March 27, 2006

The March 13 BV Buzz broke the news that Coko of SWV had inked a lucrative contract with Armetis Records to record her debut gospel album. We've now learned that R&B crooner Tony Terry will release his debut gospel offering, 'Changed!,' on Jordan Entertainment Group/Koch Records in April. Coko (nee' Cheryl Gamble-Clemons) and Terry are the latest contemporary R&B singers to venture into the gospel genre, following in the footsteps of R&B stars Dave Hollister and Kelly Price, whose gospel endeavors were announced in this column first. These artists are defying the stereotype that R&B stars only record gospel when they are past their prime, without a record deal, and/or attempting to gain sympathy when they're in some headline-grabbing trouble.

Not since the 1970s when Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles and Al Green released gospel recordings while still relevant crossover entertainers, has a mainstream artist had significant success in the gospel arena. The gospel industry resisted more recent offerings by artists such as Stephanie Mills, Woody Rock of Dru Hill, Shirley Murdock, R. Kelly and Candi Staton. But the announcement of gospel endeavors from Coko, Hollister, Price and Terry has received a surprisingly positive reception from the gospel community.

"I think it's now acceptable for younger artists to cross over from the R&B field into gospel because a whole generation of people have grown up with new rules and new views on religion that separates them from the prior generation that felt that your secular music past prohibited you from being able to sing what they call anointed gospel music," says Bill Carpenter, author of 'Uncloudy Days: The Gospel Music Encyclopedia.'

Coko shares Carpenter's sentiments and is admittedly overwhelmed by the amount of support and encouragement she's received from the Christian community. "All of the feedback has been really good! People seem really excited about me doing this gospel record and to be honest, most people have wanted me to do a gospel record since day one of SWV," she says.

Dealing with criticism from naysayers who often treat the gospel genre like a country club, Coko is adamant that her lifestyle speaks for itself. "Anyone who has a problem with any of us showing this extension of ourselves should read 1 Corinthians 4:3 in the Bible. That puts it all in perspective," she adds. Coko has had a constant presence in the gospel industry by guest starring on projects by Brent Jones & TP Mobb ("Midnight"), Youthful Praise ("Up There") and Eric McDaniels & The Lord's Church Choir ("Some How, Some Way").

As for her own not-yet-titled album for Artemis Records, Coko says she and fellow R&B darlings Faith Evans and Lil' Mo are recording a remake of The Clark Sisters' song "Endow Me." "I can't talk too much about everything else we're working on, but I will say that it's all some good music. I'm sharing my testimony and spreading God's good news," she says.

Road Trip

Capitol Records artist Van Hunt has been added as the opening act on the Anthony Hamilton/Heather Headley tour. The Grammy nominee will perform tracks from his forthcoming sophomore album "On The Jungle Floor" while touring with the two R&B stars. The Hamilton/Headley tour kicks off April 6 in Richmond, Va. and wraps May 13 in Chicago.

Darrin Dewitt Henson ('Soul Food'), Angie Stone, Dave Hollister, LaToya London ('American Idol'), Christopher Williams and Kim Fields ('Living Single') will star in the stage play 'Issues-We All Got 'Em.' The play is produced by Laterras R. Whitfield and has dates scheduled nationally.

Also, Philadelphia residents can catch R&B singers Keith Washington and Meli'sa Morgan in the theatrical production 'The Life Story of Marvin Gaye.' The musical stage play will be at the Liacouras Center from May 24-28.

Motown legend Smokey Robinson is hitting the road to perform cuts from his forthcoming standards album, 'Timeless Love.' Robinson will kick off the tour in Marion, Ohio and has dates slated for Uncasville, Conn., New York City, Saratoga Springs, N.Y. and Los Angeles. His forthcoming CD, set to bow June 13 on New Door/Universal Records, will feature such music staples as Cole Porter's "I've Got You Under My Skin," "I Can't Give You Anything But Love (Baby)," "I'm In The Mood For Love" and Cyndi Lauper's "Time After Time."

Buzzworthy

Word is that Tameka "Tiny" Cottle has escaped from the Xscape reunion. Cottle and original members Tamika and LaTocha Scott organized an Xscape reunion last year sans founding member Kandi Burruss. A new singer named Kiesha Miles, who looked amazingly similar to Burruss, was added to the group. But the group abruptly departed the Seagram's Live tour last fall, never snagged a record deal with Warner Bros.,and Now it seems, the reunion is off. Now Cottle and Miles have formed a duo called GA. P, which stands for Georgia Peaches. And in more Cottle news, she and fianc‚, rapper T.I., have called it quits. The two were engaged and have a son named King.

Veteran actress-singer Della Reese is getting into the fashion business and is releasing a plus-size clothing line. The former 'Touched By An Angel' star will unveil the Della Reese Clothing Line on April 4, on the Home Shopping Network.

Last week we broke news that R&B it-girl Keyshia Cole is dating rapper Young Jeezy. Now BV Buzz has learned that the singer will star in her own reality series, detailing her daily behind-the-scenes drama. It's rumored that Cole's erratic behavior since debuting her album 'The Way It Is'-she's brushed off major interviews and showed up extremely late for promotional commitments-had executives at the record label threatening to drop her. Now it appears that the company recognizes that Coles's alleged antics will make for good TV. The singer's rep wouldn't comment on the show. Cole's 22-city tour kicked off on March 26 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Veteran soul singer James Brown is the subject of a documentary by Camille Solari and Sheila Lussier. 'On The Road with Mr. and Mrs. Brown' shows life on the road with the Godfather of Soul and his wife Tomi Rae Brown. Showcasing Brown's influence on contemporary music, the documentary features interviews with Patti LaBelle, Doug E. Fresh, Isaac Hayes, The Black Eyed Peas, Joss Stone, Hollywood media couple Phillip and Tanya Hart and a host of other entertainers.

Can't Say Names ...

Yikes! A male 'American Idol' contestant is being slapped with a sexual harassment lawsuit. Said 'Idol' wannabe is being sued by a male 'A.I.' staffer who claims in his suit that the contestant stared at him constantly, masturbated outside of a bathroom stall he was using, groped his genitals after pushing him into the stall of a restroom on the CBS lot where 'Idol' was based, and several other very graphic accusations. The plaintiff is seeking $1.5 million in damages.

BV Scene

Stephen Hurd recorded his second praise and worship album for Integrity Gospel at the Temple of Praise in Washington, D.C. last week. Maurette Brown-Clark, JJ Hairston of Youthful Praise, Jonathan Nelson, Oscar Williams, Jason Nelson, Jayson Clayborne (formerly of the Righteous Riders) and label mate Joe Pace were among the fellow artists in attendance... Ananda Lewis, Vanessa Williams, Victoria Rowell, Terri J. Vaughn, Natalie Desselle-Reid, Dawnn Lewis, MC Lyte and Annie McKnight were among those starring in the production of 'The Vagina Monologues' directed by '24' star Penny Johnson Jerald at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre in Los Angeles... Radio jock Wendy Williams and singer Meli'sa Morgan at The Time Hotel in New York City for BE magazine's Women's History Month party to celebrate cover girl Robin Givens... R.Kelly, Meagan Good, Big Gipp, Young Jeezy, Kandi Burruss, Ludacris, D4L, Lil' Fate of Disturbing Tha Peace and Tameka "Tiny" Cottle were among those at Vision nightclub in Atlanta for Kelly's concert after party.