Friday, August 31, 2007
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
It's Clark Sisters! Week
From Wikipedia.com
The Clark Sisters is an African American gospel vocal group consisting of four sisters: Elbernita "Twinkie" Clark, Jacky Clark Chisholm, Dorinda Clark Cole, and Karen Clark Sheard. A fifth member, Denise Clark Bradford, no longer performs with the group. The Clark Sisters are the daughters of gospel musician and choral director Dr. Mattie Moss Clark. They are credited for helping to bring gospel music to the mainstream and are considered as pioneers of contemporary gospel.
History
The Clark Sisters were born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. They each began singing at an early age and by the late 1960s they were all performing together in church services, usually singing songs written and arranged by their mother. A few years later, Dr. Mattie Moss Clark turned over control of the group to Twinkie, who would then go on to write, arrange, conduct and produce all of the Clark Sisters recordings. In 1973, the sisters recorded their first album, Jesus Has A Lot to Give, on their uncle's local label Billmo Records.[1]
The following year, Dr. Mattie Moss Clark Presents The Clark Sisters was released, and people around Detroit began to take notice of the group. The Clark Sisters signed to Sound of Gospel Records in 1974. Under this association, the group released albums such as Unworthy, Count It All Joy, and He Gave Me Nothing to Lose. It was not until the early 1980s that The Clark Sisters began to become the phenomenon that they are now. Their popularity soared with the release of the live recording Is My Living In Vain. The album topped the Bilboard gospel charts for more than a year and yielded now famous songs such as the title track and "Expect Your Miracle."
Their next release You Brought the Sunshine would prove to be a monster hit as the title track became a hit in church houses and on dance floors. The song performed well on both gospel and R&B charts and drove the album to Gold sales. The sisters delivered another progressive effort in 1982, Sincerely, which included "Name It And Claim It" and the politically-charged "World." After this release, sister Denise left the group to become a minister and start a family.
After a four-year gap between releases, the sisters would continue as a foursome, signing with Rejoice Records, a division of Word. This new deal yielded the Grammy-nominated Heart & Soul (1986) featuring the mainstream single "Time Out." Next would appear another studio release Conqueror (1988) and the live album Bringing It Back Home (1991).
Following their last Word Records release, Twinkie resumed her calling as a minister and recorded the independent solo album Comin' Home in 1992. Jacky, Dorinda, and Karen stayed behind and performed as a trio, signing with Sparrow Records and delivering one album Miracle in 1994 produced largely by BeBe Winans. Later that year, their mother died of diabetes-related complications.[2] Forging on in the face of their great loss, Twinkie Clark re-appeared in 1996 with a pair of albums to her credit: the solo studio release The Masterpiece for Ben Tankard's Tribute Records label and the live project Twinkie Clark-Terrell presents FAMU Gospel Choir. The latter released on CD, VHS, & DVD featured The Clark Sisters on a showstopping remake of their own hit "Nothing To Lose."
Karen delivered her much-anticipated solo debut Finally Karen in 1997. The album, featuring star turns from The Clark Sisters, Faith Evans, and daughter Kierra Sheard, was nominated for a Grammy in addition to winning a Soul Train Lady of Soul award. She has since released three more solo albums: 2nd Chance, The Heavens Are Telling, and It's Not Over. Dorinda and Jacky released their first solo efforts, Dorinda Clark Cole and Expectancy, respectively in 2002 and 2005. The Clark Sisters have all contributed in various capacities to each other's albums, whether they sang or wrote lyrics.
More recently, The Clark Sisters did a live recording on July 8, 2006 in Houston, Texas entitled One Last Time. The recording was directed and produced by Donald Lawrence and is expected to be released as a CD on April 10, 2007[3] on EMI Gospel, followed by a CD/DVD Special Edition release June 19, 2007.
"The Clark Sound"
The Clark Sisters are renowned for their unique vocal stylings, dubbed as "The Clark Sound". Molded and sculpted by the dynamic Twinkie, The Clark Sisters incorporated high and fast double concentrates(which are vocal techniques requiring fast scats and runs placed together), melismas, acrobatic trills and riffs, and deep, soulful growls, or "squalls". The sisters are also well known for each distinctive sound that they contribute. Jacky (bass/alto) is known for her soft, deeper vocals; Dorinda (alto), the "jazzy" sister, inputs scats and riffs; Karen (soprano) is known for her riffs, runs and high vocal range; and Twinkie(alto) is credited with being the "heart of the Clark Sisters", due to being the chief songwriter,music and vocal arranger, producer and also possessing a range from soprano to low contralto and even bass.
The following year, Dr. Mattie Moss Clark Presents The Clark Sisters was released, and people around Detroit began to take notice of the group. The Clark Sisters signed to Sound of Gospel Records in 1974. Under this association, the group released albums such as Unworthy, Count It All Joy, and He Gave Me Nothing to Lose. It was not until the early 1980s that The Clark Sisters began to become the phenomenon that they are now. Their popularity soared with the release of the live recording Is My Living In Vain. The album topped the Bilboard gospel charts for more than a year and yielded now famous songs such as the title track and "Expect Your Miracle."
Their next release You Brought the Sunshine would prove to be a monster hit as the title track became a hit in church houses and on dance floors. The song performed well on both gospel and R&B charts and drove the album to Gold sales. The sisters delivered another progressive effort in 1982, Sincerely, which included "Name It And Claim It" and the politically-charged "World." After this release, sister Denise left the group to become a minister and start a family.
After a four-year gap between releases, the sisters would continue as a foursome, signing with Rejoice Records, a division of Word. This new deal yielded the Grammy-nominated Heart & Soul (1986) featuring the mainstream single "Time Out." Next would appear another studio release Conqueror (1988) and the live album Bringing It Back Home (1991).
Following their last Word Records release, Twinkie resumed her calling as a minister and recorded the independent solo album Comin' Home in 1992. Jacky, Dorinda, and Karen stayed behind and performed as a trio, signing with Sparrow Records and delivering one album Miracle in 1994 produced largely by BeBe Winans. Later that year, their mother died of diabetes-related complications.[2] Forging on in the face of their great loss, Twinkie Clark re-appeared in 1996 with a pair of albums to her credit: the solo studio release The Masterpiece for Ben Tankard's Tribute Records label and the live project Twinkie Clark-Terrell presents FAMU Gospel Choir. The latter released on CD, VHS, & DVD featured The Clark Sisters on a showstopping remake of their own hit "Nothing To Lose."
Karen delivered her much-anticipated solo debut Finally Karen in 1997. The album, featuring star turns from The Clark Sisters, Faith Evans, and daughter Kierra Sheard, was nominated for a Grammy in addition to winning a Soul Train Lady of Soul award. She has since released three more solo albums: 2nd Chance, The Heavens Are Telling, and It's Not Over. Dorinda and Jacky released their first solo efforts, Dorinda Clark Cole and Expectancy, respectively in 2002 and 2005. The Clark Sisters have all contributed in various capacities to each other's albums, whether they sang or wrote lyrics.
More recently, The Clark Sisters did a live recording on July 8, 2006 in Houston, Texas entitled One Last Time. The recording was directed and produced by Donald Lawrence and is expected to be released as a CD on April 10, 2007[3] on EMI Gospel, followed by a CD/DVD Special Edition release June 19, 2007.
"The Clark Sound"
The Clark Sisters are renowned for their unique vocal stylings, dubbed as "The Clark Sound". Molded and sculpted by the dynamic Twinkie, The Clark Sisters incorporated high and fast double concentrates(which are vocal techniques requiring fast scats and runs placed together), melismas, acrobatic trills and riffs, and deep, soulful growls, or "squalls". The sisters are also well known for each distinctive sound that they contribute. Jacky (bass/alto) is known for her soft, deeper vocals; Dorinda (alto), the "jazzy" sister, inputs scats and riffs; Karen (soprano) is known for her riffs, runs and high vocal range; and Twinkie(alto) is credited with being the "heart of the Clark Sisters", due to being the chief songwriter,music and vocal arranger, producer and also possessing a range from soprano to low contralto and even bass.
The Clark Sisters on TBN and listen Juanita Bynum at the End
I know Juanita is going thru it now, but listen to her after the Clark Sisters finishes. God walks with us always
A Message from your Fearless Leader at the NAACP...still on the battlefield for you!
Dear NAACP:Two years ago this week, Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coastforcing hundreds of thousands from their homes and laying bare the deep,persistent poverty and racial inequality that still exists in ourcountry today.Tens of thousands are still living with the aftermath of the hurricanes:FEMA trailers that are making residents sick because of unacceptablehigh formaldehyde levels, a lack of medical and mental health services,a public education system that has been seriously disrupted, and noassistance for rebuilding their homes.But you and I have a powerful opportunity to make sure that this is notanother year of neglect for the people of the Gulf Coast.Click here to tell Congress to keep their promise to Katrina survivors.In the next few days, Congress will return from recess with 60 days todecide on the 2008 Federal Budget, including continuing funds for GulfCoast recovery efforts and assistance for Katrina survivors. But, thePresident's budget proposal does not provide adequate funding for manyof the key programs that provide housing, education and health careassistance in the region.The President's budget does not renew the $500 million Social ServiceBlock Grant to help hurricane ravaged areas of the Gulf Coast fund childwelfare, employment services, and other state and local social programs. And neither the President's budget nor any proposals from Congressinclude additional funds for The Road Home, a program designed to helpthose displaced by Katrina and Rita with housing issues, even thoughthis program was forced to stop accepting applications on July 31stbecause of a $5 billion shortfall.Tell Senator Reid and Speaker Pelosi to increase funding for the Gulf Coast.We are approaching a moment of truth. In the next 60 days we'll findout if those politicians were telling the truth when they made all their
and livelihoods, or if they were just taking advantage of the victims ofKatrina for political gain.The NAACP's local and regional branches are working hard to ensureproper health care, legal representation, education, and housing in theGulf Coast. The NAACP arrived on the stricken Gulf Coast before thefederal government responded and we've been there ever since. As wefought for our inalienable rights during the civil rights movement wemust now fight for the rights of the residents New Orleans Lower NinthWard. We must hold all elected officials accountable for rebuilding theLower Ninth Ward and other devastated areas.Congress has an opportunity to act with conviction and help hundreds of thousands put their lives back together. Let's make sure that they do just that.
Sincerely,
Julian BondChairman
and livelihoods, or if they were just taking advantage of the victims ofKatrina for political gain.The NAACP's local and regional branches are working hard to ensureproper health care, legal representation, education, and housing in theGulf Coast. The NAACP arrived on the stricken Gulf Coast before thefederal government responded and we've been there ever since. As wefought for our inalienable rights during the civil rights movement wemust now fight for the rights of the residents New Orleans Lower NinthWard. We must hold all elected officials accountable for rebuilding theLower Ninth Ward and other devastated areas.Congress has an opportunity to act with conviction and help hundreds of thousands put their lives back together. Let's make sure that they do just that.
Sincerely,
Julian BondChairman
thank you for the info and Happy Birthday Michael.
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Friday, August 24, 2007
Do you wanna be on top! America's Next Top Model is Back!
Tyra's Top Model Takes Nine by Sarah Hall
Tyra Banks has rounded up a new crop of would-be catwalkers.
The CW on Thursday released the names of the comely contestants due to compete on the ninth cycle of America's Next Top Model, premiering on Sept. 19.
Among the aspiring models: Ebony, a 20-year-old nursing student from Chicago; Janet, a 22-year-old aesthetician from Georgia; Lisa, a dancer from New Jersey; and Sarah, a college student from Massachusetts.
The contestants will live together in a lavish Los Angeles mansion, as they face an array of challenges and photo shoots, with judges Banks, Twiggy, Nigel Barker and J. Alexander critiquing their every pose.
Each week, one girl will be eliminated, narrowing the field until only the winner remains.
The girl who takes the Top Model title will earn a management contract with Elite Model Management, as well as a $100,000 contract with CoverGirl cosmetics.
She'll also appear on the cover of Seventeen and be featured in a six-page spread in the magazine.
Here's a rundown of the women who will be strutting their stuff this season:
Ambreal, 19; college student from Dallas
Bianca, 18; college student from Queens, New York
Ebony, 20; nursing student from Chicago
Chantal, 19; student from Austin
Heather, 21; college student from Valparaiso, Indiana
Janet, 22; aesthetician from Bainbridge, Georgia
Jenah, 18; student from Farmington, Connecticut
Kimberly, 20; college student from Ocala, Florida
Lisa, 20; dancer from Jersey City, New Jersey
Mila, 20; recent college graduate from Boston
Saleisha, 21; receptionist from Los Angeles
Sarah, 20; college student from Heath, Massachusetts
Victoria, 20; college student from New Haven, Connecticut
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Copyright 2007 E! Entertainment Television, Inc. All rights reserved.
Thursday, August 23, 2007
We love Soul Train!-
Soul Train Story
SOUL TRAIN Creator and Executive Producer Don Cornelius has been at the cutting edge of Soul music (including Rhythm and Blues, Hip Hop, Gospel and Jazz) for over 30 years.
His influence and achievements have been recognized by Hollywood and the broadcasting community alike, with a STAR on the Hollywood Walk of Fame; and his induction into the Broadcasting and Cable Hall of Fame.
The year 2005 was, indeed, a pinnacle year, in terms of equally prestigious honors being bestowed upon Don Cornelius and Soul Train, with Cornelius and Soul Train receiving a Special Grammy Award from the NARAS Board of Regents, for career contributions and achievements. The year 2005 was also a year during which Cornelius and Soul Train would, combinely be honored with the coveted 2005 Pop Culture Award at the 2005 TV Land (network) Awards cablecast.
Soul Train’s 25th consecutive season on the air provided the momentum, in 1995, for the Cornelius Production Team to mount an all-star CBS television special; while the weekly dance show, alone, would continuing to inspire at least two generations of music aficionados, with its hip dances, fashions and exciting performances by R&B/Soul, Hip Hop, Gospel, Jazz and Pop recording artists.
For a number of years, the longest running TV program of any genre in the entire history of first-run, nationally syndicated TV programming, in America, Soul Train celebrated its 30th consecutive season on the air with a nationally syndicated, June/2000 TV special, entitled Divas and Kings, 2000 and Beyond/The Soul Train 30th Anniversary.
In addition to the weekly series, (which for 22 consecutive years featured Don Cornelius, himself, as Soul Train’s On-Air Host), Don Cornelius Productions produces three, annual, nationally syndicated, prime time TV specials -- the Soul Train Music Awards (20th year), the Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards (10th year), and the Soul Train Christmas Starfest, which debuted in 1998.
The Annual Soul Train TV specials are among the most enthusiastically supported, by the recording industry and all attract top performance talent, annually, including the likes of Dianna Ross, the late Barry White, Patty LaBelle, Whitney Houston, Stevie Wonder, the late Luther Vandross, Vanessa Williams, LL Cool J, Anita Baker, Boyz II Men and many others.
Ironically, the Soul Train legacy almost didn't happen. In the spring of 1966, Don Cornelius took what he considered to be a gamble, at best and enrolled in a broadcasting school in Chicago. He had been advised, during indoctrination, that he and the majority of those enrolled in the course might never get jobs in broadcasting. Despite the odds against success, Cornelius decided to give the course a try, since being a radio announcer had always been a dream of his. Cornelius attended classes in the morning, while maintaining a regular job during the rest of the day and in three months had completed the course.
In 1967, Cornelius was offered a part-time position as a news announcer on Chicago radio station WVON, one of Chicago's most popular Black-oriented stations. Later, he would set his sights on TV and TV production, which led to his idea for a Black-oriented dance show. Cornelius pitched the idea to WCIU-TV in Chicago and agreed to produce the pilot at his own expense, while the station agreed to provide a small studio.
Cornelius completed the pilot and proceeded to hold screenings, in search of advertiser/sponsors. Initially, there were no takers, as advertiser representatives who would screen the pilot did not seem overwhelmed by Cornelius' new idea for a Black-targeted TV dance show, which he called Soul Train.
With a personal promise from Cornelius that, “Full sponsorship was right around the corner,” WCIU-TV (channel 26) began airing the original, local Chicago area, version of Soul Train in five-day-per-week, one-hour, afternoon episodes, on August 17, 1970.
Soul Train became an instant hit, across Chicago TV audiences, which attracted the attention of Johnson Products Company (Ultra Sheen/ Afro Sheen, etc., hair care products) founder and president George Johnson, who proposed an advertising partnership that would involve taking Soul Train in a direction toward national syndication.
In the summer of 1971, Cornelius began commuting to Hollywood, California, in hopes of locating better production facilities than could be found at the time in Chicago. After several trips to California, still with guidance and support from Johnson Products Company, the goals of securing a good facility and an experienced production crew were achieved.
The syndicated version went on the air October 2, 1971. As expected, it was an immediate success in the markets that carried the show. Unfortunately, the syndicating agency was able to premiere the show in only seven of the 25 target cities. The seven included Atlanta, Cleveland, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Philadelphia and San Francisco. Many other station program directors conceded that the show was well produced and very entertaining, but said that they had no open time periods, regardless of the barter considerations being offered by the syndicator. In a number of cases, the syndicator was turned down by all of six or more stations in the same city. Almost invaluably, Soul Train's reputation and popularity grew, rapidly, in the cities that had accepted the show, the syndicator gradually began to pick up more stations.
Soul Train currently reaches 85% of U.S. Black Television households, through station clearances in 105 cities, including all major markets. Soul Train continues to perform well in all ratings research categories and is now, firmly, established, according to Cornelius, as one of America’s most successful targeted TV programs in first run syndication.
In 1985, Tribune Entertainment Company became the exclusive distributor/syndicator of Soul Train, thus providing the program with its most effective support system yet. Two years later, Tribune would also be the avenue for the successful, 1987 launch of the Soul Train Music Awards, live, two-hour television Special, which is presented, annually, in prime time, national syndication.
The Tribune Entertainment Company/Don Cornelius Productions, Inc. relationship would add to the overall Soul Train programming portfolio by launching the Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards annual TV special, to honor the accomplishments of women in the music industry, in 1995; and The Soul Train Christmas Starfest, annual, holiday, TV special, in 1998. "All three Soul Train Specials, according to Cornelius represent our proudest examples of the partnership's consistent pursuit of our common goal of creating extraordinary exposure opportunities, for minority and other recording artists, on national television.”
post from http://www.soultrain.com/
Soul Train Sunday Nights 12:35am WTVD ABC
Hey guys you may be sleepy at work on Monday mornings, but Soul Train on Sunday nights is the worth the red eyes. Classic soul train has been my must-see tv passion for months now. It's all right to text me at 12:40am monday morning cause I'm up and dancing. John MC.
check out this link from milk and cookies.com http://www.milkandcookies.com/link/38860/detail/
check out this link from milk and cookies.com http://www.milkandcookies.com/link/38860/detail/
Complete that outfit with Zippos!
Looking for a Hot Shoe or fab bag. well check out Zippos.com http://zippos.com/ Make everybody gag at the next function.
Carlton has found me out.
Official Statement:
I tried to stay on the DL but you know how that always turns out ....Yes I am on tour at the moment with Bones, Thugs, and Harmony. Coming to a ghetto club near you. John M.C. lol
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
White Women We Love
1. Amy winehouse, (Left)the girl is troubled and sick....can't get enough of her
2. Joan Crawford, strong and hard and always ready...I am talking about Joan
3. Betty Davis, Mean and Sly. Eyes said it all.
4. Twiggy, The only person I would accept because she was thin.
5. Kern, hang with all peoples, cool as hell and you feel upgraded just being with him.
6. Linsay lohan, the gal takes a fierce! mug shot
8. Faye Dunaway, she played Joan better than Joan ,..Damn!
9. Shae Crisson, weekend news anchor for channel 11. She got a little sass in her.
10. The white women at Brier Creek that keep my store busy because they rich asses shops at Target EVERY DANG DAY!
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