Welcome to my official blog which contains news headlines of interest, pop culture, radio, tv, film, politics, history, music, concerts, theatre, books, magazine articles, tech, commentary, reviews, interviews, artists beneath the radar and more. They like to call my generation, "Generation X" but I prefer "Generation Connect"! Peace to you!
Forget the traffic reporters, Jacque Reid got the power to reroute DC Friday Traffic with simply a song dedication!
Former BET News Anchor Jacque Reid was around the way in DC today along with Steve Harvey and The Morning Crew steveharveymorningshow broadcasting live from WHUR and they stayed in town for a Lexus giveaway later on that evening.
Jacque was also a guest on Tricina Grey's afternoon segment, Cafe 96 Tasty Tunes. She chose Sade's "Love Is Stronger Than Pride" and dedicated it to, "My baby, my future husband out there, whoever and wherever he may be." Oh! Are you kidding me?! LOL! I think I heard guys doing U-Turns in their vehicles in the middle of traffic from down by Howard all the way up Georgia Avenue! Brothas were callin in left and right trying to hollah at her! I was in a meeting and heard it after I got out. I think every Black Man in Washington, DC heard those words! LOL! I think they may have needed security to immediately escort her out the station after she said that to get her safely into their waiting limo and on to their next stop! (Cars screeching and pulling up in front of WHUR's window left and right. Brothas jumpin out their cars from business suits to jogging suits and trucks everywhere) "Exscuse me, but uh...Is Jacque Reid still up in here?!" "Jacque!" "Here I am, Jacque!" "Jacque! Over here, Jacque! Here I go!" "Naw, naw, it's me over here! Here I am, Jacque!"
Sade's "Love Is Stronger Than Pride." Say, What?! She hit it right there. That is what you call a special request. That is one of my favorite Sade songs of all time you don't hear everyday like we used to. OK, now it's my turn to hollah, "Jacque! Jacque! Jacque!" LOL.
Jacque Reid began her journalism career with anchor/reporter jobs at WBSG-TV in Brunswick, Georgia and at CBS affiliate WKYT-TV in Lexington, Kentucky. Later, she joined KPRC-TV, the NBC affiliate in Houston. From her stint in Houston, she moved on to anchor the morning news at CNN Headline News Network. She joined BET after CNN. (Why did BET decide to end the BET Nightly News? Why did BET let Tavis and Ed Gordon go too? That is a whole nother post that is coming up! Business decisions be damned, those were BIG mistakes in my book.) In addition to her anchor duties, she is also very active on the public speaking circuit.
Jacque Reid earned a B.A. degree in print journalism from Clark Atlanta University, a Master's degree in broadcast journalism from Northwestern University and is active member of the National Association of Black Journalists. She is also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Born on this day in Brooklyn, N.Y. Lena Horne began her career at age 16 as a chorus girl at the Cotton Club in Harlem, appeared in the movies Cabin in the Sky and Stormy Weather and had a successful Broadway career culminating in her one woman show. Lena Horne also became a strong civil rights advocate, refusing to perform in clubs where African-Americans are not admitted and marched during the civil rights movement in the 1960s.
Lena Horne's Films include:
The Duke is Tops (1938; Million Dollar Pictures) * Panama Hattie (1942; MGM) * Cabin in the Sky (1943; MGM) * Thousands Cheer (1943; MGM) * Stormy Weather (1943; 20th Century Fox) * I Dood It (1943; MGM) * Two Girls and a Sailor (1944; MGM) * Swing Fever (1944; MGM) * Broadway Rhythm (1944; MGM) * Boogie-Woogie Dream (1944; Official Films short subject) * Till the Clouds Roll By (1946; MGM) * Ziegfeld Follies (1946; MGM) * Studio Visit (1946; MGM short subject) * Words and Music (1948; MGM) * Duchess of Idaho (1950; MGM) * Meet Me in Las Vegas (1956; MGM) * Death of a Gunfighter (1969; Universal Studios) * The Wiz (1978; Universal Studios) * That's Entertainment! III (1994; MGM)
Lena Horne's Albums include:
* "Moanin' Low" (1948 Victor Musical Smart Set) * It's Love (1955; RCA) * Stormy Weather (1956; RCA) * At the Waldorf Astoria (1957; RCA) * Jamaica [Original Cast Recording] (1957; RCA) * Give the Lady What She Wants (1958; RCA) * Porgy & Bess (1959; RCA) - with Harry Belafonte * Songs by Burke and Van Heusen (1960; RCA) * At the Sands (1961; RCA) * Lena on the Blue Side (1962; RCA) * Lovely & Alive (1963; RCA) * Lena Goes Latin (1963; Charter) * Sings Your Requests (1963; Charter) * Here's Lena Now! (1964; 20th Century) * Feelin' Good (1965; UA) * Lena in Hollywood (1966; UA) * Merry from Lena (1966; UA) * Soul (1966; UA) * Lena & Gabor (1970; Skye) * Nature's Baby (1971; Buddah) * Lena and Michel (1975; RCA) * Lena: A New Album (1976; RCA) * The Lady and Her Music (1981; Qwest) - Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance * The Men in My Life (1988; Three Cherries) * We'll Be Together Again (1994; Blue Note) * An Evening with Lena Horne (1995; Blue Note) - Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Album * Being Myself (1998; Blue Note) * Seasons of My Life (2005; Blue Note; recorded 1999)
This morning I heard two new singles that have been leaked from Outkast's Outkast upcoming film and album, "IdleWild" IdleWild.
"Morris Brown" which is a Big Boi solo track that features Scar and Sleepy Brown as well as the Morris Brown College Band and "IdleWild Blue" which is by Andre 3000. Both sound very creative and different as usual OutKast.
The first single "Mighty O," which leaked online in early May, is already a top 30 hit on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
More tracks which will be on the soundtrack include "The Train" (also featuring Scar and Sleepy Brown), "Don't Chu Worry 'Bout Me" and "In Your Dreams," which features Scar and Janelle Monae.
Written and directed by Bryan Barber, the "Idlewild" film is set in the 1930s around the music and business of running a speakeasy. It opens Friday, Aug. 25 in U.S. theaters. The album hits stores 3 days earlier on Tuesday, Aug. 22.
I am looking very forward to this project by OutKast as they are one of my favorite groups out here who are truly taking Hip-Hop to a whole 'nother level. That's what I'm talkin 'bout! You know LT is going to review this juke joint when it comes out. ;)
It was on this day in 1988 that Motown Records was sold for $61 million to an investment group that included a venture capital firm, record executive Jheryl Busby, and others. The company, which was founded by Berry Gordy in 1959, produced some of the biggest Rhythm and Blues performers of all time including the Supremes, the Temptations, the Four Tops and Marvin Gaye.
Sold it for $61 million in 1988! Makes one wonder how much Motown would have gone for if Berry Gordy had kept it all those years and then sold it in today's times - 2006. $122 million easy? $244 million? $488 million? Keep going? A cool $1 billion? All those hits? All those master recordings? All those publishing rights?
I've got to read his autobiography again to see the details of that '88 $61 million deal. What % did he retain for himself and the artists that stayed on board loyal to Motown after the sale?
What if Berry Gordy hadn't sold Motown at all and it still belonged to him 100%?
Makes me wonder. I guess there is just still a part of me that wishes he hadn't. Once again, I must doublecheck his autobiography in that chapter where he describes his reasons.
(1886-1983) James Van DerZee was born on this day in Lenox, Mass. He became one of America's foremost photographers and a major chronicler of the visual history of the Harlem Renaissance. His photographic subjects included Marcus Garvey, Madame C.J. Walker, Daddy Grace and many others.
From Toronto, Canada, at an early age his family moved to Detroit, Michigan. Lloyd Richards was only nine years old when his father died, leaving his mother to raise five children during the Depression. To make matters worse soon after his mother became blind. At 13, young Lloyd went to work to help support the struggling family. Richards entered Wayne University in Detroit but had to enlist to fight in World War II, he served in the U.S. Army Air Force in 1943 and '44. On returning to school, Richards pursued drama, learning all aspects of theater and radio production.
After graduation he started a theater group in Detroit with a handful of friends and classmates. Richards moved to New York city in 1947 to pursue an acting career and worked on Broadway in Freight and The Egghead and on radio throughout the 1950s. He also taught acting and directed off-Broadway. In 1958, Richards impressed Broadway with his production of Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun. This production began a new era in the representation of African-Americans on the American stage. In the 1960s, Richards directed the Broadway productions The Long Dream, The Moon Besieged, I Had a Ball and The Yearling.
In 1966, Richards became head of the actor training program at New York University's School of the Arts. He was also Professor of Theater and Cinema at Hunter College in New York City before he was tapped to become dean of the Yale University School of Drama in 1979, and Artistic Director of the Yale Repertory Theater. Richards has discovered and developed new plays and playwrights, as Artistic Director of the National Playwrights Conference at the Eugene O'Neill Memorial Theatre Center, as a member of the Playwrights' selection committee of the Rockefeller Foundation and with the New American Plays program of the Ford Foundation.
In 1984, his search for a major new American playwright was fulfilled with the production of Ma Rainey's Black Bottom by August Wilson, and the successive installments of Wilson's multi-part chronicle of African-American life. These plays include Fences, Joe Turner's Come and Gone, The Piano Lesson, Two Trains Running and Seven Guitars. Richards' productions for television include segments of Roots: The Next Generation, Bill Moyers' Journal and Robeson, a presentation on the life of the African-American actor and activist Paul Robeson. He also dealt with Robeson's life and legacy in the 1977 theatrical production Paul Robeson.
Richards has received the Pioneer Award of AUDELCO, the Frederick Douglass Award and, in 1993, was the National Medal of the Arts. He has also served as President of the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers. Retired since 1991, from the Yale University School of Drama Yale Rep he remains Professor Emeritus at Yale University, and continues to teach, direct, and search for new plays and playwrights.
This story has been all over the place this week. I have heard so many different reports on it I can hardly keep up.
StarJones was on Steve Harvey this week talking about it too. That was the most "keepin it real" interview I heard about the whole thing. Ya'll know how we do! We keeps it real. I can't repeat what Steve Harvey called all them women on The View cuz I'm trying to keep this site at least PG-13 and up, but suffice it to say, it was classic Steve Harvey goin' hard and I almost fell out my computer chair when he said it! ((THUD)) (Head falls on desk) She's gonna be back on Steve's show coming up soon too. Check back around July 5th ;). Steve Harvey told Star, "No matter what happens, Star, we gots your back up in heyeah! Believe that!"
Star will be on Larry King Live tonight at 9pm EDT to speak for herself to America. Al Roker said she will also be on The Today Show Friday.
From ABC News:
Questions Surround Star Jones Reynolds' 'View' Departure
Who Will Replace Outspoken Co-Host on 'The View'?
June 29, 2006 — Controversy never seems far from Star Jones Reynolds, so perhaps it was fitting that her last day on 'The View' was controversial, too.
"Something has been on my heart for a little bit and after much prayer and counsel, I feel like this is the right time to tell you that the show is moving in another direction for its 10th season and I will not be returning as co-host next year," Reynolds said on Tuesday's show.
That statement caught her co-hosts by surprise.
"We didn't expect her to make this statement yesterday," Barbara Walters said on Wednesday. "She gave us no warning and we were taken by surprise. But the truth is that Star has known for months that ABC did not want to renew her contract and that she would not be asked back in the fall."
It's been a tumultuous couple of years for the former prosecutor turned talk show diva, Reynolds took a lot of heat from critics in the press who accused her of using the show to solicit freebies for her lavish wedding.
"I so wanted to be Cinderella for one brief, shining moment, I did," Reynolds told ABC News' "20/20" earlier this year. "I wanted the white dress. I wanted the 926 bridesmaids. I wanted it all."
She's also taken flack for her weight, but never publicly discussed her weight loss method or rumors of plastic surgery.
"In the nine seasons on "the View" I gained 75, then lost a total of 150 all in front of the world," Reynolds once told "Good Morning America."
On Wednesday, Reynolds added fuel to the current fire when she called in to a Los Angeles radio show and spoke to Ryan Seacrest.
"I was told yesterday that they did not want me to return today," Reynolds said on the radio.
"So you're not going on today?" Seacrest asked.
"Nope, not at all," Reynolds replied. "I was told yesterday was my last day."
Despite the controversy, Walters offered a word of thanks to Jones.
"'The View' helped make Star a star and Star helped make 'The View' the success that it is," Walters said. "We will never forget that. We wish her well in this new chapter of her life as we begin a new chapter on "The View."
The show's other hosts have remained mum so far, as speculation begins over who might replace Reynolds and Meredith Viera, who left recently to prepare for her new job as co-host of NBC's "Today Show."
ABC News' Taina Hernandez reported this story for "Good Morning America."
Today on all the Hip-Hop Stations, they played the live musical segments from last nights BET Awards. One of the few chances on the Hip-Hop Stations we get to hear the Hip-Hop and Urban R&B artists do their thing live on the radio. Fresh from the previous night. Only hours old. That's what I'm talkin bout! Live music is really what drives the whole machine to me and what we need more of today, even on the Hip-Hop stations. Especially when we are all trying to find out "Is the latest flavor of the month really talented? Can they really perform? Is it Live or is it Memorex?"
I have to say, this is one of the things I do like after the evening of a big musical awards ceremony. For everyone who missed it and even for those who saw it, you get a second chance to hear it in your headphones, car speakers, home stereo systems, etc. on certain stations.
It's like a "Day After Musical Live Concert Recap".
With all that said, there have been some BET Awards Shows that I have seen and some that I have not seen over the years. The reasons I didn't see some of them have varied over the years but some of the reasons were because of my personal frustrations with BET overall with the type of videos they show over and over again combined with the overall programming of BET which just disappoints me.
So to be honest, I stopped watching BET years ago. I actually think their website BET is better and more informative than their channel. But it is a kind of a conundrum for me, because as a Black Man and African-American, of course, I still want to know what is going on with Us in the biz whether times are good or bad, "What is going on now? Has Black Music changed yet? Are we passed the crossroads yet and onto a higher road?" More on this later.
Before I begin my review, I would say in all fareness BET's new channel BETJ reminds me of the way BET used to be before complete thuggery took over. BET J's programming so far is Old and New School R&B Artists combined with some Jazz Artists. They also are doing some good Caribbean Programming so far. But BET J is still not as "All Jazz" as I would like it to be but I give them credit for giving an alternative to the current BET by showing how things used to be mixed in with present R&B artists who actually are putting out good music.
Anyway, I did see last night's show. To make a long story short I thought some of the highlights were:
Beyonce's hot new single, 'DeJa Vu' opening with Jay Z. Once again, not the biggest fan of hers, but she can do her thing live which is more then a lot of young artists can do out here today.
When Jimmie "J.J." Walker, Ralph "Michael" Carter and Bernadette "Thelma" Stanis came out with a surprise visit by Janet Jackson. I actually thought it was going to be John Amos to come out to settle the argument they did in their skit.
Steve Harvey's words on what it takes to be a musical legend. Funny yet very true.
The Chaka Khan Tribute with Prince, Stevie Wonder, Yolanda Adams and India.Arie was one of the best parts of the evening. They did 'I'm Every Woman', 'Tell Me Somethin' Good', 'Through the Fire', 'Sweet Thing', 'I Feel For You' - this was worth recording all by itself. Real Music By Real Musicians and Artists!
The Harry Belafonte Tribute with Danny Glover's presentation.
NeYo performed 'So Sick' and 'Sexy Love'. Another good singer and hope for the future of Black Music.
Chris Brown is another good singer who did a combination of his songs. I dig 'Yo (excuse Me, Miss)' the most. He really is a great dancer who is very light on his feet. Talk about 16-year-old raw energy. In his acceptance speech he brought NeYo up there and said they are trying to bring the Real R&B Back. Two words: Go Head! This guy impressed me. He is a pro and he proved it.
Jamie Foxx and Fantasia's performance. Fantasia is something else live all by her bad self and has the ability to sing each one of her songs a different way every time and blow your mind in the process. A true sign of someone who has greatness in them that we have plenty more to look forward to. She is a Soul Sistah sho'nuff. She can also stretch, as in she can do many things with her voice and styles, she thinks fast on her feet and has command of her band when she is out on tour even when she appears to be winging it or freestylin'. She can be spontaneous and come right back on the dime and keep rolling. I mean, she is a real genuine natural when it comes to that heartfelt soul-drenching Soul Music. She does something else the sistahs do in church which is she actually can get In The Spirit when she sings when she wants to. Watch her closely, you will see what I mean. ;) their duet was good. The long kiss at the end with Jamie Foxx? Where did THAT come from?! LOL! I mean, they really got into it there! Is there something goin on between these two we don't know about yet?! LOL! It seemed to be all in good fun for the performance though, but who knows? LOL! Aye, I ain't mad at a brotha! LOL! I'm sayin! She right there with you and ya'll both into it so...! LOL! (OK, review continuing! Taking it back down a notch.) LOL.
Maybe that Jamie/Fantasia chemistry started at the Pre-Grammy Party earlier this year.
The Busta Rhymes performance with his crew was pretty wild but so is that video for that song, 'Touch It'. The video to that one is actually tight.
I thought Mary J. Blige did good. She looked dang good! LT Prediction: The Summer of '06 will belong to Mary J. like The Summer of '05 belonged to Mariah on the radio and record sales.
Prince's closeout doing '3121'. Funky! That is exactly how I pictured he would perform that song. In a big hall theater like that. Prince tossed Will I Am from The Black Eyed Peas in the audience a mic and he started rapping on the fly.
The lowlights? I'm not going to even go into it this time because as anyone who watches BET knows, it's always the same acts. The same knucklehead routines over and over that make me scratch my head and wonder, "Why are they still rolling with this?", "Can't we go another direction yet?", "Who is this really for?" "Why are we still putting up with this?" "What the hell is going on around here?!" "That's Black Entertainment?!" OK, I'm leaving it alone for now.
Damon Wayans as host and MC? His intro monologue was actually harder on the rappers then I thought it would be. I guess he sees some of the things some other people do. I don't know how well it went over with the rappers in the audience though, but was what he said true? Was what he said not true? Which was worse? To speak on some of the rappers out here and the way they carry on or the reality that some of the rappers actually carry on like they do?
I have discussed BET with family and friends over and over again and our opinions on what has been the problem with BET is a long story. I will attempt to do a post on BET in the near future. It takes a lot of energy to even do it because there is so much involved and so much to say on it.
Is commercial Black Music, Urban AC, Hip-Hop, R&B, exactly where I want it to be in 2006? Not quite. As a matter of fact, I think we are passed the date it could have changed for the better by now. OK, let me rephrase that, in the words of Whitney, "Aw, hell to the naw it's not where I thought, expected or want it to be!" It actually couldbe changed overnight. But who up top is not allowing it to change for better? That's the question! Do I still have hope for commercial Black Music in total? Of course, I am very hopeful for all of it. Are we back on the right track I think we should be on now? Not quite, but there are flashes of hope I do see. Has commercial Black Music found it's footing and it's solid legs again yet? No, but I think, I just think, we are getting where we should be. Is the commercial Hip-Hop out here that we hear on the radio on the daily, the "end all to be all" and the final phase of Hip-Hop? Not by a long shot. Will it play out soon? Well, when things have hit just about rock bottom, there truly is no way to go but up. Will cutting back on the blinged-out thug junk and pushing forward more underground, independent and conscious raising Hip-Hop be one of the things that saves Hip-Hop? Even if it isn't all conscious, can the more fun, original, more positive, better produced, yet taking it to the next level "gimme that good ole feeling when I was in love with Hip-Hop" feeling ever return again? Are even the teenagers and 20 somethings out here getting sick of the same ole, same ole heard on Hip-Hop stations on the daily? Again, stay tuned for LT's Take On the Current State of Hip Hop. It won't be too long from now. ;)
The overall 2006 Winners were:
Best Female Hip Hop Artist Missy Elliott
Best Male Hip Hop Artist T.I.
Best Male R&B Artist Prince
Best Female R&B Artist Mary J. Blige
Best Gospel Artist Kirk Franklin
Best New Artist Chris Brown
Best Duet/Collaboration Kanye West Featuring Jamie Foxx - "Gold Digger"
Best Group Black Eyed Peas
Video Of The Year - TIE! Mary J. Blige - "Be Without You" Kanye West F/Jamie Foxx - "Gold Digger"
Viewers' Choice Chris Brown - "Yo (Excuse Me Miss)"
From today's Washington Post, Record Producer Arif Mardin passed away on Sunday. What a life, what a career. Peace to his soul.
The Record Producer In Perfect Harmony With His Artists
By Richard Harrington Washington Post Staff Writer Tuesday, June 27, 2006; Page C01
Legendary producer Arif Mardin didn't have the ego, or the signature sound, of Phil Spector. He didn't have the fame of George Martin, who was best known for his evolutionary work with the Beatles. There was no identifiable Mardin thumbprint, no obvious post-production tweaking: He preferred for the end product to be achieved in the recording studio in a spirit of consultation, cooperation and communion.
Mardin crafted exquisite, empathetic arrangements around his artists, sometimes simply stepping away and letting them find their voice, their groove, their sound -- as he did in the early '60s when he began producing many of the stellar players on Atlantic's jazz roster. The Turkish-born Mardin had fallen in love with American popular music when it was dominated by the big-band jazz of Ellington, Basie and Miller, and he followed the music into the avant-garde of its day, the bebop of Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie.
After coming to America in the late '50s to attend Berklee College of Music in Boston, Mardin was drafted into Atlantic by label founders, and fellow Turks, Ahmet and Nesuhi Ertegun (the well-to-do, politically influential Ertegun and Mardin families had been friends at home). And by 1965, he'd begun a production history second to none, from the Young Rascals' "Good Lovin' " to Norah Jones's 2002 debut "Come Away With Me," which sold 20 million copies worldwide.
Mardin, who died Sunday at age 74 from pancreatic cancer, probably put a wider range of artists at the top of the charts than any other producer. He had a particular affinity for women singers, with an unmatched client list that included Aretha Franklin, Dusty Springfield, Chaka Khan, Bette Midler, Carly Simon, Barbra Streisand, Laura Nyro, Anita Baker, Ofra Haza, Dianne Reeves, Jewel and Jones.
"Maybe I get along with female artists, though I have lifelong friends like the Bee Gees and Phil Collins and Average White Band," Mardin said in an interview a few years ago, casually naming some of his male hitmakers. But, he admitted, the percentage of female artists was higher. "Maybe it's just a matter of me being lucky to be connected with great singers."
Actually, they were lucky, regardless of gender, to be connected with Mardin, a cultured gentleman with a debonair manner and unerring instincts about how to best serve the artist. The music wasn't about his tastes; it was about the artists and their creativity. You could do round-the-clock radio programming with Mardin's work product.
Simply producing great jazz albums and doing big-band arrangements would have been a wonderful enough career for Mardin, but his path changed in 1966 with "Good Lovin'," his first chart-topping production. The following year proved a breakthrough for the newly signed Aretha Franklin as a sterling team consisting of producer Jerry Wexler, engineer Tom Dowd and arranger Mardin crafted her landmark album, "I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)" and its classic single "Respect," with loads more collaboration to follow. The lines of responsibility among the three men often blurred for Franklin, but each would achieve great renown in his own right.
More than the others on the team, Mardin's work transcended genres, with no one sound dominating his records. The '70s brought the sensitive folk of John Prine, the deep soul of Donny Hathaway, the R&B reinvention of the Bee Gees with "Jive Talkin' " and blue-eyed funk via the Average White Band. And Willie Nelson. Hall & Oates, Judy Collins, George Benson. Washington guitar legend Roy Buchanan. Rod Stewart. The list expanded in the '80s, with dozens of other artists seeking Mardin's exquisite orchestrations and string arrangements.
Though his pace eventually slowed, Mardin was sought out not only by the artists he'd worked with over the decades, but younger artists who turned to him for his expertise and sensitivity, his ability to use technology to enhance and underscore rather than overwhelm their efforts. He instructed but didn't intrude, encouraged but didn't manipulate. The great producer laughed about his awareness of, not slavishness to, ever-new studio recording technology. While it had dramatically changed the way people recorded, "the song remains the same," Mardin insisted. "Things go forward, but a great song is a great song."
This comment was apropos of Norah Jones, and how she represented a basic sincerity Mardin sought in his work.
"I don't take a project if it's just a crass commercial project with no musical value," he noted. "This one was totally the opposite -- total honesty, total heartfelt music."
Which is how a 71-year-old gentleman whose good taste, sterling character and generous enthusiasm never diminished won the 2003 Grammy as producer of the year with "Come Away With Me," which took album and record of the year. About 14 years earlier, Mardin won a Grammy for producing the Bette Midler hit whose inspirational sentiment could just as well apply to his efforts on behalf of myriad artists: He was the wind beneath their wings.
Frank Robinson's achievements and accomplishments in Major League Baseball go on for days and days. Player, manager. His record in the League is phenomenal. Too long to list!
After retirement as a player, he became the first permanent African-American manager in Major League history.
It was on this day in 1989 that The Baltimore Orioles beat the Toronto Blue Jays 16-6. Each team was coached by an African-American, Frank Robinson of the Orioles and Cito Gaston of the Blue Jays. Robinson, who directed his team to an 87-75 season, was named Manager of the Year by both AP and UPI. He became the manager of the Washington Nationals in 2005.
India.Arie's new album drops today. 'Testimony vol. 1: Life & Relationship' (Universal/Motown) indiaarie
She performed on The Tonite Show with Jay Leno Monday night.
Great performance! This lady can move! I mean, she danced like I hadn't seen her do before except in this recent video they are spinning of her.
She did, 'I Am Not My Hair' and she and her band did it a totally different way then the radio single version that is being heard on radio right now. They NeoSoul-Funktafied it with the smooth-coolness-tip with a heavier emphasis on the drums and percussion. Slammin!
They were so good it really was like they could have gone on and on after that one song. They were wound up and in top form. They were "concert ready". I wanted more and I think Leno, his guests and the audience did too by the applause but it was time for Leno to close out the show.
Another must-buy album on my list.
India.Arie is another artist who's music will always be in my library.
Now someone I do like is Donnell Jones. donnelljones
His new single, "I'm Gonna Be" is hot sho' nuff. His new album, Journey of a Gemini, came out on Tuesday, June 20th this week. A must-buy album on my list.
I saw him perform at The Black Family Reunion on The National Mall several years back. He is a good entertainer and dancer too. So were the girls he had with him. I think they were from Atlanta. They really put on a good show. It was like a breathe of fresh air and hope for the future of Black Music too. I dig all his albums. Donnell I heard is from the Southside of Chicago.
I must see what my fellow Gemini Brotha has to say about a Gemini's Journey.
OK, it's hot. There, I said it. LOL. I give it up for them. They've got a hot track on their hands and I am not the biggest fan of either though Jay Z has created some phat beats and rhymes. Deja Vu actually sounds like it was written by Stevie Wonder or something he would sing. I can hear him singing this in my head by the sound of it. Is it just me?
Even if I don't like a particular artist if they do something that is actually hot, I will give it up for em and give them their props. LOL. They did good on this one. Beyonce's new album B-Day drops in September too. And no, I am not posting Beyonce's picture! LOL. Why? Because everywhere we turn she's there already! LOL! TV, Movies, Ads...yeah, she's a talented singer. I don't think she is the best or even one of the best I have ever heard in my life but she's ahhiite. Her acting? Eh.
I just feel they overexpose her. Give me a chance to miss you sometimes, whydontcha?! LOL. They did the same thing with Destiny's Child in those last years before Beyonce went solo or should I say "solo". We all know they will be back. Overexposue is an understatement. I think I dug Destiny's Child the most when they first came out and shortly after.
OK, let the letters start pouring in. LOL.
My thing is just this: If there wasn't the big $100 million, 24-7 ad campaign going on behind you to back you up, would I even naturally be thinking about you? Would I even care?
There are certain artists out here who just naturally have that magic or that fire inside them or about them. That special something that makes me think about them and wonder how they're doing, what they're going to do next, etc.
And then there are some that it just all seems to be smoke and mirrors doing all the noise. Take that away and what you got left? Now what? And?
I say this because when I think of all the truly great artists from the past, I found myself thinking of them and wondering about them even when nothing was going on with them. No big campaign was needed for me to start thinking of them out of the blue and going to pick up some of their stuff, new or old because I knew or had heard from friends or family that they were just that good.
All it would take is to hear an old 33 LP, a friend's cassette tape, your uncle's 8-Track in his car, or you heard them on the radio once or twice or (when videos started) you saw that one new video and you knew by the quality by the sound you had to get it.
Today, the corporations cram these new artists down our throats at every turn. Like force feeding. And then as Tavis Smiley said so well, "you find out this big event was actually a non-event."
One of the functions and effects of the music industry that turns me off today and that I could do without.
How many of us thought this album was coming after Stevie's Oprah appearance with his family?
What kept happening that kept holding this album up when we kept hearing it was finished?
A Time 2 Love was finally released on October 18, 2005. It had been 10 years since we heard a Stevie Album. I hope we get another Stevie album by October 18, 2007 at the latest and then a Stevie wonder album every year after that.
I love all Stevie Wonder so it's almost impossible to review his stuff song by song. So I will to try to keep this short. I will just describe what I was thinking as I heard each track.
1. If Your Love Cannot Be Moved (Featuring Kim Burrell) - Come on and bring it! We been waitin'!
2. Sweetest Somebody I Know - Nice!
3. Moon Blue - Piano. Keys. Lush! You can really see the moon the color blue when he sings this.
4. From the Bottom of My Heart - The second single to hit Urban AC Radio. Loved it from beginning to end. The harmonies, incredible. Beautiful lyrics. Too short!
5. Please Don't Hurt My Baby - Reminded me of classic 70s Stevie.
6. How Will I Know (Featuring Aisha Morris) - This song floors me it's so beautiful. Once again the piano, the keys. The quiet and subtleness of it all. A duet with his beautiful daughter Aisha. Little Aisha we heard on 'Isn't She Lovely' on 'Songs in the Key of Life' all grown up. Had this on repeat on the stereo for days. Some of the most heartfelt, honest questions and sentiments on the subject of love a man and woman can ask. This could be used in a movie or play. A daughter asking her Mother, a son asking his Dad. How Will I Know? Another timeless Stevie classic.
7. My Love Is On Fire - (on flute, Hubert Laws) How can anything so light and free sounding be so funky and good? It's all in here. Stevie's style we all love is all over this.
8. Passionate Raindrops - The video to this would be a beautiful thing indeed. A springtime light rain and two lovers. A summertime light rain and two lovers.
9. Tell Your Heart I Love You - Stevie Wonder, what you got in your synthesizers and harmonicas that makes them sound that funky on command? No one on this Earth can play neither exactly like Stevie. Let's go down south.
10. True Love - OK, I'm knocked out over here all over again. All I can do on this one is just shake my head left to right. Lawd! This is what a classy Jazzy song sounds like in the form of an acoustic piano, bass, drums, saxophone and Stevie's vocals. Another one I had to put on repeat for days. How bout that foot petal? In synch! ;)
11. Shelter In The Rain - Saw him do this one on Good Morning America that morning. I think it was actually raining outside the studio when he did this in New York that morning. I really like this one. Once again, lyrics. Universal. A Higher Power Is In Charge and In Control. He dedicated this to the victims of Hurricane Katrina. People were crying on the show, on set and in the audience live on TV. I know I was too.
12. So What The Fuss - I think this was the first single to hit Urban AC Radio. Funky as all get out. This is the one where he says, "Prince, pop it." EnVogue is on this on too. Where in the heck has EnVogue been? The real EnVogue! You know, all the original girls?! That's who we want back together! They showed them on Oprah that time with Stevie recording this. The video for this was cool too. That Deep, down, dirty, analog, nasty, funktafied funk. Don't do the Funk. Get Under the Funk. 'Scuse my language, but I mean this in a good way -- "Dayum, that's Funky!" I hear they did this at Prince's place in Beverly Hills one night too. This reminds me of that story Quincy Jones told of Michael Jackson when MJ would say, "You hear that? That's the jelly." I hear you, MJ! Funky.
13. Can't Imagine Love Without You - Another beaut!
14. Positivity - This song got me outta my seat at 2 o'clock in the morning when I heard it. I dare anyone to sit still and listen to this! I double dares yah! Positive Joyful, Blissful, Optimistic Funk Happiness! Aisha sounds like on an angel singing on this. The words of this song need to be listened to over and over again. How can you not feel better after listening to this gem? Stevie plays drums on this and I mean, it is a treat! In tha pocket!
15. A Time To Love (featuring India.Arie) - nuff said!
1940, Wilma Rudolph was born on this day in Clarksville, Tennessee. A polio victim, she overcame her condition at the age of 12 and was able to walk again. She went on to become an athlete as she headed to JHS. The coaches at her school spotted her talent early on. She was playing for the basketball team of her junior high school, when she was spotted by the track and field coach. While attending Burt High School, Rudolph became a basketball star, setting state records for scoring and leading her team to the state championship. She went on to win three gold medals at the Summer Games in Rome, the first American woman to achieve this feat in a single Olympiad.
After her athletic career, Rudolph worked as a teacher, track coach, and sports commentator.
At age 54, Wilma Rudolph died in her home in Brentwood, Tennessee of brain cancer.
In 2004, the United States Postal Service issued a 23 cent postage stamp featuring Rudolph.
Mrs. Rudolph, we say your name, we say your name, we honor you!
Prince's latest album which was released on March 21st 2006 = 3.21 = 3121.
I never had a chance to fully review it until now, a full three months later. Today is June 23rd, 2006 as you can see. So I guess that would mean I am reviewing 3121 on 6123! LOL! OK! Enough with the symbolism already! LOL.
Was this album a Purple Rain or a Sign O' The Times? No, but I didn't expect it to be. It's a decent collection of his songs though to show where he is right now. Or in Prince's case, where he was up to three months ago! LOL. He creates and moves on, creates and moves on, so I'm sure he's on to something else in his studio by now. Anyway, here you go!
1. 3121 - This track opens the album. It starts with a mid-tempo kick drum and a nasty bass in a repetitive loop. It sounds like you just walked in a big theater hall, you're coming down the isle in between the theater seats and Prince is up on stage working out a funky jam. You know, warming up the band. It reminds me of something he did off his album, NewPowerSoul, with a nod to George Clinton. It is basically Prince doing one of the things he does best. He lays down his normal voice, then he lays down his voice again in this high-pitched sped up voice that we have all come to know over the years. He basically here is welcoming all to the party. Welcome to the jam. This is what we're gonna do. You are in the right place.
2. Lolita - this track grabs you immediately from the beginning. It has this big bombastic sound, man. I mean, as in the old days when you used to go to the skating ring and the speakers were booming and had that echo effect afterwards. This cut is a guaranteed hit. The lyrics, the structure. Miles was right, Prince comes in on the beat and plays on top of the beat. Good God, man! This is one funky jam. You got to get up and dance to this. This groove is so catchy and funky I had to put it on repeat about 10 times just to feel and hear how he did it. Another example of Prince's genius, where you ask yourself, "How does he do this?" You will dance, Your Momma will dance, Your grandmother will get up out of her seat. This cut will move your body.
3. Te Amo Corazon - This one starts off with those beautiful strings I love to hear from Clare Fischer. It threw me immediately to the time of Under The Cherry Moon and his Parade album. Do you remember the incidental music in that movie, the music used for certain scenes in between dialogue? I actually wished this could of gone on a little bit longer. This song has a slow Brazilian type groove to it and was the first single released to radio from the album. Not a bad little number.
4. Black Sweat - Another funky, futuristic sounding cut that sounds like it came out of the future. In 1987, some musician friends and I used to sit around in one of the studios at a Jazz Station I worked at then and in between me editing and producing shows for air, we would discuss what we thought music would sound like in the year 2000 and beyond. This to me is an example of what we were talking about. Prince can be at least 25 years ahead of his time when he wants to be. Ahead of time yet right on time. Is that something else or what? This is another one for the clubs that will make you move and get up out your seat.
5. Incense and Candles - This love groove has gotten a lot of play on Urban AC Radio and I can see why. It fits. It's slow but funky. You can play it in the middle of the day right after lunch or in the evening during your slow jam show. Kinda poppy and catchy. Prince again explaining exactly what he's gonna do to his woman. The art of lyrics and words. Prince does it again.
6. Love - This one is just OK to me. Not spectacular. It kind of has a twisted sound to it. Kinda like a lemon and a lime with a little sugar sprinkled on it. A lil sour, a lil sweet. LOL. This sounds like something that could have been on Emancipation which was a great 3CD set he came out with in '96. The ending is the best part when he says "Let's Skate...Bounce...Shake that thing, come on." From that point on it gets better. Not one of Prince's best but OK, I'll go with it 'til the next cut.
7. Satisfied - Another example of a slow jam that shows why Prince is Prince. The Love Master. LOL. The ladies have loved this one every time I have seen him do this live. All I can say is, "Dang! Go head boy, whatchosay! Go head and make it plain to her! Go head!" LOL. This is one that goes over big live. One thing you can say about Prince when it comes to the ladies, he makes his intentions known, doesn't he?
8. Fury - He performed this one on Saturday Night Live a while back with Tamar and The Twinz. It is a real rocker. This is another example of when Prince does Rock and he rocks it out complete with an interesting story he is telling in it. "Hell, hath no fury like a woman scorned." You ain't lyin' bout that brotha! This reminded me of something that could have been on his Chaos and Disorder album. He ended this on Saturday Night Live by taking his guitar off and layed it down at his feet by his pedals and the guitar continues to play by itself off the last key he hit. It reverberated and he walked off stage. Another way Prince is just the bad man that he is. LOL. Dang! Lorne Michaels could not believe he did that! LOL. When Prince finishes his jams, HE'S OUT! LOL! I guess when you have all the talent like that, you can do that. lol.
9. The Word - One of my favorites off the whole cut. Another one I was blown away by as in "How does he do this? How does he do that? How does he put these fantastic sounds together?" This song just works. the words are very spiritual. I put this on repeat at least 10 times before I moved onto the next track. It's just that hot. It also has this Indian type sound going on behind it. He lays down his voice again what sounds like a dozen times in perfect harmony. How does he do it? This sounds like "7" to me off the Symbol Album but totally different. I can see Mayte belly dancing to this even though they ain't together no more. She would WORK THIS JAM OUT! Santana sounding guitar at the end too.
10. Beautiful, Loved and Blessed - Perfect. That's all I can say about this one. It's perfect. The lyrics are beautiful and so positive and spiritual and true. Shows off Tamar's voice. Sounds great. This one will go in the analogs of Great Prince Tracks you just can't be mad at or hate on. It's perfect. It has an element which is missing in Black Music today. The woman sings her part and speaks her mind, the man sings his part and speaks his mind and they are actually lifting each other up, singing something unifying and positive that includes each other's intentions instead of the same ole drama we are hearing out here right now. They are announcing what they are going to do together. Reminds me of the way a song for a man and a woman used to be written when they do it together in unison. "Hey, Hey, Hey, wake up its a new day" - one of my favorite parts.
11. The Dance - Another nice one. Prince, what planet are you from, man? Are you from this Earth? What universe did you bring this from? I was blown away by this one. It comes from a totally different place where you think to yourself "What vibe or mood was he in when he did this?" These lush, romantic strings that operate throughout. What can I say? The man is bad for days on end. Prince, can I visit your studio to see how you do this, man? This is one of those situations where you imagine prince said to his musicians and staff, "Close all the doors to Paisley Park, I'm workin on somethin in here." Everybody must leave until he's finished. Hours later they come back, hear the playback and are all blown away, speechless. "He did it again." LOL.
12. Get On the Boat - What can I say? Prince has done found religion and it is workin for him. This was probably a long time coming for how spiritual Prince has implied stuff here and there over the years in his music even after his Dirty Mind phase and beyond. The spirituality was alwyas there mixed in. Another reason it will always be hard to pin down Prince on one thing. Whatever spirituality he has in his life right now I believe it is working for him and working for him well. He has peace and wants everybody to "get on the boat' with "getting on the good foot" of finding peace, joy and happiness in whichever spiritual way is best for you.
Prince makes albums so fast I always look forward to the next. It's one of the things you can look forward to every year. I would like to see him get back into that Madhouse 8,12,16,24(you know, the ones with Monica Lightner on the covers? In Morris Day voice..."Yessssssss! Bahaw!") sound he did in the late 80's as his next one, but we will see. He's one of those artists that whatever he does I have to pay attention to it because you never know what he's going to do next. But like any great artist, you just have to sit back and watch what he paints on his canvas next.
Two great women who share the same birthday today made the transition in 2006, Katherine Dunham and Octavia Butler.
Katherine Dunham was born on this day in 1909 in Joliet, Illinois. She became one of the revolutionary forces in modern dance through her introduction and use of African and Caribbean styles. Ms. Dunham was successful on the stage and in the movies, including Stormy Weather, in the late 1960's she formed the Katherine Dunham Center for the Performing Arts and in 1983 was awarded Kennedy Center Honors.
Octavia Butler was born on this day in 1947 in Pasadena, California. She became a Science Fiction Writer and won the Hugo Award for Excellence in Science Fiction Writing in 1984 amongst many other awards in her latter career.
Patternist Wild Seed (1980) Mind of My Mind (1977) Patternmaster (1976) Clay's Ark (1984) Survivor (1978)
Kindred (1979) Parable Parable of the Sower (1994) (nominated for a Nebula in 1994-95) Parable of the Talents (1998) New York: Seven Stories Press.
"Speech Sounds" appeared in Asimov's (December 1983). Won Hugo. Republished in Bloodchild and Other Stories (1995). "Bloodchild" appeared in Asimov's (June 1984); won 1984 Nebula for best novelette; won 1985 Hugo. Republished in Bloodchild and Other Stories (1995). Bloodchild and Other Stories. (Four Walls Eight Windows: New York, London, 1995). Includes Preface, "Bloodchild" (1984); "The Evening and the Morning and the Night" (1987 / 1988); "Near of Kin" (1979); "Speech Sounds" (1983); "Crossover" (1971); and two essays: "Positive Obsession" (1989, as "Birth of a Writer"); "Furor Scribendi" (1993).
Peace and Blessings to these Queens. We say your names, we say your names. We honor you!
1937 - Joe Louis defeats James (J.J.) Braddock to become Heavyweight Champion of the World. This fight is won in eight rounds before 45,000 fans, the largest audience ever recorded up until that date to witness a fight.
The Brown Bomber! Joe Louis, we say your name, we say your name. We remember you, we watch old footage of you, and still talk about you 'til this day. We salute you!
Philly's own. Born in Philadelphia, PA on this day in 1941. CBS correspondent and journalist who has been with CBS since 1967, covered the Vietnam conflict, past CBS News White House Correspondent, became co-anchor of 60 Minutes in 1981 - 25 years!, has won six Emmy Awards...outstanding, excellent reports with everyone and on every topic from A to Z.
Mr. Bradley, whatever you do next with your illustrious career, is OK by me because I will continue to follow you and I know it will be great, your happiness and peace of mine is key, but, Sir, if you stayed on board it would only continue to be great to me.
NY Daily News reported earlier this month that 60 Minutes and CBS want to go for a younger demo audience and are thinking of letting Ed Bradley go. Say what?! CBS, I hear that, there is nothing wrong with wanting more young people to pay attention to the news, especially a show like 60 Minutes, but to me nothing beats that age and experience, you have in a Ed Bradley. CBS, Go head, do the right thing and pay a brotha his just due!
From the New York Daily News Monday, June 5th, 2006
"60 Minutes" star Ed Bradley and CBS execs are at loggerheads over the 64-year-old correspondent's contract as the network chases a younger audience for its venerable show.
Buzz around the office is that Bradley has grown so frustrated with the money he's being offered that he's gone on "strike."
"He still comes to the office, but he's putting off producers until his deal is resolved," one insider tells us.
Bradley insists that there's no work slowdown.
"I have a contract with CBS, and I'm honoring it," he tells us. "We're in reruns right now, so no one is shooting much. But I just taped a new opening for a piece on illegal immigrants," which ran last night.
So he's happy with his compensation?
"I don't discuss my contract with anyone," he tells us.
Some of his colleagues wouldn't blame him for feeling slighted.
"He's just come off a great season," says a source. "He's done stories about the Mafia cops, Tiger Woods, the CIA. Now that Mike Wallace is retiring, Ed is the rock of the show. I think he expected to be treated better."
Bradley's contract dilemma comes as CBS chief Les Moonves and news head Sean McManus have been tranfusing younger blood into the 37-year-old show. Among next season's contributors will be Katie Couric, 49, and CNN's Anderson Cooper, who turned 39 Saturday (and who's rumored to be getting around $500,000 for up to five stories). Also being groomed for "60 Minutes" stardom are Scott Pelley and Lara Logan, though some of the show's veteran producers are suspicious of Logan's sex appeal. "She wore low-cut shirts to interview soldiers in Iraq," says a source.
While 64-year-old Lesley Stahl is hanging in there, 74-year-old Morley Safer is doing fewer stories. And we hear "60 Minutes" contributor Dan Rather, also 74, could leave W. 57th St. once and for all in a matter of weeks.
Despite his intrinsic hipness, the earring-wearing Bradley may also be hearing the tick-tick-tick of the show's clock. "He doesn't need this," says a source. "He had a heart bypass a couple of years ago. He's not going to stick around like Mike Wallace till he's 88."
Some feel sure he'll be back next season. Bradley says he'd like to work at the show as long as it stays true to its legacy. "When someone tells me I can't do the stories I like to do," he tells us, "then I know it's time for me to go."
There are some Black Plays I heard about in a discussion the other night I wish I would have been old enough to see by the description of them.
These two older gentlemen were talking about different topics and spontaneously the topic of Black Theater from the 60s and 70s came up. The conversation was so interesting I have to look these up on the net to see what I missed. I had to quickly get out a piece of paper and pencil to jot down as many as I could as they were talking about them.
Some they mentioned were:
Ain't Supposed To Die A Natural Death by Melvin Van Peebles.
Day of Absence by Douglass Turner Ward.
The Dutchman by Leroi Jones aka Amiri Baraka.
The African Company Presents Richard III.
Rashomon - A play based on the Japanese film. This version they mentioned was done by a Black Theater Company.
Revolutionary Notes by Julius Lester.
The Electronic N----- by Ed Bullins.
Midnight, Friday the 13th.
House of Numbers and No Place To Be Somebody which starred Phillip Michael Thomas way before he did Miami Vice. They were saying the world still has no idea what a great stage actor he is.
Some of the other actors they mentioned were Woody Strode, Bernie Casey and Lincoln Kirkpatrick.
Some of the black plays I remembered our Mom took us to or either we heard about growing up were: The Wiz, Sarafina, Porgy and Bess, Raisin In The Sun, Purlie!, For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When The Rainbow is Enough, Bubblin' Brown Sugar, Dreamgirls, Fences, A Soldier's Story, Checkmates, Five Guys Named Moe, etc.
Are there some memorable Black Plays or Black Musicals that you remember, saw or were part of in your life? Feel free to chime in on the comment section.
universoulcircus Saw it in it's last days before it pulled out of our area and before they kept chuggin' down the road for their summer tour.
I kept hearing so many good things about this for the last 10+ years but just never got a chance to go. I did catch the HBO Special that aired that one year.
Overall, I enjoyed it. They changed the MC for the ump-teenth time so I didn't know who it would be this year.
My honest opinion? Everyone seemed overworked. The energy level was up but just very routine feeling. Even the lions seemed to be bothered by the repetition of what they have to do three times a day. Now, you know that's bad.
They had too many shows scheduled I think for each day in the city. That would be enough to tire anyone, even a professional performer.
The collection of acts they had from around the world were all good and all memorable, its just that everyone seemed a bit, well, tired.
Once again, I think this comes from doing so many shows a day and so many shows a week, living in the trailers, etc. and that's even before they move on to the next city to do it all over again. I know that has to be a rough life.
With all that said, I am glad there is a UniverSoul Circus because we need one out here and props to them for starting one in the first place. No one else but Us can bring that flava, if you know what I mean.
The best act of the night was the LionTrainer Lady. She was really very good and once again, the lions were in no mood to comply to her wishes this night and she was without her assistants, but she respectfully had them all under her control. She was really good.
My suggestion would be for The UniverSoul Circus to cut back their shows to maybe one or two a day per city. Cut it back a little so it's more fresh for them as performers and us as the audience.
Maybe even take a break for a little while to relook at the future of the circus as in "where do we go from here?" The concept is still good though, they just need to revamp. Chemistry is everything too when it comes to two MC's.
I guess what I'm trying to say is their HeyDay seems to have passed as far as how great it was initially.
Another suggestion, save the kiddy shows for the day and have an adult version of the show for the evenings.
Also, they are at the point now where they could put their best shows on DVD and sell the DVDs online and in stores, stay in Atlanta, specialize the show even more and have the world come to them. Or limit their cities and how long they stay out on the road. This is 2006. Work that thing! Marketing!
This way their "Best Of" would be on DVD for the world to buy, but if you really wanna see something special, come on down to the ATL, you feel me?
It also went too long, over 3+ hours. They need to tighten that joint up timewise.
Also too many breaks at almost 20 minutes each! LOL!
If you get a chance to see it I would still say go see it though.
BTW, don't think Ringling Bros & Barnum and Bailey haven't taken notice of or are sleeping on UniverSoul - did Ringling have a Black MC for the first time in their history recently? Yes, they did!
The power of the Black Audience, ticket buyer, dollar. If they weren't hip to us all those years before, UniverSoul put them on point to be on the dime now. There's an audience out here who will come out if you put some flava in your show. This, they now know.
Summer officially begins today at 8:26am EDT. The Sun rises at 5:43am and sets at 8:37pm. The average high is 85 degrees and the average low is 66. The record high was 98 degrees set in 1988 and the record low was 51 degrees set in 1940.
Today is also known as "The Longest Day of the Year." We get almost a full 15 hours of sunshine today.
"Summertime, And the livin' is easy Fish are jumpin' And the cotton is high
Your daddy's rich And your mamma's good lookin' So hush little baby Don't you cry
One of these mornings You're going to rise up singing Then you'll spread your wings And you'll take to the sky
But till that morning There's a'nothing can harm you With daddy and mamma standing by
Summertime, And the livin' is easy Fish are jumpin' And the cotton is high
Your daddy's rich And your mamma's good lookin' So hush little baby Don't you cry"
It was 80 years ago today, in 1926, that Mordecai W. Johnson became the first African-American president of Howard University. There is an incredible picture in Howard's Moorland-Spingarn Research Center of President Mordecai W. Johnson escorting His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie, Emperor of Ethiopia, to a special convocation during which the Emperor receives the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws, May 28, 1954. I didn't see that picture until the late 80s and was blown away. So much history.
Speaking of Howard and back in the day, anybody remember the Bison Cafeteria during The Summer of '77 when they had an actual bison's head up on the wall and The Brothers Johnson's, 'Strawberry Letter 23' and The Commodores, 'Easy' were the most popular tunes of choice in the jukebox that only cost you a quarter?
Anybody remember the old man that sold those slammin' hot dogs on Howard's Campus back then right out in front of the Bison Cafeteria? The ones with the Chili and Sauerkraut? The man who always had a longer line then any other hot dog vendor on the entire campus? He was a popular dude in the Summer Time next to the ice cream man!
Memories...OK, how did this post lead me to thinking of Ben's Chili Bowl?
Anybody remember the Howard University Children's Theatre (H.U.C.T.) in the 70s? Aside from DC/MD/VA peeps, we met kids those summers from California, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Hollah if you hear me! LOL! Where are my H.U.C.T. alumnus from the 70s?! To pull that reunion off would be an awesome feat indeed.
I was blessed with being able to participate in five different programs on Howard's campus over the years. The Howard University Children's Theater in the Summers of '76 and '77 when I was 6 and 7, The Howard University Summer Journalism Workshop in the Summer of '83 when I was 13, Mayor Marion Barry's Summer Youth Leadership Program in the Summer of '86 when I was 16, WHMM Channel 32's Television and Engineering Program when I was 16 going on 17 and as an intern on the news show Evening Exchange in 1993 when I was 23.
There is a funny story behind the TV and Engineering program because of how it happened for me. Suffice it to say, that my curiosity, courage and determination got me into that class. I was the youngest student in the class, and only the second youth to inquire about getting into that program. I didn't tell anyone until I got in, even my parents.
The head of the department told me in an interview that a young lady in another high school was actually the first that had inquired about participating in such a program. It was really reserved for Howard Communications students already enrolled and in the Communications Department. The deadline had already passed to make matters worse for me.
I got a seat in that workshop because I knew I was interested in Television at an early age and wanted to learn more about it. I actually took off one day from my last year of High School one rainy afternoon early so I could get into this program but I had to be interviewed first by the Head of the Department! LOL. It went very well. I think the Head of the Department was tickled, surprised and impressed that a youth from a DC High School set this interview up on his own and was able to convince a grown adult he had to be in this upcoming program. He signed me up that day and shook my hand with a smile after a great conversation, gave me my paperwork and welcomed me in. "See you next month." A brotha was happy and proud.
Another great influence for me going into Radio/TV/Film was that our father used to take my older sister and I to WHMM Channel 32 in the early 80s and we would all volunteer our time during fundraisers that broadcast live on air. WHMM premiered on the air on September 29th, 1980. We volunteered several times. Our first experience on TV! LOL. It was really fun answering phones and all and taking pledges but what really fascinated me was watching the cameramen, engineers and lighting men work behind the scenes. Also watching the On-Air Talent prepare themselves before that red light lit up on top of the cameras. Watching them do what they do. All of that inspired me.
All of them were incredibly beneficial programs for me in my life and many other young people I know who grew up around that time. What I learned from those five programs have stayed with me to this day.
We had the opportunity to stay in Howard's dorms during the Journalism and Leadership programs which were really fun and exciting experiences at those ages. Our first taste at independence away from our families in a college type atmosphere where the campus was your summer home. A lot of growing up for me took place during those years. It was really great.
Howard also had some incredible Black speakers that came through especially between the years of 1987 and 1991. You talk about an education you couldn't get in a classroom!
There was also a natural, from the streets, grassroots, socially conscious, Afrocentric, awareness movement that was going on in the late 80s and early 90s that a lot of young Black people who were just entering college were feeling with great curiosity. You could hear it in our music, Hip Hop, in the way we started dressing, expressing ourselves, etc. Baby Boomers even had to comment they hadn't seen that type of interest in our roots and culture as Black People until going back to their time in the 1960s and 70s.
I think some of our parents and families feared we were getting too militant. That's not even what it was. We were gettin' that knowledge. Knowledge that had been suppressed. That knowledge that we sho' nuff had not gotten in school growing up. It was like good food for your brain. The energy was so good you had to come back again and again to see who was next. And it was all good. You see what the alternatives for the youth are out here today, right? And they got on us for gettin' the knowledge? Are you kidding me?
There are times where I have wondered, "OK, Baby Boomers, some of you got on our case for showing interest in our culture back then, are you happier now with what the youngsters are into today? Do you approve of this era of blinged out, strip club sounding, misogynistic, thug junk more than that Era of Elders Droppin' Science that we had?" I'm talkin' here about Conscious Hip Hop and what was going on across America on Historical Black Colleges and Universities campuses with different speakers we saw and heard.
Some have said the 90s were the 60s turned upside down and since we were the children of the children of the 60s we couldn't help but feel some of that spirit around that time. We were actually coming into our own. I thought that was an interesting comment.
A good TV visual of this would be this suggestion: Check out Different World on DVD. Get the episodes of when Howard Alum Debbie Allen took over the show. You will see the difference of how it was before she got there and after. After Ms. Allen started producing and directing that show it started reflecting the consciousness that was happening on HBCU's around that time. They all did a good job. The feeling was natural, real and genuine and not manufactured.
If you notice, commercial Hip Hop took a totally different direction after that era or those years. I would clock the last good year as '93 as far as consistency. Really, the first 6 months of '93. The second six months of '93 is when I started noticing something else was happening. It was actually on a positive track right up until then, even commercially. But as soon as young Black people started waking up to our original cultures complete with social and political awareness, a more negative direction for Hip Hop all of a sudden "replaced" it. Do you think that was an accident? But that is for an upcoming post, so stay tuned. Yes, I'm going to tell that truth up in here! You see what we got out here on the Hip Hop radio stations now, right? Like I told you in my profile...The Best Is Yet To Come. So watch out for LT's Take On The Current State of Hip Hop. We gonna get busy. ;)
But I digress. I mean, we would run to those campus events with the same energy as running to a concert or a dance or show. You couldn't miss it. They were just that good. Historians, Playwrights, Actors, Actresses, CEO's, Entrepreneurs, Business Men and Women, Nutritionists, Religious and Spiritual Leaders, Political and Social Activists. And it was always Standing Room Only. Those years were off the hook on Howard's campus and I benefited from all of it and feel blessed and fortunate to have experienced it all.
It was on this day in 1929 that "Hot Chocolates" premiered at the Hudson Theater in New York City. The music was done by Fats Waller and the lyrics by Andy Razaf. This musical introduced to the world the songs "Ain't Misbehavin" and "Black and Blue".
Born in Tuskegee, Alabama on this day. Remember the commercial where he goes back to Alabama to visit his Mom? Was that a Pepsi commercial? I plumb forgot. Why did so many people think that commercial was so funny? LOL. I can't even remember now but I do remember laughing too for whatever reasons I still don't know. Was it his grandmother he went home to see in it?
LOL! I think I remember now why it was looked at as so funny. By that time Lionel Richie had truly crossed over, he had left The Commodores to go solo etc and won Grammys in 82 and 84. So when the commercial came out of him going back home people laughed because they had their own lines of what they thought the mother should have said to him! LOL! I guess you had to be there to get it.
No, I think it was because they used his song Hello in it and for most of the commercial we see him going back home but we don't find out til the end it is his Mom he is trying to get to.
Now, that I think of it I think she says something kind of cute or funny to him when they get out to the garden after she greets him in the the kitchen, "Lionel!"
Bringing it up to the present, Lionel Richie was in DC all last week. He hit all the Urban Stations, Urban AC's, Hip Hop, you name it. I think he did em all! LOL. His new single sounds cool. I missed meeting him by one day at an AC station I worked at in DC about 5 or 6 years ago. Just so happened to be the day I wasn't workin he came through. LOL. Life.
His single sounds like this Under Water-Aquatics-Bohemian-Tropical-Futuristic-Sound they are rolling with for artists like Chris Brown, Ne Yo, Donnell Jones,etc, but they did it in a way to complement Lionel Richie. He did some pretty extensive interviews on all the stations last week. He went into a lot about his life, more then I expected. Album drops in September. September is looking out to be a great month in Black Music.
Today on all the local news stations, they did features in memory of Len Bias. It was on this day in 1986 that he died. For those too young to remember or outside the area who never heard the story, it was truly a sad loss and an incredible story because of his talent and where he was headed. Only God knows what future laid ahead of Len Bias. I mean, this guy was on a whole nex' level. We're talking someone who would have or could have been right up there with Michael Jordan or beyond. Who knows? His mom came to speak at my high school that next year and spoke to us all on the dangers of doing drugs.
Being a teenaged young man growing up in Washington D.C. during the 80s was something else. I've got stories for days and so do a lot of other guys from D.C. in my age group but I will save that for another post and maybe even my book. I will see how The Spirit moves me as to what I will post on that experience of the 80s in DC because there is just so much. Of course there were good days and great days too but there were some rough periods too. This situation was sad but so were the many deaths that happened in DC during those years including the killing of many innocent bystanders on a daily basis not to mention a daily feeling of feeling under seige in different parts of the city. And did I mention the black helicopters? Yeah, that scene in Boys In The Hood touched on some truth. But once again, for another post.
This was a gigantic loss that sent shockwaves not only locally but nationally and I dare say internationally in the Sports World especially. So much promise.
The first story I heard about this situation was that he was at a celebration party and had been drugged or given some bad drugs. Another version I heard was someone had slipped something in his drink. There were several versions that got out I would say in those first days following this tragedy in DC. I'm talking stuff we heard in the barbershops, at school, from people who knew people that knew him or his friends, on the street, etc. Everybody was talking about it and just blown away by the reality of what had happened. Peace to his soul.
Here is an excerpt from Wikipedia on Len Bias:
Len Bias From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Leonard K. Bias (November 18, 1963 – June 19, 1986) was a college basketball player who suffered a fatal cardiac arrhythmia that resulted from a cocaine overdose fewer than 48 hours after being selected by the Boston Celtics in the 1986 NBA Draft. Bias was the second player selected in the draft, after Brad Daugherty of the Cleveland Cavaliers. Bias was known to his family, friends, teammates, and in the media as "Len" or "Lenny" rather than by his formal name, Leonard.
From Landover, Maryland, Bias attended Northwestern High School in Hyattsville, Maryland, and subsequently the University of Maryland where he became a star player and an All-American. Wearing number 34, he impressed basketball fans with his amazing leaping ability, his physical stature and his ability to create plays. During his college career Bias was considered one of the most dynamic players in the nation. Many basketball enthusiasts have argued that he was the first player to come under the title of "the next Michael Jordan", even though Jordan himself was only in his second professional season at the time Bias was drafted.
Bias died in a dormitory on the University of Maryland - College Park campus. Later, his death would be featured as part of an anti-drug media campaign. A district court and court of appeals found that Bias was a drug user.
Years later, on December 11, 1990, Bias's younger brother Jay, a promising high school basketball player, was shot to death in a dispute in the parking lot of Prince George's Plaza, a Hyattsville, Maryland, shopping mall located just miles from the University of Maryland.
The Possibility
Len Bias represents to the NBA, and especially to the Celtics organization, one of the greatest "what-ifs" in basketball history. Many considered Bias to be the perfect complement to the Larry Bird-led Celtics, a potential backup for both Bird and Kevin McHale who would have limited their minutes and perhaps in turn extended their careers. Some, including Red Auerbach and Johnny Dawkins, a Duke assistant who was a high school and college contemporary of Bias, believed that the inclusion of Bias could have allowed for the Boston Celtic organization's continued dominance well into the 1990s.
By popular demand and for your viewing pleasure, my Chuck Brown "I tried to get in that joint!" report! ;)
Chuck Brown with SOS Band hosted by Steve Harvey and Crew - The "I Almost Got In That Joint!" Report Saturday, June 10th, Carter Barron, 7:30 pm (Sold Out Show)
I could not get tickets to this sold out show but I did go up there to see if I could get a good listen.
The Park Police had Carter Barron blocked off to the likes I have not heard before since maybe The Four Tops or The Temptations in the 70s. Everything was blocked off including the tennis court area.
I went around the back behind 16th street. The Park Police were back there too! lol! Along with a whole lot of other Chuck Fans who had the same idea and just came to listen from the back. People were trying everything to get in from the back in between the trees! Folks were trying to drive in every back entrance they could find. The Park Police were on the megaphones: "Back that thing outta here!" (spotlight comes on).
When I got there Chuck was doing Hoochie Coochie Man. The sounds were pumpin. I mean, that percussive Old School Chuck Brown Go-Go Beat was pulsating throughout the night air.
I split with the mere pleasure that I had an opportunity to listen to Chuck Live.
Chuck on Steve Harvey's Show Monday Morning 06.12.06
Steve Harvey called Chuck Brown the greatest live band he has ever seen next to Earth Wind and Fire.
He said he was blown away that a man can play so many songs back to back without taking a break without any sheet of music for 90 minutes straight.
He said he is going to give Chuck Brown a boost nationally on his show and that he wants to do something with Chuck Brown again to bring it to America nationally.
He said Chuck got a Standing Ovation when he introduced him to the crowd.
Chuck played Woody Woodpecker and then brought Steve Harvey out there. Steve comes out groovin to Chuck. The crowd is lovin it. Sugar Bear and Lil' Benny came out too.
Steve Harvey said he first heard the Woody Woodpecker theme in a club called Nexus in New Orleans in the 80's and bought the album and would take it with him when he toured.
Harvey asked Chuck have they ever toured nationally and Chuck said they have traveled all over the world and how Europe and Germany love them.
He told a story of how they played in NY before and they looked in the corner and Prince and 12 of his people were there groovin to his music.
Steve is Gonna play more Chuck on Tuesday's show.
He will also be at the Capitol City Barbecue June 24-25th.
http://www.barbecuebattle.com/
P.S. I just heard Chuck opened up playing the theme from The Godfather. Ohhh, maaan! I wish I coulda heard that! They were out there scalpin tickets for $80 - a $20 ticket!
In DC/MD/VA, WTOP 103.5 FM/820 AM, hands down. And not just because I worked there for 5 years! I think they really are the best at what they do. wtop
Now heard on 103.5 FM. Yeah, that's right, FM. Classical WGMS' old frequency. WGMS is now heard on 104.1 which used to be the old Z104.
1500 AM, TOP's old frequency is now, Washington Post Radio "Because there is always more to the story." washingtonpostradio You can also hear it on 107.7. I like it so far. They are on a totally different "clock" then TOP and it works. It's more laid back sounding and casual and I haven't heard a "breaking news" sounder yet. It truly is like listening to the newspaper if you can imagine that. LOL.
It's good during the week but the best days I have noticed so far are Fridays when they do their Weekend Section On-Air and also Sundays which sound so far sounds like reading the big Sunday Paper except for you're listening to it. LOL! How do they put the paper together on the daily? They go into it. A+ listening for all journalism students I believe.
Also Washington Post Radio is currently carrying The Nats which is a plus. When is the last time we have heard a baseball game in DC on the FM side? In full stereo, baby!
Another thing I like is that they interview the reporters at the Washington Post who give insight into what stories they are working on that will appear the next day, next week, how they are putting it together, etc. Good stuff.
A close second would be C-SPAN Radio 90.1. C-SPAN Radio 90.1 used to be WDCU Jazz 90 FM where I worked from my first year in college in 1987 to 1992. My first experience working at a radio station. I will do a post on the old Jazz 90 WDCU FM coming up soon. Now you talk about some stories! That one's going to be good so stay tuned. C-SPAN Radio 90.1 is in a class all by itself for obvious reasons but then again so is C-SPAN.
A Close third would be 90.9 WETA. I listen to News and Notes with Ed Gordon 5 days a week.
88.5 WAMU would quickly follow with Kodjoe Nnamdi.
On the AM side, I truly bounce; 570 WTNT, 630 WMAL, 1050 WFED, 1090 WBAL, 1260 WWRC...I am all over the place on any given day.
Today is June 19th, 2006 also known as Juneteenth. 2005 was the 140th anniversary of Juneteenth. Check out this excerpt from the website juneteenth. __________________________________________________________
2005 marks the 140th year anniversary of Juneteenth. All across the United States, and beyond, celebrations will commemorate this historical event of 1865 in Galveston, Texas. There, on June 19th, when word of the emancipation proclamation finally reached the enslaved, a new and uncertain way of life began. In the 140 years since, African Americans have elevated this celebration, publicly and privately to one of the most important of the year.
Beyond freedom for one's self, Juneteenth celebrates freedom for all, worldwide. Juneteenth promotes unity and builds self-esteem through reflection, education, and through acknowledgement of achievements. Today, people of all races, nationalities and ethnicities join together to support and participate in Juneteenth celebrations - a true testament to humanity.
The 140th year anniversary is a significant milestone in American history. Juneteenth serves symbolically and in reality as a reference point from which to appreciate the progress and contributions made by African Americans to this society.
JUNETEENTH.com is honored to host, and most proud to announce the launch of the Juneteenth Anniversary Campaign, - a 10-year initiative which will culminate with the 150th Juneteenth Anniversary.
The campaign now underway will center around assessment, education, dialogue and acknowledgement of African American progress since 1865.
So Janet's new single, 'Call On Me' featuring Nelly wasn't dropped today, it wasn't delivered to the different radio stations by mail, it wasn't Federal Expressed or UPS'd, it was digitally delivered to hundreds and thousands of Hip Hop and Urban AC stations so it wouldn't be leaked some other way. A sign of the times we live in today.
I sincerely hope her new album will be better then her last 2 or 3. I really feel Janet needs to totally try a new direction. One that will be a good fit for her and complement her at the same time.
Her last several albums seem to have just been a repeat of themselves, including her tours.
I was a big Janet Jackson fan all growing up, all the way until her album in 93, after that period it's been pretty hit or miss between Janet and me. LOL.
It got to a point where instead of feeling like we were getting a new Janet album, I started asking, "So, when's the new Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis album dropping?" because they have been her hit team producers for a while now and honestly things were starting to feel more like a Jimmy and Terry Production then anything to do with Janet.
Don't get me wrong, I love myself some Jimmy and Terry too. I have bookoo albums they have done and their sound with Janet worked, I just feel a new direction for her is way overdue.
Janet's new album drops on Tuesday, Sept 26th, 2006. janet
Bonus Janet: Will be on the cover of Essence in August. ;)
thefastandthefurioustokyodrift Saw it. Decent movie, Not absolutely off the hook, great, great, but satisfying. The best part was they were actually in Tokyo with plenty of night shots. From what I understand, the Tokyo Government doesn't shut down downtown Tokyo for anyone including film crews so a lot of the shots were done guerilla style totally on the fly which came off as amazing. Amazingly, not too many people were seen looking into the cameras. The cars in that movie were as hot as to be expected. Spoiler Alert: Vin Diesel makes a cameo at the way end which makes me think there will definitely be a Fast and Furious 4. My next guess would be a race across USA or possibly even a race around the world. Maybe a race on a Tropical Island as a third guess.
The Art of Drifting. Wikipedia describes Drifting as:
"Drifting refers either to a driving technique utilizing a difference in slip angle between the front and rear tires of a car, or to a sport based on the technique; this article deals primarily with the sport. When the rear wheels are slipping at a greater angle than the front wheels, the car is drifting or oversteering. The rear end of the car appears to chase the front end around a turn, the driver utilizes both front tires and the rear tires to control the actual direction of the car. More throttle induces more rear wheel slip angle and the rear of the car wants to overtake the front. The goal is for the driver to achieve opposite lock and use the throttle to fine tune the car's angle and direction.
...Nowadays, drifting has evolved into a competitive sport where drivers compete in rear-wheel drive cars to keep their cars sideways as long as possible. At the top levels of competition, especially the D1 Grand Prix from Japan and others in Malaysia, Australia, the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom, and the United States, drivers are able to keep their cars sliding for extended periods of time, often through several turns."
I recently found out about a racing movie made in 1966 called Grand Prix. GrandPrix
It starred James Garner, Eva Marie Saint and Yves Montano. There have been online petitions to have this movie released on DVD. It has been called the Grandaddy of all racing movies.
I was in Tower Records several weeks ago and picked up The Making of Grand Prix in the Documentary Section under Sports. For a cheap price too! Just found out Grand Prix will be released on DVD on Tuesday July 11th, 2006! :) "Gentlemen, Start Your Engines!"
This Making of DVD also contains 4 different Bonus Features:
Chapter 1 - Indianapolis 500 Chapter 2 - Grand Prix/Le Mans Chapter 3 - Hot Rods/Stock Cars Chapter 4 - Stunt Driving
To all the Dads and Grandads out here, Happy Father's Day!
To all the men out here handling their business everyday,
To all the Dads trying to be and being good fathers to their sons,
To all the Dads trying to be and being good fathers to their daughters,
To all the Dads who may not be with the mother of their children anymore but are still trying with all their hearts and souls to do the right thing, even when the Mother blocks them,
To all the Dads who are good husbands to their wives,
To all the Dads who do everything they can to 'make that thing go smooth' no matter what craziness is going on around them or the family,
To all the Dads and Grandads that showed us as boys how to tie a tie, hook a worm, took us fishing, how to change a flat tire, how to put up our dukes and defend ourselves, how to remove a battery under the hood with a sidepost! ;)
To all the Dads and Grandads that gave us those special talks on life,
To all the Dads and Grandads that showed us how to save that money!
To all the Dads out here who told us how to handle those special events that happen in a young man's life that only an older man can tell you about,
To all the men from around the way that also helped raise us back in the 60s and 70 and 80s - Our barbers, our neighbors, the mailman, men in our communities that always had words of wisdom for us,
To all the Single Moms out here who had to be both Mommy and Daddy for their children when Dad wasn't around,
