Doughnut Divas
Hillary Clinton & Chloe Grace Moretz
Suck it Trump! The Democratic Convention is shaping up to be way better than the Republican one. What's that you say? How can it be when you had such power players as Scott Baio, Antonio Sabato Jr. & Natasha Badanov - Bwa ha ha ha ha ha! Yes moose & squirrel you can attend the DNC without fear of retaliation, and a special note to Michelle Obama who will be there supporting Hillary Clinton, no one will be copying your homework. Hillary knows how to werk it, she can probably twerk I suspect too. In addition to the first lady she is reeling in the women and youth of America with, well someone named America, speaking on her behalf, America Ferrera and her soul sister Lena Dunham in tow.
Also let's not forget Chloe Grace Moretz will be along for the ride too. Take that RNC! Be there or be, well, um, Republican aka Tragic July 25 - 28 when Philadelphia becomes the city of sisterly love. I'm With Her at: https://www.hillaryclinton.com
Remember Ruben Blades? I do, I used to process his checks when I worked in accounting at a talent agency in another life.
Between 1982 and 1984, music filmmaker Robert Mugge produced two feature length music docs for the UK's brand-new fourth TV network, appropriately named Channel 4 Television. Those two films were BLACK WAX with Gil Scott-Heron, now newly re-released on DVD and Blu-ray by MVD Visual, and GOSPEL ACCORDING TO AL GREEN. After both were completed, Andy Park, Channel 4's Commissioning Editor for Music who had funded both films, announced he would soon be leaving the channel. Mugge quickly realized, if he wanted Park to commission another film from him, he would need to act fast.
Therefore, in short order, Mugge proposed a film about the staging of Stephen Sondheim's then forthcoming musical Sunday in the Park with George. But before shooting could begin, the composer grew fearful that cameras could aggravate the stresses of an already challenging collaboration. So, sadly, that proposal was scrubbed.
Next up was a possible portrait of P-Funk mastermind George Clinton. But that proposal, too, was abandoned when the artist's own management noted his tendency not to show up when and where expected. Imagining what could happen to their modest budget if they booked crew, equipment, and supplies for a particular time and place only to have their subject fail to show, Mugge and Park soon abandoned that project as well.
Trailer
Finally, in early 1985, Mugge proposed, and Park approved, a portrait of Panamanian-American singer, songwriter, musician, activist, essayist, lawyer, and politician Ruben Blades, who could rightly have been named "The Most Interesting Man in the World" decades before the tongue-in-cheek Dos Equis commercials dubbed actor Jonathan Goldsmith as such. At the time, Blades was the darling of American rock critics thanks to release of the 1984 Elektra album Buscando América, Blades' most successful attempt yet at "crossing over" into mainstream Anglo acceptance, even as his longtime Latin fans stayed with him. His previous albums on salsa label Fania Records, with and without Nuyorican musician and bandleader Willie Colón, had made him a household name among Spanish-speaking salsa fans worldwide. But Blades was looking for far more, both musically and otherwise, and he seemed on the verge of becoming a multi-hyphenated, bilingual superstar.
The release of Buscando América, with its intricate Latin dance rhythms, its rocklike intensity, and its poetic, Spanish-language reflections on the often turbulent relationship between the U.S. and Latin America, showed Blades to be a major cultural force. But what made him so much more "interesting" as a film subject was that, simultaneously, he was starring in a highly autobiographical independent film titled CROSSOVER DREAMS which he himself had co-written, was earning a Master of Laws degree (LL.M.) in International Law from Harvard Law School, was publishing political essays in both Spanish and English, was splitting his time between the U.S. and his native Panama in anticipation of future political ambitions, was reading scripts for additional acting roles in the hope of improving the image of Latinos in Hollywood films and TV series, was touring internationally with his superb band, and was planning ever new material he hoped would further dissolve barriers between the English-language and Spanish-language music industries. As a documentary filmmaker seeking to capture the life and career of Rubén Blades on film, Mugge saw his own biggest challenge as simply keeping up with this seemingly tireless potential subject.
Happily, Blades, Mugge, and Park did come to terms, after which Mugge and his crew spent the spring and summer of 1985 shooting the following: a concert by Blades and his band Seis del Solar at New York City club S.O.B.'s (Sounds of Brazil); an interview with Blades at his New York City apartment; a conversation between Blades and author Pete Hamill in a New York City park; Blades' graduation from Harvard Law School (including conversations with his mother and his dean); a Spanish-language recording session in Los Angeles featuring Blades and guest vocalist Linda Ronstadt; a joint interview with Blades and Ronstadt (who was then contemplating recording her own albums of Mexican songs she learned at home as a child); and a trip by Blades to his hometown of Panama City. In Panama, Blades was filmed on the balcony of his new high-rise apartment overseeing his city's changing landscape, in front of the bank where he once worked as an attorney, joining his father for a visit to the neighborhood where he grew up, in a courtyard discussing his intention to run for president of Panama one day, and walking along the Panama Canal discussing the sometimes tense relations between his native and adopted countries.
In the three decades since this film was made, Blades has accomplished much of what he set out to do, including (1) becoming a respected actor in Hollywood and independent films and television series; (2) continuing to serve as an effective political essayist and activist; and (3) continuing to record and perform powerful world music with both Spanish and English lyrics, and winning eight Grammy Awards and five Latin Grammy Awards along the way. Among his other awards and honors are a 2005 honorary degree from the Berklee College of Music and a 2011 Harry Chapin Humanitarian Award presented by ASCAP and partner Why Hunger for his international charity work. Just a few of the many films and TV programs in which he has starred or appeared are THE MILAGRO BEANFIELD WAR, MO' BETTER BLUES, THE TWO JAKES, PREDATOR 2, THE JOSEPHINE BAKER STORY, CRAZY FROM THE HEART, THE SUPER, X-FILES, CRADLE WILL ROCK, COLOR OF NIGHT, ONCE UPON A TIME IN MEXICO, and FEAR THE WALKING DEAD. In 1997, Blades also headed the cast of The Capeman, Paul Simon's first Broadway musical. Although his run for the Panamanian presidency in 1994 was unsuccessful, he served as Panama's minister of tourism from 2004 through 2009 and, reportedly, is considering another run for the presidency in 2019. For more career highlights, please explore Blades' Spanish-language website and his English-language Wikipedia page. Blades has been married to singer LubaMason since August 4, 2006.
Songs performed in the THE RETURN OF RUBÉN BLADES are "Todos Vuelven," "Buscando América," "Tiburon," "Muévete," "Silencios," and "Pedro Navajo" (with "Mack the Knife"). Here is Blades introducing and then performing "Buscando América" in the film https://vimeo.com/156288935
The Blu-ray can be pre-ordered at the MVD Shop or on Amazon.
While surfing the internet trying to find something other than the Kanye West/Kim Kardashian feud with Taylor Swift (yawn!!) or the shit show known as the RNC (Republican National Convention) to engage my grey matter, I struck myself some world wide web gold! Feast your eyes on this uniquely amusing one of a kind image I found of one Ms. Sharon Stone. I'm not sure for what or why it was shot as it turned up on a blog I found, but it was too good to pass up posting on here and since Stone is one of my favorite actresses and this is my forum and I am a giver... Don't say I've never done anything for you peeps. Have a good one and remember only you can choose the insanity you participate in! Sharon on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharonstone/?hl=en
Country music superstars didn’t hesitate to come together for STARS BEHIND THE STARS to support the families of slain Dallas police officers. In light of the tragedy, more than fourteen artists, including Tanya Tucker, The Oak Ridge Boys, Mark Wills, Collin Raye, Janie Fricke, T.G. Sheppard, Kelly Lang, The Bellamy Brothers, T. Graham Brown,Johnny Lee, Gene Watson, John Conlee, Ronnie McDowell,Mickey Gilley and Moe Bandy, will travel from Nashville and beyond to perform during a benefit concert at the world-famous Billy Bob’s Texas Wednesday, July 27. Randy Travis will also make a special appearance during the event. Tickets ($10 General Admission, $20 Reserve) will go on sale Monday, July 18 at 8 a.m. CT. Doors will open at 5 p.m. CT. Click here to purchase tickets before this star-studded event sells out. STARS BEHIND THE STARS will donate 100% of all proceeds to Dallas Police Association’s Assist the Officer Foundation. The Assist the Officer Foundation provides immediate financial assistance to an officer’s family in the event of the death of an active officer.
The event is produced by Kirt Webster and Scott Adkins of Nashville-based Webster Public Relations in association with Concho Minick of Billy Bob’s Texas. Billy Bob’s Texas is donating the facility and providing staffing and marketing for the event. Advanced Aviation Team will provide private charter airfare to make it possible for artists to travel and participate in STARS BEHIND THE STARS.
STARS BEHIND THE STARS has partnered with Cumulus Dallas/Ft. Worth to be the official radio partner of the event. 99.5 The Wolf (KPLX-FM), 1310/96.7 FM The Ticket (KTCK-FM), 820 WBAP-AM, their other 4 stations will all participate in creating awareness for this event and the Assist the Officer Foundation.
T.G. Sheppard will serve as host and performer and the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame Band will provide their talent to back all of the artists. Texas Country Music Hall of Fame Band members include Mitchell Smithey, Wes Taylor, Charlie Shearer, Scott Moody, Curtis Randall, John Martinez, Angie McWhirter, Kyle Harris and Shawnda Rains.
ABOUT DALLAS POLICE ASSOCIATION’S ASSIST THE OFFICER FOUNDATION: The Dallas Police Association’s Assist the Officer Foundation (ATO) is a 501(c)3 non-profit, charitable organization that was formed in 1999 to provide peace of mind to Dallas' men and women in blue and their families by offering financial assistance to officers who are facing the loss of income due to a serious injury, life-threatening illness, or other catastrophic event, and immediate assistance in the event of a line of duty death. For more information, visit atodallas.org.
It's Sunday morning and I am at my computer having my morning smoothie before I am off to Gold's Gym Hollywood for spin class. For some reason I woke - up thinking about Looking star and sexy piece of guy Jonathan Groff. Remembering back to when Andy Cohen asked him what his turn on's and turn off's were on Watch What Happens Live and realizing I stood a chance. Here are Groff's answers:
Very hairy: "Turn on" Sex on the first date: "Absolutely" Someone who is only a power bottom: "No, you've got to be versatile." Someone who dislikes his bestie Lea Michele: "Definitely a turn off." A Broadway queen: "Borderline" Someone who's in the closet: "Turn off." Balding: "Turn on" Gym rat: "Turn off" Not interested in marriage: "Turn off" Mama's boy: "Turn off" Order for him at a restaurant: "Turn on"
I then ventured over to one of my go to sites Favorite Hunks & Other Things knowing if images of Jonathannaked were to be found I could search and and find them there and "yes" I did find what I was seeking...Groff in all his glory from an indie film called: Twelve Thirty.
Check them out at the link below and bend it like there's no tomorrow.
Love The Hair! About Those Sunglasses...
Gina Rodriguez
One of my favorite TV shows is the CW's Jane The Virgin starring Gina Rodriguez who turns plenty of heads each week as the brunette title character. Well Gina decided to go into the light recently and go blonde...so tell us Gina do they really have more fun?! "I mean I did have fun as a brunette"... she captioned the photo on her Instagram. I am guessing that is a "yes" from Ms. Rodriguez on her experience with blonde ambition. Brunette or blonde, Gina is to dye for! Happy Saturday! Gina on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/hereisgina/?hl=en
James Durbin left a lasting impression placing fourth on season ten of American Idol. Not only because he was one of the few contestants who performed rock to perfection, he was the only contestant ever on the show to have autism.
His debut album the rock oriented Memories of a Beautiful Disaster was a hit, which was followed up with the pop flavored album Celebrate, which was a departure from what Durbinators were hungry to hear from their idol.
Well James is back and ready to rock with his first new music in over two years Riot On Sunset.
In my opinion this is James best work as an artist to date mainly because the music is 100% pure Durbin. Durbinators rejoice, here's James! JD: Hey Michael, how's it going? MS: Fine, I love your latest Riot On Sunset, after Celebrate it's great to hear you rocking out again! JD: Not to take anything away from Celebrate it's a great album. But it's more of a studio album and it's not something that I like to play live too much. It still holds up, it's just not a James Durbin album necessarily. MS: I was going to ask how you felt about it, and you beat me to it. (laughs) Are you still going to experiment with different types of music in the future?
Ready To Riot
James Durbin
Photo: Heidi Durbin
JD: Yes. I am influenced by a wide array of music genres and artists. Everything from James Brown, Maroon 5 to Judas Priest. You might even find a Bieber track on my iTunes. (laughs) It's different songs for different reasons. The Bieber song in question has incredible production. As far as the kind of music I am making now, I am definitely back in my comfort zone. MS: My favorite song off of Riot On Sunset is the title track. Was that inspired by your performing at the The Viper Room? JD: You know I actually wrote that song when I was twenty. Probably a good year and a half before all the "Idol" stuff happened. I had started a band with some friends called Hollywood Scars and I was looking up different things about the Sunset Strip I wanted to embody that in a song. That ended up being Riot On Sunset which was an actual event that happened in the 1960's basically it was about kids wanting to have freedom of expression, to be yourself whether "the man" has anything to say about it or not. I kept pushing for the song to be on my other two albums and the label kept saying it's not good, we don't like it, it's not going on your album. When I was in Nashville working on my second album with James Michael, we had a talk about it, he said to me: "This is one of those songs that you write once in your lifetime, it's on of those songs that comes from somewhere else." That message spoke to me to open myself up to letting songs pass through me. MS: Seriously?! I can't believe the label said those things to you about that song. JD: There ended up being a struggle with it actually, after I left the label. They were going to keep it and not give it back to me. It fell in with my publishing deal with them. The fact that somebody can say they own a song that they don't think is good enough to go on a record is just stupid. We fought really hard and that's the one thing I got out of my termination deal with the label. This incident falls right in line with the story and vibe of the song, standing up for what you believe in, regardless of the fact that somebody tells you "No."
Photo: Heidi Durbin
MS: Your single Smackdown is doing really well, congratulations! JD: Yeah, yeah it's doing pretty good right now on the Loudwire Battle Royale. It's gone up to number one, it's still in the top five on the liter board. That's all thanks to my awesome adoring fans, they're truly something else. MS: They sure are! Every time I tweet about you, whoever runs J.D's Outcast Army is on it! They re-tweet me within five minutes usually. JD: When I was in Florida on a layover I went to Walmart at one in the morning and tweeted something about it. Immediately after I did it there were like four or five responses to it. It's a blessing to have such devoted fans. MS: Here's a somewhat off the cuff thing that I've always wanted to ask you. Have you ever been skydiving?
JD: I have not. They were trying to get me to skydive to promote my single Parachute off of the Celebrate album, yeah, that wasn't going to happen. Now I would have totally done the indoor skydiving at Universal City Walk.
MS: Does skydiving scare you? JD: It depends on what mood I'm in. (laughs)
James Performing
@ Universal City Walk
Photo: Michael Shinafelt
MS: Speaking of City Walk the last time I saw you was there performing for the organization Autism Rocks. It was a great show, you are always good live, how did you feel about that night? JD: It felt great! The idea of the organization is to bring awareness to autism. That it is not something to be feared. All we want is to be loved and accepted just like everyone else. MS: Personally, I accept people as they are, things like that don't scare me. JD: Good. People may look at us and think we act funny, but we could be looking at you thinking the same thing. (both laugh) MS: Thanks Buddy! JD: Thank You Michael!
