::THE SLICE REPORT WITH MONA AUSTIN

Friday morning Vanessa Long, the wife of Bishop Eddie Long announced in a statement that she was filing for a divorce. Hours later  she recanted the filing in another statement released by New Birth Missionary Baptist Church.   She blamed that filing on years of attack from the media.  It read, "Upon prayerful reflection, I have reconsidered and plan to withdraw my petition for divorce from my husband, Bishop Eddie L. Long. I love my husband."  Making matters more confusing and curious,  in yet another statement, Mrs. Longs attorneys said her original statement  still stands.  The Longs have been legally separated the most recent statement indicated and according to a 12-page divorce petition Mrs. Long  "is entitled to a divorce upon grounds that the marriage between the parties is irretrievably broken, there being no hope of reconciliation of the parties, and it being in the best interest of all parties concerned that this marriage...

INSPIRATIONAL DUO ADDS TWO JUST-ANNOUNCED GRAMMY ®  AWARD NOMINATIONS TO AN OUTSTANDING YEAR OF CHART SUCCESS, AWARDS, TELEVISION APPEARANCES, STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS – AND A NEW BABY ON THE WAY 2012 Grammy ®  Award Nominations for Best Gospel Album (“Something Big”)  and Best Gospel Song (“Sitting With Me”)Arrive on the Heels of Nationally Televised Soul Train Awards Win and Spirited Performance (New York, NY – December 1, 2011)  –  The amazing year that multi-Grammy® Award-winning My Block/Columbia recording artists  Mary Mary  has had thus far refuses to slow down, moving full-steam ahead in a blessed and highly favored fashion.  Their sixth studio album, released earlier this year and appropriately titled  Something Big , has fueled one of the duo’s biggest, most successful years yet.  Mary Mary – sisters Erica and Tina Campbell – have just been nominated for  two  2012 Grammy® Awards:  for Best Gospel Song (“Sitt...

buzzz worthy. . . The 2012 Grammy Award nominations were announced Wednesday night in a live telecast on CBS hosted by LL Cool J.  Kanye West lead the list of nominees with seven nods, followed by Bruno Mars, Foos and  "Rolling in the Deep" Star Adele with 6.   In R&B, Ledisi was nominated for 3 Grammys including R&B Song of the Year. As usual there were some shockers that made the list, but the media was all a chatter about who did not get nominated.  "Born this Way" by Lady Gaga was not nominated for song of the year, after she debuted it in such a massive way at last year's Grammys.  However, Gaga did make the Album of the YEar category fro Even thought Kanye West has the most nods, his name is incognito in the Song of the Year" category.  Taylor Swift was also denied a spot for "Song of the Year."  In Gospel, Sunday Best newbie Leandria Johnson was nominated for Best Performance, surprisongly because her alb...

buzzz worthy. . . Nicki Minaj and Katy Perry Set to Present on CBS Entertainment Special Announcing Nominations for the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards® Live from the Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE on Nov. 30 Telecast Will Feature a Special Live Announcement Regarding a Historic Band Reunion Set to Take Place on the GRAMMY Stage in February 2012 SANTA MONICA, Calif.  — Valerie Simpson (of the hit songwriting/performing duo Ashford and Simpson) and Mike Stoller (of the GRAMMY®-winning songwriting team Leiber & Stoller) — both of whom lost their longtime songwriting partners (Nick Ashford and Jerry Leiber) this past year — will join previously announced seven-time GRAMMY winner Usher in a moving tribute to songwriters on "The GRAMMY Nominations Concert Live!! — Countdown To Music's Biggest Night®" (www.grammy.com). R&B/rap star Nicki Minaj and pop singer/songwriter Katy Perry are the first presenters announced for the one-hour special, which takes place live on Wednesday, ...

William McDowell , worship leader and gospel artist released his second album, ARISE last week to consumer success. The prolific double CD set landed in the Number 1 slot on both Billboard's Top Gospel and Top Praise & Worship charts this week. McDowell who is best known for the worship anthem "I Give Myself Away," continues to touch a chord with a broad base of listeners with his special approach to worship music. The album initially topped the iTunes Christian / Gospel chart when it released last Tuesday , and is the Number 3 album on Billboard's Top Christian & Gospel Albums (combined) chart. The simplicity of McDowell's point of view and the pureness of his intent to please God is what makes ARISE so exceptional. ARISE was recorded live in Ft. Lauderdale, FL at Christian Life Center and is packed with 23 compelling songs of worship, praise, authority, inspiration and revelation. McDowell's vision for the project is a no-nonsense attitude ...

Kirk Franklin and Hezekiah Walker are the BMI 2012 Trailblazers of Gospel honorees it was announced recently . The event is slated for Friday, January 13 , the day before the 27th Annual Stellar Awards, at Rocketown (601 4th Avenue South). Gospel music's premier songwriters, brightest stars, and leading executives attend the invitation-only event, which is part industry celebration, part awe-inspiring worship service.

buzzz worthy. . . MARY MARY Premiering Spring 2012 Erica and Tina Campbell are More than a Grammy ® Award-Winning Gospel Group….They’re Sisters, Mothers and Career Women Who Strive to Balance it All NEW YORK, NY – November 21, 2011 – Talk about a sister act!   As the popular three-time Grammy ® award-winning Gospel duo, “Mary Mary,” Erica and Tina Campbell are busy career women touring the country, promoting their sixth album, “Something Big” and walking Hollywood red carpets.   More than that, they’re sisters and mothers who strive to balance hectic careers with growing families.   Now, WE tv has greenlit a brand-new original series, tentatively titled MARY MARY , that follows the sisters in their daily lives as they work to do it all.   The series premieres Thursday, March 29 th at 9pm ET/PT with eight, hour-long episodes. Music is a family business for the Campbell sisters:   Erica’s husband, Warryn, is the group’s producer and Tina’s husband, Tedd...