December 2015 - Southern Soul Magazine

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December 2014 | Volume 1, No. 4

THE BAR-KAYS

TURN 50

Southern Soul l December 2014 | 2

Southern Soul Magazine is a monthly publication of MAAC Media Group, LLC and is distributed in locations throughout the Memphis/Mid-South area. Annual subscriptions are available for $40.00 (twelve issues). Readership: 70,000 2014 by MAAC Media Group, LLC. All rights reserved. The publisher assumes no responsibility for unsolicited materials and does not return unsolicited materials to sender. Photography and images obtained for editorial usage is owned by Southern Soul Magazine and may not be released for commercial use such as in advertisements. Reproduction in whole or in part without the publishers consent is strictly prohibited. The opinions expressed herein are exclusively those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the positions or views of the editor or publisher. The publication of any advertisement in this issue does not constitute an endorsement of the advertisers products or services by this publication. Southern Soul Magazine is a trademark belonging to MAAC Media Group, LLC.

MAAC Media Group, LLC | PO Box 18100 | Memphis, TN 38181 | Phone 901.366.SOUL (7685)

PUBLISHER/CEOChris Boyd

EDITOR-IN-CHIEFToni Harvey

EXECUTIVE EDITORB. Henderson

ART DIRECTORJada Thompson

CREATIVE DIRECTORDarius B Williams

CONTRIBUTING WRITERSGwen BlountJohn Doyle

Kathy Kirk-JohnsonLyle JohnsonPepper LewisMyron Mays

Cleopatra MemphisPastor Bartholomew Orr

Alisha TilleryRicky E. Wilkins, Esq.

Artwork by Quinn McGowan

Omissions: Novembers issue omitted Fashion Credits: Stylist: Margaret Boyd Models: Stephanie Jones and Kellie Dacruz.

In Memoriam: In Novembers issue, we covered Iron Mic Coalition. Since our interview, Ennis Newman, Avenging Wind, has succumbed to an illness. Our sincere condolences and thoughts are with his family, Iron Mic, and his fans.

Alisha Tillery Alisha Tillery is a freelance writer and public relations professional living and working in Memphis, Tennessee. She has been published in ESSENCE, Ebony.com, Clutch Magazine and Mediabistro.com. She

writes about any and everything that hits a nerve at.www.alishatillery.com.

John Doyle John Doyle, a native Memphian, is the Executive Director of both the Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum at FedEx Forum (rocknsoul.org) and the Memphis Music Hall of Fame (memphismusichalloffame.com).

A graduate of Rhodes College, he worked in radio promotions and marketing prior to opening his own advertising agency and, then, working as Vice President of Programming for Memphis in May. He and his wife, Lynn, have one son, Bennett, who now also works in Memphis radio.

In This Issue

CONTRIBUTORS

EDITIOR'S NOTES

Because $1 provides food for three nutritious meals, your donation to Mid-South Food Bank will help provide food for children facing hunger.

Visit us online to help make this Holiday Season better for children.

No Child Should Be Hungry This Holiday Season

901.527.0841 | midsouthfoodbank.org

Let the good times roll!

Join us for Junior Achievements30th Annual

Bowlin on the RiverBowl-A-Thon

Round up your friends and coworkers, and reserve your lane today forJunior Achievements largest fundraiser of the year, February 21-22 and

February 28 - March 1, 2015 at a bowling center near you!

made possible by event sponsors

For details, call 901.366.7800 or visit JAMemphis.org.Billy Hardwicks All Star Lanes

1567White Station Road (901)683-2695Funquest Family Entertainment

404 US Highway 72 (901)850-9600

Strike ZoneBowling Center3330 Pine Tar Alley (662)893-0530

Winchester Bowling Center3703 SouthMendenhall (901)362-1620

ParticipatingBowlingCenters


ContentsDecember 2014

In This Issue

20

68

65

87

27

45

HEY MYRON CHRISTMAS BOO ARTS SHEILA WHALUM 50 Tips for Love

FEATURE THE BAR-KAYS 50 is Still Funky

FOOD CHRISTMAS BREAKFAST WAFFLES

FASHION WHIMSICAL HOLIDAY FASHION

uMATTER SOUNDS OF STAX MUSIC ACADEMY

45

65

20

68

27

Southern Soul l December 20146 |

BPastor Bartholomew Orr

Bartholomew Orr is the Senior Pastor of Brown Missionary Baptist Church. Pastor Orr has served in this capacity for 25 years.

He and his wife, Valarie, married in 1990 and have four sons: Bartholomew II, Valiant Bates, Bradford Vincent, Brandon, one daughter in law Melissa and grandson Bartholomew III (Tre).

Bartholomew Orr began preaching in 1981 at the age of eleven. He was licensed to preach in 1983 and ordained in 1986. He was elected pastor of Brown Missionary Baptist Church on January 25, 1989. Under his leadership, the church has experienced tremendous growth, spiritually and numerically.

Pastor Orr works diligently to ensure that Brown maintains an atmosphere that embodies the "Christian Family." His church family prides him for being

accessible to his church members through various facets of communication. Through his submission to the will of God, Pastor Orr has taken Brown Baptist Church to unprecedented levels. Under his watch as Shepherd of this flock, he has witnessed a children's ministry explode to more than 400 children, and formed life enriching partnerships with community members to ensure that individuals have access to health screenings and career opportunities.

Pastor Orr is a firm believer in education. He received his Doctorate Degree in Ministry from Union University in Jackson, TN in 2014; his Masters of Divinity degree from Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary in Cordova, TN in 2003; and, his undergraduate degree in Humanities from Christian Brothers University in Memphis, TN in 1991.


Soul Seeds

At Christmas... Create, Cherish & CelebrateBy: Pastor Bartholomew Orr

Last year, my wife and I were blessed with the best Christmas gift -- the arrival of our first grandson, Tre. Even amid a year of debating whom he looks like (in the end, he still has my name), it has been a blessed year and we are so looking forward to this Christmas. As we approach this wonderful time of the year, I offer you the following suggestions for making this the best Christmas ever and for ending this year on a high note.First, create some memories. I bought my first camera over twenty-five years ago as a freshman in college and my camera and I were inseparable. But now everyone has a camera and video camcorder built into their smart phones. Be real smart and use it to capture precious memories. Start a family tradition or continue an old family tradition. Having a family get-together is a great way to connect with loved ones and enjoy an evening of food, fun and fellowship.

Second, cherish the moments. Life is all about the special moments -- A song; a smile; a twinkle in the eye; a laugh; and, a deep feeling that still warms your soul when you remember the moment. This Christmas, spend some time reflecting, remembering the moments that have shaped you into the person you are today. Cherish the moments that have defined your family. In Biblical times, God always encouraged His people to pick up stones as they travelled through life. Thank God for the IPad and Notepads which

stores all of those special moments for us. There is not a day that goes by that my wife doesnt watch her favorite videos of Tre.

Finally, celebrate the Messiah. Christmas is all about the birth of Jesus Christ, our Messiah. All the fun, feasts and festivities of the season are only heightened when you celebrate your faith. It is our faith, which adds hope to the challenges we face and comfort to the struggles we have endured during this past year. Our faith allows us to pick up the broken pieces and to continue living life to the fullest. So --celebrate the Messiah. Attend a Christmas cantata or Singing Christmas Tree. Drop some change into the red buckets outside the stores. Adopt a child and share the love of Christ with them. Go Christmas Caroling at a Nursing Home. They wont mind even if you sing off key. Get up early and attend Christmas Sunrise Worship.

The temperature is dropping. The leaves have changed. And, I cant wait for Christmas!

This Christmas, spend some time reflecting, remembering the moments that have shaped you into the person you are today.

thesouthernsoul.com /southernsoulmagazine /southernsoulmag

Happy Holidays

and Best Wishes for

a prosperous New Year.


HHolidays are endearing time of the year. They are a time of reflection and anticipation. Memories froanm childhood are revisited; hope is rekindled with thoughts of an approaching new year; and the notorious Grinch crawls quietly behind the shadows of warm joyous merriment and the sounds of the Holidays. This issue, we celebrate the sounds of the Holiday!

Sounds of good cheer are heralded with Pastor Bartholomew Orrs uplifting message. We introduce you to our newest column, Taste Life With Kat. This month, she prepared a mouth-watering breakfast full of festive holiday colors. Look for her upcoming articles where she shares suggestions and tips that will brighten your home, your appetites, and lifestyle.

Searching for tips on your relationship? Check out our book reviews. We love the joyful sounds of community involvement. This month, we highlight one mans determination to inform the community of the importance of organ donation and three sisters who started an endowment to assist minority students.

Celebrating the sounds of Memphis, we are honored to bring you fifty years of a wild, rhythmic legend, the Bar-Kays. Their story will have you tapping your toes and nodding your head. Their amazing story of triumph over tragedy is not only uplifting but inspiring.

To borrow a quote from my friend Roby Williams, Whether you worship at the foot of the cross, under the Star of David, or on a mat facing east, holidays are a time to celebrate a higher power, peace and joy.

We at Southern Soul want to thank those who have supported us this year and those who offered kindnesses and free lunches. We wish you a Happy Holiday Season and a peaceful, prosperous New Year.

Editors Letter

Editor-In-ChiefToni Harvey

@graduatememphis facebook.com/graduatememphis (901) 415-2774 | graduatememphis.org

Visit the College Resource Center at Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library

for more information.

Monday-Thursday, 3:00-7:00 p.m. Friday-Sunday, 1:00-4:00 p.m.

This Holiday Season,Give Yourself The Gift Of

Post-Secondary Education

With

We are the comprehensive, free service center for adults seeking to successfully return or begin and

complete a post-secondary education program.


Soul Stirrer

Larry ColbertGovernor Of JA BizTown

What child wouldnt jump at the opportunity to serve as Mayor for a day, run First Tennessee Bank, or preside over city court? Well, there is one town where this happens. Operating since 2002, JA BizTown, tucked away on Madison Avenue is governed by Larry Colbert, the President/CEO of Junior Achievement of Memphis and Mid-South - this months Soul Stirrer.

Typically, when we write about a Soul Stirrer, we select a person or entity that is impacting the community. We dive into the persons passion and driving force behind his/her program. There is so much about Mr. Colbert that impacts our community through his various civic endeavors. But after meeting Larry, we learned his lifes passion of uplifting youth has been channeled into the programming provided through

Junior Achievement and what the program offers our community.

SS: Tell us about JA BizTown.

LC: BizTown teaches kids about business, financial literacy, and economics preparing them for the work force and entrepreneurship. Its overall concept is that kids learn better by doing; that kids retain more if interactive with the lesson. BizTown is a fully interactive, simulated town facility where 5th

By: Toni Harvey Photography By: Darius B Williams

People who think education is expensive have never counted the cost of ignorance. - Andrew Young, former Mayor of Atlanta, GA


grade students work together and test the lessons they learned over a five-week classroom curriculum. The mini-municipality houses 16 public and private enterprises including a bank, stock brokerage, newspaper, radio station, and retail. The town is a working free enterprise community where each student experiences the responsibilities of running a business and acting as a consumer, saver, investor, and citizen within the community. A minimum of one adult volunteer typically assists in operating each business. We also have corporations that adopt a school and send employee volunteers. Students learn firsthand what it takes to run and operate a business. All 5th grade students are eligible for the program.

SS: On average, how many elementary schools participate?

LC: We have 48 schools. Every private school in Memphis and the Mid-South participates in this program; even the small ones. We have an additional 40 public schools wanting to participate, but funding is an issue. It takes a minimum of 60 students for us to operate the entire town.

SS: Are the 60 students from one school?

LC: That is the best scenario because the students are more engaged and competitive when they have worked together prior to entering the city. However, we do combine schools. We have several private schools whose class size is smaller. In those cases, the schools work together and collectively reach the 60 minimum. What we love to see is a collaborative pairing between the private schools and the inner city schools.

SS: What is a typical day in the town?

LC: In preparation, the city Mayor and the Judge are elected at the school when the curriculum begins. In

"Every private school in Memphis and the Mid-South participates in this program; even the small ones.

Soul Stirrer


the early morning, the kids are busy getting their shops ready. At mid-morning, the students gather in front of their business and the Mayor takes the podium, calls the city to order and opens the city for business. Each business owner goes on stage, gives his/her elevator speech about their products and/or services, and the interactive competition and marketing begins. They must function as a business; make a product; advertise; sell a product; meet payroll; and all the requirements needed to operate a business. When they are on break or at lunch they have shop time. Now, they are exchanging dollars and participating in trade. The number one goal by the end of the day is to sell enough goods and/or services to pay off their business loan acquired when opening their business.

SS: Is there a follow-up program for the next grade?

LC: We have programs at every grade level. We have another program similar to this -- Finance Park where middle school kids are

placed in real-life scenarios and required to make decisions and determine solutions utilizing the skills learned in the program. They learn to adjust their finance to lifes ups and downs, including job loss, dependents, and unforeseen circumstances. Currently, we do not provide Finance Park. We are planning to develop one here in five years if we can secure financing. We also have several high school programs. One, the Job Shadow, inspires students to be entrepreneurs in their approach to work and introduces them to professions and industries crucial to the future and encourages mentoring. It involves students participating in the workplace environment while shadowing an individual at work.

SS: What is the cost for a schools participation?

LC: The price is $30 per student. The actual cost is $75 per student, but we only charge $30. The balance is paid through our operational funds. At $30 per student with an ideal participation

"BizTown teaches kids about business, financial literacy, and economics preparing them for the work force and entrepreneurship."

Soul Stirrer


count of 100 students per school, the overall expenditure is $3,000 per school.

SS: Where do you get your funding?

LC: We have corporate sponsors that provide annual funding to cover the cost of operating their BizTown facility. This does not cover student participation. When we opened BizTown, the school systems were funding each school. The funding was cut in 2008. We are seeking community partners to participate in the adopt-the-school program and to supplement funding for public schools. The best example I can give is Idlewild Presbyterian Church, a small congregation, which has adopted Idlewild Elementary School. For the last 5-6 years, they have paid $3,000 for Idlewild Elementarys participation. We need more civic, corporate and faith based community sponsorship.

SS: What is the greatest obstacle?

LC: We have the capacity to serve 14,000 students, but we are only reaching 5,000 in the program. We wont reach capacity or the other students until the school system mandates 5th graders to complete the program. Thats what Atlanta did last year. The school board

said we see the value in this program and we want it as part of our curriculum. We must get buy-in from leadership in Memphis. Our program is utilized in the outlying areas such as Lakeland, Germantown and Collierville.

SS: What drives you?

LC: I am really driven by seeing our kids succeed. I think we need more people locally to step up and say I want to make a difference, make my city successful. I get excited when I hear good news about our kids. There was a recent article on New Memphis Ballet where the kids visited the White House. Those kinds of stories exist here. We just dont focus enough on them. We focus more on the negative. We hear about the one Friday night football game where some knuckleheads got out of line. Giving credence to that one group and yet ignoring the other 99% does the community no good. There are so many successful kids and successful programs here. What happens in the inner-city impacts the success of our entire

Soul Stirrer

"I am really driven by seeing our kids succeed. I think we need more people locally to step up and say I want to make a difference, make my city successful."


Soul Stirrer

community, including the suburbs. I absolutely love what we do here at JA BizTown. I have strong passion for this and my thing is Im not going to give up on the kids. So all those hurdles I have to jump over to get there is just a part of doing business.

SS: What message would you like to leave with our readers?

LC: I believe all kids have the potential to be winners and successful. They need a foundation along with support. So what I say to people is lets stop pointing the finger at others and become the man in the mirror. Ask what you can do. If everyone in the county adopts one child, thats $30 for a child to experience the program.

Editorial Note: Since our interview, we researched and discovered the JA BizTown program has proven successful across the country and cities which have corporate buy-ins, local civic support and school mandated participation are the rising success stories. Chicago, Houston, St. Louis and Atlanta have school mandated programs. Ironically, these are cities where income and poverty intersect and present one of the greatest challenges to those cities progress and crime rates hindering their stability and recover plans.

Memphis ranks high in poverty, low income, crime and low school ratings. Mandating and implementing the JA BizTown in our schools would be a major

step toward buttressing our future. Prepared 5th graders represent a strong work force, enlightened financiers and economic development. The JA BizTown program currently reaches 20,000 students a year. When our school systems provided funding, it reached over 50,000 students. Please encourage your school board, city and county representatives to include the JA BizTown funding in its budget. Please encourage your civic and faith based community to adopt a school. Please find 5 hours to volunteer at the town and/or donate $30 for a students participation.


You cant buy happiness

but you can buy local, and thats kind of

the same.

Support Memphis Local Businesses


The Williams Sisters, Willie Mae Williams Crittendon, Ethelyn Williams-Neal, and Beverly Williams-Cleaves, linked arms and established the John Ed and Odessa Williams UTHSC Endowment Lectureship in Community Diabetes.

Community

Their father, John Ed Williams, didnt advance beyond an 8th grade education. Leaving school to work the rural Tennessee family farm, education remained uppermost in his mind. He and his wife, Odessa, vowed this would not be the future of his three daughters, Willie Mae, Ethelyn and Beverly.

Running a prosperous farming operation, he and Odessa decided to move to nearby Memphis for the sole reason of giving the girls a chance at a better education. Always a man of few words, John bestowed only few words for each girl as they entered school -- he would only go to their school

once - their graduation. The girls excelled in school.

Willie Mae Williams Crittendon went on to become an educator and administrator in the Chicago Public School system, earning a Ph.D. in secondary education. Both girls, Ethelyn and Beverly

L to R: Guy Reed, M.D., Chair, UTHSC Dept. of Medicine; Beverly Williams-Cleaves, M.D.; Ethelyn Williams-Neal, M.D.; Willie Williams Crittendon, Ph.D.; and James Gavin, III, M.D.

Sisters Establish Endowment Honoring Their Parents

A Lectureship In Community DiabetesBy: Pepper Lewis


attended University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center (UTHSC). Ethelyn Williams-Neal became a physician and for over 30 years, has run a thriving pediatric practice in Memphis. Beverly Williams-Cleaves also chose medicine, becoming an endocrinologist and practices with a focus on diabetes treatment.

To honor their parents, the sisters established a Fifty Thousand Dollars Lectureship at the University of Tennessee. The John Ed and Odessa Williams UTHSC Endowment Lectureship in Community Diabetes held its Inaugural Grand Rounds Lecture featuring renowned Dr. James

Gavin, III. Dr. Gavin spoke at Grand Rounds, consulted with endocrinology fellows and spoke at a meeting of the Bluff City Medical Society.

In presenting the Endowment, Dr. Williams-Cleaves stated We were excited to have the opportunity to launch this Inaugural Lectureship. Diabetes and community health are topics that are very dear to our hearts. The sisters established the Endowment in hope that the Endowment will continue to grow and encourage greater diversity in support of UTHSC. They want to highlight the importance of excellent community care for those with diabetes and the need to provide ancillary financial support for minority medical students at UTHSC.

Community

They want to highlight the importance of excellent community care for those with diabetes and the need to provide ancillary financial support for minority medical students at UTHSC.

Lectureship Guest with UTHSCs Sam Dagogo-Jack, M.D. (white coat); Beverly Williams-Cleaves, M.D. (center); and

Lecturer James Gavin, III, M.D. (2ND from right).

John Ed and Odessa Williams


I

Hey Myron!

Are You Booed Up For The Holidays?Its that time of year again. Cant you just feel it in the air? The holidays are here! Theres nowhere you can go to escape the holiday cheernot to mention the great prices on the things you love the most. We all get the warm and fuzzies this time of year, now dont we?

We love to tear up the mall buying gifts for the special people in our lives. We also love surprises . . . with a little something with our name on it. Oh no! Not that practical gift from your mother. Oh no! Not the yearly pair of socks from our Aunt Martha! Everyone wants that special gift from that special someone. You knowtheir Boo. I mean The OJays may have said it best, Christmas just aint Christmas without the one you Love.

Theres nothing like chestnuts roasting on an open firewith your Boo. Theres nothing like letting it snowwith your Boo. Its really something romantic about the idea of spending the holiday with that special someone.

But theres a profound question that most of us have heard every year of our lives and never paid much attention tounless they felt the question was aimed at them. R&B trio, The Emotions asks us every year, What Do the Lonely Do at Christmas? Well, some simply try to avoid being lonely. How do they accomplish that, you might ask? Well, they aggressively seek relationships.

Believe it! Its real! There are some people who date around

the holidays to avoid being alone at Christmas? Then by the end of February, theyre single again. Before you ask, Who does that? you can probably think of at least one person in your life that does. But its understandable. I mean, no one wants to be alone, especially at Christmas.

However, for those who are desperately clamoring to get hitched up for the holidays, Id like to help you navigate your way through the Christmas season with your heart intact.

1. Dont start anything that you have no intentions of finishing. Disposable relationships are a big waste of time and energy.

2. Instead of wishing you had someone to buy a special gift for or wishing there was someone to give you a special gift. Why not kill two birds with one stone and go out and buy something nice for yourselfnot a bad idea huh?

3. Dont be pressured into thinking you have to show up at the family dinner with someone on your arm. Your relatives will still be happy to see you.

4. Keep yourself busy. Dont waste your precious time sitting around worried about being alone. Get out and go do something Christmassy. The last thing you need this time of year is an idle mind.

5. The holidays are for you to enjoy with

your loved ones, which not only includes your significant other, but friends & family as well. Those are the ones you should surround yourself with. If you are not capable of maintaining a good relationship with friends and family, chances are youll have trouble maintaining a good relationship with that special someone.

So, there you have it. I know the holiday season can sort of drag along. But hang in thereyoure gonna be just fine. Enjoy the holiday season. Save all the relationship troubles for the New Year. Thats what New Years Resolutions are for -- right?

By: Myron Mays Photography By: Darius B Williams


Hey Myron!

LETTERS TO MYRON

Dear Afraid:

Well, the fact that you are writing this letter shows that you have some type of moral compass, which is a good thing. However in a situation like this, a number of things will happen when he is not around. Either youre really gonna miss him or want to be with him and theres gonna be a time when youre not able to. Can you imagine really wanting

to be with somebody that you love and care aboutbut cant? Thats not a very good feeling.

Also, since you do have signs of a moral compass, there will be times where your conscious is going to tap you on the shoulder and remind you that youre not in a good situationfor obvious reasons. You can best believe that wont be a very good feeling either.

Youre vulnerable right now. Youre still healing from your own situation and perhaps this guy reminds you of some of the things you loved about your husband. How about this? Spare yourself the inevitable and take some time to focus on you rather than creating a situation for yourself that wont make your life better.

Dear Frustrated:

Its quite simple. Youre there every day. You have rules and structure he has to follow daily. No one likes rules and structure, especially a 13 year old. Not saying there arent any rules and structure when he is with his father, but he is with you majority of the time. Chances are you have greater expectations of him.

So at this point, Dad might be the favorite because he does not make him do homework, clean up his room and that sort of thing and because time is short and their time together likely takes place on the weekend when everyone is relaxed. So when he is with the other parent, its sort of a vacation. We all like vacations! Right?

Keep being the best mother you can be. At 13, we all think the grass is greener on the other side. If he lived with his dad, it would probably be the other way around. The good news is, he wont be 13 forever and this too shall pass.

Hey Myron: Im recently divorced. However, I just met someone. He is a nice guy, but he is married. Im trying to keep it at a friendship level, but I know that if we become good friends, Im gonna want more out of it. (Afraid)

Hey Myron: Im a single mother; I work hard to provide for my 13-year-old son because his father does not offer much help. I get so frustrated because my son always seems to care more about his father than me; when Im the one busting my behind trying to give him the things he needs. Why is it that the absent parent always gets a pass, but the one who takes care of them gets the attitudes, backtalk and rebellion? (Frustrated)

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IIts holiday season again and that means cold weather. The chilly days of winter can really play havoc with your skin. As the temperature drops and cold weather makes its debut, the skin becomes dry and moisture starved and so do our lips.

The skin on lips is quite thin and tends to lose a great deal of moisture during the winter months. As a result, burning, chapped, flaky lips are a common problem in cold climates. Unfortunately, many people contribute to the problem by constantly licking their lips to relieve the dryness. Theres a natural, sometimes unconscious, tendency for a person to lick their lips to relieve the dryness. Unfortunately, exposing already burning, chapped lips to saliva only worsens the condition leading to a vicious cycle of lip licking, dryness, redness and chapping.

But before you run to the nearest drug store and stock up on pore-clogging oils and harsh chemicals, why not take the natural approach? With a good daily

regimen and a bit of common sense, your lips will warm to a lip balm treatment that smooths, soothes, and protects even in the dead of winter.

Heres a simple at-home treatment that will keep your lips hydrated and smooth. This easy DIY solution is not only quick and easy but affordable. There are three items you will need for luscious holiday lips.

First, get an empty, small, plastic container. This can be acquired almost anywhere. Pick up a container that is the size and style you like. Eye-catching containers are always a plus. Second, get a small jar of Vaseline. Vaseline will serve as the base of your lip protector. You can choose the regular or the scented kind. And last, but not least, Gold Bond medicated cream. This cream has a non-greasy, mentholated feel and is a dependable product that has been around for years. It is widely known for treating all kinds of skin issues. Now its time to get to work.

Lip Care Winter Tips

By: Cleopatra Memphis

Beauty


Cleopatra Memphis is an Educator, Stylist, and Makeup Artist for Film and Television. Cleopatra Memphis has worked in the beauty industry for over a decade. She has a wealth of knowledge and a firm foundation in her field and is listed as a makeup artist with the Memphis and Shelby County Film and Television Commission. When not

serving her clients, she is working on television, film, and print projects; teaching Makeup Arts Education classes to industry professionals and kids; and provides children etiquette classes. She is an enthusiastic salsa dancer, enjoys Zumba, cooking, piano and singing and is a dedicated volunteer with The American Cancer Society Look Good Feel Better Program, MIFA Cool Program, Infinite Family Mentoring Africas Future Program. You can sign up for her tips and makeup Education Classes at www.CleopatraMemphis.com; Facebook at www.facebook.com/TheCleopatraMemphis ; and/or Twitter @CleopatraMemphis."

Step 1. Place your empty plastic container on a clean paper towel.

Step 2. Take a plastic spoon and fill half the container with Vaseline.

Step 3. Fill the other half with Gold Bond Medicated Cream.

Step 4. Mix together until evenly blended.

Step 5. Moisturize lips

Step 6. Apply a thin layer of your new winter lip protectant to your lips and rub in gently.

Step 7. For the ladies - after lips are protected, apply your choice of holiday lipstick or gloss.

A few simple winter tips to help you keep moist supple lips:

Apply a bit of lip balm before bedtime to moisturize as you sleep.

Use lip balm before going out into harsh weather.

Drink plenty of water to keep your lips hydrated and supple

Avoid the use of lipsticks that can dry out your lips if they become chapped

Resist the urge to nibble at your lips

Use a toothbrush with soft bristles to remove flaky skin from your lips

Now you will have beautiful soft lips all winter and save money with your own specialty lip balm.

Beauty


Fitness

As the Holiday season arrives, theres a high chance turkey and dressing will be part of your day or that extra cup of egg nog will be part of your evening. If you are watching your weight or simply counting calories, holidays are often greeted with much anxiety and pose quite a challenge to a dieters resolve. It seems that food is lurking around every corner.

As long as you plan your holiday eating and maintain your holiday exercise program, you shouldnt have a problem staying fit. When no plan is in place, its easy to drop the ball. Its easy to get caught in the holiday eat, drink and be merry program. So how do you get through the festive season with your shape intact? Planning sets you up for success.

If you design a Holiday Weight Plan, its much easier than you think. Here are three fundamental elements of an easy to follow Holiday Weight Plan.

Plan A Holiday Workout The first thing to survive the holiday season is to plan an effective Holiday Workout. Since holiday gatherings are plentiful, you will likely spend less time at the gym. To make sure every minute in the gym counts, consider transitioning to a full body workout that focuses on targeted areas.

Then, add cardio intervals during your rest periods. Grab a rope and start skipping or simply perform some jumping jacks on the spot. This plan offers cardio training while performing strength training; reducing the need for two separate sessions.

Pre-Plan Holiday Eating The next must-do to survive the festive season is to take the time to pre-plan holiday eating. Plan the meals you will treat yourself to extra calories. Will you treat yourself to the office potluck? Or perhaps youd like to save your extra eats when you and your significant other enjoy a late night snack together. Will you have a drink at that holiday mixer

or will you sip champagne into the New Year?

Plan Daily Activities The last element to your holiday survival plan is to get in as much activity as possible. Take walks as frequently as you can throughout the day and join your friends for window shopping rather than drinks. Park your car a few rows over from the door to get in more walking. Join the line dances at parties. The latest boogie-down line dances are pure cardio and loads of fun.

Everything will add up and then if you do happen to take in more calories than you should that day, it shouldnt pose as much of a threat to your weight or shape.

So, when you sit down to planning your holiday card list and your holiday shopping, be sure to include your holiday weight plan. Stick to your plan and you shouldnt worry about carrying holiday weight gain into next year!

Lyle Johnson, certified personal trainer and author of Get Fit 4 Christ, received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Grambling State University. He is a fitness and exercise specialist, motivational speaker, and author. Lyle has helped hundreds reach their fitness and weight loss goals through his seminars and training programs. His professional mission is to reach as many people as possible by providing the training, tools and knowledge to live healthier, more joyful and abundant lives. For more information, visit www.lylejohnson.net or contact him at [email protected].

How To Stay Fit Through The Christmas Season

By: Lyle Johnson


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Why Love Doesnt Last

Tips To Making Your Marriage Last

By: Pepper Lewis Photography by: Darius B Williams

Looking for a book that is chock full of great advice, easy to grasp, and a sensible roadmap to keeping a marriage? Sheila Whalum has the book for you. The book, Why Love Doesnt Last, shares what she has learned about the psychology of love during her more than thirty years of marriage and more than two decades of relationship counseling.

The book offers couples a guide to transform your relationship into a lasting source of love and companionship. Couples desiring refreshment in their relationship will discover easy to follow steps to assess themselves and steps to renew their marriage.

The book jumps out in Chapter One with Why Men Cheat Sheila explains she has found over the course of her research, men need to feel powerful in two ways: in the pockets and in the pants.

Knocking it out the park with the first two pages, Why Love Doesnt Last reveals how love gets lost in the shuffle and what can be done to recover it.

Southern Soul was able to catch Sheila at her book launch and ask a few questions.

SS: Assuming the insight in your book was discovered and nurtured during your long-lasting marriage; can you share with us how you arrived at such clear, brilliant pearls of wisdom?

WHALUM: These pearls of wisdom derived from being treated with honor from my husband since the age of 22. I shared all the things my husband and I experienced which I felt was normal in a marriage. The key is that we communicate about everything which makes everything "work" in our Love Relationship.

SS: You describe three stages of marriage, how were you able to adjust to changes? How long was your adjustment? How long did it take to learn?

WHALUM: I did not discover these stages until many years later during research. I had been married over (20) years, but when I read those three stages; I could clearly see they were indeed TRUE! It took me ten years for the first two stages and now, I am very settled in the last stage.

SS: You suggest if one partner has a social media account the other should also. In todays environment, social media has been the demise of many relationships. What additional advice would you give couples on navigating the social media world?

WHALUM: It is a must to be a part of social media. Otherwise, you


are going to be left behind. It's not healthy for just one spouse to be on social media. I suggest going to class to learn all that you can because it is here to stay.

SS: You talk about communication, have you found over the years that couples communicate differently with each other? Or, is there a cookie cutter approach to communication?

WHALUM: Yes, many couples communicate in different ways and especially via text messages these days. But, speaking face to face is the best way. Oh, and yes, call me. I expect to hear my Husband's voice over the telephone daily.

SS: So many couples are happy and excited when they learn they are expecting a child. How does this newfound joy turn a marriage into havoc - when at one time it was what brought them closer?

WHALUM: That's because the "Intimate Stage" is not here to stay in a marriage. Marriage takes a lot of work. Then you add a child to the mix and the ride of love takes a backseat for a long time. But, if you communicate and work together, it will come back.

SS: Which have women ranked first: sex or a home-cooked meal?

WHALUM: Let's just say Husbands want both equally!

SS: You share that men flirted with you at church and you ask are you flirting outside your marriage and gave reasons why people flirt. Would you say women flirt for the same reasons as men?

WHALUM: No, women flirt strictly for attention especially, if they are not getting it from their spouses. They must know they have it going on at all times.

SS: Many relationships end because of past events or transgressions. How can couples get to the point where they are able to not only forgive their spouse, but forget the incident as well?

WHALUM: It will only take God to go deep into the hearts of couples to make it right, if they are both willing. Otherwise, it will be a miserable marriage.

SS: You discuss extreme measures to save your marriage. Should there be a boundary on how extreme those measures should go? How far is too far?

WHALUM: Yes, I think there should be boundaries. However, if both couples agree on the particular measure to use, then it's nobody's business. It's not too far, if they both agree whether outsiders think otherwise.

SS: I never thought about having a strategic plan for marriage. How can we make couples more aware that creating a strategic plan is needed in a marriage?

WHALUM: I think one must be business-minded to think this way. However, that is why this book is a self-help for all relationships. And the strategic plan just makes so much sense.

SS: What suggestions do you have for couples wanting to continue that feeling of falling in love?

WHALUM: To read, "Why Love Doesn't Last." They must understand that there are different kinds of love and the one they are trying to hold on to does not last.

Sheila Whalum is the wife and First Lady of The New Olivet Baptist Church, in Memphis, Tennessee. Sheila has been married to her husband, Dr. Kenneth T. Whalum, Jr., for 33 years. They have three sons together. Cofounding C.A.N.A. (Couples Achieving Newness Again) in 1999, Sheila has guided couples through marriage obstacles for over a decade. C.A.N.A.s married couples class is designed to save marriages from going into that stale stage where the marriage is just about dead.

Arts

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AA picture may be worth a thousand words, but 200 images of the artists who define the sound of Memphis defy calculation at least when photographed by Thom Gilbert. Through the perfection of his lens and the uniqueness of his vision, Gilbert captures the history of Memphis music in the newly-released book, Soul: Memphis Original Sound.

By focusing his lens on Memphis, Gilbert catches the essence of soul and the South through distinctive faces and artifacts. The list of Memphian Sound megastars is impressive including Booker T and the MGs, Otis Redding, Isaac Hayes, the Staple Singers, Johnny Taylor, and the Bar-Kays but Gilbert highlights lesser known treasures. By doing so, he memorializes them all past and present, known and lesser known in his beautiful compilation.

Armed with his camera and talent, Gilbert spent two years photographing the honor roll of Memphis musicians and supporters, including Reverend Jesse Jackson, Sr. From BB King to Queen of Memphis Soul, Carla Thomas; veteran Stax guitarist Steve Cropper to newly acclaimed vocalist, Evvie McKinney; Gilbert followed where their artistry lead. His odyssey took him on tour, in recording studios, and to the

homes of his subjects. The results take his readers into the heart of Memphis and music.

Funky beats and soulful tunes vibrate through your veins as you turn the pages. Each page elicits a more powerful exclamation than the last and each image plucks an emotional string. From the image of Isaac Hayes 1972 Cadillac Eldorado to the portrait of David Hood and his 1957 Fender precision bass, Thom Gilbert transports you in time and space. Whether you remember playing Green Onions on a 45; strolling down Beale Street with the one you loved; or, catching a recent performance of current headliners -- your memory will play its own soundtrack as you read.

The originality of Gilberts images and presentation are as unique as the sound of Memphis. The book was released in conjunction with his exhibition of photographs at the Stax Museum of American Soul Music.

Purchase a copy, park it on the front seat of your car, and the next time you are at the 4-Way Grill, you may luck up and get an autograph! This collectors item should be included in the library of music lovers, history buffs, and anyone who has a Southern Soul.

By: Pepper Lewis

Soul: Memphis Original Sound

Funky beats and soulful tunes vibrate through your veins as you turn the pages.


A Love Supreme

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By: Gwen BlountArtwork By: Quinn Mcgowan

Ladies and Gentlemen, put your hands together one more time for his last performancethe pride of MemphisMr. Parker Jazz Johnson!

Jazz Johnson strolled slowly back onto the small stage in the dimly lit room like he had done countless times. His pianist, Tricks Mulberry, and bass player, Mark Anthony, had already cued up the B-flat minor key. Just Styx, the drummer was keeping the 4/4 beat. Jazz held his prized saxophone lovingly between his hands and blew the first bars of his signature song, In

A Sentimental Mood. When he reached the center of the small stage, he stopped.

From B-flat minor 7th to E-flat minor 7th, Jazz played the slow, haunting melody for the standing room only crowd. A spotlight bounced off the shiny brass between his nimble, milk chocolate brown fingers. His long, lean body swayed slightly to the beat. His head was bent just enough to hide his rugged good looks. His closed eyelids hid sleepless eyes. The same light that bounced off the brass, highlighted the tight curls


on his head. The combination of his music and his image hypnotized the room.

When the quartet reached the last note of the song, Jazz let his note linger longer than he ever had before, not wanting to let go. This is it, he thought. He squeezed his eyelids tighter, trying to hold back the tears he had been keeping at bay for hours. He stood still while the crowd clapped, yelled and whistled. We love you, Jazz! someone screamed. Dont give up! came from another direction. More! a mans voice yelled. When he heard, I love you, Parker! Jazz opened his eyes.

Seated at a small table in the front of the room was a demure looking woman, dressed in a conservative blue dress. Her hair was pulled back in a loose bun showcasing her makeup-free face. At first glance, she looked every bit the twelve-year-old girl he had met in sixth grade. A closer look revealed tiny crows feet that were beginning to form around her expressive eyes. A few gray hairs peeked through her sandy brown ones. She was his wife, Denise, the love of his life and the reason he was giving up his saxophone.

A few tears escaped down Jazzs cheeks as he focused on Denises face. He bowed to the room and then lifted the curved brass to his lips. More tears flowed as he kissed the sax. Goodbye, Pops! he whispered. He found Denises face again and she, too, was crying. Jazz had agreed to sell the legendary instrument that had been held by every great jazz saxophonist since Charlie Parker. It was the only possession he had of his fathers. Only one person could make him part with it Denise.

Denise Simpson moved to Memphis when Parker Johnson was a nerdy kid with thick glasses and a stammer. He and his mother lived across the street from the pristine brick house the AME Church provided for Denises father, the new pastor in town. Before the Simpsons arrived, the neighborhood gossips had informed everyone Reverend Simpson was a widower. Coincidently, Parkers mother, a nurse who worked the morning shift at the neighborhood hospital, was a widow.

The day the moving van was unloaded, Parkers mother put on her best dress, dressed Parker in his Sunday suit, and together they delivered a dish of homemade cookies to the new residents. Reverend Simpson was a kind man with a hearty laugh. He opened the door with a huge smile and a big appetite for cookies. Within minutes, he and Eula Johnson

became friends. Parker noticed his mothers eyes sparkle the way they did when she talked about his father.

Parkers first memory of his father was on Christmas Day when he was four years old. His mother opened a battered leather case under a small Christmas tree and pulled out a shiny instrument with Mother of Pearl keys. Parker, this belonged to the greatest man Ive ever known. It was played by many great men, but none who loved you like your fatherand none whom I loved. One day, I hope you will play this saxophone and keep it alive in memory of your father. Eula Johnsons eyes sparkled as she spoke. They sparkled when Parker started to play the saxophone when he was five. They sparkled when he played his fathers famous repertoire when he was nine. They sparkled every time Parker asked her to tell him a story about Pops. Parker was surprised to see his mothers eyes sparkle as she talked to Reverend Simpson. He was surprised -- and happy.

After a short while, Reverend Simpson called his daughter to the living room. Denise! Come greet our new neighbors! A lanky girl entered the living room clutching a cookbook. Her skin, hair and eyes were all the same shade of sandy brown. Her pink full lips were the only thing that stood out on her. She and Parker said timid hellos. When Mrs. Johnson offered her a cookie, Denises face lit up with the most beautiful smile. Parker smiled, too. Moments later, they were sitting on the Simpsons front stoop, flipping through the colorful pages of the cookbook and beginning a lifelong friendship.

It didnt take long for them to discover common interests mainly food and music. Like Eula Johnson, Denises mother had been a great cook from New Orleans. She spent precious moments teaching Denise

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When the quartet reached the last note of the song, Jazz let his note linger longer than he ever had before, not wanting to let go.


her recipes before she succumbed to cancer. Like Parkers father, Reverend Simpson played the saxophone. He loved jazz and taught Denise to sing as many jazz standards as church hymns. Parker was thrilled when Denise guessed he was named after Charlie Parker, the great saxophonist. No one else ever had.

Soon after they moved in, Reverend Simpson hired a Jamaican housekeeper to look after Denise and their home. Parker spent most weekday afternoons in the Simpsons tidy home while his mother napped for a bit after work. With her lilting accent, the housekeeper, Miss Moore, ran a tight, love-filled ship. She made sure Parker and Denise completed their homework before they were freed to do what they loved most cook and play music. She often cooked, danced, and listened with them much to their amusement.

In contrast to the Simpson home, the Johnson home was a hot mess. The outside was well kept, but the inside looked like a museum waiting to be assembled. There were dusty pictures on nearly every surface, from the walls to the tables. Most showed a sharply-dressed, dark black man with a high wattage smile holding a saxophone. If you looked closely, other familiar faces smiled at you. Duke, Charlie, Count, Miles, Ella, Sarah, Billie, Mahalia to name a few. Many pictures included a pretty, fair-skinned woman who resembled a red-haired Lena Horne. She more closely resembled the tired, overweight nurse who came home in the afternoons singing In A Sentimental Mood.

Despite or maybe because of the clutter, Denise loved spending time with Ms. Eula and hearing

tales of her time with Pops in Harlem. Denise never tired of hearing the tale of how Mr. and Mrs. Johnson met in Harlem Hospital. Eula was the nurse on duty when her future husband came in with appendicitis. He took one look at Eula and started to sing, In a sentimental moodI can see the stars come through my room. They married three months later.

As they moved into their teens, Parker and Denise became one anothers refuge from growing pains. When the neighborhood

boys played pick-up basketball games in the park, Parker played new riffs on his saxophone for Denise. When the teenaged girls practiced dance steps to the latest popular music, Denise tested new recipes on Parker. Along the way, Parker traded his glasses for contacts and lost his stammer. Denises lankiness gave way to tall beauty. Neither dated anyone else, but they also didnt imagine being romantic with each other.

Things changed their senior year. One afternoon when they were studying, Parker awkwardly attempted to kiss Denise. Appalled, she screamed, cried, and said she never wanted to see him again. They avoided each other for weeks.

When Mrs. Johnson tried to pry, both Denise who had become a daughter to her and Parker stonewalled. Reverend Simpson got the same response.

Mrs. Johnson thought it was a temporary spat until Parker came home and announced he was accepting a scholarship to Berklee School of Music in Boston. I want to get far away from herI mean here, he stammered. Ill never be discovered by staying home. She was both elated and heartbroken. By now, Parker had become known as Jazz and he had been recruited by some of the best music programs in the nation. She wanted him to take advantage of the opportunity, but she didnt want to let him go. Neither did Denise.

That evening, Parker gathered his nerve, walked across the street, and rang the Simpsons bell. Reverend Simpson answered and Parker blurted out, Rev, I just wanted you to know that Im going to Boston. Denise ran to the vestibule, looked at him, and started crying hysterically. Reverend Simpson whispered, Son, Id better go calm Denise. God bless you, child. As the front door was closing, Denise snatched it open. I love you, Parker Johnson. Im going to nursing school here in Memphis and Ill be here waiting when you come back.

Four years later, Jazz Johnson returned to Memphis, married Denise and became a staple in regional jazz clubs. A year later, Eula Johnson had a stroke and Reverend Simpson died. The young couple was devastated. The next year, Denise gave birth to a baby boy. Miss Moore, her aging housekeeper, agreed to move in to help. Denise split her time between

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He took one look at Eula and started to sing, In a sentimental mood."


caring for Eula, raising the baby, working in the hospital, and cooking for friends and colleagues. She never complained. Every time Parker offered to get a local job, Denise would kiss him and say, Youll never be discovered by staying at home.

After a while, she began devoting more time to her catering requests than her nursing duties. The biggest request was for her pralines. Denise used her mothers original recipe. As her clientele grew, her kitchen seemed to shrink. She skillfully juggled counter and oven space. When Jazz was in town, he would help bake so Denise could stay on top of orders. She would drag home from the hospital and join him in the kitchen. She never complained.

PARKER! The excited voice hit him one day as he came in from a gig in Virginia. Denise nearly knocked him over with a hug. Her eyes sparkled like his mothers. Parker, the hotel wants to buy my pralines! As Parker unpacked

his overnight bag, Denise filled him in on the incredible offer. Her voice slowed when she got to the downside. The only problem, baby, is that I need to buy more ovens. In a measured voice, she went over the plan to knock down a wall and extend the kitchen into the living room. We dont need to buy a new house, Parker just new ovens! She was so excited, Parker didnt want to bring her down to earth by talking dollars and cents. Sadly, he didnt have to. Over the next few days, reality shot her down for him.

Twenty thousand dollars. It was the least amount Denise could spend to get the equipment she needed, even used. It might as well have been two hundred thousand dollars. The expenses for Eulas care and their sons education were already a challenge. The couple had taken a second mortgage on the house. Denise didnt want to incur more debt. She also didnt want Parker to give up his gigs. Dont worry, baby, she whispered to Parker. There will be more

opportunities for me.

That evening, Parker did the unthinkable. He photographed his saxophone and wrote a long narrative explaining its storied pedigree. This legendary saxophone is like the The Tree of Hope at New Yorks Apollo Theatre that performers rubbed for good luck. Every sax player who touched it became great. Charlie Parker, Cannonball Adderley, John Coltrane, Sonny Stitt, Ornette Coleman, Sonny Rollins. When Parker was satisfied, he posted the listing on Ebay. His asking price was $20,000.00.

Four mornings later, he received an email. A buyer in Memphis had purchased his saxophone! Parkers head ached. He wasnt prepared to receive an offer so quickly. He spent the rest of the morning sitting with Eula, retelling stories about his father that she had told him. His mother couldnt speak, but her eyes sparkled.

When his son came home from school, Parker scooped him up and greeted him, singing Charlie Parker played bebop. The little boy giggled as he adjusted his glasses and sang, Charlie Parker

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The Jazz Johnson Quartet played its last performance to deafening applause.


played alto saxophone! It was their special ritual. Parker tried not to cry at the thought of not passing on his fathers sax to his son.

Parkers most difficult moment, however, was when Denise came home from the hospital. Baby he stammered. She knew something was wrong. Oh God! Is it Mom? she yelled. No, baby, Im selling my sax! he blurted. Im giving up the gigs. Denise started bawling and Parker flashed back to the day he announced he was going to Boston. Please dont! she cried. He squeezed her in his arms for a long time and then whispered, Baby, its done. Please come to my last performance tomorrow night. Denise nodded and then went to bed.

Parker called his trio of friends, Tricks, Mark Anthony, and Just Styx. He asked to meet a little early at their standing Thursday night gig. I have some news to share, he told them over the phone. When they were all assembled, he said Fellas, I dont even know how to say this. His old stammer returned. IwellI He took a breath. Im selling my sax and leaving the grouptonight. His three friends were motionless for a few moments. Tricks, the pianist, spoke first. We love you, man. The other two nodded and then Mark Anthony drawled, Awright. Lets make this the best one yet. And they did.

The Jazz Johnson Quartet played its last performance to deafening applause. Jazz took his last bow, jumped off the stage, and ran to hug Denise. The whole room applauded again.

The next morning, Parker confirmed that the $20,000.00 sale had gone through. He cleaned and polished his beloved saxophone for the last time, resisting the urge to play it. He wrapped it carefully and shipped it to the post office box indicated by the buyer. Afterward, he returned home to his start his new life with Denise, his mother, and their son. With Parker home, Miss Moore was free to retire in Jamaica.

Christmas Day came before the Johnsons knew it. In the midst of the kitchen reconstruction, Parker managed to put up a small tree. A big box had been delivered to his son and it dwarfed the other handful of presents. After the family ate breakfast, the little boy who was the spitting image of Parker tore the wrapping off the big package. It was a familiar looking leather case.

The little boy flipped up the metal clips and flung the case open. Everyone gasped! It was Parkers saxophone. A note was tucked in the space that held his reeds and neck strap. Parker snatched it, tore it open, read it, and handed it to Denise. She read out loud:

Parker and Denise sobbed. Eula Johnsons eyes sparkled. Young Coltrane looked up and said, This is a love supreme! He was right.

Gwen Blount, a New York-based attorney-turned-writer, is passionate about African-American history and her southern roots. In the 1990s, she co-founded a boutique speakers bureau in Atlanta, Georgia. In addition to booking speaking engagements, Gwen wrote speeches for numerous notable clients. Whenever possible, she included the historical tales of African-Americans in her clients narratives. This became her signature style. Today, Gwen champions the importance of these stories through her support of The Historymakers, an organization that records and archives African-American oral histories. Its important for us to know and acknowledge the shoulders on which we standand to never let the stories of those great history bearers die. For more information, visit www.thehistorymakers.com.

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6721 E SHELBY DR.MEMPHIS, TN 38141

BETWEEN ROSS RD. AND BENOIT DR.901-566-0005

Family Owned Catering Available

Home-Cooking -from sauce to desserts!


IThings Every Good Woman

Should Know: Volume 1An Inspiring Book of Mistakes,

Consequences, Faith and Redemption

By: Pepper Lewis Photography by: Eric Curtis

If you could stop a woman from making the same mistakes you did, would you? Maybe you had a bad experience in the areas of romance, friendship, career, or finances that completely changed your life. In Things Every Good Woman Should Know: Volume 1, Jae Henderson crafted six inspirational stories revealing the importance in thinking before you act and that every decision impacts your future. Each character allows a peek into her life and experience the joys and the pains of love, sex, success, family, and more.

Southern Soul got an opportunity to chat with Jae during her recent book launch.

SS: In one word, how would you describe the book?

JH: Inspirational

SS: What inspired you to write this book?

JH: To encourage women to use good judgment, as well as apply spiritual principles when making life decisions. The titles of each story corresponds to lessons it seeks to teach: You Are Beautiful, Take Care of Those You Love, Sex is More Than Just Sex, Mentorship Is Mandatory, Success Is the Best Revenge, and You Reap What You Sow.

SS: What sets a booked labeled as Christian apart from books described as inspirational?

JH: The term inspirational allows me to push the envelope more. As an inspirational writer, I can break rules and put love scenes in my books. I can use edgy

language and become more descriptive. I think it makes a more exciting story because I can realistically present characters as the flawed human beings they are.

SS: How do you determine when/why to intertwine sex with inspiration?

JH: Although my books are Christian based, some of my characters experience sex, whether they are married or single. My characters are humans and they have desires just like anyone else. The question becomes when and where should they give in to those desires? That determination is made as if they are real people; I examine the consequences of their actions and how it impacts the story of their lives. Whatever decision is made, I use that decision to impart a message to the reader.

SS: What is the most important lesson you want readers to take away from this book?

JH: In life, we have choices. We must often weigh choices very carefully before reacting because often they can have life-altering effects.

Books are available at Barnesandnoble.com or Amazon.com.

For more information about Jae Henderson and her availability, visit jaehendersonauthor.com and imagoodwoman.com


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Clients Must Demand Transparent Communication

Over the years, Ive had many people speak to me after their legal case concluded and complained about the manner their lawyer handled their case. In their eyes, the lawyer failed to provide adequate communication during representation as the case developed. Far too many have complained their lawyer made all the decisions about my case and they didnt know anything about what the lawyer was doing. Some even advised that their lawyer settled their case without ever discussing whether to settle, or under what terms. Following such unauthorized settlements, some have indicated their lawyers provided them with x amount of settlement funds and nothing else.

They were not provided copies of settlement checks evidencing the amount of funds received or from what source; nor a written settlement statement laying out the funds disbursement.

While it is certainly possible that these stories may be overstated, misstated or even fabricated; there can be little dispute that lawyers are required to timely communicate with their clients regarding all aspects of the clients case, especially where client funds are involved. Such communication will likely reduce the number of complaints regarding the attorney-client relationship. The Rules of Professional Conduct, which govern the attorney-client

relationship, make clear, timely communication between lawyer and client is essential to the lawyers proper performance of his/her duty to a client and it is the client who dictates key elements of the case.

It is the client who dictates key elements of the case.

Legal View

By: Ricky E. Wilkins, Esq.


The Rules of Professional Conduct sets rules lawyers must follow. Those guiding Client Representation state [in paraphrase]:

A lawyer shall abide by a clients decisions concerning objectives of representation

A lawyer shall consult with the client to discuss the means by which clients objectives are to be accomplished

A lawyer may take action on the clients behalf as is impliedly authorized to carry out clients representation

A lawyer shall abide by a clients decision whether to settle a matter

In a criminal case, after consultation, the lawyer shall abide by the clients decision as to a plea, whether to waive jury trial, and whether to testify

Representation of a client, does not constitute an endorsement of clients political, economic, social, or moral views or activities

A lawyer may limit scope of representation if limitation is reasonable under the circumstances and client gives informed consent, preferably in writing

A lawyer shall not counsel a client to engage, or assist a client, in conduct that the lawyer knows or reasonably should know is criminal or fraudulent; but a lawyer may discuss legal consequences of any proposed course of conduct with a client and may counsel or assist a client to make a good faith effort to determine validity, scope, meaning, or application of law

Those guiding Attorney/Client Communication state [in paraphrase]:

A lawyer shall promptly inform client of any decision or circumstance with respect to which the clients informed consent

A lawyer shall keep the client reasonably informed about the case status

A lawyer shall promptly comply with reasonable information requests

A lawyer shall consult with client about any relevant limitation on lawyers conduct

A lawyer shall explain a matter to the extent reasonably necessary to permit client to make informed decisions regarding representation

Although it should appear commonsensical, the above-cited rules make it clear the client is the focal point of representation and achieving the clients goals, provided those goals are neither criminal nor fraudulent, is the lawyers primary assignment. In carrying out this duty, there must be effective communication in order for both the client and lawyer to play the roles each has to play during representation and in pursuit of the clients goal(s). When the lawyer fails to effectively communicate, he undermines the very essence of the attorney-client relationship and, more damaging, sets the stage for client dissatisfaction or complaints to the Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility. Indeed, one of the most frequent complaints lodged against lawyers by clients involves the lawyers failure to communicate.

It is the client, not the lawyer, who must make decisions regarding the nature of the representation. In order for the client to make key decisions, the client has to have adequate communication and information from their lawyer. The rules clearly establish the client makes the final decision about settlement and this presupposes that the lawyer fully informs the client about settlement discussions and obtains the clients consent to communicate or accept a proposed settlement with the adverse party.

Once a settlement is reached, the client should be promptly advised of the settlement details, along with documentation that clearly educates client about the settlement nature. In a civil case involving monetary settlement, written notice to the client of the settlement agreement, reflecting the total amount of any settlement funds. Related obligations and/or disclaimers of parties should be provided and explained to the client prior to execution of the settlement agreement. Any settlement check(s) received by the lawyer for the client should be made payable to both client and attorney -- requiring both

It is the client, not the lawyer, who must make decisions regarding the nature of the representation.

Legal View


signatures before the check can be cashed. Upon negotiation of any check, the lawyer should provide a detailed settlement sheet to the client reflecting the total amount of all funds received and disbursed, including identity of all persons or entities receiving funds and the basis therefore. These steps provide transparency that protects both the client and lawyer so there can be no question about funds received and how they were allocated or disbursed.

Following these simple steps in every case improves the communication and interaction between lawyer and client. These steps also maintain transparency during representation that promotes a clients confidence and trust in the lawyer and respect for our system of justice.

Lawyers, therefore, have an absolute duty and responsibility to behave and perform in a way that promotes respect for the rule of law. Lawyers, acting in good faith, should always perform in such a manner the client will get a lawyers faithful and diligent representation. Lawyers should always provide adequate communication throughout the entire representation. Lawyers should always acknowledge the clients authority to direct the course of the representation, subject to certain limitations outlined in the Tennessee Rules of Professional Conduct. In so doing, the public will maintain a level of trust in our judicial system allowing them to more confidently seek access to justice and to feel like they received the justice sought.

Attorney Ricky E. Wilkins is a native Memphian raised in a single parent home which, at times, relied on food stamps and welfare to make ends meet. Rising from humble beginnings to become a beacon of confidence for Memphis and specifically, the poor communities, Ricky has championed causes for the disenfranchised; garnered local government protections for economically challenged communities; and stood as a voice of right for those wrongfully accused. Attorney Wilkins has served as President of the Ben F. Jones Chapter of the National Bar Association; the Memphis Bar Association, and the Tennessee Board of Law Examiners. For 20 years, as Chairman of the Board of Commissioners for the Memphis Housing, Ricky has led the transformation of virtually every public housing development in Memphis, demolishing dilapidated housing and rebuilding communities for thousands of poor families. As a frequent keynote speaker, he consistently challenges youth to excel academically and to believe regardless of ones life circumstance -- theres no limit to what can be accomplished through faith in God, hard work and determination. Attorney Wilkins is the proud father of two daughters and a member of New Life Baptist Church.

Law Offices of Ricky E. Wilkins 66 Monroe Avenue, Suite 103 Memphis, TN 38103 901.322.4450

Legal View


EEverybody wants to be a rock star. No there are no grand illusions that I am now penning for Rolling Stone Magazine; I prefer the authenticity that Southern Soul offers. But, in todays culture of too many music award shows every genre rocks. Its like, Hes really rocking that blues guitar solo, or Last night, the Memphis Symphony Orchestra rocked The Cannon Center (as they do). It even transcends music, i.e. Beyonc rocked that dress.

Yet, still, everybody wants to be a rock star regardless of musical genre even if just for a moment. Since I work for a music museum (an incredible music museum, as a matter of fact shameless plug for the Smithsonian-developed Memphis Rock n Soul Museum at FedEx Forum), I am sometimes expected to play the role. Journalists visiting the museum ask, Are you a musician? (Im not; totally tone deaf). Unfortunately (especially for

The Bar-KaysReal Rock Stars

By: John Doyle


They rocked the grand opening of Hard Rock. They are rock stars; they do not pretend.

retroSOUL

the contestants), Ive even been asked to judge local American-Idol-style contests.

And just last month, for the incredible grand opening of Memphis newly relocated Hard Rock Cafe on Beale Street, I was asked to participate in a Hard Rock Cafe tradition. Borrowing the tradition of christening hulls of ships with champagne bottles, Hard Rock creatively christens new restaurants with their exclusive Guitar Smash once again, borrowing a rock tradition, asking a group of local folk to conjure up their inner Jimi Hendrix and to demolish a perfectly good and legendary Gibson guitar. In other words, grown men and women playing rock star. And that officially opens the new Hard Rock Cafe.

To compound Hard Rocks Beale Street grand opening (and my participation), was the fact that Memphis musics iconic and definitive funk group, The Bar-Kays, were also participating in the Guitar Smash. My participation, compared with theirs, is the equivalent of, say, Sheldon Cooper being on stage at Wattstax. The Bar-Kays, despite being the enduring crown princes of Memphis soul, are real not make-believe rock stars.

They looked the part, as well, that night on Beale Street. When James Alexander smashes a guitar wearing a badass leopard coat with matching boots, and shades that were not purchased in this city he fulfills his rock star obligation. Yours truly, in a blue blazer does not. I was also positioned right next to Mayor Wharton and even he looked more like a rock star than I did. However, we were lined up together, and when the

official countdown took place, we all smashed our guitars. And I cut my finger. I CUT MY FINGER! I wonder - has Jimi Hendrix ever wowed a sold out concert, using all the theatrics of smashing a guitar on stage and required peroxide and Band-Aids?

Back to the Bar-Kays. Both lead members, Larry Dodson and original member James Alexander demolished their stringed instruments with precision. Little splinters of handcrafted Gibson guitar wood twirled through the air like choreographed dancers in a music video. If you had filmed it and set it to music, it could have been a beer commercial. In other words, they rocked the grand opening of Hard Rock. They are rock stars; they do not pretend.

More evidence to that point: this month, and this year, The Bar-Kays are celebrating 50 years in the music business (just to get even for being so much less a rock star, and at James Alexanders expense I was five when they started). This month, they are celebrating (or, better said, allowing us to celebrate) their five decades of unequalled music with a huge show at The Cannon Center. Throughout 2014, they have rocked or funked Minglewood Hall and The Blues Ball and countless other concert performances across the country. Real rock stars dont slow down. Can you imagine, for 50 years they have taught you how to Shake Your Rump to the Funk (and, for some of you, face it, it wasnt always pretty)?

When you study the evolution of a rock band or a blues band, or a funk band success lies in evolution. With evolution, there is staying power. A bit depressing are

the groups that still try to maintain their same persona (and hair, and outfits) of twenty or thirty years ago. The story of The Bar-Kays (it has been pointed out by Pat Mitchell Worley of radios popular Beale Street Caravan) is almost the tale of three separate bands: each evolving, each maturing, yet each continuing to funk.

The original Bar-Kays came together in 1964 while still in junior high school. Original members included Jimmie King on guitar, James Alexander on bass, Ronnie Caldwell on electric organ, Ben Cauley on trumpet, Phalon Jones on saxophone and Carl Cunningham on drums. In fact, when the band began playing gigs at formerly famous Memphis hotspots like The Palace, The Hippodrome, the Flamingo Room, and others, they were too young to get into any of these clubs as audience members. Believe it or not, local rumor has it that their name was a funked-up variation of their drink of choice, Bacardi (youll have to investigate that for yourself, as Memphis music is rich with urban legends). They were originally groomed at


retroSOUL

In 2013, the band was inducted into the Memphis Music Hall of Fame.

Hamish Dodds, President & CEO, Hard Rock International and Larry Dodson, Sr., Bar-Kays

studio sessions and, ultimately, as a backup band for major artists recording at legendary Stax Records. Their musical style and swagger were tutored by the likes of Al Jackson, Jr., Booker T. Jones and other members of the MGs, and they were soon hand-selected as the backing band for Otis Redding. A concert tour with Redding and a scheduled concert in Madison, Wisconsin spelled disaster when their chartered plane plunged into Lake Monona while attempting to land. Ben Cauley (still playing trumpet on Beale and as recently evidenced at the 2014 Memphis Music Hall of Fame awards) was the only survivor. Since the plane would only seat seven passengers, James Alexander was assigned to another flight. Alexander and Cauley would rebuild the group.

The second incarnation of The Bar-Kays began under the same role as the house band for the Stax/Volt labels. Before long, however, Alexander, Cauley and new band mates Michael Toles, Harvey Henderson, Ronnie Gordon, Roy Cunningham and Willie Hall began exploring funkier sounds being popularized by Stax label mate, Isaac Hayes, and other national acts. They even

backed Hayes on his 1969 Hot Buttered Soul. Entering the 1970s, Cauley migrated to Hayes band and former Temprees member Larry Dodson joined as front man. Dodson and Alexander have served as the centerpiece of the band ever since, and The Bar-Kays have become the global prophets of funk. Their message, of course, has included Move Your Boogie Body, Freakshow on the Dancefloor, Sex-O-Matic, and many more hits.

The phoenix continued to rise. Entering the 1990s, 2000 and beyond, even though some had catalogued The Bar-Kays as a band of the past or a novelty retro-show; this once background house band continued to evolve. In 2003, they formed their own record company, JEA/Right Now Records, for the dual purpose of continuing to release new Bar-Kays product as well as to produce new emerging artists. In 2011, they tapped Alexanders son, Jazze Pha, to produce their latest album, Grown Folks (part of the evolution, I assume). In 2013, the band was inducted into the Memphis Music Hall of Fame celebrating their past; anticipating their future. In James Alexanders words, We aint

close to being done.

Thats what makes them rock stars. On that grand opening night in October at the Hard Rock Cafe, they not only came as legendary Memphis musicians to symbolically (and safely) smash guitars, they also provided the headlining performance for the celebration. As the audience has come to expect, they tore up the stage like a guitar against concrete. You can name any band sitting pretty on the Billboard charts today; they could never hold their own against these five-decade veterans. These guys, you see, dont pretend to be rock stars. They are Rock Stars!

As promised, each month I close retroSOUL with an audio assignment. Sometime today, go to iTunes to download, and put a little Soul Finger in your holiday celebration (and a copy of Grown Folks under your Christmas tree). And I heard them exclaim as they drove out of sight, Merry Christmas to All and to The Bar-Kays, another 50 sounds right!


Soul Stirrer

Where does a legend begin? Is it when the world becomes aware of the feat? Is it when a single act resonates around the globe and transcends generations? Either could be the impetus of a budding legend.

The Bar-Kays

Fabulous, Funky, Frisky & 50

By: Toni Harvey


Feature

IIn Memphis, Tennessee, legends sometimes begin on the handlebars of a fondly used Schwinn bicycle. A small boys dream to play drums, parents willing to sacrifice for the dream, and, fate dealt at the hand of a pick-pocket ignited a legend the world had never seen nor one that could ever be duplicated.

In 1963, a Memphis mother on a mission to advance her sons horizons, marched, with son in tow, downtown to a finance store to secure a loan to purchase a set of drums for her son. After securing the loan and placing the money in her purse, she and her son headed to the music store to purchase his long awaited dream a drum set. But, on the way to the music store, fate would add its own twist.

At the drum store, the mothers joy was clouded with bewilderment when she reached in her purse to pay for the drums. Unbeknown to her or her son, she had been pick-pocketed somewhere between

the bank and the music store. Bewilderment turned to sadness and the duo returned home, without drums, money, and now, in debt.

Devastated but not deterred, the next day, the young man went to school and met the band director to tell him he wanted to be a drummer, didnt have drums, but hoped to work that out soon. The band director advised he didnt need additional drummers, he needed tuba players. The young man, yearning to be a musician, accepted the tuba position. Each day, he would cart the heavy brass tuba home to practice and back to school the next day. Each way, he endured teasing from his peers between school and home and from his older brother who begged him to stop that noise. But, he didnt stop.

At some point, he decided enough was enough. He asked the band director to change him to bass

guitar. So began his quest to master the bass. His father bought him a bass guitar and he began to learn how to play. Every day after school, the boy stopped by a neighborhood bands practice session.

The bands bass player didnt own a bass. Seizing the moment, the boy would get on his bicycle every day and carry his bass to the bands practice session for the band to use. In return, he became a daily fixture at practice. One day, the bass player didnt show up to the session. Someone in the band said whos gonna play bass? They all turned and looked at the boy, and, in unison, said Oh, he will. The boy, by the way, had barely mastered strumming out the tune Mary Had A Little Lamb.

The boy, James Alexander, because he owned a bass guitar, became the youngest member of the now infamous Bar-Kays. . . . And, a legend was born.


The original members of the Bar-Kays played together in the Booker T. Washington High School band. Forming a sextet band in 1966, the members were guitarist Jimmie King, saxophonist Phalon Jones, drummer Carl Cunningham, trumpeter Ben Cauley, organist Ronnie Caldwell, and bassist James Alexander. When the band formed, Ronnie Caldwell, the only white band member, attended Central High School. Against his parents wishes, he transferred to Booker T. Washington to be closer with his bandmates. This was a radical move. In 1966, schools were not integrated and a white student at Booker T. Washington was unheard. Ronnie walked through Foote Homes on a daily basis without receiving a frown or a raised eyebrow.

Playing in various venues in Memphis, they were known as the Rivieras. Becoming an in-demand club band, seeking a unique identity, they changed their n

Documents

December 2015 - Southern Soul Magazine