Time Magazine called Bob Marley the Artist of the 20th Century, but to Ky-Mani Marley he is “Dad.” The reggae superstar died when Ky-Mani was just 5, but nearly 30 years later, Marley still looms large in his life, as seen in Ky-Mani’s new memoir, “Dear Dad” (Farrah Gray Publishing).
“I told my story from my heart and soul. After writing the book and reading over the first edit, I didn’t realize some of the stuff I had bottled up inside of me. So this book, for me, became therapy,” Ky-Mani said. “If I was to follow in my father’s footsteps, then what would they say? ‘Oh, he’s trying to be like his dad.’ Then if I take a different path, they say, ‘He’s supposed to be like his father.’ So you can’t please everybody. I just have to be true to myself and true to my art and do what comes naturally to me.”
“Dear Dad” is an arresting narrative of a son who was locked out of his iconic father’s estate after his death. Ky-Mani and his mother Anita Belnavis left Jamaica for the United States, where he was forced to survive the poverty-stricken, predator-infested streets of one of Miami’s most violent ghettos, Liberty City. Ky-Mani was initially estranged from his siblings and cut off from any financial benefit by the Marley estate executor.
From that crucible came the Ky-Mani Marley you see today – musician, actor, author, philanthropist and a father himself. He has recorded four studio albums (ranging from reggae to hip-hop), was nominated for a Grammy Award, performed to sellout crowds (one concert was beamed live to 36 countries), and has been cast in several major feature films, including “Haven,” which starred Bill Paxton and Orlando Bloom. Ky-Mani and his good friend Julian Lennon were jointly named Philanthropist of the Year by Prince Albert II of the Monaco Foundation, Better World Awards.
Some of Bob Marley’s words echo through the years with new meaning for Ky-Mani: “The harder the battle, the sweet of jah victory” … “One good thing about music, when it hits, you feel no pain” … “Don’t forget your history nor your destiny.”
“Dear Dad” is available online and in bookstores everywhere. For additional information visit the website http://www.kymani-marley.com .
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TIP SHEET:
BBC:“Fascinating book.”
Washington Post:“….an arresting narrative about life as the exiled child of a musical and social icon.”
AOL:“…an absorbing read.”
Miami Herald:“The book details Marley’s complicated relationship with his half-brothers and -sisters, some of whom enjoyed lavish lifestyles.”
USA Today:“Ky-Mani Marley incurred favor with the crowd…”
Fortune Magazine: Richest dead celebrity: Bob Marley (2009)
Understanding that all great artists never get the recognition or reward their craft deserves was the inspiration for Lisa A. Miles to write This Fantastic Struggle: The Life & Art of Esther Phillips. This biography but unique cultural essay creatively weaves together a fascinating, multi-faceted story from graphic long-hand letters, interviews with aging bohemians and from art work– giving readers an absorbing glimpse at just what it means to be an artist.
Raised in Pittsburgh by a family that could not appreciate her artistic identity, Esther Phillips headed to Greenwich Village in the 1930s and never looked back. Though she achieved early critical success, she would find herself institutionalized for over six years as a result of starvation and stress; fortunately, correspondence with close friends kept her art alive. When she returned to the Village, her struggles continued and she gradually fades into obscurity once again– but not before stating she lived the best possible life. This Fantastic Struggle is a remarkable story written to educate and captivate general audience.
Lisa A. Miles’ Resurrecting Allegheny City: The Land, Structures & People of Pittsburgh’s North Side was sponsored by the PA Historic & Museum Commission and tells the tale of Allegheny City, forcibly annexed by the City of Pittsburgh one hundred years ago. Allegheny’s identity remains indelible to land owners today, and Lisa paints a portrait of a place from earliest time through modern transformation– connecting the history of this lost city to the work of every current resident, employer and visitor. Resurrecting Allegheny City was written to educate and entertain general audience of ways to stimulate their communities via history.
Lisa Miles has been interviewed on NPR and East Coast radio, as well as television across Pennsylvania. Besides being a highly praised author, she is also sought-after as a teacher and keynote speaker on a variety of cross-disciplinary creative and entrepreneurial topics.
Especially unique is that Lisa Miles is also a musician and conceptual artist who writes original music with classical and punk influences. She composes and performs on acoustic/electric violin and mandolin, collaborating with film, theater and movement artists. Her music, as well as performance piece Presence (on ‘finding authentic self’) are heard and viewed on her site. Lisa has gotten funding from Meet the Composer and the Joe Strummer Foundation for New Music and looks forward to her national upcoming release on the PARMA recording label.
Please visit Lisa’s website at www.lisamilesviolin.com to learn more about her body of interconnected work. She is an extremely talented woman who would make for an engaging interview!
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TIP SHEET: On This Fantastic Struggle:
Robert Henkes, author of American Women Painters of the 30’s and 40’s: “A remarkable book…both educational and provocative…(it) will arouse attention.”
On Resurrecting Allegheny:
Jerry Ellis, PA State Archives: “What is true of personal papers is equally true of those of a community…Miles has opened the trunk…like papers in the attic, (it) resurrects this partly forgotten city, progressive in its era, and deserved of remembrance.”
On Lisa’s Original Music:
Bill O’Driscoll, Pittsburgh City Paper: “Original compositions for solo electric violin and mandolin [that are] ‘intense, edgy and ethereal’… drawing on both indie-rock and classical influences…, [they’ll] send your night off on a different tack.”
Anne LeBaron:“Compositions inventive and richly textured… Lisa possesses the motivation and energy to continually realize her visions.”
Ed Hale stirred up a great deal of controversy in 2005 with the Transcendence album Sleep with You that explored relationships, sex, women, romance, drugs, and life on the road. Anyone who knows him best appreciates his deep passion for music, writing, and his unyielding frankness when it comes to matters close to his heart; however, unknown to some, he is also the author of an award-winning screenplay and a pop-culture/ sociology non-fiction book, about to hit the market, as well as being a guest columnist on the Sundance Film Channel Website covering how “green” peace on earth really is.
Music is in the blood for this man who released his first album at the tender age of 17 and whose great-uncle was none other than the famous musical conductor and arranger, Antonio Morelli, well known for his many years at the infamous Copa Room in Vegas during the ‘Rat Pack’ years. After having received a guitar from his mother at a young age to ‘vent his creativity and keep him out of trouble’ – the rest, as they say, is history!
The songs on Hale’s latest impressive new album Ballad on Third Avenue are said to be the most personal and intimate collection of songs he has ever recorded. An eleven song acoustic singer/songwriter venture, it is said to be reminiscent of Bright Eyes, Kings of Convenience, Rubber Soul era Beatles, Belle and Sebastian, and Simon and Garfunkel. Not surprising that his latest album debuted on the CMJ Most Added Chart at #14 and then climbed to #140 on the CMJ Top 200, along with the release of the first single, I Walk Alone, which became a staple on Triple A radio stations all over the United States and Canada.
Hale’s respected and tireless efforts in social and political activism may also be something in the family blood since Hale is the nephew of Eleanor Cutri Smeal, former president of the National Organization for Women and one of the leading American feminists of the 20th century. Named a Civilian diplomat, he represents the United States around the world and never tires in his efforts for world peace, earning him the nickname ‘the Ambassador.’ Not content simply working with Habitat for Humanity in providing homes and a new beginning for those less fortunate; he strives daily to make the world a better place in his honored role as one of this country’s civilian diplomats. In fact, it was in this role that he first visited Iran in 2008 to discuss peace between the two countries, and later met directly with Mahmoud Ahmadinejad at the United Nations in an effort to promote world peace.
Alongside Hale’s incredibly talented music, openly public spirituality, and activism for human rights and world peace, there is an ambitious entrepreneur who has founded numerous multimillion-dollar companies over the years that include a chain of health food stores, real estate, a clothing line, a multi-media company, and his latest venture in a New York based business consulting firm with offices worldwide.
Fans of this rock star extraordinaire will be happy to learn of his national tour this Summer promoting Ballad on Third Avenue (dates have already been announced for Los Angeles, Portland, Seattle and Vancouver), plus the upcoming release of another new Transcendence album, the long awaited All Your Heroes Become Villains, only this time Hale will surely be accompanied by his lovely new wife, Nahal Mishel-Ghashghai, who was the inspiration for the band’s alterna-rock smash Superhero Girl on the controversial album, Sleep With You. To hear songs from the new album or connect with Ed Hale online, visit www.edhale.com or his official fan-pages on Facebook or MySpace for more on this diverse artist. Promo copies of Hale’s new CD Ballard on Third Avenue are available by request for review or article purposes.
Texas native, Jerry Audley, is a rising star who made it to #1 on the Texas Music Chart in only twelve short weeks with his catchy number “Lucky Me, Lonely You.”Audiences love the modern twist he adds to classic type country music, and Jerry credits his success to the many fans who relentlessly called radio stations across Texas in order to get his song heard.“Lucky Me, Lonely You” was co-written by artists Ronnie Dunn, Terry McBride, and Shawn Camp, and is featured on his debut release “Audley Enough.”There are high expectations for his latest release, “If It Ain’t One Thing, It’s Your Mother.”Hear Jerry sing; he is awesome! www.myspace.com/jerryaudleymusic
