She didn't sound like anyone else that I could compare. Yes she's been compared to Ms. Tina Turner and Ms. Freda Payne. I understand the comparisons but to tell you the truth, no one sounds like Ms. Linda Clifford.

Now in the mostly white dance clubs, "If My Friends Could See Me Now" was burning up the dance floors. What I found interesting was that the song, "If My Friends Could See Me Now", is from the Broadway play and movie, "Sweet Charity" of which Ms. Clifford was one of the featured actresses opposite legend, Ms. Shirley MacLaine. She also appeared in the Tony Curtis flick, "The Boston Strangler" and also in "Rosemary's Baby" with Mia Farrow, but the huge success came after signing with "Curtom" records.

The interesting thing about Linda's voice is that she can go from a whisper to a scream; she can give you the power of Aretha or

Not many people will redo a song that Aretha Franklin has made her own, yet Ms. Clifford was able to take this song to a different level and owe it.

On one of Linda's later album's, "I'll Keep On Loving You", there's a song, titled, "Only the Angels Know", that could have been a part of Dionne's songbook. Another hidden treasurer is her album, "My Heart's On Fire", it's classic R&B, my favorite's on this album are: "If You Want My Love To Last", "Real Love" which the Staple Singers could have done, "Here Comes The Night" and "First Offense", which has Linda pleading for her lover to give her a second chance. But to be honest with you, this album has number one written all over it.

Yes, Linda can sing it all. She's not just a singer; she's an actress that becomes the character when she sings a song. Again, it's proven on "Don't Let Me Have Another Bad Dream Tonight". (The die-hart fans will know which album this is from.)

This is why you believe what she's singing. And when you hear her sing, it's like she's singing it for the first time, she keeps it fresh, new and exciting. In recent years, she's released club hits "Ride the Storm", "Back to My Roots" "Changin", and "How Long?" What we, the fans, need from Ms. Clifford is a complete CD. It's long overdue.

She's been nominated for American Music awards, Grammy's, among others

To tell you the truth, Ms. Clifford's life is  mindboggling, she done everything, from singing commercial jingles, modeling, singing on variety and nighttime television shows, performing on the Jerry Lewis Telethon's, to lending her talents in the gay community and to many other charitable events.

One of my personal favorite "Linda Clifford" moments is hearing her sing the theme for a nighttime television drama in the 1980's called "Chicago". It was awesome. The first time I heard it, I screamed so loud, they could hear me from New York City to China.

In 2005 Ms. Clifford received a "Lifetime Achievement Award at the Chicago Music Awards yet she hasn't slowed down, she's just getting started.

Interviewing Ms. Linda Clifford is another dream come true.

During the filming, I smoked a pipe and so did she. We found ourselves sitting together, smoking a pipe, asking, "What type of tobacco are you using?" that was kind of fun. However, I did hear from Cy Coleman, who was the gentleman who wrote the music for Sweet Charity, 

John: Would you be able to share what that feeling was like to hear your music on the radio for the first time?

He called back and said, "No, no, go get Billboard!" So I ran out, got Billboard, and no sooner when I got back in the house, I always keep music on, it came on the radio. I thought, "Oh my God, it's real!" I let loose for real and did a happy dance. It was wonderful, very exciting.

Even though I'd been performing for years, it seemed like it had happened overnight, it happened very quickly. (Reality set in after she'd been traveling for a few months.)

John: You are a mother of two. Was it difficult to have the career, a husband and children?

Linda: No, I was very blessed I had it all; I think there were some very difficult decisions to be made and I feel in my heart that I made the right decisions, when the time came. I stopped touring when my children became ready for school. I wanted to put them on that bus and I wanted to be there to pick them up from that bus, it was very very important. 

So what I did, I started working only on weekends. And during that time everyone started to use "tracks", since no one wanted to pay for a live band, it made it easy for me to travel with a cassette. I would perform; fly out on Sunday and be ready for Monday morning, to put my kids on the bus. 

It was important for me to raise them to be people of which I would be proud. Of course I would always love them, but I wanted the best for them. My husband is also in the industry, a drummer, percussionist. He's primarily a jazz artist but he's worked with everyone in the business.

It was decided since both, she and her husband, are in the entertainment industry, when one parent had a gig, an engagement, the other would stay home with the children. Both were/are hands-on parents and very much in love as they will be celebrating 32 years of marriage this coming November 2010, to quote Ms. Linda, "It's still going strong". What makes this a beautiful love story is that the two of them started out as very good friends.

John: Have you recorded any songs that you later heard released by another artist, and thought, "Wow I knew I should have released a single on that?"

Linda: Well, it's funny you should mention that, "All the Man That I Need", recorded by Whitney Houston was written for my husband and I. I did record that song, however, a lot of the times it's the record company that decides on what should be released, especially back in the day, this was very common. Also a lot of the time, your management also worked for the record company, a double whammy.

Linda's manager also managed the late great Mr. Curtis Mayfield. 

They felt that she was too light, which is ironic, since her nickname was "Blackie". She was the darkest of her parent's four children. Complexion, skin color has never been an issue for Ms. Clifford, who recalls the race problems of the 1960's. Her father was American Indian & African American and her mother, African American. 

She and her siblings were raised to be proud Black American's. Unfortunately, the record company had their own idea of what they thought would work and what would sell.
As we continued our "chit chat", Linda expressed her concerns in regard to skin color issues within our Black community and she also shared her experience when she was crowned Miss New York State. 

As for our black community, it's the same old story of being too dark or too light, she feels that we are all the same and should move on from that slave mentality. She believes that we are so much greater than that.

When she was crowned Miss New York State, this was in the 1960's, it was discovered that there was an error, as it was originally believed that the new Miss New York State winner was a white girl. As Linda and her parents were about to leave, they were stopped by the head judge of the pageant who informed them that she was indeed the new Miss New York State, and not the white young lady announced prior. Within seconds, flashbulbs and reporters were in her face. 

This was the first time that a woman of color had won this high honor. Sadly, also the death threats and hate mail followed. The Ku Klux Klan even sent hate mail, questioning "Who do you think you are, to compete against a white girl?" The Clifford family had to relocate since it wasn't safe after it was known where they lived. Instead of a happy experience, it was a horrible one. Even though this happened years ago, Ms. Clifford feels that this problem is still very present in this day and age.

Ms. Linda Clifford was the first African American, to win a beauty pageant that included white contestants. This was before Broadway and recording artist; Ms. Vanessa Williams won the title of Miss America.

Linda called him and commented that she was surprised that they had not done any work together. The two got together for lunch and it was decided that it was time for the two to go into the studio to make some music.) "I'm excited about that!"

John: When you aren't recording or working how do you spend your down time?

Linda: (She laughed) Let me give you an idea, yesterday I was cleaning the closet, I was getting my clothes ready for spring. And I worked on my music. I just got back from San Francisco from doing a show; it was a benefit for the Red Cross/ Haiti Relief Fund. Jeannie Tracy, Mariliu Henner, Merry Clayton, Miki Howard, myself, Edna Wright of the Honey Cone, and my girl, Sheryl Lee Ralph, we did the show for that cause. Besides the disco stuff, I still love to work with a live band. I like to spend time working on music for my cabaret engagements.

I do like to lend myself to different causes, since they're others who have less than I do; I want to try to help as much as I possibly can. I do write, I've written for Gloria Gaynor, Martha Wash, I have a couple of songs that I wrote that Cher was considering, I've written for Gladys Knight, so I keep busy.

John: So you write and play?

Linda: I don't play, how crazy is that? I don't play an instrument. I hear things in my head, I sing it and have someone write the music for me.

John: When you were a kid, who were your musically influences?

Linda: You know they were all over the place, most people because I'm a woman, except me to say a woman right away. (Her favorites) Nat King Cole loved that man. Nancy Wilson, Johnny Mathis, those are people, I really looked up to, I love theater, I was really into theater, I love theater.

Theater was huge for me; I would love to do theater. I have to make a point of looking more into that. (Then Linda remembered another one of her favorite things to do and that's to spend time with her granddaughter. 

Linda: You know it was so much fun, we laughed in that studio, and we talked about everything on the planet. I just wished we could have worked together more. He and my hubby got along fine, if I showed up to the studio without my husband, he would say, "Where's Nicky?"

So to say that I've experienced turbulent times is an understatement. So to see this educated man, to see for the first time that we really had a chance to have our first Afro American President run this country, to have him win that election, I couldn't stop myself, I just busted into tears, I'm crying now. (I could hear her crying, it was extremely emotional) I had heard him speak when he was the senator here (in Chicago), I didn't know him personally, but I would hear him speak, I would be a part of benefits that he would show up, and I thought, "Wow, there's something about him". 

There are certain things you need to do, to further yourself in this country, and it's not about talking black or talking white, or any of that, its talking educated. It's showing that you have the ability to do the job that you're running for and that's what he had that no one else had ever shown.

I diagnosed him, the hospital didn't know what was wrong with him, I asked, "Have you tested him for HIV/AIDS?" He was in a coma. He loved to spend time on the beach in Puerto Rico, so I spoke to him about the dogs, the beach in Puerto Rico. I told him to squeeze my hand, if he could hear me, and he did. I ran to tell the doctors, who didn't believe me, but my brother proved me right and the doctor's wrong. I'm so grateful that I had another few weeks to be with him. 

During this time, I was informed that my other brother was also fighting for his life, due to AIDS. (Now she was about to lose two of her own family members to this disease. She had already lost many dear friends from AIDS, and now it had hit home.) Many people may think that I'm a part of the benefits because of my brothers, but I was a part of it way before when it was misdiagnosed as cancer, and I've lost a lot of dear friends.

John: Were your brothers able to enjoy your success; were they able to see you perform?

Linda: Yeah, they would come to my shows, sit right up front, screaming (I could tell that the memory is lovely and yet painful.) That was really a blessing. My dad also got a chance to see me perform but my mom didn't, she died very young, she did not get a chance to see that. My father was a tall, very handsome man, people would see us together and say, "Linda's stepping out on her man", I would say, "No, this is my father", (laughing, as she recalled)

John: What would your fans be surprised to know about you?

Linda: I'm kind of a dork; my kids say that I'm dorky, I like slapstick. (Now she laughing uncontrollably and I'm laughing with her) I have a goofy sense of humor, I feel like I'm 25, I love to go dancing, love me some Flo-Rida (the rapper). And of course being out there with my fans, my audience, performing.

John: What's your favorite "Linda Clifford" song?

Linda: Oh dear, I think it's "Only the Angels Know", that album ("I'll Keep on Loving You") I really love. Then of course "All the Man That I Need".

John: And lastly, what would you like to tell your fans?

Linda: I would like to tell them how I appreciate all the love that they shown me, I love them, and I will never stop loving them. I will always always love them for that. I just hope that they stick with me, cause I'm there for them whenever they need me. And before I forget, I'm a huge fan of "Dancing with the Stars", I love to dance, I would love to do that show!

Well fans, we have work to do, lets demand that ABC invite Ms. Linda Clifford for next season. This has truly been a blessing. To our readers, beware of what you ask for, you just might get it.

Thank you so much Ms. Linda Clifford for spending a little time to "chit chat" with me.
For more information on Linda Clifford, click below:
http://www.myspace.com/thelindaclifford
http://www.thelindaclifford.com/store.html

In conversation he's wise beyond his years. When you look into his eyes, you see an innocent young man and at the same time, you know that he has experienced so much more than others who are his age. But who is he?

My primary purpose of being on here is to promote my CD Pozitively as well as myself. This CD will be dedicated to those who are Positive, H.I.V. Poz that is. I am looking for work as a back-up vocalist until I establish myself as a soloist. 

If there are any artist's or chorus that are looking for a back-up vocalist feel free to send me a message concerning all the details, and I will get back with you. Hint: I am looking to be paid for my time so this is strictly for business purposes only.... 

I have a sample of my work on my page as an introduction to my style and sound. Please feel free to comment, for I do value your opinions. 

On his "My space", his music is there. Through his music he shares some of his experiences and he also praises God and he shares his wisdom through song. 

On "facebook", he describes himself: (I am) Joshua Stovall aka J. London aka London Benton. 

I'm 27! I live in the south loop of Chicago. I'm an activist, singer, model, and songwriter. I'm all together, a bill board of what GOD can do. I live by Jer. 29:11.
But what has God done for him? Ladies and gentleman, introducing London Benton.

London: No problem.

John: You are so many things, to a lot of people and at such a young age. Let's start at the beginning, where were you born?

London: Chicago, Illinois.

John: How many brothers and sisters do you have?

London: I have 17 brothers and 5 sisters.

John: Do your siblings share your musical talents?

London: Yes, they do. Most of them sing, write or either play.

John: How old were you when you discovered that you were musically blessed?

London: I guess at a very early age, I would be humming on the songs on the radio, so I have to be 2 - 3 years old.

John: You are openly gay. Have you always known who you are?

London: I always knew who I was, but because of my background, I had to hide who I was for so long.

London: I found out July 13th. 2005, it was when I was diagnosed, I knew something was going on early on in 2001 or 02, but didn't know what it was. I was so tired, sluggish, I'd lost so much blood that the lady from the clinic had to bring me my results. 

I couldn't walk or anything, I'd lost so much blood. She read off all the things that I didn't have, and then she told me that I was HIV positive. For about 20 minutes, I could see people talking and laughing, walking their dogs, the world was just going around me and I couldn't hear anything. (He was in total shock) It felt like a piece of me died right there. (After he left the clinic, he had a conversation with God) I said, "God they say you won't put more you than you can bear, if this is the case, strengthen my shoulders and that's what's 

He has done, strengthen my shoulders. It's been a burden and yet a blessing.

John: What has your condition past or present taught you?

London: What I've learned God allows things to happen to you. He doesn't cause them but He will allow them. Yet in allowing things to happen to you, He will sustain you. So people can look on to you and gain hope. You become a bill board of what He can do in someone else's life. He can heal you, is a snap shot of what He can do.

John: You are invited to speak at many different conferences and churches, where you are able to reach out to our youth and our LGBT community. What is the message that you are sharing?

London: I just recently spoke at Chicago State Wednesday night, and I have other opportunities opening up in different schools and different organizations, my message now is, when everyone else is passing out condoms, I'm going behind them, passing out a woodchip, the same one's that you found in the parks. 

I tell them to put the woodchip, the same place that you put your condoms. And if you ever go to that place, there's no condom there, only the woodchip, that should help you make a decision, "Do I go purchase more condoms or do I use that woodchip as a piece of my coffin?" So I've been stressing, latex or wood? 

And yes, we live in a day and age; where science and technology meet, people are living longer healthier lives, would you rather be sick all the time, have your family affected when you become infected. Yes, we are living healthier lives being positive, but would you want to send yourself through that?

London: Yes, if you have sex, you should use a condom, the woodchip or condom? People don't understand that when you sleep with someone (meaning have sex) who's positive, whatever medicines he's resistant to, you can become resistant to the same medicines. (He explained that if you are or someone you are sleeping with has the HIV virus and it's transmitted through sex, this lessens your safety (and your partners), health as that virus can mutate, in turn it has strengthened. 

It's a possibility your strand has become much stronger, to the point that the current medications may not help you and your condition. If you're positive and the person you're sleeping with is positive and you are not wearing protection, this is called the binding of strands. 

Now you and your partner have created a strand of the virus that they do not have medicine for.

John: You are completely open about your life. Do you mind being the "poster boy" in the eyes of those who have heard you speak?

London: I don't mind at all.

John: Coming from a church background and being a student of the bible, what is your opinion on gay marriage?

London: Marriage is marriage, whether I feel it's gay or straight, if two people love each other, let them love each other. Most people feel that being gay is wrong. 

They feel that the bible speaks against same sex relationship, this is in the King James version about homosexuality being wrong, what people don't realize that there wasn't a word for homosexuality in the old text, that came on at a later date when they trying to define what heterosexual was. 

What they don't know that out of all the things that Jesus casted out of people, not one time did.

He ever speak of anything concerning homosexuality. So whether you are gay, you're straight, whatever, I believe you should live a life that is pleasing to God. 

As far as gay marriage is concerned, if they want to do it, let them do it. Let them be them. Who are you to judge? God is the only judge. 

The bible states, 'I am the God of all flesh" (London then spoke of Jesus and the woman at the well, he questioned) 

"If Jesus had called that woman a whore, do you think she would have ministered to Him?" (London continued by saying that if you feel that being gay is wrong, you are not to beat them over the head, but instead you should love them unconditionally. 

As for same sex marriage, marriage is marriage, if the two love each other, let them love each other.

John: There are churches, ministers, preachers who spread hatred by showing contempt to those who are born different, born gay. It would appear that in our white and mostly white churches, our gay community is more accepted. 

Do you feel that there will be a time when our black/brown gay brothers and sisters will be welcomed into our black churches?

London: That's a hard question because there are so many avenues in that area. Billy can bring Bob home (white parents), where they are welcomed to play "twister" and other family games, whereas Ray-Ray can't bring Poo-kee home because of the standards taught in the black church.

(In London's opinion, this is why many are promiscuous or as he said, the brothers will prefer to just "bust a nut" and continue to live on the down-low, calling that partner, his homie or roommate. Brothers have to act hard, walk hard in our communities to be accepted whereas it's different in our white communities. 

In the black community, due to the non acceptance of the gay life-style, this has created a devastating domino effect.)

London: That's the plan.

John: Will you be called, minister, pastor, priest?

London: Minister. We are all ministers; it's just a thing of becoming licensed. Being licensed will allow access in certain areas. We all should study the word of God, licensed or not.

John: Say in about 20 years, professionally and in your personal life, where do you see yourself?

London: I plan to still be an activist, still doing what I'm doing. Still be a minister, of course. I plan to be known by not only the gay community but by the LGBT community, as someone that has been revolutionized or evolved so if there's people who are coming behind me, they will see that there's hope. 

(London's is prayerful that there will come a time that his being HIV or gay will be a non-issue, that others from all walks of life will be able to see him as an example that all things are possible through Jesus Christ).

I plan to be on the cover of Poz magazine that's like a goal or dream of mine. I want to still sing, I'm a singer. I hope to have by then released a CD for people who are positive and I hope to have the opportunity to sing the "National Anthem at a Super Bowl or some national game. And hopefully to have had a child by then, which is odd.

John: No, no it's not odd. There are a lot of same sex people who want children.

London: True, but meaning because I'm positive.

John: I have to say that I love your music, you have such a beautiful voice, I love the lyrics, the message and the instruments; it's anointed. Do you have any concerts coming up in the near future?

London: That I don't know, because I don't sing as much as I speak now. It would depend on if someone ask me to sing. A lot of my stuff is still on YouTube and on my "My Space" account.

John: Your song, "Crossover Blessing", this song needs to be played on radio and to get exposure; it speaks of what the world is in hungry for. What do the lyrics mean to you?

London: Wow, that took me way back, I haven't sang "Crossover Blessing" in years. I wrote it at a period in my life, even before I became positive, I wrote that song, I needed God, I had stepped away from Him and I needed Him to know that I was hungry for so much more.

It was almost a cry for my identity. I know I don't deserve this, I know that the birthright

(People saw London from the outside, and thought, "Oh he's so awesome, so great.) 

I didn't know who I was and I said, Lord if you just cross your hands, and give me something that I can use or deserve or I don't deserve, I would know, at least, where to start. I believe that's when I became positive, he gave me an identity, my purpose.

John: On your website your music has been played almost 7000 times, total and counting. A fan base is building. The public is hungry for your music. Can your music be purchased on your website?

London: Wow…………… I will have to look into "my space" to see how I can make my music available.

John: So you are relocating to ALT. I've heard it's the gay city of the United States. Now I've never been there, so I don't know if it's true. Perhaps it's gay friendly. Why are you leaving the Windy City for ATL?

London: From when I was a little boy, I've always loved Atlanta; I've wanted to live there. I have (in the past) from 2002 2008, lived between Chicago and Atlanta, but I love my church. Believe it or not, if my church wasn't there, I would have no need to go to Atlanta, Georgia. My church is the Vision Church of Atlanta, the Overseer O.C. Allen III, is my pastor, he has been just an instrument in my life, he is the reason for who I am today. 

He's the reason why I have this drive. He has poured so much into my life. If I don't go to Atlanta, I don't know what I would do because my church is there. He's has taught me to never cut myself in half to make someone else feel whole. He said, Joshua when you stand before people, never leave ¾ of who you are standing outside because the whole you offends them. If I could uproot the Vision Church of Atlanta to Chicago I would.

John: You have a birthday coming up, May 6th. Do you have any plans as of yet?

London: As for right now, nothings set in stone. I would like to go to New York. I've been to New York, passing through to connect flights to and from Africa.

John: Are you single? And if so, are you open to dating, getting to know someone, perhaps falling in love and settling down?

London: I'm open to getting to know people. I'm still ready for love. And when that person comes along I hope that they're ready for who I am. I would like someone who's secure, in order for us to secure who we are.

John: Who are you?

London: I'm Joshua, I'm London, and I'm the preacher's kid. I'm the mother's son, I'm the brother, and I'm the uncle. I'm the best friend, I'm a singer, and I'm a model. I'm an activist, I'm a counselor, I'm gay, I'm open, you know I'm all of that. That person would have to accept all of me. If I'm singing, if I'm modeling, he would have to be secure enough to know that I'm coming home to them. And if I should be singing in a room with 1000 people or more, I would want to look down and see my baby there. After I'm finished pouring into all of these people, that I know that there's one person who's going to pour back into me. At the end of the day, I don't feel a vacancy or a void, that's what I'm looking for.

John: What would people who know you be surprised to learn about you?

London: That's a really good question because I'm so opened. I don't know if there's anything they don't know. Except for? Wow. (He didn't have an answer)

John: Well you've answered the question, by saying that you're opened.

London: Well I feel that the best book read is an opened book. As we were about to end our "chat", London wanted to thank some people that are extremely dear, important and precious to him.

My dad, the founder and pastor of my church, Bright Star COGIC in Chicago and I pay respects to my mother who's still alive and to my father who passed away in 1998. My mother is the greatest mother, I know, when the doctors told her that she can get her black dress out, she believed God. (When in the hospital) My mother told me over the phone, "If you just stay alive until I get there, you will be ok and I held on to her words. My mom left her job, she left everything, and for almost 2 months stayed in the hospital, at my bedside every day, till I got my health back. 

I watched my mother come in with a black hair and when she left her hair was white. But she stayed in God's faith on my behalf and I will never forget that. And my little brother, Sir William Stokes, he has been such strength and support in my life. Also my sister, Precious. Georgnetta Copley aka Boobie, my best friend, I would say, I'm on my way back to the hospital; she would pack a bag, and stay with me in the hospital until I was released. She's been there for 15 years, we have been best friends.

London's a beautiful man, inside and out. He's strong yet a sensitive soul. Through his example, don't be surprised how many youth adults of color will go back into the church, or at least the doors will be opened a bit wider because of who London is. What a delightful, enlightening "chit chat" with a young brother who's about empowering and changing lives. London we, at Chit Chat, wish you continued success and unconditional love. We must do this again.

If you wish to contact London or get more information click below:
http://www.myspace.com/pozitively  londonbenton@yahoo.com
and on facebook, type in London Benton

Please note this interview took place before this premiere of "Flow Affair".

In 2008 I had the pleasure of interviewing director and visionary, Mr. Wolfgang Busch for GBMNews. He was a fan of the popular classic film, "Paris Is Burning", and was about to take it to the next level with his featured film, "How Do I Look?" If you haven't seen it, it's a must to add to your DVD collection, as it's a part of our LGBT community, it allows us to take a closer look, see what's behind the makeup, outlandish clothes and the performance.

Flag, Fan and Floguing dancing community, capturing the passing down of a thirty year old Greenwich Village disco dance tradition.

John: Since your film, "How Do I Look?", have you become more popular? Or should we say, famous since its release?

Wolfgang: "How Do I Look?" really opened a lot of doors for me. Because of it, I was introduced to Michael O'Hare, a songwriter and he's the one who introduced me to Me'lisa Morgan, he does a lot of stuff in the background. He's a multi Grammy songwriter.

He worked on the song for Octavia St. Laurent, the underground song that she co-wrote. Melba Moore was suppose to be in "How Do I Look?", but there was some drama so Ms. Moore declined. There was a problem with a designer; I didn't have anything to do with that. However, I approached, Ron Richardson, Melba's manager, and asked if there was a possibility of Melba appearing in "Flow Affair".

Then I got an e-mail from Ron stating that Melba would love to perform also, at the fundraiser. (With no cash flow or financing) I couldn't afford to pay celebrities/stars to perform; we don't have that kind of money.

 It's the results of "How Do I Look?", that other opportunities have become available. It's been noticed that my focus is to put back into the community. It's easier to get exposure when you have financial backing, but I do this without any money.

(It's a labor of love for Wolfgang, he has been accepted within the gay Black and Latino community because of his unconditional love, devotion, vision, his selflessness and he doesn't play politics. Wolfgang is grateful that performers like Melba Moore and Me'lisa Morgan have volunteered their time to be a part of this fundraiser, they can command thousands of dollars per performance but due to his reputation, the divas have offered their time without pay.

Wolfgang feels that this is a blessing. Wolfgang added, "Melba has been extremely great and supportive to the gay community through different fundraisers past and present."

He feels that with the record industry changing, many recording artist who are not associated with a record label and may not have financial backing, by lending themselves to fundraisers and other charitable events, they will benefit by the exposure and getting their product out to the community as well. )

George brought some flags. (Flagging and Voguing equals Floguing)
During the summer of 2006, Wolfgang introduced this idea to both communities and invited the mother of Khan, Luna Ortiz and several of his house members to meet George Jagatic from the Axis Danz Flagging Company.

John: Did you hold auditions for this film?

Wolfgang: No, auditions, none of that. I created the name, "Floguing", however, Aaron Enigma of Chicago is the Granddaddy of it. Aaron has been doing this since the 1980's. He was "floguing", before it had a name. I brought the two communities together (flagging and voguing).

Once again, it's the black gay community that created this, not the white kids, I want to have this recorded properly; I want them to get credit for this new art form. People can be very shady. (As when Madonna brought "voguing" to the mainstream, this art form was originated by the gay black underground community.)

John: In the film you do have Black, Latino and white kid's floguing, right?

Wolfgang: In the film, Latino and Black kids.

John: With "Floguing" are there competitions in different categories or is it a huge dance production?

Wolfgang: Floguing has been received, introduced and yes.

John: I know that the premiere is in NYC. Where there be other premieres around the country for this feature film?

Wolfgang: We have sent out request to different film festivals and are still waiting to hear from them.

John: What type of music was used in this film? Was it house, club and classics?

Wolfgang: Melba and Me'lisa are like 80's, R&B, club, house music. The other music is white club music.

John: With the success of "How Do I Look?" do you feel pressured?

Wolfgang: No, there's no pressure. (He didn't do it for the financial gain) When you document the community, you don't feel pressure. I don't do it for Hollywood; I do it for our community. (What the film didn't make it dollars, in the community it was overwhelming, appreciated and embraced.) I received like 500 responses. Now I have someone out there shopping it. Perhaps we will receive an offer to have it seen on cable, television or something.

Wolfgang feels that he hasn't been able to get the exposure and the financial backing due to his German background. Many avenues in the industry are controlled by Jewish individuals who may have a discord towards him because of the history between the two groups, German and Jews.

Wolfgang has been accepted in the gay Black and Latino communities, who have become family; it feels like home for him. He feels that if he were a nice Jewish boy, he would probably be in Hollywood making movies by now.

Wolfgang: I think it will, because it's not a gender film. It's like after the release of "How Do I Look?" we had white women who wanted to come to the "Balls". The husbands were wondering, "What's going on?" (Laughing) It's an art form, it has fashion, music, when it comes to sexuality is a mute point.

John: What type of success are you looking for?

Wolfgang: My success is to make it into the history books. I want to set the record straight, the white man has always stolen from the black man, his creativity; I want documentation, to give credit where credit is due. I want to have our work available for the younger generation, so they will know the difference between "Paris Is Burning" and "How Do I Look?"

(Wolfgang feels that "Paris Is Burning" gave the impression that the lifestyle consisted of prostitutes, hustlers, thief's and drug addicts, which is far from the truth. After the release of "How Do I Look?", he's receive awards and acknowledgement within the community, showing their appreciation for his efforts in bringing the truth to light. )

John: With the success of "Voguing", as Madonna made it mainstream, do you believe that "Floguing" could have the same kind of success?

John: And lastly, directors have been known to become legendary, like Hitchcock among others, what would you like your legacy to be?

Wolfgang: I want to be the gay Michael Moore. (laughs) I've been compared to him. Someone said to me, "Wolfgang, you are becoming the gay Michael Moore". Michael is an activist in the political arena whereas I'm an activist on the artistic side. The money I made from "How Do I Look?", I was able to invest in "Flow Affair", then I will take the money made from "Flow Affair" and invest into the next documentary. We will continue to invest in our community with education. In the event, of my passing, the monies will be poured back into our community for education and empowerment. I've tried to get funding and we know why that hasn't happened….. but we have to take matters into our own hands, we have to create our own economy, our own infrastructure.

His photos have appeared in magazines: People, Playboy, Billboard, Essence and the list goes on and on. Many of the CD and DVD covers for entertainers are his work, just look at his work for legends, Smokey Robinson and Etta James, you will understand why he's in demand. And we are blessed to have him associated with "Chit Chat" magazine. With excitement it was decided that Mr. Alan Mercer would grace our cover.

The Los Angeles based Photographer found time to let me ask him a few questions. I found him to be extremely grounded, enlightening and honest. Trust me, you will too.

John: You have worked with Ms. Freda Payne, Ms. Thelma Houston, Ms. Dee Dee Sharp, and recently Ms. Marlena Shaw, among many others, what makes you stay grounded, remain normal?

Alan with actress Linda Gray

John: What's your favorite color?
Alan: Some shade of blue purple.

John: What word do you hate?
Alan: Poverty.

John: You are more than a photographer, you are an artist, what would you like to be remembered for?
Alan: For being a good guy who was kind to people and could occasionally take a good picture!

John: When working, do you have assistants?
Alan: Sometimes I have no one and sometimes I have two or three, but most of the time I work with Eric Venturo as my creative partner.

John: You have such beautiful work, you are able to capture the essence of whomever you're photographing, will you publish a collection, a book of your work?
Alan: Within ten years I believe I will. I want to do some more work first.

John: I don't want to give the impression that you only with entertainers, you work with the general public as well, how would one make an appointment with you?
Alan: Anyone can hire me of course. I do many actor head shots for up and comers and newbies. I also shoot family portraits and more. I am very open to earning a living with a camera.:

John: What's your favorite word?
Alan: Love.

INTERVIEW

I got a chance to meet a lot of cool people that I had spoken to but never met before, but chatted to on-line or whatever, and of course I showed up half naked, cause you know that's what I do. LOL.

John: How did all of this come about?

So we thought about it. (He didn't want to give his audience, his fans, anything less than 100%, so it was decided that perhaps he would perform next year. He expressed that he would be more than happy to present, it would be the next best thing for him to do.)

John: From what I've heard and read, you were giving fever! Like Cher on her variety show. Did Cher inspire you? Would you be interested in a Reality show showing your climb to success?

Tony: Definitely, definitely, the reality show genre never really interested me too much, but as long as my fans could be a part of it, I would be open to do it; I wouldn't have a problem with it.

She agreed that the feedback is different overseas than here in the USA. Also Donna Summer had to go to Germany before she was accepted as a success here in the USA. Have you thought about touring around the world?

Tony: Absolutely, I thank God, knock wood, I've been so blessed to be able to sell records in five countries, that's special, not bad for a little boy with the big booty from the projects, to sell records. (laugh)

The album has sold in the UK, Tokyo, and other countries, I'm still waiting for the numbers but it's been positive. I can't wait to go around the world to places that I've dreamt about as a child. I'm looking forward to it.

John: The USA is a little uptight about sexuality, whereas overseas they are a little more open, they will embrace your sexuality.

Tony: They are a lot looser, I agree.

Can you tell me about it? What makes this performance different than your former? And where is it taking place, cost, etc?

Tony: April 23rd is the opening night for the "Did It Rite" tour. It opens the first night in Philadelphia, the first of 11 cities, from east coast to west coast.

The first night it's at the William Way Center, in Philadelphia. It's different from my other shows because it's my first full length show. In a club, it may be a 15 -20 minute show, whereas, this show is a one hour and a half to two hour show.

In the past, I've tried to pair up with other entertainers but it didn't work, it's a different show in that respect.

My family's going to be there, friends. (But he has some surprises for his fans, friends and family. He will have 8 or 9 wardrobe changes. It's a fresh brand new show. Plus this show will include his fan base starting from 14 years old.

He's looking forward to connecting with that audience as well. This is a real concert setting, teens are welcomed. His fan base of all ages are welcome. There's an after party for the adults.)

John: And what's the date of the show, again?

Tony: Friday, April 23rd at 7:00 p.m. at the William Way Center in Philadelphia.

Tony: Songs from other artists. You know I hold down (Diana) Ross. I will be doing a song that my mother used to sing to me before I fell asleep, but I don't want to spoil the surprise.

John: You know you are going to cry during this concert, right?

Tony: Well my family was at the CD release party for "Good Love", I did that song for the set, I am my mother's child, we are criers but it's going to be a good show.

John: What's the title of your CD again and how would one purchase it?

I will definitely try to make this concert, and if you're a music lover, you should too.
Thank you Tony for the "Chit Chat".