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Donwill’s Don Cusack In High Fidelity can be downloaded here.

Panelists
KENNETH GAMBLE
Co-Founder, Philadelphia International Records

LEON HUFF
Co-Founder, Philadelphia International Records

JOE TARSIA
Sound of Philadelphia Recording Engineer; founder of Sigma Sound Studios

BRUCE WARREN
WXPN Asst. Station Manager, Programming

AKINA ADDERLY
Akina Adderly & the Vintage Playboys

Moderator
CHRIS M. JUNIOR Contributing Editor, Goldmine Magazine

This year marks the 40th anniversary of Philadelphia International Records (PIR), one of the most successful African-American owned record labels of all time, which has given the City of Brotherly Love a label to call its own, like Motown was to Detroit and Stax was to Memphis. PIR produced a distinct, successful brand of R&B/soul with sophisticated, seductive, string-laden music that often carried poignant messages. Philadelphia International’s Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff created what “people all over the world” know as “The Sound of Philadelphia,” making stars of The O’Jays, Teddy Pendergrass, Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes and Billy Paul during the 1970s and playing a key role in reviving the careers of The Jacksons, Lou Rawls and Jerry Butler.

Gamble & Huff are among the most prolific professional songwriters of all time, having written and produced over 3,500 songs within 50 years, an output that rivals such famed songwriting teams as Lennon-McCartney and Jagger-Richards. They are enshrined in five music Halls of Fame, including the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, with a massive catalogue that includes numerous pop #1 hits, R&B #1 hits, 100 gold and platinum records, Grammy winners and BMI songwriters’ awards honorees. Featured prominently in TV programs (“The Apprentice,” “Cold Case”), films (“The Nutty Professor”) and advertising spots (Verizon, Chevrolet, Coors Light, Old Navy, The Gap, Office Max) for more than 30 years, Gamble & Huff’s songs have entered the musical DNA of contemporary culture. In fact, one of their songs is played on the radio somewhere in the world every 13.5 minutes. Songs they have written and produced together, like “Back Stabbers,” “Love Train,” “For The Love Of Money,” “If You Don’t Know Me By Now,” “Cowboys to Girls,” “Don’t Leave Me This Way,” “Enjoy Yourself,” “I’m Gonna Make You Love Me,” “Only the Strong Survive” and “TSOP” (better known as the “Soul Train” theme), have received songwriters’ awards from Broadcast Music International (BMI). Their songs comprise the most sampled R&B catalogue in the world, by artists such as Jay-Z, Usher, Cam’ron, Ja Rule, Jaheim, and Avant.

In 2010, Gamble & Huff were presented honorary doctor of music degrees – their first together in a distinguished partnership that is nearing its 50th anniversary – at Berklee College of Music’s Commencement. A few months later, Gamble & Huff became the first people in Philadelphia history to be so honored on Broad Street with the renaming of a historic section of the city’s major artery as Gamble & Huff Walk

Earlier this month, Gamble & Huff signed with William Morris Endeavor (WME) in all areas, including film, television, theater, books, and lecture appearances – the first time the legendary songwriting duo has enjoyed agency representation of this magnitude.

Earlier this week, the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia announced it will be presenting its annual Lifetime Achievement Award Gala in honor of Gamble & Huff, and they will be collaborating on an orchestral recording of TSOP music by early 2012 – the 50th anniversary year of the historic Gamble & Huff partnership.

Hollywood, CA – Industry veteran, music producer and radio personality Jay King celebrates two years on the internet airwaves this April with his show “The Way I See It” on BlogTalkRadio.com/Jay-King (http://www.blogtalkradio.com/jay-king). With a fan base that has grown exponentially over the years, King is forever pushing the envelope with subject matters that provoke, stimulate and incite conversation as well as controversy. In recognition of his show’s success, King is planning several topics designed to have the phone lines ringing off the Richter scale.

On Sunday, March 20, from 2:00 to 4:00 pm PST, King will discuss “Walking Outside the Lines…The Charlie Sheen Effect.” Explains King, “I love what Charlie Sheen is doing. He’s pushing envelopes, opening up minds, challenging authority and daring us all to be different. The Charlie Sheen Effect is in essence anytime someone looks, acts and speaks differently from what mainstream society deems ‘normal.’ I am down with the Charlie Sheen Effect. I don’t believe he’s about to crash and burn or is coming down from some incredible high. I believe Charlie has tapped into something most of us are acutely afraid of and that’s his greater self!”

Earth, Wind & Fire
Monday, March 21, from 7:00 to 9:00 pm PST “The Great Ones Music Series” is launched as King chronicles great moments and memories in soul and funk music. The series will continue every Monday and Wednesday for the next several weeks highlighting live interviews with Con Funk Shun’s Michael Cooper and Felton Pilate; Sugar Foot from the Legendary Ohio Players; Lakeside’s Fred Alexander and Stephen Shockley; the Bar-Kays’ Larry Dodson and James Alexander; soul crooner Lenny Williams; and Earth Wind and Fire’s Larry Dunn and Ralph Johnson.

Sugarfoot / Ohio Players

“The Way I See It” originally began as a weekly show airing on Sundays from 2:00 – 4:00 pm PST on www.blogtalkradio.com/jay-king. The popularity of the show has warranted its expansion to Mondays and Wednesdays, with the show engaging listeners three times weekly now! Real life issues are addressed every Sunday and on Mondays and Wednesdays from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm PST, King tackles the different elements of the music business.

Jay King continues to press the buttons technology has put in front of him to create as many platforms as possible for the continual distribution of accurate information and real facts. His goal is to educate and inspire not only the young up and coming artist but also the seasoned veteran.

In addition to “The Way I see It,” King is a sought after music producer, manager and consultant, constantly forging new inroads with emerging technology and social marketing platforms. He is working on his second solo musical release, “Helen’s Son,” in addition to a new release entitled “Consciousness,” from his Grammy Award winning group, Club Nouveau, who he still tours with.

Keep up with Jay King at http://www.jayking.ning.com and http://www.clubnouveau.ning.com. Listen to “The Way I See It” every Sunday from 2:00 to 4:00 pm PST and every Monday and Wednesday from 7:00 to 9:00 pm PST on http://www.blogtalkradio.com/jay-king.

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“Greater Than The Sun” is from Zo!’s 2010 Sunstorm. PhilTheGod directs this clip that co-stars Jacinte Blankenship.