Rych McCain Hollyhood Notes : 2014-06-01

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
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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

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Gene Jones - Film

By Rych McCain International/Nationally Syndicated Entertainment Columnist

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Gene Jones

Hauntingly Portrays Cult Leader Jim Jones!

Photo Courtesy of Magnet Release

Film maker Ti West is best know for his mastery in the horror film genre and true to his craftsmanship he has come up with another mouth watering gem with his latest offering titled “The Sacrament” which is based on the final days of The People’s Temple Cult in a jungle buried deep in the South American country of Guyana. In 1978 Cult leader The Rev. Jim Jones ordered a mass suicide/murder of over 900 cult members my forcing them to drink a poisoned cool aid type of drink, poison injections and even gun shots. The dead included men, women and children as well as Jones himself who was said to have shot himself. The cult had its start in California and Jones convinced his members to surrender everything i.e., turning over their house deeds, social security checks to anything else of value and giving it to the cult. Jones took the money and purchased several acres of land in a remote jungle in Guyana. Then he had his select group move there with him where he set up a commune. Eventually the wheels came off of the wagon.

"Eden Parish" cult followers

West made this film in a documentary-style but kept it very real. As he stated, “I didn’t want to make a movie about mindless psycho cult members, I wanted to make a movie where people could relate to the cult members and maybe not agree with everything they say/do, but understand how and why their lives would lead them to be a part of this community. I find cults fascinating, personally, and hopefully I can provoke people to think more about what draws people into that type of bizarre lifestyle.”

Gene Jones as cult leader "Father"

Actor Gene Jones is the film’s cult leader and is known simply as “Father.” He is the last word on everything in the commune. Jones gives such a bone-chilling rendition of the real life Jim Jones that he literally brings him back to life. He even heavily resembles the real Jim Jones. For those who survived the real life People’s Temple, this may trigger some very deep emotions as actor Jones is so close to the real thing like Forest Whitaker was with his surreal portrayal of Ugandan strong man Idi Amin in “Last King Of Scotland” that garnered him an Oscar; Jones himself should have the same honor with an Oscar for this incredible delivery.

When asked if he studied the late Jim Jones, Jones just shook his head and said “no.” He never worked with Ti before or for that fact, didn’t even know him so what were the magic ingredients that fostered his brilliant performance? Jones sits back with his relaxed personality and explains, “Ti gave me the freedom to go where I wanted to go which was in the direction of being so damn trustworthy and so avuncular and nice. A phrase that popped up in my head was ‘I wanted to show you somebody who was evil but not mean,’ somebody who believed absolutely poisonous things but was the nicest fellow you ever met.”

Jones certainly achieved that and more with a performance that will stand the test of time amongst great cinema scenes and moments. This project will hopefully give Ti West a bigger film recognition feather in his cap as well.

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Tammi Mac One Woman Show Review - Theater

By Leroya Sanford, Poet and Stand-Up Comic (The Crown Princess of Comedy TM)

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Tammi Mac’s “Bag Lady”

I’ve seen quit a few plays. I have to admit that many of them were just okay or bored me. I think it was because it wasn’t written, directed or performed for my demographic. There is a group that I think is overlooked i.e., the tweens and/or teenagers.

Tammi Mac Actress/Radio Personality

Tammi Mac, KJLH-FM radio host, was performing her one woman play “Bag Lady” and I wanted to go to the show and support her. I didn’t know what to expect. I asked my Dad to buy the tickets online but the show was sold out. This was the last weekend and come to find out; the last three shows were sold out as well. My Dad took the chance to take me anyway hoping someone would be there scalping tickets. We were blessed and got tickets and got in just before the show started. I looked around and Stage 52 was packed from floor to ceiling. From the start, I was drawn in and it didn’t let go.

Tammi Mac delivered an outstanding performance. She made me laugh, she made me cry. The message she delivered left me in awe and I was not alone. At its conclusion, both men and women stood at and gave a standing ovation. Although the show had some adult themes and language, I think every female should see it. Well, on second thought, maybe they should be at least 14 years old. (10 to 12 years old for those “fast-girls.”) Bag Lady takes you on a deep journey of relationships from an innocent little girl thru adulthood. If you missed it, you missed a good one because the audience left entertained and much wiser, like the feeling you get after eating a good satisfying meal chatting with your old school relatives at the dinner table. However, I do have some good news.

The play is being made into a Web Series, short versions of her personal experiences with a new episode being released every month. Check out her youTube channel at: “TammiMacTV”. You may even have an opportunity to have your own story produced as a webisode by emailingBagLady2014@gmail.com.

Leroya Sanford (Crown Princess Of Comedy TM)

(You DID Hear It From Me!)

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