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Luther Vandross Is #1
June 23, 2003

This issue includes...

1) Luther Vandross Is #1
2) Patti Labelle Contest Winners
3) 21st Century Space Age Radios
4) Music News: 60,000 50 Cent Fans Jam Giants Stadium
5) Concert Review: Disco Ball 2003
6) Concert Dates: Who's on Tour?
7) Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood: Summertime Fun
8) Call for entries to the third annual New Music Award
9) Busta Rhymes' Hummer H2: Blockbusta
10)Name the three Music Artists Contest
11)Your Feedback

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1) Luther Vandross Is #1

Luther Vandross, who is on the road to recovery after his recent stroke, sits on top of the Billboard 200 with his first number one CD ever, "Dance With My Father."

Dance has sold almost 500,000 copies in the U.S since it's June 10th release.

Luther's rehabilitation has begun. Last week, he was moved out of the intensive care unit at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York.

2) Patti Labelle Contest Winners

Congratulations to Bobbie Neal of Lancaster, Texas, and Tanya Hines of Brewster, New York. Both have won Patti Labelle's "Lite Cuisine."

Patti, the author of the New York Times bestseller "LaBelle Cuisine," serves up over 100 dishes with to-die-for taste, made with to-live-for recipes, in her brand new book, "Lite Cuisine."

Bobbie and Tanya, enjoy.

3) 21st Century Space Age Radios

Radio is alive and well, whether it's online, FM, AM, the new digital radios coming next year to a USA city near you, or, the hottest mobile entertainment, satellite radio.

I've heard both XM and Sirius Satellite Radio (and I have one of the two services).

Now that the prices of the radios have dropped, you may want to consider these services for the 100 channels of music, news, sports, and entertainment that each offers.

Hot: The XM SKIfi, now only $99.95.
Hot: The Sirius Here2Anywhere, just released, $99.95.
These satellite radios are portable, so you can use them in your car, in your home, (or even on your boat!).

You have to pay a monthly subscription fee to get either service. You must have a special satellite radio to receive the signals.

An Xm radio will not be able to pick up Sirius, a Sirius radio will not be able to pick up XM.

If you want all commercial free music, the Sirius music channels are all 100% commercial free.

Like DVD players, satellite radios prices have dropped rapidly over the past 12 months.

The USA is just catching up with satellite radio, as Europe, Asia, and Africa have had their own satellite radio provider, WorldSpace, for several years.

Like the satellites used by NASA and nations, the radio signal is uplinked from Earth, bounced off of the satellite, then comes back from 10 thousand to 25 thousand miles up in space.

Because of the distance of the satellites above the earth, the radio signals coming back can cover huge geographic areas.

This is how Sirius and XM can cover the entire continental USA (and WorldSpace can cover Europe, Asia, and Africa).

written by King

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Are you using Sirius or XM? Let us know.

Powerhouse Radio feedback

4) Music News: 60,000 50 Cent Fans Jam Giants Stadium

50 Cent
-------

In the hip-hop world, you are only as big as your latest hit, and the 50 Cent phenomenon is no exception.

We told you about a surprise House of Blues Las Vegas concert he was scheduled to do May 16th in our May 1 newsletter.

60,000 fans jammed Giants Stadium in Northern New Jersey a few weeks ago to hear 50, Nelly, Busta Rhymes, P. Diddy, Nas, Lil' Kim, and Eminem.

A former drug dealer from Queens, New York, who was once shot multiple times, 50 Cent exemplifies current hip-hop culture.

This concert was sponsored by New York City radio station Hot 97. When 60,000 people show up anywhere, you have to take notice.

To get the complete lowdown on 50 Cent, once again, we recommend the investigative reporting of The Smoking Gun dot com. This is the same website that posted the contents of the deposition against Michael Jackson earlier this year.

You may want to tell your friends about this one:

50 Cent Sued By "Nine Bullets" Doctor

Michael McDonald
----------------

Michael McDonald, solo artist, and former Doobie Brother, releases an all Motown CD this Tuesday, June 24th.

Michael interprets hits by Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, Diana Ross, and others.

I've heard a preview of this CD, and many of his versions are very good. Catch a few tracks (to be added to Powerhouse Radio) this week.

Prince
-----------------

Prince was scheduled to release a new album last week to members of his website. "North," "South," "East," and "West" are the four songs included in this new effort.

It looks like the songs will be available via electronic download only. No word on the retail market (CD's) yet.

He's also offering a preview of three songs from the DVD "Prince Live at the Aladdin Las Vegas," due later this year.

Prince performed in Las Vegas in October of 2002.

Rock the Mic Tour
-----------------

Jay-Z and 50 Cent will co-headline the first annual Rock The Mic Tour. Also on the tour, Snoop Dogg, Busta Rhymes, Missy Elliot, Sean Paul and Fabolous.

The 30-plus city tour starts on Thursday, June 26th.

Jay-Z will be joined by the Roc-A-Fella family comprised of Beanie Sigel, Memphis Bleek and Freeway.

50 Cent will be joined by G-Unit. Several special guests will also appear with the other artists featured on the tour.

See some specific dates in section 6 (Concerts) below.

5) Concert Review: Disco Ball 2003

Concert Review: WKTU Discoball 2003, Saturday, June 7th Taj Arena, Trump Taj Mahal, Atlantic City, New Jersey

Scheduled Performers:

Sister Sledge
Peaches & Herb
First Choice
Ritchie Family
Pointer Sisters
Evelyn "Champagne" King
Thelma Houston
Rose Royce
Trammps
France Joli
Carol Douglas

I've never seen most of these acts before, (with the exception of Evelyn King and Sister Sledge). I arrived in time to see 7 of the 11 billed acts.

What an enjoyable evening. Lots of fun had by all. Hats off to New York City's WKTU, for promoting this show.

On a personal note, it was great to see and talk with WKTU's Diane Prior (soon to be in a major movie). We both started in Atlantic City radio several years ago (and worked together there at WAYV).

On to the show. Bonnie and June represented the Pointer Sisters, and they had the house rockin' with Bonnie's "Heaven Must Have Sent You," and the Sisters' "Jump."

France Joli performed next singing three of her best known songs, including "Come To Me." This French Canadian from Montreal Quebec turned on the crowd with her dancin' jams.

Kathy Sledge, and two of her dancers, followed France Joli for perky renditions of Sister Sledge's "He's The Greatest Dancer," and "We Are Family." Kathy looked and sounded great (even without her three sisters).

Equally spirited was the vocal touch of Evelyn "Champagne" King, who's three songs included "Shame."

Looking good and in tip top shape, The Trammps were show stoppers with great versions of "Shout," "Zing Went the Strings of My Heart," and "Disco Inferno." The Trammps and The Pointer Sisters seemed to get the biggest crowd reaction.

Closing the show was Rose Royce (three members represented). Fingers were poppin' while "Car Wash" clicked, and hearts were swooning to "I'm Wishing on A Star."

To see a photo of Rose Royce on stage at this concert, go to:

Rose Royce on stage

All the performers came on stage to sing a rendition of "Last Dance" for the grand finale. Young and old enjoyed this concert, as many of the attendees brought their kids with them.

Even though many of the kids were too young to remember the songs, they certainly felt the energy of the music and enjoyed the show.

A technical note. All performers sang live (to pre-recorded instrumental music tracks). This didn't seem to bother anyone however, as the nearly sold out crowd of about 5,000 came to party.

Review written by King

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If you've seen a recent concert, or if you are going to see a concert this Summer, and would like to share your experience with our subscribers, leave your review here:

Powerhouse Radio feedback

We may publish it.

Thanks!

6) Concert Dates: Who's on Tour?

Al Green
Wednesday, June 25, 2003
Greek Theatre, Los Angeles, CA

Rock The Mic Tour
Jay-Z and 50 Cent
Tuesday, July 1, 2003
Molson Center, Toronto, Canada

Earth, Wind, & Fire
Wednesday, July 2, 2003
The Greek Theatre, Los Angeles, CA

Natalie Cole
Wednesday, July 2, 2003
Chastain Park Amphitheatre, Atlanta, GA
7:00pm

Rock The Mic Tour
Jay-Z and 50 Cent
Thursday, July 3, 2003
Tweeter Center, Camden, NJ/Philadelphia, PA

Smokey Robinson
Friday, July 4, 2003
DTE Energy Music Theatre, Clarkston, MI
7:30pm

Chaka Khan
Friday, July 4 ,2003
Essence Festival, New Orleans, LA

George Benson
Monday, July 7, 2003
The Olympia, Paris, France

Hall & Oates
Tuesday, July 8, 2003
House of Blues, North Myrtle Beach, SC

Earth, Wind, & Fire
Wednesday, July 9, 2003
Casino Rama, Orillia, Toronto, Canada

Christina Aguilera
Friday, July 11, 2003
Pyramid Arena, Memphis, TN

Rock The Mic Tour
Jay-Z and 50 Cent
Tuesday, July 15, 2003
Marc of the Quads, Moline, IA

Chaka Khan
Friday, July 25, 2003
Sunset Beach, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Millie Jackson
Saturday, July 26, 2003
Lake Michigan College, Benton Harbor, MI

Chaka Khan
Saturday, August 30th, 2003
Detroit International Jazz Festival
Ford Amphitheatre, Detroit, MI
Santana
Saturday, September 27, 2003
Wembley Arena, London, United Kingdom

7) Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood: Summertime Fun

Courtesy of The Archive of Misheard Lyrics at amiright.com

Sly And the Family Stone's, "Hot Fun in the Summertime"
Misheard Lyrics:
"Connie bare in the country sun."
Correct Lyrics:
"County fair in the country sun."

Isley Brothers, "Summer Breeze"
(original by Seals & Crofts)
Misheard Lyrics:
"Summer Breeze makes me feel fine
Goin' to the jazz band in my mind."
Correct Lyrics:
"Summer breeze makes me feel fine
Blowin' through the jasmine in my mind."

DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince's, "Summertime"
Misheard Lyrics:
"Time to sit back down, Don Juan."
Correct Lyrics:
"Time to sit back and unwind."

Eric Burdon & War's, "Spill The Wine"
Misheard Lyrics:
"Spill the wine, dig that girl."
Correct Lyrics:
"Spill the wine, take that pearl."

8) Call for entries to the third annual New Music Award

The Coca-Cola Company, The American Music Awards, Dick Clark Communications, and The CMJ Network are announcing a call for entries to the third annual "The American Music Awards Presents The Coca-Cola New Music Award" competition.

The winner of this nationwide USA competition for unsigned bands will perform live on the 31st Annual American Music Awards telecast in November on ABC-TV.

To enter the competition, individual artists and bands are asked to submit three original songs along with a biography, photo and lyrics.

The deadline for electronic submissions is June 23rd, however, you still have until Monday, June 30th, to snail mail your audio cassette or CD entry.

All mail-in entries should be sent to:
"The American Music Awards Coca-Cola New Music Award Competition"
CMJ
151 West 25th Street, 12th Floor
New York, NY 10001.

For more info:

2021 Update: Contest is over. Link removed.

9) Busta Rhymes' Hummer H2: Blockbusta

From the only in America department, there's a six page spread in the June/July issue of Mobile Entertainment Magazine profiling Busta Rhymes' customized bright yellow Hummer H2.

To quote Daniel Sozomenu, who wrote the article, Busta Rhymes wanted to "make jaws drop to the concrete" with the sound system in his 2003 Hummer H2.

Well, whether it's dropping jaws or waking the dead, the sound system in this Hummer H2 gets the job done.

As far as the look, well, you'll have to be the judge. The look reminds me of those flashy Cadillacs with the "out of this world" custom wheels all the players used to have in the wacky 1970's.

"Diamond in the back, sun roof top, digging the scene with a gangsta lean..." to quote William DeVaughn.

Now, it's a truck, that has... "the look."

The article is not online, so unfortunately, I can't give you a link to see Busta's H2, which he nicknames "Bumblebee."

10) Name the three Music Artists' Contest

There are three CD's waiting for you if you can identify the photos of the three mystery guest music artists on the following page:

Who are we?

Fill out the contest form, and place your three answers in the "guesses" section of the contest form.

You must get all three right. You'll win a CD from each artist. (You'll get a grand total of three CD's).

Good luck.

(Editor's note. Surprise! This is now a website contest, which means you can enter and win).

* August 2004 update. We now have a winner!

11) Your Feedback

Jamie writes:

"We listen to your station at work! Man, you are jammin'. I found you online and now the whole floor (7th floor) at my job is listening to you while they work."

Stanley writes:

"Hello I am a new listener and I was wondering if I could hear more music like O'jays back in the day, and Chaka Khan and Earth Wind and Fire."

King replies:

Stanley, we just added another two songs from the O'Jays, and four more from Rufus with Chaka Khan (and solo) including "Hollywood," "Once You Get Started," "Any Love," and "Love of A Lifetime." We have 60 plus songs combined in the official playlist between The O'Jays, Earth Wind and Fire, and Chaka Khan.

Peg says:

"Just wanted to let You know that I downloaded Live365 and wanted to let You know how much I'm enjoying the MUSIC!!!. It's GREAT. Keep up the Good Work."

Anything you want to tell us? Go for it!

Powerhouse Radio feedback

USA listeners, enjoy the 4th of July. Our next issue will be on August 1.

Until next time,

King

p.s.
Listen for "The Closer I Get To You," a stand out duet featuring Luther Vandross and Beyonce Knowles, from Luther's new CD, "Dance With My Father."

It was originally recorded by Roberta Flack with Donny Hathaway.

p.p.s.

Is Beyonce Knowles, (now just called Beyonce), being marketed as the next Diana Ross?

More 2003 Powerhouse Radio Newsletters:

August -	A Stamp for Marvin Gaye
June -	Earth Wind and Fire, The Promise
April -	Platinum: The Television Show, Hip-hop Armageddon?
February -	Cash Money for You from the Record Companies

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