Allan C. Ester Jr. - House Heads UNITED!!!!!!!!

      >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Please be advised, this may be a VERY long Blog<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

First off,  HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALLAN C. ESTER JR - Many great things happened on this day! But they fail in comparison to the day you were born. -Love ya PJ
 
As many of you know Al's birthday party is what I call, "The House Head New Year". I say this because people in this set look forward to this yearly event just as much as they do NYE. This year was NOOOO different, (well...kinda it was).

I have been to at least 5 of Al's birthday parties and in my opinion THIS was the BEST to date. The set up was ABSOLUTELY PHENOMENAL- Angela Patillo-Burns did a MAGNIFICENT job on transforming TV, it was tastefully done with no "over kill"on the decorations -with plenty of snacks to satisfy. Wonderful sweet treats from Ashley Elmo- her Red Velvet cupcakes will make you hurt somebody. The sound system provided by Al M Bogl Jr. ( and Michael) ensured whatever was being played that night BEAT our hearts out- and it did! Angela Slate.....DIVA!!!! ( I don't think I have ever called her anything other than that) your tireless effort and promotion of this event did not go unnoticed you did ya THANG Diva! ya did ya thang! IMO this was the BEST birthday party of his to date(did I say that already?) - BTW you looked stunning!

The DJ lineup was.. simply put, INSANE! You had the House Gallery Cats. Adam Francesconi, Jason Garcia, and Jay Ramsey.  The man flew in from Cali touched down and, along with Adam and Jason.. burned the Blue room UP! It's always a pleasure to hear anyone of the House Gallery Cats spin. ( Jay...don't, DO NOT put Adam in the dryer again!... ok hun) They have a soulful oneness with House Music, and if you have never heard these House Cats you need to put it on your, "to do" list. In the Red Room we had the NKOTB ( new kid on the block) a House Cat from Boston..Chris Habibian, Ive re-named him, The Boston BANGER! He lives up to that name. A recent add to the Detroit House scene and one that is already leaving his mark in this community.- (Yall.. he gone lose his mind in The Chi this summer at the Chosen Few picnic!) **giggle**. That man played a vinyl set, NO hiccups.. and while there were only a few people there..(others were filtering in) the dance floor was full of House Heads that picked up what he was puttin down- This dude is a keeper-Boston's loss our WIN! A humble soul, a good ass DJ, and a wonderfully beautiful human being. Just like all the other DJs he has a FABULOUS smile. Bruce Bailey came in and played a set that had the floor pounding and the walls shaking. Then...the man of the hour, Mr. Allan C. Ester Jr.

Member, on the Blog about EMixxin, I told you all how Al and Earl use to sneak Earl's momma's car out of the driveway and go hang out at the House spot(s). Well, the story goes.. Earl would put his moms car in neutral and cost out of the driveway. Al would sneak his lil narrow tail out of the house and wait for Earl to get him. Once out, they would go to the pay phone stand real close to each other, Al would call over to Earl's house and ask to speak to Earl  since Earl was right there with Al... his momma assumed he(Earl) was at home,  he(Earl) would say something like, " I got it momma" and the reverse would be done with Mrs. Ester. So my guess is, this is when the two of them started a journey of greatness!

<<<<<BUT THIS AIN'T ABOUT YOU EARL<<<<<

Its about a man that becomes one with the music, when you SEE Al play and how he understands the beat and the sound, he...he just goes to that place... where DJs go, and he takes us on the ride of a lifetime.  Al Ester has been on this scene for many years, The Parabox, Billiard Room, Mars Bar, TV, Lola's, L!V! The Miller Genuine Draft print add campaign with his likeness on it. Al Ester makes your soul happy. I have seen this man put people into another stratosphere.. House on the River, DEMF, Shelly's Place.. you name it this man has been a part of it.

<<<ok I would the following please report to the DJ booth, Al Ester, Terrence Parker, Norm Talley,  Rick Wilhite & Vernon English, my dream birthday line up!(no offense to my female DJs..I just want the mens to put in work for me this year)- lol THAT'S A HINT GENTLEMEN!!!! April 13th 2013 ( party will be April 12th) -HEY!!! I CAN DREAM & I am going to keep hope alive!>>>

Oh..oh damn! Back to, NOT about me!

Anywho, by the time Al got on to play, the Red room was full of party goers, Chris and Bruce had started beating our heads in..now it was time for Al to beat it to the white meat. I saw everyone that is HOUSE... black, white, Asian, Hispanic, old, young, fat, skinny, gay, straight... ALL BEAUTIFUL! Now its NO secret that some if not most of us are in our mid to late 40's some in their 50's and beyond.. you had some young Heads there, and Im willing to BET at least ONE (ok both of em) of my kids that NONE of them or US can move like Allan C. Ester Jr. all while playing the music and going to that place...where DJs go!


It was Al's birthday but WE received the gift! It was an unselfish gift. Al gave of himself, he gave all that he knows to give, and he enjoys it SO very much.

Listen, When Al played that night with the sound system that they had. I stood right in the middle of the speakers, opened my ears and let the music take me to that place...where DJs go! For the 1st time I heard the music the way the DJ hears the music. That is a WONDERFUL feeling. You let go of everything that is weighing you down. You think about nothing else but.... the quality of the sound. The elements that make up the song. The mix, how you are going to blend it. What you are going to blend it with, how long you are going to let one song ride before you bring in the next one. You go to a place that is FAR beyond what is in front, above, around, or in back of you. You are elevated to another level..a utopia of sorts. THAT is, that place...where DJs go. I understand why Al dances, throws his head back, smiles, looks serious, holla's, gets his head so close to the controls that he and the heat that is generated are one, comes out of a mix and jumps around like a lil Mexican jumping bean. Al does not have to watch his crowd... Al IS his crowd!  Go back and look at the video of the The Meet party, when Al turns the tables over to Mike Dunn, go back and WATCH Al. (hold up.. cigarette break! I'll be RIGHT back) -ok Im back. Tension was released that night.

Al learned from some of Detroit's legends I think it was Ken Collier- please correct me if I am wrong. I had the pleasure of talking to Al Heath that night ( boy did I get an education from him)-smile.  He told me he gave Al (Ester) his 1st gig I think we all owe you a big THANKS for that one. Al Ester has stood the test of time and from the outside looking in has smiled his way through it. One of the best smiles in the game I might add.

The special guest for the night in the Blue Room was Mr. Alton Miller, that was my 1st time hearing this House Cat (umm, yeah...we need to bring him back with the quickness) Once he took over from Al, he hit us with, I Love Music by the O'Jays. Jessica Laus and I just happened to be dancing next to each other. Now, for those of you who know Jessica, you know that child comes in, takes off her coat, says her, "hello's", gets next to the speaker, and does NOT stop dancing until the party is over! Well.. that night I saw something I never thought I would see. Jessica STOPPED dancing and cradled the speaker like she gave birth to it. All I could do was just release myself to the music some more. Hell, Al had already beat us to the white meat showed and now Alton Miller came along and finished what was left ( and there was plenty) This Cat is smoove wit it too..  I mean, how can you play like that and make it look like its nothing. By the time I realized what was up, I too was cradling the speaker like I had given birth to it. They ALL beat the brakes off us that night! I shed a tear.. REAL TALK!!!

The Blue Room rocked just as tough! Like I said earlier, the House Gallery folks had that side OFF THE METER! Then... in walks... Kenny Dixon Jr. aka... MoodyMan ( oooh WEE that man is just the epitome of "COOL", )- again my 1st time hearing Kenny, the man banged out the Blue room in some dark ass sunglasses. So that can only mean one thing.. either, A. He knows what the hell he is doing. or B. He has some good ass eyesight. I believe its a combo of both. I had to take my Bene alums hand ( and an OUTSTANDING DJ himself) some call him Big Sexy, I just call him Rick Wilhite. He and I danced to MoodyMan like we were back at Benedictine, and y'all Rick don't dance THAT much. So I considered myself lucky that night. Plus had he NOT danced with me, I would have just given him hell the next time I saw him. ( I LOVE to debate/argue with Rick, he is such an easy target). When Kenny broke with, Last Night a DJ Saved my Life, ya girl was tickled pink.. here I was running from room to room listening to some of the BEST DJs Detroit and Chicago have to offer, dancing with an international and extraordinary DJ (The Godson) yup...I was in fan Heaven.

That night showed how House Heads can really be united, it showed love across, race, sexual orientation, different styles of House, a blend of talent that you just don't get at every party.

Yes, I do consider Al's birthday the New Year for House Heads. Because it allows us to see old faces,  friendships are formed, connections are made, deals, plans,we share laughs, love, and all other things positive. Its a time of renewal.

I am hoping the spirit of Saturday night will stand all year round. Because that is the beauty of House, Love, togetherness, oneness, united in beats, formed in the elements of life! Bounded by the DJs that take us on a journey, and IF you are lucky, you too can to go to that place...where DJs go. I highly recommend it. Step out of the fan roll and become a DJ even if its only through the foot stomps and fist pumps( ok I PROMISE  I was not trying to rhyme) yeah...last night a DJ saved my life in more ways than one, but that's a story for another time.

Let the Music Play

P~

Step in the name of love..or The night I made a COMPLETE fool of myself in front of Wayne Williams

Each year Judy Shelton holds her annual Backpacking for success. Wonderful event aimed at helping the wee ones start the school year off right with the basic tools needed for school.
I have had the pleasure of  working for Judy at the event, I must admit this is one hectic weekend but the benefit is so worth the headache.
We have DJs, food, and kids (of all ages) and.. there is a tax deduction for ya.

While I was unable to assist this year I stayed abreast of the goings on from start to finish...except ( insert dramatic music)...the DJ line up. I knew old favorites would be there..  Ya Christa's and Murphs (aka...MEARFFFFFFF), ya Emixxins, Godmothers, Lefemme's and the like. All there to lend their talents to a worthy cause.

This year was no different, or so I thought. The event is always held at the end of summer and this year Judy and John (E.Collins) decided to hold the event in the New Center area..(but I LOVED Belle Isle guys) ok, NOT my event, I don't get to make the call...( I get that)-smile.

Anywho... the event went on as planned and of course I was at L!V...(is my name on the building cause I am ALWAYS there) or so it seems... LC had given a party and I was there dancing the night away.

While I am a CONFIRMED House Head.. I also LOVE LOVE LOVE R. Kelly (he is a musical phenom) so this day I had been singing ( in my head) Step In the Name of Love, over and over and over again.. I kept wondering "who is Wayne Williams" little did I know I was bout to find out. True to PJ fashion by sticking her foot DEAD in her mouth! (HEY... I take ownership of MY mess ups)-smile... and DON'T act like its just me..plus, "playas fuck up". LOL.

The end of the night had rolled around and all the party people had gone home. The only ones there were LC, Emixxin BB and someone else( can't really remember who)   In walks. Stacey Hotwaxx Hale, Allen C. Ester Jr., Judy Shelton, John E. Collins and this big yella dude with glasses. I was tired from the days events so I sat my happy tail on the lil love seat and listened as the DJs swapped stories and laughed the wee hours of the morning away. Ready to go but not wanting to leave because I was enjoying watching the DJs (mostly Al) talking and laughing..I love to see people have a good time.

So the big dude was sitting by the DJ area and I noticed he kept looking my way..(not in a, "hey I wanna get with you kinda way") He was looking at me like, "why is she sitting there by herself". He motioned for me to come over..

Now, I told y'all I have a big ego, so don't be surprised by what I am about to write..I'm thinking, "light skin ain't in no mo homie, so please do not try the playa pimp move"- he didn't.  Instead we struck up a really nice long convo. I ask him if he was at the event..he said," yes I was one of the DJs", I said..(with twisted lips and ultra ghetto ass, teeth sucking, neck rolling ghettoness) "and just WHO are YOU!.. he said, " my name is Wayne Williams", blink..blink..blank stare! Y'all I bout fell out my seat with that "funeral faint"..Im talking bout church revival faint! In my mind I'm thinking, "I have just made a complete FOOL outta myself! At the same time I'm thinking..OH GAWD ITS WAYNE WILLIAMS..OH-MY-GAWD- ITS Wayne "muthafuhkin"Williams. (insert big ass lump in my THROAK)- all this took place in a matter of 30 seconds but it felt like 5-10 mins..but ya girl was "Oranjuice Jones" cool. I played that mess off like nobodies bi'niz. I said, "ya know what's funny Mr. Williams (yes, at this point I felt courtesy and respect would be beneficial) he said, "stop, just call me Wayne". I go on to tell him that I had been singing the R.Kelly tune all day and was wondering who this Wayne Williams was..welp, there he was in the flesh..and me, the chick with NO "PAUSE" button! If I was white I would have been 10 shades of red with embarrassment! You could have bought me for .2 cent that night! I had to pick my jaw up off the floor..

So I get home hop my happy butt right on the Internet and Google this Cat, (trust...but ALWAYS verify) and there he was Mr. Big Yella himself. Wayne Williams, Chicago Il. Grammy award winning producer, SVP A&R yadda, yadda, yadda, and one of the Chosen Few. Not just ONE of the Chosen Few but Mr. Chosen Few!

 Fast forward to the day after Thanksgiving, So we are all at TV- the night one of the Chosen Few DJs got me pregnant, and who should be sitting in the VIP area..yup, yours truly..Miss "Insert foot in mouth",. but so was Earl and Al-lol I just thought I was hangin with my peeps. I didn't know it was for the Chosen Few DJs. Soon as I saw Wayne Williams I hopped my butt up and never went back. See in my mind I'm thinkin..HE'S thinking. "damn this chick again"- that man did not remember me but I remember that embarrassing night, so I jetted with the "Flo Jo" quickness.

My life in this community is full of fun, great times, and wonderful people. I have been to places abroad, Ive been to both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, I have swam with the Dolphins. I was there the night the newest member of the Chosen Few, Mike "GOD made HIM funky" Dunn turned TV bar OUT! I have had more than most, and now to that I can say, I, Paula M. Johnson have had the pleasure of meeting a Grammy winner.. A GRAMMY winner y'all (insert Charlie Brown happy dance)! Funny thing is, while that impressed me, the fact that he is one of the originators of the Chosen Few impressed me more. Because, while I LOVE music, I LOVE R. Kelly..my PASSION is and will always be House music, and that night I met one of the GREAT ONES...


Let the Music Play

P~

Good times, Good music..GREAT people!!!

Welcome 2013... My wish for my HouseHead family is that we continue to grow and love one another.  We ended 2012 partying like it was 1999. So many gigs going on in our wonderful city at some of the best venues around. There were so many parties one could barley keep up. Kim had a helluva party at L!V, then Doris had her, "lil black dress" party at TV (my House sisters were freggin FIERCE in those lil black dresses) Shout out to Sweet Daddy Slickback aka Phil Tha Mixx..lookin like new money! Charlie and Brown did their thing at The Belmont! (aye...anybody remember that night?) Then came NYE.. and BOY was I sick! The Flu hit ya girl like a ton of bricks. I heard about all the parties and everyone was happy...cept me. Im over it  now and back to blogging.

So what does 2013 have in store for us and.., This Thing of Ours? More Love, Positivity, and new HOTT tracks for all to enjoy. Here's to hoping the new year brings all of you every ounce of love you can hold, may you feet never get tired and my your fist keep pumping. Cause based on what I have heard so far..musically speaking we are all in for one helluva ride!

1st up... The Grasshopper 3 generations featuring Mike Brown, RayBone Jones, and Kyle Hall a night of pure House, and deep grooves. Mike took me back to a time when House was new to me. RayBone ( the vinyl purest) set was (as it always is) smooth and deep.. with blends and flawless mixes.  Kyle( and I didn't get to stay for his entire set) was so funky fresh (YES...I said "FUNKY FRESH") That night was realrite...I really enjoyed myself. Groove Therapy with Taz, Eric Johnson, and Tony Dennis was,  (musically speaking) a refreshing change of pace. The Motor City Wine for Todd (the other vinyl purest) Weston's birthday was also a time for new and rare music, loved seeing my House family enjoy themselves (we all did that night).

This past Thursday at L!V...when I tell you LC, Bruce, Eric Johnson and Earl "Mixxin" Mckinney brought IT...they, BROUGHT IT!!! did the damn thang even. Lynda was so hot I wanted to get her a glass of ice water. Bruce played a set that I could not help but bob my head too(still too sick to dance). Eric Johnson set was smooth as a new born babies bottom. Earl's set...HOT AS FISH GREASE!

So much coming up for 2013... Al Esters birthday party..( or as I like to call it, the HouseHead New Year) Jam'uary bowling event. Our Godmothers party..yeah the one and only Stacey "Hotwaxx" The Age of Aquarius party... Phil and Christa's birthday, the Winter Music Conference... and many many more

I'd suggest clearing your calender(s) and getting your sitter's in order. Cause if the end of 2012/beginning of 2013 is ANY indication of things to come...baby its going to be an ample supply of good times..fist pumps and family love.

Let the Music Play,

P~