July 9, 2025 • 33 mins
Michael D. Finkley is a Grammy®-nominated, World Entertainment Award®-winning media personality, inspirational speaker, gospel artist, and the dynamic host and senior executive producer of the award-winning talk show, The Michael Finkley Show, powered by the CTR Media Network. Broadcasting to over 350 million households in more than 100 countries, the show features authentic, multidimensional conversations with entertainers and changemakers, all rooted in the inspiring question: “What is your next biggest dream?” A native of Mullins, South Carolina, Finkley’s path in media and communication was inspired by his mother, a former disc jockey for JOY 1280 WJAY AM. He began his journey with internships at WFMV 96.1 FM in Columbia, SC, and went on to host the “I Love Mullins” radio series. Today, his vibrant presence continues to uplift and motivate audiences across generations. Finkley is an alumnus of Allen University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in English. He holds two graduate degrees Master of Education and a Master of Science in Higher Education Administration—from Southern New Hampshire University. He is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Educational Leadership at South College. His talents extend beyond the screen into music. His show’s theme song, “Biggest Dream Come True,” captures the essence of his message—hope, resilience, and limitless possibilities. The single is available on all streaming platforms and continues to inspire fans worldwide. His latest gospel single, “Smile,” is a spirit-filled anthem of faith and joy, born from personal experience and grounded in Proverbs 17:22. The lead single from his forthcoming worship album, Smile reflects Finkley’s deep-rooted belief that joy, even in hardship, is a divine gift. Known for his charisma and ability to connect with people from all walks of life, Finkley has become a beloved voice in both media and ministry. His influence has led him to red carpets at the Grammys, the Oscars, the Stellar Gospel Music Awards, and more. Each Friday, he continues to serve his community as a voice on the Jamal Bates Morning Show’s Community Spotlight Series on The Almighty 105.1 FM. With a mission to inspire others to pursue their biggest dreams—no matter their circumstances—Michael D. Finkley stands as a beacon of faith, ambition, and authentic storytelling in today’s media landscape. James Lott Jr is the host of the show!
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:04):
Welcome, Welcome, Welcome to another edition of Extra Connections with
James Lognior.
Speaker 2 (00:08):
I am James Logor. That's how it works here. I
know just that.
Speaker 1 (00:13):
Here on jail J Media, I have show part of
my ousee that's me when I was three years old.
It's right there to the next my plants. That that
plant I rescue, folks, It's about connections. I rescued that
plant from somebody who's put it out like it's a
beautiful plant. It's come back to life. Welcome to the show,
folks here on jail j ext Connection is on Facebook.
James Engor is everywhere you want to be of course online.
(00:36):
I love talking to indie artists. I talking to inspirational people,
inspirational singers and speakers. That he has a history, he
has like stuff going on and new stuff going on
to you, and we're going to talk to him, and
I'm so excited. He's a Grammy award That Grammy folks,
you know what is award nominated is award winning media personality.
(00:56):
He's an inspirational speaker and he's a gospel artist. I'm
sure it's only a few things here, but he's a
multi highriant that's basically just gonna say he's a multi
highrid That's that's what we're talking about, and we love those.
His last release was called Smiles. The gospel single ones
out on Spotify, happening, all those little streaming platforms. You
go there and get that. So we're gonna talk to
him about an upcoming album, what else is going on
(01:18):
his life.
Speaker 2 (01:18):
Get to know a little bit more. Help me. Welcome
Michael Finkley. Hey Michael, Oh my godness, thank you for
having me. I'm so honored. I really am. I really
a This is like.
Speaker 3 (01:33):
A moment I've always wanted to have, Like literally before
we started, I'm like.
Speaker 2 (01:37):
I reterally literally really.
Speaker 3 (01:39):
Really I'm a fan, like literally, so thank you for
this time and opportunity.
Speaker 2 (01:43):
I really appreciate.
Speaker 1 (01:44):
Thank you, know, see all seriously, I'm always and when
I said something like that, I'm like, oh my god,
thank you. So I am receiving it. I am taking it,
Thank you very much. I've been out here a long time,
ye so you guys know that, and I worked this out.
But it's all about connection. That's why we're here. It's
all connection and connecting.
Speaker 2 (02:01):
Uh.
Speaker 1 (02:02):
First of all, congratulations on the new single. You gave
birth to it, you your producers birth and out explain
a song to us.
Speaker 3 (02:11):
Yeah, so for years, you know, I've been uh singing
for years, starting my grandfather's church. And every time I
am on stage, you know, singing, I sing to him.
You know, I spake the same to the audience, but
I I singing to him because that's that's our our contact.
And so every time I sing, I smile, and someone
(02:34):
over the I would get always over the years, you know,
how do you sing and smile at the same time.
I'm like, I don't know, I just do it. It's
just because he makes me smile, because he's so good
to me. He's so gracious, so kind, It's all all
all these different things. And so when I decided to
do this project finally, after many years of writing and
(02:56):
you know, doubting myself, I wanted this to be the
first single out there because I wanted to know that,
you know, coming from Proverbs seventeen and twenty twenty two.
Speaker 2 (03:06):
About laughter, what comes first, you smile and then you laugh.
Speaker 3 (03:11):
So all that goes in hand to hand, because you know,
it's just like medicine, and they can heal, they can
deliver you. So in the so many we can make
you feel better. I'll lift your spirits because they said
that it takes more. Must of the frown, do the smile.
So he makes me smile. I say, have a great smile,
so like hello, smile all the time. Please please please?
Speaker 1 (03:33):
No, Okay, So I want wants about that because I
always say that everything I do is divine invention. So
I mean it's it's gone, you know, like literally everything
I do, everything, I survive everything, I'm part of everything
that I have, everything I'm doing. He's guy, he's the
guiding hand. He's always on my side.
Speaker 2 (03:52):
I'm working.
Speaker 1 (03:52):
I'm working it out right, he's working out for me,
and I'm doing my part. You gotta do your party.
You can't just sit back and lift it. You know,
you got to do your part. And so for you,
how early was that instilled in you? And first of all,
how early was it instilled in you? And then do
you remember about what time period in your life it
really hit you that it's true. So I was always
(04:14):
brought up in church. My grandfather was a pastor, grandmother
first lady. So I was born and raised in that
start a doctor and so I started singing when I
was eight years old, and you know, I like you
because people were applauded, like, good job, I got a
good stuff, you know.
Speaker 2 (04:31):
But it wasn't until I.
Speaker 3 (04:32):
Got older in age we were really to figure out
I'm not seeing to the people.
Speaker 2 (04:36):
I'm singing to their spirits.
Speaker 3 (04:37):
I'm singing to their situations by God who was giving
me the power to do so. And so I realized
that around like my early teens, twelve, thirteen years old,
and you know, and because of that it and the
more I be now at thirty six years old, it's like, wow,
(04:59):
I just be.
Speaker 2 (05:00):
I just get such an odd because he's using.
Speaker 3 (05:03):
Me like a little old me, little country boy, and
me to fulfill a message that he's trying to get
across to the congregation of whomever. Whatever is happening at
the moment could be a song, could be a speech,
give me whatever, right, a conversation.
Speaker 2 (05:18):
Right. So yeah, so around those.
Speaker 3 (05:22):
Ages and I'm just I'm still like I said, it
was just still in awe, you know, because he's.
Speaker 2 (05:29):
Just using me and that again that makes you smile too,
you know.
Speaker 1 (05:33):
So it's just it's just all the way around what
I learned he said something. That's that we all think this,
or we learn we're not small in his eyes. There's
no little on me in his eyes. We're all we're
all the same because we're giving to him. We're all
the same in his eyes. Right, and that crazy We
may think, oh my God, like why are we Why
(05:53):
am I getting these things? And polople think they don't
deserve it, so they knock blessings away, they sabotage me
like they like, like, no, that's what point. You are
deserving of these things. You believe in him, You deserve
these things. There's no you deserve more than he does,
or he deserves more than you.
Speaker 2 (06:07):
Like just and of that we have. We had to
learn that, and I know I had to learned that.
Speaker 1 (06:13):
Now I have a couple of gospel dance songs out myself.
Speaker 2 (06:18):
I put not music too, and I have some. I
have some.
Speaker 1 (06:19):
I have some songs that are well received a few
years ago, I did an album called Salvation Is Possible
and Dancing Your Way to Heaven as my album, and
half the songs were gospel dance songs, and I did
all They all have messages and I wrote them myself.
But I know I was nervous, and I'm just want
to bring this back to you. I was nervous because
a regular song is one thing to write and put
(06:43):
out a song that's inspirational. I don't know why I
thought I we could judge more. I'm wondering, how do
you feel about that? How do you feel about that?
Also putting out a gospel song.
Speaker 3 (06:54):
Yeah it was, it's not different. But what people say
at times, right, you know, it's still say it's good,
or it's just like, oh, that's a cute little song,
or you know, you know, you know how people are
(07:16):
and they don't mean doing it. Some some don't do
it intentionally, some do. But at the end of the day,
it's a song about him and that's what really matters.
And I'm like, God, am I pleasing me with this song?
Are you pleased with the song? As long as he's
pleased with the song?
Speaker 2 (07:32):
You know?
Speaker 3 (07:33):
I'm okay. I know that he is because we're anytime,
even when people get saved, you know, Heaven re joice
is over one. So listen. I'm like, God, this this
is for you, This is for you, not only you,
And I want I want this song to bless and
heal and deliver and say, realize that y'all, it's not
(07:54):
all good and it's not all bad. Some good some
good things are going to happen as well, some bad
things gonna happen as well. So you just have a
smile all the way through it because it's gonna get better.
This is just a night, but morning it's gonna come
and promise.
Speaker 1 (08:07):
You right, And you're not saying smile and ignore everything
you're not saying.
Speaker 2 (08:13):
You're saying, be faking. You're saying. No, stuff's gonna happen.
Speaker 3 (08:17):
Like explains, let's your smile through it because you're gonna
have to go through it to get through it. So yeah,
go around it around.
Speaker 1 (08:26):
You can't skip it because it's gonna come back to you.
Speaker 2 (08:29):
You can. I tried that a couple of times. Didn't work.
To listen.
Speaker 1 (08:34):
Yeah, well you think you can kind of. I'll just
go over here and I know it's still come fi'
come find it.
Speaker 2 (08:38):
It's still there in my face.
Speaker 1 (08:39):
Yeah right, seriously, that seriously it is so Also, I
want people to know that there's there's different kinds of
of inspirational music out there.
Speaker 2 (08:47):
You know.
Speaker 1 (08:48):
It does mean Seriously From the Kirk Franklin stuff to
DC talks, whatever, there's all these there's always you know, everybody.
I know some people are very traditional a lot of times.
The older people a lot of times are traditional. But
always want I just want to say that there's all
kinds of gospel music out there that's really.
Speaker 2 (09:04):
There, right, and you know, yeah, do you know if.
Speaker 1 (09:10):
I mean, I don't know the statistics or anything, but
I mean the state of gospel music is pretty good
these days.
Speaker 2 (09:15):
I think I think people to listen to it. They're
turning to it, aren't they?
Speaker 1 (09:19):
Mm hmmm, the state of gospel I think so. I
think people are there's just still turning to the state
of gospel music. It's very good now. To put out
a song, you know, it takes a lot of bravery
and to go, Okay, I'm putting myself out there.
Speaker 2 (09:33):
How do you prepare yourself for that? Yeah?
Speaker 1 (09:38):
Yes, okause people think it's just like out there and
it's fine, But like there's a lot to put up
with yourself, yourself out there, right, Because.
Speaker 3 (09:45):
I was a type of person growing up. I was
not confident in my skills and my abilities or anything.
Speaker 2 (09:50):
You know.
Speaker 3 (09:51):
I hate the way I looked and I'm like, why
my skin I mean so dark and not all this
other kind of stuff. That's another segment. But you know,
I hated it. I hated my voice. I didn't like
my voice, and I didn't like my speaking voice and
my singing voice. And so it took me a long
time too, like who I am? Love who I am?
(10:13):
I mean that right isn't a process? Still is a
process right as long as I feel that we were
on this earth, it is going to be the team
which process. But yeah, it took me a long time
to be this comfortable to say, you know what, because
I've been writing since twenty eleven and a notebook is
full of just songs that God has given me over
(10:34):
the years, and now literally just going into the studio
and you know, reporting everything and writing everything. Now I
ain't singing everything and all this kind of good stuff.
And so my engineer and my producer, he's the same person.
He always gets upset with me. It's like, you're just.
Speaker 2 (10:52):
Now doing this.
Speaker 3 (10:56):
There was a process, sir, a process.
Speaker 1 (11:00):
Now that was the right time. Now the right time
you're getting you're honing your craft, and so is it
because you're you're singing now you're singing more? Are you
getting better with you? Like your voice more?
Speaker 2 (11:15):
I do.
Speaker 3 (11:16):
I'm seeing I've been singing in church for a year
in the top of years.
Speaker 2 (11:18):
And then on.
Speaker 3 (11:20):
Top of that, and then as you mentioned before, the
whole Grammy aspect put me on cloud nine.
Speaker 1 (11:26):
Hey, talk about that, please talk about that? How to
I mean nomination? So who how are you nominated? And
who are you nominating for? And what what was going on?
And yeah, I want to hear that. I want to
hear that picturing South Carolina. Oh my gosh, I love it.
Speaker 2 (11:46):
I love it. Yes, Oh my gosh.
Speaker 3 (11:48):
So it was even on my Bingo card as you know,
you know media, same ass finish you are. And I
had a guest on my show who was shout out
to Antonio Bellagata, who is out of Ecuador, and you know,
I've been watching him for a while. I'm like, i
(12:08):
want him on my show. And he was he was
Latin Grammy nominated at the time, and as an engineer,
he does it all. He sing, he's always got good stuff.
And he said at the time I had another single out, uh,
And he was like, yeah, I heard your song and
you're good. I'm like, thank you, and he's like, well,
(12:29):
I'm working on this project and I want you to
be on it.
Speaker 2 (12:32):
I'm like, okay.
Speaker 3 (12:33):
Now, with guests and things like that, with people in general,
people have offered me so many different things over the years,
I'm like, okay, all right, I'll wait till they showed me.
If not gonna, I'm not gonna get excited. Yes, but
he was a man true to his word. We worked
for months getting the you know, the music and the
lyrics and all this kind of good stuff. And I
(12:56):
was done.
Speaker 2 (12:57):
I was on the project.
Speaker 3 (12:59):
And so he's like, submitted to the Grammys.
Speaker 1 (13:01):
I'm like, okay, submitted, sir, Okay, August comes, you know,
he submits it.
Speaker 2 (13:08):
September August, he submits it. Blah blah blah. We'll do
this whole campaign sharing on our pages.
Speaker 3 (13:14):
It's a group of us that he selected outside the States,
inside the States by I love the way he.
Speaker 2 (13:21):
Went about doing this.
Speaker 3 (13:23):
And I tell you, one thing led to another, and
November eighth of last year, we're nominated. And I immediately
ran to him and said, what does this mean?
Speaker 2 (13:38):
What does this mean, sir?
Speaker 3 (13:40):
That we're you're part of the project. So you are
now officially a Grammy nominated artist. I'm like, okay, so
I neediately ran and tell my mom and yes, yes.
Speaker 2 (13:53):
And then at the time we were doing media.
Speaker 3 (13:56):
We're on a like awesome media tour, doing an interview
at the inn you and newspapers and our magazines and
all this kind of good stuff. I was able to
go to the Grand Oh wow, what was not like?
Speaker 2 (14:11):
It was?
Speaker 3 (14:14):
It was a dream come true. I see that these
doing an artist that you sing for years on time.
Speaker 2 (14:21):
You're singing up.
Speaker 3 (14:22):
Songs and all the kind of good on television piece
and you're in.
Speaker 2 (14:26):
The presence with them. It's like wow.
Speaker 3 (14:29):
So when I got back from LA to South Carolina
and I said to myself, no one can tell me
nothing now, so let me go ahead and in this
little studio, right, Okay, that's amazing.
Speaker 1 (14:45):
Here's something. You're an example. You just you followed your heart.
You did something, and you got rewarded in a sense
of one of the top industry musical things you can get,
the top you can get in music. And I was like,
Emmy an ovation, and that's amazing. I had the sense,
so I hope to get there one day that are
(15:06):
Emmy or sometimes trying to get there. But it's like
it's yes, but you're right, it's possible, but you know
what it's possible. And the other listen is so I
give you a chance. That's the lesson, isn't it? How
important do you believe in that?
Speaker 2 (15:23):
I believe in it?
Speaker 1 (15:24):
Of course, I'm sure you too, Just like tell the
folks that because you're an inspirational speaker to how important
it is to see people, to see people, yes, that
are not starting to be able to see people, and
then that have talent, to see people who have talent
who are not like celebrities an a list, but like
helping out the underdog, helping out the person who's like us.
Speaker 2 (15:43):
You just are working it out.
Speaker 3 (15:46):
Yeah, And that goes with your consistency, right, And I
feel that it doesn't matter how long you've been doing it.
But as long as you're consistent, consisting in what you do,
people will see you. People will notice you, People will
hone on to your crafting or your message what you're
(16:06):
trying to deliver.
Speaker 2 (16:08):
And someone saw.
Speaker 3 (16:09):
Me, Someone saw me and took that again, took that
chance to say, you know what, I want to bring
him along because I believe in what he does someone
said to me years ago before I started any of
this fun stuff right in media and all the gun
down stuff and music, someone said, you know what, Fakly,
someone's watching you. He said, I don't know who it is,
(16:30):
but someone's watching it. So continue to do what you
do because sometimes in this area you just want to
give up because you're wondering if people are getting the message.
And you know, all those other kind of goods, all
the hardware that goes behind it, although in the sleepless
note and money and time and effort that you put
into this, but at the end of the day, you know,
(16:53):
I feel like you can't give up. You can't give
up because something's instilled in you not to give up. Yeah,
it's still when you get see that next to your
where he wants you to be. So I go out
here grinding, right, James.
Speaker 2 (17:06):
That's right.
Speaker 1 (17:07):
I mean I can't give up, and I just feel
I feel like I just can't go because I feel
like people were examples. So if someone turns on a
YouTube channel or a TV or here's your music, one person,
we may change their minds, We may give them hope
to say, like you know what, my person may smile
shit they may smile. You know, he made me, Michael
(17:29):
Via made me smile, Like that's all the rest I'm
gonna smile. But I mean, that's that's serious time. I've
heard people tell me that they're like, James, I'm doing
this because I saw.
Speaker 2 (17:36):
You do it.
Speaker 1 (17:36):
Now'm Touchboddy. I know, I'm just gonna saw you do it,
and then telling you know it's like it's it's a
it's a connecting effects. I think, can't we can't, just can't.
Our voices are meant to be out there. Your voice,
my voice are meant there, and others are meant to
be out there.
Speaker 2 (17:50):
We can't. We can't stop. I can't.
Speaker 1 (17:53):
Yeah, what do you like about hosting an interviewing? Talking
with people all my world to At times we do
face to face in person, but majority of the time
where we're sitting at our home studio and we're just
you know, virtual, and I get to be in Ecuador,
I get to be in La, I get to be
in all these different places by just sitting here, and
(18:16):
I get to find and find out so many different
facts and things about persons that sometimes they don't even
talk about. Whether you know, run regular inter views of
what have, but I get to learn about who they
are because now I'm looking them now as a three
dimensional being. I'm looking at it as a person that
they are, not just the famous person that we see
on television. But I'm looking at the heart and look
(18:39):
at the mind. I looked at the soul and that's
what matters to me. That's what I get so giddy
about it. I was like, Wow, I'm learned so much more
about you.
Speaker 3 (18:47):
And now that I learned this, what I learned is
now I can stal with with myself if need be right,
these different characteristics and things that that person is teaching
me as a host. They don't even know sometimes they're
teaching me. But I I prayer every time before are
going here. I want to learn something too. You do
(19:10):
and I do. I learned of all the time. The
education never ends education. It should never end till you're done.
Education should continue to the end. Life's education. Is there
a guest you've had on I've been asked this question
myself that you really wanted and you got them or
(19:31):
has it happened yet, h that you've wanted.
Speaker 2 (19:40):
You? I'm like, we think about that? Who was that?
Speaker 3 (19:43):
Well, there's there's there are people that I want on
that I couldn't get in contact with, my team could
get in contact with. But then all of a sudden
they just happened to be the next few months in
my in our inbox saying, hey, they're doing this, this,
this and this.
Speaker 1 (20:02):
For example, I do an example. This is what was
the most current one, be slaved. Oh my buddy, I
don't be slaved.
Speaker 3 (20:10):
Yes, we have been trying to get together for years, years,
maybe three or four years. We were always in box
one another. But bla blah blah blah blah. But we
were trying together for years and then I remember, maybe
like two months ago, I'm in the inbox and it's
like I get this message from their PR rep. Hey
(20:31):
be saying it's going he's in Vegas and he wants
to believe you.
Speaker 2 (20:35):
We quickly booked that one. Yes, quickly say this.
Speaker 1 (20:40):
He is a legend in the business. Legend legend, So
make sure you check him out when you can. He's yeah,
I know, be Slaves. He's an amazing artist, amazing it was
just in Vegas.
Speaker 2 (20:55):
What he's going to talk to Oh he's crazy.
Speaker 1 (20:59):
Well, he's like, you guys are just these warm faces
and you just talk to.
Speaker 2 (21:02):
People, you know.
Speaker 1 (21:03):
That's it's like, it's like just you know what I mean,
Like some people really put off. You gotta get put
off by their vibe. Sometimes they haven't done that yet,
they ain't say nothing yet. But you guys are like
like there's a war. I'm like, sure, well I can
talk to you. Yeah, but I'm so glad he's got it.
I'm so glad you got he said he's a base
of regod artists read artists.
Speaker 2 (21:18):
Definitely.
Speaker 1 (21:20):
I love I love, I love that. I'll come on
the show one day if you ever want me on there,
if you ever wrote me.
Speaker 2 (21:25):
On there, I'll come on.
Speaker 1 (21:28):
Right, Okay, I mean I don't have nothing to say,
but if you want, but if you want me on
the outcome on. You ain't got nothing the same thing.
But all of a sudden, he just turns off. I'm like, no,
just kidding, I don't. I do have things to say.
I know I have anything to saying. I know that
wasn't true. I know that wasn't true at all at all.
So okay, So because you say you say you do
several things, I'm talking any red carpets also or any
(21:51):
kind of stuff like that I do. I'm not I'm
not a big fan of red carpets. I've done some
because I've had to because they got certain things. How
do you feel about rad How do you feel about
red carpets? Because if you have to mess on there,
sometimes it's crazy.
Speaker 3 (22:08):
It's a mess sometimes, but it's it's and it's tiresome
because what people don't realize is that it could be
all date. Yes, you get up earlier that morning and
you won't get back to the late that evening because
there are other things besides the Red carpet that you
may want to do as media and so it's but
you know when it's so warning to because sometimes the
(22:31):
artist knows you, the talent knows you, that kind of
thing that's like, okay, great, I wait for this all
day long, and.
Speaker 1 (22:41):
You and I stand out amongst all these people. They're
just saying we stand out and good and they wait
in a way that's quickly to go, oh, yeah, we
know him, Yeah, we you know Michael Finkley. We know
who that is. We'll go, you know, because okay, I
want to talk about home. Here's the cutthroat and this
is the red carpet. You guys don't even know about
because sometimes we will come on at once, so we're
trying to get certain people, and so they come and
(23:03):
they come a little smattering. It's like here's somebody and
it's like and they're going to him. And certain people
always get people all the time. There's certain outlets just
always get people. Then there are others and they don't
really know you.
Speaker 2 (23:14):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (23:15):
See, you'll give your attitude to be like, well, I
don't know so, but again, if someone knows you from
another interview or if you interview with them, it's in
your favor. And because we do kind of a big
tall black man, you know, we have big old black
boys out there. I had my hair out, I've had
froze and everything, and and they see us, they go, oh,
one year I was doing was in the Emmys and
(23:36):
I had my like coucha ki cloth like kucha cloth
African jacket. It was flowing all the way down. I
had my hair out and curls, and that' stood out.
I was like nobody else there that's out to him, right,
So it's kind of like okay, we were like, oh,
we know him. We know that guy with na know James.
(23:57):
We know him. So it does help to get the interviews.
What I'm saying this the Red carpets crazy. So I'm
sure if I saw the like I know, I know him,
I'm going to him next, Okay, I know him.
Speaker 2 (24:07):
I would you and you.
Speaker 3 (24:08):
Would have those persons that want to do that. For
the last erst. Last time I was on the Redit carpet,
someone said to me, you just have a great or
and smiles like that's why I bringing like this is
why I'm bringing you talent, you know, because people to
be a part of that.
Speaker 2 (24:21):
I'm like, wow, I have all these people.
Speaker 3 (24:23):
I'm like literally almost at the end of the line
and they're just passing all these other persons to get
to me. So or what I learned last time too
is that you have to be aggressive. Yes, you have
to be aggressive.
Speaker 2 (24:37):
And so.
Speaker 3 (24:39):
I got my interview with Tamla and David Mann, but
it was outlet.
Speaker 2 (24:46):
Yeah, it was just hating them the entire time.
Speaker 3 (24:49):
Well the still Awards and they were just like we
got to get them through, but they didn't want to
let them go.
Speaker 2 (24:56):
So I'm just like, no, you ain't getting past me.
So before you go mm hmm. Yeah, we got that.
We love that. We love them.
Speaker 1 (25:04):
Got you got got you got them, I got you
got them? No, because things, folks, you understand again being
meek and quiet, you could be you could be respectfully aggressed.
That's how you do it. Yeah, you don't be rude.
They're not saying be rude. You know, put your put
your voice out there. I like that fly aggress. It
(25:26):
works like work some words, Michael. I know I works
some words. Oh, because you look, because I really do.
I mean, I'm a big fandom. I do then when
I have to. And but I think everyone who does
any kind of interviewer hosting should do a red carpet
at least once or twenty definitely, And it teaches you
a lot because you said sometimes they're all day long.
Sometimes there three hours, you're done, like you you don't
(25:47):
know what it is. Lots of stamish, couple of shoes on,
you know what kind of make sure of all your equipments.
Because I'll take you a little blow up once and
I'm gonna asking you the same question.
Speaker 2 (25:58):
So once went to an award show.
Speaker 1 (26:03):
And all these interviews and day it was beautiful. All
these interviews got home. The sound wasn't turned out. So
while I cried in the corner. I ate my hair
and I got to go to the corner.
Speaker 2 (26:22):
I was just like, eat the hair. I'm dead.
Speaker 1 (26:26):
Luckily I had taken I did this whole thing, jad
I took selfies with every single person. So what I
did was I did I posted all the selfies will
be on these famous people, so that that got me
all attention. But some of the video was still good.
I turned into snippets, rid my own voice or going
(26:47):
and check out.
Speaker 2 (26:48):
You know.
Speaker 1 (26:48):
I did talk to so and so she looked like
how great she looks? So I figured it out, but
but it was a little messy. Do you have any
kind of stories like do just not even have red
carpets to say as a host, you've had where the
mic was turned on or got found, got corrupted, that's
anything stories like that?
Speaker 3 (27:06):
Oh yeah, plenty. And literally they had me last year
at the Stellar Awards with the sound it happened.
Speaker 2 (27:16):
Some of it was good, someone was bad.
Speaker 3 (27:18):
I ain't had a celebrity where they were Greek from
another organization and my mic was turned on. But they
were a Greek for another organization, and I was like, well,
you know, let's sound, let's do a Greek you know photo,
He's like, oh no, no, no, no, I don't fool with
them people like that. He was talking about his own organization.
(27:38):
But please tell me you got that.
Speaker 2 (27:40):
Please tell me. You just tell me you got that.
Speaker 3 (27:45):
But since then he's he's already put it out there
that you know. Okay, okay, got it. That's what I
was like.
Speaker 2 (27:51):
I'm like, please tell me what I can do it.
Oh my god, that is hilarious. I know.
Speaker 1 (28:02):
It's like so folks, there's things that have behind the
scenes too, So what what is Michael Finkley? And I
know it always changes, evolves, We all changed evolve these days.
What is your overall message to people?
Speaker 3 (28:17):
My overall message is to you and it goes with
my show as well and so many other things that
I've done. Pursue your dreams, you know, what is it?
Was that one thing you're working on now or one
thing that you already pursued. Right, If you already pursued it,
it's doing great, fantastic whatever.
Speaker 2 (28:35):
What's your next biggest dream? Right?
Speaker 3 (28:37):
Because because I continuously have that in our minds, what's
the next biggest thing that we're working on?
Speaker 2 (28:43):
So I always tell people pursue your dreams.
Speaker 3 (28:47):
You know, as many people said before, the graveyard is
the richest place in America because so many dreams are
left unfulfilled.
Speaker 2 (28:57):
Always tell God that use me. I'm just want to
be draft. Just use me up.
Speaker 3 (29:02):
Does our literally want to rest in peace? I literally
want to rest in peace. So yeah, dreams make it happen,
make it, make it happen.
Speaker 1 (29:13):
No, you just say you just saying I literally want
to rest in peace. That to me, where's my where
I need to drop it? Where's my phone was right here?
I would drop it right here. That that to me
is that's that is the SoundBite of sound bites. I
love that is that's really good? Like that, I think
I'm gonna use that. They want steal it from me.
I'll give your props. I'll say you said that that's
(29:36):
so good. But but I still would I would end
on that by I don't ask you this question. Is
an album coming forth?
Speaker 3 (29:42):
Yes it is? It is coming this year. Okay where
the works of Lake falls. So check out on our
social media platforms, our website, all the good stuff.
Speaker 2 (29:58):
But yes, that album is this he said, you said
this year, we got like what six more months?
Speaker 3 (30:05):
So you gotta come out, you gotta it has to happen.
This is gonna be our I'm not gonna give you
the name of it, but the story more worship more,
be thankful, grateful because we meant through a lot. You've
been through a lot to get to where we are
health wise and so many different things, like literally almost
(30:27):
died a few years ago. So all that energy is
going into this album and you get to hear my
story's so we're excited.
Speaker 2 (30:36):
So well I'm excited. Is then when your album comes out,
you have to come out, James, You're my first job.
Speaker 1 (30:44):
We're gonna talk about that story, about the story we
walked about your story through music. I would love to
have that conversation with you. Uh, you're the album looks
talk about and talk about it with you. It's gonna
be an be a great conversation. We're gonna we're gonna
do that. So you gotta put it out this year.
How I'm gonna last put it off this year. I'm
not going to where folks let me here forever, going on,
me be one hundred and twenty going away. That's the
(31:05):
rapture comes. I'm ready to go. But the story Michael Finkley,
thanks for being on the show.
Speaker 2 (31:12):
Well, thank you for having me. James, I really appreciate it.
Speaker 3 (31:15):
I was like, wow, I'm not gonna be because I'm
not used to be on the other side, you know,
do I know rights to be.
Speaker 2 (31:20):
An other side. But it's so simple and so easy.
So thank you day. You're welcome. You told you welcome.
Speaker 1 (31:28):
Tell folks when they can follow put I'm gonna listen
all below, of course, but tell me they can find you.
Speaker 3 (31:32):
Yeah, so really simple. Follow the journey everybody, All platforms
Michael Finkley's show, and visit our website at Michael fekleyshow
dot com.
Speaker 2 (31:43):
All platforms Michael Show.
Speaker 1 (31:45):
Yeah, so you go ahead, make sure you follow all
of that, folks. Tell him James sent you that for
sure there check out what he's doing. Uh, I'm James
I Junior, So I told you and we're all James
and Juniors sold that James Lojingior. And also studio platforms
including TikTok. Sometimes some tiktoks are over there. I post
things about airplanes and gardening and Recie's cup taste tests,
(32:07):
so check those out over there. And my brand video
of course may be famous check all that over there.
Support again, support the arts, whether it's music, dance, painting, art, oration,
So think all the different arts, all kinds of music, musicianship.
Music is so important to our society. Music reflects our society,
(32:31):
sometimes heals our society. It's just as important it's politics
and law and anything else. Plus they say for kids,
it helps them with math and sciences and everything else.
So make sure this help fund these programs for music
in schools and music based and art based schools. My
grandkids went to. So make sure you check those, alpholks.
(32:52):
I mean, it's just interesting. And then all the indie
artists out there, you know, I see you. I always
I showcase you on my shows. I'm a big fan
of indie artist because we're out there giving you some
good music, folks. Just that simple. It's some good music
by Michael Finkley's. You want to want out of stuff,
So please support that. And because I do, and I
see you all out there who are out there doing
(33:14):
your stuff, continue doing it. Like you said, you want
to rest in peace.
Welcome, Welcome, Welcome to another edition of Extra Connections with
James Lognior.
Speaker 2 (00:08):
I am James Logor. That's how it works here. I
know just that.
Speaker 1 (00:13):
Here on jail J Media, I have show part of
my ousee that's me when I was three years old.
It's right there to the next my plants. That that
plant I rescue, folks, It's about connections. I rescued that
plant from somebody who's put it out like it's a
beautiful plant. It's come back to life. Welcome to the show,
folks here on jail j ext Connection is on Facebook.
James Engor is everywhere you want to be of course online.
(00:36):
I love talking to indie artists. I talking to inspirational people,
inspirational singers and speakers. That he has a history, he
has like stuff going on and new stuff going on
to you, and we're going to talk to him, and
I'm so excited. He's a Grammy award That Grammy folks,
you know what is award nominated is award winning media personality.
(00:56):
He's an inspirational speaker and he's a gospel artist. I'm
sure it's only a few things here, but he's a
multi highriant that's basically just gonna say he's a multi
highrid That's that's what we're talking about, and we love those.
His last release was called Smiles. The gospel single ones
out on Spotify, happening, all those little streaming platforms. You
go there and get that. So we're gonna talk to
him about an upcoming album, what else is going on
(01:18):
his life.
Speaker 2 (01:18):
Get to know a little bit more. Help me. Welcome
Michael Finkley. Hey Michael, Oh my godness, thank you for
having me. I'm so honored. I really am. I really
a This is like.
Speaker 3 (01:33):
A moment I've always wanted to have, Like literally before
we started, I'm like.
Speaker 2 (01:37):
I reterally literally really.
Speaker 3 (01:39):
Really I'm a fan, like literally, so thank you for
this time and opportunity.
Speaker 2 (01:43):
I really appreciate.
Speaker 1 (01:44):
Thank you, know, see all seriously, I'm always and when
I said something like that, I'm like, oh my god,
thank you. So I am receiving it. I am taking it,
Thank you very much. I've been out here a long time,
ye so you guys know that, and I worked this out.
But it's all about connection. That's why we're here. It's
all connection and connecting.
Speaker 2 (02:01):
Uh.
Speaker 1 (02:02):
First of all, congratulations on the new single. You gave
birth to it, you your producers birth and out explain
a song to us.
Speaker 3 (02:11):
Yeah, so for years, you know, I've been uh singing
for years, starting my grandfather's church. And every time I
am on stage, you know, singing, I sing to him.
You know, I spake the same to the audience, but
I I singing to him because that's that's our our contact.
And so every time I sing, I smile, and someone
(02:34):
over the I would get always over the years, you know,
how do you sing and smile at the same time.
I'm like, I don't know, I just do it. It's
just because he makes me smile, because he's so good
to me. He's so gracious, so kind, It's all all
all these different things. And so when I decided to
do this project finally, after many years of writing and
(02:56):
you know, doubting myself, I wanted this to be the
first single out there because I wanted to know that,
you know, coming from Proverbs seventeen and twenty twenty two.
Speaker 2 (03:06):
About laughter, what comes first, you smile and then you laugh.
Speaker 3 (03:11):
So all that goes in hand to hand, because you know,
it's just like medicine, and they can heal, they can
deliver you. So in the so many we can make
you feel better. I'll lift your spirits because they said
that it takes more. Must of the frown, do the smile.
So he makes me smile. I say, have a great smile,
so like hello, smile all the time. Please please please?
Speaker 1 (03:33):
No, Okay, So I want wants about that because I
always say that everything I do is divine invention. So
I mean it's it's gone, you know, like literally everything
I do, everything, I survive everything, I'm part of everything
that I have, everything I'm doing. He's guy, he's the
guiding hand. He's always on my side.
Speaker 2 (03:52):
I'm working.
Speaker 1 (03:52):
I'm working it out right, he's working out for me,
and I'm doing my part. You gotta do your party.
You can't just sit back and lift it. You know,
you got to do your part. And so for you,
how early was that instilled in you? And first of all,
how early was it instilled in you? And then do
you remember about what time period in your life it
really hit you that it's true. So I was always
(04:14):
brought up in church. My grandfather was a pastor, grandmother
first lady. So I was born and raised in that
start a doctor and so I started singing when I
was eight years old, and you know, I like you
because people were applauded, like, good job, I got a
good stuff, you know.
Speaker 2 (04:31):
But it wasn't until I.
Speaker 3 (04:32):
Got older in age we were really to figure out
I'm not seeing to the people.
Speaker 2 (04:36):
I'm singing to their spirits.
Speaker 3 (04:37):
I'm singing to their situations by God who was giving
me the power to do so. And so I realized
that around like my early teens, twelve, thirteen years old,
and you know, and because of that it and the
more I be now at thirty six years old, it's like, wow,
(04:59):
I just be.
Speaker 2 (05:00):
I just get such an odd because he's using.
Speaker 3 (05:03):
Me like a little old me, little country boy, and
me to fulfill a message that he's trying to get
across to the congregation of whomever. Whatever is happening at
the moment could be a song, could be a speech,
give me whatever, right, a conversation.
Speaker 2 (05:18):
Right. So yeah, so around those.
Speaker 3 (05:22):
Ages and I'm just I'm still like I said, it
was just still in awe, you know, because he's.
Speaker 2 (05:29):
Just using me and that again that makes you smile too,
you know.
Speaker 1 (05:33):
So it's just it's just all the way around what
I learned he said something. That's that we all think this,
or we learn we're not small in his eyes. There's
no little on me in his eyes. We're all we're
all the same because we're giving to him. We're all
the same in his eyes. Right, and that crazy We
may think, oh my God, like why are we Why
(05:53):
am I getting these things? And polople think they don't
deserve it, so they knock blessings away, they sabotage me
like they like, like, no, that's what point. You are
deserving of these things. You believe in him, You deserve
these things. There's no you deserve more than he does,
or he deserves more than you.
Speaker 2 (06:07):
Like just and of that we have. We had to
learn that, and I know I had to learned that.
Speaker 1 (06:13):
Now I have a couple of gospel dance songs out myself.
Speaker 2 (06:18):
I put not music too, and I have some. I
have some.
Speaker 1 (06:19):
I have some songs that are well received a few
years ago, I did an album called Salvation Is Possible
and Dancing Your Way to Heaven as my album, and
half the songs were gospel dance songs, and I did
all They all have messages and I wrote them myself.
But I know I was nervous, and I'm just want
to bring this back to you. I was nervous because
a regular song is one thing to write and put
(06:43):
out a song that's inspirational. I don't know why I
thought I we could judge more. I'm wondering, how do
you feel about that? How do you feel about that?
Also putting out a gospel song.
Speaker 3 (06:54):
Yeah it was, it's not different. But what people say
at times, right, you know, it's still say it's good,
or it's just like, oh, that's a cute little song,
or you know, you know, you know how people are
(07:16):
and they don't mean doing it. Some some don't do
it intentionally, some do. But at the end of the day,
it's a song about him and that's what really matters.
And I'm like, God, am I pleasing me with this song?
Are you pleased with the song? As long as he's
pleased with the song?
Speaker 2 (07:32):
You know?
Speaker 3 (07:33):
I'm okay. I know that he is because we're anytime,
even when people get saved, you know, Heaven re joice
is over one. So listen. I'm like, God, this this
is for you, This is for you, not only you,
And I want I want this song to bless and
heal and deliver and say, realize that y'all, it's not
(07:54):
all good and it's not all bad. Some good some
good things are going to happen as well, some bad
things gonna happen as well. So you just have a
smile all the way through it because it's gonna get better.
This is just a night, but morning it's gonna come
and promise.
Speaker 1 (08:07):
You right, And you're not saying smile and ignore everything
you're not saying.
Speaker 2 (08:13):
You're saying, be faking. You're saying. No, stuff's gonna happen.
Speaker 3 (08:17):
Like explains, let's your smile through it because you're gonna
have to go through it to get through it. So yeah,
go around it around.
Speaker 1 (08:26):
You can't skip it because it's gonna come back to you.
Speaker 2 (08:29):
You can. I tried that a couple of times. Didn't work.
To listen.
Speaker 1 (08:34):
Yeah, well you think you can kind of. I'll just
go over here and I know it's still come fi'
come find it.
Speaker 2 (08:38):
It's still there in my face.
Speaker 1 (08:39):
Yeah right, seriously, that seriously it is so Also, I
want people to know that there's there's different kinds of
of inspirational music out there.
Speaker 2 (08:47):
You know.
Speaker 1 (08:48):
It does mean Seriously From the Kirk Franklin stuff to
DC talks, whatever, there's all these there's always you know, everybody.
I know some people are very traditional a lot of times.
The older people a lot of times are traditional. But
always want I just want to say that there's all
kinds of gospel music out there that's really.
Speaker 2 (09:04):
There, right, and you know, yeah, do you know if.
Speaker 1 (09:10):
I mean, I don't know the statistics or anything, but
I mean the state of gospel music is pretty good
these days.
Speaker 2 (09:15):
I think I think people to listen to it. They're
turning to it, aren't they?
Speaker 1 (09:19):
Mm hmmm, the state of gospel I think so. I
think people are there's just still turning to the state
of gospel music. It's very good now. To put out
a song, you know, it takes a lot of bravery
and to go, Okay, I'm putting myself out there.
Speaker 2 (09:33):
How do you prepare yourself for that? Yeah?
Speaker 1 (09:38):
Yes, okause people think it's just like out there and
it's fine, But like there's a lot to put up
with yourself, yourself out there, right, Because.
Speaker 3 (09:45):
I was a type of person growing up. I was
not confident in my skills and my abilities or anything.
Speaker 2 (09:50):
You know.
Speaker 3 (09:51):
I hate the way I looked and I'm like, why
my skin I mean so dark and not all this
other kind of stuff. That's another segment. But you know,
I hated it. I hated my voice. I didn't like
my voice, and I didn't like my speaking voice and
my singing voice. And so it took me a long
time too, like who I am? Love who I am?
(10:13):
I mean that right isn't a process? Still is a
process right as long as I feel that we were
on this earth, it is going to be the team
which process. But yeah, it took me a long time
to be this comfortable to say, you know what, because
I've been writing since twenty eleven and a notebook is
full of just songs that God has given me over
(10:34):
the years, and now literally just going into the studio
and you know, reporting everything and writing everything. Now I
ain't singing everything and all this kind of good stuff.
And so my engineer and my producer, he's the same person.
He always gets upset with me. It's like, you're just.
Speaker 2 (10:52):
Now doing this.
Speaker 3 (10:56):
There was a process, sir, a process.
Speaker 1 (11:00):
Now that was the right time. Now the right time
you're getting you're honing your craft, and so is it
because you're you're singing now you're singing more? Are you
getting better with you? Like your voice more?
Speaker 2 (11:15):
I do.
Speaker 3 (11:16):
I'm seeing I've been singing in church for a year
in the top of years.
Speaker 2 (11:18):
And then on.
Speaker 3 (11:20):
Top of that, and then as you mentioned before, the
whole Grammy aspect put me on cloud nine.
Speaker 1 (11:26):
Hey, talk about that, please talk about that? How to
I mean nomination? So who how are you nominated? And
who are you nominating for? And what what was going on?
And yeah, I want to hear that. I want to
hear that picturing South Carolina. Oh my gosh, I love it.
Speaker 2 (11:46):
I love it. Yes, Oh my gosh.
Speaker 3 (11:48):
So it was even on my Bingo card as you know,
you know media, same ass finish you are. And I
had a guest on my show who was shout out
to Antonio Bellagata, who is out of Ecuador, and you know,
I've been watching him for a while. I'm like, i
(12:08):
want him on my show. And he was he was
Latin Grammy nominated at the time, and as an engineer,
he does it all. He sing, he's always got good stuff.
And he said at the time I had another single out, uh,
And he was like, yeah, I heard your song and
you're good. I'm like, thank you, and he's like, well,
(12:29):
I'm working on this project and I want you to
be on it.
Speaker 2 (12:32):
I'm like, okay.
Speaker 3 (12:33):
Now, with guests and things like that, with people in general,
people have offered me so many different things over the years,
I'm like, okay, all right, I'll wait till they showed me.
If not gonna, I'm not gonna get excited. Yes, but
he was a man true to his word. We worked
for months getting the you know, the music and the
lyrics and all this kind of good stuff. And I
(12:56):
was done.
Speaker 2 (12:57):
I was on the project.
Speaker 3 (12:59):
And so he's like, submitted to the Grammys.
Speaker 1 (13:01):
I'm like, okay, submitted, sir, Okay, August comes, you know,
he submits it.
Speaker 2 (13:08):
September August, he submits it. Blah blah blah. We'll do
this whole campaign sharing on our pages.
Speaker 3 (13:14):
It's a group of us that he selected outside the States,
inside the States by I love the way he.
Speaker 2 (13:21):
Went about doing this.
Speaker 3 (13:23):
And I tell you, one thing led to another, and
November eighth of last year, we're nominated. And I immediately
ran to him and said, what does this mean?
Speaker 2 (13:38):
What does this mean, sir?
Speaker 3 (13:40):
That we're you're part of the project. So you are
now officially a Grammy nominated artist. I'm like, okay, so
I neediately ran and tell my mom and yes, yes.
Speaker 2 (13:53):
And then at the time we were doing media.
Speaker 3 (13:56):
We're on a like awesome media tour, doing an interview
at the inn you and newspapers and our magazines and
all this kind of good stuff. I was able to
go to the Grand Oh wow, what was not like?
Speaker 2 (14:11):
It was?
Speaker 3 (14:14):
It was a dream come true. I see that these
doing an artist that you sing for years on time.
Speaker 2 (14:21):
You're singing up.
Speaker 3 (14:22):
Songs and all the kind of good on television piece
and you're in.
Speaker 2 (14:26):
The presence with them. It's like wow.
Speaker 3 (14:29):
So when I got back from LA to South Carolina
and I said to myself, no one can tell me
nothing now, so let me go ahead and in this
little studio, right, Okay, that's amazing.
Speaker 1 (14:45):
Here's something. You're an example. You just you followed your heart.
You did something, and you got rewarded in a sense
of one of the top industry musical things you can get,
the top you can get in music. And I was like,
Emmy an ovation, and that's amazing. I had the sense,
so I hope to get there one day that are
(15:06):
Emmy or sometimes trying to get there. But it's like
it's yes, but you're right, it's possible, but you know
what it's possible. And the other listen is so I
give you a chance. That's the lesson, isn't it? How
important do you believe in that?
Speaker 2 (15:23):
I believe in it?
Speaker 1 (15:24):
Of course, I'm sure you too, Just like tell the
folks that because you're an inspirational speaker to how important
it is to see people, to see people, yes, that
are not starting to be able to see people, and
then that have talent, to see people who have talent
who are not like celebrities an a list, but like
helping out the underdog, helping out the person who's like us.
Speaker 2 (15:43):
You just are working it out.
Speaker 3 (15:46):
Yeah, And that goes with your consistency, right, And I
feel that it doesn't matter how long you've been doing it.
But as long as you're consistent, consisting in what you do,
people will see you. People will notice you, People will
hone on to your crafting or your message what you're
(16:06):
trying to deliver.
Speaker 2 (16:08):
And someone saw.
Speaker 3 (16:09):
Me, Someone saw me and took that again, took that
chance to say, you know what, I want to bring
him along because I believe in what he does someone
said to me years ago before I started any of
this fun stuff right in media and all the gun
down stuff and music, someone said, you know what, Fakly,
someone's watching you. He said, I don't know who it is,
(16:30):
but someone's watching it. So continue to do what you
do because sometimes in this area you just want to
give up because you're wondering if people are getting the message.
And you know, all those other kind of goods, all
the hardware that goes behind it, although in the sleepless
note and money and time and effort that you put
into this, but at the end of the day, you know,
(16:53):
I feel like you can't give up. You can't give
up because something's instilled in you not to give up. Yeah,
it's still when you get see that next to your
where he wants you to be. So I go out
here grinding, right, James.
Speaker 2 (17:06):
That's right.
Speaker 1 (17:07):
I mean I can't give up, and I just feel
I feel like I just can't go because I feel
like people were examples. So if someone turns on a
YouTube channel or a TV or here's your music, one person,
we may change their minds, We may give them hope
to say, like you know what, my person may smile
shit they may smile. You know, he made me, Michael
(17:29):
Via made me smile, Like that's all the rest I'm
gonna smile. But I mean, that's that's serious time. I've
heard people tell me that they're like, James, I'm doing
this because I saw.
Speaker 2 (17:36):
You do it.
Speaker 1 (17:36):
Now'm Touchboddy. I know, I'm just gonna saw you do it,
and then telling you know it's like it's it's a
it's a connecting effects. I think, can't we can't, just can't.
Our voices are meant to be out there. Your voice,
my voice are meant there, and others are meant to
be out there.
Speaker 2 (17:50):
We can't. We can't stop. I can't.
Speaker 1 (17:53):
Yeah, what do you like about hosting an interviewing? Talking
with people all my world to At times we do
face to face in person, but majority of the time
where we're sitting at our home studio and we're just
you know, virtual, and I get to be in Ecuador,
I get to be in La, I get to be
in all these different places by just sitting here, and
(18:16):
I get to find and find out so many different
facts and things about persons that sometimes they don't even
talk about. Whether you know, run regular inter views of
what have, but I get to learn about who they
are because now I'm looking them now as a three
dimensional being. I'm looking at it as a person that
they are, not just the famous person that we see
on television. But I'm looking at the heart and look
(18:39):
at the mind. I looked at the soul and that's
what matters to me. That's what I get so giddy
about it. I was like, Wow, I'm learned so much more
about you.
Speaker 3 (18:47):
And now that I learned this, what I learned is
now I can stal with with myself if need be right,
these different characteristics and things that that person is teaching
me as a host. They don't even know sometimes they're
teaching me. But I I prayer every time before are
going here. I want to learn something too. You do
(19:10):
and I do. I learned of all the time. The
education never ends education. It should never end till you're done.
Education should continue to the end. Life's education. Is there
a guest you've had on I've been asked this question
myself that you really wanted and you got them or
(19:31):
has it happened yet, h that you've wanted.
Speaker 2 (19:40):
You? I'm like, we think about that? Who was that?
Speaker 3 (19:43):
Well, there's there's there are people that I want on
that I couldn't get in contact with, my team could
get in contact with. But then all of a sudden
they just happened to be the next few months in
my in our inbox saying, hey, they're doing this, this,
this and this.
Speaker 1 (20:02):
For example, I do an example. This is what was
the most current one, be slaved. Oh my buddy, I
don't be slaved.
Speaker 3 (20:10):
Yes, we have been trying to get together for years, years,
maybe three or four years. We were always in box
one another. But bla blah blah blah blah. But we
were trying together for years and then I remember, maybe
like two months ago, I'm in the inbox and it's
like I get this message from their PR rep. Hey
(20:31):
be saying it's going he's in Vegas and he wants
to believe you.
Speaker 2 (20:35):
We quickly booked that one. Yes, quickly say this.
Speaker 1 (20:40):
He is a legend in the business. Legend legend, So
make sure you check him out when you can. He's yeah,
I know, be Slaves. He's an amazing artist, amazing it was
just in Vegas.
Speaker 2 (20:55):
What he's going to talk to Oh he's crazy.
Speaker 1 (20:59):
Well, he's like, you guys are just these warm faces
and you just talk to.
Speaker 2 (21:02):
People, you know.
Speaker 1 (21:03):
That's it's like, it's like just you know what I mean,
Like some people really put off. You gotta get put
off by their vibe. Sometimes they haven't done that yet,
they ain't say nothing yet. But you guys are like
like there's a war. I'm like, sure, well I can
talk to you. Yeah, but I'm so glad he's got it.
I'm so glad you got he said he's a base
of regod artists read artists.
Speaker 2 (21:18):
Definitely.
Speaker 1 (21:20):
I love I love, I love that. I'll come on
the show one day if you ever want me on there,
if you ever wrote me.
Speaker 2 (21:25):
On there, I'll come on.
Speaker 1 (21:28):
Right, Okay, I mean I don't have nothing to say,
but if you want, but if you want me on
the outcome on. You ain't got nothing the same thing.
But all of a sudden, he just turns off. I'm like, no,
just kidding, I don't. I do have things to say.
I know I have anything to saying. I know that
wasn't true. I know that wasn't true at all at all.
So okay, So because you say you say you do
several things, I'm talking any red carpets also or any
(21:51):
kind of stuff like that I do. I'm not I'm
not a big fan of red carpets. I've done some
because I've had to because they got certain things. How
do you feel about rad How do you feel about
red carpets? Because if you have to mess on there,
sometimes it's crazy.
Speaker 3 (22:08):
It's a mess sometimes, but it's it's and it's tiresome
because what people don't realize is that it could be
all date. Yes, you get up earlier that morning and
you won't get back to the late that evening because
there are other things besides the Red carpet that you
may want to do as media and so it's but
you know when it's so warning to because sometimes the
(22:31):
artist knows you, the talent knows you, that kind of
thing that's like, okay, great, I wait for this all
day long, and.
Speaker 1 (22:41):
You and I stand out amongst all these people. They're
just saying we stand out and good and they wait
in a way that's quickly to go, oh, yeah, we
know him, Yeah, we you know Michael Finkley. We know
who that is. We'll go, you know, because okay, I
want to talk about home. Here's the cutthroat and this
is the red carpet. You guys don't even know about
because sometimes we will come on at once, so we're
trying to get certain people, and so they come and
(23:03):
they come a little smattering. It's like here's somebody and
it's like and they're going to him. And certain people
always get people all the time. There's certain outlets just
always get people. Then there are others and they don't
really know you.
Speaker 2 (23:14):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (23:15):
See, you'll give your attitude to be like, well, I
don't know so, but again, if someone knows you from
another interview or if you interview with them, it's in
your favor. And because we do kind of a big
tall black man, you know, we have big old black
boys out there. I had my hair out, I've had
froze and everything, and and they see us, they go, oh,
one year I was doing was in the Emmys and
(23:36):
I had my like coucha ki cloth like kucha cloth
African jacket. It was flowing all the way down. I
had my hair out and curls, and that' stood out.
I was like nobody else there that's out to him, right,
So it's kind of like okay, we were like, oh,
we know him. We know that guy with na know James.
(23:57):
We know him. So it does help to get the interviews.
What I'm saying this the Red carpets crazy. So I'm
sure if I saw the like I know, I know him,
I'm going to him next, Okay, I know him.
Speaker 2 (24:07):
I would you and you.
Speaker 3 (24:08):
Would have those persons that want to do that. For
the last erst. Last time I was on the Redit carpet,
someone said to me, you just have a great or
and smiles like that's why I bringing like this is
why I'm bringing you talent, you know, because people to
be a part of that.
Speaker 2 (24:21):
I'm like, wow, I have all these people.
Speaker 3 (24:23):
I'm like literally almost at the end of the line
and they're just passing all these other persons to get
to me. So or what I learned last time too
is that you have to be aggressive. Yes, you have
to be aggressive.
Speaker 2 (24:37):
And so.
Speaker 3 (24:39):
I got my interview with Tamla and David Mann, but
it was outlet.
Speaker 2 (24:46):
Yeah, it was just hating them the entire time.
Speaker 3 (24:49):
Well the still Awards and they were just like we
got to get them through, but they didn't want to
let them go.
Speaker 2 (24:56):
So I'm just like, no, you ain't getting past me.
So before you go mm hmm. Yeah, we got that.
We love that. We love them.
Speaker 1 (25:04):
Got you got got you got them, I got you
got them? No, because things, folks, you understand again being
meek and quiet, you could be you could be respectfully aggressed.
That's how you do it. Yeah, you don't be rude.
They're not saying be rude. You know, put your put
your voice out there. I like that fly aggress. It
(25:26):
works like work some words, Michael. I know I works
some words. Oh, because you look, because I really do.
I mean, I'm a big fandom. I do then when
I have to. And but I think everyone who does
any kind of interviewer hosting should do a red carpet
at least once or twenty definitely, And it teaches you
a lot because you said sometimes they're all day long.
Sometimes there three hours, you're done, like you you don't
(25:47):
know what it is. Lots of stamish, couple of shoes on,
you know what kind of make sure of all your equipments.
Because I'll take you a little blow up once and
I'm gonna asking you the same question.
Speaker 2 (25:58):
So once went to an award show.
Speaker 1 (26:03):
And all these interviews and day it was beautiful. All
these interviews got home. The sound wasn't turned out. So
while I cried in the corner. I ate my hair
and I got to go to the corner.
Speaker 2 (26:22):
I was just like, eat the hair. I'm dead.
Speaker 1 (26:26):
Luckily I had taken I did this whole thing, jad
I took selfies with every single person. So what I
did was I did I posted all the selfies will
be on these famous people, so that that got me
all attention. But some of the video was still good.
I turned into snippets, rid my own voice or going
(26:47):
and check out.
Speaker 2 (26:48):
You know.
Speaker 1 (26:48):
I did talk to so and so she looked like
how great she looks? So I figured it out, but
but it was a little messy. Do you have any
kind of stories like do just not even have red
carpets to say as a host, you've had where the
mic was turned on or got found, got corrupted, that's
anything stories like that?
Speaker 3 (27:06):
Oh yeah, plenty. And literally they had me last year
at the Stellar Awards with the sound it happened.
Speaker 2 (27:16):
Some of it was good, someone was bad.
Speaker 3 (27:18):
I ain't had a celebrity where they were Greek from
another organization and my mic was turned on. But they
were a Greek for another organization, and I was like, well,
you know, let's sound, let's do a Greek you know photo,
He's like, oh no, no, no, no, I don't fool with
them people like that. He was talking about his own organization.
(27:38):
But please tell me you got that.
Speaker 2 (27:40):
Please tell me. You just tell me you got that.
Speaker 3 (27:45):
But since then he's he's already put it out there
that you know. Okay, okay, got it. That's what I
was like.
Speaker 2 (27:51):
I'm like, please tell me what I can do it.
Oh my god, that is hilarious. I know.
Speaker 1 (28:02):
It's like so folks, there's things that have behind the
scenes too, So what what is Michael Finkley? And I
know it always changes, evolves, We all changed evolve these days.
What is your overall message to people?
Speaker 3 (28:17):
My overall message is to you and it goes with
my show as well and so many other things that
I've done. Pursue your dreams, you know, what is it?
Was that one thing you're working on now or one
thing that you already pursued. Right, If you already pursued it,
it's doing great, fantastic whatever.
Speaker 2 (28:35):
What's your next biggest dream? Right?
Speaker 3 (28:37):
Because because I continuously have that in our minds, what's
the next biggest thing that we're working on?
Speaker 2 (28:43):
So I always tell people pursue your dreams.
Speaker 3 (28:47):
You know, as many people said before, the graveyard is
the richest place in America because so many dreams are
left unfulfilled.
Speaker 2 (28:57):
Always tell God that use me. I'm just want to
be draft. Just use me up.
Speaker 3 (29:02):
Does our literally want to rest in peace? I literally
want to rest in peace. So yeah, dreams make it happen,
make it, make it happen.
Speaker 1 (29:13):
No, you just say you just saying I literally want
to rest in peace. That to me, where's my where
I need to drop it? Where's my phone was right here?
I would drop it right here. That that to me
is that's that is the SoundBite of sound bites. I
love that is that's really good? Like that, I think
I'm gonna use that. They want steal it from me.
I'll give your props. I'll say you said that that's
(29:36):
so good. But but I still would I would end
on that by I don't ask you this question. Is
an album coming forth?
Speaker 3 (29:42):
Yes it is? It is coming this year. Okay where
the works of Lake falls. So check out on our
social media platforms, our website, all the good stuff.
Speaker 2 (29:58):
But yes, that album is this he said, you said
this year, we got like what six more months?
Speaker 3 (30:05):
So you gotta come out, you gotta it has to happen.
This is gonna be our I'm not gonna give you
the name of it, but the story more worship more,
be thankful, grateful because we meant through a lot. You've
been through a lot to get to where we are
health wise and so many different things, like literally almost
(30:27):
died a few years ago. So all that energy is
going into this album and you get to hear my
story's so we're excited.
Speaker 2 (30:36):
So well I'm excited. Is then when your album comes out,
you have to come out, James, You're my first job.
Speaker 1 (30:44):
We're gonna talk about that story, about the story we
walked about your story through music. I would love to
have that conversation with you. Uh, you're the album looks
talk about and talk about it with you. It's gonna
be an be a great conversation. We're gonna we're gonna
do that. So you gotta put it out this year.
How I'm gonna last put it off this year. I'm
not going to where folks let me here forever, going on,
me be one hundred and twenty going away. That's the
(31:05):
rapture comes. I'm ready to go. But the story Michael Finkley,
thanks for being on the show.
Speaker 2 (31:12):
Well, thank you for having me. James, I really appreciate it.
Speaker 3 (31:15):
I was like, wow, I'm not gonna be because I'm
not used to be on the other side, you know,
do I know rights to be.
Speaker 2 (31:20):
An other side. But it's so simple and so easy.
So thank you day. You're welcome. You told you welcome.
Speaker 1 (31:28):
Tell folks when they can follow put I'm gonna listen
all below, of course, but tell me they can find you.
Speaker 3 (31:32):
Yeah, so really simple. Follow the journey everybody, All platforms
Michael Finkley's show, and visit our website at Michael fekleyshow
dot com.
Speaker 2 (31:43):
All platforms Michael Show.
Speaker 1 (31:45):
Yeah, so you go ahead, make sure you follow all
of that, folks. Tell him James sent you that for
sure there check out what he's doing. Uh, I'm James
I Junior, So I told you and we're all James
and Juniors sold that James Lojingior. And also studio platforms
including TikTok. Sometimes some tiktoks are over there. I post
things about airplanes and gardening and Recie's cup taste tests,
(32:07):
so check those out over there. And my brand video
of course may be famous check all that over there.
Support again, support the arts, whether it's music, dance, painting, art, oration,
So think all the different arts, all kinds of music, musicianship.
Music is so important to our society. Music reflects our society,
(32:31):
sometimes heals our society. It's just as important it's politics
and law and anything else. Plus they say for kids,
it helps them with math and sciences and everything else.
So make sure this help fund these programs for music
in schools and music based and art based schools. My
grandkids went to. So make sure you check those, alpholks.
(32:52):
I mean, it's just interesting. And then all the indie
artists out there, you know, I see you. I always
I showcase you on my shows. I'm a big fan
of indie artist because we're out there giving you some
good music, folks. Just that simple. It's some good music
by Michael Finkley's. You want to want out of stuff,
So please support that. And because I do, and I
see you all out there who are out there doing
(33:14):
your stuff, continue doing it. Like you said, you want
to rest in peace.
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