#Winston Salem Music Scene

[whatsonmedia]

Music Monday: 5 New Releases Single 'Crying In The Trees'

Experience the mesmerizing music new single 'Crying In The Trees' by Rich Ruth, accompanied by a captivating live performance video. With its ambient rock sound and smooth vocals, this track is a must-listen. Check out the video and get immersed in the enchanting world of Rich Ruth's music.Let me know if you need any further assistance! Rich Ruth shares new single 'Crying In The Trees' + video - new album 'Water Still Flows' out June 21st on Third Man Records ALONGSIDE MESMERIZING LIVE PERFORMANCE VIDEO And definitely a mesmerizing video it is. For anyone who's ever heard if Tubular Bells this can be seen as homage to it. No vocals to the music but either way you've got a superb track LISTEN / WATCH HERE https://youtu.be/-loX1IL3Az4 Rich Ruth US Tour Dates: - 28/4: Fort Worth, TX - Tulips * - 29/4: Oklahoma City, OK - Beer City Music Hall * - 1/5: Baton Rouge, LA - Chelsea's Live * - 3/5: Knoxville, TN - The Pilot Light ~ - 4/5: Asheville, NC - Eulogy ~ - 5/5: Winston-Salem, NC - The Ramkat * - 8/5: Raleigh, NC - King's ~ - 9/5: Charleston, SC - Music Farm * - 10/5: Savannah, GA - Victory North * - 22/6: Nashville, TN - The Blue Room ~ - 25/6: Washington DC - Pearl Street Warehouse ^ - 26/6: Philadelphia, PA - Johnny Brenda's ^ - 27/6: Woodstock, NY - Colony ^ - 28/6: Brooklyn, NY - Union Pool ~ - 21/8: Bloomington, IN - The Bishop ~ - 22/8: Chicago, IL - Constellation ~ - 23/8: Goshen, IN - Ignition Music Garage ~ - 25/8: Detroit, MI - Third Man Cass Corridor ~ ~ Headline Dates * w/ All Them Witches ^ w/ Mikaela Davis Billie Eilish "Wildflower": A Captivating Acoustic Journey through Love's ComplexitiesIn "Wildflower," Billie takes us on an intimate acoustic exploration of love's intricate path. With emotive vocals and raw vulnerability, she delves into the complexities of moving on while acknowledging the lingering emotions of past relationships. The title symbolizes resilience and untamed emotions, while the lyrics paint a poignant picture of a love triangle and the narrator's struggles with jealousy and insecurity. With its haunting melody and thought-provoking lyrics, "Wildflower" offers a captivating glimpse into the complexities of the human heart. Listen to Billie Eilish WILDFLOWER https://youtu.be/l08Zw-RY__Q LOUIS AND THE SHAKES - Share Majestic Single: "scared." || Listen Today STREAM ON ALL SERVICES YouTube  https://youtu.be/LnURE_rbQEg?si=JAdiYfMttFXAj6EC Here's a few things I like about the song; it's rock ambient feel to it; the smooth sound of the vocals; has a soft yet free flowing feel to it; it's not afraid to show emotional ranges. Louis never fails to disappoint THE MISERABLE RICH - Announce first album for 13 Years: 'Overcome' || Hear "Crows" Today I've never watched anything by Hitchcock in its entirety but still recognize the iconoclasm of The Birds. Anticipated bird threat scenes aside, I find myself enjoying Miserable Rich's take on it  WATCH OFFICIAL VIDEO HERE https://youtu.be/1IvWQE6kjzo?si=X3XAt7-WbTKm_29R STREAM ON SPOTIFY HERE https://open.spotify.com/album/21X71xGFi99fDKwiZvyUIa?si=uJdEOOKaQZyxM1a9yiEwIg Hitchcock inspired official video courtesy of Marc Biedel. Watch it here: https://youtu.be/1IvWQE6kjzo SNARL unveils dystopian visuals for his Prodigy "No Good (Start The Dance)" remix! Earlier this month SNARL unleashed their take on the infamous 90's dance hit originally by The Prodigy. I admit they did a good spin on it.  Here's the video for your viewing pleasure, looks like they've taken inspiration from movie classic Blade Runner  https://youtu.be/n5GJbS8AZNby E?si=5mZqnXKArB5jPxhy CORNERSHOP ‘Double Denim’ Single b/w Instrumental  Overall, a good video, I like that they've used the cartoon format for the video. For one thing it's just as good as film format, secondly cartoon animations can tell more of a story. In this case it's of the band, very nice  Watch The Video Now https://youtu.be/oPOZZdL03Qk Check out WhatsOn for more music updates Rich Ruth shares new single 'Crying In The Trees' + video - new album 'Water Still Flows' out June 21st on Third Man Records Billie Eilish "Wildflower": A Captivating Acoustic Journey through Love's ComplexitiesInListen to Billie Eilish WILDFLOWER LOUIS AND THE SHAKES - Share Majestic Single: "scared." || Listen Today THE MISERABLE RICH - Announce first album for 13 Years: 'Overcome' || Hear "Crows" Today SNARL unveils dystopian visuals for his Prodigy "No Good (Start The Dance)" remix! CORNERSHOP ‘Double Denim’ Single b/w Instrumental  Read the full article

[independentartistbuzz]

Indie Label All Y'all Records Takes Over North Carolina This Weekend!

All Y’all Records, a new independent record label founded by Dave Hedeman of the Gone Ghosts and Nick Stroud of Heat Preacher, is set to make its debut with an exciting launch party on June 1st at Local 506. This event promises to be a significant moment for the North Carolina music scene, featuring a diverse lineup of talented artists and bands. With decades of combined experience in the local and regional music industries, Hedeman and Stroud aim to support and elevate up-and-coming musicians through their innovative approach to the music business.

A New Vision for Independent Artists

All Y’all Records was born out of a shared vision to do things differently. Hedeman and Stroud, both veterans of the North Carolina and regional music scenes, recognized the need for a label that truly supports independent artists. The music industry has undergone significant changes in recent years, often to the detriment of musicians who don’t have the backing of major labels. All Y’all Records seeks to address these challenges by providing artists with the resources, connections, and support they need to thrive.

“We’ve seen it all throughout our musical careers, and we understand how difficult it can be for independent artists to navigate the modern music landscape,” said Hedeman. “Our goal with All Y’all Records is to create a community where artists can share knowledge and experiences, helping each other succeed.”

A Celebration of Local Talent

The launch party at Local 506 will showcase a lineup of bands and musicians that exemplify the spirit and diversity of All Y’all Records. The event will feature performances by:

OLD HEAVY HANDS (Greensboro, NC) – Known for their compelling blend of heartfelt southern rock, influenced by the Muscle Shoals tradition and DIY punk rock.

LORD NELSON (Charlottesville, VA) – Drawing on a rich history of campfire sing-a-longs, barn parties, and metal thrashing, their music exudes a sense of tradition and belonging.

COUNTRY CRUEL (Chapel Hill, NC) – Inspired by legends like John Prine and Doc Watson, they deliver loud, hard country music with an honest edge.

JACK THE RADIO (Raleigh, NC) – Roots-rockers who blend rock, blues, Americana, folk, and country into a unique tapestry of swampy southern sounds.

HEAT PREACHER (Chapel Hill, NC) – Combining alternative rock, soul, and indie influences to create a modern musical experience.

REESE MCHENRY (Chatham Co, NC) – A prolific songwriter and performer whose rock songs mix humor with catchy hooks.

THE GONE GHOSTS (Carrboro, NC) – Creating their version of American rock with themes of love, loss, and heartache.

CHARLES LATHAM & THE BORROWED BAND (Durham, NC) – Marrying vintage psychedelic country-rock with idiosyncratic songwriting.

THE YARDARM (Chapel Hill, NC) – Offering alternative rock with a distinctly North Carolina twang.

CRENSHAW PENTECOSTAL (Winston Salem, NC) – Delivering dive bar arena rock.

Event Details

Date: Saturday, June 1, 2024

Venue: Local 506, 506 W Franklin St, Chapel Hill, NC 27516

Doors Open: 4:00 PM

Tickets: Presale - $15, Day of - $20

Purchase Tickets: Local 506 Events

This launch event is not just about celebrating the inception of All Y’all Records; it’s about fostering a sense of community and collaboration among North Carolina musicians. “We believe that by amplifying each other’s unique strengths, we can advance everyone’s careers,” said Stroud. “This is a chance to support local music, enjoy a wide range of musical styles, and be part of a movement that values collaboration over competition.”

Don’t miss this opportunity to experience some of the best music North Carolina has to offer and to be part of a new era in the independent music scene. Get your tickets today and join us at Local 506 for an unforgettable evening of live music and community spirit.

[eventseeker789]

Country Music Sensations & Ensembles Performing Live in Silver Spring, MD

Dalton & The Sheriffs

Dalton & the Sheriffs embody the vibrant essence of the Boston music scene, fueled by a collective passion for delivering electrifying performances and fostering a musical legacy. At its helm stands Jay Tagg, a cornerstone of the local music landscape since his teenage years. With roots as the frontman of Lannen Fall, Jay infuses the band's ethos with experience and raw energy.

Complementing Jay's presence are seasoned musicians, each a luminary in their own right. Dennis Walsh, a lifelong bassist and tech expert, stands steadfast beside Jay, providing a solid rhythmic backbone. Dan Vassallo, a recent addition, brings a fusion of technique and musical finesse, elevating the band's live sound since joining in 2022.

Joey Pantaleo, a virtuoso in guitar and keys, adds depth with his soaring harmonies, becoming an integral force in the band's rapid growth. Bryce Brashears, the band's sonic architect, ensures a seamless live experience and amplifies audience engagement.

The band's enduring longevity owes much to the Scully duo, Brian, and Kate, steadfast pillars since 1996. Brendan Kelly, a multifaceted figure within the band, steers the Dalton Way, infusing innovation while upholding tradition.

Tim Davenport, a health executive turned business manager, offers a blend of professionalism and musical passion, refining the band's operational prowess. Meanwhile, Zach Nitsche, joining after a fortuitous backstage pass exchange, fiercely protects the Dalton brand, embodying the band's contagious spirit amidst friends and fans.

Grab your Dalton and the Sheriffs tickets and head over to The Fillmore Silver Spring on January 27, 2024 at 8:00p and watch the ensemble perform live.

Cooper Alan

 Cooper Alan, a country sensation who's not just riding the wave of success but orchestrating it, emerged from Winston Salem, NC, with a guitar in hand and an insatiable passion for music. His rise to stardom didn't follow the conventional route; instead, it unfolded as a digital phenomenon. With a magnetic stage presence and a knack for infusing electrifying energy into his performances, Alan carved his niche in the music scene while amassing a staggering online following of 10 million fervent fans across social media platforms.

His journey from the Carolinas' college bars and honky-tonks to Nashville's thriving music landscape was swift, fueled by a chance encounter with hitmaker Victoria Shaw, leading to a publishing deal that opened doors to collaborations with songwriting giants like Desmond Child and Jeffrey Steele. Alan's repertoire of hit singles, including chart-toppers like "New Normal," "Tough Ones," and the infectious "Colt 45 (Country Remix)," propelled him to iTunes' #1 spot repeatedly, solidifying his prowess as a songwriter and performer. If you are looking for upcoming concerts near me then this is the perfect opportunity to watch this internet sensation swoon audiences live. Head over to the Fillmore Silver Spring on February 01 at 8:00p and watch Alan perform live as part of the ongoing Cooper Alan tour 2024.

Author Name Barkat Dhanji

[airadam]

Episode 175 : You're Forced To Chill

"Speaking to the people that matter, with my mind."

- Grap

While a lot of December up this way has been surprisingly mild, but there was an absolutely vicious period - was lucky that the heating in the house only died after the worst had passed. Still, it's fixed now, so I didn't freeze to death putting this episode together! As we draw towards the end of the year, the themes here might be wintery and seasonal, but the tunes are heat :)

As promised, here's the link for WORKINONIT - definitely support this collective (and the venue that hosts the monthly events!) if you want to support grassroots talent 💯

Twitch : @airadam13

Mastodon : @airadam@mastodon.me.uk

Show/Stream Schedule : events.airadam.com

Playlist/Notes

Median : Median Alleviates The Drama

A deep cut from the heyday of the Justus League, with 9th Wonder (of course) chopping it up on this breezy beat for his Winston-Salem, North Carolina, compatriot to get busy on. You may not know Median as he only recorded two albums, his last in 2011, but he's a grounded yet imaginative writer who is well worth your listening time. Of interest to many who do take the time to dig into his history will be "Brenda's Baby" from the 2007 "Median's Relief" LP, his sequel to 2Pac's famous "Brenda's Got A Baby".

Soul Supreme : Mood Swings

Big shout to Jim Bane of Eastern Bloc who gifted me the "Poetic Justice" LP on wax for my birthday earlier this year! Amsterdam's Soul Supreme has been giving us quality music for a long while now, but in recent times has been locked in what sounds like an awful legal dispute with a record company and another producer. Despite still being in the thick of it, he delivers his commentary in the form of instrumental music on this album, which is even clearer when you read the track titles. The interplay between the horns and his keyboard work are the highlight on this particular track, but for the full effect, sit down and listen to the whole album end-to-end.

Cookin Soul : Kamaal Xmas Time

Cookin Soul usually comes out with a special Xmas release each year, mixing up an artist you know well with seasonal sample flips. This track comes from the 2002 "A Tribe Called Xmas" collection, and takes Q-Tip's verse from "Mind Power" and adds on a few more lines I can't place before going full Christmas - but keeping that boom-bap!

Noveliss & Mega Ran : Memory Card

One of the OGs of leaning fully into video game culture in Hip-Hop alongside the Clear Soul Forces veteran and manga writer Noveliss? You know the references are going to be fire. Hir-O provides the beat, and both MCs bring it as they centre the concept of the memory card (ask your parents if you don't know) on this standout from their "Maverick Hunters" album.

Bounty Killer, A.R.P, Curly, and Tulokk  : Evils Of Your Mind (Edited)

Devil on one shoulder, devil on the other? Almost like a dancehall version of Eminem's "Guilty Conscience" (especially with that second voice), this is a big single from 2001 on the "Heavyweight" riddim that also appears on the 2002 "Ghetto Dictionary : The Mystery" album as "Evils Of The Mind". 2002 was a busy time for the Warlord, who also dropped "Ghetto Dictionary : The Art Of War" that same year.

Kuartz & Vybz Kartel : Clarks (Kuartz Real Badman Remix)

If you're a DJ, especially in a city like Manchester where crowds react to big sounds, get "Hybrid Dialects" just for this monster! A local producer with worldwide rep and reach, Kuartz has done the home scene proud and on his latest release, the industrial, digital vibes come through loud and clear. The cold, wintery feel on the intro make it a perfect inclusion this dark month. Kuartz bends and effects the voice of Vybz Kartel as much as any other instrument on the track, making for a sound system killer! 

Da Beatminerz & KRS-ONE : Seckle

KRS was one of the first to really bring that reggae/dancehall flavour into the Hip-Hop arena, and Da Beatminerz have had that as an element of their style since they debuted on the production for the first Black Moon album, so this is a union you know is going to come correct. Slow and low single, with the soundclash samples at the front, back, and in the hook, this loping, skipping beat allows Kris to come through clear as a bell on the mic, still, after almost forty years of recording. Continue to enjoy new artists, but support the veterans too!

NYG'z ft. Rave : Itz On

Rugged and triumphant in equal measure, this was the big opening track on the first and so far only LP from NYG'z, "Welcome 2 G-Dom" from 2007. Guest emcee Rave (sometimes credited elsewhere as R.A.V.E Roulette) features on six of the album's fifteen tracks, which definitely puts him in "honourary group member" territory! Production is handled by DJ Premier, who also released this album on his own label Year Round Records - truly backing this crew in every way possible. PS - the apostrophe setup in the artist name and song title are verbatim from the release, don't come after me :)

Paul Wall & Termanology : Talk About It

As I say, you might not think that Houston's Paul Wall and Lawrence (Massachussetts) native Termanology are the most obvious MC pairing in the world, but my goodness, they fit togther perfectly. They already gave us one excellent LP in "Start 2 Finish" and now they're back with "Start, Finish, Repeat". It might just be in my head, but it feels like they each lean towards each other - Paul Wall with slightly more wordplay in his flow, and Termanology dialling back on the trademark syllable barrages he can unleash at any time. Large Professor bases his production around a great soul sample I added to my own collection this year, spices up the hook with some cuts.

Curren$y ft. Mac Miller : Money Shot

I've always been iffy about including this one from 2014's "More Saturday Night Car Tunes" - partly because the sound quality isn't great, but also because if I'm honest, I don't think the late Mac Miller's verse on this is his finest work. That said, I know many people online disagree with me and love it! Curren$y is solid here, but for me, the real star is the production by Sap - taking a great late 70s slow jam sample, and speeding it up (which speaks to how slow the original is), layering a suitably straightforward drum track, and then trying to turn your speakers inside out in the closing seconds! I blend out during that segment, just in case...don't want any of you coming after me for damages 😄

Luxury Elite : Parkway

A bit of vaporwave for this interlude, pure 80s vibes on this slow, moody instrumental from the "World Class" album. Luxury Elite digs out some of those really obscure 80s samples for her work, and it's all about just vibing out to the loops and little change-ups.

Mega Ran, Young RJ, Erick Roberson, Abstract Orchestra, Daru Jones, Marcel P. Black : Black Is Beautiful

Apologies to Marcel P. Black - the digital file I read the artist information on at first didn't have his name, but he kills it on the third verse and rightly deserves major respect here. This is a gorgeous and poetic track about Blackness from the 2020 "2 Hands Up" album by Young RJ and Mega Ran, which is not just (or even mostly) about police violence, but a varied and well-rounded LP. Young RJ produces this one in not just the sense of getting on a beat machine, but pulling in Leeds crew Abstract Orchestra, frequent collaborators with the Detroit scene, plus the Grammy-winning drummer Daru Jones and shaping the union into this exceptional song.

Amp Fiddler : Eye To Eye

I first heard this track on a Qool DJ Marv mix, and it was years before I could tell you who the artist was! It turned out to be just one facet of the talents of the brilliant Joseph "Amp" Fiddler, who featured this track on his debut album "Waltz Of A Ghetto Fly". It's a classic piece of funky soul, which could easily have been written twenty-plus years earlier, but had all the quality and polish to stand out in the early 21st century. RIP Amp.

InI : Mind Over Matter

Classic, if relatively little-known heat from the 90s. This Mount Vernon crew had their debut "Center of Attention", from which this is taken, shelved due to friction with the label and legal issues around ownership, but it was heavily bootlegged before eventually surfacing officially in 2003. Solid rhymes here from Grap Luva, Rob-O, and Ras G, atop some vintage SP-1200 action courtesy of Pete Rock, who produced the whole project.

Platinum Pied Pipers ft. Invincible : Detroit Winter

After that brief trip to New York State, we close out the section by bringing it right back to Detroit, this time to the PPP duo (Waajeed and Saadiq) for a track from their debut album, 2005's "Triple P". MC Invincible of the Anomalies crew kills it on the mic with their almost monotone flow, describing the bitter coldness of Detroit in detail, making it a suitable selection for this time of year. Musically, the piano riff is the standout element, but if you listen really closely, you can also hear a famous rhythm sample in the background quietly holding it down too!

[EZ Elpee] Capone-N-Noreaga : Calm Down (Instrumental)

"Calm Down" never made it onto the classic C-N-N debut album "The War Report" due to sample clearance problems - hey, I guess Bette Midler wasn't down with the Queensbridge thug life - but you might get lucky and find it on a promo 12" somewhere. If you're really lucky though, you might find an instrumental LP of tracks from the LP, including a couple that, like this one, didn't end up on the final release. Nice beat by EZ Elpee, just a shame it didn't get the shine it deserved!

Souls Of Mischief : A Name I Call Myself

I really didn't know what to end this episode with, but settled on a track from a much-loved LP which turned thirty this year. This was a deep album cut, produced by Del The Funkee Homosapien, with some really clever sample combinations underneath the cheerfully-rhymed X-rated lyrics! It's great to see how Souls' music has continued to reflect their journeys through life, from this during their teenage years through to the present day - and by the way, they were pioneers in using the internet to promote their music.

Please remember to support the artists you like! The purpose of putting the podcast out and providing the full tracklist is to try and give some light, so do use the songs on each episode as a starting point to search out more material. If you have Spotify in your country it's a great way to explore, but otherwise there's always Youtube and the like. Seeing your favourite artists live is the best way to put money in their pockets, and buy the vinyl/CDs/downloads of the stuff you like the most!

Check out this episode!

[blackkudos]

Harold Nicholas

Harold Lloyd Nicholas (March 17, 1921 – July 3, 2000) was an American dancer specializing in tap. Nicholas was the younger half of the tap-dancing pair the Nicholas Brothers, known as two of the world's greatest dancers. His older brother was Fayard Nicholas. Nicholas starred in the MGM musicals An All-Colored Vaudeville Show (1935), Stormy Weather (1943), The Pirate (1948). and The Five Heartbeats (1991).

Life and career

Early years

Nicholas was born to drummer and orchestra leader Ulysses Domonick and pianist Viola Harden in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. By the age of three, his older brother Fayard enjoyed sitting in the audience of the black vaudeville theater where his parents performed, enraptured by the great performers on stage. Immersed in show business, when the Nicholases added a second son to the family, seven-year-old Fayard insisted that the child be named after his idol, Harold Lloyd, the silent-screen comedian. The two brothers soon began dancing, and they quickly gained acclaim for their elegant acrobatic moves and mastery of tap. When Fayard was 16 and Harold nine, they made their first appearance at the legendary Cotton Club in New York City and were a popular success immediately.

Career

Their reputation grew rapidly, and Harold and Fayard became established superstars at Twentieth Century Fox with their astounding dance numbers in the studio's musicals features. The brothers began appearing in musical films with Eubie Blake. They performed in vaudeville, on Broadway, in nightclubs, on television, and in movie musicals. Harold appeared in more than 50 feature films, including The Big Broadcast (1936), Down Argentine Way (1940), Tin Pan Alley (1940), and Sun Valley Serenade (1941), which features the show-stopping "Chattanooga Choo Choo" tap dance number performed by Harold, Fayard, and Dorothy Dandridge.

Fred Astaire told the brothers that their dazzling footwork, leaps and splits in the Jumpin’ Jive dance in Stormy Weather (1943) produced the greatest movie musical number he had ever seen. In the number, the brothers dance on a piano and leap over performing musicians. The Nicholas Brothers’ Hollywood career began after movie mogul Samuel Goldwyn spotted them in a nightclub and cast them in Kid Millions (1934). The two became big film stars despite racial restrictions at the time prohibiting speaking parts and scenes with white co-stars. Their last film together was 1948’s The Pirate, in which Gene Kelly danced with them, breaking the color barrier. Harold went on to work as a solo artist, moving to France and touring as a singer and dancer. He appeared in the French film L’Empire De La Nuit (1964).

Later life

Nicholas returned to America occasionally to do shows with his brother. Harold also appeared in the films Uptown Saturday Night (1974), Tap (1989), The Five Heartbeats (1991) and Funny Bones (1995). In 1985-86, Nicholas played the role of "Daddy Bates" in the National Tour of the Broadway musical The Tap Dance Kid. In 1993, he starred in the Milwaukee Repertory Theatre's world premiere of If These Shoes Could Talk, which also starred Tony nominee Ted Levy, an original tap dance musical by Lee Summers and Kevin Ramsey. The leading character, a seasoned triple threat/hoofer, "Dr Rhythm," was written for Nicholas and would be his farewell stage performance in a musical. Carnegie Hall sold out for a tribute to him and his brother in 1998, who were both present. By that time he had been living on New York's Upper West Side, where he lived for approximately 20 years with his third wife Rigmor Alfredsson Newman, a producer.

Personal life

Nicholas was married three times and has two children. His first marriage, on September 6, 1942 was to the celebrated actress, singer and dancer Dorothy Dandridge. They met at the Cotton Club in Harlem in 1938. Together they had a daughter, Harolyn Suzanne, who was born on September 2, 1943 (died in 2003) with severe brain damage that prevented her from speaking or even acknowledging her parents. By 1948, their marriage had deteriorated and Nicholas abandoned his family. Their marriage lasted nine years, ending in 1951. Nicholas had been linked romantically to Swedish actress Nita Dova. Nicholas had a son, Melih, with his second wife Elyanne Patronne. At the time of his death, he was married to Rigmor Newman Nicholas.

Death and honors

Nicholas died in New York City on July 3, 2000, at the age of 79, from heart failure. Nicholas was inducted into the National Museum of Dance C.V. Whitney Hall of Fame in 2001, along with his brother Fayard Nicholas.

Filmography

Nicholas appeared in the following films dancing alongside his brother Fayard, with occasional solos:

[reportingfrom20xx]

BadCameo Takes Us For An Interstellar Ride with "Neon Souls": EP Review

BadCameo Takes Us For An Interstellar Ride with "Neon Souls": EP Review

Funk, as a genre, treads a lot of ground when it comes to experimentation. Much of what’s loved about it is the easy build up to something more erratic, culminating into a way of moving in mind and soul that doesn’t have to put a listener on their feet, but will open up the horizons and jet them into another galaxy. Bad Cameo, with their new EP Neon Souls, does that perfectly within the time it…

[mrgallimorenc-blog]

Born IN WINSTON SALEM NC.. Channing started writing raps by the age of 8.His early passion for writing began multiplying after he discovered poetry. Which also developed into short stories, movie scripts and newspaper articles. He was the creator of group Guilty County which started on his second solo mixtape Carolinas New Nightmare part 2. He originally started the group with Z THE GOD AKA Z MEKKA his longtime friend who he created a name for himself on underground mixtapes and Battles in the early 2000S,.Rezin Aka Dj RIO another Longtime friend who is DJ AND STILL PRODUCER OF CHANNINGS EARLY AND LATEST MUSIC.. EMILLZ ANOTHER CLOSE FRIEND AND BUSINESS PARTNER OF CHANNINGS WHO just started oh f his career on Early Guilty County projects and material. Fam Aka famlae one of CHANNINGS best friends And native Winston Salem also. And then Cannon Springs a friend from New YORK who joined the team in late 2000s. Guilty County mixed race raps with socially sensitive subjects that that provided lyrical balance of political and thought provoking concepts that would find them beside the likes of DMX And Mobb Deep and two different events between 2009 and 2015. Tho the group hasn't put a full project since 2009 with THE LATE NIGHT CD. Never the less Guilty County has been a staple and backbone of the underground networking scene for a over a decade. Channing has since opened doors in several other areas thru music . IN 2015 Hoodstock was created . IT was a local artist showcase that mixed politics and music thru charity. Catering to such needs like the first hoodstock which was a show for flint Michigan where the city donated bottled water to the city in the wake of their water scare .Hoodstock went on to cater to such charitable needs such as Special needs kids, A Cancer awareness Show, a tornado drive for the city after a F4 tornado struck the city.. It also lead the way for Channing to help is own community in ways such a opening a Summer book club for kids as well. In 2017 He partnered up with Working America in several of their inner city campaigns which included a city wide bus campaign to lengthen bus routes and add more stops to the bus routes. This even ended with him writing articles In the local newspaper o. issues such as healthcare etc. Channing started a writers group called the Writers Society which includes poets and writers all over the country which they could get their passion for writing out to the world. Due to the success of several local charitable contributions.,The name THE ROYAL FAMILY EMPIRE was created for the background Of such events and allowed the name Guilty County to be strictly about music. With his music and poetry making a name for itself CHANNING IS determined to be the artist he has set out to be. Dropping his street name Dolla which served as a rap name as well he is now going by Channing Gallimore or Mr Gallimore as his artist name. To keep the creativeneess and originality flowing. And now with a name in the comminity and his hands In Politics the term the sky is the limit is just undertsatement for the achievements and goals he set for himself.Guilty

[wknc881]

5 Up and Coming Underground Artists You Must Listen To

The industry is so cluttered nowadays that often times, trying to discover good new artists can be a chore. Many new artists, however, deserve all the recognition, specifically in the Underground scene. There are 5 artists specifically that take the cake for being a must listen right now in the industry.

 (1) Tierra Whack

Tierra has gotten increasing fame with her new single; Hungry Hippo which is an encaptivating hit for all who listen. Her soulful voice which frequents tenor contrasts her playful beats which in all, provides for a vibe like no other. Her songs range around 2 minutes which is weird but effective as after the song is over, you are dying to hear more.

(2) Lizzo

You may know her as the girl who pulled out a flute at the BET awards but, her music deserves all the praise as well. Her shouting vocals, fun lyrics, yet soulful vibe make her an exciting listen. She is inevitably on the come up and has received praise from figures as notable as Rihanna. Needless to say, you should give her a listen.

(3) Tia Corine

Tia is actually a local artist from Winston Salem, NC. Her bubblegum rap style is hard yet fun, and her beats are all headbangers while not even being that bass heavy. Yea, she’s just that good. Her single, Lotto, remains my favorite and most listen worthy song. Her portfolio isn’t too extensive as she is very early in her career yet, all of them are bops, literally. 

(4) Azizi Gibson

Azizi is one of my top 10 favs. His lyrics are fun yet, real. His production is flawless and bass heavy. His voice is melodic yet hard and his concepts are so authentic and fresh as they talk about ideas ranging from depression to how 1996 and 2006 were the best twerking eras. His most recent albums; Backward Books 2 and Xenophile are simply works of art so please, listen.

(5) Duckwrth

Duckwrth is an artist who has a lot of potential for going mainstream because he is very appealing to a multitude of audiences. His sound is very abstract as it consists of Techno influence as well as heavy Hip Hop influence. His voice is extremely charismatic and personal and his songs are in all, hella cool. He was featured on the Spiderman album in the song; ‘Start a Riot’ with Shaboozy though he is still technically an Underground artist…for now.

 -Lul Bulma

[pedalfuzz]

Horizontal Hold

Horizontal Hold make enthusiastic off-kilter noise-pop that carries the flame of the great indie-rock outfits of North Carolina of the 1990s. Which makes sense when you consider the band is made up of NC music scene veterans of bands like Analogue, Shiny Beast, Wembley, In the Year of the Pig, and Cantwell, Gomez & Jordan.

Their new album The Silence was recently released on PotLuck. The Durham-based band sat down with Pedal Fuzz over a few beers before a show at Monstercade in Winston-Salem, NC. While a small dog nipped at their heels, they poked fun at each other in the way that only friends of many years can effortlessly pull off. The following excerpts have been condensed and edited.

Pedal Fuzz: Your music feels like part of that North Carolina indie rock lineage, but there are also a lot of different things going on. How did you arrive at your sound?

Dave Cantwell: We didn't have an aesthetic deliberately in mind. We just play the way that we know how to play. I play guitar in the band (ed.note Cantwell is known for playing drums), but I can only play in the way that I play in this band. We all come from rock bands and that background, so we kind of generally knew what it would be like. The band started because Kim Walker and I wanted to do something together musically and we weren't quite sure what. And I think that she wanted me to play the drums initially, but that's not what I wanted to do. So we started playing with me on guitar and her on bass, and then Kerry Cantwell (keyboards) came then Elizabeth Hammond (drums). We never said, “here's what it’s going to sound like,” we just kind of had some jams and they wound up sounding like we do.

PF: Your songs seem to be about really particular, very specific things. Another one of the unique things about you guys. No one really writes lyrics like Kerry does.

Kerry Cantwell: I write the lyrics after the whole song is finished. Our songwriting process is very, very organic. There's not a songwriter, so the way we kind of build the songs is Kim and/or Dave comes up with some kind of riff and brings it to the group and we all build upon it and then once we have it all set the way it's going to be then I'll write lyrics that fit into the individual pieces of the song. So the songs are not written to be sung over. The singing is more just frosting.

PF: One song that really stands out from your first record is “All In A Day's Work,” where you're talking about a student asking to borrow a pencil. That's when I first noticed how unique your lyrics are.

Kerry Cantwell: I'm a community college instructor. And it is hard, poorly paid work. And so that song is just kind of about what my day is like. Oh there's so much content in the classroom. You could write really sad songs, really sweet funny songs, or really traumatic songs [about it].

PF: How important are particular instruments and pieces of gear to you in the writing process?

Dave Cantwell:  When I'm working on music it's always electric, and it's usually at my house. I just like the sound of my electric guitar amplified loudly. That's a way for me to test to see if things are going to sound cool at all. When songs are in their genesis it's often Kim and I bouncing ideas off each other. I don't think we pay a whole lot of mind to the instruments themselves; it's just more the parts and how they sound. And I think that we tend to write lines that kind of meander around each other and complement each other, but at the same time sort of crooked sometimes. And I guess that has something to do with the sound of them, but I don't know if it's that conscious. I mean, I put a lot of thought and time into how my guitar sounds. Like a lot of folks I am obsessed about that sort of thing. But once it comes time to actually play and write a song maybe not thinking about it quite as much.

 Horizontal Hold Gear

Dave --Brian-Haran-assembled "Frankencaster" Tele-style gutar with Mojotone pickups and Harmony neck.  (Pink!)

--mid-'60s Custom Kraft "Ambassador" (single DeArmond pickup, sorta-SG-looking)

--others as needed at live shows (mainly a Daisy Rock "Tom Boy" with TV Jones and Mojotone pickups--and another Haran-assembled Frankencaster based on the 1980 Fender "Bullet".)

--mid '60s Silvertone 1484 "Twin Twelve" piggyback (2x12) amp with Celestion speakers

--Custom Kraft "Fireball" combo (only for recording)

--Radial "Tone Bone"--always on (used as a pre-amp, really)

--MXR "Micro Amp"

--on-board tremolo (in the Silvertone amp)

Kim --early '80s Japanese-made Squier Precision Bass (These are in a weird "medium scale" that's longer than short scale but shorter than a standard P-Bass.)

--early '80s Fender "Bassman 135" tube head with homemade, EV-loaded 1x15 cab

(although she recorded The Silence with the Fidelitorium's Ampeg "SVT".)

--Boss "Bass Overdrive" pedal (the yellow one)

Kerry --Early '80s Crumar "Performer" (mostly used for recording since she got the Casio below)

--Modern Casio XW-P1 "Performance Synthesizer" (mostly used live)

--Kustom "Commander" 2x12 combo (solid state, tuck 'n' roll)

--Digitech "Turbo Flange"

--on-board amp reverb and tremolo+vibrato (the Kustom has both trem and vibrato...it's weird.)

Elizabeth --late-'60s Ludwig 4-piece kit in gold sparkle (with an '80s steel Ludwig snare drum, I think)

--various Zildjian cymbals.

PF: So when you're obsessing over it what are you adjusting, what are you changing?

Dave Cantwell: I have this sort of paradoxical notion of where I want it to be very simple on the one hand - I don't use a lot of effects, I don't have any tone knobs on my guitars, I want my guitars to have basically one sound - but then I want that sound to be adjustable by how I play. Basically the dynamics. So if I play harder it sounds more aggressive, if I play lighter it's quieter of course. And I spent a lot of time trying to get that sweet spot where I can sound a little bit overdriven if I need to and still be heard if I'm playing quietly. So I spend a lot time dealing with that. I like the sound of a Telecaster through a tube amp. I’m trying to find the definitive version of that. It's a good tool because I can control how I sound, but I don't use a lot of effects or anything really.

PF: What was working at The Fidelitorium with Missy Thangs like? Was she offering guidance during the recording process?

Elizabeth Hammond:  I would say that Missy was so good at just trying to make us feel comfortable there. And she's a really great manager of people, which I think is a huge job of anybody who's engineering in a studio. And also she was really good at giving us really graceful feedback.

Kim Walker: It was like the therapist model. As in, "Do you think that that was your best take? Well how do you feel about the take?" Rather than, "That take is great," or whatever. Her approach for giving her opinions was really more about facilitating. She was more concerned with us getting what we wanted out of the process, and letting us fix our own problems if there were any.

*Look & listen for our full and laugh-filled interview with Horizontal Hold in an upcoming episode of the Pedal Fuzz podcast.

EDDIE GARCIA PLAYS GUITAR AND ALL THE PEDALS AS 1970S FILM STOCK. YOU CAN ALSO HEAR HIM REPORTING ON NPR AFFILIATE 88.5 WFDD IN WINSTON-SALEM, NC. IN THE WEE HOURS HE RUNS PEDAL FUZZ, WHICH IS A PROUD RECIPIENT OF A GRANT FROM THE ARTS ENTERPRISE LAB / KENAN INSTITUTE FOR THE ARTS.

[supreme-team]

Fto 24

#Fto 24 #TheSupremeTeam Artist Name: Fto 24 Tell us something about you that fans should know: I’m just a laidback person feel like ion really have to be aggressive too get my point across plus I like different beats I’m just different all the way around the board Where are you from and what’s the music scene like there? Winston Salem North Carolina Everybody really rap on drill beats basically…

[whatsonmedia]

Music Monday: New Tracks You Need to Hear Now!

Get ready to blast your speakers and rock your world because it's Turn it Up Monday! We've got a smokin' hot playlist of new releases guaranteed to set your weekend on fire. From fierce social commentary to haunting melodies and dancefloor anthems, we've got something for everyone. So crank it up and dive in! Jessica Wilde's new slab of social commentary 'Here Right Now' set to heavy soul funk will send you Wild(e)! Now I don't know what it is about Jessica but she's one of those artists who'll appear on the scene and just knows how to make great records. Either that or there's something in the local water supply. Here Right Now is a great track.  Listen  https://open.spotify.com/track/4tsKUiAMJpTxf5jxixr1oy?si=6884d1e000ae496a Loose beat poetry fused with ravaged vocals on new Michele Ducci single - 'Hic'! Italian artist Michele's new single, Hic, has an almost haunting quality about it in that it's raspy and whispering in your ear, but then again that's probably where the genius of it is. Hic entices you in and makes you want to listen further. I'm rather intrigued myself  Listen  https://open.spotify.com/track/5u7CX4aBIUAYXQz56KVqEB?si=66b100d72b3b4bc2 The video is just as intriguing as the song, has that traveling feel to it. Watch https://youtu.be/osYPkSaWNo0?si=fi68PbA6wRMP8xZF Kaya Hoax flourishes with hypnotic new single "Kicker" out today! And I am absolutely hooked on it myself. Kaya's rapping and singing combo definitely gets my attention right from the start. I haven't heard a vast amount from her but even I think she's got quite a bit going for her. Kicker is a gem Listen  https://open.spotify.com/track/6O02LLxNzLhHcPCidEOwjJ?si=b9835b0afc9c4fda Has that urban grittiness look to it which fits the mood of the song. A good video  Watch  https://youtu.be/u9qVsXIV14A Rich Ruth shares new single 'Crying In The Trees' + video - new album 'Water Still Flows' out June 21st on Third Man Records This is actually a really good track and is really powerful to. One of the things I enjoy about it is that it relies entirely on the rhythms made by the instruments. There’re no vocals whatsoever but it's how strongly everything comes together. I enjoy the slight gothic feel in the music  PERFORMANCE VIDEO https://youtu.be/-loX1IL3Az4 LISTEN HERE https://open.spotify.com/track/6O02LLxNzLhHcPCidEOwjJ?si=b9835b0afc9c4fda WATCH HERE https://youtu.be/-loX1IL3Az4 Pre-order Water Still Flows  HERE Listen to "No Muscle, No Memory"  HERE  & watch the Joseph Bird-directed music video  HERE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQTtB_U-hkQ&feature=youtu.be Rich Ruth US Tour Dates: 28/4: Fort Worth, TX - Tulips * 29/4: Oklahoma City, OK - Beer City Music Hall * 1/5: Baton Rouge, LA - Chelsea's Live * 3/5: Knoxville, TN - The Pilot Light ~ 4/5: Asheville, NC - Eulogy ~ 5/5: Winston-Salem, NC - The Ramkat * 8/5: Raleigh, NC - King's ~ 9/5: Charleston, SC - Music Farm * 10/5: Savannah, GA - Victory North * 22/6: Nashville, TN - The Blue Room ~ 25/6: Washington DC - Pearl Street Warehouse ^ 26/6: Philadelphia, PA - Johnny Brenda's ^ 27/6: Woodstock, NY - Colony ^ 28/6: Brooklyn, NY - Union Pool ~ 21/8: Bloomington, IN - The Bishop ~ 22/8: Chicago, IL - Constellation ~ 23/8: Goshen, IN - Ignition Music Garage ~ 25/8: Detroit, MI - Third Man Cass Corridor ~ ~ Headline Dates * w/ All Them Witches ^ w/ Mikaela Davis CONNECT WITH RICH RUTH: INSTAGRAM BANDCAMP YOUTUBE Website  Sabrina Carpenter - Espresso  Heard this today and it got my attention just like that, and I am fully impressed by it. I hadn't heard of this American/Canadian singer before but will admit that she is starting to grow on me a little. As a song, Espresso makes a decent dance track and tempts you to move your feet https://youtu.be/DKB-1EV5qHw?si=xKI5TWFa4qB_7wHi Read the full article

[hiphopscriptures]

Fresh Artist Fridays: The Authentic

PRESSURE is the song you play when you need to feel heard by your music. The Authentic’s inspiring lyrics punch you in the gut and leave you with a feeling of motivation and determination. The lyrics grab your attention from the beginning and refuse to let you go for the duration of the song. “I see today standing in my way. Trouble’s always present so I get down on my knees and pray.” The song is a candid admission of the stress we feel just trying to get through life. The Authentic raps about how he knows life won’t be easy, but he will do everything he can to provide for his family and take care of himself. PRESSURE tackles the emotions that come with feeling adversity and difficulty perfectly. It’s open about how hard it can be to feel depended on, but also makes it clear that nothing will stand in The Authentic’s way. Its music video is equally as inspiring, showing ordinary people go through life struggling but determined to make it. Check out PRESSURE, along with the rest of the songs off of The Authentic’s 2020 project, Politics, War & Religion - Mixtape Series Volume One.

The Authentic Bio

In a day and time when music is strictly about glamour and entertainment, The Authentic stands as one of the last true MC’s focused on reality lyrics, a crazy flow, a one of a kind style and the real essence of Hip Hop. With so many replicas in the industry, The Authentic’s pure passion for the music allows him to stand in a league of his own and truly fits the definition of his title. With a flow that places him in a league of his own and a sincere love for his craft, The Authentic doesn’t hold back; addressing social issues and taking direct aim at whack rappers. Through his career, The Authentic has fully utilized his diverse experiences in life to develop a strong versatile catalog; with motivational tracks that depict the streets reality like hit single “Shining Star”, up-tempo Hip Hop anthems like “Turn It Up”, and party bangers like “Oh My God”. With over 10 solid years ripping through the underground, hundreds of performances under his belt, radio appearances and five solid mixtapes with thousands of units moved; The Authentic has firmly secured his slot in the game. Working hard to build his reputation and master the craft of being an MC (Master of Ceremony), he has performed all over the country, from New York City (Nuyorican Poets Café, Revolution Bookstore), Philadelphia (The Trocadero, Love Park, and Wells Fargo Center), North Carolina (NC State University, Dorton Arena), Las Vegas (Planet Hollywood and The Bunkhouse) and many more. His diligence, determination and natural raw talent has earned him respect from some of the most reputable figures in the game, including: DJ Rashaun, DJ Scratch of The Roots Crew, DJ Touchtone, DJ NoPhrillz and has landed him on stages with superstars such as, KRS ONE, Big Daddy Kane, Naughty By Nature, Jadakiss, Styles P, Musiq Soulchild and more. With his sound, his resume and pure passion for the culture, The Authentic truly represents a lost voice in Hip Hop. In addition to being in a league of his own when it comes to lyrical content and experience; The Authentic separates himself from the pack by being more than just another artist. Over the years, he has dedicated a majority of his time off the stage to building his community and standing as a voice on various social issues. In 2011, The Authentic created an annual event called “The Authentic Minds College Fair Tour”, which hosted over 50 colleges, guest speakers and live performances held at the Martin Luther King Recreation Center located in North Philadelphia. This College Fair alone generated a wave of media buzz and lead to the interest of multiple sponsors. By establishing himself on the corporate side, The Authentic has created multiple opportunities to perform and organize entertainment events for companies and organizations. The Authentic has also served as a Community Relations Director and spokesman for various Non Profits and local movements. To him, Hip Hop is a way of life and a culture and he feels that the mic should be utilized to depict real life and to open people’s minds to a reality that most people do not understand. The Authentic’s love for Hip Hop started in the 80’s at a very early age, listening to legends such as RUN DMC, KRS ONE, LL Cool J, and witnessing local break dancing competitions and DJ battles. He became fascinated with the expressions of the culture in every aspect and embodied being a key figure to continue the movement. While growing up in South Jersey, he witnessed his mother struggle to pay the bills and embraced all of the usual elements of the hood; violence, drugs and poverty. As he adapted to his environment, he gravitated to the mic to speak on exactly what he experienced first hand and continues to do so. The Authentic hit the scene hard in the late 90’s, touring the Northeast with Wyclef Jean’s award winning group City High. Shortly after the tour, The Authentic’s group, at the time, signed a joint venture deal with a local independent label and No Limit records, which eventually fell through. Following the fallout of the deal, he quickly bounced back rocking stages with Lil’ Kim, Tracey Lee, Jackal the Bear, and landed a slot on the radio with Legendary DJ Jay Ski; all before graduating high school. By the grace of GOD, The Authentic headed to Raleigh, NC after high school to attend college and to pursue new music opportunities. With so many colleges in the area and a solid underground scene in NC, The Authentic’s career excelled all while trying to balance school work, hustling to pay tuition and his passion for Hip Hop. The Authentic hit the ground running by tearing down college talent shows and was eventually booked to open for DJ Clue, Jadakiss, Petey Pablo, Styles P and D.C., go-go music legends Backyard Band. In early 2000 The Authentic was selected to headline the CIAA Championship Game at Dorton Arena, as well as the CIAA Hip Hop Hoops Tour, which hit colleges through MD, VA and NC, including NC Central, VA State and Winston-Salem State College. This tour led to him landing a deal with an affiliate label of the NBC television network. The Authentic teamed up with Raleigh’s illest underground MC “Bubsy” to form a group called “Lock n Load”, which dropped two hit singles on the “One Hot Minute Compilation”, a collaborative effort by NC’s top artists from around the state. Both singles released received hundreds of spins from Richmond, VA to Raleigh, NC to Florence, SC. Following graduation from St. Augustine’s College with a Public Relations degree, The Authentic released his first underground project “Vision of Hope” which sold over 500 units all while teaching elementary school and creating youth outlet programs in the poverty stricken city of Henderson, NC. After putting in work in NC, The Authentic headed back home to Jersey embracing his degree, but sucked back into the traps of the hood. He continued making mixtape appearances and rocking shows all through the tri-state. Living in Trenton during one of the worst stretches of gang violence in the state’s history prompted the release of “The Line of Fire Mixtape”. It became the theme music, depicting the reality and moved over 1,500 copies on the street and in local stores. While “The Authentic’s” reputation was growing in the area, he suffered the lost of his cousin, best friend and roommate, Tone; who was shot in the back twice a few hundred yards from their home, while The Authentic was rocking his first show in NYC. After the lost of his cousin, he felt strongly about turning further away from the streets and using his voice more as a tool for awareness of the realities that the inner city youth face. From that point, he embraced his cousin’s last conversation with him, in which he reminded The Authentic that his role is to be “The Public Relations of the hood”. Following The Authentic’s explosion on the scene in Jersey, he relocated to Philadelphia to build his brand in the nation’s 5th largest city. In no time he began smashing open mics and local shows in every section of the city earning him spins and respect amongst the areas top DJ’s, such as DJ NoPhrillz, DJ Touchtone, DJ Jay Ski and DJ GregNitty. The Authentic blazed through the city with his mixtape release “Reality of it All”, followed by “Real Recognize Real” with hit single “Turn It Up”, which gained him national attention getting radio spins on FM stations from New York City, Las Vegas, Atlanta, and Philly’s 100.3 The Beat. The national buzz set the tone for The Authentic’s next mixtape “Righteous Kill Mixtape Vol. 1”, packed with versatile hits and moved 5,000 units in the street with no budget. With things in motion, he continued to make appearances all through the city from Unity Day with Chaka Khan, Philly Fest with Mos Def and Musiq, The Old Skool Jam with KRS ONE and Roxanne Shante, The Rotunda, The Trocadero, and XO Lounge with Philly Swain and Reed Dollars. He headlined Philadelphia Schools Stop the Violence Tour, West Philly Day, Nicetown Day, South Philly Day and Mantua Day with Naughty by Nature. The Authentic also showed up heavy on the radar with a feature on well known Gunz n’ Butter productions DJ J-Scrilla compilation “Culture of Honor” featuring Cassidy, DipSet, Tek and Reef The Lost Cauze.

Check out his music through the links above and stay connected with The Authentic through his socials to make sure you never miss new music. Remember to follow Hip Hop Scriptures to stay updated on the latest Fresh Artist Friday.

STAY CONNECTED WITH THE AUTHENTIC ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

Facebook - Instagram - Twitter - YouTube - www.theauthentic.bandcamp.com

STAY CONNECTED WITH HIP HOP SCRIPTURES ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

[filmmakerjk]

Kill Giggles pt. 23

Kill Giggles pt. 23

the last day part two photo by Katherine Holmes So we moved a mere few blocks down the street and set up shop at The Ramkat, an awesome music venue in Winston Salem. Myself, Jason Ledford and Thoren Claytor (Amazing Assistant Director) followed director Jaysen Buterin around the large location going through the eight scenes we needed to cover there. In that same day. The weight of what we had…

[rndyounghowze]

Triple Threat Workshop Goes Down Home with Bright Star at the Landis Theatre in Vineland, NJ

By Ricky and Dana Young-Howze

Very rarely do I see a show that's as crisp as a summer apple and as cool as clear spring water but I got it last night with Bright Star at the Landis Theatre. This musical with music, book and story by banjo legend Steve Martin and Edie Brickell was directed by John T. Stephan and Caitlin Geisser and really is a must see.

Follow a country ballad based on heartbreak and woe as you hear the story of April Lindley, a magazine editor in the 40's who is serious and makes writers shake in their boots. But then one day a new writer comes across her desk and she just can't place why he intrigues her. What follows is her journey through the past to weave a story of love, loss, betrayal, and reunion. Bring your tissues because if you haven't had a good cry in a while you're about due for an appointment with this tear jerker.

So when the lights come up you see a bare stage with actors surrounding the stage adorned with a desolate set and props. You can even see the bare walls of the stage in the back. The desolate staging is just as desolate as the play. I don't know how to say it better but it looks like a dramatic grenade went off in the beginning and everyone on there is just human shrapnel.

Now they say too many cooks spoil the soup but direction by Caitlin Geisser and John T. Stephen seem to have a synergy going with this one. They also say that a director that casts themself in a play has just been cast by an idiot director but I actually enjoyed Geisser's performance. Stephan's choreography is always on pointe but I feel like the ambitious staging got in the way of the choreography with scenes getting too crowded to make the picture "print" in my head. Dana was begging for just one moment of emptiness on stage and I agree that a the loss of about six ensemble members in emotionally gripping scenes would not have been horrible.

We're only being tougher on them because we love them and they always give a polished and professional performance. They are always so close to perfect it kills me. All in all they crafted a show together that really...what's the word...soothed me. I've seen too many shows with big orchestras, huge special effects, and the works. This was like a glass of cool water.

Okay a few notes from this show that only a Southern boy from TN can give. Please imagine me saying this in my former southern accent. Thank you for not including a live orchestra. I'm a banjo snob and would have been critiquing clawhammer technique more than the show. The cast made a valiant attempt at a southern accent and while it did "drop" me into the setting of the show I would have forgiven them for dropping it sometimes in order to sing clearly. Also I've been all over North Carolina and never met a snazzier group of people or cleaner set. It needs more dirt and soot to make it authentic. Y'all wuz purtier den the purtiest peach that ever wuz grown.

Okay there were so many good actors in this show I had to add an extra to each of my categories!

April Lindley (played by Alice Murphy) had the hardest job. She had to carry the plot in two different time periods and be effectively two different people in each time period while still letting the audience know they were the same person.

It was hard to find anything to say about Jimmy Ray Dobbs (played by Andrew Jarema) because I've seen him many times before and he always delivers a solid performance. I was desperately trying not to say something like "he's good but that's Andrew for you" but we'll there I said it. A great performance from a great actor and he does look a little bit like Rich Curcio's son so now I'll never be able to get that out of my head.

Billy Cane (played by Dakota Mullins) seemed a bit stiff at first and I didn't know if it was opening night energy or a character choice. By the time he had gotten to the Southern Journal he had loosened up a bit and I could really get into his performance.

I have one thing to say about Margo Crawford (played by Alexa St. Clair) and that is more stage time please! She was so funny and clean in her performance. I couldn't ask for more from a Broadway Starlet!

Like I said I had three supporting standouts. There were just so many to choose from.

Darryl Ames (played by Dylan Glick) made me guffaw so much! I never saw a character more happy to be the bearer of bad news and Glick delivers it in style.

Dana had to actually point out that the dry speaking buttoned up assistant to the mayor was actually one of our favorites Jason Smith. I honestly couldn't recognize him and his acting was so good I still swear it wasn't him. Kudos Jason for blending in so well...if it was really you.

Shannon Sheridan who played Momma Murphy was really a favorite of Dana's. She had such a quick and smooth delivery and I could tell that she had some serious acting chops.

And of course here are my background shoutouts.

Whenever I'm watching a play in Cumberland County I kinda just look around and see what John Rattacasa is doing. He's kind of like a lucky charm in actor form. And then there's nothing like catching him belting in the moment. He really brings the noise!

A big shout-out to my favorite twins Amanda Ellis and Julianna Giordano! Glad to see them cutting a rug in style!

I have to give a nod to music direction by Shannon Sheridan for getting our cast to deliver one rip snorter of a time. Makes me wish I had my banjo or a set of spoons handy to scrub one off with them like we were on Grandpa's back porch.

Also costume design by Sheridan was right out of a Norman Rockwell painting. I could have wished for a little dirt or fatiguing on stuff that was supposed to be dirty but that's just me being picky.

I swear that set design by Martin Geisser recreated the skeletal clapboard ruins you see all over the trainline from DC to Winston-Salem. I was a little worried when I saw the main rolling set piece wobble as it was moved. It may not look good sometimes but extra bracing for the safety of the actors can never be skimped on. Otherwise this was one of the greater sets I've seen.

There was a lot of intricate sound in this show so sound design by Stephen Seserko was really appreciated. The best sound design is the one you notice without noticing and I think he hovered really closely to that mark. Good job!

Well I'm kinda tired of saying that John Rattacasa is the best wig and makeup man in New Jersey. I'm tired of saying it but it doesn't look like he's going to stop anytime soon. So I still have to. If there's a set of Rattacasa locks on those heads they're the best in South Jersey.

All in all this little show was a delight to my old southern ears. And what I love about a Cumberland County show is that they keep everything just as down home as this play. When I get here there's always someone to hug me and Dana's neck and if they held an ice cream social out back after every show I wouldn't be surprised. When Dana and I are in Cumberland we feel like we're amongst family but that family is giving you a killer professional show that rivals Philly or the rest of Jersey. That's just the Cumberland way. This show runs twice more. Get on out there and meet your new family!

[vacationsoup]

New Post has been published on https://vacationsoup.com/winston-salem-makes-forbes-list-of-cities-to-visit-in-2019/

Winston-Salem Makes Forbes List of Cities to Visit in 2019

Making a Forbes list is a big deal and Winston-Salem recently made the list: 14 Best Places To Travel In The US In 2019 

The Forbes travel team surveyed 14 top travel influencers and the city made the list for it's Southern hospitality and walkability. They noted that we have seven craft breweries in a one mile radius and they loved the city's 80 plus locally owned restaurants. Winston-Salem earned kudos for live music options, the art scene, and its rich history. They also liked that we have many nearby wineries to explore. To be mentioned along with well-known destinations such as Jackson Hole, Wyoming and Palm Springs, California is a sweet surprise.

[blackkudos]

Pam Grier

Pamela Suzette (Pam) Grier (born May 26, 1949) is an American actress. She became known in the early 1970s for starring in a string of women in prison and blaxploitation films like The Big Bird Cage (1972), Coffy (1973), Foxy Brown (1974) and Sheba Baby (1975). She starred in Quentin Tarantino's film Jackie Brown, for which she received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress. She has also been nominated for a SAG Award as well as a Satellite Award for her performance in Jackie Brown. Grier is also known for her work on television; for 6 seasons she portrayed Kate 'Kit' Porter on the television series The L Word. She received an Emmy Award nomination for her work in the animated program Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child. Rotten Tomatoes has ranked her as the second greatest female action heroine in film history. Director Quentin Tarantino remarked that she may have been cinema's first female action star.

Early life

Pamela Suzette Grier was born on May 26, 1949 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, the daughter of Gwendolyn Sylvia (née Samuels), a homemaker and nurse, and Clarence Ransom Grier, Jr., who worked as a mechanic and Technical Sergeant in the United States Air Force. She has one sister and one brother. Grier has stated that she is of mixed ancestry consisting of African-American, Hispanic, Chinese, Filipino and Cheyenne Indian heritage.

At age 6, Grier was raped by two boys when she was left unattended at her aunt's house. "It took so long to deal with the pain of that," she says, "You try to deal with it, but you never really get over it," she adds. "And not just me; my family endured so much guilt and anger that something like that happened to me."

Because of her father's military career, her family moved frequently during her childhood, to various places such as England, and eventually settled in Denver, where she attended East High School. While in Denver she appeared in a number of stage productions, and participated in beauty contests to raise money for college tuition at Metropolitan State College.

Career

Grier moved to Los Angeles, California, in 1967, where she was initially hired as a receptionist at American International Pictures (AIP). It is believed that she was discovered by director Jack Hill, who cast her in his women in prison films The Big Doll House (1971) and The Big Bird Cage (1972).

While under contract at AIP, she became a staple of early 1970s blaxploitation movies, playing big, bold, assertive women, beginning with Jack Hill's Coffy (1973), in which she plays a nurse who seeks revenge on drug dealers. Her character was advertised in the trailer as the "baddest one-chick hit-squad that ever hit town!" The film, which was filled with sexual and violent elements typical of the genre, was a box-office hit. Grier is considered to be the first African-American female to headline an action film, as protagonists of previous blaxploitation films were males. In his review of Coffy, critic Roger Ebert praised the film for its believable female lead. He noted that Grier was an actress of "beautiful face and astonishing form" and that she possessed a kind of "physical life" missing from many other attractive actresses. Grier subsequently played similar characters in the AIP films Foxy Brown (1974), Sheba, Baby and Friday Foster, (both 1975).

With the demise of blaxploitation later in the 1970s, Grier appeared in smaller roles for many years. She acquired progressively larger character roles in the 1980s, including a druggie prostitute in Fort Apache, The Bronx (1981), a witch in Something Wicked this Way Comes (1983), and Steven Seagal's detective partner in Above the Law (1988). She had a recurring role on Miami Vice from 1985 to 1989 and made guest appearances on Martin, Night Court and The Fresh Prince of Bel Air. She had a recurring role in the TV series Crime Story between 1986 and 1988. Her role in Rocket Gibraltar (1988) was cut due to fears by the film's director, Daniel Petrie, of "repercussions from interracial love scenes". She appeared on Sinbad, Preston Chronicles, The Cosby Show, The Wayans Brothers Show, and Mad TV. In 1994, Grier appeared in Snoop Dogg's video for "Doggy Dogg World".

In the late 1990s, Grier was a cast member of the Showtime series Linc's. She appeared in 1996 in John Carpenter's Escape from L.A. and 1997 with the title role in Quentin Tarantino's Jackie Brown, films that partly paid homage to her 1970s blaxploitation movies. She was nominated for numerous awards for her work in the Tarantino film. Grier appeared on Showtime's The L Word, in which she played Kit Porter. The series ran for six seasons and ended in March 2009. Grier occasionally guest-stars in such television series as Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (where she is a recurring character).

In 2010, Grier began appearing in a recurring role on the hit science fiction series Smallville as the villain Amanda Waller, also known as White Queen, head agent of Checkmate, a covert operations agency. She recently appeared as a friend and colleague to Julia Roberts' college professor in Larry Crowne.

In 2010, Grier wrote her memoir, Foxy: My Life in Three Acts, with Andrea Cagan.

Personal life

In 1998 Grier was engaged to music executive Kevin Evans, but the engagement ended in 1999. From 2000 to 2008 she dated marketing executive Peter Hempel.. She also dated basketball player Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, comics Freddie Prinze, Richard Pryor, and Soul Train host, Don Cornelius. She also had a brief relationship with basketball player Wilt Chamberlain.

She received her Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore in 2011. That same year, she received an Honorary Doctorate of Science from Langston University. She started the Pam Grier Community Garden and Education Center with the National Multicultural Western Heritage Museum. She lives in Colorado.

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