[REVIEW] ROCK AND ROLL: The Movie will make you laugh and think twice about giving up on your dreams

by Cyrus Webb

I think pretty much everyone knows that my sense of humor is not the best, but when a movie can make me laugh, think and get inspired it is definitely a 5-star experience for me.

With ROCK AND ROLL: The Movie you have a story that is all about possibilities and people's perceptions of you---and if you are going to allow them to define you. That is true in the case of the character David Roso in the film who wants to make his mark and prove others wrong in his quest to be an agent. It is also true of his reluctant client Steve Taylor (played by Darren Dowler) ---and what he has been told about himself and what he has come to then believe about himself. The two of them don't realize it at first, but they are exactly what the other needs.

Humor is a big part of this film, but the message can't be denied. If you want to succeed at your goal or dream sometime you have to be willing to risk it all. Otherwise if you just play it safe you will never do everything you should to turn your goal and dream into a reality. David realizes this early on. for Steve it is a slower process it seems, but when you have others pushing you, encouraging you to take a chance---it definitely becomes easier.

Like I said I am not known for my sense of humor, but I could look past some of the campier moments of this film and see a message that definitely spoke to me and I believe will speak to others as well.

Rent or purchase ROCK AND ROLL: The Movie on Amazon here.

[Article] "The Book I Didn't Want to Read But Had to Share" by Cyrus Webb

by Cyrus Webb

Each year I easily read 200 books or more of various topics either for my own reading enjoyment or because of individuals coming on the radio show Conversations LIVE. Over the years I have gotten comfortable enough in myself that I decide quite easily who I choose to feature and whose book I will take the time to read and share with my growing audience. I understand the responsibility that comes with the platform that I have, and so I do the best I can to share things that are entertaining, thoughtful and will be great conversation pieces with others.

Bestselling author Tony Lindsay is someone who over the past decade I have come to look forward to reading every time he releases a book. His fiction has always taken the reader to places we're not used to going and his non-fiction has been poignant enough to make readers reflect. In 2016, however, he announced the release of his latest offering ACORNS IN A SKILLET: Stories of Racecraft in America. Now anyone who knows me will attest to the fact that conversations about race are not the norm for me. Not because I think they shouldn't be discussed but it normally happens in situations where the individual's personal experiences and passion lead the discussion rather than individuals actually trying to connect with one another over what is being said.

For this reason when I first got the book in the mail I read the back of the book and that was as far as it went. What was Tony wanting to achieve with this collection of stories dealing with race? Was it something I would feel comfortable discussing? Would I enjoy enjoy the book and his direction? All of these were questions I pondered, and because of the thought of what it could be I neglected reading the book for months.

In hindsight I realize that my reaction to the very fact that Tony Lindsay---someone I respect---had written a book dealing with race is exactly part of the problem that exists. The truth be told I didn't even give it a chance to speak for itself. I had made a decision based on what I THOUGHT it MIGHT be about rather considering what it actually was.

Now that I have read the book I can say that it is something that not only deserves my attention but has to be shared. What he has done is laid out situations that are all too real based on perception, bias and the idea that we can't understand or appreciate someone who is different than us.

Take a look at my Amazon review here and then I invite you to try ACORNS IN A SKILLET for yourself. I think you might find as I did that it time well-spent with a book.


Cyrus Webb is the host of Conversations LIVE radio show and the Editor-In-Chief of Conversations Magazine. He can be reached at cawebb4(at)juno(dot)com or at www.cyruswebb.com. 

Filmmakers Abigail Fuller and Jai Jamison stop by #ConversationsLIVE

Recently #ConversationsLIVE host and #ConversationsMag Editor-In-Chief Cyrus Webb spoke with filmmakers Abigail Fuller and Jai Jamison about their love of telling stories through film and what it's been like to see the response to their work.

Abigail Fuller talked with Webb about her film DO YOU BELIEVE IN COLOR. "It's been a powerful experience to be able to screen the film nationally," she told him about the response to the story she has been able to share. Telling stories through film is something she knew she wanted to do. "It's something that I've always been drawn to and really can't remember a time when I wasn't pursuing that," she says. You can listen to the full conversation below.







Filmmaker Jai Jamison discussed his project TRI.  "I knew from a very young age that I wanted to tell stories," he told Webb. The two also discuss the importance of recognizing the journey and appreciating where you have been as you continue to move forward. You can listen to the full conversation below.

Avery*Sunshine Receives "Women of Impact" Award Before Touring w/Musiq Soulchild

Avery*Sunshine, whose single, "Come Do Nothing", premiered on Essence.com last fall, was honored with a "Women of Impact" award a few weeks before she goes on tour with Musiq Soulchild, Lyfe Jennings, and Kindred the Family Soul.  This past Sunday, she was recognized for her hard work and dedication in the music industry along with other influential women including special guest, Karen Civil. The singer/songwriter/pianist whose eclectic mix weds soul, gospel, jazz, and R&B said "I'm excited and grateful to be acknowledged for doing something that I feel that I'm supposed to do. She continued by saying "it makes me want to continue doing more."

Fans can hear her new single and favorites, from her body of work, during the 22-city NuSoul Revival Tour that kicks off on Feb. 3rd in Raleigh, NC.  Visit www.NuSoulRevivalTour.com to find out where to purchase tickets and to see where she will be performing.  To find out more about Avery*Sunshine, visit www.averysunshine.com.

About The Tour:  Musiq Soulchild will headline the tour following an exciting 2016 which included his seventh studio album, Life on Earth entering the US Billboard 200 at #27, his single "I Do" reaching #3 on Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, and performing in the highly anticipated musical adaptation of the cult classic, Love Jones.

He will be joined by platinum-selling R&B and soul singer-songwriter, Lyfe Jennings; beloved Grammy Nominated “First Couple of Soul”, Kindred the Family Soul and; Multi-Award Winning Artist, Avery*Sunshine whose loyal fanbase includes music icons Aretha Franklin, Baby Face, Teddy Riley, Jazzy Jeff, and Patti LaBelle.  Also appearing on the tour, in select cities, are Grammy Award-Winning singer-songwriter Chrisette Michele, Grammy Nominated singer-songwriter and record producer Dwele, and Grammy Nominated group, The Foreign Exchange.


The NuSoul Revival Tour seeks to send the message that "Good Music Still Lives!" while continuing to support artists whose music is the soundtrack, and in some cases, a blueprint of areas of our lives.  It also seeks to raise awareness for Alzheimer's disease which affects over five million individuals in the United States.

NuSoul Revial Tour 2017 dates
Visit www.NuSoulRevivalTour.com to find out where to purchase tickets.
**All dates, venues, artist line-up, and on-sale information are subject to change.

Date           City                        Venue
2/3              Raleigh, NC            Duke Energy Center
2/4              Charleston, SC       North Charleston Performing Arts Center                              
2/10            Nashville, TN          Nashville Municipal Auditorium
2/11            Chicago, IL             Arie Crown Theater
2/12            Louisville, KY          Whitney Hall                                                                
2/14            Philadelphia, PA      Liacouras Center                                                            
2/17            Washington, D.C.    Constitution Hall
2/18            NYC                       Beacon Theater                                                              
2/24           Charlotte, NC         Ovens Auditorium
2/25           Detroit, MI             Fox Theatre                                                                
3/3             Norfolk, VA             Chrysler Hall
3/4             Dallas, TX              Verizon Theater                                                        
3/10           Atlanta, GA            Fox Theatre
3/11           St. Petersburg, VA  Virginia State Multipurpose Center                                
3/17            Columbus, OH        Palace Theater
3/18            Cleveland, OH        State Theater                                                          
3/24            Kansas City, MO     Midland Theater
3/25            St. Louis, MO         Peabody Opera House                                            
3/31            South Haven, MS   Landers Center
4/1              Houston, TX           NRG Arena                                                                
4/7             New Orleans, LA    Lakefront Arena                                                      
4/8              Jacksonville, FL     Times Union Center

Model and Actor Mike V discusses the journey with Conversations

Social media has been a great place for individuals to connect with their fans and to share their work. Host Cyrus Webb found out about model and actor Michael Vinson aka Model Mike V thanks to Instagram and invited him to be a guest on #ConversationsLIVE.

The two discussed what it's been like to be on the journey to seeing his dreams become a reality, how the support has motivated him and allowed him to show others what's possible and what you can expect for him this year.

"Seeing the response is amazing," Mike said during the interview, "but I think more so going through the journey, understanding the process. Going from my first ever photo shoot to where I am now is amazing to see what you can do."

Though he enjoys seeing the finished product, Mike realizes that it's more than just what people see. "At the end of the day your brand is your name," he said. "If I don't market that then it's going to be like any other brand. It's a business at the end of the day."

Stay connected with Michael on his website at www.modelmikev.com.  Listen to the entire conversation below:

International Recording Artist Cheri Maree announces soul-stirring new project

On December 14, 2016 international recording artist Cheri Maree took to social media to announce her newest creation: a book! Now, it is with great pleasure that she shares details about---as Steve Harvey says in his latest book---her “Jump” with the world.

Cheri’s labor of love in book form is called WEALTHY WOMAN’S STEW. Co-written with media personality and author Cyrus Webb, the artist delivers her most powerful and personal project to date: sharing what were her darkest moments in life and how a dish made of eight simple ingredients gave her the jumpstart she needed to turn her life around.

“It was an honor to work with Cheri on this project,” says Webb. “What she shares about how she became the woman we have come to know and love is going to not only inspire women around the world to embrace their own personal power, but remind all of us how important it is to love ourselves in spite of our circumstances.”

WEALTHY WOMAN’S STEW will be officially available worldwide on February 14, 2017 on Amazon.com in print and for Kindle readers. Look for Cheri to be sharing details about the release and opportunities to connect with her in person and online soon.

“This entire process of writing about my Wealthy Woman’s Stew and its deeper meaning has really been phenomenal” Cheri says. “My hope is that sharing these experiences will inspire you to make your own amazing stews and that the insights I offer will help catapult you into a space of Personal Power, Healing and Joy.”

Information about pre-orders of the book will be coming soon. In the meantime, Cheri is available for speaking engagements, interviews, performances and panel discussions about the importance of loving oneself and getting back to a palace of wholeness. Stay connected with everything “Cheri Maree” on social media @cherimaree, by email at cherimaree@gmail.com and her website www.cherimaree.com.

Graphics: Melanie Granderson Mickel
Photo by Ed Snapshot Brown

Cyrus Webb Presents...10 Books to Read In 2017

by Cyrus Webb

I love to read, and thankfully in my profession I am able to read each and every day--as well as be introduced to new books and authors that I get to pass on to my audience through the radio show, web-series, book club and social media. As the year is coming to a close I wanted to share with you 10 books that I have had the privilege of reading that you might want to add to your reading list.

These books either were released after I compiled Conversations' Top Books of 2016 or will be new releases for 2017. Either way they are definitely worth your consideration.

Happy reading!

Cyrus Webb Presents... 10 Books to Read In 2017 (listed in no particular order)

1. "Sisters One, Two Three" by Nancy Star (Lake Union Publishing)
2. "I Liked My Life" by Abby Fabiaschi (St. Martin's Press)
3. "Ashes" by Steven Manchester (The Story Plant)
4. "Copycat" by Kimberla Lawson Roby (Grand Central Publishing)
5. "Say Goodbye For Now" by Catherine Ryan Hyde (Lake Union Publishing)
6. "Live, Love, Explore" by Leon Logothetis (Reader's Digest)
7. "No Arms to Hold Me" by Zach Tate and Elissa Gabrielle (The Imprint Mass Media)
8. "Her Every Fear" by Peter Swanson (William Morrow)
9. "A Fatal Twist" by Tracy Weber (Midnight Ink Books)
10. "Forever Is the Worst Long Time" by Camille Pagan (Lake Union Publishing)