Category Archives: current events

Let the Music Play On

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While taping for an interview for the UK’s BBC Radio, I was asked about the recent passing of Jazz/R&B artists Donald Byrd and Cecil Womack and who would replace the continuing losses of artists, song writers and producers that shaped Black Music.

 

We’re in an environment where most inner-city public schools have little (if any) arts education left. Public school music teachers, band directors and choral instructors all too often are first to go when the budgets are strained.  And the arts downsizing continues just as the 2013 Grammy Awards announced a contest to reward unsung music teachers throughout the Nation.

 

That said, you do have artists like Miguel, Frank Ocean, Esperanza Spaulding and others pushing the envelope.  And established stars including Beyonce and Alicia Keys are adding additional concert dates in many U.S. Cities on their tours, hinting to an increasing demand for tickets regardless of price.

 

In the end it all comes down to getting our kids interested in “music-making” in addition to listening.  Here are a few thoughts;

 

*We have to teach our children the value of “long-term” goals.  We live in a “fast-food” world of information and results.  “Lose weight while you sleep…earn a degree in 6 months online…make money NOW…can’t afford it, buy on credit immediately…go shopping at any-time day or night!  Compared to Grandma and Grandpa, we have life pretty easy these days and we certainly can’t wait for ANYTHING!

 

Now apply this impatient lifestyle to children who have immediate, on-demand access to their favorite movies, music and TV shows.  How do you tell a child to practice piano for an hour a day when they can master a new video game, advancing from level one to the top in less than a week?

 

We’ve got to help our kids understand that just like a great athlete, making music requires long hours and many years in order to become good.  But, when you look at the big picture, the sacrifice is almost always so worth the end result. 

 

*Start early-Take your kids to experience live music.  Many Cities offer free concerts in parks in the Summer.  Many music schools and performing arts centers offer free or low cost concerts, music lessons and events for children, even toddlers.  Just recently, the New York Times ran an article announcing a 5 million dollar donation given to the elite New York Area Julliard School to assist music studies for low-income, minority students.  Check out the info here; http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/02/14/5-million-gift-to-aid-juilliard-program-for-minority-students/

 

*If your school doesn’t have music programs, make your voice heard.  Music education in grade schools have been proven to help children with academics, problem solving and in time improve overall school performance.  Join your PTA, go to school board meetings and let everyone know the arts in school are NOT an option but an important part of the education process!  And, as houses of worship continue to grow larger, it’s important to make sure music ministries continue to include children and young adults.

 

*Be broad-Give your kids a dose of what’s popular at the moment, but also a taste of the World.  Let them hear jazz, classical, R&B oldies, rock, country, Latin, African and the Far East.  Let them know great music can happen anytime, everywhere! 

 

Music is one of the greatest pleasures on Earth!   Let’s all work together to support programs that keep musical traditions alive for our children to experience daily.

 

The Year in R&B

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The winners in R&B for 2012 by Skip Dillard, WBLS Program Director in New York City.

The Winners

Steve Harvey a music executive? Well, in addition to hosting mornings on WBLS (and about 70 other stations), he’s got two TV shows, clothing lines and a model-mentoring program among other ventures. So why not add the ability to hear a “hit” among his many talents.

Steve was the first to play Anthony Hamilton’s “Pray for Me” (and often read the lyrics to his listeners before and after playing it as well). The song became one of the years most spun R&B records receiving over 50,000 radio plays across the Nation in 2012. And John Legend’s R&B smash “Tonight” was featured on the Soundtrack of Harvey’s movie “Act Like a Woman, Think Like A Man”. These were two of the biggest R&B songs in 2012.

R Kelly enjoyed one of his most successful years in quite a while. “Share My Love”, and “Feelin’ Single” followed last year’s hit “Love Letter” and set R Kelly up for a sold-out Nation-Wide Tour.

Other artists finding success in 2012 included Eric Benet, Tamia, Robin Thicke, Usher, Estelle and Rihanna.

The “come-back” of the year goes hands down to Anita Baker. Her single “Lately”, previously recorded by Tyrese, gave us a taste of what hopefully will be a LONG awaited album due sometime before Spring.
What was the #1 R&B song in 2012? Hats off to Beyoncé. “Love On Top” became one of her most successful songs to date.

Saying Goodbye

Where do I begin? There’s no other place to start than Whitney Houston. The most “Googled” name of 2012 left us almost as suddenly as she hit stardom back in 1985. She’ll be always remembered as simply one of the most influential stars in music. Her celebrity/private funeral, aired in its entirety in a one-angle direction on CNN, left many of her fans without closure. And, unlike other artist’s deaths in recent memory, there were no breaking news updates from a hospital, “old age” or long illness to soften the blow.

Donna Summer’s death brought back memories of fun times. Those were great days before AIDS and 9/11 when everyone was dressing their best to come back into the City in attempt to attempt to gain admission to the Copa Cabana, Studio 54 and other top clubs to dance and gaze at the stars who could be seen nightly. Unfortunately Donna Summer was held captive by her “Disco” stereotype and never received the acclaim she deserved. After a post-disco resurgence in 1983 with her #1 hit “She Works Hard for The Money”, Summer spent the rest of her career touring mostly abroad.

Our own Hal Jackson kicked open the doors for African-Americans in broadcasting and broadcast ownership. At 97, he was a pioneer having hit the airwaves in the mid 1940’s at a time when African-Americans couldn’t cast a vote in many parts of our Country. The co-founder of Inner-City Broadcasting and WBLS/WLIB was a Blessing to everyone who met him.

Etta James, who’s unforgettable voice found resurrection in a 1990’s Jaguar Auto commercial was a true example of what happen when blues, jazz and rock n’ roll came together. Beyoncé played her in the fiction/non-fiction movie “Cadillac Records” in 2008.

Don Cornelius created an empire from almost nothing. After taking courses at a Chicago broadcasting school and doing a little on-air work, Cornelius aspired to start a TV program to locally showcase Black music and culture. “Soul Train” is remembered today as one of the most successfully syndicated music programs in the history of television. The careers of singers, bands and even comedians were made through appearing on his show. Given the joy he brought to millions every Saturday morning (or afternoon depending on where you lived), it’s still hard to believe he would wind up taking his own life in 2012.

Dick Clark, a former radio DJ, grew his American Bandstand pop music show into the powerful “Dick Clark Productions” which included various syndication projects, a New Year’s Eve special and the American Music Awards. Clark’s company lives on, purchased in September by an investor group including Guggenheim Partners and Mandalay Entertainment.

Other notable artists and industry luminaries gone in 2012 include Fontella Bass, Herb Reed (Platters), Brian Carter (WBLS/Philly personality), Chris Lightly, Major Harris, Natina Reed (Blaque), Chuck Brown, David Peaston and Jimmy Castor.

Looking for Leadership – GO VOTE!

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I voted sticker
As I sat in the dark, writing on my half-charged iPad just after the storm, I wondered how the events of Monday October 29th would shape a week that was supposed to be occupied by complete immersion in the November 6th Presidential Election.

Flash forward half a week and we have so many stories of power remaining elusive in many communities from the Jersey Shore to Far Rockaway. Commuter transit and even long distance travel came to a halt.  The New York City Marathon, a staple for decades cancelled, and gas (if you can find it) can keep you in line for hours with your car or gas can.  Phone service has been spotty at best.  And this isn’t even the important stuff.

Almost 40 people have lost their lives with some still missing.  Many in our listening area lost their homes and thousands of small businesses struggling to recover in a shaky economy, have been stuttered for almost a week.

If there are any lessons to learn as we move past Sandy and attempt to find some sense of stability, one is the importance of leadership.

Tuesday, we go to the polls to elect our Commander in Chief who will be responsible for decisions affecting each and every one of us for the next four years and far beyond.   Here’s what’s at stake:

*3 Supreme Court Justices will be at or above 80 years of age during the next Presidential term.  Our next President will likely select at least 2 Judges to serve on our highest court.

*Women’s rights are a huge question mark.  While some controversial Republican remarks have been dismissed as “rogue” commentary from “regional” candidates, the truth is even Mr. Romney has been caught several times holding a much harder line on women’s health and abortion before securing the Republican Presidential nomination.

* “Obamacare” has been demonized by Republicans, yet they’ve offered no viable solution to rising health, medical and drug costs that are rising far out of reach of even the insured.   How do we keep our population healthy?

*Jobs-7.9 percent unemployment often translates to 30 and 40 percent unemployment in the “hood” and even some formerly affluent communities.  Where are the jobs, and when they arrive, will the average American have the skills required to handle them?  And don’t even get me started on our public education system!

*Debt-Research shows the average American household has learned from the past 5 years and decreased the amount owed on credit cards, mortgages and cars.  When will Washington learn the same lesson?  Owing more money than taxes can take in is dangerous business, especially when we owe some debts to Countries like China, Saudi Arabia and others that could experience financial and internal political fluctuations at any time.  Some very tough decisions must be made soon!

*The Least of These-What happens when you lose your job, have a medical bill you can’t pay, go through a divorce, or a family experiences the sudden death of a bread winner like my college room mate who suddenly passed at 44 years of age this year, leaving a family behind in need of support?  Are you just “out of luck”, or should you, as a tax paying citizen, be entitled to a safety net?   If hurricane Sandy taught us anything, we know there’s a lot that can happen beyond our control.  And many along the Jersey Shore and areas around NYC will rebuild thanks to funds from FEMA.

These are just a few of the decisions that will be required by the men and women guiding our Nation after November 6th.

We saw examples of leadership throughout the storm.   The decision by President Obama to quickly designate “disaster areas” allowing for immediate assistance proved crucial.   Governor Christie, who was on the road just a few weeks back campaigning for Mr. Romney, put politics aside by touring New Jersey with President Obama, then praised the President for addressing the needs of New Jersey.  Mayor Bloomberg had to step up and cancel a New York City Marathon that has been a consistent cash-cow for the City.   And Newark Mayor Corey Booker directed relief efforts by being “part” of Newark’s recovery by riding along with companies restoring power and delivering food to the elderly and families in housing projects.

On November 6 we elect a leader.  Our vote is truly valued this time with an election possibly as close as the 2000 fiasco.   Demonstrate the leader in you and VOTE Tuesday!

LIVING THE DREAM

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Once again MLK Weekend reminds us of the struggle and sacrifices Dr. King endured in order to make a difference in America and the World.

I was thinking about the advances we’ve made towards the realization of King’s “dream”. Certainly there’s plenty of good news to report.

  • President Barak Obama has taken numerous challenges as President head-on and while there’s a lot he needs to get done quickly, he’s head and shoulders above anyone the Republican Party has fielded to run against him in 2012 so far.
  • Here in New York African Americans continue breaking new ground on Broadway and entertainment including Alicia Key’s supported and critically acclaimed play “Stickfly”. And the fiction drama imagining Dr. King’s last night alive, “Mountaintop” has extended it’s run. Also just getting underway, a newly revised version of the famous George Gershwin Opera “Porgy & Bess” is poised for success, directed by the young, and amazingly talented African American Suzan-Lori Parks.
  • Black spending power in America is quickly approaching One Trillion Dollars! It’s an astonishing feat that puts a large chunk of the U.S. economy in our hands. On the other side of the coin however the distance to victory seems at times like we haven’t left the starting line;
  • African American unemployment is nearly “double” the overall National average. Some analysts place our rate as high as 16.7 percent when the National average overall is closer to 8 percent. Meantime; Federal, State and Local non-profit programs seeking to bridge the gap continue to be first on the chopping block when budgets run short.
  • Gun violence in predominately African American neighborhoods from New Orleans to Brooklyn is once again on the rise. And due to lax laws along with lobbying from the National Rifle Association, guns are easier to come by than ever. Last year for instance, law enforcement officials traced an astonishing 2500 gun crimes in Inner-City Washington DC to ONE Southern Maryland gun store.
  • Public Schools in predominately Black communities Nationwide continue to lag behind. Access to a quality, diverse education for every American remains far from being realized outside of a few bright spots. And while charter schools have been touted as a solution in lower-income areas, results continue to be mixed at best.
  • Health Care remains another obstacle. Diabetes, Hypertension, Obesity and HIV/AIDS continue to disproportionally impact our communities. Health insurance costs, outdated hospitals and clinics combined with a lack of quality grocery stores in many urban areas continue to devastate many.
  • And while we’re making all this money, not much is being invested back into our communities. We need more minority business including construction, retail and financial institutions that will actually “loan” money. And we MUST own a piece of the “digital” universe. Hi-tech companies that put the “smart” into smart phones, “apps” on our tablets, music to our ears and video to our eyes generate profits and create today’s greatest opportunities.
  • We must continue to stand against racism and hate. It’s hard to believe that in 2012 we must contend with housing discrimination and predatory lending. We also must stand with our brothers and sisters of Jewish ethnicity who continue to fall victim to senseless hate crimes, most recently in Northern New Jersey where several families came home to Nazi symbols spray-painted on their homes. And popular area Rabbi Nosson Schuman suffered minor burns during a firebomb attempt on his home. How does this kind of hate continue to exist?

We’ve got plenty of work ahead of us. Dr. King’s dream is certainly an ongoing task, but one the human race is certainly capable of achieving. Each and every one of us possess gifts and talents that can close the gap. From mentoring to tutoring, from funding initiatives that make a difference to voting; this year let’s all find something we can do that will bring positive change wherever we see the need.
We haven’t forgotten you Dr. King. Your “Dream” indeed lives on. Once again MLK Weekend reminds us of the struggle and sacrifices Dr. King endured in order to make a difference in America and the World.
I was thinking about the advances we’ve made towards the realization of King’s “dream”. Certainly there’s plenty of good news to report.

We’ve got plenty of work ahead of us. Dr. King’s dream is certainly an ongoing task, but one the human race is certainly capable of achieving. Each and every one of us possess gifts and talents that can close the gap. From mentoring to tutoring, from funding initiatives that make a difference to voting; this year let’s all find something we can do that will bring positive change wherever we see the need.
We haven’t forgotten you Dr. King. Your “Dream” indeed lives on.

Great Artists Who Left Us in 2011

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ROLL CALL! 

Heavy D and Skip Dillard

Heavy D and Skip Dillard

ROLL CALL! 

Moving into 2012 we won’t forget great artists who left us in 2011.   My mind goes back to last year’s freak Northeast Snowstorm that closed out 2010 coupled with the loss of a Teena Marie, who was still making new music and performing her classics with a passion seldom seen by an artist so many years into the game.  

The legends continued to leave us in 2011 faster than we’ve been able to find “new legends” to replace them.   Thank God these great artists will live on through their music.

Heavy D-44 Years young and still in his prime, his passing from heart complications due to a blood clot is still hard to accept.

Phoebe Snow-Her song “Poetry Man” summed up a life filled with challenges and the ability to convey them to the World through her music.

Sylvia Robinson-Artist, CEO, Mentor and Pioneer who heard the sounds of the New York City Streets and made sure everyone else took a listen.

Nick Ashford-With his wife Valerie, this “perfect pair wrote and performed music that touched the heart.

Clarence Clemmons-The flamboyant sax virtuoso of Bruce Springsteen’s “E Street Band”

Gil Scott Heron-An Activist who spent his life in pursuit of peace and justice through music.

Amy Winehouse-Super-talented British R&B vocalist unable to  escape her demons.

Glady’s Horton (Marvelettes)-Another Motown “voice” gone but not forgotten.

Vesta Williams-A true R&B Diva!   Her 1989 Top-5 Hit Congratulations became a women’s anthem.

Nate Dogg-Proved that “Gangta Rap” could still have a “smooth side” as well.

Pine Top Perkins-Born in 1913, he was among the last of the great Blues artists who paved the way for Rock N’ Roll.