Lighten up, smile-let the sun shine in

Let’s Do Better

Brenda Robinson

Spring came late to Fort Wayne this year. April and May were filled with record low temperatures and rainfall. Most of May was damp and chilly. Due to a 91-degree temperature on May 31, to balance out the low temperatures (35 degrees on May 5), a record was not set for low spring temperatures. However, May, 2011 is now in the record books as the soggiest— 10.17 inches of rain fell, surpassing the previous record of 8.8 inches set in May of 1991. During the cloudy, rainy days of spring, phrases like “when will the rain stop,” “when will the sun shine,” dominated our conversations.

Yet, summer came early to Fort Wayne this year. Although summer officially began June 21, in early June temperatures hovered in the 90s. The June 7 temperature, 97 degrees, and the June 8 temperature, 96 degrees, broke 15-year records. Now, we hear phrases like, “it’s hot, but I won’t complain,” “I’m thankful for the sun.”

Now, where am I going with this weather talk? Some researchers have concluded sunny weather makes people more upbeat, more positive, and generally more pleasant toward one another. What a difference this summer would make if all of us would “buy into” this sunny weather equates to a sunny mood.

Some people have already surrendered to the summer sun. While driving through the neighborhood last week, teenage males were doing the dougie in the streets. They blocked traffic, yet the drivers didn’t seem to mind. The drivers smiled, the kids danced about two minutes, followed by their laughter as they directed, like traffic cops, the drivers passed the remaining dancers. Young mothers, pushing their babies in strollers, walked the boulevards, stopping to chat with passing pedestrians, and smiles were flowing as if they were required. Elderly men sat on the porch of a storefront, waving as drivers passed and the drivers acknowledged the greeting with honking of horns. And, finally the children, hundreds of them were seen in parks, in yards, walking the streets, in the streets, riding bikes, shooting basketball, playing football, skate boarding, and believe it or not, still playing tag. The children’s activities indicated some kids still play—every child neither spends every day on the computer nor playing video games.

I suspect the happiness portrayed by the children and adults were not signaling their lives were problem free. The happiness merely meant they were committed to joining the natural forces of positive thinking and output during the sunny days of summer.

Alex Boyd Let's His 'Light' Shine in NYC » SOULBOUNCE.COM

The Rose Club at the Plaza Hotel in New York City is perhaps one of the swankiest bars you could ever see. It overlooks the the lobby of the famed hotel and is draped in extravagant fabrics. The sophisticated lounge chairs are upholstered in soft velvet, a Persian rug covers the main floor and the drinks are just as expensive as the place looks. In other words, it was the perfect setting for up-and-comer -- and Bounce-Worthy artist -- Alex Boyd to deliver a career-making performance.

Upon hearing his first single and seeing his appearance, I was ready to put him in the same neat, blue-eyed soul box as other fair-skinned soul singers, like most probably would be. However, I would have been dead wrong. After seeing him perform, he definitely comes off as the type of singer who prides himself on not just worshiping at one musical altar, but following multiple influences to lead to his own unique sound. As if to prove this, Alex took the stage after a brief introduction and lit into the soulful "Butterfly." Dressed in all black, he and the band handled the performance like he had been in the business for decades. The song, laced with organ, keys, and a tight horn section, bounced along nicely and provided a good warm up for the eager crowd. He worked the audience a bit more, segueing into his single "Light Up Tonight" (which he would go on to perform on his television debut the following Saturday).The song had the feel of Maroon 5 at their best with its slight pop-rock leaning chorus, but his voice kept the song firmly planted in a traditional soul sound. After seeing that he had the audience in his control, he quickly began the tender ballad "One Day at a Time." Here, his vocal, simple and restrained, let the earnestness of the song's lyrics shine even against the lush organ and horns vying for equal attention. After that, he gave the band a bit of a break as he strapped on his own guitar and began a story about the next song, "Between the Lines." Boyd told the crowd that the song was written in LA when he was 19 and going through a moment of self doubt. The song's lyrics and melody would appeal to any quarter-lifer trying to establish their identities. In fact, the song was so good by itself that I can't imagine what Common , who will appear on the song's album version, could possibly add to it.

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