::THE SLICE REPORT WITH MONA AUSTIN

buzzz worthy. . . The Allstate Gospel Superfest will be held on Friday, March 23, 2012, at the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Memphis.  Allstate returns as the title sponsor of the two-day musical spectacular for the fourth consecutive year.  Film Actress and producer Vivica A. Fox has been selected to host the extravaganza.  The show is set to include over thirty national recording artists that will represent a “who’s who” in the gospel and main-stream urban music fields.  Tentatively scheduled to appear are Tyrese, David & Tamela Mann , Bishop Paul. S. Morton,Sr., Regina Belle, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Donte Everhart & the End Time Movement, LaShell Griffin, Damita Haddon, Canton Jones, Lonnie Hunter & Structure, Martha Munizzi, Gloryland Pastor’s Choir, Benjamin Cone & Worship, K&K Mime, Stephen Hurd, Kevin Davidson and Dominion, and a host of others including the 2011 Allstate opening act contest winner, Men Of God’s He...

buzzz worthy. . .  NBC’s “The Voice” has added eight award winning singers to their cast to help mold the talent on their second season, premiering on a special night and time, Sunday, February 5, (10-11 p.m. ET; time approximate) following Super Bowl XLV. Multi-platinum singer-songwriters Kelly Clarkson, Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds,” Jewel, Miranda Lambert, Alanis Morissette, Ne-Yo, Lionel Richie and Robin Thicke  will lend their knowledge and skills as advisers to six separate artists on Teams Adam (Levine), Blake (Shelton), Cee Lo (Green) and Christina (Aguilera), respectively, during the “battle rounds” phase of competition on the upcoming season. I on NBC before settling into its regular time slot of Mondays (8-10 p.m. ET) beginning Monday, February 6. The adviser and team pairings are as follows: Team Adam: Alanis Morissette (@morissette) and Robin Thicke (@robinthicke) Team Blake: Kelly Clarkson (@Kelly_Clarkson) and Miranda Lambert (@Miranda_Lambert) Team...

buzzz worthy. . . Eddie Murphy. Switzerland. Ski-accident. For me those words alone were enough to raise skepticism that the news of Eddie Murphy's death was a hoax, but the rumor spread like wildfire on Twitter and it took Murphy's rep and his brother to confirm the 50-year-old screen star is not dead.   "Trust me, Eddie is very much alive and well and definitely not in Switzerland snowboarding," Murphy's rep told E! News ." Another bogus report ciculating last Friday said he died in a car accident while in Australia. A web site called Global Associated News generated the tale and wait for it. . . . they spread mean, lavish,   untruths all the time. The fine print at the bottom of the page reads: "THIS STORY IS 100% FAKE! This is an entertainment website, and this is a totally fake article based   t zero truth and is a complete work of fiction for entertainment purposes! This story was dynamically generated using a generic 'template' ...

buzzz worthy. . . Erica Campbell of Mary Mary and her husband, the group's noted producer Warryn Campbell welcomed baby #3, Zaya Monique yesterday (Tuesday, January 24) , weighing in at 6.12 pounds! The baby may have arrived early by doctors predictions (the original due date was February 11), but just in time for auntie Tina. Tina Campbell got her wish as she said while she was away collecting awards for the group at the 2012 Stellars over a week ago, that she needed to see her niece come into the world. In a press statement an elated Erica said, "Feeling so thankful and so blessed to have our sweet Zaya finally make her grand entrance into the world! God is awesome, our family couldn't be more happy than we are today!" Mary Mary won two Stellar Awards for Group Duo of the Year and Contemporary Group/Duo of the Year.  (Sidebar: Tina admitted to press that being at the show sans Erica was "wierd.")  Some of the recent excitement from their p...

buzzz worthy. . . President Barack Obama delivered a State of the Union Address tonight covering such bases as taxes, education, jobs, and equal wages among other pertinent matters. Lasting an hour and five minutes, the speech was part report card (highlighting his accomplishments such as ending the War in Irag) and part proposal (he said the wealthy should pay 30% on taxes) .  The entire speech follows. THE PRESIDENT: Mr. Speaker, Mr. Vice President, members of Congress, distinguished guests, and fellow Americans: Tonight I want to begin by congratulating the men and women of the 112th Congress, as well as your new Speaker, John Boehner. (Applause.) And as we mark this occasion, we're also mindful of the empty chair in this chamber, and we pray for the health of our colleague -- and our friend -- Gabby Giffords. (Applause.) It's no secret that those of us here tonight have had our differences over the last two years. The debates have been contentious; we have ...

buzzz worthy. . . Aretha Franklin has called off her engagement to Willie Wilkerson. Just weeks ago Franklin, 69, was gloating about planning a dream wedding, but now in a statement she says, "We will not comment on it any further because of the very personal and sensitive nature of it. We appreciate all of the many well wishes from friends." The statement did not indicate whether they are still a couple. For more details read http://news.yahoo.com/aretha-franklin-calls-off-her-wedding-180721644.html .

buzzz worthy. . . Veteran vocalist Shirley Murdock recently stopped by the syndicated radio program, The Tom Joyner Morning Show’s Red Velvet Studios in Dallas to perform some of her classic tunes alongside brilliant gospel songs from her best-selling new CD, “The Journey” (Tyscot Records). Murdock’s celestial alto can be heard on songs such as her current Top 20 smash, “Dream,” on the website www.video.blackamericaweb.com starting the week of January 24, 2012. Tyscot Records is issuing Murdock’s new gospel radio single, “Lord, You Reign,” in the coming weeks. The rousing song of praise was written by Murdock in collaboration with Tyscot founder and recording artist, Dr. Leonard Scott, and his daughter, Katherine.   Murdock is best known for her `80s era Top 10 R&B hits such as the gold-selling “As We Lay,” “Go On Without You” and “Husband.” Since 1999, Murdock has recorded three top-tier gospel album including her latest CD, “The Journey” (Tyscot Records).”  It was r...