Erro. & Company...Thanks for the Personal Advising and Love!

Last Sunday Night... I had the honor of witnessing one of the greatest musicians in urban music in action at Houston's Grooves Restaurant off I-45. The atmosphere was very inviting, and I wasn't in any shame to be there by myself as I was student for the evening, looking to gain critical notes from Erro and his opening acts (Liz Warfield, Prince's background singer, and I can certainly envision why after demonstrating her variance as a vocalist...and Chokolate, very free spirit with a lot of joy and heart in her songs. Beautiful demonstrations from both women). Unfortunately, I was not of any importance to the waiter in my section as I was the only person not serviced at Table 13 and his entire work section after requesting my Chardonnay and meal...SEVERAL times, but thanks to the Kitchen Manager on duty for taking care of EVERYTHING for me eventually...almost two hours later, haha! Nevertheless, nothing could take me off of cloud nine when Erro finally hit that stage, with such high energy, humor and sudden surprise that a young musician that my best friend, singer and songwriter, Stephcynie Curry has had good company with over the years, was on stage too!

Mr.Curt Chambers...Philadelphia's Rock Star was the 2nd focal point of notation for me that evening between Eric's make out session with a fan's camera and vocal intensity on fan favorites like "Only For You" from the cult classic album Left, and new jams like "The Newness" from the recent release of Music Fanfirst. Regardless, I am so happy that I had the chance to see what an accomplished musician can do, and CONSTANT love and spotlight that he gave to Chambers, Warfield, Choklate and the rest of his band (Bass Player - Jay Bratten, congrats on your baby girl! Vocalist - Mr.D-Mo, Drummer- Eric 'RainMan' Gaston & Groove on the keys). These ladies and gentlemen gave all of their engery to the crowd and through their music. Eric Roberson is not a name that you will find on the mainstreams of the music industry, but behind every great artist is a muse, and I am ceratin that for many of our common favorites, he is the one. Well, he will be for me from this moment on! Mr.Roberson extracts to me the poise that a musician should be able to bring to stage, every night. He knows that God has blessed him, and he doesn't take it for granted.

Personally, what was amazing me was after the show as I had the chance to connect with many of Sunday Night's performers one-on-one for a period of time. I want to thank Grooves Restaurant and Lounge for NOT kicking me out...I know that I was just about one of the last people to leave! *smiles* From Jay to RainMan to Grove to D-Mo to Curt to Liv & Choklate and eventually Erro, all of them were very receptive to my purpose for being there that evening and took time to give me honest advising, read through my lyrics book and sign it. I was especially touched that it took Erro a while to read through my lryics, tell me about his writing process and write a special message to me to remember as I pursue my dreams...

"Dear IvyLove, Take everything you see and have out put it to song, so people who need healing can sing along..."


So I took a break from studying this Monday morning as I listened to his music to share with you the opportunity that God walked me into last week..because since my last entry to you, my vision has become much visible. I see the formation of the game plan, and I plan to move on it, without rest. I want to thank my God in heaven, and a few friends down here on earth with me (Stephs...y'all should know her by now! *wink*, Spectrum - Rapper and My Musical Partner and Bridget Moore) for reminding me of a few things. I have to say, the journey has been worth it so far...and it is getting better, day by day.

One Luv & God Bless,
-IvyLove

Purpose Never Lost...

Yeah...I've been hiding from all of you...because I don't want to be truthful. It is just so damn hard to be consistent with my dreams when my reality keeps crashing in. I am not done with school, and that is a major priority to my overall foundation. As a matter of fact, working full time and school is my life right now. I had a few set backs with little things that a young woman in a city like Houston cannot afford to live without to get by (cash, car, consistent income, etc.) . Once I have finally caught up on one thing...another road block occurs. Never made it back to the studio since late May, early June and my vocal coach and I have been two months out. I know I shouldn't bare my musical struggles to all of you...but we are at the beginning, and I am writing this NOW while I am still unknown, haha! I am also writing this as a therapy to face my reality about how I am handling my priorities, my hustle, etc. I have the craziest ideas right now on the writing tip, and I think that my poetry has triggered a big flow of ideas that I cannot seem to pin down at the moment in priority to my school work, haha! Maxwell...my musical muse and musical weakness at the moment! And this girl, DeLeon, the gospel singer...very unique blend of R&B into gospel, that girl is totally underrated, and I love her current album. I am just praying to the Lord to align everything to come at the right time. I still have so much that I want to do with music before the end of the year, and I just need to remove the blindfold that is holding me back. I guess, I am just a little scared that I will overdue things as I have in the past, and everything will come crashing down. I am a woman of God, and I know better than to reflect on the past and panic to take risk based on the past...I guess that is just my human side speaking. I really miss the studio, I miss being on stage and I miss the music conferences, music mentors...everything. I am just at this final push with school...I have to finish my education now and have a sincere validation to stand on my own two feet as a business woman with this degree and use it as a tool to assist me in my efforts to go into music. One major thing that I will state is that I fully respect artist like Alicia Keys and Amerie, and their journey into education. If I am correct, Amerie got that degree before the record deal! *smiles* I feel like it is so important to validate yourself and status in such an aggressive industry. Not everyone has to be the 12, 15 or 18 year old star discovered in their primitive years. The industry can certainly afford to gain more twenty-somethings and thirty-somethings who are still youthful, poised and have a life story to solidify through their music. I mean, Susan Boyle is near her Golden Years and finally got her break! God is good! Anything is possible, and I have to keep reminding myself of that! *giggles* I know all will be ok...as long as I preserver this talent that God has given me and start to comply my game plan very carefully. Now...back to this Maxwell deal...that album has me doing flips and jumps all over my room! Very well crafted! This is what soul music should be like! He raised the bar...and my boyfriend better pray that I don't ever meet that man in person...too sexy! Haha! Loving his essence! I knew I wasn't crazy back in grade school for checking him out with that wild hair! Haha! Just kidding around, but on a real deal...I don't want to loose my passion...and I don't want to loose my chance to be a college graduate. Atlanta keeps coming to my mind...constantly...as though God wants me to plant a seed in that city. I know Houston will be my playground to practice, but I need to figure out why and WHO most importantly, the Lord wants me to align myself with in that city. I will pray on it. Hey, if you are reading this...reach out to me...positive or negative...it will help me to know what you think. Life will be just fine. Good night family...

One Luv & God Bless,
-IvyLove

P.S. It's almost 9/11...I want to dedicate this entry to all of our lost families, friends and service men and women, and the their living families affected by the events of almost a decade ago. We will never forget the tragedy, but by the grace of God, we continue to live on and stay strong for our current and future generations to come. God bless America! And Nigeria too! I'm Naija-American y'all, haha! G'nite! *kisses & hugs*

Studio!

I love it! Just had to say that! LOL!

Michael Jackson... The Best Friend I Never Knew...

How do you say goodbye to a friend that you never knew? The person that you have identified with since childhood? From the moment that you recognized that infamous red and black leather jacket. The signature white sock and high rise pants, and of course, the golden smile, moves and the voice that God perfectly aligned together to create the world's greatest pop star?

What is the answer? By the way, if you figure it out...let me know.

What is so scary about MJ's passing for me is that Thursday morning from 3 to 5:30a.m. in the morning...I had to power on my Sansa jam list to keep me awake and focused on studying for my exams. You have to understand, my jam list...I can't just have any song that I love on a regular basis on there. I have to go into battle mode because my body, mind and soul is in serious battle with me to not give up. I have to throw in ALL the hyper Beyonce tunes, Usher's "U don't Have to Call", Drake, Mary Mary, DeLeon, Amerie's 2005 hit, "1 Thing" (<---about five times! I love that D.C. Go-Go sound!) and MANY etc., etc., etc. I just had to play whatever songs that I needed at that moment to keep me up and going.

Well, the music certainly got me going a little bit to much. By 4:37a.m. I am on my twitter letting the world know what kind of vibe I was on. I had listened to my jams, got on my piano and starting trying to put some of my other songs I am writing together, put back on the headphone and went downstairs to the front door atrium area next to the dinning room where I set up shop to study. It was around 5:00 a.m. when my MP3 began to play "Rock with You". I challenged my silhouette on the wall in a dance off against the dinning room light while glancing at times in the mirror with my hair brush in my right hand and my left hand up in the air. When the song went off, I felt soooooo good! I was hype! MJ always knows how to make me feel so happy and good...like a best friend!

Twelve hours later...while conducting a training session at work...my employees broke the news to me. I really didn't see the news or check the radio on the way to work as I was preparing for an exam...so I really didn't take what I heard seriously until I went to the break room and saw it for myself on CNN. I wasn't about to show any tears in front of my team...but the shock was there. The tears didn't take long to hit me as I drove home after midnight in my car listening to Jackson favorites on Majic 102.

My best friend that I never knew and big brother in my musical journey has gone home to be with our father, and I couldn't be more proud of him. In general the Jackson Family Movement, Motown and the entire musical entity of the past 50 years is a great inspiration. The entire world knows this man, and his heart to give to the community and everything about him. He can never be replaced, and no one will ever come close.

Watching the news media reports, music features and special board cast throughout the evening have brought me to recall how influential this man has been on humanity and many of the battles that he has endured over recent decades. Michael really pulled through it all and made the best of the worst. I loved his spirit...his sensitive nature . Beautiful person.

I don't have the answer the answer just yet on how to say goodbye...but I do know to celebrate and give God thanks for the short time that we all had with him. I do know that Michael will want us to continue his legacy, especially for his children to understand and know the impact that their Father had on the world.

Finally, I do know that my brother in spirit...if he knows of me now...wants me to continue to fight to get to the top. That is exactly what I will do. I will always remember you Michael...thank you for being the best friend that I never knew. I love you! I will always remember you...we will always remember you...

Influences

@ 10:57A.M.
Southwest Houston

I woke up this morning...extremely out of my element and ready to roll back into bed. I got down on my knees and acknowledged God's presence and gave thanks for today. I got on the computer to check out the happenings of the world and decided to check up on two good mentors that I am fortunate to have met on this musical journey in 2009, YO & Thurzday of U-N-I.

It wasn't too long ago in March that I was sitting with them at a restaurant off Westheimer and getting familiar with them prior to their engagement at a popular sneaker shop in Downtown Houston. It was so crazy. I had no idea who they were, but from coast to coast... the fame of these two men who have broken a common trend in West Coast hip hop were sitting in front of me. I was completely unaware. However, when my sister's best friend threw on their CD in the car on the way to the event...a light bulb went off in my mind, and I've been hooked ever since. That night at the Galleria, local hip hop superstar and radio personality GT greeting us and I gave him my last copy of their mix tape...hoping that I can make that effect on him.

It constantly happens...that light bulb. It can be me watching my big brother Future the Poet in action on stage as he stimulates peoples minds with affluent knowledge on sex, poverty, self identity, race, class, (etc.). There was also another time when I met my favorite Canadian actor in the mall over two years ago inside the Gucci store. He personally to told me and my sister that he was on tour with NeYo and starting to focus more on this hip hop thing. On May 9th, 2009, Drake sold out Warehouse Live in downtown Houston. I love that concert and it was so wonderful to see Houston gain realization on what I have known about for so long.

Recently, my best friend Stephcynie Curry (NYC Singer and Songwriter) got her Mom to organize a great opportunity for myself and many other singers in the Houston area to perform with Crefelo Dollar Ministries. The day before, I was just about to call my job and tell them that they made a mistake on my schedule...nevertheless...as God would have it...he made that happen so that I wouldn't miss out on his blessings and INFLUENCE.

Each and every person that I have mentioned has contributed to the stimulation that I so often feel in my heart about why I cannot give up on singing and songwriting. I anticipate that I will continue to have these "light bulb" effects with every person that I come in contact with.

In time, I hope to be some one's "light bulb" as well...

One Luv & God Bless, Peace.

-IvyLove

The 1st of Many to Come

I will try this again...and believe me, I had the most beautiful words written for you to read when I first opened my blog. Somehow, your girl here forgot to save my content and thought that I could preview my work! I guess typing is the preview! LOL! So let me see if I can re-ignite the spirit of wisdom about my reason for being on here...

I am in love with my God in heaven...because he knows me so well...so much better than any other person on earth...he knew me well enough that when he made me...(There you go, just threw on my favorite MaryMary song on my MP3 player! "In the morning...you'll be alright!") my mind would roam in to this beautiful and sacred gift that has even brought out the best and worse of people...even Satan! It is the universal language of the world. No matter what language your ears recognize, when there is music, there is reaction. I always responded to music since birth. I would dance in the living room during family gatherings with my arms wrapped tightly to my Daddy's leg who looked down at me and laughed as my Mom would call out to me, "Go girl! Go girl!".

Music was fun for me. New Kids on the Block, Boyz 2 Men, TLC, Showtime at the Apollo and Star Search was always a joy to look forward to after school and on the weekends for me. I remember recognizing the late and great Aaliyah, Beyonce, Kelly Rowland, Justin Timberlake, Christina Aguilera, Aubrey "Drake" Graham and many of my musical peers on various shows LONG before their musical peaks in the music industry. The magic of music made life a joy to be a part of for me.

At the age of 7, my Mom decided that I needed more academic discipline through private school. I was very upset leaving my schoolmates and friends for a new place after years in my elementary school. God knew what he was doing, because by the end of that school year , I made the honor roll...of course! More importantly, my dreams of becoming a doctor or nurse soon faded when my teacher recognized my vocal register and gave me one of the lead solos for our musical. I performed "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" at Southwest Community Christan Academy, and since then I have never came off my cloud of wondering just what is possible if I really keep trying to make my dreams come true.

Since then, I have been in a tug of war about taking the risk to living the life of singer in the struggle verses having a foundation before pursuing the music. Through this journey I've had many highs and lows with accepting my honest love for music and being committed to getting through school. I know that music has played a roll in my relationships with my family, my friends and many people that I crossed paths with. With every year that goes by, I see myself maturing into a very refined woman who finally has a story to tell. I can honestly admit, the story wasn't there when I left high school. I was insecure, uptight and convinced that there were only two ways of being discovered... moving to New York and American Idol.

I gained some knowledge over the years from great mentors like Attorney Dedra Davis and Collective Hallucination's AntBoogie about the business of music and dedication. I realized that I needed the foundation in music industry so that I will be prepared for what is to come. That is why I will not go full force with music until I get my degree in 2010. I also realized that I didn't need to become a Doctor or Nurse before I do music (Sorry Mom and Dad...maybe in 20 years! Love you!). I came to realize that this is my life and no one can live it for me. Only me.

So where I am right now is in preparation. I am finally at the beginning of the journey into the music industry. This is what I want to do...and can't think of a better fit for me. I am a hopeless romantic in speech, poetry, worship, intimacy, spirituality, etc. I feel like I am the person who can interpret through my vocals and words the story that all of us often tell. It doesn't matter that I have or have not endured your personal experiences...but if I can tap into core of your emotions...I will find a way to place it into music.

I also know that my instrument is in development and it will take time before I hit my peak too. I am just excited to know that I am growing. So ladies and gentlemen...I'd like to introduce myself. My name is Ivy Okoro from heart of Southwest Houston, Texas.

Just call me IvyLove!

Thanks for joining me for the ride. Your support is vital to my life line in this musical journey.

Before I wrap up...I bet that your biggest question after reading this LONG love note is , "Okay...where the hell do we hear this girl's voice? All that damn writing!"

Well...I have recorded a lot over the years...but not my own music (business and politics of the industry ya'll)...so here is my promise to you:

1. I will perform around Houston at Open Mics this Summer
2. I will pick up the phone, call you and sing to you...especially if you are not in Houston! Haha!
3. I have personal challenge to myself to complete a five song demo project by the end of this Summer (August 2009). As soon as I am finish recording...you will have full access to my music on my Official MySpace Page.

Right now I am a open book when it comes to the music...your advise, critiques and support will help me grow. I am the artist that you will contribute in their growth...so feel free to reply or email me at ivylovemusic@gmail.com.

I'm wrapping this up. LOL! Too much! Enjoy the rest of your day....

One Love & God Bless

-IvyLove