Oct. 1, 2007

Music Notes

Song stylist Natalie Cole is readying a gospel album. Word has it that Cole will begin working on her first gospel offering soon and will have Stellar Award-winning artist Kurt Carr oversee the project. Known for hits like "This Will Be," "I've Got Love On My Mind," "Inseparable" and "Pink Cadillac," Cole has also been a regular guest host on the Christian television channel, Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN). In addition, word has it that Cole is also working on a shoe line called the Natalie Cole Shoe Collection that will hit stores in 2008.

R&B trio Brownstone is back with a vengeance. Formerly signed to Michael Jackson's MJJ Music, original members Nicci Gilbert and Maxee Maxwell have reunited with a new singer Raquel Roberts and have began performing dates. I saw the group perform during a fundraiser for the book, 'Daughters of Men' by Rachel Vassel in Atlanta recently. Looking good and sounding great, the trio sang hits like "Grapevyne," "5 Miles to Empty" and "If You Love Me" during the near-hour long concert set. (Check out Brownstone's performance of "Grapevyne" here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7D6Sn0omDU)

Atlanta-based R&B quartet Jagged Edge is shooting a reality show called 'Making The Next Hit.' The group will tour the U.S. in search of the next music superstar. Group members Brian Casey, Brandon Casey, Kyle Norman and Richard Wingo will be joined by the twins' mother, Ms Casey and hip-hop pioneer Chief Rocker Busy Bee on the reality series. The show will air on www.TheNext.tv. In other news, Jagged Edge's latest CD, 'Baby Makin' Project,' was released on Sept. 25.

I hosted a CD release for on-the-rise gospel star VaShawn Mitchell that was on put on by the New Birth South Church of Jonesboro, Ga. The event was held at the trendy Twelve Hotel at Centennial Park in Atlanta last Tuesday, the day Mitchell's new CD, 'Promises,' hit stores. The 'Queen of Inspirational Soul' Ann Nesby, Omarosa ('The Apprentice'), gospel singer B. Chase Williams, singer Norwood Young (E!'s 'High Maintenance 90210') and columnist William "Obnoxious" McCray were among the notables in attendance. New Birth South's pastor, Andre Landers, was there to share words of encouragement, while guests dined on one heck of a food spread. Mitchell performed songs from 'Promises' and was even joined in a impromptu number by Nesby, whose CD 'The is Love' was also released that day. 'Promises' was recorded live at the Chicago Apollo Theater and features appearances by Kim Burrell, Angela Spivey and Mitchell's Chicago pastor, Bishop Larry Trotter. For more details visit www.vashawnmitchell.com. (See Mitchell perform "I Worship You" here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJxwkyPkIU4)

Late soul singer Phyllis Hyman's life is detailed in a biography, 'Strength of a Woman: The Phyllis Hyman Story.' The tome, written by music journalist Jason A. Michael, chronicles the "I Refuse To Be Lonely" singer's troubled life and her struggles from depression, drugs, alcoholism, weight issues and sexuality. Hyman received a Tony nomination for starring in Broadway's 'Sophisticated Ladies,' but after several suicide attempts, the singer killed herself on June 30, 1995, only hours before she was scheduled to take the stage at the Apollo Theater in Harlem.

Vocalist Marc Nelson has released his third solo offering, 'Marc: My Words' independently via Lyric Masters 911 (www.MarcNelson15.com). The former AZ Yet front man and "15 Minutes" singer co-wrote and co-produced on all of the CD's 15 tracks. Jazz great Brian Culbertson also collaborates on the set. Nelson, who sang opposite Beyonce on the 'The Best Man' soundtrack, is an award-winning writer who has also penned tunes for Charlie Wilson, Toni Braxton, Babyface, Tamia, Tyrese and Brandy.

Former 'Sister Act 2' star Tanya Blount, now known by her married name of Tanya Royalty, has a new book out named after her R&B hit song, 'Through The Rain.' The tome offers 14 principles for surviving life's challenges according to Royalty. A one-time Bad Boy Entertainment artist, Royalty will tour Switzerland this December in a production called 'The Gospel Experience.' For details on 'Through The Rain,' visit Royalty's MySpace page: www.myspace.com/tanyablount

Connecticut-based choir Youthful Praise will release a new CD and DVD titled 'Exalted: Live in Baltimore' on Oct. 23. The session featured appearances by Judith Christie McAllister, Steve Lawrence and Ted Winn. The album is being led by the single, "We Worship You." Youthful Praise's last release, 'Live: The Praise…The Worship,' featured the hit "Incredible God" and will forever be a gospel classic to me!

Less Than Perfect

Many of you e-mailed me last week after reading my interview with Sherri Shepherd to ask why didn't I ask her about the whole 'is the world round or flat' controversy. Regular readers of this column know that I break news and report on things that interest me, and since that story was cleared up the day after those in cyberspace had a field day with it, I figured it wasn't worth the space.

Nonetheless, just for clarity sake, on Tuesday Sept. 18, during an intense conversation during 'Hot Topics' on 'The View,' Barbara Walters challenged Shepherd's Christian beliefs in a debate about evolution. During the back and forth, the question was posed as to whether Shepherd believed the earth was flat, as a means to back Walters' theory on evolution. Looking stumped, the former 'Suddenly Susan' star replied: "I don't know Barbara. I guess I had never thought about it."

The following day, Shepherd acknowledged the incident and described the blooper as a "brain fart." Her co-hosts talked about how they laughed about it immediately following the segment the day prior and never thought anything about it until the story became "big news" online.

The comedienne, known for being frank and open about her personal life on 'The View,' admitted to me that she really didn't hear what Walters had asked her and that a "black spot in her mind" caused her to answer the way she did. "Of course I know the world is round," she laughed during our chat, before adding: "And I'm sure that was the first of many more mistakes and 'brain farts' I'll have on air."

Now, can you stop e-mailing me about this!

Buzzworthy

I hear that things are getting serious with 'Prison Break' star Rockmond Dunbar and girlfriend, model Machiko Harris. The couple has been dating for more than a year, and now the co-star on the short-lived TNT drama 'Heartland' is preparing to pop the question. A rep for Dunbar would not confirm engagement buzz, but admitted the couple is going strong. "They are very serious," said Lisa Sorenson. Dunbar was previously married for three years to model Ivy Holmes but the couple divorced in 2006.

R&B newcomer J. Holiday is rumored to be dating model Jessica White. The "Bed" singer and the statuesque model were scene having dinner at New York's Negril restaurant last week. White was previously linked to singer John Legend.

The independent film 'Honeydipper' was showcased during the Toronto Film Festival. The movie stars Danny Glover, Kel Mitchell, Charles Dutton, Ya Ya DaCosta, Sean Patrick Thomas, Lisa Gay Hamilton, Vondie Curtis Hall, Keb Mo, Mary Steenburgen, Gary Clark Jr. and Eric Adrams. The movie is set in 1950 in Harmony, Alabama in a juke joint. The feature, written and directed by John Sayles, is slated to be released nationally in early 2008.

Congratulations are in order to Michael Lewellen, the former head of corporate communications for Black Entertainment Television. Lewellen is now the Vice President of Public Relations for the Universal Orlando Resort. He began his new position on Sept. 17. The efficient way Lewellen ran the press room at BET award shows and special events will certainly be missed.

Can't Say Names ...

Don't deny this R&B singer her right to praise God. Said vocalist was in the studio working with A-List producers and decided she has a song of reverence she wanted to offer unto the Lord. When one of the producers balked at the idea and wanted to get to work on an R&B song instead, the R&B starlet flew off the handle. "I want to sing this damn song for Jesus! All I want to do is sing this mother@#%$& song for Jesus. Why the f#$% won't you let me sing my damn song for God," she raged. She gave new meaning to "Radical for Christ!"