News
Rest In Paradise, Derek “House” Colquitt of The Junkyard Band
We are saddened and crushed to learn the news of the untimely death of Go-Go music’s own Derek Colquitt of the legendary Junkyard Band. Most fondly known to the Go-Go community as “House”, this gentle giant’s legacy in the music’s culture goes back almost 30 years, playing with bands such as Little Benny and The Masters, OP Tribe, and finally bassist and manager for Junkyard. In fact, had his last performance was on Saturday, May 2, 2015, as he along with Junkyard played at the D.C. Funk Parade.
On the evening of Sunday, May 3, Derek along with his lady Jeri Lanelle Whorton both succumbed to a motorcycle traffic accident that took place in Waldorf, Maryland.
We would like to take this moment to ask all to join us in sending prayers up and asking the Lord for the comfort of their family, children, friends and the entire Go-Go community.
* Photos courtesy of Facebook, Preston Blue, and TMOTTGoGo
PRESS RELEASE: Media Mogul Narrates the Origins of the Go-Go Music Culture from a Musician’s Perspective
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 1, 2015 Media Contact: Jill Morris, M.S.A.
Cell (301) 613-7707; jill@jmorrispublicrelations.com
Media Mogul Narrates the Origins of the Go-Go Music Culture from a Musician’s Perspective
Kato Hammond Releases First Book on How His Passion for Go-Go Music Produced a Global Brand
Washington, DC – May 1, 2015. Media Mogul, Kato Hammond releases his first book, Take Me Out to the Go-Go: The True Story of a Music Culture and the Impact it Made on the Life of One Man. The book explores Hammond’s zealous and ambitious, 37-year journey from childhood to adulthood, from the suburbs of Maryland to the urban streets of DC, where the Go-Go music culture originated and his tough decisions on life began—but where he landed as one of the most credible sources of a misunderstood music phenomenon. The book debunks other accounts of the Go-Go music culture as it is interpreted from an insider’s perspective, giving intimate details and experiences. The book’s foreword was written by Byron “BJ” Jackson, former Keyboardist and Vocalist of Rare Essence. Take Me Out to the Go-Go is self-published by Hammond’s publishing company, Otakcity Publishing, and is available in print and digital formats on Amazon.com.
Take Me Out to the Go-Go is about a man being true to himself, staying committed to what he believes, and striving for greatness at all costs. In the book, Hammond’s passion and commitment spiral into lost relationships, career detours, and bouts with humility and forgiveness. However, through his journey, Hammond discovers new talents, which climax into a global brand. The book’s primary message is about discovering gifts and talents, and allowing them to lead into a greater purpose. “My passion for the Go-Go music culture is genuine. I didn’t start my love affair with Go-Go music with a focus on building a brand. My focus was simply on mastering my craft and becoming a better musician. My drive continues with humility and dedication. I’m constantly learning how to be a better person and businessman,” says Hammond. Hammond’s desire to write a book about the Go-Go music culture increased after the passing of his longtime friend, Little Benny, and his mentor, Chuck Brown.
About the Author
Kevin “Kato” Hammond is a Media Mogul and Musician. He is the owner of Take Me Out To The Go-Go, Inc. (TMOTTGoGo), which comprises Take Me Out To The Go-Go Digital Magazine, TMOTTGoGo Radio, TMOTT Website and Graphic Design, and Otakcity Publishing. The TMOTTGoGo brand gains attention from outside media outlets for its designation as “the official gateway to a Washington, DC music culture.” Such magazines as Vibe has made Kato Hammond and TMOTTGoGo a significant source of information about the Go-Go music culture. Hammond’s history as a musician includes serving as Lead Vocalist and Guitarist for Pure Elegance, Little Benny and the Masters, and Proper Utensils. Today, in addition to managing multiple ventures, Hammond serves as a Language and Arts Educator for Teaching for Change and Drummer for Chantilly Baptist Church. Hammond resides in Northern Virginia.
To learn more about Kato Hammond and Take Me Out to the Go-Go: The True Story of a Music Culture and the Impact it Made on the Life of One Man visit www.TheGoGoBook.com.
The West Mob “Work It Out” – [VIDEO]
New video release of the new single release from DC’s own The Web Mob, entitled “Work It Out”
CHECK OUT THE VIDEO CLIP BELOW:
Take Me Out To The GoGo – An Autobiography By Kato Hammond
In the tradition of the autobiography/memoir, TMOTTGoGo’s Kato Hammond opens up for the first time about the inside stories of his life growing up in the legendary musical genre of Go-Go — which is still going strong today.
In Take Me Out To The Go-Go, Kato Hammond exposes his unrepentant, unbridled life as a guitarist, actor, dancer, playwright, through bands such as Pure Elegance, Little Benny & The Masters, and Proper Utensils, to the Godfather of Go-Go Media. He delves deep into his volatile, profound, and enduring relationships and reveals an ultimate story of endurance, that started in the 1970s with a young Kato, a kid who despite negative statistics, took bold steps and sacrifices through lessons learned.
Kato takes you through a personal look into a human story through the Go-Go music culture, the people who inspired him, the ones who enabled him, the ones who tried to control him, the ones who changed him, the one’s who gave him opportunities, and the ones who tried to take them away. Take Me Out To The Go-Go is a whole story: a loner’s story, a musician’s story, an actor’s story, a writer’s story, a recovery story, a love story, a success story, a failure story, a visionary story, and a re-construction story.
Along with this book comes a FREE CD, a soundtrack of the same title, depicting the music and culture illustrated inside of the book.
CLICK THIS IMAGE BELOW TO PRE-ORDER YOUR BOOK NOW!
Chips Off The Ol’ Block
As part of DC’s Black History Month, photographer Chip Py releases a photograph portraying the adult children DC Go-Go Legends Chuck Brown, Sugar Bear, Footz, Little Benny, D Floyd, GoGo Mickey and Derek Paige, who all gathered in front of the Chuck Brown mural at Ben’s Chilli Bowl for the photo shoot.
From left to right:
Top Row: Devin Davidson (Footz), Wiley Brown (Chuck Brown), Nekos Brown (Chuck Brown),
Brion Scott (GoGo Mickey), Derek Paige Jr. (D.Paige), DFloyd Jr. (DFloyd).
Bottom Row: Brian Harley (Lil Benny), Mickey Freeman (GoGo Mickey), KK Brown (Chuck Brown), Brandon Pugh (Sugar Bear).
Junkyard Band Performing Live at The Howard Theatre – 1/24/15
The Junkyard Band performing live at the Howard Theatre on Saturday January 24, 2015
CHECK OUT THE VIDEO CLIP BELOW:
Proper Utensils Performing Live at The Howard Theatre – 1/24/15
Proper Utensils performing live at the Howard Theatre on Saturday January 24, 2015
CHECK OUT THE VIDEO CLIP BELOW:
Help Send the Go-Go Symphony to SXSW Festival 2015
Go-Go Symphony, the swinging classical orchestra rocking it over Washington DC’s go-go beat, has been asked to participate in Washington DC’s first official showcase at the South by Southwest (SXSW) Festival in Austin Texas! This is an amazing opportunity to bring go-go and classical music to an internationally renowned festival, but they can’t make this happen without your help. And they must raise funds by January 30, 2015 in order to attend the festival.
This is where you come in:
The Impact
Go-Go Symphony has performed at Washington DC’s Atlas Theater, the world famous 9:30 Club, in the Folklife Festival on the National Mall, and for the CNN televised Annual Radio and Television Correspondents Association Dinner.
SXSW is filled with shows and music industry events that will bring our unique mix of classical and go-go to a whole new world of fans, and help both Go-Go and Classical genres expand worldwide.
How Can You Help?
Here are the expenses that will be covered:
- Airfare (WAS->AUS, 3/16-18/15 roundtrip, median price from expedia.com on 1/20/15, estimate), $487.20 ea. @ 20 members: $9,744.00
- Hotel (average of highest + lowest rate SXSW.com recommended hotels, average 192.50/night for two nights), $385.00 @ 10 rooms: $3,850.00
- Per diem ($30/day for 3 days = $90/person) @ 20 members: $1,800.00
- Compensation ($250/person), $250.00 @ 20 members: $5,000.00
- Other Expenses (travel insurance, ground transportation in Austin, checked bag fees, large instrument rentals): $5,000.00
- TOTAL: $25,394.00
FOR MORE INFORMATION & HOW YOU CAN HELP, PLEASE CLICK HERE
CHECK OUT THE VIDEO CLIP BELOW:
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