The marvelous Miss Melba Moore recently visited So Booking Cool to discuss her thoughts on her accomplishments and honors (next year she will receive her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and next month, she will be awarded with not one but two, presidential honors); whether or not music is vibrational; if she still trains as a vocalist decades later; her thoughts on the current state of R&B; … Read the rest
Music fans, especially in the R&B space, have been celebrating Usher since his viral Tiny Desk performance. He performed a few of his countless hits including “You Make Me Wanna” (1997); “U don’t Have to Call” (2002); and “Confessions” (2004). He even sang the fan-favorite, non-single, “Superstar” (although, it wouldn’t be a stretch to say every song on the Confessions album is a fan-favorite). As Usher continues to bring the … Read the rest
To say the recent Verzuz headlined by Omarion and Mario set social media ablaze is an understatement. The historical event spawned and continues to spur lively conversation about showmanship, respect, and R&B as a whole. Regardless of your position, it is undeniable that this Verzuz moment was deeply nostalgic for many fans who came up during a certain time. Here are some of SBC’s top 7 favorite songs from artists … Read the rest
The relationship that R&B and jazz songstress Alyson Williams has with reading today stems from her childhood, which included vigorous academic requirements. “I don’t want to sound like it’s an excuse, I love books,” she tells So Booking Cool. “I physically love a book, the opening, the closing, the spine, the feel of a book, the smell of a book—I love books. But I find—and this is something people may … Read the rest
Before becoming a hit songstress and newly Soul Music Hall of Famer for Best Female Artist, Alyson Williams once felt she had to hide her love for music from her school peers. “I realized at an early age the music that I was surrounded by and the music that I loved was different than the music that all my other friends were into,” the “Just Call My Name” singer recalls … Read the rest
Veteran songwriter and Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member, Mr. Layng Martine, Jr., is in a different world now, one that no longer involves music. His book has become his passion and mission. “If I meet someone and they sound in any way interested in my book, if I have one in my car, I give it to them,” the Permission to Fly author tells So Booking Cool… Read the rest
He’s written hits for the likes of Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, the Pointer Sisters, Reba McEntire, and Billy “Crash” Craddock (whose “Rub it In” song inspired the “Plug it In” jingle) to name a few. He wrote an essay about his marriage of 54 years for the New York Times Modern Love column that moved the world. Now, he has written his debut bestseller, Permission to Fly: A Memoir … Read the rest
Dionne Warwick embodies staying power. The legendary songstress, philanthropist, author, and entrepreneur has been active in her career for 56+ years. Yes, you read that correctly. She has 56 Billboard hits to her name and has sold beyond 100 million records. The Recording Academy recently awarded her with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Special Merit Awards, which precedes the Grammys. Did we mention Ms. Warwick has 5 … Read the rest
