|
My name is John and I am from Baltimore. I am a
Computer Network Specialist by profession. Just like some dj's have
been dj'ing since they were 12 or 13, I've been working with computers since
I was 16. That's how I make a living. I also want to make sure my son is
raised to understand the power of owning his own business and not always
strive to work for others. Now, running the blackbookscafe.com website
virtually by myself is done because I love House music so much. I do
it without looking for profit. Although that would be ok. I do
it for all the Baltimore artists, dj's, etc. who may not get noticed or
appreciated by the people in their own hometown. I don't even ask to
always get in all the parties for free. Although by now, I should not
have to ask none of the promoters of Baltimore House music parties to let me
in. I've paid to get in parties in 2003 where I was the only one on
the dance floor. But I still give my unselfish support through this
website. I could be doing a lot better things with my time as you can
see from the photos above. I do this for all the House heads in an
around the Baltimore/DC area who just want to go somewhere and hear House
music without any drama. This website is responsible for dozens of
people going to a lot of parties. I do it for them. The blackbookscafe.com are the eyes to the Baltimore House
scene. I believe this website is responsible for people outside of the
Baltimore/DC area getting a visual documentation of what is going on in
Baltimore as far as House music goes. I do this for all the House
lovers who just want to dance the stress away of everyday life. I do
this for all the Kisha's, Lindell's, Keith's, Tradawn's, Jason's, Rita's,
Martina's, Ivy's, Tina's, Rod's, Ty's, April's, Lyn's, Crystal's, Tishia's, David's,
on, and on, and on. I do this for the love and appreciation that many
regular, non-industry House heads have given me and this website. I
love this House scene so much that when I'm at some parties, I know half the
party people by name. I don't know this from being a party promoter
but because they appreciate the little things I try to do for this House
scene and let me know it. I keep going for them. I try to stay
humble and keep a positive spirit, even when I get ridiculous feedback to
this website from arrogant people who haven't even tried to do half of the
things for our House scene that I've done over the last year. I have
been so humble over the last year and basically try to meet and greet
everyone I can. I figure if I touched a couple of people and they go
to the website, then they will have an opportunity to patronize many parties
and not just one on the agenda of a single promoter. Like I said, I do
this for the music and try not to let our House heads know about any
infighting and drama that goes on behind the scenes. I don't seek any
accolades and feel uncomfortable taking credit for the smallest of things in
which I may be responsible for. I just want House heads to know that
there are dj's, artists, etc. living in their own city who they should be
proud of, and whose music they should support. I promote this for free
and without expecting nothing in return. I do not try to posture
myself as the self-righteous prophet of the Baltimore house scene....I am
one of the protectors of soulful House music from techno/lounge music,
watered down and disguised as House. There's talk of an
outdoor House music event this year in Baltimore, like at Druid Hill Park.
I ask all of you dj's and industry peeps to try to clear up any disputes
with other dj's, promoters, artists, etc so we can give Baltimore/DC House
lovers the unified event they deserve. That event could be a great way
of promoting records, labels, stores, cd's, or anything to a large number of
people. Can this be done in a unified and all inclusive way for our
Soulful House scene? We'll see. So now you know some
of the purpose for this website and why I do what I do. This is not
just a website thrown up to say "look I can make mixes available".
There are hundreds, if not thousands of websites that do that. I take
pride in the fact that many collaborations and relationships have been
formed because of something that involved me or the BBC. If this
website ever ends I can say I helped make a difference to a scene and not
just a profit. With nothing but peace and respect........JJ |
