It seems crazy that only 1 year has passed since the launch of our Blackbookscafe.com website.  All we started out to do was try to bring acknowledgement and recognition to the many talented Baltimore dj’s/artists/producers who often get under appreciated in their own hometown.  We would like to take time out to thank some of the following people who made our first year a growing and successful one.  First thanks to all the BBC contributors over the last year..Kenda Bell(Literary Editor), Ingela Borgefjord, Kelli Bigelow, Craig Lesane, Kenya Campbell, Nneka Dixon, Tradawn Brunson, David Greenwood,  Karizma, Jason Lee & Din. We thank the BBC resident dj’s from the ’03 year(dj Karizma, JLee, Henry “Da Man”, & percussionist Jason Din) for contributing their music to the website and giving their time to help get the blackbookscafe and the “Soul Fiesta” off the ground.  We want to thank all the industry people who always got back to me on questions, advice or requests…Like Jay from the Basement Boys, dj’s Oji & Pope, Karizma, dj Biskit, and so many other dj’s.  I would like to thank Henry Da Man & Tony Wilson for their hospitality at this years WMC in Miami.  I want to give a special thanks to the “Good Vibrations” staff for continuing to give me a soulful House party with a family reunion atmosphere, without the bs from a liquor establishment.  The BBC would like to give a special thanks to the whole POJI family of artists who embraced me like family(Carolyn, Sheila, Una, Momi, etc.).  I want to thank Momi(former POJI mgr.) for all the advice and passing along info on all the “hook-ups”.  Thanks go out to each and every one who gave us an interview.  Your time was vital in passing along information to our website visitors and your potential consumers. 

We want to thank all the BBC supporters who have donated their cherished memories to the website in the form or flyers and pictures.  We want to thank all of the many dj’s who gave us mixes to share with the world.  We also want to thank all the dj’s who sent in their mixes from all over the country and places in the world that I didn’t know existed.  Although we couldn't post them all, they were much appreciated.  Our timing in getting the website off the ground was incredible.  As we gained in popularity, so did the amount of soulful House music parties in our region.  We were there to witness or pass along info about “Good Vibrations”, “Soul Fiesta”, “Chocolate Factory”, “Soulful Sounds”, “Luv Shine”, “POJI’s Groove”, “Sugar”, “Fantasy Fridays”,  “Playtime in the Daytime”, "Black Requiem", the soon to be "Brighter Days", some DC parties, and many more.  We do have a House scene!! As long as the BBC is online you will be able to point to us as a documenting source to show, that we too, have a scene that still contributes to this thing we call House.

 Over the last year, we’ve seen many high’s in the scene like the birth of the Wayne Davis/Odell’s Reunion party, which gets hundreds and hundreds of party people once a year.  We’ve also seen lows like 92Q canceling another one of our House resources on the radio when they cancelled dj Boobie’s mix show on Sunday nights.  We(BBC) have gotten into a small but irritating beef with the club at 930 N. Charles street after they decided to abruptly abandon a solid night of soulful House music.  So many people had my back that it was just a very inspiring experience.  It was the best show of unity I could think of.  But the future of our scene looks bright as dj Pope has returned to Morgan State University to broadcast(88.9) the “Deeper Side of Midnight” every Thursday night.  DJ Karizma has been on an incredible year long campaign to suck in younger House heads by easing phat remixes of songs they can relate to in their ear….this is in between what the experienced House lovers need to hear.  Good Vibrations continues to attract non-traditional House fans into Street Folks just because they want to belong to the scene as well.  Shouts go out to Dorian Smith and the whole DC Sanctuary staff, as well as Club Five and Red, for continuing to add another important element to our region.  Many more dj’s/artists and people are also contributing to this movement…especially you incredible Baltimore/DC party people who continue to come out and show that there is enough House headz to go around.  How else, was the blackbookscafe.com able to get people to go all the way to Highlandtown to “jack their body” at the “Soul Fiesta”.  We want to thank all the talented up and coming House dj's of the future in our area for giving us an opportunity to get their name out there(www) a little more (dj Derrick, Donny Burlin, Cleo Khary, dj Chuck, dj Qwest, dj Soulgiver, dj Sahib, dj Motae, JLee, etc.)

Now, the state of our local(Balto) House scene is coming together nicely as of late.  Old beefs and misunderstandings are being cleared up, but there are a couple more issues we can work on.  The first is the labeling of what is “deep” and what is not “deep” House music in our scene.  There are definitely two schools of “soulful” House available in the Baltimore/DC area.  Some dj’s are talented enough to capture both styles.  But what is important to consider is that a deep, soulful feeling comes from within oneself and shouldn’t be defined by a few.  To each his own I guess.  Another issue is the rise of cliques in our area, which is quite natural on occasion if it contains friends that are committed to a common goal.  But I believe we should respect the goals of other dj’s/promoters or create our own presentation to House heads.  There are enough House music lovers to go around.  We might want to make sure we present a united front if we are communicating to industry people outside of Balto/DC.  Don’t trash some of your fellow House dj’s/producers/artists when you get outside of the area.  Business and money will gravitate to areas where it is thought to have many good producers, dj’s, artist, etc.   However, if you’re doing things that are ethically wrong or bad mouthing the scene where you live, then outsiders will stay away from the reputation that is created by this(in my opinion).  So heads up people, because I have a dream and it will take all of you to make it a reality.

I want to share with you all what has kept the bbc going over that last year, after all, we do it for the love of the scene.  Below are statements of appreciation that keeps the BBC and me thriving beyond any criticisms.  Also, at the bottom of this page are links to our Anniversary features & some of the moments we've captured over the last year.

Thanks for bringing the house heads 2gether-I have a 2^nd family now!  I love & enjoy watching you all get your life!!!  Blackbooks is the best thing that could ever happen to the House community!!!

 Much Peace & Love 2 U in the years 2 come!

See ya soon!!

Hello John,
We have checked out your site, and say bravo!!!!!!!  
Thank you for having and promoting a link to our new site...yes it was a long time coming and worth the wait I hope.  We applaud your efforts to keep the house community together and inform people about what is happening.   Please feel free to keep in touch with us, so you will not have to rely on the "grapevine”.   Congratulations on your site, we are happy to be a part of it.  

 Hi John,

 I just wanted to say that you are doing an excellent job of keeping us informed. I hope your dream comes true soon! ;-) "I have a dream!"

 Peace

 5/26/03

Greetings BBC staff,

             I would like to send my appreciation & Love to you all for doing such a wonderful job with keeping us "True House Heads" informed! Before your website, I use to think the House Scene was officially dead in Baltimore! You all can't imagine how you have changed my life so drastically! I am so thankful for your website, if it wasn't for you all, I would still sit at home drowning in an abyss of boredom! lol

            Oh yes, I must not 4-get to mention Dj Karizma's weekly Thursday set at the Sky Lounge & the Good Vibe parties; a sister now has a chance to escape & release her stress on the dance floor !! If it wasn't for you all, I don't know what I would do.........you all are a blessing to the House Community! Keep up the good work, I look forward to attending many many more events in the future!

 Peace,Love & Blessings to you all !

 Ps. If it wasn't for your website, I would have never known that Dj Pope would be spinning on WEAA tonight - thanks to you for this info,  Now I can face my stressful job tomorrow with a smile !

 Hello family,

 Yes, family is what I like to consider you! This is a wonderful sight and please keep me informed on any new event's, CD's and how we can hire any of the DJ's for parties.

My email address is xxxxxxxxxxxxx

 Respectfully

 peace,

I saw your post on the deep house page (thank god!) and wanted to contact you. please, would you keep me informed of some deep house parties?

 John,
Every time I visit your website, I see more and more.  I love this website because you try to address so much and you are only one person.  I just want you to know that I appreciate and can see all you are trying to do.  I can't wait to see how your real cafe will unfold.  Looking forward to some coffee.  Unfortunately I can't visit the site as often as I would like, but every chance I get I visit your site. 

Peace and Love,
xxxxxxxxxxx

 ………Isn't house music a "beautiful thing?" Not everyone understands house music-it's a spiritual thang, a body thang, a soul thang.  

 *******

Peace and Blessings.  I just stopped by to express my sincere appreciation and to extend my continued encouragement to you at Black Books Cafe.  Taking the initiative to develop and offer this much needed resource to the local and global communities is to be commended.  As a DJ/Producer and lover of house music (all good music for that matter), it has been disheartening for me to endure the pervading state of the house music scene, particularly here in Baltimore.  That is why it is so refreshing to see resources like yours helping to fuel the fire of resurgence in house music here.  Keep up the good work and stay encouraged, as there are many of us that appreciate your work.

Sincerely,

xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

©Black Books Cafe' of Baltimore launched Nov. 24,2002