BKS1 Radio Network

Halloween was good fun for the kids now it is a day for evil and some parents don't let there kids dress up no more! Is todays society too serious about everything? Has Santa, the Easter bunny, Halloween, and holidays that were mostly fun things fallen prey to the nature of todays society to be so serious? Are these things teaching our children the wrong messages?

Do you let your kids go trick or treating? Believe in Santa? or do you believe that Halloween is the Devil's day and refuse to let your kids believe in a man coming down the chimney to deliver presents to the people? Is it ok to let a kid believe in something and be a kid or Is it best for the kid to know the truth at an early age?  Are we robbing our youth of the innocence of childhood? You tell us tonight on the Live In The Vocal Booth Show.

Will School Choice Create Better Schools or Disable the Public School System?

School choice advocates believe having the option to send children to charter schools, private schools or better performing public schools should be the right of every parent and will provide for competition in education where schools will have to perform better to retain students. The opposition to school choice argues it can violate the separation of Church & State by providing federal funds for private faith based education. Many view school choice as a tool to destroy the Public School System particularly in poorer district where students will be limited because of the available tax dollars and the inability to travel to better performing schools.

Tonight the Live in the Vocal Booth team ask you to weigh in on school choice. Do you think school choice will hurt the public school system or create a climate of competition where all schools will have to raise student performance and offer and education that parents and children want or is school choice undermining an already disabled educational system by taking needed funds away.  Also does money provided per pupil make a difference in a child’s education?  Join us for what is sure to be a major debate “Live in the Vocal Booth”

Special Guest: Qadree El-Amin

If ever someone had the Midas touch in business and music, it would have to be internationally recognized entertainment executive Qadree El-Amin. Best known for his skillful and successful navigation of the careers of GRAMMY Award-winning artists Boyz II Men, El-Amin seems to not only turn everything within his grasp into pure gold, but over the years, he has had a knack for attracting successful artists who want to take their careers to even greater heights.

Born and raised in Little Brick Newark, New Jersey, El-Amin has a reputation as a savvy artist manager and a crafty negotiator. Thanks to his ingenuity and assertiveness, Boyz II Men holds the distinction of being one of only a handful of artists who climbed to the number one position on the charts a remarkable 50 times. Their hit single, “One Sweet Day,” with Mariah Carey, spent a record-breaking 16 weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles chart.

Earlier this year, El-Amin’s hard work was memorialized when the group received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Said El-Amin of the occasion, “It was a surreal moment; to see those guys, for all of us to be together again...witnessing a historic moment for Boyz II Men.” While he is largely recognized for his success with Boyz II Men, the El-Amin stamp extends far beyond the popular 90’s boy band. Through his Southpaw Entertainment Company, he has also served as manager to global superstars Michael Jackson, Vanessa Williams, Janet Jackson, Teddy Riley & Blackstreet, Deborah Cox and Lou Bega, among many others.

Over the years, El-Amin has worked closely and formed valuable alliances with a veritable who’s who of music’s elite, including noted record label presidents Clive Davis, L.A. Reid, Jimmy Iovine and Tommy Mottola. Never one to shy away from diversification, El-Amin has also dabbled in the film world, having played a major role in groundbreaking movie soundtracks for big screen favorites such as “Jason’s Lyric,” “Boomerang,” “Mr. Holland’s Opus,” “Khazam, “Soul Food,” “How Stella Got Her Groove Back, “ Prince of Egypt,” and “Hurricane.” He has also produced several notable television specials, among them “Homecoming,” a Disney production featuring Boyz II Men and “A Christmas Special,” with Vanessa Williams, Babyface, Shania Twain, Phil Collins and Rosie O’Donnell. Clearly, El-Amin has passion for his work but there’s more to him than what the entertainment world sees.  As the father of four -- three sons and one daughter -- El-Amin keeps his hands busy guiding the growth and development of his own family. Additionally, his two clothing lines, Southpaw and Heavy Hittaz, continue to thrive and grow.

Currently, he is hard at work on his biography, Qadree El-Amin: AMAN, which is due for a Fall 2012 release, as well as various other domestic and international business ventures, including a burgeoning deal with legendary boxing promoter Don King, with the Don King Flight Card Mobile App.  But despite all of his endeavors, this generous, socially-conscious role model prides himself on his philanthropy and makes every effort to feed his desire to give back to the community.  He has travelled worldwide on charitable and humanitarian missions, something which is very close to El-Amin’s heart.  An active philanthropist, he has benefitted organizations such as the American Diabetes Association, Big Brothers Big Sisters, The Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation and back in his home town, the Newark Boy’s Club.

After more than four decades in the music industry, Qadree El-Amin shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, if you ask him, he’ll tell you that he’s just beginning to make his mark. Says El-Amin, “God has told me that the things I’ve done in the past will pale in comparison to the things that I will do in the future.”

Tonight Saturday 6/16 on “Live in the Vocal Booth” the team will be discussing our Fathers and the impact our fathers made in our lives.  We invite you to share what your dad means to you.  We know dads are important and whether we have good or bad experiences it impacts who we are in such a major way.  Many have grown up without their father, if that is you how did that make you feel?  Maybe you feel like your father was simply a sperm donor and doesn’t deserve the title father.  Maybe you were blessed and your dad was Superman, whatever your experience we want to hear from you because at BKS1RADIO.COM your voice matters!!! Tune in tonight 11:00 pm (EST) on www.bks1radio.com call in 646-233-1302 or jump in the live chat.

Tonight on The Grown Sexy Situation Show we have a double topic: If you had the power to change a choice you made in your life what would it be? and What did the cancellation of the oxygen channel's reality show "all my babies mama's" do for African Americans? Our guest author & health /fitness trainer Sundiata Ramin, chat live or call in 646-233-1302 to discuss the topic or to give your shout outs. Join the live experience of bks1radio.com

Topic #1: If You Had The Power To Change A Choice You Made, What Would It Be?

We've each been provided with a number of incredible and irrevocable gifts that are often times overlooked and/or taken for granted. One of the most incredible gifts provided to you is your Power to Choose. Everything we do and don’t do in life is a choice. Every day we choose to do some things and to not do other things. Most people would like to change their life in one way or another. How about you? Are there areas of your life that you would like to change?

Topic #2: What Did The Cancellation Of  The Oxygen Channels All My Babies Mama’s Do For African Americans?

Amid mounting pressure from the public the Oxygen Channel cancelled Shorty Lo reality show All My Babies Mama’s, which starred Shorty Lo his 11 children and 10 different mothers.  Concerns were raised by many people who viewed the show as disrespectful and giving off the wrong message, while showing African Americans in a bad light.

On The flip side it can be argued that the show would have shown a father who is stepping up and taking the responsibility of raising his children along with the baby mothers. If this stance is taken then the show could be a positive influence.

Special Guest: Sundiata Ramin

A native  of Washington, D.C. and graduate of  Duke Ellington School for the Arts, Sundiata pursued his education in Graphic/Advertising Design at the School of Visual Arts in New York City where he earned a  Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree.

After working many years in advertising, Sundiata decided to make  a career change from graphic designer to entrepreneur and for nearly a decade owned  several bookstores in New Jersey. As an avid reader, he always  enjoyed reading books pertaining to  health, fitness and well-being.  He discovered that through a proper balance of spiritual, mental, physical exercise he could prevent many of the health problems that plague his family, community and nation today. Sundiata discovered that obesity was at the root of most common illnesses  including high blood pressure, hypertension, diabetes and heart disease.

Sundiata made a committment to eat healthy and exercise daily. By cutting out the trans fats and maintaining the saturated fats could improve his health overall but he learned that the body needs essential proteins and fiber to function on an optimum level.

He was introduced to Visalus and the 90-Day Challenge by a friend in March 2012.  From that day forward he has promoted the 90-Day Challenge with great success.  As a Director of Visalus and the 90-Day Challenge, Sundiata has helped hundreds of clients lose and maintain their weight.   He looks forward to helping others in the new year to achieve their personal goals regarding optimum health.

Artist Review: Daley

Gareth Daley, or known as Daley is a unique, UK singer songwriter and artist. Daley hails from Manchester. His diverse sound rooted within Neo-soul, Pop and R&B, infused with Ambient / Experimental vibes.

He first began in 2010 he featured in the Gorillaz’s smash hit “Doncamatic” taken from their re-release of Plastic Beach. The song charted at 37 in the UK and became Daley’s first song to enter the charts. Daley performed the track in BBC Radio 1’s Live Lounge on the 20th of November.

In 2011 Daley began to showcase his talent and was entered into the BBC Sound Of 2011 poll, to which Jessie J, also a UK recording artist took first place. In the same year Daley teamed up with the British recording artist Wretch 32 with the song “Long Way Home” which was on the album “Black and White”.

Daley then started to work on his own material and produced the mixtape “Those Who Wait”. On the mixtape featured the Grammy Nominated artist Marsha Ambrosius on the track “Alone Together”, a music video was made and released in 2012. A music video was also made for the song “Smoking Gun”. A video for the song “Spent” also taken from “Those Who Wait” is expected this year (2012).

In 2012, Daley started to tour around the UK showcasing “Those Who Wait”. He supported the new up and coming UK artist Emeli Sande on her tour titled “Our Version of Events”. His debut album is expected to be released this year.

Bio for Daley from: www.last.fm/music/Daley

Topic: Social Media & Youth

Social Media and the Internet are no longer sleeping giants they have arrived.  What are the effects of technology on our youth?  The positives are the technical knowledge our kids are gaining along with the ability to truly take their education beyond the confines of a books, radio and television.   Our youth have the ability to be global learners.

The negatives range from cyber bullying to sexual experimentation.  With unlimited access to pornography on their smartphones, IPads, and Tablets what will all this access to information do to our youth in the future and what can we do to better reign in this technology so the effects on our youth won’t be damaging?  Tune in tonight to The Live in the Vocal Booth Team as they jump in on Social Media and the effects of technology on our youth.

Special Guest: J. Nicole

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Twitter:  @myjnichole/  Facebook/jnichole/Juliet Jones

Juliet Nichole Jones (known as artist J. Nichole) is a native of Pennsylvania, and an Inspiring Contemporary Gospel Artist who has a love of ministry and music.   With her unique and anointed voice she is reaching beyond the traditional gospel sound and gospel audience.  Honored by colleagues, and adored by the public this singing sensation is truly an inspiration.  She is the daughter of a musician father and an evangelist/songwriting mother, and has had much support from her influential yet talented parents.

Her career began at age 7 where she began to sing in local talent shows.  By age 8 she became little Miss Southern PA where she won her first trophy.  By the time she was 12, she knew in her heart that singing was what she wanted to do. She accepted the Lord into her life, and one day while watching a show on TV she saw a blind girl give her testimony and sing beautifully for the Lord. J. Nichole was immediately inspired and wanted to sing with the same enthusiasm as the blind girl did.  During Church service one day JNichole prayed and asked God earnestly from her heart to bless her with the same enthusiasm to sing.

Little did she know, God heard her prayer request, and years later it would manifest into a reality.  While in her college years, J. Nichole enjoyed singing and touring as lead vocalist with a top 40 band in PA.  She then placed law school on hold, and headed out to LA to pursue her music career.  While in L.A. she had the pleasure of working with many influential artist in the music industry in the pop/ r&b markets, performing at local venues with her girl group at the time, as well as a pending deal with Sony that unfortunately fell through.

After many obstacles faced in L. A. as a single mother during that time, J. Nichole started to faithfully attend church and study the word and it was then when she quickly re - dedicated her life back to the Lord.  She immediately realized God had other plans for her and her music career as a singer, writer and entrepreneur.  Currently she is working on her brand new Gospel CD titled “No More Runnin”.

She released the first single from that CD titled “Do you know him” in 2012, then in 2013 she released the second single titled  “Get your Spirit UP” currently in rotation on  Wamo 100.1 AM/FM Gospel’s Best Sunday’s with Brother Marlon,  and many more. She is also taking the internet radio by storm (KROV 97.1 FM, Magic 102.3 FM on Radio Synergy 1, Racman Radio, CJB Radio to name a few).   She is lined up to appear on WLCF TV the Spotlight, Bobby Jones Presents for New Vision Productions for the Impact TV Network, and the Iowa Gospel festival in the summer of 2013.

J. Nichole has been extremely honored to be selected as a performer for the 36^th Annual Festival of Black Gospel in NY on March 1, 2013 along with other amazing and anointed artist such as Jonathan McReynolds and Anita Wilson to name a few.  While inspired by many artist in Gospel such as Mary Mary, Fred Hammond, Nicole C. Mullen, James Fortune and Fiya as the list can go on - J. Nichole carries a unique style all her own.  When she isn’t singing or pursuing her doctorate degree JNichole enjoys spending time with her family or doing volunteer work with her local church in New Jersey.

She also enjoys working with her mother Yvonne in expanding their non-profit organization “My Spirit in Motion”, which involves many outreach programs /missionary work.  The mission is to defeat the kingdom of darkness with a vision of helping others.  Ultimately,  J. Nichole’s prayer is that her spirit-filled singing will touch the lives of countless of millions of listeners through numerous appearances on radio, television, and concerts throughout the United States and foreign lands.

Special Guests: Valentine

"Merging the genres of dance/pop and industrial rock, Valentin sings from a typically dark and occasionally cynical perspective of that infamous, and often unpredictable, four-letter word:  love.  He draws influence from a wide variety of artists (Nine Inch Nails, Lady Gaga, Marilyn Manson, Savage Garden, and Robyn to name a few), but he pushes himself to stick to his true colours.  His favourite colour is black."

Special Guest: Angela Spivey

Some people find their calling early in life.  The Princess of Gospel, Angela Spivey, is one of them. The Chicago native joined the children’s choir at her father’s First Corinthians Missionary Baptist Church and made her singing debut at the age of four.   A year later, at the ripe old age of five, she became the choir’s director.

Angela would go on to form the nine-member Voices of Victory, a young adult choir that quickly grew in membership and prominence around Chicago. Now, some 37 years later, the choir comprises 65 members and Angela remains true to her calling:  To spread the word of God through music and to use her anointing to heal others.

Launching a career as a gospel recording artist wasn’t Angela’s goal.  In fact, she was content to sing in the church and vehemently opposed the idea of recording.  But others saw the need for her ministry on a larger scale and, eventually, so did she.  “People started pushing me to record, but I never wanted to do it.  We recorded ‘Victorious Praise,’ our first CD, in 1993,” she recalls.  In 1997, she was the lead vocalist for the GMWA Gospel Announcers CD’s outstanding track, “So You Would Know How Much I Love You.”  She followed up with 1999’s “Glory, Honor and Praise.”

For someone who was reluctant to record, Angela was on a roll.  In 2002, she was joined by ten members of her choir for the recording of “I’m Determined,” the CD that put her front and center in the gospel industry, netting several 2003 GMWAs, including awards for Female Vocalist of the Year, Traditional Album, Traditional Song, Traditional Best Video and the coveted Artist of the Year.  She was also nominated for a 2003 Soul Train Lady of Soul Award in the gospel CD category.

But with all that she has achieved, at least one person was convinced that Angela had not gotten her just due.  That person would be Pastor DeWayne Harvey, CEO of her new record label home, Innovative Records.  “Angie’s been a hidden talent,” he says.  “People know about her, but her success in terms of sales, outings, venues, and all the things that come along with a good gospel artist just aren’t there.  That’s my goal.  I know her voice is anointed and designed to reach not only people here in the United States, but all over the world.”

Angela’s forthcoming CD, her sixth, “He Keeps His Promise,” produced by Harvey, Antonio Wimberly and Etienne Porter, serves up an array of spiritually uplifting songs; notable among them is the title track, which is the CD’s debut single.  Spivey’s new release is destined to be one of her greatest.  Harvey and his crew of producers have not only captured the essence of what Spivey does, but have given her a new look and sound.  This new sound is evident in that lead track as well as on the standout second single, “God Cares.”  Spivey said that the songs stretched her out of her comfort zone; however, the results of moving out are amazing.  Spivey says, “It’s new, it’s fresh, almost as if I have been reinvented.”

Additional gems on the album are the poignant “My Outcome is Victory,” penned by Spivey; “Let God Do It,” a song penned by Harvey; and “I Wanna Be Ready,” which is traditional yet new.

Angela says that every song she records has to resonate with her spiritually and emotionally.  It’s not just about a funky beat or a catchy hook.  It’s about telling a story, dispensing wisdom and drawing on the word for healing, comfort and discernment.  “I try to seek God and hear God, so that the song that He gives me will be a blessing to someone else,” she says.  “I want to let people know that their outcome is victory if they trust God.  I want to tell them that their joy is coming in the morning.  A lot of people need to know that if they can just hold on until morning they can find joy.  I want songs that will touch the hearts of men and women and help them to realize that bad situations are not that bad after all.”

As Angela prepares to follow in the footsteps of her father, she looks forward to continuing her musical ministry as well.  She says that even though she has always known her calling, it’s clearer now than it has ever been, much clearer than when she was that four-year-old girl singing in her father’s church.  “I’ve grown spiritually,” she lends.  “When you look at my overall picture, I’ve changed.  I’m not that little girl Angie anymore.  I’m a woman who knows God and loves God.  That’s my calling.”