Getting To Know: Shannon Hemmings

Shannon Hemmings

In case you missed episode one, when yours truly chatted Actor Jeremiah Hahn up from filmmaker Robert Hensley's current project Family Affair, well we are now on to episode two.

"Yes" another cast member from the film was also in attendance at the grand opening of Silverback Coffee of Rwanda in Echo Park, CA.

Her name is Shannon Hemmings she portrays Charlie, she has a tale to tell...

MS: So spill who do you play in Family Affair?

SH: Well, I play Charlie. I can't say too much about my character. She's there, she's a happy face, a caring character. Let's just say she was really fun to play.

MS: Nice. How do you know Robert?

SH: I moved to Los Angeles only six months ago...

Shannon
On The Set Of "Nashville"

MS: Where are you from originally?

SH: Atlanta, GA. About two weeks in I was submitting myself for things. I didn't expect anything because they say when you come out here it's hard, it's competitive. So I saw this character and I loved her and I thought "why not" I might as well audition. I was submitted and I was taped, I got the job. I got a little E-Mail, I was like "No Way!" I already booked my first job in LA!

MS: Awesome!

SH: When I went to the table read and got to know who these people were for the first time, it was like "This is really cool." I felt so welcomed in, so excited! It really is who you know and the connections you make, it's a really beautiful thing.

MS: Congratulations! Sometimes it takes forever.

SH: Yeah, thanks! I came here so grounded thinking it would take a whole year to build up my resume, get a manager, what's happened now is mind blowing!

MS: Fantastic! There are so many pitfalls and it's easy to get discouraged.

SH: There were those times where I wondered if it was time to go back home. I wasn't sure if I could do this (laughs) There were time when I felt really alone, it's hard to find community in a brand new place. I'm glad I've stayed strong because everything is really coming together now.

MS: Nice to meet you.

SH: You too! Are you on Instagram?

MS: Yes.

SH: Let's follow each other.

Family Affair on the WWW -
https://familyaffairfilm.weebly.com/

Shannon on IG -
https://www.instagram.com/shanhem1/?hl=en  

"Born In The Bronx"

Handsome Dick Manitoba releases his first solo album, 

"Born In The Bronx" 

Available Now via MVD Entertainment Group

Handsome Dick Manitoba was the leader of the NYC punk group "The Dictators" starting in 1975. The group went through a series of break ups and name changes but always with Manitoba as front man. This is his first solo release and is backed by a lineup of stellar musicians including P.F. Sloan, Michael Shrieve, Simon Kirke and others. Sloan backs him here on his opus "Eve of Destruction" playing harmonica, guitar and on background vocals. 

He was also an on air DJ on Sirius / XM for 14 years, being recognized by The Village Voice as "Best Satellite Radio DJ" in 2005. Manitoba was also lead singer for MC5 starting in 2005, after the death of lead singer Rob Tyner and remained in that capacity until they disbanded after the death of bassist Michael Davis in 2012. 

Manitoba now has a podcast called "You Don't Know Dick"...and the best is yet to come!

Producer / Co-writer Jon Tiven says: 

"We wanted to make a record that was contemporary punk 'n' roll with a love for the sound of our early heroes like Wynonie Harris, Bert Berns, and the Beach Boys. I brought in a few of my Nashville friends to play and sing on it----Buddy Miller, Harry Stinson, Beth Hooker, Shannon Pollard, Chuck Mead, Donte M'Shawn---as well as some old friends to kick the skins Mickey Curry, Mat Reale, Simon Kirke and Mike Shrieve. Our beach song, "Surfside," was injected with a direct dose of the California Sun by transcendental poet Stephen J. Kalinich, the only lyricist to work with Brian, Carl and Dennis Wilson (as well as Mike Love and Stephen Marks). 

I suggested we cut a new version of my pal the late P.F. Sloan's classic anthem "Eve Of Destruction," and Handsome Dick was all-in. I even managed to fly in some harmony vocals, harmonica, and acoustic guitar from P.F. himself from some previous sessions I had done with him.

It took us a minute to find the right home for the record, but Arny Schorr stepped up with his Liberation Hall imprint and had all the enthusiasm we needed to see. So this is BORN IN THE BRONX. Germinated in NYC, manifested in Nashville, now available throughout the world... I hope y'all enjoy it!"

Sigma - The Alarm

The Alarm’s New Album“Sigma” Set For June 28^th Release

Lead Single & Video For “Blood Red Viral Black” Available Today

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spR34zbjYs8&feature=youtu.be

SIGMA LXXXV TOUR 2019

Featuring The Alarm, Modern English &

Jay Aston’s Gene Loves Jezebel Kicks Off July 17

New Dates Just Added

  The Alarm have confirmed they will release a new album Sigma on June 28^th to coincide with their North American summer tour which kicks off July 17 in Nashville, TN.  The band have also released the first song (and video),“Blood Red Viral Black” from Sigma today with Classic Rock magazine premiering the video: https://www.loudersound.com/news/the-alarm-return-with-new-album-and-video-for-the-single-blood-red-viral-black

Sigma is available for pre-order here:  https://thealarm.ffm.to/_sigma

All pre-orders will instantly receive an Instant Grat track of “Blood Red Viral Black” 

Sigma acts as the sequel for 2018’s critically acclaimed EQUALS release and features musical contributions from original Alarm guitarist Dave Sharp and Billy Duffy from The Cult. "It's an honour to have Dave Sharp performing on Sigma", said singer Mike Peters. "Dave was and always will be, part of The Alarm family, and to have him feature on this record is a thrill for all of us and I’m sure, for all the fans too. Billy Duffy of The Cult also makes his mark on guitar just as he did on Equals, and we have been fortunate to have such an incredible talent in the studio with us for a second time. Sigma is the summation of a period of creativity that started out during the initial 'Blood Red Viral Black' project and has continued through Equals towards Sigma. All the albums in this sequence have been defined through symbols and equations included in the cover art and they all add up to this new album Sigma.”

“Having Billy Duffy play guitar with The Alarm has become part of our DNA, “says Peters. “It’s a relationship that goes back to the start of this new century, when the beginnings of new era’s for both The Alarm and The Cult were being formed. Blood Red Viral Black defines our relationship as friends and opposites, human beings united through the colour of sound.”

Click here to watch the latest on The Alarm: https://youtu.be/959jUj-bpBc

The Alarm
Photo:
Andy Labrow

The Sigma LXXXV Tour #sigmatour2019 will showcase a fraternity of alternative British rock bands led by acoustic pioneers The Alarm, post punk auteurs Modern English, and the charismatic Jay Aston’s Gene Loves Jezebelthat will stop by some 40 North American cities, presenting the very best music and ideas from a generation of enduring artists, brought together through a legacy of timeless sound and song. Tickets and information is available at all three bands websites:  www.thealarm.com, www.modernenglish.me, www.genelovesjezebel.co.uk

Throughout the Sigma LXXXV Tour, Love Hope Strength (co-founded by Mike Peters),   will be hosting bone marrow drives at each concert aimed at finding donors for people suffering from Blood Cancer who need a transplant for a second chance at life! The charity has already registered over 200,000 individuals and located some 4,000 plus potentially lifesaving matches. Visit www.lovehopestrength.org for more information.

Alarm fans attending the tour will also be able to enhance their participation at each event, by purchasing EXPERIENCE SIGMA LXXXV TOUR 2019 passes which will allow early entry into the venue for an exclusive pre-show acoustic performance with Mike Peters.

QUOTE FROM MIKE PETERS of The Alarm

"The Sigma Tour will bring out the best that The Alarm has to offer the 21st Century, and along with our friends Modern English and Jay Aston's Gene Loves Jezebel, we look forward to taking part in an event that will hopefully, live long in the memory for all our fans." says Mike Peters. "Our music, which still gets played on the radio every single day, gives us all a platform for creativity that will shine through every second of the Sigma Tour. Fans can expect collaboration, moments of reflection, camaraderie and also the unexpected. The tour will be alive on all the social media platforms allowing fans from around the world to see what it’s like for British bands to be on the road in the USA. Each show will be presented by an in-house MC / DJ and play host to intimate pre-show events that will connect fans to the musicians in a setting away from the spotlight. Up on the main stage every night, The Alarm will be celebrating the release of a new music album entitled Sigma, and honouring the 1985 Strength album reissue that has literally changed and saved lives through Love Hope Strength, the charity which sprang from the intention of the lyrics. The Sigma Tour will look, sound and feel like no other. It's an opportunity for our generations of fans, to make themselves heard, and for us as artists to prove that we are still as relevant as when we first helped shape the musical landscape of America, and when it's citizens looked to British bands for inspiration and alternatives." 

In addition, Mike Peters was recently honored with an MBE (Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) Award by His Royal Highness, Prince Charles, Prince of Wales at Buckingham Palace.  The MBE is one of Britain’s highest honors.  Mike was awarded for his services to charity, having raised thousands for cancer care projects in the UK and abroad and dedicating his life to giving hope for families affected by cancer.

Sigma LXXXV Tour 2019 Dates

July 17                        Nashville, TN              Cannary Row (The Alarm only)

July 19                   Austin, TX                         3Ten Live

July 20                   Dallas, TX                          Gas Monkey

July 21                   Oklahoma City, OK         Tower Theater

July 24                  Las Vegas, NV                  House of Blues

July 25                   San Diego, CA                  House of Blues

July 26                   Temecula, CA                  Wien’s Family Cellars

July 27                   Los Angeles, CA               Microsoft Theater – Music Festival Show

July 31                    Phoenix, AZ                    Celebrity Theatre

August  2               San Francisco, CA           Regency Ballroom

August  3              Sacramento, CA               Ace of Spades

August 5               Portland, OR                     Aladdin

August 6               Seattle, WA                      Triple Door

August 7               Spokane, WA                    Bing Crosby Theater

August 8               Salt Lake City, UT             The Complex (The Alarm/Jay Aston’s Gene Loves Jezebel only)

August 9               Denver, CO                       Oriental Theater

August 10            Lawrence, KS                     Liberty Hall

August 12            St. Louis, MO                     Delmar Hall

August 14            Minneapolis, MN              Fine Line

August 15            Milwaukee, WI                  Turner Ballroom

August 16             Chicago, IL                        House of Blues

August 17            Detroit, MI                         St. Andrews

August 18            Cleveland, OH                   House of Blues

August 20            Portland, ME                     AURA

August 21            Boston, MA                        Paradise

August 23            Huntington, NY                  The Paramount

August 24            Jim Thorpe, PA                  Penns Peak

August 25            Falls Church, VA                State Theatre

August 29            Asbury Park, NJ                 Asbury Lanes

August 30            Staten Island, NY               St. George Theater

August 31            Philadelphia, PA                The Keswick Theater

Sept 1                   Norfolk, VA                        Norva

Sept 3                   Charlotte, NC                    Neighborhood Theatre

Sept 4                   Atlanta, GA                        Masquerade

Sept 5                   Orlando, FL                           The Social (The Alarm/Jay Aston’s Gene Loves Jezebel only)

Sept 6                  Bonita Springs, FL             Southwest Florida Event Center   Fort Meyers

Sept 7                  Miami, FL                           The Ground at Club Space

Sept 8                  St. Pete, FL                         Ferg’s Concert Courtyard      

Sheryl Crow - Live At The Capitol Theater

For all you Sheryl Crow fans, a treat, for those of you who aren't - well...trick!

Sheryl Crow - Live At The Capitol Theater

Coming to Deluxe Blu-ray + 2CD and DVD + 2CD Packages November 9th 

Since exploding onto the global stage in 1993 with the multi-platinum Tuesday Night Music Club album, the one-time music teacher and studio vocalist from Kennett, Missouri has forged a career to become the finest female singer/songwriter of her generation. 

On November 10th 2017, at the historic Capitol Theatre in Port Chester New York, Sheryl Crow played the final night of her Be Myself tour. The show features Sheryl with her all new band in top form, performing new songs from her 8th studio album. featuring the Title Track "Be Myself" along with her newest hits "Halfway There" and "Atom Bomb ", and featuring her classic hits including "Comon' Comon" All I Wanna Do", "Leaving Las Vegas ", "First Cut Is The Deepest", "Soak Up The Sun", "If It Makes You Happy" and many more hits. 

As a bonus, this package includes a vintage black and white flashback introduction of many legends who have graced the Capitol Theatre stage over the years, interspersed with exclusive interview segments with Sheryl recently filmed at her farm in Nashville.

Pre-order at MVDshop.com

Trailer: https://youtu.be/UTTDxmfwdTk 

Track Listing:

• Every Day Is A Winding Road
• A Change Would Do You Good
• All I Wanna Do
• My Favorite Mistake
• Be Myself
• Long Way Back Home
• Run Baby Run
• Can't Cry Anymore
• The First Cut Is The Deepest
• Atom Bomb
• Half Way There
• There Goes The Neighborhood
• Leaving Las Vegas
• Strong Enough
• Heartbeat Away
• Roller Skate
• Best Of Times
• If It Makes You Happy
• Soak Up The Sun
• Midnight Rider
• I Shall Believe

"Chromance" David Cook

David Played Guitar
Photo:
Olivia Brown

Caught in a bad "Chromance???"

Singer-songwriter and American Idol Winner David Cook has confirmed a February 16, 2018 release date for his brand-new EP,  Chromance.  The EP features all new material that was written over the past year and also includes an ethereal mid-tempo spin on the Phil Collins classic "Another Day in Paradise."  

David has, once again, involved his fans in the creation and release of this EP through a hugely successful PledgeMusic campaign – giving them the opportunity to follow the progress of the EP from inception through its February release. In addition to signed guitars, personalized voicemail messages, and other limited-edition items, participating fans have access to one-of-a-kind experiences and will be the first to hear the new material. 

Chromance is available through the PledgeMusic campaign: www.pledgemusic.com/davidcook, as well as all other digital retailers.  All pre-orders will receive two instant grat tracks: "Ghost Magnetic" and "Gimme Heartbreak."  

View the lyric video for "Gimme Heartbreak" here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koKubQMiQe4

EP pre-order links:

iTunes: http://flyt.it/Chromance

Amazon: http://flyt.it/ChromanceAmazon

Google Play: http://flyt.it/ChromanceGooglePlay

David is also set to hit the road in support of Chromance on February 15 in Nashville, TN.  The Nashville show is open to the public and there will be a pre-show soundcheck/celebration for Pledgers on this date.  Fans can click here for tickets to the Pledge pre-celebration event: https://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/davidcooknewep/items/215124

See initial dates listed below.

2018 Tour Dates

2/15 - Nashville, TN - The Basement East  

2/16 - St Louis, MO - Delmar Hall

2/19 - Annapolis, MD - Rams Head On Stage **Full Band Acoustic show

2/21 - New Hope, PA - New Hope Winery **Full Band Acoustic show

2/22 - New York, NY - (Le) Poisson Rouge

2/23 - Washington DC - Pearl Street Warehouse

2/24 - Leesburg, VA - Tally Ho Theatre   

www.davidcookofficial.com

www.twitter.com/thedavidcook

www.facebook.com/davidcook

www.instagram.com/davidcookofficial

Hump Day & Chill

Mr. Sloane I Presume
Chris Carmack

Since I'm feeling randy today I thought I would post something libidinous. Here are many skin shots of Chris Carmack on stage as Mr. Sloane in Joe Orton's play bearing the title Entertaining Mr. Sloane.

The plot goes something like this: An English landlady and her brother like their lodger, a young killer called Mr. Sloane.

"Like" their lodger is putting it mildly if you get my drift and I think you do, if not, think about it, but not too much.

If you are like me most of you first heard of Carmack  when he started playing the role of gay country singer Will Lexington on the TV series Nashville. Chris has looks, body & talent and I would have loved to have seen him portray Mr. Sloane as I think he is perfect casting.

Well thanks to Tye Briggs terrific coverage and un-coverage you can do it vicariously by clicking on the link below via Favorite Hunks & Other Things.

Fluff up your pillow & dream of Chris being your own personal Mr. Sloane. Hump Day & Chill, indeed...

Time to "Sloane Out!" 

https://favoritehunks.blogspot.com/2018/01/chris-carmack-in-entertaining-mr-sloane.html 

Lee DeWyze "Paranoia"

If you were wondering, where is the world is Lee DeWyze? Wonder no more...!!!

Singer-Songwriter Lee DeWyze has announced he will release his brand new album, Paranoia on February, 16, 2018 via Shanachie Entertainment.  Paranoia is Lee’s seventh studio album to date and first full length set of new music since 2016’s Oil & Water. Lead single, “The Breakdown,” is the first track from Paranoia with Billboard.com premiering the lyric video earlier this week. 

View here: https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/8046337/lee-dewyze-the-breakdown-lyric-video-premiere

A 2018 North American tour is set to kick-off around the release of the album in mid-February with dates to be announced very soon.  In addition, Lee has signed an exclusive deal with CESD, the leading agency for Voice-Over for animation, video and more.   

Since emerging onto the scene, Lee’s real breakout moment came when he wrote an original song for The Walking Dead. “Blackbird Song” has over 10Million YouTube views collectively, and 5M Spotify streams. The single has sold more than 100k copies and was considered one of the top 10 most influential syncs in 2014 from the Musicians Guild of America. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wbgb3lgMluA

Since the release of “Blackbird Song," Lee has gone on to have more than 35 syncs and placements in TV shows such as Elementary, Suits, The Fosters, Nashville, Reign, Hart of Dixie, Bull, and many others. His song “ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0z3xHzUJAQ Don’t Be Afraid” was the national campaign song for 2 years for Blue Cross Blue Shield, and ESPN used his song “The Ride” in several NASCAR commercials. Lee’s song “Fight” was on the Hot AC Top 40 chart for 10 weeks straight was featured in the highly acclaimed independent movie, Sister. Lee also won an award from the LA Indie Film Festival for his video for the song “Fight,”which he wrote and directed himself. 

Guitar Man
Lee DeWyze
Photo: Danny Liao

In 2016, Lee released his album Oil & Water which debuted in the Top 10 on Billboard’s Folk Music chart and received high praise from both Billboard & Huffington Post.  It was also considered a top 10 album of the year by PopDose Magazine while Yahoo Entertainment heralded DeWyze’s music for having “a hymn-like vibe, majestic orchestration and introspective lyrics.”  Lee released the single, “Weight” in Dec of 2016, which was featured in the season finale of CBS’ Elementary. Originally written for the feature “Collateral Beauty,” this song was a turning point in Lee’s writing career. http://thisisasides.com/lee-dewyzes-worth-weight-heated-jacket-required/

In addition to writing and recording Paranoia for the greater part of 2017, Lee signed a publishing deal with SONGS publishing (home to Lorde, The Weeknd, Diplo).  http://variety.com/2017/music/news/lee-dewyze-american-idol-walking-dead-publishing-deal-songs-1202476849/

FaceBook - https://www.facebook.com/leedewyze/

Twitter -  https://twitter.com/LeeDeWyze

Instagram  - https://www.instagram.com/leedewyzeofficial/

Lee DeWyze Official Website: - http://leedewyzeofficial.com/

Tour Dates:

December

1 -   Peppermint Club - Los Angeles, CA

6 -   Goldfield Trading Post - Sacramento, CA

7  -   Astro Lounge - Bend, OR

8 -   Bossanova Ballroom - Portland, OR

10 - El Corazon - Seattle, WA

12 - The Pin - Spokane, WA

14 - Bankhead Theatre - Livermore, CA

15 - Hard Rock Hotel & Casino - Stateline, NV