(BLACK PR WIRE) New York, NY (October 15, 2008)– For twelve years, twice a week, listeners of Tavis Smiley’s commentaries on the Tom Joyner Morning Show heard Smiley express his views on a variety of topics that affected their lives. They knew they could count on Smiley, the resident political commentator and social critic, to evoke feelings straight from the heart. Topics on any given day could range from the hard-fought battle for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination, to the alleged “racist” comments Don Imus made concerning the Rutgers University women’s basketball team, or the endearing “mommy-isms” gleaned from Smiley’s beloved “Big Mama.” These hard-hitting, thought-provoking commentaries help define the African American cultural and political landscape.

Now, with the release by SmileyBooks of the 4-CD set ON AIR: The Best of Tavis Smiley on the Tom Joyner Morning Show 2004–2008 (October 15, 2008, USA $23.95; CAN $24.95), listeners can revisit Smiley’s commentaries spanning 2004–2008, years when momentous events occurred in our nation and the world. The commemorative CD set comes with a booklet featuring color photographs that capture the essence of Smiley and the Tom Joyner Morning Show, memorable moments, reflections from well-known fans of the show, and the text of Smiley’s last commentary. The essence of the CD set is captured on www.tavistalks.com featuring Tavis Smiley’s tour dates, audio clips, photos, and a chance for listeners to post comments.

During the commentary for his final show on June 26, 2008, Smiley explained, “My role has been one of challenging us to re-examine the assumptions we hold, helping us to expand our inventory of ideas, and hopefully empowering us with information that can help us live better lives.”

After a Smiley commentary on the Tom Joyner Morning Show, it was not unusual for listeners to turn to the person next to them and continue the debate on whatever topic Smiley had broached that day. Maybe it was a subject familiar to listeners and Smiley added a nugget they didn’t know, or maybe Smiley introduced a theme for the first time and listeners were intrigued. As is the case with his books, and his radio and TV talk shows, Tavis Smiley’s commentaries often helped enlighten, encourage and empower listeners to become engaged or moved into action.

When ON AIR is taken as a whole, a portrait emerges of the 2004–2008 years as a crucial time in this country—one of lively debate, ongoing social and economic challenges, the loss of key leaders and institutions, and the marking of momentous milestones in African American life. Having taken his millions of listeners on a journey through cultural radio history, Smiley affirms, “I have had just one immutable principle that has guided every one of the almost 1,200 commentaries I have delivered on this program: TELL THE PEOPLE THE TRUTH.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Tavis Smiley is an award-winning television and radio broadcaster and the New York Times bestselling author of What I Know for Sure. He is the first American to have signature talk shows on both public television (PBS) and public radio (NPR & PRI). Tavis is the founder of the Tavis Smiley Foundation and the visionary behind America I AM: The African American Imprint, the unprecedented traveling museum exhibit that chronicles the indelible African American imprint on U.S. life, history, and culture.

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ON AIR: The Best of Tavis Smiley on the Tom Joyner Morning Show 2004–2008
SmileyBooks, Audio CD, ISBN-10: 1401924190; ISBN-13: 978-1401924195 USA $23.95; CAN $24.95?

TOUR DATES?

Walmart
Thursday, October 16, 2008
6210 Annapolis Road
Landover, MD 20784
6pm-8pm

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Friday, October 17, 2008
4005 West 167th St.
Chicago, IL 60478
6pm-8pm

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Saturday, October 18, 2008
3580 Memorial Dr.
Atlanta, GA 30032
12:30pm-2:30pm

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Sunday, October 19, 2008
2727 Dunvale Rd.
Houston TX 77063
3pm-5pm

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Thursday, October 23, 2008
4545 Lafayette Rd.
Indianapolis, IN 46254
5pm-7pm

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Friday, October 24, 2008
9350 Cortana Pl.
Baton Rouge, LA 70818
12:30pm-2:30pm

Walmart
Saturday, October 25, 2008
4800 US 287 Highway
Fort Worth, TX 76011
12:30pm-2:30pm

Walmart
Sunday, October 26, 2008
621 Uptown Blvd 75104
Dallas, TX
3pm-5pm