As a songwriter, producer, and keyboardist, Dean Gant has an impressive list of credits to his name. The talents of this Chicago native, who was also referred to as “Sir” Gant, started manifesting on R&B albums in the 1970s. Gant, who studied c ...
Black Music Month Remembers Bill Withers
Bill Withers’ gritty voice is one of the most recognizable and celebrated in the music industry and his songs are some of the most memorable, thoughtful, and emotional. “Lean On Me,” “Ain’t No Sunshine,” “Lovely Day,” “Just the Two of Us,” and “Us ...
Black Music Month Remembers George Threatt
"Big George" Threatt Jr. got his name honestly. He did everything in a “Big” way. For 38 years, Threatt, who was born in Bibb County, GA, made his rounds in the radio industry, starting in 1978 when he was hired by Georgia Radio Hall of Fame induc ...
Black Music Month Remembers Tommie Allen
Tommie Allen had a passion for basketball and a passion for music and he excelled at both. Thomas Albert Allen, affectionately known as “Tommie,” was born in Brooklyn, NY, the fourth of five children. At an early age, he developed a passion for b ...
Black Music Month Remembers Irene Johnson-Ware
Irene Johnson Ware, affectionately known as ‘Miss Irene,’ was a legendary staple of gospel radio. One of the first black female disc jockeys in the country, Miss Irene began her long-standing career in 1961, after graduating from Josephine Allen Ins ...
Black Music Month Remembers Roland Wirt
Few people have made as big an impact in Los Angeles as Roland Wirt. Known as the Godfather of LA nightlife, Wirt’s name was synonymous with having a good time. His legendary parties attracted celebrities, high-profile personalities, as well as the ...
Black Music Month Remembers Willie Davis
Whether he was on the gridiron or in the boardroom, Willie Davis was bigger than life. Football fans remember Davis as the Hall of Fame defensive end who played on five Green Bay Packer championship teams, while music aficionados remember him as t ...
Black Music Month Remembers Bryant Bee Violator Prescott
It didn’t take long for Bryant “Bee Violator” Prescott to come into his own. After graduating from Stevenson High School and obtaining his first job with the Bronx Park and Recreations Department, Prescott, a New York native, set his sights on the m ...
Black Music Month Remembers Little Richard
No one did it quite like Little Richard! With his flashy outfits, freshly beat face, shiny hair piled high, zealous shrieks and gender-bending persona, Little Richard’s showmanship was unmatched. Born Richard Wayne Penniman in Macon, Georgia, Lit ...
Black Music Month Remembers Vanessa Barryer
Vanessa Gail Barryer took her love of music from Texas to New York to work for Arista Records as a National Director of R&B and Promotion. There were a couple of stops along the way for the Dallas native. She began her career at KFRQ as a disc ...