Home to Buffalo

I moved here when I was eight. As a teenager and young adult, I found a family in the R&B music community here. Buffalo is filled with amazing people. It's the city of good neighbors. Now it is #BuffaloStrong. 

With volunteers and Mayor Byron Brown at the Johnnie B. Wiley Pavilion

Oscar Alston, bass player with Rick James' Original Stone City Band, posted this three days after the tragedy at Tops:

 

The man standing next to Zachary and me at the memorial site in front of Tops said, "I knew that girl." He went on to describe her heart-filled smile and cheerful personality. The weight of the loss for families is hard to imagine. You will find tears here, but you will also find enduring strength. There is comfort in friendship, and people who genuinely care for each other. Children play and adults smile as they look on. It seems unusual and inappropriate to post pictures of smiling faces so soon after this horrific event, yet laughter can be heard among friends. Even strangers introduce themselves and make friendly jokes at the food distribution sites. Stories are exchanged. Sometimes just a silent glance and nod is understood. 

There is a need for commitment. We must not allow our resolve (to create change) to fade as the world continues to relentlessly turn. White supremacy has no place in our society. It needs to be called out, stood up to and stopped. Diversity is our strength. We are on this earth as brothers and sisters.

Packing and distributing food bags

There are so many battles to fight. There is so much pain and fear in our midst. We have to be the Love that heals it. Start and don't ever stop. The cameras will turn and the spotlight will fade. The work must not. 

Click here for the "Buffalo 5-14 Survivors Fund"

Click here for FeedMore WNY

Click here for "Standing Indivisible Against White Supremacy" from indivisible.org

With Love,

T

Moments

Even in the midst of staying hopeful and positive, we can acknowledge our moments of grief or sadness. We've had to say goodbye to so many friends and loved ones; and to so much of life as we knew it before. We can give ourselves permission to feel what we feel - and still stay strong. 

These are lyrics from my song "Everywhere." It's a reminder of how we carry the Spirit of those we love with us, always.

In my solitude

I sometimes think of you

Where I am lost, you'd know what to do

When I can't break free

Gripped by uncertainty

I go searching for some truth to comfort me

Deep in the night

When the answers come

I can smile

Feel the warmth of love rush through my soul

And I know, I know

I know that you're here

I feel you in the air

You're everywhere

And when I close my eyes

I can see so clear

That you are always here

You're everywhere with me

I'm filled with gratitude

Though you never truly knew

All you have done for me

Now I thank you

You have blessed me

Incredibly

Because of you, faith guides my destiny

I pray that you never doubt

What your life was all about

You touched us so

And I know

I know

I know that you're here

I feel you in the air

You're everywhere

And when I close my eyes

I can see so clear

That you are always here

You're everywhere with me

You stand with your wings

And all of these earthly things

Slip away, into the deep (Off to sleep)

The true you stays the same

You remain

Love,

T

Music's Biggest Night

Words can scarcely express what an honor it is to be singing on stage for The Grammys, behind Nile Rodgers and Lady Gaga, for the David Bowie tribute, with a group of incredibly talented people.

I am absolutely filled with gratitude, appreciation and love for all the amazing people I've worked with over the years. I am truly Blessed to have found the very special musicians, singers and bands that have become family to me. It's been a most extraordinary journey.

Each of us has been touched by the spirit of music and its profound inspiration. When I sit and think of all those artists who have led our hearts and lives with their creativity, I am blown away. The world has lost many beautiful souls, many whom we have known personally.

Tonight, we'll remember David Bowie - and all those who have inspired us artistically.

Thank you. Thank you for all you have given us. You live on in our hearts.

During the "in memoriam" segment of tonight's show, our social media sites will post an a cappella portion of our song "Everywhere." It's our own personal tribute to those who have meant so much.

Have a Blessed week...

Namaste,

T