Star Dust

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BREAKING NEWS...
Carla Boatner Goes From The Big Easy to the Big Time
Two reliable sources tell Starpoynt that Carla Boatner, OM of the Clear Channel urban cluster in the city formerly known as New Orleans, is taking on the herculean task of being Steve Harvey's morning show producer. Harvey went through a variety of producers during his stint at Radio One's KKBT-FM The Beat 100.3 in Los Angeles. He also hosts his own television show, called "Steve Harvey's Big Time." Clear Channel recently partnered with Inner City to give Harvey a reported $2.9 million syndication deal. His new show hits the airwave from WBLS-FM 107.5 studios in New York September 19 and will start off on WBLS, WMXD-FM Mix 92.3 in Detroit and WSRB-FM Soul 106.3 in Chicago for starters. Good luck Carla!

Rapper The Game's Bentley

Do you want to own it? Read below.

He Got Game, Fame and A Heart
Multi-platinum hip-hop artist The Game has put his money where his motor is in regards to Hurricane Katrina relief efforts by donating his fully customized silver 2005 Bentley Continental GT (valued at more than $250,000) to Morgan Freeman's Charity Folks auction at www.charityfolks.com to benefit the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. The Game received the car from 310 Motoring, a high-end car customization company, as a signing bonus for his upcoming sneaker with 310. The partnership was announced in June for the Hurricane by 310 shoe, which is scheduled to hit stores in December.
Game was named Hurricane Game by friends for the way "he blew through the music industry" and became a success story. In fact, just days ago, Game was named the 2005 Best-Selling New Male Artist at the World Music Awards.
A portion of the proceeds of the sale of each shoe will also go toward hurricane relief. 310's parent company has already donated 11,000 pair of shoes to the American Red Cross as well as $50,000.
To further aid the cause, Game is auctioning off his Bentley customized personally by Marc Laidler, founder of 310 Motoring, with 100 percent of the proceeds, less credit card processing fees, going to aid hurricane victims through the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.
The auction is being held by leading online auction venue, Charity Folks (www.charityfolks.com) in conjunction with Morgan Freeman, to benefit the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. To date, the auction has raised more than $300,000. Game's Bentley, valued at more than $225,000 would be the largest lot in the auction. Other celebrities that have contributed to the auction include George Clooney, B.B. King and more.
The auction closes on September 21, 2005 at 6 p.m. EST.

This just in... well, some of it came in a day or so ago, but here's your news!

BET Launches Search For Talent
Perhaps looking for permanent replacements for AJ and Free of "106 & Park," BET has launched a talent search. BET will tour major cities throughout the nation in search of not one or two, but a slew of new faces and fresh talent.
The search kicks off with open auditions in New York City on October 3; high-tails it down to Atlanta on October 5; stirs up some dust in Houston on October 7; breezes through the Windy City of Chicago on October 10; and shakes things up in Los Angeles on October 12. The mission is a simple one - discover new talent to support new programs being added to the network.
Final audition locations will be announced in each city at a later date, with additional information being posted at http://www.bet.com. Auditions will be open to all male and female non-professionals ages 18-28. BET will also televise highlights from this national talent search as part of its new Fall '05 season.
"If you think you've got it, then here's your chance to bring it - literally," said Reginald Hudlin, president of entertainment at BET. "We want the network to reflect what America looks like. We're looking to add some of the freshest, undiscovered faces to the outstanding hosts already on board. When it comes to infusing new energy into television programming, there's no better way than by adding hot new talent to your arsenal."

Arbitron Update on Five Radio Markets Most Affected by Hurricane Katrina
Arbitron released a status report on the radio surveys in five radio markets that have been most impacted by Hurricane Katrina, which struck the Gulf coast on Monday, August 29. This date was in the middle of week nine (phase 3, week 1) of the quarterly Summer survey.
New Orleans.
Summer Phase 2 Arbitrends survey period ended prior to the hurricane. If customers request this data, Arbitron says it will release the Summer Phase 2 Arbitrends as scheduled on September 26.
The Summer Quarterly Report will not be produced for New Orleans. Survey operations were suspended in New Orleans after the hurricane and remain suspended due to conditions prevailing in most of the market.
Fall Arbitrends and the Fall Quarterly Report will not be produced in New Orleans. Arbitron will continue to monitor the situation in this market, and as market conditions improve, will discuss with customers plans for resuming service.
As a result of the suspension of services in New Orleans, Arbitron will issue a credit and discontinue billing to stations in the market and to agencies for the cost of the New Orleans Summer 2005 and Fall 2005 market report services.
Biloxi
The Fall 2005 Quarterly Report will not be produced for Biloxi. Arbitron will continue to monitor the situation in this market and as market conditions improve, will discuss with customers plans for resuming service. In the meantime, Arbitron will issue a credit and discontinue billing to customers for the cost of the Fall 2005 Biloxi survey market report services.
Baton Rouge, Jackson, MS, Mobile
The Summer Phase 2 Arbitrends will publish as scheduled on September 29. The Summer Quarterly Reports will be published for a full 12-week period for these markets.
Arbitron will delay by two days the delivery of the Summer Quarterly Report for these three markets to allow time for additional quality assurance and review by Arbitron.
Arbitron says it was able to resume complete survey operations in these three markets within days of the storm, and early indications are that diary return rates are within an acceptable range.

Baby Baby Baby
Congrats to J Records singer Monica, who had a baby recently, named Rodney (after his Daddy we're told), as well as Britney Spears-Federline, and model Heidi Klum, who is married to African-born rocker and multi-platinum artist Seal. May all these babies be blessed with the gift of music and the spirit of love!

Ryan Cameron Does Double Duty
WVEE-FM (V103) afternoon driver Ryan Cameron is doing mornings again, this time on television. In addition to his afternoon gig on V103, Cameron has started co-hosting "Atlanta & Company," a new, hour-kong show produced by WXIA-TV Channel 11 focusing on local businesses, events and entertainment. The show is a live, studio-based weekday show airing at 11a.m., following the new, live "Martha Stewart Show" at 10 a.m.
Cameron's co-host is Holly Firfer, a personality on DAVE-FM (WZGC).
Atlanta & Company plans to showcase wide-ranging topics, such as local chefs, the arts scene, home improvement ideas and the latest fitness tips.

Get Sirius With The NFL About Hurricane Relief
Sirius Satellite will broadcast a day-long radiothon dedicated to raising money for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. The Sirius NFL Radiothon for Hurricane Relief will take place all day Tuesday, September 20 on Sirius NFL Radio//channel 24. The entire broadcast will also be streamed live on NFL.com.
Personalities from the worlds of sports, politics and entertainment will appeal for contributions to the New Orleans Saints Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund and listens will be directed to long on to www.sirius.com or call a toll free number to make a contribution.

Top Talent Lined Up For Black Movie Awards
A distinguished list of high-profile talent will be on hand for Film Life's 2005 Black Movie Awards - A Celebration of Black Cinema: Past, Present & Future, presented by Turner Network Television (TNT). Cedric The Entertainer will host the gala awards show that recognizes creative achievement by persons of African descent in feature-length motion pictures, both in front of and behind the camera, and honors outstanding films portraying the Black experience. This year's top award nominees include "Crash" and "Diary of a Mad Black Woman," each of which received six nominations, "Hustle & Flow;" which received four; and "Coach Carter," with three nominations.
Film Life's 2005 Black Movie Awards, executive produced by Jeff Friday, CEO of Film Life Inc., and Suzanne de Passe, CEO of de Passe Entertainment, will premiere Wednesday, October 19, at 10 p.m. (ET/PT), exclusively on TNT.
Legendary actor/director/producer Sidney Poitier will receive the Distinguished Career Achievement Award, recognizing his trailblazing work as actor/writer/director for such films as "Lilies of the Field," "In the Heat of the Night," "Stir Crazy," "For Love of Ivy" and "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner." And Kimberly Elise, a nominee for Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role for "Diary of a Mad Black Woman," will receive the Rising Star award.
The 1985 adaptation of Alice Walker's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel "The Color Purple" will become the first film inducted into the Black Movie Awards Classic Cinema Hall of Fame. Producer Quincy Jones is the first member of the creative team to confirm his appearance on the program.
In addition to serving as host, Cedric The Entertainer is also a nominee for Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role for his work in "The Honeymooners." Also nominated in that category are Don Cheadle ("Crash"), Terrence Howard ("Hustle & Flow"), Samuel L. Jackson ("Coach Carter") and Will Smith ("Hitch"). Nominees for Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role include Kimberly Elise ("Diary of a Mad Black Woman"), Meagan Good ("D.E.B.S") and Queen Latifah ("Beauty Shop").
The 2005 Black Movie Awards will also honor made-for-television movies, with "Lackawanna Blues," starring S. Epatha Merkerson and Terrence Howard and executive-produced by Halle Berry, Vince Cirrincione, Ruben Santiago-Hudson and Shelby Stone; "Sometimes in April," starring Idris Elba and Oris Erheuro and executive-produced by Raoul Peck and Joel Stillerman; and "Their Eyes Were Watching God," starring Halle Berry, Michael Ealy and Ruben Santiago-Hudson and executive-produced by Kate Forte, Quincy Jones and Oprah Winfrey nominated for Outstanding Television Movie.

ABC's Lori Stokes

AWRT Awards Scholarship
The Board of Directors of American Women In Radio & Television New York City Chapter (AWRTNYC) will award Latoya Rogers with the 2005 Audrey Tanzer Scholarship at the chapter's September 29 meeting.
Lori Stokes of WABC-TV Eyewitness News will be the guest speaker.
Rogers was selected because of her commitment to the field of broadcast journalism and her exceptional academic performance.
"I have been watching ABC Eyewitness News since I was a child. My father nicknamed me 'The Eyewitness' because I always knew exactly what was going on and I could explain everything I saw and heard in detail," Rogers said, commenting on her life-long relationship with broadcast journalism.
"Ms. Rogers' natural broadcasting skills, drive, academic and professional accomplishments, and specific career goals all contributed to her winning this award. We are proud to recognize this special young woman by helping her realize her goal with this scholarship," said Dawn Hill, AWRT New York City Chapter president.
Rogers is a senior at the College of Mount Saint Vincent of Riverdale, New York. She holds a 3.557 GPA as a communications major, and is a member of Lambda Pi Eta (Communications Honor Society). Her career goals include following in the steps of her heroines, Dianne Sawyer and Diana Williams, and becoming an anchorwoman.

More Star Dust (news)

Harvey Does Dominoes
Saturday, November 12, marks the day the City of Atlanta hosts The Steve and Mary L. Harvey Foundation for a table top games tournament, "The Steve Harvey Table Classic Tournament".
Steve Harvey is bringing the love of Dominoes,Spades and Bid Whist with the event, presented by Up Top Entertainment, (WVEE-FM (V-103 and Littel Concepts. Already a favorite in cities such as Los Angeles and Dallas, Harvey is hosting the tournament event in Atlanta featuring live entertainment, prizes, games and the "Pretty Face Thick Waist" model contest. Atlanta Mayor Shirley
Franklin and the City of Atlanta are rolling out the red carpet for this special event by hosting a private VIP reception on Friday, November 11. The intent is to present a stellar event - anticipated to be one of the biggest events for Atlanta this year.
Since 1997 the Steve & Mary L. Harvey Foundation has been uplifting, empowering, enriching and motivating future leaders. The mission of the foundation is to coordinate and facilitate the needs of the educationally and environmentally deprived. The foundation is also dedicated to consistent, efficient and effective objectives that ensure everyone identified will benefit from the foundation for many years to come.

VH1 To Honor Hip Hop Trailblazers
VH1's 2005 Hip Hop Honors is just around the corner, airing September 26 at 9 p.m. EST. Honorees include Big Daddy Kane, LL Cool J, Grandmaster Flash, Ice T and Salt 'N' Pepa.

BET Partners With Wal-Mart
BET and Wal-Mart have set up an unprecedented marketing alliance, where BET will provide Wal-Mart with DVDs containing exclusive BET programming and other content related to featured urban-oriented music and movie releases. These DVDs will be packaged with the featured releases and sold as "BET Official branded two-packs in BET-branded retail sections and other merchandising displays throughout thousands of Wal-Mart and SAM'S CLUB locations.
First to hit Wal-Mart stores on August 30 was a companion DVD featuring multi-talented, Grammy Award-winning rapper/producer Kanye West. The DVD will be paired with West's highly-anticipated new CD project "Late Registration" in a special CD/DVD two-pack available exclusively at SAM'S CLUB locations and Wal-Mart stores nationwide.
The BET Official Presents Kanye West DVD contains BET-produced programming along with never-before-seen footage of the superstar rapper, producer and urban icon. Included on the DVD is a dynamic mix of content featuring the BET behind-the-scenes "docu-feature" "Access Granted" with West on the set of his music video "Diamonds From Sierra Leone," West's interview and performance on "106 & Park," BET's Top 10 Live" and a series of West's popular music videos. The CD/DVD package will retail for $13.88.

If you have news, send it to Starpoynt@AOL.com For now, stay tuned!