News
| Current News Briefs |
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| GRAMMY NOMINATION FOR SOUL MUSIC: Frank's title song from the film Soul Men (Samuel Jackson, Bernie Mac, Isaac Hayes) was nominated for a Grammy! The song, "Soul Music," was performed by R&B superstar Anthony Hamilton. The song and soundtrack are on Stax/Concord Records, with remixes out on a "Soul Music Remixed" EP. Keep your figures crossed, unless you are a NARAS member - then uncross them and vote. |
| HURRICANE SEASON SINGLE RELEASED: Check out the featured single Frank wrote and produced for Forest Whitakers film Hurricane Season, featuring Grammy Award winner Van Hunt. Proceeds from the single are going to Brad Pitt's Make It Right foundation to help rebuild the Lower 9th Ward of New Orleans, destroyed during Hurricane Katrina. For more info about the film, the song and the campaign, go to www.earthtones.org. |
| BEAT THE WORLD: Frank has been hired to write and produce the original songs for Rob Adetuyi's (Stomp the Yard) upcoming film. Also the Executive Music Producer for the film, Frank will be putting together the first international collaborative Hip Hop soundtrack featuring conscious artists. Beat the World is shooting in Toronto, Detroit, Rio, Berlin and Tokyo and scheduled for release in fall 2110. |
| YOGA REVOLUTION CD COMPLETED: After over a year in the making, Frank has completed the first compilation in his new CD series, Yoga Revolution. Yoga Revolution features an incredible mix of original songs by well-known pop stars and international recording artists (Sting, Anoushka Shankar, Sheryl Crow, Peter Gabriel, Angelique Kidjo, Ziggy Marley, Sara McLachlan...), all brought together to promote to raise money for fitness programming and health education for at-risk youth. The CD will be released through partner Terry McBride’s label Nettwerk/Nutone September 1, 2009, in conjunction with a national awareness campaign for the health benefits of yoga and fitness. |
| EARTHTONES SITE LAUNCHED: Check out the new website for Frank’s non-profit organization EarthTones (“Healing the World Through Music), along with all the great projects using high-profile music and film projects to raise awareness for social causes. You can connect here or through the Community link in the menu. |
| NEW SINGLE FOR KATRINA FILM: Frank co-wrote and produced the featured single, Be On Our Way, for the upcoming Forest Whitaker film Hurricane Katrina. The film is based on the inspiring true story of Al Collins - a high school basketball coach from the 9th Ward in New Orleans - who pulled the pieces and young players out of the rubble of Katrina and went on to win the state championship. The song features Grammy-award winning Van Hunt along with blind New Orleans rapper Supervision and Buku Wise and will be used as part of a fund raising campaign to rebuild homes in the 9th Ward through Frank’s non-profit organization EarthTones. Hurricane Season will hit the theatres in the Fall of 2009. |
| SASHA SINGS FOR THE KIDS: The Starlight Foundation 2009 Gala featured Sasha Lazard with guest artists and the West Los Angeles Children’s choir performing to a full house and standing ovation. The song was written especially for the organization and event, which raised over a million dollars to help bring joy and support to sick kids and their families. |
| SOUL MUSIC TAKES THE TITLE: Frank's original song for the Weinstein's film Soul Men will be featured in both the Main and End Titles, as well as the single - performed by R&B sensation Anthony Hamilton - on Concord/Stax Records. The film stars Samuel L. Jackson, along with the late Bernie Mac and Isaac Hayes. Frank wrote the song to represent one of the hits from the Memphis Soul/Stax Records era that the story is based upon. |
| FRANK PERFORMS AT YOGA MONTH BENEFIT: After
many years of not being on stage himself, Frank performed with
Reggae artist Eeday and members of the original Urban Fire (including
Rodney Sheppard of Sugar Ray) and drummer James Gadson for the
LA Yoga Month/Global Mala benefit concert to support Youth Health
Alliance (providing health education and yoga programs for underprivileged
kids). Also sharing the stage were stage were Lili Hayden and Donna
De Lory. Frank is currently producing a CD called Yoga
Revolution for the same cause and featuring Sarah McLachlan, Sheryl Crow, Angelique Kidjo, Peter Gabriel, Anoushka Shankar, Sting and more, for release in early 2009. |
| JUNGLE JAZZ KEEPS ON SWINGIN': Frank's award-winning short film, Jungle Jazz: Public Enemy #1 takes another honor at the 2008 Kansas City Jubilee Film Festival: Honorable Mention for Best Jazz Short. This very unique mix-media short film has played in 15 countries and won noteworthy festival awards including the Silver Bear for Best Short at the Berlin Film Festival. Jungle Jazz will be released in 2009 as part of the upcoming Scenes In Jazz project (www.scenesinjazz.com). |
| HEALING THE WORLD THROUGH MUSIC: Frank has embarked on a series of initiatives through his new NGO, Earthtones, to use music to raise consciousness and promote social concerns. More info can be found at www.earthtones.org (a temporary website for the organization) or on the Community page of this site. |
| JUMP IN! GOES GOLD: The soundtrack from Jump In!, featuring Frank’s single and theme from the film, “Jump to the Rhythm” has been certified Gold and is still selling strong. The film was the highest rated premier in the Disney Channel’s history, prior to High School Musical 2. |
| MULTICULTURAL CHILDREN'S CHOIR: Frank recently recorded with the Pihcintu Children’s Choir, comprised of 35 young girls from 17 different countries. The session was part of a peace initiative Frank is working on with the United Nations. Frank also filmed the event and interviews with the girls, getting their insight on ways to make the world a better place. The project was highlighted by local news who took the time to interview Frank during the production and on air. |
| BEST OF HIDDEN FACES: A new CD featuring songs from Frank’s band Hidden Faces has finally been released. It is a great collection of original songs, and a couple covers, recorded by the group for films during the 90’s that mix the R&B and funk flavorings of Frank’s Detroit roots with influences of Roger Waters, Was (Not Was) and Tears for Fears. Check this site under Other Recordings or iTunes for your copy. |
| OPENER FOR HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL TOUR: Frank’s song, "Jump to The Rhythm," was chosen as the opening song of the 2007 High School Musical concert tour, performed by Jordan Pruitt and playing to sold out crowds across the country. As Frank said “There is nothing quite like hearing 20,000 kids sing your song back at you to make you realize the power of what we write and the level of impression it can have on younger audiences.” |
| EEDAY REMASTERED: The CD featuring the former leader of Reggae group Urban Fire has been remastered and re-released. Produced and co-written by Frank, the CD includes original classics like "Rise Up" and "Traffic Jammin" and the exclusive new release of "Move Your Feet" (from Disney's Jump In!). Check this site under Other Recordings or iTunes for your copy. |
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