EVENTS AND MORE

Let The Good Times Roll at the French Quarter Festival

3/23/2020

It's almost that for the French Quarter Festival in New Orleans.... Have you ever attended? Last year (2019) was our first time attending and we totally loved it.

The French Quarter Festival is the largest showcase of Louisiana music in the world. More than 20 stages throughout the French Quarter celebrate local music and represents various genres from traditional and contemporary jazz to R&B, New Orleans funk, folk, gospel, Latin, Zydeco, Cajun, cabaret, and more. Best of all the French Quarter Festival is free, so make plans to attend the French Quarter Festival.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FRENCH QUARTER FESTIVAL GO TO FRENCHQUARTERFEST.ORG

READERS OF THIS ARTICLE ALSO ENJOYED

WHAT DO YOU SPEAK?
TRUMPETER K.C. O'RORKE OF FLOW TRIBE

K.C. O'Rorke of the band, Flow Tribe, shares with When We Speak TV, how New Orleans inspires him as a musician.

READ MORE

WHAT DO YOU SPEAK?
SINGER/SONGWRITER: KEITH BURNSTEIN

Singer/Songwriter Keith Burnstein of New Orleans sits down for a chat with When We Speak TV during the French Quarter Festival.

READ MORE

Chandra Currelley Sings Phyllis Hyman- City Winery Atlanta- April 19th

3/4/2020

Our friend Chandra Currelley will be performing at the City Winery Atlanta on April 19, 2020.
You probably recognize Chandra as Ms. V. in Tyler Perry’s “FOR BETTER OR WORSE” and in the #1 box office movie, "DIARY OF A MAD BLACK WOMAN " playing herself in the nightclub Chandra’s. Also starring as "Shirley" in "Madea’s Big Happy Family" the stage play. Who can forget her show stopping performance as Loretta in KANDI BURRESS’s (The Real Housewives of Atlanta) "A Mother's Love” and the movie Madea’s Big Happy Family as the choir soloist, Sister Laura. CHANDRA is the former lead singer of The legendary recording group The S.O.S. Band, replacing the original lead singer.

FOR MORE ABOUT CHANDRA CURRELLEY

PURCHASE TICKETS FOR CHANDRA CURRELLEY AT CITY WINERY-ATLANTA

READERS OF THIS ARTICLE ALSO ENJOYED:

Tyler Perry Sets Two New Original Series at BET Plus

The first series to complete production, “Tyler Perry’s Bruh” will chronicle the lives of a group of 30-something Black men as they explore the world of dating, careers and friendship in a present-day society. Additionally, viewers can expect the show to tackle some of the stereotypes faced by African American men. Barry Brewer (“Games People Play”), Mahdi Cocci (“The Gifted”), Phillip Mullings Jr. (“American Soul”), Monti Washington (“Games People Play”), Chandra Currelley (“Madea’s Big Happy Family”), Candice Renee (“BODIED”), and Alyssa Goss (“The Bobby Brown Story”) will star in the half-hour program.

READ MORE

ATL's Most Inspiring Stories: Meet Jermaine Sain

Huge thanks to VoyageATL for featuring Jermaine Sain and When We Speak TV!!!!

READ MORE

Rhonda Ross (daughter of Diana Ross) speaks with When We Speak TV

I had so much fun speaking with Rhonda Ross and she was so super cool and down to earth! I feel so blessed for this opportunity and I hope that this interview inspires you!!!! What Do YOU Speak?

READ MORE

The Nicholas Payton Trio LIVE at The Gallery at RAVINE

3/3/2020

News Source: Atlanta Jazz Festival

In celebration of Jazz Appreciation Month, the Atlanta Jazz Festival, Inc. presents the sensational sounds of the Nicholas Payton Trio, featuring GRAMMY Award-winner Nicholas Payton, drummer Kenny Washington, and bassist Peter Washington on Wednesday, April 1, at the Gallery at RAVINE.
A dynamic multi-instrumentalist known for his rich and poetic sounds, Nicholas Payton imbues traditional rhythms with a modern, urban energy.

Whether collaborating with the rapper Common, touring with artists like Elvin Jones, or paying tribute to Louis Armstrong, Payton strives to pay homage to the past while pushing music forward.

In his latest release, “Relaxin’ With Nick”, recorded live at SMOKE in Harlem in collaboration with Kenny Washington and Peter Washington, the trio curates a set from previously recorded works that intentionally showcase facets of legendary rhythm sections.

PUrchase tickets

To learn more about Nicholas Payton and listen to his music, visit his website at www.nicholaspayton.com.

All sales are final. Tickets are non-transferable and non-refundable.

PURCHASE TICKETS

READERS OF THIS ARTICLE ALSO ENJOYED

Being A Musician: Guitarist Rod Harris Jr.

Grammy nominated guitarist, Rod Harris Jr shares with When We Speak TV the joy of being a musician.

READ MORE

Being A Musician: Guitarist Rod Harris Jr.

3/2/2020

Grammy nominated guitarist, Rod Harris Jr shares with When We Speak TV the joy of being a musician.

FROM: www.rodharrisjr.com

Over his time as a guitarist, Rod has performed and recorded with countless artists spanning multiple genres and the list continues to grow. Artists such as J. Holiday, Miki Howard, jazz trumpeter Russell Gunn, Eightball and MJG, Musiq Soulchild, Jagged Edge, Donell Jones, Lloyd, saxophonist Warren Hill and Paul Taylor, bassist Brian Bromberg, the legendary Fred Wesley, jazz organist Doug Carn, Red Holloway (deceased), Ernie Andrews, Howard Hewitt of Shalamar , pianist Keiko Matsui, Malcolm-Jamal Warner, Maysa from Incognito, jazz trombonist Wycliffe Gordon, Joi, R&B Diva Syleena Johnson, Bishop Paul S. Morton, Grammy Award Winning singers Monica, Regina Belle, Jennifer Holliday, Dionne Farris, and many others.

(L to R) Chester Lawrence, Rod Harris Jr, & Jermaine Sain hanging out at Castle Hill Studio in Atlanta, GA.

Rod can also be seen performing in the hit film biopics “Cadillac Records” (starring Beyonce and Adrian Brody) and “Bessie” (starring Queen Latifah).

In addition to performing and touring, Rod released his debut jazz-funk album (2016) "The Counsel Of Elders", which pays homage to RHJ’s guitar influences. In March 2018, Rod released his well anticipated hip-hop/jazz EP entitled “Exits & Options”. The “X/O” Ep features renditions of classic songs as well as original material. RHJ’s music is available on all internet music stores (Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube, etc.) Rod's most successful single release to date, "How It Feels", features Neo-Soul legend Musiq Soulchild and has garnered acclaim amongst Underground DJs in the U.K., Japan, and the U.S.

READERS OF THIS ARTICLE ALSO ENJOYED:

WHAT DO YOU SPEAK?
Trumpeter K.C. O'Rorke of FLOW TRIBE

K.C. O'Rorke of the band, Flow Tribe, shares how New Orleans inspires him as a musician.

READ MORE

RHOA star, Kandi Burruss, Shares When We Speak TV With Her Followers

I was so super surprised then I saw that it was my sister who sent out a text to Kandi and she actually posted it to her Instagram story!!!!

READ MORE

Hanging At The Bar with New Orleans Piano Man- Keith Burnstein

2/17/2020

LtoR: Chester Lawrence, Keith Burnstein, and Jermaine Sain.

During our trip to the French Quarter Festival in New Orleans, When We Speak TV met up with some really great local artists such as Keith Burnstein.
Check out our segment with Keith Burnstein and be sure to follow him on all social media:

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT KEITH BURNSTEIN:

READERS OF THIS ARTICLE ALSO ENJOYED:

WHAT DO YOU SPEAK?
Trumpeter K.C. O'Rorke of FLOW TRIBE

Few bands arouse a crowd into a collective shake like Flow Tribe. The six-member band’s onstage chemistry reflects a seamless combination of soul and movement that hits the audience within the first few notes.

READ MORE

BET NETWORKS ANNOUNCES AUDITION PROCESS FOR UPCOMING SEASON 10 RETURN OF HIT SERIES “SUNDAY BEST”

2/7/2020

News Source: CR8

KIRK FRANKLIN RETURNS AS HOST & MENTOR, ALONG WITH JUDGES
ERICA CAMPBELL, JONATHAN MCREYNOLDS AND KELLY PRICE

Kelly Price, Pastor Shirley Caesar, Jonathan McReynolds, Erica Campbell and Kelly Price during a season 9 episode of "Sunday Best" on BET

Returning to BET Network’s for season 10 is America’s most inspirational singing competition, “Sunday Best.” The well-established gospel show welcomes back Grammy Award®-winning music legend Kirk Franklin as host. Returning for the second consecutive year as judges are gospel songstress and host of "Get Up Mornings," Erica Campbell, and Grammy-Award® nominated artists Kelly Price and Jonathan McReynolds.

Season 10 open call auditions will be held Saturday, February 15th in Atlanta, GA at The House of Hope (4650 Flat Shoals Parkway, Decatur, GA 30034; registration 6am-11am). Atlanta auditions will be filmed for television. Aspiring contestants should be age 18+ and should prepare to sing a song from the list below:

1. Amazing Grace
2. Blessed Assurance
3. Have Thine Own Way, Lord
4. His Eye is On The Sparrow
5. I Need Thee Every Hour
6. I Surrender All
7. It Is Well With My Soul
8. Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee
9. Love Lifted Me
10. Mary, Don’t You Weep
11. Nothing But the Blood of Jesus
12. O Come, All Ye Faithful (O Come Let Us Adore Him)
13. Oh, How I Love Jesus
14. Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior
15. Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus
16. What A Friend We Have In Jesus

Aspiring contestants from around the country are encouraged to submit their audition online and get additional audition information at BET.com/SundayBest. The final day for online submissions is February 10, 2020, at 5:00 pm EST.

Jesse Collins, CEO of Jesse Collins Entertainment (BET Awards, The New Edition Story), and Dionne Harmon (The Bobby Brown Story, Hip Hop Squares) serve as executive producers of season ten of Sunday Best along with executive producer and showrunner Jeannae Rouzan-Clay (Dear Mama, Black Girls Rock!), and Torrence Glenn (Celebration Of Gospel, Trumpet Awards) is co-executive producer.

For updates and more information about “Sunday Best”, please visit BET.com/SundayBest. Join the conversation on social media by logging on to our social media platforms using the hashtag: #BETSundayBest.

READERS OF THIS ARTICLE ALSO ENJOYED

35TH ANNIVERSARY STELLAR GOSPEL MUSIC AWARDS NOMINATIONS ANNOUNCED

The Stellar Awards recognizes the year's best performances in the genre, honors Gospel music icons and acknowledges the accomplishments of individuals instrumental in advocating for the industry.

READ MORE

GOSPEL SINGER, YOLANDA ADAMS, SHARES A MESSAGE OF ENCOURAGEMENT TO WHEN WE SPEAK TV!!

During the 2019 Black Music Honors, Yolanda Adams was presented the Gospel Music Icon Award and received a beautiful musical tribute from Jekayln Carr, Kelly Price, and Le'Andria Johnson.

READ MORE

NEW MUSIC ALERT: SYLEENA JOHNSON CELEBRATES THE RELEASE OF HER 10TH STUDIO ALBUM!!!

2/3/2020

PURCHASE WOMAN BY SYLEENA JOHNSON

In recent years, Syleena Johnson has enjoyed mainstream exposure appearing on such television shows as TV One’s “R&B Divas: Atlanta” and WE TV’s “Marriage Boot Camp: Reality Stars” and, since 2017, Syleena co-hosts the live TV One daytime daily talk show “Sister Circle,” alongside Rashan Ali, Quad Webb-Lunceford and Trina Braxton.

As an established singer/ songwriter, Syleena Johnson has nine albums to her name, including the critically acclaimed debut album, “Chapter 1: Love, Pain & Forgiveness,” and her most recent album “Rebirth of Soul” which features covers of classic Motown records. In 2004, Kanye West tapped Syleena to handle the vocals on the top-10 Billboard hit “All Falls Down,” which also garnered her and West a GRAMMY nomination and four MTV VMA nominations for the accompanying video.

On Jan 31, 2020, Syleena celebrated the release of her 10th studio album "Woman" and When We Speak TV was in the building to help celebrate!!!

CONNECT WITH SYLEENA JOHNSON
IG: @SyleenaJohnson
TW: @Syleena_Johnson
FB: Facebook.com/Syleena.Johnson.Official

PURCHASE WOMAN ALBUM BY SYLEENA JOHNSON

READERS OF THIS ARTICLE ALSO ENJOYED

WHAT DO YOU SPEAK?
GRAMMY NOMINATED GUITARIST: ROD HARRIS JR

Artists such as J. Holiday, Miki Howard, jazz trumpeter Russell Gunn, Eightball and MJG, Musiq Soulchild, Jagged Edge, Donell Jones, Lloyd, saxophonist Warren Hill and Paul Taylor, bassist Brian Bromberg, the legendary Fred Wesley, R&B Diva Syleena Johnson, Bishop Paul S. Morton, Grammy Award Winning singers Monica, Regina Belle, Jennifer Holliday, Dionne Farris, and many others.

READ MORE

Cornbread Fish'n Collard Greens: Inside The Music by Anthony Hamilton

In Cornbread Fish’n Collard Greens, Grammy-Award Winning Singer and Songwriter, Anthony Hamilton, describes in vivid detail the passion, inspiration, and methodology behind his large catalog of music.

READ MORE

Calling All Atlanta Artists! Want To Receive $1,000?

1/29/2020

Pictured Above: Singer/Actress Chandra Currelley Performing At The Atlanta Jazz Festival

The Atlanta Office of Cultural Affairs is seeking an artist to design the official 2020 Atlanta Jazz Festival poster!!!

The selected artist will receive $1,000 for their work and a complimentary vendor's booth.

LEARN MORE HERE:
CALL FOR ARTISTS

The Atlanta Jazz Festival is regarded as one of the largest FREE jazz festivals in the country. An annual celebration of the music, culture and art of jazz begins in April and culminates each Memorial Day weekend in May, with an outdoor festival featuring jazz artists from all over the world.

The Atlanta Jazz Festival is produced by the City of Atlanta Mayor's Office of Cultural Affairs, and is free and open to the public. The mission of the Atlanta Jazz Festival is to expose and entertain a diverse audience of Jazz aficionados, young Jazz enthusiasts and aspiring musicians to the rich heritage and variety of Jazz as an authentic form of American music

ATLANTAFESTIVALS.COM

LEARN MORE HERE:
CALL FOR ARTISTS

READERS OF THIS ARTICLE ALSO ENJOYED:

Rhonda Ross (Daughter of Diana Ross speaks with When We Speak TV

After I left Dallas and was now back in Atlanta, it continued to bother me that I didn't get an opportunity to check out Rhonda Ross' performance so I went on her website to see if she would be on tour any time soon and if so, would I be in any of the cities during that time.

READ MORE

WHAT DO YOU SPEAK?
Trumpeter K.C. O'Rorke of FLOW TRIBE

Flow Tribe can be found crisscrossing the US just about every week of the year, from Key West to California, including regular performances at the notable New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Fest and Voodoo Fest. Look for their next project to be released in early ‘17, a full length album entitled “BOSS” produced by New Orleans’s own Mannie Fresh.

READ MORE

Rhonda Ross Journey- January 2020

1/28/2020

News Source: therhondaross.com

2019 Was a Great Year!
One of the joys I had this year was celebrating Motown's 60th Anniversary by doing the "Motown Challenge". I asked friends and strangers alike to sing a Motown song with me.
Here's one of my favorites... singing with my
brothers, sister and of course my dad...

Join Me in Conversation!
February 11, 2020!
Hey New Yorkers, please join me at the
National Black Theatre for this intimate Q&A
moderated by The Happy Hour's Patrick Riley. I'll share my insights on my family history, music, parenting (homeschooling), self-love and self-empowerment.
I hope to see you there!
The first twenty purchasers will receive a special gift from me.
GET YOUR TICKETS HERE

RHONDA ROSS ON TOUR!
A Conversation with Rhonda Ross
February 11 The National Black Theatre New York City

Catalina Bar and Grill
March 27 & 28 Los Angeles

City Winery Chicago
May 10 (Mother's Day) Chicago
Tickets on sale soon!

The Acorn Theater
May 17 Three Oaks, MI

City Winery Philly
June 11 Philadelphia
Tickets on sale soon!

Blues Alley
June 17 Washington, DC

Rams Head on Stage
June 20 Annapolis, MD

Boston, Atlanta, Nashville, New York coming soon!

More dates are being added daily!

Check website for updates.

THERHONDAROSS.COM

READERS OF THIS ARTICLE ALSO ENJOYED:

Rhonda Ross (Daughter of Diana Ross speaks with When We Speak TV

After I left Dallas and was now back in Atlanta, it continued to bother me that I didn't get an opportunity to check out Rhonda's performance so I went on her website to see if she would be on tour any time soon and if so, would I be in any of the cities during that time.

READ MORE

WHAT DO YOU SPEAK?
SINGER/SONGWRITER: RHONDA ROSS

Rhonda Ross is more than just the daughter of music legend, Diana Ross, she is a singer/songwriter with a message.

READ MORE

Tauren Wells Celebrates 500K Sales of Hit-Single “Known”

1/27/2020

NEWS SOURCE: CR8

Photo Credit: Provident Label Group, Colin Flora & Joseph Espinoza @joespinoza.co

Purchase Known by Tauren Wells

GRAMMY® and Billboard Award-nominated, and DOVE Award-winning, triple-threat artist Tauren Wells releases his sophomore album Citizen of Heaven (Provident Label Group) today at select retailers and across all major digital retail outlets. The accompanying video for the album’s title track, “Citizen of Heaven” is available here.

Citizen of Heaven the follow up to Wells’ solo debut Hills and Valleys features the lead single “Like You Love Me,” impacting radio now. The new project boasts several outstanding collaborations, including multi-GRAMMY® winner Kirk Franklin on “Millionaire (Good Like That)”; multi-CMA Award-winning trio Rascal Flatts on “Until Grace”; spoken word intro from Steven Furtick of Elevation Worship on “Close”; and Jenn Johnson (of Bethel Music) on “Famous For (I Believe). Chuck Butler and Jordan Sapp co-produced 10 of the album’s 12 tracks, with additional production on the remaining songs by Rascal Flatts, Kirk Franklin, Max Stark, and Colby Wedgeworth.

During Wells’ album release concert at Lakewood Church earlier this week in Houston, TX he was presented with a Gold plaque commemorating 500K sales of his hit single, “Known,” according to the RIAA. Special guests at the album release concert included Gary LeVox of Rascal Flatts, Christine D'Clario and Jenn Johnson.

Peter Wilson (Creative Head and Lead Worship Pastor, Lakewood Church); Dennis Disney (Maximum Artist Management); Mitchell Solarek(Maximum Artist Management); Tauren Wells; Jason McArthur (Sony Music Entertainment/Provident Label Group); Tony Johnsen (Creative Artists Agency); Brian Dishon (Sony Music Entertainment/Provident Label Group); Ronn Tabb (Sony Music Entertainment/Provident Label Group); Makella Webster (Sony Music Entertainment/Provident Label Group)

Beginning January 29, 2020 Wells will join TobyMac’s popular “HITS DEEP Tour,” making 37 stops nationwide along with Jordan Feliz, We Are Messengers, Ryan Stevenson, Aaron Cole, and Cochren & Co. For more information on Tauren Wells, visit taurenwells.com. Follow him on social media by using the handle @TaurenWells. Tauren Wells' Citizen of Heaven is available now.

Purchase Citizen of Heaven By Tauren Wells

SIX-TIME GRAMMY® NOMINEE TAUREN WELLS’
CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED SOPHOMORE ALBUM
CITIZEN OF HEAVEN AVAILABLE NOW

Connect with Tauren Wells:
Tauren Wells Email List
Tauren Wells Facebook
Tauren Wells Twitter
Tauren Wells Instagram
Tauren Wells Website

READERS OF THIS ARTICLE ALSO ENJOYED:

35TH ANNIVERSARY STELLAR GOSPEL MUSIC AWARDS NOMINATIONS ANNOUNCED

Gospel music’s most epic celebration is co-hosted for the first time by rising Gospel superstars and Stellar Award winners Koryn Hawthorne and Jonathan McReynolds.

READ MORE

Actor/Singer Terrell Carter Shares His Unbelievably True Life Story in His New Book

Problem Child is the unbelievably true story of Terrell Carter, an American musician and actor who grew up in Buffalo, New York, in a dysfunctional family, each member crazier than the next. And the Problem Child is the only one in the story who may, or may not, actually have a problem. An emotional journey of trials and revelations, with a huge secret at its core, this story may force you to laugh—just to keep from crying.

READ MORE