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

ALL ACCESS: ESSENCE MUSIC FEST -THE STARS SHINE-"The Braxtons"

(New Orleans, LA.)--She's the matriach of one of the most successful musical families in the industry.  During a rare appearance without her daughters, Evelyn Braxton appeared taken aback as she was greeted by a crush of fans at The Earnest Morial Convention Center in New Orleans.

Mother to Grammy Award winning singer Toni Braxton, Evelyn Braxton wore her "Sunday Best" as she made an appearance at the "We Television" booth at the Empowerment Seminar held at the convention center.

Mother to four daughters who have had successful musical careers in their own right,  Evelyn Braxton has become equally popular following two successful seasons of "The Braxton Family Values" a reality show which appears on "WE TV".  

The "drama series" is one of the highest rated reality series on the network.  One things for certain, if the crowd in the convention center is any indication, this musical family which hails out of Baltimore will be giving fans more of what they love for a long time to come.

"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!

Deserted by parents, she went from homeless to Harvard

STORIES THAT INSPIRE

(New York)--If you are sitting at home feeling sorry for yourself...get up and get over it!  This is truly a story that inspires! I openly sobbed this morning while viewing this story.  It's heartbreaking, but what a remarkable young woman.  You decide, "victim or victor?"  One things for certain we can't choose our parents, but we damn sure don't have to be "saddled with them!"  #IJS       

                              

                  Dawn Loggings attending her high school graduation in June

Deserted by parents, she went from homeless to Harvard

BET's National Talent Seach Heads to Alabama

(MOBILE, AL.)---NEXT FRIDAY, all eyes will be on Mobile, AL.  Black Entertainment Television makes way it to the GulfCoast to find "the next big thing!" Diamond Washington is just one of the contestants competing for the national spotlight in this competition.


Washington, a recent high school graduate represents just a sample of the outstanding talent that's gearing up to take center stage for BET representatives and producers.


Varion Walton sits down with Dianne Steele who is spearheading the event.  Steele tells Varion how her company Shackle Free Marketing got involved with BET, plus why other gospel greats like Marvin Sapp, Vicki Winans and Vashawn Mitchell are blown away anytime they make a visit to "The Port City!"

YUM! It's National Doughnut Day!

(HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA) --- Finally a headline I can sink my teeth into!  If you're still trying to decide what to eat for lunch, how about a doughnut--for free!  Friday, June 1st is the day that's been designated as the day to "throw away those calorie counting calculators!" You can literally go "nuts" for doughnuts and it won't cost you a dime!  

You can redeem your right to a sweet treat at any participating Krispy Kreme or Dunkin Doughnut. Brace yourself! You're sure to have plenty of company!

TOP OF THE CLASS- SOULSVILLE CHARTER SCHOOL "COLLEGE BOUND!"

                                 Tim Sampson, Soulsville Foundation

(Memphis, TN.)--It's a school with soul and it's at the "top of the class!" The first ever graduating class of The Soulsville Charter School in Memphis, Tennessee is gaining a lot of national attention this week.  All 51 graduating seniors,  (that's right 100 percent) are college bound!  Graduation Thursday night included a lot of "pomp and circumstance" along with more than 3.6 million dollars in scholarship money.

Varion Walton discovers a huge part of the success was using music as a hook!  The students never had to look any further than their front door for a connection to Memphis' rich musical heritage because Stax Museum is located next door!      



CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION:
http://www.soulsvillecharterschool.org/

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.