for the LOVE of Music with Sara Troy and her guest John Armato, on air May 31st.
The Drummer Loves Ballads is the debut album of John Armato. Featuring extraordinary music, musicians and moods, it was produced and engineered by some of the industry’s top talent. The album was designed to be a new soundtrack for lazy Sunday afternoons, romantic evenings, and melancholy midnights, but you’ll swear it’s a long-lost jazz favorite.
Featuring more than 25 musicians, including the legends Houston Person and Warren Vaché, The Drummer Loves Ballads is a story more than 40 years in the making. From intimate quartet settings to sweeping orchestral arrangements, it is as rewarding to listen to closely as it is relaxing to listen to casually.
From Christmas toy drums to first lessons, from his first professional gig to a tour of Russia, drums have been John Armato’s constant companion. He has played clubs and concerts from New York City to Napa Valley and was a member of the trio behind Lisa Henry, a winner of the prestigious Thelonious Monk Institute Vocal Jazz Competition.
While the beat and burst of high-energy drums captured his attention early on, it was the swish and sizzle of ballads that captured his heart. It was always about the beauty, not just the bang. (As a kid, after seeing Buddy Rich repeatedly on the “Tonight Show with Johnny Carson,” Armato asked his parents for an album by the drum legend for his birthday, but “one with a whole band playing, not just a bunch of drum solos.”)
Forty years ago, Armato played one of his first jam sessions. That’s where the story of The Drummer Loves Ballads — and the album itself — begins.
A Kansas City native, New York City ex-pat, and now a Sacramento resident, Armato appears on the CDs “Claudette,” by Sacramento vocalist Claudette Stone and “Comfort” by Texas praise singer Lisa Bloecher. The Drummer Loves Ballads is his first release as leader.
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Ignite your heart and soul with Sara Troy and her guest Dr Linda Salvin, on air from May 31st
Dr. Linda Salvin is a metaphysical clinician and psychic with powerful healing abilities. She combines her scientific background with her spiritual gifts into a unique holistic method that will assist you on your life journey and help you find the answers to your most burning questions.
From My Heart to Yours
You wouldn’t have known me for the person I am today. In 1981, I survived commercial airplane crash. As I was sliding down the plane’s emergency chute, I my first of three out-of-body, near-death experiences leaving me out of my body for four months. This marked the beginning of my psychic and spiritual transformation. I have lived to tell you my story.
In 1982 while driving my car, a fire truck hit me. I had another out-of-body experience. Then in 1984, I totaled a car and had the White Light experience. While I was spinning in my car, the light when through my head and roof of the car and I heard a voice. I was given the choice to live or die. From this, I had a new connection to the other side.
It took me 12 years to embrace the gifts I had received and insight I was given. Once I accepted it, my life changed, my career was born and I began helping people on their life journey.
I became a healer after surgery in 1991 and awakened to being a medium, communicating with those on the other side following more surgery in 1996. My life journey is proof that sometimes God has a higher purpose for us than we originally envision. I believe we are all a part of the big spirit in the sky. We all walk in unison if we just stop, watch and observe. Connect with the birds, trees, people, stars, and energy. Find the synchronicity…even when it’s turbulent, it’s all about Love.
Dr. Linda Salvin is an integrative spiritual consultant and metaphysical clinician with a Ph.D. in Metaphysics. She combines a scientific background in epidemiology with her psychic abilities. If you are seeking answers about love, finance, career, relationships, spiritual guidance, health, or wellness, you can book a session for a psychic reading with Dr. Linda Salvin, or consider Wicks of Wisdom—her signature spiritual candle magic.
All of our shows/interviews are done by donation, if you enjoyed this show please support us here with either a one-time donation or subscribe and support on Patreon.
Supporting the Supporters with Sara Troy and her guest Victoria Cuore, on air from May31st.
Supporting the Supporters wishes to highlight A Contagious Smile organization and the incredible work that they are doing in supporting those who are going through or have gone through domestic abuse.
A Contagious Smile has been supporting families with both special needs as well as survivors of domestic violence for well over 16 years now. As a special needs parent, a survivor of domestic violence, and being special needs myself, I understand first-hand just how challenging it was and still is to be able to find the assistance that you need. This is a place where there is no judgment, no bullying and you get to be YOU! We offer support groups, social groups, classes, legal preparation, and much more. Finally, a place where you can be amongst lifelong friends, who understand exactly who and where you are because each and every one of us has been there or is still there. We believe in having fun, learning with laughter, and supporting one another’s dreams.
Victoria is a true survivor and mother of a special need’s miracle child. With more than 16 years of educating herself and countless others within the special needs community. She brings a light to those who’ve known true darkness. Victoria has dedicated a large portion of her life in aiding those who were not in a position to help themselves. Victoria has several degrees and certifications which also include a Paralegal Degree, ASL Masters, First Aid/AED/CPR, Tracheostomy Certification, Black Belt in mixed Martial Arts and is currently furthering her studies through online classes at Yale. Victoria also speaks to groups of domestic violence survivors as well as advocates for both survivors as well as special needs families. She is also an accomplished author and works throughout the year to help bring awareness along with toys for the special needs communities. Victoria and her daughter have been featured on tv advocating for those with challenging abilities and also with abused women. Having become a survivor, herself has made her into a “Pitbull”. She advocates for these families and individuals and fights tooth and nail for them. She is now happily married to the love of her life, her soul mate that she was with 20+ years ago and they have 3 children together.
All of our shows/interviews are done by donation, if you enjoyed this show please support us here with either a one-time donation or subscribe and support on Patreon.
Raising our gifted children with Sara Troy on the Igniting the hearts of our forgotten children, with her guest Novelette Bowen , MHS. on air from May 31st
What is my story ,why do I wish to share?
I’ m a committed foster mom who’s mission is to help reshaped the educational landscape for youth in foster care one youth at a time for them to become educational empowered and live their dreams because IT’S POSSIBLE!
Why I wish to share their stories its to educate the public and communities about their circumstances because they matter and their stories matters and it’s meant to be told for them to get the help that they need! Only 1 in 5 read at grade level and only 1 in 10 are at grade level in math power is in igniting the massive!
Sharing advance communities awareness! No changes ever happened without awareness and participation this is why it’s important to share their stories to help them gain the skills they need in their transformational journey to better future!!
We are on 5 sites and 16 audio and 2 video platforms as seen here.
Ruby’s Foster Village services benefits at risk foster youth who’re transitioning out of FC aged 14-25 years old the focused of our mission is to help FC youth solidify their educational dreams The educational facts about foster youth are sobering RFV is dedicated to utilize education as a tool to help foster youth change their educational outcomes through educational support services and mentoring as they transition out of the system into adulthood! Because it’s possible!!!
We’re hosting our first 5k walk/run for education all proceeds raised will provide 50 youths with educational tutoring and mentoring ,a pathway to high school graduation or GED ,preparation for college entrance or vocational school and ongoing support to college graduation or vocational certification for the 2022-2023 school year
We’re changing the world one child at time
I am on this journey because of my like experience I chose to be the bridge that connects educational support services and opportunities for at risk youth who were abused and neglected and is transitioning out of the foster care system and emancipated youth who doesn’t have ongoing support! My believe in the power of having a good education is who I am it was instill in me from a young age from my mom who was abused and neglected and was denied the opportunity to get an education but she had the ability to understood the power of what a good education will do and insured that I obtained a good education! Helping at risk youth to obtain a good education and become empowered and live their dreams will be my life long mission because the cost of not having an education is Detrimental it per-long generational cycle of poverty!!!!!!
I am Novelette Bowen A Education Advocate and Emotional Wellness Coach the founder of Ruby’s Enlightened Path, DBA Ruby’s Foster Village a 501c3 approved nonprofit organization for at risk youth who’re transitioning out of foster care and emancipated for foster you aged 14-25 years old!
I’m passionate about inspiring and motivating at risk youth to utilize education as a tool for them to become educationally empowered to create wealth and change their generational cycle because it’s possible!
I’m a proud mother a foster mother to many foster teens I know the daily struggles and challengers of not having a good education to economically sustain yourself!
Working with at risk youths in my program I have seen eye contact that wasn’t there before and smiles they established relationships and connections with others they developed confidence self esteem and self worth return from alternative schools to regular education graduates from high school and earned their GED with honors!
SIGN P FOR THE WALK HERE OF JUST SUPPORT WITH A DONATION, EVERY DROP HELPS A CHILD.
We’re hosting our first annual walk/run 5K fundraiser event all proceeds raised will support Our goal for the 2022 ,2023 upcoming school year to provide educational support services and opportunities for 50 youth youth who’re transitioning out of care and emancipated youth to graduate from HS prepared to pursue college and secondary education programs with ongoing educational services and support until graduation! Please get involved! your pledge or donation will provide tutoring mentoring scholarships for food and housing insecurity no youth in HS or college should have to worry about what they’re going to eat where they’re going to sleep on have to dropped out of school because of insufficient food and housing!
If you’re local please join us June 25,2022 early registration start 7a the race start at 8a! If you’re not local please donate no matter how small your donation impact change!
Free 5K
Swage bags ,
T shirts
Water
breakfast Bar
free BookClub for our teens we meets every Monday from 6p-8p via zoom!
Parent Talk support group we meet every third Tuesday of the month Via zoom 8p-9pm to learn more visit www.rubysfostervillage.org
Malcolm X a former foster child said “ Education is a passport to the future the future belongs to who prepared for it today.
Our services and strategic collaboration help our youth to set and achieved their educational goals advanced their personal development and leadership skills get physical & mental health treatment to break away from poverty homelessness high rate of unemployment Recidivism and sexual trafficking!
Your cash donation allows us to provide basic services. food, and supplies to these at-risk youth, as well as provide scholarships and housing for emancipated foster youth wishing to pursue their dreams of a college degree and so much more.
$25 pays for one hour of tutoring
$50 provides a Blessing Box filled with enough food and toiletries for a week
$75 pays for a Comfort Case full of clothing, shoes, and linens
$125 enables a former dropout to take the GED
$500 pays for 1 semester of college textbooks
$1,000 pays for a 9 weeks of a college meal plan
$3,000 pays for one semester of community college
$5,000 provides a 1-year scholarship for dormitory housing
$11,000 pays for a fully year of college tuition and room and board for a former foster child
All of our shows/interviews are done by donation, if you enjoyed this show please support us here with either a one-time donation or subscribe and support on Patreon.
Mental Health Awareness with Sara Troy and her guest Shanell Parrish-Brown, on air from May 24th
GIFTS IN BROWN PAPER PACKAGES,AN EMOTIONALLY HARD-HITTINGCOMING OF AGE STORY BASED ONHER REAL LIFE TRIUMPH OVER ADVERSITY
The Narrative’s No Holds Barred ThemesOf Domestic Violence Tie In PerfectlyWith the Author’s Dedicated Work OnBehalf of The Safe Center of Long Island (TSCLI),A Non-Profit Serving Nassau County, NY
Drawing courageously from painful experiences of her childhood while embracing and sharing her hard-won self-truths for the first time, author S.P. Brown’s powerful debut novel Gifts in Brown Paper Packages has earned out of the box acclaim and success – including debuting at #1 in three categories on Amazon within the first 72 hours of its Christmas week release.
Driven by the powerful, often harrowing but ultimately life affirming and triumphant narrative of 17-year-old protagonist Kyrie, the emotionally impactful book ended its second day at #38 in the highly competitive “New Releases Coming of Age” category and #1 “Musical Reference” due to the author’s inclusion of both old school and contemporary artists (from Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell to Deniece Williams, Lauryn Hill, Ed Sheeran and Bruno Mars) as the soundtrack to Kyrie’s experiences. Currently, it is also ranked on the Kindle Store’s Black & African American Christian Fiction list.
Evoking some difficult experiences from her own childhood growing up in Harlem, Brown uses the fictional character of Kyrie as a vehicle to reflect on her ability to overcome the trauma of domestic abuse and somehow, miraculously, turn her physical and emotional survival into a triumphant and thriving life. The New York based author wrote the hard-hitting, flashback driven coming of age narrative over the course of one year while working her demanding high profile job as Vice President, Employment Counsel for a major entertainment conglomerate, often in quiet stolen hours in the middle of the night after her three children (now ages 14, 17 and 23) were in bed.
The breathtaking journey chronicled in Gifts in Brown Paper Packages hinges on a single question. In the wake of another emotionally and physically abusive episode with the person she refers to as “Man,” should she take the leap through her bedroom window into the unknown? Leaving her mother and young brother behind, she has no idea if she can make it on her own, but choosing the risk of the streets seemed like a better option than staying. With no plan but survival, Kyrie’s story is driven by strength, personal growth, a journey to self-awareness and ultimately acknowledging her deepest truths.
The theme of Gifts in Brown Paper Packages ties in perfectly with Brown’s dedicated involvement with The Safe Center of Long Island (TSCLI), a non profit agency comprehensively serving the needs of victims of domestic violence and inner personal trauma in Nassau County – and the only organization in the county providing free services to child and adult victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse and human trafficking. In addition helping to raise funds for a Capital Campaign project to build an expanded new safe house facility, she has served on the nominating committee for the past two years, with the goal of helping to identify diverse talent for TSCLI’s Board of Directors; she is currently their only African American Board Member. In 2020, Brown was named Vice President of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors. She has agreed to become President of the Board in May 2022.
“For many years, I felt a lot of guilt and shame associated with those stories and felt like sharing them in my professional circles as a lawyer and even in my social circles wouldn’t engender real respect,” Brown says. “Eventually I realized my truth and that every part of my background, including the terrible, painful memories, served a purpose and informed what I consider this fabulous end product. That strength and resilience came from my path. It’s not necessary for readers to know the real life experiences versus the instances where I employed creative license or drew from other’s real life experiences.
“The point of the book,” she adds, “is to inspire readers to look at their lives with the proper lens, and allow those hard knocks and terrible experiences to ultimately work towards defining greatness in them as opposed to defeat. Those lessons don’t always show up beautifully adorned. Sometimes you have to dig through the ugly wrapping to discover the strength within the package. Everyone experiences difficult trials in their lives. The difference between a person who rises above them and succeeds and the one who doesn’t is perspective.”
S.P. Brown’s out of the box acclaim and success with her first novel Gifts in Brown Paper Packages is stunning proof that wherever we may be in our life’s journey, it’s never too late to embrace, share and inspire the world with our inner truths – no matter how raw and painful they may be and how vulnerable they make us feel.
Drawing from some difficult experiences of her own childhood growing up in Harlem, the author uses the fictional character of 17-year old Kyrie as a vehicle to reflect on her ability to overcome the trauma of domestic abuse and somehow, miraculously, turn her physical and emotional survival into a triumphant and thriving life. The New York based author wrote the hard-hitting, flashback driven coming of age narrative over the course of several years while working her demanding high profile job as Vice President, Employment Counsel for a major entertainment conglomerate, often in quiet stolen hours in the middle of the night after her three children (now ages 14, 17 and 23) were in bed.
In the first 72 hours of its Christmas week release, Gifts in Brown Paper Packages debuted at #1 in three categories on Amazon, including ending the second day at #38 in the highly competitive “New Releases Coming Of Age” category and #1 in “Musical Reference” due to her dynamic inclusion of both old school and contemporary artists (from Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell to Deniece Williams, Lauryn Hill, Ed Sheeran and Bruno Mars) as the soundtrack to experiences. Currently, it is also ranked on the Kindle Store’s Black & African American Christian Fiction list.
Of the dozens of five-star customer reviews posted so far, perhaps this says it best about the book’s enduring impact on its readers: “I truly enjoyed following Kyrie’s journey through life and how she was able to overcome everything that life threw at her. Reading this story and enjoying every page as much as I did has reconnected me with my love for reading. I cannot wait for more from S.P. Brown.”
The breathtaking journey chronicled in Gifts in Brown Paper Packages hinges on a single life changing question. In the wake of another emotionally and physically abusive episode with the person she refers to as “Man,” should she take the leap through her bedroom window into the unknown? Leaving her mother and young brother behind, she has no idea if she can make it on her own, but choosing the risk of the streets seemed like a better option than staying. With no plan but survival, Kyrie’s story is driven by strength, personal growth, a journey to self-awareness and ultimately acknowledging her deepest realities.
Kyrie’s experiences are sometimes amusing, often shocking and so real and intense that it almost reads like a memoir rather than fiction. Along the way, she learns how to embrace the life lessons (gifts) that strife, struggle, perseverance and the tackling of overwhelming challenges can ultimately grace us with, if only we’re open to seeing life’s hardships that way.
The theme of Gifts in Brown Paper Packages ties in perfectly with Brown’s dedicated involvement with The Safe Center of Long Island (TSCLI), a non-profit agency comprehensively serving the needs of victims of domestic violence and inner personal trauma in Nassau County – and the only organization in the county providing free services to child and adult victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse and human trafficking. In addition to helping to raise funds for a Capital Campaign project to build an expanded new safe house, she has also served on the nominating committee for the past two years, with the goal of helping to identify diverse talent for TSCLI’s Board of Directors; she is currently their only African American Board Member. In 2020, Brown was named Vice President of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors. She recently agreed to accept the role of President of the Board beginning May 2022.
Brown laid the foundation for her emergence as an influential first time novelist back in 2009, when she began writing fantasy fiction at night to, as she says, “assuage an undeniable creative itch to write something other than corporate policy and emails chock full of legal advice.” Her choice of genre was inspired by her childhood passion for books, and particularly stories that took her mind far from the day to day dark reality. She wrote seven chapters in six months and received incredible encouragement from her long ago literature professor at Hunter College, where Brown earned her BA in Human Communications. But then, for whatever reason, she got a crippling case of writer’s block and shut down.
As a person of deep faith, the author has come to trust that God sets us on certain paths for specific, sometimes mysterious reasons. In Brown’s case, her creative output was on the back burner for years until a lawyer friend who was running a program at the DA’s office for youth development and community reentry of former felons, invited her to audit a writing program – some of whose attendees were formerly incarcerated felons. Though she attended as an observer, she felt challenged when the facilitator asked, “What is your ‘Day One’ story if you had to talk about a specific time in your life? What is the lightbulb moment your life was changed?’”
She felt prompted to share some of her experiences with the group, and the sense of catharsis she felt led her to write what ultimately became the first chapter of Gifts in Brown Paper Packages that night on the plane en route to a conference. After she had written four or five entries, Brown made the decision that she would develop it into a novel written from a third person perspective, telling parts of her story, with fictionalized elements, through Kyrie’s eyes. For a time, she was concerned about writing explicitly about the domestic violence she endured in her youth, but ultimately decided that the narrative could have tremendous impact on others. She felt it was an important part of her life, even though her life had not historically been defined as a domestic violence survivor.
“For many years, I felt a lot of guilt and shame associated with those stories and so felt like sharing them in my professional circles as a lawyer wouldn’t engender real respect,” Brown says. “Eventually, I realized that my truth is characterized by every aspect of my background, including the terrible, painful memories, which served a purpose and informed what I consider this fabulous end product. I acknowledged that strength and resilience came from my path. It’s not necessary for readers to know the real life experiences versus the instances where I employed creative license or drew from other’s real life experiences.
“The point of the book,” she adds, “is to motivate people to look at their lives through the proper lens, and allow those hard knocks and terrible experiences to ultimately work towards cultivating greatness in them as opposed to defeat. Those lessons don’t always show up beautifully adorned. Sometimes you have to dig through the ugly wrapping to discover the strength within the package. Everyone goes through difficult trials in their lives. The difference between a person who rises above them and succeeds and the one who doesn’t, is perspective.”
“I am proud of the story I tell in Gifts in Brown Paper Packages, and the way I was able to put it together,” the author says. “In line with all the musical references, I truly feel there is a melody in the way it was written. What will make me the happiest is if the book is exposed to the masses and people get something out of it and feel inspired. I am so grateful for all the wonderful feedback I have received thus far, and I want to put myself in the position where I have more opportunities to speak to people who need to hear it. I want Kyrie’s story – and ultimately my own – to touch people and make an important difference in their lives.”
All of our shows/interviews are done by donation, if you enjoyed this show please support us here with either a one-time donation or subscribe and support on Patreon.
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