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.

HALLE BERRY PREGNANT??

TMZ.com is reporting that Halle Berry, currently dating model Gabriel Aubrey, is three months pregnant with her first child. According to the Web site, producers on her upcoming Lionsgate film "Tulia" canceled plans to begin shooting in October because their lead actress, 41, will be showing. As previously reported, the film stars Berry and Billy Bob Thornton in the true story of a racial profiling scandal in Tulia, Texas. The John Singleton-directed movie was due to arrive in theaters next year.

DENZEL'S SON JD CUT FROM THE RAMS

J.D. Washington, the football-playing son of Academy Award-winning actor Denzel Washington, was one of 11 players cut by the St. Louis Rams over the weekend. The former Morehouse College standout wasn't considered an NFL prospect, but he was invited to the Rams' training camp in 2006 and made a good enough impression to earn a spot on the practice squad last year. The Rams allocated him to the Hamburg Sea Devils of NFL Europa this spring. He gained just three yards on his five preseason carries this year. Meanwhile, his father's means of employment is still intact. Denzel's new film, "American Gangster," will arrive in theaters November 2.

SOUNDS OF BLACKNESS KINDS AND QUEENS ON SALE AT BEST BUY

When I recently spoke with Gary Hines, Sounds of Blackness founder, he was literally jumping out of skin with excitement over the Sounds, Kings and Queens project. We bumped into each other at the Khalid El Amin Celebrity Basketball Fundraising event at the Minneapolis target Center. Hines says the CD is a tribute to those artists who pioneered R and B. He talked at length about of of his favoritie tracks, Power to the People, originally released by the Chi-lites. The CD is being sold exclusively at Best Buy. Twin Citians are being treated to a special performance at Sabathini Community Center this week. The rest of the country will have a chance to hear Hines talk about the new project on the Tom Joyner Morning Show. You can also listen to selected clips at the Sounds of Blackness Myspace spot. Just go to the Myspace link here and you'll see that Gary Hines is saved on my friends list. Thanks for the add!

NEW YORK POLICE STOP LIL KIM

Lil' Kim drew a crowd of lookiloos on Manhattan's West Side Thursday after she was stopped by police for driving a Lamborghini without license plates. The 33-year-old, born Kimberly Denise Jones, was pulled over at about 6 p.m. as she drove into a gas station at 50th Street and 11th Avenue, reports the New York Post. Cops soon discovered that she was also driving without a license. According to TMZ.com, Kim told police that she was licensed to drive in New Jersey but simply forgot to bring the license with her. But Kim, in fact, is not licensed to drive anywhere, the Web site reported. Kim also told police that she had just received the Lamborghini as a gift from her "boyfriend," who had it shipped brand new and plate-free on a flatbed from California to NYC, TMZ reports. The car did have a temporary out-of-state registration, and she reportedly tried to convince officers that cars in Cali don't need to display license plates. A source told TMZ that Kim stayed calm as police were questioning her, but when the paparazzi showed up, she flipped out. "She became belligerent, loud and obnoxious. She proclaimed that if she was the average person, this wouldn't have been a problem," said the source. Kim's lawyer, Bernie Jackson, eventually came to the rescue and drove Kim home in the Lambo – but not before the rapper took time to pose for pictures with fans and sign autographs.

LUTHER VANDROSS BOXED SET ON THE WAY

Luther Vandross fanatics can circle Oct. 16th on the calendar. On that Tuesday, Epic/J/Legacy will release a four-disc boxed set, "Love, Luther," that features all of his hits as well as rare and previously-unreleased material recorded throughout his 24-year career. Included are the late singer's 1981 demos for "Ready for Love" and "If You Can't Dance" and versions of "There's Only You," "So Amazing" and "Anyone Who Had a Heart" recorded during a rehearsal at a Montserrat studio in June 1986, reports Billboard.com. "There's Only You," the first new Vandross single since his death in 2005, will be shipped to Urban AC and Smooth Jazz radio in the coming weeks. With extensive liner notes from writer Ernest Hardy, "Love, Luther" runs roughly in chronological order, beginning with such early hits as "Never Too Much" and "If this World Were Mine." Disc two includes his hits "Stop To Love," the Gregory Hines duet "There's Nothing Better Than Love" and Vandross' signature song, "Here and Now." Disc three features some pre-fame appearances with the groups Luther and Charme, plus '90s-era hits like the Mariah Carey duet "Endless Love," "Power of Love/Love Power" and "Don't Want To Be a Fool." The last disc contains live recordings, a pairing with Frank Sinatra on "The Lady Is a Tramp" from the latter's 1993 album "Duets" and Vandross' last big R&B hit, 2001's "Take You Out."

LOOK WHO RIHANNA IS DATING

Even though she's denying it, the gossip rags have been reporting on a supposed romance between 19-year-old singer Rihanna and Shia LeBeouf, the 21-year-old actor whose recent films include "Transformers," "Disturbia" and the forthcoming "Indiana Jones 4." Janet Charlton reported that the camera-shy film star recently broke off a three year relationship last spring and claimed he was "too busy" for romance. However, "he wasn't too busy when Rihanna came along," Charlton wrote in her column. "Shia has been filming 'Indiana Jones 4' and he and Rihanna are the talk of the set," Charlton continued. "Tuesday night when Buzzfoto spotted them on a two hour date (with strawberries for dessert) at [Los Angeles restaurant] Kate Mantilini, all was confirmed. "Shia freaked and ran away, but Rihanna calmly posed for [a photo]. They made a quick getaway in his new pickup truck."

Black History Fact

1865: Bowie State College is established in Bowie, MD.

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Celebrity Birthdays

Singer Merald "Bubba" Knight of Gladys Knight and the Pips is 65.
Bassist Ronald LaPread (the Commodores) is 57.
Actress Khandi Alexander ("ER," "NewsRadio") is 50.
Actor-comedian Damon Wayans is 47.
Singer Beyonce Knowles (Destiny's Child) is 26.

_______________________________________________________________________________
Words To the Wise

Everything works out well
_______________________________________________________________________________
Contact Information<
Freddie Bell
PO Box 390521
Minneapolis, MN 55439
fbellsolidgoldsoul@gmail.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.

HERE'S THE AUDIO VERSION OF TODAY'S UPDATE; CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

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FOXY BROWN REMAINS IN JAIL

Foxy Brown wants off the Island. The rapper, currently on lockdown at Rikers Island for alleged parole violations, has lost her petition to leave jail on claims that she is suffering. The artist, who recently announced she is three months pregnant and engaged, was ordered behind bars pending her next hearing on Sept. 7. But Foxy filed a lawsuit against the Correction Department to wait for the court date at home, alleging she has been suffering since being tossed in the pokey last Wednesday (Aug. 21).

TONI BRAXTION IS WELL

Toni Braxton has issued a statement that denies she has breast cancer. The singer and Las Vegas showroom star has been dogged by rumors and published reports from various outlets that she had been diagnosed with the deadly disease. Braxton issued the following statement on Tuesday to Access Hollywood: There has been a rumor circulating that I have been diagnosed with breast cancer. After feeling something uncomfortable in my left breast, I went in for a screening. I was very fortunate that they did not find anything and I am in great health. However, I encourage women to take their annual tests and suggested precautions to prevent this disease that continues to affect so many women. The 39-year-old mother of two is currently starring five nights a week in her own Las Vegas show, Toni Braxton: Revealed, at the Flamingo Hotel and Casino.

BO-DIDDLY SUFFERS HEART ATTACK

Bo Diddley, 78, was in stable condition at a hospital in Gainesville, Fla. after suffering a heart attack, his publicist said Tuesday. "He is conscious," said publicist Susan Clary. "The situation is very serious." The singer-guitarist complained of dizziness and nausea during a routine physical with his doctor on Friday, said Clary. He was taken to North Florida Regional Medical Center in Gainesville where a stent was implanted to improve the blood flow to his heart. In May, Diddley suffered a stroke after casino performances in Council Bluffs, Iowa and was hospitalized in Nebraska. He was soon transferred to Florida near his north central hometown of Archer. The music icon topped the R&B charts with "Bo Diddley" in 1955. His other hits include "Who Do You Love," "Before You Accuse Me," "Mona" and "I'm a Man."

BOGUS STAR NAMES RELEASED FOR ABC DANCING SHOW

If the cast of Dancing With the Stars announced Wednesday on Good Morning America differs from the group of celebrities leaked Monday to TMZ.com, then ABC was successful in its attempt to circumvent possible moles within its ranks. According to the Web site, executives at the network feared the cast would be leaked before this morning's official announcement, so they gave the show's staff and crew a list of names that may or may not be 100% accurate, says TMZ. Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Nia Peeples were among the celebrities announced in Monday's leak. Wayne Newton, so far, is the only confirmed participant in the new season. And TMZ is reporting that Marie Osmond will compete as well.

ROBERT DOWNEY JR. JOINS JAMIE FOXX

Robert Downey Jr. has signed on to star opposite Jamie Foxx in The Soloist, a fact-based drama about a world class violinist who ended up homeless on L.A.s Skid Row. As previously reported, Foxx will play Nathaniel Ayers, the homeless man whose music career was derailed when he developed schizophrenia and could not continue. Downey has been cast as Steve Lopez, the Los Angeles Times columnist who discovered Ayers. Through his columns written about the musician, Lopez developed a close relationship with Ayers that changed both their lives. The DreamWorks film is based on Lopez's columns, as well as a book he wrote that will be published by Putnam next spring.

J-LO DEVELOPING TV SHOW

Jennifer Lopez is developing a new television series set in the world of Quinceaneras, a cultural event in the Latin community that celebrates a girl's 15th birthday. "The Amigas Sweet 15 Club," billed as a half-hour comedy with dramatic undertones, follows five teens as they use their collective talents (one is a singer, one is a DJ, one is a graphic artist, etc.) to launch an after-school party-planning business aimed at helping Latina girls throw their dream Quinceanera bashes, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
Each episode would focus on a different girl and on how her family and cultural background play into planning the event.

Black History Fact

1957: Congress passed the Civil Rights Act of 1957, the first federal civil rights legislation since 1875. The bill established a civil rights commission and a civil rights division in the Justice Department. It also gave the Justice Department authority to seek injunctions against voting rights infractions.

______________________________________________________________________________
Celebrity Birthdays

Singer Michael Jackson is 49.

Singer Carl Martin of Shai is 37.

_______________________________________________________________________________
Words To the Wise

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

Welcome to the Update

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

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

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Totally Gospel On the Internet

To enhance your gospel listening experience, you can now hear Z 1470 Totally Gospel on the new www.totallygospel.com website. Click on the web stream and then click on the link for KZTG.
No matter where you are, lock it in and write it down. The dedicated Minnesota stream for Twin Cities listeners is up and running. Tell a friend that Z 1470 Totally Gospel is now on the radio and on the internet. Churches, Pastors, Ministers and Evangelists in the Twin Cities and from around the country looking to expand their electronic ministries are invited to partner with Totally Gospel. Call 888-639-9738 today for rates and availabilities.

GRANDMASTER FLASH & FURIOUS FIVE ELECTED TO ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAME

Hip hop legends Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five were elected into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on Monday, January 8th. The Ronettes, Van Halen, R.E.M., and Patti Smith will also be inducted as part of the class of 2007 on March 12th at the annual ceremony at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City.

Grandmaster Flash explained how the group has impacted rapper and deejays. He said: "What you're looking at is like two templates that intertwined to become the ground breaking force of hip-hop. Let me explain. Whenever you see two or more emcees split a sentence up back and forth as if one person was saying it, it's called switch overs. That set the whole tone to how emcees would rap."

Flash added: "If you see anybody doing any type of trickery on the turntables, cutting, scratching, whatever you want to call it, I'm the first deejay that created that."

BUSTA RHYMES ORDERED TO PAY FAN $100,000

Busta Rhymes and his bodyguard Troy Green were ordered to pay an autograph seeking fan $100,000 for allegedly assaulting him when he asked for an autograph. Allhiphop.com reports that Melvin Smith was awarded the judgment for an incident which took place in lower Manhattan in 2005.

Smith, a handyman, approached Rhymes for an autograph outside of Corner Gourmet II deli near City Hall. Rhymes and Green allegedly beat up Smith, causing a cut on his eye that required four stitches.

Smith's lawyer explained, "My client was not aggressive in seeking the autograph. Melvin went in to get an autograph and got a knuckle sandwich instead."

Rhymes has an extensive history of aggressive behavior. In 2004, the rapper pleaded no contest to charges that he allegedly grabbed and shoved a fan named Celine Giguere who touched his face after a performance in Fall River, Massachusetts, in December 2002. Rhymes was placed on unsupervised probation for six months, and he was also ordered to pay $300 in court costs and a $21 fee for unsupervised probation. The case was automatically dismissed after the six-month period.

Last year, Rhymes was charged with assault charges for allegedly getting into it with a fan who spit on his Maybach.

Last week, Busta Rhymes was thrown in jail, after he allegedly beat down a former employee who went to his office to get some back pay. According to reports, after Busta posted his $3,500 bail. . . he decided to go out and tear it up. That night, he and his five-man crew hit the New York club Stereo, where Busta dropped several grand on three bottles of champagne and one of Hennessy. Busta also tipped his waitress $500 Then, the next day, Busta went to Jacob The Jeweler. . . to drop some more money on diamonds.

His next court date for his latest assault charge is February 20th.

JAY-Z PARTNERS WITH GMC FOR CONCEPT VEHICLE IN HIS OWN SPECIAL COLOR

Hip hop mogul Jay-Z is known for his taste in vehicles. The rapper is driving the new Maybach coupe in his latest video, "Lost Ones," and on Saturday night, January 6th, he was in Detroit, Michigan to introduce the new GMC Yukon Denali SUV. SOHH.com reports that Jay-Z and General Motors have worked together for over two years to create the concept vehicle and that Jay-Z worked directly with the company's global color studio to create a unique and reflective color that has been dubbed Jay-Z Blue.

Jay-Z, who emerged from one of the vehicles on stage at the Detroit Riverfront on Saturday (January 6th), said, "Hopefully I'll be able to drive one of them out of here tonight."

The event was attended by Vivica Fox, Jennifer Hudson, Rosie Perez, Nick Lachey, and Carmen Electra.

MOS DEF'S LATEST ALBUM RECALLED BY GEFFEN RECORDS

Many Mos Def fans were surprised to find his latest album, Tru3 Magic, in stores on Friday, December 29th. Besides the fact that most new releases hit stores on Tuesdays, the new album featured only a picture-CD in a plastic case. According to the rapper's label, that's because the set was recalled but sending the CD back was up to the discretion of individual retailers.

MTV.com reports that after the album leaked in early December, Geffen Records and Mos Def decided to push up its release and it actually showed up in some stores on December 19th. But after realizing the set lacked the adequate promotional push, Geffen Records and the rapper decided to push back the release.

Now Tru3 Magic will be released with full artwork and an altered track listing this spring. The project will be Mos Def's last under his current contract with Geffen Records.

The current edition of Tru3 Magic will become a collector's edition and it has quietly sold over 11,000 copies already, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

In related news, Mos Def was nominated for a Grammy Award for "Undeniable" in the Best Rap Solo Performance category. The song is the lead single from Tru3 Magic. Winners will be announced at the 49th annual Grammy Awards in February.

DIDDY HOSTS BIRTHDAY BASH FOR GILBERT ARENAS: WIZARDS STAR SERENADED BY THE LIKES OF BUSTA, LIL' WAYNE, T.I. AND THE GAME.

The talk of D.C. continues to be the party at Love nightclub Friday night to celebrate the 25th birthday of Washington Wizards star Gilbert Arenas. Sean "Diddy" Combs flew in to host the lavish event, which saw performances by Busta Rhymes, Lil' Wayne, T.I. and The Game before the party ended. Rappers weren't the only celebrities in attendance. Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb and Washington Redskins quarterback Jason Campbell rolled through, as did several other Redskins and Wizards players. "This just shows you how much love Gilbert has and we have as a team," Wizards guard Jarvis Hayes told AP. "I've never seen a party like this — nowhere close."

Earlier on Friday, Arenas nearly earned a triple- double – scoring 35 points, a season-high 12 assists and seven rebounds to help the Wizards beat the Los Angeles Clippers 116-105. During one of his foul shots, the sellout crowd of 20,173 at the Verizon Center began chanting "MVP!" While the party at Love started at 9 p.m., Arenas arrived at around midnight. The venue featured a life-sized ice carving of Arenas playing basketball, and television monitors airing No. 0's highlights throughout the night. According to AP, many of the 7,500 invited guests clogged the stairwells leading to the fourth floor, where Arenas was holding court. "He was taking it in stride," Hayes said of Arenas' reaction to the clamoring fans.

DAVE MAYS AND BENZINO ACCUSED OF STEALING CONTENT

Former Source magazine owners Dave Mays and Ray Benzino launched their new weekly rap gossip, Hip Hop Weekly, in October and the duo is already taking heat from other publications, specifically Mark Echo's Complex magazine. Ballerstatus.com reports that Complex has accused Mays and Benzino of stealing content and called the publication the "piss poor-cheapest paper to ever be printed on-rumor rag."

On their web blog, Complex magazine went on to say, "Hip Hop Weekly, the gossipy-rap- tabloid that is sure to get both founders and sexual harassers, Ray Benzino and Dave Mays, shot, need to learn how to attribute sources, especially when they just thieve content without consent. Word for word they reprinted quotes with no credits and definitely no green light from us."

Mays responded in a written statement, "We feel very sorry that the folks at Complex magazine believe that Hip Hop Weekly is a 'biting' and 'gossipy-tabloid' printed on piss-poor paper but ever since the launch of our revolutionary new format, we have been receiving rave reviews about our coverage of hip-hop culture and entertainment on a weekly basis."

Benzino added, "Contrary to anyone else's beliefs, there is no beef between us and Complex, or with any other hip-hop magazine for that matter….It's a fast-moving world, so the Hip Hop Weekly format only fits the times."

BEYONCE DANCE AUDITION DRAWS HUNDREDS IN HOUSTON

Hundreds of dancing hopefuls showed up over the weekend as Beyonce held another in a series of auditions in her home town of Houston. Dancers were put through their paces Saturday at a Houston studio, performing choreographed routines to such Beyonce hits as "Deja Vu" in front of choreographer Frank Gaston and several cameras.

Houston is the third location in the cross-country search to fill 40 slots for Beyonce's upcoming worldwide tour. Previous dance auditions have been held in Atlanta and Los Angeles, and the audition process will continue in New York and Chicago.

Beyonce and Gaston will review the tapes and choose 30 finalists from each city. Finalists will be sent to New York or Los Angeles to compete for the final positions.

Competition is bound to be fierce, since open calls for such a high profile artist tour are rare. The chosen dancers will earn between $1,500 to $3,000 a week and get extensive exposure.

Beyonce utilized the open-call audition process to formulate her current all-female touring band.

Tour dates have not yet been announced.

RIHANNA WINS BARBADOS MUSIC AWARDS

Pop and R&B singer Rihanna earned the Entertainer of the Year award at this year's Barbados Music Awards, held in Bridgetown on Friday, January 5th. It's the second year in a row the 18-year-old has won the island's top award.

She also took home Best Album for A Girl Like Me and Best Song for the Top 10 single "Unfaithful," which she performed at the packed ceremony.

"I am always delighted to win awards, but it's especially great to win awards at home," she said, according to AP. "I'm actually working on my third album, so you will be seeing and hearing a lot from me in the upcoming months."

The Def Jam hitmaker was born Robyn Rihanna Fenty on the Caribbean island, and shot to fame with her 2005 single "'Pon De Replay" from her debut album Music Of The Sun. She told me that when she's away from home she really misses the "three Fs": "West Indian food, very spicy, it's really good…food, friends and family."

MAURICE WHITE HANDPICKED ARTISTS FOR 'INTERPRETATIONS'

Earth Wind & Fire founder, producer and chief songwriter Maurice White says that the all-star tribute album being released on the revived Stax label was actually put into motion by Concord Records, whose John Burk pitched the idea to him at last year's Grammy Awards. The new set, titled Interpretations: Celebrating The Music of Earth Wind & Fire, is being released on due March 27th on the legendary Stax label, which was acquired by Concord.

The album features performances by Chaka Khan, Dwele, Bilal, MeShell Ndegeocello, Lalah Hathaway, Ledisi, Mint Condition, and new Stax signee Angie Stone, among others.

White says he personally approved all the artists, and offered them a list of Earth, Wind & Fire's many hits to choose from. He told me: "So we gave the artists a list of songs and from that they pretty much selected a song that they figured they could do the best job on. Yeah, I was the executive producer, I let them produce musically because I wanted them to feel free to do whatever they felt was necessary to complete the song."

The first single will be a version of "September" by gospel star Kirk Franklin that is dedicated to the people of New Orleans, Mississippi and Alabama, who were hit hardest by Hurricane Katrina. The single will be available at radio in late January.

THE POINTER SISTERS TO PAY TRIBUTE TO FALLEN MEMBER

Anita Pointer says carrying on with the Pointer Sisters has helped her overcome some painful losses. Pointer spoke to the Honolulu Star Bulletin and explained that performing helped her through the recent deaths of her daughter, her mother, and most recently her sister and group-cofounder June Pointer, who died last April of cancer. Anita explained that, "The last six years… they've been really stressful. It's by the grace of God that we're still doing this. It's been unbelievable. My life has taken quite a turn. The touring has really relieved the pain and the hurt. It's helped keep my mind occupied."

Anita added that the group is taking a brief hiatus from live work to concentrate on recording: "We're going to take some time to do some recording. We're writing songs. In fact, just last week I wrote a song about June… It was tough to pick up after June died. It's still tough. I miss her so. She was so wonderful, and while it will never be the same, Ruth and I wanted to go on."

Anita and sister Ruth have been performing with Ruth's daughter, Issa Pointer, whose father is former Temptations' lead singer Dennis Edwards: "She has good genetics, between her mom and her father, who sang 'Papa Was A Rolling Stone.' We approached her when June wasn't well and couldn't go on the road. It was a pretty easy transition at the time."

No release date has been scheduled for the upcoming Pointer Sisters album, which will be their first new studio collection since 1993's Only Sisters Can Do That.

Anita Pointer told me that throughout the group's 30- odd-year career they've always been thankful to have the opportunity to perform and record: "We're always working on new projects, were always writing, always looking for that killer song. So that's what we're doing right now. Working in and out of the country, in and out of California, and just having a really good time, and working hard."

ENTERTAINMENT QUICKIES

Hip-Hop video model/television personality and actress Melyssa Ford has joined Sirius Satellite Radio as an on-air host. Ford will be a host on Sirius' commercial free R&B/Hip-Hop station, Hot Jamz, channel 50. Ford's first day on the air starts Monday, Jan. 15 and her show will air from 12-6 pm EST. Ford has graced the pages of magazines like XXL, Maxim and Black Men's Magazine. She has also been featured in videos by Jay-Z, Mystikal, Jadakiss, R. Kelly and others.

It seems like every other week rapper Foxy Brown has a run-in with the law. In fact, her behavior has gotten so bad that insiders are beginning to wonder if she has a serious problem. MediaTakeOut.com spoke with someone close to Foxy who believes that she does. According to the woman, Foxy may be hooked on the addictive painkiller Oxycontin. The woman, who has known Foxy for years, spoke exclusively to MediaTakeOut.com. She claims that she saw Foxy take a dozen of what she believes were the addictive pain killers in one sitting. She explains, "I saw [Foxy] and she looked terrible, her weave was coming out and she was all ashy … and she kept complaining of a headache and popping pills - it was sad." The woman continued, "When I asked [Foxy] what kind of pills she was taking, she told me to mind my [EXPLETIVE] business … but I've used Oxycontin before so I know what they look like." And there's more evidence that Foxy may be abusing the addictive painkiller. According to the National Institute of Health's website, prolonged Oxycontin abuse leads to sensorineural hearing loss, an extremely rare condition. Last year Foxy Brown was diagnosed with sensorineural hearing loss. She has since undergone two operations to restore her hearing.

MARIO: NEW DISC INFLUENCED BY FILM

Mario says that his new disc, Go, is heavily influenced by things he's experienced in filming Freedom Writers. He tells us, "The album consists of a lot of different types of records. The film, Freedom Writers, actually influenced a song called 'Do Right' that's on the album. It's a lot more personal. It talks about my experiences growing up as a teenager, and why I chose to sing and you know not be a statistic. You know, God blessed me with a voice and he blessed me with insight."

Freedom Writers opened in theaters this weekend, and ended up the number-four film with sales totaling nine-point-seven million dollars.

Go is slated to be released this spring

THIS WEEK'S RELEASES

Go!, Mario (Guest artists include: Alicia Keys, Nelly and Akon.)

Downtown Journey of a Heart, John Waite (Includes a duet with Alison Krauss.)

Never Hear The End Of It, Sloan
Jump In Soundtrack, The new Disney Channel movie (With songs performed by High School Musical's Corbin Bleu, Akeelah and the Bee's Keke Palmer, and 15-year-old Jordan Pruitt, who's currently the opening act for High School Musical:The Concert.)

Crunk Hits 3, Various Artists (Featuring music from: David Banner, Three 6 Mafia, Webstar, E-40, Akon, LL Cool J, Pitbull, Paul Wall, the Ying Yang Twins, Too Short, Chris Brown, T-Pain, Tyrese, Jim Jones, Lil Rob and Lil Wayne.)

Son of a Refugee, Patriarch

The Best Kept Secret, (Kool Keith's reunited rap group) The Ultramagnetic MCs

STAR JONES WAS THE MOST ANNOYING CELEBRITY OF 2006

What if somebody came up with a list of the Most Annoying Celebrities of 2006, and Donald Trump only came in second while Kevin Federline finished 18th??? Believe it or not, that happened. The website AmIAnnoying.com has released its annual list of the Most Annoying Celebrities of the Year, and Star Jones beat Trump to the top spot. Paris Hilton was a close third.

The Top 10 Most Annoying Celebrities of 2006 are:

1.) Star Jones
2.) Donald Trump
3.) Paris Hilton
4.) Michael Jackson
5.) Justin Timberlake
6.) Stacey Keibler
7.) Dr. Phil
8.) Oprah Winfrey
9.) Lindsay Lohan
10.) Tom Cruise

TYRESE'S GIRLFRIEND SAYS FIGHT WAS "DISTORTED"

The attorney representing the girlfriend of singer/actor Tyrese Gibson has issued a statement in response to an altercation that allegedly occurred at a Los Angeles home last Thursday night.

The woman's attorney tells TMZ "Reports that Tyrese punched my client- his girlfriend- in the arm, thigh or anywhere else are false. It is true, Mr. Gibson and his girlfriend had been arguing. She became very emotional and distressed during the argument and called 911 in an attempt to get a mediator. Mr. Gibson, frustrated, left the home. My client, Mr. Gibson's girlfriend, who is 11 weeks pregnant, then became more upset and began throwing up. When the paramedics arrived, concerned about the baby, they took her to the hospital. Fortunately, she was fine. Once at the hospital, she was asked by a nurse whether she had been assaulted. She said no. She was then asked what her pain level was on a scale of zero to ten. She said zero. She then discharged herself. Mr. Gibson and his girlfriend are very much still in love, together and excited about their expectant child. She is quite saddened that this event was so distorted."

Police sources tell TMZ they are "interested" in speaking to Tyrese about the incident.

No charges have been filed.

ELLA FITZGERALD STAMP TO BE UNVEILED IN NEW YORK

The late jazz vocalist Ella Fitzgerald will be honored tomorrow in New York, as the U.S. Postal Service will induct her as the 30th personality in its Black Heritage stamp series. Singer Nancy Wilson, saxophonist James Moody, Fitzgerald's son Ray Brown Jr., the Rev. Calvin O. Butts of the Abyssinian Baptist Church, and other friends and notables will gather at the Allen Room at Frederick P. Rose Hall in New York City at 11 a.m. for a special unveiling of the stamp art.

Widely known as "The First Lady of Song," Fitzgerald is pictured on the new stamp with a portrait based on a 1956 photograph.

The Postal Service issued its first Black Heritage stamp in 1978 with a stamp honoring Harriet Tubman. Since then, the popular series has seen postage stamps featuring the images of Martin Luther King Jr., Marian Anderson, Malcolm X, Thurgood Marshall, and many others.

OFFICIALS SAY MADONNA IS DOING A GOOD JOB AS MOM

Madonna is doing a good job as mother to her newly adopted son, David Banda, according to the Malawian government. An official told Reuters, "We have been monitoring her, and so far we see a loving mother in Madonna, and David is very fine. The father should not be worried." Madonna signed interim adoption papers last fall and agreed to be monitored for 18 months so that Malawi officials would decide whether David could officially join her family.

Madonna's Confessions tour is coming to CD and DVD on January 30th.

She'll be up for three prizes at the Grammy Awards on February 11th.

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Black History Fact

In 1861, Mississippi became the second state to secede from the Union.
In 1866, Fisk University was founded.
In 1906, Poet and novelist Paul Laurence Dunbar died.
In 1914, the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity was founded at Howard University.
In 1922, Ahmed Sekou Toure, the first president of Guinea, was born.
In 1946, Poet Countee Cullen died at the age of 42 in New York City.
In 1967, the Georgia legislature, bowing to legal decisions and national pressure, seated Representative Julian Bond, a critic of the Vietnam War.
In 1989, Time Inc. agreed to sell NYT Cable for $420 million to a group led by J. Bruce Llewellyn. It was the largest cable TV acquisition by an African-American at the time.

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Celebrity Birthdays

Tyrone "Mugsy" Bogues, former NBA star, 42
Earl Graves, publisher of Black Enterprise, 72
Angie Martinez, rapper, actress, and radio personality, 35
Mia X, former No Limit rapper and actress, 37
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Words To the Wise

God is still a miracle worker
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Contact Information
Freddie Bell
newsletter@voiceunique.com
888-639-9738