Coco Jones - TV/Movie

Coco Jones

Teen Star Rising And Real About It!

By Rych McCain International/Nationally Syndicated Entertainment Columnist

Watch the TV/Movie Premiere this Friday, June 15, 2012 on The Disney Channel at 8:PM ET/PT

Coco Jones (Disney Photo)

     She has the cutie-pie looks and personality that draws like a magnet and when one is in her presence, a sense of calm and maturity that precedes her fourteen years is noticeably evident. Coco Jones stars as Roxanne Andrews, a fast-rising recording star in the music-driven, original Disney Channel TV movie “Let It Shine.” She also recently signed an exclusive recording and publishing deal with Hollywood Records and is currently working on her debut album. In 2010, at age 12, Jones was a featured artist in season three of Radio Disney’s “N.B.T.” (Nest Big Thing), a popular musical talent showcase that puts the spotlight on aspiring young recording artists and provides them with the chance to showcase their music across national broadcast and online platforms. Jones guest starred and performed her single “Stand Up” in the Disney Channel’s series “So Random!” and headlined a series of Radio Disney concerts including performing at festivals, malls and theatres across the country. She has even sung the National Anthem twice in 2009 at NFL games. By the way, her dad is former NFL player Mike Jones.   

"Let It Shine" Soundtrack CD Hollywood Records

     Coming from an NFL family, did Jones experience the backlash that many children of famous parents get when they go for roles or positions in showbiz? Jones ponders the question and says, “I don’t think so. One, because my father had all the pulling in football when it came to anything about sports and what I was doing was completely different. And I think that was good though, because whenever I had to work for stuff and I got stuff harder and I tried to earn it more, that’s when I really appreciated it. So if he really did pull strings for me, which he didn’t have anyway of doing, I probably wouldn’t have appreciated it like I do now.” 

Coco Jones as Roxie (Disney Photo)

     When asked about her personal taste in real life vs. the outfits that she wore in “Let It Shine” and if she had any say-so in the clothing selection for the film, Jones giggles, “The outfits that my character wore were a little bit crazier than what I would wear. I’m not that much of a bright colored type of girl but my character really did have those really crazy outfits. But they were all really cute and I did have a say in which ones I wanted to wear and stuff like that but nothing was really bad which is what’s great about this movie. Nothing had anything provocative in it or anything that my mom wouldn’t want me to wear so it wasn’t bad at all.” 

Roxie Belts a gospel tune (Disney Photo)

     What type of message does a film like this and her character send to young girls in particular tweens who are fast becoming Jones’ fan base? She emphasizes, “Her message is really great for girls because she starts at the beginning of the movie as this not confident, people pleasing type of girl who does whatever her manager tells her to do and has no say in her own career. But she goes back to her home town and realizes that she can be whoever she wants to be and everything will work out in the end.”

Tyler J. Williams, Coco Jones & Trevor Jackson at Premiere

The cast had a blast on the red carpet at the “Let It Shine” Premiere which was held at The Director’s Guild of America on the famed Sunset Strip in Hollywood. Many of the Disney teen stars were out in support while the press with their still and video cameras were in a frenzied state shooting and firing questions. What was that evening like for Jones? She really lights up, “Oh my goodness, it was so much fun. It was really crazy. It is such a one-in-a-million thing and it only happens to certain kids. Everyone dreams of doing what we got to do that night. It was such an honor and I’m so grateful to say that I went to my own premiere for a movie that I’m in, it’s crazy, I really don’t know how to express it!”

© 2012 Rych McCain Media/Syndication tm

(You DID Hear It From Me!)

Email: feedbackrych@sbcglobal.net

Bishop T. D. Jakes - 35th Anniversary

Bishop T.D. Jakes Honored In Dallas For 35 Years of Ministry! 

By Rych McCain International/Nationally Syndicated Entertainment Columnist

(All photos TDJ Ents and The Front Page Firm)

Bishop TD & Serita Jakes

   Last weekend world leaders, dignitaries and celebrities from around the world gathered in the vibrant Arts District near downtown Dallas Friday to attend an historic event honoring global humanitarian and faith-based entertainment mogul Bishop T.D. Jakes' 35 years of spiritual leadership and service. Aptly titled "A Triumphant Journey," the three-hour, black-tie celebration was hosted by director/writer/producer Tyler Perry and CNN anchor Soledad O'Brien at the state-of-the-art AT&T Winspear Opera House. The awe-inspiring evening was a surprise for Bishop Jakes and featured an unexpected appearance by entertainment icon Oprah Winfrey who congratulated him for being a "man of conviction and beacon of light."

Soledad O'Brien & Tyler Perry Co-Hosts

Gayle King & Oprah Winfrey

     Jakes’ wife Serita Jakes and daughter Sarah Henson orchestrated the event to keep it secret from Jakes, senior pastor of the 30,000 member Dallas-based church The Potter's House. He was being celebrated 35 years of dedicated service. Jakes’ accomplishments in ministry and entertainment, as well as his dedication to humanity and family, were applauded in front of a packed audience of family, friends, parishioners, dignitaries, celebrities and fans. Jakes who was visibly moved expressed his shock at the crowd of well-wishers, some of whom traveled far and wide to participate in the celebration and took the stage to receive a resounding standing ovation."I have been blown away," said Jakes. "I love God and I've always loved people. Your presence here tonight says you love me back. It's hard to overwhelm me, but you've done it this time!" 

Bebe Winans & Chaka Khan

     The night included a kaleidoscope of musical performances ranging from gospel and jazz to R&B, featuring Jordin Sparks, Ledisi, BeBe Winans, Pastor Shirley Caesar, Fred Hammond, Israel Houghton and Karen Clark Sheard. Gospel duo Mary Mary brought the crowd to its feet with their stirring rendition of "Yesterday," and pianist

Keiko Matsui flew in from Japan to perform with KEM, Kelly Price and Kirk Whalum. R&B diva Chaka Khan serenaded Bishop Jakes with a medley of her greatest hits.

DeVon Franklin & Meagan Good

     In addition, film stars Loretta Devine, Mike Epps, Derek Luke, Kimberly Elise, Meagan Good and Charles S. Dutton, as well as Christian leaders Dr. Bernice King, Pastor Paula White, Pastor Bill Hybels and Pastor Sam Rodriguez paid homage to Bishop Jakes for inspiring so many. Other notable guests on hand to celebrate Bishop Jakes' 35th anniversary include Angela Bassett, Courtney B. Vance, Gayle King, Glynn Turman, producer Debra Martin Chase, Sony executive DeVon Franklin, and Emmitt and Pat Smith.

L to R: Pastor Paula White, Emmitt Smith, Jakes, Pat Smith (Emmitt's wife) & Donna Richardson Joyner (Tom Joyner's wife)

     The Dallas Black Dance Theater praised Bishop Jakes' milestone anniversary with a stirring performance, and luminaries such as Dr. Phil McGraw, the Mandela family, philanthropist and former U.S. President Bill Clinton, cast members of the upcoming film "Sparkle," and others delivered moving video presentations. "My husband has committed his life to empowering others that they might have joy, love and hope in their lives. The event was an opportunity to salute him for the millions of lives he's touched, the hearts he's changed and the lives he's saved through his stirring messages," said Serita Jakes. "It was a blessing to honor him for 35 years of unwavering service."

(C) 2012 Rych McCain Media/Syndication tm 

(You DID Hear It From me!) 

 E-Mail: feedbackrych@sbcglobal.net

Jeanette Harris - Music

Jeanette Harris - Music

  Jeanette Harris

The Saxiest Lady In Music!

By Rych McCain International/Nationally Syndicated Entertainment Columnist

     The day of women musicians being a novelty has long been over. Female musicians on every instrument in the orchestra have actually been a reality over the last 700 years and more. The plethora of all girl bands, female lead guitarists, drummers, bassists, keyboardist and horn players are currently in full force in every genre of music. But as with all disciplines be it art, academics, sports or whatever, there are always those who stand out amongst their artistic peers.

      Saxophonist and flautist extraordinaire Jeanette Harris is one such musician. The Fresno, California native started with piano at age seven and took up the sax at age ten. Following graduation from high school, Harris matriculated to the famed Berklee College of Music in Boston where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music Performance. Harris has toured throughout the U.S. playing major jazz festivals and was the featured saxophonist and flutist with the late Teena Marie’s band. She has two albums out “Reflections’ and “Saxified” on the J&M label and is currently working on her next CD which will feature Grammy Award® winning guitarist Norman Brown.

Jeanette Harris (Photo J&M Records)

     Now days many musicians of all genres including hip hop are complaining that they are restricted from creating and playing the type of music that they feel and want to make in order to satisfy the demands from record labels to make music that fit certain radio formats. Harris responds, “It’s the same in the jazz world. I think jazz is a good example. Sometimes artists aren’t able to express themselves the way they really want to. They have to follow that really strict format and a lot of the jazz stations have kind of gone down hill because of that. You have to of course please the audience, the radio listeners and people tuning in but they had it so one-wayish, especially for jazz, that it was getting watered down a little too much. So people who would typically listen to a jazz station would maybe turn to an R&B station because the listeners were getting bored with how much it was watered down.”

     This situation is actually not a concern with Harris who has her own independent label where she can do what she wants anyway. As she puts it, “In the jazz world, a lot of the stations have died down so I’m not going to create music for a station that don’t exit anymore. So I create music that I love and hope that other people will love it. So having that creative control is amazing and I can do what I want.”

     Do people still trip in 2012 when they see a female horn lead? Harris laughs, “People do trip especially when it is a more masculine instrument like a sax or a drum. As soon as I walk in the room people kind of look twice and they say let’s see what she can do. They figure you sound a particular way and I guess that’s where I’m unique because I’m very funky on the sax. I don’t follow what they may assume I sound like. It’s a prejudgment for females, you have to prove yourself.” When Harris composes what are the determining factors that she uses to select the type of horn she will use i.e., alto sax vs. soprano sax? She breaks it down, “I dominantly play the alto. I love that tone. A lot of people actually like the tenor because they say its closer to the human vocal voice but it all depends. I do work between alto and soprano. So some of the songs that are a little more sensual and sexy (I call it saxy – that’s my word for sexy now), I use a soprano because I feel I can get a little more intense with it and more sensual. And usually, if I’m trying to get real funky and just want to go for it, I play the alto. So those are the two main voices that I use when composing my music.”

     Harris praises her alma mater Berklee College of Music for having the complete musical program in terms of history, theory, musicianship and an encouraging atmosphere. She also has a line of perfume coming out with the new album and loves to play in intimate atmospheres where she can be close to the audience. Harris is endorsed by BARI Woodwinds and Unison Saxophones which she highly recommends for their sound and look. 

(C) 2012 Rych McCain Media/Syndication tm 

(You DID Hear It From Me!) 

E-Mail: feedbackrych@sbcglobal.net