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Singer Angie Stone demonstrates her versatility
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
If you don’t catch recent Atlanta transplant Angie Stone performing Saturday at the Andrew and Walter Young Family YMCA at 2220 Campbellton Road, it might be a while before you hear the Grammy nominee sing.
The multitalented vocalist who has transitioned from ’80s rap group (Sequence) to R&B group (Vertical Hold) to solo soul power is branching out into other mediums as well.
“The book I’m writing with Sherri McGhee is in full throttle,” Stone told Buzz. “I’ve struck a deal with Ashley Stewart, so I should have jeans and shirts in there soon. I just shot a movie called ‘Pastor Brown’ [in Atlanta], and am about to do another one with my friend Idris Elba and Tasha Smith. TV’s coming along too; I’m doing some work on ‘Lincoln Heights’. And of course [her latest CD] ‘The Art of Love & War’ is still in stores, doing great. But at some point, yeah, I’m going to have to find some time to get back in the lab soon, and work on some new material. Focus on music again.”
Stone’s free appearance from 1 to 5 p.m. is part of the Fearless African-Americans Connected and Empowered (FACE) Diabetes Awareness campaign.
CRUISING DOWN KATZ
Buzz only imagines what it would be like to turn into the AJC building at Buzz Way, but until that magical moment, we’ll just have to live through local legal power Joel Katz. On Monday a quarter-mile stretch of Northside Drive between West Paces Ferry and Moores Mill Roads — that includes the Greenberg Traurig law firm where Katz serves as chairman — will officially become Joel Katz Parkway. The ceremony will take place in front of the Forum at 3290 Northside Parkway at 10 a.m. And state Sen. Jeff Mullis — who proposed the renaming, along with Georgia Music Hall of Fame inductee Dr. Bobbie Bailey — is scheduled to be on hand.
“Atlanta has been my home for more than 35 years,” Katz said in a statement. “It is where I built my career, and to be recognized in this manner is overwhelming.”
While we’re on the topic of Greenberg Traurig attorneys, Katz’s co-worker Rob Finan will be one of the industry heavyweights at a panel Sunday at Eddie’s Attic called “What You Need To Know To Succeed In The Music Business.” (Our first tip? Hire Joel Katz as Willie Nelson, Jimmy Buffett, Dallas Austin and the late James Brown did.) Joining Finan will be the Lowery Music Group’s publisher Butch Lowery; Rhythm & Soul/ASCAP’s Tremayne Anchrum; songwriter and director of UGA’s Music Business Program, Bruce Burch; and moderator and panel series founder Jennie Walker. The event starts at 4 p.m. at 515-B North McDonough St. in Decatur. It’s $15 for ASCAP and GMIA members, and UGA and GSU music business students. $20 for others. For more information go to www.gmia.org or www.eddiesattic.com.
OVERSCENE
• Actor Chad L. Coleman, who played Dennis “Cutty” Wise on the HBO series “The Wire” — at the Woodruff Arts Center minutes before the screening of former AJC business writer Lois Eric Elie’s documentary, “Faubourg Tremé: The Untold Story of Black New Orleans.” (Perhaps he was also celebrating the writing Emmy nod the now-defunct series received Thursday as well).
• Star 94 general manager Mark Kanov celebrated his retirement at the Mansion in Buckhead with 250 friends and family Thursday night after a whopping 40 years at the station. Among the attendees were the entire on-air staff including the Morning Mess, Cindy and Ray, mid-day guy Tripp West and night-time DJ Darik Kristopher. Former 94Q morning host Gary McKee (now retired) stopped by, along with veteran former Star 94 jock Tommy Sullivan, ex-99Xer Jimmy Baron and “Better Mornings” reporter Corinna Allen. Not surprisingly, Steve McCoy and Vikki Locke, who became the station’s signature stars during Kanov’s tenure, were not spotted in the crowd. After all, Kanov and his employer unsuccessfully sued the pair this year for breach of contract. The morning team is now heard on B98.5 FM.
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Saturday: Guitarist Brian May of Queen is 61. Drummer Jason McGerr of Death Cab For Cutie is 34. Actor Jared Padalecki (“Supernatural”) is 26.
Sunday: Actress Diana Rigg (“The Avengers”) is 70. Guitarist Carlos Santana is 61. Singer Chris Cornell of Audioslave and of Soundgarden is 44. Actor Josh Holloway (“Lost”) is 39. Singer Elliott Yamin (“American Idol”) is 30. Dancer-country singer Julianne Hough (“Dancing with the Stars”) is 20.
If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
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