Platinum-Selling Singer/Songwriter/Producer AL B. SURE! Sharing His Random Thoughts

* On his early grind to success in the music game......

'It's been such a blessing to be afforded the opportunity to actually have the vehicle of music in the first place. I'm a cat from Money Earnin' Mount Vernon, New York - 4 square miles - everybody's about their hustle and grind, I remember being in the hallways of Mt. Vernon High School writing songs on the back of my notebook, on the back of lunch bags and whatever, and all of a sudden - BOOM! - I'm in Japan in front of 10,000 Japanese citizens and they're singing my songs! And for me, it's all because of the love I have for the music and nothing else. I didn't do it to be famous.'

*Al B.'s advice for aspiring recording artists who want to succeed in the music biz.......

'I look at it like this and it's the same thing I tell my sons.....If you don't love the woman you are with, leave her alone. Same thing with the music industry: If you are not doing this for the right reason, LET IT GO....DON'T DO IT. Basically, the advice is don't do this unless you respect and love the craft because it will beat you down if you try and come in the wrong way and it will tear you apart. That's why you see a lot of cats jumping off buildings, doing drugs and whatever. This industry is not made for human consumption. Just imagine the highs and lows you have to deal with: Being No.1 and then not being No.1; Getting all the accolades and Grammys, and then all of a sudden you're 'zero' on the Billboard charts. People will treat you crazy and I've been through it. The reason I'm still here and that I can still work in several countries around the world 25 years later, is because I did this for the right reason!'

*Al B.'s thoughts when Barack Obama was elected President for 1st term......

'When Barack Obama was elected U.S. President, I was in the barbershop in the hood with some cats, and it was so nice to see some of the young guys walk in and say "This is incredible! This makes me wanna pull my pants up, put on a tie and get dressed up!" How wonderful was that to hear from the young guys who just felt inspired?'
'When I was younger, my dreams and goals were different. I want to be the president of a record company and a Boy Scout. Now, our young people's dreams have no ceiling. Our young people can now say "I want to become President of the United States." How crazy is that?'

www.albsure.net

(Late June 2K9, Joe's Pub, New York City)