Major League Baseball finally got some good news last week following a postseason marked by criticism from many quarters about a new playoff system that seemed to negate regular season success (the elimination of all 100-win teams in early rounds) and a World Series between the Texas Rangers and Arizona Diamondbacks that drew record low ratings numbers and resulted in a five game Rangers win. But there was nothing but positive response to the announcement that longtime Atlanta Braves third base and infield coach Ron Washington would be joining the Los Angeles Angels as their new manager. Washington signed a…
Author: Ron Wynn
By Ron Wynn NASHVILLE, TN — Anthony Anderson has enjoyed success in both comedic and dramatic roles, from “Black-ish” to “Law & Order.” In recent years he’s also entered a third area, that of hosting game shows, and in that one he’s been joined by his mother Doris Bowman. It was announced last Friday that the duo will be teaming up to do another program. They’re the new hosts of Fox’s upcoming music show “We Are Family,” which premieres Wednesday, Jan. 3. Anderson and Bowman replace Jamie Foxx and his daughter Corinne Foxx, who had previously been announced for “We…
Though they’ve only played eight games to date, the Tennessee Titans are already looking towards next year. They’re certainly not going to say that with nine games remaining on the schedule, five of the final seven at home. They’re also still mathematically in the playoff race, though realistically at 3-5, they’d need to win at least seven and maybe eight of the last nine to have a shot. Jacksonville is already three games ahead in the division race, and they show no signs of fading over the second half. But more importantly, the Titans have yet to win on the…
By Ron Wynn NASHVILLE, TN — One of the nation’s premier vocalists will be appearing Sunday in Franklin. The legendary Mavis Staples will be performing a benefit concert for the African American Heritage Society of Williamson County (AAHS). The event will be held at Liberty Hall in The Factory at Franklin and is produced by the ERACE Foundation. Staples will be joined by Tommy Sims and Tom Douglas as well as other special guests. The night will begin with a writer’s round hosted by Sims. The segment will be a combination of the songwriter’s original songs and some of the…
One of the greatest two-way careers in Major League Baseball history ended last week. Dusty Baker’s retirement concluded the second chapter of a true lifetime spent in the sport. Baker broke in as a 19-year-old outfielder with the Atlanta Braves, though he didn’t become a regular until 1972. One of his outfield mates and mentors was the great Hank Aaron. Baker would play 19 years in the big leagues. Among his achievements were two all-star selections, two Silver Slugger awards and one Golden Glove selection. He was even the first MVP winner when the championship series began honoring those…
NASHVILLE, TN — Mike Epps has attained prominence as a comedian and actor, and has also periodically contributed to many philanthropic enterprises. Now his latest mission is very close to home. The native of Indianapolis plans to revitalize his childhood street. His efforts will be chronicled on HGTV‘s “Buying Back the Block.” Epps and his wife and design enthusiast Kyra Epps have begun to revitalize the area. They previously transformed an abandoned firehouse into their stunning new family home. The series highlights a pair of major renovation projects over a 12-week period. In each episode, they update a house by…
NASHVILLE, TN — Richard Roundtree had a lengthy, varied and impressive career, one that extended far beyond the signature role of John Shaft. The longtime film and television actor, who passed last week at 81 of pancreatic cancer, had his major screen debut in the epic 1971 film “Shaft.” When MGM initially optioned the 1970 Ernest Tidyman novel about a private eye hired to rescue a gangster’s kidnapped daughter, they considered making the film about a white family. Director Gordon Parks told the studio doing that would negate the true meaning and vision of the novel, and he pushed for…
Third-year Tennessee State University Head Coach Eddie George generated national headlines and intense reaction, as well as backlash, last week for comments he made following his team’s homecoming victory over Norfolk State. George was upset at the low attendance for the game (13,000 plus), although it exceeded the usual figures for TSU home games at Nissan Stadium. He also was critical of those fans who left after the battle of the bands, as well as those who tailgate before games, but don’t come into the stadium to watch the contest. On one hand it’s understandable that George wants more fan…
By Ron Wynn NASHVILLE, TN — Despite what seemed to be a farewell announcement and the severing of all ties with his longtime “Daily Show” association, there remains a possibility that former show correspondent Roy Wood Jr. could still be in the running to replace Trevor Noah as host. Now Wood isn’t saying he’s a favorite or even necessarily in the running, but he tried to clarify in an interview for Rolling Stone last week what he meant by prior comments on NPR that said he had to abandon the correspondent’s job because it would conflict with any opportunity to…
By Ron Wynn NASHVILLE, TN — Prominent entertainers don’t always make good on their public pledges, but last week Sean Combs AKA “Diddy” fulfilled one he made to a school that he credits for helping launch his career. Though he didn’t ultimately graduate, Sean Combs still feels a strong debt of gratitude to Howard University. Last year during the BET Awards he promised to donate $1 million to the university. The head of Bad Boy Entertainment made good on that vow last Friday. The official donation was confirmed by the school’s newspaper The Hilltop. “Mr. Combs has fully honored every…