Sureshot's Jeff Timmons, Bryan Abrams, Chris Kirkpatrick and Rich Cronin
Photo: Sureshot

Bryan-Michael Cox is a Grammy-winning producer whose clients include Mary J. Blige, Usher and Mariah Carey. So what's he doing in the studio with former members of Color Me Badd and LFO?

The answer lies with reality television, of course.

Cox is the producer in charge of a new boy-band supergroup at the center of an upcoming VH1 series formerly titled "Man Band." (The show is currently untitled.)

Coming together for a show that blends "The Surreal Life" and "Making the Band" are Chris Kirkpatrick of 'NSYNC, Jeff Timmons of 98 Degrees, Bryan Abrams of Color Me Badd and Rich Cronin of LFO (the latter of whom was diagnosed with leukemia in 2005 but is currently recovering from a stem-cell transplant: see "LFO Singer Rich Cronin Hospitalized With Leukemia").

"We put them all in one house," Cox said. "And the show focuses on them and their manager and me."

Cox and the group have been shooting throughout January in — where else? — Orlando, Florida, the onetime mecca for boy bands. Cameras are scheduled to roll for another few weeks, after which Cox hopes to have a finished album.

"The music is actually really, really good," Cox promised. "I think that people will be surprised by just how talented these guys are. You can never count anybody out."

Along with the VH1 show, Cox is producing his own reality series called "The Studio: Exposed," the first few episodes of which are available on YouTube.com.

"It's a raw view into what we do to create the energy and vibe in the studio," said Cox, whose diatribes dominate the show.

When he's not making TV, the Jermaine Dupri protégé (see "Usher's Success Lifts Songwriter/Producer Bryan-Michael Cox") is still making plenty of music — he has time booked with stars from Celine Dion to Usher.

"We have a certain chemistry," Cox said of the latter. "Usher is very focused in what kind of artist he is. And every album gets stronger and stronger because he knows where he wants to go."

Also on Cox's plate is the comeback album from Whitney Houston, for which he's already produced three tracks.

"I think that Whitney being gone so long is to her advantage," Cox said. "She has so many options. I'm leaning toward more classic Whitney, but I want to produce records that talk about what she's been through. You hear all negative press — it's up to her to tell her story and basically make records that mean something."

Cox is also working again with Chris Brown, Mary J. Blige and Jagged Edge on their next projects. In addition, he'll be taking on several newcomers, including those on his own label.

First though, the producer will hit the Grammys, where he's nominated for his work with Luther Vandross ("I was blessed to be the last [producer] to work with Luther," he said) and Blige.

"She broke some ground, and I don't think anybody expected it," said Cox, who produced Mary J.'s "Be Without You." "I think that people are attracted to stories like Mary's, watching her grow up and go through changes and come out victorious."

• Behold The Supergroup

• *NSYNC
• 98 Degrees
• Color Me Badd
• LFO

Pearl Jam has titled their seventh studio album, due November 12, Riot Act. The first single, "I Am Mine," will hit the airwaves next week and will be released, along with the B-side "Down," on October 8. ... Lucky Day, the follow-up to Shaggy's multi-platinum Hotshot, is due October 29. Rik Rok, the main voice of the massive hit "It Wasn't Me," is again featured on the album, which includes the new single, "Hey Sexy Lady." ... Jagged Edge are taking that whole bad-boys-of-R&B image to heart. They've recorded a remake of Color Me Badd's hit "I Wanna Sex You Up" for DJ Envy's November 26 release, Block Party. ...

Long time Devin the Dude fan DJ Premier hit New York's Bryant Park Hotel on Tuesday night to help celebrate the release of Devin's new LP, Just Tryin' Ta Live. The guest of honor was also on hand and said that in addition to his own LP, he's looking forward to working on the new Dr. Dre album in the next few months. ... The Cult singer Ian Astbury and former Police drummer Stewart Copeland are official members of the Doors, according to keyboardist Ray Manzarek. The reformed rock group, which played near Los Angeles last weekend, is writing new material for an upcoming album. ...

Whitney Houston was issued a summons for violating New Jersey's water-use restrictions, the Associated Press said. According to the report, Houston was watering her lawn despite a recent ban from watering lawns and cars imposed by the state to combat drought conditions in the area. ... Touching Down, the new album from drum'n'bass star Roni Size, is due in November. Unlike his last albums, which included guests like Method Man and Zack de la Rocha, the new material is strictly Size. ...

09.10.02

Nappy Roots gave props to their native digs, so it's only right that the love is reciprocated. Kentucky Governor Paul Patton will appoint the collective as colonels of the state at a ceremony in their hometown on September 16, which is being declared Nappy Roots Day. ... Backstreet Boy Kevin Richardson will show off his charitable side on September 28 at a benefit breakfast in Downtown Disney in Anaheim, California. Admission is $100, which includes grub, a meet 'n' greet with Richardson, a souvenir ticket, entry into a raffle and an autograph, while proceeds will benefit Richardson's environmental organization, Just Within Reach, and Wildlife on Wheels. ... The members of experimental metal band Candiria canceled their tour with 40 Below Summer after their tour van was rear-ended by a tractor-trailer near Buffalo, New York. Guitarist John LaMacchia suffered a broken collarbone, and singer Carley Coma was cut and bruised, but not severely injured. ...

The Chemical Brothers, Box Car Racer, Bright Eyes/Desaparecidos, Les Claypool's Frog Brigade, the Used, the (International) Noise Conspiracy and American Hi-Fi are just some of the hundreds of acts who will play this year's annual CMJ Music Marathon (October 30-November 2) in New York. Also performing are Sigur Ros, the Soundtrack of Our Lives, Pedro the Lion, the Polyphonic Spree, Auto-Pilot Off, the Bangs, Dirtbombs, Murphy's Law, the Music, Ugly Casanova, Von Bondies and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. ... Metallica are set to release a book of lyrics on October 1, and they will reissue their 1993 box set, Live Sh--: Binge and Purge, on DVD on November 12. The set will contain a three-CD Mexico City concert as well as DVDs of shows in San Diego and Seattle. ...

Michelle Branch, the Pretenders, Gloria Estefan and Chaka Kahn are the first performers announced for Lifetime's annual Women Rock concert. Jennifer Love Hewitt will perform at and host the event, which will be filmed October 10 at Hollywood's Kodak Theatre and air October 25 on Lifetime. ... Meanwhile, Chrissie Hynde & Co. will release their eighth album, Loose Screw, on November 12 through Artemis Records. The Pretenders will promote the record when they open for the Rolling Stones on select dates this fall. ... Lou Barlow's revamped Folk Implosion are recording a new album with producers Mickey Petralia (Beck, Eels) and Wally Gagel (Sebadoh, Juliana Hatfield) that is expected early next year. Barlow will tour solo acoustic this fall — beginning October 8 in Visalia, California, and ending November 19 and 20 in Los Angeles — to promote the new record from his side project, Sentridoh, titled Free Sentridoh Songs From Loobiecore. ...

Bruce Dickinson sang the aeronautic anthem "Aces High" nearly 20 years ago, and now that the Iron Maiden singer is employed by charter airline Astraeus, he's able to launch into the soaring tune at 20,000 feet. An experienced pilot since the 1990s, Dickinson serves as first officer of Boeing 737s traveling from the U.K. to destinations in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. ... As for Dickinson's other "day job," Iron Maiden will release a six-disc box set of early live recordings called Eddie's Archive on November 5. The set will feature material from shows staged between 1979 and 1988 and will include a compilation called The Best of the B-Sides. ... Jerry Cantrell and Mad at Gravity have booked a 30-date tour kicking off October 9 in Corpus Christi, Texas, and wrapping November 16 in Houston. Mad at Gravity, fresh off a tour with Creed, are promoting their debut, Resonance. ... Fresh off his tour with fellow ex-Van Halen singer David Lee Roth, Sammy Hagar will release his new studio album, Not 4 Sale on October 8. In addition to the first single, "Things've Changed," the 10-track album will feature the cuts "Halfway to Memphis," "Whole Lotta Zep," "The Big Nail," "Stand Up," "The Big Square Inch," "Karma Wheel" and "Hallelujah." ...

If you go to Filter's upcoming 11-date Rellim Tour, that guy you hang with backstage might just be singer Richard Patrick. The low-dough outing kicks off on October 2 at the Quest in Minneapolis and allows fans to enter the venue through the backstage area, chow down on pizza and check out the bands' dressing room and lounge areas. ... Dave Navarro and Slash, who teamed up at San Diego's Street Scene Festival as part of a Jimi Hendrix tribute band, plan to reteam with another all-star band at an undisclosed location for a party on Halloween. The two hot-shot guitarists previously hit the stage with Moby, Robbie Williams and members of the Cult at an L.A. night club. ... Undisputed light heavyweight champion Roy Jones Jr., considered by most to be the best pound-for-pound boxer, is hoping he can sing as well as dance in the ring on November 16. Jones, on the heels of his debut LP, Round One: The Album, will perform his first concert in Little Rock, Arkansas, as the main event prior to the quarterly fight series "Rumble in the Rock."

• Pearl Jam
• Jagged Edge
• Shaggy
• Dr. Dre
• Whitney Houston