Get Familiar !!!!!!

                      Bert Williams (November 12, 1875 - March 4, 1922)

Egbert Austin Williams, was the pre-eminent Black Entertainer of his era and one of the most popular comedians for all audiences of his time.  He was by far the best -selling black recording artist before 1920.

Williams was a key figure in the development of African American music.  In an age when racial inequality and stereotyping were an accepted part of life, he became the first black American to take a lead role on the Broadway stage, and did much to push back racial barriers during his career.  Fellow vaudevillian W.C. Fields, who appeared in productions with williams, described him as "the funniest man I ever saw-and the saddest man I ever knew".

Williams was born in Sweetes, Antigua, and at the age of 10 was brought to New York City by his parents.  From New York City the family moved to Riverside, California, where Williams graduated from Riverside High School.  He later went to San Francisco, intending to study to be a civil engineer, but instead joined a minstrel company known as "The Mastoden Minstrels", which played the lumber and mining camps of California.  In 1893, in San Francisco he formed the team of Williams and Walker, his partner being equally celebrated straight man George Walker.

Well I'll be Doggone ..........

At first I was going to write about the unconditional love of a dog.  I was going to go on and on about the perks of having a dog and how they become some what family to us.  But I think for now I just going to show the beauty of them. 

P.S.  Does anyone have any dog treats on them ??

Let's Celebrate !!!!

"The Black Man's Country Club"

I use to be a Barber.  I did it for thirteen years.  During that time I saw so much.  In a Barber Shop you here it all, talks of politics, sex, religion, sports, food, advice about marriage, and advice about divorce.  We had all types of people from all walks of life.  I'm talking Preachers, Pimps, Drug Dealers, Politicians, Police Officers, Chefs, Athletes, Muslims, Christians, Celebrities,  Artists,  Authors, the list goes on and on.  The shop is where I ran into a person who would help influence me in a major way.  I was cutting his hair and over heard him tell someone on his cell phone to meet him at his studio.  I assume he meant a music studio.  I asked him what type of music he did, he said I listen to jazz, but I'm not a musician I'm a Artist, I paint.  He invited me to his studio, I was blown away by his paintings.  But what really took it over the top was the fact he was self-taught.  After leaving his studio I went to painting, I told the guys at the barber shop I was leaving.  I took a leap of fate and that was the starting point of my art career.  That artist whom I'm speaking of was William Tolliver.  When I think back if it wasn't for the Barber Shop, I wouldn't be typing even this blog.  It was a fascinating experience, one I will never forget.   So to all my ex-customers all the fellow barbers I've worked with (Tom, Bill, Brian, Derrick, Kid, John, Doreen, Roy, and Carla), I say thank you.  You will always hold a special place in my heart.

Here's a few photos out of many I've taken of the shop.  Which some say is, "The Black Man's Country Club"

Vintage Photos

I use vintage photographs in my paintings and photography.  So I get excited when I come across some great images.  

Meow !!!!!

December 25, 2008 a legend passed.  Eartha Kitt (the original Catwoman & Material Girl).  If you Google her you will see how this woman came from the direst of circumstances to the rise of  a major actor, singer, dancer, and activist of her time.  Rest in Peace Ms Kitty.

"Praise the Lawd !!!!"

My grandmother was and still is a big influence in my life.  I use to go to church with her in a small town called  Thomaston, GA.  I remember sitting in the pew with a pocket full of peppermint candy while she stood at the entrance of the church.  She wore a white uniform with white gloves, white shoes and a silver ribbon pinned to her with the words Usher. The church didn't have central air and it would get scorching hot.  The flies were terrible and some of the times the water fountain in front didn't work.  Everyone would fan themselves with these paper fans with the image of Martin Luther King or Jesus on the front.  I never knew the words to any of the hymns that were sung, and still today I couldn't sing you a verse.  But the feeling that I got back then when the choir sang , even as a kid made the hairs on the back of my neck raise.  I thought it was the Holy Ghost touching me.   From time to time I would be a little mischievous horse playing with my cousins.  We would laugh at the way the Preacher spoke.  When he preached he would sometimes make this sound as if he had the hiccups.  My grandmother would see us laughing.  She had a way of gritting her teeth to let you know you were going to get it when you got home.  Believe me when I say I had my share of whippings, but I know in the end it was all out of LOVE.  So as a tribute to Catherine Smith I've taken photographs of small country churches that reminds me of the small church she attended.  It's an ongoing project, here's a few.  Hope you enjoy them as I enjoyed photographing them.  Sometimes while I'm shooting I can here the old choir sing and then I break out into my Reverend Strickland imitation minus the hiccup and say, "Praise the Lawd, Praise the Lawd !!!!!"