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Saving King Records
I can’t think of a more relevant day to be thinking about a Cincinnati landmark and treasure where some of the greatest music originated, and where civil rights and inclusion was modeled at its best. I hate to admit, when I was first hired to work on the Hidden Treasures CD many years back, I was unfamiliar with King Records. I quickly came to learn, under the helm of founder Syd Nathan, King was the first record label to consciously mix black and white music. For the first time in music’s history, a recording company had the foresight to embrace inclusion, to unite talent diverse not only by race, but also by ethnicity and religion; to blend country with R&B, big beat with six-string twang. Inclusion, King Records proved, breeds success. It stimulates creative thought and new approaches to problem solving…it created King’s blueprint – the blueprint of rock ‘n roll. Eight King Records artists have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and more than 450 King tracks have been counted among Billboard’s Top 10 hits.
Today, that landmark is in real jeopardy of being demolished by its owner; however, because the site was declared a historic landmark in 2015, he needs permission from City Council. Mayor John Cranley wrote a beautifully detailed letter to City Council introducing a resolution allowing Cincinnati to acquire it.
In that letter, Mayor Cranley shared comments from Terry Stewart, president of the Roll and Roll Hall of Fame. Among them… “It bears repeating and underscoring… there’s not a more important piece of real estate in musical history than the building over there on Brewster. If you folks don’t remember and preserve it, shame on you. Remember it! It so important to American culture, world culture… what happened in that building.”
Also in his letter, Mayor Cranley wrote: “Since having the honor of serving as a Councilman, and especially since having the honor to become Mayor, I have been thrilled to see the increased excitement and community efforts around restoring the King Records legacy. The Cincinnati Public Library has led on amazing educational programming and events. 
Cincinnati State Technical and Community College has been teaching King Records history in partnership with the Rock Hall. Artworks put up a James Brown mural. The Cincinnati Playhouse, Cincinnati Symphony and Cincinnati Pops have all put on King Records productions. We have finally seen books published on King Records like the ones by Jon Hartley Fox, Randy McNutt, and more. We even made the Sunday edition of The New York Times for placing a historic landmark plaque with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in front of the building we are looking to save today.”
This is especially significant to me as I got to know, appreciate and admire through Hidden Treasures, the treasure of King Record’s legacy. One piece of that legacy is my very dear friends, Philip Paul, who was a studio drummer for King from 1952 to 1965 and who was part of several hundred recordings and hits…including the original version of ‘The Twist’ recorded by Hank Ballard and The Midnighters. I will never tire of his stories and am so happy to see him, as well as other King artists, being recognized.
A rally to save the King Records building will be held Tuesday, January 17th at 1pm at City Hall. If you can be there, you can be an important voice. You can also email CityCouncil@Cincinnati.oh.gov.
Mayor Cranley’s letter to Cincinnati City Council Members
Dear Colleagues –
I write today to update you on my efforts to save the former King Records Studio site from demolition and ask that you too join in this cause. I will also refer three ordinances to Budget and Finance committee introduced by Council members Simpson and Young to honor legendary musicians Otis Williams, Philip Paul and Bootsy Collins by renaming various streets in the Evanston neighborhood.
In 2015, together we recognized and honored the unparalleled achievements of American civil rights, music, culture and business which happened at King Records Studio in 
Evanston when we designated the building a historic landmark. With our action, we declared the King Records building a place to be protected, preserved and restored.
I said then, and I will repeat now, that it is a sacred place. That sacred place is in real danger. The owner has scheduled a hearing for January 30th for a demolition permit again. We need to act to improve the negotiations to save the building. I am introducing this legislation so that we can revive the King Records legacy together.
As we have learned, popular and powerful music of all sorts came from that building, incubated by a world-class business model honed in civil rights. This music is music of the people – r&b, country, rock and roll, gospel, funk, bluegrass and jazz. It was produced by the first Cincinnati company to integrate its workforce at the executive level and integrate at its company picnics – in the 1940s! As we have learned from King Records musicians like Philip Paul, musicians played on a variety of genres and with others of different races and backgrounds. All of this happened under the leadership of Cincinnatian, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, buried at Judah Torah in Price Hill, Syd Nathan.
We can and should learn from what happened. It is real. It is authentic. It is part of our city’s DNA and we should embrace it. I am excited that we have a group of citizens, led by King Records artists, willing to step up to realize a vision to restore King Records on Brewster Avenue. Let’s help them make it happen.
Since having the honor of serving as a Councilman, and especially since having the honor to become Mayor, I have been thrilled to see the increased excitement and community efforts around restoring the King Records legacy. The Cincinnati Public Library has led on amazing educational programming and events. Cincinnati State Technical and Community College has been teaching King Records history in partnership with the Rock Hall. Artworks put up a James Brown mural. The Cincinnati Playhouse, Cincinnati Symphony and Cincinnati Pops have all put on King Records productions. We have finally seen books published on King Records like the ones by Jon Hartley Fox, Randy McNutt, and more. We even made the Sunday edition of The New York Times for placing a historic landmark plaque with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in front of the building we are looking to save today.
During the landmark designation process, we heard from people across the globe in support of the homegrown efforts to revive King Records and stop the former studio building from being torn down. We heard from King Records alumni, the Evanston Community Council, nonprofits like the Cincinnati USA Music Heritage Foundation, Bootsy Collins Foundation, King Studios, Cincinnati Preservation Association, Xavier University and Cincinnati State. We unanimously voted to support the unanimous votes of the historic conservation board and planning commission to protect the building.
The leadership of this Council and Administration to support so many of these efforts has been incredible. I would like to recognize Ms. Simpson for her King Records events and support of King artists. Her legislation to honor three King Records artists – Otis Williams, Philip Paul and Bootsy Collins – with street names is wonderful. I am thrilled to support making her legislation a reality. I also find it incredibly humbling for these three artists to ask us to pause on their recognition in order for us to focus us on the need to save the King building first, so that many more King employees can be honored.
On a personal note, I want to thank these artists for their inspiration and leadership. Even though I grew up in Cincinnati, I really didn’t know much about King Records until I met Bootsy and Patti Collins at City Hall in 2002. Soon after, with Vice Mayor Alicia Reece, we embarked upon an awareness campaign of King Records. I then met Philip Paul and Otis Williams. Over the years, I have had many honors with them. Whether it was to officiate Philip and Bobbie Paul’s wedding or to get to meet Paul McCartney, because The Beatle wanted to meet Otis and Phil. So, again, thank you Ms. Simpson on your leadership to name these streets after them. They most certainly deserve this for all the ways they honor us.
Let’s accept their request and take the necessary effort to save the building now, and when we do rename streets after them, let us credit these three King musicians and Cincinnati legends as the leaders in getting us to finally make it happen. Yes, we have done more for King Records than any other City Hall, but our work is not finished.
So let’s thank Otis, Philip, and Bootsy, for focusing us on the main request at-hand – acting to save the King Records building before the owner’s hearing to obtain a demolition permit on January 30th. Attached is legislation that enables us to authorize the City Administration to acquire the King Records building for a public purpose through eminent domain. We have a working group of citizens and nonprofits who for years have been refining a vision and plan to revive the King Records legacy in the original building if given the chance. Let’s give them that chance. Hopefully, the owner will change his mind and withdraw this newest demolition effort and also accept the city’s offer to purchase the building. With passage of this legislation we will have more opportunities to make a King Records on Brewster a reality again and take the next steps since our unanimous act last year.
Before I conclude, I think we should reflect on what the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame President Terry Stewart said to us when asked why the building, even if in poor condition and shell of what it once was, should be saved:
“Between 1943 and 1971 the address of 1540 Brewster Avenue in Cincinnati was home to some of the most vibrant and eclectic music making in America. There was never a more important piece of real estate musically or culturally in the history of popular music. King brought together a diverse range of American voices that reflect Cincinnati’s unique geographical position as a crossroads of American culture: rhythm and blues, country, bluegrass, rockabilly, pop and blues all poured out of King’s studios. King’s musical diversity was also reflected in its business practices – it was a fully ethnically and racially integrated operation. King was also unique because it was a self-contained record label. Every facet of record production happened at 1540 Brewster Avenue, from recording to pressing to packaging to shipping.”
Stewart elaborated at the CEAs, saying: “It bears repeating and underscoring… there’s not a more important piece of real estate in musical history than the building over there on Brewster. If you folks don’t remember and preserve it, shame on you. Remember it! It so important to American culture, world culture… what happened in that building.”
Let’s act again after listening to our local and global citizens who support us reviving King Records on Brewster. Let’s add the King Records building to our list of iconic arts institutions worth saving like we are doing together with Music Hall and the Museum Center. Let’s also celebrate that this amazing music and culture came from a place of civil rights. Let’s make sure all future generations of Cincinnatians will have an opportunity to participate in this great legacy of ours.
With the Evanston Community Council, Bootsy Collins Foundation, Cincinnati USA Music Heritage Foundation and King Studios groups as our partner, let us pass this legislation now before it is too late.
John
Pet Wants Donates 4000 Pounds Of Food
“Giving is not just about donating. It is about making a difference.” – Kathy Calvin, CEO & President of United Nations Foundation
That is so true. My friends at Pet Wants, all natural pet food company, truly believe in giving back. I have seen them at adoption events giving food to people who found their forever pets. And I remember last fall when they held a food drive for the Stray Animal Adoption Program (SAAP). During their food drive, Pet Wants customers who purchased a pound of food for SAAP had their donation matched; and by the end, 2000 pounds was collected and an additional 2000 pounds was matched by Pet Wants. 4000 pounds of food can feed a lot of mouths!
Pet Wants was founded by Michele Hobbs and her wife Amanda Broughton out of a love and frustration when veterinarians were not able to relieve their dog’s painful skin allergies. The timing was right. In 2010, Michele’s job was eliminated and they were looking at creating something from a need they personally had. “We’d go to specialty pet food stores and saw food going from the floor to the ceiling,” Michele said. “I looked at Amanda and just said, ‘this is what we are going to do.’
I personally love Pet Wants food and use it a lot in training. Not only do dogs love it enough to use is as a valued reinforcer for behaviors, it is also natural, made with high quality ingredients and fresh. They also deliver to customer’s home.
Michele and Amanda are such generous people. I am so happy for their success. And I am not surprised at all by their donation to SAAP.
Elizabeth’s Work Is Her Passion
I can’t remember how Elizabeth Truitt and I first met, but I know this. She has an effervescent smile that lights up a room and having lunch with her can be a ton of fun. Her passion for her work and life is contagious. It is what I enjoy so much about her.
Elizabeth is the director of public relations for Broadway in Cincinnati and she loves her work. It introduces her to so many diverse and incredible people (including stars), challenges and excites her. How very fortunate for her to have a job that is so fulfilling…and how great for Broadway Cincinnati to have Elizabeth on their team!
Let’s learn more about her…
Lisa: Please tell us a little about yourself, what you did before Broadway, what led you to your current job, some of your outside interests.
Elizabeth: It’s hard to remember a time when I didn’t work for Broadway Across America as I’ve been with the company for the last 12 ½ years. I’ve been really lucky that new opportunities became available when I was ready for a change within the company. I started in customer service in our Indianapolis office, then handled Box Office Management before moving into Group Sales. After some changes within the company, I was offered a job in public relations just over 7 years ago and moved to Cincinnati to cover the market here. I absolutely love PR and consider myself blessed to work in an industry that I’m so passionate about day in and day out. As far as outside interests go, I absolutely love to read, listen to live music and explore new places in Cincinnati.
Lisa: In your career with the Broadway series, has there been anyone (or an experience) who has significantly made an impact on you? If so, please explain.
Elizabeth: One of the first shows I worked on after moving into PR when I moved to Cincinnati was the Broadway tour of RENT. RENT has long been one of my absolute favorite shows and was actually the first Broadway touring production I’d ever seen. Both Anthony Rapp and Adam Pascal from the Original Broadway Cast were in the tour and I took them out for interviews. We had breakfast together during a break in the schedule and as we sat there discussing our cats over coffee, I realized this is my job. It all felt a bit surreal and reminded me of how amazing this opportunity is to do what I do. I get to work in an industry that offers the chance to witness incredible productions on par with what one would see if visiting New York. Cincinnati has a thriving arts community that offers so much support to the Broadway series, and I don’t take that for granted.
Lisa: When I think about you, I always think about your smile. It is so inviting and you wear it a lot. What makes you happy in life and what inspires you?
Elizabeth: I’m lucky enough to have a job I love going to day after day, but beyond all of that I have an incredible community of friends and family that bring a lot of joy to my life. They’re spread across several states but mean the world to me. They inspire me with their approach to the opportunities they are given and how they’ve risen in the face of adversity. Whether it’s the loss of a spouse or cancer or a major career change, it’s a gift to walk with them day in and day out.
Lisa: What is something about you that people may be surprised to learn?
Elizabeth: I love books so much I’ve had a part time job at Joseph-Beth Booksellers for over 3 years. I get to be around people who appreciate and support reading which, next to theatre, is probably my biggest passion. I get a lot of satisfaction from offering a book suggestion to someone and having them come back to tell me just how much they enjoyed what they read. It’s a fun environment and a really amazing independent bookstore to be a part of.
Lisa: What are some of the reasons why you enjoy living in Cincinnati?
Elizabeth: Cincinnati is a really beautiful town. I grew up in central Indiana so even after living here over 7 years, I’m still not tired of the hills or view of the river. As I mentioned earlier, Cincinnati has a thriving arts community. There are always opportunities to see things on stage I haven’t seen, or experience art in a way I haven’t before. I didn’t ever picture myself ending up here, but now I can’t imagine ever living somewhere else. I love our city.
Thoughts For Living A Fulfilling Life
Tami and Mike Boehmer
If you follow my blog, you may recall a few posts written by Tami Boehmer, known to many as a brave and inspirational cancer warrior who took on the disease not only through her own fight but the fight of so many others. She was an author (of two books about cancer survivors), a blog writer (of Miracle Survivors), a mother, a sibling and daughter, and a loving wife. Tami was also a friend.
This is part of what she wrote in a post I shared on my blog:
“My goal is to give people hope and a different way to see themselves as a survivor and patient. I encourage my followers to be active participants in their healthcare by researching their options, getting additional medical opinions and taking care of themselves in body, mind and spirit. I feel it is detrimental to give patients death sentences. My mantra is: ‘Statistics are just numbers that lump together a large, diverse group of individuals. You are not a statistic.'” – Tami Boehmer
Tami’s husband, Mike, and her daughter, Chrissy, were there when Tami transitioned in 2015. And I have no doubt she is looking down on them, very proud of the way they are choosing to LIVE and appreciate their lives. Mike just wrote this. He shared part of it on his own blog and he added his own ’24 hour plan’ here to remind us of how we can embrace our days, and give them more meaning. I think we can all learn from his words. I know I can.
In Mike’s Words:
While walking from Fisherman’s Wharf to our motel in the Marina District of San Francisco early on New Year’s Eve, my 17-year-old daughter asked me to sum up 2016. We were finishing an enjoyable week in Northern California, including some great family time with Tami’s brother, Doug, my sister-in-law, Kim, and nieces Kaitlin and Grace (both in their 20’s).
My immediate response to Chrissy: “Glad it’s over.”
As she knew, I experienced some deep sadness at times in the first full year since Tami’s transition. She took her last breath on Nov. 4, 2015 after living with metastatic breast cancer for almost eight years.
But, then, I recounted the many positives of 2016 for me: the college visits with Chrissy, experiencing her senior year finales, our vacations in Seattle/Vancouver and California, attending many rock shows (including Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr with Chrissy), family gatherings, a fishing trip to Rice Lake with my brother and brother-in-law, Reds games, moving to a new office at work and developing closer relationships with colleagues there, starting yoga and attending a weekly meditation meeting, remodeling our bathroom… I expressed gratitude for my widow/widower groups and grief counseling since they helped me work through the yuck.
Mike and Chrissy Boehmer
Probably my biggest plus: Learning more deeply the value of living “one day at a time.”
“You sure say that a lot,” Chrissy said. My response: “I need to, so I remember it.”
I told Chrissy I’m eternally grateful for the kindness and support of many, many people as I walk this unwanted path. I feel so blessed to have developed relationships with lots of people who have lost loved ones and made the best of their situations. I’m definitely not alone.
Finally, I relayed to Chrissy that I’m feeling pretty good as we embark on 2017 — much better overall than a year ago at this time. I am very, very grateful to feel mostly happy most of the time. I’m thankful for the many lessons learned, especially about the value of living life one day at a time, one moment at a time. I’m trying to remember the slogan on a coffee cup someone gave me several decades ago: “Enjoy life. This is not a dress rehearsal.”
Chrissy then resumed sharing her thoughts about 2016 and plans for 2017 and beyond. It’s a moment I’ll never forget, listening to my wonderful daughter share her ups and downs and outlook for the future. One precious moment on one amazing day in the final hours of 2016, a year now in the rear view mirror.
Some practices to help achieve the “24-hour plan.”
(1) End your day with a routine. For me that involves inventorying my day. What could I have done better? What did I do right? Was I thinking of myself, or what I could do for others? Etc. I write in a journal for several minutes, then do some reading.
(2) Start your day with a spiritual practice. Get still and say a few prayers, read a daily reflection book, and meditate briefly before heading out the door.
(3) Take breaks during the day, especially those involving physical exercise such as walking or yoga. I actually got so relaxed in noontime yoga one day that I fell asleep during our down time at the end of the session!
(4) Remind yourself to “do the next right thing.” I’m amazed at how my daunting to-do list gets done when I plug away at it, instead of obsessing about it.
(5) Prioritize. Take care of the important stuff, and realize other tasks may have to wait.
(6) Connect. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been stressed to the hilt, but calmed down after connecting with friends or family — either in person or by phone, text or other messaging.
(7) Meditate. This has become more and more important to me. I’m learning how to close my eyes, sit comfortably, breath through my nose and clear my mind. Powerful practice, for sure.
(8) Service. Focus on what you can do for others (after taking care of yourself), instead of what you will get. See what you can bring to life, to the party.
Remember Karyl As A True Friend
It had been years since Karyl Cunningham and I had last seen each other. In fact, admittedly we had a hard time remembering where we met, but that didn’t seem to matter. Within in minutes I felt as I was sitting across the table from a very close friend.
That is Karyl’s way. When you speak, she listens with careful focus. She naturally inspires others to want to do more, be more, achieve more. Her smile leaves you with a strong reminder that she is someone who cares.
Ironically I learned she has the role now of another woman who also held a special place in my heart, Toni Miles. Karyl is executive director of the YMCA of Greater Cincinnati’s Black and Latino Achiever’s Program which provides teens with essential tools for pursuing higher education and identifying career opportunities. One hundred percent of the Program’s high school seniors graduate high school, with over ninety percent entering post secondary education and over eighty percent, completing college, earning Associate’s or Bachelor’s degrees. I remember well seeing the importance of this work during the five years I did public relations work for the Y.
It is no wonder Karyl is the recipient of numerous community activity awards, including the 2016 Venue Magazine Women of Influence Award, 2006 Star Award, Over-the-Rhine Chamber of Commerce, for individual community contribution; Urban All-American Achievement Award, Toledo, Ohio; and Ohio State Assembly Community Service Recognition.
She has served on several nonprofit boards, including the Leadership Council, Seton High School, and Healthy Moms and Babes. And she serves on the boards of the Over-the-Rhine Chamber of Commerce, the OTR Foundation and the 3CDC New Market Funds Advisory board and member of the Citizen Advisory Panel for Agenda 360.
Let’s learn more about Karyl.
Lisa: Please tell us about a life experience that may have been difficult or challenging, but ended up being a positive growth lesson.
Karyl: I would say that the most difficult challenge for me, was as young women beginning my first non-profit position in my hometown of Toledo, Ohio. After working there about a year, I was approached by my employer who had an interested in transferring me to Covington, Kentucky to open up a satellite office that would serve individuals who were underemployed or unemployed and interested in starting a career in retail sales. To say the least, I was nervous and skeptical in moving from my hometown, which at the time felt so final. In hindsight, it was one of the best decisions that I made. As a result of this move, I fell in love with Cincinnati and decided to take a leap of faith and look for other opportunities that would align to my skills, knowledge and abilities in the field of education or non-profit work. I overcame my fear of leaving my safe place and jumping right in! And I am still here, after 30 plus years.
Lisa: What are some of your greatest passions and how do they impact your career and life choices?
Karyl: Definitely I’d say connecting with people, reading history/novels and cooking. In life…we are all connected, somehow and in some way, and it is a beautiful thing. People can impact your life in so many good ways, ways that give us hope, gives us advise and teaches us to advance to our greater good! History teaches us so much about who we are, why we are – and supplies us with a foundation and framework for making decisions in both our personal and professional lives. Cooking allows us to blend people and conversation over great bounty!
Lisa: What is the greatest legacy or impact that you hope to be remembered by when others think about you?
Karyl: I want people to remember me as someone who was always honest, trustworthy and a true friend! Someone who made a difference!
Lisa: What is one of your favorite pieces of advice and why?
Karyl: Never allow anyone’s negative opinion of you, become your reality! That advice says it all!
