According to one Rolling Stone writer, Howard Hewett is the premier vocalist in the post - Marvin Gaye era of romantic pop. Like Gaye, Hewett soars to new heights and seduces his audience. It is no wonder he's responsible for selling some ten million records; his voice is irresistible. It's Time, Hewett's debut release for Caliber Records, is, according to the singer, "the first project molded out of my own mind. I'm in charge of the sound and comfortable with the feelings. Those feelings are all about romance. This is the first record that's completely me." Hewett first burst on the scene as lead singer of Shalamar, the successful post - disco group which topped the charts in both the U.S. and U. K. "Second Time Around," featuring Howard, was a near two - million seller. "For the Lover in You," co-written by Hewett and reinterpreted in It's Time, was another major hit. "Dancing in the Sheets," "A Night to Remember" are just a few more of the Hewett - led smash hits that Shalamar enjoyed as a group. In the mid-eighties, Howard's solo career rocketed. The first single released on his own, I'm For Real," zoomed to number one. A series of hits followed, such as "Stay," "I Commit to Love," "Strange Relationship," "Once, Twice, Three Times," and "Show Me." What's more, his original "Say Amen" earned the status of a modern gospel classic, enjoying across the board airplay. And his recorded duets with Anita Baker, Dionne Warwick, Brenda Russell and Stacy Lattisaw won critical accolades. "Of all the fine singers working today," artist/songwriter Babyface has said, "Howard Hewett is among the finest." Born in Akron, Ohio, he led his older sisters in the Hewett Singers, a group who played the big-time gospel circuit while Howard was still a pre-teen. "Spirituality," he says, "is at the heart of my music. Real romance is always spiritual." The majority of songs on It's Time are Hewett originals. "How Do I Know I Love You?" co-written with long-time collaborator/producer Monty Seward, has the feeling of a time proven standard. And in the one instance when he interprets a motif made famous by another, Marvin Gaye's "Just To Keep You Satisfied," Howard proves himself more than capable of meeting the challenge. "Just as I believe that I can't compromise romance," says Hewett "I can't compromise my music. I want songs like 'This Love's Forever,' 'On and On' and 'Your Body Needs Healing' to disclose secrets about myself and expose my heart. "I want to be clear -- 'Crystal Clear' is the name of the song -- about how I need love. Ballads seem to express that need best. That's why I'm thrilled that It's Time is about ballads, ballads and more ballads." Given the resurgence of romantic pop, It's Time is right on time, certain to gain Howard Hewett new affection and appreciation from an ever-widening audience hungry for great songs from a great singer.

Eleven-time Grammy nominee, Charlie Wilson, announced that his upcoming national tour will kick off on February 8, 2017 in Norfolk, VA.  The tour, In It To Win It is the title of Wilson’s new album, slated for release February, 2017 featuring music guests Snoop Dogg, Pitbull, Robin Thicke, Wiz Khalifa, and TI. 

 

“For information on presale tickets, VIP packages or to purchase tickets visit charliewilsonmusic.com” 

“2017 is going to be an epic year for Charlie Wilson.  In addition to his upcoming arena tour, we have a great new album that includes some of today’s top musical artists,” stated Michael Paran, Wilson’s manager and CEO of P Music Group.  “The new album represents some of the best music Charlie has recorded in his career thus far.  He has a very diverse fan base and there is something on this album for everyone.”

 

Charlie Wilson has received numerous awards during his critically-acclaimed career including eleven Grammy nominations and a 2013 BET Lifetime Achievement Award which included performances by Justin Timberlake, Snoop Dogg, Pharrell, Stevie Wonder, Jamie Foxx and India Arie. 

Mills began her career appearing in her first play at the age of nine. Two years later, Mills won Amateur Night at the Apollo Theater a record six times. The victory led to her being cast in her first role, the orphaned child of a runaway slave in the musical Maggie Flynn. In 1973, Mills' musical recording career was launched when she was signed to Paramount records by Michael Barbiero, and her first single "I Knew It Was Love" was released. She was later signed to Motown. Her first two albums there failed to generate a buzz as the label could not find Mills' sound and she left the label in 1976. Mills' career took a rise when she portrayed Dorothy in an African American adaptation of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz entitled The Wiz, where she began dating Michael Jackson. Filled with a more urban style of music and scenery, The Wiz made Mills a star particularly because of her stellar performance of the song "Home". It would become her signature tune for years, and would be covered later by Diana Ross for the big-screen adaptation three years later and by Whitney Houston for her dramatic musical performance debut on TV in the early 1980s. Mills was the teen-age star of the Broadway stage production of The Wiz. When she sang "Home", the musical's answer to "Somewhere Over The Rainbow", her theatrical delivery thrilled audiences and marked her as a talent to watch. One of her most appreciative fans was Michael. By his own count he saw The Wiz eight times, in part because of the up-coming film version but also because he and Stephanie had become friends. Like Michael, and Tatum O'Neal, she was a teen star burdened with adult pressures and popularity. Those close to the young star she was quite infatuated with Michael. At cabaret appearances around New York, Stephanie sang "I Wanna Be Where You Are" and used Jacksonesque stage mannerisms. But for Michael she was a good friend, nothing more. Later in her career she often sang a quite passionate version of "He's Out Of My Life", a female version of "She's Out Of My Life". Musical success was elusive until 1979, when signed under the 20th Century Fox Records record label, Mills found her breakthrough in disco music, recording songs such as "Put Your Body In It", "You Can Get Over", and "What Cha' Gonna Do With My Lovin'". The resulting album,"What Cha' Gonna Do with My Lovin'", was Mills' first gold record. She quickly followed the success with 1980's "Sweet Sensation", which featured Mills' biggest hit to date, the Reggie Lucas produced "Never Knew Love Like This Before". The single became a #12 R&B and #6 Pop hit in 1980, as well as reaching #4 in the UK Singles Chart. 1981's "Stephanie" featured a top hit for her and Teddy Pendergrass, entitled "Two Hearts", while her 1983 album, "Merciless", featured her hit "How Come You Don't Call Me Anymore?", as well as the #3 dance chart hit "Pilot Error", which was her first dance hit in the U.S. In 1984, Mills had her third UK hit with "The Medicine Song", which also reached #1 on the U.S. dance chart.