Diva Dish ~ Gay Pride Edition

LGBT Pride Month begins June 1st, which is Marilyn Monroe's birthday. And LGBT Pride in June celebrates the political liberation that was initiated during the Stonewall riots on June 28, 1968 -- the day after Judy Garland's funeral. Coincidence? I think not. Both icons cherished and were supportive of their legion of gay fans.

LGBT Pride Day, in city after city around the world, will embrace dance-music divas. They're the idols of the post-Stonewall age. These divas will be on parade floats! In clubs! In cabarets! And even right on the streets during Pride Days internationally. Oklahoma City Pride this year will feature the double-powerhouse appearance of Taylor Dayne and Martha Wash, for example. Lucky city! As is Milwaukee, where that burg's PrideFest has the divine Debby Holiday onstage ahead of comedy divas Sandra Bernhard and Lisa Lampanelli.

I've been fortunate to have interviewed both Martha Wash and Ms Holiday:
http://blabittobeaverhausen.blogspot.com/2013/12/queens-our-city-radio-exclusive-q-with.html

http://djbuddybeaverhausen.blogspot.com/2012/06/buddy-bs-exclusive-q-with-debby-holiday.html

Here in New York City, Queens Pride kicked off June 1 with the fabulous Inaya Day belting out her Billboard club hits, "Movin' Up" and "Make Some Noise" 1 a.m. at Icon in Astoria. The Pier Dance in Manhattan will be on Sunday, June 29. This year, the Pier Dance diva will be Demi Lovato who is not enough of a draw, personally, to bring me to that event. Last year, I was there with bells on (only figuratively) to see Cher and Deborah Cox. What an amazing show that was!
http://djbuddybeaverhausen.blogspot.com/2013/07/on-pier-with-cher-and-hot-cox.html

So, what diva or divas are appearing at your city's event? Dj Buddy Beaverhausen would love to hear from you, all over the world. Don't be shy. Enquiring minds need to know. Wishing a happy Pride Day to all, wherever you might be!

My Q&A with Debby Holiday Goes QOCR!

I am so proud to share the Q&A I had with the divine Debby Holiday with Queens Our City Radio. Once more around the world! Thank you, Debby; thank you, Barbara Sobel @ Queens Our City Radio! http://queens.ourcityradio.com/ Support our indy artists! They rock!

http://queens.ourcityradio.com/uncategorized/qa-dance-diva-debby-holiday

Elton John and Moscow Discow

Word is out that Elton John will be performing at the Olympics in Moscow come December "despite the violently homophobic climate pervading Russia and the safety threats to openly lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) individuals in the country, both citizens and foreigners," as Huffington Post succinctly reported.

Some are calling him a whore for money and media attention. He is receiving 12 million dollars for this gig. I certainly plan to refrain from purchasing his new album that arrives in stores next week until I see how this plays out.

John is widely quoted as saying, "I've got to go," echoing Gladys Knight about that Midnight Train to Georgia. (And she was going to Georgia, USA; not the country of Georgia, once part of the USSR!) "I’ve got to think about what I’m going to say very carefully. There’s two avenues of thought: do you stop everyone going, ban all the artists coming in from Russia? But then you’re really leaving the men and women who are gay and suffering under the anti-gay laws in an isolated situation. As a gay man, I can’t leave those people on their own without going over there and supporting them." We'll see how far he goes and how much support he offers. Only then will I decide whether to purchase The Diving Board. As for now, I'm considering Elton to have gone off the deep end.

Fall is sweeping in a lot of great dance music for us to download. The always awesome Debby Holiday (whom I interviewed last year: http://djbuddybeaverhausen.blogspot.com/2012/06/buddy-bs-exclusive-q-with-debby-holiday.html) returns with new 2013 remixes of her classic dancefloor smash, "Dive." Remixers on board include Chris Cox, Matt Consola & LFB, Club Junkies and the Dickinson/Farley remix among others. (My interview with Joel Dickinson at: http://djbuddybeaverhausen.blogspot.com/2012/02/dj-buddy-beaverhausens-q-with-dj-joel.html.)

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_12?url=search-alias%3Ddigital-music&field-keywords=debby+holiday+dive&sprefix=debby+holida%2Cdigital-music%2C315

Also on Amazon, you can download the marvelous Martha Wash's new single, "It's My Time," remixed by The Paperchasers. Love this song and her latest album from which it came. My blog review that was also posted on the diva's website: http://djbuddybeaverhausen.blogspot.com/2013/02/im-into-something-good-martha-wash.html

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_14?url=search-alias%3Ddigital-music&field-keywords=martha+wash+it%27s+my+time&sprefix=Martha+Wash+It%2Cdigital-music%2C776

Barbara Sobel of Sobel Promotions tipped me off to a second batch of remixes of the new Village People song, "Let's Go Back to the Dancefloor." Expect this to get large, especially after their appearance on the new Arsenio Hall show. Again, a remix here by none other than our own Joel Dickinson!

http://www.amazon.com/Lets-Back-Dance-Floor-Remixes/dp/B00EVVDLUA/ref=sr_shvl_album_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1379545185&sr=301-3

Get Kristy Love! Thanks once more to Ms Sobel and Sobel Promotions regarding the remix of Kristy Love's new single, "All Over the World." The diva was, at one time, a member of the classic group, The Platters. Hear her out! Enjoy this remix from Julian Marsh (our recent Q&A at http://djbuddybeaverhausen.blogspot.com/2013/08/my-exclusive-q-with-remixer-producer-dj.html). You can download this and other remixes as well as the original mix at:

https://soundcloud.com/sobelpromotionsmusic/all-over-the-world-julian?in=sobelpromotionsmusic/sets/kristy-love-all-over-the/s-7itlD

Wrapping it up, the jury's out on Elton. The jury's verdict is up with new remixes. And we send our support to Russia:

Inauguration Proclamation 2013

In his Inauguration address today, President Obama proclaimed: "Our journey is not complete until our gay brothers and sisters are treated like anyone else under the law. For if we are truly created equal, then surely the love we commit to one another must be equal as well." This is to be applauded; a sign of hope; a defiance of all the haters.

It was also the observance of Martin Luther King Day today, which made the struggle for equality all that more poignant. As dance diva Debby Holiday revealed on her Facebook timeline: 

"As a little girl ... I remember walking down the street in LA, holding my white mother's hand (and, child I mean WHITE)!!  We rec'd stares everywhere. I mean EVERYwhere!! Sometimes people were even quite cruel to my mother.  As if she'd committed the ultimate sin. Lovin one of them Negros.

"So, on this day ... where America Inaugurated our first Black President (well, mixed like me) AGAIN - meaning it was not a fluke, on MLK's official Birthday, and said the word Gay for the first time in an Inauguration speech & hearing his continued belief in equal pay for women & a road for our immigrants towards citizenship & dignity ... Well, on this day ... that little mixed girl is smiling.

"Because now -- as a woman who is proud of her black & Irish heritage & loves her gay friends & her friends of just about every nationality ... On this day ... this Woman is Proud of how far we've come since that little girl bowed her head in confusion and, I am so damn hopeful for the road ahead."

That truly describes the advances we've made in America towards total equality and a just and fair society, and against discrimination, hatred and prejudice. Today was an outstanding day that we, in the USA, celebrate! We are a society that no longer discriminates against women, people of color and people of various affectionate orientations. We have progressed. We have largely fulfilled Dr Martin Luther King's dream.

And, I assume it was no coincidence that two gay-fave and fabulous divas were asked to perform at the Inauguration: Beyonce ("National Anthem", introduced by New York's own Chuck Schumer) and Kelly Clarkson ("My Country T'is of Thee," known elsewhere as "God Bless the King" )! I was especially proud of Kelly since she took my advice from my most viral blog post to date. http://djbuddybeaverhausen.blogspot.com/2011/12/advising-kelly-clarkson.html

Q's & A's 2012: Looking Back on My Interviews for the Year

Something new was added to my blog in 2012: my interviews with noteworthy people connected to the dance music scene.

My very first Q & A was with producer/remixer Joel Dickinson, and I thought there was a good rapport in that one, plus Mr Dickinson had a lot of interesting things to say about his career as Joel Dickinson, DJJD and Thee Werq'n B!tches.
http://djbuddybeaverhausen.blogspot.com/2012/02/dj-buddy-beaverhausens-q-with-dj-joel.html

My second interview of 2012 was with writer Johnny Morgan, who authored the books, Gaga, and DISCO: The Music, The Times, The Era, a lushly illustrated and detailed account that is truly a favorite of mine regarding its subject. I can't recommend this highly enough to anyone interested in disco music; it's both brilliantly explored and insightful. Here was our Q & A. Johnny, who has an encyclopedic knowledge of popular music generally, was clever, extremely articulate and thoughtful throughout:
http://djbuddybeaverhausen.blogspot.com/2012/03/dj-buddy-bs-q-with-author-johnny-morgan.html

Debby Holiday was the first dance diva to agree to do an interview with me. I loved our interview as Ms Holiday comes across as being full of positive energy, with a winning personality shining through. This Q&A came together in time for Gay Pride in NYC, where I'm still hoping she will perform someday soon. Ms Holiday, daughter of soul legend Jimmy Holiday, told me, after seeing the Q & A, that the image of her dad that's included was one she'd never seen before, which I found very sweet and touching.

Debby has charted on the Billboard Top 25 Dance/Club Chart a dozen times to date and you can purchase Debby's music at Amazon.com.
http://djbuddybeaverhausen.blogspot.com/2012/06/buddy-bs-exclusive-q-with-debby-holiday.html

Amber Dirks, currently fronting the hot electronica of Kopatechnic, has had an illustrious career in dance music, and my interview with her contains several music videos and images. Ms Dirks was very gracious and kind, discussing her work as a singer, what it was like working with Sister Sledge amongst others, and her Donna Summer connection. Amber's album with Kopatechnic has been released since this interview, and you can purchase it at Amazon.com on MP3.
http://djbuddybeaverhausen.blogspot.com/2012/07/exclusive-q-with-dance-diva-amber-dirks.html

My last interview of the year was with the divine Carol Hahn, who was just wonderful to talk with. I have been a fan of hers for some time now and have blogged about her since one of my very first Leave It to Beaverhausen posts. Carol is a very bright, sensitive and talented individual. I enjoyed discovering more about her jingles and voice-overs as much as I did discussing her career as a dance diva, who has charted on Billboard's Dance/Club chart several times. This Q & A ended on a very kind, bittersweet and personal note.
http://djbuddybeaverhausen.blogspot.com/2012/09/exclusive-q-with-diva-of-dance-music.html

Carol recently recorded "You Have Rescued Me" with Karin Nagi, available now on iTunes.



I once again want to thank this illustrious group of dance-music stars for granting me these interviews and for taking out the time to talk with us. Please support these people and their enormous talents. It was a privilege for me to conduct these Q & A's.

And, in 2013: More Dj Buddy Beaverhausen Q & A's! Just wait till you see what I've got cooking, and with whom! Thanks to my readers, Happy New Year, and I hope you've enjoyed these interviews as much as I enjoyed the interviewing.

The Divas of Billboard's Dance/Club Chart

Hot as the summer itself, here are where the divas that interest me are for the week ending July 21.

Katy Perry's "Wide Awake" is up two notches, currently at third place with the #1 spot (currently occupied by The Wanted's "Chasing the Sun") well within her reach. But there's more than a Firework on its way up her butt as Kylie Minogue's at #4 with "Timebomb," perhaps the hottest song of summer so far (though it isn't summer Down Under). In any case, it's positively incendiary and is Billboard's "Greatest Gainer" pick of the week.

Two of the songs, and the divas, I've been rooting for dipped this week on the chart, much to my disappointment. Because I love these songs and think these women deserve the top spot more than many who've arrived there of late. Debby Holiday's strong, beautiful "Key to Your Soul" (already a gay anthem) dips one rung to the 23rd spot. It's completely possible it could bounce back up, I tell myself. And Katharine McPhee's "Touch Me" (from the NBC-tv series, "Smash") may have peaked at #4 last time as it now has sunken to #9. Still, it had a nice, long ride upward.
http://djbuddybeaverhausen.blogspot.com/2012/06/buddy-bs-exclusive-q-with-debby-holiday.html

Jennifer Lopez's "Goin' In" goes up like a rocket, quickly following up on the success of "Dance Again," which reached #1 on the club chart, and on the pop and radio charts as well. "Goin' In" quickly snagged the 18th position last week, and is now all the way in and up at #9.

Kelly Clarkson shows off her "Dark Side" and remixes lift her from last week's #20 to this week's #10. This moved faster than Aretha Franklin devouring a cheesecake (to paraphrase Joan Rivers). Sorry, but I don't think this is anywhere near as good a dance tune as Kelly's last effort, "Stronger," which showed off her Nietzschean side. (I'm so sure Miss Clarkson pours over his philosophical treatises during her free time.)
http://djbuddybeaverhausen.blogspot.com/2011/12/advising-kelly-clarkson.html

Toni Braxton, who took "I Heart You" to #1, has made a graceful deflation off the chart, still nicely sitting at 18.  Carly Rae Jepsen still snug as a bug with "Call Me Maybe" (loving the Almighty UK mix), which peaked at #15. Gossip's "Perfect World" makes a grand entrance into the top 25, at #23 this week, and Scissor Sisters, with power diva Jake Shears, are now at #17, riding "Only the Horses." (I must confess I prefer "Let's Have a Kiki" but have yet to find a decent extended remix.)

Shakira may have told us "Hips Don't Lie," but Nelly Furtado arrives in 25th place with "Big Hoops (Bigger the Better)." And those are the top Divas of the Top 25 of the Billboard dance/club chart this week. Till next time, peace, love and dance your ass off for happiness! Bigger the better.

Below, the video for Scissor Sisters' "Kiki." I love it!

Divas on the Dance Chart (Billboard) Update

This week's Billboard Dance chart in focus.

It's no secret that I don't like Eva Simmons' "I Don't Like You," no matter the mix. Yet the bitch hit #1 on the chart this week. So be it. Still, I love that "Touch Me," Katharine McPhee's big number from the tv series, "Smash" has reached number four. Hoping it gets up to the smashing tippy-top.

Katy Perry's "Wide Awake" has jumped from #11 to #5, as the singer's movie loses to Spiderman at the b.o. this weekend. But huge leap for Miss Kylie, armed with her "Timebomb," exploding from #21 to #9! Another American hit for the Aussie dance diva!

Toni Braxton's divine "I Heart You" settles nicely at #13, one chart step up from the dance mixes of Justin Bieber's "Boyfriend" (that artist cited for reckless driving this afternoon in L.A.) with Canadian pop star  Carly Rae Jepsen's "Call Me Maybe" one rung lower.

J-Lo's going in with "Goin' In," debuting in the top 25 at #18 (remix below), while Kelly Clarkson's "Dark Side" pays off at #20. (#30 last week.) Reina reappears with "Lover Who Rocks You" (we love you, Miss Reina). And one of my all-time favorite dance divas, the divine Debby Holiday (check out our Q&A below) rises to #22 with the fantastic "Key to Your Soul." Scissor Sisters' "Only the Horses" at last cracks the top 25.

Thanks to the US, UK, Canada and Italy, German, Belgium, Brazil, Israel, Hungary, Myanmar, Australia, France, Turkey & Argentina for your blog views and support this week. Let's dance for peace, for love and for a united world with equal rights for all! We deserve it! Universal love is a possibility.

http://djbuddybeaverhausen.blogspot.com/2012/06/buddy-bs-exclusive-q-with-debby-holiday.html

Divas of Note, Billboard 6/28

Victory for the US of A

Well, who knows where the time goes, indeed? Here we are, Pride Day over and Fourth of July practically upon us. Happy holiday to my American friends, and let's celebrate the Supreme Court decision on Obamacare as well!

Thank you, Indonesia, Turkey, Argentina and Italy, especially, for your blog support this past week.

Now let's get down to business with the divas we adore. I'm talking the latest Billboard dance chart!

Check out my Q&A with Debby Holiday

"Key to Your Soul," the Debby Holiday-fronted number by John LePage, snuggles in at #25 and is sure to rise for the multiple-Billboard-charting artist. Don't miss Dj Buddy B's EXCLUSIVE interview with Ms Holiday! It includes the hot, new video for this song.

 http://djbuddybeaverhausen.blogspot.com/2012/06/buddy-bs-exclusive-q-with-debby-holiday.html

Kylie's got a timebomb!

Shawn Christopher ("Another Sleepless Night") is the divine diva on Ralphi Rosario's remake of "Menergy," peaking for Pride and now nestled at #24. Meanwhile, Kylie Minogue's incendiary "Timebomb" explodes at #21, making "the biggest goddamned explosion you've ever heard," as Liz Taylor said in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf. That's a 10-position boost from last week's #31! (Time for some explosions with US's Independence Day and France's Bastille Day in the air.)

Katy Perry's "Wide Awake" does seem alert as it jumps from #22 to #11. Toni Braxton's "I Heart You" is at #8, fallen from the top spot last time, after its meteoric rise. (Still a hot number.)

And Katharine MacPhee ascends to #5 with remixes from Smash's "Touch Me." http://djbuddybeaverhausen.blogspot.com/2012/06/smash-season-2-update.html

Kevin Scott Hall

ps: New Yorkers, don't miss good friend Kevin Scott Hall's "Golden" at  Don't Tell Mama, 343 W. 46th St., on July 18 at 7pm, and July 21 at 6pm. (The show includes a song I wrote, a'la disco, "No More Mr Nice Guy!")

Till next week's Billboard review, kittens, enjoy this:

Buddy B's EXCLUSIVE Q&A with DEBBY HOLIDAY

When I first heard "Dive" (Chris Cox remix) in a club eight years ago, I had to know who this diva was! Thus began my love affair, dj-wise, with Debby Holiday. Mention "Joyous Sound" to most gay men and they kvell! The Tony Moran/Warren Rigg mix of "Surrender Me" still sends chills up my spine. So it is a special pleasure to interview the one, the only, the fabulous ... Ms Debby Holiday!

Dj Buddy B: Debby, I've been such a big fan of yours since I first heard "Dive," so it's particularly sweet that you would do a Q and A for my blog in time for Pride. Thank you so very much! 

Debby Holiday: Aww, my pleasure!

DBB: What are your Pride plans, with so many Pride celebrations around the world? Will you be performing?

DH: Oh, yes indeed! I'll be at Seattle Pride this weekend! Can't Wait!  Lots of friends there AND I'll have a chance to hug Phil B,who's spinning!

DBB: You and Dj Phil are a winning couple, musically.  Love out to you both!

Debby, we adore you in NYC! Will you be doing a show here any time soon?

DH: Oh, bless you -- I tell ya,  I am WAY overdue for a NY show! Hmmm - gotta ask one of my agents about that. [laughs.] I will however, be performing at Cobalt in DC on July 14th and Rehoboth Beach at the Blue Moon on July 15th. Both venues are new to me, so definitely looking forward!

DBB: We will so be loving you once you get here!

It's so great to see you on the Billboard dance chart so frequently lately! You just had a top-ten charter with producer Phil B ("Never Give Up") and, now, your song with John LePage, "Key to Your Soul" is climbing up. You actually had two numbers on Billboard at once. How did that feel? And to what do you attribute this recent Billboard boost?

DH: Well, it took me about two weeks to even remember that! "Hey, wait a minute, is my name on two singles at once?" [laughs.]

Definitely a pretty cool feeling. I've been very blessed so far. Eleven singles all in the top 25! I attribute that to a lot of hard work AND working with great people! "Never Give Up"and all !! :)

 
DBB: Billboard said you straddle the fence between soul, rock and disco, yet you always seem outside the box. Could you tell us a little about your musical influences and background?

DH: Oh, very eclectic. From David Bowie and AC/DC, Janis Joplin to Tina Turner, Prince, Lenny Kravitz, Aretha Franklin ... and ... Chopin. My father had every possible kind of musician traipsing through our home as a child so I learned to appreciate and love a lot of different styles of music. Oh... and the first live show I saw ... Bette Midler!   

DBB: It is the rare dance diva who writes or co-writes most of her material, but you are one of them. How do you feel about that?

DH: My father [soul legend Jimmy Holiday who co-wrote "Put a Little Love in Your Heart" amongst others] wrote a few huge hits, so song writing is an honored art form in my heart and mind. It means a great deal to me -- to have the pleasure/honor of sharing thoughts -- especially the uplifting songs because I know music saved my life many times. [Mine, too, Debby. ~ Dj Buddy B] When I felt no one understood, music was my constant solace.

DBB: You did a fabulous, blow-the-roof-off cover of "Heaven," produced by LePage and LFB,  a classic 1990's club hit originally recorded by Sarah Washington. What was it like to tackle something that already had the status of this sort?

DH: Well, it was very odd at first. I mean, come on, Sarah Washington is amazing! So, I tried to stay true to her passion while making it my own. I had a blast and am really thankful John suggested the whole idea.  

DBB: It turned out wonderfully!

I'll ask you about other disco divas, now, if you don't mind. For example, Cyndi Lauper is NYC's grand marshal in our march this year. In July, I have the opportunity to see Nona Hendryx (of Labelle). Like you, she definitely is on the edge of the soul/rock/dance scene. In August, Martha Wash. I wanted to get your take on these women with powerful voices who, like you, have guided us to the dance floor and made us wanna sweat.

DH: Not much I can say except: all hail those beautiful women! Strength, grit, tenacity ~ adore each and every one of them!! It's a good thang to sweat! Ohhh, yes!!

DBB:  The club world has had some terrible losses recently; I'm referring especially to the deaths of Whitney Houston and Donna Summer. What effect did these events have on you?

DH: The loss of such powerful voices and spirits always makes me reflect on why we are here, how short our journey is and that we MUST try to cherish every minute. The ups -- the downs -- all of it! I will be forever in awe and grateful to the musical voices that were here with us ... lifted us up, gave us hope, made us dance, smile, FEEL Life.

DBB: Last questions. Care to comment on the President's stance on marriage equality? And anything special you'd like to shout out to your gay fans all over the world?

DH: I am SO proud of our President. It took a great deal of courage to be the first American President to say it! I know he lost a lotta Bible Belt folks over speakin' his truth. To my gay fans/friends, I say ... I love you! We are all equal, PERIOD! We will continue to spread a message of love and equality and strength and unity. One mind, one open heart at a time ... we Belong! Each and every one of us!

DBB: We love you, Debby. And thanks so much for your time and for sharing your thoughts and feelings with us. Happy Pride and have a great summertime! You are beautiful, inside and out!

DH: Thank you for having me!  I feel very fortunate to know some delicious beings like yourself. Big ol' hug to ya!

Debby Holiday, available on iTunes. Support our artists that support us. Happy Pride to all! Good luck, Debby, in Seattle! xxxx!

Where My Divas At? Chart Check

Debby Holiday

The phenomenal Debby Holiday has a new song charging up the Billboard dance chart, "Key to Your Soul." Ms Holiday has had ten top-25 hits on that chart so far! Obviously a diva to be reckoned with, she followed her recent top-ten charter, "Never Give Up," made with producer Phil B, with this number produced by the always fabulous John LePage. Available on iTunes with multiple remixes. Just terrific! And currently # 26 with a bullet!

Toni Braxton is back on top (well, almost). She's at  numero dos this week with "I Heart You," buoyed largely by the Mark Picchiotti and Peter Rauhofer club mixes. Expect to hear it when you're dancing at Pride. And expect her to be numero uno by next week; I have it on good authority.

The "Menergy" energy is up to #8 just when you're thinking men men men at Pride Pride Pride, so many good mixes from which to choose, followed by Carly Rae Jepsen's "Call Me Maybe," sporting a great Almighty remix to guide you to the floor. Meanwhile Katherine McPhee takes "Touch Me," from tv's Smash, to #12 from last week's 17. You go, girls!

A diva I have loved for a very large part of my life, Ms Darlene Love, suddenly seems to have become ubiquitous, and that's a good thing. Recently performing at NBC-tv's farewell party for her personal friend, Sue Simmons (a serious icon on New York's tri-state news), I recently caught Darlene's show at Joe's Pub. Besides her annual Christmas performance at BB King's in New York this year, the ex-Phil Spector Crystal and featured performer, Broadway's Motormouth Mable from "Hairspray" and solo vocalist will be doing shows at the new 54 Below (cabaret under the old Studio 54). She also performed recently at the WhyHungry Awards ceremony in NYC. Don't miss this legend when you have the opportunity to see her live. You can find her songs on both iTunes and Amazon. Support our divas!

Until next week, that's Dj Buddy B's Diva Update. Special thanks this week (beyond the always faithful USA, the UK and Canada) to Brazil, France, Germany, Austria, Italy, Mexico, Israel, United Arab Emigrates, Morocco and South Korea. Divas spread peace, they unify; dance is the answer; love around the globe to all. Happy Pride around our world; stay united!

I leave you with the outstanding video for "Free Your Soul," with its anti-bullying message and back-up drag queens. Awesome, Miss Debby, and perfect for Pride!

Dateline Florida: Beaverhausen & Billboard

It's Dj Buddy B's last night in the Florida gulf, where I have mostly blogged about aging divas and their birthdays. Afternoon showers, nice and breezy, not as hot as the past few days since I arrived. I'm seated under an Arabian-styled gazebo, me and my laptop atypically atop patio furniture, typing as the palm trees around us sway and the gazebo linens flap.

Finally looking over last Thursday's top 25 Billboard dance/club charters, below are my views and feelings on what interests moi at this time:

Gotye (featuring Kimbra) has a #1 smash on the week's Billboard Top 100. The video for their fresh hit, "Somebody That I Used to Know," was in constant rotation on my little DirecTV monitor on the Jet Blue flight down here.  The dance mixes of this Belgian/Australian indie-pop artist's song arrive at the dance chart's 4th spot.

Madonna's "Girl Gone Wild" slowly slides to #6, off its peak #1 perch, while Katy Perry jettisons two spots upward, to this week's #2 with "Part of Me."

Debby Holiday is the daughter of singer/musician Jimmy Holiday (who co-wrote Jackie DeShannon's "Put a Little Love in Your Heart").  This club diva is consistently a dance-music success, artistically and commercially, and her latest tune, "Never Give Up," will make you wanna move. It leaps to 9th place, from #14 last week.

Up from #22, Jennifer Lopez' "Dance Again" is another great contempo dance anthem that is dominating both pop and dance charts, and it's one of JLo's best efforts to date. On the latest chart, it hits lucky number 13 and looks like it could soon conquer the top spot.

Melanie Amaro's "Respect" and Beyonce's "Love on Top" nestle at numbers 15 and 16, respectively, after peaking at #3 and #1 (also respectively).

Beyond Beyonce, little of interest to me, Buddy B, on Billboard. Time now for Buddy B's banana daquiris, dahlings! Peace, love & disco for all! This week, special, much-requited love back to Brazil, Indonesia, the UK, Mexico, Germany, Russia, Spain, France and Canada! Keep dancing, everyone; and kisses out to all.

Divas, Djs, Buddy & Billboard

By and large, the Billboard dance chart and I frequently part company when it comes to top tunes, though there are some things on my turntables that also make it on that chart.

Hey, I'm a populist! Give the people what they want, I concur. But, also, I believe a dj's set should expose people to new music, to help shape tastes and mix things up. Contemporary chart music, underexposed club productions and disco classics can all live in harmony. I think it excites a crowd to hear the unexpected, the fresh, the new and exciting when they're out to dance. Nobody hits the dance floor if he or she is uninspired (unless pleasing a date; Buddy B knows all too well) or gagging on a Billboard hit for the umpteenth time. Throw in a little retro, embellish with some camp, include plenty of uplift in the melody and the messages, give good diva drama, et voila!

So let's begin with a peek at Billboard's top club hits. Billboard says it's "compiled from reports from a national sample of club DJs." But does anyone know who these dj's are exactly?  I'm just going to address the songs from the chart that I, as a dj, like and play. It will prove painlessly brief:

Despite Madonna's record drop in album sales of MDNA, her club-friendly "Girl Gone Wild" is sitting pretty in first place as "Give Me All Your Luvin'" drops, still comfortably entrenched in the 10th spot. That song already ascended to #1 two weeks ago and has made a meteoric rise and fall in just eight weeks.

Melanie Amaro's cover of "Respect" is at 3; Katy Perry's "Part of Me" is one of this week's Greatest Gainers at #6, followed by "Love on Top" by Beyonce, having already topped the chart.

The always welcome Debby Holiday's new one, "Never Give Up," floats like a butterfly to #16; Yoko Ono gets down to #18 with "She Gets Down on Her Knees." And, beyond that, I'm afraid, is where Billboard and I part company.

My divas, oh my divas! I do love my divas. They are almost everything to me in terms of putting across the emotional elements of a song that help make it be exciting. So against diva-wannabe drama in real life, I say save drama for the stage, movie, tv or the disco, where it belongs.

Unlikely, at this point, to make it onto Billboard's top 25 club songs, is Gladys Knight's return to dance floors with her cover of "I Who Have Nothing." This classic tune was composed by Carlo Donida with English lyrics written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, and originally recorded by Ben E. King in 1963. Sylvester previously did a disco version of it, and now it's Gladys whose distinctive voice helps make this newly exciting to club-goers. Best remix is by Tony Moran/Warren Rigg. And, truly, Nicki Minaj's pathetic "Starships" beat this on the US dance/club chart? Pshaw!

It was Tony Moran, also, who produced a number that is an instant club classic, in my estimation, though it didn't chart the way I thought it would. "Magic," a true diva thrill-ride sung by none other than Jennifer Holliday, was indeed club magic. Released at the beginning of the year, it was certainly a hit in the gay clubs. So who, exactly, are these Nielsen-family djs? That's what I'd like to know!

Of the latest crop of promos, I am enjoying the 2012 club mix of Rich B's "Revolution" featuring Marcella Puppini (of Puppini Sisters fame, and already discussed in a recent post). "Tonight" is the new dance offering from St Etienne, the original extended mix preferred. I love Sarah Cracknell's voice; it's somewhere between Kylie and Deborah Harry, floating beautifully above her band's dreamy instrumentals.

Again, it's the original extended mix to go with when it comes to the trancey "Sunshine in My Life" by FunkySober with true diva vocals by one Sharlene Hector. Beautifully dancetastic despite simplistic lyrics. (Not always a drawback when you just need to work it out on the disco floor.)

From the tv series, Smash, it's Katherine McPhee who's lifted to disco-diva status at last, just like she was lifted on the show during that number by chorus boys. The original tv episode's version was clearly meant as a club tune. Right now, I'm digging the original extended club mix. Let's hope for brilliant remixes and that this will be a Smash.

Every Carol Hahn song's worthy of a celebration. Her newest release is no exception. "If This Is Love" is a great, contemporary hi-NRG number. Talk about uplift in message and melody, this is brilliant! I like the Julian Marsh mix best, fyi.

"Dance Again," Jennifer Lopez' newest, is a guilty pleasure and sure to pleasure the Billboard crowd. Adam Lambert offers "Better Than I Know Myself," of which I'm loving the Mike Rizzo club mix best. And beloved club divas Toni Braxton and Suzanne Palmer are back, people! And that is good news indeed!

Mark Picchiotti is always brilliant and his re-working  of "I Heart You" by Ms Braxton is no exception. May he guide her to the top where she belongs, at least for the club crowd. Suzanne's soulful "Keep on Keepin' On" is a dance delight with a few good remixes on hand to enhance. Right now, I like Gustavo Scorpio's work the most.

May I add that dancing is not only fun, it unites? Peace and happiness to all! Haters are losers. Clubs are where the happy people go. Thanks to all my viewers around the world. Love to all! Shout outs to Brazil, Colombia, Argentina, Singapore, Indonesia, United Arab Emirates and everyone else! It's one world. Love each other, love the music, dance, peace and out. It's all about the music.

On My Turntables, Sept. 5, 2011 (Labor Day)

Erasure's new single has hit the U.S., and my cd deck and download playlist both. "When I Start To (Break It All Down)" is from the group's forthcoming LP, "Tomorrow's World," available this fall. The album marks the band's first in more than four years and was written in London, New York and Maine.

"When I Start To (Break It All Down)" has Andy Bell and Vince Clarke back in top form, after four years, enhanced by their collaboration with producer Frankmusik. I have posted a Youtube video for the original track at the end of this column so you can hear what an uplifting dance groove it is. It glimmers and shimmers in an uplifting sonic swirl, and I expect it will be big on dance floors in the upcoming season. Favorite from the remix e.p. I received is the Steve Smart & Westfunk club mix that clocks in at 6:19. Available on both US and UK iTunes and Amazon.

The hiNRG sound from the UK is alive, well and invading US clubs come autumn. Leona Lewis' "Collide" has already started climbing the US Billboard club-play chart. The Cahill and Alex Gaudino/Jason Rooney remixes are particular standouts. Ex-Spice Girl Melanie C is back with the catchy "Think About It." And which Spice was she? Sporty, darlings, Sporty! (And please never forget that.) Groovesplitters club mix is good, 7th Heaven's Almighty-influenced mix is best.

Olivia Newton-John's 2011 re-recording of "Magic" is just that with Ms. N-J ship-shape, voice stronger than ever and still so incredibly smooth. Down Under's remixer extraordinaire Steve Peach shares the honors on the Peachy & Murphy club mix which is the needed hocus-pocus for the floor.

Now, when my favorite divas contact me and say they've dropped something new to kick off September and to get a jump on the fall releases, I go right to CD Baby and iTunes and get my legal downloads asap. And, people, let me tell you that Buddy was in ecstasy listening to new songs by Inaya Day and Debby Holiday all weekend.

Inaya Day has been one of the hardest working, tireless club artists since the 1990s, recording here and throughout Europe consistently. Her voice is very distinctive and powerful. If I'd never heard a song of hers and it was being played in a club, I'd know immediately who the diva in question was. And she never disappoints. That can certainly be said of "Higher Place," her latest, especially the Randy Bettis/Dj Boyd Anthem Mix. It is a soaring, driving, dance-inspiring number that is completely irresistible. Comes with a positive, easy-to-digest message.

I only recently learned from Debby Holiday that she is the daughter of the legendary performer/songwriter Johnny Holiday, perhaps best known for writing "Put a Little Love in Your Heart" with Jackie De Shannon. Debby's powerful pipes have been a boon to the dance-music scene. Her recent "Catch a Fire" was a big hit during Pride this past June and, now, the drivingly upbeat "One World" is even more marvelous (with lyrics that echo the Bacharach/David song, "What the World Needs Now Is Love," also a hit for Miss DeShannon, ironically). "One World" is bound to tear up dance floors, dance charts and, I expect, be an overall autumn club hit. Comes with various remixes, my fave being the Solar City Gospel Brunch club mix.

And, lastly, I have tweaked an unofficial remix of Lady Gaga's "Marry the Night" in my Dj Buddy B's Benadictines v the Matt Nevins private mix. It will be on my next promo ("Desire @ the Disco, vol. 7") and 4 copies can be won as free promo giveaways later in the week, when I run my second contest for this blog.

Till then, I look forward to the new season, the music, the dancing, the nightlife and to you, the world over; it's all about the love and the musical groove. Amen.