Links and info on the topics we discussed in Episode 1: Can't Trust It.






If you would like to know more about transgender equality after the Bruce Jenner interview, visit the National Center for Transgender Equality 

Here is Deidre and Melynda's favorite Kanye West video All Falls Down. More irony? Stacey Dash is in the video. She's since lost her damn mind and works for Fox News.

Now that Shonda Rhimes has killed our beloved Derek Christopher Shepherd, Grey's fans must rely on Dr. Jackson Avery to hold it down with his fine self! For real, Jesse Williams plays Jackson by day and slays ignorance and racism on social media when he scrubs out. Here is a link to his website.

He's fine and smart!!!!

We also showed love to life at HBCUs, specifically the food, homecoming concerts and A Different World.

Thanks for listening! 

Joy in the Morning: Beyonce and Jay-Z On The Run Tour

Sup?

So I've been threatening to come out of web-tirement for a few months now but, life kept getting in the way and we will get to that later!

I was having a really rough morning. I was work-a-cidal meaning I was dying to get home. No shade to my job, it was just difficult returning to work after spending a wonderful weekend with my loved ones plus I was sleepy and hangry. Not to mention, it's been a craptastic week in pop culture. Between shower rod sex, housewives fighting and racist team owners, I needed some good news. And at 8:10 my Lord delivered.

For real, for real, I wept. Real tears when I heard about Beyonce and Jay-Z touring together. For those of you who aren't down with the Carters, follow the ushers and they will show you to the exits to the left, to the left.

 

 If you know me, you know I've been waiting for this since Skippy was a puppy. This is my Super Bowl. These are my Olympics, this is the mother trucking CARTER FAMILY ON TOUR!!!

My friend/co-worker told me the news and my response was too colorful to repost (my momma reads this) but let's just say I lost every ounce of chill the I was blessed with.

 

Y'all just don't know. When the rumors started circulating, I threw some change in my Bey Bank and I am so glad I did! Tickets are on sale tomorrow for Beehive stans like myself and I am throwing all my coins at Queen Bey. And let's face it, they don't need my change, when Blue Ivy is walking around like this:

Point is, I'm over the moon and I'm ready for this concert! I've seen them separately but never together. I thought about posting the tour schedule on here but I don't need no competition when I'm placing my order. Y'all are on ya own!

Until then, just know that I am going to do whatever it takes to get to this show. If you know anyone looking for part time help, a kidney, some lady eggs, just holla at me ok? 

And to quote Nettie Harris from The Color Purple, when it comes to the On The Run Tour: 

Have a BEYutiful day!!

Oh Baby Baby: Britney Spears Femme Fatale Tour

Last night Raleigh, NC had its face rocked off by the awesomeness of Britney Spears and her Femme Fatale Tour. 

If you know me, you know I've been down with Britney since she was a brunette in track pants doing flips at car washes in her Baby One More Time video. My love is true. I even saw that movie Crossroads opening night when it hit theaters.

When Justin Timberlake dissed her in that Cry Me A River video, I defended her. I mean c'mon did she really cheat on him or was JT trying to get some press for his debut album?

Then came the K-Fed years and that God-awful reality show Chaotic. The head shaving, crotch shots, babies, lawsuits, me and Brit-Brit have been through it and not once have a missed a tour. I will travel across state lines and skip a cell phone bill, to support my Britney habit. 

Don't get it twisted, just because I work in radio I'm never guaranteed concert tickets. I had to creep on Craigslist for last minute deals hours before the show and got a pair of tickets in the nosebleed seats and a friend willing to pay for their own ticket (shout out to Kerry!)

Eventually we made it to the concert and not only were our seats horrible, they were so high up, I would have had a hard time enjoying myself  and jamming sitting so close to Jesus in the sky. Luckily we got upgraded to lower level seats right next to the stage! 

My sweet Britney brought it so hard. 90 minutes of up tempo, sometimes cheesy, sexy, fun music. Home girl actually sang y'all! I know she's supposed to sing but let's be real, we don't love Brit for her voice, and her latest stuff if techie auto-tuned jams. But I'm not there for the vocals, I love the beats, the songs, the dancing, the spectacle of it all and I make no apologies. I know she isn't for everyone. There isn't a lot of depth there, but you know sometimes you just want to see pretty people doing pretty things in pretty pink clothes! 

Oh what you want pictures? Boom , I got ya! I caught Britney in all her glory with the camera I snuck inside the arena. Enjoy!

The set list had a great mix of her older hits and the new stuff. I was floored by her performance of "I'm A Slave 4 U." She it all the moves, and it was great seeing her re-create the 2001 hit. Yep, it's been 10 years! 


The crowd was a mix of all types of people. Gay, straight, adults, teens, and the outfits were amazing. Since cameras were illegal I couldn't get as many photos as I wanted but I hope you liked the few I have.  What was the last concert you went to? Did you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed Brit Brit? Discuss!

Until next time!
Dee

You Oughta Know: Florence + The Machine

When I heard Fiona Apple's debut album Tidal back in 1996, I was shocked and amazed by the talent and sadness she possessed at such a young age. I was going through a dark time myself and being able to escape real life and live in her lyrics helped me cope with the changes going on in my world and that meant so much to me at that time.

I've been looking for an artist to fill this Fiona Apple shaped hole in my heart for a while, so you can only imagine how happy I was to find  Florence + The Machine, a new moody, artsy, sad red headed songstress to add to my i Tunes library. At first glace this chick looks a bit off her rocker, especially in the video for "The Dog Days Are Over" but trust me when I tell you young Florence Welch has created one of the best albums I've heard in years.

Lungs is an emotional and musical roller coaster from start to finish and the lyrical content is far from romantic. The songs are dark and the vocals are at times haunting, yet the album as a whole is so beautiful.  I know a lot of people will download Lungs expecting 10 tracks similar to "The Dog Days Are Over" especially after the kids from Glee sing it this week (I still don't know how I feel about that one,) but please stick around and listen to the less commercial songs like "Kiss With A Fist" and "Girl With One Eye."

If you're like me and need a break from some of the senseless lyrics on the radio (I'm looking at you Pittbull, ) give Florence And The Machine a try. It really is one of the best albums of the year. Trust me, she's a shoe in for best new artist at the Grammys.

Until next time!
Deidre 

American Music Awards Fashion Recap

The times are a changing because I totally forgot about the American Music Awards last night. I think I was too busy recovering from the Harry Potter awesomeness. I tuned in just in time to hear Katy Perry struggle through that Firework song. Has anyone noticed her little on stage trick? No not the one where she distracts her audience from her "singing" voice with something exploding from her bra (in the past she's used confetti and whipped cream.) I'm referring to her use of "uh oh uh" as an excuse not to hold a note and crack on live TV.






Word on the street, I mean the BACKstreets (hee hee) is the best part of the show was the New Kids On The Block/Backstreet Boys medley at the end of the night. Thankfully someone posted their performance on Youtube so I was able to get my groove on during the commercial breaks at work.

I don't know why I decided to skip the awards all together (I didn't even DVR it.) Maybe because these shows have become so predictable. Bad clothes, bad singing, movie/album plugs and the night ends with Taylor Swift singing a song about a dude who done did her wrong.


No matter what I think of the awards show, I can't let a chance to review the red carpet frocks pass me by so here we go!

The Good

I loved this dress on Fergie of the Black Eyed Peas. I thought it was fun and flirty and I'm loving the blue and black from head to toe. It doesn't hurt that her body is amazing and she looks fit and healthy but still has some lovely lady lumps.

Jada Pinkett Smith looks like a goddess in her custom made Pucci dress. Her skin is flawless and the color of the dress compliments her  beautiful skin tone.

I prefer Tay-Tay's straight hair and short dress over the big curly hair and poofy dresses she usually wears.

For the first time in a long time Katy Perry looks like a lady! To quote Swizz Beatz, "Nails done, hair done, everything did."

It pains me to admit it but even Miley Cyrus couldn't mess up this look. She managed to mix the sexy with classy and the old school train works with the modern look of the dress.

The Bad

Christina Milian is one of the most beautiful women in the industry but she continues to wear fugly clothes! She needs a new stylist and agent because she deserves better.

This reminds me of those old curtains your Grandma would have in the living room straight from the JC Penny catalog. Mandy Moore, I know you're married to Ryan Adams, a serious indie artist and I love him and his moody melodies, but please remember your outfits don't have to match his music

Gavin did you even shower?

 As crazy as this is, trust me it is an upgrade for Ke$ha

?????

And the Bieber

Isn't he dreamy?

Well there you have it. My AMA fashion review. Who are your picks for best and worst dressed?

Who was best dressed at the AMAs?

Worst Dressed

Keep Breathing

Still Breathing by Brianna Martray

To say the last month has been a difficult one would be a gross understatement. I’ve had to deal with some pretty hardcore issues over the last few weeks. Good, bad, ugly and downright debilitating issues that have kept me from posting as often as I want to.

Professionally, things couldn’t be better. I’m lying, having a show syndicated in major markets would be better, but that’s a discussion for another time. What I know for sure is day after day we have fantastic shows. I know better than to wear mascara in the morning because most likely I will stain my face from crying and laughing. The energy is there, the chemistry is on point, and I am so proud of the work we’ve been producing on air.

Socially, I’m like the Energizer Bunny. My calendar and datebook are filled and I’m pursing new interests, enjoying the people I’m meeting, the company I keep, and the laughter and joy they bring me. 

The one thing I haven’t been so vocal about is my physical alignments and the way they changed me. A few posts ago I wrote a light hearted entry on being sick and staying at home resting. I down played my sickness because I didn’t want to come off as whiny and exaggerated. Truth be told I was at the most vulnerable and frightened place I’d ever been. I was literally breathless. Air struggled to get in and it was excruciating to breathe out. Our most basic human function, the thing we do in our sleep and without thought was the one thing I wasn’t able to do without experiencing severe pain and discomfort. 

This really did a number on me. I didn’t know why I was ill, I didn’t know how to get better. Doctors poked and prodded me for days and still weren’t able to give me the answers I needed. They took my blood, x-rayed my chest, medicated me, and still I wasn’t able to breathe normally. I don’t know if I will ever be able to fully express how helpless it made me feel. 

Then the paranoia set in. I couldn’t sleep from fear of not being able to breathe. I was scared that everything around me was making me sick. My house, my clothes, my friends, I suspected everything. My medications had side effects that altered my mood, personality and energy level. I felt trapped, no paralyzed from the neck down. My brain was functioning but my lungs and body were not.

I am much better now and although I’m active again, I diligently take time each day to rest and allow my lungs to heal. I’m back to doing the things that brought me joy until the sickness took them away. Things like singing, working out, even laughing. Can you believe I couldn’t laugh without enduring pain? 

I’m ashamed to admit that I let the sickness get the best of me. It was only for a short time, but it happened. For a brief moment I gave up and even thought about how much easier it would be to just let go and disappear. No more pain, no infection, no sickness. The battle was too much for me, or so I thought. 

I’m officially closing that chapter of my life. I’m not going to dwell on that pain, that fear, and that feeling of helplessness. I am better. I won. I’m breathing. 

Some of you have shared that you are going through your own “sickness” right now. Something is blocking you from being your authentic self, something is paralyzing you or taking your breath away, zapping your energy and will to move forward. Push past it, move on, you deserve better, you are better, you will get better and you’ll come out of it so much stronger. I promise the sickness will leave. And if it won’t go, breathe, gather and fight like hell to find your way to your own healing. 

Now excuse me while I go outside, give thanks, and  breathe in some fresh air. I so deserve it.

Until next time, 
Deidre 

I'm baaaaack!

Hey, ya!


Not much has been going on with me since my last post. I've been focusing on getting better, watching tons of TV, and listening to new music.

My meds had me tripping big time and my dreams were ridiculous. I had one dream that had me living with Beyonce and Jay-Z and they were out of toilet paper and I was too embarrassed to tell Jigga man I needed some Charmin so I just sat on the toilet until I woke up.  I know dream sharing is only interesting for the dreamer so I will just leave it at that for now.






But seriously, being sick sucked big time. My mom deserves a medal for putting up with this all week....

Thank you mom I love you the most you duck!

I'm really enjoying the new Kings of Leon album Come Around Sundown. If you're expecting this album to be a repeat of Only By Night, you need not purchase Sundown. Do yourself a favor and grab Aha Heartbreak, and Because of the Times. The latest album is a throwback to Youth and Young Manhood which features some of my favorite KOL songs, Molly's Chambers and Trani.


The highlights from Sundown include Birthday, Radioactive, Celebration, Pony Up, and The End.


 I was lucky enough to see KOL live last month and the show was amazing! Here are some pics and a video  from the show taken by my buddy Alicia.

I loved it when the crowd sang along to Use Somebody

Is anyone watching Project Runway? My favorite designer Michael Costello was sent home after a triumphing over a gang of bully designers who felt he wasn't worthy of being there. I loved Micheal's personality from the start, and he's truly this season's underdog. Seriously the guy is talented and charming.

For some reason, PR is letting 10 designers show at fashion week, not the top 3 as it has been in the past. Here is a sneak peek at some of Michael's designs from the finale.

Fierceness!  I'm hoping that blue feathered skirt comes in a size bigger than an extra medium because I would so buy one. I'm trying to get an interview with him, so if you have any questions please send them my way.

So I have one more doctor's visit with the pulmonary specialist to  make sure I'm all healed and healthy, then I'm heading to DC for Jon Stewart's Rally To Restore Sanity. I can't wait to catch up with some old friends and some of the people who lived with me during the 2008 presidential campaign, happy times!!


The other night I met up with some friends to make signs for the rally. I wasn't able to get pics of the end result but we had a blast making them, it was a two day process, but I'll be sure to grab some this weekend!


Please forgive me for not updating sooner! I promise now that I'm better I will post more.




Until next time,
Deidre

Dee Sick!!!

We got a situation here in Greensboro. I don't know if it is the ever changing weather, pollen, pollution, or what but my allergies attacked me like I tried to steal something!  Coughing, sneezy, itchy eyes, sore throat, I was a pure-t mess! I feel like I need to apologize to my listeners for sounding like a cross between Bea Arthur and Timbaland this morning on the air (five hour show y'all). I won't put you guys through that tomorrow, I promise.

So, I'm kinda stuck in the house tonight, sipping on tea and resting my voice. I was about to go out to Panera for chicken soup but my good friend Kerry prevented the neighbors from seeing me in my jammies, by going to get it for me, she also got the latest copy of O magazine. So tonight, it's just me, tea, soup and my O magazine. What up Oprah?








I have been trying to find reasons to smile because when I'm sick I tend to get grumpy but I am happy to say we got great news at work today. We got our ratings in radio world and our show was #1! That's great news for me and my crew and it definitely helped me grind through today's show. Other things that made me smile today included this hilarious photo spread NC native  Zach Galifanakis did for  Vanity Fair.

And Willow Smith finally released the video for her single "Whip My Hair." It's really different, but I gotta tell you, I love this video.  Check it out below:

Willow Smith - Whip My Hair (Official Video)
Uploaded by Jeffhardy143. - Explore more music videos.

And if that wasn't enough Whip action for you, check out 12 yr old Chang-Chang on The Ellen Show dancing to Willow's jam. 

This is a warning to all the adult performers out there. It is time to step it up, these kids are killing it! And I will drop my $1.29 on i Tunes for Willow's girl anthem before I throw it away on that foolish mess Katy Perry is signing about these days. Peacocks and skin tight jeans? Yea, I'm off that, grow up or at least be different!  Ooh I better get going, it's time for my next dose of Mucinex! Good times right?

 

History of Hip Hop from Jimmy Fallon and Justin Timberlake

You know how I talk about having friends in my head aka FMIH? I know a lot of people heard this term on The Wendy Williams Show, but I swear I've been using it since I was 19 and saw Titanic in the theatre. On my way home sobbing in the car, belting out My Heart Will Go On, I swore up and down I'd become friends with Kate Winslet, if only in my head, hence FIMH. I know that makes me sound a little cray-cray, but that's real talk, that's how my mind works!

I'm about to introduce you to some of my other FIMH. You might know them, umm, Jimmy Fallon and Justin Timberlake? Yea, we go way back. I've been jocking JT since he had that platinum blond s-curl do' in his N*Sync days. Jimmy Fallon won me over on SNL's  Weekend Updates with Tina Fey. The bond was solidified the first time Justin hosted SNL and he and Jimmy Fallon debuted the Barry Gibb Talk Show skit.  H-I-larious! Me and my roommate at the time, Nahdia almost broke our DVR rewinding this skit.

Now as much as I love Barry and Robin, I must admit the latest Justin/Jimmy collaboration is pretty awesome, maybe better. Here they are performing a rather dope tribute to the history of rap.

Seriously how can you look at that and not get hype? Loves it!

Until next time!
Deidre