Cocktail Hour with Jones & Hardy Welcomes Darryl F. Houston Keyboardist for Aretha Franklin & many other performers

Name: Darryl F. Houston
Craft: Musician

In Detroit where I grew up, the thing to do, back then, was to play music and take lessons. I can remember beating on the tables at home which I believed encouraged my parents to buy me a little piano at age 4. Soon, my older brother, [my only sibling], would put on a Jazz organist and dare me to play what I heard -- I did and it worked. This opportunity allowed me the ability to emulate the different commercials on television. By age 6, I expressed an interest to my parents to take lessons. Yet, most of my exposure to music peaked when the neighbors who lived next door, a family of three daughters and two sons sang and played with their mother. They were like my official babysitters, in addition to my parents who were members of the church choir. Before long, I began playing for the Sunday school church choir by age of 10. Then by the time I was 12 or 13 years old, I played full time for our church choir. Since then, I’ve been privileged to gain a lot of experience playing gospel music with greats like Rev. Charles Nixon, Rev. Donald Veils, Minister Thomas Whitfield, Dr. Mattie Moss Clark, Rev. James Cleveland -- a collaborative effort with him and Albertina Walker, The Williams Brothers and Shirley Caesar. Aretha Franklin came along in the late 80’s when I was on a local Detroit TV show with mainstream news anchor, Dayna Eubanks playing behind Millie Scott. During the Clinton Administration, I performed several times at the White House. Next, in 1991, I gained the attention of Jennifer Holiday by knowing Billy Meadows and we collaborated on Jennifer’s music video – “I am On Your Side.” I also knew Orethia Barnes and she had me to do some things with Sylvia Moy, when I began to get my feet wet with more industry people which is how I met Michael Powell. Michael Powell had me to perform with Oleta Adams and on a soundtrack for “Lethal Weapon” with jazz vocalist Randy Crawford. I was also honored to appear on many talk shows including Oprah, David Letterman and the Rosie O’Donnell Show.

Currently, two separate projects with Millie Scott and Gloria Ridgeway, as well as, Rodney Lee are in the works. Soon you can hear some of my work, visit: a new link being added to www.detroitemnews.com, click on: Darryl F. Houston and you’re there

Cocktail Hour with Jones & Hardy welcomes Avery sommers November 15th at 6PM

Avery Sommers recently costarred in LOST EVERYTHING her third movie in 2007 which was shot in Miami and Ft. Lauderdale. She also filmed MYSTERIOUS in Eleuthera, Bahamas, which Starred James Brolin and Antonio Sabato Jr.. And HIDING VICTORIA in West Palm Beach in which she costarred with Anita Gillette. She was also Associate Producer.

Avery starred on Broadway in AIN'T MISBEHAVIN replacing Nell Carter and SHOW BOAT as Queenie. She toured nationally playing Jewel in THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS with Ann-Margret and in CHICAGO as Matron Mama Morton with Chita Rivera and Joel Grey. Avery won the LA OVATION AWARD for her portrayal of Matron Mama Morton.

Some of Avery's other favorite roles include Mother Shaw in CROWNS, Bloody Mary in SOUTH PACIFIC, Alice in BIG RIVER, Katesha in THE HOT MIKADO and Power Woman in MENOPAUSE THE MUSICAL.

Avery starred in BUT NOT FOR ME her one woman show which was created and produced by the Caldwell Theater Company in Boca Raton. She won a CARBONELLE AWARD as Best Actress for her performance.

She created the recurring role of Regina Dansby on the CBS soap, AS THE WORLD TURNS as well as the recurring role of Evelyn on the ABC Mystery Movie Series, B.L. STRYKER starring Burt Reynolds and Ossie Davis. She also costarred with Burt Reynolds and Reba McIntyre in the CBS Movie of the Week, THE MAN FROM LEFT FIELD

Avery Wrote, Directed, Staged and Choreographed THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINE and is very proud of her cast of wonderful young performers from The Palm Beach County School System.

Nita Whitaker on Cocktail Hour with Jones & Hardy November 8th 2010 on blogtalkradio.com

It's difficult to put Nita into one category. Graced by gospel, trained in opera, honed in pop, Nita's voice is a remarkable instrument that's difficult to define. But when you hear her power chops and sweet bell tones, you know you are in the presence of greatness. Having recorded three independent CD's Nita continues to pull all the elements of her training together into a fusion of pop, soul/ R&B, with a dash of gospel. Nita has found a beautiful blend of music that soothes the soul, enhances the senses, and elevates the spirit.

A former Miss Louisiana, Nita took her southern roots, charm and talent to Los Angeles where her incredible voice carried her to Female Grand Champion on Star Search. With a vibrant and dynamic stage presence, Nita is comfortable singing in any setting, from an intimate club to the arena stages, as well as stage, television and movies. She has been the guest performer at The Freedom Awards honoring Oprah Winfrey, Ruby Dee and Paul Rusesabagnia, sang duets with Andrea Bocelli during his 2006 Winter Tour, and also has sung with Josh Groban. Having David Foster as one of her early mentors, she has performed and shared the stage with countless celebrities including Barbara Streisand, Faith Hill, Celine Dion, Richard Marx, Stevie Wonder and Yolanda Adams. A work still unwritten, Nita continues to hone her song writing skills and continues to record and perform. Recently she performed highlights from "Porgy and Bess" with the Chorale Bel Canto Symphony as well as toured with jazz trumpeter Chris Botti. The best is yet to come.