By: Mical J. Roy, Entertainment Editor
Violins have always been associated with high class debutantes and their driven socialite mothers who force them off to Julliard in the blink of an eye. An instrument that exudes the utmost in poise, dignity and class. Its never been thought of as an instrument that could bring funk, soul, and dare I say Hip Hop into the picture. Or has it?
A couple of days of playing phone tag with the publicist for these Jamaica Queens, New York born brothers, I was starting to doubt my real potential. I’d spoken with there PR Reps via e-mail several times, and we’d agreed upon a date and time. A couple of times, they’d call me and I’d miss the call, and when I called back I couldn’t reach them, and so we’d start again from square one.
Damien and Tourie Escobar of Nuttin but Stringz were introduced to me on accident, but then again, I’m often under the assumption that this was by no means a mishap. On an easy night I was sitting at home flipping through channels as I often do, in search of something good to watch on TV. I’d recently purchased a barbecue pit, and stopped flipping through the stations so I could check on the meat I had on the grill. I must have stopped on America’s Got Talent, another reality show where contestants compete for a title and win a lavish prize.
As I closed the top on the barbecue pit, I was summoned to the television by strings and what sounded like musical thunder. I immediately sat there on the couch in total shock, as I witness two young men, playing these violins as though they were base drums, or a saxophone. It was mind blowing, and as I sat there, I realized, like so many others, I was hooked. Not hooked on the show, but hooked on what I’d just witnessed. I had to find a way to get in touch with these violin twins, a name I gave them before I realized they were just brothers who looked almost identical.
That night, I pulled their website up on my laptop, in search of more information. Perhaps the whole world knew about these fellas, and it was I, who was late. I was quickly brought up to speed, as I learned there journey didn’t began on America’s Got Talent, much rather this was a bit of a mid point. Nuttin but Stringz got their big break in 2005 when they entered a local talent contest at The Apollo in Harlem, and won. Since then these men, have been anywhere from, The Tonight Show, with Jay Leno, all the way to The White House.
Back to square one, and this time, I’m sure it will come to pass. I sit patiently on my patio, watching the skyscrapers downtown. The sun has set, the sky is hiding amidst the silver lined clouds, and amidst the jazz blaring from my 1920’s inspired record player, my cell rings. “Mical Roy”, his publicist solicits. “This is”, I rebuttal. “OK, I’m going to connect you to the guys ok” and I tell her, I’m ready to roll. Just like that, the phone clicked, and there they were. I’d just watched them on TV what must have seemed like minutes ago, and now I would 
be interviewing them for all the chic readers.
TCM: How long have you all been playing the violin?
Tourie: Well, ummm about 12 to 15 years.
TCM: What would you say inspired you to get into it?
Tourie: We had to take it in our Elementary School, it was a requirement and the love for the instrument just kept that motivation going.
TCM: So okay tell me, where did the name come from?
Tourie: Well really when the time came that we needed to establish ourselves as musicians, we knew we needed to come up with a name, and we threw around nuttin but skillz, nuttin but success, and we really liked Nuttin but Stringz, so that’s the one we chose to ride with.
TCM: That’s interesting man. Tell me, what can you tell our readers about the importance of voting?
Tourie: Awe man, it’s like this, you know especially the way the economy and the world is right now, its important that we go out there and express ourselves through voting.
TCM: How important is family and education to the both of you?
Tourie: Family and education is very important. It’s family that helped us when we didn’t want to get up and pursue that education. If you’re not educated you won’t be able to get out there and have certain things. When you feel like dropping out, it’s your mom that’s telling you, you can do it. Having a strong solid family foundation is the key.
TCM: I know that your mother had to be your biggest fan, how does she feel about your talent?
Tourie: Ya know, we were raised by two strong beautiful black women, our mother, Gloria Ponder, and our aunt, Gayle Ponder. Right now, they’re real overwhelmed by the response that we’re getting. From the start because Nuttin but Stringz has been around for awhile, but once we started doing it, it gave them a reason to walk around with their head up and be proud of their black sons.
TCM: Name something that you cant live without?
Tourie: I can’t live without my violin (Damien yells into the phone he can’t live without his daughter).
TCM: How have you guys dealt with friends or schoolmates who may have tried to taunt you all for the instrument you’ve decided to play and how would you tell our teenage readers to deal with negativity from peers?
Tourie: You’re gonna go through it, but “we need more leaders”. In order to be a leader, you have to “put your stamp on it”. We’ve heard it all, sissy instrument the whole nine, but at the end of the day, you have to believe in yourself. People will be people, and there will always be naysayers.
For more information on Nuttin but Stringz please visit them at www.nuttinbutstringz.com and/or email them at nbsbookings@gmail.com.
Stay Chic. Stay True.
Sophia Fresh
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