Cindy Alexander Is Some Kind Of "Wonderful"

Cindy Alexander

Award winning singer and songwriter, Cindy Alexander knows a thing or two about being "Wonderful".

Check out this wonderfully funny excerpt from her Bio:

"I’m a Mom of twin girls and my life is a whirlwind of pretend-play, Yo Gabba Gabba, toddler germs and MUSIC. I spend a lot of time at Target. I used to have my toe nails polished at all times but now they are on the back burner until Chip tells me I look “ghetto” and begs me to go to the salon. I love those days…at the salon, not being called “ghetto.” I crave guacamole, constantly (except when I was pregnant). I can turn any conversation into a song. I cry easily but I laugh even easier. I give everything away. I’m loyal to a fault. I’m moody. I clench my jaw when I sleep sometimes. I love my family. They love me too. My nickname is “pnut” (like peanut). I have the greatest friends on earth. I have very few socks that match. Somewhere there is a black hole with all my miscellaneous socks….and my guitar picks. I’m lucky and I’m blessed. I am passionate about cancer prevention, awareness and finding a cure. Add to that heart disease. I believe in Love. I Love. And I am Loved. And some people say that I’m a highly functioning dysfunctional, the most organized disorganized person you will ever meet but I manage to get stuff done…eventually. I agree with them. Oh, and I write songs and sing to say relatively sane"


Ha! Well in case you haven't guessed it the amazing Cindy has a new song out with the moniker "Wonderful"

So Cindy, define "Wonderful" for us...

"The song is about self acceptance and not needing anyone else's validation. Wonderful - that which embodies a sense of delight, joy, spirit and a little extra somethin'"

Right on! There's something to be said for self love, uh, does that sound weird? Whatever it doesn't matter, because hey I don't need your validation and I'm gonna go and express my sense of joy and check out the song and video for Cindy's "Wonderful" join me...by clicking on the link after the jump!

The Video for "Wonderful" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzZoMVqrV5g

Got Cindy? Log on to: http://www.cindyalexander.com/

The "Hidden Hills" Are Alive With The Sound Of...

A 1960's Sex-Capade! Remember those old 1960's Rock Hudson & Doris Day Sex-Capades like "Pillow Talk" and "Send Me No Flowers"?

Well "Hidden Hills" welcomes you back to that era with a very modern twist to the boy meets girl, boy gets girl story..."Yes" nearly everyone in "Hidden Hills" is gay and it's taboo to date the same race!

And if you are in the Los Angeles area October 3rd, guess what?!

You Are Invited... The Advanced Screening of "Hidden Hills" "OutoftheCloset.tv" Members are invited to attend an Advanced Screening of the new movie "Hidden Hills" on October 3rd, 2013 at the Downtown L.A. Regal 14. To reserve your FREE tickets at one of the 7 screenings, visit: http://www.hiddenhillsthemovie.com/ The film's website also includes a movie trailer, music samples, photos, and much more.                                                         "Hidden Hills" Trailer                Synopsis of "Hidden HIlls"   1960's in Hidden Hills, California. A handsome real estate agent, Drew Drake finds himself in a secret relationship that has become an overbearing lie. For seven years he has secretly been dating and living with his business partner Whitey Ford. None of his friends know. The issue isn't that they're gay. Nearly everyone in Hidden Hills is gay. (Straight people are the ones hiding in the closet.) The problem is that both Drew and Whitey are Caucasian.   No one dates the same race! It's a social taboo. Will Drew Drake have the nerve to buck societal norms and come clean about his love for Whitey Ford? Can two white men admit their love for each other and take their relationship to the next level – marriage?   Starring Ted Trent and Tim O'Leary, Hidden Hills is a comedy that looks at race, sexuality, aging, and weight issues, flipping the world upside down in a 72 minute feature film that mimics the classic styling of Rock Hudson and Doris Day movies. Also featuring up and coming Hollywood talent including Joy Sudduth(Criminal Minds), Wendy Shapero (Robot Chicken), and Chris Fennessy (Zoey 101) and a performance of an original song by Jane Wiedlin of The Go-Go's. The movie was written and directed by Dan Steadman (Red Lodge) whose first project Jesus People: The Movie is to be released in early 2014. It features Wendi McLendon-Covey (Bridesmaids) and Academy Award® winner Octavia Spencer (The Help).   The "Hidden Hills" are alive, indeed!

Stop Bullying! Morgan Frazier

Morgan Frazier and Stand for the Silent

Team Up For Anti-Bullying Tour

Stops Planned for Schools Across the Country Beginning in October

Does anyone really know who Morgan Frazier is? Well neither did I until recently. Anyone who stands up against bullying gets my vote as one cool person. I found out about the awesome Morgan via a press release regarding her Anti-Bullying Tour - her parents pulled her out of school entirely because of her own bullying experience. Support this talented and amazing young woman...carry on and read on! Country recording artist Morgan Frazier and anti-bullying organization Stand for the Silent are taking their message on the road with a tour that will begin at schools in Knoxville, Tenn., New Bern, N.C., Charleston, S.C. and Charlotte, N.C., with more stops to be added. Their mission is to change kids’ lives and bring awareness to bullying and the real devastation it causes. Since May 2010, Stand for the Silent has traveled to hundreds of schools and spoken with more than 700,000 kids. Sidewalk/Curb recording artist, Morgan Frazier has joined the cause and partnered with the organization to help bring global awareness to the issue. Morgan will join them at select school tour dates, where she will perform her new single, “Hey Bully,” a song inspired by Frazier’s personal experiences. “I am so honored to be working with Kirk and Laura Smalley and Stand For The Silent to tackle this issue.  I have witnessed first-hand the power of their presentation through feedback from students in every city they reach.  We must all play a part in educating people of all ages about the devastating effects of bullying”.  At the beginning of each Stand for the Silent school presentation, student leaders read the biographies of bullying victims that have lost their lives to suicide as submitted by their families. According to the organization, every seven seconds a child is bullied in this world, 160,000 kids stay home from school every day due to fear of bullying and 25% of high school students in America will actually have a plan to take their own life before they graduate. “Hey Bully” was inspired by Morgan’s own experience with bullying, which eventually led her parents to remove her from school entirely. The Ever Cool: Morgan Frazier Kids and adults alike can take the SFTS pledge to stop bullying atwww.standforthesilent.org “Hey Bully”, the acoustic video can be seen at: http://bit.ly/mfacoustic “Hey Bully” is available now on iTunes: http://bit.ly/heybully About Stand for the Silent: Stand for the Silent exists as a platform to allow Kirk and Laura Smalley to share their story and offer education and tools that will prevent their tragedy from happening to another child and family. Kirk and Laura’s mission is to continue to change kids’ lives and bring awareness to bullying and the real devastation it causes. Since May 2010, Kirk and Laura Smalley have traveled to hundreds of schools and spoken with more than 700,000 kids.  In March 2011, Kirk and Laura met privately with President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama in The White House prior to attending the first ever White House conference on bullying. Their story is featured in Director Lee Hirsch's feature film, Bully. Kirk and Laura have been invited to a number of conferences on bullying and met with Lady Gaga this spring at the launch of the Born This Way Foundation. About Morgan Frazier: Recognized in Country Weekly’s “Ones To Watch in 2013,” Morgan Frazier’s remarkable journey began in a small Texas town where she made her way to Nashville by literally going door-to-door.  At just nine years old, Morgan recorded her first CD in her hometown of Breckenridge, Texas.   Although they had no formal plans to market or sell the CD's, Morgan's family believed in their little girl's talent and ordered one thousand copies. For the next two years, Morgan and her family traveled all over the South and Southwest selling over thirty thousand copies of her album. At the age of sixteen, Morgan followed her dream to Nashville where she perfected her songwriting craft and honed her chops at the legendary Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge. Not long after, she signed a publishing and recording contract with Curb Records’ imprint Sidewalk Records. Having experienced bullying first hand, Morgan co-wrote her latest single, “Hey Bully” to bring awareness to the growing epidemic. Keep Those Bully's Down With Morgan at: http://www.morganfraziermusic.com/

Dancing With The Stars Season 17

Dancing With The Stars Cast Season 17

For the first time ever I watched a full episode of "Dancing With the Stars" while I am still not a converted loyal fan, let's say they actually have a cast with more actual "stars" than usual and two of the actors on the show, no doubt aimed as a get toward the youth market, Amber Riley of "Glee" and Brant Daugherty of "Pretty Little Liars" are actually working currently on their respective shows.

While I'm not sure how past seasons went overall, the dancing talent is very strong this year and should provide for some fierce competition!

Rather than review a show I never really watch, let me give you the reasons I actually did:

1. Elizabeth Berkley - Despite having worked steadily under the radar for years after "Showgirls" it's time to for her to do something big and attention getting...DWTS is the perfect vehicle for her to do that. She, to me is also a star, how many performers out there have to iconic things under their belt that are the fabric of American Culture, with "Saved by the Bell" reruns on daily around the world and the most infamous "Showgirls"...Oh and by the way I want her to win.

2. Leah Remini - She will always be remembered for the long running sitcom "King of Queens" and currently known as Leah Remini, Scientology Refugee. This makes her present currency very intriguing. Leaving Scientology makes her the ultimate Hollywood Bad Ass, she already was one, but now...also of note she was a Guest Star on "Saved by the Bell" an episode which I ironically saw in the middle of the night drunk in a Vegas Hotel room with my friend Karen Castrischer.

Go Elizabeth!

3. Jack Osbourne - This was not the initial reason I tuned in, but his dancing was so surprising and good, that I would like to see how he progresses. Hey he's Ozzy and Sharon's spawn & former contestant Kelly Osbourne's brother.

4. Brant Daugherty - Hey he's hunky and he's Noel Kahn from one of my favorite shows "Pretty Little Liars". Also he and his dance partner, Peta Murgatroyd have sizzling chemistry, I would tune in to see that week after week...I am betting they end up hooking up off the dance floor too.

5. Valarie Harper - I am grudgingly giving her props for appearing on the show as I personally have mixed feelings about it. She was already given an unfair score - a 21 out of 30. She was OK, but should have received an 18 in my opinion and it annoys me she will get preferential treatment because of her condition. However it is inspiring to see her drag her 73 year old booty out there with brain cancer and all...most of all like Elizabeth Berkley she is a cultural icon, "Rhoda" anyone?

So there you have reasons I tuned in to my first full episode of DWTS and why I may continue to check it out week after week, or at least catch the highlights somewhere.

Dance your ass off! At: http://abc.go.com/shows/dancing-with-the-stars

Ponyboy, "Hookups," September 17th, Need I Say More???

Happy Friday the 13th!  I can't think of a better way to commemorate Friday the 13th 2013 than to let you all know my two favorite raconteurs are back - Ponyboy, consisting of Charles McVey and David Zey...McVey, Zey...Zey, McVey...My Sister, My Daughter!

With an EP titled "Hookups" which consists of three covers that as Charles told me: "Is purposefully short and unfulfilling - like a hookup".

Tell us more about it, Charles...

"As with previous Ponyboy. releases, Hookups is a record with a conceptual twist. A seedy undercurrent of sexual desire and frustration flows through the EP with every song connected by a theme of inappropriate love and desire. The record opens with Peaches’ anthem of sexual nihilism Fuck the Pain Away, only to be followed by a brooding rendition of The Cure’s 1980 song Secrets, a lament of a secret affair. In an attempt to maintain the theme of hookup brevity, the EP is intentionally short and closes in under ten minutes with an abrasive rendition of I Love Rock N’ Roll.

The concept is carried through with the adjoining album art, a satire of the gay hookup phone application, Grindr. The cover features a silhouetted pony-head profile stylized to mimic the Grinder logo and maintains continuity in the credits with phony profiles and chat text. Unlike most out-musicians, Ponyboy. explores a reality beyond Pride flags and dance clubs; often the review is unflattering. Hookups is the closing chapter of the “Dick Trilogy” which started in 2011 with the release Little Dick Demo, which was followed by Dick Dick Dick earlier this spring."

David Zey

I need a good stiff...drink after that, phew! In honor of the EP I asked each of the Ponyboys to give me a story about one of their worst "Hookups" let's start with my "Boy" David:

A few years ago, I took my first ever trip to Las Vegas. One day while I was there, I decided it might be fun to find someone to hookup with for a night. So, after I woke up that morning and got ready for my day, I signed on to Manhunt (this was just before smart phones and apps such as Grindr existed). I sent a few messages to a few different guys that looked like my type and headed out. I had a few things I wanted to do that day, but I made a point to check in a couple times to see if anyone had responded to my messages. Just before dinner time, I was back at the hotel with my laptop checking message on Manhunt when I got a message from a guy who seemed interested. I let him know that I had dinner plans, but after dinner I was free. He seemed to be okay with that so we exchanged numbers and I headed out for dinner. Now, my dinner plans that night were at the Stratosphere. This guy was staying at the Luxor. If you're familiar with Vegas at all, then you know that these two hotels are about as far away from one another as they can be on the strip. And if you are familiar with Vegas, then you know that getting from one end of the strip to the other can take quite a while, depending on how you choose to travel (I had purchased a 24 hour bus pass that day so that was how I was traveling - which I learned is probably the slowest way you can possibly travel and that you can almost walk faster than the buses move on the strip). Anyhow, about halfway through dinner, the guy texts me to see if I'm done eating yet. I reply and let him know that it'll be just a little while longer. So, dinner is finally over, I text the guy and let him know that I'm headed up the strip to the Luxor on the bus. The guy is noticeably very excited and tells me he can't wait. Because the bus ride is taking much longer than anticipated, I started getting more and more texts from the guy as I went. His tone started to change from excited to slightly impatient. But finally, I get to the Luxor, I send him a text, and make my way to the elevator where I realize that I need a key card to get to certain levels. 

Fuck The Pain Away: Check Out The Video Here: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DcbtpBaTd4

So, I text the guy and let him know the situation (which, honestly he should have realized this), and he comes down and gets me. The whole time he is very awkward and seems impatient. When we finally get to his room he offers me a drink. Noticing the bottle of Grey Goose, of course I said yes. This almost seemed to annoy him because he had to make the drink for me instead of getting right down to business. So, I try to make conversation as I work on my drink. When I notice that he is too impatient to chat, I down the drink. As soon as I do, he jumps out of his clothes and starts jerking his already hard cock in the middle of the room. I'm still dressed, but I figure it's a hookup so maybe I should help the guy out... So, I go to go down on him and he pushes me away... not forcefully, but enough so that I understand he doesn't want me sucking his cock. So I go to try and touch his cock and he moves my hand away. Not knowing exactly what to do next, I suggest we move to the bed. He lays down and I lay next to him and I start to unzip my pants, but before I could even pull out my dick, he blows his load. I say something to effect of "Wow, that was quick" and he apologizes with a look of shame in his eyes. At first I thought, well maybe we can have a drink while he recovers and try again... but instead he gets up, wipes off with a towel, and asks me to leave. I say "really?" And he gets a stern look and says "Yeah, I think you should go now" and points to the door. Doesn't even walk me out and instead heads for the bathroom. I was confused and completely unsatisfied with what just happened as I felt like I invested quite a bit of time just getting to his damn hotel room... but it wasn't a total loss... because that bitch didn't even walk me to the door and wasn't looking, I stole his god damned Grey Goose and went and made my own cocktails. He may have gotten off, but I got a free bottle of top shelf liquor - so trust me when I say my night only got better from there...And there ya have it! My worst hookup! Vegas style!

Charles McVey

OK Charles McVey you Wild Man...hit it!

The worst hookup I ever had was two years ago on Gay Pride Day. I was on the train going home from the festivities and I saw this guy sitting across from me, sleeping, but he wasn't really sleeping. He looked like an angel. Even though I could tell he was faking, I went along with it. We started talking and he gave me a line about some old lady he was living with and asks if he can go back to my place. I told him that I don't invite strangers up to my apartment, but then he looks down at his crotch and then back up at me, and he says, "It's big, it's beautiful and you're going to love it." And I said, "Oh, alright." 

As he walked me back to my apartment on that gay night of nights he took my hand gently into his and for a moment I felt like the luckiest guy in the world. I fantasized, “This is it! This is the man I'm going to spend the rest of my life with.” When we got back to my apartment he threw me on the bed and tore off all my clothes. So, I'm licking his balls, and the next thing I know he cums in my eye, and he's out the door. Gone! If you've never had cum in your eye, let me tell you - it burns! So, there I was lying in the middle of my bed completely naked with an eye full of cum thinking to myself, “I've been duped.” Then, the next day when I called the number he'd given me and it was the Pizza Shuttle and they had never even heard of a Mark Miranda. Worst hookup ever.

Wanna be one of Ponyboy's "Hookups"? Do it  on September 17th!

"Fuck The Pain Away" with Ponyboy at:

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ponyboy/143896842344210

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/ponyboymusicltd

BandCamp:  http://ponyboymusicltd.bandcamp.com/

That Rogue Romeo Has Been "Rebuilt"

That Rogue Romeo aka Kevin Stea has gone out and, thanks to technology been "Rebuilt".

Here to tell us about his latest incarnation is That Rogue Romeo himself Mr. Kevin Stea...!

"REBUILT,"is an amazingly successful experiment in which I took the original music from Machine and Magic and commissioned remixes to see if the music held up. It is 19 tracks featuring remixes of the songs of the debut album Machine & Magic.

What I realized is that these songs are pretty solid. I told the various remixers (Djnb, Ap, F3tto, Cr3) to let go of structure. They did not have to stay attached to the original song structure. I enjoy creating something new from the visions of many. I wanted to give these remixers room to play; but I did want this album to have a club feel, however, and make people dance. I wanted to see if my tracks could in fact play in clubs. Are they danceable? That was the bottom line. I realized my goal creating dance music that has lyrical impact. I want to bring lyrical content to the club. You can dance and jump around and still something meaningful.

"Go Rogue"

I have video concepts for every song I have (written). Once I’m done writing it, I instantly switch into visual mode, which is the way I conceive the song to begin with. My songs come from a space of visualization already. I imagine entire scripts and themes for everything. So it was natural to release the official music video set to the "Machine and Magic" remix with the remix album REBUILT. This video is definitely different than any other video I’ve done. Also, I look a little closer to Kevin than That Rogue Romeo in the video. I’m hardly in make-up. This is a dance video. It’s not super high concept.

The video is the first video shot from a successful Kickstarter project to create three music videos. It is directed by superstars Brian Friedman (X-factor, Britney Spears, AGT) and Chan Andre (ID Entertainment), and features ex-PCD Carmit Bachar and 12 of LA's top young dancers (Whyley Yoshimura, Judson Emery, Jon Burdine, Zack Venegas, Malik LeNost, Ryan Ramirez, Stephanie Sy, Britt Stewart, Yoori Kim, Niesha Smith, Deana Brickley, Mason Cutler), with choreography by Tessandra Chavez, and is styled by Emmy-award winning Marina Toybina".

"Special thanks to all the Kickstarter Contributors!!!!"

Check out the official "Machine and Magic" video after the jump...!

Get "Rebuilt" on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/rebuilt/id674817792

View more videos by TRR at: http://www.youtube.com/user/kevinstea

Become a fan! : https://www.facebook.com/ThatRogueRomeo

It's "The Dr. Nina Show"

Dr. Nina is on a mission to help you "Win The Diet War" with her practice, podcast and her award winning blog.

Just when you thought there was nothing else the amazing Dr. Nina could pull out of her hat along comes her bi-weekly broadcast on YouTube - "The Dr. Nina Show"!

Dr. Nina's advice is very sound and logical and she offers very simple tips on re-thinking how you relate to yourself in terms of food. That's right people, it's not about the food, it's about the importance and power you put on it in your life.

Let's check in with Dr. N and see what she has to say about all this jazz:

"If people are struggling with overeating or binge eating, I tell them that whatever is going on with food is a "symptom" of the problem, not the actual problem (although it feels like "the" problem). Overeating is a "frenemy" - it helps you cope with painful or upsetting things, but it also hurts you.

It's important to address the underlying reasons you turn to food in the first place. When you can identify and work through those core reasons, and when you can use words for comfort and/support, you won't need food to cope".

Oh Dr. Nina knows of what she speaks having had my own set of circumstances that have taught me to look at things in a whole new way. This reprogramming of ones self is key to everything in life, not just food. Try it, you will be surprised at how much better your quality of being is, and if food is your issue, watch it's hold on you diminish with the most awesome show I have ever heard on the subject.

Check out an episode of "The Dr. Nina Show" below:

 

Subscribe to "The Dr. Nina Show" on YouTube: 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7ZqU7lipKEg2pilt0isotw/videos  

Follow her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrNinaSavelleRocklin

Capital Cities: "Kangaroo Court" Is Now In Session

Hi, I'm An Oppressed Zebra

Capital Cities is on the move...! Hot off the heels for their MTV VMA Win, their “Safe and Sound” music video was honored with their first MTV VMA award for “Best Visual Effects,” where they bested out such fellow nominees as Duck Sauce, Flying Lotus, Skrillex (featuring The Doors), as well as The Weeknd.

Well, they have gone and have gotten all George Orwell "Animal Farm" on your ass, with their latest from their CD "In A Tidal Wave Of Mystery".

That's right, it's time to hop right into the "Kangaroo Court" where you will be judged in a quite Orwellian fashion.

Zebra's need not apply - they are prejudged and that's just the way it is. You know the whole horse of a different color thing.

Capital Cities has another VMA winner on it's hands, keep on moving guys!

Hop into "Kangaroo Court" after the jump!

                                                           "Kangaroo Court" Video

Keep Moving With Capital Cities: http://capitalcitiesmusic.com/
                                                    

"Is She Serious"?! - Showgirls 2...!

"They want class. They don't want to fuck a Penny" - Al Torres "Showgirls" 

Well apparently Rena Riffel aka "Penny Slot" (wow that's one cheap jackpot) thinks you do. I received this press release in my in-box this ayem with the blaring headline:

"SHOWGIRLS 2: Penny's From Heaven"

on DVD and VOD September 17th

"Showgirls' alum Rena Riffel creates an epic, erotic satire / 

homage to the Paul Verhoeven cult camp classic"

Uh, OK...I must say despite every fiber of my being is saying: "Don't do it, don't watch"!  Being a huge fan of the original "Showgirls" - "Yes" I have watched it twenty plus times, I feel quite compelled to go for it, no matter the consequences....Yep, I am a glutton for punishment when it comes to things associated with a fond movie memory...Read on and see what you think...

Let the show begin... Again! Original Showgirls star Rena Riffel has taken her screen time in the original cult classic and spun in into an elaborate, erotic spin-off featuring cat fights, murder, new quotable dialogue, and plenty of brown rice and vegetables in the film movies.com says "Goes to a manic superstar level all its own."

Look Mom, No Hands

Joining Riffel are other Showgirls veterans, including Glenn Plummer ("Dexter, "Sons of Anarchy"), Dewey Weber, and Greg Travis (Rob Zombie's Halloween, Watchmen) as well as new recruits to the Showgirls legacy Peter Stickles (Shortbus, The Trouble With Barry), Shelley Michelle, Ford Austin and Paula LaBaredas. 

Las Vegas stripper, Penny Slot (Riffel), sets out on an adventure to become the star dancer on a popular television show. With stars in her eyes, she tries to find the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow - but instead finds drama, danger and snuff movies in a town much more wicked than Sin City.  

Penny's longtime fiance/boyfriend (Plummer) warns her that she needs formal technique training if she wants to be taken seriously as a real dancer, so Penny Slot sets out to learn ballet - but, she must pay the price to make it to the top. 

So Cheap: Penny Slot

There are sacrifices to be made at every imaginable level, and it all comes down to... How bad do you want it? 

This special edition DVD release of Showgirls 2: Penny's From Heaven includes a commentary with Rena Riffel, deleted footage, behind the scenes and more. 

Special Friday the 13th screening in Las Vegas (9/13/13)

https://showgirls2fridaythe13th.eventbrite.com  

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/showgirls2

On The Web: http://www.showgirls2movie.com/

Let's Get Charitable! Sweet Relief III: Pennies From Heaven

SWEET RELIEF lll: PENNIES FROM HEAVEN
TO BENEFIT THE SWEET RELIEF MUSICIANS FUND

FEATURES RECORDINGS BY ARTISTS INCLUDING
JACKSON BROWNE, SHE & HIM, BEN HARPER, RON SEXSMITH,
k.d. lang, SHELBY LYNNE AND MORE!

AVAILABLE ON SEPTEMBER 3rd

 “Musicians are always among the first to give their energy and talent to help other people in times of emergency, though they are very often without health insurance themselves, and need our support when they fall prey to illness and hardship. Sweet Relief has been helping musicians for years, and has helped some whom I am very much indebted to for enriching my life. I am very happy to take part in this CD project, and for the chance to support Sweet Relief's very soulful work.” – Jackson Browne

“Getting a chance to do something that benefits Sweet Relief combined with working with my dear friend Sheldon Gomberg is an opportunity I jumped at and something I can't wait to do again.” -  Ben Harper

Sweet Relief Ill:  Pennies From Heaven - The third compilation album in support of the Sweet Relief Musician Fund - features new recordings by various artists including Ben Harper, Jackson Browne, Shelby Lynne, Victoria Williams, She & Him, Ron Sexsmith, Rickie Lee Jones and Joseph Arthur. The Sweet Relief Musicians Fund provides financial assistance to all types of career musicians who are struggling while facing illness, disability or age-related problems.

Click here for a look at the live in-studio video of Joseph Arthur with special guest Pearl Jam guitarist Jeff Ament performing the song “If I Needed You” from the upcoming release.

Each of the artists on Sweet Relief lll: Pennies from Heaven chose songs with a theme of support and assistance such as “How Did You Find Me Here?” (k.d. lang), “King of the Road” (She & Him), “Crazy Love” (Ben Harper), “Change is Gonna Come” (Victoria Williams) and “Big Spender” (Sam Phillips) plus many more.  Click here for a sneak preview of some of the songs.  See full track listing below.

At the helm for this third installment, producer Sheldon Gomberg stated, “Making this record for Sweet Relief has been such a great experience. I got to work with all these fantastic artists, while at the same time giving something back to the music community that has been so good to me over the years. A huge thanks goes out to all the artists that participated in the making of this record!” 

This latest recording commemorates the 20^th anniversary of the first highly successful inaugural release Sweet Relief: A benefit for Victoria Williams - a project inspired by Williams who founded the Sweet Relief Musicians Fund upon being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. That collection and the subsequent Sweet Relief II: Gravity of the Situation – The Songs of Vic Chesnutt included contributions from artists like R.E.M., Pearl Jam, Indigo Girls, Garbage, Smashing Pumpkins, Cracker, Dog’s Eye View, Live, Lou Reed, The Jayhawks, Lucinda Williams, Soul Asylum, and more.

Sweet Relief III: Pennies from Heaven features cover design by acclaimed artist Peter Max. To learn more about the Sweet Relief Musicians Fund visit www.sweetrelief.org

SWEET RELIEF III:  PENNIES FROM HEAVEN Track Listing

Ron Sexsmith                  Pennies From Heaven                                              
Shelby Lynne                  Brother Where Are You                                                                       
Sam Phillips                     Big Spender                                      
k.d. lang                           How Did You Find Me Here
Ben Harper                      Crazy Love               
Genevieve Toupin            Heart Of Gold
Joseph Arthur                   If I Needed You                     
Rickie Lee Jones              Surfer Girl                             
Tina Schlieske                  With A Little Help From My Friends 
Victoria Williams               Change Is Gonna Come                   
She & Him                         King Of The Road                                                     
Eleni Mandell                    I'll Be Home
Jackson Browne               Don’t Let Us Get Sick
 

Pato Margetic & Yvette Lopez "Broken Dreams"

Pato Margetic

The other day I received an excited text from my friend Model/Singer/Entertainer Yvette Lopez about a music video she was in with an exciting new artist Pato Margetic called: "Broken Dreams" asking me if I would write it up and help get the word out on "Entertain Me".

Well I of course said "Yes" as Yvette has been featured on here before and I have interviewed her about her own music on the site "Chorus and Verse" you can cut to our chat for C&V here:

http://www.chorusandverse.com/content.php?id=20120418A

Here is a snippet on the making of "Broken Dreams" from Pato himself....

"The story of the video starts off with a flight to Los Angeles, CA. Cosmopolitan Magazine had actually chosen me as Michigan's Bachelor of the year and flew me out to California for a photo shoot in Malibu. (Talk about feeling amazing!) Being a recording artist and musician from Detroit, I wanted to take this opportunity to expose my music. My manager Louis, who hooked up the whole Cosmo situation, got even more creative and productive with the idea to shoot a music video in Malibu scenery as well

I love the idea of course, and the song selection began...I looked through my catalog of finished songs and chose "Broken Dreams" right away for the steamy Malibu beach. The song's simple lyrics and melody speak about dancing, and letting go of all fears and doubts, yet with a hopeful message to continue to pursuing dreams. I immediately contacted my good friend, director Alex Grossfeld who recently moved to LA to see if he would be interested in shooting. Not only was he interested, but he came up with the brilliant idea to film on an 8mm camera!

Yvette Lopez

 Now that a team of professionals had agreed on a music video, the only thing missing was a leading lady. Of course we needed someone gorgeous and exotic, yet professional and ready to work. Yvette Lopez, came to my manager Louie's mind, and the team loved the idea. We could only hope that Yvette would agree...She is a well known singer, entertainer, model, and even holds the title of Miss Playboy Latina! She is also an author of a new kid's book series coming soon worldwide!" 

Pato & Yvette steam it up quite nicely on the shores of Malibu in the video and "Broken Dreams" announces the arrival of a gifted singer/songwriter/musician Pato Margetic in a big way...!

Watch the video for "Broken Dreams" here...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piVVs9sjvmM

                                                    

Go Pato at: http://patomotown.com/

Check out Yvette at: http://yvette-lopez.weebly.com/