Monday, June 23, 2014

RaVaughn - Music


(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


RaVaughn - Music

By Rych McCain International/Nationally Syndicated Entertainment Columnist
www.twitter.com/rychmccain and Facebook (Like Me)



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.


© 2014 Rych McCain Media/Syndication TM 
(You DID Hear It From Me!) 
Twitter@rychmccain and Facebook (Like Me)


Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Love Dollhouse - Music


(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

Love Dollhouse - Music


By Rych McCain International/Nationally Syndicated Entertainment Columnist
www.twitter.com and Facebook (Like Me)





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


© 2014 Rych McCain Media/Syndication TM 
(You DID Hear It From Me!) 
Twitter@rychmccain and Facebook (Like Me)

Monday, June 16, 2014

2014 SAG Foundation Golf Clasic Fund Raiser


(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



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

  
 
© 2014 Rych McCain Media/Syndication TM 
(You DID Hear It From Me!) 
Twitter@rychmccain and Facebook (Like Me)




  









Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Richard smallwood - Music



(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.



Richard Smallwood - Muisc


By Rych McCain International/Nationally Syndicated Entertainment Columnist
 www.twitter.com and Facebook (Like Me)





Richard Smallwood

Gospel Icon Continues The Praise!

Richard Smallwood, pianst, composer, singer, director, producer
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SBP5Ry6Kis

     It is the highest compliment and a major career milestone achieved when one is referred to as an icon in their field. Gospel great Richard Smallwood has well earned that title from his over 27 years of composing, directing, piano playing and organizing ensembles, groups and choirs. Born in Atlanta, GA., and reared in Washington, D.C., Smallwood matriculated to Howard University where he earned degrees in vocal performance and piano. Then he pursued graduate work in ethnonmusicology. On top of that Samallwood received a Masters Degree in Divinity from Howard as well. While he was an undergrad student on campus Smallwood was a member “The Celestials,” Howard’s first gospel group which was the first gospel act to perform at Switzerland’s Montreux Jazz Festival. He was also a founding member of Howard’s first gospel choir.

Smallwood at BET's Celebration of Gospel 2014
     The 1982 album titled “The Richard Smallwood Singers” launched his recording career which was followed by “Psalmswas” which garnered a Grammy nomination. Smallwood’s third album “Textures” contained the now classic “Center Of My Joy” and his production work on Quincy Jones’ gospel project “Handle’s Messiah; A Soulful Celebration” won him his first Grammy and Dove Award. Secular and sacred artists have recorded Smallwood’s compositions. Smallwood’s music is very similar to the great Hawkins brothers i.e., the late Bishop Walter Hawkins and Dr. Edwin Hawkins. Are they tuned into a similar vibe or inspirational source? Smallwood is delighted with the comparison and expresses, “I think both Edwin and Walter were very influential to me as a young man. I met them both when I was nineteen years old and I had just started to write and Edwin was already huge with “Oh Happy Day.” So the Hawkins family has definitely been one of my biggest inspirations in terms of writing and the whole thing about the music. Regarding his smash hit “Healing,” the story goes that Smallwood received a phone call from a guy in grief which led to him writing the song. Does Smallwood get a lot of request like that? 

   
  He explains, “No. Actually his mother had passed and about three weeks later his father went to sleep on the coach and never woke up and his family was devastated. I was already working on a project “Live In Detroit” and he called and asked have you written anything about healing? And I was like no. He said my family really needs healing. I’m hot demanding that you do it but could you just pray that God would give you a song that has to do with it and I really prayed about it and it came to me in a dream.” And speaking of Smallwood’s great inspirational anthems we would be remised if the subject of one of his biggest hits “Total Praise” wasn’t brought up. Where did that come from? He smiles again with delight and says, “That came from a very difficult time in my life. My mother was very sick and my god brother was terminally ill and I was care giver to both of them. It was a really kind of hard thing to do because I felt so helpless not being able to do anything to help them physically in terms of their illness. And God just began to give me this song and I was like I really don’t want a praise song right now. I’m going through this thing and God would say no, no I really need your praise. And when he finished giving me the song, he basically told me I see your tears, I fell your pain but I’ve got your back and you know that. So until that break through comes, I need your praise. Give me your valley situation, I need your praise. So it sort of taught me about praising God in all of our seasons.”

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAF2hjjEtts 

 
© 2014 Rych McCain Media/Syndication TM 
(You DID Hear It From Me!) 
Twitter@rychmccain and Facebook (Like Me)