Summer Groove Concert

SUMMER GROOVE CONCERT
SATURDAY, AUGUST 13, 2022

T2MM COVERAGE, ALL PHOTO & VIDEO CREDITS BY CHE’RI HUMPHREY, T2MM PRODUCER & FOUNDER OF DITR &
BY YOHANA ROBERTSON, ASSISTANT
A Couple photos credited to Author ML Brooks

 
The Summer Groove Concert was held at Seaside Park in Bridgeport, CT on Saturday, August 13, 2022.  It was a hot and sunny day.  Yet the clouds peeked through off and on during the day.  DITR’s T2MM (Diamonds in the Rough’s…Talk 2 Me Media) produced by myself, and assisted by Yohana Robertson was out for a treat in what would be a long day and night.  My friend Author ML Brooks was the vendor coordinator and wore many hats to create and enhance the event.  The visionary, Ernest Brown, had a quiet, cool and smooth demeanor.  My friend/cousin, Celebrity DJ Juan Coon made is possible, and others like David Daniels (my sister’s cousin), and Anthony Stewart, Team Focus, plus many others who played a part in it being successful.

The line up was fantabulously dynanimous!  Those on the bill were:  The sensational cousin of mines, David Davis, international saxophonist and musician.  David was a breath of fresh air with his cool swagger blowing the sax and Ewi.  Many relished in his soothing sounds that helped sitting in the sun a delight.  He mentioned that the base player, Ace Livingston, had come out with his new single called, “Flow.”  I could hear the sounds of Leira, Mark’s daughter, from Sheila Taylor-McCoy’s vendor table; another friend of mines.  Her voice was young and stimulating.  Anthom, a Jamaican reggae group played next.  Yet another cousin of mines assisted them.  It seemed to be somewhat of a family reunion-lol. 

Chocolate thunder, Kaeli Roselle graced the stage with her beautiful self; a native of Bridgeport.  I just absolutely love her sound, personality, and looks.  Of course, I enjoyed her.  New, aspiring artist from New Haven, Ebxny killed it as well.  Such a sweet, sensual sound with her slim physicality and dark tones.  She was a just an angel, and she’s so smart. She’ll be given a full interview on Talk 2 Me radio at www.blogtalkradio.com/talk2cheri on Monday, August 29, 2022. 

Additional others who played and sang were; “The Top-Notch Band” which included, Willie “Bam-Bam” Parker on drums who’s the band leader; Robbie Day on guitar, Rue on lead vocals, and Jazz, the keyboardist.  He’s also a producer with my cousin, Lou Humphrey; both of BSE Recordings who produced Omar Wilson in the remake of the song, “Secret Garden.” They’re the best band in the East Coast.  You’ll never be disappointed going to see them play because they’re top notch.  Bonita Brooks, lead singer of “The Bernadette’s,” in Waterbury, CT just out did herself.  She was amazing.  I can’t forget a friend of mines; Grammy nominated Phoenix Fire!  She looked absolutely scrumptious in her black, skin tight, laced, cat outfit.  She had on tall clear shoes, the platform style, a flower in her hair like Billie Holiday.  She was escorted to the stage by security.  She sang a couple of songs including the Grammy nominated song by Stevie Wonder, “AS.”  Phoenix Fire was absolutely divine, classy, and sophisticated.  She was fire!  The dynanimous, Key Key West, singer and rapper who is Rashaan Langley’s cousin accompanied her in background singing.  However, she’s a force to be reckoned with herself-all by herself.  She’s a powerful singer and rapper; pretty just like her counterpart on the stage-Phoenix Fire.

Let’s not forget the terrific and outstanding deejays who played.  DJ Rawles whom I didn’t know caught my attention.  His mixing and scratching were dope.  Then David Daniels got on the table and turned it out.  Then DJ Billy Bush, an acquaintance of mines, totally ripped it.  He didn’t let a snag in the old sound system at the parks wiring stop him.  Like professionals do, they adjust and keep it movin’.  Then my boy, my friend, my cousin; DJ Juan Coon took it away!  We were flying high as he was cutting up the turn table.  All the deejays pumped the crowd up.  I loved it.  In addition, Wassan Jackson who runs the comedy show at the Metric on Wednesdays; he was the emcee for the show.  He made the time go easy as well by telling his jokes.  I always take amusement in his comedy.  I recently performed for him doing spoken word and comedy at the Metric myself.  I really believe they chose the right one for this event.

You could smell Jamaican food, and soul food in the air.  Free water and soul food were open for artists, crew, VIP, and press to partake of.  They had mac and cheese, collard greens, rice and peas, jerk chicken, barbeque chicken, and wine if you desired it.  I thought this was the best to include press.  It was necessary and needed because we were out there a very long time trying to get footage and interviews. 

So many were people I knew in the crowd and involved in some capacity, so it was like a reunion.  I was overjoyed when I saw Stamford in the house.  Fonda Brown, and a guy from the South end in Stamford who had me on his TV show many years ago.  One guy in all white and short twists couldn’t stop dancing, Happy Feet.  He had me in stitches.  There was an older guy with a gold glass like Lil Jon who seemed to be competing with him in dance.  He did a split, dropped down and tied his sneaker, lol.  Hilarious.  However, the little baby boy around 2 or 3 got the dancing bug and was showing gold cup up, totally cute.
 
FEATURED ARTISTS WERE YO-YO & SPECIAL ED - LEGENDARY HIP HOP ARTISTS, AND DONELL JONES- LEGENDARY RECORD ARTISTS.  WHAT WE ALL CAME FOR.

When Yo-Yo came out on the stage the crowd went nuts!  She captivated the crowd.  This woman has been an inspiration to me as a woman because in the 80’s there weren’t many hip hop artists that were women.  It was just her, Roxanne Shante, Roxanne Roxanne, MC Lyte, and Queen Latifah.  These women let people know females were just as good as their male counterparts, or even better. 

She had on jeans, and a tannish sweatshirt, her blonde braids with the side of her hair shaved.  Her honey skin tone and green eyes sparkled in the sun.  She was strong, powerful, and vivacious when she was performing.  Yo-Yo did her famous song, “Don’t Play with My Yoyo!”  I thought I’d pass out on the stage from dancing while taking footage of her performance.  Her energy was high.  It didn’t look like she aged a bit.  I got to interview her backstage, and my assistant Yoyo took pics and video-taped.  Radio host, Author ML Brooks assisted us with a few photos too.  She was so kind and just nice to everyone as I watched her take pictures with anyone who asked. 
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When Donell Jones came back from the stage area to get in the truck and get prepared for his performance; Yo-Yo got excited and ran over to hug him.  They embraced, and talked for a minute.  It was beautiful.  It was a dream come true to finally meet her, and talk with her. 

Special Ed performed an energetic and spirited show.  My team watched from backstage as we waited for Yo-Yo. You can see that he barely aged.  The crowd rushed towards the stage to see him do his thang. Once he got off the stage, he and his new fiancé came down the path and I met them there.  He let everyone know who his baby was, and I thought that was special.  She was very attractive so they fit well.  He had on a white t shirt and red shorts.  His curly hair was out; a different style from the 80’s of course, but his fans remember those curls.  Special Ed was funny as he cracked a joke to my assistance, Yoyo and I. 

I finally got a chance to interview him, and he spoke about his longevity in the business.  (All audio interviews are at https://shows.acast.com/talk2me2 my new radio site, “Talk 2 Me 2”) The ladies were all in love with him back in the day.  Being backstage with him, many still are.  He made sure that anyone who wanted to speak with him, or take pics could; nice and compassionate man he is. 

Although I was in great pain due to my back condition; I was in total awe when Donell Jones came out on the stage.  The smoke was tracing through the stage, and simmering around him.  He was stunning with his top hat, and white outfit with black on it.  I could barely move, so my assistant captured his performance on video.  I watched as his music brought back good and bad memories.  He sang the songs just as he did back in the day, but something was different in the passion he displayed.  I figured it was added life experiences that brought more to how he sang and what it meant.  He explained before he sang the song that made him most famous, about his divorce; what he was going through when he made that song.  It hit home for me because it was one of my break up songs as well during the year 2000.  I loved his music, but that one song I hated.  In the interview I did with him after his performance I talked to him about it.  He said people either love that song or hate it for the very same reasons. 

Let’s back up though.  I mustered up the strength to go one stage while he sang the last couple of songs, and it was surreal for me.  I took pictures of him performing and it was like déjà vu for some reason.  I was taken aback.  I could feel his urge, his push, and I respected him for it because I know what it’s like to perform in front of a crowd; a crowd of even more people like 20,000 which I’m sure he’s more times than many.  I don’t know what it’s like to be famous yet.  So maybe this is why I felt him so clearly.  This is what fame is like.  You see the good.  That’s on that stage.  The crowd was screaming, recording, and pushing closer and closer to the stage. You see ugly like when he got of the stage and tried to manage the crowd.  He seemed nervous because he yelled, “Back up, Covid still out here.  Don’t get all up on me!”  I understand, but at the point back stage people were acting like true beasts; not giving him room to get off the truck and bum rushing him by not giving him space to breath.  I just wanted to talk to him for the interview so I had to wait in total pain.  His security moved me out of harm’s way, so that I wouldn’t get trampled.  I told him thank you so much.

It was a pleasure to finally interview him, and I could relate to what he was stating.  It was dark and chilly at this point.  The night was over for T2MM.  The show was done around 9:45 pm that started about 1:30. T2MM had been there since 11:30 am, and others even sooner.  It was a marvelous and remarkable time. I truly enjoyed myself doing press and so did my assistant, Yoyo.
 
Thank you to:  Celebrity DJ Juan Coon, Ernest Brown, my friend/asst. Yohana “Yoyo” Robertson, Author ML Brooks, all the artists I interviewed.  Last but not least, thank you Jesus! 

For photos and article go to www.ditrfindingthespiritinme.org on the media page

For audio interviews go to https://shows.acast.com/talk2me2 click episodes

For videos (coming) go to www.youtube.com/cheri328

MIN. CHE’RI HUMPHREY, M.ED., FOUNDER & PRESIDENT
DITR...FINDING THE SPIRIT IN ME INT’L MIN. ORG
PO BOX 13, NORWALK, CT 06852
(203) 952-9807

CHERIHUMPHREY@GMAIL.COM, 42DITR@GMAIL.COM CLHUM28@GMAIL.COM

To donate to myself, or DITR my Cash app tag: cash.me/$Ditr 
PayPal at clh28 or cherihumphrey@gmail.com or 42ditr@gmail.com

T2M History

CHE'RI HAS BEEN WRITING SINCE THE AGE OF 5, CREATIVE STORIES SINCE AGE 7 FOR SCHOOL AMONG HER MANY TALENTS & GIFTS.  CHE'RI STARTED TALK 2 ME COLUMN WRITING HER COUSIN ALLEN AKA "RAMBO," FOR CHOCOLATE CITY NEWS IN 2005.  THEN SHE BEGAN WRITING FREELANCE IN 2007 COVERING THE MCDONALD'S GOSPELFEST FOR HARLEM MAGAZINE.

IN 2009, CHE'RI BEGAN REPORTING UNDER DITR & POSTING TO PREVIOUS WEBSITE.  IN JAN 2010, THE EXAMINER ACCEPTED HER SAMPLE WRITING TO WRITE FOR THE BRIDGEPORT CHRISTIANITY EXAMINER WHICH SHE DID FROM 2010 TO 2015.  ONCE LEAVING THEM SHE STARTED WRITING FOR STACKSTREET.COM ON OCCASION AFTER COVERING JAZZ FESTIVALS, THE MCDONALD'S GOSPELFEST FOR ALMOST 10 YEARS, AND MANY OTHER EVENTS-CELEBS AND NON CELEBS ALIKE.  SHE'S INTERVIEWED LIL JON, DAMIAN MARLEY, ELEPHANT MAN, BOBBY VALENTINO, VICKIE WYANS, DONNIE MCKIRKLIN, PASTOR SHIRLEY CAESAR, THE MIGHTY CLOUDS OF JOY, FAITH EVANS, MR. BROWN, JENNIFER HOLIDAY, & MORE FOR HER ARTICLES ALONE. 

THE T2M ONLINE RADIO INTERVIEWS REACHES OVER 10K IN PAST 12 YEARS OF WHICH SHE'S INTERVIEWED:  JJ HAIRSTON, MELBA MOORE, CECE PENISTON, CALVIN RICHARDSON, CHRISTOPHER WILLIAMS, DR. JAMAL BRYANT, THE GREEN VIOLINIST, HOPE FLOOD, JP JUSTICE, GERALD KELLY, WENDELL B, CARMICHAEL THE MUSIC LOVER, BERNARD JACKSON OR SURFACE, THE PRODUCER OF THE MCDONALD'S GOSPELFEST MR. CURTIS A FARROW, ETC.; TOTALING OVER 400 PEOPLE SHE'S INTERVIEWED BY GOD'S GRACE AND LOVE FOR WHAT SHE DOES.