V A U G H N   A N T H O N Y
 New music from Vaughn Anthony
Date added: May 30, 2008
Message from VA: Come check out the new music on my page, that is also featured on itunes, which you can download to your pleasure. VA.

 R&B Newcomer Calls Himself "Mr. Everything"
Date added: February 1, 2008
R&B, which is typically soulful melodies with raw, romantic lyrics and smooth vocals, is changing. Many artists are choosing to mesh other genres, like rock and hip-hop, in standard R&B songs. Enter Vaughn Anthony."I'm versatile. I rap, sing; I can sing a ballad… so I give you all different kinds of stuff," Anthony said. This 27-year-old Ohio native has been trying this new combination since he decided to go solo a year ago. Anthony feels like his sound is unique because he adds hip-hop, R&B and funk to his style. "My first album is just going to be strictly R&B with a little hip-hop twist and little funk twist," Anthony told The Hilltop. "There's going to be no church, but you'll be able to tell that was part of my influence." Anthony listens to a variety of music, proclaiming that his iPod is on shuffle right now with everything from Anita Baker to Biggie Smalls. "Growing up, we listened to the Winans," Anthony said. "I listened to James Brown, Stevie Wonder, Mint Condition, Joe, Brian McKnight." The only thing not so unique is the main ingredient to the new sound - his voice. When Anthony steps to the mic, many can't help but think of his big brother, singer John Legend. Anthony, the youngest brother of the family, has always stood out for his non-musical talents until two years ago. "Before this, I was working in a factory house," he said. "At first, everybody was wondering what I was doing. I didn't really let anyone know I could sing. And when I told them I was going to quit my job and start working on music after my brother, they were like 'What are you doing?' So I did it, and here I am." As kids, Anthony claims his brother was the more of the artistic type, while he stuck to the playing field. "I'm the athlete in the family," he said. "Believe it or not, when I was little I used to watch him and I used to always just love listening to him sing. My dad played the drums. My mom's a choir director. My grandmother was an organist. So we all picked up a little something. We caught up all that because when we were at home they taught us all that. I learned art. We read the Bible. So I can draw, sing [and] I can dance a little bit." Like a big brother, Legend has mentored his brother's budding career and even took him on the road as his backup singer. "I began singing professionally [about] two years ago, when I began singing background for my brother," Anthony said. "As each scenario pops up, he guides me. It's definitely an advantage that I have over other people. Plus, I have people on his team that I picked to come with me that really care for us. They're genuine people, so I'm definitely blessed just coming in the game." Although his older brother is a big help, Anthony worries about people criticizing his jump into the music business. "My hardest thing is going to be to step out of the shadow of John," he said. "Convincing people to see me for me and not looking at me as John's brother, which I believe will happen though. But it's just really hard to get out of the comparison. People say 'Aww, he sounds like his brother' and this and that. I think at first it is [going to be hard] but once people hear that one song on the radio that people really embrace and accept me for me...then I think it's over. But until I get that one song, they're just going say stuff about me." As far as variations in their voices, the two sound very similar, but Anthony has a rebuttal for that. "I mean, we sound a like," he said. "What do you expect? But if you really listen, I don't think we sound alike. Not as much as everybody thinks." Through touring, interviews and appearances, Anthony hopes he will emerge as a breakthrough artist this year. As an artist signed to Home School Records, his main focus is creating a quality album while looking the part. "Right now I'm just working on my album," he said. "My music is real rough. I'm just trying to get the production right. And I am continuing to work on my body…I lost like 30 pounds. That's what some record labels look for. Plus, my brother, I had to prove to him too. I told him I was going to bring my trainer and work it off." Anthony joked, "I'm trying to get out there and do some small things before my album comes out to create a nice buzz. I want to be as big a sex symbol as I can."

 HomeSchool Records - John Legend's vision
Date added: January 8, 2007
Want to get excited about something? Here is your opportunity: Home School Records! This new endeavor by creative genius John Legend is a truly wonderful venture into the world of musical entertainment that hasn’t been tried for a long, long time. If you are a John Legend fan you already know that he comes from a place others simply cannot go. His sound, his style, his presence and his presentation leave one awed whenever he takes the stage. What I find exceptional about that is that whatever that ultra extra special something is isn’t something you can put your finger on and say “there, there it is!” No, at least not from my vantage point it is not that simple to identify. It is something old and deep, rare and ethereal and it seems boundless. That he can possibly transfer some of that “something” to an entire stable of other artist is a question that will remain open for a while, but, from what I’ve seen of what he has to work with I think it is definitely doable. So who are these artists? Estelle, the British phenom who struts and entertains with a tasty sense of class that blends reggae and rap, harmony and delivery in a way that makes her unmistakably her own star. Then there is The James Gang, three super talented song and dance men with a Broadway skill that has you rocking in your seat, then up on your feet clapping them on in the privacy of your own den. (Okay, so I’m confessing!) The other one who impressed me was Vaughn Anthony, who I wasn’t really expecting to because of his relationship to Legend, but who was a thoroughly refreshing surprise. He has a lot of directions he can go with his voice and his style if he continues to hone it into some of his own. What Legend is doing is a real risk, which is a feather in his hat and the hats of those visionaries that are willing to back this venture. I believe he and they are at the forefront of the exciting curve and I am hoping that they build each of these talented individuals into enduring performers that even history will be able to look back on and say they were a part of a musical revolution. Perhaps that is a lot of expectation but it is time we have an expectation of change, positive change that spins music into absolute magic.

 VA home for Christmas Show
Date added: December 26, 2007
Grammy-winning R&B artist John Legend returned to his hometown to headline a small Christmas Eve benefit concert of local artists at his high school alma mater. Legend, 28, performed in the "Coming Home Christmas Benefit Concert" along with R&B, gospel and rock talents, including the Springfield North and Springfield South high school choirs. "Springfield has a lot of talent," said Legend, who performed to a sold out crowd of 1,200 at North High. "And the concert is a nice variety that represents the diversity of Springfield." Proceeds from the concert, which was the brainchild of Legend's brother Vaughn Anthony Stephens, go to the Jason Collier Memorial Scholarship Fund. Collier, an NBA player and Springfield Catholic Central alum, was 28 when he died from a sudden heart rhythm disturbance in 2005. Legend said he met Collier in high school and called his death tragic.

 Fans arrive early for the Christmas Concert
Date added: December 24, 2007
Fans arrived at North High School as early as 12:30 Monday afternoon to stand in line for the sold-out Coming Home Christmas Benefit Concert, featuring five-time Grammy winner and Springfield native John Legend. The concert is general admission. Doors opened at 6 p.m."I'd like to meet John Legend," said Maya Koehler, 17, who arrived at North High early Monday afternoon and waited in her car because the doors weren't open yet. "Now that may not happen, but I wanted to get good seats," she continued. Koehler was one of 1,200 people who bought tickets for the show held in North High School's auditorium, which will also feature a host of local talent. The concert was organized by Legend's younger brother and R&B newcomer, Vaughn Anthony Stephens, and will feature a variety of genres, from gospel to rock. Other performers include Griffin House, Kashaan Stephens (John and Vaughn's cousin), Amante Lacey and the Life Worship Band, Nate McDonough, Callahan and the Springfield North and South High School combined choirs. From Koehler's place at the front of the line to the rapidly increasing back of the line, the crowd talked, laughed and danced around — sometimes literally — in the 34 degree weather. Clark County Commissioner John Detrick and his wife, Karen, were bravely taking in the cold, toward the end of the line that wrapped around North High. "We're just so proud of him," Karen Detrick said of Legend. "He's got very good ethics, and morals...and comes home to be with his family. That's important." A few people ahead of the Detricks, Joe Hamman stood with his mother and his financee, contemplating taking shifts in the car. "I don't want her to have to stand out here the whole time," said Hamman's fiancee, Kasey, speaking of her 5-year-old daughter, Madisyn. But Hamman was as good-natured as he could be under the circumstances, anticipating Legend's and Griffin House's perfomances. "It's not as cold as it was on the day I bought the tickets," he said. "... It's just good family fun on Christmas Eve."

 John Legend helping a brother out
Date added: December 15, 2007
R&B singer John Legend, who won a Grammy for best artist two years ago, is paving the way for new artists on his own record label, including his younger brother. "He's a really good singer, and he's also a really good lyricist," Legend tells the Associated Press of Vaughn Anthony, his sibling. "So I think he's got a lot of potential." Legend, 28, features Anthony and other artists on his Homeschool Records label in the special "Baileys Entertainment Presents Get Together with John Legend," airing Sunday on the TV One network. Besides brother Anthony, the show will feature performances from British singer/rapper Estelle, who is gearing up for her debut early next year via Atlantic Records, and the throwback trio The James Group. Legend also performs his own hits, such as "Ordinary People." In an interview with The Associated Press this week, Legend said guiding the careers of others isn't much different from what he does in his own. "I don't feel like it's a dramatic shift. Either way I'm a fan of music and I love making records that someone can be proud of," he said. Legend co-wrote and sang background on some of the songs on Estelle's album, "Shine," due out in May, and performs a duet with her. He plans to do the same for Anthony, whose album has yet to be completed. "I want them to have their own identity and that's the reason why I signed them," he said.

 JL shut out at the Grammys Noms?
Date added: December 10, 2007
The Grammys have 110 categories. John Legend on Thursday couldn't squeeze his way into any of them. The Springfield R&B sensation — already a five-time Grammy winner — was shut out of nominations in a year in which he could have, should have, gotten something. To date, Legend has been nominated for 11 Grammys. Eight of those came from 2005 alone. (At the actual awards show, he made good on three, including best new artist.) This year was supposed to have been that kind of year — his sophomore album, "Once Again," apparently missed the cutoff date to be eligible for the 2006 Grammys. But the platinum "Once Again," which has been out for more than a year, seems to have fallen between the cracks. "I thought he might eat it up this year. I was wrong," said brother Vaughn Anthony, an artist on Legend's Homeschool Records label. "I thought his album was worth something." Legend couldn't be reached Thursday for comment. The former John Stephens seemed poised to become a Grammy regular in the vein of musical hero Stevie Wonder. After all, even without an eligible album, he picked up three nominations last year, catching family off guard. Family was caught off guard again Thursday — only for all the wrong reasons. But his brother at least is taking it in stride. "I guess you win some and you lose some," Anthony said. "He's got five already."

 Enter to win 2 tickets to the Dec. 24 JL/VA Show!
Date added: November 22, 2007
After five Grammys and two platinum albums, it was an inevitable — John Legend is getting his own TV special. The Springfield native will be the subject of an hourlong special, "Get Together With John Legend," at 9 p.m. Dec. 16 on TV One, a digital cable network. The special will feature performances from a recent concert in New York, in addition to backstage footage and interviews. The show also will help Legend get the word out about Homeschool Records, his own label. The special will feature performances from part of his fledgling roster — British rapper Estelle, brother and fellow North High grad Vaughn Anthony and the James Gang (no, not the old Joe Walsh band; more like a unicycle-riding, fire-blowing R&B throwback to the '20s). Legend's new label also is getting a big push from the current issue of Rolling Stone — Estelle is listed as one of 10 artists to watch. But on Christmas Eve, the former John Stephens will get back to where it all began. He'll be the featured performer in a Dec. 24 show in North High's 1,125-seat auditorium. Tickets sold out in about an hour, but the Springfield News-Sun could soon be your new best friend — we have a pair to give out to one lucky person. Enter to win the tickets at SpringfieldNewsSun.com/legend.

 StarTribune.com: JL and friends live at Fine Line
Date added: November 13, 2007
Thanks to underwriting from Baileys Irish Cream, John Legend was able to play his smallest Twin Cities gig ever on Monday - an unadvertised affair for 500 folks at the Fine Line. Actually, it wasn't just Legend and his 11-member band (playing on a stage that was expanded by 50 percent to accommodate them). He also showcased three artists from his new label, Home School Records. The best and the brightest of the newcomers was Estelle, a 27-year-old from London, who told me she's been singing and rapping for 10 years. She put out one CD in England and her sophomore effort, 'Shine,' will come out in February. On her five numbers, Estelle showed an impressive ability to move seamlessly from rapping to singing. 'Substitute Lover' was a sunny marriage of island, hip-hop and R&B. 'Just a Touch' had an irresistible hip-hop groove. And she commanded the stage when Legend joined her on the duet 'Come Over.' There!—s no question that Estelle (think a sunny Corinne Bailey Rae meets Erykah Badu) has star quality. Diggy, a rapper from Legend!'s hometown of Springfield, Ohio, can command the stage but there was nothing original about his 'Rock the Mic.' And Vaughn Anthony, who is one of Legend's backup singers, proved that he's not yet ready for prime-time with his hip-hop balladry. As for Legend, he was onstage for 85 minutes, supporting all his new charges and doing 10 of his own selections. At first, his voice was a little raspier than usual but he was his usual charming, dreamy self. 'I Can Change' featured a taste of the Beatles' 'I Want You,' which showed off both Legend's rock-heavy funk and jazzy musicality. 'PDA' and 'Still Number 1' both got remix treatments, which suggested that Legend continues to challenge himself musically. Btw, a similar show with Legend and friends was filmed last week in NYC for broadcast on Dec. 16 on Station 1.

 VA/Estelle/The James Gang live at the Roxy
Date added: November 10, 2007
You could say that John Legend got a little help from his friends Wednesday. Not that he needed it, but it was all part of the package.In a free concert presented by Bailey’s Irish Creme, Legend appeared and took the Roxy crowd by storm before fading into the wings and letting up-and-coming acts from his new label, Homeschool Records, take the spotlight. The Grammy-winning r & b singer served up tracks off his latest album, “Once Again,” including “Heaven” and “Save Room.” Dressed in casual cool threads, Legend worked the stage with his usual intensity. He also performed the title song off his debut studio album, “Get Lifted,” with the already funky track getting some niceorgan embellishments and help from the Roxy lighting department. Legend’s able band - which included three backup singers and a horn section - deserve credit for re-creating his textured compositions with vigor. The crowd may have wanted more from Legend, but after whetting their appetite the star slipped into the background as British artist Estelle took center stage. The up-and-coming singer may not have Legend’s name-recognition, but with her self-described blend of hip-hop, jazz and r & b and a commanding demeanor and sense of personal style, she demonstrated both considerable talent and stage presence. Legend’s younger brother and backup singer, Vaughn Anthony, also made an appearance. Visually the two couldn’t be more different. While Legend arrived in a leather jacket and khakis, Anthony took the stage in wind pants, sneakers, a tilted cap and a black tank-top exposing his numerous tattoos and bulging biceps. Vocally, however, they bear a striking resemblance; it’s a good bet that Anthony won’t be serving as backup to his big brother for long. The James Gang was a definite break from the norm and offered a new style of performance that isn’t easy to categorize. Picture three males in knickers, blazers and bow ties swinging canes in a high-energy mix of music and theatrics. If nothing else, it was different. By the time Estelle returned to the stage for another go-round, the crowd was obviously longing for Legend. He did return eventually, closing out the night with “Slow Dance” - complete with a risque slow dance onstage with an excited female fan - the steaming “Used to Love U” and breakout hit “Ordinary People.” The free show clocked in at about an hour and 15 minutes, and Legend left the crowd wanting more. But in the performance arts, if nowhere else, that’s a good thing.

 Vaughn Anthony coming home for Christmas
Date added: November 2, 2007
Those silver bells that go ring-a-ling every Christmas? They're getting an upgrade this year to a pricier metal — platinum. Springfield native and five-time Grammy-winner John Legend will perform Christmas Eve in North High School's 1,125-seat auditorium. It will mark Legend's first public hometown performance since 2005, when he smashed attendance records at the Summer Arts Festival in Veterans Park, drawing more than 15,000 people. He came back that fall to perform at an invite-only event to support the Springfield City Schools' levy. But the Christmas Eve show is shaping up to be a lot more than just a John Legend show — think local Woodstock, only not free. For $25, you'll get Legend, brother and emerging R&B singer Vaughn Anthony, singer-songwriters Griffin House and Nate McDonough, emo-pop favorites Callahan and Arlin "Par" Tolliver leading a combined North and South high school choir. "We want to show the talent in Springfield," explained show co-organizer Anthony, who envisions a 3-hour concert with a family atmosphere. Proceeds will go toward creating new high school scholarships, he said. Legend, Anthony, House and McDonough all are North High grads. Co-organizer Alyce Comer, Callahan's manager, said the logistical stuff — namely, the length of each performer's set — hasn't been determined. Anthony wants to make the concert an annual event. "Home is home," he said. The brothers will be taking time off from working on new albums — Anthony's first and Legend's follow-up to "Once Again," his second platinum disc. "Lord willing, it'll be a great concert," Anthony said. John Legend, Vaughn Anthony, Griffin House, Nate McDonough and Callahan will perform from 7 to 10 p.m. Dec. 24 at North High. Tickets are $25 and go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 16, at North and South high schools.

 VA delays own album to do musical
Date added: September 13, 2007
In the musical "From Motown to Gospel," Vaughn Anthony will play a local pastor who walked away from a big-time record deal to pursue the ministry. Crazy? Actually, Anthony would prefer to think Motown is the crazy one — for turning down his brother, John Legend, and maybe passing on him, too. "I visited with someone at Motown and she said, 'That sounds like John,' " he explained. "What'd you expect? We came from the same mother." Anthony, the R&B hopeful born Vaughn Stephens, has been trying to find a distributor for his forthcoming debut album — one of the first for Legend's own Home School Records label. But the North High grad realizes Motown is pretty insignificant — especially considering Motown fell out of favor with God when it left Detroit. "At the end, your soul is greater than anything," Anthony said. Anthony, who played a supporting role locally in the original 2004 production, couldn't say no when asked to take the lead. "We still have that foundation," he said. "We don't forget where we came from." Now if only the good Lord would see fit to extend the hours of the day — Anthony is a busy man. He'll soon spend three weeks in Atlanta to work on tracks with producer Teddy Riley (of Bobby Brown's "My Prerogative" fame). At almost every step, however, he's been met with the same criticism — that he sounds too much like his Grammy-winning big brother. "Whatever's hot, let it be hot, regardless of if I sound like Johnny," Anthony said. "The people will embrace it. It's just getting over the hump and convincing record executives that it will sell." With any luck, the new single "Listen Up" will create the right amount of buzz, not only for himself but the entire Home School crew. The song soon will be sent to radio, Anthony said. "Just to let 'em know Home School's in the building," he said. Read more here and listen to "Listen Up" on VA MySpace page. Love this song!

Vaughn Anthony stars in "From Motown to Gospel" at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday at the King Arts Complex, 867 Mount Vernon Ave., Columbus. Tickets are $20, and are available at the door or locally at Greater Grace Temple.