L.A. Mocks, Cleveland Rocks HBO's taping of the 2013 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction started nearly 50 minutes late. Randy Newman was scheduled to be the first inductee on Thursday evening, April 18, 2013. But, as all in attendance later found out, his good friend and longtime musical admirer Don Henley was stuck in traffic. It was getting close to 8pm and the taping was scheduled to begin at 7pm. Exasperated producers turned up the stage lights at the Nokia Theatre and let Randy rip into a brilliant version of his "I Love L.A.". Newman had Tom Petty, Jackson Browne and John Fogerty all wailing away on guitar with him. Petty was in particularly good voice and Fogerty knifed a razor sharp solo. An auspicious beginning, indeed. The lights went dark, Newman got up from his piano, straightened his tuxedo and went back to his white-clothed table in the orchestra pit in front of the stage. Only then did Don Henley appear at the lectern. He sardonically noted that he, too, "loved L.A." "It took me 90 minutes to get here." He drew the biggest laughs of the evening until erstwhile stand-up comedians Dave Grohl and Taylor Hawkins of The Foo Fighters showed up to close out the ceremonies with their induction speech for Rush. Read more...

Bright Mune Light Shining on: Rodney Hoskins Rodney Hoskins is a powerful tenor-baritone who cites Nat King Cole, Aretha Franklin and Luther Vandross as his inspirations and major influences. He says he loves Nat's impeccable vocal timing and enunciation, Aretha's passion and Luther's sweeping range.

Rodney's unique voice caught Quincy Jones's ear, who recently included him in a theatrical production. This young man was given the coveted privilege of singing the National Anthem for the Los Angeles Dodgers on Opening Day of the 2007 Season, the same day on which most of America celebrated the 60th anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier in major league baseball. Rodney, a native of Detroit, has made his home in lovely Santa Monica, CA for several years now.

Man in the Mune SIDney Howard is the annointed scribe responsible for producing the 21st century Christian "concept album," The Mune Pi Parables.

Of course, he didn't accomplish this ambitious work by himself. SID gathered other Believers to join the "cast of witnesses" who ably assisted his band, SIDzCarbonated Milk: a multi-talented, multi-genre loving- - -but most importantly of all- - -faith-filled aggregation of musicians.

The Gospel Highway LanguageUniversal.org is honored to present "The Gospel Highway" as its inaugural music history feature. If you're a gospel music fan or interested in the history of African American gospel music, you are in for a treat.

Willa Ward Remembers Enteje co-founder and contributor, Jack Marchbanks, interviewed gospel legend Willa Ward-Royster during Black History Month 2008. Willa Ward is the older sister of famous gospel singer/songwriter, the late Clara Ward (deceased January 1973).

The Ward Singers blazed the trail for women in gospel from the early 1930s through the 1960s. They were genuine AND glamorous. In "Willa Ward Remembers," this gospel icon reflects on her career and the golden age of Black religious music.

CBGB and The Blank Generation Just as the upstate New York farm where Woodstock was staged is it for the flower power generation, just as Memphis's Stax Studios and Berry Gordy's "Hitsville USA" Motown headquarters are the combined spiritual home of the music that defined most African American baby boomers' youthful years- - -The Country Blue Grass and Blues Club, better known as "CBGB," is hallowed ground for the "BLANK Generation," those late era baby boomers who created the glam, punk and new wave movements in rock from 1973 to 1981.

Arthur Lee Discover the music of one of the most influential, and least recognized pioneers of Rock and Roll.