::THE SLICE REPORT WITH MONA AUSTIN

buzzz worthy. . . BET NETWORKS’ 13 th  ANNUAL “CELEBRATION OF GOSPEL” IS BACK WITH ELECTRIFYING PERFORMANCES BY DONNIE MCCLURKIN, PASTOR SHIRLEY CAESAR, ISRAEL HOUGHTON, YOLANDA ADAMS, TYE TRIBBETT, ANTHONY BROWN, TAMELA MANN, TAMAR BRAXTON AND OTHER GOSPEL AND R&B STARS WITH “PEOPLE’S CHOICE” WINNER FOR BEST NEW TALK SHOW STEVE HARVEY AT THE HELM BET’s Annual Praise-Fest Tapes on Saturday, March 16, 2013 in Los Angeles LOS ANGELES —February 25, 2013 — “ CELEBRATION OF GOSPEL ,”   BET Network’s exciting two-hour music fest designed to pay tribute to the rich history of gospel music, returns for its 13 th season.  Film, TV and radio superstar  Steve Harvey  also returns as the affable host alongside celebrated musical director,  Ray Chew. GRAMMY ®  winners  Israel Houghton & New Breed, Dorinda Clark Cole, Pastor Shirley Caesar, Karen Clark Sheard,  and  Yolanda Adams  are just a few of the m...

buzzz worthy. . . JOIN US RIGHT HERE ON THE SLICE! KRISTIN CHENOWETH IS THE BEST DRESSED IN "OLD HOLLYWOOD"  AT THE OSCARS Some things in trendsetting Hollywood never get old and "Old Hollywood" glamour is one of them. The color of glamour tonight is Black and White at the Oscars.  We found Glamazons who honored the fashion code of high fashion and flair from the golden days of Hollywood.  For her first time covering the red carpet, Kelly Roland is setting the right tone in a gorgeous strapless number  (white at the top, black at the bottom.)  We are looking for ladies with style that rules the red carpet. She and Kristin Chenoweth  (pictured above) are definitely contenders for our best dressed title. UPDATED: And the winner of our Best Dressed is Kristin Chenoweth. Chenoweth was "gone with the wind fabulous." Red carpet hosting buddies Kristin Chenoweth and Kelly Roland. We think no other colors dazzle on the red ...

Tony Terry, an R&B/Soul singer who has charted 14 times on the US Billboard R&B Charts and 6 times on the US Billboard Hot 100 Chart, released the long-awaited single “All I Need” on Valentine’s Day. This single promises to deliver that silky golden voice dancing effortlessly over a beautiful and transcending melody. Mr. Terry is best known for classics such as “With You”, “Lovey Dovey”, “She’s Fly” and “Everlasting Love” but “All I Need” will undoubtedly seduce the ears of a whole new generation of music lovers.    All I Need” will be available on itunes as well as all other digital download sites on Valentine’s Day, February 14th, 2013. The singer’s album “iTony” is slated to be released later this year.  "This album will quiet questions as to whether real R&B music is dead," says Terry's Manager Tony Sander! Listen to "All I Need":

buzzz worthy. . . KRISTIN CHENOWETH AND SETH M AC FARLANE   PERFORM SPECIAL OSCAR® CLOSING NUMBER ADELE AND CAST OF LES MISERABLE WILL ALSO TAKE THE STAGE AT THE OSCARS The closer we get to Oscar Sunday, more names of entertainers  that will make up the show's  "cast" are being released.  And from the look of things, music is going to be in the spotlight more that any other art form. Kristin Chenow et h, star of Broadway's "Wicked" and host Seth MacFarlane will participate in a special show-closing musical performance. As the brains behind "Family Guy" MacFarlane is expected to drop some jokes, but the addition of a singing number is quite the surprise. "After the Best Picture award has been given, Seth and Kristin will perform a special number and we think it  will be a 'can't miss' moment," said producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron. Fresh off her Superbowl performance with the children's choir from Sandy...

buzzz worthy. . . ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAMER CLEOTHA STAPLES OF THE LEGENDARY STAPLE SINGERS DIES AT 78 Cleotha Staples is pictured second form the left.       Cleotha ‘Cleedi’ Staples, the eldest sister in the Staplease Singers has died.  Cleotha was a founding member of the pioneering folk-gospel group, along with her father "Pop" and sister Mavis. She had gracefully battled Alzheimer’s disease for the last decade and passed away peacefully at her Chicago home on the morning of February 21, 2013 at the age of 78.   Staples was born April 11, 1934 in Drew, Mississippi.  She was the first-born child of Roebuck “Pops” Staples and his wife, Oceola.  The family moved to Chicago in 1936 for better job opportunities. In the Windy City, siblings Pervis, Yvonne, Mavis and Cynthia were born. Pops worked a variety of manual labor jobs during the day and Oceola worked at the Morrison Hotel at night. To entertain the children in the evening...

buzzz worthy. . . Atlanta-based Dirty Bomb Records is proud to announce the release of“Sugar  Junkie”, the debut single/video from southern born, Oakland based  funk/soul band Cherry Royale.  Taken from their upcoming debut EP “Say  What?!", Sugar Junkie is being released for  radio play and is available to fans at http://cherryroyalemusic.bandcamp.com/track/sugar-junkie  for free download  or donation.  A limited edition cherry red 7” vinyl pressing  the  B-side instrumental “EKG” will be available for sale in late February and includes a free download of the entire EP.  See the video on You Tube at http://youtu.be/9qJEwWqonvc . Cherry Royale brings together various musical backgrounds to create a fresh and modern take on classic funk/soul.  Led by Alvetta Newby-Jones’s powerful vocals, Sugar Junkie tells the age old story of love addiction.  Sugar Junkie is a perfect example of the upbeat funk that Cherry R...

buzzz worthy. . . Oprah makes so few appearances that when she does show up it's a big deal. Displaying a big, bold crown of wavy hair,  the T.V. mogul's new tresses were the "mane" attraction at two Pre-Oscar events that spotlighted African American women in the business. Winfrey was an honoree at the 6th  Annual  Essence Women in Hollywood Luncheon held at the Beverly Hilton. Kelly Roland, Holly Robinson-Pete and Jennifer Hudson were in attendance. "O" reminisced about Essence being the first magazine to offer her the cover and the women's empowerment glossy bering her "Bible." Said Ms. Winfret in accepting the Power Award,    "There's nothing better than being honored by your own." Several students from her girls school in South Africa were her guests. HipHollywood founder Kevin Frazier caught up with Lady O as she dropped by  Alfre Woodard's 4th Annual Cinema Sistah's Soiree  to surprise the ladies in attend...