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Episode 1920
Moving Positive Music
Lewis: Mitchell Lewis, Host
Re Re: Re Re Wiley
Matt: Matt Wiley
Williams: Joe Williams, Matador Management, Inc.
Lewis: Like many young people today, this brother and sister team share a passion and talent for music, and they are investing much time and energy in the hopes of making it big. What challenges do they face as teenagers, and as messengers with a positive message, in today's music industry. We'll find out next on Black Issues Forum.
Voiceover: This program was made possible by contributions to UNC-TV from viewers like you. Thank you.
[THEME MUSIC]
Lewis: Good evening everyone and welcome, I'm Mitchell Lewis. Tonight on Black Issues Forum, we're doing something a little different with some special guests. They are a brother and sister duo from Burlington, North Carolina, who are not only dedicating their talents to creating inspiration music, but they're doing it while maintaining their full-time teenage lives, complete with school, home chores, and the challenges that come with both. We have with us Monture and Matthew Wiley, otherwise known as Re Re and Matt. We're also going to talk this evening about what it takes to make it in the music industry, especially when you're promoting a positive message. And to help us in that area, we also have Re Re and Matt's manager, Joe Williams, president of Matador Artist Management, Inc. Now, a little later in the program we'll actually get to hear our guests perform one of their songs live, right here in the studio. Now I'd like to welcome all of you to the program.
Re Re: Thank you.
Matt: Thank you for having us.
Lewis: Now, Re Re and Matt, I'll start out with you. Now, how long have the two of you been singing together?
Matt: We've been singing for about 10, 11 years now.
Lewis: Joe, when did you meet these two?
Williams: Some time ago a friend of my wife asked me to come to a high school gospel presentation. I agreed to, and I saw the two young people, I think Matt was probably around six and Re Re was probably around eight. That was the first time I laid eyes on them.
Lewis: Re Re, why did you decide that the positive type of music was the type of music you wanted to sing?
Re Re: Because in the conditions of the world today, there's not a lot of positive messages going out towards the youth and older adults, and I am sure Matthew and I believe that a positive message needs to be sent forth, and we believe that God sent us here to send out the message, so here we are trying to make it come through.
Lewis: Now, Matt, at times some people think it doesn't take all that much to get before and audience and sing. What are some of the preparation involved when you two get together and prepare for singing?
Matt: Well actually there's a lot that you have to do to get as far as my sister and I have been able to.
Re Re: Things like this, they don't come overnight; it's things that you have to work for. Because like my parents always say, nothing in this world is going to be given to you, so we just know that it's important to be able to know that you're working for what you're doing and that we're doing positive things, and it's just, it takes hard work because everyone knows that you have to work for whatever that you want in this world, and I mean, at the same time it may be hard work, but at the same time it's joyful.
Lewis: Now, you all started 11 years ago; who actually pushed you or started you into a singing career?
Matt: That would have to be my father, because he was a pastor at the time, and actually it's a funny story because once upon a time, my sister, she was walking around the house singing, and my father overheard her and he asked her to sing it again, and when she was singing, I came in and I started singing with her and then he just got us to sing at the church and then after a while we just started spreading around that me and my sister had a gift. So it took off from there.
Lewis: And at this time you were like three and four?
Matt: Three and four.
Re Re: Three and four. I know, that wasn't nobody but God. He has.
Lewis: Tell me about a typical day or typical week, as far as you all going and preparing your talent and honing your skills. What is that like?
Re Re: It's busy, but at the same time it's fun. We know that what we're doing, we enjoy it, so as long as we enjoy it.like when we go to the studio and everything, it's fun. It's an experience that a lot of youth don't get the chance to. So we count it as a blessing because everything that goes on with me and my brother, we know that it's just a blessing from God.
Matt: And actually, preparing for the studio, it's like because sometimes when we get out of school we have to rush and go out and get some water, we have to have our bottles of water to go into the studios so we'll be prepared. Can't eat anything, no dairy products. And our manager of course, he teases us, bring a pizza, eat it in front of us. It's so good, but we know we have to make certain sacrifices.
Re Re: Sacrifices, yes.
Lewis: So Joe, while you're antagonizing these two, what is the practice session like with them, what are some of the things you notice about them?
Williams: Well, I think it's just, it's a joyful event just to be with them, to see two young people that are polite and have great manners, they're doing well in school, and with so much talent. It's just a delight.
Lewis: Now, especially at a young age, getting into the entertainment industry, what are some of the realities that young folks have to face coming into entertainment.
Williams: You know, you get a lot of phone calls from parents, saying, hey, I have a young child that's talented that can sing, it's the next Michael Jackson; you get that all the time. A great deal of the time it's the parent pushing a child, and the child may not have the same ambition to be in this industry. So you try to, like for Re Re and Matt, I wanted to see if they had a desire to be in this business, and they did. Opposed to parents pushing them to be the next Michael Jordan or Michael Jackson or Janet Jackson.
Lewis: And as we talked about earlier, initially you did not take them in as far as.
Williams: When I first saw them I thought they were too young. I thought they had talent, but a lot of young people, they get started in this business, and as they get older, their interests change. They still have talent, but they don't perfect it; they don't go to the next level.
Lewis: Re Re, Matt, especially at the ages you are at, you've got your singing career going on, and of course friends. What type of sacrifices do you go through in order to try to make sure that your singing career is in line with everything?
Matt: Of course sometimes you want to go to the skating rink, you want to go to the movies. Well, we can't do that all the time because we know we have a business to take care of and we have to, again, the sacrifices. And we know that we have to have initiative to do, to take care of this job. And if we don't believe that we can do this and work hard towards it, then it can't be done.
Lewis: Now how about your school work, because that's an important part as well, how does that fit into the scheme of things, how are you doing?
Re Re: Well both of us have been blessed to keep A's and B's, and as far as work goes, it's real funny because 9 times out of 10, Matthew and Joe can even back me up on this, it's sometimes we're in the studio and it's 1:00 or 2:00 in the morning and I'm still sitting there doing my homework, and Joe tells me it's nice to see that you're still very serious about your work. And I am, because it's not always easy, but you've got to know deep within that you have to be able to keep up with everything, you know. You can't just lack on one end and expect to be successful on this end. You've just got to all make it combine and work out to the good.
Lewis: Now of course being in this field and being young folks, you probably have experienced a few ups and downs. How do you keep upbeat in spite of some of those things going on?
Matt: Like right now, my voice is going through a change where it's getting deeper, so I have to work on perfecting my voice so that I can keep up with the songs and stuff, because I can't get as high as I used to. I can't do all the rips and stuff that I used to be able to do, but I know that I have to concentrate on this and work hard with it. And that's pretty much where that is.
Lewis: Re Re, what are some of the things you're facing?
Re Re: Some of the things that I face with my singing and the changes and everything, I mean, I just, through everything, you've just got to know how to work on everything, because you're never-nobody in this world is ever too good to learn more, and you've got to always be open minded and know that you care and you can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. So you've got to be able to know within yourself that you can do this and just learn and never be too big headed, and always be open minded.
Lewis: Just to put you on the spot a little bit, is there anything during your travels here that was somewhat unexpected to you while you've been into this music industry?
Re Re: Well, a lot of things are unexpected to be honest. I mean, it's things I can't recall right off the top of my head, but that's why the Bible says "be also ready" because you never know what's going to happen. You can't plan everything in a book and just know how everything is going to go.
Lewis: So basically if I just said, sing something a cappella right now, you would be ready to go?
Re Re: Yes sir.
Lewis: Ready to rip, right now?
Re Re: Yes sir, right now.
Lewis: What would you do?
Re Re: What would you do?
Lewis: We would do-
Matt: A song, it's going to be on our newest CD entitled, Holy. And it's an inspirational song, Praise and Worship.
Re Re: Praise and Worship.
Matt: It goes, [SINGING TOGETHER] So tell me who is there when you created the heavens. When you formed the earth and placed the stars in the sky. It was you, king of kings, lord of lords.
Lewis: Absolutely fantastic.
Re Re: Oh, thank you.
Lewis: Joe, what does it take to get them prepared in that manner?
Williams: Well, just to talk about the song they just sang, and give you an example of how willing they are to do whatever possible to succeed, I brought in a producer, Eric Matthews, to do a song that they wanted to do for quite some time called Holy Ghost Party, and this was another song that we sprung on them, and they recorded it in one night. I mean, they stayed up to 2:00 in the morning, having to go to school the next day. But they were troopers.
Lewis: And the two of you were talking about influences; how important has it been for your parents to be backing you in this endeavor?
Re Re: I'm just going to be honest, if it wasn't for God and my parents, we don't know what we would do. I mean, our parents have been with us ever since day one, and I know my parents, they never force us to sing; they always tell us, it's your choice, you do what you want. And we know that they don't ask for much, and that's the thing about our parents. But somewhere in our hearts, we feel that we need to find a way to repay them because after all that they've done for us, it's just remarkable.
Matt: And my mother and father, they make so many sacrifices for us. Just keep us dressed nice and stuff. Keep shoes on our feet of course, clothes on our back, food to eat. So they really are a blessing.
Lewis: What has been, say, peer reaction to what you do?
Re Re: Well I mean, you have some that won't show you respect that you may feel that you deserve, and you have some that respect you and let you know that they respect what you do. But you know what, you just have to learn to-you kill a person with kindness and that's what both of us know. You just still have to go out there and give everything your best and just put your back into what you do. So you just show them love and that will be the thing that will break that one day.
Lewis: Tell me a little bit about some of the artists you have performed with.
Matt: We have performed with Vickie Wyman, Roberta Flack, Ashford & Simpson, Melba Moore-
Re Re: That's a sweet woman.
Matt: She is so nice.
Re Re: We just fell in love with her today. And when we heard her perform, and I was asking my parents about her so much, because they listen to her when they grew up, what my father did, and I mean, if she's watching, we love you and hope that we'll work with you again. And she's under the same management that we're under-Matador Entertainment. She was a blessing to us too.
Lewis: How far to do you want to take this career?
Matt: As far as God will allow us to.
Re Re: As far as God will allow us to.
Lewis: What do you think of some of the other artists who may start off with Gospel Inspirational, and then they cross over; is that something that you would consider?
Matt: There is no reason for crossing over.
Re Re: No reason to cross over. I mean, why? What point are you making?
Matt: It can't be stress.if you have a hard time doing something, all you have to do is just work with it-
Re Re: And go to God. You pray about all things and be anxious _____.
Matt: God will bring you through it.
Lewis: And I thank you folks, and we've gotten to learn a lot about Re Re and Matt, and I'm sure a lot of you are anxious to hear their talent, and that's coming up a little bit later, and we'll let them get ready for that. But first we'll talk to Joe just a little bit more. Joe, when it comes to the entertainment industry, sometimes people have these starry looks in their eyes and thinking of big money. What is it really like?
Williams: The reality of it is you have to have a passion, it's something that you have to truly love to be in this business. It's not a get-rich-quick scheme. It's no tricks. I mean, there are exceptions to every situation, but the reality is that you have to pay your dues. If you truly want to get started in this business.I get calls saying hey, I have a CD or I want to put out a CD, I'm talented. The first question I ask is, where do you live? When is your next performance? And 9 times out of 10, they'll say, that's why I'm calling you, because I need you. So I look for artists that are doing something on their own. I should be an extension to what they're doing, to help them get to the next level. But you have to put forth that initial effort yourself.
Lewis: What advice would you give for those who are wanting-especially youngsters-wanting to get involved in the entertainment industry? What would you tell them?
Williams: I'd tell them, this is a large industry, don't just try to be a Michael Jackson, don't just try to be a Brandy, don't just try to be a superstar. There's cameramen, just like here today, someone, there's publicists, there are entertainment attorneys, there are writers, producers, there are just a vast amount of various fields to get in, and don't limit yourself.
Lewis: So this is something, it will continue to be a work in progress?
Williams: Absolutely.
Lewis: Now, as far as financing, I know I'm getting back to that, because in order to get these CDs out and records out, you've got to have the financing. How do you go about getting it?
Williams: I think that you go to friends, you go to family, you go to your pastor, you go to a variety of sources, and you try to convince them to fund you. That's my initial recommendation.
Lewis: Now, we had talked earlier about some of the artists that you represent. Tell us a little bit more about your company and some of the things that you do.
Williams: I've been in the entertainment business since I was in junior high school. I started at Philly International, had an opportunity to see how the great legends did it: Teddy Pendergrass, the O'Jays, Tommy Bell, Linda Creed. I saw the writing rooms, I saw how they just stayed all night in the studio. That was my initial exposure. I then went onto college and I booked some of the talent for my university. Then went on to do a co-op, and I just wrote with a professional manager, that actually lives in this area now, that handled Rose Royce and the Clark Sisters. So I said, hey, let me go on the road for free; I just want to learn the business. Then from there, some of these same artists came to me and said, would you consider signing me? So I formed a company called Matador Artist Management. From then on, I got my first major recording contract with A&M Records, and here I am now.
Lewis: So what types of say, recording or entertainment opportunities are available for folks here in North Carolina, because you usually think of New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, maybe Atlanta if we got a little closer to North Carolina. Are there opportunities here?
Williams: Absolutely. No doubt, the industry is based in L.A. and New York and Nashville in terms of gospel, those are what you would call your hubs. But it's not necessary to live in those cities to be successful. I would tell anyone, make your mark in your own city. They should know you there first. Then you can expand out to L.A. and as long as there's a plane and there's a phone and a fax, it doesn't matter where you are.
Lewis: What are some of the challenges that you see some of the artists going through, especially trying to say, make it to the top of make a name for themselves?
Williams: Support is the key. Fortunately as when I first got involved with Re Re and Matt, I told their parents that I wouldn't do it without their support. And they have great support, they have loving parents that truly care about their children. And just didn't want a paycheck, not trying to use them to better their life. That's the first thing, be sincere in what you're doing. From there, it's a lot of, I would say I would give one advice to an artist, I would say every day greet someone else and let someone else know about your talent. And if you've got one new fan, it's a good day. And if you take that approach you'll always be successful.
Lewis: What about the approach of some artists who feel that maybe they can get in by the coattails of a successful artist. Is that a good idea?
Williams: I mean you do what you can, but the artists are normally not the ones that have the relations and contacts. They're still trying to get their career going. And you see all the time, you see young artists running behind the superstar waiting all night, when they should be running behind the manager or the road manager, they should be running to the radio station in their community. They should be developing relations there. They should be going to the conferences. When I first got started in this business, I would go to a conference and didn't know anyone. I'd be standing on the wall looking kind of silly. And you go to a conference the next time, you see another person. So you introduce yourself to that person. So it's two people standing on the wall silly. And before you know it, three or four years from now, you all know each other and you all are the people involved in this business. So it's networking business and a relationship business.
Lewis: You've got about 20 seconds left before the performance. How do you package Re Re and Matt?
Williams: I think that these are young people, these are what America has been craving for. We want positive children, we want positive song, we want people that have good ethics, role models. Here we are, all in one nutshell.
Lewis: And I thank you for that. And now, without further adieu, Re Re and Matt.
[MUSIC PLAYING] You told me before the foundation of the world, to minister to every man, woman, boy and girl. I'm willing to go because I know who I am, you gave me the power to ____ the land. And I'll go, if you want me to go. There is nothing in this world that I won't do for you, whatever it is Lord, I'll do. Help me do ____ until my job is done, and the victory's been won. So I'll keep on pressing, keep on moving on where you send me Lord, I promise I will go. Lord, I'll go if you want me to, there ain't nothing in this world that I won't do for you, I'll go if you want me to. Wherever it is, Lord, I'll do it for you. Whatever you want, Lord I will do. Whatever it is, I'll do it for you.
Lewis: We've been enjoying the singing talent of Re Re and Matt, a brother and sister duo from Burlington, North Carolina, making a positive music move. I'd like to thank both of them, plus their manager Joe Williams for coming by tonight. If you'd like to learn more about our guests or obtain a copy or transcript of tonight's show, visit us online at www.unctv.org/bif. When you visit, be sure to give us your comments and program suggestions. You can also call us on the BIF line at 919-549-7167. Join us each and every Friday night at 9:30 for more stimulating discussion. For Black Issues Forum, I'm Mitchell Lewis. Good night.
[THEME MUSIC]
Voiceover: This program was made possible by contributions to UNC-TV from viewers like you. Thank you.
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