A little over a year ago, Greenwood native James Purnell, also known as recording artist Jai Pee, released his debut R&B album, “I Ain’t Got No Time.”
Now, after selling 5,000 copies of the album, picking up a couple of award nominations and starting a management company, Purnell is ready to help other performers make their way.
This Saturday, he will host the 2009 Mo Biz Music Conference to inform independent artists about entering and succeeding in the music business.
The conference will be held at noon at the Confederate Memorial Building, and it is free and open to the public.
“I’ve been to so many music conferences all over the United States this past year, and I’ve seen them doing so many things that people in Mississippi just don’t get to see,” Purnell said.
Guest speakers at the conference will include DJ Flipstyle of New Focus Photography and Video, who will discuss the business aspect of the music industry; John Shaw of Select-O-Hits, who will talk about dealing with major record labels, contracts and distribution deals; and Everett Webb of www.topcatlive.com, a Web site that provides publicity and exposure for independent artists.
Purnell said many new artists have talent but don’t know anything about the music industry beyond getting in the studio and recording.
“I really think every independent artist needs to come to this conference because it’s educational,” Purnell said. “It’s good to have music on the radio, but if you don’t have a copyright, it’s not worth much.”
Purnell began touring widely in the Delta and as far away as Atlanta after the release of “I Ain’t Got No Time.” Copies of the album have been sold all over the South.
He also was nominated for “Best R&B Artist” and “Best R&B Album” at the Southern Entertainment Awards held in Tupelo, and he was nominated for “Best R&B Artist” and “Best R&B Performer” at the Golden Triangle Awards held in Starkville.
Purnell also now has an Internet radio show, which can be accessed by visiting www.blogtalkradio.com/fatpocketradio or by calling (347) 426-3937.
Mo Biz Entertainment, the host of the event, is the company Purnell formed about a year ago to handle management and promotions for up-and-coming artists.
The first two clients to sign contracts with Mo Biz were Euricka and Kilo, both artists from New Orleans, who also happen to be brother and sister. They will perform at 3 p.m. Saturday at the Confederate Memorial Building following the music conference. Admission is $10 per person.
Other artists at the event will include Jackson rapper Razzencain, who also is a Mo Biz client, and Young Moses, Phamous and Sunih Reed.
The talent showcase also will feature about 12 independent artists from several states, including Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, New Jersey, New York, Texas and Utah. “These are friends I’ve accumulated since I released an album,” Purnell said.
CDs featuring songs by all of the participating artists will be sold during the conference and concert, and Purnell said he also is trying to get nationwide distribution for the album.
“The CD is real big. I think it’s gonna do real well,” Purnell said.
Several of the artists also will sign autographs Friday afternoon at Okun’s Shoes on U.S. 82.
Purnell said he is thankful to the sponsors of the music conference and concert, including Cyreio Hughes at WGNL 104.3, Constameka Wilson at Step Out Promotions, Third Coast Clothing, DJ Mello, DJ Tonyo, Topcatlive, New Focus Photography and Video, TruNiVerse Production and Lawrence Printing, as well as his wife and three children.
For more information, contact James Purnell at (662) 753-1338, jprandb@yahoo.com or myspace.com/jprandb.
