Mary, Mary

Ida Keeling, a 99-year-old great-great-grandmother from New York, recently became the 95-99 age group world record holder in the 100-meter run. Ida finished in 59.8 seconds, becoming the first woman in history to compete in the event in the 95+ age group in an internationally certified race.

Ida, just 4 feet 6 and 83 pounds, started competitive running at age 67 to help deal with grief over losing her two sons in drug-related homicides. Her advice on longevity? “Eat for nutrition, not for taste. Do what you need to do, not what you want to do and don’t leave out your daily exercise. Love yourself.”

In recent weeks Gospel singer, Erica Campbell has received an unexpected amount backlash stemming from a promotional photo taken for her forthcoming March 25 solo debut album, “Help.” And though the Mary Mary songstress posted the glamorous photograph via her personal Instagram account following the announcement of her Grammy Award nomination, various members from the Christian community have deemed the image a bit inappropriate. According to Clutch Magazine, Apostle Stacey Woods of Impact Outreach Ministries, Inc. lashed out at the 41-year-old on Facebook for her form fitting white attire. Yesterday (Dec. 17) Campbell responded to critics during an exclusive interview with Essence.com. And while she admitted that she felt “beautiful,” “confident,” & “strong,” with the support of her family during the photo shoot, she added that the criticism should yield itself a more in depth conversation towards Christianity and sexuality. "This is about confidence and realizing that God made you and that you are beautiful just the way you are," she said. "I think that young girls shouldn't only get sexy images from people who are not proclaiming Jesus. But I am. And I'm cute too." Aside from participating in breathtaking photo shoots, Campbell’s lead single “A Little More Jesus” is up for Best Gospel song at the 56th annual Grammy Awards, set to broadcast live from Los Angeles’ Staples Center January 26 on CBS. Huffington Post 2013

On my show today!

The new Tank album getting many 5 Star reviews on Amazon site: for example..  Wow Tank. After the side project TGT, and its sex soaked songs, it was hard to know what to expect with his new album. I prayed that he would not be afraid to write a record reflecting personal growth and employ a more mature, less electronic musical background. Tank, you did it!
Tank has a taken a quantum leap forward on his new album Stronger. With music industry pressure to write vapid, love-`em and leave' em songs that don't go over the head of the fast food crowd, Tank has opted to write about the challenge of commitment. Half of the songs show a man who, after perhaps playing the field and playing with many hearts, has asked himself, `Can I grow beyond my old self?' Very appropriate for a man at his age and place in life. "If that's what it takes," "Thanking You," "Stronger," "Same way", "Hope this Makes you Love me" are all winners reflecting a man willing to grow and commit even if that means making changes.
As a bonus, Tank doesn't forget to make us dance. "You're My Star" is Tank rejoicing in having found "the one." "Dance with me, " "I Gotta Have It," "Nobody Better" are other invitations to dance, but the slower, more introspective songs are where Tank shines on this album. If an artist does not risk showing growth, despite industry pressure to `stay the same', that artist suffers.
"Stronger" is the next, logical progression of a man who is maturing.

This weeks play list 28-09-2014

Live in B,Ham 30-09-2014

Teena Marie - Da-ja-vu (I've Been Here Before)
Gospel Keynotes - Jesus Has Been Good To Me
Euge Groove - Just My Imagination
J. Poww - Thank You
Donnell Jones - Do What I Gotta Do
Groove Association - Do You Remember
Joe - Love & Sex
Aretha Franklin - Giving Him Something He Can Feel
Harold Melvin & BN - U Know How 2 Make Me Feel
Afi Soul - I'm Gonna Shine
Gwendolyn Collins - Take A Walk With Me

Mary, Mary x 3

1 Walking 2 Love You That Much 3 I Sings

Charlie Wilson - Life Of The Party

Tank - You're A Star

Troi - Never Knew Love

Zushi - Suprise, Suprise

Don-E/Natasha Watts - Big People Tings

Algebra Blessett - U Do It For Me

I Level - In The Sand

Two Tons Of Fun - Never Like This Before

George Benson - Breezin'

Mary, Mary Biography:

Mary Mary is an American contemporary gospel duo, consisting of sisters Erica Atkins-Campbell (born April 29, 1972) and Trecina "Tina" Atkins-Campbell (born May 1, 1974). The duo are often credited along with Kirk Franklin for broadening the fan base of urban contemporary gospel in the 2000s by introducing elements of soul music, hip hop, funk and jazz. Mary Mary broke onto the music scene with their popular song "Shackles (Praise You)"—which is considered one of the pioneering songs of urban contemporary gospel music. The group's name, as stated in an interview is inspired by the two famous Mary's from the Bible; Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ, and Mary Magdalene.
Their debut album, Thankful (2000), was certified Platinum. In addition, the duo has released two Gold albums: Incredible (2002) and Mary Mary (2005), both of which have charted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top Gospel Albums. They have also received four Grammys, among other awards. In 2011, they released their fifth studio album, Something Big.

In March 2012, they premiered their own television series, Mary Mary, on WE tv. A second season premiered in December 2012 and concluded in February 2013. Their most recently released album is their first compilation album, Go Get It (2012), with the hit single of the same name. Then the third season premieres on February 27. More @ Wiki

Thought for the day:

 'Voice' Facebook page

Peggi Blu

In the news this week...March Against Black Genocide Galvanizes 50,000 In Brazil; Where Is The Media Coverage? In Manaus, the march took place in the Cidade Nova neighborhood, in the north zone, and with the participation of nine institutions that fight for the rights of Blacks, as well as groups of Hip-hop, capoeira, graffiti and other artistic manifestations. Despite the small number of protesters (about 500 according to evaluations), the organizers believe it’s an advance in the Amazonas, a state that has no tradition in the struggle of the movement. More

Happy Birthday to BB King who's 89 today. A singer and guitarist born into a sharecropping family on September 16, 1925, in Itta Bena, Mississippi, B.B. King—born Riley B. King—became one of the best-known blues performers, an important consolidator of blues styles, and a primary model for rock guitarists. Following his service in the U.S. Army, he began his career as a disc jockey in Memphis, Tennessee, where he was dubbed "the Beale Street Blues Boy." That nickname was soon shortened to "B.B."

Cosimo in the studio with The Meters

Cosimo Matassa died on September 11, he was a pioneer of the New Orleans R&B sound. At the age of 18 in 1945, Matassa opened the J&M Recording Studio at the back of his family’s shop on Rampart Street in the French Quarter of New Orleans. In 1955, he moved to the larger Cosimo Recording Studio. As an engineer and proprietor, Matassa was crucial to the development of the R&B, rock and soul sound of the 1950s and 1960s (often working with producers Dave Bartholomew and Allen Toussaint), and recorded many hits - including Fats Domino’s "The Fat Man" (a contender for the first rock and roll record), Little Richard's "Tutti Frutti", and records by Ray Charles, Lee Dorsey, Dr John, Smiley Lewis, Bobby Mitchell, Tommy Ridgley, the Spiders and many others. He was responsible for developing what became known as the "New Orleans Sound", with strong drums, heavy guitar and bass, heavy piano, light horn sound and a strong vocal lead. In the late 1950s and early 1960s, Matassa also managed the successful white New Orleans rock and roll performer Jimmy Clanton.

Sunday's play list 14-09-2014



Williams Brothers - Still Here
Freddie Jackson - Tasty Love
G.Womack - Groove Wit You
Seanel Paris - Paradise
Luther Vandross - Think About You
EOL - Make Sure Your Right
Vivian Green - Sweet Memory
Timmy Thomas - Why Can't We Live Together
R. Kely - Single Ladies (Remix)
Wilton Felder - Someday We'll All Be Free
Reuben Studdard - Close The Door

Peggy Blu x3
1 I Can't Wait 2 Uh Oh 3 Tender Moments

Chevelle Franklyn - Spirit Filled (rmx)
Sisters Sledge - Thinking Of You (DMC remix)
Maze - Too Many Comes
Groove Association - Old Skool Magic
Jermaine Jackson - There's No Better Way
Keni Burke - Hang Tight
The Manhattans - Crazy
William De Vaughan - Be Thankful 4 What U Got

Peggi Blu's Biography:

Peggi Blu (Blue) (born May 26) is an American actress, singer and vocal coach. She is the 1986 "Star Search Grand Champion (Female Vocalist)" winner. And the winner of the 2013 "Malibu Music Awards" ("Vocal Coach Of The Year") award. She is best known as the "American Idol-Vocal Coach From Hell". Blu was born in Lumberton North Carolina and began singing at the tender age of 3. By her early teens she had honed her musical chops all over the Carolinas thanks to her mother, and first vocal coach, Avis Blue. A relocation to New York city at the age of 14 with her Uncle Bishop Walter L. Benton and his choir gave her the start of her professional career. Due to constant bookings and a demand for her vocals she was home-schooled. She later studied voice under famed vocal coach Kenneth Kamal Scott. More at Wiki

One Way

Rock Steady singer dies

In the news this week... Hopeton Lewis, the singer reputed to have recorded the first Rocksteady song, died at his home in Brooklyn, New York Thursday evening. He was 66 years old. Lewis is best known for the 1966 hit ‘Take it Easy’ which heralded the Rocksteady sound. The beat was slower than the Ska which it followed. Rocksteady, which preceded reggae, produced a number of harmony groups including the Heptones, the Paragons and the Melodians. The Kingston-born Lewis had other hits including Sounds and Pressure, the 1970 Festival Song winner Boom Shacka Laka, and Grooving out on Life. Lewis' friend and colleague at the Grace Deliverance Radio said Lewis had been "struggling with various ailments over a period of time" but did not know the cause of death. The singer worked at that community radio station for the past five years, hosting a music programme three times per week.

Happy Birthday to Gloria Gaynor born today, September 7, 1949. As arguably the "first lady of disco," Gloria Gaynor has forged a successful three decade career almost exclusively devoted to high-powered, booming dance music. It has won for her international acclaim and one of the most recognizable songs of the past half century. The New Jersey native signed with MGM Records in the early 70s and landed her first single with a 1974 dance remake of the Jackson Five's "Never Can Say Goodbye." The song hit the Pop top ten, but more importantly helped to thrust the emerging disco sound into the spotlight.   See more

Quite a few of the new artistes featured this year on Mr. Merry's radio show will be appearing live at one venue in Birmingham, later this month, Algebra Blessett, Sulpacio Jones & Gwendolyn Collins. The Hare & Hounds in Kings Heath, although a small old Victorian pub, the upstairs room has been host to many of the 'new wave' soul bands over the last few years, with some old favorites dropped in for good measure, don't let this one slip you by perhaps like some of the earlier dates did! Monday 29th of September is the date, although another date is shown at the top, I think this might be a London date, double check with the booking agencies.


This weeks play list Sunday 07-09-2014




Sam Salter - Your Face
Curtis Mayfield - New World Order
Randy Muller - Beautiful Day
Jack Freeman - Slow Dance
J.Poww - Follow Me
Mary Davis - Separate Ways
Ronn Matlock - I Can't Forget About You
Al Jarreau - No Rhyme, Mo Reason
Terry Garmon - Any Way
Raw Shaw - Ghetto Tactics
Donell Jones - Do What I Gotta Do

One Way x3
1 Lady You Are 2 Running Away
3 Back To Yesterday

Sunny Hawkins - Love To Me
Don-E - Big People Tings
Tracy Carter - Everyday
Maxwell - Ascension (inst)
Maxwell - Ascension  (remix)
Siani - Get Up On The Floor
Rhythm Jazz - Just In Case

One Way Biography:

One Way was an R&B/funk band that was popular in the late 1970s and throughout most of the 1980s. One Way was formed in 1979 in Detroit, Michigan and were originally known as Soul Partners. Al Hudson, Alicia Meyers, guitarists Dave Roberson and Cortez Harris, bassist Kevin McCord, drummer Gregory Green and keyboardist Jonathan Meadows were the original members.

They first recorded as "Al Hudson and the Partners", scoring an R&B hit on the ABC label called "You Can Do It." in 1979. At that time, however, ABC records was in the process of being taken over by MCA as part of a buyout, and when the band moved to the MCA label, they subsequently changed their name to One Way featuring Al Hudson before becoming One Way. They were on MCA Records from 1980 to 1988. They scored five Top Ten R&B hits, with the biggest being "Cutie Pie," which reached number four in 1982. They moved to Capitol Records in 1988, where they released A New Beginning in 1989. (wikipedia)