www.freddiebell.wordpress.com

Welcome to Solid Gold Soul

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. Also visit www.youtube.com/freddiebell950 for some video fun. A few of my video favorites are posted there!

ISSAC HAYES REMEMBERED

The life and legacy of soul legend Isaac Hayes were celebrated in his hometown of Memphis at two gatherings – a private burial service on Sunday and a public memorial held yesterday with 3,000 fans and friends in attendance. Sunday’s ceremony included Denzel Washington, Tom Cruise and Wesley Snipes; while the Rev. Jesse Jackson, the Rev. Al Sharpton, Chuck D., Bootsy Collins and actor Richard Roundtree were on hand for Monday’s farewell, according to the Associated Press. “What would you say if you were flying into Memphis and they said you are about to land at Isaac Hayes International Airport,” U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen asked the mourners, drawing a huge round of applause. Cohen, who represented Hayes’ area of Memphis, said the city should celebrate Hayes, an architect of the Memphis sound, as it celebrates Elvis Presley. “He is a world person who the world will miss,” Cohen said. Monday’s four-hour service at Hope Presbyterian Church featured music, speakers and video clips. It began with a drum march through the sanctuary and a video clip of Hayes and Jackson on stage together at a 1972 concert in the Watts area of Los Angeles. Memorialized in the documentary film “Wattstax,” Jackson pulled off Hayes’ cap to reveal his signature shaved head, then Hayes slipped off his robe to show his red spandex paints and chain vest.

SPINNERS’ PERVIS JACKSON PASSES

Pervis Jackson, bass singer and an original member of the Spinners passed away at 2:00 AM Monday August 18th at Sinai-Grace hospital in Detroit, Michigan. His wife Claudreen of 42 years and their children were at his side.

The Spinners and management are saddened by his sudden passing. His last appearance as a Spinner was July 19, 2008 in Alhambra, California.

The family appreciates all of the words of comfort and the out pouring of love from his fans, friends and other family members.

He will be remembered for his charisma, generosity and his contribution to the world in his melodious bass voice.

MCCAIN NOT IN “CONE OF SILENCE” DURING DEBATE

ST. PAUL AFRO CENTRIC BOOK DRIVE UNDERWAY

Starting this Friday at Arnellia’s and until the goal of 1500 Afrocentric books is reached for the NEW University Academies for Boys and Girls North End Elementary School, Tyrone Terrrill is asking the community to bring K-4 grade books to happy hour each Friday.

For more information on University Academies for Boys and Girls North End Elementary School, 27 East Geranium, Saint Paul, MN 55117 or go to www.northend.spps.org to learn more about the school that will be the “Home of Future Leaders” in the City of Saint Paul. Feel free to call Principal Hamilton Bell at 651-293-8795 to learn more about this great school.

TYRA KEEPS AUDIENCE WAITING

A recent taping of the “Tyra Banks Show” got started nearly two hours later than scheduled – which angered audience members because the delay appeared to be for no good reason.
An audience was brought into the West 26th St. studio for a taping of her episode “Celebrating Black Models, Past, Present and Future.” But, an audience member tells the New York Post’s Page Six that Tyra kept them waiting nearly 120 minutes as she stood backstage giggling, snacking and chatting with the crew. “You could hear her going on and on because she was standing right behind the stage curtain,” said the audience member. “She’s talking and talking. Meanwhile, you have the entire audience waiting almost two hours for the taping to start.”
The spy also said Banks had the nerve to have a bad attitude when she finally started the show, which featured interviews with Beverly Johnson, Veronica Webb, Chanel Iman and Tameka Jacobs.

BARKLEY TO THE GOLF CHANNEL

It’s no secret that Charles Barkley loves golf as much as he loves gambling. Apparently, the Golf Channel saw this as an opportunity to lure him to the network with the promise of his own links-themed show. According to Reuters, a rep from the network confirmed that the channel is developing a project eyed for 2009 that would feature famed golf instructor Hank Haney, who has coached Tiger Woods on his swing, giving Barkley tips on his own golf game. Haney also will be featured in Golf Channel’s new reality series “School of Golf: Hilton Head Island,” premiering Sept. 2. Barkley, meanwhile, is a TNT basketball analyst during the NBA season.

FISHBURNE TO CSI

CBS announced Monday that Laurence Fishburne is a go to replace departing actor William Petersen in its top rated drama series “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.” The Emmy and Tony winner will make his first appearance in episode 9 of the forthcoming 10th season, reports the Associated Press. “I am elated and delighted to be joining the cast of `CSI,’” Fishburne said in a statement, adding that he anticipated a “wonderful collaboration” with the other stars of the show. Fishburne will play a forensics scientist who is also a college lecturer and former pathologist focused on the reasons why people commit violent acts. When Fishburne’s casting was still in the rumor mill, the character was described as having a genetic profile that has been identified in serial killers. “This gentleman knows this about himself and is … in this journey to discover who his true character will ultimately become,” Tassler told TV critics last month about the character. The air date for Petersen’s final episode has not been announced but will be early next year, according to the AP. His character, Gil Grissom, will be reappraising his life after years of high-tech forensics investigations with the Las Vegas Police Department and after facing personal turmoil. The actor will remain an executive producer on the series, the network said.

Black History Fact

1954: Ralph J. Bunche named undersecretary of the United Nations
______________________________________________________________________________
Celebrity Birthdays

Singer Ivan Neville is 49.

Rapper Nate Dogg is 39.

Rapper Fat Joe is 38.

Actress Tracie Thoms (”Cold Case”) is 33.

Rapper Romeo (formerly Lil’ Romeo) is 19.

_______________________________________________________________________________
Words To the Wise

Make clear your vision
_______________________________________________________________________________
Contact Information

Freddie Bell
PO Box 390521
Minneapolis, MN 55439
Freddie@freddiebell.com
888-639-9738

www.freddiebell.wordpress.com

Welcome to Solid Gold Soul

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. Also visit www.youtube.com/freddiebell950 for some video fun. A few of my video favorites are posted there!

SHAQ AND SHAUNIE CANCEL DIVORCE PLANS

Shaunie and Shaq

Nearly one year after Shaquille O’Neal filed for divorce, his wife Shaunie says the proceedings will be halted in the coming days and the couple will continue to try and work things out.
“Neither one of us could probably answer why we were getting one in the first place,” Shaunie O’Neal told the Associated Press Thursday at the launch of her new video-sharing Web site.
“Things have been going so great, that someone actually had to remind us that ‘Hey, you do remember those papers are still there.’ Literally, it was days ago,” said Shaunie. “So, we’ve agreed that before we leave Florida in a few days we’ll make sure that that’s gone away.”
Shaquille O’Neal filed for divorce in Miami-Dade Circuit Court on Sept. 4, 2007, after nearly five years of marriage. The petition stated: “The marriage between the parties is irretrievably broken” and Shaunie was “secretive about her assets … particularly with respect to certain properties owned or titled in either [her] name alone or in other entities.” He requested that the court require Shaunie to give a “correct accounting of all money, funds, stocks, bonds, and other securities (including bearer securities).” Shaunie told the AP: “The kids and I kind of learned about the divorce at the same time. So that was hard. That was probably the worst part of the whole thing, was being able to deal with how hurt the whole kids were.”
Shaq’s divorce attorney, Ira Elegant, did not return a call to Reuters before press time.
Meanwhile, Shaunie’s new video-sharing Web site, launching Sept. 1, is geared to showcase children and their talents in a kid-friendly, safe arena. The entrepreneur said she developed the idea because she wanted to be able to share her own children’s activities with her family members. “I get the complaint of ‘Oh, I wish I could see that,’” she said. “There was nowhere I could find that was just safe, where maybe a slip of the finger would take us somewhere where I don’t want the kids to see or hear.”

ANOTHER ARREST FOR DMX

Another day, another arrest for DMX. The rapper was handcuffed outside of a Wall-Mart store in suburban Miami Thursday on a bench warrant issued Tuesday in Phoenix when he failed to appear at a court hearing.

THOUSANDS MOURN BERNIE MAC

More than 6,000 fans, friends, family members and famous colleagues of comedian Bernie Mac gathered at Chicago’s House of Hope megachurch Saturday to mourn his passing.
With traffic outside of the South Side venue tied up for blocks, and vendors on hand selling memorial T-shirts for $10 a pop outside, fellow comedian Cedric the Entertainer cracked that Mac was “still the hottest ticket in town.” The service included the reading of condolence letters from children; from Democratic presidential candidate and Illinois senator Barack Obama; and from Mac’s hometown White Sox baseball team. Also, Mac’s comedy bits were played on large video screens with off-color words bleeped out, reports the Associated Press.
Mayor Richard Daley said Mac had visited his office recently inquiring about ways to help curb violence in the city. “He wanted to help get children away from a life of crime and violence,” Daley said during the service. “That’s why he’s the king of comedy. He never lost his soul in Chicago.” Samuel L. Jackson, who co-stars with Mac in the upcoming movie “Soul Men,” spoke at the service, saying he knew Mac “was having some health issues, but he always said to me every morning that he was always good.” Jackson also said Mac always made time for his fans. “He never turned that kid down for an autograph,” Jackson said. “He always had time to shake a hand. He was always that kid from Chicago who wanted to make everybody happy and everybody laugh.” The music of Isaac Hayes, who died the day after Mac, and co-starred in “Soul Men,” played during the service. Cedric The Entertainer, Steve Harvey and D.L. Hughley, co-stars with Mac in the documentary “The Original Kings of Comedy,” took the stage together to remember their fellow comic. Hughley told the crowd that he and others always looked forward to seeing Mac’s stage attire each night during the famed comedy tour. He said: “Bernie would wear colors that crayons hadn’t even thought of yet.” Mac died Aug. 9 at age 50 of what his publicist said were complications from pneumonia. He had been at Chicago’s Northwestern Memorial Hospital since the middle of July.

BB KINGS ENDS ONE TOUR AND STARTS ANOTHER

BB King

At 82-years-old, B.B. King is showing no signs of slowing down. The blues legend, who just wrapped up a coast-to-coast summer tour, is about to hit the road again next month for a string of U.S. shows that stretches into December, reports Live Daily. The trek is scheduled to begin Sept. 6 in Laughlin, NV, and visit a mix of clubs, theaters and casinos across the country through Dec. 1, including a two-night stand in Houston. Meanwhile, King is getting ready to release a new album, “One Kind Favor,” which features covers of old blues songs that inspired him as a young man. Produced by T Bone Burnett (Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, Roy Orbison), the record was made to sound like it was recorded in the ’50s. Players include Dr. John on piano, Nathan East on standup bass and Jim Keltner on drums. The set is scheduled to be released Aug. 26 on Geffen Records.

Below is the itinerary for B.B. King’s fall tour:

September 2008
6 - Laughlin, NV - Harrah’s Laughlin Rio Vista Amphitheatre
7 - Phoenix, AZ - Celebrity Theater
18 - Bossier City, LA - CenturyTel Center
19 - Biloxi, MS - Beau Rivage Resort & Casino
20 - Choctaw, MS - Pearl River Resort
21 - Huntsville, AL - Von Braun Center
25 - Bridgeport, CT - Klein Memorial Auditorium
26 - Hartford, CT - The Bushnell Center for Performing Arts
27 - Reading, PA - Sovereign Performing Arts Center
28 - Peekskill, NY - Paramount Center for the Arts
30 - Detroit, MI - MGM Grand Detroit Casino

October 2008
2 - Toledo, OH - Stranahan Theater
3 - Joliet, IL - Rialto Square Theatre
4 - Carbondale, IL - Southern Illinois University Arena
5 - Branson, MO - Welk Resort Theatre
7 - Wichita, KS - Century II Performing Arts & Convention Center
17 - Albuquerque, NM - Route 66 Casino
23 - Mescalero, NM - Inn of the Mountain Gods Casino
25 - Boulder, CO - Boulder Theater
31 - Milwaukee, WI - The Riverside Theatre

November 2008
14 - Norman, OK - Riverwind Casino
15 - Thackerville, OK - Winstar Casino
16 - Dallas, TX - Meyerson Symphony Center
21-22 - Houston, TX - House of Blues
24 - Atlanta, GA - The Tabernacle
26 - Alexandria, VA - Birchmere
28 - Beverly, MA - North Shore Music Theatre
29 - Atlantic City, NJ - House of Blues
30 - Durham, NC - Durham Performing Arts Center

December 2008
1 - Hagerstown, MD - Maryland Theatre

Black History Fact

1964: South Africa was banned from the Olympic Games because of its apartheid policies
______________________________________________________________________________
Celebrity Birthdays

Singer Sarah Dash of LaBelle is 65.

Rapper Masta Killa of Wu-Tang Clan is 39. A

ctor Malcolm-Jamal Warner is 38.

_______________________________________________________________________________
Words To the Wise

God wants the best for you

_______________________________________________________________________________
Contact Information

Freddie Bell
PO Box 390521
Minneapolis, MN 55439
Freddie@freddiebell.com
888-639-9738

www.freddiebell.wordpress.com

Welcome to Solid Gold Soul

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. Also visit www.youtube.com/freddiebell950 for some video fun. A few of my video favorites are posted there!

Attendant: Osteen Eyed Cockpit after Incident

Joel Osteen

A flight attendant suing the wife of megachurch evangelist Joel Osteen over a preflight confrontation testified Tuesday that she felt compelled to keep an irate Victoria Osteen away from the cockpit door. “I looked in her eyes and realized she was looking at the cockpit. I positioned myself in front of the cockpit,” Continental Airlines flight attendant Sharon Brown said. “I still was trying to understand what was going on because it happened so quick. My main concern was I wasn’t going to let this lady in the cockpit.” Rusty Hardin, Victoria Osteen’s attorney, however, questioned how Brown knew that Victoria Osteen was headed toward the cockpit just by looking into her eyes. “Can you look into my eyes and tell me where I am going to go?” Hardin said as people in the courtroom laughed.

STROKE PLAYED A ROLE IN HAYES’ DEATH

Mack, Hayes, Jackson

Isaac Hayes apparently died of a stroke, officials with the sheriff’s department said Tuesday. The deep-voiced soul singer died Sunday after he was found unconscious at his Memphis residence. No autopsy was performed, but paperwork filed by Hayes’ family physician, Dr. David Kraus, lists the cause of death as a stroke, sheriff’s spokesman Steve Shular said Tuesday. Deputies were among the emergency crews that responded after a 911 call, and sheriff’s
department detectives were looking into the death. Kraus told investigators that he had been treating Hayes, 65, for high blood pressure, Shular said. Family members found Hayes lying on the floor of his home beside a treadmill that was still switched on. A memorial service for the soul icon will be Monday at Hope Presbyterian Church in Cordova from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. His family issued a statement Tuesday, saying: “While he was an iconic figure to many, to us he was husband, father and friend. We will ever miss his love, wisdom, humor and the familiar comfort of his voice.” The baldheaded crooner, who laid the groundwork for disco and whose “Theme From Shaft” won both Academy and Grammy awards, was elected to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002. He also acted in movies and provided the voice of Chef, the school cook, on the animated TV show “South Park.” He had recently finished work on the upcoming movie “Soul Men,” in which he played himself. The movie stars Samuel Jackson and Bernie Mac, who died on Saturday. Hayes was hospitalized in 2006 for treatment of exhaustion, family friends said at the time.

FAMILY AND FRIENDS PAY TRIBUTE TO HAYES AND MACK

Bernie Mack and Issac Hayes

Legacy.com has featured Guest Books for Mr. Isaac Hayes and Mr. Bernie Mac on its site. Here is a way for you to express your condolences. You may find the Guest Books at http://www.legacy.com/gb/guestbookview.aspx?personId=115344639 and http://www.legacy.com/gb/guestbookview.aspx?personId=115220922, respectively.

Bernie Mac’s Guest Book has drawn hundreds of photos and thousands of Guest Book entries already. No doubt the same will happen for Issac Hayes. Later this week I’ll share memories of my personal encounters with these two giants.

Michelle Obama, Pelosi to Kick Off DNC Confab

Michelle Obama

Michelle Obama and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi will be the featured first-night speakers at the Democratic National Convention, which also will include a videotaped message from Massachusetts Sen. Edward Kennedy. Michelle Obama will be introduced by her brother, Craig Robinson, a former basketball star at Princeton and now coach at Oregon State, on the first night on Aug. 25. Barack Obama’s half sister, Maya Soetoro-Ng, also will have a role at the convention. Other opening night speakers include Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper and Missouri Sen. Claire McCaskill, an early Obama supporter, organizers said Tuesday. Pelosi will be recognized for helping lead the Democratic Party back to power in Congress, said organizer Jenny Backus. “She was in the vanguard of the movement. She recruited a generation of young leaders,” Backus said. The Democratic National Convention Committee said Tuesday it will issue daily convention webcasts under the theme “Countdown to America’s Future.” The 15-minute segments will air daily at 4:30 p.m. EDT from Aug. 24 through Aug. 28 on DemConvention.com, Comcast’s Video On Demand, and via satellite. A final program will air at 9 a.m. EDT on Friday, Aug. 29.

Easy Win for Serena Williams at Olympics

Serena Williams

BEIJING Serena Williams raced into the third round at the Olympics, winning the final 10 games to beat Samantha Stosur of Australia 6-2, 6-0 on Tuesday. The match took only 44 minutes. Williams lost just five points in the second set, and dropped only six points on her serve in the match. Seeded fourth, Williams is playing singles in the Olympics for the first time. She won the gold medal in 2000 at Sydney with sister Venus, who won the singles that year and who joined Serena in the third round Tuesday by beating Iveta Benesova of the Czech Republic 6-1, 6-4. “I’ve never played singles at the Olympics, so this has been really cool for me,” Serena said. “Every time I walk out there, it’s like I’m playing in my match, but at the same time I have the whole U.S. team on my side. It’s good. I really like that feeling.” The sisters are top-seeded in doubles and had a first-round match scheduled Tuesday night. They could meet in the final of singles Saturday.

Black History Fact

1881: The first African American nursing school opens at Spelman College in Atlanta, Ga.
______________________________________________________________________________
Celebrity Birthdays

Actress Dawnn Lewis (”A Different World,” “Hangin’ With Mr. Cooper”) is 47.

_______________________________________________________________________________
Words To the Wise

You’re not living unless you’re having problems
_______________________________________________________________________________
Contact Information

Freddie Bell
PO Box 390521
Minneapolis, MN 55439
Freddie@freddiebell.com
888-639-9738

www.freddiebell.wordpress.com

Welcome to Solid Gold Soul

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. Also visit www.youtube.com/freddiebell950 for some video fun. A few of my video favorites are posted there!

ARETHA AMONG THOSE REMEMBERING BERNIE MACK

Aretha Franklin

An original comedy “king” is being mourned by the Queen of Soul. Aretha Franklin released a statement Monday expressing sadness over the passing of her friend, comedian Bernie Mac.
“It was so stunning and almost unbelievable to hear about Bernie Mac,” she said. “He was at the pinnacle of success and legendary status. He was such a beautiful and fun guy and loved and appreciated by so many. He will truly be missed and I watched him at bedtime almost nightly.”
She continued: “He got on my tour bus once in front of the Trump Hotel in New York and talked to myself and [a] group about the injustices of the world of TV concerning his show, but that he intended to stand firmly in his principles concerning the creative aspects of his script.”
Mac, 50, died Saturday from what his publicist said were complications from pneumonia. He had the inflammatory lung disease, sarcoidosis, but it had reportedly been in remission since 2005.
Franklin suggests that men use Mac’s death as a reminder to pay attention to their own health issues. “Gentlemen of the world, please disband the practice [of not getting] regular check-ups, it’s far better to know sooner than later, because later, many times, is too late,” she says. “If you take care of self, self will take care of you most of the way. God bless and blessed Bernie Mac.” A funeral for Mac is scheduled for Friday, Aug. 15, at an undisclosed location. The family requests that donations be made to the Bernie Mac Foundation for Sarcoidosis, 40 E. Ninth St., Suite 601, Chicago IL 60605.

ISSAC HAYES REMEMBERED

Patti Labelle

Tributes for the late Isaac Hayes have been pouring in following his sudden death on Sunday.
The music icon, 65, was found unconscious near a treadmill at his Memphis home. He died an hour later at the Baptist East Hospital. Listed below are statements issued from some of Hayes’ friends and colleagues regarding his passing.

• Dionne Warwick: “I’ve lost one of my best buddies and it is not easy to reckon with…I know one can never put a question mark where GOD puts a period, so I will not question the Almighty’s decision to call him home…He was my “family”…He will be a part of my musical life each time I sing the song “Déjà Vu” as this was a birthday gift to me from him…My family and I send sincere heartfelt condolences to his family for their enormous loss, and we will hold them in continuous prayer.”

• Aretha Franklin: “It was so sad to hear about Isaac Hayes. So musically advanced and timeless in his compositions. He was loved and appreciated by so many. He was an enduring symbol of the struggle of the African-American man and was a shining example of soul at its best. God bless.”

• Patti LaBelle: “I last saw Isaac a while back in Washington, D.C. at a concert where we were both performing. Although he was under the weather, he was still performing. He was the man—he had ‘the show must go on’ spirit. In his absence, he will be remembered through his great music. He will forever be in our hearts and souls. God bless his family.”

USHER TO ROCK NFL KICKOFF SHOW

Usher

With his mama newly returned as his manager, Usher has been announced as one of the performers set to kick off the 2008 NFL season with a free Sept. 4 concert at New York’s Columbus Circle. The show, also featuring country star Keith Urban, will precede the NFL season opener between the Super Bowl champion New York Giants and the Washington Redskins at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., reports Billboard. John Mellencamp, Faith Hill, Kelly Clarkson, Hinder and Keyshia Cole performed at last year’s NFL Kickoff concert in Indianapolis.

DETROIT’S MAYOR BACK TO JAIL?

Kwame Kilpatrick, Detroit Mayor

Detroit mayor Kwame Kilpatrick may find himself back in jail after a prosecutor accused him of violating the bail terms of his assault case by spending time with his sister, one of 11 witnesses listed by authorities. According to the Associated Press, Kilpatrick and Ayanna Kilpatrick were together at their mother’s house Saturday, a day after he was released from jail for violating bond in a separate perjury case, said Doug Baker of the Michigan attorney general’s office.
Kilpatrick’s defense team, however, believes the mayor did nothing wrong. Attorney Jim Thomas said Magistrate Renee McDuffee clarified Friday that Kilpatrick was allowed to have contact with his sister. Thomas has accused state Attorney General Mike Cox, a Republican, of trying to play politics with the latest filing against the Democratic mayor. Judge Ronald Giles is scheduled to hold a hearing on the matter today. On Thursday, Giles threw the mayor in jail for violating his bond conditions in a perjury case involving Kilpatrick and a former top aide. Kilpatrick traveled to Windsor, Ontario, for city business July 23 without first notifying authorities. Kilpatrick was released Friday after a higher court, acting on an appeal, set his bond at $50,000.

Black History Fact

1873: Actor and co-composer of “Lift Every Voice And Sing,” J Rosamond Johnson, was born
______________________________________________________________________________
Celebrity Birthdays

Songwriter Kenny Gamble of Gamble and Huff is 65.

Drummer Chris Dave (Mint Condition) is 40.

Rap DJ Ali Shaheed Muhammad (Lucy Pearl, A Tribe Called Quest) is 38.

Rapper Chris Kelly of Kris Kross is 30.

Singer J-Boog (B2K) is 23.

_______________________________________________________________________________
Words To the Wise

Wait for spirit to speak to your heart

_______________________________________________________________________________
Contact Information

Freddie Bell
PO Box 390521
Minneapolis, MN 55439
Freddie@freddiebell.com
888-639-9738

www.freddiebell.wordpress.com

Welcome to Solid Gold Soul

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. Also visit www.youtube.com/freddiebell950 for some video fun. A few of my video favorites are posted there!

STEVE HARVEY AT IT AGAIN?

My sources tell me that Kings of Comedy and Radio personality Steve Harvey is taking steps to sell off Texas property including the house in which his ex-wife, Mary Lee Harvey lives. In asking the courst to unseal the divorce documents, Harvey also appears to be positioning himself to take full custody of the former couple’s son. Harvey has been ordered to pay millions of dollars in divorce settlements but to date has not fulfilled on that order. Stay tuned for more details. Mary Lee Harvey is claiming that she was conned into a quickie separation of marriage devised by the entertainer and his attorney, Ricky Anderson — who allegedly sought to keep private details about the comic’s adultery, poor and neglectful parenting, and “physical and mental abuse” of his ex-spouse.

According to documents made available at TheSmokingGun.com, the former Mrs. Harvey filed a lawsuit on Nov. 20 claiming that she was defrauded by the comedian and the couple’s longtime attorney, who represented both sides in the November 2005 proceedings. Talk about a raw deal.

The result was her being unaware of her rights to independent counsel and being severely shortchanged when it came to alimony, division of community property, and child support – which amounts to a paltry monthly payment of $1,000 for the couple’s son.

Meanwhile Harvey, who hosted the nationally syndicated variety show ‘Showtime at the Apollo’ and fronted other TV shows throughout the years, is now maried to another woman, Majorie Bridges. Mary and Steve were together for nearly 20 years, and married for nine. Mary says they met while she was working in the cosmetics department in a shop at Six Flags Mall. Harvey, then a struggling unknown comic, came in one day and asked her on a date.

“He took me to a comedy club, where we sat and talked for a while,” Mary says. “Then he said, ‘I’ll be right back,’ and all of a sudden he was on stage. I had no idea.”

Harvey’s career eventually took off. He has starred in several movies (including Kings of Comedy, You Got Served and Johnson Family Vacation,) and TV shows, including his own WB sitcom, The Steve Harvey Show. He currently hosts his own syndicated morning-radio show.

FREEMAN AND WIFE FILE FOR DIVORCE

Morgan Freeman & Myrna Colley-Lee

Morgan Freeman and his wife of 24 years, Myrna Colley-Lee, have filed for divorce, according to the actor’s longtime business partner. Bill Luckett, who co-owns a restaurant and blues club in Clarksdale, Miss. with Freeman, says the split was in the works way before Freeman’s Sunday night car crash with female passenger Demaris Meyer, 48. A tabloid reported that Freeman, 71, and his wife have been separated since December 2007. The National Enquirer claims Colley-Lee consulted a divorce attorney after hearing that Freeman cheated on her with “a close family friend.” “Myrna was terribly upset when she heard Morgan had become intimate with a woman who had been her friend,” a source told the National Enquirer. Yesterday, Luckett told USA Today that he and the actor have been friends with Demaris “for some time.” Freeman was driving her Nissan Maxima when he lost control of the vehicle and it flipped over several times before landing in a ditch near his home in Tallahatchie County, Miss. Bill Rogers, a retired police officer who was the first to arrive at the scene, said Freeman managed to relay that he and Meyer were headed to his home in Charleston, a small town some 90 miles south of Memphis.
“He said that they were friends and she had offered him a ride home and she didn’t really know the way and so he was going to drive the vehicle,” Rogers told the Associated Press Tuesday. “They said they were coming from Clarksdale.” Freeman and Luckett’s Ground Zero Blues Club and Madadi restaurant are in Clarksdale. Norris, the manager of Ground Zero, said Wednesday that Freeman had not been there the night of the accident. No one at Madadi was available for comment, according to the AP. Freeman suffered a broken arm, broken elbow and minor shoulder injuries during the crash. He had surgery Monday on his left arm and hand, but his recovery is expected to take months. Luckett says Freeman will have to wear a neck brace for six to eight months, and his arm will take several months to heal. Luckett also said earlier reports of Freeman having a severed nerve in his arm were not true. “Nothing was severed. A nerve can be bruised or stretched. It was injured but not severed,” he said. Freeman could be released in the next few days from the Elvis Presley Memorial Trauma Center at the Regional Medical Center in Memphis.

WHOOPI GETTING GREAT NUMBERS

Whoopi Bringing in the Bank

Just call Whoopi Goldberg “The Fixer.” After bringing some much-needed stability to ABC’s “The View,” the veteran actress has helped to boost ticket sales of Broadway’s Xanadu ever since joining the cast on July 29. According to Variety, the musical’s box office jumped by more than $75,000 to $316,205, and drew audiences that reached 87% of capacity. That’s the highest jump of the season, and good news for a musical that has never quite caught fire despite strong reviews and Tony nominations. Goldberg’s six-week turn as evil sister Calliope ends on September 7. Her Broadway resume includes a Drama Desk and Theatre World Award for her 1985 Broadway solo show Whoopi Goldberg. She has also starred on Broadway in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, and another solo show Whoopi.

DETROIT MAYOR JAILED

According to news reports, Detroit’s troubled mayor, Kwame Kilpatrick has been put in lockdown for a night. But, according to the Wayne County Sheriff’s office, he will be allowed visitors. According to The AP, his honor is to be photographed and issued a green Wayne County Jail jumpsuit and will be housed alone in a restricted area of the jail because of his high profile.
Judge Ronald Giles revoked Kilpatrick’s bond after he found the mayor violated the terms of his bond by going to Canada and not informing the court. The mayor, who is required to alert the court to all travel plans, went across the border last month to push the sale of the city’s half of the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel. The ruling Thursday came after the mayor apologized to the court, saying it won’t happen again. Judge Giles says he would have given the same treatment to any criminal defendant. Kilpatrick faces perjury and other charges, which he has denied.

ANGELOU GETS LEADERSHIP AWARD

Maya Angelou

Author Maya Angelou and TV producer Norman Lear have been chosen to receive the 2008 Marian Anderson Award, which honors artists whose leadership benefits humankind. The pair will receive their awards, as well as an accompanying $100,000 honorarium, during a ceremony to be held Nov. 17 in Philadelphia at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, reports the Associated Press. Angelou, 80, has written more than a dozen best sellers including “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” as well as three Grammy-winning spoken-word albums, poetry, plays and children’s books. She also has written for television and film, serving on the board of the American Film Institute and as a member of the Director’s Guild. Lear, 76, was creator, producer and writer for such television classics as “All in the Family,” “Sanford and Son,” “The Jeffersons” and “Maude.” In its 10th year, the annual Marian Anderson Award is named for the famed contralto and Philadelphia native, who died in 1993 at age 96. Previous recipients include Harry Belafonte, Gregory Peck, Elizabeth Taylor, Oprah Winfrey, Sidney Poitier and Richard Gere.

BLACK MALE TEACHERS NEEDED

Do you know any Black males who are seniors in high school who want to go to college out of state for “FREE”? Several Black Colleges are looking for future black male teachers and will send them to universities/colleges for 4 years FREE. The ‘Call Me MISTER’ program is an effort to address the critical shortage of African American male teachers particularly among South Carolina ’s lowest performing public schools. Program participants are selected from among under-served, socio-economically disadvantaged and educationally at-risk communities. The Call Me MISTER program combines the special strengths and resources of Clemson University with the individualized instructional programs offered by four historically black colleges in South Carolina: Benedict College, Claflin University, Morris College and South Carolina State University. To provide even greater opportunity and access, students have the option of first attending one of our two-year partner colleges before transferring to one of the four-year institutions to complete their baccalaureate degree. In addition, the project has limited enrollment in the middle school Master of Art in a teaching program.

Black History Fact

1948: Alice Coachman becomes the first African American woman to win an Olympic gold medal in the high jump during the Summer Games in London.
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Celebrity Birthdays

Singer Herb Reed of The Platters is 80. Singer Harold Hudson of The Commodores is 59. Actor Harold Perrineau (”Lost,” “Oz”) is 45.

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Words To the Wise

There is no such thing as failure without recourse.
_______________________________________________________________________________
Contact Information

Freddie Bell
PO Box 390521
Minneapolis, MN 55439
Freddie@freddiebell.com
888-639-9738

www.freddiebell.wordpress.com

Welcome to Solid Gold Soul

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. Also visit www.youtube.com/freddiebell950 for some video fun. A few of my video favorites are posted there!

TONI BRAXTON ON ‘DANCING WITH THE STARS?’

Toni Braxton

Singer rumored to be among cast for next season.
*Apparently, Toni Braxton’s health crisis has been averted. If rumors reported by TMZ.com are true, the recently-hospitalized entertainer is ready to get her ballroom dance on as part of ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars.”

FREEMAN IN ‘GOOD SPIRITS’ AFTER SURGERY

Morgan Freeman

Actor underwent procedure to repair damage from Sunday night car wreck.
*Morgan Freeman is reportedly on the mend following surgery Monday night to reconnect nerves and repair damage to his left arm and hand.

OPRAH WINFREY RUMORED TO OPEN EMMYS

Oprah Winfrey

E! says she’s agreed to make an appearance at the beginning of the show.
*Will Oprah Winfrey grace the 2008 Emmy Awards stage this year? E! Online is reporting that the talk show tycoon is set to open the Sept. 21 ceremony at the new Nokia Theatre in downtown Los Angeles.

TYRA DRESSES AS MICHELLE OBAMA FOR BAZAAR

Magazine’s Sept. issue features model in a mock Oval Office setting with fake Barack.
*It’s no secret that Tyra Banks like to play dress up - whether it’s on the fashion runways as a supermodel, or in disguise while going undercover as an obese woman or stripper for her daytime talk show.

SNIPES ORDERED TO REIMBURSE FEDS FOR TAX CASE

Wesley Snipes

Actor must pay more than $217,000.
*A federal judge in Ocala, Fla. ruled Thursday that Wesley Snipes must pay more than $217,000 to reimburse the government for the costs of prosecuting his tax evasion case.

MCCAIN COMPARED OBAMA TO HER

Paris Hilton

Now, Paris Hilton strikes back!
*Attention, America! Paris has spoken. Paris Hilton, the blonde, doe-eyed celebrity thrust into the presidential campaign in an ad by Republican candidate John McCain, issued a tart rebuttal Tuesday, albeit in a scantily clad, tongue-in-cheek kind of way.

HEMSLEY’S ‘JEFFERSONS’ MONEY IN COURT BATTLE

Two men are fighting over actor’s residuals.
*TMZ.com is reporting that two men are in a legal dispute over residuals for actor Sherman Hemsley, a.k.a. George Jefferson of the 70s television series “The Jeffersons.”

OBAMA NETS $5 MILLION AT BOSTON BIRTHDAY PARTY

In Minnesota Tonight $28,500 Each Fundraiser

City’s fundraiser reportedly the biggest in city history.
*Sen. Barack Obama received a nice chunk of change for his campaign Monday night from a Boston fundraiser that doubled as a party to celebrate his 47th birthday.

EBONY GETS PERSONAL WITH MICHELLE OBAMA

Michelle Obama on the Cover

Sept. issue also has exclusive interview with her mom, Marian Robinson.
*Harpers Bazaar may have the Tyra Banks version of Michelle Obama in its September offering, but Ebony magazine has the real thing in its new August issue.

Black History Fact

In 1959, “What’d I Say” by Ray Charles began a two-week run at Number One on Billboard’s R&B chart.
In 1962, Aretha Franklin made her TV debut on American Bandstand.
In 1971, “Treat Her Like A Lady” by Cornelius Brothers& Sister Rose was certified gold.
In 1975, “Get Down Tonight” by KC & the Sunshine Band entered the Top 40 chart.
In 1975, “Dynomite Part 1″ by Tony Camillo’s Bazuka peaked at Number 10 on the pop chart.
In 1975, “Rockin’ Chair” by Gwen McCrae peaked at Number Nine on the pop chart.
In 1977, “Best Of My Love” by the Emotions was certified gold.
In 1977, Right On Time by the Brothers Johnson was certified platinum.
In 1978, the self-titled album by A Taste Of Honey was certified gold.
In 1980, “Give Me The Night” by George Benson entered the Top 40 chart.
In 1989, “Self-Destruction” by Stop The Violence Movement was certified gold.
In 1990, in the first act of the Persian Gulf War, Iraq’s powerful army troops and tanks led by Saddam Hussein invaded and seized control of oil-rich neighboring Kuwait before dawn. President Bush condemned the incursion as an act of “naked aggression” and responded by sending troops to Saudi Arabia to begin Operation Desert Shield. The Iraqis were later driven out in Operation Desert Storm beginning the following January 16.
In 1991, In The Blood by London Beat was certified gold.
In 1991, Rick James and girlfriend Tanya Hijazi were arrested in Los Angeles and charged with sexually assaulting and torturing a woman.
In 1992, “Last Night” by Az Yet was released.
In 1994, “I’ll Make Love To You” by Boyz II Men was released.
In 1995, “Freek ‘n You” by Jodeci was certified gold.

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Celebrity Birthdays

Singer Randy DeBarge of DeBarge is 50. Actress Merrin Dungey (”Summerland,” “Alias”) is 37. Singer Travis McCoy of Gym Class Heroes is 27.

_______________________________________________________________________________
Words To the Wise

Live in the Now Moment
_______________________________________________________________________________
Contact Information

Freddie Bell
PO Box 390521
Minneapolis, MN 55439
Freddie@freddiebell.com
888-639-9738

www.freddiebell.wordpress.com

Welcome to Solid Gold Soul

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. Also visit www.youtube.com/freddiebell950 for some video fun. A few of my video favorites are posted there!

FREEMAN REMAINS HOSPITALIZED FOLLOWING CRASH

Morgan Freeman remained in serious condition at a Memphis hospital Monday following a car accident in Mississippi that flipped the vehicle multiple times and required the “jaws of life” to free him from the wreckage. “He has a broken arm, broken elbow and minor shoulder damage but he is in good spirits,” his rep Donna Lee said Monday. “He is going to have surgery this afternoon or tomorrow to correct the damage. He says he’ll be okay and is looking forward to a full recovery.” At 11:30 p.m. Sunday, the Oscar winner was driving down a rural highway in Tallahatchie County, Miss., in a car belonging to his female passenger, when he lost control of the wheel and it flipped several times before landing in a ditch. “They had to use the ‘jaws of life’ [hydraulic cutters] to extract him from the vehicle,” a witness told reporters. “He was lucid, conscious. He was talking, joking with some of the rescue workers at one point.” He reportedly told one witness attempting to take pictures of him, “No freebies. No freebies.” Freeman, 71, was airlifted to the Regional Medical Center in Memphis, about 100 miles from his home in Charleston, Tenn. Staff described his condition as “serious.” A spokesman for the Mississippi Highway Patrol said there was no indication that either alcohol or drugs were involved in the accident, but the cause of the crash was not immediately apparent.

LISA RAY’S HUSBAND CHEATING?

Rosci of 106 & Park

Michael Misick and Lisa Raye

A rep for actress LisaRaye released a statement over the weekend suggesting that her husband, Turks & Caicos Premier Michael Misick, is creepin’ with BET’s Rocsi of “106 & Park.” According to publicity firm Lynn Allen Jeter & Associates, the two were seen “canoodling” during the T&C Music Festival over the weekend while LisaRaye was in New York. “Sources have even reported that Rocsi stayed at the Misick home and hosted guests as if she was the lady of the house,” the release stated. In March, Rocsi’s name was floated around as the unnamed “American friend of LisaRaye’s” who accused Michael Misick of rape, but those reports were never confirmed to be true. The alleged victim was said to have reported the crime to local police before returning to her home in the U.S. and reporting it to the FBI. At the time, USA Today reported that a Puerto Rican woman had accused Misick of raping her. Rocsi, born Raquel Roxanne Diaz, was born in Tegucigalpa, Honduras and is reportedly of Honduran and Chilean descent.

ABDUL CANCELS NBC APPEARANCE….AGAIN

Paula Abdul has once again pulled out of a scheduled concert appearance on NBC’s “Today” show, according to Page Six. She was originally due to perform her single “Dance Like There’s No Tomorrow” back in April, when the Randy Jackson-produced song was released. But she canceled the gig citing “production commitments.” The performance was rescheduled to Aug. 29, but Abdul’s camp contacted “Today” producers on Friday to back out of that commitment as well, this time due to “American Idol” commitments. But one source told Page Six: “Please. She can’t perform live. Her voice on the single is so mixed and electronicized you don’t know what she really sounds like any more.”

Black History Fact

1892: Harriet Tubman receives a pension from Congress for her work as a nurse, spy, and scout during the Civil War.
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Celebrity Birthdays

Rapper Adam Yauch (MCA) of the Beastie Boys is 44.

_______________________________________________________________________________
Words To the Wise

Put your faith in action
_______________________________________________________________________________
Contact Information

Freddie Bell
PO Box 390521
Minneapolis, MN 55439
Freddie@freddiebell.com
888-639-9738