13 years- who needs a card, anyway?
Hal Blaine & The Wrecking Crew Honored In Hollywood
THE WRECKING CREW, a legendary group of studio musicians responsible for the sound of the sixties (and beyond) and literally thousands of hit records from the greatest recording artists of all time were honored Wednesday with an induction into the WALK OF FAME at the Guitar Center in Hollywood. Placing their handprints in the cement were ace musicians Don Randi (keyboards) Glen Campbell (guitar) and Hal Blaine (drums, leader of the “Crew”) A Plaque commemorating several dozen other key players was also presented, and there was an industry screening later that night at CAA of the brand new documentary THE WRECKING CREW, directed by Denny Tedesco, son of late studio guitar legend, Tommy Tedesco. The movie has two more Los Angeles screenings within the next week, see the site below for details.
Comedian George Carlin dead at age 71
I met Carlin when I was a waiter in Pasadena. He was having dinner before going up the street to the Icehouse to see Richard Jeni perform. We talked about Shreveport, my home town and the location of Carlin’s first job in the entertainment business, at KJOE radio. He remembered details about the station down to a description of the building. Very nice guy. We talked about comedy. We talked about Lenny Bruce. We talked about Class Clown, a particularly influencial album of his that I listened to alot as a teenager. Just before he left, he asked me to write down my address. I had no clue what he wanted it for, but I gave it to him. Two days later, a package appeared on my door containing three autographed Carlin videos- a career retrospective, a best of, and a recent HBO special. Wow. Yes, I still have them. No, I’ll never give them up. Thanks for all the laughs, Hippy Dippy Weather Man.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRCKoT1HY3U
-part 1 of 7, Carlin’s last HBO special
Jekyll & Hyde Review
I just love this review of my movie- he kinda gets it, plus there’s a nice Amazon link at the top for purchase
http://www.dvdschlock.com/2008/03/review-dr-jekyll-mr-hyde-rock-n-roll.html
Stan Winston passed away last night
Even though you may never have heard of him, he’s entertained you immensely. Stan Winston was arguably the greatest effects man in motion picture history. JURASSIC PARK, THE TERMINATOR, PREDATOR and ALIENS, just to name a few- I was lucky enough to see Winston’s reel at the 2003 Maniafest film festival closing ceremonies awards party at Schwarzenneger’s Schatzi On Main in Santa Monica, along with guests Stan Winston and his long time friend, Wes Craven. They were like schoolboys together, really funny, and I got a shot of Stan flipping everyone the bird, with a big silly grin on his face. They were particularly impressed by my performance as HYDE (The Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde Rock ‘N Roll Musical)
Winston’s reel was mind-blowing, covering pretty much every groundbreaking special effect over the last 30 years or so in film history. I’m going to dig around for those Maniafest photos- I’ll try to have them up today- Stan- RIP and thanks for all the thrills and chills and really cool monsters!
http://www.aintitcool.com/node/37106
35 Articles Of Impeachment
Well, Dennis Kucinich introduced 35 reasons why Bush is a criminal and war profiteer last night before the House of Representatives. ….hear the crickets? That old “liberal media” is pretty damn quiet about it, aren’t they?
Anyway, I vowed not to BS too much about politics on this blog, so I’m deferring to my friend Lee Stranahan, who did this piece for Huffington Post. Lee can make just about ANYTHING funny. Click here:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lee-stranahan/kucinich-too-boring-steve_b_106271.html
Next to The Beatles
I’m being played back to back with The Beatles! A great new internet radio station, www.beatlesarama.com, has added 6 of my songs (from the Desperately Seeking Paul McCartney movie soundtrack) into their rotation. They play only Beatles and Beatles related music (Badfinger, early Pink Floyd, Trex, etc) It’s such an amazing station to listen to. I’ve heard interviews and alternate versions of Beatles stuff that I’ve never heard before- There’s also a 1800 number to call and leave your own personal Beatles memory, which they play throughout the day. Of course, I told the story of my meeting with George Harrison years ago.
Cantaloop Frozen Yogurt BURSTS on to the Pasadena Scene!
Cantaloop all natural frozen yogurt, 524 S Lake Ave, Pasadena, CA… I’m lucky to have lots of friends who really kick ass. I love those kind of people, and at the top of the list are Rick & Andrea Ferraco, whose brand new frozen yogurt shop, CANTALOOP, made it’s debut this week here in Pasadena. It’s really, really, really good! And fat free. There are 4 flavors of yogurt- original, mango, blueberry & banana, which can be served with countless toppings ranging from strawberries and almonds to Reeses peanut butter cups or Captain Crunch. We’ve tried several different combinations and they’re ALL GOOD! The atmosphere is warm and friendly and the prices are much more reasonable than the competition. Here’s some video footage I shot at the official Grand Opening on Friday, May 30th.
Look closely, early in the video that’s Jane Kaczmarek (TV’s Malcolm In The Middle) at the counter in the sunglasses- already a regular customer. Congratulations Ferracos! Well done!
Hollywood Mockfest Screening Very Successful
Thanks to all you friends & family who couldn’t make the screening- I understand everyone has families, traffic, thousands of miles to travel, and law school to graduate from (the best excuse- nobody topped that one)
we had a great turn out, the film was recieved very well. Lots of laughter and applause, we all did interviews until we were tired of talking.
Here are the results: Three BIG nominations (Best actress for Ruth Anson, Best Director for Marc Cushman, and Audience Favorite for Best Picture)
One BIG WIN
BEST PICTURE- Audience Favorite! (voted on by the festival audience, very cool!)
Thanks for being there in spirit and all the nice emails and phone calls.
Also, thanks to Guil Claveria and Alesha Noice for running such a fun event, Lee and Shane Stranahan for coming through with very little notice and capturing the event on video. Also, publicist extraordinaire Marcia Groff along with Tawny McClure, who also captured the event on video. And my wife Marnie, the most beautiful girl in the world, for being my stunning date that evening! I must also do a quick shoutout to Jeff & his family, Feliciano & Linda, Mr & Mrs Tony Dodd, Ryan, Yvonne, Kathryn, Maria, and everyone else I’m not remembering - THANKS for all the support!!!
Santa Barbara!
http://www.pascuccirestaurant.com/
