Tuesday, March 19, 2024

The Pulse of Entertainment: New Years Reflections for 2019 in Review

The Pulse of Entertainment, 2019 in review.

*The Pulse of Entertainment is a weekly syndicated column of the journalistic work of media and public relations executive Eunice Moseley. It receives an estimated ¼ million readers weekly in syndication and 120,000 hits a week on its website www.ThePulseofEntertainment.com.

In 2019 I celebrated 10 years as guest on Praise 98FM’s “The Lady Charmaine Show” for my “The Pulse of Entertainment Weekly Update,” where I talk about what is about to be published in my syndicated column the following week. I have been a journalist, in many forms, for 33 years.

The year of 2019 started off with an interview with Joyce Ruiz, a former client of Eunice’s at her public relations/business strategy and consulting firm Freelance Associates. Ruiz added author to her credits, along with mom/manager of her highly talented twins Ashton and Ashley – a duo called 2UNeek, when she published an inspirational book for married couples titled “Love Hard.” What followed was an interview with a legend, Billy Brown of the group Ray, Goodman and Brown, who gave us the hits “Love on a Two Way Street” and “Look at Me (I’m in Love)”. They headlined the Soul Train Cruise. Will Downing was interviewed next for his album release “The Promise” on Shanachie Entertainment – his first-ever Gospel project – that featured Grammy-winning saxophonist Kirk Whalum and Regina Belle.

I had the pleasure of interviewing two Nickelodeon actors Dallas Young and Scarlet Spencer who stars in the series “Cousins for Life.” A long-time supporter of legendary guitarist Paul Jackson, Jr. (Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson), I had the pleasure of interviewing him about joining the Jazz Funk Soul trio, with Grammy-nominated saxophonist Everette Harp and Grammy-winning keyboardist Jeff Lorber for the release of the “Life and Times” (Shanachie) album. I also interviewed Lorber for this album release as well

thelma houston - grammy1 (ScottMitchellphotography
Thelma Houston

I attended the Grammy Museum’s “An Evening with Thelma Houston” and was pleasantly pleased with the performance of 73-year-old Grammy-winning Houston known for the hit “Don’t Leave Me This Way” (Motown Records). Another long-time favorite artist of mine is two-time Grammy-winning Karyn White (“I’m Not Your Super Woman”), I interviewed her next about a movie she starred in and executive produced titled “Gale and the Storm” (Westview Pictures). The independent film is based on her experience under the management of Jay King. An interview with living legend guitarist Norman Brown followed. The Grammy winner released a new album co-produced by Maurice White (Earth, Wind and Fire) titled “The Highest Act of Love” (Shanachie), which features Deniece Williams on his cover of her hit single “Free.” Interviews with two of Gospel’s favorites followed – Donald Lawrence and Koryn Hawthorne. Grammy-winning Lawrence released a new album with the original Tri-City Singers titled “Goshen” in celebration of 24 years since their debut. Hawthorne, a finalist in season 8 of the televised talent competition, “The Voice,” released a single “Unstoppable” (RCA Inspiration) which features two-time Grammy-winning Gospel Rapper Lecrae.

An interview and review followed for the album release of Japanese pianist Keiko Matsui titled “Echo” (Shanachie). The album features Kirk Whalum on sax, Paul Jackson, Jr. on guitar and Grammy-nominated Marcus Miller on bass. Grammy-nominated VaShawn Mitchell interview was next. It was about the release of his album “Elements” (Tyscot Records). I went to cover the red carpet arrivals for the 50th NAACP Image Awards Nominee Luncheon where she interviewed nominees Major (“Better With You in It”), Emmy winning Lynn Whitfield-Green (HBO’s “Josephine Baker Story”) and Sheryl Lee Ralph. Pioneering Gospel Jazz pianist Ben Tankard was interviewed next about his 50th annual NAACP Image Award nomination for his album “Rise,” which features Paul Jackson, Jr. and Kirk Whalum. Coverage of the 50th NAACP Awards followed with red carpet arrival interviews where I interviewed young actress Laya Deleon Hayes (Disney Junior’s “DOC McStuffins”) the voice of Dottie McStuffins, singer Omar Wilson and Katrina O. Gilvie (Behind the Movement).

Samuel L. Jackson arrives ahead of the Australian premiere of The Hateful Eight at Event Cinemas George Street on January 13, 2016 in Sydney, Australia.
Samuel L. Jackson

There were many movie reviews such as the United Artists presentation of the animation Missing Link, which stars the voices of Hugh Jackman (X-Men), Zoe Saldana (Guardians of the Galaxy) and Emma Thompson (Men in Black). A review of the Lionsgate presentation of Long Shot, starring Academy Award winner Charlize Theron (Hancock) and two-time Golden Globe-nominated Seth Rogen (“Neighbors”) followed. A review the bio-drama Tolkien (Fox Searchlight/Walt Disney Motion Picture Studios) was next, which starred Nicholas Hoult (X-Men: Days of Future Past) and Golden Globe-nominated Lily Collins (Mirror Mirror). English actor Paul Blackthorne (Netflix’s “Arrow”/”CSI”) was interviewed about his role in the NBCUniversal paranormal television drama “The Inbetween.” Review of the Marvel presentation of Spider-Man: Far From Home, starring Tom Holland and Academy Award-nominated Samuel L. Jackson (Iron Man, The Avengers) was next. The Walt Disney presentation of The Lion King followed with a review and interview with director Jon Favreau (Jungle Book, Beauty and the Beast). The Lion King features the voices of Beyonce Knowles-Carter (Dreamgirls), Alfred Woodard (“Luke Cage”), John Kani (Black Panther), Jon Oliver (“The Daily Show”) and Keegan-Michael Key (“Key and Peele”). A review of the Paramount Pictures’ presentation of Dora and the Lost City of Gold starring Isabella Moner (Transformers: The Last Knight), Eva Longoria (“The Young and the Restless”), and Michael Pena (End of Watch) followed. The Warner Bros/New Line Cinema presentation of Blinded by the Light, a true story based on how the music of Bruce Springsteen affected a fan’s life – for the good – review followed. A review on “Zombieland 2”, distributed by Sony Pictures, starring Woody Harrelson (The Hunger Games), Rosario Dawson (Men in Black II) and Academy Award-winning Emma Stone (The Amazing Spiderman) was next. Movie reviews continued with Sony Pictures’ presentation of Charlie’s Angeles starring Kristen Stewart (“The Twilight Saga”), Ella Balinska (The Athena), Elizabeth Banks and Djimon Hounsou (Amistad). I went to cover the NBC Press Lunch Mixer and had the chance to interview Lyric Ross (“This is Us”), Josh Dallas (“Manifest”) and Peter Gallagher (“Zoey and the Extraordinary Playlist”) about the 2020 premiere of their new shows. A review of Jumanji: The Next Level (Sony Pictures) followed, starring Dwayne Johnson (Furious), Kevin Hart (Ride Along), Golden Globe-nominated Jack Black (Kung Fu Panda), Karen Gillan (Guardians of the Galaxy) and Golden Globe-nominated Nick Jonas (Hawaii Five-O).

In 2019 I had the pleasure of interviewing Joy Bramble, publisher of The Baltimore Times, where I have worked in many management positions since 1986, about being honored with a wax figure at the Great Blacks in Wax Museum in Baltimore for her outstanding work in media. An interview with Dr. Ernest Pugh followed about his new syndicated radio show “On the Couch….” Another favorite artist of mine, Rahsaan Patterson, was next with an interview about his new album release titled “Sent From Heaven” (Shanachie). Wendy Raquel Robinson (“The Game”) interviewed followed about her foundation’s presentation of the musical stage-play “Our Westside Story.”

marvin sapp1
Marvin Sapp

One of my favorite Gospel singers was interviewed next, 11-time Grammy-nominated Marvin Sapp (“Never Would Have Made it”), about his new radio show “The Marvin Sapp Radio Show.” Radio personality Doresa Harvey (Magic 95.9FM) interview followed about her new gig at Urban One (formerly Radio One). Harvey hosts my 20-year-old community event, “Uplifting Minds II” Entertainment Conference. in Baltimore for most of the years it has served the community. Three-time Billboard Music Award winner JJ Hairston was interviewed about his album release with the Youthful Praise Choir titled “Miracle Worker” (Entertainment One) and his book release, co-authored with his wife Trina, titled “A Miracle Marriage” about him reevaluating his marriage – with the help of God.

Coverage of the red carpet arrivals for the 28th annual NAACP Theatre Awards followed with interviews with nominees Director Gina Belafonte (Lyrics and Lockdown), actress Kacie Rogers (An Accident) and Choreographer Joyce Guy (Les Blancs). An interview with living legend Gerald Alston (The Manhattans) followed about the group headlining the 2020 Soul Train Cruise. Another living legend interview was next with Grammy-nominated Kurt Carr about his new album “Bless Somebody Else” (RCA Inspirations/Sony Music) with the Kurt Carr Singers. The album also featured John P. Kee, Fred Hammond, Faith Evans, Yolanda Adams, Smokie Norful, Erica Campbell, Bishop Paul S. Morton, Jekalyn Carr, Keke Wyatt, Bishop T.D. Jakes, B. Slade and LeAndria Johnson. More Gospel interviews followed with three-time Grammy nominee Brian Courtney Wilson about his “Just B(E) Tour.”

Switch
Switch

Living legends Gregory Williams and Phillip Ingram, co-founders and members of the band Switch was interviewed about their new single, to celebrate 30 years in the music business, titled “I Love You More.” Switch gave us the hits “There’ll Never Be” and “I Call Your Name.” I was honored to interview Kameelah Williams of the group 702 (Biv 10/Motown Records) about their performance on “Black Music Honors.” The group 702, which also includes sisters LeMisha and Irish Grinstead, gave us the hits “Where My Girls At” and “Get It Together.” Another favorite artist of mine is two-time Grammy-nominated Calvin Richardson, his interview was about his “Gold Dust” (Shanachie) album release. Two-time Grammy-nominated James Fortune interview followed about his new album “Dream Again” being #1 on Billboard Top Gospel. Another Gospel favorite, Travis Green, interview followed about his new album “Broken Record”. One of my all-time favorite Gospel artists was next, Grammy Award-winning Erica Campbell (Mary Mary), for an interview and review of her biographical book titled “More Than Pretty.” An interview with four-time Grammy-nominated saxophonist Boney James followed about his “Honestly Tour”.

I am excited about what is to come for 2020. Stay in touch with The Pulse of Entertainment by logging on weekly to www.ThePulseofEntertainment.com or on Social Media at @EuniceMoseley and @ThePulseofEnter on Twitter and @EuniceMoseley and @ThePulseofEntertainmentOnline on Facebook.

SYNDICATED COLUMN: Eunice Moseley, has an estimated weekly readership of over ¼ million with The Pulse of Entertainment. She is also a Public Relations Strategist and Business Management Consultant at Freelance Associates, and is Promotions Director (at-large) for The Baltimore Times. www.ThePulseofEntertainment.com. EVENT: Eunice is founder of the annual “Uplifting Minds II” Entertainment Conference (ULMII), into its 20th year. Next event dates include Los Angeles Saturday, November 9, 2019 at the Los Angeles Convention Center (511) and Baltimore Saturday April 18, 2020, held in partnership with Security Square Mall and The Baltimore Times. The free conference offers an Entertainment Business Panel and a Talent Showcase and Competition (vocal, songwriting, dance and acting) with over $15,000 valued in prizes/product/services to selected artists.  Log onto www.UpliftingMinds2.com for more information or to participate as a panelist or talent call 562-424-3836.

www.GoFundMe.com/Uplifting-Minds-II-Entertainment-Conference

 

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