SUNDAY, JUNE 21ST
EASLEY......PG 9
Vol 20, No. 1 • June 2020
News You Can Use
The Music Is In Deminicus McKinnon aspect of his career he loves the By Lucy Weber most. “The creative part is what Deminicus McKinnon keeps his I like. I get to put myself into busy schedule in tune with the it while getting others’ cremusic that is a constant in his life. ativity out,” he said. A man of many talents, he is What music producers do is a music producer create “the whole song from for major start to finish” along with the and local performer, artists, a McKinnon one-on-one said. consultant with “We artists, a prowork fessional on the musician, an song audio engitogethneer skilled er.” in mixing and mastering, a teacher and Deminicus McKinnon more. Plus, McKinnon said he gets the best out of he’s a proud father of three, a 10-year-old, his music clients by going outside the box a 7-year-old and a 7-month-old. and using sounds that traditionally aren’t McKinnon, who is known professionally found in musical works. “I don’t do the as Sunny Dizzle, and his family live in traditional,” he said. Memphis. Clients come to him from all over the “I’ve always been doing music. I startU.S. besides local talent in Memphis. He ed recording the fifth or sixth grade,” said works with several clients at a time since it McKinnon, who graduated from Corinth can take up to 3-4 months to get the right High School in 2004. music out. Producing music for others, for TV, McKinnon is so in tune with his career films, commercials and the stage, is the that he can’t listen to the radio because he immediately Return Address: P.O. Box 1292 Corinth, MS 38835 knows what he would do to make what he hears better. Growing up, McKinnon said he learned working on POSTAL PATRON his own music. “Everything I did, I did on my own. I didn’t see MCKINNON pg 4
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Johnson’s gift of writing spreads uplifting messages through his books “My daddy told me at least once a By Lucy Weber week, ‘What comes from the heart, reachWriting comes naturally and es the heart.’ He was always one to push easily to Shamontae Johnson. me,” Johnson said. The words flow to share stoHoyle was his godfather and also his ries, to teach lessons, to motivate pastor at St. James Temple Church of readers to reach their potential, to God in Christ. “He challenged me in inspire others through faith, to faith. I could talk to him about offer support to those facing anything. He was like a problems, and to chalwalking Bible.” lenge his readers. The Johnson grew up with a Ripley resident is love for putting his preparing for the July thoughts, stories and ideas release of his third on paper. “Writing has book within seven been a thing all my life. months. “The books In school, I’d write short are a progression,” he stories and my classsaid. “My field is mates would read them helping people.” and tell me I would be an His first book author. “Overcoming the Spirit “Writing in my stress of Identity Crisis: The reliever. I can release anything Yoke Breaks Today” I’m feeling,” he said. “If I points out that if you have a notebook and a pencil, don’t know who you are I’m happy.” in God, then you allow Writing, though, is just people to define you. Shamontae Johnson part of Johnson’s very busy “You need to learn to life. “I do better on two hours sleep than define yourself through the Word of God. with eight. I just keep going,” he said. “I Sometimes that is easier said than done,” always have something going on.” he said. He is a motivational speaker, an entreHis second book “Survivor” tells stories preneur, a writing coach through his busithat relate to Johnson’s life growing up in ness So You Wanna Write?, youth presiRipley, dealing with bullies and low selfdent at his church, a full-time supervisor at esteem. “This tells what I overcame and the Blue Springs Toyota plant and proud the steps I used.” husband to wife Tanesha Johnson. Johnson The latest book “Evolution” inspired is also helping raise and serving as the by the advice and teachings of two great father figure to his 14-year-old niece. He is men in his life – his father, the late Clifford Rucker, and his pastor/mentor, the also working to develop Speak Up the late Bernell Hoyle – that Johnson relied on Movement, a program that he believes will help people who suffer in silence. “This is as he grew into manhood and deeper into personal to me. I want these people to his faith. “I’m praying my words can help,” Johnson said. see JOHNSON pg 4