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January 25, 2006

Hollywood and   New York met in Atlanta at the 14th Annual Trumpet Awards , founded by Xernona Clayton .  The Trumpet Award is an distinguished honor to bestowed on individuals for outstanding achievement while contributing to humanity.  Almost two thousand special VIPs from all over the world assembled on a " Rainy Night In Georgia ," at the Georgia World Congress center for the invitation only event.  Vivica A. Fox , Usher Raymond , Stevie Wonder , Archbishop Desmond Tutu , were all trumpeted by Clayton , a Civil Rights Icon.  A packed weekend for activities celebrating African American trailblazers, beginning with the Opening Prayer Breakfast, Meet the Authors book signing, Future Trumpet Awardees Breakfast, celebrating talented children, Cultural Explosion  

Concert featuring   Eric Benet and Melissa Morgan , Nominee Dinner, built a momentum to the auspicious night.    The rain did not stop the one person from attending and walking the red carpet.  A sea of wigs, weaves, and make-up everyone strutted their stuff as they entered the ball room, while some should have taken the back entrance.

The paparazzi were out in full force at the Trumpet Awards to catch a glimpse of celebrity attendees.  Co-hosted by   Chris Tucker and LisaRaye McCoy , who led the walk of fame; Vivica A. Fox said, "This night means everything to me," as the beautiful movie star shared with me on the red carpet.  "This is like the Black Golden Globe Awards," Vivica smiled.  "It feels so good to have your own celebrate your hard work."     Stevie Wonder , Usher Raymond , Aretha Franklin , Judge Mablean Ephram , Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins , Eric Benet , Blair Underwood , Doug E. Fresh , Dr. Bobby Jones , Pastor Paula White , Judge Greg Mathis , Iman , Rev. Jesse Jackson , Attorney Willie Gary , Brian Jordan , Emmanuel Lewis, Rev. Clifton Davis, Dick Gregory, George Wallace, Najee, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis , and Melissa Morgan all came racing inside to get out of the rain, but made time to talk to yours truly.  "I have the honor of presenting Archbishop Desmond Tutu ," Iman said.  "I also participated in the book signing with my beauty book for women of color."    Iman was stunning in a gold and black gown with a mink wrap.    "It is always great to be in Atlanta and it does not get any better than the   Trumpet Awards ," Judge Mathis said.  We were able to chat briefly on his feeling about Stanley "Tookie" Williams on his way into the ball room.  "It is a travesty of justice and he could have done more alive by continuing his work, which is more then anyone can do dead," Mathis   declared.  "We all can change; I went from jail to judge in fifteen years."    The most rememrable moment of the night was Stevie Wonder's mini concert during is acceptance speech.  Wonder called Doug E. Fresh on the stage to join him and Aretha Franklin , who presented him the distinguished honor.  A melody of music flowed from Stevie effortlessly.  " My Cheri Amore ," " Very Superstitious ," and " Until You Come Back To Me ," by The Queen of Soul while he backed her with his harmonica.  The second most rememrable moment was Usher thanking his mother for believing in him and his thanking all the attendees for his dream becoming a reality.  Raymond also requested the efforts of others to join him as he works to give back to the community.  With a choirboy type of innocence you would have almost forgotten the rumors of him dating his married stylist. Read all about it in my " Street Committee ," section. 

A number of other individuals were honored on the historic night.  Great accomplishment may not always come with fame, but their work is just as noted.  Dr. Keith Black , neurosurgeon, Chief Justice Leah Ward Sears , Chief Justice of Georgia Supreme Court, Danny Beckwell , civil rights leader, and Lorenzo Creighton , CEO of New York New York Casino. Dr. Bobby Jones , the longest running television show on a cable network, and Rev. C.T. Vivian , living legend of the Civil Rights Movement.  "We were not afraid to fight the man with the gun, the Billy Club, and hatred in his heart," said Vivian .  All are great achievers that contribute greatly to humanity. 

What were all the e-mails about Jamie Foxx's " Unpredictable ," special on NBC.  Despite television promos that have aired, Foxx's two-hour interview accessibility via satellite and a national telephone press conference with reporters on Monday--not to mention interviews in Time and TV Guide and a guest spot on "The Tonight Show," to promote the special--an e-mail was passed around to industry insiders and the general public claiming the network was deliberately trying to ambush the program by refusing to promote it and having it go up against the " American Idol ."  The network had to put the Oscar Winner up against a show that over 30 million people watch.  Like wild fire the e-mail spread and I do not know how many times it appeared in my in box.  NBC had to pull out all stops and what better way to honor Jamie than trusting in his ability to hold his own.    Foxx did just that and the special will air a second time the same week.  Filmed at the historic Orpheum Theater in downtown Los Angeles, " Jamie Foxx-Unpredictable: A Musical Journey ," features Stevie Wonder , Mary J. Blige , Angie Stone , Snoop Dogg , The Game , and Common .  Jamie is extremely talented, although his album sales were nothing to write home about " Unpredictable ," is a decent project.  Not so sure I would purchase the meager CD I do enjoy the tunes when I hear them on the radio.  An insider told me Oprah called Jamie and congratulated him on a job well done.    Seems the Queen Of Talk was impressed with his offering.  Not so sure where all the e-mail hype stemmed from, but I was confident his special would be a success just as the one was on Ray Charles .

According to the New York Daily News Janet Jackson is teaming up with her old trainer Tony Martinez to shed 40 pounds by the time her next album drops.  The news paper said Janet has gone from 118 pounds to 160 pounds while she has been on this hiatus.  It is said that stress may have caused her eating habits to change. But I am wondering if she picked up a few extra pounds while she was eating for two.    Not so sure if the Brittenum twins will be out of jail in time for the second round of taping on " American Idol ."  Derrell Brittenum had been on the run for a few weeks when he finally turned himself in to authorities in   Georgia.  His brother, Terrell , was in jail when the show aired the brothers' audition.  The show was taped six months prior and they probably drove to the audition in the car they purchased with another man's identity.  Pulling this stunt may have cost these guys their opportunity, but if they had me as their publicist I would have dropped an album the same day the appeared on " American Idol ."  Seems Tonex has had a nervous break down.  The gospel singer confessed to a life full of sexual sins and how difficult his divorce and the loss of his father has been.  Now according to Greg Johnson of Los Angeles radio station 102.3 Radio Free KJLH, Tonex is out and retiring from the gospel industry.  However, I hear he is going to do a R&B album.    Recently, he has been traveling with a man that appears questionable at best and said to be his manager.    Purportedly the guy has worked with a number of Hip Hop artist, with tattoos every where including a huge one on his neck. All I can say is he has worked a job on the talented singer.    The past two times I have seen Tonex -- in Memphis last November and in Florida at Dr. Bobby Jones Artist Retreat -- he was with a man that clearly was not accustomed to working in the gospel industry and Tonex seemed over dependant on the new manger with a thug like image. 

According to my " Street Committee "...Anytime you have a huge event like the Trumpet Awards and that number of stars assembled in one place something is going to happen.  The drama I am told started on Saturday when Chris Tucker was told for the fist time that he would be co-hosting the Trumpet Awards with LisaRaye .  Seems the movie star was under the impression he would be a solo act like the NAACP Image Awards .  Chris was so surprised and upset he refused to attend the press conference.    Sources tell me he did not have anything against the beautiful actress personally.  Chris Tucker did a great job as host and made considerable more appearances throughout the evening than LisaRaye .    On the red carpet I congratulated   Tucker on hosting the show and asked him if he was looking forward to receiving the honor himself.  "I would love to get a Trumpet Award , but I got arrested last year," Chris said jokingly.