The History of Rock and Roll’s Development

A published author from Michigan, Scott Westerman is also a corporate executive and entrepreneur with experience in the telecommunications, technology, popular culture, and music sectors. The CEO of Ramirez & Clark, he founded RockAndRollRevisited.com. Through this website, Scott Westerman of Michigan explores a quarter century of music history largely relating to rock and roll.

A popular style of music, rock and roll (also written as rock ‘n roll) is a unique style of music that can be accessed and enjoyed by anyone. Typically consisting of three or four instruments, it often repeats the same chords throughout the song and feels uninhibited and spontaneous. While added backup singers, horns, and other sounds can increase the complexity of the song, this feeling is what sets rock and roll apart from many other genres.

The music originated in the 1950s and developed as a blend between country and rhythm and blues (R&B) music. R&B evolved from the blues, a musical genre harkening back to the work songs that African Americans sang in the South. Many of these individuals came to the United States as slaves and labored in difficult situations. The songs they sang fooled many plantation owners into thinking the music was happy.

While the seeds of rock and roll had existed for decades before its official creation, a mix of white spending power and African American culture fueled the genre’s growth in the 1950s. African American vocal groups like the Dominoes began combining gospel-style harmonies, aggressive R&B rhythms, and call-and-response singing. Disc jockeys further supported the spread of the genre by featuring it prominently on radio stations. Elvis Presley then became the face of rock and roll in 1954.

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Choosing a Topic for Your New Book

Michigan native Scott Westerman now lives in Florida, where he leads Ramirez and Clark as CEO. Through this publishing firm, he and his colleagues predominantly represent independent authors. Former Michigan resident Scott Westerman handles all operating practices at the firm and has had a couple of bestselling books published with the company.

While some writers come up with topic ideas quickly, the process can be a challenge for others. If you find yourself struggling with a book topic, start the process by thinking of a general concept. Consider what your main point of interest is. This is generally something you feel passionate about, which makes the writing process more enjoyable. You don’t need a plot or premise at this point; just start small.

At the same time, stick to the constraints set by your target audience. If you are writing a book targeting garden enthusiasts, for example, don’t pick a concept that is totally unrelated to gardening and provides the audience with nothing of value.

Once you have a concept figured out, make sure you find a unique angle for the information. Draw inspiration from other authors, but also make your book your own by including special knowledge you have, linking it to a past experience, or otherwise approaching the subject in a new way. You want a book that engages readers because they can relate, but you also want your book to stand out from the competition.

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Creating a Genuine Personal Brand

Originally from Michigan, skilled podcaster, blogger, author, and lecturer Scott Westerman maintains two websites: Keener13.com and RockAndRollRevisited.com. He also leads Ramirez and Clark in Florida. In addition, Michigan native Scott Westerman is a motivational speaker who discusses a range of topics, such as personal branding.

Having a personal brand is hugely beneficial. Not only does it make you more visible on social media, it also opens doors to valuable partnerships, better quality clients, and increased revenue. To reap all these benefits, make sure your personal brand sets you apart from the competition. It should clearly state who you are and the values you embrace, similar to a corporate brand. Personal brands also help you demonstrate how you express these values.

The process of creating a personal brand begins with figuring out who you are. Consider your motivations and the characteristics that you’ve been complimented on. Additionally, think of projects that don’t drain your energy and areas of work that you excel at. This requires a great deal of introspection and honesty about your personal strengths and weaknesses.

After you figure out what you are skilled at, think about what you want to be known for. Assess how your skills relate to your current career or the career you want. Then, think about where you’ll be in 5 or 10 years and how you want people to think of you. Set out the steps you need to follow to get there and incorporate your passion into your personal brand.

Throughout this process, remember that being genuine is key. Don’t try to make yourself fit into a brand you like. Instead, stay true to yourself and make an honest brand based on your actual qualities.

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Raising a Child with Down Syndrome

A former resident of Michigan, Scott Westerman splits his time between blogging, lecturing, writing, and publishing. The CEO of Ramirez and Clark, he is also a regular motivational speaker and maintains both the Keener13.com and RockAndRollRevisited.com websites. In addition, Scott Westerman, formerly of Michigan, heads Down Syndrome Nation, where he promotes Down syndrome awareness and care across the country.

In the United States, roughly 6,000 births a year are Down syndrome births. As with any child, raising a kid with Down syndrome presents many challenges.

Kids with Down syndrome do best with routine, so establishing a daily routine for them makes a big difference. This should include basic activities, like brushing teeth. Since many children with Down syndrome struggle with remembering long lists of chores, give them small tasks. “Brushing teeth” is a better to-do than “brushing teeth, changing into pajamas, and getting in bed.” Break the list up.

Having a picture of this daily schedule also helps children with Down syndrome, since they can see what is expected of them. If they mess up, parents and guardians should avoid punishing them or scorning them. Kids with Down syndrome do not handle negative reinforcement well. Instead, saying things like “try again” garners a much more positive response from kids.

Finally, give the child the opportunity to make decisions as often as possible. This helps them feel empowered while still encouraging them to stick to activities that you approve of. For example, let them choose between apples and oranges for a snack. Both are healthy, but they still appreciate the opportunity to make the decision for themselves.

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