Notes from Char Epting (My Lil Pink Book)

You just finished your demo or mixtape loaded them into your backpack, and as soon as you run it down to your local radio station you will be on your way to stardom!

Every dude with a home studio, a MAC, and some ambition can produce a mixtape or demo tape. You've seen them, the backpack dude with the personal music that you must have at the low-low price between $3 or 2 for $5. Let's see, I can download an album from a known artists for $6.99 or I can buy your music off the street not knowing exactly what quality of music I am about to pay for. This is an everyday occurrence around the world, talented individuals dreaming of a music career, but not knowing how to move their works to a bigger platform.

As a publicist and owner of My Lil Pink Book, I am challenged with the tasks of deciphering who I can help, who I want to help and are they ready for the bigger spotlight. Most folks focus on the SHOW, I am about the BUSINESS. The entertainment industry has one primary goal which is to make money. The reality check is that if a Record Label does not see where they can immediately package your talent, for exposure to a larger audience, so that they can make money (not the artist/group), then there isn't a snowball chance in hell that they are going to sign you to a deal. With that said, never did I make a statement about your talent, or your ability to perform.

I would ask aspiring artists/groups to prepare better for an opportunity to achieve the stardom they dream of.

Miami is the shit, huh? Y'all got the best women and I'm drinking the best on South Beach, you say?

Ok. You might be right.

Before heading to a talent showcase at South Beach's Club Living Room, my mentor and I strolled historic South Beach. I was shocked at the diversity of people that came to experience the magic of this area. The arc deco architecture of the hotels and business that lined the avenues reminded me of the many movies and books that portrayed the lifestyle and excitement of past eras. And with the thousands of men and women from all over the world dining, mingling and partying there, I was sure that South Beach and Miami as a whole had not lost its place as a top destination.

Walking down Ocean Drive, we came across a restaurant called Casablanca. In fact, the waitress that stood in front of the place was the one that silently lured me to the door. Her beauty and offer of two for one Mojitos was the perfect compliment to start my night.

Mojito. The adopted drink of Miami night life. My first ever was bomb! The bartender cut up limes and graciously added sweet mint to the rum that would show me what this city was all about. The spice and sweetness of my drink finally defined for me where I was and what was in store.