Barry White 1944 - 2003

Barry White (September 12, 1944(1944-09-12) – July 4, 2003) was an American record producer and singer-songwriter. A five-time Grammy Award-winner known for his rich bass voice and romantic image, White's greatest success came in the 1970s as a solo singer and with his Love Unlimited Orchestra, crafting many enduring hit soul funk, and disco songs. Worldwide, White had many gold and platinum albums and singles, with combined sales of over 100 million, according to critics Ed Hogan and Wade Kergan.

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Nina Simone at the Bitter End Cafe (1988)

Eunice Kathleen Waymon (February 21, 1933 – April 21, 2003), better known by her stage name Nina Simone (/ˈniːnə sɨˈmoʊn/), was an American singer, songwriter, pianist, arranger, and civil rights activist. Although she disliked being categorized, Simone is most associated with jazz music. Simone originally aspired to become a classical pianist, but her work covers an eclectic variety of musical styles that include classical, jazz, blues, soul, folk, R&B, gospel, and pop. Her vocal style is characterized by intense passion, a loose vibrato, and a slightly androgynous timbre, in part due to her unusually low vocal range which veered between the alto and tenor ranges (occasionally even reaching baritone lows). Also known as The High Priestess of Soul, she paid great attention to the musical expression of emotions. Within one album or concert she could fluctuate between exuberant happiness and tragic melancholy. These fluctuations also characterized her own personality and personal life, worsened by bipolar disorder with which she was diagnosed in the mid-1960s, but was kept secret until after her death in 2003.[1]

Simone recorded over 40 live and studio albums, the greatest body of her work being released between 1958 (when she made her debut with Little Girl Blue) and 1974. Songs she is best known for include "My Baby Just Cares for Me", "I Put a Spell on You", "Four Women", "I Loves You Porgy", "Feeling Good", "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood", "Sinnerman", "To Be Young, Gifted and Black", "Mississippi Goddam", "Ain't Got No, I Got Life" and "I Want a Little Sugar in My Bowl".

Michael Jackson - Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough

Michael Joseph Jackson (August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009) was an American singer, dancer and entertainer. Referred to as the King of Pop, he is the most commercially successful entertainer of all time, and one of the most influential. His contributions to music, dance and fashion, along with a much publicized personal life, made him a global figure in popular culture for over four decades.

Alongside his brothers, he made his debut as lead singer and youngest member of The Jackson 5 in 1964. He began his solo career in 1971. His 1982 album Thriller remains the best-selling album ever, with Off the Wall (1979), Bad (1987), Dangerous (1991) and HIStory (1995) also among the world's best-selling albums. He is widely credited with having transformed the music video from a promotional tool into an art form with videos for his songs such as "Billie Jean", "Beat It" and "Thriller" making him the first African American artist to amass a strong crossover following on MTV. With stage performances and music videos, Jackson popularized a number of physically complicated dance techniques, such as the robot and the moonwalk. His distinctive musical sound, vocal style, and choreography, is credited with stretching across and breaking down cultural, racial, economic, generational, and global barriers that has inspired countless pop, rock, R&B and hip hop artists.

One of the few artists to have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice, his other achievements feature multiple Guinness World Records—including the "Most Successful Entertainer of All Time"—15 Grammy Awards (including the "Living Legend Award" and the "Lifetime Achievement Award"), 26 American Music Awards (24 only as a solo artist, including one for "Artist of the Century")—more than any artist—, 17 number one singles in the US (including the four as a member of the Jackson 5), and estimated sales of up to 750 million records worldwide making him the world's best selling artist in history.

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Silver Spring Town Center, Inc. Celebrates Black History Month 2010

Throughout Black History Month, the Silver Spring Town Center, Inc. will periodically highlight the artistic and cultural contributions of African Americans through its blog.

Black History Month is a annual remembrance of important people and events in the history of the African diaspora.

The remembrance was originated in 1926 by historian Carter G. Woodson as "Negro History Week". Woodson chose the second week of February because it marked the birthdays of two Americans who greatly influenced the lives and social condition of African Americans: former President Abraham Lincoln and abolitionist Frederick Douglass. Woodson also founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, now the Association for the Study of African American Life and History. [www.asalh.org]

More on Black History Month at
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_History_Month

Chester "Memphis Gold" Chandler - Certificate of Appreciation

The County Executive of Montgomery County, Maryland awards this Certificate to Chester Chandler in recognition and appreciation.

Chester Chandler aka “Memphis Gold” is an international bluesman who has brought the joy of music to hundreds of thousands of fans around the country, and around the world.

Born in Memphis, Tennessee in 1955, he has long time ties to the Silver Spring area. We recognize his courage as one of the heroic rescuers of survivors of the CSX train crash in Silver Spring in 1996.

Your love of country is well reflected by your proud military service in the United States Navy and your now frequent trips to perform for America’s soldiers and sailors at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and many other venues.

We salute you for your dedication to traditional music and your steadfast commitment to public service and to our community.

Isiah Leggett
County Executive
November 10, 2009

Jay Summerour - Certificate of Appreciation

The County Executive of Montgomery County, Maryland awards this Certificate to Jay Summerour in recognition and appreciation of your inspired music and your significant contribution to the America’s blues tradition.

For more than 40 years, you have perfected a musical technique that has made you one of the leading harmonica players in the United States.

Your artistry has complemented and enhanced the performances of many of our Nation’s most accomplished and well known musicians and vocalists.

We proudly recognize you as a strong supporter of America’s veterans, our musical community, and one of Montgomery County’s “favorite sons.”

Isiah Leggett
County Executive
November 10, 2009

Jonathan Musgrave - Certificate of Appreciation

The County Executive of Montgomery County, Maryland awards this Certificate to Jonathan Musgrave in recognition and appreciation of your many talents of singer, songwriter, and guitarist. You are a favorite son of Silver Spring. Known as “Jonny Grave” to your legion of fans in our community and throughout the country, you bring traditional music alive with your passion, intensity, and reverence for the giants of the blues and folk genre. We appreciate your creative talent and your enduring contributions to the musical landscape of our county. We thank you for your generous gifts of song, story, and guitar.

Isiah Leggett
County Executive
November 10, 2009

Rebuilding Together Montgomery County - Certificate of Appreciation

The County Executive of Montgomery County, Maryland awards this Certificate to Rebuilding Together Montgomery County in recognition and appreciation
Of the important contributions that your organization has made to improve the quality of life for many of our county’s veterans, active duty service members and military families.

Your team of staff and volunteers has mobilized significant financial resources to repair and retrofit the homes of veterans around the county, thanking them for their service by making their homes safe and accessible.

Our county is stronger for Rebuilding Together Montgomery County’s mission, its energy, and its vision for dynamic partnerships between the private and public sectors to help America’s veterans.

We pay tribute to their “neighbors helping neighbors” philosophy and their tireless efforts on behalf of our military women, men and their families in need.

Isiah Leggett
County Executive
November 10, 2009

Tribute to America's Veterans Concert

Our “Tribute to America’s Veterans” benefit concert at the Round House Theatre in Silver Spring was a great success!

The concert was sponsored by our Silver Spring Town Center, Inc., in partnership with the Montgomery County Commission on Veterans Affairs and Building Bridges America, Inc.

Our musical performers--Memphis Gold, Jay Summerour and Jonny Grave—were truly excellent and warmly received by the enthusiastic audience.

Inspirational Veterans Day remarks were offered by Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett and Commission on Veterans Affairs Chair, Bill Gray.

Montgomery County Council President Andrews and Councilmembers Valerie Ervin and Duchy Trachtenberg presented County Council proclamations to Buffalo Soldiers Joseph Hairston and James Daugherty. And we recognized another Buffalo Soldier in the audience, Mr. Charles Williams.

A Certificate of Appreciation from County Executive Leggett was presented to Rebuilding Together Montgomery County for its work in helping to make the homes of our veterans safe and accessible.

Seen in the audience were State Delegate Tom and Amy Fortin-Hucker, Montgomery County Councilmember Marc Elrich, Robert Quinn, Chair, Rebuilding Together Montgomery County, Lorrie Knight-Majors, Montgomery County Commission on Veterans Affairs, Ann Humphrey, Office of Representative Chris Van Hollen, Greg Hamilton, Vietnam Veterans of America, Ida Campbell, WPFW, and community representatives Anita Morrison, Charlotte Coffield, Woody Brosnan, and Evan Glass.

Thanks to Silver Spring Town Center, Inc. Board members Alan Bowser, Jon Lourie, Graciela Jaschek, Aurelia Martin, Mark Kozaki, Don Berkemeyer, Jennifer Nettles, Jack Hewitt, David Fogel, Beth Wong, Mary Ann Zimmerman, and Sheryl Brissett-Chapman for their support and hard work.

Silver Spring Veterans Concerts features Jonny Grave, Memphis Gold & Jay Summerour

Please join us for the Silver Spring Town Center, Inc.’s Tribute to America’s Veterans benefit concert on Tuesday, November 10, 2009 at the Round House Theatre in Silver Spring. The concert is sponsored by the Silver Spring Town Center, Inc., in partnership with the Montgomery County Commission on Veterans Affairs and Building Bridges America, Inc.

This exciting evening of entertainment will feature performances by Silver Spring’s own singer-songwriter Jonny Grave and the dazzling blues duo Memphis Gold and Jay Summerour.

Proceeds from this exciting musical event will benefit, “Rebuilding Together Montgomery,” a non-profit housing organization that assists veterans through home renovations. There will also be remarks by Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett and special presentations to famed Buffalo Soldiers Joseph Hairston and James Harden Daugherty by members of the Montgomery County Council.

Doors open at 7 pm. The program begins at 7:30 pm. Please join us for an exciting evening of entertainment to salute our Veterans community in Montgomery County.

The Round House Theatre is located at 8641 Colesville Road, Silver Spring, Maryland.

Tickets are $20.00 each. For ticket reservations, email silverspringtowncenter@gmail.com or call Alan Bowser at 301-523-6659.

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