www.freddiebell.wordpress.com

Solid Gold Soul

April 16, 2007

Welcome to Solid Gold Soul

OLD BECOMES THE NEW WITH SOLID GOLD SOUL

Solid Gold Soul is returning to the Twin Cities airwaves. Leading that return is veteran broadcaster Freddie Bell who will again treat morning listeners to the Motown sound and more. Normally broadcast news of this magnitude is not released until the station gets on the air. Solid Gold Soul is taking a different stance because of it desire to be inclusive.

Solid Gold Soul is giving our fans, individuals, the Twin Cities business’ community and national advertisers an opportunity to have an active role in this comeback.

The plan is multifaceted. Solid Gold Soul, LLC is offering individuals a chance to have buy-in with the new the station by offering ownership investment positions in the new, old-school-music radio station.

The plan gives listeners a chance to invest in the radio station thus making Solid Gold Soul truly focused on the audience it intends to super-serve and support. Moreover, the investment options are broad enough to provide anyone a chance to own something of increasing value.

Solid Gold Soul is also offering charter-advertising opportunities to the business community and national advertisers. Getting involved with ad buying now makes sense because the rates are advantaged and adds value to the advertising dollar over an extended period of time. Industry experts say the opportunities for investment ownership and charter advertising in a radio enterprise like Solid Gold Soul is unique and a smart move because it helps ensure the long-time viability of the Solid Gold Soul.
To learn how you can be a Solid Gold Soul owner or to become a charter advertiser, send an email to freddiebell950@gmail.com. Hurry! These specific offers will only be available prior to Solid Gold Soul coming on the air. The first broadcast date for the new radio enterprise will be released in the coming weeks.

Bell says the investment and advertising opportunities coupled with the ability to spin the old hits again in Minnesota is nothing short of a miracle. “I hope our fans take advantage of this unique opportunity to be a part of the New Solid Gold Soul !”

For the next several weeks, we’ll be doing something a little different in this space. We want to make sure we give maximum attention to the new Solid Gold Soul . Exposure will be given to the major news of the day as usual, however, we want to make sure that as many people as possible know that Solid Gold Soul is coming back to the air with Freddie Bell.

As mentioned in the article, the new radio station provides a tremendous opportunity for the Twin Cities audience on a number of levels. Help us spread the word. Send this release to your friends, family, business owners and others would consider investing in this new, exciting radio enterprise or who would enjoy listening to the classic R and B hits again on a regular basis. Keep checking back for new details concerning the launch of the New Solid Gold Soul , with Freddie Bell.

Focus Altered For The Update

For the next several weeks, we’ll be doing something a little different in this space. We want to make sure we give maximum attention to the new Solid Gold Soul. Exposure will be given to the major news of the day as usual, however, we want to make sure that as many people as possible know that Solid Gold Soul is coming back to the air with Freddie Bell.
As mentioned in the article, the new radio station provides a tremendous opportunity for the Twin Cities audience on a number of levels. Help us spread the word. Send this release to your friends, family, business owners and others would consider investing in this new, exciting radio enterprise or who would enjoy listening to the classic R and B hits again on a regular basis. Keep checking back for new details concerning the launch of the New Solid Gold Soul, with Freddie Bell.

About Freddie Bell

Freddie Bell, velvet morning voice talent is a mellifluous voice actor, broadcast-journalist, speaker and 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.
Be sure to tell a friend about the Solid Gold Soul Update You can also subscribe on line to have the Update sent to you automatically.
Click on the subscribe link on the right of this page.

SNOOP DOGG AVOIDS JAIL TIME

Rapper and actor Snoop Dogg entered a plea of no contest to weapons and drug charges in order to avoid jail time in two separate cases. The rapper was arrested in October, 2006, and November, 2006, in Burbank, California.

First the rapper was arrested after performing on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Burbank police executed a search warrant and placed him under arrest. The arresting officers found marijuana, cocaine, a firearm and a false compartment in his car.

He was also arrested for attempting to board an airplane with a collapsible baton at the Bob Hope Airport in Burbank, California.

Snoop Dogg was lucky that a three-year sentence was suspended if he agreed to serve five years formal probation and to perform 800 hours of community service.

His lawyer Donald Etra said in a released statement, “Snoop accepts full responsibility for these matters. He understands that, while he has every reason to seek security and protection, he cannot have a gun in his own vehicle, and he must only employ licensed security personnel. By the same token, although Snoop possesses a medical marijuana certificate, he recognizes, he cannot possess more marijuana than permitted by that law.”

Etra added, “This was an expedited way of resolving these matters. It permits Snoop to get back to what he does best, namely, entertaining his fans through his music and films as well as serving his community as coach of his 2000 member youth football league. Snoop appreciates the courtesy and cooperation extended to him by the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office, which was very helpful in resolving these matters.”

PROOF FEATURED IN NEW DOCUMENTARY

D12 member Proof was murdered a year ago in a Detroit after hours nightclub, but his fans will get another chance to see the man in action via the new documentary, Time A Tell. Allhiphop.com reports that the documentary takes an in-depth look at the Detroit rap scene and features clips of Proof and DJ Jewels in the studio as they put together a complete 18-track CD full of original lyrics and beats within 24 hours for a segment called The Challenge. Time A Tell is presented by Jewels, Priceless Music and Proof’s Iron Fist Records. The film will premiere at 8 p.m. tonight (April 12th), at the GM Theater in the Charles H. Wright Museum in Detroit.

According to published accounts of what transpired, Proof, whose real name was Deshaun Holton, got into an altercation with Keith Bender, a bouncer at the CCC, an after hours club on Detroit’s Eight Mile Road, on April 11th, 2006. The fight escalated and Proof reportedly pistol-whipped Bender and shot him in the face. It was determined that Bender’s cousin, Mario Etheridge, who was also a bouncer, shot Holton in self-defense after Holton shot Bender.

Etheridge was convicted of carrying a concealed weapon and the discharge of a firearm in a dwelling or occupied structure. He was released after spending six months in jail.

NOT ONE… BUT TWO (2) WARRANTS FOR DMX

DMX missed another scheduled court date in White Plains City Court this week. The rapper, born Earl Simmons, skipped a pretrial conference related to various driving violations related to a June 2 incident in which X was stopped for driving his SUV at high speeds. DMX was also ticketed for making an unsafe lane change and was not wearing a seat belt when he was pulled over.

This week, a judge gave the rapper a one-day reprieve but ordered DMX to appear in court yesterday or a warrant would be issued for his arrest. Sure enough… DMX missed court yet again… and an arrest warrant was issued. DMX is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle for driving with a suspended license.

He was also issued tickets for the unsafe lane change violations. Simmons failed to appear in court last summer to answer the charges and an arrest warrant was issued for the rapper.

‘SCARY SPICE’ MEL B LISTS EDDIE MURPHY AS DAD ON BABY’S BIRTH CERTIFICATE

“Scary Spice” Melanie Brown has listed Eddie Murphy as the father of her newborn baby on the child’s birth certificate, reports People.

Murphy and Brown dated for a number of months, but broke up before she officially announced she was pregnant. Murphy said on Dutch television that he was not certain the child was his, and said he would demand a paternity test.

LUMIDEE NAMED YOUTH AMBASSADOR FOR 2007 ARTHRITIS WALK

Singer and rapper Lumidee has been named Youth Ambassador for the New York City Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation’s 2007 Arthritis Walk. May is national Arthritis Month but the Manhattan Arthritis Walk is scheduled for Sunday, April 29th at Battery Park. Lumidee said in a released statement, “I was 14 years old when I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. At 19 years old, the doctors said I would never walk. I worked hard and all that hard word paid off when I was able to dance in my latest music video. I want to give other young people the confidence they need to stop this disease from controlling their lives and ask everyone to come out and join the fight against arthritis by participating in the 2007 Arthritis Walk.”

Jay B. Adlersberg M.D., the 2007 Battery Park Arthritis Walk Chairman, added, “We are proud to have her as our Youth Ambassador for this year’s walk. We hope that her participation will inspire the 300,000 young people suffering from arthritis in our country.”

In related news, Lumidee’s new album, Unexpected, hits stores next week. The latest single from the project is “She’s Like The Wind” featuring Tony Sunshine. The album also features guest appearances by NORE, Shaggy, Pitbull, Jim Jones, and Snoop Dogg.

Lumidee is a complete artist. She sings, raps, and writes. The Spanish Harlem native explained: “Get the album, read the credits. I write all my songs, sing, you know. I write, record, sing all my songs. Come to the show, you’ll see.”

Fans shouldn’t expect to hear any rumors that the singer is having money problems as she’s been saving since signing her first deal with Universal Records in 2003. At the time, the singer said: “I haven’t gotten a car or anything yet. I’m still trying to stay on ground, like, focused on this. Not trying to get like, ‘Oh let me get this new car, and get rims, and get this.’”

JANET JACKSON LOSES BID TO HAVE LAWSUIT THROWN OUT

Janet Jackson’s lawyer lost a bid to have a $120 million assault lawsuit thrown out of court.

SOHH.com reports that Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Rolando Acosta decided that a $120 million assault suit against Jackson can move forward and ordered the singer to give a deposition under oath. The lawsuit stems from an incident that occurred at Club Marquee in February of 2004, where two of Jackson’s bodyguards allegedly grabbed and choked 41-year-old Leonard Salati when he attempted to pass the singer a note.

Jackson and her legal team attempted to have the case tossed by saying she and Jermaine Dupri were accompanied by one bodyguard, a 5- foot-8 Caucasian man, weighing only 180 pounds. Salati alleges that he was manhandled by two 300- pound African American men.

According to the Judge Acosta, representatives for Club Marquee, which is also a party to the lawsuit, maintain that Jackson was with at least three bodyguards that night and at least two were African American.

Judge Acosta said in his ruling, “Notwithstanding counsel’s valiant effort to shield Ms. Jackson, the law grants no exemptions based on celebrity status.” He added that Jackson would have to give a deposition.

THIS WEEKEND’S TOP TEN MOVIES:

1. Disturbia — $23M
2. Blades of Glory — $14.1M
3. Meet the Robinsons — $12.1M
4. Perfect Stranger — $11.5M
5. Are We Done Yet? — $9.2M
6. Pathfinder — $4.8M
7. Wild Hogs — $4.6M
8. The Reaping — $4.6M
9. 300 — $4.3M
10.Grindhouse — $4.2M

______________________________________________________________________________
Black History Fact

In 1787, Richard Allen & Absalom Jones organized Philadelphia’s Free African Society, which W.E.B. Du Bois called “the first wavering step of a people toward a more organized social life.”
In 1869, the North Carolina legislature passed an anti- Klan law.
In 1960, Martin Luther King, Jr. denounced the Vietnam War, which he said was “rapidly degenerating into a sordid military adventure.”
In 1961, Ray Charles won four Grammys, including Best Male Vocal Performance, for “Georgia on My Mind.”
In 1969, “Aquarius/Let The Sunshine In (The Flesh Failures)” by the Fifth Dimension peaked at Number One on the pop singles chart and stayed there for six weeks.
In 1975, Dancer, singer, and actress Josephine Baker died at the age of 68.
In 1975, “Once You Get Started” by Rufus Featuring Chaka Khan peaked at Number 10 on the pop singles chart.
In 1976, the album 2nd Anniversary by Gladys Knight & The Pips was certified gold.
In 1979, “Shake Your Body” by the Jacksons was certified gold.
In 1980, “Stomp!” by the Brothers Johnson entered the Top 40 chart.
In 1980, “And The Beat Goes On” by the Whispers peaked at Number 19 on the pop singles chart.
In 1980, “Off The Wall” by Michael Jackson peaked at Number 10 on the pop singles chart.
In 1980, “Working My Way Back To You” by the Spinners peaked at Number One on the U.K. pop singles chart.
In 1981, heavyweight boxing champion Joe Louis died at the age of 66. He held the world title for a record 12 years and won 68 of his 71 professional fights.
In 1986, “A Little Bit Of Love (Is All It Takes)” by New Edition peaked at Number 38 on the pop singles chart.
In 1986, “Great Gosh A’ Mighty! (It’s A Matter Of Time)” by Little Richard peaked at Number 42 on the pop singles chart.
In 1986, “Let’s Go All The Way” by Sly Fox peaked at Number Seven on the pop singles chart. In 1986, “Overjoyed” by Stevie Wonder peaked at Number 24 on the pop singles chart.

______________________________________________________________________________
Celebrity Birthdays

Suzzanne Douglass, actress, (How Stella Got Her Groove Back, The Parent ‘Hood, Jason’s Lyric), 50
Herbie Hancock, jazz musician, composer, 67
Andy Garcia, actor, (Twisted, Ocean’s Eleven, Hoodlum, When A Man Loves A Woman), 51
Mellow Man Ace, rapper, 40
_______________________________________________________________________________
Words To the Wise

Know that in your heart that you will make it

_______________________________________________________________________________
Contact Information
Freddie Bell
PO Box 390521
Minneapolis, MN 55439
fbellsolidgoldsoul@gmail.com
888-639-9738

www.freddiebell.wordpress.com

Solid Gold Soul

April 13, 2007

Welcome to Solid Gold Soul

OLD BECOMES THE NEW WITH SOLID GOLD SOUL

Solid Gold Soul is returning to the Twin Cities airwaves. Leading that return is veteran broadcaster Freddie Bell who will again treat morning listeners to the Motown sound and more. Normally broadcast news of this magnitude is not released until the station gets on the air. Solid Gold Soul is taking a different stance because of it desire to be inclusive.

Solid Gold Soul is giving our fans, individuals, the Twin Cities business’ community and national advertisers an opportunity to have an active role in this comeback.

The plan is multifaceted. Solid Gold Soul, LLC is offering individuals a chance to have buy-in with the new the station by offering ownership investment positions in the new, old-school-music radio station.

The plan gives listeners a chance to invest in the radio station thus making Solid Gold Soul truly focused on the audience it intends to super-serve and support. Moreover, the investment options are broad enough to provide anyone a chance to own something of increasing value.

Solid Gold Soul is also offering charter-advertising opportunities to the business community and national advertisers. Getting involved with ad buying now makes sense because the rates are advantaged and adds value to the advertising dollar over an extended period of time. Industry experts say the opportunities for investment ownership and charter advertising in a radio enterprise like Solid Gold Soul is unique and a smart move because it helps ensure the long-time viability of the Solid Gold Soul.
To learn how you can be a Solid Gold Soul owner or to become a charter advertiser, send an email to freddiebell950@gmail.com. Hurry! These specific offers will only be available prior to Solid Gold Soul coming on the air. The first broadcast date for the new radio enterprise will be released in the coming weeks.

Bell says the investment and advertising opportunities coupled with the ability to spin the old hits again in Minnesota is nothing short of a miracle. “I hope our fans take advantage of this unique opportunity to be a part of the New Solid Gold Soul !”

For the next several weeks, we’ll be doing something a little different in this space. We want to make sure we give maximum attention to the new Solid Gold Soul . Exposure will be given to the major news of the day as usual, however, we want to make sure that as many people as possible know that Solid Gold Soul is coming back to the air with Freddie Bell.

As mentioned in the article, the new radio station provides a tremendous opportunity for the Twin Cities audience on a number of levels. Help us spread the word. Send this release to your friends, family, business owners and others would consider investing in this new, exciting radio enterprise or who would enjoy listening to the classic R and B hits again on a regular basis. Keep checking back for new details concerning the launch of the New Solid Gold Soul , with Freddie Bell.

Focus Altered For The Update

For the next several weeks, we’ll be doing something a little different in this space. We want to make sure we give maximum attention to the new Solid Gold Soul. Exposure will be given to the major news of the day as usual, however, we want to make sure that as many people as possible know that Solid Gold Soul is coming back to the air with Freddie Bell.
As mentioned in the article, the new radio station provides a tremendous opportunity for the Twin Cities audience on a number of levels. Help us spread the word. Send this release to your friends, family, business owners and others would consider investing in this new, exciting radio enterprise or who would enjoy listening to the classic R and B hits again on a regular basis. Keep checking back for new details concerning the launch of the New Solid Gold Soul, with Freddie Bell.

About Freddie Bell

Freddie Bell, velvet morning voice talent is a mellifluous voice actor, broadcast-journalist, speaker and 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.
Be sure to tell a friend about the Solid Gold Soul Update You can also subscribe on line to have the Update sent to you automatically.
Click on the subscribe link on the right of this page.

NEWS YOU CAN USE: CBS Fires Imus From Radio Show And Tony Blair Blames Rise In Violence On Black Culture

CBS Fires Imus From Radio Show And Tony Blair Blames Rise In Violence On Black Culture CBS announced yesterday (April 12th) that it had fired Don Imus from his radio show, effective immediately, for his comments last week calling the mostly African- American members of Rutgers University’s women’s basketball team, quote, “nappy-headed hos.” CBS made the announcement one day after MSNBC dropped its simulcast broadcast of Imus’ show. Imus’ show had earned about $15 million in annual revenue for CBS, which owns his home radio station WFAN-AM in New York, and manages Westwood One, the company that syndicates the show to 61 stations nationally. Meanwhile, Imus met with members of the basketball team last night at the governor’s mansion in New Jersey. After what was reportedly an emotional, hours-long meeting, everyone left without making a statement. CNN reported that when asked if they’d accepted Imus’ apology, coach C. Vivian Stringer said they were all tired and weren’t in a position to say anything.

Meanwhile, Britain got its very own version of Don Imus Wednesday after the nation’s prime minister, Tony Blair, raised the ire of black leaders by blaming a rise in the murder rate on black culture, reports The Guardian.

JAMIE FOXX COMING TO MINNEAPOLIS

JAMIE FOXX
UNPREDICTABLE TOUR
Special Guest - Speedy (comedian)

Jamie Foxx — Unpredictable Tour

Wednesday, May 9th, 2007

8:00 PM

Doors open at 7:00 PM

Target Center

TIckets go on sales tomorrow, Saturday, April 14th, 2007 at 11:00 AM at the Target Center Box Office, all Ticketmaster locations including Marshall Field’s, charge by phone at (651) 989-5151 or online at ticketmaster.com.

$69.75 & $49.75

All seats reserved.

Foxx is on a 30-city national arena and theatre tour performing songs from his hit album “Unpredictable.” His performance will be a combination of songs and comedy with Foxx returning to his roots.

T.I. SET TO RELEASE NEW SINGLE

Grammy Award winner T.I. is almost done with his new album, T.I. vs. T.I.P., which he plans to release this summer. MTV.com reports that the rapper will release the lead single from the project, “Big Things Poppin’,” next week. The song was produced by Mannie Fresh. T.I. explained the concept behind the song, noting, “‘Big Things Poppin’ is really just me talking to these people who say things and can’t back it up. You know how some people say, ‘Money talks and bulls**t runs a marathon’? I’m saying the equivalent of that.”

T.I. vs. T.I.P. will feature collaborations with Eminem, Ciara, and Nelly.

BOW WOW IS DOING HIS PART TO STOP UNDERAGE DRINKING

Rapper and actor Bow Wow has hooked up with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company to spread the word against underage drinking during prom season. Bow Wow performed at Sam Houston High School in Houston to kick-off MADD’s THINK.Prom program which asks students to pledge to be alcohol and drug- free during prom.

MADD National President Glynn Birch said in a released statement, “We are proud to work with Nationwide to provide the THINK.Prom program because the choices students make today impact their lives tomorrow. We are asking teens to leave alcohol out of prom, never ride with someone who’s been drinking and to buckle up. We want students to remember every detail of one of the biggest nights of the year.”

Bow Wow added, “People don’t understand what comes with being famous. There are pressures as an artist and an individual. The choice to not drink underage or use drugs is a personal choice. It’s not always the easiest choice to make, but I’ve decided not to do the party scene, and it’s the right choice for me and my life as a rapper, actor and entrepreneur.”

According to published statistics, during prom weekends in 2005, 290 young people ages 15-20 were killed in alcohol-related crashes. 198 of the 290 deaths involved a 15-20-year-old impaired driver.

Bow Wow is still promoting his latest album, The Price of Fame.

LIL MAMA SET TO RELEASE DEBUT ALBUM

Jive recording artist Lil Mama will release her debut album, V.Y.P. (The Voice of The Young People), this summer. The first single from the project is “Lip Gloss.” The album will feature the production of Swizz Beatz, Dame Grease, and Scram Jones.

The teen rapper explained why she plans to have longevity. She said: “Yes I definitely feel that I’m going to have longevity in my craft because this is what I do. This is what I love and this is something that I’m great at.”

Lil Mama, who wrote her entire debut album, explained why she didn’t use any ghost writers. She said: “Like, a lot of people say, ‘Why don’t you have someone write for you sometimes.’ It’s not that I have a problem with someone writing for me sometimes but they can’t express how I feel. Like you can give me the topic and I can write it for myself because I know where I want to come from with that subject that you are making this song around.”

RIHANNA SEXING UP HER IMAGE

Barbados-born singer Rihanna plans to match the title of her upcoming album, Good Girl Gone Bad, with a correspondingly raunchy image. Already sexy, she’s planning on kicking it up a notch, telling Britain’s Sun, “I have changed my image. The whole sound is about me not being the little innocent Rihanna and taking more risks.”

“I have broken out of my shell,” continued the Jay-Z protege, adding, “I have come into my own.” Rihanna doesn’t say exactly how she plans to “slut it up,” but there have been no announcements of any appearances in the actual Girls Gone Wild video series thus far.

FERGIE SENDS BUTT-SHAPED CAKE TO ALANIS MORRISETTE

Fergie sent Alanis Morissette a special cake in the shape of a butt, congratulating her on her video remake of the Black Eyed Peas’ “My Humps,” which has been a runaway success on YouTube, reports People. A note on the cake read, “Alanis, you’re a genius.”

People also said that previous reports of Fergie sending flowers to Morissette are not true. In other news, TMZ reports Fergie is dissing Nelly Furtado on her new song with Daddy Yankee, called “Impacto.” Fergie says on the song, “I ain’t promiscuous, the realest chick up in this… I’ma pull your wig back!”

PAULA ABDUL NERVOUS ABOUT VISITING NEW ORLEANS THIS WEEKEND

Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson are sprinkling a little bit of American Idol fairy dust on the Big Easy this weekend. The pair are going to New Orleans to shoot a segment for the show in which they’ll meet with Hurricane Katrina victims to lift their spirits. As with Ryan Seacrest and Simon Cowell’s trip to Africa, the trek is part promotion, part charity.

Abdul said, “I’m really eager to make a difference if I can, and I think with the two of us going down there, we’re going to connect instantaneously with the kids and with the families.”

Abdul hasn’t been to New Orleans since Katrina hit, and she said she’s nervous about what she’ll see: “I’m only am… I have a lot of… like my heart of kind of beating extra, a little extra. I just feel… I’m a little nervous to see what I’m going to see.”

FORMER ‘AMERICAN IDOL’ CONTESTANT GOES ‘HARDCORE’

Olivia Mojica didn’t have much luck on the second season of American Idol but she has another shot a fame through the porn industry. The Texas native is the star of a sex tape going on sale May 3rd that’s being promoted by its distributors as “really hot” and “dirty.” Mojica made the tape with her boyfriend last month in New York, and she has the dubious distinction of being the first contestant from Idol to have a hardcore sex video. It’s appropriately titled Hardcore Idol.

The video is being distributed by Vivid Entertainment, the same outfit behind the Kim Kardashian/Ray J sex tape. The company said it acquired Mojica’s footage legally, and is trying to contact her for promotional efforts and revenue sharing.

Mojica was ranked as one of the “best of the rest” Idol contestants in 2003.

MOVIE OPENINGS TODAY

‘PERFECT STRANGER’

A reporter played by Halle Berry assumes two new identities to get to the bottom of a friend’s murder. She pretends to be a temp at an ad agency in order to establish a professional relationship with the man she thinks offed her pal, and at the same time, she creates an Internet persona to get close to the man from another angle. Bruce Willis and Giovanni Ribisi co-star. Halle said Bruce Willis was a perfect choice for Perfect Stranger: “It was really, really great. He’s wonderful in this movie. He’s perfectly cast. He had a real handle on who this guy was and what motivated him and, he’s wonderful in the movie.” Bruce calls Perfect Stranger an urban thriller: “It’s a thriller. It’s an urban, smart, fast-paced who-done-it. You know, who killed who? Who is doing who? Who is doing what, when.”

______________________________________________________________________________
Black History Fact

In 1891, Nella Larsen was born in Chicago. She wrote two important novels of the Harlem Renaissance, Quicksand and Passing.
In 1946, Eddie Klepp, a white pitcher signed by the defending Negro League champions the Cleveland Buckeyes, was barred from the field in Birmingham, Alabama.
In 1957, “I’m Walking” by Fats Domino peaked at Number Four on the pop chart.
In 1957, “Lucille” by Little Richard peaked at Number 21 on the pop chart.
In 1963, “Bill Bailey, Won’t You Please Come Home” by Ella Fitzgerald peaked at Number 75 on the pop chart.
In 1963, “Do The Bird” by Dee Dee Sharp peaked at Number 10 on the pop chart.
In 1963, “Baby Workout” by Jackie Wilson peaked at Number Five on the pop chart.
In 1963, “South Street” by the Orlons peaked at Number Three on the pop chart.
In 1964, Sidney Poitier became the first African-American in a leading role to win a Best Actor Academy Award, for his role in Lilies Of The Field.
In 1967, the Temptations’ “All I Need” was released.
In 1968, “Tighten Up” by Archie Bell & the Drells entered the Top 40 chart.
In 1974, “You Make Me Feel Brand New” by the Stylistics entered the Top 40 chart.
In 1974, “Touch A Hand, Make A Friend” by the Staple Singers peaked at Number 23 on the pop chart.
In 1977, Ask Rufus by Rufus was certified platinum.
In 1977, “I’ve Got Love On My Mind” by Natalie Cole was certified gold.
In 1985, “Suddenly” by Billy Ocean entered the Top 40 chart.
In 1985, “Missing You” by Diana Ross peaked at Number 10 on the pop chart.
In 1985, “The Bird” by the Time peaked at Number 36 on the pop chart.

______________________________________________________________________________
Celebrity Birthdays

Peabo Bryson, singer, music producer, songwriter, 56
Al Green, singer and songwriter, 61
Jill Scott, singer, 35
Louis Johnson, singer, musician of the Brothers Johnson, 52
Wayne Lewis, singer, musician, songwriter of Atlantic Starr, 50

_______________________________________________________________________________
Words To the Wise

Stay in prayer

_______________________________________________________________________________
Contact Information
Freddie Bell
PO Box 390521
Minneapolis, MN 55439
fbellsolidgoldsoul@gmail.com
888-639-9738

www.freddiebell.wordpress.com

Solid Gold Soul

April 11, 2007

Welcome to Solid Gold Soul

OLD BECOMES THE NEW WITH SOLID GOLD SOUL

Solid Gold Soul is returning to the Twin Cities airwaves. Leading that return is veteran broadcaster Freddie Bell who will again treat morning listeners to the Motown sound and more. Normally broadcast news of this magnitude is not released until the station gets on the air. Solid Gold Soul is taking a different stance because of it desire to be inclusive.

Solid Gold Soul is giving our fans, individuals, the Twin Cities business’ community and national advertisers an opportunity to have an active role in this comeback.

The plan is multifaceted. Solid Gold Soul, LLC is offering individuals a chance to have buy-in with the new the station by offering ownership investment positions in the new, old-school-music radio station.

The plan gives listeners a chance to invest in the radio station thus making Solid Gold Soul truly focused on the audience it intends to super-serve and support. Moreover, the investment options are broad enough to provide anyone a chance to own something of increasing value.

Solid Gold Soul is also offering charter-advertising opportunities to the business community and national advertisers. Getting involved with ad buying now makes sense because the rates are advantaged and adds value to the advertising dollar over an extended period of time. Industry experts say the opportunities for investment ownership and charter advertising in a radio enterprise like Solid Gold Soul is unique and a smart move because it helps ensure the long-time viability of the Solid Gold Soul.
To learn how you can be a Solid Gold Soul owner or to become a charter advertiser, send an email to freddiebell950@gmail.com. Hurry! These specific offers will only be available prior to Solid Gold Soul coming on the air. The first broadcast date for the new radio enterprise will be released in the coming weeks.

Bell says the investment and advertising opportunities coupled with the ability to spin the old hits again in Minnesota is nothing short of a miracle. “I hope our fans take advantage of this unique opportunity to be a part of the New Solid Gold Soul !”

For the next several weeks, we’ll be doing something a little different in this space. We want to make sure we give maximum attention to the new Solid Gold Soul . Exposure will be given to the major news of the day as usual, however, we want to make sure that as many people as possible know that Solid Gold Soul is coming back to the air with Freddie Bell.

As mentioned in the article, the new radio station provides a tremendous opportunity for the Twin Cities audience on a number of levels. Help us spread the word. Send this release to your friends, family, business owners and others would consider investing in this new, exciting radio enterprise or who would enjoy listening to the classic R and B hits again on a regular basis. Keep checking back for new details concerning the launch of the New Solid Gold Soul , with Freddie Bell.

Focus Altered For The Update

For the next several weeks, we’ll be doing something a little different in this space. We want to make sure we give maximum attention to the new Solid Gold Soul. Exposure will be given to the major news of the day as usual, however, we want to make sure that as many people as possible know that Solid Gold Soul is coming back to the air with Freddie Bell.
As mentioned in the article, the new radio station provides a tremendous opportunity for the Twin Cities audience on a number of levels. Help us spread the word. Send this release to your friends, family, business owners and others would consider investing in this new, exciting radio enterprise or who would enjoy listening to the classic R and B hits again on a regular basis. Keep checking back for new details concerning the launch of the New Solid Gold Soul, with Freddie Bell.

About Freddie Bell

Freddie Bell, velvet morning voice talent is a mellifluous voice actor, broadcast-journalist, speaker and 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.
Be sure to tell a friend about the Solid Gold Soul Update You can also subscribe on line to have the Update sent to you automatically.
Click on the subscribe link on the right of this page.

FANTASIA TO MAKE BROADWAY DEBUT IN WAKE OF STREP THROAT

Fantasia Barrino will take center stage in The Color Purple on Broadway tonight. Producer Oprah Winfrey handpicked Fantasia to play the lead of Celie in the Broadway musical, and box office revenues have gone up to $6.5 million, since she signed on.

She also had to deal with a case of strep throat in the week leading up to her debut, which led to doctors orders to not sing or talk, reports MTV. “I started to cry,” she said. “And the doctor was like, ‘What are you crying about?’ I was like, ‘Doctor, I have work to do. I have a big position!’ But all the [previous] Celies told me they got sick before they went on, so I think it was just nerves.”

Fantasia is also now saying that, contrary to the way her story was portrayed in the press, previously, she was never illiterate. According to the New York Post, Fantasia said “I dropped out of school in the ninth grade, and when I said I had trouble reading, they took it that I couldn’t read at all, I knew the basics, but some words that were unfamiliar, I couldn’t figure them out.”
Here’s more on that.

Fantasia now says, “I’m da bomb now, babe!”

ANTHONY HAMILTON’S PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED MATERIAL OUT NOW

Some early recordings by soul singer Anthony Hamilton were recently released by Giant Step Records. The album, titled Southern Comfort, was recorded before Hamilton released his breakthrough 2003 sophomore set, Comin’ From Where I’m From, on So So Def/Arista Records, and after he released his debut set, XTC, on MCA Records in 1996.

Southern Comfort features production by Fanatic, Doug Coleman and Ced Solo. Some of the standout tracks are “They Don’t Know Me,” “Don’t Say what You Won’t Do,” “Trouble,” and “Magnolia’s Room.”

Hamilton’s last studio album was 2006’s Ain’t Nobody Worryin’.

GINA GLOCKSEN WORKED HARD TO GET ON ‘AMERICAN IDOL’

If there’s a lesson to be learned from Gina Glocksen’s time as an American Idol finalist, it’s the old adage “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try, again.” The Chicago native auditioned for the show three times before she made the Top 12 this year, and she tweaked her singing styles between each and every effort.

Glocksen said she worked the hardest in the years leading up to her Top 12 appearance on making her voice more accessible in all genres: “I’m glad that I got cut on the previous rounds when I did because they obviously thought I had things to work on and I did that, and I had a couple years to work on it. I took some vocal lessons, just working on how to make my voice work with different genres because I knew that I had to know how to make my voice work with each genre. I did what I had to do and I think I did it well.”

Glocksen said she was disappointed to be cut from the competition, mostly because it came out of the blue: “I was really disappointed because at no point in time did I think that I’d be going home. I thought that I had a really good performance on Tuesday and I was really proud of the song that I chose and the way that I chose to present it. It was just emotional to know that I’d be going home. I didn’t even have a chance to be in the bottom three ever, and the one time that I was, I’m going home.”

The remaining eight finalists continue on tonight (April 10th) with mentoring from Jennifer Lopez.

American Idol airs Tuesdays at 8, and Wednesdays at 9 on Fox.

CHRIS ROCK TURNING ATTENTION TO HAIR SHOW

Chris Rock didn’t exactly hit it out of the ballpark with his last movie I Think I Love My Wife, but his next project is sure to raise a few hairs — literally. Rock is laying the groundwork for a documentary on the Bonner Brothers Hair Show, a days-long affair that attracts hair dressers from all over the world.

Rock began researching the show in February, and he said it’s the perfect subject for a documentary because it’s fascinating in many ways: “It’s just rich. All these hairdressers from all over the world converge in Atlanta for these hair competitions. It’s great and it’s weird and it’s flamboyant. It’s, you know, just black people and our hair. Just people that make 25 grand a year spending six grand on their hair is fascinating.”

Rock will do a short stand-up tour before turning all of his attention on the documentary.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN

Diana Ross is back on the road for her first extended U.S. dates in seven years, Tina Turner is coming out of retirement for an upcoming charity show and a new studio album and the documentary Africa Unite, which chronicles the 2005 Ethiopian concert that celebrated Bob Marley’s 60th birthday, was screened on Saturday (April 7th) at New York’s Walter Reade Theater at Lincoln Center.

______________________________________________________________________________
Black History Fact

In 1919, Mexican revolutionary leader Emiliano Zapata was killed in an army ambush in Chinameca, Mexico.
In 1947, Jackie Robinson became the first black player to achieve major league baseball status when the Brooklyn Dodgers bought his contract from the Montreal Royals of the International League.
In 1956, Nat “King” Cole was attacked and severely beaten by a group of segregationists while singing onstage at the Municipal Hall in Birmingham, Alabama.
In 1967, the album An Evening With Belafonte by Harry Belafonte was certified gold.
In 1965, “I’ll Be Doggone” by Marvin Gaye entered the Top 40 chart.
In 1965, “Nowhere To Run” by Martha &the Vandellas peaked at Number Eight on the pop singles chart.
In 1968, Congress passed a Civil Rights Bill that banned racial discrimination in the sale or rental of the nation’s housing.
In 1971, “Never Can Say Goodbye” by the Jacksons entered the Top 40 chart.
In 1971, “What’s Going On” by Marvin Gaye peaked at Number Two on the pop singles chart.
In 1972, the “Theme from Shaft’” received an Academy Award for Best Original Song in a film. Isaac Hayes, who composed and performed the recording, received a standing ovation during the presentation of his Oscar.

______________________________________________________________________________
Celebrity Birthdays

Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds, singer, music producer, lyricist, 49

Kenny Lattimore, singer, 37

Bunny Wailer, reggae musician, of Bob Marley & the Wailers, 60

Ken Griffey, Sr., former Major League Baseball player; father of Ken Griffey, Jr., 57

Orlando Jones, actor, comedian, (Mad TV, Runaway Jury, Drumline), 39

_______________________________________________________________________________
Words To the Wise

Thoughts held in mind produce tangible results

_______________________________________________________________________________
Contact Information
Freddie Bell
PO Box 390521
Minneapolis, MN 55439
fbellsolidgoldsoul@gmail.com
888-639-9738

www.freddiebell.wordpress.com

Morning Show Update

March 27, 2007

Welcome to the Update

Freddie Bell, velvet morning voice talent is a mellifluous voice actor, broadcast-journalist, speaker and 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.

Be sure to tell a friend about the Morning Show Update. You can also subscribe on line to have the Update sent to you automatically.
Click on the subscribe link on the right of this page.

FOXY BROWN MAY BE HEADED TO JAIL

There is a warrant out for the arrest of Foxy Brown, according to TMZ, after she didn’t show up to a court date in Broward County, Florida on Thursday (March 22nd), to face battery charges.

Brown was in Florida on February 15th when she got into an altercation with the owner of a beauty supply shop. The proprietor alleges Brown threw hair glue at him and spat in his face. She also reportedly resisted arrest when the police arrived.

Recent events leading up to the warrant:

In February, a Manhattan judge spared Brown from a year in jail for violating her probation by being in Florida.
Also in February, she held a press conference claiming she had been abused by the Pembroke Pines Police department in Florida during the incident.
This month, she was hit with misdemeanor charges of battery and resisting arrest without violence in Broward County, Florida. Her failure to show up in court to answer to the charges is what led to the warrant for her arrest.

SNOOP DOGG DENIED VISA BY BRITS

Rapper Snoop Dogg is currently on a European tour with Sean “Diddy” Combs and the tour is slated to play London’s Wembley Arena on Tuesday (March 27th), but British authorities have denied Snoop Dogg a visa. Celena Aponte, a spokesman for the rapper, told New York’s Daily News, “Snoop and his team are mystified at the decision. He has asked how he can help rectify the situation and would happily talk to and give assurances to the officials.”

It’s seems unlikely that Snoop Dogg will be granted a visa but Combs plans to move forward with the five planned UK tour dates. The British ban of Snoop Dogg was announced last May after the rapper was involved in a brawl at Heathrow Airport. Snoop Dogg, whose real name is Calvin Broadus, and five members of his entourage were arrested and charged with violent disorder and affray on April 26th, 2006.

Police officers were called to Heathrow’s Terminal 1 after members of the rapper’s entourage threw bottles of whisky and argued with staff at a duty free shop after being refused entry to a first- class lounge. According to British authorities, after officers told the group they would not be allowed to board their flight, “a number of the group became abusive and pushed officers,” resulting in seven of the officers receiving cuts, bruises, and other minor injuries. According to British Airways, Snoop Dogg’s party was denied access to the lounge because some members of his party were holding economy and coach tickets instead of the first class tickets necessary to gain admittance to the lounge. The airline has also been banned the rapper from flying with them.

VIDA GUERRA BARES ALL TO PROVE INTERNET PHOTOS WERE FAKE

Vida Guerra decided to go naked for Playboy to prove that Internet images of her naked were bogus. The curvy model-turned- actress blew off offers to strip for magazines several times before she agreed to a Playboy spread last year. Fake snapshots of her made her feel it was time to bare all and show fans the real Guerra.

She says, “They (Playboy) had asked me three times (and) I got a little upset about the situation. They were making such a big deal about it that I said, ‘I might as well take Playboy up on their offer and do it in a nice, classy, tasteful way, since everyone is so curious to see how I look in my birthday suit.”

And Vida tells fans not to get duped by fake nude shots in the future. She says they should look for her beauty marks. She tells King magazine, “I have a beauty mark that tells. You can compare the real thing with the (bogus) picture and it’s like, ‘Nah!’ You can’t see it in the Playboy spread because there is no open- crotch (shot). One is below my navel and the other is in my inner thigh.”

RUN DMC LIVE DVD DUE OUT NEXT WEEK

Run DMC was recently named the greatest rap group of all time and a big reason for that was the group’s unforgettable live show. Considering how big the group was, one would think that there are several live DVDs of the group commercially available but it’s actually quite the opposite. The new Run DMC Live At The Montreux 2001 DVD, which hits stores next Tuesday, April 3rd, features the group at its best and it was recorded just a year and a half before the murder of Jam Master Jay.

Group member DMC shared his thoughts on the 2001 performance. He said: “No different than any other show but it was just wild knowing we’re at the Montreux Jazz Festival, which is huge. It ain’t like doing the Garden [Madison Square] cause you at the Garden, you coming to represent. You excited or if you’re at the club, the spot, you know, but we was like, ‘Yo this is weird.’ But it was no different than rocking a park or whatever, which was kind of cool.”

DMC added: “And you looking at people from all over the world too and they’re like, they know the records. It was a weird experience but afterwards it’s like, ‘hey it’s just another show.’”

The DVD’s track listing includes: “Intro,” “It’s Like That,” “It’s Tricky,” “Rock Box/Sucker MCs/Here We Go/Beats To The Rhyme” Medley, “King Of Rock,” “Mary Mary,” ‘Walk This Way,” “School of Old,” ‘Who Wants My Hat?” “It’s Over,” “Peter Piper,” “Down With The King,” “Who Wants My Shirt?” and “Got To Be Real.”

ATLANTA RAPPER DG YOLA SHOT IN THE FACE

Atlanta-based rapper DG Yola, who is signed to Atlantic Records, was shot in the face during a robbery attempt early Saturday (March 24th) morning, in Atlanta. Allhiphop.com reports that 21-year-old rapper was stopped at a red light when he was shot by an unidentified assailant. The bullet went through Yola’s cheek and out of the other.

The rapper is expected to make a full recovery. His family issued the following statement, “He is already up and about and writing. Yola ain’t gonna let up. We respectfully request privacy and appreciate the well wishes and prayers of Yola’s fans during this time.”

The rapper is slated to release his debut album, Gutta World, in June.

TILA TEQUILA LASHES OUT AT MYSPACE

Unsigned artist Tila Tequila, who has used her MySpace page to become a star, is claiming that the social networking site has sold out. Tila, who has accumulated a whopping 1.7 million MySpace friends, now says, “The reason why I am so bummed out about MySpace is because recently they have been cutting down our freedom and taking away our rights slowly, MySpace will now only allow you to use ‘MySpace’ things… I feel like they’ve become so corporate now … you’re just stuck here and only here.”

MySpace, the Internet’s largest social network, is now limiting which software tools can be used on the site, and what music users can download. Tila Tequila said that she has a problem with this, because it restricts what she can do with her page.

Tila Tequila currently has a number one single on iTunes, called “I Love You,” which was produced by Lil’ Jon. Tila is now featured on VH1’s The 40 Greatest Internet Superstars, which premiered this weekend.

Tila was recently featured in the New York Post ’s “Hot List,” holding the number eight spot as the coolest girl on MySpace.com, for how much she hates her ex boyfriend Jared Leto, and for a sex tape that’s floating around.

WHAT DOES R KELLY REALLY MEAN WHEN HE SINGS ‘MAKE IT RAIN’?

R. Kelly is being suspected of referring to sexual activity in his appearance on the DJ Khaled remix of Fat Joe’s “Make it Rain.” The song also features Lil Wayne, Baby, and Rick Ross.

A source inside the Cook County State Attorney’s office in Chicago says, “all the other artists on the song used the term ‘Make It Rain’ to mean showering a woman with money, R Kelly’s talking about urinating on a girl in the song …If nothing else the lyrics show his true state of mind … But we’ll see who gets the last laugh.”

R. Kelly is awaiting trial for 14 counts of child pornography. Cook County prosecutors charged Kelly with child pornography in 2002, for allegedly videotaping himself having sex with a 14- year-old girl.

In February, Kelly missed a court appearance after undergoing surgery for a burst appendix, his lawyer said.

IS JAY-Z FEUDING WITH L.A. REID OVER SALARY?

Jay Z’s contract as CEO of Def Jam records will be up for renewal at the end of this year, and he reportedly wants a raise of several million dollars, but sources say L.A. Reid may not be willing to pay more, according to the New York Daily News.

Industry insiders speculate there is trouble between Jay Z, who is the CEO of Island/Def Jam, and Reid, who is the Chairman of the Board of the label.

However, Reid said to the New York Daily News, “We really love Jay… he is so important to our company there’s not much we wouldn’t do to keep him here, money being the least of them”.

Reportedly Jay Z is asking for several million dollars more, on top of his current salary, plus bigger bonuses for records that do well.

EMINEM WANTS HIS EX-WIFE TO SHUT UP `

Eminem and Kimberly Mathers have spent their share of time in court due to their two divorces and the duo’s various legal issues but it looks like they’ll be headed back today (March 26th), as Eminem has filed a motion to stop Mathers from bad mouthing him in interviews.

The Detroit News reports that Eminem and his lawyers will be in court today (March 26th), to argue in support of his motion to keep Mathers from making “derogatory, disparaging, inflammatory, and otherwise negative comments” during interviews. According to the rapper’s motion, the remarks are having an adverse effect on their 11- year-old daughter, Hailie Jade, and its in everybody’s best interest to “protect the child from further harm,” and to prevent “any further behavior likely to expose the minor child to humiliation and hostility.”

Mathers has appeared on 20/20 and several other news outlets. She’s discussed the couple’s two marriages and divorces, Eminem’s continued alleged drug use, and that the rapper allegedly drove her to attempted suicide.

WEEKEND MOVIE WRAP-UP

The computer-animated comedy TMNT, starring the superstar reptiles of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise, debuted in first place at the weekend box office, making it the top performer among the six new films out in wide release this past weekend. The ancient battle epic 300 fell to second place after two weekends at Number One. Opening in third place was Shooter, starring Mark Wahlberg as a former Marine sniper who’s framed for a presidential assassination. Mark explains the premise behind his Shooter character’s actions: “He’s one of probably the best four shots in the entire world at any given time. He was a gunnery sergeant in the marines. They recruit him for this job. The archbishop of Ethiopia ends up getting assassinated and he’s now on the run, shot twice, and has to not only survive that, but then eventually figure out how he can prove his innocence and take down those who are responsible.”

Reign Over Me took the number 8 slot. Adam Sandler puts on his serious hat to play Charlie Fineman, a once successful dentist who’s been reduced to a mumbling, video-game playing recluse after his wife and daughters are killed on September 11th. Charlie lives off his insurance money and mingles with no one until his dental school roommate runs into him on the street and tries helping him through his grief. Don Cheadle co-stars. Adam speaks on his heavy Reign role: “I prepared for a long time and tried to stay as focused as I can be. I knew it was very important, the part, and to feel as much as I could so I tried to just be prepared for every day. It wasn’t like movies I’ve done in the past where I’m laughing and having a great time on the set, it was definitely a heavier feeling for me.”

Meanwhile Pride barely made the top ten at number 9. A former competitive swimmer, desperate to make ends meet, takes a job cleaning up a derelict recreation center. He butts heads with the center’s curmudgeony janitor at first but proves himself by teaching some of the neighborhood kids how to swim. Pride is inspired by the true story of Philadelphia coach Jim Ellis, and stars Terrence Howard and Bernie Mac. Terrence talks about wearing ’70s costumes in Pride: “You know, this is disco time! You remember the disco time from Saturday Night Fever. Tony and those cats, they had nice bodies, they were slim and they could move across that floor. That’s what I wanted, I wanted to put on my macking outfit and you know, and go and do it. And I looked forward to getting dressed every day.”

THIS WEEKEND’S TOP TEN MOVIES - MARCH 23- 25

1. TMNT, $25.45 million
2. 300, $20.5 million
3. Shooter, $14.5 million
4. Wild Hogs, $14.4 million
5. The Last Mimzy, $10.2 million
6. Premonition, $10.1 million
7. The Hills Have Eyes 2, $10 million
8. Reign Over Me, $8 million
9. Pride, $4 million
10. Dead Silence, $3.5 million

______________________________________________________________________________
Black History Fact

In 1831, religious leader Richard Allen, the first African- American ordained by the Methodist- Episcopal church, died. He was born February 14th, 1760.
In 1917, singer, songwriter, Rufus Thomas was born.
In 1959, the Coasters recorded their single “Along Came Jones.”
In 1964, Chuck Berry recorded “No Particular Place To Go” at Chess Studios in Chicago.
In 1966, “634-5789 (Soulsville, U.S.A.)” by Wilson Pickett peaked at Number 13 on the pop singles chart.
In 1966, “Shake Me, Wake Me (When It’s Over)” by the Four Tops peaked at Number 18 on the pop singles chart.
In 1969, “I Heard It Through The Grapevine” by Marvin Gaye peaked at Number One on the U.K. pop singles chart.
In 1974, George Foreman knocked out Ken Norton in Caracas, Venezuela, in the second round to retain the world heavyweight title.
In 1983, “You Are” by Lionel Richie peaked at Number Four on the pop singles chart.
In 1988, “Man In The Mirror” by Michael Jackson peaked at Number One on the pop singles chart.
In 1988, “Ooo La La La” by Teena Marie peaked at Number 85 on the pop singles chart.
In 1988, Jesse Jackson stunned fellow Democrats by soundly defeating Michael S. Dukakis in Michigan’s Democratic presidential caucuses.
In 1990, Denzel Washington won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in the film Glory.
In 1990, the album Born To Sing by En Vogue was released.
In 1991, “The First Vision” video by Mariah Carey was certified gold and platinum.
In 1992, Superior Court Judge Patricia Gifford sentenced former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson to six years in prison. She also denied him bail and ordered him to serve the term immediately for raping Desiree Washington in July 1991. Tyson ended up serving three years.

______________________________________________________________________________
Celebrity Birthdays

Teddy Pendergrass, singer, songwriter, 57 Diana Ross, singer-actress, member of the Supremes, 63
Marcus Allen, NFL running back, 47
Ernest Thomas, actor (What’s Happening!’s Roger ‘Raj” Thomas, Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star), 57
_______________________________________________________________________________
Words To the Wise

Go for it all
_______________________________________________________________________________
Contact Information
Freddie Bell
PO Box 390521
Minneapolis, MN 55439
fbellsolidgoldsoul@gmail.com
888-639-9738

www.freddiebell.wordpress.com

Morning Show Update

March 26 2007

Welcome to the Update

Freddie Bell, velvet morning voice talent is a mellifluous voice actor, broadcast-journalist, speaker and 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.

Be sure to tell a friend about the Morning Show Update. You can also subscribe on line to have the Update sent to you automatically.
Click on the subscribe link on the right of this page.

Tubby Smith Leaves Kentucky For Minnesota

Tubby Smith, who led the Kentucky Wildcats to the NCAA championship in his first season but spent the next nine years trying to live up to the school’s storied reputation, accepted the head coaching job at Minnesota on Thursday. Smith, who had four years remaining on his contract at Kentucky, will be introduced at a 1 p.m. ET news conference Friday in Minneapolis. Kentucky will still honor the $1.5 million incentive bonus that Smith is due on April 3. Minnesota athletic director Joel Maturi said Smith agreed to a seven-year deal to coach the Golden Gophers worth $1.8 million a year. “You always want to be wanted,” Smith told the Lexington (Ky.) Herald-Leader in a story posted on its Web site Thursday night. “You know they have a need.” Smith, speaking by phone on “Mike and Mike in the Morning” on ESPN2 on Friday, said a new challenge was the main reason for the move. “We all need to be challenged,” Smith said. “In the Big Ten, it’s as tough as there is for a conference in the country. This will give me a new life, a new start and I’m anxious, eager and excited about it.” Smith informed Kentucky players and athletics director Mitch Barnhart about his decision earlier Thursday and also phoned former Minnesota coach Dan Monson, who was fired in November, to tell him he was accepting the job.

50 CENT ANNOUNCES NEW FILM PROJECT

Rapper 50 Cent has agreed to star in Universal Pictures’ new heist movie, Live Bet, which will be set in the world of underground clubs and illegal car racing. Daily Variety reports that the script is being rewritten by Mexican director Alejandro Lozano who will helm the project. It is slated to begin shooting this summer in New York, Philadelphia, and Las Vegas.

Mary Parent and Scott Stuber will serve as executive producers along with G-Unit Films’ Chris Lighty.

50 Cent’s previous screen credits include Get Rich Or Die Tryin’ and Home of the Brave. The rapper is also slated to star opposite Nicholas Cage in The Dance later this year.

In related news, 50 Cent will release his third solo album, Before I Self Destruct, on June 19th.

And then there’s more: the tension is building between 50 Cent’s camp and Jimmy “Henchmen” Rosemond’s Czar Entertainment after Rosemond’s 14 year-old son was allegedly assaulted by Tony Yayo on Tuesday afternoon (March 22nd), outside of Violator Management’s office as he was on his way to an internship at his father’s company.

Allhiphop.com reports that 50 Cent and Tony Yayo were leaving the offices of Violator Management, which is located on 36 West 25th Street, when they saw the boy walking down the street, wearing a Czar Entertainment T-shirt.

A source said, “As 50 was getting into his SUV, he hand signaled over to Yayo and his entourage to approach and harass the boy. After being interrogated for several minutes as to why he was wearing a Czar Entertainment sweatshirt, Yayo pushed the boy up against the wall.”

Yayo allegedly backhanded the boy before yelling several curses.

Rosemond may press charges against 50 Cent and Yayo. The beef between the two camps stems from the fact that Rosemond manages The Game. Yayo and the elder Rosemond also allegedly got into a heated exchange at Justo’s 10th Annual Mixtape Awards last December.

Rosemond also bumped heads with 50 Cent over the DVD on the life of the real 50 Cent, Kelvin Martin. At the time, Rosemond said: “You know, when you really study Curtis Jackson with how he resolves his problems, he never really deals with the issues at hand. We saw this with Game. When he had a problem with Game — who was signed to him — he went to the radio station and aired the problems out.”

DJ KHALED RECRUITS HEAVYWEIGHTS FOR SOPHOMORE SET

The Terror Squad’s DJ Khaled will release his sophomore album, We The Best, on June 12th. The deejay has recruited some of hip hop’s biggest stars to appear in the project including T.I., Game, Jadakiss, Paul Wall, Trick Daddy, Ja Rule, Ludacris, Rick Ross, Jeezy, Lil’ Wayne, Akon, Baby, Styles P, Cassidy, Juelz Santana, and Young Dro.

The first single from the project is “We Takin’ Over” featuring Fat Joe, Lil Wayne, Baby, Rick Ross, T.I., and Akon. Khaled recently shot a video in Miami with director Gil Green for the song, which will be available via iTunes on March 27th.

DJ Khaled released his debut album, Listennn…The Album, last year and the set sold more than 200,000 copies independently.

BRITNEY SPEARS STILL HAS LOTS OF MONEY AND KEVIN FEDERLINE ISN’T GETTING MUCH OF IT

We heard earlier this week that Britney Spears had gone through $21 million in the last two years, and was close to bankruptcy. We also heard she was giving Kevin Federline a $20 million divorce settlement.

We speculated that one of these reports was false. We were wrong. They’re both false.

The New York Daily News says Britney is still worth about $100 million. . . while TMZ.com says your man K-Fed is bound by an iron-clad prenuptial agreement that only awards him $1 million.

YOUNG CITY GETS PROBATION FOR 2001 ROBBERY CONVICTION

Rapper Young City (Chopper), formerly of Bad Boy’s Da Band, was able to avoid jail time last week when Baltimore County Circuit Court judge Michael Finifter sentenced the rapper to two years of probation and 100 hours of community service for a 2001 robbery. The rapper’s lawyer, Paul Gardner, told Allhiphop.com, “No jail time. We arrived at a mutually satisfactory disposition that allows Chopper to immediately continue the execution of a multi-million dollar record deal.”

Young City, whose real name is Kevin Barnes, said, “I had a lot of situations come to me that I defeated that a normal person like me would not have been able to. All publicity is good publicity. I don’t want to be looked at as a criminal; I just want to be looked at as a person that made a mistake. The situation in Baltimore, I was a young kid, a product of my environment. Peer pressure is a motherf***er.”

The charges in Baltimore stem from an incident on September 29th, 2001, when the rapper allegedly approached a couple near the Eastpoint Mall in Baltimore while riding his mountain bike. According to court records, Chopper, who was 16 at the time, flashed a BB gun and took $90 in cash from the man’s pocket. He was arrested at the scene.

In related news, the rapper is facing aggravated assault charges for a domestic violence incident in Georgia where he allegedly pulled a knife on his girlfriend.

He is also working on a new album. The rapper explained, “I’ve been working on my album, that’s Ca$h M.O.E (Cash Money Over Everything). It’s about giving people the motivation. Not to sell drugs, but to go get jobs, make their lives better.”

MORE ON T.I.’S EX-FIANCE MISCARRIAGE

Rapper T.I.’s pregnant girlfriend, former Xscape member Tameka “Tiny” Cottle, lost their baby in a stillbirth yesterday. Tiny was 6 months pregnant and was due in June. The baby was a girl. Tiny is recovering at an Atlanta hospital.

Earlier this week, news broke that T.I. and Cottle had recently broken off their engagement. They had dated on and off for more than three years, and have one son together, named King. T.I. told MTV News, “She’s still a part of my life, I love her to death, we want each other to be happy — it’s nothing she did and it’s nothing I did.”

In May of last year, T.I. lost his best friend Philant Johnson, after an unknown assailants shot at his tour bus after a show in Cincinnati. The incident reportedly almost caused T.I. to retire from his rap career.

The two-time Grammy Award winner will release his T.I. vs T.I.P. album in July, featuring appearances by Timbaland, Scott Storch, Mannie Fresh, Wyclef Jean, Nelly, Lil’ Wayne, and R. Kelly.

CHRIS BROWN GEARS UP FOR ALBUM RELEASE, BEYONCE TOUR

With the success of his first self-titled album and Stomp The Yard film debut, singer Chris Brown has earned himself a break. Instead, he’s hard at work, finishing up his sophomore release, Exclusive, which is due in stores in August. The set sees him reunited with producers the Underdogs, who collaborated with him on “Ya Man Ain’t Me” and “Is This Love?” on his first disc. “It’s kind of like a back-to-school present for everybody,” he told MTV News. “We coming with more videos, more explosive dance moves and more vocal abilities. So we gonna have fun.”

The teenager will be able to showcase those talents when he opens for Beyonce on the Australian leg of her upcoming tour. He promises that the Bootylicious singer won’t have to worry about him upstaging her, saying, “For the most part, I don’t try to outdo anyone or try to make my show to the point where I kill myself trying to shine over someone else. She’s incredible at what she does and I’m incredible at what I do. I know she’s gonna kill it on her side as a female, and as a young male, I’m gonna try to do my thing.”

Fans can expect a single to hit radio from the forthcoming Exclusive album by early April. The track will either be “Picture Perfect” or “Throwed.”

NAOMI CAMPBELL FINISHES COMMUNITY SERVICE TODAY

Phone-throwing model Naomi Campbell finishes her court-ordered five days of community service today (March 23rd). The runway diva has been sweeping floors, mopping, and providing other janitorial services at the New York City Sanitation Department as part of her sentence for injuring a former maid with a cell phone.

Campbell’s cleaning woman duties have generated a lot of media attention but one man could be fired for attempting to join the fray. A Sanitation Department employee has been reprimanded, and may be suspended, for trying to take a cell phone picture of Campbell while she scrubbed a locker room floor.

On a related note, Campbell enlisted sanitation police Lieutenant John Fitzgerald as her personal valet on one of her days of service. The New York Post reports that Campbell’s bodyguards thrust her leather bag into Fitzgerald’s hands and he carried it to the facility while maintaining a distance between himself and Campbell.

The tote is believed to have contained a change of clothes because she reportedly showed up for work that day in a “gray fedora, black and grey chinchilla fur coat, diamond earrings, skin-tight charcoal-gray pants, and high-heeled boots.”

She also reportedly gave a worker a lift home for carrying another one of her bags.

STARBUCKS CANCELS JENNIFER HUDSON APPEARANCE

Dreamgirls star Jennifer Hudson probably won’t be drinking any Starbucks coffee anytime soon, judging from her recent spat with the company. Hudson was scheduled to perform at the java retailer’s annual shareholders meeting Wednesday (March 21st) but the Seattle appearance was cancelled because of her contract demands.

According to TMZ, Hudson’s manager asked for five town cars, humidifiers, and expenses for her team — all of which Starbucks agreed to. But the deal-breaker was the request for a 10 a.m. delivery of hot baked chicken wings. Starbucks honcho Howard Schultz reportedly pulled the plug on the appearance at that point, saying he didn’t like the way Hudson’s management was dealing with his people. Unfortunately for Hudson, her agent reportedly made the demands without her knowledge or consent, and now she’s being blamed for being a diva.

Hudson missed out on a big paycheck because of the debacle, but won’t miss her free coffee refills. Hudson wrote on an Internet chat last week that she drinks only water, juice, and skim milk.

PRISON STARTS ITS OWN ‘INMATE IDOL’

Six prisoners at Arizona’s Maricopa County Jail compete today (March 23rd) in Inmate Idol, a locked-up version of American Idol. Singer Alice Cooper, Sheriff Joe Arpaio, and possibly Charles Barkley will judge the half-dozen inmates that were voted through to the afternoon’s live performance contest finale. Inmates built the set for the final showdown, and 10,000 prisoners are expected to cast ballots for their favorite convict.

The “con”-test was organized to boost morale and give inmates a positive way to spend their idle time. More than 100 men and women auditioned for Inmate Idol over the past three weeks, according to the sheriff’s department, and the finalists are Corey Brothers, Katrina Duhart, John Lowery, Christopher Marsh, Gary Fisher, and Martin Baldera.

TERRY MCMILLAN SUES EX-HUSBAND FOR SMEAR CAMPAIGN

Writer Terry McMillan is suing her ex-husband, Jonathan Plummer, for allegedly smearing her name during their heated 2005 divorce. Although the couple eventually settled their divorce for an undisclosed amount, the 55-year-old writer, who was inspired by the 32-year-old Plummer to write her best- selling 1996 novel-turned-film, How Stella Got Her Groove Back, is now seeking damages of $40 million.

McMillan’s allegations include emotional distress, invasion of privacy and placing her in a “false light” to harm her professionally and personally. She also claimed that Plummer violated a restraining order by calling her to speak with her son. She further claims that Plummer, a Jamaica native, married her in 1998 only to become a U.S. citizen. He later announced that he’s gay.

McMillan has also included Plummer’s lawyer, Dolores Sargent, in the suit, which says, “The defendants conspired and formed a plan to threaten to humiliate and embarrass Terry McMillan and violate her privacy and place her in harm’s way, and threatened to damage her professional and personal standing in an attempt to extort monies from her.”

Plummer is now a hairstylist in Danville, California.

DVD-SNIFFING DOGS IN PROTECTIVE CUSTODY

It’s a tale that’s just begging to be made into a movie — Lucky and Flo, the two black labradors that have been sniffing out pirated DVDs in Malaysia, have a price on their heads. Apparently, Malaysia’s Johor crime syndicate isn’t too happy with the dogs interrupting their flow of bootleg DVDs and CDs, and they’re offering a large bounty for anyone who kills them. The New Straits Times reports that the threat is being taken seriously and authorities have beefed up security for the pooches, who are on loan from the Motion Picture Association of America.

Lucky and Flo sniffed out around a million pirated video games and movies earlier this week in the southern city of Johor Baru. The items were worth approximately $2.8 million on the black market, and were found hidden behind locked doors in an office building. Six people were arrested as a result of their sharp sniffing.

Lucky and Flo are trained to detect various chemicals used in the disc manufacturing process.

NEW TO THEATERS MARCH 23

REIGN OVER ME

Adam Sandler puts on his serious hat to play Charlie Fineman, a once successful dentist who’s been reduced to a mumbling, video-game playing recluse after his wife and daughters are killed on September 11th. Charlie lives off his insurance money and mingles with no one until his dental school roommate runs into him on the street and tries helping him through his grief. Don Cheadle co-stars.

Adam Sandler on accepting the challenge of his Reign role: “I was afraid of it. And then one night I read it again and it just was very moving to me and I just couldn’t stop thinking about it and I wanted to challenge myself. I can’t articulate why I liked it so much but it hurt my heart when I read it so much and also made me laugh. I just wanted to accept the challenge of doing that role.”

Adam Sandler on his heavy Reign role: “I prepared for a long time and tried to stay as focused as I can be. I knew it was very important, the part, and to feel as much as I could so I tried to just be prepared for every day. It wasn’t like movies I’ve done in the past where I’m laughing and having a great time on the set, it was definitely a heavier feeling for me.”

PRIDE

A former competitive swimmer, desperate to make ends meet, takes a job cleaning up a derelict recreation center. He butts heads with the center’s curmudgeony janitor at first but proves himself by teaching some of the neighborhood kids how to swim. Pride is inspired by the true story of Philadelphia coach Jim Ellis, and stars Terrence Howard and Bernie Mac.

Terrence Howard on wearing ’70s costumes in Pride: “You know, this is disco time! You remember the disco time from Saturday Night Fever. Tony and those cats, they had nice bodies, they were slim and they could move across that floor. That’s what I wanted, I wanted to put on my macking outfit and you know, and go and do it. And I looked forward to getting dressed every day.”

Terrence Howard getting his body ready to wear a pair of Speedos: “I was still in the back trying to do some push-ups and all that before coming out. I was like, ‘Get it together, get it together!’ And I still couldn’t get my stomach right, I remember Darrel Foster, the guy that trained me asking, he’s like, ‘Man, we need just one more week, one more week and I’ll have you ripped.’ But I wasn’t ripped.”

* K.C. is back this week with a two for one – click here to read her movie reviews on Reign Over Me and Pride in a special edition of SCREENED!

SHOOTER

Mark Wahlberg plays a marine sniper brought out retirement by a colonel who convinces him he’s the only one that can uncover a plot to kill the president. Ever the patriot, Wahlberg’s Bob Lee Swagger takes on the assignment, discovers he’s been set up, and vows vengeance on the men who framed him and killed his beloved dog.

Mark Wahlberg explains the premise behind his Shooter character’s actions: “He’s one of probably the best four shots in the entire world at any given time. He was a gunnery sergeant in the marines. They recruit him for this job. The archbishop of Ethiopia ends up getting assassinated and he’s now on the run, shot twice, and has to not only survive that, but then eventually figure out how he can prove his innocence and take down those who are responsible.”

Mark Wahlberg says Shooter is the type of film he’d run out to see: “This is the kind of movie that I would run out and see. This is the kind of movie they don’t make any more. This is a really smart, character driven action movie that has a point of view, raises some questions, and takes a pretty strong look at certain things. And, you know, they haven’t made those movies, the kind of movies that I really enjoy watching, since, you know, the ’70s.”

DIGGING IN THE CRATES

Happy Birthday to the “Queen Of Soul,” Aretha Franklin, who turns 65 on Sunday (March 25th, 2007) and Happy Birthday to Chaka Khan, who turns 54 today (March 23rd).Click here for more.

The estate of the late Rick James is suing the “Superfreak” singer’s former music publisher, Brooklyn Music Publishing, for allegedly entering into new contracts, even though they’ve been advised their services are no longer required.

______________________________________________________________________________
Black History Fact

In 1916, Marcus Mosiah Garvey arrived in the United States from Jamaica.
In 1963, “Baby Workout” by Jackie Wilson entered the Top 40 chart.
In 1963, “Our Day Will Come” by Ruby & the Romantics peaked at Number One on the pop chart.
In 1968, “I Got The Feelin’” by James Brown entered the Top 40 chart.
In 1968, “I’m Gonna Make You Love Me” by Madeline Bell peaked at Number 26 on the pop chart.
In 1970, South Africa was banned from the Davis Cup tennis tournament because of its apartheid policies.
In 1974, “Mighty Love - Pt. 1″ by the Spinners peaked at Number 20 on the pop chart.
In 1980, Jacob “Killer” Miller, reggae singer of the group Inner Circle, died at the age of 23.
In 1985, “Private Dancer” by Tina Turner peaked at Number Seven on the pop chart.
In 1985, “Scientific Love” by Midnight Star peaked at Number 80 on the pop chart.
In 1985, “Take Me With U” by Prince & the Revolution peaked at Number 25 on the pop chart.
In 1985, “We Are The World”, by USA For Africa, a group of 46 pop stars, entered the pop chart at Number 21.
In 1987, Janet Jackson, Luther Vandross, and Cameo took top honors at the first annual Soul Train Music Awards.
In 1988, the album Simple Pleasures by Bobby McFerrin was released.

______________________________________________________________________________
Celebrity Birthdays

• Tamara LeSeon Bass, actress (Baby Boy, Boston Public), 29

• Chaka Khan, singer-songwriter, formerly of Rufus, 54

• Jason Kidd, NBA All-Star and member of the New Jersey Nets, 34

• Moses Malone, Hall Of Fame basketball player, 52

_______________________________________________________________________________
Words To the Wise

Listen to that voice within.
_______________________________________________________________________________
Contact Information
Freddie Bell
PO Box 390521
Minneapolis, MN 55439
fbellsolidgoldsoul@gmail.com
888-639-9738

www.freddiebell.wordpress.com

Morning Show Update

March 16, 2007

Welcome to the Update

Freddie Bell, velvet morning voice talent is a mellifluous voice actor, broadcast-journalist, speaker and 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.
Be sure to tell a friend about the Morning Show Update. You can also subscribe on line to have the Update sent to you automatically.
Click on the subscribe link on the right of this page.

SINBAD REPORTEDLY ALIVE

Rumors have been circulating on the internet the last two days concerning the death of comdian Sinbad. The report went on to say the comic supposedly died of a massive heart attack. I did some checking and found the report was a prank by a phony online biographic entry.
The emails started coming in early yesterday morning, headers blaring “Sinbad, the comedian, died today, heart attack.” Attached was an excerpt from the freshly-revised Wikipedia entry on the 50-year-old entertainer, born David Adkins on November 10, 1956, which contained the sentence, “He succumbed to a fatal heart attack on the morning of March, 14, 2007.”

It is a hoax. The revision history of the Wikipedia article shows that it was repeatedly vandalized, corrected, and vandalized again beginning on March 14 and continuing until it was closed to further editing 24 hours later. When last I checked, the entry was correct.

I have spoken with a representative at Sinbad’s production company, David & Goliath Productions, who said that Sinbad is alive and well, and any rumor to the contrary is false. Sinbad is hilarious but in my opinion the prank was not. You heard the real deal on the Morning Show Update!

CHRIS ROCK CALLS PRESIDENT BUSH A MORON

Looks like it’s time for the semi-regular portion of the show where a celebrity talks about how evil or dumb President Bush is.

Chris Rock was asked by Life magazine whether America is ready for an African American President. His response was, quote, “It’s ready for a retarded president, why wouldn’t it be ready for an African American president?”

Oddly enough, though, Chris Rock would rather pick Al Gore over Barack Obama. Rock says, quote, “He’s more qualified than everyone that’s running on the Democratic side. (And). . . if he won or didn’t win, he has an agenda to help people and make this a better world.”

SNOOP DOGG NOT ARRESTED IN SWEDEN, AFTER ALL

Contrary to recent reports, rapper Snoop Dogg was not actually arrested in Sweden on Monday (March 12th) after his concert there. Rapbasement.com reports that he was actually pulled over by Swedish authorities on suspicion of using illegal narcotics, but was never forced to be tested for drug use. “Contrary to erroneous press reports,” said his spokesperson Tracy Nguyen, “Snoop Dogg was not arrested in Sweden. He was questioned and released with no charges filed. He is excited to continue his successful co- headlining tour with Diddy.”

Snoop is currently on European tour with Diddy, that wraps up on April 2nd at the U.K.’s Nottingham Arena.

The rapper helmed 16 of the tracks on the compilation album The Big Squeeze, which features up- and-coming West Coast acts Western Union (Damani, Soopafly and Bad Lucc), The Warzone, Terrace Martin and Azure. The record hits stores on April 24th.

NOTORIOUS B.I.G. TOPS THE CHARTS

A decade after his unsolved murder, the Notorious B.I.G. is on top of the charts. His posthumous release, Greatest Hits, debuted at Number One, selling 99,000 copies in the U.S., according to Nielson SoundScan. Of the 17 tracks on the album, two are previously unreleased — “Running Your Mouth” and “Want That Old Thing Back.”

The rapper, whose real name was Christopher Wallace, has debuted at the top of the charts twice before — 1997’s Life After Death, which sold 689,500 copies, and 1999’s Born Again, which sold 485,000 units.

The Bad Boy release Greatest Hits was released almost 10 years after the date of his death, on March 9, 1997.

LL COOL J TO LEAVE DEF JAM

After much industry speculation, LL Cool J has finally confirmed his plans to leave his longtime label Def Jam. The rapper made his announcement on Jimmy Kimmel Live! Monday (March 12th) night, saying that his upcoming release Exit 13 will be his final for the company. “It’s my last record on Def Jam, it’s my 13th album, and I’m leaving,” he said, adding, “My contract is up and it’s time to move on.”

The news came as little surprise to insiders, ever since he’d commented, “How am I gonna re-sign with the competition?” in reference to Jay-Z’s becoming both the label’s president as well as one of its artists. He was diplomatic when asked if this was his reason for his departure, saying, “I wouldn’t go that far with it. But for the most part… I’m gone.”

Exit 13 was produced by 50 Cent.

The actor/rapper recently released a workout book, called LL Cool J’s Platinum Workout, which is designed to help readers attain optimal fitness. There are no guarantees that they’ll wind up with his six pack, however.

TIMBALAND SOLO ALBUM PUSHED TO APRIL

The highly-anticipated Timbaland solo album, Shock Value, has been pushed back to an April 3rd release, at his request. “I wanted to make sure this thing was ready to drop, and pushing it back a week gave me time to do some last minute polishing,” he said, according to SOHH.com, of his star-studded set. “Look at all these people on Shock Value… this isn’t a DJ compilation, it’s a greatest hits album.”

In fact, the disc features a broad spectrum of musical genres and an equally diverse range of artists, including Elton John, Justin Timberlake, Fall Out Boy, Dr. Dre, Nelly Furtado, 50 Cent, Missy Elliott, Nicole Scherzinger and The Hives. The first single, “Give It To Me,” features Timberlake and Nelly Furtado and is already moving fast on Billboard’s Top 100.

While with Justin Timberlake on the FutureSex/LoveShow World Tour, Timbaland gave fans a sneak preview of some of the album’s tracks.

FERGIE TOO DRUNK TO FLY

Fergie couldn’t join her Black Eyed Peas bandmates Will.i.am, apl.de.ap and Taboo on a recent flight from London to Los Angeles, because she was reportedly deemed too drunk to fly by Virgin Atlantic airlines. A witness described the 31-year-old singer to the U.K’s Daily Mirror as “falling all over the place. (She) had to be supported. She was in no state to fly. But when she was prevented from boarding, she couldn’t believe it. She was drunkenly ranting at staff but could barely string a sentence together. It was very embarrassing.”

After delaying the flight for an hour while her baggage was removed, the rest of the band went on without her. Fergie, whose real name is Stacy Ferguson, was forced to wait in London until she was sufficiently sober to catch a later flight. An airline spokesperson didn’t name names, but said, “We can confirm a female passenger was denied boarding as she appeared intoxicated and therefore unsuitable for travel.”

At a 2005 concert in San Diego, Fergie reportedly appeared hammered and urinated in her pants while onstage. Click here to see a pic.

BEYONCE CHALLENGING FANS TO CREATE THEIR OWN MUSIC VIDEO

Beyonce has teamed with Youtube.com for a new contest — asking fans to create their own Beyonce music video. Fans are asked to use any track from Beyonce’s Grammy award-winning album B’Day for the clip, and one grand prize winner will receive a pair of tickets to one of her upcoming concerts, as well as backstage passes and a meet- and-greet with the singer. All entries must be submitted by April 3rd, the same day she releases the B’Day Anthology Video Album.

Visit YouTubefor further information, and to submit your own Beyonce-inspired video.

The B’Day Anthology Video Album is being sold exclusively at Wal-Mart stores. The DVD include videos for “Kitty Kat (intro)”/”Upgrade U” featuring Jay-Z, “Deja Vu,” “Ring The Alarm,” “Irreplaceable,” “Listen,” “Green Light,” “Suga Mama,” “Get Me Bodied,” “Freakum Dress” and the English and Spanish versions of “Beautiful Liar” featuring Shakira.

Beyonce is scheduled to perform in her hometown of Houston today (March 15th), at the city’s annual RodeoHouston. She begins the Asian leg of her world tour April 10th in Tokyo.

Meanwhile Beyonce is struggling to prove she is still a Dreamgirl in the UK. She is scheduled to perform five concerts in June, but only half of the tickets for her British tour have been sold so far. Some are blaming her poor ticket sales on the bad press she received for her latest album, B- Day.

TYRESE SAYS ‘BLACK TY IS HERE TO STAY’

Former model/actor/singer Tyrese made the transition to MC as his rap alias, Black Ty, for his most recent record, Alter Ego. Now he says the follow-up, Black Rose, is nearly complete, with 14 tracks already in the can. But this time, he’s split the album evenly between his R&B and rap personas.

“F