Willie Mitchell Remembered (1928-2010)

Famed soul producer, arranger, musician and artist Willie Mitchell died January 5 around 7:30 am at Methodist University Hospital in Memphis from cardiac arrest suffered on December 19. Born March 23, 1928 in Ashland, Mississippi, Mitchell was 81. Also known as “Poppa Willie,” a moniker he received when he took over the helm of Hi Records in 1970, Mitchell brought the label to its greatest heights with the recordings of such artists as Al Green, Syl Johnson, Ann Peebles, O.V. Wright and himself. He helped create the Memphis sound, employing the hard-hitting kick drum sound in his releases that was usually executed by Booker T & the MGs’ drummer Al Jackson.

Most of Mitchell’s hits were made behind the console at the revered Royal Recording Studio, which he owned. Mitchell would say not to touch any of the settings since that’s where so many hits had been produced. Most recently, he reunited with his partner Al Green in 2003 to record I Can’t Stop, followed by the 2005 release Everything’s OK.

His adopted sons, Archie and Boo Mitchell, the sons of his two daughters who now carry on his name, traveled to Los Angeles with him in 2008 to accept the Trustees Award from the Grammy Foundation. Raised in the studio under their father, both sons, who played keyboards on Green’s Grammy-winning 1988 release “As Long As We’re Together,” continue to record in the same South Lauderdale Street location which was renamed Willie Mitchell Boulevard in 2004, where their father created the Memphis soul sound. The two-CD set Poppa Willie: The Hi Years (1962-1974), the four-CD set The Immortal Soul of Al Green, and the three-CD package Hi Times: The R&B Years are among the collections that reveal the talent of this legendary artist.

Shock Value

Timbaland continues to astound listeners with his musical magic as he and his wife Monique Idlett Mosley celebrate the release of his latest IGA album, Shock Value II, at the LIV nightclub in Miami.

39th Annual Congressional Black Caucus Convention

Syndication One News-Talk Network’s talk show host Al Sharpton interviews New York Congressman Gregory Meeks and the Jackson’s attorney L. Londell McMillian at the 39th Annual Congressional Black Caucus Convention. The Syndication One News-Talk Network broadcast live from the Washington Convention Center floor in D.C.

Experience It: Steve Harvey’s Freedom Party

Photos by Patrice Tudor, PT Photography

Premier Syndicated Radio host Steve Harvey partnered with the Ford Motor Company to create a unique party experience that launched a four-day fundraiser for his Steve Harvey Foundation Mentoring for Young Men at AmericasMart in downtown Atlanta. Carried on Radio One urban AC WAMJ-FM (Magic 107.5) in Atlanta, Harvey also used the occasion to show appreciation to his listeners in the area.

Commented Crystal Worthem, Multicultural Marketing Manager, Ford Motor Company, who had the new 2010 Ford SHO on hand for listeners to experience: “We are extremely excited about teaming up with Steve Harvey and The Steve Harvey Foundation for an event that is geared toward empowering young men. By taking part in this event we are able to continue in our efforts to empower and educate our youth within the community while simultaneously teaming up with an organization who shares our vision for giving back.”

One-hundred young men, ages 13-18 enrolled in grades 8-11 from a single female head of household family from around the country, will be pre-selected to travel to Dallas, Texas with a parent or guardian for a weekend of mentoring.

Doug E. Fresh performed for the fans, who were joined by celebrities that included NBA greats like Dr. J and Kevin Willis, actor Emmanuel Lewis, 100 Black Men of America’s Thomas Dortch, and WSB-TV anchor Jovita Moore.

Harvey, who launched this mentoring aspect of his foundation earlier this year, explained: “Our mentoring program for young men is designed to give boys the blueprint to manhood and to open their minds to enable them to envision and one day realize their dreams.”

WJMZ Accepts Marconi for Urban Station of the Year

The year ends with big honors to Greenville/Spartanburg, SC Cox Broadcasting’s urban WJMZ-FM (107.3) which won the NAB’s Marconi Award for Urban Station of the Year and was a finalist in the Medium Market Station of the Year category. “We were thrilled just to be nominated. Winning a Marconi is incredible, and our staff is very proud. It’s gratifying to have our industry recognize 107-3 JAMZ in Greenville/Spartanburg as one of the great stations in the country. The entire staff is appreciative for the recognition of their work at 107-3 JAMZ and their dedication serving our listeners, advertisers and partners in the Upstate,” said Steve Sinicropi, VP/GM for Cox Radio Greenville, who is shown accepting the award with OM/PD Steve Crumbley.

25th ANNIVERSARY Congratulations to Detroit Radio’s Afternoon Anchor FRANKIE DARCELL

The year 2009 marked veteran air personality Frankie Darcell’s 25^th anniversary in broadcasting. More than 250 guests joined the popular Detroit afternoon drive host of WMXD-FM (Mix 92.3) at the Roostertail Restaurant for a star-studded celebration that included performances from Ruben Studdard, Kem and K’Jon. U.S. Congresswoman Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick presented Darcell the Spirit of Detroit award from the Detroit City Council and Wayne County Commissioner Alisha Bell presented a proclamation from the State of Michigan. Frankie used her special milestone to honor Black Family Development, AugMe Foundation Breast Cancer for Women, and Karmanos Cancer Institute.

Egypt Claims WBLS Middays

Egypt Sherrod is the new midday host for Inner City Broadcasting urban AC WBLS-FM (107.5) in NY. The multi-media do it all tried out with other celebrities for the 10am-3pm slot previously occupied by Wendy Williams in September with an impressive performance and guest list that included Idris Elba, Michael Strahan, Toni Braxton, and Tommy Davidson, among others. This is her second stint with WBLS, having left in 2003 to pursue her television and syndication options. Prior to that she was co-host in NYC for WWPR-FM (Power 105)’s morning show and has a following from her stints at WPHI-FM (100.3 the Beat) in Philadelphia and WERQ-FM (92Q) in Baltimore.

She will continue with her multiple roles as host of Fine Living Network’s “Bartender Wars,” correspondent for NBC Universal’s “The Maury Show,” and co-host of the syndicated daytime TV hit “Home Delivery” currently re-airing on the ION Network, as well as being the voice of Premiere Radio Networks “Synopsis” entertainment report on “Live In The Den With Big Tigger” which is broadcast in more than 72 cities across three continents and her blogsite www.EgyptSaidSo.com,

Dr. Bobby Jones Donates $6M to TSU

Renowned gospel singer and host and executive producer of two popular BET gospel shows—“Bobby Jones Gospel” and “Video Gospel”—has donated approximately 30 years of recordings as well as exclusive rights of his performances and television programs to his alma mater, Tennessee State University. Professionally appraised at $6 million, Jones’ archives constitute the largest in-kind gift the university has ever received.

Beyoncé Leads Grammy Nods

The Album of the Year honors at this year’s 52^nd Annual Grammy Awards will go to Beyoncé, Black Eyed Peas, Lady GaGa, Dave Matthews Band or Taylor Swift. And one thins is for sure, Beyoncé, nominated for ten awards, will not go empty-handed. The Grammy’s one-hour television special, “Countdown to Music’s Biggest Night,” broadcast live from Club Nokia on CBS, announced the nominees amidst performances from the Black Eyed Peas, David Guetta and Maxwell, who has six nods along with Black Eyed Peas and Kanye West.

The 52^nd Annual Grammy Awards will broadcast live from the Staples Center in Los Angeles on January 31 over the CBS network.

Lawrence, Walker & Winans Lead Stellars 25th

Donald Lawrence, Hezekiah Walker and Vickie Winans are all vying for the #1 and #2 top Stellar Awards for Artist of the Year and Song of the Year at the 25th annual gospel awards scheduled to tape at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville on January 16 before airing in syndication in more than 125 markets. Produced again by Don Jackson and his Central City Productions, the Stellars will be hosted by Kirk Franklin, Donnie McClurkin and Vickie Winans.

Winans and Lawrence, in fact, have the majority of nominations with nine apiece. Hezekiah Walker and Phillip Carter & SOV each have six nominations while Kierra Sheard grabs five, including one for her collaboration with The Clark Sisters and J. Moss on Silky Soul Music…A Tribute to Maze. Claiming four each are Mary, Mary and Crystal Aikin; three bids each were given to newcomer Niyoki, Shari Addison, Smokie Norful, Lisa Knowles & the Brown Singers and Israel Houghton.

Special Awards to be handed out at the 25th Anniversary Awards celebration will include the presentation of “The James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award” to Lee Williams and the Spiritual QC’s. “The Thomas A. Dorsey Most Notable Achievement Award” will be bestowed upon the Mississippi Mass Choir for a decade of excellence, and Edwin Hawkins will be presented with this year’s “Ambassador Dr. Bobby Jones Legend Award,” celebrating his 40-plus years’ contributions to contemporary gospel.

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