Tag: decade

Radio Facts: Bob Marley’s 70th birthday year-long celebration (2015) continues with the release of two new box sets, The Complete Island Recordings and The Complete Island Recordings: Collector’s Edition. These two stunning vinyl collection sets will release September 25th, 2015, and feature 11 albums on 180-gram vinyl spanning a decade’s worth of Bob Marley & The Wailers releases on Island Records. The Complete Island Recordings will include 11-LPs packaged in a rigid card box with lift top lid, and wrapped in silver paper that simulates the brushed metal finish of a hinged lighter. The Complete Island Recordings: Collector’s Edition will included 11-LPs, a 70th anniversary slip mat and two photos in glassine envelopes, all packaged in a unique metal box set, numbered and lined with velvet and connected to truly emulate a hinged lighter. Both boxes will include Bob’s 70th Birthday logo and all nine Bob Marley & The Wailers studio albums recorded for Island Records, featuring some of their most celebrated releases, including “Catch A Fire,” their 1973 label debut, and “Rastaman Vibration,” their 1976 breakthrough album in the United States, along with two live albums “Live!” and “Babylon By Bus.” The 11 LP’s from the box set will also be broken out and released individually on 180-gram vinyl beginning September 25th. Apart from the actual disc labels which will feature more recently reissued artwork, the LP’s will faithfully replicate the original album pressings. The “Live!” album will include the original poster with the vinyl, while the “Exodus” album will feature the original gold metallic jacket with embossed lettering. The “Babylon By Bus” album will feature the die-cut cover with the color printed inner sleeves showing through.

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Radio Facts: Throughout the years there has been a plethora of female artists scratching out a tune to become the high priestess and the conversation would be moot without the full acknowledgment of Kristal. The soulful siren who hails from Charlotte, North Carolina has captured the attention of many a mogul, but it was musician/actor/author Tyrese Gibson who captured the essence of Kristal and signed her to his label Voltron Recordz which will release her debut untitled disc summer 2014. Gibson established Voltron Recordz in 2009 as antithesis to the traditional recording label: "I have full respect and admiration for the record music process," says the Grammy nominated artist and CEO of Voltron Recordz. "However, in my house, I wanted to use some of the disciplines of traditional label practices and the lessons that I have learned from the buying public so that I may present the best sonic efforts possible." He continues, "In Kristal's album, both fans, radio programmers and music directors will find an in-depth record which not only sounds amazing but will touch you in a way that music hasn't in a very long time." Humility, a passion for music, and a chance meeting led Kristal to Tyrese Gibson. When musical minds connect, history is made. We've learned about it in the past: Berry Gordy and Diana Ross; Clive Davis and Whitney Houston; Babyface and Toni Braxton, and Clive and Alicia Keys. So to see the partnership of Tyrese Gibson and Kristal written in the annals of history is not a leap of faith. "An artist like Kristal may come along once in a decade," says Gibson. "I am just overjoyed that I have the opportunity to present her talents to the world." With a new single "Silhouette" which made its terrestrial debut at Atlanta's V103, Kristal is off to a great start and is prepared for the exciting journey which lies ahead. Click here for a free download of "Silhouette". Fans of Tyrese will be surprised to see the actor/musician/author take on the role of music executive, but for Tyrese Gibson, this is just the next chapter in his secret diary. Fans can follow Kristal on Twitter @itskristallyn or on Instagram and join her on Facebook at Itskristallyn.

During the 2012 campaign, former Michigan GOP Chair Ron Weiser  (pictured) – who at the time was national finance chair for the Republican National Committee – told a tea party meeting that voters in Detroit are picked up at “pool halls and…barbershops,” and bussed “from precinct to precinct where they vote multiple times.” He added that no one would be going “where those pool halls and barbershops are” to get out the vote in November, at least “not without a side arm.” Then in December 2012, during the lame duck legislative session, legislative Republicans discussed voting to split up Michigan’s electoral votes by Congressional district. The scheme would have given Mitt Romney nine of Michigan’s 16 electoral votes in 2012, despite him losing the state by 450,000 votes. In comments to Slate, former Michigan GOP Chair Saul Anuzis claimed that voters from the city of Detroit “distort the rest of the state.” So it was curious, to say the least, that yesterday in Detroit, Washington and Michigan Republicans marked their decade-long failed outreach campaign to communities of color with the announcement that they hired a staffer to direct African-American engagement, appointed a “Michigan Black Advisory Council,” and will soon be opening an office in Detroit. Republicans claim – as they did in 2003, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2010, and earlier this year – that this is an “aggressive plan” that will “change the political landscape. Haven’t we heard this story before? Republicans in Michigan and Washington have promised repeatedly that this time will be different, this time they’ll actually listen to the needs of key constituencies. But, after Republican Secretary of State Ruth Johnson's crusade to make it harder for African Americans to vote, the GOP's ongoing campaign to prevent 7.1 million uninsured black Americans from accessing affordable health care, and Republican Gov. Rick Snyder’s Emergency Manager law ensuring that over half of black Michiganders no longer have the right to vote for local elected officials, the GOP has yet again proven that are so far out of touch, they can’t even see it No number of new offices or new hires will allow Republicans to explain away that harsh reality This week, as they celebrate a decade of telling the same story about their “outreach efforts” to African American, Latino, and other Democratic-leaning voters, one must ask: what, exactly, are they doing differently from a decade ago? The answer is clear: absolutely nothing. Below are just a few of the times national Republicans have tried to rebrand the party in the last decade: 2003: Marc Racicot: “Expanding Our Base By Recruiting New Republican Activists From Traditionally Strong And Democratic Constituencies Is Our Number One Priority.” “Republicans must attract more minority candidates and voters into their ranks even though that process will take time and lots of work, the GOP's national chairman says. Marc Racicot told members of the Republican National Committee on Friday that the minority outreach is crucial for the party's future, adding ‘it's the right thing to do.’ ‘Expanding our base by recruiting new Republican activists from traditionally strong and Democratic constituencies is our number one priority,’ Racicot said after he was re-elected as chairman without opposition.” [AP, 2/1/03] 2005: Ken Mehlman Launched “Conversations With The Community” A National Tour Of Meetings With African Americans. “Ken Mehlman, chairman of the RNC, embarked on ‘Conversations with the Community,’ a national tour of meetings with black Americans. He also announced the formation of an RNC African-American Advisory Committee. ‘If you give us a chance, we'll give you a choice,’ has become his standard line to black audiences.” [Baltimore Sun, 4/24/05] 2005: The RNC Launched An Outreach Program For Urban And Minority Voters. “Republican leaders on Thursday used Pittsburgh -- a city controlled by Democratic elected officials for seven decades -- as an example of where the GOP hopes to expand its membership with minorities and inner-city voters who traditionally align more with Democrats. ‘We believe there are many people that populate these urban cities that are Republican-leaning,’ said Republican National Committee Co-Chairwoman Jo Ann Davidson. ‘We're not giving up on the urban centers.’ [… ] A strategy session yesterday included a panel discussion about ways the GOP can attract more blacks, Hispanics, Asians and other groups. Many of the 280 conference participants from all 50 states attended the discussion. The meeting was closed to the press.” [Pittsburgh Tribune Review, 8/5/05] 2008: Mike Duncan Unveiled A Website To Fight The Perception That The Republican Party Is “A Party Of Old White Guys.” “A week after the election, and five days after Rebuild the Party was introduced, RNC Chairman Mike Duncan unveiled RepublicanForAReason.com, which he describes as ‘a grassroots site that Republicans can use to tell us what they think of the party.’ He says the party has lost the trust of its members and the site ‘is a big part of understanding and communicating with them.’ He agrees with Finn that the GOP is viewed ‘as a party of old white guys.’ ‘And I'm saying that as a 57-year-old white guy.’ He quickly adds: ‘But I use technology. I've got three BlackBerrys. I've got a Kindle.’ He promises that the RNC's Internet division -- headed by Cyrus Krohn, formerly of Microsoft and Yahoo -- will get more resources, calling it ‘a big priority for the RNC.’” [Washington Post, 11/25/08] 2010: Michael Steele: “No Matter How Blue Or Purple We Must Compete For Every Seat.” “RNC Chairman Michael Steele unveiled a new Republican Party program today aimed at taking advantage of a political environment that is currently tilting heavily in the GOP's direction. ‘Throw out the old maps, folks. We need you — the American people need you to create a new one,’ said the guaybera-clad Steele as he addressed members of the RNC at the party's winter meeting here in Honolulu, HI. Steele urged the party faithful that Republicans must adjust their thinking and prepare to compete everywhere from Delaware to Hawaii (the first state to the 50th state) or D2H as the program is called. ‘No matter how blue or purple, we must compete for every seat,’ Steele added.” [ABC News, 1/29/10] Joshua Pugh Communications Director Michigan Democratic Party

Radio Facts: Story By: Kiara Pesante, DNC Southern Regional Press Secretary and Director of African American Media This week, the Republican National Committee marked their decade-long failed outreach campaign to communities of color with the opening of an “African-American engagement office” and the announcement of new staff hires to support this effort. The GOP claims – as they did in 2003, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2010, and earlier this year – that this new engagement team will “build a grassroots infrastructure and engage with voters at community events.” Haven’t we heard this story before? From their “50 State Strategy,” to their ‘autopsy report’ after their disastrous 2012 presidential campaign, the Republicans have promised time and time again to listen to the needs of key constituencies and change their ways. But, after their cynical, divisive crusade to make it harder for African Americans to vote in states like North Carolina, to prevent the 7.1 million uninsured black Americans from accessing affordable health care, and even shutting down the government for 16 days – furloughing up to 150,000 African American workers and harming critical programs like SNAP, WIC, and Head Start – the GOP has yet again proven that are so far out of touch they can’t even see it. No matter how many offices they open, or how many people they hire, the Republicans simply can’t explain away that harsh reality. Tonight, as they celebrate more than 10 years of the same old lip service on their “outreach efforts” to African American, Latino, and other Democratic-leaning voters, one must ask: what, exactly, are they doing differently from a decade ago? The answer is clear: absolutely nothing. (FOR MORE "OUTREACH" EFFORTS CLICK NEXT)

              2003:  Marc Racicot:  “Expanding Our Base By Recruiting New Republican Activists From Traditionally Strong And Democratic Constituencies Is Our Number One Priority.”  “Republicans must attract more minority candidates and voters into their ranks even though that process will take time and lots of work, the GOP's national chairman says. Marc Racicot told members of the Republican National Committee on Friday that the minority outreach is crucial for the party's future, adding ‘it's the right thing to do.’ ‘Expanding our base by recruiting new Republican activists from traditionally strong and Democratic constituencies is our number one priority,’ Racicot said after he was re-elected as chairman without opposition.”  [AP, 2/1/03]

(FOR MORE "OUTREACH" EFFORTS CLICK NEXT)

2005:  Ken Mehlman Launched “Conversations With The Community” A National Tour Of Meetings With African Americans.  “Ken Mehlman, chairman of the RNC, embarked on ‘Conversations with the Community,’ a national tour of meetings with black Americans. He also announced the formation of an RNC African-American Advisory Committee. ‘If you give us a chance, we'll give you a choice,’ has become his standard line to black audiences.”  [Baltimore Sun, 4/24/05]

(FOR MORE "OUTREACH" EFFORTS CLICK NEXT)

2005:  The RNC Launched An Outreach Program For Urban And Minority Voters.  “Republican leaders on Thursday used Pittsburgh -- a city controlled by Democratic elected officials for seven decades -- as an example of where the GOP hopes to expand its membership with minorities and inner-city voters who traditionally align more with Democrats.  ‘We believe there are many people that populate these urban cities that are Republican-leaning,’ said Republican National Committee Co-Chairwoman Jo Ann Davidson. ‘We're not giving up on the urban centers.’   [… ] A strategy session yesterday included a panel discussion about ways the GOP can attract more blacks, Hispanics, Asians and other groups. Many of the 280 conference participants from all 50 states attended the discussion. The meeting was closed to the press.”  [Pittsburgh Tribune Review, 8/5/05]

(FOR MORE "OUTREACH" EFFORTS CLICK NEXT)

2007:  Mel Martinez As RNC General Chairman: “I Want To Make Sure That We Take That Message To The  Broader Hispanic Community, To The African-American Community And To All The Communities That May Never Have Believed That Republican Ideals Spoke To Them.”  “Sen. Mel Martinez pressed his partyFriday to open its doors wider to minorities and used his bootstrap biography to try to recast the bitter debate within the GOP over immigration. Martinez was elected general chairman of the Republican National Committee -- the first Hispanic to hold that position -- after a week of sniping from some border-state conservatives. They object to Martinez's support for legislation that would give some illegal immigrants a path toward legal status. But when it came time for the 168 delegates to vote by voice, only a handful opposed Martinez, who was chosen for the job by President Bush. Martinez's road to becoming a U.S. senator and now the head of his party began with his flight from communist Cuba. Martinez said his success was a result of help from Florida families and his own hard work -- not government programs. He said Republican values, and having a Hispanic in the leadership job, can attract minorities.  ‘I want to make sure that we take that message to the broader Hispanic community, to the African-American community and to all communities that may never have believed that Republican ideals spoke to them,’ Martinez told RNC members. ‘So they, too, understand that if they care about education for their children, accountability in their schools, if they care about entrepreneurship, about beginning a small business and growing it into a large business, if they care about a party that stands for less government but more individual freedom, then we are the party for them and their American dream.’” [Orlando Sentinel, 1/20/07]

 

(FOR MORE "OUTREACH" EFFORTS CLICK NEXT)

            2008:  Mike Duncan Unveiled A Website To Fight The Perception That The Republican Party Is “A Party Of Old White Guys.”  “A week after the election, and five days after Rebuild the Party was introduced, RNC Chairman Mike Duncan unveiledRepublicanForAReason.com, which he describes as ‘a grassroots site that Republicans can use to tell us what they think of the party.’ He says the party has lost the trust of its members and the site ‘is a big part of understanding and communicating with them.’ He agrees with Finn that the GOP is viewed ‘as a party of old white guys.’  ‘And I'm saying that as a 57-year-old white guy.’ He quickly adds: ‘But I use technology. I've got three BlackBerrys. I've got a Kindle.’ He promises that the RNC's Internet division -- headed by Cyrus Krohn, formerly of Microsoft and Yahoo -- will get more resources, calling it ‘a big priority for the RNC.’” [Washington Post, 11/25/08]

(FOR MORE "OUTREACH" EFFORTS CLICK NEXT)

2010:  Michael Steele:  “No Matter How Blue Or Purple We Must Compete For Every Seat.”  “RNC Chairman Michael Steele unveiled a new Republican Party program today aimed at taking advantage of a political environment that is currently tilting heavily in the GOP's direction. ‘Throw out the old maps, folks.  We need you — the American people need you to create a new one,’ said the guaybera-clad Steele as he addressed members of the RNC at the party's winter meeting here in Honolulu, HI.  Steele urged the party faithful that Republicans must adjust their thinking and prepare to compete everywhere from Delaware to Hawaii (the first state to the 50th state) or D2H as the program is called.  ‘No matter how blue or purple, we must compete for every seat,’ Steele added.” [ABC News, 1/29/10]

 

(FOR MORE "OUTREACH" EFFORTS CLICK NEXT)

In 2010, The RNC Launched A “50 State Strategy” With 358 Paid Staffers In 45 States.  “Steele:  In other words, beginning in January of this year, and literally probably going back to last December, we strategically looked at the country, and I remember talking with -- with the staff, and particularly Gentry, about a 50-state strategy, a strategy in which we could be competitive in every corner of -- of -- of the United States. And Gentry went back and said, yeah, it can be done, and this is how we do it. And so we invested early in our victory centers. You all know that the typical course for the RNC has been to wait to August, and in some cases September. I remember that as a state party chairman back in 2000, not even seeing -- seeing the only one victory center that we saw come online sometime around mid-September 2000 for -- for our elections that year. We started investing in our victory centers in January. And as a consequence, we were able to build out over 360 victory offices across 45 states that were run by 358 paid victory staffers, which compared to only 154 victory offices in 2008 and 140 in 2006.”  [Michael Steele Teleconference on the Election Results, 11/3/10]