Ten Finalists Named on "Sunday Best"

This was the second competition installment of Sunday Best, and this was the week they made eliminations. After a stellar opening by Byron Cage and the contestants singing I Will Bless the Lord, the festivities began...

Pete Robinson was first up. The Vineland, New Jersey resident sang Through it All. His delivery started off pretty shaky, but it came together in the end. Judge Tina Campbell didn't think it was his strongest performance and she thought he didn't connect with the audience. In addition, there were pitch problems. Both BeBe Winans and Erica Campbell agreed. Erica also thought it would be good if he sang the chorus -- the known part of the song -- along with the background singers.

Y'Anna Crawley did Mt. Rainier, Maryland proud with her rendition of For Every Mountain. To let you know how good it was, the audience gave the 31-year-old a standing ovation. The judges had no choice but to agree. BeBe went so far as to say that she was a great singer that he could listen to all day.

Maurice Griffin had a great voice that was showcased nicely with In the Midst of it All. This 22-year-old minister of music from Chicago came out in a low-key fashion, but brought it together as he sang. BeBe said Griffin sounded like a grownup, but he looked like an elementary school student. All the judges liked him.

One of the shakiest performer of the night was Sharon Gomez. The Baltimore, Maryland resident Great is Thy Faithfulness. While her sincerity shined through, her voice wasn't that impressive. While the judges thought her voice was nice, there weren't impressed with her performance. Tina blamed it on her nerves, and Erica agreed.

I'm Lost Without You was John McClure Jr's choice of song. While I wasn't impressed with his take on the BeBe and CeCe Winans classic, the judges liked it. Of course, BeBe reminded us why we loved the song by taking his turn on it.

Host Kirk Franklin liked the arrangement of Melodies From Heaven that Crystal Holland chose to sing. The Chicagoan gave it a jazzy feel that was really nice. Erica thought there was something inconsistent about Holland's performance, Tina thought she didn't connect, and BeBe felt like it was mechanical.

While I realize that Sunday Best is a singing competition, I think it's important to look good when you sing. Unfortunately, Sacramento native Ian J. Knighton obviously didn't agree. Even though his take on The Presence of the Lord is Here was good, his suit didn't fit him well. Erica liked the way he engaged the audience, BeBe thought the song was too short, and Tina invited him to her church.

Another shaky singer was Cecoya Burch. The Atlanta, Georgia native's weak performance of Mary Mary's In the Morning left a lot to be desired. While Tina and Erica were kind and said decent things, it was obvious to me that they weren't overjoyed at Burch's rendition.

Kirk called Dontavies Boatwright a Black Pavarotti -- a reference to the great operatic singer, Luciano Pavarotti -- and he was absolutely right. Boatwright's take on What the World Need Now is Love was awesome, and the judges agreed.

The final performance of the night was Los Angeles' own Carolyn Johnson White. This seasoned singer took it old school with I Know I've Been Changed. Even though she had some pitch problems in the beginning, she managed to pull it together before her time was up, and that note she hit at the end was well worth the wait. Jesus showed up, and the audience almost went in. The judges were thoroughly impressed with the 60-year-old, and when she talked about how grateful she was to be in the number with all the children, the audience went wild.

In the end, ten singers were eliminated. They were Tammy Turner, Cammille Betton, Jonathan Johnson, Audrey Lewis, Pete Robinson, Maurice Griffin, Sharon Gomez, Cecoya Burch, Crystal Holland, and Ian J. Knighton.

Here are the ten Sunday Best finalists:

John McClure Jr.
Kalind Haynes
Jessica Reedy
Zebulon Ellis
Y'Anna Crawley
Carolyn Johnson-White
Dontavies Boatwright
Latice Crawford
Jeff Spain
Clifton Ross III

Tune in next week to see how this thing turns out...

What Ever Happened To...DJ Jazzy Jeff?

Just because we haven’t seen DJ Jazzy Jeff in a minute, don’t think he’s not working. The former partner of The Fresh Prince, better known to us as Will Smith, will be taking part in Bacardi B-Live, a concert series that features some of the hottest acts and DJs from all over the world. Other acts on the tour include MSTRKRFT; Q-Tip, and Santigold.

The cool thing about the tour – which kicks off on May 20th in Seattle – is the Bacardi Bespoke Bar. That’s where attendees of legal age – 21 and over – will get a chance to sample and create their own cocktails with the help of a mixologist.

Here’s a complete list of dates for the Bacardi B-Live tour:

May 20 – Seattle, WA
May 22 – San Francisco, CA
May 28 – San Diego, CA
May 29 – Los Angeles, CA
May 30 – Phoenix, AZ
June 3 – Denver, CO
June 6 – Kansas City, MO
June 11 – Milwaukee, WI
June 12 – Chicago, IL
June 13 – St. Louis, MO
June 17 – New York, NY
June 18 – Boston, MA
June 19 – Philadelphia, PA
June 25 – Louisville, KY
June 26 – Cleveland, OH
June 27 – Columbus, OH
July 2 – Charlotte, NC
July 3 – Atlanta, GA
July 4 – Orlando, FL
July 8 – New Orleans, LA
July 10 – Austin, TX
July 11 – Dallas, TX

Big Pimpin' Could Cramp Snipes' Style

Note to Wesley Snipes – when you're doing things you're really not supposed to do, make sure you steer clear of the cameras. That's some advice he'll have to heed from now on. According to E! Online, the actor – who was sentenced to three years for income tax evasion but is free on a million-dollar bond pending appeal – was photographed big pimpin’ with the likes of Denzel Washington, Michael Jordan, and Janet Jackson at a party in the United Arab Emirates back in November. The only thing was that he told the judge that he would be overseas working on a film project.

Last summer, a judge allowed Snipes to travel to Vancouver, London, and Bangkok to work. However, in light of Snipes’ unscheduled stop at the gala opening of the $1.5 billion Atlantis the Palm hotel in Dubai, federal prosecutors really don’t want him to go out of the country again. Assistant US Attorney Robert E. O’Neill filed papers in the US District Court in Ocala, Florida to deny the actor’s request to go to Namibia to reshoot scenes for the horror movie, Galllowwalker, and then to Torino, Italy to film the action flick Game of Death.

O’Neill feels that Wesley has abused the court’s trust in a public way and shouldn’t be allowed to go. In addition, the prosecutor also stated that Namibia is a known haven for international fugitives. Meanwhile, Snipes’ attorney Daniel Meachum said in the latest travel request filed on behalf of his client that Snipes “has never presented and does not currently present a risk of flight. It is essential that Mr. Snipes complete this project to satisfy his civil tax liabilities and provide for his family.”

No word yet on the judge's decision. Stay tuned.

Rock, Lucci, and Mayes to be Honored in NYC

Congratulations to Rose Rock. The author of Mama Rock's Rules and mother of 10, including comic actors Tony and Chris Rock, is being honored as the Mother of the Year by the Pajama Program. The organization will celebrate Mrs. Rock, along with All My Children star Susan Lucci and NFL star Derrick Mayes. Lucci was named Woman of the Year and Mayes will take the Humanitarian of the Year honors. The three of them will be feted on Friday, May 8th in New York City at the Pajama Program Awards luncheon.

Just in case you were wondering, the Pajama Program provides new jammies and books to children in need more, many of whom are waiting to be adopted. For more information, please visit their website.

Whatever Happened to...Dru Hill?

We don't know if Dru Hill is making any albums, but the Atlanta Journal-Constitution is reporting that the Baltimore, Maryland-based group has been tapped to participate in the Atlanta Braves promotional campaign. They'll be recording an original song for the new The Braves Play Here ads. You can see the fruits of their labor on Peachtree TV in ATL.

J-Hud Returns to "American Idol"

Former American Idol contestant Jennifer Hudson has already proven that winning isn't everything. After all, she only placed seventh the season she was there. However, E! Online is reporting that the Oscar and Grammy winner be returning to show the current contestants how good losing can be. She'll be taping her top-secret performance today after the results show. No word on when it'll air, though.

Is Homelessness in Isaiah's Future?

If you thought celebrities were immune to the housing crisis, think again. TMZ.com is reporting that Isaiah Washington is five months behind on his rent for his house. His landlord said that if the former Grey's Anatomy star doesn't come up with the 100-thousand dollars he owes him, he and family will be on the curb.

Washington signed a lease/option agreement to purchase the Venice, California property for 3.65-million dollars. However, he was having some kind of dispute with his financial person. He told his landlord that once the issue was cleared up, he'd be able to pay his rent.

Unfortunately, the landlord has decided that he can't wait any longer for Isaiah to pay up and has started legal proceedings. Sources say that Washington and his family are going to move soon. Stay tuned...

Bishop Eric McDaniel Goes Solo

Even though you may not know Bishop Eric McDaniel by name, you're probably familiar with his work. The pastor of The Lord's Church Family Worship Center in the Bronx has been writing songs almost as long as he's been preaching. Some of his bigger hits include It Shall be Done by Bishop T.D. Jakes and the Potter's House Mass Choir and most recently, One More Chance, which is on Ricky Dillard & New G's latest album, Live in Toronto: The 7th Episode.

Now Bishop McDaniel is set to go solo for the first time. The album, I Am Favor, will be recorded live at Allen Memorial Church of God in Christ on Sunday, April 5, 2009. Special guest for the evening will be Kim Burrell.

A Book Deal for "Real Housewife" Nene

Looks like Nene Leakes is doing her best to milk her 15 minutes of fame for all it's worth. According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, the Real Housewives of Atlanta cast member has signed what is being a called a significant deal to showcase her literary aspirations. The masterpiece will be called Never Make the Same Mistake Twice: Straight Talk on Love and Live from a Real Housewife,and she'll be co-writing it with New York Times best-selling author Denene Millner. Look for the book to be in stores in July.

Kim Kardashian Shows Her Intelligence...NOT!

Kim Kardashian may have some talents, but if the New York Daily News is to be believed, hosting charity events isn't one of them. Apparently the reality star, who recently emceed Russell Simmons' Rush Philanthropic benefit, can't pronounce the word "philanthropy." According to an attendee, "Everyone was laughing at her.” Yikes!

Rev. Wright's Family Releases a Statement

The family of Pastor Timothy Wright wants to set the record straight about his condition. On Monday, they released the following statement exclusively to Gospel Today magazine:

“Rev. Wright did not have a heart attack. But on January 21st, his heart stopped suddenly. He was on life support for two to three weeks. But as of right now, he's off life support. He is breathing on his own. He's not 100 percent responsive, but he does open his eyes when we talk to him. He's not brain dead, but the lack of oxygen to his brain while his heart was stopped has caused his response to be very slow. So we’re praying that his response picks up and he returns back to normal. The doctors didn't give us a time table, but God will do it on His own time. Keep Rev. in your prayers. God bless."

As you may recall, Rev. Wright was involved in a serious car crash last July which took the life of his wife, Betty, and his 14-year-old grandson, DJ. The family is thanking everyone for their continued support and prayers.

What Ever Happened to...Don Cornelius?

If Don Cornelius had stuck to “Love, Peace, and Soul,” he wouldn’t be in the mess he’s in now. Last Wednesday, the 72-year-old creator of Soul Train copped a no contest plea in Los Angeles Superior Court to a misdemeanor spousal battery charge. You’ll recall that he was arrested in October following a dispute with his estranged wife, Victoria. According to EURweb, his plea deal led to the dismissal of four other misdemeanor charges, including assault with a deadly weapon and dissuading a witness from making a police report.

In addition to being sentenced to three years probation, Cornelius will also have to pay over a thousand dollars in fines, complete 300 hours of community service, and attend a domestic violence treatment program for a year. He wasn’t present for the hearing.

The Competition Begins on "Sunday Best"

If last night's edition of Sunday Best was any indication of what we have to look forward to for the rest of the season, we are in for a real treat. Mary Mary and Kierra Sheard opened up the show with God in Me, the newest single from Double-M's latest album, The Sound. After that, the 20 finalists did the reprise -- which we REALLY could've done without.

Ten of the 20 singers performed last night. Here's how it went down...

Tammy Turner opened up the competition with her rendition of Tramaine Hawkins' classic, Look at Me. The lady from Jessup, Maryland did a very good job, and the judges -- BeBe Winans, and Erica and Tina Campbell -- agreed.

Next up was Washington, DC's Clifton Ross the Third. His take on Behold the Lamb was good, but it sounded like he was on the upper end of his range. I personally thought he sounded like it was a strain. The judges, however, thought he nailed it.

Cammille Betton of Columbus, Ohio took us back to the old school with Just a Closer Walk With Thee. Her rich alto was a good fit for the song. While Erica and BeBe liked her performance, Tina thought the song didn't showcase her best talents.

Jeff Spain brought in a quiet anointing with his version of Seasons. While the New Yorker's vocal performance wasn't necessarily the most powerful, his anointing certainly was. BeBe thought it was smooth, Tina liked the sincerity in his eyes, and Erica thought his approach was gentle, but great.

Jessica Reedy has the distinction of being the youngest singer this season. Even though the Saginaw, Michigan native's chronological age is 20, her voice is extremely mature. Yolanda Adams' Just a Prayer Away was her song choice. She pitched it lower and took some liberties with the melody, but overall, it was good. While Erica thought she could've stretched more, BeBe liked it. Tina thought Jessica's take was gentle but sure, powerful but light.

Jonathan Johnson showed his Louisville, Kentucky roots with his take on He's Always There. The 22-year-old's voice was very traditional sounding. Bebe called it husky. Overall the judges liked it, but Tina called him out for being pitchy.

Latice Crawford's large voice was in direct contrast to her sleight frame. Even though the Queens, New York native's take on Peace Be Still was reminiscent of Vanessa Bell Armstrong, she made it her own. The background singers were completely on-point, too. It was so good that Latice almost got her shout on! The judges went crazy. Erica mentioned the anointing in her singing, Tina was rendered speechless, and BeBe started speaking in tongues.

Richard Smallwood's Center of My Joy was Kalind Haynes choice of song. Even though he sounded like a Will Downing knock off, his voice was really good, and the background singers really brought it together for the Chicago resident. BeBe called him his type of singer because he could understand what he was saying. Erica called it musically excellent; while Tina called it clean, confident, and sure.

Another Chicagoan, Audrey Lewis, really did her thing on He Looked Beyond My Faults. Mama Lewis was your typical old school singer, and she was great. Prior to singing, host Kirk Franklin revealed that she'd recently quit her job to sing full time. After her performance, BeBe told her she should've done it long time ago. Both Tina and Erica agreed.

The final singer of the evening was Atlanta's own Zebulon Ellis. He came out like an old-school preacher as he sang God is Standing By. The judges absolutely loved the way he owned the stage.

In the end, everyone was so good that they weren't able to eliminate anyone. Stay tuned next week to see how this thing turns out.

Gospel Tidbits...

Here's what's going on in the world of gospel, courtesy of GospelFlava.com:

The singer's singer, Kim Burrell, is finally going to release a new album. Her new project, No Ways Tired, will be her first studio recording in nine years. The album, which hits stores on April 7th, will feature covers of classic tunes like My Faith Looks Up To Thee, What A Friend We Have In Jesus, O Lamb Of God, I Surrender All, and the title cut, which is a James Cleavland classic...


Marvin Winans and the Perfecting Praise Church Choir is preparing for their next live recording on Sunday, March 29th at Perfecting Church in Detroit, Michigan. Special guests will include Bishop Paul S. Morton and his little sister, CeCe Winans. The recording will not only be in celebration of the church's 20th anniversary, but it'll also be the culmination of the church's Praise & Worship Weekend 2009 conference. Pastor Winans will lead the songwriter's session, and workshops for dancers, musicians, and songwriters will also be featured...

Finally, speaking of CeCe, she and J. Moss have been tapped to headline McDonald's Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour. It kicks off in Dallas on Friday, May 8th, with stops in Houston, Philadelphia, Detroit, and Chicago. Here's a complete list of tour dates:

May 8 – Dallas, TX (Friendship West Baptist Church)
May 9 – Houston, TX (Windsor Village United Methodist Church Family @ the KBC)
May 14 – Philadelphia, PA (Deliverance Evangelistic Church)
May 15 – Detroit, MI (Greater Grace Temple)
May 16 – Chicago, IL (Christ Universal Temple)
May 23 – Atlanta, GA (Ray of Hope Christian Church)
May 24 – Norfolk, VA (TBD)
June 13 – Newark, NJ (McDonald’s Gospel Festival-Prudential Center)
Sep. 13 – Washington, DC (National Black Family Reunion Celebration Festival - Washington Mall)

Barack on Leno -- My Take

President Barack Obama was on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno last night. It was a historic situation as Obama became the first sitting president to guest on the late-night talk fest. I thought it was cool that Kevin Eubanks and The Tonight Show Band were dressed in suits for the occasion.

Jay and Barack exchanged pleasantries as Barack joked about how his life had changed since becoming president. He mentioned the Secret Service, his motorcade, and all the trappings of living in what he called "The Bubble." He also compared Washington to American Idol, with everyone acting like the caustic judge, Simon Cowell.

The interview took a serious turn as the president explained the AIG situation, and how the financial sector needs to get back to common sense values. Jay asked Obama why there weren't more people going to jail in conjunction with the financial problems. The president said that, contrary to popular belief, most of the actions that contributed to our current crisis were legal.

Naturally, Leno lightened the mood by asking President Obama about flying in Air Force One. While the Commander in Chief thought it was cool, First Daughters Sasha and Malia weren't that impressed. In fact, the girls were more interested in dividing up the Starbursts they found onboard.

Who is Barack's pick for the NCAA champion? None other than the North Carolina Tar Heels.

Finally, Jay addressed the one question that's been on the minds of Americans since the election -- when is the dog coming? You may recall that on Election Night, Barack promised his daughters a canine. After joking that the pet was a campaign promise, he said that the dog will be in place after he returns from the NATO summit.

Overall, President Obama reminded us -- once again -- why we love him so. If you missed any part of what Leno referred to as the greatest night of his life, here's the entire transcript of the interview here.

***UPDATE***

After all the wonderful things Barack said in this interview, can someone please tell me why so many mainstream media outlets have chosen to focus on his remark about the Special Olympics? (He issued an apology, by the way).

While I have nothing against the SO, I think the interview covered so much more than that. Besides, I think we can let that remark slip in light of what the New York Post did. Just my two cents, people.

Mary's Doing "Bad" for Tyler

Mary J. Blige has signed on to appear in Tyler Perry's new film, I Can Do Bad All by Myself. According to The Hollywood Reporter, she'll stretch her acting chops -- wink, wink -- by playing a performer who manages a nightclub. Taraji P. Henson will co-star as her friend. Tyler's Madea is also scheduled to appear in the film, which will hit theaters in September.

What Ever Happened To...Soul For Real?

While we can't speak for the rest of the 1990s group comprised of the Dalyrimple brothers Andre, Brian, Christopher, and Jason, we can tell you that EURweb.com is reporting that Brian is on the run from identity theft charges. Officials in Georgia have linked him to a crime ring that has scammed hundreds of folks in the Duluth, Atlanta area. As if that wasn't bad enough, sources say that the singer had his 10-month-old son with him at the time.

Just to refresh your memory, Soul For Real was known for its hits Candy Rain and Every Little Thing I Do.

Teen Group Uses Chrihanna Chronicles to Highlight Abuse

Finally someone's using The Chrihanna Chronicles for good! E! Online is saying that DoSomething.org, a teen empowering group founded by Melrose Place actor Andrew Shue, has launched an online PSA that recreates the fight that allegedly ocurred between Chris Brown and Rihanna in hopes of shining a light on dating abuse.

Check it out here.

BeBe's Lawyer Weighs In

The BeBe Winans assault case is getting a little uglier now that his lawyer has weighed in on the situation. Lisa Binder released the following statement in response to Debra Winans' allegations of assault.

"In response to Mrs. Winans' recent statements to the media, the public should also know that on March 11th, 2009, Judge Carol Soloman issued an Order of Protection in favor of BeBe Winans against Debra Winans arising out of the incident which occurred on February 13th. Judge Soloman specifically stated from the bench (and in her order) that Debra Winans was 'not found to be a credible witness.'

"Mrs. Winans has been unsuccessful in repeated attempts to interfere with Mr. Winans' visitation with his children and there is a Criminal Contempt Proceeding pending against her in Williamson County, the arena in which these custody disputes should and will be tried."

It is unfortunate that Mrs. Winans has now chosen to attack her children’s father on television. Mr. Winans will not participate in any public display that may affect his children’s well being, but will instead use through the proper judicial channels to insure that his rights as a father are protected.”

Let's keep this family in our prayers...

No Men for The Queen?

Has Queen Latifah given up on men? According to the New York Daily News, the rapper-turned-Oscar-nominated actress has been quoted as saying, "I [used to] ingratiate myself to [men] and then sleep with [them]. Afterward, I felt disgusting- really gross and nasty ... and I hated myself. That feeling was so horrible, I decided I would never do that again."

Before you get your panties in a bunch, know that the quote was included in Shaun Robinson's new book, Exactly As I Am, which was written to offer candid advice for girls on how to believe in themselves.

Are Nick & Mariah About to Make a Move?

Looks like Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon may be bringing their act to the West Coast. Sources say that the happy twosome are looking for homes in Los Angeles County. Why, you ask, would anyone give up the glitz and glamour of New York? An insider was quoted as saying, "She wants to act more and she has to be on the West Coast to do that. And well, then, he's got his...career -- whatever that is." Yikes! Her rep was mum on the subject.

Meanwhile, the San Francisco Chronicle is saying that Mariah and Nick have put in an offer to buy the Saperstein Estate in Holmby Hills. While the market price on the place is 125-million bucks, it's not known what they're paying for it.

What we do know is that the couple will get their money's worth. The 45,000-square-foot estate is reminiscent of a French Chateau but has all of the modern amenities as it was built in the 1990’s. According to the property listing, it has Italian marble walls, French limestone floors, gold-embossed leather wall coverings and gold-leaf crowned moldings. Rooms include a ballroom with ceiling frescoes, a library with a first-edition book collection, two kitchens and a screening room with seating for 50. As if that weren't enough, the pool house has a full kitchen, a massage room and a gym. In addition, there's also a three-bedroom manager’s house, staff quarters for 10, a nine-car garage and a ¾-mile jogging track.

Michael Jackson in the US?

Will Michael Jackson bring his comeback tour to the US? The New York Daily News says that since the London dates sold out in a matter of hours, the King of Pop is considering shows in Los Angeles and New York City. Concert promoters AEG are even thinking about doing a world tour. Stay tuned...

Mo'Nique Bids Radio Adieu

While Mo'Nique may have tackled the worlds of comedy, television, film, and literature with ease, radio has proven to be a tougher nut to crack. After almost a year, Syndication One is pulling the plug on The Mo'Nique Show . She'll host the final edition this Wednesday. At this point, it's not clear what will replace it on its affiliate stations.

According to Radio & Records Magazine, Mo'Nique's post-radio days will find her focused on her other endeavors. She said, "I would like to thank my fabulous board of directors for their daily inspiration and feedback and Radio One for the opportunity to further my entertainment brand through radio."

BeBe Winans Accused of Pushing Ex-Wife

Say it ain't so! Sunday Best judge BeBe Winans has been accused of assaulting his ex-wife, Debra, on Valentine's Day weekend.

According to the Chicago Tribune, BeBe went to pick up his 13-year-old daughter and 10-year-old son on February 13th. He and Debra got into an argument over custody issues when she alleges that he pushed her to the ground in front of their children. He was booked on a misdemeanor domestic assault charge and released on a thousand-dollar bond. He's due back in court on Wednesday, April 29th.

BeBe posted the following statement on his website:

“To be accused of these allegations, which arose out of a child custody right dispute and my desire to spend time with our children as court ordered, is nothing less than heart wrenching. Since I choose to say nothing negative about my children’s mother, I will make no comment other than to say the allegations are inconsistent with my character and the foundation upon which I was raised and I am prayerful that the matter is straightened out very soon for the sake of our children.”

BeBe and Debra were married for 16 years before they divorced in 2003. While it's easy to rush to judgement -- especially in this era of domestic violence -- I would ask that we all be in prayer for this family at this difficult time.

The Chrihanna Chronicles: New Hearing Set

What's really going on? According to Entertainment Tonight, an unexpected hearing has been scheduled in the Chris Brown assault case. This "status conference" will be held on Monday, March 23rd with just the lawyers and the judge.

Because Chris signed a waiver of presence -- which means that he doesn't have to show up for any minor proceedings that his attorney, Mark "Get 'em Off" Geragos, can handle -- during his March 5th hearing, he won't be there. Rihanna won't be on hand for these unexpected festivities, either.

Brown is charged with two felony counts of assault and making criminal threats in connection with that now infamous incident allegedly involving the Good Girl Gone Bad. His arraignment is scheduled for Monday, April 6th.

***UPDATE***

If what TMZ.com is reporting is true, the hearing may let Rihanna off the testifying hook. Apparently both Get 'Em Off Geragos and Donald Etra, Rihanna'a attorney, believe that the 21-year-old singer was compromised when her name surfaced as the alleged victim in the case. Because this and other leaks have violated her right to privacy, she shouldn't have to put herself out any further by testifying against Brown. Stay tuned...

More Good News for Hez

Things are really looking good for Bishop Hezekiah Walker. In addition to having his first number one hit with Souled Out, he's also expanding his evangelical empire. According to The Belle Report, the good Bishop -- who already has churches Brooklyn, New York and Bensalem, Pennsylvania -- will be opening Love Fellowship Tabernacle-Atlanta on Easter Sunday, April 12th. The first service will be held at 7pm ET at Morehouse College campus.

Nick Cannon's Blessed

Just in case you were wondering how things are going with Nick Cannon -- and I know you are -- let's just say that he's not complaining. According to the New York Daily News, Mr. Mariah Carey was overheard at a birthday party for Universal Motown President Sylvia Rhone saying, "I feel so blessed." As if that weren't enough to turn your stomach, he added, "Do I look giddy? Because I am." Ain't love grand?

Chris Brown's Manager Denies Rumors

Chris Brown's manager, Tina Davis, is doing damage control in light of recent rumors of sexual impropriety between her and her client. In fact, it's being reported that the text message that sparked the drama between Chris and Rihanna came from her.

Ms. Davis' attorney, Marshall B. Grossman of Bingham McCutchen LLP, issued the following statement on her behalf yesterday:

"The relationship between Ms. Davis and Mr. Brown is that of manager and client. There has never been any other relationship. The rumors in circulation are false. There are no emails between Ms. Davis and Mr. Brown of the type which have been described in media reports. If the source of the false rumors is identified, legal action will be taken. Given the nature of the legal issues affecting Mr. Brown, Ms. Davis will not be making any further statements."

In other news, Brown has pulled out of the Kids' Choice Awards. While Nickelodeon had no intention of dropping him -- despite increasing pressure to do so in light of his current legal situation -- he withdrew himself yesterday. In a statement he said:

"Chris very much appreciates the support of his fans and the honor they have paid him in the way of nominations for Favorite Male Singer and Favorite Song. Unfortunately, the controversy surrounding the incident last month has shifted the focus from the music to whether he should be allowed to be among those nominated. While Chris would like to speak to his fans directly about this and other issues, pending legal proceedings preclude his doing so at this time. Once the matter before him has been resolved, he intends to do so."

A rep for the children's network was quoted as saying, "We are confirming that Chris Brown has decided to withdraw his nominations from the Kids' Choice Awards. We agree with and respect his decision, and are looking forward to presenting a great event for our audience."

Chris is due back in court on Monday, April 6th.

Hez is Number One!

Bishop Hezekiah Walker is an accomplished singer, songwriter, and pastor. However, until this week, he'd never had a number one hit. The title track of his latest album, Souled Out, knocked James Fortune & FIYA's I Trust You out of the top spot on Radio & Record's Gospel chart.

I Trust You, from the Houston choir's latest album, The Transformation, made history for holding on to the number one position for 29 consecutive weeks.

Meanwhile, Bishop Walker has had numerous top-five singles during his career, including Lift Him Up, which peaked at number three in 2006; and Faithful Is Our God, which held the number two position in 2007.

Did the Bells Ring for Kimora & Djimon?

Are congratulations are in order for Kimora Lee Simmons and Djimon Hounsou? It really depends on how you look at their situation.

According to the New York Daily News, the fashion mogul and Oscar nominated actor, who are expecting a baby together, got married over the summer. They said, “I do,” in a traditional African ceremony in Benin, Africa -- Hounsou’s native country. Insiders said that the festivities – which were as over-the-top as anyone would expect from the former Mrs. Russell Simmons – included drums, dancers, and the two of them in dashikis.

Now here’s the kicker – the African nuptials weren’t necessarily legal in the US because at the time, Kimora was still legally married to Russell. In fact, their divorce was just finalized on January 28th of this year.

And get this – while the New York Daily News called it a wedding, Kimora’s spokesperson told Us Magazine that it was just a commitment ceremony – not a wedding. A source said that she and Djimon just wanted to show how committed they were to each other in front of his family.

Either way, Kimora’s daughters Aoki and Ming were on hand for whatever it was, along with a nanny and a photographer. An insider – who said that the girls were just as confused as we all are – was quoted as saying, “Aoki slept through the entire ceremony, and Ming cried.” Fortunately for all involved, the girls – products of Kimora’s marriage to Russell – like their potential new step-daddy. After everything was said and done, the happy family went to Paris where they celebrated both their couple status and Aoki’s sixth birthday.

Nowadays, while The Fabulous One is careful about how she refers to the Push star, her friends say she's quick to call him "my husband." And if our calculations are correct, she'll be able to call him that legally real soon.

Someone saw Djimon checking out the ring counter at Martin Katz jewelers in Beverly Hills last week. While he didn't buy anything that day, it probably won't be long. Naturally, reps for both Kimora and Djimon weren't available for comment. Stay tuned..

My Take on "Sunday Best"

The second season of BET's Sunday Best premiered last night with a theme of change. While the players -- host Kirk Franklin, and judges Tina and Erica Campbell of Mary Mary and Bebe Winans -- stayed the same, the venue was moved from Los Angeles to Atlanta.

This year's winner will receive a recording contract and a 2009 Lincoln MKS. We were allowed to watch the audition process, which started in ATL and ended in Chicago.

There were some interesting characters. Most notably was Margaret Fowler. This woman from the Atlanta audition was dressed from head to toe in pink -- and let's just say it wasn't pretty. Her intention was to sing Amazing Grace, but Erica asked her to do a song that would utilize the bells on her shoes. After her not-so-rousing rendition of Joy Bells Ringing in My Soul, she was sent away.

Naturally, there were some inspirational moments. One that stood out for me was a young lady named Danielle. Even though she was a stutterer from way back, she could sing. Even though her take on When the Saints Go to Worship didn't make the cut, the judges gave her some encouraging words.

When all was said and done, ten finalists made the cut:

Dontavies Boatwright
Sequoia Burch
Zebulon Ellis
Maurice Griffin
Ian Knighton
Jeff Spain
Kaylon Haynes
Audrey Lewis
Crystal Holland
Jonathan Johnson

Tune in next week when Sunday Best finishes up the audition process in Washington, DC.

The Chrihanna Chronicles: Will There be a Book?

Here's one for the books -- literally. Chris Brown and Rihanna are planning to co-author a book about abuse and go on a talk-show tour in an attempt to salvage his career. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, the title of their literary effort will be Project Mea Culpa.

A source was quoted as saying, "The only way Chris can possibly reverse things is to come clean and help raise awareness about abusive relationships. Obviously this is a public relations campaign, but it only will work if there's genuine healing, contrition and a path to preventing future problems."

Let's hope there really is some healing -- for both of them.

In other Chrihanna Chronicles news, E! Online reports that Rihanna filed a criminal protective order in Los Angeles Superior Court that will allow her to tape any future phone conversations she has with Chris. In fact, the paperwork that was put in on Thursday covers any communication made over the next three years, lasting until March 5th, 2012.

Brown, who has been charged with felony assault and making criminal threats, is due back in court on Monday, April 6th.

Divorce is Gonna Cost Tyrese

Remember that song, It's Cheaper to Keep Her? Well, Tyrese Gibson probably feels that way today. According to RadarOnline.com, the singer-turned-actor is having to pay a pretty penny to get rid of his wife, Norma Mitchell.

Tyrese and Norma got married in December of 2007 and he filed for divorce this past October after ten months of marriage. Even though were only together a short time, he's having to give her a one-time payment of 65-thousand bucks, plus rental payments of almost three-thousand dollars and a car payment of eight hundred dollars a month. As if that weren't enough, Gibson also has to come up with nearly 63-hundred dollars in child support for their 18-month-old daughter, Shayla, until she's an adult.

If you're like me, you're probably wondering how did the judge come up with those amounts. Well, Tyrese reportedly made 800-thousand dollars during his and Norma's ten months of matrimony. When you add it all up, it comes to about 20 percent of what he made while they were together.

To make bad matters worse, Norma is claiming in court papers that Tyrese was an absentee father who didn't support her or their child. Because of that, she feels entitled to an even bigger percentage of his earnings.

The two of them were just in court on Monday, and this case seems like it'll provide us with more drama than it's worth. Stay tuned...

The Chrihanna Chronicles: Felony Charges Handed Down for Chris Brown

If Chris Brown thought that taking anger management classes and reconciling with Rihanna would keep him out of jail, he'd better think again. This morning, prosecutors in Los Angeles charged the 19-year-old with felony assault and making criminal threats for allegedly beating up his Good Girl Gone Bad. Those charges could get him anywhere from probation to almost five years in the slammer. Chris has been free on 50-thousand dollars bail, but he'll be arraigned on the charges this afternoon in Los Angeles Superior Court.

Brown was arrested on February 8th after LAPD officers responded to a 911 call reporting an assault in the Hancock Park area of town. When cops arrived at the scene, they found a beat-down Rihanna, Brown's rented Lamborghini, but no Chris. He turned himself in later that day and was booked for suspicion of criminal threats.

According to the search warrant, the beat down began when "Robyn F." (Rihanna's real name is Robyn Rihanna Fenty) read Chris a text message during the drive home from Clive Davis' pre-Grammy party in Beverly Hills. Even though we don't know what was in the message, we do know that it made Chris mad. He tried to force her out of the car and the only that saved her was the seat belt she was wearing. He proceeded to punch her several times while he was driving, splattering the interior of the luxury vehicle with blood.

In the midst of the attack, Rihanna got her assistant on the phone and told her to call the cops. Meanwhile, Chris continued his reign of terror, biting her and ear and fingers and, at one point, threatening to kill her.

Rihanna was treated at a medical facility after the incident. A few days later, TMZ.com published a post beat-down picture of the 21-year-old. Meanwhile, after surrendering to police, Chris issued a statement apologizing for the incident.

***UPDATE***

At this afternoon's arraignment, Chris Brown didn't enter a plea to the charges. Instead, TMZ.com reported that he and his attorney, Mark Geragos, asked to move the proceedings to Monday, April 6th. Sources are speculating that the reason they want to postpone the case is to conduct further investigations or possibly strike a plea deal.

During the hearing -- which lasted a little under five minutes -- Brown signed a waiver of presence. That means that he's not required to show up for any minor proceedings that can be handled by his lawyer before April 6th. He only spoke four words the whole time -- "yes," "yes," and "yes ma'am."

After Brown's request to continue case had been granted, the judge warned him, "You are not to annoy, harass, molest, threaten or use force or violence against anyone." The judge then turned to Donald Etra, Rihanna's lawyer, and asked if there was a "no-contact order" in place. Etra replied, "Miss Fenty [Rihanna] does not request such an order."

Stay tuned...

This Month's Recording Roster

'Tis the season to record for several artists. Byron Cage will record his next live album on Friday, March 13th in Detroit at Second Ebenezer Church. Special guests will include Marvin Winans, Marvin Sapp, and Tye Tribbett. Look for Aaron Lindsay, the 2009 Stellar Award Producer of the Year, to handle those duties for Cage...

Sunday, March 15th will find J.J. Hairston & Youthful Praise recording their fifth project live at Cathedral of Praise in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Guests for the set include Dorinda Clark-Cole, William Praise is What I Do Murphy III, and Angela Spivey...

Ten is the magic number for the Wilmington Chester Mass Choir as they prepare for their next live set on Saturday, March 28th at the Antioch Baptist Church in Camden, New Jersey. Maurette Brown Clark, Stephen Hurd, and Lecresia Campbell will be on hand to lend their talents to the choir's tenth effort...

Gospel Shorts...

Check out the latest happenings in Gospel, courtesy of Gospelflava.com...

If you don't have any plans this weekend, you should check out Tye Tribbett's annual Victory Winter Break. The event start tomorrow and continues through Sunday at the Split Rock Resort in Lake Harmony, Pennsylvania. Guests include Bishop Noel Jones and singer Alvin Slaughter. (Pictured Bishop Jones, Tribbett, and unidentified man at City of Refuge's Live Recording in January)...

Congratulations are in order for Israel Houghton. He'll become the first musical performer of any genre to play the new Yankee Stadium in New York City on Saturday, April 25th. Look for him to be the worship leader for A Historic Night of Hope featuring Joel Osteen of the Lakewood Church in Houston...

Finally, Gospel has been good for Coko -- so good, in fact, that the former SWV singer is currently working on her second sanctified set. Look for Light Records to release the as-yet-untitled follow up to 2006's Grateful on June 9th...

The Chrihanna Chronicles: A Deal for Chris?

Is there a deal in the works for Chris Brown? The New York Daily News is reporting that, as of last night, the Los Angeles Police Department still hadn't turned in a case against the 19-year-old singer who allegedly beat his girlfriend, Rihanna, last month after a pre-Grammy party. He was arrested on suspicion of making criminal threats and is under investigation for felony battery. Experts say that without a formal charge, Chris' day in court could simply extend his 50-thousand dollar bail.

Dmitry Gorin, a former deputy district attorney, told the Daily News that a good attorney will do his or her best to try to settle the matter before the charges are actually brought to court. He added, "These types of pleas are more typical in misdemeanor cases."

Mark Geragos -- Brown's high-powered attorney whose high-profile clients include Michael Jackson and Winona Ryder -- didn't have a comment when reached last night. In fact, he laughed and said he might be able to speak later on today.

Another complication -- Rihanna has reportedly taken Chris back. Without her testimony, prosecutors will have a hard time making anything stick to Mr. Kiss Kiss. Stay tuned...

Does the "J" Stand for Jumping?

Getting excited is something that everyone does -- even the rich and famous. According to the New York Daily News, when Mary J. Blige heard her new single at a New York City nightspot, she channeled her inner Tom Cruise as she started jumping on a couch. In the process, she nearly spilled a bottle of Ciroc. Yikes!

Chestnut is My Kinda Visitor

Just when you thought there was no hope for television, we find out that Morris Chestnut is coming to the small screen. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the chocolate heartthrob will star in the ABC drama called V. It's a new take on the original 1980s miniseries about an invasion of aliens known as Visitors and the resistance against them. This time, a female Homeland Security agent will be the focus. Morris will play the woman's mysterious boyfriend who -- unbeknown to her -- happens to be a Visitor.

Halle Gets a Scent

This is how you know Halle Berry believes in herself. In an age where every star and his or her brother is creating perfumes with names like Fairy Dust, and Glow, the Oscar winner's foray into smelling good is simply called Halle. According to the New York Daily News, she describes the scent as "very sensual, very natural."

More From Tyler Perry

Thanks to the success of Madea Goes to Jail -- which made 16.2 million bucks last weekend -- Lionsgate and Tyler Perry are working together again on two more films. Perry will write, direct, and star in both Tyler Perry's I Can Do Bad All By Myself and Why Did I Get Married, Too.

Madea -- Tyler's signature character -- will make an appearance in Bad, which also stars Oscar nominee Taraji P. Henson. Principal photography on the film, which is based on the stage play of the same name, will start in Atlanta on March 16th. Look for it to hit theaters on September 11th.

Meanwhile, Why Did I Get Married, Too is the sequel to the 2007 film that starred Janet Jackson and Jill Scott. Filming will begin later this year, and it'll hit theaters on April 2nd, 2010, Easter weekend. Casting for this film has yet to be announced.

Something New for "View" Co-Host?

Sherri Shepherd is using her life to make you laugh. The View co-host has signed on to star in a currently-untitled Lifetime comedy pilot. The show follows the adventures of a woman who deals with a cheating husband and his illegitimate child. Eventually, she allows the woman and the baby to move in with her. No word on whether or not she'll stay with the ABC talk-fest. Stay tuned.

Usher Recants Chrihanna Comments

Usher has issued an apology after making comments about the Chrihanna situation on Monday. Mr. Here I Stand was at recording of Jermaine Dupri 's Living the Life YouTube series when he was shown a picture of Brown jet skiing during his reunion weekend with Rihanna. He expressed disappointment and said that Chris should show a little more remorse after being arrested for beating Rihanna.

Naturally, once the comments actually came out, Usher issued a statement Tuesday that said, "The comments made during a recent recording session amongst friends were taken out of context and blown out of proportion."

More of The Chrihanna Chronicles...

Okay. I have to admit that this Chris Brown-Rihanna reunion thing has vexed my soul. Even though they are both grown enough to make their own decisions, I still think they need to get some real help before they get back together.

With that being said, you know I'm just too through with reports that the two have gotten married. Star Magazine is saying that in the midst of their tearful reunion over the weekend in Miami, Chris proposed to Rihanna.

Apparently, little Miss Good Girl Gone Bad has an inner homemaker living on the inside of her. A source was quoted as saying, "All she’s ever wanted was to be with him forever. Rihanna is looking for the husband-and-two-kids deal before she turns 25. She believes in fairy tales, and she wants to live hers with Chris. She was totally up front and confessed to him, 'I can’t live without you.'"

Seriously??? Where is Dr. Phil when you need him?

And that's not all -- even though the world saw photos of the alleged beating Chris inflicted on Rihanna, now she doesn't want to press charges. According to police reports, her original statement will be handed to the Los Angeles County District Attorney later this week, along with various witness accounts. However, without her testimony, there may not be a strong enough case to actually prosecute Brown.

At this point, the two are supposedly holed up in a Beverly Hills hotel after being spotted getting off a private jet in Los Angeles. His trial is set for tomorrow. Stay tuned for more of The Chrihanna Chronicles....