The news of James Ingram's sudden passing just rocked the social media world yesterday (Jan 29th, 2019.)
Anyone that loves classic R&B music and those of us that remember when Ingram's 1st hit was new...is in mourning.
On a day like today, I don't count the Grammy Awards or record sales.
I do reflect on the fact that James Ingram burst on the scene at a very special time in my life. I had not accomplished that much, but the world and future seemed so bright.
I was still in junior high school and my brother and I would listen to the radio on an old stereo that sat in our living room. If you've never seen a "floor model" stereo? We had one that had a record player (broke after 5 years and could not get the needle replaced), an 8 track tape deck (we had about seven 8 track tapes) and a FM/AM radio. Of course the stereo was huge, took 4 people to move it. Those stereos were actually beautifully wood carved. On Saturday afternoons my dad played all his classic Gospel music and during the week...my brother, Mark and I ran the stereo.
We would bug the local radio station DJ's and ask for our favorite songs and yell like we won The NBA finals when the DJ's would actually say our names with the request. (I know no big deal now days.)
It was on one of those midweek days when DJ, Diane Pryor dropped "a new single from the upcoming Quincy Jones LP called The Dude." The song was "Just Once." And it was always announced the same way ..."Just Once from Quincy Jones's new album The Dude, featuring James Ingram."
Last night I needed a hug. Because ...James Ingram did have Grammy Awards but never got the credit as a vocalist he deserved. Because...Ingram's voice was a gift from God that will never be replaced. Mostly because I remember the first time and the first 10 times I heard "Just Once." His music made me feel young and happy (hey I had not yet been in a Just Once situation, in my life yet.)
I need a hug because this "celebrity" passing reminds me that the world will never be like 1981 for me again and that makes me feel old and sad.
My prayers our with his family, his friends and fans.
You Gave Your Best....and It Was More Than Good Enough!
That we were both born in January. That I was alive at the same time as he (although just so briefly before his murder.)
That I have never believed that America as a whole has owned up to it's role in his murder. I have never believed that Black people in America as a whole have lived up to his incredible sacrifice.
One day may we wake up and realize what we had in Malcolm X and Dr. King and in their widows. And out of our shame...and pride.
May we finally do better as a country, as a people and to each other.
___________
Today By Raymond Tyler
Today I still see the reflection
Of Dr. King
not many of the physical rewards of his sacrifice...
I see his reflection staring back at me in a glass of water
every time I have to take a meeting
with people that know half as much as I do
telling me I should be happy to sit at the table
but when I try and eat what I need
put what I want on the plate
they remind me
"YOU AIN'T REALLY WELCOME HERE
YOU JUST TAKE ENOUGH
TO MAKE IT
LOOK LIKE
YOU EATING
Today...
we'll give you what we want you to have... we'll put what we think your struggle is worth on the plate we'll tell you how much the people that sent you are entitled to eat this is New Jersey The year is still 2019. Don't You EVER forget the time Don't you NEVER forget your PLACE"
For the first time in many years only 1 of my top 5 shows were on premium cable. Although we still have to thank HBO and Show Time for their platform which forced the major and minor networks to create fresh programming.
My plan was to just write about my top 5 but I will include my top ten.
10. Modern Family on ABC (Almost slipped out of my top 10. In 2018 Modern family was just a nudge better than This Is Us on NBC (This is Us is still the best drama.) Number 9. The Big Bang Theory on CBS (Really hitting some good writing this year , which is it's last)/ I felt the need to book end this with 8.Young Sheldon a prequel to Big Bang.
Number
7. Black-Ish- (Out of no where this show got funny.)
Number 6. Fear The Walking Dead (The shake ups on this show were needed and now this show is much better than the original Walking Dead series.)
Number 5. Barry on HBO
Think James Bond as a dark dark comedy featuring SNL alum Bill Hader.
Honestly it watches like a well polished SNL Sketch.
The premise is that Barry is a hitman that wants to become an actor and dark comedy ensues.
Come for Barry and enjoy TV legend Henry Winkler as gravy.
This show should stay fresh without shark jumping for some time.
Number 4. The Guest Book on TBS
From the minds of My Name Is Earl comes season 2 of this anthology series that really explores the human experience.
We get some great snap shots of people we may never run into during real life.
If you ever wondered what goes through the mind of the people on vacation in the bungalow across from yours? This is your show.
And each week featured wonder guest stars.
Number 3. The Neighborhood on CBS
Cedrick The Entertainer produces this mix of The Odd Couple meets The Jeffersons.
Cedrick's character doesn't specifically like or hate Max Greenfield (who played SCHMIDT wonderfully on the TV show NEW GIRL) as his new neighbor. As the shows unfold we find there's reason behind Calvin's (Cedrick's) hostility.
The last show before Christmas left me soundly flat, so I hope they find a way to make the show great again.
Number 2. Single Parents on ABC
From the creator of Fox's New Girl comes this comedy about a group of Single Parents.
Producer Elizabeth Meriweather has struck platinum with her latest ensemble show.
And I am so happy because Brad Garrett is a comedy talent unlike any other.
I had been hoping for a great show to find him since Til Death which was a great show that should have ran a little longer.
In Single Parents , Garrett holds together a great cast of fresh faces and diverse faces.
He also shines when working with the children who are solid as well.
This is a funny show with tremendous heart but does not try too hard.
It strikes a perfect balance and by the end of each show you have laughed and thought.
Number 1. The Rel Show on FOX Easily my number one pick for 2018 is The Rel Show.
I can not give this show enough great words.
I do fear that because this show has a sincerely Black cast (set in Chicago) it may not survive. My white friends should not let the black cast fool you!
This show is the best show on television right now and the themes are universal.
I cannot understand why shows that reveal people of color to be more than cartoons struggle. Especially when they do not feel the need to bring in "white" cast members.
When Modern Family was the best show on TV, I told my friends of all back grounds to watch because the show was and is great. (And I believe Modern Family went 4 full seasons without a Black guest star of any kind.)
This goes the same for REL.
The show is funny, however the minds behind it have tackled some issues around death and dying and coping that every one that has lived through tradgedy can relate to.
In ways Rel reminds me of ROC (which is about the highest compliment I could pay any TV show.) Rel (like ROC) brings to the screen topics I would think most shows are scared to touch.
If This Is Us was written by Norman Lear and Jerrod Carmicheal it would be The Rel Show.
The entire core cast including Rel Lowery, Sinbad, Jordan L. Jones and Jess Hilarious do a great job every time they are on.
Shout out to Kyla Pratt who was a great guest star that gave a performance that should have gotten her an Emmy nod.
YOU MOST LIKELY HAVE NOT SEEN IT. Watch it on demand or stream REL on the Fox ap and tell your friends, blog, tweet and facebook about it.
