Archive for August, 2009
DEBARGE on DEBARGE on “The Pop Show”
This week I got to know the beyond adorable Kristinia Debarge.
Yes Debarge. As in, the 80s R&B group well-known for their undeniable song, “Rhythm Of The Night” and their undeniably amazing hairstyles.
I was a huge fan of Debarge (and their hair) and even recall their multiple TV appearances on sitcoms such as Punky Brewster and The Facts of Life. After years together, the group disbanded and the invidual family members went on to pursue their own careers.
El Debarge went on to have success with the song “Who’s Jonny” which was featured in the 1986 film, Short Circuit, starring 80s standards Ally Sheedy, Steve Guttenberg, and OFCOURSE (the robot progenitor to the beloved WALL-E) Jonny 5 “I’m Alive”.
James Debarge went on to tie the knot with Janet Jackson, (her brother Jermaine Jackson was the one who first discovered the Debarge group) but the marriage was annulled within the year. James continued working in music but perhaps his biggest hit is his now 19-year-old daughter Kristinia Debarge.
Kristinia (pronounced /krɪstɨˈniːə/, with the stress on the ni) has been singing since she was 3 but knew she wanted to pursue music seriously since she was 12. Although her dad, James, had reservations about her pursuing music, he hooked her up with the legendary producer/recording artist/musican, Kenneth “Babyface“ Edmonds, which led to the completion of her debut album “Exposed”.
Kristinia and I talked about her music and growing up as a Debarge, but I especially loved the fact that she named Led Zeppelin and Nine Inch Nails as two of her favorite bands of all time. That’s all I needed to hear. We were instant BFF 
She’s currently opening for Britney Spears on the Circus tour, and gushed how she met the hospitable Womanizer songstress on the tour’s first night. What Britiquette!
Besides bonding about our beloved bands, Kristinia officially proved her cool cred when she was game on for “Debarge on Debarge” a little something I devised to test her knowledge of her musical family roots. She scored an impressive 4 out of 4 on the Debarge trivia challenge, but what was most impressive is that I, too, scored a 4 out of 4….or maybe that was a little more alarming than impressive. Regardless, Kristinia IS impressive so check out her album “Exposed” which is out now.
“And I sing, I want, I want, I want Debarge in charge of me” – (my own rendition of 1984’s “Charles in Charge” theme song. whatever…)
Tune into FUSE’s “The Pop Show”
‘The Pop Show’ Premieres Tonight!
Posted on August 25, 2009 at 12:56 PM
We’re beside ourselves with glee that after months of planning and anticipation (and cribbing cues from ‘American Idol’,) ‘The Pop Show’ is making its Fuse debut today! Allison Hagendorf, who’s been entrenched in the music industry for many years — having scouted bands for SonyBMG and hosted in-store artist performances for the online ‘Steve Madden Music’ series – is hosting the new show. Spanning the very latest chart-topping videos to the smash hits of years past, ‘The Pop Show’ features music’s heavy hitters, so be sure to tune in for the mega-hits from the biggest, brightest music stars.
Catch ‘The Pop Show’ tonight, and every Tuesday night, at 7p ET!
MELANIE FIONA – Steve Madden Music shoot
Melanie Fiona's "The Bridge"
One word summarizes my hang today with Canadian singer/songwriter, Melanie Fiona, for Steve Madden Music -- REFRESHING. Fiona is an emerging artist you need to know about. I had the opportunity to spend a few hours with her, but here’s the breakdown that will give you instant Melanie Fiona cred. I got yo back.
-Fiona is of Guyanese descent and was raised in Toronto
-Her greatest influences range from Sam Cook to Whitney Houston to The Ronettes (”Be My Baby”!!! Yes!)
-Her debut album, “The Bridge”(SRC/Universal), is a mix of all genres including Motown throwbacks, R&B, ’60s soul, reggae, but has a fresh sound you will want to turn all the way up; but, not when you have earbuds in -- that’s really bad for your hearing and really rude to the peeps next to you on the subway.
-Single is “Give It To Me Right” but my personal favorite is “Sad Songs”
-Opened for Kanye West on his European tour despite the fact that she didn’t yet have an album or single released, and covered “Heartless” at the show in London.
-She was born clearing her throat and the doctor said she was either going to be a smoker or a singer. The latter proved true. Nice work, Doc.
-She’s a total foodie. ‘Nuff said.
Melanie Fiona and I donning long and shorts versions of our jumpsuit/romper respectively. Obviously.