Take a look and see the man who sparked the flame and set a blaze a trail for himself and the amazing musicians he surrounds himself with. The Original HotBoy Bettis. from 3rd Degree.
With what began with only a dream in a 13-year-old's mind, Danovon Calhoun-Bettis longed to go on a journey that would put his musical expertise to use. Putting together a band that would both challenge and unify the music scene in New Orleans. Bettis set out to create a collective of the culture, for the culture, to help introduce the culture to the world.
“"Everything that I've been doing now has been planned from about the age of 13," Bettis said. "Now everything is starting to manifest.””
Now, at 32 years old, the visionary is able to watch as his dream come to fruition in the form of the thirteen-member band, 3rdDegree. "Everything that I've been doing now has been planned from about the age of 13," Bettis said. "Now everything is starting to manifest.”
Bettis took interest in music at the age of seven, but found himself taking it more seriously at 10 years old. While attending St. Augustine High School, Bettis explored his passion for music by becoming a member of St. Augustine's band, "The Marching 100."
As his sophomore year was interrupted by Hurricane Katrina, Bettis attended West Jefferson High School, but returned to St. Augustine his junior year, and became HEAD Drum Major his senior year. Using musical influences such as the internationally known band, The Roots, Bettis brought his thoughts to life through his own band. "We want to take that title of being the hottest band across all genres and all different dividing lines," Bettis said. "We want to make it a household name. We want to be something like The Roots, but take it far beyond that."
The band is made up of Trumpets, Trombones, Saxophones, Tubas, Keyboards, Bassist, Lead Guitarist, and Bettis, leading from the drums. The band members are close friends, and Bettis feels that the love and passion for music they share connects them even more. "I have people who actually believe in what I believe in," Bettis said. "They believe in my dream. No matter what I need, however I need it, as long as there is proper communication and we all agree, they come through." Although this iteration of the band has been around for 2 years, Bettis + 3rd Degree continue to make a name for themselves specifically around the French Quarter AREA. "The HotBoys of Frenchmen" can be found on Frenchmen St. at least one night out of the week.
Bettis has goals of turning his Bettis Presents LLC into the foundation for his multi-media production facility and publishing company to provide all local creatives education, tools, resources, and a facility to properly present and protect all things created here in New Orleans and along with the natives and the culture. If done right Bettis Presents will teach what's necessary and be a hub to help to sustain the New Orleanian culture and livelihood.
"With only so much time left here before we wash away, if I can get my people to present themselves and there music, or business', restaurants, products, goods and services in a professional, polished, way with paperwork, credentials and real knowledge, when that time comes for us to leave, we can pack up and not leave the culture."
"We can take it anywhere, for what its worth and set up shop. I just want to help my city do better, and 3rd Degree is the beginning of that journey of a process. It's been a long road so far but I'm not giving up because i know, everything in time. Great thing is, I can feel my time now."
Comentarios