Articles

Nautica DeLaCruz and Guy Black—Jason Lewis for Sentinel

It’s a Treat Guy Black Can’t Wait to See

Kenneth Miller
Sentinel Managing Editor

Niele Anderson
Sentinel Religion Editor

The wait for the mother of all street scene festivals is over, and for Radio Free 102.3 and star host Guy Black as the local station prepares for its star studded gospel line-up at the third annual ‘Taste of Soul’ set for Saturday Oct. 18 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Crenshaw Blvd.

Kenny Lattimore, whose recently released album ‘Timeless’ is a testament to the transcendent properties of classical song craft, is scheduled to headline the Radio Free Gospel Stage on Rodeo Road.

Lattimore is one of the most popular and respected vocalist in contemporary rhythm and blues, but is also expected to perform a set of gospel hits.

Also performing on the gospel stage will be the versatile Wayne Brady, Andre Delano, Tony Rich Project, Leigh Jones, Chaz, Lion Church, Renee Spearman and Prez, West Angeles Church, Holy Boy, Lil’ Mack Singers, Pilgrim Strangers, Brookins AME Majestic Voices, LA Inner City Mass Choir and One in Christ Bible Church.

‘Taste of Soul’ will also serve as Black’s official welcome to Southern California.

“Man, I’m going to be all up and down Crenshaw Blvd. talking to and meeting as many people as I can,” Black told the Sentinel during an exclusive interview last week.

His popular ‘The Guy Black Show’ had just completed its first live remote broadcast on Crenshaw Blvd. where he promoted the third annual ‘Taste of Soul’ while inviting his many listeners to come by the location to taste free food samples.

Wearing a black T-shirt that supported Barack Obama for President, Black has been an a avid crusader for getting out the vote and as he stated on the airwaves, “vote for your candidate of choice and don’t forget the import local elections while you are in the ballot box.”

He lists his height at five feet and some change, but since arriving to KJLH just over a year ago he has loomed as a larger than life figure and a likeable personality who will volunteer to serve as the master of ceremonies of the 100th Anniversary of the City of Compton on one day, fill in to speak to students at school on another day and host an awards banquet for a high school basketball team on another day.

“I don’t know what he’s going to do from one minute to the next, but I do my best to try to keep up with him,” explained Zenja Ricks, producer of the ‘Guy Black Show.”

Black has been working in radio for more than 30 years throughout the nation, including major markets New York and his hometown of Chicago and he didn’t quite know how he was going to play out in the fickle Los Angeles market.

“I told them hey, you might want to give me some time because I’m different. Don’t pull the plug too soon,” he quipped.

A year later and ‘The Guy Black Show’ from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. on KJLH 102.3 FM is a major hit among the morning drive time slot and there doesn’t appear to be any let up in sight.

“From the moment that he arrives at five o’clock in the morning from the time that we are off the air at 10, he just never stops I don’t know where he get the energy from,” added Ricks.
A devoted single father of two, Michael Anthony and Brandus, Black is a community person who admits that he’s much more comfortable when he is in the midst of the public.

Co-host Nautica De La Cruz, a Los Angeles radio veteran of more than 13 years, is excited to be working with Black who she says fits right into the So Cal landscape.

However, on Oct. 18, Black and his radio team will have the opportunity to experience and movement that has swept Los Angeles by storm-’Taste of Soul’- an event that has attracted more than 135,000 during just two years.

“I’ve experienced similar events in New York and ‘Taste of Chicago’ but I am anxious for what Los Angeles has to offer because I’ve heard so much about it,” said Black.

Now, the wait is over and for Black and thousands of others...’Taste of Soul’ is here.

Radio Free KJLH will be the sponsor and official host of Gospel Stage. The Gospel Stage event begins and 11 a.m. and concludes at 6 p.m.

Other highlights you can expect from Radio Free 102.3 include:

KJLH Green Pavilion: Encouraging our community to Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle is what this Pavilion is all about!! The Green Pavilion will give you the opportunity to demonstrate energy efficient vehicles, offer interactive displays and educate consumers about new products.

Empowerment Pavilion presented by LAPD: The KJLH Empowerment Pavilion is an exhibition of faith outreach, personal and spiritual development and inspirational motivation. It is a venue for faith based and personal development organizations and professionals to present their services and philosophies to a diverse audience predisposed to seeking a better quality of life.

KJLH Health Pavilion presented by Herbalife: The KJLH Health Pavilion will bring together healthcare providers, health oriented, community based services and the many thousands of patrons in attendance. The pavilion will provide an outstanding opportunity and forum for dialogue with healthcare providers, the distribution of medical materials and two-way interface of Q&A with health professionals and the audience in attendance.

The event is organized and coordinated by Sentinel Vice President Brenda Marsh Mitchell.

• < Prev in General News
• Next in General News >