THANKS
I would be remiss if I didn't thank the following people:
First & Foremost, Bobby Eli & his fiancee' Vonnie - who introduced me to this world. Without them, this wouldn't have come to fruition. You may know Bobby as the writer & producer of many Classic Soul songs & as a guitarist of MFSB.
David Meikle, Lowell Boileau & Ralph Terrana, whose great website, SoulfulDetroit.com, facilitated many great friendships which lead to this attempt at personal growth. Ralph & Lowell are men whom I have grown to respect. It can sometimes be a dirty, thankless job, but they do it very well. A special thanks to David Meikle is in order. Over the last year, I've come to understand his mission & his philosophy. I have learned some valuable lessons from David & I believe that I have grown through them. Hopefully, I can learn to avoid some of the pitfalls that come with the territory....
HOPEFULLY :)
The ENTIRE SoulfulDetroit family, who've encouraged me along the way. Their support of all of my creative endeavors has been priceless & I extend my thanks to them, both past & present members. Your encouragement served as an inspiration to me. I've learned so much from all of you & it's been great knowing & growing with you all. I love you guys!!
Larry Cotton of In The Basement magazine - Larry has made it possible to grow & to be able to bring you many of these reviews & pictures. A good man & an encouraging friend. His help is also invaluable & Larry is a true lover of Soul. A genuine guy. This is one busy man & I don't know how he does it. Larry, do you ever get to sleep :-)
T.J. & Herman Lubinsky & Family & Henry, Susan & Maura DeLuca & The PBS Family - For conceiving all of these great PBS specials that have shined the spotlight on many long lost music icons. Their love for the music that we call "SOUL", has been invaluable & has given some much deserved attention to many of our Soul & Disco icons. I thank them for welcoming a stranger into their midst & being kind, generous & allowing me my first opportunity to meet many of my musical heroes & to film & photograph them freely.
I thank them for helping to keep OUR music alive & in the spotlight once more. I also appreciate the way that they treat the artists who appear on their specials. I have never seen them treat ANY artist appearing on their shows, from the greatest to the least, with anything less than TOTAL respect. They are truly some of the good guys of the industry.
Russell & Flo Thompkins, The NEW STYLISTICS & their musical director Kenny Thompson - They accepted me into their extended family & gave me an opportunity to learn on the fly. They were amongst the first to give me an opportunity to go out & learn how to do what I've been doing. They helped me to grow & when someone like Russell takes the time to give you an opportunity, it's a wonderful feeling. They are truly legends, not of the mind, but of the real kind!
The great Jimmy & Jeannie Scott - When a legend such as Jimmy accepts you as a friend, well...it just doesn't get any better than that. Jeannie is equally kind. I thank them for allowing me to learn through them & for accepting me into their musical family.
Janice Marie Johnson of A Taste Of Honey - Another great person who has given some great advice & though 3,000 miles away, has time to offer support & words of wisdom. Janice, I love you for your honesty, don't ever change!
Norma Jean Wright & Luci Martin of The First Ladies Of Chic - Norma was among the first artists to encourage me along my journey. Her kind words & wise advice is something that I've learned from. They also take the most beautiful pictures. Norma & Luci are two of the kindest people I've met & are as humble as they are beautiful.
Deborah Boatner - It has been a joy to know you & meeting your father Levi, as well as the rest of The Stubbs Family, was indeed a highlight. Deborah, you know the rest of the story!
Emanuel Johnson & Enchantment - E.J., Joe B., Mickey, David & Walter, it was a joy meeting you fellas. Not only are you tremendously talented, but, you're some nice people.
Tunis Wilson - Tunis, it's been a joy to know you. Thanks for the pictures & all of the great stories & tips! Man, I wish I'd met you sooner. As we used to say back in the day, you're good people! Somewhere, I know that Eddie & David are smiling on you!
Jack Ashford, Joe Hunter & Company - Jack, thank you for providing me the opportunity to learn & grow. It was great meeting you & you have a talented crew. Now go on & do your thing!
Kris Craig of Jack Ashfords' Band - Thanks for the info, pics & kind words of encouragement.
Ms. Martha Reeves - Martha, thank you for affording me the opportunity to photograph you. I also thank you for the photography tip. I WILL always remember it :)
Little Royal & Wilbur Fletcher - New friends, but very good people. It's been a pleasure knowing the both of you. Two very positive & encouraging brothers & your support means more to me than you could possibly know.
PM Gloria Reid, Lead MDO Lillian McPhaul, MDOs Steve Weinstein, Rolando Bell & Donald Bucknor & SDOs Veldrina Dicks-Massay & Robert Acosta & Superman Ray Veney of the U.S. Postal Service - Ray gave me the opportunity to video tape functions & gave me some great advice on panning & things as such. Little did I know at the time, that his advice would prove to be so valuable. Ms Reid, Ms McPhaul & MDOs Weinstein, Bell & Bucknor & SDOs Massay-Dicks & Acosta allowed me the time to help Ray. A SPECIAL THANKS to SDOs Dicks & Acosta, whom for 18 years have always extended themselves for me in every possible way. Their help has been invaluable. SO, no more Postal jokes from anyone, ok ? :-)
SINGERS, WRITERS, PRODUCERS, SONGWRITERS, LABELS & RADIO STATIONS OF THE PAST - A heartfelt thanks to all of you. Thanks for all of the great music: Music that consoled us when we were sad & music that made us dance until we dropped. Music that made us think & brought serious issues to the forefront of our consciousness, and especially....music that was made for LOVE!! So, THANK YOU to all of you great people who blessed our lives with your presence & your sound. What would we have done without you??? Thankfully, we don't have to answer that question. I just feel that we've been blessed with your presences & thank you for enriching our lives!
FRIENDS - Both past & present. You've been a part of my life & we've shared some very special & fun times, as well as some sad times. Whether we've parted ways due to unfortunate circumstances, or due to our reaching a fork in the road, the fact remains that we were/are friends. For that reason, you are special to me. God bless you one & all!
MY FAMILY!!! Without you, nothing would be possible!
To my brother Brian - you are one of the special people in this world. I've never met anyone that is as easy-going as you, with such a sweet disposition & a good heart. You're smart as hell & the world can definitely be your oyster. Not only do I love you, I LIKE YOU! You are a jewel & I'm proud to call you brother.
To my very special sister Yvonne - You are a very special person. I've learned many things from you...compassion, tolerance & to never mock people because of their disabilities. I'm still working on the patience part of the equation. I know in my heart that had you been born in a different time & under a different set of circumstances, you would have been able to accomplish great things. You will always be special to us & will always be our "Forever Baby".
To my son Bobby - There are two great moments in my life & the first one was the day that you were born. I can't begin to explain how I felt when I saw you for the very first time. Seeing you in your mothers arms, just a few hours old was an experience that I can't explain. When I held you for the first time, I felt so many emotions....I was nervous, you were such a little thing & I wasn't sure if I'd know what to do or how to hold you.
I was scared, I thought, "Oh God, what kind of a world is this that I'm bringing this innocent child into?" All that I knew for sure was that you were my son & I was going to love you. Now, you're a man & I'm proud of the person that you are & the person that I believe that you'll become. I love you, though I'm more than a bit pissed that you had to grow up. I'm proud to have you for a son.
To my sisters Cheryl (R.I.P.), Sharon & Brother-In-Law Billy, my nieces Melissa & Tiffany, my wife Janice (R.I.P.), cousin Jesse Craig & all of my cousins, aunts & uncles, Grandma, Grandpa & all of those whom are no longer among us. You've been the source of many happy times & a comfort in the worst of times. I love you more than I can express. I wish that it were possible for us to stay forever young! Man, I love you guys!!
To those family members whom I never had the opportunity to meet, as well as those who passed on before my conception ...... I'm a part of all of you & in some form or fashion, you live in me, whether I had the opportunity to know you or not. For that reason, I love you one & all.
To my father & namesake, I thank you for the gift of life & for instilling in me the love of music. Most of all, I thank you for having the wisdom to marry my mother.
Speaking of MOM..........
What can I say about someone who has ALWAYS been a true friend, someone who's ALWAYS put the interest of others above her own? From you, I've learned compassion & kindness, but also toughness & speaking up when there's a wrong that needs to be righted. Every good quality that I may possess is due to you & the examples that you set.
You have always been there for all of us, as well as for those who were down on their luck & needed a helping hand. I remember when I was about 8 years old, there was a teenager named Blackie. Blackie was hanging out, sniffing glue & simply blowing his life. While everyone else in the neighborhood TALKED about these terrible kids, you TRIED to help him.
Over 30 years later, you haven't changed. You became a School Board President, a member of the MANY Board & the President of the East Coast Chapter of ACORN. These many years later, you still sought to help others. Not because the job paid well, but because it was the right thing to do & someone had to do it.
Every step that I've ever taken, you were there. In the brightest of days & during the darkest of days, you've always been there. Never judging, always encouraging & dispensing some damn good advice always (Even if I didn't always listen.
You've always supported me & always encouraged me to reach for the stars. Your life is an example that anything is possible & that it's never too late to accomplish anything. The way that you've lived you life leaves me in awe. You are my source of pride & an inspiration. I've never known ANYONE as strong as you, or as real as you.
You've never allowed me to believe that I was right when I was wrong & I appreciate you for that. I've never known a more selfless & giving person. I know that I'm a better person for having you as my mother. More than anything, I thank you for being my friend. I love you always & unconditionally, just as you have always loved me. I just want to thank you for being the person that you are & simply for who you are. Mrs. Gwendolyn M. Jacobs............
My Mother!!!
And I thank God for you!
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