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Open Mic:
SGIB is proud to have Chris Curry aboard. This will have a question and answer column related to the entertainment business. Curry is a svengali for aspiring entertainers. Chris and his partners, Kevin Owens and Travis Milner, run “So You Want to Be a Star, Inc.”, an organization that helps people who believe that they have what it takes to become professional entertainers and they learn just how to make that happen. Curry and company knows the score. Owens is a lead singer with the rhythm and blues group, Ray, Goodman and Brown and is a background vocalist for Luther Vandross. Milner is a keyboardist for soul singer, Gerald Levert. Curry has worked with many stars, ranging from Isaac Hayes and Dionne Warwick to the late Eddie Kendricks of the Temptations. Curry and Warwick are currently working on an entertainment training manual.




These questions were submitted to Chris by youngsters from the All Bethany Youth Group in Huntington, New York.


1. Natalia Whitehorn: What year did you start all the wonderful success in your life?

The concept for “So You Want To Be A Star, Inc.” actually began in 1975 when I was hired by Herb Murrell and Russell Thompkins Jr. of THE STYLISTICS to work with the harmonies and choreography for a vocal group they had just signed. The experience taught me a number of things about people and their desire to pursue and attain a goal. First and foremost is that you should at least have a true passion for what you want to accomplish and secondly, be willing to work long hours learning everything you can from every source available to you ( i.e. the library, the internet, talking to professionals, other amateurs), practicing and not being cheap about investing in your corporate "YOU"! Attending seminars. Taking classes! Going to concerts! Buying CD's, electronic equipment, etc. is all for your benefit. But far too many of you are too afraid and cheap to invest in YOUR CHOSEN DREAM!?

2. Nicholas Davis: I want to know what it takes to gain success.

The formula for success is quite easy. "Opportunity + Preparation = Success"
If an opportunity comes your way and you're not prepared, there is no success.
If you are prepared and there is no opportunity, there is no success. Sean "P.Diddy" Combs said it best to a group of students at Chelsea High School, "You have to come in earlier, you have to stay later. If you're supposed to read two chapters, read four". In essence it's like being in a foot race and you're in second place. You have to run harder and faster to make it to first place. Also remember that success is relative to your specific goals and can ONLY be measured by YOU! I am successful in what I do because I reached MY GOAL and not what others feel my goal(s) should be.


3- Marcus Odom: I would like to know how you got to be a star and musician.
What is a "Star"? A "Star" in the entertainment industry is created, not born. You are born with and/or have honed certain talents to a degree of excellence, which at some point is recognized by either loyal fans, the media, a recognized management team and/or the industry. In a nutshell, the term "Star" really means that you are recognized as a viable talent in your field because of your skill excellence and/or money-making ability. Once you're recognized for your contribution to your craft, you now should have a burning desire to keep your star shining bright by: (1) studying and reading about those who have achieved success in your field (2) working to improve your skills (3) creating and being innovative (4) sharing what you have learned with others following your "Star's" light and (5) making monetary and creative contributions to organizations that will keep other's dreams alive to perhaps shine as a "Star" one day.






Congratulation to all the finalists!
Left to Right: Jestina Mann, Chris Curry, Rachel Margetson, Malik Spence,(Malik was the Grand prize winner and with that came two round trip tickets to anywhere in the country provided by Jet Blue Airline) Kevin Owens,(Owens Background singer for Luther, and presently on tour with Ms. Keys) Irene Merring, Wanda Smith and BJ Adams.

Photo by Gerard


Many would answer yes but in reality, they have no idea where or how to start their career. Open Mic nights have become a popular arena, all over the world, for struggling artists to network while practicing their craft and more importantly receiving feedback from an audience. As eventful and as exciting as these nights may be, none prove to be as unique as Chris Curry's "Jammin' on the Mic".
Not only acting as "Jammin' on the Mic's" lead MC but also a concert promoter, vocal arranger, songwriter, voice instructor, record producer and all around musical motivator, Chris Curry, the founder and CEO of "So You Want to Be A Star, Inc.", has been in the music industry for over 30 years. He has toured, performed and recorded with legendary singers such as Eddie Kendricks, The Gospel Clefs, The James Cleveland Singers, The Continental Four, Black Ivory, Isaac Hayes and Ray, Goodman and Brown. He is best known for his renditions of "What's Come Over Me", "La La Means I Love You" and of course, "Special Lady."
"Jammin on the Mic" takes place at Amy Ruth's Restaurant at 113 West 116th Street (near Lenox Ave) in Harlem, NY on designated Fridays. (usually, the fourth Friday of the month). "Jammin' on the Mic" does not stop there. Curry, a Jamaica, Queens native, has traveled the country MC'ing these unique Open Mic shows.
So what makes "Jammin' on the Mic" different from other Open Mic nights? Curry says Mic night is, " Not exclusive but inclusive of the audience". This is true in the sense that many Open Mic nights involve three components- the performers, the audience and the MC. The performers perform, the MC announces and the audience watches. Chris, along with his co-host, Arlene Rieara, involves their audience in the show itself. With games, gifts and prize give-a-ways that are sponsored by Susan Taylor, from Essence, Chan B. Abney, Willie Gary, Esq., Julie Etta Carter from Jet Blue, David Taylor of Mannas, Amanda Espinal of Bad Boy Records, Kevin Holiday, of Elektra Records, Edwin Feron from Modell's, Gerard McLeod, Editor-in-Chief of SGIB Magazine and LaVerne Perry-Kennedy from Epic Records, "Jammin' on the Mic" proves to be "not your ordinary Open Mic". There are special guest judges & speakers that have included: Isaac Hayes, Bowlegged Lou, The Persuaders, Blue Magic, Kevin Owens, Ron Grant, Travis Milner and LaVerne Perry-Kennedy.
Besides the prizes and audience interaction, in what other ways is "Jammin on the Mic" different? The answer is in the reason why Curry came up with this idea. "A lot of people need a platform to be able to show vocal skills, whether it be professional or for a hobby", says Chris. "Closet singers need a FRIENDLY platform." Friendly is an understatement for the comfort of any performer or audience member feels at "Jammin' on the Mic." Curry and Arlene encourage an inexperienced, skills performer to want to get up and speak, sing or even sometimes dance, without fear. Another unique aspect? The Food!!!!
For the past few months, many artists have performed and competed at the "Jammin' on the Mic" events. Recently, on October 24, 2003, "Jammin' on the Mic" announced the winners. Congratulations to the finalists of this year's "JAMMIN' ON THE MIC" TALENT COMPETITION: Malik Spence, BJ Adams, Rachel Margetson, Irene Merring, Jestina Mann and Wanda Smith.
As a part of, "So You Want to Be A Star, Inc.", Chris and his partners, Travis Milner and Kevin Owens, provide singing classes and development workshops, as well as, offering advice to aspiring artists, young and old. Chris's advice to any new comer is, "Be Passionate." Chris says along with "Passion, Patience and Professional skills" ( the 3 P's), one can reach their goals." With a platform such as, "Jammin' on the Mic", goals are not far behind!



If you wish to ask a question of Chris, you can do so by e-mailing us at: Open Mic, SGIBmagazine@aol.comn Subject "Open Mic"