Ra SHAWN-DA-PROFESSOR

Ra SHAWN-DA-PROFESSOR

Thursday, March 26, 2009

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE SUPREME VOCALIST-DIANA ROSS


Another Supreme is blessed to be celebrating her 65th birthday. Diana Ross (Since it's her birthday and she finally acknowledged all of the Supremes including my idol Mary) I will honor her by refering her by her stage name.
Whether you like her as a person or not, many people (especially Gays) admire and love her for her sequenced gowns, voice, stage presence and hair (she made wearing a weave popular). Can't you believe that this lady was a tomboy who used to play sports and swim? Now she is an icon that everybody patterns themselves after her including Janet Jackson and RuPaul who appeared in the former Supremes' lead singer's video for her rendition of Gloria Gaynor's 1979 hit "I Will Survive."
The first time I came aware of Diana was in day care, where my mother and some of the teachers would play her now-classic hit "Love Hangover" and I would see myself dancing to the song. A few years later, me and my family saw "The Wiz" and we enjoyed it, but we had always tried to get tickets to see her live, but the tickets were sold out. In November 1979, my mother's boss at the time called to see if I got home, and when I spoke to her, she told me to do my homework because my mother had a suprise for me. I wondered what it was. When she came home, I saw her on the phone and when I went into her room, she showed me the tickets for Diana's concert at Radio City Music Hall and I was excited, though I fell asleep.
"Shawn. Don't you wanna see Diana Ross?" she asked.
I jumped up and said yes. We left and met my great-grandmother at the next station before meeting with my grandmother, aunt and cousin at Radio City Music Hall, and I was excited and anxious to see what was gonna happen. Diana came out wearing a silver ground and fur singing a Jazz song (thought I didn't know at the time) and though she's known for changing costumes, she kept the same gown on that night. When she sang "The Boss" the crowd was clapping and applauding and I couldn't wait to tell my teacher the next day and the class was excited.
As I'm listening to her classic voice, I began to think about the impact she has on people

1. Detertmination-Her late father didn't want her to pursue a career in show business. He would have preferred for her to enroll in college and get a degree like her sister Barbra, who's a doctor. Though she loved her father, and felt somewhat distant from him, she decided to pursue her a career in music by honing her craft by singing to Gospel, Jazz and Broadway tunes before linking up with her friends Florence Ballard and Mary Wilson (another Icon on mine) and join their group The Suprmes.

2. Making sure things are well-Though many didn't like her for poking her eyes out, she used that to her advantage to make people notice her, and once she learned that it was becoming a hit with fans, the label decided to let her do that move.

3. Having class. Most of the Motown artists had to attend artist development and charm school, where Maxine Powell coached the ladies on how to conduct themselves like ladies and to leave their ghetto attitude at the door. When she received her Lifetime acheivement award at the BET awards, she let the kids know that you don't have to bump and grind and use the "F" word to maintain longeviity, and the camera pointed at Beyonce who nodded. She's known for having moments but now she's mellowing out.

4. Taking control of your life. Most aries are known for being assertive, determined and secluded, Diana's declaration of independence kept the Civils and Women's right movement going when she decided to take control of her career and finances. In 1979 she re-teamed with singing-songwriting-producing husband & wife duo Nick Ashford & Valerie Simpson, who wrote and produced her classic album "The Boss" which gained went gold and gained spins on the radio and in the clubs. A year later, she recruited Bernard Edwards and Nile Rogers of Chic to produce her classic album "Diana" which went multi-platnium, scored two classics "Upside Down" and "I'm Coming Out" which is still getting spins in clubs and has been sampled by Salt-N-Pepa, M.C. Lyte & Missy Elliot and The Notoroius BIG. When she met with the producers, she told them that she didn't her album to sound like a Los Angeles album. She wanted to have a New York vibe and she got more than that; she got a hit album. When she heard the playback, she noticed that the producers had her voice low, and when they refused to remix it, she decided to remix the album, and when Berry Gordy refused to give her and Russ Tilman credit, she decided to leave Motown and sign with RCA, who gave her the creative independence that she deserved, and it paid off. Her first self-produced album "Why Does Fools Fall In Love" went platnium and gained positve reviews as well as classic hits including the title track, "Mirror Mirror" and "Work That Body" which she co-wrote and became the fitness theme song of 1982. She showed the industry that she was able to succeed with out her mentor and baby father Berry Gordy, who was shocked at her decision to leave the label.

How has her songs make an impact on my life.

Learning to love myself. 11 years ago, I was suffering from depression, which I hid from many people, brought on by struggling with my being myself and being forced to be a person that I wasn't, and one day, the editor of the school publication I was writing for at that time, loaned me the Motown 40 CD set for me to review, and when I heard Diana's single "When You Tell Me That You Love Me," I fell in love with that song, and I would constant listen to that song in my grandmother's tape recorder I used to tape my school lectures on, and that song brought me comfort when I was feeling down and when I was pissed at certain morons who did me wrong. The lyrics are so touching and warm, that I would always listen to the last part of the song before I went to bed and it helped me see that God love is universal.

Moving on to something better. I posted a blog about how a certain lady tried talk me into staying at my former publication, despite me telling how 5 times how I was mistreated, and being prevented from growing professionally. When she said that she wasn't speaking to me as a child of God, I didn't speak to that heifer for a year, and though I was a little nervous, Diana's single "It's My Turn" helped forged ahead, and though I didn't win the election to become the publication's Arts Editor, I got praise and respect for my work, to the point where I was asked to cover many events including talent shows and listening parties.

Having fun. Though I walk with a cane, I manage to have fun and the songs I think of are "Work That Body" and "Take Me Higher" because there are times when I have fun, I don't care what people think about me dancing with my cane. I shouldn't be limited to have fun.

I wanted to wish Diana Ross a birthday and share my gratidue to her and her music.
I would love for her, Mary and Cindy to have a reunion tour because we are entiled to one.


SONGS INSPIRED FOR THIS POST

THE BOSS ALBUM
PEFORMED BY DIANA ROSS
WRITTEN AND PRODUCED BY NICK ASHFORD & VALERIE SIMPSON
1979 MOTOWN RECORDS

UPSIDE DOWN & I'M COMING OUT
PEFORMED BY DIANA ROSS
WRITTEN AND PRODUCED BY BERNARD EDWARDS & NILE ROGERS FOR THE CHIC ORGANIZATION
1980 MOTOWN RECORDS

WHY DO FOOLS FALL IN LOVE
PERFORMED BY DIANA ROSS
PRODUCED BY DIANA ROSS FOR DIANA ROSS PRODUCTIONS
1981 RCA RECORDS

WORK THAT BODY
WRITTEN BY DIANA ROSS & RAY CHEW
PRODUCED BY DIANA ROSS FOR DIANA ROSS PRODUCTIONS
1981 RCA RECORDS SINGLE WAS RELEASED IN 1982

WHEN YOU TELL ME THAT YOU LOVE ME
PEFORMED BY DIANA ROSS
1991 MOTOWN RECORDS

Sunday, March 22, 2009

WHAT'S GOOD FOR THE GEESE IS GOOD FOR THE GANDER

I said we out to tell them about their evil ways
I know they'll get and turna round and say
We're not alone out here
Cause women do it to
I said
2 wrongs don't make it right
They pay the price like you too.
Men
Performed by Gladys Knight

Turns you down darlin'
Says you're nothin' at all
(Nothin' at all)
I'll pick you up darlin
(When you fall, fall, fall)
When she lets you fall
You're like a diamond
But she treats you like glass
If I Was Your Womay
Performed by Alicia Keys

My man out fuckin' another bitch
Gonna come home and serve his leftover bullshit
I'm not the bitch that get mad
I get even
Kick him out bitch
Yea cuz I ain't leaving
Fuck A Man
Performed by B.W.P.

I can tell you're lying
Because when you're replying
You're stutter, stutter, stutter
Stutter
Performed by Joe

Since the situation that happened with Chris Brown and Rhinna occured, many celebrities, fans and community acitivists have voiced their concerns and opinons about the night they had that fight after the American Music Award winning couple music legend Clive Davis' annual Pre-Grammy Award party. Many celelbrities including Oprah Winfrey and her best girlfriend Gayle King has lash out against him (of course being that the're both narrowmined heifers) as well as Rhianna's boss, mentor Jay-Z who called Brown a walking deadman (he rarely gives interviews or statements) while many including Ray-J, Kimora Lee-Simmons and Natalie Cole, decided not to take sides and offer both of the Pop stars love and prayers.

I decided to name the title of this blog after a saying that means if you're gonna punish one person, then the other should receive the same amont as well as the same treatment. Many radio stations decided to ban Chris' music after the photo of Rhinna was released over the internet, and though I was shocked and upset at the photo and how he attacted her, I felt that it wasn't fair for radio to ban his music especially when other celebrities have been guilty for doing the same thing and worse.

Examples:
In 1989, Manager Sharon Osborne had her husband and client Rock star Ozzy Osborne arrest for assualt after he came home and choked her while he was high on cocaine and alcohol.

In 1991, Producer Dr. Dre attaced rapper/talkshow host Dee Barnes at a party in California. The former host of "Pump It Up" had interviewed him, MC Ren, DJ Yella and Eazy-E and asked them what down with former group member Ice Cube. She later interviewed Cube, who didn't hold back on what down, and wanting to be fair, she had asked her executive producer not to air certain parts of Cube's interview, but they aired it anyway, which cause Dre to get furious, and attack her when he saw her at a party. According to an interview on VH-1 and police reports, the award winning producer and rapper, grabbed her, slammed her against a wall and had security to prevent fans from rescuing her. When she fled to the rest room, he followed her and slammed her face against a mirror. After she filed her multi-million dollar suit. former group members Eazy-E and Ren went to the press saying 'the bitch deserved it, and we hope it happens again.
Their videos were played by BET, while the group's album "Niggaz4life" topped the Pop album charts, and a year later, radio played his solo single "Deep Cover."
Dre pleaded no contest, was ordered to pay a fine and was placed on probation, while Barnes received a six figure settlement, and an apology.
Rapper Tim Dogg addressed the issue in his solo debut single "Fuck Compton" which topped the Rap singles charts for three weeks and in interviews with the press.

Singer/producer R.Kelly marries teenage singer Aaliyah and is arrested for having sex with a minor.
When R. Kelly was asked to write and produce singer Aaliyah's debut album "Age Ain't Nothing But A Number," he did more than give her a classic album, he gave her his hand in marriage. He married the niece of Gladys Knight who was 14 at the time, and when the media caught wind, it was quickly and quietly annulled, and neither has ever spoke on the subject. 8 years later, a video tape surfaced of the singer having sex with a underage girl who he had also urinated on. While Kelly denined that him on the tape, there were many including his brother and former portuge Sparkle who comfirm it was him, with the later, testifying against Kelly as well as informing the courts and media about him having sex with her underage niece.
Result; many radio stations continued to play his music and videos, but when Michael Jackson was arrested for child molestation, many stations banned his music, which forced many fans to attack the stations (especially Black stations) for being unfair by playing Kelly's music, but banning Jackson's music.

Former childstar Mark Everett was wanted for killing his girlfriend and abducting their son.
Mark Everett had became a child star by appearing in numerous commercials and movies including "Pee Wee's Playhouse" but the time he reached the age of 18, his acting days came to an end due to his use of drugs. He later began to work odd jobs and later met and fell in love with Stepahnie Spears, who gave birth to their son Benjamin, and was unaware of his past of being a child star. Things began great, but later became rocky, when Spears began to excell in college as well as receive scholarships, which made Everett jealous and force her to end their relationship on fathers day in 2004. One night while she was sleep, he tried to take their son, but when she woke up and confronted him, he attacked and killed her with a dumbell and fled with their son, who he had living in bad conditions and places where roaches were at. John Walsh from America's Most Wanted wanted him to be arrested and for the past four years, the show have received many tips of their whereabouts, and in December of last year, the police was called to a Mexican resturant where people a man acting suspicious with a boy who turned out to be Everett, who according to reports held his son in a head lock and threatned to kill him during a hostage situation for 2 hours. Police evacuated the area, threw a bomb into the resturant and got involved in a shoot out that killed Everett and injured his son, who is being cared for by his maternial granmother who plan on having him seek theapry to heal.

For years, we have heard stories about men being violent people, but there are many females who abuse, and kill people, but the media doesn't report that as much as they report on men who harm and like Gladys Knight says in her # 2 R&B hit "Men," two wrongs don't make it right. They pay the price like you too.

The first time I heard about women beating their husbands was in 1985 when I was watching an episode of divorce court. A football player was seeking a divorce from his wife on the grounds of physical and mental cruelty and aduletry, while the wife was seeking on the grounds of mental cruelty. During the middle of the trial, the wife got mad when one of the witness had testified about her behavior. She was so loud that the Judge had to ask her lawyer to control her. She got up from the table, and ran towards her husband who tried to confront her, and she responded by punching him in the face and knocking him over the rail. Outraged and shocked, the judge ordered the baliff to restrain the wife, who was screaming 'Let me go!! Let me go!!
The judge granted both parties their divorce and with the behavior the wife displayed he was able to keep the house and cars, and most of the assets.

Ten years ago when Whitney Houston was interviewed by Ebony Magazine, she was asked if her ex-husband Bobby Brown ever hit her. Her answer was 'Bobby doesn't hit me. I hit him." Bobby added in an interview with Vibe Magazine in 2006 by saying that he had video footage of Whitney beating on him and he also added that there are men who are victims of physical abuse.

Last October, a Harlem was arrested and charged with killing her son's father while the son was in his room waiting to go trick-or-treating. The mother was mad because her ex-boyfriend didn't buy their son a winter coat, so she stabbed him with a kitchen knife and he died shortly after he fleed the apartment to try to get help. Prior to the incident, he had went to the police and informed them that she had threw bleach in his face and threatened him with a hammer, and when the cops told him to file a restraining order against the child's mother, he refused because he feared that the mother would be arrested and his son would be placed in foster care. The late father's family and friends were upset at what happened because he had planned on giving his ex the money to purchase the coat.

These are examples of things that occured and how people chose to show favortism of which story and person deserves symphaty and who's doesn't. The few times I watched Oprah's show (when my favorite celebritiy wasn't a guest), she always talking about men who treat women bad and always wants to blast Hip-Hop artists for degrading women, but she's never interviwed any of the rappers who record positive songs like KRS-1, Public Enemy, Common (who performed on her show with Jamie Foxx), Talib-Kweli and D-Nice. Plus she's also had comedian/actor Chris Rock on her show several times, who's known for using the term Bitch in his routines. What's the difference between him and rappers who use the word? She never got on Chris Rock for using the word, but she had the audacity to come down on Ludacris, who refers to both sexes with that word, but listens to 50 Cent on her I-Pod. I wonder how she feels knowking that Gospel singer BeBe Winans was arrested for assualting his ex-wife.


I remember the situation when Dr. Dre attack Dee Barnes. There were lots of Black males, who wrote to magazines and spoke among many about the situation and many of them was saying that if he didn't like what Cube said about him and the group, he should have stepped to him instead of attacking Barnes, who didn't want them to continue feuding. There were some jounralist, however who asked rapper Tim Dogg about him dissing Dre's ex-girlfriend Mich'elle in his hit "Fuck Compton" and Tim said that if Dre was a man, he would respond, but if he wasn't, he would keep quiet, and he also said that he was wrong for what he did to Barnes as well.

As for women, there are many women who commit crimes, (with the exception of America's Most Wanted) they don't get much coverage. Why is that? Is it because women are suppsoed to be preceived as being weak, timid and submissive? Please! There are many females who are very possesive, jealous, insecure and rude, and have this attitude that I can disrespect my man, but he can't do shit to me. Yet when the man strikes back, they call the cops and get them arrested, and they get pissed when the man decides that he's had enough and leaves, the chick gets mad calling him all types of foul names, and wanna disrespect his family, friends and new love, who most likely had gotten out of a bad relationship and decides to have his back like he has hers. For years, I've always heard chicks complain about the lack of good men in the world, but as soon as they find one who treats them good, they dog him out. Females are just as bad when it comes to stalking as much as men are when it comes to their ex's leaving them for being crazy as well. I've heard men always talk about being tired of women wanting money and sex from them, but yet, when they see a lady who captures their attention, they go all out to impress them buy spending money on them as well as laying down the pipe in the bedroom and bragging about how what they got as far as materialistic items and possessions. Plus they always say they wanna a chick who's mad cool, but yet they go after the wild ones who be making scenes out in public without caring who's noticing their immature behavior.

The purpose of this blog is to share my thoughts and not take anysides. I wanted to express my opionons about things in life and I feel that nobody has the right to be mistreated; a man ain't got no right hitting on a woman and a woman ain't got no right smacking and grabbing a man either. The common ground is respect for each other and to not attack one particular group of people without showing the other group's faults and flaws.

Songs played and inspired by this post

MEN
PERFORMED BY GLADYS KNIGHT
WRITTEN BY GLADYS KNIGHT & ATTA ZANE
PRODUCED BY ATTA ZANE GAINE
CO-PRODUCED BY GLADYS KNIGHT
1991 MCA RECORDS

IF I WAS YOUR WOMAN
PERFORMED BY ALICIA KEYS
WRITTEN BY
PRODUCED BY EASY MOE BEE AND ALICIA KEYS

FUCK A MAN
PERFORMED BY B.W.P.
WRITTEN BY MARK SEXX AND LYAND
PRODUCED BY MARK SEXX
1991 DEF JAM RECORDS

STUTTER (REMIX)
PERFORMED BY JOE FEATURING MYSTIKAL
2001 JIVE RECORDS

Friday, March 20, 2009

OOH BABY BABY-THE MIRACLES FINALLY RECEIVE A STAR ON THE HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME


With Motown Records celebrating it's 50th anniversary, one of the best celebrations so far has been The Four Tops FINALLY receiving a Lifetime acheivement award this year (I don't know what took them so long) and The Miracles receiving a star of the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Many had turned out to see Smokey and Claudette Robinson, Pete Moore, Sonny Rogers and the late Ronnie White become another act from the famous Detroit label receive an honor like this.
The Miracle was one of the first acts signed by Berry Gordy, Jr, who sccored many hits for the label including "Shop Around," "You Really Got a Hold On Me," "Mickey's Monkey," "The Tracks of My Tears," "Ooh Baby Baby" "My Girl is Gone" and their top charting classic "Tears of A Clown." When Smokey and Claudette left, the remaining group members recruited Billy Griffin as their new lead singer, who's youthful and sexy looks and songwriting helped the group score their second biggest selling hit "Love Machine." Smokey also had success as a solo artist with his classics "Quiet Storm," "Cruisin'" "Being With You," "Just To See Her" which earned him his first Grammy Award, "One Heartbeat," "Everything You Touch" and "Sleepin' In."
In addition to performing and writing hits for themselves, they (along with guitarist Marv Tarplin, who continues to perform with Smokey) wrote hits for Mary Wells, The Temptations, Marvin Gaye, and The Supremes.
The ceromony took place in Hollywood this morning.

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

COPING

Last Sunday, while I was in the spa, I received a message from my moms saying that my surviving grandmother was in the hospital. I called to find out what happened and she informed me that my aunt Linda had called to let us know that my grandmother (my father's mother) had been hospitalized and she was coming to see her this week. As soon as I got home, my mother gave him her hospital room number and two days later, I called to see how she was doing. She sounded well, but a little tired. I told her I would visit her the next day, so my aunt Shirley gave me instrucitons on how to get there, and I made my journey the following day to see her, and the visit was pleasant; I had met one of my cousin's who for the first time as well as one of my younger cousins who made her some homemade dessert and shared it was us before her boyfriend had arrived.
Two days later, I received a call saying that she was moved to a nursing home, so I decided to visit her, and my friend BBOP came along to give his moral support. I visited her the following day and she cracked a joke with me after I told her that my friend who I was supposed to have brunch with became ill.
"So this was your second choice" she said as she laughed and layed in bed.
Though I'm grateful that she's in a place where's shes comfortable and being well taken care of, it's hard for me to see her not moving around like she used too.
She was always working, attending family functions and cooking (my grandmother is a Southern Lady and we all know how many southerns can burn in the kitchen).
As I think about this, I can remember seeing both my grandmothers (who loved each other and got along) working, but when my mom's mom died in 2004, it was totally unexpected. It had taken me a long time to mourn her death, because at the time of her death, I was getting situated with my apartment and trying to secure an internship with a magazine to fulfill my graduation requirments, and though it was a sad event, I was grateful for the people who showed me their love and support during my time of grief, with the exception of one individual, who's misunderstanding forced her to end our friendship. (I'll post that another time. Naw what the fuck). When I got the word that she had been rushed to the hospital, I called her asking for prayer. She told me she was on the phone with her girlfriend.
I told her the situation and asked for prayer, and before I knew it, I had two other people calling my cell trying to contact me, so I tried to click over to answer the other call, but unfortantely, I lost conenction due to the number of people trying to call as well as the location where I was at. She must have thought that I hung up on her on purpose and that wasn't the case. After I learned that my grandmother passed, I tried to call to ask for prayer but the phone kept ringing, and I received calls from others who I left messages with.
Two days later, I called to apologize and give her the update, but before I could finsih she got pissed and said not to call her anymore and hung up on me.
I couldn't believe it. When longtime friends asked how I was doing and was I getting any support, I told them about that incident and they were pissed at her behavior.
"How could she get mad at you when you was calling to give her the update about your grandmother?" one asked in disgust.
"You need to move on and let her be" another said.
"She lost a good friend."
One was like "I can't believe that she would think that you out of all people would hang up somebody. The problem with her is that she don't know that cell phones do have the tendency to go out, but if you want, you should send her an email and explain the situation to her and tell her why you was calling. But since you decided not to speak to you again, not only won't I call you, I won't email you anymore. And by the way, thanks for being there during my time of need."
I did think about sending her an email, but I decided not to and I decided that God would deal with her and as they say 'Those who curse you will be cursed and those who blessed you will be blessed.

My surviving grandmother has always had a good heart, laugh and an ear to listen. We would talk about life, transit, the world events and music. In fact I learned that she's a huge fan of The Temptations, The Four Tops, The Supremes, Whitney Houston, Beyonce and Alicia Keys.
I was in contact with her from time to time and when I saw her in 2005 it was right before the subway strike. I had gave her some pictures of me at my graduation from Brooklyn College as well as pictures from my California trip I took with the disabilities club a month later, and she remembered when I called her from LA to let her know the trip was fun despitehaving the roommate from hell. (I won't get into that). 3 years later I visited her on Mother's day and it was a nice and pleasant visit, though she had slight trouble walking. Seeing her in hosptial is sad because I'm not used to seeing her lying in a bed, and being up and about. It's depressing at times, but I know that I have to be strong for her because she was able to come up north for a better opporunity for herself, and she was able to witness Obama make history by becoming the first Black President of The United States. She loves Obama for his character and strength and looks (Looks like Grandma got good taste in men)!

Song inspired by this post

Grandma's Hands
Performed by Gladys Knight
Written by Bill Withers
2001 MCA Records

Friday, March 13, 2009

REACH, BUT DON'T BE NASTY TO ONES WHO SUPPORT YOU

Check it.
You rolled into Brooklyn to compete in a contest.
You had to work hard to set yourself apart from the other contestants
You did. Actually, your set was hot, sexy. creative, and wet. (And you was looking mad hot in those Black Timbs).
You got lots of tips, touches, a couple of oohs and ahhs. I'm lying; you got lots of oohs and ahhs, from many in the club, including one male, who admired your performance as well as gave you a compliment while you ordered a drink from the bar.
"Good show" he said as he admired your nice pyshique
You thanked him, and asked for him to vote for you when it came time for the crowd to pick the winner.
"Of course" he said excitedly as the sexy bartender handed the admirer his Southern Comfort and Cranberry.
When it came time for us to vote for the winner, you got many screams from many admirers (including the admirer, who screamed a couple of octaves higher than the females in the club). Espcially when the sexy hostess asked you and another competitor to have an improtu dance-off. It's a shame that you didn't win, but there were many who felt you should have, and when the admirer complimented you for your performance, you seemed you took out your frustrations out on him for no appearant reason.
You may not won the prize money, but you won something else; a group of admires who will speak about your performance, and the hard work you did. Losing isn't fun for anybody. Including the admirer, who though put in hard work for many projects, that he has worked on, lost out and yes he was hurt, pissed and disappointed, but the thing that boosted his spirits was the love, and support he received from many who not only felt that he should have won or gotten a higher score, who also told him that his work was excellent and not to give up, and thoat motivate him to work harder.
Also remember those who showed you love and gave you support and money, instead of getting upset with them because they saw something in your performance that got them excited to the point of showing you love and support because word of mouth can be the best and worst form of publicity a person can receive.
Just Reach and keep striving for excellence, but never get mad to the point where you take your anger on your admires. Especially the ones who was impressed, captiivated and amazed by your performance.

Song inspired for this post

Reach
Performed by Noel Gourdin
2008 Epic Records

Friday, March 6, 2009

MARY WILSON: SEXY LEGENDARY SUPREME CELEBRATES 65TH BIRTHDAY AND HOW SHE MADE AN IMPACT ON MY LIFE



Have you ever wanted to meet a famous person so bad, and when you did, it was more than what you have anticipated?
That's what it was like when I met Motown legend Mary Wilson in August of 1998 after her concert at the annual Bandshell concerts series. I had arrived at the concert in Supreme fashion: red t-shirt, leather vest, black slacks and dress shoes (As I mentioned in past posts, I don't wear hip-hop attire when I attend any Motown artist concert), and waited online. As soon as I paid my five dollars, I bumped into Frances the President and founder of the now defuncted SMV-Supremes-Marveletes-Vandellas fan club, who was there with her sister Linda, and close friends Danny and Phillip Howell. After we spoke I had sat towards the back, and when she came onstage, I was in heaven; I was actually seeing my idol live for the first time, and when she asked some fans to get on stage with her for a medley of Supreme hits, I tried to get onstage, but she had enough fans on stage and I was pissed. After her set was over, I linked up with Fran, Linda, Danny and Phillip, where the former spoke to Mary's co-host, who got us backstage to meet the idol, and I was saying to myself 'I'm gonna be Mr. Professional' but as soon as entered her dressing room, she greeted me with a kiss.
"Hello darling" Mary said as she kissed me on both of my cheeks.
I was in shock! I couldn't beleive that I was kissed by the original Supreme!!
We all spoke, took pictures, and I asked her if I could interview her for my school newspaper.
"Do you have a business card" she asked.
"Sorry I don't" I replied.
"Don't go no where. You got a pen"
I pulled out my pad and pen, and she wrote her business number for me to call
"Call me" she said.
I was really excited, blessed and honored: most artists well tell a person to contact their manager, publisict and assistant, but for her to give me her number showed me how down to earth she was, and I was excited when I got the picture developed. A few months later, I send her a copy of my review of the concert along with the picture we took, and a few weeks later, I received a message that somebody from her office had called, and I spoke to her former assitant Yolanda, (who sounded just like her over the telephone) who informed me that Mary was interested in doing a telephone inteview with me, and I was gamed. 3 months later, I had my first telephone interview, and it was fun. I asked her about her career, fake singing groups who pretend to be members of groups they had no part in creating, Jean Terrell's contributions to the group, being a Grandmother, and what she felt about the current artists.
A few weeks later, I received a post card from her thanking me for the articles and interview.

"Dear RaShawn
Thank you for the newspapers
I sincerely appreciate your enthuasiasm and dedication to The Suprmes' Legacy and my current career.
Touch


From that moment on, I knew I was going to continue being a lifelong fan, and I have; I attened a few more of her concerts and actually got onstage with her during her Supremes medley, including in 2001 when she unbuttoned my shirt during a performance of "Stop! In The Name of Love" as my best friend Windel, who I treated to his first concert looked on in shock and amazement. He couldn't believe that she was that bold to flirt with me like that and we even cracked a joke about it

"Supreme Seduces Church Boy at Concert"

The first time I heard about Mary Wilson was in 1986 when I was watching the show "Putting on the Hits" where she was one of the judges, and she informed the crowd that she was writing a book about her life, and a few weeks later, I read an article Ebony did on her, and I knew I had to get her book and when my aunt asked me what I wanted for Christmas, I told her Mary Wilson's book, and when I got the book, I read it in one day and did a report for my reading class and got and A, and began to get into Motown music, during a time when the kids were into New Jack Swing and Hip-Hop. I even did a presentation of her for my Boy Scout troop and got great feedback from the audience who was impressed with my love and knowledge of Motown and for memorizing my speech.

What do I admire about Mary Wilson? She has many qualities that I admire about her
1. Her beauty. This woman looks good, and you wouldn't think nor beleive she turned 65. She has an natural beauty that says I'm proud to be a beautiful woman. When my friend Brandon went to the premiere of the film "Standing In The Shadows of Motown" he was telling me how the thugs in Harlem was giving Mary her props by saying "Mary you still look good!!"

2. Her voice. Mary has a voice that is soothing, yet sexy. It made not be powerful, but she uses it to her advantage on material that it's well suited for including her live rendition of Sting's classic ballad "Fields of Gold" as well as the Joe Cocker classic "You Are So Beautiful" and her 1995 comeback single "U," but it was when I bought The Supremes 2000 boxed set that I became captivated by her voice after hearing the group's 1971 single "Touch" which Mary shared lead vocals with Diane Ross' replacement. When I heard Mary sing the opening lyrics "Darling just relax. You melt me like hot candle wax" I was like she better work!! I can see why Frank Wilson wrote that song especially for her, because she gave the song the sexiness and soufulness, and I'm pissed at the label for not promoting this gem, but it goes to show that people recognize a good love song when they hear it. I played it for one of my friends to get his feedback, and he told me he loved it, which is why I included it on his tape of love songs. I also have it in my playlist whenever I wanna relax alone or when a date comes by.

3. Her love for the fans. Whenever Mary performs at certain venues, she always takes time to greet the fans by signing autographs and taking photgraphs. Especially those she's known since the 60's, and there have been times when the secuirty had to rush her, she manages to stick around for a few extra moments to spend time with the old teenagers.

4. Maintaining The Supremes Legacy. For many years, many critics and industry people have always had their vision and conclusion about the Supremes.
Diane/Diana Ross was the one who rocketed to superstardom, while Florence Ballard died in poverty and Mary was the background singer. When Mary released her book, she gave the world and some narrow-minded critics a different look at the group, and let people knew that the world fell in love with three Black Females from Detroits Brewster's projects, and a female from the projects in Candem New Jersey-Cindy Birdsong, who replace Flo and became one of the world's famous and loved Supremes, though she's not an original member of the group.
Whenever The Supremes have been honored with Lifetime acheivement Awards, Mary has always accepted on behalf of the group as well as arragend for one of Florence's daughters to appear and accept on behalf of their late mother who founded the group, where as Diane has never appeared nor written a speech acknowledging her tenure with the group that helped her for her solo career.
The media finally saw the light when Diane planned the Return To Love tour, where she was receiving 15-20 million dollars, while Wilson was offered 2 million and Cindy was offered less then 1 million. In addition to receiving more money, Mary had every right to be more involved with the preparation of the tour since she was the only original member who stayed with the group until they disbanded in 1977 as well as hired former Supremes Lynda and Scherrie, who Diane asked to be a part of the tour a year before Mary and Cindy was asked. She and Cindy should have gotten an equal amount instead of chump change, and it's messed up when you have a bunch of baggy jean-timbs-nike-do-rag wearing kids saying that how Mary was treated was foul.
Yes Diane was the lead singer of the group's classic hits, but Mary, Flo and Diane all started out together as friends and bandmates, and when Flo was asked to leave, Cindy Birdsong filled her spot and contiued to perform with Mary though out the 70's.
Like my friend said; that tour could have went off without a hitch. All she (Diane) had to do was humble herself, but no it had to be her way or no way at all, so the Lord said No Way. In other words, her Karma caused the tour to be canceled. (Hopefully Diane will see the light)

5. Fighting to stop fake groups from performing. Mary has also been leading a crusade to stop bogus groups from pretending to be members of group they had no part in creating. For years, there have been groups pretending to be The Coasters, The Drifters, The Marvelettes, who perform the orignal and authentic group's material live, while the original and surviving members find it hard to get gigs because promoters purchased the groups names and hire young members.
I remember attending a Motown review concert in 1997, and when I learned that there was some fake Marvelettes performing, I became pissed to the point of speaking to my school newspaper editor at that time, who encouraged me to write an article about it, and I got some great feedback includind Frances, who asked if the article could be placed in the newsletter. I gave her permission to do so, because like I want to see the real thing. Not no fake ass bitches (I'm refering to both the men and females who claim to be members of groups they had no part in creating), and I'm so happy that the Truth In Rock Bill has been made into a law in several states including Las Vegas, which states that a group must have at least an original member performing. If not, they aren't allowed to perform, and the promoters can be sued and fined. If they don't have an original member, they must refer to themselves as a tribute band.

6. Her determination to realize her dreams and not to take things for granted.
One of the things I admire about Mary was her going to college to pursue her degree from NYU after the death of her youngest son Rafael. Though she was performing, and making money, Mary had always kept writing and reading, and she had always wanted to pursue her college education. She had spoken about how her late mother Johnnie Mae, who deprived of an decent education due to a childhood illness, always stressed the importance of education to Mary and her siblings, and one of her dreams was to see one of her children attend college, so in 1995, Mary moved to New York City, and enrolled in NYU, and received an Associates Degree in Liberal Arts at the age of 57.
Talk of determination; she was doing papers while on the plane, the bus, and in between shows.

Many people have always wondered why I admire Mary Wilson? Reading her books and seeing her live made me realize I was able to do anything I put my mind to, and there were times when people would get pissed at me for doing things that I felt was best for me and not them.
As a child, I was always into all types of music, and some of the kids used to tease me for being into Michael Jackson, Tina Turner and Culture Club instead of Rap, and though I learned to appreaciate Hip-Hop, I always find myself listening to classic soul music.
When I was in boy scouts, I did presentations on many famous Black entertainers, and there were a few adults (including a school teacher) who would have preferred me doing presentations on Politicans and Scientist instead of singers. There were many
however, who admired me for doing presentations on musicians who they grew up listening to, and who have also made it.
One of the biggest things I did was leave that cult I was in. After being in that place for six years, I decided to leave to embrace my sexuality, and to focus on my education, and when I told the leader my reasons for leaving (which also included tired of being disrespected by members who had chips on their shoulders), he tried to get me to stay by saying they weren't like other churches, and I needed to seek the Kingdom. When I told him that I was tired of being disrespected and I was afraid of getting hurt again, he told me he knew it was gonna hurt, but the brothers missed me. When I told him I wanted to focused on my education, he said I was becoming humanistic, and tried to negoatiate a deal with me attending services days I couldn't attend as well as used a scare tactic that didnt' work. After speaking to a few close friends, and attending an after-party, I decided that it was time to leave (though it was hard for me to tell the leader no when he called the following day, but once I got an email to attend the screening of the documentary about The Funk Brothers, that made my decision a little bit easier; I decided not to return and didn't call either. Like Mary said in her book about her relationship with her ex-husband, he learned that I may not say much, but once I say something, I mean it. I'm still working in that area, but my actions spoke louder than my words.

One of the biggest things I did was perform a routine of her songs at a retreat three years ago. I usually lip-synch to songs by my favorite artists when I'm alone, or when I'm with friends, but I never had the strength to perform them live in front of an audience, but that happened when I attended a retreat three years ago; I had was excited, but scared because
1, It would be my first time lip-synching in front of a medium audience
2. I didn't know which songs I would perform
3. My knee was giving me problems
4. I was afraid of getting read (we all know Gays are hard to impress at times).

The days leading up to the performance, I listened to the songs and decided to do songs I felt comfortable doing, and when it came time for the talent show, I was the 3rd person to go on and the first performer, so I went for it dedicating my performance to my grandmother, Obie Benson and Laurence Payton of The Four Tops and Flo Ballard and lip-syncing to live versions of Mary's rendition of "Reflections" and her solo hit "U" and once the crowd began to clap, I had fun, and got lots of positive feedback.

"You're performance was ova!"
"You did good."
"Keep on praticing!"
One guy even called me Miss. Wilson.

Those are many things I admire about Miss Mary Wilson. She has inspired me in many ways and I've been blessed to have the opportunity to interview her twice and meet her 8 times, and I want to thank her and wish her a happy birthday.

Touch
Ra SHAWN-DA-PROFESSOR

SONGS PLAYED AND INSPIIRED FOR THIS BLOG

REFLECTIONS
YOU CAN'T HURRY LOVE
COME SEE ABOUT ME
BACK IN MY ARMS AGAIN
BABY LOVE
STOP! IN THE NAME OF LOVE
YOU KEEP ME HANGIN' ON
PEFORMED BY MARY WILSON-TAKEN FROM HER LIVE DVD
ALL TOP SONGS WRITTEN BY BRIAN HOLLAND-LAMONT DOZIER-EDDIE HOLLAND

FIELDS OF GOLD
WRITTEN BY STING

U
WRITTEN BY MARK SEXX AND SHEA
ORIGINALLY RELEASED IN 1995 AND IS FEATURED ON MARY'S CD "I AM CHANGING" WHICH CAN BE FOUND ON HER WEBSITE

WALK THE LINE
ORIGINALLY RELEASED IN 1992

TOUCH
PERFORMED BY THE SUPREMES
WRITTEN AND PRODUCED BY FRANK WILSON
1971 MOTOWN RECORDS
LEAD VOCALS: MARY WILSON AND JEAN TERRELL

HE'S MY MAN
PERFORMED BY THE SUPREMES
WRITTEN BY GREG WRIGHT & KATHY PATTERSON
PRODUCED BY GREG WRIGHT
1975 MOTOWN RECORDS
LEAD VOCALS: MARY WILSON AND SCHERRIE PAYNE

YOU ARE THE HEART OF ME
PERFORMED BY THE SUPREMES
WRITTEN BY M.L. SMITH AND EDDIE HOLLAND, JR
PRODUCED BY BRIAN HOLLAND
1977 MOTOWN RECORDS
LEAD VOCALS: MARY WILSON