March 2007

Five years and five casinos later, Don H. Barden, the first and only African American to own a casino in Americas' gaming capital - Las Vegas, geared up for his annual anniversary celebration to commemorate five years of successful ownership of the Fitzgeralds Casino Hotel.

The weekend consisted of several festivities including an education celebration for local elementary students featuring an outstanding youth panel of history makers and achievers. A star-studded meet and greet reception, Don H. Barden Achievement Awards, a Gospel Brunch, the Taste and Sounds of Soul featuring local and national entertainment performed on the Fremont Street stage, along with showcasing African American restaurants in Las Vegas were just a few of the events that took place.

Attending celebrities included...Dionne Warwick, Jackee Harry, Obba Babatunde, Telma Hopkins, Smokey Robinson, Judge Mablean Ephriam, Cynda Williams and many more.

I was particularly impressed with the Youth Panelist...all to be commended but sticking out in my mind were two ("I feel there is still hope for our youngsters - Peepin')

You may have heard of Jonathan Strickland, a 14 year old pilot who broke an international record on the way to being the youngest person to fly both a helicopter and airplane on the same day. At the age of 5, Jonathan began to master computer software such as Pro Pilot 98' and Microsoft Flight Simulator programs. By the age of 12, Jonathan had accumulated thousands of hours of flight simulation training before joining Tomorrows Aeronautical Museum in Compton. On July 1, 2006, Jonathan set his forth world record by becoming the youngest African American to fly a helicopter round trip internationally. Needless to say, upon his presentation, he received a standing ovation.

Marc Davis - Race Car Driver...Marc's interest in motorsports began as a young child after hearing about his father's successful career racing F-1 boats and his older brother's success with BMX bicycles. At six years old, Marc Began racing BMX bicycles and was determined to add his share of trophies to the family collection..Marc moved from bicycles to Quarter Midgets and Junior Dragsters in the National Hot Rod Association. At only 16 years of age, he is in his second year of owning a team in the Florida Fastkids/Fastrucks Series. In 2003, he captured the national points championship in the Dirt Young Lion Division and the Road Course Young Lion Division. Marc became the only driver to ever win two national championships in the same season. In 2007, Marc is competing in the NASCAR Grand National Division Busch East Series in the #18 Joe Gibbs Racing Chevrolet.

Kyle Massey - Actor...Camille Winbush - Actress/Entrepreneur...Taylor Hernandez - Inventor and Brandon Griffin - Entrepreneur/Motivational Speaker were not short on change with their accomplishments.

A little more about Don H. Barden...The ninth of 13 children...born in Detroit, educated in the public school system, attended Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio and holds three (3) Honorary Doctorate degrees.

Mr. Barden is recognized as one of the top black entrepreneurs in the country. He has guided Barden Companies and its affiliates from earnings of $600,000 to revenues of more than $519 million, making it one of the largest African American owned business in the country.. The first elected black city councilman in Lorain, Ohio, founded a weekly newspaper, the Lorain County Times, news anchor for WUAB-TV, hosted a weekly talk show for NBC's affiliate in Cleveland, a successful real estate developer and worked with various community organizations.

With the newly awarded of license by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, Mr. Barden will be constructing a $455 million casino on the city's north shore near the Ohio River/Pittsburgh. In securing the license, Barden beat out two other bidding groups, including the famed Harrah's Gaming Board.

Last but not least...Mr. Barden really loves real music...last year it was Frankie Beverly, before that it was The Whispers and this year it was ASHFORD & SIMPSON!!!

Now do I need to tell you a good time was had by all....A&S still has the class, style, showmanship and elegance of seasoned performers. They rocked the house!!!

I wish to THANK - PAT TOBIN and her crew for allowing Peepin' to be a part of this celebration...By the way, Pat...You looked down right fantastic...give me some of that energy girl...Peepin'

Carl H. Davis legendary producer and Record label Owner has recently reactivated his Chi Sound Record label in January 2007.

Mr. Davis a former mainstay on the National and Chicago Music scene and was instrumental in the careers of some of Chicago's most renowned artist which includes: Gene Chandler (aka The Duke of Earl), Walter Jackson, Major Lance, The Opals (Chicago"s own Dream Girls), Otis, Leaville, Jackie Wilson (aka Mr. Dynamite), Chi-lites, Lost Generation, Barbara Acklin, Tyrone Davis, Kenny Edmonds (aka Baby Face) and The Mighty Dells just to name a few.

Mr. Davis has been responsible for a number of artists obtaining gold records through his unequaled quality in his production, hearing ability and his expertise relating to an artist on how a story should be told. Mr. Davis said a song is just a story and your audience must be able to believe the story before they buy your song. Artists of today has used the production work of Mr. Davis to make # 1 selling records across the world such as MC Hammer (Have You Seen Her), Paul Davis (Oh Girl), Boy George (To Good To Be Forgotten), Beyonce (Crazy in Love), Jay Z(December 7), Common (Never Had It So Good), Fantasia (Baby Mama), Paul Walls, (Oh Girl), Sunshine Anderson (I Wanna Pay You Back), Tara (Crazy in Love), Jaheim (Sly Slick & The Wicked) and Richkiddz (Have You Seen Her, Peace and On My Way) and C-Dot one of Chi-Sound Records Recording Artists (Hott On A Thing) .

In his new venture Mr. Davis has located some of the most exciting new Artist from Chicago and other parts of the country. Carl's new Artist cross many of the musical genre offering you the buying public, Jazz featuring Gregory Bibbs, Hip-Hop featuring Kosha a Chicago native with a very refreshing sound and then there is C-Dot a native of LockPort NY and to finish this refreshed new label we have Chicago's own Antone who voice sound like the late great love poet himself Mr. Barry White has taking Chicago by storm just ask Stella Foster from the Chicago Sun Times, Art Norman of NBC 5 or Ken Bedford of Chicago's of Channel 7 ABC Ladies and Gentlemen I give you The New Chi Sound Records presented by Mr. Carl H. Davis.

Contact: Gus Redmond -312-363-9780

Carl Davis - Chi Sound Records