Our Generations Diana Ross, Beyonce Knowles!

I remember the first time I heard Beyonce sing. It was several years ago and at that time she was in the group we all know "Destiny's Child." I must say that although the song was catchy and the girls were fly, I wasn't a fan. Later on the group wen on to create smash hits topping the charts and winning award after award. As their music grew, I felt like I was growing with them.

I've been privileged and I mean that, PRIVILEGED to have met Beyonce several times. I remember once when I was in Hawaii with my family and friend on vacation and while at the pool I got a call from my good friend Choreographer/Dancer Tyrell Washington. He asked me if I wanted to see the show (The Beyonce Experience) in Nashville the next day! Since it was late notice and poor timing, I PACKED MY MOTHERFUCKING BAGS AND HIT IT TO NASHVILLE, TENNESEE!

My family was immediately shocked that I was flying all 4 of us out there, but hell, wouldn't you?! I stopped at the airport in Honolulu and bought her a lay (those flowers you put around your neck). They were real pretty too like a purplish and white. Anyhow, we got drunk on the plane and arrived that morning. After a shopping spree we went to the show and afterwards, there she was! Although I didn't get to talk to her this time, she allowed only my little brother who wasn't a Beyonce believer to go and she her. When he came back he was mezmorized by her natural beauty.

There are many more Beyonce stories that I have but I'll save those for later. All I can say is that if the saying "you are defined by who you surround yourself with" is true, BEYONCE is the best. Her staff, dancers, and band members that are my friends Ty Hunter, Kim Burse, Tyrell Washington, Divinity, Nikki, Bibi, etc are all amazing people. I mean A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!

I can't wait to see the show this year and if I get backstage again (which I'm hoping I will) I'll try to bring as much exclusive footage as possible. Until then recognize, this is our Diana Ross and we should revel in this experience for as long as we can because when our kids are older they'll be talking about her too!

En Vogue is BACK!

I'm so excited to write this post that I don't even know where to start!!! I guess I'll rewind and start when I was a kid living in the worst town in the world, Stockton, CA. All we had there for entertainment was a skating ring, movie theaters, and a mini-golf that had a waterslide. Oh, and the annual San Joaquin County Fair.

I remember towards the end of May the fair would release it's entertainment schedule to much awaited anticipation. I remember calling the hotline and hearing the lineup, boring as usual. And then the guy said En Vogue will be performing.... I hung up the phone! I had to call everyone I knew to tell them about it.

Terry Ellis, Cindy Herron, Maxine Jones, and my girl Ms. Dawn Robinson were the hottest group out at the time, taking crowds by storm with their class and sexy swag. Dawn the standout member of the group with her tight eyes and voluminous body dominated the attention of concert goers.

I remember rushing to the back of the stage to meet this group who had the entire crowd on their feet the ENTIRE show. I seriously doubted I could get back there so I snuck around the gate and the only person who would come and talk to me was Dawn. She was sweet, signed an autograph and talked to me. I felt validated!

FAST FORWARD: Several years later and by way of the industry, Dawn and I have become close friends. I now consider her my sister 'fo life.' I recall a night when Dawn and I talked about her exiting the group, first moving on to Lucy Pearl fame and then her solo career. I have to admit at first I had judgement because of my own selfish desire to see the girls (En Vogue) who started it all get back together. But after 2 hours of deep discussion, I would equate her courage to that of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. who in the face of adversity, stood on his moral principles. I plan on interviewing Dawn so we'll get to those details later but I'm so excited to announce that

ALL FOUR ORIGINAL MEMBERS OF EN VOGUE ARE BACK TOGETHER!

Not only are they back together, but they look DAMN GOOD! Now, I know how old they are (which I'm not going to say here because I don't have permission) but they look better than some of our new artists of today (Keri Hilson Dawn SLAYS you).

Recently to kick off their 20 year anniversary tour, En Vogue visited the set of the View and performed a medley of their greatest hits. I've watched this video over and over because no matter how much I watch this, I see so much of what they've given to R&B music (see video below).

En Vogue is coming to a city near you and no matter how old you are, young or older, you must see this show!

Here is the schedule for those of you who are ready to lock in dates now. I will keep eveyone updated on what they are doing, where they are going, and other interesting things involving the Funky Divas!

Upcoming Shows

( view all )

May 8 2009 8:00P	Foxborough Mass/Showcase Live	FOXBOROUGH, Massachusetts
May 9 2009 8:00P	Boston Mass/PRIVATE SHOW	BOSTON, Massachusetts
May 10 2009 8:00P	New York/BB Kings	NEW YORK CITY, New York
May 16 2009 8:00P	Atlanta/Westin Peachtree Ballroom	ATLANTA, Georgia
Jun 6 2009 8:00P	Phoenix/TBA	PHOENIX, Arizona
Jun 7 2009 8:00P	Wash. Dc/Jazz Festival	WASHINGTON, Washington DC
Jun 19 2009 8:00P	Houston Astrodome	HOUSTON, Texas
Jun 20 2009 8:00P	Las vegas/Silverton Casino	LAS VEGAS, Nevada
Jun 21 2009 8:00P	Alabama/City Stages	BIRMINGTON, Alabama
Jun 26 2009 8:00P	Osaka Billboard Live	OSAKA, Osaka
Jun 29 2009 8:00P	Tokyo/Billboard Live	TOKYO, Tokyo
Jul 4 2009 8:00P	Baltimore/Festival	BALTIMORE, Maryland
Jul 5 2009 8:00P	Essence Jazz Festival - Superdome	NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana
Jul 11 2009 8:00P	Alameda County Fairgrounds - Pleasanton CA.	PLEASANTON, California
Jul 25 2009 8:00P	Malibu/Hollrod Foundation Fundraiser	MALIBU, California
Aug 1 2009 8:00P	Chicago/Gay Pride Street Festival	CHICAGO, Illinois
Aug 7 2009 8:00P	Oregon/Spirit Mountain Casino	GRAND RONDE, Oregon
Aug 8 2009 8:00P	Phoenix/Celebrity Theatre	PHOENIX, Arizona
Aug 25 2009 8:00P	P & E Amphitheatre - Vancouver BC Canada	RICHMOND, British Columbia
Aug 29 2009 8:00P	Atlanta/Chastain Park	ATLANTA, Georgia
Sep 25 2009 8:00P	West Indies/Garfield Sobers Center	WEST INDIES
Oct 3 2009 8:00P	Dallas/State Fair of Texas	DALLAS, Texas
Oct 4 2009 8:00P	Disney World Resort American Garden Theatre - Orlando FL.	ORLANDO, Florida
Oct 5 2009 8:00P	Disney World Resort/AG Theatre - Orlando FL.	ORLANDO, Florida
Oct 6 2009 8:00P	Disney World Resort/AG Theatre - Orlando FL.	ORLANDO, Florida

BEYONCE releases tour dates!!!

Everyone MUST see this show at least once! Go to www.beyonceworld.net to find the show in a city near you. Congrats to my friends Ty Hunter, Kim Burse, and Frank Gatson for putting together another amazing show!