Divabetic Salutes Val Young

“I can get in where I fit in, ” says Val Young. “I love all music.”

R&B/soul singer-songwriter Val Young, also known as “Lady V,” was one of the original Mary Jane Girls Band members.

The Detroit-born former Motown recording artist began singing background vocals for The Gap Band, George Clinton, Teena Marie, El Debarge, Evelyn ‘Champagne’ King, Bobby Womack, and Roy Ayers. Her all-time favorite artist is Gladys Knight. Growing up, she used to listen to her music all of the time.

She began singing with Rick James in 1981 on the Street Songs tour. Teena Maire was the opening act. She was also a member of the original Mary Jane Band.

“What a great, great time I had with RJ (Rick James). Recording, working, touring, personal, everything,” says Val Young. “We could be laughing and talking, and he could create a song. Rick James was the best of everything.” She added, “I learned from Rick to be focused. Rick always told me to be someone that someone else wants to be.”

Rick James produced her debut album, Seduction, which included the hits “Mind Games,” “Piece Of My Heart,” and “If You Should Ever Be Lonely.”

“I always wanted to be solo,” said Val Young in a Truth in Rhythm interview on YouTube. “But I still sung backgrounds on the Mary Jane Girls records.”

Her talent and physical attributes impressed Rick James so much that he promoted her as the “Black Marilyn Monroe.”

Packed with so many great songs, Rick James decided against including Val Youngs’ recording of the song “In My House” on the album. Instead, he gave the song to his fledging girl group, The Mary Jane Girls, who released “In My House,” it became a mega-hit. Regardless, Val Young’s Seduction album achieved gold status.

I would listen to Val Yong’s hits on WDKX in Rochester, New York. After school, I would turn up the radio in the art room when I heard the first bars of “If You Should Ever Be Lonely.” I was such a big Val Young fan that I dragged my brother, Rich, and his friend, Teresa, to see her perform live at a small club in Downtown Rochester. The three of us stuck out like a sore thumb in the club.

I may never understand why I grew up listening to R&B when no one else in my family did, but I can trace my career trajectory back to those early years of listening to Val Young, Rick James, and Luther Vandross nonstop on WDKX.

I was a Luther fan long before I worked for him, so I am passionate about helping promote his legacy. It was one of the most magical, defining moments in my life. I’m grateful to stay in touch with Luther’s musical family, promote his musical legacy, and offer diabetes outreach support to his fans.

After the success of her first album and Rick James’s passing, I didn’t hear much of Val Young. I’m not a rap fan, so I assumed she had left the music industry. But her voice can be heard on hit songs with Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Too Short, Mark Morrison, and Napoleon. Her most successful collaboration is the song “To Live & Die In L.A.” with Tupac Shakur.

You can’t help but fall in love with Val Young listening to her Truth in Rhythm interview. She’s down-to-earth, funny, and very humble about her success. She was genuinely surprised to learn Mariah Carey covered her song, “If Should Ever Be Lonely.” She said, “I was just so happy and truly blessed.”

Most recently, Val Young, Candice Ghant, and Rick James’ daughter, Ty James, have been performing as the new lineup of The Mary Jane Girls at various Rick James tribute shows.

Thank you, Val Young, for being part of the soundtrack of my life. Her music reminds me of the kid who grew up listening to R&B and was lucky enough to work for one of his idols.

Join us for our Luther Vandross: Never Too Much birthday celebration featuring a Music Panel, Fashion Show, Luther Trivia Games, Live Performances, Style Vendors and Live DJ.

Come dressed in your Big 80s Bling!

Luther Vandross was known for wearing rhinestones, silk tuxedos, and tailcoats on stage and Versace, Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, and Tom Ford off-stage! He wasn’t afraid of bright colors, animal prints, geometric patterns, and fringe. His style and incredible showmanship brought him legions of fans worldwide.

We’re celebrating the Glitz, Glamour, and Romantic Elegance that made his concerts memorable and set him apart from other entertainers.

MUSIC PANEL: Luther’s Vocalist, Cindy Mizelle, Luther’s Choreographer, James Ervin, and Graffiti Glamour Makeup Artistry Founder Alicia Mitchell give us a closer look into the Shine of the Rhinestones, Big Luscious Hairstyles, Bold Makeup, Graceful Moves, and Tight Harmonies comprising Luther’s iconic stage shows. Hosted by Max Szadek.

FASHION SHOW: Designers showcase their gorgeous creations inspired by Luther Vandross’s romantic elegance. See the latest styles from Harlem’s Heaven and Modafleur, among others! Hosted by Catherine Schuller.

LIVE PERFORMANCE: Luther’s most iconic songs performed by Luther’s most iconic songs by vocalist Keith Anthony Fluitt.

STYLISH VENDORS: Shop for apparel, jewelry, and teas from a dazzling array of small entrepreneurs.

COCKTAILS & LITE BITES: Enjoy signature cocktails and delicious appetizers.

Luther Vandross Celebration

I miss the glamour and elegance of Luther Vandross’ performances. All of his dressed-up, glitzy, romanticized love songs were performed to perfection night after night. I loved every sparkling rhinestone, crystal bugle bead, luminous pearl, and shiny metallic thread on his breathtaking encrusted tuxedos. Designer Tony Chase’s wonderous mix of sweeping Art Noveau and geometric Art Deco designs helped Luther transport his audience to a magical place. 

Since every show had to look like the first show, these costumes were worn, and the upkeep of these costumes was a nightmare for Luther’s experienced wardrobe department. Beads would break, threads would snag and pull, and collars would get stained. It was aggravating! 

But, looking back over a glass of wine, I can appreciate Luther’s keen eye for detail and his unique way of putting on a spectacular show. Combine these costumes with graceful choreography, sophisticated orchestration, and glorious backing vocals, and you get every heart in the audience melt. 

It’s incredible to think about the level of detail that went into each show, from the costumes and lighting to the choreography and chrome sets, not to mention the phenomenal talents of his band members and backing vocalists. I’m sure Luther’s performances left a lasting impression on everyone in the audience.

I’m so passionate about this stuff that I’m hosting a Luther Celebration program in New York City on Wednesday, April 17, 2024.  This fabulous free event will feature a Panel Discussion with Luther’s backing vocalist, Cindy Mizelle, Luther’s choreographer, James Ervin, a live performance by Keith Anthony Fluitt, a Fashion Show curated by Catherine Schuller spotlighting Luther’s timeless elegance (Harlem’s Hats and Modafluer), a Live DJ, and an inspiring weight loss journey with Graffiti Glamour founder, Alicia Mitchell

I remember Luther performing “The Other Side Of The World” a few times in concert. He would sing a verse or two before sequing into another hit song. Why does this stunning song not get more airplay? 

Divabetic remembers the 10th anniversary of losing a legend, the late Luther Vandross (April 20, 1951 – July 1, 2005) with this special podcast, Tribute to Luther Vandross, celebrating his career during the 1990’s. Luther Vandross was a musical master whose style has influenced an entire generation of today’s vocalists. His distinctive brand of smooth satin vocal magic moved international audiences and continues to touch people today.

The happy healthcare host, Max “Mr. Divabetic” Szadek, who worked with Vandross for more than 14 years, hosts this tribute podcast featuring Luther’s former vocalists Paulette McWilliams, Pat Lacy, Tawatha Agee, Cindy Mizelle and Kevin Owens, band member Bryon Miller, Vandross family member, Seveda Williams, friends Darren Margo and David Jones, the Luther Vandross historian, Leon Petrossian and Luther super fan, Jane Goodman from Great Britain.
Throughout the podcast we will be playing selected Luther Vandross songs that he recorded during the 1990’s courtesy of SONY Music.

Divabetic, inspired by Luther’s diabetes journey revisits the singer’s career in the decade of hair scrunchies, boy bands, grunge and rave parties. This Luther tribute remembers the moments, the music the man and the motivation to ensure that no one struggles with diabetes alone or in silence. Keep ‘your house a home’ and learn how to prevent a diabetes health-related complication from occurring. Visit: www.divabetic.org

Thanks for letting me share my memories.

Join Us For Divabetic’s Baking Party with Stacey Harris aka “The Diabetic Pastry Chef”

90+ People have already registered, how about you? Join us for Divabetic’s largest diabetes outreach of 2021.

Register now for our free, fun Virtual Baking Party with special guest, Stacey Harris aka “The Diabetic Pastry Chef” on Thursday, September 23, 7 – 8 PM, EST on Zoom.

Stacey plans to demonstrate one of her favorite sugar-free recipes, answers your questions, and provide tips for baking with popular sugar substitutes, and other sugar alternatives including Splenda.

After being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, Stacey Harris (The Diabetic Pastry Chef) taught herself how to make pound cake, pecan rolls, pies, muffins, cupcakes, and other baked goods with about half the carbs you’d get from a traditional bakery item.

“I started experimenting by using almond milk or whole milk mixed with water to cut down on carbs, then tried different flours, incorporating white whole wheat flour, soy flour, oat flour, black bean flour, and other alternatives into my brownies, cakes, and cookies,” she said in a How 2 Type 2 article.

She adds, ”To cut back on sugar, I started using all-natural substitutes, like agave nectar, and trying erythritol. I also bake with a store-bought blend of sugars that tastes delicious.”

REGISTER NOW – FREE REGISTRATION

 

A Dog Saved My Life!

A white terrier, became the first dog to receive insulin in Frederick Banting and Charles Best’s laboratory on July 30, 1921 in Canada.

The scientists took blood samples from the dog every 30 minutes and saw a temporary drop in blood sugar from 0.2 percent to 0.12 percent. Banting was not knowledgeable enough about new developments in testing blood sugar to check for diabetes accurately, so he checked the urine, which was less reliable.

Banting & Best

The dog died the next morning due to an infection, but the scientists noted the first signs of anti-diabetic action from the extract, which they had named isletin.

“Diabetics the world over owe much to the true, brave, faithful, loving little dog who played her heroic role as part of her day’s work.” -Frederick Banting, 1940

The next challenge in the discovery of insulin they faced was to find a method of producing islet cells, and therefore insulin, on a mass scale, so that it would have some use as a wide-scale medicine for diabetes.

Realizing that a supply of dogs for pancreas ligation was going to limit the progress of the research, Banting and Best moved on to using the pancreas of cows as source material.

READ MORE

Collar Greens Health & Wellness Day

Divabetic and Central Farm Markets proudly present Collar Greens Health & Wellness Day on Sunday, September 29, 2019, 9 AM – 1 PM. This free health and wellness event features health information for both pets and pet owners alike!

Enjoy Market Food Tours, Live Cooking Demonstrations, Family & Dogs Scavenger Hunts, Dog House Decorating for Kids, Amazing Service Dog Demonstrations, Live Music, Veterinarian Talks & Ask A Diabetes Educator Sessions! 

Plus, visit 40 vendors for fresh local pork, chicken, fish, cheeses, produce, dairy, baked goods, prepared foods to go, eggs, flowers, and ice cream.

What’s Your Dog IQ? Take our FUN QUIZ

Tabouli Gallagher

Meet Tabouli: The World’s Most Famous Diabetes Alert Dog!

Meet the World’s Most Famous Diabetes Alert Dog: Tabouli Gallagher and his trainer, Debby Kay at Collar Greens Health & Wellness Day on September 29, 2019.

Debby Kay has been a been an internationally recognized leader in medical, diabetes alert, and scent detection dog training for over 40 years. Her Super Sniffer® program is now in 22 countries, helping people utilize the remarkable talents of the dog’s nose. The best selling series of Super Sniffer® books are available online at: www.debbykay.com.

Available on Amazon

Can’t make it? We’re talking to the owner of the World’s Most Famous Diabetes Alert Dog, Tabouli Gallagher, Elizabeth Gallagher on August’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast with musical inspiration from Phyllis Hyman scheduled for August 13, 2019, 6 PM, EST. TUNE IN 

Diabetic Alert Dogs are trained to alert their owners in advance of low (hypoglycemia) or high (hyperglycemia) blood sugar levels before they become dangerous.

Tune in to find out how this service dog not only helps Elizabeth who is living with type 1 diabetes,  happy and healthy but also inspired a series of children’s books, “Tabouli:  The Story of a Heart-Driven Diabetes Alert Dog” by Matt Pelicano 

Cutest Dog Contest

Win $500 Gift Basket! Enter Our Cutest Dog Contest

Upload your dog photos to Instagram and tag @centralfarmmarkets and include the hashtag #centralfarmdogcontest to enter the Central Farm Markets Cutest Dog Photo Contest.