Creatives Over Cocktails

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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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/

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
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/

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
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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/

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
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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/
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/

Singer/Songwriter, Kyndle Wylde tells us her story of pushing through tough times and discovering herself. She discusses the moment her dream turned into a goal. On a mission to achieve success, she talks about the importance of immersing herself in the music industry and how telling her story through music was a pivotal moment in her career.
Gospel-raised in tiny Bolivar, Tennessee, singer/songwriter Kyndle Wylde has a voice that has demanded attention since she started singing in her crib. Moving to Memphis as a teenager, her voice and harmonies quickly made her an in-demand singer onstage and in studio. Continuing her musical journey, she was based in Nashville when the pandemic hit. Denied her performing outlet, she dug deep, and the songwriting that had always been a sideline became a mission. Acclaimed for her singing since she’d first stood in front of an audience, she discovered a new voice inside her. The result is Kyndle Wylde and a six-song sonic Polaroid of who she is at this moment in the life of an artist in motion. EP release date to be announced. The lead single off her project is “LIKE YOU USED TO”.
Kyndle Wylde
http://kyndlewylde.com/
https://www.instagram.com/kyndlewylde/
https://www.youtube.com/kyndlewylde
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/

The Master P of Culinary, Chef Jason Williams, Executive Chef of Slim & Husky’s and tapas bar EG & MC joins us discussing the lessons learned along his journey into culinary arts. With culture influencing his business ventures, he discusses the power of food and the power of divine intervention on his life. In this inspirational episode, he talks about the importance of focus and tapping into your creative lane.
Slim & Husky's
https://www.instagram.com/slimandhuskys/
https://slimandhuskys.com/
EG & MC
https://www.instagram.com/e_g_m_c_/
https://eg-mc.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/

On this episode artist Omari Booker explores how his experiences with the biases of the criminal justice system shaped his current work and what he cares about. We talk about the influence of hip hop on his life and the gift of being an artist for a living.
Omari Booker takes a process-oriented approach to his art, embracing it as a therapeutic modality through which he is able to express his passion for the freedom and independence that the creative process allows him to experience. The philosophy that undergirds Omari’s work is FREEDOM THROUGH ART and he aspires to create work that communicates to his audience their unique and intrinsic ability to be free. Learn more at https://omaribooker.com/
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During "Class is in Session" our weekend bartender, Dee, explores elements of a fine cocktail and introduces the crew to the Mezcal Old Fashioned.

We go to church with Grammy, Emmy, and Dove Award-winning producer, Shannon Sanders. He explores his journey into music through the cultural eruption of Hip Hop to how he revolutionized radio as the founder of 102.1 FM The Ville. He talks about building on failures, listening with an open mind, and living a lifestyle of creativity.
Shannon Sanders is nationally best-known for his Grammys (2), Emmys (2) and Dove (1) award. Not only is he the founder and program director of Nashville Scene’s “2018 Best Soul Radio Station” pick, 102.1 FM The Ville and a National Trustee of the Recording Academy, Shannon is also a city commissioner for the Nashville Convention and Visitors Corporation, a board member of the Nashville Ballet, a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Inc. and, he was one of the music industry leaders selected for Leadership Music’s Class of 2017.
If you were to ask people to describe Shannon, words like “super-producer” (he’s worked with India.Arie, Jonny Lang, John Legend, Robert Randolph, just to name a few), “gifted musician” (he’s served as co-musical director for India.Arie and Fisk Jubilee Singers Annual Spring Sing at the Ryman for several years), “amazing vocalist” (he was a mainstage artist at Nashville's 2018 July 4th Celebration), visionary and mentor are what you would probably hear most.
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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/
Audio Architect: Kamaal Malak https://www.instagram.com/kamaalmalak/
Featured Cocktail: Old Glory
Check out the drink recipe on social and in our newsletter
Mentions
Just Play Entertainment: https://www.justplayentertainment.com/