Archive for March, 2013

Saturday 3/30/13  on KLED Live FM (91.1 FM) www.KLEDLive.com 9AM & 9PM (PST)

 

 

THE UNDERGROUND EXPERIENCE & UNCLE EARL Re-Visits An Exceptional Woman!

 

One Can Never Get Enough Of A Good Thang….So I’m Gonna Play It Again Sam…..LOL

 

Come Take A Brisk Stroll With Us Down Memory Lane From The Past To The Present & Beyond!

 

 

Special Guest: MS. PEGGI BLU

Like many of today’s top singers, Peggi Blu got her start in the church. At the age of three her mother used to sit her on the stage where she would, in the words of someone who remembers being there, “…sing up a storm!”. By the time she was a teenager, she had toured all through the Carolinas, and decided to try her luck in New York. For the next fifteen years she established herself as one of New York’s top background singers, backing up such stars as Stevie WonderLuther VandrossBob Dylan, and many others. All this ‘backing up’ led to a record deal in 1980 with MCA, resulting in the album “I Got Love“. This album yielded a single, “Dancing In The Streets“, which reached #35 on Billboard’s dance music chart; the title song “I Got Love” was featured in the ABC movie Off The Minnesota Strip (starring Hal Holbrook). Peggi also co-starred in two Broadway musicals – The Wiz (1983, with Stephanie Mills) andMarilyn, An American Fable (1984, with director Kenny Ortega and star Scott Bakula).

In 1986, though, she got her biggest break yet. Her agent submitted her to “Star Search“. They loved her. In only eight minutes and four shows (two minutes per song) Peggi Blu became the 1986 Grand Champion Female Vocalist, winning the $100,000.00 prize money!

This massive television exposure led to a huge recording contract with Capitol Records. Moving to California,Peggi spent the rest of 1986 and most of 1987 working on “Blu Blowin’“. This album did very well in England, reaching as high as #4 on the club charts. It also received critical raves from reviewers in BillboardThe New York PostThe New York Daily News, & USA Today. TV appearances included Entertainment Tonight, andGood Morning America. A single, “Tender Moments”, stayed on Billboards’ R & B charts for a respectable eight weeks, peaking at #28.

On January 1st, 2000, Peggi sang with one of the biggest stars in the world at the biggest, most expensive concert ever – Barbra Streisand’s Millenium Concert at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. That event has been broadcast on FOX television repeatedly.

At President Clinton’s inauguration in Washington Peggi was personally requested to appear and sing. She even got to ‘jam’ with the President at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Pasadena at an exclusive party thrown by his friends.

In 1993 she released another single in England “Love Is The Magic”. It peaked at #9 on the Urban Contemporary chart and continues to sell well throughout Europe. From December of 1996 to May of 1997,Peggi headed to Germany to star in Michael Jackson’s Production of Sisterella – a successful 4-month long tour. A single from that show featuring Peggi was released by MJJ/Sony in Europe – “I Got The Money”. In February of 1998 she returned to Germany to co-star with Linda Hopkins in a revue Wild Women BluesPeggiis a featured soloist on the title song to the Jean-Claude Van Damme movie Desert Heat, as well as singing on the soundtracks to Set It Off (with Queen Latifa & Jada Pinkett-Smith)

and Hurricane (with Denzel Washington). She sings a duet with Gerald Alston on the new Manhattans’ CD Even Now, and has performed as a soloist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra under Esa Peka-Salonen, and with the Memphis and Hawaiian Symphony Orchestras with Burt Bacharach. In September of 2002 Peggireleased her third album – “Livin’ On Love”, initially in the UK & Europe on Expansion Records. So far it has received nothing but rave reviews – and has gone to #1 on radio charts in 5 different countries. Respected magazines such as Blues & Soul have given it glowing reviews. Excerpts from that CD have also appeared on numerous European compilations.

Peggi has also added her talents to the Platinum-selling recordings of some very major stars: Quincy Jones(Back On The Block), Tracy ChapmanKylie MinogueAaron NevilleDavid Foster (The 1996 & 2002Olympics Themes), Brian SetzerYoung M.C.CherelleBurt BacharachIrene CaraThe Crusaders,Smokey RobinsonThe Staple SingersPhyllis HymanSweetLeonard CohenPhilip Bailey of Earth Wind & Fire, and a host of others. As a matter of fact, Peggi has appeared on TEN platinum selling albums!

In March of 2006, Peggi was featured prominently on the ABC show “Miracle Workers” in a segment about her good friend and musical collaborator Valentino. They also sang one of their co-written songs together – “I’m Back”.

Peggi currently is performing her new self-penned show, “Blu Sinatra”, in which she sings selections from the classic Sinatra songbook as if “Frank Sinatra were born a Black Woman named Peggi Blu!”

http://www.peggiblu.com

Thanks AGain ARNOLD GARCIA & The SHINE ON HOLLYWOOD Staff For UNCLE EARL’s Inclusion In The Black History Month “TOP BLACK ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS” February Issue!

http://shineonhollywoodmagazine.com/shinefeb2013/web/flipviewerxpress.html

Air Date: 

Saturday 3/30/13  on KLED Live FM (91.1 FM)  www.KLEDLive.com 9AM & 9PM (PST)

 

Broadcast # 166A

 

 

Direct Links to the broadcast also on website: www.UltimateUnderground.com

Podcast will be available on iTunes, Podomatic and Website!

THE UNDERGROUND EXPERIENCE & UNCLE EARL Celebrates WOMEN’S MONTH!

“Exceptional Women & Those Who Admire Them”   

KALEIDOSCOPE OF WOMEN THROUGH MUSIC!

 

Musical Artists: INNA, TAMIKA, MARIAH, SHANIQUA, DARNAA, MARBELLA, SAMANTHA CRAIN, RETTA RICH, HANGIN’ WITH STOGIE, VITA CHAMBERS, MILA FRANC, TONYA BARRETT!

Featuring Excerpts From “The Strangest Secret” by Earl Nightingale & “Seven Choices for Success and Significance” by Dr. Nido R. Qubein

 

Air Date:  3/28/13  

 

Broadcast # 166A

Duration: 0:59:40

 

Air Date: Thursday 3/28/13  on KLED Live FM (91.1FM)  www.KLEDLive.com  @ 9AM & 9PM (PST)

 

THE UNDERGROUND EXPERIENCE & UNCLE EARL Celebrates WOMEN’S MONTH!

“Exceptional Women & Those Who Admire Them”   

TODAY: KALEIDOSCOPE OF WOMEN THROUGH MUSIC!

 

Musical Artists: INNA, TAMIKA, MARIAH, SHANIQUA, DARNAA, MARBELLA, SAMANTHA CRAIN, RETTA RICH, HANGIN’ WITH STOGIE, VITA CHAMBERS, MILA FRANC, TONYA BARRETT!

Featuring Excerpts From “The Strangest Secret” by Earl Nightingale & “Seven Choices for Success and Significance” by Dr. Nido R. Qubein

 

Air Date: Thursday 3/28/13  on KLED Live FM (91.1FM)  www.KLEDLive.com  @ 9AM & 9PM (PST) 

 

Broadcast # 166A

 

 

Direct Links also on website: www.UltimateUnderground.com

Podcast will be available on iTunes. Podomatic and Website!

 

INNA

TAMIKA

MARIAH

SHANIQUA

DARNAA

MARBELLA

SAMANTHA CRAIN

RETTA RICH

HANGIN’ WITH STOGIE

VITA CHAMBERS

MILA FRANC

TONYA BARRETT

THE UNDERGROUND EXPERIENCE & UNCLE EARL Celebrates WOMEN’S MONTH Featuring

“Exceptional Women & Those Who Admire Them!”

Special Guest: SANDRA REAVES-PHILLIPS

Come On In And Get A Front Row Seat For A LIVE Performance From The MAASDAM Cruise Ship On The Holland America Line!

 

She Takes You On a Musical Journey Through Standards & The Blues!

Air Date: 3/25/13  

 

Broadcast # 166 Duration: 1:05:40

 

Air Date: Monday 3/25/13  on KLED Live FM (91.1FM)  www.KLEDLive.com  @ 9AM & 9PM (PST) 

 

THE UNDERGROUND EXPERIENCE & UNCLE EARL Celebrates WOMEN’S MONTH Featuring

“Exceptional Women & Those Who Admire Them!”

Special Guest: SANDRA REAVES-PHILLIPS

Come On In And Get A Front Row Seat For A LIVE Performance From The MAASDAM Cruise Ship On The Holland America Line!

 

She Takes You On a Musical Journey Through Standards & The Blues!

 

SANDRA REAVES-PHILLIPS

 Received a Drama League Recognition Award for Outstanding PerformerROLLIN’ ON THE T.O.B.A. on Broadway. She was born in Mullins, South Carolina, labored long hours in the field with her grandmother, sang in church, and then entered local talent contests when she arrived in New York City.

Her success in singing paved the way to show business. As a result of performing in small clubs aroundNew York City, she landed a contract with Epic Records and appeared off-Broadway and garnered critical and audience acclaim with a riveting portrayal of Mama Younger in the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, RAISIN. She costarred in Paris at the Chatelet Theatre in the original production of BLACK AND BLUE.

Her appearances in numerous stage productions in North America include AMERICAN DREAMS at theNegro Ensemble CompanyCHAMPEEN, in which she starred as Bessie Smith, winning an Audelco Award for outstand- ing female performer, and the title role in the Citadel Theatre and Pittsburgh Public Theatre productions of MA RAINEY’S BLACK BOTTOM.

Other stage roles include BEFORE IT HITS HOME at the Arena Stage in Washington, DCFURTHER MOat New York’s Village Gate, the national tours of ONE MO TIMEMISS MOFFAT with Bette Davis,DON’T PLAY US CHEAP, and THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS. Off-Broadway she has been fea- tured in the original production of BLUES IN THE NIGHTBASIN STREET, and STOMPIN’AT THE SAVOY, and co- authored OPENING NIGHT.

Club appearances include The Cotton ClubThe Village GateThe Hollywood CinegrillDangerfield’s, and Sweetwaters.  In Europe, The Groschenoper in FrankfurtThe Meridien in ParisJaylins inSwitzerland and The Casino in Lucerne.  

Festival appearances include The Montreal Jazz Festival, The International Jazz Festival of Bern, SwitzerlandThe North Sea Jazz Festival in Holland, and The International Festival in Lyon, France.  Ms. Reaves-Phillips made her Carnegie Hall debut in CAVALCADE OF STARS and W.C. HANDY ANNIVERSARY TRIBUTE at Lincoln Center. She continues to tour in the shows she created,BOLD & BRASSY BLUES“GLORY HALLELUJAH” GOSPEL!, and THE LATE GREAT LADIES OF BLUES AND JAZZ.

Ms. Reaves-Phillips‘ film credits include Round Midnight, in which she was featured as Buttercup, andLean On Me, in which she was featured as Mrs. Powers and sang the title song. She guest starred on Television’s “Law and Order”, portrayed the recurring role of Esther on “Another World”“Homicide”,“Comedy Central”, and co-starred with Ann-Margret in the N.B.C. Movie of the Week “Following Her Heart”.

Radio and television audiences have heard her voice as the scat singer in the very popular “Entenmann’s Bakery” commercial and a guest-star appearance on “Garrison Keillor’s Prairie Home Companion.”

She toured in Europe with her Gospel Show, sang for an audience of 8000 at The Vatican, had a private audience with the Pope, completed a new CD A Tribute to “The Queen of Gospel” MAHALIA JACKSONand completed filming “DON’T EXPLAIN.” She has appeared as The Chanteuse in San Francisco’s long running “TEATRO ZINZANNI,” guested with RAY CHARLES in concert at West Point! and sang for the President of China at the invitation of Mayor Willie Brown of San Francisco.

Ms. Reaves-Phillips has been nominated for two Helen Hayes Awards and the NAACP Image Award.She was the recipient of the 1998 AUDELCO Award for her portrayal of Bertha Mae Little in “ROLLIN on the T.O.B.A.”

www.SandraReavesPhillips.com 

Air Date: Monday 3/25/13  on KLED Live FM (91.1FM)  www.KLEDLive.com  @ 9AM & 9PM (PST) 

 

Broadcast # 166

Direct Links also on website: www.UltimateUnderground.com

Podcast will be available on iTunes. Podomatic and Website!

Buttercup in “Round Midnight”

UK Northern Soul Queens

One Mo’ Time Poster

Late Great Ladies Of Blues & Jazz

Cast Of Low Down Dirty Blues

As Ms. Powers with Morgan Freeman in Lean On Me

UNCLE EARL SAYS FAREWELL TO KCLA FM!

THE UNDERGROUND EXPERIENCE & UNCLE EARL SAYS FAREWELL TO KCLA FM!

 

Yes Ladies, Gentlemen & Underground Dwellers….. My FINAL Broadcast on KCLA-FM.

 

The Time Has Come To Move Onward & Upward, Although I Do Appreciate The Learning Experience And New Found sense Of SELF!

 

Today’s Show Will Be A Concoction Of Thought Provoking Grooves, Knowledge, Wisdom & Understanding!

 

You Can Still Find Me On KLED Live FM EVERY Monday, Thursday & Saturday 9am & 9pm (PST) & The Southern Star Network ON-DEMAND :O))

 

There Will Also Be Some Very Exciting News Coming Soon Regarding Growth………..

 

MUSICAL ARTISTS: Michael Cason, Johnny Winter, Nathan Alexander, XOV, Ike & Tina Turner, Pink Floyd, Jelly Fish, Danzel, Cannonball Adderley & The Nat Adderley Sextet!

 

SPECIAL EXCERPT READINGS: “Attitude Is Everything” by Vicki Hitzges, “An Enemy Called Average” by John Mason  & “The Awesome Power Of Goals” by Gary Ryan Blair

 

Broadcast # 165

Air Date:  3/23/13

Duration: 1:02:30  

 

THE UNDERGROUND EXPERIENCE & UNCLE EARL Celebrates WOMEN’S MONTH!

“Exceptional Women & Those Who Admire Them”   

 

Special Guest: MS. FREDA PAYNE!

We take a trip through the times in her life and we recap some memories about touring around the world working together!

Air Date:  3/21/13 

 

Broadcast # 165A

Duration: 1:00:30

Air Date: Thursday 3/21/13  on KLED Live FM (91.1FM)  www.KLEDLive.com  @ 9AM & 9PM (PST) 

THE UNDERGROUND EXPERIENCE & UNCLE EARL Celebrates WOMEN’S MONTH!

“Exceptional Women & Those Who Admire Them”   

 

Special Guest: MS. FREDA PAYNE!

We take a trip through the times in her life and we recap some memories about touring around the world working together!

 The strikingly beautiful Freda Charcelia Payne was born in Detroit, Michigan on September 9th, 1942. And her road to The DiscoMuseum has many twists and turns along it’s way. Besides her singing career, she is a noted film and stage actress as well as a former talk show host.   Freda developed her love of music at an early age. She cites Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan and Billie Holliday as her earliest influences. Her own career began as a jingles singer which brought the young vocalist to the attention of several music-biz heavyweights. At the age of 17, Pearl Bailey gave Payne her first professional job. Berry Gordy Jr. attempted to sign Payne to his then-burgeoning record company, Motown, and Duke Ellington employed Payne as the featured singer with his renowned orchestra for two nights in Pittsburgh, resulting in Ellington offering the teenager a ten-year contract. But in both cases, Freda’s mother turned them down.

During the early to mid-1960’s, Payne established herself as a top-notch jazz vocalist, touring the country with legends like Lionel Hampton, Sammy Davis Jr., Billy Eckstein, and Quincy Jones. The late Jazz impresario Bob Thiele (husband of the late Teresa Brewer) gave Payne her first recording session. Like all those that heard Freda sing he was undoubtedly impressed, so much so that he personally produced the sessions for her 1963 release “After The Lights Go Down” on his own Impulse label. The album is a mixed bag of big band numbers and jazz combo standards. Wedged between her beautiful version of “‘Round Midnight” and Ornette Coleman’s “Lonely Woman” is “Blue Piano.” Impressive to consider that Duke Ellington wrote the song specifically for this session.

There is an incredible wealth of material here, and it definitely shows just how diverse and indeed brilliant Freda Payne can be. The contributions of top-drawer jazz musicians such as pianist Walter Perkins, guitarist Jim Hall and alto saxophonist Phil Woods give this a polished sound. The album has been re-issued on compact disc and is still available.   Touring and establishing her jazz career followed the next several years. She headlined with “The Smart Affairs Revue” and the “The Larry Steel Show” hitting spots from Atlantic City to Vegas and Hawaii. By 1966 she was poised for another album release. Her sophomore album was released on MGM records and has long been out of print. “How Do You Say I Don’t Love You Anymore?” was another classic mix of jazz and standards. Benny Golson, composer of such hits as “Killer Joe” and “I Remember Clifford” arranged and conducted. Tom Wilson produced. The stellar standouts are her renditions of “Yesterday,” “Let It Be Me,” “Feeling Good” and “On Easy Street.” The album elevated her status amongst the jazz and supper club crowds but did not make her a commercial success.

Freda enjoyed further exposure via appearances on the Johnny Carson, David Frost, and Merv Griffin shows. But it wasn’t until Payne signed on to the Invictus label in 1969 (headed by longtime friends/former Motown songwriters and producers Eddie Holland, Lamont Dozier, and Brian Holland) and issued the album “Band Of Gold” that she scored her breakthrough hit. The album’s title track, peaked at #-3 in the U.S. and topped the charts in the U.K. in 1970. The first single was “The Unhooked Generation” but it was her second single, the ambiguous wedding-night drama, “Band Of Gold” that made soul history. The album is chocked full of delicious gems like the third single “Deeper & Deeper” and “This Girl Is A Woman Now,” “The Easiest Way To Fall” and “Love On Borrowed Time.” The album went to #-17 (R&B) and #-60 (Pop) on Billboards charts and earned her a Gold album. It surely gave Invictus a positive cash flow to broaden it’s roster and further it’s catalogue.

Freda’s second Invictus album was a significant success, making it higher onto the Billboard charts than her first release. She found her niche in the early 1970’s, doing silky, sophisticated pop/soul with excellent production, arrangements, and material supplied by the Holland/Dozier/Holland team. They wisely chose not to make her a sassy or hard-edged vocalist, but putting her voice in a string and horn-dominated genre and emphasizing her soothing, yet lightly sensual side. The “Contact” album came complete with scandal by being banned from the U.S. Armed Forces Radio Network. Seems the hit single “Bring The Boys Home” didn’t sit well with the pro-war radio program.

Although much of Freda’s association with the mighty Invictus label would be fraught with stress, it was nevertheless a prolific period with masterpieces of epic proportions. The masterpieces on “Contact” are obviously “Bring The Boys Home,” “You Brought The Joy,” “You’ve Got To Love Somebody” and “I Shall Not Be Moved.” Thankfully Sequel Records has combined her first two Invictus albums on to one compact disc reissue.   Despite it’s sexy cover with the bikini-clad Payne frolicking on the beach, “Reaching Out” was to be her third and final album of original material for Invictus. A “Best Of” was issued in 1973. The single “Two Wrongs Don’t Make A Right” struggled to #-75 on the R&B charts and signaled the end of her pop/commercial success. Her version of “Rainy Days & Mondays” is yet another example of her incredible range and depth and makes the album worth the purchase alone.

1974 was a pivotal year for Payne. MGM Records re-released “How Do I Say I Don’t Love You Anymore?” as part of their “Golden Archives Series.” And she fled Invictus for the more successful and polished ABC/Dunhill Records. Her debut for the new label was a masterpiece. “Payne & Pleasure” was a polished pop effort. Her versions of “I Won’t Last A Day (Without You),”The Way We Were” and “A Song For You” are worthy of comparison to the Carpenters and Barbra Streisand’s versions. The original cuts: “Run For Your Life,” “Don’t Wanna Be Left Out,” “It’s Yours To Have” and “I Get Carried Away” are unique unto themselves. The album peaked at #-55 on the Billboard charts and earned her a whole new legion of fans.   Her sophomore release for ABC/Dunhill however didn’t fare as well.

1975’s “Out Of Payne Comes Love” failed to chart as an LP. And only one single, “It’s Yours To Have,” peaked at #-81 on Billboard’s R&B charts. The album in retrospect comes off as a hodgepodge of scattered material and arrangements. Whatever the album lacks in production coordination at least it has Payne’s stunning vocals. As gifted as a singer as she is, she still needs quality material. Songs like “Million Dollar Horse” just don’t cut it. The real gem of the album is her version of “You Brought The Woman Out In Me.” This sultry disco number was a minor club hit. With a remixed 12″ it could have been a monster hit. As with most labels, her poor chart showing and lackluster sales caused her to be dropped by ABC records after only two albums.   The next few years saw a rapid shift in music from soul/pop to disco. Payne spent those years touring and doing television appearances. But by 1977 she was poised to record another album.

Enter Capitol records and Motown alumnus Frank Wilson and Tony Camillo to produce her disco masterpiece “Stares And Whispers.” The well known track is obviously the 12″ single of “Love Magnet.” But the overlooked “Master Of Love” gets my vote as the real treasure. Starting off as a slow seductive number about 3-4 minutes in it turns into a killer high energy toe-tapper. Other disco numbers are “Feed Me Your Love” and “Bring Back The Joy.” The latter co-written by former school teacher and 1990’s R&B star Gregory Abbott. 1977 was a key year in Freda’s life. Surviving the death of her beloved mother was a low point. The highlights were her new label, album and discocareer as well as the birth of her first son in October. The 35 year old beauty had never looked or sounded better. Motherhood and disco agreed with her. 1978 was another banner year for Freda, besides her marriage to husband Gregory Abbott, she gave birth to her second son, Gregory Abbott Jr. Her second disco album release, “Supernatural High,” spawned more club favorites.

Besides the 12″ single hits “Happy Days Are Here Again/Happy Music (Dance The Night Away” and “I’ll Do Anything For You” the album had the noteworthy tracks: “Just The Thought Of You (Supernatural High)” and “Storybook Romance.” The latter was written by little sister Scherrie Payne who would include her version of it on her 1979 Motown release “Partners” with Susaye Greene. This album marks the first, but not the last, time the sisters would collaborate.   With her third Capitol records release, “Hot,” it rivaled her Invictus years for volume of output. Once again she scored another club hit with the 12″ single “Red Hot.” Despite a variety of well produced numbers, including the other club favorite “Gotta Keep Dancing,” the album failed to ignite any sales and quickly disappeared.

As 1979 was the pinnacle for disco and it’s death was looming on the horizon Freda began considering other avenues of creative expression. She continued touring and making personal appearances, but took more time to spend with her children and husband. The next several years found her raising a family, struggling with a divorce and starting a new career as a talk show hostess. Her 1981 talk show “Today’s Black Woman” was short lived. I did catch an episode where she interviewed her sister Scherrie Payne, which I found quite interesting.   After the demise of her talk show Freda hit the studios again. First for her own release “In Motion.” A spunky number on the small independent label Sutra that received moderate club play. The song was written and produced by Edmund Sylvers (with whom she had a brief affair despite their 15 year age gap). And secondly as part of the “Stars On Background” for sister Scherrie’s mega-hit “Girl, You’re In Love/I’m Not In Love” both in1982.

In 1986 she re-recorded “Band Of Gold” with former Go-Go, Belinda Carlisle for Carlisle’s debut album. The 12″ single was a huge success. Besides her celluloid stint as talk show hostess and a 1988 video release of “Legendary Ladies Of Rock And Roll” she was pretty low-keyed in the 1980’s.   In 1990 she started a comeback of sorts. She appeared as a backing vocalist on Nancy Wilson’s “Lady With A Song” compact disc. And Ian Levine coaxed her into recording a remake of “Band Of Gold” for his MotorCity label, which is undoubtedly a very “dated” sounding remake.

Freda had dabbled in acting early in her career. Her first movie role was in 1973’s blaxplotation film “Book Of Numbers” which starred a pre-“Miami Vice” Phillip Michael Thomas. In 1976 she won favorable reviews for her appearance on an episode of “Police Story” entitled “$.50 First Half-Hour, $1.75 All Day.” In the 1990’s she decided to move to another phase of her career as an actress. She played a boutique sales director in the 1995 thriller “Private Obsession.” She played a vocalist in Tisha Campbell’s 1997 hit-movie “Sprung.” Next came the role of “Gran” in the 1999 horror film “Ragdoll.”

Then came a prized role alongside Janet Jackson and Eddie Murphy in the 2000 release “Nutty Professor 2: The Klumps,” her funniest work to date. In 2001 she was seen as “Jean Aimes” in the made-for-T.V. film “Fire And Ice” and appeared alongside Ice-T and M.C. Hammer in the music business thriller “Deadly Rhapsody” as “Lily Potter.” In 2006 she appeared with her son Greg Abbott Jr. in the television sci-fi horror film “Saurian” as “Sylvia Madson” and starred in 2007’s “Cordially Invited” as “Ann Sheffield.” She has amassed a nice body of work for a singer turned actress. But Payne has not abandoned her recording career, in fact, she enjoyed a resurgence in the 1990’s with her releases.

Her 1995 release, “Freda Payne Sings the (Unauthorized) I Hate Barney Songbook: A Parody” was her first since her Sutra 12″ single three years earlier. What can be said about the Dove Records compact disc? The title says it all! The next year her release of “An Evening With Freda Payne Live In Concert” brought her back to her glory days. The 19 track extravaganza features stunning numbers like “C’Est Si Bon,” “Take The A-Train,” “It Don’t Mean A Thing, “Don’t Rain On My Parade” and of course her hits “Band Of Gold” and “Bring The Boys Home.” Freda looks and sounds more incredible than ever! For this concert recording she brought in sister Scherrie and former Tony Orlando And Dawn star Joyce Vincent-Wilson. Joyce dragged in her sister Pamela Vincent to round out the backing trio. This makes the recording a unique “Sister Act.” 

Later that same year Freda tackled new ground by recording her first Christmas album. “Christmas With Freda And Friends” is a delightful release. All the usual holiday standards are here. “The Christmas Song,” “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas,” “Silver Bells” and “O Holy Night/Silent Night.” The new material includes gems like “What Is Christmas To You?” and “The Perfect Time Of The Year” (which Freda wrote). Two unusual classics are here as well. Covers of Eartha Kitt’s “Santa Baby” and the late Donny Hathaway’s “This Christmas.” The “Friends” are Cuba Gooding, Mel Carter, O.C. Smith and Carolyn Willis. Remember her? She was the female voice on the Seals & Crofts hit “Get Closer.” And of course what would a holiday be without family……sister Scherrie’s here as well. All in all a nice holiday package that is still in-print.

1999’s “Live In Concert” is a recording of a live performance that Payne made in Los Angeles on November 6th, 1993. It is actually an edited version of the live album “An Evening With Freda Payne: Live in Concert.” This release contains the medley of “Who Can I Turn To/Didn’t We” that was not on the previous release. When Freda signed with the reactivated Volt label in 2000, many of her die hard soul lovers were no doubt hoping for an album of Detroit soul and Holland/Dozier/Holland classics. But the veteran singer is more versatile than that.   Released in 2001, “Come See About Me” contains only a few examples of retro soul. “First Impression” and the title track (a cover of The Supremes’ 1964 smash) recall her soul output of the 1970’s, but the CD also offers everything from urban and quiet storm to adult contemporary.

Payne (who was 57 when this album was recorded) even gets back into dance-pop on the anthemic “I Live For New York City.” None of the material is straight-ahead jazz, although “Let’s Make Beautiful Music,” “You Complete Me,” and an arrangement of the standard “You Turned The Tables On Me” are the sort of mellow quiet storm offerings that one would expect from Anita Baker. The album shows that like a fine wine Payne only gets more mellow and beautiful as time goes by. It also demonstrates her ability to be both progressive and yet classic simultaneously. Her latest release “On The Inside” is available in her store via her web site.   We’re happy to see that this legend is still going strong in the new millennium.

In early 2003, she performed in a show called “Love & Payne,” with Darlene Love at Feinstein’s at the Regency in New York, and at the Cinegrill in the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel in Los Angeles, getting excellent reviews. On April 22nd, 2009 Freda appeared on “American Idol” and sang her smash “Band of Gold.” And in February 2010, Freda joined Kanye West, Jordan Sparks, Jennifer Hudson, Barbra Streisand and many more on the remake of “We Are The World” for Haiti Relief.   She is available for bookings and is very active today. To purchase her compact discs or to see her tour schedule visit her web site at: www.fredapayne.com

 

Air Date: Thursday 3/21/13  on KLED Live FM (91.1FM)  www.KLEDLive.com  @ 9AM & 9PM (PST) 

 

Broadcast # 165A

 

 

Direct Links also on website: www.UltimateUnderground.com

Podcast will be available on iTunes. Podomatic and Website!

Wednesday 3/20/13  on KCLA FM (99.3FM)  www.KCLAFM.com  4PM (PST)

 

KCLA Listen Line: 323 461 6675

 

THE UNDERGROUND EXPERIENCE & UNCLE EARL SAYS FAREWELL TO KCLA!

 

 

Yes Ladies, Gentlemen & Underground Dwellers…..TODAY Will Be My FINAL Broadcast on KCLA-FM.

 

 

The Time Has Come To Move Onward & Upward, Although I Do Appreciate The Learning Experience And New Found sense Of SELF!

 

 

 

Today’s Show Will Be A Concoction Of Thought Provoking Grooves, Knowledge, Wisdom & Understanding!

 

 

 

You Can Still Find Me On KLED Live FM EVERY Monday, Thursday & Saturday 9am & 9pm (PST) & The Southern Star Network ON-DEMAND :O))

 

 

There Will Also Be Some Very Exciting News Coming Soon Regarding Growth………..

 

 

 

Air Date: 

 

Wednesday 3/20/13  on KCLA FM (99.3FM)  www.KCLAFM.com  4PM (PST)

 

KCLA Listen Line: 323 461 6675

 

 

 

 

MUSICAL ARTISTS: Michael Cason, Johnny Winter, Nathan Alexander, XOV, Ike & Tina Turner, Pink Floyd, Jelly Fish, Danzel!

 

 

SPECIAL EXCERPT READINGS: “Attitude Is Everything” by Vicki Hitzges, “An Enemy Called Average” by John Mason  & “The Awesome Power Of Goals” by Gary Ryan Blair

 

 

 

Very Special Thanks AGain To ARNOLD GARCIA & The SHINE ON HOLLYWOOD Staff For UNCLE EARL’s Inclusion In The Black History Month “TOP BLACK ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS” February Issue!

 

http://shineonhollywoodmagazine.com/shinefeb2013/web/flipviewerxpress.html

 

 

 

Air Date: 

 

Wednesday 3/20/13  on KCLA FM (99.3FM)  www.KCLAFM.com  4PM (PST)

 

KCLA Listen Line: 323 461 6675

 

 

 

Broadcast # 165

 

 

Direct Links to the broadcast also on website: www.UltimateUnderground.com

 

Podcast will be available on iTunes, Podomatic and Website!

 

XOV

 

Ike & Tina Turner

 

Pink Floyd

 

Jellyfish

 

Danzel

 

John Mason (Author)

 

Vicki Hitzges (Author)

 

Gary Ryan Blair

 

Michael Cason & The Peace Keepers

Johnny Winter

Nathan Alexander

 

THE UNDERGROUND EXPERIENCE & UNCLE EARL Celebrates WOMEN’S MONTH Featuring

“Exceptional Women & Those Who Admire Them!”

Special Guest: Star of Stage, Screen & Music – MS. IRINA MALEEVA!

Join Uncle Earl & Irina Maleeva for a heartfelt, open and honest discussion which took place in her home!

Air Date:  3/18/13  

Broadcast # 164C

Duration: 1:03:00