Eric's Perspective | Episode #41 feat. Byron Motley

In this episode, Eric sits down with the talented and accomplished singer, songwriter, filmmaker, author, lecturer and photographer... Byron Motley. They discuss his early years; being raised in Kansas Missouri, his early exposure to music and singing and the love that he developed for performance -- to eventually having a musical career, working on Broadway and performing and recording with such luminaries as Dionne Warwick, Celine Dion, John Legend and Barry Manilow. They explore the fascinating and rich history of the Negro Baseball League… and how it’s draped in a fabric that mirrors America’s culture. The celebrated legacy of his late father; Negro League chief umpire Bob Motley. How Byron co-authored his father’s memoir - which he made into a documentary entitled THE LEAGUE, the fascinating interviews he conducted with prominent figures including Maya Angelou and how the film is a tribute that honors Byron's late father and is an effort to keep the memory and history of the Negro Baseball League alive - and share it with future generations..!
Guest Bio: Byron Motley is a modern day Renaissance Man with diverse interests and talent… An accomplished singer/songwriter/filmmaker/lecturer/author and photographer. As a performer Byron has worked on Broadway and performed and recorded with such luminaries as Natalie Cole, Dionne Warwick, Celine Dion, Barbra Streisand, Barry Manilow, Kelly Clarkson, John Legend, Mary J. Blige, and the Boston Pops Orchestra.
Byron’s most recent CD “Jazz & Cocktails” (Cocoa Blu Records) has garnered impressive reviews and received attention both stateside and internationally. His one-man musical show "Hitmakers, Heroes & Homeruns” has dazzled audiences nationwide honoring the Negro Baseball Leagues & Jazz.
An avid baseball fan, Byron co-authored his father’s memoir THE NEGRO BASEBALL LEAGUES: Tales of Umpiring Legendary Players, Breaking Barriers, and Making American History. (Simon & Schuster/Skyhorse/Sports Publishing, LLC). The story is a fascinating discovery of one man’s journey from growing up in the segregated south to life as one of the first African-American Marines, to the thrilling life and time in professional Negro baseball.
Byron's documentary, "THE LEAGUE", about the history and legacy of the Negro Baseball League, was featured at the Tribeca Film Festival in June 2023 in NYC. The project is now streaming on various platforms including, Apple, Amazon, Vudu, Spectrum Dish and other outlets!
An award-winning photographer, Byron’s work has shown in galleries, boutiques and museums in the United States, Europe and Cuba. His exhibit “Viva Cuba Beisbol: A Photographic Journey into the heart and soul of Cuban Baseball” recently enjoyed a six-month gallery exhibit at the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY. Byron’s award-winning photographic book, EMBRACING CUBA (University Press of Florida), contains nearly 200 color images (with essays) exploring the richness of the island. His photography has been featured in Vanity Fair, The Advocate, New York Daily News, Los Angeles Times, 3Sixty magazines and Bruno Gmünder books and have shown in galleries, boutiques and museums in the United States, Europe, Puerto Rico and Cuba. Some of his notable subjects include: Hank Aaron - Baseball Hall of Famer and Dr. Maya Angelou - The People's Poet.
Artwork on display: Michael Massenburg, "Memories", 1996, mixed media assemblage, 11.25 x 11.25 inches and Keinyo White, "Satchel", 2004, watercolor on paper, 10.5 x 12 inches.
For more, visit www.ericsperspective.com
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