My personal insight into this guy is the fact that, I can count on one hand, those of high statutes, professional standard and a darn right nice person who took the time (and I was really a young pup then) to return a phone call. He was never too busy, and he was indeed a busy man...to speak with me, help me and steered me in directions where his counterparts were TOO IMPORTANT to deal with a record company "youngster". I was new to the field of promotions and his encouragement was one of the things that I will always remember.

With this said, I want to THANK HIM!!!. We lost a great soldier on July 8, 2007 but his spirit will always be with me and the many others he has touched.

I was not able to make the memorial services at St. Peters's Sanctuary in New York City...but was able to attend the repast immediately following the services at Ashford & Simpson's Sugar Bar...Reason being? Services started at 12:00noon and my plane arrived at 12:15pm.

It was great seeing some of the "old timers"...Larry Kahn (Joey's son)...Ray Harris, David & Elinore Linton, Mike Barnardo, Scharmaine Foster, Harry Coombs, Ruth Innis, Lorraine Murphy, Jean Riggins, Miller London, Hank Caldwell, Boo Frasier, Varnel Johnson, Vaughn Harper, Jodi Williams, Ray Boyd, Iris Perkins...and far too many more to mention at this time.

In the near future...Peepin' will go into depth about Joey Bonner and his accomplishments. A true pioneer at his best!...

I am indeed grateful, he was in my life if only but for a "season" and most definitely a reason! -Peepin'

Paulette De Suzia

 In the near future...Peepin' will go into depth about Joey Bonner and his accomplishments. A true pioneer at his best!...

I am indeed grateful, he was in my life if only but for a "season" and most definitely a reason! -Peepin'

Paulette De Suzia

Why do I love me up some Allen Johnston??? Intelligent...Consistent...Knowledgeable...and...funny like a madd dogg! - Peepin'

Professional football players, professional basketball players and professional boxers DO NOT make good record label managers and are absolutely not talented artists.

This may sound like a harsh statement, however history proves it to be correct. Within the last year I have had the opportunity to work for a professional basketball player and a professional football player. Let me tell you my story. The names have been changed to protect the guilty.

BASKETBALLER  

This person, lets call him Mr. J, was a self taught musician. He spent numerous hours in his hotel room while on the road, teaching himself how to play keyboards and making music. As most self taught musicians he never learned theory, harmony or the historical significance of the musical masters before him. What he learned was scales, a few chords and how to make rudimentary songs on his digital equipment. As a self taught musician he imagined that he could sing well. This, in his mind, qualified him to be a virtuoso and he believed that every song he made was a fantastic hit.

What he never learned was how to run a business, how not to let his ego get in the way of his business, and how to delegate authority to seasoned professionals. What transpired within a year was totally his fault. He let his relatives become his label executives yet they had never finished high school, never ran a business and had NO connections within the industry. He made business decisions for his label based on who stroked his ego so he spent over $100,000 in radio promotions and never got more than 15 spins nationally. After acquiring a distribution deal he let his ego over power his business sense creating verbal abuse and problems within the distributorship.

You can't "slam dunk" a record, you need a team of individuals working together on a solid marketing & promotional plan to make things happen. Today Mr. J still believes that he is an artist without any record sales, shows or company structure.

FOOTBALLER

Here is a tale of complete abuse and stupidity. Mr. R was a young "baller" years before he attempted to make music. His background was one of deceit, alcohol & drug abuse and physical abuse culminating in the creation of a posse of friends that lived to spend his money. As a professional player he brought the same qualities he grew up with, along with the same friends to his game. This mixture of mayhem, alcohol abuse and drugs made his music become great to his ears and of course his posse, but the music never had a professional technical quality, mix or merit.

His ego told him that he already knew what the public wanted, knew how to make music and really didn't need anyone critiquing him or his posse. His behavior was that of a little rich brat who expected everyone to bow to his needs. The maltreatment of money in our community makes for a very poor thinking individual. Much like "Ghetto life gone wild", Mr. R became the poster child for bad manners and drunken debauchery.

Once again, not having entertainment industry business savvy creates a poor working environment, couple this with a massive ego and you have an automatic failure option. This artist (?) never copyright protected his music, never joined a performing rights organization, believed that his partners word was good enough so there would be no contracts. Mr. R had no formal musical training, his producer had no formal musical training and their equipment was antiquated. "Fruity Loops" is not professional recording software, especially when you do not have anything but a computer and any other outboard gear or instruments. When money, alcohol and drugs tell you that you are great, only a complete fall can change you.

Mr. R set his entire musical career up to fail from the beginning.

Why have I told you these stories?

I want my readers to learn from other peoples mistakes. The record industry has changed completely; no longer can you buy your way into the industry. No longer can you abuse industry personnel in one market and believe that you can just move on into another market and do the same thing

Do not have a record release party if you don't have any press, radio, retail, or television people invited.

Do not talk bad about DJ's that won't play your song and expect other DJ's in another market to treat you with respect. INDUSTRY PEOPLE TALK.

How could something be so funny...it's sad but true - Peepin'

The Music Specialist

 Liz McComb - Summer Stage/Central Park - NYc
 

Contemporary Gospel Diva...LIZ McCOMB...radiated Central Park with her superb and expressive voice.

The audience was truly "turned on" with the excitement of her vocals and stage performance. The "spirit" was truly in the house.

Her impressive band members, included not only Liz on Keyboards but two additional Keyboard/organ musicians, two guitars, percussionist, steel guitar, cello and three background vocalists (direct from Paris, France).

Several selections from her currently released CD - "Soul, Peace & Love" was part of the highlights of the evening and the crowd certainly "went there" closing with..."When the Saints go Marching In"

It was a beautiful evening...with wonderful music and appreciation was shown by the audience when they did not want her to leave the stage.

Additional information on LIZ McCOMB can be found on...www.lizmccomb.com... A National domestic tour is being setup. For booking information, please contact: Paulette DeSuzia - 702-878-0328...

You shoulda been there! - Peepin!

Liz McComb

50+70= Joe Long - Birdel's Records 

 When Joe Long started in the music business in 1957, he had a feeling it was filled with risks and uncertainties. By the time he was owner of Birdel's Records in 1968, he was sure it was. Now almost 50 years later, Joe still owns Birdel's Records in the Bedford Stuyvesant community of Brooklyn, New York.

His love for his community is well-known and Joe has received numerous awards and citations for his outstanding service to his community and has been the subject of articles in Gothams' leading newspapers. Joe still finds time to be an active member in his church where he serves in several capacities.

Now I have known Mr. Long for quite a few years and can personally testify as to the gentle kindness he has afforded me when I called upon him for retail assistance.

With this said, I was privileged to be invited to the celebration of his 70th birthday. And was truly in awe when I boarded a mini-cruse ship that circled around Manhattan Island.

Attendees totaled close to 20 people from all walks of life...business associates...many church members...friends and most importantly family. Orchestrated by his daughter, Paige, a medical doctor and his son Courtney, author and playwright, indeed pulled no stops on making this a fabulous event.

As you boarded the ship...glasses of wine and sparkling water was given to the guests. And low and behold...a sit down full course dinner of salmon, chicken breast and many other delectable "goodies" came into play.

The music provided by a classy band, made the evening more than fun with songs like "Let the Good Times Roll"..."At Last" and "The Hole in the Wall"...coupled with dancing from all eras completed the evening that I did not want to end.

Sharonnie Perry, from the Mayor's office and Annette Robinson, Assembly Woman for the State of New York were the enablers of Proclamations and a Key to the City. There were speeches and then there were "the" stories that family members and friends told and maybe some should not have been told (HA-HA).

All in all, I had a fabby wabby time! Joe is hopefully planning a 100th birthday celebration in 2037 since his father lived to be 102 ..I am already getting my party dress on!

International Soul Summit - Atlanta, GA 

 Prior to going to New York City....Peepin' attended the International Soul Music Summit. Unfortunately, I was not able to attend the whole conference due to time restraints. It proved to be a very viable event that will definitely rise up as one of the most productive conventions that we have had to date.

It was a conference that lack the attendance of the HipHop/Rap influence and concentrated on the business of REAL MUSIC! (Now you know I really liked that!)

I was told that over 1,400 people attended and that is a heck of an outcome for a conference that has only been in existence for two years. Hats off to TERRY BELLO(Conference Producer and Assistant Programmer/Music Director at WZAK - Cleveland - Radio One station) for a job well done.

Major sponsorship by Heineken for several panels...including Media & PR..Radio Underground...Producers Panel...Soul Sessions Listening Parties...Grassroots Marketing and Booking...Independent Record Distribution, Digital and Retail and many, many more. A well educated weekend for those who want to know what is really happening in today's marketplace.

This conference was even more exciting to me since I had a chance to see FRANK McCOMB...Yep! the sensational R&B crooner who is related to none other than LIZ McCOMB...

Peepin' The Scene was welcomed with opened arms and I sincerely look forward to going next year.

To add a little sumpthin' sumpthin' to my Atlanta trip, I had the opportunity to go the a "Christmas in July" event at the Holiday Inn. Thank you Sharon Bradford and Allen Johnston for your southern hospitality!...The REAL highlight of this occasion was to see my best friend from high school...Vivian English -Woods and her daughter, MY GODCHILD...Robin!!!who I had not seen in %!)#$! years

I just want to emphasis that each day is precious...Allow yourself the TIME to reach out to those in the past that meant so much to you...Guaranteed...they still do!

International Soul Summit

 IT IS NOT TOO LATE TO GET YOUR PARTY ON AT THE 2nd ANNUAL LABOR DAY JAZZ & SOUL SERIES IN LAS VEGAS...TO PURCHASE TICKETS GO TO www.labordayjazz.com

NABFEME - 2007 International Women Leadership Summit - Charlotte, NC - October 3-7 - Hilton Charlotte Center Center This summit is like no other one!

Well the paws are tired and I am laying this puppy down!! Stay blessed!

WE ROLL LIKE THIS!!!!