R.I.P. Fred Jenkins of The Gap Band

Happy birthday to legendary hitmaker, Janet Jackson, born May 16, 1966. The younger sister of the famous Jackson brothers, Janet paved her own way to become arguably the family’s biggest star.  Working with hit producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis over a 20+ year period, she scored influential hit after hit.  Janet burst onto the scene […] The post Happy birthday to the incomparable Janet Jackson appeared first on SoulTracks .

Happy Birthday to El DeBarge, born June 4rd, 1961. The family group DeBarge had the looks, the vocal talent and the backing of Motown that vaulted it quickly to the top of the Pop and Soul worlds in 1982. However, demons arising from a rough and dysfunctional family history ultimately caused the group to implode, and the group disappeared […] The post Happy Birthday to singer El DeBarge appeared first on SoulTracks .

Happy Birthday to Stevie Wonder, born on May 13, 1950! It’s almost impossible to single out the defining moment in a career as rich and varied as Stevie Wonder’s. Starting out as the beloved and exasperating mascot of “Hitsville U.S.A.” (a.k.a. Motown), Wonder matured with his generation and towered over the music of the 1970s with […] The post A birthday tribute to the legendary Stevie Wonder appeared first on SoulTracks .

Happy Birthday to Ralph Tresvant, the tenor lead singer of the legendary New Edition, born May 16, 1968. Though introduced to the world as a not-so-inspired Jackson Five ripoff, New Edition emerged into one of the most important groups of its generation and its members became the royalty of New Jack movement of the late […] The post Happy Birthday to Ralph Tresvant of New Edition appeared first on SoulTracks .

(May 14, 2025) Singer James “Petawane” Burris can say that he won over the toughest crowd in America, and perhaps the world. Petawane went into the famed Apollo Theater on Amateur Night, and not only managed not to get booed and swept off the floor by The Sandman, the native New Yorker brought the house […] The post First Listen: Petawane loves that “Down South Woman” appeared first on SoulTracks .

(May 13, 2025) The American Music Awards have just announced that legendary singer Janet Jackson will receive its ICON Award at the 51st AMAs, to be held on May 26. Jackson will also perform at the show. Jackson will be only the third recipient of the ICON Award, following Lionel Richie and Rihanna. Jackson, who […] The post Janet Jackson to receive ICON Award at American Music Awards appeared first on SoulTracks .

(Atlanta, GA – May 19, 2025) – This year, February 14, 2025, marked the 40th Anniversary of the iconic superstar Whitney Houston’s career in music and entertainment. The Estate of Whitney E. Houston and its partner, Primary Wave Music are planning a series of year-long events including the upcoming The Voice of Whitney: A Symphonic Celebration North America […] The post Symphonic tour honoring Whitney Houston coming appeared first on SoulTracks .

Happy birthday to Larry Blackmon of the group Cameo, born May 24, 1956. Cameo has a permanent place in R&B history as one of the great funk groups, with both decades of great hits and sense of fun that was infectious. Originated in The Big Apple in 1974, the group was over a dozen players […] The post Happy Birthday to the legendary Larry Blackmon of R&B group Cameo appeared first on SoulTracks .

Kamala Harris is set to undergo a public image makeover with an upcoming CNN interview featuring Dana Bash on August 29, 2024. Judge Jeanine highlighted skepticism surrounding the interview, predicting it will be more of a flattering puff piece rather than a substantive discussion.

(May 17, 2025) When the weather starts to break in May, we all begin to think about Summer, and also begin to look for that handful of cuts that will be our “songs of the Summer.” Well, Charlotte, North Carolina singer and songwriter ShanDaria has come out of the box with an early candidate in the form […] The post First Listen: ShanDaria gets us “Livin” again appeared first on SoulTracks .

The group GQ has a brief moment in the sun in the late 70s and was best known for its dance hit, “Disco Nights.” But it was their second single, a remake of Billy Stewart’s “I Do Love You,” that preserved for them a permanent place in the annals of soul music. It showed the […] The post SoulTracks Looks Back: GQ says “I Do Love You” appeared first on SoulTracks .

Happy birthday to Ron Isley of the Isley Brothers, born May 21, 1941.  Ronald Isley has has been one of the most recognizable voices in R&B and funk music over the past six decades, and a true bridge between generations of music lovers. Both as a solo singer and, more importantly, as the lead singer for The […] The post Happy 84th birthday to the legendary Ronald Isley of The Isley Brothers appeared first on SoulTracks .

Happy birthday to the great Boz Scaggs, born June 8, 1944. Rock and Soul man Boz Scaggs carved a persona in the mid-70s as a slick, smooth pop/soul singer on the strength of his great Silk Degrees album.  Unfortunately, that persona became a two-edged sword that has limited popular appreciation for his 40 years of strong performances in […] The post Happy Birthday to rock & soul giant Boz Scaggs appeared first on SoulTracks .

(May 16, 2025) The resume of Broadway star Brandon Victor Dixon reads thick. He left an indelible mark on some of Broadway’s biggest musicals, playing Harpo in The Color Purple, Berry Gordy, Jr. in Motown the Musical, emerging as Aaron Burr in Hamilton and Eubie Blake in Shuffle Along while also showing up in acclaimed […] The post First Listen: Grammy Winner Brandon Victor Dixon wows us with “Maybe” appeared first on SoulTracks .

Happy birthday to the great LeRoy Hutson, born June 4, 1945. Once labeled by Rolling Stone magazine as “the best-kept secret of Seventies soul,” LeRoy Hutson quietly established a lasting legacy as one of the great soul men of his day. A native of Newark, New Jersey, Hutson’s decision to attend Howard University as a young man turned […] The post Happy Birthday to soul music pioneer Leroy Hutson appeared first on SoulTracks .

(June 3, 2025) “It’s Over,” the new song by Cornell C.C. Carter, is a slice of real life that details the consequences of a betrayal told from the standpoint of the person who was unfaithful. The mournful ballad covers a story that has been told many times in song, poetry, and prose. However, Carter notes that […] The post First Listen: Cornell CC Carter says “It’s Over” appeared first on SoulTracks .

When it comes to summer cookouts, banana pudding is the unofficial dessert of the South. It’s cool, creamy, and somehow tastes even better after it’s been chilling in the fridge all day while you’ve been wrangling the grill and dodging mosquitoes.

Happy Birthday to Deniece Williams, born June 3rd, 1951. Possessing one of the sweetest voices in soul music, Deniece Williams spent a decade at the top of the soul charts making unabashedly positive, thoughtful music, and then another decade as a significant Gospel artist. Her clear delivery and her understated, girl-next-door style won for her a […] The post Celebrating Deniece Williams’ Birthday – The Songbird of Soul appeared first on SoulTracks .

(June 1, 2025) Morris Day of The Time broke the sad news on social media today, that the “Godfather of the Minneapolis Sound, Pepé Willie, has died at age 76. Willie may not be a household name, but his fingerprints are all over the Minneapolis sound that revolutionized funk and R&B in the late 1970s […] The post Pepé Willie, the “Godfather of the Minneapolis Sound,” dies at 76 appeared first on SoulTracks .

The Friends of the Attleboro Animal Shelter recently introduced a sweet and unique feline seeking her forever home. Khloe, an 8-year-old medium-sized orange & white cat, embodies the qualities of affection, gentleness, and sweetness. "She is a special girl that requires a special adopter!" the shelter emphasizes. "She is sweet, charismatic and just an overall loving gal." Her journey includes the removal of a kidney stone "the size of an olive." The shelter happily reports that she has made a full recovery and continues her daily activities without any issues. Despite her medical history, Khloe's resilient spirit shines through.

There are may things to love about being in Georgia and one of them is definitely our food. We enjoy many specialties including BBQ, Brunswick Stew and shrimp & grits; but you won’t find much better than a regular ol’ tomato sandwich with local tomatoes from our local Georgia farmers.

(June 3, 2025) Continuing to build on its mission to empower the voices of women in music and spotlight the artistry and impact of female songwriters, composers, educators, engineers, executives and others, the Women Songwriters Hall of Fame celebrates its milestone fifth anniversary with a two-day awards gala at the Mead Center for American Theatre […] The post Melba Moore, Brenda Russell and more to receive Hall of Fame award appeared first on SoulTracks .

(June 5, 2025) On the reality show America’s Got Talent, musicians and other non-music acts audition before the judges, many of them representing countries outside the U.S., to follow their lifelong career dreams.  While Stanislav Markevich has yet to appear on the long running TV showcase, the singer/songwriter/producer, better known as Mark Evich, knew choosing […] The post First Listen: Mark Evich teases on “Miss Demeanor” appeared first on SoulTracks .

Happy Birthday to Brian McKnight, born June 5th, 1969. Brian McKnight is a talented singer/songwriter who has fashioned a surprisingly strong career over two decades as a soul balladeer.  Coming from an extremely religious background and being the brother of Take 6’s Claude McKnight, it was thought by many that Brian would be a gospel […] The post Celebrating Brian McKnight’s Birthday – A Master of R&B Ballads appeared first on SoulTracks .

WRIC 8 News compiled a list of seven movies that were filmed in Central Virginia. Many of them were filmed in Richmond where this writer lives. “Virginia continues to be a premier production hub for filmmakers seeking an authentic, film-friendly environment and a home away from home.”

There’s something about a bubbling peach cobbler that just feels like summer on a plate. This version keeps things cozy and classic but leans on a store-bought pie crust to keep life simple. Whether you're headed to a potluck, hosting Sunday dinner, or just craving something warm and sweet, this dessert is a no-fuss favorite.

Joe Heller was the editorial cartoonist for the Green Bay Press-Gazette in Green Bay, Wis., from 1985 until being laid off in July 2013. He still draws several cartoons a week and distributes them through his own syndicate. Through Heller Syndication, his cartoons regularly appear in more than 400 newspapers, making him the most successful self-syndicated editorial cartoonist in the nation. His cartoons are reprinted many times in USA Today, Denver Post, St. Paul Pioneer Press, The New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, Newsweek Japan, The Week and The Washington Post. Joe’s cartoons have won numerous distinctions, including 10 Best of Gannett awards, eight Milwaukee Press Club awards and two Honorable mentions for the John Fischetti Award. He lives in Green Bay with his wife, Pamela. He is a regular featured cartoonist for the NKyTribune .

June 7, 1988 – New Edition releases “If It Isn’t Love” They had been through tribulations, personnel changes, and the always difficult transition from child musical stars to grown men in the business, but New Edition handled every challenge, sometimes in painful ways, even as they moved forward with their craft. One can argue as to when […] The post On This Day in 1988: New Edition made us sweat with “If It Isn’t Love” appeared first on SoulTracks .

This article was originally published on ChaChingQueen.com, a site my wife and I own. AI was used for light editing, formatting, and readability. But a human (me!) wrote and edited this.