Crack is Wack and So is My Marriage

OK, I don't think that's an exact quote, but I'm sure that's what Whitney Houston is thinking. If you haven't heard already that she has separated from hubby Bobby Brown, then you've probably been living under a rock for the past month. Yes, the now infamous couple is calling it quits. Are any of you surprised? I must say that I am. Now, don't get me wrong, it definitely seems that Bobby has brought out the worst in Whitney over the years. However, if that's how she really is and she had just been covering it up at the beginning of her career, then I think the two of them deserve each other.

Bobby and Whitney's marital woes seem to be continuing with what I call "the curse of the reality show marriage". It's crazy how reality shows can be at two totally different ends of the spectrum. For example, on MTV's The Real World, 7 strangers are picked to live together for a few months. And more often than not, they end up becoming friends (and in a few cases spouses) for life. But when celebrity couples who have known each other for a long time get their reality show, it seems like it's only a matter of time before they're fighting it out Divorce Court style.

Case in point:

Travis Barker, formerly of rock group Blink 182 and former Miss USA, Shanna Moakler
Nick Lachey, now a solo artist but formerly a member of 98 Degrees and singer turned actress Jessica Simpson
Dave Navarro, formerly of rock bands Jane's Addiction and The Red Hot Chili Peppers and former Baywatch babe Carmen Electra
I used to think these couples were so cute together! (especially Shanna and Travis) But I must say that I always thought that Nick deserved better. She really didn't appreciate what a quality guy he is. Anyway..... for all of you celebrity couples that are considering doing a reality TV show... JUST SAY NO!

Men, Money & Gold Diggers

I recently saw a play called Men, Money & Gold Diggers by Je’Caryous Johnson. Je’Caryous is one half of the I’m Ready Productions company that is known not only for adapting best selling books by authors like Eric Jerome Dickey and Michael Baisden into stage productions, but also recruiting an all-star cast. The last play that I went to see, Cheaters, based on Dickey’s novel, starred my all-time favorite Brian McKnight. And this play didn’t disappoint either.

Now, you’re probably wondering why I’m putting this on my music blog. Although the play was INCREDIBLE, I thought I’d take this opportunity to highlight the musicians that are part of the cast.

The first is Chico Benymon. Now you’re probably saying to yourself “He’s not a musician. He’s an actor famous for his role on UPN’s Half & Half.” Well, actually, he’s both. I could tell that Chico felt right at home playing his role in the play as an aspiring musical artist. For those of you who don’t know, in addition to his acting career, Benymon is also a member of the R&B group Tra-Knox. They were discovered by Will Smith, and you’ve probably heard them on the soundtracks for Men in Black and on some of Will’s work.

Someone else that was announced as part of the cast was Ginuine. So, like many of the other ladies (and probably a few men too) I was looking forward to seeing him. Well to my surprise, he didn’t do any acting in the play. All he did was come out and sing "In Those Jeans" at the end of the show. I’m still trying to figure that one out... I know he can’t be that hard up that he has to travel with the play to sing one song a night…

And last but not least is Tank. Yes, it’s true. He hasn’t fallen of the face of the Earth. Ironically, I recently found out that Tank actually got his start in the business singing backup for Ginuine and Aaliyah. He then became popular with a couple of singles of his own, including “Maybe I Deserve” five or six years ago. I must say that this is a multi-talented man. He can sing, he can act, and he produces. Some of the artists that he’s worked with include Jamie Foxx, Monica, and Marques Houston.

The entire cast in this play was great, and I definitely recommend that everyone check it out if it's coming to a city near them!

Music News 10-9-06

• Terrence Howard is teaming up with the Hustle & Flow director to star in a movie bio about Charley Pride. Pride, who had previously been in the Army and played in the Negro Leagues, became a country music star between 1966 and 1984. 51 of 54 singles that he released reached the country chart’s top ten.
• An investigation is currently underway to find out who leaked a song from Jay-Z’s comeback album on the internet. The single “Show Me What You Got” will appear on the album titled “Kingdom Come” which is slated to hit stores on November 21st.
• Brooke Hogan (yes, daughter of The Hulk) will be releasing her debut album entitled “Undiscovered” on Scott Storch’s record label SoBe Entertainment. Storch and his business partner have said that they want to make Brooke their flagship artist. And it appears they have a lot to work with between her looks and musical ability. Not only does she have a great voice, but she also plays the keyboard and guitar. You may have heard her first single “About Us” feat. Houston’s own Paul Wall on the radio. I must admit I like this song! I’m not sure what kind of longevity she’ll have (especially considering that her hype is mainly due to the family’s reality show on VH1 and her dad’s celebrity) but I really wish the best for her.
• Gospel/R&B singing duo Mary Mary will be releasing their holiday album “A Mary, Mary Christmas” on October 10th
• Aerosmith’s greatest hits album entitled “Devil’s Got a New Disguise: The Very Best of Aerosmith” will be released on October 17th