"I over fill my plate," said multi-award
winning Folk/Rock artist Frank Viele when I pointed out the many shows he has booked for February. "Early
on in my career...I played locally. Stayed in the community before venturing out. Now I work 9-5, then play shows Friday,
Saturday and Sunday in Connecticut and on tour in New England...because I am still close to Connecticut."
As a result, New England has adopted Frank Viele. He has won the New
England Music Awards for "Independent Artist of thew Year," "Album of the Year," "Male Performer
of the Year," two-times as "Songwriter of the Year," and "Live Performer of the Year." He has a lucrative
songwriting career with his songwriting partners Jimmy Nutt and James LeBlanc (Tim McGraw, Faith Hill).
"I was first nominated (by the New England Music Awards) in 2010.
I didn't win until 2015," Viele explained. "It's a regional music awards. It is good for setting the bar and you
get exposed to great artists, touring and learning."
Currently Frank is promoting his new EP "The Silo" (Bigger Beast Records) to be
released February 20, 2026. The lead single from the EP is a cover of the Bob Seger hit "Against the Wind."
Frank Viele's version is unrecognizable until he starts... <Read the full February 6, 2026 column here...>
The Pulse of Entertainment: Country Music's Justin Jeansonne Releases ‘Little Jake' Album and Signs
with New Manager
"She's old school...," said Country music's
Justin Jeansonne about his new manager Donna Cardellino (HGTV's Paul LaFrance). "I had a few...managers
that help me with some steps (in his career). I was interested but...had been taken advantage of."
However, with some encouragement from his father, who Donna met first,
Justin made the move and brought on new management.
"It
was a handshake," he said.
"He is smart,
and savvy in business. I include him in everything. Most managers don't do that. You don't have to handhold him," Donna
said as we talked about her new client Country's finest Justin Jeansonne. "We are ready to make deals."
"We will take it as it comes," Justin added. "I grew
the product...I have to just maintain my drive."
Grammy Award Winning Ella Mai Announces gthe Fenbruary
6, 2026 Release of Her Third Album 'Do You Still Love Me?'
(Los Angeles, CA) - Grammyy Award winning singer/songwriter Ella Mai to release her third
studio album "Do You Still Love Me?" (10Summers/Interscope Records) on February 6, 2026. Ella
sets the stage for the next chapter that is executive produced by Mustard. The album leans into the chemistry that has defined
their strongest work. Singles from the "Do You Still Love Me?" project include "Little Things" and "Tell
Her."
Ella's tour kicked off December
7th in London, and continued to the Netherlands and France before heading to the United States, where she'll reconnect with
day-one fans in Atlanta, New York, and Los Angeles. Performing in these intimate venues she first touched during the early
days of her career adds an extra layer of meaning for his special anniversary tour run.
Grammy Award Winning Mary J. Blige Premiers 'Mary
J Blige Presents: Be Happy' on Lifetime February 7, 2026
(Los Angeles, CA) - Lifetime continues its partnership with Grammy Award winning Mary J. Blige
for three new original films. This extends her previous deal that included Blige executive producing three original movies
inspired by her iconic music, "Real Love," "Strength of a Woman" and "Family Affair." On February
7, 2025 the first film under her new deal will premiere on Lifetime titled "Mary J. Blige Presents Be Happy."
This film marks a collaboration between Blue Butterfly Productions, Blige's production company, and Mona Scott-Young for Monami
Productions and is produced in association with Motion Entertainment and Swirl Films.
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The Pulse of Entertainment
Broadcasting Vol2
SPOTLIGHT of THE WEEK
"RICKY DILLARD and RON
CARTER"
(New York, NY) - In a historic musical collaboration
bridging two of America's most profound genres, the Maestro Ron Carter and the Choirmaster Dr. Ricky
Dillard, a groundbreaking joint album, "Sweet, Sweet Spirit" has been released. The album,
a first-of-its-kind fusion of Gospel's sacred power and Jazz's masterful improvisation, is on all streaming platforms. The
album's new and invigorating single "Farther Along" is supported by a msuci video, directed by Paul C. Rivera and
produced by Justin Green - released via Blue Note Records x Motown Gospel.
A deeply personal project for Ron Carter, "Sweet, Sweet Spirit" honors the memory
of his late mother, Mrs. Willie O. Carter, whose favorite hymns shaped the musical foundation of the Carter household and
the Detroit church community where they worshipped. The album revives those cherished hymns, originally sung a cappella by
parishioners as the only instruments in the room; now reimagined through Carter's legendary bass lines and the rich, soaring
vocal instrumentation of Ricky Dillard's choir.
The
origins of "Sweet, Sweet Spirit" trace back nearly thirty years. When Mrs. Carter transitioned to a live-in care
facility, her daughters requested that Ron arrange and record ten of her most beloved hymns. Carter composed and captured
his bass interpretations so she could listen to them during her final weeks; a private gift of music, memory, and devotion.
To bring this vision to life, there was only one choice and that was Dr. Ricky Dillard, the reigning force and master
of contemporary Gospel choir music. Together, Carter and Dillard crafted a sonic landscape where choir becomes instrument,
bass becomes narrator, and both genres coexist with reverence and innovation.The project marks a monumental moment for both
genres; a merging of two Black American art forms, each with deep spiritual and cultural roots, into something wholly new.
