"I put out dance music, it's a genre,"
said the very popular Kendra Erika when I asked as we talked about her new single "Dance in
the Fire" distributed by Empire. "I wasn't brought up with dance music. I was classically trained."
She continued, "But then when I was writing and recording, it
was easier for me to go Pop and Dance Music...I was a teenager."
The "Dance in the Fire' single is co-written by Kendra, two-time Grammy nominated/multi-platinum selling
music producer Luigie "LUGO" Gonzalez (Janet Jackson) and Grammy winning Will Gittens (Chris Brown).
"It's a good tenacious song," Kendra added. "I
was presented a track by my producer. I got into the studio with Will thinking about what to write and the... <Read the full April 15, 2025 column here...>
The Pulse of Entertainment: Veteran
Pianist Brian Simpson Releases ‘Midnight Groove,' His 10th on Shanachie Entertainment
"I have 12 albums...the last 10 have
been on Shanachie," said Los Angeles Music Award nominated pianist Brian Simpson about his "Midnight
Groove" album on Shanachie Entertainment. "Soon as I finish one, I get working with the next. I start with
a blank canvas then collaborate with others. It develops very quickly. (On ‘Midnight Groove') I'm working with a couple
guys I just met."
Simpson is a veteran
in the music industry, and he has played as a pianist on stage with Janet Jackson, George Duke, Stanley Clarke, and Dave Koz.
In fact, he is a veteran music director known for serving as music director for Dave Koz. Brian has collaborated on projects
with Boney James, Norman Brown, and Everette Harp. Artists that have been featured on his past projects include George Duke,
Dave Koz, Kirk Whalum, Peter White, Najee and Maysa.
"The
single is ‘Under the Stars'," Brian said when I asked. "I leave it up to the record company (to select the
singles) and I agree with them, because they're invested in it."
Forest Whitaker Stars in the MGM+ Original Series
'Godfather of Harlem' as Gangster Bumpy Johnson
(New
York, NY) - Forest Whitaker stars in the MGM+ original series "Godfather of Harlem" (Season 4) airing Sunday
April 13, 2025 9:30pmEST. The 20th Television series is executive produced by Whitaker and Nina Yang Bongiovi, James Acheson,
JOhn Ridley and Markuann Smith. In its forth season "Godfatehr of Harlem" also stars Ilfenesh Hadera as Bumpy's
wife; Lucy Fry, Antoinette Crowe-Legacy as Bumpy's drug-addicted daughter; Giancarlo Esposito, Voncent D'Onofrio Bumpy's rival,
and Erik LaRay Harvey as Bumpy's main enforcer.
Ana
Cristina Cash Releases Highly Anticipated Single 'Last Call'
(Nashville, Tenn) - Ana Cristina
Cash, the bilingual powerhouse known for her unique blend of Country, Pop, and Latin melodies, has released her latest
single, "Last Call(Tu Última Llamada)". This captivating track marks the next chapter in
her evolving musical journey, offering a poignant and empowering message that resonates across cultures. Written by Ana Cristina
Cash, Jodi Marr, and Willie Breeding, "Last Call" is a fiery anthem of liberation and self-discovery with lyrics
that confront betrayal and reclaim personal strength. The song weaves vivid storytelling with Ana Cristina's rich vocals and
dynamic musical arrangement. The track bridges genres, blending pop and country influences with a Latin flair in its Spanish
version.
(Baltimore MD) -Entertainment industry professionals
to speak this Saturday, April 19, 2025 from 1 - 3pmEST/10amPST at the 26th annual Baltimore "Uplifting Minds
II" Entertainment Conference includes a Broadway performer, publisher of the popular EURweb.com, a multi #1
Billboard chart-topper, a talk show host, and several managers of high-profile artists. All will serve as panelists at the
conference which is powered by Zoom.
The
"ULMII" Entertainment Conference offers a panel Q&A Session where visitors can ask questions and where the panelists
will give advice or talk about their experiences in the industry. Following the Q&A Session is the ULMII Professional
Showcase where artists signed to independent record labels, management companies or agencies will perform. This year the Baltimore
Conference has Celina Graves, an R&B artist who was semi-finalists on "America's Got Talent," to perform her
single "Desire" (Three 2 Go Music) and Christian Rock star Reviving Dayvid who will perform his single "No
Labels" (Nash Town Entertainment). It ends with the ULMII International Talent Competition (opened up to singers, songwriters,
dancers and actors) where the top three acts can take advantage of over $20,000 in products, services and cash.
Hosting the Baltimore ULMII Entertainment conference is Dr.
Doresa Harvey, former radio personality for iHeart and Radio One Baltimore, named the Mid-Day Diva by her listeners
(picture top left). Panelists include Dr. Kerri Moseley-Hobbs a manager of an award winning SAG/AFTRA artist
(Anthony-Michael.com) and VP at Imagination Lunchbox, LLC (ILICFF and ILIFF); Dr. Lee Bailey digital magazine
publisher of EURweb.com (one million visitors a month) and former syndicated radio host for RadioScope; Dr. Winston
Grier author of "Making Money God's Way", pastor at the Church of the Living God in Georgia and host of
The W.O.R.D. Podcast (Spotify, Apple, Amazon, and Youtube); multi-Billboard #1 chart-topping Jazz guitarist Gregory
Goodloe, (John P. Kee, Shirley Caesar) and president of Hip Jazz Records ("Groovin"); Michele Vreeland,
a Pop singer/songwriter/guitarist and president of Xyla Records ("Wild Horse"); Anthony Michael Hobbs,
a SAG/AFTRA multi-award winning actor (Emmy nominated PBS mini-series The Abolitionist); filmmaker (One Nation); president
of Imagination Lunchbox, LLC, and founder of the Imagination Lunchbox International Children's & Adult's Film Festivals
(ImaginationLunchbox.com); Aaron Akins, is a Broadway performer ("Into the Cole"), Jazz singer/songwriter
("When Do We Love" featuring Walter and Wallace Scott of The Whispers) and he is on the "When Do We Love Tour";
Alander Pulliam, Jr., owner of 98.8FM (iHeart Radio), author, and film producer; Dr. Eunice Moseley,
founder of the "Uplifting Minds II" Entertainment Conference, syndicated columnist (ThePulseofEntertainment.com),
professor of business at Stanton University and the conference's moderator; Lil Hyste, who has performed
as opening act for Lil Flip, Kurupt, Trina and Juicy J, is a rapper/music producer (latest single "Up"/Empire Records)
and a multi ULMII talent competition winner, and Nadiyah Kareem, former artist manager of Talib Kareem (Jive
Records) of the group Imajin and artist development expert (Superstar Entertainment).
Success stories of the "ULMII" Entertainment Conference throughout its 26 years
include Grammy winning singer/songwriter Miguel being signed to a major record deal at Jive Records by an ULMII panelist.
Actress Naturi Naughten (Starz' drama "Power") who was scouted by Broadway at ULMII. The Featherstone Brothers'
performed an original song at ULMII and it was heard by SisQo ("Incomplete") who was there to promote his solo project,
and he placed it on Dru Hill's third album as "I Should Be (Your Boyfriend)". The single is now a platinum selling
song. Last, but not least, RoShon Feagan's (Disney) manager said what he learned from ULMII founder Dr. Eunice Moseley helped
him take RoShon to the next level, which led to him starring in Disney's "Shake It Up" and ABC's "Dancing with
the Stars."
Admission is free. RSVP for the
Zoom access link at EventBrite.com or email info@ThePulseofEntertainment.com.
