The Date: Saturday, 11/17/2K12
The Locale: World Famous SYLVIA'S Restaurant, Harlem, New York City
Legendary soul singers Meli'sa Morgan, Alyson Williams, and the 'Triple Threat Diva' Ms. Melba Moore, along with the mega-talented veteran recording artist Monifah, entertained their adoring female fans with their timeless music and thought-provoking, humorous dialogue in a preview showcase for the upcoming HEART TO HEART: A SISTERHOOD EXPERIENCE Tour, which will hit the road in 2K13. 'We are promoting A SISTERHOOD EXPERIENCE to empower and uplift our Black women.' said Ms. J, who is the brainchild of this amazing venture, and also has aspirations to become a recording artist herself due to her undying love for classic Soul music.
Meli'sa Morgan - in addition to her being one of the performers on the tour - also serves as the Talent Coordinator, which means with her pedigree that you can most certainly anticipate some of the top female R&B/Soul recording artists past and present - to come on board and bless the stage with both their immense talent and also their sharing of words of widsom and encouragement to all Black women from city to city across the U.S. of A.!
For more information on this upcoming and sure-to-be-incredible music experience, please call 1-718-297-8888.
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Saturday, December 29, 2012
Platinum-Selling Singer/Songwriter/Producer AL B. SURE! Sharing His Random Thoughts
'It's been such a blessing to be afforded the opportunity to actually have the vehicle of music in the first place. I'm a cat from Money Earnin' Mount Vernon, New York - 4 square miles - everybody's about their hustle and grind, I remember being in the hallways of Mt. Vernon High School writing songs on the back of my notebook, on the back of lunch bags and whatever, and all of a sudden - BOOM! - I'm in Japan in front of 10,000 Japanese citizens and they're singing my songs! And for me, it's all because of the love I have for the music and nothing else. I didn't do it to be famous.'
*Al B.'s advice for aspiring recording artists who want to succeed in the music biz.......
'I look at it like this and it's the same thing I tell my sons.....If you don't love the woman you are with, leave her alone. Same thing with the music industry: If you are not doing this for the right reason, LET IT GO....DON'T DO IT. Basically, the advice is don't do this unless you respect and love the craft because it will beat you down if you try and come in the wrong way and it will tear you apart. That's why you see a lot of cats jumping off buildings, doing drugs and whatever. This industry is not made for human consumption. Just imagine the highs and lows you have to deal with: Being No.1 and then not being No.1; Getting all the accolades and Grammys, and then all of a sudden you're 'zero' on the Billboard charts. People will treat you crazy and I've been through it. The reason I'm still here and that I can still work in several countries around the world 25 years later, is because I did this for the right reason!'
*Al B.'s thoughts when Barack Obama was elected President for 1st term......
'When Barack Obama was elected U.S. President, I was in the barbershop in the hood with some cats, and it was so nice to see some of the young guys walk in and say "This is incredible! This makes me wanna pull my pants up, put on a tie and get dressed up!" How wonderful was that to hear from the young guys who just felt inspired?'
'When I was younger, my dreams and goals were different. I want to be the president of a record company and a Boy Scout. Now, our young people's dreams have no ceiling. Our young people can now say "I want to become President of the United States." How crazy is that?'
www.albsure.net
(Late June 2K9, Joe's Pub, New York City)
Red Carpet 1Q & 1A with Hip-Hop Icon ERIC B.
RG: From your perspective, what do you think of the state of Hip-Hop music right now?
EB: I love it. It's great and it's interesting. You have your guys like Soulja Boy and Jay-Z. Some of the staples of Rap music are still around like LL Cool J. I think it's growing and some of our veterans are still in the game. It's like saying that you're still able to see Michael Jordan play basketball and at his prime.
There are a lot of great records out there. There's guys like Lil Wayne that put a lot of hard work into this business and a lot people take them for granted. Lil Wayne WORKS. There are a lot of people that came up with us that were prima donnas and didn't really wanna work, but currently Lil Wayne works every day. His work ethic is similar to the late, great Tupac Shakur.
(Q&A conducted in late June 2K9, Joe's Pub, New York City)
EB: I love it. It's great and it's interesting. You have your guys like Soulja Boy and Jay-Z. Some of the staples of Rap music are still around like LL Cool J. I think it's growing and some of our veterans are still in the game. It's like saying that you're still able to see Michael Jordan play basketball and at his prime.
There are a lot of great records out there. There's guys like Lil Wayne that put a lot of hard work into this business and a lot people take them for granted. Lil Wayne WORKS. There are a lot of people that came up with us that were prima donnas and didn't really wanna work, but currently Lil Wayne works every day. His work ethic is similar to the late, great Tupac Shakur.
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Q.and.A: YOLANDA MOORE - Former WNBA Player/Motivational Speaker/Book Author
Courageous...Intelligent...Strong-willed...Amazing...Beautiful...Inspirational. These words to me best describe Yolanda Moore to the umpteenth degree. Her new book on the 'Everyday Publishing Group' imprint titled 'You Will Win If You Don't Quit' is 127 breathtaking, wisdom-sharing pages of her incredible journey of the physical and emotional highs and lows that she's endured as a basketball player, a mother and as a regular person trying to succeed in the game of life and overcoming those obstacles in her path through an abundance of faith, relentless determination and lots of hard work. I recently hooked up with the gorgeous Miss Moore to chat about her best-selling book, the importance of Title IX, the WNBA and more.
RG: Why is the release of your book 'You Will Win If You Don't Quit' important to you?
YM: The release of my book is very important to me because it's me sharing my personal story to the readers of all the adversities that I've dealt with in my life and how I was able to overcome them. I saw how by me telling my story as a motivational speaker at different events around the country, was actually helping others with what they are going through in their own lives, and so I figured that if they can read my story in a book format, that would be fantastic! I produced the book so that the readers could also write their thoughts in it as well - kind of like a journal - in the hopes that maybe my book with help them like how it helped me.
RG: For the avid reader who enjoys a great book from beginning to end, why should one invest in and read 'You Will Win If You Don't Quit?'
YM: Well, number one, the book is a very easy and quick read. Anyone from fifth grade all the way to adulthood can literally read it without the big words that need to be looked up in the dictionary! (Laughs) Also I am very candid about the things that I went through and there's content in my book that everyone can relate to that has or is currently dealing with life's hardships and triumphs.
RG: The groundbreaking law of Title IX celebrated its 40th anniversary this year of 2K12. Briefly share with me your thoughts on its impact, especially for female athletes.
YM: Without the existence of Title IX, there would be no me, no WNBA, no college sports, no nothing. Title IX opened up the doors for women to not only be able to play those sports, but to also be involved in policy-making positions - to determine where funds go and to create jobs in sports that aren't directly related to an athlete being out on the field. There's coaching, Radio/TV broadcasting, Administration, Sports Marketing and things like that. Title IX is HUGE - not just for women, but for the sports industry at large because again, it opened up so many more doors and it afforded opportunities in other areas of sports other than just playing.
RG: The WNBA just completed it's 16th season this year in 2K12. As a former player and a member of two world championship teams with the Houston Comets back in 1997 and 1998, how proud are you of the incremental growth and success of the league thus far?
YM: Well, having been there from the very first day, people were skeptical - saying that the WNBA wouldn't last because no women's professional basketball league has lasted, like the defunct ABL. So now with the WNBA completing its 16th season is huge because back then in 1997, we didn't know what was going to happen and we didn't know if it was going to be able to maintain the interest of fans, but obviously with the growth of women's college basketball, we have more female superstars now compared to when the league first started. Current Minnesota Lynx All-Star guard Maya Moore was probably the most recognizable college female basketball player ever when she played at UConn outside of Candace Parker and Chamique Holdsclaw (both out of Tennessee). The opportunities for the players to gain exposure is so much more prevalent now than it was 16 years ago when the WNBA first came about. You got Maya (Moore) being the first female athlete to be signed to Jordan Brand, and that's huge! So of course when you have opportunities like that, then it shows the growth of the league because now there are young girls who are growing up who have never known the world without the WNBA. I'm just so thrilled that we are still here, still standing and still strong. The game has gotten better and more exciting, and the quality and the skill-sets of the players has gotten a lot better.
RG: When the historic Houston Comets franchise folded from the league, how devastating was that occurence for you?
YM: I was heartbroken, and I am still a little touched about that because nobody - from the coaches, to the players, etc. - saw it coming. The Houston Comets set the tone of excellence for the league with the caliber of players that we had. Sheryl Swoopes was the first woman to have her own signature shoe with Nike. We had the imcomparable and incredible Cynthia Cooper, our team MVP, and the first WNBA player to be inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. Tina Thompson was the first-ever draft pick in the history of the WNBA. It was much more than just a dynasty....There were so many 'firsts' associated with that team and so much excellence and success. We had the greatest fans. The city of Houston, Texas and the world embraced us because of what we were able to accomplish in the first four years of the league with winning those championships.
RG: What's the best advice you give to your children?
YM: Do what makes you happy....Figure out what it is that you are truly passionate about and what's in your heart, and focus solely on that thing.
RG: What's the best piece of advice you can give to a talented young female student-athlete who is going through the daily struggles, but yet has the aspirations to become a success not just in sports, but in life?
YM: Find out what your passion is. if it's sports, and if you can't play due to a career-ending injury that you may have suffered or something like that - find out some other aspect of the game that you can become involved in, research those things, find out what it takes to get to that particular position/level and then focus your energies on getting here, but never ever quit. Just know that it's doable and it's going to take some work, but set your goals, map out your plan, do your research, figure out who's doing what it is that you want to do, and find out how they did it. On that end, I would say to get a mentor at all costs and go for it. There's somebody out there that is willing and genuinely wants to help you.
RG: What can we anticipate from you in the near future?
YM: I'm currently gearing up for a college speaking tour....Obviously, I'll be writing more books....I have a training and development company that focuses on women in transition, so I'll be doing a lot more on that end. I'll also be definitely getting into more television and radio work as well.
www.yolandamoore33.com
RG: Why is the release of your book 'You Will Win If You Don't Quit' important to you?
YM: The release of my book is very important to me because it's me sharing my personal story to the readers of all the adversities that I've dealt with in my life and how I was able to overcome them. I saw how by me telling my story as a motivational speaker at different events around the country, was actually helping others with what they are going through in their own lives, and so I figured that if they can read my story in a book format, that would be fantastic! I produced the book so that the readers could also write their thoughts in it as well - kind of like a journal - in the hopes that maybe my book with help them like how it helped me.
RG: For the avid reader who enjoys a great book from beginning to end, why should one invest in and read 'You Will Win If You Don't Quit?'
YM: Well, number one, the book is a very easy and quick read. Anyone from fifth grade all the way to adulthood can literally read it without the big words that need to be looked up in the dictionary! (Laughs) Also I am very candid about the things that I went through and there's content in my book that everyone can relate to that has or is currently dealing with life's hardships and triumphs.
RG: The groundbreaking law of Title IX celebrated its 40th anniversary this year of 2K12. Briefly share with me your thoughts on its impact, especially for female athletes.
YM: Without the existence of Title IX, there would be no me, no WNBA, no college sports, no nothing. Title IX opened up the doors for women to not only be able to play those sports, but to also be involved in policy-making positions - to determine where funds go and to create jobs in sports that aren't directly related to an athlete being out on the field. There's coaching, Radio/TV broadcasting, Administration, Sports Marketing and things like that. Title IX is HUGE - not just for women, but for the sports industry at large because again, it opened up so many more doors and it afforded opportunities in other areas of sports other than just playing.
RG: The WNBA just completed it's 16th season this year in 2K12. As a former player and a member of two world championship teams with the Houston Comets back in 1997 and 1998, how proud are you of the incremental growth and success of the league thus far?
YM: Well, having been there from the very first day, people were skeptical - saying that the WNBA wouldn't last because no women's professional basketball league has lasted, like the defunct ABL. So now with the WNBA completing its 16th season is huge because back then in 1997, we didn't know what was going to happen and we didn't know if it was going to be able to maintain the interest of fans, but obviously with the growth of women's college basketball, we have more female superstars now compared to when the league first started. Current Minnesota Lynx All-Star guard Maya Moore was probably the most recognizable college female basketball player ever when she played at UConn outside of Candace Parker and Chamique Holdsclaw (both out of Tennessee). The opportunities for the players to gain exposure is so much more prevalent now than it was 16 years ago when the WNBA first came about. You got Maya (Moore) being the first female athlete to be signed to Jordan Brand, and that's huge! So of course when you have opportunities like that, then it shows the growth of the league because now there are young girls who are growing up who have never known the world without the WNBA. I'm just so thrilled that we are still here, still standing and still strong. The game has gotten better and more exciting, and the quality and the skill-sets of the players has gotten a lot better.
RG: When the historic Houston Comets franchise folded from the league, how devastating was that occurence for you?
YM: I was heartbroken, and I am still a little touched about that because nobody - from the coaches, to the players, etc. - saw it coming. The Houston Comets set the tone of excellence for the league with the caliber of players that we had. Sheryl Swoopes was the first woman to have her own signature shoe with Nike. We had the imcomparable and incredible Cynthia Cooper, our team MVP, and the first WNBA player to be inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. Tina Thompson was the first-ever draft pick in the history of the WNBA. It was much more than just a dynasty....There were so many 'firsts' associated with that team and so much excellence and success. We had the greatest fans. The city of Houston, Texas and the world embraced us because of what we were able to accomplish in the first four years of the league with winning those championships.
RG: What's the best advice you give to your children?
YM: Do what makes you happy....Figure out what it is that you are truly passionate about and what's in your heart, and focus solely on that thing.
RG: What's the best piece of advice you can give to a talented young female student-athlete who is going through the daily struggles, but yet has the aspirations to become a success not just in sports, but in life?
YM: Find out what your passion is. if it's sports, and if you can't play due to a career-ending injury that you may have suffered or something like that - find out some other aspect of the game that you can become involved in, research those things, find out what it takes to get to that particular position/level and then focus your energies on getting here, but never ever quit. Just know that it's doable and it's going to take some work, but set your goals, map out your plan, do your research, figure out who's doing what it is that you want to do, and find out how they did it. On that end, I would say to get a mentor at all costs and go for it. There's somebody out there that is willing and genuinely wants to help you.
RG: What can we anticipate from you in the near future?
YM: I'm currently gearing up for a college speaking tour....Obviously, I'll be writing more books....I have a training and development company that focuses on women in transition, so I'll be doing a lot more on that end. I'll also be definitely getting into more television and radio work as well.
www.yolandamoore33.com
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Without Their Captain, The Yankees Can STILL Win It All
When New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter fractured his left ankle trying to field a ground ball in the top of the 12th inning of Game One of the American League Championship Series against the Detroit Tigers, now only did it deal a big-time emotional blow to me personally, but also obviously to the entire Yankee Nation that is hoping for a 28th World Series title this year. Now with the Captain sidelined for the remainder of the postseason, manager Joe Girardi will pin his hopes that backup shortshop Eduardo Nunez will do at least a serviceable job both offensively and defensively the rest of this A.L.C.S. against the Tigers. Nunez is decent in the batter's box, and is not the best fielder by any stretch of the imagination, but if he keeps a positive focus, I think he can do a nice job filling in for Jeter. When Mariano (Rivera) was lost for the season earlier badly injuring his knee shagging fly balls during practice, Yankee Nation at that time thought that our 2K12 was done. But guess what? Replacement closer Rafael Soriano held the fort down, did a serviceable job in place the legend No.42, and helped guide the Pinstripes to an A.L. East title, silencing a few of the naysayers in the process. Without both Mariano and captain DJ#2, the Yanks can STILL win World title No.28. The pitching staff (the starters and the bullpen) will continue to pitch as well as they have been during the postseason thus far....It's just CRUCIAL that the offense overall has to step up 100 notches if they are to defeat Detroit in the A.L.C.S., and either the defending World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals or the San Francisco Giants coming out of the National League. Keep the faith, Yankee Nation.....They can STILL do this! I know as a Yankee fan, I have complete faith in Joe (Girardi) and the rest of the coaching staff that they can overcome the nightmare of losing their key guy - their rock - their future Hall-Of-Famer in Jeter and get the mission done!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)