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A Special Tribute Honoring Earth Wind & Fire

          The Soul Train Awards honored Earth Wind & Fire along with Miss Gladys Knight. I've been waiting for that to happen for such a long time, the honoring of EWF that is. When I first started doing radio in 2005, my first show was dedicated to Earth Wind & Fire. There was no way that I could play any other songs until I payed tribute to a group that shaped my life. I had to bless the Mic, by saluting all those that came before me and influenced me. Now, to the award show. The award show aired on both BET and Centrex networks. 
         Due to the unexpected death of Heavy D, an additional tribute was added. Legendary hip hop artists came out to support, Naughty by Nature, Big Daddy Kane, Curtis Blow, Dougie Fresh and the Goodie Mob. Gladys Knight left us with a heart felt song performed with BeBe Winans after accepting her award. None of the original Pips were there but artists David Hollister, and Kenny Lattimore performed as honorary Pips for the night. The EWF tribute was nice, performances by Lelah Hatahaway singing Love's Holiday. Her voice is amazing, sultry, and sexy.
          Bootsie Collins playing bass, Cee-lo Green, Robin Thicke doing their thing on vocals. Three of the original members were present to accept the award. Verdine White was present along with Philip Bailey. Maurice White was not present but was definety mentioned as the driving force that started it all. I was introduced to EWF in the seventies, the time when music was so influential to many of us. I was a teenager during that decade. The country, and the world was changing. People were changing, finding out who they were. Earth Wind and Fire was around during the right time when everything was changing in the world and taking new form. 
           I watched an interview with Philip Bailey , he was saying that during that early period, the band was definitely feeling and receiving a spiritual presence from a higher source. He clearly realizes that it was not them alone that was creating this magic. Earth Wind & Fire wrote about life, love, spirituality, God. Their music has always been so uplifting and positive. They taught us how to Be, they taught us that we were all stars, spirit, children of god. I will always cherish those memories of seeing them in concert and just being amazed by the energy that they projected in their performances. I listen to Earth Wind & Fire still today, matter of fact, everyday. 
           Check out some of the Earth Wind & Fire episodes that I'll be putting together on my radio show. Attached is the first episode, please enjoy and pass the word!! This is my tribute to a band that changed my life and many lives!! Thank you so much Earth Wind & Fire for sharing your gifts with us!!


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