Isaac Hayes is ‘Unsung’

A cold winter night in January, check!

One mid-calf long, burgundy, vintage-leather trench coat, check!

Two VIP, TV One "Unsung" Isaac Hayes private screening passes, check!

Viewing the private screening Tuesday night at the Stax Museum where it all began, priceless!

The only thing missing was the red carpet and paparazzi following me.

Priceless reflections on female empowerment

"About 10 years ago, I was hanging out with some old high school classmates... drinking wine... and wondering what fresh hell lay ahead for us as we approached menopause and all the other absurdities that come along with aging... [Their] obsession with maintaining their youth made me sad.

Why couldn't they just accept themselves as the smart, wonderful and beautiful women that they are? A few wrinkles should not affect one's self-esteem. That conversation was the genesis for this book. I needed to know at what point did women fall in love with themselves."

Did Beyoncé sing the National Anthem?

WASHINGTON – Pop star Beyoncé opted to use a "pre-recording" of her rendition of the National Anthem during inaugural ceremonies in Washington Monday, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Marine Band told CNN Tuesday.

U.S. Marine Band spokeswoman Kristen DuBois said early Tuesday that "we know why the decision was made," adding that the pop star "did not actually sing," but instead lip-synched her own voice.

Later in the day, however, the Marine Corps said in a statement that no one in their organization "is in a position to assess whether (Beyoncé's vocal performance) was live or pre-recorded."

DJ 007 – on the radio & more!

Ever listened to the radio and heard a song for the first time – one that didn't really reach out and grab you. But then the radio station kept playing the song until it grew on you. Before you knew it, you were singing the words, humming the tune and had purchased it (hopefully) on Itunes, or at a record store if you could find one.

Such is the power of radio.

For true commercial success, radio is an almost "must have." For this week's On Our Way To Wealthy column, we sought out DJ 007 of K97 to get a handle on the importance of radio and of the club in introducing a song to the market.

Stellar Awards shine amid business, music and praise

The 2013 Annual Stellar Awards will be remembered as a zenith event in the growth of the gospel music industry. From inception to exit strategy, the show was terrifically executed in true glitterati style.

This year's 28th edition unfolded on Saturday (Jan. 19) and was broadcast live for the first time from Nashville's Grand Ole Opry, a fitting choice. In the same way that the country music industry has become its own arena-filling powerhouse genre, gospel has grown into a commercial powerhouse, with marketing rivaling the best of the R&B and hip-hop markets – sans the vulgarity.

Always something to do in Memphis!

"Oh there's nothing to do in Memphis." I hear people say that far too often.

Or here's another one: "You have to go out of town to have a good time."

THAT'S NOT TRUE!

Actually, there's always something to do in Memphis. There are more events than we have days in the week. You don't even have to do a lot of due diligence. I've actually done that for you.

Kam’s Kapsules: Weekly previews - 01/23/2013

For movies opening Jan. 25, 2013

BIG BUDGET FILMS

"Movie 43" (R for violence, drug use, pervasive profanity, graphic sexuality, frontal nudity, crude humor and coarse dialogue) A dozen directors collaborated on this raunchy series of short films chronicling three kids' internet search for the most banned movie in the world. A-list ensemble features Academy Award-winners Halle Berry and Kate Winslet, along with Oscar-nominees Uma Thurman, Naomi Watts, Hugh Jackman and Terrence Howard.

Does BET get a fair shake nowadays?

A few weeks ago, I got into an argument with a friend of mine who happens to work for what I once dubbed "The Evil Empire." That company is BET. The argument was about the fact that I seemed to lack any sort of positive vibes towards BET. Basically upon mention of those three letters in order (came) an impressive array of profanities....

And I cuss real good.

Top ten DVD releases - Jan. 22, 2013

"Searching for Sugarman"

"Beauty Is Embarrassing: The Wayne White Story"

"Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai"

"End of Watch"

"Tai Chi Zero"

Star power on board for evening with UNCF

Actor-comedian Anthony Anderson, co-star of NBC's "Guys With Kids," will host the 34th annual UNCF An Evening of Stars® Educating our Future extravaganza – a nationally televised variety show.

The show – presented by Target – premieres nationwide on Saturday, Jan. 26 (check local listings for stations and times) and airs on BET Networks on Sunday, Jan. 27, 2013 at 9 p.m. CST.

Kam’s Kapsules: Weekly previews - 01/17/2013

For movies opening January 18, 2013

BIG BUDGET FILMS

"Broken City" (R for sexuality, violence and pervasive profanity) Revenge thriller about a streetwise ex-cop (Mark Wahlberg) hell-bent on evening the score after being framed by the Mayor of New York (Russell Crowe). Supporting cast includes Catherine Zeta-Jones, Jeffrey Wright and Barry Pepper.

"The Last Stand" (R for profanity and pervasive graphic violence) Arnold Schwarzenegger stars in this present-day Western about a disgraced, LAPD narcotics detective who gets a shot at redemption when a drug kingpin (Eduardo Noriega) on the 10 Most Wanted List makes a break for Mexico through the sleepy border town where he's now serving as sheriff. Featuring Forest Whitaker, Harry Dean Stanton and Johnny Knoxville.

Vegas move yields ‘Dream Girls’ role

Memphians are making moves! Need proof? Well, native Memphian Markevius Faulkner has scored a role in a Las Vegas stage production of "Dream Girls."

Faulkner received the role after moving to Las Vegas, where he had been staying for several months before he even knew of the "Dream Girls" audition.

Impressions matter and Faulkner had made a lasting one on the "Dream Girls'" producer while auditioning earlier for a role in "The Color Purple." That's why he got the call to audition for the part of CeCe in "Dream Girls."