GROWING UP IN TSOP

by BRUCE HAWES

INTRO:

JULY 29, 2009

Growing Up In The Sound Of Philadelphia

From the Inside Out (Not formally edited)

Author: Bruce A. Hawes

Dedication:

This book is dedicated to my parents Horace Hawes and Miriam Elizabeth (Sadie) Hawes and my daughter Bianca Hawes and my grandson Carmine and all of the men and women that I have met and worked with throughout my long career. Each person, whether mentioned or not in this book, is not forgotten. They have all played a vital role in my life. There are too many to mention but I personally like to at least thank the Engineers of Sigma Sound Studios for being there for me as I grew up in The Sound Of Philadelphia.

A Special dedication to the people that contributed and made it possible for me to have a career, 'The Sound Of Philadelphia Family.'

Introduction:

It was in the month of June ...and the year was 1968. I had just completed choir rehearsal for “Schools on Parade” at the Civic Center in Philadelphia. I was a member of the All City Junior High School Choir. Afterwards, I met my sister Deborah, at the end of her rehearsal of the All City Senior High School Choir. 

The Senior Choir rehearsal was still going on at Girl’s High School of Philadelphia. However, the end of rehearsal was delayed by Dr. Alaferris dissertation on the importance of emotions carrying you through to a successful performance, or success in life.

He exclaimed, “Once you reach the point where you feel you have no more to give, you must dig deep within yourself and ask, "Will I fall short of my goal of success?" If you believe within yourself that you are a winner, it doesn’t matter if your body is weary and you’re almost out of breath. DON'T panic! Stay calm. Your second wind is about to kick in if you want it!”

With that being said, he lifted his conductor’s wand ever so gracefully, and “Five Hundred Voices,” sang to me. I nearly fell into the back row of seats against the wall of the auditorium. With my eyes wide open, I saw a vision of myself traveling ... driving expensive cars. I saw myself at work in my soon to be near future. I spent the next three years training myself in piano composition and theory. I did not formally study music theory until 1987.

I have been blessed with countless Gold and Platinum records in almost every country in the world. For the past twenty years, I have been applying my ability to learn and absorb information and utilizing it to represent myself in copyright law. My goal is to take my career to the next level based on my life experience. I have written 278 published copyrights. Many are considered classics.

At 56 years young, I am still reaching deep within to accomplish another successful performance in my life, with this book as an author. I still hear Dr. Alaferris words in the back of my mind.  I am using his same approach now in completing this book.

Conclusion

I was a young man engulfed in a world all his own. Without being aware or knowing it, I was oblivious to anything or anyone that was not a part of the music. I never thought of myself as rude or non-attentive or as many people said, On the Inside I was never malicious or hesitant or unconfident.

“You are not sensitive to other people’s feelings,” people were always telling me. What were they talking about? I was and still am, always busy! I am busy creating and envisioning music. Now books and script writing have been added to my menu.

Sometimes and often in our lives, in our endeavors, and in my case, I have tried to achieve many things and sometimes I have tried too hard with my music and productions...
My career course included working with the new and inexperienced type of artist and many famous and incredible singers and performers...

You know there will always be another fresh, enthusiastic and uncertain new comer who possess what ever gifts and talents that they may have. Yes! They are very green. They are the new kids on the block.

Welcome them with a hearty and warm “The Sound of Philadelphia” type of welcome. My life has lead me to a smorgasbord of such talented and talent less individuals throughout my career to this day.  This includes the very powerful vocalist; the tone death but enthusiastic youngster; as well as the one with a lot of potential but really are not in touch with themselves as an artist.

In all of the cases, my job was to get a finished product. So, being fully trained and professionally instructed in my profession, I wouldn't hesitate to do what I had to. I know what my instincts would tell me to say to get the job done. So perhaps I was not always aware of everything that was going on inside the minds of everyone that I was working with. "Mind reading" was not a part of my job description.

So sometimes it was like; “Awe man! I hurt your feelings while I was instructing you? I had no idea!” I was just trying to get the job done "Get over it! I am working here! Please forgive me if I don't stop to kiss your butt while I'm teaching you."

Who ever said that I was a mean and uncaring didn't know me or spend much time with me. How could they have implied or said I was mean or I intentionally hurt their feelings being like that "What? When I was working with and coaching you?" Hmm? I was truly in the moment and I am sorry!

Whether it was a song or a vocalist; I would mold or shape their styling abilities. If they truly had some abilities and sometimes even if they didn't. I still took time with them I seemed to have had a knack for focusing in on their skills and sharpening them all of the time. Some began under developed, but had skills. This gift of musical instinct was the way it was from the beginning of my career even now; nearly 37 years later professionally. After all these years, I still have the same approach today. As I am working this remains in my heart. With each project I remain hopeful and mindfully grounded.

I believe that I am somewhat down to earth. Except for, after so many kicks in the pants from behind my back, I have absolutely no doubt that people that have minimal talent, are basically sneaky and deceptive. "The greedy and needy have a tendency to be grubby." This is my motto. Yet, please know this; I still haven’t changed in my heart. I really want to believe that people are good natured.

Because of my innocence and naivete I was a victim of countless opportunistic people who profited from my work or my associations. However, repeatedly, the music industry keeps breeding these parasites who want to suck the life out of you so that they may live. “But what about me,” you might ask? “Good luck with that,” they’re actions will be telling you.

As teenager, I began composing and working with voices and groups and choirs all performing my own personal brand of music. Yes, I have my own personalized style. You will notice this when you hear my songs, perhaps on the radio. I have recorded and written for many different types of artist; and you still will notice that there is a familiarity to the songs you just heard. Even if it was the first time you ever heard one my songs. That is why I answer my phone with this personalized coined phrase. “Bruce Hawes. The One and Only!”

As I began developing my skills as a Writer/Producer/Artist/Arranger and Author, at a tender age of 14, there were a variety of artist in my circle of friends and family. My cousin Kim writes Plays. She also began her career young starting as a poetess.

My brother Darryl Anthony-Hawes was a member of Babyface’s group discovery, Az Yet. This was the perfect training ground for what would turned out to be a long career that has not ended yet.

For example I recently received a call from Kenny Gamble. I was returning home to Florida after another artist development project and music industry experience. Yes, I am still here growing up (In the Industry)! While walking down the boarding ramp my cell phone rang. Ring…ring …ring. “The One and Only,” I answered! “Bruce how are you doing,” Kenny asked me? Kenny Gamble was on the phone. He is a welcomed voice and one of my longest and dearest friends.

“Hey! Kenny,” I inquired?” “. What’s going on,” he asked? “I am getting on a plane for home. You know I’ve been in town.” 

You see what I mean reader? If you have remained the same, as I have after nearly forty years as a professional and fifty-three years in all including being a performer, another door always opens. Oh yea! I forgot to mention earlier; I began performing at the age 3.

The keyword here is “Consistency.” I have always been a model of consistency in my efforts and endeavors. I have always pushed myself so subsequently; those who I have worked with have been pushed. That is my true nature. Stretching, pushing, and staying sharp. It has kept me going and has kept me in the business. BEING CONSISTENT WILL HELP YOU TOO!

As I grew up in what we call, “The Sound of Philadelphia,” I have come across many upstart type of projects. Many have started and very few have not been finished. As my friend, Kenny wrote in a song, “Only The Strong Survive.” and “Survival of the Fittest.” another song he also wrote.

I remember working with a young man in the studio in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. We had worked all day long, his girl friend was calling, and I was at the console of this man studio punching him on queue at various lines. In the midst of a long held note, I just stopped the music and hit the talk back button. The reason was because it was torture for me knowing that at one point he sounded superior and suddenly he lost his desire to concentrate on his performance.

With a sharp tone but always well intended, I shouted out to him, “No. No!  You have got to control that note. You’re flat below the pitch. Focus and concentrate on your voice while you are doing it” He softly replied, “I understand. I can do this! I can do this," he replied.  Yes I know you can I thought to myself. But will your girlfriend let you?

I had another thought while I waited for the young man; "This is a sweet and hard working young man. He can take it. This boy is going to make it." Years later he did.

As the night got later and later, his girlfriend was calling and calling. She would wait a while and then call again! I kept pushing, pushing, and prodding him on. Until finally during a play back, the young man just broke down and cried.

I was shocked and startled and impressed by this young man. He softly whimpered and uttered one last time that night, “I can do this! “ Well as it turns out, the young man who will remain nameless did do it, and he did the song so very well. Indeed! Yes, I knew then that night; and what he what he also learned that night was that he could do this, (This business of music). All in all, not every artist that I worked with has fared as well in his or her individual careers as that young man did..

Some didn’t even understand what I was trying to offer them when I spent hours agonizing about their careers or skills. Often there was no compensation. A lot of times, artist would know more than I could teach them. Not literally. However, to hear it from them, they would not respond at times to a suggestion of mine that would come in moment of inspiration.

Other times I might have suggested that they complete their phrase or thought of theirs in a different way than they wrote on their lyric sheet. But somehow, in their minds; they were loosing credit for their lyrics.

One time a young guy would reply "Yea! Yea;" like a cheering squad on the sidelines squealing enthusiastically to my help and input. Every time I re-wrote and changed a line for him who needed my help, he would respond every time, and I mean every time, sincere and grateful. If nothing more than the words, thank you, I felt appreciated for my giving of my talent to him.

With another young talent, each line and thought that was offered to amend and improve this young persons' work was accepted hesitantly. Yea! Yea! I thought of that too, but changed it. I thought of that idea earlier. Yea!" this young talent joyfully announced. But as the song finally began to shape up his enthusiastic replies started to amuse me inside. "Well, OK. Alright already! I get it, you're happy with the changes,” I said to myself. You see, some people just can’t help themselves. They all will either turn it around in a positive way or they will not.

Still, there were so many of them. Yet, I always have enjoyed the long hours that it took to make them into an artist. I have worked with many who would later become one of the greats in this entertainment industry. “Only the Strong survive." as the song goes. Veterans in the music industry have also called me to re-mix recorded tracks for them as well in these years. So I sit and play tracks over and over; listening for that defining element that lies within the music. So if you see me sitting alone, it might appear that I am doing nothing., but let it be told, this is not the case with, “The One and Only.”

For just like my adopted Dad, Lee Smith said to me once, Bruce remember this: "If you see me sitting in this chair, I am on the job!" Yes, this man; "The One And Only" is working here and growing here. Whenever I get the chance to think and have some time alone, I will always try to create and make something good happen. Always!

Just like Maurice White said in the song, “It’s All About Love,” and I quote; “If There Ain’t No Beauty You’ve Got To Make Some Beauty."  Yes, this book is all about what I truly love; (This business of Music). After writing this I can hear in my head, the words of my neighbor replying to what I had written. I ask you, can you imagine this eighty-year old southern church woman saying these words to me after reading this:

- Bruce Hawes