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Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Howard Hewett Interview (Part 2)

Legendary R&B and soul singer Howard Hewett returned for Part 2 of his interview on Money Making Conversations Masterclass to continue discussing his iconic multi‑decade career, his transition from Shalamar to a solo artist, new collaborations, performing for multi‑generational audiences, the evolution of R&B, and his philosophy on life, legacy, work ethic, and spiritual grounding.

This segment is rich with personal stories—from unexpected collaborations to the behind‑the‑scenes decision-making that shaped his career. Hewett also reflects on aging gracefully, staying relevant, maintaining integrity, and building a strong foundation that supports longevity in both life and music.

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🎯 Purpose of the Interview

The conversation aims to:

• Highlight Howard Hewett’s career longevity, legendary catalog, and current creative projects.
• Explore his transition from group success (Shalamar) to building a respected solo career.
• Provide insight into new musical collaborations, including work with Ronnie Laws.
• Discuss the challenge of performing new music for audiences who crave the classic hits.
• Reflect on spirituality, life philosophy, integrity, and aging as keys to sustaining a fulfilling career.
• Offer guidance for artists, entrepreneurs, and creatives who must navigate uncertainty, fame, and reinvention.

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🔑 Key Takeaways 1. Collaboration with Ronnie Laws

• Hewett shared a humorous story about Ronnie Laws showing up at his door while doing Jehovah’s Witness outreach.
• Their new collaboration was inspired by a personal connection to Ronnie’s late wife and her love for “Ribbon in the Sky.”
• Covers require publishing approval, not necessarily permission from the artist, as long as royalties go to the right places.
  
  

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2. Transition from Shalamar to Solo Career

• Contrary to popular belief, Howard was not the first member to leave—Jeffrey Daniel and Jody Watley departed before him.
• His transition happened during the opportunity to record “Dancing in the Sheets” for the Footloose soundtrack.
• Initially, he and producer Leon Sylvers did not think Footloose would be a big movie—a now‑humorous regret.
• “Dancing in the Sheets” became Shalamar’s second-largest selling single after “Second Time Around.”

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3. The Challenge of Performing New Music

• Hewett explains that audiences overwhelmingly want the classics, not new songs.
• When artists introduce new material during concerts, the room’s energy often drops.
• He performs new music only when he can “set it up right” and bring the audience into the moment.

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4. Musical Identity & R&B Philosophy

• His solo style skewed romantic and intimate because that is authentically who he is as an artist.
• He rejects modern attempts to redefine R&B:
  • “R&B is the foundation—of rock, hip‑hop, neo-soul, everything. You can’t replace a foundation.”
• He uses the “foundation of a house” as a metaphor for life, music, and spiritual grounding.

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5. Multi‑Generational Audience Connection

• Hewett loves seeing grandparents, parents, and children attend his shows together—evidence of music that lasts.
• His concerts are structured:
  • Act 1: Howard Hewett solo classics (slow jams, connection, romance)
  • Act 2: Shalamar dance hits (“Second Time Around,” “Make That Move,” “A Night to Remember”)

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6. Integrity, Spirituality, and Aging

• Hewett emphasizes that integrity, faith, and foundation have sustained his life and career.
• He began singing gospel in childhood; his mother was a gospel promoter who booked major gospel acts.
• At 70, he says he does not look or feel how he imagined 70 would look when he was younger.
• He encourages people to control what they allow into their lives—“stress, drama, or peace.”
  
  

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7. Entrepreneurship and Resilience

• As an entertainer, he equates his career to running a small business—no guaranteed income, no employer‑provided safety net.
• COVID forced him off the road for the first time in decades and taught him adaptability.
• He attributes his continued success to a solid foundation, timeless hits, and avoiding stress.
  
  

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8. Life Lessons: Worry, Faith, and the Power of the Tongue

• Hewett shared a powerful story about receiving a church pamphlet titled “Worry Is a Sign of Disbelief.”
• He spent years removing “worry” from his vocabulary and now avoids negative speech.
• He compares the tongue to a ship’s rudder—small but capable of steering life’s direction.
  
  

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🗣️ Notable Quotes ✔ On new music

“When you do new material, it’s almost like singing in Japanese. People don’t want to hear it unless you set it up right.”

✔ On R&B

“R&B is the foundation—of rock, hip-hop, neo-soul… you can’t replace a foundation.”

✔ On longevity

“Integrity is one of the most important things. Let your yes be your yes.”

✔ On aging

“When I turned 70, I thanked God it doesn’t look like what I thought it would look like when I was 30 or 40.”

✔ On stress

“Stress is like a rocking chair—it gives you a lot to do, but you’re still in the same place when you get done.”

✔ On faith

“If you’re truly a child of God, what are you worried about? Worry is a sign of disbelief"

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#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

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