"I'm a founding member....23 years in the choir," said Soweto Gospel
Choir Master Shimmy Jiyane as we talked about the average age of the members of the three-time Grammy Award
winning Soweto Gospel Choir. "I still sing in the choir. We have mixed ages - younger members in their
20s with older members for their experience. We don't concentrate on age, the body will tell you, your Spirit will tell you."
The tour is named after their last album "Hope"
(Shanachie Entertainment). The album pays homage to the American Civil Rights anthems that include songs from Sam Cooke, Stevie
Wonder and Hugh Masekela. The newly released singles from the "Hope" album include "Mbayi Mbayi,"
"I'll Take You There," and "Sechaba." Currently the "Hope" tour is
on its North American run that ends in December.
"We've
been on tour for three weeks (in America)," he added.
The Soweto Gospel Choir has performed for many legendary individuals such as President Nelson Mandela, Archbishop
Desmond Tutu, and President Barack Obama. They have collaborated with Peter Gabriel, Bono, Stevie Wonder, Beyonce' and... <Read the full October 24, 2025 column here...>
The Pulse of Entertainment: Angel
Sessions Releases New Single ‘Heaven' Produced by Antonio ‘Tizone' Street
"I'm actually about to perform
on the 26th at the 21st Black Music Awards," said Angel Sessions a veteran vocalist, who just released her new single
"Heaven" (Atlas Elite Entertainment/Awal/Orchard/Sony Music). "I've been nominated for three awards for my
single ‘Well Done.'"
Another one of Angel's
singles "I Love How" debuted at #1 on the Amazon Music Chart for "Best New Releases" and it's currently
#2 for "Best New Release" and #4 for "Best Selling Contemporary Christian Music" on Amazon's charts. Her
new single "Heaven" is produced by multi-platinum selling Tizone (Antonio Street) and co-written by Tizone and Angel
Sessions. Based in Atlanta, Georgia Tizone, also a music engineer, has produced projects for Keith Sweat, Mary J. Blige and
R. Kelly.
"‘Well Done' is up for Grammy
consideration," Sessions informed me as we talked about her hits.
Angel Sessions, Named ‘Best Female Artist
of the Year,' to Perform at the 26th Los Angeles ‘ULMII' Entertainment Conference Saturday November 8, 2025
(Los Angeles, CA) - Multi-Black Music Award nominated Angel
Sessions to open the 26th annual Los Angeles "Uplifting Minds II" Entertainment Conference
with a performance of her latest single "Heaven" (Atlas Elite Entertainment/Sony Music). The single is produced
by Antonio ‘Tizone' Street (Keith Sweat, Mary J. Blige). The ULMII Entertainment Conference is free and provides virtual
access at its website www.UpliftingMinds2.com.
The
ULMII conference is celebrating 26 years of serving the communities of Los Angeles and Baltimore by offering a panel of entertainment
industry professionals to provide information about the "business of entertainment." Aside from being there to answer
any questions from aspiring artists, the panel will also judge the ULMII International Talent Competition, where the top three
acts (singers, songwriters, dancers and actors) win the 2025 ULMII Best Act Award and over $20,000 in cash, products and services.
The ULMII conference also offers a Professional Showcase where artists signed to independent record labels, management companies
or talent agencies can showcase their talents. Panelists include a Broadway performer; publisher of the popular digital magazine;
a multi #1 Billboard chart-topping musician; a talk show host; an FM radio station owner, successful artists and artist managers,
and several record label owners
Miguel Releases New Album 'Caos,' Announces
Massive 'Caos Tour' in North America and Europe
(Los
Angeles, CA) - Following the birthday release of his new album "Caos" on October 23, 2025 Grammy Award winning artist
and visionary Miguel has announced he will embark on a tour next year across North America, Europe and the
United Kingdom. Promoted by Live Nation, the 41-date Caos Tour with special guest Jean Dawson kicks off February
10 at the Coca-Cola Roxy in Atlanta, making stops in major cities including New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and more before
wrapping the North American leg March 21 at Houston's 713 Music Hall. The tour then heads overseas for a spring run across
the UK and Europe, with performances in London, Paris, Berlin, Milan, Madrid, and more. The tour includes a special Los Angeles
hometown performance at the Kia Forum with support from Channel Tres. Full routing and ticketing information can be found
below.
Miguel recently performed on Jimmy Kimmel Live on ABC to launch his new albm and tour.
With
a career defined by innovation and soul, Miguel continues to captivate audiences around the world. Since winning the GRAMMY
Award for Best R&B Song with his chart-topping hit "Adorn" in 2013, he's remained one of the most forward-thinking
and genre-defying artists. From the triple-platinum rise of "Sure Thing" to its viral rebirth more than a decade
later, Miguel's music has continued to transcend generations.
"Uplifting Minds II" Entertainment Conference - (562)-424-3836
The Pulse of Entertainment
Broadcasting Vol2
SPOTLIGHT of THE WEEK
"KIRK HAMMETT"
(Nashville, Tenn) - One of the most iconic
rock guitarists of our generation, Kirk Hammett-legendary guitarist of the multi-platinum-selling, nine-time
Grammy Award-winning band Metallica-continues his long-standing partnership with Gibson. The iconic instrument
brand proudly unveils its latest collaboration: a bold new acoustic from Gibson Custom. Kirk Hammett teamed up with the master
luthiers at Gibson Custom in Bozeman, Montana, to create the Gibson Custom Kirk Hammett Raven, a majestic
counterpart to the legendary Gibson HummingbirdTM. The Kirk Hammett Raven is limited to only 100 guitars worldwide-and
available at authorized Gibson dealers, Gibson Garage locations, and on www.gibson.com.
While it shares the Hummingbird's square-shoulder silhouette, Kirk Hammett's Raven
distinguishes itself with a dark, artistic twist on the Hummingbird aesthetic. Crafted with a Sitka spruce top and mahogany
back and sides, and supported by traditional scalloped Advanced X-bracing, it delivers the timeless acoustic tone that has
captivated musicians and audiences for generations. Its mahogany neck features a comfortable Round profile and is topped with
a bound ebony fretboard, complete with 20 frets and mother-of-pearl star inlays. A 16" radius makes it ideal for fast,
expressive playing. Grover® Rotomatic® tuners ensure reliable tuning, while TUSQ® components-including the nut,
saddle, and bridge pins-enhance tonal consistency and tuning stability. The headstock showcases the Gibson logo alongside
a striking mother-of-pearl raven skull inlay, reinforcing the instrument's bold identity.
This limited-edition model also pays homage to Gibson's tradition of wildlife-inspired
designs, featuring intricately crafted double pickguards and a raven-themed tailpiece accent. It's a visual and sonic statement
piece. Equipped with an L.R. BaggsTM Element VTC +4 system, the Raven is ready for both stage and studio. The discreet
soundhole-mounted volume and tone controls offer easy access without disrupting the guitar's aesthetics, and the additional
4 dB of output provides extra headroom when needed. Each Raven ships in a black Gibson Custom hardshell guitar case adorned
with a matching raven skull graphic and includes a certificate of authenticity and a custom raven-themed strap. Limited to
only 100 guitars, each handcrafted in Bozeman, Montana, and personally signed by Kirk Hammett on the soundhole label, this
Ebony-finished acoustic is destined to become a collector's treasure. Availability is extremely limited-secure yours before
they vanish into the night.
One of the most influential
metal guitarists of all time, Kirk Hammett is the lead guitarist and contributing songwriter in the trailblazing band Metallica.
Kirk grew up in California and formed the group Exodus during the birth of the Bay Area thrash metal movement. In 1983, he
began his now 40-year career as the lead guitarist in Metallica, selling over 125 million albums and winning multiple GRAMMY®
Awards. Kirk's first Gibson was the legendary 1979 Flying V he used on Metallica's groundbreaking early studio albums. These
days, his number one guitar is "Greeny," the 1959 Les Paul Standard formerly owned by Peter Green and Gary Moore.
Both instruments have been painstakingly recreated by Gibson for a range of tribute models.
