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Xernona Clayton’s Trumpet sounded on Las Vegas.  The 15th Annual Trumpet Awards founder’s vision took her on the other side of the country to continue the labor of love that had been held in Atlanta for 14 years.  A black tie invitation only event is one not to miss if you are lucky enough to be invited.  Xernona’s mailing list consisted of only 3000 who’s who from all across the country.  Four days packed of events for the awardees and attendees to celebrate African American Achievement and those that give back to the African American Community.  The weekend started with the Prayer Breakfast, continuing the spiritual tradition of the Civil Rights Movement with present day victories.  Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, Marilyn McCoo, Judge Penny Brown Reynolds, Dr. Michael Beckwith, who has recently appeared on Oprah twice in one week, and Mrs. Christine Johnson, mother of Ervin “Magic” Johnson, were honored at the breakfast.  Prior to the night of the awards was the Black Cultural Explosion, featuring all aspects of the arts with performances ranging from a pianist, opera, spoken word, dance, Gospel, Jazz, Blues, and even a comedian.  However, nothing was like the night of the show with a sea of wigs, weaves, make-up, gowns, and even a few of not so hot dresses made it down the red carpet to the ballroom of the Bellagio Hotel and Casino.  Hill Haper was not only the host for the evening, but an awardee for his book and work in the community.  The men gave the women a run for their money as they did their strolls down the red carpet, but none could touch Hill Harper, who rocked in a navy blue Prada Tuxedo.  Throughout the night Hill changed at least three times for his debut as host. 

The night arrivals gave some very serious woos and a few very disappointing ahhs.  James Avery, limped in on a cast that he was not willing to talk about, Eric Benet was present and accounted for with his lovely daughter, Babyface must have caused his ex-wife Tracey and her new boyfriend Eddie Murphy to be persona non grata, Jasmine Guy wore a little black number, but covered most of her curves with a beaded jacket.  Baseball player, Brian Jordan, was cool and very traditional in a black tux, when he stopped to say it was a great night to honor so many that give so much. Terrence Howard was slim and trim in a navy tux and proud to plug his new film.  “I had to get really fit to play this part man, swimming everyday and the role of a remarkable brother,” Howard said smiling.     Rushing in late and requesting help for her gown that had a lot of static and clung to her body in a not so flattering fashion was Victoria Rowell of “Young and the Restless.”  One of the big shockers of the night was Usher Raymond walking the red carpet with Tameka Foster-Glover, his stylist now fiancé, close to a year ago it was said they were together and they actually denied it.  An older woman that has been married before and the mother of three children has snagged one of the country’s most eligible bachelors.  Tameka must have had something that Chile did not have.  Nancy Wilson, who has been a part of the Trumpet Awards since the very beginning, looked amazing in a black gown said she was glad to present her friend Dionne Warwick her living legend award.  CeCe Winans had to be the greatest disappointment of the night arriving in a black velvet pants suit that could have passed for something that you would wear to work. 

The Trumpet Award honorees this year were Toni Braxton for entertainment, Ed Dwight, an artist, Michael Jordan, Donnie McClurkin, who actually has a independent film out about his life, Justice Alan Page, Percy Sutton, Tommie Smith and John Carlos, famous for the black power fist when they received their gold medals during the Olympics, Dionne Warwick, and CeCe Winans all were trumpeted on the spectacular night of the awards.  Vicki Winans worked the red carpet and actually did a great job at interviewing arriving guest and sang.  Yolanda Adams also offered a selection on the night of the show and looked pretty hot for a Gospel Singer on the red carpet.  Some not so famous people looked pretty hot stepping out in Las Vegas like Justine Boyd, who wore a mauve gown with an amazing train, Vicki Person of Texas was a show stopper in a long black gown.  Finally, Xernona Clayton made a lot of mouths hang open in a hot black gown with her back out.  At 75 years-old she looked amazing and in her bare back number and defiantly the bell of the ball.  Some did not look so hot and really did not need to come out.  Men if you do not have a tuxedo do not think you can get by in a suit and tie.  Brothers you cannot be cheap and get away with something that you would wear to work, get a tux.  After the show it is all about the after party.  Everyone made their way over to Light, the nightclub at Bellagio for the official after set.  Nothing like the years past with smooth jazz and cocktails this was a serious party.  The dark plush club Light was the location for “A Night of Legends,” a night that will not be long forgotten.  Music pumping and Go-Go dancers working the stage on floor to ceiling poles made the famous saying, “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas,” ring true.  Many of the distinguished attendees really let their hair down and rocked into the wee hours of the morning.  The heads of companies to the heads of state got on the dance floor and worked it out.  Even Obnoxious put on a show stopping performance by working the dance floor and even swing on a pole.  Rebecca Franklin, publisher of “Women Looking Ahead Magazine” got a little close with fellow publisher Sonny Martin, who said he had to come out of his tie and jacket to handle his dirty dancing partner.  Leigh Torrance, of the Washington Redskins and Brain Jordan, of the Atlanta Braves seemed to have a good time as well. 

The news spread the same way the fire did about gospel singer Ricky Dillard’s home going up in flames.  Word has it that Ricky was in New York resting after just completing a live recording with his choir New Generation when he received word that his six-bedroom estate was gone.  Nothing was able to be salvaged of the 5,000-square-foot house completely burned to the ground.  Firefighters were called to the home around 3:00 am and found the house already fully engulfed according to DeKalb County Fire Department Caption Eric Jackson.  Everything Ricky owned except for the things he had taken with him on his trip was in the house; in addition, to awards and film footage of his choir’s performance and a number of non-replaceable items of his mother’s, who is deceased.  Over nineteen years of history was destroyed.  Ricky had just purchased the house three years ago.  A number of gospel greats came out to perform at a benefit concert for Ricky.  Dottie Peoples, Darwin Hobbs, Men of Standard, The Anointed Pace Sisters, Kim Burrall, Tye Tribett, Hezekiah Walker, and Bishop Paul Morton, all answered the call at the request of Bryon Cage, the musical coordinator.  Over $14,500 was raised in one offering for Ricky Dillard, who addressed a number of the negative rumors about his house catching afire.  Greater Travler’s Rest Missionary Baptist Church Pastor Dewy Smith opened the doors of his sanctuary for the event that was packed to capacity with some attendees having to park at a local mall and be shuttled back to the church.  Although, Ricky was not available by deadline he does seem to be in good spirits and holding to all the principles he has sang about to get through this difficult time. 

After weeks of silence on this issue, Tyrese released a statement regarding the alleged violent incident involving his live-in girlfriend at his Los Angeles home last month.  As previously reported Tyrese was reportedly the subject of a criminal investigation after his pregnant girlfriend called the police at around 5:30 in the morning and accused the artist of hitting her in the arm and thigh following a heated argument, then driving off.  Tyrese responded to the allegations in the following statement:  “I am a very private person but as untrue information is still circulating; I feel I owe it to my fans and supporters to finally address the rumors and put them to rest once and for all.  Please be assured that accusations of an alleged physical altercation between my girlfriend and me are absolutely false.  No charges were filed.  I am grateful for the prayers and support I have received over the last several weeks from my fans and supporters and I want to thank them.  God Bless.”  Seems he set the record straight and noted that no charges were filed, but he did not address the police being called to the house in the early morning at all.  It is obvious that something had to happen, but the truth may not ever really come to light. 

Tyra Banks decided to address those unflattering bikini pictures of her that made the covers of tabloids.  A far cry from the cover of the magazines that she was once accustomed too, now a filled out Tyra has packed on some pounds.  The 33-year-old former supermodel admits that she has gained about 30 pounds since her 1997 Sports Illustrated cover, but tells People Magazine that she is the only one who does not seem to have a problem with it…at least most of the time.  “I still feel hot, but every day is different,” she says.  “It’s when I put on the jeans that used to fit a year go and do not fit now and give me the muffin top, that’s when I say, ‘Damn!’”  Banks, the co-creator and host of the CW’s “America’s Next Top Model,” also feels that the public’s obsession with her weight—which she says is at least 161 pounds now—is ultimately detrimental to young girls who struggle with body image.  “I get so much mail from young girls who say, ‘I look up to you, you’re not as skinny as everyone else, I think you’re beautiful,’” she says.  “So when they say that my body is ‘ugly’ and ‘disgusting,’ what does that make those girls feel like?” 

Since her retirement from modeling, Banks says her weight has fluctuated from 148 pounds to 162 pounds.  In addition, to the “muffin top,” Banks says she’s also developed a “fat roll” on her back and an unwelcome boost in bra size to double D, which makes it hard for her to find clothes that fit.  “I would love for them to be a size and a half smaller,” she said.  Tyra added:  “I have made millions of dollars with the body I have, so where’s the pain in that?  If I was in pain, I would have dieted.  The pain is not there—the pain is someone printing a picture of me and saying those horrible things.  Seems that Tyra would have a littler tougher skin after all this time in show business, she is so weak to have a total and complete breakdown on television about her gaining a few pounds on national television.  She is always hollering and crying every time she is questioned or criticized.  Tyra get over it!

Everything is going down, but the Word of God…Not long ago it was a great deal of talk about Bishop Gilbert Earl Patterson passing, however the rumors were not true.  A statement was later released that the Presiding Bishop of the Church Of God In Christ was at home with his family.  Memphis reporters swarmed Patterson’s church to report if he was actually deceased.  Later the family issued a statement.  Although, Bishop Patterson has been ill for some time now he is yet in the land of the living.  Cancer is said to become more aggressive with stress and Patterson is defiantly under some serious stress with two pastors in his organization making headlines for sexually misconduct.  The first is Pastor Willie F. Arnold, 60, of Texarkana, Texas, was arrested and charged with aggravated sexual assault.  Arnold free on a $25,000 bond, but police say DNA testing proved he is the father of the infant son of a 13-year-old girl.  The pastor of New Beginning Church of God In Christ is going to need a new beginning to get through these charges.  The assaults allegedly occurred in the living room of the victim’s grandmother’s home when the rest of the family was away, according to court documents.  It is rumored the girl told members of the pregnancy center staff that she did not believe the baby belonged to her pastor.  Authorities say DNA acquired from a swab of Arnold’s saliva was compared to DNA from the alleged victim and her infant son.  The University of North Texas Health Science Center in Fort Worth, listed Arnold as the biological father of the baby based on DNA analysis.  Arnold’s wife Joyce told reporters that her husband has a good lawyer and will fight the charges.  Well, that is exactly what he is going to need, a good lawyer and a hunk and a chuck of money to get him out of this mess.  Pastor Arnold if convicted faces anywhere from five to 99 years or life in prison.

In more sex and church news Rev. Sherman Allen, Pastor of Shiloh Institutional Church of God In Christ likes to have freaky sex allegedly like his colleague Willie Arnold.  However, this is not an offense to a minor.  Davina Kelly, 33, said that she worked as a housekeeper at Allen’s home where he physically and sexually abused her.  Kelly is suing Rev. Allen for taking advantage of her after she began seeing him for counseling in 2001.  According to the lawsuit filed Rev. Allen, whipped her as part of her spiritual counseling and later coerced her into a sexual relationship.  “It was something I had never heard of before, but for the most part, because I trusted him, because I believed him, because I saw him as a man of God, I believe—as odd as it sounded—he was hearing from god and I really didn’t question it because of that,” Kelly said.  Now it was some confusion at first as to if he was spanking Davina during sex, but later it was found that he spanks or whips his members as a form of discipline.  Well, what kind of fool would allow a man to whip her as a form of correction at the age of 33; who cares if he was her pastor seems she was a serious nut case to agree to letting him whip her ass.  However, rumors are swarming the nation that Rev. Allen whips his members no matter the sex or age.  It remains to be seen if any other individuals will come forward. 

Drug Dealers and Killers…Police arrested rapper Young Buck in his hometown of Nashville after discovering he had a warrant for failure to appear in court on a previous driving violation, according to police.  Born David Darnell Brown, was behind the wheel of his black Cadillac Escalade near downtown Nashville when cops pulled him over for driving erratically.  After running his information, the police saw on his record the July 2005 misdemeanor violation for driving on a suspended license.  He now has a valid license, but his record showed the outstanding warrant for last year’s charge.  He was released on $1,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court later this month.  The 25-year-old rapper was reportedly in Nashville for and event with fashion designer Gino Green to promote his new album “Buck The World,” due in stores on March 20.  You may recall December of 2005 when Brown pleaded no contest to a felony in the stabbing of a man during a melee at the 2004 Vibe Awards.  He was sentenced to three years probation.  In an interview he Buck said, “Do not do the shit I do if you do not have the money I got."

Former NBA player, John Amaechi has announced that he is gay.  He made his way around the league playing for the Utah Jazz, Cleveland Cavaliers, Orlando Magic, and Houston Rockets.  He is the first player to come out publicly, but it remains to be seen if he outs anyone from the NBA in his new book.  Speaking of gay, former MTV producer Terrance Dean has written a book about his life as a black man and his sexual exploits within the entertainment industry.  “Hiding in Hip-Hop: Confessions of a Down Low Brother in the Entertainment Industry,” is said to tell of other film stars, rap artists, and music producers that all enjoy sex with men.  Seems Terrance is the male Superhead and has some serious stories to tell.   

According to my “Street Committee”…Someone on the set of “Rush Hour 3” in Santa Ana, California is running their mouth and claims that Chris Tucker is not getting along with director, Brett Ratner.  According to the rumors Tucker will not come out of his trailer until the scrip is up to his standards and the Brett is using his status to get dates with willing extras on the set.  However, I did not get to ask Chris about the rumors at the NBA All Star game.