Ellington

From bands that don't speak English to the return of "big-boned cats," Jackson native and half of the Compositionz management duo, Michael Robinson, 32, takes us on a musical stroll.

What drew you to music?
My grandfather was in one of the first recognized gospel groups, called the Heavenly Gospels. He and my father have inspired me the most.

What sparked your fascination with performance?
No. It was my fifth-grade talent show for Black History Month. I did a routine to "Billie Jean" by Michael Jackson. I had curl activator in my hair. I had on high waters, brand new white socks, so they would glow, and black patent leather shoes. I only watched the Motown 25 special 18 million times. That's when the bug bit me.

You sing at Hamp's Place on Wednesday nights. How did that come about?
In 1992, I sang background for Dorothy Moore, most known for "Misty Blue." It came out in the '70s. I became one of Hamp's solo features in 1999.

How did you become the Compositionz' music manager?
Well, one of the members is my god brother. We all went to JSU together. We were all good friends. We had that musical connection. I had consulted a number of artists in the past. They just asked me to manage them. It was a trust issue. I had no more experience than them. I'll tell anybody that I ain't P. Diddy. I can't promise you anything. That's my motto.

What is the first show you remember?
It was a fashion show at Thalia Mara; Bridget Archer produced it. We took whatever we could back then. We didn't have a band, so we just played tracks. We all know that it's hard to get love from the home crowd. The response from the crowd was amazing. They received us with open arms.

And now?
It's been five years. We've made milestones. Last year we had 45 dates out of 52. We played Las Vegas twice, the Billboard Magazine Showcase in Atlanta and released our own CD. We're on the charts in Amsterdam at No. 7. We're played in Japan, France and London.

What has been your hardest show?
The hardest show was in Las Vegas, New Years Eve 2003. The venue didn't want us to bring our own band, so we had to book a band that was there. The entire band was Filipino. One or two out of the group spoke decent English. They had a sheet of paper with exact instructions for the show that they had to go by. We couldn't deviate in any way. They didn't understand our cues. It was the funniest show.

What inspires you to do this everyday?
I want Compositionz to gain exposure in Europe and Japan. I want them to be so successful that their job as musicians is their only job.

What do you hope to see from Mississippi artists as a whole?
I want to see artists from Mississippi really make it big. I want to see Mississippi get the respect it deserves. I've been all over the country. I have seen other artists at work. The work ethic is not as good as the artists here in Mississippi.

If you could work with anybody in the industry, who would it be?
Gerald Levert. He brought big-boned cats back in style. I love his musical style. When he sings, its real. He's telling you like it is.

What would you tell someone interested in breaking into the music business?
It takes a lot of patience and integrity. I would tell them that this is one of the most crooked businesses you could be a part of. In the music business you will get screwed. It's just up to you whether or not they use Vaseline. Everything is a learning experience. Read books and get everything on paper! Have a genuine love for the people you're working with/for; that way you genuinely want to see them succeed.

Where can we see Compositionz next?
The Two Rivers Gala, sponsored by Tougaloo, will be at the Jackson Medical Mall on April 1.

Previous Comments

ID

63750

Comment

It's been a few years since I spoke with Robinson, but he takes his work with the guys seriously. They have worked hard over the years and are starting to see the fruit of their labor. From having seen them live and the way the audience responds to them, they will be gaining fans for many years to come.

Author

c a webb

Date

2006-02-23T00:16:45-06:00