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     *Al B. Sure, Singer and Radio Personality in conjunction with 92.3 (actually one my favorite radio stations) threw a 40th birthday party that will be talked about in Hollywood for years to come. 

     The guest list was off the page and tinsel town’s most glamorous and many of Al’s friends came out to party with the sexy spoken, tall, buff and tan Ipanema type, hunkster. 

     I was amazed that after so many years in the business Al still looks incredibly young. So when I saw him on the red carpet with his two grown sons, it was surprising because they looked more like brothers.

     Of course the star always arrives late and so in the meantime, I ran into many well known celebrities including, Comedian Tommy Davidson, Elise Neal, Shaun Robinson, media friendly Comedienne Luenell, Willie Macc (College Hill Virgin Island) who was there with his pretty BET publicist, Ms. Zabrina Horton (known as Agent Z in the old days), Omarosa Manigualt-Stallworth, and her darling mom, R&B Singer UNE’ who was bubbling and jumping for joy about Obama’s victory and telling everyone about his inspired Barack song “Change Is Here,” drop dead gorgeous model/radio personality and TV hostess Claudia Jordan (wearing a brightly colored orange top), Hip HopVideo Vixen title holder and hot little number Porscha Coleman (she reminds me of a young Judy Pace), film producer/director Rommel Foster-Owens, R&B Soul singer, Lyrica Garrett (toured with Ike Turner and Al B. Sure), gritty soul singer, Madame D, blues singer Kim Yarbrough, R&B Latina singer Myra, Music Producer/Film Producer for TUG and The Ultimate Group’s go to guy) Jr. Regisford, the lovely Telma Hopkins, Comedienne Sheryl Underwood who has the most warming smile, phenomenal R&B Singer Ali Woodson, Hollywood Columnist Jawn Murry, pretty actress and model Suzette Tomlinson (I recently found out the combination to her exotic look, it’s Chinese and Black,) Celebrity Fitness Trainer/Chef Sam Bell (trains Ray J, Khloe Kardashian and Luenell among others); Jon B, Won-G (“Haiti’s Prince of Peace”), actor Clifton Powell and heart throb Eric Benet just to name some in the eye of Horus view.  Upon Eric’s arrival, as soon as his feet hit the landing he was snagged by photographer V. Ratcliff and once Comedienne Luenell got a hold of him, she did not want to let him go. They took photo after photo after photo. Miss “Most Media Friendly” nominee (by the EURweb Media Awards) was busy living up to her reputation

Al B. Sure (center) and sons Quincy and Lil' Al B. Sure (photo: Vinni Ratcliff)

     This party was on and “crack a lackin” as the Bishop (Don “Magic” Juan) always says. The media room became jammed because there were so many stars and their publicists were trying to make sure clients had a chance to speak to the media and give Al B. birthday shout outs. There were brief spells of shut down in that area as everyone was trying to get into that room. There was a little back area, partitioned off by drapes, where famed photographer Arnold Turner was exercising his territorial imperative busily taking his shots of celebrities in that private room.  Yes, he has it going on like that and manages to get exclusives and carte blanche attention from everyone in this town. I am so proud of my Bostonian compatriot. Famed legendary photographer Bill Jones was there also arriving very late. I just love him. He reminds me of the tortoise and the hare. While everyone is tripping over their own feet, yelling and screaming to get their shots, this man will slide in and snap the front page shot!!!  Bill was so cute; he asked me if there was a birthday cake. I told him I didn’t see any.  He replied, “If there’s no cake I’ve got to go.” (LOL). No cake no Bill. I had to laugh since I love a delicious cake too. Later on I did snoop for one.

     The party also presented the debut of the Special Limited Edition “Albert Joseph” Moet Champagne (Albert Joseph Brown aka ABS aka Al B. Sure) in a crystal-studded bottle. Each guest in the media room that I saw received complimentary mini bottles of the tingly bubbly.

Al B Sure (Photo: Vinni Ratcliff)

     Then the moment I was waiting for arrived.  Al B. Sure showed up and everyone else was asked to clear the red carpet and rightly so, after all he was the man of the hour.  He was beaming but some of his adoring guests could not resist coming up to him to give him a hug, during quick in-between interview breaks.

     Finally after the red carpet photos were taken of him and he spoke to everyone, his very accommodating publicist made our introductions and I was able to speak to him briefly. He pointed out that there were people of every nationality represented at the party and emphasized the importance of diverse groups coming together and getting along.  He revealed that his greatest joy, above and beyond Hollywood and his success is the love he feels for his three sons. Al and his two grown sons were inseparable on the red carpet.  I asked him what he thought about Obama’s win as the Democratic nominee for President and he sent out congratulations to Obama, who is a perfect product of multi-cultural harmony.

Eric Benet & Al B. Sure (photo: Vinni Ratcliff)

     There were so many people who attended I thought maybe there is someone missing who Al would have liked to have shared his special BD day with, so I popped the question…”With so many of your friends here is there someone missing who you would like to be here with and is absent” The question actually did not draw a direct response, except that he continued to elaborate on the love of mankind and that he was happy to share his day with his friends and his grown sons.

     When Al learned that I was writing for my column in Lee Bailey’s EURweb.com, Al B. Sure lit up and gave Lee Bailey a warm shout out. He was exuberant about his respect for EURweb’s media giant.

     Then it was time for the party and entertainment to begin, which took place on the main stage.

Al B. Sure and Ali Woodson (photo: Vinni Ratcliff)

     Ali Woodson, performed and he was in rare form.  He was hitting all those high notes that he is known for. Ali is a seasoned showman. I have been a fan of his for years since I saw him perform with singer and my dear friend Lyrica Garrett (formerly Marci Thomas of Undisputed Truth) some 20 years ago (Lyrica was on hand too.)

     Tommy Davidson hosted and he kept everyone in good humor.  The most exciting performance came from Al B. Sure who sang Q’s (Quincy Jones) all time favorite classic “Secret Garden” assisted with the vocals from Ali Woodson and Jon B.  They touched the romantic heartstrings of their audience. It was climactic and everyone but everyone in the crowd was singing a long, hands held in the air.  At this point, I had to take off my new Bebe coat and let my “hair down” because I was ready to let it all hang out and let the music get me in the groove.  The moment was magnetic and everyone was drawn into that song originally sung by the late Barry White. It made me think of my sister Alicia because “Secret Garden” is her favorite song.  Al and friends did it justice I must say.  What an amazing rendition it was and just when I thought it couldn’t get any better, Tommy Davidson asked Eric Benet to join the group on stage and then he took over the mike and then singer Won-G joined in the group on stage to stand and lend support. But it was Madame D (a voluptuous plus size sexy chocolate soul singing Diva standing at the foot of the stage) that added the soulful grit that blew the notes out the ballpark.  I did not want to leave, but my car was in the valet and I didn’t’ want them to close down and turn a super fantastic night into a dismal nightmare, plus it was my departure time (midnight). My left brain was desperately trying to convince my right-brain that it was time to go and I was trying to convince my right foot to step before the left foot and move on out! Before I departed, I did snoop around for that cake and I spotted trays and trays of cupcakes provided by Famous Cupcakes of North Hollywood. That was a brilliant idea! The perfect size for everyone. Also avail to guests were mini subs from Jersey Mike’s Sub (Burbank).

     When I got home I was so hyped I couldn’t sleep, especially after eating shrimp scampi and linguini which I had waiting for me on the kitchen counter top.  I was asking myself why was this party so special and different than other Hollywood soirees? The reason that came to mind was the fact that Al B. Sure had invited friends and family, that was his main focus; it just happened that most of them were stars. But the kinetic appreciation and love for each other with his long-time running buddies, Tommy Davidson, Ali Woodson, Eric Benet, Jon B, special friends and his sons was the love resonating in the room that others could feel.  It was like a down home party, where all your friends are invited and the feeling is toasty. That was the magic of the party. I could see by the outward show of father love for his sons and the reciprocal affection, that Al has found the bases for all his success. Congrats for keeping family first, much appreciation and birthday salutations from our group at EURweb.com

     Shout out to Neeta Wooten

Eugenia Wright is a former actress turned freelance writer/publicist.  You may write to her at kleopatragirl117@hotmail.com