A DAY IN "THE LIFE OF RILEY"

I figured I better download you on my 2010 so far as it has been on and popping. THANKS MARCIA for my TIMELY 2010 AFFIRMATIONS (as author'd - I understand - by Florence Scovel-Schin's "The Game of Life"): "GOD IS MY UNFAILING SUPPLY. I RECEIVE LARGE SUMS OF MONEY QUICKLY AND IN PERFECT WAYS!"..."I HAVE A WONDERFUL SERVICE IN A WONDERFUL WAY. I GIVE A WONDERFUL SERVICE FOR A WONDERFUL PAY"..."THY WILL BE DONE. THIS IS A DAY OF COMPLETION. MIRACLE SHALL FOLLOW MIRACLE AND WONDERS WILL NEVER CEASE!" It's ON!

Came into the New Year without Ant as he was still in Denver while I was back home from Savannah in Jersey. But my ride-or-die Ern was free. We hung out at the home of Queenie - a friend of he and Kimberly. Also, Ern and I got another set in at his real estate compadre Cindy's lovely place. Food, fun, and fellowship! What better way to come into 2010!

The next day, Ern, Kim, and I trekked up to The Poconos. We spent quality New-Year's-Day time with our girlfriend Cristal and her mom Sheila. They were hosting a special outing of dinner and cards. Awesome time! I got some sad news that one of our classic, soul food restaurants The Pink Tea Cup (in the Village) was closing... and it is now gone. My cousin-by-marriage Vincent was the longstanding manager there. I will miss The Pink Tea Cup.

At the top of January, I got two, month-long assignments from BET to field produce/write/edit BET's Black History Month campaign and to produce tribute videos for The American Foundation for the University of the West Indies. Working under the Creative Direction of Michaela angela Davis and my Savannah homeboy Maurice Marable (Director), it was a great opportunity. I interviewed a number of celebs at BET Honors which taped in D.C. I chatted up Tischina Arnold, Trey Songz, Ryan Leslie, Jasmyne Sullivan, Gabrielle Union, and a host of others. Ran into my Morehouse brother Khari Simmons, long-standing bass player for India.Arie and son of BET Honors recipient Dr. Ruth Simmons (Brown University President). Ran into dear friends Terri and Alvin Bowles. Always good to see them! Here I pose with one of our First Lady Michelle Obama's hairstylists Johnny Wright.

Also in D.C., we shot with the Howard University band and many of its students and some Duke Ellington School of the Arts students. My Savannah homeboy James Davis (with whom I also went to high school) came by to say HI... and provide me more laughter than a little bit with our reflections of the way life used to be (Oh, life was so simple and funny then! LOL!). I LOVE JAY! He's a Howard grad and teacher in D.C. After the shoot, we tried to eat at The World Famous Florida Ave Grill (but it was closed). Instead, my Brian and Kelli came and took me to dinner before my train back to NJ. We ate at Union Station.

While in New York City, we shot some awesome folks - including Tony-award-winning George Faison, Vy Higginsen (of "Mama I Want to Sing" fame), and Spoonbread's Norma Jean Darden.Also, we captured the talents of "Precious" Gabby's mother Alice who sings gospel-tinged soul in the subways of NYC. Too, I've done some spot assignments from main clients and new clients (including a recent shoot in D.C.). And in the wake of the BET project, I'm going to Miami to interview folks on the red carpet at its telethon for Haiti this weekend.

And I am still pushing the spot on-camera work. Most recently, my pop culture analysis was included in a piece that ran on MSNBC at the top of the year (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pYKZBjEx40). Also, I am featured in an Ebony Fashion Fair profile on CUNY-TVs "Independent Sources" in February. And recently got to host a "The Frog & The Princess" preview with Anika Noni-Rose in Tampa for NABJ (http://216.117.188.141/PRiley/NABJDisneyMagic.wmv). Also, I was asked to weigh in on the use of the term "Negro" in the census (www.thegrio.com). My full reply: Wilona from "Good Times" would check "negro" (circa 1978). LOL! Well, if the census form authors are going to go so far as to include an the archaic term "negro", why not put "colored" on there... just in case someone hadn't graduated from that word usage. I'm just saying... LOL! (I didn't know. Not sure I care. But thinking more thoughtfully about it, it seems that perhaps the census folks want to be as comprehensive and inclusive as possible, hence my joke above about the "coloreds"). The piece that ran: http://www.thegrio.com/2010/01/the-word-negro-in-2010-census-form-offends-some-blacks.php.

* And singing has always been a sidelight (http://216.117.188.141/rileyshowforkodjoe.wmv).
You'll recall, I recently got thrown into a stretch to sing Diana Ross' "The Boss" for its composers Ashford & Simpson at Gospel Uptown. Didn't quite land in the wake of the spontaneity but I still consider it an AWESOME highlight: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbI1qEM_k8k. Ashford & Simpson's enthusiasm (along with crowd) kept me going. SMILE! Stay tuned for more intimate evenings of song... from me. I'm booking some dates for the Spring now.

OUT AND ABOUT * Ant and I always enjoy our karaoke. On this night, we hung out with our friend Cathy on her birthday. She and her crew of 'real housewives of NJ' brought the FUN!

* Far left is Goodman from the legendary Ray, Goodman, and Brown. Next to him is legendary Vaughan Harper of 'Quiet Storm' fame. This too was at Harlem's Gospel Uptown on the day I interviewed several folks for the BET Black History Month campaign!

* Ant and I have spent some fun nights with his 'Wendy' co-workers - from Candice to Merrell to D'Angelo. Candice's birthday just passed and we toasted her accordingly. Merrell had us over to watch "RuPaul's Drag Race".

* Ant and I recently got to see my Spelman sister Bridget Bland ("Harlem Heights") at her cousin and castmate Brianna's purse party at the Maritime Hotel in NYC. This is the line's one year anniversary: http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2009/2/2/we-will-find-a-way.html. Also in attendance: Ant's buddy Mike (Aaron Blaze) and Derrick Briggs along with another of Ant's 'Wendy' co-workers Talia. And a host of other beautiful people were in the house. Also there: my dear friend Kevin-Anthony who booked me to sing for Ashford & Simpson (We're supposed to do another for Haiti soon). After Brianna's purse party, we went to BBQ and I ran into my little Spelman sister (now Columbia U masters candidate) Janelle. So good to see her: http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2009/8/12/this-dream-is-for-all-of-us-this-one-can-be-real.html.

* My friend and Morehouse brother Michael K. Watts surprised me with two of my fav Morehouse brothers Mario and Devon at Tyler Perry's "Madea's Big Happy Family". We had a blast! As I've written, Devon is an actor/singer in his own right. He and I (and Michael) did our own take of 'Gospel play' stage work in "Martin" - a show that used to run annually out of Morehouse's King Chapel. In the piece, I was Martin Luther King Jones and got to sing a wonderful song at the end of the play with music: "Walking In Strange And New Places". In recent years, Devon and I uncovered that we are kindred in the ways of music, divas, and the 70s. Miss Ross and DREAMGIRLS reign SUPREME as our collective muses go. Also, it was fun to see my Spelman sister Bridget Bland and one of Carl Nelson's Associates from his event planning firm Diante... and with Tyler Perry's success in TV and film, it's interesting to see the cross section of demographics in attendance at his staged plays - the first genre he tackled.

* Our theatre marketing diva Marcia Pendelton (Next up: FENCES w/Denzel) invited Ant and me out for an awesome dinner at Gospel Uptown in Harlem. First time eating at the restaurant in the wake of having performed and attended a show or two. Yum!

RANDOMS: I stumbled into some shows I hadn't seen in a minute. On-line, I found myself catching up on some shows I hadn't seen - including Oscar nominee Mo'Nique's show along with new web-i-sode "Buppies" by Tatyana Ali, who is also co-starring in a Martin Lawrence-produced sitcom on TV One's first orginal, scripted program: "Love That Girl".

Also, I stumbled into a marathon of "South Central" (remember that?) with Larenz Tate and Jennifer Lopez. Had never seen it in the '90s. I enjoyed it. Even saw some stars I got to know since - including Marva Hicks; Tasha Scott; and Shar Jackson (who would go on to do "Moesha").

REMAKES: So, an expanded re-release of Diana Ross' hit album "Touch Me In The Morning" is out along with a 25th anniversary edition of Whtiney Houston's debut album. Also, some new folks got together to re-record "We Are The World" (for Haiti). Moreover, there's a cool book I read over the holiday: "Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Story behind the Song - The Exclusive Personal Stories behind 101 of Your Favorite Songs".

COMING UP:

* My dear friend Robin Stone is steering the legacy of her late, great husband Gerald Boyd - also a friend. He passed away a couple of years ago after an amazing career in journalism (making it to the heights of being the highest-ranking African American man at The New York Times). Well, his remarkable American tale "MY TIMES in Black & Whote: Race and Power at The New York Times" is done. Other upcoming events:  http://www.booktour.com/author/robin_d_stone Become a Facebook fan: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?ref=profile&id=1435626294#/pages/GeraldMBoydMyTimes/146984572566?ref=ts and www.mytimesinblackandwhite.com

* My CAU sister Ytasha Womack has a new book "Post Black: How A New Generation is Redefining African American Identity" and Booklist has picked it as a To 10 Black History Reader for the Year! She's coming to town for a book party. Hope to see her.

SHOUT OUTS:

* My girl Danni Conner's new blog: www.graffititomboy.blogspot.com

* My girl Renea's new gig: www.mobilematters.org

* My girl Tomika who is publicizing DORIS products, which were developed as part of a small home-run business over 35 years ago, but went public last January. DORIS NEW YORK is a hair care company owned and operated by Doris and Marlene Duperley, who are women of color and a mother-and-daughter team based in Queens, New York. Doris, who's the mom, is a long-time hairstylist and salon owner as well as a first generation Jamaican American. Her products are her dream come true.

*WHO IS GARTH VOISIN? Well, my girl Audrey hipped me to who he is. He's an Atlanta-based personal trainer and fitness model. He was recently named the 2009 cover model winner for KRAVE Magazine in Dallas, Texas. The contest featured models from across the country who sought after votes to win the cover. He is a native of Trinidad and Tobago and has been a resident in Atlanta for the past two years. He says he has always had a passion for working out and exercising so he naturally fell into the role of fitness professional. Voisin hopes to continue on the path of modeling, training and teaching youth today that exercise and fitness can be fun. Voisin will be featured on the September edition of KRAVE Magazine. For more information on Garth Voisin, log on to his website at www.gavjourney.com or check out www.kravemagazine.net. You can also see him in Angie Stone's new video: "I Ain't Hearin' You" among others.

REST IN PEACE:

Robin Diane Lynn

I am an AUTHENTIC, LOVING, and VULNERABLE MAN! Robin helped me access those ways of being which made way for BEING THE DIFFERENCE - even in the eye of the storm. R.I.P. Robin Lynn! http://216.117.188.141/rileyshowforkodjoe.wmv

Eunice Johnson

Roxanna Floyd

I've always been told that makeup artist for the stars - including Miss Ross at LEGENDS - Roxanna Floyd was my cousin some kind of way. She was always such a love and light when we'd run into each other at industry functions. R.I.P.

John Cater

 He used to log my field tapes in Chicago and went on to become an Emmy-award-winning reporter. Then, suddenly, he died at just-over 30. SUCH A GREAT GUY! GONE TOO SOON! But what a DIFFERENCE he was while he was here. RIP JOHN!

L.A. proved too much for the man,
So he's leavin' the life he's come to know,
He said he's goin' back to find
Ooh, what's left of his world,
The world he left behind
Not so long ago.
He's leaving,
On that…. Well, it’s not exactly a midnight train to Georgia, which coincidentally is my home (SHOUT OUT TO: SAVANNAH)… but it’s NEW YORK CITY and the accompanying RIDGEFIELD PARK, NEW JERSEY where I once laid my head at night… and will again on the night of my birthday. The wrap for my contribution to “Monica: Still Standing” kept shifting back and forth; in and out; up and down; once October, then February, then November, then January, now – again – November (and on my birthday)… and though I had gotten over the hoop of being able to extend to January (as I put myself up here in L.A. – hotel, car rental, etc.) and know that the marketplace can be dry during the month of December, I still consider it an early BIRTHDAY GIFT… and I trust that once I land, RECUPERATION and GOD’S FAVOR are mine. Meanwhile, PLEASE be sure to keep watching as the lion's share of the work is done (just awaiting network notes and a few pick-ups)... and there are 8 or 9 episodes left to go depending on when you read this. And my touches are all up and through it.

And already, there are festive things in what my best girlfriend Nat describes as my element that will quickly bring me comfort and joy. My own REALITY will be in the SPOTLIGHT for the first time in a long time. FIRST: In addition to Ant setting up tix for us to see "Dreamgirls" at The Apollo on Friday and "FELA" on Broadway on Saturday, he has planned a karaoke set. Of course, right? LOL! He knows I love to sing and karaoke is a way I can do it often (since it’s been a minute since I’ve done my own ‘intimate evening of song’: http://216.117.188.141/rileyshowforkodjoe.wmv). We’ll hang with friends and frolic at a new SOHO spot: www.karaokeboho.com/.

Then, my friend Kevin-Anthony called me and invited me to sing Diana Ross’ "The Boss" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBKSjzqe5Bw) at his Saturday 11/29-installment of "Broadway Uptown: Celebrating the Music of Ashford & Simpson", who my Dad ran into recently at the Detroit Airport.  (http://www.theatermania.com/content/show.cfm/show/161434)
 I love all things DIANA, Nick & Val, and NYC!... So what a welcome home/bday treat! And I guess you know what I'll rehearse a time or two at the karaoke bday set on 11/21? LOL! I'm HONORED. HUMBLED. EXCITED. Will just have FUN with it as I must figure out how to relay the ESSENCE OF ROSS' BOSS (which is my automatic pilot) and REFINE IT TO RILEY (so it's a new experience and not just mimicry... you know?). I'll find it. Kinda' like what DIANA did (but less intense... perhaps) in her search for BILLIE in "LADY SINGS THE BLUES". You know? At that point, she was a SEASONED SINGER IN HER OWN RIGHT but had to split the difference between DIANA and BILLIE for the recordings and the filming - since so much of BILLIE was burnt into her soul from having researched so organically and intensely. You know?

Though I sing and do intimate evenings of song in NYC, I consider this a stretch - especially considering the treasured material (around which I'll quickly calm my nerves come rehearsal time) and that it MAY be in front of the composers themselves, though that won’t exactly be the first time:

FLASHBACK TO SEPTEMBER, 2003:

I hosted an event at Ashford & Simpson’s Sugar Bar for my girlfriend Caroline and she wanted me to lead the audience in Ashford-&-Simpson composition REACH OUT & TOUCH as Diana's recording of it - her first as a solo artist - played. Next thing I know, Valerie comes from the back... and joins me. I KEPT SINGING... but mostly I was in AWE! LOL! I REALLY LOVE THEIR WORK! MOSTLY ALL OF IT!

ELIZABETH RANKIN-FULCHER WROTE: Hello there:  The above-captioned event at the Sugar Bar last night went quite well and we're planning a repeat performance at Akwaaba Cafe in Brooklyn in the near future.   Representatives from BET attended and excerpts from the event will be shown on BET, September 11.  We were delighted and excited when Valerie Simpson and Nick Ashford joined us; our wonderful evening ended with Valerie singing "Reach Out and Touch Somebody's Hand" the song she wrote with Nick.  The fabulous Patrick Riley was our MC.
Thanks for your support.  Hugs,


I WROTE: I wish y'all could have been at the BACK TO SCHOOL WITH BLACK AUTHORS event I hosted last night at Ashford and Simpson's NYC spot SUGAR BAR. I really just came aboard as a favor to my friend CAROLINE BREWER, who asks me often to host/moderate events in which she participates. (She was one of the three spotlighted authors of color). Thinking of our hosts (Ashford and Simpson), I told Caroline that ""no wind, no rain nor winter's cold" [could stop me from being there to host the event for her] ("Ain't No Mountain High Enough" is an Ashford & Simpson composition). I also told the audience that Caroline's current title "Kara Finds Sunshine on a Rainy Day" oozes of irony as this event took place on one of New York City’s rainiest days in a while, but there we all were to bathe in the light of these literary treasures.
And still, the evening exceeded my expectations. What I expected? For Caroline and her fellow black writers to inspire us with their words, illustrations, photographs... and presentations. That they did.
I had even gotten a nice introduction to "Ashford & Simpson" (compliments of Caroline); I've met the famous songwriting/singing duo on many occasions as we attend a lot of the same events and shows in town. In fact, Valerie said "we see you all the time!!!" Nick agreed. But this was an introduction with meat as I was hosting an event on their stage at their restaurant. Then, after each scribe had there moment in the spotlight, I returned to the mic to welcome questions. Before I could do that, the first strains of a tune-so-familiar begins to play. Caroline interrupts the expected flow. "Patrick! We have one more song we want to share [earlier, an instrumental had scored her book's recitation]. And everyone can join in. Patrick will lead us...".

This marks the beginning of my out-of-body experience as the recorded singing voice of Diana Ross pipes in (now accompanied by me in my moment of quick ham adjustment): "Reach Out And Touch Somebody's Hand... make this world a better place, if you can...".
yes, Caroline chose Diana's first solo single as a finale for her special literary evening. and here, she's telling me to lead the way. instantaneously, i've channeled Diana (in my singing voice of baritone) and jump off of the Sugar Bar stage into the dining room - asking folks to sing-along. i'm also shaking hands as she does (and i have begun to do in my own little cabaret).
as i pour through the sea (or pond) of excited guests, Caroline alerts me that Miss Valerie Simpson is coming up (from the back) to join in our love-fest. she's handed a mic and begins to do her vocal interpretation of Reach Out with Diana's prerecorded vocals underneath (and my own right beside her, not to mention the many who are harmonizing with us).
valerie and i end the song (which fades out). we're holding hands, which are also outstretched and reaching for the stars. i take my free hand and put the mic to my mouth to announce "Ladies and Gentlemen! Valerie Simpson, who along with her husband Nickolas Ashford wrote 'Reach Out And Touch'!!!!!!!" The audience cheers - some gag as if they did not know to which I say: "Just thought I'd offer that tidbit for those of you who were living under a rock". The audience applauded again. Valerie laughed at my quip and then graciously shouted me out with "... and to our host, Patrick!!". more applause.
at the end of the program, we had Ashford and Simpson come back out, so i could thank them one more time for hosting the event at their spot. they both spoke and thanked the organizers for using The Sugar Bar for such a culturally significant event, which - by the way - was being chronicled by BET and is scheduled to air (in some form) on BET NIGHTLY NEWS on September 11th. (Check it out - if you remember...; it'll likely be a little over a one-minute feature piece... but maybe they'll include some of these highlights.).
before ashford and simpson left, they told me i did a wonderful job of hosting the evening and bringing everyone together. i attributed "Reach Out And Touch (Somebody's Hand)" to that. they argued i had brought everyone together before that special moment. they asked me to please come back and join them again very soon. their events manager asked for my information (on their behalf) - so maybe we'll get together for more collaborations in the near future.  i added "i thought i was just doing my friend Caroline a favor, but one of my many dreams came true tonight!". they smiled graciously, and each gave me a hug.
i've admired ashford and simpson for so many years - not just because of their work with diana ("ain't no mountain high enough"... "the boss"... "remember me".... "surrender".... "it's my house"... "i ain't been licked"... "no one gets the prize"... "what you gave me"... "some things you never get used to"... "i'm gonna make you love me" [ashford]), but because of their collabos with other stars (like Chaka, Whitney, Jennifer Holliday) and their own repertoire ("high rise"... "is it still good to 'ya?"... "solid"... "don't cost 'ya nothin'"... "found a cure"). i love their brand of r&b. it's smooth, silky... yet gospel-tinged --- like i like.
"i was so right...so right... thought i could turn emotion on and off. i was so sure... but LOVE taught me who was, who was, who was... THE BOSS." (LOVE was THE BOSS!!!!).
love & LIGHT,
plr

MEANWHILE IN THESE LAST & EVIL DAYS OF L.A. (SMILE!):

Derek and I went to my L.A. buddy Jae Joseph's Fashion Show - a Lupus Foundation Benefit - at O Hotel in Downtown L.A. The event celebrated all things www.poshglam.com (for which Jae is now the West Coast Publisher) - including Natalia Romano's fashions. It also featured a funky-futuristic performance by Logan. THINK: Grace Jones, Lady Gaga, and Prince! I’d actually met him a few days prior with my Adolpha. We saw Jae too. You’ll recall, she is my best friend Ern’s cousin. She invited me out (on her dime! YAYY!) for some great food (Kitchen 24 in Hollywood); great Paper Mag party with cool folks like Paris Hilton's almost-BFF Anch; Afterwards, we joined Adolpha's girl-and-guy friends at The Blue Monkey for dancing - including a twirl around the dance floor to my Diana's "Upside Down" GREAT NIGHT! THANKS ADOLPHA!

On one night, got to enjoy "Monica: Still Standing" on east coast feed of my friend Derek's Direct TV after which he, his buddy Michelle, and I went to WEHO's Cantina (for a lite bite) and Micky's (to support my friend Tony's hip hop dance contest). Michelle and Tony were sponsors for the evening... or I would have been at my hotel in Gardena in a fetal position. LOL!  And Miss Michelle and her ride-or-die Lady invited Derek and me to The Valley for Sunday dinner after which Derek and I joined Keith at Cantina and The Abbey.

My buddy Derek also invited me to join him at a BRUNCH event at THE LAVA LOUNE on Wilshire. It benefited The Feeding America Network and was hosted by my Morehouse brothers Benjamin and Brian (and others). The food was great, the energy was good (including funny man/actor Ray Cunningham and girlfriend Michelle); and a host of others I met for the first time (including singer Octavius. Also, my Spelman sister Charlie).
My L.A. buddy Delandis -a professional dancer in his own right - took me to see our mutual friend Derrick Garcia and his fellow dancers in the Fullerton College Faculty Dance Concert - including a number inspired by THE WIZ (featuring music from Diana & Michael's recordings i.e. 'Ease' & 'Brand New Day'. Also, there was a 13-minute MJ TRIBUTE). Afterwards, we went to TGI-FRIDAY to celebrate the young'ns. Derrick just started dancing professionally a few years ago... and he is really good! Look out for 'em!
On one night, my boy Brian came and scooped me up to attend The Official "I Want To Work For Diddy" L.A. Launch Party at The Aqua Lounge in Beverly Hills. POPRAH hosted. OLD BLOG ENTRY W/DIDDY SIGHTING: http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2007/10/24/making-a-wave-or-is-it-way-when-you-can.html

And I had to breakaway to Pontiac, MI for my Uncle Bobby’s funeral. He’s my father’s baby brother. Since my time in L.A. had been extended to January (and many of my funds were tied up in that piece to manage), I prayed to be with my family and attend the funeral of my Dad's brother (Uncle Bobby) in Pontiac, MI (but didn't see how I'd make that work when I can barely put two pennies together to stay in my L.A. hotel). But ‘earth angles’ came through and I went to Pontiac by way of Detroit’s airport to be with my Dad, his wife Diana... my sister... and the rest of the RILEY clan.
Though a sad occasion (my Uncle Bobby's funeral), it was so good to see the extended RILEY family in Pontiac, MI. It was truly a FAMILY REUNION… and even inside the grief, we found lots of reasons to laugh - simply because we were together. In fact, my Uncle Bobby's kids: Sonya, Bobby Jr., and Chris were gracious enough to take 'all us cousins' out on the town in Pontiac. Great times were had by all. 

Nothing like being with my family in what has been a (few too many days) in 'Hollywood'. But ALL GOOD as this ride nears its wrap (but I must immediately identify another steady stream of revenue around these here talents. *SIGH! <tired and determined!>

OH! Anybody seen "Precious"? I was thinking gut-wrenching lines like this are likely to take on 'Color Purple'-cult-level status: “My name is Claireece Precious Jones. I want to be on the cover of a magazine. I wish a had a light-skinned boyfriend with good hair. But first I want to be in one of those BET videos.”