HAYYYYY!!  OK …….. Maybe it was because my brother and sister in law [HAYYYYY B & S!!] joined the ladies and myself for trivia tonight, or maybe it was because the questions were a little easier, OR maybe it was because I was wearing my DIANA ROSS concert t-shirt, but somehow, someway, the Hackberry's won first place again!!  Countess Gina and I both agree that the end of civilization must be soon for the Hackberrys to win two weeks in a row!  And doesn't the shirt make you want to just gag – in a good way?!?!

As I've mentioned before, if you live near Duluth, GA, and want to eat at a good pub/grill, check out the Red Rabbit [www.redrabbitpub.com].  Tell the manager Justin hello!

OK …….. I am still feeling the magic of last night's concert!  I have been listening to Miss Ross all day long [which I actually do every day] and just keep thinking, "oh when she did this, when she did that …….."  PEOPLE!  That voice!!

Bring It To The Runway! 

IT DID NOT RAIN!!  NO RAIN BEFORE, DURING OR AFTER THE CONCERT!!  Thank you everyone for your prayers and good thoughts.  And thank you GOD for no rain!!  Now back to our regularly scheduled program ……..

PEOPLE!!  Heaven is missing an angel tonight!  Her name is Miss Diana Ross and she showed the people at Atlanta's Chastain Park Ampitheatre the power of a true entertainer.  To steal a phrase from drag legend and Ross fan Kevin Aviance, "her concert left me gagging girl!"

Lady Di and myself arrived at Chastain after 6:00.  The park did not open until 7:00, so we stood and talked in the parking lot.  After getting inside and setting up dinner, I headed off to check out the tour merchandise.  T-shirts, programs, key chains, tote bags, etc.  By the time I was thinking of asking for an emergency back loan, I had bought 2 t-shirts, a program and a key chain!

After I ate and waited for the show to begin, I started talking to a great group of guys seated behind our row.  I warned them that I would soon be dancing and acting like a fool.  This seem to encourage their screams of "work Paul" during the actual concert.  In addition, the guy sitting next to Lady Di and myself was a longtime fan, who had seen Miss Ross at the old Omni and the Fox in Atlanta.  He showed me a picture taken with Mary Wilson, and described meeting one of Diana's sisters.

Around 8:00 pm, there was a great deal of commotion and finger pointing.  MO'NIQUE was at the concert with her bodyguards and whoever else.  MO "just won an Oscar" 'NIQUE was seated at the tables near the front of stage.

Sometime between 8:45 pm and 8:50 pm the music and videos began.  There were pictures from the 60's through today, finally asking the question, "are you ready?"  Then BAM!  The music begins for THE BOSS and she rises from the rear stage floor.  Voice is incredible!  Dress is incredible!  Hair is full on Miss Ross!  I am losing my mind!

From THE BOSS. she goes into MORE TODAY THAN YESTERDAY, and then into her Supremes' songs.  After REFLECTIONS [where the monitor shows pictures of the Supremes], YOU CAN'T HURRY LOVE, and STOP! IN THE NAME OF LOVE, she performed IT'S HARD FOR ME TO SAY from the Red Hot Rhythm and Blues album.  While she sang, images of Motown's various artists flashed in the background.  This was special to me, as if Diana was trying to state what these talented individuals meant to her life.

YOU KEEP ME HANGING ON and a damn fantastic LOVE CHILD, were followed by a costume change and I'M COMING OUT and UPSIDE DOWN.  Now readers, you know the DIVA [me, not the Lady], I had to "work that runway" for the children.  The guys behind us were screaming!  My booty was allowed to take a breather during IT'S MY HOUSE, and a slower and jazzier version TOUCH ME IN THE MORNING.

Then since I had already lost my mind, I lost my breakfast, lunch and dinner, because she performed a medley of LOVE HANGOVER, TAKE ME HIGHER [I love, love, love TAKE ME HIGHER] and EASE ON DOWN THE ROAD.  I worked the runway for Paris, Milan and the Sears catalogue!

Another costume change, and she performed THE LOOK OF LOVE and DON'T EXPLAIN.  My only complaint about the concert, was that during these songs, PEOPLE WOULD NOT SHUT UP!!  How can you talk when someone like Miss Ross is singing her heart out on DON'T EXPLAIN, which by the way, was beyond words!  My favorite "overheard" comment during this time was, "she's using real musicians, not some digital crap Beyonce!"

ENDLESS LOVE, DO YOU KNOW WHERE YOU'RE GOING TO and AIN'T NO MOUNTAIN HIGH ENOUGH [now you know I acted like a complete fool] were performed, which caused my new Supreme friend and I to ask if the show was coming to a close.  I don't think so!  We were treated to 3 encores!!

I WILL SURVIVE, then MISSING YOU mixed into YOU ARE NOT ALONE [during this encore, she talked about becoming a grandmommy, and how she dedicated this tour to Micheal Jackson], and finally, REACH OUT AND TOUCH!

Out of touch diva?  Aging star with a faltering voice?  A singer just going through the motions?  I've read these reviews from other cities, but that is not the same woman who I saw tonight.  You can feel Diana, and you know that she does care about her audiences.  And that voice!  It only gets better with age.

About an hour and forty five minutes later, the concert was over.  

I want to thank the incredible Lady Di [pictured above with her new saucy hairdo] for attending the concert.  Thank you for putting up with all of my dancing and constant information on who was who during the videos.

Miss Ross brought it to the runway tonight! 

HAYYYYY!!  OK …….. PEOPLE!!  In less than 24 hours, Miss Diana Ross hits Atlanta!!  The last time I saw the Lady who is a Legend was 10 years ago!!  Since she is performing at the Chastain Ampitheatre, I ask for all prayers, pay offs to weather people, whatever, that we will have good weather during the concert.  Yes, I know that she performed in the rain for Central Park.  But Chastain ain't no Central Park!  Lady Di is going as my date!

You know I'll have a full review after the concert!

CALL HER MISS ROSS! 

HAYYYYY!!  OK …….. I want to first send a HUGE birthday shout out my diva, my inspiration, and a "legend in her own time" …….. One Woman, One Voice, MISS DIANA ROSS!!  I know that I am technically a day late, since her birthday was yesterday, 3/26/2010, but I already put up a birthday posting on FB.  Happy Birthday Miss Ross!  I am so ready for you to visit Atlanta on 6/4/2010!  By the way, the term "legend in her own time" is not something I made up, but a recent compliment given to the lady by Miss Patti Labelle.

As part of the birthday celebration, the Hackberry's plus 3 renamed our Saturday pizza and trivia team, "The Supremes."  However. unlike the Supremes and their 12 number one hits, the ladies and I were not as lucky.  I think we wound up in our usual 5th, 6th, or 7th place.  I'd like to give another shout out to Vic's Pizza in Duluth, GA.  The food is great, the trivia fun and they played two Supremes songs tonight.

Now even during this time of celebrating, pizza and trivia, one of the Hacks had to create some drama.  I will not mention a name, but hers is spelled G-I-N-A.  The drama was due to some people having titles, while others were expected to wash the dishes.  Therefore, the Hackberrry plus 3 royal court officially consists Queen Mother Anne, Queen Mother Peggy, Queen Cindy, Princess Diana, Dame Maureen, The Court Jester Call Him Miss Ross [HAYYYYY!!], and the one and only Marchioness De Gina.  May their reign be long and fair.  

In honor of Queen Mother Peggy, and her adventures in Cherokee, the Hackberry plus 3 Royal Court has adopted a new saying that will help us persevere when someone accidentally spills the garlic puffs in our direction, or the answer at trivia is "goat," or when we have step out into the negative 50 degrees night air …….. "I Had To Go The ATM!"  Truer words were never spoken!

Before I go, one more shout to my friend Reed, who helped me obtain the album, WE LOVE DIANA – THE ALMIGHTY REMIXES!  This album was not readily available in the US.  Thanks Reed!

I Had To Go To The ATM! 

HAYYYYY!!  OK …….. While trying not to drown during a few LOOOOOOOONG days at work, I received a press release for Miss Ross fans via Facebook:  DIANA ROSS – THE LEGEND – THE MUSIC – THE VOICE – LIVE!  My first thought was great, she's doing another European tour.  When is she coming back down south?

But then as I continued to read …….. "The one and only Diana Ross .. MORE TODAY THAN YESTERDAY tour .. a multi-city spectacular live show."  And this was a U.S. tour.  Wait a minute.  Could she?  Would she?  

YES !!!!!!!!

June 2, 2010 – Knoxville, TN

June 4, 2010 – Atlanta, GA

Just shut up!!  Atlanta, Atlanta, Atlanta, Atlanta, Atlanta !!  She has not performed in Atlanta since 2000 !! Miss Ross will be performing at Chastain on Friday, 6/4/2010.

Yes, I saw Madonna for the second time in November, 2008.  And yes, I just saw THE VOICE this past January.  But People, this is Miss Ross, the diva's inspiration.  You know where I'll be 6/4/2010.  And depending on finances, etc, I may even go to the Knoxville show .. just to prepare myself.

Anybody else interested in watching me scream, yell and dance around like a fool?  Not like I don't do that everyday. 

Now since I know most of you were glued to The Real Housewives of OC Reunion Show Part 2 [with that bunch of nothing called Slade], you might have missed the world premiere of Lady Gaga and Beyonce's new video, "Telephone."  People, this video is truly some hot mess.  

The actual content / drug induced storyline is pretty blah to a child the 80's.  However, the artistic vision is unique and visually stunning.  With each song and video, Gaga is proving that she is no pre-packaged pop princess.  Even nit wit Brit wants to work with her.  However, can the vision continue to grow as she is pressured to deliver album #2?

But who really surprised me was Beyonce.  This is not the same sistah who sang "Say My Name."  Maybe because her parents are getting divorced [and she has taken Tina's side] or Sasha is working her fierce self, but B portrays a killer lesbian who drives around the country in a truck titled, Pussy Wagon.  Once again, the child has left destiny behind!

Showtime Synergy! 

HAYYYYY!!  OK …….. While the ATL is trying to dig itself out of AVALANCHE YALL!, the southern version of the 1970's disaster flick, I thought I'd share some musical obsessions of the past week:

1.  Mariah's new remix video for "Up Out My Face," featuring Nicki Minaj.  This video is just plain crazy, trashy and incredible .. all at the same time.  We have THE VOICE basically walking through one long tv ad for Target stores!  The only thing missing is that annoying bullseye.  However, with Mariah in pig tails, Mariah is a sexy nurses outfit, and Mariah wearing a too tight ballgown .. THE VOICE is telling you "Up Out My Face."  In addition to Mimi and Nicki, the video features one of my favorite bloggers [see blog roll], B SCOTT!

And while the video is so trashy it's good, the lyrics really walk the runway:

"If we were two lego blocks; even the Harvard University graduating class of 2010; Couldn't put us back together again."  Now yall know THE VOICE stayed up all night just dreaming up that poetry.

2.  OK, I'll admit my shameful little secret .. I am officially "GLEE-D!"  As usual, I catch most of these pop phenoms only after after everyone else has bought the posters, bedsheets, t-shirts, and dolls, and I can only find a Chris Kirkpatrick of N'SYNC doll in the half price bucket at Dollar General.  Does anyone remember ol' Chris?  He had the funky hair, was never allowed to sing solo [but then again, was Lance Bass?], and always talks of N'YSNC's upcoming reunion, just as soon as Justin's finishes his failing solo projects.  UM HUMM …….

Anyway, I was given GLEE Season 1 DVDs for my birthday, and have become hooked.  I just finished episode #4, "Preggers."  Jane Lynch aka Sue Sylvester is beyond wonderful.  My favorite line, "You think this is hard, I've been waterboarded!"  And then there's Matthew Morrison .. not just DAMN, but DAMN!  Broadway's original Link Larkin from Hairspray before the world had even heard of Zac what's his face.  I love, love, love Matthew's version of "Gold Digger!" 

I remember when GLEE first came out, and various friends would ask if I was watching the show, because they just KNEW I would enjoy.  However, now that I'm all into Kurt, Mercedes, Rachel and Quinn, I can only find THE PINK DIVA and MAMA E CARTER [Shout Out To Mama E!] to discuss my new obsession.

And get this, IMDB states that one of the upcoming episodes is titled THE POWER OF MADONNA!

3.  Finally, I am still "Lovin', Livin', And Givin'," as Miss Ross would say, Kandi Burrus and her FLY ABOVE ep!  PEOPLE!  This woman lives in Atlanta and I want to meet her!  Ask for an autograph, take a picture, say hello!  MISS SHAE claims that she will set this up, so we'll see.

It's Showtime Synergy! 

HAYYYYY!!  OK …….. She started an hour and a half past the ticket time of 7:30 pm; some of her comments and audience chatter was hard to decipher [either because of the Fox's poor acoustics, or was she just mumbling]; and she appeared to have some trouble balancing on the 3 inch stiletto heels.  HOWEVER, the woman and the voice were INCREDIBLE!  BRING IT TO THE RUNWAY INCREDIBLE!!

From her opening number of "Fantasy" / "Shake It Off" [on a swing no less, wearing some huge hot mess tutu skirt], which Jermaine Dupri made a surprise appearance to my personal fave, "It's Like That," to "Obsessed" [huge crowd reaction], Ms. Carey simply strutted from one side of the stage to the other.  No overbearing sets, no high concepts of artistic expression, and NO lyp-syncing Britney and Janet; just a band, great background singers [including her duet partner on the "I'll Be There" cover, Trey Lorenz, and two beautiful big divas], a goofy but loveable demeanor and THAT VOICE!

Mariah also paid a special tribute to Diana Ross by performing Diana's "Love Hangover," and then mixing it in with her own "Heartbreaker!"  She even mentioned the diva's name. 

And when Nick Cannon's wife performed "Fly Like A Bird" and "We Belong Together" [which she announced was named Song Of The Decade 2000-2010 by Billboard Magazine], we went to church yall!  There was some SANGING!  Not singing, SANGING!

A huge shout out and thanks to THE PINK DIVA for purchasing the tickets, and asking me to attend.  So far, we've seen Madonna, Tyler Perry and now Mariah together!

It's Showtime Synergy! 

HAYYYYY!!  OK, ok …….. I know that the Diva has not posted since 12/31/09, but I have a good reason – sort of.

From last Sunday [1/10] thru last Friday [1/15], I was travelling thru southern Cali-Forn-I-A for business!  The home of movie stars, swimming pools, and papa, papa, paparazzi!  These days, however, all the Californians discuss the bankrupt state government, immigration and the unbelievable cost of living.  Yes, San Diego is nice, but $1500 a month for a studio apartment?

The weather? Great!  San Diego? Great, would love to go there on vacation.  Move to California?  Not on your life!

Anyway, what has been going on during my little blog break ……..

1.  HAITI – My thoughts and prayers go out to the people of Haiti.  But you know me …….. This country is experiencing massive destruction, lack of water, homelessness AND STILL neither Anderson Cooper [CNN] nor Bryan Williams [NBC] look like they working in third world conditions.  How is this possible?  How did the tv crews get into the country with relative ease, while the relief efforts are taking forever to land?  And why do the newsmen ask the stupidest questions?  "Excuse me, you just lost your home and family, how are you feeling?????"

2.  I have stated many times that my favorite i-tunes podcast is GAY PIMPIN WITH JONNY MCGOVERN, starring Jonny, Linda James, Martin Beauchamp and Erika Toure Aviance.  These fantastic creatures of underground New York nightlife have made me laugh and feel proud since 2006.  In fact, I recently wrote to Jonny about his great new video, "Bossy Bottom," and the diva received a response back!  

Well, last Tuesday, Jonny and the crew announced that they would be ending the current podcast.  Jonny [who is a regular on THE BIG GAY SKETCH SHOW] is moving to LA, Linda is going back to school, Martin has work and family commitments, and Erika is riding the waves of "My Pumps."  Gang, I'm going to really miss you [although I can go back and listen to the 175+ free episodes].  In this pre-packaged pop world, you brought back individuality!

3.  Thanks to the encouragement of my neighbor, Lady Diana, I decided to join a gym near work today.  In the past, I've had success and failures with gyms.  However, the fee is very small, there was no long term contract, and many of my neighbors are members. 

4.  In less than two days, The Pink Diva and I see THE VOICE, Ms. Mariah!

New Year, New Attitude, New Desire to Blog More …………………

It's Showtime Synergy! 

HAYYYYY!!  OK …….. For the past few days, I have found myself dealing with or talking to individuals who are just plain negative.  Don't like this, don't like that.  And when you note something positive happening in their lives, or in the world around them, the reaction you receive is blah, blah, blah.  **DIVA"S note here .. What I'm writing about does not apply to Carrie Prejean, who has been having a hard time lately .. 8 VIDEO TAPES!!  Carrie, who needs Playboy?  We'll just ask to see your video camera!**  But back to the negativity .. I'm reminded what a smart person told me recently, "there are some people who will always complain and think the grass is greener on the other side, when they ought to be thankful for where they currently stand."

So, to rid myself of these negative vibes, I wanted to list two things that have really made me smile today ……..

1.  Album / I-Tunes release of JONNY MCGOVERN PRESENTS: THE LEGENDS BALL – EAST VILLAGE MIXTAPE 2!!  If you've read some of my blog, you know that I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Jonny McGovern's Gay Pimpin' podcast which includes Jonny, Fantastic Linda James, Straighty Martin, soul bird Adam Joseph, and the divine creature pictured above, Miss Ericka Toure Aviance!!  Jonny's podcast is funny, trashy, sexy and just damn great .. all at the same time!

Along with the podcast, Jonny has released 5 albums, all of which contain songs performed by himself and the other podcast members.  Which brings me to Ericka's song on MIXTAPE 2, "My Pumps!"  I have played this song over and over since buying the album last Saturday!  It is the "Supermodel" for 2010!!  Ericka and Jonny – you are both genius and you're making me gag!

"My Pumps" contains a line that I want the Hackberry Divas to shout out loud – "We know that we're FIERECE!  We know that we're FLY! So bitch get out of our way!"

**Second DIVA'S note here – Janet Jackson just released a greatest hits cd called NUMBER ONES, and it contains 50 SONGS!!  Who told Janet that she had 50 number ones??  To my knowledge, Mariah is the only female artist with the most number ones [18 or so].  One what planet and whose charts were these songs number one JJ?? And how in the world does Mandy Moore have a greatest hits collection?? **

2.  My other positive vibe comes from talking with my co-worker C. Carter about his twin daughters.  These beyond cute girls are almost 10 months old.  The way that C. Carter described the daily rituals of dinner time / play time / and bath time ["with arms and legs just going everywhere"] was very funny!  So thanks to the Carters for the great stories as the girls start growing!

I feel a lot more positive now!

Meanwhile, back at the Hall of Justice …….. 

HAYYYYY!!  OK …….. Ooooops!  A week since my last post.  I will have to make up for lost time in the next few days.  Anyway, although Mariah's latest work, MEMOIRS OF AN IMPERFECT ANGEL, has been out for over three weeks, I know that yall just had to know what THE DIVA thought of THE VOICE.

Honeybees and others who do not belong to Miss Carey's fan club, this disc took a while and repeated plays on the pod to grow on me.  I don't think it is as good as Miss Houston's I LOOK TO YOU, but then again, ol' Whitney had 7 plus years to put something on the shelves.  

Here are loves, dislikes, and what was THE VOICE thinking?

1.  Favorite songs are the "kiss off" cuts like "Betcha Gon' Know" [one of M's best breathy whisper deliveries], "Obsessed," "Standing O" [Had to grow on me, but now I LOVE], and "Up Out Of My Face."  These songs all have a harder beat, and were produced by The Dream ["Umbrella" "Me Against The Music"] and Tricky.

2.  Mariah's last two works, EMANCIPATION OF MIMI and E-MC2, both contained cuts and "introductions" by Jermaine Dupri.  In my opinion he is really missing from MEMOIRS.  Besides bringing some hard bass, Jermaine also brought humor to M's over the top sentimentality.  What happened Ms. Carey?  Janet catch you with her man?  Too bad Jermaine could not work the same Mariah magic ["It's Like That," "Shake It Off"] with Ms. Jackson's DISCIPLINE.

3.  M is known for covering hit ballads from other artists.  But "I Want To Know What Love Is?"  I can listen to the song right up until the choir enters.  Was this a last minute choice Mariah?

4.  Mariah Carey .. VOICE, you bet, .. SHOWMAN, working on it, LYRICIST .. oh boy!  

"This is for real, for real, for real; Oprah Winfrey, whole segment, for real …….."

"With a whole lotta; gel and acrylic can fix this; when I break I break; If we were two lego blocks …….."

Baby, stick with what you do best.  I know that you go on and on about writing your own songs, but M you are making Madonna look like Truman Capote.  Just write a line here and there, get your name on the publishing rights and leave the rest to the experts.  Like Britney.

5.  Along with the interludes and reprises [there are FOUR!], MEMOIRS has 17 songs.  M should have just released numbers 1 – 10.  Cuts 11 through 17 should have been called the "I love Nick Cannon, but will he help me breathe underwater, then constantly tell me I am angel who cries love like Duncan Hines cake mix" album.  These songs slowly become one LOOOOOOONG ballad [and you know THE DIVA, I can only take so many ballads].  Mariah, we get the point.  You love Nick, Nick helps you breathe, Nick is so wonderful, Nick will make you cakes with the Dincan Hines mix between his gigs as the host of America's Got Talent.

FINAL THOUGHT:  Mariah go back to the dancefloor [at least her singles are remixed], call up Jermaine, and keep being THE VOICE.

Meanwhile, back at the Hall of Justice ……..