Abbott
  July 24 at 4:35pm · Like · 2
  
• Gregory Abbott Small is all it takes… it always starts small. thats the beautiful thing…
  July 24 at 4:35pm · Like · 3
  
  
• Terri Stewart Good Evening Everyone….Thank you for inviting Me to get to know about one of My favorite Artist. Mr Abbott your Music is in Regular rotation In My C’D Player!
  July 24 at 4:36pm · Like · 4
  
• 
  Gregory Abbott Bless you Terri Stewart
  July 24 at 4:36pm · Like · 1
  
• Cerise Cameron We have only 5 minutes left so please tell us how we can reach you and your music
  July 24 at 4:36pm · Edited · Like
  
  
• Gregory Abbott OK you can find me and all of my links on https://www.gregoryabbott.com
• My Facebook is http://www.facebook.com/gregoryabbottmusic — twitter link is http://twitter.com/gregoryabbott — and I have my own Blog where I post thought music an ideas and that link ishttp://newgregoryabbott.wordpress.com/
• gregoryabbott.com – Home
  www.gregoryabbott.comgregoryabbott.com – Home
  July 24 at 4:37pm · Like · 2 · Remove Preview
  
• 
  Cerise Cameron WELCOME Terri
  July 24 at 4:37pm · Like · 1
  
  
• 
  Cerise Cameron BAM!!!!
  July 24 at 4:37pm · Like
  
• 
  Hershel Myers Jr. Welcome Terri
  July 24 at 4:37pm · Like · 2
  
• Cerise Cameron Any advice for emerging artists?
  July 24 at 4:37pm · Like
  
• 
  
  Terri Stewart Thank you Hershel & Cerise!
  July 24 at 4:38pm · Like
  
• Gregory Abbott For the emerging artists…. If there’s anything else you can do– please… please do that….. (lol just kidding)… My advise is to be AUTHENTIC and not derivative. When learning your craft its good to emulate your hero’s but at a certain point you have to step off and make your OWN statement… develop your own STYLE. Its also important to learn every aspect of music as a business so as to continue to make it a pleasant addition to your life. Probably the most important thing is to believe in yourself and turn the volume DOWN on nay-sayers… haters… and funky a** people
  July 24 at 4:38pm · Like · 3
  
  
• Cerise Cameron Gotta love how Gregory Abbotthit us with his INFORMATION
  July 24 at 4:38pm · Edited · Unlike · 3
  
  
• Terri Stewart Blessings to you Mr Abbott!
  July 24 at 4:38pm · Like · 2
  
  
• Hershel Myers Jr. Thank you Mr Gregory Abbottfor allowing us to have the opportunity to speak with you today & may Blessings continue to remain with you & your’s…
  July 24 at 4:38pm · Like · 3
  
  
• Cerise Cameron BE AUTHENTIC NOT DERIVATIVE
  July 24 at 4:39pm · Like · 1
  
  
• Gregory Abbott Thanks Cerise Cameron you made this easy. you guys are the coolest of the cool…. the baddest of the bad…. the highest of the high! thanks for having me!
  July 24 at 4:39pm · Like · 4
  
• Malita Ssanyu Lubega You seem to have found the fountain of youth Where s it and how does one gain access? Gregory Abbott
  July 24 at 4:39pm · Unlike · 3
  
  
• Cerise Cameron Gregory Abbott as ALWAYS it is a pleasure to chat with you
  July 24 at 4:39pm · Like · 3
  
• 
  
  Gregory Abbott Likewise Cerise Cameron
  July 24 at 4:40pm · Like · 1
  
• 
  
  Cerise Cameron Keep on doing what you do and please come back and visit soon
  July 24 at 4:40pm · Edited · Like · 3
  
  
• 
  Gregory Abbott Will do
  July 24 at 4:40pm · Like · 2
  
  
• Sharon Floyd When is your new music going to be on iTunes?
  July 24 at 4:40pm · Like · 2
  
  
• 
  
  Patrick Murchison It’s been an honor and a pleasure to be a part of this interview, Gregory!!
  July 24 at 4:41pm · Unlike · 2
  
• Sharon Floyd Thank you for this Cerise.
  July 24 at 4:41pm · Like · 2
  
  
• Cerise Cameron WOW THAT WAS AWESOME
  July 24 at 4:44pm · Like · 3
  
  
• Cerise Cameron You are more than welcome Sharon
  July 24 at 4:44pm · Like · 1
  
  
• Cerise Cameron Come back next week for another ARTIST SPOTLIGHT
  July 24 at 4:45pm · Like · 1
  
  
• Cerise Cameron His new music is launching this fall
  July 24 at 4:46pm · Like · 2
  
  
• Terri Stewart Will be here…Thank you!
  July 24 at 4:46pm · Like · 2
  
  
• Cerise Cameron BELIEVE IN YOURSELF AND TURN THE VOLUME DOWN ON NAY~SAYERS
  July 24 at 4:54pm · Like · 1
  
• Cerise Cameron DEVELOP YOUR OWN STYLE
  July 24 at 4:55pm · Like · 1
  
  
• Cerise Cameron Just digesting the words of wisdom from Gregory Abbott
  July 24 at 4:55pm · Like · 1
  
• Donna Patrice Moses This was wonderful Cerise!! Thank you!!!
  July 24 at 4:56pm · Like · 2
  
• 
  Cerise Cameron Hi Donna Patrice Moses, Glad you enjoyed it
  July 24 at 4:58pm · Like · 2
  
• Donna Patrice Moses Yes I did!!! Will look forward to the next interview!!!
  July 24 at 4:58pm · Like · 1
  
• Cerise Cameron We have another amazing ARTIST scheduled for next Thursday, but I’m still basking in the aura of Gregory Abbott
  July 24 at 4:59pm · Like · 3
  
  
• Donna Patrice Moses I always loved his voice!!
  July 24 at 4:59pm · Like · 3
  
• Cerise Cameron Yes, and it’s still CRYSTAL CLEAR
  July 24 at 5:00pm · Like · 2
  
  
• Patrick Murchison Gregory Abbott did an excellent job of fielding all of our questions for someone who types with his fists!! 
  July 24 at 5:00pm · Like · 2
  
• Donna Patrice Moses And like no other !!
  July 24 at 5:01pm · Like · 1
  
  
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  Donna Patrice Moses GE Patrick Murchison!! Yes he did!!
  July 24 at 5:01pm · Like · 2
  
• Cerise Cameron LOL Patrick Murchison
  July 24 at 5:04pm · Like · 1
  
• 
  
  Cerise Cameron I think he’s got more intelligence and skills than we even know
  July 24 at 5:05pm · Edited · Like · 2
  
  
• 
  Patrick Murchison I agree with you, Cerise!!!
  July 24 at 5:07pm · Like
  
• Cerise Cameron It is challenging to type an interview and I’m so grateful to the Artists that give it a try
  July 24 at 5:22pm · Like · 2
  
• 
  
  Cerise Cameron My son and I have been discussing the book Siddhartha all week! I’m shocked that Gregory Abbott mentioned that today
  July 24 at 7:09pm · Like · 1