Creatives Over Cocktails GreatConvo Media

COC crew is back for the New Year as we toast to Janiro Hawkins. He discusses getting his feet wet in the industry with his early quest to pursue a rap career (and even drops a few bars). With an early passion for music and entertainment, he talks about how knowing the ins and outs of the industry helped him uncover gaps. Co-founding the Southern Entertainment Awards, he has grown this reputable award ceremony putting the spotlight on Southern States and what they have contributed to the culture of Hip Hop, R & B, and Film.

With Janiro, you don’t have to wonder. You don’t have to wonder what he’s passionate about (music, artistry, community). You don’t have to wonder where you stand with him (“I’m about addressing issues that need to be addressed for the next person.”). And, you don’t have to wonder if you’re going to be dealing with someone who doesn’t say what he means and means what he says.

Although Janiro’s the Co-Founder for the Southern Entertainment Awards and the Music Supervisor at Onyx Theory Arts. He’s not too busy to return a phone call, an email or listen to a concern and/or complaint. It doesn’t matter the position you have or title you hold. To him, everything is about seeing the potential in others; about turning a possibility into a genuine opportunity.

Just one glance at his credentials and you will know that Janiro is a part of the entertainment industry. But while others look at the field as a chance to put the spotlight on them, he has a different perspective. “I try to be known as a person who is approachable and who others are able to get in touch with,” says Janiro. “It will always be that way. People know that they can come to me straight up about anything. See, I'm not an Artist, Producer, A&R, or Manager, so what those individuals feel like they can’t say, I can. Most importantly, when I speak on various issues, I try to help provide a resolution as well.”

As they say, if you’re not a part of the solution, you are a part of the problem. When it comes to solving “the problem” of there being limited platforms for urban independent and upcoming artists, Janiro has used his connections and expertise to provide as many as possible. Since relocating to Nashville, TN from Flint, MI almost 30 years ago, he has worked diligently to provide avenues for independent artists, especially independent artists in the South, to be heard. Artists like Tennessee’s own JC, along with other southern-based performers including Rudy Currence, Sparkdawg and more have all credited him with significantly assisting them with their music careers. In 2006, he co-produced Southern Entertainment Awards Presents: A New Generation Salutes Ray Charles at the Country Music Hall of Fame. Aside from the Southern Entertainment Awards, Janiro's resume has included, Staff Writer for Ozone Magazine, Promotions for Midnight Marauders/Aquemini and more.

How does he find the time? What is his motivation?

“Many people enjoy music and appreciate it,” says Janiro, “but there’s a difference between loving it and then being able to dig deep and be involved in it 24/7. I love what I do because I was able to create something that others appreciate.

Janiro Hawkins & SEA Awards
https://www.instagram.com/rio_de_janiro/
https://www.instagram.com/sea_awards/

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New Year, New You...with the same old crew!

Check out what COC is expecting going into the New Year. Be sure to check us out next time as we get back to our regularly scheduled programming with some amazing guests.

Cheers!

Brought to you by Great Convo Media https://greatconvo.com/
Subscribe: http://www.creativesovercocktails.com/
Follow: https://www.instagram.com/coc_podcast
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Hosts
Eboné Merrimon https://www.instagram.com/deepsouleb/
Brian Sexton https://www.instagram.com/iamspreadluv/
Lonnell Matthews https://www.instagram.com/inspirewithlonnell/

Music Producer: A.B. Eastwoood https://www.instagram.com/a.b.eastwood/
Creative Producer: Kamilah Sanders https://www.instagram.com/kivanoir/

This week the Creatives Over Cocktails crew is taking a break from our normal programming. As a result, we decided to introduce our listeners to Ebone Merrimon's solo show, Deep Soul Eb! Check out this episode of Deep Soul Eb featuring artists Talib and Blue.

If you like this episode of Deep Soul Eb, check out more of the show at the link below:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNbgqGyp3V1NPKMJLEHDNMQ

Deep Soul Eb Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/DeepSoulEb/
Deep Soul Eb Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deepsouleb/

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!

We chop it up with the Owner of Cë Gallery – Clarence Edward. He talks about the importance of leaving your comfort zone and finding your people. Inspired by the need for artists to express themselves, he discussed how he serves as a middleman transforming an artist’s vision to reality through exhibitions that entice all five senses. He explores the importance of longevity and controlling the narrative of your art.

Cë Gallery
Cë Gallery is a contemporary and performance arts studio. Our mission is to provide a multi-functional space for artists of multiple mediums to present exhibitions & art installations that are intimate and immersive.
www.cegallery.co
www.instagram.com/thecegallery
www.twitter.com/thecegallery
www.facebook.com/thecegallery

Brought to you by Great Convo Media https://greatconvo.com/
Subscribe: http://www.creativesovercocktails.com/
Follow: https://www.instagram.com/coc_podcast
Like: https://www.facebook.com/cocpodcast

Hosts
Eboné Merrimon https://www.instagram.com/deepsouleb/
Brian Sexton https://www.instagram.com/iamspreadluv/
Lonnell Matthews https://www.instagram.com/inspirewithlonnell/

Music Producer: A.B. Eastwoood https://www.instagram.com/a.b.eastwood/
Creative Producer: Kamilah Sanders https://www.instagram.com/kivanoir/

Creatives Over Cocktails hosts - Brian Sexton, Lonnell Matthews Jr., Ebonè Merrimon, and Liv - reflect on this past year and what's to come. We go into the exciting happenings with the entire crew. If you know any of the hosts, you know that Creatives Over Cocktails is only one of the many great things they are involved in that impacts our community.

Brought to you by Great Convo Media https://greatconvo.com/
Subscribe: http://www.creativesovercocktails.com/
Follow: https://www.instagram.com/coc_podcast
Like: https://www.facebook.com/cocpodcast

Hosts
Eboné Merrimon https://www.instagram.com/deepsouleb/
Brian Sexton https://www.instagram.com/iamspreadluv/
Lonnell Matthews https://www.instagram.com/inspirewithlonnell/
Liv https://www.instagram.com/livi_pourz_itup/

Music Producer: A.B. Eastwoood https://www.instagram.com/a.b.eastwood/
Creative Producer: Kamilah Sanders https://www.instagram.com/kivanoir/

Investor, entrepreneur, author, speaker, and content creator – Marcus Whitney joins us as he talks about claiming your creative power through entrepreneurship. He discusses the ups and downs of this past year and the importance of taking time to focus on the long term. We talk about his historic career that serves as an inspiration to other entrepreneurs and creatives.

From college-dropout, waiter to self-taught, successful entrepreneur. Marcus Whitney is Founding Partner of Jumpstart Health Investors, the most active venture capital firm in America focused on innovative, healthcare companies with a portfolio of over 100 companies. He recently launched Jumpstart Nova, the first Black healthcare venture fund in America. Marcus is also co-founder and minority owner of Major League Soccer team, Nashville Soccer Club. Marcus has been listed in the Power 100 by Nashville Business Journal, and has been featured by Inc., CNBC, Entrepreneur, Fast Company, and The Atlantic. Marcus is the author of the best selling book Create and Orchestrate, about claiming your Creative Power through entrepreneurship. Marcus is also the producer and host of The Creative Power Podcast, a podcast on all major platforms. Marcus is a member of the board of the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum, the Nashville Convention and Visitors Corporation, Instruction Partners and Launch Tennessee.

Marcus Whitney
https://www.marcuswhitney.com/

Brought to you by Great Convo Media https://greatconvo.com/
Subscribe: http://www.creativesovercocktails.com/
Follow: https://www.instagram.com/coc_podcast
Like: https://www.facebook.com/cocpodcast

Hosts
Eboné Merrimon https://www.instagram.com/deepsouleb/
Brian Sexton https://www.instagram.com/iamspreadluv/
Lonnell Matthews https://www.instagram.com/inspirewithlonnell/
Liv https://www.instagram.com/livi_pourz_itup/

Music Producer: A.B. Eastwoood https://www.instagram.com/a.b.eastwood/
Creative Producer: Kamilah Sanders https://www.instagram.com/kivanoir/