The Pulse of Entertainment 2018 Archives

SYNDICATED COLUMN: Eunice Moseley, has an estimated weekly readership of over ¼ million with The Pulse of Entertainment. She is also a Public Relations Strategist and Business Management Consultant at Freelance Associates, and is Promotions Director (at-large) for The Baltimore Times. www.ThePulseofEntertainment.com. EVENT: 19th annual "Uplifting Minds II" Free Entertainment Conference (Baltimore Sat, April 21, 2018 at Security Square Mall and Los Angeles in October). Entertainment Business panel and national talent showcase competition (vocal, songwriting and dance) with over $13,000 in prizes. www.UpliftingMinds2.com.

The Pulse of Entertainment: The Caucus Honors Those That Make Television and Film Happen

For 35 years the Caucus has been celebrating and honoring film and television producers, writers and directors. At this event there were many honored such as actor Alfonso Ribeiro ("The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air") with the "Entertainer of the Year" award for hosting "America's Funniest Home Videos;" producer and writer James G. Hirsch ("The Incredible Hulk") received the "Lifetime Achievement Award," and producer Michele Nasraway ("Dancing with the Stars") received the "Distinguished Service Award" for being executive producer of the highly successful "America's Funniest Home Videos."

"There are many different types of producers. There are creative producers, there are the money producer, there are the studio producers," said honoree Alfonso Ribeiro ("Dance 360"), made infamous by his acting as Carlton in the successful sitcom "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air." "I think what the creative producers do is allowing you to put in a position to, at the end of the day, do your best...I think that's the separator between the people we know and the people that call themselves producer. A lot of it is being able to be put in a position to achieve your highest goals and the right producer to put you in the circumstance that allows you to achieve it. Those are the projects you should want to be on and people you want to be involved with. Those projects say and blow up to become great pieces of art and it starts with a producer knowing how to pit the right pieces together."

The Caucus is 42 years old providing its members opportunities and through its non-profit foundation which provides grants for emerging media projects. Members include Academy Award winning Tom Hanks (Forrest Gump), Emmy winning JJ Abrams (Alias), Suzanne de Passe (The Jackson Five) and Lee Miller ("Cher," "Bloopers").

"I'm one of the executive producers...So I see to the daily operations...making sure the show gets to the network and on aired on time," said honoree Michele Nasraway (Vin Di Bona Productions ) about her job as executive producer of ‘America's Funniest Home Videos.' Producers really have to have their hands in everything. They are responsible for the finished product, the staff, making sure that the staff's happy, to make sure - in our case - the people that send in their submissions are happy and make sure every thing goes smooth."

Others honored that day included Dan Cohen, President of Paramount Pictures Corporation, with the "Executive of the Year" award; Stephanie Austin, producer at Beachwood Productions, with the "Chairs Award," and James G. Hirsch, President of Papazian-Hirsch Entertainment, with the "Lifetime Achievement Award."

In covering the 24^th annual SAG Awards the highlight for me was seeing some of the casts of the new Walt Disney Black Panther super-hero film, such as Winston Duke who plays the villain Tribe leader M’Baku and Sydelle Noel who plays a member of King T’Challa aka Black Panther’s special forces called Dora Milaje. The SAG Awards is a chance to soak up all the inspiration accumulated by those actors, actresses and media personalities gathered together to celebrate the hard work of those members of the Screen Actors Guild. The SAG Awards was held at the Shrine Hall in Los Angeles and aired live on TNT and TBS networks. It was hosted by Kristen Bell (Zootopia) and started with the red carpet arrivals and ended with the announcements of the winners voted for by SAG-AFTRA members amongst those nominated.

Winners of the 24^th annual SAG Award honors included Francis McDormand (Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri) for “Outstanding Female Actor in a Leading Role”; William H. Macy (“Shameless”) for “Outstanding Male Actor in a Comedy Series; Alexander Sharsgard (The Legend of Tarzan) for “Outstanding Male Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series”; Nicole Kidman (“Big Little Lies”) for “Outstanding Female Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series”; Steryling K. Brown (“This Is Us”) for “Outstanding Male Actor in a Drama Series”; Gary Oldman (The Hitman’s Bodyguard) for “Outstanding Male Actor in a Leading Role”; Sam Rockwell (Three Billboards…) for “Outstanding Male Actor in a Supporting Role”; Allison Janney (I, Tonya) for “Outstanding Female Actor in a Supporting Role”; Claire Foy (“The Crown”) for “Outstanding Female Actor in a Drama Series”; Julia Louis-Dreyfus (“Veep”) for “Outstanding Female Actor in a Comedy Series”; the cast of “Veep” for “Outstanding Ensemble in a Comedy Series”; the cast of “This Is Us” for “Outstanding Ensemble in a Drama Series” and the cast of Three Billboards for “Outstanding Cast in a Motion Picture”. Morgan Freeman (Invictus, The Dark Knight) was honored with the SAG “Life Achievement Award.”

I asked actor Marcus Scribner (“Black-ish”) if he could see his role on a motion picture and he said, “I hope so. That’s what we are trying to transition to right now. Let’s see where it goes.”

As Sydelle Noel came by I asked what role could she see herself starring in and she said, “I would love to play in an action hero movie. I know it’s been done, but my dream, role is to play Storm…strong, empowering woman.”

I felt inspired and wanted to be a super hero myself. It was an atmosphere where all your favorite actors were gathered smiling at each other and the media, and being admired by the fans that came to get a glimpse. Other actors that went by me included Lily Tomlin (“Grace and Frankie”), Shakira Barrera (“Greys Anatomy”), Ted Danson (“The Good Place”), Alison Brie (The Post), Yvonne Stratrovski (The Handmaids Tale), Danielle Brooks (“Orange is the New Black”), Amanda Warren (Three Billboards…). Molly Shannon (Hotel Transylvania), Mary Steenburgen (The Last Man on Earth), Samara Weaving (Three Billboards…), Neicy Nash (“The Soul Man”), Elizabeth McLaughling (Hand of God), Emily Tarver (Orange is the New Black”), Sean Hayes (“Will & Grace”), and Betty Gilpin (“Glow”). Watch my video coverage of the arrivals at www.Youtube.com/ThePulseofEntertainment.html

The Screen Actors Guild Awards offered its tradition “I Am an Actor” stories to open the event and closed it with a sneak peak of TNT’s new movie The Alienist starring Dakota Fanning. The winners were selected by other actors – members of the SAG-AFTRA performance rights organization - which amounted to 121,544 people. The SAG Awards is noted as the first organization to present awards to motion picture casts and television ensembles. It was aired live exclusively for subscribers to TNT and TBS channels, which included cable, websites, mobile apps (iOS, Android) and other devices such as ROKU, Apple TV and Amazon Fire.

The Pulse of Entertainment: Exquisite ‘Velvet Groove' Project by Drummer Eric Valentine

The Pulse of Entertainment: Baltimore Author Dr. Kerri Hobbs to Speak at Smithfield and Enoch Pratt

"The purpose was...research for my family. Bullet point facts," said Dr. Kerri Moseley-Hobbs about her creative non-fiction book "More Than a Fraction: Based on a true story." The book, based on her ancestors, was recently published by Imagination Lunchbox, LLC. "My son, Anthony, recommended I write the book how I tell people the story."

If you have every heard Dr. Hobbs tell a story you will be treated to the many different voices and personalities that she provides when quoting what someone has said. An education specialist Dr. Hobbs provides footnotes in the book to let the reader know when details are true. The book is about her ancestors the Fractions, who she found during a heritage search, that were enslaved on the Smithfield plantation in Blacksburg, Virginia - home of the Preston family. The Preston family was one of the richest in the state of Virginia at the time and heavily involved in the Civil War, as was their enslaved - two of which where sons of the Fraction family Thomas and Othello.

The reason for the research, what facts about the enslaved were discovered and how those facts touch on our lives today is presented in Dr. Kerri Moseley-Hobbs' "More Than a Fraction" book tour presentation, which arrives at Historic Smithfield in Virginia and Enoch Pratt Library in Baltimore. The book tour arrives at the Historic Smithfield plantation (now a museum) during a Black History Month event Saturday February 10, 2018 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. during their "Exploring the Roots & Culture of the Enslaved at Smithfield" excursion of the estate.

"The book is based on statements found," Dr. Hobbs pointed out. "In Othello's statements he comes off as...silly. In history books the enslaved comes off as hurt...all the time. That is what happens when the story is about the enslavers. When it's about the enslaved you can explore more on what they like to do."

The facts Dr. Hobbs found indicates that Thomas Fraction was a rebellious older brother to Othello, who followed his big brother everywhere - to enlist in the civil war for their freedom, under-threat come back after the war for their loved ones and Salem, Virginia where they brought land (unheard of for former slaves).

"The Historic Smithfield presentation will focus on the first two chapters of the book to set the foundation of where they came from in Africa," Dr. Hobbs said. "It will introduce them and other enslaved at Smithfield...their culture and a series of events to give the enslaved community personalities. Make them people."

The "More Than a Fraction" book tour arrives at the Enoch Pratt Free Library in downtown Baltimore, Maryland Thursday April 26th at 6:30 p.m. This presentation will provide a power-point presentation that shows attendees how the African culture brought to American by her enslaved ancestors is still used by the African-American community today.

"Take the information we know challenges the status quo about the history of people during that period and... I hope they walk away thinking the assumptions they had are wrong...based on movies," she said.

The company that published her creative non-fiction book, "More Than a Fraction," belongs to her son Anthony who is a multi-award winning prodigy actor and filmmaker. At 12 years old he has starred and co-starred in such projects as an Emmy nominated docu-series for PBS called The Abolitionist and in a DreamWorks film (How to Train Your Dragon: Dragons and Dinosaurs), produced three short films and is hosting an annual film festival (Imagination Lunchbox International Children's Film Festival). When I asked if his company, Imagination Lunchbox, was planning on making the "More Than a Fraction" book into a full length feature film Dr. Hobbs said, "Its open, but not a priority right now. We've not searching it (funding). The plan is for my son to do the film."

As far as the "More Than a Fraction" book tour she said, "We will see where the wind takes us. I appreciate all the interest. Every time it (the excitement) fades. I meet someone interested in it."

The "More Than a Fraction" book tour presentation has already stopped by the Red Emma Bookstore in Baltimore and at the Virginia Civil War Research Center sponsored lecture at Virginia Tech University. You can find the book online at Amazon and Barnes & Noble, as well as at the website of www.ImaginationLunchbox.com. For information on other stops 2018 for the book tour email ImaginationLunchbox@gamil.com.

The Pulse of Entertainment: The Young Karl Marx, How Thoughts Provoke Positive Change

"They can try to gag us, but they can not kill thought" and other philosophical script lines were in The Orchard presentation of The Young Karl Marx starring SAG Award winner August Diehl (Inglourious Basterds) as Karl Marx. The film, releasing exclusively in New York and Los Angeles on February 23, 2018, follows a young writer Karl Marx whose rebellious thoughts on society at the time were published in journals (newspapers) when that was basically the only form of mass communication. Together with researcher Friedrich Engels they published papers that sparked the Industrial Revolution, which drove the Labor Movement forward.

The Young Karl Marx outlined how the Communist League or Party, as it is called today, was totally different in its philosophy from the one we all know today. Directed by Oscar nominated Raoul Peck the film tells of a family man who was exiled from France because of his philosophies and published papers on economic and label issues. Frenchman Friedrich Engels, son to a wealthy factory owner, is played by Stefan Konarske. Engels' research was on the plight of the poor. That research, along with Marx's view on the big divide between the rich and poor, the use of child labor and the politics of ignoring the poor, helped the two establish the Communist League's Doctrine - a paper Marx wanted to give up publishing at one point. Marx's struggles balancing taking care of his wife and kids with the aftermath of his published work for positive change is the climax of the film - how thoughts can provoke positive change.

Produced by Nicolas Blanc, Remi Grellety and Robert Guediguian The Young Karl Marx also stars Oliver Gourmet as Pierre Proudhon a high profile author of the day whose work Marx and Engels analyzed and critiqued to bring attention to their own published papers. Vicky Krieps plays Jenny Marx, head strong wife of Karl Marx and Hannah Steele plays Mary Burns, wife of Friedrich Engels who was a former factory worker.

The Young Karl Marx will be released nationwide through The Orchard sometime in March, but those in New York and Los Angeles can look for it in theatres Feb. 23rd.

The Pulse of Entertainment: Paramount's Annihilation, an Alien Battle of a Different Kind, starring Natalie Portman

By Eunice Moseley

Single handedly former soldier Lena, played by Academy Award winner Natalie Portman (Thor), saves earth from annihilation from an alien of a different kind in the Paramount Pictures' Sci-Fi thriller Annihilation. Directed by Alex Garland, Annihilation arrives in theatres February 23, 2018. It is based on a novel by Jeff Vander Meer of the same name and is Rated-R.

From outer space a substance falls on earth that has a force field that is changing all life form to any thing but human and animal. As time passes the "alien bubble" gets larger and larger. Teams have gone in the infected area to see what's happening, but only one man has returned - Lena's husband Kane played by Golden Globe nominated Oscar Isaac (Star Wars: The Force Awakens). Lena starts to question whether he is her husband because he doesn't remember much.

Stopping the spread of the alien substance had been going on with top secret military expeditions for three years until Lena, who is a Johns Hopkins professor in biology, decides to go with the next team to see what happened to her husband. What happened and how she single-handedly stopped the annihilation of earth is the best part of the film - the alien battle.

Also starring in Annihilation is Academy Award nominated Jennifer Leigh ("Weeds") who plays Dr. Ventress the leader of the expeditions who decides to join the next team sent in to stop the spread; Golden Globe nominated Gina Rodriguez ("The Bold and the Beautiful") plays Anya Thorensen a member of the last expedition team; NAACP Award winner Tessa Thompson ("Westworld") plays Josie Radek another member of Lena's team, and Tuva Novotny is Cass Sheppard another member of the team. Benedict Wong, Sonoya Mizuno and David Gyasi also co-star in the Scott Rudlin, Skydance Media, DNA Films production.

March 2, 2018

The Pulse of Entertainment: Netflix Lets Marlon Wayans Get Unfiltered in Comedy Special ‘Woke-ish'
By Eunice Moseley

"Me and my brothers have an unfiltered view of the world. We keep it real," said Marlon Wayans (G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra). Marlon has a comedy special, "Woke-ish," that premiered on Netflix February 27, 2018. "We're not afraid...politics, religion, racism...there is nothing you can't find that's not funny."
Netflix was founded in 1997 by Reed Hastings and Marc Randolph to provide streaming media online. In 2013 it started producing its own programming content and now, as of 2018, Netflix has 118 million subscribers worldwide.
Marlon Wayans' comedy special "Woke-ish" joins other American stand-up comedians like Cedric the Entertainer with shows online via electronic worldwide networks like Netflix. Marlon comes from a family of comedians and the brothers Marlon talked about includes Shawn, Keenen, Damon, and Dwayne. Big brother Keenen was the first on national television with his comedic skills for his own show "In Living Color" (1990-1994), a 20th Century Fox Television sketch comedy series. It also starred his sister Kim and brothers Damon, Shawn and Marlon. That show launched careers for comedians such as Jim Carey, Tommy Davidson, Jamie Foxx and David Allen Grier. It also launched dancers' careers, such as Jennifer Lopez. It was Marlon and Shawn who launched "The Wayans Brothers" sitcom, a Warner Brothers television show that aired from 1995 - 1999. He created it with Leslie Ray and David Simon. It was about two brothers living in Harlem.
The New York native's comedy special "Woke-ish" was tapped at the MGM National Harbor Theatre in Washington, DC. As no surprise to me, because acting comes naturally to comedians, in 1988 Marlon took an extra role in the film I'm Gonna Get You Sucka - as a pedestrian. Today his acting credits are long and include starring in G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra along side Dennis Quaid, Channing Tatum and Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Norbit starring alongside Eddie Murphy and in Scary Movie (one and two).In 2017 Marlon launched a new sitcom "Marlon," loosely based on his life, on NBC that was just renewed for another season.
"I kind of had some material," Marlon said when asked if he had a theme in mind for the comedy special before tapping it. "But I figured it out along the way. I knew I wanted to talk about politics. I knew I wanted to talk about all the things today that affect my kids."
I love the comedy of the Wayans. It is something natural about it. Its not forced. So take the stress out your day and just laugh about it all by watching "Woke-ish" the Netflix comedy special of Marlon Wayans. You can log onto www.Netflix.com.

March9, 2018

The Pulse of Entertainment: Arts Sims Enlisted by Black Panther/Koryn Hawthorne's #1 on Billboard

By Eunice Moseley

"I was hired," said Art Sims, CEO of 11:24 Design Advertising Agency, about how he came to be enlisted to design the poster for the Disney Black Panther film. "I was one of two agencies Marvel selected. We both used the same photos. They hired us to come up with sketches, what it should look like."

Marvel wanted Black Panther to be a character that was large, powerful and a heroic super hero. Art Sims, who has created advertising designs for Spike Lee, George Lucas and Steven Spielberg (The Color Purple), did not have his poster design selected but large, powerful and heroic it surely is.

"I was the only African-American that worked on Black Panther (art-work)," Sims said. "There is not many of us out there. Disney knows me. I've done all of Spike Lee's work - Do The Right Thing, Red Tails...I get clients that more times have come up with expressions, directions and ideas. Clients do tell me what they want. Most times I have the freedom of direction."

Art Sims' vision for the Black Panther poster had the hero masked front and center and larger than life with a waterfall and scenes of civil war as the backdrop making him seem powerful enough to smite his enemies. He is surrounded by his warrior women - the love of his life who is an humanitarian to the right, the leader of his army who is a true soldier watching his back and his sister who is a technology wiz to the left. Marvel selected a poster that has the hero much smaller, masked off and used as the backdrop with more of the films characters included, such as his mother the queen, his rival for the throne - his abandoned cousin and an ally federal agent - just to name a few.

After reviewing the film I must admit that Art Sims' version better shows the entity of the film - the strength of the heroic Black Panther and the three women that helped him keep his throne. Art Sims' past work is visually just as historic and iconic as the Black Panther character, which is why it appears at the Smithsonian National Museum of African-American Art as art of the Paramount Collection.

"I wanted to be an entrepreneur. I went to Detroit's' top high school. I went to Michigan State U with high honors on a scholarship. I worked part-time at Sony in New York doing album covers. Left there and went back to MSU. I came to Los Angeles to work for Capital Records for two years, CBS TV (as Art Director) for a year. Then I wanted my own agency. I did work for Quincy, Clarence Avant (on The Color Purple). I introduced myself to Spike Lee. I was not happy working with others I wanted freedom. Our goal was not to be a movie poster company, more of an artist studio...artists' reflections of African-American male and female consumers, not the traditional ads...to try from an artistic experience."

Art Sims 11:24 Design did just that. He came up with a poster of an artistic and client driven perspective, where as the other agency's poster seems to be from a investor and cast driven perspective. Sims' 11:24 Design is based in Los Angeles and its recent client includes Ava DuVernay. Past projects include Malcolm X, Jungle Fever, Love & Basketball and Mo Better Blues. Other clients of 11:24 Design include Lionsgate, Starbucks, Warner Bros., Fox and Coca-Cola. Sims also has a non-profit foundation, AIR (Artists in Residence) Foundation to mentor to art designers. You can log onto www.1124Design.com to reach out.

She was a finalist in season 8 of NBC's talent competition, "The Voice." Contemporary Gospel artist Koryn Hawthorne, as a result, is now an artist on RCA Inspiration and released her debut self-titled EP on August 11, 2017. She has received two Stellar Awards nominations for the project and her latest single off the EP, "Won't He Do It," hit #1 on Billboard's "Digital Tracks Chart." The single also reached #4 on Billboard's "Hot Gospel Songs Chart" and #7 on Billboard's "Gospel Airplay Chart."

"This is incredible. I'm so thankful," Koryn said about reaching the #1 spot on Billboard. "To go #1 shows people are actually supporting it. I want people's lives to be impacted."

Someone in her life had a positive impact on her from birth because she was only 17 when she became one of four finalists on the nationally televised talent competition. This means she was performing in front of millions of people.

"Every since I was a kid...I wanted to sing," she confessed when I asked. "I was singing at two and performing since seven.‘The Voice' was my reassurance. Insuring me I was on the right path."

She is so reminiscent of my own life. My mother said I was singing before I could talk and performing in talent shows in elementary school. However, we had no national platforms as "The Voice". Koryn has the vocal talent, Billboard topping support and a passion for the Gospel so this assures me that she will be a inspirational icon one day.

"I am sure this is what God has for my life. We have free choice - to give back to him," Hawthorne said sincerely.

The Stellar Award nominations are for this year's ceremony but whether she wins or not she has reached Billboard's #1 spot so she is already a winner. Her nominations are for "Best New Artist of the Year" and "Contemporary Female Vocalist of the Year." The "Koryn Hawthorne EP" producers include Grammy winning Warryn Campbell, Grammy winner Aaron Lindsey and Bernie Herms.

When talking about the business of entertainment the 20 years-old Louisiana native said, "I have a strong support system. My mother is everywhere I go and is keeping me grounded. The church and God too...I have good people in my circle that holds me accountable. She (her mom) is incredible."

Learn and listen to how incredible Koryn is by logging onto www.KorynHawthorne.com.

March 16, 2018

The Pulse of Entertainment: The NAACP Theatre Awards Honors the Next Wave of Industry Icons

By Eunice Moseley

"We are very very honored that the NAACP is here to say you did a good job," said Ricardo Khan at the 27th NAACP Theatre Awards where he was nominated for "Best Director," "Best Playwright" and "Best Production" for the play "Fly." "It's about the Tuskegee airmen. Dr. Roscoe Brown was our main advisor. He was one of the original members."

Khan, founder of the Tony Award winning Crossroads Theatre Company in New Jersey, was one of many actors, playwrights, producers, designers, chirographers and directors honored at the NAACP Theatre Awards held at the Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles. The event was hosted by Wendy Raquel Robinson ("The Game") with performances by Ledisi, harpist Mariea Antoinette, Brandon Berry and Sybil Harris. Jenifer Lewis ("Black-ish") received the "Lifetime Achievement Award," Anika Noni Rose (The Princess and the Frog) received the "Trailblazer Award," and Brandon Victor ("Power") received the "Spirit Award."

"It's amazing. Millions of people never get to live their dreams and I get to do what I dreamed of as a child...what I still dream of to this day," said Wallace DeMarria ("LA Forensics"), an actor, playwright and producer whose play "The Mask We Wear" was nominated in 6 categories - "Best Leading Actor," "Best Supporting Actor," Best Leading Actress," "Best Supporting Actress," "Best Director" and "Best Playwright." "I've done film...I want to be in Black Panther 2...but this is where it started for me. If I was in Black Panther you can still catch me on Broadway, off-Broadway or right here. Denzel and Pacino are two of my favorite actors and they still do theatre."

Others nominees at the awards ceremony included Sade' Moore for "Best Leading Actress" in "The Mask We Wear;" Danielle Truitt for "Best Leading Actress" in "The Mountain Top;" Jason Dirden for "Best Leading Actor" in "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom;" Pia P. Days for "Best Supporting Actress" in "A Lady in Waiting;" William Scales for "Best Director" in "The Mask We Wear;" Toni-Leslie James for "Best Costume Design" in "Fly;" Lillias White for "Best Leading Actress" in "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom;" Peachandra DuBose won "Best Choreography" in "Ferguson," and Michael Mullen for "Best Custom Design" in "When Jazz Had the Blues."

"I fought for this role. They didn't want me to audition because I was so young," said Kacie Rogers, who was nominated for "Best Supporting Actress" in "No Place to Be Somebody." "I was playing a 30 year old and I was 22. It was also a period piece, set in the early 60's. She was very very different from who I am."

Using theatre to share your artistic talents and views on life is not new and according to veteran actor Hawthorne James (Speed) theatre has not changed just the people involved in it. At the 27th annual NAACP Theatre Awards I saw a wave of new, inspired and passionate professional eager to share their thoughts and creativity via the theatrical stage.

"Theatre has not changed its still the same...it's the stories and the people that are involved and how they tell those stories. The art itself does not change," said Hawthorne James (Stargate SG1) when I asked. I asked about his thoughts on taking the arts out of schools. "It's pathetic that you take art and music and creativity out of schools. They also took civic out of the school. These kids don't know what a senator does. That's a control factor. You have to understand that's how they control you, if they keep you ignorant and without creativity - they control you."

Thanks to the NAACP honoring those involved in theatre we continue to have a vehicle where our thoughts, beliefs and opinions can be communicated in an artistic way. Watch our live interviews and red carpet arrival coverage at www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=dOYysvhv1d0. Visit www.NAACPTheatreAwards.com for a list of winners.

March 23, 2018

The Pulse of Entertainment: Television Producer Rushion McDonald Launches His Own Talk Show, 'Money Making Conversations'/Jazz Band Under the Lake's Album 'Jazz, Groove & Attitude' is Sweet

By Eunice Moseley

Rushion McDonald has executive produced for others taking them to unimaginable heights, but in February, 2018 he launched his own talk show "Money Making Conversations." It airs on iHeart Radio Podcast and Radio BIZ 1190am on Mondays from 10am - 12 noon ET. Making money is a topic Rushion should know about because he has produced iconic television shows such as "Sister, Sister" (1997-1999), "The Parkers" (2000-2002) and Steve Harvey's projects that include "The Hoodie Awards" (2010-2011), "The Steve Harvey Show (2013-2016) and "Family Freud" (2014). He earned an Emmy Award for his work on "The Steve Harvey Show."

"There are paths to success," Rushion said to me. "I don't like help books from those who are not successful Success is...living a balanced life. We are all Millenniums - people who understand the entrepreneur spirit...seeking to be independent. I have the same values, I have the entrepreneurial spirit."

Even though McDonald knows a lot about making money, on his show "Money Making Conversations" he lets other successful individuals talk on the subject. He has had such guests as Patti LaBelle, Hill Harper, Cedric the Entertainer and Kirk Franklin.
"What excites me is I don't know them," Rushion said about his guests. "I read their books and...they tell their story. I'm honest when I tell my story. It's about maintaining success with a balance life. I've been there."

Advise he said he gives out, "Surround yourself with people you can trust...not "yes" people. Don't just focus on work...ignoring your health."

In March "Money Making Conversations" guests includes scriptwriter Reginald Hudlin, Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, Bishop T.D. Jakes, Gospel singer Michelle Williams (Destiny's Child) and boxing champ/actress Laili Ali. Rushion's company 3815 Media (www.3815Media.com) is producing his talk show.

Yes there is a band called Under the Lake and you know I had to ask about where it came from when I interviewed Jayson Tipp, the band's keyboardist and founder. The band Under the Lake just released its fourth album titled "Jazz, Groove and Attitude".

"I was searching for a name that would be unique. So many bands had the same names," Jayson said. "I was in college at a seminar and someone said pick a name that is unique. The name (Under the Lake) doesn't communicate one or the other (genre)...Blues, Soul, Jazz."

The rest of the band consist of trumpeter John Moak (Brandon Marsalis), sax player David Evans (Temptations, Gladys Knight), drummer Brian Foxworth, bassist Kenny Franklin, guitarist Evan Mustard, saxophonist Nat Caranto and harmonist Joe Powers. Under the Lake is based in Oregon and is celebrating 25 years since their debut album "Dive In."

"The last album was in 2007. So it's been 10 years since I started the band 26 years ago in San Diego. I am the only consistent member," Jayson said. When I asked why the 10 year gap he said, "We were young, with young families. We started going in different directions - literally. So I focused on raising my family. We got together in 2005 and found out we could record and not be living in the same place. So we decided to get the momentum started. I moved to Portland, but my kids are older now and I had this body of material. Portland has a rich Jazz heritage and Jazz community of artists. The new resurrection of the band... (showed it) still has a following."

After listening to the album I can see why after 10 years it still has a following. My favorite selections on the 11 song project include #1 "Breaking Through" because I love how the horn flips effortlessly; #3 "November 30th" because of its sweet groove and the keys are superb; #4 "George Is His Name" because the lead guitar sings and the horn is so sweet; #5 "Father's Day" because it is a traditional Smooth Jazz sounding selection and again I love the horn which makes the song so masculine; #7 "LJT" because of the use of a harmonica - its so different for a Jazz project, and #11 "September Groove," another traditionally sounding Smooth Jazz piece with a sweet lead guitar performance.

"I want to pay homage to the early musicians. We are all in the late 50's," Jayson pointed out. "One song is co-written by a sax player 20 years ago. He lives in New Orleans and has a solo career. It's the radio single ("George Is His Name"), a tribute to George Duke."

"They are all talented players in Portland," he said about the bands current members. "The drummer on the album is the most popular...in Portland."'

March 30, 2018

The Pulse of Entertainment: ‘The Last Movie Star,'Starring Burt Reynolds and Ariel Winter, Finds Love - Edna Sims of ESP Public Relations Honored for Excellence by BBA

By Eunice Moseley

last-movie-star_burtreynolds_arielwinters_AND_gwenmoore_ednasims_earlcooperii.jpg Burt Reynolds (The Longest Yard), to someone my age, is truly one of the last mega stars of the birth of Hollywood era. He stars in the A24 presentation of The Last Movie Star and his performance proves why he is considered a movie star. The some what dramatic comedy arrives in limited theatres and On-Demand March 30, 2018. Primetime Emmy winning Reynolds (Boogie Nights) plays Vic Edwards an elderly movie star who finds love in a group of fans that he thought didn't have much to offer him.

Vic is invited to a film festival to receive a "Lifetime Achievement Award" only to find it's not a big event but a small community event. His best friend Sunny, played by three-time Primetime Emmy winner Chevy Chase ("Saturday Night Live"), encouraged him to go and receive the love.

It seems it was not the kind of love Vic expected but it was the kind he needed to truly see himself, so he can check himself. How that happens is truly the highlight of the film, which he shares with Ariel Winter (Smurfs: The Lost City) who plays Lil' his transportation while at the event. The Last Movie Star also stars Clark Duke ("The Office") as Doug who is hosting the film festival, Ellar Coltrane (Barry), Nikki Blonsky (Hairspray), Emmy nominated Kathleen Nolan ("McHale's Navy") and Al-Jaleel Knox.

The film seems to be loosely based on Burt's life which I followed, especially his marriage to Loni Anderson who at the time was a super model. I remember praying that it would work out with them because it looked like they belonged together but somehow, because they worked in Hollywood, I knew that it wouldn't. Adam Rifkin is director and screenwriter and he shares the producer hat with Brian Cavallaro and Neil Mandt. If it was meant to be based on Reynolds life but not tell who people were - he did excellent. The film premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in April of last year and released on DVD March 27th. It also premiered on Direct-TV February 22nd.
For almost 30 years Edna Sims, owner of ESP Public Relations (Janet Jackson, Snoop Dog), has connected me with high-profile interviews and events. Recently she was honored for her work in media with the "Excellence in Media Services" Award from the Black Business Association at their "Salute to Black Women" Awards Luncheon. The event's theme was "Nevertheless She Persisted." Edna, along with other women of the community of Los Angeles, was honored for persisting.

"I'm black, I'm a woman and a business owner for over 30 years or more," said Edna. "That's important because I'm from Detroit where everyone was black. I didn't know until college how to deal with white people."

Sims learned fast picking up corporate clients like Ford Motor Company, MTV Network, the Gracie Awards, Comcast and ASCAP.

"I always strive to be the best at what I can do," Edna explained. "My first job was cleaning cages at the zoo, but I was the best pooper scooper there was."

She is now the best Public Relations representative there is. Her professionalism is what stands out for me; it's so refreshing in the media world. Edna Sims' ESP Public Relations company is a full service agency that offers event planning, marketing strategies and communication, branding and media services. She has a reputation as a high-level red carpet media expert with a long list of high profile clientele that includes Kim Kasdashion, Louis Gossett, Jr., Spike Lee, David E. Talbert and Katt Williams.

Edna credits the power of God for her success as a business owner. She also worked as an English teacher straight out of college before starting her own company.

"He (God) can teach you. He will take your worst and make it the best. Life is a learning process, every step of the way. You may not understand it," Edna said. Her business strategy of success was to lessen to God's instructions. "Yes, I've been chased around desks that's why I started my own business. That's the way it was, even up to today. But by having my own business I don't get to experience that. God is the CEO of my company and the COO. I don't even advertise and God brings people to me."

Community activist Ozie B. Gonzaque received the "Lifetime Achievement" Award; co-director of Recycling Black Dollars Jacque Bee received the "Nevertheless She Persisted" Award; founder of Bella Network Alisha White Madison received the "Entrepreneur Excellence" Award; owner of Bowers & Sons Cleaners Vivian Bowers received the "Outstanding Community Based Business" Award; the President and CEO of Howard & Howard Consulting Clarisa F. Howard received the "President's Award," and owner of ESP Public Relations received the "Excellence in Media Services" Award.

"This surprised me. Especially because it is from the Black Business Association," Sims said of the honor. "I've learned so many things...to do the right thing when the wrong thing is happening."

I guess the Black Business Association believes the same. For almost 50 years the 501 (c) 3 organization, under the leadership of President/CEO Earl "Skip" Cooper, II and Chairwoman The Honorable Gwen Moore, has helped in the growth and development of African-American businesses by providing them with innovative information and services to advocate change and adherence to laws, as well as to assist companies and individuals in "moving up the ladder of success." www.ESPPR.net.

SYNDICATED COLUMN: Eunice Moseley, has an estimated weekly readership of over ¼ million with The Pulse of Entertainment. She is also a Public Relations Strategist and Business Management Consultant at Freelance Associates, and is Promotions Director (at-large) for The Baltimore Times. www.ThePulseofEntertainment.com. EVENT: 19th annual "Uplifting Minds II" Free Entertainment Conference (Baltimore Sat, April 21, 2018 at Security Square Mall and Los Angeles Sat. Oct 20th at the Celebrity Centre in Hollywood from 1 - 5pm). Entertainment Business panel and national talent showcase competition (vocal, songwriting and dance) with over $13,000 in prizes. www.UpliftingMinds2.com.

April 6, 2018

The Pulse of Entertainment: Louis Gossett, Jr. to Executive Produce Ali Documentary Film - ULMII Sponsors Speak on 19 Years of Community Service

By Eunice Moseley

LouisGossetteJr_PaulGardnerII_DoresaHarvey_NadiyahKareem.jpg "He was my friend before he was Ali," said Oscar winning Louis Gossett, Jr. (Officer and a Gentleman). "He was a kid when I got an Oscar. He used to tease my son, who was 5 years old at the time, tickling his ear. I told my son, who is over 40 now that that's his Godfather."

Ali's Comeback: The Untold Story is the title of the documentary on Muhammad Ali, born Cassius Clay, Jr. and nicknamed The Greatest, around the time of his military draft ordeal. Louis Gossett, Jr. (Roots) signed on to executive produce this documentary film to make sure the ordeal is told correctly and he is looking for funding.

"I remember him speaking to 4,000 people and he saw me...there is an under current of friendship there," Louis said about how humble to him Ali was during the height of his career.

Gossett believes those who "make it", as he and Ali did, should use that position in life to influence or put a light on issues that benefit everyone.

"Built connections for the benefit of us all," Gossett said. "I just met with 30 award winning kids at a restaurant... reconnecting," he added. Racism is also an issue Louis advocates to put a truthful light on. He said on the subject, "I'm an American-African, not an African-American."

Gossett said that being an American is what "locks us together" and takes the race out of the equation.

"The conflicts are getting old," he said like a man who has lived and witnessed racial injustice for many years thereby knows exactly what he is talking about. "We need to start making people aware of the need to raise peace."

The truth he wants to put a light on is the Ali avoiding the draft for the Vietnam War story and what happen as a result.

"It's an American project," he said of the Ali's Comeback: The Untold Story documentary. "Ali found a loop hole and made a comeback."

Aside from his skill in boxing Muhammad Ali was always unpredictable in and out the ring, outspoken, funny and loving. It was at the height of his career in 1966 after winning the Heavyweight titles that he was drafted into the Army. When they called him in 1967 he refused to go, which was a federal offense. Ali cited his religious beliefs as a Muslim speak against war provoked by man when he was arrested.

The conviction, public and federal ordeal that followed his refusal to join the Army resulted in loosing his boxing license and having his Heavyweight Champion titles (WBA, WBC) taken. This sparked public opinions to turn against the war. Ali successfully won the appeal and his conviction of evasion was over-turned by the U.S. Supreme Court. However, later on that decision was over-turned for a paper-work error, which to me is obvious a racial injustice. Ali aged out of boxing without his license but he successfully turned his career from boxing to that of a motivational speaker, author and spoken word artist winning two Grammy Awards.

You can say "Uplifting Minds II" (ULMII) entertainment conference is my give-back project. My service in the U. S. Navy straight out of high school was my way of giving back to America for my freedoms. ULMII is one of many projects I have brought to urban communities. There are also many panelists and sponsors that help me do this with no budget.
I had a talk with three of those sponsors - Paul Gardner, II, founder and general manager of The Gardner Law Group, radio personality Doresa Harvey and artist manager Nadiyah Kareem, founder and president of Superstar Entertainment. All have participated and sponsored the ULMII event, in multiple cities, for over 15 years straight.

"Someone said get with Eunice, that it would be a great business marriage," said Paul about how he was introduced to the "Uplifting Minds II" entertainment conference, which was founded in 1999 on the campus of Coppin State University with Mathew Knowles (Destiny's Child) as the expert speaker and Jazz and Woody of Dru Hill as talent showcase experts. I asked Paul why he keeps coming back when the turnout is not as big as it could be if it had a budget or very high-profile panelist and he said, "My dedication to help others and my love for Eunice."

He said, "To whom much is given, much is required. You have to give back. I don't care if its one person there. I may be able to help them. It's not about the number it's about the quality."
Gardner is referring to the upcoming "Uplifting Minds II" event Saturday, April 21, 2018 at Security Square Mall (6901 Security Blvd) in Baltimore from 1-4pm. For five years from 2000-2005 the ULMII event was held also in Houston, Atlanta and Los Angeles. The last 12 years it has been held only in Baltimore and Los Angeles.

"I went one year to support 92Q's Big Phat Morning Show (who were ULMII hosts), they are friends of mine," said Doresa, a Stellar Award nominated radio personality who up until 2017 was the Mid-Day jock at Heaven 600 radio in Baltimore straight out of college. "I started telling kids about the event. You called and asked me to host."

Doresa has been voluntarily hosting ULMII every since and that was back in 2000-2003. When asked why she keeps coming back Harvey said, "Its done good. I love being with people like you...like it says its uplifting...and also it being a stepping stone for someone."

Doresa knows its history in talent success stories and high-level panelists. In 2001 in Baltimore SisQo (Dru Hill) was at the event and used a performers' song on their album, which went platinum. In 2002 in Los Angeles panelist Jimmy Maynes (VP of Jive Record) saw a young performer named Miguel and signed him to a record deal - Miguel is now a Grammy Award winner. There are other stories of ULMII scouting successes that are just as fascinating.

"I've been to competitions where anything goes. I like that you're selective about what you put on your stage" said Nadiyah, whose artist Talib Kareem was signed to Jive Records as part of the group Imajin. "As the name says it's uplifting that's only what I want, to be a part of something that is positive and that's what you are about - uplifting."

On Sat., April 21st Doresa will host the talent showcase portion of the ULMII event with DJ Rick of the GWUAP Squad and Paul will serve on the entertainment business panel, which opens the event. Along with Paul on the panel is Baltimore award winning playwright/producer Ursula V. Battle, award winning actor/filmmaker Anthony Michael Hobbs, producer/performer Marvin Davis aka VIP, celebrity stylist Jeneanne Collins and other experts. ULMII is held at Security Square Mall from 1-4pm. Log onto www.UpliftingMinds2.com to see if you qualify to perform and read other success stories of ULMII participants and performers.

SYNDICATED COLUMN: Eunice Moseley, has an estimated weekly readership of over ¼ million with The Pulse of Entertainment. She is also a Public Relations Strategist and Business Management Consultant at Freelance Associates, and is Promotions Director (at-large) for The Baltimore Times. www.ThePulseofEntertainment.com. EVENT: 19th annual "Uplifting Minds II" Free Entertainment Conference (Baltimore Sat, April 21, 2018 at Security Square Mall and Los Angeles Sat. Oct 20th at the Celebrity Centre in Hollywood from 1 - 5pm). Entertainment Business panel and national talent showcase competition (vocal, songwriting and dance) with over $13,000 in prizes. www.UpliftingMinds2.com.

April 13, 2018

The Pulse of Entertainment: Ricardo Bacelar's Keys are Popping on 'Sebastiana' Album - Nigerian Marenikae Afro-Merges in New CD

By Eunice Moseley

"I used elements of American culture...and all Latin cultures," said Jazz keyboardist Ricardo Bacelar about his latest album released titled "Sebastiana." "Latin Americans play Brazilian music differently. They mix the cultures Argentina, Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil, Peru, and Cuba. We have musicians from each culture. Each has their own way to weave the song."

"Sebastiana," meaning "she knows," features Ricardo on keyboard (Brazil); Steve Hinson on guitar (US); Anderson Quintero on drums (Venezuela); Yoel del Sol on percussion (Cuba); Channo Tierra on accordion (Colombia); Cesar Lemos on base (Brazil); Jose Sibaja on trumpet (Colombia); Jesus Rodriguez on percussion (Peru), and vocalists Maye Osorio (US), Andrea Mangiamarchi (Venezuela), Rose Max (Brazil) and Ramatis Moraes (Brazil). Lemos is also producer of the project, which Bacelar placed a sample of his daughters' percussions playing on. As you can see Ricardo is serious about paying homage to the musical roots of Brazil.

"They (his daughters) started classical piano...were playing percussions when we were in Miami last year. I put it on the record. They loved it," Ricardo recalls.

The mixture of Latin cultures make for a very different sound and Ricardo Bacelar had the keyboard popping all through the project. My favorite selections of the album include #3 "Nothing Will Be As It Was" because of the guitar playing by Hinson - its so smooth; #5 "Menina Baiana" for the traditional Latin sound I'm use to which says Brazil and the piano support was crazy good; #7 "Partido Alto" for its simplicity in the beginning and its transition to horns giving it that Jazz feel - I also love how the piano keys are popping; #9 "Sambadouro" because the sound reminds me of an African chant - especially if you don't understand the words of the vocalist like me- and this one has the keys popping too; #10 "Oh Mana Deixa Eu Ir" because the piano playing is outstanding providing that Smooth Jazz feel, and #11 the title track "Sebastiana" because it makes me want to dance and I love to dance!

"There are 45 cultures on the planet," Ricardo points out. "It's a big job for distribution but it's important to Brazil." (www.RicardoBacelar.com.br)

Nigeria birth the iconic Sade' whose vocals and style are unmatched. The country also birth vocalist Marenikae Lasode, who just released her debut album "Ajebutter." Her vocals and style is also unmatched. In fact, she is so unmatched she had to make up her own genre, which she calls Afro-Merge.

"My style is influenced by many people...so I had to give it a name. I call it Afro-Merge," Marenikae said. "I come from a musical family. My father owns a record label. The first group my father turned out is the biggest African artists."

Lasode said initially she stepped away from her calling because she did not want to sing traditional African music.

"The stigma around artists wasn't really what I wanted...so I went to college for Criminology. After a while I decided that this (singing/songwriting) is what I want to do."

Marenikae said it was the urging from a friend that prompted her to write a song which started her natural creative juices to flowing.

"My friend gave me a challenge...to write a song," she said. "I was 12 years-old. I wrote my first song - the first verse, the bridge and chorus. Everything and I was like wow I can do this."

Marenikae said African artists were not confirming to the contemporary world. They were staying with traditional African music and being of the younger generation she just wasn't feeling that style music. She went to college in Boston and that influenced her style of music.

"I went to college in Boston. North and South cultures are more into Soul," she pointed out. "I recorded a song but went back to Nigeria for 4 or 5 years. Things had changed for me as an adult."

Her view of her African culture had change. She no longer saw Nigeria through a child's eyes but through adults'.

"I started to fuse together social issues...after talking to my mother and grandmother. Everything they told me I took and poured that into my music."

The "Ajebutter" album has already released three singles - "Rose," "Smooth Operator" and "Remember."

SYNDICATED COLUMN: Eunice Moseley, has an estimated weekly readership of over ¼ million with The Pulse of Entertainment. She is also a Public Relations Strategist and Business Management Consultant at Freelance Associates, and is Promotions Director (at-large) for The Baltimore Times. www.ThePulseofEntertainment.com. EVENT: 19th annual "Uplifting Minds II" Free Entertainment Conference (Baltimore Sat, April 21, 2018 at Security Square Mall and Los Angeles Sat. Oct 20th at the Celebrity Centre in Hollywood from 1 - 5pm). Entertainment Business panel and national talent showcase competition (vocal, songwriting and dance) with over $13,000 in prizes. www.UpliftingMinds2.com.

April 20, 2018

The Pulse of Entertainment: LAUSD Benefit Concert ‘We Are One' Uplifted Spirits and Hearts

By Eunice Moseley

   The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) held a benefit concert called "We Are One" featuring performances by students, famous alumni and Grammy winning entertainers. "We Are One" was held at The Music Center's Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, which is also a presenter of the event. It began with a red carpeted arrival of some of the notable alumni such as Academy Award winning Patricia Arquette ("CSI") and her brother David Arquette (Scream), actress Mindy Cohn ("Facts of Life") and actor Richard Lawson ("All My Children"). All were host of the benefit concert.
    "I have been giving back ever since I was a kid...I've run a drug program for the NBA. My wife (Tina Knowles) and I have our own foundation," said Lawson (Dirty Harry), a Vietnam veteran, when asked about how he gives back to the community. "I've been doing theater in the community all over the country so it's really been my life's work."
    The benefit concert had students from different school performed what seemed to be cultural style dances - African, Mexican, Asian, etc... Professional performers included Grammy nominated drummer Shiela E with Grammy winning Pete Escovedo, Grammy winning Judith Hill, known for singing with Michael Jackson on "I Just Can't Stop Loving You" single and Grammy winning Siedah Garrett who wrote the MJ hit "I Just Can't Stop Loving You."
    Watching the kids perform so passionately in their cultures' style was so inspiring to me and I know it was to the audience made up of different races. Judith performed with Los Angeles students backing her which almost had me about to cry. Siedah was so funny when telling the details of how and why she wrote the two selections she performed - uplifting us all in love.
    The "We Are One" benefit concert funds will go to benefit the Arts Education Branch to expand its arts efforts.
    "I've struggled with bullying all of my life," said beautiful Los Angeles Unified District student Nandi Hildebrand. "I feel kids need to be encouraged especially by our fellow classmates. We should be supporting each other; we should be building each other."
    The LAUSD Arts Education Branch sponsors schools, families and community arts-related programs. LAUSD has 900 schools in Southern California. www.Arts.LAUSD.net.

SYNDICATED COLUMN: Eunice Moseley, has an estimated weekly readership of over ¼ million with The Pulse of Entertainment. She is also a Public Relations Strategist and Business Management Consultant at Freelance Associates, and is Promotions Director (at-large) for The Baltimore Times. www.ThePulseofEntertainment.com. EVENT: 19th annual "Uplifting Minds II" Free Entertainment Conference (Baltimore Sat, April 21, 2018 at Security Square Mall and Los Angeles Sat. Oct 20th at the Celebrity Centre in Hollywood from 1 - 5pm). Entertainment Business panel and national talent showcase competition (vocal, songwriting and dance) with over $13,000 in prizes. www.UpliftingMinds2.com.

April 27, 2018

The Pulse of Entertainment: Pianist David Garfield is ‘Outside the Box' in a Masterful Way on New CD

By Eunice Moseley

"The whole project ‘Outside the Box' started in 2015. I recorded all my favorite kinds of music with my favorite kind of guys," said keyboardist David Garfield who just released the first of three albums of his "Outside the Box" project titled "Jazz Outside the Box." "Jazz music is the root (of music of all genres)."

David picked some great covers on the "Jazz Outside the Box" album, those of Duke Ellington, Horace Silver, Joe Sample, Rogers & Hammerstein - just to name a few. He enlisted the assistance from a long list of outstanding musicians such as Wallace Roney (trumpet), Poncho Sanchez (percussions), Eric Marienthal (sax), Steve Jordan and Vince Wilburn (drums), Chuck Loeb and Denny Dias (guitar), Charlie Bisharat's String Quartet and he even features the vocals of Grammy winning Michael McDonald ("Yah Mo B There"). The result is a masterpiece of a project.

"I started as a Jazz musician; Jazz was my passion in the 1970s. All Jazz musicians were at Motown. They did Jazz at night and in the day time worked in the studio to make those records," said Garfield. "I came to Los Angeles at 18 and wanted to play with Freddie Hubbard and I got a job with his band at 19. I thought I had made it. I even wrote a couple songs for him that were on the radio."

David did make it because that job allowed him the opportunity to write songs for some of the best musicians and singers in the world (Freddie Hubbard, Steve Wonder, George Benson).

"In 1986 I got a call from George Benson's manager," said David about one opportunity that came his way. "He was on top of the Pop world at the time."

That experience can be heard in his style of keyboard playing. "Jazz Outside the Box" is the first of the three album project. The 2nd album will be "Jammin' Outside the Box", which will offer Jazz in a more Contemporary and released this summer, and the third is "Vox Outside the Box", which will offer Jazz in a more R&B way.

My favorite cuts on the "Jazz Outside the Box" album by keyboardist David Garfield is #1 "Fragile" (a Sting cover) because of the vocals of Michael McDonald, David's crazy key playing, Diego Figueiredo acoustic guitar skills and Michael Lamdau's guitar support; #2 "Harvest Time" (a David Garfield original) because of those sweet keys with the outstanding combination of Eric Marienthal on sax; #4 "Roxanne" (a Sting cover) because David's keyboard playing at the beginning is masterful; #5 "Song for My Father" (a Horace Silver cover) because of that Latin Jazz feel it offers; #11 "Red Baron" (a Billy Cobham cover) because of that funky Jazz feel from back in the Renaissance period, and #12 "Country Preacher" (a Joe Zawinul cover) because the drum playing by Steve Ferrone gives it a depth that's rare in Jazz.

The Chicago native's time playing in the bands for Brenda Russell, Boz Scaggs, Natalie Cole and Michael Bolton is also so evident in his taste for music, making "Jazz Outside the Box" a masterful piece of a project. www.DavidGarfield.com

SYNDICATED COLUMN: Eunice Moseley, has an estimated weekly readership of over ¼ million with The Pulse of Entertainment. She is also a Public Relations Strategist and Business Management Consultant at Freelance Associates, and is Promotions Director (at-large) for The Baltimore Times. www.ThePulseofEntertainment.com. EVENT: 19th annual "Uplifting Minds II" Free Entertainment Conference (Baltimore Sat, April 21, 2018 at Security Square Mall and Los Angeles Sat. Oct 20th at the Celebrity Centre in Hollywood from 1 - 5pm). Entertainment Business panel and national talent showcase competition (vocal, songwriting and dance) with over $13,000 in prizes. www.UpliftingMinds2.com.

May 4, 2018

The Pulse of Entertainment: Charlie Wilson's Billboard First, Two #1s on Two Charts at the Same Time - Lindsey Websters' 'Love Inside' Album is Majestic

By Eunice Moseley

"My family knows God is good to me. To go from #1 to Top 5 and then back to #1," said Charlie Wilson about his career first on Billboard Charts - having two #1 hits at the same time. Wilson is an 11-time Grammy nominated performer who started many, many years ago as The Gap Bands' front man. "I understand I've been blessed and the people around me understand... and keep telling me to keep my focus."

The blessing Charlie, affectionately called Uncle Charlie, is talking about is reaching #1 on two different Billboard Charts at the same time. Both singles came from his 2017 album release "Wilson's In It To Win It" (P Music Group). The "I'm Blessed" single debuted at #1 on Billboard's Hot Gospel Chart in 2017 and remained on its Top 5 Chart for 45 weeks straight before regaining its #1 position setting a career record because Charlie's current single "Chill" was also #1 at the time on Billboards Adult R&B Chart.

"It's the first Gospel single that we've pushed," Charlie said when I asked if this was his first Gospel song. Wilson said he always had a Gospel song on his albums to thank God for his blessings but it is the first time his label released it as a single. "When it debuted it went right to #1...this has never happened. I'm working on Gospel (project) now. It has no name yet but I got two records."

Charlie is not new to blessings from God he had prostate cancer and has been cancer free for nine years now and he has been drug free and sober for 22 years. Only God can take away cancer and drug/alcohol addiction. I can tell Charlie is a believer.

"God is trying to say ‘I got you up here...I gave you a platform...now use it for the good," said Uncle Charlie when I asked what he thinks God is saying to him with all of those major blessings.
Charlie Wilson is a living legend and his most notable solo hit for me is "You Are" which he received a Grammy Award nomination for and in 2012 he received the BET "Lifetime Achievement Award."
"I think a lot of people know that God has blessed them too. Many of us know God is there and is blessing us...so they giving Him some praise," Charlie said on the subject of the rise in Hip-Hop and R&B artists releasing Gospel projects, such as Snoop Doggs' "Bible of Love." "They're giving Him all the glory."

That is what Charlie has been doing since day one. Every time I've interviewed him, from back in The Gap Band days and through out his solo career, he has talked about how God has blessed him. That is why to this day he is still a very active iconic music figure that is still releasing #1 hits.

Smooth Jazz vocalist Lindsey Webster releases her fourth album release titled "Love Inside" (Shanachie Entertainment) featuring Norman Brown on guitar and Rick Braun on trumpet.

"When my husband and I write together it's from the heart," Lindsey said when asked about the title of the project.

Webster said when creates a song she comes up with the idea for the song, the chorus and the hook and her husband adds the music.

"...And I will write words that come," she said about the process. "Sometimes I have to work on it...I knew it (the album) was special. The title seems to fit...just so happens each song is about love."
When asked if any of her songs were divinely given she said, "'Dream' is one of them. It was around the time people was sharing Martin Luther King, Jr. quotes so ‘dream' was on our minds. It was 11:30 - 12 at night. I started listening to ‘Dream' (music track)...it felt like a dream and the words just came to me."

Lindsey debuted in 2013 with a self-titled album. Her second on Atlantic Records was titled "You Changed" (2015). Her third was "Back to Your Heart" on Shanachie Entertainment and in 2018 on the same label she released "Love Inside." Webster has garnered a #1 single on Billboard and has had five Billboard Top 5 Chart hits.

My favorite songs from the "Love Inside" album include #4 "Free to Be Me" featuring Norman Brown on guitar, because she shows us what her vocals can do and Browns guitar playing is simply superb; #7 "One Last Time," because it has a Latin feel I love, also for her vocal range reminiscent of Minnie Rippleton's high notes at the end and the piano support by Keith Slattery is majestic; #10 "It's Not You, Its Me" featuring Rick Braun on trumpet, because I like that Funky Groove feel that is driven by Rick Brauns trumpet playing with piano support by Keith that gives it that cherry on the cake, and #12 "By My Side," because of the R&B feel Lindsey's vocals delivers, which are reminiscent of Lalah Hathaway and the lead guitar solo by Mike DeMicco is just outstanding.

"I always dream big," Lindsey said. "I always try to keep a big picture."

Well her "Love Inside" album certainly offers the big picture on love, "the good, the bad and the wonderful." You can log onto www.Shanachie.com for more information on Lindsey Webster or her recent album release "Love Inside."

SYNDICATED COLUMN: Eunice Moseley, has an estimated weekly readership of over ¼ million with The Pulse of Entertainment. She is also a Public Relations Strategist and Business Management Consultant at Freelance Associates, and is Promotions Director (at-large) for The Baltimore Times. www.ThePulseofEntertainment.com. EVENT: 19th annual "Uplifting Minds II" Free Entertainment Conference (Baltimore Sat, April 21, 2018 at Security Square Mall and Los Angeles Sat. Oct 20th at the Celebrity Centre in Hollywood from 1 - 5pm). Entertainment Business panel and national talent showcase competition (vocal, songwriting and dance) with over $13,000 in prizes. www.UpliftingMinds2.com.

May 11, 2018

The Pulse of Entertainment: Kountry Wayne Brings Laughter, Tour Comes to Baltimore Comedy Factory

By Eunice Moseley

"I got nine kids to feed," comedian Kountry Wayne said seriously, even though it made me laugh, about the reason for taking his online video sketch popularity to venues across the country. "It's from the demand. Now I'm getting paid!"

Kountry Wayne was Wayne Colley an aspiring artist trying to make it in the music business who realized through demand for his comedy videos that comedy is the direction he should be going.

"Before I got on stage I had a following. People who knew me, knew my work," Kountry Wayne said in a thick Georgia accent. "I put them out there for people to see me."

They followed him in the millions on social media platforms - total over 3 million. He recently posted a sketch video about discovering how long your barber's been cutting hair and it's received 4,000 views in one week. I personally watch it twice because it was funny.

"Off stage I tell stories about my life...what I been through. I tell nothing but the truth," Wayne said about his style comedy. "Tell them (Baltimore) to come on out. Tell the church people come out. It's positive energy and clean comedy."

Wayne's "Gift of Gab" comedy tour comes to the Baltimore Comedy Factory May 17 - 19, 2018. His online numbers prove people must really be in need of laughter because Kountry Wayne did a 150 date "Child Support Comedy Tour" in 2017 and his 2018 "Gift of Gab" tour seems to be about the same.

"It started in Fort Myers, Florida in 2015," said the 30 year-old about the first time he took his video comedy sketches to the stage.

It snow-balled into that a 150 date tour and this tour, backed by Live Nation. Providing laughter to people must give you a good feeling - aside from the money you can make as a comedian. Laugher is the one thing that can make you forget your car has been repossessed or that there's a lean just placed on your property, laughter can make you forget that - for a while.

"It's a different kind of pressure," Wayne said when I asked about the pressure of making people laugh. He explains what type of pressure he has. "I've picked up more and more fans. At first it was just people from the South, black people. Now a lot of white people are fans so my material has to be about everyone. But it's a good pressure."

I can tell Kountry Wayne will have no problem making people laugh he is a natural - no matter what the subject. I laughed through the whole interview even at time I know he was serious. What an awesome gift.

Wayne's' gift means the sky is not even the limit for him. His "Gift of Gab" comedy tour is also coming to Pleasanton, CA May 11-12th, Virginia Beach, VA May 25-27 at the Funny Bone, and Houston, TX May 31 - June 3rd at the Comedy Club. Other cities include Arlington, TX; El Paso, TX; Antonio, TX; Kansas City, MO; Nashville, TN; Tampa, Florida; Omaha, NE; Liberty, UH; Jacksonville, Florida; Boston, MA; Columbus, OH; Detroit, MI; Chicago, IL; Hartford, CT; Orlando, FL; Dayton, OH; Minny, MN; Denver, CO; Atlanta, GA; Huntsville, AL; Columbia, SC; Memphis, TN, and Westbury, NY. To find out the venues and dates log onto his website at www.KountryWayne.com. www.BaltimoreComedy.com

SYNDICATED COLUMN: Eunice Moseley, has an estimated weekly readership of over ¼ million with The Pulse of Entertainment. She is also a Public Relations Strategist and Business Management Consultant at Freelance Associates, and is Promotions Director (at-large) for The Baltimore Times. www.ThePulseofEntertainment.com. EVENT: 19th annual "Uplifting Minds II" Free Entertainment Conference (Baltimore Sat, April 21, 2018 at Security Square Mall and Los Angeles Sat. Oct 20th at the Celebrity Centre in Hollywood from 1 - 5pm). Entertainment Business panel and national talent showcase competition (vocal, songwriting and dance) with over $13,000 in prizes. www.UpliftingMinds2.com.

May 18, 2018

The Pulse of Entertainment: Grammy Nominated Jeffrey Osborne Releases ‘Worth It All' Album May 25, 2018

By Eunice Moseley

"I started this project on Mack Avenue (Records). I had just done a Jazz record. They asked about another Jazz album, but my writing was going back to my R&B days," said Grammy nominated Jeffrey Osborne.

The result is the May 25, 2018 release of Jeffrey Osborne's "Worth It All" (Artistry Music/Mack Avenue) album featuring Gerald Albright (sax) and Rick Braun (trumpet). The R&B days he is referring to is from when he was a drummer and support vocalist for the band LTD (formerly known as Love Men Ltd), with his brother Billy (keyboards, lead vocals) in 1970. The LTD (Love, Togetherness, and Devotion) bands' hits include "Back in Love Again" which has the lead vocals of Jeffrey. Jeffrey coming from behind the drums in 1977 to sing lead solidified his signature vocal style and sound. He left the band in the late 1980s with his brother to pursue solo careers.

"I always wanted to be a singer first," Osborne said when I asked about his love for the drum compared to his love for vocals. "I learned how to play the drums...it got me into LTD. (However) My first job was with The O'Jays playing drums (age 15). It introduced me to the world I wanted to be in."
That world also included songwriting. Jeffrey Osborne wrote Whitney Houston's hit "All at Once."

Music is in his blood. His father, Clarence Osborne, was a trumpet player and worked for Count Bassie, Lionel Hampton and Duke Ellington and of course his brother Billy is a vocalist, organ/keyboardist and drummer.

"That's how I started, I wrote a lot of songs," he said. "I always wanted to sing a Jazz record... and got with my friend George Duke."

The "Worth It All" album also features his son, a rapper, Jeffrey Osborne, Jr.

"He is 28 years-old and is very much into music," Jeffrey informed me. "My son is on ‘Work It'. That's his passion, rapping. He also sings and is an incredible sound engineer. He tours with me. I told him to write and I was shocked because it felt like an old R&B song."

Jeffrey Osborne, Jr. co-wrote the "Work It" single on the "Worth It All" project.

"It was something I never dreamt," Osborne continued about discovering the depth of his son's musical talents. "He was a late bloomer. He didn't get into music until after college."

Hit singles from Jeffrey Osborne's solo career include the very popular "On the Wings of Love" (1982) and "You Should Be Mine" (1985). The living legend is 70 years-old but does not look or sound like it.

"It's been 13 years since my last release of original material. Three or four years ago I released an album of Jazz Standards. Before that it was an album of R&B Standards," he said.

Jeffrey Osborne has garnered five Gold and Platinum albums and a hit single with Dionne Warwick titled "Love Power." He has also garnered four Grammy nominations.

"It's all entertainment," Jeffrey said when I pointed out that event though he wanted to be a singer he went through the first door to the music industry that opened for him - that as a songwriter and drummer. "If you can get into the entertainment field no matter how, you can branch out. Just be ready when the door opens."

Jeffrey Osborne is always on tour performing his hit songs. He has performances coming up that start the day after his "Worth It All" album is released on May 26th in Huntsville, AL at the Huntsville Drag Way; the Microsoft Theatre in Los Angeles July 20th; Atlanta, GA at the Mable House Barnes Amphitheatre September 2nd; Las Vegas, NV at the Aliante Casino September 15th, and Orlando, Florida at Disney World on September 30th. For the complete list of tour dates, or to download the "Worth It All" new album or to buy Jeffrey Osborne merchandise you can log onto www.JeffreyOsborne.com.

SYNDICATED COLUMN: Eunice Moseley, has an estimated weekly readership of over ¼ million with The Pulse of Entertainment. She is also a Public Relations Strategist and Business Management Consultant at Freelance Associates, and is Promotions Director (at-large) for The Baltimore Times. www.ThePulseofEntertainment.com. EVENT: 19th annual "Uplifting Minds II" Free Entertainment Conference (Baltimore on Sat April 21st 1 - 4p, at Security Square Mall and Los Angeles on Sat October 20th 1 - 4pm at the Celebrity Centre in Hollywood). Entertainment Business panel and national talent showcase competition (vocal, songwriting, dance and acting) with over $15,000 in prizes. www.UpliftingMinds2.com.

May 25, 2018

The Pulse of Entertainment: Bishop Jason Nelson Releases ‘The Answer' on RCA Inspiration

By Eunice Moseley

"When I first started writing I was just writing. What came out of it was organic," said Bishop Jason Nelson about his just released album "The Answer" on RCA Inspiration, home of Kirk Franklin, Michelle Williams and Marvin Sapp. "I was just writing good music that was relevant to my walk, to the producer's walk and discovered ‘The Answer' is what we should be talking about."

"The Answer" is Jesus Christ. His walk is what we should be talking about. Bishop Jason Nelson's fifth album "The Answer" was recorded live at his church The Tabernacle at Greater Bethlehem Temple in Maryland. He announced the release of the new album on social media April 16, 2018 and the project became available May 18th. The album release was led by the first single titled "Forever" co-written by his wife Tonya.

"I can't thank anyone but God for putting that in my wife's head," Nelson said about the concept for the song.

His wife Tonya came into a room, where Jason and his music partner was working, singing a hook she made up. Nelson told me that he and his music partner both look at each other and instantly knew it was a song.

"Once it was written she wanted credit," Jason laughed. When I asked him if he gave his wife the songwriting credit she asked for he said, "Of course!" He said his wife wouldn't call herself a singer but that she "can sing."

Bishop Jason Nelson's last album "Jesus Revealed" debuted at #1 on the Billboard "Gospel Albums Chart" and its single "I am" remained at #1 for 20 weeks. His first album was released in 2005 titled "I Shall Live." He is also a songwriter and has written songs for label mate Marvin Sapp and worked with Donald Lawrence.

The last 11 years however Nelson has been Head Pastor at his father's church The Tabernacle at Greater Bethlehem in Randallstown, Maryland. It is said that at one point in his life his father asked him what he wanted to be and his reply was he wasn't going to be a Pastor. However God wanted that path for him and what God wants no one can stop. In 2007 when his father retired Jason Nelson took over the church.

"It's just about me being open to instruction," Bishop Jason Nelson said about the big turn-around that lead to him taking the call to lead his father's church. "I was open. It just didn't happen over night though. I really wasn't having it, but He turned it around. I've been 15 years active in the ministry. What we are called to do is not always easy."

Being the Pastor at The Tabernacle hasn't been easy for Nelson whose career was deep into music by the time his father retired.

"It takes afford, time, intuition...trusting in God," he said.

All that Bishop Jason Nelson has learned and experienced is in his music. "The Answer" offers 14 songs with featured vocalists Dove Award nominee Jonathan Nelson (his brother), Maranda Curtis and Naomi Raine. Songs include #1 "Jesus is the Answer" a cover, #2 "Captured My Heart," #3 "Never Go a Day," #4 "Lord of All," #5 the first single "Forever," #6 "Help Me" featuring Naomi Raine, #7 "Stripes," #8 "In The Room," #9 "You've Got Me," #10 "You've Got Me (Reprise)" featuring Maranda Curtis, #11 "All of Me," #12 "He Touched Me" a cover, #13 "Faith for That" featuring Jonathan Nelson, and #14 the title track "The Answer."

You can learn more about Bishop Jason Nelson, his church TB at GBT or his new project "The Answer" on RCA Inspiration by logging onto his website at www.JNelsonOnline.com.

SYNDICATED COLUMN: Eunice Moseley, has an estimated weekly readership of over ¼ million with The Pulse of Entertainment. She is also a Public Relations Strategist and Business Management Consultant at Freelance Associates, and is Promotions Director (at-large) for The Baltimore Times. www.ThePulseofEntertainment.com. EVENT: 19th annual "Uplifting Minds II" Free Entertainment Conference (Baltimore on Sat April 21st 1 - 4p, at Security Square Mall and Los Angeles on Sat October 20th 1 - 4pm at the Celebrity Centre in Hollywood). Entertainment Business panel and national talent showcase competition (vocal, songwriting, dance and acting) with over $15,000 in prizes. www.UpliftingMinds2.com.

June 1, 2018

The Pulse of Entertainment: Philip Hart and Disney Pictures to Produce Film on First Trans-Continental Flight

By Eunice Moseley

A boy looking for more information on his Great-Uncle James Herman Banning, who was a black pilot, ended in a life spent collecting and disseminating black history to the world. Philip Hart was that boy and since then his journey has resulted in published books, a Smithsonian exhibit and films. Hart, along with Disney Pictures, will produce "Jump at the Sun" a documentary about his Great-Uncle James H. Banning and his co-pilot Thomas Cox Allen, and their history making trans-continental flight in 1932.

"'Jump at the Sun' was developed at Disney," said Philip. "(Pulitzer Prize winner) Charles Fuller ("A Soldier's Story") wrote it." Hart in explaining about his development deal at Disney said, "The second development at Disney is about Bessie Coleman. Both are rooted in my research."

Philip Hart's research, which started when he was a young man, revealed not only his family's history in aviation but America's history in aviation. Since then he has published books, produced documentaries and even spear-headed an exhibit at the Smithsonian on Black aviators. He has produced for PBS a documentary titled "Flying in Search of a Dream," about the life of aviator Bessie Coleman. She was the first black female in the world to earn a pilots license. For his work Hart has garnered an Emmy Award. This Disney project is about the first pilots to fly trans-continental, which happens to be his Great-Uncle James Banning - the first black man to receive a pilot license.

"I've known sense I was growing up. I had a photo of him in own family album," Philip explained. "I tried to find out about him. I started (research) in high school."

Bringing black history facts to current-day American culture has not only resulted in an Emmy, but Peabody and Caucus Awards. As a couple the Harts have produced these film projects and have even hosted a radio show for 10 years called, "Hart Moments." Alone, Phil's credits include working as Director of the William Monroe Trotter Institution for the Study of Black Culture and as a professor at the University of Massachusetts Boston College for 20 years. Tanya's credits, aside from her "Hollywood Live with Tanya Hart" radio show that airs Monday through Friday on 300 stations of the American Urban Radio Network (AURN), is co-chair of The Caucus for Producers, Writers and Directors. The Caucus is a non-profit organization that helps fund projects of its members. Phil has published over 10 books plus articles such as the recent one published in the "Code M" magazine entitled "The Flying Hoboes to Blank Panther." The Flying Hoboes is what James Banning and Thomas Allen called themselves. Tanya also launched the west coast division of the BET Network with her "Live from Los Angeles with Tanya Hart" BET show.

"I've collaborated with the Smithsonian." Philip said about the many vehicles he has used to let the world know about African-American aero history. "They opened up a black exhibit... we donated to. It's about (aviation) pioneers. It's very popular."

"Jump at the Sun" will follow the lives of James Banning and Thomas Allen as they battle racism, the elements and each other in their second-hand plane during the Great Depression while flying from Los Angeles to New York in 1932. Banning died shortly after that historic flight at the age of 33 in 1933 as a passenger on a biplane that stalled during an aero show in San Diego. It is noted that Banning was not allowed to fly at the last minute because of his race so he went along as a passenger. Allen however, died of old age at 82 in a hospital in Oklahoma City.

"The main challenge is raising the money. The advance for books, I use it for the films," Philip said when asked about challenges he has faced. On any negative feed-back in putting a light on how important black history is to American history he said, "No push-backs. I've been involved in this 40 -50 years. I've done books, children books, exhibits and documentaries."

Hart explained how when raising funds for the PBS documentary that they wrote, produced and directed people were skeptical that these pilots actually existed and doubted whether people would be interested. Going by the popularity of the Smithsonian Black Aviation Exhibit in Washington, DC people are most certainly interested - I know I am.
"Most people know about the Tuskegee airmen but few know about those that came before them," he said.

Through his exhibits, books and films such as "Jump at the Sun" with Disney Pictures the Harts will educate us on who those people are. He names 10 of them in a 2013 Oxford University Press essay titled "Early African-American Aviators." Bessie Coleman is one. He wrote at least three books on her. In 1995 she received her own U.S. Stamp. Bessie Coleman obtained her pilot license in 1921 several years before Amelia Earhart. It was in international pilot license. Everyone in America heard about Amelia Earhart and that her plane crashed, but thanks to Philip Hart we now know that not only was Bessie Coleman the first black female licensed pilot in the world but like Earhart she too died in a plane crash (1926) - she was testing her new plane.

"Bessie died in a crash," Phil told me when I asked if she started the first black aero club (school) in the world located in Los Angeles that bared her name. "William Powell opened it up, the Bessie Coleman Aero School. I recently went where it was, the aero club. The (aero) school was at Jefferson High School."

Philip Harts' Great-Uncle James H. Banning was the chief pilot for the Bessie Coleman Aero Club (school) founded in 1929. The "Jump at the Sun" Disney Pictures documentary is also co-produced by their daughter Ayanna Hart who is COO and senior producer at their film production company Fancy Films and Marc Wax, who is a veteran artist manager and talent agent who has represented the Harts for many years.

June 8, 2018

The Pulse of Entertainment: Jamar Jones Debuts on LaBelle's GPE and Ellis Hall Performs June 19, 2018 for BBA's 'Salute to Black Music'

By Eunice Moseley

   "Her and my mom is friends. She is my number one supporter and was interested in getting out my story," said pianist Jamar Jones about living legend Patti LaBelle signing him to her label GPE Records. "She encouraged me. She's also on the album...she goes on an emotional roller-coaster. She came to the listening party. She wanted me to make sure everyone listened to the whole album."
   The album Jones is referring to is his solo debut "Fatherless Child," which also features the vocals of Vivian Green and Glenn Lewis. Chart topping Montell Jordan is a featured writer on the project. The "Fatherless Child" album will be released July 13, 2018.
    "Montell Jordan is a very dear friend of mine," Jamar said about the R&B icon turned Pastor. "I sent him the record to review. I just wanted an opinion...days later he wrote lyrics to it. He took an instrumental and put words to it...put me in tears because he put it all in there...about my father's death and my love for the piano."
    Jones' story is that of a little boy whose father died of leukemia and as a result he found love in the piano. Jones is also a composer and producer whose credits include Vicki Winans, Usher, Mary Mary, Angie Stone, Boyz II Men, Musiq and Jill Scott.
    "I talk about how the piano became a savior to me," he explained about the content of the album. "Kids don't know. What we put in their hands that's what they will use. My father passed away when I was 3. My mother brought a piano for my older brother. He played it for a minute. For some reason I was attracted to it. I learned to play ever song that came on the television in the 80s."
    The 16 track "Fatherless Child" album offers an array of selections that are the soundtrack to Jamar Jones' life. Glenn Lewis' voice is heard on "Searching For Answers," which is co-written by Montell Jordan, Patti LaBelle can be heard on "Promise" and Vivian Green's vocals are featured on "Blackbird."
    "I been blessed," said Jones about his career as a piano player. "Different venues with different people...I can't sit still. It keeps me busy."
    Though the "Fatherless Child" album is inspirational it's not a Christian project, but it "tells an uplifting story," Jamar said.
    Other credits for this very talented Philadelphia native include Fantasia, Jamie Foxx, Richard Smallwood, Kanye West, Patti LaBelle (producer), Vanessa Williams, T.D. Jakes (producer), "The New Edition Story" (composer), VH1's "Dear Mama Awards" (string arranger), 2015 "BET Awards" (arranger), "WOW Gospel 2011" and ABC's 98th "Academy Awards". Additional vocalists on the "Fatherless Child" project include Chelsey Green, Fur Elise, Jamar Jones, Jr. and Elgin Johnson.
     Composer/vocalist Ellis Hall will bring his skills to the Black Business Association's "Salute to Black Music Awards Dinner" Tuesday June 19, 2018 at the California African-American Museum. The event will honor Grammy winning songwriter/vocalist Siedah Garrett (Michael Jackson's "I Just Can't Stop Loving You") and Valerie Ervins, president of the Ray Charles Foundation. Ellis, who worked with Ray Charles and consulted Jamie Foxx during the movie Ray, will perform when the BBA recognizes the work of Ervins at the Ray Charles Foundation.
    "We travel like crazy," he said. When I asked him about his performance at the BBA "Salute to Black Music Awards Dinner" he said, "There are a couple of songs, I can not let out, but it will be a mind blower!"
    Ellis Hall is called the "Ambassador of Soul" and was the lead singer and keyboardist for the band Tower of Power. Currently he travels the world performing with Symphony orchestras. His first orchestra performance was with Ray Charles. Blinded since the age of 18 Hall did not let that stop him from doing what he loved - singing, songwriting, composing. Aside from Ray Charles his credits include working with Stevie Wonder, Patti LaBelle, Natalie Cole, Herbie Hancock, George Benson, George Duke, Kenny G and Sheila E.
    "In about two weeks we're going to Nashville, then Utah, then come home for a minute...working on a couple of records, recording new songs and then to Santa Rosa," Ellis said. "We have even been invited to Albania. It's been amazing. I worked with the Doobie Brothers on ‘Playing for Change'." They had this huge hit song, ‘Listen to the Music,' in 1972. They asked us to do a new version."
    Some of the nominees of the BBA's "Salute to Black Music Awards" include Debra Lee (BET CEO), Cathy Hughes (TV One Chair) and Steve Stoute (Nas, Mary J. Blige). Check out the performance of Ellis Hall Tuesday June 19th at the California African-American Museum. www.BBAla.org

June 15, 2018

The Pulse of Entertainment: TV One Gets Real with The Campbells and Michael B. Sutton Inks Deal with Sony Music

By Eunice Moseley

I viewed the new TV One reality show "We're the Campbells" starring Warryn and Erica Campbell that premieres June 19, 2018 in advance for review and I laughed (out loud) the whole way through because I could relate to the "reality" that love, especially black love, is real and full of dreams, hard work, laughs and good times. That type love is rarely acknowledged in couples. I saw my own experiences and think "We're the Campbells" is as close to reality as possible. I know people that are in "reality shows" and I have interviewed those who launched and starred in them and they say there's nothing real about them. "We're the Campbells" is as real as it can get.

The Campbells are co-executives on the project. TV One Co-Executive Producer Tara Long said the network tried to make "We're The Campbells," "...as real as we can."

Mark Herwick, TV One co-executive producer, said the show is about, "Faith, family and music."

In the show, that airs on Tuesdays at 8pmET, you follow the day to day activities of the Campbell family - multi-Grammy winning producer Warryn Campbell (Mary Mary, Alicia Keys, Brandy) while he runs his label My Block and wife Grammy winning Erica Campbell (Mary Mary) while she performs and host her Radio One show, and their three children Krista, Warryn, Jr. and Zaya. Aside from Warryn (Missy Elliott, Jamie Foxx, Kanye West) being a masterful producer he is also Pastor at California Worship Center and the very talented Erica is its First Lady.

Managing all those roles and to still have a healthy relationship with spouse and children takes not only God in the midst, a deep love for one another but actual confidence in what you're doing. When you are sure about something its not hard, when you love to do something its not work - makes it less stressful. The Campbells' love story started many years ago however.

"I had been seeing her around town," said Warryn, who started producing music at the age of 13, when I asked how they met. "I didn't know her name. I was on a date with a lady and she was on stage. I said I have to meet her."

"Once we started dating I saw videos," Erica added. "I was ...on one side of the room and him on the other side. He use to sing in a group called New Vision, a Hispanic group. I said, ‘whose that dark skin guy?' We literally been around each other ever since. We've never stop holding on to each other since." www.TVOne.tv/show/were-the-campbells www.MyBlockRecords.com

Speaking of holding on, Motown veteran Michael B. Sutton is holding on to the music industry as he recreates himself with the launch of a new company. Recently the two-time platinum songwriter/producer/singer, who wrote/produced songs during his time at Motown for Michael and Jermaine Jackson and The Supremes, launched his own company Sounds of L.A. His company recently inked a distribution deal with Sony Music and he has a long roster of artists from a wide range of genres that will be releasing projects in the future.

"The first release is June 15th - Urban/Pop," Sutton said. When I asked about his staying power in the music industry he said, "It's my love of music...Lots of aspiring people along the way...and my spouse."

Michael B. Suttons' former wife Brenda Sutton was his writing/production partner and singing partner. They had a duo act in the early 1980s on SAM Records and Virgin Records releasing a total of two albums, "Don't Hold Back" (1982/SAM Records) and "So Good" (1984/Virgin Records). They were both in a "disco group" called Finished Touch in the late 1970s. It was in the early 70s that Michael wrote songs for Motown artists Michael Jackson, Smokey Robinson, Jermaine Jackson, Thelma Houston and The Supremes.

"In the early days my grandparents just wanted to hear church music," he laughed slightly. "But when I got to Motown they were ok with it."

The duo was discovered by Stevie Wonder and they worked at Motown from 1974 - 1979 with the most notable songs by Smokie Robinson ("There Will Come a Day"), Jermaine Jackson ("Stay With Me") and songs for the group Switch. After Motown they worked with Cheryl Lynn on "Shake It Up Tonight," Ray Parker and Ian Levine's "Motown Revival Project."

"I thought it was a need when I came to Los Angeles," Michael said about why he launched Sounds of L.A. and even though he has artists outside of L.A. he said it was there that he fell in love with the multi-cultures that L.A. offers. "I come from Oakland. Music was different. We were playing Aretha Franklin and Temptations. They were playing early Hip-Hop here, so it was the vibe here."

Sounds of L.A. has a roster that is just as mixed as the many cultures found in Los Angeles, which include Jazz (a sextet named Drive Time), Hip-Hop (a rapper Steady from Oakland), R&B (a bassist Mitchell Coleman, Jr.), Gospel (singer R. J. Wilson), Club Music (singer Lady Aneessa), Old School Soul (Michael B. Sutton) and of course the June 15th Urban Pop release by artist Dionyza. Sutton's wife Anissa Boudjaoui has launched a new venture as well, an online magazine "Pump Up Magazine". www.TheSoundofLA.com www.Pumpitupmagazine.com

June 22, 2018

The Pulse of Entertainment: Dave Koz Brings ‘Summer Horns II' with New Album and Kids Are Supporting Kids in Hollywood at The Jonathan Foundation 'Spring Fundraiser'

By Eunice Moseley

"We are all friends," said Grammy nominated saxophonist Dave Koz about his guests on the "Summer Horns II: From A to Z" project out June 22, 2018. "Like anything collaborations are more successful when they are rooted in real friends. We had a great time."

The "Summer Horns II: From A to Z" (Concord Records) album's guests include Rick Braun on trumpet (also co-producer), Gerald Albright on alto sax, Richard Elliott on tenor sax, and Aubrey Logan on trombone (and vocals). Other featured vocalists include Jonathan Butler, Kenny Lattimore and Shelea. The project is also co-produced by Tom Scott (Aretha Franklin), Greg Adam (Santana) and Grammy winning Gordon Goodwin.

"We put our careers to the side for this project. We wanted to make it great, bigger than any one of us individually," Dave said about partnering with Braun, Albright, Elliott and Logan.

On the first "Summer Horns" Grammy nominated project Logan couldn't make it but on this one she brings her trombone skills.

"Rick and Aubrey came on board adding brass and trumpet making it a lot more powerful." Koz added. "The first album focused on a certain era. This is much more across the board like Duke Ellington's ‘A Train' combined with Jay Z's song ‘A to Z and Everything in Between.' We decided to do a remake of a Gloria Estefan song ‘Congo'. Gloria is a friend. I decided to send it to her to get her blessing. She said not only do you get my blessing I want to sing on it. Aubrey worships Gloria and to have her singing background!"

In Hollywood celebrity kids are supporting other kids that have learning disorders by supporting The Jonathan Foundation's fundraising events. I attended the 2018 The Jonathan Foundation's "Spring Fundraiser" to cover the red carpet arrivals where young actors came to bring people to the auction that had special celebrity memorabilia.

"We advocate for children. We meet with the parents and we help them identify what's happening with their children," said Raja Marhaba founder of The Jonathan Foundation. "We put a plan together and talk with the school district and try to get services for them."

Actor Michael Campion, who plays Jackson on the Netflix series "Fuller House," was there to support the event. He talked about his role in the spin off to the series "Full House."

"I actually just heard of it...but then I read through it and it's just really amazing what they can do," Michael said. "I love coming to these kinds of events."
Taja's son Jonathan, whom the foundation was named after, suffered from a learning disorder as a child which sparked the passion for the launch of this organization. That passion is seen clearly in both him and his mother.

"We work with an organization to help get girls off the street," said Jonathan. "Their acting out because they need attention. We have to figure out what's going on and introduce something positive in their lives...what they need around them so they can grow."

Young actor Hunter Payton, most known for his break-out role on NBC's "A to Z" was there to support the fundraiser.

"'A to Z' that was amazing," Hunter recalled about the NBC show where he played Young Andrew. "It was the first big TV series I was on and all the people on the show today are like my best friends. From the show I think I got more confidence and a lot more exposure."

The Jonathan Foundation 2018 "Spring Fundraiser" was hosted by NFL veteran Rodney and actress Holly Robinson Peete (Hallmark Channel's "Meet the Peetes"). Hunter is part of a group of young people who are the 2018 "Celebrity Youth Ambassadors" for the foundation. That group also consists of Jacob Hopkins, Merit Leighton, Drew Gordon, Ainsley Ross and Marlowe Peyton. (Photo credit/Jonathan Foundation: Malachi Carter)

June 29, 2018

The Pulse of Entertainment: Legends Score Big in Lionsgate's Uncle Drew and 'The Melody Trice Show' Reaches 2 Million in One Year

By Eunice Moseley

Living legends score big in the Lionsgate presentation of Uncle Drew, a sports comedy centered on street ball. Sports legends grace the screen in Uncle Drew providing tons of laughs with an underlining theme that age doesn't diminish skills. Uncle Drew stars NBA's Kyrie Irving (Boston Celtics) as Uncle Drew who is the best of the best and NBA's Chris Webber (Michigan Wolverines), Shaquille O'Neal ("Inside the NBA"), Reggie Miller (Indiana Paces) and Nate Robinson (New York Knicks) as his street ball team from back in the day, now "elderly" in age.

The team of street ballers was assembled for a chance to win a $100,000 prize for street team coach Dax, played by Lil Rel Howery ("The Carmichael Show"). Dax's previous team and star player Casper was brought out by his long time rival Mookie, played by Nick Kroll ("The League"). Everyone points him in the direction of Uncle Drew when he tries to recruit a new team. Finding no one willing he goes in search of Uncle Drew - since he already paid the $5,000 entry fee.

Uncle Drew is willing as long as he picks the team. He wants to show young street ball players that he still got the skills. Dax is against each team member they picked up because all he sees is an elderly person, but he soon learns that age doesn't diminish skills. It takes love for the game. Uncle Drew and Dax take a road trip to get the team which includes Lights (Miller) who is legally blind; Big Fella (O'Neal) now a kids martial arts instructor; Boots (Robinson) who is wheel-chair-bound in a retirement home, and Preacher (Webber) who is married to the very head-strong first Lady of the Church Betty Lou. Preacher's wife is played by another sports living legend WNBA's Lisa Leslie (Los Angeles Sparks). She was against her husband leaving the ministry to play street ball but ended up becoming a replacement player when Big Fella falls ill during the tournament.

The road trip and street ball game is filled with laughter through and through. Writer Jay Longino, director Charles Stone, III, with Marty Bowen and Wyck Godfrey as producers, did a great job. However, it was the acting and good comedic timing of the casts that makes Uncle Drew score big. The Summit Entertainment release is produced by Temple Hill Entertainment in association with PepsiCo's Creators League Studios. It is Rated PG-13 and arrives in theatres June 29, 2018. Other casts include Mike Epps, Erica Ash, JB Smoove, Tiffany Haddish and Aaron Gordon. www.UncleDrew.Movie.com

Melody Trice is all about inspiring on her talk show "The Melody Trice Show." The goal alone ensures success. May be this is why "The Melody Trice Show" reached 1.9 million in her first year. Her guests have included actor/author Hill Harper ("CSI: NY"), actors Nate Parker (The Great Debaters) and Alfonso Ribeiro ("America's Funniest Home Videos"), Gospel singer Vanessa Bell Armstrong and comedian/actress Kim Whitley ("The Parkers").

"It's all about life. I use other people's lives...to inspire others," said Melody about her show which airs on channels found on the Comcast, AT&T, Spectrum and Frontier networks at various times. "A lot of people, especially young girls, open their eyes...they say if that singer can do it so can I."

Hearing a story about someone who use to be where you are who successfully reached where you want to be is truly inspiring. Just on Comcast alone "The Melody Trice Show" reaches 1/2 million. It is just a year since its launch yet it has attracted top industry professionals and reached almost two million households that are eager to see Melody and her guests talk about the entertainment business, health, technology, music, beauty, careers and consumer trends.

"I'm a licensed cosmetologist...prior to it I was acting and modeling," Trice said about her background. "I did hair and makeup and had a beauty supply store...sold clothes."

Melody doesn't practice cosmetology anymore but her pose, style and busy savvy suggested to me that this is a woman that knows what she is doing - in a image driven industry. Just talking to her during my interview confirmed to me that I was right.

"I knew what hair style goes with that face and what clothes go with that shape," she said about her success as a cosmetologist.

I see big things from "The Melody Trice Show" because of the host, its guests and its subject matter. Once learning about the show, who would not turn it to be inspired to start your day or finish your day? If you want to be inspired log onto www.MelodyTrice.com for a list of networks/channels/times.

July 7, 2018

The Pulse of Entertainment: Bounce TV Premieres ‘In the Cut' starring Dorien Wilson and Lexi's Voice Earns a Ear on ‘Just Listen' Motown Gospel Album

By Eunice Moseley

"This barbershop is the new bar," said Bentley Kyle Evans ("Love That Girl," Martin Lawrence), creator and executive producer of Bounce TV's comedy series "In the Cut", which takes place in a barbershop. "In The Cut" premiered on Bounce TV this week and airs each Monday at 9pm. "You can talk about anything...buy hot goods! You can get it all there."

The series follows Jay Weaver played by Dorien Wilson ("Sister Sister," "The Parkers") who owns a barbershop and meets his long-lost son Kenny Clark, played by Ken Lawson. Jay has to be a father now and Kenny has to be a son. The day to day issues that come up while they attempt that - in the barbershop environment - makes for lots of laughs.

"I get my hair cut from the same person that cuts my hair on the set," Dorien laughed when asked if he still goes to the barbershop. When I asked what barbershops have been saying about the show he said, "We get a great response...They say it's similar to what we portray, it's where you get to talk about your troubles...as well as get groomed."

The Bounce TV series debuted in 2015 and this week launched its fourth season of "In the Cut," which also stars Kellita Smith as Cheryl, Laura Hayes as Mabel and John Marshall Jones as best friend Smitty. Though he wouldn't say it Dorien is the star of the Bounce TV show. He is NAACP Image Award winner and has also starred in such show as "The Steve Harvey Show," "Friends" and in the film A Weekend with the Family.

Its creator Bentley said the 13 episodes of "In the Cut" were shot in two days. A master television producer, director and writer Evans has contributed to putting a positive light on the portrayal of black people. He always wanted to be behind the camera but was told to get in where he could and that was as an actor in the film House Party starring the members of the Pop group Immature - Marques, Kelton and Jerome. Next Dorien worked as show runner for Fox's "Martin," "WB's "The Jamie Foxx Show" and TV One's "Love That Girl." As screen writer he worked on Martin Lawrence's film A Thin Line Between Love & Hate and as creator and executive producer of Bounce TV's "Family Times," "Grown Folks," and "In The Cut." www.BounceTV.com

Contemporary Gospel artist Lexi was absent from the music scene after the passing of her husband Michael Allen, but recently Motown Gospel executive Monica Coates took her in and debut her latest project "Just Listen," an eight track offering. Its first single "In the Room" is one of my favorites on the Urban flavored album.

"He would have been thrilled," Lexi said about what her late husband would say about her Motown deal. Lexi said she lost the passion for singing after his death but this deal must have reminded her of the vocal gift God has given her. "God is allowing me to experience joy, laughter...life in the highest sense,"

"It's God," Lexi said about being able to find her passion again. "I had no control over my emotions and memories. There is no statue of limitation on grief."

Lexi is Alexis Allen and she co-wrote all but one song on the project that is written by Marvin Winans. My favorite cuts on the "Just Listen" album include #3 the single "In the Room" for its Urban flavor; #2 "Runnin'" for being so inspiring; #4 "I Choose You" featuring Gene Moore because the two vocals offer perfect harmony; #5 "Simple" for also being inspiring, and the title track #6 "Just Listen," because it is a sweet almost Country flavored song and I love the strings from Kenneth "KC" Knight.

"The content comes from experiences with God and about God," Lexi said about her new project. "Realistic relationships with God...I had a problem that kept me up at night. I decided to spend time with him (God). The problem was still there but I had peace, I could go to sleep."

Her song writing partners on "Just Listen" include Eric Dawkins and Anson Dawkins (Dawkins & Dawkins). Lexi's vocals are reminiscent, to me, of a mixture of the vocals of Vanessa Williams (Destiny's Child) and Kierra Sheard. Producers include Terence Vaughn, Dawkins & Dawkins, Dana T. Sorey and Max Stark. "Just Listen" is executive produced by Monica Coates. www.Online-Lexi.com

July 13, 2018

The Pulse of Entertainment: Chris Walker to Honor Al Jarreau on New Album Featuring Dave Koz, Paul Jackson, Jr. and Marcus Miller/Dr. Alyn E. Waller's Youth Choir Fresh Anointing is Powerful

By Eunice Moseley

"I was in Al's band for 20 years and music director for 12 of those years," said Chris Walker, a living legend of a vocalist, music director and bass guitarist about why he took on the task of producing an album in honor of the great Al Jarreau. "When he passed I was waiting for someone to pay tribute to him but no one did...so I prayed on it and I guess that someone is me."

Chris Walker start in the music business in a Gospel group called The Walker Brothers. He later played in the band for Regina Bell as a bass guitarist who noticed his vocal ability and let him perform. He credits Regina Belle, who later hired him as her music director, for helping him to find his singing voice. He released his own projects with hits that include "Take Time" and "Giving You All My Love" on Pendulum Records.

"Everyday being around Al he is the same on stage as he was off stage...a humanitarian," Chris said about Jarreau. "Every conversation is about music and how to make things better. He challenged all of us to do the same."

Walker has several guest artists on the Al Jarreau Tribute such as Marcus Miller, Dave Koz and Paul Jackson, Jr.

"I've written two original pieces as an honor to Al. I'm recording with his core band. We start recording in mid-August to the end of December" Chris said. "...At least 15 songs...I pretty much selected the songs. I'm working on a concept for the CD cover."

Chris Walker takes his performance to South African in July and said he is always traveling to perform his hits songs from his four solo albums. www.ChrisWalkerMusic.com

Dr. Alyn E. Waller, pastor at Enon Baptist Church in Philadelphia, garnered three Stellar Awards via his Mass Choir and recently he debuted the first project from his Youth Choir - Fresh Anointing. The album is titled "Dr. Alyn E. Waller presents Fresh Anointing: Totally" (EMG). The project is executive produced by Rev. Dr. Waller, produced by Garland Miche' Waller (Music Room Productions) and co-produced by Austin Woodlin and Dennis Atkinson.

"Three years ago I made an effort to go back to the millenniums - we had 15," said Dr. Waller about establishing the youth choir which has over 40 members. "They are coming to church but not involved."

As senior pastor at his church Rev. Waller is in a position to guide, inspire and education his followers. Choosing to use the music industry to spread the Gospel via Fresh Anointing, whose members' ages range from 18 - 35, is a smart move.

"The industry can make you jaded and that's sad," he said. "Our music director Garland...has worked with John P. Kee...he's back home in Philly so I'm excited to let his production skills shine to receive the accolades that are due him."

About the "...Totally" album Dr. Waller said, "One we want to spread the Gospel and two as a conviction - calling the industry back to church. I started the label to teach young people about the business, not all the business is on stage."

The "...Totally" project features such artists as Shawn Bigby, Brian Irving, Pastor John P. Kee, Dr. Elizabeth Holder, Garland Miche' Waller, Pastor William Carter, III and Jasmine Hawkins. The album is a powerful offering of the Gospel. My favorite selections of the nine on the album include #1 "God Is" featuring Shawn Bigby because his voices are as powerful as the project, #4 "Oh How I Love Jesus" featuring John P. Kee, Garland Miche' Waller and Dr. Elizabeth Holder for its traditional sound and #8 "That's Just How He Is" featuring Dr. Alyn E. Waller for his emotional vocal delivery. www.EnonRab.org

July 20, 2018

The Pulse of Entertainment: Denzel Washington Street Cleans in The Equalizer 2 and TV One Airs Tim Folsome's Original Movie ‘Down for Whatever' Sunday July 22, 2018

By Eunice Moseley

equalizer2_denzelWashington_downforwhatever_timfolsome_hoseachanchez_letoyaluckett.jpg Two-time Academy Award winning Denzel Washington (Malcolm X) returns in Sony Pictures' presentation of The Equalizer 2 street-cleaning again as the good neighbor. In this sequel his sidekick is teenager Miles Whittaker, played by Ashton Sanders (Moonlight), torn between bettering his artistic skills in school and living the street life. The ex-military/retired CIA operative street-cleans with ease driven on by the memory and love for his late wife and the desire to find the killer of his best friend. The Equalizer 2 is Rated R and arrives in theatres July 20, 2018.

The Antione Fuqua directed action/thriller is based on the 1980's series ‘The Equalizer." In this sequel to the 2014 original film release of the same name Robert McCall (Washington) is living as a ghost in an Urban neighborhood, quietly serving justice to those consumed by greed and corruption. While investigating the death of a friend he runs up against his former CIA team members living as hired killers and now they are out to make sure he becomes a real ghost. However, they have underestimated the skills of this mild-mannered soldier.

The Equalizer is called Matrix by his former CIA operatives. He has taken Miles under his wings to inspire his talent for drawing and painting (on walls) to keep him off the streets. This gets Miles caught in a war where the odds are four to one against his neighbor Robert McCall. Producers on this project include Denzel Washington, Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal, Alex Siskin, Antoine Fuqua, Mace Neufeld, Tony Eldridge and Michael Sloan.

The cast also includes Pedro Pascal (The Great Wall) as Dave York part of his gone rogue ex-CIA team, Jonathan Scarfe (Van Helsing) as Resnik also part of the rogue CIA team and Bill Pullman (Independence Day) as Brian Plummer husband of Susan Plummer, played by Academy Award winner Melissa Leo ("Treme"), who is a friend of The Equalizer who was investigating a murder staged as a suicide when she is killed. How The Equalizer evens the odds against his rogue CIA "friends" and saves Miles from the streets and the rogue operatives is what makes The Equalizer 2 worth a look - or two.

The Equalizer 2 is a Columbia Pictures, Escape Artists, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Mace Neufeld Productions and Fuqua Film. Screen writer is Richard Wenk. www.TheEqualizer.movie

TV One airs an original movie "Down for Whatever" starring Hosea Chanchez ("The Game") and LeToya Luckett (Preacher's Kid) on Sunday July 22, 2018 at 8 p.m. /ET. The "Down for Whatever" movie is written and directed by Tim Folsome and he is a 2017 screenplay winner at the American Black Film Festival (ABFF). As a winner his movie was produced by TV One and Swirl Films.

Folsome's movie follows married couple Tracy (Luckett) and Michael (Chanchez) as they deal with him being a detective that finds out her sisters are murderers. Raised as an orphan Tracy struggles with wanting to support her new found sisters and her husband the detective. He struggles with keeping peace with his wife and doing his duty as a law enforcement officer. What happens will be a surprise to everyone.

Tim wants viewers to understand the adoption process, "You can know somebody that's like family...and the family member committees a crime, do you discard them?"

Folsome's story line tells us that life itself with take care of justice and that our job as family is to love unconditionally. How life serves out justice in "Down for Whatever" is almost shocking.

Imani Hakim (The Gabby Douglas Story) plays Tracy's new found sister Sonya and Lavaneka Stanae Grier, also known as Bre-Z ("The New Edition Story"), plays her new found sister Denise.

"Life is the people we love," Hosea said when asked what message he wants the reviewers to get from his character Detective Mike. "Humanity is not perfect...we live outside black and white in grey. Your best life is to love and being there for one another. And change, be open to change."

TV Ones' original movie "Down for Whatever" airs an encore performance on Sunday, July 22nd at 10 p.m. /ET. TV One reaches 59 million households and is owned by Urban One (formerly Radio One). www.TVOne.tv/show/down-for-whatever

July 20, 2023

The Pulse of Entertainment: Isley Brothers' Hit Maker Chris Jasper Releases New Album 'Dance with You' and Gospel Organist PJ Morgan Gets Transparent on New CD

By Eunice Moseley

"My sound came from my training on different instruments that I use," said Chris Jasper, lead vocalist and songwriter on the iconic The Isley Brothers' biggest hits such as "Caravan of Love." "‘Dance with You' is a continuation of my last two albums. My creative spill-over...I kept going creatively. That happened with The Isley Brothers we had an album every year."

The "Dance with You" album Chris Jaspers released in July is his 15th solo album. The Cincinnati keyboardist started as a member of The Isley Brothers (Motown Records, Warner Bros records and Def Soul Records) in 1973 as the songwriter, arranger and producer, as well as keyboardist and vocalist. At that time he wrote such hits for The Isley Brothers as "Between the Sheets," "For the Love of You" and "Fight the Power." The six-member group disbanded in 1984 and Ernie Isley, Chris Jasper and Marvin Isley formed the trio Isley-Jasper-Isley (CBS Records). During that time he wrote such hits as "Caravan of Love," "Brother to Brother" and "Different Drummer." When Isley-Jasper-Isley disbanded in 1987 Chris formed his own record label Gold City Records and released solo projects that garnered hits such as "Superbad."

When I asked how those hit songs come to him Chris said, "Most times they come after practicing...ideas come. That's how ‘Caravan of Love' came. Some songs come in dreams....melodies come to me."

Jasper's sister Elaine was married to Rudolph Isley, the eldest of the Isley brothers. It was Rudolph, Ronald and O'Kelly who formed The Isley Brothers in 1973. Chris studied classical piano at the age of seven and after high school he moved to New York to study at Juilliard School of Music. The hits that he made with The Isley Brothers, though he didn't get credit because they were The Isley Brother songs, helped them garner for the group a Grammy Award win and nomination, ASCAP Award, a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and a place in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

"In my solo career what I've done with my lyrics are consistent with God's principles," Chris said on a serious note.

Jasper holds a law degree, his wife Margie is a practicing lawyer and his son Michael is going for the Bar Exam.

"The more you know the better off," Jasper said about the business of music and the reason why he obtained his Law Degree. "I did not understand some of the legality. I wanted to understand the law. It makes you more aware of what you can and can not do."

A career in the music industry, on the top, for over 45 years shows us Chris Jasper knows more than most. He wrote and produced a song on Chaka Khan's "CK" album titled "Make It Last". The "Dance with You" album offers ten selections to remind you of The Isley Brothers sound he helped create. www.ChrisJasper.com

"It was time for another project," said three-time Stellar Award winning organist PJ Morgan about his new album "The Transparency Project." On why he produces his own music Morgan said, "I am a producer. You have your own opinions on how it should be. They (producers) make them sound the best them not the best me. It's like living in your parent's house. In my mind I had strong opinions."
"The Transparency Project" offers 10 selects of which my favorites are PJ's cover of Michael Jackson's "Gone (Too Soon)" because Morgan's vocals are heart-felt and "What a Friend (We Have in Jesus)" because PJ's organ playing took me back to that old school church experiences I had as a child.

The album is executive produced by Ernest T. Mabrey, III and Paul Shackelford with PJ Morgan as producer. The Gospel artist started in the music business as keyboardist of Jazz musician Ben Tankard and was promoted to his music director helping Ben build his record company. His credits include working with Bishop Paul Morton, Dorothy Norwood, Tramaine Hawkins, Pastor Shirley Caesar, Najee, Karen Clark Sheard, Bobby Jones and Yolanda Adams.

"I'm a teacher at Duke Ellington, "Music Theory," to some of the brightest. It was a God given job...I had nothing to do with getting the job," PJ pointed out. "My first love was the organ. I watched three cousins play at my church. It sparked my interest."

Gospel laced with Jazz is "The Transparency Project," influenced by his years working with Gospel's greats

August 3, 2018

The Pulse of Entertainment: The Journey of Christopher Robin and Winnie-the-Pooh Continues in a Marvelous Tale Starring Ewan McGregor

By Eunice Moseley

"The key for me was to have the animals' material to feel used and hugged," said Director Marc Forster (Quantum of Solace) of the Winnie-the-Pooh characters in the Walt Disney Studios presentation of Christopher Robin to arrive in theatres August 3, 2018. "As a child this character (Winnie-the-Pooh) was like a warm blanket."

Forster did just that because the Winnie-the-Pooh characters in Christopher Robin, which included Pooh Bear, Eeyore (the donkey), Piglet, Rabbit, Kanga (kangaroo), Roo (a joey, child of Kanga) and Tigger (the tiger), visually looked used and loved by the young Christopher Robin. In this continuation of the tale of Christopher Robin and Winnie-the-Pooh Walt Disney offers a marvelous journey for all. Robin is now all grown up with a wife, played by Hayley Atwell (Ant-Man) and a daughter, played by Bronte Carmichael. However it seems Christopher has lost his sense of fun and adventure because he is consumed by work. Golden Globe winner Ewan McGregor (Star Wars: The Force Awakens) excellently metamorphose into the Christopher Robin - as an adult.

"There is a lot of philosophy in Pooh," said Ewan about the legacy of the Winnie-the-Pooh character. One of Pooh's philosophies is there is something to be gained by doing nothing. "I finally took a break this year (after filming Christopher Robin) and I liked it. It took me 47 years to get here."

This marvelous journey of Christopher Robin finds him a workaholic who, without Pooh, can't seem to find his sense of fun. As a result his daughter Madeline (Carmichael) has no clue what fun is. His wife Evelyn (Atwell/Avengers: Age of Ultron) is very sweet in her attempt to get him to see past his work by planning a trip back to his childhood home, but work beckons Christopher and so he can't make the trip. However, he is meant to be there because Christopher finds himself back home via a secret passage way that Pooh enters finding himself with the grown up Robin. This begins the marvelous journey for us all back to our imagination where fun lives.

I had Ewan and Hayley reminiscing on childhood experiences with the Winnie-the-Pooh tales and Ewan said, "I had them read to me and I grew up with them as a child."

Hayley added, "...and I had them on cassette tape and I would listen to them."

The iconic Jim Cummings (The Lion King) voiced Winnie-the-Pooh and Tigger; the very funny Emmy winning Brad Garrett (Stuart Little, Garfield) voiced Eeyore; Academy Award winner Peter Capaldi (Paddington) voiced Rabbit; Golden Globe nominated Toby Jones (Captain America) voiced Owl; Nick Mohammed voiced Piglet; Academy Award nominated Sophie Okonedo (Hotel Rwanda) voiced Kanga, and Sara Sheen voiced Roo. Brigham Taylor and Kristin Burr were producers on the Walt Disney Pictures, 2DUX2 production.
Rated PG-13 Christopher Robin also stars Mark Gatiss, Oliver Ford Davies, Katy Carmichael, Matt Berry, Simon Farnaby and Tristan Sturrock. The script was written by Alex Ross Perry and Allison Schroeder and is based on the characters from Disney's "Winnie-the-Pooh" by Disney Animated Studios, A. A. Mine and E. H. Shepard (1966). www.movies.disney.com/Christopher-Robin

August 10, 2018

The Pulse of Entertainment: Romaine Waite Offers Magic in Netflix ‘Christmas Calendar' and Grammy Nominated Russell Gunn's Royal Krunk Jazz Orkestra Album is Sharp

By Eunice Moseley

"It brings home (the message) stick to your instincts...they tell you what direction you should be going," actor Ramaine Waite said about the message of the original Netflix film "Christmas Calendar" that he co-stars in with Kat Graham ("The Vampire Diaries") and Quincy Brown ("Star"). "The core message is follow the gut feeling."

In Netflix's "Christmas Calendar" Jamaica born Romaine plays Mitch the bother-in-law of Abby Sutton who inherits a magical calendar from her grandmother that predicts the future and seems to be pointing the way to someone special. To find out who is the special one is the mystery to the movie. It's slated to premier in the Fall. It is directed by Bradley Walsh and produced by Brad Krevoy.

The Canadian started in the entertainment business doing weather and traffic for a local station.

"Acting took longer to achieve, but it got to the point I said, ‘Now I can do it for...bills'," Romaine said about how he built his acting career to a point where that's all he does now. "I started back in elementary and high school doing theatrical plays and what not. I was just good at it. I had a chance to be in a friend's movie...it (acting career) happened organically. It feels good following your instinct."

Abby (Graham) learns to follow her instinct too in "Christmas Calendar". Waite's list of acting credits grew extensively because he followed his gut. He appeared on a television series "Taken" and "The Mist." His credits also include "Star Trek: Discovery," "The Strain" and "Beauty and the Beast." In "Christmas Calendar" his character Mitch is the opposite of who he is.

"He is a little bit more reserved and plays by the rules...I'm more outgoing...sometimes you can't play by the rules," Romaine said the differences in him and his character "Mitch." "He is kind of a ‘scapegoat' in terms of family." www.Netflix.com

Grammy Award nominated trumpeter Russell Gunn takes Jazz and mixes it with Crunk music on his new album "Get It How You Live" (Groid Music/Ropedope) with his 19 member Big Band, The Royal Krunk Jazz Orkestra.

"It's the same (crunk) but a bit broader strokes," said Russell about the genre of music I was first introduced to by the Ying Yang twins from Atlanta. "My Big Band is set up like a traditional band is set up...but the music is an ultra modern version of the Big Band."

That described what I heard on the "Lyne's Joint" selection traditional Big Band mixed with the Hip-Hop genre called Crunk. "Lyne's Joint" is one of my favor songs on the nine selection, "Get It How You Live," project. I wrote as I listened to "Lyne's Joint", "I'm imagining a Hip-Hop version of Louie Armstrong blowing his horn." The "Lyne's Joint" song gets hype in the traditional Crunk style and then it evens-out like Smooth Jazz.

"It's still a Jazz Ensemble," Gunn pointed out about The Royal Krunk Jazz Orkestra.

Featured on the "Get It How You Live" album are vocalists Grammy Award winning Dionne Farris and Dashill Smith. Also featured on the project are trumpeter Theo Croker, saxophonist Brian Hogans and trumpeter Melvin Jones.

Farris delivers her signature Jazz vocal sound on another favor selection of mine on the album, a remake of her song "Hopeless."

"I started working with her years ago. We met in late 90s," Russell said about the Grammy winner Dionne Farris. "I was a kid with Wynton Marsalis. They were on the same label. It turns out we both lived in Atlanta and we connected...it evolved. So when I decided to do a Big Band she was my one and only choice."

Some of my other favorites of the project include #3 "If Ever I Fall In Love" a remake of the Shai hit because the instrumental perfectly brings voice without vocals, #5 "The Critic's Song" because it's just so sharp in quality, and #8 "Switch Melody," which consist of three cover songs and of those I really like #8a ""There'll Never Be" because the vocals and instrumental support is just perfection and #8c "I Call Your Name" because it made me nostalgic and was a nice version of the classic hit.

"I've been around for a while," Gunn said about his career. "I wish for now that I get the opportunity to present my music to a wider audience." www.GroidMusic.com www.RussellGunn.fourfour.com

August 17, 2018

The Pulse of Entertainment: Dee Brown's New CD 'Remembering You' is Crazy Cool and Anthony Evans' Memoir 'Unexpected Places' is Spiritually Deep

By Eunice Moseley

"All things work together for the good," said Urban Jazz guitarist Dee Brown about the experiences he endured that led to the music he created for his new album "Remembering You" (Innervision Records). "When you lose someone you ask why, that's what went through my mind. It came to me to write a song about her."

Brown is referring to his late wife Shauna Edwards, who was also his songwriting partner who also played in the band. After she passed away he met someone who helped him through his lost and who understood that lost. He fell in love with her and is getting married this month - in August. The "Remembering You" album is a sweet tribute to his late wife - and current fiancé'. The Detroit native's album "Remembering You" offers 11 selections that boldly show his expert skills on the guitar strings, but also shows some vocal skills also.

"There is an exit," Dee said seriously. "I didn't want to be alone so I asked Him to send me someone else."

Brown's prayers were answered.

"I...meet a young lady ...five or six months after. I talked to her about what I was going through and we feel in love," he explained.

The tribute to the love lost and the love found in the form of a new album titled "Remembering You" is crazy cool. My favorite songs on the album include #3 "Pop the Question" because his strings are funky cool, laced with the flavor of the Latin world; #6 "I Will" because its crazy cool what Dee does on the strings; #7 "Follow You" because his strings are popping and the vocals are sweet; #8 "So Much" because it almost has a Big Band sound because of what sounds like horns, and #10 "Beauty Within" because the vocals on this at times is reminiscent of Al Jarreau.

"Remembering You" is Dee Brown's four solo album. It features musical assistance from pianist/keyboardist/programmer Valdez Brantley (Usher), keyboardist Bob Baldwin, flutist Althea Rene and keyboardist Nate Harasim. www.InnervisionRecords.com

With credits that include performing as the Beast in "Beauty and the Beast" at the Hollywood Bowl and on NBC's "The Voice" Gospel artist Anthony Evans is set to publish his memoirs, "Unexpected Places" (Harper Collins/Thomas Nelson/W Publishing Group) August 21, 2018. Evans takes us on a mental ride of his experiences from the church to Hollywood where he shines as a Gospel artist. The son of a pastor ministers in the book in a way, as he tells the readers his thoughts, view on life and decision-making processes.

"When I got the opportunity I took it," Anthony said about publishing his memoirs. "It made me grateful."

Evans proves time and time again that he believes that God will turn things around for his good and so with that attitude there is nothing stopping him. That attitude took him to NBC's "The Voice" and as the star in the Hollywood Bowl musical "Beauty and the Beast." In "Unexpected Places" you get to experience those triumphant moments in his life.

"I can look back now and see what God was doing...in my career," he said. "You can't define success by albums sold. I will have them but not have peace. You can write a check but you can't write a check for peace."

Anthony Evans is honest in "Unexpected Places" as he describes the agonies he experiences as a child and as a striving artist in a field where virtue is rare.

"(As an artist) I was too soulful for R&B and too soulful for Gospel," Evans explain about pursuing his music career. "So I had to carve out my own lane - with my own production company."

Going the road less traveled is where the journey takes you in "Unexpected Places." Every decision involved God and the reader sees how his relationship with God grows to a point where he knows without a doubt that "all things work out for the good."

"I have been working non-stop being true to my calling," Anthony said. "Pre-mature success transforms into misery. You loose sight of what is waiting. There is an active wait."

As you can see this guy is deep in thought and philosophy - making "Unexpected Places" a must read.

"Our objective is for humanity to believe in a God who works all things out for the good," he concluded.

You can catch Anthony Evans performances August 23, 2018 in Chattanooga, Tenn; August 24th in Ft. Wayne, IN; August 31st in Miami; September 2nd in Winte Park, FL and September 4th in Lake Buena Vista, Fl. www.Anthony-Evans.com www.ThomasNelson.com

August 24, 2018

The Pulse of Entertainment: Grammy Winning Estelle to Release Reggae Album, ‘Lover's Rock' in September

By Eunice Moseley

"It formed itself," said multi-platinum selling Estelle about her fifth studio album, "Lover's Rock" (Established 1980, Inc./VP Records) to be released in September. "It just happened to be all Reggae songs - three years into it."

Estelle has a rich history in American music after her international hit "American Boy" featuring Kanye West, which won a Grammy Award for "Best Rap Song Collaboration." "American Boy" reached double-platinum status also. Her follow-up album "All of Me" received a Grammy Award nomination for "Best R&B Performance."

"I've always loved Reggae music. I've always done all genres...different types of music," she said. "This is the first time I've done one genre"

In 2015 Estelle performed on season one of "Empire" singing a duet with the shows star Jussie Smollett which is said to have carried the show's soundtrack to #1 on Billboard Top 200. Other television appearances include "Girls Trip" and a voice over gig as Garnet in "Steven Universe" (Cartoon Network).

The "Lover's Rock" album released its first single "Better" with accompanying music video and she appears on VP Records' "Reggae Gold" with the single "Love Like Ours" featuring Tarrus Riley. Estelle seems to be all about love.

"For me it's what the vibe. I could not do records without being in love," she pointed out. "I look at my mom and dad. The memory of their love...they were separated for 10 years and came back together. The idea, that your love is your love and will come back to you."

Estelle's love for all genres of music and her West Indian roots show up in her style and can be heard on "Lovers' Rock". The London, England native has worked with such music greats such as Sean Paul and Jerry Wonder.

"My dad was in a band. He was very popular," Estelle said about her history with Reggae music. "...I'm giving respect to the genre that raised me."

Estelle's single "Better" reminded her of her parents love for each other and that theme is carried throughout the project.

"The very first time when I heard it I got a vision of my mom and dad," she said. "Its...original Reggae and R&B in the 80s."
www.EstelleDarlings.com

SYNDICATED COLUMN: Eunice Moseley, has an estimated weekly readership of over ¼ million with The Pulse of Entertainment. She is also a Public Relations Strategist and Business Management Consultant at Freelance Associates, and is Promotions Director (at-large) for The Baltimore Times. www.ThePulseofEntertainment.com. EVENT: 19th annual "Uplifting Minds II" Free Entertainment Conference Los Angeles on Sat October 20th 1 - 4pm at the Celebrity Centre in Hollywood) with EURweb publisher Lee Bailey, talk show host Melody Trice, television executive Tiaunte Kelly and singer Emmanuel Withers.. Entertainment Business panel and national talent showcase competition (vocal, songwriting, dance and acting) with over $15,000 in prizes. www.UpliftingMinds2.com.

August 31, 2018

The Pulse of Entertainment: TV One Explores Soul Mates in ‘Dinner for Two' Original Sunday, September 2, 2018 and Sam Rucker Makes His Sax Sing on New CD ‘Redemption'
By Eunice Moseley

On Sunday September 2, 2018 TV One premieres an original movie "Dinner for Two" starring and executive produced by Grammy nominated Tristan Wilds (Red Tails) and Chaley Rose ("Nashville") at 7 p.m. ET with encore to air at 10 p.m. The film is written and directed by Orlando Bishop and follows Chris (Wilds) as he deals with a break-up from someone he believes is his soul mate Angela (Rose).
The storyline, which Orlando said was taken from a personal experience of love lost, finds Chris using alcohol to diminish the pain of his lost. Fate however would give him a chance at one last dinner for two with her to only discover why he loved her in the first place.
"I lost my mom in March and wanted to get that feeling into a film," Orlando said about the film that took 12 years to make.
"Dinner for Two" may have taken 12 years to make but it took only 12 days to shoot.
When I asked Wild and Rose what they would do if they where in the same situation as Chris and Angela Wild said, "The biggest thing...to allow yourself to grieve...get your feelings out...the good moments and bad moments they are lessons. Take a step back and see how I got to this place...be more reflective."
Wise words for a man who has successful conquered the music industry as well as the acting arena. Tristan, in the music industry, is known as Mack Wilds. As a singer he garnered a Grammy nomination for the album "New York: A Love Story". He recently signed with Roc Nation so expect big things from him musically. He debuted as an actor in a Spike Lee film project, "Miracle Boys", followed by guest appearances on "Cold Case" and "Law & Order". In a recurring role in HBO's "The Wire" Tristan found the recognition he needed that led to a starring role beside Queen Latifah, Alicia Keys and Sakota Fanning in The Secret Life of Bees in 2007. He returned to television after that before obtaining a starring role in the George Lucas film Red Tails about the Tuskegee Airmen, a group of African-American US Army Air Force pilots that also starred Cuba Gooding, Jr. and Terence Howard.
Chaley said she would go crazy if she lost a soul mate, "I think I would drink away my sorrow. Let myself cry...write it in my journal."
Rose is known for her role in the ABC drama "Nashville." She is also a singer. Her music can be found on the soundtracks of "The Music of Nashville: Seasons 2, 3 and 4" and "Christmas with Nashville." Chaley also had a role in the CBS series "Code Black."
The TV One original movie "Dinner for Two" airs Sunday September 2nd at 7 p.m. ET and is a complicated love story about love and sacrifice. www.TVOne.tv/show/dinner-for-two
Saxophonist Sam Rucker makes his sax sing on his third solo album "Redemption" (Favor Productions). His outstanding skills have allowed him to work with Peter White, Norman Connor and Phil Perry. He has opened up for Will Downing, Norman Brown, Eric Benet, Ben Tankard and Candi Staton to name a few.
For this album the Virginia native wanted to give the message of "true love."
"It's about the courses of my life," Rucker said about the "Redemption" album. "Been lots of downs and I felt like I reached a low point...This album is about redemption...feels like my life did a come back. It's so good you could not have planned it yourself. Sit back and let Him (God) work."
The album offers 11 selections with Lucy Kilpatrick on piano; Carlton Savage, John Calisto and Justin Taylor on guitar; Donnell Smith on bass; Steven Kroon on percussions; JP Lilliston on drums, and vocals by Wanda Jay, Sheila Madanat, Joselyn Best and Regina Blackwell. The first single, "True Love," was released July 16, 2018.
"My life turned around so much I knew this album was going to musically move people," he said. "I want my music to be encouraging and make you feel good. The message...keep the faith...feel good in the Spirit."
For me it was inspiring and uplifting. My favorite songs on the "Redemption" album include #2 "Down on the Inside" because Rucker's sax playing is sweet and combines well with the vocals of Wanda Jay and Sheila Madanat - with the piano playing of Lucy the cherry on the cake; #3 "True Love" because Sam is playing that sax in a sassy way that matches the vocals of Joselyn Best and because guitarist John Calisto brings a Latin flavor to it to top it all off; #4 "Overcome" because it personifies what Smooth Jazz is, and #8 "Follow Me" because Sam Rucker is perfection on the sax and I love the support of Kilpatrick on the piano. www.SamRucker.com

SYNDICATED COLUMN: Eunice Moseley, has an estimated weekly readership of over ¼ million with The Pulse of Entertainment. She is also a Public Relations Strategist and Business Management Consultant at Freelance Associates, and is Promotions Director (at-large) for The Baltimore Times. www.ThePulseofEntertainment.com. EVENT: 19th annual "Uplifting Minds II" Free Entertainment Conference Los Angeles on Sat October 20th 1 - 4pm at the Celebrity Centre in Hollywood) with EURweb publisher Lee Bailey, talk show host Melody Trice, television executive Tiaunte Kelly and singer Emmanuel Withers.. Entertainment Business panel and national talent showcase competition (vocal, songwriting, dance and acting) with over $15,000 in prizes. www.UpliftingMinds2.com.

September 7, 2018

The Pulse of Entertainment: The Braxton Brothers' ‘Higher' Jazz Album Rocks Superbly
By Eunice Moseley

It's evident when you hear the new album, "Higher," of The Braxton Brothers that they were born to complement each other - being twins help also. Nelson plays the bass (and lead guitar) and brother Wayne plays the saxophone. Together they make the two sounds rock, superbly.
"He (Wayne) has a different way of looking at things," said Nelson when I asked what differences the twins have musically. "He is more out the box...he is not trying to do what anyone is doing. He is fresh."
Nelson, who has been on tour with Michael Bolton for 12 years, explains that he works with other artists so he has learned to adapt.
"I depend on that (Wayne's out of the box style) to balance. He helps balance me," Nelson said. "He works with other people too (Sheila E). What's interesting is we still have the same music background."
I think balance is a good way to describe why Wayne's sax and Nelson's bass (strings) work together superbly. The album also features lead guitarists Errol Cooney, Kay-Ta (LCR Music), Andy Quinn and Ryan Parrino. Both Nelson and Wayne offer skilled voices along with Joelobeack Neisler-Lebron.
"The record is made of music we made while living," Nelson pointed out. "Music can uplift or bring them down. I hope listeners get joy from it and feel lifted from it...get up and do something. Feel inspired and loved."
Well the "Higher" album sure had me wanting to get up and move my body. My favorite selections on "Higher" are #1 "The Only Woman in the World" because it's upbeat and you get to hear the great blend the two musicians create and the lead guitar is the cherry on the cake; #3 "Back in My Arms" because it's amazing how Wayne's sax sings and Nelsons bass dances and I love how they reach an explosive point; #5 "Something in My Heart" because I immediately thought this song was so good ‘this belongs on a soundtrack"; #6 "Because of You" because it has a Pop flavor added to their Jazz sound that's simplicity; #8 "Beauty" because it has a Reggae feel that makes you want to rock and the guitar strings on this is superbly done, and #11 "What Would I Do" because this time the bass sings - along with vocals that blend perfectly. www.TheBraxtonBrothers.com

SYNDICATED COLUMN: Eunice Moseley, has an estimated weekly readership of over ¼ million with The Pulse of Entertainment. She is also a Public Relations Strategist and Business Management Consultant at Freelance Associates, and is Promotions Director (at-large) for The Baltimore Times. www.ThePulseofEntertainment.com. EVENT: 19th annual "Uplifting Minds II" Free Entertainment Conference Los Angeles on Sat October 20th 1 - 4pm at the Celebrity Centre in Hollywood) with EURweb publisher Lee Bailey, talk show host Melody Trice, television executive Tiaunte Kelly and singer Emmanuel Withers.. Entertainment Business panel and national talent showcase competition (vocal, songwriting, dance and acting) with over $15,000 in prizes. www.UpliftingMinds2.com.

September 14, 2018

The Pulse of Entertainment: ‘Sister Circle' Adds Trina Braxton as Host and Lisa Ruffin Gives Hope at Little Miss African American Pageant

By Eunice Moseley

Singer and reality star Trina Braxton ("Braxton Family Values") lands "gig" as co-host of the "Sister Circle" talk show, which airs weekdays on TV One and TEGNA networks from 12:00 p.m. - 1 p.m. (ET) reaching over 60% of the households in the U.S.
"I'm so excited I don't know what to do with myself," said Trina, who holds a Bachelors degree in Communications, about her new job.
The talk show premiers September 14, 2018 and its returning co-hosts include actress Rashan Ali ("Being Mary Jane"), Grammy Award nominated Syleena Johnson and reality star Quad Webb-Lunceford ("Married to the Medicine"). "Sister Circle" is produced by TEGNA from its Atlanta based WATL station.
"When talk show hosts have to take off they call in guest hosts," Trina explained. "One left for three weeks...now with the whole thing with ‘Braxton Family Values' it kind of fell into my lap."
Trina Braxton, the youngest of the sisters, isn't new to the lime-light. In 1989, along with her sisters Toni, Tamar, Traci, she signed to Arista Records by Bryant Reid as The Braxtons. Reid was head of A&R at the time. While there the group failed to release an album, but her sister Toni recorded songs for producers Antonio "LA" Reid and Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds before signing to their Arista distributed label LaFace. Bryant moved to Atlantic Records and took Trina, Tamar and Towanda with him as The Braxtons in 1993 and released "So Many Ways" album.
The Severn, Maryland native wants the world to see her as more than a Braxton sister but as an actress, business woman, singer, journalist and one who holds a college degree. As an actress her credits include "Meet the Browns" and Broadway's Dreamgirls as Deena. Let us not forget her talents as a singer. In 2012 she released her solo album "Party or Go Home" (Soltri Entertainment).
"I'm a new comer in the group," Trina said about working with three other professionals on live television. "I hope I get the support of a cast but still be an individual. I want to make sure we form a bond. I have always been interested in independent journalism, as well as business. This way I ended up in both worlds." www.TVOne.tv/shows/sister-circle
"They are not afraid to go after their dreams...and I am so happy that Lisa Ruffin is still doing this 25 years later," said actress Ella Royce ("My Wife and Kids") about the 6 - 12 year old contestants of the Little Miss African American Pageant (LMAA). The scholarship pageant, founded by actress/choreographer Lisa Ruffin ("The Raven"/"The Steve Harvey Show"), was recently held in Los Angeles at the Nate Holden Theatre.
Ella Royce was one of the pageant judges along with James Pickens, Jr. ("Grey's Anatomy"), Professor Ron Brewington, and actress/comedian Roz Ryan ("The Rickey Smiley Show").
When I asked Roz what she hopes the young contestants get from the pageant, which provides a scholarship to the winner, she said "To understand how special they are. Our girls are growing up to believe they can be who ever they want."
With the scholarship from the pageant one of them will have help getting to where they want to go. The 25th annual Little Miss African American Pageant was hosted by actress Penny Johnson Jearld (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine) and reality star Claudia Jordan ("Real Housewives of Atlanta").
"I started at a pageant. Then I was Miss Rhode Island and then to Miss USA," said Claudia about her journey to being a reality star on such high-profile reality shows as "Celebrity Apprentice" and "Real Housewives of Atlanta". "After that I came to Los Angeles with $500 in my picket. These girls are so talented. To see them do their monologues...makes me so proud. Those little 5 and 7 year olds ...it is so cute."
The LMAA pageant offered a media filled red carpet arrival and performances by Neo-Soul vocalist Janice Freeman and last years Little Miss African American winner Krista Campbell. The nonprofit program is a educational one, that through the pageant not only will one get a scholarship to further their education, but all contestants receive education through their participation.
"Grace, poise, hope, pride," said Ella (Preachers' Kid) about what she saw in the contestants last year. "The way the presented themselves...all the girls are going to fore fill their dreams. They are not afraid to go after their dreams."
The pageant provides the young ladies with an introduction to the arts, experience in public speaking and it stimulates their drive to go after their dreams. All of the high-profile entertainment experts there that day seemed genuinely excited with the chance to help provide that experience.
"I am very hands on," said Claudia as she gave me her social media name (@ClaudiaJordan) so young people who read this can reach out to her. "I got you." www.LittleMissAfricanAmerican.org
SYNDICATED COLUMN: Eunice Moseley, has an estimated weekly readership of over ¼ million with The Pulse of Entertainment. She is also a Public Relations Strategist and Business Management Consultant at Freelance Associates, and is Promotions Director (at-large) for The Baltimore Times. www.ThePulseofEntertainment.com. EVENT: 19th annual "Uplifting Minds II" Free Entertainment Conference Los Angeles on Sat October 20th 1 - 4pm at the Celebrity Centre in Hollywood) with EURweb publisher Lee Bailey, talk show host Melody Trice, television executive Tiaunte Kelly and singer Emmanuel Withers.. Entertainment Business panel and national talent showcase competition (vocal, songwriting, dance and acting) with over $15,000 in prizes.  www.UpliftingMinds2.com.
September 21, 2018
The Pulse of Entertainment: ‘Magnum P. I.' Navy Seal is Back on CBS and Candice Bergen Is ‘Murphy Brown' Rebooted
By Eunice Moseley

"We want to bring the old fans to the new show and the new fans to the old show," said Stephen Hill ("Luke Cage"), who plays TC in the new CBS reboot of "Magnum P. I.", the best friend of ex-Navy Seal Private Investigator Thomas Magnum ("Jesse Stone"). Magnum lives in the guest house of famed unseen novelist Robin Masters. "I called Roger E. Mosley (former TC) and he called me back! He said, ‘This is your role'."
The "Magnum P.I." reboot premieres Monday, September 24, 2018 at 9 p.m. ET starring Jay Hernandez ("Six Degrees") as Thomas Magnum. The original detective series ran from 1980 - 1988 and stayed at the top of the ratings for five straight years with Tom Selleck as Magnum (ex-Navy Seal private investigator), Roger E. Mosly ("Hangin' With Mr. Cooper") as TC (ex-Marine helicopter charter service owner) and Larry Manetti ("Walker, Texas Ranger") as Rick (ex-Marine bar owner).
"Robin Masters is an author who heard all of our stories of P.O.W., wrote about it and became a millionaire. We (veterans) formed a bond," Hill explained about the background for the show.
The reboot of "Magnum P. I." is about the same. The backdrop is Hawaii with Perdita Weeks taking the role John Hillerman had as Higgins the ex-British Intelligence Officer who is Robin Masters' straight-lace estate care-taker. Higgins still owns two Dobermans, Zeus and Apollo, who help guard the estate. Zachary Knighton ("Happy Endings") takes on the role of Larry Manetti as Rick. Comedy is still intertwined with this reboot of "Magnum P.I.", a criminal investigative series.
Stephen Hill ("Blue Bloods") said that Roger E. Mosly's helicopter flying was faked back then, but he actually was flying one - to get a feel for it.
"They do keep some stuff in there," Stephen said when asked if adlibs he did during the taping of "Magnum P.I." was kept in. "It depends on the writer and director. Some want just what's in the script. Words ...do roll off your tongue." www.CBS.com/shows/Magnum-PI
The 62 Emmy Award winning comedy series "Murphy Brown" gets a reboot by CBS also with the top four actors returning with Five-time Emmy winning Candice Bergen ("Boston Legal") returning as Murphy Brown. Candice, as with the original series, is also co-executive producer. "Murphy Brown" premieres Thursday September 27, 2018 at 9:30 p.m. ET.
"I wrote the script and handed it to Candice," said Diane English, creator and executive producer of the original and reboot.
"And I said let's do it," Candice added. "To be back there, we're just grateful. We moved the show to New York because that is where I am."
The original "Murphy Brown" aired November 14, 1988 to May 18, 1998 with Bergen, as Murphy Brown, a famous investigative journalist and anchor. This new version has Murphy as a host of her own cable morning show "Murphy in the Morning." Her three co-workers return - Faith Ford ("Another World") as Corky Sherwood the lifestyles reporter, Joe Regalbuto (The Sword and the Sorcerer) as Frank Fontana the investigative journalist and Grant Shaud (Antz) as Miles Silverberg the producer of the morning show.
"The show will focus on freedom of the press and the 1st Amendment," said creator English.
This "Murphy Brown" has to deal with 24 hours of news, social media news and fake news. The 13 episode comedy series has Murphy's son Avery, played by Jake McDorman (Manhattan Love Story), all grown up and working as a Conservative anchor on a rival morning show. The original show touched on single parenting, which was look down on then, but the reboot of "Murphy Brown" deals with freedom of speech in a world full of fake news.
"The show has no fear," Candice said about the topics the episodes will take on when it air on CBS.  www.CBS/shows/murphy-brown
SYNDICATED COLUMN: Eunice Moseley, has an estimated weekly readership of over ¼ million with The Pulse of Entertainment. She is also a Public Relations Strategist and Business Management Consultant at Freelance Associates, and is Promotions Director (at-large) for The Baltimore Times. www.ThePulseofEntertainment.com. EVENT: 19th annual "Uplifting Minds II" Free Entertainment Conference Los Angeles on Sat October 20th 1 - 4pm at the Celebrity Centre in Hollywood) with EURweb publisher Lee Bailey, talk show host Melody Trice, television executive Tiaunte Kelly and singer Emmanuel Withers.. Entertainment Business panel and national talent showcase competition (vocal, songwriting, dance and acting) with over $15,000 in prizes.  www.UpliftingMinds2.com.
September 28, 2018
The Pulse of Entertainment: Mainstream Visits ‘The Neighborhood' October 1, 2018 and ‘God Friended Me' Tackles Belief in God on CBS, Premieres September 30, 2018

By Eunice Moseley

"One of the reasons why I wanted to do this show was to work with Cedric the Entertainer. I've known him for 20 years," said Emmy nominated Tichina Arnold ("Everybody Hates Chris") about starring opposite Cedric the Entertainment, the executive producer, of the sitcom "The Neighborhood" premiering on CBS Monday October 1, 2018 at 8:00 p.m. ET.
Jim Reynolds is co-executive producer on the series and it is based on his experiences. He said he wanted viewers to see, the integration of neighborhoods, from a black perspective. "The Neighborhood" is about a black neighborhood integrated by a white family and all the funny things that that scenario brings.
Cedric the Entertainer ("The Soul Man") plays the apprehensive Calvin Butler and Tichina plays his sweet arms-open wife. Emmy nominated Max Greenfield ("The Mindy Project") plays the new neighbor Dave Johnson and his wife Gemma Johnson is played by Beth Behrs ("2 Broke Girls").
"I was born in Jamaica Queens, New York in a black neighborhood," Arnold recalled. "My life was a one block radius. As I got older ...I was introduced to white people. I moved into Jada's (Pinkett-Smith) spot when she moved into a house. It had a black landlord but the neighborhood was mixed. My own house is in a white neighborhood. I like the mixture, it's more interesting. It forces you to live...outside the box."
"The Neighborhood" consists of the Butlers with their two sons Malcolm (Sheaun McKinny) and Marty (Marcel Spears) and the Johnsons and their son Grover (Hank Greenspan), whose interaction will surprise you as CBS tries to mirror real life with humor. www.CBS.com/shows/the-neighborhood
CBS also tackles the real issue of belief in God in the series "God Friended Me" starring Brandon Michael Hall ("The Mayor"), which premieres Sunday September 30, 2018 at 8:30 p.m. ET. Brandon is Miles Finer an outspoken atheist who is used by God to change the lives of others.
"It's a spiritual journey," said Brandon, whose father is a pastor, about the theme of the series. "I've never seen a black atheist, that story has never been told. It helped me in my own relationship with God."
Joe Morton ("Scandal") is Miles' father, Javicia Leslie plays his mother and Violett Beane plays an online journalist whose life is change by God through her association with Miles, and his "relationship" with God.
When asked in what ways have God been real in his life Brandon said, "I was talking to my father (about his acting career) and I said, ‘Dad...I don't think its going to happen.' The next day I got ‘the call'."
That call was as if God replied for his father by saying, "Yes it will son." The pilot "God Friended Me" stars Hall and was created and executive produced by Steven Lilien and Bryan Wynbrandt. All the years of hard work paid off when it was accepted by CBS (Warner Brothers Television). It now airs each Sunday at 8:30 p.m. ET.
"Miles is like me. He grew up in the church," Brandon said.
But Miles looses his faith not understand why, if God is real, would he allow bad people to thrive and horrible events to happen in the world.
"So Miles is friended by God," explains Hall ("Search Party") about the chain of events on the series. "He's on a search for humanity." www.CBS.com/shows/god-friended-me

SYNDICATED COLUMN: Eunice Moseley, has an estimated weekly readership of over ¼ million with The Pulse of Entertainment. She is also a Public Relations Strategist and Business Management Consultant at Freelance Associates, and is Promotions Director (at-large) for The Baltimore Times. www.ThePulseofEntertainment.com. EVENT: "Uplifting Minds II" Free Entertainment Conference annually in Baltimore (April) and Los Angeles (October). Offering Entertainment Business panel and a talent showcase and competition (vocal, songwriting, dance and acting) with over $15,000 valued in prizes.  www.UpliftingMinds2.com.

October 5, 2018

The Pulse of Entertainment: Marvel's Venom is Comic Relief and LaVonda Rouse's ‘The Blend' Talk Show Enlightens

By Eunice Moseley

Co-produced by Columbia Pictures and distributed by Sony Pictures, Marvel Entertainment's Venom arrives in theatre October 5, 2018. Academy Award nominated Tom Hardy (Inception) is Venom, a journalist named Eddie Brock who accidentally finds a "parasite" has taken control of his body and mind.
A radical billionaire called Riot, played by Riz Ahmed (Jason Bourne), through his foundation wants to create a hybrid human that could live in other worlds by combining humans with aliens. However the aliens he captured wants something else - humans for food. One alien escapes capture by Riot merging with human after human until it ends up in Eddie, a very passionate journalist looking for a breaking story. Venom and Eddie, through circumstances of survival become one and as a result they become the comic relief of the Rated PG - 13 thriller.
The battle between the two (good and evil) and then the battle between them and Venom's fellow alien (survival of the fittest) is the climate of the sci-fi film that will have you on the edge of your seats. Venom is directed by Ruben Fleisher (Zombieland) and co-produced by Avi Arad, Matt Tolmach and Amy Pascal. The Marvel project also stars Academy Award nominated Michelle Williams ("Dawson Creek"), Scott Haze and Reid Scott. www.venom.movie/site/
"A talk show was never something I want to pursue," said television producer LaVonda P. Rouse ("Mr. Belvedere") about "The Blend" talk show launched October 3, 2018 at www.TheBlendTalk.com. "What I found was the need to provide information from people that look like me."
"The Blend" will cover issues of the body, mind and spirit and their hosts include Jewel Diamond Taylor, Dr. Tabatha Carr, Dr. Gloria Chance and Dr. Peace Amadi.
"We are spirit, mind and body. If one is not aligned it throws the whole self off," LaVonda stated about why the shows issues will surround the spirit, mind and body. "I was looking for certain women. Outside of personality these women are respectful and humble...and they understand why we are doing the show."
Producer of the show is Ahleea Zama and co-executive producer with Rouse include Bever-Leigh Banfied. Dr. Amadi is a psychology professor, Dr. Carr is a women's health expert, Dr. Chance is a psychologist and Taylor is an emotional wellness educator. The one hour web-based talk show is a collaborative endeavor of everyone involved. This includes its sponsors who LaVonda said she accepts very carefully.  www.TheBlendShow.com
SYNDICATED COLUMN: Eunice Moseley, has an estimated weekly readership of over ¼ million with The Pulse of Entertainment. She is also a Public Relations Strategist and Business Management Consultant at Freelance Associates, and is Promotions Director (at-large) for The Baltimore Times. www.ThePulseofEntertainment.com. EVENT: "Uplifting Minds II" Free Entertainment Conference annually in Baltimore (April) and Los Angeles (October). Offering Entertainment Business panel and a talent showcase and competition (vocal, songwriting, dance and acting) with over $15,000 valued in prizes.  www.UpliftingMinds2.com.
October 12, 2018
The Pulse of Entertainment: Israel Houghton's On The ‘Road to Demaskus' with New Project and Jaz Guitarist Denny Jiosa's ‘Move Your Body' Album is Fire

By Eunice Moseley

"We need to take the mask off our face...before God," said six-time Grammy Award winning Israel Houghton about the meaning behind the way "Damascus" is spelled in the title of his new album "Road to DeMaskUs" (RCA Inspiration).

It also refers to the Biblical tale of Apostle Paul's Spiritual change from Jewish man Saul to Christian Saint Paul - the main writer of the New Testament in the Bible. Israel Houghton's "Road to DeMaskUs" project features seven-time Stellar Award winner Travis Green, Billboard topping The Walls Group, Gospel/Reggae Chevelle Franklyn and Adrienne Houghton ("The Cheetah Girls").

"It's for everyone, believers and non-believers, all of us have protective mechanism," Israel pointed out.

Houghton, also a worship leader, said people wear masks and pretend everything is alright not allowing God to help them turn things around. "Road to DeMaskUs" was released September 28, 2018 to his eager fan base that helped Israel garner six Grammy wins, 11 Grammy nominations, 11 GMA Dove Awards, 11 GMA Dove Award nominations, 17 Stellar Award nominations and two Stellar wins. The very popular two-time Grammy nominated Contemporary Gospel artist Travis Greene gives assistance on the 8th selection on the project, a single titled "Promise Keeper." That and Israel's powerful Praise Worship style is worthy of a listen to "Road to DeMaskUs."

"The way people come to church every week, know the songs and be hurting on the inside," Israel said about the masks we all wear for different reasons. "We miss the moment to really encounter God...bring healing." www.IsraelHoughton.net

Jazz guitarist Denny Jiosa releases his eighth album, a Latin/Jazz Fusion project titled "Mueve Tu Cuerpo (Move Your Body)" (Sonic Canvas Records/BFD). "Mueve Tu Cuerpo" features Grammy Award nominated Phil Keaggy on guitar and drummer Chester Thompson (Frank Zappa),

"I have always had a love and passion for Latin music," Jiosa said about recording a Latin/Jazz project. "I love Santana...the rhythm and passion. I was attracted to it my whole life."

"Mueve Tu Cuerpo (Move Your Body)" features Latin singer/percussionist John Santos on the 8th selection of the album, a song titled "Freedom Tower" and GMA Dove Award winner Phil Keaggy on the 4th selection "Dance in Heaven."

"Phil Keaggy is big in Christian music and a fine guitar player - and friend. I produced his last album," Denny said. "He picked up my guitar and said he'd like to play on my album... ‘Dance in Heaven' is big in Christian world."

The first selection on the album, "Fumarlo Bebe," was produced by Jiosa for a cigar commercial.

"I did one and a half minutes...and I said this song has great potential," he pointed out with a slight laugh as to how "Fumarlo Bebe" was made.

His 10th selection on the "Mueve Tu Cuerpo (Move Your Body)" album, "From the Fire," appears on the soundtrack of the Christian film "Believe: The Misfit Pawn." With plenty to push the project forward I see it making big waves in the Smooth Jazz as well as Latin Jazz worlds because this album is fire.

My favorite songs on the project include #1 "Fumarlo Bebe (Smoking Baby)" because Denny's guitar playing is crazy cool and I love the Latin flavor, the trumpet playing by Hollis Farris and the vocals of Janet Kenyon; #3 "Missing You" is sexy smooth and Jiosa makes his guitar sing; #4 "Dance in Heaven" featuring Phil Keaggy on guitar because it brings visions of a heavenly dream, its gives a sweet Latin feel and I love the smooth background vocals of Denny and Janet; 7 "The Gift" is simply lovely, and #8 "Freedom Tower" featuring percussionist John Santos because of its sexy Urban Latin feel and the rap infusion solidifies that Urban flavor.

Denny Jiosa, an Indiana native, started playing guitar at the tender age of seven, as well as playing the bass, trumpet, French horn and was singing. He started as a session musician in Nashville, and then became a producer and engineer. His credits as a musician and producer include Yolanda Adams, Kirk Whalum, Take 8, Ben Tankard, Philip Bailey and Crystal Gayle. www.Jiosa.com
SYNDICATED COLUMN: Eunice Moseley, has an estimated weekly readership of over ¼ million with The Pulse of Entertainment. She is also a Public Relations Strategist and Business Management Consultant at Freelance Associates, and is Promotions Director (at-large) for The Baltimore Times. www.ThePulseofEntertainment.com. EVENT: "Uplifting Minds II" Free Entertainment Conference annually in Baltimore (April) and Los Angeles (October). Offering Entertainment Business panel and a talent showcase and competition (vocal, songwriting, dance and acting) with over $15,000 valued in prizes.  www.UpliftingMinds2.com.
October 19, 2018
The Pulse of Entertainment: ‘Rock Steady Love' With Maxi Priest on New Single and Maranto's 'Faith Through The Fire' To Be Released November 16, 2018

By Eunice Moseley

"I want to thank everyone for their support," said Grammy nominated Reggae sensation Maxi Priest about his last album "Easy to Love" (VP Records). "It had an awesome run. I'm still on tour for it."
Maxi recently released a new single "Rock Steady Love" on VP Records to follow the successful run of his last album.
"To keep it moving...a lot of folks heard this track...saying you need to release this," he said when asked as to the timing of the singles' release while still on tour riding the success of his last album. "Spread some love."
Maxi Priest is a Londoner with Jamaican descent known for his fresh sound that fusing Reggae and R&B. He entered the music scene with a self-titled debut album release "Maxi Priest." His following project "Close to You" reached Billboard #1 - making him one of two British Reggae artists to have a U.S. Billboard #1 hit. His "Easy to Love" release off VP Records reached #2 on Billboard.
"Without them there is no me," Maxi Priest said about his supporters and fans that are the reason for his Billboard chart topping hits.
His most notable hits include "That Girl" featuring Shaggy and "Set the Night to Music" featuring Roberta Flack. The sweet "Rock Steady Love" single, as he said, just keeps it moving offering more of the popular Maxi Priest style Reggae music. www.MaxiPriest.com
Jamaican Inspiration artist Maranto, also known as songwriter Mark Branford ("Cheerleader"), to release "Faith Through the Fire" project November 16, 2018.
About the project Maranto said, "It's a five track project. I was planning to do a full album...the way things worked out right now its five tracks. The message we're trying to put out is we each have differences but we all are interconnected."
Maranto recently moved to Atlanta and is currently working on a full album.
"For the time being we're staying here and are recording," he said. "We hope to do a full album after this. We will see what God has planned."
Maranto who co-wrote/produced OMI's "Cheerleader" hit single has recently partnered with the Diabetes Association of Atlanta to do diabetes screening at his concerts that begin in November on the 18th. Born August 28th as Mark Branford, the Renaissance man, has been performing since he was six years-old in church - his father is a preacher. He wrote his first song in 2002 while in college.
"I had never done it before. I was experimenting," Maranto said about his first experience songwriting. "When I was in college I just hoped that I'd become an international star. I'm different now. I just hope this music gets out so the Word can be heard."
The words Maranto talked about are of an uplifting and Spiritual nature.
"In Jamaica and the Caribbean they feel hopeless after high school...what's next? You can't get a job," he points out. "I want to be able to uplift young people...and be a positive influence."
Well young people learn by example and Mark Branford aka Maranto has made an excellent example of someone who uses his God given talents and makes a living from them - his job. He does not wait around to be hired - he hired himself and the product he is selling is his talent. "Faith Through the Fire" has just released its third single, aside from the title track, titled "I Need Your Fire." It is in anticipation of the November 16th "Faith Through the Fire" project release.
SYNDICATED COLUMN: Eunice Moseley, has an estimated weekly readership of over ¼ million with The Pulse of Entertainment. She is also a Public Relations Strategist and Business Management Consultant at Freelance Associates, and is Promotions Director (at-large) for The Baltimore Times. www.ThePulseofEntertainment.com. EVENT: "Uplifting Minds II" Free Entertainment Conference annually in Baltimore (April) and Los Angeles (October). Offering Entertainment Business panel and a talent showcase and competition (vocal, songwriting, dance and acting) with over $15,000 valued in prizes.  www.UpliftingMinds2.com.

October 26, 2018

The Pulse of Entertainment: Luenell, Queen of Comedy, Hosts ‘LOL Comedy Awards' November 1, 2018 in New York City and God's Chosen's New Self-Titled Album Inspires
By Eunice Moseley
"I already had one out, it went Gold," comedian/actress Luenell said about the release of a second live-comedy album titled "I Only Drink at Work." "It was time to get another project out there, so it was the thing to do."
Luenell has become the current Queen of Comedy, the one to go to for a female comedian that will bring a powerful fan base. As she said lots of people want to come out to hear her but can't so the live album is the next-best thing to being there. A very humble artist Luenell shied away from the title of Queen of Comedy that I gave her saying, "The original Queen of comedy for me is MoNique...and a whole bunch of wonderful comedians that people adore."
Well I adore Luenell! Her wit is quick and her attention to detail makes her comedy content superb. That style of comedy has garnered her acting roles in many films such as the Hotel Transylvania and Taken movie franchises. She appears in the film A Star is Born starring Lady Gaga and is in the Netflix presentation of Dolemite Is My Name starring Eddie Murphy as Dolemite.
On Thursday November 1, 2018 Luenell will host the "LOL Comedy Awards" at the Gotham Hall in New York City. The awards event, which honored her last year, will have appearances by comedian giants Nick Cannon, Chris Rock, Tracy Morgan, Dave Chappelle, Paul Mooney and Earthquake.
"I've been on tour for a couple of years. I put it out there that I'd love to host and they said ‘Oh that'll be great,'" said Luenell about her hosting the November 1st "LOL Comedy Awards." www.HeyLuenell.com
Contemporary Gospel trio God's Chosen also known as GC3 released a self-titled album on Dream Gospel/Capitol Christian Music Group that reached #11 on "Billboard Current Gospel Albums Chart." Singing the Gospel in a contemporary way since before high school Sarah Benibo, Zabrina Anderson and NiKeisha Whittier are God's Chosen.
The self titled albums' current single is "Even in the Valley" produced by John Strandell whose vocals can be heard on the "I Want You" selection of the 10 song project.
It has been five years since their last album release to which Sarah said, "From 2013 to this album...in 5 years...I've learned...it's not about putting a song out, but about what we are trying to say."
The "God's Chosen" album inspires, not only with its words but the music is superb. Producers on the project include John Strandell, Levi "Too" King (James Fortune) and Ayron Lewis (Kirk Franklin).
"Songs like ‘Whatever It Takes' means worship God no matter what and...'Even in the Valley' means bless God at all times. It's what we embody as a group," Sarah said about the album's content.
When asked about what message they hope listeners get from the album Zabrina said, "Be encouraged through the songs on the album. These are from our personal experiences. Be moved, be encouraged."
NiKeisha added, "Trust God no matter what. In five years we dealt with a lot of things like should we still be singing. You have to trust God. If he gave you a purpose...proceed with trust."
The girls grew up in the church together and went to school together, but went to different colleges. As they matured their lives took different paths as well, but the common path they still had was spreading the Gospel through song. I am so glad they decided to keep that bond and continue to spread the message of hope, faith and love of God through song.
My favorite songs on the "God's Chosen" project include #1 "We're Ready" because it is an inspiring and powerful piece; #4 "Redeemed" because I love the lead guitar contribution and the message of praise and love of God makes it powerful; #5 "I Want You" featuring the vocals of John Strandell whose voice is Pop fresh and blended with GC3's Gospel sound makes it deeply inspiring, and #6, the single, "Even In The Valley" because it has a Pop sound that is different from the rest of the album. www.GC3Music.com

SYNDICATED COLUMN: Eunice Moseley, has an estimated weekly readership of over ¼ million with The Pulse of Entertainment. She is also a Public Relations Strategist and Business Management Consultant at Freelance Associates, and is Promotions Director (at-large) for The Baltimore Times. www.ThePulseofEntertainment.com. EVENT: "Uplifting Minds II" Free Entertainment Conference annually in Baltimore (Saturday April 21, 2019) and Los Angeles (October/TBD). Offering Entertainment Business panel and a talent showcase and competition (vocal, songwriting, dance and acting) with over $15,000 valued in prizes. www.UpliftingMinds2.com.

November 2, 2018

The Pulse of Entertainment: The Nutcracker and the Four Realms' Hits Theaters with Special Performance by American Ballet's Misty Copeland and Moscow Ballet's 'Great Russian Nutcracker' Tours U.S. starring Rafael Urazov. in 'Dove of Peace'

By Eunice Moseley

the-nutcracker-and-the-four-realms_RussianNutcracker_DoveofPeace_resize3.jpg The Holiday season begins as "The Nutcracker" saga hits theatres November 2, 2018 as "The Nutcracker and the Four Realms." Presented by Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture it offers a special performance by Misty Copeland (American Ballet Theatre). The saga, a retelling of E.T.A. Hoffmann's short story ‘The Nutcracker and the Mouse King" and Marius Petipa's "The Nutcracker Ballet", stars MacKenzie Foy (The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn) as Clara the Princess of the Four Realms and Jayden Fowora-Knight as The Nutcracker.

The Nutcracker saga follows Clara on a Christmas present hunt, thanks to her God-Father Drosselmeyer played by Oscar nominated Morgan Freeman, and she finds a key in a land called The Four Realms. She believes the key can open a mysterious golden nut shaped gift-box given to her by her deceased mother who she discovers created the Four Realms and ruled it as its Queen. Clara believes there is a message from her mother in the nut shaped gift-box and the key could open it. Of course the key is stolen by a mouse - a subject of Queen Mother Ginger, played by Helen Mirren, who was isolated by the other three realms when the Four Realms Queen did not return.

As a result the great adventure of "The Nutcracker and the Four Realms" begins with Academy Award winning Keira Knightly as the realm of candy Queen Sugar Plum Fairy, Eugenio Derbez as the Flower Realm King and Richard E, Grant as the Snow Realm King. Directed by Lasse Hallstrom and Joe Johnston, "The Nutcracker and the Four Realms" is produced by Mark Gordon and Larry Franco. It is a Walt Disney Pictures and The Mark Gordon Company production. This fantasy adventure is Rated PG. www.Movies.Disney.com/the-nutcracker-and-the-four-realms

"The Nutcracker" saga is also on tour with the Moscow Ballet Theatre as the "Great Russian Nutcracker" also called the "Moscow Ballet Dove of Peace Tour featuring the Great Russian Nutcracker and Swan Lake." The tour will visit 45 cities in the United States with 100 dancers, 1,000 crew members and nine trucks for the months of November and December. This year the "Great Russian Nutcracker" performances will premiere new principle dancer Rafael Urazov (Moscow Ballet Theatre) for its "Dove of Peace" and "Arabian" dance segments.

"He (Rafael) is a dear friend of mine," said Akiva Talmi, composer, conductor and producer of the Moscow Ballet Theatre. "He was a principle artist in the National Ballet, of former Soviet Union. He joined the Moscow Ballet years back. One day he got injured and couldn't do principle roles, so he changed direction. He started training in acrobats and training in boxing. He sent us these videos - he created a new dance he calls Acrobatic Ballet."

Rafael hurt his knee while dancing and in rehabilitation he used acrobats and boxing to strengthen his muscles. He incorporated the moves as a ballet danseur. Those moves can be seen in his new role as principle dancer in the "Dove of Peace" and "Arabian" dance segments of the "Great Russian Nutcracker Dove of Peace Tour."

"It was a difficult time," said Rafael in excellent English. "Jumping is most important. I needed time to recover my body and mentally. I spent two years (rehabilitating)...now I feel better. My body wants to dance! It's a difficult profession, it's not for everyone. I like to dance - to be happy."

Rafael Urazov was recently featured on the cover of "Men's Health" magazine for his outstanding come-back from his knee injury. This will be the first time that he dances in the "Dove of Peace" segment which was created exclusively for the Moscow Ballet.

"I came to America in 1993, 18 years after the Soviet Union was freed. We started a company. My partner had a peculiar dance with a bird, an acrobatic ballet with a Ballerina (forming a bird). This piece was called The Bird and ... in 1993 we incorporated The Bird as The Dove. It became the signature of Moscow Ballet."

The "Great Russian Nutcracker" tour also visits Canada, totally 100 cities in North America. It also offers a community program called "Dance with Us" where they engage kids 6 - 18 years-old to learn Russian ballet by bringing them onstage. The tour will connect with over 6,000 American ballet dance students. The Moscow Ballet Theatre calls the kids Ambassadors of Peace for Moscow because they bridge cultural divides and help to spread the message of "Peace."

"I was 6 years-old, a kid with too much energy," Rafael laughed while recalling his humble beginnings as a male ballet dancer. "My grandfather and mother put me in ballet. But I liked football."

Urazov said ballet for boys was not readily accepted at his school but eventually he said it became his life. www.Nutcracker.com

SYNDICATED COLUMN: Eunice Moseley, has an estimated weekly readership of over ¼ million with The Pulse of Entertainment. She is also a Public Relations Strategist and Business Management Consultant at Freelance Associates, and is Promotions Director (at-large) for The Baltimore Times. www.ThePulseofEntertainment.com. EVENT: "Uplifting Minds II" Free Entertainment Conference annually in Baltimore (Saturday April 21, 2019) and Los Angeles (October/TBD). Offering Entertainment Business panel and a talent showcase and competition (vocal, songwriting, dance and acting) with over $15,000 valued in prizes. www.UpliftingMinds2.com.

November 9, 2018

The Pulse of Entertainment: Chris Pine as the King of Scotland in ‘Outlaw King' is Inspiring and Living Legends Like Radio One Atlanta's Hurricane are Honored in Hollywood

By Eunice Moseley

outlaw_king-chris-pine_Dave_Hurricane_Smith-LivingLegends_crop.jpg Born King but drafted by his country's English oppressor, then written off as dead and have his estate seized, Robert the Bruce King of Scotland becomes the "Outlaw King" determined to liberate his country. Chris Pine (Star Trek) is inspiring as Robert the Bruce in the Netflix presentation of "Outlaw King" premiering on Netflix and in selected theatres November 9, 2018.

The historical action drama begins with the end of a war where England, lead by King Edward I is excepting the unconditional surrender from all of the Kings of Scotland. This is followed by the Kings being drafted into the King of England's army and in Robert's case the seizure of his estate by a country focused on world domination.

To save the Scottish people, which includes his wife Elizabeth de Burgh (Florence Pugh); from the English occupation Robert the Bruce must leave her alone and with a hand full of Scottish citizens systematically seize back each kingdom from the English oppressors. This is where the action and drama begins as he is led by his will to reclaim his country and free its people. His wife is seized along with his property giving him the inspiration to make true the quote "one man can make a difference." In his travels he picks up those who are inspired by this King turned outlaw and with 540 men in-tow and a mind full of unconventional ideas on how to use the land as his weapon Robert the Bruce, King of Scotland, makes history by liberating Scotland from English occupation.

Directed by David Mackenzie the "Outlaw King" is a Sigma Films and Anonymous Content production that also stars Aaron Taylor-Johnson as James Douglas the Lord of Douglas; Billy Howle as Edward II Prince of Wales; Tony Curran as Angus MacDonald; Stephen Dillane as Edward I King of England; James Cosmo as Robert the Brus - 6th Lord of Annandale, and Sam Spruell as Aymer de Valence 2nd Earl of Pembroke. www.Netflix.com

The Living Legend Foundation held its 27th annual "Living Legends Awards Gala" recently in Hollywood where an array of entertainment industry "living legends" was honored. There was also an impressive turn out to support these living legends.

I covered the red carpet arrivals and saw Grammy nominated Kenny Lattimore, Lenny Williams (formerly of Tower of Power) and Take 6 members. I had a chance to talk to Grammy nominated Eddie Lavert (O'Jays), there to support the honorees.

When I asked him about his longevity in this business he said, "Everybody's someone. That's the way you have to approach this business. Remember you didn't get there by yourself. It was people like Sylvia Rhone, it was people like yourself, people like the press who have brought records and told people about them. That's what this is about. That's why I'm here with these people."

The people he referred to were those being honored such as Cynthia Johnson (Columbia Records' Senior Vice President of Promotions) with the "Music Label Executive Award"; Eddie Sims and Belinda Wilson (Moonridge Entertainment International) with the "Entrepreneur Award"; Denise Brown Henderson, Esq. with the "Mike Bernardo Executive Award"; Pat Shields (Black Dot, LLC) with the "A. D. Washington Chairman's Award"; Photographer/Author Bruce W. Talamon with a "Special Recognition"; Michael Mauldin (Mauldin Brand, Inc.) with the "Lifetime Achievement Award", and Dave "Hurricane" Smith (Radio One Atlanta Vice President of Programming and Operations) with the "Jerry Boulding Radio Executive Award".

"I've been doing radio since I was a sophomore in high school," said Dave Smith, known on air as Hurricane, about how he became a living legend. "It's been over 40 years. I fell into it when I was in high school. I didn't know what I was going to do. I got pushed in that direction. I don't believe in mistakes I believe God nudged me. I fell into it and fell in love with it and 40 some years later I am still doing it."

Some of the Living Legends Foundation board members were there such as its Event Chairperson Azim Rashid (RocNation Senior Vice President of Promotions) and its Honorary Chairperson Sylvia Rhone (President of Epic Records).

"The commonality (in living legends) is...their talent #1, their work ethics #2 and their ability to really engage with their fan base and succeed. You just interviewed Eddie Lavert who is the example that you need," said Sylvia. www.LivingLegendsFoundation.com

SYNDICATED COLUMN: Eunice Moseley, has an estimated weekly readership of over ¼ million with The Pulse of Entertainment. She is also a Public Relations Strategist and Business Management Consultant at Freelance Associates, and is Promotions Director (at-large) for The Baltimore Times. www.ThePulseofEntertainment.com. EVENT: "Uplifting Minds II" Free Entertainment Conference annually in Baltimore (Saturday April 21, 2019) and Los Angeles (October/TBD). Offering Entertainment Business panel and a talent showcase and competition (vocal, songwriting, dance and acting) with over $15,000 valued in prizes. www.UpliftingMinds2.com.

November 16, 2018

The Pulse of Entertainment: Paramount Pictures' Instant Family is Hilarious and Warner Bros' Fantastic Beasts 2 is a Mystical Cliff Hanger

By Eunice Moseley

"Whenever we make a movie we use real issues," said Sean Anders (Horrible Bosses), director and co-writer of the new Paramount Picture presentation of Instant Family starring Academy Award nominated Mark Wahlberg (Transformers) and based loosely on Sean's own life experience adopting siblings arriving in theatres November 16, 2018. When asked why he put that experience on screen Sanders said, "It had been a few years since we adopted the kids...thought it kind of funny."

Instant Family, arriving in theatres November 16, 2018, was indeed funny in fact it was beyond funny it was hilarious. It follows Pete (Wahlberg) and his wife Ellie, played by Emmy nominated Rose Byrne ("Neighbors"), a childless couple realizing their need to nurture a baby. They decide to adopted and care for the innocent and orphaned.

They go through all the classes, meetings and finally reach the end of the program where they can attend an event where available children are present. They meet a strong willed teenager and decide she really needs them, and surprisingly they discover she has two young siblings. How they form a bond with the three siblings - a strong willed teenager, an abused preteen and a needed baby sister - is warming to the heart and funny to the bone.

Anders, Wahlberg John Morris and Steve Levinson are producers on the Rated PG - 13 family project. It also stars Isabela Moner (Transformers: The Last Knight); Emmy nominated Tig Notaro ("Fresh Off the Boat"); Emmy winner Margo Martindale ("The Good Wife"); Academy Award winner Octavia Spencer (The Help), Julianna Gamiz, and Gustavo Quiroz. www.InstantFamilyMovie.com

The wizard tale birthed from the Harry Potter saga called Fantastic Beasts returns with a second take on the story with the Warner Bros. Pictures presentation of Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald arriving in theatres November 16, 2018. Fantastic Beasts 2 is the 10th installation of the wizard world franchise. Eddie Redmayne returns as Newt Scamander the Minister of Magic with Johnny Depp (Pirates of the Caribbean) starring as Dark Wizard Grindelwald and Jude Law as Dumbledore the professor of wizardry who hires Redmayne to take care of the dark wizard problem, a task only he is qualified for.

The Rated PG-13 drama/fantasy is a mystical cliff-hanger that will keep you on the edge of your seats and it has an ending that will leave you wanting more. It follows Eddie's attempt at finding Grindelwald with his friends in tow that include Jacob Kowalski (Dan Folgler), Tina (Katherine Waterston) Newts love interest and Leta Lestrange (Zoe Kravitz) as Newts' brother's love interest and Theseus Scamander (Callum Turner) Newts brother - a wizard law office also on the hunt for Grindelwald.

Grindelwald is building a team of pure wizards and the last is Credence (Ezra Miller) an orphaned baby he believes to be the poor blood Wizard he needs to finally rule the world of non-wizards. Credence is on the search for his heritage and Jacob is also on the search for Queenie (Alison Sudol) his love interest who is on the run. He broke the law; she fell in love with a non-wizard - Jacob Kowalski.

Fantastic Beast 2 is directed by David Yates and is a British/American production filmed in London, Switzerland and Paris. It is produced by David Heyman, J. K. Rowling, Steve Kloves and Lionel Wigram. www.FantasticBeasts2Full.org

SYNDICATED COLUMN: Eunice Moseley, has an estimated weekly readership of over ¼ million with The Pulse of Entertainment. She is also a Public Relations Strategist and Business Management Consultant at Freelance Associates, and is Promotions Director (at-large) for The Baltimore Times. www.ThePulseofEntertainment.com. EVENT: "Uplifting Minds II" Free Entertainment Conference annually in Baltimore (Saturday April 21, 2019) and Los Angeles (October/TBD). Offering Entertainment Business panel and a talent showcase and competition (vocal, songwriting, dance and acting) with over $15,000 valued in prizes. www.UpliftingMinds2.com.

November 23, 2018

The Pulse of Entertainment: Lionsgate's Robin Hood Starring Jamie Foxx and Taron Egerton Roars with Action and Guitarist Livingston Taylor Releases 16th CD, ‘Safe Home,' Performs November 24, 2018 at Rams Head on Stage

By Eunice Moseley

Lionsgate's presentation of Robin Hood roars with action with Academy Award winning Jamie Foxx (Ray Charles) as Little John in the retelling of Robin Hood. Arriving in theatres November 21, 2018 Robin Hood, played by Welsh actor Taron Egerton (Kingsmen: The Secret Service), is Robin of Loxley a crusader turned thief. He returns home to find his land and wealth taken by the heartless Sheriff of Nottingham, played by Ben Mendelsohn (Animal Kingdom), and the people of Nottingham poor and starving. Irish actress Eve Hewson ("This Must Be the Place") is Maid Marian love interest of "Merry Men" outlaw Will Tillman (Jamie Dornan) half brother of Robin of Loxley.

John (Foxx) is a Moorish Commander head of the Merry Men outlaws who are rebelling against the English occupation of their land. Robin saves John from an execution by the Sheriff of Nottingham and he was so impressed with Robin's character and bravery that he encourages him to join the Merry Men. He trains Robin in the art of bow and arrow defense so that he can infiltrate the Sheriff's inner circle to steal the people's taxes back before it's sent to England. Renamed Robin Hood by Little John the two uses the money they steal and gives it back to the people. What a climax and stream of action packed adventures to follow as the hunt for Robin Hood is on as his heart falls back in love with Marian, a former love who thought him dead from the war.

Directed by Otto Bathurst and Rated-PG-13, Robin Hood also stars Tim Minchin, F. Murray Abrattan as the Cardinal; Cornelius Booth as Lord Pembroke; Bjorn Bengtsson, Paul Anderson, and Josh Herdman. Robin Hood is an Appian Way, Lionsgate, Thunder Road Productions, Pixolord and Safe House Pictures production. Producers are Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Davisson. www.RobinHoodFull.com

"I'm celebrating my 50th year," said Livingston Taylor, lead guitarist who recently released his 16th album titled "Safe Home". Taylor is constantly performing and he arrives at Rams Head on Stage in Annapolis, Maryland Saturday November 24, 2018. "People familiar with me can expect I'd do songs they know and like. I just have a deep catalog, a deep well to pick from, so I make a lot of decisions as we go along."

Rams Head on Stage was created in 1997 by the Rams Head Group, which also owns four Rams Head Restaurants in Maryland. The venue is a very popular and cozy place to chill and listen to great music.

"I started playing at the age of 13 and by 16 I was very good. People started giving me money," Livingston recalls.

So the guitarist has been performing for money every since. I guess you can say he is an expert in what he does on and off stage because he is also a professor at Berklee College of Music for 28 years.

"The strongest advice I can give is to learn to play your instrument well," Livingston said. "Play in front of an audience as often as you humanly can. You want to watch where it (your music) lands. So you can not pay attention to the instrument, you want to see the people, watch where the music lands. Your job is to be heard."

What great advice, something I tell clients I consult, who are performers, all the time. I'd say and if you can't find a stage create an event so you have your own stage, but keep performing in front of people. It makes you comfortable. When you are comfortable you can switch your attention from playing your instrument or performing dance steps to the faces in the audience.

Some of Livingston Taylor's Top 40 Hits that he may perform Saturday November 24th at Rams Head on Stage in Annapolis, Maryland include "I Will Be in Love With You," "I'll Come Running," "Boatman" and "I Can Dream of You." www.LivTaylor.com

SYNDICATED COLUMN: Eunice Moseley, has an estimated weekly readership of over ¼ million with The Pulse of Entertainment. She is also a Public Relations Strategist and Business Management Consultant at Freelance Associates, and is Promotions Director (at-large) for The Baltimore Times. www.ThePulseofEntertainment.com. EVENT: "Uplifting Minds II" Free Entertainment Conference annually in Baltimore (Saturday April 21, 2019) and Los Angeles (October/TBD). Offering Entertainment Business panel and a talent showcase and competition (vocal, songwriting, dance and acting) with over $15,000 valued in prizes. www.UpliftingMinds2.com.

November 30, 2018

The Pulse of Entertainment: The Manns Unite for 'Us Against the World' CD, Book, Tour and TV One Movie Airing December 2, 2018 / Lenny Williams Formerly of Tower of Power Releases New Single ‘Fine'

By Eunice Moseley

"Us Against the World" is the new album, tour and book from David and Tamela Mann, known best for their roles on the TBS comedy series "Meet the Browns." They top that cake off with a Holiday movie, "Merry Wish-Mas," airing Sunday December 2, 2018 on TV One.

As I listened to the couple talking to other journalists, while waiting for my turn, I see my own experiences with love in them and I immediately wanted to know the beginning of their love story. Their union gave both of them superstardom, I am sure it is more than they probably ever imagined alone. Tamela was at the time already on her way to superstardom touring with Kirk Franklin and the Family when they met for the first time.

"My group was local famous," David laughed when telling me how they met. My late husband and I use to say it felt like it was "us against the world" so I wanted to know their story of "Us Against the World." Why that title for their first album together, their book on their love union and their tour featuring their children David, Jr as DJ and Tia with vocal assistance. The book was published November 3, 2018, the album was released on the 9th, the tour ended the 11th and their TV One holiday movie airs on December 2nd.

"My best friend from church went to school with David," Tamela said about how she met her husband of 30 years. "She took me to the school to meet him, he was singing."

"We had never met before," David added. "After we met we kept running into each other. Then I kissed her and she got pregnant. But what happened in between the kiss and the pregnancy is in the book."
The album is a soundtrack of the book. David and Tamela Mann also star in the Bounce TV reality show "Mann and Wife." www.TillyMannMusic..com

If you remember the group Tower of Power then you remember Lenny Williams voice because he served as the groups lead singer on a number of their hits such as "What Is Hip". Williams recently released a single titled "Fine" because of a chance met with a friend. The single has a very inspiring music video that will make you get up and dance around too singing how you feel fine. The single is produced by Levi Seacer, former guitarist of Prince's New Power Generation band.

"I was over at Levi's, he played for Prince. I use to go see his uncle's band and his aunt Dorothy was a singer on ‘Oh Happy Days' with The Hawkins. We went to the same church," Lenny said about the day him and Levi created the "Fine" single. The single, co-written by Lenny and Levi, is really nice and uplifting so I asked if he was going to follow up with an album and he said, "My initial action was to do a single, but then the success of the single and Levi..."
Well I think that means an album is on the way. The music video to the "Fine" single is very festive and right on time for the holiday season.

"My nephew is a choreographer and I called him," Lenny said about the music video. "He just did Beyonce' Coachella choreography, her Greek Stepping, I said show ‘me' some steps! He gave me a good price too. He did an excellent job."

Raised in Oakland, California Kenny Williams' career as a vocalist started when he use to sing for Sly Stone, Andre' Crouch and Billy Preston. He performed in a talent contest and was signed to a recording deal with Fantasy Records. In 1972 he joined the Power of Power band. He left the band three years later in 1975 and signed a solo deal with Motown Records. In 1977 he moved to ABC Records (MCA Records) and scored 10 chart-topping hits. In 1978 his single "Cause I love You" was sampled by Mobb Deep's Havoc and Kanye West, and in 2007 the same single was sampled by Scarface and Young Jeezy on his "Let's Talk It Over." Williams has also starred in stage-plays and his credits include "Love On Lay-Away" with Deborah Cox and "What Men Don't Know" with Kenny Lattimore. www.LennyWilliams.com

SYNDICATED COLUMN: Eunice Moseley, has an estimated weekly readership of over ¼ million with The Pulse of Entertainment. She is also a Public Relations Strategist and Business Management Consultant at Freelance Associates, and is Promotions Director (at-large) for The Baltimore Times. www.ThePulseofEntertainment.com. EVENT: "Uplifting Minds II" Free Entertainment Conference annually in Baltimore (Saturday April 20, 2019) and Los Angeles (October/TBD). Offering Entertainment Business panel and a talent showcase and competition (vocal, songwriting, dance and acting) with over $15,000 valued in prizes. www.UpliftingMinds2.com.

December 7, 2018

The Pulse of Entertainment: CeCe Winans Releases '...A Christmas Album' and Jazz Vocalist Kathy Sanborn is Love, on New Single 'Love Will LIght the Way'

By Eunice Moseley

"This is my second time," said CeCe Winans-Love, a 12-time Grammy winner, about working with her son Alvin Love, III on a Christmas album. CeCe recently released the new Christmas album, "Something's Happening! A Christmas Album," on her record label PureSprings Gospel. "We won two Grammies that year. We're at it again."

Winans, the 8th child of 10 in the infamous family of Gospel singing living legends, was noted as the highest selling female Gospel artist of all time as recently as 2015. She brings her talent to my hometown of Baltimore December 21, 2018 performing some of her Christmas songs with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. The first single from the 11 song album is "It's Christmas." The single is a Motown flavored Praise & Worship piece with a horn solo that is inspiring.

When I asked her how did it go working with her son, Alvin Love, III, as producer she laughed, "It was very funny the first time around, him telling me what to do. There was an adjustment but I've known for years...his abilities. He did an awesome job. I think this is the best work I've put out."

CeCe is the first lady of Nashville Life and will perform songs from her "Something's Happening! A Christmas Album" project on December 7-8th at the church. Nashville Life is headed by her husband Alvin Love, II. I could tell she is so proud of her son's musical abilities as she talks about him.

"He's a lover of Motown, the old and the new. He purposely put almost a throw-back Motown feel. The Praise & Worship is probably who I am," CeCe said when I mentioned the single had a Motown/Praise & Worship sound.

CeCe, a Hollywood Walk of Fame recipient, started in the music business in 1984 as a duo with her brother BeBe, helping to make Contemporary Gospel cool. Together they did nine albums, the last project was released in 2009 and the last single together was "Found Love" in 2010. As a duo they garnered three Grammy Awards. She launched as a soloist in 1995 and her last album, recorded with her son, was in 2017. She has garnered 23 Dove Awards. Her and Alvin's last Christmas album was "His Gift" in 1998.

"Christmas is the time of year people focus on love and Christ. That's something we can do, we can do this all year round - showing love of others, giving gifts. When Jesus came he brought peace and love, and we can too," the First Lady CeCe Winans concluded. www.CeCeWinans.com

Jazz vocalist Kathy Sanborn releases new single "Love Will Light the Way" inspired by producer Matthew Shell who gave her a keyboard and bass track. The track inspired Kathy to write the lyrics to the single and Grammy nominated guitarist MASA adds his flavor, with Glenn Welman on drums and Matt Veirs on percussions.

"It just flowed," said Kathy about the lyrics to her single "Love Will Light the Way." "When I heard that track it inspired me to do the lyrics and melody line. It's all about how things can turn around."

Sanborn is a Los Angeles native but resides in New York. She won an American Songwriting Award in 2015 for her single "Fantasy," a Latin flavored song. Kathy won an International Music Award in 2017 for her single "Falling" on her eight album titled "Recollecting You".

"I do an album every one or two years. This was special working with... MASA," she said. "He recently moved to L.A. from Japan."

The Jazz vocalist said an album is coming, but not right now because she recently released the "Recollecting You" album in 2017, which is still getting great airplay on the radio. www.KathySanborn.com

SYNDICATED COLUMN: Eunice Moseley, has an estimated weekly readership of over ¼ million with The Pulse of Entertainment. She is also a Public Relations Strategist and Business Management Consultant at Freelance Associates, and is Promotions Director (at-large) for The Baltimore Times. www.ThePulseofEntertainment.com. EVENT: "Uplifting Minds II" Free Entertainment Conference annually in Baltimore (Saturday April 20, 2019) and Los Angeles (October/TBD). Offering Entertainment Business panel and a talent showcase and competition (vocal, songwriting, dance and acting) with over $15,000 valued in prizes. www.UpliftingMinds2.com.

December 14, 2018

The Pulse of Entertainment: Will Downing Delivers ‘The Promise' and Marcus Johnson Host ‘Christmas Jam' at Blues Alley December 20 - 23, 2018

By Eunice Moseley

"It has a dual reason," Grammy nominated Will Downing said about his recent album release of Gospel selections titled "The Promise." "One, my mom she always asked me to do one...and when I came out my illness I promised God."

"The Promise" is a 10 selection album of Inspirational tunes released November 9, 2018 on Shanachie Entertainment. The project includes selections such as "Take It to the Cross," "You Blessed My Life" and "God Is So Amazing."

"This is a big payback. This is my 21st album," he said about "The Promise." "With this one he (God) had his hand on the whole thing. Even now when I listen I still get chills."

The illness Will Downing talked about is his diagnosis with auto-immune disease Polymyositis in 2007, which threatened his life and paralyzed him. He asked God to heal him and promised to honor him in everything if he did. Today Downing is walking, singing and testifying about the power of prayer and faith. Will came through with the promise to God and his mother with this Contemporary Gospel project, "The Promise."

"God is so amazing. It is the most attached I have been with any album," Will said.

"The Promise" features vocal assistance from Regina Belle, who has also released Gospel projects, on the "Changed" selection. The Brooklyn native started in the business as a session singer before signing a record deal with Island Records hitting the top of the Billboard Charts with his self-titled. He received a Grammy Award nomination for his "All the Man You Need" album in 2000. www.WillDowning.com

Legendary Jazz Pianist Marcus Johnson gave up becoming a lawyer after receiving his JD from Howard University for the music business. He then formed a partnership with BET Network founder Bob Johnson. That partnership was to form his Three Keys Music record label, publishing and recording studio (Marimelj Entertainment Group). Bob heard his debut album while Marcus was in college and he was so impressed with his skills that he became a silent partner in Johnson's music endeavors.

From December 20-23, 2018 Marcus Johnson brings his piano skills to Blues Alley in Washington, DC for his "Christmas Jam" - two shows per day.

"I have a new team," Marcus said when I commented that he has been on a roll with his performances lately. "We are reinventing marketing...using social media for the content...re-introducing Marcus Johnson."
Expect to hear your favorite Christmas carols and R&B/Jazz hits that have become traditional holiday tunes. Johnson also has a Pandora channel.

"Pandora allows us to make money," Marcus said.

Leading his management teams through the years, which also includes his Flo Brand Wines and publishing a book on love, Marcus has become a business expert. All of his companies are under one umbrella, For The Love of Brands, where he is Director. So outstanding is his business expertise' Johnson teachers it at his Alma Mata Howard University.

"I talk to people about business development. People are interested in having fun and making money. If they see a light at the end of the tunnel they get inspired," Marcus said.

If all this is not enough Marcus finds time to spread his knowledge at community events for free, such as the 20 year old "Uplifting Minds II" entertainment conference in Baltimore where he has spoken on business throughout those 20 years.

"I teach at Howard on entrepreneurship to non-business majors," he laughed a little. "They keep me grounded. I push them so I have to push myself."
Marcus Johnson, a NAACP Image Award nominee, will also be performing December 15 - 16, 2018 in Atlanta for his "Flo Wine Sips and Sounds Holiday Tour" and of course at Blues Alley in DC December 20 - 23rd for his "Christmas Jam." www.MarcusJohnson360.com

December 21, 2018

The Pulse of Entertainment: Momoa Rocks as Aquaman in the Warner Bros. Pictures Presentation and Carvin Winans is Solo on ‘In The Softest Way’ Single

By Eunice Moseley

Hollywood has another hero in Jason Momoa (Batman vs Spiderman: Dawn of Justice, Justice League) because he rocks as Aquaman in the Warner Bros. Pictures presentation that arrives in theatres December 21, 2018. This is his third time playing the fictional character created by DC Comics, but it's his first leading role as Aquaman. Momoa is Arthur Curry, the mixed breed who is a man that is also prince of Atlantis - a thriving world under the sea.

Aquaman also stars Academy Award winner Nicole Kidman (The Hours) who is Atlanna, Queen of Atlantis and mother of Arthur (Aquaman) and ORM, played by Emmy nominated Patrick Wilson (Angels in America). She runs away from Atlantis because tradition says she is suppose to wed someone she doesn't love. Barely escaping with her life Queen Atlanna is found by light house keeper Thomas Curry, played by Temuera Morrison (Hard Target 2), and is nursed back to health. They fall in love and have Arthur just as the soldiers of the underworld come to bring her back. Thus begins the climax of the story that will lead the audience to an "all things work out for the good" ending.

Mosoa does well playing a man destined to be the hero the world needs, but fighting it all the while. As if he was Aquaman Jason Mosoa changes his facial expressions and body language to that of someone who has accepted his fate. Jason rocks us all the way to the "when is the next installment" ending.

The plot is the old "beginning of time" good vs evil story but it is told in an excellent and creative way by Geoff Johns, Will Beall and director James Wan because it explains why good wins all the time. The DC Comics character was created by Mort Weisinger and Paul Norris in 1941 for Aquaman comic books. Aquaman, a Warner Bros. Pictures, DC Comics, DC Entertainment, Panoramic production is the sixth installment of Aquaman films. Jason Momoa has been Aquaman for three of those six film projects and he carries the Aquaman title well.

Rated PG-13 Aquaman also stars Graham McTavish (The Hobbit) as Atlan the last great King of Atlantis who hides the pitch fork/scepter that can control the sea and can only be held by the rightful heir to the throne; Yahya Abdul-Mateen ("The Get Down") as David Kane a ruthless pirate of the seas who with the help of ORM becomes Black Manta; Michael Beach ("Third Watch") as Jessie Kane, father of David Kane and leader of the pirates; Amber Heard (Justice League) as Mera princess of Xebel, one of the seven tribes of Atlantis, who comes for Arthur to take the throne as the oldest and rightful heir in order to unite the seven tribes in peace; Dolph Lundgren (Universal Soldier: Day of Reckoning) as King Nereus leader of the Xebel tribe and father of Mera who promises her to ORM; Tony Award winner Patrick Wilson (Batman vs Superman: Dawn of Justice) as ORM half brother of Aquaman who wants the throne and control of the seven tribes as Ocean Master so he can wage-war against those on who live on land, and there are several voice-overs by Julie Andrews and Djimon Hounsou. www.DCComics.com/movies/aquaman

"It's something I always wanted to do," said Carvin Winans, member of multi - Grammy Award winning Gospel group The Winans. He is about to release a solo album in 2019 and it is preceded by the release of the projects' first single "In the Softest Way" where Carvin shows his vocal range.

"When my brother Ronald passed away I did a project with Marvin (Carvin's twin) and Bebe and thought it was time to use my gift. I see myself as a very young person... in great health...great mind and can still add to music and do what He called me to do," Carvin said when asked why he is doing a solo project.

So far Carvin is starting his solo singing career off right with "In the Softest Way". Preorders for the 2019 album release began on October 26, 2018 and those who order will receive an extra song that won't be on the album when released.

As a member of The Winans Carvin was signed to Light Records and released two albums both receiving Grammy nominations. The Winans moved over to Quincy Jones' label Qwest Records and released six albums - four received Grammy Award wins. As a song writer Carvin received a Grammy Award for the title track to The Winans' "Tomorrow" project. Though he added with a laugh, "It's tough getting a song on The Winans CD."

Carvin said on this project he gets to pick the songs, the producers and writers - something new for him.

"I'm not having to get the ok," he said with a smile.

Carvin has written many hits that I wasn't even aware of such as Regina Belle's "Make It Like It Was," Whitney Houston's "Love Is" and Vanessa Bell Armstrong's "Here's to You" - just to name a few. He has even worked as a session singer for Michael Jackson on "Man in the Mirror" produced by Quincy Jones, Kenny Loggins' "Imaginary Life" and Michael McDonald's "Love Has No Color." In 2007 The Winans was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, Tennessee and in 2008 he received the President's Merit Award by the Recording Academy in recognition of his passion as an artist.

Carvin, who experienced his first solo tour, said it's scary out there performing without his brothers.

"You spend your whole life singing and touring with The Winans, I feel naked," Carvin explained when I asked. "It's like wow it's just me. It's scary but its fun!" www.CarvinWinans.com

SYNDICATED COLUMN: Eunice Moseley, has an estimated weekly readership of over ¼ million with The Pulse of Entertainment. She is also a Public Relations Strategist and Business Management Consultant at Freelance Associates, and is Promotions Director (at-large) for The Baltimore Times. www.ThePulseofEntertainment.com. EVENT: "Uplifting Minds II" Free Entertainment Conference annually in Baltimore (Saturday April 20, 2019) and Los Angeles (October/TBD). Offering Entertainment Business panel and a talent showcase and competition (vocal, songwriting, dance and acting) with over $15,000 valued in prizes. www.UpliftingMinds2.com.

December 28, 2018

The Pulse of Entertainment: Eunice Moseley Highlights Her Most Read Columns in 2018

By Eunice Moseley

The year 2018 for The Pulse of Entertainment was donated by interviews again, added to that was event coverage and movie reviews. The year started with an interview with 12-time Grammy Award winner CeCe Winans-Love during the red carpet arrivals at the1st Ladies High Tea Awards which honored her for being the First Lady of Nashville Life Church. An interview with Alfonso Ribeiro ("Fresh Prince of Bel-Air") during the red carpet arrivals for the 35th annual Caucus Awards Dinner, where he was honored with the "Entertainer of the Year: Award for hosting "America's Funniest Home Videos."

Coverage of the SAG Awards was next with red carpet interviews with Marcus Scribner ("Black-ish") and Sydelle Noel (Black Panther). Movie reviews at the beginning of 2010 included Warner Bros. Pictures' Paddington, Paramount' Pictures' Annihilation and the Orchard presentation of The Young Karl Marx.

The year continued with interviews that included Marlon Wayans' for his Netflix presentation of his comedy show "Woke-ish", television producer Rushion McDonald ("The Steve Harvey Show") about the launch of his talk show "Money Making Conversations," and Oscar Winning Louis Gossett, Jr. (Officer and a Gentleman) about executive producing a Muhammad Ali documentary film. Event coverage included the 27th NAACP Theatre Awards and the LAUSD "We Are One" Benefit Concert red carpet arrivals, which included an interview with Richard Lawson (Dirty Harry). A movie review came next on the A24 presentation of The Last Movie Star starring Burt Reynolds (The Longest Yard).

Eleven-time Grammy Award nominated Charlie Wilson interview followed about making history by having three songs reach #1 on Billboard Charts at the same time. Grammy Award nominated Jeffrey Osborne for his album release "Worth It All" (Artistry Music/Mack Avenue Records) and Bishop Jason Nelson about his album release "The Answer" (RCA Inspiration). Event coverage was the red carpet arrivals at the Black Business Associations' "Salute to Black Music" and the Jonathan Foundation's Spring Fundraiser. Movie reviews included the presentation of Uncle Drew.

Interviews with multi-Grammy Award winning Warryn and Erica Campbell followed about starring in and co-executive producing their TV One reality show "We're the Campbells and Grammy Award nominated Jazz saxophonist Dave Koz about his album release "Summer of Horns II: From A to Z" (Concord Records). More interview followed with Chris Walker about his tribute album to the late Al Jarreau, whom he served as music director; television producer Bentley Kyle Evans ("Martin Lawrence") and actor Dorien Wilson ("Sister Sister," "The Parkers") about the Bounce TV sit-com "In The Cut"; screen writer and director Tim Folsome and Hosea Chanchez ("The Game") about the TV One original movie "Down for Whatever," and Stellar Award winning keyboardist PJ Morgan (Maroon 5) about his solo album "The Transparency Project." Movie reviews around this time included Sony Pictures presentation of The Equalizer starring two-time Academy Award winner Denzel Washington and the Walt Disney Studios presentation of Christopher Robin starring Golden Globe winner Ewan McGregor (Star Wars: The Force Awakens), which included an interview with its Director Marc Forster (Quantum of Solace).

Mid-way through 2018 an interview with Estelle came through about her new album "Lover's Rock," Tristan Wilds and Chaley Rose about the TV One original movie "Dinner for Two," which Wilds executive produced and Trina Braxton ("Braxton Family Values") about her new gig as co-host of TV One/TEGNA Networks' "Sister Circle" talk show. Event coverage followed of the red carpet arrivals at the "Little Miss African American Pageant," which included interview with Claudia Jordan (The Real Housewives of Atlanta"), Ella Joyce ("My Wife and Kids") and Roz Ryan ("The Rickey Smiley Show"). Coverage of CBS Press Day followed with interviews with Stephen Hill (Luke Cage) about co-starring in "Magnum P. I., Brandon Michael Hall ("The Major") about starring in "God Friended Me" and Tichina Arnold ("Everyone Hates Chris") about starring in "The Neighborhood" with Cedric the Entertainer. A movie review followed for the Columbia Picture presentation of Marvel's Venom

As 2018 comes to a close interviews with six-time Grammy Award winning Israel Houghton about his new album "Road to DeMaskUs" (RCA Inspiration), Grammy Award nominated Reggae icon Maxi Priest about his new single "Rock Steady Love" (VP Records) and comedian/actress Luenell (Taken 2, Hotel Transylvania) about the release of her liver comedy album "I Only Drink at Work" and her co-starring role in A Star is Born starring Lade Gaga and Dolemite Is My Name starring Eddie Murphy. Movie reviews followed of the Netflix presentation of Outlaw King starring Chris Pine (Star Trek), Paramount's' Instant Family, which included an interview with Director Sean Anders (Horrible Bosses) starring Academy Award nominated Mark Wahlberg (Transformers), the Warner Bros. Pictures presentation of The Crimes of Grindelwald starring Eddie Redmayne, Jude Law and Johnny Depp (Pirates of the Caribbean) and Lionsgate's presentation of Robin Hood starring Taron Egerton (Kingsmen) and Academy Award winning Jamie Foxx (Ray Charles).

Interviews at the end of the year where with David and Tamela Mann about the release of their "Us Against the World" album, tour and book release; 12-time CeCe Winans, who started the year off, about the release of her Christmas album co-produced by her son Alvin Love, III titled "Something is Happening: A Christmas Album;" Grammy Award nominated Will Downing about the release of his first full Gospel album "The Promise," and Grammy Award winning singer/songwriter Carvin Winans (The Winans) about his new solo single "In The Softest Way". Last movie review was on The Warner Bros. Picture presentation of Aquaman starring Jason Momoa (Batman vs Spiderman: Dawn of Justice, Justice League).

As 2019 comes The Pulse of Entertainment expands his presence on the very popular digital magazine www.EURweb.com twice a week on Tuesdays and Fridays. Its over ¼ million weekly readers can also read The Pulse of Entertainment at its website www.ThePulseofEntertainment.com every Saturday and periodically at www.TheWashingtonInformer.com.

SYNDICATED COLUMN: Eunice Moseley, has an estimated weekly readership of over ¼ million with The Pulse of Entertainment. She is also a Public Relations Strategist and Business Management Consultant at Freelance Associates, and is Promotions Director (at-large) for The Baltimore Times. www.ThePulseofEntertainment.com. EVENT: "Uplifting Minds II" Free Entertainment Conference annually in Baltimore (Saturday April 20, 2019) and Los Angeles (October/TBD). Offering Entertainment Business panel and a talent showcase and competition (vocal, songwriting, dance and acting) with over $15,000 valued in prizes. www.UpliftingMinds2.com.