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:: Patty Jackson's 411 for the week of September13th, 2004:
Singer Tyrone Davis is not doing well. The 70’s soul singer recently suffered a heart attack and a stroke. He is in Chicago where he is also undergoing dialysis. He suffered his first stroke last year. Davis is best known for the soul classic “If I Could Turn Back the Hands of Time” and “Can I Change Your Mind.”
At the movies this week it’s Bernie Mac and Angela Bassett in the film Mr. 3000. In Mr. 3000, Bernie plays a retired baseball star that has to return to the game when it is revealed he did not achieve the record 3000 hits. Bernie has been busy with his film career he is currently filming the remake to the Sydney Poitier classic Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner with Ashton Kutcher and this December he will be co-starring in Ocean’s 12. This is the sequel to Ocean’s 11 with Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Matt Damon and Julia Roberts. The Bernic Mac Show has started the new season and it’s back on Wednesday nights at 9pm.
Whitney Houston is gearing up for a comeback. Whitney is re-teaming with her mentor, Clive Davis. A new album will be released next year and Clive will be guiding her career. Whitney is gaining weight and it appears she may be winning the battle over drug abuse. Clive made Whitney a superstar and he wants to see her back on top.
Actress Robin Givens is off the hook. Earlier this year she made headlines when she accidentally ran over the leg of an elderly woman with her SUV. Charges were dropped against Robin when the three police officers who filed the report failed to show up at the traffic court trial. Robin still faces a civil suit regarding the case.
Stevie Wonders long awaited CD, A Time 2 Love is coming out in November. Because of recent management changes at Motown, the album was delayed. In the meantime, Stevie has been busy with his current wife, fashion designer, Kai Miller. Kai’s first fashion collection will be released next February.
In other fashion news, Beyonce’s new fashion line will make its debut next September. The line, call Dereon, is named after her grandmother. Beyonce is on a roll. She’s back with Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams and a new Destiny’s Child album is coming out on November 16th. The CD called, Destiny Fulfilled, features the lead single “Lose My Breathe.” Rodney Jerkins produced the song. The ladies are also gearing up for a TV special and an upcoming world tour.
How do you replace Joan and Melissa Rivers on the red carpet? This was the dilemma for the E Network. Joan and Melissa couldn’t come to terms on a new contract with the network so they left to sign a multi-million dollar deal with the TV Guide Network. The mother and daughter team were known for their obnoxious TV antics as they hosted the red carpet events for the E Network. They did all the awards shows…The Oscars, The Emmy’s and the Grammys. The executives searched high and low and now Star Jones from the ABC show, The View, will take over the red carpet duties. Her first assignment is this Sunday with the Emmys.
Tina Turner is coming out with a new album. The 64 year old entertainer will be releasing a 2 CD set featuring the best of Tina Turner plus three new songs. The 33 song set includes her hits with ex-husband Ike Turner—“River Deep Mountain High,” “Proud Mary” and “Nutbush City Limits.” Tina’s solo classics are also included—“‘Let’s Stay Together” and “What’s Love Got To Do With It?”
Tischina Arnold has been added to the cast of the BeBe Winans musical “King Solomon Lives.” Tischina is best known as “Pam” from the Martin show and she recently gave birth to her first child.
Congrats to rapper Mase he and his wife Twyla. They welcomed their first child a boy Isaiah last week.
J-Lo’s former makeup artists Mark Barnes says he wants to set the record straight about their break up. Mark says he was not fired by Jennifer. He claims he left her because she would not pay him for work he did for her wedding to Marc Anthony. He says he was only supposed to do her makeup, but then he did her family and friends and then she stiffed him for his money. The two were together for four years and he is credited with creating that “glow” look for Jennifer. Jennifer parted ways with Barnes when she realized he was the person in her camp who was leaking info about her to the tabloids. Barnes is still upset about his abrupt firing and he says he may write a book to tell all about J-Lo.
Michael Jackson: The Ultimate Collection is a 4 CD deluxe box set that is coming out on November 16th. The box set has 57 songs plus 13 previously unreleased recordings and a 1992 DVD concert. Meanwhile Michael and his baby sister Janet are in talks to record another song together. The song “We’ve Had Enough” will address the media’s attention surrounding Michael’s child abuse allegations and Janet’s “wardrobe malfunction” at the Super Bowl.
Anita Baker is on the cover of the October issue of Essence magazine. She looks amazing and she talks about her ten year absence from the music scene. In the interview Anita opens up about taking care of and losing her parents. She also talks about how her marriage survived a rough period in which she had to learn how to let him breathe and lead his own life. She says she and her husband, investment banker Walter Bridgeforth, are doing fine now, but she admits they almost divorced. Anita’s new CD, My Everything is out in stores now.
Boris Kodjoe and Nicole Ari Parker grace the cover of Ebony magazine. Their new show, Second Time Around debuts on the 20th, on UPN. Boris and Nicole are best known as “Terri” and “Damon” from the Showtime series SoulFood. In the Ebony article they talk about their new show, their love, their upcoming baby (she’s due in March) and the big wedding that’s planned for next May.
Now speaking of magazines, the forces behind Essence have debuted their new younger version. It’s called SUEDE and it’s on newsstands now. Alicia Keys is on the cover. If you love fashion, makeup, hair and trendy pop culture with an urban edge, then you will like this magazine. I enjoyed the magazine even though I have to admit it was hard to find. I found my copy at the supermarket in the aisle where you find the magazines, books and puzzles. The lettering for SUEDE is lost in a splay of psychedelic colors just look for Alicia Keys on the cover.
The O’Jays have been nominated into the Rock ‘N Roll Hall of Fame. Now the big question is will they be selected for induction? Voting ends on October 8th. Other artists nominated include U2, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five and Conway Twitty.
A TV special dedicated to the memory of Ray Charles is being planned by CBS. Usher, Stevie Wonder and Mary J. Blige are scheduled to participate.
Our condolences go out to singer Stephanie Mills. Her father Joe Thomas Mills died earlier this month.
Singer CeCe Winans is recovering well after undergoing emergency surgery last week at a Los Angeles hospital. The Winans family thanks all for their well wishes and prayers. CeCe went in the hospital for a routine operation and came home then she fell ill and doctors discovered she had an infection. Her recovery is going to take some time. In the meantime, her Throne Room tour has been postponed until next year.
The wedding and relationship is off between supermodel Tyra Banks and basketball star Chris Webber. What happened? The two were very close, but sources say Chris still has a lot of play in him and wasn’t ready to settle down. Tyra was heartbroken about his decision, but she has been putting on a brave face as she prepares for the third season of America’s Next Top Model. The UPN show premieres next week. Tyra is also in talks to host her own daytime talk show. Jennifer Lopez’s former manager Benny Medina will co-produce.
He knew he really did not want her...he was just waiting for me to come along. Don't worry- here i come!
Is Kevin Federline taking care of his kids? Ferderline is pop star Britney Spear’s fiancé. He’s is also the father of two kids-- 2 month old Kaleb and 2 year old Kori. Their mother is actress Shar Jackson. Britney gives Ferderline $2,000 a month for his kids, but sources say Shar has not seen a dime of this money. Will she take him to court after he marries Britney? You Betcha!
Will basketball player Gary Peyton retire from the game this season? He was arrested last month for driving under the influence. Last season Peyton played for Lakers, but he was recently traded to the Boston Celtics.
Supermodel Naomi Campbell recently opened up about her past drug addiction. The 34 year old beauty says her descent into drugs started ten years ago. She says with the help of rehab she has been drug free and she still attends rehab meetings daily. Naomi refused to talk about her recent troubles involving her bad temper. Why is she always beating up her help?
There will be no Black Nativity production from Freedom Theatre this season. The company is reorganizing and restructuring their operations. All productions have been cancelled and they hope to resume productions by next spring. In the coming months they will begin a national search for a new Managing Director and they will raise money for the theatre. Even though the productions have stopped the performing arts training programs will continue.
American Idol winner Fantasia Barrino will be playing the “Queen of Soul” Aretha Franklin on an upcoming episode of American Dreams.
Ruben Studdard the American Idol winner from season number two is making a lifestyle change. Ruben says he wants to lose weight. Since winning the title Ruben has gained 60 pounds on his already large frame. Ruben will be helped by American Idol judge Randy Jackson. Randy lost 100 pounds via gastric bypass surgery. Ruben has hired a personal trainer and he plans on losing weight the old fashion way as he watches what he eats and exercises. Ruben will be in Philly on the 29th, at the Troc, 10th and Arch Streets, doing a show with Kindred The Family Soul and he has a new gospel album coming out on November 15th. The first single “I Need an Angel” was written and produced by R. Kelly.
R. Kelly is coming to town along with Jay-Z. It’s their “Best of Both Worlds” tour and tickets go on sale on September 18th. The show is November 13th, at the Wachovia Center.
Back together again! Yes, it’s one more time for Usher and Chili. The two have been on and off for the past couple of years and now it’s back on. Usher let it be known on MTV during their video music awards. Usher changed the words to his smash hit, “Confessions.” As he stood there with his shirt off dripping with water Usher looked into the camera and sang “I waited to the VMA’s to say what I’m about to say cause I know you still love me baby I feel the same, I want to get back right, but it can’t happen overnight, between me and you girl we gonna try again and this time let’s do it right.” This is what he said-- these were the lyrics. I thought he was talking about her and sure nuff he was. Those rumors about him and Alicia Keys were just publicity for their new song “My Boo” (even though they look good in the video). Usher and Chili despite their problems love each other. Is Usher ready to settle down? Can he leave the women alone? Will he finally marry Chili? Will she be with him when he returns to the Wachovia center next month? Usher is re-releasing his CD Confessions. 4 new songs have been added including his song “My Boo.” The repackaged disc will have a new covert art, an expanded CD booklet, a pull out poster and a letter from Usher.
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