Divabetic Salutes Shirley Brown

“You can go around all your life singing stuff that’s just basically a song,” Shirley Brown said. “But I think you are supposed to relate to what’s happening—inner feelings.”

Shirley Brown sang in church in West Memphis, Arkansas, until she was discovered at age 14 by Albert King, blues guitarist, and singer, singing at the Harlem Club in Brooklyn, Illinois.  She worked with Albert for nine years (where he was her manager) and rubbed elbows with Soul luminaries such as Johnnie Taylor and Little Milton.


Blues legend Albert King persuaded Shirley Brown to sign with Stax Records and release her smash single “Woman To Woman.” 

Soul Express Magazine describes Woman to Woman as a milestone in the history of Southern soul music. Starting with a dramatic rap, it tells of a woman determined to hold on to her man and tell it over the phone to her rival. 

Hello, may I speak to Barbara. Barbara, this is Shirley. You might not know who I am, but the reason I’m calling you is because I was going through my old man’s pockets this morning and I just happened to find your name and number. So, woman to woman, I don’t think it’s being any more than fair than to call you and let you know where I’m coming from.”

Woman to Woman, lovingly referred to as the soul soap opera, was written by James Banks, Henderson Thigpen, and Eddie Marion. The songwriters offered the song first to Inez Foxx, who passed on it. “She didn’t want to do it. She felt like the rap part in the beginning of the song was for a male artist, and a song like that with a rap would be better for a person like Isaac Hayes,” James Banks told Soul Express. 

The song’s recording took more than one session. But Bobby Manuel, who played guitar on the sessions, said, “The recording session (for Woman to Woman) was magical. We all knew it was a hit record. Everybody was really excited.” 


Shirley was nominated for a Grammy for Best R&B Performance, Female, but Aretha Franklin and Ain’t Nothing like a Real Thing won that year.

Millie Jackson, who was also nominated in the same category that year, told QuestLove on his podcast that Aretha should have been excluded from being nominated in that category because her recording failed to meet the qualifications. 

“Woman to Woman” reached No. 1 on the R&B charts and No. 22 on the pop charts. The song proved so popular that Country Music legend Barbara Mandrell covered it, and Lonnie Youngblood talked to Barbara and blew his horn on the mid-tempo answer song, Man to Woman. A year after the song’s success, Stax Records folded.  


Shirley Jones chased her dreams to New York City, where Clive Davis signed her to his Arista Records label. . “I was one of the first soul singers he (Clive) signed. I was there before Whitney and Aretha. Clive said that if we could ever get the right material, we could have a hit. But he felt that the material was too Southern. He didn’t want that Southern soul sound. 

Clive and Shirley Brown didn’t agree on the direction of her music. “Clive Davis wanted me to do a Bette Midler song or something like Barbra Streisand. I could probably sing those kinds of songs, but I didn’t feel them.”


In early 1977, Shirley’s first Arista single, a soul ballad called Blessed Is the Woman (With a Man like Mine) was released.  “I’ve always been a great admirer of Aretha Franklin,” Shirley Brown admits. Some people feel that Shirley Brown and Aretha Franklin are similar to the Isaac Hayes/Barry White situation.”


Some speculate that Clive felt she sounded too much like Aretha Franklin, and he jeopardized her career to boost Aretha’s.   


“Clive wanted to make Shirley like Whitney, “says Bobby Manuel. “He wanted to take somebody that had those chops, who could sing like that… and take them pop.  The marriage really didn’t work.  He was sending us pop songs, and she just wasn’t into them.”


Luther Vandross loved Shirley Brown. I would buy up all her albums in the UK for our tour bus and his dressing room. 

After Shirley left Arista, she signed with several other labels. She continues to make beautiful music. Some wonderful songs in her catalog include “I Ain’t Gonna Tell”, “Love Is Built On A Strong Foundation,” and the soul ballad “I Need Somebody to Love Me.”

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 on Wednesday, April 17, 2024.

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.

Divabetic Salutes Millie Jackson

Millie Jackson is a bold, brash, and bawdy entertainer called “The Original Bad Girl” by Vibe Magazine. She is known for her unfiltered and explicit lyrical content. Her live performances are known for her storytelling and jokes woven into her songs.

‘I guess the reason I sing about certain thing is because I’m outspoken,” she said. “There are some things that have to be said, and it seems like I’m the only woman saying them right now. In fact, a lot of times, people don’t compare me with other female singers but with my male counterparts! I guess I ought to regard that as a compliment!”

This trailblazer for female recording artists has earned her fans from all backgrounds. It is also rumored that Bette Midler and Roseanne drew inspiration from Millie’s high-voltage approach to sex in their respective careers.

Although her music has been kept off radio playlists due to its gritty R&B style, Millie Jackson added a new dimension to her career by creating, financing, directing, and starring in a hit musical stage play based on her r “Young Man, Older Woman” song. During the play’s touring years, audiences discovered Millie Jackson was equally talented as an actress.

We love her song, “Love Is A Dangerous Game,” from her album, “An Imitation Of Love,” released in 1986.


We love her song, “Love Is A Dangerous Game,” from her album, “An Imitation Of Love,” released in 1986.

At the height of the AIDS crisis, Millie Jackson would stop the music and urge her female fans to practice safe sex at her live shows. She would encourage them to buy and carry condoms rather than rely on their men to take the necessary precautions.

Throughout her career, Millie Jackson released 28 albums that sold 40 million copies, making her one of the most successful female artists of the 20th century. She is most well-known for her hit albums “Get It Out Cha System,” “Hard Times,” “A Moment’s Pleasure,” “Live and Uncensored,” “For Men Only,” “I Had To Say It,” “A Little Bit Country,” and “Live and Outrageous.”

Recently, she has been running her record label, Weird Wreckuds, and has released a single called “Butt-A-Cize” and an album entitled “Not For Church Folk!”


Diabetes is one of the most common chronic diseases in nearly all countries. People with diabetes experience sexual dysfunction more often than the general public. Dr. Janis Roszler PhD, LMFT, RDN, LD/N, CDCES, FAND, and Donna Rice, MBA, BSN, RN, CDCES, FADCES, the co-authors of Divabetic’s new e-book, Sweet Romance: A Woman’s Guide to Love and Intimacy with Diabetes, available on Amazon, offer advice.
The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic explores issues of love, intimacy and diabetes on this one-hour podcast. Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes can lead to sexual health complications including vaginal dryness, sensation and performance. Up to 50% of men and 25% of women may experience some sexual problem or a loss of sex drive. 

Don’t equate sexual performance with love or a fulfilling relationship; focus on letting your partner know you care and want to give pleasure as part of your relationship.

Mr. Divabetic’s Guests include Best-Selling Author Lisa Eugene, Jennifer Martsolf from Trigg Laboratories (the makers of Wet Lubricants) and Janis Roszler MS, RD, LD/N, CDE, FAND (2008-2009 Diabetes Educator of the Year (AADE).

Divabetic Celebrates Altoween on Halloween!!!

Thanks to my talented friends, Paulette McWilliams, Pat Lacy, and Brenda White-King for showing us how deep, rich, and soulful a woman’s voice could be. Because of you, we’re celebrating amazing vocalists just like you this Halloween!

Sade remains one of the most successful, lucrative artists of the past four decades. She’s sold over 50 million records worldwide. She achieved her success by ignoring fads, fashion, and anything trend that might steer her and her band off course.

“She was one of those rare artists I fell completely in love with because she came just the way she is now,” Susan Blond, a former vice president at Epic Records.

Some people may think Millie Jackson’s onstage antics and song lyrics are too crude but we like the way she broke the rules. In a musical landscape where misogynistic lyrics dominated the airwaves, she turned the tables and objectified men.

Sarah Vaughan’s dynamic vocal range, iconic vibrato, and innovative phrasing helped to transform jazz and popular music.

With voices this sweet, we don’t need to Trick or Treat!

We’re talking about ‘THE SWEETEST TABOO’ aka ‘SUGAR’ with musical inspiration from Sade.

Sugar is everywhere. But do we really understand the impact it has on our diabetes health?

If asked to name sugary foods, you may think of sweets, chocolate, sodas, table sugar, and perhaps even fruit. But sugar also appears in savoury foods such as ready meals, soups, salads and sauces; as well as ‘healthy’ foods such as breakfast cereals and yogurt. Furthermore, starches such as bread, pasta, rice and potatoes also convert to sugar in our bloodstream, having the same impact on our bodies. These ‘hidden sugars’ can add a surprising amount to our daily intake.

Guests include Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, Tameka Milline, Catherine Schuller AICI, CIP. Kathy Dolgin aka ‘High Voltage’, and Stephanie MacKendree. Throughout the podcast we will be featuring music from ‘The Essential Sade’ album courtesy of SONY Music.