Raphael Saddiq Who would you consider the most influential person in your life or career? Maybe a parent, teacher or perhaps someone else at the top of your profession. More than likely if you are influenced by a successful contemporary; that individual also influences others. I am initiating this discussion a month after theRead More
Author: Edward Reid
Death of a Queen
Donna Summer What a sad week again. So sad it prompted me to publish a special post. Another Queen died this week. The Queen of Disco Donna Summer. She easily earned the title of Queen because she was at the top of her career during the disco era. Her songs were the backdrop of myRead More
A Fine Line
Erica and Tina Campbell (Mary Mary) Urban Contemporary Gospel or Rhythm and Blues? Religious or secular music? Which do you prefer? The line between the two genres is blurred because a multitude of singers has crossed over the line for many years. Remember Ray Charles? He drew a great deal of criticism for “messingRead More
Not Really a Comeback
Anita Baker Last week brought fantastic news for Anita Baker fans. She will be releasing a new album and start another tour very soon. My wife is a big fan and I really appreciate her music as well. We were both so happy to hear that the eight-time Grammy award winning vocalist would soon releaseRead More
Mraz: Four-letter Word for Success
Jason Mraz Jason Mraz released his new album, “Love is a Four-letter Word” to a very receptive audience. If not for Lionel Richie’s “Tuskegee” Mraz would easily have the number one album in its debut week with 102,000 units sold. Jason Mraz is definitely not a newcomer to the music industry. In fact, he hasRead More
What would American Bandstand look like today?
Dick Clark This week has been a whirlwind of quotes from many in the musical industry as everyone reflected on the life and career of Dick Clark, who died April 18, 2012. The internet is proliferated with entertainers saying how they were helped by an appearance on American Bandstand, Clark’s dance and music show thatRead More
A Natural Songwriter
Carole King Last week as I watched the CBS Morning Show, Singer/Songwriter Carole King was interviewed by Gail King and Charlie Rose. Ms. King, who turned seventy years old two months ago, has written a book appropriately entitled, “A Natural Woman.” In the year 2000, Joel Whitburn, a Billboard Magazine pop music researcher, named herRead More