Billionaire Dan Gilbert and Grammy Winner Che Pope Unite
It was heart-warming to read “billionaire brings music to Detroit!” Why? Because there has been a void in the music industry since Berry Gordy took Motown . . .to another town. We welcome the “move!”
Come on in WRKSHP! That’s the name of the new label.
Entrepreneur Dan Gilbert and Award-Winner Che Pope have blended their talents, money and influence to revive the music industry, they say will activate Detroit’s stagnant market. As many musicians “hold their breaths” to see what that forecast actually means, others maintain it will be the same thing–management getting rich off the talents of artists.
THIS IS FOR YOU. . .ARTISTS
During the 1970s and 80s, Shirley Washington Then was “blazing her trail” on the Hollywood Scene as an actress. Young, energetic and feisty, she was making sure no one left her behind! Shirley appeared in several movies and TV shows. Among them: Mission Impossible as a stewardess; Maggie in Wonder Woman; Travel agent in The Puppet; Theda in Darktown Strutters and Mrs. Jefferson in Bamboo Gods. She also starred in a film called Disco. Did Shirley Washington Then have other talents?
Shirley the Dancer
This writer knew Shirley Washington Then…but had no idea what hidden talents she had. Here’s an example of one:
Wow! Now that Shirley has revealed her talent as a dancer, let’s explore her history and discover other talents. In the following video, her talk show ability is questioned and challenged.
Darktown Strutters
According to Wikipedia, Darktown Stutters was a musical comedy about four (4) female gang bikers named Syreeno, Carmen, Miranda and Theba (Shirley). A synopsis of the storyline reveals numerous episodes that challenge one’s ability to determine the movie’s plot. The sequence of events as described by Wikipedia, did not allow this writer to follow the story. The focus of the movie simply eluded me. I have no idea what the writer was trying to achieve, nor the message he was seeking to deliver. Therefore, you are directed to Wikipedia for your own personal “read.”
However, from Shirley’s perspective, let’s recognize that launching an artistic career is not easy, and can lead to accepting roles that successful actresses may not choose. Ms. Washington was not born with a “silver spoon in her mouth,” and receives high marks for her courage, determination, tenacity and ingenuity for getting the roles she received. Hooray Shirley!
Shirley Washington Now. . .
What is Ms. Washington doing these days? She spends much of her time traveling between her apartment in Los Angeles and home in Las Vegas to musical events. Hearsay says . . . she is still very much involved in the music industry–setting up and negotiating contracts for clients’ musicals, plays, book deals and musical events. That is . . . when she is not “flying and cruising” from one country/continent to another with longtime friend and Motown Songwriter Eddie Holland. Hometown Detroit also welcomes her for special Motown events.
Recently, Shirley attended an event in L.A. that honored friend Smokey Robinson and Motown Mogul Berry Gordy. Some of the attendees are shown in the photo below:
Whether you are looking at “Shirley Washington Then” or “Shirley Washington Now,” the picture will be crystal clear, progressive, busy and spectacular! And . . . you will not need a magnifying glass!
Here are some of the promises that the words “billionaire brings music to Detroit” mean.
- No Predatory Deals
- Artist-Centric
- Partnership, Not Ownership
- Talent Development
- Content Promotion
- Management
What is WRKSHP?
WRKSHP is a “music-focused lifestyle company” and record label, located downtown Detroit in Capitol Park. WKKSHP is pronounced “workshop.” Some believe it will disrupt the music industry by moving away from “company-focused” to an “artist-centric” approach. The future will determine what that really means. Most will agree it is a good thing for Detroit. Music is the “soul” of Detroit, and for decades, that soul has been lethargic and regressive.
BILLIONAIRE BRINGS MUSIC TO DETROIT
Dan Gilbert is the billionaire who “brings music to Detroit,” and is a “fixture” in Detroit. He is the Founder of Quicken Loans, Rock Venture and Owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers. His birthplace is Southfield, Michigan, where he attended Michigan University. Today, he is ranked as the 34th richest individual in the world.
MULTI-PLATINUM PRODUCER CHE POPE: BRINGS MUSIC TO DETROIT
Che Pope, a native of Boston, is a Grammy Award-Winner Producer/Songwriter, who was the COO of Kanye West. He has worked with big named stars like: Lauryn Hill, Eminem, Jay-z, Nas and Aretha Franklin. He arrives in Detroit ready to “roll-out” new artists and get the wheels moving for success.
