Published: June 14, 2009 8:10 PM EST
By: Isaac Davis Jr., MBA (Juniorscave.com)
New Music Spotlight June 2009 Edition
Vernon Neilly
Vernon Neilly
Vernon Neilly is as real as one gets and his music certainly shows that especially when he is entertaining his fans. A man of many skills, the entertainer is embarking on a mission to bring his music to the masses. With a sound that sets him apart from many others, he is well on his way of becoming that next superstar. In this recent spotlight with our Webzine, we speak to Vernon in this super fun spotlight. Enjoy!
Isaac: How do you sum up the 1st half of 2009 for you as an artist?
Vernon: 2009 has been an interesting year as an artist due to the economic challenges that the country is facing, but I continue to do what I do and have been doing all these years in the music industry, and that's continue to work on new things musically, and find new ways to promote myself as an artist. The Stevie Wonder Tribute has been doing very well because there has been much marketing and promotion on it to this day.
Isaac: What do you feel was your biggest accomplishment for 2009 so far?
Vernon: Well the year is not over yet, but we have had some major feedback on the CD and live performances, and there are more performances coming up during the summer and fall.
Isaac: Describe the music scene in your area.
Vernon: Well I am in L.A. the second largest media market in the world, so there are always things going on here. It is a very active market for music for all types. People come here to chase their music dreams, so there are always new groups in all genres coming into the music scene trying to achieve their goals for their careers.
Isaac: Elaborate a little about whom were your biggest influences in the music industry and why?
Vernon: My biggest influence was Jimi Hendrix, there was and still continues to be no one quite like him in musical style or image, although a lot of artists have tried to copy. He was an innovator, and trend setter, and not a follower. He was one of the first artists to really experiment with electronics to search new ways of creativity, and many of the things he implemented are still being used for recording and live performance to this day. His image and style of dress was really original which I liked very much also, he did not want to be like anyone else and his image and music set him far apart.
Isaac: Let's talk about what you feel you will bring to the music industry?
Vernon: As the music industry is currently in a revolutionary stage, I feel as an artist I can bring new music that in a sense defies current classifications, as a businessman and label owner, new platforms of business that are new and unique. My label has always been on the cutting edge in as far as we started using the Internet, and audio files many years ago extensively before it became popular to do so. So we have a very good understanding of how to market and promote products internationally effectively because we have been doing it for awhile.
Isaac: If you had an opportunity to work with one artist or group, who would it be and why?
Vernon: There are so many, but since you have restricted me to one I will say Prince, and the reason is because he is an incredible writer, musician, producer, label owner that understands the music industry both from a business aspect, but also performance aspect. He has excelled and continues to do so in both categories.
Isaac: How would you describe your music to others?
Vernon: A combination of various styles of music. My music encompasses elements of several different genres of music, because I was influenced not by genre, but by whether I liked the music or not regardless of genre. I am a person who like variety, so I believe this is reflected in my music.
Isaac: What type of feedback have you received from your recent album?
Vernon: Overall it's been pretty incredible, so that is very rewarding to know that people like we have done on this project. It has not only been fans but also music critics and music reviewers that have given very favorable feedback, even though the music may not have been the music that the reviewer or critic normally covers. The project was very well recorded, and with amazing talent from several different countries.
Isaac: Where can fans locate you at online?
Vernon: The label Boosweet Records is at www.boosweet.com, my official artist page is at www.vernonneilly.com, my MySpace is www.myspace.com/vernonneillyband. But to tell you the truth, I have so much stuff online it's probably better to Google my name because I have also done motion pictures and television in addition to my music career.
Isaac: What can fans expect from you in 2009?
Vernon: Well they can expect more live performances, new music, new things coming out of my label, a new social networking community that my label is sponsoring, there are always several irons in the fire at one time!
Isaac: Time for some shout outs to your family, friends, and fans…
Vernon: Well of course thank you to my family who has been one hundred percent supportive of my career through the years, thanks to Greg Howe, Kiko Loureiro, Bill Hudson, Juan Nelson, Carlos Zema, U-Nam, Miguel Mega, Chris Clarke and all the other very talented artist people who to part in the current CD Tribute To Stevie Wonder. To all my loyal and faithful fans all over the world, and the news ones who I am coming to know daily, I truly am appreciative for the support because no artist can do it without their team, and their fans!
Isaac: Final words…
Vernon: For all the aspiring artist, work hard because this is a business, and if you don't succeed at first keep trying because things seldom come easily in this business. It takes years of hard work, dedication, and sheer perseverance. In this business it really ultimately comes down to your talent and how bad you want to succeed.
