The Dean's List

Bobby Warren is a concert promoter based out of Rochester. B & R Productions was responsible for bringing dozens of big shows to town. I was introduced to Bobby by Andre from WDKX. I catered several concerts and plays Bobby brought to town. I even hosted the entire cast of a play at my two-bedroom apartment one Thanksgiving (a whole other story). Bobby and I ended up becoming very good friends.   I just had major surgery and was very disappointed that I wouldn't be able to attend the upcoming Maze featuring Frankie Beverly concert. Bobby was the promoter and and called me to ask how many tickets I wanted. When I told his I couldn't come, he said he would make it happen. Later that day, he called with a plan. He told me to have someone drop me off at the backstage door and he would have a chair, on the stage, behind the curtain and I could watch from there! I was so excited! Unfortunately it wasn't meant to be. I experienced a post-op complication and had to stay in bed....

My Cardinals didn't even make the playoffs, so I'm not totally invested. Some of the things that do/will stand out for me: Arizona has been in the national spotlight all week and I think we showed up and showed out. We still have a long way to go, but are no longer the state that the 1993 NFL Superbowl boycotted for not celebrating the Dr. Martin Luther King holiday (the last state to do so). I've said in the past that the PGA shouldn't schedule play during the Superbowl. As always, the Phoenix Open and the Superbowl are held on the same weekend, but this year Phoenix is hosting both. The airport, hotels, restaurants, traffic and car rentals....WHEW!!!!  The revenue for the Valley will be historic, so that's a good thing.  On a positive note, sunshine and the 70's! Gotta love winter in Phoenix!  On a local note, NBC 12 Phoenix, Tram Mai gave the best coverage all week for the Superbowl! She had me laughing until it hurt! I love that during Black History Month, f...

I originally wrote this editorial published over 20 years ago for the Democrat and Chronicle about the 25th Anniversary of WDKX Radio I know over the past several weeks, numerous media outlets have featured stories about 104WDKX celebrating their 25 th  Anniversary.  All of the stories have revealed the struggles and triumphs of  owner, Andrew Langston.  All of the stories have shown how a very small, but close knit family have created and maintained a very successful business.  The story that hasn’t been told is the one about the Langston Family, the people behind the business.   It was 1979 and I was 16 years old.  Without getting into too many details, I was growing up in a very strained home environment.  I was basically raising myself.  I went to DKX to look for a job because I always dreamed of working at a radio station.  I was in need of money to buy basic needs like clothes, shoes, lunch m...

  I’ve known Mrs. Langston since I was 16. That’s when I started working at WDKX Radio as an intern. I didn’t work with her often, but would often type letters for her or do filing. I knew I had to be on point whenever I worked on something for her.   She was my boss then, but it wasn’t until I or year or two before I moved to Phoenix in 2002 that our friendship began.   I would often see her at the station while I worked on several events. I would help her with using the computer, but we never quite mastered text messaging. I helped in staging a property she was selling (yes, she was a realtor) and hired her as my realtor to sell my house prior to me moving to Phoenix. When she came to Phoenix for a National Toastmasters event, I moved into the hotel with her and accompanied her to all the events so she wouldn't be alone. We had such a good time! She loved the mountain views from her balcony.   Once I moved back to Rochester in 2008, we became very close. I at...

On Monday night, I had the opportunity to see the man who contributed in a major way to one of the few memories I have of my dad (my dad died when I was 6).  It was such a blessing to receive when a blessing was truly needed!! The Maestro himself, Sergio Mendes! More on that later.....   As you have all read before, one of my dearest and longtime friends, Scott Mayo has traveled the world and performed with dozens of artists. Earth, Wind & Fire, Chaka Khan, Anita Baker, John Legend, The Rolling Stones and my personal favorite, Al Jarreau to name a few. For the last 12 years he has been not only touring with the incomparable, legend Sergio Mendes, he has been arranging. Scott called me a couple of months ago to let me know he would be performing here in Scottsdale and told me to save the date. I've seen him live numerous times. Seen him on countless award shows like the Grammy's and NAACP Image Awards. I've seen him on numerous reality shows like American Idol, The V...

Woke up with an Earth, Wind & Fire hangover!!! Surprisingly, I'm not in much pain! Feeling so blessed since I danced, swayed, bounced throughout the entire 2 hour show!!!! What a show it was!!!! First and foremost, thank you Cheryl Kooijmans for not only buying the tickets, but buying 6th row center tickets!!!!! We were originally supposed to go last November, but the show had to be rescheduled because of Covid. Believe me....It was worth the wait!! The 2021 version of the band still includes original members Verdine White, Phillip Bailey and Ralph Johnson. Never forgetting the brainchild of the band, the late, great Maurice White, during some of the songs his picture/video of him was projected on the screen behind them. They've managed to put together a group of youngins, including Phillip Bailey's son, that capture the true spirit of the band. For over 2 hours, they took us down memory lane with their extensive discography. I had to look up the ages of Bailey and Whit...

My Mayor, My Lovely I apologize for the length of this blog. I had so much to say… We are truly living in some tumultuous times. Local, state, national and world citizens are under siege – some more than others.  No need for me to detail the events in Rochester over the last 10 days. National media has covered it extensively! Instead of writing about the cold-blooded murder of Daniel Prude in Rochester, we all know the story, I want to share my story, my professional and personal relationship with My Mayor, My Lovely…. I was going to list some of her accomplishments like: Public Market enhancements,  Apartment projects the Stadium Estates, Charlotte Square, Winton Gardens and the Southeast and EL Towers,  Inner Loop completion and groundbreaking the La Marketa project.  Created and/or Supported the Commission on Racial and Structural Equity, Police Body Worn Cameras, ROC Holiday Village, Free Tax Filing, ended the Red-Light Camera program If I compiled a complet...

The Jackson Legacy Continues Since moving to Phoenix, I still try to keep up with news and events back home. Unfortunately, I do not keep up with everything.   I was checking out some Rochester news stations and newspapers the other day and saw clips and stats from the Bishop Kearney HS basketball phenom, Taylor Norris. When I tell you, this young lady can ball……Wow!! But there was something about her that felt familiar…… Trenton Jackson Several years ago, I worked on a committee to dedicate the new sports complex at Ben Franklin High School. It was being named after a beloved coach, the late Trenton Jackson. Not only was he a coach and teacher, he had a phenomenally successful career in various sports. He played basketball and baseball in college, he also participated in the Olympics in track and played professional football. I had the opportunity to meet his entire family while I was working on the event. I learned that all his children played sports in h...

Those who know me know that my biggest fear is dying alone. Many people are doing just that during the Coronavirus/COVID19 pandemic. My friend Donald died last week...at home...alone. Thousands of people are dying every day, without their family by their sides due to this virus! Some of the stories I’ve heard are heartbreaking! It’s been a rough couple of weeks for our country, our world. I received word yesterday morning that another friend died of the virus!   As hard as I try to stay away from the news, I find myself sneaking behind my own back to get the latest (I know!). My emotions are all over the place! Scared, depressed, anxious, angry, mad! And I must admit, I have bouts of conspiracy theories running through my head as well! I keep hearing people say this is our “New Normal!” This can’t be! Right? I’ve shed many tears lately, but last night I think I let a month’s worth go while watching TV! This is a clip from the television show Chicago Fire which features ...

I've shared my experience when I met Chuck D of Public Enemy several times in a blog. I always liked him as an artist, but came to respect him as a man. Read about it here:   https://thedeanslist1.blogspot.com/2018/08/happy-birthday-chuck-d-of-public-enemy.html In the blog, I wrote: " Everyone had eaten except for Flavor Flav (a whole other story)" Whenever there is a concert, people responsible for providing services are given a rider. It lists transportation, air and ground info, sound and light requirements, and food/drink requirements. That's where I came in. I provided continental breakfast, lunch and dinner for the roadies and union guys. I also had to set up the dressing rooms with snacks, fruit, deli trays, beverages, etc... I always received excellent reviews on my food and service. Dinner was served between 5 - 7. Around 7:15 I started breaking stuff down. I extinguished the sterno burners to cool stuff off.  By 8:00, I had pretty much cleaned up everyt...

I started my day cleaning house and preparing my food to get ready to watch the Grammy Awards. I never finished cleaning or cooking. Yesterday was such a sad day! My friend Cheryl called me to tell me there was a rumor that Kobe Bryant was killed in a helicopter accident. I immediately hung up and began to search reputable news sources. Contrary to popular belief, even though their methods are suspect, TMZ usually gets it right. It didn't take long in my search to learn it was true! Kobe's death falls into the same category as "where were you when" ......  when the planes hit the towers on 9/11, when JFK died, when MLK died, when Whitney Houston died (ironically right before the Grammy's), when Michael Jackson died, when Prince died.... When I verified Kobe was gone, I sat in my recliner across from a mop bucket with tears in my eyes. For the next several hours, that's where I remained with a remote control in hand. As more details became available and w...