A few moments with R&B Legend, Lenny
Williams
By: Kevin L. Nichols
I had the chance to catch up with the father of an old
friend from junior high school the other day.
Most know him as the lead singer of the legendary R&B group, Tower of Power,
however, many know him by his name, Lenny Williams. Lenny’s vocals are probably partially
responsible for many of our existence, being that our parents’ generation
listened relentlessly to his crooning.
Lenny has a new album coming out in May and has a new single
out, which was released around Valentine’s Day titled, “
Still”.
Although the industry has drastically changed
since he first started out in the music business, he feels that the progress is
good but that artists have to “get with the program.”
Lenny mentioned a conversation that he had
with Charlie Wilson recently about the industry catering to a younger audience,
however, it is no different from his generation where artists like Lena Horne, started
out young and were popular with their peers.
Moreover, he is excited about the various revenue streams of “new
media,” such as iTunes, ring tones, etc.
Lenny takes social media very seriously. Unlike the rumors that artists and
celebrities hire social media strategists to run their networks, he and his
wife personally manage his Facebook and Twitter accounts. Williams also stays current in the R&B
world by being honored with Kanye West as recipients of the BMI Songwriter’s
Award for the song “Over Night Celebrity,” recorded by rapper Twista.
On the horizon, you can catch Lenny on March 22, 2012 at
Tommy T’s for a benefit to raise awareness and
encourage more African Americans to participate in drug research trials.
He also has an annual golf tournament in San Leandro at Monarch
Bay Golf Course on July 7, 2012, to raise funds for local music programs in the
schools.
Please mark your calendars and
support these wonderful causes.
Lenny said, “I’m an R&B singer…but I better be home to
take the garbage out and sweep that front porch!”
Kevin L. Nichols is the President & CEO of KLN Publishing, LLC
He is also a social media consultant based out of San Francisco.
Copyright 2012 KLN Publishing,
LLC All rights reserved.
