The Reviews Are In!!

Dear Music Family,

I’m still very much on a high from the release of my memoir Searching for Solid Ground in April. The book events and early reviews have been a delightful new experience for this musician’s heart. As one who never thought that authoring a book would be added to my list of accomplishments, there have been so many surprises from reactions and reviews.

As it turns out, book events have a very different personality than concerts. I read some passages, signed books, and entertained a host of questions and dialogue, some of which I thought I’d share with you here….

Q: You talk about your childhood living between communities. Could you talk about how that felt?
A: Being part of a generation that was used to integrate public schools and other groups, I spent much of my time feeling excited and curious but also scared, confused, and lonely. Since the adults around me were not willing to talk about what was going on, most of my fears and concerns went unaddressed, leaving me to try to figure out a very complex landscape on my own. That continued into my teen years and my early 20s, leaving me feeling that I did not fit in or really belong anywhere. Much of the time I also felt I was not safe. Fortunately, there were role models who made themselves available at strategic moments, that, along with books, music, and movies provided enough information to nurture me until I could find support in communities of like-minded people.

Q: You talk about your role as a Bridge Builder. What are some of the aspects of how you actually do that?
A: First and foremost, my role includes being a good listener. Bridge builders learn to listen more than they talk, and it’s also important to keep in mind that in order to build community, it’s imperative to create scenarios that are inclusive and representative of all potential members in the circle. One powerful asset that I bring to the table is the use of music. The voices and wisdom of community elders and youth are critical to building lasting trust that honors the past but leaves room for creating waves of hope for the future.

Q: A number of Black musicians have evolved throughout their performance lives from being entertainers to being more activists and politically engaged. Why is that?
A: While it is certainly not true for all Black musicians, the transition from entertainer to activist is both historic and logical. Many of us start our lives as performers because of the love of the music, and as we travel and grow with our experiences, they begin to shape our perspectives which informs our art. The accumulated stress of facing racism and dealing with microaggressions daily eventually unlocks the need to comment on things that we see and feel. As we gain more confidence and awareness, we become more outspoken. It’s cause and effect.

Q: Do you find the engagement in America after George Floyd to be a lasting thing?
A: The awakening of consciousness following the shocking murder of George Floyd was a defining moment in our national narrative. Unfortunately, like most defining moments, the pace of everyday life and the fatigue from fighting opposing themes has worked to make some of that engagement short-lived. This is not a new story. Ultimately, it’s up to all of us to work to keep the impact and awareness of that moment front-and-center as much as we possibly can.

Q: What did it feel like to become an author?
A: It was and is a journey of challenge and discovery. It’s been both joyful and terrifying, but overall, I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity it has given me to review a life that has been exciting, fulfilling, and way beyond my childhood dreams.

I’m looking forward to more conversations and events in the future, and thrilled to announce that the audiobook version of Searching for Solid Ground is newly available on Audible and Nook. As always, thank you for your loving support, and keep music at your center as we continue to work for a more just and compassionate world.

In music, conversation, and song,
Reggie

PS. You can find my book Searching for Solid Ground at the following links:
Skinner House Bookstore (print): https://bit.ly/44gABrw
Amazon (print, Kindle, Audible): https://amzn.to/3w8HoqG
Barnes and Noble (print, Nook, audio): https://bit.ly/4aNA575