William
Ross Jr. has a penchant for music – all genres. He sings gospel – tenor,
baritone and bass – and entreats his audience to worship the Lord and serve Him
gladly. In church, his voice resonates throughout the sanctuary at Greater
Community Temple Church of God in Christ. And resonates in the community, where
he sings with various choral groups sending up praises to the Lord for his
continual blessings.
Ross
is also a businessman. On Nov. 21, he was aglow and counting his blessings when Redwood Music
Group, a concept he finally brought to fruition since childhood, opened its
doors to aspiring singers, songwriters or musicians seeking to improve his/her
vocals, musicianship or business affairs.
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| William Ross Jr. (left) launched Redwood Music Group to help aspiring singers, songwriters or musicians seeking to improve his/her vocals, musicianship or business affairs. Ben Salter will teach clarinet and saxophone and Inho will teach classical piano. Janice Hall is Redwood's executive administrator. (Photo: Wiley Henry) |
“I had a passion and wanted to help.
I wanted to give excitement to the music industry. And as time passed I’m now
able to go into…and invest in a music company,” said Ross, Redwood’s CEO and
president.
Ross
named the music group after the sky-scrapping Redwood tree, a species native to
the forests in California. “It’s very strong and deep,” he said. “And I just
want Redwood Music Group to be just that – as a strong company, tall and rising
above the rest of its kind. And also just to have a deep legacy.”
Located
at 5154 Stage Rd., Suite 101, in the Primacy Oaks business district in the Bartlett
community, Redwood offers vocal and instrumental development, branding and
management to help artists “reach for perfection.”
The company’s philosophy is “making musical dreams
a reality” – which means any
artist, skilled or unskilled, can apply or call in for an interview to become a
Redwood partner, said Ross, or a part of the group.
The coaches or consultants on staff at Redwood are
contract professionals with a degree in their field. They are prepared to teach
individuals five and up. “They are very versed in their music capabilities,” Ross
said.
• Inho Yang will teach classical piano and other genres of
music.
• Ben Salter, a Shelby County Schools band teacher, will
teach students how to play the clarinet and saxophone and other instruments as
well.
• Kenya Nichols, a vocal trainer, will also teach piano,
particularly to the very young students.
• Tamara Hart Louis, a vocal trainer as well, will teach
beginning piano.
Other coaches and trainers will be added to the roster as
well, said Ross, who has two musically gifted siblings. His brother, Tony Ross,
is a recording artist. And his sister, Dominique Ross, is a vocalist. Their
mother, Elnora Ross, also sings; and their father, the Rev. William Ross Sr.,
is an avid supporter and pastor of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Somerville,
Tenn.
“I want Redwood to become a household name,” said Ross. “I
learned from some of the best to watch the industry and I’m trying to make the
right steps, do the right thing, to make sure Redwood is a company of integrity
and also known for its professionalism. We actually help and not just talk.”
Ross also envisions Redwood as the catalyst to help students
in public schools yearning for a more music-and-art-based curriculum,
particularly when the often-wielded budget axe is used to cut away music and
art programs from public schools.
“Hopefully, Redwood will be able to partner with the
local school system,” said Ross. “We definitely would want to contract with
them to bring music into those schools that don’t have music.”
Unlike Stax Music Academy – which “inspires young people and enhances their academic,
cognitive, performance, and leadership skills…with an intense focus
on the rich legacy and tradition of Stax Records” – Ross said
Redwood is a one-stop shop, a boutique, designed to leverage success in the
music industry.
“I look up to Stax,” he said. “We would actually like to think that
Redwood is going to customize the training for those that may not be as
talented to get into Stax, but they can come here and we’ll actually nurture
them.
“I
know they’re doing similar things like Redwood, but this has been a dream from
childhood up. Stax is definitely a great facility, a great organization, and
they have some of the most popular, famous, individuals there at Stax.”
Fame just may be the final outcome of Ross’ efforts
to position Redwood in the forefront of the music industry. If it happens, he
hopes to heap much of it on the artists who walk through the doors and leave
with a professional makeover.
“We are starting today with the legacy of Redwood,”
said Ross, showing friends and supporters at the “open house” the journey the
music group is about to embark on.
For more information about Redwood Music Group,
visit www.redwoodmusicgroup.com
or call Janice Hall, the executive administrator, at (901) 379-8120.
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