A DAY IN "THE LIFE OF RILEY"

I am in Chicago now and can't believe my Itika is nowhere to be found. Well, not exactly nowhere to be found. She's just not here. With that, my social calendar is solely falling on our Chicago Carl's shoulders (with a little help and lots of LOVE from my friends Jakki and Lesia... and a new "girlfriend" named Angelica [READ ON]).

Last night, after my work, Carl and I went to the Kit Kat Lounge (http://www.kitkatchicago.com/) in Boy's Town. While we dined and had a cocktail or two, camp classic bio-pic about Joan Crawford, "Mommie Dearest", played on the big screens. Inspired by the bold diva-ness of it all, Carl and I called our good girlfriend Lesia, who threw on her stilletos to join us while we enjoyed the entertainment of one MISS ANGELICA ANGEL ROSS, a drag queen (but you wouldn't know it...). I am not the biggest fan of drag queens, though I respect the medium of entertainment (and have grown to receive it as such). But let me tell you MISS ANGELICA is single-handedly responsible for my elevated appreciation for the craft. She was such an entertainer. Such a performer. Such an artist. Her first performance was as Deena Jones (I was EFFIE. SMILE!). She did "Dreamgirls". Then, she changed and did a brilliant rendition (lip-sync) of a woman doing Stevie Wonder (but in a wig just like Diana's "Mahogany" wig in the cream jersey dress, after she sells her first 'kabuki'-inspired design to Christian. That alone had me sold). But she had more performing to do. There was Gwen Stefani (in blonde, stylized wig to boot). There was Whitney Houston's "I Have Nothing" followed by a within-the-last-decade version of Whitney doing "I Will Always Love You" live (coupled with a schtick in which "Whitney" goes backstage for a bump of cocaine to come back to stage newly energized and dramatic for the song's touch-and-go finish). Then, channeling her Toni Braxton, she did "Breathe" (from 'Libra", the current album) and "Spanish Guitar" in a one-piece bathing suit. Each gesture, pronunciation, and movement? FLAWLESS! I did some research and uncovered that Angelica is no stranger to the entertainment Industry (http://www.myspace.com/angelicaross). 

According to the Kit Kat website: "... she has been stunning crowds with her illusions of female impersonations for six years, perfecting characters such as Brandy, Toni Braxton, and Whitney Houston, as well as her showstopping broadway numbers.  Angelica has been in musical theatre for more than 11yrs, playing lead roles in Fame, West Side Story, Grease, The Life, Anything Goes, Guys & Dolls, The Wiz. and many many more.  Angelica has also done many commercials, high fashion runway shows, and modeling in various print ads.  Ms. Ross' lastest accomplishments include a principal role in the Italian Box Office Hit "Natale a Miami" (Christmas in Miami), an appearance on "Ham on the Street" on the food network, an appearance on UPN's "South Beach", and being the Diva she is on the reality show "Instant Beauty Pageant" scheduled to air in late June on the Style Network.  Angelica is also pursuing her bachelor's degree in Theatre at Columbia College Chicago with an emphasis in acting.... " YOU GO, GIRL! (or BOY!) or GIRL! or whatever... you are FABULOUS!!!!!!

She was so FABULOUS, Carl, Lesia, and I met up with Jakki this morning at YOLK for brunch and we're still talking about it. (www.thatsdlicious.com)

Likely, when we all regather tonight for dinner (LOCATION TBD), we'll continue to sing ANGELICA's praises. TI-TI WHO? (Just kidding! Hurray back though. ANGELICA is coming in for the kill). SMILE!

SOULMUSICSTORE.COM reports:

"Last Time I Saw Him," a classic Diana Ross album overlooked in the digital era, finally makes its CD debut. Recorded and released in 1973, "Last Time I Saw Him," with a title track written by Michael Masser and Pam Sawyer, was the follow-up to Diana's No. 1 "Touch Me In The Morning." Masser, the Four Seasons' Bob Gaudio and Motown's own Ron Miller and Tom Baird contributed to the LP; one of Baird's tracks, "Turn Around," written by Harry Belafonte, was a holdover from a previously unreleased album.

"Last Time I Saw Him," the title track, shot straight up to the top of the Adult Contemporary chart while making a respectable splash in the Pop & R&B top 20. However, the album and its subsequent single releases failed to make its expected impact. With Diana working on her second film, Mahogany, and with additional projects taking precedent, the album faded away.

This is the original album remastered, the ultra-rare Japanese Quadraphonic release, TEN previously unreleased bonus tracks from the sessions, and the unedited version of the title song. It's all packaged with a beautiful booklet that features detailed recording data and a new essay by Motown chronicler Andrew Skurow.

The 10 unreleased cuts include original songs, and stellar covers of the classic Skyliners' hit "Since I Don't Have You," the Carpenter's "Let Me Be The One," the Motown underground favorite "I Want To Go Back There Again," and an early version of Diana's own "Where Did We Go Wrong."   $39.99+s&h

http://www.soulmusicstore.com/dirolatiisaw.html

To most, they met Donnie via his his critically-acclaimed CD, “The Colored Section”, released independently in 2002 (and then on Motown in 2003). 

But I met him at the turn of the century via our mutual friend (and his once-manager) Anasa, also my Spelman sister, who I met in Atlanta through a friend Reinaldo. On the night we met in New York City, after India.Arie performed a set in the Village (before her Motown debut was released). Donnie and I hit it off instantly and walked through the streets - singing selections from "Dreamgirls" at the top of our lungs. Clearly, he thrives when using the top of his. I went hoarse. But we had such a great time and everything he would do in New York City, Atlanta, or anywhere USA when I was in town, I always make it a point to speak and he always receives me warmly and with enthusiasm for that moment we shared.

Last year, he performed for the National Association of Black Journalists (www.nabj.org)  in Indianapolis, Indiana. And though he is delivering his sophomore release "The Daily News” (SoulThought Records) this week, we got a preview of it in August 2006. And as always, he was ENERGY beyond ENERGY! His voice is likened to Stevie Wonder and Donnie Hathaway, but there are some titanium forces at work as well. It's smoky. It's clear. It's soulful. It's gospel. It's chockful of contradictions as the man himself (and any artist).

Around the time I last saw Donnie, I found out my man Anthony loves his music too. Just last week, he was MY-SPACE-ing about and pointed out that Donnie is soon to come to town. We'll go check him out. Also, Donnie is poised to hit the road on a pre-release CD tour in August delivering “The Daily News” to Atlanta, Washington, DC, Detroit, Chicago, Philadelphia and New York.  For more, visit: www.myspace.com/donniemusic

You folks know I've been talking about "Radio Golf" a lot here in the BLOG (Check out WHAT YOU'VE MISSED to see...), including a moment in which I got to interview one of its producers Tamara Tunie just before it opened a few months ago. Well, Tamara sent me an e-mail the other day, asking that I share with all of you that the Broadway run of “Radio Golf,” August Wilson’s final play before his passing, is closing on July 1 due to struggles at the box office. It's sad, but comforting to know that Wilson's legacy and intention is complete around doing a 10-decade series of plays that chronicle the African- American life in the 20th century. "Radio Golf" is the last of the 10. 

Directed by old friend Kenny Leon and starring Harry Lennix, Tonya Pinkins and Tony-nominated Anthony Chisolm and John Earl Jelks, "Radio Golf" is set in the 1990s. The piece spotlights African American politician in Pittsburgh's Hill District, Wilson's standard backdrop in most of his plays. It's worth pointing out that Broadway producer Tunie did take home a Tony Award which she received - along with several other producers - for the hit musical, “Spring Awakening” (www.springawakening.com), which she produced alongside "Radio Golf". (www.radiogolfonbroadway.com\).

This business of TV and entertainment is a blessing. Many blessings and opportunities come about for those of us who commit to be a part of it. Parties, premieres, and supermarket openings are business as usual.

Still, with these accesses come responsibility, focus, maintenance, and everything in between as it relates to positioning ourselves even higher or as it relates to staking our claim for belonging. The external validation piece can be rough and yet we do it. We put ourselves out there vulnerably with our talents, our looks, our energy... and we aim to connect. We hope our purest intentions will shine through (sans ego, selfishness, and vanity) and really lift people up. (And my hope is that those around me who are on the journey - no matter what level - are breathing and breaking through any struggles to land their context, which can be such a challenging act... as balance and timing go).

Additionally, we also hope to keep bills paid, food on the table, and all the things that allow this "life" to be "styled" just so.

With that, for all that I am accomplishing, I am always looking at new and innovative ways to elevate my brand as an independent producer/personality/writer. But for me, I'm also interested in maintaining my sanity, inner-peace and joy, plus my quality of life. Not one child to call my own and I am - with the aforementioned order - still sometimes overwhelmed. But I do it... and aim to BE IT!

This summer, for example, I'm off the clock from the work that is my main source of revenue, so I challenge myself to "have a relaxing summer" but also find creative ways to make some revenue. Alongside researching new credit lines and some home improvement equity, I am also open to work that is a good fit. I do TRUST that who I need to be to come through any challenge is enough. But I also commit to BE whatever difference I can be to have something reveal itself.

So far, I've managed to ATTRACT a few days of work in Chicago that will help out. PRAISE THE LORD!!! 

Then, there's the possibility of hosting a pilot or a segment of a pilot around travel in July (but that helps my overall branding. No promise of pay or pick-up).

Also, J. Maurice Jamal is poised to begin principle photography on "B-Boy Blues" and there's a possible cameo in that for me. Cool. Stay tuned. That could be exciting as I've expressed in previous entries about the impact this book had on me in the '90s and now to be a part of it in some small way. WONDERFUL!!! (www.bboybluesthemovie.com/)

And my second feature with Uneq Magazine (www.uneqmagazine.com) on Luther Vandross is now on the stands. And much good feedback on that piece is coming my way. The editors really did a nice job of laying it all out . You can read what Luther's friends Patti Austin, Curtis King, and others who've performed and worked with him had to say about the "all-time legend of beautiful music". Also, many - like R&B powerhouse Ledisi (and me) - who have been inspired by Vandross and his unique way around a love song. As a BONUS, here in "A Day in the Life of Riley", I share a few that didn't make the issue:

    Matthew Hatchett, former NFL wide receiver; film producer & actor (“The Take” [Sony Screen Gems] with John Leguizamo, Tyrese Gibson, and Rosie Perez)

“I AM LUTHER” because I like to sing to the female audience and have them love it.  I think I AM LUTHER because of how I make people feel when I sing a song.  I think a lot of people get to that point in their career where they try to put out songs that make people feel a certain way.  I think that everyone of Luther’s songs and his voice make people feel a certain way.

“THAT’S MY SONG”:   I think it just starts out like, “a chair is still a chair, even when there’s no one sitting there.” “A HOUSE IS NOT A HOME” 

                   Geoffrey Freeman, legal assistant and former dancer

"I AM LUTHER” because once, every few decades, the heavens sends a cultural ambassador graced with creative powers and abilities, the likes of which have never before been experienced here on earth, and while often mimicked and imitated, will never again be experienced in its purest sense, until the next celestial gift arrives in possession of a rare new combination of talents.  Luther Vandross is the most recent in that list which includes a few of my favorites -- William Grant Still, Dinah Washington, Jackie Wilson, Mahalia Jackson, Donnie Hathaway, Jose Feliciano, Stevie Wonder, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Aretha Franklin, Minnie Ripperton, Phyllis Hyman, Diana Ross, Stephanie Mills, Patti LaBelle, Jill Scott and Fantasia Barrino, to name a few, -- whose musical gift reaches our very core to deliver a heavenly message of peace and comfort.  Luther's smooth, cascading vocals, interpretative instincts and musical arrangements delivered to the masses such comfort to which I and countless others will continue to return by way of his recordings – his legacy to us all. WE ARE LUTHER!

“THAT’S MY SONG!”: “ANYONE WHO HAD A HEART” from the “Give Me The Reason” CD is a most pleasingly, haunting interpretation of an old Dionne Warwick classic that I felt compelled to listen to repeatedly. It so demonstrates the smooth, cascading vocals and interpretive instincts alluded to above that stirs deep emotions while at the same time offering comfort.  I remain in awe of Luther's musical brilliance.  I'm touched and inspired daily by his music.

Back to my summer, I too am working on some low-maintenance, commissioned work for the National Association of Black Journalists convention including a roundtable I'm producing with all the African American talent on our mainstream entertainment shows - like "Access Hollywood"; "EXTRA"; "Entertainment Tonight"; and "The Insider"; and a handful of other programs under my role as Chair for the NABJ Arts & Entertainment Task Force.

Meanwhile, I've updated my talent reel - based on the last six months of work to which I've contributed. "Our World with Black Enterprise" hosted by Ed Gordon used me for one of its episodes. See that and some of my most recent work on the following link:

http://216.117.188.141/PRiley/PRileyGeneralReel.wmv

Thanks to Jim, who worked on tweaking the reel with me this time. The folks at Murray Hill Studios are the best and I recommend them to anyone who has production needs - from pre-production, shooting - in-studio and on- location, satellite needs, editing, graphics, etc. (www.murrayhillstudios.com/) Paul, who normally helps me put it all together, dropped by to say HI with 40 pounds less of himself as he and his wife are on Weight Watchers (www.WeightWatchers.com). CONGRATS PAUL!