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LIVE AND IN CONCERT WITH THE LEGENDARY SMOKEY ROBINSON!

by BELINDA
written by BELINDA

Smokey Robinson is a Legendary Miracle. He continues to sell out his concert venues worldwide and Saturday night was no different at the L.I.U Tilles Center in Brookville, NY. Smokey was looking so sharp in his beautiful orange soft leather suit, while he opened up the show with his hit song “Being With You” receiving a standing ovation.  From there, he took off his jacket and threw it on the floor stage as he transitioned into “You Really Got A Hold On Me”, the audience roared, screamed and cheered him on.  As one L.I.U student said to me “who doesn’t love “Smokey Robinson”, “I grew up on his music because my parents played a lot of Motown music and it just wasn’t about the “Beatles” all the time.

Smokey Robinson is a legend in his own right and a prolific entertainer. He has been sharing his voice with the world for over four decades.  He has received numerous awards including the “Grammy Living Legend Award, NARAS Lifetime Achievement Award, Honorary Doctorate (Howard University), Kennedy Center Honors and the National Medal of Arts Award from the President of the United States. He has also been inducted into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters’ Hall of Fame”.

The Smokey Experience

When you go to a “Smokey” concert be prepared for non-stop entertainment from start to finish. You know love is in the air as he comes on stage and morphs into a Motown singing machine. His iconic style, sound, and groove will keep you on the edge of your seat and when it’s over you will say to yourself when is the next “Smokey concert”.  Mr. Robinson delivered some of his biggest hits including, “Quiet Storm” and “Ooh Baby Baby” much to the audiences delight.

Smokey Robinson engages his audience with lots of musical stories, he loves to bring Smokey fans on the stage to sing & dance with him and they hang on to every song he sings. He makes you feel like your the only one he is singing to and that is a special gift. Smokey continued with old-school favorites like ” You Really Got A Hold On Me, “Tears Of A Clown”, “I Second That Emotion” and many others.

Smokey, his band, and backup singers really shined when they finished out the show with his classic hit “Cruisin”. When he started singing, you could hear the massive cheers of the crowd. It certainly was worth the wait as he encouraged the audience to sing with him from one side of the Theater to the next. Smokey closed the show with the crowd on their feet giving him a standing ovation that seemed never-ending and timeless.


Wal-Mart.com USA, LLCTicketflyhttp://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=70&u=1536390&m=47&urllink=&afftrack=

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LIFESTYLE

END YOUR SUMMER VACATION AT “MARTHA’S VINEYARD”

by BELINDA
written by BELINDA

“Martha’s Vineyard” is the perfect island to end your summer rendezvous for the “Traveler” on a budget. Known for its combination of aristocratic culture and New England charm, I  suggest going the week before Labor Day to be a perfect time.  

The main reason is the opening of school and the end of summer vacations, you can do and see more.  The weather is still perfect and souvenir prices on Tee Shirts, Hats, and other mementos have been drastically reduced.

Cottage Rentals are cheaper if you choose to come later in the summer season!  We rented a lovely cottage with 2 other couples and divided the rent for the week. What fun we had relaxing and going on “Martha Vineyard Tours together as well as dining out and going to the various shops on Circut St in the downtown area of Oak Bluffs. Please remember, Martha’s Vineyard is a place to unwind with great friends and family. It brings family and friends closer together and the experience each and every time you go is one you will never forget. Don’t forget your music playlist.

 

Getting Here     

Part of the fun is getting there. Of course, driving is always a convenient way to go. Bringing a car to the Island can be a much-added expense, so make sure you secure your “Ferry” reservation in advance. Parking can be difficult especially if you go into town, the daily parking fees can add up. Make sure you check out parking prices for where you are staying.

You can take a “Jet Blue Flight into MVY airport and Uber to where you are lodging or catch an Amtrak Train to Kingston or Providence RI Stations then Uber or Lyft yourself to the Ferry. Once you get off the Ferry, your fun begins.

BREAKFAST STOP!

One of the best places to eat breakfast is “Linda Jeans Restaurant”, located on Circut street in Oak Bluffs, they offer a variety of breakfast food that tastes like Mom’s cooking. Please note, there is no fast food drive thru’s in “Martha Vineyard”.  I had the best “Green Eggs and Ham” & for the Coffee Connoisseur, their fresh brewed cup of Joe is to die for.

Linda Jean’s Restuarant!

Green Eggs and Ham & Mushroom Omelette @ “Linda Jeans Restaurant”

DINNER

There are many restaurants in “Martha’s Vineyard”, I can name a few but, if you are looking for fresh and tasty Thai food with a great atmosphere and courteous staff, check out The Bangkok Cuisine Restuarant. This is the best place to go for their “Bangkok Chicken” and my favorite drink Thai Tea.

Bangkok Chicken
     Thai Tea
BANGKOK CHICKEN! LOVE THEIR THAI TEA!
THE TOUR

“Martha’s Vineyard” has a lot of beauty, grace, and history, many people are surprised to learn there are no Vineyards on the island.  Wines produced from grapes grown on the Chappaquiddick Island and Martha’s Vineyard island can be sold with labels that carry the Martha’s Vineyard AVA designation”. “Martha’s Vineyard was the home to the winemaker Chicama Vineyards in West Tisbury, it closed after 37 years on August 10, 2008”.

The Tour bus will pick you up at the Ferry Dock in Oaks Bluff for the Historical sightseeing tours. Some of what we learned on the “Martha’s Vineyard” Tour is: “Jaws” was Filmed at Martha’s Vineyard and John Belushi is buried there because of his love for the island.

John Belushi’s Grave!

The Movie “The Inkwell was filmed here with Larenz Tate!

Inkwell Beach 

 

 

TIME TO GO HOME

Unfortunately, when you’re having a good time, it goes by fast. Every time we come to Martha’s Vineyard it’s an adventure, there is always something to do, something new to eat and places to go especially the Beaches. So, the next time you’re here make it a fun-filled trip with friends and family!

 

 

Find your home away from home - Enjoy Vacation rental deals plys get $25 off $500

 

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LIFESTYLE

THE HEALING POWER OF MUSIC!

by evan625
written by evan625

I read an incredible story about a 101-year-old woman with dementia. She had a stroke in her 80’s which seemed to be the cause of her debilitating illness. She cannot remember where she is or who she met yesterday, but It’s been said she can play over 400 songs on the piano by memory.

MUSIC HEALS

Ever dance around the house while listening to some good old R&B or Jazz.  We’re all guilty of it, the feeling that comes over you when you hear a song that makes you feel so good, it can actually put you in a state of euphoria.

Depending on the type of music, how fast or slow, it can help to mend one’s state of mind. Most music lovers tend to look at it as entertainment. But, it has been proven that music is definitely good for healing the soul. People who go into music therapy talk about how rewarding it is to help patients recover their speech after a Stroke or reduce the stress levels of chemotherapy through the technique of music therapy.

Music has been known to help with Depression. Researchers in Finland found that stroke victims who listened to music 2 hours a day showed remarkable improvement in their memory and attention span.

Think about it, when you hear a favorite song, it can take you back to a good place in your life. Music can stimulate the mind and sooth the soul. Music is a universal language that appeals to all of us.

Billy Joel, a favorite musician of mine once said,  “I think music in itself is healing, it’s an explosive expression of Humanity, it’s something we all are touched by, no matter what culture we’re from”.

So, the next time you are feeling a little down or less energetic (of course ruling out any serious problem) put on some good old soothing R&B or Jazz. It’s nice to know there is something enjoyable and therapeutic out there you can do to improve your state of mind and even your health.

Remember the O’Jays song ” I Love Music, music is the healing voice of the world “

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44sA-2gj9v8

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FESTIVALSLIFESTYLE

THE “ESSENCE ” OF IT ALL @ #ESSENCEFEST 2017 IN NEW ORLEANS!

by BELINDA
written by BELINDA
The best way to describe the Essence Festival is, it’s one big celebration of fun, good food, entertainment and partying 24/7 and learning about women’s empowerment.  “The Essence Fest” as it is commonly known is full of excitement and very happy people who are walking around in their glory, singing, dancing, eating and just moving. Yes, the Essence Festival is about constant movement, stopping by some of your favorite booths and checking out a brand that may interest you. You will also see some of the Celebrities walking around as well as entertaining the public.  Imagine having four fun full days of movement that never stops.
Start your day with a great Breakfast, you will need it from all the walking around you are going to be doing. You will notice I said with a great Breakfast, not a healthy breakfast.  New Orleans is known for its delicious food. Just remember you are on a mini vacation so eat well. I’m bad right! Enjoy yourself. 
 The best Shrimp and Grits is at Hobnobbers 139 Carondelet St, New Orleans.
Just be sure to wear the most comfortable shoes because the Convention Center is one huge building to walk around in.  I wouldn’t wear heels to the day time activities. It’s just not smart and since this is a lifestyle blog for the over 50+, I cannot emphasize it enough. People take heed to what I am saying, I experienced it with my cute sexy sandals and by the first night, I had to run out and buy an emergency pair of sneakers. My feet were swollen Day 1 of the festival so buying backup sneakers made the rest of my stay perfect. 

The Essence Festival is two-fold. (Day-Time and Evening )   The day-time component of the Festival took place at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans.  It’s free to get in but you have to pay for your meals and it’s set up like an expo with hundreds of booths that have food, entertainment and various Brands of products which automatically captures your attention.
This year’s festival attendees and participants were some of the most prominent people in politics, entertainment, business, activism and beyond. From Iyanla Vanzant, Cissy Houston, Maxine Waters, Ava DuVernay, Halle Berry and a host of others, those women are the epitome of what the “Essence Empowerment Experience” is all about and because of their contributions to society the turn out was extraordinary.
The “Essence Festival” is a field day of fun, entertainment, women’s empowerment, celebration, and commemoration. It’s a must go to every year event and make sure you bring plenty of friends and your walking shoes. The Festival takes place at the Ernest J Morial Convention Center in New Orleans.

You never know who you might see at the Essence Festival!  Here is Anthony Anderson giving out autographs to Fans! 

Two Essence Beauty Queens, Ms. Black Louisana, and Ms. Black Ouachita Parish!

 

The cast of the “Have and Have Nots!  Tyler Lepley, Angela Robinson, and Gavin Houston!

Check out what’s happening at the Essence Festival, there so many things to see and do!

Black is definitely inspiring at the 2017 Essence Festival!

THE CAST OF QUEEN SUGAR!  WOW!

I had the pleasure of seeing the founder of Carol’s Daughter at Essence Fest 2017!

 

Dinner Time at The Bourbon House in the Crowne Plaza New Orleans French Quarter Hotel, Canal St – The best Corn and Crab Soup in Town!

OMG! Best seafood platter in New Orleans

 

“GIRLS TRIP”CAST, IS A SEE ALL BE ALL!

The evening component of the festival is held at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome where Diana Ross, John Legend, Solange, Xscape and a host of other dynamic stars lit up the stage with their great music, lots of dancing and patrons partying for a night to remember.

WALKING OFF THE FOOD ON CANAL STREET!

The “Essence Of It All” is;  come and experience The Essence Festival in New Orleans. Therefore, if you find yourself in New Orleans next year,  the 2018 Essence Festival will begin Friday, July 6 until Monday, July 9, 2018. I guarantee you it will be a fun-filled weekend of empowerment, inspiration, entertainment, and good eats. So start planning now.

CLICK THE LINK BELOW

 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/essence-festival-2018-registration-35925461021

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LIFESTYLE

DANCE CLUB NOSTALGIA IN NYC!

by evan625
written by evan625

Free shipping and the guaranteed lowest price as SamAsh.com

While walking past West 57th street in Manhattan, I had a moment of Dejavu. What came to mind was, I’d been here many times. Friday and Saturday night, I’m talking about the late 70’s, good old 80’s. Those were safe days, clubbing with friends and just having a great time partying.  It was rare the night ended in a shooting at a club. Although on occasion you might see a Bouncer putting some drunk Idiot out. I know many of us can identify with that scene.

Clubs like The Red Parrot, Leviticus, The Silver Shadow, Pegasus, Bentleys and Justine’s just to name a few were the spots that many of us remember.  I am not living in the past but, you have to admit those were the best times of our life. We were young, carefree, could dance until the wee hours of the morning, and still get up and go to work. It was more than about the music. We all knew that special friend that could hustle better than anyone or so we thought.

What a great escape for after work and I remember the free buffet if you arrived by 6 PM. Those same Nightclubs became a meeting ground for social networking and dating along with house parties. Couples dated in those days and an explosion of weddings and long-term relationships contributed to a mini baby boom, you could say brought about by the R&B tunes of the 70’s & the 80s.

TicketCity

 

Dance Clubs such as Bentley’s and the Silver Shadow made you want to dress to impress and were more upscale clubs in the heart of midtown Manhattan. In fact, some of the highly popular disco clubs would feature spectacular lighting which would beam to the beat of the music. In researching some of these clubs, I discovered, in October 1975, the most famous discos were identified as “Leviticus” in New York City, “The Library” in Atlanta, and “Studio One” in Los Angeles. One club in particular known as “Studio 54 played a major role in the growth of nightclub music as well as the growth of the disco fad! Here is a former DJ turned CEO of “Genesis Music Entertainment” Kevin D Woodley, known as “Sugar-Daddy”. He spent many evenings spinning the turntables in some of the most famous Night Clubs in the world, from New York to Singapore. I wanted to share his story because it’s such an interesting read and I’m sure most of us from the 70’s and 80’s era can identify with him!

Link:  http://www.genesismusicent.com/genesismusicent.com/ABOUT_US.html

Save $10 on orders of $300 or more at Ticketnetwork.comRentals From $8.98 A Day 7 Major Car Vendors. Save Up To 40%

 

 




TicketCity

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LIFESTYLER&B Travel & A...

BACKBEATRNB ANNOUNCES THE 2018 SOUL TRAIN CRUISE!

by BELINDA
written by BELINDA

In case you haven’t heard, the 2018 Soul Train Cruise is scheduled to sail Jan 27, 2018-Feb 03, 2018. Sailing from Ft. Lauderdale, FL to St. Maarten, St. Croix and Half Moon Cay Bahamas.  

The Lineup is going to be just fabulous with all of the best old and new school entertainers. Here is a list of the lineup of entertainers:  

  • CHARLIE WILSON

  • EDDIE LEVERT of THE O’JAYS

  • THE POINTER SISTERS

  • JEFFREY OSBORNE

  • THE TEMPTATIONS REVIEW  Featuring DENNIS  EDWARDS

  • THE WHISPERS

  • THE SPINNERS

  • GERALD ALSTON of THE MANHATTANS

  • MARILYN MCCOO AND BILLY DAVIS, JR.

  • HOWARD HEWETT

  • MAXI PRIEST

  • ROSE ROYCE

  • THE TRAMPS featuring EARL YOUNG

  • Cruise Host TONY CORNELIUS

  • MEN OF SOUL starring EDDIE LEVERT, DENNIS EDWARDS, GERALD ALSTON and a special tribute to Gerald Levert

  • THE URBAN GUERILLA ORCHESTRA

  • BARRY WHITE TRIBUTEfeaturing JOURDAN CARROLL

  • ALFREDA GERALD

  • KEITH & LESLIE FERGUSON

  • DJ HOLLYWOOD

  • Co-Host ANGELA STRIBLING Pillow Talk Radio Host

  • Co-Host JERRY WELLS

  • ORIGINAL SOUL TRAIN DANCERS DEREK FLEMING & MONIQUE “MO QUE” CHAMBERS

  • Chicago’s Music Man GEORGE DANIELS

So plan on coming to one of the greatest R&B Cruises of all time!  

CLICK HERE

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LIFESTYLE

5 BEST BACKBEAT R&B DINING PICKS IN THE HARBOR’S EAST END (SAG HARBOR)

by BELINDA
written by BELINDA

Summers coming and the East End is one of the best cool spots on Long Island. There is so much to do and the drive from New York is relaxing as well as scenic. As I drive out to Sag Harbor’s Main St, the smell of food and the cool breeze are just breathtaking. Explore the East End’s eateries in Sag Harbor New York.

Backbeat R&B has selected the  5 best dining picks that will please any palate and create the most memorable meal as well as a great dining experience.

Sag Harbor New York has an elegant charm to it. Once you explore one of our winning picks you will be returning for years to come. The ”Splurge” is worth it.

Presenting five of the best picks in Sag Harbor:

1) MUSE IN THE HARBOR.

Muse in the Harbor 16 Main Street, Sag Harbor. 

Muse in the Harbor 16 Main Street, Sag Harbor. 

My Favorite is Blackened Ahi Tuna.

My Favorite is Blackened Ahi Tuna.

2) Page At 63

Page At 63, 63 Main St, Sag Harbor

Page At 63, 63 Main St, Sag Harbor

3) Sen Restaurant

Yummy Lobster BLT

Yummy Lobster BLT

Sen Restaurant  23 Main Street, Sag Harbor

Sen Restaurant  23 Main Street, Sag Harbor

4) The Corner Bar

1 Main St, Sag Harbor

1 Main St, Sag Harbor

5)  The American Hotel-Fine Dining

Sushi Plate at Sen's

Sushi Plate at Sen’s

The Corner Bar Lobster roll.

45 Main St, Sag Harbor

45 Main St, Sag Harbor

The American's Fresh Catch of the Day!

The American’s Fresh Catch of the Day!

So, if you are looking for a great place to visit this summer, check out Sag Harbor, New York.  Let the sights and the sound of this elegant town melt away all of your worries and transform you into a world of total relaxation. Once you take that stroll down Main Street you will make Sag Harbor a place to visit for years to come.

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LIFESTYLESpotlight

AN EXCLUSIVE WITH KLYMAXX’S FM JOYCE FENDERELLA IRBY !

by evan625
written by evan625

The moment you hear songs like “Meeting in the Ladies Room”, ” I Miss You”, “Good Love” and ” I’d Still Say Yes”!  You automatically think of the 1980’s all-girl band “Klymaxx”.   “Joyce “Fenderella Irby” was lead vocalist and bassist for the hit song ” I Miss You”.  “The 1985 hit peaked at #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and at #1 on the Billboard adult contemporary chart. “I Miss You” remained on the Hot 100 chart for 29 weeks, a long chart run at the time, and good enough to rank it as the third-biggest-selling song of 1986, ahead of several songs that went higher in the top 10 “.

Joyce is very busy these days performing and was kind enough to take time out of her busy schedule to give Backbeat R&B an exclusive interview.

BB:  How long have you been in the music business and how did you get started?

Joyce:   I have been in the business since I was a teenager and I got started by simply playing instruments. I have known George Clinton since I was 16 and he was the first famous person to take an interest in me as a musical artist. He used to see me outside his performance venues in the 70’s and get me into his concerts. After the shows were over, we would go back to a quiet spot and he would listen to me play bass and tell me how wonderful he thought I was. He saw me so much, he started introducing me as his daughter to people…including Prince in LA. We have worked on a couple of projects together over the years. I asked him to come to the studio and produce the Klymaxx song “Sexy”.

Joyce & George Clinton back in the day!

 

 

BB:       Who were your biggest musical influences?

Joyce:  Originally, The Beatles, Stevie Wonder and the Jackson 5!

BB:       What is your favorite Klymaxx song and why?

Joyce:  I’d Still Say Yes” or “The Men All Pause”,  “Say Yes”, because when I perform live, I like singing it the most. “Men All Pause”, cause I wrote and recorded the track and it broke us as artists.

BB:  What is the best piece of advice given to you in this business that you actually followed so far, and one you didn’t but should have?

Joyce:  I actually don’t remember getting much advice outside of “pick your battles carefully”.

BB:    Do you consider the internet and all social media websites crucial to your career?

Joyce:  Not so much because older audiences don’t spend the amount of time browsing social media as younger audiences. Facebook can be a good tool, but there is so much more power online driven by youth services and involvement.

BB:        Do you think you will be performing on the E.Coast in the near future?

Joyce:  I have no idea. There is so much brand confusion!

BB:       Are the Original members singing with the group? The internet is not clear on who is performing now.

Joyce:  There are 3 entities performing as Klymaxx. Cheryl Cooley, the original guitar player has a group that contains no person who ever sang a note on a Klymaxx record.

Bernadette started her own Klymaxx 2 years ago. We used to work together, but she decided she wanted to be a solo artist called Klymaxx.

 I am performing as Joyce Irby and Klymaxx FM. (FM, stands for “Femme Mafia”, or women’s empowerment. ( lifting each other up, rather than tearing each other down)

I sing 3 of our 4 biggest records so at least people get to hear something that sounds familiar. People are confused, and rightly so. I put the “FM” after the name Klymaxx because I wanted people to know it was not the originals. I am not trying to trick anybody.  We have gotten many comments on our FB page www.facebook.com/klymaxxfm about fans being angry after they saw a concert that was not who they thought it was.

TODAY JOYCE IRBY & KLYMAXX FM

I actually am preparing to distance myself from the original Klymaxx even more. I am going to release another solo project shortly and also perform with Klymaxx FM. But I want to reestablish and try vocal brand so people can make the connection with my new music and my older hits with the group. Sort of like Michael McDonald did after leaving the Doobie Brothers. I know if I went to his concert I would at least get his voice on old and new songs.

I never wanted to be a solo artist, but Motown convinced me that I could record an album for them and still be a member of Klymaxx on MCA Records. But the other girls kicked me out immediately. So I did “Mr. DJ” with Doug E Fresh and it was the #1 selling urban single in Billboard a week. I thought, OK, this is not so bad. But I always felt misused and betrayed by the others.

JOYCE “FENDERELLA” IRBY & DOUG E FRESH

BB:  Do you have a favorite R&B singer?

Joyce:  Not really, but I always loved Luther Vandross. There is a ton of talent everywhere. There are random people on youtube who are amazing. I like lots of people I don’t even know their names, but I come across singers I admire all the time. And I am equally a pop music fan. I love hearing young ladies playing folk-sounding music on acoustic guitar while singing poetry.

BB:   One of your fans (a Friend of mine) wants to know if there are any Artist that you would love to collaborate with and where?

Joyce:   At this point, I don’t think so. It is an honor to have “a fan” at this point, so I am grateful for the interest. I hope there will be some younger artist who says, “Hey I remember her voice and it still sounds great”. I would love to have her do a hook on my next record”.

BB:        Do you have any new projects in the works?

Joyce:    My business partner Mr. Wirlie Morris and I have just started the AIE Group (Atlanta International Entertainment Group). With that being said, it’s just me & Klymaxx FM and I have a 14-year-old who sings and raps in English and Spanish named Angel Diaz, that I am very excited about.

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LIFESTYLENews

RIP AL JARREAU !

by evan625
written by evan625

One of our greatest legends of Jazz has died, Al Jarreau a seven-time Grammy award winning Artist passed away on February 17, 2017, at the age of 76. He had recently announced his retirement from touring engagements due to exhaustion. Over the years he endured cardiac and respiratory issues.

  Mr. Jarreau had been touring for nearly 50 years and throughout his career, he was best known for his versatility and won 7 Grammys overall and did so across the Pop, Jazz, and R&B categories. Known to his wider audiences for the 1980’s theme to “MoonLighting” (An American tv show which starred Bruce Willis and Cybil Shepherd) he dominated the R&B charts with hits like “Were In this Love Together”, “Your Precious Love” and Trouble in Paradise”. His singing style made him one of greatest Jazz vocalist in the industry.  Fans around the world will miss his live performances however, his music will live on forever. R.I.P Mr. Jarreau!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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