Edwin N. Sumpter Jr. Welcome To My Life As Boston's Man On The Entertainment Scene During The 1980s to 1990s!!!!!!!! If you are in your thirties or older, I know you'll dig this!!!!Do you remember Lanes Lounge in Mattapan, Cortees's in Dorchester, The Loft (Friday Nights), The Nine (Monday Nights), The Page in Mattapan, Satches', Broadways? What about Reiley's at Goverment Center? Well, I do and "those were truly the days." During those wonderful years, I was honored to serve as Entertainment Editor for the Boston Greater News, a community newspaper serving Dorchester, Roxbury and Mattapan. On this site, I will share with you my memories of the many interview and reviews that I did during the 1980's and early 90's. Like this great photo of Smokey and I at the 1990 KISS 108 Anniversary Concert at the Great Woods, as it was known back then. In the early 80's I was one third of the deejay trio DEAL INC. along with Lenny Williams and "lil" Dave Williams. We held court on Oakhurst Street "block parties" and those legendary house parties in the neighborhood. Of course, back then there was an art to mixing records not scratching but I don't want to complain. Today's music is what it is and that's that. Later on in my community news career, from 1996-1997, I would again hold the position as Entertainment Editior with the Boston People's Voice. The Boston People's Voice is still in publication and is another important community newspaper. But on this site, I simply want to recall that special time when we were 15-30 (in my case, that is the years 1975-90) and we were just about to make our full mark on the world. Here is an opportunity to look back. Don't worry, I'm not suggesting anyone stare and get stuck, just take a peek back. I am aware, as you are, that it is the 21st Century.

The Boston Greater News. (1981-1993) Natalie Cole was one of many stars who graced the cover of the Boston Greater News. The Boston Greater News was published and owned by Fred Clark, a Philadelphia native, who recognized a need for another voice in Boston's African American neighborhoods. From the early 1980's to 1993, the Boston Greater News brought community news along with national syndicated stories to the residents of Dorchester, Roxbury and Mattapan. As entertainment editor and occassional feature reporter, I was honored to served the community with "Mr. Clark." For not only did I get to cover the entertainment scene but I covered news events in our community from Mel King's exciting run for mayor in the early '80 to Nelson and Winnie Mandela's visit to Roxbury. It was, at times a trying time, at times an exciting time and always so interesting time. As I' ve gotten older, now 43, I look back and say "Hey, I was there and I've got the pictures, article and memories to prove it." Some of you were there and most of you did things an saw things that other may like to be reminded of. For example, here is a short story about the Nelson and Winnie Mandela visit to Roxbury that some of us lucky people had. The day of their appearence, I was working for a local cable show called "Sound Check" that was produced by local mega-talent Sharyn Hinton. Getting into Madison Park High School that day as a member of the press meant being cleared by the authorities at the JFK building downtown. The day before, press credentials were all gone and I was out!! I was devastated. So I sat out back on the Madison Park Field with hundred's of others and listen to Mr. Mandela's speech through a speaker system. After his speech we stared to get up to leave when word hit the field that after being made aware of how many folks were sitting out on the field that Nelson and Winnie were coming to the field to speak to us. Ten minutes later, those two magnificent people were standing on the bleachers looking down on the throng of us with warm greetings and strong words. It was then that Winnie looked across the field and saw the MANDELA apartments and commented on the word MANDELA running down the side for the building in huge white letters. This was one of the greatest pleasures my eyes and ears ever had. SO NOW CLICK OVER TO MY PHOTO PAGE AND LET THE 1980'S AND EARLY 90'S COME TO LIFE!!!!!!!!! Please E-Mail me at esumpter2006@Yahoo.com with your stories and memories of your