Gene Dexter :: Welcome

I have to face facts. I'm curious about too many things. Way too many things. Still, it doesn't stop me pursuing passionate interests. Take example the intersection of music and lifestyle. Some do not see its connection. I do. Everyday. It's easy to find. Take for example, the True Wine Connoisseurs online TV show, hosted by the Brand Nubian himself, Sadat X, and his producer, Will "Tell" Davis.

They may not have realized it at the time they began TWC, but X and Davis have tapped into a much needed and undercared for interest in wines. Yes, I said WINES. Now, why should this be a surprise to anyone? Wine is thousands of years old, tastes great and is as complex and layered as music. And yet, we don't hear from our hip hop music tastemakers about this.........until now. Here is a recent episode where Sadat X give his nod toward one of the great wine making regions, Washington State:

The best part of all? TWC takes the mystery and snobbery out of wine criticism. They have singlehandedly shown how wine emperors have no clothes! I just love that 'ish. Quite a few egos in the wine market are going to be deflated by this show. TWC is actually moving wine too! A lot of it. Leveling the playing field is something I wholeheartedly support. Now, if we can just develop restaurant criticism in the same way, I would die a very, very happy fan!

BUZZ FOR APRIL: Nicki Minaj, Jesse James, Kevin Powell For Congress, Infiniti G 37, The Double Club London (www.TheDoubleClub.co.uk), Rat Press (www.RatPress.com), Seattle Weekly Voracious Tasting event, Freeway/Sonny Bonoho/Grynch record releases, a new online radio show by Neema of Unexpected Arrival (remember him? He's back!), Whrrrl, GoWalla and Foursquare.

WANKSTER FOR APRIL: SXSW Interactive. it's bad enough how these techies come into Austin a full week prior to music cats to do this thing, sort of like taking control of a dining room by squatting for a few hours until the rest of the family arrives for the real party and time they actually wanted ....but once they do, SXSW Interactive doesn't even try to mesh with the needs and aspirations of music people or programs specific to MUSIC INDUSTRY.

It's as though an entire section of high school decided to go camping outside the cool people's lunchroom. I really, really am not hearing it, and it gets worse every year. Following the Twitter hashtag #SXSW Interactive was a painful few days of viewing something out of Lost- Season 41. Start DOING SOMETHING ABOUT HELPING MUSIC.

SHOUTS: Chad Johnson from Dusted Valley Winery, www.BlogsIsWatching.com , www.MissCaseyCarter.com , www.206Proof.com, The Parker Hotel Palm Springs, Mary K. LeTourneau-Fuulau, ASW (www.ASmallWorld.net), DJ EFN (Miami), Shabazz Palaces.

"we are not a nation that scales back its aspirations"
--President Barack Obama

Gene Dexter, Urban Co-Signer
Crazy Pinoy Promotions