Album Notes

Birch, a Fort Wayne native and graduate of Indiana University, is one of the most sought- after motivational speakers, voice-over and commercial artists in the Midwest. Several educators from different schools of all ages have declared that Birch is one of the most outstanding speakers to ever address their students. Mr. Zeedyk, of Hicksville High School writes: “Ethan is the best guest speaker I’ve had in over 20 years!” Mr. Hempen from Kankakee Valley High School writes: “Ethan is a tremendous, dynamic speaker. He speaks from his heart and really motivates students!”

It is a talent that Birch learned the hard way. Just six weeks into his tour of duty in the Army, an errantly fired artillery shell landed in front of Birch’s platoon. Five were killed, 27 seriously injured. Birch’s physical wounds were not as bad as the psychcological wounds. Two years later, he was honorably discharged for continuing battles with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Life rapidly spiraled downhill after that. Birch found himself associating with the wrong crowds while rejecting the parents who had reared him with love. He learned the hard way about what a life of rebellion can do to an individual. He struggled for years to find employment until he was finally given a break utilizing his vocal talents in commercials for companies such as Dodge, BMW, Chevrolet, BET, & Kia.

He was chosen as the keynote speaker for the Future Business Leaders of America State Convention in 2004. He traveled to speak to students in New York and New Jersey and toured Ft. Wayne area schools with his student adored “Motivational Rap”. He was a speaker at the 40th Anniversary National Head Start Convention along side Dr. Adolph Brown and Senator John Kerry in Orlando. In October he returned to Florida to be the keynote speaker at the Redlands Christian Migrant Association’s Annual Convention with a guest list featuring Governor Jeb Bush. He also spoke in Washington D.C. for Head Start. Then tragedy struck. In September 2005 they found three large tumors in his two year old son Keithan’s brain. A few months later, the bone in his oldest son Davion’s leg began to deteriorate due to the same cancer causing syndrome. If that wasn’t enough, a few months later they found a tumor on Ethan’s colon & it ruptured before they could get it out. He needed to be resuscitated several times. Miraculously, they all survived the ordeal and since then, Birch has dedicated his life to motivating youth through music. In 2006 he released the song “Pull Your Pants Up!” which is rapidly gaining popularity.

Birch is now hard at work spreading his message & music across the country. He wants to keep others from getting trapped on the road that cost him many years of his life. Or if they’ve made the mistakes, he’s determined to show them how to catapult the challenges. For the full story, booking info, and samples of Ethan (Six 8) Birch’s music visit www.six8productions.com or www.myspace.com/thesix8mc