Radio One All-Star Celebrity Salute to Tom Joyner

Radio One founder/chairperson Cathy Hughes threw a Hometown All-star Celebrity Salute to Tom Joyner during inaugural week on January 17 at the Lincoln Theater in Washington, D.C. Hennessy hosted the event, presenting a commemorative Hennessy 44 Bottle signed by numerous celebrities up for auction to create four four-year scholarships via the Thurgood Marshall College Fund.  

An Eye on Numbers 2010 Census Count Critical

Rev. Bernie Miller, host of Brewer Broadcasting urban AC WJTT-FM (Power 94)’s gospel show “Power Praise” and pastor of New Covenant Fellowship Church, was among the members of the U.S. Census Bureau’s Race, Ethnic, Advisory Committee (REAC) that met in Washington, D.C. to address concerns of the 2010 census. As chairman of the African American REAC and spokesperson for the REAC chairs, Miller stated, “We feel the funding levels for 2010 are too inadequate to address the diverse communities when compared with Census 2000 funding. An accurate count is critical. Every year, more than $300 billion in federal funds is awarded to states and communities based on census data. That’s more than $3 trillion over a 10-year period. However, without adequate funding, there’s a danger of undercounts in the hard-to-count communities. An incomplete count could mean your community does not receive its fair share of funding.”

Central South Distributor Honors Williams Brothers

The nation’s leading independent gospel distributor, Central South Distribution, celebrated its 5^th Annual Distribution Showcase and R.E.A.C.H. Awards (Radio Everywhere Announcing Christ Is Here) with a special presentation of its Lifetime Achievement Award to its latest signee, the Williams Brothers. Young gospel artists Lowell Pye, Jerard Woods and Jason Nelson paid homage to the Williams Brothers who are celebrating 45 years in the industry, most recently with the release of their CSD CD The Journey Continues, performing their classics like “God Will Deliver” and “Sweep Around.”

Among the radio awards, Sheila Lee, Elizabeth City State University gospel WRVS-FM (89.9) in North Carolina, was presented with a R.E.A.C.H. award by radio announcer Ace Alexander of the Light Network and Terry Woods, Director of Distribution for Central South. Central South-distributed artists Monique Walker, LeJuene Thompson, Bill Moss Jr., Carnell Murrell, Bernard Harris, Blessed, The Nevel Sisters, Scott Savol & NSRC were among the performers. 

Fisk’s WFSK A Training Ground For Industry—Ask Mathew Knowles

Mathew Knowles, president/CEO of Music World Entertainment, Inc., taught a class last semester at his alma mater Fisk University in Nashville. While on campus he stopped by Fisk’s college radio station, WFSK-FM (88.1) to reminisce about his time as a student on the campus.  Knowles, who was honored with a Doctor of Humane Letters at the university’s 2008 commencement, said he got his first taste of the radio industry while hanging out in the WFSK studios. Shown (front l-r) Sharon Kay, WFSK General Manager; Mathew Knowles; Priscilla Charles, Fisk University student intern; and (rear) Harry Clay, Fisk University student intern in WFSK Studios.     

Classic Hip-Hop Alive in D.C.

CBS Top 40/rhythmic WPGC-FM legend Donnie Simpson donated his personal jacket worn in the movie “Krush Groove” to the recent kick off of the Classic Hip-Hop Concert Series, which featured rappers Slick Rick and Whodini. Founded in 2005 by Adrian “Easy AD” Harris and his business partner, Anthony “A-tone the Hip-Hop Historian” Hovington, a graduate of Duke University with a degree in African-American Studies, Classic Hip-Hop L.L.C. announced the Classic Hip-Hop Series as well as art exhibit that aspires to present and preserve positive aspects of Hip-Hop Culture. Joined by Haywood Donerson, III, CEO of the Donerson Research Group, Inc., the group is intent on also raising money for an exhibit that will feature artifacts from the early days of the hip-hop movement.

“We want people to come out, bring their sons and daughters to experience innovative hip-hop music from classic hip-hop artists such as current VH1 Honors recipient Slick Rick (The Ruler), past recipients Whodini and Kool Mo Dee, as well as Dr. Roxanne Shante, PhD and DJ Tony Tone of the Legendary Cold Crush Brothers, to name a few,” explains Harris. “Hip-Hop has come a long way and with this concert series and exhibit opening, we will help bring the culture full circle.  We are not just putting on a concert but, raising the funds and awareness to bring this exhibit to life for generations to come,” adds Harris.

“You Need It” The Return of D. King

Putting Baltimore on the map, underground rapper D. King is all about “adding some hope to your playlists,” he exclaims with his Kanye West-produced “If Not Me, Then Who.” “You Need It,” the first single from his upcoming 730 Commission/Babygrande album Wordz of Art: the Life of a Don, supplies that new hip-hop infusion. Most recently featured on the Jim Jones Presents: Purple City, Road to Riches, DK, a Howard University student who was signed to Jay’Z’s Carter Faculty when he was 17, is already an established underground presence in what he calls “the middle east coast” with the impressive Kay Slay-hosted mixtape King Me.

Marcel Exits Russ Parr

Marcel the Multiple, whose impersonations of such celebrities as Michael Jackson and 50 Cent for Radio One’s “Russ Parr Morning Show” has departed the D.C.-based show he joined in 2004. The creator and participant in many of the song parodies, the Phone Tap segment, prank calls and other antics over the past four years on the syndicated show, Marcel originally joined Radio One in 2002, segueing from Dayton where he had handles urban PD and afternoon drive. 

DC Flips WPGC 1580 to Big Talker

CBS Radio’s WPGC-AM (1580) in Washington, DC flipped to “The Big Talker” with an all-talk format on November 10 at the new call letters of WHFS-AM. The former inspirational talk format had been simulcasting with sister urban WPGC-FM prior to the switch. Cluster VP of programming/station manager Michael Hughes and WPGC operations manager Robert Scorpio are overseeing the new format. 

“Every Given Sunday” Tribute Debuted on WKYS

On November 28, Radio One urban WKYS-FM (Kiss 93.9) afternoon drive EZ Street broadcast a tribute song and video in memory of Washington Redskin’s #21 Sean Taylor. Street joined with Grammy nominated artist Raheem Devaugh, Anwan Glover (aka Big G of HBO’s hit series “The Wire” and NBC’s “Law and Order” and founding member of the Backyard Band), Miss Kim (lead female vocalist of Rare Essence) and DC rapper/producer Jamil “Face” Johnson (T-Pain, Raheem DeVaughn, Talib Kweli, Gangstarr, Chuck Brown, Chucky Thompson, Bun B, Wale, Tabi Bonney, Lil Mo, Mya) to create the song “Every Given Sunday” in tribute to the late Sean Taylor, who was inducted into the Redskins Ring of Honor on November 28.

  “The idea for doing this song is simple,” says Street. “To honor #21 Sean Taylor and to send a message to the community that we must never forget that there is still much work to do to stop the violence in our community. Sean’s tragic death acts as a reminder,” he adds.

 Recorded at Phase Recording & Media Studios in White Plains, Maryland, “Any Given Sunday” also has a music video, produced by award-winning Glightfilms, that also includes former Redskins and Taylor’s close friend Lavar Arrington, along with many Redskins fans from the D.C. area. Available on Street’s myspace page as a download, the video is a poignant tribute to #21 from D.C. R.I.P.

 

 

Crawford Speaks Out For Literacy

The National Center for Family Literacy, a non-profit literacy awareness initiative founded in 1989 based in Louisville, Kentucky, has named Grammy-nominated gospel recording artist Beverly Crawford as its national spokesperson for literacy in honor of National Family Literacy Day. Crawford, an artist on JDI Records currently promoting her latest single “He’s Done Enough,” struggled with literacy in her teens and has become a vocal advocate for literacy programs. 

“I’m so excited to enter into such a powerful relationship,” exclaimed Crawford. “At one time in my life, I thought the best thing to do was to be silent to avoid the ridicule of others, but now my willingness to share offers hope and inspiration to others. God has opened a great door with this wonderful organization, and I am making myself completely available to help on every level possible.”

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