|:. DISCLAIMER: J7 and the folx behind the 777 Update are not affiliated with TDC.Org. Rather, J7 and RolThaDice@AOL.com are part of the Prince online community, and we offered them space on the net to keep us informed of all things Paisley. It has not been edited by the TDC.Org staff in any way, well, except for coding and other small stuff, you know, to make it look nice and pretty for our Motor Babies out there. DISCLAIMER .:|. And now, the latest 777 Update, dated Wednesday, January 09, 2002. "The news, not the bull ...." Welcome to the first 2002 edition of The Update. The 777 Update is a Prince Fan Newz Update not affiliated with Prince Rogers Nelson, Paisley Park, NPG Records, Warner Brothers Records, the NPG Music Club or NPGMusicClub.Com in any way, shape or form. Since the last Update, we have seen Prince's latest CD, "The Rainbow Children" has had very dismal success upon the Billboard charts. To date, the cd has sold less then 65,000 copies & fell off the chart several weeks ago, staying on the chart less then a month, debuting at number 108. There have been a few news items floating around the 777 Update office, but all needed more confirmation and/oror work to be completed before the latest Update could even be written. As everyone knows with Prince, you never know things with him until the last minute it happens. So with that left in mind with you, let's get the 2002 ball rolling. Newz item #1-Prince Marries his assistant Manuela Ben at Prince.Org reported Monday night, January 7th, that a Minneapolis News TV Station, KMSP, a UPN network affiliate with a reporter who interviewed O(+> in 1998, stated that Prince married Manuela (a Paisley Park employee) on New Year's Eve night. (Actually, the wedding took place in December when the couple was in Hawaii.) The reporter also stated that former O.J. Simpson trial lawyer Johnnie Cochran was seen on the Paisley Park grounds around December 31, leading to speculation of a pre-nuptiual agreement. Manuela Testolini (who we will refer to here on out as Mani T.) has been a Paisley Park employee since as far back as 1998. Mani T. also appears at the end of the music video "Come On" from the "NewPower Soul" cd by the New Power Generation. Mani T. is at the very end of the video where Prince says, "I've got the butta for your muffin honey, but I'm just too old to hold the knife." Mani T. was also the inspiration for the song, "She Loves Me 4 Me" off of "The Rainbow Children" cd. (Click the link or copy and paste the link for a FREE download of the song, courtesy of the NPGMC). Since the rumor was posted recently, there have been additional rumors swirling online that Mani T. is pregnant (for those of you who studied the pfeffier's syndrome on Prince's first child, you should be scratching your heads right now) as well as that Prince and Mani T. have been married for months. The only true rumor of the bunch is that Prince was in Toronto, Ontario, Ca., in November checking out a house to purchase. I would recommend if you are awaiting official word from Prince, check the NPGMC site. If there is no word on the site in the next few days, it most likely is true. If, however, something is posted about it saying the rumors are false, it just might be true (In the past, Prince has squashed rumors quite quickly by saying things are not true or what not). Kinda ironic this news hits around now 'cuz since October, Tommy Lee and his current girlfriend, Mayte (!) Garcia, have been speculated in the tabloids to have tied the knot. Tommy and his current girlfriend have been dating since last summer and she is currently at work on a new cd. If the rumor is true, congrats to Prince & Mani T. If it is not, well it's all good. Mani T., thanks again for your help at the first celebration with "Freed." My first impression of you was a sweetie. (Editor; J7) Newz item #2-Prince replaces Morris Hayes, Tour possibly soon In December, Prince released Morris Hayes, keyboardist from the NPG. Mr. Hayes, a k a Montalbo Stewart, was a member of a Prince's band for almost 10 years. The newest keyboardist for the NPG is Brazilian born Renato Neto, formerly of Sheila E's E Train Band. Renato had a regular gig at the La Va Lee nightclub in Studio City, Calif., playing with the Marco Mendozo Trio, a k a Straitjacket. Renato also played with Kat Dyson & Rhonda Smith and Paul Peterson (St. Paul) in a group called "Kolor Komentary." Renato also is a veteran Los Angeles session musician, having recorded with various artists. Renato is a very gifted jazzy keyboardist skilled with the Nord synthesizer. There has been no word on why Mr. Hayes was released. Being in any Prince band for over five (5) years, you have to know your time may come sooner then later you are replaced. Morris' fate was later. Prince & the rest of the NPG, Rhonda Smith, Kip Blackshire, and John Blackwell have been rehearsing and playing late-night gigs Friday nights (early Saturday mornings) at Paisley Park, working out Renato and testing newer material from "The Rainbow Children" and some other jazz 'n' funk workouts, most likely for an upcoming tour. Prince wanted to tour Europe and overseas in November but with September 11th still fresh in everyone's minds, he decided to put it off. Expect an announcement AFTER January. Again, nothing has been confirmed by NPGMC but if you wait for "official announcements," you might be pissed. Why should he do that, when he can do this? Newz item #3-Prince records a new cd dedicated to John L. Nelson In early November, it was reported around Paisley that Prince finished recording new material, enough for two (2) cd's worth of music. At first, the cd was to never be released. It seems Prince might have had a change of heart because Candy Dulfer, who worked on the cd, stated it would be released. There were apparently many musicians from Prince's past that worked on this session. (No, not Wendy, Lisa or any of the Leeds brothers). There is no further information, title, or release date on this project. Prince's father passed away on August 25, 2001, and was part of the reason Prince canceled the rest of his summer tour. Coinciding with the release of "The Very Best of Prince" and a bum leg, the decision was easy for Prince to cancel the tour with no explanation. His father was ill and Prince was aware, spending most of Summer 2001 with John. Newz item #4-Prince signs exclusive Publishing Deal with UMPG On November 9th, after over two (2) years of pursuit from Universal Music Publishing Group, Prince finally signed a publishing deal for his past, present, and future publishing credits. Apparently, the deal was to include a buyout of Prince's masters from Warner Brothers, but there is absolutely no proof that is what happened. Although the publishing deal was not made public, "The Rainbow Children" gives credit to the UMPG. Here is the email sent to all Universal employees Nov. 9th (names have been removed of participants that closed the deal) -- UNIVERSAL MUSIC PUBLISHING GROUP SIGNS PRINCE TO AN EXCLUSIVE WORLD-WIDE PUBLISHING DEAL I am pleased to advise that we have just signed PRINCE to an exclusive world-wide publishing administration deal. This deal includes his extensive and remarkable back catalog, including such landmark albums as PURPLE RAIN, SIGN O' THE TIMES, DIAMONDS AND PEARLS and 1999 and such notable songs as "When Doves Cry," "Lets Go Crazy," "Little Red Corvette," and of course "1999." It also includes the remarkably successful soundtrack to Batman. As one of the most talented and prolific artists of our generation, it is a tremendous coup for UMPG to have landed this deal which took over 2 years of pursuing for us to sign! My congratulations to all at Universal Music Publishing Group that were involved including (name withheld, ED.), VP of Business Affairs, who worked to close this deal. Again, this deal is for PUBLISHING only! Nothing else. Newz item #5-High tracklist, courtesy of Uptown Several people have been wondering what the "not released in record stores" Prince cd "High" 's tracklist is. The tracklist appears in Uptown Issue #49. Here is the track list reported by Per Nelsen -- 1. Supercute; 2. Underneath the Cream; 3. Golden Parachute; 4. When Will We B Paid?; 5. The Daisy Chain; 6. Gamilliah; 7. High; 8. My Medallion; 9. U Make My Sun Shine; 10. When I Lay My Hands On U. The "High" compact disc was made before "Rainbow Children" and has more accessible tracks on it, compared to the concept-driven "Rainbow Children." * * * EDITOR'S NOTE * * * There will be a special edition Update at the end of January, which is titled "The Second Annual State of The N.P.G. Address." It will focus on the Prince year of 2001. I will have to eat some words of predictions I made in 2000. Oh well. In next month's regular edition, we should have news on what will be happening with the NPGMC. Not sure if we will have tour news by then, but we will keep our heads up for anything. * * * * * * * In order to make The Update more accessible and more local to fans worldwide, we are asking if can send us your location and city you live in, so we can send out small updates to let you know of Princely events in your town and concerts and whatnots. It could also help local fans and fan clubs to gain access to you, if you choose. It could also help Uptown magazine if you wish to contribute a review of a show you have seen. This information will NOT be sent to anyone. It will be kept by the Update on file. Please send the info if you choose to us at RoLthaDice@Aol.com. With your help, we can make The Update better and more suited to your needs. If you are in the Southern California area, consider in joining the Los Angeles area Prince Fan club, The Bump Squad. To join, Join@TheBumpSquad.Com. To be added or removed from the Update Mailing list; email us at RoLthaDice@Aol.com. Attention all Yahoo Site Masters -- you may post The Update on your page if you choose. Just please contact us first and leave The Update as is. Any sites who wish to post The Update that do not already have a deal, please let us know so we can send it to you direct. All others, please do not post anywhere. Thank you very much. This Update is dedicated to your mama. =-) All articles written By J7 with exception to News Item Number 2, which was contributed by Rod. Much Love and More Lust ... J7/Jeremiah DatelineDetroit | Dance On | Glam Slam | Mission Statement Play In The Sunshine | 777 Update | Contact | Links | Webmaster Last Update: 09 January 2002 TheDetroitCrawl.Org is an independent unofficial fan/enthusiast club. TheDetroitCrawl.Org is not affiliated with, endorsed by, authorized by, sponsored by, or connected with Prince, NPG Records, Paisley Park Enterprises, Warner Brothers Records, or anewpowerdetroit/PrinceMusicGroupDet fan club.