2008-11-15 16:27:37

Interview: Labelle (Sarah Dash, Nona Hendryx and Patti LaBelle) - R&B's Pioneering Female Trio

http://blogcritics.org/archives/2008/11/14/090817.php ----- Before Destiny's Child called on men to "say [their] name" or TLC announced their distaste for "scrubs," Labelle exemplified the true meaning of "independent women." Unquestionably, every contemporary female R&B trio has been influenced by their style — whether they know it or not — and a cursory listen to Labelle's catalog reveals a smorgasbord of musical gems, which have served as inspiration for 702, SWV, Total, and Brownstone. As with all things, history reveals the mark of the present.

2008-11-09 10:48:58

Brian McKnight (November 12, 2008)

R&B Haven Community: On Wednesday, November 12, 2008, I will be interviewing Brian McKnight. If you have any questions that you would like for me to pose (or any issues that you would like for him to address), please let me know at your earliest convenience! Clayton Perry crperry84@gmail.com www.blogcritics.com/writer/clayton_perry ----- As an artist who needs no introduction, Brian McKnight has earned himself a spot in contemporary music history. He has released 11 albums to date, 7 of them have gone platinum, with several going 2 and 3x platinum, and he has sold over 20 million albums worldwide. In an industry known for a constantly revolving door of artists, McKnight has easily established himself with an enviable record of chart consistency, has toured successfully for over a decade, and has collaborated with performers across every genre including Justin Timberlake, Mariah Carey, Puffy, Christina Aguilera, Rascal Flatts, Nelly, Vanessa Williams, Willie Nelson and Kenny G. With seemingly endless talent, and never one to sit back on his accomplishments, McKnight has crossed the boundaries of every medium. He is currently hosting Soul Session Countdown with Brian McKnight on BETJ. In addition, The Brian McKnight Morning Show on KTWV The Wave Smooth Jazz radio station, has been a Top 5 rated show 2 years running. 2009 will see Brian will expanding his horizons even more, with a syndicated radio show, a new talk show tentatively titled McKnight at Night, and as a contestant on next season’s Celebrity Apprentice. Brian has used his vast industry knowledge as a red carpet host for Extra!, and in 2007 McKnight stepped into Broadway with a run as “Billy Flynn” in Chicago. This was McKnight’s second foray into musical theatre; in 2005 McKnight performed in Cheaters the theatrical adaptation of a Jerome Dickey novel. In 2006 McKnight scored Daddy’s Little Girls for Tyler Perry, in the same year he released his most recent album; TEN. Along with several Grammy nominations, McKnight has been the recipient of American Music Awards, Soul Train Awards, NAACP Image and Blockbuster Awards, and Billboard Songwriter of The Year.

2008-10-28 01:49:59

Raphael Saadiq [Interview] -- October 28, 2008

R&B Haven Community: I just received word that Raphael Saadiq will be available for interviews this afternoon! ;o) If you have any questions that you would like for me to pose (or any issues that you would like for him to address), please let me know at your earliest convenience! Clayton Perry crperry84@gmail.com http://www.blogcritics.com/writer/clayton_perry ----- Raphael Saadiq is a standard bearer for what folks call 'old school' music, a contemporary artist continuing a time-honored tradition that goes back to the '60s and '70s. From his early days as a member of the groundbreaking '80s group Tony! Toni! Toné! through his work as an award-winning producer of such artists as Joss Stone, The Roots, Snoop Dogg, John Legend among many others and his own solo albums, the multi-talented Raphael Saadiq has kept the faith. "Every record I've ever made has had those influences…The Temptations, Al Green, The Four Tops and so on," Raphael explains from the L.A. studio where he recorded his latest illustrious work. The Way I See It is the culmination of a life time of experiences informed by the music i grew up on."

2008-10-28 01:47:56

Tony Rich [Interview] -- October 30, 2008

R&B Haven Community: This upcoming Thursday (October 30th), I will be interviewing Tony Rich. If you have any questions that you would like for me to pose (or any issues that you would like for him to address), please let me know at your earliest convenience! Clayton Perry crperry84@gmail.com http://www.blogcritics.com/writer/clayton_perry ----- To call Tony Rich "multi-faceted" would be an understatement. In addition to being a Grammy Award-winning artist and producer, Rich is also a skilled painter, photographer and writer. And if you listen to him or his forthcoming Hidden Beach Recordings debut Exist long enough, you might think he's a motivational speaker as well. Given Rich's years in the industry, his positivity is surprisingly refreshing. He began his career as a songwriter and producer, penning songs for Elton John, Boyz II Men, TLC and Johnny Gill, before scoring Grammy gold in 1997 with his LaFace Records debut, Words. The album not only won Rich the coveted "Best R&B Album" award, it also garnered two hit records "Nobody Knows" and "Like A Woman." Since then, Rich released three critically praised albums: Birdseye, Resurrected and Pictures.