The Day Black Music Month Began!

Top of the weekend my friends!?Did I ever tell you the day Black Music month began? Well I was there (upper left hand corner) and the anniversary is this week.?

It was on June 7th 1979, President Jimmy Carter and family invited me to the kicked off the inaugural celebration.?

It’s my first trip to DC. So I called my best friends sister “Jenny from the block” and we went to this White house soirée. ?

I’ve been physically in the city limits of the nation's capital. My friend Jenny showed me the city. The affair on the White House South Lawn was absolutely beautiful!

I later realized I represented the State of Texas for this musical milestone. Somewhat Humbling.?(Especially when I returned home and interviewed by Channel 8)

Radio wise, Tom Joyner was among the broadcast celebs but he lived in Chicagoland back then. Then the radio greatness of The Love Man WBLS’ Frankie Crocker, Philly radio legend George Woods, Cleveland’s radio DJ Ed Wright, New York WWRL’s Gary Byrd and Jerry Bledsoe (both my mentors) were among just a few of the radio elite that I can remember.?

On other side of the coin was the organizers, spearheaded by Kenny Gamble (of Gamble and Huff fame) and media strategist Dyana Williams?who now manages the African American Museum Music in Nashville. They get two thumbs up for putting together this momentous tribute.

It was truly a who’s who of the entertainment industry. Jazz great Billy Eckstine performed, we were guests at his table. Now for my somewhat funny moment. I’m sitting within arm’s length of Smokey Robinson. I couldn’t talk. No really! It was one of the very rare times, I was awestruck.

Anyway, on the stage performing was the great Chuck Berry. Who changed the lyrics of his song "Oh Carol" to "Oh Amy," in honor of the Carter’s daughter who was sitting on the White House lawn.?

"Barry White and Evelyn Champagne King also performed for the honored guests on this historic event. ?

I joined a tour of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue residence too. The Jefferson room, the Gold room and somehow wandered off into some other room. Where a secret service agents appeared to come out of the wall. To tell me return to the party. It was big fun!

On day two, the party moved to Philly. Where the ultimate jam session took place!! My favorite was Stevie Wonder and Bob Marley’s live mashup. A surprise impromptu connection that seem to go for awhile. They were playing for each others enjoyment. We just allowed to watch.

As a side note, even though President Carter first declared June as Black Music Month in 1979. It would be President Bill Clinton in 2000, with House Resolution 509 that made Black Music Month official!

This photo where Chuck Berry is photo bombing President Jimmy Carter is priceless and a ethereal moment in time. Now for the other purpose for this story!

Professionally I've had two major regrets in my life and regretted them for years. The first, I was given a chance to interview with Civil Rights Icon Rosa Parks in Detroit. It was for a project I was working on for ABC Radio Networks.?

I asked the company to pay the airfare. They refused. My gut said pay the fare yourself and own the interview. But I didn’t listen to my intuition and missed the opportunity of a lifetime. What I didn’t know, Ms Parks had?entered a mild form of dementia. Which may or may not been a good day for an interview. Which is why it had to be in-person.?

The other regret was at this celebration at the White House. Do you take a picture with President Carter or the great Chuck Berry? I voted for the President literally.?

When I got the film developed, my personal photo with President Carter came out really blurry. So for years I felt like I made the wrong choice!

However last year, a dear friend and co-worker, Bryan Jester calls me out of the clear blue. Dewayne he asks,“Have you ever visited the White House”?? Well yeah, during the inauguration of Black Music Month. Why? He continues, I just saw a picture of you on instagram at the White House with Chuck Berry!

The White House released the above posted photo with me in it, in celebration of Black Music Month last year! So I got my photo with both from the Jimmy Carter Library and a whole lot more. I don't know your regrets. I do know the impossible is nothing!

I close with a quote Tyler Perry “you can get a thousand no’s from people and one yes from GOD”!?Donut ever forget it.