TV Watch: It's a "Smash" !

Although I enjoyed Season One of "Smash" and sure I was going to watch the Second Season. I was not one of those people who was totally blown away by it.

Sure it had one of the best ensemble casts on TV and some knock out musical numbers, but there was something that did not quite push it to the greatness that it could be, very entertaining for sure, but that extra something just was not completely there that matched the ambition of the show.

Well, jump back! Season Two is off to an amazing start! With a two hour premiere that is already more dynamic and stakes claim to the ambition that was almost realized from Season One.

Things I loved:

1) Jennifer Hudson as "Veronica Moore" - J-Hud is a great addition to the show and, was great herself in it.

2) Katherine McPhee's "Karen Cartwright" - new found jaded and world weariness, is a much needed change from that wide eyed girl from Season One.

3) The new opening credit sequence, slick and jazz hot!

4) Julia (Debra Messing) shacking up with her writing partner Tom (Christian Borle) - so "Will & Grace" with a twist and an edge.

5) Jeremy Jordan as "Jimmy/Danny", hey bad boys are fun boys, especially in a nighttime drama/musical.

6) Liza Minnelli as an upcoming guest star and the return of Bernadette Peters. Enough said.

7) Visibly higher production values, they added greatly to a show that is as big as this.

8) Jack Davenport (Derek Wills) this is a personal thing, ahem.

9) Megan Hilty (Ivy Lynn) - always a spot on singer/actress

10) Anjeica Houston, Anjelica Houston, Anjelica Houston...ever since I saw her in "Prizzi's Honor" I have been hooked, one of my favorite actresses.

The funniest thing that happened to me whilst watching the "Smash" Season Two premiere was I had totally forgotten, until I saw them duet together that J-Hud and K-Mc had both been on "American Idol" they have both risen so far above their humble beginnings they no longer need to list the show on their resume'...

Looking forward to the next episode, bravo everyone !

Get "Smash"'d at: http://www.nbc.com/smash/

Pentatonix On Tour...Now!

Photo: Andrew Ryan Shepherd

Hey, did you know the best acapella group in the world,  Pentatonix is on tour?!

Well they are and their first stop on the 2013 trail was The Henry Fonda Theatre in Hollywood, CA, and I of course as someone who covers them and more importantly as a fan was there thanks to their publicist and all around awesome guy, Ken Phillips.

My friend and fellow PTX fan Danny Bozarth was my plus 1 for the evening. Since the kick off at "The Fonda" Pentatonix has been playing to sold out crowds. Translation: if they are playing in a city near you and you want to see them live, get your tickets and get them now...!

Is there anything more that I can say about this amazing group that has't been said already? If there is, I'll save it for another time and let this exclusive live footage, shot by Danny, from the show speak for itself...PTX rules!

Hurry and get your tix to see PTX Live at: http://ptxofficial.com/tour

Checking In With: Grace V. "Don't Wanna Be Waiting"

Grace V.

I first encountered Grace V. (the V. stands for Valerie) via an interview request from Project Publicity for the music site I write for, Chorus and Verse.

Every person I interview is uncharted territory until you have been there. Grace V. turned out to be a delightful intelligent woman who, in my book loves to do the most important thing in life, laugh...!

Here is the link to my full length interview with her for her first hit single "When The Lights Go Down" where she looked like a cute spandex mummy in the video.

http://www.chorusandverse.com/content.php?id=20110607A

Grace has been very busy since and has a new single and video out, now, called "Don't Wanna Be Waiting" let's "Check In" with the effervescent Grace Valerie!

MS: Hello gorgeous what have you been up to of late? 

GV: "I've been very busy lately promoting my new single "Don't Wanna Be Waiting". It is also produced by the one and only Randy Jackson! I just got back from NYC where I did a lot of press and radio appearances. I also had an amazing show in Connecticut at Sin City in Jan. I am gonna have few shows in LA in Feb-March".

MS: Initiate the unfamiliar with your music please.

GV: "I think my music is sensual, dancy, fun, very pure. I only sing what is dear to my heart; you want to drive your car and sing along with my songs very very LOUD. It is just awesome! I am very passionate about my craft. And I love to enjoy my life to the fullest"

MS: Chat about your music video.

GV: "My music video is exclusively released today on MTV logo. Tomorrow we are gonna upload it to my YouTube channel and I hope we can beat my "When The Lights Go Down" record!

MS: Do you have a motto? Most artist have a motto, tell us yours.

GV: "I recently found a great quote in The Bible: "For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under Heaven. A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance." That's my MOTTO"

Check out the lyric video for the song, "Don't Wanna Be Waiting"...

Grace is the word at: http://www.gracevalerie.com/

Check out the official video for "Don't Wanna Be Waiting" at: http://www.newnownext.com/grace-v-dont-wanna-be-waiting/01/2013/

The Strange Familiar + "Pretty Little Liars" = An Awesome 2013...!

The Strange Familiar

After having their haunting hit song "Unwanted" featured on one of my favorite shows "Pretty Little Liars" last year, one of my favorite bands The Strange Familiar is back on the show with "Alibi", "Unwanted", and "Runaway Heart" on Season 3 of Pretty Little Liars on January 29, February 12, and March 12 episodes.

The songs are taken from their debut album "Chasing Shadows" - as a huge fan of both this  news is rockin' ! 

Last nights episode featured "Alibi" which is sure be be another hit for TSF.

I checked in with my friend and lead singer for the band Kira Leyden Andrea and asked her to give a shout out to all of you PLL and TSF fans as to what five things she wishes all of you in 2013.

Pretty Little Liars

Take it away Kira....!

1) Love - what's life without love? Love for our families, friends, our significant other, God, for all those who need compassion and a heping hand, and love for life!

2) Health - we often take the little things for granted - like being able to get out of bed in the morning - to see the sun rise - to share a meal with friends and family. But when things like these are taken away, we realize they are not so little after all. I wish for everyone to be blessed with good health of mind, body and spirit in 2013.

3) Peace - I know it may sound like a cliche pageant answer, but I wish for peace in 2013. Peace of mind - peace in our families, peace in our nation, peace between all nations.

4) Laughter - life can be heavy, so I wish that laughter will help lift everyone up in 2013.

5) Hope - for everyone going through a tough time, for anyone in pain... We all have our struggles, but hope is what keeps us going.

Thanks Kira for your well wishes to everyone....and being part of a band and a show that makes 2013 an already better year than 2012.

Turn and face the strange: http://thestrangefamiliar.com/

Liars are pretty: http://prettylittleliars.alloyentertainment.com/

Paul V. "Born This Way"

Paul V. "Born This Way"

"I'm beautiful in my way, 'Cause God makes no mistakes,I'm on the right track baby,I was born this way. Don't hide yourself in regret,Just love yourself and you're set,I'm on the right track baby.....I was born this way" Born This Way - Lady Gaga

Hey Mr. DJ put a book on...well OK that is not what a DJ usually does, but in this case DJ Paul V. has, put a book out.  

Paul  Vitagliano (in case you haven't guessed that's what the "V" stands for) has written a book.

"Born This Way: Real Stories of Growing Up Gay" (Quirk Books; $14.95; October 9, 2012) is 
a collection of adorable childhood photographs accompanied by sweet, funny, and at times 

heartbreaking personal stories of those who grew up LGBTQ. Based on the popular blog of 

the same name, Born This Way is a celebration of growing up gay, childhood, and 

community history and awareness.

With some notable celebrity stories included as well: Congressman Barney Frank,blogger Perez Hilton, Erasure's Andy Bell, columnist Michael Musto,composer Marc Shaiman, radio host Frank DeCaro, singer Sia,and drag superstars Jackie Beat, Coco Peru, and Sutan Amrull(aka Raja, Season 3 winner of Ru Paul's Drag Race).

So what does Mr. Vitagliano have to say about all this?

"I'm really proud of this project, and the connection I hope it brings to both kids (gay and straight alike) and parents - who especially need to be aware of what our experiences are/were like. And more importantly, to put the message out there that gay kids need their parents' unconditional love and support"

And proud he should be, with wonderful reviews and great support from the LGBTQ Community Paul has plenty to be happy about, hey, he was "Born This Way".

Check out the groovy trailer for the book below....

To get a copy of "Born This Way" go to: http://bit.ly/WSSGGT

Follow Paul V. on his BTW (Born This Way, not By The Way) blog at: http://www.BornThisWayBlog.com

Running With "Scissor Sisters"

Scissor Sisters: Live in Victoria Park - London 2011 on DVD Feb 19   Brand new concert from London's Lovebox Festival,  released for the first time ever on DVD!   According to the Chinese New Year, 2013 is my year! Yes I am the year of the snake.....woot! So how fitting that this year would give birth to the release of a concert DVD from one of the best bands I have ever seen live, because like tits, you can not see the Scissor Sisters on the radio either! Here they come on DVD, are you ready?! Scissor Sisters: Live in Victoria Park! Yep, it's going to be a great 2013! The Scissor Sisters certainly need no introduction, having toured around the world, collaborated with the likes of Elton John and Kylie Minogue and sold millions of albums. Bono from U2 describes the band as "the best pop group in the world." Every one of their 4 albums reached the top 5 in the UK charts, with their first two albums making the #1 spot. Their most commercially successful single, I Don't Feel Like Dancin' (2006), charted at #1 in the UK and throughout Europe. They have released 18 singles to date. This brand new DVD contains the stunningly electrifying performance from the Scissor Sisters at Victoria Park in London, on 17 July 2011. Colourful and glitzy as ever, the New York outfit who brought garish costumes and twisted disco sounds to the capital, fully embraced the weekend's flamboyant spirit. Tracks: Night Work Any Which Way  Laura  Take Your Mama  Kiss You Off  Fire with Fire  Comfortably Numb  Paul McCartney  Filthy / Gorgeous  I Don't Feel Like Dancin'  Invisible Light Bonus Tracks: Harder You Get  Running Out Cut me gently with a "Scissor Sister" at: http://www.scissorsisters.com/

Pop Princess Shara Strand "Gets Random"

Pop Princess Shara Strand claimed her territory with the release of her EP "Born Tonight" the title coming from a verse of the Rosanne Cash song "Seven Year Ache" which Shara does a wonderful cover of on the disc.

Also on the EP is Shara's hit single "Jekyll or Hyde" the song is so popular that coming Tuesday, January 22nd a disc of re-mixes is dropping, yes including dance ones.

Shara dropped by "Entertain Me" to respond to 10 Random Things I tossed out to her, let's see what she said in return...


1. Born Tonight:  My debut EP everyone that has something for everyone! OUT NOW! 



2. Make-over:  Shara Makeup Studio at The Pierre Hotel in the Dominique Salon will have you looking and feeling INCREDIBLE! 


3. Showtime at the Apollo:  Still nervous thinking about doing that show. The producer literally had to push me on stage! But, the scary clown man never came out and I rocked it!


4. Get Here:  Oldie but goodie. I performed this on Showtime at The Apollo.

5. Re-mixes:  Jekyll or Hyde remixes out Jan 22nd. D1 Music, Mike Rizzo, Paul Goodyear, and Wayne Numan ALL did their thaaang!!


6. Treble Clef:  I've always hated music theory  BLECH!


7. Broadway:  My real schooling for everything thats evolving in music.


8. Whiskers on Kittens:  I played Liesl, and I never had so much fun doing a show!


9. Pop Princess:  Honored, humbled, and excited every time I hear "pop princess" in the same sentence as my name!!


10. Jekyll or Hyde:  Wahoo! Touring starts NEXT WEEK!


Keep up with Shara and check out her tour dates at: http://www.sharastrand.com/