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
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
Just Glow Listening Party
Nov 27, 2011 Stars with a Pen, Today's Stars
On November 26, 2011, Ms Gloria Ry’ann returned to Conversations after the digital release of her new EP Just Glow for a listening party with the WDGP listeners.
As always she was a gracious guest despite a few technical difficulties (we still don’t know how that Alien got in the studio) we were able to present the EP in it’s entirety and were even able to share a few other tidbits not included in the EP. Just Glow is a got to have it addition to your your music collection and you can download your copy straight from her website, Of course Gloria says if you see her anywhere she’ll be happy to sell you a hard copy on the spot. Either way, get it for your collection. Follow Gloria on Twitter and Facebook, she loves to interact with her Fans.
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Tags: funk, happy, Harmony, independent, independent record label, music, Old School, performer, RnB, singer, smooth, songwriter, Soulful, Talent, Uplifting, vocal range, Vocalist
Jayar of JACODA Records
Nov 6, 2011 Beyond The Music, Stars with a Pen, The Business of Music, Today's Stars
On Saturday November 5, Conversations hostess Diana Broomfield got to spend the evening with a truly handsome and talented gentleman who is about to celebrate 30 years in the music business. It was such a pleasure maneuvering down memory lane through his career.
Jayar is a Multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, arranger, and producer, as well as a gifted singer. With an amazing four and a half octave range, his natural vocal talents are shared ranging from classic soul to hard-hitting blues. This extremely versatile artist has given many outstanding performances throughout the country and overseas. As a multi-instrumentalist, drums, bass, rhythm guitars, all keyboards and synthesizers are just a few of the more than 10 musical instruments JAYAR has mastered. JAYAR’s knowledge of musical arranging and orchestrating has enabled him to become a successful producer as well.
During their time together, Jayar told about the very first time he performed professionally and about his found memory of his father reaction to that event. He shared his first demo and thanked those who believed in him and encouraged him to be all he can be. They discussed how hard, determination and God’s will all combine into success. We also learned that Jayar is a perfectionist and the most critical of himself. He credited several mentors with teaching him how to excel in his craft and his business. Jayar is just an all around great guy. Take a listen and we’re sure you’ll agree. Connect with Jayar on Facebook.
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Tags: arranger, Band, composer, funk, Harmony, independent, independent record label, music, musician, Old School, performer, producer, RnB, singer, smooth, Soulful, Talent, Vocalist
United Funk Order
Oct 23, 2011 Beyond The Music, Legends, Stars with a Pen, Today's Stars
Once upon a day, the powers that be decided to remove the musical creation we had come to know as FUNK from the record store bins and formats of radio stations worldwide. The primary intent was to completely obliterate the concept of FUNK from our collective consciousness in order to facilitate the control of our thought process and reprogram our minds to their liking. They attempted to exterminate all interference from the forces of those “rebellious Funkateers”. They almost succeeded in crushing the resistance… but… it’s a new day and United Funk Order has arrived to remove all restrictions currently imposed on your memory banks so that you may once again enjoy the groovalicious music your subconscious has been secretly craving for… rockin’ it hard and funkin it slow for ya………
Currently the world of music seems plagued by large doses of mediocrity and an overall deficiency of truly compelling music…. it seems artists and record companies are often driven by financial considerations as opposed to heartfelt inspiration. Spearheaded by Thulani and Indigo, United Funk Order is on a mission to restore balance to the musical equation. Their existence is proof positive that quality, integrity and musicianship need not be sacrificed for the sake of a dollar.
Welcome to the United Funk Order experience….
Just beamed out of the studio, and onto the music scene. Intergalactic-Funk-Rock Band “United Funk Order” headed by the Multi-talented Thulani, Master Guitarist Indigo and Master Keyboardist Gregg “Daffy” Fitz, is pleased to present their new music CD set for fourth quarter release. Phenix Productions, Inc. presents Intergalactic-Funk Rock Band “United Funk Order”. The band’s vibe is rooted in classic funk and contains elements that appeal to diverse audiences.
It was exciting to hear the passion and concern in the conversation between Thulani, Indigo and Hostess Diana as the discuss the Funk, the history, gave credit and shared the music. If you are nostalgic for the sounds of Cameo, Mother’s Finest, Chaka Khan & Rufus and the King George Clinton and Parliament/Funkadelic (which includes Prince Bootsy) Then take a listen to United Funk Order.The band’s vibe is rooted in classic funk and contains elements that appeal to diverse audiences.
Keep up with the Band, check out videos of the band and check out the animated characters for the upcoming series by plugging into their website.
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Tags: arranger, bassman, composer, encouragement, funk, giving back, independent, independent record label, musician, Old School, performer, RnB, singer, singing, Soulful, Talent, vintage, writer
CitaGrandson (The Lost Episode)
Sep 28, 2011 Stars with a Pen, Today's Stars
This is an episode that aired on June 19, 2010 somehow it was lost during the transition to the new server in May of this year. So, just in case you missed it, it is reposted here.
Meet John Francis
Better known as John-John. John-John is a young man with an old soul. He is what used to be known as a “Crooner” He hails from Trinidad & Tobago and has a voice that is soulful beyond his years. He records on the Highway Records Label with Chromatics, Crown Prince of Hip Hop and can be heard delivering ear pleasing hooks on many of Chromatics’ and other Hip-Hop Artists on the label.
John-John also has his first solo CD available titled CitaGrandson. He chopped it up with Hostess Diana Broomfield on Conversations and among other things explained the name of his CD. Take a Listen to the interview and the music and follow John-John on Facebook.
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Tags: funk, Harmony, hip-hop, independent, independent record label, music, Old School, performer, RnB, singer, singing, smooth, Soulful, Talent, Vocalist
D,Rel
Aug 21, 2011 Beyond The Music, Stars with a Pen, Today's Stars
On August 20,2011
Our Musical guest for the evening was D,Rel a down to earth grounded young man, who is also a “Cool Cat”. The type of Brother who puts God first followed a close second by his family. A MAN full of Talent, Positivity and Humbleness. Right from the start the Hostess and He clicked. Take a listen to the interview and decide for yourself, we have, and in our opinion, he’s the REAL Deal.
D,rel, vocalist and songwriter has got it all… the Body, Style, Attitude and Intelligence. His music is real and alive – it has substance and flavor. His voice is captivating. His moves are sensuous and natural. Not only does he write and sing, but he’s a true artist who gives a “Gotta See” performance.
D,rel has traveled through many ups and downs in his personal life and professional career, but because he’s passionate about music and has believed in himself – the remarkable gifts and talents God has favored him with – D,rel has penned that negative energy and the inconsistencies into romantic songs of love and heartache. You can hear it in his voice and live it through his moves. D,rel sings about life with class and a unique style.
D,rel began his career at the age of 2, dancing and singing on table tops entertaining family and friends. But as he got older, D,rel decided that he had a talent that must be seen by the world. He began taking singing and performing seriously. D,rel joined the Ammons Brothers of Chicago in hopes of launching his career. Through this relationship he performed on stage with various artists. He’s also opened for Destiny’s Child during their early years and was privileged to meet the incredible Whitney Houston.
At the present, D,rel is working with several artists such as Destiny Garrett, a new gospel sensation and 12-year old R&B vocalist, Amen and gospel rap group P.R.O.S.P.E.R.. He’s writing hooks, verses and making music and vocal arrangements for a variety of projects. You can hear his work in several songs on R.G.H. Production’s gospel compilation that was released in 2007. And on Total Corruption’s World Chaos CD (released in 2004) he wrote a verse and did a hook for the single “Thank You”. Now D,rel’s working on his own R&B CD, “Relationships” that will be coming your way in 2009.
A remarkable performer with a high energy level, flexibility, persistence and endurance, D,rel is here and ready for the world.
Keep up with D,Rel by visiting his website.
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Tags: arranger, composer, copyright, education, encouragement, funk, giving back, Gospel, hip-hop, producer, RnB, singer, smooth, songwriter, Soulful, Talent, Vocalist
Anthony Marcus
Jun 26, 2011 Beyond The Music, Spiritual Life, Today's Stars
On Saturday June 25th, we had the pleasure of speaking with Mr Anthony Marcus.
Anthony Marcus was influenced by music at an early age. Music came naturally to Anthony, upon auditioning for the elementary school band, the instructor told him that he had a “natural ear” and could play any instrument he wanted to. It was the age of 9 when Anthony decided he wanted to play guitar. Many influences are responsible for the molding and shaping of Anthony Marcus as an artist.
As well as music within the secular world, Anthony was also influenced by gospel music as well. “I feel that my talent in music is a God given talent.” This brings us to where we are today with this up and coming artist. “Flow” (March 2010) will finally place Anthony in his element as far as music genres go.
Anthony spoke very candidly, sharing great advise about the music business and giving instruction on what steps to take to protect your intellectual property. He talked about his relationship with God and also share that he once had a problem that God delivered him from. Take a listen to the interview and hear some of music. Then visit one of his websites and become a fan. While your there purchase the music and look for more from Anthony Marcus.
Visit Anthony on Facebook, Reverbnation, and MySpace. Follow him on Twitter, Soundclick , Soundcloud and keep up at Finylcut.
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Tags: arranger, composer, funk, Gospel, independent, independent record label, Jazz, music, musician, producer, smooth, Soulful, Uplifting
Yung Bam
May 29, 2011 Stars with a Pen, Today's Stars, Undiscovered Talent
On May 21, 2011 we caught up with Bam a talented young man we had the pleasure to meet about a year ago. He is continuing on his path to greatness. He is currently enrolled in a school of the arts in the Atlanta area. He says he wants learn it all so when goes into the studio he won’t even need an engineer. That what we’re talking about. You go Bam!
Check out the recent interview and when you can check out the previous interview he did with his cousin Zack another talented young man who can be heard on Bam’s music as well.
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Tags: arranger, funk, hip-hop, independent, independent record label, music, rapper, writer
