By Ron Wynn NASHVILLE, TN — Vocalist/actress Melba Moore has enjoyed an extraordinary career stretching across multiple decades. But rather than dwell on her lengthy list of accomplishments in theater, television and music, Moore prefers to talk about her newest project, the LP “Imagine.” For one thing, it is on her daughter Melba Charli Huggins’ (a Fisk graduate) independent label. For another, she says this project was far different than any she’s ever done. “For one thing we didn’t have anyone telling us that we couldn’t do this song or that song,” Moore told the Tribune during a phone interview…
Author: Ron Wynn
By Ron Wynn NASHVILLE, TN — A historic site in Nashville will be the place where a third annual celebration will occur this weekend. Organizers for the Third Annual Music City Freedom Festival promise it will be the biggest yet. It’s also appropriate that the celebration is accelerating as Juneteenth is now a national holiday, the first time that’s been the case. For those unaware of the history, June 19, 1865 was the date that emancipation occurred for slaves in those states that were in rebellion against the Union. It has been celebrated annually in various parts of the United…
By Ron Wynn NASHVILLE, TN — The Tennessee Volunteers fell behind early, but staged a dramatic late inning rally to defeat Georgia Tech 9-6 Sunday, winning the Knoxville Regional and advancing to the Super Regional. But it was far from easy for a Tennessee team that many of its supporters continue to prematurely tout as the greatest college team ever despite the fact they’ve yet to win anything except the SEC regular season and tournament titles. But they did prove their mettle by overcoming an early four-run deficit against a Georgia Tech team that seemed determined to force a second…
The NBA is far from perfect, but there is one area where they are miles ahead of their competitors in the NFL and MLB. That’s in regard to opportunities for Black coaches. Over the last year there have been 12 coaching openings (a 13th opened Sunday when Quinn Snyder resigned from the Utah Jazz) and eight of those have been filled by Black coaches. Currently, barring any new firings or resignations this week. half the league’s 30 franchises (15) have Black head coaches. Contrast that with MLB’s current two (Houston’s Dusty Baker and Los Angeles’ Dave Roberts) or the long,…
By Ron Wynn NASHVILLE, TN — One of the finest soloists and bandleaders in the jazz world comes to Nashville this weekend as the featured attraction at Cheekwood’s “Jazz Under The Stars.” New Orleans native and Grammy winner Nicholas Payton, one of the finest players, bandleaders and composers of his generation, will be performing. Payton’s impressive resume includes more than 20 recordings as a leader. His latest recording is titled “Maestro Rhythm King,” and it spotlights Payton’s multi-instrumental ability. Modeled after the groundbreaking Sly & The Family Stone LP “There’s A Riot Going On,” Payton’s release mixes live drums with…
By Ron Wynn NASHVILLE, TN — One of HBO’s signature comedic productions has just been renewed. The network announced last week that “A Black Lady Sketch Show” would return for a fourth season. The program which was created and written by principal star Robin Thede concluded its third season in May. While there was general consensus that it would be back, the HBO announcement made it official. The show’s content reflects the viewpoints and experiences of its core cast: a group of Black women living in a situation that frequently subverts traditional expectations. Besides Thede the show also stars Gabrielle…
Major League Baseball is seldom in a good public relations position when it comes to issues of diversity and inclusion, but seldom has the sport been cast in a worse light than the recent dust-up involving New York Yankees third baseman Josh Donaldson and Chicago White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson. In the midst of a dispute between the two, things accelerated fast and badly when Donaldson began mocking Anderson by calling him “Jackie.” This was, depending on who you chose to believe, either Donaldson playfully taunting Anderson or deliberately invoking Robinson’s name in an insulting, mocking manner to Anderson, denigrating…
By Ron Wynn NASHVILLE, TN — Though he’s not in the film, superstar actor Denzel Washington had a major impact on the upcoming Baz Luhrmann film “Elvis.” That came in his influence and impact on the production’s major star Austin Butler. Butler openly credits and repeatedly cites Washington as a key figure in him landing the role. Luhrmann mentioned to Entertainment Weekly that Washington had sizable impact in Butler’s casting. “[Austin Butler] found me,” Luhrmann said. “I received this videotape of this young man in a flood of tears playing ‘Unchained Melody,’ and I thought, ‘Wow, what is that? How…
By Ron Wynn NASHVILLE, TN — BET+, the streaming end of BET, has plans for a full slate of summer shows as they battle to stay relevant in the increasingly competitive streaming world. A major item among these shows is the special “Martin: The Reunion,” as well as the return of another staple with “College Hill: Celebrity Edition.” But leading off the summer programs Thursday will be the third season of Tyler Perry’s “Bru.” A program that follows the adventures of five friends, the new season will follow them through new challenges while they try to maintain the bonds of…
By Ron Wynn NASHVILLE, TN — The Nashville Predators answered any questions regarding the team’s immediate future and direction last week by extending the contracts of head coach John Hynes and his assistants through the 2023-24 season. The Predators were swept in a playoff series for the first time in team history this season by the Colorado Avalanche, something that led some to question whether it was time for the team to think about a new head coach. General manager David Poile didn’t hesitate when questioned about the move. “I believe John and his coaching staff are the right move…