“The EP has fewer tracks...the deluxe has those and additional tracks,”
said Grammy nominated Major (Major R. Johnson Finley) about his recent release “Hope of My
Soul” (EP and Deluxe). “The deluxe has remix versions of the singles.”
The current single is “I Prayed For You (Said a Prayer)” (NowThatsMAJOR
Music Group/MNRK Music Group). The platinum selling singer/songwriter’s music video to this single premiered on
BET Network on November 13, 2024.
“My
momma named me Major,” he told me with a slight laugh when I mentioned all the “major” moves he is making.
“She wanted it clear! That’s why I write my name in all caps (MAJOR).”
She spoke it into existence because MAJOR continues to do big things
in entertainment. Aside from his Grammy nomination he has also garnered two Soul Train Awards and eight... <Read the full
November 29, 2024 column here...>
The Pulse of Entertainment: R&B's
New Superstar Brianna Knight Releases Sophomore Single ‘Couldn't Be Me' Off her Upcoming Debut EP
"My producers wanted...a more mid-tempo
to encourage people," said R&B's new superstar Brianna Knight about her new single "Couldn't
Be Me" (1990 Records). "It's a build up to a project (2026). The last single ‘So Deep' is a love
song."
The "So Deep" single was her
debut. The debut single received 2.2 million streams in a couple of months on VIBE To 10 R&B Songs in 2021. Her producers
on this track include Dimadidthis (Rodney Jerkins) and Saint Paul (Chris Brown).
When I asked her what inspired her to write "Couldn't Be Me" she said, "A friend
was leaving a toxic relationship. She said, ‘He's not for me anymore'."
I asked her if her friend likes her song inspired by her life and Brianna said with a slight
laugh, "She likes it!"
Lifetime Announces BeBe Winans' We Three Kings
Premiering November 30, 2024 at 8/7C
(New
York, NY) - Lifetime announces Gospel Inspired original movie Bebe Winans' We Three Kings
starring Bebe Winans and Niece Deborah Joy Winans as part of annual It's a Wonderful Lifetime holiday movie slate. Bebe Winans'
We Three Kings to premiere on Lifetime Saturday November 30, 2024 at 8/7C.
In BeBe Winans' We Three Kings, Bebe plays Lincoln King, retired musician turned record store owner,
and proud father to the three King sisters, Lydia (Lisa Berry), Gracie (Faith Wright) and Abigail (Bethany Brown). For the
first time since their mother's death, the three estranged King sisters return home for the holidays. Lincoln hatches a plan
with family friend, Genelle(Deborah Joy Winans) to bring his girls back together again this Christmas. Living under the same
roof and hearing their father sing joyful Christmas melodies sparks old family memories. Holiday love songs and mistletoe
are found around every corner, and the sisters end up finding love in the very town they tried so hard to leave behind. It
isn't long before the sisters face the facts; life's better when they are together.
Lifetime Comedian Tommy Davidson Stars in
Mr. Santa: A Christmas Extravaganza, in Theatres December 6, 2024
(New York, NY) - Comedian Tommy
Davidson to star in Mr. Santa: A Christmas Extravaganza, a family-friendly Christmas movie, to arrive
in theaters on December 6, 2024. Aside from comedic genius Davidson (In Living Color, The Proud Family), Mr. Santa: A Christmas
Exyravaganza also stars Geoffrey Owens (Power Book II: Ghost, Poppa's House), and Wakeema Hollis (Aurora: A Love Story, And
Just Like That...). The holiday movie arrives in theatres December 6, 2024.
Written by father/daughter duo Kellen and Noel Calloway after finding it challenging
to find teenage family-friendly Christmas movies. Mr. Santa: A Christmas Extravaganza follows three music-loving teens clashing
with the "popular" kids attempting to crush their annual Christmas show dreams. Inspired by the kids' passion, Santa
(Owens) hatches a plan and steps in as a substitute teacher. With higher stakes than ever, delivering toys to a billion children
suddenly seems easier than restoring teenagers' belief in the holiday spirit and saving Christmas before time runs out. Directed
by Noel Calloway and screenplay by Kellen Calloway abd Noel Calloway, Mr. Santa: A Christmas Extravaganza is produced by Ten
Media and Jay Stern, Yandy Smith, and Kristi Kilday.
"LOS ANGELES 'UPLIFTING MINDS
II' ENTERTAINMENT CONFERENCE"
(Los Angeles, CA) -
Wisconsin rapper Lil Hyste, Baltimore's Julian Gross, and New York's AngelicVoices
featuring rapper Asim win big at the 25th annual Los Angeles "Uplifting Minds II" Entertainment
Conference held virtually this past weekend. The ULMII conference was hosted by seasoned women's basketball commentator
Vera Jones (ESPN, Fox) and moderated by ULMII founder Dr. Eunice Moseley (www.UpliftingMinds2.com). Performers Lil Hyste,
Julian Gross and AngelicVoices featuring Asim performed during the ULMII International Talent Competition, where aside from
the ULMII Award the acts will receive over $20,000 in products, services and cash.
The "Uplifting Minds II" Entertainment Conference provided a panel of
industry experts who offered exceptional advice, a professional showcase of artists signed to independent labels, management
companies or agencies and the international talent competition, where the panelists provided constructive feedback. Rapper
Lil Hyste, currently residing in Arizona, won 1st Place with his single "Ghetto Children," Julian Gross, also a
guitarist and songwriter. won 2nd Place with his original song "Water," and AngelicVoices featuring Asim, also former
ULMII winners are head of the record label AngelicVoicesMinistry/Artcore, won 3rd Place with their latest single "Spiritual
Warfare.".
Celebrating 25 years, the Los Angeles "ULMII" Entertainment
Conference also offered a performance by ULMII panelist Michele Vreeland, a Pop singer/songwriter on Xyla Records who performed
her hit single "Wild Horse." In the professional showcase ULMII offered another performance by rapper Lil Hyste
of his ULMII winning single "Up" released on Empire Records and Global Music Award winning World Music singer/songwriter
Natalie Jean performed her new single "My Body" (www.Natalie-Jean.com). Aside from Lil Hyste, Julian Gross and AngelicVoices
featuring Asim, the ULMII International Talent Competition offered a passionate performance from Texas singer/songwriter Millie
Praise (Devine Jamz Gospel Music).
The ULMII panelists
who offered advice and judged the international talent competition included Michael Ochoa, manager of the Hip-Hop Pop/R&B
group the MAKO Girls (www.MAKOGirls.com); Dr. Kerri Moseley-Hobbs, artist manager of multi-award winning actor/filmmaker www.Anthony-Michael.com;
Dr. Lee Bailey, publisher of the digital magazine www.EUR.com; Dr. Winston Grier, host of The W.O.R.D. Podcast, author and
pastor at the Church of the Living Word in Georgia (www.Winstongrier.com); Gregory Goodloe, a #1 Billboard chart-topping Jazz
guitarist promoting his latest single "Groovin' On" on Hip Jazz Records (www.GregoryGoodloe.com); Michele Vreeland,
Pop singer/songwriter on Xyla Records (www.MicheleVreeland.com); Anthony Michael Hobbs, founder of the Imagination Lunchbox
International Film Festivals that is celebrating 8 years (www.ImaginationLunchbox.com/ili-film-festival.html); Aaron Akins,
Broadway singer ("Into the Cole" in honor of Nat King Cole) and Jazz vocalist with latest single titled "When
Do We Love" featuring Walter and Wallace Scott of The Whispers (www.AaronAkinsMusic.com); and Alander Pulliam, Jr., owner
of 98.8FM on iHeart (www.iHeart.com/live/988fm-gospel-radio-10452/), author, film producer, and former candidate for the Presidency
(2024). The ULMII entertainment conference had the very funny Vera Jones hosting (www.TheVeraJones.com), and syndicated entertainment
columnist Dr. Eunice Moseley moderating (www.ThePulseofEntertainment.com).
The over $20,000 in product, services and cash include music business legal package from Hollywood
attorney Richard B. Jefferson (www.LawyersRock.com); vocal or acting coaching session from New Jersey Performing Arts Specialist
Nadiyah Kareem (Superstar Entertainment); business management or public relations strategic consult session with Dr. Eunice
Moseley (Freelance Associates, PRSA); studio time and a music track from Virgin Island native and Baltimore based music producer
V.I.P. (Dust Dem AFF Production); admission to the Imagination Lunchbox Virtual Open Call Audition in 2025 (www.ImaginiationLunchbox.com);
cash prizes that include $500 to 1st place, $250 for 2nd place and $100 for 3rd place winners from the Uplifting Minds II
Foundation (www.UpliftingMinds2.com/upliftingmindsiifoundation.html), a 501 c3 organization dedicated to elevating the underserved
to another level, and the "ULMII Award" provided by the ULMII Entertainment Conference (www.UpliftingMinds2.com/upliftingmindsiientertainmentconference.html).
Watch a recap of the very entertaining 25th
annual Los Angeles "Uplifting Minds II" Entertainment Conference at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UMEodJDsZ4. It is a very informative look into today's
entertainment business hosted by commentator Vera Jones, also known as the Empathy Coach (www.TheVeraJones.com) and moderated
by Dr. Eunice Moseley, also author of the textbook "Journey to Success: A Systematic Review" (Dorrance Publishing).
