#Dwight Cooley

[uniqueartisanconnoisseur]

Celebrating the Festival of the Cranes like Teddy!

This year my friend Annie Jansen and I chose to celebrate the Festival of the Cranes like Teddy Roosevelt! This spectacular event took place January 12-14, in Decatur, Alabama. The festival showcases the migration of 14,000 Sandhill Cranes and endangered Whooping Cranes. These cranes come to Decatur, and the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge (WNWR). You may be asking, why celebrate the event like…

[lboogie1906]

Frederick James Perren (May 15, 1943 – December 16, 2004) was a songwriter, record producer, arranger, and orchestra conductor. He co-wrote and co-produced songs including “Boogie Fever” by the Sylvers, “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor, and “Shake Your Groove Thing” by Peaches & Herb.

He was born in Englewood, New Jersey, and graduated from Englewood’s Dwight Morrow High School. He graduated from Howard University. It was here he met future Capitol Records R&B A&R executive Larkin Arnold. He married Christine Yarian (1970-2004). She co-wrote some songs with him.

Shortly after moving to California, he and bassist Alphonzo Mizell met guitarist Deke Richards. They started writing songs together. Berry Gordy invited them to be part of his collective the Corporation, a collection of songwriters and record producers for the Jackson 5. “I Want You Back” was the first hit from this new collaboration, going to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in early 1970. They wrote and produced more Jackson 5 hits such as “ABC”, “The Love You Save”, “Mama’s Pearl”, and “Maybe Tomorrow”, among others. He and the Corporation continued their work for Motown on soundtracks such as Hell Up in Harlem and Cooley High, which featured “It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday”.

He last worked with New Edition in 1986 on their Under the Blue Moon, but by the end of the decade, he was largely inactive as a writer and producer. He experienced a resurgence of success as the boyband phenomenon sought musical credibility and instant recognizability with covers of 1970s soul-disco hits. Boyz II Men eclipsed the success of the G.C. Cameron original with their cover of his “It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday”, hitting #2 on the Hot 100 and the top spot on the Hot R&B Singles chart. The song was covered by the Irish boyband Westlife. In 1998, British boyband 911 took a cover of “More Than a Woman” to #2 in the UK Singles Chart. #africanhistory365 #africanexcellence

[blackkudos]

Freddie Perren

Frederick James Perren (May 15, 1943 – December 16, 2004) was an American songwriter, record producer, arranger, and orchestra conductor. He co-wrote and co-produced songs including "Boogie Fever" by the Sylvers, "I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor, and "Shake Your Groove Thing" by Peaches & Herb.

Biography

Early life

Perren was born on May 15, 1943, in Englewood, New Jersey, and graduated from Englewood's Dwight Morrow High School with future songwriting partners Fonce and Larry Mizell in 1961. Perren attended Howard University in Washington, D.C. graduating in 1966. It was here he met future Capitol Records R&B A&R executive Larkin Arnold. He met Christine Yarian in 1967, and they married in 1970.

Motown and The Jackson 5

Shortly after moving to California from Washington, D.C., in 1968, Perren and bassist Mizell met guitarist Deke Richards. They started writing songs together. In 1969 Motown president Berry Gordy invited them to be part of his collective The Corporation, a collection of songwriters and record producers for The Jackson 5. "I Want You Back" was the first hit from this new collaboration, going to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in early 1970. They wrote and produced more Jackson 5 hits such as "ABC", "The Love You Save", "Mama's Pearl", and "Maybe Tomorrow", among others. Perren and The Corporation continued their work for Motown on soundtracks such as Hell Up in Harlem and Cooley High, which featured "It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday" (later a hit for Boyz II Men).

The birth of disco and a break with Motown

Perren then moved into the disco arena with the hits "Do It Baby" and "Love Machine" for The Miracles. By 1976, Perren had left Motown and headed over to Capitol Records where another old college friend, Larkin Arnold, was now vice-president. In the next two years, Perren had success with The Sylvers, producing their first two Capitol albums. They had two Gold singles, "Boogie Fever" & "Hot Line", and a top ten single "High School Dance".

Tavares and Fever

Also successful collaborations for Perren were Tavares, for whom he produced three albums—Sky High!, Love Storm, and Future Bound. Commercial highlights of his work with the group include co-writing and producing the number-one disco hits "Don't Take Away The Music" and "Heaven Must Be Missing An Angel", and producing the group's take on The Bee Gees' "More Than A Woman". Both groups' versions were featured in the landmark 1977 movie and soundtrack to Saturday Night Fever. The Bee Gees recorded another of their own compositions, "If I Can't Have You", for the film and its soundtrack, but after hearing the Perren-produced version by Yvonne Elliman, preferred it to their own, which was relegated to a b-side. The Elliman production topped the Hot 100 and went Gold for U.S. sales over 1 million. The Saturday Night Fever soundtrack album sold over 15 million copies and in 1979 Perren received a Grammy Award for Album of the Year for his contribution, the first of two back-to-back Grammys he earned.

MVP Productions and "Reunited"

In 1978, Perren signed Peaches & Herb to his production company, MVP Productions. Through him, the duo inked a deal with Polydor Records. Their first Polydor album, 2 Hot, included the Gold single and Top Five pop and R&B hit "Shake Your Groove Thing" as well the number-one crossover smash "Reunited" and third single "We've Got Love". 2 Hot went Platinum on the strength of those three hits, occupying the number-two pop albums spot for six weeks in early 1979. Peaches & Herb follow-up Twice the Fire went Gold and yielded the singles, "Roller Skate Mate (Part 1)", and "I Pledge My Love".

"Survive": the peak and death of disco

He received his second accolade from the Recording Academy by winning the first Grammy Award for Best Disco Recording in 1980 for Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive." Gaynor's recording went to number one in both the U.S. and the UK, eventually being certified Double Platinum by the RIAA for sales of over four million copies in the U.S. The song became a disco classic and has been recorded by dozens of artists in the decades since its debut including charting versions by Cake, Chantay Savage, and Diana Ross. However, the disco craze had been so overwhelming in some quarters that it caused a backlash so strong that the Recording Academy reacted by omitting the category before the following year; this, then, was the only Grammy specifically awarded for the disco genre.

Later years

Perren last worked with New Edition in 1986 on their Under the Blue Moon, but by the end of the decade he was largely inactive as a writer and producer. In the 1990s, Perren experienced a resurgence of success as the boyband phenomenon sought musical credibility and instant recognizability with covers of 1970s soul-disco hits. Boyz II Men eclipsed the success of the G.C. Cameron original with their cover of Perren's "It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday", hitting number two on the Hot 100 and the top spot on the Hot R&B Singles chart. The song was later covered by Irish boyband Westlife. In 1998, British boyband 911 took a cover of "More Than a Woman" to number two in the UK Singles Chart.

In 1993, Perren suffered a massive stroke. He died 11 years later at the age of 61 in his home in Chatsworth, Los Angeles. He is interred in the Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Hollywood Hills).

[grigori77]

Summer 2019′s Movies - My Top Ten Favourite Films (Part 1)

The Runners-Up:

20.  ANGEL HAS FALLEN – Gerard Butler’s arse-kicking secret service agent returns in this third (and, from the look of it, final) entry in the trilogy started with surprise hit Olympus Has Fallen and its London-set follow-up, and this time HE’S the prey after he’s framed as a would-be assassin of Morgan Freeman’s new US President.  It’s not as memorably meaty as its predecessors, but latest director Ric Roman Waugh (Snitch, Shot Caller) certainly has the action chops to pull off the necessary heavy lifting, and Butler’s great as ever.

19.  STUBER – summer 2019’s most irreverent guilty pleasure is a gleefully non-PC action comedy in which pathetically nerdy Uber driver Stu Prasad (The Big Sick’s Kumail Nanjiani) is effectively hijacked by dangerously myopic renegade LAPD cop Vic Manning (Dave Bautista), who’s looking to take down his “white whale”, murderous drug lord Oka Tedjo (The Raid’s Iko Uwais).  This is one of those hilariously foul-mouthed, gruesomely violent and unapologetically crude romps that does exactly what it says on the tin.

18.  MEN IN BLACK INTERNATIONAL – Friday director F. Gary Gray certainly has the required comedy pedigree to succeed Barry Sonnenfeld on this sort-of sequel/soft reboot, but while it’s certainly as consistently, inventively funny as its predecessors there’s still something missing here.  Thor: Ragnarok duo Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson have still got chemistry to burn, but they’re no substitute for Smith and Jones, although there’s definitely potential for a solid new series here if they can iron out the kinks.  It IS a moderate improvement on MIB 2, though.

17.  BOOKSMART – actress Olivia Wilde makes her directorial debut with this sharp-witted and enjoyably unpredictable coming-of-age comedy that follows straight-A high school graduates Molly (Lady Bird’s Beanie Feldstein) and Amy (Last Man Standing and Short Term 12’s Kaitlyn Dever) as they indulge in one crazy night out so they can experience the inappropriate partying chaos they always avoided to get those top grades.  Funny, fascinating and powerfully heartfelt, this is a guaranteed future gem of the genre.

16.  ROCKETMAN – hot off his patch-up directing gig finishing off Bohemian Rhapsody after Bryan Singer jumped ship, Dexter Fletcher tackles the life-story of another musical icon, Elton John, in this far more stylized but also thoroughly memorable “musical fantasy” interpretation of the rise/fall/rise-again of the man born Reginald Dwight.  Kingsman star Taron Egerton delivers the finest performance of his career so far, displaying an impressive lack of vanity as he crafts a warts-and-all portrayal of Elton, while Jamie Bell is equally excellent as his lifelong friend and writing partner Bernie Taupin.

15.  I AM MOTHER – the best of Netflix’ original movie summer offerings is this impressively original and edgy sci-fi thriller based around a killer concept – Mother is a robot (voiced with chillingly seductive duplicity by Rose Byrne) in a hi-tech bunker in the aftermath of some unknown apocalyptic cataclysm, the de-facto parent and sole companion of Daughter (The Lodge’s Clara Rugaard), seemingly the last human in the world, who’s never known anything of the outside, until an unexpected arrival threatens everything.

14.  DETECTIVE PIKACHU – Pokémon returns to the big screen with this brilliant live action feature that beautifully builds on the expansive source material while simultaneously repackaging it nice and fresh for a new generation. Ryan Reynolds is a fiendishly inspired choice to voice the eponymous investigator, who enjoys impressive chemistry with Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom’s Justice Smith as the failed Pokémon trainer who is, inexplicably, the only human who can understand him.  You don’t need to be a fan to get this film, either – it’s well-thought-out enough that even newbies can get maximum entertainment out of it.

13.  MIDSOMMAR – Ari Aster, the disturbingly talented writer-director of acclaimed horror gem Hereditary, drops another mind-melting, skin-crawling slowburn treat of pure, unadulterated sustained dread and terrible expectation on an unsuspecting summer audience, although this one certainly proved far more (ahem) seasonal.  Florence Pugh (Lady MacBeth) and Jack Reynor (Strange Angel) are both excellent as the unsuspecting American couple whose visit to a remote Swedish festival exposes them to a twisted cult.

12.  THE STANDOFF AT SPARROW CREEK – debuting writer-director Henry Dunham proves he’s going to be one-to-watch in the future with this insidious little suspense thriller starring James Badge Dale as a former small town cop drawn into a tense internal investigation of the local militia he’s part of after it becomes clear one of its members is responsible for a terrorist attack that’s got the local police up in arms.  A perfectly-pitched lesson in slow-building tension crafted with consummate skill.

11. TOY STORY 4 – marking the feature directorial debut of long-serving Pixar animator/writer Josh Cooley, this is another gold standard entry in the studio’s flagship franchise that also marks a watershed moment for many of its beloved characters.  Woody and Buzz (Tom Hanks and Tim Allen, both on top form) are front and centre once again, but the biggest fun to be had here involves the new faces, particularly Keanu Reeves as hapless Canadian stunt-biker toy Duke Caboom.  This may not be QUITE as essential as what came before, but it’s still a series that continues to play very much to its strengths.

[skaiapentertainment]

Blast From The Past Development Listing

?= On the fence

↑= On the fence about moving them up

↓= On the fence about moving them down

Quarterbacks

SF Alex Smith, 22 yrs, Star 

ARI Kurt Warner, 35 yrs, Superstar

SEA Matt Hasselbeck, 31 yrs, Star

LAC Philip Rivers, 25 yrs, Superstar

CIN Carson Palmer, 27 yrs, Star

BAL Steve McNair, 33 yrs, Star

PIT Ben Roethlisberger, 24 yrs, Superstar X-Factor (Brick Wall)

GB Brett Favre, 37 yrs, Superstar X-Factor (Bazooka)

GB Aaron Rodgers, 23 yrs, Superstar X-Factor (Gambler)

NYG Eli Manning, 25 yrs, Star

PHI Donovan McNabb, 30 yrs, Superstar

DAL Drew Bledsoe, 34 yrs, Star

DAL Tony Romo, 26 yrs, Star

NE Tom Brady, 29 yrs, Superstar X-Factor (Pro Reads)

NO Drew Brees, 27 yrs, Superstar X-Factor (Fearless)

ATL Michael Vick, 26 yrs, Superstar X-Factor (First One Free)

TEN Vince Young, 23 yrs, Star ? ↓

IND Peyton Manning, 30 yrs, Superstar X-Factor (Pro Reads)

Runningbacks 

SF Frank Gore, 23 yrs, Superstar X-Factor (Wrecking Ball)

ARI Edgerrin James, 28 yrs, Superstar ? ↓

LAR Steven Jackson, 23 yrs, Superstar

LAR Marshall Faulk, 32 yrs, Star

SEA Shaun Alexander, 29 yrs, Superstar

KC Larry Johnson, 27 yrs, Star

LAC Michael Turner, 24 yrs, Star

LAC Darren Sproles, 23 yrs, Star

LAC LaDanian Tomlinson, 27 yrs, Superstar X-Factor (First One Free)

BAL Jamal Lewis, 27 yrs, Superstar

GB Ahmad Green, 29 yrs, Star

NYG Tiki Barber, 31 yrs, Superstar

PHI Brian Westbrook, 27 yrs, Star

WAS Clinton Portis, 25 yrs, Star

NYJ Curtis Martin, 33 yrs, Star

NE Corey Dillon, 32 yrs, Star

BUF Willis McGahee, 25 yrs, Star

CAR DeAngelo Williams, 23 yrs, Star

ATL Warrick Dunn, 31 yrs, Star

JAX Fred Taylor, 30 yrs, Star

JAX Maurice Jones-Drew, 21 yrs, Superstar

Fullbacks

SEA Mack Strong, 35 yrs, Star

LAC Lorenzo Neal, 36 yrs, Superstar

TB Mike Alstott, 33 yrs, Star

Wide Receivers

ARI Larry Fitzgerald, 23 yrs, Superstar X-Factor (Max Security)

ARI Anquan Boldin, 26 yrs, Superstar

LAR Torry Holt, 30 yrs, Superstar X-Factor (Rac ‘Em Up)

LAR Isaac Bruce, 34 yrs, Superstar

DEN Rod Smith, 36 yrs, Star

DEN Brandon Marshall, 22 yrs, Superstar

OAK Randy Moss, 29 yrs, Superstar X-Factor (Double Me)

LAC Vincent Jackson, 23 yrs, Star

CIN Chad Johnson, 28 yrs, Superstar X-Factor (Rac ‘Em Up)

BAL Derrick Mason, 32 yrs, Star

PIT Hines Ward, 30 yrs, Superstar ? ↑

GB Donald Driver, 31 yrs, Star

GB Greg Jennings, 23 yrs, Star

NYG Plaxico Burress, 29 yrs, Star

WAS Santana Moss, 27 yrs, Star

DAL Terrell Owens, 33 yrs, Superstar X-Factor (Double Me)

MIA Wes Welker, 25 yrs, Superstar

NE Deion Branch, 27 yrs, Star

TB Joey Galloway, 35 yrs, Star

NO Joe Horn, 34 yrs, Star

ATL Roddy White, 25 yrs, Superstar

HOU Andre Johnson, 25 yrs, Superstar X-Factor (Double Me)

IND Marvin Harrison, 34 yrs, Superstar X-Factor (Rac ‘Em Up)

IND Reggie Wayne, 28 yrs, Superstar

Tight Ends

SF Vernon Davis, 22 yrs, Star ? ↑

SF Delaine Walker, 22 yrs, Star

KC Tony Gonzalez, 30 yrs, Superstar X-Factor (Max Security)

LAC Antonio Gates, 26 yrs, Superstar X-Factor (Max Security)

BAL Todd Heap, 26 yrs, Star

PIT Heath Miller, 24 yrs, Star

NYG Jeremy Shockey, 26 yrs, Superstar ? ↓

WAS Chris Cooley, 24 yrs, Star

DAL Jason Witten, 24 yrs, Superstar X-Factor (Max Security)

ATL Alge Crumpler, 29 yrs, Star

HOU Owen Daniels, 24 yrs, Star

IND Dallas Clark, 27 yrs, Star

Tackles

ARI Leonard Davis, 28 yrs, Star

LAR Orlando Pace, 31 yrs, Superstar

SEA Walter Jones, 32 yrs, Superstar

KC Willie Roaf, 36 yrs, Superstar

CIN Andrew Whitworth, 25 yrs, Superstar

CIN Willie Anderson, 31 yrs, Superstar

BAL Jonathan Ogden, 32 yrs, Superstar

GB Chad Clifton, 30 yrs, Star

PHI Tra Thomas, 32 yrs, Star

WAS Chris Samuels, 29 yrs, Superstar

DAL Flozell Adams, 29 yrs, Superstar

NYJ D’Brickshaw Ferguson, 23 yrs, Star

NE Matt Light, 28 yrs, Superstar

BUF Jason Peters, 24 yrs, Superstar

NO Jammal Brown, 25 yrs, Star

CAR Jordan Gross, 26 yrs, Star

TEN Michael Roos, 24 yrs, Star

IND Tarik Glenn, 30 yrs, Star

Guards

SF Larry Allen, 35 yrs, Superstar

LAR Richie Incognito, 23 yrs, Star

KC Will Shields, 35 yrs, Superstar

KC Brian Waters, 29 yrs, Superstar

LAC Kris Dielman, 25 yrs, Star

PIT Alan Faneca, 30 yrs, Superstar

DET Damien Woody, 29 yrs, Star

CHI Ruben Brown, 34 yrs, Star

MIN Steve Hutchinson, 29 yrs, Superstar

NYG Chris Snee, 24 yrs, Star

PHI Shawn Andrews, 24 yrs, Star

DAL Marco Rivera, 34 yrs, Star

NE Logan Mankins, 24 yrs, Superstar

TB Davin Joseph, 23 yrs, Star

NO Jahri Evans, 23 yrs, Superstar

CAR Evan Mathis, 25 yrs, Star

Centers

SF Jeremy Newberry, 30 yrs, Star

DEN Chris Myers, 25 yrs, Star

DEN Tom Nalen, 35 yrs, Star

CLE LeCharles Bentley, 27 yrs, Star

PIT Jeff Hartings, 34 yrs, Star

CHI Olin Kreutz, 29 yrs, Superstar

MIN Matt Birk, 30 yrs, Star 

NYG Shaun O’hara, 29 yrs, Star

DAL Andre Gurode, 28 yrs, Star

NYJ Nick Mangold, 22 yrs, Superstar

NE Dan Koppen, 27 yrs, Star

TEN Kevin Mawae, 35 yrs, Superstar

IND Jeff Saturday, 31 yrs, Superstar

Edge

SF Bryant Young, 34 yrs, Star

ARI Bertrand Berry, 31 yrs, Star

LAR Leonard Little, 32 yrs, Star

SEA Julian Peterson, 28 yrs, Superstar

KC Jared Allen, 24 yrs, Superstar X-Factor (Unstoppable Force)

KC Tamba Hali, 23 yrs, Superstar

DEN Elvis Dumervil, 22 yrs, Superstar

OAK Derrick Burgess, 28 yrs, Star

LAC Shaun Phillips, 25 yrs, Star

BAL Terrell Suggs, 24 yrs, Superstar X-Factor (Unstoppable Force)

BAL Adalius Thomas, 29 yrs, Star

CLE Willie McGinest, 35 yrs, Star

PIT James Harrison, 28 yrs, Superstar

PIT Joey Porter, 29 yrs, Superstar

GB Aaron Kampman, 27 yrs, Star

GB Kabeer Gbaja-Biamilia, 29 yrs, Star

NYG Michael Strahan, 35 yrs, Superstar X-Factor (Fearmonger)

NYG Justin Tuck, 23 yrs, Star

NYG Osi Umenyiora, 25 yrs, Superstar

PHI Jeveon Kearse, 30 yrs, Star

PHI Trent Cole, 24 yrs, Star

DAL DeMarcus Ware, 24 yrs, Superstar X-Factor (Unstoppable Force)

NYJ Shaun Ellis, 29 yrs, Star

MIA Jason Taylor, 32 yrs, Superstar X-Factor (Unstoppable Force)

MIA Kevin Carter, 33 yrs, Star

BUF Aaron Schobel, 29 yrs, Star

TB Simeon Rice, 32 yrs, Superstar

NO Will Smith, 25 yrs, Star

CAR Julius Peppers, 26 yrs, Superstar X-Factor (Unstoppable Force)

ATL John Abraham, 28 yrs, Superstar X-Factor (Unstoppable Force)

ATL Patrick Kerney, 30 yrs, Superstar ? ↓

TEN Kyle Vanden Bosch, 28 yrs, Star

HOU Jason Babin, 26 yrs, Star

HOU Mario Williams, 21 yrs, Superstar

IND Dwight Freeney, 26 yrs, Superstar X-Factor (Unstoppable Force)

IND Robert Mathis, 25 yrs, Superstar ? ↑

Defensive Tackles

ARI Darnell Dockett, 25 yrs, Star

LAR La’Roi Glover, 32 yrs, Superstar

OAK Warren Sapp, 34 yrs, Superstar

LAC Jamal Williams, 30 yrs, Superstar

CIN Justin Smith, 27 yrs, Superstar

CIN Sam Adams, 33 yrs, Star

BAL Haloti Ngata, 22 yrs, Superstar

CLE Ted Washington, 38 yrs, Star

PIT Casey Hampton, 29 yrs, Star

DET Shaun Rogers, 26 yrs, Star

CHI Tommie Harris, 23 yrs, Star

MIN Pat Williams, 34 yrs, Star

MIN Kevin Williams, 26 yrs, Superstar X-Factor (Run Stuffer)

NE Richard Seymour, 27 yrs, Superstar X-Factor (Run Stuffer)

NE Vince Wilfork, 25 yrs, Superstar

BUF Kyle Williams, 23 yrs, Superstar

CAR Kris Jenkins, 27 yrs, Superstar

ATL Roderick Coleman, 30 yrs, Star

TEN Albert Haynesworth, 25 yrs, Star

TEN Randy Starks, 23 yrs, Star

JAX John Henderson, 27 yrs, Star

JAX Marcus Stroud, 28 yrs, Star

Linebackers

ARI Karlos Dansby, 25 yrs, Star

LAR Dexter Coakley, 34 yrs, Star ? ↓

SEA Lofa Tatupu, 24 yrs, Superstar ? ↓

KC Derrick Johnson, 24 yrs, Superstar

DEN Al Wilson, 29 yrs, Superstar ? ↓

BAL Bart Scott, 26 yrs, Star

BAL Ray Lewis, 31 yrs, Superstar X-Factor (Reinforcement)

CLE D’Qwell Jackson, 23 yrs, Star

PIT James Farrior, 31 yrs Star

CHI Brian Urlacher, 28 yrs, Superstar X-Factor (Run Stuffer)

CHI Lance Briggs, 26 yrs, Superstar

MIN Chad Greenway, 23 yrs, Star

NYG Lavar Arrington, 28 yrs, Star

PHI Jeremiah Trotter, 29 yrs, Superstar ? ↓

NYJ Jonathan Vilma, 24 yrs, Star

MIA Zack Thomas, 33 yrs, Superstar X-Factor (Run Stuffer)

NE Mike Vrabel, 31 yrs, Star

NE Tedy Bruschi, 33 yrs, Star

BUF Takeo Spikes, 30 yrs, Star

BUF London Fletcher, 31 yrs, Superstar

TB Derrick Brooks, 33 yrs, Superstar X-Factor (Run Stuffer)

CAR Thomas Davis, 23 yrs, Superstar

ATL Keith Brooking, 31 yrs, Star

HOU DeMeco Ryans, 22 yrs, Star

Corners

ARI Antrell Rolle, 24 yrs, Star

KC Patrick Surtain, 30 yrs, Star

DEN Champ Bailey, 28 yrs, Superstar X-Factor (Shutdown)

OAK Nnamdi Asomugha, 25 yrs, Superstar

LAC Antonio Cromartie, 22 yrs, Superstar

CIN Deltha O’Neal, 29 yrs, Star

CIN Johnathan Joseph, 22 yrs, Star

BAL Chris McAlister, 29 yrs, Superstar

BAL Samari Rolle, 30 yrs, Star

PIT Ike Taylor, 26 yrs, Star

DET Dre’ Bly, 29 yrs, Star

CHI Charles Tillman, 25 yrs, Star

MIN Antoine Winfield, 29 yrs, Star

GB Charles Woodson, 30 yrs, Superstar X-Factor (Zone Hawk)

GB Al Harris, 32 yrs, Star

NYG Sam Madison, 32 yrs, Superstar

PHI Lito Shepard, 25 yrs, Star

DAL Terrence Newman, 28 yrs, Star

NE Asante Samuel, 25 yrs, Superstar

BUF Nate Clements, 27 yrs, Star

TB Ronde Barber, 31 yrs, Superstar X-Factor (Shutdown)

ATL DeAngelo Hall, 23 yrs, Star

TEN Adam Jones, 23 yrs, Star

JAX Rashean Mathis, 26 yrs, Star

Safeties 

SF Mike Adams, 25 yrs, Star 

ARI Adrian Wilson, 27 yrs, Superstar

DEN John Lynch, 35 yrs, Superstar X-Factor (Reinforcement) ? ↓

BAL Ed Reed, 28 yrs, Superstar X-Factor (Zone Hawk)

PIT Troy Polamalu, 25 yrs, Superstar X-Factor (Reinforcement)

MIN Darren Sharper, 31 yrs, Superstar

GB Nick Collins, 23 yrs, Star

PHI Brian Dawkins, 33 yrs, Superstar X-Factor (Reinforcement)

WAS Sean Taylor, 23 yrs, Superstar X-Factor (Reinforcement)

DAL Roy Williams, 26 yrs, Superstar

NE Rodney Harrison, 34 yrs, Star ? ↑

BUF Donte Whitner, 21 yrs, Star

NO Roman Harper, 24 yrs, Star

ATL Lawyer Milloy, 32 yrs, Star

IND Bob Sanders, 25 yrs, Superstar

Kickers

ARI Neil Rackers, 30 yrs, Star

OAK Sebastian Janikowski, 28 yrs, Star

LAC Nate Kaeding, 24 yrs, Star

BAL Matt Stover, 38 yrs, Star

CLE Phil Dawson, 31 yrs, Star

CHI Robbie Gould, 24 yrs, Star

PHI David Akers, 32 yrs, Superstar

DAL Mike Vanderjakt, 36 yrs, Star

NE Stephen Gostkowski, 22 yrs, Star

TB Matt Bryant, 31 yrs, Star

Punters

SF Andy Lee, 24 yrs, Superstar

KC Dustin Colquitt, 24 yrs, Star

OAK Shane Lechler, 30 yrs, Superstar

DAL Mat McBriar, 27 yrs, Star

BUF Brian Mooreman, 30 yrs, Superstar

[xeford2020]

The Real Toys of “Toy Story 4”

Chatty Cathy Talking Doll, ca. 1963, an inspiration for Gabby Gabby. THF 173150

Since 1995, Disney-Pixar’s “Toy Story” films have led the industry in combining computer-generated animation with powerful, heartfelt stories. One of the reasons that adults and kids alike are drawn to these films is the clever selection of toys. More often than not, these are based upon real toys that are fondly remembered by viewers from different generations (see several examples of these from The Henry Ford’s collections in the blog post, “The Real Toys of Toy Story”).

This summer’s release of “Toy Story 4”—with its cast of old friends along with several newly introduced toys—allows us the perfect opportunity to once again delve into The Henry Ford’s collections and see what real toys provided inspiration for this fourth “Toy Story” installment.

The Heroes

Kentucky Fried Chicken Spork, 1978-90. THF173933

A heroic spork? Yes, indeed! This time around, Pixar decided to explore what would happen when a handmade toy named Forky (with a plastic spork for a body) meets the old gang of mass-manufactured toys. 

Sporks have a long, mostly unsuccessful history. Think about it. When you combine a spoon and a fork together, neither of them is going to work very well. Interlocking or folding sets of camp utensils have always been more popular with backpackers and Boy Scouts. Nevertheless, by the 1970s, plastic sporks were making their way into fast-food restaurants—to use for, as Forky describes it, "soup, salad, maybe chili, and then the trash!” Kentucky Fried Chicken was one of the first fast-food chains to regularly feature sporks, like the one shown here.

Image of Little Bo-Peep as part of Mother Goose Series, trade card for baking soda, John Dwight & Co., 1900. THF294575

In “Toy Story 4,” Bo Peep returns as a much more assertive and heroic character. Here we learn that she was once part of a lamp that Andy’s sister, Molly, had in her bedroom to help her fall asleep. In fact, the classic nursery rhyme, Little Bo-Peep—first printed in full in 1810—reveals that this young shepherdess lost her sheep because she had also fallen asleep! 

Other connections exist between the old nursery rhyme and the newer, more independent Bo Peep.  n the nursery rhyme, Bo Peep’s sheep lose their way because sheep are known to flock together. In “Toy Story 4,” Bo Peep’s three sheep are also inseparable—in fact, they are molded together as one piece, leading to often humorous results! In addition, a shepherdess would have traditionally used her crook not only to manage her sheep but also to defend them from attack by predators. In the film, Bo Peep similarly uses her crook to keep our heroes from harm.

Polly Pocket Watch Happy Meal Toy, 1995. THF141193

The appearance of Giggles McDimple in “Toy Story 4” likely delighted girls who grew up in the 1990s, as Giggles and her “home” reference the highly popular Polly Pockets of that era. These were first conceived by a British Dad for his daughter in 1983, using a powder compact as a tiny house that could fit in a pocket. Bluebird Toys, of Swindon, England, licensed the concept when these first appeared on the market in 1989, with Mattel in charge of distribution. In 1998, Mattel purchased the rights to manufacture Polly Pockets, then immediately redesigned them into larger dolls with changing garments. While various versions were produced after that, the original minuscule figures with jointed legs and peg-like bases that slotted into holes inside their cases never returned.  

In “Toy Story 4,” Giggles compensates for her minuscule size by displaying an air of confidence and a can-do attitude—just the kind of out sized personality that little girls of the 1990s might have ascribed to their own Polly Pockets. 

Evel Knievel X-2 Sky Cycle Toy, 1976-8. THF 302676

Duke Caboom—"Canada’s Greatest Stuntman”—is not an exact imitation of Evel Knievel, but this “Toy Story 4” character was certainly inspired by the famed 1970s stunt daredevil. Robert Craig Knievel, who was known at an early age for his combined athletic prowess and guts, became a national sensation in the 1970s, when he was featured several times on “ABC’s Wide World of Sports.”  nievel’s tremendous crowd appeal motivated Ideal to reproduce an action-figure version of him along with various stunt-related accessories—like this X-2 Sky Cycle that replicates the one he used during an attempted jump over Snake River Canyon, Idaho, in 1974. 

During the peak of his popularity, Knievel’s flashy white leather jumpsuit and reputation for keeping his word helped reinforce his heroic, larger-than-life image. That is, until 1978, when he was convicted of assaulting the author of a book written about him and his popularity quickly plummeted. The tragic backstory of Duke Caboom and his kid who rejected him is a fitting connection to the real-life 1970s Evel Knievel and his young fans. 

G.I. Joe Desert Troop Dusty with Sandstorm, his coyote, 1990-91. THF 94338

Combat Carl makes a small but unforgettable appearance in “Toy Story 4”—especially if you who stay to the very end of the credits. He played a bit part in the first “Toy Story” film, then a larger role in Pixar’s 2013 Halloween TV special, “Toy Story of Terror!”  Combat Carl is an everyman military action figure reminiscent of G.I. Joe action figures of the 1980s and ‘90s.  Mattel introduced the first G.I. Joe in 1964—a 12” poseable version that directly referenced the military men who saw action during World War II and the Korean War.  An African-American version of G.I. Joe was introduced in 1965. 

As a result of the unpopular Vietnam War in the late 1960s and the rising price of plastic in the 1970s, G.I. Joes declined in popularity until they were discontinued in 1978. But they made a stunning comeback during the 1980s as 3-3/4” adventure-team action figures. This G.I. Joe action figure from The Henry Ford’s collection, named Dusty, was introduced in 1991, after the Persian Gulf War inspired toys based upon the real-life conflict. Exuding a great deal of self-possessed machismo but also tugging at our heartstrings a bit, Combat Carl always leaves us rooting for him. 

The Villains

Shown on the right side of the page, Chatty Cathy is featured in the 1964 Sears Roebuck & Co. Christmas Catalog. Note her Gabby Gabby-like freckles! THF287020

At first glance, the scheming Gabby Gabby appears to have been based upon Chatty Cathy, introduced to the American public in 1960 as the first in a new line of Mattel talking dolls. Like Gabby Gabby in the film, Chatty Cathy’s “voice” was activated by a pull string in the back. The first Chatty Cathy, who had blue eyes and sported a blonde bobbed hairdo, recited 11 phrases at random via a record that was driven by a metal coil wound by pulling the toy’s string. Her phrases were voiced by June Foray, also famous as the voice of Rocky the Squirrel in “The Rocky & Bullwinkle Show.” Newer versions of the doll sported a wider choice of hair and eye colors as well as an African-American version. By 1963, when this version of Chatty Cathy was introduced, she had long pigtails and her vocabulary had increased to 18 phrases.

According to director Josh Cooley, Gabby Gabby was based more directly upon an evil doll named Talky Tina, who appeared in a 1963 “Twilight Zone” episode. In this edge-of-your-seats episode, a family’s problems are made worse when a talking doll—which was loosely based upon Chatty Cathy and was also voiced by June Foray—develops a mind of her own and wreaks havoc on the family, inevitably leading to a tragic ending.

Page of doll carriages, Sears Roebuck & Co. Christmas Catalog, 1964. THF294577

As Woody and Forky search for Bo Peep in the quiet atmosphere of the antique shop, the sudden sound of a squeaky doll carriage edging closer but just out of view is one of the more hair-raising moments in the film.  Sure enough, it reveals itself as Gabby Gabby’s mobility device and there is good reason for viewers to be nervous. Some of us have a visceral memory of those squeaky doll carriages of the mid-20th century, before safety and cost issues replaced the carriages’ metal and vinyl parts with plastic. 

Doll carriages were generally based upon full-size baby carriages of their era.  In the late 19th century, these were often quite elaborate, made of wicker with brass fittings and matching parasols and only affordable to the wealthy.  As the 20th century progressed, pop-up tops, removable beds, and suspension systems made baby carriages more comfortable and convenient, and they also became more affordable to families of different economic levels.  The three options shown in this 1964 Sears Roebuck Christmas catalog—of varying prices and materials—are all reminiscent of Gabby Gabby’s squeaky—and sneaky—doll carriage. 

Doll Dessert Set, 1935-40. THF141192

In “Toy Story 4,” Gabby Gabby is delighted when the antique shop owner’s granddaughter, Harmony, sets up a toy tea set and pretends to take tea—hoping beyond hope that when her voice box is fixed, Harmony will invite her to join in. 

Since the 19th century, miniature tea sets were a traditional way for little girls to practice adult skills and feminine roles. It was up to them, however, to decide whom to invite for company. Images, like the cover of this doll dessert set, often show little girls having tea with favored dolls and stuffed animals. Indeed, in previous “Toy Story” movies, we saw both neighbor Sid’s little sister and young Bonnie engage in this type of imaginative play. The strengthening of bonds between little girls and their dolls through pretend tea-drinking is something that Gabby Gabby desperately wants—so much so that she will resort to desperate measures to have it. 

Charlie McCarthy Doll, 1937-40. THF106436

Without a doubt the creepiest characters in “Toy Story 4” are the Bensons—the group of ventriloquist dummies that Gabby Gabby enlists to do her bidding. Dating back to 18th-century traveling fairs, ventriloquists “threw” their voices to appear as if they were coming from elsewhere, usually a puppet or other semi-lifelike figure referred to as a dummy. During the early 20th century, Edgar Bergen popularized the idea of comedic ventriloquism, teaming up with his “cheeky,” boyish dummy, Charlie McCarthy.  Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy became so popular that they appeared on “The Chase & Sanborn Radio Hour” from 1937 to 1956, as well as later films and TV programs. As shown here, Charlie McCarthy was reproduced by Effanbee as a child’s toy, complete with different outfits and a carrying trunk. 

The Charlie McCarthy dummy and related doll were not intended to be evil (although some people would maintain that all ventriloquists’ dummies are creepy).  redit for that goes to the fact that the Bensons were more directly inspired by a series of “Goosebumps” books by R. L. Stine that began in 1993, featuring the villainous Slappy the Dummy. Though the book is from a later era, Slappy’s appearance recalls the ventriloquist dummies of Charlie McCarthy’s time. In “Toy Story 4,” the Bensons have no voices because there are no humans to provide them. And their bodies are soft with no structure because, without humans to operate them, their body parts just dangle.  Very clever!  And definitely creepy! 

Will there be a “Toy Story 5”—with new toys, the return of familiar old toys, and a fresh spin on their interconnecting stories? Only time will tell.

Donna R. Braden is Senior Curator and Curator of Public Life at The Henry Ford.

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Freddie Perren

Frederick James (Freddie) Perren (May 15, 1943 – December 16, 2004) was an American songwriter, record producer, arranger, and orchestra conductor best known as co-songwriter and co-producer of such mega-hits as "Boogie Fever" by the Sylvers, "I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor, and "Shake Your Groove Thing" by Peaches & Herb.

Biography

Early life

Perren was born on May 15, 1943, in Englewood, New Jersey, and graduated from Englewood's Dwight Morrow High School along with future songwriting partners Fonce & Larry Mizell in 1961. Perren attended Howard University in Washington, D.C. graduating in 1966. It was here he would meet future Capitol Records R&B A&R executive Larkin Arnold. He met Christine Yarian in 1967, and they married in 1970.

Motown and The Jackson 5

Shortly after moving to California from Washington, D.C., in 1968, Perren and bassist Mizell met guitarist Deke Richards. They started writing songs together. In 1969 Motown president Berry Gordy invited them to be part of his collective The Corporation, a collection of songwriters and record producers for The Jackson 5. "I Want You Back" was the first hit from this new collaboration, going to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in early 1970. They would go on to write and produce more Jackson 5 hits such as "ABC", "The Love You Save", "Mama's Pearl", and "Maybe Tomorrow", among others. Perren and The Corporation continued their work for Motown on soundtracks such as Hell Up in Harlem and Cooley High, which featured "It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday" (later a hit for Boyz II Men).

The birth of disco and a break with Motown

Perren then moved into the disco arena with the hits "Do It Baby" and "Love Machine" for The Miracles. By 1976 Perren would leave Motown and head over to Capitol Records where another old college pal, Larkin Arnold, was now V.P. In the next two years Perren would have success with The Sylvers, producing their first two Capitol albums. They had two Gold singles, "Boogie Fever" & "Hot Line", and top ten single "High School Dance".

Tavares and Fever

Also successful collaborations for Perren were Tavares, for whom he would produce three albums—Sky High!, Love Storm, and Future Bound. Commercial highlights of his work with the group include co-writing and producing the number-one disco hits "Don't Take Away The Music" and "Heaven Must Be Missing An Angel", and producing the group's take on The Bee Gees' "More Than A Woman". Both groups' versions were featured in the landmark 1977 movie and soundtrack to Saturday Night Fever. The Bee Gees recorded another of their own compositions, "If I Can't Have You", for the film and its soundtrack, but after hearing the Perren-produced version by Yvonne Elliman, preferred it to their own, which was relegated to a b-side. The Elliman production topped the Hot 100 and went Gold for U.S. sales over 1 million. The Saturday Night Fever soundtrack album would go on to sell over 15 million copies and in 1979 Perren received a Grammy Award for Album of the Year for his contribution, the first of two back-to-back Grammys he would earn.

MVP Productions and "Reunited"

In 1978, Perren signed Peaches & Herb to his production company, MVP Productions. Through him, the duo inked a deal with Polydor Records. Their first Polydor album, 2 Hot, included the Gold single and Top Five pop and R&B hit "Shake Your Groove Thing" as well the number-one crossover smash "Reunited" and third single "We've Got Love". 2 Hot went Platinum on the strength of those three hits, occupying the number-two pop albums spot for six weeks in early 1979. Peaches & Herb follow-up Twice the Fire went Gold and yielded the singles, "Roller Skate Mate (Part 1)", and "I Pledge My Love".

"Survive": the peak and death of disco

He received his second accolade from the Recording Academy by winning the first Grammy Award for Best Disco Recording in 1980 for Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive." Gaynor's recording went to number one in both the U.S. and the UK, eventually being certified Double Platinum by the RIAA for sales of over four million copies in the U.S. The song became a disco classic and has been recorded by dozens of artists in the decades since its debut including charting versions by Cake, Chantay Savage, and Diana Ross. However, the disco craze had been so overwhelming in some quarters that it caused a backlash so strong that the Recording Academy reacted by omitting the category before the following year; this, then, was the only Grammy ever specifically awarded for the disco genre.

Later years

Perren last worked with New Edition in 1986 on their Under the Blue Moon album, but by the end of the decade he was largely inactive as a writer and producer. In the 1990s, Perren would experience a resurgence of success as the boyband phenomenon sought musical credibility and instant recognizability with covers of 1970s soul-disco hits. Boyz II Men eclipsed the success of the G.C. Cameron original with their cover of Perren's "It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday", hitting number two on the Hot 100 and the top spot on the Hot R&B Singles chart. The song was later covered by Irish boyband Westlife. In 1998, British boyband 911 took a cover of "More Than a Woman" that was faithful to the Tavares production to number two in the UK.

In 1993, Perren suffered a massive stroke. He died 11 years later at the age of 61 in his home in Chatsworth, Los Angeles. He is interred in the Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Hollywood Hills).

Wikipedia