0 Respect Yourself - The Stax Records Story comes to PBS

• News
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 06/28/2007

Between 1959 - 1975, Stax became one of the most important classic soul record labels in history. The top 4 classic R&B labels include Motown, Philadelphia International, Atlantic, and Stax. 2007, the 50th anniversary of Stax, has seen a flurry of activities reminding us of the important Stax label contributions. First there was the release of the excellent double CD Stax 50th Anniversary Celebration. June 22nd in Memphis, Tennessee, legendary artists from the label got together to benefit the Stax Museum of American Soul Music. Now, PBS will air Respect Yourself: The Stax Records Story, beginning on Wednesday, August 1. Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, Booker T. & the MGs, Richard Pryor, and Jesse Jackson all appeared on the Stax label. You won't want to miss this historic TV special. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Diana Ross Tribute and James Brown Salute Headline the BET Awards

• News
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 06/26/2007

The Hollywood spotlight shines on the 2007 BET Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, Tuesday evening, June 26. Look for Diana Ross to receive a lifetime achievement award. You'll also see posthumous classic soul tributes to both James Brown and Gerald Levert . Actor Don Cheadle will receive a humanitarian achievement award. The BET Awards always have some of the best musical performances. This year should be no different. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Destiny's Child Kelly Rowland Ready as Ms. Kelly

• News
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 06/20/2007

Can Kelly Rowland catch a break? The Destiny's Child member finally releases her highly anticipated Ms. Kelly album in stores and online Tuesday, July 3, 2007. Ms. Kelly has been delayed several times over the past year, probably to avoid head-to-head competition with DC kindred spirit Beyonce's B'Day. It's ironic that Ms. Kelly drops just 3 days before Beyonce' kicks off her Summer tour in New Orleans. Kelly will be featured in a mini-concert appearance on ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live, Wednesday, June 27, at 12:05 am Eastern. Lucky fans of the "by invitation only" event have been advised "not to wear white, light blue, beige, or logos" because according to the TV producers, this apparel doesn't come across well on camera. Look for Sony Music to give Ms. Kelly a big push. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Prince heads to U.K. with 21 Nights Music Tour to Save Planet Earth

• News
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 06/19/2007

20 years ago in the Spring of 1987, Prince's "Sign of the Times" was a #1 R&B hit. The reincarnation of the unpredictable Prince continues to pick up momentum right now in 2007. His next album, Planet Earth, is scheduled for release on Tuesday, July 24. Prince will perform 21 shows in 21 nights later this Summer during his London, U.K. tour at the new O2 Arena. Here are the official dates: August: Wednesday 1st, Friday 3rd, Saturday 4th August: Tuesday 7th, Friday 10th, Saturday 11th August: Tuesday 14th, Friday 17th, Saturday 18th August: Friday 24th, Saturday 25th August: Tuesday 28th, Friday 31st September: Saturday 1st September: Thursday 6th September: Sunday 9th, Wednesday 12th, Thursday 13th September: Sunday 16th, Thursday 20th, Friday 21st The first 15 shows sold out in just hours, so the promoters added another 6 shows. Tickets went on sale this past Friday, June 15th for the final 6 London performances. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Chuck D and Randy Jackson to co-host 50 Years of Stax Records Classic Soul Concert

• News
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 06/12/2007

Chuck D and Randy Jackson will host 50 Years of Stax: a Concert to Benefit the Stax Museum of American Soul Music on Friday, June 22, 2007, at Memphis, Tennessee's historic Orpheum Theater (at the foot of Beale Street). Isaac Hayes, Booker T & the MGs, Eddie Floyd, William Bell, Mavis Staples, Mable John, the Soul Children, and Angie Stone (among others) are all confirmed to appear. Chuck D, of Public Enemy fame, commenting on his role as a co-host for the benefit says: "The logo of Stax says it all. That finger snap graphic brings a funky sound effect by just looking at it. With it comes a catalog of soul heroes and heroines whose heart, souls and passions still echo across this planet today." Co-host producer, songwriter, and American Idol host Randy Jackson adds: "I am honored to be a part of this amazing music legacy. Stax records is the foundation that R&B was built on. The legendary artists that Stax built are such a huge part of my music roots." Previous Post | Next Post

0 Barry White Salute coming to NYC off Broadway

• News
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 06/07/2007

Barry White: Guided By Destiny, a new off Broadway musical/concert, is scheduled for a two week showcase production June 14th - June 24th, 2007 at the Times Square Arts Center in New York City. The producers have created original music to go along with original Barry White and Love Unlimited songs. Artist Lanar will play the late classic soul icon Barry White (who passed away on July 3, 2003). Venus Adore is slotted as Glodean White, with Jessica Opong and Gezele Portwood rounding out The Love Not Limited Singers, (a trio performing as Love Unlimited in the production). Barry White: Guided By Destiny will explore the R&B legend's relationships with Muhammad Ali and Elvis Presley (credited with changing his life). Previous Post | Next Post

0 Janet Jackson Wraps up Love Doctor Role

• News
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 05/24/2007

Janet Jackson recently mentioned on her official website that she's wrapped up filming her role in the new Tyler Perry movie, Why Did I Get Married?" Jackson plays "Diane," an author and psychologist who "writes about love, marriage, and relationships." Jill Scott is also featured in the movie, which is based on Tyler Perry's stage play of the same name. Why Did I Get Married is scheduled for a November 2007 theatrical release. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Stax 50th Anniversary Show to Benefit the Stax Museum

• News
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 05/08/2007

Several Stax Record label legends are reuniting onstage Friday, June 22, 2007 at the Orpheum Theater in the shadow of Beale Street, Memphis, Tennessee. 2007 marks the 50th anniversary of Stax, the legendary hot house of southern soul. Isaac Hayes, Booker T & the MGs (featuring Steve Cropper & Duck Dunn), Eddie Floyd, William Bell, Mavis Staples, the Soul Children, and the Reddings (honoring the legacy of their father Otis Redding) will perform along with special guest Angie Stone (new to the Stax label in 2007). More Stax stars and special guests are still to be announced. Proceeds from the Orpheum extravaganza will benefit the Stax Museum of American Soul Music, the world's only soul music museum, located at the site of the old Stax headquarters on Memphis' historic McLemore Avenue. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Does Sly Stone know the way to San Jose?

• News
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 04/12/2007

First it was the recent surprise March 31st appearance in Las Vegas. Now Sly Stone is heading for San Jose, California, scheduled to appear in a July 7, 2007 event billed as "Back in the Day, Summerfest 2007." "Scheduled to appear" is always the operative phrase with Sly. With the reissue of the Sly & the Family Stone catalog, I'm not surprised that Mr. Stone is once again venturing to boldly go where Sly hasn't dared to go for almost two decades? live concert performances. His Las Vegas appearance was a big hit. Just in case 'the new Sly' does some 'old Sly' no-show backsliding, here is the rest of the line-up for "Back in the Day, Summerfest 2007," at Arena Green Park in San Jose, California: Average White Band Malo El Chicano Jorge Santana Tierra Previous Post | Next Post

0 The Blues Hall of Fame

• News
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 03/29/2007

What's your best source for information about the blues? Don't have one? Try the Blues Hall of Fame. It's an excellent resource. Dave Bartholomew, Dr. John, Eddie "Guitar Slim" Jones, and Sister Rosetta Tharpe are the 2007 Blues Hall of Fame inductees. The curator of the hall is The Blues Foundation, located in Memphis, Tennessee. The foundation has selected a new group of inductees every year since 1980. Members are inducted in five categories: Performers Non-Performers Classics of Blues Literature Classics of Blues Recordings (songs...single or album track) Classics of Blues Recordings (albums) Everything you may ever need to know about individuals, recordings and blues literature can be searched at the Blues Hall of Fame Museum. Previous Post | Next Post