By Ron Wynn NASHVILLE, TN — Rap star Kendrick Lamar has already won a Pulitzer in addition to being a hugely successful and influential recording artist. Now he’s among a handful of celebrities who’ve qualified for Oscar consideration in a very special category. There are three Oscar categories that recognize films which run 40 minutes or shorter — best live action short, best documentary short and best animated short. The Hollywood Reporter was first to announce that Lamar was among nominees in these categories. Lamar’s “We Cry Together,” a six-minute film starring himself and Zola’s Taylour Paige as a quarreling…
Author: Ron Wynn
College football season is right around the corner, but for HBCU schools they face a decision that reflects their unique position. They are being totally ignored in all the talk about superconferences and mergers by the predominantly white institutions. When you read columns in various publications or see shows on sports networks, the conversation is exclusively about the power 5 schools. While the Ivy League, Patriot League and other small conferences are also left out of the discussion, it’s a very different situation for HBCUs. With many major conferences either going to or considering 10-game in-conference schedules, the days of…
By Ron Wynn NASHVILLE, TN — It’s been quite a while since the Titans had more questions on the offensive side than the defensive side, but that’s certainly the case this season. As they prepare to open the preseason with a road game against the Baltimore Ravens, most fans memories of their final game last season was disappointment. Despite a nine sack performance, the Titans went down to defeat at the hands of the Cincinnati Bengals, the second straight season their playoff hopes fizzled out at. home. There was widespread disenchantment and disappointment expressed at the performance of QB Ryan…
By Ron Wynn NASHVILLE, TN — President and Michelle Obama chose a special location to debut their production company’s upcoming film “Descendant.” It was the 20th annual Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival (MVAAFF), founded by Stephanie and Floyd Rance, which opened Friday evening. It’s a powerful documentary from filmmaker Margaret Brown. It’follows the residents of Africatown, Alabama, the descendants of the Clotilda, the last known slave ship to hit American shores long after the transatlantic slave trade had been outlawed. The Netflix film is produced by the Obamas’ Higher Ground Productions, and the former POTUS and First Lady surprised…
By Ron Wynn NASHVILLE, TN — It was long awaited and anticipated, so it’s no surprise that Beyonce’s “Renaissance” would have immediate commercial impact. The album debuts this week in the number one spot on the Billboard 200 albums chart (dated Aug. 13) with 2022’s biggest week by a woman – and the second-largest week of the year overall. It sold 332,000 equivalent album units earned in the U.S. in the week ending Aug. 4, according to Luminate. “Renaissance,” Beyoncé’s seventh solo No. 1 album – is the first album released by a woman in 2022 to top the Billboard…
Although he was the greatest winner in American team sports history, Bill Russell’s impact and importance extended far beyond the basketball court. Russell, who died over the weekend at 88, was a pioneer and outspoken force for social justice in an era when athletes were not just encouraged to be silent, but expected to keep their mouths shut about everything except who won and what they did in a particular game. Russell spoke out for Civil Rights, marched with Dr. King and openly defended Muhammad Ali when many others shied away from comment. As a player, he led the Celtics…
By Ron Wynn NASHVILLE, TN — If Nashville SC hopes to improve its sixth place standing in the MLS’s Western Conference, they recognize that August is the ideal time to make their move. They have six of the next eight matches at home, and after Wednesday night’s game against Portland, only have to leave home one time over the stretch of seven matches. But they also know they’ve got to get more wins, as they once again let a game get away at home. The only good news that came out of Saturday night’s contest against Vancouver is that they…
By Ron Wynn NASHVILLE, TN — Filmmaker and actor Tyler Perry has enjoyed consistent success with his films over the years, but he may surprise audiences with his upcoming production for Netflix. It ventures into the worlds of jazz, blues and history. The first photos and promos for “A Jazzman’s Blues” are now available online. In addition Perry, who said he’s been trying to release the film for over three decades, also issued an official statement regarding the film’s content, both in print and online. The film according to Perry’s statement is “A sweeping tale of forbidden love, “A Jazzman’s…
By Ron Wynn NASHVILLE, TN — Rudy’s Jazz Room is not only featuring many of Nashville and Middle Tennessee’s top jazz artists, they’re also presenting top performers from across the country. Friday nigh’t late performer is Chicago pianist Alex Murphy. He’s been a performer since childhood, being encouraged by growing up in a family of musicians. He had the opportunity to study under several artists and instructors, first studying at Birch Creek Jazz Camp and then continuing at DePaul University, where his jazz instructors included Ron Perrillo and Dana Hall. He has emerged as a major figure on the national…
This past Sunday seven new members joined the Baseball Hall of Fame. More than any other sport, baseball really puts a premium on Hall of Fame selection. It’s viewed as the benchmark that separates the absolute best in the sport from players who were good and in some cases very good, but just not quite Hall of Fame types. It even makes a point of differentiating first round selections from those chosen later in the process and/or by what is now called the Golden Days Committee (formerly the Veterans Committee). The 2022 class also has both its share of controversy…