Posi music

Posi Music (pronounced pah-zee) has been around since the 1940s, though only recently has a definitive label been applied to music in this genre. Short for Positive Music, Posi Music is categorized by its intention to have a positive effect on the listener. Musicians who write and perform Posi Music profess a desire for their music to unite and inspire their audience and make them feel better. One of the earliest 100% Positive Songs was written by Johnny Mercer, who wrote the lyrics to a song made famous by Bing Crosby called Accentuate The Positive. That song also defined the concept that there was indeed polarity between being Positive or being Negative and also specifically noted there was also no Neutral as in "no more Mr. In-Between". This concept was later expanded by a group promoting the education of Posi-music called the Positive Music Imperative. The concept of Positive Music and Negative music was also identified in the book called A New Earth, by Eckhart Tolle

Origins

Early Posi Music would have also found some roots in traditional folk music, in the genre labelled protest music. While some protest music would not fit into the simple definition of Posi-music, a subjective opinion would certainly include songs like We Shall Over Come by Pete Seger or If I Had A Hammer, by Peter Paul & Mary.

Another wave of Posi Music as a genre was produced by New Thought musicians including: Karl Anthony, Shanti Norman, Charley Thweatt and Leroy White. Unlike gospel and contemporary worship music, Posi Music's lyrics are less specifically spiritual which has made it increasingly popular with musicians from many different religions. As the genre has evolved it has been embraced by artists following many different spiritual paths ranging from New Thought, Agapism, Judaism, Christian Science and Catholicism to Buddhism, Pantheism and Seicho-no-Ie.

A lot of Posi Music that was developed were from artists that dedicated most if not all of their music specifically to up-lifting or motivational topics. As favor for the genre grew there were even entire record labels that dedicated themselves to pos-music. It must be noted however that a considerable selection of mainstream pop music would also fit into the label of posi-music, as hit music as always touch on major themes of Posi-Music like friendship and gratitude, with hit songs like You've Got A Friend, James Taylor, Bridge Over Troubled Water, Simon & Garfunkel, Thank You For Being A Friend and countless others would fit the bill. Gratitude songs could once again go all the way back to Bob Hope's Thanks For The Memories, right up to songs simply entitled Thank You by Dido or Natalie Merchant. == Style ==or Thank You For The Music by Abba.

Posi Music is described as being upbeat and uplifting music. Usually it centers around the lyrics rather than the music itself. Often it is affirmational, though sometimes it is a call directing the listener to make changes to how they live. Posi Music can be spiritual, but most often it is not religious in nature. This allows Posi Music to be enjoyed by people of any faith. Mainstream pop music as yielded many mainstream pop songs that are completely focused on motivational and inspiring messages. Some notables would include Irene Cara and the title track from the movie Flashdance, "Take Your Passion and Make It Happen" as well as Myle Cyrus', Climb.

Uses

Posi Music can be used in many settings beyond spiritual communities. Posi Music is marketed for use in retreats, workshops, fitness centers, counseling centers, therapy, nursing homes and hospitals. The themes in Posi Music are ideal for programs such as Arts In Medicine, where music is used to promote healing.

Uses of Posi-music have expanded to include motivational music for work outs and many companies like Amway have used motivational music to inspire their distributors. Indeed even in the 2008 Barack Obama campaign Pos-Music was used in his Yes We Can campaign by enlisting artist support like India Arie with songs like There's Hope and I Gotta Feeling by the Black Eyed Peas. Several rap artists took to You Tube to throw their support behind Obama as well.

Events

In January the Posi Awards hosted by emPower Music & Arts offers a celebration of Posi Music culminating in an award ceremony recognizing outstanding Posi Music from the previous year.

May 1st is Global Love Day, a celebration started by the Love Foundation. Posi Music plays a part as many Posi Musicians sponsor the event.

November has been declared Posi Music Month by many notable musicians in the genre. Fans are encouraged to "fast" from negative music and go on a "diet" of purely Posi Music for the month.

PosiPalooza is a national concert series from emPower Music & Arts. Traveling the country, Posi Award nominated musicians play venues ranging from churches to stadiums.

Professional organizations

• emPower Music & Arts - social network connecting musicians and fans and sponsor of the Annual Posi Awards
• Positive Music Association (PMA) - promoting Posi Music and the musicians who create it
• Harmonizing with Humanity - linking fans to the work of great Posi musicians
• Arts In Medicine - integrating Posi Music and the arts with medical care

References

• Lysa Allman-Baldwin, Positive music artists share “Posi Music” in New Thought centers: Unity.org
• E. W. Murtfeldt, "How Music Heals the Sick", Popular Science, 131(32-33)
• Eckhart Tolle, "A New Earth" Penguin Books, 2005