Randall C, gospel DJ for WTMP in Tampa Florida celebrated his birthday in May in a big way at St John Progressive Missionary Baptist Church. You had to arrive early because the sanctuary was filled nearly a hour before the scheduled start time, with gospel artists claiming their fair share of audience and program. In fact Randall C was distressed for he had to deny nearly 10 groups a spot on the program.

Robert E. Lee Brown “Little Robert” came home for “one last time” to the celebrate his father’s legacy, revisit his childhood home, and tell stories to those attending a historic event sponsored by The Byrd Alzheimer’s Institute and Reclaiming Our Heritage.

The day included a stop at the Polk County Museum of History for a lunch-and-learn presentation about the life of legendary African American Lawrence B. Brown. Then moved a few blocks down the street for a personal tour of the L.B. Brown House & Museum with museum founder and curator Clifton Lewis.

Born into slavery, by the time of his death in 1941 Mr. Brown was a highly-successful multi-faceted entrepreneur who profited from and defined Bartow’s early growth.

According to their site (www.LBBrown.com), “The L.B. Brown House was designed and constructed in the late 1800s by a self-taught master carpenter, Lawrence B. Brown. It contains nine rooms and is approximately 1700 sq.ft. It is an impressive structure adorned with heavy Victorian ornamentation. The house is currently listed on the National Register of Historic Places and may be the only one of its kind in Florida, still in existence, that was built and owned by a former slave”.

L.B. Brown House & Museum, 470 Second Ave, Bartow, FL 33830 (listed on the National Register of Historic Places).

Reclaiming Our Heritage, Inc. is a nonprofit charged with the mission of location, preserving, and sharing every surviving article of Southern Florida’s first daily newspaper. The L.B. Brown tour was the Celebration 08 kickoff event for their annual Florida Heritage Celebration. Devin Marks, Founder.

FMI:www.HeritageCelebration.org or www.LBBrown.com  or www.byrdinstitute.org

Clearwater Florida’s Coachman Park Saturday 4-19-08 - For “having the most fun” during Bobby G. Summers’ performance on day two of the Lexus 13th Annual WSJT Smooth Jazz Fest, Rudolph Talbert won a special seating pass awarded by Summers.

Talbert danced his way on to the stage, sang, interacted with the band and nearly stole the show. Especially when he whispered to Summers “I’m Rick James …..” Hearing this, Summers briefly played Rick James’ “Super Freak”.

According to Talbert and his sister(not shown), he has been compared to Rick James for years. Most notable was a band playing Rick James songs as he approached the stage to solute his wife during her birthday celebration. Thus began his career as a Rick James impersonator, including occasionally performances at the Hard Rock Cafe in Tampa, Florida.

Talbert proudly informed me he was “24 years military and 27 years married, raised my children and never been locked up”. Yes, he signed a few autographs.

Posing with Talbert to capture the moment is Neta Swanson, who created a little buzz and lasting memory herself. She and her guest brought with them a small table, table cloth, candles and color coordinated chairs to enhance their evening of jazz in the park.