CB5 (Calvin Bowers)
CB5
CALVIN BOWERS (CB5 entertainment): Born in Cleveland, the fifth child in a family where his sister and my brothers names all begin with "C," children became known their birth order number. He left his birth family in his early teens and hightailed it to California where he was raised by Catholic and Jewish families. He has always been multi-cultural and has friends of every type. Calvin began dancing at an early age and was often called to perform in his neighborhood. In California, he became a Venice Beach rat and a break-dancer at the Santa Monica pier. He was in, and most times won, old school battles with Ice T, Animation, and even appeared in Breaking Boogaloo II, as well as being on the crew for The Visitors, DJ Shell and others then appearing at Radio Tron the West LA battle club. In his late teens, Calvin was approached to pull together Gospel and Rap for a Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration, which led to numerous productions showcasing local talent in Southern California. In 2001 he was led to mount Voices of Gospel, the first black independently produced show to sell out the Wilshire Eubel. Also during his late teens, he met Frank Leupold, whom he now calls his mentor, who continually urged him to understand street cred could be developed beyond a life of crime and encouraged him to write. After much editing Calvin turned out Mob One, a semi-autobiographical novel, and went on to write its sequel, the soon to be released, Kidnappers Challenge. Currently there is Hollywood interest in, Stranger in the Shades, a novel also somewhat based on his life. After Voices of Gospel Calvin was asked to produce the premiere Apollo West series at B.B. King's Club in Universal City, which has evolved into his current efforts. Calvin states, "There is a lot of innovation out there in all media, it's time we came together and celebrated the best we have to offer. After recently completing a successful year producing and hosting Ghetto Pass Radio for Radio One, Bowers currently is co-producing a version for television (GPRtv), which he has taken on the road. "We want to spread the word, and get people from around the world to share their talents and innovations. In these economic times it is important that people know what is in their backyards or just around the corner, so we are covering secondary cities – places within a short drive of major metropolitan areas." Among the cities Bowers has already covered are places as diverse in nature as Flagstaff, Arizona and Macon, Georgia. The ever-industrious Bowers has also begun marketing a line of clothing (Ghetto Pass Gear and Thunda Boote jeans] and a cosmetic line [Chocolate Soap). More about all CB5's efforts can be interacted with at www.ghettopassradio.com. "I have always vowed to reach back with respect to all the people who helped me along. I am doing that now with Frank Leupold and am so happy to be able to involve him with an entire new generation of performing artists. "I am discovering the joy of getting my thoughts and words down, and a bit overwhelmed that others outside my circle are enjoying my novels. Hopefully I am a representative outside the stereotype, I am a proud black man. Proud to know I am a success story, living legal and lovin' it."