Master Interview With TV Pioneer Herman Rush

(L-R) Lee Miller, President, The Caucus Foundation, Bob Papazian, The Caucus Co-Chair, Herman Rush, Chairman of Membership Committee, The Caucus, Tanya Hart, The Caucus Co-Chair, and Veteran TV Producer and Executive, Dennis Doty and The Caucus Panel Chair. 
Photo credit: Courtesy of The Caucus 

Television pioneer Herman Rush told enchanting stories coupled with personal photos to a full house recently at The Caucus for Producers, Writers & Director’s Master Interview held at Emerson College.  Dennis Doty, the caucus panel chair, interviewed Rush during the interview.

Annually, The Caucus selects one industry legend to participate in a Master Interview, which focuses on the person’s expertise and how they used great skills or proficiency to accomplished their goals. Chuck Fries, Chair Emeritus, The Caucus, founded the Panel Programs, which includes Master Interview and continues to supervise these panels. This year, Herman Rush television pioneer and former President of the Television Division of Creative Management Associates (now ICM) and former CEO of Columbia Pictures Television Group (now Sony Pictures) was chosen. He also served as partner and Executive Producer of the Montel Williams Show, which aired five times a week for 17 years.

About The Caucus for Producer, Writers & Directors

The Caucus is leading the evolution of television by providing a creative forum for Producers, Writers & Directors to explore the issues of the ever-changing landscape of content and exhibition.  The Caucus is proud of its rich history and esteemed membership of television innovators.  For over 40 years, The Caucus has provided an opportunity for the best and the brightest talent to network and voice the 'creative conscience' of the Television Industry.  Today, we continue to stand for better and meaningful content across all platforms.  As Producers, Writers, and Directors we support a working environment that fosters, through our various programs, the best content that we can create for our audiences.

In addition to its professional membership, The Caucus is proud of its non-profit work through The Caucus Foundation. Established in 2000 to help launch the careers of future entertainment professionals in film, television and emerging media; The Foundation provides completion grants to student thesis productions from accredited universities and colleges.  To date, The Caucus Foundation Grant Program has given over $1.6 million dollars in cash and in-kind awards.

Current members of The Caucus also include: JJ Abrams, Kevin Bright, James Burrows, Suzanne de Passe, Vin Di Bona, Dennis Doty, Chuck Fries, Tom Hanks, Tanya Hart, Charles Floyd Johnson, Lee Miller, Bob Papazian, Norman Powell, Herman Rush and others leading producers, writers and directors.

'Black Music Honors' Airs Tonight On Bounce

Nashville, TN - Black Music Honors airs on Bounce this Sunday, October 15 at 11 a.m. (EST). The night consisted of extraordinary performances and memorable presentations as Central City Productions paid tribute to six legendary artists during the second annual Black Music Honors, held at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center in Nashville.   The two-hour live television special was hosted by radio and television personality Rickey Smiley and actress LeToya Luckett. This year’s honorees included The Jacksons, Donnie McClurkin, Slick Rick, Guy, Oleta Adams and Jody Watley who were all recognized for their noteworthy contributions to the music industry. With a high-energy performance that kept the packed audience on its feet singing and dancing, the legendary group, The Jacksons, brought the house down by performing three of their hit songs.    Black Music Honors is executive produced by Don Jackson and produced by Michael A. Johnson and Jennifer J. Jackson of Central City Productions. Central City Productions presented a $25,000 check of the proceeds from the Black Music Honors to the National African American Music Museum, which is scheduled to open in Nashville, TN, in 2019.The title sponsor for the Black Music Honors was State Farm. Left to Right: Don Jackson, Quiana Taylor (NCVC employee), Marie Sueing, Tammy Gilbert Cardona (NCVC employee, Proscovia Mattas (NCVC employee), and H. Beecher Hicks, III Donnie McClurkin Guy Jody Watley Oleta Adams The Jacksons Slick Rick

'The New Mutants' Slated For April 13 2018 Release

Today is Friday the 13th!  It's the best time to watch the horrifying new official trailer for THE NEW MUTANTS.

Watch the Official Trailer HERE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bu9e410C__I

THE NEW MUTANTS will hit theaters everywhere on April 13, 2018!

Saxophonist Justin Young Dishes Out 'Blue Soul'

Justin Young is hungry. The energetic and enthusiastic saxophonist is all about hustle and hard work. For over a decade, he’s put out quality soul-jazz albums, but his forthcoming disc, “Blue Soul,” captures an artist hitting his stride on the cusp of a major breakthrough. Mining his Detroit roots, Young’s fourth album, due November 17 via JustnTime Records, features a dozen new songs recorded live in the studio with premier musicians, producers, and songwriting collaborators. Paving the way for the collection is the new single, “High Definition,” a vibrant R&B/pop confection just shipped to radio stations, a tune that Young penned with fellow soul-jazz saxman Jackiem Joyner and keyboardist Matt Godina.   

The release of “Blue Soul” caps a lengthy recording odyssey for Young. His approach for this outing was purposely different and taps into the Motown lore that influenced his musical discoveries while growing up.

“I started work on this album three and a half years ago. There have probably been about 40 different songs written for this album. In the past, I would write twelve songs, and then enter the studio quickly and put out an album. But for ‘Blue Soul,’ I wanted to take a different approach and put the absolute best songs out, really push myself to elevate the standard this time around,” said Young, who had a hand in writing all but one song on the album. “‘Blue Soul’ goes back to my roots in music, Detroit, the home of Motown. I loved the creativity of musicians recording together in the studio, creating an amazing vibe. The opportunity to put high-quality musicians together along with amazing producers has always been my dream. I watched this growing up and listened to the Motown stories. ‘Blue Soul’ goes back to my love of jazz and soul music. It’s organic, it’s played by consummate musicians and it truly is soul music with the saxophone at its beating heart.”

Throughout “Blue Soul,” Young’s alto, tenor and soprano sax is embedded amidst rhythms and grooves constructed by the likes of bassists Alex Al and Hussain Jiffry, and the late drummer to the stars, Ricky Lawson. Former Earth, Wind & Fire guitarist-vocalist Sheldon Reynolds is another notable player who fortified Young’s lilting harmonies and undeniable melodies. The first single, “Always There,” one of four cuts written and produced by Joyner - a Billboard chart-topper in his own right - hit the Billboard Top 25 and the Smooth Jazz Top 20 Countdown. “Jazz Along The 101,” one of three tracks shepherded by gospel producer Noel Hall (Kirk Franklin, Fred Hammond), kept Young’s momentum motoring along with both singles garnering daily spins on SiriusXM’s Watercolors. In response to Hurricane Harvey, he released the hopeful “Song For A Better Tomorrow” (https://youtu.be/PoL8NtcUwFw), donating the track’s proceeds to the American Red Cross. “High Definition” promises to take him into 2018 on a high note with a wealth of potential singles in the offing. 

Young began in music as a drummer and was introduced to a wide array of styles - from R&B and pop to jazz and gospel – by his father, Jim Young, who led and played in a variety of bands, encouraging his scion to play sax. Landing his first professional concert at age sixteen, Young put himself through Michigan State University by playing weekend gigs. He issued his debut album, “Rendezvous,” in 2003. After winning a competition at the famed Capital Jazz Fest in 2007, he released “On The Way.” A move to Southern California helped his following multiply quickly when he booked a year-long residency at Spaghettini, a hot spot for the contemporary jazz crowd south of Los Angeles. Gigs on the national festival circuit ensued as did subsequent recordings, “Home for the Holidays” and “Nothin’ But Love.” Young previewed music from “Blue Soul” at a Detroit show held at Chene Park last July with 5,000 people in attendance and at a sold-out date in August when he returned to Spaghettini. Now based near Seattle, he will support the new record with a series of local concerts at nearby wineries this fall. Resourceful and brand savvy, Young produces and plies his effervescent personality as the host of “The Justin Young Audio Experience,” a podcast that teaches musicians about the business of music. For more information, please visitwww.JustinYoungSax.com.

“Blue Soul” contains the following songs:

“Always There”

“Nothin’ But Love”

“Razzmajazz”

“Jazz Along The 101”

“Paradise Found”

“New Life”

“Blue Soul”

“Sorento”

“Sweet Release”

“India”

“Song For A Better Tomorrow”

“High Definition”

Rashad Brings Down The House In 'Head of Passes'

Phylicia Rashad

By Darlene Donloe

Phylicia Rashad’s portrayal of Shelah in Tarell Alvin McCraney’s Head of Passes is nothing short of a tour-de-force.

Rashad, best known as Clair Huxtable on the iconic Cosby Show, puts all of herself and none of herself in her latest role.

Head of Passes, a creative take on the story of Job, is currently enjoying a successful run at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles.

Rashad’s character, Shelah, a southern matriarch, is the focus. Family and friends are gathering to celebrate her birthday. It’s kind of a surprise, but, it turns out, Shelah doesn’t want a party.  The night of the soiree it is raining cats and dogs. The leaky roof of her home at the mouth of the Mississippi River is causing all kinds of havoc.

It’s not lost on anyone that the house is decaying, much like the various situations surrounding Shelah.

(l-r) James Carpenter, Jacqueline Williams and John Earl Jelks 

Shelah is dying, but she refuses to get treatment from Dr. Anderson (James Carpenter). She’s going to use the party to tell her children about her diagnosis.

Francois Battiste and Phylicia Rashad

Phylicia Rashad and J. Bernard Calloway

One by one we’re introduced to a cast of characters that include her two sons, Aubrey (Francois Battiste) and Spencer (J. Bernard Calloway) and her deceased husband’s estranged daughter, Cookie (Alana Arenas) who has some personal problems. She arrives at the birthday party as a surprise guest but soon reveals that she’s really there for the money. Both Aubrey and Spencer are suspicious of Cookie’s motives. Shelah’s servants Crier (Kyle Beltran) and his father, Creaker (John Earl Jelks), along with her friend, Aunt Mae (Jacqueline Williams), round out the collective.

Kyle Beltran and John Earl Jelks

What was supposed to be a joyous occasion – slowly becomes one of the worst nights Shelah could ever have imagined.  A woman of great faith, she seeks refuge in God, praying incessantly for the almighty to make everything right again. Nothing can shake her faith, or can it?

Act Two is strictly a Phylicia Rashad affair. Her monologue is commanding and luminous. Rashad holds court like only a seasoned, well-trained thespian can. It’s during this time that Shelah challenges and petitions God to turn back the clock. It’s an emotional and sometimes comical plea, but it’s a plea nonetheless.

Director Tina Landau has assembled a worthy cast. Each has their moment to shine – and they do – with bells on. There is no weak link in this ensemble.

Jelks, Beltran, Williams and Calloway occasionally bring the funny, which is a welcomed respite from the drama. Williams has a small, but hilarious moment when she retrieves her purse from a chair after she realizes Cookie is in the house.

Alana Arenas and Phylicia Rashad

Holding her own with Rashad is Alana Arenas, a breath of fresh air in her portrayal of a girl/woman that Shelah’s now deceased husband had brought home for her to raise. Arenas’ Cookie is a streetwise woman with two kids and another on the way. The verbal sparring between Cookie and Shelah is riveting. In a vibrant conversation with Shelah, she reveals a secret she has kept hidden for years.  The secret explains much about her behavior and her reluctance to come back to live in Shelah’s house. Arenas knocks it out of the park.

The set is a cast member. It shines throughout both the first and second acts. There is a moment in the show when the term, “bring down the house” takes on a whole new meaning. In fact, it’s literal and it’s a showstopper. Kudos to G. W. Mercier for the dazzling set design.  Two thumbs up to Toni-Leslie James for the costume design, Jeff Croiter for lighting design, Robert-Charles Vallance for wig and hair design and to Rob Milburn and Michael Bodeen for sound design.

The play is draining. It’s a rough ride. It’s an emotional journey that is hard, uncomfortable and gut-wrenching, but it’s worth it.

Head of Passes is a theatrical ace.

Head of Passes, written by Tarell Alvin McCraney and directed by Tina Landau, stars Phylicia Rashad, Alana Arenas, James Carpenter, John Earl Jelks, Francois Battiste, Kyle Beltran, J. Bernard Calloway and Jacqueline Williams.

Head of Passes, Mark Taper Forum, 135 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles, 8 p.m., Tues.-Fri.; 2:30 and 8 p.m. Sat.; 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sun. through Oct. 22; no Monday performances; $25-$95; CenterTheatreGroup.org or 213 628-2772.

On the DONLOE SCALE: D (don’t bother), O (oh, no), N (needs work), L (likable), O (oh, yeah) and E (excellent) Head of Passes gets an E (excellent).

*All Photos by Craig Schwartz.

Smokey Robinson Lends His Voice To Video Ecards

By Darlene Donloe

Motown legend Smokey Robinson is known for his silky, sultry, delicious crooning.

Well, starting this month his honeyed vocals can be heard as part of the launch of American Greetings Hollywood SmashUps™ collection of celebrity video ecards.

The popular ecards will give fans the opportunity to customize greetings sung by Robinson himself for a variety of holidays and occasions.

The first new ecard features My Girl, the Temptation’s 1965 hit written by Robinson. It launched this week in support of Robinson’s newly-created holiday on Sunday, October 8: Father-Daughter Day. This innovative holiday highlights the encouraging influence a positive connection between a father and his daughter can have on her growth and development. After this inaugural year, the Father-Daughter Day will take place on the second Sunday of each October.

 

Smokey Robinson

I recently caught up with the always cordial and upbeat Smokey Robinson to talk about his latest project.

DD: How and why did you decide to participate with the Father-Daughter Day on Oct. 8.

SR: American Greetings approached me. They said they wanted to start a Father-Daughter Day. It's a gender situation. I wanted to promote fathers and daughters having a better connection.

DD:  This sounds exciting. So, which of your songs can people hear and use as a personalized ecard?

SR. Yes, we’re excited about it, too.  I sing My Girl and Get Ready. I did videos singing both of those songs. If you want to personalize a video greeting, you can insert any name.

DD:  You have six daughters, so you can definitely speak to this. Why is the father-daughter relationship so unique?

SR:  I think it's a gender thing. Daughters relate to males better than they do their mothers. Sons are always clinging to their moms. It’s almost automatic. My daughter and me were tight from the beginning.

DD: What do you mean by tight?

SR: It’s about spending time, quality time with my daughter. Just being together. I was on the road a lot. I retired when Tamla was three. My oldest son was almost six. We were moving from Detroit to L.A because of Motown.  It's important for all families to spend time together. I don't think I’ve had a conversation on the phone with anyone I love without ending it by telling them, ‘I love you’. I can be mad, but when we end our conversations we always say, ‘I love you’. That’s important.

DD:  Describe your relationship with your daughters.

SR: My relationship with my daughters is fantastic. Well, I have my daughter, Tamla, who was named after the record label. I have five daughters by marriage.  They are my wife’s daughters. We all have a great relationship.

DD:  What would you like to see happen on Oct. 8?

SR:  The best thing to do that day is to communicate. It would be great to be able to have fathers and daughters see each other physically, if possible. Go to lunch. At least speak on the phone.

DD: Why did you want to do it?

SR: I think it’s important to promote any kind of loving relationship.

DD: Which song of yours would you send to your wife or your daughter in a personalized video greeting card?

SR: Wow, I’m not really sure which song I’d pick. I’ve written so many.

DD: How many have you written?

SR:  About 4,000. It’s hard to pick just one.

DD: On October 8, what are you going to do with your girls?

SR: I’m not sure what we’re doing, but we’re going to do something.  I’ll probably get together with Tamla. My other daughters are in Pittsburgh. If I’m not with them, I will speak to them.

**This November Smokey Robinson will release his very first solo Christmas CD, titled Christmas Everyday. It was recorded for and exclusively distributed through Amazon.  The CD features 10-songs which include three originals pieces accompanied by seven renditions of Robinson’s personal favorite carols and hymns. Special guests include Take 6, Trombone Shorty, The Dap Kings, and Us the Duo.