A Syndication Service Provided By Brian James http://brianjames.com.au Fri, 30 Jul 2010 09:31:17 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.2 http://brianjames.com.au/images/M_images/rss.png http://brianjames.com.au A Syndication Service Provided By Brian James http://brianjames.com.au/got-a-gift-use-it.html One of the world's hottest gospel singers Myron Butler and his wife Timberlynn were in Hobart recently giving workshops to 100 gospel choir members from around Australia. I was one of the fortunate attendees. The workshops were about singing, but more about life. Myron is a gifted singer, teacher and mentor. When he sings, there's no effort. Pure soul and heart, backed up by technique and years of honing his 'gift'. At our last workshop, Myron sang a hymn. It was no ordinary hymn. It was a full blown performance which demonstrated all his talents and vocal range. He sang it accompanied by a pianist, he... News - Latest Mon, 19 Jul 2010 16:02:01 +0100 http://brianjames.com.au/coffee-conversation-heart-starter.html Sitting in the window of my second favourite coffee cafe, Dukes, in Chapel Street Prahran, I was quietly enjoying my single-origin 3/4 latte amid the usual Saturday morning craziness. The joint was jumping! I asked the stranger next to me to pass the sugar. I got more than sugar. It was the start of a roaming, heart opening conversation which in thirty five minutes covered, family, relationships, business, politics, how old habits die slowly and numerous other topics. Mike was a cappuccino man. Visiting from Queensland, this successful, nuggety,observer of life had a quiet confidence. Like me he was still on 'the journey'. Reflecting on where we... News - Latest Tue, 29 Jun 2010 16:03:37 +0100 http://brianjames.com.au/jeez-gospel-is-great.html I'm in a 'big arse' gospel choir. 75 extroverted, shy, talented and non talented people who come together once a week to commune and imbibe the exuberant soulful joy of black gospel music with its roots in America's Deep South.. Skinny and not so skinny white Melbourne dudes and dudettes singing 'black'. Last Sunday afternoon in bohemian Fitzroy, in a grungy, rock music pub, the choir brought their two hours of power to an enthusiastic audience, sandwiched in and standing on beer-stained daggy carpet. 300 sardines in a pub. 150 people were turned away. I sing, adequately, but as a choir we sound damn hot. We sound... News - Latest Thu, 24 Jun 2010 19:17:57 +0100 http://brianjames.com.au/success-favours-the-brave.html Thirty-something Mandy Hall is quiet, modest and gutsy. She's the country's top music photographer. She's also a 'web wizard'. Her dad John is a drummer (of 50+ years). Mandy loves instrumental music, so she decided to invite Australia's top instrumental groups to Melbourne for Instromania recently. Mandy had never promoted a gig before. She bravely took a chance and trusted that she would learn along the way. I happily arranged some publicity. She arranged everything else and pulled off the gig. Standing room only. A howling success. Instromania featured legendary lead guitarist Martin Cilia, from Sydney. Ben Rogers 'Tarantino' style guitar riffs were upfront with his group Instrumental Asylum. Mandy's... News - Latest Fri, 18 Jun 2010 12:34:20 +0100 http://brianjames.com.au/mentor-life-changers.html I had an unexpected exhilarating day recently with 'life changers' and a 15 year old boy, the nephew of the world's best aunt (WBA). I have the pleasure of working with outstanding individuals. They are all highly successful and leaders in their fields. But it's their character and what they leave with and in people that makes them truly great. Their backgrounds are all unremarkable except they were encouraged to dream, they took action and, importantly, they had mentors. Sometimes mentors came into their lives unexpectedly. Sometimes they sought them out. They in turn became mentors. My friends spent time with Giorgio because they see the potential... News - Latest Fri, 11 Jun 2010 10:17:11 +0100