Phyllis Johnson

Phyllis Johnson writes for Your Corner and is a published author. E-mail her at pjwriter7@aol.com.

Category: Community

■ 02 April 2012 | 9:17 AM

Bon Voyage Concert Tonight by Carnegie Hall-bound Bruin Sinfonia String Orchestra

It takes a village to send orchestra students to perform at Carnegie Hall. Funds help. The "village" and more are invited to hear a special Bon Voyage concert tonight, April 2 at 7 p.m. at the Western Branch High School auditorium in Chesapeake. The WBHS Bruin Sinfonia String Orchestra will be performing the same program on Saturday, April 7 at 9:30 p.m. at the prestigious Carnegie Hall in New York City. This ninety member group was invited to perform as part of the Field Studies International Band and Orchestra Festival, held annually at Carnegie Hall. This is the orchestra's second appearance at Carnegie. They were chosen from over 70 other bands and orchestras from all over the world. Students in the group range in grade level from tenth to twelfth grade. Be looking for a follow-up on tonight's school auditorium concert in the column written by Western Branch columnist Linda Lamm English.

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■ 16 March 2012 | 11:31 AM

Great reads for this summer- Virginia Beach Murder Mysteries

In preparation of some great spring and summer reading, I'm selecting some great suspense novels. Last week I attended a book release party at Doc Taylor's Seaside Lounge in Virginia Beach. Three authors were releasing books published by Koehler Books in the Virginia Beach Murder Mysteries lineup. On arriving, guests were given toe tags bearing our new identity and a note indicating how we would meet our demise. These were later used as raffle tickets for door prizes. There were bodies outlined in crime scene tape on the carpet around the room. Hampton Roads Writers member Michael Withiam led the festivities and selected a few adorable young ladies to randomly select winning raffle tickets.

The authors took turns reading selections from their novels. Michelle Johnson who operated Cozy Corner Bookstore just released "The Footloose Killer." A great story set at the beach. What starts off the suspense? It's the human feet that wash up on shore sans a body. John Koehler with Timothy Choquette are releasing "The Case of the Russian Maids," and Rue Elliott published her novel, "Guilt before Innocence." Hubby and I were lucky enough to have won some door prizes. He won a trashcan with a crime scene design on it in holograms and I was thrilled to have walked away with a crime scene evidence bag stuffed with all three new titles.

There's no suspense about whether or not this was a successful book release party. It was the coolest book release event I've attended yet. I look forward to reading the books. (You can find my review of Michelle's book posted at Amazon)

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■ 14 February 2012 | 2:57 PM

An excerpt from a monologue book I'm writing - The Author

Just like a prize figher, I have to have a strong hook. You know, to grab the reader, the person who's going to stumble across my book in a library or bookstore. The person I'm indirectly talking to. The person who, hopefully, won't be able to put my book down for love or money.

You know the kind of books I’m talking about. The ones that touch your life in ways that nothing else could. The books that stay with you for years. Maybe even teach you a thing or two. The ones that could even help you make decisions later on. Who knows?

How did I get this way? I mean, being an author and all. I fell in love with words at an early age. The ebb and flow, the rhythm and the power of words. They’re beautiful and poetic. It doesn’t even have to rhyme. Heck, just listening to some folks talk can set off the Muse. Try this sometime- go to the mall and pick a nice spot to people watch. That’s right. I said people watch. You’re a fly on the wall. Watch the way they interact. See how they talk to each other. It’s a study in human nature. Kind of like what I do when I’m in a bookstore and I see someone pick up one of my books.

They first judge the cover on the front. Next, they flip it over and read the back and I’m thinking, but it’s what’s inside that really matters. Yeah, of course the price matters too. We’ve all got to tighten our belts. Then I think about my last name. Where is my book going to sit on the book shelf?

Would I get more attention if my last name was Roberts and I sat next to Nora?

If you aspire to my task, then you’ll need a fire burning in you like last fall’s weenie roast. Fan the flame. You can never let it go out. Follow your dreams and never give up. Never.

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■ 11 February 2012 | 10:44 AM

Ink Link- Teen Murder Mystery Night

It was teen murder/mystery night at Russell Memorial Library in Chesapeake, Virginia and teens congregated to solve the mystery at hand. Four fake crime scenes provided clues for the Ink Link, the murder mystery inspired by the novel, inkBLOT by Johnson Naigle, the creative writing team of Nancy Naigle and Phyllis Johnson. Who was the real culprit? The common denominator in all the crime scenes was rat poison and a copy of inkBLOT. At the secretary's desk, the janitor's station, the psychiatrists' office and apartment space and the crazy daughter's room, there was rat poison and a copy of the novel to be found. The victim? A psychiatrist named Ima Gawner. Suspects? The crazy daughter, Matera; her mother, Lilly; Anita Friend- the other psychiatrist, a bystander and the janitor, Klean O'Nuton. The motive- Ima Gawner had told the mother, Lilly that she'd have to send her crazy daughter away to an asylum. Isaiah, one of the attendees, made the correct guess that Lilly had killed the psychiatrist. Word was that she'd done it with a broom, of all things. All three students who placed won free books. Morgan, the oldest winner was awarded a copy of inkBLOT. Ronnie and Tiffany of inkBLOT fame would have been proud. Who knows? Maybe they were watching...

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■ 20 January 2012 | 1:02 PM

Enjoy painting or woodworking? Adult Ed Classes now forming

Does the winter bring on the doldrums? Brighten up your life by taking some adult education classes. There are a few night classes at Western Branch High School in Chesapeake with empty slots. If painting is your interest, you can sign up for Painting: Techniques, Styles and Skills. This class will be held on Monday nights and run from February 6 through April 23, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Chesapeake teachers pay $86.25. Chesapeake residents - $115. Non-residents- $220. It's amazing what artwork is produced in these classes! I've taken them myself and Mr. Knight is a terrific teacher.

There is also a beginning woodworking class available Tuesdays, February 7 through April 17 at Western Branch High School, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.. Same prices as those listed above. Mr. Ashman is an excellent teacher as well. The previous deadline was today, January 20, but it has been extended for a week.

Here's the link to the signup site: https://cpsapplications.cps.k12.va.us/adult_ed/pages/home_page.jsp

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■ 13 January 2012 | 3:23 PM

An Interview with Country Music Recording Artist Tyler Cain

Today, I’m interviewing Tyler Cain, a Chesapeake native and country music recording artist living in Nashville. I’ve followed his progress since teenage days. It’s great to talk to Tyler.

Phyllis- What's your whole name, age and where are you located in Nashville?

Tyler- My whole name is Tyler Douglas Cain. I'm 29 now (yikes), and I live right around the corner from Music Row in Nashville. My studio is on Music Row.

Phyllis: How long have you known that music is your passion?

Tyler- I've known music was my passion since I was a child. I started playing piano around 7 or 8 I think and then guitar around 10 or so.

Phyllis- Tell me about your start in music and where things are progressing now.

Tyler- My early start in music was in bands with my friends around early middle school. By the time I was fourteen, I joined the Noodles. It was a great experience in work and discipline, as we played several days a week and worked up about four to five hours of music. During this time, I went to Governor's School for the Arts studying classical and jazz and then Belmont University for college. There, I studied Music Business so I'd better understand how this twisted scene works in Nashville. Nashville has been a huge adventure and an amazing experience, as the best musicians and artists from around the world move here to pursue their dreams. I've been here for about ten years now, and built my studio and music production company (www.cainproductions.net) while also promoting my own band The Wailin' Canes (http://www.reverbnation.com/thewailincanes).

Phyllis- What did you take in college and how did you interact with other musicians there?

Tyler- In college, I not only met the other guys that are currently in my band, but I also made a lot of friendships and business connections that I still work with today. That experience was invaluable, as all of my best business connections have begun as friendships.

Phyllis- Tell me about your musical partnership.

Tyler- My band, the Wailin' Canes, started as a duo called Tyler and Kyle with my friend Kyle Whalum. He's a terrific bass player and songwriter, and we collaborated on many projects over the years, writing, singing, recording, and touring.

Phyllis- Tell us about your recording studio.

Tyler-About five or six years ago I started my studio. Shortly after, my group (The Wailin Canes) became the rhythm section for James Otto & the Smoking Aces. In 2008, Otto released a single that became the most played song of the year on country radio and won him some ACMs and CMA awards. We toured about 180 shows a year for a few years. It was a pretty amazing experience.

Phyllis- I heard you have toured internationally and that you’ve toured with some really interesting folks.

Tyler- Over the years in Nashville, I've toured as a guitar player with a number of national acts including Tonic, James Otto, Laura Bell Bundy, Thompson Square, Ashley Monroe, Joe Nichols, Sarah Buxton, Jordan Pruitt (Hollywood Records pop artist), and Bering Strait (Grammy nominated country group). I've also had the opportunity to produce projects for many artists as well, including Otto and Ashley Monroe.

Phyllis- What was it I heard about you interviewing Brad Paisley?

Tyler- When I was eighteen and a freshman in college, we had an assignment in a music business class to interview anyone actively working in the music business. I made an ambitious move and emailed Brad Paisley's publicist. Our old band had opened for him a few times, and he also went to Belmont back in the day. The publicist set me up with an interview with Brad, which was a blast. I ended up bringing my guitar, and we sat and jammed after the interview part was over. That was pretty exciting at eighteen.

Phyllis- What advice do you have for other musicians?

Tyler- My only advice for other musicians, artists, producers, etc. is just to spend as much time honing your craft as you can. Try to keep a good attitude. Surround yourself with positive people who you feel are more talented that you, and always learn.

Phyllis- What are your future plans?

Tyler- My future plans are to keep building the career I have now. I plan to continue producing bigger and bigger projects and to tour and record with my own band the Wailin' Canes.

Phyllis- Thanks so much Tyler for blogging with me today at HamptonRoads.com! I look forward to hearing more about you in the future.

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■ 13 January 2012 | 11:05 AM

World History, Lady Gaga Style

A student walked into Western Branch High School’s media center, saw the jammin’ music video playing and the three classes milling around tables of interesting figurines and replicas and asked, “What class is this? Sign me up.”

Who was the teacher involved? Her name is Carolyn Wyatt and she teaches World History. She brings rhythm, visual arts and hands-on activity to world history. Students circulated around stations with worksheets in hand. Tables held such items as a Buddha sculpture, an Egyptian god sculpture, a pyramid, Stonehenge, an African mask, mosaic tiles, the Arch of Constantine and lots of other intriguing things.

The music video was compliments of Youtube and a teacher and her peers in Florida (look up Charlemagne). These great music videos use contemporary music and history/cultural visuals, Gaga style. The teachers are featured in the videos. How cool is that? The visual and tactile display of items from all over the world coupled with the rockin’ music made for a great learning environment. Hats off to Carolyn Wyatt for a fun day in the media center.

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■ 02 January 2012 | 2:06 PM

Message in a bottle

I've always thought that a message in a bottle was one of the most romantic things you could find. I absolutely love Nicholas Sparks' Message in a Bottle. Anytime I see an article about someone finding a note in a bottle, I am completely intrigued.

Last week someone left such a bottle in our front yard. My husband discovered the bottle sitting beside one of the tall pine trees. Bringing it in, he wondered who would have left such a mystery. Mostly he wondered who would have left a bottle without the wine since it was obviously meant for me.

The brand label on the bottle was INKBLOT, which just happens to be the name of the suspense novel Nancy Naigle and I co-authored last year. The wine bottle had an inkblot image on the label (which I find totally awesome) and there was a note rolled up inside. The note says: "We're pretty sure there's a famous online novel with the same vintage... too coincidental? Sounds like a plot Happy New Year!"

There was no signature. No clue to let me know who the clever person was who not only stumbled across some wine with the same name as our book but the foresight to relieve the bottle of its contents and leave a mysterious note inside.

I still don't know who left the bottle in my yard and honestly, I don't want to find out who did it. Somehow it would spoil the surprise. I love a good mystery. Don't you?

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■ 04 November 2011 | 9:07 PM

Taylor Hayes Memorial Golf Tournament on Veterans Day at Sleepy Hole in Suffolk

Any golfers out there? Here's a tournament for you. The family of Taylor Marie Hayes and the Western Branch Baseball Academy 12U Bruins present the Taylor Hayes Memorial Golf Tournament on Friday, November 11 at 9 a.m.at the Sleepy Hole Golf Course in Suffolk. Proceeds will help send the ball team to play in the Cooperstown Dreams Park Tournament. The tournament costs $75 per player and $100 to sponsor a hole. Greg Hayes says there will be Bojangles biscuits for breakfast (yum) and a fried chicken and BBQ dinner. Adding to the excitement, there will be prizes as well. Sounds like a great time. For information, contact Greg Hayes at 757-338-4355 or email ghayes314@cox.net

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■ 04 October 2011 | 10:01 PM

Nautical fun in Hampton Roads

Virginia Beach was the place to be this past weekend for those who love sand sculptures. As usual, it was hard voting on the best sculptures. Here is one of my favorites. There were over twenty awesome sculptures. It's amazing to see the kind of work these artists are capable of making. They come from all over the world to compete in the contest. At the Neptune Festival, on Friday night, the wind came up unexpectedly and did some real ripping of tents and kiosks of crafters and food vendors. Hopefully all the tents with crafts survived the rest of the weekend.

The next day, we ventured over to the fun maze they have for kids at the Half Moone Cruise and Celebration Center in Norfolk. There were lots of nautical facts to be learned.Information about sea animals and plants were scattered throughout the maze. Things like how sound travels four times as fast under water. There was a jungle-like maze with what was called seaweed or kelp that looked almost like Christmas garland hanging down. A room full of mermaids had a luring siren song playing. Another area had simulated jellyfish hanging from the ceiling. Maybe for the kids- but still a fun time.

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