Focus

Ron “Focus” Manager is a Spoken Word Artist, Show Producer, and Project Mgr for an Atlanta-Based Production Series entitled The F.O.C Experience. Focus is originally from Flint, MI, and has been a resident of Atlanta, GA, since 1986. He has performed poetry and produced special events throughout the Metro Atlanta area and abroad since 1997. Focus began to explore his creative writing skills during his senior year of High School. His writings later became a journal leading to self-discovery and a creative outlet to share knowledge and life experiences. His love for music and intriguing lyrics has become a lifestyle for giving back to communities all over the world.

Focus is currently promoting his new CD Project entitled “Everyday Verbatim.” It’s a multi-faceted Spoken Word project that crosses a wide range of musical genres such as Acid Jazz, Soulful Hip Hop, Blues, Acoustic, R&B and a Live Performance at the Legendary Apache Cafe. His DVD project entitled “Zoned Out The Box” is a live recording from the infamous Ketch-A-Vibe Jam Sessions in Atlanta, GA. The DVD displays a dynamic mix of lyrical improvisation and live jazz fusion provided by some of the most respected musicians in the nation.

Focus has had the pleasure of performing alongside The Last Poets, Rachelle Farrell, India Arie, Ledisi, Silk, Anthony David, Donnie, Julie Dexter, Algebra, Vinx, Brian “Beano” O’neal, John Roberts, Cody Chestnut, William Green, Bob Baldwin, Ken Ford, Rhonda Thomas, Joey Summerville, The Harper Brothers and many more.

Show Venues

Fox Theater
Woodruff Arts Center
Atlanta Civic Center
Center Stage Theater
Churchill Grounds Jazz Lounge
Rialto Theater
Atlanta Jazz Festival
Montreaux Jazz Festival
Sweet Auburn Festival
National Black Arts Festival
Underground Atlanta
Legendary Ying Yang Café
Apache Café
Café 290
Sugar Hill
The Jazz Loft
Ketch-A-Vibe
Poetic Episodes (Host ‘99-‘00)

Radio/Television

Taping for HBO’s Def Poetry Jam
Taping for Bet Lyric Café
WVEE 103.3
WCLK 91.9
WRFG 89.3
Good Morning Birmingham
Various Internet Radio Stations

Educational Programs/Seminars

University of Florida
Morehouse College
Spelman College
Clark Atlanta University
Clayton State College
Georgia State University
Auburn University
New York University
Metro Atlanta Youth Detention Center
United Way Youth Center
Various Metro Atlanta Schools

Performances Abroad

New York, NY
New Orleans, LA
Memphis, TN
Miami, FL
Jacksonville, FL
Washington, D.C.
Detroit, MI
Flint, MI
Cincinnati, OH
Charlotte, NC
Indianapolis, IN

Birmingham, AL
Orlando, FL
Freeport, Bahamas
Las Vegas, NV
Oklahoma City, OK
Little Rock, AR
Nashville, TN
Chattanooga, TN
Columbus, GA
Macon, GA
Tallahassee, FL