Teddy Pendergrass was a giant among men. An amazing singer, and charismatic performer, he provided even greater inspiration when he returned to music making and performing after a tragic car accident left him paralyzed. His strength and courage is an example to all of us as we deal with whatever trials and tribulations come into our lives.

Rest in Peace, Teddy. We love you and will miss you.

“Love TKO” is my favorite Teddy song, and one of my favorite songs period. I’ve been performing it for years, always doing my best to live up to Teddy’s powerful vocals. I’ve never quite made it, but I sure have fun making the attempt.

In tribute to Mr. Pendergrass: Love TKO – Nadir’s Distorted Soul Live at Memphis Smoke
Click to Listen/Right-Click to Download and Share

“Sing along if you know the words!”

Check out Nadir’s guest blog on GetSigned.com

My name is Nadir, and I’m an addict. I’ve been addicted to playing music for a very long time. And being addicted to music is like being addicted to crack.

Okay. I’ll confess. I’ve never smoked crack.

But the rush of being onstage… When I’ve got the mic in my hand, and the band is killing it, I am high. At that very moment I am completely myself. Not acting or posing for the crowd, but telling my story, singing from the depths of my soul. There’s nothing like it except…

Read the Rest of the Article HERE

“Guantanamo” is the latest music video by Nadir. From the Workin’ For The Man album.

This song is dedicated to all US military personnel, and to everyone who stands up for what’s right even when doing the right thing isn’t popular.

Song credits:

Nadir – vocals, guitar, bass, Streetboxx, shekere
Kris Kurzawa – lead guitar
Earl Orr, Jr. – drums
Tammy Jones – vocals
Brandon Holland – piano & organ
Tommy “Musa” Smith – congas
Recorded at Sangode Systems, Westland MI, L’Amour Recording Studios, Detroit MI, Soulbeat Productions, Nashville TN by Merion Powers, R.L. Mitchell and Nadir Omowale; Mixed by Steve Szjana at Szjana Dynasty Media, Sterling Heights MI

Video credits:

Executive Producer: Jonah N. Omowale
Directed by Ryan Myers
Videography by West 12 Productions
Combat Choreography: Danielle Eliska
Production Assistants: Faye Wilson, RaSean Reeves, Ismaila Faye, Will Clark
Produced by Nadir & Ryan Myers

Cast:
Emily Rogers, Nadir, Emily Eisele, Chris Breight, Alex Bozinovic, Keith Michalak, Brian Glass, Yorg Kerasiotis, Sintex, Maria Pena-Puya, Lisa Miller, Tracey Daniel, Wesley Whitaker, Sean Rodriguez, Vicki Hicks, Andrea McCullum, Kurt Edwards, Tennaye Ollis, L Dig, Oya Amakisi, Akanke Rashad-Omowale, Jaime Carrasco

Filmed at Bohemian National Home, 3009 Tillman Street, Detroit, Michigan

Special Thanks to: Akanke Rashad-Omowale, Bohemian National Home, Holice P. Wood, Jaime Carrasco, Dave Gosselin, Damon Thompson, Lee Martin, Emily Eisele, Chris Breight, The 1440 Collective, Cornelius Harris, Nancy Schoenheide-Phares, Miaili Koskinen, Scott Koskinen

With the discerning eye of a journalist and the soul of a rock and roll musician, Detroit-based funk disciple Nadir Omowale has made a career of speaking his mind on what is affecting the world and its inhabitants that range from matters of the heart, economics and yes, politics.   Omowale, whose first name is Jonah, encounters a whale of an issue allegorical to the narrative of his famous Biblical namesake with his new musick video, “Guantanamo”.

Read the interview HERE

This urban theater project is a collaboration between 4TheatrSake, the 1440 Collective, the Virgil H. Carr Cultural Arts Center, the Cedi Collection, Detroit film-maker Ryan Myers and Plowshares Theater Company. Directed by Wyldchild L. Chemist, the soundtrack for this staging features original music by Nadir Omowale.

Written like final round slam poetry, In the Blood keeps it real in the “here and now.” Hester is a homeless single mother who is devoted to her five children, and struggles to find ways to feed them. Five actors play her five young treasures. The same actors also play the adults who help or hinder Hester in her quest to “get a leg up”. Lovingly comical moments are juxtaposed by the harsh world of poverty in this modern masterpiece.

The idea for the Detroit staging is to provide an all-inclusive social theater experience where audiences will witness compelling performances by 4Theatrsake’s actors as they illustrate the challenges faced by Hester, and the characters that surround her. Following the performance, the actors will remain on-stage (in character) to allow the audience a chance to react to and ask questions about the story they’ve just witnessed. Moderated by Oneita Jackson of O Street, this after-drama forum will focus on poverty, disease, human trafficking, race in a post-racial society, and what we can do to bring change.

The cast and crew of In The Blood represent Detroit artists from diverse backgrounds. Actor, director, writer Wyldchild L. Chemist was recently invited to join Plowshares Theatre Company’s new ensemble as an artistic associate. He will be participating in The Kennedy Center’s fellowship program for Theater Capacity Building in Culturally-Specific Organizations.

Named one of TIME magazine’s “100 Innovators for the Next New Wave,” Suzan-Lori Parks is one of the most exciting and acclaimed playwrights in American drama today. She is the first African American woman to receive the Pulitzer Prize in Drama for the Broadway hit Topdog/Underdog and is a MacArthur “Genius” Award recipient, among her many other honors.

In The Blood by Suzan Lori-Parks
Virgil H. Carr Cultural Arts Center
311. E. Grand River
Detroit, Michigan

Performance Times:
Friday, January 8, 2010 – 8pm
Saturday, January 9, 2010 – 4pm & 8pm
Sunday, January 10, 2010 – 4pm
$40 admission
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(Your treat for reading the post all the way through: Use promo code “A” to save $15 off the ticket price!)