Return to the list of newsletters Powerhouse Radio Newsletter Platinum: The Television Show, Hip-hop Armageddon? April 23, 2003 This issue includes... 1) Platinum: The Television Show, Hip-hop Armageddon? 2) Platinum Albums: What are they? 3) Rhythm, Love, and Soul on PBS 4) Music News: Luther, Nina, Little Eva, Chaka 5) Concert Dates 6) Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood: Salute to Mothers 7) Powerhouse Radio Screen Saver 8) Another Patti Labelle Contest 9) Your Feedback Forward this issue to a friend Subscribe at http://www.powerhouseradio.com It's here. The official Powerhouse Radio Screensaver. You can download it for free right now from: Grab the Powerhouse Radio screensaver 1) Platinum: The Television Show, Hip-hop Armageddon? Platinum, the new UPN television series, has all the ingredients of being a run-away hit. I've seen two episodes, "Flow," and "Loyalty." A brief background. Platinum, centered in New York City, tells the story of two brothers, Jackson and Grady Rhames. They are running a multi-million dollar record company, Sweetback Entertainment. If you look deeper than the hip hop culture that this series portrays, the show is really about the pressures of building a successful business, the character of the people involved in the entertainment business, and the way career responsibilities impact on family, friends, and associates. As someone who's worked professionally in radio for a long time, I can tell you that there are many elements of Platinum that are very realistic. Yeah, there are some very sleazy characters who are involved in all levels of the record business. These folks aren't choir boys and girls, so get ready for a real slice of gangsta thug life. Platinum is a good reflection of the culture of greed, consumption, and getting ahead at any cost. Yes, there are a lot of stereotypes in this television show. Remember, this is TV. TV is primarily entertainment. Hip hop culture is just the vehicle used to package and frame the program. Platinum is a drama, but the show has a subtle sense of humor about it you may enjoy. Francis Ford Coppola is Executive Producer. A who's who of the hip-hop world appear each week as guest stars playing fictional music artists. Many R&B artists are also being featured in acting roles. Brian McKnight will guest star on the May 6th episode. The cast includes: Sticky Fingaz - Grady Rhames Jason Winston George - Jackson Rhames Lalanya Masters - Monica Rhames Steven Pasquale - David Ross Davetta Sherwood - Jade Rhames Platinum airs on UPN each week, and is repeated on MTV the following week. Check it out. Review written by King Have you seen the show? Do you like it? Tell us... Your feedback 2) Platinum Albums: What are they? The Recording Industry Association of America, (RIAA), certifies gold and platinum music sales (based on units sold, not dollars). A gold album requires 500,000 units to be sold, platinum albums require one million units. Singles are measured the same way. Johnnie Taylor's 1976 "Disco Lady" was the first platinum single (selling over 2 million copies). In 1998, the RIAA added a new "Diamond Award" for album sales of over 10 million units. Only 58 artists have achieved this greatness. Michael Jackson has one for Thriller, Garth Brooks and Led Zeppelin have four each. The Diamond Award heavyweight champs: The Beatles. They have five albums selling over 10 million units a piece. Check out Powerhouse Radio's FabFourSoul to hear one of the largest and most unique collections of R&B/soul/jazz/classical versions of Beatles songs ever put together. Listen now The links are on the lower half of the listen.html page. 3) Rhythm, Love, and Soul on PBS Lou Rawls and Aretha Franklin were in the fantastic PBS special "Rhythm, Love, and Soul." While millions watch amateur singers trying to sing R&B classics on "American Idol," this show featured the real thing with Thelma Houston, The Spinners, The Temptations, Gloria Gaynor, Freda Payne, Mary Wilson, and more. Watch for it as it will definitely be repeated in the coming months. 4) Music News: Luther Vandross, Nina Simone, Little Eva, Chaka Khan Luther Vandross Carmen Romano, Luther's business manager, reports that Mr. Vandross is recovering from his recent stroke. Luther turned 52 on April 20th. Although in recent good health, Luther's past excess weight led to diabetes and hypertension (which he's recently had under control thanks to diet and exercise). His new album is still scheduled for a June release. It's called "Dance With My Father," and features guest appearances from Stevie Wonder, Foxy Brown, Queen Latifah, Beyonce Knowles, and Busta Rhymes. ----------------- Nina Simone The world has lost Nina Simone, a Jazz and Soul Legend, famous for her civil rights songs, and gutsy interpretations of gospel, ballads, and George Gershwin. Simone past away at her home in the south of France at age 70. She studied piano at New York's prestigious Julliard School of Music, a rare opportunity for a black woman in the 1950's. To hear Nina Simone sing "I Want A Little Sugar In My Bowl," click this link: Powerhouse Radio archive ----------------- Little Eva Little Eva, who made "The Locomotion" a number one hit in 1962, passed away on April 10th. She stumbled into fame while still a teenager, babysitting for Carole King and Gerry Goffin. King asked her to sing a demo of the future hit single, and the rest, as they say, is history. To hear Little Eva sing "The Locomotion," click this link: Powerhouse Radio archive ----------------- Chaka Khan Chaka Khan was justly rewarded for her 8th Grammy Award earning best 2003 R&B Traditional Vocal Performance. She teamed up with Motown's Funk Brothers to create her unique stamp on the classic "What's Going On." Do you know how many versions of "What's Going On" are included in the Powerhouse Radio master playlist? Hint. Just go to: Powerhouse Radio playlist Enter "what's going on" (without the quotes) in the search box, and click on the flashlight. 5) Concert Dates India.Arie Saturday, May 3, 2003 Morris FX Jeff Auditorium , New Orleans, LA 9:00pm 50 Cent Friday, May 16, 2003 House of Blues in Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas, NV VH1 Divas Duets Queen Latifah, Whitney Houston, Celine Dion & others Thursday, May 22, 2003 Grand Garden Arena in MGM Grand, Las Vegas, NV 6:00pm Kirk Franklin Saturday, May 24, 2003 Palladium at Carowinds , Charlotte, NC Earth Wind & Fire Monday, May 26, 2003 Chastain Park Amphitheatre, Atlanta, GA 8:00pm Harry Belafonte Tuesday, May 27, 2003 Massey Hall, Toronto, ON 8:00pm Jerry Butler, Ben E. King, Lloyd Price, Gene Chandler Saturday, June 14, 2003 Westbury Music Fair, Westbury, NY Aretha Franklin (farewell tour) Tuesday, June 17, 2003 FleetBoston Pavilion, Boston, MA Santana and Angelique Kidjo Wednesday, June 18, 2003 PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel, NJ Al Green Wednesday, June 25, 2003 Greek Theatre, Los Angeles, CA George Benson Monday, July 7, 2003 The Olympia, Paris, France Hall & Oates Tuesday, July 8, 2003 House of Blues, North Myrtle Beach, SC 6) Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood: Mother's Day, May 11 Courtesy of The Archive of Misheard Lyrics at amiright.com Sly & The Family Stone's, "Family Affair" Misheard Lyrics: "Mom's love is the Volta Dam." Correct Lyrics: "Mom loves the both of them." Chuck Berry's, "Roll Over Beethoven" Misheard Lyrics: "I'm gonna write a little letter, gonna mail it to my mother in jail." Correct Lyrics: "I'm gonna write a little letter, gonna mail it to my local dj." 5th Dimension's, "Wedding Bell Blues" Misheard Lyrics: "Mother, may I meet Bill?" Correct Lyrics: "Won't you marry me, Bill?" Donny Hathaway's, "And Then There's Maude (Maude's Theme)" Misheard Lyrics: "And her mother was the first Brau Burna" Correct Lyrics: "Isadora was the first bra burner" 7) Powerhouse Radio Screen Saver We've wanted to do this for two years. Now it's here. The official Powerhouse Radio Screensaver. What makes it unique? Photos from vintage 45 rpm picture sleeves. Yes, we still have a large number of these collectibles. A few CD single picture sleeves are also included. Look for real copies of legendary record labels too. you can download it for free right now from: Powerhouse Radio screensaver The file size is 4.6 Megabytes. It should take about 20 minutes to download at 56k. This is our classic R&B/soul edition for the Windows operating system. 8) Another Patti Labelle Contest Patti's been back in the kitchen. Coming in May, we'll be giving away copies of her new book: Patti Labelle's Lite Cuisine 9) Tell Us What You Think We would love to hear what you think of this issue of the Powerhouse Radio Newsletter. Use our feedback form Copyright 2003 by Powerhouse Radio All rights reserved Powerhouse Radio http://www.powerhouseradio.com Legendary R&B stars and their friends More music on your computer from 5 decades More 2003 Powerhouse Radio Newsletters:
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