When Opportunity Comes Knocking…

A chance for the Atlanta Music Project to be recognized in the national spotlight! A special gift that would literally change the way we do business forever! An opportunity for our young artists to perform with a star! BUT – there is one catch…you can’t tell anyone until it happens!
This is the situation that has been my life for the last few months over here at the Atlanta Music Project. It started months ago when I decided to nominate our Executive Director to be a featured guest on Knock Knock Live.
And thus my double life began. Here’s how it all went down:
Knock Knock Live is a brand new reality show that premiered last night on Fox. The show features celebrities knocking on the door of unsuspecting community members, who then get gifted the surprise of a lifetime – and it all airs on live TV!
Once I realized that we were actually being considered to be featured in the premiere episode – I became very busy communicating with Hollywood producers to pull off the ultimate surprise for Dantes. Of course, we wanted it to be authentic and include our AMP students, so after lots of secret texts and deleted emails, we came up with the perfect idea!

Common and Aisha after an amazing performance of “Glory”

With much help from the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs, I devised an “important meeting” for Dantes to attend at the Gilbert House, our very first AMP site. The idea was that Dantes and I would meet with a potential donor, give them an overview of the organization, the kids would perform, and then the donor would mingle with parents and students. Sounds like a great day.
Well, Dantes showed up at the GH that morning and started rehearsing with a few of our students to get ready for the meeting. While Dantes was doing that, I was at another location in the neighborhood with even more AMP students and parents, board members and supporters preparing to load into vans and go surprise Dantes.

Dantes is amazed as the Knock Knock Live surprises keep coming!

And that’s when the real trickery began. The potential donor got “lost” coming from the airport. I was a no-show at the Gilbert House and ignored Dantes when he called wondering where I was. When I finally responded to Dantes’ frantic texts, I told him I overslept but was on my way. When I still wasn’t there AN HOUR LATER I told him I had to run back home and change because I had a “wardrobe malfunction”. I was running out of excuses!
Finally – we made it to the Gilbert House, the knock on the door came, and I think it’s safe to say Dantes was no longer upset about the long wait! See how it all went down here:

To my colleague and friend Dantes – what a victorious moment! You deserve it!
To Meineke/Maaco, Knock Knock Live, Common – our students are the reason we get up early and go to bed late. They inspire us in ways that defy words. Thank you for giving them a moment they will remember forever.
To the AMP Board of Directors and Staff– I’ve always said we have the best team in Atlanta! Thank you for proving me right! Wow! There is no end to your love and dedication to AMP! Together we rise!
And to the real VIPs – the AMP students. I say all the time that when we work hard, people will take notice. Well, you work hard all the time and people are taking notice! You were amazing! We have all heard it: when opportunity comes knocking – be ready! Well, this was our opportunity. And you were ready. Congratulations to all of you! You will always and forever be the true stars.
To all reading this blog – the best is yet to come. Follow us for more updates and magical moments at the Atlanta Music Project!



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