Stephen J Ferguson
Apr 15, 2012 Bands, Beyond The Music, Stars with a Pen, Today's Stars
I have had the pleasure of being acquainted with Stephen J Ferguson’s music for a few years now, and I will say his music is some of the smoothest I’ve heard. It seems to me that I can recognize his signature on all his tunes.
Ferguson’s music has played on WDGP radio almost from the beginning. Even so, Saturday was the first time he has guested on Conversations. It was such a pleasure to speak with him about his music. his record label, SJF Music and more.
A Native of the DMV, Stephen currently makes his home in Kansas. He is planning a huge event in 2013 that will benefit Music Students and be a wonderful community event. Take a listen to the interview below and get the scoop, when your done, visit the links below and then go get your copies of his current music.
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Tags: arranger, bassman, composer, funk, Harmony, independent, independent record label, Jazz, mellow, music, musician, preformer, producer, smooth, songwriter, Soulful, Spoken Word, Talent, Uplifting, Vocalist
Tate Simms
Apr 8, 2012 Bands, Stars with a Pen, Today's Stars
On April 7 Tate Simms Joined Diana Broomfield as her guest on Conversations, unfortunately, the interview did not record, so if you missed this time, you missed it, however, here are some highlights:
Tate Simms is a world class musician,singer,songwriter, guitarist, bassist, and producer and it was an honor have him on the show. Orginally from the States, Simms makes his base in Germany but performs all over.
Diana surprised Tate by playing an earlier song of his titled Groove Patrol. We loved it but we’re not so sure Tate did, but he was a good sport about it.
Tate began playing the guitar at age 8. His Aunt took him to lessons at the Hampton Conservatory in Englewood New Jersey where he had the good fortune to get some pointers from Dizzy Gillespe. He has been in several bands and has performed with Christina Aguillera, Mary Wilson OF THE LEGENDARY SUPREMES, Globus, the New Ray Charles Orchestra, George Benson, Sheryl Crow, Curtis Blow, AND Orin Juice Jones. Tate has also opened for great acts like Tavares, Donna Summer, and the Spinners, to name a few. He was also the musical director for Latoya Jackson.
Tate shared that he writes a new song everyday. He says he likes to keep fans on a roller coaster ride, never knowing what to expect. Tate doesn’t want to be put into a box , (which is another reason he should be a part of the WDGP family of Independent Artists) we definitely agree. Simms is so talented and, of course, he loves what he does and it shows. This is his quote about himself from his Facebook page, “I live how I want, and I do what I love !” Now that’s the way to live.
Tate Simms First CD “Romantic Holiday” was released in December 2010 and is currently available from your favorite music download site. If you prefer a hard copy you can contact Tate via Facebook and he will see that you get a copy through Paypal.
The CD Feel It will be available soon and some of the tracks can be heard on WDGP right now. Tate has promised to come back when Feel It is completed to share it with our Listeners first!
Tate’s advise to youth contemplating the Music business? Educate yourself on the music and more so on the business, hone your kraft. Learn an instrument of your choice, be passionate about your music. Sounds like good advice to us and we second that.
Keep up with Tate Simms via his Facebook page and his Website.
Music can be found ReverbNation, Pure Volume, Last FM, Itunes and your favorite music download site.
Here a clip we enjoyed of Tate paying Homage to George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic.
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Tags: arranger, bassist, classical, funk, guitarist, musician, producer, r&b, rock, singer, songwriter
Divas Don’t Apologize
Apr 1, 2012 Legends, Stars with a Pen, Today's Stars
On Saturday March 31, Diana Broomfield had the pleasure of speaking to Aziza and sharing a taste of her wonderful music with the audience.
Aziza (formerly known as Linda Williams) is a breath of fresh air. She is a song writer, composer, arranger, singer and all around wonderful person who is definitely a true Diva with no apology needed. She worked with Natalie Cole traveling the world and making beautiful music until she decided to do her own thing. She talks candidly about the business, record labels, being independent and pros and cons of both. She also offers advice to those who might be considering getting into the music business.
Aziza currently makes her home in New York, but continues to perform all over the globe. She has promised to keep us abreast of her shows so those in that area can support her.
Please listen to the interview and then visit her website, like her Facebook page and buy the music from your favorite download site including but not limited to CDBaby and Rhapsody, and Itunes.
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Tags: arranger, composer, Harmony, independent, independent record label, Jazz, music, musician, performer, poet, poetry, producer, singer, smooth, Spoken Word
Ulysses Salett
Mar 25, 2012 Beyond The Music, Spiritual Life, Stars with a Pen, Today's Stars
It was a pleasure chatting with Ulysses Salent
After just a few minutes of conversation and you know he is the real deal. A man that has a love for God and Family. He speaks candidly about his time behind bars and how he used that time to get right with God and delicate his life to the Saviour. He talks about how things came in to place and how he has developed his talents in music, film production and oil painting. He shared some of his heavily jazz influenced Gospel/Inspirational music as well a few R&B tunes. We enjoyed having UL visit with us here at Conversations and look forward to his next visit. After you enjoy listening to the inteviw, go check out his website for a wealth of information about all UL does. Find his work on Amazon, Subcribe to his YouTube Channel and join his Fan Club. 
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Tags: arranger, composer, encouragement, funk, Gospel, happy, Harmony, independent, independent record label, Jazz, motivation, music, musician, preformer, producer, smooth, Soulful, Talent, Uplifting, Vocalist, writer
Combat FusionJazz Band
Feb 5, 2012 Bands, Beyond The Music, Home Page, Stars with a Pen
Combat FusionJazz Band is the brainchild of John Dubiel.
John Dubiel resides in Chicago and is the Producer of the Band. Not only is he the producer, but he is the song writer and arranger for the Band. The CD, Gotta Say GoodBye, has been a labor of Love. It is a compilation of seven beautiful smooth jazz with wonderful vocalists.
Throughout John’s life, he has been a producer, songwriter, and keyboardist with a passion for music. Being a Veteran who received the Purple Heart after being wounded during the Vietnam war, his other passion is the Veterans and with his new Band, he wants to help all our Vets suffering with PTSD. Part of the profits from this CD is going to help these brave men and women as they return home from combat.
John has come alive with the Combat Fusion Jazz Band’s first album “Gotta Say Goodbye” a smooth jazz, fusion, R&B arrangement. A soulful mix of musical genres.
John has been in the music industry for over thirty years, first producing for Mercury & Ovation records in the 70′s and in the 90′s opening a Jazz Club, The Jazz buffet of Chicago presenting top entertainment like Sheila E., Warren Hill , and Jimmy Smith just to name a few.
John also Wrote and Produced a musical Play titled, The Pack is Back, a fictional portrait of Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr. and Dean Martin which ran successfully for two years at Piper’s Alley Theater in Chicago. However, when all is said and done, John returned to what he loves most, playing the keyboard and producing music.
John is dedicated to making great music with the Combat fusion Jazz Band and helping our brave men and women serving our Great Nation.
Take a Listen to the Interview, enjoy the music and then go buy the CD for your collection from Amazon.com or CDBaby.com
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Tags: arranger, Band, composer, giving back, independent, independent record label, Jazz, motivation, music, musician, Old School, producer, smooth, vintage, writer
William “Smoke” Howard
Jan 29, 2012 Beyond The Music, Stars with a Pen, The Business of Music, Today's Stars
Do you remember the Ebonys? If you do, then you remember the Lead Singer, Mr William “Smoke” Howard.
There are some guest who make the process of interviewing effortless. Smoke Howard is one of those. It was extreme pleasure chatting with him this past Saturday, January 28, 2012 (which just happens to coincide with WDGP’s second anniversary, and we couldn’t think of a better way to commemorate it) The name of the show is Conversations and that is exactly what we did. Smoke is a man of strong conviction and that comes across in conversation. Take a listen to the interview and get a glimpse of this talented gentleman and enjoy the music, then go add it yo your collection.
“Smoke” has his second Solo Project completed entitled Give Me Your Heart. Smoke continues to reside in the Philadelphia area and works to keep the Philly sound alive. Join us as we chat with Mr Howard and explore the project.
You can follow Smoke on ReverbNation as well as Facebook
Music is available on CDBaby
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Tags: arranger, composer, encouragement, funk, giving back, Gospel, happy, Harmony, independent, independent record label, motivation, music, Old School, RnB, singer, singing, smooth, songwriter, Soulful, Talent, Uplifting, Vocalist
African Jamaican Culture
Jan 22, 2012 Bands, Home Page, Spiritual Life
On Saturday January 21, we had the pleasure of speaking with Duruh-John, half of the founding team of African Jamaican Culture Band. John explained how the band started as a percussion band in 1998. The Band has since evolved into a full band. John admits that he never saw himself as a singer, but also admits that he loves it. He also shared that he writes all the songs for the Band. 
The band tours around Germany and has quite a following there. John says the Band would love to come and perform in the United States. We are very pleased that He chose Conversations and WDGP to make his first venture into United States territory. We wish African Jamaican Culture Band nothing but success in their all their endeavors You can purchase their music and follow African Jamaican Culture on their website and on Facebook.
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Tags: arranger, Band, independent, Jah, motivation, music, musician, percussion, performer, Reggae, roots, Soulful, writer
Meet LaVeda
Jan 15, 2012 Stars with a Pen, Today's Stars
On Saturday January 14, 2012, Conversations Hostess Diana Broomfield was blessed by a visit from the eclectic, talented, songstress, poet, producer, La Veda
La Veda is a soft spoken dynamo. She was introduced to various forms of music from her Father. At the age of seven she started her musical journey from her birth place of Miami Florida. She has been featured in TRACE magazine’s 1998’s Women in Music issue along with LAURYN HILL, MISSY ELLIOT, ERYKAH BADU, and JANET JACKSON, claiming the number nine (#9) spot. Not being confined to only singing, La Veda uses spoken word to help develop her songwriting skills and craft. In 1999, she took part in the DOUBLE TALK 3, HIP-HOP & RAP/POETRY festival in Amsterdam, featuring BAHAMADIA.
Listen to the interview and the music then find LaVeda on ReverbNation, Last FM, Bandcamp and Facebook.
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Tags: arranger, composer, funk, happy, Harmony, independent, independent record label, Jazz, music, Old School, performer, poet, preformer, producer, RnB, smooth, songwriter, Soulful, Talent, Vocalist
Winfield Davis and Friends
Dec 18, 2011 Bands, Beyond The Music, Stars with a Pen, The Business of Music, Today's Stars
The December 17, 2011 edition of Conversations was simply…awesome.
Winfield Davis is awesome all on his own, but for this show, Diana had five awesome guests. Winfield shared the time with two of his band mates Mikey and Reuben who were both charming. Both Mikey and Reuben share some personal feelings about music and their journey to get to where they are.Winfield shared how the Band is coming together and getting ready to start touring. They have been playing regularly at A Touch of Class, a Nightclub in the Tampa area.
Komposer MD joined us on the show as well to catch us up on what’s been happening in world over the past year, like composing a couple of movie scores and completing a couple of projects composing music for a backdrop to poetry. We are so pleased that she is doing big things.
We also met Gus Sequoia, a musician in his own right and owner of the Maryland Studio in Florida, where The Winfield Davis Band rehearses regularly. We also heard a couple of tracks from Gus’ album World of Fire.
all in All it was a very entertaining and educational show thanks to all the guest who all brought their talents, history and knowledge. Listen to the show and be inspired not only to live your dreams now and in the future but to look back at your family history and see where you’ve been. Thank you all for helping create this show filled with great music and Conversations.
Find Komposer MD on Reverbnation, Facebook and MySpace. You can find her music for purchase here.
Gus Sequoia can be found on MySpace and Facebook .
Find Winfield and the Band at his website, Myspace, and Facebook.
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Tags: arranger, Band, Bermuda, composer, encouragement, funk, giving back, independent, independent record label, Jazz, music, musician, Old School, performer, producer, songwriter, Soulful, Talent, Uplifting
God is Speaking to Us
Dec 11, 2011 Beyond The Music, Spiritual Life, Stars with a Pen, Today's Stars
This is not just a title of one of Twon songs. it is indeed the message of most of the songs Twon writes and performs. On Saturday December 10, 2011, Twon sat down with Hostess Diana Broomfield and talked about his past, his family, his music and why he does what he does.
You see, Twon has a lot to say. He loves People and he wants you to know about the Goodness of God. Twon writes songs that give messages of Hope, Strength and Love. Add to that soulful beats and wonderful harmonies and you have the songs of Twon.
It’s hard not to love people when you grow up with 12 brothers and sisters. Twon and his family are known as the Gantt Singers. They grew up in the Detroit area and even auditioned at Motown, who wanted to sign them but Dad said no. None the less, Twon did get to perform with David Ruffin and has opened for Ms Vickie Winans.
Twon has been writing and recording music for years, and as such as a vast library of music ready to go. Take a listen to the interview and enjoy the music shared there. Then go to Twon’s website to sample more and most importantly, buy his CD’s
You can also find Twon on Facebook, befriend him there and look for his videos on YouTube as well.
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Tags: arranger, composer, Gospel, happy, Harmony, independent, independent record label, music, Old School, performer, singer, singing, smooth, songwriter, Soulful, Talent, Uplifting, Vocalist
