Celebrating 50! "American Pie"

Grammy-winning Songwriters Hall of Fame member Don McLean celebrates the 50th anniversary of his global hit “American Pie” reaching #1 on the Billboard chart, where it stayed for four weeks! To commemorate the anniversary, McLean has coined his international 50th Anniversary “American Pie” World Tour which will visit multiple destinations in N. America, UK/Europe, and Australia!  

American Songwriter discusses the oft-debated meaning of “American Pie” here. And CBS News Radio’s Steve Futterman caught up with McLean recently and shared this story with their listeners.
 
“I was writing songs and started singing ‘A long, long time ago’ right through ‘til the day the music died… I can still remember how that music used to make me smile…’ on and on right that day - just that whole thing right into the tape recorder. And I said, ‘Man, what is that?? That is so neat.’ I realized I'd captured the thing about Buddy and his death that I'd been feeling all those years in that one piece of music. Then I waited about three months and I figured out what I was gonna do and just wrote the whole thing in about an hour…,” said McLean.

McLean kicks off his international tour next Friday, January 28 at the Blue Note in Hawaii, then takes a midwestern swing with a stop at The Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa. “American Pie” was birthed from death - ‘The Day The Music Died’ – coined after the fatal flight when pop/rock legends Buddy Holly (“That’ll Be The Day”, “Peggy Sue”), Ritchie Valens (“La Bamba”), J.P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson, Jr. (“Chantilly Lace”) tragically lost their lives in an airplane crash after the concert February 3, 1959. McLean will pay tribute to the legendary trio with his sold-out anniversary concert there on February 3, 2022.  

 

50th Anniversary ‘American Pie’ World Tour 2022 North American Dates:
January 28, 2022 – Honolulu, HI – Blue Note Hawaii
January 29, 2022 – Honolulu, HI – Blue Note Hawaii
January 30, 2022 – Honolulu, HI – Blue Note Hawaii
February 3, 2022 – Clear Lake, IA – Surf Ballroom
February 5, 2022 – Grand Forks, ND – Chester Fritz Auditorium
February 11, 2022 – The Villages, FL – Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center
February 12, 2022 – Ponte Vedra Beach, FL – Ponte Vedra Concert Hall
February 14, 2022 – Port Canaveral, FL – Rock Legends Cruise
February 15, 2022 – Port Canaveral, FL – Rock Legends Cruise
February 16, 2022 – Port Canaveral, FL – Rock Legends Cruise
February 17, 2022 – Port Canaveral, FL – Rock Legends Cruise
February 18, 2022 – Port Canaveral, FL – Rock Legends Cruise
February 19, 2022 – Clearwater, FL – Bilheimer Capitol Theatre
February 24, 2022 – Tucson, AZ – Fox Tucson Theatre
April 29, 2022 – Kansas City, MO – Uptown Theater
May 1, 2022 – Indianapolis, IN – Clowes Memorial Hall
May 7, 2022 – Toronto, Canada – John W H Bassett Theatre
May 12, 2022 – Nashville, TN – Ryman Auditorium
May 13, 2022 – Atlanta, GA – Atlanta Symphony Hall
May 19, 2022 – St. Louis, MO – Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center
May 20, 2022 – Springfield, MO – Gillioz Theatre
June 2, 2022 – Albany, NY – The Egg
June 3, 2022 – Boston, MA – Shubert Theatre
June 4, 2022 – New York, NY – Town Hall
June 11, 2022 – Baltimore, MD – The Lyric
June 12, 2022 – Tysons, VA – Capital One Hall
June 17, 2022 – Grand Rapids, MI – DeVos Performance Hall
June 18, 2022 – Milwaukee, WI – The Pabst Theater
June 24, 2022 – San Antonio, TX – Tobin Center for the Performing Arts
June 25, 2022 – Houston, TX – Cullen Performance Hall
June 26, 2022 – Austin, TX – Paramount Theatre
July 7, 2022 – Denver, CO – Paramount Theatre
July 8, 2022 – Grand Junction, CO – The Avalon Theatre
July 9, 2022 – Phoenix, AZ – Orpheum Theatre
 
50th Anniversary ‘American Pie’ World Tour 2022 European Dates:
September 11, 2022 – Cardiff, U.K. – St. Davids
September 13, 2022 – Ipswich, U.K. – Ipswich Regent Theatre
September 14, 2022 – Birmingham, U.K. – Symphony Hall
September 16, 2022 – Bath, U.K. – The Forum
September 17, 2022 – Torquay, U.K. – Princess Theatre
September 18, 2022 – Bournemouth, U.K. – Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre
September 20, 2022 – Brighton, U.K. – Brighton Dome Concert Hall
September 21, 2022 – Southend-on-sea, U.K. – Cliffs Pavilion
September 23, 2022 – Manchester, U.K. – Bridgewater Hall
September 24, 2022 – Gateshead, U.K. – Sage Gateshead
September 25, 2022 – Glasgow, U.K. – The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
September 27, 2022 – Edinburgh, U.K. – Usher Hall
September 28, 2022 – York, U.K. – York Barbican
September 30, 2022 – Leicester, U.K. – De Montfort Hall
October 1, 2022 – Sheffield, U.K. – City Hall
October 2, 2022 – Liverpool, U.K. – Liverpool Philharmonic Hall
October 4, 2022 – London, U.K. – London Palladium
October 7, 2022 – Dublin, Ireland – 3Arena
October 9, 2022 – Nijmegen, Netherlands – Concertgebouw de Vereeniging
October 10, 2022 – Amsterdam, Netherlands – Koninklijk Theater Carré
October 14, 2022 – Bergen, Norway – Peer Gynt Salen
October 15, 2022 – Stavanger, Norway – Stavanger Kuppelhallen
October 16, 2022 – Oslo, Norway – Sentrum Scene
October 18, 2022 – Göteborg, Sweden – Lorensbergsteatern
October 20, 2022 – Turku, Finland – Logomo
October 21, 2022 – Helsinki, Finland – Kulttuuritalo
October 23, 2022 – Stockholm, Sweden – Göta Lejon
October 24, 2022 – Malmö, Sweden – Palladium
October 25, 2022 – Greve, Denmark – Portalen
October 27, 2022 – Hamburg, Germany – Fabrik
October 28, 2022 – Neuruppin, Germany – Kulturkirche
October 29, 2022 – Berlin, Germany – Admiralspalast
November 1, 2022 – Antwerp, Belgium – De Singel
November 11, 2022 – Munich, Germany – Prinzregententheater
November 13, 2022 – Linz, Austria – Posthof
 
For tickets and more information, visit donmclean.com.

Bye, Bye Miss "American Pie"

Don McLean

DON McLEAN IMMORTALIZED ON HOLLYWOOD BOULEVARD WITH STAR ON HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME

Don McLean, known for his mega-hit “American Pie,” which he wrote and performed, received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame earlier today at 6314 Hollywood Boulevard in front of The Pie Hole restaurant (corner of Hollywood and Vine).

“This is a very special day for me, awards are given every year on those television programs, and every year a new person is named a favorite, however, this award is forever,” says McLean. “This is an honor I get to share with friends, fans, and whoever walks down Hollywood Boulevard.”

Joining in the festivities were Don’s longtime friend "Weird Al" Yankovic, who is a fellow Hollywood Walk of Fame recipient. Yankovic released a parody “The Saga Begins,” that was set to the tune of “American Pie,” which recounted the plot of Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, from Obi-Wan Kenobi’s point of view. The song was included on Yankovic's tenth album, Running With Scissors (1999), and went platinum, selling more than one million copies.

In addition, the award-winning acapella group Home Free, participated in the celebration with a special performance of “American Pie,” all while fans along Hollywood Boulevard couldn’t resist singing along and having a good time. The five-member group recorded the song with McLean in 2020 and subsequently released a music video that won three Telly Awards in 2021.

Don on Wikipedia -

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_McLean

"American Pie" Celebrates 20 Madonna Style

Tiara Time!
Madonna

"AMERICAN PIE" MADONNA STYLE CELEBRATES 20th ANNIVERSARY

Madonna's Version Topped Billboard's Dance Club Songs Chart in 2000

Don McLean's Original Recording To Celebrate 50th Anniversary In 2021

Original "American Pie" crooner and songwriter Don McLean celebrates the 20th Anniversary of Madonna's version! 

As many people know, there are some songs that are considered classics. So when another artist covers a classic song, it can either turn out to be a hit (Whitney Houston covers Dolly Parton’s ‘I Will Always Love You’) or it could be a dud (Jessica Simpson covering Nancy Sinatra’s ‘These Boots Are Made For Walkin’’).

One song that would be considered both, depending on who you talk to, is Madonna’s take on "American Pie" by Don McLean.

At the behest of her co-star Rupert Everett, Madonna recorded her version for the soundtrack to their film The Next Best Thing, a romantic dramedy from Midnight Cowboy director John Schlesinger, which starred Madonna, Rupert Everett, Benjamin Bratt, and Neil Patrick Harris.The film was critically panned and soon faded from memory, but “American Pie” -- released as a single the same day on March 3, 2000 -- became a polarizing global hit.

While the movie did not do well, the song hit its peak at number 29 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number one on the Billboard Dance Club Songs.

Produced by William Orbit, her lead collaborator on Ray of Light and “Beautiful Stranger” (her psychedelic 1999 single from the second Austin Powers soundtrack), the “American Pie” track is colorful, almost gaudy -- the theremin-like synths and marching snares threaten to tip over into kitsch. 

Don McLean, when interviewed in 2015, said this about Madonna covering his song: “I loved it. I thought it was outstanding. I thought Madonna did a great job with it. To me, she’s an artist for the 20th and the 21st century. She’s magnificent."

"It is a gift for her to have recorded 'American Pie,'" McLean continued. "I think it is sensual and mystical. I also feel that she's chosen autobiographical verses that reflect her career and personal history. I have received many gifts from God but this is the first time I have ever received a gift from a goddess."

In the music video, Madonna seemingly becomes an avatar for America itself. Between shots of her dancing in front of the flag, she showcases a diverse cast of working-class, queer, ordinary Americans. “American Pie” was unusually patriotic and nostalgic, two words rarely associated with Madonna.

Celluloid Saturday: Subterranea

Hey all you film buffs & science fiction nerds, check this film out. It looks soooooo juicy!

MVD Entertainment Group has acquired all North American distribution rights to science fiction thriller SUBTERRANEA, the award-winning festival favorite from the producer of Jerome Bixby's The Man From Earth. The auspicious debut from director and screenwriter Mathew Miller, Subterranea was inspired by British progressive rock band recording artist "IQ" and their successful 1997 concept album of the same name and stars Bug Hall (The Little Rascals (1994), American Pie: The Book of Love), two-time Emmy Award Nominee Nicholas Turturro (The Longest Yard, "NYPD Blue", "Blue Bloods") and William Katt (Carrie (1976), The Man From Earth, "The Greatest American Hero").

Subterranea stars Bug Hall as "The Captive", who was locked in a dark cell as a small child and was raised in complete isolation, never seeing daylight or even another human being. Over twenty years later, without warning, he is released into society with nothing but the clothes on his back. Determined to find out who he is, The Captive discovers that he's the centerpiece of a dangerous orchestrated sociological experiment and sets off to find the truth about his shadowed existence, ultimately leading to a thrilling confrontation with his maker, "The Provider" (William Katt).

Following the release of IQ's double album "Subterranea", writer / director Mathew Miller was inspired. "As a huge fan of IQ, I was honored and thrilled to be collaborating with Peter Nicholls (IQ lyricist, writer and lead vocalist) and the band. My goal was to respect the original material and bring to life the already stimulating and poignant images the music has created in all of our minds and hearts as fans."

As the film was in development, Mat struck a professional friendship with one of the producers fromThe Man From Earth, Eric D. Wilkinson. Wilkinson's debut film has achieved "cult status" (The Man From Earth now resides among the Top 50 Science Fiction Films of all time on the IMDb) and was confident that he could help bring this film to a wider audience. 

                                                          Subterranea Trailer

"When I first read Mat's script, I fell in love with the story and characters," said Wilkinson. "In some ways, the film reminded me of The Man From Earth. It had that 'intellectual sci-fi feel' to it, and at the same time, really played well as a conventional thriller. Mathew is a super talented young director and I was committed to helping him realize his vision for the material. MVD is a great company that is exceptionally supportive of filmmakers and producers and I look forward to our film's release later this year."

Subterranea has been receiving accolades on the festival circuit including Grand Prize Winner: Vortex Sci-fi & Fantasy Award- 2015 Rhode Island International Film Festival, Winner - Jury Prize - Best Film - 2015 Reel East Film Festival, Official Selection - 2015 Reno Tahoe International Film Festival, Official Selection - 2015 Queen City Film Festival and Official Selection - 2015 Montana Film Festival. The film made its European premiere in London on May 1st, 2016.

Subterranea will debut on Digital, VOD, DVD and Blu-ray on September 13, 2016 from MVD Entertainment Group. Special Features included on the disc include two behind the scenes featurettes "The Making of Subterranea" and "On the Set of Subterranea - Timelapses, deleted scenes and the original theatrical trailer."

SUBTERRANEA

official website: http://subterranea-movie.com/ 

facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SubterraneaMovie 

twitter: https://twitter.com/SubterraneaMov  

Buffy & Willow 2015

A Buffy Reunion: Alyson Hannigan & Sarah Michelle Gellar

T.G.I.F Peeps!

Recently photos of Sarah Michelle Gellar & Alyson Hannigan reuniting in 2015 went viral.

As a Buffy The Vampire Slayer fan I was all a Twitter, ahem, so to speak.

In what appears to be a children's party or just a fun hang the twosome captured the moment and shared it with fans of the show.

Although I have loved them in other things, notably Gellar in Cruel Intentions and Hannigan in American Pie. Nothing will ever top Buffy.

Thanks for being such givers Sarah & Alyson.

Have a terrific weekend everyone...!

Tweet with Buffy & Willow at:
Sarah: https://twitter.com/sarahmgellar
Alyson: https://twitter.com/alydenisof

Checking In With: Jonathan Brett

It’s time, give you a formal intro to Mr. Jonathan Brett, an “Entertain Me” staple for his YouTube show “Mr. Meatballs Takes on Life”.

Well JB (as his friends know him) is an actor/performer with much more diversity and talent than just his “Meatballs”.

From guest starring on the CBS series “Cold Case” to the indie horror comedy “Stupid Teenagers Must Die” - J. Brett has proven himself a talented actor who can take on a variety of roles.

This is especially apparent with his two current projects, a role in a movie from The Asylum: “Celebrity Sex Tape” and a lead in the premiere play “Geeks - The Musical”.

OK - JB, let’s do it!

MS: Hey JB where are you right now?

JB: I just got finished with an audition for a Toyota commercial.

MS: Very cool, glad to catch you in the car, Mr. Busy! So you are in the Valentine’s Day video release from The Asylum “Celebrity Sex Tape.”

JB:  Yes I am!

"Celebrity Sex Tape"

MS: Why is that a Valentine’s Day release?

JB: Ya know, I couldn’t tell you actually (laughs) It’s a one of those “geek falls in love and gets his love” type of things…so, it kind of is a Valentine’s Day release, with a lot of sex in it! (laughs) A good Valentine’s Day for most people is sex so…

MS: Tell people a little about your character.

JB: His name is Ed, his nickname is “Sex Ed” he gets that nickname toward the middle of the movie. Basically if this were “American Pie” he would be the “Stifler” character. He’s always talking about sex, everything is about how he can get laid. Ed is a cool sex guy (laughs)

MS: Rumor has it The Asylum is a great movie company to work with.

JB: The Asylum is great, they’re a group of professionals. I never thought you could knock out a 120 page script in 10 shooting days. They knew how to do it, and they did it with class and integrity and I am sure it will turn out fantastic.

MS: My friend Liz Adams (Director, of The Asylum’s “Air Collision”) really liked working with them too.

JB: They were truly great people to work with, I made a lot of lasting friendships out of it. It was a lot of fun and these are people I will know for the rest of my life.

MS: It’s like the old Roger Corman system.

JB: Yes, they crank out a lot of good material for a low budget and are very successful, they know what they are doing.

MS: Well, I have a feeling you have told us as much about “Celebrity Sex Tape” that you are able to.

"Celebrity Sex Tape"

JB: Yeah, before something is out, you aren’t really sure what you can and can’t say, I don’t think I gave too much away.

MS: Nah, you didn’t - How excited are you to be the lead in a brand new musical BTW?

JB: I’m very excited about it! It’s called “Geeks - The Musical” which I think has the potential to go to, at least Off-Broadway. The concept has yet to make it to a Broadway stage, there are so many geeks in the world it’s about time they had a musical!

MS: When does it open?

JB: March 1st at Write Act Reparatory Theatre in Hollywood, CA. It’s up on Plays 411 now which is also very exciting!

MS: How many musical numbers do you have?

JB: So far I’ve got 9. They are also thinking about adding me to the opening number too, normally every character is in the opening number and that would bring it up to 10. I’m really excited for it, it’s going to be a lot of fun! It also takes place somewhere really geeky, the Comi-Con Convention.

MS: Perfect! You have done a lot of varied things in the body of your work. What would be your ultimate dream gig to have?

JB: My ultimate dream, and I am going to do this, is to be a cast member on “Saturday Night Live.”

MS: How cool!

JB: SNL is so influential, and they’ve gotten very political over the years, which is fine. But I would really like to be part of bringing SNL back to it’s roots, when it was good sketch comedy that was timeless.

Follow JB on Twitter: http://twitter.com/jonathanjbbrett

Check into The Asylum at: http://www.theasylum.cc/