Actor Gavin Houston: Claiming Persistence Over Resistance

by Cyrus Webb

Through the show The Haves and the Have Nots Tyler Perry has created a cast of characters that know what it's like to be one thing in the public and another in their everyday lives---and we can't seem to get enough of it! Since the show debuted in 2013 Tuesday nights have not been the same, and actor Gavin Houston who is bringing to life Jeffrey Harrington couldn't agree more. From episode one millions have been captivated by the show, and Jeffrey's seemingly perfect house of cards as been shaken. Season One ended with his speaking his truth to his parents and himself. Now in Season Three he is walking in that truth and seeing where it takes him.

Gavin talked about the show's success, it's cast and the experience in this conversation.

GAVIN HOUSTON ON THE SHOW'S APPEAL:
"There really is something that everyone can relate to. The things that the individual characters are going through are so much like the issues of our fans. I couldn't have imagined all the things we covered: politics, things going on with the family, sexuality...this whole season is so packed with so many story-lines going on that anybody can find something for them. We all have stories to tell. The show really explores who truly has and who truly have not. It's been really interesting to watch it unfold and get more in-depth. It really shows that all that glitters is not gold."

GAVIN ON ACTING:
"In my childhood I created story-lines for my toys. I used to love performing and putting on a show when I was little. I come from a family where my mom and sister used to model, so I kind of fell into it. My first job was on the Cosby Show. Since then I knew this is what I wanted to do. "

GAVIN ON WHAT KEEPS HIM GOING:
"Persistence overcomes resistance. I feel like you have to realize and remember it's a craft. The business side can muddy up the arts side. You have to have a love for it. There's down-times when you're not working and you have to hold on to the belief. I don't hope it works out. It has to work out. You can't leave it. There's no time limit. You have to keep growing."

GAVIN ON BRINGING JEFFREY TO LIFE:
"I think one of the main things I had to do is keep making discoveries about this character. He comes with a lot of pressure, pressure that parents can put on you. So much of who we are can be related back to what we got in our childhood growing up. I try to identify with the soul of the character. Jeffrey has so many different things and layers to play.

"I love this responsibility to bring the character to life.  Alot of it is about promoting acceptance. One of the biggest things is acceptance from your own parents.  Jeffrey shows the extremes that people will go to in order to find love is what makes it a great story. What he's going to do and how it ends is going to blow people away."

GAVIN ON TIKA SUMPTER'S CHARACTER CANDACE:
"Tika is such a talented actress. Her character Candace sees through people. She's that straight line where all of us are kind of looping around and putting on this little facade of who we want others to think we are. She is the truth and calls people out on what's real. She's blunt. She's honest. She's fearless."

Regardless of whether or not Jeffrey finds the courage to walk in his own truth or not it's obvious that Gavin Houston is moving full steam ahead in doing what he loves. As he says "Persistence overcome resistance" and as long as we push forward success is sure to be ours.

Stay in touch with Gavin Houston at www.twitter.com/gavinhouston and use the hashtag #HavesandHaveNots.

Conversations LIVE's Cyrus Webb talks with Erica Campbell about Transparency in her album HELP

Conversations' Founder Cyrus Webb Marks New Milestones in November 2013

Conversations Founder Cyrus Webb seen here with
Mississippi author Glenda L. Hunter

As 2013 comes to a close Conversations Media Group founder Cyrus Webb celebrates new milestones for his growing brand.

During the month of November the 38 year old Mississippi native and resident saw some of his biggest accomplishments, starting on November 1st with an exclusive interview with Platinum-selling recording artist/actor Billy Ray Cyrus.  "It was such an honor to have him come on our radio show Conversations LIVE," says Webb. "We discussed his book HILLBILLY HEART which our magazine (Conversations Magazine) had recognized during the summer and afterwards he said it was one of the best interviews he's had." (You can listen to the interview here .  )

Conversations Media Group is the home of Conversations LIVE Radio show, Conversations Magazine and Conversations Book Club---all of which saw history-making moments in November.

Aside from the interview with Billy Ray Cyrus in November Webb also interviewed Greg Centineo, Executive Producer for the upcoming Legends of Oz movie, award-winning author Clair Conner ("Wrapped in the Flag") and Disco Queen Gloria Gaynor! This month also saw him welcoming his 900th guest of the year, the first time in the 10 years he has hosted the show so many guests have been interviewed!

November also was the 7 year anniversary for Conversations Book Club. The reading group that began in 2006 with just 3 members has grown into one of the largest co-ed reading groups in the country. Over the 7 years Webb has led book discussions not just in Mississippi but Texas, Tennessee, Louisiana and Georgia. To date over 100 author events have been held across the south, with plans to expand in 2014.

"I'm very proud of what I've built with Conversations," says Webb. "It's a testament to the importance of having a vision and seeing it through to fruition. If I can do it, then anyone with a dream can do it."

To stay updated with everything going on with Conversations visit www.cyruswebbpresents.com, www.conversationsbookclub.com, www.conversationsmag.com and www.conversationsliveradio.com. Webb can be reached at cawebb4@juno.com and 601.896.5616.

Media Personality Cyrus Webb Says Thank You

Joseph Henderson: Determined Not to Die All Alone

by Cyrus Webb

We all know individuals who have seemed to give up on life. They are existing, but not really living. For the there best days are behind them, and there is nothing else to look forward to.

As sad as that might be, the good news is that it doesn't have to be the last chapter for them. Just look at Mississippi's resident Joseph Henderson.
Since originally releasing his memoir I DON'T WANT TO DIE ALL ALONE in 2000 he was ready to share with the world not only what you could overcome but what you
can achieve as well.

Raised in a home where he sometimes had to fiend for himself and his siblings, Joseph was
able to rise above the negativity that could have destroyed him, and has come out a
better man. Whether it was having to snuggle in bed at night with his siblings in order
to stay warm or search for food in garbage cans, he realizes firsthand that life doesn't
always deal you the hand you want, but it doesn't define the person you can be.

After surviving being shot himself and losing his brother to senseless violence, Joseph
decided that he wanted to use his life lessons to help others. The journey began with the
book but has continued as he has campaigned on behalf of reading, education and bringing
your very best to every situation.

In 2008 he teamed up with Conversations Book Club and began partnering with other authors and sharing his story through book signings and publlic appearances. Joseph has also taken his story into the schools of Mississippi, sharing what is the reality for some of those students but giving them hope for a better future if they really want it. Through his mentoring efforts, he has been able to see students that
others have given up on take their lives more seriously and actually graduate.

As the word about his personal story reaches more people, Joseph is committed to sharing
that he is no one special. The success he has been able to find is available for others
as well, if they really want it. They just have to be willing to do the work.

Additional information about Joseph Henderson can be found at www.joseph-henderson.com.


Listen to Joseph Henderson share his story on Conversations LIVE here: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/conversationslive/2010/07/16/authors-inez-reilly-and-joseph-henderson-on-conver and here: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/conversationslive/2012/05/24/cyrus-webb-presents-you-are-not-alone

Conversations LIVE Celebrates A 3-Day Special Event Featuring Wonder Mike and Master Gee

As it prepares to celebrate its 5th year on Blogtalkradio and 10th year on the radio, Conversations LIVE prepares to bring listeners Hip Hop royalty with the Sugar Hill Gang.

Beginning Saturday, June 8th host Cyrus Webb will welcome original members Wonder Mike and Master Gee to the show as well as Roger Pardiso the director of the new documentary called I WANT MY NAME BACK.

Below is the schedule:

Saturday, June 8th @ 6:30p.m. et (5:30p.m. ct/3:30p.m. pt) --- Wonder Mike of the Sugar Hill Gang, http://www.blogtalkradio.com/cyruswebbpresents/2013/06/08/wonder-mike-of-sugar-hill-gang-on-conversations-live
Sunday, June 9th @ 5p.m. et (4p.m. ct/2p.m. pt) --- I Want My Name Back director Roger Paradiso, http://www.blogtalkradio.com/cyruswebbpresents/2013/06/09/director-roger-pardiso-on-conversations-live
Monday, June 10th @ 1:30p.m. et (12:30p.m. ct/10:30a.m. pt) --- Master Gee of the Sugar Hill Gang, http://www.blogtalkradio.com/cyruswebbpresents/2013/06/10/master-gee-of-sugar-hill-gang-on-conversations-live 

“I Want My Name Back” highlights the rise, fall, and rise again of original members of
The Sugarhill Gang, Michael Wright (aka Wonder Mike) and Guy O'Brien (aka Master Gee). One of the most influential songs in the history of the music industry and #2 in Rolling Stone’s Top Hip Hop Songs of all time, "Rapper's Delight" was the first commercial Hip Hop release, forever changing the face of the music industry. “Rapper's Delight” is still, to this day, the number one selling single in hip hop history.

The group followed up their first hit with another song still played today called “Apache”.  Their first three albums went platinum.  While this success should have cemented the legacy and careers of the original members, reality tells a much different story--one that most people, including those in the hip hop world, are not even aware of.  A story of unprecedented identity theft, copyright and trademark violations, Master Gee and Wonder Mike fight a more than 30 year battle against their label to get their names and legacy back.  The film also features Grandmaster Caz (The Cold Crush Brothers), Melle Mel (Grandmaster Flash), and Vinnie and Treach (Naughty by Nature).  “I Want My Name Back” is the journey of two men who want what was taken from them: their names, their legacy and their music!

(Tues. May 21, 2013) Cyrus Webb Interviewed on Blogtalkradio University

(Tues. May 21, 2013) Cyrus Webb of  Conversations Live will be Blogtalkradio University giving tips on how to host a successful author podcast.

This episode is part of a special series focusing on tips for hosting specifically themed shows on BlogTalkRadio (i.e. Entertainment, Film, Business, etc.) Webb has been with Blogtalkradio for 5 years and now has over 1 million listeners coming to his program.

How To Host A Successful Author Podcast 05/21 by MarketingClub | Blog Talk Radio

(Friday Jan. 20, 2012) Cyrus Webb Presents "America Under Obama: 3 Years Later"

On Friday, January 20, 2012 Conversations LIVE host Cyrus Webb presents "America Under Obama: Three Years Later". His panel consisting of Journalist Billy Hallowell, Gary Dorrien (author of The Obama Question: A Progressive Perspective), Author Stephen M. Grimble (For Love & Liberty) & author John Maher (Learning From The Sixties) discusses what they think of Obama's re-election chances, the GOP field and what it will take to get America turned around and back to work. This is one conversation you don't want to miss.

The show begins at 8p.m. et (7p.m. ct/5p.m. pt) Listen live at www.tinyurl.com/americaunderobama3.