Divabetic Salutes Jean Knight

“Mr. Big Stuff is better to me now than 31 years ago,” said singer Jean Knight about her biggest hit. “All I have to do is sit at home and wait for the mailman.”

The New Orleans singer reached #2 on the Billboard charts in 1971 with”Mr. Big Stuff.” and received a Grammy nomination. But a decade before her success, Jean Knight cut her first demo recording in 1965, a cover of Jackie Wilson’s “Stop Doggin’ Me Around.”

One of her biggest musical influences was Etta James. “The first time she heard “All I Could Do Was Cry,” she said in an interview on YouTube, “The first time I heard that song, I wanted to be like her.”

Jean Knight recorded a series of singles with lukewarm success. When her career stalled, she left the music industry and worked at a bakery.

Songwriter Ralph Williams connected Jean Knight to record producer Wardell Quezergue a short time later. Her recording sessions with Wardell Quezergue yielded “Mr Big Stuff,” which turned around her fortunes. Reflecting on the recording session, Jean Knight said she liked “Mr. Big Stuff” lyrics but not the melody. She felt the melody didn’t match the tone and emotion of the song’s subject. At some point, the producers let Jean sing it her way. She recorded her infamous version of the song in one take. Stax Records bought the rights and released the record, which peaked at no. 1 on the Billboard R&B chart and no. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

“Mr. Big Stuff” topped the US R&B chart and crossed over into the main pop chart, reaching No. 2. The Bee Gees’ hit “ How Can You Mend a Broken Heart” kept her from the top spot. Her popularity soared, and she performed her hit on TV Shows like Soul Train and received Best Female R&B Vocal Performance nominations at the 1972 Grammy Awards.

After “Mr. Big Stuff,” Jean Knight recorded a few modest hits, including “You Think You’re Hot Stuff” and “Carry On,” but disagreements with her producers at Stax led to her being dropped from the label the following year,

Jean Knight said, “I’m the type of person that I never get too big for the people that I have been knowing,” explaining why she didn’t get caught in the trappings of fame. “My friends from when I was much younger are still my friends today.”

In the 80s, she joined the local oldies circuits, where producer Isaac Bolden spotted her. He signed her to his label, Soulin. The two produced the song “You Got The Papers, But I Got The Man.” It was a novelty answer song to Richard Dimples Fields’s hit, “She’s Got Papers On Me.”

“You Got The Papers, But I Got The Man” has one of the best sassy monologues ever recorded! Jean Knight’s defiant mistress tells off her lover’s wife, “What you need, girl, is a complete overhaul, your house, your body, your face and all!” It could be straight out of a season finale of The Real Housewives franchise and requires you to fasten your seatbelt before listening.

After reading the wife from A to Z, she sweetly expresses her undying love for her man. It reminds me of Shirley Brown’s “Woman To Woman” song that my friend, DJ Downtown Donna, used to spin at the classic dive bar Pendulum on Castro Street in San Francisco.

Jean Knight also remade the novelty hit “My Toot Toot,” which became her first international hit. It reached the top ten in the United Kingdom and # 3 in South Africa.

The Louisiana Music Hall of Famer’s legacy extends beyond her music. She passionately shared her time and talents with many New Orleans community causes. She represented the heart and soul of her hometown, earning respect and admiration far beyond her musical talents.

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.

Easy Pizza Mini Peppers Recipe

These easy to make pizza mini peppers are filled with tomato sauce, mozzarella, and pepperoni then broiled until the cheese is melted and bubbly. It’s the perfect low carb appetizer for your holiday celebrations!

Easy Pizza Mini Peppers Recipe

Ingredients

You’ll only need 5 simple ingredients to make pizza mini peppers.  Here’s an overview of what you’ll need:

Bell Peppers: grab diffferent colors for a more festive looking appetizer

Pizza or spaghetti sauce: right out of the jar! Look for one lower in sodium

Shredded Mozzarella or Provolone cheese: shredded is great!

Pepperoni or small meatballs 

Directions

Start by cutting the peppers in half lengthwise and removing the membranes and the seeds.

Stuff the peppers with a little pizza sauce, ome cheese and pepperoni, then spray them with olive oil.

Broil the peppers until the cheese is melted. Keep a close eye on them so that they don’t burn!

 

We’re talking about staying healthy during the holiday season with musical inspiration from Harry Connick, Jr. on Divabetic’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast.

The holiday season can present problems for those living with diabetes. Add a global pandemic, and it’s even more challenging.Continuous care and support are important to staying on track with your diabetes wellness goals throughout the holidays.

Podcast guests include Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, Dan Houdeshell, Pendulum Glucose Control‘s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Orville Kolterman and Diabetes Meal Planning Made Easy, Author Hope Warshaw, MMSc, RD, CDE, and Mama Rose Marie. Throughout the podcast we will be featuring music from Harry For The Holidays album courtesy of SONY Music.