James Durbin Takes A Stand Against Bullying

AMErican idol's JAMES DURBIN to be

celebrity spokesperson for

anti-bullying alliance, be a STAR

Me, James & Brittney

STAMFORD, Conn., February 23, 2012 – Rock musician James Durbin announced today that he will serve as a celebrity spokesperson for the be a STAR Alliance, an anti-bullying initiative, cofounded by The Creative Coalition and WWE. The former American Idol Season Ten fan favorite joins more than 50 alliance members, including GLAAD, STOMP Out Bullying, Scholastic, Inc and United Federation of Teachers in an effort to prevent bullying in schools and communities around the world.

Having been a victim of bullying while dealing with Asperger's Syndrome and Tourette's Syndrome, Durbin’s refusal to be sidelined by medical hurdles lends an inspiring image to the core message of be a STAR, which stands for “Show Tolerance And Respect.” In his role, Durbin will contribute to be a STAR’s mission to ensure a positive and equitable social environment for everyone regardless of age, race, religion or sexual orientation through education and awareness.

“I’m honored to align myself with be a STAR in the effort to change the way people treat each other,” said Durbin. “Having been a victim of bullying, I’m excited to share my story and encourage people to put an end to bullying.’”

Durbin will begin his advocacy by visiting Los Coyotes Middle School in La Mirada, CA today to address 650 students about bullying’s severe consequences and effects. Also speaking at today’s event, Congresswoman Linda Sanchez, Two and a Half Men star Angus T. Jones, WWE Superstar The Miz and WWE Diva Eve.

In addition, Durbin recently filmed a PSA for be a STAR that will air nationally on WWE’s weekly programming in the spring.

About be a STAR Alliance

be a STAR (beastaralliance.org) is an anti-bullying alliance co-founded by The Creative Coalition and WWE. Its mission is to ensure a positive and equitable social environment for everyone regardless of age, race, religion or sexual orientation through grassroots efforts beginning with education and awareness. be a STAR, which stands for "Show Tolerance And Respect," promotes positive methods of social interaction and encourage people to treat others as equals and with respect because everyone is a star in their own right.

Ariel Beez: "Snow White" Goes Solo

Ariel Beez formerly of “Snow White & The 7 Slutz” is now flying solo - ya know, the usual band disbanded for various reasons sort of thing.

This weekend she has a gig at “Hillbillyhip” in Topanga, CA, Saturday February 25th 2012, let’s check in with the now Slutz- less “Snow White”.

MS: So what happened to the Slutz?

AB: Well, our bassist moved to Orange County, and I kind of wanted to pursue solo stuff.

MS: Cool, so are you still going to be doing punk at your upcoming gig?

AB: Yeah, the upcoming show is like a punk/folk show - my part, I’m not really sure how to describe it, I play ukulele, I am opening for a big band on the punk scene called “Ramshackle Glory” It’s a good opportunity to be opening for them. Part of the show is electric and part of it is acoustic.

MS: I love acoustic! Do you remember me from your childhood at all? It has been a while.

AB: Were you in Uncle Phil’s (Esposito) acting class?

MS: Yes, I was that is how I met your Mom (Nina Savelle- Rocklin).

AB: Vaguely, I was really little.

MS: I’ve actually met your Dad too (Matt Earl Beesley, Producer on
“Revenge“) and “Revenge” is one of my favorite shows.

AB: Oh, that’s awesome!

MS: Speaking of Phil, you, like myself, love tattoos and your first one was honoring him, tell us about it.

AB: Phil was very important in my life, he was like a Father Figure, he and his partner Joseph. The tattoo I got to honor him is on my forearm, it’s an infinity sign, but I had it done like a vine, and it has his birth date written in the infinity.

MS: Very nice.

AB: Also I have another quote tattooed on my back, it’s from “One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest” the quote is “It’s the truth, even if it didn’t happen”. It has to do with my past and the fact that I’m a writer. So to have such an amazing piece of literature on my body by such an amazing author like Ken Kesey is really important to me.

MS: Obviously you write all your own songs.

AB: Yes, I do.

MS: That is awesome! So other than acoustic what can people expect from your show this Saturday?

AB: All around the show is going to be an amazing time, because it is so many different groups of artists. One of the bands is my boyfriend performing with a friend of mine and an accordion. My music? I wouldn’t really know how to categorize it, I wouldn’t call it punk, it’s more quirky and a little bit whimsical. Folk/Punk is something I really like, it’s fun to take punk subjects like: Drugs, Sex & Rock-N-Roll and then put them across in a folky way.

MS: Sounds Great! I am making a point of being there Saturday.

AB: Thank you so much for this opportunity, hope to see you there!

Get hip this Saturday: http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=100002517776293

For Immediate Release: James Durbin Keeps On Rockin'

James & Mick Mars

Wow! "Entertain Me" favorite James Durbin is one busy guy - check in and catch up with everything he's been up to lately....Rock On James!

American Idol’s James Durbin Cracks The Hot Adult Top 40 chart with his “Love Me Bad” single

James Receives a Best Lead Vocalist Nomination from the Golden Gods Awards

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

February 2012- Los Angeles, CA – American Idol finalist, James Durbin, shot to fame in 2011 and then released his Wind-Up Records debut album Memories Of A Beautiful Disaster. The album broke into the Top 10 on Billboard’s Rock Album chart at #8 and #36 on Billboard’s Top 200 Album chart. Meanwhile, his current single, “Love Me Bad” has cracked the Hot Adult Top 40 chart this week and Memories Of A Beautiful Disaster is quickly approaching 100,000 in sales.

Click here to watch the “Love Me Bad” video: http://www.vevo.com/watch/james-durbin/love-me-bad/USWV41100047

Revolver magazine recently named James one of the “100 Greatest Living Rock Stars” alongside other rock icons including Ozzy Osbourne, Gene Simmons and Dave Grohl. In addition, Revolver announced today that James has been nominated for a Golden Gods Award in the Best Lead Vocalist category. James will also be a presenter on the show. The Golden Gods Awards will take place on April 11 in Los Angeles at Club Nokia and for the first time ever, the event will be broadcast live in its entirety on Xbox LIVE, as well as on the Xbox and Revolver Facebook pages. Voting begins today and will end on April 1. To vote for James please visit: www.GoldenGods Awards.com.

Memories Of A Beautiful Disaster features not one, but two lead singles with the power-charged ballad “Love Me Bad” at Top 40/Hot AC radio and the anthemic rock single, “Stand Up” which is a gleaming showcase for Durbin’s signature rock-star yowl and powerful, energetic voice. 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.”

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

For Immediate Release: Conspirator Is On The Road Again

Conspirator

ROCKING THEIR WAY ONTO YOUR STEREO, THE DANCE FLOOR AND YOUR HEARTS:

CONSPIRATOR (FEATURING MEMBERS OF THE DISCO BISCUITS) PREPARE TO UNLEASH UNLOCKED: LIVE FROM THE GEORGIA THEATER APRIL 10 WITH CROSS COUNTRY TOUR DATES TO SUPPORT THE RELEASE

Conspirator features Aron Magner and Marc Brownstein (The Disco Biscuits keyboardist and bass player) as an outlet to channel their electronic mad scientist personae. Formed in 2004 with New York DJ/producer DJ Omen, Conspirator has taken on many forms through the years. With the recent addition of virtuoso guitarist Chris Michetti and a rotating cast of some of the country's best drummers – Darren Shearer (the New Deal), Mike Greenfield (Lotus), KJ Sawka (Pendulum) and Adam Deitch (Break Science, Pretty Lights) – Conspirator has reached another level.

2011 was a seminal year for the group with groundbreaking performances at the Ultra Music Festival, Nocturnal Festival, Electric Forest Festival and Camp Bisco 10 as well as sold out shows at the Gramercy Theatre in NYC, Pearl Street in Northampton, MA, the Fox Theater in Boulder and the Bluebird Theatre in Denver. As a full band, the music is hitting new highs and killing in the live show. With the addition of an arsenal of new material, more crowds across the nation have begun to embrace this remarkable outfit.

Unlocked - Live from the Georgia Theatre (release date April 10, 2012) captures the spirit of these true genre blenders. The collection is a smorgasbord of electronic rock bliss, delving, twisting and diving effortlessly between house, dub-step, drum and bass, and electro. Coming off of break-out performances at Ultra Music Festival and Nocturnal Festival, Conspirator has begun to catch the eye of electronic music aficionados everywhere. Upcoming tour date highlights will include headlining shows at Irving Plaza, The Trocadero, The Orange Peel, Georgia Theater, the Fox Theater and more as well as supporting slots with Lotus at the Congress Theater and The Pageant.

Yes, it is the Year of the Dragon but barring the Mayan prediction coming true for 2012, this should be Conspirator’s year as well.

Tour dates are as follows:

2/15/12 Turner Hall Milwaukee, WI
2/16/12 The Cabooze Minneapolis, MN
2/17/12 The Congress Theater Chicago, IL
2/18/12 The Pageant St. Louis, MO
2/19/12 Bell’s Brewery Kalamazoo, MI

3/01/12 Toad's Place New Haven, CT

3/02/12 Sherman Theater Stroudsburg, PA
3/03/12 Wescott Theater Syracuse, NY
3/08/12 The Note West Chester, PA
3/09/12 Mr. Smalls Pittsburgh, PA
3/10/12 Town Ballroom Buffalo, NY

3/16/12 LIFT Festival Enfield, NH

3/22/12 Belly Up Solano Beach, CA
3/23/12 Roxy Theatre Los Angeles, CA
3/24/12 The Independent San Francisco, CA
3/25/12 The Arcata Theatre Arcata, CA
3/26/12 Crystal Bay Casino Ballroom Crystal Bay, NV
3/31/12 Rock and Roll Resort v2 Kerhonkson NY

4/01/12 Rock and Roll Resort v2 Kerhonkson NY
4/18/12 Pour House Charleston, SC
4/19/12 Wanee Music Festival Live Oak, FL
4/20/12 Georgia Theater Athens, GA - 2 SET SHOW
4/21/12 Orange Peel Asheville, NC - 2 SET SHOW
4/27/12 The Trocadero Philadelphia, PA - 2 SET SHOW
4/28/12 Irving Plaza New York, NY - 2 SET SHOW

http://www.conspiratorband.com/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Conspirator-Official/171350712892526

Love Is Everything

While debating whether or not to post something in honor of Valentine's Day today, thinking "'is it really necessary, will it really matter"? I got inspired.

"Entertain Me" staple Sandy, with a "Y" not "E" Zacky performed a show a few years back with her singing partner, Mike Clifford at Vitello's in Studio City, CA on Valentine's Day.

Nobody does a love song better than Ms. Z, and the CD she cut with Clifford bears the title "Love Is Everything" ...in celebration of that notion, I bring you Sandy Zacky & Mike Clifford crooning that very song, don't say I never did you any favors.

Happy Valentine's Day Everyone....Enjoy!

R.I.P. Whitney Houston -

We will always love you -

Get Ready For: Air Collision!

 

Writer/Director: Liz Adams

Remember my groovy chat with friend and "Entertain Me" favorite, writer/director Liz Adams?

Well in case you don't click on the link 3 times and say: Air Collision, Air Collision, Air Collision...

http://mshinafelt.blogspot.com/2011/11/checking-in-with-filmmaker-liz-adams.html

The trailer for Liz's directorial debut from The Asylum is out & it looks mega-eXciting! (not Mega Shark)

If you have a fear of flying, cover your eyes you wimp! Otherwise get ready for a bumpy ride this March 27th.