New reality TV show to crown the 'worst singer'
With the success of American Idol reject William Hung securing a record deal even though he's not really a singer has sprung a reality TV show to highlight the worst singer (US wise).
The WB network is launching a new reality series that will parody the "American Idol" show. Come May 17, the series called 'The WB's Superstar USA', will be shown over seven episodes and will deliberately choose the worst singers among the unsuspecting contestants who go on to compete for a grand prize of a record deal worth $100,000.
'Wild Thing' rapper Tone-Loc and singer turned actress Vitamin C will be the celebrity judges as well as TV producer Chris Briggs. Former MT VJ Brian McFayden is the show's host.Understandably, picking untalented singers is part of the new show's joke but the WB promises that the grand prize is definitely real for the eventual winner and although a label is not on board yet, a network spokesperson says that a participating record company is to be announced. The WB CEO Jordan Levin says, "In this series, the viewing audience will be rewarded with a fun, funny and entertaining send-up of the genre, but in the end, you'll be won over by our superstar". We'll have to wait and see then won't we.
- - Source: billboard.com
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Whitney and Bobby plan to have own reality series
Speaking of reality shows, another one that's on the horison is from R&Bs most notablely troubled couple the last few years: Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown.
According to reports from a television insider, Rumor has it that the couple are planning a reality TV series and that money is likely the motivating factor for them doing it. Both Whitney Houston and hubby Bobby Brown will appear in the series which they are currently shooting called 'Being Bobby Brown'.The insider explained "Bobby and Whitney probably need the money especially now that Bobby has to make child support payments [to an ex-girlfriend with whom he has two kids]".
- - Source: reactmag.com
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Teen Talent search comes to the 'Dirty South'
The dirty south will play hosts to giving props to america's youths next week. The Platinum Teen Talent Search and Music Summit (PTTS & MS) takes on the southern region of the US in search of musically talented teens and young adults between the ages of 13-21 with a golden opportunity to win a recording contract from NME Records.
Categories such as 'Discovery Performances' will be marked by a prestigious panel of judges representing both the major and independent labels s well as music professionals who work with the likes of Christina Aguilera, Britney Spears, Janet Jackson, Ruben Studdard, Ludacris, Outkast and others.
The PTTS & MS tour was launched in South Carolina on Mar. 27th and has since visited Tennessee and Orlando, FL. Other states to be visited will be Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, ending in Georgia. Teens attending and registering for the event will have the opportunity to test their musical skills while at the same time gain an educational opportunity from the Music Summit.
Co-sponsored by NME Records and X-Media Marketing, the festivities brings together America's emerging musical youths from all genres and place them with some of the industry's leaders for a day of discussion and power networking. The Music Summit panelists includes A&R executives, producers, songwriters and marketing executives.
2004 Southeast Tour Schedule (thus far):
March 27th - 28th, Columbia, South Carolina (The Township Auditorium)
April 3rd - 4th, Nashville, Tennessee (Tennessee State Fairgrounds)
April 17th – 18th, Orlando, Florida (The Roxy)
April 24th – 25th, Raleigh, North Carolina (BTI Center for the Performing Arts)
May 1st – 2nd, New Orleans, Louisiana (Pontchartrain Center)
May 8th – 9th, Jackson, Mississippi (The Clarion)
May 15th – 16th, Birmingham, Alabama (Sheraton Convention Center)
For more information about the Platinum Teen Talent Search & Music Summit, visit www.platinumteentalentsearch.com.
- Source: hhso.com
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Ricky Fanté: Throw back to the 60s soul
Recently there's been a rebirth, a rebirth of the harmonizing soul of the 60s when the likes of Brook Benton, Bobby Womack and Eddie Floyd were mastering the airwaves with their then modern soul. Since then soul music has evolved and it's now come full circle.
In recent years we've seen the reassurgence of the 60s soul or 'Northern Soul' as it's otherwise known. Ebony Alleyne scored big last year with her hits, 'In Love with a Stranger' and 'Second Look', Josh Stone with her reninditions from the greats like Aretha Franklin, The Isley Bros and The Drifters taken from that era and now there's newcomer Ricky Fanté
Fanté, a 25-year-old southeast Washington, D.C. native, has a debut album called Rewind that will be on the record shop shelves in the next few weeks and there is plenty of hype surrounding the young vocalist. His rusty, infectious vocals has been compared to some of the best soul legends on grace the industry - the likes of Sam Cooke, Otis Redding, Al Green has been mentioned in comparison, an impressive list indeed. Be on the look out for Ricky, he could be going far.