Kleopatra's Ringside Report: Trueful and guest artists Dru Hill, H-Town and Ricky Jones shake rattle and 'rock' the LA Convention
Center at the 'Old School Meets New Skool' R&B Concert
by Eugenia Wright"An all points bulletin had mega reach to celebrities
and media alike."
It was touted to be the "R&B"
concert of the millennium but the word on everyone lips post concert was "rock." I'm talking about Trueful's CD
release of "Taste of Class" at the Old School Meets New Skool concert held at the LA Convention Center. Posts comments
from the crowd was "It rocked!"
The "rockin'"
weekend started the day before the concert at the Four Points Sheraton Hotel LAX where the main acts to perform, Trueful,
Dru Hill, H-Town and R&B crooner Ricky Jones convened for a press conference. There, an elaborate buffet of cheese, fruit,
vegetables, chips, dips and drinks were served. An all points bulletin alert from the PR Office (ISA PR) went out on the wires
and the media turned out in droves. Comedienne Annie McKnight who kept things wildly lively and fun moderated the conference.
There were a few celebrity supporters such as Irene Mama Stokes, Oakland's finest R&B princess Dvyne (also a reporter
for Soul Beat), actor Isa Hall and child actor Anthony Hobbs who were on hand to offer congratulatory comments. Media took
plenty of photos snapping Trueful, Dru Hill, H-Town and Ricky Jones aka " The King of Hearts."
Expectations for Trueful's CD release and the concert had been heightened for weeks
prior to the event. Everyone was expecting a turnout of celebrities and music groups. Did they deliver? Yes!!!! Resoundingly
so.
Celebrities included: The leg
endary Chambers, Brothers, former lead singer for the Temptations Louis Price, R&B princess Dvyne,music producer AVI,
Rapper Lil' Zane, The Circle, producers APT 6, Young Wisdom, Rapper T, Miss Tami (The Lyrical Boxer), folk singer Martha Liz,
singer/TV host Porscha Coleman, R&B singer Maiya Sykes, DJ Tre Luv and from the world of film and TV; actor Quinton Aaron
(The Blind Side), actor/filmmaker/writer/producer
Sy Richardson (Posse) and his lovely wife Theresa, actress Suzette
Tomlinson, Irene Mama Stokes, international film star Xango Henry, Melissa Grimmond (Zane's Sex Chronicles), former Barker's
Beauty Kathleen Bradley ("Mrs. Parker" in the cult classic movie Friday), actor Vincent M. Ward (True Blood), actor
Isa Hall, TV producer Cher Rue; From the modeling world; Playboy model Josie Goldberg, sultry and exotic beauty Donna Rowe
(cameras could not get enough of this one), Joslyn Pennywell (America's Next Top Model), Fiu Fiu Brazilian bikini wear model
Allyson Flores, stylist Krystal French. From comedy, Annie McKnight and Kymedienne. Industry moguls included Jarvee Hutcherson
(Producer and founder of the Multi-Cultural Motion Pic Assn.), Tanya Kersey (Producer/founder of The Hollywood Black Film
Festival) and Leo Rodgers (Sr. V.P. of Bungalow Records). From the fitness and dance world I spotted Kali Muscle and Sam Bell
of Sam Bell Body and The French Royalty dancers. To top it off there were about 14 to 20 of the most beautiful women from
all over the globe representing the pageant contestants from the Ethnic World Beauty Pageant and their founder Aiisha Ferguson.
Each contestant was wearing their country's sash and crown. Their presence took the red carpet from star studded to ionospheric
brilliance.
It didn't take long for the performing groups to raise
the temperature in the house, also. Trueful delivered an electrying performance working the house and the ladies in the audience
as did H-Town who knocked the boots from the convention center to the Staples basketball hoops nearby. Women were heard screaming
throughout the venue and Dru Hill who were the last to perform ended the show with a big wail and shouts and screams from
the audience. I could relate totally as I lost my voice at the end of the evening from announcing everyone on the red carpet.
But, would I have it any other way (????). No way!
French Royalty
Entertainment should be commended for putting on a concert (their first major by the way) on such a mega scale. Team Trueful
(Eunice Moseley of The Pulse of Entertainment and Eugenia Wright of ISA PR) contributed immensely to the success
of the event also.
The grand LA Convention shook rattle and rocked
all night. If you don't want to take my word for it, take a look at the links provided.
From start to finish people were standing in front of their seats. They just could not sit down.
It was R&B but it felt like a Rock concert. Reports are that Trueful and French Royalty Entertainment are planning to
take the show on a national tour. Possibly Oakland then Baltimore then on to Miami and Atlanta. Rock on R&B!!! (Photo:
Trueful center surrounded by Dru Hill - Tao, Nokio, Sisqo and Jazz. (Photo Credit: Donald Carraway)
