Diary of an Ex-@SoulTrain Dancer Presents: Crescendo Ward When one thinks of Soul Train and its dancers, some forget that the program started locally in Chicago first and had its own fantastic dancers just like the nationally syndicated program. Wayne “Crescendo” Ward was one of Soul Train’s best from Chicago. He became part of a dance troupe known as The Puppets and went on to do big things in the entertainment industry as an entrepreneur, dancer, choreographer, producer, writer and actor. In fact, Soul Train literally saved his life. Here is his story. MORE

Diary of an Ex-@SoulTrain Dancer Presents: Crescendo Ward

When one thinks of Soul Train and its dancers, some forget that the program started locally in Chicago first and had its own fantastic dancers just like the nationally syndicated program. Wayne “Crescendo” Ward was one of Soul Train’s best from Chicago. He became part of a dance troupe known as The Puppets and went on to do big things in the entertainment industry as an entrepreneur, dancer, choreographer, producer, writer and actor. In fact, Soul Train literally saved his life. Here is his story.

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#Film, #music help #soul survivor Charles Bradley Paying dues doesn’t even begin to describe R&B singer Charles Bradley, who got his music-biz break after he turned 60. The genuine soul survivor never met his father, was abandoned by his mother and has battled poverty throughout his life. He has since reconnected with his mother, but the family was dealt a tragic blow when his brother was murdered a few doors down from their mother’s New York home. “With the things that I’ve been through, if I didn’t have a faithful belief in God, I don’t think I would be on the stage,” said Bradley, who performs Tuesday at Cedar Cultural Center in Minneapolis. “I would be in somebody’s jail; I’d be in somebody’s graveyard.” MORE

#Film, #music help #soul survivor Charles Bradley

Paying dues doesn’t even begin to describe R&B singer Charles Bradley, who got his music-biz break after he turned 60. The genuine soul survivor never met his father, was abandoned by his mother and has battled poverty throughout his life.

He has since reconnected with his mother, but the family was dealt a tragic blow when his brother was murdered a few doors down from their mother’s New York home.

“With the things that I’ve been through, if I didn’t have a faithful belief in God, I don’t think I would be on the stage,” said Bradley, who performs Tuesday at Cedar Cultural Center in Minneapolis. “I would be in somebody’s jail; I’d be in somebody’s graveyard.”

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REMEMBERING NICK ASHFORD

Despite their fame and success, Nick Ashford and Valerie Simpson—of the legendary songwriting duo Ashford & Simpson—were always careful to keep their daughters’ lives private. Now, Nicole, 37, and Asia, 24, are speaking for the first time on television about their father’s death. Plus, find out what words of wisdom Nick shared with them during his final days.

May 4th was Nick Ashford’s 72nd birthday. His contributions, along with his wife Valerie, are insurmountable. What is your favorite ‘Ashford & Simpson’ song? 

R&B musician Brian McKnight says even though he’s been around awhile, he’s not yet old enough to be a legend, despite his 16 Grammy Awards and multi-platinum album sales. And though it’s been 21 years since his first album came out, his latest work, More Than Words, is precisely what brought McKnight into our studios to talk with Tell Me More host Michel Martin about his career and songwriting. (via Brian McKnight Hearts NPR)

R&B musician Brian McKnight says even though he’s been around awhile, he’s not yet old enough to be a legend, despite his 16 Grammy Awards and multi-platinum album sales. And though it’s been 21 years since his first album came out, his latest work, More Than Words, is precisely what brought McKnight into our studios to talk with Tell Me More host Michel Martin about his career and songwriting.

(via Brian McKnight Hearts NPR)