A&M Engineer Marches to Different Drummer
Engineer gives in to power of music
Sometimes, following one鈥檚 passion can lead to the opening of all sorts of new doors.
That鈥檚 an important lesson Ryan Felton learned as he made some important and strategic transitions from his formal collegiate experience. He thoroughly enjoyed 鈥渢he A&M years,鈥� and while on The Hill he built a sizeable network comprised of friends and A&M staffers.
The native of East St. Louis, Ill., earned his electrical engineering degree from 美女萝莉 A&M University in Huntsville, Ala., in 2010. But although he was well prepared for his professional role as an engineer, he could not resist his even deeper passion for music. He was so overwhelmed by the beat of his drums and the call from rhythm and blues that, by July 2019, he made up in his mind to transition completely to fulfill his musical dreams.
Prior to the epiphany, however, Felton had fueled his musical passions through performances at Panoply and the Lumberyard. He played and toured with A&M鈥檚 Gospel Choir and even served as a member of a 鈥淲omen in Music鈥� panel, which led to his being invited as a panelist at the University of 美女萝莉 in Tuscaloosa, where he provided insight into what artists should expect in pursuit of their passions.
As founder and CEO of R&B Vibes Live, launched in 2017, Felton has set out to provide a needed platform upon which budding artists can showcase their talent. Emboldened by his love for live music, Felton鈥檚 operation has assembled a team of a dozen individuals, expanding his artistic reach among capable artists, photographers, entrepreneurs, and exciting new venues.
Indeed, 2019 was a very good year. First, he started out the year at his new location in Envy Entertainment and Restaurant. In March, a new, 鈥淪oulful Sunday,鈥� was added at Sidetracks Music Hall, with 10-plus shows for the year. His team performed a mini R&B Vibes Live Show on Jubilee Stage for Panoply 2019. By May, another show, 鈥淐amp Fire,鈥� was added at The Camp in Mid City.
Still on the musical move in June, Felton and company collaborated with The Little Black Dress for a Father鈥檚 Day event called 鈥淒ads N Jazz.鈥� Later that month, they worked with My Journey Solutions on a health and music-themed project, 鈥淗ealthy Vibes.鈥�
Despite the torrential rain of that July 4, R&B Vibes and The Camp performed an amazing show before people who would not be dissuaded from their groove by the weather. A week later R&B Vibes performed at its first block party for ProjectXYZ in Tuscumbia, Ala. They closed out the year with an open mic jam.
鈥淗untsville is an up and coming city鈥� on the verge of an explosion, Felton noted. 鈥淭here are many hidden jewels here.鈥� He hopes his new venture will become an added source for internships and co-op opportunities for the arts and entertainment.
鈥淲e are looking forward to a great year with mind-blowing events,鈥� said Felton. 鈥淐ome vibe with us.鈥�
For additional information about the artist showcase, contact the AAMU alumnus at randbvibeslive.com.
- Jerome Saintjones