Live and die by the team...

Amy Winehouse was found dead in her apartment at 27. Not a surprise. At all. Her troubles were well documented, both by the media and by Amy herself. But she was talented. Extremely talented. Her issues added to the expression of that talent and then eventually eclipsed it. But this is not a new story. Countless entertainer have done this. And countless more will ignore the messages in their rise and always tragic fall.

I've worked in entertainment. I grew up in LA and around entertainment. It may not look like it now, but it really is my life and my calling. In what capacity at this point, I don't know. But I have learned something that about entertainers. A large amount to them come into this industry seeking all of the things they THINK will solve their problems. It plays out in a number of ways. Living a life of excess so you always appear to be "great", whoring around so you always feel "loved", over eating, starving yourself nearly to death, and the one that usually ends a persons career, addiction.

Carmageddon, scharmageddon. Let's do this AGAIN!!

Despite the warnings of terrible traffic, hours of delays and hot headed Angelenos, Carmageddon was AMAZING!! The traffic was great, the local events, malls and shops were full and people were really enjoying themselves. Friendly even. LOL

Truth be told, there shouldn't have been any of those issues after a couple months of warnings that turned into marketing and an international news story. The reason we expected problems...people don't listen and people in LA tend to be a bit entitled. We all expected those people to pitch a fit when they couldn't get where they needed to go. I think all of those people got spooked and left town. Great, let's do this again! Venice is a bear, the 110 is old and crusty, PCH could use a little widening in spots. Don't you have something you could shut down and fix Los Angeles?

I had a great time this weekend and here's a bit (well, a lot) of the fun. Starting with the Eat Real Fest!


My girls Devyn, Shay and Leslie were in town so we went to see our friend and favorite actor, Darryl Stephens in a wonderful play called The Interlopers. Great performances all around. Laughed, cried, rooted for the characters. this was great theater. Not "Your Arms Too Long to Touch Dance With Jesus Cause You Might Sock Moses In The Face" kind of theater either. LOL

Then we headed over to Kitchen 24 for a later dinner. I love that place. It's one of my favorities! And they make a mean cocktail to boot...

I stopped off for a little walking recovery at the nail spa...

Today, on the day when most escaped Angelenos were coming back into town and crowding the freeways, I went to ART IN THE STREETS!! Seriously, if you haven't been yet or it comes to your city, see it! It's amazing...


I ended my day satisfying my craving for Vegan Hot Wings (with Orange Chicken and Spinach Fried Rice) at Bulan Thai in Silverlake. Mmmm mmm good...

The Market at Santa Monica Place. Mmm Mmm GOOD!

So, I took a couple quick trips to check out The Market at Santa Monica Place. One with my bestie and one with my mom. Thank God I have foodies in my life that would understand my excitement! I love food. I love trying different things, cooking, discovering cool items and expanding my knowledge. All good things to me. So, I had been waiting for The Market to open for months. So I had to taste, buy...and take pictures. LOL

30 Days Later...

I’ve been working very hard at changing my habits and lifestyle for the better. For years, I seem to have always been fighting an uphill battle in my life. 2 steps forward, 2 steps back with pit stop of good times along the way. I think a lot of us do that. I think its survival. We take what comes our way and find ways to cope. For me, I had developed the habit of shutting myself down. Doing what I had to, to get things done, then holing up in my bedroom in front of the TV…or going out so I could be away. Nothing wrong with either, but I realized a few months ago that I had stopped being actively in control of the life I led. Mine was a life of defense. And as long as I didn’t take control, what happened in my life would remain the same.

The Beautiful One...

Yeah, so I've seen PRINCE. 3 times. Have you seen PRINCE? It's kind of funny what it's turned into now. Have you or haven't you. And how many times have you gone? But, I look at it a little differently. I study. The show, the business and, the part a lot of people don't see, the politics of the business. No doubt about it, Prince is one of the most amazing performers I've ever seen live. And each of the 3 shows I've been too have been different. Jazz arrangements on some songs, a long section on The Purple One on BASS last week, and different songs each time I've been. I had forgotten in listening to the recorded music how AMAZING A GUITAR PLAYER Prince really is. Watching him play has been nothing short of astonishing. It's also great to hear him sing the songs he's written for other people. My personal favorite has been "Shhhh..." the song he wrote for Tevin Campbell. I've always loved the song, but Prince's version laid me out...

But, Prince also has an integrity that will not allow for BS in his business or shows. If it isn't right, heads will roll. Some people think he's sensitive and strange, but you don't reach that level of success of talent by worrying about how people feel about your standards or decisions.

By last night, Prince walked on stage yelling that he was now paid and free of contracts. He was celebrating and making a statement. Only time will tell how things with Prince and concert promoters wash out...and which cities he does next, if any. But, this 21 Night Stand has been amazing! And it's not over yet. If you haven't seen Prince yet, do it! But watch Ticketmaster's ass...they're up to some trickery.

And of course, I've taken some pictures...

Permanent...Momentary...Satisfaction. A Love Summit recap. (VIDEO)

Last night was a great night at Little Temple. The folks at Nu-Soul Magazine have been hitting hard with their Nu-Thursday event for the past few weeks and The Love Summit was no different.

The night started with DJ Destroyer setting the mood in high fashion. Yet another great set! 1st up on the stage, Chris Young. The crowd was really diggin his style and his creativity. He ended the set with a song I really love Focus feat Nikko Gray. Nikko stayed on stage to go into her own seamless set...

Nikko is one of my favorite artists right now. She's got it all, the voice, the pen, the personality, the looks and the girl is a great nail artist who makes some dope jewelry to boot. Nothing like a woman who is creative and limitless.

The night ended with a stellar performance by Taylor McFerrin. It was an entirely improved set showcasing all sides of his musicianship. Some of the things he can do live really stretch the imagination. I cant wait to see how his live show develops as he adds songs and starts releasing full albums. A highlight of the set...McFerrin being joined on stage by his label mate, pianist Austin Peralta, while their Brainfeeder family, including Flying Lotus and Thundercat looked on. In his introduction of Peralta, McFerrin said that they'd met that day...but what they did together on that stage, with Austin on keys and Taylor on the beat box (which doesn't begin to describe what he does) was pure magic.

Here's a little more of The Love Summit fun, plus a vid...

Kick off Grammy weekend with the launch of Nu-Thursdays!

Hello all and Happy New Year! It's still new, right? There are lots and lots of things I'd like to post to the blog this year but with Grammy weekend FAST approaching there's no better place to start! The best part about being in LA during the Grammy's is all the wonderful live music and the infusion of great people from all over the world. There is never a dull moment. This year, you DO NOT want to miss the launch of Nu-Thursdays at Little Temple on 2/10/11.

 Hosted by 2011 Grammy nominee Eric Roberson, the night will feature performances by Sy Smith, YahZarah, Avery Sunshine and nominee Carolyn Malachi backed all night by Breezy LoveJoy Band. There will also be sets by DJ Destroyer. VERY limited presale tickets and table packages are available at http://templebarconcepts.tickets.musictoday.com/. HURRY!


Want a taste of what's in store for the night?