While Mayon Weeks has deep ties to a variety of venues in the local arts community, as a musician, he’s captured the attention of music enthusiasts. Weeks recently released his second album, “Alive,” as a follow up to his debut album “Matters of the Heart,” which dropped in 2015.

He produced his first album when his family gave him the gift of studio time at Echo Mountain Recording Studio. It was evident when Weeks recorded 48 songs over the next six months that the birthday gift had started something special. The 39 mastered songs that came from Week’s flurry of production are what comprise his latest albums. He will soon be releasing a third called “Chasing Dreams.”

Weeks’s love of music began early on. “In the sixth grade, we were introduced to band instruments, and I choose the trumpet,” he said. “It stayed with me until I traded it for a guitar in college, started singing and writing and became involved in theater. My trumpet-playing in school bands, orchestras and dance bands exposed me to a lot of early bigband music. That was later blended with classic jazz, blues, ‘60s folk and eventually folk rock and then musical theater. My writing weaves in and out of all these influences.” 

In addition to creating albums, Weeks has also produced a book of songs and has had original works featured onstage. “Cape Fear Regional Theatre twice produced ‘One for Me, One for You,’” Weeks said. “This is a two-act cabaret show featuring my original music. It was conceived and directed by Lee Yopp. It was very successful and a wonderful moment in my artistic life.”

With years of experience behind him, Weeks is a firm believer in chasing dreams. “If you love it, do it,” he said. “Stay as true to your core beliefs as you can. Practice, practice, practice. Don’t let the size of the crowd or response affect the quality of your work. Success should not be measured in dollars or notoriety. Again … if you love it, do it.”

Weeks has been extremely involved in the local artistic community for years and has seen its incredible growth firsthand. He was a founding director of the Fayetteville Little Theater, now known as the Cape Fear Regional Theatre.

He is also a current trustee of the Arts Council. “I am pleased to say that I believe we are at the doorstep of another leap forward in our community being recognized as a nurturing home for emerging and existing artists,” Weeks said. “We enjoy fantastic live theater venues, a well-respected symphony orchestra, a community chorus, frequent dance performances, lovely art and craft studios, and festivals filled with cultural art and artistic exhibits honoring our military relationship and history.”  

Art provides a tremendous amount of value for individuals and community members alike. “Pablo Picasso said, ‘Art washes from the soul the dust of everyday life.’ For me, that expresses a great deal of art’s importance and value to each of us,”  Weeks said.

“When I speak of art, I include all forms of artistic expression; painting, sculpture, theater, music, dance, spoken word, digital expression and beyond. Let’s also be reminded of the huge economic impact of art.” 

Purchase “Alive” at http:/mayonsmusic.com/music.html. Alternatively, you can purchase the album by searching for it on iTunes or Amazon. Weeks’s music is also available for free listening on Spotify.