www.freddiebell.com

Morning Show Update

September 29, 2006

Welcome to the Update

Freddie Bell, velvet morning voice talent and General Manager of Z 1470 Totally Gospel (KZTG – 1470) is a mellifluous voice actor, broadcast-journalist and speaker who is also a National Voice Actor. His vast voice over credits, include hosting several radio programs including the Tom Joyner Morning Show, The Love Train, It’s The Gospel in Tampa, The Freddie Bell Morning Show in radio on KSGS - 950AM, Solid Gold Soul in Minneapolis, plus This is Music, The Freddie Bell Countdown Show and The Minneapolis NAACP Community Affairs television Programs in Minneapolis.
Invite Freddie to your next event or seminar as a Keynote Speaker, covering topics including You Gotta Have H.E.A.R.T., Tuning In to R.A.D.I.O, Maximizing Your Potential, Imagination, The Secret Key To Success, Winning Through Community Service, Dreaming Your Way to Success and a variety of topics related to sales and sales management. Freddie shares ideas and techniques he used to propel Solid Gold Soul Radio into a household name and the launch of Totally Gospel radio in the Twin Cities. Call today for booking details. 888-639-9738.

Listen to the Freddie Bell Show, 4 to 7pm, weekdays on Z 1470 KZTG, Totally Gospel, or on the web at www.totallygospel.com.

FORMER ASSISTANT DROPS CHARGES AGAINST FOXY BROWN

Rapper Foxy Brown was in a New Jersey courtroom on Wednesday, September 26th, to respond to charges brought against her by a former assistant Rasheeda Ellis. The Associated Press reports that Ellis agreed to drop two charges including the making of terrorist threats in exchange for the return of certain items and agreement from both parties to abstain from any contact with each other.

Ellis, who used to work for Brown’s management company, and Brown also agreed not to share the details of their deal with the media and public.

In related news, last month Brown reached a plea deal in a case where she was accused of assaulting two New York City manicurists. The rapper was sentenced to three years probation and anger management classes.

CLIPSE GET A NEW RELEASE DATE

Virginia-based rap group, the Clipse, have been battling their label, Jive Records, since their contract was picked up after the dissolution of Arista Records in 2003. The group finally made some headway this year and were set to release their sophomore album, Hell Hath No Fury, on Halloween but the project has been pushed back again. Group member Pusha T heard about the release date change while doing an interview with Rolling Stone and told the magazine, “I hate Jive with all my heart and all the passion and my soul.”

The rapper isn’t as down on the label anymore. He told MTV.com, “When I say things, I’m speaking from the emotional side of an artist. We do street rap where we feel that everything is dictated from the streets. And the hype and the buzz that you garner is something that can’t be taken away from you. The record label, all they have to go by is what reads on paper. So it’s like, as far as the Rolling Stone issue goes, it was a situation where it was a rough day. And I feel like my core audience — the people who kept us relevant for all these years and the time on hiatus — is waiting. So, you know, for them to say that s**t was pushed back, I was upset and I spazzed out.”

The rapper added, “Jive hasn’t denied us much, not really anything that we’ve asked for. But the time frame in which they do things sort of f***s up the situation. They’ll do it, they just do it a little late. In all fairness, it has to be hard to put millions of dollars into a situation and to just go off what the streets is saying without any type of real gauge. But at the end of the day, record label people are not in the streets like that. They don’t know the kids are like, ‘Yo, I got [the Clipse track] “Mr. Me Too.” This dude be trying to be like me all day long.’ It turns into a trust thing. You have to trust the artists sometimes.”

Hell Hath No Fury will now hit stores on December 5th.

The group was in Miami earlier this week shooting a video for their new single, “What It Do (Wamp, Wamp)” featuring Slim Thug.

FANTASIA BARRINO’S FATHER FILES LIBEL SUIT AGAINST BOOK PUBLISHER

Fantasia Barrino’s father has filed a $10 million libel suit against the publisher of a book about the American Idol star. According to the Associated Press, Joseph Barrino alleges that the 2005 book, titled Fantasia: Life Is Not A Fairy Tale, contains “false, exaggerated, sensational, intentional and malicious untruths.” Joseph said that the book is wrong on many accounts, including claims that he was hostile to the music industry, that he asks his daughter for money when she visits him and that his children’s musical careers were more important than their education.

Joseph’s lawyer said in a statement, “The unfortunate publication of Fantasia’s life story by Simon & Schuster seeks to capitalize on her American Idol success through disparaging certain members of her family. The lawsuit seeks to redress these wrongs and restore the integrity of the family members.”

The book has since been made into a Lifetime movie, starring Fantasia.

Although the publisher lists Fantasia as the author, her father claims that the singer’s grandmother, Addie Collins, was actually the ghost writer.

In the book, Fantasia revealed that she was functionally illiterate and had to fake her way through some scripted parts of American Idol.

Fantasia won American Idol in 2004.

LIONEL RICHIE TO PLANT SEEDS OF COMMODORES REUNION ON NEW TOUR

While Lionel Richie is enjoying the Top Ten success of his latest album Coming Home, he says that a Commodores reunion is weighing heavily on his mind. Richie told the San Francisco Gate, “If I had one basic thing to change in my whole life story, there would be a Commodore reunion — a Commodore tour, a farewell tour at least. That’s the only thing that we missed out on in this whole story.” Richie explained that he’s already set plans in motion to team up with the group later on this year: “On (my) tour coming up, somewhere in the middle of this tour we are going to surprise a few people and show up with the Commodores, just to set the groundwork for something that may come in the future.”

Lionel Richie told me that his current work seems to have a similar R&B vibe to the old Commodores songs: “The Commodores, we have been in the business long enough to where R&B was so far left of the center of the world, and now R&B is dead center of the world. So I’m actually doing something, I’ve gone back to the beginning to do something which I’m totally enjoying, which is, the foundation of Lionel Richie is R&B music.”

The Commodores scored 17 Top 40 hits, including the Top Ten singles “Easy,” “Brick House,” and “Sail On,” and the Number One singles “Still” and “Three Times A Lady.”

After Richie’s departure in 1981, they scored a Top Five hit in 1985 with “Nightshift,” which paid tribute to Marvin Gaye and Jackie Wilson.

The Commodores will next perform on October 5th in Hollywood, Florida at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.

Lionel Richie dedicated his new album to late Commodores co-founder and keyboardist Milan Williams, who died in July at age 58. He kicks off his tour on October 27th in Detroit at the Music Hall Center. He’ll be on the road through the end of November.

CORINNE BAILEY RAE TO PERFORM AT PEACE PRIZE EVENT

Super-hot British singer Corinne Bailey Rae just keeps racking up the honors. Just last week, she won Best UK Female and Best UK Newcomer at the MOBO (Music of Black Origin) awards. Now comes word that the 27-year-old singer has been tapped to perform at the upcoming ceremonies for the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo, Norway. The event takes place on December 10th in the presence of their majesties, the King and Queen of Norway.

Bailey Rae’s first single, “Put Your Records On,” from her self-titled debut album, continues to climb the smooth jazz airplay charts. A second single, “Like A Star,” is gaining airplay at urban adult radio.

TERRELL OWENS SAYS HE DIDN’T ATTEMPT SUICIDE

Dallas Cowboy wide receiver Terrell Owens held a press conference on Wednesday, September 27th, to deny reports that he attempted to commit suicide by ingesting a large amount of painkillers. ESPN.com reports that the receiver maintains he became groggy after mixing painkillers with supplements. He said, “It’s very unfortunate for it to go from an allergic reaction to a suicide attempt.”

To prove his point, Owens went from the hospital to practice in an attempt to prove that he’s capable of playing Sunday, although he’s still recovering from a broken finger.

Owens blamed the confusion on his publicist, who found him unresponsive and laying next to a bottle of empty pills. According to the ballplayer, the rest of the pills were in a drawer nearby. Owens said, “I was non-responsive when she made that call. She made the call out of her judgment for my well-being.”

Paramedics were called to the star’s apartment on Tuesday, September 26th at 8 p.m. According to the initial police report, the star attempted to put two more painkiller tablets into his mouth after the paramedics arrived and when they asked if he attempted to hurt himself, he said, “Yes.”

Owens explained, “I was kind of out of it. I can barely even remember the doctors, much less the police officers asking me questions.”

MARTIN LAWRENCE PICKY ABOUT WHAT HIS KIDS SEE

Actor-comedian Martin Lawrence isn’t ashamed of his sometimes raunchy past work, but he isn’t exactly ready to share it with his family either. His three young daughters haven’t seen him in anything other than the kid-friendly Big Momma’s House movies, Rebound, and the new animated movie Open Season, and Lawrence is going to keep it that way for a while.

Those films are better suited for kids than say, the comedian’s live concerts or Bad Boys, but Lawrence said his girls will eventually be allowed to watch him in his adult-oriented performances: “What I enjoy about animation is that they can enjoy it now. You know, as they’re growing up, they watch my animated work and Rebound and things and they get to know daddy for what I’m doing now. And what I enjoy about the other stuff, the adult stuff that I’ve done, is that when they get older, they can enjoy it then.”

In Open Season, Lawrence plays a bear who is more domesticated than he’d like to believe. The kids’ movie opens nationwide Friday (September 29th).

‘LOST’ STAR OFF THE LEGAL HOOK IN HAWAII

Working in Hawaii sounds like it would be a dream job, but for the cast of Lost, it has turned out to be a one-way road to legal tangles. Michelle Rodriguez and Cynthia Watros were both arrested for DUIs there last year, and Josh Holloway, Dominic Monaghan, Naveen Andrews, Ian Somerhalder, Christian Bowman, and Harold Perrineau have all received traffic citations on Oahu. Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje (AH-de-whah-lay AH-ke-noy-yay AH-BAH-jhay) — the show’s Mr. Eko — is the latest cast member to tangle with the Hawaiian law. But in his case, he came out on the winning side. The Honolulu Star-Bulletin reported yesterday (September 26th) that the Honolulu District Court dropped two charges against the British actor — driving without a license and disobeying an officer. The license issue was settled when Agbaje’s attorney proved that he had a valid California license at the time of his September 2nd arrest. Prosecutors dumped the disobeying an officer count because they felt they didn’t have enough evidence to prove it beyond a reasonable doubt.

Prior to his arrest, Agbaje said it easy to keep a low profile in Hawaii because he worked so much: “Well it’s easy because I’m out there. I mean, there’s only the locals to tend with and because I’m working 24-7, I never really see anything but my bed and the set. You know, it’s only when I come over to L.A. and New York that you realize how obsessive the show is and people, you know, are really into it.”

Agbaje’s mere presence in Hawaii is a good sign that his character will be around for the show’s October 4th season premiere. Mr. Eko’s fate was up in the air at the end of last season.

NAOMI CAMPBELL DOESN’T SHOW UP TO COURT

Naomi Campbell was a no-show in court Wednesday where she was scheduled to face charges for allegedly assaulting her maid with a cell phone. Manhattan Criminal Court Judge James Gibbon issuing a bench warrant for the supermodel’s arrest, but did not put it into effect because Campbell’s attorney explained that he and the prosecutor knew she would be absent and had agreed not to seek her arrest. Gibbon said the warrant would not be put it into effect unless she missed her next court date on November 15.

Campbell was arrested on March 31 for allegedly throwing a cell phone at her housekeeper, Ana Scolavino, while arguing about a missing pair of jeans.

Scolavino was treated for an injury to the back of her head after the incident.

Campbell has called the allegations “completely untrue.”

_______________________________________________________________________________
Words To the Wise
You’re a Winner!
_______________________________________________________________________________
Contact Information
Freddie Bell
PO Box 650961
Sterling,VA 20165
newsletter@voiceunique.com
888-639-9738

www.freddiebell.com

Morning Show Update

September 27, 2006

Welcome to the Update

Freddie Bell, velvet morning voice talent and General Manager of Z 1470 Totally Gospel (KZTG – 1470) is a mellifluous voice actor, broadcast-journalist and speaker who is also a National Voice Actor. His vast voice over credits, include hosting several radio programs including the Tom Joyner Morning Show, The Love Train, It’s The Gospel in Tampa, The Freddie Bell Morning Show in radio on KSGS - 950AM, Solid Gold Soul in Minneapolis, plus This is Music, The Freddie Bell Countdown Show and The Minneapolis NAACP Community Affairs television Programs in Minneapolis.
Invite Freddie to your next event or seminar as a Keynote Speaker, covering topics including You Gotta Have H.E.A.R.T., Tuning In to R.A.D.I.O, Maximizing Your Potential, Imagination, The Secret Key To Success, Winning Through Community Service, Dreaming Your Way to Success and a variety of topics related to sales and sales management. Freddie shares ideas and techniques he used to propel Solid Gold Soul Radio into a household name and the launch of Totally Gospel radio in the Twin Cities. Call today for booking details. 888-639-9738.

Listen to the Freddie Bell Show, 4 to 7pm, weekdays on Z 1470 KZTG, Totally Gospel, or on the web at www.totallygospel.com.

FERGIE PLANS TO TOUR BEHIND ‘THE DUTCHESS’

Fergie plans to tour behind her debut solo album The Dutchess. She told MTV News that she’s thinking about going out once the Black Eyed Peas are off the road in December, but hasn’t revealed a schedule yet. Meanwhile, Fergie is about to release her next single, “Fergalicious,” which is based on the 1980s J.J. Fad song “Supersonic.” She’s also appearing in the Quentin Tarantino film Grind House, starring Rosario Dawson and Rose McGowan. Fergie said, “I’m still working on it. It’s a very small role, which is what I want. For me, I think I have to earn a place in that world, and I want to do that.”

• The Dutchess features the hit song “London Bridge.” • The Black Eyed Peas perform on Friday (September 29th) in Grand Forks, North Dakota.

WEBSTAR’S NEW ALBUM OUT TODAY

Webstar, formerly DJ Webstar, will release his debut album, Webstar Presents Caught In The Web, today, September 26th. The album features the breakout hit, “Chicken Noodle Soup” featuring Young B. Webstar used the success of the single to land a label deal for his Scrilla Hill Records with Universal Records.

Webstar tells me when he realized that “Chicken Noodle Soup” was a huge hit: “I realized ‘Chicken Noodle Soup’ was so big when people came to me in the street with it on their ringtones. And I’m seeing old people doing it. I’m seeing little babies doing it. I looked on Youtube. They told me that there’s about 2 million people up there doing their own individual, like, video in their own house. They started playing it on the radio.”

Webstar added: [”I just, like, I still pretty much just. It just so… It happened so fast I just realized everything now.”

Webstar will be releasing a solo project from Young B early next year.

LIL KIM’S FORMER MANAGER AND EX-BOYFRIEND TO RELEASE DOCUMENTARY

Damion “D-Roc” Butler, a Junior M.A.F.I.A affiliate and close friend of the late Notorious B.I.G., will release a documentary in March which details the events of the February 2001 shootout between Lil Kim’s entourage and associates of Capone N Noreaga. Entitled Conspiracy: 10 Years Later, the film will examine exactly what happened outside of New York’s WQHT-FM radio station.

Allhiphop.com reports that the 75-minute documentary includes footage of the 2001 shootout at Hot 97 and contains evidence that could dispel rumors about what actually occurred. Butler, who was with the Notorious B.I.G. the night he was killed in March of 1997, is serving 10 years for his role in the shootout. In January of 2005, he admitted that he fired a handgun outside of the radio station with the intent to hurt someone.

Conspiracy: 10 Years Later was directed by April Maiya, who also directed the Chronicles of the Junior M.A.F.I.A. documentary.

Butler said in a released statement, “There were a lot of untruths that needed to be cleared up in Chronicles of Junior M.A.F.I.A. And there’s even more reckless talk going on now about how and why things went down.”

In the Chronicles of Junior M.A.F.I.A., Lil Cease places the blame for the split between Junior M.A.F.I.A. and Lil Kim on her failed relationship with Butler.

Maiya added, “Damion feels the people with loyalty and honor were sentenced to jail and made out to be the villains. He told me we had to get the facts straight to the people.”

The project will feature interviews and guest appearances by Lil’ Kim, C-Gutta, Lil Cease, and Junior M.A.F.I.A. Butler and the late Notorious B.I.G. will serve as executive producers of the project.

BUMPY KNUCKLES CALLS OUT RAKIM

Bumpy Knuckles, who is also known as Freddie Foxxx, will release his new album, Amerikkkan Black Man, in February and the album contains the Rakim diss track, “The King is Down.” Foxxx told MTV.com, “I will eat Rakim’s ass alive on any record, any stage. When I finish with him, every bit of legendary status he had is gonna go out the window. I swear on everything I stand on, I will eat that n—a alive, bar by bar. I’ll tell him to his muthaf—in’ face.”

The beef between the two rappers began in the mid-’80s when both rappers were based on Long Island and rapping with their respective crews — Rakim with the Love Brothers and Foxxx with the Supreme Force.

According to Foxxx, he got angry after reading a recent interview Rakim did with a hip hop website. Rakim allegedly said, “I never f—ing turned down a battle with that muthaf—er! Foxxx wasn’t ferocious like that. Foxxx had two other cats that used to rhyme with him. They were a good group, but Foxxx wasn’t ferocious like that baby pa.”

Foxxx explained, “I read the article and it set me off. He said I’m ‘not ferocious.’ How dare he? His ego kicked in. I said I’m gonna let the world who he really is. People are only calling him a legend because of what he did with Eric B. Everything after that was wack. Nobody will say it to his face.”

Foxxx also was quick to dismiss the notion that he’s seeking publicity for his new album. The rapper said, “I’m too old to be chasing publicity. I don’t need the publicity. I ain’t no hater. But when I see he’s so quick to always shoot me in the foot, enough is enough. Why would I want to get recognition on Rakim? He’s nothing to me. Y’all see him differently than I do. On the song, I never called his name. We used to call him ‘Pop’ back in the day. I don’t call him ‘Rakim’ on the record, I call him ‘Pop.’ ”

Amerikkkan Black Man features guest appearances by Talib Kweli and John Cena with production by Alchemist, Pete Rock, DJ Scratch and DJ Premier.

JANET JACKSON RELEASES NEW ALBUM

Janet Jackson’s new album, 20 Y.O., is in stores, timed to celebrate the anniversary of her 1986 breakthrough album Control. The video for the set’s first single, “Call On Me” featuring Nelly, is currently streaming on Jackson’s web site. Jackson told me that music videos have always been an important part of her career: “Music is very visual and it’s been like that for a very long time and I love great images. And I think it’s sad ’cause I think there’s so many really creative directors that can’t show their true creativity because of the limits — I mean granted to a certain degree you have to have a budget of some sort but the budgets are so small today that they really can’t let their imagination really stretch and show the younger generation what a real video is supposed to look like.”

The new album was written and produced by Jackson with Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis and Jermaine Dupri.

Jackson will perform three songs during a Today show appearance on Friday (September 29th).

The second single from 20 Y.O. is “So Excited” featuring Khia.

In other news, Jackson spoke to Oprah Winfrey Monday, September 25th about her friendship with Justin Timberlake after the 2004 wardrobe malfunction episode at the Super Bowl. Although they haven’t spoken in a while, Jackson said she considers him a friend. She explained, “He has reached out to speak with me. Like I said, friendship is very important to me — and certain things you just don’t do to friends. And in my own time, I’ll give him a call.”

The 40-year-old singer also hasn’t been in touch with her brother, Michael Jackson, since he was acquitted of child molestation charges in June 2005. Janet said the ordeal “took its toll on (the) entire family,” adding, “He keeps in touch with Mother, so we know what’s going on with him.”

MARIO VAZQUEZ RELEASES DEBUT ALBUM TODAY

Mario Vazquez releases his self-titled debut album today (Tuesday, September 26th). The former American Idol contestant has already been climbing up the charts with the set’s first single, “Gallery.” Vazquez told me that he decided to put out a ballad before releasing an upbeat track so he could introduce fans to a different side of his music: “Coming out of the gates with, like, an uptempo, dance track I think it would kinda mislead, just OK, this is just going to be a big uptempo track, you know, a one hit type of thing. But I definitely wanted to come from a point of where I wanted to show my versatility. I definitely wanted to do the ballad thing.”

“Gallery” was written and co-produced by Ne-Yo.

The album features guest appearances by Fat Joe and Knox.

Vazquez is known from his brief stint on American Idol last year before he voluntarily withdrew when he reached the Top 12.

LIONEL RICHIE’S NEW DIVORCE SONG INSPIRED BY DAUGHTER NICOLE RICHIE

Lionel Richie says that he didn’t shy away from personal topics on his new Coming Home album. The album, which debuted at Number Six on the charts, contains the song “Why,” which deals with his divorce from first wife Brenda and its effect on their daughter, TV personality Nicole Richie.

Lionel told andpop.com that Nicole was very much on his mind when he composed the song, explaining that, “In every kind of divorce, especially when you have kids involved, sometimes the parents can be so stupid, and keep the argument amongst themselves, thinking it’s just between the two of them, when actually the kids always think it was their fault. I thought about Nicole when she was going through the divorce between me and Brenda. It was one of those situations where she is trying to manage two grown people.”

He added that hopes that by airing out some of his own painful experiences, listeners might be able to find solace with their own problems: “What is so wonderful about getting personal is if you say it truthfully, the whole world is going through the same problem. What people call personal is really group therapy.”

Lionel and Brenda Harvey-Richie divorced in 1993 after 17 years of marriage. His second marriage, to Diana Alexander, ended in 2003.

Lionel Richie kicks off his tour on October 27th in Detroit at the Music Hall Center. He’ll be on the road through the end of November.

JANET JACKSON APPEARS ON ‘OPRAH’ TO DISCUSS WEIGHT LOSS, SUPER BOWL INCIDENT

Janet Jackson appeared on the Oprah Winfrey show on Monday (September 25th), to discuss, among other details, how she gained and lost 60 pounds for a movie role that she eventually never filmed. In addition, she answered questions about the infamous 2004 Super Bowl halftime show breast-baring accident, saying this would be the only time she would ever discuss it.

Janet had gained 60 pounds in 2005 for an acting role in the film Tennessee, which she ultimately never participated in, due to scheduling delays: (Oprah) “So what had you done to get to 60 pounds heavier, what were you doing?” (Janet) “Everything.” (Oprah) “Everything.” (Janet) “I was, french fries, one night I was, oh I was so bad I had a whole Domino’s pizza all to…” (Oprah) “No!” (Janet) “Thin crust, extra, crispy…” (Oprah) “By yourself.” (Janet) “All by myself and then I feel guilty in the morning.”

Oprah asked Janet how she lost the weight: (Oprah) “How do you lose 60 pounds in 4 months? How is that even possible, to do that?” (trainer Tony Martinez) “A lot of hard work.” (Oprah) “Was she eating? Were you eating?” (Janet) (laughs) “Yes, I was actually five to six times a day.” (Oprah) “Were you eating food?” (audience laughs)

Oprah says Janet worked her a** off: (Oprah) “So you literally worked your (pause) off.” (audience laughs) (Janet) “I really did, so it upsets me sometimes when people say ‘oh, is this due to surgery,’ or what is it called, the bypass, because I really worked hard at it.” (Oprah) “You really worked hard.”

Oprah brought up the subject of the Superbowl performance mishap: [(Oprah) “First of all could you believe that your breast caused this global… interest and story.” (Janet) “No, no I couldn’t. I mean, there’s so much more going on in the world that was so much more important. I couldn’t believe they put so much emphasis on it.”

Oprah asks if the accident was planned: (Oprah) “First of all I have to ask you this. Was it planned, Janet?” (Janet) “No.” (Oprah) “It was not planned.” (Janet) “What people don’t understand is he was to take and rip the piece off that he did…” (Oprah) “The leather piece.” (Janet) “Right, but more came off that what was supposed to…” (Oprah) “OK, because there was a little red thing under there.” (Janet) “Uh, you know I have my piercings.” (Oprah) “I know you have your piercings, I’m talking about the little red, there was like a little red…” (Janet) “Yes, yes, like a lacy, cutesy…” (Oprah) “So he was supposed to pull that off and we’d just see the red there…” (Janet) “Yes.” (Oprah) “And he ripped the whole thing.” (Janet) “Yes.” (Oprah) “So he, had you practiced or whatever before?” (Janet) “Yes, we did.”

Janet explains that Justin Timberlake has reached out to her: “And I have to say, just to let people know, that Justin has reached out, we haven’t spoken, but he has reached out to speak with me, and like I said, friendship is very important to me, and certain things you just don’t do to friends, and in my own time, in my own time I’ll give him a call.”

Janet says that Justin did leave her hanging, to a certain degree: (Oprah) “So when you say certain things you just don’t do to friends, you think him ripping the whole thing off, is that what you’re talking about… ” (Janet) “No, no, no… when you had said… certain things were said, supposedly, or that he had said, during that whole fiasco, I had heard. And uh, kind of leaving you out there hanging.” (Oprah) “So you do feel that he left you hanging.” (Janet) “To a certain degree.” (Oprah) “Okay, okay.”

MATHEW KNOWLES ACCUSES MOBO ORGANIZERS OF BAD PROGRAMMING

Beyonce Knowles was a big winner at the MOBO (Music of Black Origin) Awards which were held on Wednesday, September 20th, in Britain. Knowles won three MOBO Awards including Best International Female, Best Song and Best Video for “Deja Vu” featuring Jay-Z. Allhiphop.com reports that the crowd booed when she was announced as the winner of her last award, Best International Female, as they felt snubbed by her absence, especially since the singer had been seen around the country throughout the week.

Mathew Knowles, who maintains the crowd was booing the event organizers, explained, “Beyonce was never scheduled to be at the MOBO Awards. Never! Her schedule simply would not allow it. Fans who paid their money to see Beyonce and other U.S. artists that won multiple awards were frustrated with the MOBO’s after Beyonce was announced three times in the evening in three categories she had won. That’s just bad TV. The smart thing would have been to combine all three.”

According to Knowles, event organizers knew Beyonce wouldn’t be attending but allowed the press to lead people to believe that she would attend the event.

Beyonce was spotted at Armani’s One Night Only Fashion show at Earls Court as part of London’s Fashion Week and on Saturday night, September 23rd, she performed with Jay-Z at the Wembley Arena.

VIVICA A. FOX INCORPORATES ‘KILL BILL’ PAST INTO ‘DANCING WITH THE STARS’

Actress Vivica A. Fox is one of the familiar faces still in the running on ABC’s reality series, Dancing With The Stars. She’s paired with professional dancer Nick Kosovich, and has performed solidly since the second season of the program started up a couple of weeks ago. Fox hasn’t ever studied dancing seriously, but she said that her martial arts training for Kill Bill serves her well on Dancing With The Stars: “The training for Kill Bill taught me discipline. More than anything else, do not waste your trainer’s time. To be disciplined and to be respectful is vital, I definitely learned that from Kill Bill. And to stretch. To make sure you dedicate the first 10 to 15 minutes of every session to stretching.”

Dancing With The Stars airs Tuesdays at 8 est on ABC. The results show follows on Wednesdays at 8 est.

_______________________________________________________________________________
Words To the Wise

Develop a high degree of focus
_______________________________________________________________________________
Contact Information
Freddie Bell
PO Box 650961
Sterling,VA 20165
newsletter@voiceunique.com
888-639-9738

www.freddiebell.com

Morning Show Update

September 26, 2006

Welcome to the Update

Freddie Bell, velvet morning voice talent and General Manager of Z 1470 Totally Gospel (KZTG – 1470) is a mellifluous voice actor, broadcast-journalist and speaker who is also a National Voice Actor. His vast voice over credits, include hosting several radio programs including the Tom Joyner Morning Show, The Love Train, It’s The Gospel in Tampa, The Freddie Bell Morning Show in radio on KSGS - 950AM, Solid Gold Soul in Minneapolis, plus This is Music, The Freddie Bell Countdown Show and The Minneapolis NAACP Community Affairs television Programs in Minneapolis.
Invite Freddie to your next event or seminar as a Keynote Speaker, covering topics including You Gotta Have H.E.A.R.T., Tuning In to R.A.D.I.O, Maximizing Your Potential, Imagination, The Secret Key To Success, Winning Through Community Service, Dreaming Your Way to Success and a variety of topics related to sales and sales management. Freddie shares ideas and techniques he used to propel Solid Gold Soul Radio into a household name and the launch of Totally Gospel radio in the Twin Cities. Call today for booking details. 888-639-9738.

Listen to the Freddie Bell Show, 4 to 7pm, weekdays on Z 1470 KZTG, Totally Gospel, or on the web at www.totallygospel.com.

JANET JACKSON APPEARS ON ‘OPRAH WINFREY’

Superstar Janet Jackson spends some time chatting on The Oprah Winfrey Show.The interview, taped September 7th, is part of Jackson’s promotional campaign for the new album 20 Y.O., which will be released today.

Among the topics Winfrey covers with the singer is the aftermath of Jackson’s infamous “wardrobe malfunction” at the 2004 Super Bowl, a topic Jackson has said she no longer wants to discuss. But Jackson does tell Winfrey that she regrets issuing an apology afterward because it made her look guilty for something she never planned.

Jackson’s boyfriend and album collaborator Jermaine Dupri also makes a brief appearance on the show.

This isn’t the first time that Jackson has appeared on Winfrey’s top-rated talk fest. Asked about dealing with Winfrey’s tough line of questioning, Jackson told me: [”This is my third time, actually, doing her show. It’s always enjoyable, because I’m a pretty open person and I think she knows that, so it’s OK with me. And maybe that’s why it always goes well. And she likes to get into stuff, and I don’t mind. I mean, granted, there’s a cutoff point but she’s never gone to that extent — too, too personal or private.”

20 Y.O., celebrating the 20th anniversary of Jackson’s 1986 album Control, will be released today. The second single is “So Excited” featuring Khia.

USHER PLANNING TO BREAK BROADWAY RECORD ON BIRTHDAY?

Pop and R&B star Usher’s turn as Billy Flynn in the Broadway revival of Chicago in New York is packing in audiences. Producers are so thrilled that they recently announced that the star would extend his run in the show through October 14th. Now ContactMusic.com is reporting that the Confessions star has a special feature planned for his final performance, which happens to fall on his 27th birthday.

Already on the books as the youngest actor to ever inhabit the role of the fast-talking lawyer in Chicago, Usher will reportedly attempt to break Broadway’s record for the longest vocal note held. The birthday boy will try to hold a note in the show’s production number “And They Both Reached For The Gun” for more than 26 seconds — the current record.

Producers of the revival have yet to announce who will take up the role of Billy Flynn once Usher signs off. Pop rocker Huey Lewis is slated to return to the role, but not until January 14th, 2007.

DAVE HOLLISTER TO RELEASE FIRST INSPIRATIONAL ALBUM

Former Blackstreet singer Dave Hollister makes his debut as a gospel artist tomorrow (September 26th) with his new album The Book Of David: Vol. 1 The Transition on the GospoCentric label. Hollister’s take on inspirational fare is far from traditional. The soulful singer collaborated with hot R&B producers Mike City, Warryn Campbell, PAJAM, Shep Crawford, Clubhouse, Jessie Wright, Reginald Lewis and Daniel Weatherspoon to create the 11-track set.

Hollister’s The Transition is a musical account of several dramatic changes in the singer’s life. In 2004, after leaving Blackstreet to toil behind the scenes as a songwriter and producer, Hollister dropped his management company and requested a release from his recording contract. After a divorce, he moved back to his home town of Chicago.

“While I was in the industry, God kept me from getting into a lot of things other guys I was around fell into,” Hollister says. “People tried to put drugs on me, but I didn’t take them. I’ve escaped death. I can’t go back into that life.”

The album includes songs with such titles as “I Let Heaven Down,” “Lord Help Me,” “Divorced,” “Courtroom,” and “Nobody But God.” The singer adds that the album is his testimony, and is for gospel and R&B fans alike. “I’ve never had as much fun making an album as I did The Book of David: Vol. I The Transition. ,” he says. “Finally, I was free. And there’s nothing like being at peace.”

MARTHA REEVES PREFERS MOTOWN TO HIP-HOP

Motown legend-turned-Detroit city councilwoman Martha Reeves says that she’s learned to at least appreciate hip-hop, through her work with youngsters. Reeves spoke to South Carolina’s The State and explained that the music of ’60s Detroit is still in her heart, saying that, “Motown music was peace music. We brought peace music to the world. I’m now more familiar with hip-hop. I have been absorbing it. Students have been wrapped in it, especially the dress code. I’m glad my era was of good intentions.” Reeves, who as a councilwoman, has been trying to protect and expand the music programs in Detroit’s schools, went on to say that, “Everybody at Motown had dancing abilities. We moved our feet, not our body… We used real instruments, not synthesizers.”

She added that she feels that popular music can only take a turn for the better: “I don’t think we’ll hear songs like ‘we ain’t got any panties on’ or ‘it’s getting hot in here’ in 2010. Music has gotten simple. An average person can rap. Our children are missing the advantage of learning the basics (of music).”

Reeves told me that the beauty of Motown was that it was a conglomerate of talent working together: “You can’t say who the greatest was because it took all of our energies and all of our talents to make a Motown sound.”

JAY-Z, BARACK OBAMA, CONDOLEEZZA RICE ON BET’S ‘TOP 25′ POWER SPECIAL

Hip-Hop entrepreneur Jay-Z, Illinois Senator Barack Obama, Merrill Lynch CEO Stanley O’Neal, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, and NBA star-turned businessman Magic Johnson are among the elite list of African Americans influencing the world, according to a new BET special titled BET Top 25: Money, Power, Respect. The show, hosted by comedian Tony Rock, will premiere Friday, September 29th at 10 p.m. ET/PT.

“With so many powerful black people in the world, narrowing down a comprehensive list of the top 25 was a tough one,” said Reginald Hudlin, BET’s President of Entertainment. “We set up a system to measure wealth, influence and their approval rating across the nation; and the results were surprising. Depending on what you value most: money, power or respect — you may disagree with the ranking, but you can’t contest our roster.”

A complete list of the top 25 power players, along with additional footage, commentary and extended coverage, can be found on-line at BET.com and on BET’s exclusive broadband feature BET On Blast immediately following the premiere.

MARTIN LAWRENCE TO PRODUCE STAND-UP SERIES FOR STARZ

Comedian and actor Martin Lawrence has signed a deal with the Starz Entertainment network to executive produce a new stand-up comedy series. The uncensored, weekly show, entitled Martin Lawrence’s 1st Amendment Stand-Up, will be an uncensored, weekly series for up-and-coming comedians and is one of several new original programs being produced for the network.

Lawrence’s show, to be co-produced and hosted by stand-up comic Doug Williams, will debut in 2007.

In the meantime, Lawrence is the voice of Boog the bear in the new animated film Open Season. After gaining fame for the ’90s TV sitcom Martin, the comic went on to big screen roles in Big Momma’s House and Big Momma’s House 2, Bad Boys and Bad Boys II, Blue Streak, and Life.

MINISTER FARRAKHAN SIDELINED BY POOR HEALTH

Controversial leader Minister Louis Farrakhan confirmed to followers in the Nation Of Islam that he is in poor health, and asked that his work be continued. He also warned his enemies not to rejoice just yet. In a September 11th letter published in the Nation of Islam’s The Final Call newspaper, Farrakhan asked the Nation of Islam’s leaders to make sure the movement “will live long after I and we have gone,” according to AP.

The 73-year-old Farrakhan said he began suffering pain earlier this year similar to what he experienced in 1998, when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer and underwent surgery. He said doctors discovered an ulcer in his anal area during a visit to Cuba in March, and he has since lost 35 pounds battling “serious infection and inflammation.” However, Farrakhan added that he is focused on recovery, “because I do not believe my earthly work is done,” and charged his executive board with making decisions while he recuperates.

Finally, the minister compared his situation to that of Cuban leader Fidel Castro, who temporarily relinquished power because of illness. “While many rejoiced — believing and thinking that if Fidel Castro and the Cuban Revolution expired they could move Cuba and the Revolution in a new direction — his absence from the helm only proved that Cuba will not fall apart over the absence or passing of their illustrious leader,” Farrakhan wrote.

‘GREY’S ANATOMY’ LEAVES ‘CSI’ IN STITCHES

Grey’s Anatomy won the first big showdown of the new television season with a ratings win over CSI on Thursday (September 21st). The hospital drama won the ten o’clock timeslot competition with about 25 million viewers compared to CSI’s 22 million. Last year when Grey’s Anatomy was on Sunday nights, CSI was the undisputed Thursday night champ, with 29 million people tuning into its season premiere. Thursday nights are big in the television industry because movie studios pay big money to get commercials on the air for the upcoming weekend. CBS had better luck in the nine o’clock hour — Survivor “outwitted” and “outplayed” a clip show of Grey’s Anatomy and the season premieres of My Name Is Earl and The Office.

THIS WEEKEND’S TOP TEN MOVIES - SEPTEMBER 22-24

1. Jackass Number Two, $28.1 million
2. Jet Li’s Fearless, $10.6 million
3. Gridiron Gang, $9.7 million
4. Flyboys, $6 million
5. Everyone’s Hero, $4.75 million
6. The Black Dahlia, $4.4 million
7. All the King’s Men, $3.8 million
8. The Covenant, $3.3 million
9. The Illusionist, $3.28 million
10. Little Miss Sunshine, $2.9 million

_______________________________________________________________________________
Words To the Wise

Sucess is the result of hard work.
_______________________________________________________________________________
Contact Information
Freddie Bell
PO Box 650961
Sterling,VA 20165
newsletter@voiceunique.com
888-639-9738

www.freddiebell.com

Morning Show Update

September 25, 2006

Welcome to the Update

Freddie Bell, velvet morning voice talent and General Manager of Z 1470 Totally Gospel
(KZTG – 1470) is a mellifluous voice actor, broadcast-journalist and speaker who is also a National Voice Actor. His vast voice over credits, include hosting several radio programs including the Tom Joyner Morning Show, The Love Train, It’s The Gospel in Tampa, The Freddie Bell Morning Show in radio on KSGS - 950AM, Solid Gold Soul in Minneapolis, plus This is Music, The Freddie Bell Countdown Show and The Minneapolis NAACP Community Affairs television Programs in Minneapolis.
Invite Freddie to your next event or seminar as a Keynote Speaker, covering topics including You Gotta Have H.E.A.R.T., Tuning In to R.A.D.I.O, Maximizing Your Potential, Imagination, The Secret Key To Success, Winning Through Community Service, Dreaming Your Way to Success and a variety of topics related to sales and sales management. Freddie shares ideas and techniques he used to propel Solid Gold Soul Radio into a household name and the launch of Totally Gospel radio in the Twin Cities. Call today for booking details. 888-639-9738.

Listen to the Freddie Bell Show, 4 to 7pm, weekdays on Z 1470 KZTG, Totally Gospel, or on the web at www.totallygospel.com.

JOHN LEGEND SERENADES ‘OPRAH’

Multiple Grammy winner John Legend appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show yesterday (September 21st) to perform two songs from his upcoming album Once Again, which is due October 24th from G.O.O.D./Columbia. Legend serenaded the audience with the single “Save Room For Love” and the romantic “Heaven.”

Legend told Winfrey that winning the Grammys for his 2004 debut Get Lifted has only made him feel freer to pursue his music. (Legend) “In a lot of ways it hasn’t changed. I’m still a musician, I still love to write music, I love to perform, and that part of it is the same except I get to do it more now, I get to do it all the time, and I get to do it in front of thousands of people cheering now instead of hundreds. (laughs)” (Winfrey) “Yeah.” (Legend) “I’m just happier, I think. I think this whole success has made me feel more fulfilled, and just more motivated and inspired.” (Oprah) “Really.” (Legend) “Feels good.”

Legend also noted that he plans to embark on a film career, and will shoot a project with rapper-turned-actor Mos Def sometime in the next year.

Legend wrote 13 new tunes for Once Again, which features production by Will.I.Am; Kanye West; Devo Springsteen & Tom Craskey; Raphael Saadiq; Eric Hudson & Jack Splash; Craig Street; and others.

EXCELSIOR WOWS FINELINE!!

Nobody knew it’d be like this! Excelsior is set to release their latest project, In His Hands, in stores tomorrow, however, they gave Twin Citians a preview last night at the Fineline. And what a preview it turned out to be. It should have simply been billed as a concert instead of a listening party. The 30-member group, led by Bobby Champion, along with a full backup of musicians filled the Fineline stage and took control of the audience from beginning to end. In an interview on Z1470 Totally Gospel radio, Champion told me the group would perhaps do a number or two. Some half a dozen songs later, Excelsior had the packed house standing, shouting and waving thier hands. In His Hands is the seventh CD for Excelsior and is being produced on their own record label. I ran into Gary Hines, Sounds of Blackness founder, last night, who says he’d heard the CD master in the studio which he deems an incredible work. There were a number of special guests in the house including congressional candidate, Keith Ellison;Stairstep Founder, Alfred Babbington-Johnson; Event Organizer, Hattie Webb; General Mills Executive, Celois Steele; and a number of Z 1470 Totally Gospel volunteers and employees. The event was punctuated by a host of singers, a gospel comedian and was emceed by Television Personality, Angela Davis. In His Hands lands on store shelves tomorrow.

MARIAH CAREY’S ‘MIMI’ GETS SECOND CHANCE AT AMAS

This year, Mariah Carey gets another crack at a slate of American Music Awards for her 2005 album The Emancipation Of Mimi. After heading into last year’s awards as the leading nominee in four categories, the diva only took home one trophy for Favorite Female Soul/R&B Artist, an incident that Entertainment Weekly calls a “snub.” Carey is again a leading nominee in this year’s AMA race.

The “Fly Like A Bird” singer is again competing in three categories: Favorite Female Artist in both the Pop/Rock and Soul/R&B categories, and Favorite Soul/R&B Album for Mimi. She’ll have to beat out pop/rock divas Kelly Clarkson and Nelly Furtado and soulful singers Mary J. Blige and Keyshia Cole to earn the female prizes. Her album competitors are Blige’s The Breakthrough and Jamie Foxx’s Unpredictable.

Carey has been earning mixed reviews for her North American tour to promote The Emancipation Of Mimi. While critics praise her vocal prowess, some reviewers have complained about too many costume changes, a short set list, and over-the-top staging.

LIONEL RICHIE GETS FIRST TOP 10 CHART DEBUT IN 10 YEARS

Veteran singer and songwriter Lionel Richie’s brand-new album Coming Home has debuted at Number Six on the Billboard Top 200 Albums chart, making it his first Top 10 album debut in a decade. The new album, which also landed at Number Three on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, moved 75,000 copies in its first week, making it Richie’s best one-week sales total in the Nielsen SoundScan era.

The lead-off single from the new album, “I Call It Love,” has been a multi-format radio smash for the former Commodores singer, with urban, pop, adult contemporary, and smooth jazz radio all airing the tune. Richie says he’s thrilled with the acceptance he’s receiving at this point in his career: “Isn’t this amazing? When they called and told me, ‘You’re not gonna believe this, are you sitting down? We have now urban radio and also we have rhythm radio,’ I started laughing myself to death. Because when you start thinking about the demographics across the board, the Lionel Richie story just continues. It’s going forward and backwards now.”

Richie plans to hit the road later this month. The 16-city trek kicks off October 27th in Detroit and ends November 25th in Oakland, California. Another leg of the tour is likely for 2007.

BOBBY BROWN FEELING DOWN ABOUT IMPENDING DIVORCE

Bobby Brown says he’s feeling down about his separation from wife Whitney Houston, who slapped him with divorce papers earlier this month. Brown opened up to People Magazine, saying, “I’m really saddened by the whole situation.”

The R&B bad boy spoke to the magazine from his hometown of Boston, where he was celebrating the 17th birthday of his eldest daughter, LaPrincia. Brown was also seen Sunday night at Boston’s Comedy Connection to watch comedian Mike Epps. A source told the magazine that Brown seemed to be in good spirits, mingling with guests at the club and posing for photos with Epps after the show.

The entire Brown interview will be in the new issue of People, on newsstands now.

Pop princess Houston and 37-year-old Brown, an original member of the group New Edition, were wed in a lavish, star-studded ceremony in 1992 at her mansion in New Jersey. The couple have one child, 13-year-old Bobbi Kristina. In her filing, Houston reportedly asked that she get custody of Bobbi Kristina and that Brown be allowed visitation rights. Divorce proceedings are expected to begin next month.

JONATHAN BUTLER CONTINUES GOSPEL CAREER WITH NEW ALBUM

Jonathan Butler, who is known to many smooth jazz fans as a vocalist and guitarist, is expanding his gospel music output this Tuesday with a new album recorded in tandem with gospel star Juanita Bynum. The new set, Gospel Goes Classical, will be released September 26th.

The album was recorded at a live concert the two performed in Birmingham, Alabama, with the 60-piece Gospel Goes Classical Symphony Orchestra and a 75-member mass choir. The album is a co-production of Bynum’s Flow Records with the Maranatha Music label.

Butler is currently signed as a secular artist to Rendezvous Entertainment, which released his album Jonathan last year. He says that Rendezvous co-founder Dave Koz had to twist his arm, because at that point in his career he was planning to focus exclusively on a career in gospel. Butler told me: “Gradually he was just asking me questions about how I would feel making another smooth jazz record. Because when I left Warner Brothers, I just kind of gave up the ghost and said, you know, ‘I’m done with this smooth jazz stuff. I’m just going to serve the Lord and make gospel records.’ And I was pretty much happy just to pursue that journey.”

Butler will join Bynum at two appearances this weekend to celebrate the album’s release. They will appear September 25th at the New Life Christian Bookstore in the Jamaica section of Queens, New York, and September 26th at the Wal-Mart in Lithonia, Georgia.

TIGER WOODS DEFENDS WIFE’S HONOR IN IRELAND

In Ireland this week for the Ryder Cup championship, golf star Tiger Woods is fighting mad. Seems an Irish magazine and a tabloid have linked photos of his wife, Elin Nordegren, to pornographic Web sites. Woods is considering a lawsuit, his agent told the Associated Press. At a press conference the golf star called Wednesday to address the issue, Woods said, “My wife, yes, she has been a model prior, and she did do some bikini photos. But to link her to porn Web sites and such is unacceptable, and I do not accept that at all. Neither does our team.”

The September issue of Dubliner Magazine ran an item saying, “Most American golfers are married to women who cannot keep their clothes on in public. Is it too much to ask that they leave them at home for the Ryder Cup? Consider the evidence. Tiger Woods’ wife can be found in a variety of sweaty poses on porn sites.” The magazine’s publisher, Dubliner Media Limited, has apologized to the couple, claiming it was “a satire.”

But the tabloid The Irish Daily Star picked up the story Wednesday under the banner “Tiger’s Fury at Naked Pictures.” The piece included bikini shots of Nordegren as well as a nude photo of a woman that was purported to be Nordegren when it was released three years ago. Woods has denied that the picture was of his wife.

At the press conference, Woods said his anger wasn’t aimed at the Irish people, and that he had seen how the media treated his late father and coach in the past. “I know the media can be a little bit difficult at times, but when you … it’s hard to be very diplomatic about this when you have so much emotion involved, when my wife is involved in this,” Woods said.

The golf champion’s agent, Mark Steinberg, said a lawsuit may be in the offing. “I’m not sure what we’ll do in the future,” he said. “Everyone knew (the nude photo) wasn’t her. It’s plain as day. You can see it’s not factual. It’s kind of ironic they bring it up this week.”
_______________________________________________________________________________
Words To the Wise

You win when God is in the mix
_______________________________________________________________________________
Contact Information
Freddie Bell
PO Box 650961
Sterling,VA 20165
newsletter@voiceunique.com
888-639-9738

www.freddiebell.com

Morning Show Update

September 22, 2006

Welcome to the Update

Freddie Bell, velvet morning voice talent and General Manager of Z 1470 Totally Gospel
(KZTG – 1470) is a mellifluous voice actor, broadcast-journalist and speaker who is also a National Voice Actor. His vast voice over credits, include hosting several radio programs including the Tom Joyner Morning Show, The Love Train, It’s The Gospel in Tampa, The Freddie Bell Morning Show in radio on KSGS - 950AM, Solid Gold Soul in Minneapolis, plus This is Music, The Freddie Bell Countdown Show and The Minneapolis NAACP Community Affairs television Programs in Minneapolis.
Invite Freddie to your next event or seminar as a Keynote Speaker, covering topics including You Gotta Have H.E.A.R.T., Tuning In to R.A.D.I.O, Maximizing Your Potential, Imagination, The Secret Key To Success, Winning Through Community Service, Dreaming Your Way to Success and a variety of topics related to sales and sales management. Freddie shares ideas and techniques he used to propel Solid Gold Soul Radio into a household name and the launch of Totally Gospel radio in the Twin Cities. Call today for booking details. 888-639-9738.

Listen to the Freddie Bell Show, 4 to 7pm, weekdays on Z 1470 KZTG, Totally Gospel, or on the web at www.totallygospel.com.

Excelsior Releases New Project Tuesday

Twin Citians will get a sneak preview of In His Hands, the latest project by Stellar Award Winner, Excelsior. Bobby Champion says the group founded in 1979 has enjoyed incredible success over the years and are excited to produce In His Hands on thier own label.

Fans will have a chance to hear selections from the new CD this Sunday at the Fineline Music Cafe between 5 and 8pm in Minneapolis. The event, emceed by Television personality, Angela Davis, features live performances from gospel artists including Excelsior and an appearance by Freddie Bell of KZTG, Totally Gospel Radio. Tickets are available at the door.

THE Women’s Empowerment Symposium and Tour
LOVING FROM THE INSIDE OUT

It’s a powerful women’s empowerment symposium, launching Oct 14 in the Twin Cities!

This fabulous women’s empowerment symposium will address some of the important challenges facing women today: Life, Love, Career, Finance, Business, Health & Wellness, Well being and Family. Loving from the inside out will help YOU create and have the love and the life YOU want and deserve! It’s YOUR turn and it’s YOUR time!

Women of character, substance, prestige and class will be joining urban and suburban women of courage, style, strength and passion to make breakthroughs, connect, grow, power-up, share and find love.

Come join us as we launch one of the most life changing women’s empowerment symposiums in the US, filled with: dynamic speakers, connecting, entertainment, pampering, empowerment and fun. The experience will give women of color an opportunity to learn from leading experts and each other, address issues that concern them and gain some important steps to having the love and the life that they want and deserve!

When: Minneapolis on October 14, 2006. Annual tour launch in downtown Minneapolis.

One of the 2006 Featured presenters: Dr. Grace Cornish-Livingstone is the bestselling author of ten enormously popular books, a dynamic keynote speaker of sold-out seminars, a minister of The Word, and is one the country’s foremost relationship consultants. She has already helped to improve the lives of tens of thousands of women and men throughout the United States, Europe, Africa, and the Caribbean with her bestselling books and award-winning relationship and life-enrichment programs. Her advice has yielded her repeat appearances on a wide-variety of programs on ABC, CBS, NBC, BET, and FOX-TV. For two years, Dr. Grace served as popular the on-air and after-care staff psychologist for the Queen Latifah show. She has also served as the relationship columnist for both The New York Beacon weekly newspaper and Belle magazine. She is frequently featured, interviewed, and quoted in such magazines as Ebony, Jet, Essence, Heart & Soul, and Upscale.

Other Confirmed presenters are: Clinical Psychologist-Dr. Bravada Akinsanya, author, motivational speaker, coach-Verna Cornelia Price PhD , Medical Doctor-Dr. Joyce Onyekaba , Minister Marsha Pitts-Phillips, Author-Kathy Graves, Author, Motivational speaker, coach- publisher and marketing consultant-Deborah Watts.

Honoring Bishop Stanley Frazier

A special event highlighting the life and legacy of the Late Bishop Stanley Frazier is being held this Saturday September 23rd, 7:30pm, at Emmanual Church of God in Christ, 2501 E. 22nd Street, in Minneapolis.
The event features The Sounds of Blackness, Jearlynn Steele, The Remnant, The Greater Friendship Baptist Church, Emmanuel’s One Heartbeat Senior and Youth Choirs and Excelsior. For additional information, contact Elder Billy Steele at 651-387-8768

BEYONCE WINS THREE MOBO AWARDS

World-renowned diva Beyonce proves her international popularity by winning three Music Of Black Origin awards Wednesday. The B’Day girl took home Best International Female and Best Song, as well as Best Video for “Deja Vu.” Her boyfriend, rap star and entrepreneur Jay-Z, also took home a MOBO Award, as Best International Male Artist. Neither was in attendance.

The only other Americans to take home a prize were the Black Eyed Peas, for Best Group.

Jamaican dancehall artist Sean Paul won the Best Reggae prize, and Barbados-born singer Rihanna took the Best R&B Artist award.

British singer-songwriter Corinne Bailey Rae was a double winner at the ceremonies, held at the Royal Albert Hall in London. The “Put Your Records On” singer was named Best U.K. Female and Best U.K. Newcomer.

British rap star Akala followed in the footsteps of his famous big sister, Ms. Dynamite, by taking the Best Hip-hop Artist prize over such artists as Kanye West and Busta Rhymes. Ms. Dynamite won three awards in 2002.

JANET JACKSON’S ‘2O Y.O’ PREVIEWED ON BET.COM

Anxious to hear what Janet Jackson’s new 20 Y.O. album will sound like? Now BET.com is allowing fans to hear the veteran artist’s album from start to finish on Transmission, the site’s exclusive listening party, before the album’s official September 26th release date. Go to bet.com/transmission for this exclusive preview.

20 Y.O. is Jackson’s celebration of her 1986 breakthrough album Control. The album was written and produced by Jackson with Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis, and Jermaine Dupri.

Jackson is scheduled to appear on The Oprah Winfrey Show for a wide-ranging interview and performance on Monday, September 25th.

WOMAN ACCUSED OF MUGGING FOXY BROWN CLEARED

Tanya Manderson, who was charged with robbery, grand larceny, and criminal possession of stolen property after allegedly mugging rapper Foxy Brown in the bathroom of a New York nightclub on September 12th, 2004, has had her day in court and now she wants Brown to pay up. SOHH.com reports that Manderson won a civil false arrest and defamation judgment against the rapper after Brown failed to show up to court.

Manderson thinks Brown failed to show up because she’s having financial problems. She said, “From what I understand, she really doesn’t have any money. Her finances aren’t in great shape. Apparently there was some attempt to have insurance pay claims or something like that. I think she fired (her lawyer) or he left, so he was no longer representing her and we never heard from her, so we just won a judgment against her.”

Manderson was initially accused of tearing Brown’s right earlobe after ripping a diamond-encrusted chandelier earring worth $250,000 from the rapper’s ear during an argument in the bathroom of New York’s Show nightclub. Manderson also allegedly grabbed the rapper’s Louis Vuitton bag before running out of nightclub.

Manderson was later cleared of any wrongdoing and maintains that Brown started the fight with her and she defended herself. The designer said, “Basically, the story never stood in court. It went to a grand jury and [they] found that she wasn’t credible. And they threw out the case and I was cleared. It never came out that I was cleared.”

A hearing will be held to determine what damages, if any, will be awarded to Manderson.

Foxy Brown’s Black Roses Entertainment, Russell Simmons’ Rush Communications, Def Jam Music Inc, publicist Marvette Britto’s Britto Agency, The Show Night Club and the club bouncer have also been named as defendants in the case.

LETOYA GETS BOOST FROM HOUSTON HIP-HOP STARS

LeToya says she had to include some serious hometown hip-hop flavor on her first solo album, LeToya. Houston rap stars Paul Wall, Bun-B, Slim Thug, Mike Jones, Killa Kyelon, and Rick Ross all make appearances on the new album.

The singer and songwriter says that she definitely wanted to give the new project a little bit of “chopped & screwed” flavor. She adds that she had watched most of these artists develop their careers, and they had supported her while she was coming up with Destiny’s Child.

LeToya told me: “I come up listening to them and seeing them around town doing their thing. They’ve been on their grind, some of them, 16 years old, selling their albums out of the trunk and performing around town and just being like local super stars. But I’m so proud of them ’cause they’ve done so well and now they’ve made this screwed & chopped thing like an international kinda thing. And they had also watched me and watched some of the things I been through, so, you know, a lot of them were like brothers to me. Like, ‘Hey, man, we gon’ get on it, sis! We gon’ get on it!’ And they did.”

LeToya was expected to attend the Music Of Black Origin, or MOBO, Awards at the Royal Albert Hall in London Wednesday night.

MYA TAKES A SHOT AT 50 CENT

Singer Mya has previously denied 50 Cent’s statement that he had sexual relations with her which were included on a mixtape diss track aimed at The Game. Now Mya is taking it a step further. She told Vibe.com, “50 and I never dated … despite what he chooses to believe in his own mind. I don’t know how he would get Lloyd Banks confused with me.”

In related news, Mya will release her new solo album, Liberation, on November 14th on Motown Records. The first single is the project is “Ayo.”

The set is Mya’s first since leaving Interscope Records for MoTown last year.

Mya’s self-titled Interscope debut was released in 1998, when she was just 18, and was certified platinum. She followed up in 2000 with the gold-certified Fear Of Flying, then in 2003 issued Mood Ring, which also went gold. She also earned a Grammy in 2001 for performing an updated version of “Lady Marmalade” from the Moulin Rouge soundtrack with Pink, Lil Kim, and Christina Aguilera.

DIONNE WARWICK’S STAR STUDDED DUETS SET COMING IN NOVEMBER

Dionne Warwick posted on her official (dionnewarwick.info) website that her long-awaited duets album, titled My Friends And Me, will be released on November 7th. Warwick posted to her fans saying that, “The CD is finally mixed (and) mastered… It was such a joy to hear everything in its final state, and I know you all will be as pleased as I am with the finished product… Olivia Newton-John, Gloria Estefan, Mya, Wynona, Reba McEntire, Gladys Knight, Cyndi Lauper, and my granddaughter, Cheyenne Elliott all performed beautifully.”

Warwick added that, “We should be starting on the male friends soon,” which might mean that the remaining tracks featuring male duets, including songs she’s already recorded with Elton John and Stevie Wonder, might be held back for a future release.

Warwick explained to me why she feels it’s still important to keep recording: [”The audience that has now grown up with me now have children who are having children, and I want them to know who Dionne Warwick is, and that I can be a part of their CD collection now, as they’re called, instead of records. Remember vinyl? I loved it. But, you know, they can now say, ‘Yeah,’ you know, ‘I know who she is, and I like her stuff, too.’”

Dionne Warwick will next perform on Friday and Saturday (September 22nd and September 23rd) in Cherokee, North Carolina at Harrah’s.

‘GREY’S ANATOMY’ TIES UP LOOSE ENDS IN SEASON OPENER

Last night’s third season premiere of Grey’s Anatomy picks up hours after the events of the season two finale with no one’s life in order and potential heartbreak all around. Meredith and Dr. “McDreamy” face the consequences of their quickie and wonder how it’ll affect his marriage and her burgeoning relationship with Finn. George and Dr. Torres continue to connect while George licks his wounds from a one night stand with Meredith. Izzie’s still crushed by Denny’s death, and Dr. Yang finds herself in the unlikely role of supportive girlfriend to Burke, who’s dealing with a potentially career-ending tremor in his hand.

Grey’s Anatomy creator Shonda Rhimes promises that these storylines are the tip of the iceberg in Season Three. Rhimes won’t give any hints as to what’s coming up but actress Ellen Pompeo said her character faces romantic challenges that might be surprising: “Well, I think the challenges that Meredith faces are clearly Finn or Derek, I think it’s safe to say. And it won’t be answered easily. It’s certainly not what I thought was going to happen but that’s, you know, Shonda’s writing, is always surprises, so that’s what makes it fun. So I think that’s the biggest challenge Meredith faces.”

Sandra Oh plays Dr. Yang on the show and she said she’s in the dark about what’s in store in Season Three as well: “There is such a lockdown on what happens on the show that we really don’t know as actors what the next episode is going to be about. Some of us know a general arc of what our own individual characters are going to go through but that’s about it. So the season three, goes in some ways backwards. You get a hint of how all the characters got to where they are.”

Grey’s Anatomy is on a new night this year — Thursday — and airs at 9 p.m. ET on ABC.

PRINCETON TO BECOME CENTER OF AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDIES

Princeton University announced on Monday that it will open a new African American studies center on campus and also double the size of its African American studies faculty. The university said it is establishing the new center to serve as a model for teaching and research on race in America.

University President Shirley M. Tilghman announced that the school’s historic Stanhope Hall will be renovated as the Center for African American Studies. The department faculty will be increased from five to 11. More courses will be offered at the undergraduate level, and a new African American Studies major will be offered.

“As a University dedicated to ‘the nation’s service and the service of all nations,’ Princeton must be in a position to contribute to this quest through research that yields valuable insights into the nature of racial identity and social justice, and through education that trains new generations of leaders to solve problems that have persisted too long, both in this country and abroad,” she stated.

The New Jersey-based Ivy League institution already boasts such pre-eminent faculty members as Cornel West and K. Anthony Appiah.

_______________________________________________________________________________
Words To the Wise

Everthing will get better
_______________________________________________________________________________
Contact Information
Freddie Bell
PO Box 650961
Sterling,VA 20165
newsletter@voiceunique.com
888-639-9738

www.freddiebell.com

Morning Show Update

September 20, 2006

Welcome to the Update

Freddie Bell, velvet morning voice talent and General Manager of Z 1470 Totally Gospel (KZTG – 1470) is a mellifluous voice actor, broadcast-journalist and speaker who is also a National Voice Actor. His vast voice over credits, include hosting several radio programs including the Tom Joyner Morning Show, The Love Train, It’s The Gospel in Tampa, The Freddie Bell Morning Show in radio on KSGS - 950AM, Solid Gold Soul in Minneapolis, plus This is Music, The Freddie Bell Countdown Show and The Minneapolis NAACP Community Affairs television Programs in Minneapolis.
Invite Freddie to your next event or seminar as a Keynote Speaker, covering topics including You Gotta Have H.E.A.R.T., Tuning In to R.A.D.I.O, Maximizing Your Potential, Imagination, The Secret Key To Success, Winning Through Community Service, Dreaming Your Way to Success and a variety of topics related to sales and sales management. Freddie shares ideas and techniques he used to propel Solid Gold Soul Radio into a household name and the launch of Totally Gospel radio in the Twin Cities. Call today for booking details. 888-639-9738.

Listen to the Freddie Bell Show, 4 to 7pm, weekdays on Z 1470 KZTG, Totally Gospel, or on the web at www.totallygospel.com.

Listen for the Gosepl Saver which provides deep discounts for KZTG Listeners! Check it out on the Drive Home with Freddie Bell. To order and to take advantage of the latest special go online to www.totallygospel.com.

LL COOL J HOOKS UP WITH C.S.I. CREATOR FOR NEW COP SHOW

Rapper and actor LL Cool J hasn’t starred in his own television show since his series, In The House, went off the air in 1999. But the rapper recently hooked up with C.S.I. creator Anthony Zuiker and the two are developing a new cop drama, titled The Man, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

LL Cool J will star as a well-connected Los Angeles Police Department officer who chases criminals by night and raises his three adopted children — an abused boy with an aggression problem, a former prostitute, and a recovering addict — by day.

In related news, LL Cool J is currently working with 50 Cent on his new album, Todd Smith, Part 2: Back To Cool, which he plans to release later this year.

STYLES P EXCITED THAT HIS ALBUM IS FINALLY COMING OUT

Lox member and D-Block co-CEO Styles P is pleased that his sophomore album, Time Is Money, finally has an official release date. The project, which was initially scheduled to hit stores in February of 2005, is due out on November 14th. The rapper will be shooting a video for the remix of ‘Who Want A Problem” in the coming weeks. Styles P told MTV.com, “I got my partners on the remix. So I’m gonna go with that one. I probably added a couple of more songs to the album [from the version that was supposed to come out last year] and took some songs off. I been working on the album for years. When I found a big, big song, I put it on there. I got, like, three albums done. Most likely I’m going to let some songs go [to the underground] and keep some in the stash.”

The rapper added, “I just want to get it out, man. I’ll push the album from there. I just want the opportunity. I know it’s a lot of loyal and dedicated fans who have been waiting.”

Time Is Money will feature guest appearances from Akon, Gerald Levert, Jagged Edge, J -Hood, Mario Winans, Floetry’s Marsha Ambrosius, Rashad, Talib Kweli and The Lox with production by Swizz Beatz, Akon, and Scott Storch

Styles P plans to release two mix tapes before the album, one with DJ Clue and the other with southern mix tape king, DJ Drama.

In related news, the Lox are also working on the third group project. No release date has been set for the project.

PAUL WALL AND TV JOHNNY LAUNCH REALITY SHOW

Houston-based rapper Paul Wall and his partner TV Johnny have launched their own reality show, The T.V. Johnny & Paul Wall Show. Allhiphop.com reports that the show will feature Wall and TV Johnny, whose real name Johnny Dang, in their day-to-day travels and provides a behind the scenes look at their successful custom jewelry business.

The show has been picked up by Mixcast Networks. TV Johnny said, “We are extremely pleased with MixCast’s decision to offer the TV Johnny and Paul Wall Show to its viewers. Their innovative marketing strategy and multi-platform distribution expands our reach tremendously.”

Gary S. Murray II, founder of MixCast added, “In addition to being incredibly entertaining, The TV Johnny & Paul Wall Show offers viewers a truly unique perspective on celebrity life. It allows viewers to virtually attend the most exclusive hip hop events that they can’t see elsewhere on television.”

The first episode of the new show features cameos by Jermaine Dupri, Slim Thug, Nelly, Juelz Santana and Katt Williams. Fans can log onto mixcast.tv to download the episode via MixCast’s VOD service.

In related news, Paul Wall is working on his new solo album as well as several side projects. The rapper will release his new album, Get Money, Stay True, in December. He’s already selected a lead single. The rapper told me: “Yeah we got one. We got one. It’s called ‘Dime Collector.’ Me and my boy, Lil Keke, it’s serious too. My boy Mr. Lee. T. Farris, so you know, the same old routine. Paul Wall, Swishahouse representin’!”

Wall is also working on a new album with Travis Barker. He said: ["Just grinding. You know I got Expansive Taste. The group I got with my boy Skinhead Rob and Travis Barker. So you know we working on that too. We just having fun with it, making good music. Like I said, just enjoying ourselves having fun."]

SLIM THUG HAS A PLAN FOR NEXT RELEASE

Houston-based rapper Slim Thug was disappointed that his 2005 major label debut, Already Platinum, stalled at the gold mark. The rapper plans to make several adjustments before releasing his new album, Boss of the Bosses. Thug told MTV.com, “I thought it should have went way farther. I was an independent artist that did all the work myself. Once I signed a major deal, I kind of felt like, ‘I’m signed to a major label, oh, they gonna do all the work now.’ But this album I’m gonna work it myself first, I’m gonna do all the work as if they don’t exist and whatever they bring to the table, cool.”

The rapper added, “It’s gonna be different. You gonna hear a lot more Houston records. The feedback I got from my fans [about the] last album was that they wanted to hear a lot more Houston records. So I worked with people out of Houston, a bunch of producers I came up with. I did like 30 songs with these cats, so I really got the album done. I’m gonna get, like, two from Pharrell and maybe work with a few other big producers, but keep it Houston.”

Slim Thug plans to release the album next spring but he will release an independent project, Serve and Protect, by his group, Boss Hog Outlawz, next month.

CASH MONEY RECORDS HIT WITH LAWSUIT BY U.N.L.V.

New Orleans-based rap act U.N.L.V. was the first group signed to Cash Money Records in the mid-’90s and now the group is threatening to sue the label because of missing royalties. Allhiphop.com reports that U.N.L.V. would like to reach an out of court settlement but they will bring legal action if Cash Money Records misses the next deadline to make a royalty payment. The group is also alleging that Lil Wayne stole his 2004 hit, “Go D.J.,” from their 1994 release Gutta 4 Life, which included a song that was also titled, “Go D.J.”

U.N.L.V. spokesman Ronald Bell said, “We now join such artists as Juvenile, Mannie Fresh and B. G., who have sued Cash Money for payment. UNLV sold a number of records from their past albums from 6th and Baronne to Uptown 4 Life, and we are simply seeking compensation which we are due.”

The group recently signed a new deal with Warlock/TVT and plan to release a new album, Gutta Muzik, in February 2007. Bell said, “We already have a full album ready featuring other artists such as Juvenile, B.G. and L’il Boosie.”

BEYONCE ALBUM LEADING SALES UPSWING?

The sales bonanza behind Beyonce’s Number One-charting album B’Day is making record retail watchers optimistic. Billboard reported that Beyonce’s sophomore set marks the first time in four months that any one album sold more copies than the number sold in the same period in 2005.

With 541,000 copies sold in its first week, B’Day rung up 59 percent more sales than her 2003 debut Dangerously In Love, which sold 317,000 copies in its first week. The totals also give Beyonce the best Nielsen SoundScan week by any solo artist this year.

Further, during its seven-year run, Destiny’s Child had only one project that sold better out of the gate: Survivor, with 663,000 units rung up in May 2001.

Beyonce’s happy B’Day was helped along by numerous media appearances, including Good Morning America, the MTV Video Music Awards, and several magazine appearances. Together with anticipation of her appearance in Dreamgirls this Christmas, Beyonce seems to be everywhere at once.

The singer’s tireless promotion and marketing work makes it seem that she never turns down any opportunities. But recently Beyonce insisted that she has learned the power of saying “no” to things that don’t represent her interests: “I one day realized that when people see me they think it’s me. And it’s a reflection of me. So I have to learn how to say no when I don’t like something, and no means no. And that’s a very hard thing to do, especially with me. I like to do a lot and I don’t like to disappoint people and I work hard. But that has been very helpful to — when I don’t feel passionate about something — to say no and mean no.”

Beyonce’s video for second single “Ring The Alarm” was MTV’s most-played clip during it first week. It was also among the top ten most-played videos at BET and VH1 Soul. The tune debuted at Number 12 on the Hot 100, making it her highest pop chart debut to date.

AMERICAN MUSIC AWARD NOMINATIONS ANNOUNCED TODAY

The nominations for this year’s American Music Awards will be announced today (Tuesday, September 19th) in Los Angeles. Carmen Electra and rapper Chingy will be on hand this morning to reveal the nominees for the annual event, which will be held on November 21st at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles and telecast on ABC-TV. A total of 20 awards will be presented in the Pop/Rock, Country, Soul/Rhythm & Blues and Rap/Hip Hop categories, as well as the Latin Music, Alternative Music, Contemporary Inspirational and Adult Contemporary categories.

JANET JACKSON CHARTS NUMBER ONE R&B SINGLE AHEAD OF ALBUM RELEASE

Just a week before the release of her hotly anticipated new album, Janet Jackson has scored a Number One R&B single with “Call On Me” featuring Nelly. The leadoff track from 20 Y.O., which will be released September 26th, is the superstar’s 15th Number One and 30th Top Ten single on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. According to her label, Jackson is now tied with R. Kelly for the most Top Ten singles since 1992.

The second single from 20 Y.O. is “So Excited” featuring Khia.

Jackson will continue making the media rounds to promote the new release. She will appear on The Oprah Winfrey Show on September 25th for a chat and a performance of “So Excited.” She will also perform three songs during a Today Show appearance on September 29th.

USHER EXTENDING BROADWAY RUN

R&B star Usher’s run in the Broadway revival of Chicago has proven so popular that the producers don’t want to let him go. On Monday, the show announced that Usher’s run will be extended by two weeks, to October 14th. He was originally set to leave his role as lawyer Billy Flynn in the Kander & Ebb musical on October 1st.

While reviews for the Usher’s performance have been mixed, his very presence has turned into a box office bonanza since the singer joined the cast on August 22nd. Just last week, Chicago grossed $728,907, playing to more than 97 percent of capacity at New York’s Ambassador Theatre.

For more info, go to chicagothemusical.com.

GLADYS KNIGHT SAYS JAZZ ALBUM WAS A ‘JOURNEY’

Gladys Knight says that returning to her roots by paying tribute to her earliest influences has been a joyful journey. Knight will release her Before Me album on October 3rd on the Verve jazz label, and she told me that although she would love the album to blaze up the charts, the time she spent recording the music was worth the experience itself: [=”I’m prayin’ and hoping that the people love it, but if they don’t, the experience up to this point has been a journey that I’ll never forget. It will go with me always.”

Before Me features songs popularized by Billie Holiday, Nina Simone, Dinah Washington, Sarah Vaughan and others.

Among the highlights on the set are covers of “Since I Fell For You,” “God Bless The Child,” “Someone To Watch Over Me,” “Stormy Weather,” and others.

Knight kicks off her next series of shows on October 5th in Bermuda at the Bermuda Festival. A star star-studded concert is planed for October 26th at Harlem’s legendary Apollo Theatre, to celebrate the release of the new album. The show will be filmed for a future PBS special

MTV’S LALA AND NBA’S CARMELO ANTHONY EXPECTING

MTV VJ LaLa Velasquez and her fiance, NBA star Carmelo Anthony, are expecting. The baby, which would be the first child for both, is expected in March.

The couple got engaged on Christmas Day in 2004, when Anthony presented the VJ with a nine-carat diamond ring. LaLa’s rep, Jack Ketsoyan, told the Associated Press that the pair plan to go through with their nuptials after the birth of the baby.

LaLa is known as the hip, 27-year-old host of MTV’s Total Request Live, Spring Breakdown, and Direct Effect. Anthony, who is 22, plays for the Denver Nuggets.

BRANDY IN TALKS FOR NEW TV SHOW

Singer Brandy, who has served as a judge on America’s Got Talent, is reportedly in talks to headline another TV project. The multi-platinum-selling singer was the star of UPN’s Moesha from 1996 to 2001. The still-untitled project is centered on a New Yorker who moves to Los Angeles to take a job as an entertainment editor.

Brandy recently sat in as a co-host on The View and had a recurring role on TV’s One On One. She also appeared on movie screens in 1998’s I Still Know What You Did Last Summer.

Brandy is reportedly at work on her fifth solo album, due in 2007. Her previous album was 2004’s Afrodisiac.

TIA MOWRY TO STAR IN ‘THE GAME’ ON THE CW

Sitcom veteran Tia Mowry is set to star in a new CW series called The Game, about NFL players and their mates. The series marks the first time that Mowry will be featured in a show without her twin sister, Tamera Mowry, with whom she starred in the ’90s sitcom Sister, Sister as well as in several TV movies.

Tia stars as Melanie Barnett, who moves to San Diego to be with her boyfriend when he is drafted by the San Diego Sabers. She is soon caught up in the world of professional football and the issues faced by the women in the players’ lives. The comedy also stars Wendy Raquel Robinson, Brittany Daniel, Pooch Bell, Hosea Chanchez, and Coby Bell.

The Game is the brainchild of writer/producer Mara Brock Akil, who created Girlfriends, and is produced by Gramnet, headed by Frasier star Kelsey Grammer. The CW Network show will premiere on Sunday, October 1st, at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT, after Girlfriends.

SANAA LATHAN ENJOYS BEING ON ‘NIP/TUCK’

The fourth season of Nip/Tuck is in full swing with guest stars playing new and interesting characters. Mario Lopez and Peter Dinklage pop up tonight (September 19th) in an episode centering on Sean’s search for a baby nurse and Christian’s Internet sex video. Meanwhile, Something New and Brown Sugar star Sanaa Lathan continues her recurring role as Michelle, Larry Hagman’s young wife. Lathan’s character runs the day-to-day operations of Sean and Julian’s practice for her husband, the new owner of the operation. As one might expect with Nip/Tuck, she’s not all she’s cracked up to be and has secrets of her own that are slowly being revealed. Lathan said during a recent set visit that she loves being on the show because it’s so compelling: “You know, I have TiVo, and I only had like two shows on. One was Grey’s Anatomy and one was Nip/Tuck. I started watching it in the second season and I just fell in love. It has that guilty pleasure feel that keeps you on the edge of your seat and keeps you wanting to watch it from week to week and yet it’s always about something deeper and that’s what I love.”

Nip/Tuck airs Tuesdays at 9 on FX.

_______________________________________________________________________________
Words To the Wise

Put God First
_______________________________________________________________________________
Contact Information
Freddie Bell
PO Box 650961
Sterling,VA 20165
newsletter@voiceunique.com
888-639-9738

www.freddiebell.com

Morning Show Update

September 19, 2006

Welcome to the Update

Freddie Bell, velvet morning voice talent and General Manager of Z 1470 Totally Gospel (KZTG – 1470) is a mellifluous voice actor, broadcast-journalist and speaker who is also a National Voice Actor. His vast voice over credits, include hosting several radio programs including the Tom Joyner Morning Show, The Love Train, It’s The Gospel in Tampa, The Freddie Bell Morning Show in radio on KSGS - 950AM, Solid Gold Soul in Minneapolis, plus This is Music, The Freddie Bell Countdown Show and The Minneapolis NAACP Community Affairs television Programs in Minneapolis.
Invite Freddie to your next event or seminar as a Keynote Speaker, covering topics including You Gotta Have H.E.A.R.T., Tuning In to R.A.D.I.O, Maximizing Your Potential, Imagination, The Secret Key To Success, Winning Through Community Service, Dreaming Your Way to Success and a variety of topics related to sales and sales management. Freddie shares ideas and techniques he used to propel Solid Gold Soul Radio into a household name and the launch of Totally Gospel radio in the Twin Cities. Call today for booking details. 888-639-9738.

Listen to the Freddie Bell Show, 4 to 7pm, weekdays on Z 1470 KZTG, Totally Gospel, or on the web at www.totallygospel.com.

Listen for the Gosepl Saver which provides deep discounts for KZTG Listeners! Check it out on the Drive Home with Freddie Bell.

WHITNEY HOUSTON’S DIVORCE PAPERS FILED IN CALIFORNIA

The latest details on the split between Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown are coming to the surface. The Grammy-winning songbird filed for legal separation as the first step to a divorce from the R&B bad boy in the state of California, where her paperwork claimed she has been living for the last six months.

Friends of Houston — who has palatial homes in Atlanta and New Jersey — confirmed to FoxNews.com that she has been living in Southern California since April to receive treatment at a rehab facility.

While Georgia offers at least 13 ways to claim a divorce, California is a no-fault state. Sources close to the couple also claim that the pair did sign a prenuptial agreement.

CHRIS BROWN EXPANDING SCREEN PRESENCE

Teen heartthrob Chris Brown — who earned multi-platinum status with his 2005 debut album — made a quick leap from singing to acting and now he’s got even more screen projects lined up. The 17-year-old “Run It” singer has already guest-starred on TV’s One On One and had a role in the dance film Step Up. Next he’ll show off his dance moves in the college step show film Stomp The Yard, and he’s signed on to a multi-episode arc on the next season of The O.C., which kicks off in January.

Brown’s role on the O.C. gives him a chance to stretch. “I’m playing a nerd, I guess,” Brown told Billboard.com. “It’s not just a one-episode thing; it’s more like a cast member, more like eight [episodes]. We haven’t started shooting yet, so you’ll just have to watch the show.”

Brown has spent most of 2006 on the road, and just wrapped the Up Close And Personal tour in August. He hasn’t officially begun recording the follow-up to Chris Brown, but plans to soon. “Anything we record now is just for fun, really,” he continued. “We haven’t really started working on the new album and probably won’t start until December. I’ve got a lot of ideas coming up, but I just want to have fun with it, make sure it’s just being me, and positive.”

Brown’s most recent single is “Say Goodbye,” which is in the Top 10 on the urban airplay charts.

JOHNTA AUSTIN SAYS ‘TURN IT UP’ INSPIRED BY HIS OWN ROMANCE MIXES

Singer and songwriter Johnta Austin is gaining airplay for his single “Turn It Up,” a sexy come-on that name-checks a number of artists who know their way around a slow jam.

The busy songwriter, whose songcraft earned hits for Mariah Carey and also touches a few tunes on Janet Jackson’s new 20 Y.O. album, explains that the idea came from his own midnight moves: “You know, I know I’ve always made CDs, like mix CDs and whatnot for when a girl come over. So it’s just, the record seemed… it didn’t seem like it was a record that had been done like that before, you know.”

The single is from Austin’s first solo album, Ocean Drive, which will be released October 17th. on the So So Def/Virgin.

LIONEL RICHIE AMUSED, THRILLED TO BE JUST ‘NICOLE’S FATHER’

Veteran performer Lionel Richie is looking for a high chart debut for Coming Home, his first album in six years, which was released last week. The onetime Commodores lead singer is riding a multi-format wave of attention for his current single “I Call It Love,” which recently topped the urban AC chart and is being heard at AC and smooth jazz radio as well.

The video for the single features his daughter Nicole Richie in a contemporary take on the classic film Breakfast At Tiffany’s. Richie says he’s happy and proud to have Nicole in the video, but he says he’s also amused by the fact that in the last six years his daughter has become an international celebrity in her own right. After watching her grow up, then triumph over drugs as a teen, Richie says he couldn’t be more proud.

He told me: “You have to understand — that’s my kid. And I’m trying to maintain as much composure as I can while I’m watching my kid. It’s amazing how she’s just completely transformed her life. I’m thrilled. Of course, you know, not only here in America but when you start traveling across the board, I’m in Germany, first question, ‘Is Nicole Richie with you?’ The first time we landed in London. First question: ‘Did Nicole come with you?’ So now here we go again, she’s in the video (laughs).”

Richie will kick off his Coming Home tour on October 27th in Detroit. The 16-city trek wraps November 25th in Oakland, California.

ASHFORD & SIMPSON PERFORMING NEW YORK CABARET STINT

Legendary R&B singer-songwriters Nick Ashford and Valerie Simpson are currently performing their cabaret show Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing: An Evening With Ashford & Simpson in New York City at Feinstein’s at the Regency. Theatermania.com reported that the couple are supported by a four piece band, and during the 75-minute show they intersperse personal anecdotes, such as when they first performed for Motown founder Berry Gordy, with their classic songs including “You’re All I Need to Get By,” “Let’s Go Get Stoned,” “I’m Every Woman,” “Reach Out And Touch Somebody’s Hand,” “Ain’t Nothing Like The Real Thing,” “Solid,” “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” and more.

Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing: An Evening With Ashford & Simpson is running at Feinstein’s at the Regency through Saturday, September 23rd. The duo performs 8:30 p.m. shows Tuesday through Saturday, with an additional 11 p.m. show on Friday and Saturday evening.

For more information, log on to feinsteinsattheregency.com.

SUMMIT OF PROSTATE CANCER AMONG AFRICAN AMERICANS SET FOR THIS WEEK

The Second Annual African American Prostate Cancer Disparity Summit sponsored by Prostate Health Education Network meets in Washington, D.C. this week. The two-day summit, set for September 21st through 23rd at the Rayburn House Office Building, will bring together; prostate cancer survivors, advocates, community leaders, researchers, and policy-makers to present and review information, analyze existing programs, and explore new initiatives to address the prostate cancer disparity.

The event is co-hosted by Senator John F. Kerry (D-MA) and Congressman Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY). The event will also include a full-day screening event at Howard University, which has the nation’s only African American cancer center.

For more information, go to prostatehealthed.org.

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