Intro By Odeisel. Interview By Tora Bedgood

So myth of the Grammy Awards is pomp and circumstance and increasingly the triumph of style over substance.  But there are genuine people who have had long and successful careers in the treacherous music industry; surviving rule 4080 and prospering. These peopel may not recieve much camera time but they have either informed or inspired those luminaries, or have had their hand in shaping their sound.  Two such people are Anthony Hamilton and Jimmy Jam.

As part of the GRAMMY Career Day, designed to encourage careers in the music business, the GRAMMY Foundation provides high school students an opportunity to interact with music industry professionals in educational settings throughout the country.

  Artist/Creative Participants included: GRAMMY^® nominees: Shaila Durcal, Melanie Fiona, Anthony Hamilton, Keri Hilson, Ann Nesby, and Calvin Richardson, and two-time GRAMMY-winning producer Nate “Danja” Hills.  Additional participants include songwriting and production team The Y’s (James Flauntleroy, Rob Knox and GRAMMY Award-winning artist Justin Timberlake), GRAMMY Award-winning songwriter/producer/recording artist Lamont Dozier and engineerManny Marroquin. Also participating will be artist Blake Lewis and super producer Warryn Campbell.

We caught up with Jam and Hamilton during the course of career day. Hamilton is one of the few remaining legitimate soul singers left in the blues landscape. His powerufl vocals project pain and perseverance while inspiring the hope that pushes us forward through such turmoil. Jam, along with partner Terry Lewis has an unassailable resume of creating hits for artists like Janet Jackson in her prime and Mary J Blige.

As part of the Grammy festivities these gentlement sat down with us and dropped  a bit of light for aspiring artists who are looking to carve out space in a shrinking market where the demo tape dance is no long enough to get on the Soul Train line (trust us, your demo CD is protecting some A&R’s wooden table from glasses of Nuvo).  Take heed to the words they manifest. Jam in particular is very specific about how you approach people in the business.  Sit back and take notes. Special thanks to the Grammy’s for allowing us exclusive access. Peace.

Anthony Hamilton

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Jimmy Jam

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This is not a business for the squeamish. Please listen to what these guys have to say. We found them wholly devoid of ego and they spoke in very regular non-Hollywood gloss terms. Hope this helps. Peace

Career Day roundtable discussion featuring Keri Hilson, Danjahands Jam, Hamilton and much more!

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The GRAMMY Foundation^® was established in 1989 to cultivate the understanding, appreciation and advancement of the contribution of recorded music to American culture — from the artistic and technical legends of the past to the still unimagined musical breakthroughs of future generations of music professionals. The Foundation accomplishes this mission through programs and activities that engage the music industry and cultural community as well as the general public. The Foundation works in partnership year-round with its founder, The Recording Academy^®, to bring national attention to important issues such as the value and impact of music and arts education and the urgency of preserving our rich cultural heritage. Campbell’s Labels For Education program is proud to be the official education partner of the GRAMMY In The Schools programs. For more information, please visit www.grammyintheschools.com.