Brangelina sold their little one's pics for a cozy $4 Million, TomKat wouldn't settle for the $3Million they were offered for pictures of Suri, and Britney seems to be in the headlines all the times with her dear Sean-Preston, dropping him, driving with him on her lap. Well I reckon she's trying to make a new start for herself. One she's no longer blonde, two she's expecting again and three apparently she's working on new material. After her little fall out with Madonna, I bet you Brit's new best friend is Celine Dion. Get some inspiration for your new album huh Brit?
Well in the AUgust issue of Bazaar Magazine, Brit bares all for the main story, got nothing to wear look no further because Bazaar has 487 ways to make it better. There's also a nifty photospread of Britney in there, just in case you're interested :) Wonder if she will be trying to sell pictures of the unborn to leading media publications once he or she arrives... my bet is on Ebay sealing the deal!

Posted by jvonblog at Friday, June 30, 2006 | Permalink | Comments

Good evening to you all. It's amazing how dependent one becomes on the Internet, when you don't have access to it. Gosh. Anyway I am back, this time from the big city with bright lights Jozi. I will be commencing with my "Music Musts", otherwise known as my reviews on the bands next week with Hawthorne heights.

Let's begin with the top story in my J Vonblog Special Report: My condolences go out to the family of S.A singer Jerome Martin from Redd Angel, who was killed in a car accident last week. I really enjoyed his material, and he was doing well both locally and abroad... on the French dance charts with the song "Man in the Mirror". I know his little boy was in ICU, so my thoughts and prayers are with the family, and I hope he recovers well.

On a lighter note Paris Hilton's song "Stars are Blind" is getting a lot of airplay, wow wee. It's too much, even for me. But I can tell you this song is gonna go places, just because of who she is and her status in the industry. Check it out here if you don't have access to it...

Speaking of music "I'm like a bird", "Try" and "Explode" star Nelly Furtado has seemingly moved away from her poppie ways, and is now embracing HipHop. At first I was like AAh hell child what are you doing, but listen to the songs carefully and there's no doubt in my mind you'll dig it. Maneater has been at the top of the UK charts for 3 weeks, so well done Nelly. Her album "Loose" is in stores now.

South African radio seems to be in it's transition phase i.e. get the new blood flowing. Pabi left Metro for YFm and Fresh starts at 5 on Monday. I know of a few other changes due to happen, but will confirm shortly. Radio is an important medium, and as a national broadcaster 5 has many changes, so if you want to know what you can expect starting this weekend check out the new line-up.

And finally-Freshlyground continue to move audiences with their music. This time they're heading across to Germany as part of a group to bring the soccer flame to S.A shores ahead of the 2010 World Cup. They'll share the stage with Sibongile Khumalo and Johnny Clegg at the closing ceremony, so good luck to them. I am hoping this will be the time for an S.A act to get some big international exposure. Hell it is the biggest event in the world.

That's it for tonight. I will be blogging more regularly as of tomorrow, so stay tuned for more entertainment news from near and not-so-near. JVB out!

Posted by jvonblog at Wednesday, June 28, 2006 | Permalink | Comments

Thanks to Nic for the suggested bands and musicians to look at in the next few weeks. There seems to be a lot of hype around Hawthorne Heights, so that's who I'm going to be checking out next week. If I can I will try and put some of the tracks onto the blog for y'all. But that's next week's indaba. For now...

David Gray fact #3:

In 1994, Mr Gray released his second album, Flesh, A more edgier, modern effort that displayed the talents of his new bandmates. However there wasn't much backing from Virgin to market any of the singles and the album saw just as few sales as his initial release. As a direct result, Virgin dropped him from their lineup, as Gray only saw some recognition in Ireland, where his shows continued to sell out. Check out some songs here.. More info continues tomorrow.

Posted by jvonblog at Wednesday, June 14, 2006 | Permalink | Comments

If you're a fan of Idols then listen up. The very first Pop Idol, Will Young will be touring South Africa later this year for the Unite of the Stars gala in November. If you recall Christina Aguilera was here, as was Diana Ross so it promises to be good. Have the promoters let us, the public know this early because they're scared nobody will buy tickets or is it just because they can't leave the public in the lurch... it's just too exciting? Well all I know is that the "Evergreen" singer will be performing 7 concerts around the country to raise his bit for charity. Good on you ol boi, what a good lad. For the Eastern Capers out there, you'll be glad to know that you'll be able to see Young performing in P.E, which I think is good. Who knows perhaps by that stage, Karin (our idol for 2005) will release some musical material. Don't hold your breath. Anyway for more details on Will's tour check out this link.

Fact 2: David Gray

David Gray was born in 1970 in Manchester. When he was 9, him and his family moved to Wales. He attended the University of Liverpool and began playing in punk bands while at college. But it was from there that he began to experiment with what many called "A more poetic form of writing". It was then that he decided to move again, this time to London where he could be closer to the music business. He was soon signed to Hut records in the UK, and Carolina in the U.S followed by his first release in 1992, called 'Birds without Wings'. More tomorrow.

Posted by jvonblog at Tuesday, June 13, 2006 | Permalink | Comments

I must admit I have never been the biggest David Gray fan, but with all the hype around his tour to S.A and me being someone who claims to appreciate all types of music, I though I'd see if I could get tickets. Hmmm, well turns out the concert was great, yip silly me... didn't realise it was last weekend. It's kinda what I did in Aspen, thought I'd go and see Seal, but when I got paid and went to purchase my ticket, to my surprise all the tickets were gone. It happens, and hey I got to see Seal, and lovely wife Heidi Klum in my shop. Turns out I missed him in S.A this weekend too. But that's ok I won't be missing anymore of my favourite artists, and that is because I want to learn about one musical artist every week. That's my new thing, so please can you send your suggestions as to who you think I should learn/educate people on each week. This week due to my slowness I'll be doing Mr Gray himself:

The 1st Fact of the week:

David Gray has released seven albums to date. That's hectic. There I was thinking that he only had two big songs, "Babylon" and "Sail Away". In fact his last album "Life in Slow Motion" went triple platinum. Some of other albums include "A New Day At Midnight," "Lost Songs" and "Sell, Sell, Sell" from 1996. Yip for the B.A students out there that's right... ten years ago. Stay tuned for more facts on David Gray.

Oh and don't forget if you like Dharma and Greg, the entire season will be released on DVD tomorrow. I for one can't wait. Until tomorrow.

Posted by jvonblog at Monday, June 12, 2006 | Permalink | Comments

Posted by jvonblog at Saturday, June 10, 2006 | Permalink | Comments

Wayne Kramer, Arnold, Vosloo, Charlize Theron, Gavin Roodt and the entire Tsotsi cast are just some of those from this country who seem to be making a name for themselves in Hollywood. And now there's eight new films due to be screened in the USA early next week at the annual Silverdocs film festival starts in Washington next week. There's a common theme of Celebrating South Africa. As Silver Docs says, "The complexity and richness of South African history and the recent emergence of its film industry invites a serious exploration of its cultural contributions."
Look at the full article here... For the aspiring documenatry makers like myself, keep a project like this mind, it may come in useful for you and I alike in the not too distant future. Perhaps we can hang out with Charlize for a few days, mmm. Have yourselves a great weekend.

Posted by jvonblog at Friday, June 09, 2006 | Permalink | Comments

While soccer fans- including Verge- around the world eagerly await the opening ceremony of the Soccer World Cup on Friday, and the most coverted soccer event in the world; movie goers seem to be looking forward to their own respective event, one which is somewhat different. The annual MTV movie awards take place in just over two days in Culver City, California. Topping the list of nominees is Wedding Crashers, 40 Year-old virgin and Harry Potter... For a full list get to MTV.com. Ms Aguilera will be preforming the event, which I reckon means she's just about ready to release her new stuff- about time Christina! Jessica Simpson, Will Ferrell and Samual Jackson will help host Jessica Alba out, so this and more tune into MTV this weekend, no doubt it'll be on. Ok back to studying, oh the joys!

Posted by jvonblog at Tuesday, June 06, 2006 | Permalink | Comments

Last year I attended the National Arts Festival. The festival will be held in Grahamstown from the 29th of June right through until the 8th of July. Last year I got to meet many new faces in this little town I find myself studying in, and also enjoyed some of the shows! Like this one, Defending the Laid Man by stand-up comedian David Newton. He is scheduled to release the show on DVD on the 10th of June, which should be really cool. It's a good present for the upcoming Father's Day. And this year he's back, and ready to roll with a new show, "Is it just me?". In David's words:

"I invite you to take a walk through my mind and have a look around...My new stand-up show: "Is It Just Me??" is a look at modern pop culture and current events as understood by the warped mind of a stand-up comic. The more I look and try to understand the more I ask the question. "Is it just me (who sees it like this)??"

Do yourselves a favour, go check him out. By the sounds of things, it's destined to be an instant hit!

Pics: Courtesy of Mr Newton himself, thanks David.

Posted by jvonblog at Friday, June 02, 2006 | Permalink | Comments