Quincy Jones – Divabetic

03/30/202403/30/2024

Divabetic Salutes Gwen Guthrie

“You’ve got to look at different ways to survive,” Gwen Guthrie said in a Blues & Soul Magazine interview. “And being independent could be one way that works for me.”

Singer, songwriter, and pianist Gwen Guthrie is best remembered for her infectious club hit, “Ain’t Nothin’ Goin’ On But the Rent,” It was one of the biggest dance anthems of the Eighties with its catchphrase: “No romance without finance. You gotta have a J.O.B. if you wanna be with me.”
This club icon studied classical music and piano at school.

In the early seventies, she joined the Ebonettes and the Matchmakers alongside Larry Blackmon, who became Cameo’s frontman.

During a studio session, she met musician Patrick Grant, and the pair wrote seven songs for Sister Sledge’s debut album. They also wrote the sublime “This Time I’ll be Sweeter,” in which Angela Boffil created musical magic. The song has been recorded over eighty times.

After touring and recording with Roberta Flack, Gwen Guthrie relocated to Jamacia. She teamed up with Jamaican dub and reggae duo Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare and released `It Should’ve Been You’ for Island’s R&B department. With Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare as producers, the singer cut the rest of her debut album, Gwen Guthrie, and the follow-up album, Padlock, featuring “Seventh Heaven” and “Hopscotch.”

I love the concept and imagery of the “Padlock” song lyrics. “Padlock” reached #13 on dance charts, climbed to #25 R&B, and was heard all over New York City during the summer of 1985. Like many of her hits, “Padlock” was remixed by one of the most influential club culture DJs, Paradise Garage DJ Larry Levan. Her frequent performances at the Garage earned her the nickname “The First Lady of the Paradise Garage.”

Robbie Shakespeare recalls how easy it was to work with Gwen Guthrie in the studio.”In the studio, you only had to give Gwen the rhythm. She would sit and draw flowers while she worked on lyrics. She was wicked fun and had a great personality.”

Her biggest hit, “Ain’t Nothin’ Goin’ On But the Rent,” was a monster smash in the UK but didn’t achieve the crossover success it deserved in the US. The song begins with the lyrics “Bill collectors at my door,” and is the funkiest tune about financial hardships.

“Things are much harder in the music business; you’ve got A&R men at major labels who don’t come from a particularly musical-orientated background and make some incredibly strange decisions, then you’ve got to battle for a budget to promote your releases, she said in an interview with Blues & Soul Magazine.

Soon after, Guthrie moved from Polydor to Warner Brothers and released several more albums but with lukewarm sales. “My last album came out at the same time as Prince, Quincy Jones, and Al. B Sure and I felt ignored.”In addition to running and supporting a children’s theatre company, the versatile singer with precise pitch is also one of the first recording artists to raise money for the fight against AIDS. Gwen Guthrie donated proceeds from her 1988 song “Can’t Love You Tonight,” which also addressed the epidemic. Her contributions to disco, house, and dance music will forever endure.

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.

03/22/202403/22/2024

Divabetic Salutes Paulette McWilliams

“I started singing before I could really talk, “Paulette McWilliams told Pop Matters. “I would watch all the musicals and wish I was in them.”

Over the last decades, my friend Paulette McWilliams turned her childhood fantasies into reality. She has emerged as the consummate vocalist, equally at home in rock, R&B, jazz, house, Broadway, and hundreds of commercial jingles to her credit.

Paulette McWilliams is an incredible talent with a captivating voice. Her versatility and effortless transitions between genres are remarkable. I’m so impressed by her career journey and the impact she has made in the music industry.

Paulette’s first flirtations with fame were in Chicago, where she was the lead singer in Rufus before enlisting her friend Chaka Khan. After that, she appeared on Quincy Jones’s Mellow Madness (1975) album. A stint singing duets with Marvin Gaye and Johnny Mathis soon followed. But she met Luther Vandross while she was performing as one of Bette Midler’s Harlettes. For many years, Paulette recorded and toured with Luther Vandross, and we met on a Luther tour.

Paulette’s voice is so distinctive. Her rich, warm tones, especially her low ones, give me chills and worldwide fans.

Last year, her career went into overdrive with the release of her stunning album, “These Are The Sweet Things.” The album captivated UK listeners’ hearts, and various album cuts appeared on the Sweet Rhythm and UK Soul charts for months.

Lucky for me, she agreed to share her exceptional talents, co-write, and perform the song “Mama’s Kitchen Table.” Honestly, I could have chosen to spotlight any of the wonderful songs from “These Are Sweet Things,” her lovely rendition of Luther’s “So Amazing” from her impeccable “A Woman’s Story” album, or even my favorite untraditional Christmas song, “Pink Champagne” but selfishly I chose to spotlight the lyrics to “Mama’s Kitchen Table.”

I love the way her voice sounds in this song. Her low tones are spellbinding to me. She’s in the pocket with the groove, and she just sounds funky. Paulette’s a magician in how she seamlessly made my quirky lyrics seem funky. Plus, my friend Ivan Hampden Jr. produced the heck out of this track. He’s truly a genius!!

My lyrics are inspired by my experience of accepting myself as a gay man. The dream of feeling comfortable bringing a partner home and welcoming him at our kitchen table was precious to me. The kitchen table symbolizes so many things to me. It reflects trust and honesty in a relationship. As gay men, many of us struggle with acceptance and often choose to keep that part of our lives a secret. Monsters grow in the dark.

A friend’s advice and objectivity are nonexistent in unhealthy, abusive relationships that are secretive. Denying yourself the support, encouragement, and resources of a friend’s shoulder and ear can have devastating consequences. I’ve known too many gay men who stayed in relationships because they felt they had no one to turn to. Thankfully, in my lifetime, my parents always welcomed me and my partners to their home.

I adore this woman! Please check out her music on your favorite streaming apps and her sensational rendition of “A Thousand Years” on YouTube.

You’ll be in for a treat! I hope you listen to more of her music and explore her unique artistry.

Come dressed in your Big 80s Bling!

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

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.

09/06/202209/06/2022

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.

05/21/2022

Mama’s Kitchen Table Song Added to Solar Radio’s Playlist

Yesterday was an exciting day! DJ Richard Marzetti featured 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.

02/02/201902/02/2019

Divabetic Remembers James Ingram

Two-time Grammy winner James Ingram, whose wonderful voice instantly evokes the classic R&B sound of the 1980s, has died. He was 66.

He died from a battle with a form of brain cancer reported TMZ. Sources close to the singer tell us James Ingram had been fighting the cancer for an extended period.

“He will always be cherished, loved and remembered for his genius, his love of family and his humanity. I am blessed to have been so close,” says actress Debbie Allen.

He was a staple of the romantic Quiet Storm R&B radio format, alongside Divabetic’s inspiration Luther Vandross and others such as George Benson, Anita Baker and Barry White. His collaborations with Patti Austin — 1981’s “Baby Come to Me” and “How Do You Keep The Music Playing” helped define adult contemporary R&B in the early ’80’s.

Originally raised in Akron, Ohio, a teenaged Ingram pounded the pavement in ’70s Los Angeles, making demos for a publishing company and churning out tunes for his band Revelation Funk. Comparing himself to his bandmates, Ingram underestimated his own vocal abilities. “I knew I couldn’t sing,” he said. “I wasn’t trying. I was just doing background.”

After the band broke up, James Ingram got great backup gigs, working with Marvin Gaye. He would sing and write demos at a studio on Sunset Boulevard for $50 per song. The studio had a relationship with veteran producer Quincy Jones, who heard Ingram’s recording of “Just Once.” Jones, impressed, called Ingram.

“I hung up on Quincy,” he told the Tribune. “I was never no singer. I never shopped a deal, none of that. My wife said, ‘James, that was Quincy.’ He called back, and we started talking. I said, ‘Yeah, that’s me.’ He put that on his album.”

James Ingram ended up singing that song and “One Hundred Ways” on Jones’ 1981 album, The Dude. Both songs ended up in the top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100. His performance of “One Hundred Ways” won him the Grammy in 1981 for best male R&B performance. In 1984 he won his second Grammy, for “Yah Mo B There” with singer Michael McDonald. Throughout his career, Ingram was nominated for 14 Grammys.

He won back-to-back best original song Oscar nominations in 1993 and 1994, for co-writing the Dolly Parton (February’s Divabetic Inspiration) duet “The Day I Fall in Love,” from Beethoven’s 2nd, and Patty Smyth’s “Look What Love Has Done,” from Junior.

James Ingram won hearts with “Somewhere Out There,” his 1987 Peter Asher-produced duet with Linda Ronstadt. The song was featured in Don Bluth’s animated movie An American Tail, the emotion-tugging power ballad rose to number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1987 and won the Grammy for song of the year.

Tune in to February’s Diabetes Late NIte podcast with musical inspiration from Dolly Parton on Tuesday, February 12, 2019, 6 PM, EST. We’re talking about ‘SELF ACCEPTANCE & DIABETES’ with Poet Lorraine Brooks, Dr.Beverly S. Adler PhD, CDE, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, Catherine Schuller AICI, CIP, Lisa R Young, PhD, RDN and more. Enjoy selected songs from Dolly Parton’s new album Dumplin’ Original Motion Picture Soundtrack courtesy of SONY Music. TUNE IN