One year ago today I was departing on a flight from Pensacola, Florida to move to Los Angeles, Califonia for a new chapter in my life. So today I wanted to write a journal and reflect on the past year. Florida is where I worked as Creative Director at law firm and produced many shows for local bands and opened up a music venue. I also lived in New York City for a while dancing at a night club and working on promotions, but I had always had bigger dreams and felt attracted to Los Angeles - the entertainment capitol of the world! Settling in California this year has been an amazing journey towards realizing my dreams, developing my entertainment business by recording music and producing major events. This has been the best year of my life thus far and in this journal I will detail the reason I am so thankful and even more inspired today. No matter what happens in the future, the experience of leaving my old life behind and family for a new beginning has a greater purpose that has helped me undoubtedly grow personally has a human being. What I know for sure is it’s never to late for anyone to chase their dreams and do something with their life. If you keep pursuing your visions. You will definitely realize some part of your dream and some amazing things will happen, that I promise.
I truly believe in signs from the Universe or God, whatever you want to call that entity that is guiding our steps and our hearts. I remember being so impatient about wanting to move to Los Angeles. I couldn’t get here fast enough and every obstacle seemed only to be a set me back. Now when I look back, I think I got here at just the right moment. For example, November is a month of Thanksgiving and also the month I first came into being on this planet. Coming to LA was like a rebirth for me and a year later I am full of thanks. My faith has really been strengthened and grown because of this move. I moved across the country on my own and just had faith that things would work out. When I first got here I stayed in hostel for a couple of weeks until I could find an apartment. On my birthday I looked at the apartment I’m living at in downtown now and knew that this was probably the one for me but I wasn’t sure I wanted to live in downtown LA. Earlier that same day, I had looked at an apartment in North Hollywood which was in a newer building that was right next to all the dance studios I had dreamed of dancing at. I moved to the apartment in NoHo, however, it became clear God wanted me in downtown LA. So I moved to downtown. I remember one of my first nights in downtown was on an Art Walk night and I knew I had to get involved in this cultural scene. I did not imagine how involved I would get.
My first dream come true was when I was bit by a Love Bug. In January, I met an amazing and supportive partner who was literally the kind of person I had been dreaming to be in relationship with. This was right after I settled in downtown and it appeared that when we met that the rest of the year was perfectly planned out because of events and holidays on the calendar. The timing felt perfect. I have always been a firm believer in the Law of Attraction and its the foundation of my faith. The Law of Attraction states that what you ask for, you will receive. So I would practice this philosophy and I would always right out my goals or speak them to friends. My partner is an artist, ambitious, speaks multiple languages, loves music like myself and had all the qualities I was requesting of the Universe to provide in a partner for me. Together we have created some amazing moments. I wouldn’t be where I am if it wasn’t for the help of this very special person in my life. I see the events and the signs of God’s favor as markers telling me I’m on the right track. For example, against my own will I was guided to live on Spring St. which is the same street the huge event we produce called ART SQuare is on at the Art Walk and I feel like the street has been a spring for me indeed.
The apartment building I live in is constantly surrounded by movie and video productions being shot and I have ran into a number of well known talents like Jennifer Lopez - even Michael Jackson filmed Thriller right behind my house! Right now, the King of Pop’s doctor is on trial 6 blocks away. This environment is like a living vision board and keeps me constantly reminded of why I am here. I didn’t know any of this when I moved to downtown LA, but it became apparent I was guided here for a reason. In 2011: I’ve seen Britney Spears do an MTV taping in Vegas, saw her on Jimmy Kimmel, at Staples Center, which is also where I saw Paris Hilton backstage. In June, I got to see her perform the Femme Fatale concert, again in Vegas. I’ve also saw Lady Gaga a number of times this year who is the Lady of Pop in my opinion. All of this has been free for me by the way. It means much more when its free. I met a friend whose a very unique and unforgettable character named Kimberly Dayle AKA Kitty Brucknell. She is now a top finalists on X-Factor and she is doing amazingly well. It’s hard to believe its the same girl I went to the MTV Awards with and who we slept in the same bed with for a few nights before she returned to the UK. I loved her gypsy nature and knew she was special. I got to speak with her and she was like “I’m fucking famous” but she still had a bit of humility. I also met an America’s Got Talent contestant named Daniel Baker on my roof top to discuss working together and living in LA. These are all signs that I’m on the right track, and surrounding myself with like minded people. I also bought a saxophone so I could start playing again. A part of my dream is certainly being realized.
If someone would have told me in the past: “You will be recording music, producing major events and living in downtown Los Angeles”, I would’ve been like: “Are you for real?” I still kind of don’t believe its my life. I couldn’t have done these things in my old environment and Florida and be as happy as I am now. You have to find happiness within, and something within told me to move to Los Angeles. I’ve really just begun to taste everything I wanted to do when I was younger. I still feel like I have a lot to accomplish to be honest though, so I’m very humble about it. I’m just happy to know the truth, which is; if you have a dream, you can realize it. Now, I’m not going to say that all of my dreams have been realized, but I am definitely a lot closer to them than I was when I was in Florida a year ago. I began writing ideas for my EP Album in 2010 and some of the ideas turned into lyrics or songs. I recorded “Mayan Rain Dance” in March of this year and got to hear the mixed version on the way to see Britney Spears at her MTV Taping to promote her new album. She has been someone that has been a guide in my spiritual life. I wouldn’t call her an idol, but a teacher. It was amazing to get to hear my voice on something that was just in my imagination while driving on the road to see one of my biggest heroine.
Then I began working on events in LA. The first event I promoted was for TigerHeat. My relationship with the TigerHeat DJ Ray Rhodes lead to my first performance in Hollywood at the Avalon Theatre. I commissioned a team to document the creative process in a video for my Press Kit called “RISING SUN: Derrick Knight” which will be released to record labels to show them my journey. I also built a party package for LA Pride that gave me the resources to produce the ART SQuare at Art Walk. At ART SQuare, I am the Art Director and help pull the whole event together by getting permits with the City of Los Angeles, Fire Department, Building & Safety etc. I also place artists or creative vendors that want to be featured at Art Walk, which attracts over 30,000 people every month. This position helps me bless other artists and the people I work with on the event.
The Downtown LA Art Walk, ironically has been one of my greatest blessings and teachings. It has also been the most frustrating. The first month we did the event, a terrible tragedy happened which had a huge domino effect on many lives. I still think about what the lesson to learn was regarding the loss of the baby’s life. The characters and politicians that are behind the scenes also make it a challenge to produce this monthly event. We had to go to City Hall and fight for the right to produce our events. Art Walk connects me with a lot of great artists though, but it has been stressful and challenging. I do see the work with Art Walk becoming more smoother and automated in the near future. The whole planning process has taught and given me the courage to produce big time events though.
I think every human being should have a larger than life goal, a reason to wake up every morning, and make our surroundings a better place some how. My larger than life dream is to develop land on the Moon so that human beings can become an intergalactic species and through entertainment I believe I can help gather the resources and attention needed to realize that plan. Which is why in 2012 I will be starting a new company: Moonbridge Media. Entertainment is the bridge that will help me realize my vision of developing in outer space.
The Future After this next Art Walk, I am driving back home, cross country for my birthday and Thanksgiving! Along the way, I want to stop to go on a spirit walk in the desert and take San Pedro which translates to Saint Peter who was the disciple in the bible that held the keys to heaven. The Indians believe that taking the San Pedro Cactus is like having keys to heaven. I will also be stopping by several radio stations in the big city markets to plant my seeds and introduce myself to radio station Program Directors to take the next step in my music career. I don’t know for certain what will happen in 2012, but I feel like it will be year of amazing “personal transformation” as the ancients predict. My goal is to make every year better than the last or at least have that mentality. Always be present and thankful.
What is certain, is that I will be releasing my music in 2012 and producing several more major events, God Willing.
