Synopsis
Anatomy of a Creative. And a story of being a Black Man in America
I Said What I Said is NOT your average memoir or self-help tome—and it most definitely isn't written that way! I Said What I Said is a uniquely honest attempt by its author Kenery Kent Smith, to make sense of a world that makes less and less sense each day. It is the story of hard-earned personal truths, and often painful firsthand experiences told in the most amusing ways. Also, ISWIS is written in a way where, hopefully, it informs, jumpstarts, or reignites its readers own journeys of healing and self-discovery.
I Said What I Said explores many topics and questions that at some point, life challenges us all to answer for ourselves, such as:
· Love and Relationships, Marriage and Divorce
· The importance of Self Love
· The often-complex Dynamics of Family and Friendships
· The difficult path to Self-Help and Self-Actualization
· Depression and Mental Health for Men
· The challenge of Caregiving for parents and loved ones
· The pain of loss of a Loved One
· Finding your Spirituality and Purpose, versus finding religion
ISWIS even touches on those sometimes controversial "tentpole" topics that are often difficult for many of us to acknowledge or engage in, including:
· Social Inequity
· Racism
· Politics
Kenery Kent Smith does all of this with humorous and engaging stories by way of prose, poetry, and quips; he tells of the life lessons learned by a little Black boy growing up in the infamous Chicago Robert Taylor Housing Projects; the wisdom gained from being a professional world-travelled musician; and hard truths that have been force-fed and digested by a Black Man navigating This African American Life.
Yet in I Said What I Said, Kenery Kent Smith manages to not only tell his own story, but to also tell the story of US; by transcending his personal opinions, and his own uniquely lived and learned experiences—and thoughtfully weaving them together with the commonalities we all have that exist beyond our cultural, age, and gender boundaries and differences.
Those personal truths, musings, stories, and testimonials about "lifing" as told in I Said What I Said, will draw you in, pique your curiosity, and activate your critical thinking caps. They will earn your laughter, elicit your empathy — possibly even fuel your anger. And maybe—just maybe—these stories will help you to understand not only a little something about Kenery Kent Smith, but also to learn something more about YOURSELF, and this wonderfully weird, complicated world in which we ALL live.
About the Author
A music industry veteran of more than 45 years, Kenery Kent Smith is part of a rich tradition of World Class Chicago bassists. His performance resume showcases the Chi-Town musical trademarks of extraordinary talent, and a versatility to work in any musical genre. He has toured extensively throughout the United States and Europe with many prominent and well-known musical artists and entertainers. Kenery has also provided musical support for the world-renowned tap dance ensemble MADD Rhythms, and touring nationally with both Jackie Taylor's Black Ensemble Theater, and Chicago's Free Street Theater. Kenery also appeared in and wrote and produced original music for the independent film by director Stacie Hawkins entitled, "The Rise and Fall of Miss Thang". And for 15 years Kenery was co-founder and bassist of Chicago's very own Nu-Jazz legends Detour JazFunk, with whom he shares writing, arranging, and co-production credits on their debut CD entitled JazFunk. He currently holds down the bassist chair for the nationally syndicated weekly services of Victory Apostolic Church in Matteson, IL.
Kenery's first published foray into his written expression of Creativity came in the form of being a Contributing Author in the Amazon #1 Bestseller book, Lessons for The Little Boy. In it, he explores his personal journey to manhood, along with 12 other men, and the personal insights of the book's creator and co-author, Jaime A. Gill. Kenery has also been a contributing writer and reviewer for the renowned music industry publication Bass Musician Magazine. And his latest book of self expressive ramblings titled I Said What I Said, is a book of musings, remembrances, and messages for the masses. It's a memoir, but with self help tendencies; an often humorous, sometimes clear eyed and serious—yet always honest and revealing tale of a lifelong journey of discovery and personal truths as a musician, self proclaimed "Worderer", observationist, and as a Black Man simply lifing in America.
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