Episode 82. This very special episode of the BAAS Entertainment Podcast highlights the amazing performers - Steven Kroon, Ty Stephens and Carla Cook - who will be part of the BAAS Entertainment Gala taking place on September 16, 2023. These three amazing performers are friends who share a love of crossing musical genres. They are planning an amazing evening of music to benefit two special charities, Chelsea's Charity and The Ana Grace Project. The first annual BAAS Entertainment Benefit Gala will be held at Edmond Town Hall (45 Main Street, Newtown, CT) on Saturday, September 16. VIP tickets ($150) include upfront seating, plus a pre-show VIP reception with artist meet and greet, hors d'oeuvres, beverages, and an incredible swag bag full of goodies. Regular tickets are $50 each. This is a show you will remember for the rest of your life.Ty Stephens started as a dancer, which brought him to New York and gave him the opportunity to perform in back-to-back Broadway shows. Knowing that the career of a dancer is limited, he transitioned into a singer, helped by the legendary Gregory Hines, establishing a career as a performer that has taken him around the world. His style is uniquely his own, centered around 70’s R&B, with jazz, soul, funk, and Broadway, all mixed together.Steven Kroon got his start in Spanish Harlem in the early 1950s. His father was a musicologist who always played Spanish music in their home. Many of the legendary musicians he listened to, including Tito Puente, lived in the area. Later, they moved to Queens, and were immersed in the music of his neighborhood, which was filled with performers and producers. Count Basie lived four blocks away. All of the combinations of cultures and sounds created Kroon’s distinctive style. The break that changed his life was when he had an opportunity to audition for Luther Vandross. He got the gig and ended up working with Luther for 20 years. He learned so much working with all of the stellar musicians around Luther. Being around Luther, he learned so much about the industry since Luther was so hands-on with everything he did. He also earned the opportunity to work with legendary jazz double bassist Ron Carter. Working with Vandross and Carter exposed Kroon to the very top R&B and jazz artists in the world. After 20 years, he decided it was time to “do me,” left those groups to record on his own and blaze his own path. He created a masterpiece with many of the musicians he worked with. He is blessed, proud and happy now to be able to do what he wants to do.Carla Cook got her start in the church in Detroit, and always loved to sing in choirs. Her brother loved jazz, giving her an early exposure to the music. Being in Detroit, her high school years were filled with the sounds of Motown. She moved to Boston, and formed the first of several jazz ensembles, gigging at jazz clubs and private events. She moved to New York in 1990, where she began performing regularly on the jazz scene. Her debut album, “It’s All About Love,” earned an AFIM-Indie award and a Grammy nomination, and widespread critical acclaim for her two subsequent recordings, “Dem Bones,” and “Simply Natural”. She is currently a jazz vocal instructor at The Juilliard School.Listen and subscribe to the BAAS Entertainment Podcast on Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Deezer, iHeartRadio, Pandora, Podchaser, Spotify, Stitcher and TuneIn. “Hey, Alexa. Play the BAAS Entertainment Podcast.”

Episode 81. Host Troy Saunders has his latest conversation with composer, vocalist and jazz soloist Fostina Dixon. She is an instrumentalist who plays soprano, alto and baritone saxes; flute; and clarinet. Troy starts off by expressing his astonishment at who Dixon has performed with, a list that includes Cab Calloway, Sammy Davis, Jr., Prince, and Marvin Gaye.Fostina talks about the early days when everyone played an instrument in schools. She began on a plastic clarinet and eventually got a wooden clarinet, which led to her musical education. As an educator, she is sorry about the decline of music education in school, and the rise of behavioral issues that educators need to deal with among students. Today, even schools that have music programs make students purchase their own instruments and music isn’t a core part of the curriculum.In this free-wheeling, wide-ranging interview, Fostina discusses everything from how she got started, came to work with so many legends, her views on the current jazz scene, and the difficulty in crossing over into different genres. There is also a very interesting discussion about Fostina’s feelings on indie artists having to promote themselves on social media and producing their own music. That discussion leads into a deep conversation about the current state of jazz music and how hard it can be for jazz artists in today’s market. Venues are not paying artists as much as they did prior to the pandemic, and even tours of Europe that used to be lucrative have slowed down, creating challenges for anyone who wants to make their career in jazz.Fostina’s latest album is "New Beginnings," which is now available, along with her complete discography which includes “Leave the Door Open,” “Get on the Floor,” “Vertical Alignment,” “Here We Go Again,” and “Yesterday, Today, & Forever”. Her style is in the pocket, soul-stirring and funky and her improvisation is upbeat and passionate. Troy spins clips from several pieces during the interview and hopes everyone will check out the full tracks from this unique and mesmerizing performer.Listen and subscribe to the BAAS Entertainment Podcast on Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Deezer, iHeartRadio, Pandora, Podchaser, Spotify, Stitcher and TuneIn. “Hey, Alexa. Play the BAAS Entertainment Podcast.”

Episode 80. Host Troy Saunders has his latest conversation with the legendary Helen Scott, one the founders of The Three Degrees, best known for their 1973 worldwide hit, “When Will I See You Again”. The Three Degrees have been doing it and doing it strong for over 60 years and this special episode will focus on their incredible career.Their manager Richard Barrett brought three young teenagers, Scott, Fayette Pinkney and Janet Harmon, together in Philadelphia. The three didn’t know each other before joining the group, which recorded for the Philly-based Swan Records. They scored their first hit in 1965 with the single “Gee Baby (I'm Sorry),” which Troy plays a sample of.Troy says that The Three Degrees helped initiate Philadelphia International Records (“You can say it, I won’t” quips Scott). Philly International is the legendary Kenneth Gamble & Leon Huff soul label that featured The O'Jays, Patti LaBelle, Teddy Pendergrass, and McFadden & Whitehead. Philadelphia International Records created a musical legacy that culminated in "TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia)," the 1974 hit recording by MFSB featuring vocals by The Three Degrees that was the theme for “Soul Train,” the first TV theme song (and perhaps the first disco song) to reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100. When Don Cornelius refused to allow any references to “Soul Train” in the single release, The Three Degrees’ singing of the title was removed. But, the group would achieve their own major commercial success when “When Will I See You Again” became a hit later that year.Troy and Helen discuss how The Three Degrees had tremendous success in the U.K., where they performed for Prince Charles’ 30th birthday celebration at Buckingham Palace. Not only did they tour the palace before most people were able to do so, but they were invited to attend the wedding reception of Prince Charles and Lady Diana, among the few Americans invited. The press even nicknamed The Three Degrees as “Charlie’s Angels”. The group performed for almost every member of the royal family in support of their various trusts and charities.Helen is proud that The Three Degrees have maintained that name since 1963. It’s been a joyful ride that not many groups have been able to accomplish. The conversation covers the wide range of styles that the group covered throughout their career and Helen is very open and candid in telling their amazing story. She also shares her suggestions to new artists who are just beginning their musical journey. This episode is a memorable dive into a great musical journey from the legendary singer who lived it.Listen and subscribe to the BAAS Entertainment Podcast on Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Deezer, iHeartRadio, Pandora, Podchaser, Spotify, Stitcher and TuneIn. “Hey, Alexa. Play the BAAS Entertainment Podcast.”

Episode 79. Host Troy Saunders has his latest conversation with award-winning soul singer and songwriter Teri Tobin. Her music is uplifting and soothing, from the heart, a spiritual experience, all in one beautiful package.Teri does the interview from her home in Arizona. She was born there, raised in Southern California, lived all over the place, eventually ending up in Houston. After a hurricane damaged her home and caused her to lose her job, she decided it was time to go back home to be with her family.Teri has performed from a very young age, starting in church, and then getting signed as a teenager to a deal as part of an R&B and hip-hop soul act. When that project faltered, she pursued a promised solo deal that never materialized, before finally finding her place at Howard University, where she found her footing and developed her signature sound of hybrid musical influences from soulful rock to jazzy R&B. Album releases include “Love Infinity” (2011), “Good To Me” (2012), and “Truth Is” (2014).Since her last album, she’s dealt with writer’s block and a severe bout of COVID that affected her voice, so it’s never been the same. She shares a touching story about how when she recorded a song with her “new” voice, she was forced to re-record the lead vocals and face new challenges while still in recovery, which helped her build her confidence to keep making music.She’s currently working on her fifth album, “Forever,” and discusses how she is a true indie artist. She has produced and recorded almost all of her own music, and handles every aspect of her music and career. She’s hoping that the new album will be out by the fall, so follow her social media accounts for news about the upcoming release and her performance schedule.Listen and subscribe to the BAAS Entertainment Podcast on Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Deezer, iHeartRadio, Pandora, Podchaser, Spotify, Stitcher and TuneIn. “Hey, Alexa. Play the BAAS Entertainment Podcast.”

Episode 78. Host Troy Saunders has his latest conversation with two of the baddest brothers on the planet. Music producer Regi Myrix and singer/songwriter/engineer Lamar Kelsey are here to discuss their collaboration "Souladelica" EP and new single, “If You Don’t Mind,” which recently debuted at #2 on the UK Soul Breakers Chart.Regi Myrix, CEO of Myrix Media Group, is a R&B and soul music producer and multi-instrumentalist. He has a lifetime love of music, beginning with local gigs in New Jersey, eventually becoming an in-demand producer with many artist production credits that have hit the charts in the United States and United Kingdom. Regi is making his return to the BAAS Entertainment Podcast, so go check out that episode for more of his music.New Jersey-based Lamar “L-Unique” Kelsey started off as a rapper, making his mark as an R&B singer and highly sought-after vocal coach.Myrix and Kelsey discuss their creative process and how all of the best music comes straight from the heart. Kelsey says that he always sings how he feels and he’s never reading anything when he’s in the studio recording, which comes across as real on the record.“If You Don’t Mind” is a Nigel Lowis remixed track from their original 2012 collaboration on L-Unique’s album, “I Can’t Go On Like This”. Troy and Regi agree that is an amazing record that didn’t receive the promo it deserved back in the day. Troy plays clips from several tracks on that album, including “Step Song” and “Sex Me While I’m Driving,” which still sound amazing. Regi reveals that they may re-release other tracks from that album so they get the attention they deserve. The original album is available for streaming and is worth adding to your playlists.Troy hadn’t been able to hear the remix of “If You Don’t Mind” since it isn’t available in the United States yet. Regi promised to send it to Troy as soon as the interview was over (and which Troy reminded Regi several times that he’s waiting for!) Regi came through and Troy played a clip of the U.S. premiere right on this episode! Listen for the official release of the full song in the U.S. in two weeks. Listeners in the United Kingdom can check it out now!Listen and subscribe to the BAAS Entertainment Podcast on Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Deezer, iHeartRadio, Pandora, Podchaser, Spotify, Stitcher and TuneIn. “Hey, Alexa. Play the BAAS Entertainment Podcast.”

Episode 77. Host Troy Saunders has his latest conversation with an artist who has been on the indie soul scene since 1999. We love her sound, her music, and her spirit, and her name is Hil St. Soul.Hil was born in Zambia and moved with her family to the United Kingdom at a very young age. Being from an African family, education was extremely important, and she studied biology and chemistry, along with literature, although she never planned to pursue a career in the sciences. As she was finishing university, she started to focus on her musical path, and her songwriting benefited from her background in English literature and her ability to tell a story and express her emotions.Hil’s goal from the beginning was to make music that was timeless, like the idols she grew up listening to. She has always been drawn to powerful female vocalists like Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Chaka Khan, and Gladys Knight, and continues to love artists like Lauren Hill, Erykah Badu, and Jill Scott.St. Soul tells the story of how when she first started to pursue her music career, she had no idea how to get into the industry. She found a studio in some music magazine and recorded a demo. The owner of the studio heard the demo and told her she had an amazing voice and should start working with producers. The demo wound up in the hands of an A&R person for Dome Records, which ended up being the first label to sign her.She has released six records during her career. After her Dome Records debut, “Soul Organic” (1999), she followed up with “Copasetik and Cool” (2002), “SOULidified” (2006), “Black Rose” (2008) - which earned her highest chart position, #21 in the U.S. Billboard Hip-Hop and R&B chart, “Release” (a 2009 compilation album), and her most recent release, “Back In Love” (2022).Listen and subscribe to the BAAS Entertainment Podcast on Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Deezer, iHeartRadio, Pandora, Podchaser, Spotify, Stitcher and TuneIn. “Hey, Alexa. Play the BAAS Entertainment Podcast.”

Episode 76. Host Troy Saunders has his latest conversation with bass player, producer, TV composer and engineer, “Keeper of the Low Notes,” Melvin Lee Davis. Did you know that Melvin’s playing on the classic “Soul Train” theme from the 1980s? That’s just one amazing fact you’ll learn about the baddest bass player you’ll ever hear.Davis shares the story of how he started working with Don Cornelius, and basically became the staff bass player for Don Cornelius Productions for several years.Davis’ philosophy is to avoid writing for specific genres. He plays and writes what he feels at a particular moment. At one time, he hated being called a “funk bassist,” because he feels it limited him to that genre. When making music, it’s important to be able to wear many hats, representing all of the different genres, and be open to all forms of music. This lets a musician be able to step into any session or opportunity and not be mediocre.Davis is one of the few bass players who plays a seven-string instrument. Davis designed his seven-string bass on his own, and had it custom made by Ken Smith Bass to his specifications. Why does he need seven strings? It gives him more range in his role as a bass player, allowing him to play in higher and lower ranges when the song calls for it.Davis’ latest project is Output/Input, which he founded with Hamish Stuart from Average White Band, Chaka Khan, and Paul McCartney. They have been releasing singles, and their debut  album, “Forward Motion,” is coming soon.Los Angeles native Melvin Lee Davis was discovered at the tender age of 16 by Buddy Miles, when a horn player from Buddy Miles' band heard Melvin playing in a local club. Buddy Miles flew Davis to New York to audition for his band and immediately hired him. After playing the New York club circuit, Melvin found himself working with Don Cornelius of “Soul Train”. He has toured and recorded with the Pointer Sisters, Lee Ritenour, Bryan Ferry, David Benoit, Larry Carlton, Patti Austin, Gladys Knight, and many other top acts. Notably, he played on a number of Will Downing’s releases, and has served as musical director for Chaka Khan.Along with "Soul Train's A Coming," Davis wrote the theme for the TV show "The Party Machine," and has appeared on TV with Johnny Carson, David Letterman, Jay Leno, and Arsenio Hall. Melvin has traveled the world and continues to be in high demand across many genres of music because of his incredible talent and positive demeanor on and off stage.Listen and subscribe to the BAAS Entertainment Podcast on Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Deezer, iHeartRadio, Pandora, Podchaser, Spotify, Stitcher and TuneIn. “Hey, Alexa. Play the BAAS Entertainment Podcast.”

Episode 75. Host Troy Saunders has an engaging conversation with soul and R&B singer Noel Gourdin. Gourdin is best known for his chart-topping hit “The River,” but this interview explores a deeper retrospective into Gourdin’s life and stellar 20-year career. Gourdin’s music smoothly incorporates classic soul, R&B, and hip hop, bringing styles from different eras together to create something uniquely his own.Gourdin signed a record deal with Sony at age 24, releasing “After My Time” in 2008. That massive success was followed by “Fresh: The Definition” (2011), and “City Heart, Southern Soul” (2014). All three albums are worth listening to, as well as various singles and EPs he released over the years.Gourdin talks about how he makes sure every record he releases isn’t “wasted” and they get the attention they deserve. Troy and Gourdin discuss how important it is to make a great impression for every song that’s released since you never know when someone is hearing an artist for the first time and you want to make sure to earn their attention. Gourdin wants to always be memorable when people hear his records.Gourdin shares a little-known fact that Frank Ocean (under his original name, Christopher Breaux) was part of Gourdin’s debut album, “After My Time,” and he remembers hanging out with him at Chipotle. Gourdin explains how fortunate he was to make that album with so many talented people and it remains an extraordinary moment in his career. This classic album is still available, so go out and buy it!What would Gourdin say to someone breaking into the industry now? “Be yourself. Don’t try to be like anybody else.” If someone gives you a no, that means you’re not supposed to be there. But, that yes will change your life. Keep on moving, keep on pushing, and look for those vindication moments. “If you have a passion for it, you will rise. The cream rises.”They close out with his latest single, “Get To You,” along with “Gatcha,” both of which will be included on his upcoming EP. Be sure to check out the latest from this amazing artist.Listen and subscribe to the BAAS Entertainment Podcast on Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Deezer, iHeartRadio, Pandora, Podchaser, Spotify, Stitcher and TuneIn. “Hey, Alexa. Play the BAAS Entertainment Podcast.”

Episode 74. Host Troy Saunders interviews soul singer and songwriter, Cornell CC Carter. He’s always smooth and on point and we’re here for it! Cornell called in from the United Kingdom, where he’s working on collaborations and promoting his new single, “It’s So Nice”. He starts off by expressing how important it is to him to build upon the legacy of the amazing artists who have come before him.For many years, he was devoted to taking care of his family. While he was always on stage and performing, working as a session and background singer, he didn’t dedicate himself to his own music career until his children were old enough for him to put himself out there and follow his passion for music. He has opened for legendary artists including James Brown, Ray Charles, The Whispers, The Temptations, Natalie Cole, and Kool and the Gang.Cornell has dedicated his entire career to his older brother Donald, an incredible talent with an amazing voice who was tragically killed in a car accident at age 18. Cornell still feels his brother’s presence every time he opens his voice to sing.Troy plays tracks from Cornell’s debut album, “Vindicated Soul,” followed by “One Love,” the album that put Cornell on the map and remains his most popular release. If you discovered Cornell’s music on “One Love,” be sure to check out the rest of his catalog.Troy and Cornell engage in a deep discussion that everyone needs to hear about the legacy of Black music and the difference between those who appreciate and honor it and those that try to appropriate it. They delve into how vital it is for today’s artists to look back at what they are building on and how important that musical foundation is to the culture. This discussion alone is worth your time to check out this episode.Cornell has a vault of songs recorded for his upcoming sixth album, “Let It Go”. That album is dedicated to people who have things going on in their lives that they need to let go. He’s also working on collaborations with DJs in the UK that will be released in the coming months.Listen and subscribe to the BAAS Entertainment Podcast on Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Deezer, iHeartRadio, Pandora, Podchaser, Spotify, Stitcher and TuneIn. “Hey, Alexa. Play the BAAS Entertainment Podcast.”

Episode 73. Host Troy Saunders interviews the Queen of Sophisticated Soul, Candace Woodson. They start by talking about how a small-town girl from Kentucky became a queen. Candace explains that she grew up in a family that loved all genres of music. She went to school and learned about the music industry while continuing to develop her craft to pursue her epic award-winning career. Candace wants everyone to know that she is that little girl holding a brush in the mirror, singing those great songs where you need to know every note and how to express what makes the song special. Candace Woodson has a lifelong passion for performing and a talent for resilience she calls “stick to it-ness”.Candace shares amazing advice given to her by Pam Sawyer, the songwriter who penned “Love Child” for the Supremes. Sawyer told her, “You want to find a song that when somebody is in the car, that they don’t get out until they hear all of that song until the end. You don’t want a song that when someone is driving to the store and the radio is in the middle of the song, they get out of the car anyway. You want the song where they have to listen to the end.” That’s an amazing lesson for everyone looking for a career in music.Candace’s chart-topping singles include “The Answer Is No,” a defiant female empowerment ballad. “The Answer Is No” hit #1 on the UK Soul Chart Top 30 and has continued to receive airplay on Smooth Jazz Radio as well as other top stations. “Midas Touch (Ooh Ooh),” which hit the #1 spot on the UK Soul Charts, is an up-tempo track perfect to help get the party started.Another hit for Candace is “Free,” a funky old-school dance anthem that conveys hope and positivity in the wake of adversity. This is a message she conveys stemming from her own experience and feeling after receiving her last cancer treatment at the Medical University of South Carolina. With the help of UK promoter Steve Ripley, who has worked on hits for Diana Ross, Luther Vandross, Maxwell, and Jody Watley, “Free” rose to #12 on the UK Soul Chart Top 30.This interview is a joy, with so much fun and happiness. That’s what music is all about.Listen and subscribe to the BAAS Entertainment Podcast on Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Deezer, iHeartRadio, Pandora, Podchaser, Spotify, Stitcher and TuneIn. “Hey, Alexa. Play the BAAS Entertainment Podcast.”

Episode 72. Host Troy Saunders interviews the GRAMMY-nominated producers and songwriters, plus amazing singers, Helen Bruner and Terry Jones. They have been in the business for over 30 years, entering the world singing as part of large talented musical families. They share with Troy the story of how they met and became lifelong sisters and collaborators, beginning with their first song “I Ain’t Got Time”. Troy surprises them by playing the track, which shows how their exceptional talent was there from the very beginning. If this track don’t make you move, nothing will!Helen and Terry share stories of overcoming disappointment and failure in the music industry and the value of moving forward. It’s so important to understand both the creative side, as well as the business side, such as how publishing works.One of the best stories of this episode is when they attended a Warner Brothers Music Grammy party and met the legendary Diana Ross. Ross took their hands and spent 20 minutes sharing pearls of wisdom about being Black women in the music industry that they still use today. “This is your name,” Ross told them. “When they’re gone, it’s still your brand and you need to protect it.”Helen Bruner and Terry Jones have produced a number of critically acclaimed songs and albums. Their work spans many years, and they've collaborated with various well-known artists in the industry. They are especially known for their ability to blend soul, R&B, and dance music into a unique and catchy sound.They were nominated at the 51st Annual GRAMMY Awards in 2008 with singer Linda Jones for their single "Baby I Know" for Best Traditional R&B Performance.Their latest album is “2nd Overture,” and its lead single "I Can't Call It," which has been climbing charts around the world. It’s new, it’s fresh, it’s funky, it’s hot. Get it!Listen and subscribe to the BAAS Entertainment Podcast on Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Deezer, iHeartRadio, Pandora, Podchaser, Spotify, Stitcher and TuneIn. “Hey, Alexa. Play the BAAS Entertainment Podcast.”

Episode 71. Host Troy Saunders interviews one of the baddest singer/songwriters out there today, Rebecca Jade. If you do not have her latest album, “A Shade of Jade,” in your playlist, you better go get it. It’s insane from beginning to end. This also happens to be the first record where Rebecca wrote all of the lyrics.Rebecca talks about growing up in a musical home, and being exposed to a broad range of artists, genres and styles, as well as her ongoing training both as a vocalist and learning to play bass. She explains that it’s very helpful for anyone who wants to be part of the music industry to learn music theory, especially for singers. Rebecca graduated from UC Berkeley on a full basketball scholarship with a degree in Theatre & Performance Studies, has earned her MBA in Marketing from the University of Phoenix, and advanced her musical education by studying Jazz Theory and Classical Voice at Grossmont College.In 2022, Rebecca Jade earned “Breakout Artist of Year” from Smooth Jazz Network and “Debut Artist of the Year” by JazzTrax, and two San Diego Music Awards (SDMA) for “Best Music Video” and “Best R&B, Funk, or Soul Song” for “What’s It Gonna Be,” the first single off of “A Shade of Jade”. She was nominated for five SDMAs in 2023, and took home “Best R&B, Funk, or Soul Album” for “A Shade of Jade”.Listen and subscribe to the BAAS Entertainment Podcast on Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Deezer, iHeartRadio, Pandora, Podchaser, Spotify, Stitcher and TuneIn. “Hey, Alexa. Play the BAAS Entertainment Podcast.”

Episode 70. This is one of those shows, y’all. It’s off the hook, informative, and enlightening. In this episode, host Troy Saunders interviews multi-genre artist RAHBI, R-A-H-B-I, all capital letters, no small letters here! Did you know that Rahbi is his real name? Listen and learn its powerful meaning. His musical mission is to always lead people to love, which began at his grandfather's church in the heart of Atlanta, Georgia. Still proudly representing Atlanta, RAHBI unites beautiful people with dynamic live shows and a versatile vocal range where he perfectly blends the smooth sounds of R&B, energy-packed pop/rock and sophisticated funk.Troy and RAHBI discuss his early career, where RAHBI met legendary music executive LA Reid while still in middle school, and penned his first major record deal with the group 4th Avenue. After 4th Avenue disbanded, RAHBI embarked on his successful solo career, which is still going strong today. As always, Troy plays samples from RAHBI’s most popular tracks, and encourages everyone to add the full songs to your playlists.RAHBI provides Troy with a wonderful break-down of his GoldenChild EP Trilogy, which is split into three “trimesters”. They also discuss RAHBI’s amazing costumes, and how he took his own distinctive style and was influenced by theatre, set design, drag culture, Studio 54, and many other factors to create his signature look.Listen and subscribe to the BAAS Entertainment Podcast on Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Deezer, iHeartRadio, Pandora, Podchaser, Spotify, Stitcher and TuneIn. “Hey, Alexa. Play the BAAS Entertainment Podcast.”

Episode 69. Host Troy Saunders interviews his fellow Erasmus Hall High School alum, Hubert Eaves IV. Hubert is a multi-talented instrumentalist, composer, and producer, perhaps best known for his infectious pocket bass playing on Erykah Badu’s live album. He’s also recorded and worked with artists ranging from Will Downing, Alex Bugnon, Freddie Jackson, The O’Jays, Seal, Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, D Train, Glenn Jones, Lisa Lisa & the Cult Jam, and Snow.Hubert shares some history about his famous father Hubert Eaves III, keyboardist, songwriter and record producer, who played with D Train and Mtume and produced Miles Davis, Stephanie Mills, Madonna, Luther Vandross, Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin and Phyllis Hyman.Hear Hubert’s story about being on tour with Freddie Jackson and meeting an imposter Bootsy Collins after one of the shows. The entire band swore it was the real Bootsy, but Hubert blew him off to everyone’s shock. Shortly afterwards, they saw a news report about the fake Bootsy being arrested for writing bad checks. Years later, at a show with Erykah Badu, the real Bootsy was backstage and Hubert was able to meet him and share the story with his idol.Hubert talks about the creative process behind his amazing solo tracks, including “Radio,” “Incubated Funk,”, “Dot-D-Dah!” and “Let's Get Serious”. He also drops news about an unreleased single featuring Will Downing that he’ll release “when the time is right”. Troy plays a few clips of Hubert’s music and hopes everyone will check out the full songs and make them part of your playlists.Listen and subscribe to the BAAS Entertainment Podcast on Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Deezer, iHeartRadio, Pandora, Podchaser, Spotify, Stitcher and TuneIn. “Hey, Alexa. Play the BAAS Entertainment Podcast.”

Episode 68. Host Troy Saunders interviews singer, songwriter, composer, comedian and playwright Kelli Sae. Kelli Sae has released three solo albums independently on her own Kwurk Arts Group Entertainment label. She has toured the world as lead vocalist for Global Jazz Funk Collectives Count Basic and Incognito.Her voice has perhaps been most widely heard as principal vocalist for the hit television show “Dancing With The Stars.”Born of Puerto Rican and African descent, her music is a masala of sounds, cultures and influences that drive her instincts. Kelli has worked with Tina Turner, Paul Simon, Seal, Michael Buble, Bishop Briggs, Adrienne Bailon, Jordan Sparks, Chaka Kahn, Eddie Palmieri, La India, Patti LaBelle, Gladys Knight, Lionel Richie, Angelique Kidjo, Sheila E, Eric Gadd, Ashford & Simpson, Philippe Saisse, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Meshell N’Degeocello, Darlene Love and many more. She’s been the voice of jingle campaigns for Bounty, Dow Products, Levi’s, Chevrolet and others.Follow and listen to Kelli Sae on Spotify.

Episode 67. Six Degrees of Patti LaBelle. The Queen. The Legendary Godmother of Soul. Hosted by Troy Saunders, Wanda T., and Arif St. Michael.Our series on the career and music of the legendary Patti LaBelle wraps up by featuring LaBelle’s secret weapon, the great Nona Hendryx. In addition to being an amazing performer, she was the prolific songwriter for many of LaBelle’s biggest hits, including "You Turn Me On," "Nightbird," "Going Down Makes Me Shiver," "Space Children," "Messin' with My Mind," "Gypsy Moths," and "Who's Watching the Watcher". This episode touches both on her work with LaBelle as well as her solo work.Nona Hendryx gained fame with Patti LaBelle and the Bluebells in the 1960s. A singer in a female band in the era of the Supremes and the Shirelles, she could have been a footnote in music history for the hit “Lady Marmalade” and other soul and R&B hits. But Hendryx, a cousin of Jimi Hendrix (her family changed the spelling), didn’t stop there. She wrote and recorded for film soundtracks and, in the early '80s, fronted her own progressive art group, Zero Cool. Hendryx has collaborated with many musicians from Keith Richards to Talking Heads, written songs for Dusty Springfield and others, produced albums, and done some acting. Her own albums include The Heat (1985), You Have to Cry Sometime with Billy Vera (1992), and Mutais Mutandis (2012).

Episode 66. Six Degrees of Patti LaBelle. The Queen. The Legendary Godmother of Soul. Hosted by Troy Saunders, Wanda T., and Arif St. Michael.This episode in our series on the career and music of the legendary Patti LaBelle will focus on  the life of the great Sarah Dash. Special guest is B.J. Nelson. She was known as “The Voice” before Whitney Houston was “The Voice”.B.J. Nelson began singing in the late '60s in her hometown of Pittsburgh, fronting a band called Insane Soul. She moved to New York in 1979 and after becoming a member of T.M. Stevens' band, T-Bird. During her time with T-Bird, B.J. met guitarist Ronald "Head" Drayton, which led to her becoming a member of Nona Hendryx's band. She has also worked with Duran Duran, Power Station, Will Downing and Robert Palmer.Sarah Dash was a founding member of the groundbreaking, million-selling vocal trio LaBelle, along with Patti LaBelle and Nona Hendryx. She brought her church-rooted soprano and high harmonies to LaBelle, which began as a 1960s girl group before reinventing itself as a socially aware, Afro-futuristic rock and funk powerhouse, costumed in glittery sci-fi outfits and singing about revolution as well as earthy romance. In 1974, LaBelle had a No. 1 hit, “Lady Marmalade,” and performed the first concert by a pop group - and a Black group - at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City.

Episode 65. Six Degrees of Patti LaBelle. The Queen. The Legendary Godmother of Soul. Hosted by Troy Saunders, Wanda T., and Arif St. Michael.In this part of our series on the music and career of the legendary Patti LaBelle, we focus on Patti’s early years with The Bluebells and LaBelle. Our special guest is singer and songwriter Keith Anthony Fluitt, who has performed with Patti LaBelle, Nona Hendryx, Sarah Dash, Diana Ross, Roberta Flack, Bruce Springsteen, Pet Shop Boys, Michael Jackson, Harry Belafonte, and many others. We have asked him to be on the show since he has worked with Patti, Nona, and Sarah.Patti LaBelle grew up singing in a local Baptist choir, and in 1960 teamed with friend Cindy Birdsong to form a group called the Ordettes. A year later, following the additions of vocalists Nona Hendryx and Sarah Dash, the group was renamed the Blue Belles. With producer Bobby Martin at the helm, they scored a Top 20 pop and R&B hit in 1962 with the single "I Sold My Heart to the Junkman," and subsequently hit the charts in 1964 with renditions of "Danny Boy" and "You'll Never Walk Alone."The quartet, now known as Patti LaBelle & the Bluebelles, signed in 1965 to Atlantic, where they earned a minor hit with their version of the standard "Somewhere Over the Rainbow." In 1967, Birdsong replaced Florence Ballard in the Supremes. The remaining trio toured the so-called "Chitlin' Circuit" for the remainder of the decade before signing on with British manager Vicki Wickham in 1970. Wickham renamed the group simply LaBelle and pushed their music in a funkier, rock-oriented direction, and in the wake of their self-titled 1971 Warner Bros. debut, they even toured with the Who. The trio also collaborated with Laura Nyro on the superb R&B-influenced album “Gonna Take a Miracle”. By 1973, LaBelle had gone glam, taking the stage in wildly theatrical, futuristic costumes. A year later, they became the first African-American act to appear at New York's Metropolitan Opera House. The landmark performance introduced "Lady Marmalade," which in 1974 became their lone chart-topping single, produced by Allen Toussaint.

Episode 64. Six Degrees of Patti LaBelle. The Queen. The Legendary Godmother of Soul. Hosted by Troy Saunders, Wanda T., and Arif St. Michael.John Stanley worked with Patti LaBelle for over 29 years, going from a background singer to her trusted friend and musical director. He has performed around the world with Patti including the LaBelle Reunion Concert at The Apollo, and at the inauguration of President Barack Obama. John was a major contributor to Patti’s CD, “Live! One Night Only,” which earned LaBelle the 1999 GRAMMY Award for Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance.Stanley discusses iconic moments like singing on TV for Elizabeth Taylor and Michael Jackson on Taylor’s 65th Birthday Celebration, and meeting Jackson backstage. He also tells stories of Prince attending many of Patti’s shows in Minneapolis and touring with Chaka Khan.

Episode 63. Six Degrees of Patti LaBelle. The Queen. The Legendary Godmother of Soul. Hosted by Troy Saunders, Wanda T., and Arif St. Michael.The first episode of this series dedicated to Patti LaBelle features music and stories from Patti LaBelle’s solo years, 1977-1990. We play and discuss legendary classics, deep cuts, and live versions of her amazing hits. The podcast is meant to uplift your spirits and make you feel good.​​Capable of matching the wail of a fire engine and yet just as affecting when singing barely above a whisper, R&B legend Patti LaBelle has enjoyed one of the longest careers in contemporary music. Active since the early '60s with the Bluebelles - the girl group that evolved into '70s funk trailblazers LaBelle - she has notched hits in a variety of sounds including girl group pop, gutsy soul, space-age funk, hard-hitting disco, lush quiet storm, and high-tech pop.