KC Shows Love to St. Louis Comics
The Comedy Bus rolled into Kansas City from St. Louis for the “Memorial Weekend Comedy Bus Jam” on Sunday May 29th to a packed room at Babee Boys in Grandview, MO off 71 HWY. The club was standing room only and everyone was ready for a night of fun. That’s exactly what they got! The night was full of fun and laughter. Everyone had a good time! The comedians on the show were Ms. Tiffany James-Robinson, who put the show together to celebrate her 1st year in comedy, Jaylee ‘Do She Man’ Thomas, Donna Msfuny Murray, Rock D’Entertainer and Double D. Plus to set the show off right there was a special surprise appearance by Comedian Long Horn, who stopped by to show love after his show at Stanford’s Comedy Club. This comedy lineup was the perfect recipe for the crème de la crème of comedy shows. It was definitely a 5 star evening. I had a chance to chat with some of the comics after the show. Our Q&A begins below.
Q&A with Ms. Tiffany James Robinson
CB: You must be real excited about tonight. It was a packed house and you guys did a great job.
Ms. Tiffany: Man I prayed on it. Trying to get individuals to get together to go somewhere with the economy being the way that it is and the only thing I did is prayed coming down the highway. When I looked up I could have just cried because the house was packed. Everybody was very receptive. Everyone was very grateful for being able to enjoy comedy, because individually it takes a lot to laugh and we can get them laughing it’s something I want to do.
CB: How long have you been doing comedy?
Ms. Tiffany: Actually I just celebrated 2 weeks ago my one year into comedy and this was the start of getting my DVD out for comedy so it’s just been one year.
CB: Have you always wanted to do comedy?
Ms. Tiffany: Yes I’ve always dreamed of doing it. I got the opportunity about a year ago to do it. My friends convinced me to do it. It was an open mike night because I’ve always talked about it. I went up and did it and I’ve been actively growing and growing ever since.
CB: Who are some of your comedic influences?
Mrs. Tiffany: I’ve always enjoyed Monique due to the fact that she’s a big girl. I’m 5”10” 200 and some odd pounds, you know how that goes. I’ve always enjoyed her and Samore. I love Samore’s style. I try to mock Samore because she’s a real sista, no matter what the situation is her persona, her attitude her stage presence is off the chain. So for the male side Steve Harvey well-dressed, well-kept man and I like that. He’s always brought the natural and I like that. So, I’ve always admired those three.
CB: If you could meet someone famous dead or alive who would it be and why?
Ms. Tiffany: Samore. If I could actually meet Samore she’s natural. I kind of mock myself from her because the things that she talks about are the things that are near and dear to my heart. It’s not always about your kids or anything. It’s about what goes on in your life. So, it would be Samore.
CB: Do you get to Kansas City very often?
Ms. Tiffany: Actually, my Dad is here in Kansas City. He’s been here for the last 20 years. So, I do have family here. I try to get here as often as I can and I got the opportunity to try to pull something together for my one year anniversary to do something different. It’s here in Kansas City.
CB: Do you have any advice for any up and coming artists?
Ms. Tiffany: Go for your dreams. Never allow anyone to tell you that you can’t. If you feel you can sing then sing your heart out. Sing from your soul. If you feel that you have a natural talent for comedy go for it. I always thought that in my instance that people would have not been able to perceive it, but they have. I’ve always made people laugh even corporate bosses. So, go for it!
CB: If someone wanted to reach out to you do you have a website?
Ms. Tiffany: I’m actually on Face book, Comedian Mrs. Tiffany James-Robinson. All of my information is on there. I try to post the cities I’m going into, upcoming events and a lot of non-profit things that I do try to make sure I get into. So far it’s cancer because I did lose my Mom and my Mother-In-Law to cancer just last year. This year has been rough but it has been a blissful year. So I have no complaints looking around and seeing everyone laughing. I know that I’ve completed a job.
CB: I want to thank you for taking time to speak with me and congratulations once again on your one year anniversary.
Ms. Tiffany: No problem thank you Crystal for your support.
Q&A with Comedian Long Horn
CB: How long have you been doing comedy?
Long Horn: All my life. Now, how long have I been getting paid for it? About 6 years.
CB: Why do you refer to yourself as a black cowboy?
Long Horn: Because I’m America’s only black cowboy comedian.
CB: Do you travel all over?
Long Horn: I travel anywhere they have a check. I’m one of the few African American black comics that actually do blue collar, mainstream and urban comedy. I’ve taken it and balled it all into one and made it my own style Long Horn Comedy. It’s really been a blessing to do what I do.
CB: Who are some of your early comic influences?
Long Horn: My early comic influences were people like Sinbad, Bill Cosby, Howie Mandell, George Carlin, Red Fox and Richard Pryor to a certain degree. I enjoy them. Jeff Foxworthy was an early influence and then Ron White. So, my comedy now is a collation of what my influences were. You do what you learn, but what I did was take it and made my own style.
CB: It’s very rare that you hear an African American comic pay homage to some of the white comics.
Long Horn: Well here’s my thing. I’m a military brat. I’ve traveled all over the world and I don’t see color. There’s still the black and white comedy line, but I’m trying to transcend that line without being a sellout. But at the same time the way I see comedy is when people laugh there is no color. You just hear laughter unless they really got some funky breath then you might see green or blue or some noxious color. But that’s the reality. Just like tonight I was at Stanford and Son’s Comedy Club. I’ve been there since Wednesday. I’ve seen this week maybe 18 black people the whole week. Just like one St. Louis comic said “I come from the funny bone to the neck bone to hang out with my people.”
That’s how I see comedy. I don’t see color on comedy. That’s the reason why I am able to do the shows that I do. 75% of what I do is mainstream or blue collar and the other 25% is urban. I love my people and will perform for them. I know how my people can be, but I still love to perform for them. But I just really want to be able to be that comic that can transcend. I can walk on any stage and perform for anybody.
CB: Do you get to Kansas City pretty often?
Long Horn: Actually yes and no. In the last past two months I’ve been up here 3 times. I’ve been trying to get Sanford and Son’s for three years.
CB: Wow three years?
Long Horn: It took me three years to finally get a booked week there. So, I finally got that and I’ve got some other shows in Topeka. So, I’ll be coming back out here for that and the owner of the club told this week that he’ll be bringing me back as a head liner. Normally the other brothas that they bring in are Sinbad, Damon Wayans and Jimmie Walker. I will be one of the few brothas that they will actually bring in that doesn’t have major TV credits. It’s a blessing it really is.
CB: It must be great to know that you have so much love form your fans. Do you sometimes feel over whelmed?
Long Horn: I say that a lot because everything is a blessing. I’m honored and it’s a privilege to have the support of the black community that I have as well as the non-black. A lot of our comics or comediennes think that just because you do mainstream comedy that you’ve e sold out. No I haven’t sold out. I’m trying to get paid, because there is only one color that makes any sense and that’s green.
CB: If you could meet one celebrity dead or alive who would it be and why?
Long Horn: Franklin Ajai. A lot of people don’t know who Franklin Ajai is. Most people know him from the movie “Carwash.” He played the Fly. Franklin Ajai is known as the jazz comedian. He had a great career in the United States. He moved to Australia started doing jazz and has moved back. He has a list of credits as long as his arm. Very ingenious comedian. Very intelligent comedian. He was one of my early influences also, but I would really love to meet him.
CB: Do you have any advice for any up and coming comics?
Long Horn: Sure. Whether you’re an up and coming comic or an entertainer of any kind remember this formula; its 90% business and 10% talent. What that equates to your 90% business is your preparation to do what it is that you do; you’re practicing your material, writing your material, practicing your song, practicing your
dance, getting your business in order and your logistics. Make sure you can get to where you gotta be and be on time, because the reality of it is you may put a whole day into preparing for a performance and only perform for five or fifteen minutes maybe even an hour. The amount of time you put into the preparation of doing that performance will outweigh the time you actually spend performing so, remember 90% business 10% talent.
There’s a lot of people out here that can sing, dance and tell jokes, but if you’re on top of your game you may not be the funniest. You may not be the best dancer or the best singer but if your business is in order you will get more than ones that’s not.
CB: If someone wanted to know what’s going on with you do you have a website?
Long Horn: I’m on face book. You can find me at facebook.com/Long Horn the Comedian. You can also find me on my webpage at www.longhorncomedy.com. I’m on Twitter Long Horn Comedy. You can Google me. There are about 4 pages on Google on me out there. I’m a very approachable person easy to get along with, easy to talk to. I’ve never met a stranger and I never will.
CB: I want to thank you so much for taking time to talk to me. It’s been a pleasure.
Long Horn: It was a pleasure meeting you Crystal. Thank you.
Mother’s Day Intimacy Tour in KC
The Mother’s Day Intimacy Tour was held Sunday May 8th at the Municipal Auditorium in downtown Kansas City, MO. The Mother’s definitely got a special treat to be serenaded by R&B Sensations KEM, Donell Jones and Lidisi. KC came out for the occasion. Everyone was dressed to impress. It was a night of good fun and great music. KEM sang hits such as “Love Calls”. Donell Jones sang hits such as “Where I Wanna Be” and the crowd went wild. In fact everyone started singing the lyrics with him as well as KEM. It was great to see how their music touches people. I had a chance to chat with him one on one about his career, his wonderful Mother and his new album “Lyrics”. Our Q&A starts below. Enjoy!
Q&A with Donell Jones
CB: How are you enjoying Kansas City so far?
Donell: It has been awesome! Man I’m loving it. It’s a beautiful city.
CB: How long have you been in the music business?
Donell: I’ve been in the music business about 17 years. I started when I was about 19 years old and I’ve been doing it ever since.
CB: Who are some of your early music influences?
Donell: Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, The Isley Brothers, Jean Carn, Alisha Meyers, Teddy Pendergrass. I could go on for days. There are so many great artists that inspired me, Marvin Gaye, Nat King Cole. So many of our black artists you know that put it down back in the day really inspired me growing up.
CB: Since its Mother’s day I notice you have your Mom with you. Has she been your biggest fan?
Donell: Yes my Mother is my biggest fan and my biggest supporter. She goes on the road with me and for me it’s great having her around. In the beginning of my career I had my boys with me, but now that I’m older now I want to spend as much time with my Mom as I can so that’s why I got her with me.
CB: With the songs that you’ve had in your career what is your favorite?
Donell: It’s going to have to be “Where I Wanna Be” would be my most favorite song. The reason why is because that song to me is what I really was living at the time when I wrote it. That song meant a lot to me and it’s one of my favorite to sing.
Donell Jones \”Where I Wanna Be\”
CB: Tell me a little about your new album?
Donell: The new album is called “Lyrics”. I really wanted to make a statement with the record as far as throughout my career I pride myself on writing great lyrics and that’s pretty much why I named this album “Lyrics”. There’s a lot of great stories on the album. It’s really all about love. Love aint going nowhere. You have good sides of love bad sides of love. People cheat. People wanna make love be happy in love. That’s what it’s really about just the good and bad sides of love.
CB: How would you describe your music style?
Donell: My style is really just Smooth R&B. It’s really laid back. It’s something that I don’t gear toward any age group. I think anybody can listen to it and get some inspiration from or relax to it. Ya know have a glass of wine. So, that’s how I classify my music just really something smooth.
CB: What do think about the music industry right now?
Donell: The way I feel about R&B right now is it’s a little crazy. The music business is not what it used to be. Everybody and they mama who got a computer wants to be a producer and wants to be an artist now. I think the reason why it is like it is because it’s watered down. It’s not enough people who really perfect their craft and try to learn the history about music. Hopefully it’ll get better, but there are some great talented
young brothers out here that’s really serious about it. So hopefully we’ll get the chance to see them shine.
CB: What advice do you have for up and coming artists?
Donell: Don’t try to be like anyone else. Create your own style your own sound. I think that those are the people that last a long time and have a lot of longevity. Believe that you can make it and never
give up.
CB: If somebody wanted to know what’s going on with you how would they do so?
Donell: If yall wanna hit me up go to facebook.com/donelljones96 and twitter/donelljones96
CB: I want to thank you for taking time to speak with me. It’s been a pleasure.
Donell: Thank you Crystal.
KC Cares
The Love Out Loud KC Benefit Concert was held Tuesday May 3rd at the Uptown Theatre located at 3700 Broadway in Kansas City, MO. It was a night of music, dance and fun. Love Out Loud KC is an organization formed by Blue Valley North West High School Student Bliss Nilsen. She created this group to try to combat the growing problem of teen depression in hopes to prevent teen suicides. This organization has caught the attention of many including Elizabeth Alex who is a News Anchor for NBC Action News here in KC. I had a chance to chat with Elizabeth Alex, Dancers Matt Czech and Bobby Ray who all came out to show their support. I also met and spoke with the remarkable Bliss Nilsen who put it all together. My Q&A with these extraordinary people starts below. Enjoy!
Q&A with Bliss Nilsen
CB: I commend you for what you are doing.
Bliss: Thank you.
CB: What prompted you to start Love Out Loud?
Bliss: I just wanted to do something to give back to the community. My community especially my school district has been affected by suicide a lot. So, I just wanted to do something for people who are going through depression to let them know that they are not alone.
CB: Is this the first year for this?
Bliss: Yes very first year.
CB: Has it been pretty successful so far?
Bliss: Yes. Well we were expecting a little more people, but I’m happy with those that did come.
CB: If someone wanted to learn more about or donate to your organization do you have a website they can go to?
Bliss: Yes, you can go to www.loveoutloudkc.org
CB: Thank you for taking time to speak with me and good luck with your organization.
Bliss: Thank you so much.
Q&A with NBC Action News AnchorElizabeth Alex
CB: How did you get involved with Love Out loud?
Elizabeth: Well I know Abby Hayo and she was telling me about Dan, Bliss, their story and the things that Bliss wanted to accomplish. And I thought yes that is exactly the kind of news story we want to be talking about something that is really going to make a difference in people’s
lives. Parents can tell their kids even if the kids aren’t watching the news they can still hear about it and find out about it.
CB: I understand that NBC is really getting into the community and caring. How has that campaign been going so far?
Elizabeth: It’s made a huge difference to all of us in the news room for one, because we get to tell stories that we’ve always wanted to tell that there hasn’t necessarily always been a place for it. Our new management is really committed to the community and stories like this are the ones that our station is now wanting to help out with and let people know about. I think in the community you’re seeing it now, but I think you’re going to see it even more whether it’s the arts, whether it’s business or whether it’s social issues like this. I think you’re going to see a lot more things that are helpful to people not just the car crashes and the shootings every day.
CB: Now in your long career as a News Woman you’ve seen a lot of changes. Do you think Kansas City has gotten better than it was in the
past?
Elizabeth: Well it’s mixed. The crime in Kansas City on the Eastside is so disturbing to me. But I think I’m seeing a lot of people who are noticing and looking around and trying to figure out a way that can get involved at home. So, that’s hopeful.
CB: If someone wanted to reach you could they do so?
Elizabeth: Absolutely. www.nbcactionnews.com I’m on Twitter elizabethalextv and my Face
Book Page is just Elizabeth Alex and you can also email me at alex@nbcactionnews.com.
CB: I want to thank you for taking time to speak with me.
Elizabeth: Thank you.
Q&A with Dancers Matt Czech and Bobby Ray
CB: How did you get involved with Love Out Loud Matt?
Matt: They help those suffering from depression. I really believe in what they are doing. I believe in doing something if I have the ability to raise awareness, to lift someone’s spirits and if there’s one person in the audience that we as a group can connect with and change their perspective then I’ve done my job. That’s why I’m here. I just want to help.
Bobby: We saw something on the news about Bliss and what she was doing. Matt called me and asked if I’d like to do it and I said yes. I was really happy to do it because I believe that if you take care of young people then young people will take care of you.
CB: How long have you been dancing?
Matt: I’ve been dancing for about ten years. I’ve paid my dues and worked my way up from small events to bigger events. I’m blessed to have the opportunity. Since I’m around students to see how tough it is to be an adolescent. I am so thankful that I can do something to put a smile on somebody’s face.
Bobby: I’m an Old School G. I’ve been dancing since the 80’s. I’ve taught all over Kansas City. I’ve done workshops as far west as San Jose, California and as far East as Indianapolis, Indiana, Texas, Iowa, and Nebraska and of course I’m known in Kansas City which is my home. I’ve been teaching about 15 years.
CB: How did you get involved with Matt?
Bobby: I met Matt about a year and a half ago. We have a mutual friend Marshall Bingham who called me and asked if I wanted to dance in a Michael Jackson show. At first I thought it was going to be something like buffoonery or something like that. So I told him I’d check him out. I went to youtube and looked up Matt Czech and when I saw him I thought this guy’s incredible. I really would like to dance with this guy. So I called him and accepted and we’ve been doing shows ever since. One of the things that I like about Matt is that he is so hard working. He’s dedicated to the craft. When he’s doing Michael Jackson trust me he is Michael Jackson. He loses himself so we’re paying homage to the King.
CB: Who are some of your dancing influences Matt?
Matt: Well Michael Jackson, gosh Gregory Hines, Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly and the Nicholas Brothers are the greatest pure athletic dancers I have ever seen in my life. I think that Michael had the greatest visual show and if you’re going with bands I think that KISS is phenomenal and the Bee Gees as far as what they do with shows. I wanted to combine the two and add some classic dance with some modern dance and bring it all together.
CB: Do you have any upcoming performances?
Matt: Yes actually on May 21st at the Midland Theatre we will be he intermission act for the WBFF Body Building Central Championships.
CB: If somebody wanted to keep up with you how would they get in contact with you guys?
Matt: I do have a Face Book. facebook.com/mczech1981
Bobby: Yes my Twitter is BobbyKC. You can follow me at twitter/bobbykc. And my Face Book email address is b_rayentertainment or if you can just Google Bobby Ray KCMO and I’ll come up.
CB: Thank you for taking time to speak with me.
Matt: Thank you.
Bobby: Thanks Crystal.
Musiq SoulChild Gives KC Something worth the Listen
The Juke house located at 1700 Vine St in KCMO was invaded last night with the fans of R&B Sensation Musiq Soul Child for his VIP Private Listening Party. His new CD entitled “Musiq in the Magiq” is sure to be a vast success with tracks such as “Yes” and “Anything”, with their soulful grooving sounds this 6th album is a winner. I was on the scene and among his many KC adoring fans and there are many! I was able to sit down with him one on one. He has a lot to say, so listen close. Our Q&A starts below. Enjoy!
Q&A With Musiq SoulChild
CB: Hi everybody I’m here on the scene with Musiq Soul Child. Thank you for taking time out to speak with me.
Musiq: Thank you.
CB: How long have you been in the music industry?
Musiq: For about 10 years. I’m in my 11th year now. It’s definitely been a journey but it‘s been an honor.
CB: What would you say the secret to longevity is in the music business?
Musiq: I would say just being consistent, understanding what’s necessary and what’s expected of you and doing your best to live up to that expectation. When I say that I don’t mean that people want you to be a certain way and things like that, it’s more so there’s a role that I play in this business as far as offering up soul music in the way that I do. Because I’m asking you guys to invest in me I have to make sure that what I offer back is quality and worth your time, your money and your attention.
So, that’s what I mean by living up to the expectation cause aint nothing like somebody asking you to invest in what it is that they do and when you do what you get back just don’t add up. You really don’t feel like it’s worth it. I make sure I make it more about something else not just myself. I definitely have a good time in this game. I definitely have a good time being on stage performing. The money is what it is. It’s good, but what really matters to me is the fact that I get to connect with people and have a positive effect on people. Staying grounded and keeping your eyes and ears open for things that are beneficial to you professionally and also personally and just staying focused.
CB: Now of all the albums that you’ve had and you said this is your 6th one, do you have a favorite song that stands out above all your other songs that means something to you?
Musiq: I would have to say “So Beautiful” is the song that sticks out so much more than any of my other songs. Because of the nature of the song and how it was put together and what it was inspired by, the time that it was done in, the arrangement it’s just so many things about that song that speak to me personally. Don’t get me wrong I don’t want to take anything away from any of my other songs, but that one in particular to answer your question that’s the one that sticks out.
CB: Did you enjoy working on your 6th album?
Musiq: Yeah definitely more so because it was the most challenging one yet. As far as the songs that were picked for the album, their all new people that I’ve never worked with them before. So, that puts the challenge on me to maintain that consistency that I’ve shown on my previous projects. That’s one of the things about working with new people or changing your formula a little bit making an adjustment in your formula sometimes it don’t come across so well. Ya know people are like you need to go back to doing what you used to. And I haven’t heard that yet. Whenever I would play the new music for people they would get excited about it. They have nothing but good things to say about it.
The only bad thing is the fact that it took so long or they wish it was longer or things like that. I don’t mind that so much. But yeah this was the most challenging one, but I had the most fun doing this one because it demanded me to dig deeper than to just rely on whatever something that was set up. I had to figure out some new things. It was cool though.
CB: What prompted you to do the switch up?
Musiq: Well a number of reasons, but for the most part I’m always looking to be more innovative and more progressive. Ten years doing the same thing there’s only but so many things you can get out of that. It’s only going to go but so many different ways before you start running the risk of getting stale and start becoming redundant. I don’t mind consistency but I’m not really in to redundancy. That’s one of the main reasons for the switch. Plus I always want to keep things fresh and what better way to keep things fresh than start over? So, in essence I’m starting over. It’s motivating me to approach things that way as well. Ya know never getting too comfortable. I’m more appreciative of the moment because it could not be this way.
CB: I know in the music industry right now they’ve come under scrutiny because there are so many acts that aren’t talented. I’d like to commend you on being one of the acts that is talented. All of your albums have been really amazing!
Musiq: Thank you. It’s important to me that you guys appreciate what I do.
CB: What advice do you have for any aspiring artists?
Musiq: Educate yourself on what it means to do what you’re asking people to expect from you. Be willing to do the work that it takes to accomplish it. Don’t take it too seriously. Sometimes I feel celebrities take themselves way too seriously. They create this image in their head of themselves and they expect the whole world to respond accordingly. And it’s like some people don’t even know who you are ya know and even despite that you’re still a human being. So, when you take yourself too seriously you start treating people like they’re not people and I don’t think that that’s fair. So, just enjoy yourself. And even for you not even so much for other people for you don’t make it harder than what it has to be.
Sometimes things don’t go the way that you want them to go. Switch it up ya know adjust. Some people they just snap because they expect things to be a certain way and it’s got to be this way and if it’s not that way then the whole world has to suffer. I’m a perfectionist but there comes a time when you have to be a realist and understand that sometimes things are the way they are because that’s how they need to be for you. You might interrupt the destiny of things simply because you want it to be, but you don’t know everything. You may not always know what is best for you. I’ve learned that in so many different ways in being a perfectionist and also being a realist. You have to know when how to be what. Know when to hold em and know when to fold em.
CB: How do you balance work and home? I’m sure it’s got to be hard for your lady to be away from you when you’re on the road.
Musiq: Well to that the one thing that I am grateful for is the fact she’s extremely understanding of it. She’s also an artist. She’s also a singer and she had her time. She’s actually working on coming back out as well.
CB: Awesome! Maybe I’ll interview her next.
Musiq: I would love for you to interview her. And just for the record her name is Meelah. She was part of the group “702”. So, she’s completely understanding, which really works. Ya know she’s still my girl and we’re still in a relationship and she likes to remind me like hello. The fact that she has all these other qualities about her is what makes it very convenient. As far as how to balance I don’t focus on that so much. When I’m home I focus on home and when I’m working I focus on working. The fact that I have someone who’s willing to be understanding, she still needs her attention. She still needs what she needs like anybody. I’m definitely grateful that things happen the way that they have and continue to be.
CB: In the future who would you like to collaborate with and why?
Musiq: Oh man it’s so many people. I would have to say D’Angelo simply because he was one of the main inspirations behind me pursuing this professionally. It was actually D’Angelo and Lauren Hill. So I would say those two because they were closer to me in age in the time that I was inspired by them. Prior to that pretty much everybody I was heavily inspired by were people from the 70’s and 60’s, but they were the two people that were closer to my age that I felt wow since they were successful I can be successful. They were very inspiring not just musically just essentially as the type of artist making the type of music that I make coming from the frame of mind that I’m coming from musically. That’s a very inspiring thing so, I would have to say those two.
CB: Well thank you one again for taking time to speak with me. It’s been a pleasure meeting you.
Musiq: No problem. Thank you. You too
