Microphones Up Guns Down Initiative  Rocks in Western Mass Hello Soul in the City fans and friends! It's so much going on in the world of Soul, but I would like to share something that is very near and dear to my heart...young people! Saving their lives is the heart and soul of my volunteerism! Two programs that I've developed and/or assisted in developing are the "Paul Laurence Dunbar Expressive Writing Workshop" and the "Microphones Up Guns Down Workshop". The latter is an initiative created by entertainer Gerald Kelly and I am so proud to be a part of this movement!!! We visited the city of Springfield MA this past weekend, [October 24th-25th] visiting alternative high school, Springfield Public Day High and Springfield College to talk to at risk teens about conflict resolution and the arts. The whole weekend was a great success and we plan to follow up with the youth to ensure that they continue to stay on track so that they may have a brighter fut

The Big Move I know it's been a while since you've heard from me, but I have good reason...this summer, my family and I stepped out on faith and moved to the City of Soul...(No not Motown). I'm talking about Atlanta, GA. It's a hub for music, with such greats as Usher, Ludacris, TI, TLC (RIP Left Eye), Goodie Mobb and OutKast (congrats on 20 years!!!). Artists like Monica,  Janelle Monae, Xscape and India.Arie, touch my spirit...I can go on [and on] for days, weeks and years, but what I love most is that there is so much undiscovered talent, especially in the genre of Soul and I am in my utopia right now...looking, wanting and needing to consume it all!!! SO, in the words of Ludacris and Jermaine Dupri... I receive it and embrace it with all that I am; and all that I hope to be!!! Until next time, Mara Hunter Signing Off

Get to Know George Tandy, Jr. George Tandy, Jr is marching in civil soulity and is a leader in the Righteous Music Movement. This Virginia native moved to Ft. Lauderdale a few years back to pursue a music career and he found it in a place you wouldn't normally expect to find a Billboard chart topper...at Starbucks! This smooth, clean-cut gentleman is a musical genius that not only can sing someone out of their panties, [as many Luther fans would say], but he also plays several instruments which include the keyboard and piano to compliment this crooner's vocals. Coming from deep musical roots, his father, George Tandy, Sr is a jazz musician and his step-mother, Candi was a vocal coach and artist developer. Tandy, Jr. was known as a hip hop dancer privy to getting his "John Legend" on. His first release, "March" is consistently hitting the airwaves across the country and peaked at #3 on the Billboard R&B charts in March 2014. Tandy'

The Soul of Young Folks As I sit here trying to type my weekend synopsis with an very active 8 month old at bay, I had a revelation as it relates to the soul of young folks...In addition to my baby boy, I have a 15 year old son named Shaq, a genius named Troy, who is 12 and Nya, my beautiful, witty 10 year old daughter. This past weekend, I had the pleasure of spending some one on one QT with each. [I had just return from a week long trip on the other side of the country and so I know that I needed to spend time catching up with them on their academics, activities and don't forgetttt the school gossip/drama scene]...(typos due to the baby). We all decided this past weekend would be 'movie weekend'. So, what I discovered about my children over this course of time was this...the movies that they chose reflected their personality, heart and the very essence of who they are. The true soul of my babies came through as we watched each selected pick. First up on Friday

L.A. L.A. the Big City of Dreams As I arrived to LAX just a few days ago to meet my fiancee, Gerald. I stepped off the plane into a land of opportunity, a land where diverse meetings of minds, beautiful people and the sunshine meet. I was greeted with a kiss, meetings about screenplays, movies and development of brands with Hunter Kelly Entertainment. Being with the love of my life, I admire his work and his work ethic. This man is a beast in the comedy world and I was so blessed to be in the midst of some of his biggest moments and even more is yet to come!!!! I had to drop a quick note as I sit in our hotel room in Hollywood. We're so thankful to God for all that he is doing in our lives and the lives of our children. SOUL is truly in the CITY and I'm elated and humbled to do what I do and for it to be blessed!!! XOXO Mara Hunter P.S. Stay tuned for my interview with R&B Crooner and one of my favorite artists in Soul, Dwele!!!

A Salute to House Icon Frankie Knuckles  Born Frankie Warren Knuckles Jr. on January 18, 1955, the Boogie Down Bronx   native moved to Chi-Town and jumped right into the DJ scene early on, going on to rock the Warehouse, a famed club in Chicago for many years before opening his own Power Planet establishment. Working with Chicago producer and DJ Chip E, Knuckles released his first recording “You Can't Hide” which kicked off his career. Earning the nickname “The Godfather Of House Music,” Knuckles' contributions to the genre grew from that point on and he found success as a sought after DJ who secured residency stints at some of the world's most prestigious dance clubs. In the late 1980s, Knuckles partnered with Judy Weinstein's Def Mix Productions and worked alongside David Morales, Satoshi Tomiie and Hector Romero. In 1991, Knuckles' major label debut  Beyond The Mix  featured his most popular single “ The Whistle Song ” and sparked a spate of remix a