The President hosts a Young Mens Barbeque at the White House for students from local schools to discuss the importance of fatherhood and taking personal responsibility. He is joined by well-known fathers from across the country, as well as everyday fathers who have successfully managed to fulfill their obligations. All of these men serve as exemplary examples of the spirit of fatherhood, and can serve as examples for these young men and men across the country.
I tip my hat to you, Barack. Never have I seen something like this done in the White House. Thank you.
After Beyonce's historic performance of "At Last" for the Barack and Michelle's first dance, she emotionally discussed the experience and what it meant to her. This was by far the performance of her lifetime. IMO...
amazing. i feel the same way she does. Beyonce has truly had some amazingly historic moments during her career. All I can say is, Wow.
"I was thinking [about] all of the sacrifices Obama, and his wife, and his children have made; and at last, he's here."
Here's her performance along with the President and Wife's first dance of the night:
Here’s a flash from the music world: while the rest of us were enjoying the holidays, Hidden Beach Records honcho Steve McKeever and movie music supervisor Bonnie Greenberg have been hard at work putting together a special CD tied to Barack Obama’s inauguration.
The CD features a dozen stars including Stevie Wonder, who contributed a totally new track called “All About the Love Again.” The single, destined to be Wonder’s biggest hit in more than a decade, is a sizzling fresh slice of R&B, very updated and ready to embraced in remixes, etc.
The other artists on the album include Maroon 5 with their own new track, “Pure Imagination (2009),” plus will.i.am from the Black Eyed Peas, Sheryl Crow, Lenny Kravitz, India.Arie, Melissa Etheridge, Usher, James Taylor, Jennifer Hudson, Death Cab for Cutie, Ozomatli, Robin Thicke, The Tony Rich Project, Wilco, Bebe Winans, rapper Common, Lionel Richie, and Melissa Etheridge.
McKeever and Greenberg, with an even bigger committee, worked tirelessly to put together a combination of artists and songs based on the songs’ themes and lyrics, too.
Unlike most compilation CDs, the Obama Soundtrack is full of new, catchy very hot material — no retreads or musty pieces from the vaults. All the artists, I am told by sources, were paid on the same level no matter how big or small they considered themselves. And that, I’ve heard in the music industry, caused a little problem as the always charming Warner M. Group refused to make deals for any of their artists including anything from the Atlantic vaults. I’m sure, in fact, that Aretha Franklin has no idea that requests for a couple of her classic tracks like “A Change is Gonna Come”—were declined. The M in WMG now stands for Miserly.
But the Obama Soundtrack should also be collector’s item purchase since it includes a DVD of several speech clips from the new US president. The CD, by the way, intersperses pieces of Obama speeches throughout the new songs. For example, I don’t know much about the Tony Rich project, but I love their contribution called “The Dream is Real.”
So, all the rumors of Jennifer Hudson possibly performing the National Anthem, for the second time, but this time at the Presidential Inauguration, are UNTRUE - according to Jennifer's rep.
Jennifer Hudson will not be singing at Barack Obama’s inauguration on January 20, despite reports to the contrary, her rep told Access Hollywood.
“There is no truth to this,” the rep said.
The New York Post reported on Wednesday that Jennifer was in talks to sing “The Star-Spangled Banner” at the ceremony, but the rep told Access that the star has no plans to participate in any inaugural activities.
In August, Jennifer sang the national anthem the night Barack accepted the Democratic presidential nomination at the party’s national convention.
The Oscar winner hasn’t hit the stage since the murders of her mother, brother and nephew in Chicago in October 2008.
William Balfour, the estranged husband of Jennifer’s sister, Julia, has been charged with the killings. He faces three counts of first-degree murder and home invasion charges. His next court hearing is set for January 20.
As previously reported on AccessHollywood.com, Jennifer’s first performance since the tragic events of October will occur on February 6, at the MusiCares Person of the Year event in LA honoring Neil Diamond.
The star was recently nominated for several Grammys for her self-titled debut album.
Although I can see why they would ask for Jennifer to partake in this historic even, considering her and Barack's personal relationship, I just never saw her singing the Star-Spangled Banner for a second time. With Jennifer being one of Obama's favorite singers, I'm sure the Obama camp will have something for Miss Hudson to be involved in within the next few weeks. GO JEN!
Can't say this is my favorite cover, AT ALL... but uhm... read all about Barack's family, his political influences, and his plans for the presidency in TIME magazine on stands now.
Now THIS is what i'm talking about! Aside from my mother and father, this is the 2nd most influential couple in my world. Just FAVOR all around!!!!! From Barack's swagger-walk, to Michelle's coat. I am sooo glad to be under their leadership. btw... America's First Lady must have heard the prayers of the fashion gurus from around the world... She, finally and officially, has slayed the hell out of me. one word: YES! here's the dynamic duo leaving Spiagga Restaurant in Chicago. I'm sure after this gets out, the place will be bombarded with paparazzi and people vying for reservations... they [the Obama's] have the midas touch, now. Get ready! Get ready! Get ready!
[Sidnote: The people in the background, with their arms extended, are a trip. Although, it's the exact same thing i would be doing. Uhmm, scratch that! They would see me in running motion towards them while simultaneously being knocked ten feet into the future by their bodyguards.]
When Star Jones was asked how she felt about being surrounded by celebrities last night at Grant Park, she said:
"there was only really one star tonight, and his name was barack obama. we all stood out in a field. we all stood together. there were no vip sections, it was really about barack obama representing the united states of america."
I couldn't agree with her more. For once, there was no line that separated the rich from the poor, the celebrity from the average joe, the black from the white. For once, it seemed as though the democratic America put it's pride down and joined in the hope and celebration for the change that we wished to see, and the change that we saw happen. Simply amazing.
Beyonce reveals how she spent an election night that moved her to tears -- and offers her singing services to Barack Obama on Inauguration Day!
Beyonce tells the Associated Press she was supposed to be in Japan on election night, promoting her new album, I Am … Sasha Fierce. But at the last minute she opted to watch history unfold at home with her family: "I said, 'What am I doing? I'm completely making a bad decision. I have to go home, I'm gonna kill myself if I'm not home in America,"' she says. "I knew I needed to be here."
Overjoyed by Obama's groundbreaking win, she says she "fell asleep crying and smiling at the same time. I woke up with mascara running and a smile on my face!"
Beyonce adds that if the president-elect needs an A-lister to entertain on Inauguration Day, she's available! "I'm there. I can't wait. I feel like all of us, we're ready to do whatever we have to do. Whatever they want -- if they need me to volunteer, they need me to sing, I'm there, and I'm ready."
More power to her! It'll be like 'Dreamgirls' for Barack. Jennifer sang the Star Spangled Banner at the National Convention; so it'd be cool for Bee to sing @ the inauguration. We shall see, only time will tell. :-)
words cannot express the overwhelming feelings of emotions that came over me tonight. being with my family, eating, laughing, and just hoping on a dream that has, actually, become a reality. i am so, so proud to be a black american right now. thank you, obama for breaking the barriers.
YES I CAN and YES I WILL!!!!!!!!!!
"they didnt give us forty acres and a mule, but we got 50 states and a white house, instead!"
Country music darling Carrie Underwood has sharp words for celebrities who endorse political candidates. She wants to open her beak about celebs like Jay-Z and Hasslebeck for endorsing their favorite politicians.
"I lose all respect for celebrities when they back a candidate," the "American Idol" winner tells TV Guide in its issue hitting newsstands November 6.
"It's saying that the American public isn't smart enough to make their own decisions," she explains. "I would never want anybody to vote for anything or anybody just because I told them to. Music is where you go to get away from all the BS. Whether it's from politics or just the world around you, music should be an escape."
In the words of Saaphyri, of Flava Flav fame, "YOU MAD, HUH?!!?" Here's a clip of Carrie starring in her true life story... take a look at the trailer. :)
Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama, who announced earlier today that his grandmother, Madelyn Dunham, had passed away, shed tears as he spoke of her tonight at a rally in Florida.
Obama's 86-year-old grandma died only two days before Tuesday's election, which will determine whether her grandson will be the next president of the United States.
source: Entertainment Tonight
Stay strong, Pres... God needed her to plan your victory party! :-)
i'm gonna be doing that dance tomorrow night! lol...
All things LOVE, baby!
So yeah, this isn't a blog to be taken seriously, really. Its just kinda of like my "public diary" to my family and friends. You're gonna see a lot of J. Hud & Beyonce, but that's just me. :-D hey, you gotta LOVE me!!!
Rain
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You ever hear someone complaining about the rain? They think of it as an
inconvenience but I think of it as a blessing. Rain isn’t negative to
nature, it...
Best of 2011: A Year in Music
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*1. ADELE 21*
*Adele* brought a solid album with her debut *19*. No one could have
imagined her topping that. She did that, and more. Born out of heartbr...
