Upcoming Projects
The photo above is a picture of The Dealers, an enormously talented group from Memphis, TN. They were most active in the late 70s and 80s. As a matter of fact, they were signed to CBS Records when Michael Jackson was there at his peak. What's my association with The Dealers? Well, one of the lead singers is my mother, and her brothers (my uncles) were also the founding members.
To make a long story short, The Dealers never caught their break, although they were the opening act for many well known performers such as Marvin Gaye, Kool and The Gang, Marvin Gaye, Eddie Kendricks, The Bar-Kays, The Four Tops, and countless others. I've decided to write a book about these talented individuals. It would be a travesty if their story was never told. My earliest memories are touring the United States and Canada with them. Their music had the electric funk of 1980s Prince, with the melodies of Stevie Wonder and the flash of Michael Jackson. They also wrote and produced their own tracks.
Although I'm writing about my family, I'm approaching this the way I would anything else I would write. My descriptive writing style will be in full form, and since I won't be restricted to AP style the way I am for newspapers/media, I'll have free reign. Readers will be able to see a side of my writing that they've never seen before and I'm anxious for people to witness that. I expect to have the book published and released before the end of the year. Here is one of The Dealers' signature songs, Don't Keep Me Waiting, written by their drummer Ricky Townes. My mother Pametra Dugger sings the lead vocals here.
To make a long story short, The Dealers never caught their break, although they were the opening act for many well known performers such as Marvin Gaye, Kool and The Gang, Marvin Gaye, Eddie Kendricks, The Bar-Kays, The Four Tops, and countless others. I've decided to write a book about these talented individuals. It would be a travesty if their story was never told. My earliest memories are touring the United States and Canada with them. Their music had the electric funk of 1980s Prince, with the melodies of Stevie Wonder and the flash of Michael Jackson. They also wrote and produced their own tracks.
Although I'm writing about my family, I'm approaching this the way I would anything else I would write. My descriptive writing style will be in full form, and since I won't be restricted to AP style the way I am for newspapers/media, I'll have free reign. Readers will be able to see a side of my writing that they've never seen before and I'm anxious for people to witness that. I expect to have the book published and released before the end of the year. Here is one of The Dealers' signature songs, Don't Keep Me Waiting, written by their drummer Ricky Townes. My mother Pametra Dugger sings the lead vocals here.
If you like this and wanna hear more, visit their facebook page and click the "Band Profile" tab to preview more of their tracks. The Dealers have a story of ups and downs that you wouldn't believe, and it's coming your way later in the year. Visit their facebook page or contact me for more information. www.facebook.com/dealersband
MMA Clarksville
The wife and I will be moving to Nashville in the fall. Not only is it closer to the TN Tribune (my main job) but there's more opportunities there. With the exception of Clarksville Now and Clarksville Family, I've written everywhere there is to write in Clarksville. This town isn't exactly buzzing with journalism hot spots. Things have been going great at the TN Tribune, where I regularly write front page articles. (I've been writing there for almost three years). But the freelance options here in Clarksville are limited.
However, after talking to my good friend Lois Jones, I realized that no one in town is covering the Mixed Martial Arts scene. We've got professional fighters that train right here in the city at SSF Submission Academy, owned by Ron Daley, a former fighter. But they don't get any press. Kind of strange, especially since some of them are fighting at top level shows like XFC and Strikeforce. I'll be keeping the Clarksville community updated on these fighters with my work for The Clarksville Sports Network and Clarksville Online. Also, I keep an eye out for any big events, important people or businesses in the city that I can write about. News, features, sports, education, politics, health, etc. I've done it all and I'll continue to cover it all. My diversity is a blessing. I like freelancing because I'm not tied down to a specific beat.
OK, now I'm rambling. lol. Anyway, it looks like I'll be keeping busy this summer working on the book, Clarksville's fight scene, and other eye catching news. I'm also trying out examiner.com. I've heard that some people make a lot of money by writing for this site. You never know unless you try, right? Take a look at some of the articles I've written so far.
http://www.examiner.com/community-in-nashville/a-j-dugger
However, after talking to my good friend Lois Jones, I realized that no one in town is covering the Mixed Martial Arts scene. We've got professional fighters that train right here in the city at SSF Submission Academy, owned by Ron Daley, a former fighter. But they don't get any press. Kind of strange, especially since some of them are fighting at top level shows like XFC and Strikeforce. I'll be keeping the Clarksville community updated on these fighters with my work for The Clarksville Sports Network and Clarksville Online. Also, I keep an eye out for any big events, important people or businesses in the city that I can write about. News, features, sports, education, politics, health, etc. I've done it all and I'll continue to cover it all. My diversity is a blessing. I like freelancing because I'm not tied down to a specific beat.
OK, now I'm rambling. lol. Anyway, it looks like I'll be keeping busy this summer working on the book, Clarksville's fight scene, and other eye catching news. I'm also trying out examiner.com. I've heard that some people make a lot of money by writing for this site. You never know unless you try, right? Take a look at some of the articles I've written so far.
http://www.examiner.com/community-in-nashville/a-j-dugger
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