Tune in to Divabetic’s Bride’s Guide to Diabetes podcast.
If you’re living with, at risk of, or affected by diabetes, planning or attending a wedding, this inside guide to one of life’s most significant celebrations is for you!
Mr. Divabetic officiates a full hour of diabetes information and inspiration featuring a guest list of wedding, food and fashion experts offering tips and suggestions for brides, grooms, attendants, and attendees. Brides living with type 1 diabetes share how they juggled blood sugars and last-minute nerves.
Guests include Jessica Issler RD, CDCES, Judi Wilcox RD, CDCES, Wedding Cake Designer Christine Campanelli, Celebrity Cookbook Author Holly Clegg, Divabetic Style Expert Catherine Schuller, and Former Brides.
Photo by Gift Habeshaw
Divabetic inspiration, Luther Vandross has been a choice of music for many brides and grooms. Many of his songs are still being played today. His emotion and topic of love are perfect for wedding music.
Released in 1989 on the album The Best of Luther Vandross: The Best of Love, “Here and Now” was a wedding super hit in the 1990s and was played at thousands of weddings as the first dance song for wedding couples. Here and Now peaked and number six on the Billboard Hot 100.
I was there when Luther Vandross recorded his first and only live album at Radio City Music Hall in 2003. It’s a bittersweet memory because it was also Luther’s last live performance. Unfortunately, in April 2003, Luther suffered a stroke due to mismanaged type 2 diabetes. His Radio City concerts would be his last, and he was at the peak of his powers during these shows. Thankfully, the newly-restored concert recording captures Luther’s masterful showmanship, soulful singing, and deep connection to his audience. Luther’s live concerts were indeed a spectacle. Great music, vocals, lavish costumes, and staging ensured concertgoers got their money’s worth.
J Records and Legacy Recordings, the catalog division of Sony Music Entertainment, are pleased to announce the deluxe digital release of Luther Vandross – Live Radio City Music Hall 2003 – Expanded 20th Anniversary Edition – The Last Concert on Friday, February 10.
A romantic prelude to Valentine’s Day 2023, Luther’s Radio City rendition of “I’d Rather” [the second #1 Billboard Adult R&B Songs chart-topper from 2001’s Top 10 platinum-selling eponymous album] is being released as a single accompanied by an elegant new lyric video [the first-ever created for the song] premiering online today.
Luther Vandross–the award-winning American singer, songwriter, producer, and performer whose exquisite tenor vocals combined elements of R&B, pop, soul, and indefinable magic while selling millions of records–performed two sold-out shows at New York’s fabled Radio City Music Hall on February 11 and 12, 2003. These shows were part of an annual tradition of performing at Radio City Music Hall on Valentine’s Day.
At these shows, superstar stylist June Ambrose helped me to borrow Harry Winston jewels for Luther and his backing vocalists to wear on stage. The sparkle of real diamonds added to the elegance and excitement of the evening.
J Records released Luther Vandross – Live Radio City Music Hall 2003, an eleven-song edited version of the concert, on October 14, 2003. On the 20th anniversary of Luther’s final shows, J/Legacy are releasing an expanded edition featuring the full concert, with the setlist restored to original concert order and Luther’s on-stage banter providing insight into his personality, sense of humor and commitment to his audience and his songs.
The expanded 20th-anniversary edition of Luther Vandross – Live Radio City 2003 includes the eleven songs from the original release as well as four new tracks–“Power of Love/Love Power,” “Going Out of My Head,” “Any Day Now,” and “Say It Now”–and more.
Luther Vandross – Live Radio City Music Hall 2003 – Expanded 20th Anniversary Edition – The Last Concert
1. Power of Love / Love Power [new track]
2. Happy Valentine’s Day [spoken word]
3. Never Too Much
4. Work It/ Here and Now [spoken word]
5. Here And Now
6. Going Out Of My Head [new track]
7. Stop To Love
8. Love Won’t Let Me Wait
9. Any Day Now [new track]
10. A House Is Not A Home
11. I’d Rather
12. Take You Out
13. Say It Now [new track]
14. Superstar
15. Band Introduction [spoken word and music including :30 seconds of “I Believe”]
16. Intro to “Glow Of Love” [spoken word]
17. Glow Of Love
18. Encore [spoken word]
19. If Only For One Night
20. Creepin’
Luther Vandross ‘Live at Radio City Music Hall 2003’ 20th Anniversary Editionalbum is available now for preorder on iTunes. Release date February 10, 2023.
The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic plays the food game, Serve, Taste or Trash!, outside the Apollo Theater in Harlem, New York. The game spotlights the harmful added sugar in some of our favorite drinks.
Most of us drink more calories and added sugar than we think.
Added sugars include sucrose, dextrose, table sugar, syrups, honey, and sugars from concentrated fruit or vegetable juices.
Added sugars contribute calories to your diet but no essential nutrients.
Popular sugar-sweetened beverages that contain added sugar are iced teas, sports drinks, soda, fruit juice, and flavored iced coffees.
Drinking too much added sugar makes achieving a healthy eating pattern difficult without taking in too many calories.
The American Heart Association suggests limiting the amount of added sugar to no more than 100 calories per day (about 6 teaspoons or 24 grams) for most adult women and no more than 150 calories per day (about 9 teaspoons or 36 grams of sugar) for most men.
The Apollo Theater is a national icon with a legacy that resonates across generations, ethnic groups, and continents. Since opening its doors in 1914 and introducing the first Amateur Night contests in 1934, the Apollo Theater has played a major role in the emergence of innovative musical genres, including jazz, swing, bebop, R&B, gospel blues, and soul. Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn, Billie Holiday, Sammy Davis Jr., James Brown, Bill Cosby, Gladys Knight, Luther Vandross, D’Angelo, Lauryn Hill, and countless others began their road to stardom on the Apollo stage.
Mr. Divabetic talks to Billy Mitchell, the resident historian and official tour guide for the Apollo Theater, about some little-known facts about the theater and the legendary people who performed there.
Tune in to Divabetic’s free monthly podcasts hosted by Mr. Divabetic on blog Talk-Radio, iTunes, and Spotify. Guests include healthcare collaborators, beauty, image/style, fitness experts, entertainment industry leaders, and VIPs: women and men living with, at risk of, and affected by diabetes.
We’re honored to celebrate Luther Vandross and his musical legacy and raise awareness for diabetes health-related complications (such as stroke) on our annual Luther Vandross Tribute podcast.
In the years since Luther’s passing, one constant has remained to define his life and musical success: the voice. Like any great singer of the past 100 years, Luther Vandross’ voice and distinct singing style led to monumental success and instant recognition when you hear him singing–through your stereo, on the car radio, on TV, or in a movie. With that voice was Luther’s unique ability to write and sing about love and the shared emotions we all feel in searching for and enjoying love. Through his songs, for the last two generations, Luther Vandross became a staple in the most joyous moments of people’s lives.
Featured guests include Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, Luther percussionist Steve Kroon, Luther vocalists Tawatha Agee and Pat Lacy, Luther historian Leon Petrossian, members of ‘The Luther Re-Lives Experience’, family members, friends, and superfans.
Throughout the podcast, we feature songs from the album entitled Luther Vandross courtesy of SONY Music.
Pink Champagne’s lyrics came to me from binge-watching Hallmark Holiday movies. After watching three or more of these films (!) I longed to see more about the breakup that led to the main character returning to her hometown and finding her soul mate. This is why Pink Champagne’s main character is a woman ending her relationship at Christmastime on her terms.
Paulette’s voice has so many rich, sophisticated and varied textures and tones; I knew she had more than enough talent to capture the character’s essence. She created the song’s melody and phrasing, filling my words with raw emotion.
Ivan’s incredible musicianship took over from there. He polished the track, adding a lush, elegant orchestration worthy of our former friend, colleague, and employer Luther Vandross.
“When I received the story from Max, I quickly thought of the connection “Pink Champagne” has to Nancy Wilson’s “Guess Who I Saw Today, ” says Ivan Hampden Jr. He adds, “The classy breakup song and one of her biggest hits. It also brought back memories of being on the stage performing with Eartha Kitt, an amazing storyteller, through her songs, particularly her rendition of “All By Myself.”
Feeling ‘blue’ while the rest of the world is acting ‘merry’ isn’t ideal for anyone. Especially if the proverb, “misery loves company,” rings true. I hope anyone with a broken heart finds some comfort in our song, “Pink Champagne.”
Luther was very involved with every aspect of his live shows (lights, staging choreography, music, etc.), but in my opinion, the costumes were his absolute favorite. His display is stunning, dramatic and gorgeous. It has his eye-catching red, black, and crystal sequenced Art Deco stage jacket, created by fashion designer Tony Chase. It’s a striking reminder of the beauty, elegance and refined showmanship he created for his audiences worldwide.
The case also contains Luther’s own hand-written lyric sheet for his Grammy-winning song “Dance With My Father” in addition to the only microphone he used to record his studio albums.
When you’re in Washington, please enjoy the entire museum, but make your first stop is Luther’s display on the fourth floor.
Divabetic remembers 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 satin-smooth vocal magic moved international audiences and continues to touch people to this day.
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, the organization 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 and the man, and the motivation to ensure that no one has to struggle with diabetes alone or in silence. Keep ‘your house a home’ and learn how to prevent diabetes health-related complications from occurring. Visit: www.divabetic.org
Earlier this summer, the song Mama’s Kitchen Table by Ivan Hampden Jr. featuring Paulette McWilliams was a new entry on the UK Soul Chart debuting at #15.
Paulette and I co-wrote the lyrics and Ivan produced the track.
The three of us met while working for Luther Vandross. Ivan Hampden Jr. was Luther’s drummer, Paulette McWilliams was one of his backing vocalists, and I was his assistant.
Before working for Luther, Paulette was in The American Breed who later became Rufus, and she introduced Chaka Khan to them to take her place. She sang with Quincy Jones, featured on Michael Jackson’s “Off The Wall” and has toured with Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, and so many others. She was a guest on Richard Marzetti’s Solar Radio show on June 3, 2022. Click HERE to listen.
Ivan Hampden Jr. is a four-time Grammy winner and, as well as Luther’s albums, has appeared on albums by Ashford & Simpson, Diana Ross, Roberta Flack, The Temptations, Beyonce,Mavis Staple, and Ann Nesby to name some of the more famous ones.
After Luther’s stroke, related to mismanaged type 2 diabetes, I founded the nonprofit, Divabetic in 2003. Since then, I have reached thousands of at-risk people affected by and living with diabetes through live events, videos, and podcasts. I was thrilled to return to music with my friends, Ivan and Paulette. Seeing Mama’s Kitchen Table on the UK Soul Charts brought me so much joy. It was an unexpected but equally enchanting moment in an unforgettable Summer.
I’m also thrilled to announce the three of us teamed up again to write the new Christmas song, Pink Champagne, coming out in late Fall.
“Pink Champagne is dedicated to anyone experiencing a painful heartbreak during the holidays,” says Paulette McWilliams.
Breakups are hard. But the holidays seem to magnify the loneliness of heartache: parties with everyone coupled up, romantic Christmas music and movies, and those annual Christmas letters brimming with friends’ burgeoning families. The airwaves are filled with upbeat holiday classics leaving little room for sadness and contemplation.
Pink Champagneis a story of a woman’s journey from victim to victor at Christmastime. A mindset that Paulette believes can help someone with a broken heart find fulfillment.
“You can’t experience the joy of the holidays unless you let go of the painful emotions instead of holding them in,” she says. “I hope Pink Champagne helps people who are hurting be able to move on.”
Nancy Wilson’s Guess Who I Saw Today and Marlena Shaw’s Go Away Litte Boy inspired my lyrics and story.
A true classic, Guess Who I Saw Today was written by Murray Grand with lyrics by Elisse Boyd. The delicious, dignified, and elegant Nancy Wilson’s storytelling ability remains unsurpassed. Her timeless tone and delivery satisfy Jazz lovers of all generations.
For the first Lady of Blue Note, Marlena Shaw’s Go Away Little Boy lifted her career to new heights. Her dash of wit and attitude provide a virtual tour de force, a classic moment of 1970’s soul. Marlena’s recording is one part hilarious stand-up routine (a la Millie Jackson or Patti Labelle) and one part slow-jam mood music.
Seeing Lucinda Williams’ triumphant return to live performance after suffering a stroke was the one most magical and life-affirming surprises in my life.
I never expected, when I bought tickets to see Bonnie Raitt (Lucinda was the opening act for Bonnie’s show) at the Beacon Theater in New York for my friend’s birthday, that I would see a stroke survivor reclaim her life and play music again. I was blown away!
Lucinda Williams suffered a stroke in November 2020 due to a blood clot on the right side of her brain. Although she is not sure of the exact cause of her stroke, she assumes it was caused by stress.
“What happens is your brain gets all… the wires get all crossed and you have to retrain your brain basically, to tell your arm to do whatever it is you’re trying to do,” Williams told the Rolling Stone. “So that’s the biggest challenge.”
She didn’t suffer speech aphasia from the stroke but walks with a cane, is unable to play guitar, and continues to experience pain on her left side. During her performance, she told the crowd that she hopes to play the guitar for us the next time she returns to New York!
Lucinda’s courage, strength, and perseverance remind me of my good friend and colleague, Catherine Schuller.
Catherine suffered a stroke on the morning of Divabetic’s last ‘Makeover Your Diabetes’ outreach at the Riverside Church in New York. Three years earlier, I found my boss, Luther Vandross, after he suffered a stroke related to mismanaged type 2 diabetes. To say I was heartsick when Catherine’s husband called me with the news of Catherine’s stroke is an understatement. However, Catherine’s life force and subsequent recovery serve as a source of inspiration for the Divabetic community.
Since her stroke, Lucinda Williams has been writing music. “The main thing is I can still sing. I’m singing my ass off, so that hasn’t been affected,” Williams told the Rolling Stone. “Can’t keep me down for too long.”
I’m thrilled to announce a song I co-wrote, “Mama’s Kitchen Table” by Ivan Hampden Jr. featuring Paulette McWilliams, entered the UK Soul Chart Top 30 at #15.
Since its release on Mother’s Day, our song has defied all expectations. Paulette, Ivan, and I had no idea people would embrace this song with such enthusiasm. Honestly, our greatest hope was that maybe it would attain 1,000 plays on Spotify. So imagine our disbelief and joy when we found out it surpassed 10,000 plays on Spotify.
“Mama’s Kitchen Table” is about a woman’s desire to find a respectable man she can bring home to her mama’s kitchen table. The heart of the home. The place where her family gathers to mark milestones, celebrate accomplishments, and honor commitments —the one place in the world where she feels comfortable being her true, authentic self.
“Mama’s Kitchen” combines a hypnotizing voice with a retro instrumental bass to create an incredible musical recipe.
“Mama’s Kitchen Table” continues R & B legend Luther Vandross’s musical legacy by uniting his longtime backing vocalist, Paulette McWilliams, his songwriter, drummer, and studio engineer Ivan Hampden Jr. and his long-time assistant, Max Szadek. Luther’s longtime album cover designer, George Corsillo, also contributed the artwork for the single.
As the song continues to surprise us daily, I remember my boss, Luther Vandross. His sudden and devasting stroke due to mismanaged type 2 diabetes impacted how I chose to live my life. I learned an important life lesson from his health tragedy; I don’t take tomorrow for granted. Since 2003, I try to stop and enjoy the moment at the moment rather than hold off for tomorrow. The emotions I am experiencing now are difficult to put into words. I’m surprised and overjoyed by our success. Never in my wildest dreams could I have anticipated co-writing lyrics to a song that would be on the UK Soul Chart!
Patti LaBelle‘s outspoken attitude about living well with type 2 diabetes at a Luther Vandross Tribute concert changed my life 20 years ago. She said, “diabetes doesn’t control me, I control my diabetes!”. Those words inspired me to coin the phrase ‘Divabetic’ (Divabetic.Org).
My former boss, Luther Vandross, never spoke openly about his type 2 diabetes beyond a prescription refill. At that moment, watching her on stage, I wished that I had the chance to talk about diabetes self-care with Luther prior to his stroke. Like everyone else, I thought he had his type 2 diabetes in the bag and didn’t need any support, or encouragement. When I found him on the floor after experiencing a stroke (related to mismanagement of type 2 diabetes) in April 2002, prior to the release of Dance With My Father, I deeply regretted my ignorance. To this day, I still wonder “what if?”
Patti LaBelle’s candidness or ‘new attitude’ about her diabetes health is probably the singular reason why I started a nonprofit organization. As hard as it might seem to ask for help, it’s worth it when you know there’s someone looking out for you. You deserve an entourage – a group of loving collaborators supporting you to live your best life!
Looking for a fun way to socialize without putting your diabetes wellness at risk? Do you need a little help staying on track with your diabetes self-care?
Back by popular demand! The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic, hosts this free, fun Virtual Baking Party with our special guest, Stacey Harris, aka The Diabetic Pastry Chef on Wednesday, June 29, 2022, 7 – 8:30 PM, EST on Zoom.
Yesterday was an exciting day! DJ Richard Marzettifeatured the song, Mama’s Kitchen Table, that I co-wrote with Ivan Hampden Jr. and Paulette McWilliams on his show Soul Life on Solar Radio! Paulette McWilliams returns for an exclusive interview on Richard’s show on Friday, June 3, 2022.
Mama’s Kitchen Table is about a woman’s desire for a good, reliable, honest, and decent guy. Someone who doesn’t give up when times are tough but shows up. A respectable man you can bring home to your mama’s kitchen table – the heart of the home. The place where your family gathers to mark milestones, celebrate accomplishments, and honor commitments —the one place in the world where you feel comfortable being your true, authentic self.
Mama’s Kitchen Table continues Luther Vandross‘s musical legacy by uniting his background vocalist, Paulette McWilliams, his songwriter, drummer, and studio engineer Ivan Hampden Jr. and his long-time assistant, Max Szadek.
Paulette McWilliams is a singer and songwriter. She began her career singing with the bands The American Breed and Rufus and has appeared as a backing vocalist on recordings and on tour for numerous artists. She worked with Marvin Gaye, Luther Vandross, Aretha Franklin, The Jacksons, Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones, and as a member of Bette Midler’s backing group the Harlettes, among many others.
Ivan Hampden Jr. is a jazz and R&B drummer, composer, and record producer. He was Luther Vandross’ tour and session drummer from 1987 to 2003. Throughout his career, Hampden toured and performed with a number of celebrated artists, including Roberta Flack, Chaka Khan, Eartha Kitt, Jennifer Lopez, Bonnie Raitt, India Arie, Stevie Wonder, Dionne Warwick, Little Richard, Gladys Knight, Vanessa Williams, among many others. Ivan Hampden Jr. was recognized for his participation as Arranger/Musician/Programmer on two Grammy Award-winning recordings at the 2004 Grammy Awards: Best R&B Album “Dance With My Father” performed by Luther Vandross, and Best R&B Performance By A Duo or Group with Vocals “The Closer I Get to You” performed by Beyoncé and Luther Vandross.
