A Labor of Love
By Larry
Buford
When my
friend and brother Cornelius Grant told me he was
venturing into some new and exciting entertainment
arenas, I asked him to count me in for whatever I could
do to support the effort. He has kept me informed along
the way, and now with the rollout of his new and
improved website, it is evident he is set to get the
show on the road!
Cornelius and I often talked about all the wasted,
unrecognized, and underappreciated artists and musicians
who are still around who do not have a venue to reach
broader audiences; people who just 10 or 15 years ago
could earn and enjoy a comfortable living doing what
they do best. I would challenge Cornelius that it would
take someone of his stature - whose music and fame are
known world-wide – to pull off such an endeavor in this
day and time. And it looks like the time is now!
I salute
Cornelius for his endurance and tenacity to bring about
meaningful and purposeful cultural enrichment. It’s been
a labor of love for him. As God blesses his effort, so
will the lives of so many people be blessed, and the
effort will not be in vain.
SMOKEY ROBINSON: THE SONGWRITER’S SONGWRITER!
By Larry Buford
The United Negro
College Fund (UNCF) chose to honor living legend Smokey
Robinson on a major televised network (NBC, January
26th). Unlike any other major televised tributes to
Robinson like the Grammy’s, and American Music Awards,
where the spotlight is shared with many others, this
airing focused on the man, and his music that has become
ingrained in the very fiber of the American experience,
not to mention the global impact.
Even at
the height of Motown’s golden era of the 1960’s, blacks
were given limited exposure on major networks and
magazine covers. If the fetes Robinson accomplished back
then were done now in this media-frenzied age, his name
and reputation would be all over the place! Fortunately,
his songs have remained a testament to his brilliance,
and a new generation can now know the source of songs
like “My Guy” and “My Girl” (back to back hits for Mary
Wells and the Temptations respectively) that they hear
and sing along to everyday.
The show
opened with Stevie Wonder performing Robinson’s first
national hit “Shop Around” as the honoree, seated next
to Berry Gordy, mused like a prince seated on a throne.
There were many acknowledgements throughout from the
likes of Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross, Tom Joyner,
Condoleeza Rice, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Debbie Allen, and
others. The inimitable Nancy Wilson (ever so classy)
performed after receiving the UNCF Founder’s Award. But
the amazing thing was the smorgasbord of performers who
were able to take one of Robinson’s well-crafted songs,
and interpret it their own way effectively. They sang
songs that have been covered by so many performers over
the years that it’s hard to count. Singer Joss Stone
performed “Who’s Lovin’ You”; John Legend, “Quiet
Storm”; Heather Headley sang “My Guy”; Chris Isaac
performed “My Girl” with acoustic guitar; Anita Baker
sang “More Love” and “Tracks of My Tears”; Macy Gray,
“You’ve really Got A Hold On Me”; Yolanda Adams, “I
Second That Emotion”; and Stevie Wonder appeared again
for a rendition of “Tears of a Clown” which he co-wrote
with Robinson.
Upon
receiving the UNCF Award of Excellence, Robinson himself
sang “Ooo Baby Baby”.
This was
a befitting tribute to one whom Bob Dylan once referred
to as “America’s greatest living poet”. Said Gordy,
“…his songwriting made him the world icon that he is
today”. Hopefully now, this generation will finally be
able to connect the dots, and understand what real
songwriting is all about.
WHAT A GOOD TIME TO LIVE IN SOUTH LOS ANGELES!!
(Hollywood celebrities and County officials pay a visit
to the ‘hood)
By Larry Buford
It’s not
that community leaders and dignitaries never come here,
but I just experienced a spectacular event in South Los
Angeles; formerly known as South Central!
It was
the 29th Annual “Living Legends” Series held at the A C
Bilbrew Library located on El Segundo Blvd. near San
Pedro (just blocks from where I live). Presented by the
Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors and the County
of Los Angeles Public Library the ceremony was
well-attended by a standing-room-only crowd. Local news
stations were on hand. The streets were blocked off as
people gathered from all around to see what was
happening!
Actor
William Allen Young, Master of Ceremonies, and
Supervisor Yvonne B. Burke shared equal time at the
podium introducing and giving accolades to the honorees:
actresses Sheryl Lee Ralph and Angela Bassett;
actress/singer/minister Della Reese; and Alfre Woodard
(who could not attend). And for just as many
acknowledgements as Burke gave out, she received even
more in return as one by one the podium guests,
including Councilman Bernard Parks, spoke of her
influence and inspiration that helped shape their lives.
Living
Legend awards were given to former black press columnist
Brad Pye Jr., and Jacquie Stevens, News and Public
Affairs Director for KJLH radio.
Singer
Tata Vega whose voice is best known for songs on the
soundtrack of “The Color Purple” performed a
soul-stirring-foot-stomping-hand-clapping gospel tune,
after a spectacular performance by the group Trilogy.
Singer/musician Kenny Latimore and his wife Chante Moore
also brought the audience to its feet with a duet.
Perhaps the highlight of the entertainment was a song
Sheryl Lee Ralph performed before her acceptance speech.
She is deeply involved in the fight against AIDS.
Among
the many acknowledgements was that of County Librarian
Margaret Donnellan Todd who gave library cards to each
of the honorees. Said Bassett, “in this age of the
internet…I still like to touch it [a book], feel it,
underline it, and read passages over and over again.”
She said she and her siblings used to spend hours at the
library when they were children. The family of the late
library founder A C Bilbrew, a black woman, was also
acknowledged.
There
were many comments that pointed to the importance of
Black History Month. Said Pye, “I’m proud of people like
Supervisor Burke who truly understands it’s the
character that makes the difference, and color never
made a woman or a man.”
The
ceremony ended with a book signing of Bassett’s new
book.
Larry Buford is a freelance writer residing in Los Angeles.
His new Book/CD, “Things Are Gettin’ Outta Hand” is
available online at Amazon.com, and locally at Eso Won
book store.
www.editorialbylarry.com
(213)
220-8101
