Lenny Williams
Oakland, California, United States | INDIE
Music
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Performances at The BAM Howard Gilman Opera House in Brooklyn, NY; May 9th (Both shows are sold out).
Jammin's Entertainment presents "Loving Him Is Killing Me" from award-wining playright Theo London. When a mother and daughter are obsessed with the same man, all hell breaks loose in this family drama with an all-star cast including Angie Stone, Leon, Lenny Williams, NeNe (from ATL Housewives).
Loving Him Is Killing Me is a play about love, lust, and lies. The action focuses on the travails of the Johnston family. Liz, the doting mother, is tormented by the sudden death of her husband, Sonny. In order to ease her pain she turns to alcohol and prescription pills and her once close- knit family begins to crumble. Sebastian, her trusted family friend, and psychiatrist, tries to step in and offer her some much needed guidance. However, the wise-cracking antics and side- splitting humor of her close friends, Junebug -- an amusing alcoholic, Mutha -- a vivacious fun-going night club singer, and Miss Champagne -- a sixty-nine year old diva who has young men wrapped around her thighs, are barely enough to ease her lonely days and nights. As a result, the antagonist, in the form of her daughter’s newfound boyfriend, slips into her home and plays a deadly game with her family. A game which uncovers smoldering desires, damaging accusations, and buried secrets; secrets which threaten to implode!
Loving Him Is Killing Me explores Liz’s bittersweet pain which leaves her aching for a sweeter way of life. There is an old adage which states, “blood is thicker than water”. But even the bloodline may prove to be too weak to keep this family from becoming unglued.
Liz loves deeply. Nay-Nay, her impetuous daughter, lusts. Big, the one man standing between them lies. And Andre, Liz’s headstrong son, is left caught between webs of deep deception. The stage is set for some juicy- ripe drama, and tummy- busting laughter, as all hell is about to bust loose!
Is blood really thicker than water? In this family drama, Loving Him Is Killing Me explores just that. - NY GOLDSTAR
Discography
So Very Hard to Go
What Is Hip?
This Time It's Real
Don't Change Horses
Midnight Girl
Cause I Love You
Choosing You
Tuesday
It Must Be Love
Amnesia
Six In The Morning
I Love It
That's The Way It Is
I Can't Stop Loving You
Somebody Else
Cheatin On The Cheatin
Sorry I Didn't Know It Was Your Momma
Photos
Bio
The most distinctive voice in contemporary music, Lenny Williams is regarded as R&B's most influential Soul Men; and his latest CD "Unfinished Business" sends a message to fans that he's not ready to slow down. Born in Little Rock, Arkansas, Lenny moved to Oakland at an early age; and learned to play the trumpet. Williams, nurtured as a vocalist, worked with up-and-coming artists Sly Stone, Andre Crouch, Billy Preston and The Hawkins (Edwin, Walter and Tremain) Family.
After winning local talent shows, Lenny signed his first record deal with Fantasy Records; before moving to Atlantic Records. Putting his solo career on hold in 1972, Williams joined funk band Tower of Power and became well known as the lead singer on hits "So Very Hard To Go"; "What Is Hip"; "This Time It's Read"; and "Don't Change Horses (In the Middle of the Stream)" which he co-wrote with Johnny "Guitar" Watson. While touring with TOP throughout the US, Europe and Asia; Williams recorded milestone albums "Tower of Power"; "Back To Oakland"; and "Urban Renewal". After three years with TOP, Lenny left to pursue a solo career. Williams initially signed with Motown in 1972; then moved to ABC Records in 1977; and recorded albums "Choosing You"; "Spark of Love"; "Love Current"; and "Let's Do It Today". Williams music career took off with "Choosing You", which contained the major hit "Shoo Doo Fu Fu Ooh"; and established Lenny as a solo artist with a huge fan base. Williams next effort "Spark Of Love" became Lenny's first gold album with the signature ballad "Cause I Love You". Lenny Williams held 10 charted hits including "You Got Me Running"; "Love Hurt Me Love Healed Me"; and "Midnight Girl". MCA Records purchased ABC in 1977 and Williams left in 1980; to record for independent labels, Rockshire and Knobhill.
By 1986, Lenny was invited to sing vocals on the single "Don't Make Me Wait For Love"; from Kenny G's jazz album "Duo Tones"; released in 1987; it became a Top 20 Pop and R&B hit.
Today, Lenny continues to tour the US, Europe and South Africa; merging R&B with a new generation of music "All Stars". In 2004 and 2005; Lenny Williams and Kanye West were honored recipients of The BMI Song Writers Award for "Over Night Celebrity"; recorded by Twista. R&B's Trey Songz and rapper Scarface sampled Lenny's classic "Cause I Love You" for their single "Girl You Know I". Not limited to sharing his music with other artists, Williams continues to draw younger audiences with songs from the new CD; including "Amnesia"; "I Love It"; and "Tonight". Recently, Williams performed on BET's "The Monique Show"; and expanded his music career into acting; starring in stage plays "Love on Lay Away"; "What Men Don't Tell"; "3 Ways To Get A Husband"; and "Loving Him Is Killing Me". Lenny received public acclaim from comedian Steve Harvey during "The Kings Of Comedy Tour" when Harvey shouted to the audience (that) "Cause I Love You" was the best love song; the audience responded by giving a standing ovation to Williams. Lenny later returned the favor by performing at the 2010 Trumpet Awards Show Honoring Steve Harvey.
Williams explains on "Unfinished Business" that his days are spent going "from the shows, to the studio; and to the airports". While Lenny Williams is "doing his own thing"; growing and evolving with his record label (Len Tom Entertainment); there is still unfinished business.
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