Myrna Smith of ‘Elvis Presley’ “Sweet Inspirations” Passed Away

It is very sad to inform to all you our readers the we received an email today around 7:00 am from Myrna Smith of ‘Elvis Presley’ “Sweet Inspirations” brother John Utley’s friend stating the she have passed away on December 24, 2010 at 11:45 PM. Myrna was leaving her last moments in her house in Winnetka, California with her brother John Smith. Per our conversation with John’s friend  they will held her services at the end of January and they expect Whitney Houston and Lisa Marie Presley will attend to the memorial services. Myrna also worked with Aretha Franklin.

On Lisa Marie & Presley Dynasty Official Fan Site Blog at http://lisamariepresleyfamily.blogspot.com/ reported on Saturday, December 25, 2010 stating “It is with deep sadness that we inform you all that Myrna Smith, singer of Elvis’Sweet Inspirations, has passed away last night. She was hospitalised with acute kidney failure and waiting for a kidney transplant. May she rest in peace and our thoughts are with her friends and loved ones.” Also http://www.rareelvispresley.com/ reports the Myrna’s body will be cremated and hope plans to be made to celebrate Myrna’s life. http://www.classicpopicons.com also reported on their site: “The Sweet Inspirations had evolved from the Gospelaires group, whose members had included Myrna’s cousins Dionne and Dee Dee Warwick, Doris Troy and Judy Guions (later Judy Clay). The group were in demand for session work with many great artists, including Solomon Burke, Wilson Pickett and the Drifters. Myrna replaced Dee Dee in 1965 after she left to pursue a solo career, and Estelle Brown also joined around the same time. Dionne and Doris were replaced by Cissy Houston and Sylvia Shemwell, respectively.” They continue “In 1967, the group was signed to Atlantic as the Sweet Inspirations. Their first release was a cover of “Why (Am I Treated So Bad)” and it was a top 40 hit on the R&B charts. The groups most successful song was “Sweet Inspiration”, which was cut during a two-day session at American Sound in Memphis in August 1967. The track hit number five on the R&B chart and was a top 20 pop hit.” There is also a Facebook Fan Page created for Myrna Smith at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Myrna-Smith-of-Elvis-Sweet-Inspirations-We-love-and-support-you/139863766051471 In a personal close note, it is very sad for me to heard this sad news and share it with all you because I worked with Myrna at her residence in Winnetka, CA for couple hours one day and I can tell you the she was very nice person, generous and appreciated every one who worked with her. I was hoping to see her again, but now until next time and Rest In Peace. Megan M. Murphy from http://backinmemphis.blogspot.com/ wrote stating: “Elvis Presley Enterprises finally acknowledged Myrna Smith of The Sweet Inspirations. Today, 3 days after her passing they sent out their fan club newsletter with this blurb at the bottom (No photo, no personal sentiment): Remembering Myrna Smith We regret to inform you of the passing of Myrna Smith on Friday night, Christmas Eve. Myrna was singer and song-writer, and a member of the group Sweet Inspirations, who recorded and performed with Elvis Presley from 1969-1977. She also sang back-up for other stars including Dusty Springfield and Aretha Franklin. Along with their professional relationship, Myrna and Elvis were also close friends. Our thoughts and prayers go out to her family.” About Myrna Smith: Myrna Smith (1941 – December 24, 2010)^[1] was an American songwriter and singer, who co-wrote many of the songs for Carl Wilson‘s 1981 solo album Carl Wilson, as well as a few of the songs on his 1983 solo album Youngblood. She was also a member of the Sweet Inspirations, which previously served as Elvis Presley‘s backing group.^[2] Smith became a high school English teacher in South Brunswick, New Jersey in the 1960s, while she also pursued her singing career. The lead singer of her group, The Sweet Inspirations, was Cissy Houston, the mother of Whitney Houston. She died on December 24, 2010, in Canoga Park, California, after an illness, at the age of 69.<sup>[1] Sources: http://lisamariepresleyfamily.blogspot.com, Wikipedia, classicpopicons.com, http://backinmemphis.blogspot.com/and http://www.rareelvispresley.com/

Editor’s Note: As of this posting we have spoken again to Myrna’s brother John Utley’s friend to get John Utley to speak with us and we will let you know as soon he is able. Please come back to find out the plans on how Myrna will be honored by her family and close friends.</sup>

Pepper MaShay, Freeway of Love Official Music Video

On February 20, 2010 International Dance Diva Pepper MaShay released her official music video for her single cd ”Freeway of Love.”

 Per Pepper MaShay the music video was recorded in Houston Texas and directed by Russ Miller of Cynsings Studios.

Starting: Pepper MaShay
Song: Freeway of Love
Remixes by: Steely M. & Cary August, Germanys Dany Wild, Spains Oscar Salguero.
Record Label: CAPP Records
Song Released: 8-18-2009
Available on Apple iTunes Music Store and other digital music
retailers.
Video Release: 2-20-2010

Pepper MaShay was born on Muncie, Indiana on March 8. Pepper movie credits includes The Bodyguard, Three Men & a Little Lady, Strapped, National Lampoon’s Xmas Vacation, What’s Love Got To Do With It and Out For Justice. 

This year 2010 Pepper MaShay was nominated for the 5th Annual JustCircuit Awards Hall of Fame in the category of Artist (Music) Pepper MaShay & category for Song “Dive in the Pool,” by Pepper MaShay. You can view the list at: http://www.justcircuit.com

Also last year on November 30, 2009 Pepper MaShay was nominated for the 9th Annual West Hollywood Awards in the category of Friend of the community: Pepper MaShay. The WEHO Awards will be presented on March 8, 2010 at the Playboy Mansion. For more information visit: http://www.wehoawards.org

For more information about Pepper MaShay visit her official websites
http://peppermashay.com/ and http://myspace.com/frecklebandit. You can also find Pepper on Facebook become her fan and follow her on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/peppermashay53

Editor’s note: Congratulations to Pepper MaShay for her accomplishments and we wish her the best of luck.

BEYONCÉ Wins six GRAMMY on January 31st

At this year’s 52nd Annual GRAMMY® Awards on Jan. 31, Beyoncé set a new record for most wins by a female in a single awards year, walking away with six GRAMMY Awards. The previous record holders for female wins were Lauryn Hill (41st GRAMMY Awards in 1999), Norah Jones (45th GRAMMY Awards in 2003) and Alison Krauss (51st GRAMMY Awards in 2009) with five. Beyoncé’s six wins include: Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, Song Of The Year and Best R&B Song for “Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)” (the latter two with Thaddis Harrell, Terius Nash & Christopher Stewart), Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for “Halo,” Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance for “At Last,” and Best Contemporary R&B Album for I Am…Sasha Fierce. This brings her total GRAMMY wins to 16, making her the third most awarded female artist behind Alison Krauss (26) and Aretha Franklin (18).

Video of Beyoncé’s performance on the 52nd Annual GRAMMY Awards currently is available for download on iTunes.com/Target, along with 10 other performances (the Black Eyed Peas, Mary J. Blige/Andrea Bocelli, Bon Jovi/Jennifer Nettles, Zac Brown Band/Leon Russell, Green Day, Lady Antebellum, Lady Gaga/Elton John, Dave Matthews Band, Maxwell, and P!nk) from this year’s highly successful telecast.

The complete winners list of the 52nd Annual GRAMMY® Awards is available at http://www.grammy.com/nominees

Photo Credit: Courtesy of The Recording Academy®/Danny Clinch © 2010. All Rights Are Reserved.

Source: http://www.grammy.com  Video: Courtesy of http://www.youtube.com/alexaleex