Episode Summary:

In this episode of the When Words Fail Music Speaks podcast, hosts James Cox welcomes Andy Gesner, the founder of HIP Video Promo. Andy shares his journey of promoting over 4,800 music videos and discusses the importance of visual storytelling in the music industry. He also talks about his experiences working with renowned artists like Johnny Cash, Maroon 5, and The Lumineers.

Key Topics:

• The role of BetterHelp in supporting mental health
• Introduction to Bones Coffee Company and their unique flavors
• The importance of visual content in music promotion
• Andy Gesner's journey in the music video industry
• The impact of Johnny Cash's "Hurt" video
• The evolution of music videos and the role of technology
• The significance of quality over quantity in music promotion
• Andy's insights on creating compelling music videos
• The influence of AI in music video production

Guest: Andy Gesner, Founder of HIP Video Promo

Sponsors:

• BetterHelp: Get 10% off your first month at betterhelp.com/musicspeaks
• Bones Coffee Company: Use code MUSIC SPEAKS for 10% off at checkout

Connect with HIP Video Promo:

• Website: hipvideopromo.com
• Social Media: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, Spotify, TikTok

Music Recommendations:

• Milky Chance
• Susan Akila
• Death Cab for Cutie
• The Rocket Summer

Hosts: James Cox

Guest: Amani Roberts - DJ, Professor, Music Producer, Author

Episode Highlights:

• Introduction:
• James Cox introduces the guest, Amani Roberts, and thanks his manager for connecting them.
• Amani discusses his new book, "The Quiet Storm," which explores the rise and decline of R&B groups.

• Discussion on R&B:
• Amani shares insights on why R&B groups are less prominent today, citing the rise of hip-hop and EDM.
• He emphasizes the importance of resilience in the success of R&B groups, using The Whispers as an example.

• Amani's Music Journey:
• Amani talks about his experiences performing worldwide and his favorite countries to perform in.
• He discusses his music creation process and the inspiration behind his remixes.

• The Quiet Storm Book:
• Amani shares interesting facts from his book, including the surprising Grammy history of the Jackson 5 and En Vogue.
• He hopes the book educates readers on the history and impact of R&B groups.

• Future Projects:
• Amani expresses his desire to turn his book into a documentary and continue coaching in the music industry.

• Personal Insights:
• Amani reflects on his teenage years and the music icons that influenced him.
• He shares his Mount Rushmore of favorite artists, including Mariah Carey and Stevie Wonder.

• Closing:
• James encourages listeners to check out Amani's book and take the R&B group quiz on his website.
• Amani invites listeners to connect with him on social media and LinkedIn.

Links:

• Amani Experience Website
• The Quiet Storm Book
• Follow Amani on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Apple Music, Spotify, and LinkedIn.

Sponsors:

• BetterHelp: Get 10% off your first month at betterhelp.com/musicspeaks
• Bones Coffee: Use code MUSIC SPEAKS for 10% off at bonescoffee.com

1. Sponsorships and Partnerships: The episode begins with mentions of sponsorships from BetterHelp, an online therapy service, and Bones Coffee Company, highlighting their products and special offers for listeners.
2. Podcast Hosts and Introduction: The hosts, Blake Mosley, James Tice, and Amanda Dolan, introduce themselves and discuss the podcast's focus on the healing power of music and its role in battling depression.
3. Mental Health Discussion: The hosts discuss the importance of mental health, self-care, and finding balance in life. They share personal anecdotes and insights, including the five C's of mental health: connection, compassion, coping, community, and care.
4. Disney and Music: The main topic of the episode revolves around bands that have been banned from performing at Disney-owned House of Blues locations. The hosts discuss various bands, such as Cannibal Corpse, Exodus, and Ice Nine Kills, and the reasons behind their bans, often related to violent imagery or themes.
5. Personal Stories and Experiences: The hosts share personal stories related to Disney, including Blake's upcoming trip to Disney World and his love for the theme park. They also discuss the impact of Disney's strict image policies on music performances.
6. Listener Engagement and Future Plans: The hosts encourage listener engagement through social media and email, inviting independent artists to submit music for their upcoming online radio station. They also mention their YouTube channel and other podcast projects.
7. Acknowledgments: The episode concludes with acknowledgments to their graphic designer, Stanley, and show promoter, Nancy Rose, for their contributions to the podcast.