I will be posting more clippings from print very soon, compiling them now…

I arrived back into Atlanta on the weekend. Picked up my bags at baggage claim & I ran into Jon B. It was our first time meeting. Cool brother, great vibe & energy. I placed a copy of EXIST in his hands & made my way to the train station to head home.

I arrived home & just chilled. I was tired, but had plenty of energy to go check out a movie. “Miracle at St. Anna”… Spike Lee is a brilliant film maker. The ending had me a bit choked up. Even for an ultra cool brotha like me, I felt that story.

So check it, I’ve been traveling so much that I at times loose track of time. I wake & sent Charles an email asking him, “Yo Charles, what time are we speaking @ Morehouse today?” … He was like, ” Dude, we dont speak @ Morehouse until Monday…: ) “… Wow… 

So Monday comes & we arrive @ Morehouse to a full room of students. Mad love. With a few female students from Spellman in attendance. It was an excellent session. The students had a lot of valid & interesting questions. Overall total success.

After that I dashed over to have dinner with my new friends, Suchita & Mark. We laughed all night while having dinner. : )

Charles picked me up Tuesday evening to head over to Sugar Hill for another album release / listening party. Which was fused into Joi’s jam session, which is the regular Tuesday night event at Sugar Hill. Joi’s energy is amazingly demanding… I love it. You have to watch her. She called me at the beginning of her 2nd set & I performed “Part The Waves” & “Nobody KNows”. It was a great performance. Then I went home, ate some grits, wheat toast & veggie patties… YUM!!!

Hey Fam, Due to my busy schedule, I haven’t had time to post as often as I’d like. So let me fill you all in on where I was after VA. 

So I took an early morning flight from VA to D.C. Arrived at the airport & the point person who was supposed to pick me, didn’t!!! Now at this point MOST artists would have flipped their lid, but I’ve learned to think solution & always remain calm, becuz your response shapes the outcome of your situation. I called Thornell, we sloved the problem in less than 15 mins & I was on my way. Took about 45 mins to get to the hotel, which was right next door to the venue where I was to perform (Art Whino) in National Harbor. Beautiful place right in Baltimore.

I had a “day room” at the Westin. I grabbed a bite to eat & then I had an in-person interview / photo shoot. The “Art meets Music” event started @ 7:30pm. Such a cool vibe. An art gallery, about 100 people, a keyboard & microphone. I performed 5 songs. Great experience.

I made a mad dash over to Union Station & took the Amtrak to NY. Arrived into Penn Station @ 2 a.m. & walked 14 blocks in the rain to my friend Kristins place. She had a piece of chocolate cake for me, (it was a “band aid” piece, becuz she made a beautiful attempt to send me a whole chocolate cake from Juniors to me, but she gave them the wrong zip code. She’s so precious…

So we sat up & talked for a while then I attempted to take a nap, we probably got about an hour of sleep, then up, jumped on the 1 Train heading downtown to do a radio interview with Jeff Foxx & crew, mad cool brotha… the whole team. They showed me sooo much love. My publicist Joe met us at the radio station.

After the interview, we were back out in the rain taking a taxi uptown for a couple of more in-person interviews. Then a walk thru/ meet & greet @ Music Choice. Nice peeps. Jen (a friend of Joe’s) filled in for him on the last 2 interviews… Shes a cool, quiet Korean woman. : )

So it was then about 2pm. Kris & walked into Penn Station, I picked up a Subway sandwich, she & I talked a bit, I got on the train heading back to D.C for the Hidden Beach Black Caucus Party. Now that was an interesting scene. Met some really cool people. The political arena holds a different caliber people. It was cool to see everyone simply having a good time. We partied & then watched the debate between McCain & Obama, once it was over… more mingling & networking then a bunch of us headed over to another party where they were playing a lot of old school jams.

Made my way back to the hotel & went to sleep. I woke up late the next day, jumped in a cab & dashed over to the airport. Heading back to Atlanta…

The Tony Rich Project
“EXIST”

Tony Rich is back with a new album titled “EXIST”. Check out “Part The Waves” and “Jordan”.
Enjoy.

Now Available

WOW!!! That’s the word I choose to describe how great an experience it was to walk into a room full of students awaiting Charles & I. Charles spoke about the purpose of the Internship program, he shared his story, then he introduced me. I shared my story & the importance of the program. 

It was a true pleasure to be there. These students were completely engaged. After we spoke, both Charles & I broke off into one-on-one sessions, giving each student individual time to ask additional questions & express their concerns. A BEAUTIFUL EXPERIENCE!!!

We made our way over to a nice spot where they have an event called Fuzzy Wednesdays. I perform a couple of songs… “Part The Waves” & “Nobody Knows”.

Such a purposeful 

I’ve been in the music biz for 15 years, recorded & released 5 albums & never once has anyone ever said to me “HAPPY RELEASE DAY!!!” Until yesterday… I soo appreciate the love from all of those who either said those words to me or merely thought those same words. Surely I had a “HAPPY RELEASE DAY”.

The day started early with a performance on Good Day Atlanta. Went home & took a nice 3 hour nap & then got up, got ready for 2 release parties. One at Strip & Over da Edge… cool vibes. Had a few interviews… Check out some of the pics…

Hey Fam… I’ve been on the go in a constant flow so I haven’t had a chance to post everyday like I aim to do, so here’s some info you’ve missed.

So I hit the road again last week, headed out to Las Vegas for the Hidden Beach Recordings & UNLV Diversity program, founded by Charles Whitfield. It was an incredible event to be a part of. Aside from myself in attendance, my label mate & bad mofo sax player Mike Philly was there along with Charles Whitfield (Hidden Beach), Tony Gladney (Harrahs Entertainment), Larry Miller (President/Portland Trailblazers, Howard White & Reggie Saunders (Brand Jordan) Tripp Welbourne & Lance Blanks (Asst GM / Cleveland Cavaliers) Frank Brown (Nike) & Dr. Christine Clark of UNLV Diversity.

It was an intense focus group geared towards college students on the eve of entering the  professional work force.

We all shared our stories of how we’ve continuously made it from point A to point B. I’m a talker, & a listener & I thoroughly enjoyed what all of the panelist had to say. Wow… you had to be there. Such an inspiring moment.

Afterwards I went over to do a radio interview with my fam, Galaxy Glen. Another great conversation. I took the red-eye flight over to DC for a performance with Joe, Angie Stone, Mike Philly, Phil Perry, Maysa & Vanessa Williams.

I had few interviews over at WHUR, So much fun & then I was able to get some great Thai food.I was good &* ready for the flight to Atlanta by that time.

So hey fam, I’ve been in LA since Sunday, September 7th… The day of the VMA’s, Did I go? No… I came into town to “Do Work” son. A full week of press/promo & a couple of performances.

So here’s a recap for the week thus far.

The week started with an in-person interview with Pulse Content Radio. Then I went over to the Improv Comedy Club, where Big Spike promotes a comedy event called “Mo Betta Mondays”. There were some great comedians. Ludacris was in the house. Dee Ray was the host. Dude had me laughing so hard. 

About midway into the show, Spike calls me up to the stage to perform a song on the piano. So I start playin & Dee Ray said that he was going to sing with me, but I suggest that I sing & he interpret the lyrics of the song by way of his actions. He brings a young lady on stage & acts out in mime style… Hilarious!!!

Wednesday September 10, 2008

8:30 PM Ladies pre-show Autograph Signing.
Ladies, here’s your chance to go one-on-one with Tony Rich.
“Part The Waves” with Tony Rich at 8:30. Get a personalized message from Tony.

R&B Live @ CINESPACE
6365 Hollywood Blvd (Hollywood & Ivar)
Los Angeles, CA 90028

WE HAVE 2 PAIRS OF FREE TICKETS FOR 2 LADIES - FRONT & CENTER FOR THE SHOW. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN GETTING FREE TICKETS, PLEASE RESPOND TO THIS POST AND WE WILL CONTACT YOU VIA EMAIL.

I had to share this with you all. Just last week in the wake of the tropical storms. Here in Atlanta we were experiencing repeated isolated showers that were continuously passing through. It would rain & then clear up, bright sun… then in a matter of minutes it would rain again. So as I’m walking towards the window I see that the storm clouds were returning. Then I really looked and I saw the beginning of a rainbow. As if it were being born right before my eyes & surely I thought to myself, “It would be me to see something like this happening with no witness beside me so I decided to snap photos of its evolution. Watch the rainbow evolve. Amazing…