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    0 Remembering Peabo Bryson and Dexter Wansel

    We lost Robert Peabo Bryson in June, 2026. He was 75. His singing style was romantic, delivered with a gleam of charismatic emotion. Peabo's songs lit up the R&B radio air waves, muscling through with some crossover acceptance via his pop collaborations. Bryson may not have had as many hits as some, but this crooner's 37 R&B chart songs speak for themselves. Two Peabo songs reached #1 on the R&B charts: "Show & Tell" in May, 1989, and "Can You Stop The Rain" in June, 1991. The Bryson time frame spans 1976 into the 1990s. He was prolific with many collaborations. These seven songs all charted R&B as referenced by Billboard: "Do It With Feeling" - Michael Zager's Moon Band featuring Peabo Bryson, 1976 "What You Won't Do For Love" - Natalie Cole and Peabo Bryson, 1980 "Make The World Stand Still" - Roberta Flack and Peabo Bryson, 1980 "Lovers After All" - Melissa Manchester and Peabo Bryson, 1981 "Without You" - Peabo Bryson & Regina Belle, 1988 "A Whole New World (Aladdin's Theme)" - Peabo Bryson and Regina Belle, 1993 "By The Time This Night Is Over" - Kenny G with Peabo Bryson, 1993 I always laugh that "A Whole New World (Aladdin's Theme) only reached #21 on Black radio in 1993. Some stations didn't want to play it. Their great loss. This magnificent song reached #1 on the pop charts that year for one week. Peabo's only #2 R&B chart song, (that didn't reach #1), is featured in the audio below. Of the two songs, which one do you think it is? Peabo solo Listen to a couple of samples of "If Ever You're In My Arms Again" and "I'm So Into You." I hope hearing these tracks brings back great memories for you! Your browser does not support the audio element. We used this Very Best of Peabo Bryson CD, provided to us as a promotion, during our Live365 days. It was a prize for multiple contest winners. See the Peabo Bryson Contest in our archive. The trivia answer is 1978's "I'm So Into You." I forgot how good Peabo Bryson was. My personal tastes gravitate toward the funkier uptempo groups so I listen to that stuff the most. However, what a pleasure it has been to revisit Mr. Bryson in this remembrance. Mr. Dexter Wansel I was also sad to hear of the passing of Philadelphia composer, keyboard guy, producer, and arranger Dexter Wansel. Dexter was also 75. He and Peabo Bryson passed within days of each other. Wansel was active in music from the 1960s, but he didn't record a breakthrough album until 1976. "Life On Mars" featured Wansel's adventurous keyboards, synthesizer and spirited lead vocals. The Philadelphia native dropped "Life On Mars" on Philadelphia International records (PIR), the home of the O'Jays and Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes. Dexter had one PIR song on the R&B Billboard charts, "The Sweetest Pain." It reached #40 in 1980. The 14 inch x 23 inch poster in the photo below is from the only concert I dared to produce and bankroll with my business partner Cleo Rowe. We only broke even, but we learned a lot! The CD burned below the poster features 12 of my favorite Dexter Wansel tracks from his first two PIR albums shown above. Dexter Wansel the composer did many soundtracks, including Shaft (2019) the movie, and for the television series, She’s Gotta Have It (2019 – based on the film by Spike Lee). Dexter also gets credit for contributing to the soundtrack for the video game Grand Theft Auto V. I’ll often see his name for music in the credit roll of other movies not mentioned here. As a solo artist during his mid-career, Dexter featured a mix of jazzy progressive sounds peppered with spirited R&B. He worked with and featured many of the Philadelphia music scene heavyweights who would co-write songs or sing vocals with him. Jean Carn, Bunny Sigler and drummer Idris Muhammed are just a few featured on his records. Dexter also made solid contributions to many of the other Philadelphia International artists on their recordings. Listen to Dexter Wansel's music. "You Can Be What You Wanna Be" is from Life on Mars. "Holdin' On" is from What The World Is Coming To (Jean Carn on background vocals).  Your browser does not support the audio element. It was a pleasure to work with Dexter Wansel, primarily through his agent, and to present this concert to Southern New Jersey. This ad appeared in local Atlantic City media:     After Atlantic City, Cleo went on to great radio success in Chicago, Illinois, Jackson, Mississippi, Miami, Florida, and New York City. Here is one of her publicity photos from WPLJ NYC, at one time WABC AM's sister FM station in the Big Apple.     June is Black Music Month. You'll want to read more about me and Cleo inside of my award winning paperback, eBook and audiobook Powerhouse Radio: Rough Roads, Radiance and Rebirth; My True AM - FM - Satellite - And Audio Streaming Survival Story. The link goes to Amazon. Readers rate the book a 4.7 out of 5. Also available at Audible, BookBaby, and other outlets. Previous Post

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    0 Prince, Hendrix and James: 4 Books, 2 Magnets and 2 lapel pins

    February's Black History Month is a perfect time to touch the memory of some musical icons. Prince, Rick James and Jimi Hendrix are in the spotlight. The red model is wearing Rick James and Prince lapel pins. Here are two of my favorite Hendrix books: Midnight Lightning: Jimi Hendrix and The Black Experience and 2) Becoming Jimi Hendrix: From Southern Crossroads To Psychedelic London, The Untold Story of a Musical Genius. 4 books, 2 magnets and 2 lapel pins Prince's The Beautiful Ones features his story in his words through private photos, lyric sheets, scrapbooks, and parts of the memoir he was writing before his death. Rick James is from The Motown Album. First edition was 1990, with a foreword by Berry Gordy, a history by Ben Fong-Torres, an essay by Elvis Mitchell, and the discography by Dave Marsh. Note that this book covers the entire Motown universe of performers. It's a masterpiece of photos and research with anecdotes about the history of the artists. I was lucky to receive The Motown Album as a gift. This is the original hardcover book enclosed in its first edition gold foil wrap. Prince, Jimi Hendrix and Rick James are criticized in some circles for their artistic independence as Black creators.   Good literature provides a deep dive below the superficial surface of what we just see or hear in music. That's what the pages of these manuscripts offer. A book, an audio story, a podcast, a video, a live performance or an interview are great vehicles to promote understanding. These communication tools can pull back veils that may prevent the light of an artist from shining through. Bad Bunny The hate thrown at Bad Bunny, after his 2026 Super Bowl performance by some national tabloid readers in their comments about the show is a disturbing negative sign of the times. Many of these people didn't even watch the intermission. I thought Bad Bunny was great. I don't speak Spanish. I'm eager to learn more about him beyond just his ability to capture millions of fans with his zeal, energy, and music. Previous Post | Next Post

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    0 Chuck D Rap and Public Enemy Eloquence

    In 1988, a highly influential hip hop ensemble from Long Island, New York moved hip hop music to a new level of excellence. Carlton Ridenhour (Chuck D), William Drayton (Flavor Flav), Norman Rogers (Terminator X), and Richard Griffin (Professor Griff) are Public Enemy. Chuck D fired Griff for anti-Semitic remarks in a 1989 interview. Griff joined Public Enemy again in 1997. The highest charted hit (top 10) on the R&B charts for the group was 1991's "Can't Truss It." Listen: Your browser does not support the audio element. Some of their lyrics are called controversial. Even outside of Public Enemy, Chuck D, an accomplished writer, has several books communicating a strong world view. I like 1997's Fight The Power: Rap, Race, and Reality written by Chuck with Yusef Jah featuring a forward by Spike Lee. The pages are full of his and Public Enemy's coming of age experiences seen through Chuck's eyes. There's a nice history here. Black record executives, song writing, the concert scene, wisdom about the world, observations about malt liquor, and a commitment to the hip hop culture are confidently expressed. Chuck says in the Prelude To Public Enemy chapter that "by 1986 I was thoroughly convinced that Rap was big-time based on Run-DMC's success." I've seen Public Enemy 3 times. At the Apollo Theater in Harlem, NYC, in Atlantic City, NJ at Boardwalk Hall, and in Washington, DC. This photo, one of many I took, is from their show at the Lisner Auditorium in DC. Who doesn't like a polished what happened on this day in history book? Chuck D did his research for Chuck D Presents This Day In Rap and Hip-Hop History. The large 342 page hard cover book was published in 2017. 1973 - 1983 is reviewed across a dozen pages. Each year from 1984 to 2016 gets a separate chapter. There is an entry for every day of the calendar year. The colorful artist illustrations are terrific. News worthy items are summarized in a paragraph or two in each history note. Here I am with Flavor Flav at Kelsey's Restaurant in Atlantic City, NJ before a Boardwalk Hall Legends of Hip Hop concert that included Public Enemy. The January, 2015 photo is included in my Powerhouse Radio: Rough Roads, Radiance and Rebirth Book you can discover (on my book website). For some, when will the Fear of a Black Planet end? This 1989 / 1990 record includes "Fight The Power." It's a collection of musical messages imparting important themes for all people to think about.   Previous Post | Next Post

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    0 Musical Headliners Keep The MLK Dream Alive

    January 15 is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday. It is observed as a USA national holiday on the 3rd Monday of the month. In 1973, six top music artists, along with comedian Flip Wilson, packed the Omni arena in Atlanta, Georgia rallying around the concert theme Keep The Dream Alive. The show was for the benefit of the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Social Change. King's widow Coretta Scott King provided the message. The Jimmy Castor Bunch, Jose Feliciano, The Friends of Distinction, Linda Hopkins, The Main Ingredient and Wilson Pickett provided the music. The concert was recorded by RCA Records as a double vinyl album. Let's Keep The Dream Alive and support the King Day of Service as a national holiday! The Videos First, a fresh 2026 video that's 59 seconds.  The second full-length video was done in 2009! It's still valuable. You'll see how video production styles have changed. Video 2 does feature the music. Enjoy them both! The third version (for 2026) was cut down to 2:59 minutes for BlueSky, then expanded slightly to 3:09 for YouTube. Bonus From 2024, this 59 second bonus video, I produced for another website, tells the King Day story.  Previous Post | Next Post

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    0 In the Year 2025

    2025. A 50 year reunion, new history, and a new paperback and revised eBook from me. People In Black History: Famous African Americans joins Powerhouse Radio: Rough Roads, Radiance, and Rebirth; My True AM - FM - Satellite - and Audio Streaming Survival Story. In The Year 2025 Zager & Evans had a hit song in 1969, "In the Year 2525." That future is a long way off. This siren song of doom starts slowly with a sad spoken warning, until a mid tempo melody kicks in. That gets things rollin.' The song was ranked #2 for the whole year, behind The 5th Dimension's "Aquarius/Let The Sunshine In." Denny Zager and Richard Evans were folk - rock guys. Their big claim to fame? Capturing lightning in a bottle as masterful one hit wonders, arriving and departing the scene faster than the coming gloom their song predicted. Enough musicology. Watch my In The Year 2025. It relates to what I've done with music, comedy, and mobile app development. Twelve months of throwback fun is guaranteed in 59 seconds! Podcasters, pay attention to how the audio is mixed. Previous Post | Next Post

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    0 Musical Voices Making Radio and Song History

    Why are these 3 stories your most popular favorites from 2025? Maybe it's because of my personal connection with the individuals. Perhaps it's the way the history narrative is told. Possibly, it's the entertainment value of the audio sound. I'll let you decide. If you missed them, or haven't checked them out, don't pass up these 3. Number 3 How did my family member get involved with a member of The Sequence? It may not be in the way that you suspect! Check out Angie B, Blondy and Cheryl The Pearl. Number 2 You can have nothing but respect for a trailblazer who created the original blueprint for Black radio announcer success. Within this story, there's a wonderful audio tribute as an added bonus. Read all about what this icon achieved. Listen to his story too in The House That Jack Built - Hal Jackson. Number 1 Here is an aspect of USA radio that doesn't exist anymore. On-air personalities who mimic music artists by recording their own "tunes." Their "tune" might be just spoken word. Podcasts have probably replaced this time honored element of DJ showbiz. Capture the history of an era, and jump right into 10 Radio DJs Who Dropped Hot Wax Like Rock Stars.    Previous Post | Next Post

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    0 Johnny Mathis, Whitney Houston, and The Sequence

    Before the 1960s influences of Motown, The Beatles, and The Beach Boys, the style of popular music was different. In the 1950s, Chuck Berry, Little Richard, and Bo Diddley created and revolutionized the sound that would be called rock and roll. During this decade, traditional songs in the style of Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett soldiered on for popularity, radio airplay, and record sales. One iconic balladeer who is still with us, as of this writing, is Johnny Mathis. Mathis was a champion of the "standards" music genre. Standards use lots of strings, horns, and up-front vocals showcasing easily heard, understandable lyrics. I've played two Mathis songs on the radio in the 1970s and 1980s. 1978's "Too Much, Too Little, Too Late," a duet with Deniece Williams was the first. 1982's "Friends in Love," a duet with Dionne Warwick was the second. Johnny Mathis had his biggest solo hit in 1957. "Chances Are" was a #1 pop song, and a #12 R&B song! Although it is not R&B, it is a great song. "Chances Are" was a 1998 Grammy Hall of Fame winner. Here are a few other Johnny Mathis pop hits: "It's Not For Me To Say," 1957 "The Twelfth of Never," 1957 "Wonderful! Wonderful!," 1957 "Wild is the Wind," 1957 "A Certain Smile," 1958 "All The Time," 1958 "Teacher, Teacher," 1958 "No Love (But Your Love)," 1958 "Come To Me," 1958 "Sweet Thursday," 1962 There are many more in the 1960s, but these ten are great examples of his success and popularity.   "I Only Have Eyes For You" is one of my six Johnny Mathis albums, all on Columbia Records. Five are from the 1970s, one is from 1982. I certainly lean toward more of a funkier music groove, but a legend is a legend. Historic music is just that! Recently, this Sequence album came into my possession. Presenting the front and back of their 1983 record for you is a follow-up to my story about group members Angie B, Blondy and Cheryl The Pearl. Their experience with my family member in her house is a snapshot of city life at the dawn of hip hop. Enjoy reading it. I get a lot of emails from Whitney Houston's posthumous promotion machine. Her team provides updates about new remixes, swag, and noteworthy fan events. Keeping her memory alive is a good thing. We all know her hits, but I was very impressed with the new Whitney Houston Gospel album released in 2023. If you are a Whitney lover, discover, one more time my Whitney Houston: I Go To The Rock review. The songs are spiritually uplifting. Check them out.   Previous Post | Next Post  

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    0 Michael Jackson - 15 Year Remembrance

    It's been 15 years since I did my first video tribute to Michael Jackson in June, 2010. That was the first anniversary of his June 25, 2009 death. The King of Pop had thirteen #1 R&B charted hit songs performing as himself. "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" was his first in 1979. The Jackson 5 had six #1 R&B charted hit songs. "I Want You Back" was their first (featuring Michael on lead vocal) in 1969. The Jacksons had three #2 R&B charted hit songs, but no #1 tracks. "Enjoy Yourself" featuring Michael hit #2 in 1976. Here are three Michael Jackson flashback videos from our archive, followed by a special bonus feature of an interview I did with the Black Authors TV ladies about my Powerhouse Radio book. 2010: His Impact 2022: The Music 2009: The Movie Bonus: Kingsley H. Smith's author interview, opening segment, 3:50, about the influencer driving him to succeed. This is an inside look. The complete conversation was 20 minutes. July 18 update: Here is the complete Kingsley H. Smith Powerhouse Radio interview on our YouTube channel in a playlist with extras. Previous Post | Next Post

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    0 The Jersey Shore, Music Radio People, and Kingsley

    One of the radio stations I had a strong musical influence on was WAYV FM, 95.1 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. I sailed through four years there between 1977 - 1980. Here's one of the "Rhythm of South Jersey" newsletters profiling the WAYV FM 95.1 on-air staff. Much more about the WAYV staff below. Guess what? I have lots you'll discover from my appearance on this episode of Black Authors TV. If you miss it live, there will be a video replay. My paperback, eBook, and audiobook memoir Powerhouse Radio: Rough Roads, Radiance, and Rebirth; My True AM - FM - Satellite - And Audio Streaming Survival Story, plus much more, will be in the spotlight.    There's more to my story. After on-air jobs at a couple of other South Jersey stations, it was on to Philadelphia, the City of Brotherly Love! Previous Post | Next Post

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    0 DJ Gary Byrd Captures Sly Stone and Curtis Mayfield Lyrics

    When I was a young man, I interviewed legendary New York City radio host and writer Imhotep Gary Byrd. Don't tell, but this was my very first interview (done during my sophomore year at NYU). Byrd talks about how both Sly, of Sly and The Family Stone, and Curtis Mayfield, of the Impressions, influenced his writing activism when he first arrived in New York City radio from Buffalo, New York. Originally produced for my Black History People website, here's Gary, (see the video below), after my introduction, talking about Curtis Mayfield and Sly Stone. It's 59 seconds, pulled from the 5-1/2 minute conversation. Sly Stone, RIP 1943-2025. Here's a bunch of other stuff related to the late Sly Stone that I have previously written. Don't miss the first story on this list, Sly Stone - Thank You! Review, and the last one, The Secret Life of Sly Stone. Sly Stone - Thank You! Review Sly Stone's July 4 Flag Day David Ruffin - Eddie Kendricks - Family Affair George Clinton & his Gangsters of Love John Legend Honored by Songwriters Hall of Fame Does Sly Stone know the way to San Jose? Sly Stone takes you Higher with Reissues Little Richard, Sly Stone, James Brown, Jimi Hendrix, Ray Charles, & Prince The Secret Life of Sly Stone  Previous Post | Next Post

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