"You Didn't Give Them A Chance"

Hello Everyone, we all know what today is don't we? Why it's Christmas Eve and the first day of Hanukkah. Yes, that's right peeps this year they both fall on the same day, which is pretty cool actually.

Which brings me to an E-mail I received the other day from my buddy Tom Connan, it goes something like this...

Hi Michael,

Hope you're well! As you may have noticed, I just released my new single 'You Didn't Give Them A Chance' and the music video is doing great on YouTube already. 

I'd be more than happy to have a post about this on your blog.

I'm looking forward to hearing from you.

Cheers,

Tom Connan

But of course I will and just have. Thanks Tom for alerting me to your hot new song, oh and the look, that look you've got going on, very, um, edgy, not to mention sexy.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, I'm a giver! Let's kick off the Holidays with Tom's latest single "You Didn't Give Them A Chance."

Celebrate Below!

Tom on Social Media:

https://www.instagram.com/tom.connan/

https://twitter.com/tomconnan

https://www.facebook.com/tomconnan/

Encore, Dolly, Encore!

Nobody does Christmas better than Dolly Parton, that's why their airing her latest Holiday blockbuster special again, tonight!!!

NBC is set to re-air their blockbuster special: “Dolly Parton’s Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love” starring Jennifer Nettles, Ricky Schroder, and Gerald McCraney. The 2-hour special will air again on Friday, December 23 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. The DVD of the movie, which also features a guest appearance by Dolly Parton, is available at retailers nationwide.

“Dolly Parton’s Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love” tells the story of when the Partons, a family of humble means living in the mountains of Tennessee, face a devastating event that challenges their will. But when they experience a bewildering Christmas miracle, the Partons are drawn closer together than ever — with deepened faith and love for one another.

Available now on Digital HD

• iTunes
• Amazon
• Microsoft

DVD & Blu-Ray Available Today

• Amazon (DVD & Blu-Ray)
• Best Buy (DVD | Blu-Ray)
• Walmart (DVD)
• Target (DVD)

Or you can use this link that takes you directly to the proper place at each retailer:
gwi.io/DollyChristmas
  

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON DOLLY PARTON, VISIT:
www.dollyparton.com

Facebook: Facebook.com/DollyParton
Instagram: Instagram.com/DollyParton
Twitter: Twitter.com/DollyParton
Tumblr: OfficialDollyParton.tumblr.com
Google+: Plus.Google.com/+DollyParton 

Michael's Musings

Motley Crue
l-r Shauna Waters, Me, Lindley Waters & Kelly Waters

Since this will be my thoughts and impressions going into Christmas I thought to myself that I may try to curtail any cynicism I may be possessed by at present by posting an image of me and my three angels aka my nieces from Christmas two years ago in my home state of Washington. 

Like that will ever happen, yep get ready because here I come!!!

When I was a kid I used to think the red light flashing on a nearby radio tower was Rudolph's nose, yes really.

Parents teach their kids not to lie, yet they perpetuate the myth of Santa Claus. How many children has that fucked up?!

A virgin birth, yeah right.

What did I do for my Birthday? So glad you asked. I had a wonderful lunch with my friend Mike Clifford and an even better dessert later, not Mike...Yes, Daddy has a secret.

Lunch Time!
Me & Mike Clifford

Pentatonix has a new Christmas album out. It's what they do best.

Riot On Sunset by my buddy James Durbin is another album I highly recommend.

Taking myself to see La La Land today, in case you are interested.

My niece Shauna Waters pictured above is getting married in Cabo in June, and to think I knew her when she...

Kelly Waters, my other niece pictured is an accomplished make-up artist, so proud of her.

Now let's talk about my niece Lindley Waters, also pictured above. She now calls Berlin her home base. I want to come visit you my spirit animal! Let's go hang gliding grrrrrrrrrrrl! 

Elf on a Shelf is so tired ass, I move we shift our attention to the Whore in a Drawer. Doesn't that sound a lot more merry???

Due to the PC movement Christmas can no longer be referred to as "White" 

Tis' the season for back door crack whores

I love Lady Gaga's song A-Yo, did you know it's about smoking pot?!

My gift to you is me on Social Media. You can keep tabs on me at the following WWW addresses. Merry Christmas! 

https://twitter.com/MShinafelt

https://www.instagram.com/michaelshinafelt/  

Holiday Cheer With James Durbin

Ho, Ho, Ho!
James, Heidi, Hunter & Kinzee Durbin w/Santa Claus

Hey Durbinators, it's Christmas Time! Do you ever sit and wonder what your "Idol" James Durbin does this time of year? Well I know the answer to that...

Of course you do! Here to tell you what the Durbin family does for December 25th is, well who else other than James himself!!!

MS: What is your family Christmas tradition?

JD: The last few years we’ve gone and chopped down our own tree as a family.

There’s a great tree farm in the Santa Cruz mountains called Crest Ranch Tree Farm that we’ve made a tradition of going to. We also ride the Holiday Lights Train as guests of Santa Claus, so it’s extra special.

MS: Do you or Heidi play Santa Claus?

JD: We could never “play” the big man in red..(wink,nudge).

We do enjoy the extra element of surprise at Christmas time.

MS: Can you tell us what you got for Heidi?

JD: I can’t tell you lol. Though I can say, we’ve been getting into minimalism lately and have agreed to get each other one thing that we really really want. Something that will serve us well and bring us joy. Ya know, not just a bunch of crap hahaha.

MS: If you could give a gift to all those Durbinators out there what would it be?

JD: The gift I can give is just more honest music. I’ve got a new project I’m recording in Vegas this January that I believe will make my rock n rollers extremely happy. More details to come :)

MS: What does James Durbin want for Christmas most of all? 

JD: This year I just want to stay home, open presents, watch movies and not have to put on pants.

PS If you haven't gotten your copy of James' current album Riot On Sunset that would make an awesome Christmas gift. Take it from Santa Michael, it's his best to date! Ho, Ho, Ho!

"Riot" on iTunes: 
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/riot-on-sunset/id1132264028

James on Social Media:
https://www.facebook.com/DurbinRock/
https://twitter.com/DurbinRock
https://www.instagram.com/durbinrock/    

All I Want For Christmas...

No Fluorescent Lighting!
Mariah Carey

Right off the bat let me make this declaration that I have never been, nor will I ever be a fan of Mariah Carey. That being stated, who doesn't think of her song All I Want For Christmas this time of year?! Of course you do!

James Corden brilliantly paid homage to it in a recent edition of his too cool Carpool Karaoke series. Where it looked like Mariah's right breast was ready to cause a huge wardrobe malfunction the entire time.

Which brings us to the curious fact that I am watching her eight part series Mariah's World on E! It's the proverbial train wreck you can't tear your eyes away from. 

Also, since I have never really cared about or followed Ms. Carey's career, there are a few interesting revelations here and there. My personal gem was how former husband Tommy Mottola basically kept her under lock and key when they were married making her write music all the time and because of that she never really toured. Yeah, I never noticed, but apparently she didn't tour until recent years.

Then there is the usual diva biz, like only being photographed in fluorescent light with her sunglasses on. If I have to explain the reason behind that to you...I didn't think so.

Only five more days until Christmas, check out Mariah, James and a whole bunch of other big names sing All I Want For Christmas below!

Remember it's Mariah's World you just live in it at:
www.eonline.com/shows/mariahs_world

On Mondays We Wear Paisley

Yee Haw!!! It's time to get your Paisley on!

Life Amplified World Tour: Live at WVU is the new live concert DVD and CD from multi-platinum country superstar, Brad Paisley. Paisley returned to his roots by going home to West Virginia for a special outdoor concert at West Virginia University. Straight off the wildly successful "Life Amplified World Tour," the show was shot with 20 cameras in front of a hometown crowd of over 15,000 people. Paisley played an electrifying 2 hour show that included many of his 23 number one singles, such as "Mud on the Tires," "Then," and a surprise rendition of "I'm Still A Guy," featuring Chris Young.  The show also includes a very special version of the John Denver song "Take Me Home, Country Roads," which has become an anthem for WVU.

 

The concert will air on PBS on Friday, January 27, 9:00 - 10:00pm EST and is titled Brad Paisley - Landmarks Live In Concert: A Great Performances Special. Paisley takes his unique skills as singer, songwriter, guitarist and entertainer back to his home state as well as to viewers everywhere.

 

The concert special was produced by award-winning director Daniel E Catullo III (Rush, Rage Against The Machine, Dave Matthews Band).

"I am so pleased to be partnering with Brad on the WVU show," said Catullo III, who is also the CEO of City Drive Films. "Being an alumnus of WVU this show is very special for me. To be able to bring WVU to the world stage is something I am proud to do and I couldn't think of a better artist to do it with than Brad, who has similar feelings of WVU, having grown up not too far from the campus. It has been a dream of mine to go back to WVU and put on a huge show, free for the students."

Songs included in the show are: Crushin' It, American Saturday Night, Water, Online, Perfect Storm, Letter to Me, This is Country Music, I'm Still a Guy (featuring Chris Young), She's Everything, Ticks, Country Nation, Old Alabama, Then, Beat This Summer, I'm Gonna Miss Her, River Bank, Take Me Home, Country Roads, Southern Comfort Zone, Mud on the Tires, and Alcohol.

Both the DVD and the CD/DVD can be ordered at the MVD Shop or on Amazon   

Happy Birthday To Me!

Baby It's Cold Outside
Michael Shinafelt

Since today is my 51st Birthday I thought: "why should I celebrate anything but myself?" Especially since the past four years have been the most challenging of my life and I have survived them. Which has made me stronger, it has also brought me to the best place I have ever been in my entire life. 

Yes, it is a day for me to celebrate indeed. I am someone who has went through a clinical depression and came out the other end of it. It took a lot of work, therapy and self examination. There were a lot of times I never thought my life would ever be good again. 

Let me say to those of you out there who may be in the same situation. Never give up! It may seem bleak, but if you hang in there and give it time, care and mostly be kind to yourself, it will get better. Sure there are things I still want that I don't have, but I know I will get them. Why? Because when you overcome it you will have the power to achieve anything! 

It's 44 degrees at 5:03 ayem here in Los Angels, CA on December 18th 2016, the day of my 51st Birthday. I am thankful for my Family, Friends and most of all my amazing Life! 

My wish for my Birthday is for all of you to have one of the best days of the rest of your lives.

Happy Birthday Everyone!

Follow me at:
https://twitter.com/MShinafelt
https://www.instagram.com/michaelshinafelt/