About Me
Like most well known artists A.M. (Stephen Rutland)
started his singing career in the church with the
encouragement of his family and his minister of music,
the late Reverend Donald Vails
(Ebenezer A.M.E. in Fort Washington, MD). Soon A.M.
began growing as a singer and songwriter. Born September 10th,
(Virgo) to Vivian and Elbie Rutland Jr., in the small town of Beckley,
West Virginia, this military brat was inspired and influenced
by singers like Luther Vandross, Stevie Wonder, Whitney Houston,
Karen Clark- Sheards, Faith Evans, Joe, Brian McKnight
and Michael Jackson. I enjoy these artist, because their
songs give meaning, understanding, and hope, explains A.M.
All are important attributes A.M. hopes to bring out in his own
singing and songwriting.
His talent really began to develop while he attended
North Carolina Central University (NCCU) in Durham, North Carolina.
He played trumpet for the NCCU - Marching Sound Machine, a brother
of the band Fraternity Kappa Kappa Psi (KKPsi) and sung with the university gospel choir. A.M. also participated in the NCCU Jazz Vocal Ensemble. Where he received Best New College Jazz Vocalist
(Down Beat Magazine, 1994). He was featured on the NCCU Jazz
Ensemble CD of 1994. Eventually he stepped from behind the horn
and moved in front of the mic. In 1993 he began a quartet style
sing group called LeJice http://www.myspace.com/lejicegroup (formerly known as Forte). A local independent label, Grand National Productions, helped the group successfully
complete their debut album titled No Regrets. The label also
helped them release their first single and video for
Is the Situation Right. LeJice opened and even headlined
many local and national events. The group opened up for
such major stars as Notorious B.I.G., K-Ci and Jo-Jo, Aaron Hall,
Christopher Williams, Faith Evans, Music Soul Child, Joe,
Keith Sweat, Azyet, Case, Craig Mack, Luke, Eryka Badu,
Christion, Brownstone, and many others. The group lasted
8 years until time took its toll, and they all went their separate ways.A.M. participated in President Clintons inauguration into the
white house by singing with his church choir, and a small
vocal ensemble. The gospel groups provided back up for
songstress Anita Baker, gospel great John P. Kee, and the
everlasting Aretha Franklin.
Currently, A.M. is working on his first solo project at Sound Scripture
Studio (owner/engineer James Lee). This project will consist of
works written, produced and arranged by A.M. It will also contain
music from some of the local up and coming producers in
North Carolina such as Quinton Boyd (a.k.a. Q-Dot) of Killahbanger Productions, Everett Pearson, Ray Watkins (a.k.a. Music-man),
and from Atlanta, Ga., Craig Merritt (a.k.a. Craig Boogie) of
Day After Productions. A.M.s first solo album will also feature
a host of local North Carolina rappers the likes of which are
Flamboyant, Ty-tan, Q-Dot, Rah-Rah, Mike Majestic and D.R.C.- Sheik
of 21st Records.First and foremost I just want to write good songs. Hopefully
Ill write songs that will touch others, just as songs of the past
have touched me says A.M. He continues, Over the years
Ive been listening to the direction of R&B/ Hip-Hop Music.
Women are becoming more and more assertive in their songs,
but still ask the question, Why? While men hype up the roll
of being a gun holding, drug dealing thug or a skilled womanizing
player. For this project I felt it was time to tell another side
of the story. We always hear about how guys cheat on, lie to,
and neglect women. Leaving them asking, Why is it so hard
to find a good man? This project will put the question to women,
Is it a good man you really want? ..
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