By Ron Wynn NASHVILLE, TN — Several top stars in multiple fields of entertainment are scheduled to appear and/or perform on the 2024 BET Awards, which are scheduled for this Sunday. They will be hosted once again by Oscar-nominated actress Taraji P. Henson. “I am thrilled to be returning as the host of the ‘BET Awards’ for the third time,” she said in a statement. Drake leads the nominations with seven, including an Album of the Year nod for his eighth studio album, “For All the Dogs.” One of the awards he’s up for is the music video for “First…
Author: Ron Wynn
Jerry West was an NBA legend on and off the court in multiple ways. He was among the greatest players of all time, and such a league staple his image became that of the official NBA logo. He remains the only player on a losing team to win NBA Finals MVP, and he also was an exceptional executive with multiple teams. But when West passed last week at the age of 86, another important part of his legacy wasn’t commented on enough in mainstream sports circles: his longtime friendship with and advocacy for Black players. Though he hailed from West…
By Ron Wynn NASHVILLE, TN —A familiar face is returning to the long-running ABC drama series “Grey’s Anatomy” this fall. Jason George, who starred on the program from 2010-2012 will be back on his former show and a series regular. George was in “Station 19” from 2018 until its cancellation last month. Variety reports that George’s character will be going back to his surgical role as well. He had decided to leave his practice as a surgical resident to become a firefighter. His return to “Grey’s Anatomy” has been in the works since its cancellation, with his character already establishing…
By Ron Wynn NASHVILLE, TN — Whenever the legendary gospel artist Vanessa Bell Armstrong releases an album it’s big news. On June 21 (Shanachie), her first LP in over a decade, hits the streets. Armstrong acknowledges that this one is a very special part of her impressive recorded legacy with particularly poignant messages and themes. “I finished this one just before my father passed,” Armstrong told the Tribune during a recent interview. “It’s dedicated to him and to the inspiration and support he provided me throughout my career and my lifetime. I know he’s watching from up above and it’s…
The college football world, indeed the entire nation, lost a giant last week. Doug Porter was that rare individual who devoted his entire life and career to HBCUs, but accomplished so much and positively affected so many people he wasn’t overshadowed or overlooked. Porter, who was 94, excelled in multiple athletic phases. He was an outstanding player, head coach, athletic director and later overall small college administrator. He did all this while never abandoning the HBCU universe in search of bigger fame and larger riches. He certainly could have done that given his connections and stature, but he preferred working…
By Ron Wynn NASHVILLE, TN — Among several local Juneteenth celebrations, one of the biggest and most family-oriented is the annual Music City Freedom Festival. This event, now in its fifth year, will be held this weekend starting June 15 and continuing through June 17 at historic Hadley Park, 1037 28th Ave. North. The festival is free and runs from noon until 8 p.m. each day. There will be local food trucks, local vendors to shop from, and even inflatables for the children. There will also be local live bands performing, with music mixes also provided by an area DJ.…
By Ron Wynn NASHVILLE, TN — With the summer box office for films in a slump, expectations for “Bad Boys: Ride or Die” were quite high. If the opening weekend is any indicator, the latest edition of the Will Smith/Martin Lawrence action/comedy franchise, will do well. It started last Friday with a $21.6 million dollar opening day from 3,885 locations across Friday and preview screenings. The latest edition to the franchise, directed by Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, was anticipated to exceed $53 million through the three-day frame in North America. That’s better than Sony’s initial projection of $30…
When the NBA Finals begin Thursday the Bostin Celtics will be trying to make history on multiple fronts as they face the Dallas Mavericks. First, they will be seeking their 18th championship banner, breaking a tie with the Los Angeles Lakers for the most in league history. Second, their head coach Joe Mazzula would become at 35 the youngest head coach to win a title since Bill Russell back in 1969. Mazzulla only got the interim tag removed from his position at the start of this season. The league is also making news in the broadcast booth as commentator Doris…
By Ron Wynn NASHVILLE, TN — Film and television star Mahershala Ali’s profile and exposure just keeps growing, and now may be joining the cast of a huge film franchise. It was announced last week that Ali was in talks to star in the next edition of the “Jurassic World” franchise alongside Scarlett Johansson and Jonathan Bailey. The story was initially reported in the Hollywood Reporter. This latest edition would also star Manuel Garcia-Rulfo and Rupert Friend. The film will reportedly be directed by Gareth Edwards with a mid-June production start date in London. The original screenwriter of “Jurassic Park…
By Ron Wynn NASHVILLE, TN — The new show “Diarra From Detroit,” now streaming on BET+, doesn’t try to hedge or soften its image, message, direction or tone. The creator feels that this is the best way to both reach a general audience, yet also maintain artistic credibility. Creator and principal star Diarra Kilpatrick leads the series as the main character who moves into her childhood home following an explosive fight with her husband, Francois (Morris Chestnut). Unwilling to confront her deteriorating marriage, she distracts herself with a Tinder date. However, after she’s subsequently ghosted, she lets rage and insomnia…