Category: Music

Music: CHUCK “THE VOICE” ROBERTS

Posted on by GO BANG MAG

We are saddened to announce the passing of Chuck TheVoice Roberts, the vocalist on the House song “IN THE BEGINNING THERE WAS JACK!” He will definitely be remembered as THE VOICE of House. We at GO BANG! Magazine had the honor of interviewing Chuck. In honor of his life legacy, we at GO BANG! Magazine are reprinting our interview with him that we conducted with him in August, 2020.  I had recently spoken to him and he had soooooooo many upcoming and future plans.  DAMN, HE WILL TRULY BE MISSED! – Pierre Andre’ Evans….friend of Chuck <3  Rest in Peace homie…. #Respect #Legacy #InTheBeginningThere WasJack #ChuckTheVoiceRoberts

“In The Beginning There Was Jack and Jack had a Groove” The House music gospel, The Preacher’s Anthem are just a few of the descriptions given to the now famous speech. Fans of House, Dance and other genres of music for that matter can most certainly finish the rest of the verse that Chuck “THE ORIGINAL VOICE OF HOUSE MUSIC ” Roberts so eloquently spoke on one of House Music’s most defining recordings. This is evident by the millions of YouTube plays and samples by all genres of DJ’s. This is proof of the power of those spoken words.

How it all started:

When: The year 1987
Who: “Jack”
Where: A heavenly studio on the West side of Chicago
What: Chuck explained to his people spoken in a godly voice straight from the House Book of Genesis in omniscient detail of how house music was born and the impact on it has on your body and soul. Then Jack disappeared back into the heavens only to be heard all over the world but never seen. For you see in Jack’s realm there is no time. Since then House Heads have anticipated his return for 30 years to come into the presence of more knowledge and wisdom of Jack’s House.

Little did they know it was written for the year 2018 we would see the return of Jack and his soul stirring words of musical edification. “In The Beginning There Was Jack” was released on Ultra Music in 2018. Produced by Terry Hunter and also featuring Monique Bingham. This is a refreshed version of the original classic “My House”. Here are just a few of what the media articles and music industry Tastemakers have to say about the most prolific and iconic messages in dance music:

DJ Wayne Williams Sr. VP of A&R at RCA Records and world famous House Music DJ and Gatekeeper states “Chuck’s acapella is arguably the most important recording in house music history next to Marshall Jefferson’s “Move Your Body!”

With his proud voice as strong as ever, he is once again calling on audiences around the world to unite in a time of unthinkable struggles. His new 2020 inspirational track ‘I Choose To Live’ boldly states his refusal to bow down in fear, choosing instead to embrace life to the fullest. The rhythms are vibrant and hypnotic, filled with colorful melodies that remind us all that better times are on the way. No one knows when we will be able to dance together again, but as long as Chuck Roberts is making music, house fans all over the globe have something to unite around.

JACK’S HOUSE:
“IN THE BEGINNING, THERE WAS JACK, AND JACK HAD A GROOVE,
And from this groove came the groove of all grooves,
And while one day viciously throwing down on his box, Jack boldy declared,
“Let there be HOUSE!”and house music was born.
“I am, you see, I am the creator, and this is my house!
And, in my house there is ONLY house music.
But, I am not so selfish because once you enter my house it then becomes OUR house and OUR house music!”
And, you see, no one man owns house because house music is a universal language, spoken and understood by all.
You see, house is a feeling that no one can understand really unless you’re deep into the vibe of house.
House Music is an uncontrollable desire to jack your body.
And, as I told you before, this is our house and our house music.
And in every house, you understand, there is a keeper.
And, in this house, the keeper is Jack.
Now some of you who might be wondering,
“Who is Jack, and what is it that Jack does?”
Jack is the one who gives you the power to jack your body!
Jack is the one who gives you the power to do the snake.
Jack is the one who gives you the key to the wiggly worm.
Jack is the one who learns you how to walk your body.
Jack is the one that can bring nations and nations of all Jackers together under one house.
You may be black, you may be white; you may be Jew or Gentile. It don’t make a difference in OUR House.
And this is fresh!”
Lyrics: Rhythm Control – “My House” (vocal by Chuck Roberts) Catch A Beat Records ©1987

GO BANG! Magazine: Where are you from, where did you spend your childhood and where do you presently call home?

Chuck ‘The Voice’ Roberts: The West side of Chicago, IL and I currently reside in the Western Suburbs of Illinois.

GO BANG! Magazine: How did you receive vocal training as a child growing up, when did you first learn that your voice was distinct and unique, and when did you decide that you were interested in the music industry professionally?

Chuck ‘The Voice’ Roberts: At about six or seven my parents would take me around to sing in church! Then in the 7th grade, I joined the choir in school. Very few people knew that I could sing however, I ended up getting the solo lead for a school assembly. It was the theme song from the Broadway musical “Aquarius” and the song was “Let The Sun Shine In.” After that, I joined my first band at about 13 and we patterned ourselves after the Jackson Five and performed around the city. As fate would have it, we lost our rehearsal space, so my Dad gave us space at the church to use until we did the unthinkable. He thought we were practicing gospel music, but we made the mistake of playing “Black Magic Woman” by a Rock group named Santana!! Needless to say, that didn’t end well!

I went on to be a part of a Funk band called “Mister” which had some local fame with the record “I Wanna Thank You.” We later changed our name to The Verdict.

GO BANG! Magazine: When making “My House” who wrote those famous words that you “preached”, did you know at the time that those words would go down in House culture history, and how does it feel to be known as THE VOICE?

Chuck ‘The Voice’ Roberts: I wrote the words, but I actually spoke them before I wrote them. We did it in about five takes. At the time, I had no idea they would help define this genre of music we call “House.” I just wrote what I saw and felt was going on at the time throughout the city and in clubs like “Factory” on the West Side where I actually worked.
It’s very humbling to be called “The Voice” of House music. I had no idea it would lead to this.

GO BANG! Magazine: Many may think that they know your strong, powerful vocal sound, but they would be surprised to learn that your falsetto game is strong too. When do you plan to present THAT OTHER voice to the world?

Chuck ‘The Voice’ Roberts: Well, I have a current song out now on Ultra Records called “I Choose To Live” in which I showcase it. Additionally, I will have more music released in the very near future where I will show this side of me as well.

GO BANG! Magazine: Many people know that you are a singer, but many may not know that you are also a songwriter and producer. Can you please tell our readers about your musical background?

Chuck ‘The Voice’ Roberts: Yes, I have been on the writing and production side for many years. I directed choirs for many years, as well as helped develop many artists, most notably Danny Boy from Death Row Records, among others.

GO BANG! Magazine: We all know that you weren’t born House as a child, so what other types of music do you perform/produce, that prepared you for who you are today?

Chuck ‘The Voice’ Roberts: You are correct. I came on the scene during the Funk band era, so R&B and Gospel were my main focus for many years.

GO BANG! Magazine: I’m sure you’ve had a chance to perform overseas and in other countries. How are you received by foreign audiences and is there any difference than the love you get from U.S. audiences?

Chuck ‘The Voice’ Roberts: Yes, I have performed all over Europe and in Canada. My reception is great here in the U.S., however overseas it’s on a whole different level. They really embraced the “My House” speech and incorporated it in their everyday lives. It’s surreal because it often brings people to tears when they see me in person performing the speech. It’s very humbling. It’s still hard to believe the impact those words has had on people spanning over the past 30 plus years.

GO BANG! Magazine: I know you’re currently working on new music. One of those new songs is “All 4 One.” I’ve had the chance to sample it, as well as others, and they’re ALL HOT! Please tell our readers about that song, as well as any others that we should be on the lookout for.

Chuck ‘The Voice’ Roberts: “All 4 One” is a rally cry song for everyone, as it will take a collective effort to get through these trying times, now and in the future.

You should also be on the lookout for “Not The House That Jack Built” which will drop on August 7th. It’s a song produced by ATFC featuring yours truly. Again, it’s a song of inclusion and emphasizes that “it takes a village to get things done.” We are all in this together and it will take us all to get through.

As you know Chicago is also home of R&B Steppin’ music. I have a project coming soon in which I believe will be well received by the Steppin’ community.

GO BANG! Magazine: For our worldwide readers, many of whom are House here in Chicago the home of House music, how would you describe your style of music and how has the House culture influenced your sound?

Chuck ‘The Voice’ Roberts: I would best describe my style as inspirational and feel good music. In fact, this is the only type of music you will hear from me regardless of what genre it falls in. Music and my voice in particular is a gift from God and I must use it to uplift and encourage in every way I can. The House culture is very spiritual and uplifting for the most part, so yes this can’t help but surface in my recordings.

GO BANG! Magazine: As a multi-talented artist that can sing, write, and produce, I’m quite sure that you have other talents that you haven’t exposed to the public. What other artistic gifts are you blessed with?

Chuck ‘The Voice’ Roberts: Actually, I am an ordained minister and I can play the Congo’s.

GO BANG! Magazine: If you could work with anyone living or dead, who would it be?

Chuck ‘The Voice’ Roberts: Michael Jackson

GO BANG! Magazine: What are you working on now bro?

Chuck ‘The Voice’ Roberts: I have records currently out in multiple genres of House production. However, I’m working on a soulful house project at the moment.

GO BANG! Magazine: The COVID-19 pandemic has caught the world off guard. How are you personally dealing with it?

Chuck ‘The Voice’ Roberts: Well to be totally honest, I’ve fared pretty well. While lots of people were unsure about the future, my focus was a little different. I know that if I continue to live according to the word of God, I already know how my story ends and what the future holds! SO I’M STRAIGHT!

GO BANG! Magazine: Lastly, on May 25, 2020, George Floyd, a 46-year-old black man, was killed in Minneapolis, Minnesota, during an arrest for allegedly using a counterfeit bill. Derek Chauvin, a white police officer, knelt on Floyd’s neck for almost nine minutes while Floyd was handcuffed and lying face down, begging for his life and repeatedly saying “I can’t breathe.” This incident has caused civil unrest and massive protests across the world. How do you feel about this unfortunate situation and call for police reform due to the horrible treatment of minorities by the police?

Chuck ‘The Voice’ Roberts: I believe that anytime anyone who loses their life in such a manor, all parties involved should be held accountable. Those who are guilty of the crime should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law!

Our community is not anti-police we are anti-bad police. Cultural sensitivity training and new de-escalation tactics must be taught. Also, we live in the age of technology. So, there is no way we should not have better technology to take down or subdue without killing them, if the police feel they are being threatened.


You can find Chuck’s music on ALL streaming platforms.

Follow Chuck on Instagram @inthebeginning_chuckroberts

You should also be on the lookout for “Not The House That Jack Built” which will drop on August 7th. It’s a song produced by ATFC featuring Chuck. It’s a song of inclusion and emphasizes that “it takes a village to get things done.”

Check out Chuck performing his famous speech in Malmo Sweden: https://vimeo.com/373876799?fbclid=IwAR3RWz4tHlOBo4YJMX_Ub7me53x_JlXCa1QISeHBC_nUD4Y1dbv2nPDJhbI

 



Pierre A. Evans is a freelance writer of Entertainment, Music, Art, Culture, Fashion and Current Events, and previously for SoulTrain.com, NDigo.com, ChicagoDefender.com, EmpireRadioMagazine.com, and UrbanMuseMag.com, an author, singer/songwriter, actor, model, poet, dancer, and DJ. He is also the owner of Pinnacle Entertainment Productions. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter, and on Instagram

Music: JON PIERCE

Posted on by GO BANG MAG

A native of the south side of Chicago, Jon Pierce packs quite a bit of baritone into his slim 5’10, 175lb. frame. At just the impressionable age of 11, he realized his deep love and sheer passion for music having been exposed early on to such musical genius as Stevie Wonder, Fela Kuti and Maze featuring Frankie Beverly. At age 12, Jon remembers that his mother had given him a Walkman along with a Luther Vandross cassette tape that he would study for hours, getting lost in the melodies of the rifts and vocalizing the intricate harmonies. It is the soulfulness of these and many other influences that helped shape Jon Pierce’s personal full-energy sound, which is filled with a hint of jazz, hypnotic house rhythms and his natural fit, R&B.

A professional singer since age 15, Jon Pierce has been a consistent performer with both stage and vocal projects ever since. Fueled by his drive to, “take a set of songs and turn them into memorable moments for the audience,” Jon engages his unique style and creativity to deliver lasting impressions that have not only made him a permanent fixture in Chicago’s diverse soul and theatre scenes, but they have catapulted him globally with tours and performances throughout Germany, Japan and the UK.

Jon Pierce has worked with some of the industry’s top producers such as Ralf Gum, Louie Vega and Terry Hunter to name a few. His latest project is the poetic rhythms of his EP “The Love Take Over” a vibrant and up-tempo dance collection produced by Chicago-based DJ Sean Ali for Sounds of Ali Recordings. Already a fan favorite, this project is a true testament to Jon’s vocal capabilities and the authenticity of his unique sound.

Enter Jon’s Planet and experience his artistry!!!!

GO BANG! Magazine: What was it about Luther Vandross’ voice and singing style that captured you as a kid growing up and how has that influenced your musical style?

Jon Pierce: Luther was a master vocal arranger and writer! The way he put together melodies and harmony stood out for me more than anything! He had a way of being himself that attracted me to him. Most of the singers that I like are original and have their own style! I listened to Luther and received some of his energy. I don’t sing anything like him. I took lessons from him to add and find more of me!

GO BANG! Magazine: Are you primarily a vocalist or can you/do you write lyrics, compose music, play an instrument or produce tracks as well?

Jon Pierce: I write all my songs. In the last five years I have also put on the producer hat.

GO BANG! Magazine: In addition to singing, you’re also a stage actor and dancer. How does your dancing and acting experience influence your singing style or stage presence AND are you still pursuing acting and dancing?

Jon Pierce: I went to school for musical theater. So as a performer, a lot of the dance and a lot of the production value that comes with performing in theater adds to my performances. So, I love theater and I love acting. I have performed at most of the major theaters in the Midwest region.

Before the shut down, I was scheduled to be in “The Gospel at Colonus” at the Court Theatre here in Chicago and I’m currently a principal dancer of Muntu African Dance Theater. So it’s a very big part of who I am. All of it works together.
All of it is me. I’m blessed to be a full-time entertainer.

GO BANG! Magazine: You’ve toured and performed in the U.S., U.K., Germany and Japan. How would you describe the main differences in U.S. audiences, versus other countries audiences, in reference to their appreciation of dance music and artists?

Jon Pierce: When someone flies you across the water to sing for them, they want you there. They have shown an appreciation for who you are and what you bring. I think Americana are so spoiled to having amazing talent, that sometimes they take it for granted.

GO BANG! Magazine: Is Dance the only genre of music you create or do you perform other styles of music? If so, what others? If not, why not?

Jon Pierce: I am a Dance artist and a soulful House artist! I chose it. I didn’t have a failed attempt at any other genres! I love the music and the energy it brings and the freedom of the message! I am all in for House!!

GO BANG! Magazine: With Chicago being the home of House music, and as a Chicago native, you’ve had the privilege of growing up House your entire life. How has the House music culture and community influenced your music?

Jon Pierce: It’s the music I do! That’s the influence of being young and listening to it on the radio and watching my family dance to it.

GO BANG! Magazine: Please name any producers, songwriters or other artists that you would LOVE to work with, that you haven’t thus far, and why?

Jon Pierce: I have had the honor of working with the top producers in dance music from all over the world! I am open to working with someone new that really has a grasp on music that pushes the sound forward. So, if there are any producers who feel they can bring something fresh, I would love to work with that energy!

GO BANG! Magazine: What can our readers expect from Jon Pierce in the future, after the Covid-19 pandemic clears up?

Jon Pierce: I plan on releasing more music! I wrote a book, so the release of my book, as well! I am on a journey of learning and growing, so I constantly want to share those lessons

GO BANG! Magazine: The COVID-19 pandemic has caught the world off guard. How are you personally dealing with it?

Jon Pierce: Doing my best to maintain some levels of normalcy and at the same time adapt to whatever this government is about to throw our way!

GO BANG! Magazine: Lastly, on May 25, 2020, George Floyd, a 46-year-old black man, was killed in Minneapolis, Minnesota, during an arrest for allegedly using a counterfeit bill. Derek Chauvin, a white police officer, knelt on Floyd’s neck for almost nine minutes while Floyd was handcuffed and lying face down, begging for his life and repeatedly saying “I can’t breathe.” This incident has caused civil unrest and massive protests across the world. How do you feel about this unfortunate situation and call for police reform due to the horrible treatment of minorities by the police?

Jon Pierce: I believe that the complete system we call LAW needs to be revamped! Our judge and jury have become the police in the streets! Judges are just enforcing the judgement of the police. It is very sad that in 2020, we still have to deal with this level of human immaturity! We have to constantly show and call out crooked cops. Eventually, we will have to protect ourselves against racist cops, if Police Reform is not a priority to leadership in this country!


You can follow Jon Pierce on ALL social media @JonPierce and log onto his website @http://www.jonpierceplanet.com

 

 

Pierre A. Evans is a freelance writer of Entertainment, Music, Art, Culture, Fashion and Current Events, and previously for SoulTrain.com, NDigo.com, ChicagoDefender.com, EmpireRadioMagazine.com, and UrbanMuseMag.com, an author, singer/songwriter, actor, model, poet, dancer, and DJ. He is also the owner of Pinnacle Entertainment Productions. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter, and on Instagram

Music / Radio / Business: TERRY “DJ GLOVEMASTER SIZ” MOORE / DA DJZ ORIGINALZ

Posted on by GO BANG MAG

Terry Moore, Sr. aka Glove Master Siz is a DJ from the Southside of Chicago. He started his DJ career in the early 1980’s. He’s a self-taught DJ who started by DJ’ing parties and weddings across the Chicago area. Soon after, he started teaching DJ’s in the area the skills he knew. In the mid 1980’s, he started learning how to produce music. He has produced Hip Hop and R&B tracks for local artists in the Chicago area.

Glovemaster is also an entrepreneur and is co-founder of DA 4 DEEP DJZ and is a member of DA DJZ ORIGINALZ with his partner DJ Major. Together, they do an internet radio show spinning House music. Even though DJ Major isn’t always available to join Glovemaster on out-of-state gigs, DA DJZ ORIGINALZ name has gained more popularity and recognition.

In 2012, “Biltmor’s Who’s Who” awarded Terry Moore, Sr. aka Glovemaster Siz a certificate acknowledging Terry as an individual qualified for inclusion in the 2012 edition of the “Biltmore Who’s Who Registry of Executives and Professionals.”

GO BANG! Magazine: Where did you grow up and spend your childhood?

Glovemaster Siz: GLOVE MASTER IZ A DJ FROM THE SOUTH SIDE OF CHICAGO.

GO BANG! Magazine: How did you first become interested in being a DJ?

Glovemaster Siz: I STARTED MY DJ CAREER IN THE EARLY 80’S. I FIRST GOT INTO DJ’IN BECUASE I ALWAYZ LOVED MUSIC. IT IS MY PASSION!

GO BANG! Magazine: When and how did you know that you wanted to pursue DJ’ing as a profession?

Glovemaster Siz: I AM A SELF-TAUGHT DJ AND I STARTED DOING BASEMENT PARTIES AND WEDDING’S ACROSS THE CHICAGO AREA, WHICH THEN LEAD UP TO BIGGER AND BETTER THINGS.

GO BANG! Magazine: Please name the DJs that inspire or motivate you.

Glovemaster Siz: THERE WASN’T ANY DJZ THAT MOTIVATED ME. I HEARD THIS GUY PLAYIN RECORDS AND I SAID TO MYSELF, “I CAN DO THAT!”

GO BANG! Magazine: You’re also a music producer. Are you working on any new Hip Hop or R&B tracks and have you produced any House tracks?

Glovemaster Siz: I’M NOT WORKIN ON ANY HIP HOP OR R&B RITE NOW, BUT I’M WORKIN ON SOME HOUZE TRAXXS.

GO BANG! Magazine: As an entrepreneur, you co-founded DA 4 DEEP DJZ. Please tell our readers about the DJ group.

Glovemaster Siz: DJ MAJOR AND MYSELF WANTED TO PUT TOGETHER A SMALL GROUP OF DJZ. BUT IT DIDNT WORK OUT WIT ME. I CAN’T STAND BICKERIN N A CREW AND THATZ WAT IT WAZ. SO, I LEFT AFTER ONE YEAR. NOTHIN AGAINST DA CREW, BUT NOT MY THING.

GO BANG! Magazine: You’re a member of DA DJZ ORIGINALZ DJ group that has an internet radio show. Describe the show and what the listeners can expect, when they tune in.

Glovemaster Siz: I STARTED DOIN INTERNET RADIO WHEN THIS DJ TOLD ME THAT A GUY WAS CHECKIN ME OUT ON FACEBOOK. I WAS DOIN A LIVE SHOW. HE SAID HE COULD TAP INTO MY LIVE FEED, WHILE I WAZ DOIN MY SHOW, AND HE COULD BROADCAST IT ON HIS RADIO STATION. NOW, DJ MAJOR AND MYSELF, DA DJZ ORIGINALZ R DOIN WJZD RADIO DETROIT. ITZ OWN BY DONALD POOLE
FIRST OFF, I’M A WELL ROUNDED DJ. I PLAY CLUBS AND “HOLE IN THE WALL” PLACES. SO I KNOW HOW TO PLAY IT ALL. I JUZ PREFER HOUZE CAUSE THATZ WHERE MY MONEY CAME FROM. DONT GET IT WRONG, I’M A “BEAT BOY” IN HEART, BUT MY MONEY CAME FROM HOUSE MUSIC.

GO BANG! Magazine: As a House DJ you have mentored and trained several DJ’s, including one that our readers may be familiar with, DJ Angi Stone. How did you two meet and how did you become her DJ trainer? Also, please inform our readers… how is she doing?

Glovemaster Siz: I STARTED TEACHING DJ’S IN THE AREA AND THAT’S THE WAY I MET ANJI STONE. SHE WAZ PART OF MY BREAKDANCE CREW. SHW WAZ DA ONLY FEMALE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD THAT WAZ POPPIN AND BREAKIN AT THAT TIME.

SHE SAW ME SPINNIN AND ASKED ME TO TEACH HER. SO, I TAUGHT HER THE INZ AND OUTZ OF DJ’IN, LEARNIN HOW TO BREAK DOWN AND HOOK UP EQUIPMENT, AND HOW TO CLEAN THE NEEDLES ON THE TURNTABLE…EVERYTHING. SHE WAS ONLY 14 YRS. OLD WHEN I STARTED TEACHING HER. SHE WAS LIKE MY BABY SISTER, MY BEST FRIEND, AND STUDENT. .

ANJI STONE RECENTLY FELL ILL EARLIER THIS YEAR. BUT SHE’S DOING BETTER AND SHE WILL BE BACK SOON.

GO BANG! Magazine: The COVID-19 pandemic has caught the world off guard. How are you dealing with it personally?

Glovemaster Siz: I DEALIN WIT THIS 1 DAY AT A TIME. IT MESSED UP A LOT OF MY PLANS AND EVENTS THIS YEAR, SO IT HIT ME PRETTY HARD.

GO BANG! Magazine: Lastly, on May 25, 2020, George Floyd, a 46-year-old black man, was killed in Minneapolis, Minnesota, during an arrest for allegedly using a counterfeit bill. Derek Chauvin, a white police officer, knelt on Floyd’s neck for almost nine minutes while Floyd was handcuffed and lying face down, begging for his life and repeatedly saying “I can’t breathe.” This incident has caused civil unrest and massive protests across the world. How do you feel about this unfortunate situation and call for police reform due to the horrible treatment of minorities by the police?

Glovemaster Siz: WELL THIS IS NOTHIN NEW FOR A BLACK MAN TO B KILLED BY WHITE COPS. THEY DO IT CAUSE THEY KNOW THEY CAN GET AWAY WITH IT. ITZ ALWAYZ BEEN WRONG FOR A COP, ANY WHITE COP, TO A BLACK MAN.
LOOK IF WE DON’T CARE ABOUT OUR OWN LIFE, WHY SHOULD THEY? WE HAVE TO FIRST CARE ABOUT US, BEFORE ANYONE CAN CARE FOR US.

GO BANG! Magazine: Terry, I just wanted to publicly thank you for helping me out when I decided to return to DJ’ing again, a few years ago. Without me asking you, you gifted me with a CD storage case, which included about 50 CDs with ALL of the latest House cuts on them. You provided me with a House music “starter kit.” I will forever be thankful and grateful and will never forget that gesture of friendship. THANK YOU BRO!

Glovemaster Siz: NO PROBLEM MONEY. I’M GLAD DAT WE MET. ITZ BEEN TRULY A BLESSIN!


You can listen to the Glovemaster Siz daily mix on Facebook at 12 noon (CST) daily.

Follow GLOVEMASTER SIZ on Facebook @Sizzler GloveMaster Siz Lee

Follow DA DJZ ORIGINALZ on Mixcloud @DJZORIGINALZ1 and on Facebook @DA DJZ ORIGINALZ





Pierre A. Evans is a freelance writer of Entertainment, Music, Art, Culture, Fashion and Current Events, and previously for SoulTrain.com, NDigo.com, ChicagoDefender.com, EmpireRadioMagazine.com, and UrbanMuseMag.com, an author, singer/songwriter, actor, model, poet, dancer, and DJ. He is also the owner of Pinnacle Entertainment Productions. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter, and on Instagram

Radio/Music: DJ TONY “SANCHEZ” WILLIAMS

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Tony Williams is a 61 year old GOD fearing man who has one son and a granddaughter. He’s been a DJ since he was 15 years old and his mentor is a DJ named William Armstrong aka Terrible Tubbs. In addition to DJ’ing, he is also an entrepreneur, being the owner of Truly Blessed Inc.

Currently, he is the host of “The Eye of The Storm” on Spreaker.com and on 102.DLRRadioFM every Monday & Wednesday night.

GO BANG! Magazine: You describe yourself as a GOD fearing man. What does that mean to you and how does it influence your life?

DJ Tony Williams: My grandmother introduced me to GOD through JESUS. I turned my back on HIM but HE saved me from me in 2000 when HE delivered me from crack (cocaine) and I will never look or go back. It’s 20 years later now.

GO BANG! Magazine: Where did you grow up and spend your childhood?

DJ Tony Williams: I grew up on 46th & Greenwood Avenue on the South side of Chicago, Illinois.

GO BANG! Magazine: How did you first become interested in being a DJ?

DJ Tony Williams: I was born to love music!
I was told that as a small child I would crawl to the record player and turn it on. I’ve been loving music ever since. I was introduced to it by walking by the Lake Village Lounge back in the 70’s and heard “Terrible Tubbs” (TT) spinning.

GO BANG! Magazine: Your mentor is William Armstrong aka Terrible Tubbs. Please inform our readers who Terrible Tubbs is and why he’s your mentor.

DJ Tony Williams: William Armstrong was the DJ of the lounge then, and he was COLD. So I wanted to learn from the best. He’s my mentor because he never gave up on me, even when I know I was getting on his last nerve.

GO BANG! Magazine: When and how did you know that you wanted to pursue DJ’ing as a profession?

DJ Tony Williams: After meeting TT, I asked him to show me how to spin. It was the best question I ever asked in my life.

GO BANG! Magazine: Currently, you’re the host of a pod cast on Spreaker.com and on 102.DLRRadioFM. Your on-air name is Tony Sanchez. Please tell us about your show Tony Sanchez.

DJ Tony Williams: That is my alter ego. My friend Bob King gave me that name and I loved it, and I’ve been Tony Sanchez ever since. My show “Eye Of The Storm” was given to me from The CREATOR where its motto is “Love Is The Key.”

GO BANG! Magazine: Your company, Truly Blessed Inc. provides DJ services for events. How can readers contact you if they want to be blessed with your DJ services?

DJ Tony Williams: You can find me on Facebook, Twitch or e-mail at hatchback2@yahoo.com

GO BANG! Magazine: Five years from now, where do you see yourself professionally?

DJ Tony Williams: Hopefully, still alive and streaming my shows.

GO BANG! Magazine: The COVID-19 pandemic has caught the world off guard. How are you dealing with it?

DJ Tony Williams: I was in the Marines so I know how to deal with issues like this. Pay attention, watch the signs, and trust yourself.

GO BANG! Magazine: Lastly, on May 25, 2020, George Floyd, a 46-year-old black man, was killed in Minneapolis, Minnesota, during an arrest for allegedly using a counterfeit bill. Derek Chauvin, a white police officer, knelt on Floyd’s neck for almost nine minutes while Floyd was handcuffed and lying face down, begging for his life and repeatedly saying “I can’t breathe.” This incident has caused civil unrest and massive protests across the world. How do you feel about this unfortunate situation and call for police reform due to the horrible treatment of minorities by the police?

DJ Tony Williams: I’m 61. At 10 years old I watched the beating of Rodney King and it left a scar on my mind that I’ll never forget. It was White hate towards Black people by the police. Fast forward 50 years later and I see the police murder a Black man right before my eyes and again the 10 year old me is right back where it all started!

WE must first stop killing each other. Then maybe WE can come together to stop THEM. I grew up in the Burge era (Jon Graham Burge was an American police detective and commander in the Chicago Police Department who was accused of torturing more than 200 innocent men between 1972 and 199, in order to force confessions) so I will NEVER EVER trust the police!!!

YOU CAN FOLLOW TONY ON  http://Facebook.com & http://Twitch.com SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS @Tony Williams

Follow “The Eye of The Storm” on http://Spreaker.com





Pierre A. Evans is a freelance writer of Entertainment, Music, Art, Culture, Fashion and Current Events, and previously for SoulTrain.com, NDigo.com, ChicagoDefender.com, EmpireRadioMagazine.com, and UrbanMuseMag.com, an author, singer/songwriter, actor, model, poet, dancer, and DJ. He is also the owner of Pinnacle Entertainment Productions. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter, and on Instagram

Dance/Event/Music: HOUSE DANCE CLASS / ANDRE’ PIERRE “THE DANCIN’ MACHINE”

Posted on by GO BANG MAG

TICKET LINK:https://www.eventbrite.com/e/house-music-dance-class-tickets-98875293665

 

THE COVID-19 BAN WAS LIFTED IN CHICAGO ON FRIDAY, JUNE 26TH, 2020.

THEREFORE WE CAN NOW RESCHEDULE OUR 1ST HOUSE DANCE CLASS: 

Date And Time

Sun, August 16, 2020

2:00 PM – 4:00 PM CDT

Location

Dance Studio

403 East 69th Street

Chicago, IL 60637



CLASS SIZE HAS BEEN “REDUCED” to 10-15 TO ACCOMMODATE SOCIAL DISTANCING.

ADVANCED TICKETS ONLY – NO TICKETS AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR!!!

GET YOUR “EARLY BIRD” HOUSE DANCE CLASS TICKETS NOW!!!

TICKETS GOING FAST!

EVERYONE WILL BE REQUIRED TO WEAR MASKS & PRACTICE SOCIAL DISTANCING.

IN ADDITION TO THAT, HAND SANITIZER WILL BE AVAILABLE.

ADVANCED TICKETS ONLY – NO TICKETS AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR!!!

TICKET LINK:https://www.eventbrite.com/e/house-music-dance-class-tickets-98875293665


“GOTTA HAVE HOUSE” – House Dance Class Learn the basics through intermediate levels of house music club-dancing. House music began in Chicago in the 1980’s. The dance is primarily freestyle and there are few restrictions. Master the foundation steps, moves, gestures, and culture of the house community. Discover how to tap into your soul, free your spirit, and give in to the music. This class is for beginners through intermediate students looking to learn, brush up, or enhance their skills on the dance floor. “Dance like nobody’s watching!” DANCE INSTRUCTOR BIO: “ANDRE PIERRE THE DANCING MACHINE”  https://www.facebook.com/AndrePierreTheDancingMachine/

Hailing from Chicago, IL, Pierre Andre’ Evans graduated from Columbia College Chicago, receiving a B.A. degree in Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management. He is a well-known fixture in the house community who was informally trained on the club dance floors under the tutelage of the late legendary DJ Ron Hardy, four time GRAMMY Award-nominee DJ Steve “Silk” Hurley, and the late GRAMMY Award winning DJ Frankie Knuckles. One of the highlights of his career was in 2015, dancing on-stage during the 25th anniversary of The Chosen Few DJ’s Reunion Picnic, with an attendance of over 40,000 “househeads.” Those in the house community affectionately refer to him as the “Dancing Machine” because of his carefree dancing skills and never-ending stamina. As a DJ for over 40 years, he’s well-versed in all sub-genres of house music and the dance styles associated with each.

Referring to his dancing alter ego, Andre’ Pierre, the community has coined the phrase: “If Andre’ Pierre is at your party, you know it’s going on!”


I AM HOUSE!

Hailing from Chicago, IL, Pierre Andre’ Evans graduated from Columbia College Chicago, receiving a B.A. degree in Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management. He is a well-known fixture in the house community who was informally trained on the club dance floors under the tutelage of the late legendary DJ Ron Hardy, four time GRAMMY Award-nominee DJ Steve “Silk” Hurley, and the late GRAMMY Award winning DJ Frankie Knuckles. One of the highlights of his career was in 2015, dancing on stage during the 25th anniversary of The Chosen Few DJ’s Reunion Picnic, with an attendance of over 40,000 “househeads.” Another more recent highlight was in 2019, when he danced on stage at the founder of house music, “Robert Williams’ Day” celebration.
Those in the house community affectionately refer to him as the “Dancing Machine” because of his carefree dancing skills and never-ending stamina. As a DJ for over 40 years, he’s well-versed in all sub-genres of house music and the dance styles associated with each.
Referring to his dancing alter ego, Andre’ Pierre, the community has coined the phrase, “If Andre’ Pierre is at your party, you know it’s going on!”

 




Pierre A. Evans is a freelance writer of Entertainment, Music, Art, Culture, Fashion and Current Events, and previously for SoulTrain.com, NDigo.com, ChicagoDefender.com, EmpireRadioMagazine.com, and UrbanMuseMag.com, an author, singer/songwriter, actor, model, poet, dancer, and DJ. He is also the owner of Pinnacle Entertainment Productions. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter, and on Instagram

Event/Music: HOUSE CLUB TOUR

Posted on by GO BANG MAG

July 1, 2020
6th Annual HOUSE CLUB TOUR Global Crawl #2

Enjoy Four Hours of Sounds from Chicago, Detroit, Japan,
Italy, Jamaica, London, Moscow & Brazil

SHOWING @ HOUSECLUBTOUR.COM

Music By: Maurice Joshua, Paul Johnson, Roussoul
Jukie Tha-Kidd, Randall Dean, Hula, First Lady
Dave Maze, Bruce Bailey, LoftSoul
SoulBridge, DJ MarshyRedz, Cem Ceylan
Risha_Rush, DJ G

VIEW on YOUTUBE
or Visit CHICAGO BARS
(Limited Seating so Crawl Around)!
*City Life 11am -11pm
*Frances’ Cocktail Lounge 12am – 11pm
*The Family Den 1pm-11pm
*Renaissance Bronzeville 4pm-11pm

Powered By: HCT, RFK Promotions, Tri-M Entertainment

Music: JOHN ROCCA (Dance/EDM)

Posted on by GO BANG MAG

John Rocca, a dance music performer, remixer and record producer. During the early 1980s, he formed, played with, wrote for, produced and managed his first musical band, Freeez, with success. His first self-funded and self-released effort was “Keep in Touch”, a #1 song in the UK Blues & Soul Magazine Dance Charts and #49 in the United Kingdom Gallup charts – partly by sales from the back of a van. His next effort, “Southern Freeez” by Freeez – now considered a jazz funk classic – was not only a UK Blues & Soul Dance Chart #1 but a popular music chart success in various other countries in Europe, scoring the United Kingdom Gallup Charts at #8.

During 1983, one of the first records to use digital sampling – “IOU” by Freeez – featured John’s falsetto voice and became one of the major dance successes of the 1980s electro music style. It scored number one in dance charts in Europe and the U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play and had popular music chart success across the world spending three weeks at #2 in the United Kingdom Gallup Charts.

As a solo artist, John Rocca scored #1 yet again, this time with “I Want It To Be Real.” It went #1 on the U.S. Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart during 1984. After these and various other successes, John engineered, produced and mixed for various other artists, as well as recording by his own name and several other pseudo names.

John Rocca retired from the music business during 1993. His last recording, by the pseudonym Midi Rain, John wrote and played all of the instruments. He also recorded, engineered, produced, and mixed all of the songs. Midi Rain scored the Billboard US Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart with the album “Shine”, which scored number one during 1993.

John Rocca, one of the pioneers of Dance music!

GO BANG! Magazine: You’re born and raised in London, United Kingdom. How did you get started in dance music?

John Rocca: It was 1974, and I was probably not yet 14 years old when my life was CHANGED FOREVER… Not just by Bruce Lee, but by one particular record. One day when I was in a youth club near my school, a track came on with a sound like nothing I’d ever heard before. It was just a groove. No verse, no chorus, no mid 8 of any significance, just that amazing groove. It was “Wicky Wacky” by the Fatback Band. I found out what it was and went in search of more, digging out tiny specialist record shops all over London and soon found gems like James Brown’s “Papa Don’t Take No Mess” and The Beginning of the End with “Funky Nassau.” Let’s face it. There was no turning back after those tracks reached deep into my little growing bones.

GO BANG! Magazine: The United States became aware of you and your songs in the 80’s with your group Freeez, with songs like “I.O.U.” on the club dancefloors and commercially on radio. How did you feel when Americans embraced you?

John Rocca: I first came to the US in 1982 to find a producer to help us do the second Freeez album that would go on to become IOU. It was all an amazing adventure, especially NYC, early 80s, which was a concrete jungle of skyscrapers to a young English boy. Music and recording technology was changing, and that change brought Freeez into the realms of drum machines like the 808 and the early sampler technology.

I have always loved technology so I embraced that change rather than staying in the style we had started. It was of course very flattering to see the success of IOU when we returned to New York and other US cities during the summer of 1983 when the record was a bit hit. Back then however, just our English accent was already a passport to new friends.

GO BANG! Magazine: As a solo artist, you received even more play with your hit “I Want It To Be Real.” You’ve always utilized a different and unique sound, using the vocoder and your falsetto voice. Did you know, when recording songs, that they would be iconic staples on the dancefloor?

John Rocca: I have mostly tried (though not always succeed) to do something different each time I make music and ‘I Want It To Be Real” was exactly that. It was everything I’d learned from NYC electro, adding in any other new technologies, as things were moving fast, as well as it being written back in London. Injecting something else from myself and the UK technology had now brought me to the point where I could convey a lot more of my ideas into my tracks. This was in contrast to working with a whole band. That also brought some difference to the music, retaining more of myself (though still partnered with Andy Stennett of Freeez to convert those ideas, as well as add his own).

It’s not that I knew what I was doing in terms of creating something new, but I’m often experimenting with something, embracing something else, and if I like how it sounds, then I keep it, as simple as that. It just worked out well on some occasions (and, not so well on others).

GO BANG! Magazine: You’ve also performed under the name Midi Rain. What would you say is the difference musically, between John Rocca and Midi Rain?

John Rocca: Midi Rain was the first time I was able to do all the music myself. Computers and digital technology now meant I didn’t need a real musician to help me play the music because the computer could do that for me, or at least, it could correct my poorly played ideas into a basic version of what was in my head. Midi Rain was therefore pure John Rocca for the first time. I wrote every song and was the sole performer of all instruments on every track. Of course, with that in mind it was bound to be different to anything I’d done before hand and at the very least, some sort of progression of the sound I had been getting closer and closer to. The sound was also limited by my musical ability so my sound changed because of that too.

When “Shine” was a US Dance #1 in 1993, it seemed like a good time to retire from music. I had already started at University to learn all about computer and digital technology in more of a global sense and not just related to music. Keep in mind, that by the mid 90’s, we had begun the era of the “Mobile Phone” as GSM was rolled out across the world. It was a massively exciting time and continued to be over the coming years as the next step was the evolution of the smart phone, social media and the connected mobile internet world we all live in today.

GO BANG! Magazine: You retired from music in the early 90’s after you recorded “Shine.” But there is now a brand new version of your first big UK hit from 1980 aptly called “Southern Freeez 20+20”. It’s a smoother and cooler version of the original track. Has that inspired you to come out of retirement and go back into the studio or produce new talent?

John Rocca: To be honest, I had no idea it had been 40 years since the original “Southern Freeez” but when the record company contacted me regarding its anniversary it seemed like it would be fun to take some musical ideas I had written over the past few years and blend them into a mix of the 80s UK Jazz Funk scene and the scene today. Doing a cover version of my own song was a bit weird to start with and not something I would normally be keen on, but somehow it happened and I enjoyed the boundaries and as well breaking them a little. There’s even a touch of House in there too.

GO BANG! Magazine: What are you up to now after moving from the UK to Malaysia?

John Rocca: I came to Malaysia around 20 years ago with a UK technology start-up that I had been working with all over the world, and I somehow settled.

GO BANG! Magazine: You have legions of fans all over the world that love your music and have great memories of dancing to your songs. What message would you like to say to them, and even more specifically, to your American fans?

John Rocca: That’s probably the most difficult question. Thank you… most of all. I am very, grateful, flattered and humbled by their support.

GO BANG! Magazine: Everyone wants to leave a positive legacy. What do you want the world to remember most about you as your legacy?

John Rocca: That’s not something I think about really.

GO BANG! Magazine: The COVID-19 pandemic has caught the world off guard. How are you dealing with it?

John Rocca: For me personally it has been fine. I am a fairly solitary person who is happy to be around those few special people who are close to me. What I worry about is for the people of the world as a whole. I’m referring to everyone who’ll find life even more difficult, over the coming years. What I hope is that Covid-19 can also help bring change in the many ways the world needs.

GO BANG! Magazine: On May 25, 2020, George Floyd, a 46-year-old black man, was killed in Minneapolis, Minnesota, during an arrest for allegedly using a counterfeit bill. Derek Chauvin, a white police officer, knelt on Floyd’s neck for almost nine minutes while Floyd was handcuffed and lying face down, begging for his life and repeatedly saying “I Can’t Breathe.” This incident has caused civil unrest and massive protests across the world. How do you feel about this unfortunate situation and call for police reform due to the horrible treatment of minorities by the police?

John Rocca: I stand in absolute solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. The world today remains a terrible indictment of the resistance to change by the establishment – the stock markets, corporations, conglomerates and now tech giants who control governments. These are all an extension of the capitalist colonial past that continues to syphon wealth from those without the power to resist.

The majority of humanity care deeply about each other. The question I aim at the minority in power is one that Marvin Gaye asked so beautifully half a century ago in his timeless song “Save The Children; “ “Who really cares?” In the lifetime, that has passed me since that song was written, so little has really changed. Without real action from the reluctant few at the top, and equality right now for everyone else, we are left facing the same recurring question of how to force change upon the stagnant status quo that the elite cling on to so desperately. It is and remains this tiny moralistic minority who encourage the so called “racial divide” of what in reality is a single race of human beings. They hamper, stifle and strangle change at best and murder change at worst. All in order to feed their constant, insatiable but wholly pointless greed and in doing so, pervert our so called modern freedom and democracy.

YOU CAN FOLLOW JOHN ROCCA ON ALL SOCIAL MEDIA FORMATS

SONG LINKS:

“IOU”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2vb9zlEzmk
“I Want It To Be Real”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJdofyzcXdo
“Move”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zenMMFJwO54
“Once Upon A Time”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bpJ7XJh748
(Midi Rain) “Shine” (Pierre’s Chicago House Mix): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6JX6UpZIpk
“Southern Freeez 20+20”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QIp4O1gRUE




Pierre A. Evans is a freelance writer of Entertainment, Music, Art, Culture, Fashion and Current Events, and previously for SoulTrain.com, NDigo.com, ChicagoDefender.com, EmpireRadioMagazine.com, and UrbanMuseMag.com, an author, singer/songwriter, actor, model, poet, dancer, and DJ. He is also the owner of Pinnacle Entertainment Productions. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter, and on Instagram

Business/Music: FREDERICK DUNSON / FRANKIE KNUCKLES FOUNDATION

Posted on by GO BANG MAG

 

Photo credit:  Ernest Collins

Serving others and giving back to his community has always been important to Frederick Dunson. Born on Chicago’s west side, he attended Our Lady of Perpetual Help Grammar School, St. Ignatius College Prep and Columbia College where he majored in Arts & Entertainment Management & Public Relations. He was employed at the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County for nearly 34 years where he worked his way from File Clerk to Chief Deputy Clerk of the Juvenile Justice Division. He received numerous commendations and acknowledgements for his public service and retired in December of 2014.

Since then he has continued his service work as Founder, President & Executive Director of the Frankie Knuckles Foundation – NFP, formed to honor famed Grammy Award winner Frankie Knuckles, Frederick’s best friend and business partner to continue Frankie’s legacy through charitable endeavors.

Dunson and Knuckles who were partners of their production company D/E Entertainment held some of the most highly anticipated and attended events for 13 years at some of the most renown and venerable venues here in the city of Chicago!

Founded in December 2014, the Frankie Knuckles Foundation – NFP is a not for profit educational, and cultural organization dedicated to the advancement of Frankie Knuckles’ mission as the global ambassador of House music through media, conservation and public events continuing and supporting the causes he advocated. The FKF is a recognized 501c3 and focused on these initiatives: music in schools, LGBTQ youth homelessness, AIDS research / prevention & diabetes research / education.

Frederick currently serves on the Black Perspective Committee of the Chicago International Film Festival, the Board of the Empowerment Center for Better Living where he attends and is a member as well as a member of the Non for Profit Committee of the West Loop Community Organization and recently served on its Board of Directors.

GO BANG! Magazine: When and how did you first become aware of and get involved in the club scene of the Disco days, which predates House.

Frederick Dunson: I became aware of the club scene during my high school years, so we’re talking about ’75. There was a group of friends who were slightly older and they would let me tag along with them and they would get me in the bars/clubs. So, this was during the disco era…blinking lights, mirror balls and lighted dance floors…LOL! I got involved once I started working at the Warehouse, so that would have been ’76 – ’77.

GO BANG! Magazine: I understand that DJ Frankie Knuckles was your best friend. How did you and Frankie first meet and what was it about him that clicked and made you guys become homies?

Frederick Dunson: Frankie was more than just my best friend he was my brother. When you’ve been friends as long as we were (38 years) there’s no other way to describe it. My family considered him to be a part of our family as well. We met through a friend (Kurt Robinson) who introduced us at the Bowery one night and we just clicked. We chatted during the week. He would come by our house for dinner. Kurt and I started helping him out addressing invites for the weekly parties and the next thing I knew (as mentioned) was that I started working at the Warehouse.

Frankie was such an open, warm and caring person that his sensibilities about life and what makes a great party drew us close. And the fact that he wanted to see what Chicago had to offer made us gel, plus we shared a love of music and he introduced me to the music that I came to love…House!

GO BANG! Magazine: Not only were you guys best friends, but you also went into business together being business partners in a production company, D/E Entertainment. Can you name a few of the most memorable events that D/E Entertainment produced?

Frederick Dunson: D/E came out of Frankie coming to Chicago and playing for different promoters…after a gig one night at the Rivera where the management and staff were so nasty to the LQBTQIA+ attendees and pretty much everyone who was there, that at the end of the evening he told me that the only way that he’d come and play again was that “it would have to be an event we produced”. So we formed D/E and started producing two annual events a year – 4th of July & Thanksgiving – at a few of Chicago’s hottest venues.

A few of our most memorable events included Adeva performing at Crobar, Jocelyn Brown at the House of Blues, a party that included a Michael Jackson, Elizabeth Taylor and Madonna impersonators, and the evening Cristina Aguilera dropped in to party!

GO BANG! Magazine: Individually, you are quite a dynamic person. You had an extensive career in the Cook County Circuit Court system, which you retired from in 2014. But, since then, you’ve kept busy being one of the founders of the Frankie Knuckles Foundation – NFP. The foundation focuses on specific initiatives: music in schools, LGBTQ youth homelessness, AIDS research / prevention and diabetes research / education. I understand that these were all issues that Frankie held dear to his heart. Why did you think it was important for the Frankie Knuckles Foundation (FKF) to exist?

Frederick Dunson: FKF was the brainchild of Randy Crumpton (the late entertainment attorney) who represented Frankie. After Frankie’s untimely passing, there were events and fundraisers that was using his name and we (his family and friends) didn’t know where the funds were going. So, Randy’s thought was that a foundation in Frankie’s honor could do the same thing for causes he advocated, help people out, plus have an educational and conservation component regarding House music, as well as continue his legacy and oversee his brand.

It’s amazing! Even though he’s not with us, he and his music continue to touch the lives of many. There’s always an email or a post on one of our socials (media sites) that describes that very thing and to me that validates why it was so important to establish FKF!

GO BANG! Magazine: The fact that the FNF calls the south side of Chicago its home and has a physical location at the Stony Island Arts Bank, 6760 S. Stony Island Avenue, is a testament to the fact that south siders made up a great part of the House music family and culture. What factors went into choosing the location for the foundation?

Frederick Dunson: I know it seems like it, but our office is located in the West Loop. Frankie’s vinyl catalogue is housed at the Stony Island Arts Bank, as a result of a conversation that Randy arranged between me and friend to FKF – Theaster Gates. The collection could have been sent to a number of other cities, but it was Frankie’s wishes to keep his collection in Chicago. We were in discussion with Columbia College’s Center for Black Music Research to house it there but after spending time and speaking with Theaster about our (FKF & Rebuild) vision for the collection, it made all the sense in the world to house it there…besides Theaster loves House music !

There have been a number of FKF and Rebuild events produced there, as well as revolving around the collection. And yes the response to it being housed there is indeed a testimony to the fact that south siders have definitely made a contribution to the fabric of the House music culture here in Chicago…but there are also a number of visitors from overseas that drop in to take a look at the collection or attend events.

GO BANG! Magazine: The FKF Board of Directors includes an array of individuals from different backgrounds including you, Alan King (Chosen Few DJs), Maurice “Judd” Chaylor, David Morales (Def Mix Productions), Robin Robinson (Journalist), Eric Kupper (Hysteria Productions) and Ken Dunkin (Politician) to name a few. How does this variety of individuals enhance the Board?

Frederick Dunson: A few of the names mentioned were Founding members and have now moved on. I like to think that we are a great representation of what House music looks like. It was important to me that each person that belongs to the Foundation had some sort of relationship with him, knew him and could bring their respective gifts to assist in our efforts to bring visibility and accomplish some of the goals of the organization.

GO BANG! Magazine: Besides being an integral part in the history and legacy of the House music culture, what are some of your other interests?

Frederick Dunson: You’re too kind…thank you for such kind words…

Some of my other interests…hmmm…bingeing on TV. I’m unapologetically a television junkie; travel, music, art and cooking. I consider myself a pretty good cook. Frankie and I always wanted to open a restaurant, and of course an interesting and great conversation.

GO BANG! Magazine: After we get through this COVID-19 pandemic, are there any events, panels, or productions coming up at the Frankie Knuckles Foundation that you can share with our readers?

Frederick Dunson: Hopefully things will get back to what seems like our “new” normal and we’ll be able to gather and celebrate each other and life, but in the meantime we’re tentatively planning a global virtual celebration observance of Frankie Knuckles Day on August 25th.

GO BANG! Magazine: The COVID-19 pandemic has caught the world off guard. How are you dealing with it?

Frederick Dunson: Yes it has! Unfortunately, our leadership in Washington didn’t pay attention to all of the red flags that were sent and we as a country could have responded sooner! I’d like to think that I’m dealing with it fairly well by being vigilant and following the guidelines prescribed by Governor Pritzker and Mayor Lightfoot, by being compliant and staying out of harm’s way, plus a positive attitude goes a long way (smile).

GO BANG! Magazine: On May 25, 2020, George Floyd, a 46-year-old black man, was killed in Minneapolis, Minnesota, during an arrest for allegedly using a counterfeit bill. Derek Chauvin, a white police officer, knelt on Floyd’s neck for almost nine minutes while Floyd was handcuffed and lying face down, begging for his life and repeatedly saying “I can’t breathe.” This incident has caused civil unrest and massive protests across the world. How do you feel about this unfortunate situation and call for police reform due to the horrible treatment of minorities by the police?

Frederick Dunson: It is indeed a very unfortunate situation…seeing Mr. Floyd lose his life because of the hatred instilled into one person who abused his power was so horrendous, but seeing Chauvin’s partners stand there and do nothing was even more offensive!

Since a large amount of my professional background was working in the court system, I respect the criminal legal system, when it works like it is meant to do. It’s when those involved in the system don’t follow the law and treat people with the kindness and dignity we’re all entitled to under our Constitution that it then goes awry and liberties get abused. We have a right to be angry and ask for change, but not destructive to our own neighborhoods and destroy the services and business that we so desperately need in our communities to keep us alive. And yes, there certainly must be police reform to bring about a change nationwide. It’s a must that it comes sooner than later!

You can contact Frederick Dunson at: fdunson@thefkfoundation.org. For individuals seeking more information or to learn about FKF, you can visit the website at: http://thefkfoundation.org and follow on FB and Instagram.




Pierre A. Evans is a freelance writer of Entertainment, Music, Art, Culture, Fashion and Current Events, and previously for SoulTrain.com, NDigo.com, ChicagoDefender.com, EmpireRadioMagazine.com, and UrbanMuseMag.com, an author, singer/songwriter, actor, model, poet, dancer, and DJ. He is also the owner of Pinnacle Entertainment Productions. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter, and on Instagram

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