Check out Avery Sunshine’s debut self-titled album

rhonda
Aug 20 |23:48

 

Today’s blog is in support of a friend of mine.  I want/need everyone to take a listen to singer/songwriter/pianist, Ms. Avery Sunshine.  She has just released her debut self-titled album, “Avery Sunshine”. If I had confetti, I’d be throwing it, right now.

It is so important that we recognize outstanding albums and beautiful spirits.  This lady makes incredible music!  I was blessed to have her sing a duet on my upcoming album, “Listen” (release date- Sept.21st). 

Even if she is new to you, Avery Sunshine is not new to the scene.  She has been making music as one half of the group, Daisy Rew, as musical director for the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, in movies like “The Fighting Temptations” and plays like Tyler Perry’s “Meet The Browns”.  I was most excited for her when she performed at the Democratic National Convention and at four private events during President Obama’s inauguration.

When you hear her music, I know that you will become a fan.  Someone recently described her music as “jazzgosoul” and you will hear her musical influences but most importantly, you will hear her gift.  Please check out “All In My Head”, “Ugly”, “Pinin” and “I Got Sunshine” (my favorites).  Her album is available for purchase on Itunes and you can check out her tour schedule at www.reverbnation.com/averysunshine.

Next month, I want to talk to you about one of my favorite artists, Eric Roberson and his latest album, “Music Fan First”.

Peaceful Blessings,

Rhonda Thomas

 

The 1st album you paid for yourself?

rhonda
Jul 30 |23:20

rhonda hat2 The 1st album you paid for yourself?     Recently, I asked friends and my soul music family a question.  Here are some of the answers that you may find interesting.  I would also love to hear your answers, please feel free to share!

The Question:

”What was the first album/cassette/cd/45/8-track or whatever that you paid for with your own money?”

PJ Morton (singer/songwriter): Brandy’s I Wanna Be Down”

Jodine Dorce (www.JodinesCorner.com): Crystal Waters “Gypsy Woman”

DJ Frances Jaye (www.neosoulcafe.com): WAR “Why Can’t We Be Friends” and I bought Natalie Cole’s “Inseparable” at the same time.

Travis Wright (singer/songwriter): Debarge “I Like” (on 45) but I can’t remember what was on the flip side!

Al Ross (producer/sound engineer): Vaughn Mason’s “Bounce, Rock, Skate, Roll”…1980, baby!

Vinx (singer/songwriter/percussionist): Sly Stone’s “Family Affair”

Jesse Boykins (singer/songwriter): Musiq Soulchild “Ijuswannaseeng”

DJ Dave Soul (deejay): The Beastie Boys’ “Brass Monkey” on 45

RAHBI (singer/CRAZY performer): Xscape “Hummin Comin At Cha”

Marc Powers (live music promoter): Hall and Oates “Voices” and Steve Arrington “Hall of Fame”

Avery Sunshine (singer/songwriter/my partner on “Just Us”): Donny Hathaway’s Greatest Hits and it was a cd.

Jomo Davis (BET television producer): Newcleus’ “Jam On It”

DJ Rev Lee (deejay/promoter/& my favorite soundman): Heatwave “Central Heating” and I still have that copy.

Jesse Bond (guitarist): Don’t laugh but the honest answer is The Wilson Phillips album for my 5th grade girlfriend.

Brandon Thomas (guitarist): Metallica’s “Black Album”

N’dambi (singer/songwriter): Sade’s first one.  Everyone kept talking about great she was, so I finally went and bought it…no regrets.

Rick Cook (live music promoter): Curtis Mayfield “If There’s Hell Below” and I’ve still got it.

Duane Covert (songwriter/producer): Elvis and KC and The Sunshine Band – both circa 1978

DJ Tabone (radio and club deejay): Sheila E’s “The Glamorous Life” (12-inch remix) We rearranged it for our high school marching band.

Jason Orr (Funk Jazz Kafe): Jackson Five’s “ABC”

James Bing (soul music critic): Biggie’s “Ready to Die”

Jalila Williams (Internship Coordinator for HNL Records): Brandy’s “I Wanna Be Down”

Sy Smith (singer/songwriter): Earth Wind & Fire’s “Gotta Getcha Into My Life” flipside “Serpentine Fire”

James Collins (from ‘Fertile Ground’): Hmmm.  This is sad.  It was “Crush On You” by The Jets but my second was “Raisin’ Hell” by Run-DMC.

DJ Cha Cha Jones (radio and club deejay): Prince’s “Sign of the Times” on cassette

Ken Rye (live music promoter): Tom Tom Club’s “Genius of Love”

Carmen Rodgers (singer/songwriter): Prince’s “Under the Cherry Moon”

Jon Goode (spoken word artist/deejay): The first cassette I bought was Cameo’s “Word Up”.  The first 12″ wax single I bought was “Bring The Noise” by Public Enemy.

Yahzarah (singer/songwriter): GOD forgive me. It was a bootleg tape of Mary J. Blige’s  “What’s The 411”.

Mike Kitchen (live music promoter): My first cd was Mint Condition’s “Meant to be Mint” Cassettes/Albums?  I have no idea.

Nicole Gibbs (www.musicaddikts.com): The Boys’ “Dial My Heart”

Sid Washington (graphic design artist): Rick James’ “Glow”

Heston (singer/songwriter): Michael Jackson’s “Thriller”

Ron Smith (live music promoter/record producer): Kool & the Gang’s “Ladies Night” May record stores like Peaches Records & Tapes rest in peace.  We miss you!!!

How about you?

Peaceful Blessings,

Rhonda Thomas (singer with a new album coming out on September 21st): Oh yeah.  My answer is Grand Master Flash & The Furious Five’s “Freedom”.  DJ Dave Soul told me that it was sampled from the group Freedom’s “Get Up and Dance”.

 

Rhonda Thomas at Churchill Grounds – Atlanta

Rhonda Thomas Team
Jul 9 |13:56

FLYERS2010 6 151 200x300 Rhonda Thomas at Churchill Grounds Atlanta Churchill Grounds on Thursday, July 15

Doors Open at 8:00p -  Showtime is 8:30p

Join me for some Jazz and Soul Music to Kick off the NBAF weekend.

$10.00 at the door, come early!

Churchill Grounds
660 Peachtree St. NE
Atlanta, GA 30308

See you there!

 

Rhonda’s Online Book Club

Rhonda Thomas Team
Jul 9 |13:31

rhonda book1 231x300 Rhondas Online Book Club

I am excited to announce the launching of my new on-line book club and blog.  My first book offering in what is to be a series is “Before I Forget” by Leonard Pitts, Jr. The on-line book club and blog can be found at www.Rhondasings.com.  I want to extend an invitation to you and friends to participate.

Sincerely yours,
Rhonda Thomas

 

Dwele Album Release Show

Rhonda Thomas Team
Jun 24 |16:37

Rhonda Thomas will be a special guest at the Dwele Album Release Show. The event will be Thursday, July 1, 2010 at the Center Stage Theater. See the flyer below for more information.

Dwele web Dwele Album Release Show

 

SCSU Graduation

rhonda
Jun 15 |20:40

wpid 2010 05 27 18.56.16 SCSU Graduation

Me and Teresa!!!!

 

Memorial Day Weekend in NY was “Extra Dynamite”!!

rhonda
Jun 14 |00:23

I’m trying to do better about blogging immediately after my travels, but tihngs are pretty action packed right now with the new cd due to be released in August!! Hooty Hoo!!

Thurs. 5/27, I had the honor of singing for the Graduate Commencement Exercises at Southern Connecticut State University. This was my 7th and final year. Boo-Hoo!! The Dean of Graduate Studies, Dr. Sandra Holley requests my presence at the event yearly and unfortunately for SCSU/fortunately for her…she is retiring this year. So, I’m not sure if they will keep with the tradition of this special graduation ceremony. It was sooooo cool seeing all of the the proud parents and friends!!! I also got to see my friends Teresa and Rueben!!! One of the coolest parts was the standing ovation I received after my solo at the first graduation! What a blessing! I’m a big advocate of higher education. I attended SCSU for my Masters in Communication Disorders when Dr. Holley was chair of the department.

After the graduation ceremony in CT I went to stay in NY for business and pleasure. Hey, I work hard….I deserved it : ) I stayed in the Village with a freind (Thanks Jomo), hopped on the Subway and took in everything NY had to offer. Made some successful business connects in NY led by my business partner Ron Smith!! (Ron was workin’ the rail system ya’ll!!!) We even got to fellowship with flutist Claudia Hayden (what a great spirit) over a cup of tea! We’ll be performing together at Wednesday WindDown at Centennial Park in Atlanta on 9/22, so come check us out.

I grew up in Roosevelt, Long Island (Yay Strong Island Baby!!) and would hang out in the City every chance I got. NY didn’t let me down Memorial Day Weekend. We took in the sights of Times Square, got to sit-in with a band at B.B. Kings, went to a street festival in the Village, went to the African Festival in Brooklyn, and hung out in Washington Square Park listening to live music on Sunday before I left.

But how bout this….ya girl waited on line at the Cort Theatre on W. 48th Street for 1 full hour early Saturday morning and snagged tickets to see the phenomenal Denzel Washington in August Wilson’s Broadway Play FENCES!!! Awesome performances by Denzel, Viola Davis and the rest of the cast. I have such respect for the arts in all of its forms!!! Fences was directed by Kenny Leon and the score was original music by Branford Marsalis. We are such talented people!!! I thoroughly enjoyed being back home. The downside was that Gary Coleman passed away that weekend. He was never truly content with his life. I think he alway felt he had more to offer. I hope he had a peaceful transition.

But, to end this blog on a high note, I just found out that I was definitely in the company of royalty, witnessing something very powerful. About  45 minutes ago Denzel Washington was awarded a Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Play and Viola Davis was awarded Best Leading Actress in Play for their protrayals of Troy Maxon and Rose in FENCES!!!!!! Fences also won for Best Revival of a Play!!!! Congratulations to them all!!!! What a great accomplishment.

Peaceful Blessings,

~Rhonda

 

My 1st DiaryEntry!

rhonda
May 6 |02:15

April 2010 was an incredible month for me. On April 4th, I had the opportunity to perform in Washtington D.C. at Howard University’s Cramton Auditorium. The show was called The Soul Symphony and  it was historic because a 24-piece orchestra backed soul music legend, Roberta Flack and Read More…