Popular Song By Cash Money Inspires Anthem To Encourage Reading

(Wednesday, December 29, 2010) When Shadow Play Entertainment President Cyrus Webb began looking for a theme song to promote its literacy campaign for 2011, he didn't have to go any further than two of his friends that shared his passion for encouraging reading: Herschel Dixon of Louisville, KY and Chris Ervin aka Dj Down South of Raleigh, MS.

"As a father, Herschel has made books a large part of his daughters' lives," says Webb, 35. "He came to me with the idea to rewrite Cash Money's popular song "Get Your Roll On" to promote reading among young people as part of our Hip Hop and Books Campaign. It made perfect sense, and from there we got together and wrote the song. The only thing left to do was get someone to record it."

Choosing Dj Down South was a no-brainer for Webb. "Down South had been a part of our Hip Hop and Books literacy campaign since I co-founded it in 2008 with Platinum-selling recording artist and bestselling author Corey "C-Murder" Miller in 2008," says Webb. "He saw what we were trying to do, and the rest is history."

The song "Get Your Read On" will be used as the theme for not just the Hip Hop and Books campaign but Webb's entire initiative to encourage reading among all age groups and backgrounds. "We have to do whatever it takes to get people enjoying books again," says Webb. "This song is just one part of my plan to do that in 2011. I am already working on a video for Youtube featuring the song, and we are gathering an impressive body of influential individuals together to promote reading's importance as well."

Celebrities that have already joined the campaign include actress/director/author Cherie Johnson (Punky Brewster/Family Matters), actor/author/recording artist Tray Chaney (HBO's The Wire), Vanessa and Angela Simmons (Pastry), recording artists Fizz and Booz and many more.

"Get Your Read On" is available for free download at www.esnips.com/web/getyourreadon. Webb hopes that people will share the song and use it as a catalyst to make books a part of their daily lives.

For more information about Shadow Play Entertainment's literacy campaign, visit www.hiphopandbooks.net, www.taketimetoread.com or contact Cyrus Webb at cawebb4@juno.com or 601.896.5616.

Mississippi Native Encourages Others To "Take Time To Read"

(Monday, December 27, 2010) Though a lover of books all of his life, 35 year old Mississippi native Cyrus Webb didn't realize the true importance of words until his adult years. "For me reading was a means of escape and a way to learn about the world," he says. "Today I realize that in many cases it can be the deciding factor between success and failure."

Because of this, in 2006 Webb began what has become the United States largest co-ed reading group, Conversations Book Club. Over the past four years it has hosted literary events across the country, creating spin-offs that embrace sports and music lovers. To date Conversations Book Club has hosted free events featuring 93 authors in Mississippi, Texas, Louisiana, Tennessee and Georgia. "We are all about encouraging reading," says Webb. "Since that is our aim, we have to be all things to all people to get them involved."

Since Mississippi still ranks at the top of the list when it comes to illiteracy, Webb feels obligated to focus his main literary efforts at home. His organization Shadow Play Entertainment recently announced its theme for 2011 as "A Year Of New Beginnings". Though this applies to various areas in life, for Webb, helping others to fall in love with books is at the top of his list of priorities.

On Thursday, December 30, 2010, Webb will be visiting two libraries sharing his organizations message for the New Year and giving out free books for all ages to help others get started reading as soon as possible. From 10-12p.m., he will be at the Pearl Public Library (2416 Old Brandon Rd * Pearl, MS) and from 1-3p.m., he will be at the Margaret Walker Alexander Library (2525 Robinson St. * Jackson, MS). The books have been donated by Shadow Play Entertainment, Great Little Books, LLC and author Jackie Carpenter.

Webb also encourages individuals to visit his webpage www.taketimetoread.com and sign the pledge committing to reading in 2011.

For more information about events scheduled by Conversations Book Club around the United States, visit www.thebestbookclub.info. Cyrus Webb can be reached at cawebb4@juno.com or 601.896.5616. His website is www.cyruswebb.com.

(December 2010) Cyrus Webb Hosts Month-Long Art Exhibit In Mississippi

During the month of December 2010, Mississippi native Cyrus Webb will be showcasing work from his REFLECTIONS exhibit.

This is taking place at the Pearl Public Library (2416 Old Brandon Road * Pearl, MS) and is free to the public.

The 15 pieces represent aspects of Webb's work that many have not since in quite some time, and he also share new pieces that are just being displayed this year.

To find out more information about Webb and his work, you can visit www.cyruswebb.com or contact him at cawebb4@juno.com.

POEM: Responsibility 101 (for World AIDS Day, Dec. 1st)

RESPONSIBILITY 101 by Cyrus Webb

She was a woman living in her own world,
Having trained for her role since she was a little girl
And didn’t care what she had to do to get it.
Her life has always been seen as incredible.
The manner in which she lives and conducts herself is impeccable.
There is none like her, and she knows it.
People envied what she represented, and she exploited it.
Money doesn’t define the kind of woman she has become.
She used her influence to diffuse the myth that coming from nothing and becoming something couldn’t happen.
It could, if you only believed in what you wanted to achieve.
In her spare time she would find enjoyment in spending it with girls and boys in after school programs,
Sharing with them tips on how to come to grips with their lot in life and still make a difference.
Many looked up to her for strength and she gave them that.
But the fact still remained that there was another side to her that few had seen.

Remember she was a woman living in her own world,
Having trained for her role since she was a little girl,
And didn’t care what she had to do to get it.
With all the good she did it seemed not to rid her of the vices that had become a part of her life.
You see, she had a thing for bad boys.
It was nothing serious, just something to play with, like a toy.
And then she would leave it where she found it,
Not wanting to seem too attached.

They didn’t have to be handsome or even rich,
Her perfect fit was someone rough and even untamed.
It was a game. She didn’t want them to have any part of her world.

The aim being to keep them in their place. She didn’t even have to know their full names.
They would do things she would never discuss.
Some of them unprotected, just for the excitement or the rush.
Then afterwards she would find herself in tears, plagued by disgust.
One day, though, her perfect health gave way to aches and pains.
The strength she had relied on for years began to wane.
And her doctor confirmed the suspicions of her mind.
With all the wisdom she had acquired it was ignorance when feeding her desires that would be her downfall.
She had conducted her public life so meticulously,
Never thing that the carelessness of her private life could bring HIV.
But that became her reality.
A woman who lived in her own world,
Having trained for her role since she was a little girl.
Now educated in a new course called Responsibility 101.