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DISILGOLDSOUL MAN OF THE MONTH

Djimon Honsou

Djimon Hounsou

The Never Back Down Interview

with Kam Williams

Headline: Djimon Announces Plans to Pop the Question

Born in Cotonou, Benin on April 24, 1964, Djimon Gaston Hounsou emigrated from West Africa to Paris at the age of 13 to Paris with his brother Edmund. Homeless, the strikingly-handsome 6'4" hunk led a hand-to-mouth existence, till he was discovered by French fashion designer Thierry Mugler who hired him as a runway model.

After spending time strutting up catwalks all across Europe, Djimon made his way to Hollywood to take a shot at showbiz. He first found work in music videos, appearing in everything from Paula Abdul's "Straight Up" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iu4NcgQZucE) to Madonna's "Express Yourself" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMt53HYkfY8). His big break came in 1997 when Steven Spielberg cast him in Amistad as Cinque, the lion-hearted, slave revolt leader.

Djimon subsequently received critical acclaim for his work with Russell Crowe in Gladiator and then opposite Kate Hudson in The Four Feathers before landing Academy Award nominations for In America ad Blood Diamond. The versatile thespian has also appeared in Eragon, Biker Boyz, Tomb Raider 2, Constantine, Beauty Shop and The Island.

Last year, Djimon returned to modeling, showing off his hot chocolate bod in Calvin Klein's international underwear campaign. Apparently, someone does get between him and his Calvins, however, since for the first time in his career, Hounsou has been landing in the tabloids, all because he's been romantically linked to Kimora Lee Simmons, President of Baby Fat Fashions and ex-wife of hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons. Despite rumors that Kimora might be pregnant with little Djimon, Jr., the couple were not yet ready to make an announcement at the recent premiere of Djimon's new picture, Never Back Down.

KW: Hey, Djimon, thanks for the time.

DH: Absolutely, thank you. How you been?

KW: Great. I don't know if you remember the first time we spoke, but my son knew where Benin was, and you told him he was a very bright boy.

DH: Oh, yeah, that's right. How's he doing?

KW: He's doing very well, thanks. He's a freshman at Princeton University.

DH: See, he is very smart.

KW: Thanks. What interested you in playing this character, Jean Roqua, in Never Back Down?

DH: If anything, my love of the sport. That was my special attraction to the story. Beyond that, the challenge of portraying Roqua who had some demons that he needed to face and deal with. Plus, I liked his relationship with the young men and women coming of age who were having a hard time dealing with their own issues and trying to overcome them.

KW: I was really pleasantly surprised by this film. Going in, I was expecting it to be just a remake of The Karate Kid, but it really stands on its own. Plus, as usual, you bring a certain presence to the film that elevates the whole production.

DH: Well, like I said, started with my love of mixed martial arts. I was hoping that I would come across a venue with that as a theme. Then, the producers sat down with me and convinced me that it would be a great story.

KW: So, was your love of martial arts as a fan or as a participant?

DH: Well, it was mostly as a fan that I was drawn to the project, but I'd also taken classes. So, I already had a great affinity for the sport.

KW: What did you have to do in preparation for the role?

DH: A lot of training, obviously. There was so much that I had to learn about the sport. One of the things that came in handy was the fact that I had studied kung fu and boxing for so many years while growing up in France. When I came to America, I didn't really pursue them as heavily, but I definitely continued to appreciate a whole new aspect of the sport, which was mixed martial arts.

KW: I knew you'd been a model in France, but I never knew you studied martial arts?

DH: Yes, I did. Even while modeling, I was still practicing kung fu, and boxing, as sports.

KW: Was there anyone that you based Jean Roqua on?

DH: There's a certain spirituality that comes as a result of practicing the sport for a long time. What I was looking for was certainly someone with the right demeanor. So, I watched Royce Gracie (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zY6OYSbGRQQ) and the Gracie family. The Gracies were known to be the best in Jiu-Jitsu, especially in mixed martial arts. That name resonates with anybody who knows about mixed martial arts. Royce is the man, because of his understanding of the forces of nature, the spirituality, and the mental discipline that comes as a result of needing to survive this training.

KW: What sort of diet, exercise regimen and spiritual path do you follow?

DH: Meditation, mostly. The work that we do, you really need to keep yourself centered while you're in the process of it. It's very difficult.

KW: I can imagine, especially because you're always on the road, living in trailers for long stretches at a time, and not always having access to the healthiest of food.

DH: Yeah, plus you're going back and forth between movie sets, and having whole new groups of people that you're dealing with on a daily basis. It may seem glamorous, but it's really hard to remain centered when you're hopping from place to place. It's very challenging.

KW: I see you've recently returned to modeling for Calvin Klein.

DH: [Chuckles] Why not? If anything, Calvin Klein is the iconic company in terms of fashion. They do have iconic images for their campaigns. They shot it so beautifully.

KW: When is your next film, Push, coming out?

DH: I actually just wrapped Push. But that has so many special effects, that I think there will be quite a bit of time before it's released.

KW: You and Kimora looked like quite the loving couple at the Never Back Down premiere. Are you planning to pop the question any time soon?

DH: Uh, well, you know, she's the best candidate. So, eventually, yeah.

KW: Congratulations! Would you describe yourself as happy?

DH: Yes, very fulfilled.

KW: I call that the Columbus Short question, because he told me that no interviewer ever asks him that.

DH: Yes, no one does, actually. Yes, I am happy, and I have many reasons to be extra-happy nowadays. Life is calm, and the career is good and taking its course. And things are moving, things are moving ahead.

KW: Is there any question that nobody ever asks you, that you wish someone would?

DH: [Laughs] Yeah, I remember that question. You've asked me that before. You've caught me off-guard again.

KW: What message do you want people to come away with from Never Back Down?

DH: That we all have our issues, that no one gets away from facing their own issues, so that we can advance. Nothing is given lightly, and everything has a repercussion, as you're evolving. And, if anything, the sport itself is a great training, not only physically, but the mental discipline that it requires. The gym can serve as an excellent place where kids, and young men and women can really empty their issues right on the floor. It's amazing the spirituality that you get as a result of practicing and enjoying the sport. That's another plus.

KW: Well, thanks again for the interview, Djimon. I really appreciate it.

DH: You're most welcome. I want to know what's going on with your son. Don't forget to remind me next time, okay?

KW: Absolutely, best of luck with the film, your family, and all your endeavors.

DH: Thank you very much, sir. Until the next time. Take care.

Marcus Patrick

The Descent Interview
with Kam Williams

Headline: Renaissance Hunk

Born in Bath, England on June 5, 1974, Marcus Patrick is of Cherokee, Jamaican, Cuban, English, Irish and French extraction. In addition to acting, Marcus is the former Heavyweight British Tae Kwon Do Champion and a 2nd degree Black Belt. At the age of 17 he was discovered by "American Idol" judge Simon Cowell who instantly signed the promising talent on as a member of the international boy band Worlds Apart. After touring for several years, Marcus turned his attention to acting in order to pursue his dream of following in the footsteps of his childhood idol, Bruce Lee. So, he then moved to America and began studying acting, first in New York, then, in Hollywood.

Soon, he encountered success both on TV and in movies, appearing in a number of commercials, sitcoms, soaps and finally theatrically-released films. On television, he guest-starred on "CSI Miami", "My Wife and Kids" and "Beyond the Break". But a critically-acclaimed stint playing bad boy Jamal Cudahy on the popular daytime soap "All My Children" served to turn Marcus Patrick into a household name.

On the big screen, Marcus recently co-starred opposite Rosario Dawson last year in the lead role of Adrian in the psychological suspense thriller "Descent." Meanwhile, also in 2007, he was seen in "Dirty Laundry", "Love and Other Four Letter Words" and "I Do I Did."

As for upcoming projects, Marcus has been tapped by world-renowned Marvel Comics animator and writer Stan Lee to star as his first black superhero in the upcoming feature presently known as The Untitled Stan Lee Project. No stranger to controversy, the handsome hunk posed for the September 2007 Playgirl Magazine cover story, which included a nude photo spread. This ostensibly led to Marcus' being fired from the daytime soap opera "Days of Our Lives," where he had been enjoying a recurring role as Jett Carver.

Here, forthcoming Marcus reflects on all of the above and more.

KW: Hi Marcus, thanks for the time.MP: You're welcome.

KW: You have such a diverse ethnic background, being a combination of Native-American, Jamaican, Cuban, English, Irish and French. How do you think of yourself, as British, as black, as a comblinasian as Tiger Woods says, or as all of the above?

MP: I think of myself as a being on Earth. We all came from Africa according to the most credible research, so we are all one!

KW: You were discovered at 17 by American Idol's Simon Cowell. Is he as mean in real life as he is on TV?

MP: He was cool to me. He had a lot of faith in me. But he can be pretty harsh on other people. I once saw him cus sout a fellow band member with his upper crust British accent and I had to Laugh.

KW: What was it like suddenly being famous as a teenager and touring the world with Worlds Apart?

MP: It was a bizarre experience, with so many stories. It was a good training ground for the future that lay ahead for me. I knew the band and the music wasn't for me but I saw it as a good apprentice vehicle. Now the music I write comes from my heart. If I don't feel it, I don't sing it.

KW: The group's big hit, Heaven Must Be Missing an Angel, was remake of a song originally done by Tavares. Ironically, a friend of mine played piano for Tavares back then.

MP: Yeah we were doing those songs from all the great bands and not really doing the best job of them, so it felt like we were pretty useless at the time. I felt embarrassed often when performing because I didn't believe in the product we were pushing. Tavares was an amazing band, we were just a couple of teens making a mess on stage. [Laughs]

KW: How did you find enough time to train at Tae Kwon Do to become the British heavyweight champ?

MP: My father was a karate teacher, so I trained since I was five years old with him. He made me do gymnastics, piano, swimming, and karate. Every day, I had an after school activity. He didn't want me to end up in a gang. I appreciate him more than he knows. So, when I was fifteen, I became junior champion and British champion. When I was 16, I became the men's heavyweight champion. I had a big advantage because from starting so young, I was a natural fighter. The irony of it all was that I began to feel remorse for those who I had hurt during competition, and I realized I no longer wished to hurt other men for my ego's needs. I wished to instead help empower men the way Ghandi, and Martin Luther King would have. That's when I knew the fight game was no longer for me.KW: What made you give up singing for acting?

MP: The business in music can be a rough one, especially if you come from a small town, as I did. I found the business to lack integrity and I had no idea how to handle that at such a young age. So, I quit for a while and decided I would only do things for my own pleasure. Years later, I felt inspired to write songs again and do it the right way this time out the gate, I'm a man now who's seen the world, not a little boy from a small village. Acting is a fun passion of mine. I will tell many stories in the future to help awaken the world to issues we need to tackle as a race on earth. And I plan to have fun with it too!

KW: Why did you decide to relocate to Hollywood?

MP: Hollywood is the Mecca for entertainment; it was the natural place for me.
KW: Jimmy B., Jimmy Bayan, realtor to the stars, wants to know where in L.A. you live?

MP: I live in Canoga Park/Woodland Hills and I love my neighborhood. Right next to the biggest mall I've ever seen and my favorite restaurant, 'Follow Your Heart'.

KW: You've had recurring roles on three soap operas: Passions, All My Children and Days of Our Lives. Do you feel in danger of being typecast as a soap opera actor?

MP: Not at all, my four films releasing this year are very different, not at all that soapy style writing. I had fun with he soaps, met the fans, now they can follow me into the TV and film world.

KW: On the big screen, you were recently in Descent which just came out on DVD. The movie didn't do well at the box-office, despite critical acclaim. I gave it four stars. Without giving anything away, how would you describe your role in the film?

MP: The movie was given a limited release in theaters due to its graphic sexual content. It's a shocking movie, and my role is the big shocker. I really believed it will be a hit on DVD, and that people will talk about it. The content is so graphic and shocking, how can they not?

KW: How was it working with Rosario Dawson?

MP: Rosario was a pleasure. She is a free being... very focused on her work and very nice to all. She likes to explore everything and has little fear for anything.

KW: You were also in Dirty Laundry, which to my knowledge, was the first film with a predominantly black cast to explore the theme of being on the down low. What did you think of the movie? MP: As bad as this sounds� I still haven't gotten a chance to see it yet.

KW: What's up next for you?

MP: My focus is getting the Stan Lee film greenlit, so I can star in my first action film. And I have just been offered my own Web TV show called 'The Marcus Patrick Show.' Good title, huh? [LOL]

KW: Last fall, you were on the cover of Playgirl, and rumor has it that that's the reason why you were fired from Days of Our Lives. What do you think?
MP: Yeah, I think so. Those older folks are afraid of these things. The fact that I dance at both gay and straight bars is also a media scare for them. Silly, really, 'cause half of the daytime fans are a part of the gay community. I had no doubt that by embracing the gay community, I might have helped the dropping ratings.

KW: Do you have any regret about doing full-frontal nudity?
MP: I never did full-frontal nudity. We had a contract that stated no full-frontal. What actually happened was we were experimenting in the studio with silhouette shots and they promised I would be blacked out. The contract states no full frontal and Playgirl kind of breached it because they wanted to give the fans what they wanted. I just figured "What the heck? They probably did me a favor."

KW: Did you get a lot of new fans after appearing in Playgirl?
MP: Tons. You figure about two million copies sold, so I had a lot of fans writing to me. It was great!

KW: Why did you start stripping in gay clubs? Because you were fired for that nude layout?
MP: I've been dancing and stripping for years. That's how I pay the bills. It's also great fun for me and great cardio. I get so bored on the treadmill. Hey, I'll just get paid to do my cardio. [Laughs]

KW: Would you make a porno movie if somebody offered you enough money?
MP: Who knows? If they offered me a clean million dollars, after all taxes and fees paid, I'd become Dirk Diggler [the fictional porn star played by Mark Wahlberg in Boogie Nights] that day! [LOL]
KW: You're a handsome guy. Have you ever tried modeling?

MP: I tried it when I was younger. I just couldn't wait around for designers to pick me. So, I focused on my talent and passions. Of course, if campaigns come along now that would be great. They can use me as a celebrity model. I just love to sing, act and dance really.

KW: What type of exercise regimen do you have to maintain to keep in that shape?

MP: Well I hit the gym once a week. My experience as a trainer keeps me fit. All I need to do is a full body workout once a week. And I hit the track every Sunday with a group of friends and my agent Gar. The rest is my diet, really. I eat no animal products, so I really put no fat in my body. Other than vegetable oils. The dancing also really keeps me lean.

KW: You're a vegan. That's a pretty strict vegetarian diet. What types of foods do you typically eat, and what do you never eat?

MP: No animal products period. No meat, no eggs, no dairy and no animal flesh. I eat grains, nuts, vegetables and fruits. I love soymilk and cereal. I eat that in the morning and before I go to bed!

KW: Bookworm Troy Johnson wants to know what was the last book you read?

MP: "The Power of Now" by Echart Tolle.

KW: The Columbus Short question: Are you happy?

MP: I always feel great! Life is too short for anything else other than happiness. That's why I want to share my lifestyle with others so they can feel as great as I do!

KW: What question do you always wish someone would ask you, but no one ever asks it?

MP: How do we create heaven on Earth?

KW: Okay, how do we create heaven on Earth?

MP: Everyone needs to know someone from a different culture, creed, age, gender, and country so we can finally end this insane behavior with some goal to survive and start granting each other the respect of our spiritual being.

KW: What advice do you have for someone who wants to follow in your footsteps?MP: Follow your heart impulses.

KW: Do you have a website where your fans can get in touch with you?

MP: Yup! www.marcus-patrick.com and www.myspace.com/marcuspatrick

KW: Do you answer your own email?

MP: Yes I do! It takes a lot of time, but I have a lot of energy and respect for my supporters

KW: Thanks again for the interview, Marcus, and best of luck.

MP: You're very welcome! I appreciate your time and interest in me.
=

Rick Fox:

The Meet the Browns Interview with Kam Williams
Headline: Rick Fox: Fair and Balanced
             Ulrich Alexander Fox was born in Toronto on July 24, 1969 but raised in the Bahamas by his Italian-Canadian mother and father from the Caribbean. At the age of 13, Rick decided to pursue his passion for basketball, and moved to Indiana, since the Hoosier State is so closely associated with the sport.
After high school, he went on to play for four years at North Carolina under the tutelage of the legendary Dean Smith. That apprenticeship served Fox well, as he ended up being the first round draft pick of the Boston Celtics in the 1991 pro draft. The 6�7� forward went on to spend 13 seasons in the NBA, enjoying a storybook career which included a trio of championship rings with the Los Angeles Lakers.
And his private life proved to be just as much of a fairytale, when he eloped with former Miss America Vanessa Williams in 1999. Although the union would not last, it did at least produce an adorable daughter, Sasha who is now 7, and an enduring friendship.
So, between sharing custody and Rick�s enjoying a recurring role as her character�s bodyguard on her hit TV-show, Ugly Betty, the couple has remained on good terms. He also has a son, Kyle, with his college sweetheart, Kari Hillsman.
            Since retiring from the NBA in 2004, Fox has turned his attention to acting full-time, appearing in such television series as Love, Inc., One Tree Hill and Dirt, where he played a homosexual on the down-low. Now, on the big screen, he�s landed a breakout lead role opposite Angela Bassett in Meet the Browns, Tyler Perry�s new movie.
Here, Rick reflects on his new movie, the NBA, the NCAAs, Vanessa, fatherhood, Obama and being bi-racial.
KW: Rick, thanks for the privilege of a few minutes with you.

RF: No, my pleasure, man.

KW: What was it like working with Tyler Perry, my pick as the best black director of 2007?

RF: Being a writer/director, Tyler is very hands-on, and very graciously allowed me to play a character he could have played himself. I�m grateful that he entrusted me with the role, and gave me a big opportunity in the process. And having watched his work, and now actually having worked with him during the process of shooting this movie, personally, I don�t think there�s a more dedicated person when it comes to storytelling and having his message delivered to his audience. He�s obviously been tirelessly working for a number of years on the stage, as well as in movies and on TV, and I love his humble approach of consistently challenging himself and wanting to get better as a director.

KW: What would you say is the message of Meet the Browns?

RF: I think that with all of Tyler�s movies, there�s definitely a sense of faith and hope that there�s something greater than ourselves that is out there in terms of support. This particular one deals with a single mother who�s facing a lot of challenges in her life, and who has maybe lost hope that there�s any support out there for her. She finds it in the South in her family that she didn�t even know, along with a man who�s trying to move through his own personal struggles. And on the love relationship side of this, they both step out of their fears of beginning again to each other. So, I think it�s just a message of faith and hope that, regardless of the circumstances you find yourself in, there�s still more out there for you, as long as you continue to push through.

KW: Landing the lead role of Harry is really a breakout opportunity for you. Were you at all awed by the challenge of acting opposite Angela Bassett?

RF: Oh, totally. [Chuckles] There�s definitely a long line of deserving and more talented individuals who are waiting to work with a talent such as Angela. But having taken my hands off the wheel a long time ago, and not thinking I�m controlling this path in life, I was blessed to be in this situation. I was definitely in awe for a period of time, but it�s like getting thrown into the deep end of the ocean. Eventually, you have to start swimming. [Laughs]

KW: So, how was it working with her?

RF: She really was like a life preserver out there for me. She was not only gracious and open, but teaching and sharing.

KW: I like how Tyler is so gifted at creating characters who resonate as recognizably real.

RF: Yeah, Angela and I experienced our characters that way as we continued talking to Tyler and worked through his vision of them and the message that he wanted to bring. There was a certain truth and realism that we wanted to have evolve out of the story. And it was easy to find as we went along, because his voice just rang through so passionately and so clearly.

KW: I have to talk a little about basketball with you, given the Lakers� resurgence and that Carolina is the favorite to win the NCAA Tournament. I wonder how many people know that as a teenager you played basketball in Indiana. Were you named the state�s Mr. Basketball while in high school?

RF: I was close, runner-up, but I did learn how to play the game there.

KW: Well, you certainly led a charmed life after that, playing at Carolina, being drafted by the Celtics, and then winning three championships Lakers. What was that like?

RF: Honestly, I couldn�t have scripted it any better. To have come from a small island in the Bahamas and to experience all of this is definitely a plan greater than my own imagination. I�ve learned to just accept the blessings and thank God for them, even here where I find myself working with Tyler after he nearly ran me over by accident with his car on Sunset Boulevard. I�d never met him before that incident and shortly thereafter we�re discussing a role in one of his movies. Serendipity seems to be a theme in my life in a lot of ways.

KW: And you married Miss America, too. I interviewed Vanessa for the first time last year and I was just so impressed with how grounded, sane and intelligent she was.

RF: Well, I�d have to say that I definitely have to credit being married to Vanessa with any growth I�ve had in the course of my life. We�re still close friends, sharing and having conversations about our lives and raising our daughter together. She�s been very influential in helping me grow as a friend and former husband. I appreciate and value that so much because, like I said, she�s been a huge reason why I�ve made great strides.

KW: Will your character, Dwayne, remain on her TV-show Ugly Betty long-term?

RF: We�ll have to see. I know I�m still there, alive and kicking for now.

KW: Who are you picking in the NCAA tournament? I�m just about to fill out my brackets and could use a little help. Let me guess, your alma mater, Carolina?

RF: [Laughs] Yeah, what was that, a stab in the dark?

KW: And who do you like to win the NBA championship? Let me guess, the Lakers, even though they lost to Houston which is on a helluva roll.

RF: Well, I�d like for them to get healthier, that�s for sure. And then they�d have a really good chance of creating that Eighties and early Nineties run that their fans got quite used to enjoying, including the Celtics-Lakers rivalry.

KW: �Realtor to the Stars� Jimmy Bayan was curious about where in L.A. you live.

RF: I live in Westwood, in UCLA country.

KW: And bookworm Troy Johnson was wondering: What was the last book you read?

RF: I�m reading a great one right now by John Truby called The Anatomy of Story. But the last one I finished was A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle.

KW: The Columbus Short question: Would you describe yourself as happy?

RF: Am I happy? I�m very happy, yeah.

KW: Is there a question nobody asks you, that you wish somebody would?

RF: Wow, I love that question. That�s a good one. I think I�d regret throwing out an answer to that one without giving it some thought. That�s a powerful question, man.

KW: I�ll ask you that next time. Who are you supporting for president?

RF: Being Bahamian, and having lived here all my life, I�d have to say that I recognize the historical ramifications of a Democratic change, whether it�s a woman or a black man. Personally, I would like to see Obama win, but I don�t think we would lose as long as either of those Democrats wins.

KW: Since you have a black father and a white mother, do you think you might have a special insight into Obama?

RF: Yeah, though I haven�t read his book, I definitely connected with the way he was raised, like I have with a lot of friends who are bi-racial and looking for a way to effect change in general. I�ve known some who�ve felt that the hope for the future of the world rests with the views of kids who�ve grown up in bi-racial marriages. There�s a tolerance that you see in folks who�ve experienced both sides, in some cases many sides, and come from multicultural backgrounds. Their perspective is not so polarizing in a black and white way.

KW: How do you deal with the fact that you have both a black and white background, yet when you walk down the street, people see you as only black?

RF: That doesn�t bother me. I have a comfort zone in whatever setting I�m in. People might perceive it as being na�ve, but even when I was the only black kid in high school, I never saw myself as anything but a human being trying to get an education. In the NBA, it was interesting watching the reactions of fans or coaches when my dad would come to visit me. They�d be shocked because he was dark-skinned. Then, they�d see my mom who was as white as the beaches in the Bahamas. It was always intriguing to watch the reactions. My teammates were much more comfortable than some of my coaches when my mother showed up. The different reactions gave me an insight about how various people viewed the world. But, personally, I found myself in the middle and was always comfortable, regardless.

KW: Because you were just you, and your parents are you parents, I suppose.

RF: Yeah, it�s like how Eckhart Tolle discusses in that book, A New Earth. He talks about how people lose the experience of taking-in a human, a bird, a flower or a tree because they�re living on the superficial level of labels. Instead of really stopping to take-in a person fully, they take in the label. I think that what I was blessed with by being raised in a bi-racial family is that I took in people and things as I experienced them as opposed to saying that�s a black man, that�s a white man or that�s an Asian man.

KW: I thought it was pretty moving after the South Carolina primary when the Obama supporters started chanting �Race doesn�t matter!�

RF: There can�t help but be more and more change, because more and more people have grown up around an interracial relationship. From that standpoint, it�s no longer such a rarity in this society, where most people, just a generation before wouldn�t even consider entering one, out of fear.

KW: What�s up next for you?

RF: Spending quality time with my son and my daughter during Spring Break is my focus right now.

KW: Well, Rick, thanks again for the time, and hope to speak to you again soon.
RF: Wonderful. Thank you.

Kicking off Women's History Month with a new actor on the rise for the ladies. Stay tuned for Special Women's Tribute Magazine mid March. Developing!

Disilgold: What inspired you to become an actor?

B.J.: As an actor, you have the ability to become a visual representation of an idea or an actual person in history. I�ve seen Denzel become Malcolm X; and Jack Nicholson, The Joker. I want the chance to embody a character that has the power to affect an audience the way these great actors affected me.

Disilgold: What new projects are you working on?

B.J.: As of this interview; I�m filming Slums 13 along side Mark Dacascos, Taimak and Akon. I�m also slated to play a character in a stage play for New Level Productions, touring this summer with Chico DeBarge. The next thing you will probably see however is my calendar, which we will begin shooting in the next month.

Disilgold: What do you do in your spare time when you are not acting?

B.J.: In my spare time, I like the company of close friends and family. I�m involved in other business ventures that take up a good portion of my free time. But I try to make time for the people in my life.

Disilgold: Where do you see yourself 5 years from now?

B.J.: Hopefully; happy, healthy and wise.

Disilgold: Do you have any advice to aspiring actors?

B.J.: Love what you do because the beginning is the most challenging time.

Disilgold: You have a great sense of style, what fashion tips can you give for fellows?

B.J.: Thank you. Um, I would say; don�t over think it. No matter what you wear, you�re not going to please everybody. Keep it simple.

Disilgold: What qualities do you look for in a woman?

B.J.: Ha ha! Honestly, I love a woman that knows how to be a lady. I love the woman that laughs and jokes and plays games; but I also love the woman that knows how to put on that dinner dress and heels, go out and be catered to. Its a beautiful thing to have a lady that lets you please her; um, cater to her.

Disilgold: What movies or actor's works would you recommend to the Disilgold audience?

B.J.: Morgan Freeman and Mel Gibson in my opinion are two of the best ever. For actors, I would also suggest Will Smith's performance in I am Legend. The movie may have received mixed reviews; but he made the audience feel the emotion of his character.

Disilgold: I hear you are going to debut in Tyler Perry's House of Payne, America's number one show? How does this feel and will you be a regular on the show or is the Hollywood Movie screen calling you?

B.J.: While there are currently no talks about my becoming a recurring character on the show, I hope to have the opportunity to be on the small screen and the big screen throughout my career. Different venues are proving to be a learning experience, and a time of personal and professional growth.

Disilgold: Most actors have a lot of preparation before auditions and casting? What casting tips do you suggest to actors?

B.J.: Difficult as it may be; try not to worry about what the last person did or what the next will do. Work with what you have to do the best you can do.

Disilgold: There have been a lot of celebrity mishaps. Do you think you will be able to handle the paparazzi per say your acting career takes off in 2008? You were issued an Actor of the Year Award for several entities which is major.

B.J.: Thank you. With any new undertaking, comes new responsibilities; I feel prepared for what lies ahead, and trust that those around me will keep me informed.

Disilgold: When you are on the next flight to a movie screening what books will you be reading?

B.J.: Mostly books concerning real life changing stories, like those of Robert Kiyosaki and Russ Whitney.

Disilgold: You've got to work out. What is your exercise regimen?

B.J.: I stay active a lot of different ways. I try to lift a few days a week; and play football or basketball in between time.

Disilgold: Where are you from and what is your nationality?

B.J.: I was born in Augusta, GA to an African-American Mother and European Father.

Disilgold: If you could say something to inspire young children out there, what would be your quote of inspiration?

B.J.: The life you live today is based on yesterday's choices. So make good ones.

Disilgold: The Disilgold Soul Magazine family loves Tyler Perry's books. Do you see yourself writing a book one day and could you share the topic you're contemplating?

B.J.: Certainly. Im keeping notes of my journey now. I think we all have a great story in us, and I think my personal story is the first one I want to share.

Disilgold: Well, we look forward to your projects and possible literary works, but most of all wish you success in 2008. Will you let your Disilgold family know what you're doing and all about your tour upcoming or how fans can keep in touch? Do you have a MYSPACE site?

B.J.: Of course; all of my movie, television and tour information you can find on myspace at www.myspace.com/bradjamestheactor. Also I can be found at www.IMDB.com the Internet Movie Data Base. Just search for my name and click on the picture.

Disilgold: Thanks so much Brad for granting Disilgold an interview away from your busy schedule.

B.J: It�s been my pleasure. So, this means Im in the Disilgold family, right?

Disilgold: This is an honor for us. I sense a multi-talented actor on the rise who is going to make major moves within the next few years. Wishing you much continued success from the fam. Please keep us informed of all great happenings.

Sean "Diddy" Combs
A Raisin in the Sun
Interview with Kam Williams

Headline: A Dialogue with Diddy

Born in New York on November 4, 1969, rap mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs is the CEO and founder of Bad Boy Worldwide Entertainment Group, one of the preeminent urban-oriented conglomerates. The company encompasses a broad range of businesses, including recording, music publishing, artist management, television and film production, apparel and restaurants. The 38 year-old, multiple Grammy Award-winner is also widely-recognized as a music producer, performer and solo artist. On the big screen, he's previously appeared opposite Halle Berry as her husband in her Oscar-winning performance in Monster's Ball. Now, Diddy breaks new ground by both producing a TV adaptation of Lorraine Hansberry's "A Raisin in the Sun" and reprising the lead role of Walter Lee which he brought to Broadway in the play's 2004 revival.

Here, Diddy touches on many aspects of his career and addresses the rumor that he's changing his name for the sixth time, to Sean John. Over the years, his memorable moniker has been altered from Puffy to Puff Daddy to Puff to P. Diddy to just Diddy.

KW: Hey, Diddy, how are you?

SC: Good; how are you?

KW: Have you changed your name again to Sean John?

SC: No, I didn't change my name. That's just a rumor.

KW: Well, then, what is your official name right now?

SC: My name is Sean Combs.

KW: Fine. What about "A Raisin in the Sun" made you want to bring it to Broadway and now to TV?

SC: You don't read scripts like that these days, especially for African Americans.I just felt so thrilled and blessed, that I jumped at the chance to do it. On Broadway, I was blessed with an acting coach who knew the passion that I had to become an actor. And she knew I was studying extremely hard. After doing a quick role in "Monster's Ball," she knew I wanted to take another route besides the clich� roles which you would expect of a rap artist that's transitioning into acting. She said, "If you really, really want to get serious, I have the perfect role for you." Then, she told me about possibly playing Walter Lee Younger, Jr. And I was like, there's no way I can do that. I'd never even been on a live stage. But she said, "You can't have any fears," and so I just really jumped at the chance to do it without knowing how difficult and tough starring on Broadway was. It was a dream role for any actor, but it was one of the most challenging things I've ever done as an artist, and it like truly changed my life.

KW: Did you draw on any of your childhood experiences from Harlem and Mount Vernon in creating Walter Lee?

SC: Yes. Ironically, some people think that maybe I may not be able to relate because I've had a little bit of success. But I feel I was destined to play this role because my father was killed when I was three years old and I grew up in a house with three women, my mother, my grandmother and my sister. I went through those years of having to watch my mother and my grandmother work two jobs and not being able to take care of my family and seeing the look on my mother's face when I would ask for things that she couldn't afford. And the stress we went through when I was going to Howard University and me just having a dream of being in the music industry kind of related to Walter Lee's dream of having a liquor store. Everybody looked at me like I was crazy back then the same way Walter Lee is treated in this movie. And so, some of the anxiety, the way you feel, the pursuit of the dream and how you're constantly hittingobstacles and it's getting deferred and how you just have to keep that passion and motivation and can't stop is something that I truly was able to tap into and relate to from my life.

KW: Why don't we see more scripts like this for African-Americans?

SC: That's a good question. I think that things are changing for the better. You're seeing African-Americans get more power as far as being executive producers, so I think a lot of work that Will Smith, Jamie Foxx and a lot of the black actors are doing right now are really opening up doors for actors like me. Still, there hasn't been an abundance of roles that really look into all of the dimensions of a black man, but I do think that things like that are changing. You don't see as many gang-banging movies as you used to.

KW: What about the original play by Lorraine Hansberry touched you?

SC: I hadn't really read another script where almost every single word from beginning to end means something. I think that her understanding of eachcharacter's motivation was genius. That's what makes this work still relevant today and so timeless. When people ask, "Why do this again?" I say because it's important that the story lives on just like Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet" lives on.

KW: How was it working with Phylicia Rashad, Sanaa Lathan and Audra McDonald?

SC: Oh, to be able to work with three incredible actresses that are so vulnerable and so real you can't but help tell the truth when you're looking into their eyes. It comes very easy with actors like that. You can't help but get better. You can't help but nail the scene because they're so believable from their years of experience.

KW: Diddy, did you speak to Sidney Poitier, who originated your role on Broadway back in 1959, in preparation?

SC: Yes, yes. When I got offered the role, I immediately called Sidney Poitier, reached out to him, because I just wanted to tell him myself. And he was very excited and he's been very supportive. He just literally passed me the baton, and we went out to lunch in L.A. He really supported me and gave me confidence, and so did Ruby Dee and Ozzie Davis. They took me under their wing, because they felt it was important to share this story with a new generation.

KW: By Jim Collins. Oh, I reviewed that book. I loved it. The Columbus Short question: Are you happy?

SC: Am I happy? Yes, very happy.KW: And Jimmy Bayan, realtor to the stars, wants to know where you stay when you're out in L.A.

SC: The Beverly Hills Hotel. But don't tell nobody.

KW: Mum's the word. Your secret is safe with me. Speaking of secrets, what is the secret of your success at juggling so many different responsibilities?

SC: One of the secrets of my success is my professionalism. I think, for somereason, a lot of people, are surprised by that. I guess I use it to my advantage because this is just the way I am. I couldn't have all of these companies running successfully if I wasn't a professional. I come from the world of hip-hop, known for the bling bling and the money and the champagne and all of those things that become very, very blown out of proportion. But most of the time, I'm just in my office working or in the studio. And when I do go out, a lot of things get magnified.

KW: Do you especially expect your character in Raisin to resonate with black males?

SC: Yes, definitely. I felt his pain because I was going through that pain and I think everybody feels his pain who wants to take care of their family. I think that's why so many people relate to this and especially to be able to tell this story from an African American man's perspective so people could try to understand the pain and the anxiety that a lot of African American males are going through, being born into conditions where it's like their life is predestined for failure. They're born into all the statistics on what they're going to become and how they're not going to become anything. That's very painful.

KW: What message does Raisin have for members of the Hip-Hop Generation?

SC: Oh, my. I think the core message for this generation is love of family and that, at the end of the day, when things are rough, and the chips are down, your family is going to be there. And to never give up hope, to keep on pursuing your dreams because this generation has gone through this story in more of a widespread way than I think it was like when the play was originally done. Now, it's not just African-Americans that are touched by this. Whites and Latinos and other impoverished communities are going through this same story. You have the line in there about "Money is life." That's something that this generation kind of believes because this is the world that we were brought up in. And I think this brings it down to that reality, just like it's brought a lot of hip hop stars, even myself, to the reality that there is more than that, that family is life and love is life.

KW: Do you like the fact that the film is coming on TV during Black History Month and at a time when we have history in the making with Obama running for President of the United States?

SC: You know, I think that the timing couldn't have been any better, especially given what happened, earlier this year with a lot of the racism that we saw trying to stick its head out. But America has said we're not going to have that anymore.KW: This movie's going to air on ABC the night after the Oscars. Does that mean you'll be a presenter at the Academy Awards?

SC: If ABC sets that up.

KW: Who in the cast of Raisin was the most fun on the set?

SC: Me. Oh, man, one of the things that I was able to do was make sure that when we weren't in front of the camera, we still kept our family vibe. I did the same thing on Broadway. It was a continuation, so it was a lot of work, but we had a lot of fun.

KW: You wear a lot of hats: actor, rapper, producer, etcetera. Which is your favorite?

SC: I just like being an entertainer. I just view myself as an entertainer and Ireally try to look at myself as the entertainers of old. They did many different things. They had albums and they acted and they also had some side businesses. I like entertaining people and pushing the culture of hip-hop forward, so that we can do other things that aren't maybe written for us to do that are not very typical. And maybe that way we could raise our culture up.

KW: Because you've broken so many new artists, I was wondering how you know when to sign someone who's going to be the next new sensation?

SC: I think that you know that was one of my blessings, so that's why afterall these years, I'm still here. I just signed a new artist, Janelle Monae, and it's just a feeling that I get. I just get this certain feeling when I see an artist, I can't really describe it. It's just like, you know, if it touches me emotionally and it has certain unique tones. I love vulnerability and rawness, but if you go like on My Space and look up Janelle Monae, you'll see my newest artist and she's really groundbreaking.

KW: Is music still fun for you?

SC: You know, I still do love music, but I am transitioning, you know, as an artist from music to acting right now.

KW: You're such a trendsetter. What do you have on the horizon in terms of clothes � anything new?

SC: Right now, this is one of the biggest weeks of this year for me because I'm returning to the runway for the first time in five years. I haven't been to sleep in like six days and probably got four more days to go, and I'm just finishing up all my clothes now.

KW: How do you balance so many responsibilities? Isn't it stressful?

SC: This is a stressful time, but it's a good stress. I'm blessed to have these opportunities and so I think it has a blessing. Anytime I get stressed or tired, I just think about how blessed I am even to have these opportunities and how so many men and women would love to be in my shoes. I just try to take advantage of this so more doors are open for other people.KW: Have you been able to keep up your exercise routine, too?

SC: No, I haven't in the last couple of weeks, but I have to. That's very important, I'm trying to get back into that.

KW: Thanks for the time, Diddy. Best of luck with A Raisin in the Sun and all your other ventures.

SC: Thank you very much. I truly appreciate you're taking out the time to speak to me. I just really appreciate it, thank you.

KW: Same here, bro.

Denzel Whitaker

The Great Young Stars in The Great Debaters

Jurnee Smollett & Denzel Whitaker

The Great Debaters Interview with Kam Williams

In The Great Debaters, Jurnee Smollett and Denzel Whitaker more than hold their own opposite a couple of Academy Award-winners in Denzel Washington and Forest Whitaker. These accomplished young stars deliver powerful performances portraying members of all-black Wiley College's 1935 debate team which won the national championship.

Born into a family filled with talented thespians, Jurnee's siblings, Jazz, Jake, Jocqui, Jussie and Jojo, are also professional actors. Only 21, she already has won a couple of NAACP Image Awards, both for her work on the TV series Cosby. Jurnee got her start at the age of five on TV, enjoying recurring roles, in turn, on such shows as Hanging with Mr. Cooper, Full House and On Our Own. By the age of 10, she had landed her first title role on the big screen, as Eve in the critically-acclaimed Eve's Bayou.17 year-old Denzel's resume' is practically as impressive, as he made his auspicious acting debut at 11 opposite Denzel Washington in Training Day. Since then, he's appeared on numerous television programs, including One on One, ER, All That, The War at Home, Teachers, and The Suite Life of Zack and Cody.Here, the gifted pair share their thoughts about their latest outing as James Farmer, Jr. and Samantha Booke.

DW: Hey, Kam!

KW: Thanks for the time.

DW: Not a problem. How're you doing?

KW: Great. How intimidating was it for you working with Oscar-winners Denzel Washington and Forest Whitaker?

JS: It wasn't intimidating�

DW: Because right when you step into the audition room, Denzel demands a certain level of professionalism. Also, he sets a professional tone, and a collaborative tone among everybody. Nobody's bigger than the rest. It's one of those situations where you can't be intimidated otherwise we wouldn't have made it past the first audition. It's all about being a professional and performing, although at the end of the day you might sit back and realize, "Wow, I just did a scene with Denzel Washington." I'd be standing at the snack line saying, "Did I really just do that?" But, at the same time, when you step back onto the set, and hop back into character, you're ready to shine a light onto a story that not many people have heard of. And so many little things are playing in your mind that you don't even think about the fact that you're doing so-called acting in front of Denzel and Forest.

KW: Did you have a sense, as you were making the movie, of the significance of the story, historically? DW: No, I only really got a sense of its importance after the film. But I have to say that during the lynching scene you could feel the importance of the film, of what it meant to grow up during that era. And to feel what our ancestors felt. JS: Yeah, once I saw the film, I was really blown away by how impactful it was even on me, and I'd been there for the entire process. But while you're doing it, you're so focused on being present that you have to forget all the external stuff in order to make it honest, to make it natural.

KW: Denzel, given your name, did you feel predestined to act as a child?

DW: No, not at all. Acting didn't occur to me till about seven years ago. I knew who Denzel Washington was, but never did it occur to me that I had the same name as an Academy Award-winner. It didn't drive me to acting, but it's definitely a compliment when someone says something like, "Hey, you're little Denzel."

KW: What do you hope this picture will impress upon young kids?

JS: The film has so many messages. One is the power of the spoken word. We see it today in poets and hip-hop artists. The power of our tongues� The power of having an opinion and using your mind as a weapon versus using something like a gun or a knife� Using the tools that God has given you as your biggest strength. That was the ticket out. That was how we got to where we are now, because there were so many people who decided to pick up a book, and fed their minds with that kind of fuel.

KW: Next is what I call the Jimmy Bayan question. Where in L.A. do you live?

DW: I live in the South Bay area.JS: And I live in the Valley.

KW: Is there a question that nobody ever asks you that you wish somebody would ask? JS: Yeah, what's your favorite cereal? [Laughs]

KW: Okay, what's your favorite cereal?

DW: Jurnee, what's your favorite cereal?

JS: [Hesitates] Ummmmm, see, I go back and forth between oatmeal and Wheatena.

DW: And I go back and forth between Cinnamon Toast Crunch and Fruit Loops [Laughs]JS: [Laughs heartily]

KW: I like natural oatmeal, the grain that you actually cook.

JS: Yeah, definitely! Old-fashioned, not that quick stuff either. Kam, what do you put in your oatmeal?

KW: Soy milk, honey, cinnamon, nutmeg, a dash of vanilla and a dollop of butter.

JS: Ooh, you do it up! I put cinnamon, bananas, raisins and coconut oil. KW: Wow! That sounds delicious! I'm going to try that.

JS: And I've also tried it with some walnuts.

KW: Denzel, how about you? Is there a question that nobody ever asks you that you wish somebody would ask?

JS: Ask him what's his favorite song?

KW: Why, is there a song he plays all the time? I heard that he likes Rapper's Delight.

DW: Oh, that's something from my past that my cast members don't know anything about.JS: Rapper's Delight?

KW: Old school. I heard that you can rap the whole song.

DW: Not the whole thing, just the first segment of it. It was before the Kids' Choice Awards, the first one I ever attended. I was on Nickelodeon's All That at the time. They were like, "Okay, now we're going to bring someone up from the audience to sing Rapper's Delight. If you know this song, raise your hand." Everything was new and exciting, and I started waving my hand, because and I'd heard it once or twice on my mom's radio. Then all of a sudden they call on me and I'm just standing there with a dumb look on my face. So, I run up on stage and grab the microphone, and the next thing you know I'm rapping and shaking people's hands in the slime pool pit. It was cool! KW: The Columbus Short question. Are you happy?

JS: You know what? I'm immensely happy. I walk in a space of gratitude. I'm so grateful to God for blessing me with an amazing family and the opportunity to do what I love. I love what I do, and I'm so proud of this film.

DW: I'm very happy. I'm proud to be doing the work that I'm doing. And I'm anxious and hopeful that my next body of work will be as significant as this film.

KW: Do you know what picture's up next for you?

DW: No, sir. But having Denzel and Oprah put their hands on you, so to speak, is something special. After this, I'm just trying to see what scripts are out there. I'd really like to find more roles that are meaningful.

KW: Jurnee, you were Eve in Eve's Bayou.

JS: Yes, sir.

KW: So, you landed a title role pretty young.

JS: Yeah, I was 10.

KW: How does it feel to have been a part of such an important film at such a young age?JS: Thank you. I'm really, really proud of Eve's Bayou because we made it 11 years ago, and still people come up to me and tell me how much it touched them and how much they loved that film. It was also important to my development because I learned a lot on that set. I gained an immense amount of confidence from that film, and learned a lot about my craft. I'm very grateful to have been able to work with so many talented filmmakers and actors during my career. I've learned so much from them. It's been my college, in a way.

KW: Eve's Bayou was filmed at several locations around Louisiana's Gulf Region. Do you have anything to say about the handling of Hurricane Katrina?

JS: Oh God! You can't shut me up about it. My mom is from New Orleans. And all of my maternal relatives were there during Katrina. We couldn't even find my uncle for four months. We literally didn't know where he was. I had been there just four days before the storm hit.

KW: Have you been back?-

JS: Yes, the first time I went back was two months after. I went with the Children's Defense Fund. We went all around� to the Lower Ninth Ward� and to some of the freedom schools that the Children's Defense Fund is building. While there are a lot of people down there who are working hard, we're not giving them enough help. I can't tell you how many people I know whose lives have been turned upside-down. All of my maternal relatives have left, with the exception of my uncle. Everyone else is either in Houston or Dallas or Atlanta. They've been able to rebuild their lives, but not everyone is as fortunate. I could tell you stories about children who were supposed to be on medication whose mothers couldn't get their prescriptions filled for months, because of all the red tape they had to go through. I was like, "This is America? They did nothing wrong to deserve this." This was a national disaster, and yet so many children had to pay such a heavy price.

KW: Despite being young, you are very active with many charities and social causes. I know you were over in Africa working with AIDS patients, too.

JS: Yeah, I was fortunate enough to go to South Africa with Artists for a New South Africa. That trip changed my life, man. The stuff you see� and the stories you hear firsthand� I mean, that country has such beauty, and yet such pain. The spirit of the people is amazing, but there's still a lot of work that's just got to be done. It's so easy to take the things we have for granted. Little things like electricity, running water and a roof over our heads. They have to work so hard to get things we feel entitled to. There's hunger for an education over there. Being there made me realize what's important in life, and made me reevaluate a lot of things in my own life.

KW: Well, thank you both for the interview. I'm expecting even bigger things from both of you down the line and hope to speak to you again when you're working on new projects.

DW: Oh, we'd love to.

K.W. And a Happy New Year's.

http://www.thegreatdebatersmovie.com/

INTERVIEW BY HEATHER COVINGTON

Disilgold: Mr. Karter, congratulations on being voted as the YOUnity Reviewers Guild Male Calendar of the Year Award Recipient. What can you tell the Disilgold community about yourself that will explain why Disilgold has sought you for a perSOULnalized interview?
Keston: Perhaps, Disilgold has recognized my photos as a professional presentation of how serious and dedicated I am about my work, promoting the new web site over at www.KestonKarter.com and how I carry myself overall. I also, believe good people take heave to a man doing positive things and recognize his dedication toward giving his best to his audience.

Disilgold: Explain your latest venture to the Disilgold audience and how all is going?

Keston: Definitely the KESKTON KARTER CALENDAR 2007 is my focus. The sales are going great. In 2008, I plan to take my media campaign to the next level with spots on BET, radio and tv. I am also, doing print ads for Loreal�s men�s line of hair products, and in current negotiations for a movie called "Fiesta" adapted from one of Shelly Halima�s books.

Disilgold: What made you select the role, what role will you be playing and when does the film begin shooting?

Keston: I am playing the role of Chico. I read the novel and script and filming is scheduled for summer 2007.

Disilgold: How long did it take you to complete the 2007 KESTON KARTER CALENDAR? It is the best calendar I have seen to date since ALAYE MEN'S CALENDAR, and many viewers from a diverse audience agree. I see that you are advertising the calendar everywhere.

Keston: It took a course of 5- 6 months because I was working and traveling in between photo shoots. I had other jobs, and in LA, Miami. . all. while holding down a combination of 12 shoots.

Disilgold: Did you have to do any kind of preparation exercise wise for the shoots?

Keston: I definitely had to shed al bodyl fat and get real cut up.

Disilgold: Hope you do not mind me asking, but are the muscles real?

Keston: All natural. . . hahaha... (laughing)

Disilgold: Well, I just wanted to hear your reaction. So what�s the secret to maintaining those power abs Keston for our audience getting ready for spring break?

Keston: Humhumhum...(smirking) You got to go for that sticking point and pump up your workout, increase weights, go at it a little harder each time, and by varying up your routines because your body becomes accustomed to the same exercises and won�t respond to those exercises after a while. You know, switch up your routines. Eat the right foods! But� not everyone�s physique will respond to the same foods or same workout as someone else. You have to do what works for you and proves results.

Disilgold: What exercises do you do for abs?

Keston: I do three combinations of exercises each time from leg raises to hanging from a bar and raising my legs from side to side, but that is not enough. You have to concentrate. It�s all about mentally focusing on the exercise you are executing.

Disilgold: I can imagine that it is difficult for many people to focus, but you are very motivating. Thanks for sharing those tips. Are you doing a fitness DVD soon?

Keston: Yes, a Fitness DVD is certainly on the works!

Disilgold: Oh wow, that�s another million dollar selling product. So what were the most rewarding moments you have experienced while working on the KESTON KARTER CALENDAR 2007 project? It has got to be exciting to work on a calendar.

Keston: Well, honestly . . . it was stressful. I did the cover for the calendar in October and it was real cold that day with no shirt on and the water was freezing. Modeling looks glamorous, but it is not easy at all.

Disilgold: I am going to change the topic right now. Film and music are calling you. You look like a star made for the movie screen. How did this goal start for you and what film projects have you worked on thus far?

Keston: Film was actually my origin and how I got started. I was trained in theater and arts. My acting coach was Susan Baston. Many actors don�t have the opportunity to be taught by Susan Baston. She has coached people like Tom Cruise, Jamie Fox and Jennifer Lopez.

Disilgold: What was her method of getting you prepared for new roles?

Keston: She taught me to dig deep down into your past experience and regardless of your training, you have to bring what you have got to the table!

Disilgold: Is there any kind of role you won�t do?

Keston: I won�t do anything degrading, but I like a role that is challenging and shows my versatility.

Disilgold: How did you develop your fashion style? Your calendar has never before seen photos, and there is this one photo that just makes some of my guests heart beat of the Disilgold estate when they see your calendar on my office wall. The March photo in the denim vest with matching jeans is creative. Should be in a jean ad Keston....

Keston: (Laughing...)Yeah, I�d like that.

Disilgold: All kidding aside, the calendar is done with class. How do you know which photos to select and do you dress like you look in your calendar photos everyday?

Keston: Well, if you are on tv every day . . . you�re reaching a lot of people so your style may reflect a style to suit the mainstream, but when you are reaching the underground, that is not as vast so I would say the calendar really reflects me, but no I would not walk the street without a shirt. I have always been an individual. If I like the trend or style, I like to be the person outside the box, but different.... very simple, but versatile.

Disilgold: So where do you work out? Is it a real gym and how many days do you work out? I know many guys have a gym at home. Also, is it Unisex.

Keston: Yes, it�s a real gym. My gym caters to a unisex audience and its� open until 11pm. Sometimes I will remain active for 7 days straight, but other weeks I am there 5 days out of the week and either rest on the other days. But� if I do go to the gym on my off days, my workout is very light.

Disilgold: Well, the other day before the interview I was flipping through your calendar and I will be honest. There is this one photo I am not fond of in your calendar because you look like a real player. I hate that picture. I'm sorry Keston, but the other photos are real nice.

Keston: No, that�s okay. I am open to critical feedback and criticism. That�s how you grow and I hope you will tell me what photo it is you�re referring to.

Disilgold: Well, I am not going to tell you, okay?

Keston: Okay. (silent)

Disilgold: Now do you plan on touring and if so, what major cities are you planning to travel to or make guest appearances? And-- you know this touring business can be hectic. Are you ready for all blessings coming your way?

Keston: Yes, I am ready for my blessings. I have been working hard all my life, and I wasn�t born with a silver spoon in my mouth. I am working on the KESTON KARTER CALENDAR 2008. I don�t have kids so I am using this time to focus on my career.

Disilgold: Where do you see yourself as a model, actor, musician 10 years from now? Do you see the big screen, you on the red carpet at award shows like the Oscars or am I taking your journey too far right now?

Keston: No, you are not taking it too far. I do envision myself there. There are certain steps you have to go through, and for various levels of my career, I can say that I committed until I reach that point.

Disilgold: What tips can you provide to young males looking to break into multi-faceted industries as you're tackling and has it been a struggle for you? I know there has got to be some pitfalls in this business. You can be as honest as you want to be Keston.

Keston: Well, the first thing is what basically works for me. You have to be your support system. You have to believe in yourself, have faith in a higher power, and if things are to be and what you want in life is there, there is nothing you cannot achieve. You have to believe yourself. It�s hard being your own backbone.

Disilgold: What other projects are you working on right now and how do you settle down to work on them?

Keston: Well, I am currently in a short called "Guilty Until Proven Innocent" directed by Benedict Hadley. I take my work one step at a time. It�s hard to take on 5 projects, so I concentrate on one project or one character at a time.

Disilgold: Who are your top mentors that have inspired you the most? I know this is a hard question.

Keston: At the end of the day it�s hard to name drop. I admire actors like Denzel Washington and Sean Penn, but I have learned from my experiences that mentioning the word, MENTORS, is a very prominent word. Basically, mentors are there for you and always out to support for you. They come and go . . .honestly!

Disilgold: That I do understand, but their impact on our lives is everlasting. When and what do you do to relax when you are not working? You must spend hours in the gym. There is a photo of you in the gym on www.myspace.com/KestonKarter . Is that how you look when you go to the gym?

Keston: Normally I have on a shirt, t-shirt or vest.

Disilgold: What are some of your exercise rituals for maintaining optimal fitness?

Keston: Knowledge,!Educate yourself before stepping into the gym.

Disilgold: Do you have a favorite location for just getting away and kicking back? Sorry to be real nosey, but that's my job.

Keston: A real location.? well.... uh... no not really . . .I guess my bed is the best place to relax. I am always moving. It�s real hard to say, but I would love to go back to Trinidad.

Disilgold: Do you feel it is important to pay homage to your heritage?

Keston: Definitely. I was born in Trinidad so I like to stay in touch with my heritage, and I love the sense of nationality.

Every culture has different ways of life. I am happy to be Trinidadian. You have to be proud of you, be a trendsetter, make your country look good. It�s good to have positive representation from where you come from.

Disilgold: I know this is a hard question. What three words best describe yourself?

Keston: This is a really hard question. One of the first things is "versatile".... (thinking intensely)..... "open-minded".... (without hesitation)......"very caring".

Disilgold: Are there any hidden jewels or talents that you possess that many of our readers would never guess? I hear you performed at the Apollo and are a musician. That makes you a triple threat now.

Keston: There is nothing I cannot do. I would like to explore different options, compose, direct. I like to think there is no telling what I can possibly do in this lifetime.

Disilgold: Where can folks buy your latest calendar and is there another one in the works? I think you have a multi-million dollar empire in front of you. Do you realize this and if so how are you preparing for this rapid success.

Keston: I do realize this and am I am already working on gaining international distribution for my calendar. People can purchase the calender from the distributor online at www.kestonkarter.com. It�s delivered right away.

Disilgold: Where can folks meet you and what city do you reside in?

Keston: I am currently in New York. I will start touring in LA, Chicago, and New York in 2008 and by the end of this year. People can catch me on and the calendar will be at your local beauty stores as well.

Disilgold: What have been some of your toughest personal obstacles you've faced?

Keston: Losing my grandmother in 1999.

Disilgold: I know that feeling. Sorry to hear that. Where did she pass Keston?

Keston: She passed in Trinidad.

Disilgold: Well, I see you respect and treasure family. Your tattoo on your arm in the calendar pays respect to your mother and I think that is real nice.

Keston: Thanks Heather.

Disilgold: Well, Keston...this portion of our interview requires brief responses. Are you ready to" Get PerSOULnal" Interview?

Keston: Yes!

The "Get PerSOULnal" Interview

Disilgold: What time do you awake every morning?

Keston: It varies....

Disilgold: What is your motivational fuel in the morning?

Keston: I would also say knowledge. I am my own motivation and motivate myself.

Disilgold: What early morning rituals have you followed for many years?

Keston: I drink a protein shake daily.

Disilgold: What are your favorite foods to snack on while working?

Keston: Protein bars.... West Indian foods, rice, pizza.. I eat whatever foods I want...

Disilgold: Do you watch television or listen to the radio and if so, what do you watch or listen to mostly?

Keston: Movies, tv.... all different types....

Disilgold: What is your favorite book of all time?

Keston: I would say....Morning, Noon and Night by Sidney Sheldon.

Disilgold: What is your favorite male and female actor/actress of all time?

Keston: Denzel Washington.....hum.... I have to get back to you on that one.

Disilgold: Do you plan on writing a book soon?

Keston: I definitely will write a book!

Disilgold: What is your everyday outfit?

Keston: I wear whatever I am feeling that day.

Disilgold: What is your best memory?

Keston: My mother holding me in her arms in Trinidad.....and rocking me back and forth as a kid.

Disilgold: If you could inspire a child, what would you say?

Keston: Definitely to believe in yourself. You can be whatever you want to be. You can do it, and whether it�s a scientist, doctor, lawyer. Don�t let anybody tell you different!

Disilgold: What is your favorite motto?

Keston: There are a quotes on the calendar that are my favorite. The calendar is a major reflection of who I am. I put more time in finding the right quotes than anything. This was important to me.

Disilgold: Yes, that is what I noticed firsthand. The first quote is from James Langston Hughes and than there is MAYA. I was truly inspired. What is your favorite time to relax and stop working?

Keston: When my work is done.

Disilgold: Share a secret noone knew until now.

Keston: Wow... I don�t know.. That�s a hard one. I will have to come back to that one.

Disilgold: Who do you get compared to the most and why?

Keston: Arghhh...

Disilgold: Keston, you grunt like those guys at the gym...I am adding your personality to this question and letting it be known that you�ve been doing this before every question of this interview.

Keston: Hahahaha... well, I get compared to Christian Keyes or Shemar Moore physical appearance wise.

Disilgold: Their weight fluctuates for roles. Are you willing to gain or lose for a role if need be in rapid time?

Keston: I will do what I have to do if a role calls for it.

Disilgold: What do you particularly like about the people you've met on your journey to success?

Keston: Well I have met a lot of kind people. KAMLA BUTLER is my agent. She is genuinely good people.

Disilgold: It�s great to have an agent and congratulations on all of the venues for 2007 and 2008. Now Keston, if you could leave a quote of advice to people in general, what would it be and to who?

Keston: My audience. Without them there is no me.

Disilgold: What roles are you looking for on the big screen very soon?

Keston: I�m versatile, but looking for roles that do not make it obvious that I am an African kid. I want people to see me by my physical being and range of abilities. I want to step out of the box with my acting.

Disilgold: What is your favorite thought at the end of the day?

Keston: Ummm, that I am healthy for another day and that things could be a lot worse.... There is always tomorrow.....

Disilgold: Keston I enjoyed this interview very much. In 2007, we branch into new media entities that directly influence the literary market, and what a great way to begin with the YOUnity Guild Male Calendar of the Year. DisilgoldSOUL Magazine wishes you a tremendously successful year and following. Your calendar has taken off and please let us know when the 2008 KESTON KARTER CALENDAR arrives.

Keston: I will certainly do that. Thanks for the interview Disilgold.

Reflections from Founder: It�s Keston�s Karter�s time to shine. Look out for him. Keston has a great personality, and talent in many multi-industries. He�s bound to reach the top. Support the Keston Karter Calendar at www.KestonKarter.com and send your feedback to possibly win a surprise media campaign sponsored by www.Disilgold.com. It�s all about YOUnity.

Disilgold "Get PerSOULnal" Interview with Tony Rose

Interview with Tony Rose: Founder & CEO of Amber Books

www.AMBERBOOKS.COM

The Man with a Million Dollar Smile and The Leading AFRICAN-AMERICAN Owned Book Publishing Company in the World. by Heather Covington They say people are drawn to success. Well, it is no secret that Mr. Tony Rose, CEO AND PUBLISHER OF AMBER COMMUNICATIONS GROUP, INC. (AMBER BOOKS, BUSTA BOOKS, COLOSSUS BOOKS, AMBROSIA BOOKS AND AMBER/WILEY BOOKS) featured at an equally leading site, WWW.AMBERBOOKS.COM along the lines of QBR.com, www.poetsandwriters.com,and AALBC.com, has courageously AND successfully paved the way for some of the most sought after celebrity BIOS and self-help books addressing current trends from weddings, make-up, hair, parenting and style to modern day love stories, and classy biographical books on some of the hottest entertainers to grace this planet from Destiny's Child and the late Aaliyah to Suge Knight and R.Kelly.The living legendary icon publishes books by some of the leading authors and compilers that are consistently in demand, still going strong, taking over bookstore shelves, gracing leading magazines like QBR: The Black Book Review and BIBR: Black Issues Book Review and readers are loving it.Tony Rose's books are sought after by teens, women, gift givers, journalists who want to find out the 411 on the latest celebrities, men who find books like only Tony Rose's publications can deliver and purchase at large chain book stores, and most of all, by those who appreciate the winning and eye-catching book covers that readers and bookstores look forward to placing on their bookshelves. Mr. Tony Rose's publications set the standard and by reading just one book from the many imprints, you'll be hooked on the diverse richness of literature to come along celebrating African American culture with trends and issues people want to read.We wanted to know more about one of the most respected African American figures of the publishing industry who owns an infectious smile that spells success, so we caught up with the mastermind behind books like, Aaliyah: An R& B Princess in Words & Pictures, Beautiful Black Hair, The African American Travel Guide, The African American Teenagers Guide, the Ebony Magazine best selling publication, Born Beautiful: The African American Teenager's Complete Beauty Guide, How To Get Rich When You Ain't Got Nothing-The African-American Guide To Gaining and Building Wealth and many more on Thanksgiving Day for a "Get PerSOULnal INTERVIEW. "Mr. Tony Rose's books are just as contagious as his smile, but when you read his interview, you'll see that there is more to Mr. Tony Rose's smile, and his number one publishing company of African American books that we have been longing to share with the Disilgold Community. To enter the mind of a leading African American CEO of the millennium is what the Disilgold Community looks forward to for motivation, a source of strength and as a role model of excellence. You can personally meet Mr. Tony Rose himself at The YOUnity Reviewers Guild Awards Annual Gala Celebration in 2004, but for now, get to know the man, the genius, and living legendary icon. It's time to "Get PerSOULnal."

Disilgold: When did you create your company, and what was your motivation or source of strength for forging ahead to become one of the leading publishing COMPANIES in the world of Black African American literature and resources for the community at large?

Tony Rose: Amber Books Publishing, the corporation's first imprint, was founded in January 1998. After I sold my business and retired from my first career as a music industry executive, my wife Yvonne, Amber Books' V.P. & Senior Editor, and I wrote a book about modeling, and ventured into the wonderful world of book publishing. That May, we found ourselves at the Book Expo America with a Small Press Booth, two books - Is Modeling for You: The Handbook and Guide for the Young Aspiring Black Model and How to Play the Sports Recruiting Game - The Handbook and Guide for the High School Student Athlete. Almost immediately, Amber Books experienced phenomenal growth in a niche market that established the company as the nation's largest African-American publisher of self-help and career-guide books for African-Americans in the World.

Disilgold: What were some of the obstacles you faced during the start up of your company and what success stories can you share that overcame these obstacles?

Tony Rose: I never considered my experiences with the start-up of Amber Books to be obstacles. As in any new business, it seemed like the financial obligations were insurmountable, but I had just sold my music business and had sufficient start-up finances and later I was fortunate enough to obtain investments from some of my supporters.

Disilgold: What are some of the current new releases that readers can look forward to or books that are still in demand that our community should know about?

Tony Rose: Some of our best sellers are: Aaliyah - An R & B Princess in Words & Pictures by Kelly Kenyatta; Beautiful Black Hair by Shamboosie and Afrocentric Brides - A Style Guide by Therez Fleetwood, The African-American Teenagers Guide to Personal Growth, Health, Safety, Sex and Survival, The African-American Job Seekers Guide To Succesful Employment and The African-American Woman's Guide To Successful Make-Up and Skincare by Alfed Fornay. Some of our upcoming titles include: THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN HANDBOOK & GUIDE TO ROLLING OVER INTO RETIREMENT��.. RICH by Denise Lamaute, THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN GUIDE TO SUCCESSFUL SELF-PUBLISHING by Takesha Powell, THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN GUIDE TO REAL ESTATE INVESTING - $30,000 in 30 Days by Larryette Kyle DeBose; THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN CHILDREN'S HAIR BOOK - How to Take Care and Have Fun With Your Child's Hair by Deborah R. Lilly, HOW TO DO AFRICAN-AMERICAN GENEOLOGY by Roland Barksdale-Hall, HOW TO BE AN ENTEPRENEUR: THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN GUIDE TO OWNING YOUR OWN SMALL BUSINESS by Paula McCoy Penderhughes, URBAN SUICIDE-THE ENEMY WE CHOOSE NOT TO SEE: CRISIS IN BLACK AMERICA, AND FIGHTING FOR YOUR LIFE: THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN CRIMINAL JUSTICE SURVIVAL GUIDE.

Disilgold: You are a quiet and what we call a silent giant in the industry, but one of the most productive people. At the same time, you are generous, recognized among many people of excellence. You have been awarded the Chicago Black Book Fair Publisher Of The Year Award, and The 2003 Blackboard Bestsellers Publisher Of The Year Award and you recently presented Mr. Max Rodriguez with The Glenn Thompson Award at The Phyllis Wheatley Awards in 2003 along with other top literary black presses owned by Haki Madhubuti, and Paul Coates. What has enabled you to find this balance in your life to continue to give and support other African American leaders of excellence. I am inspired by people with this tenacity and you continue to exude a powerful presence in the community that I must say leads people to emulate you. Now that we know this, please do not be humble here. Please share your sources of inspiration.

Tony Rose: I grew up poor and on welfare, living in a housing project in Boston. I had a little sister, a beat down, depressed mother, and a father who was in jail most of the time. I was very lucky that I was able to form a personal relationship with God, very early in my life, as I would have to withstand many obstacles and challenges inside and outside our three room project apartment. I began working at the age of six, selling newspapers, running errands and running numbers for the people in the projects; my earnings helped to feed and clothe my family. Hard work, discipline, a dislike of failure, a stubborn streak, a grandmother's love, an education through the G.I. Bill ��.and God are the steps that I took to survive and succeed in life.

Disilgold: Where are you from and where do you currently reside? Is it difficult to stay stationary as a big publisher and do you feel that your upbringing has enabled you to get to this point in your successful career as a publisher?

Tony Rose: I was born in Roxbury (Boston), Massachusetts, raised in the Whittier Street Housing Projects; and attended the University of Massachusetts and the University of California in Los Angeles, graduating with a B.A. in Journalism and English Literature. I've lived in and have maintained offices in Los Angeles, New York and Phoenix for several years. My upbringing gave me the will and the desire to move on, discover the world and become a major voice in society. When I was a child, I fought my way through many combatants ��.just to survive. My best friend became the bookmobile that parked out front in the project once a week. As I grew older, I spent countless hours in public libraries, where I found hundreds of books written about the African-American culture and experience; I also learned that many of those books had African-American publishers. Most of the books I found, though, were not about us; and I learned that while I knew a great deal about European and European-American culture and history, European-Americans knew very little of African and African-American culture and history. As I grew older, I became more and more challenged by what I now believe is my fate. I learned very early in life how to have no fear, to stay focused, to accept a defining moment, and to walk through it. To know when your ship has arrived, and to get on it. I believe that one should never fear or hate success.

Disilgold: What was Tony Rose like as a teenager and are there other talents that you don't mind sharing with The Disilgold Community that perhaps no one really knows, but can equally match your abilities to run a top publishing company?

Tony Rose: As a teenager, growing up in the inner-city, I had to fight many battles. There were gang wars (which ultimately became the name of my first album released on my Solid Platinum Records label). In fact, I escaped the projects by joining the military at the age of 17. After I came back home, I was fortunately bitten by the travel bug, so I got out of the life that dragged down and killed most of my childhood friends. By the time I was 21, I was in Los Angeles in college at UCLA studying journalism and working part-time in one of Los Angeles' biggest Black-owned PR firms. I also worked for RCA records and was a road manager with Cuba Gooding and the Main Ingredient which prepared me for my career in music as a producer, manager, music publisher and owner of my own record label. In the 80's and 90's, I founded and operated Solid Platinum Records and Productions, where I managed and produced, among the company's numerous acts, Prince Charles and the City Beat Band. I also recorded several other international acts, which included New Kids on the Block, in my Boston and New York City-based Hit City Recording Studios. Solid Platinum Records and Productions held production deals with Virgin records, Atlantic Records and SONY Records; and was the first African-American production company to have a production deal with Virgin Records. In 1996, I sold my music business to Unidisc Productions in Montreal and EMI Music Publishing in the United Kingdom and invested a portion of my earnings in Amber Books Publishing.

Disilgold: What events have you attended that were a major success for presenting your publications on a wide scale?

Tony Rose: The first show I exhibited at was IBBMEC and I'll never forget when I sold my first case of Modeling books to Brother Nati, owner of Afrikan World Books. I've also exhibited at, and have had great success at the Harlem Book Fair presented by Max Rodriguez, Chicago Black Book Fair presented by Donna Beasley, the Black Caucus of American Library Associates, Faye Child's BlackBoard Book Fair, Book Expo America, American Library Associates, Black Expo, Circle of Sisters presented by Inner City Broadcasting, and numerous other local and national events. Last year we traveled 125,000 air miles around the United States, this Year we'll do 90,000. We do get to meet just about everybody.

Disilgold: Where can people find Tony Rose today or where have people possibly met you for our readers who may now have flashbacks upon seeing you on television or reading about you articles?

Tony Rose: As an in-demand moderator, panelist and speaker, I recently participated in a panel entitled "Legal and Business Issues in Book Publishing" at the Black Entertainment and Sports Lawyers Association (BESLA) Conference. I was THE FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN BOOK PUBLISHER TO HAVE PARTICIPATED AS A SPEAKER AND PANELIST AT THE BOSTON GLOBE BOOK FESTIVAL'S "PANEL ON PUBLISHING". I know that we are the only African-American book publisher running television commercials which can be seen on The MBC Television Network. In addition, AGCI titles have been seen and featured on such diverse programming and publications, as: BET and The Today Show, The Travis Smiley NPR Show, Ebony Magazine, Essence, Black Issues Book Review, and QBR: The Black Quarterly Magazine.

Disilgold: Please share any reviews, awards or honors that your publications have received that will enlighten our community of the amazing success of your publications.

Tony Rose: I have won numerous publisher and press awards, including: The 2003 BlackBoard Bestseller's African-American Publisher of the Year Award and the Chicago Black Bookfair and Conference Independent Publisher / Press Award. The American Library Association's "2003 Reluctant Reader Award"

Disilgold: Where can people find your publications and what is in store for the future of Amber Books and the many imprints of the company?

Tony Rose: Amber Communications, Inc. (Amber, Busta, Colossus, Ambrosia and Amber/Wiley) Titles can be found in every African-American bookstore in America, as well as Barnes & Noble, Borders, Tower Books & Music, J & R Music World, in the nation's libraries and online at CushCity.com, Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble.com WWW.AMBERBOOKS.COM, to name a few. ACGI has completed a four-book co-publishing / imprint deal with John Wiley & Sons, Inc. and is in negotiations with JWS for several other titles set for publishing in 2004 and 2005.Black Expressions Book Club, the nation's largest African-American book club, has secured licensing for several ACGI titles, including: Beautiful Black Hair - Real Solutions to Real Problems by Shamboosie; Is Modeling For You? The Handbook and Guide for Young Aspiring Black Model by Yvonne Rose and Tony Rose; Pay Yourself First: The African American Guide to Financial Success and Security by Jesse B. Brown, The African-American Woman's Guide to Successful Make-up and Skin Care and Born Beautiful -The African-American Teenager's Complete Beauty Guide by Alfred Fornay, The Afrocentric Bride - A Style Guide by Therez Fleetwood and Langhorn and Mary - A 19th Century Love Story by Priscilla Stone Sharp. In addition, and this is an exclusive, we have been given the exclusive rights from Barnes and Noble to sell to 200 Barnes and Nobles directly, not through a distributor, but direct to B&N. I believe this is a first for any African-American publisher ever.

Disilgold: What is an average day like for you from start to finish?

Tony Rose: There is no such thing as an average day at ACGI. I start with prayer and exercise and end with a prayer of "Thanks" for getting me through the day. Everything else in between consists of meetings, phone conversations, travel, negotiating contracts, correspondence, promotions, publicity, editing, production, manufacturing distribution, shipping, re-printing etc. My day always begins at or before 5AM because I know that "The early bird catches the worm". One must begin the day early to succeed in life.

Disilgold: What advice would you give to the community at large of aspiring writers who want to get published or start a publishing company?

Tony Rose: Don't procrastinate. If you want to do it, do it. If you think you can, do it. There is nothing standing in your way but you.

Disilgold: Tony, you are an amazing soul. We look forward to featuring our interview with you in The PerSOULnalities Chronicles very soon, as well as excerpts in The Disilgold Soul Literary Review Magazine. This segment of our interview entails "The Get PerSOULnal Interview." Mr. Tony Rose, this interview segment requires brief answers, is very personal and will be revealed to a large audience of avid book readers and writers. Anything you say will literally be glorified and represent you for the life of Disilgold.

Disilgold: Are you ready to "Get PerSOULnal?"

Tony Rose: As ready as ever! The Get PerSOULnal Interview with Tony Rose!

Disilgold: Do you write books and if so, for how long do you write daily?

Tony Rose: The first book I actually co-wrote was "Is Modeling for You?" Yvonne and I wrote our flagship book at the many beaches in California. Other books that I have contributed to or edited have been written in my office or out by my pool in Phoenix. I have no timetable for writing; my main interest right now is publishing other author's work.

Disilgold: Do you have a favorite location for writing or working?

Tony Rose: My New York office overlooks the Hudson River and the Statue of Liberty; my Phoenix office has a scenic view of South Mountain. How can I go wrong, wherever I'm at.

Disilgold: How do you organize your day?

Tony Rose: Despite the outcome, I do have a pattern. I'm up at 5AM, exercise, eat a light breakfast, check my emails, return correspondence, check phone messages, return calls, from which point on, no day is the same.

Disilgold: What three words best describe your CEO personality?

Tony Rose: Creative, cautious, caring.

Disilgold: What other hobbies do you pursue when you aren't working?

Tony Rose: Traveling - I love to drive or take the train across country, and cruises are a big hit with me. More than anything, I'm a big movie buff; and my passion for music and books is ever present.

Disilgold: Are you touring or scheduled for any live venues?

Tony Rose: I'll be presenting at the Learning Annex in New York City in January. Other venues are currently being booked, but I have to choose sparingly because I need to focus on running the business.

Disilgold: What time do you awake normally every morning?

Tony Rose: Although, I'm always up by 5AM, I probably can say that I'm awake by 4AM.

Disilgold: What is your motivational fuel in the morning?

Tony Rose: Thinking about everything that I didn't get done the day before and getting masterpieces (manuscripts) in the mail.

Disilgold: What early morning rituals have followed for many years?

Tony Rose: Talking to God, working out and eating light.

Disilgold: What are your favorite foods to snack on while writing?

Tony Rose: I enjoy peanuts, fruit, crackers & cheese.

Disilgold: Do you watch television or listen to the radio when you're writing, and if so, what do you watch or listen too mostly?

Tony Rose: When I'm writing, I might listen to music, but usually I just need to be surrounded by my own thoughts.

Disilgold: Do you have an exercise regimen to suggest for busy CEOs?

Tony Rose: I believe you have to make your regimen personal. It's whatever works for you. whatever feels good.

Disilgold: What is your everyday outfit?

Tony Rose: Usually, I wear slacks and a loose shirt - I'm not a suit man, unless the occasion calls for one.

Disilgold: What is your favorite time to put your business agenda to rest and relax?

Tony Rose: I wish I could say, but, unfortunately, I just play it by ear.

Disilgold: Where have you traveled?

Tony Rose: Europe and the Caribbean. When I had my band, we used to tour throughout Germany, Amsterdam, Belgium, Holland, France and the UK.

Disilgold: Where is your dream vacation?

Tony Rose: Venice Beach in California has and always will be my favorite place to go. It's so full of life, newness, art and of course it's always been one of the great beaches of the world.

Disilgold: What do you particularly like about the literary world today?

Tony Rose: Now, that little boy in me, who dared to dream, stands the warm embrace of success, lifted up and up, on the shoulders of those great African-American Publishers - men and women, who in our two hundred years of African-American publishing efforts, from the colonial to the present, have given the world and especially, the United States of America their greatest and most .accurate description of human anguish, oppression, love, life, joy and plight. We can now publish works of fiction and information that celebrate life, not just the struggle.

Disilgold: If you could leave one sentence of advice to people in general, what would it be?

Tony Rose: Find your passion and don't let it go.

Disilgold: Tony, we want to thank you for letting us "Get PerSOULnal" with you, and look forward to reading more of your inspirational and resourceful books. Please keep us informed of all new books features at www.amberbooks.com and enjoy your Thanksgiving Day.

Tony Rose: It was definitely my pleasure. Thank you, Heather, for all your kind words. You are an inspiration.

Disilgold Reflections:

Upon interviewing Tony Rose, I got the sense that the man is larger than life, humble, focused, very disciplined, light-hearted and still owns one of the best smiles in the publishing and marketing industry. Take a good look, the man has gone Disilgold. Stay tuned for upcoming reviews, and definitely take the time to read LANGHORN & MARY this holiday.

Get PerSOULnal Interview with JOE JAMES

DISILGOLD: Welcome Joe to the Disilgold Community. I just want to set the wealth of background for our interview if you don�t mind. The last time we spoke, you were producing the set of the Arthur Ashe Story at the American Restaurant in 2003. Your professional film crew and co-producer Rosette M. Union, along with actors and actresses selected by your scouts, made cameo appearances in the restaurant scene where you played Arthur Ashe along with co-actress, Jordan, who played Beverly Johnson with both striking resemblance. Actors like Sevoria Hendrix, Wayne Livingston, Shadonna Edwards, Douglas Walker, Morgan Wic, Wilimine Julien, Kervens Fonrose, Gwendolyn Washington, Joel G. Kramer, Mr. Lee Parnell, Jonathon & Anne Kalb, Brandon Hall, Niti Pong, Lynna Davis, and Russell Newland were entranced in disbelief because the scene seemed so real. There was a lot of color and Funk-a-delic wear that made me want to return to the style of the 60's and 70's. You have managed to hold onto the classic afro-centric look in honor of the movie scheduled to be released soon. Tell us how the movie is progressing, and your role up until the final stages of the Arthur Ashe movie.

JOE JAMES: The Arthur Ashe Story is in its final stages as we speak and is undergoing color corrections. It is a one hour and twenty minute docu-drama tribute to Arthur Ashe. My role consisted of directing, producing and starring in the movie.

DISILGOLD: This is a first, and to be commended. You are a producer, director, actor and may I mention a music producer as well?

JOE JAMES: Yes, I have a male singing group entitled, Angels VOP (Voices of Praise). They are currently unsigned, but we are in the process of getting them signed to a major record deal as we speak.

DISILGOLD: What titles can we look forward to listening to when your singing group debuts?

JOE JAMES:The demo currently consists of song titles, "By and By," "You�re so special," Someday We�ll All Be Free," and "The Presence of the Lord."

DISILGOLD:Are these spiritual songs and how many members are in the group?

JOE JAMES:It is a Male Gospel trio, or male version of Destiny�s Child. The members are in their thirties, and have outstanding singing talent.

DISILGOLD:Are there any other movie projects you are working on? I do know producers often work on more than one project at a time.

JOE JAMES: The movie I am working on is "Soul Baby."

DISILGOLD:What is it about?

JOE JAMES: It is a spiritually uplifting and moving story. It recognizes intelligent communication between 4 couples showing different levels of their relationships. I am also working on the final stages of Soul Baby, the novel.

DISILGOLD: Can I hear a little of the Soul Baby Soundtrack Joe? (Listening in) . That is remarkable! It reminds me of the cutting edge effect of what Whitney Houston's "Shoop" song did for the "Waiting to Exhale" movie soundtrack. You also, have a full soundtrack for the Arthur Ashe movie. Who contributed to the soundtrack if you don�t mind me asking?

JOE JAMES:Not at all. Alicia Key�s contributed one of her songs from the first album, Alicia Keys in A Minor. I have also written a song for Alicia Keys but it didn�t make the cut. I also conceptualized the other song titles songs, and put these words in a song such as Colored People," "Fight," "Prisoner of My Past," "Conceptualized Country Boys," and "King of the Court- RAP."

DISILGOLD:I was not able to be present on all of the scenes of the movie, but can you shed light on the other actors in the Arthur Ashe Movie?

JOE JAMES:Sanaa Latham�s aunt, Marlene Mc Coy, plays Arthur�s wife. Alicia Keys mom, Terria Joseph plays Billie Jean King. Sonny Rawlin�s nephew plays Arthur�s coach, Clifton Anderson.Cal Ramsey, a former Knick�s basketball player plays Arthur�s father. A little girl by the name of Madison, plays her daughter.

DISILGOLD: Is Madison a child actress?

JOE JAMES: All were contribution performances, but I do know that Madison just signed a 4 year licensing deal with 4 Kids Entertainment who discovered the popular Cabbage Patch Kids. Her new toy line is PUPPY FISH for girls 7-13 years of age. Madison, whose mother�s company is called Fortune Girl is only 8 years old. Her toy line which is based on her colorful artwork, will represent international stationery, gift wrap and apparel. Madison�s line debuted at the International Licensing Show in Las Vegas. Her mother is also, the head designer of Jockey's apparel.

DISILGOLD:That is amazing. I can�t help but to think of you as what Berry Gordon has done for Motown, and as what you are able to do for rising artists, authors, musicians, producers and more. I see all of these national contests for film rights, but you are actually placing everyday people in your movies with talent. I even got a chance to flaunt my make-up skills and apply cosmetics to everyone on the set for your movie and I thank you for that. You make what you do look so easy, but it is clear that you had a clear vision for what you wanted the scene to look like before the day of taping. There were many retakes. You dealt with lightning, positioning of the models, scenery, stage enhancements and direction in less than one hour. This was amazing to see, but yet, you were so cool, calm and collected.

JOE JAMES: It is easy when you are doing a movie that noone up until now wants to do. The movie is a beautiful tribute to Arthur Ashe who I knew from childhood. The growing epidemic of AIDS/ HIV is brought to light as a man who was loved and admired by so many was stricken with the disease in the prime of his life from a blood transfusion, but this did not stop the world from honoring him as one of the greatest tennis players of all time. The beauty of the movie is his wife�s support and love for him until his dying day. It is a love story of struggle, strength and endurance up until his last day. People say if you knew him, he was the truest of friends and set the ground for other pro-tennis players like Serena Williams as the winner of the US Open Finals. He was from Virginia. I was blessed to see him play tennis as a youth, and I am a tennis player myself. Some of his last words were, "I honor my wife for how she stuck by me, and she is and will always be the love of my life." This movie will set a different tone about Black men who are often depicted in movies as womanizers. Arthur Ashe loved his wife.

DISILGOLD: I just saw Oprah Winfrey's excellent production of the Zora Neale Hurston movie starring Halle Berry, and if this movie created a classic touch of desire for real romance on a tv drama between African American couples, I can only imagine the spark of return to romance the Arthur Ashe story will make on the lives of ordinary people on the mainstream movie market. The time could not be better. With Ozzie Davis's passing, we are reminded by actress Ruby Dee's life with him of the beauty of Black romance. Overall, movies require millions for mass production. How have you been able to market your movie to the mainstream.

JOE JAMES:The Arthur Ashe story is clearly a docu-drama. I am working on raising money with the right investors for Soul Baby.

DISILGOLD:Who is the editor of your latest movie project?

JOE JAMES:NY Film School is the editor. The film is expected to reach the International Film Circuit.

DISILGOLD:Will you do other documentaries?

JOE JAMES:I would like to do a documentary on Shirley Chishlom, and a dentist from the 1800's who was issued slaves to treat so they would be ready for the slave market, but instead, he took them up north to free them. A treatment has already been written for this movie.

DISILGOLD:I am looking at your photo, and you bear a strikingly similar resemblance to Arthur Ashe?

JOE JAMES: Well, I did professionally play tennis. It is a one man�s game so to speak. You don�t have coaches where you can run to and say what do I do. You can get a fine if your coach is signaling you in other games, but not in tennis. This is why Arthur was so incredible. Just imagine standing there playing as your own director? This is why I wanted to bring out Arthur Ashe�s talent. Will Smith played Muhammad Ali, Denzel Washington played Malcolm X, Jamie Foxx played Ray, and now Joe James can play as Arthur Ashe.

DISILGOLD: The only difference is that you are the director, producer and lead actor in keeping in company and memory of the spirit of Arthur Ashe and his greatness I would say. How did you get to meet him as a youth?

JOE JAMES:I met him at an exhibition match in Virginia when I was 7 years old. I was the only black, and he gave me a greeting like, "Wow!" I went like, "Oh my God," when he spoke to me and in all respect.

DISILGOLD:I understand this feeling. It�s like meeting Dr. Maya Angelou, but I got to wipe her tears, and walk her up the stage at the Phillis Wheatley Awards, and in my wanting to send her a photo of her big day, I acted like a fool, and dropped my thousand dollar camera on the ground. But-- with all humility, I feel blessed and touched by an angel. I write historical bios, and so, if no one writes her bio, I know that I will. You have done this nation a great service. Arthur Ashe's legacy will live on thanks to you. Was there anyone else you met as a youth?

JOE JAMES:When I walked into the US Tournament, Yannick Noah looked up and waved as well. I was the only black in the stadium then.

DISILGOLD: That is moving. And-- who would know as a boy all grown up now, that you'd produce, direct and document the life of Arthur Ashe. Who would have known this?

JOE JAMES:I am glad that the project is almost done.

DISILGOLD:You played Gordon�s father on Sesame Street. I said, I would never tell, but I grew up watching you, and obviously you were very young back then because you still look the same.

JOE JAMES:Well I started acting young, and just like Morgan Freeman who appeared in Electric Company and Lawrence Fisher who started on the Pee Wee Herman Show. I then worked for two years on the soap opera, Another Life which appeared on a Christian Broadcasting Network, and is still aired in the United Kingdom and Great Britain. I also was on America�s Most Wanted and did a lot of looping jobs.

DISILGOLD:Please give us one looping job that we can reference, and is possibly on video.

JOE JAMES:Okay, well do you remember the Pelican Brief?

DISILGOLD:Yes, I remember that movie with Denzel Washington.

JOE JAMES:Well, the part where Denzel is panting in a scene. That is me. Actors get residuals for this kind of acting and this is pretty much how I have been able to continue acting.

DISILGOLD:How can people get in touch with you Joe? The Disilgold audience wastes no time getting in touch with YOUnity Guild Award Members.

JOE JAMES:I will be away May 2005. I am scheduled to appear in Virginia to play in Hiram & Netty with Denise Douse. She starred in Ray as the woman who swindled him out of money and also, appeared in Coach Carter. We are both from Virginia.

DISILGOLD: What is Hiram & Netty about?

JOE JAMES: It is a Black Musical.

DISILGOLD: Well, we want to hear all about it and look forward to seeing you at the 2nd YOUnity Guild Awards. Will Joel Kramer be there? The last time we spoke, he was working on a massive company that produces over 200,000 products that could enhance the community�s media campaign. I already see some gifts I would like to order for friends and family. This is a major enterprise.

JOE JAMES:Yes, he will be there, and his website can be found over at www.kramerpromotions.com

DISILGOLD: Wonderful! Well we look forward to seeing you there, and we thank you for taking the time from your schedule to let us know about your latest project. PerSOULnal blessings Mr. Joe James.

JOE JAMES: Be well my sister.

DISILGOLD: What is your new book title, and what is it about?

OT - What They Want is the new book title and it's about exactly what the title says, what do women want from black men, or men in general? So I have a great looking male model who runs through at least 6 different women in his quest to figure out which way is up. Many of us men still confused by that.

DISILGOLD: How did you come up with this title?

OT - My titles are always straight forward. They basically state what the book is about. I don't have any ring-around-the-rosy titles. So What They Want is about what me and the rest of the guys have been wondering about our women.

DISILGOLD: Who or what inspired you to write about this topic?

OT - Life always inspires me to write my new books. And right now, it seems that women like to read a lot of extra sexy content, particularly with Zane on the scene. So with What They Want, I wanted to make sure I gave them those erotic sex scenes that they've gotten used to over the past 4-5 years in literature.

DISILGOLD: How long did it take to write the novel, "What They Want" and how many pages is this work?

OT - Oh, this is a big book, Heather. It just kept going and going, because we men don't get a chance to express ourselves much in literature anymore. Everything has been more about the woman over the past decade, and that continues when we still don't have the male readership that we need to validate our views. So What They Want is well over 400 pages of hot and sexy beef, and it took me a good 3-4 months as usual to complete it.

DISILGOLD: When is it coming out?

OT - We're looking at publishing What They Want after the 4th of July and the Essence Music Festival in Houston, so we can spark some extended fireworks after the national holiday. You dig me. This R-rated book is sure to get the sisters talking all summer long (smile).

DISILGOLD: What gives you the discipline to create a lengthy novel every year and how many books have you written so far?

OT - What They Want makes book number 14 for me, and I'm already working on book number 15 for next year, a new contract book. I basically have a lot to say, Heather. I don't have a music recording contract to sing it, and I can barely get anything published in these national magazines, so how else am I going to express the many things that we all think about. Books is my only way of getting it all out there to the public, and it also pays the bills.

DISILGOLD: How do you write a novel? Do you have to work in a special place or time frame and if so, how do you avoid distractions as most writers experience?

OT - I have a small office where I write on my computer, and I have always had a small office and a computer. When I didn't, I wrote in college inside the computer room and saved everything on floppy discs. So that's pretty much a simple format. We can always find quiet places to write. That's all that any writer needs is a quiet little place to allow their ideas to flow. As far as distractions go, artists are always focused enough to block them out. If you can't do that, then you better find something else to do. Because the ability to focus on your project is crucial.

DISILGOLD: Have you considered turning any of your books into a full feature film?

OT - All of us book writers have thought about feature film deals, but they don't come that easily. If they did, we would all have them. But I'm working on it. So expect something from me in the next couple of years. I'm making power moves out in Hollywood as we speak. I'm just about ready to blow!

DISILGOLD: You were the first Urban Black Male Authors to top the New York Times Bestseller list. Do you feel urban literature has changed since you started? Why or why not?

OT - Well, it's a lot more urban writers out here now that's for sure. I remember when I was the only one doing it in the early 90s. Sister Souljah had an autobiography called No Disrecpect that came out back then, but I was the only one writing about the hood in fiction with my first three books Colored, On White Campus in 1992 (now College Boy - as The Urban Griot) Flyy Girl in 1993 (the classic) and Capital City in 1994 (now The Underground - as The Urban Griot) which was the first drug dealer book. But now we have 5 urban books coming out every week, and they have officially taken over the black books business. That's a major change right there, because once I got on with the big boys at Simon & Schuster by the mid 90s, everything was about relationships and romance issues. Now the younger readers would rather have the drama, drugs, violence and sex, just like in the rap music business.

DISILGOLD: Do you read any urban literature on the market? If you could name one author only, who do you think is holding it down in the Urban arena right now?

OT - Vickie Stringer is the beast right now, not as a writer but as a publisher of urban lit with Triple Crown. The only one giving her a run for the money in sheer volume of street books is Carl Weber with UrbanBooks. As far as naming indivuals, there are just too many out there. But I think Terri Woods would be the most popular as an individual writer right now. She does her thing!

DISILGOLD: Your published books by Simon & Schuster are known to attract millions of young female readers. Your Urban Griot Series has attracted many college students. Who will What They Want attract? Does your book appeal more to the ladies or men this time around and why?

OT - The men only read after the women talk about a book, so it's always going to be about the sisters in the black book game. But What They Want will get more of the older sisters open again. They're the ones who are ready to really pull punches on solid relationships. A lot of the younger sisters are just about the fun of life right now. But those younger sisters who like to play grown up and read about hot sex on a platter will talk about What They Want as well. So this book will get them all open this Summer, Heather. Watch! You'll see. Mark my words on that. This book is What They Want. Plain and simple. That's why the title says what is says.

DISILGOLD: What makes your new book different from all of the other books on the market or works you've done before?

OT - Well, we haven't had too many erotic books from straight brothers, that's number one. I think women have gotten too used to hearing their own voice and their own emotions. How do they even respond to a man telling it like the hell it is anymore? Terry McMillan did in Dissapearing Acts with "Franklin Swift", which I still consider her best book. So women could use a man's perspective on things right now, and I'm the bold, bad-ass man who is ready to give it to them. So it's also what they need, an honest discussion with the brothers who will not be afraid to tell them the truth.

DISILGOLD: How do you think people will perceive your new book when they find out the genre is erotica?

OT - Erotica is real life, ain't it? If you're in a happy marriage or a happy relationship, there is most definately some erotica going on in your bedroom. Am I lying? So let's all be mature enough to deal with it then. I'm not writing about the make-believe, I'm writing about real life here, just like I always do.

DISILGOLD: Are you already planning your next book tour and what is the theme?

OTI - I'm planning on having sisters in the tour audience take The Survey this year so they can all figure out What They Want, and what kind of women they are. So this year will be a fun tour with me dealing with issues that women all want to deal with, "How do I find and keep a mate who is perfect for me?" And you'll be able to take The Survey all over the country by May and June, with the answers posted on my web site at (www.OmarTyree.com) when the book drops in July.

DISILGOLD: Your book, Boss Lady, did extremely well. Do you think "What they Want" will top your current sales for your current book and how do you plan to market your book with something fresh and new?

OT - Actually Boss Lady did not do theat well last year. But that's cool, because we're now shopping a television series deal from Boss Lady for when it comes back out this Summer in soft back. So it's all good. But we expect What They Want to jump off the roof with sales because it's 20 times more sexual. Boss Lady was about women in business, What They Want is about women in the bedroom.

DISILGOLD: You've been cited all around the nation at colleges, events, festivals, award shows top media and earned a NAACP Image Award. What does a a man who has it all besides top selling books WANT?

OT - I want more recognition for my work, number one. I have some recognition, but not as much as I would like on a national and international level. I want more readers too. I want feature film deals. I want endorsements. I want to write popular music. I want pretty woman around me everyday. There are a lot of things that I still want. I'm still alive, and as long as you're alive, you thrive for more. That's just natural.

DISILGOLD: If you could leave a message for the world to know about you that you've never expressed before, what would this be?

OT - I care, Heather. I think very deeply about the people, but I'm no statue behind a glass jar. I mean, I still have feelings and desires like everyone else. Like Kanye West says, I'm just one of the few to admit it. So don't crucify me, join me in truth and understand that everything I say is in honesty. I mean, we say we want honesty, Heather, but then how many of us flip the script and act a fool when we get that honesty that we asked for? That's not right. But that's how we live, ain't it?

DISILGOLD: Congratulations on the success of your new magazine, FLYY GIRL. I am hearing a lot of support for your work. What They Want is the last installment of your Simon & Schuster contract. Your books will undoubtedly continue to reach each successive generation of readers forever. So is this it and as far as novels go?

OT - Is this it for novels? No! NEVER! Writing books is still my bread and butter to express myself, and those film deals make you change a lot of shit. So even when I do break into Hollywood, I can see that I'll still need to write books to tell the whole truth. Hollywood just wants the numbers. And magazines want celebrity gossip, pictures, and quick information, so I still need to do what I do and write long, detailed novels to keep my sanity. I hear even Michael Baisden is missing the book writing game now. Book writing is the only pure way to get across what you have to say. And like I said earlier, Heather, I'm already working on book number 15 with a new deal to hit the table soon. So I'm far from done.

DISILGOLD: Where can loyal readers find you on the net and other numerous websites featuring your book tour schedule to meet you one last time just in case. Everyone senses the producer in you is calling.

OT - They can get that information from you, Heather (smile), or from my web site at (www.OmarTyree.com ) which I will be upgrading shortly. It's time to step my game up, you know. I also hear that the book web sites like Amazon.com, Barnes&Nobles.com, and the like, are just exploding with reviews on my work. So tell them all to plug in my name and check it all out.

DISILGOLD: Mr. Tyree, you have enlightened many readers and are a legend. Your name is already in history books. Please keep in touch and let the Disilgold Soul Magazine family know your next move. We know it will be grand. Thank you for this interview.

OT - Thanks for being interesting in interviewing me, Heather, and make sure you post that hot-to-death What They Want cover jacket on the site, and plug your audience into The Survey when we release it to the public in April/May. Peace & Love and keep doing your thing like only you can do it!

Marc Lacy- Author Poet- www.MarcLacy.com

THE LOOKING HEART by Marc Lacy is racing up the charts. This poet is taking over.

Author: Marc Lacy
Title: �The Looking Heart� � Poetic Expressions from Within
Web site: http://www.marclacy.com

Email: info@marclacy.com

Disilgold: What can you tell the Disilgold community about yourself that will explain why Disilgold has sought you for a perSOULnalized interview?

Marc: Honestly, I cannot say exactly why. But I do know that Disilgold is all about the development and uplifting of poetic talent which has illustrated �being there� or seemingly perhaps working hard to get �on their way there�.

Disilgold: What is your latest book about?

Marc:The Looking Heart contains 150 original works of poetry encompassing issues from love and feelings, all the way to acknowledgments (via ode) to famous people. The work is mostly accented with enjoyable flow and spiritual twists.

Disilgold: How long did it take you to complete your book?

Marc:For the independent release, the process covered about 4 months. Regarding the national release; maybe up to 3 months.

Disilgold: What were the happiest moments you have experienced while writing your latest book?

Marc:I think there were several of those; but if I must point out one�it would have been the moment my mother�s face lit up with euphoria when I showed her the completed manuscript.

Disilgold: Describe your writing style?
Marc:It�s hard to capture my style in a box. I like to write free-verse, blank-verse, lyrical, etc. It�s all creative writing. So let me just answer by saying: �LYRICALLY CREATIVE�.

Disilgold: How did you develop your writing style?

Marc:In being a dj, I have to listen to intros, outros, breaks, and at the same time pick up on the beats and rhythm of the song. Being that such is the case, it fuels me to write in a rhythmic fashion.

Disilgold: Do you have a favorite author of all time or someone who inspired you to achieve your goals as a writer?

Marc:I have plenty of favorite authors. But the one who strikes me the most, literally close to home; is my father, Walter Lacy. He has poems published in The American Poetry Anthology and is a very talented creative writer.

Disilgold: Where do you see yourself as a writer ten years from now?

Marc:I�ve honestly not thought that far ahead considering the immediate and near term tussles that a self-published poet-author must go through to constantly prove his worth to a literary society.

Disilgold: What marketing tips can you provide to new authors?

Marc:Travel, travel, travel, and more travel. Attend these major literary events as well as network with other authors in other parts of the country and world. Use online marketing as much as possible. Always believe in God enough to believe and understand that He believes in you. Understand that others simply may not see your work in the same manner in which you see it.

Disilgold: What other projects are you working on?

Marc:Wow. There are several irons in the fire. Just to name a few: 1. In the studio working on �Lost in The City of Poetry� spoken word cd.

w/ Producer Charles Owens � Touchzone Production and Publishing � Huntsville, AL 2. My novel �Wretched Saints� is in �manuscript mode�. 3. Collaborating with Author Shaundale Johnson (�Once Broken, Now Blessed�) of Dallas regarding a theme poetry cd for her book. � Dallas, TX

4. Uniting with Author Rhonda M. Lawson (�Cheatin� in The Next Room) on a poetic tribute cd track for her new book �Finding Isis� � Baltimore, Maryland

5. Laying down underground spoken word cd tracks for TAZ Studios � Atlanta, GA

6. Recently joined up with Booking Matters Magazine in Atlanta � Shunda Leigh
Disilgold:When do you write and for how long?Marc:It just varies. There are no specific times of day or for any specific lengths.

Disilgold: Do you have a favorite location for writing?

Marc:I like sitting in the loft with the tv or music going. Strange, isn�t it? But really, I can write anywhere.

Disilgold: What method did you use to write or organize your book?

Marc:I had taken my poetry that was compiled via electronic notepad, transferred it to word, and had a third party compose the manuscript after I had given them an outline.

Disilgold:What three words best describe your writing style?

Marc:Creative, lyrical, and thought � provoking.

Disilgold: What other hobbies do you pursue when you aren't writing ?

Marc:I love playing basketball and toying around with different musical instruments.

Disilgold: Are there any hidden jewels or talents that you possess that many of your readers may not know?

Marc:My first love has always been free hand sketching.

Disilgold: Where can folks buy your latest book?

Marc:Marclacy.com, Amazon.com, Barnesandnoble.com, Cushcity.com, and Cbbooksdistribution.com

Disilgold: Where can folks meet you?Marc:Booksignings, literary events, and certainly online!

Disilgold: What have been some of your toughest obstacles as a writer?

Marc:I guess, at times, being �the new guy in town� and gaining the respect of the vets. But that�s not necessarily a bad thing.

Disilgold: This section of our interview requires brief responses.

The "Get PerSOULnal" Interview

Disilgold: What time do you awake normally every morning?

Marc:I really don�t have a set time. But if I had to �guestimate�, maybe between 6:30 and 7am.

Disilgold: What is your writing fuel in the morning?

Marc:I can�t say because, I can be write all throughout the day.

Disilgold: What early morning rituals have followed for many years?

Marc:Prayer first, sometimes followed by a quick workout, then coffee and breakfast.
Disilgold: What are your favorite foods to snack on while writing?

Marc:Coffee!!

Disilgold: Do you watch television or listen to the radio when you're writing, and if so, what do you watch or listen too mostly?

Marc:I watch tv mostly. I�m into sports and documentaries. So most of the time, I have a game on or A&E, or maybe Discovery.

Disilgold: What is your favorite book of all time?

Marc:Autobiography of Malcolm X

Disilgold: What is your favorite magazine of all time?

Marc:Right On or Ebony!!!

Disilgold: Do you have an exercise regimen to suggest for busy writers?

Marc:I feel one can never do too much cardio or abdominal work.

Disilgold: What is your everyday outfit?

Marc:Different outfits for different days. I wear slacks and a dress shirt to work most of the time. Occasionally I like to wear jeans to the job as well.

Disilgold: What is your pet peeve?

Marc:Laziness!!!

Disilgold: If you could inspire a child, what would you say?

Marc:Trust in God and believe in you!

Disilgold: What is your favorite motto?

Marc:No pain�no gain.

Disilgold: What is your favorite time to put your writing pen down and rest?

Marc:No such time exists for a �mind constantly going Gemini�!!!

Disilgold: Have you traveled anywhere besides your hometown and if so, where?

Marc:New York, LA, Chicago, New Orleans, Dallas, Charlotte, Atlanta, Memphis, Birmingham, Montgomery, Louisville, Indianapolis�to name a few.

Disilgold: Where is your dream vacation?

Marc:Hawaii.

Disilgold: What do you particularly like about the literary world today?

Marc:Poetry and spoken word are on a serious come up. I pray that it receives its long awaited proper due!!!

Disilgold: If you could leave one word of advice to people in general, what would it be?

Marc: "Go after your dreams with the utmost faith and passion"-Poet/Author Marc Lacy

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Get PerSOULnal Interview with
Jerone L. Davison
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www.SpiritualFragrance.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Why Are The Majority Of Black Women Not Getting Married?

For Media Bookings, Interviews, and Speaking Engagements:
Contact: Jerone Davison Publicity: 707-435-8077
EMAIL: Jerone@spiritualfragrance.org;
WEBSITE: www.spiritualfragrance.org

What has ignited such a fiery passion in the heart of former Oakland Raider Jerone Davison Pastor/Author of the phenomenal work, "The Spiritual Fragrance of a Woman" that has motivated this world class athlete to write a book to women?

It's only been two months since the book has been on the market and already women across the country are finding its aroma to be a refreshing motivator spiritually, romantically and physically in regard to finding, developing and/or maintaining healthy relationships.

Many are comparing the books popularity to Bishop T.D. Jake's "Woman thou art loosed". Calls and e-mails have flooded Jerone L. Davison's telephone lines and email box from everywhere for autographed book orders. The book is popular among young adults, women groups, singles and self-help organizations.

"My heart is blessed with so many people finding the book as an unique and powerful resource. I simply desire to see the "Daughters of God" fulfilled and Loved as does God."

-Jerone Davison

"The Spiritual Fragrance of a Woman: The Scent that Attract the Right Woman," by Jerone L. Davison is transforming lives and while written for women, his male peers find insight on what today's woman is striving to give, and what they really want."

Reviews have been overwhelming for Jerone L. Davison's new book...

A reader named Kris states,

"I have read a million self help books, some help; others were just a repeats. However your book, cut to the core! Everything you stated hit home. Often times my prayer was "God why are so many saved women still single?" I've seen women who were holding on get tired of waiting and Married unsaved men. It's very difficult in this day, to hold on. I don't care how you preach it; a healthy, whole woman gets tired of yet holding on! I have been kept by God for years now, and still no prospect. In my forties, fine, enjoy working out & raising a young man alone! I have cried a many a night, Lord please help. Finally, a book to help with insight! Thanks for shedding light to a very dark & dismal area. God Bless You, Kris."

One Magazine writes,

"Jerone L. Davison is so masterful in helping women to find their spiritual fragrance in his new book with tips, heartfelt advice and a powerful voice, he boldly includes an "Attractiveness Test" and many references to biblical quotes that will raise a brow, stir feelings one has been neglecting and overall, restore each reader's soul to turn on that fragrance that attracts a mate."

Heather Covington, CEO www.Disilgold.com

Jerone L. Davison is currently on the the "National Spiritual Fragrance of a Woman Tour" designed to address women across the country and answer their questions about attracting the right mate.

Jerone L. Davison is a powerful motivational speaker. Expect to be uplifted, renewed and restored along with his surprise guest speaker friends from the literary, entertainment, and sports arenas sharing more tips for the ladies. The "Spiritual Fragrance of a Woman Tour" is expected to be one of the grandest literary tours of the year.

Churches, organizations, college event planners, bookstores, outdoor fests and expos may contact Jerone L. Davison Publicity.

For Media Bookings, Interviews, and Speaking Engagements:

Contact: Jerone Davison Publicity: 707-435-8077
EMAIL: Jerone@spiritualfragrance.org;
WEBSITE: www.spiritualfragrance.org

Read latest press release on Black News
http://www.blacknews.com/pr/spiritualfragranceofawoman101.html

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