TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ KATHY SLEDGE / LEGENDARY LEAD VOICE OF SISTER SLEDGE # 100
Kathy Sledge joins Lenny Fontana on our Special 100th Episode (The legendary lead vocalist of Sister Sledge), which is a triumphant celebration. Watch and listen how she shares what her work life was like in the beginning of her career and the balance of family life in "The First Female Band" to ever do it, and they became a huge success. You will even hear how Kathy talks about the particulars going on in her family, with the control over the usage of the name Sister Sledge and how she was forced to stop singing the iconic songs for over 20 years. You all will know her as the lead singer of those familiar tunes such as “We Are Family”, “Thinking Of You”, “Frankie” and “Lost In Music” Now you can listen to her share her story starting from a young child to today. When Kathy hears the word “No” she thinks of what’s next and repositions herself to succeed no matter what. Kathy Sledge is the youngest and a founding member of Sister Sledge, an American vocal group which is made up of her sisters that was formed in 1971. After achieving success beginning in the late–1970s thru the mid–1980s with Sister Sledge, Kathy embarked on her solo career in 1989. Kathy Sledge has had several hits on the International Pop and Hot Dance Music Club Play Chart, including “Take Me Back To Love Again", which hit #1 in 1992. Now get a history lesson on how "We Are Family" does not apply to family harmony.

Kathy Sledge (Legendary Lead Voice Of Sister Sledge) interviewed by Lenny Fontana for True House Stories® # 100

LISTEN EDX

Kathy Sledge (Voice Of Sister Sledge) interviewed by Lenny Fontana for True House Stories® # 100

TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ ROBERT KOOL BELL (KOOL & THE GANG) # 101
Robert “Kool” Bell is one of the founding members of the legendary Pop/R&B group Kool & the Gang, the seven-time Grammy award-winners who also earned many American Music Awards. A multi-platinum-selling group and the most sampled band of all time, Kool & the Gang has sold over 80 million albums worldwide and influenced the music of generations with 25 Top Ten R&B hits, 9 Top Ten Pop hits, and 31 gold and platinum albums. This legendary man will share his life with us on True House Stories and as well promote his new Champagne Brand called Le Kool. Listen to share the inside story of the how the band started and everything in between. He is an icon and you will hear how he discovered new talent and helped launched them into the stratosphere.

Robert Kool Bell (Kool & The Gang) interviewed by Lenny Fontana for True House Stories® # 101

Robert Kool Bell (Kool & The Gang) Interviewed By Lenny Fontana For True House Stories® # 101

LISTEN KATHY SLEDGE

TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ MELBA MOORE # 102
Melba Moore began her recording career in 1967, cutting the track "Magic Touch" which was left unreleased until 1986. In later years it became an enormous track on the Northern Soul Scene, eventually leading to Moore performing it live in 2009 at the Baltic Soul Weekender 3 in Germany north of Hamburg. In 1967 she began her performing career as Dionne in the original cast of the musical Hair along with Ronnie Dyson, Paul Jabara and Diane Keaton. In 1975 Melba Moore signed with Buddha Records and released the critically successful R&B album, Peach Melba, which included the minor hit, "I Am His Lady". The following year she scored her first significant hit with the Van McCoy penned “This Is It “, which reached the Billboard Hot 100, the top-20 position on the R&B chart, and top-10 in the UK, becoming her biggest success in that country. In 1976 she scored her third Grammy nomination with the R&B ballad "Lean on Me", which had been recorded originally by Vivian Reed and later by Moore's idol Aretha Franklin who recorded the song as a B-side to her 1971 hit “Spanish Harlem". The song is most notable for Moore's extended long note at the end. In 1983 she re-recorded the song as a tribute to McCoy, who had died four years earlier. Throughout the rest of the 1970s, Moore struggled to match the success of "This Is It" with minor R&B/dance hits. However, her hit 'Pick Me Up, I'll Dance' released in May 1979 produced by McFadden and Whitehead and released on Epic Records did have considerable UK disco success, reaching UK chart position 48, along with a further hit that same year, also produced by McFadden and Whitehead with a cover version of the Bee Gees' hit “You Stepped Ito My Life”, which reached the top 20 on the R&B charts and 47 on the Billboard Hot 100.
In 1982 Moore signed with Capitol Records and reached the top 5 on the R&B charts with the dance-pop / funk single "Love's Comin' at Ya”, which also hit the top 20 in the UK  (on EMI America EA 146) and became a sizable hit in some European countries for its post-disco sound and followed by "Mind Up Tonight", which was another top 40 hit in the UK reaching position number 22. A string of R&B hits followed, including 1983's "Keepin' My Lover Satisfied" and "Love Me Right", 1984's "Livin' for Your Love", 1985's "Read My Lips"—which later won Moore a third Grammy nomination (for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance), making her just the third black artist after Donna Summer and Michael Jackson to be nominated in the rock category—and 1985's "When You Love Me Like This”.
Moore has been married once and has a daughter. Melba Moore was engaged in a four-year relationship with television star Clifton Davis during the early 1970s. Davis later admitted that the relationship failed due to his drug abuse and mistreatment of Moore. In September 1974, Moore married record manager and business promoter Charles Huggins. Moore and Huggins divorced after 17 years of marriage in 1991. In 1999, Huggins filed suit against Moore claiming that she had publicly defamed him by stating that he abused her economically. Melba Moore has described herself as a "born-again Catholic” and listen to her share the rest of her story right here on True House Stories.

Melba Moore interviewed by Lenny Fontana for True House Stories® # 102

Listen Robert Kool B.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ BOBBY SHAW # 103
Bobby Shaw's start in dance music began in 1977 as a bartender in the highly successful discotheque, The Barefoot Boy. There he became close friends with DJ Tony Smith and was fortunate to experience and hear the likes of disc jockeys Roy Thode, Vince Michaels, Larry Sanders, and Wayne Scott, to name a few. During this tenure, he also got to know dance promoters such as Ray Caviano, Ken Friedman, Billy Smith, Alan Mamber, Starr Arning, and Rita Heyer. In 1978, Shaw's passion for music led him to seek a job within the dance community and he was able to land a mail room position for Ray Caviano at TK Records. While at the label, Shaw assisted on notable acts as Voyage, Peter Brown, The Ritchie Family, T Connection, Beautiful Bend, KC and The Sunshine Band, Jimmy "Bo" Horne, Anita Ward, and Bobby Caldwell.Bobby's old mentor, Ray Caviano, was rewarded with a custom dance label, RFC Records, which was distributed through Warner Bros. Records and Shaw joined him in 1979 as a regional promotion person. Although Caviano was later dismissed from his role, Shaw stayed on at WB until 1984. While there, he promoted future dance music classics from Gino Soccio, Change, Kraftwerk, Laid Back (discovering and mixing the classic 12" White Horse), The Time, Prince, Chaka Khan, Patti Austin, Janice McClain, Stargard, Talking Heads, and the Tom Tom Club. Perhaps most noteworthy though was his relationship with Madonna as he helped guide her through the early stages of her career with Michael Rosenblatt and Mark Kamins. Shaw helped set up Madonna's early club gigs and was her promotion person for the early masterpieces Everybody, Physical Attraction, Holiday, and Burning Up. In 1984, MCA Records' executives Richard Palmese and Jheryl Busby took notice of Shaw's work at Warner Brothers and they created a national dance music promotion manager's position for him. He remained there until 1998 and during that time span he became the first corporate vice president of dance music promotion at any label. Shaw's experience was the backbone for bringing such luminaries as Elton John, Patti LaBelle, Dan Hartman, Bronski Beat, New Edition, Stephanie Mills, Fine Young Cannibals, The Jets, Londonbeat, Colonel Abrams, and Tracy Lords to the dance floors of the world. In addition, Shaw became the only record company executive to ever win the AIR competition as he took that honor in 1986.
In 1999, Shaw started his own promotion company, Bobby Shaw Promotions and he is doing it still today. As well he is involved with a Weekly Twitch Show under the name BobbyPromo. His shows are quite delightful and each show is like a history lesson when you listen to the music he chooses and you experience watching him.

Bobby Shaw interviewed by Lenny Fontana for True House Stories® # 103

LISTEN MELBA MOORE

This is a mix I did for True House Stories Takeover radio show by Lenny Fontana.
It includes my fav tracks a the moment. 

Track list

01. Dino Lenny - I've Learned That (Dino Lenny & Fed Conti Remix) - Crosstown Rebels	
02. Hot Toddy featuring Karen Harding - So Good To Me (Dub) - Glitterbox	
03. Jovonn - Let The World Dance - Nu Groove
04. Fiona Kraft - Deeper Feelings (Manoo The Dub Piano Interpretation By Bacanito) - Connected Frontline
05. Homero Espinosa - Back To The Hotel - PROMO
06. Honey Dijon - Stand - Classic Music Company	
07. Artist Code_414c46 x Artist Code 524f43 - In Da Hood - Cod3 QR	
08. Myd feat. Juan Wauters - Whether The Weather (Laurent Garnier Remix) - Ed Banger
09. Austin Ato - Discolombo - I Love Your Energy
10. Ed-Ward - White Candle - Stay True Sounds
11. BabyGirl - With You (Blakkat UK Dub) - Shaboom Records
12. Audiojack - Gravity (Original Mix) - Gruuv
13. Kapote - The Nose (Album Version) - Toy Tonics	
14. Jamie Jones, Channel Tres - Got Time For Me - Helix
15. Mene & ACA (YU) - No Me Impolta - Moxy
16. Mr V - Jus Dance (Tommy's Underworld Remix) - Promo
17. Roisin Murphy & DJ Koze - Can't Replicate - Ninja Tune
18. Radio Slave - Wild Life (Dub Mix) - Rekids	
19. Archie Hamilton featuring HQA  - Let The Light In - Defected	
20. Mark Farina, Homero Espinosa, Fuzzy Cufflinxxx - Back 2 The Groove (PEZNT Remix) - Moulton Music
21. The Deepshakerz, Kid Enigma - What I Do - Moon Harbour

PEZNT - Exclusive Mix For Lenny Fontana "True House Stories"

TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ SAM DIVINE # 104
Sam Divine is a DJ that knows exactly what to play and when to play it. The hours she spent rifling through vinyl in the warehouse of Chemical Records, where Sam once worked as a house buyer, gives her an insurmountable understanding of the genre. Having played nearly every club in Ibiza – including residencies at Ushuaia, Amnesia and Sankeys – and landed at top-end festivals, there are few who can offer a house music education like Sam Divine. Last year, she racked up over a hundred gigs and is well on track to exceed that in 2017, having already hit up the likes of Europe, North America and Asia. And her reputation for energising a dancefloor has been acknowledged by her inclusion in Pete Tong’s Selector Series for Radio 1. 
A late starter, Sam took up DJing at 21 – learning to mix in her mum’s garden shed. Her breakthrough came soon after with a DJ competition and landed her first residency at a club in Weston-super-Mare, where she was also the main booker, while also working in record stores. In 2005, after swapping Bristol for Ibiza, Sam became a vital component of San Antonio’s west end (where this year she makes a triumphant return as a resident for Defected at Eden) and has spent every season on the White Isle ever since. During this time, Divine also began working with Defected, who in 2009 signed her to their artist roster. A weekly warm-up at Mambo ensued, opening for legendary names like Kenny Dope and Frankie Knuckles, as well as hosting the weekly Defected Radio show that currently holds the #2 spot on iTunes in the UK Music Podcasts chart. The real turning point, however, came when she played We Are FSTVL in 2013. “I dropped a mix the night before and everyone went mad for it; the tent went from nothing to one-in-one-out within half an hour,” she explains. “After that, the bookings just went nuts.” 
With her tireless work ethic, this summer, Sam will play Tomorrowland, Eastern Electrics, Defected Croatia, SW4, and Creamfields. This year also marks the 10-year anniversary of La Vita, the annual DJ charity night that she helped to launch and has so far raised £35,000 for Breast Cancer Research. Sam also launched her own label D-Vine Sounds back in 2015, which this year she will showcase with a stage at We Are FSTVL, dates in Ibiza and a boat party at Defected Croatia. Recently, Sam has also begun to flirt with production; her first major release, a remix of garage anthem ‘Flowers’ with production partner Curtis Gabriel, hit #1 on both Traxsource and Beatport. Last year’s ‘Confessions’ was her first release on Defected, while her ‘Sam Divine In The House’ compilation featured further productions and went #1 on iTunes’ Dance chart. This summer she dropped ‘In Da Nation’ EP with Cassimm on DFTD. Sam Divine’s work ethic has seen her more than earn her stripes on the scene. A dedicated army of fans now spreads across the globe as her uplifting house sets captivate audiences everywhere she takes to the booth. With an unwavering love of music and tireless dedication to her craft, Sam is living proof you can achieve pretty much anything you set your mind to – and no one can hold her back.

Sam Divine Interviewed By Lenny Fontana For True House Stories® # 104

LISTEN BOBBY SHAW

TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ RICKY MORRISON # 105
Ricky Morrison has been breaking beats since it all began in ’86. Genuinely one of the most influential producers & DJ’s in the UK house scene from its original days in the early eighties. He is also one half of the dance music production and remixing duo, M&S. Their biggest hit was ‘Salsoul Nugget (If You Wanna)’. He has earned a reputation for delivering big performances and big records, and is set to release a wave of new material in 2020/21.In 1984 a young Ricky Morrison began spinning at London’s infamous ‘Dance Wicked’, promoted by SOUL II SOUL, and went on to be resident at ‘HIGH ON HOPE’ with the legend that is now Norman Jay MBE. Two of the UK’s most seminal dance clubs was a hell of a start and Ricky established a name for himself within the exploding house scene that developed into the monster it is today. Ricky has gone on to play at many of the best clubs in the world, on every continent, and very much has a style of his own that stands him out from the crowd, a style that saw him play the main room at the Southport Weekender five years in a row as the event was returning to its soulful roots in the late 90’s. Also a regular at the Ministry Of Sound, Fabric & Pacha, Ricky developed a sound for the big rooms these venues offered that filled the space without betraying his soulful roots. This made Ricky a valuable commodity as the US House scene took off and many promoters of previously underground events began taking over the High Street needing a DJ that could cross over the soulful sound to a bigger audience. Ricky’s style is unique and unlike the majority of the UK’s soulful house fraternity, often described as a US sound with a British twist, and anyone who’s heard him play will associate with this summary. He was so influenced by the sound coming out of the US that, in 1991, he quit his day job as a computer engineer and opened London’s legendary ‘Catch A Groove Records’ in Soho and this exclusive access this gave him to new material simply added to his effectiveness and reputation. Ricky has played alongside an almost comprehensive who’s who of the DJ superstars that shaped today’s dance music. DJ’s he has played alongside include…Tony Humphries, Louie Vega, Frankie Knuckles, David Morales, Kenny Carpenter, Todd Terry, Erick Morillo, Terry Hunter, C.J Mackintosh, Danny Rampling, Tedd Patterson, C&C Music Factory, Roger Sanchez, Pippi, David Harness, Paul Trouble Anderson and much much more!

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Ricky Morrison Interviewed By Lenny Fontana For True House Stories® # 105

LISTEN SAM DIVINE

TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ GEORGIE PORGIE # 106
There’s a certain type of DJ/ artist to emerge from Chicago, having been raised around the rawest and purest forms of House and Dance music. These roots cement themselves within the cities‘ residents, and form a continual source of inspiration for those who seek it. George Andros or Georgie Porgie or GP as he is known across the globe, is no exception. An accomplished DJ, Artist, hot singer songwriter, record producer, an independent dance music recording mogul and one of the hottest dance-music remixers to emanate out of Chicago, Illinois. There is no disputing the fact that Georgie Porgie is a multi-talented international recording star who owns the longest running dance labe in America! Georgie’s contributions to the Dance industry earned him the title of “The Ambassador of Dance Music.” Billboard Magazine in 2010 named Georgie Top 10 Dance artist of the Decade. He has had over 35 #1 records in over 18 countries and has sold millions of records through out his career! Georgie has produced and remixed some of music’s most prolific names including Michael Jackson, Spice Girls, Janet Jackson, Barbara Tucker, Mary J. Blige, Dawn Tallman, Linda Clifford, The Chi-lites feat. Marshal Thompson and Suzanne Palmer to name a few. His own productions like “Life Goes On”, “Love Is Gonna Save The Day”, “Sunshine”, “Can You Feel The Sound” , “Love One Another” and many more have earned him Global success! His Mix Show can be heard in over 20 Countries around the World! Currently he is touring the World as a DJ and a Singer which brings a whole new element to the decks and stages. Very simple...Georgie is the REAL DEAL! Come check out him share his life with us on True House Stories….

Georgie Porgie Interviewed By Lenny Fontana For True House Stories® # 106

LISTEN RICKY MORRISON

TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ DJ DISCIPLE # 107
"The Beat The Scene The Sound" follows DJ Disciple and his story of how DJ's, Promoters, Fans and others from a diverse communities transformed House Music from a DIY project into an international sensation amidst the tumult of 1980s and 90s era NYC. Disciple and many other DJs sought to regain a footing in the USA, but that only became possible with the rise of commercialized EDM. This book shows what is possible when you bring people together and what can unravel when you split them apart.

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DJ Disciple interviewed by Lenny Fontana for True House Stories® # 107

LISTEN GEORGIE PORGIE

TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ TERRY SPAMER # 108
You wouldn’t normally expect a club night in a northern UK city to be an hotbed for the emerging UK house music scene, but Deja vu in Hull was hailed as a pioneer of house music in the UK by legendary clubbing bible Mixmag, it was also named no1 club night in DJ Magazine and has received many accolades over the years and was voted by clubbers the best night in the north. Deja Vu has now been running for over 30 years and even today manages to secure the hottest talent around. Bookings in the last few years have included Patrick Topping, Camelphat, East End Dubs, Hot Since 82, Jackmaster, Darius Syrossian. Seb Zito, Sonny Fodera, Solardo, Luik Van Dijk, Dimitri from Paris, Waff, Alan Fitzpatrick, Ben Hemsley, Wheats, Rossko, Wheats, Skream, Lauren Lo Sung, David Penn, Ben Sterling to name but a few. They’ve also hosted house music royalty such as Masters at Work(Kenny Dope & Louie Vega), David Morales, Sasha, Carl Cox, Pete Tong, Todd Terry, Marshal Jefferson, Bob Sinclar, Derrick Carter, DJ Sneak, Kerri Chandler, Sandy Rivera, Lenny Fontana and so many more. Terry Spamer is the man behind the brand and its success. Listen to him share what he did over 30 years to make Deja Vu become one of the most talked about party brands in the UK and Ibiza. Staying power speaks volumes and he is not finished yet. He is working on producing high quality large events today in Hull.

👕OUR NEW MERCHANDISE SHOP: https://www.truehousestories.com/shop-merchandise/#!

Terry Spamer Interviewed By Lenny Fontana For True House Stories® # 108

LISTEN DJ DISCIPLE

Lenny Fontana is one of the greatest House Music Producers to come out of the original New York City Club scene. A True Legend who has worked with many other incredible artists such as Chris Willis, Byron Stingily, Carole Sylvan, D Train, Crystal Waters, Alison Limerick, Shirley Lites, Meli’sa Morgan and Lee John (Imagination) to name just a few.
Lenny Fontana has DJed all over the world throughout his career. He was the First American DJ to play at the world famous ‘Pacha’ - (Ibiza). Lenny has played at iconic venues such as Ministry Of Sound - (London), ‘Studio 54’ - (New York City),  ‘Hacienda’ - (Manchester), ‘La Queen’ - (Paris) and he also DJ'ed for the closing party at  ‘The Chevron’ - (Melbourne).
Each Wednesday Lenny Fontana will be joined by a very special DJ / Producer / Vocalist for a Facebook Live that will blow your mind!
Lenny will be chatting with his guests about their music careers to discover the true stories of working in this industry.  He will be unveiling the true 'behind the scenes' stories on how his guests succeeded and continue to survive in this business. 
Listen to Lenny’s amazing guests as they share their journeys and achievements that have kept them top of the game and reveal some of the many incredible memories and experiences witnessed during their music careers. 
Expect to hear their untold stories about the joys of their work but also the many pitfalls that are hidden beneath which make this industry a very fun and exciting, yet highly competitive and challenging environment to be part of.
Imagine being the fly on the wall as you listen to 2 truly iconic faces in the music industry as they go deep into their experiences over their time working in the music industry.

© 2021- 2023 True House Stories ® is a registered tradmark by LCS Productions INC.

PLEASE SEND DEMOS TO: demo@blacksoulmusic.com
(ONLY Downloadable SoundCloud links will be listened)

Leading regional electronic music (underground house, deep house, soulful, tech house and nu disco) record label. 

The label is established in 2006 and it's owned by Croatia's biggest export in house music Tom Pasanec artist also known as BLACKSOUL / PEZNT. 

Licensing / Publishing: info@blacksoulmusic.com
All inquiries: info@blacksoulmusic.com

Check out www.blacksoulmusic.com for more.

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