Michael Jackson Brothers Object To Timing of Tribute Concert

An enthusiastic announcement made by LaToya Jackson yesterday about a Michael Jackson tribute concert to take places in Cardiff,Wales on October 8 of this year is not supported by his entire family as two of his brothers object to the timing. The proposed concert has apparently caused dissension in the family. The event has been swiftly rejected by brothers Randy and Jermaine, it appearing the concert would be in conflict with Dr. Conrad Murray’s trial currently scheduled during the same time as the concert. The brothers have expresed that the best tribute is to see that Michael receives justice. Mother, Katherine Jackson says its a fitting tribute for her son and plans to be in attendance with the rest of his siblings.

A DistinctivelyTalented Voice Silenced by Untimely Death- Amy Winehouse Joins Ranks of '27 Club'

The talented singer who had been battling an addiction to drugs and recent challenges in rehab-one of her biggest hits entitled the same-was found dead in her London home earlier today. The cause of her death has not yet been determined. Winehouse made her mark on the music scene at the 2008 Grammy Awards when she won five of the prestigious honors. While some are speculating that she died of a drug related overdose,her fans are hoping that she will not be remembered as a drug plagued artist in light of her very notable singing talent which inspired many singers old and new school alike. Her contralto vocal talents were respected among noted soul and R&B musicians. She has sold five million records worlwide. Amy was 27 years old at the time of her death and shares this in common with other pop culture greats who lived rather short lives in the spotlight although their talents were legendary. Dubbed by music fans as the 27 Club,it includes Jimi Hendrix,Janice Joplin, Curt Cobain and Jim Morrison of the Doors. Winehouse’s wealth has been estimated at 20 million. She just last month had to cancel her European tour for a performance at the Serbia concert venue. She was unable to carry a tune as she made an attempt to sing her hit song “Back to Black”. The audience booed her off the stage. May grace and peace surround the Winehouse family as they deal with the tragedy of Amy’s untimely death. Our prayers go out to her entire family as well as friends mourning her untimely death. Another great talent gone too soon.

It seems a tremendous waste of an incredible talent enjoyed by millions.

Once again, another promising and rising talent gone much too soon.

Read more about it here.

Martha Reeves and Other Detroit Greats Rock Out at Don Was All Star Revue

Saturday evening marked the third night of the city of Detroit's 19th Annual Diversity Festival, the multicultural and multi-genre Concert of Colors. Don Was' Detroit All-Star Revue concert venue was abuzz with performances from a variety of Detroit legends including Martha Reeves,Mitch Ryder, Melvin Davis and United Sound,Ivan Kral,Carolyn Striho, Black Irish,Jim McCarty and  jazz musician Wendell Harrison.

Most of them have been around for many years rocking the house down and waving various genres of the rock and roll flag. They all showed the packed house what they had, some even shook what their momma gave them while  exhibiting what has made many of them household names locally as well as recipients of international acclaim. Don Was with a Detroit cool and subtle panache wizzed his way around stage flipping hats between Masters of Ceremonies,guitar and bass acompaniment throughout most of the performances. Was is a producer and has been in the studio with  multiple Grammy Award winning singer-songwriter, Rolling Stone guitar god John Mayer, working on his upcoming release "Born and Raised" which is scheduled for an October release. While Was' presence on stage was subtle, there was no mistaking his maestro regard and respect among the artists who were a part of  his revue.

The stage was lit up for almost two hours with jazz,blues,rock,soul,funk and rock and roll with what sounded like a little folksy polka during the Striho set. Motown legend Martha Reeves with back up singers and dance routines in tow, rocked the house with an energetic performance of Dancing in the Streets. Her performance started out with great energy which had the audience dancing in the aisles and up front near the stage throughout her set. She was backed by two family members who were as energetic and full of enthusiasm as she.  A celebration of  her 70th birthday that night involved everyone in the house and a multi-layered cake was rolled out on stage along with directives to the audience to sing Happy Birthday. She thanked Don Was for inviting her, gave him a warm hug and appeared genuinely happy to be a part of the show.

Other show highlights included the performance by the legendary Mitch Ryder leader of the Detroit Wheels back up band. Mitch was joined by Detroit Wheel Jimmy McCarty who had earlier in the concert performed a stellar blues guitar on "Got to Help Me"  which received a standing ovation from the audience. Ivan Kral performed a song which he said he had to have someone special to write the lyrics.  He revealed that someone as Patti Smith in homage to the famous singer songwriter as he segued into a performance of the song.

Melvin Davis backed up by his band United Sound gave an electrifyingly soulful performnce and Black Irish a rock band nearly blew the roof off the Max Fisher Center with some rousing rock guitar. When the concert drew to a close, one of the show's organizers who came from the backstage area to celebrate Martha Reeves' birthday made a point of  making closing remarks to the audience which reminded me somewhat of the benediction of preacher gives the congregation at the close of a Sunday morning worship service.  He expressed thoughts of togetherness and harmony as he sealed the close of the concert with " remember we are all in this together."  It was a "Concert of Colors" to remember.

Serena Williams' Court 2 Assignment: Engineering Derision and Racial Superiority with a Full Court Press?

                                           Photo Source

When I read the news yesterday about how Serena had been relegated to Court Two (2) I was baffled. The inferences being drawn and the questions it has stirred concerning racism and sexism at Wimbledon has sparked a lively interest in the goings on in that rather prestigious competition. I thought I was reading perhaps a very dated article from a very old publication   There must have been some  time warp that had taken place in the media and real time. I obviously had not gotten the full scoop or had  read the print clearly. After all this is the 21st century and we are definitely not in the 50's or 60's when racism frequently reared its ugly head. Selena and Venus were not even born then. And, of course Europe was usually a safe haven, a destination of escape from the limitations of  race politics, particularly for black entertainers and athletes of renown.

Sometimes blatant and frequently subtle, psychological assaults laced with innuendoes of inferiority were standard fare for black people in America. Whether they lived South under the constant restrictions of Jim Crow laws which created separate areas for blacks whether  at "colored only"drinking fountains, restaurants and bus passenger sections or  up North, where blacks were contained  by urban blight and underemployment. Northerners were just a smidgen more sophisticated, sort of like the Brits were at Wimbledon about how they ,whether on purpose or by accident, meted out the subtle doses of  superiority. Call it a 'supremacy cocktail' served with a twist.
 
The message--resolve to dominate at all costs regardless of expense, hurt or slight  to others. No. It could not possibly be racism. There's no such thing.
 
In today's world what was done to Serena would be almost laughable, if it weren't so demeaning... deriding one of the most accomplished women in tennis history with  that kind of slight.  In modern parlance Serena was"dissed" by  Wimbledon officials--those who are responsible for doing the "behind the scenes logistics".  A white counterpart with no winnings or championship status on a par with she and her sister Venus was assigned to play in center court before the Queen of England. That's right... center court while  an icon of the game was discreetly set to the side effectively cut off from the opportunity and obscured from the honor. She was placed in an off center area restricted from center court view and yes, maybe even 'Royal' juice.

The timing for this slight could not have been better. Serena unlikely as she currently is to make a big stink about it, certainly out of respect for the Queen. And, after a bout with a physical illness, she recently gave a testimony, eyes filled with tears, about how overjoyed  she was to be healthy enough to return to the game.  Then there was the media play up of disgruntled remarks she made last year in response to a referee's call resulting in very bad press...
 
With all due respect for the Queen who undoubtedly had nothing to do with the placement, and those at Wimbledon, who seemed sympathetic, the situation still bears correcting. While Serena may not demand it, those who love the game and all that she has contributed should be concerned. Yes. She is rich and has won numerous Tennis championships,including four (4) Wimbledons singles titles. So, what's the big deal? Well, speaking up is a start in preventing wrong signals from being perpetuated in the future either inadvertently or intentionally by future 'court assignment engineers' and will contribute to the healing process. She must have had her feelings hurt if nothing else by this incident.  A show of support by making caring comments of concern should boost her morale. If  the Court 2 assignment was indeed made based on the fact that she was black then that only compounded the injury.

"Wise Warriors"

Wise warriors are mightier than strong ones, and those who have knowledge than those who have strength; for by wise guidance you can wage war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory." Proverbs 24:5-6


It is an established truth that the pen is mightier than the sword. Ask the authors of the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution-if you could go back in time- and the average U.S. citizen who writes letters,makes regular comments or undertakes an email campaign to make their opinions known and counted by our government of the people,by the people and for the people. It is also true that the faithful who walk and not faint as they face the trials of life will have their strength renewed if they wait on god. The word says that no weapon formed against you will prosper. To borrow a line from Fred Hammond's gospel song "It won't work." Of course, those who have seen how real weapons work in real war may consider these statements and beliefs out of touch with the reality of actual war.

With these precepts in mind as you journey through life and each day facing enemies seen and unseen in the battles of good versus evil,right against wrong and doubt versus belief, "take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints...." Ephesians 6:10-18
I found these scriptures very instructive and a source of strength.

I hope they will be the same for you. We all face daily challenges with unseen enemies and wage the war of keeping faith in the face of reality every day. Some enemies are very real. Some are in the spirit. Some are in the mind. Some are imaginary. Pray that god will equip you with the courage and strength to stand when you need to and to say what you need to say. And if need be, to write what you should write even when you are not sure who the letter or correspondence should be addressed to.



Above art print "Moon Lady:Warrior Queen" copyright 2011. Cynthia Wilson, the Chaplain of Pop. All rights reserved.