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Tag: Detroit

Tom Joyner Morning Show, Roland Martin, Money and Power

This morning I had the great pleasure of having a conversation with my respected colleagues, Tom Joyner and Roland S. Martin. I have always loved the Tom Joyner Morning Show. My respect for Tom came when I found out that he once commuted daily between Chicago and Dallas in order to host shows in both cities. I appreciate anyone willing to sacrifice to reach their goals. Roland Martin has an equally compelling story about how he was forced into bankruptcy in order to become successful.

The truth is that there are a whole bunch of people who want success, but they usually want it for free. These brothers understand that you usually have to pay a high price to get what you want.

We were discussing the case of Heather Ellis. Heather Ellis is a 24-year old college student now facing 15-years in prison after being accused of cutting line at a Walmart. We are planning a rally for Heather in Kennett, MO on November 16, with thousands coming from around the nation in order to save her life. Tom Joyner, Roland Martin, and Michael Baisden are just a few of the names of brothers and sisters around the nation willing to step up to tell Heather’s story to the public.

After the show was done, I called my assistant and confidant Shauntay, in order to talk about the events planned for the day. Shauntay is a stern reminder to me that you are only as good as the people who work for you, and she is the greatest assistant on Earth. During our conversation, Shauntay asked me, “Did you notice how they seemed to get nervous and rush you off at the end?”

I said, “Yeah, I noticed that. But I don’t blame them, I might have done the same thing.”

Why was I rushed off at the end of the segment? It all has to do with Walmart being one of the key corporate sponsors for the Tom Joyner Morning Show. During the interview, I first mentioned that it was reported as far away as Memphis that Walmart employees were being asked not to discuss the Heather Ellis incident. Tom started to deflect the conversation away from the merchant.

“Well, that could have happened in any store, right?” said Tom.

I then went on to explain that, while it could have happened in any store, there was no getting away from the fact that it happened in Walmart: A Walmart employee was the one who chose not to serve Heather after accusing her of cutting line, the family reports that nearly every Walmart employee involved in the incident has been transferred to another store, and there are Walmart employees on the affidavits filed after the incident took place. There is no way to disconnect Walmart from this incident.

Unlike our supporters in Detroit, who are ready to boycott Walmart and stage a complete “black out” of the store, I have not asked for such a thing. Instead, I’ve only requested that Walmart use its influence to help Heather during her trial. I honestly believe that one sincere phone call from the right executive can make this situation go away. A daughter of a pastor, in college, with no criminal record is hardly the kind of thug that should be rotting away in the penitentiary. Anyone can understand that.

This discussion of The Tom Joyner Morning Show is not a negative reflection on the righteousness of Tom Joyner or his choice of having Walmart as a corporate sponsor (if it were Wells Fargo, then we might have an issue). The incident is reflective of how the power of media is driven by corporate sponsorship. Given that corporate sponsors controlled by the descendants of the historical oppressors of black people are financing most African-American media, the ability to pursue true and meaningful activism is sometimes muted. In other words, nobody disrespects their daddy, especially if their daddy is the one putting food on the table. The life of one black woman is not, to some, worth the loss of millions of dollars in corporate money (I do not agree with this assessment). One of the limitations of capitalism is that it forces us to put a dollar value on human life. I personally think human life has infinite value, and that is why I am fighting for Heather.

November 13, 2009
Motor City Overhaul

When black enterprise announced its decision to have its 2009 Entrepreneurs Conference + Expo in Detroit, the move raised more than a few eyebrows. After all, if the nation was in a recession at the time, surely Detroit must be in a full-fledged depression. The automotive industry—the city’s lifeblood—was facing its worst business climate ever, prompting massive layoffs, restructurings, and, in General Motors’ case, bankruptcy. The city, which was struggling prior to the events in the auto industry, had to contend with high rates of unemployment and poverty as well as real estate values that had plummeted to the point where a significant portion of the population found their mortgage balance exceeded the value of their homes.

October 27, 2009
Steelers’ Smith out with shoulder injury (AP)

Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Aaron Smith has a right shoulder injury that coach Mike Tomlin said "potentially could be significant." Smith, injured Sunday in Detroit, was being evaluated Tuesday. The Steelers are not yet certain how long one of their most reliable and productive players will be out, although they apparently are anticipating an extended absence.

October 13, 2009
Steelers’ Polamalu not expected to play (AP)

Pittsburgh Steelers safety Troy Polamalu practiced only lightly for the third day in a row and is not expected to play Sunday in Detroit. Polamalu, a five-time Pro Bowl player, has not played since tearing the medial collateral ligament in his left knee Sept. 10 against Tennessee. He was on the field Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, but did not take part in a full practice.

October 9, 2009
Hip Hop Honors 2009: Celebrating Def Jam Records’ Movers & Shakers
What started out as enterprising inspiration in a New York University dorm room 25 years ago is now home of the greatest names in the history of hip-hop, rap and R&B; Def Jam Recordings.

A treasure trove of artists from LL Cool J and The Beastie Boys to Rihanna and Kanye West, and dozens more, have all help make the record company the most durable brand in hip hop.

And the 2009 VH1 Hip Hop Honors celebrates it all during a glitzy affair set to air on Oct. 13 at 9 p.m.

But as should be known, there’s a lot of people on the back end who played a major part.

And not just Russell Simmons, either.

Blackvoices.com pays homage to the 25 movers and shakers who helped shape Def Jam Recordings over the past 25 years.
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Def Jam’s Movers & Shakers

25 People Who Helped Shape Def Jam Records
Celebrating the 25th anniversary of hip hop’s most durable brand should not be taken lightly. Blackvoices.com pays homage to the 25 people out-front and behind-the-scenes who made a difference.

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Mariah Through The Years

Mariah Through The Years:
For Mariah Carey, having more number one songs than any solo artist in America has been a credit to the company that this five-time Grammy winner has kept since making her music debut in 1990. From people behind the scenes like L.A. Reid and Jermaine Dupri to some of her past loves like Tommy Mottola, Derek Jeter and now husband Nick Cannon, each man has played a significant role in inspiring the music that has made this 39 year-old singer/songwriter famous. Blackvoices.com takes a look at the men who have inspired Mariah Carey over the years.

Tommy Mottola – Husband
No one is more responsible for Mariah Carey’s success than former Columbia Records head Tommy Mottola. After receiving Carey’s demo from artist Brenda K. Starr, for whom Carey sang backup, he signed her on the spot. While recording her 1990 debut, the two became romantically involved and tied the knot in a lavish ceremony in 1993. Just three short years later, they split, and a divorce was finalized in 1998.

Luther Vandross – Musical Collaborator
The five-octave singer was fortunate enough to be one of the few entertainers to record a duet with the late Luther Vandross. Their cover of Lionel Richie and Diana Ross‘s ‘Endless Love’ became Vandross’ biggest pop hit. It was the second single released from his ‘Songs’ album and was also included on two Carey albums: ‘Greatest Hits’ in 2001 and ‘The Ballads’ in 2008.

Trey Lorenz – Backup Singer
In 1992, Carey performed an MTV ‘Unplugged’ special to show nonbelievers that she was not a studio singer. Her cover of the Jackson 5‘s ‘I’ll Be There’ with her longtime backup singer Trey Lorenz was later released as a single and became a number-one hit in the United States. Lorenz was able to score a record deal from the duet, and Carey co-produced his debut. On July 7 of this year, the two performed the song at the Michael Jackson memorial, which was held at the Los Angeles Staples Center.

Jermaine Dupri – Producer
It’s not a well-known fact that Jermaine Dupri has been working with Carey for nearly 15 years. In 1995, Carey worked with the So So Def Records founder on ‘Always Be My Baby,’ from her ‘Daydream’ album. It became the most successful record on U.S. radio that year. And though these two worked on several remixes together over the years, their magic came a decade later when J.D. produced four songs on ‘The Emancipation of Mimi,’ Carey’s 10th studio album and most successful to date.

ODB – Musical Collaborator
Since rapping ‘Me and Mariah go back like babies and pacifiers,’ Ol’ Dirty Bastard, the late Wu Tang Clan MC, helped solidify Carey in the world of hip-hop and R&B. The 1995 remix to ‘Fantasy’ became a number-one hit. The friendship between Carey and ODB lasted throughout the years. The songstress even met the rapper upon his release from jail in 2003.

Mase – Musical Collaborator
‘Honey’ was Carey’s 12th number-one song. Before turning his life over to God and becoming a minster, Bad Boy rapper Mase appeared on the popular remix of the record, alongside the Lox and Diddy. The song, which also had its own video, was featured on Carey’s 2003 remix compilations, aptly titled ‘The Remixes.’

Derek Jeter – Alleged Beau
Shortly after divorcing husband Tommy Mottola in 1998, the five-time Grammy award winner met New York Yankee shortstop Derek Jeter at a Fresh Air Fund gala in New York. The couple connected over their interracial parents – black fathers and Irish mothers. The public romance ended short of the one-year mark. In an interview with Parade magazine, Carey said “It was the wrong time. …Our two worlds were just too much for that moment.”

Eminem – Alleged Beau
From ‘Clown’ to ‘Obsessed,’ Carey has documented her disdain for Detroit MC Eminem in her music. The ‘Glitter’ actress denies they ever slept together, but Slim Shady has consistently rapped that the two were intimate. The rapper, whose real name is Marshall Mathers, sent threats to Carey via the 2009 diss track ‘The Warning,’ which was directed at both Carey and her husband, Nick Cannon.

Nick Cannon – Husband
Nick Cannon, 28, dated singer-actress Christina Milian and was even engaged to Victoria’s Secret model Selita Eubanks for five months before becoming Carey’s second husband. In 2005, he convinced the Teen Choice Awards to let him present Carey’s award for ‘The Emancipation of Mimi.’ Two years passed, and the couple was reunited in 2007. Their whirlwind romance resulted in a quickie wedding in 2008 at Carey’s Bahamian estate, Windermere.
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October 8, 2009
Iverson has partially torn hamstring (AP)

Memphis Grizzlies guard Allen Iverson could miss three weeks after an MRI revealed a partial tear in his left hamstring. The Grizzlies made the announcement before Wednesday night's exhibition game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. If the timetable is correct, Iverson would miss all of preseason, and his status for the season opener at home against the Detroit Pistons on Oct.

October 7, 2009
Full “DJ Hero” Track List, All-Star Blends Announced

Posted by: www.rollingstone.com

The makers of DJ Hero have revealed the full list of 93 new blends and mash-ups that will feature on the upcoming Activision game, which will allow players to spin to combinations like David Bowie vs. 50 Cent, Blondie vs. the Beastie Boys, Rihanna vs. the Killers and Eminem vs. Jay-Z. Those last two rappers play a prominent role in DJ Hero, as do Daft Punk, who Rolling Stone revealed will contribute their likeness, awesome stage show and some exclusive mixes for the game, due out October 27th.

DJ Hero also features new mixes from DJ Shadow, DJ Z-Trip, Grandmaster Flash, Cut Chemist and the late Adam “DJ AM” Goldstein. As Rolling Stone previously reported, Grandmaster Flash will provide the voiceovers for the game’s tutorial mode, as well as appear in the game as an avatar.

For the entire DJ Hero on-disc track list, click below:

• 2Pac – “All Eyez On Me” vs. The Aranbee Pop Orchestra – “Bittersweet Symphony (Instrumental)”
• 50 Cent – “Disco Inferno” vs. David Bowie – “Let’s Dance”
• 50 Cent – “Disco Inferno” vs. InDeep – “Last Night A DJ Saved My Life”
• Afrika Bambaataa – “Zulu Nation Throwdown” vs. Freedom Express – “Get Down”
• Beastie Boys – “Here’s A Little Somethin’ For Ya” vs. DJ Shadow – “The Number Song (2009 Version)” (Produced and mixed by DJ Shadow)
• Beastie Boys – “Intergalactic” vs. Blondie – “Rapture”
• Beastie Boys – “Lee Majors Come Again” vs. Daft Punk – “Da Funk” (Produced and mixed by Cut Chemist)
• Beck – “Where It’s At” vs. DJ Shadow – “Six Days (Remix ft. Mos Def)”
• Bell Biv DeVoe – “Poison” Beat Juggle
• Bell Biv DeVoe – “Poison” vs. Beastie Boys – “Intergalactic” (Produced and mixed by DJ AM)
• Bell Biv DeVoe – “Poison” vs. Cameo – “Word Up!”
• Benny Benassi – “Satisfaction” vs. Tiësto – “Elements Of Life”
• Billy Squier – “The Big Beat” vs. N.E.R.D. – “Lapdance” (DJ-Guitar mix)
• Black Eyed Peas – “Boom Boom Pow” vs. Benny Benassi – “Satisfaction”
• Bobby “Blue” Bland – “Ain’t No Love In The Heart Of The City” vs. 2Pac – “How Do You Want It”
• Bobby “Blue” Bland – “Ain’t No Love In The Heart Of The City” vs. Connie Price & The Keystones – “Fuzz And Them”
• Boogie Down Productions – “Jack Of Spades” vs. David Bowie – “Let’s Dance” (Produced and mixed by DJ Shadow)
• Chuck Brown & The Soul Searchers – “Bustin’ Loose” vs. The Zombies – “Time Of The Season” (Produced and mixed by DJ Shadow)
• Chuck Brown & The Soul Searchers – “Bustin’ Loose” vs. Young MC – “Bust A Move”
• Common – “Universal Mind Control (U.M.C.)” vs. Masta Ace – “Jeep A** Gutter (Aaron LaCrate & Debonair Samir RMX)” (Produced and mixed by The Scratch Perverts)
• Cypress Hill – “Insane In The Brain” vs. Classics IV – “Spooky”
• Cypress Hill – “Insane In The Brain” vs. David Axelrod – “The Edge”
• Daft Punk – “Around The World” vs. Young MC – “Bust A Move”
• Daft Punk – “Da Funk” vs. N.A.S.A. – “Strange Enough ft. Karen O, ODB & Fatlip”
• Daft Punk – “Megamix 1″
• Daft Punk – “Megamix 2″
• Daft Punk – “Robot Rock” vs. Hashim – “Al Naafyish (The Soul)” (Produced and mixed by The Scratch Perverts)
• Daft Punk – “Robot Rock” vs. Queen – “We Will Rock You”
• Daft Punk – “Short Circuit” vs. Boogie Down Productions – “Jack Of Spades”
• Daft Punk – “Technologic” vs. Gary Numan – “Cars”
• Daft Punk – “Television Rules the Nation” vs. No Doubt – “Hella Good”
• David Axelrod – “The Edge” vs. Eric B. & Rakim – “Eric B. Is President”
• Dizzee Rascal – “Fix Up, Look Sharp” vs. DJ Shadow – “Organ Donor (Extended Overhaul)”
• Dizzee Rascal – “Fix Up, Look Sharp” vs. Justice – “Genesis”
• DJ Shadow – “Six Days (Remix ft. Mos Def)” vs. D-Code – “Annie’s Horn”
• Eminem – “My Name Is” vs. Beck – “Loser”
• Fedde Le Grand – “Put Your Hands Up For Detroit” vs. Sandy Rivera and David Penn – “I Can’t Stop (David Penn Remix)”
• Foo Fighters – “Monkey Wrench” vs. Beastie Boys – “Sabotage” (DJ-Guitar mix)
• Foreigner – “Juke Box Hero” vs. DJ Z-Trip ft. Murs – “DJ Hero” (Produced and mixed by DJ Z-Trip)
• Foreigner – “Juke Box Hero” vs. DJ Z-Trip ft. Murs – “DJ Hero” (DJ-Guitar mix, produced and mixed by DJ Z-Trip)
• Gang Starr – “Just To Get A Rep” vs. Mobb Deep – “Shook Ones, Pt 2″ (Produced and mixed by J. Period)
• Gorillaz – “Feel Good Inc.” vs. Blondie – “Atomic”
• Grandmaster Flash’s – “Boom” vs. “Tap” (Produced and mixed by Grandmaster Flash)
• Grandmaster Flash, DJ Kool, DJ Demo – “Here Comes My DJ” vs. Gary Numan – “Cars” (Produced and mixed by Grandmaster Flash)
• Gwen Stefani – “Hollaback Girl” vs. Gorillaz – “Feel Good Inc.”
• Gwen Stefani – “Hollaback Girl” vs. InDeep “Last Night A DJ Saved My Life” (Produced and mixed by DJ AM)
• Gwen Stefani – “Hollaback Girl” vs. Rick James – “Give It To Me”
• Herbie Hancock – “Rockit” Beat Juggle
• Herbie Hancock – “Rockit” vs. N.E.R.D. – “Lapdance” (Produced and mixed by Grandmaster Flash)
• InDeep – “Last Night A DJ Saved My Life” vs. Cameo – “Word Up!”
• Jackson 5 – “I Want You Back” vs. Gang Starr – “Just To Get A Rep” (Produced and mixed by DJ Yoda)
• Jackson 5 – “I Want You Back” vs. Third Eye Blind – “Semi-Charmed Life” (DJ-Guitar mix)
• Jackson 5 – “I Want You Back” vs. Third Eye Blind – “Semi-Charmed Life”
• Jay-Z feat. Pharrell – “Change Clothes” vs. 2Pac – “All Eyez on Me”
• Jay-Z – “Izzo (H.O.V.A.)” vs. Eminem – “My Name Is”
• Jay-Z – “Izzo (H.O.V.A.)” vs. Jackson 5 – “I Want You Back”
• Jay-Z – “Excuse Me Miss” vs. Rick James – “Give It To Me”
• Jean Knight – “Mr. Big Stuff” vs. Masta Ace – “Born To Roll”
• Jurassic 5 – “Jayou” vs. Billy Squier – “The Big Beat”
• Jurassic 5 – “Jayou” vs. Herbie Hancock – “Rockit”
• Kid Cudi – “Day ‘N’ Nite” vs. Black Eyed Peas – “Boom Boom Pow”
• Kool Moe Dee – “How Ya Like Me Now” vs. Reel 2 Real featuring The Mad Stuntman – “I Like To Move It”
• Little Richard – “Tutti Frutti” vs. Shlomo – “Beats” (Produced and mixed by DJ Yoda)
• M.I.A. – “Paper Planes” vs. Eric B. & Rakim – “Eric B. Is President” (Produced and mixed by The Scratch Perverts)
• M.I.A. – “Paper Planes” vs. Wale – “Lookin’ At Me”
• Marvin Gaye – “I Heard It Through The Grapevine” vs. David Bowie – “Let’s Dance”
• Marvin Gaye – “I Heard It Through The Grapevine” vs. Gorillaz – “Feel Good Inc.”
• Motörhead – “Ace Of Spades” vs. Noisia – “Groundhog” (DJ-Guitar mix)
• N.A.S.A. – “Strange Enough ft. Karen O, ODB & Fatlip” vs. Isaac Hayes – “Theme From Shaft”
• Noisia – “Groundhog” Beat Juggle (Produced and mixed by The Scratch Perverts)
• Paul van Dyk – “Nothing But You” vs. Sandy Rivera and David Penn – “I Can’t Stop (David Penn Remix)”
• Public Enemy – “Shut ‘Em Down” vs. Beck – “Where It’s At”
• Public Enemy ft. Zakk Wylde – “Bring The Noise 20XX” vs. Justice – “Genesis” (Produced and mixed by DJ Z-Trip)
• Public Enemy featuring Zakk Wylde – “Bring The Noise 20XX” (DJ-Guitar mix)
• Q-Tip – “Good Thang” vs. Billy Squier – “The Big Beat” (Produced and mixed by J. Period)
• Queen – “Another One Bites The Dust” vs. Beastie Boys – “Brass Monkey” (Produced and mixed by DJ Z-Trip)
• Queen – “Another One Bites The Dust” vs. Daft Punk – “Da Funk”
• Rihanna – “Disturbia” vs. Kid Sister – “Control”
• Rihanna – “Disturbia” vs. The Killers – “Somebody Told Me” (DJ-Guitar mix)
• Rihanna – “Disturbia” vs. The Trammps – “Disco Inferno”
• Shlomo – “Beats” vs. Billy Squier – “The Big Beat”
• Street Sweeper Social Club – “Fight! Smash! Win!” vs. Beastie Boys – “Intergalactic” (DJ-Guitar mix)
• Tears For Fears – “Shout” vs. DJ Shadow – “Six Days (Remix ft. Mos Def)”
• Tears For Fears – “Shout” vs. Eric B. & Rakim – “Eric B. Is President” (Produced and mixed by DJ Jazzy Jeff)
• Tears For Fears – “Shout” vs. Eric Prydz – “Pjanoo”
• The Aranbee Pop Orchestra – “Bittersweet Symphony (Instrumental)” vs. LL Cool J – “Rock The Bells” (Produced and mixed by DJ Jazzy Jeff)
• The Scratch Perverts Beats and Pieces (Produced and mixed by The Scratch Perverts)
• The Killers – “Somebody Told Me” vs. Eric Prydz – “Pjanoo”
• Vanilla Ice – “Ice Ice Baby” vs. MC Hammer – “U Can’t Touch This”
• Vanilla Ice – “Ice Ice Baby” vs. Paula Abdul – “Straight Up”
• Wale – “Lookin’ At Me” vs. Black Eyed Peas ft. Tippa Irie – “Hey Mama”
• Weezer – “Beverly Hills” vs. Evidence, The Alchemist, Aceyalone, Rakaa & 88 Keys – “Fresh Rhymes And Videotape” (DJ-Guitar mix)
• Wild Cherry – “Play That Funky Music” vs. Gang Starr – “Just To Get A Rep” (DJ-Guitar mix)

Related Stories:

• Daft Punk Bring Exclusive Mixes, Mash-Ups and Masks To “DJ Hero”
• Inside “DJ Hero”: Grandmaster Flash on Game’s Big Names, Ideas

October 7, 2009
Twins outlast Tigers in 12, win Central (AP)

The Metrodome erupted in a jet-like roar as Carlos Gomez zoomed home with the winning run to finish off an AL Central race — and a thrilling tiebreaker — that didn't want to end. Minnesota wouldn't quit, while the Detroit Tigers finished their historic fade. And there was little time for the Twins to celebrate, because the New York Yankees were waiting.

October 6, 2009
Tigers’ Cabrera drunk between key games (AP)

Detroit Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera was drunk — three times above Michigan's legal limit for driving, according to police — between two key games over the weekend as his team was trying to win the American League Central title. The 26-year-old Venezuelan first baseman was taken to a police station Saturday after arriving at his suburban Detroit home at 5 a.m.

October 5, 2009
Tigers, Twins set for 1-game playoff (AP)

The chase for the AL Central championship once again is going to extra innings. Trying to save their seasons, the Detroit Tigers and Minnesota Twins both won Sunday, leaving them all even for the division lead and forcing a one-game tiebreaker. They'll meet Tuesday at 5 p.m. EDT at the Metrodome in what could be the final baseball game at the Homer Hankie haven.

October 4, 2009
Listless Tigers fall into tie with Twins (AP)

The Detroit Tigers' once-cozy cushion in the AL Central is long gone. If things do not go Detroit's way on the final scheduled day, its season will be over. The Tigers dropped into a first-place tie with Minnesota, looking listless Saturday night in a 5-1 loss to Freddy Garcia and the Chicago White Sox.

October 3, 2009
Twins cut Tigers’ Central lead to 1 game (AP)

The Minnesota Twins have wanted out of the Metrodome for years. They're playing as if they want to stay a little longer. Jeff Manship's first major league win was well-timed for the Twins, who got a grand slam from Delmon Young and hung on for a 10-7 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Friday night that cut Detroit's AL Central lead to one game.

October 3, 2009
Peavy shuts down struggling Tigers 8-0 (AP)

Jake Peavy delivered the kind of performance the Detroit Tigers desperately need. Peavy delayed Detroit's chance to move closer to the AL Central title, pitching the Chicago White Sox past the slumping Tigers 8-0 Friday night. Detroit's lead was cut to one game by Minnesota, which beat Kansas City 10-7.

October 2, 2009
Mariah Carey: Something in Common With Whitney Houston?
Filed under: Music

Arguably two of the most talented singers in the record books, Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston have made names for themselves as commercially successful pop vocalists.

The careers of the two iconic beauties mirrored each other throughout the 1990s, with many people drawing comparisons between them. Both women were aligned with two of the most influential men in the music business, Tommy Mottola and Clive Davis, respectively, and both have survived controversy only to rise to the top of the charts again and resurrect their careers.

In our latest round of Tale of the Tape, we stack up “Mimi” and “The Voice” to see whether they had more in common than just their cultural impacts.

(M) Full Name: Mariah Carey
(W) Full Name: Whitney Elizabeth Houston

(M) Birth date: Mar. 27, 1970
(W) Birth date: Aug. 9, 1963

(M) Place of Birth: Long Island, N.Y.
(W) Place of Birth: Newark, NJ

(M) Also Referred to As: “Mimi”
(W) Also Referred to As: “The Voice”

(M) Humble Beginnings: Carey’s parents divorced when she was 3, leaving her mother to juggle several jobs to support the family. When the songstress moved to New York to pursue a singing career, she also worked several part-time jobs to pay the rent, in addition to attending beauty school and singing as a backup singer for several artists.
(W) Humble Beginnings: Whitney lived in housing projects in Newark, NJ. Her parents divorced when she was a teenager, and she chose to live with her mother. After performing her first gospel solo at New Hope Baptist Church at the age of 11, she was fortunate enough to sing background vocals on Chaka Khan’s hit single ‘I’m Every Woman.’

(M) Connections to the Business: Dance/pop singer Brenda K. Starr (Mariah was a background singer for the ‘I Still Believe’ singer)
(W) Connections to the Business: Blues and gospel singer Cissy Houston (Whitney’s mom); Dionne and Dee Dee Warwick (Whitney’s cousins) mariah and Whitney

(M) Album Debut: ‘Mariah Carey’ (1990)
(W) Album Debut: ‘Whitney Houston’ (1985)

(M) Record Company Affiliations: Columbia, Virgin, Island
(W) Record Company Affiliations: Arista

(M) Total Number-One Singles: 18
(W) Total Number-One Singles: 11

(M) Total Number-One Albums:6
(W) Total of Number-One Albums: 5

(M) Total Number of Albums Sold: Over 160 million (albums and singles)
(W)Total Number of Albums Sold: Over 140 million (albums)

(M)Total Marriages: 2
(W)Total Marriages: 1

(M) Children: 0
(W) Children: 1 (Bobbi Kristina with former New Edition singer Bobby Brown)

(M) Luther Vandross Affiliation: In 1994, Vandross and Carey recorded a duet of Lionel Richie and Diana Ross’s hit ballad ‘Endless Love’
(W) Luther Vandross Affiliation: Vandross produced, arranged and performed background vocals on Houston’s ‘Who Do You Love’ from her 1990 ‘I’m Your Baby Tonight’ album

(M) Aretha Franklin Affiliation:Carey performed a duet of The Queen of Soul’s ‘Chain of Fools’ with the legendary soul singer at the 1998 VH1 ‘Divas Live’ television special.
(W) Aretha Franklin Affiliation: Franklin is Houston’s godmother and appeared in a cameo in the ‘How Will I Know’ music video. The two also recorded a duet, ‘It Isn’t, It Wasn’t, It Ain’t Never Gonna Be,’ which appeared on Franklin’s 1989 album Through the Storm. .’

(M) Antonio “L.A.” Reid Affiliation: The LaFace founder executive produced Carey’s 2005 comeback album ‘The Emancipation of Mimi,’ as well as her subsequent Island Records releases, including her new ‘Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel.’
(W)Antonio “L.A.” Reid Affiliation: Reid, who previously produced songs on Houston’s ‘I’m Your Baby Tonight,’ was Arista head when her lackluster ‘Just Whitney’ album was released. What was promoted as her comeback album was Houston’s lowest selling album to date.

(M) Michael Jackson Affiliation: In 1992, Carey covered the Jackson 5’s hit ‘I’ll Be There’ alongside her background singer Trey Lorenz. She also sang the song at the late King of Pop’s memorial service.
(W)Michael Jackson Affiliation: In 2001, the ‘I Will Always Love You’ singer made headlines when she opened the Michael Jackson ’30 Anniversary Concert Concert’ looking extremely thin.

(M) Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliott Affiliation: Elliott was featured alongside fellow female MC Da Brat on a remix to the ‘Fantasy’ singer’s ‘Heartbreaker.’
(W) Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliott Affiliation: The ‘Supa Dupa Fly’ rapper produced and appeared on two Houston tracks: ‘In My Business’ from ‘My Love Is Your Love’ and ‘Things You Say’ from ‘Just Whitney.’

(M) Fugees Affiliation: Carey and the Fugees were both signed to Columbia Records in the 1990s. More recently, the Fugees’ Wyclef Jean just recorded a song called ‘Mr. Autotune’ with Carey’s husband, Nick Cannon, in 2009.
(W) Fugees Affiliation: Fugees front woman Lauryn Hill produced and sang background vocals on ‘I Was Made To Love Him,’ a spunky update of Stevie Wonder’s 1960s classic ‘I Was Made To Love Her’ on Houston’s 1998 CD ‘My Love is Your Love.’ Wyclef Jean produced what became Houston’s third best-selling single and the album’s title track ‘My Love Is Your Love.’

(M) Disney Connections: Disney Connections: Mariah Carey has never produced a Disney movie, unlike Whitney, but she still has love for the happiest place on earth. Two weeks after her Bahamas shotgun wedding to Nick Cannon, the couple headed back to the states for a very public vacation at Walt Disney World Resort to relive their childhood dreams. The ‘Fantasy’ singer, who previously performed at the 2004 Disney Christmas Day Parade, and her new hubby took pictures with Mickey and Minnie Mouse and rode tons of rides, including Space Mountain and the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.
(W) Disney Connections: ‘The Bodyguard’ actress appeared alongside Brandy in the made-for-television movie ‘Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella,’ a revival of The Wonderful World of Disney series and produced by Disney. Houston has also served as a producer for the Disney franchises ‘The Cheetah Girls’ and ‘The Princess Diaries.’

(M) Total Number of Movies: 6 (including ‘Precious’)
(W) Total Number of Movies: 4

(M) Movie Box Office Grosses: Over $27 million gross
(W) Movie Box Office Grosses: Over $12 million gross

(M) Controversies: Marrying a much younger Nick Cannon after dating the ‘Bobby’ star for just a few months.
(W) Controversies: Caught with marijuana in her and then-husband Bobby Brown’s luggage on Jan. 11, 2000, at a Hawaii airport; getting fired from performing at the Academy Awards when she showed up jittery.

(M) Rehabilitations: Hospitalized in 2001 for exhaustion, which led to a physical and emotional breakdown
(W) Rehabilitations: Rumored to have entered drug rehabilitation programs several times in the past decade at the urgency of mentor Clive Davis and her mother Cissy Houston.

(M) Comeback Efforts: Many people counted the Grammy Award winner out of the music business until the release of her 2005 comeback album, ‘The Emancipation of Mimi.’ Not only did the critically acclaimed record garner 10 Grammy Award nominations, but it was also the biggest selling album of 2005 – amassing 10 million albums sold worldwide.
(W) Comeback Efforts: Houston’s 2009 comeback album, ‘I Look to You,’ debuted at number one and became the best-selling first week sales of Houston’s career. To date, ‘I Look to You’ is also the best selling album by a female in 2009.

(M) Best Friend Forever: Background singer Trey Lorenz
(W) Best Friend Forever: Former long-time executive assistant and childhood friend Robin Crawford

(M) Failed Vanity Projects: Founded short-lived Crave Records imprint, which most notably released R&B girl group Allure‘s debut project; Automatic Princess Jewelry line
(W) Failed Vanity Projects: Mentored Newark gospel group Sunday; the panned ‘Family First’ song with Houston, her mother, Cissy and her cousin Dionne Warwick, which was featured on the soundtrack to Tyler Perry‘s ‘Daddy’s Little Girls’

(M)Famous Boyfriends: Mexican singer Luis Miguel, New York Yankee baseball player Derek Jeter
(W) Famous Boyfriends: R&B singer/sex tape star Ray J, movie star Eddie Murphy, NFL quarterback Randall Cunningham

(M) Family Feuds: Carey’s estranged HIV-positive sister Alison, who has been arrested twice for prostitution, shopped a tell-all book about her multi-millionaire sister in 2000. The tome was never released.
(W) Family Feuds: In 2002, associates for Houston’s 81-year-old father, John Houston, sued the pop star for $100 million, claiming unpaid compensation for helping negotiate her Arista Records contact. Houston claimed the dispute arose by people attempting to take advantage of her ailing father, and the suit was later dismissed.

(M) TV Interviews Gone Wild: In 2001, pushing an ice cream cart, Carey appeared on the popular MTV video countdown show ‘Total Request Live’ for an interview with VJ Carson Daly to promote her ‘Glitter’ movie. Wearing a small T-shirt and booty shorts, Carey performed a striptease and slurred “I just want one day off when I can go swimming and eat ice cream and look at rainbows.” Carey checked into the hospital for exhaustion shortly thereafter.
(W) TV Interviews Gone Wild: The Whitney Houston quotable “Crack is Wack” came from her infamous Diane Sawyer sit-down in 2002. When questioned about her rumored drug use, the troubled singer asked Sawyer to “show her the receipts” for the drugs, among other things. The interview was one of the last that Houston did before taking a hiatus from the media. Her first televised interview since Sawyer did not come until 2009 with a widely-publicized two-day special appearance on ‘The Oprah Winfrey Show.’

(M) Famous Celebrity Battles: Detroit rapper Eminem and Carey were at one point rumored to be a couple, then things got ugly. She recorded diss records like ‘Clown’ and her current single ‘Obsessed’ aimed at the ‘Slim Shady’ lyricist. And though, the ‘Precious’ star is sticking to her story that she never slept with Eminem, he maintains otherwise. He dished on being intimate with her and replied to her latest hit with a song called ‘The Warning,’ directed at both the singer and her latest husband, Nick Cannon.

(W) Famous Celebrity Battles: Houston and radio-shock-jock-turned-talk-show-host Wendy Williams had an on-air beef that played out in 2003 in which Williams questioned Houston about her rumored drug use. Houston responded with curse words, most notably charging, “If this were back in the day in Newark, I’d meet you outside, but not now, because I’m a lady with class.” The New York Times best-selling author has since said she has buried the hatchet and is eager to have the ‘I Wanna Dance With Somebody’ singer on her syndicated talk show.
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Mariah Carey: Through The Years

Mariah Carey: Through The Years
Since releasing her 1990 debut, Mariah Carey has survived a highly publicized divorce, getting dropped from one of the most lucrative recording contracts in music history and even a stint of exhaustion. But she returned to the top of the charts with one of the most successful albums in the past five years. On the cusp of her new ‘Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel’ album release, Blackvoices.com pays homage to the best-selling female artist of all time.

Ron Galella, WireImage / Bob King, Redferns / Lionsgate

Mariah Through The Years

Mariah Through The Years:
For Mariah Carey, having more number one songs than any solo artist in America has been a credit to the company that this five-time Grammy winner has kept since making her music debut in 1990. From people behind the scenes like L.A. Reid and Jermaine Dupri to some of her past loves like Tommy Mottola, Derek Jeter and now husband Nick Cannon, each man has played a significant role in inspiring the music that has made this 39 year-old singer/songwriter famous. Blackvoices.com takes a look at the men who have inspired Mariah Carey over the years.

Tommy Mottola – Husband
No one is more responsible for Mariah Carey’s success than former Columbia Records head Tommy Mottola. After receiving Carey’s demo from artist Brenda K. Starr, for whom Carey sang backup, he signed her on the spot. While recording her 1990 debut, the two became romantically involved and tied the knot in a lavish ceremony in 1993. Just three short years later, they split, and a divorce was finalized in 1998.

Luther Vandross – Musical Collaborator
The five-octave singer was fortunate enough to be one of the few entertainers to record a duet with the late Luther Vandross. Their cover of Lionel Richie and Diana Ross‘s ‘Endless Love’ became Vandross’ biggest pop hit. It was the second single released from his ‘Songs’ album and was also included on two Carey albums: ‘Greatest Hits’ in 2001 and ‘The Ballads’ in 2008.

Trey Lorenz – Backup Singer
In 1992, Carey performed an MTV ‘Unplugged’ special to show nonbelievers that she was not a studio singer. Her cover of the Jackson 5‘s ‘I’ll Be There’ with her longtime backup singer Trey Lorenz was later released as a single and became a number-one hit in the United States. Lorenz was able to score a record deal from the duet, and Carey co-produced his debut. On July 7 of this year, the two performed the song at the Michael Jackson memorial, which was held at the Los Angeles Staples Center.

Jermaine Dupri – Producer
It’s not a well-known fact that Jermaine Dupri has been working with Carey for nearly 15 years. In 1995, Carey worked with the So So Def Records founder on ‘Always Be My Baby,’ from her ‘Daydream’ album. It became the most successful record on U.S. radio that year. And though these two worked on several remixes together over the years, their magic came a decade later when J.D. produced four songs on ‘The Emancipation of Mimi,’ Carey’s 10th studio album and most successful to date.

ODB – Musical Collaborator
Since rapping ‘Me and Mariah go back like babies and pacifiers,’ Ol’ Dirty Bastard, the late Wu Tang Clan MC, helped solidify Carey in the world of hip-hop and R&B. The 1995 remix to ‘Fantasy’ became a number-one hit. The friendship between Carey and ODB lasted throughout the years. The songstress even met the rapper upon his release from jail in 2003.

Mase – Musical Collaborator
‘Honey’ was Carey’s 12th number-one song. Before turning his life over to God and becoming a minster, Bad Boy rapper Mase appeared on the popular remix of the record, alongside the Lox and Diddy. The song, which also had its own video, was featured on Carey’s 2003 remix compilations, aptly titled ‘The Remixes.’

Derek Jeter – Alleged Beau
Shortly after divorcing husband Tommy Mottola in 1998, the five-time Grammy award winner met New York Yankee shortstop Derek Jeter at a Fresh Air Fund gala in New York. The couple connected over their interracial parents – black fathers and Irish mothers. The public romance ended short of the one-year mark. In an interview with Parade magazine, Carey said “It was the wrong time. …Our two worlds were just too much for that moment.”

Eminem – Alleged Beau
From ‘Clown’ to ‘Obsessed,’ Carey has documented her disdain for Detroit MC Eminem in her music. The ‘Glitter’ actress denies they ever slept together, but Slim Shady has consistently rapped that the two were intimate. The rapper, whose real name is Marshall Mathers, sent threats to Carey via the 2009 diss track ‘The Warning,’ which was directed at both Carey and her husband, Nick Cannon.

Nick Cannon – Husband
Nick Cannon, 28, dated singer-actress Christina Milian and was even engaged to Victoria’s Secret model Selita Eubanks for five months before becoming Carey’s second husband. In 2005, he convinced the Teen Choice Awards to let him present Carey’s award for ‘The Emancipation of Mimi.’ Two years passed, and the couple was reunited in 2007. Their whirlwind romance resulted in a quickie wedding in 2008 at Carey’s Bahamian estate, Windermere.
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October 2, 2009
Tigers fail to clinch, lose 8-3 to Twins (AP)

Those pesky Twins forced the Detroit Tigers to keep their champagne on ice. Scott Baker got plenty of run support and pitched Minnesota to a testy 8-3 victory on Thursday, preventing the Tigers from clinching their first division title in 22 years. Minnesota avoided elimination from the playoff race and moved within two games of the first-place Tigers with three to play.

October 1, 2009
Tigers move closer to AL Central crown (AP)

Magglio Ordonez is supposed to help the Detroit Tigers win titles. Eddie Bonine is a bit of a surprise. Ordonez hit a three-run double, Bonine lasted five innings after a shaky start and the Tigers beat the Minnesota Twins 7-2 on Wednesday night to move closer to the AL Central title. "You need everyone on your team to step up right now, and that's what happened tonight," Detroit…

September 30, 2009
Tigers salvage split, lead Twins by 2 (AP)

The Detroit Tigers were down after absorbing a difficult loss in the opener of their critical day-night doubleheader against the Minnesota Twins. Their ace took over from there. Justin Verlander kept the Tigers on top in the AL Central, pitching eight innings in a 6-5 victory Tuesday night that restored their two-game lead over the scrappy Twins.

September 29, 2009
Lions end 19-game skid, beat Redskins (AP)

Matthew Stafford held his head down on the bench for the final snap. Dominic Raiola couldn't watch, either, fearing a 20th loss in a row and 100th setback of his nine-season career. When Detroit's leaders looked up and saw Washington was out of time, they saw what they were hoping to see Sunday.

September 27, 2009
Karen Hunter: Celebrating the Legacy of E. Lynn Harris
Filed under: News, Interviews, Celeb Updates

In July, the death of E. Lynn Harris rocked the literary world. But some of today’s most popular Black authors are gearing up to celebrate the life of the ‘Invisible Life’ author in a big way.

Sept. 25 has been deemed ‘E. Lynn Harris Day,’ where friends, colleagues and noted authors will gather to read excerpts from his latest novel, ‘Mama Dearest,’ and share some of their fondest memories of the best-selling author. See a list of participating locations, authors and contact information E. Lynn Harrisbelow.

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Remembering The Books of E. Lynn Harris

Since bursting onto the scene in the early 1990s with his seminal tome ‘Invisible Life,’ best-selling author E. Lynn Harris steadily wrote page-turner after page-turner. In 2008 he shared his thoughts about each of them with Black Voices.

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BlackVoices.com

E Lynn Harris Tomes

Invisible Life
E. Lynn Says: “The saga begins”
Released in 1991, ‘Invisible Life’ marks Harris’ debut as an novelist through this coming of age story. Law school, girlfriends, and career choices were all part of Raymond Tyler’s life, but there were other issues for him to confront.

Barnes and Noble

Just As I Am
E. Lynn Says: “Avoid sophomore jinks.”
Released in 1995, ‘Just As I Am’ picks up where ‘Invisible Life’ left off. In this vivid portrait of contemporary black life, with all its pressures and the complications of bisexuality, AIDS, and racism, Harris confirms a faith in the power of love — love of all kinds — to thrill and to heal, which will warm the hearts of readers everywhere.

Barnes and Noble

And This Too Shall Pass
E. Lynn Says:“The country takes notice.”
Released in 1997, Harris takes us into the locker rooms and newsrooms of Chicago, where four lives are about to intersect in romance and scandal. All of these characters face the challenge of keeping the faith – in themselves and in God – while Harris’s heartfelt storytelling reveals how the love of family can help one to face the terrible legacy of long-held secrets.

Barnes and Noble

If This World Were Mine
E. Lynn Says: “A tribute to the fabulous friends I have.”
Released in 1998, four close friends from the Hampton Institute share their personal diaries each month at a gathering filled with humor, gossip, and affirmation. But after five years, the once-strong bonds of friendship are weakening, and the group must handle challenges of work, lost love, and a stranger in their midst: gray-eyed John Basil Henderson, a former NFL star whose past has begun to haunt him.

Barnes and Noble

Abide With Me
E. Lynn Says: “I believe In Love.”
Released in 2000, Harris reintroduces his readers to the beloved characters of Nicole Springer and Raymond Tyler, Jr. Nicole has recently settled in order to pursue her dream of returning to the Broadway stage, and Seattle, where a late-night phone call from a U.S. Senator is about to change Raymond’s life dramatically.

Barnes and Noble

Not A Day Goes By
E. Lynn Says: “A diva helps me to explode. Miss number one by a whisper.”
Released in 2008, this thrilling novel marks the return of Yancey Braxton and John Basil Henderson. This time around Yancy is desperately searching for an audition on Broadway but ends up falling into Basil’s arms. The couple’s romance leads to their wedding that will be full of suspense.

Barnes and Noble

Any Way The Wind Blows
E. Lynn Says: “Going to the river again.”
Released in 2002, Broadway diva Yancey Braxton makes a comeback to the social scene as a recording star. In addition to stepping back into the lime light, Braxton has forgiven ex-fiancé John Basil Henderson. As Braxton’s celebrity continues to rise she fears that her past may comeback to haunt her.

Barnes and Noble

A Love of My Own
E. Lynn Says:“How rich black people can some time act.”
Released in 2003, Editor-In-Chief of ‘Bling Bling’ magazine, Zola Norwood, find herself in a compromising position with media mogul Davis McClinton on a New York bound flight. One position is landing a position as his editor-in-chief. The other is landing the married man in her bed.

Barnes and Noble

What Becomes of the Brokenhearted
E. Lynn Says: “I knew you when.”
Released in 2004, Harris opens up on how writing saved his life in this touching memoir. Not to mention his relationship with his abusive father, his 1990 suicide attempt, and his first gay relationship. The novelist stated, “The lessons I have learned are not limited to race, gender, or sexual orientation. Anyone can learn from my journey.”

Barnes and Noble

I Say A Little Prayer
E. Lynn Says: “God Loves Me Too”
Released in 2006, Chauncey Greer, a successful greeting card company owner, makes his return to a singing career that had launched as a teen. Upon his return, Chauncey is caught in the middle of a protest over homophobia in church — which is when Greer’s former singing partner/lover makes an unexpected appearance.

Barnes and Noble
Earlier this week, Eric Jermone Dickey, RM Johnson, Tina McElroy Ansa, Clarence Nero, Tracie Howard and Laura Gilmore gathered at Outwrite Books in Atlanta, where Harris lived and often began his tours.

Earlier this year, Harris signed on for a three-book deal with Karen Hunter Publishing, which released ‘Mama Dearest’ this week. Journalist-turned-author Karen Hunter launched her Pocket Books/Simon & Schuster imprint two years ago. At the time, the Pulitzer Prize-winning scribe had no plans to enlist Harris as one of her writers – that is until he called her in January for business advice. With his editor gone from Random House, the 54 year-old was itching to make a change.

What Hunter, who has penned New York Times best sellers for the likes of Karrine Steffans, LL Cool J and Wendy Williams, said she remembers most is the Detroit native’s giving spirit.

“It was ironic that he called me out of the blue,” the former New York Daily News columnist told BV Newswire yesterday. “He got my number from one of my other authors, and after I listened to what he was going through, I was in a position to help him. The next week, we put together a contract and were able to buy ‘Mama Dearest.’”

‘Mama Dearest’ ended up being his final tome. It features the return of one of Harris’ most popular characters, Yancey Harrington Braxton, and ventures away from the taboo theme of down-low gay black men that has been consistent throughout his novels. Instead, he tells the story of a mother and daughter.

Harris remains the first and only Black author to date to have 10 back-to-back New York Times best-selling novels. Yet, his stories have not translated to the big screen like the works of other black novelists such as Terry McMillan (‘Waiting to Exhale’) or even Toni Morrison (‘Beloved’). “He talked to me about what he was going to do in L.A. with the movie, but he was disheartened he didn’t have the big movies like Terry, who is like his contemporary in terms of writing style,” Hunter revealed. “He wanted to see his books translated to the big screen.”

She noted, “It’s a weird thing with us. The gay issue and the stigma within the black community is still a tough one to overcome. I can’t name a blockbuster successful movie that had a gay love scene with men.”

Shortly before his death, Harris was said to have taken meetings to discuss a possible movie based on one of his novels, in addition to working to develop a play based on his debut, ‘Invisible Life,’ with Ashford & Simpson.

Ultimately, Hunter, who is busy penning Janet Jackson‘s autobiography and her own book, called ‘Niggardly,’ wants the tour to remind people of what a special person Harris was. Though she only knew him for a short time, she said the way he lived his life truly touched her.

“From a writing standpoint, he broke down many barriers, and I think his biggest legacy will be bringing authors together,” she said. “This tour came about because I was getting so many phone calls [from people saying] ‘What can I do?’ Everybody has an E. Lynn story of generosity and giving and reaching back.”

“His death is not to be in vain,” Hunter added. “And we have to keep that mission of bringing people together alive, and I think watching all of these great authors take time out, and they are stopping their own [book] tours, to pay tribute to him is something we can definitely continue.”

E. Lynn Harris Day Celebrations Across the USA

BALTIMORE
Barnes & Noble @ 7 p.m.
1819 Reisterstown Rd.
Phone: 410-415-5758
Hosted by: Tracie Howard

BIRMINGHAM, ALA
Books-A-Million @ 7 p.m.
140 Wildwood Pkwy
Phone: 205-942-4220
Hosted by: Brandon Harris

CLEVELAND
Joseph Beth @ 7 p.m.
Legacy Village
24519 Cedar Rd.
Phone: 216- 912-1975
Hosted by: Lolita Files

CHICAGO
Borders @ 7 p.m.
2210 W. 95th St.
Phone: 773-445-5471
Hosted by: Yolanda Jo

DALLAS
Barnes & Noble @ 7 p.m.
7700 West Northwest Hwy
Phone: 214-739-1124
Hosted by: Mary B. Morrison

DETROIT
Borders @ 7 p.m.
5601 Mercury Drive
Dearborn, MI 48126
Phone: 313-271-4441
Hosted by: Terrance Dean

HOUSTON
Barnes & Noble @ 7 p.m.
7626 Westheimer
Phone: 713-783-6016
Hosted by: ReShonda Tate Billingsley

JACKSONVILLE, FLA
Books-A-Million @ 7 p.m.
25A 1910 Wells Rd.
Orange Park, FL
Phone: 904-215-2300
Hosted by: Tina McElroy Ansa

LITTLE ROCK, AK
Presented by Pyramid Books
The Mosaic Templars Cultural Center @ 6:30 p.m.
500 West Ninth St.
Phone: 501-372-5824
Hosted by: Celia Anderson and Rhonda Holmes

LIVINGSTON, N.J.
Barnes & Noble @ 7 p.m.
Livingston Mall
112 Eisenhower Pkwy
Phone: 973-758-1310
Hosted by: Karen Hunter and Dr. LaJoyce Brookshire

LOS ANGELES
ESO Won Books @ 7 p.m.
4311 Degnan Blvd.
Phone: 323-290-1048
Hosted by: Tananarive Due and Eric Jerome Dickey

NEW ORLEANS
Afro-American Book Stop @ 5:30 p.m.
7056 Read Blvd.
Phone: 504-243-2436
Hosted by: Clarence Nero and Ms. Dupre

NEW YORK
Borders @ 7 p.m.
10 Columbus Circle
Phone: 212- 823-9775
Hosted by: Erika Kendrick and Sean Lewis

PHILADELPHIA
Borders 21 @ 12:30 p.m.
1 S. Broad, Suite 100
Phone: 215-568-7400
Hosted by: Brenda L. Thomas

SAVANNAH, GA
Barnes & Noble @ 7 p.m.
7804 Abercorn Ext.
Phone: 912-353-7757
Hosted by: Dr. Bertice Berry

WASHINGTON, D.C.
Borders @ 7 p.m.
931 Capital Centre Blvd.
Largo, MD 20744
Phone: 301-499-2173
Hosted by: Victoria Christopher Murray and Kimberla Lawson Roby

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September 25, 2009
Tigers send Tribe to 11th straight loss (AP)

Although Justin Verlander and Tigers manager Jim Leyland don't always agree on pitching philosophy, they were both pleased with his latest effort. Verlander (17-9) struck out 11 in seven innings and Carlos Guillen had three hits and an RBI in Detroit's 6-5 win over Cleveland on Thursday, pushing the Indians within one loss of matching a franchise record for futility.

September 25, 2009
Vikings’ Peterson says he’ll play Sunday (AP)

Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson said Thursday that his back injury is "not a big deal at all," meaning he should play against San Francisco this weekend. Peterson has been limited in practice the last two days because of the injury. He rushed for 92 yards and a touchdown last week against Detroit, and leads the NFL in rushing heading into the Vikings' home opener…

September 24, 2009
Tigers win, lead Twins by 3 games (AP)

Placido Polanco drove in three runs, Detroit's bullpen pitched four shutout innings and the Tigers avoided a three-game sweep with a 6-2 win over the Minnesota Twins on Sunday to increase their AL Central lead to three games. Ryan Raburn homered for slumping Detroit, which won for the second time in six games and fourth in 13.

September 20, 2009
Stafford wins Lions starting QB job (AP)

Matthew Stafford won the Lions' quarterback derby. Daunte Culpepper didn't lose the job. That's what Detroit's new coach, Jim Schwartz, emphasized Monday when he made the No. 1 overall draft pick the starter for Sunday in New Orleans, when the Lions try to win for the first time in 21 months.

September 7, 2009
Bills fire off. coordinator Schonert (AP)

Buffalo Bills coach Dick Jauron is committed to sticking with the no-huddle attack entering the regular season — just not with the offensive coordinator who spent the year installing it. Unhappy with his offense's dismal performance this past month, Jauron fired Turk Schonert on Friday, a day after the Bills closed the preseason with a 17-6 loss to Detroit.

September 4, 2009
Pena’s 38th HR helps Rays beat Tigers (AP)

Carlos Pena and the Tampa Bay Rays headed into September on a high note. Next up, a key series against the Boston Red Sox. Pena hit his AL-best 38th homer and drove in four runs to help the Rays beat the Detroit Tigers 11-7 on Monday for a split of their four-game series. Tampa Bay scored six times in the first inning against the AL Central leaders, capped by Pena's two-run drive.

August 31, 2009