……may and moms

May 9, 2018
Ideas...MusicThoughts
3 Comments

Wishing Mother’s EVERYWHERE a very Happy Mother’s Day!

 

 

 

Smell the roses. Smell the coffee. Whatever it is that makes you happy. RITA MORENO

 

CHECK OUT OUR NEW VIDEO FOR “Without You”

 

Hello all. I hope you are doing well and finally getting some good weather. I have been busy in the studio working on new material (and possibly some collaborations). As I have not been blogging much I thought I would check in with you all. May is already here, spring has sprung… and flowers are in bloom.

GOOD NEWS!

For quite a while now, we have retained our #1 Spot on Reverbnation.

I was pleased to hear that my web site has been featured on the Top 30 Rnb Music Blogs and Websites to follow for 2018 on one of the the top rss feeds around: feedspot.com.

For all my Spanish friends and family 🙂

Yesterday I had the great pleasure to do a live international radio interview on W-Radio on “La hora del regresso” which is broadcast to South Florida, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Los Angeles, Orlando and also Spain, Central America, Columbia and Panama. “La hora del regresso” is presented by journalist Carlos Montoya. Thanks guys, I had a great time! I’d also like to personally thank Krizia Bruhl for her translating skills. Here’s a link to the show.

A LITTLE SOMETHING FOR MOTHER’S DAY

As some of you may know I received a full scholarship for creative writing to Stanford University. I came across a short story of mine and thought it would make a nice gift to all of you romantics out there. Just my way of saying Happy Mother’s Day. I hope you enjoy. Please drop me a note and let me know.

“The Legend of the Rose” by Gregory Abbott 

In the quaint little town of Botanica, noted for its beautiful foliage, there lived a family of four; father, mother daughter and her younger brother of ten.

The boy, a romantic by nature loved to roam the countryside and trod dreamily amidst the colorful flowers taking long deep breath‘s of their pleasant aroma’s.

One spring day, the boy became smitten by one of the lovely young daughters of a local neighbor and with lighthearted visions of romance swimming in his head, he skipped dizzily through the fields and begin picking his favorite white flour to present to her as a symbol of his love.  

Now the boys mother had warned him on many occasions to be careful of touching these special white flowers last he cut his hands. For these flowers had thorns, and although quite beautiful could pierce the skin and cause the hands to bleed. He was always careful of these, his favorite white flour and had learned to content himself with appreciating their smell and visual beauty, but not touching them. There is a story connected with these white flowers. It is told that he who picks the white flour and is wounded by its thorns is given, as compensation, the fulfillment of one wish which he must make before the sun goes down.

And so the dreamy splendor of this beautiful spring day, combined with thoughts of the electric smile of his newfound damsel had driven him beyond the level of all caution and he proceeded to pick the flowers with wanton abandon. On his way to her house, giddy with anticipation, he thought of nothing but the smile on her face when she saw the white flowers. He did not however feel the pain of the thorns which as predicted, pierced his hands and cause the stream of blood to drip onto the flowers which he held down by his side.

At her door he held up the flowers for her examination and much to his puzzlement discovered that all of the flowers had turned red. The boy was crestfallen. Suddenly her face lit up with amazement and joy. Why I’ve never seen such beautiful red flowers before she exclaimed as she took them from his hands and examine them with wonder You must have searched far and wide to have found such a rare flower. And you are wonderful to have given me such a rare and wonderful gift. The boy elated said nothing but kissed her with great chivalry and departed…… 

As he turned toward the western horizon and saw the half circle of the sun begin it’s dissent into the sea, he remembered, and whispered let there be lovely red flowers for everyone to enjoy growing plentifully in the field with pain to no one…… And it was done. 

On his way home his heart was as light as the spring pollen’s which floated through the country air and as he clasped his hands together, he tendered the pain as his special badge of honor and he knew he was the happiest boy in Botanica, perhaps in the whole world.

The giving of love is worth whatever the pain.

Some quotes for this post:

Some people are always grumbling because roses have thorns; I am thankful that thorns have roses. Alphonse Karr

The earth laughs in flowers. Ralph Waldo Emerson

Life is the flower, for which love is the honey. Victor Hugo

 

 

Stay strong everyone. You are amazing…. remember that.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My heartfelt prayers for your health, happiness and peace of mind.

And prayers to my Hawaiian friends in the path of the lava. Stay safe.

Miss you Mom.

 

As always, I am

Musically yours, Gregory

 

 

……tune in

April 14, 2018
Music
2 Comments

 

Hello everyone,

I will be LIVE on air this week April 18th @ 7PM Eastern (4PM Pacific) with Host: Lady P on 96.2 Smooth Groove Radio.

 

 

 

So mark your calendar and tune in via the link above to listen live or download iTunes/ Google Play. And tell your friends…… Hope you can join me.

 

Musically yours, Gregory

……exclusive interview

January 12, 2018
MusicThoughts
20 Comments

Exclusive interview on RnB Junkie CHECK IT OUT!

 

Award-winning Singer, Songwriter and Producer Gregory Abbott who is best known for his #1 Platinum selling debut single “Shake You Down” has been a regular fixture to music for over 30 years from chart-topping hits, writing for artists and releasing new music including his latest single “On & On”. I caught up with Gregory Abbott to discuss his music, how he’s evolved, what’s next and much more…

Terrance: First talk a little about your earliest musical beginning and when did it all come together.

Gregory Abbott: An important part of my formative years were the piano lessons which my mother gave me. She wasn’t a professional musician, but she played very well and made sure there was always a variety of music around the household. My father, who is from the West Indies contributed his love of Caribbean music with it’s charming story lines and rhythms. In college and Graduate school, I learned how to play the guitar; and that’s when I really began writing songs. I played in a variety of Latin and R&B bands and began to see that music could be more than just a hobby and that you could actually make a living doing it.

Terrance: Awesome. When you heard your debut single “Shake You Down” on the radio for the first time, where were you and your reaction to it?

Gregory Abbott: I don’t remember exactly the first time; but I do remember one incident when it came on the radio while I was riding into Manhattan on the Staten Island Ferry. When the DJ mentioned my name, my fellow travelers who knew me, gave me a standing ovation. It was quite a ride. As we passed Ellis Island (and the Statue of Liberty of course) I was thinking of my father who came here as an immigrant and I felt such pride. When the boat docked, he was the first person I called.

Terrance: Creatively and musically speaking how have you grown in the past 30 years?

Gregory Abbott: Over time I’ve begun to employ more complex chords and rhythms. Also I’ve begun to explore other subject matter (not exclusively love relationships). I’ve come to see that there are many issues that impact people’s lives that deserve representation in song.

Terrance: As music has evolved technologically, do you feel it has gotten better or worse in the way that it’s consumed by the public in contrast to when you first started in the business?

Gregory Abbott: There’s no doubt that music is both created and consumed differently than when I first began. Much of that is beneficial…. if you can adjust to the changes that have taken place and reformulate your game plan. The advancement in technology has given the musician unparalleled freedom and control in creating music. We can do things today that was just unthinkable 15 years ago. On the consumer end; we songwriters concentrate more on streaming and downloads and licensing to film and television etc. While the monetization isn’t perfect yet, it is constantly getting better and more fair to the songwriter and artist.

Terrance: Talk about the creative process behind your latest single “On & On”.

Gregory Abbott: “On and On” is a song written by 70’s folk singer Stephen Bishop which always had a warm place in my heart. And, since I don’t typically do covers, I thought I’d try this one out for size. I hold an Antiguan passport (I’m a dual citizen); and Caribbean rhythms and themes have always permeated my music. I love the theme of the song and the first line which goes: “Down in Jamaica they’ve got lots of pretty women”….”. So…. after that first line I was hooked. I must admit I did change the second line which originally read: “steal your money then they break your heart”. That was never my experience so I changed it to: “Oooh they’re so sexy they’ll just break your heart” (laughs). It’s a good solid song about persistence and the value of never giving up yet rolling with the flow of life. A message which I think can really be heard during these challenging times.

Terrance: Which do you ultimately prefer – Recording studio or stage performance?

Gregory Abbott: They each offer a different reward. It’s always exciting to work with other musicians and background singers on stage and entice the audience to become part of the music and therefore part of the creation of the nights fun. It’s wonderful to see the effect your music has on bodies…..faces etc. Creating in the studio is fulfilling in another way. It’s not as relaxing because you’re trying to “get it right” and you’re aware of the importance of doing so. But that challenge has always been very attractive to me. And when you DO get it right it’s MAGIC.

Terrance: If there’s one thing you could go back and tell your younger self starting out in the business, what would it be?

Gregory Abbott: Excellent question! Actually, I was told some things very early on that have served me so well that I would simply re-tell my younger self these very things. Three of them which I can share are 1. Practice, practice, practice, and perfect your craft. Learn everything you can about it. 2. Learn the business side of the music industry BEFORE you stick your toe in the water. Set up the right structure for yourself in which to operate. 3. Check your motivations. Be in it for the joy and passion of doing the work and not just for the money because that is what will sustain you over time.

Terrance: What are your hidden talents outside of music that the world aren’t aware of?

Gregory Abbott: Well… people may not know this, but actually I’m a closet nerd. Before I got into music as a profession I was in the academic world. I got my Masters Degree and did all the coursework for my PhD. I read constantly and also write a lot and plan on delving deeper into writing in the near future.

Terrance: What’s next in store for Gregory Abbott?

Gregory Abbott: I intend to release four new singles of original material along with videos. And I’m planning some shows in the UK and Australia. I also have some collaborations (duets) in the works.

Terrance: That’s interesting and we look forward to that. Is there anything you would like to leave with your fans, the readers?

Gregory Abbott: I thank all your readers for their support over the years. To hear what I’ve been up to you can reach me at my official site www.gregoryabbott.com

Check out more from Terrence @ RnB Junkie