Born in Oklahoma, Mike Smith spent his childhood moving to different cities where his father served in the Air Force. Finally, establishing the family in Rapid City, SD at Ellsworth Air Force Base, they stayed. He and his two sisters sang in church. Of his high school class Mike was one of two black students out of 400.With friends through church and school they grouped together and began singing for school events, in parks and at city events. After attending college for a time in Sioux Falls, Mike was ready to move but didn't want to go too far from home so he came to Minneapolis to pursue a musical career.Mike helped form a band The Sole City, that was gracious enough to come on radio show I was hosting and the band sang live. It was one of those moments I will never forget. The singers, male and female, had sweet harmonies and meaningful lyrics. I was in tears by the end of the song. The band did songs of hope and encouragement. Not necessarily religious in nature.Mike also writes music and has written hundreds of original songs. One of my favorites is "Forgive Me". Mike says, "Life is about healthy relationships and good communication with others. Whether it is a spouse, friend or whoever. Forgive me is a song that encourages people to have good relationships. If you tick someone off, say I'm sorry, if someone rubs you the wrong way, let him or her know and move on. Get over it and forgive. Life is too short to hold on to that stuff".In September 2006 Mike joined The Sounds of Blackness. They are a Grammy Award winning vocal and instrumental ensemble from Mpls/St Paul who perform music from several genres including Gospel, R&B and Jazz. The group scored several hits on the Billboard R & B charts and Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart in the 1990's.Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis had become familiar with the group and used their talent as back up in a few of their productions in the mid 1980s. It was not until Jan 1989 that Jam and Lewis finally made their decision to sign the group to their new record label, Perspective Records. Janet Jackson, who worked heavily with Jam and Lewis, was a major factor in the pair's decision; after the two brought Jackson to an SOB concert and she encouraged them to sign up SOB.In 2007, SOB released their newest CD Kings and Queens; Message music from the movement. The CD is a music based movement and campaign promoting positive self-images and taking a stand against domestic violence. In the words of Gary Hines, SOB Director, "The time has come to bring the spirit of the movement in the tradition of Martin Luther King to the issues of self respect, self denigration and domestic violence. The primary reason for the Kings and Queens goal of promoting positive self-images is to stem the tide of violence and death that continues to plague our youth. Despite the valiant efforts of many well intentioned people and organizations, this epidemic of violence and death not only continues, it is escalating and has been exacerbated by budget cuts to youth programs, organizations and activities. Time and time again, music has consistently been shown to have a very positive, palpable and even quantifiable impact upon the behavior and lives of our youth. For decades, study after study has definitively demonstrated the direct correlation between self-image, self-esteem and behavior, achievement and goals. That is why the music and lyrics of Kings and Queens encourage walking, talking and becoming Kings and Queens. I asked Gary Hines what organizations have benefited by SOB over the years. He said, "these types of endeavors have always been the case with SOB be it the Urban League, Childrens Heartlink, the Lupus Foundation, UNCF, Scholarship America and countless other organizations and causes over the years. By purchasing Kings and Queens it is a way for every person to contribute to the MLK Memorial and continue fighting for self-respect and against violence and domestic abuse".Mike Smith says. "The Sounds of Blackness has been one of the best things to ever happen to me. They are turning legendary in the music industry. Gary Hines is an Icon in the Gospel and R&B worlds. He has started a lot of what we hear today. I am very fortunate and blessed to have been invited to join the group after auditioning".Whatever Mike Smith is doing…..the world is a better place because of him and his music.by Diana Olson
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