In this episode of the State of Black Music podcast, our co-hosts had the opportunity to speak with one of the stars cast in Summer: The Donna Summer Musical, Brittny Smith, while showing at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC) based in Nashville, Tennessee.  After being immersed in the musical experience at TPAC, the co-host talked on the vast and versatile musical contributions made by the late legend Donna Summer and how she's made an impact on artists of today. Listen bi-weekly as music business veterans Phil Thornton, Claude Kelly and Chuck Harmony of Louis York, and Tamone Bacon give their unfiltered, coveted, comical opinions on the music of today, yesterday, and tomorrow. Thank you to our partners at the National Museum of African American Music and at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center for your help in making this episode a reality! Subscribe to State of Black Music on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and anywhere you get your favorite podcast.  We're there! Follow us on Twitter @SOBMpodcast, on Instagram @StateofBlackMusic See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of the State of Black Music podcast, our co-hosts explore the various artists and genres whose covers and samples challenge the quality of the original while discussing other cultural topics.  Listen bi-weekly as music business veterans Phil Thornton, Claude Kelly and Chuck Harmony of Louis York, and Tamone Bacon give their unfiltered, coveted, comical opinions on the music of today, yesterday, and tomorrow. Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and anywhere you get your favorite podcast.  We're there! Follow us on Twitter @SOBMpodcast, on Instagram @StateofBlackMusic See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of the State of Black Music podcast, our co-hosts take a deep dive into the Netflix Original jeen-yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy, Southern Soul music, and various other cultural topics. Listen bi-weekly as music business veterans Phil Thornton, Claude Kelly, and Chuck Harmony of Louis York, and Tamone Bacon give their unfiltered, coveted, comical opinions on the music of today, yesterday, and tomorrow. Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and anywhere you get your favorite podcast.  We're there! Follow us on Twitter @SOBMpodcast, on Instagram @StateofBlackMusic See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of the State of Black Music podcast, our co-hosts talk with musical shapeshifting and pioneering band Earth, Wind, and Fire at the honorable National Museum of African American Music, Root's Theatre.  Join us as we journey through the dynamic minds of Verdine White, Philip Bailey, and Ralph Johnson as SOBM co-hosts Louis York (Chuck Harmony & Claude Kelly), Phil Thornton, and Tamone Bacon discover from the source the degree of hard work, craftsmanship, and brotherhood that went into establishing one of the world's most iconic and leading bands of our day which elegantly presented a catalog fusing Jazz, R&B/Soul, Rock, Pop, Classical, and Funk genres which would go on to sell over 90 million records worldwide. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of the State of Black Music podcast, our co-hosts sit down with the genre-bending recording artist, television personality, and NAACP Image Award-winning, K. Michelle.  Recorded at the National Museum of African American Music in Nashville, Tennessee, the State of Black Music podcast unfolded the adventurous business endeavors of the entrepreneur and discover what catapulted the diva's immutable drive to expand artistically beyond the Hip-Hop/R&B genre and unveil her innate ability to record country music. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this special bonus episode of the State of Black Music podcast, our co-hosts discuss the feature film RESPECT, the biopic of the queen of soul, Aretha Franklin.  Grammy, Academy Award, and Golden Globe winner Jennifer Hudson joins the podcast to share on the making of the motion picture and her experience being hand-picked by the late Franklin to portray her 15 years prior to the film's release. Listen bi-weekly as music business veterans Phil Thornton, Claude Kelly, and Chuck Harmony of Louis York, and Tamone Bacon give their unfiltered, coveted, comical opinions on the music of today, yesterday, and tomorrow. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of the State of Black Music podcast, our co-hosts discuss the longevity, diligence, and cultural impact of the dynamic and incomparable entertainer, Bobby Brown as he visits the National Museum of African American Music in Nashville, Tennessee.  A founder of the legendary American band New Edition as well as being a pioneer of the innovative New Jack Swing genre, Brown uncovers his musical drive and qualitative outlook on life. Listen bi-weekly as music business veterans Phil Thornton, Claude Kelly, and Chuck Harmony of Louis York, and Tamone Bacon give their unfiltered, coveted, comical opinions on the music of today, yesterday, and tomorrow. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of the State of Black Music podcast, our co-hosts cover the fundamental impact and legacy of Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, the dynamic musical duo behind the multiplatinum mainstays of groundbreaking artists such as Sounds of Blackness, Janet Jackson, Usher, Boyz II Men, Mariah Carey, New Edition, and many more!  Find out about how their inspirations, life experiences, and lessons played a pivotal role in shaping their paths and electrifying their creativity. After crafting iconic singles and albums for others in almost every music genre you can think of, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis have created all new material of their very own with the release of their debut album Jam & Lewis, Vol. 1.  The new album features the likes of Mary J. Blige, Babyface, Mariah Cary, Boyz II Men, and others!  Check out Jam & Lewis, Vol. 1, available now on Flyte Tyme/BMG! Listen bi-weekly as music business veterans Phil Thornton, Claude Kelly, and Chuck Harmony of Louis York, and Tamone Bacon give their unfiltered, coveted, comical opinions on the music of today, yesterday, and tomorrow. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this inaugural episode of the State of Black Music podcast, our co-hosts speak with and celebrate the legacy of the legendary Mary J. Blige along with fashion architect Misa Hylton as these two queens of black music share their inspirations and discuss their impact on culture.  Listen bi-weekly as music business veterans Phil Thornton, Claude Kelly, and Chuck Harmony of Louis York, and Tamone Bacon give their unfiltered, coveted, comical opinions on the music of today, yesterday, and tomorrow. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.