BV Entertainment Newswire Feb. 17: Mister Mann Frisby, Etta James, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Smokey Robinson, Tyra Banks

Brotherly Love

Mister Mann Frisby is on a mission to motivate with his latest book, ‘Holla Back… But Listen First: A Life Guide for Young Black Men.’ The former ‘Philadelphia Daily News’ reporter turned indie author is currently in the midst of a near 30-date promotional tour to high schools, colleges and even correctional facilities (music producer James Poyser, and neo-soul duo Kindred have appeared on some dates). “I hope that young brothers who read this book will walk away feeling empowered and motivated,” Frisby told Black Voices. “I think they will truly be exposed to the mistakes, tragedies and successes of other black men from all walks of life, who had some level of achievement in their life.” For the paperback book –sold by his own imprint Skye Larieux Publishing-- the single father corralled a laundry list of celebrities to share their insight on the black male experience. Among those tapped are Grammy winners John Legend and Kirk Franklin, Common, film producer Lee Daniels, Olympic Gold Medalist Jon Drummond, former boxer Bernard Hopkins and actor Boris Kodjoe. “The tour has been absolutely phenomenal,” he says. “The young men I’ve encountered have been really receptive to the honesty of the men in the book. The teachers have been emailing me and telling me that it is one of the first times they have seen their students devouring a book without being told to.”

Frisby, who wrote the books ‘Blinking Red Light,’ and ‘Wifebeater,’ is also the founder and head coach of PhatBack Athletics – an all boys track & field club and mentoring program - and says most of his work is geared towards young men between the ages of 12 and 19. “There are brothers in this country who are hopeless because we don’t tell them enough how talented and promising they are,” the South Philadelphia native added. “We need to do a better job of raising boys."

All New Etta On The Way

Etta James will release a new album, ‘All The Way,’March 14. The R&B legend’s sons Donto and Sometto produced the 11-song project; along with her longtime music associate Josh Sklair. "This is an album of songs that I've always loved, tunes that I heard and thought, 'I wish I could have been the one to do that one first!'", said the three-time Grammy winner, who has also been the recipient of a NARAS Lifetime Achievement Award, a Rhythm & Blues Foundation Pioneer Award and is a W.C. Handy Foundation honoree. "For the first time in my fifty-three years of recording, I really had control over an entire album, start to finish. And that feels really good. I got to make an album that I can listen to and say, ‘I really like this record!'" For ‘All The Way,’ the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame inductee will show off her new look (a weight loss of 200 pounds). “Now I can flaunt my figure wherever I go,” she added. “I can go shopping and buy those outfits I always wanted to wear!" Most recently, the ‘At Last’ singer has performed sitting down through her entire show. "Now I can stand up on the stage again like I used to after five years of sitting down while I sang."

Working Girl

Sheryl Lee Ralph will join the cast of NBC’s long running drama series, ‘ER,’ for a two-episode arc that starts April 6. The newlywed, and original ‘Dreamgirls’ star will play opposite Ernie Hudson in a suspenseful storyline directed by long time ‘ER’ veteran Laura Innes. “I just wrapped on the first episode,” Ralph told Black Voices. “We are shooting next in Chicago and LA in mid-March. It’s a great experience that works like clock work.” Ralph most recently played a transsexual in the Showtime Network series ‘Barbershop.’

Heavies In ‘Chicago’

The long running revival of the Tony Award winning Broadway musical, ‘Chicago,’ has some heavyweights rounding out the cast. Theater diva Lillias White has taken on the role of the money hungry prison matron Mama Morton. The Tony Award winning star of shows such as ‘Once on This Island,’ ‘The Life’ and a revival of ‘Dreamgirls,’ is slated for the show through April 23. Also, Motown music legend Smokey Robinson will make his Broadway debut as the publicity savvy legal eagle Billy Flynn on April 24, for a run that is confirmed until June 11.

Tight Lipped

Tyra Banks appears on the cover of the new issue of 'Jolie' magazine. In an interview with the beauty guide’s editor at large Vivica A. Fox, the supermodel turned multimedia powerhouse is tightlipped about her romantic life. “I don’t talk about whether I’m dating or not dating,” says Banks – who has been linked to film director John Singleton, singer Seal and basketball star Chris Webber. “If this is somebody that you think you do love, or possibly will love at one time, don’t walk down the red carpet with him,” she confided. “They [the media] will celebrate your relationship for a month and tear it apart for years.”