::THE SLICE REPORT WITH MONA AUSTIN

buzzz worthy. . .  By Mona Austin (SHREVEPORT, LA) - February 16, 2014  Billy R. Boykin, Jr. , a visual and graphic artist, will unveil   " Justice for All,"    a digitally illustrated series of portraits in celebration of Black History Month today.  The series was inspired by a theatrical production of “Four Little Girls” performed at Centenary College that told the story of the 1963 bombing of the  Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, AL which left 4 girls dead at the hands of White Supremacists. The exhibit will feature images of three figures in Black history --  two from the Civil Rights era (Dr. Martin Luther King and Malcom X) and one from the modern era (Professor/Author/Social Commentator Dr. Cornell West) to reflect the continuous need for change.  The art will be on display during an annual Black History Month program starting at 1:00 p.m. at The Church of the Living God, P.G.T. located at   1634...

buzzz worthy. . . Album will be released through RayLynn Records,  founded by Bob and Janice Simpson, co-owners of the Texas Rangers (Los Angeles, Calif.) February 12, 2014   –  After a decade-long tour, performing over 100 concerts a year, The Horn Family is slated to release their long awaited self-titled debut project on March 4, 2014 from RayLynn Records through Provident Distribution. The Horn Family  album was recorded in Nashville, Tenn. and produced by prolific country artist and renowned songwriter Mark Collie who has worked with artists such as Garth Brooks, Tim McGraw, and JT Hodges. Drawing from their unique life experiences, the entire band played a pivotal role in the songwriting process, with each member demonstrating a different perspective of God’s goodness and grace. Among the 10 tracks slated for the album, the celebratory tune “I’ve Got It” as well as the ballad “Rise Above the Fall” feature elevating lyrics and rhythmic melodies,...

buzzz worthy. . . Edwin Hawkins   ‘PRAISE IN THE PLACE’ CO-HOSTED BY DONALD LAWRENCE, AND EVANGELIST JACKIE MELTON The Bay Area’s gospel community came together for an evening of praise to benefit the 2014 Edwin Hawkins & Walter Hawkins Music and Arts Love Fellowship Conference. The ticketed event, held Monday, January 27, 2014 at Love Center Ministries Church was supported by the Bay Area’s clergy, and the gospel communities along with emerging artists, and MALFC Chapter representatives from Fresno, Ca, Las Vegas, NV, and Idaho. The capacity crowd spent most of the evening on their feet as special guests Earnest Pugh, Chrystal Rucker, and Jonathan Nelson performed their chart topping favorites, while also showing their appreciation for Dr. Edwin Hawkins and the memory of the late Bishop Walter L. Hawkins. Any MALFC event would not be complete without the participation of great choirs. The signature Hawkins sound was on display, as local choirs were re...

buzzz worthy. . . ALBUM IN-STORES AND AVAILABLE ONLINE FEBRUARY 25, 2014 CONFIRMED ARTISTS INCLUDE HANS ZIMMER, LISA GERRARD, CEELO GREEN, STEVEN STERN & GEORGE KRIKES, ONEREPUBLIC, SARA BAREILLES, THE FRAY, &  HILLSONG UNITED Los Angeles, Calif.   (February 10, 2014)  –  Republic Records  teams with  20 th  Century Fox  and  LightWorkers Media , which is owned and operated by  Mark Burnett  and  Roma Downey , to release the original motion picture soundtrack album for the upcoming film,  Son of God . The collection is available in stores in North America and Canada February 25 as well as via iTunes globally the same day. The online pre-order has recently gone live this past week  here . Meanwhile, the movie will be released in theaters across the United States Friday February 28. Oscar winner, Golden Globe winner, and multiple Grammy winner  Hans Zimmer  and  Lorne Balfe...

buzzz worthy. . . Erica Campbell sends an S.O.S to God on her latest single, "Help." The video for the title song and new single from the forthcoming CD of the same title premiered exclusively on VH1 today. In creating a visual for an already emotionally intense audio experience, Director  Bille Woodruff,  continued to allow the powerful lyrics to do the work.  The song  features a collaboration with breakthrough rapper Lecrae and the recording debut of her daughter Krista Campbell, Campbell delivers a soul-releasing cry that speaks directly to anyone who is at end of the of their rope.  Click here to listen to HELP. Click here to watch the new HELP video. Warryn Campbell (L), Lecrae (C), Erica (R) Campbell continues to travel the country promoting the release of "Help" her first solo album, which hits stores on March 25. The album is produced by her husband Warrryn and will also include "A Little More Jesus" for which she was Grammy no...

buzzz worthy. . . Dewayne Woods Award winning recording artist DeWayne Woods is spreading the word about his rousing new radio single,  “Never Be The Same,” his first radio single in three years. The song reunites Woods with Maroon 5’s P.J. Morton who composed and produced Wood’s 2007 breakthrough radio smash, “Let Go.” Woods has released a lyric video for “Never Be The Same” that is now on You Tube.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5sfBsT6EHc&feature=youtu.be  and the Mp3 is available on iTunes at  http://smarturl.it/gyifl4 . The song anchors Woods’ forthcoming third solo CD that’s expected to release in late 2014 via his Soul Therapy Music Group (Central South Distribution). Woods has already tapped the legendary R&B band Mint Condition (of “What Kind of Man Would I Be?” and “Breakin’ My Heart” fame), Gerald Haddon (who produced Isaac Carree’s #1 hit “In The Middle”) and Houston-ba...

buzzz worthy. . . ARETHA FRANKLIN, BERRY GORDY, ICE CUBE, KENNETH CHENAULT, AND CARRIE MAE WEEMS TO BE HONORED MARIAH CAREY, JENNIFER HUDSON, JANELLE MONAE, TAMAR BRAXTON, SMOKEY ROBINSON, KAREN CLARK SHEARD AND WAYNE BRADY ANNOUNCED AS PERFORMERS FOR “BET HONORS” REV. AL SHARPTON, JOE MORTON, LUDACRIS AND MACK WILDS SCHEDULED TO PRESENT BET Networks will record one of the highlights of its black History Month programming, the "BET Honors" tonight at the Warner Theatre in Washington, DC.  Honors will be presented to  living history makers who have demonstrated excellence in music, art, entertainment, corporate citizenship,  and . The show premieres on Monday, February  24, 2014 at 9:00 pm* ET. Aretha Franklin Berry Gordy As previously announced the honorees are:  The Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin (Musical Arts) who has had a remarkable 4 decades in music and still has fans asking for more, Berry Gordy (Visionary) Motown Records Fou...