Out of Eden originally began singing in church at an early age while living in Richmond, VA. After their mother got a job at Fisk University, the family moved to Nashville, TN. “Our mom is a concert pianist and a singer so we grew up being her background vocalists and her opening act,” said Lisa. “She started teaching and directing the Jubilee Singers at Fisk University, so we moved to Nashville and were bored to death ‘cause we didn’t know anybody.” The girls tried to overcome boredom by doing local talent shows and dancing for various Christian artists in Nashville. “That’s how we met DC Talk and we sang for them,” explained Lisa. “Two years later, Tobey McEwan from DC Talk started Gotee Productions, signed us, [and] we went on tour with DC Talk.”

It was on that very first tour with DC Talk when the Kimmey sisters got their name. “It was our first tour and Tobey McKeewan came up with [our name],” shared Andrea. “We actually found a scripture in the Bible in Genesis 2:10, and it said a river flows out of Eden to water the garden. We basically coined that as our scripture saying that we are spreading God’s word like a river into the hearts of those who want to listen.”

Out of Eden would go on to record three albums – 1994’s “Lovin The Day,” 1996’s “More Than You’ll Know,” and 1999’s “No Turning Back” – with combined album sales totaling more than a million copies sold. Even with impressive records sales, major tours with artists like Crystal Lewis, and landing songs in Eddie Murphy's film "Dr. Doolittle," on Christina Aguilera's MTV “Diary,” and on “The Chris Rock Show,” the trio never really captured an urban following. Though they appeared on shows like UPN’s “Moesha,” Out of Eden’s core demographic were white, contemporary Christian teenagers.

With their newest release, “This Is Your Life,” the group has flipped the script and the results are generating an enormous buzz around the group. Songs like the R&B-flavored; ballad “Meditate,” produced by the Clemons Brothers (Tyrese, Mary J. Blige) and “Rolling Stone,” written by Lisa, have captured not only gospel programmers, but some mainstream urban stations as well.

The group has been sporting trendy fashion-forward styles long before groups like Mary Mary and Trin-I-Tee 5:7 debuted on the scene. Danielle – whose hair is multiple shades of brown and blond this month – is notorious for her outrageous hairdos and for coloring her mane shades of bright green and purple. "We are three young girls who are not trying to be sluts, not trying to be all about showing skin, and I think people look at it as a really good thing,” shared Danielle. “We love Prada! So, we’ve just decided to take a position on dressing well, but modestly.” Lisa added, “I mean we’re crazy! We love being fashion forward. I think with our look and our music, we like to be on the edge, and we like to have fun.”

Though Out of Eden enjoys fashion and maintaining their look, at the end of the day, their focus is more serious than just playing dress-up. “[We] want our fans to see our passion for Christ,” declares Andrea. The girls believe that “This Is Your Life” could help change the lives of those who listen to it. "It's where the world is right now musically, socially, and spiritually,” affirmed Lisa.

“This Is Your Life” is in stores now. For more information on Out Of Eden, visit them online at www.OutOfEdenOnline.com.

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Sick In The Sticks: Just as I was about to head into the theatre to see “Love Makes Things Happen” last Tuesday, my cell phone rang; it was a lady who claimed to be at the Mary Washington Hospital in the small Virginia town of Fredericksburg. Skeptical because I couldn’t figure out how she got my phone number, I listened as the lady explained to me that Bobby Brown had just checked into the hospital with wife Whitney Houston by his side. She said Bobby was doubled over, looking as though he was in pain, and nonetheless, other patients were still trying to ask Whitney for autographs. The diva politely told her fans, ”I’m not up to seeing guests right now,” and continued to tend to her husband. Not wanting to miss a moment of the play, I phoned the information in to someone I knew could get to the bottom of this story, while I enjoyed the musical. I called Flo Anthony! When I finally checked in with the veteran journalist, I was informed that the lady was actually telling the truth and that Brown had been diagnosed with a mild infection and treated intravenously with antibiotics. The 33-year-old “King of R&B;” was traveling with Whitney from Atlanta, GA — where Houston was recording her new album — to their home in Menden, NJ, when a high fever forced Brown to stop their tour bus and seek medical attention, according to a family spokesperson. In other Brown news, Bobby will head into the studio soon to appear on a track with P. Diddy and Lil' Jon & The East Side Boyz that will appear on the latter’s upcoming album. He will also begin filming his part in an independent film titled "Biscuits and Gravy" with director Jean Claude La Marre. Brown previously appeared La Marre’s 2001 indie flick “Go For Broke,” which starred Pras and LisaRaye.

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Music Gumbo: Usher formally introduced his new artist Malinda Santiago at his party in New York City at Pier 59 Studio last week. Santiago is the first artist on Usher’s Us Records. The exclusive party was attended by folks like Blu Cantrell, Donell Jones, Tyson Beckford, and Chris Judd. * Boyz II Men will now be managed by Johnny Wright of Wright Entertainment Group. The firm also manages P. Diddy, N’Sync, and Britney Spears. * According to Jaheim, expect a remix of his chart-topping hit “Anything” to hit radio soon. The singer’s debut release “Ghetto Love” has sold nearly 1.5 million copies. He is already in the studio recording a new album that he hopes to drop some time in October. You can check him out on the latest Boney James’ single “Ride.” * My favorite boy band O-Town, of ABC’s “Making The Band,” is readying the release of their sophomore effort “02.” The album is slated to drop in August.

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…Come To An End: Last Sunday was the closing night for the hit David E. Talbert and Babyface stage play “Love Makes Things Happen.” The musical, which has toured since January, starred Kevon Edmonds of After 7, Dawn Robinson of En Vogue/Lucy Pearl, Coko of SWV, and comedian Joe Torry. It sold out all of its seven shows at the Warner Theatre in Washington, DC. All of the cast members were in tears as Talbert introduced them for their final bow in the production. I went to a private dinner with the cast on opening night in DC at the mid-town watering hole Smith & Wollensky’s. At the late-night supper, Talbert told the cast how much he admired them. “This has been the best cast ever,” said David. “I am really going to miss being on the road with you guys!” The playwright - whose other productions include “His Women, His Wife” which starred Malik Yoba and Stephanie Mills and “Fabric of a Man” which starred Shemar Moore and Cheryl “Pepsi” Riley - also assured, ”In my next play, Coko will have more songs to sing!” As Talbert made his rounds during dinner, I begged him to bring back gospel songbird Lecresia Campbell, who appeared in both Talbert’s “His Women, His Wife” and “Mr. Right Now,” for whatever his next play might be.

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All That Jazz: You know people are still buzzing about the Capitol Jazz Festival, which took place in Washington, DC a few weeks ago. The two-day festival featured an incredible lineup of headliners including Al Jarreau, Regina Belle, Kirk Whalum, Meshell Ndegeocello, Dave Koz, James Ingram, Take 6, and The Capital Jazz All Stars, to name a few. The event, held at Bull Run Park in the Virginia suburbs, drew more than 35,000 people from all parts of the country. Often called "The Woodstock of Jazz," enthusiasts lined up daily with their multicolored umbrellas waiting for the gates to open so they could enjoy acts like Amel Larrieux and Fourplay. This year’s festival had an unprecedented amount of sponsors including Chrysler Jeep, Borders Books & Music, the Bermuda Dept. of Tourism and Industrial Bank, as well as media support from the Fox affiliate WTTG and WHUR radio station. Big props go out to Vern Goff and her company Emerald City Communications who secured all of the sponsors for the festival. If you have never been, make you way to the Nation’s Capitol next year in June for the next Capitol Jazz Festival.

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Hair Raising: Do you rock a funky do? If so, Malonda Richard, former host of BET’s “Next,” is looking for you. Malonda is working on a column for Black Hairstyles and Trends magazine called "Hair You Do It!" that will highlight cutting edge and innovative hairstyles. She’s seeking pictures of Black women with trendy imaginative hairstyles. Color, length, and texture is not applicable, it is creativity she’s looking for. For details and picture submission policies, e-mail Malonda at malonda@malondarichard.com.

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Can’t Say Names: Talk about an unlikely pairing! Sources say that a voluptuous television personality and a sought-after inspirational singer were really close to walking down the aisle. Persons close to one of the parties’ families said that the two had been dating seriously for some time, and that the sometimes-preacher had ended a relationship with another gospel singer to date the shoe crazy TV talent. The two former lovebirds have apparently ended their relationship, but remain cordial. Ironically, the two did end up at the same alter together recently, but they were not the ones reciting the marriage vows.

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Quickies:

~ If you are tired of the norm, and want something alternative, check out the unorthodox Atlanta-based group Black Market Star. The group, whose music can be described as a “product of mind twisting strong flesh and blood songs together with visual sounds,” is making their own rules in regards to music. If you are digging Moby, then you’ll love Black Market Star! Check them out online at www.BlackMarketStar.com.

~ Blues legend B. B. King celebrated the second anniversary of his B.B. King Blues Club & Grill in Times Square last week. Bo Diddley, Pheobe Snow, Paul Shaffer of the “Dave Letterman Show,” blues singer Gary “U.S.” Bonds, gossip maven Flo Anthony, Village Voice’s Michael Musto, Right On’s Cynthia Horner, and publicist Steve Manning were among those decked in black tie duds at the jam-packed dinner.

~ Boss Magazine’s Power Summit at the Ramada Hotel in New Carrolton, MD was a huge success this past weekend. Thanks again to CEO Krys Copeland for inviting me out to be a panelist alongside Nikki Turner of Sister 2 Sister, Minal Patel of Billboard, and Natalie Williams of The PR Blitz for the “BRAINWASHED: Exploring The Power Of The Media” seminar. Also, the new artist showcase featuring performances by Na2, Ceylon, Teresa S, and Domonic among others was definitely a highlight!

~ Don’t forget the season premiere of the best show (in my opinion) on TV on Wednesday June 26th at 10pm EST! That’s right, “Soul Food” is back and from what I hear, should be better than ever. If you haven’t tuned in yet to see the popular series on Showtime, you are surely missing out. If you don’t have Showtime as one of your premium cable channels, you need it for “Soul Food” alone!

~ Thanks to Aja Imani for providing my wardrobe. Aja Imani is located at 9244 East Hampton Drive, Suite #622, Capitol Heights ,MD 20743. Contact them at 301-324-8300 or e-mail them at ajaimani@aol.com.

~ Thanks to Arch Wireless for providing my paging service. For more information on Arch Wireless, visit their website at Arch.com or call 888-534-1397.

Well I’m Jawn and that’s your Juice! See you next week!

E-mail: GarekNews@hotmail.com