Rev. Teague highlights how he chose to be open about his diagnosis, recognizing that seeking support from loved ones and the community is key.

The episode also confronts the stigma and silence that often surrounds prostate cancer, especially in the Black community. Me and Rev. Teague touch on fears around masculinity and sexuality, explaining that identity and intimacy are much larger than a diagnosis.

The conversation is honest about the ongoing challenges of life after treatment, including the lingering side effects, but it remains firmly rooted in hope and resilience.

Hold on to the power of faith, community, and joy throughout hard times.

Thanks y’all!

Support Us

Make a tax-deductible donation by visiting: https://fundraising.fracturedatlas.org/ninetysix-percent-black-men-prostate-cancer/general_support

Acknowledgements

This season was produced with support from the Counter Narrative Project (CNP) Media Roundtable. Learn more about their work at https://thecounternarrative.org.

This one is chock full of information. Here’s what we discuss:

• Making Treatment Decisions

• Recent Advancements in Screening

• Understanding PSA and Individualized Care

• Why Some Prostate Cancer Cases Become Advanced

• Treatment Side Effects and Recovery

Whether you or a loved one is affected by prostate cancer or you simply want to stay informed, this episode is full of practical insights and encouragement!

Support Us

Make a tax-deductible donation by visiting: https://fundraising.fracturedatlas.org/ninetysix-percent-black-men-prostate-cancer/general_support

Acknowledgements

This season was produced with support from the Counter Narrative Project (CNP) Media Roundtable. Learn more about their work at https://thecounternarrative.org.

Both Kipper and Kris urge everyone, especially survivors, to share information with family and community, helping to break the cycle of silence and isolation.

Whether you have a prostate, a family history of cancer, or simply care about men’s health in your community, knowledge and early action matter.

Support Us

Make a tax-deductible donation by visiting: https://fundraising.fracturedatlas.org/ninetysix-percent-black-men-prostate-cancer/general_support

Acknowledgements

This season was produced with support from the Counter Narrative Project (CNP) Media Roundtable. Learn more about their work at https://thecounternarrative.org.

The discussion addresses how, in the Black community, strength is often equated with silence. Dr. Garnes highlights the dangers of holding things in and challenges traditions that discourage vulnerability.

If you or someone you love has faced a major health diagnosis, or if you care about mental health in our community, this episode is for you.

Support Us

Make a tax-deductible donation by visiting: https://fundraising.fracturedatlas.org/ninetysix-percent-black-men-prostate-cancer/general_support

Acknowledgements

This season was produced with support from the Counter Narrative Project (CNP) Media Roundtable. Learn more about their work at https://thecounternarrative.org.

They emphasize the importance of early detection and regular health screenings. Together, both men discuss the delays, fears, and the hesitance many men have about seeking care, especially in Black and Brown communities where medical trust is often an issue.

Key takeaways from this episode:

• Prostate cancer is highly treatable when caught early. Get regular PSA blood tests, especially if you have a family history.

• Don’t ignore changes in your urinary health or sexual function.

• Support and conversation matter. Seek out community, professionals, and care teams who listen and relate to your experience.

Support Us

Make a tax-deductible donation by visiting: https://fundraising.fracturedatlas.org/ninetysix-percent-black-men-prostate-cancer/general_support

Acknowledgements

This season was produced with support from the Counter Narrative Project (CNP) Media Roundtable. Learn more about their work at https://thecounternarrative.org.

If you have a prostate or love someone who does, Black or Brown, queer or straight, this show is for you.

The show launches this week in honor of Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. Watch your email inbox for links to listen and watch, and please share it with someone who needs it. If you aren’t on the list yet, subscribe below, so you don’t miss a thing. Also, you can subscribe on your favorite podcast app and YouTube. If you don’t see it on your favorite platform yet, keep watching, because it’s coming!

Let’s walk this journey together.

Support Us

Make a tax-deductible donation by visiting: https://fundraising.fracturedatlas.org/ninetysix-percent-black-men-prostate-cancer/general_support

Acknowledgements

This season was produced with support from the Counter Narrative Project (CNP) Media Roundtable. Learn more about their work at https://thecounternarrative.org

Remembering a Brother and a Friend

Malcolm and my brother were inseparable since they were kids, both part of an acting troupe in Los Angeles called the Inglewood Playhouse. Our families were intertwined, sharing the struggles and joys of growing up with single mothers who worked hard to support us.

Malcolm wasn’t just a star on screen or stage; he was family. Over 40 years, I witnessed his growth from a young boy in an acting troupe to the man we all admired. His humility, his dedication to craft, and his genuine spirit made him more than a celebrity.

Dealing With Unexpected Loss and the Weight of Grief

When the news of Malcolm’s passing reached us, it felt like the rug was pulled out from under our feet. Grief hit hard and fast, a wave that left many of us struggling to find footing. As Dr. Ed Garnes, a therapist with 25 years of experience, reminded us, it’s okay to feel messed up in moments like these. Even those trained to heal are not immune to the rawness of loss.

"I expect us to be messed up in this moment. So I think the first thing that we have to do is just honor however we feel."

- Dr. Ed Garnes

Grief manifests in many ways, and all of these feelings are valid. Sometimes, the best thing we can do is allow ourselves space to just be, to sit with our emotions without rushing toward resolution.

Where do we go from here? The healing journey is neither linear nor swift. It’s a marathon, not a sprint. We have to honor our feelings, whatever they may be, and recognize that healing takes time and patience.

Malcolm Jamal Warner’s passing is a profound loss, but it also reminds us of the power of love, community, and intentional living. He was a beacon of humility and cultural pride. As we grieve, let us also celebrate his legacy and the lessons he leaves behind.

For Immediate Release

Songwriter Kipper Jones Gives ‘Em Hell Again With Vanessa Williams’ New Single ‘LEGS’

April 23, 2024, Atlanta, GA - Songwriter Kipper Jones shows no signs of slowing down in his almost-45 year career. Jones has co-written the lyrics for Vanessa Williams’ upcoming single “LEGS (Keep Dancing)” from her forthcoming project. The song, co-written by Disney songwriter/producer Chantry Johnson and songwriter Kjersti Long, marks the third time Jones has written a single for the multi-hyphenate Williams. 

“The whole concept was Vanessa's idea,” says Jones. “She wanted to pull from legendary actress, singer, dancer, icon Diahann Carroll’s memoir, titled The Legs Are the Last to Go. [Vanessa] didn’t know whether it was the title of the song or the lyric or whatever. I didn’t find that unusual at all. That is also how we came up with ‘The Comfort Zone’ back in 1991.”

In a press release, Williams states, “What a joy it is to be making new music behind the mic again with old friends.” She continues, “There’s a certain comfort in creating new works in the studio while reminiscing about how so many years in this business have brought successes, excitement, and lasting memories. Always moving forward is what drives me. Every challenge is exciting. And more new music to share with my fans is the fuel that lights my fire.”

Jones echoes his friend Williams’ sentiment. “I think that that's what keeps me open to being over 60 and still doing whatI love”, says Jones. “You're standing at the hill, looking back and saying, ‘wow, I did that.’ Then looking ahead you go, ‘okay, now I'm diving into this.’ With all of that experience, I’m armed for this next chapter, this next moment, you know?”

The Pop/Dance song, “LEGS (Keep Dancing)” will be accompanied by remixes from 808BEACH and a music video, upon release. The single hits all streaming platforms on April 26, 2024: https://lnk.to/veXK

About Kipper Jones 

Kipper Jones is the songwriter of hits like “I Wanna Be Down” and “Baby” for Brandy, “The Right Stuff” and “The Comfort Zone” for Vanessa Williams, “Never Too Busy” for Kenny Lattimore, and for films like the cult classic “The Five Heartbeats,” and much more.

I had been fronting the band TEASE for more than a decade. For many, we were one of the funkiest bands in Los Angeles during our run. We made a lot of magic during that time with a Billboard Hot Top 20 hit, “Firestarter,” in 1986, and the album Remember (1988) being our last. We didn’t break up as much as we began to go our separate ways after that album.

While the songs for Remember are often considered the final TEASE songs, that’s not completely true, the final song is really my cover of “Footsteps in the Dark.” I have always heard about the transcendent nature of the cover we did. It’s been great hearing about it, again, with the re-release of Ordinary Story.

When I went into the studio to record my solo album, I was interested in pulling from all of my inspirations, and I had always wanted to record two songs - Frankie Beverly & Maze’s “Happy Feelings” and The Isley Brothers’ “Footsteps in the Dark.”

I had been inspired by seeing, one of my early influences, Brian O’Neal, and his band Brian & Thangs, do “Footsteps…” live.

Although we stayed pretty true to the integrity of this great R&B classic, we certainly took some liberties and put our own stamp on it. It would be daunting, at best, for most to attempt a cover of such a beloved record. In fact one of the execs at Virgin, at the time, recommended I not touch such a chestnut. But, I had been preparing for this moment since I was a 15 year old kid in 1977. Let’s just say, she wasn’t of the same mind after she heard it!

Upon reflection, so much of that magic is because it’s largely a TEASE recording of the song. Even though it wasn’t all of us, you can still hear the thread of what we were doing all over the record. I had Derek Organ on drums, Tommy Organ on guitar, and Cornelius Mims on bass. Our brother Jimi Stewart was on Rhodes and clavinet.

Even though Stewart’s name may not ring a bell right away, you absolutely know his work as part of Ozone. Ozone were the real deal. They worked with Billy Preston, Syreeta and, most-famously Teena Marie among others.

So, yes … “Footsteps in the Dark” from Ordinary Story is the final TEASE recording … for now.

When I embarked on the journey for my first album, I didn’t really know what I was doing. It was scary. I’d already experienced some success as a songwriter, and I was coming from a band (TEASE) that I’d been fronting for nearly 10 years. So the next logical step was was my own project, right?

Things didn’t quite go as planned for me, commercially, as a solo artist. There were a lot of factors, not the least of which being limited promotional support from my then-label, which is a tale as old as time.

The album itself exceeded my expectations and was a critical success, even landing me an NAACP Award Nomination.

“What A Shame, What A Shame…”

"Poor Elaine" is my ode to R&B legends, The Whispers’ "(Olivia), Lost and Turned Out." Not to mention, Mr. Walter Scott was always very supportive and encouraging to me early in my journey.  Being from Los Angeles, The Scott brothers were always musical heroes of mine. Reggie Stewart and I had just begun writing together. This was the first or second song we wrote for the album. There were other songs with other collaborators, but this track gave the whole album a direction.

"Poor Elaine" is that one 90s ballad that you loved, but you just didn't hear enough, then it was gone. Well, now it's back!

Call your local radio/satellite/internet station and request that they add “Poor Elaine” into their rotation today!

Photos From The Era

Ben

I can’t stop the tears when they come. Nor do I want to. Right now they keep me connected to you, my brother. My friend. My crazy, loving friend!
So what is your name, anyway? (Inside joke, but probably not.)
When we met, you were the Organ player dude at my sister’s church. Then I found out that you and Annette were very instrumental in the lives of my sister and her family. Then I found out that you all were the kids' Godparents. Then I found out that you were my brother.
My brother, who without judgment, understood my love for God, and my complicated relationship with the church.
But then I found out that you were a Gospel music superstar! Dude, you should hear how these folks is talkin’ about you out here in these streets right now! LoL!
Everything they say is fact.
Thank you for the way you always loved and looked out for my sister and the family. Thank you for always being consistent.
Lord knows, thank you for the laughs, and most of all, thank you for the ‘Brothership’ that we will always share.
I have a million other things to thank you for, But I’ll just thank God for you, and tell you the rest when I see you!

Your Brother
Kipper

Donate To St. Jude on Ben's Behalf

To say that digesting all of the information after a cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming, isn’t only an understatement, it’s a cold hard fact. I am grateful for a Urologist who is honest and frank about what options would be best for me, personally.  

There are many radiation options that are available to me. But surgery, because the cancer is contained to my prostate, and because, as my Urologist and Radiologist have noted, I am “young and in great shape,” is my best option to become cancer free, and have no radiation. 

The surgery is scheduled for Friday, July 8, 2022. 

Full disclosure, I am having some anxiety. I mean after all, any major surgery is intimidating. But my faith is strong, and my circle of family and friends keep me lifted, and confident. I’ve watched several videos on the actual procedure to familiarize myself with what to expect. Of course I will be under anesthesia during the process, but I wanted to be aware of how my body would be different once the surgery is over. And of course, being the fitness enthusiast that I am, I also have a post-surgery exercise plan ready to go! 

I want to thank all of the gentlemen who have taken the time to discuss their journeys and experiences with me. All of it helped me make the most informed decision for me that I could possibly make. This is not a ‘one size fits all’ situation. Everyone’s diagnosis is different, just as everyone’s post surgery life plans are different, as well. So while I absolutely respect the decisions and choices others have made, this is my choice, and the journey I have chosen. 

Choosing to share the details of my journey is not for me to be rewarded with comments of courage or bravery, but to get others to be diligent about prostate health, and become aware of all of the life-saving advancements that are now available. 

In my webcast, “Know Better with Kipper Jones”, I borrowed a phrase from the late Dr. Maya Angelou, to explain the title, and it applies here: “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better!” Armed with information, you can make the best decisions for your life. Don’t give up your power! 

Thank you all for your love, prayers, and concern. I will be keeping you updated as we go. 

TO EVERYONE READING THIS, PLEASE GET YOUR CHECK-UPS. IF YOU DON'T HAVE A PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN, MAKE IT YOUR 2022 GOAL TO SEE ONE AS SOON AS YOU CAN. BELOW IS A SCREENING RESOURCE IN THE ATLANTA AREA.

Love you, madly, 

Kipper

RESOURCES

• Northside Hospital 2022 Prostate Cancer Screening Schedule

WE HAVE TO TALK! WHEN WE TELL OUR STORIES, OUR TRUTH, WE ARE NOT ONLY LIBERATING OURSELVES, BUT THOSE WHO WE ARE COMMUNICATING WITH.

When I lost my Dad in January, 2014, I was left with strict instructions; “Take care of your brother and 'sister, and be sure to take “the test.'”

“The test” was a genetic testing that he had performed after his 4th bout with a reappearing cancer issue. A test he had performed when he had become all but exhausted with having completely cleared the hurdle time and time again. At the suggestion of his Oncologist, he took the CancerNext test. He tested positive for a mutation (or change) in the MSH2 gene which is associated with Lynch syndrome.

Individuals that carry this gene mutation have up to an 80% lifetime risk to be diagnosed with colon cancer and a 70% lifetime risk to be diagnosed with uterine cancer. There is also about a 12% risk of ovarian cancer and an increased risk of small bowel and stomach cancer. A gene carrier can also pass the gene mutation onto their children who will have an increased risk of cancer. So he was adamant that I take the test. 

I turned 50 in 2012, and started doing semi-annual Colonoscopy/Endoscopy procedures then. Although I wouldn’t take “the test” for another 8 years, I felt like I was doing the frequent screenings that would be called for if necessary. But there’s no power like the power of knowing. I took the test in the Summer of 2020. The results were exactly what I expected. I was positive for Lynch Syndrome, just like my Dad. And in my recent routine Urological exam, my PSA level was elevated. Instead of a maximum of 4, mine was 20.

My Urologist immediately scheduled an MRI and Biopsy, as well as another PSA for 2 weeks later, (a level of 21), to either confirm or refute the first one. It did in fact confirm. So did the MRI. It showed two lesions. The Biopsy was also confirming. At present, I had a Bone Scan today, (Friday, May 13), and I will have a CT Scan (Thursday, May 19), which will give details as to whether cancer is isolated to my Prostate, if it has spread, and if so, to what extent. 

So, yes, my Prostate has cancer.

As a songwriter, I understand that words have power. It’s even Biblical that the tongue can bring life or death. I choose life, so I choose my words carefully. My Prostate has cancer, and I have a fight ahead of me to show up for. I’ve had to show up for my life before. And with God’s hand, and the family, friends, and tribes God has blessed and connected me with, I will do it again! 

I’m being very matter of fact with you here. I am a believer, and as a man of faith, I am a witness to the hand of God, and know that healing is mostly in my outlook. So please excuse my bouts of humanity, as they will coexist. Stay tuned. 

TO EVERYONE READING THIS, PLEASE GET YOUR CHECK-UPS. IF YOU DON'T HAVE A PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN, MAKE IT YOUR 2022 GOAL TO SEE ONE AS SOON AS YOU CAN.

Love you madly, 

Kipper

I can’t just say, “Rest in peace, Mtume," like he’s just another celebrity swept up in this wave of transition. No, I absolutely must take this moment to share with you how integral a part this iconic figure in music history played in my life, and career! 

I called him my “Musical Godfather”. We never had any kind of ceremony, or anything. But that’s just how much he meant to me. 

1987 started like a fog. My band, TEASE, was coming off our best showing yet. We had a Number 11 record in ‘86, and we were anxious to get going on the next record. But as fate would have it, the gentleman who signed us to Epic Records (legendary Black Music executive, Larkin Arnold) had announced his retirement from the label, which pretty much rendered us without a champion on the inside. We had produced the lion's share of the previous project ourselves, so we were expectedly disappointed when the label suggested we enlist a “name” producer for the next project. We knew who we were, and what we wanted to do, so entrusting that to someone else is always a tricky thing. But, after pouting about it, we found out the producer in mind was James Mtume. For me, it was a go! 

Anyone who knows about Tumes, knows that he has ”histories." His luminary turn as percussionist for Miles Davis’ revolution of Jazz Fusion is simply historic in itself. His production legacy with Reggie Lucas that resulted in classics by Phyllis Hyman, Stephanie Mills, Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway, and the onslaught of Madonna, is the stuff of legend. Then there is Mtume, the band. His creation produced arguably one of the most classic R&B records of the 20th century, "Juicy Fruit," which through its sampling derivatives, is also foundational in Hip-Hop. So Tumes is quite frankly, the shit! And while I looked forward to working with him, I didn’t know what all came with that.  

During the early sessions for the Remember project, I watched as Tumes would take certain notes out of keyboard chords, and play counter melodies on another instrument. Probably doesn’t sound like much to some, but for me, it was "Producer’s School." All the Miles Davis stories, during down time; you couldn’t pay for this kind of education. Recording background vocals with the legendary, Tawatha Agee, was an experience to be treasured! 

The A&R guy at the time had chosen a song written by Max Gronenthal, Andrew David Kastner and Larry John Mcnally called “Somewhere, Somebody." Tumes kept putting it off, calling it, ”that country-ass song." So one day, during the L.A. sessions, he says, “Hey, I think we need to get Sly on this tune.” Sly? Yes, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Sly Stone. Tumes tracked him down, and the next thing I know, I’m standing across the mic from him, singing one single background track. Did I say, SLY STONE?! That only happens because Mtume is the man who can make that kind of magic happen. 

Also during the L.A. recordings, Tumes saw my frustration with where I was in my career, and in my life. He said very simply, “It’s time for you to go. What are you waitin’ on? It’s time for you to tell your own story.” It made me think, “What was I waiting for?" Someone’s approval? The only approval I needed was my own. So, believing that the net would find me, I took the leap. And it did. I landed at Virgin Records America, as the first solo male performer signed to their newly framed Black Music Department. With Mtume’s brother, Jeff Forman, as my A&R person, I was indeed able to tell my story. In fact the album, Ordinary Story, although not a commercial success, received great accolades from both Connie Johnson, (then at the L.A. Times), and from USA Today, from the late journalist James Jones, and garnered me an NAACP Image Award for Best New Artist. None of this happens without James “Mtume” Forman. 

It’s probably fair to say that writing and producing for Vanessa Williams, Brandy, Kenny Lattimore, Chaka, etc. would never have happened for me had I not attended the University of Mtume. I will forever be a student, and will always extoll the professor who poured so much into me. 

“No one ever dies, as long as someone living says their name.” 

Long live the name of James Mtume!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Media Contact 
Johnnie Ray Kornegay III 
e. nowthennothing@gmail.com 

Atlanta, GA - October 15, 2021, Singer/Songwriter Kipper Jones, who has penned hits for Brandy (“Baby,” “I Wanna Be Down”) and Vanessa Williams (“The Comfort Zone,” “The Right Stuff”), is proud to announce the release of “U Belong 2 Me” by R&B duo The Black Bettys, out on October 15, 2021. The song, an Aretha Franklin-influenced Soul jam, features soaring vocals from The Black Bettys with Jones’ signature lyrical style. The song is produced by Rodney Edge. 

About the song, according to Jones, “The Bettys came to me with the hook idea around the time the shelter in place order started. When they sang it for me, it was so Aretha Franklin, that I couldn't help but take a deep dive into the ‘Queen's’ well of influence. So from a songwriter's perspective, I tried to stay as true to that first feeling.  

Rodney Edge, was the perfect call to craft the music for the piece, but making it authentic would require all live instruments. ‘Light bulb!’ We're in a pandemic, and everyone's at home. So, we reached out to Atlanta's A-list to round out the band. No one said no! Technology allowed us to share files.” 

The song is the lead single for The Black Bettys’ forthcoming release. “U Belong 2 Me” can be streamed on all platforms today as well as on their website at theblackbettys.com.  

About Kipper Jones 

Kipper Jones is the songwriter of hits like “I Wanna Be Down” and “Baby” for Brandy, “The Right Stuff” and “The Comfort Zone” for Vanessa Williams, “Never Too Busy” for Kenny Lattimore, and for films like the cult classic “The Five Heartbeats,” and much more. With his newest single “Wishing on a Star,” Jones is reimagining the soul classic with his signature style and groove.

Recently, my dear friend and brother and musical icon, Cornelius Mims, was interviewed on an internet radio program called The Michael Gay Show. The host knew that Cornelius and I have over 40 years of history together in the music industry, so he contacted me and asked if I’d like to call in and participate in the interview. While on the call, Cornelius began to talk about our early days just out of high school, and navigating the journey of entering the music business versus going to college. Both of us come from middle class backgrounds where our parents, while supportive of our creative efforts, expected us to get college degrees while we were “playing around” with the “music thing”. 

I had always been an admirer of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Next to my grandfather, he was the greatest human being I had ever heard of. So much so, that I wanted to be as much like him as I possibly could. My admiration for Dr. King made me want to attend Morehouse College like he did, and then go even further. I originally wanted to be an attorney, so I figured Harvard Law School would be my choice. That was the academic path that I had imagined for myself. But the pursuit of music was calling, and it was immediate. Cornelius and I enrolled at Los Angeles Harbor College as part time students, but operated as full time musicians. We got really serious about securing a record deal, and about a year into traipsing through academia, we did just that. We got our first record deal with RCA Records in 1982, and released our first album, TEASE, in 1983. 

Our first album didn’t net any huge success, but it was enough to set us both on a lifelong path. Cornelius has gone on to become one of the world’s most acclaimed bassists and producers, and I’ve had a rather successful run as a songwriter, singer, and entertainer. After nearly 20 Million records sold, numerous #1 Hits, and 37 years in the industry, I’ve been asked on many occasions to speak on panels at music conferences, and to talk to students at universities as prestigious as Full Sail University in Orlando, Florida. Sharing my journey, telling the stories of my experiences, and giving advice to those coming after me, has taught me that the journey wasn’t really about me. It’s about the future of the creative community, and what I can lend to that future. 

Having left academia nearly 40 years ago, I never acquired the credentials necessary to lead in an academic setting. So it’s with that mission in mind that I am announcing that I have been accepted into Berklee College of Music’s Online Bachelor of Professional Studies degree program. I am truly excited about this next part of my journey. 

Aging successfully in this business sometimes requires periodically reassessing your position in life, reimagining what’s possible, and reinventing yourself. This has been my philosophy, and I’ve had to revisit it several times along the way. With the new year, I am standing at the doorstep of 57 years old, and I am embracing the next reinvention.

In 1976, there were few Black recording artists bigger than James Brown. He had burst on the scene two decades earlier like a comet, and in the years since had achieved unprecedented success. Although he had previously been dubbed, “Mr. Please, Please, Please,” “Soul Brother No. 1,” “The Hardest Working Man in Show Business,” and “Mr. Dynamite,” he was now known as The Godfather of Soul! And it was undisputed. 

Having just come off of some of his funkiest output, like “The Payback,” “Papa Don’t Take No Mess,” and “Funky President,” James Brown couldn’t be touched as an entertainer, recording artist, or as a businessman. He owned his own jets to travel in, and when radio stations wouldn’t play his material, he bought his own! 

Needless to say, in ’76 as a 14 year old in my first band, (called, “Fistful of Soul”), I was a huge fan of The Godfather’s music and his vast array of incredible backing musicians also known as ‘The JB’s’. As the alto saxophone player in the band at the time, Maceo Parker was everything to me. He, Fred Wesley, and the rest of that killer horn section couldn’t be touched. Not to mention that two drummer set-up popularized by the inimitable Clyde Stubblefield and Jabo Starks. 

So you can imagine my amazement when my manager at the time got a call for our band to play for Mr. Brown on his trip to a local Compton, California public access television station. First of all, I didn’t believe it. Why would this giant of music even bother to come to Compton? And why us? 

Well, none of that mattered. We were off to our lead guitarists’ mom’s house to get fitted for new uniforms, and polishing up our show to be it’s very best. On the day of the performance, we arrived early in frenzied anticipation. There wasn’t a big crowd. Just a few execs from the station, some business people from the community, and members of our families. We set up and waited for what seemed like hours. I was resolved that this huge, iconic, megastar wasn’t coming to Compton to see some upstart cover band. But just as my disappointment seemed to get the best of me, a long black limousine pulled from around the back of the brick structure and stopped right in front of the stage. The driver gets out and comes around to open the back-passenger door, and out steps… 

The Godfather, himself! 

It was absolutely surreal. But we pulled it together and launched into Mr. Brown’s latest hit, “Get Up Offa That Thing.” We could barely play and not look at him for any kind of approving gesture. And then it happened. On the platform where he was seated, he and broke out in a quick “Mashed Potato” move that thrilled all those in attendance. That was all the approval I needed. After we hit our last note, he walked over and greeted each of us. I felt as though I had been knighted. 

What a life…

So after a conversation today, I wanted to search my vault for my D.C. connections. Then I remembered, I worked with one of the preeminent Go Go bands in history; Experience Unlimited, or better known to the world as, E.U.! 

The story of how it all came to be has some lowlights, but for this trip let’s eat the meat and throw out the bones. 

I had just been signed to Virgin Records America as a solo artist, and was asked to co-write a few songs for the band’s Virgin debut, “Livin’ Large.” My only association with Go Go prior to this was what I had heard from Chuck Brown and the Soul Searchers, and maybe some Trouble Funk stuff. But working with Juju House and the guys was a baptism by fire! 

I ended up writing that title track, and also the song includes me singing in the voice of my ‘90’s superhero persona, “Mr. Hoo!.” I also wrote the thoroughly politically incorrect, “Shake it Like a White Girl.” (I know, there’s NO way I could get away with writing a song like that now.) I also ended up co-writing, “Buckwild.” 

Check out the video for “Livin’ Large” below.

Back in March of 2013, while I was still performing as part of pianist, William Green’s outfit at Atlanta’s legendary Cafe 290, I was told that Mr. Keith Wilder from one of my very favorite musical aggregations ever, HEATWAVE, was in the house! I was absolutely blown away, and I had to meet him. Not only did we meet, but he was gracious enough to come on stage and croon a little of their classic ballad, “Always and Forever," much to the delight of those in attendance. It was one of the high points of my career as an entertainer! 

Over the years, we’ve kept in touch through his lovely daughter, Tami. So, I was beyond excited when she reached out last week to say that they were coming to celebrate a family birthday with us on Friday, October 27, 2017. She let me know that her Dad was looking forward to seeing me with the new band. I was aware that over the last few years he’s dealt with some health challenges, so it was an absolute honor to know that he would make the trip down to Cafe 290 to see Kipper Jones’ RnB Circus™! 

Mr. Wilder, his beautiful wife Linda and daughter Tami, his late brother Johnny’s daughter Carla, and the rest of their family came out in big numbers to celebrate Carla’s birthday at our show this past Friday night. After the family and the rest of the crowd boogied to #TheCircus’ ‘Ring One’ set of tunes, I told the guys I’d like to start out ‘Ring Two’ with a bit of the HEATWAVE classic, “Always and Forever." As the band began, I told the audience a bit about the story of HEATWAVE and what an influence they were to me and so many others, and then I said, “...and ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Keith Wilder from HEATWAVE is with us tonight!" As I directed their attention to where Mr. Wilder was, he very humbly smiled and waved. I sang a verse and a chorus, but had to end it early as it became quite an emotional moment for me. We finished the set, and as we exited the stage for our break, Mr. Wilder stopped me and said, “Kipper, you and the guys are great! You’re singing better than ever!” 

What an incredible honor! 

We took pictures, and although Mr. and Mrs. Wilder left a little early, the rest of the family stayed and partied with us until the end of the night. 

So it absolutely came as a shock when I got the message late last night that he had passed away yesterday, (October 29th). We may have been the last musical act that this giant of music had seen before he transitioned. A bittersweet honor, to be sure. 

I am grateful to have met and established a relationship with such an iconic figure in my life. It is with love and respect that we offer our sincere condolences and God’s peace to Mrs. Linda Phillips Wilder, Tami Wilder, and the rest of the Wilder family. 

“No one ever dies, as long as someone living says their name." - African Proverb 

Long live, Mr. Keith Edward Wilder.