Boney James Entertains KJLH
Concord Records’ Rick Nuhn threw a lunch for the Taxi urban AC KJLH-FM (102.3) staff recently to introduce the label’s new Boney James project, Send One Your Love, impacting just in time for Valentine’s Day on February 3. (seated l-r) KJLH’s Dominique DiPrima, PD Aundrae Russell, Dolores Thompson; (standing l-r) new VP Vinny Brown. Morning host Guy Black, artist Boney James, Janine Haydel and Chris Lewis
MD Opening at KDAY
Majic Broadcasting’s urban AC KDAY-FM (93.5 the Beat) in Los Angeles reports an opening in its MD slot. The departure of April “Bombai” Pongtratic to pursue other opportunities has left PD Adrian “AD” Scott covering the position temporarily.
Hey Luenell On the Air
Comedienne Luenell has launched her own radio show, “Hey Luenell,” from Burbank studios on Magnolia Boulevard. Broadcasting via pod cast format on iTunes, the radio show is also available on her website at www.heyluenell.com. She tapes her show weekly on Wednesdays and Thursdays, promising to tackle any subject that crosses her mind. Her in-studio guests lined up for the first quarter include Tiffany Pollard (aka New York), DJ Quik, actor Hill Harper, comedian T.K. Kirkland and TV producer Claude Brooks.
BMI Explores ‘How I Wrote That Song’
At the same time, BMI explores “How I Wrote That Song,” with a panel that features Chad Huge, T-Pain, Will-i.am, Makeba Riddick and Keri Hilson. Scheduled at the Key Club from 11am-3pm, this panel includes discussions with Grammy nominees and past Grammy winners.
ASCAP Presents Hitmakers Panel
During Grammy week in Los Angeles, ASCAP presents its special Hitmakers panel on February 7. Johnta Austin, Ne-Yo, Manuel Seal, Jermaine Dupri and Tricky Stewart join the panel moderated by Billboard Magazine’s Senior Editor/R&B Hip Hop, Gail Mitchell.
Making Poetry With Ray J
Sexy Poetry, that is. The Knockout R&B recording artist celebrated his 28th birthday on January 17 in Las Vegas at the upscale Poetry Nightclub located in The Forum Shops at Caesar’s Palace above Wolfgang Puck’s Chinois Restaurant. The occasion was not only for his birthday, but was also a welcome party to Ray J as a new partner in the nightclub.
Brandon Powers, another partner in the hip-hop nightclub, commented: “Ray’s involvement is a match made in nightclub heaven. He reflects what Poetry is as a brand: upscale, classy and, most of all, sexy.”
Added managing partner Mike Goodwin, “A combination of things worked out real well for both of us: image, music, family ties.”
Ray J will be hosting a party at Poetry for the launch of his new VH1 reality dating series, “For the Love of Ray,” which debuts February 2, in which 14 ladies will compete to become his “ride-or-die” chick.
R Dub ‘Slow Jams’ Celebrates 10th Anniversary
R Dub!, PD of Clear Channel urban AC KHHT-FM (Hot 92.3) in Los Angeles, was among those in the recent Clear Channel cutbacks. Now in Brazil on property he had originally planned to move to before taking the gig at KHHT, he will continue to host his Westwood One-syndicated show “Sunday Nite Slow Jams.” He can still be reached via e-mail at rdub520@yahoo.com or rdub@slowjams.com. Sister station KIIS-FM’s PD John Ivey picks up the additional programming duties.
R Dub! has been hosting “Sunday Nite Slow Jams” since the age of 16, operating three full recording facilities for the program and running the slow jams website, SlowJams.com. Now airing on 46 affiliate stations nationwide through Westwood One syndication, the Sunday night show recently began airing Monday-Thursday from 10 p.m. to 12 mid as well.
“We are excited to add Slow Jams to Westwood One. Not only are we gaining a great program but an equally talented programmer,” said Max Krasny, Westwood One SVP, Entertainment Division. “Slow Jams is an example of the skills that R Dub has both in creating and executing compelling programming.”
Responded R. Dub!, “I can’t begin to tell you how happy I am to become part of the Westwood One Family. It’s an honor to have Sunday Nite Slow Jams and our new weeknight Slow Jams show as part of Westwood One’s first class line-up of content. I’m overly impressed with the entire team at Westwood One and am really looking forward to working with them as we grow the shows together.”
In celebration of the 10th year anniversary of the show, the Sunday Nite Slow Jams LIVE! Concert tour kicks off in Phoenix, Arizona, not far from where the show originated ten years ago in Tucson, with a performance line-up of ten artists: Jagged Edge, Frankie J, Slim, Amanda Perez, Pleasure P, Case, Bobby Vanentino, Ginuwine, MC Magic, Bell Biv Devoe and potential surprise artists along the way.
Hollywood Star 2009 Lineup Strikes Controversy
The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce’s Walk of Fame Committee announced the 25 new ‘stars’ that would be cemented into its Walk of Fame for 2009 last June. Among the recording artists selected that include Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds, Dave Koz, Doug Morris, RUSH, Shakira and The Village People, were Motown group The Miracles. Smokey Robinson, the group’s leader, already has a star, so the intent was to honor the legendary group with its own star on March 3. However, the original Miracles—Claudette Robinson, Pete Moore, Bobby Rogers and Ron White (now deceased)—are the group being honored. Reportedly, Miracles members Billy Griffin and Marv Tarplin are not included in the honor.
Once Upon a Time in a Little Village Called Harlem…
The Annenburg Foundation, The Kennedy Center, Target and the Debbie Allen Dance Academy presented the musical, “The Brothers of the Knight,” at the UCLA Freud Playhouse in Westwood, California to a celebrity-laden opening night. Based on her book, the musical was written, directed and choreographed by Allen to music by James Ingram and based on the Grimms’ fairy tale “The Twelve Dancing Princesses.”
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Photos by Willie Tassain (323) 232-6391
Tyrese Turns 30
Tyrese celebrated his 30th birthday with a bash at Boulevard 3 with family and friends. In the entertainment business for the last 15 years, Tyrese can be seen in 2009 reprising his role of Sergeant Robert Epps in “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” and the fourth installment of “The Fast and the Furious.” (l-r) Tyrese’s sister Shonta, his mom Priscilla and actor/singer Tyrese Gibson.
Photo by Willie Tassain (323) 232-6391
