I’m excited to be Toni B’s Special Guest on her upcoming show this Wednesday, December 11, on UG-ONE! I can’t wait to share stories from my incredible experience working with Luther Vandross.
I started working with Luther in 1993 on the Never Let Me Go project in the wardrobe department and eventually became his assistant until he sadly passed away in 2005.
In the Luther: Never Too Much documentary, I discuss my traumatic moment of finding Luther after he had a devastating stroke due to complications from mismanaged type 2 diabetes. It was a wake-up call for me that inspired the creation of Divabetic, a national nonprofit aimed at diabetes outreach.
I truly believe in empowering Luther’s fans and their families to keep their homes healthy and happy by learning to prevent complications like strokes, kidney disease, blindness, and more.
At Diabetic (Divabetic.org), we take a unique approach to traditional diabetes education, offering fun, upbeat, engaging makeovers, music, and games. I’m thrilled that our resources—like podcasts, videos, and online support—are free!
I’ve also enjoyed collaborating with my talented musical family from Luther’s world. With Ivan Hampden Jr. and Paulette McWilliams, I’ve written songs like Mama’s Kitchen Table and Pink Champagne.
I’ve worked with incredible artists like Cindy Mizelle and Brenda White-King on That Man Of Mine and Pat Lacy with Lisa Fischer on I Wish At Christmas I Could Bring You Home.
A couple of my singles, Mama’s Kitchen Table and Standards by Crystal Penny, even charted on the UK Soul and BCFM Soul Charts! That Man of Mine was a big hit on the Billboard Dance Charts in the 90s and was especially popular in Provincetown.
I can’t wait to share more on the show! I hope you all tune in!
“I have mad respect for athletes and have penned a few songs with more to give all the way around,” says my friend, singer, and songwriter Cindy Mizelle.
Cindy Mizelle is the proud mother of three children. Her two sons are professional athletes. Devin Fuller, a wide receiver with the Atlanta Falcons, and Jordan Fuller, a safety for the Carolina Panthers, have had distinguished careers in the NFL.
Her incredible career includes Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Seeger Sessions Band, Steely Dan, Billy Ocean, Whitney Houston, Dave Matthews, Duran Duran, Freddie Jackson, Carly Simon, Alicia Keys, and Luther Vandross.
Cindy told Rolling Stone Magazine that growing up, she knew a singing career was in her future, “I just said, “I know how to do this.” I played the flute, too, and I knew scales. Everything was a musical thing for me. And once I found that power, I was like, “I’m going!”
I first met Cindy on Luther Vandross’s Never Let Me Go tour in 1993. Cindy toured and recorded with Luther Vandross for over twenty years. She admits working with Luther felt like family. “I loved everything about him. I could relax and be myself, and he was so supportive. When it came down to my kids, he got them their first shoes.”
Between gigs with Luther Vandross and the Rolling Stones, Cindy managed to squeeze the recording of her debut album, Cindy Mizelle, on Atlantic Records. My favorite tracks include the lead single, “I’ve Had Enough,” ” Smile, and “Back To Emotions.”
Through Cindy, I met the talented performer Katreese Barnes, who was the musical director for SNL and won an Emmy for ‘Dick In The Box.” I styled Katreese for several shoots and co-produced her show, Rocket Man, featuring the music by Elton John.
A few years later, in 1995, Cindy gave me the gift of a lifetime when she sang lead vocals on the dance song I co-wrote with Keith Haarmeyer, “That Man Of Mine.” The amazing Brenda White-King also performed backing vocals on the record.
I’ll always remember the day we recorded the song in Keith’s one-bedroom apartment in New York City. After Cindy looked at the lyrics sheet, she asked me if I had a specific idea of how I’d like her to sing the lyrics. Then, to my astonishment, she said the chorus line five or six different ways, varying her tone and phrasing with each variation. It was the most incredible thing I’ve ever witnessed. I still have goosebumps thinking about it. The power and control she has with her voice are incredible, too.
I’m not Cindy’s only fan, either. Mariah Carey praises Cindy Mizelle in her memoir The Meaning of Mariah Carey: “To me, she was one of the absolute greatest. “Cindy Mizelle was the background singer. She sang with the most gifted vocalists of all time—Barbra Streisand, Whitney Houston, Luther Vandross, and the Rolling Stones. She was a real singer’s singer. Cindy was that girl to me. I looked up to her so much.”
It was also a thrill for me to design costumes for The Lovely Ladies (Tawatha Agee, Brenda, and Cindy) when they were on tour with Dave Matthews Band. Most recently, my boyfriend Joe and I filmed Cindy for Nils Lofgren’s “Ain’t The Truth Enough” music video.
Music is definitely part of her DNA. Cindy Mizelle is the cousin of the famous Mizell Brothers (they dropped the word “e” out of their name), who wrote songs for the Jackson 5 and A Taste of Honey. She’s also the cousin of the Ronettes!!! She told Rolling Stone magazine, “I looked them up and was like, “Oh, my gosh!” That was my motivation there. I’d play their records and figure out what they did. I started singing in the basement and in bands after that.”
She mentions how Ronnie Spector always supported her in her career. It’s truly a pleasure to spotlight this amazing woman whose heart is as big and beautiful as her voice.
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 a 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.
Billboard Magazine posted an article about Pop Goes Country on the heels of Tracy Chapman and Luke Combs’ epic ‘Fast Car’ duet that symbolized how music bridges cultures and unifies us.
Sadly, at a moment when we feel hope that people can set aside their differences and come together, there are people to keep us apart.
I was upset hearing about a Country Radio station refusing to play Beyoncé’s new song, “Texas Hold ‘Em.” They should be thrilled that this incredibly talented songwriter, producer, and singer is creating music for their audiences.
I’ve heard the song, and I love it!
What’s so surprising about Beyoncé making country music? She’s from Texas! And she’s not the first musician to create music for multiple radio formats.
According to the story, Lionel Richie’s hit “Stuck on You” topped the Adult Contemporary chart but also reached No. 24 on the Hot Country Songs chart in 1984. By the way, on a Michael Jackson World Tour, I had one of the most romantic nights of my life singing this song at a Karaoke Bar in South Korea.
Lionel In 2012, Richie (who was also the sole writer on the Kenny Rogers hit “Lady”) released the album Tuskegee, reworking several of his own hits as collaborations with a slew of country artists.
I am someone who grew up on R&B radio. I’ve endured a lot of nasty nicknames over my lifetime for my love of Soul Music. One Christmas, I remember Santa brought my brother, Bob, a “Supertramp” album, and I received the original soundtrack to “The Wiz.”
The memory still makes me laugh. I can’t explain why or how this music appeals to me. Thankfully, people’s taunts and awful name-calling didn’t stop me from pursuing my dreams. I feel fortunate to have worked with talented entertainers like Luther Vandross (who wrote the song “A Brand New Day” for the Wiz), Lionel Richie, and Maxwell. I’ve also written songs with some very talented songwriters, producers, and vocalists, including Ivan Hampden Jr., Cindy Mizelle, Paulette McWilliams, and Crystal Penny.
Back in the 90’s, I wrote the lyrics to a dance song, “That Man Of Mine”, that made on the Billboard Dance Charts.
One of my songs, “Mama’s Kitchen Table,” landed on the UK Soul Chart.
Another one of my songs, “Standards,” made it to #2 on the BCfm Soul Chart last Summer. This song is about how my love of popular ballads from the Quiet Storm radio format influenced my thoughts and attitudes about love.
I want to hold on to the feeling I had watching Tracy Chapman and Luke Combs perform. I know plenty of us in the world believe we can all get along.
“Neal, Who?” I initially said when my friend, Cindy Mizelle, called to ask for my help on a video shoot for Nils Lofgren’s Ain’t The Truth Enough music video. My music taste runs from retro Disco and 80s R&B to house music and Euro-pop. When she called, I was probably listening to either the Emotions (Best Of My Love) or Aretha Franklin (Jump To It).
But what kind of idiot turns down working with the multi-talented, beautiful Cindy Mizelle??? She’s one of my favorite vocalists of all time. Cindy and I worked together with Luther Vandross. Cindy was one of Luther’s longtime backing vocalists on tour and his records. She used to do a step-out on the song, Going In Circleswith Luther’s Songs Tour.
Cindy also lent her stunning vocals to my dance anthem, That Man Of Mine, in the 90s, co-written and produced by Keith Harrmeyer. Watching Cindy Mizelle do her thing in front of a microphone was life-changing. Within seconds, I witnessed her switch phrasing and tones to wrap her voice beautifully around the melody.
She has also worked with Whitney Houston, Steely Dan, Alicia Keys, Bruce Springsteen, Billy Ocean, and Dave Matthews Band.
I designed several sets of tour costumes for Dave’s Lovely Ladies (Tawatha Agee, Brenda White-King, and Cindy) in the 2000s. The picture above features costumes with reversible skirts to mix and match. My ideas seem heavy-handed today, especially pairing check prints, bold stripes, and vinyl ruffles. But the idea was to create bold statement pieces that they could pair with other clothing to create their looks.
I’m not the only person who loves and admires Cindy. Mariah Carey praises many singers in her new memoir The Meaning of Mariah Carey, but she’s particularly effusive about her. “To me, she was one of the absolute greatest,” writes Carey. “Cindy Mizelle was the background singer. She sang with the most gifted vocalists of all time — Barbra Streisand, Whitney Houston, Luther Vandross, and the Rolling Stones. She was a real singer’s singer. Cindy was that girl to me. I looked up to her so much.”
Of course, once I found out ‘Neal’ is Nils Lofgren, a rock legend, amazing songwriter, and virtuoso rock guitarist who has recorded and performed with Bruce Springsteen as a member of the E Street Band, I roped master stylist and Hale Organic salon owner Joe Murray into helping on the video shoot.
It was fun for me to step away from diabetes outreach and jump back into styling and working in entertainment, too. I spent half my life pursuing my dreams of working in entertainment. I didn’t have a master plan, just a deep passion that happily carried me a long, long way.
For all his success, Nils Lofgren is a down-to-earth, caring, and kind person. Even though he was on the road touring with Bruce, he found time to drop me an email expressing his gratitude.
Mountains
Ain’t The Truth Enough appears on Nils Lofgren’s new album, Mountains. Nils said the album started out “as a form of therapy, but it very quickly grew beyond that” and that it was “so freeing to work without any restrictions,” calling it “some of the most inspired work” he has ever made. He wrote and recorded the album at his home in Arizona and enlisted a wonderful kaleidoscope of talent, including Ron Carter, Neil Young, and David Crosby. This album is jammed with great melodies, glorious guitar playing, heartfelt lyrics, and catchy hooks that have this disco kid dancing around.
I’m happy to say I’m now a big Nils Lofgren fan and thrilled to participate in this project. Ringo Starr????? Unbelievable!!!
Don’t worry; I’m not giving up my day job working to glamorize good health for women and their loved ones living with diabetes.
