Kevin Hart, Tank, and Tyrese Love Charlie Wilson's Performance at the 20...

                ESSENCE FEST "REWIND!" 

*Video courtesy of P. Music Group

Check out this video shot by "E" of Elpwe's Photography. There's so much talent in this one frame of video.  I truly feel privileged to have witnessed this impromptu comedy show first hand.  

It’s hard to believe Charlie Wilson and Kevin Hart had never seen each other’s work before Essence Music Festival 2012.  In the video Kevin who is hanging out with R&B crooners Tyrese and Tank immediately started to “roll” out the jokes the moment he saw Charlie Wilson stepped out of a security vehicle backstage. Elpwe Ray did an incredible job capturing the essence of Uncle Charlie influencing the “next generation of entertainers” in this 2 minute clip.

Comedian Kevin Hart and Varion Walton

Kevin Hart is one of the funniest guys on the circuit  today and it was really cool meeting him. I got a chance to ask him one or two questions backstage.  I loved his natural, honest response when I asked if he is often amazed about his new found success?  "Hell yes!" 'If anyone had told me it would be this big  I wouldn't have believed it,'  Hart said.

This tenacious comedian who is often the butt of "pocket sized" jokes is casting a really "big" shadow in Hollywood these days. Tinseltown is still buzzing about his standout performance in Steve Harvey's movie "Act like a Lady, Think Like A Man.                     

                                                                                

This summer he served up a few more laughs and raised a few eyebrows during his performance at the Essence Music Festival.  It would appear organizers who have long billed Essence as a weekend for “family reunions” weren't quite ready for the "R" rated version of Kevin Hart’s stand up routine.  Let’s face it, the guy cusses like a sailor.  It’s definitely not a show for children.

Kevin is no dummy, he knows when “take the polish off the shine”.  I remember Kevin Hart's humble beginnings on Myspace, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.  He spent several years posting his standup routines on the internet.

Look at him now. Today Kevin Hart is considered one of Hollywood’s leading men, picking up a BET Award for “Best Actor.”  He is also hilarious as the new “pitchman” in those unforgettable Ford Explorer commercials.


Here's to this pint size comedian who is an awesome example of never giving up on your dream and always believing in yourself, despite your shortcoming.

A TASTE OF ESSENCE MUSIC FEST WITH "E"

(New Orleans, LA.)--He tells a story through his photographs.Those photographs truly come to life when he's "unleashed" on the red carpet!  His eye is keen, his sense of the glamour has him as one of the most sought after "celebrity photographers" of our time. Elpwe Ray aka "E" is the man "behind the camera" capturing a moment in time never to be forgotten.

Working as P. Music's house photographer, "E" had all access to R&B Singer Charlie Wilson and many other celebrities including The "Queen of Soul" Aretha Franklin at Essence Music Fest 2012.  Check out more of his work at www.elpwesphotography.com

ALL ACCESS: ESSENCE MUSIC FESTIVAL-COMEDIAN J. ANTHONY BROWN

(New Orleans, LA.)  Comedian J. Anthony Brown was just one of the familiar faces in the Ernest Morial Convention Center this past weekend during the Essence Music Festival.  In addition to a brief "meet and greet" with fans of The Tom Joyner Morning Show,  J. Anthony Brown was also a special invited guest for the Empowerment Community Seminars.

Tom Joyner Morning Show J. Anthony Brown

After meeting with more than 500 screaming fans, "the morning show funny man" decided it was time to "rib" his convention neighbor R&B singer Charlie Wilson.  Wilson, who had a booth nearby was signing autographs and taking orders for his "Uncle Charlie Wilson" signature line of hats.   While the fedora is popular among the men,  J. Anthony Brown just couldn't pass up an opportunity to strut his stuff in a "wide brim" red floral hat.  He and Charlie shared a few laughs and posed for a few pictures.

I don't know if Charlie realized J. Anthony was serious about his selection. He thought it would definitely be "an ice breaker" each week in Tom Joyner's Red Velvet Room.   One word sums up this shot of the day..."hatitude", but in the worse way!  Great to chemistry between the two carries over in and outside of the studio.   

Grammy Award Winner  Charlie Wilson and Comedian J. Anthony Brown

"VISION/VOICE/VARION" ESSENCE MUSIC FEST-"THE STARS SHINE!"

(New Orleans, Louisiana)--It's your Party,Your Purpose and definitely The Place to Be!  Essence Music Fest 2012 featured some of the biggest names in music industry and "Vision/Voice/Varion" was your "ALL ACCESS BACKSTAGE PASS!"

Big thanks to Charlie Wilson's management, "P Music" and his featured house photographer Elpwe Ray aka "E" of Elpwe's Photography. You guys made my birthday weekend even more memorable!  Kevin Hart, Tisha Campbell, Faith Evans, VaShawn Mitchell were just a few celebrities to walk the red carpet.

Check it out as "E" captures me "hobnobbing" backstage with some of the biggest names in the industry including Aretha Franklin, Charlie Wilson, Anthony Hamilton and more!

Photos taken by Elpwe Ray aka "E" of Elpwe's Photography

ESSENCE RECAP-FRIENDSHIP: Charlie Wilson and Marvin Winans

(New Orleans, LA.)  July 7, 2012--Talk about "sweet reunions!" I had the privilege of witnessing and capturing the reunion of two old friends.  R&B crooner Charlie Wilson headlined Essence Music Festival 2012.  In addition to three generations rocking out to his music, "Uncle Charlie" also met and personally greet thousands of fans eager to get their hands on his signature hats.  Much to Charlie's  surprise, that included the legendary Marvin Winans of the first family of "gospel music," The Winans. Both men, legends in their own right were humbled by the sweet reunion.  

Timeless is the one word that not only describes their careers, but their friendship!

ESSENCE 2012 LINE-UP ANNOUNCED-D'ANGELO JOINS 2012 ESSENCE CENTER STAGE

Courtesy AP

(New York, New York)  It's been a minute since we've seen his "devilish" grin, but ladies in July you'll have an opportunity to relieve the D'Angelo Experience! The Grammy Award winning artist will take center stage during The Essence Music Festival in New Orleans July 6th-8th. It's the crooner's first U.S. appearance in more than a decade.  D'Angelo joins "The Queen of Soul" Aretha Franklin,  Mary J. Blige and Charlie Wilson on the main stage.

Essence Music Festival promises to be a special occasion this year for me because it's "smack dab" in the middle of my birthday celebration July 7th. Happy Birthday to Me!  It's a great reunion among friends and fellow journalists and quite the event for family reunions.

I'm especially happy to hear in addition to "Nephew Tommy" host and comedian of The Steve Harvey Show, Hollywood's leading funny man Kevin Hart will also take center stage. Hart has enjoyed quite a spike in his popularity with the blockbuster move "Act Like A Lady, Think Like A Man!"


"VISION/VOICE/VARION" promises to be your "access backstage pass" to all things Essence this year.  Don't miss the exclusive interviews with the hottest celebrities walking the red carpet, plus all of th inside information on all of the empowerment seminars and conferences at the Visitors and Convention Center in New Orleans.

Essence Music Festival promises something for everyone including an incredible Gospel Celebration Sunday, July 8th.  The "Gospel Explosion" culminates a weekend of incredible performances with the "ultimate praise and worship!" Last year Marvin Sapp, Cee Cee Winans and Fred Hammond are just a few of gospel's legendary performers who make Essence an annual stop on their summer concert tour.

Check out the night -by-night line for Essence 2012.

Friday,July 6: Charlie Wilson, D’Angelo, Trey Songz, Keyshia Cole, The Pointer Sisters, Marsha Ambrosious, Q. Parker & Super Jay, Khris Royal, Kindred The Family Soul, Vivian Green, Stephanie Mills, Gary Clark Jr., Rebirth Brass Band, SWV, Goapele

Saturday, July 7:  Mary J. Blige, Kevin Hart, Ledisi, Tank, Eric Roberson, Teedra Moses, The Stylistics, Robert Glasper, Dru Hill, The Original Pinettes Brass Band,Stephanie Mills, Big Sam’s Funky Nation

Sunday, July 8:  Aretha Franklin,Fantasia, Kirk Franklin, Mary Mary, Melanie Fiona, Carl Thomas, Alex Boyd, Eve, The Stooges Brass Band, Estelle, Luke James, Raheem DeVaughn, Bridget Kelly

Single day tickets go on sale today for the 2012 ESSENCE MUSIC FESTIVAL and are priced from $50 to $300 per person per night.   Meanwhile, weekend packages ranging from $150 to $900 per person continue to offer music fans the best way to enjoy a full three days of entertainment, empowerment,community and special offers.

For information about ticket sales, accommodations and the latest news about the ESSENCE MUSIC FESTIVAL, visit ESSENCE Music Festivalwww.essencemusicfestival.com Join the Festival community: follow us on Twitter @essencemusic #EssenceFest and become a fan of 2012 ESSENCE Music Festival on Facebook.

ROCK YOUR ESSENCE MUSIC FEST GEAR EARLY!!!

ROCK THE ESSENCE MUSIC FESTIVAL LOOK EARLY!   

2012 ESSENCE MUSIC FESTIVAL MERCHANDISE ON SALE NOW


"Vision/Voice/Varion" gears up to bring you "All Things Essence 2012"

It's the ultimate "party with a purpose!"  Last year we brought you all of the exclusive "behind the scenes"images with Jennifer Hudson, Charlie Wilson, Fantasia and so many more!  This year's "Essence Fest" promises to be bigger and better.  Check out this year's line-up by visiting ESSENCE MUSIC FESTIVAL 2012 but  FIRST, check out how you can really support this incredible event early by getting your Essence Music Fest gear!  Spread the word, tell a friend, it's Varion's birthday weekend and it's going to be huge!


(March 19, 2012) New York, NY—It’s almost that time of the year! The 2012 ESSENCE Music Festival, held in New Orleans July 6-8, promises to be bigger and better than ever—featuring stellar acts such as Aretha Franklin, Mary J. Blige, Fantasia, Stephanie Mills, Charlie Wilson, Ledisi and more. Now, ESSENCE wants you to join the celebration early by rocking the “Festival Look” the moment you get to The Big Easy!

ESSENCE is offering this year’s official EMF merchandise—including t-shirts, hats, bags and more—in a variety of great new styles and colors. Just visit www.essencemusicfestival.com, ESSENCE’s Facebook page or call 877-687-4277 to buy your official merchandise and get a free gift from ESSENCE with your order. Plus, in honor of the 18^th anniversary of EMF, consumers can save Be the first in your group to purchase now. Just see ESSENCE’s May 2012 issue for details and more Festival info. The presenting sponsor for the 2012 ESSENCE Music Festival is Coca-Cola. Major Sponsors include Coors Light and Verizon and Official Sponsors include State Farm, TV One and Visa Pre-Paid.

For information about ticket sales, accommodations and the latest news about the ESSENCE MUSIC FESTIVAL, visit www.essencemusicfestival.com. Join the Festival community: follow us on Twitter @essencemusic #EssenceFest and become a fan of 2012 ESSENCE Music Festival on Facebook.