By Bill Vaughan
Entertainment Writer
As Beyoncé recently became the first Black woman to ever top Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart, a larger conversation about what defines country music has exploded into the zeitgeist.
Her highly anticipated album “Cowboy Carter,” released March 29, arrived during a revolution within country music as the latest arena of the culture wars in America. Some in the industry are welcoming more diverse artists, while others stick to a much narrower view of a genre that predominately centers around straight, white men.
A new documentary “Call Me Country: Beyoncé & Nashville’s Renaissance,” examines how high-profile artists like Lil Nas X and Beyoncé are challenging the country music status quo and how Black artists in Nashville have been laying the foundation for this transformation for some time.
It features interviews with country musicians including Rhiannon Giddens, banjo player on Beyoncé’s “Texas Hold ‘Em,” John and T.J. Osborne of Brothers Osborne, Rissi Palmer, Aaron Vance and Denitia. The doc also includes analysis from culture and country music experts including Touré, Larisha Paul, Keith Hill and co-directors of the Black Opry, Holly G. and Tanner D.
The CNN FlashDocs production streams on Max beginning April 26.
POWER MOVE: Garcelle Beauvais is set to executive produce three new original movies for Lifetime. Following the critically acclaimed “Black Girl Missing” movie in which Beauvais starred in and executive produced in 2023, the franchise has been extended with two new movies continuing the imperative conversations about systemic inequalities where missing girls and women of color are ignored.
“Having a network that stands by you and supports your mission gives me hope in humanity,” said Beauvais, who was busy last year with Netflix’ “Survival of the Thickest” and Hulu’s “The Other Black Girl.” “In addition to executive producing, I am thrilled to be starring in a Terry McMillan Presents movie because I can so deeply relate to being a woman who has to make hard decisions for matters of the heart.”
In the yet-to-be-titled film from the banner of the author of “How Stella Got Her Groove Back” and “Waiting To Exhale,” Beauvais portrays a world-renowned chef living in Europe, who rushes home to care for her elderly aunt in South Carolina after she suffers from a fall. Picked up from the long flight by a handsome driver 20 years her junior, the pair unexpectedly feel an instant connection. But is it the perfect recipe for love? McMillan knows.
NETFLIX IS A JOKE: Choice selections for this week’s opening of the comedy festival include Aziz Ansari & Friends May 1 at The Orpheum, followed the next night with a full slate of Wanda Sykes at the Dolby Theatre, Hasan Minhaj late at the Palladium, Ali Wong at The Wiltern, and Dodgers Comedy Night hosted by Cedric The Entertainer and Will Smith (the L.A. catcher, not the Fresh Prince) at the Palladium. May 2 brings Preacher Lawson to The Bourbon Room and Deon Cole: OK, Mister Life Special Taping at Los Angeles Theatre.
ALWAYS AND FOREVER: Luthor Vandross’ iconic debut album “Luther” has been remastered and reissued after four decades for vinyl, CD and streaming platforms. Originally released on Cotillion Records, it is now available from Primary Wave Music, in collaboration with Legacy Recordings.
The 1976 album featured the hit “Funky Music (Is A Part of Me).” This track was later transformed by Vandross and David Bowie into “Fascination” for the latter’s landmark “Young Americans” album. “Luther” also has his sole recorded version of “Everybody Rejoice (A Brand New Day)” from “The Wiz.”
AT THE MOVIES: “Alien,” Ridley Scott’s 1979 sci-fi/horror masterpiece with Sigourney Weaver and Yaphet Kotto, returns to theaters on April 26 (known worldwide as Alien Day) in celebration of the film’s 45th anniversary. Tickets are now available for purchase at Fandango or wherever tickets are sold. It comes in advance of “Alien: Romulus,” director/writer Fede Alvarez’ spin opening in theaters nationwide Aug. 16.
“Uncropped,” a portrait of legendary New York photographer James Hamilton and the heyday of alternative print journalism, opens April 26 also at Laemmle Royal with a digital launch set for May 7. The movie covers his four decades working as a staff photographer at publications such as Harper’s Bazaar, the New York Observer and, most notably, the Village Voice, where he shot icons from Charles Mingus and Liza Minnelli to Alfred Hitchcock. It features interviews with Wes Anderson, Thulani Davis, Sylvia Plachy and more.
CLIPPETTES: Mary J. Blige, whose third annual Pepsi-sponsored Strength of a Woman Festival & Summit is moving to New York City May 10-12, was named as one of the 2024 inductees to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. She will join Kool & The Gang, A Tribe Called Quest, Cher, Dave Matthews Band, Foreigner, Peter Frampton and Ozzy Osborne for the event to be held in Cleveland Oct. 19. It will be shown live on Disney+, the next day on Hulu, and on ABC later …
Gladys Knight continues her farewell tour April 26 at Pechanga Resort, as Luis Miguel is at Toyota Arena, and Omarion Presents: VBZ on VBZ Tour with Vedo, Tone Stith, WanMor and Jastin Martin at Peacock Theater …
The Dymally International Jazz & Arts Festival returns April 27 to Carson’s Dignity Health Sports Park with a lineup including Angelique Kidjo, Stanley Clarke, Jonathan Butler, Teodross Avery and Judith Hill (who also plays the Troubadour April 30) …
Additionally April 27, Sy Smith is at the Miracle Theater, Adam Ant at The Greek, Devin The Dude at The Mint, and the AFI Life Achievement Award will be presented at a Gala Tribute to Nicole Kidman at the Dolby Theatre …
Notorious B.I.G.‘s album “Ready to Die,” Bill Withers’ “Ain’t No Sunshine,” and Bobby McFerrin’s “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” are among those chosen to join the National Recording Registry of the Library of Congress this year …
Get your Sunday fix on April 28 as the Chris Powe Quartet is presented by the Leimert Park Jazz Festival at ORA …
PinkPantheress’ Capable of Love Tour hits the Hollywood Palladium April 30 and May 1 …
Felix Da Housecat spins May 2 at Kiss Kiss Bang Bang.
TASTY QUIP: “We should forgive the ones of us that are weaker and support the ones of us that are stronger. And then we can beat the thing.” – DAVE CHAPPELLE
TC ON TV: April 26 – “Knuckles” (Paramount+): Idris Elba is executive producer and star of this animated series set in the Sonic the Hedgehog universe. With voice assists from Adam Pally, Cary Elwes, Christopher Lloyd, Kid Cudi and Tika Sumpter. “Luxe Listings Toronto” (Prime): Follows one of the most cutthroat real estate markets on the planet, showcasing high-stakes multimillion-dollar listings in Canada’s largest city. “Hack Your Health: The Secrets of Your Gut” (Netflix): “2024 NFL Draft” (ABC): USC’s Caleb Wiliams is expected to be the first pick.
April 28 – “WWE Rivals” (A&E): “Stone Cold” Steve Austin vs. Booker T “Unsung” (TV1): “Hip Hop DJ Special” “Uncensored” (TV1): Irv Gotti
April 30 – “The Veil” (FX on Hulu): Elizabeth Moss (“The Handmaid’s Tale”) stars in this dramatic series that explores the surprising and fraught relationship between two women who play a deadly game of truth and lies on the road from Istanbul to Paris and London. “The View” (ABC): John Leguizamo “The Express Way with Dulé Hill” (PBS): “Appalachia”
May 1 – “Kelly Clarkson” (Syn): Whoopi Goldberg “20/20” (ABC): In “Prisoner in Russia: The Brittney Griner Interview,” the WNBA star talks candidly for the first time to Robin Roberts about her grueling 10-month detainment.
May 2 – “The Idea of You” (Prime): Robinne Lee’s romantic novel is adapted to star Anne Hathaway and Nicholas Galitzine. “A Man In Full” (Netflix): Facing relentless foes and sudden bankruptcy, an Atlanta real estate tycoon must claw his way back to the top when his empire begins to crumble in this series starring Jeff Daniels, Diane Lane, Chanté Adams, Sarah Jones, William Jackson Harper, and Lucy Liu. “Selena + Restaurant” (Food): Selena Gomez heads out of her home kitchen and into the professional kitchens of some of LA’s hottest restaurants. Over six episodes, chefs Shirley Chung, Keith Corbin, Stephanie Izard, Andrew & Michelle Muñoz, Wolfgang Puck and Marcel Vigneron will teach and test Selena to see how quickly she can learn the ropes with the ultimate goal of creating a dish good enough to make each restaurant’s menu.
END QUOTE: “So my thing is this, while we’re living this one, one physical life, let’s get all out of life while we can, let’s have all the fun we can while we can. Because when we die, we become nothing but memories. But we wanna be the most positive memories, the most influential memories, the most innovative memories, you know, the most positive memories that’s talked about years after our death.” – FLAVOR FLAV to CNN
As featured in the Los Angeles Wave and Independent, Tasty Clips is one of the leading entertainment columns in the nation, serving nearly one million weekly readers. Bill Vaughan may be reached attastyclips@yahoo.com, via Twitter @tastyclips, or Instagram @tasty_clips.
