Whitney Houston: The Year In Music...

NEWSFILE: 26 DECEMBER 2003
 

Billboard Chart Update...

The Billboard update for the week ending 3 January 2004:

ONE WISH: THE HOLIDAY ALBUM:
Billboard 200 - Down to No.105 (from No.49) - 5 weeks on chart;
Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums - Down to No.21 (from No.14) - 5 weeks on chart;
Billboard Comprehensive Albums - Down to 111 (from No.52) - 5 weeks on chart;
Top Holiday Albums - Down to No.10 (from No.6) - 5 weeks on chart.

ONE WISH (FOR CHRISTMAS):
Adult Contemporary - Up to No.20 (from No.26) with bullet - 2 weeks on chart.

NEWSFILE: 25 DECEMBER 2003
 

Whitney's Holiday Message...

[From The Platinum Club]

Happy Holidays!
In a special message to the Platinum Club, Whitney wishes all of her fans the happiest of holidays! If you haven't already, get out there and pick up Whitney's latest album, One Wish - The Holiday Album, in stores now! It's the perfect gift for your loved ones this holiday season! Happy holidays and happy New Year from Whitney!

NEWSFILE: 23 DECEMBER 2003
 

Billboard Chart Update...

The Billboard update for the week ending 27 December 2003:

ONE WISH: THE HOLIDAY ALBUM:
Billboard 200 - Up to No.49 (from No.53) with bullet - 4 weeks on chart;
Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums - Up to No.14 (from No.19) with bullet & Greatest Gainer - 4 weeks on chart;
Billboard Comprehensive Albums-Up to No.52 (from No.56) w/bullet-4 weeks on chart;
Top Holiday Albums - Up to No.6 (from No.8) with bullet - 4 weeks on chart.

ONE WISH (FOR CHRISTMAS):
Adult Contemporary - New Entry at No.26 with bullet - 1 week on chart.

NEWSFILE: 18 DECEMBER 2003
 

Sony BMG...

The New York Daily News today reports that the Sony/BMG merger is awaiting regulatory approval.  If allowed to proceed, the two music giants would form 'Sony BMG'.  You can read the article here which includes a reference to Whitney Houston's contract, citing her as an under performing artist in conjunction with what is perceived to be LA Reid's overspending at Arista.

NEWSFILE: 13 DECEMBER 2003
 

Reports...

The physical assault on Whitney Houston by her husband has been making global news headlines, over and above entertainment news stories that usually focus on the famous.

Below are a few more reports relating to Bobby Brown's court appearance this week:

Detroit Free Press: Star Stands By Her Man (Opinion Piece)
Fox 411: Whitney's Jail Song To Bobby: "Natural Woman"
AAP New Zealand: Bruised Whitney To Stay With Bobby
MTV: Brown Turns Himself In, Appears In Court With Whitney

NEWSFILE: 12 DECEMBER 2003
 

Bobby Brown Charged With Battery...

Bobby Brown has turned himself into local authorities and been charged with battery following Sunday night's phone call to police by Whitney Houston:

CNN: Bobby Brown Charged With Battery
AJC: Bobby Brown Charged After [Whitney] Reports Fight
AntiMusic: Bobby Brown Arrested For Hitting Whitney Houston
AFP: Whitney Houston Becomes A Battered Wife
Fox 411: Can Whitney Be Saved?
Associated Press: Bobby Brown Charged With Battery
Associated Press: Bobby Brown May Have Violated Probation
E! Online: His Prerogative: Surrender
BBC News: Singer Brown Faces Charge
 

911...

Whitney Houston's 911 call from last Sunday which prompted police to visit her home can be heard here (courtesy of Fox News).

Billboard Chart Update...

The Billboard update for the week ending 20 December 2003:

ONE WISH: THE HOLIDAY ALBUM:
Billboard 200 - Up to No.53 (from No.73) with bullet - 3 weeks on chart;
Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums - Up to No.19 (from No.29) with bullet - 3 weeks on chart;
Billboard Comprehensive Albums-Up to No.56 (from No.75) w/bullet-2 weeks on chart;
Top Holiday Albums - Down to No.8 (from No.7) - 3 weeks on chart.

NEWSFILE: 11 DECEMBER 2003
 

Whitney Houston...

Reports that Whitney Houston has been struck by Bobby Brown in a dispute at the weekend have been confirmed by a spokesperson for Whitney.

Reports from Associated Press, MTV, Rolling Stone and Atlanta Journal Constitution amongst others have been added to the Classic Whitney Domestic Abuse Reports Archive.

NEWSFILE: 10 DECEMBER 2003
 

Domestic Dispute Reported...

[From WSB-TV Atlanta]

Police Weigh Charges Against Bobby Brown

POSTED: 5:33 p.m. EST December 9, 2003

ALPHARETTA -- Fulton County police said Tuesday that they are considering whether to pursue charges against singer Bobby Brown after officers were summoned this weekend to the home he shares with Whitney Houston while responding to a domestic dispute call.

Houston told police Brown hit her in the face at their home in the Country Club of the South after an argument between the two escalated into a physical confrontation, a police spokesman said.

Police said responding officers noticed a bruise on Houston's left cheek and a cut to her upper lip. Houston told police that Brown was on his way to the airport to catch a flight to California when they arrived at the home.

No one has been arrested in connection with the incident and police said an investigation and charges are pending.

Alleged Altercation...

[From Atlanta Journal Constitution]

Police called to Houston-Brown home in Alpharetta

By TASGOLA KARLA BRUNER
Atlanta Journal-Constitution Staff Writer

Fulton County police want singer Bobby Brown to explain what happened during an alleged altercation with his wife Whitney Houston that left her with a cut lip and a bruise on her cheek.

On Sunday, Fulton County Police responded to a call by Houston to the couple's home in Alpharetta at the County Club of the South subdivision at about 8:30 p.m. Houston told police Brown struck her on the left side of her face with an open right hand. The responding officer saw a bruise on Houston's cheek and a cut inside her upper lip, said Kurtis Young, a spokesman for the Fulton County Police Department.

"It was a verbal confrontation which escalated to a physical confrontation," said Young, who would not give details on why the couple fought.

By the time an officer reached the home Brown had left for California, Young said. He said police are now trying to reach him to get his side of the story.

Young said police have a phone number for Brown in California and have a "general idea" of where he is but have not yet been able to contact him. No charges have been filed. Asked if Houston would press charges, Young said: "I can't speak for her. She did call police and a report was filed."

He added that Houston is not needed for charges to be filed because it is now under investigation as an alleged domestic violence incident.

"The report has been filed and wheels of justice are in motion and it depends on where the investigation leads," Young said.
 

NEWSFILE: 9 DECEMBER 2003
 

Picture...

This picture is another from the Essence photo shoot this summer which was later used for the 'One Wish' album:

[Click On Image To View In Larger Scale]

NEWSFILE: 7 DECEMBER 2003
 

Reviews...

New reviews have been added to the One Wish: The Holiday Album reviews section.

Pop Queens...

Sunday, 7 December 2003 9pm (Channel 4 UK):

Pop Queens - The Rivals: I Will Survive

Documentary examining the lives and careers of some of the most famous female icons in the history of pop and rock, including Diana Ross, Whitney Houston and Jennifer Lopez. The programme reveals how these stars have attained their iconic status, and considers what it takes to make it to the top in a notoriously cut-throat industry. Featuring contributions from the stars' former personal assistants and stylists, as well as celebrity fans including Blu Cantrell, Girls Aloud, Lisa Maffia and Mica Paris.  (T)

NEWSFILE: 6 DECEMBER 2003
 

Billboard Chart Update...

The Billboard update for the week ending 13 December 2003:

ONE WISH: THE HOLIDAY ALBUM:
Billboard 200 - Down to No.73 (from No.58) - 2 weeks on chart;
Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums - Up to No.29 (from No.30) with bullet - 2 weeks on chart;
Billboard Comprehensive Albums - Down to No.75 (from No.58) - 2 weeks on chart;
Top Holiday Albums - Down to No.7 (from No.5) - 2 weeks on chart.

DO YOU HEAR WHAT I HEAR:
Adult Contemporary Recurrents - Re-Entry at No.15 - 5 weeks on chart.

NEWSFILE: 4 DECEMBER 2003