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#Post#: 1074--------------------------------------------------
Re: Honorary DreDreamer of the Month!
By: leyles7 Date: April 21, 2012, 6:38 pm
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HTML http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVworKjAfyA
#Post#: 1076--------------------------------------------------
Re: Honorary DreDreamer of the Month!
By: leyles7 Date: April 21, 2012, 6:40 pm
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HTML http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQ1V6hbEU5k&feature=fvwrel
#Post#: 1083--------------------------------------------------
Re: Honorary DreDreamer of the Month!
By: leyles7 Date: April 21, 2012, 7:08 pm
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HTML http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOs4vIAyorI&feature=related
#Post#: 1084--------------------------------------------------
Re: Honorary DreDreamer of the Month!
By: leyles7 Date: April 21, 2012, 7:16 pm
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#Post#: 1087--------------------------------------------------
Re: Honorary DreDreamer of the Month!
By: leyles7 Date: April 21, 2012, 7:29 pm
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HTML http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tm0DusATUo
#Post#: 1089--------------------------------------------------
Re: Honorary DreDreamer of the Month!
By: leyles7 Date: April 21, 2012, 7:51 pm
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HTML http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H72ajAO6ctI
#Post#: 1090--------------------------------------------------
Re: Honorary DreDreamer of the Month!
By: leyles7 Date: April 21, 2012, 7:54 pm
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#Post#: 1107--------------------------------------------------
Re: Honorary DreDreamer of the Month!
By: aartemiss Date: April 22, 2012, 1:59 am
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HOT HOT HOT!!!
#Post#: 1109--------------------------------------------------
Re: Honorary DreDreamer of the Month!
By: 123shyaway Date: April 22, 2012, 12:23 pm
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Home - Eric Benet Biography
Eric Benet Biography
Born and reared in Milwaukee as Eric Benet Jordan, Benet is the
youngest of five from a very musical household. His father, a
police detective, loved classical music. Whereas, his mother
would sing around the house, even singing the duties to the
kids. In addition, Eric's older siblings gave him a big dose of
Stevie Wonder, who is one of his top musical influences. Eric
was also influenced by Al Green, Sly Stone, Donny Hathaway,
Chaka Kahn, Earth, Wind and Fire, Marvin Gaye, Steely Dan, the
Beatles, Queen and gospel music among others. He started
showcasing his musical talent in church in the gospel choir.
Eventually, he expanded to school plays and musicals. Eric soon
realized at a young age that he wanted to pursue music
professionally.
Eric's first professional break came when he joined a local
group, Gerard, in the late 80's. They toured various night clubs
and small venues covering top 40 tunes. It was during this time
that Eric learned through experience. He experimented and
performed all types of music from rock to pop to soul to hip
hop.
Later Eric, his cousin, George Nash Jr., and his sister, Lisa,
formed the group Benet. They put together a demo tape that found
its way in the hands of Allison Ball-Gabriel, a music executive.
That led to Benet getting a music deal with EMI Records. This
was the start of a roller coaster ride for Eric. Their
self-entitled CD was released in '92. Unfortunately, the label
was going through corporate red tape and the CD was not properly
promoted. Consequently, the sales were lackluster. In addition,
some radio stations wouldn't play the singles released, "Only
Want To Be With You" and "Rainy Days And Mondays" because they
didn't fit with the stations' formats. Benet was soon dropped
from their label.
A short time later, Eric experienced the high of being a father
for the first time with his girlfriend, Tami, when their
daughter, India, was born. However, only about 15 months later,
Tami was killed in a car accident. Eric had become a single
parent. It was a very scary time for him. Even though he still
wanted to pursue his dream of performing, he had to provide for
his daughter. So Eric worked at UPS for a while. In the
meantime, Jeff Lorber, who was one of the producers on the Benet
CD, kept Eric close to the business. Jeff set up various guest
starring jazz vehicles for Eric to showcase his vocal talent.
During this time, Eric sang on CD's by Jeff, Marion Meadows,
Eric Marienthal, and Michael Franks among others.
Through these difficult times, Eric kept a journal of his
thoughts and experiences. For a while he was afraid to trust
himself with the type of music he wanted to do. But luckily one
day, he realized that he had to be true to himself.
He used his experiences and turned them into songs.
Meanwhile, Allison Ball-Gabriel, who had signed Benet to EMI,
was an executive at Warner Brothers Records (WBR). So Eric
decided to send her some demos. Allison immediately told Eric to
keep doing what he was doing. He was then signed to the label.
Eric again worked with cousin, Nash Jr., and brought longtime
friend, Demonte Posey, on board in a studio in Milwaukee. WBR
allowed Eric to have full creative control, which is rare for a
new artist. The fruit of their labor, "True To Myself" was
released in '96. Although it was critically praised, the album
was not properly promoted. Therefore, "True To Myself" never
attained the sales that it deserved.
So when it was time for Eric to go back in the studio for his
sophomore effort, he realized that the pressure was on to
increase sales. He didn't want to abandon his style and alienate
his fan base. But he knew that he would need more "radio
friendly" songs to be successful. He again worked with Nash Jr.
and Posey, along with others in the studio. The result was "A
Day In The Life," which was released in April of '99. This time
Eric also incorporated some duets on the CD. They include
collaborations with Faith Evans, Tamia, Roy Ayers, and Me'Shell
Ndegeocello. As with the first album, most of the songs are
based on Eric's personal experiences except the two cover songs
and "Loving Your Best Friend."
Warner Brothers Records has been promoting Eric considerably
more this time around and it is paying off. "A Day In The Life"
is doing well and was certified gold. The first single, "Georgy
Porgy", received considerable airplay and did well on the R&B
charts. The second single, "Spend My Life With You", went to
number one on the R&B charts, was certified gold, was nominated
for a Grammy Award, won an NAACP Award for Outstanding Song and
has become a wedding favorite.
During his "downtime", Eric spent time in the studio, writing
and producing tracks for Earth, Wind and Fire's upcoming 30th
anniversary CD. He also went on tour with Brian McKnight and
made numerous television appearances. Plus he recently stepped
into the acting arena. Eric had a recurring role on WB's "For
Your Love" sitcom as Jamal. Eric's love life is on the upswing
as well. He is engaged to actress, Halle Berry. They plan to
marry sometime in 2000.
Eric's future goals include possibly having his own record label
in which he can help artists like himself who are slightly
against the norm and to continue making great music for us. In
the meantime, Eric is very happy with his number one job of
being a father to India, who's now eight years old.
From True Eric Benet Fan Site-
HTML http://ericbenet.homestead.com
#Post#: 1110--------------------------------------------------
Re: Honorary DreDreamer of the Month!
By: 123shyaway Date: April 22, 2012, 12:27 pm
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Eric Benet surprises DeAndre Brackensick on American Idol with a
special appearance
Posted by James McQuiston on March 31st, 2012
HTML http://neufutur.com/?p=27706
R&B Crooner, songwriter and actor Eric Benét has successfully
released five albums and is currently gearing up for the release
of his sixth album entitled The One, which is slated for a
Spring 2012 release. Very appropriately named, Benét’s new album
The One marks a moment of positive transition in his life and
lyrically speaks to the many new beginnings developing in his
career and family. The One will also be the first album released
on Benét’s newly formed record label Jordan House Records, which
he created in partnership with EMI.
“Real Love” (available on iTunes) is the first single off
Benét’s new forthcoming album The One and was the #1 added song
to Urban AC when shipped to radio in October 2011 and is
currently #14 on the Urban AC chart and climbing quickly. This
new single is a taste of what to expect on Benét’s new album,
which he describes as a “very contemporary approach to
old-school songwriting integrity”. The One will also feature his
signature mid-70s soul groove, a variety of instruments from
strings to horns to featured artists and even a duet with his
first daughter India.
Eric Benét was also recently nominated for a 2012 Grammy Award
for “Best Traditional R&B Performance” for his single “Sometimes
I Cry”, up against artists Cee Lo Green (“Fool For You” feat
Melanie Fiona), R. Kelly (“Radio Message”), Raphael Saadiq
(“Good Man”), Betty Wright & The Roots (“Surrender”). The Grammy
Awards will air on Sunday February 12th, 2012. Additionally,
Benét was nominated for a 2011 Soul Train Award for “Best Male
R&B/Soul Artist” and also performed during the Soul Train
Award’s tribute to Earth, Wind & Fire, which aired November 27th
on BET.
In addition to a new album, single & record label, Eric Benét
also has a new marriage and baby. Eric married Manuela Testolini
on July 31st, 2011 in Newport Beach, CA and the newlyweds
welcomed their baby daughter, Lucia, on December 21, 2011.
Previously, Eric was married to actress Halle Berry from 2001 –
2005 and has one daughter named India from a prior relationship
with his longtime girlfriend Tami Marie Stauff, who tragically
died in a car accident leaving Eric as a single father to their
daughter at age 1. India is now 21 years old, attending USC and
very musically gifted. Testolini also familiar with being in a
Hollywood marriage was married to Prince prior to Benét.
Eric Benét grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in the 1970s and was
the youngest of five musically talented siblings. He started out
singing with a group called Gerard in the late 1980s; then
Benét, his sister Lisa, and his cousin George Nash Jr. formed a
band called Benét and in 1992, they were signed to EMI and
released a self-titled album. Two years later, Eric Benét broke
onto the music scene with his solo career and signed with Warner
Bros. Records, releasing his debut solo album, True to Myself in
1996. His sophomore album, A Day in the Life, was released in
1999 and featured his smash hit “Spend My Life With You
(featuring Tamia)”, which rose to #1 on the US Billboard R&B
charts (for 3 weeks), was certified gold, and nominated for a
2000 Grammy Award for “Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group”.
The album also won a Soul Train Music Award for “Best R&B/Soul
Album, Male”.
In 2001, Benét decided to leave Warner Bros. and signed with the
Reprise-distributed label, Friday Records, where he released his
next studio album, Hurricane on June 21, 2005, which featured “I
Wanna Be Loved” that reached #2 on the Urban Adult Contemporary
chart. His fourth album Love & Life was released on September 9,
2008, debuting at #11 on Billboard 200 and #2 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop
Albums chart. The album featured fan favorite “Chocolate Legs”
and his hit single “You’re The Only One“, which spent 4 weeks
straight at #1 on Urban AC radio and was nominated for a 2009
Grammy Award for “Best R&B Male Performance”. In November 2010,
Eric released his fifth album Lost in Time featuring duets with
Faith Evans, Chrisette Michelle, Ledisi, and Eddie Levert of The
O’Jays; plus his single “Sometimes I Cry“, which reached # 1 on
the Hot Adult R&B Songs Chart.
Benét has also been active as an actor and most recently starred
in his first lead role in the feature film “Trinity Goodheart”
also starring Erica Gluck, which premiered at the American Black
Film Festival on July 9th, 2011. Additionally, Eric had a
recurring role on the television program For Your Love
(1998–2002) and made his film debut alongside Mariah Carey in
Glitter (2001).
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