• Latest
  • Trending
Happy New Year?

And when you get it, you got something…

October 1, 2018

Ensemble Sound – Simple Steps for MONUMENTAL Results!

July 17, 2025
Meet Chief Musician Noel Marcano By U.S. Coast Guard Band Staff

Meet Chief Musician Noel Marcano By U.S. Coast Guard Band Staff

July 17, 2025
ADVERTISEMENT
Marching Band Camp: 5 Pro Tips for Directors From WindConductor.org

Marching Band Camp: 5 Pro Tips for Directors From WindConductor.org

July 16, 2025
Making Hard Decisions as a Leader

Making Hard Decisions as a Leader

July 15, 2025
My Story

My Story

July 12, 2025
Doing Better Next School Year

Doing Better Next School Year

July 10, 2025
Bring Harmony to Your Classroom

Bring Harmony to Your Classroom

July 10, 2025
Composing for Middle and High School Choirs – A conversation with Laura Farnell and Reginald Writer – Part 1

How Choir Practice Builds Confidence in Middle School Students

July 5, 2025
I Love ASTA!

I Love ASTA!

July 3, 2025
Technology: DAW Bundles

Features You Must Have in a Small Portable USB Audio Interface!

June 28, 2025
Choosing the Right Microphone(s) to Record Your Choral Rehearsal

Choosing the Right Microphone(s) to Record Your Choral Rehearsal

June 28, 2025
Best Budget Microphones for High School Podcasting

Best Budget Microphones for High School Podcasting

June 30, 2025
Friday, July 18, 2025
  • Contact
SBO+
  • Departments
    • Concert Band
    • Orchestra
      • String Section
    • Choral
    • Marching Band
    • Jazz
    • Modern Band/Popular Music
      • Mariachi
    • Theater
    • Editorial
      • Upclose
      • Advocacy
        • NAfME Neighborhood
        • MAC Corner
        • MusicEd: Mentor Minute
      • Commentary
        • Bubbett’s Bookshelf
        • Leadership Tips
        • Perspective
        • InService
          • America’s Bandmasters
          • America’s Musicians
        • Tone Deaf Comics
      • Features
    • News
      • Headlines
      • New Products
    • Performance
      • Woodwinds
        • Wind Talkers
      • Percussion
        • GoodVibes
      • Repertoire
      • Playing Tips
    • Technology
    • Travel/Festivals
      • Fundraising
  • Current Issue
    • Past Issues
  • Awards/Entries
    • Teachers’ Choice Awards
    • 50 Teachers Who Make a Difference
  • Subscribe to SBO+
    • Subscribe
    • Login/Manage Subscription
    • Support
  • Advertise
    • Email PR!
No Result
View All Result
  • Departments
    • Concert Band
    • Orchestra
      • String Section
    • Choral
    • Marching Band
    • Jazz
    • Modern Band/Popular Music
      • Mariachi
    • Theater
    • Editorial
      • Upclose
      • Advocacy
        • NAfME Neighborhood
        • MAC Corner
        • MusicEd: Mentor Minute
      • Commentary
        • Bubbett’s Bookshelf
        • Leadership Tips
        • Perspective
        • InService
          • America’s Bandmasters
          • America’s Musicians
        • Tone Deaf Comics
      • Features
    • News
      • Headlines
      • New Products
    • Performance
      • Woodwinds
        • Wind Talkers
      • Percussion
        • GoodVibes
      • Repertoire
      • Playing Tips
    • Technology
    • Travel/Festivals
      • Fundraising
  • Current Issue
    • Past Issues
  • Awards/Entries
    • Teachers’ Choice Awards
    • 50 Teachers Who Make a Difference
  • Subscribe to SBO+
    • Subscribe
    • Login/Manage Subscription
    • Support
  • Advertise
    • Email PR!
No Result
View All Result
SBO+
No Result
View All Result

And when you get it, you got something…

October 1, 2018
in Perspective
Share on Facebook
ADVERTISEMENT

Yeah man, did I get it! First time I heard the music of Stax/Volt Records’ southern-fried soul as a kid I was knocked out, inspired, and wanted to play music more than ever.

Otis Redding, Isaac Hayes, “Sam and Dave” (Porter, whom I was a Grammy Trustee with many years ago, along with Marvell Thomas), Rufus and his daughter Carla Thomas and other daughter Vaneese, Eddie Floyd, Booker T and the MGs, and the Memphis Horns – Andrew Love and Wayne Jackson. If their music doesn’t move and groove you, you can’t be moved or grooved. The Memphis Horns, y’all. Seriously. Just wow!

It takes a great song and a great performance of that song to make a hit. The recording equipment used is dead last in the equation for making a great record. Nowhere else is that more evident than a tour of the Stax Museum. The thing about the Stax Museum is you see first-hand the primitive stone knives and tools cobbled together for recording, ancient tape machines and playback speaker monitors, the microphones, and get to really understand that these soul-stirring hit records, these gems, these timeless classics, were made in spite of the worst conditions. I’ve been more than once. Every time I leave, I remind myself that I have 24 inputs in my home recording studio, unlimited tracks in Pro Tools, plugins galore, and can never make the excuse that my gear can’t produce amazing results. You leave completely understanding that it is a poor carpenter who blames his tools on his work. You’ll see that a great song and great performance of that song are far more important than the quality of the equipment recording it.

“Green Onions,” “Hold On, I’m Coming,” “Sitting on the Dock of the Bay,” “Soul Man.” I cannot list all of the hits, the artists, and their impact on our culture in this editorial. But I can make my case for Stax/Volt Records and their impact on me as a kid who wanted to make music, and I can celebrate in this issue the way Stax is helping kids in Memphis want to make music today.

Our cover story is about a charter school program in Memphis that is amazing. While I tend to lean more in favor of fully-funded public schools in my dream world where charter schools aren’t a thing, I am grateful that in our real world, people get together to do things like create The Soulsville Foundation to make this massive difference in a place like South Memphis with the population they serve.

I think you’ll be inspired by what they are doing there. While I know there is need everywhere for help with instruments, I will still use this space this month to encourage anyone who can to help The Soulsville Charter School Band as they search for more instruments. In particular, they need low brass Instruments such as tubas (concert or marching, with concert being first priority) along with concert baritones. They need woodwinds including bass clarinets, tenor, and baritone saxophones. And they could really use timpani. Contact Tim Sampson of The Soulsville Foundation if you think you can help at tim.sampson@soulsvillefoundation.org or 901-946-2535 ext. 324.

You may also like:

The Soul of the Future: The Soulsville Charter School in Memphis, Tennessee Default ThumbnailUpClose: The Interdisciplinary Musical The 22nd Annual 50 Directors Who Make a Difference 2013 ’50 Directors Who Make a Difference’ Report SBO Presents The 19th Annual 50 Directors Who Make A Difference
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

POPULAR STORY

  • 50 Music Teachers Who Make a Difference

    50 Music Teachers Who Make a Difference

    1358 shares
    Share 543 Tweet 340
  • When Selecting New Choral Music, Choose Success

    1294 shares
    Share 518 Tweet 324
  • Concert Band Set-up Fundamentals

    1093 shares
    Share 437 Tweet 273
  • The Immediate Threat to School Music Programs

    1008 shares
    Share 403 Tweet 252
  • TI:ME Announces Free PreSonus Revelator USB Microphone at 30th Anniversary Celebration at TMEA

    970 shares
    Share 388 Tweet 243
ADVERTISEMENT

SchoolMusic.Travel

Top 10 School Music Travel Destinations in the Northwest USA

Top 10 School Music Travel Destinations in the Northwest USA

Mountains, music, and vibrant cities — the Northwest offers unforgettable experiences for student groups. 🎷 1. Seattle, WA – Innovation Meets Inspiration• Why it’s great:…

Top 10 School Music Travel Destinations in the Northeast USA

Top 10 School Music Travel Destinations in the Northeast USA

From Broadway to Boston, the Northeast inspires music students with rich culture and iconic venues. From Broadway lights to historic concert halls, the Northeast is…

Top 10 School Music Travel Destinations in the Midwest USA

Top 10 School Music Travel Destinations in the Midwest USA

The Midwest is the heartbeat of America — and it beats in 4/4 time. The Midwest is the heartbeat of America — and it beats…

Top 10 School Music Travel Destinations on the West Coast

Top 10 School Music Travel Destinations on the West Coast

Coastlines, concert halls, and creativity — the West Coast delivers stunning performance opportunities. From iconic performance halls to scenic coastal venues, the West Coast offers…

Next Post
Rehearsing a Marching Band Front Line Ensemble

Rehearsing a Marching Band Front Line Ensemble

  • July 2025

    Articles | Digital Issue
  • June 2025

    Articles | Digital Issue
  • May 2025

    Articles | Digital Issue
  • April 2025

    Articles | Digital Issue
  • March 2025

    Articles | Digital Issue
© 2005 - 2025 artistpro, LLC
7012 City Center Way, Suite 207
Fairview, Tennessee 37062
(800) 682-8114

No Result
View All Result
  • Departments
    • Concert Band
    • Orchestra
      • String Section
    • Choral
    • Marching Band
    • Jazz
    • Modern Band/Popular Music
      • Mariachi
    • Theater
    • Editorial
      • Upclose
      • Advocacy
      • Commentary
      • Features
    • News
      • Headlines
      • New Products
    • Performance
      • Woodwinds
      • Percussion
      • Repertoire
      • Playing Tips
    • Technology
    • Travel/Festivals
      • Fundraising
  • Current Issue
    • Past Issues
  • Awards/Entries
    • Teachers’ Choice Awards
    • 50 Teachers Who Make a Difference
  • Subscribe to SBO+
    • Subscribe
    • Login/Manage Subscription
    • Support
  • Advertise
    • Email PR!

© 2005 - 2024 artistpro, LLC 7012 City Center Way, Suite 207 Fairview, Tennessee 37062 (800) 682-8114

Wenger EndurAd Promo