Linda Clifford Asks 'How Long'

All Photos:  Alan Mercer   Make-up:  Rudy Calvo

After being a long-time fan of her music, I met LindaClifford many years ago and fell in love with her personality! We bonded againmore recently when we took these photos a couple of years ago.  When I found out that Rick Gianatos was goingto release the Phyllis Hyman song 'How Long' as a follow-up to Linda's recenthit 'Baby I'm Yours' I was elated.  Beingthe long-time Linda Clifford fan that I am I decided to call Linda on the phoneand ask her about this new release and her recent return to the charts!

Linda Clifford parlayed a jazz background, booming voice, and sassy manner into disco andcontemporary R&B stardom in the Seventies and Eighties. A former Miss New York State,she sang with the 'Jerico Jazz Singers' and led her own trio in the '60s beforeswitching to R&B and pop.

She signed with Curtis Mayfield's Curtom label and had her first hit in 1978 with 'Runaway Love,' a song thatpeaked at number three on the R&B charts. The highly stylized 'If MyFriends Could See Me Now' was a club favorite that same year.

Her next hit was the soulful duet with Curtis Mayfield, 'Between You Baby and Me,'in 1979. She continued recording for RSO, Capitol, and Red Label in the Eighties.  The song 'He's All I Need' was originallywritten about Linda and her husband and Linda recorded it in 1982 for her 'I'llKeep On Loving You' album.  WhitneyHouston had a number one hit with the song in 1992.

Since the early Nineties, Linda Clifford has recorded trackswith various producers including Rick Gianatos and Georgie Porgie.  

AM:  Linda, your newsong 'How Long' is so sensational!  Ijust love it!!!  I know you recorded it alittle bit ago didn't you?

LC:  Yes when you andI did our photo session is when I recorded it. The song was released and it started to do well and then for whateverreason it didn't get the promo it needed. Everybody kept saying how good the song was, so thank goodness Rickdecided it was too good a song not to do anything with it. 

AM:  He was smart tothink of re-releasing it.

LC:  They startedremixing and re-mastering.

AM:  I have heard themand they are all sensational.

LC:  I just got themand was listening and every mix sounded better than the mix before!  I'm just freaked out!  I love it!

AM:  How did you feelabout recording a cover of a Phyllis Hyman song?

LC:  I was so excitedand happy to do it because Phyllis and I worked together for quite  a few years in the clubs.  We were regulars at Studio 54.  She and I got to be kind of close wheneverwe'd see each other on the road.  Ireally liked being close to Phyllis and talking with her.  When Rick approached me with this idea Ithought it would be tremendous to do an homage to Phyllis Hyman. 

AM:  I like the ideaof it being an homage to her.

LC:  She did such agreat job on her original version and I had to try and follow in herfootsteps.  I wanted to keep it real likeshe did.  The funny thing is ourrecording careers started at the same time. I had her very first album and I was singing 'I Don't Want To Lose You'in my show.  I just loved herarrangement. 

AM:  Then it is fullcircle to be singing her song now.

LC:  I think about herevery time I sing it.  Sometimes it's alittle hard.  I just think about thehappier days and keep going.

AM:  You're coming offa big hit!

LC:  Isn't thatexciting? 

AM:  How did it feelto be back on top again?

LC:  It's amazing tome!  I'm so blessed to have met so manywonderful, talented and giving people in this industry, one of whom is GeorgiePorgie.  He's been around the dance musicindustry for about seventeen years now with number one hit after number onehit. 

AM:  How did you meethim?

LC:  He was doing afood pantry benefit once a year in Chicagoand  someone told him to call me and askme to do the show so he did and I said, "Of course I'll do it."  At that time he told me we should dosomething together one day.  I thought itwas a great idea and the next thing I know BAM! I got a hit record!  He wrote it for me. 

AM:  You are one of myfavorites singers of all time!  Yourmusic is timeless.  'I'll Keep On LovingYou' is one of the best albums by anyone and it just came out on CD for thefirst time all remastered. 

LC:  Isn't thatawesome?  I could not believe that whenthat album was originally released they didn't promote it.  They just put it on the shelf.  There's so many good songs on that album.

AM:  It sounds verycurrent today.

LC:  Absolutely itdoes.  People ask me how it feels torecord a Whitney Houston song and I go, "Yo, wait a minute!  That song was written for my husband and I in1980 by Michael Gore.  Actually in a fewdays it will be our 34th Wedding Anniversary. Gold Legion did a wonderful job putting it on CD and I am grateful tothem for doing that!

AM:  Do you have anyplans to record anything now?

LC:   I'm going to layback and enjoy the holidays unless of course somebody wants to book me!  I'm more than willing to fly.  I do travel well.  I'd love to come to LA because my daughterlives there.

AM:  You do have tocome to LA again and we have to take new photos.

LC:  I promise you thenext time I am in LA I will let you know. I would never pass up the opportunity to do a photo shoot with you.

To learn more about Linda Clifford visit her web site http://thelindaclifford.com/ and http://www.lindaclifford.biz/

Luca Ellis Is The Crooner

All Photos:  Alan Mercer

Luca Ellis is best known for the original musical play'Hollywood To Hoboken' that he starred in and co-wrote.  It ran for seven months to sell-out crowds,and received rave reviews from over 30 publications, including the Los Angeles Times.

Originally from Michigan,Luca came to Los Angeles to be acharacter actor, even though he resembles George Clooney a bit, and couldeasily be a leading man.  He waitedtables for a while and then realized he could sing, and not just sing, but singmuch like Frank Sinatra, without imitating him. 

His singing ability got him cast as 'The Chairman of theBoard' in the play 'Louis and Keely Live At the Sahara.'  Then he played 'Ole Blue Eyes' in Sandy Hackett's Rat Pack Show in Las Vegas.  It seems fate was trying to tell him something.  It wasn't much longer and Luca was playing 'The Crooner' in 'Hoboken To Hollywood.'  He can count among his fans Lee Iacocca who has seen the show four times.

I met with Luca at his apartment building close to downtown Los Angeles to take these photos and learn a little more about this charnming and talented man.  First off, he is a modest person and instantly likeable!  He has everything he needs to become a big star!  I promise you will be seeing more of this man over the next few years.

AM:  Luca, from what Iunderstand you are an actor who sings and singing is rather new for you.

LE:  Singing hasalways been something I enjoyed doing for fun. 

AM:  Well you soundlike a professional singer.

LE:  Most people singin the car and in the shower and that's where I did my singing.  I never had an interest in being a liveperformer, I always wanted to be a film actor on a closed set with a couple ofdozen people, making the performance intimate for the camera.  Then I started singing professionally and Ifound it was more exciting and exhilarating than acting.  Music is such a personal thing topeople.  It essentially becomes thesoundtrack to their lives. 

AM:  Just to make sureI understand it all...You came out to Los Angelesto be a film actor but ended up being a professional singer and writing a stageshow, shifting the direction of your career.

LE:  Yes because Istarted making money as a singer so I decided I could do that for a living instead of waiting on tables.  I just started getting attention as avocalist.  I decided to put my effortsinto that.  I found a certain joy and Ididn't know I could share this joy with others. 

AM:  Were you awarethat you had a similar vocal quality to Sinatra?

LE:  Not until Istarted listening to his music. 

AM:  Did you listen toFrank and music from the great American Songbook growing up?

LE:  I listened to alittle bit of Dean Martin when I was young and Harry Connick Jr. in myteens.  It didn't really hit me untilsomebody gave me a Diana Krall CD that is was an actual genre of music.  I decided then to pick up a Sinatra album andwithin a week I was singing along. 

AM:  Did you everlisten to punk rock music?

LE:  Not really I waslistening to modern R&B like Bobby Brown. Then I started listening to classic rock like The Doors.  Jim Morrison said one of his influences wasFrank Sinatra.  Morrison's singing issimilar to Frank because he was always singing in his natural speaking voice.  That's what I learned from Frank...is to singin your natural speaking voice and not to go outside your range.  I didn't know I was a baritone until Istarted singing along with baritones and I saw how comfortable it was. 

AM:  It's hard to finda good singer these days.

LE:  It reallyis.  It's a lost art.  Singers need to realize it's never about thembut about the song.  I think it'sdisrespectful to sing around a melody. It's like paraphrasing and ad-libbing Shakespeare. 

AM:  So you care verymuch about the songwriting.

LE:  Yes I care aboutthe songwriter and the message.  I liketo stay true to the way the song was written. I don't have the liberty to change a song. 

AM:  Where did yougrow up?

LE:  I was born in Michigan. 

AM:  So Lee Iacoccameans something doesn't it?

LE:  Yes he is a fanof the show and has seen it four times. The last time he came he brought his daughter and granddaughter.  He is a sweet guy!  He hired me for a Christmas party inDecember.  

AM:  That's great tohave such a famous fan!  You must have alot of fans that like your striking good looks too!  It must get you some attention.

LE:  Thank you, goodlooks don't hurt in this town, but again there's a lot of good looking peoplein Los Angeles. 

AM:  There are a lotof good looking people but not everyone is striking!

LE:  I won't be flyingunder the radar then. (laughing)

AM:  Do you want tokeep doing the 'Hoboken to Hollywood'show?

LE:  Yes, since it'skind of my baby.  It's been a wonderfulvehicle for people to enjoy this music live. We have a live band with nothing pre-recorded.  It's a real and living work of art.  It's theater with a safety net.  The environment that we have created allowsus to flex and move.  I want to keepdoing this show and delivering the music to people the way it should bedelivered. 

AM:  Do you want to bea recording artist?

LE:  I want to be arecording artist for sure and have multiple CD's available at some point butacting has always been my biggest passion. 

AM:  Is this what youwanted as a child?

LE:  Ever since I wasseven years old.  The singing is a newkind of bonus for me that I've really enjoyed. I don't think I could ever walk away from the singing anymore.  

AM:  I'm surprised youdidn't realize all this sooner.

LE:  I think with thismaterial I probably wasn't old enough to really appreciate it.   

AM:  What would yourideal career be?

LE:  I wouldn't mindfollowing in the steps of guys like Dean and Frank, even Jennifer Lopez andWill Smith who have a strong presence in the music industry but also have aneven stronger presence in the film industry. 

AM:  What about TV?

LE:  I'd love to doTV...sure. 

AM:  I'd love to seeyou with a Variety Show!

LE:    You know I've been talking about doing a showthat would be interviews, skits and songs. Have candid moments with your guests and the host sings a song or twoevery night.  I think television needssomething like this.

AM:  Television iswhere it's at for getting people to see and hear you. 

LE:  It used to betaboo for a film actor to do a TV show but not anymore.  The sky is the limit.  I have these abilities that I'd love to lendto any project that could use them.

AM:  Would it be hardfor you to branch out and play a serial killer?

LE:  No, I'm acharacter actor.  I can certainly playany part.  I have the diversity to dowhatever I want to if someone gives me the opportunity.  It's a tough racket and quite the rat race inLos Angeles. 

AM:  Do you have whatit takes to endure and stay in it?

LE:  Yes, the musicallows me to do that.  I couldn't livewith myself now if I walked away from what I've accomplished in this shortamount of time.  I moved to LA six yearsago.  Within a year I was a full-timeSinger.  I stopped all the other work Iwas doing.  I've been supporting myself asa singer for the past five years.  LA hasbeen very good to me.  I love LA.  I love her dearly.  This will always be my first home.

AM:  What about New York?

LE:  I'd like to havea second home in New York.  I haven't even touched New York yet.  If Ican shake things up this way in LA, imagine how I would be received in New York!  Theylove Sinatra out there. 

To learn more about Luca Ellis visit his web site www.lucaellis.com

The Enthralling Rebekah Del Rio

All Photos:  Alan Mercer

RebekahDel Rio began her professional music career when she was just 11 years old inher hometown of San Diego, California.I met Rebekah a few years ago through my friend Rudy Calvo.  I fell in love with her and her artistry immediately.  We shot her album cover for 'All My Life' inher bedroom on her bed.  I have seen herperform live several times and she is always outstanding.

Herunique style is perhaps best represented in her signature song, the wrenchinglybeautiful ballad "Llorando,"a Spanish-language version of Roy Orbison's 'Crying,' which strongly evokesboth her Latin roots as well as such vocal influences as Patsy Cline, LindaRonstadt, Eydie Gorme, and Karen Carpenter.

DavidLynch cast Rebekah as herself in his nightmarish hymn to L.A.,'Mulholland Drive.' In apivotal scene, Rebekah plays an otherworldly cabaret singer who sings anelectrifying a capella rendition of 'Llorando.'

In aVillage Voice interview, Lynch describes his partnership with Rebekah as a"happy accident": Her noteworthy performance has been universallypraised as "a dazzling star turn," by John Powers in the L.A. Weekly, to "uniquelytwisted," and "utterly enthralling," by Gregory Weinkauf fromthe New York Times.

Ms.Del Rio was received with a standing ovation at the 12th Annual RainforestFoundation Benefit Concert at CarnegieHall after singing "Llorando" a capella. Rebekah was joined by Sting, Sir Elton John, and James Taylorclad in sombreros and maracas while she sang "La Bamba" for a tributeto the 60's. Rebekah has also performed with the Royal Philharmonic in England.

Youcan hear Rebekah’s haunting vocals on numerous soundtracks such as 'Sin City,' 'Streets of Legend,' 'Man OnFire,' 'Mia Sarah,' and she’s featured in new Richard Kelly film, 'SouthlandTales' where she plays an Opera Diva.  Rebekahis in another David Lynch film, his movie 'Inland Empire.'

Thisyear the European singing group Il Divo recorded her classic song 'Llorando' asa duet with Rebekah.  Her new album 'LoveHurts Love Heals' is a tribute to her son Phillip who lost his battle withcancer in 2009 at the age of twenty-three. Rebekah is a strong and passionate artist who will go on and create manymore hours of beautiful music for all of us to enjoy!  

 make-up:  Rudy Calvo

  

AM:  How did Il Divohook up with you Rebekah?

RDR:  I got an emailfrom Il Divo's management telling me they wanted to do a cover of 'Llorando'but they really wanted to do it with me and would I be interested in recordingit with them.

AM: How exciting that must have been!

RDR:  I said of courseI would but I was stuck in San Franciscodoing a show so I couldn't leave.  Theyput me in a fabulous studio and the boys were in London,the producers were in Prague andthey skyped in to me so I could sing along on the second verse. 

AM:  I really like it.

RDR:  It's harmoniousand beautiful, quite dynamic.  I justhoped for the best, just because you record something doesn't mean itwill ever be released. 

make-up:  Rudy Calvo

AM:  You are going togain a lot more fans!

RDR:  Yes!  They've sold 25 million records already inseven years.

AM:  Now tell me aboutyour new recording...

RDR:  In 2010 I hadbeen through so much.  I really needed toget my act together and figure out what my destiny is.  I am here and yes my son had to leave, butI'm still here.

AM:  You must reallymiss Phillip.

RDR:  I had such astrong connection with my child.  We madea decision that after he passed whenever I saw 11/11 I would know he wasthinking about me.  That was our sign toeach other.

make-up: Rudy Calvo

AM:  Do you see itoften?

RDR:  I see it all thetime!  I see it almost every day.  Once I was getting some things for his gardenand the total price was $111.11!  Thenwhen I was putting my show together the ticket sales were one thousand, one hundredand eleven dollars and eleven cents!

AM:  How unbelievableis that?

RDR: That was Phillip saying Mama everything is going to befine.   I realized 2011 was never goingto happen again.  I'd been wanting to dothis record with all these songs I wrote over the course of Phillip'sillness.  I wrote so many torch songsfull of hurt and gorgeous songs about the spirit and how we evolve. I decided Iwas going to set goals and make them happen. 

AM:  What did you dofirst?

RDR:  I got togetherwith these wonderful songwriters and musicians in New York.  In 2008I met Heather Holley who is this amazing songwriter and we started writingtogether.  She is responsible for gettingChristina Aguilera her first record deal. She has written many songs with Christina.

AM:  That iswonderful!

make-up: Rudy Calvo

RDR:  It was an honorto write with her.  Fast forward to 2010when I hear Heather Holley's name and I think to myself that I should reconnectwith her and ask her if she would be interested in doing one song for this new project.  So I wrote her and asked what she thought andshe told me she loved my songs and would do the whole album! 

AM:  I like the wayyou describe the music as cinematic and epic.

RDR:  It is like asoundtrack to a movie you just watched. 

AM:  It also soundslike rock music from England!  I love the song "Damned"

RDR:  Interestinglyenough Alan that song was written with Heather in 2008.  She had written this as a poem.  She asked me if I wanted to write music to thelyrics.  I said I would love to and I satdown at the piano and worked it out.  Wehad the great fortune of working with Dave Eggar who just played cello on thenew Evanescence album. He really made that song and he is part songwriter now.

AM:  It is one of themusical highlights on the album.

make-up: Rudy Calvo

RDR:  His take on itis so gorgeous.  This is all real musicwith real instruments, not from a computer. This song has become an anthem to 'Love Hurts Love Heals'.  When you want something so bad and having itis not good for you and you know it you are 'Damned'. 

AM:  Will you have avideo on Youtube soon?

RDR:  As soon aseverything gets approved we will have one! I really feel this is my destiny now. This is my son and I giving it to you. 

make-up: Rudy Calvo

To learn more about Rebekah Del Rio visit her web site http://rebekahdelrio.com/

Jesse Garcia Is Young Hollywood

All Photos:  Alan Mercer

Jesse Garcia moved to Los Angeles in 2003. His first steady work was incommercials. In 2005 he was featured in nine national campaigns including thosefor McDonalds, Toyota, Avis, and Miller beer. His episodic television and film work includedEdward James Olmos' "Walkout," for HBO and guest spots on"ER," "The Shield," "The Closer,""Unfabulous," and "Justice," "Law and Order: CI,"and "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles."

Jesse stars in theaward-winning film 'Quinceañera',executive produced by Todd Haynes, which won both the Grand Jury Prize and theAudience Award at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival in the Dramatic Independent FeatureCompetition. 'Quinceañera' wasalso selected to play at the Berlin Film Festival. Jesse won Best Actor at the2007 Alma Awards for his role as Carlos, in 'Quinceañera.' 

Jesse was back at the SundanceFestival the following two years. In 2007, starring in "La MismaLuna" ("The Same Moon"), released in September, 2007 in Mexico and in March, 2008 in the U.S. and Canada. He stars alongside Kate del Castillo andAmerica Ferrera. He also stars in 'Good Dick,' with Jason Ritter.

Jesse recently wrapped AlejandroChomski's "A Beautiful Life," Duane Allen Humeyestewa's"Periphery," and "Days of Wrath" with Laurence Fishburne,Wilmer Valderrama, Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Anna Claudia Talancon. Set in LA,"Wrath" is the story of the intertwining lives of a dedicatedteacher, aggressive TV news crews, and rival gangs.

He appeared in the 2010 revivalof The Pee Wee Herman Show on Broadway and Los Angeles.  He was excellent as Sergio the Handyman.

I first became aware of Jesse Garcia when 'Quinceañera'came out in 2006.  He gave such astrong performance in his role as a young Latino man struggling with hissexuality.  I knew we would be seeingmore of him soon and he hasn't stopped working yet!  Jesse represents young Hollywood at it'sfinest!

AM:  Jesse I know yougrew up in Wyoming.  How long have you lived in Los Angeles?

JG:  I've been livinghere since 2003, so almost eight years.

AM:  How do you getfrom Wyoming to Los Angeles?

JG:  Well it wasn't adirect line.  I had a cheerleadingscholarship and I went to school in Lincoln, Nebraska.  Then I moved to Atlanta, Georgia and lived therefor three and a half years. 

AM:  But your goalmust have been to get to Los Angeles.

JG:  No it neverwas.  Acting wasn't my dream. 

AM:  What was yourdream?

JG:  I don't know if Ihad one.  I was really big into fitnessat the time.  I was an exercise sciencemajor so I could be a trainer for a sports team. 

AM:  What happened tochange your destiny?

JG:  I met this girl,Jennifer and she convinced me to move to Atlantaand study acting with her.  This guy, whois now a great friend and mentor, named Judson Vaughn from 'What Films' in Atlantahad a forty-five minute conversation over the phone with me and in the time of theconversation I decided I was going to move to Atlantato study acting.  So I went back to Wyomingand packed my stuff and told my parents I was moving to Atlantain a week. 

AM:  How did yourparents react to this news?

JG:  I've always beenspontaneous with things that I do so they were supportive.  It was surprising because I have a MexicanMother and she tripped out when I moved eight hours away to Lincoln. 

AM:  Have you grown upconnected to your Latin roots?

JG:  Not really.  I grew up in a small town in Wyomingwith seven or eight hundred people. There weren't many Latinos there.

AM:  When did youstart getting into Latin culture?

JG:  I didn't getexposed to Latino culture until I moved to LA. I knew of it and I was always attracted to it.  My Dad was from Mexicobut surviving and putting food on the table was his main focus.  I kind of grew up...not Latino.  It made me who I am.  I do wish I would have been exposed to itmore.  My Dad did play Tejano and otherLatin music.  Being in a small town Iwanted to assimilate and learning to speak Spanish wasn't something I wanted todo.  Now all that stuff is attractive tome!  I really wish my parents would havespoke Spanish to me when I was a kid. 

AM:  Did you come toLA and embrace the Latino Film community?

JG:  Yes I did.  I totally embraced it.  I started getting exposed to it when I bookedthe movie 'Walkout.'  I startedlearning about the 1968 and 69 walkouts in East LA.  Even when I was a little kid I had this kindof "civil rights movement" mind.  To growup in a small town and have an open mind is kind of unusual. 

AM:  You do have anopen mind.  Do you think you were bornthat way?

JG:  I don'tknow.  I'm not really sure why I havesuch an open mind.  We also grew up in avery strict religious household.  I wasraised Jehovah Witness.  It isinteresting that I have an open mind. 

AM:  After hearingthis I think it is how you are born.

JG:  It must be. 

AM:  You seem to beworking non-stop!

JG:  I work reallyhard man.  When I moved out here I knewthat I wanted to act and that I was going to succeed.  I was on-line everyday for a couple hours aday submitting and looking for things on-line. This was eight years ago so this was before there was a lot on theinternet.  Times have changed.  I had to really put in some effort to findanything back then. 

AM:  The movie 'Quinceañera' really put you on the map.

JG:  Yes it wasbecause of 'Quinceañera' that I went to Sundance and won abunch of awards.  I also won an Almaaward.  

AM:  You're very luckyto have a movie like that. 

JG:  That movie openedup a lot of doors for not only Latino films but Independent films ingeneral. 

AM:  Did you have ahesitation or concern to play a gay character so early in your career?

JG:  Not at all.  One thing I didn't realize was that I wasgoing to have a social responsibility to go along with the success of the film.  I learned a lot about the gay community andhow they reacted to this film.  Theamount of young Latino gay men that would email me on facebook and myspace wasamazing.  Some of them didn't know how todeal with any of the issues and the feelings they were going through.  I'm really proud of that movie.

AM:  You shouldbe.  I have a feeling this is just thefirst important film you will make and that you will have many films ahead ofyou.

JG:  I hope so.  Even 'Under The Same Moon' is a reallypowerful film.  Somehow I'm able toattract a lot of really cool films that have a lot of powerful things tosay. 

AM:  I think it'sbecause you come off as very real.

JG:  Thank you, I stillhave about six or seven films that haven't come out yet.  I really hope 'Days Of Wrath' comes outsoon.  It's a really good movie.  I'm producing and doing my own stuff now.  I'm working on getting a directing careergoing as well.  I'mstarting my own production company so I can change the way some things getdone.  I want to bring attention to newfilmmakers, writers, producers and artists. 

AM:  Do you want tofocus on Latino themes?

JG:  I'm very much a Latino advocate andI think it's important to make Latino films but I also think it's aboutcontent.  Unfortunately there is a lot ofreally bad Latino content out there. When the industry gets saturated with bad content that Latinos are making,it makes it hard for the industry to take us seriously.  The main problem we're having is Latinosdon't support Latinos.

AM:  Why is that?

JG:  There is asegregation between the Latino cultures. There are so many different cultures and we all have our own pridewithin our cultures.  If a Mexican filmcomes out, other Latino cultures often don't think the film has anything to dowith them or they can't relate to the story. If we are going to make an impact on the industry it's important for allof us to support each others movies, TV shows,web series...everything.  Latinos spend alot of money going to the theaters but they don't spend it on the Latinfilms. 

AM:  Tell me aboutworking on Pee Wee's Playhouse on Broadway! 

JG:  That was amazing!!!  I never thought I would be on Broadway!  That was my third play ever.  It was fun doing eight shows a week in New York. 

AM:  What do you getasked a lot by younger people?

JG:  The most commonthing I get asked is, "How do I get into acting?"  Mostly I tell people to be verypro-active.  You have to study.  Do a lot of improv, sketch comedy and scenestudy.  Be ready!  Go on-line everyday and submit yourself forthings you are not even right for.  I'vebooked jobs that I wasn't right for.  Youjust have to be pro-active.  When peoplecome to LA they can get caught up in surviving. Don't lose your focus as to why you came to LA.  So many people get caught up in paying thebills and granted you have to do that, but don't forget why you came here.

Freda Payne

All Photos:  Alan Mercer      Gowns: LSO Designs

Freda Payne comes from Detroit, Michigan and grew up listening to different jazz singers like Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holliday.  As a teenager, she attended the Detroit Institute of Musical Arts. She soon began singing radio commercial jingles, and took part in, and won many local TV and radio talent shows.

In 1963, she moved to New York City and worked with many different entertainers, including Quincy Jones, Pearl Bailey, and Bill Cosby. The next year, her debut album, a jazz recording entitled 'After the Lights Go Down Low and Much More!!!', was released on the Impulse! label. Three years later, she released her second album, another jazz effort, 'How Do You Say I Don't Love You Anymore,' for MGM Records.  She also made occasional guest appearances on different television shows including 'The Merv Griffen Show'and 'The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson."

In 1969, her old friends back home in Detroit, Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier and Edward Holland Jr., persuaded her to sign with their newly-formed record label 'Invictus.'  Shortly thereafter, Eddie Holland offered her a song titled 'Band Of Gold', which he, along with Brian Holland and Lamont Dozier co-wrote with Ronald Dunbar.  In early 1970, the song became an instant pop smash reaching #3 in the US and #1 in the UK.  It also gave Freda her first gold record.  Global sales were over two million.  

In 2011 Freda recorded a duet, 'Saving A Life', with British pop star Sir Cliff Richard for inclusion on his "Soulicious" album.  She also performed with Sir Cliff throughout his tour of the same name last month.  Freda is a long time friend and we talked about her upcoming tour right before she left for Europe.  Along with a couple of new shots I am showcasing some of my favorite work with Freda Payne over the past six years.  This is Freda's second time on the blog.  She was one of my first blog entries in April 2009.  

AM:  Freda I know you must be excited to perform 'Saving A Life' with Cliff Richard on the tour.  Are you singing anything else in the show?

FP:  Well of course I'm singing 'Band Of Gold' which is my signature song.  It is already a long show with six different acts. 

AM:  How did you get on this album in the first place? 

FP:  I got it because of David Guest.  He is a celebrity in England.  I've seen it myself where people on the street stop him and want their picture taken with him. 

AM:  No wonder he lives there. 

FP:  He became a personality there and started bringing in his own shows with people like Billy Paul and Dennis Edwards, Deniece Williams, Dorothy Moore, Candi Staton and myself.  Anyway about a year ago David got to meet Cliff Richard and they struck up an acquaintance.  Last November I performed at a charity event in London and Cliff Richard came and we got to meet.  Then in December David told me Cliff was doing a new album of Soul duets with legendary Soul Artists and I was going to record a song for the album as well.  I told him, "Great. Thanks!"

AM:  Did you  know 'Saving A Life' was going to be the lead single?

FP:  No I did not.  I had no idea.  It was just a cut on the record.  Lamont Dozier produced the majority of the songs.  Lamont's son Beau wrote several of the songs including 'Saving A Life.' 

AM:  What did you think when you first heard the song?

FP:  I loved the song.  It sounds very fresh and young like something Usher or Justin Timberlake would record.  It's very hip! 

AM:  I agree and I love it!!!  Where did you record it?

FP:  Most of the album was recorded in Memphis Tennessee in the month of April.  I spent a whole week there and also performed at a big benefit show at the Peabody Hotel. 

AM:  Didn't Nick Ashford work on this album as well?

FP:  Four of the songs were produced by Ashford & Simpson.  I believe this was the last project he worked on.  He and Valerie worked together but he couldn't sing due to his voice being hoarse.  We didn't know anything at this point.

AM:  When did you hear the finished result?

FP:  They mixed it in June and David called me and told me my song was going to be the lead single. 

AM:  What did that feel like!?!

FP:  It felt great!  Then he put two EMI Executives on the phone and they told me how much they loved the song and it was their favorite on the whole album.  I've listened to the whole album many times now and there are a lot of good songs. 

AM:  It's a good record!

FP:  It's a good record.  There's some great songs on there. 

AM:  It sounds like a wonderful project that is allowing you to have a good time.

FP:  I'm just having a good time and I'm enjoying myself.  I LOVE Cliff Richard. He is a lovely, lovely gentleman. 

AM:  You can tell he is really talented and kind.

FP:   He is and he's professional.  He never says a bad thing about anyone.  You know how with some people, after you are around them for a while, you will hear them be negative and curse, he never does that. 

AM:  I know you have another new song on your own that I love!!!

FP:  Yes I have a couple of songs with Artis Phillips.  One is called 'Free Me From My Freedom' which is a Bonnie Pointer cover. The new one is called 'He Gained' and it turned out great.  It reminds me of something Tina Turner would do. 

AM:  It's a cover of the Angelo Bonds song from the seventies isn't it?

FP:  Yes, it's Angelo's song.  He recorded it but nothing really happened back then.

AM:  I love that song!

FP:  I hope I can get a record deal with these songs.

AM:  Maybe you can get a deal in Europe.  They seem to be smarter when it comes to music.

FP:  For some reason they love American music fiercely.  They cherish music the way some people cherish and value antiques. 

AM:  Speaking of music from the past.  I just got the re-mastered, first time on CD 'Stares and Whispers' and it is fantastic!!!  I'm so grateful for this!  I have loved this album since it first came out.  Do you like having your older work out on CD?

FP:  I don't mind!  It's nice having it out on CD since I don't have a turn table anymore! 

AM:  The CD has that great cut you did with Tavares called  'I Wanna See You Soon.' 

FP:  So the CD is a good deal.

AM:  I didn't realize you were just a teenager when you recorded 'After The Lights Go Down.'   

FP:  I was nineteen.  I went to New York when I was eighteen.  It took almost a year but I got a deal with ABC Paramount.  They had a jazz subsidiary named Impulse so my first album was released as a jazz record. 

AM:  A nineteen year old with a jazz album sounds kind of funny...(Laughter)

FP:  I was singing jazz with big bands in Detroit when was fourteen. 

AM:  You really are one of the blessed ones Freda.

FP:  As long as I can keep doing it I will.  Just remember to count your blessings.

To learn more about Freda Payne visit her web site http://www.fredapayne.com/ and her facebook page http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=211205272286747&id=511548967&notif_t=like#!/pages/Freda-Payne/255615917822073?sk=wall