Ginuwine
*“I said, ‘Hold up, I’m not done,’” said multi-platinum selling singer/songwriter Ginuwine when ask what his first thought was when approached by TV One to be apart of its 3rd season of “Life After.” The series explores some ofAmerica’s most intriguing celebrities from their brake-out point to “life after.” “They explained it to me, and I said, ‘As long as it ain’t portraying me as being done.’”
The TV One series will air 11 episodes that examines the lives of such celebrities as Jackee’ Harry (“227”), Christopher “Play” Martin (Kid N Play), Countess Vaughn (“The Parkers”), Kim Coles (“Living Single”), and of course Ginuwine – his episode airs October 19, 2011.
The “Life After” series premiered on TV One September 28, 2011 and is part biography, part confessional and a celebration of the human spirit.
“It’s pretty much in my face…talking about old times…my parents (death) of course,” Ginuwine said about the series’ content.
Also an actor (John Ruffin’s “The Ideal Husband”) Ginuwine’s music career is a testament to the human spirit. He started in 1996 with his most notable single, “Pony,” off his debut album “Ginuwine…The Bachelor.” Years later that single is still being used, such as in a video game called Grand Theft Auto IV in 2008. His second album “100% Ginuwine” was released in 1999 – it reached #4 on Billboard Hot 100 Chart with the single “Difference” and #1 on Billboard R&B Singles Chart. The third album was “The Life,” then he released “The Senior” in 2003 and in 2005 “Back II Da Basics”– which debuted at #12 on Billboard Top 200 Chart.
The Washington, DCnative, and current resident of Georgiaand Maryland, signed to Notifi Records/Warner Bros Records in 2008 and the following year released his 5th album, “A Man’s Thoughts” in 2009. Married to female rapper Sole’ the couple has two children (Story and Dream). This year he released his 7th album “Elgin” (Notifi/Warner) and is currently promoting that project.
“Never feel like your time is over,” he said when asked what he wanted viewers to learn from his “Life After” episode. “Create new opportunities. Regardless of what’s going on, you still have a place.”
For more information on Ginuwine and his new projects log onto www.Ginuwine.com and for more on the TV One series, “Life After,” log onto www.TVOneOnline.com.
Praise & Worship artist Judith Christie McAllister releases fourth album, ‘Sound the Trumpet,’ on Shanachie
Dr. Judith Chrstie McAllister
Dr. Judith Christie McAllister, who’s Praise & Worship songs have traveled the world and have become modern day church standards (“High Praise” and “Like The Dew”), has released her 4th album “Sound The Trumpet” on the Shanachie Entertainment imprint. The first single, “Sound The Trumpet,” has already landed in the Top 40 Gospel Radio Airplay Chart.
“I believe it’s the timing of God,” McAllister said about the album’s release, which is five years after her last project. “When you’re listening…the trumpet of God is calling…on another level of holiness.”
Judith explained that the album was recorded live in 2008 but the delays, she feels, were because it wasn’t God’s time for it to be released.
“It has to do with our lives… to hollow out our lives so God can make a noise through us,” McAllister explained about the title of the CD. “You can’t blow if it’s a lot of junk on the inside.”
A trumpet of inspiration is what you will find on her “Sound the Trumpet” CD, full of very uplifting Praise & Worships songs. My favorites on the album include the title track “Sound The Trumpet,” a hand-clapping Praise & Worship song that has some awesome support of trumpets; “How Great Is Our God” for its lovely piano sustain; “Fire,” featuring T.C. Bereal, for its Barbados flavor; “Just For Who You Are,” a heartfelt offering, features Nancy Jackson-Johnson, and “To Our God/Nobody Like the Lord,” a mighty marching song, takes you musically back to the times that Jesus walked the earth.
For more information on Dr. Judith Christie McAllister, who is also President of the International Music Department for the Churchof Godin Christ (COGIC) – a 6 million member congregation, log onto www.cogic.org or www.shanachie.com.
Tracee Ellis Ross and Malcolm-Jamal Warner star in the hilarious new original BET sitcom ‘Reed Between the Lines’
BET Networks "Reed Between The Lines" starring Tracee Ellis Ross and Malcolm-Jamal Warner
“I’m proud of what we are doing,” actress Tracee Ellis Ross said about her starring role in the BET Network original sitcom titled “Reed Between The Lines” – which aired October 11, 2011. “(BET) created a family that’s joyful to work with. I am finding parts of myself I didn’t know I had.”
The sitcom also stars Malcolm-Jamal Warner as the husband, Dr. Alex Reed, of Tracee’s character, Dr. Carla Reed. Carla is a psychologist and the other an online college professor. The storyline follows them as they try to raise their three kids, maintain their crazy professional careers, while still trying to keep that love flame burning.
“My goal is to take BET into a new direction,” said BET Network CEO Debra L. Lee during an intimate “cast screening” of the series. “I want to change the face of television…tell great stories. We need more shows with cast that look like us. At BET we’re delighted to fill that void.”
“Reed Between the Lines” also stars Anna Maria Horsford (as Dr. Carla Reed’s secretary); Robin Givens as Dominique Edmonds (the sex addicted neighbor/client of Carla), and Melissa De Sousa as Gabriella Jimenez, who works with Dr. Carla Reed.
“This family is very lovable and likeable…and have a genuine like for one another,” Malcolm-Jamal pointed out about the cast.
The 30 minute series airs weekly on Tuesdays at 10:00 p.m.ET on BET Networks. You can log onto www.BET.com for more information.
Debbie Allen’s free concert with internationally acclaimed Complexions Contemporary Ballet, create breath-taking body dance-art
Complexions of Contempory Ballet, presented by Debbie Allen Dance Aacademy (Photo Credit: Eunice MOseley)
I was invited to see the performance of Complexions presented by the Debbie Allen Dance Academy (DADA), located inBaldwin Hills,California. The free concert was titled Complexions Contemporary Ballet.
It had been many years since I saw ballet and I was not disappointed. Complexions Contemporary Ballet combined classical ballet moves with many difference styles of contemporary dance moves.
Hosted by Debbie Allen’s husband Norman Nixon (former NBA), the show started with the DADA dance ensembles and ended with Complexions. Celebrity guests were in the audience to witness the unbelievable display of dance-art – performed to masterful music pieces.
DADA is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization. Complexions of Contemporary Ballet’s artistic directors are Dwight Rhoden and Desmond Richardson – who founded the troupe in 1994.
You can get more information about the Debbie Allen Dance Academy (DADA) by logging onto www.DebbieAllenDanceAcademy.com and for more on the Complexions Contemporary Ballet, log onto www.ComplexionsDance.org.
(Eunice Moseley is a syndicated entertainment columnist, www.ThePulseofEntertainment.com)
