Mel Carter "The Other Standards"

Mel Carter, the man responsible for giving the song "Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me," a place in pop history, began his career in Cincinnati at the age of four when his grandmother held him up to the microphone in a penny arcade recording booth.

It was 25 cents well-spent; the unpolished performance had an unmistakable element of raw talent in those grooves.

Well he kept grooving and it’s time to celebrate the Holidays even more because the hit maker is back!

What’s Mel’s latest release you may be asking yourself? His latest release bears the title “The Other Standards” and as you Mel fans out there know, this is what Mel does best. To the new comers in the house it’s time to introduce yourself to the man with the hit making touch and golden voice.

Stand outs include “Cry Me A River” which is one of this writers favorite songs evuh!

Another stand out is…well they all stand out, it’s Mel Carter people.

2012 is near, don’t “Cry Me A River” I have my copy of “The Other Standards”….
So? What are you waiting for, get yours, and get it now..!

Find out more about Mel and get “The Other Standards” at: http://www.mel-carter.com/

What Does Emii Want For Christmas? Stilettos...!

"Oh damn this drunk chick just spilled the drink on my Manolos
And that's a no, no, baby"....

Forget Cha Cha Heels, that is so John Waters "Desperate Living" what does the well heeled gold digger want this Christmas?

The small woman with the big voice & sense of humor, Emii is back after her hit with Snoop Dogg "Mr. Romeo" ...And she wants stilettos, now damn it! Please make sure they are 5 or 6 inches, or you will not please her one bit..(of course 7 would be the preferable fit )....

What does she have to say about all this? "I have a sense of humor about a lot of things. It might be terribly inappropriate, but I have no qualms about joking around. It's all good".

Check out my full length chat with Ms. Thang about "Mr.Romeo" for Chorus and Verse at:
http://www.chorusandverse.com/content.php?id=20110404A

Pay her a Holiday visit at: http://www.emii.net/  and you'd better be bearing stilettos, b!tches...!

Disclaimer: None of the abovementioned is to imply Emii is a gold digger, and if you choose to say so, please preface it with Diva...Thank You  for your cooperation.

25 Years Of Christmas: Darlene Love

This year marks the 25th year that Ms. Darlene Love will be singing her rendition of "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" on the "David Letterman Show."

The venerable legend who made the Rock-N-Roll hall of fame last year, which I predicted in our interview for Chorus and Verse when we chatted about the CD of her beloved classics "Concert of Love."

http://www.chorusandverse.com/content.php?id=20101110A

Has been been bringing down the house, year after year, with this tradition on Letterman that puts a smile on everyone's face.

Ms. Love has this to say about her annual performance: "This will be the 25th year I have done David Letterman. It's so wonderful to have people come up to me and tell me they do not feel it's the holidays until they have heard me sing "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)". I told David we have to do something spectacular"!

Knowing this pro you are in for something really special.

Raise a Holiday toast to Darlene and tune into David Letterman Friday December 23rd and catch her 25th beloved performance.

Find out more about the CD of her classics "Concert Of Love" at: http://www.whoisdarlenelove.com/

WebTV: "Have Yourself A "Meaty" Little Christmas"

Here at "Entertain Me" we like to celebrate the Holidays some....OK, a lot, so in the tradition of the seasonal posts, Sandy Zacky's "White Christmas," Mike Clifford's "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" & 10 Silly Holiday Questions: Winter Wonderette's ..."Entertain Me" is happy to lay another Holiday celebration on you, oh yeah!

That's right, it's time to "Have Yourself A "Meaty" Little Christmas" with Mr. Meatballs....Woot!

As you recall from a November post yours truly did, Jonathan Brett's Mr. Meatballs is now in season 2 of it's WebTV prescence: http://mshinafelt.blogspot.com/2011/11/webtv-heeees-baaack-mr-meatballs-season.html

Well here is a blast from the season 1 past, a warm Holiday treat titled: "Tiny Tim Needs Help".

It has everything you love about the season, Wheel Chairs, Charles Dickens References, Santa, Hanukkah & most importantly, MEATBALLS...stick a fork in em, and you're done...!

Get "Meaty" for the Holidaze at:

http://www.youtube.com/user/MeatballsAreFunny

TV Watch: True Blood Season 5

It has been officially confirmed, after an initial press leak,  that Christopher Meloni, formerly of "Law & Order SVU" (Special Victims Unit, for those who need an acronymn translation) is coming to season 5 of my beloved "True Blood" (A special shout out to Debby Holiday for my intitial alert to the leak) ....

According to the press release he is playing a "powerful and ancient vampire" uh, aren't they all?!

As a fan of both shows this has got this fang banger quite stoked, can I get a heart ripped from someone's chest high five?!

No word yet on whether he is a good vampire or a bad vampire, I am guessing he is a total bad ass, and after last years annoying and lackluster villain Marnie (yes, she of the over articulated voice and a demeanor that only an infant could fear) I can't wait for someone as fierce as Mr. Meloni to let loose his devil inside..!

Here's to plenty of  "doing bad things to you"  on the upcoming season of "True Blood" Meloni style...

"Waiting Sucks"! Indeed....

http://www.hbo.com/true-blood/index.html

10 Silly Holiday Questions: Winter Wonderettes

Lowe Taylor, Julie Dixon Jackson, Bets Malone and Misty Cotton in "Winter Wonderettes"

The Holidays are a time of family, friends and most importantly music…lots and lots of music. That is what the hit show “Winter Wonderettes” now playing at Musical Theatre West in Long Beach, CA is all about.

Here to represent is Lowe Taylor who plays “Cindy Lou" tis the season...


MS: Happy Holidays to you and the Wonderettes, finish this sentence: Walking in a winter…

LT: Wonderland!! We sing that song in Act 2. Its one of our favorites!!

MS: What is your favorite Holiday song to sing?

LT: That is hard to choose. We do more than 30 songs in “Winter Wonderettes” and they are all so much fun. I think personally I get to have a lovely character moment singing “All Those Christmas Cliches“. But “Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town” is also a blast because its super 60's and very dancey.

MS: Can you name all 8 of Santa’s Reindeer?

LT: Not even close! Although I bet Bets Malone could! She knows everything about Christmas. We do "Donde Esta Santa Claus" in the show where we refer to Dasher Dancer PEDRO and Blitzen. Haha. Let me try though... Dasher Dancer Prancer Vixen Comet Cupid R--? Blitzen. Who am I missing?? I can't remember that one!! Dang. And Rudolph of course :)

MS: Which of you if any likes kissing under the mistletoe?

LT: My character Cindy Lou would definitely be the one caught kissing under the mistletoe. And lets just say, art imitates life :)

MS: Do you believe in Santa Claus?

LT: I think there is a little part of me that loves to believe in the magic of Christmas. Its the time of year when anything is possible. That might seem pollyanna but it's nice to live in that space sometimes.

MS: Name your favorite Holiday TV special.

LT: Definitely the “Rudolph” one with the old school animation. Claymation I think?

MS: If you were a Christmas tree what kind would you be?

LT: Lets be honest, in my living room in West Hollywood is a 6 foot white and silver tree with teal ornaments. I mean, fabulous much?

MS: You are playing the home version of Family Feud and you are to name things associated with Frosty the Snowman, what do you think the number one answer would be?

LT: Corncob Pipe!

MS: Ever crush on any of Santa’s Elves?

LT: Not generally. I like a tall drink of water ;)

MS: What message would you gals like to send everyone for the Holidays?

LT: I think I can speak for all of the girls when I say we would want to wish everyone a safe, happy and healthy holiday season and New Year. Be kind to each other and to yourselves. Yay!! How fun! I wish the girls could have done this with me!

All the show info is on musical.org. And my website is www.lowetaylor.com or people can follow me on twitter at @lowetaylor. 

For Immediate Release: James Durbin Update

Hey "Entertain Me" peeps remember my chat with James about his Rock-N-Roll fantasies?

http://mshinafelt.blogspot.com/2011/11/james-durbins-rock-n-roll-fantasy.html

Well here is an update on the rockin' "American Idol" finalist -

American Idol’s James Durbin Cracks Top 10 on Billboard’s Rock Album Chart with Debut Album, Memories Of A Beautiful Disaster

First Two Singles Impact Rock and Top 40 Radio

Revolver Magazine names James one of the “100 Greatest Living Rock Stars”

December 2011- Los Angeles, CA – American Idol finalist, James Durbin, is celebrating a whirlwind year with the release of his Wind-Up Records debut album Memories Of A Beautiful Disaster as it cracks the Top 10 on Billboard’s Rock Album chart at #8 and #36 on Billboard’s Top 200 Album chart.

Memories Of A Beautiful Disaster features not one, but two lead singles with the power-charged ballad “Love Me Bad” at Top 40 radio and the anthemic rock single, “Stand Up” which is a gleaming showcase for Durbin’s signature rock-star yowl and powerful, energetic voice. The NFL has tapped “Stand Up” as its stadium anthem featuring it on jumbotrons nationwide during its games this Fall/Winter season. James will be performing with his band during half-time shows at various games this Winter including the Atlanta Falcons game on December 15 and the San Francisco 49ers game on December 19.

People magazine gives Memories Of a Beautiful Disaster a 3 out of 4 star review and says “Durbin is one of the best voices to come out of Idol. His debut packs metallic muscle.” In addition, Revolver magazine has named James one of the “100 Greatest Living Rock Stars” alongside other rock icons including Ozzy Osbourne, Nikki Sixx, Gene Simmons and Dave Grohl.

Unforgettable performances on the Idol stage with legends such as Judas Priest and Zakk Wylde led Durbin’s own “Idols” to support the rocker’s first ever release. Mick Mars of Mötley Crüe, songwriters James Michael (Sixx A.M, Mötley Crüe) and Marti Frederiksen (Aerosmith, Buckcherry, Ozzy Osbourne) along with Swedish rock band Hardcore Superstar all contributed to the making of Memories Of A Beautiful Disaster. Durbin, who co-wrote five of the albums tracks exclaimed it was “surreal” to be working with this bevy of rock royalty and recalls, “When Mick Mars started shredding on his guitar I literally lost my mind.” The long-time Mötley Crüe fan continued saying, “He’s a true rock legend and he’s playing on my record. It doesn’t get any cooler than that.” Mick Mars echoed the same fervor, “It was sick to have played on James’ debut album. To be the only featured guest artist on the record was really cool as I know a lot of others wanted to be on it. James Durbin kicks ass, he’s the real deal.”

On American Idol, James Durbin waved the flag for rock and it was that devotion to rock that helped him overcome his private struggles with tourette’s and aspergers syndrome. He touched the hearts of people everywhere while on the show, and with the release of Memories Of A Beautiful Disaster he is proudly waving that flag high again.

Follow James on Twitter and Facebook here: http://twitter.com/durbinrock, http://facebook.com/durbinrock, http://www.durbinrock.com