REVISITED: Kerry Gordy - "Ed Sullivan and Motown"

In this episode of Sticky Note Conversations, host Erika Washington sits down with Kerry Gordy, son of the legendary Barry Gordy. They delve into topics of legacy, family, and the impact of music. Kerry shares insights into his documentary 'Sunday's Best' about Ed Sullivan’s role in breaking racial barriers on television, which is currently streaming on Netflix. They also discuss the challenges of making biopics, future projects, and the importance of preserving African American history. Listen in for an enriching conversation that spans music history and socio-cultural impacts.

• (00:00) - Introduction to Sticky Note Conversations
• (01:20) - Introducing Kerry Gordy and His Documentary
• (02:58) - The Impact of Ed Sullivan on Black Artists
• (08:31) - The Legacy of Ed Sullivan and Its Modern Implications
• (10:53) - Kerry Gordy's Personal Experiences in the Music Industry
• (14:12) - The Role of Television in Shaping Black Representation
• (17:05) - The Importance of Preserving Black History
• (40:37) - Kerry Gordy's Work in Copyright Termination
• (48:26) - Publishing Rights and Artist Contracts
• (49:17) - Remembering Jesse Belvin
• (50:29) - Barry Gordy and Ed Sullivan's Impact
• (51:41) - Interviewing Motown Legends
• (56:20) - Challenges of a Marvin Gaye Biopic
• (01:02:22) - Documentary Projects and Industry Insights
• (01:08:06) - Producing the Play '44'
• (01:14:56) - Carrie Gordy's Legacy and the American Dream

Creators and Guests

Producer

Erika Washington

SE

Editor

Simone Endress

WB

Composer

Wil Black

What is Sticky Note Conversations?

To keep my thoughts in order and my to-do lists remotely manageable I create arrays of sticky notes on my desk and wall. New idea? Stick note! Someone I want to meet with? Sticky Note! Need to remember to pay a parking ticket? Write it on a sticky note. Over the course of the last year, I have wanted to create a podcast that allowed me to dive deep into conversations with interesting people.. I wanted to have real conversations that were more than sound bites or regurgitated talking points about fluffy topics. My hope is that each episode feels like old friends catching up. Revealing great information but also humanity, struggle, victory, joy, grief, and possibly, a flicker of transcendence.

I hope you will enjoy these as much as I do creating them.
Join me here every Saturday as I pull a new sticky note off my desk.