Max Brooks
Two previous posts refer to the bestselling author’s work The Harlem Hellfighters, but Max Brooks recent 15-minute segment on Tavis Smiley is worth noting for several reasons: 1. Fascinating glimpse of how Brooks’ personality dictates his approach to his craft. 2. The account of the World I heroes and Brooks’ attempts to market his script, […]
Brian Culbertson
Music Industry Insights Multi-talented Jazz musician, Brian Culbertson, discusses the changes in the industry over the past 20 years with Tavis Smiley. Culbertson, who has had 27 hits, closes the show with a cut from his new CD. And showcases his kinetic love of melody with a joy-filled performance. Reference Brian Culbertson/Tavis Smiley ttp://video.pbs.org/video/2365257970/ Visits: […]
Activists Champion Entreprenerualism
It Ain’t Over Til Its Over… Both Marlo Thomas and poet Luis Rodriquez recently discussed at length how many people facing economic adversity use creativity and entrepreneurial tactics to prevail. Thomas during an interview on Tavis Smiley discussed the theme of her book how women have started business during crisis in their lives. Rodriquez on a recent […]
Thug Notes: Takeaway Lessons
The popular web-based series, hosted by Greg Edwards, is a collaborative effort. Each person, including an actual Ph.D, contribute their knowledge and skill in creating each video, according to Edwards. Thug Notes is an innovative teaching method that spoofs traditional literature using Rap. But as the New York Times points out, the concept is being […]
Floyd Norman: Walt Disney’s First African American Animator
Aptitudes, Skill And Knowledge Floyd Norman admits he was very fortunate to have grown up in the community of Santa Barbara, California in the era before the second World War where he had access to all the cultural amenities that allowed him to learn and hone his craft as an artist. If you saw Mr. […]
Jessica Lange’s Artistic Photography
It’s about a Little Bird Lang’s October appearance on PBS’ Tavis Smiley replayed recently, and several interesting topics were discussed: Humorous account of the real life Italian canary that inspired Lang’s new book for children. And Lange offers an inside glimpse of how to make artistic hand drawn photography prints versus mass-produced digital photography, which she […]
Music Business Pitfalls
I Want my Name Back! How many times will this story be told but the lessons not learned? PBS host Tavis Smiley recently asked this question of Master Gee, one of the original founders of the internationally known Sugar Hill Gang, who lost the rights to their music and generated millions of dollars for the people […]
Choosing an Unlikely Niche
Talk Show Insights Lawrence Brownlee Despite naysayers, the 5’6” African-American tenor discusses his choice of music and his classical niche instead of a career in law despite not being the typical opera singer. Brownlee Tavis Smiley November 2013 http://www.pbs.org/wnet/tavissmiley/interviews/lawrence-brownlee/ NPR April 2007 Lawrence Brownlee: A Rising Star Arrives at the Met http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=9722214 Martha Plimton Award-winning […]
Niche Advice From Cartoonist Scott Adams
How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big Dilbert Creator Scott Adams’ new book details how he failed at many occupations and ventures and offers his point of view on how to find your niche. PBS Tavis Smiley Interview http://www.pbs.org/wnet/tavissmiley/interviews/scott-adams/ Book Summary Penguin Group.com http://tinyurl.com/lmn3neq Visits: 56
Aptitude Lesson
Bob Newhart & Comedic Talent One of the takeaway lessons from the recent PBS Tavis Smiley interview is that even the field of comedy has different aptitude requirements During the Tavis Smiley appearance, you will discover Bob Newhart, veteran comedian and author of an iconic a record-breaking comedy album has a talent well-known joke tellers […]