Powerhouse Radio Newsletter
Return to the list of newslettersSo Long to Lou Rawls Soul
January 11, 2006
This issue includes...
1) So Long to Lou Rawls Soul
2) Dream Boogie: The Triumph of Sam Cooke
3) Valentine's Day Duet Date: February 14th
4) Music News: Dionne's 45th, the 48th Annual Grammy Awards
5) Concert Dates: Who's on Tour?
6) V Cast Music Service from Verizon Wireless
7) R&B Stars in the Super Bowl Halftime Hall of Fame
8) Your Feedback via email to King at Powerhouse Radio
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1) So Long to Lou Rawls Soul
He sang about "Groovy People" for over 40 years. Lou Rawls, (1935 - 2006), was a timeless talent, creative enough to bridge a generation gap or two, touching music lovers everywhere with his signature velvet voice.
I was lucky enough to see Lou Rawls in concert once, right after he hooked up with producers Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff in Philadelphia.
Smooth, soulful, and confident was his calling card at the show I attended at the old Latin Casino in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.
Survivors in the music industry effectively recreate themselves when trends change. Lou adapted well to shifts in popular music tastes, using his magnificent voice as the foundation of his success.
Never one to be tied to musical genres, song stylist Lou excelled in blues, soul, jazz, and mellow pop ballad standards. He could set up a song with a spoken monologue rap that instantly hooked you.
When I volunteered one year to take telephone pledges on one of his regional UNCF telethons in Philadelphia, I was struck by his commitment to community and public service.
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written by King for the Powerhouse Radio Newsletter
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Now, here's an excerpt from the official Philadelphia International Records version of the Lou Rawls biography...
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His first professional experience began as a member of the Pilgrim Travelers, a well known gospel group from Los Angeles.
After completing a tour of duty with the United States Army, which found him performing in local service clubs, Lou cut his teeth on the "chitlin circuit" - the small clubs where black singers learn the ropes. Many don't proceed any further.
A knife, a bullet, a needle or a bottle of T-bird can see that you never leave.
Rawls calls up those memories in monologues like "An Old 'Man's Memories," Southside Blues" and "Street Corner Hustler Blues." He's done them thousands of times but each time sounds like the first, full of the life and pain that inspired them.
Lou is known for these monologues as much as for anything else, "It's making up stories that people can relate to," he says. "Sitting up in a bar getting drunk. Crying the blues because your old lady split."
"Everyone can relate to that." In 1958, Rawls, who was then eighteen, barely survived a near fatal accident. Rushed to the hospital with a concussion, he stayed in a coma for six days.
All his vital signs had ceased to function, "Had I died at that point, people would have said of me 'He was a good boy,' " Rawls says, "I had accomplished nothing in life -- just living from hand to mouth, popping my fingers, having fun." Upon recovery, he began prodigiously to redeem his life. 1959 was the turning point.
Rawls moved to Los Angeles and appeared with Dick Clark at a Hollywood Bowl show. He was critically acclaimed as the "most promising male vocalist of the year."
In time, a recording contract was signed, and Lou augmented his professional scope by beginning dramatic lessons, which culminated in the display of his acting abilities on any number of television shows.
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Read the entire Lou Rawls official biography, listen to two of his monologues, and learn why ultimate success for Lou was long in coming...
https://powerhouseradio.com/lou-rawls-biography1.html
2) Dream Boogie: The Triumph of Sam Cooke
Dream Boogie: The Triumph of Sam Cooke
Peter Guralnick, Little Brown, 2005
“He was the biggest star in gospel music before he ever crossed over into pop. His first single under his own name, “You Send Me,” was an historic success, going to #1 on the charts and selling two million copies."
"He wrote his own songs; hired his own musicians; and started his own publishing company. At a time when record companies treated black artists like hired help, he demanded respect and a recording contract equal to white artists of the day.”
This description of Sam Cooke sums up his musical career adequately, but it doesn’t describe the man behind the name. The fifth child of Reverend and Mrs. Charles Cooke, Sam was born into a family that believed in the Lord, self-respect and gospel music.
From the time Sam was six years old, he remembered, “I had to sing every Sunday in church, my daddy used to make me sing all the time...” The first gospel group that featured Sam Cooke was called “The Singing Children."
His last gospel group from 1951 to 1957, the sensational Soul Stirrers earned him stardom within the African American community and propelled him into the world of secular music and adoring female fans.
From the age of nine, Cooke knew exactly what he wanted to do with his gift. His brother L.C. remembers, “When we was very little boys, we were playing, and he had these popsicle sticks—you know them little wooden sticks?
He had about twenty of them, and he lined them sticks up, stuck ’em in the ground, and said, “This is my audience, see? I’m gonna sing to these sticks.” He said, “This prepares me for my future.”
This is not a brief biography by any means and it is not a quick read. It's 750 pages are the result of meticulous research and personal interviews by biographer Guralnick. However, for all the interviews and research, Sam Cooke still remains a mystery.
We do get glimpses of his personal life through two marriages, extramarital affairs, illegitimate children and various tragedies like the drowning of his infant son Vincent.
His associations with musical legends like Johnnie “Guitar” Watson, Jimi Hendrix, Little Richard, Ray Charles, Jackie Wilson, James Brown, the Rolling Stones and Aretha Franklin, to name a few, are all part of his meteoric rise to fame.
Just as a meteor, sometimes called a “fireball or shooting star”, burns bright and hot only to fall to earth and disintegrate, so did the life and career of Sam Cooke.
Cooke was killed at the age of thirty-three in a three dollar motel. The death remains shrouded in mystery, except for accounts by the prostitute and the hotel owner who killed Cooke in self-defense.
But the music speaks for itself. There is not one song sung by Sam Cooke that does not live up to his own measure of greatness.
Sam Cooke delivered, with songs like “You Send Me,” "Having a Party," "Another Saturday Night," "Chain Gang," "Change is Gonna Come," and “Bring it On Home to Me,” songs, that have stood the test of time.
Don’t take my word for it. Check out these compilations:
Sam Cooke: Portrait of a Legend 1951-1954 includes the gospel hits “Touching the Hem of His Garment’ and “Jesus Gave Me Water.” (Abko Records 2003 92642)
One Night Stand! Sam Cooke Live at the Harlem Square Club (RCA/Legacy 2005 82876 69552 2)
The Best of Sam Cooke (RCA/Legacy 2005 82876695502)
Night Beat (RCA/Legacy 2005 82876 69551 2)
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Review written by Dorothy Ferebee for the Powerhouse Radio Newsletter.
Dorothy is the author of "How To Create Your Own African American Library," featuring a selection of books that belong in every home, from classic novels to children's stories to history and biography.
Read all of Dorothy's great book reviews at her website...
2021 Update: website link removed. Website was sunset.
3) Valentine's Day Duet Date: February 14th
100 wonderful duets will air exclusively all day, Tuesday, February 14th, Valentine's Day, on Powerhouse Radio.
You'll hear lots of new additions this year that we'll give you a chance to vote on at powerhouseradio.com as we get closer to the date.
You won't want to miss it.
4) Music News: Dionne's 45th, the 48th Annual Grammy Awards
Dionne Warwick's 45th Anniversary
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Thursday, January 26th, 2006, an all-star salute to the legendary Dionne Warwick, (also being produced for television), will take place in Hollywood to highlight her extraordinary 45-year career.
More than 100 stars including Stevie Wonder, Gloria Estefan, Olivia Newton-John, Gladys Knight, Mya, Smokey Robinson, Jill Scott, Nancy Wilson, Burt Bacharach, and Hal David will participate.
More on this tribute in the concert highlights section below.
48th Annual Grammy Awards
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It's Grammy Awards time (Wednesday, February 8th, 8pm Eastern). Trying to understand the categories musicians are nominated in is mind boggling, since many artists show up in multiple genres.
Here are the nominees for selected R&B categories:
Best Female R&B Vocal Performance
(For a solo vocal performance. Singles or tracks only.)
"1 Thing"
Amerie
from: Touch
"Wishing On A Star"
Beyonce'
from: Roll Bounce (Various Artists)
"We Belong Together"
Mariah Carey
from: The Emancipation Of Mimi
"Free Yourself"
Fantasia
from: Free Yourself
"Unbreakable"
Alicia Keys
from: Unplugged
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Best Male R&B Vocal Performance
(For a solo vocal performance. Singles or tracks only.)
"Creepin'"
Jamie Foxx
from: So Amazing - An All Star Tribute To Luther Vandross
"Ordinary People"
John Legend
from: Get Lifted
"Let Me Love You"
Mario
from: Turning Point
"Superstar"
Usher
from: So Amazing - An All Star Tribute To Luther Vandross
"So What The Fuss"
Stevie Wonder
from A Time To Love
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Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals
(For duo, group or collaborative performances, with vocals.
Singles or tracks only.)
"So Amazing"
Beyonce' & Stevie Wonder
from: So Amazing - An All Star Tribute To Luther Vandross
"Cater 2 U"
Destiny's Child
from: Destiny Fulfilled
"If This World Were Mine"
Alicia Keys featuring Jermaine Paul
from: So Amazing - An All Star Tribute To Luther Vandross
"So High"
John Legend featuring Lauryn Hill
from: Get Lifted
"How Will I Know"
Stevie Wonder featuring Aisha Morris
from: A Time To Love
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Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance
(For solo, duo, group or collaborative performances, with vocals.
Singles or tracks only.)
"Mine Again"
Mariah Carey
from: The Emancipation Of Mimi
"Summertime"
Fantasia
from: Free Yourself
"A House Is Not A Home"
Aretha Franklin
from: So Amazing - An All Star Tribute To Luther Vandross
"If I Was Your Woman"
Alicia Keys
from: Unplugged
"Stay With You"
John Legend
from: Get Lifted
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Best R&B Song
(for Songwriter(s)
"Cater 2 U"
Rodney Jerkins, Beyonce' Knowles, Ricky Lewis, Kelly Rowland,
Robert Waller & Michelle Williams, songwriters (Destiny's
Child)
from: Destiny Fulfilled
"Free Yourself"
Craig Brockman, Missy Elliott & Nisan Stewart, songwriters
(Fantasia)
from: Free Yourself
"Ordinary People"
W. Adams & J. Stephens, songwriters (John Legend)
from: Get Lifted
"Unbreakable"
Garry Glenn, Alicia Keys, Harold Lily & Kanye West, songwriters
(Alicia Keys)
from: Unplugged
"We Belong Together"
J. Austin, M. Carey, J. Dupri & M. Seal, songwriters; (D.
Bristol, K. Edmonds, S. Johnson, P. Moten, S. Sully & B. Womack,
songwriters) (Mariah Carey)
from: The Emancipation Of Mimi
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Best Contemporary R&B Album
(For albums containing 51% or more playing time of vocal
tracks.)
"Touch"
Amerie
"The Emancipation Of Mimi"
Mariah Carey
"Destiny Fulfilled"
Destiny's Child
"Turning Point"
Mario
"O"
Omarion
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Best R&B Album
(For albums containing 51% or more playing time of vocal
tracks.)
"Illumination"
Earth, Wind And Fire
"Free Yourself"
Fantasia
"Unplugged"
Alicia Keys
"Get Lifted"
John Legend
"A Time To Love"
Stevie Wonder
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Who do you think will win the best R&B album Grammy Award?
Cast your vote on our home page: 2021 Update: Voting is over.
https://www.powerhouseradio.com
5) Concert Dates: Who's on Tour?
Dionne Warwick and Jeffrey Osborne
Thursday, January 26, 2006
Kodak Theatre, Hollywood, CA
6:30pm
Isaac Hayes with special guests
Thursday, February 2, 2006
Irving Plaza, New York City, NY
7:00pm
The Jimmy Castor Bunch
"An After Grammy Jammy"
Wednesday, February 8th, 2006
Key Club, Los Angeles, CA
9:30pm
Stylistics, Delfonics, Chi-Lites,
Bloodstone, & The Dramatics
Saturday, February 11, 2006
Valentine's Soul Jam
Fabulous Fox Theatre, Saint Louis, MO
8:00pm
Bobby Caldwell
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
One World Theatre, Austin, TX
9:30pm
O'Jays
Friday, February 17, 2006
Atlanta Civic Center, Atlanta, GA
8:00pm
Gladys Knight & Sinbad
Sunday, February 19, 2006
Mohegan Sun Casino, Uncasville, CT
7:30pm
Michael McDonald
Friday and Saturday, March 3 - 4, 2006
Resorts Superstar Theater, Atlantic City, NJ
10pm Friday, 8pm Saturday
Tavares, The Trammps with Martha Wash
Sunday, March 5, 2006
James L. Knight Center, Miami, FL
7:00pm
Chaka Khan
Saturday, March 25, 2006
Bergen Performing Arts Center
Englewood, NJ
8:00pm
6) V Cast Music Service from Verizon Wireless
At the recent Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Verizon Wireless announced the introduction of their V Cast Music service, scheduled to debut on Monday, January 16, 2006.
Verizon Wireless broadband customers will be able to choose from among one million songs to download to either a wireless telephone (for $1.99 per song), or to a personal computer (for $.99 cents per song).
The higher priced telephone based wireless download gets you two versions of the song, one for your phone, and one for your computer.
The phone version is not MP3 based, and subscribers to the service will not be able to play any MP3's on their wireless telephones.
The wireless telephone based music format will use Microsoft Windows Media Player technology.
There's no monthly subscription fee to download songs to your personal computer, (just $.99 cents per download), but a $15 per month V Cast subscription is required to download songs to a wireless telephone.
The V Cast service will compete with a similar one from Sprint. For more information on the new V Cast Music service...
http://www.verizonwireless.com/music
7) R&B Stars in the Super Bowl Halftime Hall of Fame
Football's Super Bowl Sunday (#40), is February 5, 2006. Yes, the Rolling Stones are performing this year, but who are the R&B stars who have entertained hundreds of millions of people in the Super Bowl Halftime Hall of Fame?
Here are the exclusive club members...
Super Bowl:
22: Chubby Checker (1988)
27: Michael Jackson (1993)
29: Patti Labelle (1995)
30: Diana Ross (1996)
31: James Brown (1997)
32: Boyz II Men, Smokey Robinson, Martha Reeves, Temptations,
Queen Latifah (1998)
33: Stevie Wonder (1999)
34: Toni Braxton (2000)
35: Mary J. Blige (2001)
38: Janet Jackson (2004)
It's interesting that prior to 1988, jazz acts (Ella Fitzgerald, Mercer Ellington), university bands (Florida A&M, Grambling), and pop acts (Carol Channing, Al Hirt) dominated the half time entertainment.
8) Your Feedback via email to King at Powerhouse Radio
Gerson writes from Sao Paulo Brazil:
"Good afternoon! Congratulations, your playlist is great. I've been listening during the day at work."
Mazie gets crazy with this request:
"Who is Da Brakes? I keep hearing his name everywhere but I ain't heard none of his stuff on the radio?"
King's reply:
Go to his website at dabrakes.com and read his biography. Support him now Mazie, or Da Brakes career may come to a screeching halt.
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Don't be left out, because we're listening. Leave your comments, feedback, or music requests here:
https://powerhouseradio.com/contact.html
You can also post a comment in our guest book message board (2021 Update: link removed. Guest book sunset)..
Read all of the back issues of The Powerhouse Radio Newsletter from 2002 to the present...
https://powerhouseradio.com/newsletters/newsletters.html
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Published by PowerhouseRadio.com.
Editor: King
Copyright 2006 by Powerhouse Radio
All rights reserved
Powerhouse Radio
https://powerhouseradio.com
More 2006 Powerhouse Radio Newsletters:
| December - | Christmas Jollies |
| November - | The Classic Soul R&B Music Jam |
| June - | The Classic Soul R&B Music Jam |
| April - | Prince is King |
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