Phil Green on the Impactful and Inspiring Work He Does for Young Musicians and His Hometown of Oakland

Phil Green has had a successful career in music and sports. For what he describes as his "third act," Phil is now overseeing Follow the Music, a nonprofit in his hometown of Oakland, California. Follow the Music provides artist development, booking and management services to young artists — to shine a light on their talents and bring visibility to the programs that helped develop them.

Chapters:

00:00 Introducing Phil Green and Follow the Music Bill Burke introduces Phil Green, co-founder of Follow the Music, an organization dedicated to fostering young musical talent in Oakland. Phil's extensive background in sports and music, including managing Grammy winner Fantastic Negrito, led him to create this non-profit.

02:05 From Ronnie Lott's Idea to Follow the Music Phil Green shares how a conversation with NFL Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott about a new venue sparked the idea for Follow the Music.

04:32 Fantastic Negrito's Journey and Industry Lessons Phil recounts the incredible comeback story of Fantastic Negrito, who achieved Grammy success at 50 after a major label dropped him and a severe accident. This experience highlighted the music industry's challenges and the importance of artists finding their unique voice, shaping Phil's current work with young people.

08:33 The Genesis and Mission of Follow the Music Phil elaborates on the founding of Follow the Music, emphasizing its mission to help young artists follow their true passions and express their authentic selves.

11:57 Supporting Young Artists and Community Phil explains how Follow the Music collaborates with institutions like the Oakland School for the Arts to develop and showcase young musicians. By leveraging his connections, Phil creates high-visibility opportunities for these artists at major festivals and sporting events, helping them navigate the competitive music landscape.

15:15 Inspiring Hope Through Youthful Energy Phil describes Follow the Music as more than just artist development; it's about connecting the Bay Area to support music education and celebrating the vibrant spirit of young artists. He believes their courage and vulnerability offer hope and inspiration in a divided world, marking his 'third act' dedicated to empowering the next generation.

23:17 Oakland Rising at the Kennedy Center Phil shares the powerful story of Oakland Rising's performance at the Kennedy Center, where the group faced a dilemma due to prior boycotts. Half the band chose to perform as a trio, displaying incredible grace and mutual support despite differing opinions, delivering a stunning and emotionally charged performance.

27:39 Resilience and Reinvention in Oakland Phil addresses the challenges faced by Oakland, including the departure of major sports teams, but emphasizes the city's pride and resilience. He expresses optimism about the burgeoning arts and culture scene and new community-focused sports teams like the Oakland Ballers, which are rebuilding the city's vibrant spirit from the ground up.

31:16 Music's Transformational Power and Life Skills Phil clarifies that Follow the Music's primary goal isn't just to produce professional musicians but to illuminate the transformational power of music for personal growth. He highlights how music education, much like sports, teaches discipline, teamwork, and perseverance, filling a vital gap in youth development.

36:18 Future Vision and Lasting Impact Phil sees Follow the Music as a model for other cities, aiming to uplift existing music education programs rather than replicate them. He reflects on the deep personal reward of helping young people navigate the future through music, emphasizing that the impact on their lives has far surpassed his initial expectations.