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
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
Al Ghee
Oct 30, 2011 Stars with a Pen, Today's Stars
Al Ghee is a great guy who deserves all the accolades that are sure to come his way.
Al hails from Richmond Virginia and says he’s been singing all his life. His voice puts this writer in the mind of a Eddie Kendricks. Our unofficial co-host, Kroshet says Al reminds him of the Isley Brothers. No matter who Al Ghee reminds us of, we know and we can hear that he has a tone and a style all his own. Al credits several folks with assisting him with this project. He has dedicated one of the songs to it’s co-writer who has since passed on. Al is a sweet and humble guy with a great big talent. He says the last four tracks of his soon to be released CD are “the bomb”. We say if that is the case look out world because we thought what we have already been so fortunate to hear is already “the bomb”. We can’t wait to hear the rest and wish Al Ghee all the successes he deserves. Have a listen to the interview and the music of Mr Al Ghee.
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Tags: independent, independent record label, music, Old School, preformer, producer, RnB, singer, singing, smooth, Soulful, Talent
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
Gloria Ry’ann the Songbird
Oct 9, 2011 Stars with a Pen, Today's Stars
On October 8, 2011, Conversations was pleased to a sit down with Ms Gloria Ry’ann. Gloria is a phenomenal singer, writer, arranger and sweet person.
She has taken the talent God gave her and honed it to the marvelous instrument you heard on her remake of Inside My Love, which is one of several gems to be heard on her EP Just Glow. Which is due to be released on November 11, 2011 in digital format, which means it will be available from you favorite music download site.
We caught up with Gloria right before her show in Springfield Mass. She told us that they were about to rock out in Springfield, we are positive that she did. Gloria shared that she has been singing all her life, according to her Mom, she was a singing baby. All we know is that she has a very very broad range. We have heard other vocalist try Minnie Rippleton’s Inside My Love, but she is the first one we have heard who might even surpass Minnie’s range. Take a listen to the interview and decide for yourself. You will be surprised at what she practiced to prepare for this feat. Once you have enjoyed the interview, head on over to her website to keep up with what’s going on in the world of Ms Ry’ann.
There is more good news. Gloria has agreed to return to WDGP next month for a formal Listening Party. We will keep you posted on the finalized date.
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Tags: arranger, composer, Harmony, independent, independent record label, motivation, music, Old School, performer, RnB, singer, singing, smooth, songwriter, Soulful, Talent, Uplifting, Vocalist
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
An Evening with Kroshet
Sep 18, 2011 Beyond The Music, Stars with a Pen, Today's Stars
On September 17, Conversations was graced by the presence of Realness in the form of Mr Kroshet Chaney.
Kroshet was our guest not just for an hour but for the entire show. Kroshet and Diana discussed everything from music to beliefs to hardships to perseverance to social networking to family and back to music with lots of fun and laughter mixed in. Kroshet shared that he has recently signed with a Label in the UK and will produce 7 more CD projects for them. We can’t wait to hear them. We knew Kroshet was a winner from the onset, but now the world does too. Kroshet won the 2011 World Competitions for R&B and Smooth Jazz. These competitions are held each year in different parts of the world with just over 42 countries taking part. This is to bring the best in the world in the area of Arts to the forefront. Kroshet won Gold for best Vocal Ability, Best Song Writer and Best Performance. This year’s competition was held at the Hilton Hotel in Burbank California. Kroshet will soon hit the road as he’s been invited to perform in many Countries. WDGP congratulates Kroshet on this magnificent complement to his awesome talent. It was a wonderful evening and if you missed it, you missed a treat. We have, however, provided an abbreviated version for your listening pleasure. Keep up with Kroshet via his Facebook Page and support him as you do all our Artists by purchasing your favorites for your personal collections.
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Tags: arranger, composer, Gospel, happy, Harmony, independent record label, Jazz, motivation, music, Old School, preformer, producer, RnB, singer, smooth, Soulful, Talent, Uplifting
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
