TIJA'S BABY SHOWER - Sept. 2, 2007
My beautiful niece, Atija , had a wonderful Baby shower last month. All her friends and family came to help her celebrate the upcoming birth of her first child....Deylan .

Jamar, father-to-be, delighted in all the baby shower madness as well. It was a great day for all of us.

Jamar and Grandmother (Great Grandmother)

GRAMMY FRAN (Mother of Atija)

Grandmother Danielle (Mother of Jamar)

Cousin Diane and Great Grandmother Gerry (Grandmother of Atija)

Everyone brought such wonderful gifts and we played games...like guess what food made the baby "poop". Yikes! You don't want to see images of that. :0)

Tija's due date is Oct. 21st...which is rapidly approaching!! We're so very excited and I plan to be in the delivery room. I hope I can stay through the entire birth. God bless this family and their little one!

SHORT CIRCUITZ TV

Ok ya'll here's the latest fun site I've found from watching MTV TR3S! Nick Cannon has created a new (new to me) show call Short Circuitz TV and I caught an episode of it that had me falling out!! You can check out the website http://shortcircuitz.mtv.com/ to see all the various parodies, sketches, commercials etc. because some of them are really pretty good.

Here 's the official blurb about the show: Which I already said...

"Fans of Nick Cannon's earlier series, "Will N' Out," will recognize his signature comedy style in this unpredictable blend of celebrity impersonations, parodies of commercials, TV shows and news broadcasts and other comedy sketches."

The posted video clip, "No More Drama" was my favorite and stars actress Tamala Jones as Mary J. Blige. You know Tamala from "Two Can Play That Game", " Next Friday", "The Brothers"...she's appeared in every movie and tv show (the list goes on and on).

The subject matter is hilarious and so true for some women, and I'm glad somebody finally said it!! That's right....NO MORE STAINS...I can't take it no more.

The other posted clip I love is Simmons & Simmons. It features a Russell Simmons and Richard Simmons crime fighting duo that will leave you in stitches. This is adult comedy at it's finest!! I've never seen "Will N' Out" but I love Short Circuitz...good job Nick!!

Yea that's my boy, we be kickin' it like that......(yea right!!)

K-VILLE

Last night I had the privilege of attending a screening of the new Fox TV show, K-Ville on the Fox lot. There was a reception and then the screening. The event was short and sweet, so I was home by 9:30.

I half expected this to be a feast of New Orleans cuisine....wrong!! There was Chicken Satay w/ Peanut sauce, bread, crackers & cheese, fruit and mini bruchettas. Desert was mini brownies and lemon tarts and king size cookies.

A few of the Fox Diversity Development Department execs spoke, and I liked that they took the time to tell how and why the series was developed. They were especially proud of the fact that they took a chance and cast a well known comedian in a dramatic role...that's risky, but I think they'll get the ratings they're looking for. Anthony Anderson was cast in their other dramatic cop show, The Shield, and he did phenomenally well, so they built this series around him.

The show is pretty good, even though there were a few details that bugged me. The cast seems to be strong, a lot of unknowns thrown in with some recognizable faces. I really loved that you could hear definite New Orleans inflections in the dialogue. That rang very true for the characters. I don't like that the female cops are always so "tough" to the bone....but I guess that what makes a good cop show. I love CCH Pounder's character on The Shield...she's in a league of her own. But I don't care for Mariska Hargitay in Law & Order SVU. I don't know....she's compassionate and all, but she still seems too "Butch." Whatev! Overall the show will be worth watching. I want to support the creators of this "diversity development" project as well as support New Orleans and the Katrina victims.

After the screening we left with some nice parting gifts too. That always makes it worthwhile right? :0) So I'm wearing my exclusive K-Ville T-shirt and wristband today.

Oh and as I was leaving the Zanuck Theatre I saw my Pastor and wife there. I was in good company, lots of Big Wigs and Muckety Mucks were in attendance. VIP baby!! LOL.

The show premieres Monday, September 17h at 9:00pm pacific/8:00pm central.

"New Lives. New Rhythms. New Orleans..."

DUDE, WHERE'S MY NICHE?

When I recall the stories I've read in magazines that describe how certain entrepreneurs became successful, the one thing I keep reading is how each one found their "niche". Yea, that product or service that no one else thought to tap into....and now the world can't get enough of it.

Even though I've had great responses on the products I create, there isn't an overwhelming "need" to purchase certain items. I often ask myself why? Every one of my creations incorporates flair and style, and sometimes I even throw in a little whimsy. So who am I targeting with these items?

I believe I continue to create what I like, and haven't focused on what I'm marketing. Where's my niche? It' hard to know because when I look at what products and designs are out there...everyone is on the same page almost duplicating each other's items over and over again. And it sells, sells, sells.

But I don't want to be a cookie cutter designer. I want to be original with one-of-a-kind styles. My problem is, I need to know who wants what I have to offer. It's something that I need more thought and research on. I have to NAME IT and CLAIM IT.

There's so much to building a business, and even though I've read books on turning your passion into profits...seeing and doing are on opposite ends of the spectrum. I'm willing to put in the work though, so it's all about doing something the right way...the way most people believe suits them. I've got to find my niche. Perhaps then my sales will soar!

DIVA DIVINITY - Beyonce Part II

I picked up my usual free weekly this week and lo and behold, a very flattering story on Miss Beyonce by Johnny Loftus (OC Weekly). His title of Diva Divinity was followed by a sub heading stating..."Beyonce is more than just a curvy talented dollar sign - much more."

It was amazing to read this piece because it confirmed my review of her talent as a force to be reckoned with. If I believed it and now Johnny seconded it...then I was on the mark in my take on how she's manages to stand out and not just fit in. He calls her the queen of DIVADOM....I'm just sayin', I'm on board with it.

I'M A THREADHEAD

A few months back I was surfing the net and found a cool site called "ThreadBanger". It's an online video show that features interviews and instructions for "Do It Yourselfers." The show documents all kinds of DIY projects and events for those of us who love to sew and make things. The hosts, Corinne and Rob, are the perfect pair to host a show like this too. They have a unique look, style and wit.

I absolutely love this site because I have found lots of great tips and techniques, not to mention, it has raised the bar for a lot of projects I'm working on...and I realize I can do so much more with them.

There's features where you can send in your own video detailing your project, or you can just post items to the site. People ask questions and post answers in the "forum" section, and I love going through those because you learn all kinds of stuff.

Some guy posted a recipe for making microwave popcorn using a brown bag and loose popcorn kernels. I always buy loose popcorn because it lasts longer than the 3 mini bags I get at the store, so this really hit home for me. Imagine, now all I have to do is buy the brown lunch bags, smear some butter on one side, pour some kernels in, and let it POP, POP, POP. And I don't have to clean up my big old pan each time. Sweet! If you don't know...you don't know.

There was also this other young kid who makes these awesome T-shirts, and he's gotten attention from Rock Stars, Movie Stars and the like...and his creativity is awesome. The fact that he's making money, and was willing to share his techniques online is great...because it showed me that I need to think "waaaaay outside the box." I am being too conservative...so I need to really let go once in a while. I can at least have a little of both you know?

The other thing I like is that they have their own "Threadhead" language (will post when I find it again), and they sign off on every show with this hand gesture that resembles cutting the air with scissors. (Check out the ad above and you can see Corrine signin') :0) You know how we all want to "identify" ourselves with something cool? Well if I start doing that, perhaps I'll run into some other Threadheads and we'll greet each other with our secret hand signals....I know, it's whacky, but what else is new? Snip, Snip!!

A COUPLE OF QUEEN B'S

I recently had an opportunity to listen, really listen again to Miss Mary J. Blige on her "The Breakthrough" CD.

I was having a particularly rough night, very emotionally spent, and I had to settle myself down. So I put on my iPod, and I had forgotten that I had selected Mary J. the day before. So when I hit the play button, she began to immediately speak...to me...like I had never heard her speak before.

I remember when I used to see those video clips of the young girls crying back stage at Janet Jackson's Rythm Nation concerts and they were just going on and on about how she touched their lives etc. Well, I now felt that same way.

It was amazing because there were at least 3-4 songs in a row that had a message that I hadn't thought applied to me. You know how you just hear that bangin' beat, and you sing the words, but you're not processing them internally? Well that's what I had been doing up until this night. And the richness of her tone and voice were just incredible...she is a true singer in every respect. I thought I knew it before, but I really do now.

I tell you, I had my own Breakthrough that night and I couldn't believe it. I didn't go out and change how I was handling myself the next day, but it confirmed within me that what I have been doing was ok. The songs "Take Me As I Am", "Gonna Breakthrough", "Can't Keep A Good Woman Down" and "Enough Cryin" did it for me. WOW!!! I have loved Mary's transformation over the years, heard her stories, and watched her DVD where she gives more insight into her songs, and I just began to really appreciate her journey.

I didn't realize how much our lives were being mirrored until that night, and I'm thankful that now I do know it. You just never know how the message is going to be delivered to you. Not only do you not know by whom, but I believe God knew I needed to hear it right then and right there....there's no other explanation.

So I have to say thank you Mary J. for continuing to make such wonderful music. I definitely do feel you.

BEYONCE

My opinion of this artist has been changed. From the moment I saw her sing an operatic song on an Academy Award show a few years back...I knew Beyonce was a consumate performer. She really did sing her @ss off!

My opinion up to that point was that she was all show and little substance (a Janet Jackson type - sorry but Ms. Jackson is a featherweight in the singing dept.). So I stand corrected Miss B.

I have never bought a Destiny's Child CD, but a friend made a copy for me. It was the CD before their final farewell CD. Surprisingly I liked most of the CD, and found a few songs where I loved the music and lyrics.

I remember the first time I ever saw Destiny's Child, I immediately taped the video, "NO, NO, NO, NO, NO." I used to tape a lot of videos years ago from BET's video programs and this was one I had to have.

As I watched them through the years, I was like, "umph, they're doing their thing" - nothing groundbreaking or earth shattering...until "Bills, Bills, Bills" came out. I loved that video and the clothes (of course). So I taped that one too.

Their albums came and went and I liked a few radio hits. Fast forward to Miss B's B-Day album. I was watching MTV Tr3s a few weeks back and caught her on a show that was already in progress. Beyonce was previewing the videos from her album and providing commentary on how they were created. It was a very good show!!

I saw one video in particular that nailed it for me...."Get Me Bodied." Ok, I'm a Theatre Arts major and I love musicals...and singing and dancing. That's why I get all hyped up about fashion, animation, and art & entertaining....I love performing.

As she began to talk about this video, I knew already that the theme was from one of my favorite musicals I had the opportunity to tape years ago, "Sweet Charity" featuring Shirley MacLaine, Chita Rivera and the awesome Paula Kelly. The dance sequences in that movie were choreographed by the late great Bob Fosse and they were incredible.

I had never seen this movie before, so when I happened upon it, it changed me forever because I realized that back then, Fosse was the king...or queen, :0) as it were. This movie made him a bad mutha (shut yo' mouth)!!!

Oh my gosh, the costumes, the sets, the dancers...PHENOMENAL. I have watched a number of Fosse movies, and this one was the best. This movie also starred a number of great male stars like Sammy Davis, Jr., Ben Vereen, Ricardo Montalban and Stubby Kaye...the old hoofers!

If you've never seen Sweet Charity, you might not have an appreciation for what Beyonce's people did. They kept the integrity of the dance number in tact while infusing what's popular in dance today. The clothing and bits of Sweet Charity's choreography were also used and it was done very well.

I enjoyed the commentary of each of the other video's too because it lets you know just how much work and technology is involved. I won't go into it because I can't remember everything she said...but it involves long hours and a lot of hard, hard work.

I have to give props where props are due....and they are definitely due to Miss B! I am amazed at her talent and her style. I felt that way when I saw her in Dreamgirls too. She held her own in my opinion although Jennifer ran away with the Oscar. Beyonce is very stylized. She has that "it" girl factor working for her and she's a triple threat...she sings, she dances and she acts (not in the dramatic, oscar winning category, but she's doin' the damn thang).

Thanks go out to Beyonce for bringing back a favorite musical with that video, and she has my vote for entertainer of the year. She is Beyoncelicious!!

DANCES FROM THA HOOD

Oh my goodness....this show is a hoot! I caught an episode on "what else?" - MTV Tr3s!! What can I say...there's some interesting shows on there if you catch them. :0)

I can remember my days being on The Dance Connection television show in Washington, DC, and when I saw this show, I was glad that we weren't in the least bit "Ghetto Fabulous" even with our low budget.

This show has a host who is very street savvy and she can move. She has her cast of regulars and they do all the latest dances from the streets and videos. So if you want to learn how to do the "Aunt Jackie"...you've got to watch "Tweetie" do her thang.

I was crackin' up at her....but she's got her tv host personality in tact. She's lively, she's funny, and she has kept this idea on tv where other shows like this have failed. They've had a couple of dance off tv shows and they just didn't last.

Gotta give props out to 'DANCES' FROM THA HOOD'. You've got to see it to believe it.

THE WORLD ACCORDING TO.....???

I've had a wild and wonderful few weeks preparing for yesterdays craft fair. On Sunday, Aug. 12th I set up the Kiss'n Kuzn's booth as a vendor at Craftivism. Yep I did the damn thang, and it was fun.

Here's a few pics of the booth.

The organization that hosted the event, AIGA Design, picked the site of L.A.'s new building of loft apartments - Santee Courtyard on 7th and Los Angeles Street.

Very beautifully decorated lofts and crafts go together like...I don't know, somebody thought they'd go together.

Each visitor was given two free drink tickets with their $10 admission. So one had to pass all of us vendors to get to the lofts and the bar. Very clever indeed.

The hosts said 400 people showed up. That's incredible. From my vantage point (and sales) I wouldn't have believed that many people were there, but it was a great experience and wonderful exposure.

The brother with the hoops is from Tanzania. I didn't want to ask him to take too many pictures, but he was dressed from head to toe in his traditional outfit. Click on the picture to enlarge it, and you'll see that he had a large disc under his nose and plates in his lips. My first time seeing someone like him up close.

I liked this purse this woman was carrying. It's my next project. :0)

Check out these interior shots of the lofts, the furnishings were exquisite.

It's amazing to me to see all these wonderful designers/crafters in Los Angeles vying to catch someone's attention and desires. That's what these events are really about. It's not so much whether you "need" any of the stuff - you see something and this desire kicks in...and you walk around and review everything everyone has to offer and then you make a selection. If the desire doesn't warrant a purchase, you take a flyer or a card and tell yourself that you "will" buy something at some later date. That's what I do anyway.

D'Merlincasell - fabulous original clothing. Haute Couture baby! This designer had his own booth space at end of the courtyard - standing alone from the rest of us. Very deserving too.

There was food, an on site art gallery and of course the lofts and bar to take in. Quite a lot to digest in four hours, but everyone I saw was smiling and having a great time.

I heard other vendors doing well while some didn't do much. It was hot, the sun kept taunting us going in and out, and then before you knew it, the day had faded away and the event was over. I'm glad I was a part of it.

I LOVE THESE TORSOES......awesome aren't they?

The artist, Michel Beausoleil, said that he used discarded torsoes from Neiman Marcus. I want that hook-up! :0)

ANIMATION NATION

I don't know about you, but I am "hooked" on prime time television shows featuring animated characters. And they're not cartoons, because cartoons are a whole other genre.

From the moment I saw "The Simpsons" on The Tracy Ullman show years ago, I knew that I would tune in to watch these wacky characters. To date there has been only one other show that rivaled the Simpsons for me, Eddie Murphy's "PJ's". Unfortunately the show was so frought with controversy on it's political correctness...it was doomed before we really had a chance to see how far it would develop.

It was utter nonsense to me the way Black folks were up in arms about this show. "It's stereotyping people in the Ghetto." "He's making Black Folks look stupid"...and on and on. Hello!!!??? It was a ground breaking idea, as there were no characters in cartoons or any other animated show that were about Blacks. Why can't we just let people do their thing, and respect their creative ideas? That show was funny, I don't care what you say. And on top of that....Black actors were working at a steady gig! What's the problem here?

I am the first one to get on my soapbox and talk about being politically correct. But the PJ's was nothing more than "farce" and it was damned entertaining - plenty of laughs and it was also educational. I dont' live in the ghetto, so I appreciated being informed on the term "ghetto fabulous" or "crackhead"....it was the first time I saw those characters, and it was in this show. And again...IT WAS FUNNY! Sometimes we're our own worst critics. Moving on....

Adult Entertainment themes...

Last night I was exhausted from the craft event, so I just laid on the couch and watched the whole line up on Fox TV - The Simpsons, American Dad and Family Guy. I also catch King of The Hill when I can because that truly is a funny show about Texas rednecks.

As I watched the latter two shows, with it's Adult Content viewer warning, I began to wonder how these shows can be so successful with the violence, sexual innuendos and dysfunctional family life they portray. The writers are witty and clever, but some of the dialogue makes even me blush at times.

If you have never seen American Dad or Family Guy, you owe it to yourself to watch a couple of episodes. As hard as they try to always end on a positive note, it's getting through all the blood and gore and racy humor that makes these shows a hit. I can't say that I watch each and every week, but like last night, if nothing else catches my attention - I am more than eager to watch an episode of these shows.

American Dad did a take on "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf" and the Family Guy incorporated a very entertaining segment featuring a Hollywood Musical with Gene Kelly. It was a hoot! I enjoyed that sequence so much, I could not stop laughing. I also was in awe of the technology they used to digitize the baby, Stewie, into the scene because it was seamless. The show even ran opening credits like a movie studio movie would...it was sheer genius. Seth McFarlane, the creator of both of these shows has a team of creative people who really push the envelope.

American Dad had to grow on me at first as it features a talking fish (with German accent), and an Alien as part of the family. Even for animation, it was weird. But I watch and laugh "if" I get some their humor. It's that kind of humor that is pretty high-brow at times or just plain stupid.

I also like the idea of knowing that a lot of big name and unknown actors do the voices for these characters. They make guest appearances either as themselves, or some ludicrous character.

And even though you can count the number of cast "minority" characters on one hand, they are in these shows. Again, you never know who's working the voices, but it gives so many people a chance to make extra money doing voice overs and it's just plain fun I'm sure. Look at all of the feature films featuring famous actors? That in itself is testimony that actors enjoy this kind of work.

These shows have been on for years, and they poke fun at EVERYONE and EVERYTHING. And no one has any problems with it. People accepted it, and they watched these shows grow. I've always said, if you don't care for a television show, DON'T WATCH IT!! Instead, some people believe they wouldn't be exercising their constitutional rights if they didn't join in on the controversy. Now look what you're stuck with!!

I can't stand South Park, and I didn't understand why Beevis and Butthead were so popular. I watched. If I liked it I would tune in again...if I didn't like what I saw...I didn't watch. Pretty simple if you ask me.

So, if you think watching those cookie cutter sitcoms is really good television, think again. Tune in to Family Guy or King of the Hill, and you just might be surprised at what you find in Animation Nation. The world according to???.......indeed!

NEW MUSIC....WHERE HAVE I BEEN?

When you reach a certain age and maturity, things are expected to change. However, I have always considered myself "young at heart". When did I change into this person who doesn't have her hand on the pulse of the new generation of artists cropping up???

I think I began to notice it a few years ago when I watched The American Music Awards. I didn't know half of the artists on the show. Good Charlotte, Maroon 5.....what the heck?? Yes, I keep up with more of the R & B entertainers, but I had always known who was hot every year. I can't say that anymore.

Since I've been watching MTV Tr3s, which is a Spanish version of MTV, I have seen some artists that I am not aware of. MTV Tres has a lot of Latin music but they also feature a lot of the regular American artists and shows that the other MTV show has. I watched Pimp My Ride and Cribs. So I'm glad I found the channel.

But the other night I watched two videos that I really liked, and I had NO IDEA WHO THESE PEOPLE WERE. I was like, "I'm waaay out of touch". LOL

The first group was Orishas, and they are a Latin Rap Group. They have this song called "Hay Un Son" and it is bumpin' (probably outdated expression too!). I loved it and you know when I love something, I'm all hyped up and ready to share it with everybody. I found out that they are France-based, and that they've been around since 2000. Wow, that's amazing I have never heard of them.


Here's a review of their 2003 album:

On EMIGRANTE, Latin hip-hop crew Orishas serves up a heady brew of aggressive, Cypress Hill-style rap combined with smooth Cuban vocals, old school beats, and sharp, minimalist production. A number of tracks also feature traditional Latin instrumentation, making the album a true fusion of North and South. Unlike many non-English speaking hip-hoppers, Roldan, Ruzzo and Yotuel are prodigious rhymers, reveling in the Spanish language's natural melodiousness, but adding a rhythmic virtuosity and biting edge usually only heard in the work of the best East coast rappers. By contrast, Orishas' lazy grooves often recall the West Coast G-funk jams of Dr. Dre. Despite the obvious touchstones, however, the presence of real instruments and the frequent use of vocals keep the record sounding fresh. Orishas' totally unique approach to hip-hop and their refusal to merely copy American artists makes EMIGRANTE one of the genre's, and perhaps 2002's, most important albums.

I don't speak Spanish, so I have no idea what they're saying, but the music is good and that hook "Hay Un Son" is nice. So, if you haven't heard of this group either, check out their video in the Video Post Section of this blog. The video is very creative and visually stunning.

The other group was called Gym Class Heroes. I think I've seen some posts about their song, "Take Your Clothes Off" but never saw a picture of them. This video is fun and the music is great.













I couldn't believe I had never heard of these folks either, but I like this song. I don't get the stuffed animal/mascot angle, but I missed the opening so perhaps there was a clue about why they chose to use them. Interesting....I can appreciate any video that doesn't have a lot of half naked men and women all over each other.

I've also seen this other video from Lil Mama, and she is just too grown for her little self. I don't like it when I see young girls, really young girls being sexual. I don't know how young she is, but she's in love with how her Lip Gloss is attracting attention. Uh yea...if that's what floats her boat! She looks like she's in the 9th grade or something and there is just way too much bumpin' and shakin' for me. I know, I know....that's what the kids do, but I'm one who has never liked it.

I remember some years ago when this song was out, "Hey Little Mama, how you get so freaky" or something like that....and these were elementary school kids doing all that rump shakin'. It was disgraceful and I'm glad it didn't stay on the scene too long, nor did the people make any follow up videos. The folks in the hood see a way to make some dollas, and they exploit our youth. Not anything new I know, but its just so unbelievable that the parents were in the doggone video chanting and egging these kids on. WTH?

So when did I become so out of touch? I think its because I listen to a lot more CD's than I used to. I also have my iPod and that's on most of the time when I'm traveling to and from work. At work I listen to my iTunes or Real Player from CD's I've downloaded 'cause my radio reception is bad. Also I don't have cable (BIG REASON), and I don't listen to the radio in the car like I used to. I used to know all the new songs. So up until I started watching this new MTV channel , I'd go online and see who was out there. But again, I can't know all of the new folks out there 'cause different sites have different genres of music.

It seems lately that I've found out about these new groups from watching TV. I did with Amy Winehouse...started seeing her trailers and liked what I heard. I also remember when I first caught wind of The Buena Vista Social Club. I happened to be watching PBS one night and caught the documentary. I was blown away!!! Not only did I love the story of reviving the careers and music from these old Cuban singers, I was thrilled to see they had an album out thanks to Ry Cooder who documented this story. As soon as it became available I went right out and bought it. Now, everytime I see Ry Cooder listed on albums or whatever, I have much respect for him. He is all about preserving music.

Since I do read a lot I have found myself coming across a few unfamiliar singers like, Cesaria Evora, because I'm reading an article in a magazine. I was reading a review of her music almost 8 years ago and she sounded extraordinary. I have yet to hear a lot of her music, but the reviews of her were amazing. Cesaria is from Cape Verde and is listed as a folk singer. When I read the review about her it was so fascinating because the reviewer said that she likes to perform with her shoes off, and that she's a woman who's had a troubled past...something about drinking, fighting, and other hard hitting tales she told him. She too has been around for a while, but I never saw any press on her until I read the article back in the early 2000's. So I'm glad I found these people.


Cesaria Evora

Also, I've been in book stores and have heard unusual music playing over the intercom that I like, so I'll find out who the artists are. I did that when I heard "ManRay" for the first time. I soon found out that they have volumes of music. Never heard of them before, but I loved the fact that they had such diverse music from all over the world.

I guess you have to listen to Third World and/or Alternative music to know about these people. So I might not be out of touch, just not searching for what's out there.

And it seems that I am being drawn to more and more Latin music. I think that's natural, given the power of rhythms and music kept from Slavery. As a matter of fact, Orishas has images of African Masks and an Elephant, and Dia de la Muerte (Day of the Dead) Sculls in their video. And if you know your African/Latin Religion - Orisha is a Santeria God. It's very evident that the music lives on from the Africans who were dropped off in every part of the world. Who knew there were indigenous Blacks in the Netherlands, but they are there. It could be that since I'm back in "MexiFornia" I am influenced. Yea I said it, and ya'll know it's true. LOL The basic truth is that I like what I like.

Needless to say....I'm hoping I can get my groove back and stay on top of what's poppin', what's shakin', what's crackin' in the music world. I guess if the music isn't crossing over to my side of the fence....I'm just missing out on it altogether. Get it together girlie and look and listen up!!!

REED'S RIBS

My former high school classmate is making big news in Sacramento with his rib restaurant. Bill Reed has taken over the family business of BBQ'ing and has made a name for himself as having the best ribs in town!! I am so proud of Billy. He and his wife Tracy are representing their community in a big way.

If you are ever in the Rosemont area of Sacramento, please stop by and get some awesome vittles from Reed's Ribs. I hear the food is off the hook....well, don't just take my word for it. Check out the Video Post section of this blog and see him on the local CBS 13 newscast. His business is winning customers every day! YOU GO BOY!! Check him out online too! http://www.reedsribs.com/.

SLEEPLESS IN SEATTLE

This past weekend I had the distinct pleasure of singing at a church in Seattle, WA with my choir and pastor. The church was actually located in Renton, which is not too far from Seattle. The New Beginning's Christian Fellowship Church is doing big things in this little town.

My pastor, John Hunter, and the pastor of the church, Dr. Leslie D. Braxton, are dear friends and colleagues, so we came to support this dynamic leader as they celebrated their Second Anniversary. And Pastor Braxton has a lot to celebrate as he has secured an 11.5 acre of land that will house his new church home.

The Unity choir of F.A.M.E. was glad to come sing, and we had a wonderful time getting to know the members of the congregation. The best thing is that we had the best hosts. We were shuttled around town, taken to restaurants to fellowship, and enjoyed a boat cruise courtesy of our pastor.
And yes, it rained the entire time we were there, but that didn't stop us from enjoying the sights of the Market Place and The Pike. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and I look forward to going back to Seattle to visit and spend more time getting to know the city. It reminds me so much of Oregon.

We wish Pastor Braxton, his family and the congregation all the best. They are so deserving.









AHMET ERTEGUN






So another wonderful program came on PBS and I was fortunate to view it a couple of weeks ago. Remember in the movie "Ray" when Ray Charles was approached in his hotel room by Atlantic Records executive, Ahmet Ertegun? Well the true story of "The House That Atlantic Records Built" told this wonderfully delightful tale of how Atlantic Records became the little label that "could".

Ahmet told this story when I first tuned in. While visiting friends in New York, a 16 year old Ahmet decided to go uptown to Harlem and see a Cabaret show all alone. It seems, no one noticed this young man as he sat in and watched Cotton Club performers (dancers and musicians) and ended up staying out all night drinking and partying. Much to the dismay of his friends, they called his father after he was found to be safe. Ahmet said it was the first time his father hit him as he had worried everyone by not coming home.

Here is a timeline of how he began his musical career as a record exec and songwritter. When he was much younger, his older brother Nesuhi took him to see Cab Calloway and Duke Ellington at the Palladium in London in 1934. He moves with family to Washington, D.C., when his father becomes Turkish ambassador to the U.S in 1937. At age 14, Ertegun's mother buys him a record cutting machine. Taking a Cootie Williams instrumental, "West End Blues," he writes lyrics to it. With the instrumental playing on a record player he sings lyrics into the microphone as the record plays.

He graduates from St. John's College in Annapolis, MD, and goes on to graduate studies in philosophy at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. His father dies, and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

He co-founds Atlantic Records in New York City with friend and jazz fan Herb Abramson (a dental student and A&R man for National Records) and a $10,000 loan from Ertegun's family dentist. They pick the name after hearing of a label called Pacific Jazz. Atlantic's first office is in the condemned Jefferson Hotel on 56th Street between Sixth Avenue and Broadway. The living room is used as the office. (Taken from American Masters website. )

What was interesting about his story was that he hired two young songwriters that I was familiar with because I had seen "them" on a PBS special several years ago when their hit broadway show, "Smokin' Joe's Cafe" was at it's peak, reviving the music of the 1950's-1960's.

Mike Stoller and Jerry Lieber were hitmakers for Atlantic Records.

I watched and taped the story of Lieber & Stoller and it was fascinating to see how they created some of that era's most popular songs and worked with musical giants that we still listen to today. If you ever have an opportunity to see either one of these stories, you will be highly amazed that these White guys had their "ears" and "eyes" on the pulse of what was the next wave of great music for millions of music lovers.

They were instrumental in launching and sustaining the careers of Ben E. King, The Coasters, Peggy Lee, Ruth Brown, The Drifters and many, many more. They wrote songs you would "never" have imagained..."Charlie Brown", "Under the Boardwalk", and the list goes on and on.

I was so impressed by their musical genius. Here they were, two White guys who knew R & B music and lyrics that would become classics today.

What is always interesting to me when we're able to see the real history of musical artists, you find out who who recorded songs that other well known artists have become famous from. Take for instance, Willie Mae "Big Mama" Thornton. She was the first person to sing, "You Ain't Nothin' But A Hounddog". Her version was classic Blues rendition; raw with emotion. Well, years later, the song was covered by Elvis Presley and it became one of "his" greatest hits and signature songs. It's good to know the truth though, even though it's a little known fact. When I heard this question asked on television, "who was the original artist to sing You Ain't Nothin' But a Hounddog?", I knew the answer right away because of this documentary.

Anyway, let me get back to Ahmet Ertegun. He was instrumental in giving these two producers lots of acts to work with and they were very succesful. Ahmet believed in giving the artists support and freedom to do the music that was dear to their hearts, and not what was just popular. When he brought Aretha Franklin in to the studio, his intuitiveness told him that she was not just a great Gospel and Classic Standards vocalist. He helped her branch out and find her niche which was purely Soul Music. Aretha said that Ahmet and his producers were the best and they always had the best times in the studio.

Ahmet seems to be an unlikely resource for finding great Black talent, but again he did. He worked with Otis Redding, and believed Otis was the greatest Male singer of his time. The Atlantic record label was very diverse and signed all kinds of musical acts from R & B, to Jazz, Classic Standards and Rock & Roll. It's always interesting to see how these well known artists came to be, and there was vintage footage of Aretha Franklin, Bette Midler, Bobby Darin, Led Zeppelin, Ray Charles and others. So many, many great artists.

I found the story to be so facsinating because we don't often know who these record moguls are. I remember the first time I knew that Herb Alpert was the "A" of A & R Records. Not only was he a recording artist but he ran a record label. Back in the day, that was definitely a gutsy move, but in today's music business it is very commonplace. And most new Rap artists are producers and record execs before they become performers.

I am happy that I once again found a bit of history that was well worth watching, and that is crossed over to another great story of two songwriters who were virtual unknowns to the general public, but were the Kings Of Lyrics and Music in the industry. It's the same as Quincy Jones and his musical empire. It's not everyday we see how these people became the musical giants they are. PBS is always on the cutting edge when it comes to great documentaries and specials. I appreciate that.

IF THE SHOE FITS...DESIGN WITH IT

More very cool artwork found on the internet. This is a man after my own heart. Can you believe this? A chair made entirely out of women's shoes. The artist is Willie Cole.

I wonder what inspired this vision and how the heck he fashioned each shoe to form the chair. You definitely have to give him his props for being so ingenious.

I've seen those huge shoes that are actually chairs in the furniture stores, and would love to own one, but this chair is truly a masterpiece.