As part of “Ubiquity 2001,” WNAA 90.1 will host its third annual Music Industry Workshop and Demo Clinic at the Holiday Inn Express on March 24.”Ubiquity” is the radio station’s annual fundraiser, which is in its 13th year. Tony Welborne, general manager of WNAA, along with Cherie Lofton, program director of WNAA, is hoping to educate students and those of the Greensboro community on what it takes to make it in the music industry.”With so many people aspiring to get into the industry it is our job as the voice of North Carolina A&T to bring the right people in to talk to the students and the community about what it takes to be successful and to ensure that they aren’t being taken advantage of,” Welborne said.By inviting Vernice Watson, senior vice president of Gospo Centric Records, Welborne and Lofton believe that they have brought in the best person to give insight into the industry.”Vernice Watson has been around for a while, so she’s seen the good and the bad of the industry,” said Lofton. “She also has an ear for great talent.”Watson has worked with gospel artists such as Kirk Franklin, Trin-I-Tee 5:7, Gospel Gangsters, Bishop Paul Morton and 1-NC. Watson is also the co-author of the music industries insider’s book, “You Can’t Get There From Here.”Welborne believes that the workshop will give students the opportunity to display talent they may have.”Students can bring in demo tapes of their music, they can even grab the mic and sing or rap if they think they’ve got talent to do so,” said Welborne. The station’s fund-raising goal is $80,000. Welborne said that all money raised will go back into the station.A&T students are excited about the chance to possibly get their music heard and critiqued by a professional.”You always here about clinics such as this one happening in different parts of the country, but for A&T to actually be the sponsor of one, that’s pretty exciting,” said Crystal McCoy, an accounting major who has aspirations for her own gospel album.Registration is $25 for students. For information, contact Welborne or Lofton at 334-7936 or fax 334-7960.
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WNAA helps aspiring artists break into the music business
March 18, 2001