Carmen Grisby is a mover and shaker in Los Angeles, CA in both the music and film industry. You only have to say the name Carmen, no last name needed, and folks pause. You can’t turn on the radio or watch a movie, without coming across one of her clients. She has the midas touch and can spot a star a mile away.

Shelia Goss: Carmen, you have a very impressive client’s list. How have you been able to build up a successful agency?
Carmen Grisby: I treat my clients as real people. The companies I work with expect quality and I offer both my clients and customers 100 percent of myself.

Shelia: How do you handle the stars ego?
Carmen: It’s easy. I give them one of my own (laughs).

Shelia: One of your clients is the award winning actress Rose Purdue.  How is she as a client?
Carmen: She’s a diva, but she knows she can’t pull that with me for too long.

Shelia: Has she mellowed some since having a baby with the music producer Lance?
Carmen: Yes, she has to some degree; but Rose is still Rose. (laughs).

Shelia: I was informed you were now Parris Mitchell’s new manager.
Carmen: Yes, I am. She’s also a good friend of mine.

Shelia: Does it affect your friendship?
Carmen: We’re able to separate the two. We were friends before she became a client. When the situation with Archie happened, she turned to me because she knew she could trust me.

Shelia: Did you read the interview with Archie?
Carmen: Yes. I wish he would call me. I have some things I want to say to him.

Shelia: He doesn’t feel like he did anything wrong?
Carmen: Of course he doesn’t…that’s why he’s in hiding. But every dog has its day and he’s going to get his.

Shelia: On to something more positive, when should we expect new music from Parris?
Carmen: The release date is March 4th.  Look for DOUBLE PLATINUM in the stores. Your readers won’t be disappointed.

Don’t forget to pick up your copy of DOUBLE PLATINUM by Shelia M. Goss or pre-order from Amazon.com.

Archie Walker’s claim to fame is being R & B singer Parris Mitchell’s manager. He became even more well known when he gave an interview to a well respected newspaper about his affair with Parris Mitchell’s assistant.

Shelia Goss: Archie, thank you for granting me this interview. You were a hard man to track down.
Archie Walker: When I got your email, I decided to contact you.

Shelia: Lucky for me you did. So why did you come out of hiding to talk to me?
Archie: I’m tired of the media making me out to be a crook.

Shelia: From my understanding, you ran away with some of Parris Mitchell’s money and until now you’ve been incognito.
Archie: Okay, let me get something straight. The money I got, I earned. Being with Parris was no field day. She can be a real diva at times. As her manager, I worked night and day to make sure she got gigs. I took care of all her needs. Only thing she had to do was look beautiful and sing.

Shelia: I’ve talked to her accountants and you were well compensated; the money you took was unauthorized by Parris and was said to be in the millions.
Archie: Parris should have had better control over her money.

Shelia: So it’s her fault you were able to get away with her money?
Archie: Don’t put words in my mouth. The money I got I earned. If their records don’t match mine, then oh well.

Shelia: Parris wants her money back. There’s a warrant out for your arrest. Why don’t you come back to Los Angeles and let the courts settle it?
Archie: I don’t owe Parris a @*&* thing. I would still be in LA if she hadn’t stuck the law on me. No, I’m not coming back to LA. Do you think they’ll give a black man a chance? H@** no; especially after OJ got away. In fact, this interview is over. For all I know, they’re on the line now trying to track me down.

The interview ended abruptly because of Archie’s paranoia. He later called apologizing for his behavior and tried to assure me he was innocent of any charges filed against him. He ended the call before I could ask about the woman he left Parris Mitchell for.

To find out more about Archie and his scandalous ways, pick up your copy of Double Platinum by Shelia M. Goss or order it from Amazon.com.

 Casper “CJ-The Hitmaker” Johnson is a man on the go. With his playboy good looks, he’s been on People’s Most Eligible Bachelor list for five years straight. I recently caught up with him to talk about his new projects and he gives us a sneak peak into his love life.

Shelia: How did you get the nick name C.J. – The Hitmaker?
C.J.: It’s self-explanatory. I came into the music business about ten years ago. I worked with a few producers as an intern, learned a few things and started moonlighting. Some of the artists I worked with ended up getting record deals and the songs I produced hit the charts and went double platinum and the rest is history.

Shelia: How do you feel when people compare you to P Diddy?
C.J.: I take it as a compliment. He’s a smart business man.

Shelia: What’s on your roster for the next year?
C.J.: Besides, my regular clients, I’m in the studio working on a few up and coming rappers albums.

Shelia: It’s rumored that you’ll be working with Parris Mitchell.
C.J.: That is a dream of mine.  She has a beautiful voice and if we do work together, I know we can make beautiful music together.

Shelia: I’m surprised you two haven’t collaborated before.
C.J.: Her ex-manager nipped that. When I approached him after a party about it, he told me flat no, she wouldn’t be interested.

Shelia: He’s no longer in the picture, so why not approach her again?
C.J.: We’ll see.

Shelia: Inquiring minds want to know. Are you still on the market?
C.J.: It depends. Are you?

Shelia: (blushing) You’re such a flirt, but seriously, are you seeing anyone special?
C.J.: No. I’m single and looking.

Shelia: I’m sure you won’t have any problems finding someone.
C.J.: It’s harder than what you think. Some of the women I meet are only trying to get with me because of the money; some think I can make them the next big star. It’s hard being me sometimes.

To find out more about Casper “CJ-The Hitmaker” Johnson, pick up your copy of DOUBLE PLATINUM or pre-order from Amazon.com.

R & B Diva Parris Mitchell says “Don’t call it a comeback. I haven’t gone anywhere, just needed to take some time off.”

The R & B Diva multi-award winning singer Parris Mitchell is back on the music scene after taking a little time away from the limelight to regroup. Her previous albums have hit every chart and she’s had several number one singles.

Her personal life has been filled with turmoil lately with the news of her ex-boyfriend and ex-manager Archie Walker running out with not only her money but her assistant. How does one make a comeback? I recently had a chance to interview Parris and she discusses the fiasco as well as her music.

Shelia Goss: Parris, it’s good to see you making a comeback. We’ve missed not hearing any music from you.
Parris Mitchell: Don’t call it a comeback. I haven’t gone anywhere. I just needed to take some time off.

Shelia: So what happened with Archie Walker? There was a time where I couldn’t open up a magazine or newspaper without seeing you two together. I was shocked to read the news about your breakup.
Parris: Imagine how I felt. I think we all learned about the breakup at the same time—in the newspaper.

Shelia: Now that was low down.
Parris: Well that’s Archie for you. I found out he was leaving me while reading an article in the paper. To top it off, he ran away with my assistant Sylvia.

Shelia: I know that must have been hard.
Parris: It was. He left me emotionally depleted. And as most know, he was also my manager. The business side of my career went a little haywire too. But all is well now.

Shelia: I want to thank you for granting me this exclusive interview. I know you were shying away from reporters so I’m honored.
Parris: I felt it was time to squash the rumors. Yes, Archie did take some of my money—lots of it. But he didn’t leave me broke like some of the tabloids and online gossip sites have been saying.

Shelia: Were you able to recoup any of your money?
Parris: Ha. Ha. If I ever catch up with the joker, I might be able to.

Shelia: You have a great attitude.
Parris: I can’t wallow around in self-pity for too long. Things happen. You deal with it and then you dust yourself off and get back in the game of life.

Shelia: Did your record company give you an ultimatum or was that a rumor too?
Parris: There’s a little truth in it. I love to sing and will sing for free; however this is my career and a record company is in it to make money. I’m a little disappointed that my last few albums didn’t take off like I thought they would.

Shelia: When can fans expect to hear some new music from you?
Parris: Right now, I’m trying to find the right producers. I’ve been doing a little writing. I’m getting back to the core of who Parris is. My goal is to give fans what they’ve been looking for.

Shelia: I heard it through the grapevine that you would be working with CJ the Hitmaker.

Parris: Right now, I’m not at liberty to say who I will be working with. I’ve been looking at him and Lance and a few others.

Shelia: You’ve been around for about ten years now. Do you think you can compete with the new class of R & B singers?
Parris: I hope no one takes my response the wrong way, but there’s no competition. We each do what we do. When some of the new ladies break out on the scene and try to imitate me, I look at it as a compliment. I don’t feel intimidated by it. I am Parris.

DOUBLE PLATINUM in stores March 4, 2008 or order your copy now from AMAZON.COM.

by Guest Blogger Abiola Abrams

It’s all about love, self-love… Print this out and put it next to your bathroom mirror, ok?

1. Make a new decision every morning that you are absolutely in love with yourself. Don’t get out of bed until you can make this decision. Mwah!

2. If you feel crappy, don’t put a smiley face on it and pretend that you don’t! Your feelings are valid. Do list out the things that you are grateful for though.

3. Know that you deserve to absolutely grab life by the cajones and go for it. Dareitude, yeah!

4. Rejections, perceived failures and criticisms will happen. Remember it’s not you, it’s them! Failure is an illusion—now you know better exactly what you do want and you’ve learned how not to do something, right?

5. When life gives you lemons, Cutie Pie, put your big girl/boy knickers on and deal with it. All things are working toward good. They really are!

6. Be kind to yourself. Pay attention to your self talk. We say things to ourselves that we wouldn’t say to our dogs!

7. Give yourself the advice that you’d give a friend. We always know how to solve everyone else’s junk don’t we? Well the best friend you have is you. Believe that!

8. You have the right to reinvent yourself! You don’t have to remain stuck at who you are this minute! The people around you will have to catch up. Look at the masters of reinvention: Sean Combs, Gwen Stefani, Oprah Winfrey, Rosie O’Donnell, Madonna, Barack Obama, Michael Jackson… Um, well, do reinvent yourself with reckless abandon but do remain human!!

9. Embrace beauty within and without. Instead of looking for the ugliness in people, places, situation, seek beauty. We find exactly what we’re looking for.

10. Surround yourself with love, love, love. Anyone or anything less than loving—cut it off!

Dear Readers,

I am proud to present to you my fourth novel - Double Platinum. This book was written to celebrate my love for R & B music. My goal was to show that celebrities are people just like you and I.

I hope you stay with me during the week long celebration as I count down to its release.  Starting Tuesday, I’ll be highlighting a different character.  You’ll get the behind the scenes view. So sit back and enjoy the ride.

Monica Carter Tagore posed the question: Is this story inspired by the lives of any of the people this accomplished writer has interviewed? Find out in Double Platinum.

List of the Double Platinum players:

  R & B Star - Parris Mitchell

 Carmen - Parris Mitchell’s agent and friend

 Sandy - The Tabloid Reporter

Maybe in my quick haste to see who was nominated this year for the 80th Annual Academy Award shows simply known as The Oscars, I overlooked something.

Why? Why? Why wasn’t The Great Debaters nominated in any category. Why? Why? Why wasn’t Denzel Washington or any of the other cast members from that movie not nominated. Why? Why? Why wasn’t any of the producers nominated?

Out of all of the nominations, only 1 person of color was nominated and that was Ruby Dee (which is a long overdue nomination).

Supporting Actress: Cate Blanchett, “I’m Not There”; Ruby Dee, “American Gangster”; Saoirse Ronan, “Atonement”; Amy Ryan, “Gone Baby Gone”; Tilda Swinton, “Michael Clayton.” For the full list of nominees, click here.

I don’t know about you, but although I’m not a member of the WGA, I am boycotting the Oscars this year for reasons of my own.

by Guest Blogger Peggy Eldridge-Love

When I’ve gone to family reunions in recent years I’ve been reminded of the reality of the history of the civil rights struggles in the middle of the last century as sitting amongst us is one of our family members who was a central figure in that struggle.

His right, in 1962, to attend the southern university of his choice required then President John F. Kennedy to have to call out federal troops and U.S. Marshals. That simple right was violently opposed and challenged by the state’s governor and its people, and resulted in some of the most tumultuous, riotous days of this nation’s history as the struggles for his rights played out.

In 1967, a photograph of this same relative being shot in 1966 as he led the civil rights march entitled “March Against Fear” from Memphis, Tennessee to Jackson, Mississippi won the Pulitzer Prize for photography (Photographer, Jack R. Thornell of Associated Press).

That this family member, James Meredith, opened doors for those of us coming behind him in search of the educations not only of our ability, but also our choice, goes without saying. That this family member has continually reached out to us individually and collectively to encourage our efforts as we reach for our own goals and objectives is unrelenting. One of the first letters of support and encouragement I received when my first book was published was from James. One of my greatest treasures will always be that letter as it reassured me that “I had a lot to say that the world needed to hear”. I believed him and as a part of that belief I have never stopped trying.

But before civil rights there was Reconstruction and my husband’s family played a key role in that lofty endeavor.

His great, great grandfather was a member of the 1866 Constitutional Convention and a number of successive legislatures, but it was his son, born in 1859, who took the new possibilities for freed black people and maximized on them and built a legacy of success that still resonates from Atlanta to Los Angeles for its ferocity.

Lieutenant-Colonel Floyd Henry Crumbly, a member of the Tenth U.S. Calvary, and honored veteran of the Spanish-American War, followed his military career with a thirst for business that in the mid 1880’s turned a $300 line of credit into one of Atlanta’s first black-owned grocery stores and him into one of the founders of Atlanta’s prestigious Wheat Street business center.

Within months Floyd Henry (after whom my husband is named) had paid off his loan and initiated purchase of the building he operated out of. A year and a half later he paid that building off and purchased the one next door. It was a momentum that he didn’t believe was just for himself, and as his prosperity increased, so did his commitment to his fellow man.

By 1890 he became the chief organizer of the Georgia Real Estate Loan and Trust Company, along with a hand full of other successful black Atlanta entrepreneurs of the time. He is credited with bringing into reality and serving on the board of trustees for The Carrie Steele Logan Orphanage which focused on the needs of African-American orphanaged and abandoned children who previously had been left to forge for themselves. In 1892 he was selected as a director of The Penny Savings Bank of Chattanooga, Tennessee, and, based on his outstanding military career, was appointed and Adjutant of the staff of Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Grant by the Governor of the State of Georgia.

Floyd Henry Crumbly founded the Negro Historical Society of Atlanta, and, eventually he moved to Los Angeles, California. His contributions in California were many as well as noted in F.H. Crumbly, “A Los Angeles Citizen,” The Colored American Magazine (September 1905). Some of his letters to co-harts such as Fredrick Douglass and Booker T. Washington are also a part of their collections in the Library of Congress.

It is a pleasure to be able to point our children and grandchildren to the accomplishments and contributions of their bloodlines - particularly these two - and to remind them that none of us arrive at our destination alone. We are there because of the efforts, the thrusts, the sacrifices, and the tenacity of others who cracked open the doors and let in a little light to shine upon our path.

This knowledge is particularly poignant on this celebration of Black History Month.

 Peggy Eldridge-Love is a poet, playwright, screenwriter and novelist. Her published and produced works include You Beckon and The Knoll Frames. Her poetry is included in the American Greetings 2006 African-American Almanac Day-At-A-Time Calendar. To learn more about this dynamic writer, visit her website at www.peggyeldridgelove.com or blog: http://peggyeldridgelove.blogspot.com 

Today I want to highlight the book Perilous Passions by Katherine D Jones.  It was released earlier this week. This was one of the last books written by my colleague and friend Katherine D Jones before she passed away in May 2007.

More about the book: Former policewoman, Karen Bryant, creates a new life for herself after a career-ending injury. Instead of finding a way to help criminally-troubled families in her Cleveland neighborhood, she finds a way to prevent criminal activity with a program aimed at the youth. Unfortunately, her one obstacle appeared to be sexy officer, Caro Spencer. Caro Spencer is a cop with a chip on his shoulder. He’s been tasked to work with Karen, following his convalescent leave, and he’s not happy about his reassignment. A misunderstanding separates them, but once they realize they’ve both been immature and stubborn, they find that anger was just a cover up for a sizzling desire for one another. Karen and Caro fight crime during the day and fight their passion for each other at night, until unstoppable desire pushes them over the edge. Karen and Caro fall headlong into each other’s arms and into a Periolous Passion that will have them fighting for their lives and their love.

To order your copy, go to: Amazon.com or pick it up from your favorite local book store.

To read more about Katherine D Jones and her works, go to: http://www.katherinedjones.com/

As I was visiting some of my favorite blogs, I came across this on The Lo Zone.   Songerize is a search engine that will locate almost any song. The beauty of it all is that it doesn’t download the song to your computer, it just automatically plays it. So go ahead, try it. Let me know what you think. 

I tried a lot of songs and so far it’s only been stumped by one and that was Girl by The Time.

[click image to go directly to the website]