The Silver Ash

For over 20 years, Antoine McKay has been among the leading actors and directors to hail from the MidWest. He developed his passion for acting at a young age and honed his skills at Eastern Michigan University's prestigious theatre arts program and by studying under world famous acting coach, Uta Hagen. McKay began his professional acting career at the Second City's Main Stages in Detroit and Chicago, where he wrote and performed in over 20 critically acclaimed shows. His credits include starring roles in countless commercials and television appearances on programs including Detroit 187 (ABC), ER (NBC), Prison Break (FOX), Sports Action Team (NBC). McKay has appeared in such feature films as The Weatherman, with Nicholas Cage, Someone to Eat Cheese With, alongside Jeff Garland, Standing in the Shadows of Motown, and Osso Bucco, with Mike Starr. His most recent appearances in FOX's breakout hit show Empire and Comedy Central's Review and South Side. Antoine has been a long-time resident of Chicago, where he lives with his wife Michelle and their children. Bud Heads Apparel [HTTPS://budheads.org] BudHeads apparel, celebrating the culture with cannabis inspired clothing and accessories. Stay hig Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

We all know Tommy Chong from That 70's Show  or from the Cheech and Chong movies and skits but, did you know Tommy was once and R & B Singer, signed to Motown?  Tommy was very much into the R & B scene in Canada and he promoted several concerts in Canada.  In fact, he introduced Ike and Tina Turner to Canada and he talks about a night, in Chicago, at The Regal Theater, when Michael Jackson and The Jackson 5 opened for his group, Bobby Taylor and The Vancouvers.  That night lead to Michael Jackson and the Jackson Five getting his shot at Motown.    Who knew that Tommy Chong had a whole other life before Cheech and Chong?  Tommy's experiences as a bi-racial kid in Canada led to him co writing a chart climbing hit, "Does Your Mama Know About Me?"  Hear these and other stories that you have never heard before on The Silver Ash Podcast, High Quality Conversation!

Here is a snippet from The Tommy Chong interview.  Tommy talks about meeting Michael Jackson in Chicago when MJ was 10 years old!

Malik Yusef, the WordSmyth, is an avant-garde spoken word poet—with timely lyrics that address and bring attention to national and global issues. Born and raised in Chicago’s south side amongst a humble and sometimes troubled beginning, Malik rose out of those surroundings to become a 24x Grammy award-nominee, 6x Grammy award-winner, and 7x ASCAP award-winner for both pop and R&B. Other credits include Emmy, Peabody, and Tony awards. Some of Malik’s early influences include Langston Hughes, Maya Angelou, William Shakespeare, Haki Madhubuti, Malcolm X, and Phillis Wheatley.   Most recently, Malik co-wrote "Sandcastles" on Beyoncé’s album Lemonade, and he is featured on Kanye West’s most recent album The Life of Pablo, the Grammy-nominated track "All Day" , Ty Dolla Sign’s album Free TC, and Common’s critically acclaimed album Nobody’s Smiling. He was also a featured producer with the legendary band WAR on their first studio album in 20 years, released in June 2014.   As one of Kanye West’s most trusted contributors, Malik co-wrote and contributed to 15/18 track on The Life of Pablo; he co-wrote eight out the ten songs on Yeezus; he is a writer and artist on Cruel Summer featuring Kanye West and the rest of his G.O.O.D. Music team. Additionally, Malik co-wrote seven songs on Kanye’s Double Platinum, 5th release and Rolling Stone's "Album of the Year" My Dark Twisted Fantasy and Malik is credited as a writer/producer/collaborator on Kanye’s critically acclaimed Film Runaway, which contains much of Malik’s music.  Malik is signed to the world’s largest music publisher, Universal Music Publishing, and is part of Kanye West’s G.O.O.D. Music label and affiliated with Wiz Khalifa’s Taylor Gang. It is his pure talent, unparalleled work ethic, and ability to be a trusted advisor, that has allowed Malik to build and maintain incredible industry connections and relationships with the likes of JAY Z, Drake, Katy Perry, Common, Jennifer Hudson, Rihanna, The Band Perry, Wiz Khalifa, and Adam Levine.

Todd McCormick is a former cancer patient who started using cannabis in 1979, under his mother's supervision while undergoing chemotherapy and radiation. Todd overcame the cancer and went on to become a lifetime advocate for medical cannabis. Starting in 1994, Todd worked with Jack Herer as an editor of The Emperor Wears No Clothes and after Jack’s passing, he released the 12th edition of the book with memorials to Jack. Todd received the first international prescription for medical cannabis in the Netherlands in 1994, opened the San Diego Cannabis Compassion Club in 1995, and lived in Amsterdam for over a year growing and studying cannabis. Upon return to the US, he became one of the first growers arrested for cultivating cannabis after the passage of proposition 215. His first book, How to Grow Medical Marijuana, was released in 1998. Todd also became one of the first people the federal government denied a medical necessity defense and was forced to self-surrender to a 5 year prison sentence starting on January 3rd, 2000. Upon release from prison in 2004, he went right back to activism and started producing fundraisers at the Playboy Mansion for MPP in 2007, 2008 & 2009, and also in 2009, he produced the THC EXPO, which was held at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Todd co-produced and is featured in the documentaries, THE UNION: The Business Behind Getting High & THE CULTURE HIGH. Todd also helped produce the book, PROTESTIVAL: A 20 year retrospective of Seattle Hempfest. Todd currently writes for Grow magazine, and will soon be releasing his next book, From Cancer to Cannabis: The Essential Guide to the EndoCannabinoid System. Todd also owns Authentic Genetics and supplies cannabis genetics at: www.AGSeedCo.com [http://www.agseedco.com/]  In 2012 in Barcelona, Todd received the Cannabis Culture Award alongside Dr. Lester Grinspoon and Sir Richard Branson.