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MEET GARY HILL #unsungheroes

The LaTonya MeChelle Experience
www.inmysity.com

Are you originally from Texarkana and/or surrounding areas? Yes.


Can you share a brief background about yourself? I was born and raised in Texarkana, TX, as the 4th of 6 kids. I have been involved in the local entertainment and club scene for over 20 years and love live music. My entertainment company is called TK Live. I've done bartending, a little DJing, and promoting.



What is your favorite thing about Texarkana? Small-town living


What is your current role, occupation, business? I am currently an AR Specialist for a medical revenue company. I am also promoting Poetry N Motion at Eighty Four Bar and Grill.


What inspired you to start your journey in this field or community service? I have always liked music, particularly different types of music. Music is one thing that can bring people together. What really motivated me to promote live music and events was my time at the Big Easy Sports Bar. Shout out to Red Stoker for allowing me to have a significant role in promoting and coming up with ideas for the type of entertainment we would have there.


Describe a specific project or initiative you’ve been involved in that has made a difference in the community. One initiative is Open Mic Night at the Big Easy. It brought many people together, networking and collaborating. Individuals who might not typically associate with each other became friends, and it helped put Texarkana talent on the map.


Who or what do you consider your biggest inspiration, and why? My biggest inspiration is seeing my city make a name for itself beyond crime. There is a lot of talent in Texarkana on both sides of the Stateline. There are times when I feel like giving up on doing events, but people like Sharron Hankins, Doug Arnold, and Red Stoker always encourage me to keep going. They inspire me to persevere.


www.inmysity.com

How do you measure the success of your efforts in the community? I don't consider myself successful; this is something I enjoy doing. Some people don’t even know I’m behind various projects here. If one of my shows has a great turnout and people ask me when I'm doing something again, that's enough for me.


What challenges have you faced in your journey, and how have you overcome them? One of the biggest challenges is deciding on the venue for events. Choosing the right spot can significantly impact a successful event. I try to visualize everything in my mind. Sometimes the date of the event can also affect its success, so I schedule it when people are looking for something to do.


Can you share a story that highlights a moment of triumph or joy in your work?

Every time people are up dancing and singing at my events, it feels like a triumph for me. I just want everyone to have a great time.


What advice would you give to someone who is interested in what you do or in making a difference in general? My advice is to stick to what you feel comfortable doing. Be original and don’t be afraid to try new things. Listen to the people in your community. I've seen many people come to Texarkana trying to change what others should like. It has to be about finding common ground and providing something new while also being familiar.


Are there any organizations or groups you collaborate with? I mostly work alone or partner with Sharron Hankins. I have been a part of SWAT Entertainment and have worked with others in the past.


How can the community support your efforts? By attending the events I organize and engaging with what I try to bring to them.


What exciting events do you have coming up that you’d like our audience to know about? Currently, I’m promoting a poetry night at Eighty Four Bar and Grill on Thursdays, trying something a little different from what usually goes on in the city.


How do you envision your work evolving in the future? I don’t have any specific upcoming projects at the moment, but I do plan to continue promoting local talent with live music.


Is there anything else you would like to add or share with our audience? There are many different things happening in the city; don’t limit yourself to the same activities. I would like to shout out everyone who brings encouragement to the city: Doug Arnold, Chris Daily, Ryan Robinson, Juan Green, Reginald Jones, Damion White, Reginald Reese, and anyone else I might have left out. Keep doing what you're doing!










www.inmysity.com

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