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~

Ok Here he IS....MY FAVORITE DJ

Once upon a time in a land far far away... Oh never mind this is no fairy tale. This is the true story of a girl and her favorite DJ... and it has a very happy ending.

This is the story about the DJ who took me from, loving House to turning me into a House HEAD! Of all the Blogs I have written so far this one is personal. Ya see I have never been afraid of anything or anyone. This Cat is one that I have admired from a far and only 3 people( and now you all) know that from about 1985-2000 I had the BIGGEST crush on this dude! LIKE BIGGEST CRUSH EVER!!!!

If there was a party and he was spinning.. I was there. The thing I liked most was that only I knew my secret ( the other 3 did not find out until YEARS later) I kinda liked, liking him from far away. Plus I thought he was mean as a snake and he was NOT about to hurt my feelings.

Then I grew up... and I learned that it was not the man that I had a crush on... LIKE THE BIGGEST CRUSH EVER! It was his skills. It was the way he made not only me feel but those who liked to groove just as much as I did feel as well. "how could one person do that" How could one person make everyone in the room happy!?

I never saw him talk much or smile for that matter but I know once he got behind the tables he was truly in his, "happy place".

Funny, my best and oldest friend is the same sign as he is and I am the same sign as his friend. So I know the bond between them is unbreakable..( ok its REALLY hard to write this.. so again NO PEEKING).

Time went on and he went on his way doing the grown up thing. Education, house, marriage..etc..etc.. so hearing him was, I thought a thing of the past. There were times when he would play but at that time I was married and did not get out much. BUT!!! if HE was there I was going point blank period! By this time my crush....LIKE THE BIGGEST CRUSH EVER, had worn off and I was just there for the man and his music.

He made every party feel like a basement/backyard party..the good ones, the ones when we all had curfews but still managed to have a good time.

>>> its hard to write a Blog and keep the secret until the end<<<<<<<

I knew about this DJ long before I had heard of any others cause he was a neighborhood kid. Or he did a lot of parties in my neighborhood...anywho

This DJ is best at...well hell EVERYTHING when it comes to music and DJing! I remember one time at Lola's I kept trying to tell Tomika that he was ( who he is) and she kept telling ME he was Joe Boyer. I said. "I know my kids and I KNOW what __________ looks like". I was about to fight her in the club that night!

I use to see him spin at a location in the burbs and even if he wasn't spinning House he was still A #1 in my book.  Tomika has her Terrence Parker I have _________!


 Last time I heard him was in the Red Room at TV (my 3rd home) This Cat took us to the level of madness that can only be described as.. the ULTIMATE rush and he kept us there for what seemed like an eternity. If you have ever heard him play its hard to go back to bullshit.. when you KNOW what REAL skills are about!

Years later I was able to gather up the nerve to FINALLY speak to him. Anyone that knows me knows I am NOT shy but it took me over 20 years to just speak to this Cat. It was only AFTER I talked to his wife and she told me he was cool..not mean at all!

I would LOVE to see him play more often and I missed my chance to see him play ( I kicked every piece of furniture in my house when I found out I missed him)

Not only is he my favorite DJ, he is classy and kind, still does not smile much and seems like he is ALL business. I saw him at 1917 Bistro and I was so happy to see him. We hugged like we had known each other for years and had not seen each other for a very long time.

The girl FINALLY told her DJ about the MAJOR crush she had on him as a young girl he smiled... My favorite DJ is doing big thangs now.. traveling overseas and sometimes plays here at home. I have or had a lot of cds from a lot of people but not once did I ever have a tape or cd from him. He is so good I can remember him playing. I remember what it feels like to hear him put a record (ok ok CD ) on. There was ONE other DJ who ALMOST beat him out for the #1 spot. Then I thought about it and yeah..this Cat is my fav..hands down!


He is one half of a whole, I often wonder who started it off! Which one made the call and said, "man lets do this"! Whoever did made a helluva choice.

 So you see my story about the girl and her favorite DJ did have a happy ending after all, and he really is a nice guy!

He is the other half of the Tandem... and in MY mind the leader of The Pak! He is Mr. Vernon English!!!

Let the Music Play

P~

Bruce Bailey- The Godfather...

Wow.. where do I begin, I can't start at the beginning cause I wasn't there..What I can tell you is there is much in a name. So Mr. and Mrs Bailey did their son justice by giving him such a strong name. Bruce..( wonder what his middle name is...)-lol

I remember when I 1st became Facebook friends with BB( I call him BB cause those are also my son's initials and I have mad love for both) I remember reading his "About you" and I THINK it was him that said his favorite quote was, "You can be anything your want to be"- his dad ( lord I hope I got that right) He must have been a good kid cause he listened and has become everything he wanted to be. At least from the outside looking in he has.

This Cass Tech alum, avid bowler, DJ, Promoter, father, son, brother, magazine editor, clothing line designer, good LORD is there anything he has not done. Glad Obama has a job! I say that with a laugh because ANYTHING he puts his mind to it gets done.

I found out that this House Cat is an Aries ( thanks Chosen Ones bio) which could explain much of why he is so successful. He is a born leader and ruler. A fighter, one who never gives up on self and is always thinking of others ( yeah I'm an Aries too so I know bout these things).

His joy comes from knowing he has done a GREAT job and making people happy brings him comfort. FAILURE is NOT an option.

The sleepy eyed DJ with a heart of gold and an ear for new talent continues to lead the way in the Detroit House community. Now, I 1st hear of him with The Tandem, since that time he has branched off into many different areas but ALL leading back to what he loves most.. People and House music. He took something he loved and turned it into a brand.

He gives the people what they want. He is timeless, he continues to reinvent himself. I could name places that this House Cat has been a part of and I PROMISE you everyone that will read this has heard him play at at least ONE of those spots. 246, Tropical Thursdays..(who doesn't remember that) The Billiards, Lolas, TV, The Hot Spot, L!V! again..the list goes on and on...and on!

I watch as he looks out over the crowd, always thinking, always coming up with the next big thing. There are SO many things I would like to say about BB, but the Blog would be too long.

There was a time when he and I sat at the bar at the River Place. I drew an imaginary box and told B, "this is Detroit, you are bigger than Detroit! The world needs to hear you." In true Bruce fashion he slowly nodded his had and said, "real rite" so of course when the time came and he started playing in other states and over seas.. yall KNOW I(secretly) took credit for that right!! lol ( yeah I got a big ego).

There seems to be no stopping this dude. He keeps bringing you what YOU want to hear. You know if its a Bruce Bailey event its gonna be HOTT!

I can't wait to see what he has in store for 2013 Im sure that mind of his has been working on plans since last year.

>>>>side note I want to see BB battle someone<<<<<

He is the man with 1000s ideas 1million goals and he will not leave anyone behind.

He is Detroit House.. He is The Godfather, He is Mr. Bruce Bailey!

Let the Music Play

P~

Earl "Mixxin" McKinney- call him Mr. Been there done that!

One of the many reason's this "Thing of ours" keeps getting better and better is because of the DJs that have paved the way for House music in Detroit to live on well after we are gone.

One of those is my brother from another mother... Earl "Mixxin" McKinney ( Emixxin).
I call him, Mr." Been There Done That" because few have done so much in their home town as Emixxin!

A man small is statue but large in talent and skill. ( yeah, well... you did not think I was going to do a Blog and him and NOT talk about his height did ya?)

Mrs. Eloise baby boy and his sisters(the real one...not me) pride and joy ( the look on her face when she talks about him is so special.. she loves that lil man).

I recently had the opportunity to work very close with Earl. He'd ask me to help plan his birthday party, I was shocked to say the least! I wanted to make sure he was well taken care of.  IF YOU HAVE EVER WORKED FOR HIM YOU WILL UNDERSTAND... DAMN!!!  It takes a strong person to deal with THAT lil terror! (yup Earl.. I said it). That's where our bond grew stronger.  

 The day before the party we went by his moms house to pick up a few things...you know, the stuff DJs need. It was there that I realized how important Emixxin has been not only to the House music scene but the Detroit music scene in general.

I remember him telling the story of how he and Al Easter use to sneak out (in his mommas car) and hit the night spots. I found a video of him detailing how he got started DJing..( he was the audio/video guy)- learned a lot from that video, like Earl DOES NOT AGE...like EVER! That day I asked Earl, "why don't you do a vinyl set".. he balked at the idea.. ( cause HE didn't think of it-lol)

>>>>side note... I think ALL DJs that started in vinyl should play at least ONE vinyl set per year. & those who didn't should try it out...<<<<<<<

Starting out in backyards.., moving on to radio..Soul Night, UBQ's the OFFICIAL DJ of the Detroit Shock and Piston's ( I wished I knew him then.. cause I would have got some tickets to a game or three) Bar 7, You Me Drink.. and L!V. Featured artist at the DEMF 2012  The list goes on.

Emixxin stepped away for a time from House music, but my little big brother is back in FULL effect! and on Thursday December 6th Earl "Mixxin" McKinney went back to where it all started.. he played an all vinyl set. The music was off the chain, the sound was pitch perfect(remember Im a fan NOT a professional) so it sounded damn good to me.

Im not sure whats next on the menu for him, production maybe? One never knows with that one. I am  sure of THIS, as long as there is music, there will be Emixxin! You can say a lot about the him but one thing is for sure and TWO is for certain. Earl is in a class all by himself and in my book is one of the best things the Detroit House scene has to offer.

There are days when I want to beat the black off of him(always startin something) but THIS House Cat makes NO apologies for what he feels, thinks, and says! Takes a real stand up kinda guy to do that.

Let the Music play

P~

Terrence Parker ~ Mr. Incredible

So this week..ok LAST week was the week of one of my dear friends birthday, Mrs. Tomika Murry. One of the things we both enjoy is House music,(as if you did not know that already) if you see one at a House spot chances are the other is not too far behind. Hey...its what we do!

Well.. after a FAB birthday party at L!V that Thursday, the birthday girl was NOT going to miss her ALL TIME favorite DJ (you call him Terrence Parker, we call him Mr. Incredible).

As we stood there transfixed on this one DJ, I KNEW my next Blog was going to be about him.

I watched this man put people into an unparalleled frenzy and I watched him in a world where only he and the music are one! No matter how many people are there. I watched his eyes and there were brief moments where is was just him and the music..nobody else just him and it. In my eyes music IS his muse.

Then my mind raced as to what I was going to say about TP, how could my Blog do him justice how could I convey how he made not only me but the ENTIRE room at the Grasshopper feel.

oh let me jump back for a minute. Before we went to see TP we jetted over to Comos to eat and there was the House Gallery Cats. Those youngins are THAT DEAL, Adam, Jason, and my Alvin R., had a set that would make a Vet smile.. ( the music lives on in you...Thank you fellas)

Ok back to TP, Meek, and Me! As she and I wiggled our way threw the already packed dance floor we made DAMN sure we had a birds eye view of Terrence and would have killed anyone who tried to move us.

All we could do was look at each other, then look at him, then look at each other, then look at him. We looked like two kids in a candy store.

So all while I'm standing there I thought about this Blog and what I wanted to say....

If this were Mt. Olympus and we still believed in mythical gods. Terrence Parker would undoubtedly be Zeus.

While all the other gods were/are just as powerful and mystify us mere mortals with their powers of supreme.. Zeus was/is the ULTIMATE

Ruler of all things good and powerful, and a FORCE to be reckoned with! Anywhere this man plays with in driving distance I am there. It's a rare treat to hear him play.

I (we..me and Meek) saw this  man play on not one. Not two. Not three. FOUR machines.. now that may not mean anything to some of you but to us it was like...wow!!! ooh... look what he can do!
Pausing and queueing music on the different machines mixing songs that are not even played on the same radio station let alone be able to blend/mix them like it was NOTHING!!

Ok and how come nobody told me you could scratch on a CDJ machine... LOL and back cue.. SMH (Im going to learn one day)

TP seemingly transfixed on his own internal power source. Kept the people in an unfiltered frenzy ( yeah me and the bestie never moved from our spot..) I think we would have fought Jesus if he tried to move us that night.. or at least has some choice words for the Lord.

I know he left the secular world behind to join the church and from what I am told became a minister. It seems he knows he calling and is reaching out through his music. I'm so glad he found his way back to the worldly way that is House.

He is the international DJ and in MY opinion he is the DJs DJ. Music IS his muse. We are lucky he is one of our own. A Detroit born and raised icon. A man of unparalleled talent.. There are many talented DJs there are FEW GIFTED DJs. HE is gifted! he IS Mr. Incredible, he is.. Mr. Terrence Parker International DJ Extrodinaire!!

Let the music play.

P~

Phil Tha Mixx-Mr. EXCITEMENT!!!!!

Took me a minute to come back, SO much went on last week. We JUST DON'T STOP here in The D! We give you something to dance to everyday!

So Lets see, in my 1st Blog I told you a little about me. What I have not shared with you is who the REAL PJ is... she is someone who is pretty much an open book 100% confident in who she is and loves every minute of her life. It wasn't always like that. 

A few years back I was going through some real shit in my life feeling like I just wanted to give UP! There was ONE man who stepped into the friendship role that really changed my life and in some part made me the person who I am today. He challenged me to get my confidence back!

You see me give Phil the blues on many post and stats. Yeah I've called him the human Smurf, but out of all the House Cats I know, believe it or not I've shared the most with Phil. It was Phil that brought me out of a shell and deep depression. It was Phil that said let go of the past and learn to love who and what you are. So with that being said lets talk about... Mr. EXCITEMENT!

I first met Phil in the Red room at TV. Someone ask him to dance with me and he looked at me like I had a bullet hole in my forehead, I thought to myself, "who is this lil half pint so and so, I don't want to dance wit chu anyway"! I don't think he DJ'd that night. Anywho, as time went on I learned that he was a DJ. Boy oh BOY was HE a DJ!! Phil Tha Mixx has got to be one of the most exciting DJs I've ever seen. I love to see his energy ( Just like that lil Duracel Bunny) he keeps going and going and going.

All DJ's have their times when a floor has been cleared.. NOT in PTM's case.  I believe you can put this man in a cemetery and he can make the dead move.

Not to mention just to watch him is a treat! (you ever seen his face when he is REALLY into the music)...DJ FACE!!!!!

When he is not in the DJ booth you can see this DJ with the million dollar smile and million different hats & NEVER without his Corona, entertaining everyone in the room. Phil has love for EVERYONE!

He kinda puts you in the mind of all the kids favorite uncle, we all love to see Phil walk into the room with his handy dandy CD case. ( if it EVER comes up missing... I took it). I know MANY people who want Phil to DJ at their parties and don't care that he has to wake before the roosters to go to work.

 Our Parents had their, "Mr. Excitements". Jackie Wilson, James Brown, Elvis... WE have Phil Tha Mixx!

In years to come we will tell our grandchildren about the days when we would dance the night away, We will tell them about all of our favorite DJs and how they moved the crowd. My guess is Phil Tha Mixx name will be mentioned at a lot of old folks homes with smiles on each one of our faces.

Phil can be heard every other Friday at TV in the Blue room.. and oh did I mention he and Bruce aka Charlie and Brown are having a Christmas party 12/22/12 at The Belmont .....OHHHH the excitement! Check out the event page on Facebook!

Before I close this Blog out I want to say this (yep with a tear in my eye), Phil, THANK YOU! thank you for being there for me when I THOUGHT I had no one. You are now and have always been a complete gentlemen. You are a GIANT in skill, talent and friendship. You reign supreme in my book. Yes i'm still gonna give you the blues...but hey, thats what lil sisters do! HOWEVER, when it comes down to MY top ten DJs you my friend... are #2...Im going to keep you all guessing as to who is #1. Its not who y'all think !!!....

Matter of fact to the 1st person who gets my favorite DJ right... I will get them TWO shots!

Let the music Play

P~