Episode 110 - Join Host Troy Saunders as he chats with singer, songwriter, producer, label owner and just an incredible human, James D-Train Williams!

This episode starts with both men reminiscing about their High School alma mater, Erasmus Hall. D Train tells how Will Downing got him into the school's famous Choral Club and started his music career. Both men had fond memories of their old High School and talk about their mutual friends as well as the idea of doing a documentary about the world famous school. Other legends like Barbra Streisand, Neil Diamond, May West, Clive Davis, Kedar Massenburg, Bernadette Stanis, Gabe Kaplan and so many more have walked their halls.

D train explains how, what seemed like overnight, he and his songwriting partner, band member, and mentor, Hubert Eaves III, were on top of the Billboard charts and on tour with George Clinton, Peabo Bryson, Midnight Star, The Deele and so many top acts of that time. He tells how legendary radio DJ, Frankie Crocker, of WBLS in NYC, loved their music and helped to get it played around the country. D Train also explains the thought process behind hits like "Keep On" and "Thank You" and the positive impacted they had on many of his listeners, Troy included. After 5 albums D Train decided not to make another album for almost 20 years. He tells of a performance that helped him in making that decision. D- Train still remained a much sort after session and jingle singer. Working on albums by many of the greats in the industry including Luther Vandross, Gladys Knight, Cher and Michael Jackson. One entertaining story he shared, comes from a session while working on the Michael Jackson "Invincible" album. Hilarious!! Wait until you hear it!

Troy and D Train not only talk about music; but they also converse about racism in America, and why many artist prefer performing over seas. D Train also stresses how artist should know their self worth, especially when negotiating their price with promoters. He also expressed his insecurities and how they kept him from releasing new music until now.

With pride and excitement D Train informs the listener on some of the great music to expect on his new album; due to be released later this month or in August. They talk about his latest single "Time Has Come Today" and how he was inspired by so many artist including Marvin Gaye, Curtis Mayfield, Sam Cooke, Otis Redding and more.

This episode never had a dull moment. Full of love, laughter, passion and enlightenment. You will be totally entertained. Listen Now!!!

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Episode 109- Join Host Troy Saunders as he converses with the smooth, jazzy, multi genre vocalist and songwriter the incredible Roderick Harper. The Keeper Of The Love Song.

In the this episode Roderick and Troy take a trip through Roderick's catalog from 1999 to present. Starting with his first offering "Beautiful Beginnings". A well sung collection of jazz and blues classics. Roderick has a sound that uniquely his own and transcends all genres. Troy chose to highlight the song "Moonlight" off of this album. Roderick tell the audience about attending college in Louisiana, working with the great Ellis Marsalis and how it led him to this recording.

Roderick also has the knack of reinterpreting a song. One example of this appeared on his next album "The Essence of Roderick Harper" where he jazzed up Sade's "Stronger Than Pride". A total joy to listen to. Roderick explained the making of this album with the great Nicolas Payton, while living in Chicago.

After a 15 year hiatus, to raise a family, Roderick reemerges with "Perfect Imperfections". Recently divorced, Roderick returns to New Orleans. He tells his story of reinvention and discovery. Troy and Roderick play "Never Will I Marry" a Nancy Wilson and Cannonball Adderley classic. A song that is dear to Roderick for many reasons.

Other gems played and discussed include "Look What I Got" from his "Evolving" album. "Hearts Desire" from his first R&B offering "Back To Love". The later album spawned 3 top 5 hits on the UK R&B Charts.

Of course they discuss Roderick's epic "2702" album, produced by the incomparable Jamison Ross. This album is truly a masterpiece and a favorite by both Roderick and Troy. To date its Roderick's most popular album. Reaching the #4 slot on the Amazon UK chart. Troy's chose to highlight two songs off of this album "Slice Of Life" and "Genuine".

The musical journey brought the listener to his latest project "Back To Love Vol.2 (Journey To Love)" a new collection of R&B gems featuring hits "Unforgettable" and "Eternal Love" with more to follow. Troy started the episode by highlighting "Love Is In the Air" and ended it with "Unforgettable" and Roderick's remarkable remake of Major Harris/ Luther Vandross's "Love Won't Let Me Wait"

This is a wonderful episode of great music, stories of discovery, reinvention and wonderful conversation. If you love a good slow jam with mellow Jazz and R&B infused vocals, this is one you won't want to miss.

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Episode 108- Join host Troy Saunders as he takes a look into the world of the multitalented Chester Gregory!

Troy and Chester met back in 2008 and by that time Chester had already solidified his name in the annuals as one of Broadway's finest performers; and was in the process of releasing his first independent soul album, "In Search Of High Love". Prior to this Chester taught in the Chicago public school system & performed around Chicago in several plays. This led him to the lead role in "The Jackie Wilson Story" which toured the country. The performance brought Chester and the cast to The Apollo Theater in Harlem NY, where it was met with rave reviews. Chester shorty after landed a major role on Broadway in "Hairspray" and the rest is history.

In this episode Troy and Chester discuss Chester's reverence for his home town Gary, Indiana and the role it played in his career choices. As we all know Michael Jackson (one of Chester's biggest influences) was from Gary. Chester explains how playing Jackie Wilson & Berry Gordy brought him to meeting Michael himself. It was a full circle moment. Chester also tell Troy his feelings on getting a Honorary Doctorate from his alma mater, Columbia College Chicago.

Throughout the conversation the guys play snippets from Chester's 2008 album "In Search Of High Love" and his latest offering "Retrograde". Chester tells the listening audience to be on the look out for a new album but wouldn't give a release date but explains the premise behind the project.

Chester is one of the most talented people in entertainment. Tune in to get a glimpse into what makes this incomparable genius tick. It was a wonderful conversation full of insight, history and of course music.

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Episode 107- Join Host Troy Saunders as he converses with the genre bending vocalist, saxophone player, writer. producer and entrepreneur Michael J. Thomas.

From a small town in Kentucky to riding the top slot on The Billboard Smooth Jazz Top Airplay Chart twice; Michael J. Thomas is reaching goals and setting new ones as a Indie Jazz Musician daily. In this episode Troy and Michael discuss his parents love for music; especially R&B, Funk and Pop. Michael Jackson, Teena Marie, Stevie Wonder and Earth Wind & Fire were staples in their home. Michael tells a funny story about a childhood performance he did to a Kool and the Gang classic "Jungle Boogie"; in the family living room, hilarious. You will also hear how the saxophone was not the first instrument that he wanted to play. Can you guess what was? Find out in this episode.

Michael also discussed how he wound up in Destin Florida from Kentucky and how he managed to work with such greats as Maysa, Chieli Minucci, Trammell Starks, Carl Griffin and more.

Throughout the episode Troy played some of Michael's most unique and well crafted songs. Such as "I'll Never Love Again", "OG Bounce", "City Beat", "Sippin The Yak" and more. Plus a song that even surprised Michael.

They also talked about ways to get ones music to the masses and how Micheal is successfully utilizing his newly learned marketing strategies and apps to do so.

This episode filled with great information, conversation and of course music; from one of the rising stars in Smooth Jazz, Michael J. Thomas. Don't Miss it!!!

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Episode 106- Join host Troy Saunders as he opens his mic to chat with multi- instrumentalist, singer, songwriter, producer, business man, musical director and so much more Marcus Devine.

Born in Detroit Michigan Marcus came from a musical family. Everyone could sing. He states in this episode that his biggest musical influence is his baby brother. Marcus' mother was always pushing him to practice music. From an early age Marcus was singing in his family church. Some of his earliest influences were gospel superstars such as Marvin Winans, The Commissioned & John P. Kee. Find out how he went from the church to being the Musical Director for some of the hottest R&B acts in the business. Marcus has worked with the great Charlie Wilson, 112, Ashanti, Ginuwine, Beth and so many more.

His mother also inspired Marcus by gifting him a variety of instruments for Christmas and birthdays. Currently he prides himself on the fact that he can play almost any instrument, but his main love is the bass guitar.

Troy and Marcus talked about the state of the music industry, and all the possibilities we have today to release music via the internet. They also conversed about Marcus's new and inventive way that he; as well as his followers could make money on his music releases. Tune in and hear how.

Of course we played some of Marcus' hottest releases starting off with his 2014 single "Your Best"; two smokers from his 2017 release "In My Feelings" ending with his new money making jam "The Greatest Show"

Listen In and hear our full juicy conversation. It will make you laugh, sing, tap your foot, possibly put some money in your pocket and reevaluate some things in your life. This is a good one y'all!! Don't miss it.

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Episode 105- Join hosted Troy Saunders as he converses with Singer, Songwriter, Actress of stage and screen, Life Coach, one of the Funky Divas of the legendary girl group En Vogue, and so much more; the multi- talented Rhona Bennett.

Rhona Bennett has been in the entertainment industry since the age of 11. In this episode Rhona tells Troy how she always knew that she wanted to be a singer and how her dream became a reality. From performing around her home town of Chicago to landing a spot on the Mickey Mouse Club and beyond. Rhona added her own indelible mark on everything she did.

Troy had a few surprises up his sleeve as he played a rare song by Bennett and a clip of her and Jamie Foxx from his self titled show, that had them both laughing and feeling nostalgic. Adding to the nostalgia Troy and Rhona discussed her joining En Vogue, and her message to the fans who are still sore, that Maxine and Dawn are not in the group.

They also conversed about Rhona's passion for helping other artists as a life coach and how that came to fruition. Through the many stories told and shared, Rhona and Troy both agreed that love is what is needed to bring us together as a society. Her latest single "We (Is A Powerful Thing) helped to summarized this wonderful conversation full of laughter, wisdom, history and life lessons and more.

Tune in to hear this fun filled conversation with one of the most extraordinary entertainers around, Rhona Bennett.

Listen and subscribe to the BAAS Entertainment Podcast on Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Deezer, iHeartRadio, Pandora, Podchaser, Pocket Casts and TuneIn. “Hey, Alexa. Play the BAAS Entertainment Podcast.”

Episode 104- Join hosted Troy Saunders as he converses with Singer, Songwriter, Producer and all around beautiful spirit Michon Young!

Michon's smooth, sultry, and inviting voice has been seducing Indie soul and inspirational listeners for nearly 15 years! In this episode Troy and Michon discuss how she started as a choir member in Pastor Marvin Winans' church. We all know Marvin Winans from the, Gospel Superstar, Winans Family. Michon tells the story on how she went from being apart of the choir, to soloist, to being handpicked by Pastor Winans to go on tour with him.

Now 13 years later, Michon has released 5 albums. The first an Inspirational gem called Possessing The Promise. 10 songs of some of Michon's finest work. Her plan was to make this her first and last album. She just wanted to fulfill a life long dream. They talk about what was her inspiration in continuing to record and release more music.

Troy and Michon joyfully go through her catalog picking out some of the gems on each album. One thing each song has in common is the expression of love. Whether it's a social awareness song like "Colorless Tears". a song of an ending relationship as in "Count It A Lesson" or the joy of finding new love, as in "Oooh"; the message is always about love.

Of course, Troy highlights the latest project "Love Is My Lane" last. They start of by sliding into first single "Bounce Back" released this past January. Then they converse about Michon's work with the incomparable Frank McComb; before ending with the latest single "Lovely" (Troy's favorite on the album) and "Pull" which was released as a single in the UK.

It appears that the UK audience has really crowned Michon as Indie Soul Royalty, and rightfully so. I hope through this episode many more people, not only in the UK but here in the US and worldwide, will recognized the brilliance of Michon Young

Listen and subscribe to the BAAS Entertainment Podcast on Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Deezer, iHeartRadio, Pandora, Podchaser, Pocket Casts and TuneIn. “Hey, Alexa. Play the BAAS Entertainment Podcast.”

Episode 103- Join Host Troy Saunders as he chats with songwriter, producer, arranger, musician and of course singer Ricky Jones.

You all my remember Ricky from a previous episode where Troy conversed with him and his then wife Shireen Crutchfield. Together they were Crutchfield Jones. Today Ricky is a solo act and spilling his heart out on his latest album "Crazy Sexy". They say that heartbreak makes the best music; well that is definitely the case in this project. Ricky's voice has never sounded better as croons, belts and serenades the listener from one emotional gem to the next.

In this episode Ricky and Troy converse about the feelings and emotions that went into writing favorites like "Tone", "Sleeping With The Enemy", " I Love You More". "I Got It Bad". "Tell Me What's Wrong", "What A Good Woman Will Do" and more.

Ricky couldn't be more honest and sincere. You could hear his pure heart in every word during this conversation. The music and discussion will touch your soul and leave you wanting to hear more from this incredible artist.

Listen and subscribe to the BAAS Entertainment Podcast on Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Deezer, iHeartRadio, Pandora, Podchaser, Pocket Casts and TuneIn. “Hey, Alexa. Play the BAAS Entertainment Podcast.”