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How POZ Music will save
America
by Scott Johnson
We live in the Divided States of America now. The conversations we're having both
personally and nationally are often negative and divisive. Political attack ads are
getting louder and meaner. Spin is making it harder for even the most level-headed
citizen to make intelligent decisions. And the media, in its effort to compete with
one another, broadcasts and publishes the most attention-getting, often sensational
sound bites and factually challenged news.
The conversations we have -- with ourselves when reading newspapers or watching TV,
or with friends and colleagues -- often focuses on what's NOT working, what's lacking
and what we don't want.
Our conversations run our lives. That's why companies will pay more than a million
dollars for a mere 30-second commercial during the Super Bowl to influence the conversations
inside our heads, and thus our behaviors.
Poz music, short for positive music, is a new genre that is leading the way for healthier,
more constructive conversations in media. Using the universal language of music,
Poz distinguishes itself mainly through its lyrics and intent.
Songs are like mantras. When we hear things over and over again, we begin to experience
those messages and feelings in our own lives. We're all feeling like we want to experience
more peace, more purpose and more connection to the world around us. Instead of dysfunctional
love songs or angry rap, why not speak about what's good in our lives, what's possible,
what's going to make things better?
Poz is an eclectic blend of music from mainstream and independent artists that is
inclusive and strives to express what we all share as human beings. It focuses on
what we want, as opposed to what we don't want, and on what works. It is music to
appreciate, and perhaps improve, one's life. It's constructive and affirming.
It may, as defined by the Positive Music Association (PMA -- www.PositiveMusicAssociation.com),
be spiritual in a universal sense, but not religious. Poz often inspires and empowers
people to feel good, to contribute, to bring out the best in themselves. It's not
about denying conflict, negativity or problems, but seeing everything, and then deciding
what you want to focus on.
From Christina Aguilera's "Beautiful" and Simon and Garfunkels' "Citizen
of the Planet," to indie songs like "Waking Up," "If I Were Brave"
and "Right This Moment," songs with positive messages are gaining popularity
across the country.
Already millions of Americans listen to music that could be classified as positive
-- New Thought, New Age, Inspiring, Motivational, Spiritual. Positive Music Radio
(www.PositiveMusicRadio.com), run by Tom Averna, claims to have the largest collection
of Poz music in the world, with more than 200 independent artists featured, with
new musicians being added every week.
"This music is not telling people how to live," Averna says. "Its
primary message is to encourage us to feel good about our lives and to be open to
the greater potential in every one of us." From pop, rock, jazz and blues, to
folk, spiritual, Irish and Latin, Averna's Internet radio station plays music from
well-known artists like Sting and John Denver to independent musicians like Jana
Stanfield, Karl Anthony and Faith Rivera.
Through the entertaining and enlightening medium of music, Poz is setting the example
for how media can change our conversations and effect our lives in more positive
ways. Perhaps America could become the United States again. One way is to start singing
about what we all have in common and encouraging a national dialogue that is constructive
and inclusive.
Scott Johnson is executive director of the Positive Music Association. To find
out more about Poz music and Positive Music Radio, visit www.positivemusicassociation.com
Copyright © 2005 Scott Johnson. All rights reserved.
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| January 2005 |
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