One of the great careers in MLB history is coming to a close, but will get at least one more year. Last Friday the Houston Astros announced that Dusty Baker would return as their manager for a third season. The Astros lost Game 6 of the World Series 7-0 to the Atlanta Braves, and Baker’s quest to win a World Series title remained unfulfilled. It’s the only thing that he hasn’t accomplished in a distinguished managerial career that’s seen him win 1,987 regular season games and take five different teams to division titles. Baker, 72, signed a one-year deal. He,,took…
Author: Ron Wynn
By Ron Wynn NASHVILLE, TN — One of the more popular contemporary holiday films is “The Preacher’s Wife.” The 1996 version was an updated remake of the 1947 original. That version of “The Preacher’s Wife’ co-starred Cary Grant, Loretta Young and David Niven and was about an angel coming to earth to help a preacher and his wife save both the church and congregation. The 1996 rendition co-starred Denzel Washington, Whitney Houston and Courtney Vance. The soundtrack for the 1996 version is the best selling gospel album of all time. Now the new version is coming from producers Angela Bassett…
By Ron Wynn NASHVILLE, TN — For over two decades, singer/songwriter Daryl Mosley was a key member in several powerhouse bluegrass groups. Throughout the 90s he was the lead voice of the heralded group New Tradition. Then he joined the legendary Osborne Brothers in 2001, and remained until 2010. From there, he formed The Farm Hands, a group that became one of the genre’s most awarded acts, and doubled as a bassist as well as a vocalist. But his latest venture truly puts Mosley’s outstanding writing skills and equally memorable voice in the spotlight. “Small Town Dreamer” (Pinecastle), his second…
By Ron Wynn NASHVILLE, TN — For the first time in eight years the Tennessee State Tigers have won four straight Ohio Valley Conference games, even if one didn’t count in the league standings. Their 27-21 homecoming victory over Murray State Saturday at Nissan Stadium kept them tied with Southeast Missouri State at 3-1 in the OVC (5-3 overall). And while they nearly blew a three-touchdown lead, the Tigers are now in position to claim the OVC title if they win their next two games. The first is Saturday on the road against UT Martin, who lead the OVC at…
For many college football fans Saturday’s 37-33 Michigan State victory over Michigan in East Lansing was little more than just another interesting contest between longtime rivals. But for those more familiar with the story behind Michigan State, most notably the fact they are among the rare predominantly white colleges with both a Black head coach and athletic director, it was a history occasion. The fact that the Spartans rallied from a 16-point second half deficit to win only made things better for Michigan State fans. It also helped the Heisman Trophy candidacy of Kenneth Walker III, who had five touchdowns…
By Ron Wynn NASHVILLE, TN — While Black westerns aren’t nearly as new as some would have you think (Herb Jeffries debuted in them back in the ‘30s), there remain those who consider seeing Black characters in Westerns a novelty. But director Jeymes Samuel doesn’t want anyone to deem this film something odd or unusual. He’s calling the film “The Harder They Fall” a film for everyone, but with a predominantly Black cast. “But if every time you put people of colour in a Western, and say, ‘These people were slaves’, and if every time they put women in a…
By Ron Wynn NASHVILLLE, TN — Former President Barack Obama and superstar comedian Dave Chappelle were among those offering tributes to this year’s inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Saturday at the induction ceremonies in Cleveland. President Obama and Chappelle praised Jay-Z, while Taylor Swift honored Carole King and Paul McCartney paid tribute to the Foo Fighters. Tina Turner and The Go-Gos were also honored at the event. Obama, speaking via video, called 23-time Grammy winner JAY-Z “the embodiment of the American Dream” for his rise from a poor New York neighborhood to a billionaire songwriter, record…
Even many longtime Atlanta Braves’ fans will have a tough time rooting against the Houston Astros when the World Series begins this week. That’s because the Astros’ have as their manager one of the most beloved figures in Major League Baseball. That’s 72-year-old Dusty Baker, who’s already achieved a host of firsts in his long career. These include being the first manager to lead five different teams to division titles. When the Astros defeated the Red Sox 5-0 in Game 6 of the American League Championship Series, Baker also became the first Black manager to win pennants in both leagues.…
NASHVILLE, TN — The Tennessee Titans now hit the road for two straight games in excellent shape, having won consecutive home games and beaten both the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs. They also have to be thrilled with the performance of their defense in Sunday’s game against Kansas City. They had four sacks of Patrick Mahomes, as well as five other hits on him. Mahomes left the game late in the fourth quarter after a play in which Mahomes’ head was accidentally hit by Jeffrey Simmons thigh as he was going down. Mahomes passed concussion protocol, but was not…
By Ron Wynn NASHVILLE, TN — Longtime alto saxophone-standout Bobby Watson appears with his quartet Saturday at the new Jazz Cave located inside the Nashville Jazz Workshop, 1012 Buchanan Street. Watson’s band includes bassist Curtis Lundy, pianist Marc Payne and drummer Terreon Gully. Watson and Lundy appeared two years ago in Nashville at Rudy’s. COVID-19 protocols are in effect. All persons inside the venue must be fully vaccinated and show their vaccination card, ID, and ticket at the door. The Workshop asks that everyone wear a mask while inside. Masks will be provided for all those who don’t have them.…