Rych McCain Hollyhood Notes

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

BET Awards 2014 - TV

(C) 2014 by Rych McCain, All Rights Reserved. No part of this column may be reprinted, re-posted or duplicated without written permission from Rych McCain Media/Syndication. Violation is subject to applicable laws

BET Awards 2014 - TV

By Rych McCain International/Nationally Syndicated Entertainment Columnist

Rych McCain www.twitter.com/rychmccain and Facebook (Like Me)

Photos Courtesy of BET

The 2014 BET Awards

The 2014 version of The BET Awards was a huge success on screen and The three day BET Experience was equally as successful packing the LA Convention Center with star studded multiple events and performances that drew people from all over the United States and abroad. This event will only get bigger in the years to come. It was safe with tons of security and fans could actually rub elbows with their favorite entertainers. Unlike last year where it was held in the searing 85o heat outside, the air cooled LA Convention Center made it an enjoyable experience. As word of caution for next year however, don’t come to LA broke with no tickets hoping to B.S. your way into any of the events. Security was way too tight for that.

On the down side, a lot of veteran Black Press members were denied press credentials to cover a Black Award Show. Many of these people have been covering The BET Awards for years. This didn’t sit well considering that a lot of the White journalist aren’t even familiar with nor fans of the Black entertainers who were walking the carpet. They have poor knowledge of Black entertainment. I personally became sick and tired of a chap from the British press next to me on the red carpet who kept asking who people were like Lou Gossett, Jr., Kerry Washington and T.I. I ask why are you covering a show where you have no knowledge of the entertainers? Needless to say he quit buggin’ me.

Host Chris Rock

Now back to the show which was broadcast live from The Nokia Theater located in the heart of LA Live which is also home to the Staple Center honored the best of Black actors, actresses, athletes, singers and rappers. Chris Rock as host was a breath of fresh air after last year’s host Chris Tucker stunk the place up with a boring routine. Rock’s opening monologue poked fun at the movies, music, Oprah, Rick Ross, Jay-Z and Solange, Dr. Dre, Kevin Hart and Donald Sterling. Rock kept the place in stitches throughout the entire broadcast. Jay-Z and Beyonce led the pack with five nominations followed by August Alsina, Pharrell Williams, and Drake each of whom had four nominations. Pharrell was the first act to perform and was joined on stage by Missy Elliott. Singer August Asina emotionally accepted the Best New Artist which was the first award presented. Lionel Richie took home the BET

ABC-TV "Scandal" star Kerry Washington

Lifetime Achievement Award. Another surprise for the evening was a performance by Chris Brown who seems to have not lost a step or his magic touch. He didn’t have that radiant youthful glow about him which is understandable considering what he has been through.

BET Talk Show Hostess KeKe Palmer

Serena Williams took home the Subway Sportswoman of theYearAward while Nicki Minaj waltzed off with Best Female Hip Hop Artist of the Year for the fifth year in a row. In her acceptance speech Minaj clearly made note that she actually writes her own raps making a reference to Iggy Azalea who is receiving major hype but is being propped up from behind the scenes with help. In other words one is original (Minaj) while the other (Azalea) is a cookie cutter, manufactured imitator. I’m sure we’ll hear a response from Azalea. For a complete list of the winners and show highlights go to www.bet.com.

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Monday, June 23, 2014

RaVaughn - Music

By Rych McCain International/Nationally Syndicated Entertainment Columnist

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RaVaughn

Sultry And Sass Has Arrived!

RaVaughn

To the public she was relatively new when she came out last year but this singer/songwriter has been burning rubber for a minute behind the scenes. RaVaughn has sung background for Celine Dion, Natasha Bedingfield and Jennifer Hudson to name some and has written songs for several major artists including the first single “Right Here” (Departed) for Brandy’s 2008 album “Human.” RaVaughn is a native of Los Angeles but went to college in New York where she made it to the finals at “Show Time At The Apollo” and did a ton of demo work in the Big Apple.

RaVaughn

Upon her return to tensile town she resumed doing demo work and one night received a late, last minute call to come do a session for a writer. When she arrived at the studio, to her shock, the writer was R&B superstar Ne-Yo. Needless to say that he loved what he heard that night and quickly had her doing more demo work which eventually lead to him signing her to his production company Compound University. They then took her to Columbia Records where she was quickly signed. RaVaughn has released two singles “Better Be Good” ft Wale and “Best Friend.”

What can we expect in the upcoming months production wise? RaVaughn lights up, “I’m working on a new EP right now. I’m making new sounds, new music I’m really excited to get it out. Hopefully summertime it will be out.” RaVaughn’s sound is described in many different ways as a mixture of hip hop, pop and rock. What are the contributing factors to that? She explains, “I can give credit to me doing demos for so many different artists. I did demos for Kelly Clarkson, Brandy, Allison Iraneta, Keyshia Cole, it was a lot of different people so I learned about my voice when I was doing those demos. I didn’t even know I could sing it at that point. Now it’s just about making feel good music. I don’t want to limit myself to one genre. I feel like music is just music and that’s what it is. Whatever you get in the studio and do is what you should put out. What you feel is what you should put out.”

RaVaughn live on stage at the Pre BET Awards Concert Series in LA

RaVaughn had the good fortune to do a live show with Kendrick Lamar. What was that experience like? She laughs, “Actually, it was so much fun getting to work with him and knowing that we are from neighboring cities, he’s from Compton and I’m from Carson, just knowing that we were on the show together. On one of the shows we did, I was the only female and that felt really good of course. It was Kendrick, 2 Chains and a lot of different guys. Being able to be up there with somebody from my home town you know; when you go anywhere out of the State it’s like you’re from LA, we gotta cling together. I love working with him, I love his music and I’ve always been a fan.” She also was a headliner for the pre BET Awards Show concerts presented free at the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Mall Promanade in Los Angeles.

The gorgeous Brown sisters L-R: RaVaugh and Rhyon

As a personal note from this columnist, RaVaughn is the big sister to actress Rhyon Brown (Lincoln Heights), who has been in my youth media family forever and is now a grad of The University of Southern California. I love the Brown family sisters and will enjoy witnessing both of their rises to the top in this biz.

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Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Love Dollhouse - Music

By Rych McCain International/Nationally Syndicated Entertainment Columnist

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Love Dollhouse

Superstardom Looms And History Repeats!

Photos Capitol Records

L-R: Jasmine, Ryan, Chelsea Love Dollhouse

This columnist has personally wondered over the years what it is like to be there in the beginning when a new musical act emerges on the scene. What were the situations, early gigs and changes that the new artists went though before they became megastars? How fascinating it would have been to have hung around The Supremes, Destiny’s Child or TLC right after they were signed and watch their journey to the top unfold right before your eyes? That kind of observational opportunity comes once in a blue moon so in the case of the new vocal girl group “Love Dollhouse,” this columnist has that rare chance to see the unknown girl group turned superstars phenomenon happen again and history repeats its self.

L-R: Ryan, Chelsea and Jasmine

Ryan, Jasmine and Chelsea are “Love Dollhouse.” They are all 19 and from Detroit. Like other groups, they have gone through a couple member changes and the usual ups and down associated with trying to make it. The group started with Ryan who met Jasmine in middle school and formed a bond over singing. They wanted a trio so over the ensuing years saw several third members come and go, recorded demos with various local producers and finally secured a good manager. In June of last year they held auditions and Chelsea came aboard. These ladies have the looks, the vocals and the dance moves but more than that they are dedicated and serious about their craft. In doing this interview I also found them to be fun loving, laugh a lot and relate in such a down to earth fashion. You wouldn’t know they were in showbiz in a different setting.

Their new single “Can I,” is right on the money for something new. It’s funky, has an infectious beat that will have you grooving even if you aren’t dancing. It’s about a lady taking the initiative to let a guy know she is interested but in a tactful way keeping her integrity and class. The YouTube video already has over a half million hits and this cut is shaping up to be

be a smash summer hit and “Love Dollhouse” will be a known big time by fall by fall.

L-R: Russell Simmons & Steve Rifkind All Def Music 52

Hailing from the city world famous for Motown Records, what is the current music scene like there? Ryan says, “There are so many talented people in Detroit and they are all just coming up I feel like and a lot are coming out with new music including us. People in Detroit are being discovered and we can finally say look at all of the talent in Detroit. Actually it has always been that way, it’s awesome.” Chelsea chimes in saying “Detroit will be right back on the map very, very soon.” How did the hook up with Russell Simons happen? Jas explains, “We actually signed with Steve Rifking through SRC and he then started a joint label with Russell and we signed with him as well.”

What was their experience like performing live at the BET Matters concert at the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Mall out door plaza? “Ryan lights up, “It’s great! We got to perform, we’re excited. This is our first show in LA so we were just excited period.” Chelsea adds, “The crowd was expecting something so we had to come. At the end we had fun. It was amazing and we were so blessed to be a part of this.” The group is currently working on their debut album and you can look for them on tour in the future. “Love Dollhouse” has definitely arrived!

Love Dollhouse on stage in LA

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Monday, June 16, 2014

2014 SAG Foundation Golf Clasic Fund Raiser

2014 SAG Foundation Golf Classic Fund Raiser

By Rych McCain International/Nationally Syndicated Entertainment Columnist

The Screen Actors Guild Foundation Presented Their 5th Annual Los Angeles Golf Classic!

Photos Courtesy of The SAG Foundation/Getty Images

Tim Allen Co-Host

It was that time of year again on June 9, 2014 when the SAG Foundation hosted its 5th Annual Golf Classic Fundraiser at an exclusive golf course in the metro LA area. This event raises funds for the SAG Foundation's Catastrophic Health and Emergency Assistance Programs. This year's co-hosts were actors Tim Allen (Last Man Standing) and his show's co-star Richard Karn who rallied a crowd of over 60 celeb players, sponsors, execs and supporters to raise the funds vital to assist actors facing life threatening illnesses and severe economic hardship.

Celeb golfers prior to tee off

They were joined on a green carpet entry by fellow supporting actors such as Scott Bakula, Andy Garcia, Michael Pena, Kevin Nealon, Anthony Anderson, Joe Pesci, Kevin Rahm, Michael Weatherly, Dave Annable, Gabriel Aubry, Kim Coates, Greg Ellis, Donald Faison, Brendan Fehr, Jay Ferguson, Peter Gallagher, Carmine Giovinazzo, Mark-Paul Gosselar, Vinnie Jones, David Leisure, Kate Linder, Breckin Meyer, Joe Montegna, Mark Moses, Jeff Nordling, Timothy Peria, Geoff Pierson, Alfonso Riberiro, Chris Rich, Nick Searcy, Kevin Sorbo and Tom Welling to name some.

The national anthem was rendered by a superb vocal group from "Live It Up Productions" then it was on. After teeing off the golfing celebs became pretty serious however the Corday Team comprised of Alfonso Ribiero and Greg Ellis proved supreme and won the tournament. All had a great time.

L-R: Kevin Zegers, Mike Pena, Chris Rich & Anthony Anderson

Joe Pesci signs autograph

L-R: Jill Seltzer SAG Found Exec Dir, Scott Bakula, Pam Reed SAG Found 1st VP & Googy Gress

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