ANTHONY HAMILTON TALKS NEW MUSIC AND NEW TOUR

ANTHONY HAMILTON TOUR WITH FANTASIA STARTS  APRIL 21ST!

"GOOD FOOD/GOOD MUSIC AT CRACKER BARREL"

(ATLANTA, GA.)-What goes better with a bowl of collard greens and fried chicken than soulful singer Anthony Hamilton?  The Grammy Award winner's new CD "What I'm Feelin," come featuring his new single "AMEN" is serving up a "delicious bonus" for fans at Cracker Barrel Old Country Stores nationally.  

Varion Walton has the "scoop" on the bonus track available at the "home-style cooking" restaurant,  plus details on his upcoming tour with American Idol Fantasia.

Anthony Hamilton's "new groove sound" on his 9th studio album is the focus of this week's VISION/VOICE/VARION EXCLUSIVE!  

PRESS PLAY AND CHECK OUT VARION'S STORY!

WHAT'S HOT-- It's a Boy! Fantasia Welcomes Her Baby 2 Weeks Early!

(Charlotte, N.C)--Congratulations are in order for the American Idol winner Fantasia Barrino, sources close to the singer tell "VISION, VOICE, VARION" she has given bright to a "bouncing baby boy".

File Photo: Fantasia Barrino

Dallas Xavier Barrino was born Monday, December 12th in a Charlotte, North Carolina hospital.  Sources close to Fantasia's latest movie on the life and legacy of gospel singer Mahalia Jackson confirm the baby was born 2 weeks early.  Fantasia was expecting her little bundle of joy just after the holiday, December 29th.  Apparently little Dallas was "ready for his close-up."

No word yet from producers on if or when they will resume shooting the Mahalia Jackson movie now that Fantasia who was cast in the starring role has given birth.

"ALL ACCESS" ESSENCE MUSIC FESTIVAL-"Fantastic Night with Fantasia"

Photo by: El-pwe Ray

(New Orleans, Louisiana)--July 1-What can you say about the fabulous Fantasia? Here's a woman who doesn't mind exposing  her "heart and soul" through song!  From the moment she took the stage Fantasia Barrino was blowing everyone away with her vocal range and her "bear foot performance"! Let's not forget she is a girl from the Carolinas who doesn't mind singing about "Collard Greens and Cornbread!"

But, Fantasia is also turning heads at The 2011 Essence Music Festival with a burning question, "is she or isn't she?"

Fantasia's publicist says "The American Idol" winner is preparing for the role of a life-time. She's been tapped to play Gospel Great Mahalia Jackson.  But many speculate Fantasia is actually hiding a baby bump.!
I got a chance to chat with her briefly following that performance and all I can say is "she's beautiful, whatever the case!"  In addition to being very gracious and accommodating, Fantasia stopped and posed for a couple of photos with photographer "E" of El-pwe's Photography. The first thing I noticed was that absolutely "healthy head of hair" and the impeccably beautiful blue dress she wore during the performance designed by Maria Harper, "designer to the stars."

In addition to Fantasia, Maria also designs the absolutely "jaw dropping" dresses worn by Wendy Raquel Robinson who plays the role of "Tasha Mack" on the hit BET drama series "The Game". Maria tells me Wendy is the "perfect size 4" and is also one of her top clients. Here's another quick scoop on Maria, she's considering a "reality series" based in Atlanta.  She certainly would have plenty of material while dressing Fantasia during The Essence Music Festival.

It was certainly a "fantastic" way to cap off a perfect start to the Essence Festival. Fantasia and Jennifer Hudson, two mothers who are traveling with their children this summer entertaining adoring fans all around the country.  Ironically, as I watched them both exclusively in their dressing rooms I couldn't help but think Jennifer could have easily stepped into the role of Mahalia Jackson too. What do you think?  Let me hear your comments on Jennifer and Fantasia's stories and tell me what you think of our "all access" coverage of The Essence Music Festival so far.

Keep it "locked in", more exclusives to come including interviews with Kem, Tina Knowles and Tank.