"Riot On Sunset" With James Durbin

I Love Rock-N-Roll
James Durbin
Photo: Heidi Durbin

James Durbin is back and he's ready to? Rock, of course! What other answer were you expecting?!?!

James Durbin has announced that he will release his new album, Riot On Sunset on July 15.  Riot On Sunset is the first new music from James in over 2 years and will include his latest single, “Smackdown.” 

“Smackdown” is available for digital download through CD Baby  here: www.cdbaby.com/CD/jamesdurbin2   and iTunes here: https://itun.es/us/S_4Fbb

“Smackdown” showcases James’ signature hard rock sound in a grand way with crunching guitar riffs and a truly epic drum beat.  From the opening bass riff to the closing scream & all the debauchery in between, James Durbin is back & better than ever before. 

The video for “Smackdown” has been making a serious impact since its release in April as it was selected for Loudwire’s Battle Royale competition where it currently occupies the #2 spot on their Top 10 countdown. See here: http://loudwire.com/battle-royale-devildriver-debut-big-backwordz-video-countdown-domination/

 Watch the video for “Smackdown”: 

James is also excited to get back out on the road this summer with his new band to perform brand new material from Riot On Sunset  for the first time.  “We’ve been grinding away on this album for months now.  It’s hard to believe it’s time to release it to the world on July 15. I feel like I’ve grown a lot in the studio and as an artist. I hope all the fans will enjoy what I have to say on the album as I have truly loved co-writing & co-producing Riot On Sunset” says James.  See below for confirmed tour dates.

2016 Tour Dates:

July

18                      Portland, OR                  Dante’s

19                       Seattle, WA                   El Corazon

21                      Salt Lake City, UT          Loading Dock

23                      Denver, CO                    Global Hall

24                      Kansas City, MO            Riot Room

26                      Chicago, IL                      Shubas

27                      Pontiac, MI                    Pike Room at Crofoot

28                      Cleveland, OH               Beachland Ballroom

29                      Fort Thomas, KY           Fort Thomas

31                      Universal City, MO       The Duck Room

August

1                         Tulsa, OK                        The Vanguard

6                         San Jose, CA                   Santa Clara County Fair

More dates to be announced soon!

  

Follow James on social media here:

Official website: http://www.jamesdurbinofficial.com/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/durbinrock

Facebook: http://facebook.com/durbinrock

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/durbinrock/

Domestic Abuse

Johnny Depp & Amber Heard

The subject of Domestic Abuse has grabbed worldwide focus again in the divorce of world famous superstar Johnny Depp and his Wife Amber Heard. 

Johnny has been vehemently defended by friends and his former partner Vanessa Paradis with whom he has two children. Many of Depp's friends calling Heard a manipulative gold digger.

Let's put the mud slinging and the whole taking sides thing away for a moment to focus on a subject that should always be treated respectfully and with sensitivity. This commentary is not about lying whores or evil pricks. It's about being aware that this is an issue that affects 1 in 4 Women and 3 million Men. 

It's about those who take advantage of someone else's emotional and physical vulnerability. Again this is not about side taking, or about Depp and Heard, it is about educating. Just because someone does not abuse all of their partners, does not mean they will not abuse others.

My good friend Romi Simmons wrote this account about her Mother in the wake of all this:

"Just weighing in .... From personal experience ... Some people don't behave the same with other partners... Usually the dynamics... Brought out by each other.....My Dad beat my Mom... But he didn't beat his other wife or his GF. They never believed the stories I told them. Nor did our community.... Plus they always said women who stay with Men who abuse them Must like it... Lol... I remember that always pissed me off... That statement... We didn't like it.. We just didn't know we had a way out...."

This is something that most people do not consider when they hear that someone is being abusive to another human being that has never done the same to them. It's an important point that needs to be addressed more in the press by those who report it. The sensationalism, insensitivity and ignorance toward this has got to stop. 

If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic abuse, there is a way out. 

The National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233   

Congrats! Kirstin Maldonado

Kirstin & Jeremy
Yes They, Can, Can, Can

Normally I don't write about celebrity engagements but in this case since I know the bride to be, and she likes my clothing style, I would like to wish her well.

Kirstin Maldonado of the super group Pentatonix is vacationing in Paris with her boyfriend Jeremy Michael Lewis this Memorial Day weekend. What she didn't know was he was planning to pop the question.

Kirstin took to, what else, Twitter to express excitement:

"'The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return.' AT THE MOULIN ROUGE. SO HAPPY. @JeremyMichael22 !!!!!!" she tweeted "Paris, I love you. Happy happy."
Congratulations to the two of you! 
Have a great Memorial Day everyone and always remember.
Kirstin on Twitter: 
https://twitter.com/kirstin_taylor  

Tanya Tucker Extended

Live & Extended!
Tanya Tucker


Yes I am completely Rock- n -Roll, but sometimes I am a little bit country.
I love myself some Tanya Tucker...Delta Dawn anyone???

Country music icon Tanya Tucker is taking her 2016 tour up a notch with the addition of new dates to venues across the country. Click here for tickets.

Recently, the Academy of Country Music announced Tucker will be honored with the Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award during the 10th Annual ACM Honors™, an evening dedicated to recognizing the special honorees on Tuesday, August 30, 2016 at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN. For the first time ever, ACM Honors will be produced for television by dick clark productions and broadcast at a later date on the CBS Television Network.

Currently, Tucker is preparing for the launch of a new album while crisscrossing the country with her instantly recognizable vocal flare and legendary repertoire that includes “Texas, When I Die,” “Some Kind of Trouble,” “Two Sparrows in a Hurricane,” “Love Me Like You Used To” and many more.

Of course, no Tucker performance would be complete without her breakthrough hit, “Delta Dawn.” The Alex Harvey-written classic, which launched thirteen year old Tucker into superstardom in 1972, anchors a performance that showcases her hits as well as stories and anecdotes from her 40 year career.

TANYA TUCKER ON TOUR:
May 28 Cape May, NJ - Cape May Convention Hall
June 03 Beaumont, CA - City of Beaumont Cherry Festival
June 04 Santa Clarita, CA - Santa Clarita PAC
June 09 Evansville, IN - Victory Theatre
June 10 Milwaukee, WI - Northern Lights Theatre
July 15 Branson, MO - Welk Theater
July 16 Emmetsburg, IA - Wild Rose Casino
July 29 New Braunfels, TX - River Road Icehouse
July 30 Hinton, OK - Sugar Creek Casino
Aug 11 Elma, WA - Grays Harbor County Fair
Aug 26 Biloxi, MS - Golden Nugget - Grand Ballroom
Aug 27 Lake Charles, LA - Golden Nugget - Grand Event Center
Sept. 23 Hopewell, VA - The Beacon Theatre
Sept. 24 Huntington, NY - The Paramount

Follow Tanya Tucker on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube or visit tanyatucker.com.

Sentimental Saturday - "High School Musical"

Awwwwwwwww....
l-r Zac Efron, Ashley Tisdale, Vanessa Hudgens & Corbin  Bleu

I guess there has been some confusion of late as to whether Zac Efron enjoyed his High School Musical days at Disney.

Since I never really track petty things like that and simply hear about how the star in question puts the kibosh on it that is how you are getting Efron's Flashback Friday photo that he posted of himself, Ashley Tisdale, Vanessa Hudgens & Corbin Bleu from 2008.

He captioned it: "So grateful I came across this picture... with the o.g. crew during one of the most cherished times of my life. #fbf"

See Zac isn't anti Troy Bolton after all and why should he be?! This is what put him on the Hollywood radar. 
I for one enjoyed the first High School Musical it was a throwback to things I used to watch as a kid. Oh, and it didn't hurt that Efron was in it ; )

Time to get Sentimental it's Saturday. 

Go Back To "High School"on IMDB:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0475293/  

Dolly "Singing Chicken" Parton

Like Dolly, Like Chicken

Dolly Parton is playing a singing chicken of all things! Let the chicken breast jokes commence!

Global music legend Dolly Parton is lending her distinctive voice to play a singing chicken called Noleen for a special episode in the new series of Sixteen South’s award-winning pre-school animation Lily’s Driftwood Bay. Starting on Nick Jr. in the UK on 6th June and Sprout, NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment’s 24-hour preschool network, in the US on 27th June, the new series will also feature the smooth Welsh tones of actor and comedian Rob Brydon (Gavin and Stacey, The Rob Brydon Show) as a seafaring, and rather handsome, silver fox.

Lily’s Driftwood Bay is about a little girl who creates an imaginary world from treasures she finds washed up on the beach. Lily’s world is filled with a cast of adorable beachside characters, voiced by an array of talent including Stephen Fry (QI, The Hobbit), Peter Mullan (Harry Potter, Top of the Lake), Tameka Empson (EastEnders, 3 Non-Blondes), Jane Horrocks (Sunshine on Leith, Absolutely Fabulous), Ardal O’Hanlon (Father Ted, London Irish), Annette Crosbie (One Foot in the Grave, Hope Springs) and Richard Dormer (Game of Thrones, Fortitude) alongside Orlagh O’Keeke as Lily.

In Dolly Parton’s special double length episode, ‘The Salty Chicken’,which will air next year - Dolly voices Noleen, a famous singing chicken whose luxury yacht gets beached on Driftwood Bay during a storm, much to the surprise of her greatest – and rather star struck fan, Lord Stag (Stephen Fry). An impromptu concert sees old sea dog Salty (Peter Mullan) duet with Noleen, who’s astonished by his talent and tries to persuade him to come on tour with her. Will she persuade Salty to give up the sights and sounds of Driftwood Bay for an international singing career…?

Dolly Parton says: “I’ve never played a chicken before but I have been known to lay a few eggs! Noleen is a very famous chicken, probably one of the most famous chickens ever there was. She washes up on Driftwood Bay and she’s trying to get Salty to go with her on tour. Now whether he does or whether he doesn’t, you’ll just have to watch and see!”

Meanwhile, in ‘The Proposal’, Rob Brydon pops up as handsome silver fox Tom, a dredger captain and former squeeze of Nonna (Annette Crosbie). When Nonna and Tom realise they still have feelings for each other after all these years, Tom throws caution to the wind and proposes. Delighted, Nonna accepts, but when she realises it might mean leaving Driftwood Bay she wonders if she might have been a little hasty…

Rob Brydon says: “Tom is a charming old rover and it’s a lovely show, beautifully made. It’s always great to do jobs that my younger children can watch and enjoy. There’s something magical about good children’s programmes and it’s lovely to be a part of that.”

Show Creator and Producer Colin Williams says: “What a thrill to welcome Rob and Dolly to Driftwood Bay! We’ve three generations of Lily fans – children, parents and grandparents and I was looking for two very special people who are loved by all three generations to be our special guest. Who else to play a handsome and smooth Welsh fox than Rob Brydon! ‘The Salty Chicken’ was the first story outline that we wrote for series two and it was always Dolly that I wanted. It took me a year to convince her but what an honour to meet her, work with her and have her part of our special show. She’s an amazing and lovely lady - and a Lily fan too!”
 

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON DOLLY PARTON, VISIT:

www.dollyparton.com
Facebook: Facebook.com/DollyParton
Instagram: Instagram.com/DollyParton
Twitter: Twitter.com/DollyParton
Tumblr: OfficialDollyParton.tumblr.com
Google+: Plus.Google.com/+DollyParton  

Time For FUN-Raising - It's Red Nose Day!

Photo:
Michael Shinafelt

"Rudolph with your nose so bright won't you guide my sleigh tonight" - Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer 

It's Red Nose Day an event designed to bring people together and do some FUN-raising for kids who need it most. 

The slogan for Red Nose Day is: Laugh. Give. Save A Kid. I have been seeing billboards everywhere for weeks on buses and in subway stations. Like the photo of the one I took above at the one on Hollywood &Vine. 

Oh and there is also a two hour event tonight in honor of it on NBC at 9/8 central.

To find out how you can get involved check out the link below! Happy Red Nose Day!!! 

Get Your "Nose" On!
http://rednoseday.org/     

We Are The Champions: Nyle DiMarco & Peta Murgatroyd

Victory!
Nyle DiMarco & Peta Murgatroyd

As predicted by myself and many others Nyle DiMarco and his partner Peta Murgatroyd walked off with the Mirror Ball on Dancing With The Stars. Making Nyle a champ of two competition shows, America's Next Top Model being the first of course.

Here is a statement from Nyle about his DWTS win via his Facebook page:

"I CANT BELIEVE IT!! WE WON! WE WON THE MIRROR BALL!!! The first DEAF WINNER! This is for 70 million of Deaf people in the world! This is for all the Deaf kids suffering language deprivation. Only 2% of 70 million of Deaf people have access to education in sign language. More than 75% of parents don't sign to their Deaf kids. Winning this is a HUGE step to ending LANGUAGE DEPRIVATION of millions.

Thank you all for your continuing support. It means A LOT!"

Congratulations Nyle & Peta you guys truly earned and deserved your win!

Nyle on Facebook: 

https://www.facebook.com/NyleDiMarco/

Peta on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/PetaJaneMurgatroyd

Red, It's What Demi Moore & Poppies Have In Common

Desperately Seeking
Demi Moore

I came across this really red hot photo of one Ms. Demi Moore at the Chelsea Flower Show and thought it was one of the coolest visuals I have ever seen!

Leave it to Demi to wear an outfit where she and the poppies become one. Yep, you read that correctly, Demi is now an official poppy. She looks pretty pleased about it too.

For all of you around in the era when Ms. Moore was a hot commodity and starred in such hits like Ghost & one of my personal faves St. Elmo's Fire (Yes, I am a child of the 80's) you know ever so often when you had a conundrum you would scratch whatever it is you scrape while you are in deep thought and wonder: "What would Demi Moore do?" 

Of course the answer hasn't changed since then. Demi would do whatever the F#@k she wants and always manage to make an impression.

Be like Demi and Paint It Red.

Happy Tuesday!

Demi on IMDB:
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000193/?ref_=nv_sr_1   

Welcome To The Litter: Sick Puppies

Sick Puppies
Don't Feed Them After Midnight
Photo: Goldy Locks

Want to hear something "sick"?! Keep reading...

DrillDown/Caroline recording artists Sick Puppies are celebrating the release of their new single, “Stick To Your Guns” as it continues to dominate Active Rock radio across America. The single has shot into the Top 20 and stands at #12 this week on Mediabase Active Rock chart. Major market stations playing the single include; Sirius XM Octane channel, WRIF/Detroit, WXBT/Tampa, WPUD/Arizona and WIIL/Chicago among numerous others.  Supporting this excitement, the single has already received over 400,000 online streams since its release.

  

The official music video for “Stick To Your Guns” can be viewed here:

  

 “Stick To Your Guns” is the lead track from the bands brand new 4^th studio album FURY. FURY is the first new music from Sick Puppies in over 2 years and  GuitarWorld.com has premiered the album here: http://www.guitarworld.com/artist-news-premieres/sick-puppies-premiere-new-album-fury/29119

Click here to order FURY: http://smarturl.it/SickPuppiesFURY

“This whole album has been about not letting anything stand in the way of what you want, and as a band we persevered and made it through to the other side. All the raw emotions that were felt during the process led us to name this album FURY. We hope you love it as much as we do.” – Sick Puppies

Hard Attack Magazine says “While there are almost too many high points to list, the album’s signature is Emma Anzai’s bass lines, kicked up to eleven. And, as always with Sick Puppies, there are songs that have the ability to speak directly to current social justice movements while encouraging the audience to be who they truly are. Overall, FURY is a solid release from a veteran band and could be considered the best in their catalog.”

Sick Puppies just wrapped headlining dates on the HardDrive Live Tour and will announce new tour dates in the coming weeks.  The band performed at Rock on The Range over the weekend alongside Disturbed, Megadeth and Sixx A.M. and have upcoming co-headline shows with Chevelle in June as well as various festival dates throughout the summer with Alice in Chains.

Tour Dates

MAY
20:  Columbus, OH @ Rock On The Range*
21:  Maryland Heights, MO @ Pointest Hollywood Casino Amphitheater*

23:  El Paso, TX @ Speaking Rock Entertainment Center*

JUNE

3: Portland, OR @ Portland Rose Festival, 105.9 The Brew with Chevelle*

4: Seattle, WA @ Showbox SoDo*with Chevelle

12:  South Bend, IN @ The Bear’s Big Growl 5 St Joseph County 4H Fairgrounds*

JULY

14: Cadott, WI @ Rock Fest Chippewa Valley -

15: Oshkosh, WI @ Rock USA Fest with Slipknot

AUGUST

19: Omaha, NE @ 89.7 The River’s Rockfest – Westfair Amp.

SEPTEMBER

17: Chester, PA @ Rock Allegiance Festival with Alice in Chains

24: Houston, TX @ Houston Open Air Fest – NRG Park with Alice in Chains

Cyndi Lauper Lasso's #4!!!

The Odd Couple
Cyndi Lauper + Country Music

Like who knew?! After all these years as a pop icon, Cyndi Lauper decided to go country. Surprise! She rules at it and her country debut "Detour" was number four with a bullet on the Billboard Country Music Chart it's first week of release. Go Cyndi, Go Cyndi, Co Cyndi, Go....!!!

Tell us about it, Cyndi: 

"These songs had a profound impact on me when I was a little girl listening to my Aunt Gracie's kitchen radio in Queens. I grew up listening and admiring Patsy Cline, Patsy Montana, Hank Williams - all the greats from the Golden Age of country. It was an honor to record those beautiful songs for DETOUR and I am so thankful for the fans and the country music community for welcoming me with open arms," Lauper said.

Reviews Don't Lie:

“Cyndi Lauper tackles the genre with characteristically daring eccentricity.” - Keith Harris, Rolling Stone

“Once again [...] Cyndi Lauper has dauntlessly created a triumphantly amazing new release.” - Eileen Shapiro, Huffington Post

“...(Lauper) proves herself not only a competent country vocalist [...] but also a masterful interpreter in the classic tradition of the best female country vocalists of the late-‘60s.” - John Paul, Pop Matters

“[...] like Prince, the Grammy-winning vocalist is also constantly reinventing herself.” - Megan Seling, Nashville Scene

“DETOUR makes all the right turns, never missing an opportunity to surprise the listener or stretch Cyndi’s style just far enough to keep things interesting.” - Jonathan Riggs, Idolator

She's So Unusual at:
cyndilauper.com/

Saturday Schwing! Chris Coy

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Film Buff Friday: Crimes Of Passion

OMG! I am a huge fan of Ken Russell and his visionary, off center brand of film making. This ranks among one of my favorite films of all time. I first saw it on video, the unrated version, brilliant!

Kathleen Turner gave one of the bravest, most original, brilliant performances ever by an actress of her stature at the time. Anthony Perkins was nothing less than amazing! Can you tell I am excited for July 12th?!?!?

Crimes Of Passion [Blu-ray + DVD] (July 12th)

She is watched. She is worshipped. And she must remain a mystery.

In the early eighties British enfant terrible Ken Russell travelled to America and placed his unorthodox imprint on a pair of US movies. The first was the Altered States, so out-there its screenwriter disowned it. The second was the equally crazy Crimes of Passion, starring Kathleen Turner (Body Heat, Serial Mom) at the height of her powers.

Fashion designer Joanna Crane (Turner) leads a double life. By night she is China Blue, a prostitute who's attracted the unwanted attention of two men. One is a sexually frustrated private detective hired by her employees. The other is psychopathic priest (played by Norman Bates himself, Anthony Perkins) in possession of a murderous sex toy.

With its outré screenplay by Barry Sandler and over the top score by Rick Wakeman, Crimes of Passion may just be the most outrageous Ken Russell film ever made - and that's quite some feat!

BONUS MATERIALS
- Brand new 2K restoration of the film from original film materials
- High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard Definition DVD presentations of the director's cut and unrated versions of the film
- Optional subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
- Audio commentary with director Ken Russell and producer-screenwriter Barry Sandler
- Seven deleted/extended scenes with optional commentary by Sandler
- Brand-new interview with Sandler recorded especially for this release
- Home movie footage of Ken Russell visiting Florida for a retrospective screening of Crimes of Passion at the 2009 Florida Film Festival
- Theatrical trailer
- Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Twins of Evil

- Illustrated booklet containing new writing by Ken Russell's biographer, Paul Sutton, correspondence between Russell and Kathleen Turner, and an on-set interview with Russell (first pressing only)

Pre-order at the MVD SHOP or on Amazon

TBT: Rock Isn't Dead & Neither Is Lynyrd Skynyrd

We Ride Unicorns
Lynyrd Skynyrd
Photo: Clay Patrick McBride

Okay, do I seriously need to provide an explanation as to why Lynyrd Skynyrd is the subject of a Throwback Thursday piece? I thought not, keep calm and throwback like good little buckaroos!

On July 17, the evening prior to the official kick-off of the Republican National Convention, Cleveland - The Rock and Roll Capital of the World - will see a party unlike any they have ever seen as Rock and Roll Hall of Fame icons Lynyrd Skynyrd will provide entertainment for the “Welcome To Ohio Late Night” party held at The Auto Lot, a pop-up venue in downtown Cleveland and hosted by Ohio Speaker of the House Cliff Rosenberger.

Local Ohio foods will be on hand, as well as local beer presented by the Ohio Craft Brewers Association in partnership with Thirsty Dog Brewing Company. The event is produced by Blue Star Productions, LLC in conjunction with the Green Beret Foundation, The Folded Flag Foundation, The Guardians of Heroes Foundation, OH Fallen Heroes, and SRT-K9 Unit, with those military charities receiving proceeds from the event.

Originally formed as My Backyard in 1964 by Ronnie Van Zant, Bob Burns, Allen Collins, Gary Rossington, and Larry Junstrom, the band changed its’ moniker to the iconic name in the early 1970s, and became a fan favorite in the Jacksonville, FL area. They inked a deal with Sounds of the South Records in 1972, and released their self-titled disc the following year. Selling over two million units since its’ release, the album featured “Free Bird,” which became one of the most important singles of the Southern Rock era. Future hits included “Sweet Home Alabama” and “What’s Your Name.”

The band’s story took a tragic turn in October 1977 when a plane crash took the lives of Van Zant, Steve Gaines, backup singer Cassie Gaines, and several of their road crew. The band took a decade-long hiatus before reuniting for a tour and live album, Southern by the Grace of God. Since then, the band has toured and recorded extensively, with their most recent release being Last Of A Dyin’ Breed. The band’s current line-up includes original member Rossington, Johnny Van Zant, Rickey Medlocke, Mark “Sparky” Matejka, Michael Cartellone, Johnny Colt, Peter Keys, Dale Krantz Rossington and Carol Chase. The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006.

For more information, go to www.ClevelandRocks2016.com 

"The View" According To Margaret Cho

Margaret Cho Is Here To Help
Photo: Dusti Cunningham

Yes, tomorrow if you watch the talk fest The View you will get some Margaret Cho realness mixed in with...like who the heck is even hosting that show anymore?! There has been such a revolving door and so many people filling in for other people who need people, whatever!

All you need to know about tomorrow's broadcast is Margaret will be on addressing the topics du jour.

One thing I am positive will come up will be Ms. Cho's sophomore musical effort American Myth. Can I get an amen and a high five to this?!

So if you are a fan of The View, Thursday is going to have a little extra something, something. If you are a Cho fan, well this is the only day you are mandated to tune in, Tivo and or DVR this show.

Margaret is here for you and your almost Friday rut, yes, really.

Also, be sure to start your week off with Margaret and the Fashion Police squad when they pass judgment  on the outfits from the Billboard Music Awards this coming Monday May 23rd.

When it comes to helping you out with the weekly grind, Margaret has got you covered.

Pencil Margaret in for your week at: 
http://margaretcho.com/    

Nyle & Peta For The Mirror Ball

Nyle, Never Fear Peta Is Here!

Although I do not watch Dancing With The Stars with rapt attention, I do follow it enough to be aware of what is happening on the celebrity dance off.

Well no real surprise America's Next Top Model winner Nyle DiMarco and his dance partner Peta Murgatroyd have made it to the finals and are competing against some other people that really don't stand a chance against them.

Yes, Nyle and Peta will win the Mirror Ball Trophy and deserve to. Some may think Nyle being deaf is getting him sympathy votes. While I agree his being deaf is part of the reason he will win, it is also part of the reason he should win.

Not only does Nyle not dance like someone who does not have the ability to hear, he dances like a pro. He has also performed dances that remind us of his disability as well, even brought us into his world with a dance to no music. Last night he danced blindfolded.

DiMarco is a superstar on the dance floor who could have been content to turn in functional performances and still have gotten this far. Instead he gives us excellence like no other while all the time reminding the audience where that desire to push and exceed boundaries comes from without any cloying sentimentality.

These two will, and deserve to win! To the other contestants in the finale? Enjoy the ride.

Go "Dancing" at:
https://www.facebook.com/dancingwiththestars/

Money Monster: Cannes, Cannes, Cannes

l-r Amal, George, Julia & Jodie
in Cannes

In case you have been distracted by other things the 2016 Cannes Film Festival has been happening and a movie with the title Money Monster played it and opened this past Friday.

No,I have yet to see it. Yes, it is on my list of films to do. Hey it stars George Clooney & Julia Roberts with Jodie Foster at the helm. Yeah, that puts it in "must see" territory for me.

So, I said to myself: Let's kick off the post Friday the 13th weekend with a really hot image of the trio and Clooney's catch of a wife Amal to start Monday the 16th off on a too cool note.

According to my favorite film buff Erik Rimmer: 

"Money Monster was a great film. I loved it. Tight direction and very suspenseful . Julia Roberts and George Clooney were fantastic." 

Bask, it's Monday. Enjoy your week!!!

Money Monster on IMDB: 
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2241351/?ref_=nv_sr_1

A Holiday Double Shot Of Dolly Parton

Dolly Parton
The Gift That Keeps On Giving

Didn't get enough of Dolly Parton last Christmas?

Well she is famous for things that come in pairs...

Coming off the phenomenal performance of last year’s holiday special and looking to recapture the enthusiasm of the nearly 16 million viewers who tuned in, NBC is announcing the sequel “Dolly Parton’s Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love.”

“Dolly Parton’s Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love” is the next chapter in the life of young Dolly Parton. The film delivers Christmas joy and peril as an unexpected blizzard threatens the Parton family, while at the same time Dolly’s father (and his kids) make sacrifices to raise enough money to finally buy his loving wife the wedding ring he could never afford to give her. Meanwhile, an important person in little Dolly’s life begins to see that her amazing voice and musical gift might just be made for something bigger than rural Tennessee.

The original cast will return for the sequel: Jennifer Nettles as Avie Lee Parton, Ricky Schroder as Robert Lee Parton, Gerald McRaney as Rev. Jake Owens and Alyvia Alyn Lind as young Dolly Parton. Other members of the cast, as well as a premiere date, will be announced in the coming months.

Stephen Herek, who directed the original film, is also back to direct the sequel.

“It’s no secret that everyone loves Dolly Parton and the response to our first movie was overwhelming, both in terms of the size of the audience and outpouring of love for a film with family values and faith,” said Robert Greenblatt, Chairman, NBC Entertainment. “So it felt like a no-brainer to bring this talented cast back together and tell another compelling holiday story culled from Dolly’s own life growing up in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. Her spirit and belief in God — and her music — will infuse this movie with the true spirit of Dolly Parton.”

“I was so overwhelmed and touched by how many people watched ‘Coat of Many Colors’ and their reaction to it,” Parton said. “The song ‘Coat of Many Colors,’ of course, has always been my favorite and has touched so many people through the years, especially me. It is a true story from a very special time in my childhood. I am so happy to share this story with the viewers and to say there is so much more to tell because mine truly has been a life of many colors. I hope the viewers will fall in love all over again.”

In L+7 results from Nielsen Media Research, the Dec. 10 telecast of “Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors” generated a 2.45 rating in adults 18-49 and 15.9 million viewers overall, making it the most-watched film on broadcast or cable in nearly seven years. The film’s increases from live plus same day to L+7 Nielsens are the largest L+7 time-shifted increase ever for a primetime movie on the broadcast networks.

“Dolly Parton’s Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love” is written by Pamela K. Long. She executive produces with Sam Haskell and Dolly Parton. The film is a production of Magnolia Hill Entertainment and Dixie Pixie Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television.

To follow Dolly Parton online, go to:

www.dollypartonentertainment.com
Facebook: Facebook.com/DollyParton
Instagram: Instagram.com/DollyParton
Twitter: Twitter.com/DollyParton
Tumblr: OfficialDollyParton.tumblr.com
Google+: Plus.Google.com/+DollyParton

Go Indie, Or Go Home! "Southlander"

Are you a "Southlander" ?!?! Find out...

Chance (Rory Cochrane, CSI Miami), a hapless LA Musician, has found his ticket to fame, fortune and romance with the coveted keyboard, the 69' Moletron, which got him the gig and the girl (Beth Orton). But now the Moletron is missing, and Chance must reclaim it by working his way through The Southlander, the ultimate buy/sell classified paper for musicians in Southern California. 

Along the way, Chance and his pal Ross Angeles (Ross Harris, Airplane!) stumble upon the unstable defunct Funk star Motherchild (Lawrence Hilton Jacobs III, Welcome Back, Kotter) and his toadie (Richard Edson, Do the Right Thing), Beck's ramshackle recording trailer, a ruthless junkyard cowboy (Hank III) and his mechanical dinosaur (Robosaurus), an eccentric millionaire's Bacchanalian party, a clairvoyant goddess (Laura Prepon, That 70s Show), and intergalactic Jazz Egyptians (Billy Higgins).

With music performances by Beck, Beth Orton, Hank Williams III, Union 13, and Billy Higgins, plus cameos from Laura Prepon, Ione Sky and Elliott Smith, Southlander is a comically uncanny rock & roll party adventure by critically acclaimed director Steven Hanft. 

Hanft has directed over 70 music videos including Beck's "Loser" and "Where It's At" and more recently, projects for Ariel Pink, Carmen Electra, Prince Jazzbo, and Richie Ramone. Southlander, Hanft's second feature film, is based on true stories he heard of friends who used the SoCal paper to buy/sell/trade instruments. He also produced and starred in the Cannes Film Festival award winning short film "Sunglass Catch" rated by Business Insider as the 4th most important YouTube video ever.

Features include Deleted Scenes, Uncut Performances, Director's Commentary, Music Videos, Bonus Audio, Photo Gallery, and Theatrical Trailer.

Pre-order at the MVD Shop or on Amazon