Tag: Nancy Wilson

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Pink Champagne Is Toni B.’s Christmas Song Of The Week

I’m thrilled to share that UG-ONE Network radio host, Toni B. chose my Christmas ballad, Pink Champagne, as her Christmas Song of the Week. She’s planning to feature it every day this week on her Sparkle & Shine radio show in between a great mix of old and new R & B songs and holiday tunes.

Today she shared a heartfelt introduction encapsulating the song’s victim to victory mindset that had me smiling from ear to ear!

The inspiration for Pink Champagne came to me while I was watching a Hallmark Christmas movie. I thought, “What if the heroine ran into her (future) ex-boyfriend on Christmas Eve and told him she gave his present away?” Something about that idea made me think of Nancy Wilson’s iconic Guess Who I Saw Today? and the lyricist’s brilliant storytelling approach to songwriting.

When it came to selecting a cocktail for this song, I found myself drawn to pink champagne for a variety of reasons. Not only does it evoke a sense of celebration, but it also embodies a spirit of self-empowerment.

There’s something about the effervescence and vibrant color that feels uplifting and invigorating. Pink champagne is often associated with special occasions and moments of joy, making it the perfect choice for someone taking a bold step forward to move on with their life.

In addition to its celebratory nature, pink champagne exudes elegance, class, and sophistication. It can turn an ordinary moment into something truly extraordinary. The way it sparkles in the glass and the delightful bubbles that dance on your palate create an experience that is both luxurious and memorable.

I wonder what other cocktails you might choose. Would you lean towards something equally festive, or perhaps opt for a drink that reflects your personality or mood?

Once I chose my cocktail, the lyrics just flowed out of me like a story. I first reached out to my friend, Ivan Hampden Jr. to see if he’d be interested in working on a Christmas song, but he initially said “no.” Not one to give up, I called my friend, vocalist, Paulette McWilliams next, and she also said “no,” but before hanging up, I asked her if I could share a few lyrics. By the time I finished, she was asking me to send the rest!

A few hours later, Ivan called back and said, “We’re going to do your Christmas song!” From that point, the song blossomed week after week. Ivan layered on beautiful orchestration while Paulette played with the melody and ad-libs and helped fine-tune my lyrics, bringing her insights into the character.

When Ivan sent me the mastered track, I was absolutely blown away by how my words transformed into this lush and elegant Christmas song.

It turned out to be a truly beautiful collaboration! 

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Divabetic Salutes Nancy Wilson

“I just always did it. I never sat down and said, ‘I want to be, I’m going to be,” Nancy Wilson said in a CBS Sunday Morning interview. “The voice just had a life of its own, and it just happened.”

Nancy Wison stands among the greatest performers of all time.  During the 1960s, she was second only to the Beatles in record sales for Capital Records. 

Nancy Wilson blurs the line between jazz and pop singers, preferring to be called a “song stylist.” 
Nancy Wilson attended West High School in Columbus, Ohio, where she won a talent contest and was rewarded with a role as a host for a local television show.

In 1956, Wilson auditioned and won a spot as a vocalist for Rusty Bryant’s Carolyn Club Band. Afterward, she moved to New York and began working as a secretary at the New York Institute of Technology. While in New York, Wilson became friends with jazz saxophonist “Cannonball” Adderley, who introduced her to her manager, John Levy. With Levy’s help, she landed a record deal with Capitol Records and released her songs “Guess Who I Saw Today” and “Sometimes I’m Happy.” 

The exceptional storytelling of “Guess Who I  Saw Today” and Nancy Wilson’s dazzling delivery inspired me to write the lyrics to “Pink Champagne.” I was fortunate to collaborate with Paulette McWilliams and Ivan Hampden Jr. on this Christmas tune.  

She has appeared on several television shows and films throughout her career, including I Spy and The Cosby Show.

Nancy Wilson won a Grammy Award for her album “How Glad I Am” and hosted the Nancy Wilson Show from 1967 to 1968. 


“I’m a storyteller,” said Nancy Wilson. “I believe in a song with a lyric. I want you to feel something. I want it to touch the heart.” 

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 Wednesay, 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.

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New Singing Sensation: Samara Joy

Last night, 24-year-old jazz singer Samara Joy wowed the crowd at the Blue Note in New York with a voice as smooth as velvet. Her album, Linger Awhile, is out now.

After winning the 2019 Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition, Samara Joy’s star seems to rise with each performance.

“I was suddenly on the jazz radar. It’s still bizarre to think of how fast things have progressed.”

Her rich and velvety yet precociously refined voice has already earned fans like Anita Baker and Regina King, appearances on the TODAY Show, and millions of likes on TikTok — cementing her status as perhaps the first Gen Z jazz singing star. On Linger Awhile, Samara will introduce that massive audience to a slew of classic standards several times older than she is through her timeless, irresistible sound.

Samara Joy’s gentle rendition of Guess Who I Saw Today, originally popularized by Nancy Wilson, showcases the young singer’s exceptional control, range, and refined, distinctive style.

Her album’s release is just one more step for the ascendant vocalist, who will spend the rest of the year touring increasingly large stages — still shocked to be performing in front of thousands who hang on every word. “I’m still very much a student, even though I’ve graduated,” Samara says. “So this is only the beginning… there is much, much more to come.”

One can only hope that one day Samara Joy will record one of my songs like the new Holiday classic, Pink Champagne, by Ivan Hampden Jr. and Paulette McWilliams.

 

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Nancy Wilson Inspires New Holiday Song: Pink Champage

I’m thrilled to share my new holiday song, “Pink Champagne,” by Ivan Hampden Jr. and Paulette McWilliams, with you.
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.”
Cheers!

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Mama’s Kitchen Table Makes For An Unforgettable Summer

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 Champagne is 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.

 

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Pink Champagne Christmas Story, Part 1

Christmas song. I sat down, and the lyrics to a song I’m calling Pink Champagne poured out. I liked it so much that I called my Luther Vandross musical family friends, producer Ivan Hampden Jr., and vocalist Paulette McWilliams. They agreed to record the song.

Here are the first lines of Pink Champagne:

Oh, Baby! pour me a glass 

of Pink Champagne

after a few sips, I’d love to explain

why I decided on Christmas Day

to give my gift for you away!

Rather than post the rest of the song lyrics, I decided to share the short story that I wrote inspired by the song on this blog throughout December. Enjoy!

The bright streams of sunshine are as bitter as the taste of flat champagne this morning coming through the window of my bedroom. Once again, my husband, Jasper, left early. I’m alone. He’s made it a habit to leave for work before anyone else in the house wakes up. But, for the past three months, Jasper’s been coming home late too. Like my father with my mother, he can’t stop himself from reminding me that someone has to work to put food on the table.

It’s true. Someone in the household has to pay for our family’s life necessities. But lately, Jasper uses his role as ‘breadwinner’ as an excuse to stay away. Our family’s lifestyle gives him plenty of excuses, too, because we live in the Hamptons. Jasper is proud to tell anyone who asks that we live in a ten thousand square feet residence with 6 bedrooms and 8 baths. It features a clubhouse, high-end fitness center, and outdoor pool located just a short walk to the Village of East Hampton and a little over a mile from pristine beaches. Just the upkeep alone for our home isn’t cheap either. But, according to our account, Jasper’s cousin, Aramis Fishbourne, we don’t have a choice. If we let the value of our home slide due to negligence, it would be even more costly to our finances. 

But today is Christmas Eve! Weeks ago, Jasper promised to spend the whole day with the twins and me. No phones, no interruptions, just family time. Now, his side of the bed is cold, and the kids aren’t even up yet. If he stayed home for breakfast or dinner, he’d know that our children have been counting down the days until our annual trip to the city to see Santa Claus. So why does his boss expect him to work? More importantly, why does my husband agree to go?

I turn to look at his pillow and find a note, “See you at 8”. Jasper didn’t bother to sign it. I guess I should be happy that he remembered that we are going on a date tonight without me having to remind him. Still, my mind can’t help but fixate on his initial lack of enthusiasm. He was actually upset that I distracted him from reading his Art Auction catalog. Still, I didn’t let that deter me. I gently took his catalog away as I explained to him how we used to go out on Christmas Eve when we were dating. We’d dress up, sip champagne and enjoy an elegant dinner at the Plaza Hotel. We’d spend half of the evening looking around and fantasizing about being as rich as Rockefeller. But, somewhere between getting engaged, married, buying a home, and supporting a family, our little romantic tradition was lost.

Lately, we act like co-workers instead of man and wife. My job is to raise our family, his job is to support our family, and our bedroom is the water cooler where we catch up with each other. All that to say, I haven’t felt any chemistry between us in a long, long time. So hopefully, ‘date night’ on Christmas Eve will jumpstart an office romance.

TO BE CONTINUED … 

Click HERE for Pink Champagne Christmas Story Part 1

Click HERE for Pink Champagne Christmas Story Part 2

Click HERE for Pink Champagne Christmas Story Part 3

Pink Champagne lyrics are a slight nod to Nancy Wilson’s iconic “Guess Who I Saw Today” and Marlena Shaw’s delicious “Go Away Little Boy”. Both of these songs have brought me tremendous joy over the years. If you have never heard these immortal songs – enjoy them! 

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Why Love Won’t Let Me Wait When Someone Is Having A Stroke

If music has the power to move you, then let the ballad, Love Won’t Let Me Wait, written by Vinnie Barrett and Bobby Eli, and sung by Major Harris, Nancy Wilson, and Luther Vandross, be a reminder to take immediate action when someone you love is experiencing a stroke.

When it comes to stroke, every second counts! Waiting or praying it away are not options if you, a spouse, friend, or family member have a stroke. And what you do in those critical moments can potentially help save someone’s life.

Nearly 2 million brain cells die each minute a stroke remains untreated.

“The most frustrating thing for me as a stroke specialist is that folks will stay home with their symptoms,” said  Dr. Carlene Kingston, stroke medical director at  Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. “They’ll notice that one part of their body isn’t working, and their first call is to their primary care doctor or their spouse. That is never the answer. The answer is to call 911.”

Rapid access to medical treatment often makes the difference between full recovery and permanent disability.

“Several hours passed between the time my boss, Luther Vandross, first experienced a stroke, and I found him,” says Max Szadek.” The time gap hindered his recovery.”

Most strokes are not associated with pain, which often leads people to believe they’re okay, and they wait for the symptoms they’re experiencing to pass. However, with each passing minute, brain cells are dying that will never be recovered.

The national standard for treating ischemic strokes is to administer a tissue plasminogen activator or tPA. This clot-busting medication can potentially reverse the symptoms of stroke within 60 minutes of a patent’s arrival at the ER.

The faster the medication is administered, the better the outcomes are for stroke survivors.

If you do nothing else, act quickly to call 911 and tell the 911 dispatcher, ‘I think I’m having a stroke or ‘I think my loved one is.'”

Use the letters in “F.A.S.T.” to spot stroke signs and know when to call 9-1-1.

F: Face Drooping: Does one side of the face droop, or is it numb? Ask the person to smile. Is the person’s smile uneven or lopsided?

A: Arm Weakness: Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?

S: Speech: Is speech slurred? Is the person unable to speak or hard to understand? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence.

T: Time to Call 9-1-1: If the person shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 9-1-1 and get them to the hospital immediately.

If you get your spouse, friend, and/or family member to the hospital when symptoms start, the likelihood of surviving and not having any disability much more significant.

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