I believe that it was in early March, 2002, that Dr. D. (David Musial, got that as a nick name from Biddy "Q" Valdez, Musial complete his Doctorate courses and "Q" often sat in on a music producing course), expressed that the United Nations is hosting a World Health Day at the Liberty Science Center (across from the Statue of Liberty) in Jersey City, and that MJ are featured to have four concerts; two concerts per day, about a half hour each. None of this would have happened if David had not been out with MJ, Terrain, and Danilo shooting the video for their latest song, Brave New American Heroes. It will be world premiered at the first concert on Saturday, April 6th 2002. Before I continue, I must say that I feel privileged to be a part of this!
Manny and Joy have studied vocal performance with the late, Mario Lisanti who also has taught many incredible opera enthusiasts like Phoebe Snow. They have also studied with Terry Taylor, who had sung with Celine Dion, Lenny Kravitz, and Prince. MJ's choreographer, Danilo Sobers had taught Mariah Carey, Boys II Men, JaRoule, Lil' Kim, and L.L. Cool J! They are in association with "Mundo Maravilla Artist Relations' from Beverly Hills, California who specialize in movie star development like Santiago Douglas, who performs with MJ on their all of their albums including their new CD, "Go With The Flo". The Spanish chorus of the song "I Need You/Te Necesito" will be used in his new movie, "Punto 45".
The Alliance for Justice has chosen MJ's version of "Take A Stand" for a video that will be sent to high schools all over the nation this year.
In November of 2001, MJ worked on a television commercial pilot for A Partnership for A Drug Free New Jersey called "Wrap It Up". It features MJ and their family with a new song they wrote for the spot, although it starts with MJ singing "We, Are, Drug, Free!" at a massive arena concert, sold out to 16,000!
In 1995, David Musial (MJ's Executive Producer) was chosen to produce a song titled "Spread Peace All Over The World", by Linda Pepper, Stone & Mullen from England. At the young age of eight, Manny sang in the chorus of this song. A music video was shot at Niagara Falls (but never completed), The United Nations used this song for their 50th anniversary. David was asked to write the theme to the soundtrack for the "Fight For Your Rights: Take A Stand Against Violence" enhanced CD campaign in 1998. It was to be funded by the United States Department of Education and Justice, designed by Ms. Donna Crawford the National Center for Conflict Resolution Education, technology provided by Dr. Yaz Shehab, and to be dispersed for free throughout the nation, promoted by MTV! The Backstreet Boys, Lauryn Hill, Dave Matthews Band, Alanis Morisette, Tori Amos, Method Man, Beastie Boys, and Green Day contributed songs to this CD. The campaign won an Emmy in 1999. MJ have re-recorded an updated version, which they use for many of their concerts including their "D.A.R.E." events and is highly liked by the audience. This song can be found on the "Go With The Flo" eCD, along with a remake of the song "Babe" by "STYX", and their incredible title track "Go With The Flo", which MJ co-wrote with Luis Castillo. Castillo, a blazing Latino producer has worked with the Howard Stern Radio Show, at the Hit Factory in New York City with such notables like Whitney Houston, Baby Face, Prince, Brian McKnight and also Mariah Carey.
Luis and GG Medina are MJ's parents. I think that it is phenomenal how supportive they are towards their kids' careers. Luis and GG are at every rehearsal and every concert they give. GG used to be an actress but put her career "on hold" to have children. Now she uses the knowledge that she has and teaches it to Manny and Joy. Behind the scenes, they help out in any way possible. From coaching in all ways, making CD's, doing promotions, balancing the dancers, catering and even driving MJ and crew to their local performances. It definitely shows that all they want is for their kids to succeed with positive messages!
Mr. Richard Woelfle, a friend of David's has helped MJ tremendously! He has been a cameraman, video editor, MJ promoter, and a technical assistant. He has also assembled sound systems for MJ performances, helped as a web master and has just supported MJ in any way possible, simply because he believes in them. David helped his son Michael with an apprenticeship and Michael helped MJ make voices for the "Yokies" cartoon series! He did all of this while his father was slowly dying; of course, his father was his first priority.
On April 17, 2001, the New Jersey D.A.R.E. organization invited MJ to perform "We, Are, Drug, Free!" and "Take A Stand: Stop The Violence" for a convention hall filled with D.A.R.E. Officers at the Bally's resort in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Their hard labor was rewarded with loud clapping and a standing ovation from all of the adults. They were overwhelmed with requests by officers to come to their D.A.R.E. events. Many suggested that the song "We, Are, Drug, Free!" become an anthem for D.A.R.E. One W.A.M. (One World Artists, Music, Media & Management) has received 30 to 50 appearance requests from this event alone. It was here that MJ were introduced to "A Partnership For A Drug Free New Jersey".
2001 MJ Medina highlights...
¥ May 8th, 2001, MJ were interviewed on the talk show "Jersey's Talking"
¥ May 11th, 2001, MJ performed at a D.A.R.E. convention in Sparta, New Jersey. This was also Manny's 15th birthday.
¥ May 24th, 2001, MJ performed for a crowd of 11,000 at the PNC Bank Arts Center for the Smart-T Jamboree. MJ had 15 dancers on stage with them.
¥ June 7th, 2001, MJ performed for Little Falls, New Jersey. Within the first 10 minutes, over 50 teens requested MJ's CD with the song "We, Are, Drug, Free!" on it. Hundreds asked for autographs.
¥ June 10th, 2001, MJ gave two concerts at the Jersey City Music Fest in front of the #1 radio station in the nation!
¥ June 11th, 2001, MJ performed for a D.A.R.E. graduation at Asbury Park, New Jersey. Their performance was so well received hat MJ had to do three encores of the song "Skate Dance" and signed hundreds of autographs!
¥ June 18th, 2001, MJ were featured (FULL PAGE with COLOR photos) in the Jersey Journal newspaper. This was their SECOND feature in this paper!
¥ June 24th, 2001, MJ sang the Spanglish version of the song "I Need You/Te Necesito" with an actor from the Sopranos and the star of the Sony Motion Picture, Girl Fight, Santiago Douglas at the International Latino Music
Festival, held in Hoboken, New Jersey. MJ also sang En Mis Brasos (In My Arms) and Subliminal Techno.
¥ July 27th, 2001, MJ received the 1st place award for most hits on the websites for the Network Of Cities Group. They received 500,000 hits since October 2000 on NetworkManhattan.com.
¥ July 28th, 2001, MJ attended the National D.A.R.E. Convention in the L.A. Convention Center.
MJ are also actors. Manny has starred in performance of Fame and Grease in the New York City area. Joy also had a supporting role in these shows. MJ have also been coached in vocal and acting by Roger Ansanelli, who often
appears on Saturday Night Live. They sing the theme song to 3 cartoons already! (The Yokies, Beachdog and Tombik and B.B.) and have acted as voice characters in over 100 cartoons for the Yokies, Magica & Beachdog. They are also the featured artists on the song Frosty the Snowman for a new Christmas CD and are featured in the song Brand New Key on the Kid Power CD that is on the Turn Up The Music-Drew's Famous Party Music record label. (Drewsfamous.com).
MJ Medina has made numerous appearances in the Western New York area.
On October 17th, 2000, they performed for the Red Ribbon Rally in Buffalo,
New York, which had between 16,000 and 18,000 young people! They have
made many appearances in the WNY schools and have also appeared at Spinners
in West Seneca,, New York and at Orchard Park Roller Rink, Orchard Park,
New York as well as the Eastern Hills and Depew rinks. They have been
interviewed live on STAR 102.5 FM, at "drive time" which is
radio "Prime Time", they have been on ABC, CBS & NBS New
TV Show affiliates and even been on "AM Buffalo" a very famous
Western new York State TV
show, twice!
Since I learned of the event at the Liberty Science Center, a lot has
happened. First, it didn't make since that they'd perform there. Then
I found out that the U.N. was sponsoring a World Health Day. It made sense
for MJ to perform at the L.S.C. because the songs "Every Thing's
A Blur" and "A Pack of Lies" are anti smoking and alcohol.
However, the preparation for these concerts was immense! We spent about
two days creating CD covers and CDs. The night before (Friday), I attended
the rehearsal. MJ had twenty or so of their dancers with them, under instruction
of Danilo Sobers. Danilo was amazing! He would not let anyone in any way
slack off, even though they had been rehearsing for 3 hours! I was impressed
by how serious everyone was taking this! However, Thursday night (two
days before MJ's first concert at the Liberty Science Center), I had the
privilege of meeting Billy Atwell, the man who played the instruments
for the song "Everything's A Blur." (David created the demo
and steered him in the direction from the references that my friend Karen
and I provided... how cool is that! we are consultants!) When David finished
mixing and tweeking the song A Pack Of Lies, Joy's first comment about
it was that, "It sounds like Kid Rock!" Here's what Excel (Terrain
Filmore) said about it. "I think that the video sets a good tone
for the message that MJ wants to project during this event. I really liked
the editing, I also thought it had a comic twist at the end."
Danilo Sobers is MJ's stage manager and master choreographer. Danilo has
worked with stars such as Mariah Carey, Boys II Men, and L.L. Cool J,
Ja Rule, R. Kelly, Pink, and Jay-Z! Knowing this man's credentials, I
was in awe when I first met him! It was the coolest thing to be just hanging
out at a rehearsal with a guy who has associated with major performers!
After I collected myself and was able to actually have a conversation
with him, I had the opportunity to find out a bit of what he is like.
From my personal experience, Danilo is definitely someone who enjoys having
fun to the
fullest. Good humor and playful sarcasm follow him wherever he goes. Along
with the "non-business" side of Danilo comes the "business"
side of him. When the rehearsal started I learned quickly just how seriously
he takes his profession. Right away his mood shifted to almost "drill
sergeant", making the rehearsal seem like boot camp. (Fun boot camp!)
This might sound as if it's a bad thing. I don't think it is.
Without the discipline that MJ get from Danilo, they would be nowhere near where they are today. Excelª (Terrain Filmore) has spent 4 years dancing for MJ. Not only does he continue to dance for them but too is a vocal artist. Excelª is on the SkateDanceª album with MJ and is developing his own HipHop career. He also joins MJ in their latest song, "Brave New American Heroes". Billy "Q" Valdez has helped produce some of MJ's songs. He also joins them in "Brave New American Heroes", as well as in "U B U", "Baggy Pants" and "We, Are, Drug Free", (Spread Peace) too. MJ Medina have been interviewed live on Telemundo, Channel 47, the Spanish network in the NYC, "Tri-State" region. It was interesting how the whole thing started. Dave and I were attending a memorial service in Hoboken, across from the Empire State Building area of NYC, to honor the Port Authority Officers who lost their lives in the September 11th tragedy. From all the walking, (which I'm not used to doing because I live in the suburbs) my shoelace became untied. As I sat on a bench to tie it, Dave got very impatient and decided to run up ahead. He noticed an "unmarked" media van a few feet away, and approached it. He discovered that it belonged to "Telamundo, Channel 47". After talking with the driver, he acquired the name of the Entertainment Reporter, "Odalys Molina". Later on when we arrived back at the studio, he called her and told her what MJ are all about. She was very excited by all of their achievements, called David and said that she wanted to interview them! Wednesday, April 3rd, 2002, MJ Medina was interviewed live on Telemundo, Channel 47.
These are Excelª's (Terrain Filmore) personal feelings about the shooting of Brave New American Heroes. "We shot the video in down town Jersey City in Liberty State ParkÉit was insanely cold, but definitely interesting. Later on we went to ground zero, Dave talked to the police officers, and when they realized the message we were embracing, they let us through to the 'observation deck'. People watching were in awe of what MJ were doing. The vibe was something amazing. Before we went to NYC, we went to the Liberty Science Center to meet with the directors. I've been there many times and have seen people perform there also. I suggested that we shoot a scene for the song in front of the stained glass window of the Statue of Liberty. Finally, I was impressed with the end product. I'm happy to be involved with the whole thing. It's an honor." When MJ performed Brave New American Heroes for the first time at the Liberty Science Center, people definitely noticed them. This song is a tribute to all of the victims of the September 11th tragedy. Everyone there was affected by what happened, no doubt about that. The people that I interviewed afterwards were moved by the message. In fact, one particular woman, I'll never forget, said that she was pleased to see young people like MJ express an optimistic outlook on the recent events. She also said that she was pleased to see young musical talent head down the road that they are, so to speak.
About three days before MJ's concert at the LSC, the coordinator of the event called the studio and said that they didn't want MJ to sing the "Skate Dance" songs. Dave was perplexed because it was this song that got them the invitation to perform for the UN's World Health Day Celebration! After a long discussion of how the "Skate Dance" songs help children tie "fun" into message music concerts, the coordinators decided that they sh
One day before the concert, Dave had me running to make about 300 or so
copies of CD covers and promotional posters for the concerts the following
days. While I was doing that (and when I had finished), Dave was calling
all sorts of national media sources which he hoped would be interested
in knowing about MJ's performances at the Liberty Science Center, since
it was a United Nations related event. He spent hours on the phone talking
to other executives explaining what it is that MJ are doing. As I sad
previously, the time and effort that goes into making each concert the
best that it can be is immeasurable!
On the Friday evening before the first Liberty Science Center concert,
I was at the last major rehearsal, which originally was going to decide
which dancers were going to dance with MJ or not. However, after witnessing
how excellent everyone was performing, David and Danilo (MJ's stage manager),
decided that no one was being cut. That "problem", as I have
learned, is something that happens in this business. The time and effort
that goes into creating promotional posters, editing video, and making
CD's is immeasurable! I believe the only way to truly understand how insane
this business can get, is to witness it for yourself. It's next to impossible
for me to describe it. For me, the feeling that I get when I see all of
the chaos is a total rush. It's exciting to know that you're running around
like crazy, helping out in any way possible to make each concert the best
that it can be. It's a feeling of, not just excitement, but euphoria,
knowing that no matter how small it may seem you're giving something great
back to the world.
MJ have been involved as performers with "D.A.R.E." since last
February (2001). Manny and Joy performed for an annual state convention
for D.A.R.E. New Jersey in Atlantic City in April, 2001. Afterwards, they
received a standing ovation from all of the officers and teachers, who
probably were not expecting what they got! I was there. Later that afternoon,
we headed out to the boardwalk to do some site seeing and to shoot more
MJ videos. We started out on the beach and were there for about an hour
when suddenly D.A.R.E. vehicles started parading down the boardwalk with
all kinds of flashing lights. Seeing this, Dave had Manny and Joy shoot
video of there D.A.R.E. related songs, walking next to the cars as they
went down the boardwalk. Shortly after they started shooting, we had problems
with the boom box. Luckily there was a huge red "D.A.R.E." truck
driving by that had a massive sound system in the back. The officer driving
it was in the conference earlier and saw MJ's performance. He shouted
out to us and asked if he could put the MJ CD in and started playing it
while Dave continued to shoot video!
On March 25th, the Governor of the state of New Jersey spoke at the memorial
gathering for the Port Authority Officers, which Dave and I
attended. After visiting the Telemundo media van, I could barely keep
up with him because he was literally running from reporter to reporter!
We spent about an hour or so talking to reporters about MJ. MJ was hoping
to be performing at this service, but the organizers did not understand
the value of their message... typical of politicians. MJ's song "Brave
New American Heroes" was amazingly appropriate for the event. But
like before, only a day or two before the event was scheduled to take
place, Dave received a call from someone related to the event saying that
they would prefer to keep it "traditional". Recently, however,
we discovered that D.A.R.E. was not getting all of the information that
David was sharing with one of their contacts. After September 11th, D.A.R.E.
contacted David and put all of MJ's national events on "hold"
until they had a chance to rearrange they events.
After Dave and I returned to the studio from MJ's live interview on Telemundo,
Channel 47, agents from the "Rebel" organization that helps
to educate people about the dangers of smoking, spoke with David and considered
booking MJ on April 20th, 2002, to perform at their annual "Summit"
meeting for the state of New Jersey. One of them saw MJ at the Smart-T
Jamboree last May. (This was the first HUGE arena concert that I attended
where MJ performed for more than 10,000 people).
On Friday, April 5th, 2002, Manny and Joy were featured in the Star-Ledger
newspaper, which is the largest paper throughout New Jersey. Before the
article was published, about a week prior, the newspaper sent a photographer
to Sky Room Studios to take pictures of Manny and Joy. I had the privilege
of watching the shoot with their mother and grandmother.
Recently, Dave went to Washington, D.C. to check out the Smithsonian Institute
for possible future MJ events. He talked to some people there and acquired
some information about who to contact regarding MJ.
Interestingly enough, a few weeks ago Artie Regan, the CEO of Manhattan
Model Search bumped into Dave in the elevator when Dave was on his way
taking his dog, Auggie, out for a walk. ( I was visiting.) After sharing
with him MJ's latest achievements, Artie suggested to Dave that MJ perform
for a Manhattan Model Search event! (Artie has been aware of MJ's successes
for many years.) MJ will be giving a "mini-concert" demo at
the San Diego appearance in May. It still amazes me that something so
common like taking the dog for a walk can change your world instantly!
Going back a bit... my first time seeing MJ in rehearsal (a little over
a year ago) was incredible! When Dave and I arrived, Manny and Joy were
in a "boot camp" (just the two of them this time) with Danilo.
While watching them, what they were about suddenly hit me l like a ton
of bricks, that this is not just some "just say no to drugs"
message. What they sing about in their songs is genuine material; it comes
from their hearts. I was, I guess, in shock! The looks on their faces
were for real, and they were giving it their all; and this was just the
rehearsal! As I sat there
watching, I couldn't decide what I was feeling. I was so touched I was
holding back tears.
Peace...
Dan Drabik
send me a note, please! email here