CARMELITA PiTtman'S BIG 0 BIRTHDAY GALA

falls on March 8, the date of Carmelita Pittman's birthday, a multi-dimensional artist and socialite. She is also known as simply Carmelita. She also hosts a weekly podcast Monday mornings, Carmelita's Corner on eZWay Broadcasting network www.ezwayradio.com. Amongst her prominent guests has been Carol Connors, two time Oscar nominated singer songwriter, 5 time Emmy nominated, Grammy nominated, Golden Globe nominated. As a good friend of Carmelita, she supported Carmelita's Big 0 Birthday show at Catalina jazz club in Hollywood by her attendance and the showing of the trailer of her upcoming documentary, "Elvis, Rocky and Me." She is known for her many hits, especially her cocomposition of "Gonna Fly Now", the theme song for Sylvester Stallone's hit film "Rocky". As a special touch she sang Happy Birthday ala Marilyn Monroe style on stage to Carmelita and pierced the ears of an amused audience with her famous Dolphin call.

Silent Master of Ceremonies Audrey Ruttan as Charlie Chaplin got everyone's attention with the popping of the pink balloons to open the show. Carmelita's Godson actor Shaun Baker, a co-star of Pamela Anderson's V.I.P. TV series, cast member of Queen Latifah's "Living Single" and more, hosted. The line-up included a special tribute to Motown icon Sir William Mickey Stevenson, First A & R man whose discoveries and promotions has made household names for talents such as Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye, Four Tops, Diana Ross, Isley Brothers and more, was honored with the playing of one of his favorite hits by Martha and the Vandellas, "Dancing in the Streets" and receipt of a Lifetime Achievement award from The Rose Breast Cancer Society presented to him by Audrey Ruttan as Charlie Chaplin, Carmelita, Shaun Baker. The legendary

H.B. Barnum was surprised with a Lifetime Achievement award after he backed up the performance on piano by Carmelita with their original compositions. A former child star, H.B. Barnum's credits include being musical conductor for Aretha Franklyn, arranger for Frank Sinatra and more. Wanda Ray Willis stunned the audience with her electrifying rendition of "I Am Woman", backed on piano by the amazing Dennis Hughes. Grammy nominated Harriet Schock and honoree sang her hit also covered by Helen Reddy, "Ain't No Way to Treat a Lady" , backed by Andrea Ross-Greene. Country singer and Dolly Parton tribute artist Wendy Lynn Adams graced the stage with her amusing accounts of her friendship with Dolly Parton as she stood on stage alongside Carmelita who sang one of her own original country songs. Carmelita also sang her signature song, "La Vie en Rose" which always captures the warm reception of an audience with demands for an encore. She dedicated that to all the ladies and birthday people as Audrey Ruttan as Charlie Chaplin passed out more roses.

Mike "Majik" Boyd also born on March 8 sang an original birthday song he composed and produced dedicated to Carmelita. He is known as an Sam Cooke tribute artist with performances in Las Vegas. in the famous Legends show. Viorica Elena Onut of Romania and her band all wore costumes representing their culture. Their performance demanded an encore.

Musical director Charlie Harrison on piano, inventor Two-Drum Jimmie James on percussion, Jerrell Ballard on drums, Budi Winarto on sax backed Carmelita on vocals. Chili Willie Groove, noted percussionist, known for backing up such recording artists as George Benson, Angela Bofill, gave a rousing solo. Howard Rice's rich baritone voice wrapped up the event with "Love Train". Howard Rice , who formerly worked at Jay Leno's "Tonight Show" has been recognized and complimented for his singing by Luther Van Dross and Berry Gordy.

A highlight near the end of the show was a presentation by Jim Zuley on stage representing EZ Cares and Better Vision for Children of $2,000 to The Rose Breast Cancer Society, a 501.c3 non-profit organization and "Living Memorial" for Juanita Zara Espinosa Uddin , Carmelita Pittman's mom which she founded 1998. Folks ventured in from near and far to attend the celebration. Dr. Brar ventured in from Las Vegas, others came in from Lake Forest, Victorville, Fresno, San Diego, Rialto, Beverly Hills.

Amongst the attendees of the fully packed house was former Temptation lead singer Louis Price and his wife actress Fay Hauser whose performance in "Lillies of the Fields" with Sidney Poitier is one of her greatest film credits, Sir William "Mickey" Stevenson's spouse Michelle Stevenson, record producer and Carmelita's husband Jerry Pittman, Norman Carter official lead singer of the Delfonics, Sherrie Payne of the Supremes, Deborah DuCre aka Momma Dee of Motown aka "Delightful Debbie DuCre", Denise Cook aka the "Oracle", DeBorah Sharp-Taylor Broadway star, Honorable Diane E. Watson, Madame President MC Townsend of RBCC, TV producer Billy Riback, Reatha Grey co-star with the late Betty White's comedy series "Off their Rockers", Jacqueline "Angel" Helm, Dr. Brar daughter of Carmen McCrae, entertainer and entrepreneur, Cleo "Twin Star" Jackson, Yolanda Pulakis publisher of Awareness Magazine, Annette Rios, niece of prominent realtor Gloria Berlin who sold Neverland to Michael Jackson, Azeeta Abiola Amusat fashion designer of Nigeria whose designs embellished a recent Beyonce video, former L.A U.S.D. educator and Inglewood administrator and singer Jerome Richardson, Rene Ifum, Hollywood personality Louise aka Cheezy Weezy, Lydia Bader and her daughter Cindy, producer Natalya Korol and Lana Gutman of the Ukraine, fine artist Sandra Cooper and many more prominent guests. Notable stage manager Sir Anthony Kinniebrew maintained the production. Al Limo service transported Carol Connors from Beverly Hills to the event.