CAISO Steel Drum Band

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr: Inspirational Quotes from a Human Rights Martyr

We are Keeping the "Dream" Alive by Working to Make "The Dream" a Reality.

We dedicate this Blog Post to The Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial and Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. for being a Change Agent, Voice of the Civil Rights Movement, and Crusader for Love, Peace, and Equality. 

On behalf of CAISO SteelBand, moreover, as a Proud Member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc; It is an Honor to share a Fraternal bond with Martin Luther King Jr.  I thank MLK and all Freedom Fighters, that have paid the ultimate price for people of my generation and beyond to have access to Equal Opportunities and Civil Liberties.

As a Husband, Father, Musician, Blogger and School Social Worker,  I serve in many roles.  In each role, I do my best to keep working to make "The Dream" a Reality...Michael King Jr.

Here are Inspirational Quotes by Martin Luther King Jr:

-A genuine leader is not a searcher for consensus but a molder of consensus.

-A lie cannot live.

-A man can't ride your back unless it's bent.

-A man who won't die for something is not fit to live.

-A nation or civilization that continues to produce soft-minded men purchases its own spiritual death on the installment plan.

-A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual doom.

-A right delayed is a right denied.

-A riot is at bottom the language of the unheard.

-A riot is the language of the unheard.
 
-All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence.

-All progress is precarious, and the solution of one problem brings us face to face with another problem.

-Almost always, the creative dedicated minority has made the world better.

-An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.

-An individual who breaks a law that conscience tells him is unjust, and who willingly accepts the penalty of imprisonment in order to arouse the conscience of the community over its injustice, is in reality expressing the highest respect for the law.

At the center of non-violence stands the principle of love.
Martin Luther King, Jr.

See the Video of my 1st visit to the Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial:

    

For more great information http://www.CaisoSteelBand.com

From Michael "The SteelPan Guy" King Jr.- Caiso SteelBand Music Group

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Help us honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

2012 Music Highlights: Caiso SteelBand

 

Caiso Steelband seen on Fox 5 Morning Show

Caribbean Steelband music, we love it! We have a ton of people to thank for a successful year of music & fun. We appreciate the opportunity to play music in a variety venues both local & international. Our goal is to be professional musicians for all occasions. We feel honored to have performed for a variety of good causes. We wish you wellness, productivity & fun in the new year.

 

 

The list goes like this: God, Mom & Dad, Stephen King, John King, Robert Thwaites, Ted Allen, Orin, Mike, Franklin Harding, Sherwin & Shawn Thwaites, Matt Evans, friends and Steelpan family.  We also like to thank Washington Talent agency, East Coast Entertainment, Pro Sports MVP, MWR, Bialek Music, Washington's Best, Events by Andre Wells, Paul Bollinger & GWAO, Motorola Corp, Rooftop at Rockville, Tammy & Dave @ Kentmorr Restaurant, James Turner Productions, & Clydes of Chevy Chase, Steve Williams & Fox 5 morning show, gigmasters.com, Queenie Cox & Gum Springs Community Association, Dufief Homeowners Association, Martar Swimming Club, Kinderfest & Prince George's County Park and Planning, Fairfax County Park & Planning, the Gazette Newspaper, the Washington Post Going Out Guide, John Yeh with Herbs, Tea & Arts Fest @ Montpelier, University of Maryland, Walter Reed National Medical Center, Oyster Bay, Mr. Boos & The Saint Louis Golf Classic,Summer Summer Entertainment Series @MasonDistrictPark, Annie at Room & Board, The Catholic University, Bethesda Fine Arts Festival, Mango Mike's, Yelp DC, Plethora Solutions.... the list goes on!!!! If we missed you charge it to my head & not my heart. Leave a comment to vent. Irie!

For more information about the Steelpan instrument visit:

Caiso SteelBand Blog at http://www.CaisoSteelBand.com

 

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Caiso SteelBand to perform at Kinderfest 2012

via www.pgparks.com

This year Caiso SteelBand will be one of the featured performers at Kinderfest 2012. Families from all around the Washington metropolitan area are invited to participate in Kinderfest – a day focused on children featuring festivities, programs, and entertainment for the whole family. This annual fall festival for children is held at Watkins Regional Park on the first Sunday in October.

First held in 1981 as an "Octoberfest" for youth and their families and friends, Kinderfest has grown bigger and better every year. The population of Prince George's County was just over 665,000 in 1981. Nearly 3,000 residents and guests came to Watkins Regional Park that year to enjoy roving clowns, costumed characters, a magician, dancers, singers, carnival games, the Watkins Park carousel and miniature train, pony rides, scarecrow workshops, hay rides, and lots of sweets and savory refreshments. Department of Parks and Recreation employees and more than 50 community volunteers planned and conducted the first Kinderfest.

family at kinderfestThese traditions continue today. As we continue to celebrate this signature M-NCPPC event, there are plans to add new games, exhibits, activities, and programs with support from local businesses and corporate partners.

We are proud to be apart of this years Kinderfest.  Hope to see you there.

See our new photos and video click here...

This Man Is Terrified of Puppies

via warmingglow.uproxx.com

Call off the search, I have found The Greatest TV Clip of All Time. In Animal Planet's "My Extreme Animal Phobia," badass muscular Marvin, adorned with tattooed sleeves and ink on his face and neck, breaks down into tears at the sight of puppies (video below via Buzzfeed).  Marvin should listen to CAISO SteelBand music and relax a little.  Hope that helps.

In order to face his fear, Marvin has to pet a pit bull puppy that's about 4 months old. And every time I started to feel bad about him having a paralyzing deep-seated phobia, the camera cut to the little puppy wagging its tail and I couldn't help but laugh. There should be some sort of prerequisite for getting a neck tattoo. "I'm sorry, sir, but before I can give you this fearsome permanent mark that will limit your jobs to bouncer and speed-metal bassist, I have to ensure that you're not terrified of cuddly puppies. It's the law."

 For more great information about the Steelpan instrument you can visit my SteelBand Music and Current Event Blog at http://www.CaisoSteelBand.com

From Michael King Jr.- Caiso SteelBand Music Group & Voice Talent

 

The National Portrait Gallery/Exhibitions/Black List

via www.npg.si.edu

Caiso SteelBand enjoys living and performing in the Washington, DC Metro Area. We get to perform our brand of Steelpan music in fabulous weddings, corporate and fun social events. We also like to share interesting information such as the "Blacklist" Portrait Art exhibit at The National Portrait Gallery by Timothy Greenfield-Sanders.

The "Blacklist" is a wonderful portrait and video exhibit at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, DC.  The "Blacklist" is a compilation of 50 portraits of African-Americans of influence.  The portraits represent a spectrum of people famous and non-famous, but all are inspiring in their own right.  The portraits are of dynamic people in the fields of politics, music, business, civil activism, literature, the arts and athletics.

Some of the featured photographs include those of American political activist and university professor Angela Davis; musician John Legend; Michael Lomax, chairman and CEO of the United Negro College Fund; artist Kara Walker; and actor, director, screenwriter, playwright, novelist and composer Melvin Van Peebles.

The Black List Project was conceived by photographer/filmmaker Greenfield-Sanders with Mitchell, NPR correspondent and former New York Times film critic. The exhibit will be at The National Portrait Gallery on 8th and F Street NW Washington, DC until April 22nd.

For more great information about the Steelpan instrument you can visit my SteelBand Music and Current Event Blog at http://www.CaisoSteelBand.com

From Michael "The SteelPan Guy" King Jr.- Caiso SteelBand Music Group

Delta Air DL55202 Flight Crew Makes History.

 

 

 

 

 

Black History Salute to the Delta 5202 flight crew. Inspiration: Share this Video with somebody today.

Hear from the history makers themselves, watch the video email below.  Enjoy!

Video Email

For more great information about the Steelpan instrument you can visit my SteelBand Music and Current Event Blog at http://www.CaisoSteelBand.com

From Michael "The SteelPan Guy" King Jr.- Caiso SteelBand Music Group

Welcome to the Cyber Home of the Famous C.A.I.S.O. Steeldrum Band

Thank you for visiting the cyber home of C.A.I.S.O. - the hottest steeldrum band in the surrounding DC and Baltimore area.  C.A.I.S.O. music draws from Calypso, Soca, Reggae, and Latin Jazz influences.  This combination brings the right variety in a band that can certainly make an event special. 

 

The Famous C.A.I.S.O. Steeldrum Band brings their easy going music of the Caribbean to your event along with the Professionalism of a Band that has been performing and entertaining for over 30 years.  From headlining concert events, opening for nationally known touring bands, turning a wedding into a true celebration, to branding and promoting a product or company - C.A.I.S.O. is the right choice for your celebration!

Just as the right background music makes a movie that much better, it also makes a party a success.  We bring the sunny feeling of the Caribbean as a background to your event.  For a festive musical atmosphere that will provide the right background music for your celebration, you have to choose a Band that knows how to not only perform but entertain as well.  Booking C.A.I.S.O. shows that you care about your event and your guests.  They may not remember the decorations, or the variety of the menu, but they WILL remember how your party made them feel.  C.A.I.S.O. brings the steel drum music of the Caribbean to your event to punctuate that this is a special one, a celebration, one to be remembered.  There will be smiles, swaying shoulders, a carefree mood, and a festive atmosphere brought together by the professional vibes of a Band that wants your event to be as successful as you do!

Hit the play button, stay awhile, and cruise around our site.  Here you can find a portal to easily book us for your event or request a free quote.  Read comments from a few of our MANY satisfied customers and learn more about the history of C.A.I.S.O.  You can join us on facebook, follow us on Twitter, check out our upcoming performances, buy our latest CD, find a cool shirt to sport about town (YES! It will make you COOL!), and keep up with our latest news through our blog posts. 

To bring a bit of C.A.I.S.O. to your everyday, which is sure to make you have a better one, you can download a few ring-tones for your mobile phone.  So, cruise around our site, and then go ahead and contact us - we'd love to make your event special.  We are happy to entertain at events in the DC-Baltimore area, Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and surrounding West Virginia territory.  Let C.A.I.S.O. be a part of your plans and send your guests home with the feeling that it truly was everything you wanted it to be - a wondrous, joyful, and happy celebration! 

Please stay awhile and read through our blog posts below:

Hemp underwear prompts jokes, questions, comfort

via www.wtop.comD

Another webgem found courtesy of Neal Augenstein of WTOP radio in Washington, DC.  You got to check out the article Hemp Underwear prompts, jokes, question comfort. Neal Augenstein takes the Hemp Underwear for a test ride; they put in on video for the world to see.

       

For more great information about the Steelpan instrument you can visit my SteelBand Music and Current Event Blog at http://www.CaisoSteelBand.com

From Michael "The SteelPan Guy" King Jr.- Caiso SteelBand Music Group

Jon Scales: Steelpan Jazz Rock Star

Jon Scales is a cool cat. Jon's energy is from his passion for music.  Jon Scales is a Steelpan Jazz Rock Star and friend of Caiso SteelBand. Jon keep taking Steelpan to the next level.

 

 

 

 

 

 

image courtesy of Steelpanstore.com

 

Jingle Campaigns Can Help Your Business: 7 Musings about Jingle Marketing

  Check out my recent Jingle for Smoothie King Crofton:

Smoothie King Crofton Jingle

 

1. What is the Hardest Job in the World?

Being a Small Business Owner is one of the hardest jobs in the world (really!). Earning customers business, cold calling clients, closing deals can be challenging. Earning peoples business can be rewarding, however it doesn't just happen without peaking their interest & earning their trust. Jingles are part of marketing methods to create public awareness of your product/services and generate new sales for your business.

2. Getting people to take notice of your Product/Service.

Okay yes we play SteelDrums (aka SteelPans), so when we perform in public we know we are introducing a lot people to the instrument we love. But what if you don't play SteelPan and have a great product or service to sell to your targeted market? Jingles can be a great way to attract new customers to your business. Most jingle composers incorporate upbeat grooves in major keys to give people happy feelings versus minor keys which can invoke anger or sad emotions. It's a method to jingle writing which incorporates company marketing objectives with lyrics and music arrangements. 

3. Social Media can help me, right?

Yes it can. It's a free, fast way to send advertising messages to people in your target market. It can be a great way to promote what you're selling as long as you don't bore people or bombard them with the same message over and over. You've got to leave an impression that gets people excited about your product/service. Social media can be time consuming, but their are ways to make it efficient, thereby increasing its effectiveness. All businesses should incorporate social media into their marketing strategy and there are ways to automate posts, tweets, and updates like putting it on  cruise control (Ask Mike for more details and free initial consultations).

4. Do I need a Jingle for my business?

You plan on advertising on radio or TV? Want to put music on your website? Then you may want to pay a pro to compose the jingle for you. Consider this, if you can name the product to the jingle then imagine what that jingle did for the companies bottom line. Think about the message you want to get across and relay it to the jingle composer so they mix the music & words together to make a hit  and get your cash register ringing.

5. Jingle Guidelines.

Clients give jingle composers guidelines during jingle creation mode. Somethings to keep in mind are the following:

• How long should the jingle be (i.e. 15, 30, or 60 second spot)
• the lyrics to use during the jingle 
• The style of music- depends on the product or service   

A good jingle writer will incorporate the tips mentioned above and personal qualities from the next musing to make a good jingle.

6. Qualities of a good Jingle writer.

A good jingle writer is:

1. Creative
2. Works well under pressure
3. Collaborates well with others
4. Takes direction from others
5. Understand advertising
6. Good musicianship and songwriting ability
7. Awareness of music theory 
8. Access to quality recording equipment, studio, and sound engineer

7. What else should I know about Jingles?

Cost- this could range from a couple hundred dollars to thousands of dollars depending on how big the client is and their budget. Some jingle writers are freelancers, some are musicians in a group or solo act. As with most business interactions, do your due diligence regarding the quality of work before you hire anyone to do a job. Start with a small project in order to get an idea of the jingle writers work ethic and jingle quality.

Get a FREE 30 second Jingle by subscribing to our Youtube channel:

CAISO SteelDrum Band Youtube channel

Hear samples of the Jingles we've done!

 For more great information about the Steelpan instrument you can visit my SteelBand Music and Current Event Blog at http://www.CaisoSteelBand.com

From Michael "The SteelPan Guy" King Jr.- Caiso SteelBand Booking Manager