Who Do You Think I Am?

 

Clarence Clemons: Who Do I Think I Am?

coming to Blu-ray / DVD and VOD on August 13th

New documentary about "The Big Man" Clarence Clemons of E Street Band fame features interviews with Bruce Springsteen, Nils Lofgren, Narada Michael Walden and more

From Virgil Films & Entertainment comes Clarence Clemons: Who Do I Think I Am? - an intimate portrait of one of the most famous saxophone players in the world. After a theatrical run in select cities in July, the film will be released on August 13th as a Blu-ray / DVD package (MVD Entertainment Group) as well as Digital HD (Virgil Films). A TV or SVOD release is planned for first quarter of 2020.

After Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band's marathon "Rising Tour" came to an end in 2003, saxophonist Clarence Clemons felt like he needed a break. Though the world knew him as The Big Man and a lifetime member of the E Street Band, there was also a deeply spiritual side to Clemons. So he packed up his saxophone and journeyed to China, where he could be more or less a nameless traveler in a foreign land. Following him was director, friend and photographer Nick Mead, who documented Clarence's transcendent awakening overseas. Once Clarence had returned to the States, Mead decided to keep the cameras rolling, which is when tragedy struck: while in Florida, Clarence suffered a stroke and passed away.

With the help of producer Joe Amodei, the film became more than just a document of Clarence's spiritual journey - it became a biography for his life and a love letter and farewell from those that knew him best.

"It was an honor and a privilege to work with Nick Mead on this project. Clarence was a true Big Man! His spirituality rose to the top of every interview we conducted." says producer Joe Amodei.

Featuring interviews with President Bill Clinton, Joe Walsh, Nils Lofgren, Jake Clemons, and former band mates, friends, and close family members, Who Do I Think I Am? highlights Clarence's life as musician and member of the E Street band while also presenting another side of the man not many knew when he was away from bright stage lights. It's an intimate portrait of Clarence's quest for enlightenment and meaning in what would sadly be the final years of his life.

The film was one of the spotlight premieres at the recent Asbury Park Music and Film Festival in April and will show in June at the NJ International Film Festival as well as the Woods Hole Film Festival in Cape Cod this summer.

Michael's Musings

Because I'm Michael, Bitch!
Michael Shinafelt

And the week keeps turning...like my stomach, like the key of a car, like someone in their grave, like a Gold Dust Woman - "Yes" I have a silver spoon, and I'm gonna dig my, whatever. 

Hey Guy, your name is Coffee? You can keep me up all night, fer sure!!!

"I thought I was the bitchiest Gay until Taylor Swift made a video, about how everyone should support the LGBTQ community and now SHE’S THE ENEMY!" - Tony Tripoli, Comedian 

The plumber is still here - is this a euphemism?

Laura Dern on Big Little Lies is brilliant!

Current Instagram Girl Crush: Laverne Cox

FYI Madame X is a c#cks#ker 

PS Madame X & Myself share a common goal

Whores of a feather do spin class together

Ariel Beesley

Catching the awesome Ariel Beesley this Tuesday for an ACLU benefit @ The Echo in Los Angeles, join me? 

Whoopi Goldberg is jealous of Bella Thorne because nude photos of her have leaked and no one wanted to see that sh!t

I'm stoked on ambition and verve, I'm gonna get what I deserve 

Not thinking about anything is zen

People like us just don't give a _______ fill it & fill it hard, it's blank after all

He got me moving like the beat of a drum, I threw him on the floor and made him want to - it rhymes with drum minions

Don't ask why at -
https://www.instagram.com/michaelshinafelt/?hl=en
https://twitter.com/MShinafelt   

Hump Day & Chill

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If You Don't Know Me

Teddy Pendergrass - If You Don't Know Me  coming to Blu-ray, DVD, and VOD on August 23rd New feature-length documentary details his extraordinary triumph over adversity

"A comprehensive and engrossing documentary that adds dimension  to the life of the late singing star." - Philadelphia Inquirer "Considerably superior to Bohemian Rhapsody." - Philadelphia Weekly "Lichtenstein's terrific documentary reveals the so-incredible-it's-amazing-it's-not-a-Hollywood-movie story of 'the black Elvis'. - Metro "Lichtenstein does a brilliant job of explaining what a vital figure Pendergrass was  for US black culture in the 1970s...The archive footage she presents is captivating and  beautifully emphasizes the utterly irresistible pull of the man." - Record Collector  If You Don't Know Me is the powerful and moving story of R&B star Teddy Pendergrass (Theodore DeReese Pendergrass), who was on the brink of global super-stardom when tragedy struck. A compelling tale with surprising twists and turns, the film is an intimate portrait of one of the greatest singers of his generation. It also tells how Teddy fought for the rights of African-American artists in a 1970s music industry prejudiced against black performers and reveals how, aged just 31, Pendergrass overcame terrible tragedy to get back on stage against all the odds.   The film's triumphant world premiere at the Philadelphia Film Festival (Teddy's home city), resulted in an Audience Award and a nomination for the Pinkenson Award. The film also had successful screenings at DOC NYC, Minneapolis Sound Unseen Film Festival and San Francisco Black Film Festival. Earlier this year, If You Don't Know Me was shown to sold-out cinemas in the UK, on Sky Arts and also aired on Showtime in the US.   Director and BAFTA award-winner, Olivia Lichtenstein conceived, researched and directed the film, which reveals Teddy's meteoric rise from his tough childhood in Philadelphia to become the lead singer of Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes. His was the voice of worldwide hits, "Don't Leave Me This Way" and "If You Don't Know Me by Now."   Olivia recalls: "I grew up listening to soul music and I'd just started listening to Teddy again when I saw a documentary about Shep Gordon, the legendary artist manager who worked with everyone from Blondie to Alice Cooper - and Teddy. It included a little bit about him working with Teddy Pendergrass and it made me realize that I didn't know what had happened to him. I had a really strong sense that I had to make a film to tell his story."   Olivia contacted Shep Gordon, who agreed to join the project as an executive producer, along with Michael and Katherina Saunders. A short trailer was enough to sell the idea to BBC Films, who stepped in to co-finance the production with Wasted Talent. The 106-minute documentary features revealing interviews with his family, including Teddy's ex-wife Karen, mother Ida - now 101-years-old, as well as friends and industry legends, Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff. The film also boasts rarely seen archive footage and a super soulful soundtrack.    Lichtenstein added: "This is an extraordinary, human story that feels almost Shakespearian - it's much more than just a music biopic, it's an intimate portrait both of Teddy and of the extraordinary times in which he lived. We really get to know him because we hear from so many people who were close to him. It almost feels as if he comes back to life to let the world hear him sing again."   Producer Ian Flooks of Wasted Talent said: "We were committed to this film and extraordinary story from the start, especially given our roots and unique experience in the music industry before expanding into film, theater and digital media, so it was the perfect fit for us." Producer Piers Tempest of Tempo Productions adds: "Teddy's story is an important and ultimately inspiring one and we are delighted to help shine a light on the man and his music".

Monday Motivation

No Drama
Big Little Lies

"Monday mornin´, it was all I hoped it would be, Oh Monday mornin´, Monday mornin´ couldn´t guarantee" Monday, Monday - The Mamas and the Papas

Ahhhhhhhhhh "Yes" it's another Manic Monday but does that mean there has to be drama? Noooooooooo! Today's Monday Motivation, or MM as as we now defer to it is, just say no to drama.

Man I really don't go from one self induced crisis to another. Not my style or jam. I prefer to stay in my lane and know my role.

No drama, or minimal drama (because let's face it, life always has some static) is the way to achieve being your own personal best.

Thus I declare this Monday, and for that matter the rest of everyone's week, and for that matter again, life - a drama free zone! Honestly the only drama I want is when I watch Big Little Lies every week, mic drop? Hell "Yes!" 

Ain't nobody got time for that sh!t for reals... 

Big Little Lies on the WWW -
https://www.hbo.com/big-little-lies 

Father's Day

Daddy???
Michael Shinafelt 

Who's Your Daddy? You'd better say me, it's Father's Day after all...

To all you actual Fathers out there have fun with your spawn. To those about to rock I salute you.

A shout out to the stepfathers and chosen fathers. The ones who have adopted and the mentors.

Special mention to LGBTQ Parents out there, you deserve the right.  

Of course let's not forget my breed, the Daddy.

Happy Father's Day Indeed!

Father's Day on Wikipedia -
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Father%27s_Day  

You Need To Calm Down

Partners In Crime
l-r
Justin Mikita, Taylor Swift & Jesse Tyler Ferguson

Whether you like her music or not, there is something about Taylor Swift the person that is compelling. I'm glad she is finally using her not surprising liberal voice to support causes like Planned Parenthood and, "Yes" the mysterious "Gay Agenda." 

In honor of Pride Month Ms. Swift gave a surprise mini concert at the Stonewall Inn honoring the 50th Anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. She was joined on stage by out actor Jesse Tyler Ferguson of Modern Family fame for her song Shake It Off. 

Her latest single You Need To Calm Down pledges support to the LGBTQ community with it's upbeat lyrics, thus her celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Stonewall is a no brainer.

Pride Month continues to roll till the end of June. Keep on keeping...!!!

Taylor on IG -
https://www.instagram.com/taylorswift/?hl=en