There is so much contention between different groups of steppers about what stepping music is, what count to step to, even if the count(s) should be used at all. I've been in the middle of and reporting on these things for quite a while so people kind of know what my opinions are (at least until I change my mind).

I try to do as much as I can to be a bridge between the 'new' and the 'now' and the 'then' and attempt to be honest and critical (as in critical thinking) in my approach to the things I see, read and hear about in the steppers community.

Sometimes I am good about how well I can point out something I see, while at others, I fail miserably. I chalk it up to being human. Earlier today I was reading an article which wasn't related to stepping but the effects of what the article was suggesting has everything to do with our dance.

I was reading about the challenges radio programmers and music directors have faced through the years when it came to the 'oldies music format' the thing that struck me wasn't the fact that time goes on and music tends to go out of style I know that and this column isn't about music today. When the author mentioned some of the programmers and music directors weren't even born when much of the music they were programming was popular and wouldn't know one of those songs if they heard them (the truth of the statement froze me in my tracks).

If you don't know how a move in the dance looked when it was done (in an era before everyone was videotaping/recording the dance) how can you be teaching it? If you weren't there or didn't get co-signed by people who were actually there (and can prove it) how do you know you're stepping? Continued

[5/8/2012 Steppers Song Of The Day]
Give Me Your Love by Curtis Mayfield
#stepperssongoftheday
Perhaps because he didn't cross over to the pop audience as heavily as Motown's stars, it may be that the scope of Curtis Mayfield's talents and contributions have yet to be fully recognized.

Judged merely by his records alone, the man's legacy is enormous. As the leader of the Impressions, he recorded some of the finest soul vocal group music of the 1960s. As a solo artist in the 1970s, he helped pioneer funk and helped introduce hard-hitting urban commentary into soul music. "Gypsy Woman," "It's All Right," "People Get Ready," "Freddie's Dead," and "Superfly" are merely the most famous of his many hit records.

But Curtis Mayfield wasn't just a singer. He wrote most of his material at a time when that was not the norm for soul performers. He was among the first if not the very first to speak openly about African-American pride and community struggle in his compositions. As a songwriter and a producer, he was a key architect of Chicago soul, penning material and working on sessions by notable Windy City soulsters like Gene Chandler, Jerry Butler, Major Lance, and Billy Butler. In this sense, he can be compared to Smokey Robinson, who also managed to find...  Read more about the steppers song of the day

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]]> http://goo.gl/pyX4s F9029AE4-A7C9-45B0-81A4-218B52D2AF38 Tue, 8 May 2012 14:13:54 -0500
[Volume 5 Issue 261 Monday 5/7/2012]
Trying Something New
By Markie Bee
To send a Plugger or Flyer Click Here
Contact Markie Bee: webmaster@steppersusa.com

Today's Steppers Beat Column is sponsored by Steppers West Associates 2012 Steppers Jam 3

Are you willing to do something different?
 #steppersbeatcolumn

It's not that I don't see value in large out of town events because I do but the real value isn't necessarily in the parties or the workshops or in any of the many organized activities at the events.

The true value is when you make face to face (person to person) contact with others who share the passion for stepping from many cities. You get to see the people you've seen in photographs or in videos on YouTube.

The ability to meet with people you've encountered on Facebook helps you to determine if the title 'friend' actually applies. As we know there are usually workshops tied to most of the large weekend affairs and if you find one that has value for you I would suggest you attend.

Every city offers something unique, has a distinctive history, shopping or other activities which may not be available where you live but in the end it comes down to having the opportunity to network with other steppers and here is where the rub lies...

Just the same you might want to visit places like the Statue of Liberty when in New York, The Gateway Arch while at Stepaganza in St. Louis or Disney when in either Orlando or Los Angeles. Expand those horizons.

I've been to enough of these weekend events and watched people from the same city congregate with (and only dance with) those they are familiar with and they are usually the same people from the city they came from. Where's the benefit from that? Continued

[5/7/2012 Steppers Song Of The Day]
Never Never Love by Simply Red
#stepperssongoftheday
Simply Red's roots originate from the notorious 1976 Sex Pistols gig at the Lesser Free Trade Hall in Manchester UK. Manchester art student Mick Hucknall was one of the many young music fans present (along with original members of The Fall, Joy Division, The Smiths and Buzzcocks) who was inspired to form a band after witnessing that gig.

The first incarnation of the band was a punk group called The Frantic Elevators. This band existed for 7 years, with limited releases on local labels, but split in 1984 with only limited local attention and critical acclaim for their final single, "Holding Back the Years".

After the demise of The Frantic Elevators, Mick Hucknall linked up with manager Elliot Rashman. By early 1985 Hucknall and Rashman had assembled a band of local session musicians and began to attract record company attention. Around this time the group adopted the name Simply Red (after Hucknall's nickname, which denoted hair color, football allegiance to Manchester United and left-wing political affiliation). They signed to Elektra in 1985, with the somewhat...  Read more about the steppers song of the day

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]]> http://goo.gl/JcP76 EF016C14-6F84-40AC-90B9-335420932F25 Mon, 7 May 2012 09:52:54 -0500
[Volume 5 Issue 260 Sunday 5/5/2012]
Everything They Told You
By Markie Bee
To send a Plugger or Flyer Click Here
Contact Markie Bee: webmaster@steppersusa.com
Today's Steppers Beat Column is sponsored by Steppers West Associates 2012 Steppers Jam 3

If you believe the majority of the people in Chicago...
 #steppersbeatcolumn

Last night I enjoyed a couple of hours at a birthday party at a south side club on Cottage Grove.

It's a local corner bar (many would call the place a hole in the wall bar) where the majority of the focus of the place was on the bar not the dance floor.

There is a small dance floor area and a DJ booth along with a half dozen tables or so, a darts area... if you've been at a corner bar you probably know the kind of place. When I walked into the place the DJ was playing a classic steppers cut and there was a couple on the floor dancing... not stepping... dancing.

The DJ mixed in a few more classics and a couple from our group hit the floor and stepped alongside the other dancing couple. That lasted for a couple songs until another group of people came in who weren't stepping or dancing... they were jukin.

Now the DJ wasn't blind so he adjusted the music to the majority of the crowd and pretty soon he was mixing house music and the floor was filled to the point they were jukin in the passage ways between tables. This went on for several songs and then The DJ slowed down back to steppers music (again, tried and true classics) those who still had the energy continued to juke and one or two couples danced... not stepped... danced.

My point is everyone in Chicago knows how to step and many more than we are led to believe know about the dance we call stepping or steppin. The fact is just like most of the country if you were to ask the couples that were dancing (not stepping as we know it) they would say they were stepping.

We as 'stepping enthusiasts' have done a very limited... if not poor job of educating the masses about the dance as we know it. Those who are most engaged are busy preaching to the converted by only promoting to existing steppers. What we end up getting are people who are pre-disposed to our dance through some coincidental exposure. Continued

[5/6/2012 Steppers Song Of The Day]
Stop On By by Rufus
#stepperssongoftheday
One of the most commercially successful funk groups of the '70s, the multi-racial Rufus are today best remembered for launching the career of soul diva Chaka Khan, whose fiery lead vocals were easily the band's focal point. Powered by Khan who was eventually billed in addition to the group and an unerring sense of groove, Rufus scored an impressive string of hit singles on both the pop and R&B charts, which lasted through the '70s and up to Khan's official departure in 1983.

Rufus grew out of the Chicago band the American Breed, which had a hit in 1968 with the oldies-radio staple "Bend Me, Shape Me." Guitarist Al Ciner, bassist Chuck Colbert, drummer Lee Graziano, and keyboardist Kevin Murphy had all played in the band at one time or another before forming a new group, originally called Smoke, with vocalists Paulette McWilliams and James Stella.  Read more about the steppers song of the day

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]]> http://goo.gl/i10hi 3BA20AAE-6461-4488-814C-E2F78C0EBC6F Sun, 6 May 2012 12:37:25 -0500
[Volume 5 Issue 259 Saturday 5/5/2012]
What I Did Last...
By Markie Bee
To send a Plugger or Flyer Click Here
Contact Markie Bee: webmaster@steppersusa.com
 

Today's Steppers Beat Column is sponsored by Steppers West Associates 2012 Steppers Jam 3

It's not going to be a how-to article...
 #steppersbeatcolumn

Saturday seemed to be a great day for a how-to article... but really; what haven't we discussed before?

It would be like giving a lesson on how to tie your shoes. It would end up being boring and repetitive and we know at some point you'll just 'switch off' after a while. So that's out!

I could write some more about workshops but once again repetition becomes my enemy. Frequency does not necessarily beget understanding (and like in the case of tying shoelaces proficiency). Ah, WTH... I will repeat I'm looking to list instructors who will teach beginners only workshops. Please send your name and contact information.

Besides the change in the way I'm planning on posting workshops other things I wrote about this week included a different way of doing a 'steppers mob' (a variant on a flash mob that could actually benefit existing steppers and their sets as well as give the genre some exposure to more people. Continued

[5/5/2012 Steppers Song Of The Day]
Angel by Chaka Khan
#stepperssongoftheday
R&B singer Chaka Khan enjoyed solo success as well as popularity as a member of the group Rufus. Born Yvette Marie Stevens in Great Lakes, IL, on March 23, 1953, she was raised on Chicago's South Side, and at the age of 11 formed her first group, the Crystalettes.

While still in high school, she joined the Afro-Arts Theater, a group which toured with Motown great Mary Wells; a few years later, she adopted the African name Chaka Khan while working on the Black Panthers' breakfast program. After quitting high school in 1969, Khan joined the group Lyfe, soon exiting to join another dance band, the Babysitters; neither was on the fast track to success, but her fortunes changed when she teamed with ex-American Breed member Kevin Murphy and André Fisher to form Rufus.  Read more about the steppers song of the day

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]]> http://goo.gl/7eaos 3C7C7C05-B43D-474E-A0E4-E482FFD64BB5 Sat, 5 May 2012 12:22:29 -0500
[Volume 5 Issue 258 Friday 5/4/2012]
Steppers State Of Mind
By Markie Bee
To send a Plugger or Flyer Click Here
Contact Markie Bee: webmaster@steppersusa.com
Today's Steppers Beat Column is sponsored by Steppers West Associates 2012 Steppers Jam 3

If your mind isn't right the dance won't be tight...
 #steppersbeatcolumn

Today's column is a re-do of a column I did last year because it seems (to me) to be very relevant as we prepare for the contest season and all of the summer events.

Some steppers want that 'perfect dance' with an accomplished dancer and don't seem to want to settle for anything less.

Sometimes we get so serious about the dance; we forget why the majority of steppers step. People want to be able to have fun and relax and unwind. It seems the people who are having the most fun are those who let go and enjoy their time on the floor.

That's just an observation but it's not a coincidence. When I watch a contest (the exact opposite of a casual atmosphere for the dancer) it inevitably seems the people who are truly getting into the music, the atmosphere and dancing with their partner are always the most enjoyable to watch.

There seems to be a constant battle in the steppers community for the "hearts and souls" of those who dance and it is a tug of war between precision (working at perfecting ones dance) and being able to "just dance and enjoy oneself." It's pretty easy to identify a person going through this struggle on the dance floor.

Their body language always gives them away. Some are stiff and robotic in their movement, while others show it on their faces. These individuals are not having fun! To really have fun there isn't a standard, or requirement or a count method to adhere to. It's the exact opposite you just let go and enjoy the moment. Continued

[5/4/2012 Steppers Song Of The Day]
All This Love by Patti LaBelle
#stepperssongoftheday
Soul diva Patti LaBelle enjoyed one of the longest-lived careers in contemporary music, notching hits in a variety of sounds ranging from girl group pop to space-age funk to lush ballads.

Born Patricia Holt in Philadelphia on May 24, 1944, she grew up singing in a local Baptist choir, and in 1960 teamed with friend Cindy Birdsong to form a group called the Ordettes. A year later, following the additions of vocalists Nona Hendryx and Sarah Dash, the group was rechristened the Blue Belles; with producer Bobby Martin at helm, they scored a Top 20 pop and R&B hit in 1962 with the single "I Sold My Heart to the Junkman," subsequently hitting the charts in 1964 with renditions of "Danny Boy" and "You'll Never Walk Alone."  Read more about the steppers song of the day

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]]> http://goo.gl/QxaK8 52899CDF-C6B9-4D4D-A48C-3F91A248930D Fri, 4 May 2012 13:26:21 -0500
[Volume 5 Issue 257 Thursday 5/3/2012]
Time To Change Workshops
By Markie Bee
To send a Plugger or Flyer Click Here
Contact Markie Bee: webmaster@steppersusa.com
Today's Steppers Beat Column is sponsored by Steppers West Associates 2012 Steppers Jam 3

It's time to address the workshops mess...
 #steppersbeatcolumn

With all of the recent pain it appears many of the workshops have seemed to cause the members of the steppers community I've decided to change the game on SteppersUSA.

We've all heard or participated in workshops where people claim they wanted more than a beginner's class and didn't get one and frankly, that's unacceptable. We have instructors who teach beyond the basics and should only accept those who want to learn something more than how to count.

At the moment the Workshops section is off-line as I re-work it to something which should be of value to the community. Since larger events have workshops rolled into their event schedule I'm going to gear the section to people who can benefit from the proliferation of beginner's workshops the most. The people interested in learning the dance for the first time.

I'm not going to list the workshops at this point because it seems a futile endeavor to get instructors to send info on their workshops so instead what I am going to do is create a list of instructors who do beginners workshops for people to contact. Continued

[5/3/2012 Steppers Song Of The Day]
It's Gonna Take A Miracle by Deniece Williams
#stepperssongoftheday
During the late '60s, Deniece Williams was a candy striper in a Chicago hospital. Outside of wanting a 1959 Thunderbird, she had no serious ambitions. Nonetheless, she still had interest in listening to music. Her favorites were Carmen McRae for her diction and Nancy Wilson, who, for Williams, exemplified class and elegance. However, her mother, also a singer, was her idol. The Gary, IN, native was also fond of Stevie Wonder, Earth, Wind & Fire, Minnie Riperton, and Patti LaBelle. (The latter two she tried to emulate before her introduction into the music industry.)

In need of employment and with college on the back burner, the fledgling singer was introduced to Wonder by John Harris, her cousin from Detroit, who happened to be on tour as a valet for Wonder (and was also his childhood friend). Her cousin arranged for Williams to meet Wonder backstage at a concert. Six months later, the gifted vocalist was flown into Detroit by Wonder for an audition. Among the 26 who auditioned, Williams, who sang "Teach Me Tonight," was only one of three who was hired by Wonder. The three became known as Wonderlove.  Read more about the steppers song of the day

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]]> http://goo.gl/bxEPO 7441AF5B-A408-46D6-B6FC-85BBE78FECD7 Thu, 3 May 2012 13:05:23 -0500
[Volume 5 Issue 256 Wednesday 5/2/2012]
Steppers DJ's Keep You Covered
By Markie Bee
To send a Plugger or Flyer Click Here
Contact Markie Bee: webmaster@steppersusa.com
Today's Steppers Beat Column is sponsored by Steppers West Associates 2012 Steppers Jam 3

Play that funky music DJ...
 #steppersbeatcolumn

We know how important it is for the DJ at the club to play the right combination of music to get people to the dance floor. A wrong decision can clear the floor and a series of wrong decisions can clear out a club.

Steppers have a fairly well defined group of songs they will step to which usually consists of a mix of a few standards and a few newer songs and as long as the DJ has a working knowledge of those songs they can create a playlist to work from.

Finding and introducing new songs or re-introducing an older song which may have dropped off the radar can be a challenge for a DJ who wants to keep it moving on the dance floor without clearing the floor with the wrong choice. The dedicated DJ will spend hours and hours listening to music before even adding songs to their collection and when they do they classify the song and put it in its place with the other music. That alone doesn't mean a song will be played at a set or event because there are so many variables involved. Continued

[5/2/2012 Steppers Song Of The Day]
Keep On Going by Vivian Green
#stepperssongoftheday
Adult contemporary R&B vocalist Vivian Green grew up in Philadelphia, where she started singing at an early age.

She began playing the piano at age eight and writing songs when she was 11. At 13, she joined a girl group called Younique. She spent her teens writing, sending out demos, and singing wherever she could.

Her break came when she was hired as a backup singer for Jill Scott, who took her on tour internationally. That connection eventually led to record company interest, and Green signed to Columbia in November 2001. Her debut album, A Love Story, was released one year later and narrowly missed the Top 50 of the Billboard 200 album chart.   Read more about the steppers song of the day

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]]> http://goo.gl/aOW8d 6F0004CF-CAED-4F11-BC05-D152B9C4E9AD Wed, 2 May 2012 12:49:28 -0500
[Volume 5 Issue 255 Tuesday 5/1/2012]
Steppers Mob
By Markie Bee
To send a Plugger or Flyer Click Here
Contact Markie Bee: webmaster@steppersusa.com
Today's Steppers Beat Column is sponsored by Steppers West Associates 2012 Steppers Jam 3

Taking inspiration and using it.
 #steppersbeatcolumn

Once again inspiration strikes when seeing something completely different from the vision. This morning I saw a piece on one of the morning shows about what are being called 'Cash Mobs' which is a spinoff from the original 'flash mobs'.

Like a 'flash mob', a 'cash mob' comes together on social media... in this instance people are prompted to come together at a targeted small business where each 'mobber' comes with $20 to spend at that business. It's been quite successful and has spread to many cities in the recent past.

So, here is the idea I have. There are a lot of struggling steppers sets and parties throughout the country that could use help in the same fashion. What would happen if steppers banded together on Facebook and decided to have a 'steppers mob' where they would 'mob' a selected steppers set?

Since steppers are prolific in the sense they will go stepping at the drop of a hat this could be done weekly in larger steppers communities where several events happen on the same day. In smaller communities where there may be only a couple of sets it could be done monthly while alternating between sets.

Let's look at how people band together for flash mobs or the latest iteration 'cash mobs' They usually have a group of like-minded people (we've got that covered).

They discuss how to flash mob i.e., what song or dance or whatever (we have that covered we step). They discuss where to flash mob. We haven't yet and it would be a good idea to 'scout' locations first i.e., talk to DJ's make sure when they use the term steppers they aren't talking about a line dancer set. Continued

[5/1/2012 Steppers Song Of The Day]
Face It Girl, It's Over by Nancy Wilson
#stepperssongoftheday
Diva Nancy Wilson was among contemporary music's most stylish and sultry vocalists; while often crossing over into the pop and R&B markets and even hosting her own television variety program she remained best known as a jazz performer, renowned for her work alongside figures including Cannonball Adderley and George Shearing.

Born February 20, 1937, in Chillicothe, OH, Wilson first attracted notice performing the club circuit in nearby Columbus; she quickly earned a growing reputation among jazz players and fans, and she was recording regularly by the late '50s, eventually signing to Capitol and issuing LPs including 1959's Like in Love and Nancy Wilson with Billy May's Orchestra. Her dates with Shearing, including 1960's The Swingin's Mutual, solidified her standing as a talent on the rise, and her subsequent work with Adderley -- arguably her finest recordings further cemented her growing fame and reputation.  Read more about the steppers song of the day

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]]> http://goo.gl/TEsnd AF3703B4-CD32-4440-9998-AA01D629A35B Tue, 1 May 2012 11:35:28 -0500
[Volume 5 Issue 254 Monday 4/30/2012]
Added Dimension
By Markie Bee
To send a Plugger or Flyer Click Here
Contact Markie Bee: webmaster@steppersusa.com
 

Today's Steppers Beat Column is sponsored by Steppers West Associates 2012 Steppers Jam 3

Will lower gas mean more steppers? #steppersbeatcolumn

I hope you saw the new photos from the last week in the photos section.

For the first time since I can remember in recent history gas prices are actually lower than the previous year going into May. The question is how does it bode for the Memorial Day holiday events this year? Will we see an uptick attendance as a result?

The magical early bird specials are about to evaporate for those events on May 1st so it's a good idea to plan ahead to maximize the savings. Tick Tick Tick... Get the word of mouth going fast to share in the savings!

In the Steppers Music Facebook Group we've decided to add a new wrinkle to the discourse on the board. We realize DJ's don't always see (or hear) music the same way steppers do. But we do realize the DJ is the person who usually hears the songs first (in the real world) and makes the decision to play it or not for the steppers.

So we're adding to the question we ask on every song so it's essentially two questions for two different groups of people in the group. Each can learn from the other as a result. So we ask; steppers would you step to this or step away? And we also ask DJ's would you play this at your sets? Continued

[4/30/2012 Steppers Song Of The Day]
Do Your Thing by Isaac Hayes
#stepperssongoftheday
Few figures exerted greater influence over the music of the 1960s and 1970s than Isaac Hayes; after laying the groundwork for the Memphis soul sound through his work with Stax-Volt Records, Hayes began a highly successful solo career which predated not only the disco movement but also the evolution of rap.

Hayes was born on August 20, 1942, in Covington, TN; his parents died during his infancy, and he was raised by his grandparents. After making his public debut singing in church at the age of five, he taught himself piano, organ, and saxophone before moving to Memphis to perform on the city's club circuit in a series of short-lived groups like Sir Isaac and the Doo-Dads, the Teen Tones, and Sir Calvin and His Swinging Cats. In 1962, he began his recording career, cutting sides for a variety of local labels.  Read more about the steppers song of the day

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]]> http://goo.gl/HyLcM 8A22D0F0-CE13-46BF-92DF-8AD30D90448C Mon, 30 Apr 2012 08:52:01 -0500
[Volume 5 Issue 253 Sunday 4/29/2012]
Not So Bleak
By Markie Bee
To send a Plugger or Flyer Click Here
Contact Markie Bee: webmaster@steppersusa.com
Today's Steppers Beat Column is sponsored by Steppers West Associates 2012 Steppers Jam 3

I'm not talking ball but the comparison... #steppersbeatcolumn

Went to Mr. G's last night for Paradise Productions 19th anniversary party where Ms Rose was as gracious and humble as ever and they filled both sides up as usual on a night where the hawk was out as the winds were blowing people over outside.

I took photos of course and if you visit the photos section you won't miss the link. I had conversations with Steve Breeze, Mellow Khris and said hi to Cynthia Bean and Hadiyah Al-Sudan, Ken Bedford and many others.

Please note; I'm only posting this viewpoint as an allegory. I have no desire to debate basketball or the chances of a team winning a championship so please no basketball discussions... Thanks! Continued

[4/29/2012 Steppers Song Of The Day]
Never Never Gonna Give You Up by Lisa Stansfield
#stepperssongoftheday
Lisa Stansfield (born Lisa Jane Stansfield, 11 April 1966, Heywood, Lancashire, England) is a English pop singer-songwriter.

She attended Redbrook School, Rochdale and her first television appearance was on a talent programme in the Granada TV area in 1982. She won it singing The Human League track "The Things That Dreams Are Made Of". The series was produced by the then Head of Light Entertainment at Granada TV, Johnny Hamp.

After releasing several unsuccessful singles in her mid-teens, she co-hosted a Children's TV pop show, Razzmatazz with Alistair Pirrie; additionally, Stansfield could be seen in 1983 children's television series The Krankies Klub, alongside comedian Jimmy Cricket and pop rock band Rocky Sharpe and the Replays. She became a major international star, still keeping her thick Heywood-ian (Lancashire) accent; in reference to the latter and to her working class background. Shaun Ryder from Happy Mondays once said that Stansfield's family "makes mine look posh". There is a common misperception that Lisa Stansfield is related to the late Gracie Fields (whose real name was Grace Stansfield and who hailed from Rochdale). However, Stansfield does own a recording studio called Gracielands.  Read more about the steppers song of the day

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]]> http://goo.gl/C4zui 9E4BDBEC-9405-4685-B505-1CEA565FC0B2 Sun, 29 Apr 2012 13:52:25 -0500
[Volume 5 Issue 252 Saturday 4/28/2012]
Just Text Me
By Markie Bee
To send a Plugger or Flyer Click Here
Contact Markie Bee: webmaster@steppersusa.com
Today's Steppers Beat Column is sponsored by Steppers West Associates 2012 Steppers Jam 3

A new twist to the dance escort dilema. #steppersbeatcolumn

Ah the joy of driving across the city has returned for me as I finally got to make it to the Dyamond Divas set at Club Dyamonds to take photos. You can access the photos at the usual place.

The added bonus was it was DJ Cross' birthday so I got to watch all the beautiful women line up to dance with him. It was also DJ Black Cool's birthday so he was also celebrating too.

Tonight I intend to go to Paradise Productions set at Mr. G's to get some photos. Rose always has a classy set and I'll stay there until it gets too hot in the place. It gets so crowded in there when she has a set.

One thing I have to chuckle (to myself of course) about is how promoters are making a big deal about having (or recruiting) men to act as dance escorts as if it were something new. It's not anything new in social dancing circles and has been going on in the stepping community for many years. I'd like to see some innovation and I think a post from everyone's buddy Jt Steppin on Facebook may have inadvertently stumbled on an idea which wouldn't cost anything to implement... and it might just work. Continued

[4/28/2012 Steppers Song Of The Day]
Zoom by The Commodores
#stepperssongoftheday
Renowned for the R&B hits "Just to Be Close to You," "Easy," and "Brickhouse," to name but a few, Commodores were one of the top bands during their long tenure at Motown. The group is credited with seven number one songs and a host of other Top Ten hits on the Billboard charts, and their vast catalog includes more than 50 albums.

The members of Commodores, all of whom attended Tuskegee Institute in Alabama, came together as a result of two groups disbanding: the Mystics and the Jays. Initially formed to simply play music as a pastime and to meet girls, the lineup consisted of William King (trumpet), Thomas McClary (guitar), Ronald LaPread (bass), Walter "Clyde" Orange (drums), Lionel Richie (saxophone), and Milan Williams (keyboards). The members nearly went stir-crazy trying to pick a name for the group, but with no success. As a last resort, Orange gave King a dictionary and told him to pick a name that name was the Commodores. With Clyde Orange the only learned musician in the group, Commodores began spreading their music throughout their base, which included Tuskegee, Montgomery, and Birmingham, AL.  Read more about the steppers song of the day

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]]> http://goo.gl/zuRHF 305BB8D9-C7FB-4D8B-932D-9FD832F4BA4A Sat, 28 Apr 2012 14:06:27 -0500