Writing this piece about Etta James was a challenge. Not because there
aren’t things to be said about her. Etta James is a music legend. She won six Grammy
awards and 17 Blues Music Awards. She was inducted into Rock & Roll, Blues and
Grammy Hall of Fame among other accolades.

But I didn’t know Etta James.

Not the way I feel I knew Michael Jackson or the way I feel I know New Edition or Prince because those artists and their music are a part of the fabric of my life. They shaped my childhood and early adulthood. I regarded Ms. James as an artist before my time. (Although as a native Detroiter, the Motown artists–contemporaries of Etta James–are very much a part of my life experience.) I didn’t know Ms. James or her body of work; except for the song “At Last”. To be completely honest, when the movie Cadillac Records came about, I was (pleasantly) surprised to learn that she was still alive and performing.

However, over the last 30 days (since Grown Folks Music decided to make her the Artist of the Month–a decision I’m so proud of–a chance to give Ms. James honor while she yet lived) I’ve come to learn about and appreciate Etta James. She had ups. She had downs. She struggled and she triumphed. She was extraordinary: meaning anything but ordinary. The way she sang and the way she lived was seemingly raw and honest and not for or like anyone else. Her delivery of her music seemed sincere. The listener believed she had lived or was living what she was singing about. Without knowing what she went through; you can hear she went through something.

Etta James, thank you for being yourself and for translating your authenticity through your music. As a result, your music will forever be relevant and timeless.

–DJKKC

Tracy Morgan as Hustle Man… there really are no words, but I was thinking about his character today and how he relates to an article I posted on the GFM FB site yesterday. You can read the article here, but the short of it is that the “indie” band Two Lights basically invested $100,000 in their burgeoning “indie” career and are wondering where the stardom is… I guess? (more…)

By – “The Ricker”

January 21,1987 the first jazz album I ever bought, an album titled “8″ was released on Paisely Park Records by an entity known as “Madhouse” . No musicians were credited on the sleeve, which only contained a young woman (Mancea Lightner) and her puppy. Although it was never acknowledged at the time it has since been confirmed that “Madhouse” was in fact another Prince side project. Madhouse provided Prince with an outlet for some of his jazz-oriented funk music. The project also served as a showcase for talented saxophone player Eric Leeds and model Maneca Lightner. (more…)

I think for the next few days after reading what Clint Eastwood I’m going to have to wear the hat in the photo above around town. For those who may have missed Clint’s thoughts on one Beyoncé Knowles you can checkout the article from Shadow and Act right here. Also, special shout out to writer extraordinaire L. Michael Gipson for posting this article with accompanying epitaph on his FB wall ayer. (more…)

Now I’m not even going to try and posit myself as some sort of soothsayer on this particular post, but I have a few thoughts for today as I have been spending time surveying the landscape of music in popular culture. The reason behind the title (besides who doesn’t need a reason to post Sam Cooke’s Tour de Force) and impetus for writing is quite simple: I (like probably a few of you out there) am simply tired of where the über-corporate nature of specifically music and celebrity in general has taken many of us a society. (more…)

I’ve made this true life confession on this blog several times, but I would be remiss if I did not send a special shout out to Eric Leeds for helping me to actually be cool in those very awkward teenage years. I played Baritone Saxophone for the majority of my time in High School and because of its size I would dare say it may not have been the hippest case to carry around. Then of course the accompanying questions “What’s that big thing?” Blah, blah, blah…

Anywhoo in the Summer of ’86 I got my revenge somewhat, when lo and behold what did I spy on BET? Oh yeah a guy playing the hell out of a Bari Sax with Prince. Then the conversation changed when I went back to school in the Fall “Hey don’t you play that thing that the guy plays with Prince?”. I sure do. Thanks Eric Leeds for helping an awkward teen not be so awkward and for your fantastic gift of musical goodness. Oh yeah shoutout to Prince too! Enjoy this live clip (while you can)(P.S. especially beginning at the 2:42 mark) with “Life Can Be So Nice” as an added bonus.

The above tweet was referring to Ivan Johnson of the Atlanta Hawks… proud member of the B.I.W. (Black Ivans of the World).

So what’s the old saying? You learn something new everyday. Yes, well I guess that I learned last night that amongst the other things that Black People don’t do, wear, say, play or participate in… they don’t name their male children [gasp] Ivan. Yes, I know there are not that many of us around, but we are a proud bunch we Black Ivans lol!

So if you are keeping score with me at home let’s see what is it again that Black don’t do according to the rules set forth on the back of your “Black Card” (it’s the fine, fine print.) (more…)

Two things immediately sprang into my mind when I saw the headline flash where The Dream was stating in this interview that his take from the Rihanna track “Umbrella” was $15 million. My first reaction was really? Followed closely by a really?

Listen, the money in the music has always been with the writers and publishers contrary to what some idiot posted in the you tube comment section where he or she so eloquently stated that the performers of music have always made more than the writers. Not on this planet. I’m not privy to any information regarding The Dream’s publishing deal whether he’s self-published, co-publishes, has an admin deal or what. But what I do know is that he isn’t the only writer on the track. Now again without knowing the details of what the splits are between the co-writers I still can’t really say how much went where to whom etc., etc., (more…)