www.freddiebell.com
Morning Show Update
December 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.
Totally Gospel On the Internet
To enhance your gospel listening experience, you can now hear Z 1470 Totally Gospel on the new www.totallygospel.com website. Click on the web stream and then click on the link for KZTG.No matter where you are, lock it in and write it down. The dedicated Minnesota stream for Twin Cities listeners is up and running. Tell a friend that Z 1470 Totally Gospel is now on the radio and on the internet. Churches, Pastors, Ministers and Evangelists in the Twin Cities and from around the country looking to expand their electronic ministries are invited to partner with Totally Gospel.
Call 888-639-9738 today for rates and availabilities.
BEYONCE NOT FEUDING WITH DIANA ROSS OVER ‘DREAMGIRLS’
It seems that Golden Globe nominee Beyonce has to put rumors to rest daily. This time, she is squashing chatter that there is a feud between her and Diana Ross over her character in Dreamgirls. “I actually spoke to her at a Clive Davis party,” said Beyonce of the Motown legend at a press conference to promote the film, according to MTV.com. “She was so nice. And it made me very happy because I respect her and I want her to be happy.”
Beyonce plays the lead singer of the fictional ’60s girl group The Dreams in Dreamgirls, though the musical’s rags to riches story has long been said to be based on the lives of Diana Ross & the Supremes. But Beyonce stressed that no comparisons between her character and Ross should be drawn.
“Deena is not Diana Ross,” the singer clarified. “It was very clear that a lot of the story lines never happened to Diana. I kind of borrowed some of her posture and makeup, but it stops there. She’s definitely stronger and has a different story.”
Recently, reports have surfaced noting that Ross is not pleased by the film and it protesting its release. But Ross has not made any public statements to that effect.
Asked about the rumors that Ross was upset by the new Dreamgirls, Beyonce replied, “I would hope she wasn’t. I love her. I think she’s amazingly talented. I hope she enjoys the movie.”
In other Dreamgirls news: The African- American Film Critics Association (AAFCA) has named “Dreamgirls” as the Best Picture of 2006. Written and directed by Bill Condon, the Dreamworks/Paramount Pictures musical captured a majority vote by the organization, which is comprised of African-American media professionals from across the nation. In addition to Best Picture, “Dreamgirls” captured the most AAFCA honors of 2006, including Eddie Murphy as Best Supporting Actor, Jennifer Hudson as Best Supporting Actress and Bill Condon as Best Director.
JENNIFER HUDSON BOWLED OVER BY GLOBES
Singer and actress Jennifer Hudson is overwhelmed by the Golden Globe nomination and numerous critical accolades for her performance as Effie in Dreamgirls. “I’m just trying to breathe right now, I’m so excited,” Hudson told EURweb.com after being nominated as Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy or Musical.
The singer, who beat out 782 others to win the coveted role of Effie, was in the dressing room of NBC’s The Today Show in New York, watching the live Golden Globe nominations announcements, when she heard her name.
“All they said was ‘Jen’ and we were screaming and crying and just jumping around excited,” Hudson recalled. “Then I had to run out there on stage and do my interview and hop on stage and sing, and I didn’t even know what I was doing or what was happening because it was so overwhelming. I’ve never experienced that many emotions in one minute … a second … a moment.”
The onetime American Idol finalist added that she can’t quite grasp all the attention, honors, and celebrity. “I’m just grateful that I’m here,” she continued, noting all the many American Idol hopefuls and all of those who auditioned to Effie. “What were the odds of me being here right now and to receive such an honor as to be a Golden Globe nominee? Even if I don’t get it, just to be able to consider that is enough for me, really.”
Dreamgirls netted a nomination as Best Motion Picture-Comedy or Musical, as well as a Best Actress and Best Song nomination for Beyonce, and Best Supporting Actor nomination for Eddie Murphy. The film opens nationally on Christmas Day (December 25th).
And of course there has been some comparision to Jennifer Hudson’s remake of Jennifer Holidays’ classic blockbuster, “And I am Telling You”. You be the judge. Click here in case you’ve never seen or heard Holiday’s rendition.
JAMIE FOXX SHOWS HIS MEAN SIDE IN ‘DREAMGIRL’
Oscar winner Jamie Foxx stars in the upcoming film Dreamgirls along with the star power of Eddie Murphy, Beyonce Knowles, Jennifer Hudson, and Danny Glover. In the film, Foxx plays Curtis Taylor Jr, a shady used- car salesman who becomes the manager of an up- and-coming girl group and grows to be a pretty ruthless record man. “Curtis is the American Dream,” Foxx said of his character. “The capitalistic version; the ‘by any means necessary’ version.”
Some called the portrayal “lecherous” and even Oprah Winfrey remarked that she just didn’t like Foxx being so mean in regard to his portrayal as Curtis. But Foxx said that it was important that he be a strong villain in the film. “I think that it was important to play Curtis unforgiving and relentless so they would have somewhere to go. Everybody has a Curtis in their life. You can think of a person that told you, ‘You ain’t gonna make it or you ain’t gonna do this’ and you wanted to make it because of that,” he said. “That’s what Beyonce, Eddie and Jennifer had to get away from. The persona of Jamie Foxx and the character are different.”
While Foxx was left out of the recent Golden Globe nominations (Murphy, Knowles, and Hudson were nominated), critics are still heralding his performance. The actor agreed that it is newcomer Jennifer Hudson who steals the show and Foxx is more pleased than threatened by the Hudson hub-bub. In fact, he too was moved by the starlet’s performance.
Dreamgirls opens Christmas Day in theaters nationwide. For more on the film, check out www.dreamgirlsmovie.com.
TRICK TRICK FINALIZING DEAL WITH G-UNIT
Detroit-based rapper Trick Trick released his major label debut, The People Vs. Trick Trick, earlier this year on Universal Motown Records to a disappointing 56,000 sales, according to Nielsen Soundscan. The rapper had enjoyed large sales number as an independent artist but he’s isn’t ready to abandon the major label system yet. SOHH.com reports that Trick Trick is close to finalizing a deal with G-Unit Records.
The rapper told the Detroit Free Press, “Out of 50 Cent’s own mouth he told me: ‘Trick, you’re an artist that people gonna listen to because they know that what you say is real. All over the country, they respect you in the streets. So you need that priority at a label to be pushed right to sell 4 and 5 million records.’ So to have a person like 50 Cent who did, what, 11 million, 15 million records, tell me eye to eye something like that, it helped me to know that I will be important instead of just another notch in the belt for a record label. Plus G-Unit Records is like a family. It’s not just a record label.”
The deal isn’t finalized but Trick Trick has been busy recording a new album which he hopes to release in July on G-Unit Records. So far the album features guest appearances by Eminem, Tony Yayo, Young Buck, Ice Cube, WC, Young Jeezy, Kid Rock, and production by Dr. Dre.
Trick Trick has been perfecting his craft through mixtapes and indie albums for over 10 years. The rapper shared how he caught the bug after watching 1985’s Krush Groove. Trick Trick said: “You know what I’mma tell you. Honest to God. One day, it was Thanksgiving Day whatever year Krush Groove came out and I went to the show with my brother-in-law and his homies. And when I seen Run-DMC perform ‘It’s Like That.’”
The rapper continued: “Right then and there I was like, ‘I want to do that. I got to do that right there.’ That was the first day right there. I’ll never forget, man, ’cause that performance of ‘It’s Like That’ on Krush Groove still to this day gives me goose bumps so.”
NEW TWIST TURNS UP IN NOTORIOUS B.I.G. WRONGFUL DEATH CASE
The family of the late Notorious B.I.G. is gearing up for the second trial in their wrongful death lawsuit against the Los Angeles Police Department. The first trial ended in a mistrial and the family was awarded $1.1 million in legal fees. SOHH.com reports that just weeks before the second trial is set to begin, LAPD Sgt. Ya-May Christle has publicly stated that data she entered in reference to the case was destroyed.
The allegations are included in Christle’s sexual harassment lawsuit against the Los Angeles Police Department and Michael Berkow, former LAPD deputy chief in charge of internal affairs. According to Christle, Berkow gave preferential treatment and promotions to several female officers in exchange for sex. Additionally, Christle alleges that computer data she entered while investigating the murder of the Notorious B.I.G. was destroyed. Once Christle accused Berkow and others of confiscation her computer, she was retaliated against. The computer allegedly contained information critical to the internal affairs investigation of the Wallace murder.
The presence of an internal affairs investigation into the case lends some credence to the Wallace family argument that two rogue officers were involved in the March 1997 murder.
Christle’s lawyer, Bradley Gage, is also part of the Wallace family’s legal team. Gage would not reveal the exact details of what was contained on the confiscated computer.
Last July, the Los Angeles Police Department formed a new task force to investigate the Notorious B.I.G. murder.
DIGGIN IN THE CRATES WORKING ON NEW ALBUM
The Diggin In The Crates crew made a name for themselves in the mid-’90s as solo artists and through group projects. The collective released a self-titled album on Tommy Boy Records in 2000 but now they’re back together and working on a new album. Allhiphop.com reports that group, which consists of Fat Joe, OC, Showbiz, AG, Diamond D, Lord Finesse, the late Big L, and Buckwild, will be releasing some new material this year.
In addition to the group project, producer Diamond D is working on a new solo album that will feature guest appearances by Sy Scott, the Beatnuts, and Q-Tip.
Diamond D was recently nominated for a Grammy Award for producing the hit single “Day Dreamin’” for Natalie Cole. The song was included on Cole’s 2006 jazz release, Leavin’.
Diamond, who won a Grammy in 1996 for his work on the Fugees’ Score album, said, “I’m glad just to be a part of this whole thing for Natalie. Dallas Austin was working with her. He asked for me to come through and play some joints for Natalie. She picked about four joints from me, but one she really, really liked. That’s the one that wound up being used for ‘Day Dreaming.’”
PASTOR TROY ARRESTED AFTER RADIO INTERVIEW
Atlanta-based rapper Pastor Troy was arrested early Friday morning, December 15th, after completing a radio interview on Atlanta’s Hot 107.9. The Atlanta Journal Constitution reports that while the rapper was on-air, the police received a tip that he had an outstanding warrant in Fayette County. After confirming that there was a warrant, officers arrested Troy, whose real name is Micah Lever Troy, outside the radio station at 9 a.m.
The 29 year-old rapper is on probation for driving without insurance and with a suspended license.
Troy’s last release was By Choice Or By Force, which he released in July on Koch Records.
JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE TO PERFORM WITH ‘MY GRAMMY MOMENT’ WINNER
Aspiring singers have a chance to earn a performance slot on the upcoming Grammy Awards telecast alongside Grammy nominee Justin Timberlake. The Recording Academy, the organization that hands out the Grammys, has just announced the My Grammy Moment program, its own American Idol-like competition that will put a lucky unsigned artist in the spotlight during the 49th annual Grammy Awards show, being presented February 11th at Staples Center in Los Angeles. The top three finalists will be chose by fans online at Yahoo! Music.
Singers who are at least 18 years old and are U.S. residents can enter by submitting a 60-second video of themselves performing a cappella — with no musical background — one of the following Grammy winning songs: Alicia Keys’ “If I Ain’t Got You,” Faith Hill’s “Breathe,” Melissa Etheridge’s “Come To My Window,” Tina Turner’s “What’s Love Got To Do With It,” Luther Vandross’ “Dance With My Father,” Justin Timberlake’s “Cry Me A River,” Aretha Franklin’s “Respect,” Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance With Somebody,” or Mariah Carey’s “Vision Of Love.”
“I’m happy to participate in this unique approach to discovering unsigned talent, but I’m only a piece of the puzzle,” said Timberlake in a statement. “All of you contestants out there should look at this as more than just a chance to duet with me, because it’s really an opportunity to begin your career as a superstar. And I’ll be there to help coach you along.”
The contest began Friday, December 15th. Contestants have until January 3rd to submit and upload their entry video to music.yahoo.com/mygrammymoment/rules.asp . They will be judged by a Blue Ribbon committee of singers, songwriters, producers and industry executives.
Fans and viewers can begin viewing video submissions online at CBS.com beginning December 18th. The top 12 artists will be announced January 8th, when viewers and fans can vote for their favorites online. The top five will be announced January 16th, with voting to continue. The top three will be announced during Super Bowl Weekend, and they will each rehearse with Timberlake leading up to the Grammys.
Viewers will vote for the final performer during the actual Grammy telecast, with the winner announced moments before joining Timberlake on stage for their Grammy performance.
GNARLS BARKLEY’S ‘CRAZY’ TOPS ROLLING STONE’S FAVORITE SONGS LIST
Gnarls Barkley’s summer smash “Crazy” has been named the Best Song of the Year by Rolling Stone in the magazine’s list of the best 100 tracks of 2006. The magazine wrote, “(Gnarls members) Cee-Lo and Danger Mouse stepped up with an instant classic, winning this year’s ‘Hey Ya!’ award for the song nobody even pretended not to like. Everybody tried to cover it…but nobody can hit the chorus like Cee-Lo, and nobody ever will.” Cee- Lo told me that the track struck him the first time he heard it: “I found the track — Danger usually, you know, plays me 15 to 20 different things and I may like six and may love three, you know what I mean? So this was one I definitely fell in love with immediately.”
Placing in the Top Ten are Chamillionaire’s “Ridin’” at Number Three and T.I.’s “What You Know” at Number Four. Gnarls Barkley appears again on the list at Number 29 with “Smiley Faces.”
Other urban pop and hip-hop tracks placing on the top 100 list include Cham’s “Ghetto Story” at Number 14; Justin Timberlake with both “Sexyback” at Number 21 and “My Love” at Number 50; and Cherish with “Do It To It” at Number 32.
Also making the list: Rihanna’s “S.O.S.”, Prince’s “Black Sweat,” Corinne Bailey Rae’s “Put Your Records On,” Pussycat Dolls’ “Buttons,” Chris Brown’s “Yo (Excuse Me Miss),” and Cassie’s “Me & U,” among others.
INSURANCE COMPANY SAYS IT’S NOT LIABLE IN $10 MILLION DOLLAR LAWSUT AGAINST 50 CENT
An insurance company claims it is not liable for a $10 million lawsuit against 50 Cent, claiming the rapper took more than a year to report the assault of Richard “DJ Xzulu The Big Lipped Bandit” Dunkerson at 93.9 WKYS-FM in Lanham, Maryland. According to The New York Post, National Fire claims 50 Cent, born Curtis Jackson, waited more than 12 months to report the assault, which effectively nullified the rapper’s coverage. The lawsuit was filed after former G- Unit member The Game and an entourage appeared on Xzulu’s show in Jan. of 2005, weeks before the release of his chart-topping G- Unit/Aftermath debut The Documentary hit stores. During the interview, Xzulu allegedly made an off- color remark about a cell-phone ear piece being worn by The Game’s manager, Jimmy “Henchmen” Rosemond. Shortly after the interview was over, police said a group of men confronted the DJ and punched and kicked Xzulu, causing serious internal injuries. In April 2005, another man named Kwasi Jones came forward and claimed that he was beat by the pack of men the same evening as well. Jones filed a $280 million dollar civil-assault case against The Game, G-Unit, Shady Records, and Aftermath Entertainment.
WILL.I.AM SAYS HIS MUSICAL DIVERSITY CAME FROM HIP-HOP
Will.I.Am, the hip-hop powerhouse behind the sound of the Black Eyed Peas and several other pop, jazz, and rap success stories, says that he likes to create music from scratch rather than sample to capture a unique sound in the studio.
Nominated for production, performance, and songwriting Grammys this year for his work with the Peas, front woman Fergie, and Sergio Mendes’ all-star Timeless album, Will.I.Am says he learned how to capture a mood from studying how recordings were done in the ’60s and ’70s.
Commenting on his musical diversity, he told me: “Just being brought up and raised by hip-hop, that spectrum is a natural thing. It’s just that a lot of producers stop and just sample. I’m not saying — there’s nothing wrong with sampling, but if you can recreate it, that’s even greater. If you can create songs that feel like the thing that you were sampling from the 60s and the 70s, you mike the instrument and give the right room and figure out what kind of mikes they used. They’re all just like two mikes. Nowadays they got like a billion mikes on a drum kit.”
JOE DELIVERS NEW ‘WHERE YOU AT?’ SINGLE
R&B singer and songwriter Joe has been missing in action since 2003’s album And Then …, which featured the singles “More And More” and “Ride Wit U.” But in 2007, he roars back into action with the release of the single “Where You At?” featuring Papoose.
A video for the dramatic love song is already gaining spins at TV outlets, and can be viewed at Yahoo Music.
The tune is a preview to his upcoming Jive/Zomba album, which will feature guest appearances by Nas, Chamillionaire, Fabolous, and Young Buck, with the production of Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Brian Michael Cox, Sean Garrett, Cool & Dre, and Tim & Bob. The title of the album has not been announced.
For more on the artist, go to joescrib.com.
CHURCH RAP VIDEO STIRRING CONTROVERSY
The Ridge Stone Church in Canton, Ohio decided on a new way to get the message out about their Christmas Eve services. The video, they say was meant in good natured holiday spirit, but the YouTube community as always has their own views on it.
The pastor and members of Ridge Stone Church cut the video to alert members that Christmas Eve services will actually be on Sunday morning, not Sunday evening. The church meets in a movie theater and it will be unavailable on Christmas Eve. So Pastor Gary Lamb donned a “pimped” out Santa outfit, started rapping and put the whole thing on video. He’s joined by a crew of elves you wouldn’t see in any other rap video.
Lamb loaded the video onto YouTube.com and it began to spread like wildfire. But not all the response has been positive. Some internet viewers think the video is racist. Others say it just isn’t in the holiday spirit.
STEVE HARVEY ON TOM JOYNER ABSENCE IN L.A
Steve Harvey, host of the Premiere Radio Network’s syndicated Steve Harvey Morning Show, spoke to EUR’s Lee Bailey over the weekend about the removal of The Tom Joyner Morning Show from Los Angeles radio station KKBT-FM (100.3 The Beat).
That’s really sad. That’s really a sad thing that’s happened over there to The Beat,” says Harvey, who hosted mornings at the Radio One station from 2000 to 2005 before leaving and eventually being replaced by Joyner. Harvey parted ways with Radio One after attempts to syndicate his program nationwide fell short of expectations. Radio One soon partnered with Harvey’s main competitor Joyner to syndicate the Tom Joyner Morning Show on KKBT – until news last week that Joyner’s program would be dropped in yet another format change at the station.
“I don’t gloat and revel in stuff like that,” Harvey continues. “It’s just really sad what has happened to that station. The Beat was once a heritage station, and for it to be happening like this right now, it’s a sad day. I wish [Radio One CEO and Owner] Alfred Liggins and Cathy Hughes the absolute best and I hope they can turn that situation around. They’re a black-owned business and I always want that to be a success for them. I would’ve loved to have remained a part of [Radio One] because we had plans of growing it in a great way,” Harvey added. “But it wasn’t in everybody’s plan. So now we’re on our own and doing it differently. But we’re not gloating. We’re surprised at it.”
ROSARIO DAWSON’S DATE RAPE FILM TO HIT THEATERS
Rosario Dawson, last seen starring in Clerks II and the big screen adaptation of Broadway’s Rent, is producing and starring in a violent date-rate drama that has just been acquired by City Lights Pictures for domestic release in the spring. Titled Descent, the actress plays a college student slowly recovering from a brutal date rape. While trying to rebuild her life, she decides to take revenge on her attacker (Chad Faust) in a manner described as “equally shocking, controversial and graphic” by City Lights CEO Danny Fisher, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
Fisher said he was ready to distribute the film unrated or with a commercially damaging NC-17 rating because he was unwilling to make edits that would diminish the power of the material. “This is not a revenge thriller, and we’re not planning to market it as such,” Fisher told the Hollywood Reporter. He plans to network with rape and women’s organizations to spread awareness of the film’s subject matter, and launch a strong Internet campaign, including a presence in online support groups. The script for Descent was written especially for Dawson by its director Talia Lugacy, a longtime friend of the New York actress. Two of Dawson’s Rent co-stars, Tracie Thoms and Wilson Jermaine Heredia, appear in supporting roles.
OPRAH WINFREY PACTS WITH ABC FOR TWO REALITY SHOWS
Oprah Winfrey is further expanding her media reach. Her Harpo Productions company has pacted with ABC Networks to develop two prime-time reality shows, tentatively titled Oprah Winfrey’s The Big Give and Your Money Or Your Life. The deal with the network was struck just three months after Harpo developed a new TV development division for alternative programming.
In The Big Give, 10 people would receive money and other resources in a challenge to help others in a way that tests their ingenuity and passion. The winner gets to realize their “wildest” dream, a concept Winfrey first developed on her popular daily talk show.
Your Money or Your Life, currently in development, features families who are confronted by a crisis and must change or risk being “consumed by disaster,” according to the ABC-Harpo announcement, released Friday.
No air dates have yet been announced for either project.
BREAST CANCER FIGURES DOWN AFTER WOMEN SPURN HORMONE THERAPY
A new federal study of U.S. breast cancer rates found that the figure fell more than 7 percent in 2003, and that the reason is due to less hormone use. “It’s a big deal … amazing, really,” said Dr. Rowan Chlebowski, of Harbor-UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles, who helped research the study. “It’s better than a cure,” he told AP, because these are cases that never occurred.
The study showed that about 14,000 fewer women were diagnosed with the disease than had been expected. The results were presented by researchers last Thursday at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium in Texas.
Doctors noted that the biggest decline was among women aged 50 and older, a group most likely to take hormone replacement therapy to stave off the effects of menopause. The decline was biggest for tumors whose growth is fueled by estrogen, the type most affected by hormone use.
New warning labels appeared on estrogen-progestin drugs in 2002, after they were found to lead to a higher incidence of breast cancer and heart problems. Doctors also urged women to use the lowest dose for short periods to relieve hot flashes and other menopause symptoms. Consequently, the number of prescriptions for the hormones fell by 50 percent, from about 22 million each quarter to just 12.7 million in the last quarter of 2003.
Breast cancer is the most common major cancer in American women and the second leading cause of cancer deaths in women. About 213,000 new cases are expected to occur in the United States this year. While black women have a lower incidence of breast cancer than white women, scientists have found that black women who develop the disease are more likely to die from it than their white counterparts.
MUHAMMAD ALI, THE FIRST RAPPER?
A new book on the verbal prowess of Muhammad Ali, titled Ali Rap: Muhammad Ali the First Heavyweight Champion of Rap, contains nearly 300 pages of quotes from the boxer, compiled by editor, George Lois.
Lois told the Associated Press he has always wanted to condense Ali’s many sayings and memorable utterances into a “small, fat book – like a Bible or a Quran.” Presented chronologically, Ali Rap takes the reader from the boxer’s Kentucky childhood, through his historic fights against Sonny Liston, Joe Lewis and George Foreman – and finally to his current struggles with Parkinson’s disease.
Chuck D of the rap group Public Enemy recently hosted an Ali Rap special on ESPN, which also included Rakim, Ludacris, Doug E. Fresh, Fab 5 Freddy, Jermaine Dupri and MC Lyte. “He was able to engage his social surroundings into his whole persona. That’s what hip-hop was able to do – to be an antenna for social reflection,” Chuck told AP. “He’s one of the few black people to get on TV in the ’60s and speak their minds – thank God – and also back up what he talked about.”
KATT WILLIAMS GETS THREE YEARS PROBATION
Comedian and aspiring rapper Katt Williams almost blew his gig hosting the BET Awards last month when he was arrested just days before the show, on November 6th, when police found a gun in his luggage at Los Angeles International Airport. SOHH.com reports that Williams pleaded no contest to the misdemeanor charge of carrying a concealed weapon and was sentenced to three years probation and time served.
Williams, who spent three days behind bars after the arrest, was also charged with other undisclosed offenses and ordered to pay restitution. According to Jane Robinson, a spokesperson for the district attorney’s office, the case has been resolved.
Williams is still facing weapons charges in Michigan for the two taser guns that were discovered in his checked luggage as he left an airport in Kalamazoo in 2005. Authorities are still trying to decide whether to charge him with a felony.
The comedian is currently working on his debut rap album and a new stand-up DVD. The rap album will be released through Cam’ron’s Diplomat Records next year.
THIS PAST WEEKEND’S TOP TEN MOVIES – DECEMBER 15-17
1. The Pursuit of Happyness, $27 million
2. Eragon, $23.45 million
3. Charlotte’s Web, $12 million
4. Happy Feet, $8.5 million
5. The Holiday, $8.2 million
6. Apocalypto, $7.7 million
7. Blood Diamond, $6.3 million
8. Casino Royale, $5.7 million
9. The Nativity Story, $4.7 million
10. Unaccompanied Minors, $3.7 million
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Black History Fact
In 1852, George H. White is born. In 1896, he becomes the only African-American member of the U.S. House Of Representatives, and the first member to introduce an anti-lynching bill.
In 1865, The 13th Amendment is ratified, ensuring “neither slavery nor involuntary servitude shall exist in the U.S.”
In 1946, South African anti-apartheid activist Steven Biko is born.
In 1970, The Supremes, the Temptations, and Stevie Wonder guest-star on Smokey Robinson’s TV special on ABC.
In 1971, People United To Save Humanity (PUSH) is founded at a meeting in Chicago by the Reverend Jesse Jackson.
In 1973, “Space Race” by Billy Preston is certified gold.
In 1974, the New & Improved album by the Spinners is certified gold.
In 1974, “You’re The First, The Last, My Everything” by Barry White is certified gold.
In 1976, “Don’t Take Away The Music” by Tavares peaks at Number 34 on the pop singles chart.
In 1978, “Y.M.C.A.” by the Village People is certified gold.
In 1978, “I Love The Night Life” by Alicia Bridges is certified gold.
In 1982, “On The Wings Of Love” by Jeffrey Osbourne peaks at Number 29 on the pop singles chart.
In 1984, the I Feel For You album by Chaka Khan is certified platinum.
In 1989, Ernest Dickerson wins the New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Cinematography for the Spike Lee movie Do The Right Thing.
In 1990, the Ain’t No Shame In My Game album by Candyman is certified gold, on the same day that “Knockin’ Boots” is certified platinum.
In 1990, the Poison album by Bell Biv Devoe is certified triple platinum.
In 1995, the Cooleyhighharmony album by Boyz II Men is certified nine times platinum.
In 1995, the Design Of A Decade album by Janet Jackson is certified gold, platinum, and double platinum.
In 1995, the II album by Boyz II Men is certified 11 times platinum.
In 1996, the Michael Jackson video collection Dangerous – The Short Films is certified double platinum.
In 1996, the school board in Oakland, California, becomes the first in the nation to recognize black English — otherwise known as Ebonics — as a separate language, not as a dialect or slang.
In 1998, the My Love Is Your Love album by Whitney Houston is certified gold and platinum.
In 1998, a federal judge orders former Temptation Dennis Edwards to stop performing under the group’s name.
In 1999, “What A Girl Wants” by Christina Aguilera is released on her 19th birthday.
In 2001, Nas releases his fifth album, Stillmatic.
In 2003, Trick Daddy avoids jail time in two separate cases by pleading guilty to several weapons and drug charges.
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Celebrity Birthdays
T.K. Carter, actor (The Corner, The Steve Harvey Show), 50
DMX (Earl Simmons), rapper and actor (Exit Wounds, Romeo Must Die), 36
Roger E. Mosley, actor (Magnum P.I., Letters From A Killer), 68
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Words To the Wise
You’ll never know the results of your efforts until you get into action!
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Contact Information
Freddie Bell
PO Box 650961
Sterling,VA 20165
newsletter@voiceunique.com
888-639-9738
Filed under: Freddie's Morning Show Update, Motivation, Totally Gospel Minneapolis
