June 2002 Nippy News

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2002/6/29
Whitney Work: In Studio C at Sound on Sound [NYC], Whitney Houston was mixing some new material with the production and engineering team of Rob Fusari and Earl Cohen. [From a sessions and studio news report in the July issue of Mix] Seeking Request Campaign Help! I have started checking all the links and e-mail addresses in the Whitney Weekday Request Campaign to remove or fix links that are out-of-date. If you have noticed broken links or addresses in the campaign, or that certain information needs to be changed, please e-mail the Nippy News so I can fix it. Also, if there's a radio station that should be on the list but is missing, please submit it. Working together, we can get the list in shape for when Whitney releases her first new single later this year. Thank you!
2002/6/28
Workin' With Jerkins: Producer Rodney Jerkins told MTV that he plans to work with Whitney in the next few weeks. Parental Prerogative: Yes, that was pop diva Whitney Houston and her hubby Bobby Brown applauding with the other proud parents at Brockton High School the other night at the Lisa Kaplan Dance Studio recitals. Bobby's little girl LaPrincia was one of the stars of the show. She's Bobby's daughter by ex-galpal Kim Ward, who lives with LaPrincia and Bobby Jr. in Sharon. By the way, Brown, a Roxbury homey, seemed to have recovered just fine from that mystery infection that sent him to a hospital in Virginia last week. We're so relieved. [From the Boston Herald] Jennifer Lopez recently said the following on her plans to remake "Carmen" as a new film: "I'm very excited because we'll be able to incorporate singing, dancing and acting. That's what I've always wanted, something like 'The Rose' or 'The Bodyguard' - those kind of movies." [From Liz Smith's syndicated column]
2002/6/27
Note: The site's audio samples have been restored. BMG Update: BMG's web site has now changed Whitney's tentative album release date to September 17, concurring with the Nippy News report from Tuesday. (Thanks Dzemil) On the Charts: Whitney's rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner" moves down slightly on this week's Billboard sales chart. Read the details released today. Whitney Discography: Online store Espirit International has launched a new service to provide discographies for all the artists in its catalog. You can click the link above to view their discography for Whitney. However, their discography consists of every item that has passed through their warehouse -- so while it is quite lengthy, it contains many repetitive items and is ultimately incomplete. However, it is a useful resource for people who don't have many Whitney items and those who want to request out-of-stock items. It's definitely worth a look even if you own virtually everything Whitney has released in some format.
2002/6/26
Reid Comments: L.A. Reid recently gave an interview with the Associated Press that briefly, and generally, mentions Whitney. You can click the link above to read the article.
2002/6/25
New Release Date: According to a release sheet, Whitney's first single will go for impact on July 29. The full CD is scheduled for a September 17, 2002 release date. We still don't have a working title for the single. As always, the dates are tentative. (Thank you Ashle - from Arista) You Can Write Songs For Whitney: Tonos.com, an online musician network founded by Carole Bayer Sager, David Foster and Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, has posted the following message at its site for Whitney's next album- URGENT!!! A producer came to Tonos looking for songs for Whitney Houston. He needs songs as soon as possible. She is in the studio NOW recording her album. So, the sooner you submit the better. YOU ONLY HAVE ONE WEEK!! You do not have time to waste, this is an opportunity of a lifetime. This producer is looking for a BIG BALLAD and an R&B/pop uptempo song. SUBMIT NOW!! Deadline is Monday July 1st, 2002. (9:00 a.m. PST) (Thanks Dzemil) More Bobby Information: A couple of additional reports were published today on Bobby's release from the hospital which include a little extra information. You can click the link above to read them.
2002/6/24
Bobby Update: According to several news organizations, Bobby was released from the hospital on Friday. Spokeswoman Nancy Seltzer told E! Online: "He's now home and he's doing absolutely fine." The rest of the article merely rehashes what was already reported in recent days.
2002/6/23
Dutch Producer: As reported last month, Radio 3FM (The Netherlands) interviewed a Dutch producer who said he worked with Whitney on a song entitled "Believe," for her new album. That producer, whose name wasn't available at that time, was Raffles van Exel. This was confirmed after contacting Radio 3FM to get his name. (Thanks ZuZy) Since then, there has been some controversy overseas about van Exel, who says he is organizing a high-profile September 11 benefit concert for later this year. (Thanks Chantal) The trouble is no one in The Netherlands has been able to get independent confirmation about that show despite contacting organizations in the U.S. that are reportedly involved in it, which throws his other claims about working with other artists like Whitney into some doubt. At this time, it remains to be seen if he has actually collaborated with Whitney.
2002/6/20
Note: The site's audio samples are down temporarily and will be restored soon. I will post another notice when they are back online. - Lisa Another Songwriter: According to Songwriter Universe, Tamara Savage, who co-wrote Whitney's "Heartbreak Hotel," is writing songs for Whitney's new album as well. You can click the link above for more information. (Thanks Manish) On the Charts: Whitney's rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner" moves up slightly on this week's Billboard sales chart. Read the details released today.
2002/6/19
Jam & Lewis News: Jimmy Jam has been working with pop/R&B divas Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston. Last week at the annual Songwriters Hall of Fame ceremonies, Jimmy Jam talked about being in the studio with two of music's greatest singers. "Mariah's doing great, very energized and very enthusiastic," Jimmy said about Mariah's attitude in the studio. Jam and his partner Terry Lewis have worked on four songs for Mariah already. The dynamic producing duo from Minneapolis are also going to work with Whitney on her next project, Jam says they haven't gone into the studio with Houston just yet, but have had phone conversations about the direction they want to take with the album. The two have not worked with Houston before, and they say it's something that they're really looking forward to, later on this year. [From FlyteTyme.com] Bobby Update: You can read two articles published today that provide more information on Bobby's condition and also mention some of his upcoming work plans.
2002/6/18
Bobby In Hospital: Spokeswoman Nancy Seltzer said he checked himself in overnight to be treated for an infection. He had been suffering from a fever while traveling home with Whitney from Atlanta. You can click the link to read the complete article. New Photo: The June 24 issue of Jet magazine includes this picture of Whitney, Bobby and Bobbi Kristina backstage at "Divas Las Vegas."
2002/6/13
On the Charts: Whitney's rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner" slips a bit on this week's Billboard sales chart. Read the details released today. Rich List: Whitney is ranked at No. 12 on Rolling Stone's "Rich List," a feature article included in the magazine's summer double issue, based solely on 2001 music earnings of $21.6 million. The magazine cites Whitney's renewed contract with Arista. The issue will hit newsstands on Friday, according to Entertainment Tonight.
2002/6/11
Whitney Work: According to Electronic Urban Report, Kandi Burruss of R&B group Xscape is working on music for the upcoming albums of Whitney Houston and TLC. She has written songs including TLC's "No Scrubs" and "Bills, Bills, Bills" by Destiny's Child. (Thanks Antwoinne) Ultimate Whitney: The "It's Not Right But It's Okay" Thunderpuss Mix will be included on "Ultimate Dance Party: The Best Of!!," a dance compilation CD to be released next week. Read the full report.
2002/6/9
Album Update: Singer Tweet ["Oops (Oh My)," "Call Me"] told MTV that she is writing for other artists and said, "I just scored a song on Whitney Houston's album." You can view the interview clip with Tweet from the 2002 MTV Movie Awards red carpet. (Thanks Jason)
2002/6/6
On the Charts: Whitney's rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner" slips a bit on this week's Billboard sales chart. Read the details released today. Another Picture: The July 2002 issue of Sister 2 Sister magazine includes this picture of Whitney, Bobby, Bobbi Kristina, L.A. Reid and his wife talking at the funeral for Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes.
2002/6/5
Whitney and IMX: The trio is working on material for Whitney. You can click the link to read the full article. On TV: According to a press release today for VH1's weekly TV schedule, the music channel will premiere "Michael Jackson 30th Anniversary Special (Director's Cut)" on Sunday, June 9 from 6-9 p.m. ET. This previously-reported version runs for three hours instead of two because of additional footage. It includes Whitney's already broadcasted rendition of "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" with Usher and Mya. For additional appearances, check the Nippy Events Calendar. Dionne Update: Drug charges against Dionne Warwick were dropped Wednesday after a Miami-Dade County judge agreed to a plea bargain deal. "To this day, I am puzzled about exactly what happened at the Miami International Airport," Warwick said in a statement. "But through the grace of God, I can now put this unpleasant chapter behind me." As part of the agreement, she completed a drug treatment and evaluation program and made a $250 donation to Project Cradle, an organization that supports children born with HIV. Dionne also is required to make an anti-drug youth public service announcement. [From several news reports]
2002/6/3
Usher Comments On Whitney: You can click the link to read some brief remarks Usher said to New York's Newsday about Whitney. He also discussed TLC and L.A. Reid. VH1 U.K. will reair "Divas Las Vegas" featuring Whitney singing "Rainy Dayz" with Mary J. Blige at 7 p.m. this Wednesday. (Thanks Eddy VB) Check out Jean-Luc's redesigned site called All Whitney Houston, formerly known as Whitney Illustrated. If you missed the earlier Nippy News, use the News Archive or the newslog.