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39th NAACP Image Awards bring Hollywood’s who’s who together
*My coverage of the 39th NAACP Image Awards started a couple days before the awards show at a luncheon hosted by Tichina Arnold and Tisha Campbell-Martin to announce the nominees and sponsors. So many celebrities of color were on hand to support the NAACP, as well as the nominations.
The show, hosted by comedian/actor DL Hughley, was aired live on Fox, Valentine’s day, Thursday February 14th, with a melting pot of celebrities in the audience and walking the red carpet. This year the NAACP Image Awards theme was, “stand up and be counted,” and they did just that, they “counted” by honoring those nominated and those who won.
Stevie Wonder was honored with the Hall of Fame Award, Ruby Dee with the Chairman’s Award, and Aretha Franklin the Vanguard Award. Nominees who came out to shine at both events were Tia Mowry (The Game), Corbin Bleu (Walt Disney Records); Michael Jordan (The Wire); Anthony Anderson (K-Ville); Wendy Davis (Army Wives); Hill Harper (CSI:NY); James Pickens, Jr. (Grey’s Anatomy); Golden Brooks (Girlfriends); Eva Pigford (American Idol) who was with her boyfriend Lance Gross (Tyler Perry’s House of Payne); Loretta Devine (This Christmas); director Kevin Hooks (Lincoln Heights), and writer/director Maurice Jamal (Dirty Laundry/Codeblack).
“I auditioned and came back for a screen test,” Christel Khalil of “Young and the Restless” said about the process that lead to her appearing on the legendary daytime series. “I've been there for six years…since I was 14… Kristoff St. John, who plays my father, was great to work with. I love being on the show.”
Lance Gross who won “Most Out-Standing Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series” said just the nomination was an exciting and unique experience for him. When asked about “his road” to appearing on the Tyler Perry television show, Gross said, “I went to acting class in Los Angeles and Tyler Perry came into my class one day and said he liked my work. We should keep in touch…”
Other winners that were on-hand for the awards show included Denzel Whittaker (The Great Debaters) for “Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture;” Janet Jackson (Why Did I Get Married) for “Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture;” Herbie Hancock for “Outstanding Jazz Artist;” Kirk Franklin, who performed, for “Outstanding Gospel Artist;” Vanessa Williams (Ugly Betty) for “Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series;” Kyle Massey (Cory in the House) for “Performance in a Youth/Children Program;” Ali LeRoi for “Outstanding Writing on a Comedy Series;” Victoria Rowell for “Outstanding Debut Author,” and America Ferrera (Ugly Betty) for “Actress in a Comedy Series.”
I found out that many are now off doing new projects. Victoria Rowell said she is working on a new book, “Secrets of a Soap Opera Diva;” Corbin Bleu is about to start taping for High School Musical 3; writer/director Ali LeRoi, said now that the strike is over, he hopes to get started on another season of “Everybody Hates Chris;” Michael Jordan (The Wire) is finishing up a series titled, “Assistant,” on the N Network, it’s a comedy series, and Loretta Devine is gearing up to promote, “Dirty Laundry,” a DVD release on Codeblack Entertainment.
For the complete 39th Annual NAACP Image Award winning list log onto www.naacpimageawards.net.
New national music magazine, Paste, says reading should be fun
“The signs of life in music, film and culture is our slogan,” Editor-in-Chief Josh Jackson said about Paste Magazine. “You’ll find things we can celebrate. You won’t find half naked women on our covers.”
Paste, which has a national distribution of 180,000 – compared to 10,000 six years ago, was started by three guys, Jackson, president Tim Regan-Porter and publisher Nick Purdy.
“The CD Sampler (offered in each issue) was the president’s idea,” Josh recalls. “At first we were like, ‘well yea, maybe once a year,’ but he said, ‘no each issue.”
The Paste Magazine offers a CD full of music they feel should be listened to by the reader. You can find their sample in retail stores, where visitors can listen to it right there in the store.
In the March issue, Paste, has a cover story on Michael Jackson. It’s a mental journal through the life and creative legendary moves and projects of the superstar. It’s layer over layer of many creative, informative and funny opinionated pieces that basically honor the “King of Pop.”
“Michael Jackson has incredible music,” Josh stated as their motivation for the project. “I couldn’t wait to see what the illustrator would come up with for the readers.”
In the six years Paste Magazine has been out there getting the news to its readers of a wide range of genres of music, Josh admits that there has been roller coaster rides of ups and downs in the business, but the past year, “there has been a jump in advertising.”
I think the jump is because Paste Magazine caters to many and not only that, they don’t limit themselves to just print. With the never heard of CD samplers, community events and interactive web site, Paste, will be in the national music magazine game for a long time.
Detroit native moves to Hollywood and gets the record deal of a lifetime
Une’ (Burrell Bailey), R&B/Soul singer/songwriter from Detroit, listened to his heart and moved to Hollywood. The result is a recently released debut self-titled album on UNET Music/Native/Fontana/Universal Records.
UNET Music Entertainment is co-owned by Ernest Thomas (What’s Happening Now/Everybody Hates Chris).
“My cousin Ernest had a group originally name Une’...they broke up,” Une’ informs me. “We were doing a play together and he asked if he could help me. I came out to L.A. later that year.”
The soulful singer, whose single, “I Can Remember,” has everyone saying his name, admits that the move to Los Angeles caused him his marriage. But the unfortunate sacrifice seemed to lead him to where he now finds himself, with a debut CD release.
“I really want this CD to cross a lot of barriers, to change it from soul singer to music singer. Music is universal,” Une’ seriously states.
Produced by Sterling G and co-produced by Carmela Martin, my favorites on the, “Une’,” debut album are the single, “I Can Remember,” “Lady You Are,” “I Really Love U Love,” “You Complete Me,” and “I Won’t Complain.”
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