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Honoring Black Music Month

By cherylmachatdorskind

Black History  Month African-American Music Appreciation Month

Dorskind_selfie_logoLike Tim Cook, I believe that no matter what you do in life, human rights and dignity are values that need to be acted upon (NY Times, 6/14/14). Perhaps, that was President Jimmy Carter’s motivation when he created “Black Music Month” in June, 1979. 

A recent college graduate, full of dreams to make my mark, I believed (and still do) in music’s healing and unifying power. I was working at Epic Records (1979) and had a roster of “Black” recording artists including the O’Jays, Patti Labelle, Billy Ocean, Sarah Dash, Melba Moore, and if I am forgetting anyone, please leave me a comment.

Epic and The Associated Labels was on the 13th floor of ”Black Rock” 6th Avenue (now called Avenue of the Americas) and 52nd Street (legendary jazz capital). I was proud of my window office (floor to ceiling windows) and walls lined with albums ten feet tall. It was a hip working environment where rock, R&B, and heavy metal pulsated with rhythm and optimism.

Fast forward. Black Music Month is now called “African-American Music Appreciation Month” (as per President Obama/The whitehouse.gov), albums are nearly extinct, Epic Records is now part of Sony Music, offices (now located on Madison Avenue) are generally open spaces and I am a photographer, author, and professor. But, one thing remains constant – the fantastic music.

Dorskind_melbamoore
To launch Melba Moore’s single, we visited discos, met with fans, she signed autographs. Using OnOne software I easily added a border and sepia effect.

Click on the song titles below to hear a few favorite songs I marketed during that time:

The O”Jays: Sing A Happy Song

Billy Ocean: Nights (Feel Like Getting Down)

Patti Labelle: Music is My Way of Life

Sarah Dash: Sinner Man

Melba Moore: You Stepped Into My Life

Music has the power to reunite your heart and mind. Please share your favorite songs in the comment section below in tribute to African-American Music Appreciation Month.

All my best,

Cheryl

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Filed Under: Inspiration, Music Tagged With: 70's music, African_ American Music Appreciation Month, Billy Ocean, Black Music Month, Disco, Epic Records, Melba Moore, Patti Labelle, Sarah Dash, The O'Jays

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About Cheryl

Professional photographer Cheryl Machat Dorskind is a three-time best-selling author and newspaper columnist, an international mentor, a photo educator and adjunct Full professor, a workshop and online instructor, a speaker, and an acclaimed “New York Times” fine-art photographer and handpainter.

She is a member of the American Society of Media Professionals (ASMP) and Canon Professional Services and profiled on Museo.

Learn with Cheryl

Team up with internationally noted fine art mentor Cheryl Machat Dorskind and expand your photographic vision. She is the perfect mentor for the visual artist searching for creative, technical, and marketing direction.

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