BV Entertainment Newswire Dec 8th: Mariah Carey, Mission Impossible

Mariah Carey and Jay-Z are among the handful of Grammy Award winners who have been named as recipients of the New York Chapter's 2005 Recording Academy Honors. The Recording Academy Honors was established to celebrate outstanding individuals whose work embodies excellence and integrity and who have improved the environment for the creative community.

The gala event, which attracts recording artists, key entertainment executives and community leaders, was held Wednesday at New York City’s Gotham Hall. Formerly known as the Heroes Awards, the annual New York gala supports the Chapter's ongoing advocacy, education and professional development programs.

The most recent beneficiary is Thomas Jefferson High School, which will receive a $10,000 grant each year for the next three years to support their after-school music classes, and three annual scholarships for students who will pursue a career in the music industry.

For The Love of Tookie

Snoop Dogg is going above and beyond the call of duty in the fight against the scheduled Dec. 13, execution of Stanley "Tookie" Williams. The Grammy Award winning, multi-platinum selling rap superstar has been on the frontline trying to get California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to grant the former gang leader clemency. According to a spokesperson at Koch Records, Snoop has garnered the support of Academy Award winner Jamie Foxx to collaborate on a track to create awareness around Williams’ fight. Titled ‘Real Soon,’ the song –which is available online (www.savetookie.com)-- features Kurupt, Daz and Nate Dogg, and will appear on Snoop’s forthcoming album, ‘Snoop Dogg Presents Welcome to Tha Chuuch - Da Album,’ in stores next week. Foxx played Williams in the Vondi Curtis-Hall directed television film, ‘Redemption,’ last year.

Other support in the entertainment community will come in the form of special programming from Black Entertainment Television (BET), which will televise ‘Stanley Tookie Williams: A Question of Justice, ‘hosted by BET News reporter Andre Showell tonight at 7:30 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. Among those featured in the telecast are Williams’ legal team member Verna Wefald, NAACP President and CEO Bruce Gordon, Los Angeles District Attorney Steve Cooley, actress Alfre Woodard, and radio host and columnist Earl Ofari Hutchinson.

On A Mission

Principal photography for the eagerly anticipated "Mission: Impossible III" wrapped in Shanghai last week – a little ahead of schedule. Production for the Tom Cruise franchise began in Italy on July 12, 2005. Set for release –via Paramount Pictures -- on May 5, the JJ Abrams directed flick will also star Ving Rhames, Laurence Fishburne, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Billy Crudup, Michelle Monaghan, Jonathan Rhys-Meyers, Keri Russell, and Maggie Q. The action thriller, which –according to a spokesperson— is the first large-scale American film to showcase contemporary Shanghai, was shot on location in Europe, Asia, and the United States. “It's the first time I have visited this spectacular city and our work here went very smoothly,” Cruise said at a press conference. “We worked at terrific speed."

How Do You Sell Relief?

Just in time for the holiday season, a new product is available at retail for the masses to help raise funds for Hurricane victims. The “Shelter From The Storm: A Concert For The Gulf Coast Special,” is now available on DVD from Fox Home Entertainment, featuring appearances by Alicia Keys, Chris Rock, Garth Brooks, Ellen DeGeneres, U2, Bruce Willis, Neil Young, the Foo Fighters, Cameron Diaz, and many more. In a cooperative and collaborative effort, the six broadcast networks presented the one-hour commercial-free simulcast saluting and supporting the survivors from the devastated regions of the Gulf Coast. A minimum of $5 from the sale of each DVD –with a suggested retail price of $19.98-- will go to the Red Cross and Salvation Army to benefit victims of Hurricane Katrina. On CD, the double-disc multi-artist benefit album ‘Hurricane Relief: Come Together Now’ arrived in stores on Nov. 22. The 35-trackcollection features more than 80 artists, spanning a variety of generations and genres. The Russell Simmons-helmed Hip Hop Summit Action Network joined the industry-wide effort with full representation from music’s urban community. “Responding to the challenges of hurricane relief is an awesome responsibility, yet serving the ongoing needs of those most affected is a blessed cause worthy of our support and giving,” Simmons said. R. Kelly, Kanye West featuring Talib Kweli, Q-Tip, Common, Rhymefest, Black Buddafly and Diddy featuring Fred Hammond, join a long list of musicians including B.B. King, James Brown, Faith Hill, Coldplay, Dr. John, Lenny Kravitz, Aaron Neville, Norah Jones, Sting, Barbra Streisand, and Michael McDonald. Wynonna Judd & Eric Benet sing the lead single, “Heart of America.” All the participating artists, publishers, songwriters and record companies have waived their royalties and donated their services. The Recording Industry Association of America, on behalf of its member companies and all of the participating artists, publishers and songwriters, will donate 100 percent of its net proceeds from the purchase price to the American Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity and MusiCares Hurricane Relief Fund.