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.

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.

Toni Braxton Emerges At Atlantic

With a new single, “Yesterday,” featuring Trey Songz already on the airwaves, multiple Grammy-award winning artist Toni Braxton looks to release her next album from the home of such soul greats as Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin and Otis Redding—Atlantic Records.

“It’s the start of an exciting new chapter,” states Atlantic Chairman/CEO Craig Kallman, “one which all of us at Atlantic are so very proud to be part of.”

The as yet untitled album, scheduled for release next February, includes collaborations with Frank E., Steve Mac, Lucas Secon, Harvey Mason & Oak, Troy Taylor, Dapo Torimiro and David Foster, among others.

Bad Boy’s New Era

Grammy-award winning artist/producer Sean “Diddy” Combs has relocated his Bad Boy imprint to the Los Angeles headquartered home of Interscope/Geffen/A&M (IGA), signing with Interscope head Jimmy Iovene. According to the terms, all previously Bad Boy signed artists will remain under the Warner Music Group umbrella where his Bad Boy imprint has been for the last five years, but Combs retains his imprint name and all new artists and releases will be under that distributed through Interscope. His experimental sixth studio album, Last Train to Paris, is expected to be the first release under the new arrangement. According to Combs, the new Bad Boy label with Interscope will operate like a small boutique label, with an emphasis on signing unique talent.

Commented Iovine: “Puff is a rare person in the music industry today, that can move the culture in many areas – fashion, TV, music – as well as making records. Whenever a free agent like him comes along, which is rare, you grab him.”

“I am excited to be partnering with Jimmy Iovine and the Interscope Records family on all my future music ventures which include my career as a recording artist and upcoming record label,” added Combs. “With this new deal, I look forward to signing music’s next great superstars to the label and continuing the legacy of making great music at my new home. This is the beginning of a new musical era for Bad Boy.”

Former Motown Prez Skip Miller Passes

Record industry executive Alvin “Skip” Miller  passed away on Friday, September 4, from a reported heart attack. The former Motown president joined the label when it was located in Los Angeles, later segueing over to RCA Records. He was also the manager of Lionel Richie at one time.  Details will be posted later.

Michael Jackson, King of Pop, Dead At 50 (August 29, 1958-June 25, 2009)

Michael Jackson was rushed to UCLA Medical Center today from his Bel Air home via ambulance in response to a 911 call from the singer’s residence. Paramedics who arrived on the scene at approximately 12:30 pm today report they were unable to revive him from an apparent cardiac arrest.  Jackson was pronounced dead at the hospital.
His sister LeToya Jackson was among the first of the family members to arrive at the hospital. His father Joe Jackson is enroute from Las Vegas while his mother Katherine Jackson was being rushed to the scene as well.
Jackson, who had been preparing for his upcoming 50-date sold out concert tour at the O2 in London, had recently pushed the start date back from July 8 to July 13 because of reported poor health. There was a lot riding on the AEG tour which Michael had consented to do, reportedly he said, mainly so his children could see him perform one last time and, as always, for his fans.
Jackson’s Visionary, the Video Singles box set, was recently released. The limited edition 20 dual discs—CD on one side and DVD on the other—were packaged in sleeves featuring an exact replica of his original 7“ and 12” artwork.
Michael is survived by three children: Michael Joseph Jackson, Jr., Paris Michael Katherine Jackson and Prince “Blanket” Michael Jackson II.

Prophetically, Michael has posted on his website announcing his “This Is It” tour the following: “The time has come. It is now I see and feel that calling once again, to be a part of a music that will not just connect but, make all feel one, one in joy, one in pain, one in love, one in service and in consciousness.”

New “King of Pop” Hails “Kings of the Court”

While Justin Timberlake can’t lend his basketball talents to the NBA, he’s
given the league something even better. The NBA superfan will narrate the
NBA Entertainment doc Dream Season: 23 & 24 presented by NIKE highlighting Kobe Bryant’s and LeBron James’ pursuit of this year’s championship — and intensifying the hoops debate of ‘Who’s better.’ Timberlake, a courtside fixture at Lakers games, joins a roster of A-listers who’ve given their chops to past NBA specials including Denzel Washington, Forest Whitaker,Terrence Howard, Djimon Hounsou, and Chris Rock.
The one-hour special premieres on ESPN on Thursday, May 21 (7pm ET).

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

The Whispers Go Gospel, Sign to Shekinah Glory Ministry

“We’ve been wanting to do this for ten years,” says Whispers founding member Nick Caldwell about the group’s announcement of signing with Chicago-based Shekinah Glory Ministry to record the group’s first inspirational album. The smooth sounding group, formed in 1963 by twin brothers Wallace and Walter Scott with Nicholas Caldwell, Marcus Hutson and Gordon Harmon who was replaced by Leaveil Degree in 1973, are best known for their dance-oriented R&B hits like “Rock Steady,” “It’s A Love Thing,” “And the Beat Goes On” and “Keep On Loving Me.” Thankfully, Caldwell adds, “God has allowed us to live long enough to do this inspirational CD that we want to use to inspire people to get closer to God.”
“We are excited and humbled by the coming together of Kingdom Records
and The Whispers,” says Kingdom Records CEO/President, Joan Sullivan, who recently announced gold certification for the label’s release from Shekinah Glory Ministry. ”We are excited because the Whispers have exhibited outstanding musical artistry over the years.  We are humbled that they would choose us in this season of their lives to help fulfill their vision of making gospel music for God’s glory.  The entire Kingdom Records family welcomes The Whispers.”
According to the group’s manager, Pamela Blackman of Joy Management Inc, “There were several offers from big labels but I feel this one is part of a divine plan for The Whispers.” And divine it certainly seems to be as legendary producer/artist Fred Hammond has agreed to produce some of the album’s tracks. With an anticipated release of this fall, the Whispers are eager to record their first gospel project under such divine auspices.

Wayman Tisdale Remembered (June 9, 1964-May 15, 2009)

Known for excellence in both the world of music and basketball, Wayman Tisdale lost his battle with cancer the morning of May 15, 2009 at St. Johns Hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma at the young age of 44.  Diagnosed with osteosarcoma in his knee in 2007, which was discovered after a fall down the stairs in his Los Angeles home, Tisdale underwent a vigorous treatment that eventually included amputation of a portion of his leg. Fitted with a prosthetic, which he learned to maneuver in record time, Tisdale had recently finished a 21-day national concert tour that he had kicked off in April.
The three-time All American basketball star from Tulsa, Oklahoma was the first freshman to claim that selection for both sophomore and junior years as well. A gold medalist at the 1984 Olympics, he was the second overall draft pick in 1985, signing to the Indiana Pacers. He also played with the Sacramento Kings and the Phoenix Suns before retiring from 12 seasons in the NBA in 1997 to focus on his first love—music.
A self-taught musician, he became an accomplished bass guitarist playing at both his father’s Sunday morning services at the Friendship Church in Tulsa and for the University of Oklahoma Sooners band.  Debuting in 1995 with his first album “Power Forward,” he released a total of eight albums. He was featured in BRE for his 2001 release, “Face to Face,” which topped contemporary jazz charts and for which he was awarded the Legacy Tribute Award by the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame. His latest album, “Rebound,” was just released last year on Rendezvous Entertainment after he had recovered so well from his leg amputation.
“People are going to feel different after listening to this record,” Tisdale said, reinvigorated with a new purpose. “They’re going to be happy. There’s going to be a good feeling. “Rebound” definitely has a beginning, a body and an ending and that’s what I wanted to do. That’s why the record starts with the song ‘Rebound,’ to capture people and bring them in. A Japanese voice before the second verse of ‘Rebound’ says ‘I’ve rebounded and you can rebound also.’ That’s what the message is. If I can do it, you can do it.”
His former University of Oklahoma basketball coach Billy Tubbs presented him with the Greenwood Cultural Center’s Legacy Award on April 17, just one week after his most recent chemotherapy treatment. After the banquet that evening, he and his band boarded their bus for Memphis where they kicked off their jazz tour that was scheduled to extend through September. He was scheduled to play the Playboy Jazz Festival at the Hollywood Bowl on June 13.

Beyond his career achievements, however, he had two other passions. One was his wife Regina whom he met in high school and his family, which includes four children and a granddaughter, and the other was Oklahoma. The L.L. Tisdale Parkway in Tulsa was named for him in 2005 and he was a member of the Oklahoma Tourism Board and a cornerstone in the UO basketball program. The Oklahoma Hall of Fame still plans to induct him this September.

Oklahoma loved him, as did everyone who met him. States Denny Stilwell, President of his label Mack Avenue Records, “Wayman’s personality and smile are already missed in the music community. He was an inspiration, a hero.  We are all shaken and deeply saddened by his loss and our hearts and prayers go out to his wife and family.”

The website, www.waymantisdale.org, for his foundation is committed to making a difference in the lives of individuals with cancer as well as amputees, a cause he undertook after his own experience.   “I believe the best way to help is to provide support and resources.  I know we can make a difference one person, one family at a time,” he said. “Together we can help change the world.”
An old friend, gospel great Marvin Sapp, joined Tisdale on the song “Grateful,” that ends his last album.

A public memorial service is planned for Thursday, May 21st in his hometown of Tulsa, OK. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donation be made to his Wayman Tisdale Foundation.

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