A DAY IN "THE LIFE OF RILEY"

Gospel Uptown           

2110 Adam Clayton Powell Blvd.

@125th Street

Dinner and Show and Group Packages Available!

BUY TICKETS CALL

212.280.2110 or visit

HTTP:/C/WWW.GOSPELUPTOWN.COM

ROY AYERS performed four BRILLIANT sets this weekend at GOSPEL UPTOWN. Ant and I got to check out the MASTER for one of the shows. The packed house was not only met with an awesome show (I was taking notes). But also, we got the lovely experience of a contemporary ‘supper club’ with great food and cocktails (as overseen by Executive Chef Kenneth Collins). ROY AYERS mentioned in his set that he loves “The Wendy Williams Show”. So, I made sure to tell him Ant works for the show, which made him giggle and say “How You Doin’?”.

On this Friday and Saturday, December 4^th and 5^th, jazz group PIECES OF A DREAM is performing. So, please go check them out!

Gospel Uptown           

2110 Adam Clayton Powell Blvd.

@125th Street

Dinner and Show and Group Packages Available!

BUY TICKETS CALL

212.280.2110 or visit

HTTP:/C/WWW.GOSPELUPTOWN.COM

Meanwhile, I got my turn on the “Gospel Uptown” stage. I got the chance to sing TO Ashford & Simpson. I performed my favorite Diana Ross number "The Boss" which the dynamic duo wrote. And this legendary duo responded so graciously - standing on their feet with gratitude and enthusiasm. I'M SO BLESSED to have been able to share with them how much their talent and repertoire have meant to me. Big THANKS to producers and hosts Kevin-Anthony and Darius Booker for having me on the set. Also, a big shout out to Ashford & Simpson’s musicians and singers with whom I got the chance to bond in rehearsals earlier that week. One of the singers, Clayton, was my doppelganger for all of the high notes that “The Boss” requires. We blended brilliantly! I truly had a BALL on that stage. And I plan to do more performing come 2010.

But I wasn’t the only one letting Ashford & Simpson know how important they are to our lives. As singing is a sidelight for me, there were so many on that stage who do this for a living. And boy did they do it… for the living of Ashford & Simpson. My buddy Gordon Chambers wailed on an “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” with Amanda Brown. American Idol’s Anwar Robinson did “Reach Out & Touch (Somebody’s Hand)”. And Miss Melonie Daniels and Ryan Shaw turned out “You’re All I Need (To Get By)”. And on and on and on and on…

And they made sure that we got our THANKS from them - including an impromptu "Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing".

And so many of my friends came out to support me (as well as to participate in this special honor for Ashford & Simpson). Two of my favorite people: Sidra Smith and Ken Roberson. Good to be back on the same coast with Sid. And Tony-calibre choreographer and performer Ken Roberson gave me a wonderful post-performance salute. Just what I needed to hear! And buddies Erich and Murphy were in the house along with my posse: Tata, Ern, and Ant.

Tata, who’d been out of town amidst my ‘birthday extravaganza’, just got back and made it her business to be in the house with me. We even joined Ant’s friend Manivone prior for BBQ and Dunkin Donuts. Afterwards, Ant, Ern, and I did some celebratory karaoke for what was a DREAM COME TRUE – to be singing for two of my favorites. And then if you add DIANA ROSS into the equation, I can’t process it all. Just too much! And such an ABUNDANT BLESSING!

This week offered lots for which to be grateful. It was THANKSGIVING after all. As Ant and I house-sat for our Mara and Tommie in their Harlem brownstone, we got to enjoy Thanksgiving brunch at IHOP in Harlem in the morning with our Momentum Education friend Ruben. Great to catch up with him!  Then, Ant and I were invited to dine on a delicious Thanksgiving meal at our girlfriends Charlie T and Danielle's place. They had a few other great friends in the house - including Maurice Runea and Sekiya. The food was great. Company even better. And we watched Beyonce's special as well. GO B!!!!

So I am STILL STANDING! Today, however, feet back on ground, I gotta land something quick and fast. Will temp for two days this week in anticipation of a 'green light' on a proposal I just submitted for a project that could keep revenue flowing through December. And of course, I'm taking all calls, meetings, auditions to land something that I'm hosting and running (including lots of brainstorming with Ant on proposals, treatments, and such around projects we will develop ourselves). Send a prayer up! 

And as GOD’S WONDERS ABOUND THROUGHOUT MY SOCIAL NETWORK, let me send A FEW SHOUT OUTS to friends who are leading EXTRAORDINARY LIVES in their respective, hustling lanes:

My friend Ceci (who I met through Kim Coles) was the wardrobe stylist on “Living Single”. She’s still styling and now organizing people’s lives. One of her latest style credits can be seen on YOU TUBE as she styled the Michelle Obama impersonator in this video: “Obama Does Thriller” - http://www.youtube.com/user/VernettaJenkins#p/a. CONGRATS CECI!

My girl Erica Watson is featured in “Precious”. Just one scene but a POWERFUL ONE with PUNCH. She’s been performing her one woman show “Fat Bitch” which will run in February 2010 at Time Square's Laurie Beechman Theater, presented by SpinCycle NYC (the production team that is currently producing "Joan Rivers Live"). And she will be featured in the January 2010 Essence Magazine, "Dating & Relationships" section, about how being plus-sized affects dating. She also just shot "Secret Celebrity Weddings," airing on the WE Channel next spring before the new season of "Bridezillas," commenting on the extreme things celebrities will do to try to keep their weddings top secret. For more on Erica Watson: www.ericawatson.com
www.erica-watson.blogspot.com
www.twitter.com/EricaWatson.

So, how many times have you heard me talk about my good girlfriend/Amazing Grace Audrey Irvine? Lots, right? And many anecdotes that keep us laughing to this day. Moreover, she’s truly one of my dearest friends ever. Like, ride or die! Professionally, Audrey is a senior assignment manager for CNN. But her sparkle and gift of great storytelling has shown through to her employer which now has assigned her a weekly column on WWW.CNN.COM: "Relationship Rant" (http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/personal/11/18/rrants.dating.dealbreakers/index.html). Check back every week for her take on dating and relationships.

Have you seen Ya Ya – runner up on “America’s Next Top Model” (Eva’s Cycle) on “Ugly Betty”? She’s playing Nikko, the daughter of Vanessa Williams’ character Wilheimena Slater. GO YA YA!

VOTE FOR MY BUDDY DEMARCO: Please go onto OUTMUSIC.COM and click logo sponsored awards. DEMARCO is in the category: "Always Bringing Sexy Back". He’s in good company. But no one does sexy quite like him. CONGRATS DEMARCO!

Gospel Uptown

2110 Adam Clayton Powell Blvd.

@125th Street

Dinner and Show and Group Packages Available!

BUY TICKETS CALL

212.280.2110 or visit

HTTP:/C/WWW.GOSPELUPTOWN.COM

 

 

So, I’m back in New York City. And as my current project, BIG REALITY HIT ‘Monica: Still Standing’, roles out for all of you to see on BET, I am looking for my WHAT’S NEXT? [DEVELOPMENTS FORTHCOMING… WILL WORK FOR FOOD!]. Of course, I am going to be extending my BIRTHDAY EXTRAVAGANZA for as far and long as anyone will celebrate with me. SMILE! That includes my next couple of weekends at GOSPEL UPTOWN (HTTP://WWW.GOSPELUPTOWN.COM).

 

This Friday, November 27^th & 28^th, the legendary Roy Ayers will be performing at GOSPEL UPTOWN. More than a Mary J. Blige-sample (of “My Life”), Roy Ayers’ repertoire is respected the world over for its clever fusion of jazz, R&B, soul, and disco. This superb vibraphonist started out as a solid hard bop musician, but he quickly upped the soul and disco elements of his sound, and his sophisticated music became an uptown pop staple of disco-era black America. What better backdrop than GOSPEL UPTOWN to enjoy a laid-back ‘holiday weekend’ like no other. (HTTP://WWW.GOSPELUPTOWN.COM).

 

 

Then, next Friday, December 4^th & 5^th, also legendary Pieces of A Dream performs. This group has taken on many roster incarnations over the years. They are based out of Philadelphia and launched onto the scene in 1976. Keyboardist James Lloyd, drummer Curtis Harmon and former bassist Cedric Napoleon, were (and still are) managed by the drummer’s father and uncle, Danny and Bill Harmon, respectively. The group based their name on Pieces of Dreams, a cover tune by Stanley Turrentine that the group performed. And they’ve worked with so many special artist over the years: the late Grover Washington Jr.; guitarist Ronny Jordan; vocalist Maysa Leak; saxophonists Kenny Blake; and Gerald Albright (who along with Michael Bearden fronted remakes of Diana Ross’ ‘Theme from Mahogany (Do You Know Where You’re Going To?)’ and ‘Upside Down’. (HTTP://WWW.GOSPELUPTOWN.COM).

Gospel Uptown

2110 Adam Clayton Powell Blvd.

@125th Street

Dinner and Show and Group Packages Available!

BUY TICKETS CALL

212.280.2110 or visit

HTTP://WWW.GOSPELUPTOWN.COM

 

And I’ve mentioned before that singing is a sidelight (http://216.117.188.141/rileyshowforkodjoe.wmv), and my friend Kevin-Anthony invited me to sing on his new monthly series “Broadway Uptown” which will be celebrating the music of Ashford & Simpson on this Sunday, November 29th, 2009 @ 8pm at, where else?:

Gospel Uptown

2110 Adam Clayton Powell Blvd.

@125th Street

Dinner and Show and Group Packages Available!

BUY TICKETS CALL

212.280.2110 or visit

HTTP://WWW.GOSPELUPTOWN.COM

In addition to my take on Diana Ross’ “The Boss” ("L.A. PROVED TOO MUCH FOR THE MAN..."), the line up for this show is amazing and comprised of many I admire for their success and commitment to singing: Melonie Daniels, Ryan Shaw, Anwar Robinson, Darius Booker, Amanda Brown, Gordon Chambers, Ayana George, George Hawkins, Takeytha Johnson, Kimberly Nichole, Vivian Sessom, Dawn Tallman,  Alyson Williams and more….

In addition to an amazing evening of song, they will also be collecting canned goods to distribute during the holiday season. Tickets are now available and can be purchased by calling 212.352.3101 or by clicking on the following link; http://www.theatermania.com/content/show.cfm/show/161434

For great savings order your tickets online:

$10 in advance via theatermania.com

$12.00 day of event with a canned good

$15.00 day of event without a canned good

+$20.00 per person food/beverage

So take advantage of the savings and purchase your tickets today.  It’s going to be quite an evening so spread the word: www.black2broadway.com

www.b2productions.xbuild.com

www.myspace.com/b2bookings

 

Meanwhile, as my birthday knocked up against my last day in L.A., I had celebrating to do there and here… and Ant really hooked it up!

 

1. Before I left L.A., my friend and co-worker on all-thing-‘Frankie-&-Neffe’&’Monica’-over-the-last-eight-months Shareen took me to lunch in Larchmont.  My friend Eliah Mountjoy had been recommending since I first arrived. We had Village Pizzeria pizza… and great conversation!

 2. Then, my Tony and Scott (along with Michelle) continued the party with an awesome dinner (and cocktails) at Cliff’s Edge in Los Feliz. They made sure that I didn't come into my birthday alone. We were in festive pose (though a work night). And I am totally grateful to them!

3. Then, as soon as I got back to NYC: ANT had secured tix to my favorite Broadway property “DREAMGIRLS” – running at THE APOLLO.

This is a new version that will soon go on the road… and includes the incorporation of “Listen” (from the movie) as a duet between Deena and Effie. Some critics aren’t happy with the new staging of “DREAMGIRLS”.

I must say I enjoy all incarnations and this cast – as led by American Idol’s Syesha Mercado and blog friend Chester Gregory – entertained me as well.

But most excitedly, Ant and I got to share in the fun with my Michael K. Watts, my DREAMGIRLS enthusiasts Lee, Devon, and Mario.

Of course, DREAMGIRLS just rips at the heart of my Devon and me. And Henry Krieger who wrote mostly all of the music for original stage production and the film was also there. Ant interviewed him a few years back when the movie DREAMGIRLS came out and he was an associate producer at STARZ! in Denver. Ant came up with a concept UPSTAGE! for the cable network which flew him up here to NYC many times to explore adaptations like 'DREAMGIRLS' and 'THE COLOR PURPLE' which is the night Ant and I met. So BROADWAY is in the blood of our relationship. SMILE!

4. After DREAMGIRLS, Mario joined Ant and me for Ant's 'big sister' Candice Harper's vocal set at Uncle Charlie's.  Candice has an awesome voice. So sweet, melodic, and tells a story that you want to hear when she opens her mouth. She even graciously invited me up to take the mic on a couple of numbers: Color Purple's "What About Love" and Mariah Carey's "Love Takes Time". Candice and her music director Michael invited me to do my own set there one night. As I’ve been declaring that I want to do more intimate evenings of song, this – for sure – fulfills that. Thanks Candice!

5. Then, Ant, Mario, and I went to The Overlook Lounge. It was a BDAY drink for old times sake from Mario's and my old friend Mark followed by a pop through HK and SECRET to celebrate with my bday-sake Tony.

6. SWAN SONG: Amy Ruth... and home to crash.

7. Then, Saturday, we slept late and Ant took me to brunch at Serafina! Then, we went next door to FELA on BROADWAY for matinee with my ‘Amazing Grace’ Nichole and her friend Charles. WHAT A SENSATIONAL SHOW! VIBRANT! COLORFUL! MUSICAL! And a HISTORY LESSON to BOOT! Run and get your TIX. My girlfriend Marcia Pendleton hooked ours up… and you can get some discount fares if you go to: www.broadwayoffers.com CODE IS: FEWTG93. It was so great to be back in a theater (two times in as many days). And nice to run into folks - including Ant's 'Wendy Williams' co-worker Lorraine who you may see from time to time on the show during Wendy's hot topics segment(s).

8. Then, Ant and I went to girlfriend Mara and her husband Tommie's place for PRE-PARTY. And as one of the top things for which I have to be grateful includes Ant, he and I are experiencing another frequency of domesticity as we housesit (and Ant dog-sits) our good girlfriend Mara and her husband Tommie’s two dogs and a cat while they are on the road for Thanksgiving. Given I just got back from a long stretch in L.A., the last thing I wanted to do was regroup an over-week stay somewhere else, but as we enjoy the Harlem Brownstone and – dare I say – Mara and Tommie’s “kids”, this experiment is giving us – perhaps – a glimpse at our WHAT’S NEXT?

9. Then, it was time for the BIG KARAOKE BIRTHDAY! So many came out to SHOW LOVE; SERENADE ME; and hear me SING! WE HAD A BLAST as so many of Ant’s and my family, friends, and co-workers joined in on the fun that is karaoke. Newlyweds Danni and Bernard joines us - just a couple of months after their beautiful island wedding. My buddy Ted Gibson, hairstylist for the stars - incuding Angelina Jolie - was in the house. I'll be telling you more about Ted and his partner Jason when "The Real Housewives of DC" comes on.    All my New Rochelle friends were in the house. My Teri and her husband Alvin to - of course - Nichole and her girlfriends Michelle; and Cynthia; and Monica. And the husbands and new beaus came too - from a "sanging" Nelson to Brian. They all seemed to have a great time including Ant's co-worker Bobby and Ant's Aunt Linda and cousin Shantay - here singing a duet with him.  . See many more pictures from MY AWESOME BIRTHDAY EXTRAVAGANZA AT:PART 1: BIRTHDAY EXTRAVAGANZA 2009... and PART 2: BIRTHDAY EXTRAVAGANZA. And Ant and I - of course - got our songs in! Afterwards, Ant and I joined our friend Andrea at SECRET for more drinks and dancing. This, before we grabbed a bite at THE WAVERLY and headed back to Jersey.

10. And on Sunday, Ant and I joined ERN for dinner at HOUSTON’s (on my Original Amazing Grace Natalie and her husband Dwayne and the girls). After our prized meal, we enjoyed The American Music Awards – channeling the days of yore – with Janet Jackson, Whitney Houston, and a host of inspiring – for once-in-a-long-while – performances.

And as I drop back into the REAL WORLD, I must find some new opportunities that will bring in some revenue that support us in keeping things afloat – including more on-camera work and pop culture analysis. With my contribution to ‘Monica’ wrapped a hair earlier than I expected and many other clients on winter break (and still not enough time for reserves to build back up, though things are kinda’ on-time), the next couple of months are key for my WHAT’S NEXT! But I’m excited that folks are drawn to my branding as on-camera talent; pop culture blogger/analyst; etc. (and for a price… if just credit and partnership) – including promoters for ‘Gospel Uptown’ and producer for the CUNY-TV show (Channel 75) Abi Ishola who is working on a show that covers the ethnic media and ethnic communities. She is working on a profile about Ebony and Jet magazines. This story will accompany a studio segment in which the financial troubles at Johnson Publishing will be discussed. In her profile, she wants to explore the cancellation of Ebony Fashion Fair, and as she researched, she found herself drawn to my commentary on the issue (with Black America Web and my blog: "...I'VE WAITED SO LONG TO HEAR YOU SAY THAT TO ME! SAY IT AGAIN! SAY IT AGAIN!..."). So, I went and was interviewed by her… and will be on “Independent Sources” at the top of December. I’ll send the clip to you guys when it’s done. Continued THANKS for your support and prayers as I navigate this career of mine. And SHOUT OUT to ALL OF YOU who PRAYED me back home!

P.S. And we’ll still always have L.A.:

"L.A. PROVED TOO MUCH FOR THE MAN..."

 

"PRECIOUS" MEMORIES...HOW THEY LINGER IN MY SOUL!

 

"YOU KEEP PRAYING, SAYING THERE MUST BE A BETTER WAY..."

 

"LORD, I THANK YOU FOR MY LIFE!"

 

DIVAS: SIMPLY SINGING & MORE

 

"YOU KEEP PRAYING, SAYING THERE MUST BE A BETTER WAY..."

 

"... COLORED PEOPLE ON!!!!!!!"

 

"...I'VE WAITED SO LONG TO HEAR YOU SAY THAT TO ME! SAY IT AGAIN! SAY IT AGAIN!..."

 

"ALL ABOUT LOVE!" (IN L.A.)

 

"I CAN DO (GOOD) ALL BY MYSELF (AND WITH SOMEONE)..."

 

"DO YOU GET WHAT YOU'RE HOPING FOR... ?"

 

"... HE'S HOPPIN' IT TO HOLLYWOOD..."