Terry Wills on old enemies from near and far.

M3 announces record year as it looks to push the West Midlands’ creative talent.

Funding available to help local residents.

Dr Howard Elston reports on clear-cut advice from Bojo's circus of fun.

West Midlands Police football unit signs up for Great Birmingham Run.

Initiative follows upsurge in violent incidents.

Police response followed policy before missing man found murdered.

Security roadshow heads to Snow Hill.

Region’s showcase of ambitions sees 50% increase in media profile.

The Donkey Sanctuary’s Donkey Assisted Therapy Centre in Birmingham is holding a Summer Fair and fun dog show on Saturday 13th July

Superstar Osaka to play Nature Valley Classic.

New Nature Valley Classic champion crowned world women's tennis number one.

Monika aims to become international Face.

HD Brows add city centre to their list of academies.

Sheilagh Matheson, our avian correspondent, reports on a village plagued by..... peacocks.

Media and creative professionals from across the West Midlands helped put Birmingham on the map as the new Carnival Capital last week, at a special event organised by the Birmingham Publicity Association (BPA).

The Birmingham Look Book – a go-to resource for journalists designed to raise the profile of Birmingham, the Black Country and Solihull with national and international media

Liam & Gaz dig through the crates & find some records from Jerry Lee Lewis, Captain Beefheart, Joe Cocker, Bobby Blue Bland, Iggy Pop & The Bob Seger System. There’s also new music from Pat Dam Smyth & an exclusive Blues Kitchen acoustic session from Ryan Bingham, performing ‘God Damn Blues’ from his latest record ‘American Love Song’.

** Join Liam & Gaz for a live recording of The Blues Kitchen Podcast **

- Weds 16th October
- 7pm – 9pm
- The Blues Kitchen Shoreditch (Basement)
- Limited £5 tickets from: bit.ly/bkpodcastlive

When you've caught up with the podcast, head over to The Blues Kitchen YouTube channel:
www.youtube.com/BluesKitchenTV

Email the show: radio@theblueskitchen.com

Listen on Apple Podcasts, TuneIn, Mixcloud, Acast & many more…

Gaz and Liam kick things off with a celebration of BB King’s Birthday alongside new music form John Prine with Margo Price and some classic cuts from Blind Willie McTell, The Scott Singers, Mr Bear & Teddy Rae, Ramsay Midwood & Taste.

There’s also an exclusive Blues Kitchen live session with The Mystery Lights – check out their outstanding new record ‘Too Much Tension’ out new on Wick / Daptone Records. 

** Join Liam & Gaz for a live recording of The Blues Kitchen Podcast **

• Limited £5 tickets from: bit.ly/bkpodcastlive
• Weds 16^th October
• 7pm – 9pm
• The Blues Kitchen Shoreditch 

When you've caught up with the podcast, head over to The Blues Kitchen YouTube channel:
www.youtube.com/BluesKitchenTV

Email the show: radio@theblueskitchen.com

Listen on Apple Podcasts, TuneIn, Mixcloud, Acast & many more…

Birmingham Now TV launched online.

Richard Lutz survives a full assault of Jools Holland.

This week, our guest is Benjy Melendez, founder, President, and singer of the Ghetto Brothers. He is joined by his co-author and friend, Amir Said.

The Ghetto Brothers were one of the largest and most powerful street gangs in the Bronx in the late 1960s and early 70s - a time when the borough, and New York City as a whole, had plenty to choose from. At its height, the organization had around 2,000 members city-wide.

But after one of their key figures got killed by rival gangs, Benjy devoted his efforts to peace, and held a now-famous peace treaty meeting at the Hoe Avenue center in the Bronx in 1971 - a gathering that set the stage for the ending of the gang era and the beginnings of hip-hop.

In addition to being a powerful organization, the Ghetto Brothers were also a rock and roll band. They only released one album, 1971’s Power Fuerza, but it became a prized collectors item, notable for its surprisingly sweet lyrics and Beatle-esque melodies, Latin percussion, and unique backstory.

While parts of Benjy’s story have been shared in the new documentary Rubble Kings and even in a graphic novel, the new book by Benjy and Amir Said, Ghetto Brother: How I Found Peace in the South Bronx Street Gang Wars, is the first place Benjy shares his entire life story.

See http://theciphershow.com/episode/114/ for full show notes and comments.

Eligh Nachowitz and Corey Scoffern, a.k.a. The Grouch, are rappers best known for their affiliation with the Living Legends crew. The group, which also included our recent guest Murs, were pioneers in the independent West Coast rap scene in the 1990s. Eligh began his career with Murs and fellow future Living Legend member Scarub in a group called Three Melancholy Gypsys while still a teenager. That crew joined with another group called Mystik Journeymen, picked up a few members including The Grouch, and formed the Living Legends. Their lo-fi albums, made initially on four-tracks, plus their self-booked international tours, set a template that independent rappers follow to this day.

Eligh and The Grouch began releasing music as a duo in in 1998, and have released a number of albums together, most recently 2014’s triple album The Tortoise and the Crow. Together, separately, and with the rest of the Living Legends, their sprawling discography is one of the finest of the era.

See http://theciphershow.com/episode/143/ for full show notes and comments.

Sput is a drummer, keyboardist, and producer who consistently plays with the top acts in the world. Hip-hop fans have heard his work with Snoop Dogg, Timbaland, and Kendrick Lamar. But in addition to that, the Dallas native has played with everyone from Erykah Badu to Celine Dion to his main gig, the instrumental powerhouse band Snarky Puppy.

But back before all that, Sput got his start as a part of Kirk Franklin’s Grammy-winning group God’s Property, which he played in as a teenager - and whose lineup, incidentally, was a who’s-who of future star musicians.

See http://theciphershow.com/episode/155/ for full show notes and comments.

The University of Birmingham is set to host its first Arts & Science Festival to showcase the wealth of ideas, research and collaboration across its campus.

Madin walking tour led by Alan Clawley Starting at Five Ways Station, 10.30 am, 22nd June 2013

How Welsh National Opera is helping city music students

A charity concert has raised £700 for the Edgbaston-based charity Ammalife.

Donors needed at Birmingham Donor Centre due to low stocks.

"Help us to help you get the treatment you need across Birmingham and Solihull."

Hugh Fitzgerald, Actor, writer, director and Jiu Jitsu Coach joins Joey Diaz and Lee Syatt live in studio.

This podcast is brought to you by:

Onnit.com. Use Promo code CHURCH for a discount at checkout.

Nature Box. Visit Naturebox.com and use promo code Joey for a free trial box

Naileditlife.com - Get 20% off a vapor pen by mentioning the Church.

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Recorded live on 10/30/2014.

Music:

Tupac - I'm A Straight Rider

Black Sabbath - Snowblind

Mike Dowd, former NYPD Officer and the subject of "The Seven Five" documentary came to LA from New York for a TWO NIGHT Special Event with Joey Diaz and Lee Syatt.

This Podcast Is Brought To You By:

Club W. Go to www.clubw.com/joey to get 50% off of your first order of wine curated just for you

Dominick Polifrone, an undercover agent who worked at both the local and federal levels (for agencies such as the Attorney General's office and the ATF), calls in to talk with Joey Diaz and Lee Syatt about how Polifrone gained the trust of and eventually took down "The Iceman," one of the most notorious and feared serial killers and hitmen in history.

Ari Shaffir, comedian and host of the, "Skeptic Tank" podcast, joins Joey Diaz and Lee Syatt LIVE in studio. Check out Ari's double special, "Double Negative," on Netflix.

This podcast is brought to you by: 

Joey Diaz talks about the positives he sees from the quarantine experience, how it has made him a calmer person, and how even though we are in a rough period, there is light ahead. 

This podcast is brought to you by:

Partnership aims to build communities through sport.

Tournament said to be worth £32.1 million from international visitors, ticket sales and matchday spending.

Richard Nevin has a day out to remember.

Edgbaston Foundation announces partnership with Birmingham Stories as Literacy Business Pledge launched.

Blue plaque unveiled in honour of Madeleine Carroll.

"Birmingham's business community has lost a quiet hero," says Mayoral candidate.

Erdington High Street FHSF business case set to be approved for submission

Our recent story about proposed developments at Acocks Green has drawn a reply from local campaigner Julie Larden

Liam Byrne launches radical women’s manifesto to tackle "pervasive inequality".

Support some of the most vulnerable in society with urgent COVD-19 appeal.

Richard Lutz rides a storm on the Kinver escarpment.

Warwick Arts Centre have announced their summer film series, including some whip-smart comedies guaranteed to make you forget the lousy weather.

A chance encounter between two business entrepreneurs has led to the opening of a stunning new gastro bar and restaurant in Warwick.