Kid Energy USA Visits Mississippi with Burnie & Earl (Day 2)

Missed the report of Day one of the tour? Read it here.

(Wednesday, January 23, 2013) For the second day of the Kid Energy USA tour in Mississippi featuring Burnie and Earl the group spent the day in Yazoo City, hosted by Mr. Joseph Thomas, Stanley Clark of Real Deal Entertainment and the Hulk Team.

The first stop was Webster Elementary School where over 300 students gathered to hear tour coordinator Cyrus Webb talk about the importance of 811 awareness.

"This was a great experience for the citizens of Yazoo City," says Thomas. "I'm glad that we could host something like this for the kids that will stick with them."

Clark agrees. "There is nothing like kids coming together to be entertained and educated at the same time. I'm glad the Hulk Team and I could bring Burnie and Earl to the area."

After Webster Burnie and Earl were introduced to students at McCoy Elementary, receiving almost a rock star welcome. "You would have thought a pop star had entered the building," says Webb. After showing the video featuring the two characters they entered the cafeteria, sending the kids into instant applause.

"This is exactly what we were hoping would happen," says Webb. "Burnie and Earl are the perfect characters to bring the 811 message home for the kids."

The final stop of the day was Yazoo Citys Boys and Girls Club. Though some of the kids there had seen Burnie and Earl they were still interested in the story and the 811 message.  "You could hear some of them reciting the dialogue of the video along with it," says Webb. "I think that shows how much it is sticking with them."

Burnie and Earl will return to Yazoo City on Thursday as well as finish off the tour in Ridgeland, MS.

For more information visit www.burnieandearl.com. You can contact Cyrus Webb at cawebb4@juno.com or 601.896.5616.

Kid Energy USA Visits Mississippi with Burnie & Earl (Day 1)

The message of the 811 campaign has two exciting characters taking the lead in teaching safety and the importance of calling before you dig. Burnie and Earl, the creation of Louisiana-based Kid Energy USA, is sharing with schools the importance of knowing what is under your feet, and Mississippi is the first stop of what will be a nationwide tour for the two characters.

"We are excited to have been chosen by Kid Energy USA to spearhead this new project," says Cyrus Webb, publicist for the project and a Mississippi native. "I have seen firsthand how the message is being received, and this gives me optimism about how the rest of the country will respond."

The tour kicked off on Tuesday, January 22, 2013 at John Hopkins Elementary School in Jackson, MS at the invitation of educator Damon Hoskins. His class was the host room for the k-3rd graders to watch the educational film about 811 featuring Burnie and Earl as well as the characters themselves. 

"I was glad to be able to have Cyrus and Kid Energy visit our school," says Hoskins. "Anything that inspires the kids and teaches them valuable information is always welcome."

One by one Webb introduced Burnie and Earl and the importance of 811 education to various groups at John Hopkins. "It was thrilling to watch not only how the kids got the information but how they were excited to learn," he says.

After spending three hours with the elementary school the Kid Energy USA team headed to Rankin County and Visions Academy in Brandon, MS where two dozen students gathered to learn about 811 safety. 

In each location the students were given activity books to color and have fun with. The book also included the story of Burnie and Earl and how they learned about 811 safety.

On Wednesday, January 23, 2013 the group will be headed to Yazoo City. 

For more information visit www.burnieandearl.com. To get additional information about the tour contact Cyrus Webb at cawebb4@juno.com or 601.896.5616. 

Cyrus Webb Introduces Mississippi Reads

Conversations Book Club President Cyrus Webb is excited to announce the launch of "Mississippi Reads" (www.mississippireads.com). "This is our way of not only celebrating Mississippi authors but events where those in Mississippi can discuss books," says Webb, 37.

Since 2006 Conversations Book Club has hosted over 100 authors events in MS, LA, TN, GA and TX---most of which have included Mississippi authors. "It's been important for me to include my home state that gave me my start," Webb says, "and I see this new site as a larger way to do that."

Through "Mississippi Reads" Webb will be spotlight the Magnolia State's literary talent and allow the site to be the place that discusses reads for each year.

The monthly Saturday meetings for "Mississippi Reads" will take place at Appetizers Restaurant (3000 Hwy 80 E) in Pearl, MS. The schedule for the year is as follows:

2013 MISSISSIPPI READS BOOK CLUB SELECTIONS (includes date of book discussion) 
(01/2013) "Last Chance Texaco" by Joe Lee (01/12/2013)
(02/2013) "A Dark Journey to a Light Future" by Tommie Mabry (02/09/2013)
(03/2013) "Married to Sin" by Darlene Collier with Meredith McGee (03/16/2013)
(04/2013) "An Unspeakable Secret" by Glenda Hunter (04/13/2013)
(05/2013) "A Crushed Rose" by Roszalia Ellen (05/11/2013)
(06/2013) "Sketchy" by Jason Lee Usry (06/15/2013)
(07/2013) "Way Beyond Pisgah" by Alean McIntyre Adams (07/13/2013)
(08/2013) "He Got That Package" by Anthony M. Ellis (08/17/2013)
(09/2013) "Rise Above: Conquering Adversities by Greg Little (09/14/2013)
(10/2013) "Hannibal" by Thomas Harris (10/12/2013)
(11/2013) "A Time To Kill" by John Grisham (11/09/2013)
(12/2013) "Borderline" by Nevada Barr (12/14/2013)

Meetings will take place at 1p.m. and will last about an hour. Each month is an opportunity to come together and discuss the book and the author and get the thoughts of those who attend each meeting. Admission is free, and in some instances the author will be in attendance.

For more information about "Mississippi Reads" contact Cyrus Webb at cawebb4@juno.com or 601.896.5616. You can also stay abreast of all events at www.mississippireads.com.

Cyrus Webb Chosen As Publicist For Kid Energy Tour

Mississippi and Tennessee are poised to take the lead in a brand new campaign geared towards educating the public about safety, 811 and positive aspects of the petroleum industry. Introducing Burnie and Earl: the creation of Mike Fesi, owner of Louisiana-based Pipeline Construction & Maintenance, Inc and Kid Energy USA.

"About a year ago I noticed an abundance of negativity being directed toward our industry," says Fesi. "I realized that we needed to teach kids, and adults alike how important the petroleum industry is to our everyday lives." Burnie and Earl were born for that purpose.

Through Kid Energy USA Fesi and his team (Myke Fay-Z, Mike Smith and Eric Tabor) will be using the two character to travel across the country, with Mississippi and Tennessee being the launch states.

"We're excited to have been selected to kick off this important project," says Mississippi native Cyrus Webb. He has been tapped by Kid Energy USA to be the tour coordinator for the campaign. "I know that Burnie and Earl will not only resonate with young kids but help educate teens and adults about their responsibility when it comes to safety and what we can all do to pay it forward."

The dates of the Mississippi and Tennessee leg of the tour are January 21-25th. Webb has already set up stops with schools and after school programs, however, more are welcome. During each stop there will be information about Kid Energy USA and its mission as well as the importance of 811 and knowing what is under your feet when it comes to safety. Free material and coloring books will also be distributed to the younger audiences as well as the showing of a video about how Burnie and Earl learn about 811..

For more information about the campaign visit www.burnieandearl.com. Interested in learning how you can be a part of the tour? Contact Cyrus Webb at cawebb4@juno.com or 601.896.5616.

Estee: Conversations' Female Artist of 2012

by Cyrus Webb

Recording artist Estee first came to my attention in 2010 when she was promoting her single I WOULDN'T from the album JOY---and I have been a fan ever since. Her ability to take the listener on an amazing journey of self-reflection and gift of reaching the heart in the process made her an easy choice for Conversations' Female Artist of 2012, and it is my pleasure to bestow that honor upon her.

For Estee 2012 has already been one to remember, as she has been able to take her ministry of music and its message to the masses in so many great ways. As she has traveled, she has also been able to share some powerful songs along the way. One of my favorites became I'M STILL HIS, which allows the listener to admit their mistakes but also the realization that God still loves us and wants the best for us. Then came her single EXCUSES which also spoke to me in a big way. It takes you through the things we could say as excuses for not doing all we can in God's service, and then remind us that Jesus Christ gave so selflessly of himself, paying the ultimate price for our salvation.

During the holidays Estee also gave her fans and new listeners some amazing renditions of classics like O Holy Night that reminded us of the reason for the season.

This year she could do no wrong with her music, and the attention she is getting for it is more than deserved.

To find out more about Estee visit www.omega7productions.com.

Cyrus Webb Presents Tony Lindsay: Conversations' Author of the Year, 2012-13

by Cyrus Webb

Choosing the Author of the Year for Conversations over the past few years has been one of my greatest challenges, however, it also allows me the opportunity to share my thoughts on the wordsmiths that are delivering some of the world's greatest work. Past honorees have been Andrew Neiderman, John Saul, Wahida Clark and most recently Stuart Woods. All of them have been guests of mine through Conversations, and they all have shown themselves to be incredible at telling a great story.

For 2012 there was one author that consistently kept coming to the forefront of my mind because of the impact he was making, and it is for this reason that Tony Lindsay, author of titles like URBAN AFFAIR, ONE DEAD LAWYER, ONE DEAD PREACHER and now ONE DEAD DOCTOR (one of Conversations Top Books of 2012), is Conversations' Author of the Year 2012-13.

I first interviewed Lindsay some six years ago for Conversations Magazine. I was a fan of his that really wanted to share his story with our readers, and he was gracious enough to work with me in making it happen. We met face-to-face for the first time in 2008 when Conversations Book Club hosted him in author events in Mississippi and Louisiana.  It was great to spend some time with the storyteller, and get to know more about what motivates him as an author.

The gift that he has is one that I think is universal, but you will hear many talk about him in the singular vein of being a great "urban fiction" author. Being one that is not huge on such titles or generalizations, I would rather think of Tony Lindsay as a man that is able to tell a story in such a way that he can gather readers of various genres together around his work. He is definitely not a one-note. You might think you know him by reading books like STREET POSSESSION and URBAN AFFAIR, and then you might hear someone speaking about CHASIN' IT or MORE BOY THAN GIRL, and you will definitely get a different flavor of his literary palette.

In 2012 what struck me was that I was just getting the opportunity of digesting the lessons from his latest book of short stories called FAT FROM PAPA'S HEAD when ONE DEAD DOCTOR hit the market. Once again Lindsay was able to take us into the life of David Price and the issues he faced, reminding us of how much fiction can gave a true commentary on the events of our lives.

I hear people say if you are a fan of author Donald Goines you will like Tony Lindsay. That may be true to some, but it is not my experience. For me, Goines doesn't capture a world that speaks to me like Lindsay does. If anything, Tony Lindsay is the Donald Goines of my time. His words lift up and off the page into the reader's mind and heart, leaving an imprint that makes it almost impossible to keep it to yourself.

It is my pleasure to honor Tony Lindsay in this issue of Conversations Magazine and throughout 2013. His is a talent that the world deserves to know.

To discover him for yourself, look up his books at www.amazon.com.

Cyrus Webb Presents "Conversations Top 100 Books of 2012"

It is without question one of Conversations Media Group's most exciting events: revealing the titles that make up its Top Books of the year. For 2012 Cyrus Webb, President of Conversations Book Club and Editor-In-Chief of Conversations Magazine found it to be an increasingly difficult task.

"There were so many great books that came out this year it was almost impossible to narrow it down," he says. In the end he found his top fiction and non-fiction titles that he believes best represent not only what he loves about books but the world as well. Once again there are established authors as well as rising stars that are featured, keeping in step with Webb's desire to feature talent wherever it might come from.

What are the requirements for making Conversations Book Club's Top Books list? They are very simple. First books that make the list must be reviewed in print form. (No e-books are considered.) Secondly Webb would have had to have read the title by Nov. 1st of the previous year and by Nov. 1st of the current year for consideration.

Without any further ado here are Conversations Book Club's Top 100 Books of 2012:


Fiction (Listed in no particular order)

1. "Fractured" by Karin Slaughter (Bantam Dell)
2. "Watch Me Die" by Erica Spindler (St. Martin's)
3. "Into the Darkness" by V. C. Andrews (Simon and Schuster)
4. "Married in the Nick of Nine" by Alretha Thomas Diverse Arts Collective)
5. "Tony's Tiffany" by John Mobley (FreedomInk)
6. "Shades of Orange with Many Greens: Visions of Paul Cezanne" by by Walter E. Thompson
7. "Who?" by Tiona Brown (DaSaint Ent.)
8. "I Do Solemnly Swear" by D.M. Annechino (Thomas & Mercer)
9. "Devil's Gate" by F. J. Lennon (Simon and Schuster)
10. Yield" by Bryan K. Johnson (Bedside Books)
11. "Tilt" by Ellen Hopkins (Margaret K. McElderry Books/Simon & Schuster)
12. "The Unbearable Book Club for Unsinkable Girls" by Julie Schumacher (Delacorte Press)
13. "Darling Nikki" by E. V. Adams (Strebor Books/Simon and Schuster)
14. "Biten" by Dan O'Brien (unknown)
15. "The Stalker Chronicles" by Electa Rome Parks (Urban Renaissnce)
16. "The Choice" by Robert Whitlow (Thomas Nelson)
17. "Flying Solo" by Jeanette Vaughan (Age View Press)
18. "The Lost Daughter" by Lucy Ferriss (Penguin)
19. "The Aloha Trilogy" by Stephen A. Enna & Dennis J. Wootten (Authorhouse)
20. "An Echo Through the Snow" by Andrea Thalasinos (Forge)
21. "Q Awakening" by G. M. Lawrence (Variance Publishing)
22. "Kill Shot" by Vince Flynn (Atria Books)
23. "Love in a Carry-On Bag" by Sadeqa Johnson (12th Street Press)
24. "The Floater" by Sheryl Sorrentino (unknown)
25. "Suzy's Case" by Andy Siegel (Scribner/Simon and Schuster)
26. "The Cutting Season" by Attica Locke (Dennis Lehane Books/Harper Collins)
27. "Alligater Lake" by Lynne Bryant (New American Library/Penguin)
28. "How Angels Die" by David-Michael Harding (Q & CY Book)
29. "One Dead Doctor" by Tony Lindsay (Pen Knife Press)
30. "The Impeachment of Abraham Lincoln" by Stephen L. Carter (Alfred A. Knopf)
31. "Twisted Seduction" by N'Tyse (Strebor/Simon and Schuster)
32. "Last Chance Texaco" by Joe Lee (Dogwood Press)
33. "Bone Shadows" by Christopher Valen (Conquill Press)
34. "Drawing Breath" by Laurie Boris (unknown)
35. "Trickster's Point" by William Ken Krueger (Atria Books/Simon & Schuster)
36. "Don't Ask Don't Tell" by M. T. Pope/Tina Brooks McKinney/Brenda Hampton/Terry E. Hill (Urban Renaissance)
37. "Beauty to Die Foe" by Kim Alexis & Mindy Starns Clark (B & H Book"s)
38. "Coming Home" by Stacy Hawkins Adams (Zonderman)
39. "Cheeseland" by Randy Richardson (Eckhartz Press)
40. "Twelve Months" by Steven Manchester (The Story Plant)
41. "Damage Control" by John Gilstrap (Pinnacle/ Kensington Books)
42. "The Last Refuge" by Ben Coes (St. Martin's Press)
43. "Payback Ain't Enough" by Wahida Clark (Cash Money Content)
44. "A Fistful of Collars" by Spencer Quinn (Atria/ Simon and Schuster)
45. "Citycide" by Gary Hardwick (HardBooks Publishing)
46. "Better Than Chocolate" by Sheila Roberts (Harlequin/Mira)
47. "The Unfinished Work of Elizabeth D." by Nichole Bernier (Crown/Random house)
48. "Deadrise" by Robert Blake Whitehill (Calaveras Media)
49. "Friends Forever" by Danielle Steel (Delacorte Press/Random House)
50. "The Heat of the Night" by Pynk/Niyah Moore/Lorraine Elzia/Ebonee Monique/Lalaina Knowles/Elissa Gabrielle (Peace In The Storm Publishing) 

Non-Fiction Titles (Listed in no particular order)

1. "The Obama Question" by Gary Dorrien (Rowman & Littlefield Publishers)
2. "By Faith, Not By Sight" by Scott MacIntyre (Thomas Nelson)
3. "Side-Yard Superhero" by Rick D. Niece (Five Star Publications)
4. "Charlie" by Barbara Lampert (Langdon Street Press)
5. "Dear Marcus" by Jerry McGill (Spiegel & Grau (Random House)
6. "Self-Made Myth" by Brian Miller and Mike Lapham (Berrett-Koehler Publishers)
7. "Fearless" by Maimah S. Karmo (Brown Books Publshing Group)
8. "Lefty: An American Odysssey" by Vernona Gomez and Lawrence Goldstone (Ballantine Books)
9. "Soul Rape" by Heyward Bruce Ewart (Loving Healing Press)
10. "Crossing the Tracks" by Dolphus Weary (Kregel Publications)
11. "Redemption" by Bryan Clay (Thomas Nelson)
12. "Confessions of a Microfinance Heretic" by Hugh Sinclair (Berrett-Koehler)
13. "Uncle Yah Yah: 21st Century Man of Wisdom, Part 2 " by Al Dickens (Wahida Clark Presents Publishing)
14. "At the Feet of Jesus" by Joanna Weaver (Water Brook)
15. "Dramas of a Bald Head Queen" by Nina C. Brewton (Write Right Publications)
16. "Creating Time" by Marney K. Makridakis (New World Library)
17. "Single Black, and Government Owned" by Omegia (O) Keeys )Passionate Writer Publishing) 
18. "Fastest Man in the World" by Tony Volpentest (Bettie Youngs Books)
19. "Boxing with God" by Robert Coons (USIAA)
20. "Slow Democracy" by Susan Clark and Woden Teachout (Chelsea Green Publishing)
21. "7 Secrets of a Phenomenal L.I.F.E." by Howard Partridge (Sound Wisdom)
22. "The Shyster's Daughter" by Paula Priamos (Etruscan Press)
23. "Unbinding the Heart" by Agapi Stassinopoulos (Hay House)
24. "King Peggy" by Peggilene Bartels and Eleanor Herman (Doubleday/Random House)
25. "Against Wind & Tide" by Anne Morrow Lindbergh (Pantheon Books)
26. "Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power" by Jon Meacham (Random House)
27. "Marilyn" by Lois Banner (Bloomsbury)
28. "Fraternity" by Diane Brady (Spiegel and Grau)
29. "Everyday Meditation" by Tobin Blake (NewWorld Library)
30. "Journey into Thought" by Sidney Andrews (iUniverse)
31. "Tough Truths" by Deirdre Maloney (Business Solutions Press)
32. "Life & Love: Through My Eyes" by Ramona Jones (FreedomInk)
33. "Growing Up Ziglar" by Julie Ziglar Norman (Guideposts)
34. "The Sacred Thread" by Adrienne Arieff (Crown Publishers)
35. "A Dark Journey to a Light Future" by Tommie Mabry (WestBow Press)
36. "Embraced by God" by Babbie Mason (Abingdon Press)
37. "Beginning with the End" by Mary R. Morgan (Vantage Point)
38. "Get Off Your Attitude" by Ryan C. Lowe (Sound Wisdom)
39. "Identity" by Stedman Graham (FT Press)
40. "No Problem!" by E M Hanley (Livre)
41. "It's Your Life: Live Big" by Josh Hinds (Sound Wisdom)
42. "24/6" by Matthew Sleeth (Tyndale House Publishers)
43. "Cyber Bullying No More" by Holli Kenley (Loving Healing Press)
44. "I Ain't Trying 2 Hear It" by Melvin White (Authorhouse)
45. "Leaning Into Sharp Points" by Stan Goldberg (New World Library)
46. "You Can Buy Happiness(and It's Cheap" by Tammy Strobel (New World Library)
47. "Rocky Spirit" by Felice Cantatore (iUniverse)
48. "The 12 Principles to Wellness" by Eleanor R. (Balboa Press)
49. "Today: A Book of Daily Affirmations" by Christopher LaKeith Price (Estrus Publishing)
50. "Live To Give" by Austin Gutwein (Thomas Nelson)

Interested in having your title considered for 2013? Contact Cyrus Webb directly at cawebb4@juno.com or 601.896.5616. Follow Cyrus Webb on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cyruswebb and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/cyruswebb. 

To check out previous lists by Conversations Book Club or to stay abreast of upcoming literary events, visit www.conversationsbookclub.com. Keep inspired. Keep focused. Keep the Conversations going!