Star Dust

Ron St. John Joins Rejoice & The Touch
Veteran radio personality Ron St. John has joined WSIR-AM (1490 Rejoice & The Touch).
St. John will be on the air Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. He will also be the station's promotions director and will handle advertising sales as well. St. John has spent many years in broadcasting working at several stations in South Carolina and stations in many Florida markets ranging, from Jacksonville to Pensacola to Winter Haven.
"We are excited to have a broadcaster with Ron's talent and experience," said Joe Fisher, VP/GM of WSIR. "You don't often get someone this good in a market this size. Our listeners will be in for a big treat."
In 1999, WSIR switched its format to all gospel music and quickly became one of the most listened to stations in Polk County. Since 2001, the various ratings services continually ranked it among the top Polk County radio stations.

BET Launches Fall Season With 'Ultimate Hustler'
BET kicks off its new Fall season with the debut of "Ultimate Hustler," a one-hour unscripted competition that will test 16 aspiring entrepreneurs on their business savvy. Executive produced by Damon Dash and produced by Kenny Hull and Rabih Gholam (Huck Films), it's the first ever television series from Dash, who is best known for his former affiliation with Jay-Z. The show begins Tuesday, October 4, at 9 p.m. ET/PT.
Over 13 episodes, the competition puts 16 hopeful entrepreneurs through a series of business challenges to determine who has the best combination of business skills and street savvy. In each episode viewers watch as contestants face a series of mental and physical challenges. Tasks put forth by Dash run the gamut from boxing ring stamina, innovative street sales to all night studio sessions - the hustle never stops.
"You are being watched," is the consistent theme throughout the series with the contestants under constant surveillance by Dash, even in their private quarters.
Get ready to meet a colorful gang of characters, including a party promoter from Atlanta, fashion designers from Miami and New York, a street hustler from New Orleans and even an adult entertainer from Long Island. The "Ultimate Hustler" winner receives a position within the Damon Dash Empire to shepherd their winning "big pitch" idea, a platinum and diamond chain worth $15K, a 2006 Jeep Commander and a myriad of additional prizes (Roc Box, clothing, etc.) fit for an Ultimate Hustler from Damon Dash.
In a departure from other network reality shows, BET viewers will have an insider peek from Dash's perspective on how to "get paper" (make money). From downtown parties to Harlem basketball courts; the hustlers will be tested on advertising, marketing, negotiating, work ethic, problem solving, networking, communication skills, as well as their ability to master the art of hustling as they vie for the top spot.
"What I love about the series is that beyond Damon's big personality and street swagger, he's teaching fundamental business ethics - work hard, pay attention to detail, be honest in your dealings with people," said Reginald Hudlin, BET president of entertainment.
"I started from nothing and built a $500 million empire," Dash commented. "I want to teach these young hustlers-in-training how to achieve what I have achieved. This program will be the blueprint on how to become an entrepreneur and BET is the perfect place to demonstrate it to my culture."
The hustlers were chosen based on their drive, personality and entrepreneurial prowess from a nationwide search involving auditions and reviews of video submissions. Dash does not follow the usual formula of one contestant eliminated per episode. Contestants may be asked to leave the show at any given point, sometimes in multiples.

Rolling In Rolls-Royce
It will take a cool $6 million to build, and for $400,000- $500,000, a customized copy of it could be yours in a couple of years. The 100 EX Rolls-Royce Convertible rolls out in 2007. Meanwhile, prospective buyers got a glimpse of the beauty at a special viewing held at Atlanta's swanky night club - Compound.
Hosted by Greg Williams of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Atlanta, the only Rolls-Royce dealer in Georgia, the star-studded soiree brought out Atlanta's finest - from Walt Disney, VP Reggie Williams, hip hop's T.I., Big Boi, Monica Jazze Pha, Sleepy Brown and Cee Lo, sports stars T.J. Duckett, Terrance Mathis, Shareef Abdur Rahim and Ed Hartwell, State Senator Kasim Reed and V103's Greg Street.
The invitation-only celebration was for the arrival of the 100 EX Convertible. The car has been making its way across the country on a 13-week tour. Next stop, five cities in Florida (Tampa, Orlando, Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach) before heading to the West Coast.
During its East Coast swing, it's made stops in New York, Philadelphia, Connecticut and North Carolina.
The 100 EX Convertible on tour is dark curzon, a color introduced for Rolls-Royce 100th anniversary in 2004. Those who purchase the car can have it customized with any color they desire. The convertible has a soft top and is built from the Rolls-Royce Phantom frame. It has "coach" doors that open backwards for ease in entering and exiting the car.
(l-r) Paul Faletti, Southeast Region GM for Rolls-Royce and Greg Williams of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Atlanta pose with Big Boi and T.Ii in front of the Rolls-Royce 100 EX Convertible Experimental Car at the Compound (Photo by Spark St. Jude)

In Atlanta, WVEE-FM (V103) held its annual For Sisters Only event... artists on the show included Toni Braxton, Floetry and Keyshia Cole, among others. Below - pics shared by Universal rep Keinon Johnson.

V103's Frank Ski with Floetry and Ronald McDonald

Keinon Johnson (left), Floetry and V103 PD Reggie Rouse (3rd from left)

Keyshia doin' her thing?

V103's Bubby Love, Floetry and V103 mixer DJ Cowboy

The Gospel Rolls Out Red Carpet In Atlanta
On Saturday, September 24, the premiere for "The Gospel" movie was held at the Rialto in Atlanta. Many celebrities and Atlanta's finest attended the event, including Cthe film's director Rob Hardy andh his Rainforest Films partners Will Packer and Bernard Bronner; Boris Kodjoe and his wife, Nicole Ari Parker and their daughter Sophie Tei-Naaki Lee Kodjoe; Nona Gaye; Tamyra Gray; Clifton Powell; Omar Gooding; Aloma Wright; Keisha Knight Pulliam; Martha Munizzi; Sean Nelson; Dwayne Boyd; WVEE-FM (V103) personality Frank Ski; Elise Neal; Chris Spencer; Cece Winans and her husband Alvin Love; Kelly Price; Main Ingredients singer Cuba Gooding with wife Shirley; Darryl "Chill" Mitchell; Monica; Pebbles; and Former NBA player Terry Cummings.
BET newsreporter Jacque Reid did cast interviews inside the theater. A prayer was given by Larry Tinsley and once the film was over, the audience was treated to a fabulous concert. Hosted by Anthony Anderson, performers included Mary Mary, Kelly Price, Martha Munizzi, Kiki Sheard, and to cap off the evening, Hezekiah Walker. Director Rob Hardy was given a key to the city by a representative for Mayor Shirley Franklin, who couldn't make the event.

Wow! Has Rudy Huxtable grown up or what! AKA Keisha Knight Pulliam, she is in "The Gospel"

Interep Announces Scholarship Supporting Students at HBCUs
Interep will institute an annual Interep/NABOB scholarship to be awarded to a communications/broadcasting student attending one of the nation's historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). The announcement was made by Interep President/COO, George Pine, at the 29th Annual National Association of Black Owned Broadcasters (NABOB) Fall Conference in Washington, D.C. last week. Pictured below: (l-r) Pierre Sutton, Inner City Broadcasting; Bernie Howard, Interep; George Pine, Interep; Jim Winston, NABOB; and Sherman Kizart, Interep.

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."

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!