tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6209313841162369442024-03-28T08:02:59.713-07:00Alan Mercer's PROFILEPhotographs, conversations, stories, reviews and memories from my life.Alan Mercer's Profilehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17357664994049053766noreply@blogger.comBlogger439125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620931384116236944.post-15086987712639416342024-03-17T18:17:00.000-07:002024-03-25T13:58:05.379-07:00Michael Dante: Life As An Artform Part Two<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigY1WnJTBIoxJTRhi2_Hon9cQHiwtd2ckiqV_Ov46p5HWKEJZubPjC062LQ4eylkh1XqBeshbgbRx30BiNoHaKU47g4cZzSEaTVeMNbKSU_2fP6iPI6Td_7mfUwoFB8_XABjFF3Usu0zYF1mkfqupFfbjf9kuS-IJ6_QyCJ6LFD7AnQscYeYso-czZ/s2765/M%20Dante%2002.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2765" data-original-width="2132" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigY1WnJTBIoxJTRhi2_Hon9cQHiwtd2ckiqV_Ov46p5HWKEJZubPjC062LQ4eylkh1XqBeshbgbRx30BiNoHaKU47g4cZzSEaTVeMNbKSU_2fP6iPI6Td_7mfUwoFB8_XABjFF3Usu0zYF1mkfqupFfbjf9kuS-IJ6_QyCJ6LFD7AnQscYeYso-czZ/w494-h640/M%20Dante%2002.jpg" width="494" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">To read part one of the interview please go <a href="https://amprofile.blogspot.com/2024/03/michael-dante-life-as-artform-part-one.html" target="_blank">here</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: What do you
remember about working on ‘Fort Dobbs’ with Clint Walker?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">MD: I didn’t have
much to do with being cast in in Fort Dobbs. I went to the casting office, and I
said I had just co-starred in Westbound, receiving great reviews and now you are giving me a small part
in this movie with Clint Walker, who I wanted to work with, but this is such a small
part, am I going backwards? I’d rather move forward with my career. There
was nothing I could do about it. I didn’t have script approval, so I had to do
it or go on suspension without pay. I did three or four shows with Clint. We
got to be very good friends later on in our careers. I spoke with him several
times before he passed away. He was such a patriot and a red blooded American. We
had some serious talks about the direction the country was going in. He was a
very sensitive man. America lost a wonderful actor and patriot. My wife, and
I lost a dear friend.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: What was it like working
with Mamie Van Doren in ‘Born Reckless’?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">MD: That was another
small part that I couldn’t do anything about, but I was happy to work with Mamie Van Doren. I
met Mamie on set, and we hit it off right away. She had a great sense of humor
and we had so much fun dancing. That was the beginning of a great friendship. My
wife and I got together with Mamie and her husband, Thomas and had lunch a couple of times in Newport Beach. We reminisced about our time together during that movie. She’s
a great gal and beautiful with a great figure. We haven’t seen her in a while,
but we think of her often and wish she and Thomas well.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmmGN-feoWdDHUXwa-8BCHYS-d78p5axUnL0BkJIWtax4FCuJSLhUmZnMIHqOcZimrgwH1OY3yvWtg_8koPEgwDn1z1X_ubaxnmVbYJkBS0n8Da52deng0Z7OGUBtInyefFMF3pLjWrkjE9j5Plq_1FbjiZPsTFbv47DPeh4ScNZSWS-5QlEP43Wq1/s1000/MD%20book.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="773" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmmGN-feoWdDHUXwa-8BCHYS-d78p5axUnL0BkJIWtax4FCuJSLhUmZnMIHqOcZimrgwH1OY3yvWtg_8koPEgwDn1z1X_ubaxnmVbYJkBS0n8Da52deng0Z7OGUBtInyefFMF3pLjWrkjE9j5Plq_1FbjiZPsTFbv47DPeh4ScNZSWS-5QlEP43Wq1/w309-h400/MD%20book.jpg" width="309" /></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: You did some TV shows with Warner Brothers too, right?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">MD: I was with the
William Morris Agency and I got a call from my agent. He told me to go to producer Victor Orsatti's office in Culver City to talk about a very good role in the Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse production of ‘The Killer Instinct' starring
Rory Calhoun and Janice Rule. Rory was one of my favorite actors to work with.
He and Robert Taylor were two of the most unselfish actors I ever worked with.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: I love that. You don’t
hear that often enough.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">MD: Rory and I did
all the fight sequences ourselves. We became great friends. He was an underrated
highly professional actor. We always had a wonderful time and of course Janis
Rule was a beautiful actress and ballerina. The show aired on a Sunday night
and less than 24 hours after that I was offered 2 major contracts. One contract
was to star in 13 'Untouchables’ and Robert Stack would star in the other 13 shows. The other contract was a 5-picture deal with 20<sup>th</sup>
Century Fox beginning with ‘Seven Thieves’ with Edward G. Robinson and Rod Stieger,
Eli Wallach and Joan Collins. It was a wonderful cast to work with. </span><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="323" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dmDxdhDZLqA" width="475" youtube-src-id="dmDxdhDZLqA"></iframe></div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: I’m glad you made
the movie. </b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">MD: I wanted to do
features. Back then TV was a little suspect about doing a series if it wasn’t
successful. I love the time it takes to develop a character when filming a feature. With television it’s a little different. You have a tight
time schedule and budget. There was some unfortunate news in that we finished
filming 'Seven Thieves' in December of 1959. In 1960 we went on strike for 6 months. All
contracts were null and void. Fox was having big financial problems as well. That
put the movie on the back burner for quite some time.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: I’d love to know
your thoughts on working with Sam Jaffe.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">MD: He was so
wonderful. He was great in ‘Gunga Din’. I played his baseball playing son in ‘Cains
Hundred’, which was so much fun since I was an ex-ballplayer. I really loved working
with Sam. He treated me like a son. I was in awe of his work in ‘Gunga Din’. He
was a soft-spoken, humble gentleman. He reminded me a great deal of my own
father.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifeVl225z7ROF5e0Q36OzeGpyFnyBkREylJ-Fyh0YIYL5NhqYCgnoGAhF1idSaUd17WOc3v133-B1YrO0qhTUxuZjeDsotSt6peJIntfHJ43Bg1YLXm7OAWb1DuuCFPAkXW4vvmPmvbqWNr9s5_fH0H1rZOCcCv15_gAWpS8oT4p7YobYTYMBwTWwe/s573/MD04f.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="438" data-original-width="573" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifeVl225z7ROF5e0Q36OzeGpyFnyBkREylJ-Fyh0YIYL5NhqYCgnoGAhF1idSaUd17WOc3v133-B1YrO0qhTUxuZjeDsotSt6peJIntfHJ43Bg1YLXm7OAWb1DuuCFPAkXW4vvmPmvbqWNr9s5_fH0H1rZOCcCv15_gAWpS8oT4p7YobYTYMBwTWwe/w400-h306/MD04f.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: What do you
remember about filming ‘Harlow’ and ‘Operation Bikini’?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">MD: ‘Operation Bikini’
was not a great story, by any means, but it was cast brilliantly. It’s filled
with young, wonderful actors. Scott Brady and I worked well together. Frankie
Avalon and Tab Hunter were both starring in it. We had a lot of laughs while working
in the film. Everybody worked well together when we made that low budget film
with a high budget cast. Now ‘Harlow’ was filmed in electronovision. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: That’s what gives
the film such a specific look.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">MD: It was like doing
a play on live television. Again, we had an outstanding cast. Carol Lynley looked
just like Jean Harlow. Judy Garland had been cast as her mother in the
beginning. At our very first reading, Judy came in and read her part cold and
she was wonderful, but she was a bit nervous and uncomfortable. Unfortunately, the next
day her PR Agent came in and told us he had sad news. Judy was not physically
up to doing the role, so she sent her apologies. The next day, they cast Ginger Rogers,
and she was outstanding. She had her dialogue memorized to perfection the second day we read together. She was such a professional. I loved my role in it, and working with such great actors.</span><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpi4s3OvCp7zvfpY9jV9Az81KqX1Fgs3QY-BUWFKwKwhIWY1MC7t6Sjc5puFFiWOeRd3QREKlaQ0rAsG2Q87qZsbDiciHPsYWI5r3P25V-EnSnzHGSwhrLBMWdcCzZpIGdQwFFw6KZQtOXYrdGFUWXfPuZGyeVWEtUqOZdXdAFGmVEMh3yrVzN8-uH/s552/MD07.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpi4s3OvCp7zvfpY9jV9Az81KqX1Fgs3QY-BUWFKwKwhIWY1MC7t6Sjc5puFFiWOeRd3QREKlaQ0rAsG2Q87qZsbDiciHPsYWI5r3P25V-EnSnzHGSwhrLBMWdcCzZpIGdQwFFw6KZQtOXYrdGFUWXfPuZGyeVWEtUqOZdXdAFGmVEMh3yrVzN8-uH/w348-h400/MD07.jpg" width="348" /></a></div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: You had a TV show
titled, ‘Custer’ for a few weeks. What was that like?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">MD: I really didn’t
want to do a series. I didn’t want to be typecast. David Weisbart was the
producer. I had worked with him on ‘Kid Galahad’, the movie I made with Elvis
Presley. After we finished filming that movie, he came to me and said he had
some projects down the line for me since he really liked my work in the movie. Several weeks later, he called me at home and told me he couldn’t think of any actor he
would rather have play the role of Crazy Horse. You have the leadership quality
and dignity that I have seen in your other work. I don’t want anyone else but
you to play the part. Please think about it. I decided to do the series, but unfortunately after
we got underway with several episodes, he had a heart attack and died. We only did 17 shows and politically, Custer became a bad name, so that was the end of the series. I
enjoyed doing the show because Crazy Horse got me the title role in ‘Winterhawk’. </span><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixJezIp9wxyP1shEDfmcyajJ4VkldHhLSw9FoBoRjGonEJS03s1xLoGS_CcFu5g3NzBkQEHmjPAPdCFORqNRXcpt85d9QFBEyudfCIbcpdhRf43qdjhYcsj9vZQWbhr16GPIWOyAZ84cYjhJ94lCZ7H_vGzAAse3rpsvqe0f2vzY4ASzuhJgGpz-B2/s1280/M%20Dante%2013-gigapixel-art-scale-2_00x.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="1280" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixJezIp9wxyP1shEDfmcyajJ4VkldHhLSw9FoBoRjGonEJS03s1xLoGS_CcFu5g3NzBkQEHmjPAPdCFORqNRXcpt85d9QFBEyudfCIbcpdhRf43qdjhYcsj9vZQWbhr16GPIWOyAZ84cYjhJ94lCZ7H_vGzAAse3rpsvqe0f2vzY4ASzuhJgGpz-B2/w640-h276/M%20Dante%2013-gigapixel-art-scale-2_00x.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: What quality do
you have that gave you the edge in portraying Native Americans?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">MD: I had the
cheekbones, the dignity, the stature and the look in general. The producer of ‘Winterhawk’, Charles B. Pierce saw me on ‘Custer’ and cast me in the title character in this classic film. I
had been making a film in New York about the music business called ‘That’s The
Way Of The World’ with Harvey Keitel and Ed Nelson, when my agent called and told me they wanted to cast me in the film, ‘Winterhawk’. He briefly gave me a synopsis of the story and my creative juices went to work, and I had a good idea what I could do with that character.
As soon as I finished filming in New York, I was called to go to location in Kalistell, Montana where they were going to film the movie. It was one of the easiest jobs I’ve ever gotten. I walked into
the lodge where the production office was set up and the producer, director, writer, Charles B.Pierce
said to me as I approached the table, “You’re Winterhawk.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: How incredible is
that?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">MD: It wasn’t written
in the script that he would be a spiritual man. I made him that way in the
sense that every decision he made he related to the elements like the sky, the
moon, the wildlife and the wind. He believed in a greater force and essence than man’s ego.
The more you see the picture the more you can see and hear the nuances relating to the decisions he made. The cast was excellent with one of the best casts ever put together in the Western genre.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: I want to know your
impressions of Woody Strode. He is a bit of a mystery.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">MD: He was a great
athlete who played professional football in the Canadian league for 2 or 3
years. He did a lot of work with John Ford, and they were very close. Woody became
a very good actor. He did a great job in 'Winterhawk'. I’m saddened to know that I am the only
one still alive, except the boy actor. He was Charles B. Pierce’s son. It was a
great role for me and it’s a classic. It's available to be seen on YouTube for free. It will be around for a long time.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: You made a couple
films with Fred Williamson and one of them had the jazz singer, Nancy Wilson in
it. Tell me about that.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">MD: Nancy Wilson was
a lovely lady. Fred was a character who wrote, directed and produced and securing financing for his films. He was one of the first African Americans to do all
that. He got good actors and hired them for a short period of time. I did 2
films with him, 'The Messenger' and 'The Big Score' and it only took a couple of weeks to do both parts. He’s a
great listener and I had great respect for what we had to offer. We’re good
friends to this day.</span><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="325" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3VfAkiDj4uA" width="468" youtube-src-id="3VfAkiDj4uA"></iframe></div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: The ‘Naked Kiss’
is an intense film, and your role must have been controversial.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">MD: I play the very
first pedophile in the history of our business. My agent and I talked about it.
He told me he couldn’t think of any actor in the world who could play that part
better than me. I didn’t want to do it at the beginning because I didn’t want
to be unpopular because of the subject matter. I was talked into it by the great director, Sammy Fuller, who told me that in 30 or
40 years I would be appreciated for my interpretation of Grant, as well as my versatility and talent as an actor. He convinced me
and told me it would be filmed in great taste, so we did it and I’m very happy with the results. It's one of the most respected of the film noir films.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: You have written
6 books and one of them is the sequel to “Winterhawk’. It’s amazing how much
creative energy you have.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">MD: Thank you, I
consider my life and my work an artform and I have lived it in that way. I was able to invent and create in other
areas because it’s all related. People were always telling me I should write a
book. Start with your biography, so I did that, and it went from there. I
invented a way to write. My novellas read like a screenplay and a book. I have
written key scenes and characters to appeal to readers and filmmakers alike.
Generally, these scenes are taken from three to four-hundred-page novels and
adapted into motion picture screenplays. I have creatively chosen and written
the major scenes in my novellas. Those scenes in the story/screenplay are all
in eighty to one hundred pages. It makes for an easy and quick read.</span><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGz7g903kwMB4h_sRaglihhEh6ADshpMjSrJYp5jfLF60tmYbSvNwfr1i3PMQsvC9Xlfpkc35IdXKOCKokBouAjJCBa2nxtWhqvR6X-tg36codBcwmusxZGrKISWuxPzTrvd5_PSXANO-FA02i68j9GIJ0U7nScGuKgLYJ_bPyURyUVQG2S1vMimnZ/s2740/M%20Dante%2001.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2740" data-original-width="2390" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGz7g903kwMB4h_sRaglihhEh6ADshpMjSrJYp5jfLF60tmYbSvNwfr1i3PMQsvC9Xlfpkc35IdXKOCKokBouAjJCBa2nxtWhqvR6X-tg36codBcwmusxZGrKISWuxPzTrvd5_PSXANO-FA02i68j9GIJ0U7nScGuKgLYJ_bPyURyUVQG2S1vMimnZ/w558-h640/M%20Dante%2001.jpg" width="558" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">To learn more about Michael Dante visit his website <a href="https://michaeldanteway.com/">https://michaeldanteway.com/</a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="353" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/r8w7FsccFYw" width="470" youtube-src-id="r8w7FsccFYw"></iframe></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span face=""Helvetica Neue Light", HelveticaNeue-Light, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333;">To learn more about Michael Dante and to order his books visit his web site </span><a href="https://michaeldanteway.com/" style="background-color: #fafafa; color: #009eb8; display: inline; font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light", HelveticaNeue-Light, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; outline: none; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s;">https://michaeldanteway.com/</a></p></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Alan Mercer's Profilehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17357664994049053766noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620931384116236944.post-1648675495886381882024-03-10T18:35:00.000-07:002024-03-25T14:16:10.028-07:00Michael Dante: Life As An Artform Part One<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b> </b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnWmZG6FLxjfDS2-dEX7ysw7qQe8ZLvjChiWy2hyphenhyphenLxsroEOiG4LMGjG2T0ua2L6Xvm-wE3j3Wj6duazyXx7aZI94ydgDWAk_Rgo3VN9aC6glpQjtFu4Eveia4KWiL4HkIAiQJnNhz1QDfenjMUYwVz6uBg6PXNHyH7ajdypnbhxpMH5M-K2WtK4Vi4/s569/M%20Dante%2011.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="477" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnWmZG6FLxjfDS2-dEX7ysw7qQe8ZLvjChiWy2hyphenhyphenLxsroEOiG4LMGjG2T0ua2L6Xvm-wE3j3Wj6duazyXx7aZI94ydgDWAk_Rgo3VN9aC6glpQjtFu4Eveia4KWiL4HkIAiQJnNhz1QDfenjMUYwVz6uBg6PXNHyH7ajdypnbhxpMH5M-K2WtK4Vi4/w536-h640/M%20Dante%2011.jpg" width="536" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><b><br /></b></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Award Winning Actor, Award Winning Author, Celebrity Radio
Talk Show Host Michael Dante has starred/co-starred in 30 films, 150 television
shows and was under contract to 3 major studios; MGM, Warner Bros. and 20th
Century Fox. <o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>An ex-professional baseball player and winner of numerous
prestigious awards, Michael has a street named for him in his hometown of
Stamford, Connecticut, 'Michael Dante Way.' <o:p></o:p></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvfWOMhgCloZBmUngVFm-o-xFCuDlLxNbm_LvynVSATk1E12dUpQ6WNM9XUBINxlSwoDuH2NHfbBpZJ0FUkD-id345Tmh8NLMxtV2ph9aKfOzVeNnkTF8lvo8t28wYHtm7Q5tNZt7byhqwnc5Z6acTPmITGPLro1JAAExkDYKwx_M0m-3gWlcLo-I0/s640/md%20b-gigapixel-standard-scale-2_00x.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="444" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvfWOMhgCloZBmUngVFm-o-xFCuDlLxNbm_LvynVSATk1E12dUpQ6WNM9XUBINxlSwoDuH2NHfbBpZJ0FUkD-id345Tmh8NLMxtV2ph9aKfOzVeNnkTF8lvo8t28wYHtm7Q5tNZt7byhqwnc5Z6acTPmITGPLro1JAAExkDYKwx_M0m-3gWlcLo-I0/w278-h400/md%20b-gigapixel-standard-scale-2_00x.jpg" width="278" /></a></span></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Michael Dante's autobiography, 'Michael Dante - From
Hollywood to Michael Dante Way' was published in 2014 and he received the Ella
Dickey Literacy Award. Michael hosted his own celebrity radio talk show, 'The
Michael Dante Classic Celebrity Talk Show' interviewing the top classic names
in entertainment and sports for 12 years on the radio in Palm Springs,
California. His book, 'My Classic Radio Interviews With The Stars - Volume One'
highlights 60 out of 200 classic celebrities he interviewed. Volume Two and
Three will follow with the radio shows to be streamed through his website.<o:p></o:p></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="316" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xOb9o3gQeww" width="485" youtube-src-id="xOb9o3gQeww"></iframe></span></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>He has become a legend in his field, through his westerns on
TV and in films, dramas on TV and in films and always as Maab in 'Friday's
Child' on the Original Star Trek series. Michael Dante played the title role in
the classic film ‘Winterhawk’ and wrote the sequel to the film in his book,
'Winterhawk's Land - Collector's Edition.' <o:p></o:p></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTku8lvX8Wd0b6lvzJMvn8fgqXAZB_ckoPcBz9WnIqjLUzcTZYbwkOyN4H_XtpBWTGAZnphi2HYMNoZ3wcDecKYVJQIMV9GzoCNIjWq0jlV5abGXiMrip9_xM4dVvDVG0xOd7iW33xQQkxTiq8EuvnuY4MdJj32hhyphenhyphenMCMBO4XyZIEnIFkOSqYuRnDz/s1163/MD08j.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="652" data-original-width="1163" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTku8lvX8Wd0b6lvzJMvn8fgqXAZB_ckoPcBz9WnIqjLUzcTZYbwkOyN4H_XtpBWTGAZnphi2HYMNoZ3wcDecKYVJQIMV9GzoCNIjWq0jlV5abGXiMrip9_xM4dVvDVG0xOd7iW33xQQkxTiq8EuvnuY4MdJj32hhyphenhyphenMCMBO4XyZIEnIFkOSqYuRnDz/w640-h358/MD08j.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Michael was selected by the great director Sammy Fuller to
play the part of Grant in his Film Noir cult film, ‘The Naked Kiss’. <o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Michael co-starred in two films with Audie Murphy, ‘Apache
Rifles’ and ‘Arizona Raiders’ and starred in his first film ‘Westbound’ with
Randolph Scott and Virginia Mayo. <o:p></o:p></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoviixPp-r6q1VmJdJDI7McFJ230ZNSMQDr58ZU9kjUyMEx233F4QMHdVGlfErMy2s7FWo9F8_750cNmwvJT3wnHdwMUVMeZktyngRECstszB4U6DqvEvU27eVOdsY5BWCjV2fV8n7R-LYa1l6Vibjyepq_dRqohS1T-6YiButfWa75cHOhXeYXNgA/s2048/AR.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoviixPp-r6q1VmJdJDI7McFJ230ZNSMQDr58ZU9kjUyMEx233F4QMHdVGlfErMy2s7FWo9F8_750cNmwvJT3wnHdwMUVMeZktyngRECstszB4U6DqvEvU27eVOdsY5BWCjV2fV8n7R-LYa1l6Vibjyepq_dRqohS1T-6YiButfWa75cHOhXeYXNgA/w300-h400/AR.jpg" width="300" /></a></span></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Michael wrote a book entitled 'Six Rode Home,' dedicated to
all soldiers, in all wars throughout history, not knowing what they are coming
home to. He co-starred in ‘Seven Thieves’ with Joan Collins, Edgar G. Robinson,
Eli Wallach and Rod Steiger. <o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Michael Dante was sworn in as an Honorary Arizona Ranger –
January 2016. There are only two Honorary Arizona Rangers in the state of
Arizona, George W. Bush and Michael Dante.<o:p></o:p></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAZ8eaAHksg2TfCvzICVVa7zCYE5Lpnz-vzYxZme1KGJ5-T74A5nBV_L5_gHcS2DWBQ3M_HQh5y20g8L7nVfaDfImN8zQkBYpnujmF_j-4GiDj9Q32OwR0jp3x8FpdLVHX7HuLeShyphenhyphenAv9th_Gij_ml02qpSHj5AFHtv6txQjzdzjwrR4lpahG_IPDp/s592/MD02e.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="417" data-original-width="592" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAZ8eaAHksg2TfCvzICVVa7zCYE5Lpnz-vzYxZme1KGJ5-T74A5nBV_L5_gHcS2DWBQ3M_HQh5y20g8L7nVfaDfImN8zQkBYpnujmF_j-4GiDj9Q32OwR0jp3x8FpdLVHX7HuLeShyphenhyphenAv9th_Gij_ml02qpSHj5AFHtv6txQjzdzjwrR4lpahG_IPDp/w400-h281/MD02e.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Michael Dante was inducted into the Fulton County Baseball
Hall of Fame in Gloversville, NY in August 2017. Michael was a bonus ball
player signed by the Boston Braves and played for the Gloversville Gloves; one
of the minor league teams he played for. Later, Michael went to spring training
with the Washington Senators in the big leagues, before he became an actor. It
was an honor to be a part of baseball history and to have his baseball and
pieces of his celebrity memorabilia put into the Fulton County Baseball and
Sports Museum.</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="325" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OIp1WaaZMxU" width="483" youtube-src-id="OIp1WaaZMxU"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span><p></p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>His many awards include the Golden Boot Award, the Oscar of
Westerns in 2003. It is a most prestigious award; a career award selected by
his peers for his fine work in the western genre; not just for one performance
but based on all his fine work in westerns on television and in films. Also,
the recipient of the Silver Spur Award, the Southern California Motion Picture
Council Award, the Spirit of the West Award, Apacheland Spirit Award, Wall of
Fame Henager American History Museum Award, 2014 Honoree of the Year Award by
the Sons of Italy in America, to name just a few. </b></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOKT4uyovZUEaTpQxAMZRrqMp09-Mnm34vymZVxv7S5QW0gvWg2Hbpx6oXIPWVXo4YIMxtb9lDrUKkkX5ls-NCOJNSNoRRirrvk9Q4j3i7pQ0EKf76Os9kswYrEwOIlqGTbAVNp-_bXWVl8irvgF2hf89dROO3l8GB4eScQhbgxStQrWyQabyKtfRa/s1200/M%20Dante%2003.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="1200" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOKT4uyovZUEaTpQxAMZRrqMp09-Mnm34vymZVxv7S5QW0gvWg2Hbpx6oXIPWVXo4YIMxtb9lDrUKkkX5ls-NCOJNSNoRRirrvk9Q4j3i7pQ0EKf76Os9kswYrEwOIlqGTbAVNp-_bXWVl8irvgF2hf89dROO3l8GB4eScQhbgxStQrWyQabyKtfRa/w640-h336/M%20Dante%2003.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Alan Mercer: You had small parts in your first 3 major
movies that starred some big names like Elizabeth Taylor, Montgomery Clift and
Paul Newman. Were you ever intimidated by such big stars when you started?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Michael Dante: I
really like that question. Most fans do not know what an actor’s obligations
are when he’s under contract. I was never intimidated, but I was impressed. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: I like that.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">MD: I was very young and had never been in front of a camera before or been on a studio sound stage, and I had never been in front of a camera before or been on a
studio soundstage. I learned my craft from the bottom up as far as the camera
was concerned.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: At least you were
gaining much needed experience.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">MD: I learned what to do and what not to do, and that takes
time. When you are under contract, they will give you small parts and you have
to do them. Even if they give you a smaller part than you had been doing
previously, otherwise you go on suspension. I was one of the very few who had
been under contract with three major studios, and of course at different times. I
was with MGM in the beginning and then Warner Bros. and then a 5-picture deal with
20<sup>th</sup> Century Fox.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: What made an
impression on you in your first film, ‘Somebody Up There Likes Me’?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">MD: I was very
impressed with the professionalism, the discipline of the actors, particularly
in my first role in ‘Somebody Up There Likes Me’. I’m in the youth sequence
with Paul Newman and Sal Mineo. That was Steve McQueen’s first picture and
Robert Loggia’s first featured role. </span><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu8PY6sEgUl894xj1A4DF916QwilGvmkqoetV3XiCRJhmhrEZDldk2HunzvNOdKrwqDTBadZdP8dYyNmWAVb_Q_lDp29moZrMYDWvRaLt-9A8bFwhTFusMhzlUheUn_xYOPn5sYzYQOeoLsWkHc-jb0xqW1wJPvaJ-Ew65KOQiQS0C9rAr2Fq2pful/s1200/MV5BMjU0YjM1NmMtZDFiNS00ZTdhLTk4NjktZTA2ZDgwYmFlZWY2XkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyNjQzNDI3NzY@._V1_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="787" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu8PY6sEgUl894xj1A4DF916QwilGvmkqoetV3XiCRJhmhrEZDldk2HunzvNOdKrwqDTBadZdP8dYyNmWAVb_Q_lDp29moZrMYDWvRaLt-9A8bFwhTFusMhzlUheUn_xYOPn5sYzYQOeoLsWkHc-jb0xqW1wJPvaJ-Ew65KOQiQS0C9rAr2Fq2pful/w263-h400/MV5BMjU0YjM1NmMtZDFiNS00ZTdhLTk4NjktZTA2ZDgwYmFlZWY2XkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyNjQzNDI3NzY@._V1_.jpg" width="263" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: Wow! That’s a lot of future stars.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">MD: That movie had an
excellent cast with Paul Newman and Pier Angeli. To this day, I still think how
fortunate I was to be included and go on location from Hollywood to New York.
My family was living in Stamford, Connecticut. It’s only an hour away, so
friends and family were able to come visit with me on location on the East side
of New York.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: It seems like it
all worked out for you. Every actor is great in that movie.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">MD: I told Paul
Newman there was no question in my mind that this was one of the greatest roles
of his career, if not the greatest, to be playing Rocky Graziano. I thought the
fighting scenes were excellent and Paul was so believable playing an Italian
American character. It was such a departure for who and what he was. To this
day, I believe it was the largest stretch as an actor he had to do in order to
play a role. I thought he was wonderful.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: What do you
remember about working on ‘Raintree County’ with Elizabeth Taylor and
Montgomery Clift?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">MD: It was a
wonderful cast that included Rod Taylor. It was in the same genre as ‘Gone With
The Wind’. I had a very small part in the racing scene between Lee Marvin and
Montgomery Clift. I was the one who yelled, “Race, race up and down the street”. It was a small part, but in
the presence of Montgomery Clift and Elizabeth Taylor, who were two giants,
without question, at the time. This was the time when Montgomery Clift was in
an auto accident and his face was all broken up. The company was shut down for
a few weeks. I’m sad to say that wonderful, handsome face was never the same
anymore.<o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibsiB8xuY39wts9uq9_kpqZIradTJAO5207yqTz_dH6H1Cx8CjRgoNFJqLPoGKSyXnbqlvf650dpkMJCSpDnIGL31NXb9Ry3A2MeHnjQPCzmuRGJStgTg9tzDKqDhJbn0koZWrfxzMc-7R_imeWIg72BNsCdD9DLcWiwOHZ5poBQPhvriFMG3WLTPv/s1440/MV5BMDJlMTg2ZGQtMmQ2Zi00ZjAwLWFjM2ItNjViZjc0MGJmYjkyXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyNjc0MzMzNjA@._V1_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibsiB8xuY39wts9uq9_kpqZIradTJAO5207yqTz_dH6H1Cx8CjRgoNFJqLPoGKSyXnbqlvf650dpkMJCSpDnIGL31NXb9Ry3A2MeHnjQPCzmuRGJStgTg9tzDKqDhJbn0koZWrfxzMc-7R_imeWIg72BNsCdD9DLcWiwOHZ5poBQPhvriFMG3WLTPv/w266-h400/MV5BMDJlMTg2ZGQtMmQ2Zi00ZjAwLWFjM2ItNjViZjc0MGJmYjkyXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyNjc0MzMzNjA@._V1_.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: You are right. He
never looked the same. It must have been exhilarating to be on that set.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">MD: To be on that set
at that time, I was basically a student. I was learning from great craftsmen,
who were wonderful, gifted people. It was all a great growing up experience
while I had the privilege to be under contract. I didn’t have to rely on my
agent. I was getting singing, voice and acting lessons. In those days if you
were under contract you were considered to have “Star” potential. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: How did
television affect your work?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">MD: Mr. Mayer and
many of the other studio heads didn’t think television would last. They thought
it was a passing fancy. They thought it would last a couple of years and then
we’d all go back to the motion pictures and boy were they wrong. All our contracts
were null and void. So many wonderful, talented people were released, no matter
how big they were.</span><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="293" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LoeTu7tr8rg" width="440" youtube-src-id="LoeTu7tr8rg"></iframe></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: What did you do
at this time?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">MD: When I left
there, I immediately did a play in Pacific Palisades. The talent agent from
Warner Brothers, Solly Baiano came to see the play at my last performance. He came backstage
after the play and told me they would like me to test at Warner Brothers
Studio. They wanted to put me under contract if all went well. So, I went and
tested and met another actor they were thinking of signing named Peter Brown.
Peter and I did a scene, and we were both signed to a contract. Clint Walker
was under contract and had the show, ‘Cheyenne’. We all started at the same
time including</span><span style="font-size: large;"> James Garner, who had 'Maverick'.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> .</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqHLwrRg7xZhIFyHK40HwL1yGnQkp-QydohQffPLh-vVVgwdWh6LvEUqiUogUOCSRe06GN0_x8uWYSjvXSiRex6UNNIyy0-x0shxXKwddnLxK6IFXofs7bxmkeYgEndckJOLPI16svS901XPpGIuXNMFCbGNibvJyVw-1zFvNUVciKQ3mhloFA2pMk/s1000/md%20cw.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="798" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqHLwrRg7xZhIFyHK40HwL1yGnQkp-QydohQffPLh-vVVgwdWh6LvEUqiUogUOCSRe06GN0_x8uWYSjvXSiRex6UNNIyy0-x0shxXKwddnLxK6IFXofs7bxmkeYgEndckJOLPI16svS901XPpGIuXNMFCbGNibvJyVw-1zFvNUVciKQ3mhloFA2pMk/w319-h400/md%20cw.webp" width="319" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: You guested on that
show a few times. What was it like working with Clint Walker?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">MD: Clint was a
perfect Cheyenne. He really was. Nobody in the world was ever cast better to be
Cheyenne Bodie than Clint Walker. It was really an advantage for me to be
signed by Warners. At the time, they had ten and a half hours of primetime
shows. If anyone had ten and a half hours of primetime today, they would own
the state of California. During that period of time, I really learned my craft.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: Eventually, you
were cast in your first co-starring role in Westbound with Randolf Scott and
Virginia Mayo. That must have been so exciting for you.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">MD: I play a one-armed
soldier boy returning from the Civil war and that was really an undertaking.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: You are so believable.
I’m always looking to see if I can see your arm folded up, but I never can.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">MD: That job required
so much discipline to be able to walk into a scene and hit your mark and then
be at the right angle so you wouldn’t see the larger side where the arm was
placed behind my back. I wore a larger shirt that would droop down a bit and
hide as much of the shoulder space as possible. It was a wonderful role, and I
couldn’t have been happier. That was my first starring role at Warner Brothers,
and I had the additional task of playing a one-armed character.</span></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibO5yE7pa_ftKVLDm-rIVCKfGLeiLeB5xZUT9x5fPovPLnqU138xzggjDtlLXO10vgeEQExHxC0s-3DKzkXdmeLM2D-l1zCmPPfzLctINW77rCr_dxrkAfextTX96nYv4T9QEb4tS0gAROcox4hdeQbUzj2vZmY81Uy3kUQ6AKrnlPPqz0mPdzQzHI/s1522/RS%20MD.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1159" data-original-width="1522" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibO5yE7pa_ftKVLDm-rIVCKfGLeiLeB5xZUT9x5fPovPLnqU138xzggjDtlLXO10vgeEQExHxC0s-3DKzkXdmeLM2D-l1zCmPPfzLctINW77rCr_dxrkAfextTX96nYv4T9QEb4tS0gAROcox4hdeQbUzj2vZmY81Uy3kUQ6AKrnlPPqz0mPdzQzHI/w400-h305/RS%20MD.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: It must have been
awkward to play a one-armed character. How did you prepare?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">MD: I went to the
prop department and asked if I could borrow a Winchester Lever-Action rifle?
They told me I could, but I needed permission from our director, Budd Boetticher. So, I asked,
and I got to take it home over the weekend. I came up with some ideas that I
brought in on Monday and the director, Budd, was very pleased and excited.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: You do handle
that rifle like an experienced pro.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">MD: Being an athlete,
I was aware of timing, and I had the big hands to deal with that Winchester.
When I got to the set on Monday, we were filming a scene where Randy had to
show me how to use the rifle, but he didn’t have the opportunity of practicing with
it all weekend. He had to learn right there, and it took 32 takes for Randy to
crank it properly. Poor Randy had blood on his hands, but he finally got it. That
was a very important part of my character and the film.</span><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi50Gv5iDWhvpfSBy-cEimY0-OgJ_c3PMMJHRrW1QDjTkKqkqD4cHQX6wMD88WpBIptKR3z2wNVaFI8H4qdL8hwTbharjhDzo6jLN9TCNyJkVw29w87S-gVqTdLH5VzHrzV2hPOwGWpCb7tbzusuS5WxKkikpvN-fSrM2D02IFmH0yLcH0KeYdG0Of/s600/Westbound.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="449" data-original-width="600" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi50Gv5iDWhvpfSBy-cEimY0-OgJ_c3PMMJHRrW1QDjTkKqkqD4cHQX6wMD88WpBIptKR3z2wNVaFI8H4qdL8hwTbharjhDzo6jLN9TCNyJkVw29w87S-gVqTdLH5VzHrzV2hPOwGWpCb7tbzusuS5WxKkikpvN-fSrM2D02IFmH0yLcH0KeYdG0Of/w400-h299/Westbound.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: Sounds like you
all worked well together.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">MD: Randy was a joy
to work with. Virginia Mayo was wonderful, and Karen Steele was a terrific actress.
She left us too soon by passing away at a very young age. Also, that was
Virginia Mayo’s last commitment to Warners. Everyone was so professional to
work with. They were so impressed by what I could do with the rifle.</span><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="303" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3U7-Ao12AiM" width="456" youtube-src-id="3U7-Ao12AiM"></iframe></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: You are famously
connected to the legendary Audi Murphy. What was it like working with him on 2
films?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">MD: We made our first
film together in 1964 called ‘Apache Rifles’ and I played the young Apache Chief. We
got along royally. He was a soft-spoken gentleman. I never heard a cuss word
out of him. He had no temperament, was always polite, always on time
and always knew his dialogue. He wrote poetry and lyrics for several pop songs.
He was an underrated actor, who was very honest and sincere. The second film we
made together a year later was called ‘Arizona Raiders’ and I played a bad guy.
We had a wonderful time together. I think that picture has played more times than
‘The Godfather’ on television. It’s been played so many times.<o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgMvm8V8PNoQVRUOzr53QWGd2nM5fa9W75oyW77cfVk3qWZVkVVSJALiO-BTRmwGdBag2cIZIuNMeNvZF2l5UuZHYigeRmnRNFt1KE2yVPMnuETEFbfjr7q6Scj1QZSP9O7pcZyRbIKicRy_7a_h0MzucN8S8bJOzEY1JMemeDSg7s_SUpFXGt8PDQ/s1116/3.-AuAudie-Murphy-and-Michael-Dante-on-the-set-of-Arizona-Raiders-provided-by-Michael-Dante.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1116" height="359" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgMvm8V8PNoQVRUOzr53QWGd2nM5fa9W75oyW77cfVk3qWZVkVVSJALiO-BTRmwGdBag2cIZIuNMeNvZF2l5UuZHYigeRmnRNFt1KE2yVPMnuETEFbfjr7q6Scj1QZSP9O7pcZyRbIKicRy_7a_h0MzucN8S8bJOzEY1JMemeDSg7s_SUpFXGt8PDQ/w400-h359/3.-AuAudie-Murphy-and-Michael-Dante-on-the-set-of-Arizona-Raiders-provided-by-Michael-Dante.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: It must have been
a crushing blow to lose him in the accident.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">MD: We were hoping to make our third film together called 'The Perfect Target’. It was written especially
for us by Rod Piffath. It was a comedy/drama western about the salvation army. Can you imagine
Audie in a comedy/drama western? It had perfect roles for me and Audie. I took
the script to Audie’s home in Toluca Lake. He said he would read it and we
could talk in a couple of days. He ended up liking the script. He told me he
was going to be gone for a couple of weeks and when he returned, we would get
together and get this movie up on the screen. Well, he left and 2 weeks later
he was killed in a plane crash. It was unfortunate, but I really believe it would have been a giant step for Audie, playing this different kind of role. It would have been a stretch and shown Audie in a different light.</span><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdMzGr3O2bB2WJ8KmC_2QjKBSk7knHqJ4BsPxegFhLLZgV6k6OoOnPX8VJsmySFiHBQwxKY0CZvIevLHd7LrZakiV-rs5BLNMj7qH_M2FD8C3JzNIOXKjJ1h6eWRGAjaveIIJiOoD86SqkcRmvy3y-VP6Ek1kmyM9B8Zzlb20WCEXQsHG3CaLEH7vE/s898/M%20Dante%2005.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="898" data-original-width="750" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdMzGr3O2bB2WJ8KmC_2QjKBSk7knHqJ4BsPxegFhLLZgV6k6OoOnPX8VJsmySFiHBQwxKY0CZvIevLHd7LrZakiV-rs5BLNMj7qH_M2FD8C3JzNIOXKjJ1h6eWRGAjaveIIJiOoD86SqkcRmvy3y-VP6Ek1kmyM9B8Zzlb20WCEXQsHG3CaLEH7vE/w534-h640/M%20Dante%2005.jpg" width="534" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> Part Two of the interview is <a href="https://amprofile.blogspot.com/2024/03/michael-dante-life-as-artform-part-two.html" target="_blank">here</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">To learn more about Michael Dante visit his web site <a href="https://michaeldanteway.com/">https://michaeldanteway.com/</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p><br /></p>Alan Mercer's Profilehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17357664994049053766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620931384116236944.post-13712113926870750522024-01-16T11:04:00.000-08:002024-01-16T11:21:30.908-08:00Romance by Mario de Laat<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiApyTAXV2L2Gk9pbGPDF2gINGyQr-IRx2VUtccvwE4OlRokkmugEr9D_na3YrQEzM5Z2XnYJgIdzcQCkzUDNg7Rom69YY-0GGqfdpCmGGw5m8_ead2v-5Xw9efuacdxlsAMVGx8yWef9X2GI-HT519EOD9aPUNCG-Yqm7yT0KoORQ1zYJtW44Qptw/s1311/415976127_7210518462340090_5690519671190542671_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1311" data-original-width="1025" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiApyTAXV2L2Gk9pbGPDF2gINGyQr-IRx2VUtccvwE4OlRokkmugEr9D_na3YrQEzM5Z2XnYJgIdzcQCkzUDNg7Rom69YY-0GGqfdpCmGGw5m8_ead2v-5Xw9efuacdxlsAMVGx8yWef9X2GI-HT519EOD9aPUNCG-Yqm7yT0KoORQ1zYJtW44Qptw/w500-h640/415976127_7210518462340090_5690519671190542671_n.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Romance is a brand new 120-page glossy photo hardcover coffee
table book dedicated to the author’s mother, with a forward written by Vera
Goulet.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">First of all, the luminous Jean Simmons is on the cover. I
have always loved her, and she became even more of a personal favorite when I
had the opportunity to photograph her back in 2002. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Every photograph is a full page of 1960’s glamour, and the
facing page has a quote from the star, which I love. Inspired by his mother’s
love of movie stars and her personal collection of Romance magazine back
covers, he set out to restore and enliven the classic photos into modern day
art with the added signatures and quotes.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">I’m delighted to feature Mario de Laat on the blog!</span></b></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjByoLAzJDWhkxdH1JLJaUKiC8n-AkvWgIIE1uskenClGSFHhTQBsTqLyDvt_IDlgl_3XZCNXAlH_tHsDtc1h8PYHPi97rqGV590KK6n0mgz0hD2sieAogZtwIuIp-El0cyrSXfthduAVQnLetFkn-4RcZwVLVK2JZJTRdIDOkfAT4UdvNqrkAKTfc/s2048/353115914_145501045210765_4293239238305916477_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1367" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjByoLAzJDWhkxdH1JLJaUKiC8n-AkvWgIIE1uskenClGSFHhTQBsTqLyDvt_IDlgl_3XZCNXAlH_tHsDtc1h8PYHPi97rqGV590KK6n0mgz0hD2sieAogZtwIuIp-El0cyrSXfthduAVQnLetFkn-4RcZwVLVK2JZJTRdIDOkfAT4UdvNqrkAKTfc/w429-h640/353115914_145501045210765_4293239238305916477_n.jpg" width="429" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">All Photos courtesy of Mario de Laat </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Alan Mercer: First, I
want to say that I love this book so much. It has a Warhol Interview magazine
pop art feel to it. Is he or the pop art movement an influence on you?</b></span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Mario De Laat: I love Andy Warhol and I am flattered to be
compared to him. However, I can’t say that I was thinking of him when I put
this book together. I simply designed a layout that I thought would best complement
these timeless photos of these amazing stars. I am thrilled that you love the
book!</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: How did you pick
the cover photo out of so many great choices?</b></span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">MDL: Interesting
story. At first I wanted to display all of the stars’ photographs on the front
cover. But when I mocked it up, it didn’t seem right- looked like school
pictures. So one night it hit me when I was in bed having trouble sleeping.
Jean Simmons! The photograph of her was romantic, glamorous and was a perfect
representation of the sort of images the book contained. </span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhid3EF0cu-9iybE3vGa2mXLWIjbCH8-iW30IJS1um0zAI8tIuK0rwnf_Ll7F-m5K5z1dWhs-7EnQHivEQNjn4K-YDTQiiZJhduZdKp0GutjivyGiatPiFAJ1hkADilXZm13llfemuXKxUuq0AxZdbTjx9QHNW2GFL-tZXz90TjDt-dY_8uHmPOmCD3/s1084/415993870_7210519015673368_2085025456715004048_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1084" data-original-width="848" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhid3EF0cu-9iybE3vGa2mXLWIjbCH8-iW30IJS1um0zAI8tIuK0rwnf_Ll7F-m5K5z1dWhs-7EnQHivEQNjn4K-YDTQiiZJhduZdKp0GutjivyGiatPiFAJ1hkADilXZm13llfemuXKxUuq0AxZdbTjx9QHNW2GFL-tZXz90TjDt-dY_8uHmPOmCD3/w500-h640/415993870_7210519015673368_2085025456715004048_n.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: How did you get
to know Vera Goulet?</b></span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">MDL: From a very
young age, I was a big fan of Robert Goulet. About 20 years ago, I wrote a
letter to Mr. Goulet requesting an autographed picture of him, which he sent. I
was added to their mailing list and would receive every holiday season a
beautiful card with a picture of the happy couple. When Robert passed away,
Vera and I remained friends thanks to the magic of the internet. Of course, I
decided to include a picture of Robert that was included in my mother’s
collection since she loved him too. So, I took a chance and reached out to Vera
and asked her to write the foreward of this book, and she didn’t hesitate! She
said, “of course I will write this for you! You’re my friend!” This was the
icing on the cake for me.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: Did you ever
imagine you would create this book of beauty with those old magazine back
covers?</b></span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">MDL: I loved the
magazine, Romance when I was younger, but I didn’t think of making a photo art
book with these images until my mother died. I inherited her scrapbook of these
pictures that my mother collected pictures and images of American and European
movie stars. This scrapbook was a prized possession of hers. I thought to
myself, there is no better way to honor her memory than making an actual coffee
table book of these images.</span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiENRlNjjBOucYumpLpdY6-SGyQqHvfoU_yNleBr2HCm6IoaGUrZaJWrj4y6N4nltYLU4hYIwXAzQU5NL5o2EhGnsRS8t4FFvkn3CMMY0kQ30zEqQVdMfxD5iFQxrI-DIg5njhqlfOuzHBkyeaaHCGAichR01HsfCsRVQdjaweLE_NJgf71AXWmY0Tr/s1992/416995884_7213209688737634_8159905361021962446_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1268" data-original-width="1992" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiENRlNjjBOucYumpLpdY6-SGyQqHvfoU_yNleBr2HCm6IoaGUrZaJWrj4y6N4nltYLU4hYIwXAzQU5NL5o2EhGnsRS8t4FFvkn3CMMY0kQ30zEqQVdMfxD5iFQxrI-DIg5njhqlfOuzHBkyeaaHCGAichR01HsfCsRVQdjaweLE_NJgf71AXWmY0Tr/w640-h408/416995884_7213209688737634_8159905361021962446_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: Was it hard
picking a quote for each of them?</b></span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">MDL: Honestly, I
researched these movie stars on the internet and came up with so many quotes.
The hardest part was deciding on which one best suited each star. For example,
both Anthony Perkins and Rock Hudson both spoke about the AIDS in their later
years, so I wanted to include these quotes for them. Sal Mineno and Pier Angeli
both expressed their affection for James Dean. Other stars often provided funny
antidotes and silly quotes. I wanted to give the book some layers with the
quotes. </span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2WfstPHy1ZtUbbsyBjf7PdL_ndhtlFfbxonSb3tR0Jsz3t3jwnHD3_nH-dtz64LTKne4JGvLv-_gNbGoYEx23zaSQWpGsir6A12Xg5UG4HbmC06SftbeNsY7yr93rmQFRWps2QECzBSvYtR-SmoXz7ckAXqFhsJx0vPysLHPbsvIa5d4r6xOBuJT-/s1080/356802125_825623002189090_6656530324750154773_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1080" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2WfstPHy1ZtUbbsyBjf7PdL_ndhtlFfbxonSb3tR0Jsz3t3jwnHD3_nH-dtz64LTKne4JGvLv-_gNbGoYEx23zaSQWpGsir6A12Xg5UG4HbmC06SftbeNsY7yr93rmQFRWps2QECzBSvYtR-SmoXz7ckAXqFhsJx0vPysLHPbsvIa5d4r6xOBuJT-/w400-h266/356802125_825623002189090_6656530324750154773_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: I think the
autograph adds so much. What inspired that choice to add them?</b></span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">MDL: I felt that by
adding the autographs, it would be more appealing to collectors and fans. I
would definitely prefer to buy a star’s photo post card with an autograph even
if it was pre-printed. This was quite normal in the 60s.</span> </p>
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoQUtOHXAAiBnSGQZfOGDzbk-CImSjcthFTCYOKr6wUyf0f7bCWawUO3XoDQrHH2ALO0CKSLL1TGweL-vyV0bp1eh4SEqaVkmADY_o7GasMUSMlN4-yMIzFU6lBpNldd9ppatEcL6sf0rVb2LfXJ-zAICo__tex6fQ0jDCeGwG4LIYzh4DlXjDLDTs/s2048/415777797_7188885471170056_7375533300922873259_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1873" data-original-width="2048" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoQUtOHXAAiBnSGQZfOGDzbk-CImSjcthFTCYOKr6wUyf0f7bCWawUO3XoDQrHH2ALO0CKSLL1TGweL-vyV0bp1eh4SEqaVkmADY_o7GasMUSMlN4-yMIzFU6lBpNldd9ppatEcL6sf0rVb2LfXJ-zAICo__tex6fQ0jDCeGwG4LIYzh4DlXjDLDTs/w400-h366/415777797_7188885471170056_7375533300922873259_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: Can you tell me
about your other two books?</b></span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">MDL: Sure- I have
produced two other books: The Ritchie Family: A Retrospective in Pictures
1978-1983 and Glenn Hughes: Village People is My Life. As the International Fan
Club President for both Village People and The Ritchie Family from 1979 until
1996, I collected so much memorabilia, photos (many of which I took myself),
and other keepsakes from both groups. I was supported by both groups’
management, Can’t Stop Productions USA and Scorpio/France. I actually inherited
most of Glenn Hughes’ memorabilia and costumes including all of his stage
clothing, gold records, interviews and concerts on cassette and VHS tapes, his
personal photographs, and copies of demo songs that were never released among
many other things. In both cases, it seemed natural to produce a book about
both groups that features these incredible items and celebrates the Kings and
Queens of the Disco era.</span><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-03We170PMnT7lj9NiM5MMvFHLIJMbM3Lz0WbayHalKmdRYtvIvykqu8eYbS_pQNzFr2dHRYQ7m1At_e7cAhZMnyj7pf-DvSq2kBxa0pulX_13IF3ij7XTSubBqhAEfpMX0_-NsPaF0-m8lE902F7A4jIvOwCHhr17f1heLH9D4Sf2W9Ic8yam6CW/s1008/339251800_1004820167150971_5682314575094089786_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="687" data-original-width="1008" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-03We170PMnT7lj9NiM5MMvFHLIJMbM3Lz0WbayHalKmdRYtvIvykqu8eYbS_pQNzFr2dHRYQ7m1At_e7cAhZMnyj7pf-DvSq2kBxa0pulX_13IF3ij7XTSubBqhAEfpMX0_-NsPaF0-m8lE902F7A4jIvOwCHhr17f1heLH9D4Sf2W9Ic8yam6CW/w400-h272/339251800_1004820167150971_5682314575094089786_n.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Mario de Laat started his career at the 4 Star Hotel de
Swaen and Hotel Bosch en Ven in what was known as “The Pearl of Brabant”, the
beautiful village of Oisterwijk.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">At the age of 23, he relocated to Amsterdam and worked for
Cinetone Filmstudios where many TV shows and movies were produced. It was the
biggest film studio in The Netherlands where Mario held the scepter over the
studio’s catering, welcoming many international stars and movie directors such
as Elton John, David Bowie, The Three Degrees, Amanda Lear, Sylvia Kristel,
Jerone Krabbe, Rutgar Hauer and Paul Verhoeven, among others. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijFr8uDvlG1gM7FxZ6sR7INzyGtXmi71UwxVQusr0i9eEo919BruMK0_GZE61Dp5c75GOSpJAO42T-6m5fmLD-3fmQE4sTvwLcaqMf_j63RrV4vrMEzHl_ty37C2HqRa3tprWqXWhxWt0qbkl2Jz5BvjBkG1Xh3Av9OsDi0_z-ct_DaTiMzgsgfjo8/s802/415376965_728841529251121_8668609371427561064_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="779" data-original-width="802" height="389" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijFr8uDvlG1gM7FxZ6sR7INzyGtXmi71UwxVQusr0i9eEo919BruMK0_GZE61Dp5c75GOSpJAO42T-6m5fmLD-3fmQE4sTvwLcaqMf_j63RrV4vrMEzHl_ty37C2HqRa3tprWqXWhxWt0qbkl2Jz5BvjBkG1Xh3Av9OsDi0_z-ct_DaTiMzgsgfjo8/w400-h389/415376965_728841529251121_8668609371427561064_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">In 1980 he partnered with KB van Kranen on their own photo
card business, Man’s World Pictures, which became very successful and
distributed cards to Europe, US and Canada. In 1983 he switched careers and
went to Amsterdam Fashion School where he earned his degrees and began working
as a fashion designer on his own successful label, Oiram Fashion. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqdYrCSzyjihd6ktqYyvR03SqMwTtp4P7Mo8kx9P8BpmT69IcfuFS_TDFAciH4Av7Hwdh6P0qBC5Xe-PBSubraJtS4_h9oiccxBvfZ5l-MjT2i8JBz0aW052YCcfE2hwhRTtI9Yh-NZldLYdctsfsMaVlfa9BPycDDkfJync0JWxOd5hSPF44awsOO/s845/415181120_948631256876466_4607409282836413368_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="595" data-original-width="845" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqdYrCSzyjihd6ktqYyvR03SqMwTtp4P7Mo8kx9P8BpmT69IcfuFS_TDFAciH4Av7Hwdh6P0qBC5Xe-PBSubraJtS4_h9oiccxBvfZ5l-MjT2i8JBz0aW052YCcfE2hwhRTtI9Yh-NZldLYdctsfsMaVlfa9BPycDDkfJync0JWxOd5hSPF44awsOO/w400-h281/415181120_948631256876466_4607409282836413368_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Mario had a long-standing relationship with the popular group,
The Village People as the founder and president of the Village People
International Fanclub from 1978 to 1996. He created and produced a bi-monthly
magazine, ‘People Power’ for 18 years that was very much loved all around the
world, including the group members and their producers Henri Belolo and Jacques
Morali.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiINM10MN1U88A1EfTmsZCjG4hRX7dqw6c3o3aMCZz9JKvleZqLH8aCJzq2MADlBJkQ0oieXVi52UyjILMYkTe_i_LME0lZTmnn4ZCk39vqsWq9Ew9O338AggzF-f-weGgVffeIjqeChXx2-EHqGleTBgZduY1SDm4kAouY2gKjVZWR4EuRlTpTagAQ/s520/415236266_338546789003796_7195386862989257799_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="446" data-original-width="520" height="343" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiINM10MN1U88A1EfTmsZCjG4hRX7dqw6c3o3aMCZz9JKvleZqLH8aCJzq2MADlBJkQ0oieXVi52UyjILMYkTe_i_LME0lZTmnn4ZCk39vqsWq9Ew9O338AggzF-f-weGgVffeIjqeChXx2-EHqGleTBgZduY1SDm4kAouY2gKjVZWR4EuRlTpTagAQ/w400-h343/415236266_338546789003796_7195386862989257799_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Through Village People, Mario was introduced to the fabulous
Ritchie Family in 1980. He received official approval from the producers for
Village People to include The Ritchie Family in the magazine and to promote
both groups. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">In the mid 1990’s, Mario worked for the management company
for the Village People and became the personal assistant to the original
Leatherman of the group, Glenn M. Hughs. Mario remains connected to the Kings
of Disco Former Members of the Village People.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixzX-zIJSV72IjVIonZ8GimKg75zDuAof9aR_eHzW6KnEeKXf1OiLLBDUoaZxhgaJgcIYYRKvOn9xG34rIpzOIMQ2PHnS-AM-Xh4IzHIVfRgI3FKDOvHE2njyFc_OjDBdz-UM0snc9iz6xpvo0_gHCX8MOcfLirjsRikLG4i7OIfTbH3vozNKBwAAe/s498/415249810_886046959836120_4798598217945888839_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="410" data-original-width="498" height="329" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixzX-zIJSV72IjVIonZ8GimKg75zDuAof9aR_eHzW6KnEeKXf1OiLLBDUoaZxhgaJgcIYYRKvOn9xG34rIpzOIMQ2PHnS-AM-Xh4IzHIVfRgI3FKDOvHE2njyFc_OjDBdz-UM0snc9iz6xpvo0_gHCX8MOcfLirjsRikLG4i7OIfTbH3vozNKBwAAe/w400-h329/415249810_886046959836120_4798598217945888839_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Mario has plans to produce another photo art book about Glenn
M. Hughs and his career with the Village People. He is also currently writing a
book about his own life that has already been optioned by some American theatrical
producers to be presented as a play in the future titled ‘Young Man’.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSdLnzogh-VqP-w6T2tXFr76Kn4uPgLxnZbKuv8XGtgK0-2GyRQ3IDEzpszYPEHLUbUzVHFAbByVOx6ScWt7SOih5KXu7C285sJWKy3Z-uSM8S2H5GErc1PLAAaiQTDkp-tQuoSVKHYQ9ppvdqUcpz0_Wrl7NpQuOA5lV5vBJvgabRYdISqby3qcbe/s1949/342989380_553802623456642_5951682039664724799_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1949" data-original-width="1949" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSdLnzogh-VqP-w6T2tXFr76Kn4uPgLxnZbKuv8XGtgK0-2GyRQ3IDEzpszYPEHLUbUzVHFAbByVOx6ScWt7SOih5KXu7C285sJWKy3Z-uSM8S2H5GErc1PLAAaiQTDkp-tQuoSVKHYQ9ppvdqUcpz0_Wrl7NpQuOA5lV5vBJvgabRYdISqby3qcbe/w400-h400/342989380_553802623456642_5951682039664724799_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Mario maintains a strong friendship with the members of The
Ritchie Family which has now entered its fourth decade. With his lifetime of experiences
in show business and the creative arts, he hopes to give you an inside look at
these wonderful ladies, their careers and their accomplishments, and hopes most
of all that you enjoy ‘The Ritchie Family: A Retrospective in pictures
1978-1983’.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8-kU1Fz5WIG3_4AtCdCiMn4mysCxClSqEmga1LeUZCtRG7IbLXMctk1R-E-avhGN8oR0s6heMVguPMapsc6M6bqtLpntuxlda6fD65YNn6yuXgepxJXl4y8uRUAW5LY5GgiYyrP4cfRKCje-Y4BwxF9iPcBsOPEjmK0Q_cePSL6rD_33nbREGaziQ/s498/415249810_886046959836120_4798598217945888839_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="410" data-original-width="498" height="329" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8-kU1Fz5WIG3_4AtCdCiMn4mysCxClSqEmga1LeUZCtRG7IbLXMctk1R-E-avhGN8oR0s6heMVguPMapsc6M6bqtLpntuxlda6fD65YNn6yuXgepxJXl4y8uRUAW5LY5GgiYyrP4cfRKCje-Y4BwxF9iPcBsOPEjmK0Q_cePSL6rD_33nbREGaziQ/w400-h329/415249810_886046959836120_4798598217945888839_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>To get your own copy of this beautiful book please write to mavgr1951@gmail.com</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='449' height='310' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwYpNZ-CArt8tFbHsadztdtl2UpyS-RNtK0z3m8s6fR0mvuYLbgbYobrFNZkJuteV89JK7I_YwTy_J6lmNpbg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><b><br /></b></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Alan Mercer's Profilehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17357664994049053766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620931384116236944.post-7772108329384261962023-12-12T18:17:00.000-08:002023-12-13T10:02:06.735-08:00Shilah Phillips Holiday Album Is A Multi-Cultural Experience<p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpAJ8WW-rYyHTstdjqi3B_vDO60Y4sV-mm5Rh1RQ4w5bAUVO0A8F8gMlEvG69CpIu23T0KpXMhAjLD6mvZm0jX8-ZIQddxPSmoqUI4fx9qtOIg0Y2yyW7q6AuHLqxJOmP2-kCodoeYeCwhp6ml7UL1WwR36Bwy3EFfoWxjyA3LZldWqgY3zmYCjzo3/s1203/Shilah%20Phillps%20(207).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1203" height="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpAJ8WW-rYyHTstdjqi3B_vDO60Y4sV-mm5Rh1RQ4w5bAUVO0A8F8gMlEvG69CpIu23T0KpXMhAjLD6mvZm0jX8-ZIQddxPSmoqUI4fx9qtOIg0Y2yyW7q6AuHLqxJOmP2-kCodoeYeCwhp6ml7UL1WwR36Bwy3EFfoWxjyA3LZldWqgY3zmYCjzo3/w640-h638/Shilah%20Phillps%20(207).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Shilah Phillips Happy Christmas album cover </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">All contemporary images by Alan Mercer</div><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Shilah Phillips burst onto the national music scene by
making it as a semi-finalist on American Idol season 3 where she worked
alongside Jennifer Hudson. <o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Shilah grew up in Denver, where she attended a performing
arts school from sixth to twelfth grade. She studied voice at Howard University
before dropping out and moving to California to try to become a singer, making
demo records and auditioning for American Idol (Season 3).<o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>She returned to Texas, studying vocal music at Collin County
Community College.<o:p></o:p></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4I05QriR00OFJaeX2Lcdx_OMn5-XeoKqruUDJJuji-Q75pGyXP1YptPa5b6zd9c_FF1CafK79XhLvdPg8wj9tZ56sLF7KwWDbku7fevjI4o2i29bZbiNt-BMjsAv6mEQha3QZ68T3GdxJOIorwnDfUJRF4oE1By3RHqU1gZRT3BS86xOI8toNqPeB/s653/150a2a2bd6fc5744c7b0104feae261c9.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="500" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4I05QriR00OFJaeX2Lcdx_OMn5-XeoKqruUDJJuji-Q75pGyXP1YptPa5b6zd9c_FF1CafK79XhLvdPg8wj9tZ56sLF7KwWDbku7fevjI4o2i29bZbiNt-BMjsAv6mEQha3QZ68T3GdxJOIorwnDfUJRF4oE1By3RHqU1gZRT3BS86xOI8toNqPeB/w306-h400/150a2a2bd6fc5744c7b0104feae261c9.jpg" width="306" /></a></span></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>In 2006 Shilah was crowned the 1st African American Miss
Texas in the pageant’s 72-year history. Shilah went on to become the 1st runner
up to Miss America and overall CMT viewer's choice talent winner, setting a
record that stands to this day. <o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Shilah was featured on MTV's hit show “Pageant School”, a
reality TV show leading up to the Miss America pageant. In 2011, Shilah
completed her Jazz Studies music degree from The Grammy award-winning,
world-renowned University of North Texas. <o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>In 2009, Shilah appeared on MTV's hit show "Made: Kyra
Gray Episode" where she turned a street skater into a "Pageant Queen”
Shilah used her scholarship money to complete her Bachelor’s degree in Jazz
Studies from the University of North Texas in 2011. In 2010 and 2011 Shilah
performed with Jazz great pianist Larry Fuller. Shilah has had the opportunity
to be the featured Artist with the Plano Symphony in 2012 and the Irving
Symphony in 2013 conducted by Hector Guzman. Shilah worked on the Emmy award
winning Christian TV program “Celebration” with Marcus and Joni Lamb and “The
Marcus and Joni Show” as one of the DayStar Singers. In 2013 Shilah was voted
top 20 most beautiful women in Dallas by D Magazine.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA-ne00nu6Op-70X-ccdbGeQGGi6uWdvQpLXuQYFAeSHExqkLs5uczdyaGCh6aoNNc78IDmaoO7PJ3rAIxZ9nnj5wSosUBnazA7wQihkvwk_KIRdJxTX7QsOO-lHNCgM8VMNRHpVFSjpxz_C-NyAo2fRqgqYGcz-KFf8GqRCIKwFwqTB4uujdDasM_/s1205/Shilah%20Phillps%20(10).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1205" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA-ne00nu6Op-70X-ccdbGeQGGi6uWdvQpLXuQYFAeSHExqkLs5uczdyaGCh6aoNNc78IDmaoO7PJ3rAIxZ9nnj5wSosUBnazA7wQihkvwk_KIRdJxTX7QsOO-lHNCgM8VMNRHpVFSjpxz_C-NyAo2fRqgqYGcz-KFf8GqRCIKwFwqTB4uujdDasM_/w638-h640/Shilah%20Phillps%20(10).jpg" width="638" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Alan Mercer: Shilah,
when did you decide you wanted to make a Christmas album?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Shilah Phillips: I decided I wanted to make a Christmas
album 2 years ago and I’ve been working on it ever since. I had the pleasure of
working with an amazing producer, Josh Goode. He was so wonderful and fun to
work with.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: You only have one
cover, and the rest are originals.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">SP: I wanted it to be
an album of original songs and I wanted to be involved in the entire process of
creating this album. The name of the album is ‘Happy Christmas’ but it’s a
multi-cultural experience to listen to the album because it talks about my own
family backgrounds. This album represents who I am as an artist. ‘Happy Christmas’
references a very popular South African song by Brenda Fassie at the beginning.
That is a song my family loves to dance to, so I wanted to make a reference
towards that. Then I speak a little bit of Krio, which is a West African
dialect. When I am with my family, they speak a lot of Krio with me, so I
wanted to add it into the album. I think it’s important and would add more
world flavor to the album. When my dad heard it, he was so happy. He couldn’t
believe I was singing in Krio. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="330" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/M22OcveCa88" width="486" youtube-src-id="M22OcveCa88"></iframe></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: This album is so
good. I can’t stop listening. It is multi-cultural, and I love that. Are you a
multi-cultural person?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">SP: I am a
multi-cultural person. My stepdad is from Sierra Leon, West Africa and he was
raised in London. That gave me more of a world outlook. He’s a wonderful dad.
My mother’s background is Native American. That gives me 3 or 4 different
cultures. It’s all about who I am and the kinds of things we experienced around
the holidays. It was important for me to show that in my video. You will see
different cultures represented there. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcOLHby3GRtvOK44vjOVe-sFVwcu6jbGToaDYv3wHg5T_QUKboH0t1BeekoJCfhf7UkyYtPabs1cVfXuc28LxjiZ-eYykq9BIHPiUIO-6e5QPXoLEtm5dlRJR8GVZ0lwjp7AtMhYDt8aw11012SE79IxJJxIBHy3zls6Yxkb-W5h86FSxjwdmNYeF_/s1208/Shilah%20Phillps%20(105).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1208" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcOLHby3GRtvOK44vjOVe-sFVwcu6jbGToaDYv3wHg5T_QUKboH0t1BeekoJCfhf7UkyYtPabs1cVfXuc28LxjiZ-eYykq9BIHPiUIO-6e5QPXoLEtm5dlRJR8GVZ0lwjp7AtMhYDt8aw11012SE79IxJJxIBHy3zls6Yxkb-W5h86FSxjwdmNYeF_/w636-h640/Shilah%20Phillps%20(105).jpg" width="636" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: That video is so
good. It looks like a family having real fun.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">SP: We had so much
fun! The producer, Louie Partida and director, Israel Luna were so amazing. He’s an outstanding
filmmaker and so talented. It was an honor to have him direct my video. It’s a
wonderful feeling to have this video out. People like to see visuals to the
music. It lets them know where you're coming from.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: Was the video
your vision?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">SP: It was a shared
vision between Israel and me. I told him the most important thing for me
regarding the holidays is being with my family. I have a big family and when we
get together, we move the chairs out of the way and dance to all kinds of
music. We are very lively. I think the album and the video represent family
love very well. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: You only have one
cover and it’s the most famous Christmas song, but you made it yours by turning
it into a beautiful ballad and that song is Mariah Carey’s ‘All I Want For
Christmas Is You’.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">SP: I have always
admired Mariah Carey. She started when I was a little girl and one of the
reasons I love her so much is because my mom told me that if I worked hard, I
could grow up to be a singer like Mariah and have a horse ranch. Obviously, I
wanted a horse for Christmas, and I wanted to grow up and be a big singer like
her. She is a huge influence.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="326" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YDtC6bZIGLc" width="445" youtube-src-id="YDtC6bZIGLc"></iframe></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="font-size: large;">AM: Let’s talk about
some of the other songs on the album.</b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">SP: I was excited to
write the songs because I believe they represent who I am. I also wrote a song
about Hanukkah. With everything going on in the world today and all the antisemitism
that I am very much against. All people deserve to be treated equally and
fairly, regardless of their race, religion, or cultural background. I’m a big
believer in human rights. The song was actually inspired by the Hebrew National
anthem. I like that song and I can sing it in Hebrew. I wanted that to be the
underlying reference for the song. I believe we need to celebrate different cultures
and accept people with different religions. It was very important to have that
song on my album. Sometimes Christmas and Hanukkah overlap. I have always been
supportive of Israel and the Jewish people. I didn’t just put it on there to
have a Hanukkah song. It’s something I feel strongly about and it’s important
to me.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="323" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0JJtsXORIA0" width="456" youtube-src-id="0JJtsXORIA0"></iframe></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="font-size: large;">AM: I do love the big
festive, party quality to the song.</b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">SP: It’s so cheerful.
All the background singers had to learn to sing in Hebrew. All the songs on my
album are so different. If you want to create timeless art, you have to put
yourself out there. You shouldn’t go with the current trends; you must put out
what’s in your heart. That’s the direction I went with this album.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib8V8Pj0LjDdGgPrXrZjbF3_rqAgf4ikLTCZP7d9SJ5e_0X7PRtZzoqdPMsA5PzbluiBOhkm5V397tn0YKIVYYZ4vLd3AdUk52koGBQlrws5dineNFq-JAtz9MgaCjLPTNHamj-Bd1uGIbQ3AeTD9MQ_7TsHm2F9dOPjNW1WSH4MRJLDyg2WniyIsN/s1200/Shilah%20Phillps%20(172).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib8V8Pj0LjDdGgPrXrZjbF3_rqAgf4ikLTCZP7d9SJ5e_0X7PRtZzoqdPMsA5PzbluiBOhkm5V397tn0YKIVYYZ4vLd3AdUk52koGBQlrws5dineNFq-JAtz9MgaCjLPTNHamj-Bd1uGIbQ3AeTD9MQ_7TsHm2F9dOPjNW1WSH4MRJLDyg2WniyIsN/w640-h640/Shilah%20Phillps%20(172).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: I love the salsa
song too.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">SP: Thank you! That
song represents my family. We all salsa dance and we love the music. That song
is big and fun. I see people dancing to that song over the holidays. Another of
my songs is called ‘Home For Christmas’ and it represents a culture many people
don’t know. It’s called Go-go music. Go-go is very popular in Washington DC. I
had the pleasure of spending some time there and the radio stations play a
Go-go mix at night. I wanted this song to be very horn intense and have the
Go-go type of beat that was created by Chuck Brown quite awhile ago. When you
are in that area people recognize that kind of music. It makes the song more
fun. The message is just make it home for Christmas, no matter what you have to
do. Get home. I think it’s important to spend time with your family during the holidays
if you can. That song is inspired by the fact that I travel so much singing,
and I have a brother on the West coast and 2 sisters on the East coast. When we
can all make it to mom’s house, it makes it really special.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="313" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/By51IG4r-0Y" width="447" youtube-src-id="By51IG4r-0Y"></iframe></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: You also have a
fun, sexy song on there that you wrote. Tell me about that one.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">SP: Yes! (Laughing) That’s
my type of Eartha Kitt song. It’s called ‘Sant Bring Me A Man For Christmas’
and that song is sadly inspired by my own life. (more laughter)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="font-size: large;">AM: That’s hard to
believe!</b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">SP: That song is
about the challenges in a relationship. During the holidays your family always
asks if you are in a new relationship or in a serious relationship, and if you’re a
woman you have to hear, “When I am I gonna get grandchildren? How are things going with
you in the love department?” </span><span style="font-size: large;">I promise you my family prayed last year that I
would get married. It was dear God, please send our daughter a man for
Christmas. So, I thought I would ask Santa to bring me a man for Christmas.
(Lots of laughter)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="324" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6h3TRiBhPRk" width="449" youtube-src-id="6h3TRiBhPRk"></iframe></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: That is such a fun song, but to close the album, you chose a beautiful song that sounds and feels spiritual to me.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">SP: That song, ‘This Christmas’ is spiritual to me. I’m happy you got that vibe from it. The message is to let love fill your heart this Christmas. That is the whole theme I am going for. The holidays are about love, not hate. It’s not about who’s right and who’s wrong or politics. Sometimes that comes up in family gatherings but it’s not about receiving, it’s about giving from your heart. I believe this and I want to spread this message of love and kindness and giving to the world. That is really important to me. The world needs love right now.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS_jeLCGu0s9sPaV-LZtRR2lhmdQZN2Q5YJ3-3jqb-03iqxUT0C1hAFFm7_hPnL5p5IjF1idLOeTbHTd-UBc3jw2tZsn0o1MZ5WK3Imx2oK0TYzcSbq4We_MPTCX0FMG16yS0k6zlVMJ21z02aE2lgTGFqv-PnZCSDuV3LG_UI5qnyuFlJ4xNyeVsK/s1200/Shilah%20Phillps%20(130).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS_jeLCGu0s9sPaV-LZtRR2lhmdQZN2Q5YJ3-3jqb-03iqxUT0C1hAFFm7_hPnL5p5IjF1idLOeTbHTd-UBc3jw2tZsn0o1MZ5WK3Imx2oK0TYzcSbq4We_MPTCX0FMG16yS0k6zlVMJ21z02aE2lgTGFqv-PnZCSDuV3LG_UI5qnyuFlJ4xNyeVsK/w640-h640/Shilah%20Phillps%20(130).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: Were you always
known for your voice?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">SP: I started singing
at church when I was 3 years old. The funny story is my mother was the
children’s choir director and I was not a member of the choir, but I used to go
with her to just watch and a girl got sick. My Godmother was the one to suggest
that I fill in for her since I would know the song. My mom said, "No, my daughter
is too young, and she can’t be in the choir", but they did let me sing and my
mother told me I sang with really good time and pitch and that I had pretty
good stage presence. She was impressed, so I joined the children’s choir. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="333" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/p3xC8YEjYko" width="451" youtube-src-id="p3xC8YEjYko"></iframe></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: When or how did
you get interested in pageantry?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">SP: I dabbled in
pageantry when I was little. My mom entered me in some of the little talent
contests, so I did some singing. I wasn’t really interested in the pageantry
part. I was serious about singing, acting, and modeling. As a teenager I didn’t
think about it, but when I was entering college, I wanted to go to school at
the University of North Texas. It’s a very famous and respected school for jazz
musicians. I needed to get a scholarship because my mother had gotten sick a
year earlier and a lot of my college tuition went to her medical bills. My friend
then suggested I enter the Miss Texas Pageant. Someone else told me I should
enter a pageant and it was Simon Cowel from ‘American Idol’.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: How did that make you feel?</b> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">SP: At the time, I was
so offended. (Laughing) I did not like that, but my friend told me it was a
great opportunity for you to get a scholarship and it would also help my
singing career. She literally signed me up to a local pageant. I entered the
Miss Plano/Frisco pageant and I won on my first try. We trained very hard to be
in Miss Texas. I didn’t even know it would be on television all over the state.
I also didn’t realize that no one of African American ancestry had ever won the
pageant before. They asked me what I thought about that, and I said, “Why not?
Now is as good a time as any.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: How did you feel
being in such a big pageant?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">SP: I was a little
intimidated and out of my element. With my singing and theater background, I
just wanted to do my best and I really did need the scholarship money. I said a
little prayer, worked hard and went for it and I became Miss Texas on my first
try, which was amazing. That was a huge blessing. Then I went on to Miss
America where I was the overall talent winner and ended up being first runner
up. It was all wonderful and gave me enough money to go to school and finish my
degree in jazz studies.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="343" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/B-SQS6MaCiU" width="452" youtube-src-id="B-SQS6MaCiU"></iframe></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: Now that the Christmas
album is completed, are you going to be writing and recording any more music?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">SP: Yes! Actually, I
have already begun work on a new project that will be out sometime next year. I
think most of them will be original and written by myself and with co-writers. I’m
hoping to work with Josh Goode again on this project.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: Thank you for going through all the hard work for 2 years to make this incredible album
happen. </b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">SP: Thank you for
taking my cover shot.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpmqCqKke5oWCWs6LwejNsX0rhd3FJpyPXc6Zm9Nnb4TLBLVs8PiAjrhpbTt8O57IRFMjbBYGEc1GqmKuMpmWb0X3pVUQWEDFP58WNiYalcMtOiCrQCPDrvu_j39vNf0R_WFBZ-HA6UBxCqqOBRamDRUv98Q77OTlSNUaFH4CkRXATd72OC6aKEUJc/s1200/Shilah%20Phillps%20(150).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpmqCqKke5oWCWs6LwejNsX0rhd3FJpyPXc6Zm9Nnb4TLBLVs8PiAjrhpbTt8O57IRFMjbBYGEc1GqmKuMpmWb0X3pVUQWEDFP58WNiYalcMtOiCrQCPDrvu_j39vNf0R_WFBZ-HA6UBxCqqOBRamDRUv98Q77OTlSNUaFH4CkRXATd72OC6aKEUJc/w640-h640/Shilah%20Phillps%20(150).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"> To learn more about Shilah Phillips visit her web site </span><span style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.shilahphillips.com/">https://www.shilahphillips.com/</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">'Happy Christmas' can be found on all the streaming platforms</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="325" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_oxQR6CB8bg" width="502" youtube-src-id="_oxQR6CB8bg"></iframe></div><br />Alan Mercer's Profilehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17357664994049053766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620931384116236944.post-19349047821154460672023-10-15T18:24:00.002-07:002023-10-15T18:55:37.845-07:00Ronnie Dove Likes To Hear From His Fans<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b> </b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Z5xk93g54ZAJed_G5h8ZwdLklVSuBSlmsuFsKS7iKFz_xn_qSIf5DKIbkdTauNgFiPk7Ep16T8fvDY7kfxpNj33pXi3IPHG7Z-KJlTfetlkgOYsDoTCZouAWI7SEgaAkz9EC-uTM9YgYyRO_FkGOtLs4z-YpAjaviOg-O7B_LzThpIXFk6fatw4x/s1548/e84cb3bcb355c4385b0c66c4eafb8b01-topaz-enhance-4x-faceai.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1548" data-original-width="1312" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Z5xk93g54ZAJed_G5h8ZwdLklVSuBSlmsuFsKS7iKFz_xn_qSIf5DKIbkdTauNgFiPk7Ep16T8fvDY7kfxpNj33pXi3IPHG7Z-KJlTfetlkgOYsDoTCZouAWI7SEgaAkz9EC-uTM9YgYyRO_FkGOtLs4z-YpAjaviOg-O7B_LzThpIXFk6fatw4x/w542-h640/e84cb3bcb355c4385b0c66c4eafb8b01-topaz-enhance-4x-faceai.jpg" width="542" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>When nationally acclaimed recording star Ronnie Dove emerged
on the music scene more than 60 years ago, he and his manager purposed that if
Ronnie could build a solid nightclub reputation and consistently produce hit records,
he would be a star with an enduring future.<o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Despite his natural "boyish" good looks and
charismatic stage presence, Ronnie didn't believe in positioning himself as a
teen idol like many of his contemporaries of 1964 - the year he released his
first chartbuster, "Say You". Yet, ironically, it is these teenagers,
who now as adults, continue to reminisce over other such nostalgic classics as
"Cry" and "One Kiss For Old Time's Sake". He followed that
up with 22 more consecutive chart songs like “Right Or Wrong” and “Mountain Of
Love”. </b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>In 1965 he earned 8 awards from Billboard and Cashbox magazines including "Top Male Singles Artist of 1965", "Top Make Selling Artist of 1965", "Tope Male Easy Listening Artist of 1965" and "Top Male Easy Listening Selling Artist of 1965", "Best Selling Male Vocalist of 1965", "Best LP Male Vocalist of 1965". "Best R&B Male Vocalist of 1965" and "Best R&B Records of 1965".<o:p></o:p></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjP2dEZm7RgHYtfl6JZihrXQEe0B5TfgvaCBRtTd7z7B2ELRcbryG7NrHvnc460MPysUGWEJKptW9zxAw9XTqL6ZBE3T6gPG7KL-OQZS-M95LdiZml7LlnZ-ELIYft1sHT62Zy7-H49Dt-4j56Z70lkJWr2cz4gnV7ktzUfagm8y51hijBHOmom8R3/s1440/hqdefault%20(1)-topaz-enhance-4x-faceai.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjP2dEZm7RgHYtfl6JZihrXQEe0B5TfgvaCBRtTd7z7B2ELRcbryG7NrHvnc460MPysUGWEJKptW9zxAw9XTqL6ZBE3T6gPG7KL-OQZS-M95LdiZml7LlnZ-ELIYft1sHT62Zy7-H49Dt-4j56Z70lkJWr2cz4gnV7ktzUfagm8y51hijBHOmom8R3/w640-h640/hqdefault%20(1)-topaz-enhance-4x-faceai.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Born and raised in Herndon, Virginia, Ronnie Dove heard the
roar of applause at an early age. He honed his vocals and musical proficiency
as a four-year member of his high school glee club. After graduation, he joined
the U.S. Coast Guard and was stationed on a buoy tender off the coast of
Baltimore. It was during these four years that Ronnie became a burgeoning pop
performer, singing Elvis covers in local pubs on his evenings off.<o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>After completing his duties with the Coast Guard, he
returned to Baltimore and formed Ronnie Dove and the Belltones. The group
devoted the next four years to playing the club circuit as often as seven
nights a week.<o:p></o:p></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="343" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KIZLXhC8Xw0" width="478" youtube-src-id="KIZLXhC8Xw0"></iframe></span></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>In the fall of 1964, Ronnie broke from the band and headed
to Nashville. Shortly thereafter, he recorded "Sweeter Than Sugar"
which would become his first single on the Diamond Record label. A fitting
title, "Sweeter Than Sugar" characterized his rise to stardom which
began with a subsequent string of hit singles including, "Say You",
"Right or Wrong" - which was his biggest success - and "Little
Bit of Heaven".<o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Considering the climate of the record industry in the
mid-60's with the British invasion and the Motown sound, Ronnie's success was
doubly impressive. He went on to produce 23 consecutive nationally and
inter-nationally-charted top 10 records and packed venues throughout North
America.<o:p></o:p></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="339" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qouUyNQx1a8" width="453" youtube-src-id="qouUyNQx1a8"></iframe></span></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>During the following ten years, Ronnie was either in the
studio, touring or debuting on prestigious radio and television shows including
Mike Douglas, Merv Griffin and American Bandstand. His most notable appearance
was on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1967.<o:p></o:p></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="367" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/95yFMcyAsnc" width="517" youtube-src-id="95yFMcyAsnc"></iframe></span></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Ronnie signed a new deal with Decca Records in 1971 and
pointed his career in a more country oriented direction, scoring two minor
country chart hits and an album. Later, he moved to the Motown country label
Melodyland and had a top 40 country hit with a cover of Bobby Darin’s
"Things", which would become his highest charting country hit.</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoAWWGgHdRcqBANJ21cYrUcfWTREZahEXeiLM1HWmAIe67IkpNSMKRfSYpoJNFqaA2KseoAHN24SwtAmVi7sRF-wTs5qiRnqFTPEtU13ArdJ24X0DSP29jLH-FmEFh6S1VW_sfBzO2oGellkFF5k7IFP6tbtY7Z-aubDj8fqMb1NK-bJAY_LlzeoN0/s1368/A-1092453-1562821081-7414-topaz-enhance-4x-faceai.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1304" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoAWWGgHdRcqBANJ21cYrUcfWTREZahEXeiLM1HWmAIe67IkpNSMKRfSYpoJNFqaA2KseoAHN24SwtAmVi7sRF-wTs5qiRnqFTPEtU13ArdJ24X0DSP29jLH-FmEFh6S1VW_sfBzO2oGellkFF5k7IFP6tbtY7Z-aubDj8fqMb1NK-bJAY_LlzeoN0/w610-h640/A-1092453-1562821081-7414-topaz-enhance-4x-faceai.jpg" width="610" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="font-size: large;">By the early 1980's, the nationwide resurgence of the
"golden oldies" sound prompted Ronnie to come out of retirement.
Touring again and sounding better than ever, Ronnie was filling venues with
more than 5,000 fans per show.</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="342" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3AlMtzMesHU" width="456" youtube-src-id="3AlMtzMesHU"></iframe></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Then in 1989, he was dealt a shocking blow. His mother, who
had been his most devoted supporter through the years, was diagnosed with two
aneurysms and given only three to six months to live. Ronnie again took time
off from his career to care for her. His mother lingered on for another two
years with Ronnie by her side tirelessly. After her death in 1991, he again
started to tour throughout the United States and Canada. Music seemed to be the
only thing to keep him going.<o:p></o:p></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqZ4-9uCxakQELb944OtJUWVyoDns6ssbbx2CVPu-CJpkX-_dmVqArUAP8W47gusqdl4AumQgj9ksHDIgE69uz3B9dSqz99IkMecTydgjdVTrHX7QMB-jitilBv-GAJmsncoTyTLbgeMHX_mzf25hcq-5ZXleqS77Xnxe_pKqIUy-qGtZajy6tlgnj/s1656/hq720%20(2)-topaz-enhance-4x-faceai.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1544" data-original-width="1656" height="596" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqZ4-9uCxakQELb944OtJUWVyoDns6ssbbx2CVPu-CJpkX-_dmVqArUAP8W47gusqdl4AumQgj9ksHDIgE69uz3B9dSqz99IkMecTydgjdVTrHX7QMB-jitilBv-GAJmsncoTyTLbgeMHX_mzf25hcq-5ZXleqS77Xnxe_pKqIUy-qGtZajy6tlgnj/w640-h596/hq720%20(2)-topaz-enhance-4x-faceai.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>In 2018, Ronnie Dove Music reissued his 1967 album Cry album
digitally, sourced from newly available tapes. As of 2021, all of his Diamond
Records albums including 1988's “From The Heart” have been reissued digitally. In
2019, Ronnie’s song “Happy Summer Days” was featured in an Amazon commercial.<o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Before retiring earlier this year, Ronnie also performed in
the Baltimore area, where it all started for him. Singing his hits from the
sixties and other country flavored tunes, the fans keep coming. There are lots
of baby-boomer fans from that era, as well as younger fans who can't get enough
of this terrific talent.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3aR7rp56MC7g4R3zTo0pWLlnPRTdssCJxeU-sT-XpiZFRcfxaFDTke5Nv86IvnDoZ-HBITq9wSB0XPcWMiSBjKMRSd8qWKtdYtvIoVENW-gwCydJtBDjTT-9rZwG8SQ_A9rTvEjk4HPVhSHonno0YRonPJ3umizPOklRAo4oWLQpCqwdJVYvqz3fl/s2416/305798464_517820023681370_5675495987003256169_n-topaz-enhance-4x-faceai.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2332" data-original-width="2416" height="618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3aR7rp56MC7g4R3zTo0pWLlnPRTdssCJxeU-sT-XpiZFRcfxaFDTke5Nv86IvnDoZ-HBITq9wSB0XPcWMiSBjKMRSd8qWKtdYtvIoVENW-gwCydJtBDjTT-9rZwG8SQ_A9rTvEjk4HPVhSHonno0YRonPJ3umizPOklRAo4oWLQpCqwdJVYvqz3fl/w640-h618/305798464_517820023681370_5675495987003256169_n-topaz-enhance-4x-faceai.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Alan Mercer:</b> <b>Ronnie, I wrote you a letter telling you how
much I enjoyed all your recordings before I asked you to do this interview. Do
you enjoy hearing from your fans?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ronnie Dove: Oh yes, I go to my Post Office box every day.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And you receive a
lot of fan mail all the time?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">RD:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh yes. My fans
are like my family.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can see that,
based on how nice you are with me. I know you grew up in Virginia.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">RD:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you know where
Dulles Airport is?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">RD: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s where I
grew up on a farm that was there before they built the airport. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did you sing as a
youngster?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">RD:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My first public
performance was when I was five years old. I sang “Away In The Manger” at our
Church Christmas show. The audience clapped and clapped and that as pretty
exciting to a five-year-old.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="340" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_2GVT90r3dI" width="516" youtube-src-id="_2GVT90r3dI"></iframe></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And then you
formed a group while you were in high school?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">RD:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, Ronnie Dove
and The Rockers. We performed at the Herndon Theater about every six months or
so.</span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then you joined
the Coast Guard and started the group, The Belltones, correct?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">RD:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, I was in the
Coast Guard for four years. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRFVG8PdEhXrMKIZSqnscytvtuPEtTeDzb4qfcIhhAVFMwG9TIqHqYS0flAMXHf0Ois7Ig3Lg6SagwARjXHX8OvMIrNNAbNHnT1N2By_GJ86E6UOBjFfVfyiFUk4y7Dx5Lm1DcwFHrPPqRSXDfXPDRXUAYIRT-DSdqVxZCIoCfOhUqmk_LidqE6ecu/s599/R-6306572-1416079362-2420.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="579" data-original-width="599" height="618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRFVG8PdEhXrMKIZSqnscytvtuPEtTeDzb4qfcIhhAVFMwG9TIqHqYS0flAMXHf0Ois7Ig3Lg6SagwARjXHX8OvMIrNNAbNHnT1N2By_GJ86E6UOBjFfVfyiFUk4y7Dx5Lm1DcwFHrPPqRSXDfXPDRXUAYIRT-DSdqVxZCIoCfOhUqmk_LidqE6ecu/w640-h618/R-6306572-1416079362-2420.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did you enjoy
your time serving the country?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">RD:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was wonderful.
I was stationed here in Baltimore. I was stationed on a buoy tender. We would
go around and change all the batteries in the buoys the Chesapeake Bay.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And you were
singing while in the Coast Guard?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">RD:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I started singing
in 1955 while I was in the Coast Guard. I’d go into downtown Baltimore and sing
in different clubs. The audiences were always so appreciative. They always told
me how much they enjoyed all the songs in my show.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You sure do have
a knack for picking the good songs.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">RD:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, I do and I
wrote a lot of them. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t know you
wrote.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="340" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wQmuW10ZzmM" width="482" youtube-src-id="wQmuW10ZzmM"></iframe></span></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">RD:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve recorded 350
songs, and I wrote a lot of them. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What was the
first song you recorded that you wrote?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">RD:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wrote “Lover
Boy” while I was on the buoy tender. I was a machinist working with the steam
engine and that’s where I wrote my first song and that was it. Then I wrote
“Betty Jean’ and quite a few more songs.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: After you got out of the military you recorded a few
more songs and had a monster hit with ‘Right Or Wrong” on Diamond Records.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">RD:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was signed with
Diamond Records after they came to see me perform in Baltimore. I was with them
for quite a few years. Then I ended up owning Diamond Records after I bought
the company.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTTuG9AzPxneERSReSewZAsNN_jAegrEicPfRXXLmvtjZJr_VY1DAikHgxjT-lf_UZ9BHUBp5kd3FzwU0_E4qNAS3sJywzGTTwnw6e7bJKhCo0KOlGkrxRWRD9jNkEuUIDlNoMtqq-1YIPUgNBLLOfwdbFP0X_yk7_y7-oaISyiJG4JBUZQ-b4uuTR/s1920/sddefault-topaz-enhance-4x-faceai.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1912" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTTuG9AzPxneERSReSewZAsNN_jAegrEicPfRXXLmvtjZJr_VY1DAikHgxjT-lf_UZ9BHUBp5kd3FzwU0_E4qNAS3sJywzGTTwnw6e7bJKhCo0KOlGkrxRWRD9jNkEuUIDlNoMtqq-1YIPUgNBLLOfwdbFP0X_yk7_y7-oaISyiJG4JBUZQ-b4uuTR/w638-h640/sddefault-topaz-enhance-4x-faceai.jpg" width="638" /></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>1965 seems to be
your year.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">RD:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was the year
I started in California, and we did so many tours. All of the tours lasted for
90 days, and you would start in California and end in Florida. I started out on
the bus with Dick Clark, but I ended up in a chauffeur driven limousine. Riding
on the bus was fun, but I enjoyed the driver and the car. I would often take
someone with me in the car. One time I took Tom Jones with me for a week. I
would do it so they wouldn’t have to ride the bus the whole time.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did you get along
with everyone?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">RD: Yes, everyone got along in those days. I’m still friends
with all of them that are still here. I went to see Tom Jones in concert last February.
Of course, I went backstage and got to talk with him. We had some good times.
He told his audience about riding with me in the limousine. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="366" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GyX8T8pJr4A" width="506" youtube-src-id="GyX8T8pJr4A"></iframe></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did you get a
driver and a car because you were having the big hits at the time?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">RD: Oh yeah. We were working all over the place. I was the
Number One Singer in Canada.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the 1960’s you
were a big pop star, but then by the 70s and 80s you ended up in Country Music.
What made you shift to Country music?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">RD:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t shift. I
thought I was always a Pop Singer, but the people would tell me they loved my
Country songs. At the time Country music was getting so big, so I decided, “OK,
I’m now a Country Singer.” (Laughter)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is that when you
started being friends with people like George Jones?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">RD:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I lived in
Nashville for 16 years. I became friends with all those guys. I got stories
about all of them.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIaw45SUZ-14tZh8bj7C-n2ucrP4jMge_UTuzqnPucklczz9U9LmFpSd9mJa-5mGvFqvxqhKrrvRwUdn6DtHIJk0i77Lo6MSpyrsHO9EFx81lmkEkizz-m3oST3Ku3q6fbOEjXRMeTgd4DQSK-S1QQ-X6sNdPYOMVN_6Wqx4Ze_i7rh207dGlv-QHE/s1440/hqdefault-topaz-enhance-4x-faceai.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIaw45SUZ-14tZh8bj7C-n2ucrP4jMge_UTuzqnPucklczz9U9LmFpSd9mJa-5mGvFqvxqhKrrvRwUdn6DtHIJk0i77Lo6MSpyrsHO9EFx81lmkEkizz-m3oST3Ku3q6fbOEjXRMeTgd4DQSK-S1QQ-X6sNdPYOMVN_6Wqx4Ze_i7rh207dGlv-QHE/w498-h640/hqdefault-topaz-enhance-4x-faceai.jpg" width="498" /></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have you thought
about writing a book about your career?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">RD: I have thought about it and people have asked me to do
it so I might someday. I should have done it when it would have been popular.
Not many people know who Ronnie Dove is anymore. All the people that came to
see me perform have passed on.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know an entertainer’s
audience ages with them, but I also think that you can always get new fans if
they just hear your music.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">RD:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do still find
it exciting to be able to sing a few songs. I’m officially retired but I have a
couple guys I go see when they perform, and they always ask me to come up on
stage and sing a couple of songs. The Doug Lester Band was my band, and his
father was the first guitar player in my band. He started working for me when
he was 17 years old.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="351" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7sGQgc3_rD4" width="480" youtube-src-id="7sGQgc3_rD4"></iframe></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What is your life
like today?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">RD:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am sitting here
drinking coffee and I might go to the casino later.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNWZhmeW8ICoBzf_MgvQ3AfcLCSA8fIAAFY3H6BTBtMW8jjsVRSEm1mfW31C8p0D9ZB_x1ykLQzpoFWKqxsCMlqbHODCgCuyojRwCw3RTDRgGxNlk7rHoG4RoZY_vLRKGNOrmHKuMwUAMNgzvUErib4czZmGsKn2kRHAbvG8oAOo4Y4YeyavphXwIR/s1026/download-topaz-enhance-4x-faceai-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1026" data-original-width="764" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNWZhmeW8ICoBzf_MgvQ3AfcLCSA8fIAAFY3H6BTBtMW8jjsVRSEm1mfW31C8p0D9ZB_x1ykLQzpoFWKqxsCMlqbHODCgCuyojRwCw3RTDRgGxNlk7rHoG4RoZY_vLRKGNOrmHKuMwUAMNgzvUErib4czZmGsKn2kRHAbvG8oAOo4Y4YeyavphXwIR/w476-h640/download-topaz-enhance-4x-faceai-2.jpg" width="476" /></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: You are still having fun! What’s your secret to a long
life?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">RD:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Vitamins! My hair
started falling out when I was 24 so I got a book about vitamins and read it. I
started taking vitamins and still take them every day and I have all my hair
now. I got everybody started on them back when we were touring. I met every
singer back in the 60’s.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="343" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xH8zcMwHRdg" width="485" youtube-src-id="xH8zcMwHRdg"></iframe></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love two of
your biggest hits, “Say You” and “Kiss Away”. </b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">RD:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Say You” was the
first one. Jamie Coe released it first in 1960, but it was more of a cha cha. I
said to myself that was a love song so that’s how I recorded it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You sure know
what to do to make it work.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">RD:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s my
favorite of all my songs.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everything about
that recording is timeless.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">RD: Yes, that was very exciting.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="337" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MWu418ZrBdU" width="455" youtube-src-id="MWu418ZrBdU"></iframe></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve heard the
song “Kiss Away” by others, but I like yours the best.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">RD:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The two guys that
wrote it brought it to me and I was the first one to record it. Billy Sherrill
was one of them and he turned into a dear friend while I lived in Nashville. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Billy Sherrill
was an unbelievable talent, himself.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">RD: Yes, he was. It was such a joy to be around all these
people that I never dreamed I’d be famous enough to meet. I started having hit
records with Diamond Records and it was all wonderful.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPlwJddFHwSAdEObN6hB34nNRBC1YNLhYWoZ8uFV4dOD5K6DrRt-DkDxsAbfGsaR4ljJhZJkVCpX_iaeUv8HHwutrawn4PDQ15b29tY3cTcgT1nab59ZGXZnZ0agXfKKzl7SxyM-jduMTSk3gCLpk3VAco7QdgIkk6HlwF0KiGp6WMcHKtBmyQxc4l/s900/Ronnie%20Dove%20blog%20image.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="676" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPlwJddFHwSAdEObN6hB34nNRBC1YNLhYWoZ8uFV4dOD5K6DrRt-DkDxsAbfGsaR4ljJhZJkVCpX_iaeUv8HHwutrawn4PDQ15b29tY3cTcgT1nab59ZGXZnZ0agXfKKzl7SxyM-jduMTSk3gCLpk3VAco7QdgIkk6HlwF0KiGp6WMcHKtBmyQxc4l/w480-h640/Ronnie%20Dove%20blog%20image.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">To learn more about Ronnie Dove and to order a CD and a photo, visit his website <a href="http://www.ronniedove.com/">http://www.ronniedove.com/</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Send Ronnie Dove a letter at this address</div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><b>P.O. Box 432</b></p><p></p><p></p><p><b>Pasadena, Maryland</b></p><p><b>21123</b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="362" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yZ3XT6B1Qcw" width="497" youtube-src-id="yZ3XT6B1Qcw"></iframe></div><br /><b><br /></b><p></p></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>Alan Mercer's Profilehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17357664994049053766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620931384116236944.post-57213723199595499702023-08-28T04:57:00.000-07:002023-08-28T04:57:27.949-07:00Billy "Crash" Craddock Part Two: The Hit Years<p><br /></p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNhSeP9SyESAZIREAQ7gDFWSfvPfsO3DcKJeBLPDBXzoPZFPjKBmIF66SRRzf8g-svkhlQzkbwPVRpJjPushVI-OAMeV9JPz6IokuMJjXcdcI6-501wPM59fBeV1wgsXCREINgQUk1Ia2uYcnVC06bjIDZ6fqjMn5oySMUwFU04MMcCsb9JYsP3oZ9/s3324/faf47ebc5cd43ddfe0ed428c8eef7b9feccdeb6f-topaz-enhance-4x-faceai.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3324" data-original-width="2560" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNhSeP9SyESAZIREAQ7gDFWSfvPfsO3DcKJeBLPDBXzoPZFPjKBmIF66SRRzf8g-svkhlQzkbwPVRpJjPushVI-OAMeV9JPz6IokuMJjXcdcI6-501wPM59fBeV1wgsXCREINgQUk1Ia2uYcnVC06bjIDZ6fqjMn5oySMUwFU04MMcCsb9JYsP3oZ9/w492-h640/faf47ebc5cd43ddfe0ed428c8eef7b9feccdeb6f-topaz-enhance-4x-faceai.jpg" width="492" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Billy "Crash" Craddock returned to recording, now as a country singer. He
signed with Cartwheel Records in 1969. He soon had his first number one hit
with a cover of the Tony Orlando and Dawn pop hit "Knock Three Times"
in 1971. His version was faster and included Cajun fiddles.<o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><o:p> </o:p>The song also reached the top five of the Billboard magazine
Hot Country Singles chart that spring, beginning a streak of hits that
continued throughout the 1970s. Other hits he had for Cartwheel, all during
1971 and 1972, included "Dream Lover", "You Better Move
On", "Ain't Nothin' Shakin' (But the Leaves on The Trees)", and
"I'm Gonna Knock on Your Door", were all top 10 hits in 1971 and
1972. </b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="331" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LEHtfdGElKo" width="444" youtube-src-id="LEHtfdGElKo"></iframe></span></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Craddock consistently hit the country top ten in the 1970s
and he became one of country music's first male sex symbols, unusually handsome
for a male country star of the era and dressed in stage clothes exposing his
hairy, muscular chest as he growled his way through rocking numbers and love
songs, with a stage persona strongly influenced by Elvis Presley. </b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMU01F2w2irTvVHBVUcQk4LvkzzKLkoq5xIH4SSGaHRMuDBFbn0YyvC7QRgzmtY0NT8GJwxOinpCCuSci16g7Y6bbTAMQA1JRN3bpjBfDmPhFQ5NPzteFiyh8l4WOWYQHyLpIYjmu1nG1moS_j9oOTDelDbdAyvSSO6bEMVlAxHn4-HjBTdVsjVjVN/s2560/2586467818_252f53009f_z-topaz-enhance-4x-faceai.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1736" data-original-width="2560" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMU01F2w2irTvVHBVUcQk4LvkzzKLkoq5xIH4SSGaHRMuDBFbn0YyvC7QRgzmtY0NT8GJwxOinpCCuSci16g7Y6bbTAMQA1JRN3bpjBfDmPhFQ5NPzteFiyh8l4WOWYQHyLpIYjmu1nG1moS_j9oOTDelDbdAyvSSO6bEMVlAxHn4-HjBTdVsjVjVN/w640-h434/2586467818_252f53009f_z-topaz-enhance-4x-faceai.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>In 1973, Craddock signed with ABC Records, where he enjoyed his biggest hits. One was "Sweet Magnolia
Blossom" but his biggest hit, 1974's "Rub It In", was also a top
20 pop hit, as well as his highest charting hit overall on the U.S. pop
charts. The song was the first of three number one country hits for Craddock
in Billboard. Several bars from the song are featured in commercials for Glade
Plug-In products in recent years. Craddock's follow-up, a remake of Dion's old pop hit, "Ruby Baby" was another major country hit and became his
second top 40 pop hit, helping make Craddock briefly the American pop/rock star
he had tried to be almost fifteen years before. In 1975, he released 'Still
Thinkin' 'Bout You' which went top ten as both a single and album on the country
charts but failed to get any major pop action. His last pop success was 1976's
"Easy as Pie" which peaked at No. 54 on the Billboard Hot 100 and hit
No. 1 on the country chart. </b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="372" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/O9M4wNqZlBU" width="488" youtube-src-id="O9M4wNqZlBU"></iframe></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>He moved to Capitol Records, in 1977 where he had his last
two top 10 hits: "I Cheated on a Good Woman's Love" (1978) and
"If I Could Write a Song as Beautiful as You" (1979). His singles
began to be less successful in the early 1980s, though he occasionally still
cracked the top 30. Craddock recorded several albums for Capitol before leaving
the label in 1983. He briefly owned his own small record label, Cee Cee
Records, and released one single in 1983 that made the lower end on the
national country charts.<o:p></o:p></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE1P0Gf4FfARQaWxG_0bXFkhTTF2QFFlV9fvybCqYcYfc83bOqmCWJ_uI2I4e34l-pJpBJUHUx9HsTKJk2s0IRvb3VylwQXTZtvbncC7O1QXf_hIeX5Xo81EBPwGnPIwlZW2H5zORDP0WxsVf8YFICguepwf_ZG6APbgoz5CFcW-0M9-0lA1B6-Rhj/s3200/billy_crash_craddock-topaz-enhance-4x-faceai.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3200" data-original-width="2536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE1P0Gf4FfARQaWxG_0bXFkhTTF2QFFlV9fvybCqYcYfc83bOqmCWJ_uI2I4e34l-pJpBJUHUx9HsTKJk2s0IRvb3VylwQXTZtvbncC7O1QXf_hIeX5Xo81EBPwGnPIwlZW2H5zORDP0WxsVf8YFICguepwf_ZG6APbgoz5CFcW-0M9-0lA1B6-Rhj/w508-h640/billy_crash_craddock-topaz-enhance-4x-faceai.jpg" width="508" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>In 1986, he recorded an album for MCA Records, titled Crash Craddock. He moved to Atlantic
Records in 1989, and released 'Back on Track'. The album yielded one minor hit,
"Just Another Miserable Day Here in Paradise", which reached No. 74
on the chart. </b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Craddock was inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of
Fame in 2011.</b></span><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihN1MS5n-U8e6W_oPdUEObAv2RFIMTK4lSbH6oaXcy2JUvxMckckna3PV4OJbEqu_5t2t-HHQfHri0wBTeEEyTVBcLV_uMKAnXWa7If8o7HouB7XrFWjsp7ZEG_eU_Zq0_mkJ3ir-r-Y2PaHEFMXBcvMZ8BOxS3rqEwTi7iQcifWh5awoBsNfkPDfB/s2400/crashcover-topaz-enhance-4x-faceai.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2388" data-original-width="2400" height="636" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihN1MS5n-U8e6W_oPdUEObAv2RFIMTK4lSbH6oaXcy2JUvxMckckna3PV4OJbEqu_5t2t-HHQfHri0wBTeEEyTVBcLV_uMKAnXWa7If8o7HouB7XrFWjsp7ZEG_eU_Zq0_mkJ3ir-r-Y2PaHEFMXBcvMZ8BOxS3rqEwTi7iQcifWh5awoBsNfkPDfB/w640-h636/crashcover-topaz-enhance-4x-faceai.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Alan Mercer: Didn’t you leave
the business in 1964 and return to drywall?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Billy "Crash" Craddock: I never left
drywall because I had to make a living. When ‘Knock Three Times’ was Number
One, I was working a job and the guy who hired us came in and saw me and said,
‘Aren’t you Crash Craddock?” I said, ‘Yes sir.” And he said, “Why are you here
doing this when you have a Number One record? I said, “Because I need to make a
living. I had quit several jobs to try and make a living on the road and it
failed every time.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: Isn’t that
amazing?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">BCC: I was talking
with a booking agent one time, and feeling really discouraged so I said, if I
don’t get another hit record, I’m going to leave the business and he looked at
me and laughed and said, “Get out of the business? You ain’t ever been in
it.” (Laughter) That brought me down a
notch or two. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: So, you attempted
to start a career two times and nothing happened and then on the third time you
hit big.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">BCC: I always said,
my success happened on the third time I tried, and it was the third record I
ever cut in Nashville and the song was ‘Knock Three Times’. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="350" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qRE3nxHzoAU" width="410" youtube-src-id="qRE3nxHzoAU"></iframe></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: Wow, that is so
interesting. Not only can you sing a swinging up tempo song, but you kill with
those ballads. Your version of ‘Walk Softly’ is absolutely stunning.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">BCC: I love that
song. I never got to sing it more than a couple of times, but ‘Broken Down In
Tiny Pieces’ is one of my favorite ballads. I never chose a single release
while I was in the recording studio, but as soon as I finished that song, I
knew I wanted that to be the next single.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: That is a
gorgeous song.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">BCC: A couple more of
my favorites are ‘If I Could Write A Song As Beautiful As You’ and ‘I Just Had
You On my Mind’. I love the feeling I get when I sing that song. When I sing
it, I feel it. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="345" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MHZlaLgDENA" width="473" youtube-src-id="MHZlaLgDENA"></iframe></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: I can tell you
feel it when I’m listening to you sing. I can hear your emotions in your voice.
I enjoy watching the clips of you singing on ‘Pop Goes The Country’ and other
shows from the 70s. Your tribute to Elvis is the best.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">BCC: Thank you very
much. That’s what we meant to do. Some people didn’t understand what we were
doing back then. People would tell me they loved my Elvis impersonation, and I
would have to say I didn’t do an Elvis impersonation. When Elvis died, I got
all sorts of notes passed up on the stage asking me to do an Elvis song and I
said to myself if I was going to do that, I would do it right. I put together a
20-minute medley of Elvis songs as a tribute, not an impersonation. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Ralq0dhlFSkrdP9YnMDkdnqWcYAe3zZb5vcriMVA2aHVTB9U2xcnjqY0Ly7nR6TIHgW3dCKk7CV6jVzs42MlObxdx4W7sAo4YnmQrDNjHDITgW_gj6y4ZK7jeGs4H48Fd8bqWyzGgg_CvPqYNThJjtkfgBRNBxGFxI1HZ6D4Hi_WQ3ZSCbFe8mkJ/s1200/Changes_(Billy_Crash_Craddock_album)-topaz-enhance-4x-faceai.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1180" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Ralq0dhlFSkrdP9YnMDkdnqWcYAe3zZb5vcriMVA2aHVTB9U2xcnjqY0Ly7nR6TIHgW3dCKk7CV6jVzs42MlObxdx4W7sAo4YnmQrDNjHDITgW_gj6y4ZK7jeGs4H48Fd8bqWyzGgg_CvPqYNThJjtkfgBRNBxGFxI1HZ6D4Hi_WQ3ZSCbFe8mkJ/w630-h640/Changes_(Billy_Crash_Craddock_album)-topaz-enhance-4x-faceai.jpg" width="630" /></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: You were the only
Country music singer at the time who was being thought of as a sex symbol.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">BCC: (Laughter) Well,
I am a sex symbol! (More laughter) With the songs that were given to me, I had
a chance to move around on the stage a little bit. I got a write up in the
Nashville newspaper, that I have hanging on my wall, that called Barbara
Mandrell the prettiest artist and Crash Craddock was the most handsome or
sexiest artist. I cherish that. It really made me feel good.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: You have so many
great songs. I love ‘Ah, Poor Little Baby’.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">BCC: We have a lot of
good songs on albums that I wish people would go back and play. Songs like that
and some of my Country stuff. We have some good Country music on my albums back
then. I don’t know why in the world people haven’t caught on to them. I wish
some DJ would start playing some of my stuff and let the public hear it and see
what it will do. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: I don’t
understand why so much of your music is not available on CD or digitally. The
labels should put all that great music out now. </b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">BCC: I don’t understand
why I don’t have any CDs in Cracker Barrell. I think it’s because I don’t live
in Nashville and I’m not tight with any of those people. I never moved to
Nashville because I love North Carolina. I think the Bear Family records wants
to put out a 20-record special together now. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="334" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/l2EXlNsHW0c" width="464" youtube-src-id="l2EXlNsHW0c"></iframe></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: That’s great
news. I love what they did with that double CD that has 50 of your songs. I
want to be able to hear your Gospel album. You have a wealth of recordings to
pull from.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">BCC: You must have
the right connections now. They want you to be 30 years old and have a 32-inch
waist and sound like all the other young artists. My favorite artists are Carl
Smith, Faron Young, Hank Williams Sr., Web Pierce, and Jimmy Dickens. They sing
the kind of songs I like. A love song today is “She thinks my tractor is sexy”.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: You kept the momentum
going for quite a while.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">BCC: We always did an
up tempo show with a few ballads thrown in, but I would end the shows with two
or three rock songs and knock em out. We worked pretty steady up through about
1984 or 85. An artist usually gets about 10 to 12 years in the business. I’m
semi-retired now and just do what I want. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAxUz9vV6deqO6GgrhfYDHk-2eixj5GECh3PJQIXDCVCgECSliwpXpp1UD4BYQDWww1StrRnk3Io3ZH4bCWJVsMlA3Yo2xJNlNmH7OEBzuQ6lfoKUrNy7R1cO7opUq3WeztMpdlybWDtwcERkSynVw601qWuzlWvwbI_yNtspILX3FTWFq9iXZk1jw/s2000/5cb61b3012446.image-topaz-enhance-4x-faceai.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1564" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAxUz9vV6deqO6GgrhfYDHk-2eixj5GECh3PJQIXDCVCgECSliwpXpp1UD4BYQDWww1StrRnk3Io3ZH4bCWJVsMlA3Yo2xJNlNmH7OEBzuQ6lfoKUrNy7R1cO7opUq3WeztMpdlybWDtwcERkSynVw601qWuzlWvwbI_yNtspILX3FTWFq9iXZk1jw/w500-h640/5cb61b3012446.image-topaz-enhance-4x-faceai.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Billy "Crash" Craddock today. Visit his web site <a href="https://www.bccofficial.com/">https://www.bccofficial.com/</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="365" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zbcBDGFbSOw" width="474" youtube-src-id="zbcBDGFbSOw"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Alan Mercer's Profilehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17357664994049053766noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620931384116236944.post-15145686185915533192023-08-20T19:08:00.003-07:002023-08-20T19:15:06.397-07:00Billy "Crash" Craddock Part One: Teen Idol<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEWUx2494JLXrqM8B49howFIaEMrOO69U_t5QB81ROXzfB3LEvdjyWNyvHEPWozWDujOrpQUht8FgE6Sl3cvNaAfKcZntIK4lNTgoDctJVD6UGqHIu8Hj1CYYcjBNyo3W9TCo1Rup4pK8-sQmNee7kmBHPCQ1-2QUMiZ12tX7WI9-TYTu4c5nOAI2X/s3520/MV5BMjcwMGYzOTItNzgwNy00YTA2LTk2MGUtZmY4MjlmODU1ODM3XkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMzI5NDcxNzI@._V1_-topaz-enhance-4x-faceai.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3520" data-original-width="2780" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEWUx2494JLXrqM8B49howFIaEMrOO69U_t5QB81ROXzfB3LEvdjyWNyvHEPWozWDujOrpQUht8FgE6Sl3cvNaAfKcZntIK4lNTgoDctJVD6UGqHIu8Hj1CYYcjBNyo3W9TCo1Rup4pK8-sQmNee7kmBHPCQ1-2QUMiZ12tX7WI9-TYTu4c5nOAI2X/w506-h640/MV5BMjcwMGYzOTItNzgwNy00YTA2LTk2MGUtZmY4MjlmODU1ODM3XkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMzI5NDcxNzI@._V1_-topaz-enhance-4x-faceai.jpg" width="506" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Billy “Crash” Craddock was born the youngest of 13 children
in Greensboro, NC. A good portion of his childhood was spent surrounded by
music and love of his family. His father, typical of musicians of his day and
time, played harmonica, spoons, washboard and buck danced. His mother and older
brothers and sisters regularly sang old gospel standards and folk tunes,
harmonizing beautifully amongst themselves. Craddock remembers listening to
Little Jimmy Dickens, Lefty Frizzell and Faron Young on the radio, singing as
they sang, knowing he would only have to hear a song once or maybe twice before
he knew the lyrics and melody by heart. His family was very supportive of his
talents and one brother even paid him a nickel for every song he could sing and
not miss any words on. But it wasn’t until Elvis Presley stormed into the
entertainment field that a young Billy Craddock thought he, too, might be able
to combine his love for music and his need for earning a living.</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="361" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/H8KWQAWaI4Y" width="497" youtube-src-id="H8KWQAWaI4Y"></iframe></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">By this time his high school football team had given “Crash”
Craddock his unusual nickname, one that would stick on and off the playing
field for the rest of his life. Crash got his first recording contract with
Colonial Records in Durham, NC shortly after high school and he was on his way.
After high school, Billy, his brother Ronald, and two others formed a group,
the Four Rebels, and came into contact with Fred Koury, who owned the
Greensboro Plantation Supper Club. Koury became Crash's manager, and the first
record, Smacky Mouth, was released as Billy Graddock on a local label, Sky
Castle Records, in September 1957. He then recorded ‘The Millionaire’ as Billy
Craddock for Colonial and went to Date for ‘Ah Poor Little Baby’, an underrated
rock ‘n’ roll song.</span><o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-oLvLoJuydAaTgmhB6xEj8CVvXXkGDkiVIRfAjz5-qzkjSqxoPen_oUOmbukaWC6m5T4KL1359xbOyJchFUx1BgYwJ94ISBWh648demSab4BiJwEKH5cGvSAleajODiScx_7YKZbileonnXc5xdJcYyXODIKY-83xVPZD7Gtes5aZeFkFhj1ojLcp/s2320/Craddock%20Billy%20Crash%20-%20Don't%20destroy%20me-topaz-enhance-4x-faceai.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2320" data-original-width="2316" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-oLvLoJuydAaTgmhB6xEj8CVvXXkGDkiVIRfAjz5-qzkjSqxoPen_oUOmbukaWC6m5T4KL1359xbOyJchFUx1BgYwJ94ISBWh648demSab4BiJwEKH5cGvSAleajODiScx_7YKZbileonnXc5xdJcYyXODIKY-83xVPZD7Gtes5aZeFkFhj1ojLcp/w399-h400/Craddock%20Billy%20Crash%20-%20Don't%20destroy%20me-topaz-enhance-4x-faceai.jpg" width="399" /></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">The young, handsome
Craddock was signed by Columbia Records to compete with Elvis. Although only
19, Craddock signed for his fourth label, but this time it was a major,
Columbia Records. For his third single, he was billed, for the first time, as
Billy ‘Crash’ Craddock. The a-side, the rocking ‘Boom Boom Baby’, was a hit in
Australia, but it was the ballad b-side, ‘Don’t Destroy Me’, which scraped into
the US Top 100. He toured Australia three times and became one of the earliest
rock ‘n’ roll stars in the country.</span><o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNNmBnwfF_5fT0U-pItr6qYM6M9Xed9QbEZpZvRoj0rewcOe048eh30vraYhXPwqLa_JX-CeNGUjPG5uZAlqmkyRUMI5_G_fkTfYtNm5_CJGu3qakGj5nFcja4HrkkGrxVNVh2R5Ge-eYLsoSfCS90adI-QTyEnmuHsJyZFBPm_t3PJVuTwe_2grZn/s2396/Craddock%20Billy%20Crash%20-%20I'm%20tore%20up-topaz-enhance-4x-faceai.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2396" data-original-width="2392" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNNmBnwfF_5fT0U-pItr6qYM6M9Xed9QbEZpZvRoj0rewcOe048eh30vraYhXPwqLa_JX-CeNGUjPG5uZAlqmkyRUMI5_G_fkTfYtNm5_CJGu3qakGj5nFcja4HrkkGrxVNVh2R5Ge-eYLsoSfCS90adI-QTyEnmuHsJyZFBPm_t3PJVuTwe_2grZn/w399-h400/Craddock%20Billy%20Crash%20-%20I'm%20tore%20up-topaz-enhance-4x-faceai.jpg" width="399" /></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">During 1959 he had a number one record in Australia and was
greeted by screaming crowds there when he toured that continent with Bobby
Rydell, The Everly Brothers, Santo and Johnny and the Diamonds. Alan Heffernan
(the righthand man of Australian promoter Lee Gordon), saw a film clip of Crash
doing Boom Boom Baby, and showed it on Australian TV. "I was working at
the Plantation Supper Club," Billy told Jimmy Guterman, "and Fred
Koury said, 'How'd ya like to go to Australia for $1000 a week plus expenses?'
I wasn't making any money in Greensboro, so I flew out there. When he landed there
were 5000 kids waiting there. I had the number one record, and I didn't even
know it."</span><o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="341" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tmOoyHWDruI" width="485" youtube-src-id="tmOoyHWDruI"></iframe></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Craddock spent several years out of the music business while
working in a cigarette factory and hanging drywall, but never gave up on his
dream of becoming a Country music singer. His dream would start coming true by
1970.</span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJOsaihfb-7MYLrm6GRRNLoUJn44VpdQfYUpNZKugMcmqHLMVlTcbxOR8cZ9l6d4h1LBwjy6dUoDdBUXgZs3d2gOso-Dibr74knEKJeaKIPGesRkfbVMoJduvqppEAipw1LxraJe37Z8iyAGfZFZYO8g09jhI3aG3w97Wtg8CKomGdgKelvy9XbKSW/s3200/billy-graddock-smackymouth-1957-3-topaz-enhance-4x-faceai.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3200" data-original-width="2572" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJOsaihfb-7MYLrm6GRRNLoUJn44VpdQfYUpNZKugMcmqHLMVlTcbxOR8cZ9l6d4h1LBwjy6dUoDdBUXgZs3d2gOso-Dibr74knEKJeaKIPGesRkfbVMoJduvqppEAipw1LxraJe37Z8iyAGfZFZYO8g09jhI3aG3w97Wtg8CKomGdgKelvy9XbKSW/w514-h640/billy-graddock-smackymouth-1957-3-topaz-enhance-4x-faceai.jpg" width="514" /></a></div><b><br /></b><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Alan Mercer: What was
growing up in Greensboro, North Carolina like?</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Billy ‘Crash” Craddock: Back when I was a little bitty
thing, about the size of Little Jimmy Dickens, we didn’t have a whole lot. I
don’t think anybody had a whole lot back then. There were 13 kids in my family,
but 3 of the babies died when they were small, so that left 10 of us. We were a
close-knit, typical family. We were rowdy with each other at times too. If we
went anywhere, we had to walk. I’d go see shows when I was 15 and 16 and I had
to walk to everything. It was kind of rough, but we never starved or anything.
Mom and dad worked in a cotton mill. At one time there were 7 of us living in a
4-room house. We didn’t have electricity back then. We lived way out in the
country.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: You were the
youngest, correct?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">BCC: Oh yeah, I was
the youngest and a spoiled brat. Everybody said they spoiled me, but I don’t
think wearing hand me downs is spoiled, do you? (Laughter)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: Probably not. So,
you had siblings living away from home by the time you came around?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">BCC: Oh yeah. I was
the youngest and we had 7 of us including mom and dad. Eventually my 2 sisters
got married and moved out. We would have to sleep at the foot of the bed. I had
to build an outhouse when I got a little older. I was talking to Dolly Parton
about that one time, and she said she had a 2 holer. I told her she must
have been rich, because ours only had 1 hole. (Laughter)</span><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="352" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/t9bk50j9iKk" width="456" youtube-src-id="t9bk50j9iKk"></iframe></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: I know you were
already enjoying singing as a young kid, but how did you first get on stage?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">BCC: As I got into my
teen years, my brother-in-law introduced me and my brother to a club owner who
had a beautiful club and he told us he could get us a spot playing there. We
went out there and the guy put us on stage that night. He didn’t even audition
us. He just threw us up on the stage, so I started professionally that way.
Before then, I was doing talent shows around the area. My brother Clarence
taught me how to play the guitar and that’s where it all started.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: I bet you were
into that.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">BCC: I really loved
it. I’d get up in the morning and the first thing I’d do is play the guitar.
I’d come home at night and the first thing I’d do is pick it up and play. On
the weekend, after all my chores were done, I’d go out in the barn in the hay
loft with a broom and pretend I was playing at the Grand Ole Opry. If I did a
Carl Smith song, I’d be Carl Smith and I’d say thank you very much, and then I
would introduce the next act, so here is Little Jimmy Dickens and I’d be Jimmy
Dickens. I was having a ball all by myself up there in that barn. </span><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgSvrfphTx2Bpv7DtzbG1N36gEvuzle3xu04QPnK5NLybfRpTzuDQx_qOOwOCYqujJ_j5tkPK9ur4Ts1DkZCeRSPTeKgoHul9A0di2hClZddHAH745_glT9qyVwjEZFbgaAzfHDd0VO1WfRXZ_NZMmdPWhH91pW2oMrTrgdE7pTREpOmfQOJvMe-gn/s2152/billy-crash-craddock-i-want-that-Cover-Art-topaz-enhance-4x-faceai.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2124" data-original-width="2152" height="395" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgSvrfphTx2Bpv7DtzbG1N36gEvuzle3xu04QPnK5NLybfRpTzuDQx_qOOwOCYqujJ_j5tkPK9ur4Ts1DkZCeRSPTeKgoHul9A0di2hClZddHAH745_glT9qyVwjEZFbgaAzfHDd0VO1WfRXZ_NZMmdPWhH91pW2oMrTrgdE7pTREpOmfQOJvMe-gn/w400-h395/billy-crash-craddock-i-want-that-Cover-Art-topaz-enhance-4x-faceai.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: You were
visualizing your future.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">BCC: I had no idea
that I would ever be in the business. I’ll be honest with you, if it hadn’t
been for Fred Koury, I probably wouldn’t have ever made it in the business. I
sure didn’t have any money or anything to get started. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: Where did you
record those first records?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">BCC: We went up to
Ohio and recorded in a Mercury Records studio.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: You really didn't think you would have a hit?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">BCC: Back in 1960 I
cut a song called ‘Boom Boom Baby’ with Columbia records. I would go into the
studio and record and pray that I had a hit record, but I didn’t really think I
would ever have a hit. So, I recorded the song and the next thing I knew, my
manager asked me if I wanted to go to Australia and work for $1,000.00 a week.
Boy, I jumped on that because I was working with sheetrock and not making any
money at all. Someone sent a tape of me to Australia and a guy who had a TV show
over there, like Dick Clark had over here, played it and he got so many
requests, he had to play it again and again. The song became Number One in
Australia, along with ‘One Last Kiss’ and ‘Don’t Destroy Me’. We had 3 Number
One records in 1960.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: You went with
some other popular musicians, didn’t you?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">BCC: Yes, I went with Bobby Rydell, The Everly Brothers, and
some others. I was so green that when I went over there, I’d see all the other
entertainers getting up and going to the lavatory and shaving and cleaning up,
I thought to myself, what are they doing? I said, I’ll
get by without doing that. We landed and opened the door, and I heard all these
kids screaming for the artists getting off the plane and when I got on the ramp
the fans tore the fence down and started running towards me. I didn’t know what
was going on. I didn’t know I had the Number One record. That guy with the TV
Show is the one who made me over there by playing my songs. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: That is such an
incredible story.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">BCC: God has been so
good to me. He made it happen right in front of my eyes and I didn’t even know
it.</span><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="363" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/F5KAMWnCByM" width="484" youtube-src-id="F5KAMWnCByM"></iframe></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: Where did you
record that video of you singing ‘Boom Boom Baby’ that we can all see on
YouTube now?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">BCC: That was done in
Toledo, Ohio I believe. I may be wrong about that, though.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: What was
Australia like for you?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">BCC: They were a
little behind the times with music. That’s why ‘Boom Boom Baby’ hit. Before I
went to Australia, I used to tell my wife I wish somebody would tear my clothes
off like they did with Elvis. When I got on stage in Australia for the first
show, I didn’t have nothing left but half a shirt. (Laughter) When I got back
home, I told my wife, honey I don’t ever want anyone to tear my clothes off
again. They don’t stop with your clothes. They pull your hair, your watches and
your rings. They don’t care. They were so wild over there and it was beautiful.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: How did that
experience change you?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">BCC: It scared the hell out of me. (Laughter) I was twenty
years old and it made me want to get into show business more than I ever
thought I wanted to be, but from those 3 hits in 1960, it took me another 12
years to have another hit record.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: You were marketed
as a teen idol back then.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">BCC: Oh yeah, the
bookers and promoters were looking for somebody to take the place of Elvis
while he was in the military.</span><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga5p8Ge5Y2KcYOyH_KFgoWXpKArKkm7Z9XVPq549z_NbR8W-kh8bPEk2tqpvYS_lQiba8Pna0uHaCh7axP1VBt-3OPVwfP90szkgA3_REdmvBQGtaVIotuBgV6ZVgta_QinJLx_5SE_xQRdugSnu0VPiWomzsSfILg2OvCYp64RGgOP2sa_xDyGfbj/s2880/maxresdefault-topaz-enhance-4x-faceai.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2880" data-original-width="2856" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga5p8Ge5Y2KcYOyH_KFgoWXpKArKkm7Z9XVPq549z_NbR8W-kh8bPEk2tqpvYS_lQiba8Pna0uHaCh7axP1VBt-3OPVwfP90szkgA3_REdmvBQGtaVIotuBgV6ZVgta_QinJLx_5SE_xQRdugSnu0VPiWomzsSfILg2OvCYp64RGgOP2sa_xDyGfbj/w634-h640/maxresdefault-topaz-enhance-4x-faceai.jpg" width="634" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="359" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PJ_sJZ8CLVg" width="462" youtube-src-id="PJ_sJZ8CLVg"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">To learn more about Billy "Crash" Craddock visit his web site <a href="https://www.bccofficial.com/">https://www.bccofficial.com/</a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>Alan Mercer's Profilehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17357664994049053766noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620931384116236944.post-75660833779437357382023-06-05T04:47:00.000-07:002023-06-05T04:47:56.482-07:00Clifton Davis Loves To Help<p><b><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ix5jRDf-QngYbT6EHd8Eld4WbCJUJ-oR2YvzRzkaLlQ8Dq_EeUqYosOgppKZolBrmni91e86vAi56LjMco5zJKqi91vSI8057sMjZstC-tsmGdm6-k1VGdpYB7YccREvy-cNamEgXtzoxrf6UT_mrpO3u3dbnB-pWQZggzi2TsfcfDm0vGWNIg/s903/Clifton%20Davis%20(10).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="903" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ix5jRDf-QngYbT6EHd8Eld4WbCJUJ-oR2YvzRzkaLlQ8Dq_EeUqYosOgppKZolBrmni91e86vAi56LjMco5zJKqi91vSI8057sMjZstC-tsmGdm6-k1VGdpYB7YccREvy-cNamEgXtzoxrf6UT_mrpO3u3dbnB-pWQZggzi2TsfcfDm0vGWNIg/w638-h640/Clifton%20Davis%20(10).jpg" width="638" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">All contemporary photos taken by Alan Mercer in Dallas, TX</div><b><br /></b><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Clifton Davis has had a career that spans over forty years.
He is a minister and songwriter as well as an actor. He performed as a student
at Pine Forge Academy in Pennsylvania (from which he graduated in 1963) as a
singer and as an orator, and those performances accustomed him to appearing in
front of an audience. He and a classmate composed the class song.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikUyJU0k66tbhFc1AlBQSY7_MkWr0r9coZArxVY8EuAhTjqydlAyWz1DbCgTTKctjap2sV-hjCm8ku4dSg7D5m0peSG_tntHAd-58GC29S1pKbYWA_qJ2Ui86DS6ElIzm8-TmSt5L7VCi-DrboabPrpsT7SDe9mK1nfsuRKhifZnD6fhTA37bfcg/s760/Clifton%20Jonelle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="760" data-original-width="612" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikUyJU0k66tbhFc1AlBQSY7_MkWr0r9coZArxVY8EuAhTjqydlAyWz1DbCgTTKctjap2sV-hjCm8ku4dSg7D5m0peSG_tntHAd-58GC29S1pKbYWA_qJ2Ui86DS6ElIzm8-TmSt5L7VCi-DrboabPrpsT7SDe9mK1nfsuRKhifZnD6fhTA37bfcg/w323-h400/Clifton%20Jonelle.jpg" width="323" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Clifton Davis with Jonelle Allen in 'Two Gentleman From Verona'</div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">At the age of twenty-one, while working as a video engineer
at ABC Television, Davis saw his first-ever Broadway show--"Apple
Tree," which starred Alan Alda. Davis was astounded by its humor and
realism and says that is when he knew he wanted to be a performer. Within a few
months he had quit his full-time job and auditioned for and won a part in the
Broadway production of "Hello Dolly." He won a Tony nomination for
his role in the Broadway show "Two Gentlemen of Verona." Renee
Valente saw his performance in that show, and two years later cast Davis as the
star of the show "That's My Mama," launching his television career.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9EbWA2ucQ_oiUXrlmVCmb5DyEr0IXxjNhLr30FMOskFccZXCfpKnscxo9pizF_2Ik4a0TYy1Q-gsh3BK0U8rz4Gb_Qp2Jy7xS1JI4_gQtrMEeeN_WwijlWoy__DTEorQEmrfGc366I6khmGsvXJX67XOjY0NWmkaWrmO6rX6E1bR9EhePCUMEqw/s620/84_2_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="620" data-original-width="436" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9EbWA2ucQ_oiUXrlmVCmb5DyEr0IXxjNhLr30FMOskFccZXCfpKnscxo9pizF_2Ik4a0TYy1Q-gsh3BK0U8rz4Gb_Qp2Jy7xS1JI4_gQtrMEeeN_WwijlWoy__DTEorQEmrfGc366I6khmGsvXJX67XOjY0NWmkaWrmO6rX6E1bR9EhePCUMEqw/w281-h400/84_2_2.jpg" width="281" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Clifton Davis with Theresa Merritt in 'That's My Mama'</div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Clifton Davis's songwriting was encouraged by Gloria Jones
and Judd Walden. His song "Never Can Say Goodbye" proved to be a
major hit for the Jackson Five. Davis co-starred with singer and Broadway
performer Melba Moore on her musical variety television show. Later he made a
guest appearance on the third episode of the first season of The Bobby Vinton
Show in September 1975, singing "I've Got the Music in Me" and
"Never Can Say Goodbye". In the late 1970s, his career slowed, and he
dabbled in drugs before experiencing a spiritual rebirth. In 1981, he left
Hollywood for approximately five years while he acquired a bachelor's degree in
theology and a master's degree in divinity and became a licensed minister. Not
long after completing his second degree, he won the part of the minister in the
sitcom "Amen."<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikUSwk2eoAzanpFAiciNlsBxIt3VmH3w0XdsYAtCSS2zlr2XFc6zokizok1hYvwKwNY_fuV4Lh8bno1M5YDJ2n4TGoec_cmb0oiwyRr0w5O_vvblTCWGXz0oKnZGXh0P-QSK1A1e0IzEC6CJG2SByiCVFcegfhXc2cRaZ5HkVaI50dHxKRyOSRfw/s1000/Clifotn%20Amen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikUSwk2eoAzanpFAiciNlsBxIt3VmH3w0XdsYAtCSS2zlr2XFc6zokizok1hYvwKwNY_fuV4Lh8bno1M5YDJ2n4TGoec_cmb0oiwyRr0w5O_vvblTCWGXz0oKnZGXh0P-QSK1A1e0IzEC6CJG2SByiCVFcegfhXc2cRaZ5HkVaI50dHxKRyOSRfw/w400-h300/Clifotn%20Amen.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Clifton Davis with Anna Marie Horsford on the set of 'Amen'</div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Clifton is heavily involved in charitable and service
activities, for 25 years playing a leading role in Youthville, USA, a
children's services organization. He is Executive Director for Welcome America,
a non-profit organization in Philadelphia that oversees the fourth largest
Fourth of July event in the country.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_-s5NHr_W52DeHxO8Fcu9QfGJYEk0laXCRFcXIMlPhp9VxOK0HTfJ_WXIlzAwSQoJ82e6fC9IjyOErD7oxU3wQb1lD9e2co5s6lScUQ7mLrk_pPwqEquBaEHHVrnWBQYX8vpW3gMog17BnIhlqwbJCggV5QrhjNytoIwYoTOmmiuriiRkoSRuOg/s612/gettyimages-478997046-612x612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="412" data-original-width="612" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_-s5NHr_W52DeHxO8Fcu9QfGJYEk0laXCRFcXIMlPhp9VxOK0HTfJ_WXIlzAwSQoJ82e6fC9IjyOErD7oxU3wQb1lD9e2co5s6lScUQ7mLrk_pPwqEquBaEHHVrnWBQYX8vpW3gMog17BnIhlqwbJCggV5QrhjNytoIwYoTOmmiuriiRkoSRuOg/w400-h269/gettyimages-478997046-612x612.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Clifton Davis and Melba Moore</div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">He hosts and serves as emcee for The Most Soulful Sound, an
annual gospel choir competition in Raleigh, North Carolina. He is also host for
an annual celebrity golf tournament at Elizabeth City State University in North
Carolina. Davis is a co-host on the Christian Lifestyle Magazine television
program and a guest host on Trinity Broadcast Network.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiag-5M70_aDNc2nPR5_opCjeW2073BRUP2eAPu61uqqdUE0XRvR5oFPHW4n5b0OlOptXSc6Ug1pDgi0ZDxEauY6ue7Vt2mSR_0pKsQzCHv8h9sygHFKqn3XoNKYAIhj5YREA-RmIh2zt3XdTYzRe7kRgZThJ4HlKHh78X1H5VLLuCV_zJAJxpBTQ/s364/hqdefault.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="364" height="395" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiag-5M70_aDNc2nPR5_opCjeW2073BRUP2eAPu61uqqdUE0XRvR5oFPHW4n5b0OlOptXSc6Ug1pDgi0ZDxEauY6ue7Vt2mSR_0pKsQzCHv8h9sygHFKqn3XoNKYAIhj5YREA-RmIh2zt3XdTYzRe7kRgZThJ4HlKHh78X1H5VLLuCV_zJAJxpBTQ/w400-h395/hqdefault.jpg" width="400" /></a></b></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Clifton Davis has released 2 albums. The first one in 1990 is a Gospel album titled 'Say Amen' and the second one is more Jazz influenced titled 'Never Can Say Goodbye' from 2020. </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi06aIIfxlsxBK9RoiCScuT18GrelerJR9tjnsnr5GZ1c6Bp-r_HiLnw3Pw9bp7iD0VZ3Us28XryAAaODHDSPupQbbs-kse3L-m_iGAuuboq8yVqLntAvWzNAYvbbxEI_7uU3ln4jSMyIZAdRvy7qGSQQwbWKHBXdJ64dpPzpqAPOH-8kvuvLhmxQ/s1280/Clifton%20Davis%20Aladdin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi06aIIfxlsxBK9RoiCScuT18GrelerJR9tjnsnr5GZ1c6Bp-r_HiLnw3Pw9bp7iD0VZ3Us28XryAAaODHDSPupQbbs-kse3L-m_iGAuuboq8yVqLntAvWzNAYvbbxEI_7uU3ln4jSMyIZAdRvy7qGSQQwbWKHBXdJ64dpPzpqAPOH-8kvuvLhmxQ/w640-h360/Clifton%20Davis%20Aladdin.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Clifton Davis in 'Aladdin'</div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Since 1991, Clifton Davis has guest-starred on several
sitcoms, hosted many award shows, appeared in several films, and hosted a show
on TBN. In 2011, Davis returned to his theater roots, appearing in "What
My Husband Doesn't Know", the Broadway Tour of "Wicked" and
appeared on Broadway as Sultan in Disney's "Aladdin". He is also a
motivational speaker who enjoys helping others and bringing hope and prosperity
into their lives.</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtEl4reHO0QX-DmrISLSuWSSVHN32Rl6vRStQTFEHZG3GO0Ngx8cZaUOFu8vSZ4oBQI-su-RzTXCtTbuFUviA9NcMQBn_4HYdVanI_enJu95P_QD-zsyU-GuJTPsV6-NiwO6U_Ok2WR6F2cHFcnyzbD9jKGdC5cip3DmMWqHsGrR2LbwyaTGE62Q/s900/Clifton%20Davis%20(14).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="667" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtEl4reHO0QX-DmrISLSuWSSVHN32Rl6vRStQTFEHZG3GO0Ngx8cZaUOFu8vSZ4oBQI-su-RzTXCtTbuFUviA9NcMQBn_4HYdVanI_enJu95P_QD-zsyU-GuJTPsV6-NiwO6U_Ok2WR6F2cHFcnyzbD9jKGdC5cip3DmMWqHsGrR2LbwyaTGE62Q/w474-h640/Clifton%20Davis%20(14).jpg" width="474" /></a></b></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Alan Mercer: Clifton,
everyone knows all about your illustrious career and what a broad rage of work
you have done, so I want to ask you what it was like as a beginner to work with
legends like Cab Calloway and Pearl Baily in 'Hello Dolly' on Broadway?</b><o:p></o:p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Clifton Davis: It was
so exciting that it has paid dividends for years. Whenever I remember those
days, I remember how fresh and new they were. How every night when I heard the
orchestra strike up, how excited I got and how enlivened I was. Clifton Davis
and Broadway musicals were a match made in heaven. It all felt wonderful to me.
I had such high regard for both Cab Calloway and Pearl Baily. Seeing her night
after night on that stage perform was a wonderful, life-changing experience. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: I heard Pearl
Baily could be difficult.</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">CD: Pearl was not the
easiest person with any understudy. She liked the regular actors to be there
every night, no matter what. So, when anyone of them left or was sick and the
understudy went on, she gave them a hard time. I was an understudy, and it took
nine months for me to get on stage. The guy never got sick. Finally, he did get
sick and finally I went on and I was scared to death. I had seen her nightly,
but I heard the stories and I had to dance with her. I had to do lines with her
and there I was all night on stage doing my thing as Cornelius Hackl. When the
show was over and we were walking off stage into the wing the wings, she stopped
me and she said, “You know what? You’re alright.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: Wow, you must
have been elated.</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">CD: It lifted me to the
sky. Many years later, after I left the show and I had done the TV series, ‘That’s
My Mama’ and I had done some television movies, I was walking down the street
in front of the Watergate Hotel in Washington DC, and who comes walking up but
Pearl Baily and she said, ‘Clifton Davis, I knew when you were on stage with me
all those years ago that you were going to be a star.” That felt so wonderful.
It was a very kind thing for her to say. <o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="374" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gHaCzIksWHw" width="442" youtube-src-id="gHaCzIksWHw"></iframe></div><p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: You are such a
natural Broadway performer. How many shows have you done?</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">CD: Nine shows, not
counting off Broadway and regional theater. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: Is it still a
passion for you?</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">CD: I just finished working
on ‘Wicked’ for ten months. It was a passion to do it. I had a wonderful time.
I’m a little weary of the six day a week and eight shows a week schedule, but I
still love the work.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: There are easier
ways to make a living.</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">CD: Yes, there is and
its hard work. I don’t know if I’ll do another one, but we’ll see.<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhICcByWlw487hY8S1vV2HUcJ-UgZmw3pXtk39p4ALk_E0g_xkusaLDKUBWudRbA53dsGfIWB-FWPWB9KArLx3TlDsYiC9ycC9XtXQ_LpaxT21PqTc88I9Ntg49HMqtp5XFNAPcGhllHj1DtvjkIL_ta8oYOaQH3WNo9i0GkRzCd9W7tkDxUxOnhw/s900/CD%20HS%20(13).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="714" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhICcByWlw487hY8S1vV2HUcJ-UgZmw3pXtk39p4ALk_E0g_xkusaLDKUBWudRbA53dsGfIWB-FWPWB9KArLx3TlDsYiC9ycC9XtXQ_LpaxT21PqTc88I9Ntg49HMqtp5XFNAPcGhllHj1DtvjkIL_ta8oYOaQH3WNo9i0GkRzCd9W7tkDxUxOnhw/w508-h640/CD%20HS%20(13).jpg" width="508" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: I know you decided
to start studying theology at some point.</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">CD: That was after ‘Hello
Dolly’ and ‘That’s My Mama’ and several other television movies. I realized I
was on a pathway that was unhealthy. I needed fulfillment spiritually, so I
embraced the spiritual belief system, and I left Hollywood to go and pursue a
degree in theology. I wanted to understand who God was and what he meant to me.
I found out that he means everything to me and that he is my all in all. I
learned that from study and from practice. I learned that from reading and
praying. I learned that from listening because faith cometh by hearing and
hearing by the word of God. So, after five or six years of study, I got a call
to screentest for a show called ‘Amen’. I had just finished the seminary and
they wanted me to play the role of minister. So, as far as I’m concerned it was
a divine call.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: That is divine
timing.</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">CD: Absolutely, and I
gave God praise for all of that. It’s meant the world to me and I’ll never
forget those five wonderful years with Sherman Hemsley and particularly with
Anna Marie Horsford. I still love her. She is a friend of both my wife and mine
and we talk very often. <o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVxZFvmTikzZmePH0S79kzffM4aSFqMgjJqLFnK-47q6YeyGTII6HMc0SMgjGd7_UEl6lPAHH8e0s-zeSTqzpoIpXRkzsPVI-GcAxyDgkagjDlPxQU1RQOhGdB-rRTEqxAKHcRgKfrQFYXVF6uIG42g3g-1iWRpNwi6Vh_t3nNPPb1wVw3Xt-gmg/s900/Clifton%20Davis%20(5).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="706" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVxZFvmTikzZmePH0S79kzffM4aSFqMgjJqLFnK-47q6YeyGTII6HMc0SMgjGd7_UEl6lPAHH8e0s-zeSTqzpoIpXRkzsPVI-GcAxyDgkagjDlPxQU1RQOhGdB-rRTEqxAKHcRgKfrQFYXVF6uIG42g3g-1iWRpNwi6Vh_t3nNPPb1wVw3Xt-gmg/w502-h640/Clifton%20Davis%20(5).jpg" width="502" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: I read you were a
licensed pilot, an avid golfer, and a certified scuba diver.</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">CD: Yes, that’s true.
I love to dive even though I haven’t been diving in the last twelve years, or
maybe even longer. I am a licensed pilot. I owned a twin-engine plane, but I sold
it back in 1992 and I haven’t flown since, but I did it. I still love to play golf
now twice a week.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: That’s the one
that lasted.</b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">CD: That one stuck
with me.<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="363" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LYxTpKb7x3w" width="490" youtube-src-id="LYxTpKb7x3w"></iframe></div><p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: I love both your albums. I can listen to the Gospel one from 1990, ‘Say Amen’ every day and I love your latest ‘Never Can Say Goodbye’ and I hope you will record another one very soon.</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">CD: We have started talking about it. I did an interview with Christian McBride, one of the greatest bass players in the world, who has his own orchestra, and he said, “If you did another album, you know who is going to play bass.” I was on the phone last week with my friend, Kevin Toney, who is a keyboardist and arranger, and we are working out what the next album is going to be, so it’s in the works.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: You have always been
involved in charities. How much time does that take from you these days?</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">CD: Not as much time
as it could and should. I should be doing more. I’d like to be doing more. I
have some charities that are on my heart that I want to give to, and I want to
work with, but there are several I have worked with. One is called the Trey
Whitfield Foundation that supports a school in Brooklyn, and they help children
K through grade eight to succeed, to get into prep school and to prepare for
college that early, even in elementary school with a target of preparing for
college. They have nearly 100 percent of their eighth-grade graduates finish
high school and go on to college. I’m proud to be a part of the Trey Whitfield
Foundation family. I’ve worked with so many other charities. I developed a golf
tournament for Elizabeth City University in North Carolina, and I worked there
as a Vice Chancellor of Development from 1994 to 1996. That tournament went on
for ten years. I did very well raising funds for scholarships for underprivileged
students. I just love helping a little bit here and there. It’s gratifying.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitq73agyzfZ0ZUvpXuo2tc6GQAX9nT6Ns7EExjxZyYOaAsStJmAtQWbM60De33J9IymxQeCOqt2nUQAZV1k7ru5V52buayshtN9Vzya-gZJB_hogvz3QQbXBYL38P5ehcPlxc5GYFMZNDNB7KRZU-0MB7d7L07DxmaJAwxDPjsze9tvHSpCHiWWw/s900/Clifton%20Davis%20(23).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="705" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitq73agyzfZ0ZUvpXuo2tc6GQAX9nT6Ns7EExjxZyYOaAsStJmAtQWbM60De33J9IymxQeCOqt2nUQAZV1k7ru5V52buayshtN9Vzya-gZJB_hogvz3QQbXBYL38P5ehcPlxc5GYFMZNDNB7KRZU-0MB7d7L07DxmaJAwxDPjsze9tvHSpCHiWWw/w502-h640/Clifton%20Davis%20(23).jpg" width="502" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">To learn more about Clifton Davis visit his website <a href="https://www.cliftondavis.com/">https://www.cliftondavis.com/</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="363" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RamtzC6lgkk" width="505" youtube-src-id="RamtzC6lgkk"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p><br /></p>Alan Mercer's Profilehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17357664994049053766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620931384116236944.post-65117888422699593492023-05-15T05:19:00.003-07:002023-05-15T18:07:43.563-07:00Kinna McInroe Always Finds The Humor In Life<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfRGz52EBQke-paut3t4i3mUKG8DQoJzkkcNDL81FYV_2eDT9DS2jEFeGWTZgNuBOsgH2KeS6NOHBl4n8lKeeNSDFugA0dmoA91_FVEMQgc7RY-yCmxJa7EB3PWlO249oaKxu9VtR85z0_R4J-HeGIiFuNR3JDU1VuiBEZF9QbEx5OVBpSONsgBA/s900/Kinna%20McEnroe%2067.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="707" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfRGz52EBQke-paut3t4i3mUKG8DQoJzkkcNDL81FYV_2eDT9DS2jEFeGWTZgNuBOsgH2KeS6NOHBl4n8lKeeNSDFugA0dmoA91_FVEMQgc7RY-yCmxJa7EB3PWlO249oaKxu9VtR85z0_R4J-HeGIiFuNR3JDU1VuiBEZF9QbEx5OVBpSONsgBA/w502-h640/Kinna%20McEnroe%2067.jpg" width="502" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">All Photos by Alan Mercer</div><p><br /></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>You’ve seen her on TV shows like ‘Mad About You’ ‘Hawaii 5-O’,
‘Supergirl’ ‘Drop Dead Diva’ and ‘Criminal Minds’, but Kinna McInroe is best
known for her role as Nina in the film Office Space. She has guest-starred in
episodes of several other television series, has appeared in a number of
feature and direct-to-video films, has worked extensively in short films, and
has been narrating a series of online videos released under the pseudonym
Squirrel-Monkey since 2012.<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Kinna studied improvisational theatre with Gary Austin, the
founder of The Groundlings. From her first appearance as Nina in the 1999 film ‘Office
Space’, through to her appearance in 'Mad About You.'<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Working with Dutch comedy video artist Jo Luijten, Kinna
provides the narration on several web videos they have released under the
pseudonym Squirrel-Monkey. Most of the Squirrel-Monkey videos show what social
networking sites and video games might have looked like if created on the
computers of the 1980s or 1990s. Since their introduction in March 2012, the
videos have received positive press from a number of news and technology
websites, including Mashable, Wired, and The Huffington Post.</b><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2RfYg0SEQRmcF-hKw29NCK_Spz2P5fNMlwQAkbwquy2hAGWNV7qge1OAXy4mlP6cmTvSqRSB31VOfME9LETe39XIIwN0kNxYsJO1z7y48v_d4rU8hQPDn3GVrGiuv30WKfWeDbRNyLFgcpwNNw-qHV8GK0PTTapaupmGyGh5W1Vd4UhdXBntTJQ/s900/Kinna%20McEnroe%2098.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="702" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2RfYg0SEQRmcF-hKw29NCK_Spz2P5fNMlwQAkbwquy2hAGWNV7qge1OAXy4mlP6cmTvSqRSB31VOfME9LETe39XIIwN0kNxYsJO1z7y48v_d4rU8hQPDn3GVrGiuv30WKfWeDbRNyLFgcpwNNw-qHV8GK0PTTapaupmGyGh5W1Vd4UhdXBntTJQ/w500-h640/Kinna%20McEnroe%2098.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Alan Mercer: When did you get started in show business?</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Kinna McInroe:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was
born ready to start in show business. I remember putting on shows for my next-door
neighbors. I would recreate Sheer Energy commercials. I would walk around the neighborhood
putting flyers on the cars and knocking on doors asking if they were coming to
my show. I wish I had that tenacity now. I would get people to come and watch
me do tricks on the trampoline or sing a song. We had these big rocks in front
of our house, and I would stand on them with a tennis racquet and sing ‘Blue
Bayou’ in a made-up language. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was
always a kid who knew what I wanted to do very early in life. I never wanted to
be a doctor. I always wanted to be an actress and an entertainer.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are a singer
as well?</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">KM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, I used to be
in a group called Big Daddy and the Butter Biscuits twenty some years ago. We
did a lot of shows around North Texas. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What were some of
the first steps you took to make your dreams come true?</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">KM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, it all started
with the minute I could be in choir, the minute I could be in theater in
school, I would join and be in it the rest of the time. Then I went to college for
it and then conservatory for it and then I did a showcase night at KD Studios in
Dallas where industry people come and check you out. I signed up with the Kim
Dawson agency. I tried to get into Julliard but got turned down. That was a
letdown because I wanted to do Broadway more than anything and I still do. Then
I went to Austin and auditioned for ‘Office Space'.<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOFzke4I7u0umRFTrXXUckQcqADl-ogvxfWzDePnqfHDgp8SIVNGCk-q3m2M2BYLDSfLL5VuUlKvUB3f41cv2Ujx9_D8dfdMoCfSqK4fcfyc9y2tf69WLKBOC6XVOqdmtkg-cBvTolaFLN7I7JZKsPaDFfxa9CxCIrd5mgiTapfShfrRPNj-YYWQ/s900/Kinna%20McEnroe%2032.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="705" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOFzke4I7u0umRFTrXXUckQcqADl-ogvxfWzDePnqfHDgp8SIVNGCk-q3m2M2BYLDSfLL5VuUlKvUB3f41cv2Ujx9_D8dfdMoCfSqK4fcfyc9y2tf69WLKBOC6XVOqdmtkg-cBvTolaFLN7I7JZKsPaDFfxa9CxCIrd5mgiTapfShfrRPNj-YYWQ/w502-h640/Kinna%20McEnroe%2032.jpg" width="502" /></a></div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did you know who
Mike Judge was?</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">KM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not really. I was
familiar with ‘Beavis & Butthead’ but it wasn't my favorite show.(Laughter) Seriously however, my husband swears he learned to speak English from watching 'Beavis & Butthead' and 'South Park'. Anyway, I did the audition
and then forgot about it. Three months later I was doing the Big Stinking Comedy
Festival and I got a call back.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How did you do on
the call back audition?</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">KM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt so good
about it. Everyone was there from Mike Judge to the casting director. I called
my agent right after and told her I felt real good about it. She warned me not
to get my hopes up, because this was my very first audition with the agency.
The next day was my birthday and she called at 7:30 in the morning and told me
I got the part! So, that started me getting some more parts in productions in
Dallas and Austin. I did a lot of improv comedy in Dallas, too. I saved up for
3 years and then I moved to Los Angeles.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What was Los
Angeles like when you first got there?</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">KM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was totally
overwhelming and scary. I never wanted to got to Los Angeles because I thought
it would be a bunch of skinny girls in thongs rollerblading on the Santa Monica
pier, and there were. It was strange because I met a man named Gary Austin at
the Big Stinking Comedy Festival and I literally held on to his phone number
for three years. This was the late 90s. There was email but it wasn’t a big
deal yet. We still had pagers and our phones were big. Anyway, I called Gary,
and he told me they were having a show that very night and that I should come,
so I did, and I loved it. He asked if I wanted to be his assistant. I said, “Sure."
He was the founder and started the Groundlings, but left within the first decade because he didn't like the direction that it was going with the school. I was his assistant, after he left the Groundlings and I did all
the exercises so people could learn them, for the next 15 years. I made a bunch
of my core friends through him. One of those people was Robert Watzke and we
started doing an improv show called Shplotz. We improvised
with people like Helen Hunt, Helen Slater, Jason Alexander, and James Corden.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On a personal
level, you met someone and got married.</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">KM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, I got
married late in life and had a child late in life. My child has special needs
do to his autism and ADHD. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is that why you
decided to relocate back to Texas?</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">KM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, after the
pandemic hit, all auditions were on tape anyway. We could stay in Los Angeles
and pay exorbitant rent on a one-bedroom apartment or get a three-bedroom house
in Texas. It just made sense. Also, in a full circle moment, I went back to KD
Studios and worked as a teacher. I have that on my resume now so I can use that
while living in Lubbock. I can teach there, and I can do auditions from there.
I have everything I need, with a bunch of family to help me out.<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="351" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VcJVwnAWTp0" width="486" youtube-src-id="VcJVwnAWTp0"></iframe></div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love that ‘Office
Space’ was your first foray into everything you ended up doing.</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">KM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was my first
anything. That movie was instrumental in my career. I have played Nina three
times now. One was in a Folgers commercial and this past Christmas I played her
in a Walmart commercial with the ‘Office Space’ cast.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a blessing
to have a part that has carried you through these many years.</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">KM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has been a
blessing. Anytime I need some money, suddenly I get a residual check for ‘Office
Space’ after all these years. It always shows up and helps. Also, I met my
husband because of ‘Office Space’ and he lived in the Netherlands. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How did that
happen?</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">KM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was a fan of
the movie, and he wrote to me on my public Facebook page. I wondered who this
cute Dutch guy was, and we started communicating on the phone and suddenly he
was coming to the United States to meet me. It took five years of this back and
forth, but finally we got married and had a kid.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You stay very
active even if you aren’t on the front line.</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">KM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, this is who
I am. If I’m not doing it, I want to teach somebody else how to do it. That
brings me a lot of joy. I especially love teaching young people and leading
them in the right direction. I will always be positive, but I am giving them the
real story too. The first thing I tell any class is to look around because these
people are all going to drop away. Probably only 2 percent of you will stay at
it because it’s so hard to make a living, no matter how talented you are. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It almost has nothing
to do with talent.</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">KM: It doesn’t. It has to do with who’s your daddy, is it
nepotism or is it that you have a hot look this week? Are you 18 and looking
ripped? There are so many people who don’t have half the talent and they are on
every single show. Then you discover they are the Godson of so and so. Now it
all makes sense. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you have a special
project you want to work on now?</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">KM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do and it’s one
about me moving back to Texas. It will deal with the culture differences with
my husband and what we are going through with our kid. There is humor in all of
it</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj9Gpu1vNxF6U5KWreLnenhtxBBxElFnFbLF2cXARovjzuEPdmSMPnICSEy-mtk5hu8i5W8lEUdLRhAQ3ElkOhtVwUaCEDH2Q59H0Glo02JvSFF2DEliwbyZ-9Uro5z51jnBZneiB7_ObJy4Qf9zys-_kSAytw1Sk2nB6l9Kt4f8sz0VJf3JU6IA/s900/Kinna%20McEnroe%2091.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="703" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj9Gpu1vNxF6U5KWreLnenhtxBBxElFnFbLF2cXARovjzuEPdmSMPnICSEy-mtk5hu8i5W8lEUdLRhAQ3ElkOhtVwUaCEDH2Q59H0Glo02JvSFF2DEliwbyZ-9Uro5z51jnBZneiB7_ObJy4Qf9zys-_kSAytw1Sk2nB6l9Kt4f8sz0VJf3JU6IA/w500-h640/Kinna%20McEnroe%2091.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">To learn more about Kinna McInroe visit her Facebook page <a href="https://www.facebook.com/KinnaMcInroeFans/">https://www.facebook.com/KinnaMcInroeFans/</a><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="351" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tO1ZgjXGUKc" width="483" youtube-src-id="tO1ZgjXGUKc"></iframe></div><br /><o:p><br /></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><br /><p></p>Alan Mercer's Profilehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17357664994049053766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620931384116236944.post-31552835760039907132023-03-21T14:14:00.003-07:002023-03-24T10:10:11.791-07:00In Appreciation of Ruby Starr<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLPHyVcugs8zYEoXzNLFRGVgrsJkZJHiKDA9H0LCzB9_8ZVZvMexUmx5-mORvCpWHJodkWevVjPJhaU3psisyhFyQGx-ewdU2q3Ju47DHPgLw7dmp4TTIDntWOqomTzAjxSc543LhuzBCWa9nJ_JJ5mxZvtp19GAJuMLHldtItU2LZYuYVSxm5CA/s900/ruby-starr-art%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="706" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLPHyVcugs8zYEoXzNLFRGVgrsJkZJHiKDA9H0LCzB9_8ZVZvMexUmx5-mORvCpWHJodkWevVjPJhaU3psisyhFyQGx-ewdU2q3Ju47DHPgLw7dmp4TTIDntWOqomTzAjxSc543LhuzBCWa9nJ_JJ5mxZvtp19GAJuMLHldtItU2LZYuYVSxm5CA/w502-h640/ruby-starr-art%202.jpg" width="502" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thank you to the Ruby Starr Fan Page on Facebook for many of the photos</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">I can remember it like it was yesterday. I always watched
The Midnight Special and one week the show featured the Southern Rock Band,
Black Oak Arkansas, who I had always enjoyed. The performance included their
rendition of the classic ‘Jim Dandy To The Rescue’ and I saw her, the little
lady with the huge head of flaming red hair, Miss Ruby Starr. What a perfect
name for a powerhouse vocalist. She had a star quality that was easy to spot. </span><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-9UlbNFFxmj_PbaOzcq3S7ywci6I6qASzCq2SBqMcv4ZpWcfQIGJjN_LTeSCQMSOytNhWKRf-pDjOcs903pocj0DFTeqi0_i5IprBRbJ1ugszFrBm4bpxW9qlCRKVGPKm7WOcPui_X3eQsapqR7qdWbqXQNVJ8K9LGAQlR_kL2aDDfq2aKtvL3g/s960/ruby%20jim%20dandy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="948" data-original-width="960" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-9UlbNFFxmj_PbaOzcq3S7ywci6I6qASzCq2SBqMcv4ZpWcfQIGJjN_LTeSCQMSOytNhWKRf-pDjOcs903pocj0DFTeqi0_i5IprBRbJ1ugszFrBm4bpxW9qlCRKVGPKm7WOcPui_X3eQsapqR7qdWbqXQNVJ8K9LGAQlR_kL2aDDfq2aKtvL3g/w640-h632/ruby%20jim%20dandy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ruby Starr with Black Oak Arkansas front man Jim Dandy Mangrum</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="337" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XMT5J7ZPmpU" width="464" youtube-src-id="XMT5J7ZPmpU"></iframe></div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Naturally I went looking to see what else I could find about
Ruby Starr. This was long before the internet and I lived in the country in the
middle of Nebraska so the only option I had was to go to the local record store
in the mall. Musicland here I come. When I got there, I looked up Ruby and
found she had an album called ‘Scene Stealer’ with a great cover photo, released
on Capitol Records.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi82d1XIaPkeaHhGPL63QvrZ8q5dAWLRdN4B1ZyUryxjswap696tRIVpAOMiuEMZ8VioPii-S0lpgM5OKqUx-rD8j79usUQVzWrkfTds2f_2aQ3ujKzn7zXQ1j8OAdG2RNNRfplG0sVDApd7raQpoNuqu6h6XTPmWUxzCcJ2vh6xmclNOhgj5esow/s713/Front-Ruby-Starr-Scene-Stealer-1976-CD1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="713" data-original-width="711" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi82d1XIaPkeaHhGPL63QvrZ8q5dAWLRdN4B1ZyUryxjswap696tRIVpAOMiuEMZ8VioPii-S0lpgM5OKqUx-rD8j79usUQVzWrkfTds2f_2aQ3ujKzn7zXQ1j8OAdG2RNNRfplG0sVDApd7raQpoNuqu6h6XTPmWUxzCcJ2vh6xmclNOhgj5esow/w638-h640/Front-Ruby-Starr-Scene-Stealer-1976-CD1.jpg" width="638" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="347" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/D0FPxuQv2ns" width="505" youtube-src-id="D0FPxuQv2ns"></iframe></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"> I instantly purchased the $5.00 album and took it home to
play. I fell madly in love when I heard her version of Paul McCartney’s ‘Maybe
I’m Amazed.’ I listened to this album a million times it seemed. It wasn’t long
and I discovered she had released an album on Capitol before ‘Scene Stealer’
called ‘Ruby Starr and Grey Ghost’. I had to have it. When I did come across it
and brought it home to listen to, I fell even more in love with Ruby. This
album was killer! ‘Burning Whiskey’ was an immediate classic. </span><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="393" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/baW5GmIbXjY" width="480" youtube-src-id="baW5GmIbXjY"></iframe></div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Another year went by, and Ruby Starr released a third album
on Capitol called ‘Smokey Places’ and it did not disappoint. Ruby had to be on
her way to becoming a huge star, but then nothing happened. No more albums on
Capitol Records came out. It seems Ruby all but disappeared. Even if we were
never to hear from her again, I did have three albums that I cherished and that
kept me happy for many years. </span><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwj7tmEXzgQh3Lap5qw_hTyf6zT2yay2qzpebSETG0JXTUpkdGqwCgGpqt_P_MDbRfnUFPzGaJZP_OvZW0Q4Gb35jydkKgeLp3ysEoIXnCG1vwKjTScG6YLRgb0phZhcAzrYGkTYoS0GXs1mh8LFf1t3bEu8-Q472tSE9tHVYUE_070hDgqAagNw/s1093/rs%20autog.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1093" height="526" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwj7tmEXzgQh3Lap5qw_hTyf6zT2yay2qzpebSETG0JXTUpkdGqwCgGpqt_P_MDbRfnUFPzGaJZP_OvZW0Q4Gb35jydkKgeLp3ysEoIXnCG1vwKjTScG6YLRgb0phZhcAzrYGkTYoS0GXs1mh8LFf1t3bEu8-Q472tSE9tHVYUE_070hDgqAagNw/w640-h526/rs%20autog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My autographed 'Smokey Places' album framed and on the wall.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="366" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XI1Vi3GRdPQ" width="499" youtube-src-id="XI1Vi3GRdPQ"></iframe></div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Finally one day in 1988, I saw that the Ruby Starr Band
would be playing the Agora Ballroom in Dallas, TX where I was living. I don’t know
if I can describe the elated feeling of happiness I had from knowing I would
finally be seeing an artist I admired for so long and had given up hope of ever
seeing live. When the night of the concert arrived, I grabbed my ‘Smokey Places’
record and took it with me in hopes of getting Ruby to autograph it for me. The
show was amazing as I expected, and it seems like it flew by so fast. Ruby
showed great stage presence prowling around the band and singing her heart out.
After the show I went up to the edge of the stage with my record and I could
see Ruby standing there backstage. I waved my record in the air and she saw me
and came right over and was so sweet and happy to sign it for me. I left that
evening understanding what it felt like to have a dream come true.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="345" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/16qs5degAtQ" width="474" youtube-src-id="16qs5degAtQ"></iframe></div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ruby disappeared from my life again after that night. I
never heard another thing about her until January 1995 when I heard she had
passed away all too soon. Naturally, I was heartbroken. Fast forward to the
early 2000s when the internet existed and finally I started seeing that I was
not alone in my admiration for this GIANT talent wrapped up in a tiny package.
I also learned there were two more albums that I had never heard about that I
now could listen to. The first one was an album she recorded before her time with
Grey Ghost and Black Oak Arkansas on Curtis Mayfield’s Curtom label called ‘Ruby
Jones ‘Stone Junkie’. Yes, Ruby covered Curtis Mayfield and she did it
spectacularly. The other album came out in the middle 1980’s and was called ‘Telephone
Sex’. Ruby shares lead vocals on this album and it has a decidedly 80’s pop rock
vibe to it, another stunning release. </span><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4UiCMMKl-rRTaeaneKG7LrVAlLum_H68A81YfEGn-7Vh9_fJvcx_ladJf3SgLXcspvXSbO_rN6xPdlIpGONpHWcNEq38yNqX62kIx0DDsYazmFyW-9skVLfAx8OgyoJ49i08BggfcvPlTXzN5ukbXsDB1gZkAQWWRWdPtJhmpH8Gvdhxjt8FZNw/s900/ruby%20starr%20band.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="699" data-original-width="900" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4UiCMMKl-rRTaeaneKG7LrVAlLum_H68A81YfEGn-7Vh9_fJvcx_ladJf3SgLXcspvXSbO_rN6xPdlIpGONpHWcNEq38yNqX62kIx0DDsYazmFyW-9skVLfAx8OgyoJ49i08BggfcvPlTXzN5ukbXsDB1gZkAQWWRWdPtJhmpH8Gvdhxjt8FZNw/w640-h498/ruby%20starr%20band.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Now in the past three years, thanks to many people who feel
the same way I do, I have discovered rare single releases and live recordings. There
was a lot more Ruby Starr music than I ever imagined. I love hearing
everything. The best part of being around right now is that Cabal Records
decided to remaster and re-release her Capitol albums, as well as her 1960’s
recordings done under the name of Connie Little and release a DVD and CD of her
now legendary performance from 1975 at the Winterland in San Francisco.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVRuay6mgg0p2a12MHFKTQhaWqh1hO4CXSJHxNAUw7OKQP63ycIjqJAPct5qUr-gNKe-eWObB17VityLnCeKPIKXdASSY4WdmkvxFO7cr89XlFTWV5RgfxdgRCn-VqJu4IOQkYspbbzQOpIUn_ODiIfxsWdbUNNOIpsXucZ7qvwN1qRPeU_DK3ag/s599/Ruby%20Starr%20grey%20ghost%20album.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="592" data-original-width="599" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVRuay6mgg0p2a12MHFKTQhaWqh1hO4CXSJHxNAUw7OKQP63ycIjqJAPct5qUr-gNKe-eWObB17VityLnCeKPIKXdASSY4WdmkvxFO7cr89XlFTWV5RgfxdgRCn-VqJu4IOQkYspbbzQOpIUn_ODiIfxsWdbUNNOIpsXucZ7qvwN1qRPeU_DK3ag/w640-h632/Ruby%20Starr%20grey%20ghost%20album.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">So, how did her albums finally start coming out on CD after
4 decades? It seems what brought her back was a new legal assignment for
publishing rights after the death of Rickie Lee “Riccochet Reynolds”. Toenges</span><span><span style="font-size: medium;"> LLC partnered with Reynolds to obtain rights from her manager Butch Stone. Timexx
Seabaugh is the producer in charge. He worked with Black Oak Arkansas with his
band, Drivin’ Rain opening for them for many years. He worked directly with
Reynolds and succeeded in re-releasing Ruby Starr’s albums.</span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhIilcLeGl1iixYTo8NvWkLs5ri2NYUXuuEgRzjI-q6LFgireeHCMmACHeioTJ8VFjPTBo4rWLpJYZvKENocEX2pvDBYb_xGWy3mRc1ei54e3wjIgZOPynYa_bC3VSCuKt3V0MBHIgPXb8yMIKC-Sudzp1lAW4NEfsQx3nQPDWUP8WXrnKKAB9Og/s1400/Ruby%20Starr%20LIVE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1400" data-original-width="1400" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhIilcLeGl1iixYTo8NvWkLs5ri2NYUXuuEgRzjI-q6LFgireeHCMmACHeioTJ8VFjPTBo4rWLpJYZvKENocEX2pvDBYb_xGWy3mRc1ei54e3wjIgZOPynYa_bC3VSCuKt3V0MBHIgPXb8yMIKC-Sudzp1lAW4NEfsQx3nQPDWUP8WXrnKKAB9Og/w640-h640/Ruby%20Starr%20LIVE.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Now, who is Ruby Starr? Let’s look at her official biography.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1BAJVOc8YT8roqzJ4evZjesYGgrGHdU2WNV6hPp4CALXdcA3k3o4cHjKq0z-avhnq9XFSOFQCr_HQaleOnegPNhlgNzJ8eyC_A88IcYhAxAj1Fr0d17oNdK7S-ucijMW0cfqR4qRtefIMTtUbDrAjvQ9nvOqqJoQ9szgPxAUBMmmJG7KMU7dA3A/s625/young%20ruby.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1BAJVOc8YT8roqzJ4evZjesYGgrGHdU2WNV6hPp4CALXdcA3k3o4cHjKq0z-avhnq9XFSOFQCr_HQaleOnegPNhlgNzJ8eyC_A88IcYhAxAj1Fr0d17oNdK7S-ucijMW0cfqR4qRtefIMTtUbDrAjvQ9nvOqqJoQ9szgPxAUBMmmJG7KMU7dA3A/w492-h640/young%20ruby.jpg" width="492" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="344" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3GsDAfJ28dM" width="432" youtube-src-id="3GsDAfJ28dM"></iframe></div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">In 1958, little nine-year-old Connie Mierzwiak was belting
out Brenda Lee songs, although it’s been said she already had designs on
kicking rock & roll’s ass. By the time she hit the Chicago bar scene in the
mid-’70s, she was titillating audiences as the saucy, sassy, sexy, spicy
rollicking rock & roll queen known as Ruby Starr. She began performing at
the age of nine under the stage name Connie Little, growing up in Toledo, Ohio.
During the time she could be found performing with early bands Connie and the
Blu-Beats, the Downtowners, and the Blue Grange Ramblers. By the time she was a
teenager, she was already screaming songs out on the local club scene using the
stage name Ruby Jones. In 1971, the band inked a contract with Curtom Records
and issued the debut, simply titled ‘Ruby Jones.’ The album demonstrated her
ability to portray a provoking sexuality in her persona, exemplified by her
take on the Rascals’ “You Better Run”.</span><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHvvu6ERcqWcDFjDgy_rRvg85r_8e4dK9hZ9gJSa0t0YM7Q4rgCN1kfTX9t3jB-sdKuTQuGYXwKZglyi3qsjI2ChOLWKCVaXCIPo948GR9s-yq1fh2IsR2jXTnP3WvfS4BQd6vGLNobM8K8fKisDopzUDUxlu3OmjPwvGVyGy6Lt9DMh3LB1uJeA/s600/ruby%20jones.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="600" height="636" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHvvu6ERcqWcDFjDgy_rRvg85r_8e4dK9hZ9gJSa0t0YM7Q4rgCN1kfTX9t3jB-sdKuTQuGYXwKZglyi3qsjI2ChOLWKCVaXCIPo948GR9s-yq1fh2IsR2jXTnP3WvfS4BQd6vGLNobM8K8fKisDopzUDUxlu3OmjPwvGVyGy6Lt9DMh3LB1uJeA/w640-h636/ruby%20jones.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="335" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KvMieTC7Ebk" width="457" youtube-src-id="KvMieTC7Ebk"></iframe></div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">It wasn’t too long after the album’s release when Black Oak
Arkansas lead singer Jim Dandy Mangrum saw Ruby at a club in Evansville,
Indiana. Realizing his band needed something else to set them apart from the
herd of southern rock bands emerging, he invited her to join Black Oak
Arkansas. When she did, she became Ruby Starr.</span><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwrWgn0hvdJI_xxlv00lEAsZe3JJcviUxgFcVB1nZcAyf4Mo1jjilfLCrSsQUsba10dF_nhxJh1amnjC8HwwfsrlCkYZs3oULdX1-zlj-PbnQU5cyuM1gh4jWzjJaYTvABVID_zxyp_cA1mJoHlZZSUyww02oEJTOKkyjQ2fPp1ZNrG-BhWHYPMw/s932/ruby%20starr%20ad-gigapixel-art-scale-6_00x.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="932" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwrWgn0hvdJI_xxlv00lEAsZe3JJcviUxgFcVB1nZcAyf4Mo1jjilfLCrSsQUsba10dF_nhxJh1amnjC8HwwfsrlCkYZs3oULdX1-zlj-PbnQU5cyuM1gh4jWzjJaYTvABVID_zxyp_cA1mJoHlZZSUyww02oEJTOKkyjQ2fPp1ZNrG-BhWHYPMw/w618-h640/ruby%20starr%20ad-gigapixel-art-scale-6_00x.jpg" width="618" /></a></div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">While she was considered a backup singer with Black Oak
Arkansas, her bold shrieking of “go Jim Dandy, go Jim Dandy,” catapulted her
out front. The band hit the Top 30 charts with their cover of LaVern Baker’s
“Jim Dandy (To the Rescue)” (Atco) and with Ruby’s sensual, “Southern spitfire”
photogenic looks, she became a fixture in the rock magazines like Circus and
Creem.</span><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="354" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pxAZ40xqYL8" width="493" youtube-src-id="pxAZ40xqYL8"></iframe></div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Her raw and raunchy image, punctuated by her powerful vocal
presence, set the tone for Ruby Starr to leave Black Oak Arkansas in 1974 and
set out on her own career forming Ruby Starr and Grey Ghost. That band included
a young guitarist who became well-known later on the Chicago scene by the name
of Gary Levin. "I had played in quite a few bands before I got with Ruby
and we got signed to Capitol Records which was when my career really took
off". Grey Ghost also included Marius Penczner, Dave Mayo and Joel
Williams.</span><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiYG6KgOlRkcGOMisNYZ0AryEmLb94WAkJ475hO7uYhIQKsJPjs2ecHme35swe6PvsXwI26GVLmoDFmZJCUDeVbS9COXKjHjPN1w_1ICbETEtlr1fkE5NTISFg-_UMSrQry8uyCVjnchk33fKDcXXUU35KkHQs7Om9DiO4XUNsnhNstyPw_0ZwAg/s600/R-4017683-1461354212-8629.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiYG6KgOlRkcGOMisNYZ0AryEmLb94WAkJ475hO7uYhIQKsJPjs2ecHme35swe6PvsXwI26GVLmoDFmZJCUDeVbS9COXKjHjPN1w_1ICbETEtlr1fkE5NTISFg-_UMSrQry8uyCVjnchk33fKDcXXUU35KkHQs7Om9DiO4XUNsnhNstyPw_0ZwAg/w640-h640/R-4017683-1461354212-8629.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">The relationship with Black Oak Arkansas continued with
their manager Butch Stone securing the contract with Capitol, producing three
albums in 1975-77. Grey Ghost continued to tour as an opening act for Black Oak
Arkansas and other headliners.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="333" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jkZrEwRYwZc" width="482" youtube-src-id="jkZrEwRYwZc"></iframe></div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">When not touring, Grey Ghost became a staple of the Chicago
and Milwaukee area club scenes. Starr also toured with Blackfoot from 1977 to
1978. Over the next five years, Ruby and singer Michael Grey evolved Grey Ghost
into Lucy Grey and finally into Grey Star, releasing two independent albums on
the Emotion label, continuing her personification with songs like “Baby It’s
You” and “Telephone Sex”.</span><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFargix0Xrx8yF4bzts4tBBKIB2LdJrjC1ovtM_tsd33H77QleaDv5et18iWG6MDtNRTwYzwHeYB-SMRJJS5biNjSj3Y5mV4GnCnsvYhIAgqC9-mKc0CPJMA31_-2VxNS57fRt12x5B_m7m-JBBihOCNHX3mvefkKRS-a6EKsULjsIHAst-P9F0g/s900/ruby-starr-art%203.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="703" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFargix0Xrx8yF4bzts4tBBKIB2LdJrjC1ovtM_tsd33H77QleaDv5et18iWG6MDtNRTwYzwHeYB-SMRJJS5biNjSj3Y5mV4GnCnsvYhIAgqC9-mKc0CPJMA31_-2VxNS57fRt12x5B_m7m-JBBihOCNHX3mvefkKRS-a6EKsULjsIHAst-P9F0g/w500-h640/ruby-starr-art%203.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">In the early ’90s, Ruby Starr quit the road and moved to Las
Vegas where she was gigging at casinos and hotels on the Strip such as the
Riviera and Stardust as the Ruby Starr Band. She was about to join the Country
Legends show at the Aladdin when she was diagnosed with lung cancer and a brain
tumor was discovered. With that, she returned home to her family in Toledo, Ohio.
Sadly, she passed away in 1995. She was only 45.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="358" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uqx7CY2sy80" width="490" youtube-src-id="uqx7CY2sy80"></iframe></div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">After her death, Rickie Lee Reynolds of Black Oak Arkansas
coordinated “The Lost Tapes” project. All profits raised from the Ruby Starr
Lost Tapes are donated to St. Jude's Children’s Hospital for cancer research
for children under the name of the Ruby Starr Trust Fund. After her death,
several archival releases that featured Starr were issued, including the live
Black Oak Arkansas recording, "Live On The King Biscuit Flower Hour"
in 1976, and a reissue of Ruby Jones's debut album, retitled as Stone Junkie
(Sequel) in 2000. A Ruby Jones track “Hear It On The Radio” is also included on
Toledo, Ohio radio station WIOT-FM 104 project Toledo’s Best Rock compilation
(Pacer 8103), released in 1981.</span><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ0ktVUbM1JwkH6NyLPMSLcmjP6pcCKBRrHVsY1_KVSit3JqOuNyb61MCG2qxd95Tix0_3hvcPWQzInk0yEibqrp42YVrvlnL_D6H4XOWGf1R_dBeDkguCG3pY02l8WTdyC7rlCrclqBZR2FWWo_OsdX31g9-bL-kHC20mQAf84WqkZ7_YnEjsZw/s900/ruby-starr-art.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="677" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ0ktVUbM1JwkH6NyLPMSLcmjP6pcCKBRrHVsY1_KVSit3JqOuNyb61MCG2qxd95Tix0_3hvcPWQzInk0yEibqrp42YVrvlnL_D6H4XOWGf1R_dBeDkguCG3pY02l8WTdyC7rlCrclqBZR2FWWo_OsdX31g9-bL-kHC20mQAf84WqkZ7_YnEjsZw/w482-h640/ruby-starr-art.jpg" width="482" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">To learn more about Ruby Starr visit the Ruby Starr Fan Page on Facebook <a href="https://www.facebook.com/rubystarrfans">https://www.facebook.com/rubystarrfans</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">and visit Cabal Records Facebook page to order Ruby Starr music <a href="https://www.facebook.com/cabalrecordsUSA/">https://www.facebook.com/cabalrecordsUSA/</a></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="367" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kqoJFFiQUAM" width="495" youtube-src-id="kqoJFFiQUAM"></iframe></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><br /><p></p>Alan Mercer's Profilehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17357664994049053766noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620931384116236944.post-16916344263260512562023-03-12T13:21:00.004-07:002023-03-12T13:26:10.545-07:00Ernie Cefalu Part Five: Continuing To Make History...Instead Of Becoming It<p> </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXMbOSX-k0c5oKy5qvISEuYuXHk0AS7lzjwjrv5pPeAxuXqiWOPD3_NrCu_pEH7Fp--dJu7Kn1cMdn2DPIZkr77ey-Mb-uscjRC3a6r19TR52X282fnaeOL_Cohvy8VvAYNj8ywy9Q7t0hi2z0_ly_aid0ZE-25cwdjMA_gxrtg9kMKVYyhVlvGA/s1400/Ernie_Cefalu-gigapixel-standard-scale-6_00x.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1010" data-original-width="1400" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXMbOSX-k0c5oKy5qvISEuYuXHk0AS7lzjwjrv5pPeAxuXqiWOPD3_NrCu_pEH7Fp--dJu7Kn1cMdn2DPIZkr77ey-Mb-uscjRC3a6r19TR52X282fnaeOL_Cohvy8VvAYNj8ywy9Q7t0hi2z0_ly_aid0ZE-25cwdjMA_gxrtg9kMKVYyhVlvGA/w640-h462/Ernie_Cefalu-gigapixel-standard-scale-6_00x.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Here is part 5 of my epic interview with world renowned
Graphic Artist & Designer, Ernie Cefalu. To read part 1 go <a href="http://amprofile.blogspot.com/2023/02/ernie-cefalu-beginning.html" target="_blank">here</a> part 2 <a href="http://amprofile.blogspot.com/2023/02/ernie-cefalu-part-two-right-place-at.html" target="_blank">here</a>
part 3<a href="http://amprofile.blogspot.com/2023/02/ernie-cefalu-part-three-pacific-eye-ear.html" target="_blank"> here</a> part 4 <a href="http://amprofile.blogspot.com/2023/03/ernie-cefalo-part-4.html" target="_blank">here</a></b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkJnq3sUeah5-xIPRVExycwC_FsLt1XnqqiIU01bFSgEJcfmbG2wBdp9pc73CRoAP3uEqQ8qktXHbMbyK4fWi8gPiFUvGZvjOMDM1g3QJ78VydaIgsOGvJkuE1yQpC2BAxcCAiSyWIwOX5_Vh4hKjtRy9yrdnUWsj-IQEUcBYhTqCp5JTqn-XS3A/s4121/329157524_573310351389156_685986538998308184_n-gigapixel-art-scale-6_00x.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4121" data-original-width="3600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkJnq3sUeah5-xIPRVExycwC_FsLt1XnqqiIU01bFSgEJcfmbG2wBdp9pc73CRoAP3uEqQ8qktXHbMbyK4fWi8gPiFUvGZvjOMDM1g3QJ78VydaIgsOGvJkuE1yQpC2BAxcCAiSyWIwOX5_Vh4hKjtRy9yrdnUWsj-IQEUcBYhTqCp5JTqn-XS3A/w560-h640/329157524_573310351389156_685986538998308184_n-gigapixel-art-scale-6_00x.jpg" width="560" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Graphic Art of Ernie Cefalu by Alan Mercer</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Alan Mercer: Ernie, you mentioned doing cocaine at different
times. Would you elaborate on that?</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Ernie Cefalu: I
played around with it for a while. My friend, whose father owned K-Tel Records
gave some to me when Bonnie and I were moving out of New York for Los
Angeles. I had never done it before. He
gave us a gram and it lasted us about 5 months. Then being in Rock n Roll with
everybody was doing it and telling you it’s the best thing. You would go to the
record companies and the A&R guy would lay out a tray and the PR guy would
lay out a tray and the head of marketing would lay out a tray and everybody
would be partying. It became a real addiction. I had to stop. Anytime you love
something more than you love yourself, you have a problem. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: It was such a big
part of the culture at that time.</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">EC: When I watch the
show, ‘Breaking The Band’ it’s always the same thing, lots of booze, cigarettes
and drugs and more drugs.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: So how did you
stop doing it?</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">E: It was amazing
that Bonnie and I just stopped. We were doing an 8 ball a night. Everybody was
doing it and you wake up one morning and realize the coke is more important
than you. Your first thought in the morning is where am I going to get more,
even if you have 2 ounces with you. Kenny Rankin always said they should have
named the drug MORE, because that’s what you want. It never lets up.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNd4xllK8mboUvLMdQPggCX3-VENqOcvLysbBYNjBNquqdFPP9wn1SuQ1_7gLRaVVegksDtCRxKRS51uwMYqcVK8F4gb0keJ0dFMg2OFKjJtQByRIyGEjM3cIusyrE9oFDDa5RCgQKR4Jsm-MP8ngGk_EV9V8OGwDo8-78xgq3ddRwyMyPi-E6Aw/s640/10985361_10152876780460835_8587796113713108944_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNd4xllK8mboUvLMdQPggCX3-VENqOcvLysbBYNjBNquqdFPP9wn1SuQ1_7gLRaVVegksDtCRxKRS51uwMYqcVK8F4gb0keJ0dFMg2OFKjJtQByRIyGEjM3cIusyrE9oFDDa5RCgQKR4Jsm-MP8ngGk_EV9V8OGwDo8-78xgq3ddRwyMyPi-E6Aw/w640-h640/10985361_10152876780460835_8587796113713108944_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: So, how often were
doing lines of coke?</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">EC: There was a time
in my life where I couldn’t go more than 15 minutes without doing a line and
smoking a cigarette. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: Do you remember
the last time you did it?</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">E: The last line of
coke I did and the last cigarette I smoked was in 1984. I haven’t touched them
since then. I will never touch it again. You start off in control and all of a sudden,
it’s in control. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: If you hadn’t
have stopped back then, you wouldn’t be talking with me now.</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">EC: Absolutely I
wouldn’t. I don’t mind talking about it now because if someone is out there
considering doing it or somebody might be at the same point I was. I woke up
that morning and said this is enough. It as like paying somebody to beat me up
every day. It was pathetic. I lost my sense of humor and my creativity. The
only things I didn’t lose were my life and my wife. I know today that is the most
important part of my life. Bonnie and I have friends that have gone in and out
of rehab many times and we never had to do that because we had each other. We
helped each other. Sometimes people will turn against each other. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: You had some good
fortune there.</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">EC: Oh yes, I am totally blessed. For me and I believe for
most people, we want to be able to say I made a mark. I left the world better
than I found it. What I did will go on forever. It’s more than just a
gravestone. Look how many people cannot say that. If I drop dead tomorrow, I feel
like I’ve done everything I was intended to do. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: I do say the same
thing.</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">EC: I was raised a
catholic. In my early years I got away from it. I was in art school where
everyone was philosophizing. We were all God. I never really moved away from it,
but I didn’t practice it. Then 23 years ago I got bladder cancer and thought I
was going to die. I had spent my life up to that point wondering how I was going
to die and now I was given a death sentence in my mind. Luckily, I caught it
early and it was a low grade non-evasive cancer. I’ve been clean for the past
23 years, but my partner, Tony died from it. He had the same exact disease I
had, only he didn’t pay attention to it. He ignored it. It sounds funny but I
found God again. He was always there but I never realized how lucky I was with
all he had given me.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvGJPigSsRggqXhIJ8349CPdBvkSXCamPRs5rI4v8SPuo9782_7bEGWMslhdWtLM2BnnQjfGVCJZV9DCAsZ2IF-4aApuPqnZK84nCfjE1_wcoHTh2EMHBtpRaQpZ-XvK3irkwebYAFHnrI1gEQpGAwZTa42ZGl3xo6IvTF2uU5z4bc3ZokKzwrJw/s720/296102540_5296171673801530_2900842202023299046_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="676" data-original-width="720" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvGJPigSsRggqXhIJ8349CPdBvkSXCamPRs5rI4v8SPuo9782_7bEGWMslhdWtLM2BnnQjfGVCJZV9DCAsZ2IF-4aApuPqnZK84nCfjE1_wcoHTh2EMHBtpRaQpZ-XvK3irkwebYAFHnrI1gEQpGAwZTa42ZGl3xo6IvTF2uU5z4bc3ZokKzwrJw/w400-h375/296102540_5296171673801530_2900842202023299046_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b><br /></b><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: When you stopped doing
the drugs in 1984, how long did it take before you felt normal again?</b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">EC: I just got
chills. No one has ever asked me that. It took a long time to get the creativity
back. I never lost it completely; I just went inside with it. I was spending time
doing stuff that didn’t matter. I was creating devices to deliver cocaine in,
on the downlow. I actually designed a cassette for that, and it was financed by
a big music manager. He put up the cash and I designed the product. It dispensed
cocaine and looked like a cassette tape. You could keep it with other cassettes
and never know the difference. The idea was to put it in cars. It was better
than having other drug paraphernalia in your car. So, my creativity went off in
another direction. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: What was going in
with Pacific Eye & Ear at that time?</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">EC: It was floundering
for close to 2 years until the end. It lasted 14 and a half years. My partner
and I were like brothers until the last couple of years. He was tired of having
a small company. We were never cash rich. We were millionaires with our
finished products, but cash in the bank, no. We were now in competition with
every record label. We were constantly frowned on.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: You seem to enjoy
being on social media now.</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">EC: Every time
somebody writes a comment to me on one of my posts, I’ll answer it. Sometimes I’m
up until 2 or 3 in the morning answering comments.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7qsf8hKEgTRH_rsjSWHRBn-4e9DUZn6aigLE24Heekp_d9DbOEyaz7vvW5Ccb0MKrM1ETHM4aDfk9kayu8VTAbHveYEbrX7ANXCxGQgxfi-0h3Mdt77zcY6-nY8zjhc_wRX9kHHh7Oh7PYn1hjsvDntVYCEWETLGMXyNlt89RvGYs2E7OjimvEg/s578/Screen%20Shot%202020-10-18%20at%203.52.18%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="503" data-original-width="578" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7qsf8hKEgTRH_rsjSWHRBn-4e9DUZn6aigLE24Heekp_d9DbOEyaz7vvW5Ccb0MKrM1ETHM4aDfk9kayu8VTAbHveYEbrX7ANXCxGQgxfi-0h3Mdt77zcY6-nY8zjhc_wRX9kHHh7Oh7PYn1hjsvDntVYCEWETLGMXyNlt89RvGYs2E7OjimvEg/w400-h348/Screen%20Shot%202020-10-18%20at%203.52.18%20PM.png" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: You are good
about that.</b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">EC: If they are going
to take the time to write, why would I be so above it, to not respond to it? It’s
the same as somebody asking you a question and you act like they are not there.
99% of it is good but every now and then, there’s a crazy out there. You have to
be strong to deal with that 1%.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: I would think you
have a strong core at your center.</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">EC: I used to work
out all the time, but that wasn’t what made me strong. What made me strong was
the many times I’d been knocked down and got up. I never realized how strong I
was until it was all on me at Pacific Eye & Ear. I had 5 illustrators and
me in an art department. I was able to depend on them and I could ride herd
over it, but when I lost them, I lost them all. Everyone of them went into the
movie business because it paid so much better.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: Everything does
change and move on.</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">EC: The roots of
Pacific Eye & Ear grew into things that are still out there today. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: That must be so
rewarding.</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">EC: It really is. I
never really looked back. I just put the stuff away. I never looked back until
the internet. I soon realized I needed to get on the internet. I was late to
the dance. I’ve only been on the internet about 9 years. I see a lot of people posting
stuff that we did years ago. 90% of the merchandising is stuff we did and they
never give us credit.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisZ1Chsg1TgF6mn_91swKiwfNQv4KP2rbGodBIkBUJqFHAgpouskEGxh1hgMRxzAL7j3zvzcgRGOlPFwEuCMTEPa_Jg4Bfw8eGuallimyTFBqitvtSn3A4KbAstKJjBH3C_IO1O8WP9GomDMhFGhtdIMa9vv2xFOkSA3riW4a9hjfDUaWJJE2UlA/s1024/892295-goldmine-cover-2023-february-1-issue.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="847" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisZ1Chsg1TgF6mn_91swKiwfNQv4KP2rbGodBIkBUJqFHAgpouskEGxh1hgMRxzAL7j3zvzcgRGOlPFwEuCMTEPa_Jg4Bfw8eGuallimyTFBqitvtSn3A4KbAstKJjBH3C_IO1O8WP9GomDMhFGhtdIMa9vv2xFOkSA3riW4a9hjfDUaWJJE2UlA/w530-h640/892295-goldmine-cover-2023-february-1-issue.jpg" width="530" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: One place that gave
you credit was Goldmine magazine. Can you tell me how that feels for you?</b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">EC: Ivor Levene is a
contributing editor of Goldmine, and he is also a big Rolling Stones fan. Every
time the Stones go on tour, he and his wife will take 2 weeks and go to Europe
and go to all the concerts. He’s in the inner circle. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: How did you meet
him?</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">EC: I met him at a
museum show we had in Glendale at the Forrest Lawn Museum. I was introduced to
Ivor by the curator. He was writing an article for LA Beat magazine. He did the
write up and came over to the house and
we became very good friends. He started helping me write the book. He's on the
same wavelength as me. Cut to 5 years later and he’s collected all this information.
He’s done interviews with the rock bands and the managers and the producers of
the people we did album covers for. We had talked about Goldmine. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: Were you a
regular reader of Goldmine magazine?</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">EC: I was not a subscriber,
but I knew that it was the bible for music fans and collectors. Without me knowing
it, Ivor put some of his information together and pitched the story to the
editor, Patrick Prince, and he went for it. Ivor called me up and told me about
this, but it didn’t sink in at first. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: I can understand
that. Did you see any of it before it was published?</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">EC: Ivor wouldn’t
show me anything he pitched. He wanted me to see the finished product. He wrote
a 30-page article, of which they narrowed down to 20 pages to put in the magazine.
They have the remaining 10 pages online. They are pretty smart at marketing the
magazine. They have 4 different covers. The inside is the same. They had never
done a graphic cover or a multiple artist images cover. I think they have 15 different
images of artists I worked with. They have never done anything like this
before. It’s a real ground breaker for me. I didn’t just get an article with my
name on the cover. I got 2 of the four covers with a 20 page story. Even the Rolling
Stones never got a 20-page story. <o:p></o:p></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAxW1z-QYDdx7J5D9PQFvREmrO41pA8SspuGARlSbLfosayydzmpxR1f49gdLWIBehF3VVs8hq7NbllVc4yuYmaA1b_GicbQZcjgEhyZBEKKMjJ4rmWnF7UkTlvJlOYGGbJHhTcDQDbwVdihjI89SOwaGQUp7-3wch6zsNZJ2YSUfi9GRkXWN2ug/s2160/Yellow%20Simple%20Modern%20Positive%20Quote%20Instagram%20Post.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="2160" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAxW1z-QYDdx7J5D9PQFvREmrO41pA8SspuGARlSbLfosayydzmpxR1f49gdLWIBehF3VVs8hq7NbllVc4yuYmaA1b_GicbQZcjgEhyZBEKKMjJ4rmWnF7UkTlvJlOYGGbJHhTcDQDbwVdihjI89SOwaGQUp7-3wch6zsNZJ2YSUfi9GRkXWN2ug/w640-h640/Yellow%20Simple%20Modern%20Positive%20Quote%20Instagram%20Post.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here is an assortment of various work from Pacific Eye & Ear and Ernie Cefalu</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_RQjuKPhW3_lTiWBNfZA3Yc4QJaA2pM60l_KUB1gYCLH6t5s3Vm50l5s9_cEYRdPVKXEQZKL_ISOAu3DhMSZv50yoQwqNScqvGMN16FKwlEKdBqMG51MAPDcMUfVVdVTd4wcdG_S1A2LmgxFKEoYFaCOlL2OoYxVXwTQanVc_VU_eNeLDH1swfg/s711/10371981_864829496879332_1674158551239579864_n%20copy%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="594" data-original-width="711" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_RQjuKPhW3_lTiWBNfZA3Yc4QJaA2pM60l_KUB1gYCLH6t5s3Vm50l5s9_cEYRdPVKXEQZKL_ISOAu3DhMSZv50yoQwqNScqvGMN16FKwlEKdBqMG51MAPDcMUfVVdVTd4wcdG_S1A2LmgxFKEoYFaCOlL2OoYxVXwTQanVc_VU_eNeLDH1swfg/w400-h334/10371981_864829496879332_1674158551239579864_n%20copy%202.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="530" data-original-width="529" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVmo3JKCjXveirh_G4_oZ50AQUK1wY1lwGhqRds8gGDAcCS2RJ1JQYseGr8TWgQIEYuEEKf6AynPLpZPzWAnTkPtPaab8YDEcDLgmskIFDiSE3Okt6-U8nYnP4c8TO88ye0tDcxnqCJ6W7x49q0wadoxNQweCdcZaBxQFEPiD0Vy4zxq_5ny9MKA/w399-h400/Screen%20Shot%202015-08-08%20at%2010.12.49%20PM.png" width="399" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span face=""Helvetica Neue Light", HelveticaNeue-Light, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; font-size: 14px;">You can order your own Ernie Cefalu art work here </span><a href="https://pacificeyeandear.com/" style="background-color: #fafafa; color: #009eb8; display: inline; font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light", HelveticaNeue-Light, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; outline: none; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s;">https://pacificeyeandear.com/</a></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /><b><br /></b></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Alan Mercer's Profilehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17357664994049053766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620931384116236944.post-27369317862516943752023-03-07T13:42:00.008-08:002023-03-12T13:24:44.856-07:00Ernie Cefalo Part Four: Mixing Music and Corporate Work<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRiKrlAuyvXHcENixFA7rxDo6OhDWecYtNl9UMtYtKJYkUWEr2oZmlUMcbfn8zSDPcIDfMcZRMtXA3C-7riOQ3Jp9psQ12riTShaxwITNKbF_ACItxqiT8Q0iNTXiQK0pVP71qA1j-8m1Wl-g1U_56MvyX6j7aqbDgXbvUwUu7V8Og4KWy7NOdBw/s639/16299490_1565023446859930_6021617476008963109_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="436" data-original-width="639" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRiKrlAuyvXHcENixFA7rxDo6OhDWecYtNl9UMtYtKJYkUWEr2oZmlUMcbfn8zSDPcIDfMcZRMtXA3C-7riOQ3Jp9psQ12riTShaxwITNKbF_ACItxqiT8Q0iNTXiQK0pVP71qA1j-8m1Wl-g1U_56MvyX6j7aqbDgXbvUwUu7V8Og4KWy7NOdBw/w640-h436/16299490_1565023446859930_6021617476008963109_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p><b>Here is part 4 of my epic interview with world renowned
Graphic Artist & Designer, Ernie Cefalu. To read part 1 go <a href="http://amprofile.blogspot.com/2023/02/ernie-cefalu-beginning.html" target="_blank">here </a>part 2 <a href="http://amprofile.blogspot.com/2023/02/ernie-cefalu-part-two-right-place-at.html" target="_blank">here</a>
part 3 <a href="http://amprofile.blogspot.com/2023/02/ernie-cefalu-part-three-pacific-eye-ear.html" target="_blank">here</a></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLhS6nY1Tkc5NdkpITvXd_JKXe7ClRgufJky5foKeT0DoKlP8ROC01yAEjhWpOM6ul1jH4BJnGCTh-_Huo4d_LbwGMtPBSveTOkKML1RolnRdCdCLa1wYXdldmxWCMIuLuHCAtAGBQin2MF7tx3lnToHaWpuCN-U4BA3EjihRcyRxUZ2NSNZgAZw/s970/Screen%20Shot%202023-03-03%20at%2011.51.30%20AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="820" data-original-width="970" height="542" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLhS6nY1Tkc5NdkpITvXd_JKXe7ClRgufJky5foKeT0DoKlP8ROC01yAEjhWpOM6ul1jH4BJnGCTh-_Huo4d_LbwGMtPBSveTOkKML1RolnRdCdCLa1wYXdldmxWCMIuLuHCAtAGBQin2MF7tx3lnToHaWpuCN-U4BA3EjihRcyRxUZ2NSNZgAZw/w640-h542/Screen%20Shot%202023-03-03%20at%2011.51.30%20AM.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Alan Mercer:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ernie, you
really know a lot about how the record labels influenced their artists to use the
in-house graphic department for their album covers. </b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Ernie Cefalu:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
record companies in the late 70’s had given a lot of the album cover control to
the groups to get them to sign. The labels let them decide who would produce
their albums. They would not have to use staff producers. They wouldn’t have to
record in the labels recording studios. The bands were given the freedom to go
out beyond that. The same thing happened with album packaging. The labels would
tell the artists they didn’t have to use their art department. They would be
allowed to go to another company, but the act could get the album cover for
free with the label, which was total bullshit. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Free!?! Even I
know that wouldn’t have been true.</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">EC:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lee Dorman, the
bass player for Iron Butterfly and Captain Beyond exposed all that. They led
him down the path and he saw what was really going on. The bands were really
paying for this spread out over four or five different areas like instrument
rentals, recording studios, public relations and touring. <o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPbuRbFQ-RGAnipWuCYmMo9Tajdas3ORjlmGPHyWxvHxBVD0cD1zPDKirZAqCEzdTgxRYgZyojD63Ia7itCHa7o_LajS7Ex4maq7KutJwjzl67su0E5UrRbEZn1IynW5_DEbVoISTd8VmaX_Iw6T022GysxTkxTL2JyIVT6XBc-0fI5tg0Y5dysw/s500/512cNn+vEzL.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="500" height="399" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPbuRbFQ-RGAnipWuCYmMo9Tajdas3ORjlmGPHyWxvHxBVD0cD1zPDKirZAqCEzdTgxRYgZyojD63Ia7itCHa7o_LajS7Ex4maq7KutJwjzl67su0E5UrRbEZn1IynW5_DEbVoISTd8VmaX_Iw6T022GysxTkxTL2JyIVT6XBc-0fI5tg0Y5dysw/w400-h399/512cNn+vEzL.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course.</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">EC:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pacific Eye &
Ear only had one place to put the money. Here is what we do and this is what it
costs. The labels would tell the artists they could get the artwork for free
but in reality they ended up paying two and three times more. Lee exposed it
all in the early 70’s. What I mean by exposing is he told other musicians. A
lot of those musicians were tight with each other. It was a different market
back then. It seems like it was smaller and less diverse. Iron Butterfly was a
major band and Lee let it be known. The record companies were trying to control
as much as they could, because they gave it all away. By 1984 the record
companies took all the control back and what we were doing was done. <o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhETXG-LmsBKipcDAd9rVjf8uOMd38OPG5BJky06fDIuPMlteRuvUl83Hwb5Rfy5X8LY5J1S9F5EXjC80QuUPYFe1tbp-1H8aqrgmaqvnrMDZ0ilgfUjhPbsaIZxQ73ggfZiv-4Ma9_n2ilpjSVD4UrE8Ror9lGTsa0TIG1U81A6-82vzi5OiLg-A/s3269/CBD%20-%204.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3269" data-original-width="2544" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhETXG-LmsBKipcDAd9rVjf8uOMd38OPG5BJky06fDIuPMlteRuvUl83Hwb5Rfy5X8LY5J1S9F5EXjC80QuUPYFe1tbp-1H8aqrgmaqvnrMDZ0ilgfUjhPbsaIZxQ73ggfZiv-4Ma9_n2ilpjSVD4UrE8Ror9lGTsa0TIG1U81A6-82vzi5OiLg-A/w311-h400/CBD%20-%204.jpg" width="311" /></a></div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, by 1984 you were
doing corporate work?</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">EC:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, we were doing
corporate work right from the start. I was freelancing when I was working at
Craig Braun. I have 8 or 9 times more corporate work than all my album covers. We
would do 4 to 6 album covers a month, but we would also do 3 or 4 corporate
pieces. I had Sizzler, Rockwell and Honeywell, some major corporations that we
were doing work for. When the album cover work diminished, our corporate work
took over as a major part of what we did. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did you stop
doing album covers when CD’s started showing up as the major format?</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">EC:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No, we still did
album covers, just not as many. I’ve done album covers every year since I
started. Right now, I’m working on an album cover for Burton Cummings and I’m
also working on his second poetry book. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you know about
how many album covers you do a year now?</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">EC:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do about one
album cover a year now and the rest is all corporate and that work is mostly marijuana
and CDB.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBTOiMn5q4Fh1JRsDgICQytG4BYjJ5IlZGoO_fXXhEwc3eLDrCXtB9-gcIq2ICTz8W6lSgmD9uzSIKRyAyaQVLfekw4WqnYzOzx_VnkJdD9JhscJXCXeQf7No5j6LqHl15VKAolm4q1v6Cca7vkbK8ogVfUjT4URCQfrIeo0Cl4g8rEzdm_-WvwQ/s2823/CBD%20-%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2282" data-original-width="2823" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBTOiMn5q4Fh1JRsDgICQytG4BYjJ5IlZGoO_fXXhEwc3eLDrCXtB9-gcIq2ICTz8W6lSgmD9uzSIKRyAyaQVLfekw4WqnYzOzx_VnkJdD9JhscJXCXeQf7No5j6LqHl15VKAolm4q1v6Cca7vkbK8ogVfUjT4URCQfrIeo0Cl4g8rEzdm_-WvwQ/w400-h324/CBD%20-%202.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: Oh wow!</b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">EC:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I started doing
more work in that industry about 11 years ago. I picked up a CBD client 4 years
ago. He had gone to a company called 99 Design where he had gotten a logo done
and it was terrible. His product was good, but his branding sucked. It’s called
Cali Born Dreams and I have pictures of the new products I designed on my Facebook
page. It’s doing really well. 7/11 is talking about picking it up. All the
convenience stores are starting to put CBD products on their shelves. There is
a new strain of CBD called Delta 9, which has major marijuana in it. <o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcdXNQthxFRvte4MghEIt-68DF2Za0n_LgAP3gHfGYA7z6WFn5lZVLqqUE0JMZTIOLNVSR6k5wuYjILkjt5Q5KZ1pvcyunm3RuUQk1Vxdo61inEiUZa8Kh3qHd5REVh1owlxQ-vFFMaCn-PrE67VtU58eLgKgLxg6oMFh1CD7YbsfM100wsvMHiw/s805/Screen%20Shot%202020-08-26%20at%2011.45.40%20AM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="741" data-original-width="805" height="369" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcdXNQthxFRvte4MghEIt-68DF2Za0n_LgAP3gHfGYA7z6WFn5lZVLqqUE0JMZTIOLNVSR6k5wuYjILkjt5Q5KZ1pvcyunm3RuUQk1Vxdo61inEiUZa8Kh3qHd5REVh1owlxQ-vFFMaCn-PrE67VtU58eLgKgLxg6oMFh1CD7YbsfM100wsvMHiw/w400-h369/Screen%20Shot%202020-08-26%20at%2011.45.40%20AM.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: I can’t believe those convenience stores are selling it.</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">EC:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The thing that
sold Circle K and 7/11 is the beautiful packaging we did. I’m having a lot of
fun doing that. I was also doing a bunch of stuff for Ocean Spray, so I still
keep my fingers in the corporate world. I do as much work as I want. I’ve
gotten older and I want to have a life too. I’m going to be 78 in April, and I’ve
spent three quarters of my life working every day. It’s almost like having a
mistress. Thankfully my wife, Bonnie is very understanding. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Album covers aren’t
what they used to be are they?</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">EC:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No, now it has to
be a box set to do anything. I did an old school box set for Alice Cooper and I
did one for the Little River Band and it was fun. The Alice Cooper one took 3
months to complete. If a group puts out a vinyl now, it’s a small quantity so
everything has changed. <o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHfQ35M7bQiXOsdUnZzcqMc1ZiE0MukE8B01HiJJ4M4JIZKigzvlpM9qzVRqFfH0RC_iXD0Nr0gVk_jS6ycD-2VhD28djmP2D0FH81YDHnTSEc9TCg00STyG9Ti96S3gZqfVpetlCfUUJcs7pTCqVx0Sj9A7hD9lSZNv8NW5Bp9kJofqppTIMhSQ/s488/bg.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="488" data-original-width="488" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHfQ35M7bQiXOsdUnZzcqMc1ZiE0MukE8B01HiJJ4M4JIZKigzvlpM9qzVRqFfH0RC_iXD0Nr0gVk_jS6ycD-2VhD28djmP2D0FH81YDHnTSEc9TCg00STyG9Ti96S3gZqfVpetlCfUUJcs7pTCqVx0Sj9A7hD9lSZNv8NW5Bp9kJofqppTIMhSQ/w400-h400/bg.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can you tell me how
the Bee Gees project happened?</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">EC:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sure, I hadn’t
heard from Robert Stigwood in a few years, since I did the Jesus Christ Superstar
project, and he reached out, out of the blue and told me he was working with a
group and they needed a logo and I was the guy who could do it for them. I did
the ‘Main Course’ album when he was managing them. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Bee Gees logo
never went away, did it?</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">EC:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No, it didn’t,
and neither did Alice Cooper or the Rolling Stones. A lot of designers will
follow trends, but I tired to do stuff that would be more memorable. I would
love to do more music work, but actually corporate America is more lucrative. It
is a little harder working with Nestle and Kraft where they have teams of
marketing people and focus groups. With Rock n Roll you only dealt with a
manager and the crazier you were, the more they liked it. There is a price to
pay when doing corporate work, but the financial part is much better. In the 80’s
when I said we were through, there were people coming out of art school willing
to do an album cover for $250.00. Even the record companies were using them, so
they got rid of their art departments.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You did several covers
for the same groups too.</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">EC:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, we did 13
covers for Alice Cooper and 8 covers for Black Oak Arkansas, but mainly we
would do one cover for any group. The Rolling Stones never used the same person
twice. I think that’s how they stayed fresh and current.<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqnN3gvmsdz9cILcGJyZmoB-24vhO8N9REvM7jtfkMttrwamh-YDTl_52euPjRg263_G4MsAfxz7TdwFZ-RRV-FgVstlZkKt8HFTXadw933zyTfWpXrZPfWbkhycH8Wi1IGnprhkO1tBx4M1g-NKBQIxLX-CQU-k3jrwDQWhjb4EYaNYKqjzqOZg/s360/george%20c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="360" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqnN3gvmsdz9cILcGJyZmoB-24vhO8N9REvM7jtfkMttrwamh-YDTl_52euPjRg263_G4MsAfxz7TdwFZ-RRV-FgVstlZkKt8HFTXadw933zyTfWpXrZPfWbkhycH8Wi1IGnprhkO1tBx4M1g-NKBQIxLX-CQU-k3jrwDQWhjb4EYaNYKqjzqOZg/w400-h400/george%20c.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Didn’t you create
the George Carlin ‘On The Road’ album cover?</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">EC: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, George was
great. I really liked working with him and Kenny Rankin. They were both on the Little
David record label. That was owned by Monty Kay who was married to Diahann
Carroll and a partner with Flip Wilson. Monty produced the Flip Wilson show. We
became the agency for them. We did Kenny Rankin and George Carlins album
covers. I actually worked with Flip Wilson on a book that never got published because
Little David ended up pretty bad. George and Kenny left the label. They ended
up going out of business. It was fun working with George. He was crazy. He
would call us up at three in the morning and bring over some coke and we would
do it and George would do his routines. It was crazy. Sometimes Kenny Rankin
would come with him and play guitar.<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwyHEJuytflwDt2ww-VGWKvz0O_nzqQrWnNJ5t4yDLp4zIGi-3GnF0X1UjnHxwW-4V80ec3krbLOzdAkGlp2SHxRWLhyK_H6z2GC0pr510v_leFa4Jg-nEb69eKbGlaZrNxm258u5UVlOSEwBD_FiYUWN0FEs5TEth1sy3n3mFU8pDBj-fQBDBhw/s594/301354154_5691741784181185_3468763997735793003_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="594" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwyHEJuytflwDt2ww-VGWKvz0O_nzqQrWnNJ5t4yDLp4zIGi-3GnF0X1UjnHxwW-4V80ec3krbLOzdAkGlp2SHxRWLhyK_H6z2GC0pr510v_leFa4Jg-nEb69eKbGlaZrNxm258u5UVlOSEwBD_FiYUWN0FEs5TEth1sy3n3mFU8pDBj-fQBDBhw/w400-h364/301354154_5691741784181185_3468763997735793003_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Kenny Rankin & Ernie Cefalu</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How amazing to
get to hear Kenny Rankin up close and personal.</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">EC:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kenny and I were
like brothers. I loved Kenny. He was awesome and died way too soon. I met Don
Costa, who produced all of Frank Sinatra’s big hits, through Kenny. He was a
real fan of Kennys, in fact he produced Kenny’s After The Roses album and he
was getting ready to produce a new album for Kenny, but then Kenny was
diagnosed with lung cancer and he passed away within a couple of weeks after diagnosis.
He had written another album. I’m still friends with his son, Christopher, who’s
actually now a producer. Kenny was crazy and when you put him and George
together, it was insane.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have you thought
about putting out a book?</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">EC:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have thought
about it. I’ve got around 100 pages. It’s a dungball this scared beetle keeps
pushing around. We’ve been fooling around for the last 5 years. We’ve got a
format and it’s beautiful. There are already 2 or 3 dozen album cover art books
and we are in a few of them. <o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguA8H_TZnEwMitgMu4u4eGkX0yL52xq6lMnlP5ZXmzwDO0oOOUaRA74aBgccaOPC5OTREyNt-M-aCN7q0RT0nQx99HoYu7VM7DWieqMT2hI8d2ZhpuGsfv-jqBZnQuTc7qzIRv5rvnVTeiPXunSa0D98XvTbV18aaceMxMEs7Kbu6i87XU-oiKhw/s640/ab67616d0000b27335558bad9fe562dec19c1ded.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguA8H_TZnEwMitgMu4u4eGkX0yL52xq6lMnlP5ZXmzwDO0oOOUaRA74aBgccaOPC5OTREyNt-M-aCN7q0RT0nQx99HoYu7VM7DWieqMT2hI8d2ZhpuGsfv-jqBZnQuTc7qzIRv5rvnVTeiPXunSa0D98XvTbV18aaceMxMEs7Kbu6i87XU-oiKhw/w400-h400/ab67616d0000b27335558bad9fe562dec19c1ded.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then why do another
album cover book? </b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">EC:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well because it’s
not just another album cover book. The book that we’re doing shows album covers
and corporate work and how they intermixed at the same time. The same people
who were doing album cover work were also doing work for Nestle, Kraft, Coca-Cola,
Honeywell, Rockwell, Sizzler Steakhouse, we did a lot of crazy stuff. Flying
Tiger Air Freight were around before Fed Ex and then they were bought out by
Fed Ex in 1989. We did all the branding and messaging. We had logos and shirts.
It’s that kind of stuff that will be in the book and show how we did more than
just album covers. Pacific Eye & Ear was a lot more than album covers. If I
have 350 album cover pieces of artwork, I probably have 2 or 3 times that in
corporate work. <o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht0BDZwdAWneTGiZBfkHc4fAtPwCEmx8dmb5qx_I07So0La_UKYXB5tvXyjAKsK8dy-7scunxux8TRa6iwdah88iSlntoBFPTtKCsk2-5tSnNRJOI748FeoyWtshINSHIIOi71TlWAH0jHhYagMtINpsK6txP-Kbvubz8__LvfMGwfs6_XPvo-vQ/s910/28511245_10214135963566117_581968281_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="910" data-original-width="624" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht0BDZwdAWneTGiZBfkHc4fAtPwCEmx8dmb5qx_I07So0La_UKYXB5tvXyjAKsK8dy-7scunxux8TRa6iwdah88iSlntoBFPTtKCsk2-5tSnNRJOI748FeoyWtshINSHIIOi71TlWAH0jHhYagMtINpsK6txP-Kbvubz8__LvfMGwfs6_XPvo-vQ/w274-h400/28511245_10214135963566117_581968281_n.jpg" width="274" /></a></div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: That is so amazing.</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">EC:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finished art,
sketches, comps, it’s this whole career of these artists who came together like
Drew Struzan and Bill Garland and Joe Garnet. All these people came together at
one time to do this stuff. The artists liked doing corporate too because it
kept them on their toes. If you’re only doing one thing, you become pretty
complacent and standardized. I can show you a thousand pieces of art and none
of it looks the same. We were always different. Since we worked with young up
and coming artists, they were willing to try different stuff. Bill Garland came
out of the air force. He was mainly a photographer, but he was an incredible
cartoonist. It was like working with a Disney cartoonist. He was really good
and really fast, and he could also do calligraphy. When you look at the Lou
Reed ‘Berlin’ album, all that calligraphy and hand lettering on the libretto is
all Bill Garland. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You really did
have a wide range of clients.</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">EC:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were the
agency for the Hari Krishna’s for a while because one of the guys that my
partner, Tony knew back in New York came out to California to be a record
producer and ended up joining the Hari Krishnas. We met up with him at LAX.
They were out front banging music and giving people incense. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I remember them
in the airports.</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">EC:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He convinced them
if they wanted to connect to a younger audience, and get people into their
religion, they should do an album. Music was selling a lot in those days. He had
them build an incredible recording studio and we did the album and a bunch of
their advertising. They made and sold incense that were called Spiritual Sky.
They had all these devotes who stayed all day long and made and packaged
incense for them. <o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw0YNDTI5yUv7TRJzuSd22RoRcO9tXlhbC14nTRkeOScEHcp7bRs7_n3rtdkmWZM8fkXfQTbRHlYH5VM6vHjXdy5QreQrg9_cHkDM8eDufO804Y02AJuYj-gYUzzW1E2c3-Sfi8AZ243f0jDY4jtoReUezTrB3tsrmqgs5zDF0tlD6kjumjN_1fg/s1410/spiritual%20sky-gigapixel-standard-scale-6_00x.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1410" data-original-width="1290" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw0YNDTI5yUv7TRJzuSd22RoRcO9tXlhbC14nTRkeOScEHcp7bRs7_n3rtdkmWZM8fkXfQTbRHlYH5VM6vHjXdy5QreQrg9_cHkDM8eDufO804Y02AJuYj-gYUzzW1E2c3-Sfi8AZ243f0jDY4jtoReUezTrB3tsrmqgs5zDF0tlD6kjumjN_1fg/w366-h400/spiritual%20sky-gigapixel-standard-scale-6_00x.jpg" width="366" /></a></div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How in the world
did you market that?</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">EC:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We did a
character called Snaz, who was a nose with ears and legs. He came from a
planet where everybody burned incense while they listened to music. He came to
earth to turn people on to how much better music became when you were burning incense.
It’s crazy stuff. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can tell your creative
team all got along with each other.</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">EC:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Drew did all the cartooning.
Carl Ramsey was our airbrush guy who did amazing airbrush work. Over the course
of about 4 years, we all kind of learned from each other. Album cover work had
such freedom. Everybody wanted to do album covers because it was fun. It wasn’t
corporate America where you sit with marketing people and all these people who
have opinions, and your ideas get beat down into something you never recognize.
But the good thing with corporate is the pay. You will make 3 or 4 times more doing
corporate work. I worked with Nestle for 30 years. We were their smallest
agency. They worked with all the biggest agencies, but we got on their list. We
did all the graphics for the Chicago Marathon. I worked in 5 of their 6
divisions. Their headquarters were in Glendale. It was a great learning
experience for me. It’s been an interesting career and the book will show that.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUJyTHKmZ3Qttbzgx7H6wIfy42ETewpQ3ZxeoW6RUMgwGovykvqXga0Gyhl6U_S6-qJOhYjw7N4a71oDWzLGk-AB6jnx4JKKl8FogxL4zUjT1G0WVVDFTrtDZXXhkpre2IuVRrVlEN7Jb2UKjzS8l0rVYnOsrfAMIEHYGGwQlYMGGj9TVBixLQiw/s640/Drew%20Struzan%20Bill%20Garland%20Ernie.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="640" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUJyTHKmZ3Qttbzgx7H6wIfy42ETewpQ3ZxeoW6RUMgwGovykvqXga0Gyhl6U_S6-qJOhYjw7N4a71oDWzLGk-AB6jnx4JKKl8FogxL4zUjT1G0WVVDFTrtDZXXhkpre2IuVRrVlEN7Jb2UKjzS8l0rVYnOsrfAMIEHYGGwQlYMGGj9TVBixLQiw/w400-h283/Drew%20Struzan%20Bill%20Garland%20Ernie.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Drew Struzan Bill Garland Ernie Cefalu</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="351" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cou2ZVMPJZk" width="509" youtube-src-id="cou2ZVMPJZk"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">You can order your own Ernie Cefalu art work here <a href="https://pacificeyeandear.com/">https://pacificeyeandear.com/</a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Read Part 5 <a href="http://amprofile.blogspot.com/2023/03/ernie-cefalu-part-five-continuing-to.html" target="_blank">here</a></p><br /><p></p>Alan Mercer's Profilehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17357664994049053766noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620931384116236944.post-42073940318619728422023-02-28T14:53:00.005-08:002023-03-07T13:44:45.503-08:00Ernie Cefalu Part Three: Pacific Eye & Ear<p> </p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqlQTxsMn0QITGM-vdarFdzf9DPnexLLMk-pTAKSDLjcLdhIbF_w6ghT6cY9k-G9q-yVONLLMBSQH6EHe8veNzJCUvyvLDzHVRFFGYZjhqcy8vQ8WWNtKiutlBWXK7v1Yi6bkl-LsZ-Ngb6o92DWZfXmmljPYkMd3VJYrHZz500Jgc-UPEnNYPzg/s701/317804927_6273541109341450_471267225165273701_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="701" data-original-width="526" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqlQTxsMn0QITGM-vdarFdzf9DPnexLLMk-pTAKSDLjcLdhIbF_w6ghT6cY9k-G9q-yVONLLMBSQH6EHe8veNzJCUvyvLDzHVRFFGYZjhqcy8vQ8WWNtKiutlBWXK7v1Yi6bkl-LsZ-Ngb6o92DWZfXmmljPYkMd3VJYrHZz500Jgc-UPEnNYPzg/w480-h640/317804927_6273541109341450_471267225165273701_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>This is part 3 of my epic interview series with Graphic
Artist and Designer Ernie Cefalu. He has just opened up his design company,
Pacific Eye & Ear in Los Angeles. To read parts one and two of the
interview click <a href="http://amprofile.blogspot.com/2023/02/ernie-cefalu-beginning.html" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://amprofile.blogspot.com/2023/02/ernie-cefalu-part-two-right-place-at.html" target="_blank">here</a>. </b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIGWLej6cTJfIwlMYXe7hhOvasMv5Q1V_ggbHXQEPhlaA_y8rwbjHRxRL-7IKTbvl8ScuDTFkyWkvbseAbqdLtfTHTEJAujtYBVa_5jFjFRJ-u_ElF_iUNrIO-13iDa8FLg8azw5H6AkGhbHCLoglVshz7VTpTbnAzREfiKSDq6kwAwPG9e-QhZg/s656/Screen%20Shot%202023-01-24%20at%209.07.00%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="585" data-original-width="656" height="570" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIGWLej6cTJfIwlMYXe7hhOvasMv5Q1V_ggbHXQEPhlaA_y8rwbjHRxRL-7IKTbvl8ScuDTFkyWkvbseAbqdLtfTHTEJAujtYBVa_5jFjFRJ-u_ElF_iUNrIO-13iDa8FLg8azw5H6AkGhbHCLoglVshz7VTpTbnAzREfiKSDq6kwAwPG9e-QhZg/w640-h570/Screen%20Shot%202023-01-24%20at%209.07.00%20PM.png" width="640" /></a><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></span></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Alan Mercer: So, you opened Pacific Eye & Ear. What was
it like to start a new company?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ernie Cefalu: We weren’t too busy the first couple of weeks
so we were organizing and getting things together, then all of a sudden the
work started coming in. The first job we had was the ‘School’s Out’ album by
Alice Cooper. I didn’t get any credit for all the work I had done with Craig
Braun, but Shep Gordon called my partner Tony and told him they couldn’t find
the comp that Ernie created for the ‘School’s Out’ package. Some how that comp
got misplaced or lost. Actually, I call it liberated. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s a good way
to describe it.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">EC:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, Shep reached
out and asked if we could help them. With Alice and Shep it was love at first
sight. We were just right for each other. They knew it and we knew it. Shep
wanted us to work with him and nobody at Wilkes Braun would know that it was
me. We did it and it turned out great and he used us another 12 times. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioHFtaZDr5sWSLGLnPwUb7JIiU5SO6LdFKI8cHHX4PfbX2To_qjOEROJlc4nb7J3q7oVkIgmm0kL7EReaTSCCfSuqugf_gPT3rZ0RJpZ9MDNeZhoodQ8fhShkDU4C3aImfxbBu5fbTKgZUgMzJ1M0x_Xj3QLt6vN-13_jS5QT4SOmaxeLUG3k_VA/s679/Screen%20Shot%202023-02-13%20at%205.09.00%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="679" data-original-width="676" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioHFtaZDr5sWSLGLnPwUb7JIiU5SO6LdFKI8cHHX4PfbX2To_qjOEROJlc4nb7J3q7oVkIgmm0kL7EReaTSCCfSuqugf_gPT3rZ0RJpZ9MDNeZhoodQ8fhShkDU4C3aImfxbBu5fbTKgZUgMzJ1M0x_Xj3QLt6vN-13_jS5QT4SOmaxeLUG3k_VA/w638-h640/Screen%20Shot%202023-02-13%20at%205.09.00%20PM.png" width="638" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Alice Cooper Schools Out album cover</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That means they loved
what you were doing. </b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">EC:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had so much to
work with. I never worked on another project where we had so much to work with.
Alice had so much like the make-up and the snake and the way he dressed. There
was even controversy if he was a girl or a boy. There was no internet back then.
That is what the DJ’s talked about. You could never get a multitude of opinions
at the same place and time. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You had lots of
jobs pretty fast though, didn’t you?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">EC:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My partner, Tony
was a really great salesman. He sold the Cheech and Chong package to Lou Adler
and the School’s Out package to Alice Cooper and Shep. He wanted to keep
everything pure and clean. He didn’t want anyone to be able to contest them. Craig
Braun wouldn’t be able to say he had done the designs like he has done now with
the Stones logo. Tony was about this is the work that Pacific Eye & Ear has
done. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did you have to forget
your past work?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">EC:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said we could
talk about the other work we had done but we couldn’t show anything not created
by Pacific Eye & Ear. I said, are you kidding? I did the work. Why can’t I
show it? That was one of our agreements. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess he had
his reasons for that decision.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">EC:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was ten years
older than I was and he was really smart. He graduated at the top of his class
at 16. He was courted by the CIA for about a year to go to work for them. They
flew him all over the country to Quantico to take tests, but he decided he wanted
to be in advertising. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcv0EGH1x7Rzvdl5PhFWQY7a-St8nzZWWGPZqugRSAw1DVumUS_qddOaElRz8vfGXbL9DEsUHjVAqsxb1jZcgE4waQVjve4q6XxN8ZXlxfUvsjjFI8T3eBlOjKLPDD7HCXYR234eYCGUUxDlPtBLnKI8NKGm1AB1wQtnnWEdXrwqmbJgLILbf58A/s852/Screen%20Shot%202022-02-15%20at%202.28.52%20PM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="455" data-original-width="852" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcv0EGH1x7Rzvdl5PhFWQY7a-St8nzZWWGPZqugRSAw1DVumUS_qddOaElRz8vfGXbL9DEsUHjVAqsxb1jZcgE4waQVjve4q6XxN8ZXlxfUvsjjFI8T3eBlOjKLPDD7HCXYR234eYCGUUxDlPtBLnKI8NKGm1AB1wQtnnWEdXrwqmbJgLILbf58A/w640-h342/Screen%20Shot%202022-02-15%20at%202.28.52%20PM.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is so wild.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">EC:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, we had the
business open, the lights are on and the work just kept coming. It got to be
overwhelming for me because I was designing, sketching and laying out and then
Tony would present and come back to me and I would have to do the production.
In those days everything was put together in a mechanical form on a piece of
illustration board. You would lay everything out with the blue lines and red
lines and crop marks and registration marks and the overlays where you glue it
together. It was like creating a template and we populated the template. It got
to be too much. We needed a production artist and there was this kid who lived
down the street and he was a production artist.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What good fortune
you had.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">EC:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s kind of crazy when I look back at how all
the people came to us. It was magical and destined to be. He joined us when we
were working on the Jefferson Airplane ‘Long John Silver’ project. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQTWGuf_kZY9kVqpU129T-l0w73SqaqTotjqm4UEDcTlS2Jp0ZivRsjjSiBOaIwMYpTde0tA5hggmbI5lPzPR3lJtdLGOs2gRp-p3cvlZ9ejqP2fnickgH7Z-vJOcPMgaoNOb6LYWCAgpJd5P81E1OZ4A-QTqswjqxhyfPUE8En8lVVfQF5o-f2Q/s640/1f52c1df-751c-43ab-bf39-325919098841.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQTWGuf_kZY9kVqpU129T-l0w73SqaqTotjqm4UEDcTlS2Jp0ZivRsjjSiBOaIwMYpTde0tA5hggmbI5lPzPR3lJtdLGOs2gRp-p3cvlZ9ejqP2fnickgH7Z-vJOcPMgaoNOb6LYWCAgpJd5P81E1OZ4A-QTqswjqxhyfPUE8En8lVVfQF5o-f2Q/w640-h640/1f52c1df-751c-43ab-bf39-325919098841.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Jefferson Airplane Long John Silver album cover</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I remember that
album cover!</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">EC:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The package was constructed
into a cigar box. There were directions on how to fold it up. The bottom was
beautiful looking marijuana. Back in the day, people used to use a shoebox lid
to clean their pot. This would allow the seeds to fall to the bottom. So many people
have told me they had to buy another copy of the album because they wore out
the cover cleaning their pot. It was constructed like origami. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is brilliant
Ernie.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgAF57_1X8u3bZ41Cdlut-YNfC5DMsFcbHJ5WBrottcSq-lQmkSulwsnbNV_P5i-llwK38Xbw7lOXlZ630GtMMBkyKgie_G1vty0fDlDbOy4HQ981vldFPAMyoBwn2f6JlUJt2OkgASwcrddlc6d9tmiaHyOkOM2XWTrmNYSzUSPFg63jU4qPp_w/s461/doors%20turntable.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="380" data-original-width="461" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgAF57_1X8u3bZ41Cdlut-YNfC5DMsFcbHJ5WBrottcSq-lQmkSulwsnbNV_P5i-llwK38Xbw7lOXlZ630GtMMBkyKgie_G1vty0fDlDbOy4HQ981vldFPAMyoBwn2f6JlUJt2OkgASwcrddlc6d9tmiaHyOkOM2XWTrmNYSzUSPFg63jU4qPp_w/w400-h330/doors%20turntable.png" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Doors Full Circle album package</span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">EC: I always wanted to make the music experience more than
just that. I wanted it to be more than looking at an album cover and reading
the credits. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You certainly
achieved that goal.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">EC:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Doors album called
‘Full Circle’ had a zoetrope that you could pop out of two extra panels that
were in the album. We worked on this with Ray Manzarak and it had 26 slits and
animation on the inside of an embryo becoming a little boy crawling to a
younger boy who’s walking and running to an older man and then an old man
falling over and becoming the embryo again. It was the full cycle of life. The
whole thing sat on top of the record while it’s playing, and you are seeing
this animation. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQlt9aWaS3UlAA1lLkrZEZAAsfBjNeNdyJiMx8naotcklgKsMnT5QKLHpj_nfWhCtUVyX47HLI2r3W1zFeIQvLjdKBXEXOly4Fxer48WZLsv1A3FqnRD2bvkas5AuCKzU2PBw5Eb9kJx9yQvyO_r3_jNeMwWqKnHs1KsMrFZkCt_iTo9na-RcE3g/s960/14310524_1401328039896139_2568942780436243078_o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="524" data-original-width="960" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQlt9aWaS3UlAA1lLkrZEZAAsfBjNeNdyJiMx8naotcklgKsMnT5QKLHpj_nfWhCtUVyX47HLI2r3W1zFeIQvLjdKBXEXOly4Fxer48WZLsv1A3FqnRD2bvkas5AuCKzU2PBw5Eb9kJx9yQvyO_r3_jNeMwWqKnHs1KsMrFZkCt_iTo9na-RcE3g/w640-h350/14310524_1401328039896139_2568942780436243078_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Doors Full Circle album cover</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is truly
original and amazing.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">EC:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were into
making albums more than just albums. It really worked. We looked around after they
came out and we saw other people doing what we were doing. We were working on two-dimensional
album packaging with a three-dimensional brain. With Jefferson Airplane, all
their fans knew they got high, so it was a perfect way of hitting their
audience. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your marketing
ideas were so out there.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">EC:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pacific Eye &
Ear would be considered an out of the box company today. The album covers were
the biggest part of our success in the beginning. I never wanted to be known as
the guy who did album covers, because I kept a foot in corporate America. Even
though it was more constrictive and conservative, there was better money in it.
The most expensive package we ever sold was for $5,000.00 and it was for Alice
Cooper. 189 album covers were done under the Pacific Eye & Ear banner in fourteen
and a half years. Look at the Sabbath Bloody Sabbath album cover with an
illustration by Drew Strezan, the most collected illustrator in the world, and
I believe we got $4,000.00 for that. After our second year, we were really on
the map. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0KEpPn5_ZjNrAGOtxcKAnLLM_8WtzFSbDL00M3qHcqt2WT2lMew0r4vS2Q-x9sXDYGTMTIpE-k5vzMXYbN2AR6klt5zmqSLve7qj8k-wPQuYfqDxv_7aHLXhMDQOSDjK8e74Zt6nFGBfcdjlGO6jzFqQrVcjf4yQ5SGjxo-V7H5bZslB0Z0hYkQ/s1145/Screen%20Shot%202023-02-13%20at%205.01.17%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="888" data-original-width="1145" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0KEpPn5_ZjNrAGOtxcKAnLLM_8WtzFSbDL00M3qHcqt2WT2lMew0r4vS2Q-x9sXDYGTMTIpE-k5vzMXYbN2AR6klt5zmqSLve7qj8k-wPQuYfqDxv_7aHLXhMDQOSDjK8e74Zt6nFGBfcdjlGO6jzFqQrVcjf4yQ5SGjxo-V7H5bZslB0Z0hYkQ/w640-h496/Screen%20Shot%202023-02-13%20at%205.01.17%20PM.png" width="640" /></a> Sabbath Bloody Sabbath album cover illustration</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can you tell me
more about working with Drew Struzan?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">CE:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has now done
over 220 movie posters, but I gave him his first job. He was a painter who couldn’t
find work. I had stopped seeing portfolios because it became too much. There
was so much work. We were working 6 and 7 days a week. I could no longer take
the time to look at portfolios. I already had everybody I needed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess that is a
good thing.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">EC:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wasn’t happy about that because I always
enjoyed looking at other people’s work and maybe weighing in and helping them
if I could and if they were really unique, I would give them work.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ_xeZYH8p-dKP_SpAC0aP7Is0byWVnUsXb48C1bkgSQZucf3COEBOg2F9t8eboTJmC-b8tkLJ2NVgKQKpc8GLgs4EMdMH_NWVNKmMNHg52T3iljQGRT4rydNlDGI2Y1cqCSHGqtIPlx-amETizuuISprh3OHy9j9e82V994sJmRn2aAGeZr7jww/s850/Screen%20Shot%202023-02-13%20at%205.00.33%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="850" data-original-width="767" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ_xeZYH8p-dKP_SpAC0aP7Is0byWVnUsXb48C1bkgSQZucf3COEBOg2F9t8eboTJmC-b8tkLJ2NVgKQKpc8GLgs4EMdMH_NWVNKmMNHg52T3iljQGRT4rydNlDGI2Y1cqCSHGqtIPlx-amETizuuISprh3OHy9j9e82V994sJmRn2aAGeZr7jww/w578-h640/Screen%20Shot%202023-02-13%20at%205.00.33%20PM.png" width="578" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Alice Cooper Welcome To My Nightmare album cover</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="font-size: large;">AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did you work with
freelance artists?</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">EC:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We used some
freelance people but as we grew so did our muscle for art. We were growing at a
pace that was really good, but that relied on me working all day and not
looking at portfolios. Luckily, before I made the decision not to look at portfolios,
I made an appointment to look at Drew Struzan’s work. I really thought I would
just brush him off, but when I opened his portfolio and saw his work, it was
like looking at Leonardo Da Vinci and Michelangelo. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wow! How
impressive.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">EC:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you could look
at their books, that is what it was like looking at Drew’s book. I could not
understand how other people who had seen his book couldn’t see that, but they
didn’t. He had just gotten married, and he had a young baby. He needed work. He
actually told me that if I hired him, he would work for 5 days, and I would
only have to pay him for 4 days. He was the kind of guy who could talk to you
for 5 minutes while sketching and then show you the sketch and it would look
like you were looking in a mirror. His work was breathtaking. We were destined
to be together. I hired him that day. He did more work in an 8-hour day than
most people could do in 3 or 4 days. I have 73 of his original pieces but we
did over 150 more when you count the corporate work. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-8KmUQ_RYlgx-qTiIHk9dGHdUZpbA2ikin4TA08rs9QY171Oddu_TrOQAz6AtaxLt5OZB8TM_LoZ2k6Ln7nIAkk4_c68xe_N__eRC5lmp5VrymUDlSaW99mkF0pJgX3vkVhLonAzNFDD78w5nmvlHas-oaKEWSrTJVAzDWGb044f6alvC9EWuIA/s614/Pacific%20Eye%20&%20Ear%20Crew%20With%20Burton%20Cummings.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="614" data-original-width="456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-8KmUQ_RYlgx-qTiIHk9dGHdUZpbA2ikin4TA08rs9QY171Oddu_TrOQAz6AtaxLt5OZB8TM_LoZ2k6Ln7nIAkk4_c68xe_N__eRC5lmp5VrymUDlSaW99mkF0pJgX3vkVhLonAzNFDD78w5nmvlHas-oaKEWSrTJVAzDWGb044f6alvC9EWuIA/w476-h640/Pacific%20Eye%20&%20Ear%20Crew%20With%20Burton%20Cummings.jpg" width="476" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Pacific Eye & Ear Crew with Burton Cummings</div><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">You can order your own Ernie Cefalu art work here <a href="https://pacificeyeandear.com/">https://pacificeyeandear.com/</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="320" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nTqVXS-aTfY" width="452" youtube-src-id="nTqVXS-aTfY"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Read part 4 of the interview <a href="http://amprofile.blogspot.com/2023/03/ernie-cefalo-part-4.html"> here</a></div><br />Alan Mercer's Profilehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17357664994049053766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620931384116236944.post-16227054290491663842023-02-16T13:32:00.005-08:002023-03-12T13:23:54.186-07:00Ernie Cefalu Part Two: The Right Place At The Right Time<p> </p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Part two of my extensive interview with World Renowned
Graphic Artist and designer, Ernie Cefalu. <o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Here is a link to part one: <a href="http://amprofile.blogspot.com/2023/02/ernie-cefalu-beginning.html">http://amprofile.blogspot.com/2023/02/ernie-cefalu-beginning.html</a></b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZfeSFU2J9Bu55j0pEmkq09tmPDZOcVMj_b3Ii70iHB1Tl8tSVMk8XdrhLsfPlp6pI1ePiQdKfELeuma4y63OSoNyDkyW95aVVbCL0KCloewKVdMPejKF4croXu4DWPQStFJdqaoYe-tXoCNqy1xGktcl7InbhhZNlmJRgyAItzeLJWxkSMFprWQ/s1080/e6fb13947b254c9d49db39af9114f0c01b08e3ba.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="978" data-original-width="1080" height="580" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZfeSFU2J9Bu55j0pEmkq09tmPDZOcVMj_b3Ii70iHB1Tl8tSVMk8XdrhLsfPlp6pI1ePiQdKfELeuma4y63OSoNyDkyW95aVVbCL0KCloewKVdMPejKF4croXu4DWPQStFJdqaoYe-tXoCNqy1xGktcl7InbhhZNlmJRgyAItzeLJWxkSMFprWQ/w640-h580/e6fb13947b254c9d49db39af9114f0c01b08e3ba.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><b>Alan Mercer:
What happened in your career after Jesus Christ Superstar came out and was such
a hit?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;">Ernie
Cefalu: Bill Levy who was the creative
director at Decca sort of took me under his wing. He really liked what I had
done with Superstar, so I did a bunch of albums for him. I did Matthews
Southern Comfort and three or four smaller albums for Decca. I also did Aida
the opera. I did a beautiful package for that. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><b>AM: Bill Levy sure was good to you.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;">EC: The more I worked with him, the more he took
me under his wing. He taught me how to be a creative director. I didn’t know
the difference between being an art director or a creative director or a
designer. I was just doing what I love to do. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><b>AM: You were living the dream.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;">EC: While I was doing all that at Norman Levitt,
the headhunter called me and told me about a company that needed a creative
director and all they do is album covers. This was the second job at Levitt
that he had already gotten for me, and he only kept me there long enough so
that he wouldn’t have to pay the money back. In those days when you were placed
by a placement agency the employer paid for three months to make sure that you
worked out and the headhunter would get a percentage of that. So, he would
leave me there long enough to not have to pay any money back and then woo me
away to some other job. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><b>AM: That is a lot of changing jobs. Did you like
that?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;">EC: I pushed back on a lot of that because I
didn’t want to get a reputation of jumping from job to job. That happens a lot
in the advertising industry. It only hurts you in the long run, so I was
reluctant to do that. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJQ6Dda94ontz5no5oM8M6_BwYBG7pvxpIA9MLsfNx6ANhE2Q2AAmDef0N4rnIGaEFBrgEofmRZXqmW9GUUWPprS-_5o7nDxorDXmUx1xkDt0ysYmlM3Wlo98ue_T8yGJFKcuSrRWDKTYrX4-apgInCLQDUEx_8a8bwQmiYo6ztil1t89mnqxfLw/s3200/EC_ART_Licks_01b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1300" data-original-width="3200" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJQ6Dda94ontz5no5oM8M6_BwYBG7pvxpIA9MLsfNx6ANhE2Q2AAmDef0N4rnIGaEFBrgEofmRZXqmW9GUUWPprS-_5o7nDxorDXmUx1xkDt0ysYmlM3Wlo98ue_T8yGJFKcuSrRWDKTYrX4-apgInCLQDUEx_8a8bwQmiYo6ztil1t89mnqxfLw/w640-h260/EC_ART_Licks_01b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="line-height: 107%;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><b>AM: Now that
makes sense.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;">EC: He told me the company needed me and they
were familiar with my Jesus Christ Superstar album package. He was pretty
persistent, so I finally agreed to go to a meeting at Craig Braun on 53<sup>rd</sup>
Street between Madison and Park. It was a cool little three-story brownstone. I
was sitting there waiting for the interview and I saw all these young people.
Totally different from the people I saw at Norman Levitt. I was 25 at the time
so I wanted to work there. This is perfect for me. When Craig Braun interviewed
me, I showed him my work and he said it was cool but what else have I got? I
told him I had only done one other album, but it wasn’t even for release. It
was for the International Paper Company. So, he’s looking at the hexagon album
cover and when he turned it over and opened it up, it was a board package,
which was really interesting to him because he was buying packaging from
printers and selling them to record companies along with the stickers that go
on the outside of the album saying the album had this hit single. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><b>AM: Why was a board package so interesting to him?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;">EC: The industry was shifting to board so
creative people had more opportunity to do dye cuts and embossing and all kinds
of stuff you can’t do on paper. You have more control when you print on board.
When I say board, it’s like packaging of products you would buy off the shelf.
When he opened the album and looked at the label, he saw a pair of lips. In the
middle of the lips was the hole where the spindle went. Then he told me about
growing up with a friend named Marshall Chess, who’s dad owned Chess Records,
and he had recently become the Rolling Stones manager. Marshall had come to
Craig to do a logo for them. He was also working on the ‘Sticky Fingers’
packaging. At the same time, the creative director had come down with a spinal
infection that paralyzed him. Craig had already committed to doing the logo, so
he needed somebody to do it. Again, being in the right place at the right time
was the key to all of it. As I look back over 53 years it was always about
timing. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPUtxVAV9rmpaZnpxwCpzjma8q9upgNbTnFg476G5K4650lrWtZa7IszFd7x6TQqWodHEnXIz8mbBinTiR5M1yTOyWf_dGo9j-vnDRdVa_ruKFUX51wBly6mEPV9qvmAM-z9S_QtoPuiq22KGUC48IlC_pwI9P1sneRpDTTMIdCAhRFMi1a0RyAQ/s671/Screen%20Shot%202020-01-20%20at%201.28.16%20PM%20copy%204.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="671" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPUtxVAV9rmpaZnpxwCpzjma8q9upgNbTnFg476G5K4650lrWtZa7IszFd7x6TQqWodHEnXIz8mbBinTiR5M1yTOyWf_dGo9j-vnDRdVa_ruKFUX51wBly6mEPV9qvmAM-z9S_QtoPuiq22KGUC48IlC_pwI9P1sneRpDTTMIdCAhRFMi1a0RyAQ/w400-h398/Screen%20Shot%202020-01-20%20at%201.28.16%20PM%20copy%204.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><b>AM: It sure is about timing in life.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;">EC: So, anyway he liked the pair of lips, and he
told me to go into the art department and put a tongue on the lips and he was
sure he could sell it to the Rolling Stones. So put a tongue on the lips and
put some teeth in there. It took me about 15 minutes, and I took it back to him
and he said it was perfect. He told me to wait, and he got in a cab and went to
Andy Warhol’s Factory where Marshall was. A couple hours later, I’m still
partying with the head of sales and the head of production. Craig came back and
told me I had just designed a logo for the Rolling Stones.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><b>AM: How did that feel to you?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;">EC: It was kind of different because I was a real
Beatles fan. I liked Buffalo Springfield because I cut my teeth in Oakland. That’s
where it was all happening. For me the Beatles were amazing. They changed
everything. The Stones were great, but they weren’t the Beatles. I was more
interested in getting the job than doing the Rolling Stones logo.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO5il_RoCO3nTnc-dkCmpzYUIxkGu00fM3DSEqSaOf0aA_7Fy0_VO-lVKX6wEn1n-Z_aEVss-uZ3r2aiEP8uLNUNw1LryqmXj_UTS4uF0X2LtmZmwRZM1_NGz2twJOGRJSUFCIt5Ve1JyKdXvvbGAjri0f0jkcs2gTpnARERuJ-0auG798z2csTg/s1185/Screen%20Shot%202017-03-24%20at%202.25.26%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1185" data-original-width="963" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO5il_RoCO3nTnc-dkCmpzYUIxkGu00fM3DSEqSaOf0aA_7Fy0_VO-lVKX6wEn1n-Z_aEVss-uZ3r2aiEP8uLNUNw1LryqmXj_UTS4uF0X2LtmZmwRZM1_NGz2twJOGRJSUFCIt5Ve1JyKdXvvbGAjri0f0jkcs2gTpnARERuJ-0auG798z2csTg/w325-h400/Screen%20Shot%202017-03-24%20at%202.25.26%20PM.png" width="325" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: But still, you did get to do the logo.</b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;">EC: I
never really looked at it that way. It was a freelance job since I wasn’t
working for him. I needed two weeks to tell Norman Levitt that I was leaving. I
didn’t want to just walk out. Without him I wouldn’t have done Jesus Christ
Superstar and I would have never met Bill Levy, so I owed it to Norman to let
him know I was leaving. I had become an important part of his agency because
Decca Records loved me. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><b>AM: Everything was really changing in your life
at this time.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwcCPONzIvBfZBaTzJxV4HXpBIzUzSGSOKL7dXZUwDt9duZmnWJmymr3vY5x7rOPNvUbnjlchoT-_RQ5bSzbsNBfHP4ms5XxmTjhbcK5QYLn8DekmCqduhhR5wz7vFPBY8Skq-0ZNWmIESJ8Ls66AFMZEmI1PD84p4pmqAhMkV8Yuy_BhXrN2mXw/s526/178936577_908898853176995_1340703987332281696_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="526" data-original-width="526" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwcCPONzIvBfZBaTzJxV4HXpBIzUzSGSOKL7dXZUwDt9duZmnWJmymr3vY5x7rOPNvUbnjlchoT-_RQ5bSzbsNBfHP4ms5XxmTjhbcK5QYLn8DekmCqduhhR5wz7vFPBY8Skq-0ZNWmIESJ8Ls66AFMZEmI1PD84p4pmqAhMkV8Yuy_BhXrN2mXw/w400-h400/178936577_908898853176995_1340703987332281696_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;">EC: Everything was changing. The people working
in the record companies were all young. It was this perfect time where things
were changing. The music was changing, and the packaging was changing. The
whole scene was changing. I was right in the middle of all of it. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><b>AM: With a Rolling Stones logo to your credit
now.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;">EC: I thought my Rolling Stones logo was going to
be on the album, but it turns out that John Pasche’s version was on the back of
the record and the sleeve, and my logo was used for all the merchandise. I
spent months doing T-shirts and roach clips and cloisonne pens called licks. I
designed the whole licks campaign. It was a counter card that sat on the
counter at the record store with the little cloisonne logos. It was a stylized version
of the cover with the underwear, and you pull it up and all the cloisonne pens
sit in there. I spent months doing that, along with some other albums that I
was working on. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJOQqVEh1XYtR-mAqlcMXXD3XTwFaMlVi0-5BHkxJ_Y9RxUwFrSTTMY1v_X4gOPq9Srph6u3hDBWPlVDUZ3f_pZZJjo_JK389mB1kJRPzqRjMQKmuGTCO-C5BjU3yItjHTYMmtTbxMD31-lo4iRoOIt1s5Oc3Cu7vrzfGstHiZj3ZoLG1xxQFt_w/s360/11018321_1064082620287351_4638938151142463107_n%20copy%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="360" height="385" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJOQqVEh1XYtR-mAqlcMXXD3XTwFaMlVi0-5BHkxJ_Y9RxUwFrSTTMY1v_X4gOPq9Srph6u3hDBWPlVDUZ3f_pZZJjo_JK389mB1kJRPzqRjMQKmuGTCO-C5BjU3yItjHTYMmtTbxMD31-lo4iRoOIt1s5Oc3Cu7vrzfGstHiZj3ZoLG1xxQFt_w/w400-h385/11018321_1064082620287351_4638938151142463107_n%20copy%202.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><b>AM: How did you end up in Los Angeles?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;">EC: I didn’t know until months later that the
owner was looking to open up a satellite office in Los Angeles. The whole music
industry was moving to Los Angeles. He had some good connections at A&M
Records. Gil Friesen was running the label and was a friend of his. Lou Adler
had Ode Records on that lot. Craig convinced me and his vice president, Tony,
who I didn’t get along with, to go to California and set up his satellite
office. Tony was going to stay there, and I was going back to New York to be
the creative director in the New York office. When we got out to LA all the
work that had been promised never materialized. There was no business. It was
all disturbing. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><b>AM: What did you do to get some business going?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;">EC: I would read Billboard magazine from cover to
cover, and they had a section called Bubbling Under and it would tell you who
was in the studio and who was going out on the road and what bands were
changing their lineup. I found out that 2 of the artists that I was most
intrigued with, Alice Cooper and Cheech and Chong had new albums coming out.
So, I put together 2 comps, meaning I drew them and colored them, and they
looked like the cover of ‘Big Bamboo’ for Cheech and Chong and ‘Schools Out’
with a school desk for Alice Cooper. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><b>AM: I remember that!</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;">EC: It had foldout legs and stood up like a desk.
I created the comps, but I didn’t tell anyone. Cheech and Chong were on Ode
records. I shared the comp with Tony, and he called up Lou Adler and said he
had the designer who did ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ and the tongue for the
Rolling Stones, and he has an idea for Cheech and Chong that we’d like to share
with you if you can spare a few minutes. He agreed to the meeting and then he
called Shep Gordon at Alive and told him we had a great concept for Alice
Cooper. We knew that ‘Schools Out’ was the name of the album. Shep asked if we
had ever seen Alice perform and we hadn’t. There was no internet back then. You
only saw photos in magazines and listened to what the DJs played. Before the
internet it was disc jockeys. Shep told us Alice was playing the Palladium, so
why didn’t we come and see his show. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDlIkJbex-qDontp_zoCz8Etezmm1egyedqploMxFI_dbaE1qcrc77zhMQS6hqHhnuFFKJEQJFYefK6Bng-AbIYVDe0n90sps0amQn7R76gN7zp7sY_PF9_3gRvYueNtBA0yqYMQD1-i93dXHicsydDWobs_mV25wvjg74irqrKYN0POt4AUqTWw/s679/Screen%20Shot%202023-02-13%20at%205.09.00%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="679" data-original-width="676" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDlIkJbex-qDontp_zoCz8Etezmm1egyedqploMxFI_dbaE1qcrc77zhMQS6hqHhnuFFKJEQJFYefK6Bng-AbIYVDe0n90sps0amQn7R76gN7zp7sY_PF9_3gRvYueNtBA0yqYMQD1-i93dXHicsydDWobs_mV25wvjg74irqrKYN0POt4AUqTWw/w399-h400/Screen%20Shot%202023-02-13%20at%205.09.00%20PM.png" width="399" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><b>AM: How exciting to be invited to the show.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;">EC: Shep was the PT Barnum of our generation. He
promoted the show like if you have a weak heart or any health condition don’t
come to this concert. We will have
doctors and nurses on staff, but we urge you not to come. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><b>AM: That is genius.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;">EC: Well, the place was packed. Alice was
incredible. Almost at the end of the show they did a takeoff on West Side Story
and there was a heckler in the audience. First Alice just ignored him, but he
got louder and offensive, so Alice called the guy up on stage. Alice pulls out
a switchblade and stabs him and he falls down. The lights go out and people are
freaking out. The lights finally come back on, and Alice is in a strait jacket
and walking up to a judge on a podium where the judge sentences him to death.
The lights go out again and people are screaming and freaking out. Finally, the
lights come back on and there is a drumroll and Alice is going up to a
hangman’s noose. The bottom drops out and Alice is dangling in the air. People
are yelling and screaming at this point. The lights go out again and when they
come back on, there is nobody on stage. There was no encore, so after about 10
minutes, people are starting to leave. The first thing we did was go home and
turn on the radio and the DJs are talking about how Alice could be dead. It was
like Orson Wells and War of the World.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><b>AM: What a trip.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;">EC: We were hesitant about even going to the
meeting on Monday, but we showed up at Alive and there’s Alice drinking a beer.
We hit it off. Basically, the same thing happened with Cheech and Chong. We
were at Lou Adler’s office and showed them the comps. They had just finished their
album and they loved the comp. They loved it so much that they went back into
the studio and cut another track where Cheech has a big joint and they start
smoking it and talking about the bamboo paper and the album cover.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYpm5lIZbJn_G1nw3X_1EqgZG6IIv5ExsKnG2sxhv5D9CHV22XvCwELYD9fJgiQqDrXLtMXUuVXRXM-LVbe_2Qj8KZGyXgUNE4gmPYDcE5k8EITqqJNsdpsa1tXnu2lOtKU-LHUofETbEn5mLd3YovRRtL_K7DyRldK65GVlqh-2HM3DLn-lK4jw/s702/Screen%20Shot%202023-02-13%20at%205.08.22%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="702" data-original-width="697" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYpm5lIZbJn_G1nw3X_1EqgZG6IIv5ExsKnG2sxhv5D9CHV22XvCwELYD9fJgiQqDrXLtMXUuVXRXM-LVbe_2Qj8KZGyXgUNE4gmPYDcE5k8EITqqJNsdpsa1tXnu2lOtKU-LHUofETbEn5mLd3YovRRtL_K7DyRldK65GVlqh-2HM3DLn-lK4jw/w398-h400/Screen%20Shot%202023-02-13%20at%205.08.22%20PM.png" width="398" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><b>AM: No one could ever forget that album cover.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;">EC: A side story here. I was in Arizona about 5
years ago for the Alice Cooper charity concert that he puts on every year. I’m
backstage with Shep Gordon and there are many celebrities there along with some
contest winners and all of a sudden here comes Cheech and he talks with Shep
and then he looks at me and says, “Don’t I know you?” and I told him I designed
the Bamboo album cover. Then he told me they had sold an extra 100,00 copies of
that album because of the cover that I created. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><b>AM: Wow!</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;">EC: That was amazing. I wasn’t ready for that. Backing
up now to talk about those comps. We were working for Craig Braun, so we quit. Tony
and I had now become friends because we worked these 2 album covers together
and that was all we did. We felt our feet to the fire with Craig. I wasn’t
happy and Tony wasn’t happy. He wanted to go back to New York. He was a fish
out of water in Los Angeles. I grew up in San Jose, so I was used to the pace
of life in California. I was going to stay and work for a competitor of Craig’s,
a company called AGI who was a printer. Craig wasn’t a printer. I would go home
to San Jose every weekend on a small plane, and I brought back some mescaline
that we decided we would take to say good-bye. During that trip, we realized that
no matter who we went to work for, it was always going to be the same. It would
never change. Someone else would always be calling the shots and deciding our
future. We also realized that we worked good together. Tony graduated from
college at 16. He was a smart business guy, good looking and a great salesman. I
was 25 and he was 35, so we decided we were going to start our own company, but
we needed a name. We were doing business at the same time as we were tripping.
We decided we were going to call our new company Pacific Eye and Ear. Pacific
for the west side and the Pacific Ocean, eye for the visual and ear for the
music. Our tagline was our mothers always wanted us to be doctors. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><b>AM: (Laughing) What a great tagline.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;">EC: We
rented an office on a hill in Hollywood. We opened the door at Pacific Eye
& Ear on January 1, 1972. It was a cottage that was hidden, surrounded by
trees. It was a forest with a little one-bedroom cottage in the middle of it.
Tony had rented it a month earlier because my girlfriend, Bonnie was moving to
LA. We both moved into the cottage with Tony. He slept on the couch, and we had
the bedroom. After breakfast the coffee table was my desk, and the kitchen
table was Tony’s office and Bonnie answered phones. That is how Pacific Eye
& Ear got started.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3BjfWwQn3OGlEl8px1iKXyNrAbJElA8u0ocAGb_W5eqfKpYZfZPNgS8I9Bwbs_ap_bT_x-FVEO43KbqBFKbv8JYXLgjkJrNthVsdYvQtrzR5kRQB6bfhQL1SGlV9RH8EI-D4VnE0FlydMka7tmIqav8HZT7JE4jew4FeoRtUufwpgaodZceqVpA/s656/Screen%20Shot%202023-01-24%20at%209.07.00%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="585" data-original-width="656" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3BjfWwQn3OGlEl8px1iKXyNrAbJElA8u0ocAGb_W5eqfKpYZfZPNgS8I9Bwbs_ap_bT_x-FVEO43KbqBFKbv8JYXLgjkJrNthVsdYvQtrzR5kRQB6bfhQL1SGlV9RH8EI-D4VnE0FlydMka7tmIqav8HZT7JE4jew4FeoRtUufwpgaodZceqVpA/w400-h356/Screen%20Shot%202023-01-24%20at%209.07.00%20PM.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="line-height: 107%;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span face=""Helvetica Neue Light", HelveticaNeue-Light, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; font-size: 14px;">You can order your own Ernie Cefalu art work here </span><a href="https://pacificeyeandear.com/" style="background-color: #fafafa; color: #009eb8; display: inline; font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light", HelveticaNeue-Light, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; outline: none; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s;">https://pacificeyeandear.com/</a></span></p><p>
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="333" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7FiBO6pEh0U" width="457" youtube-src-id="7FiBO6pEh0U"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here is the link to Part 3 of the interview <a href="http://amprofile.blogspot.com/2023/02/ernie-cefalu-part-three-pacific-eye-ear.html">http://amprofile.blogspot.com/2023/02/ernie-cefalu-part-three-pacific-eye-ear.html</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Part 4 if <a href="http://amprofile.blogspot.com/2023/03/ernie-cefalo-part-4.html">here</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Part 5 is <a href="http://amprofile.blogspot.com/2023/03/ernie-cefalu-part-five-continuing-to.html" target="_blank">here</a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><br /><p></p>Alan Mercer's Profilehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17357664994049053766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620931384116236944.post-16088745050562730282023-02-13T14:56:00.001-08:002023-02-13T14:56:18.461-08:00Barry Corbin: Legendary Character Actor Calls Fort Worth Home <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHe_Jofa9Mi_3on-zF5yVOYrFuR4_5IbB-8kjRXchidUdd0Ee2d64j5JsTEp0Z4qvju7q5OY8bdK0Aui93x6FhVzRcZTgkizZ66u7S-yuSMjoOtSqwgvJmJsPP4fRtAtRAnivO_3mAIsqdTZSQ_XXp2tyD-2yNGylP8lUIuSsaDtyGI-KWfaOLxw/s1200/Barry%20Corbin%2013.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="902" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHe_Jofa9Mi_3on-zF5yVOYrFuR4_5IbB-8kjRXchidUdd0Ee2d64j5JsTEp0Z4qvju7q5OY8bdK0Aui93x6FhVzRcZTgkizZ66u7S-yuSMjoOtSqwgvJmJsPP4fRtAtRAnivO_3mAIsqdTZSQ_XXp2tyD-2yNGylP8lUIuSsaDtyGI-KWfaOLxw/w482-h640/Barry%20Corbin%2013.jpg" width="482" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">All contemporary photos taken at the Isis Cowtown Theater in Fort Worth by Alan Mercer</span></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p><b>On the 16th of October 1940, Leonard Barrie Corbin was born
in Lamesa, Texas. The eldest of three children (brother Blaine and sister
Jane), born to Kilmer and Alma Corbin. His first public performance was
delivered from behind a piano at church at the age of six. By age seven, Barry
was organizing neighborhood plays. He told his parents he planned to be an
actor. He drew cartoons and learned to play the guitar.</b></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Like most 10-year-old-boys, Barry sat in the darkened
Majestic Theater in Lamesa for Saturday afternoon matinees. Dreams of
exchanging places with the larger-than-life heroes on the screen filled his
head. He was mesmerized by "B" Westerns, and he idolized the Durango
Kid, but he realized the character actors had more fun.<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfMHkFNpehuljcwEiD5bzU-meBumUlq0ud62RNZcB5SKkY5umLB2OkSx9f1mVPbI77syQdZRKhHgO4XBCSObVFeOO-7RPLcoz7C0EnpZiOCmOe5UyVmT6bItpDq6viWzX-OAlJqaqTNv8dRsi7dDzT-a8lYlHvzmNLef1IZgYIkOJJOnVFbz7nTw/s600/Barry_102300_182.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="421" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfMHkFNpehuljcwEiD5bzU-meBumUlq0ud62RNZcB5SKkY5umLB2OkSx9f1mVPbI77syQdZRKhHgO4XBCSObVFeOO-7RPLcoz7C0EnpZiOCmOe5UyVmT6bItpDq6viWzX-OAlJqaqTNv8dRsi7dDzT-a8lYlHvzmNLef1IZgYIkOJJOnVFbz7nTw/w281-h400/Barry_102300_182.jpg" width="281" /></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Barry attended Monterey High School in Lubbock, where he
appeared regularly in school plays including musicals, where he sang "not
real well, but loud". He became a member of the Future Farmers of America.
He studied theatre at Texas Tech University between the late 50's and early
60's during the reign of professors Clifford Ashby and the late Ronald Schulz
and soon became a leading actor. In his freshman year he played Falstaff,<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>When not enrolled full time at Texas Tech, Barry took roles
in community theatre, chopped cotton, and worked on an oil rig. But, thanks to
the job at the oil rig, Barry had the opportunity to sharpen a talent most
people aren't aware he has. At 21, Barry left the university to join the Marine
Corps on a hangover and a friend's dare. Barry spent about two years at Camp Pendleton in California,
training South Vietnamese officers. Barry still maintains that although he never left
California, much less saw any action, his Marine Corps training has served him
well in both his public and private pursuits. After his discharge, Barry
returned to Texas to pursue his dreams and started acting in regional theatres.</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdyQDzpF5W1ycjF4p1Sm_ErVsaylHQAhadrGDjzFODhnciEJYfzqJfhAPgMgYD9uFECUmpArRjfuA0F2qiaS6rN8r9MDR98WM5Q1oV3iIf6oKrAR84lPVxCmJnRV58vTnz__XNKEjiZyi5wdEkomOgxrsO3OX3UhBbwKOBodCFZyV2qEOw0SuJxQ/s861/bcorbin.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="861" data-original-width="567" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdyQDzpF5W1ycjF4p1Sm_ErVsaylHQAhadrGDjzFODhnciEJYfzqJfhAPgMgYD9uFECUmpArRjfuA0F2qiaS6rN8r9MDR98WM5Q1oV3iIf6oKrAR84lPVxCmJnRV58vTnz__XNKEjiZyi5wdEkomOgxrsO3OX3UhBbwKOBodCFZyV2qEOw0SuJxQ/w264-h400/bcorbin.jpg" width="264" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Barry at 21 years old</div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>In 1966, Barry arrived in New York and was hit smack in the
face with the realization that roles in off-Broadway plays paid $48 a week and
unemployment benefits amounted to $90 a week. In other words, it didn't pay to
work in New York theatre.<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Instead, Barry used New York as a home base and traveled the
country to perform in regional theatre, dinner theatre and with touring theatre
companies, as well as some TV work. For the next decade, he starred in a string
of stage productions. In such roles as Jud in "Oklahoma!", Henry II
in "Beckett", Falstaff in "The Merry Wives of Windsor", and
as Macbeth in "Macbeth". He also appeared in several musicals
including "Kiss Me Kate" and "My Fair Lady." In 1972, the
six-foot, solid, brown-haired and -eyed Shakespearean performer was playing his
trade in Alabama. Barry returned to New York City in 1976, but then, one year
later, Hollywood beckoned and he moved west.<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>In May 1979, Barry auditioned for the role of Uncle Bob in
"Urban Cowboy", the John Travolta film that made mechanical bulls,
Gilley's Honkytonk and Debra Winger famous. Writer Aaron Latham and director
James Bridges wanted to hire Barry, but they had misplaced his photo and
résumé. A week later, someone remembered his name and Barry had his first movie
break. </b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimw123984vZwkvVWIRutYcsk3JDBra54A6gcqzSFV8a_3DiWD4WE46KSy75WEquehZ-ZH3qHETX1oH57oxrwC9i0VZXJ8FlYtAoFETzZBxfXGmsC9vTPrwRKzkHMcp6gEgPF1Y4TDME3exhLR2ulcBHWteWb00A3PpoiI50F0uFDTSbDw0wl6AEA/s2000/barry-corbin-6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="2000" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimw123984vZwkvVWIRutYcsk3JDBra54A6gcqzSFV8a_3DiWD4WE46KSy75WEquehZ-ZH3qHETX1oH57oxrwC9i0VZXJ8FlYtAoFETzZBxfXGmsC9vTPrwRKzkHMcp6gEgPF1Y4TDME3exhLR2ulcBHWteWb00A3PpoiI50F0uFDTSbDw0wl6AEA/w640-h432/barry-corbin-6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>"Urban Cowboy" was released in the summer of 1980,
the year that Barry's prolific film career began. Since then, he's appeared in
more than 200 films and TV shows, but he still treasures the memory of his time
at Gilley's. Besides "Urban Cowboy" in 1980, Barry was also on the
big screen with supporting roles in "Any Which Way You Can", a Clint
Eastwood comedy, and "Stir Crazy" with Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor.</b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>From the silver screen Barry moved into regular work on the
small screen as well. On the hit TV series "Dallas", he played a
recurring character between 1979 and 1984, "Sheriff Fenton Washburn."
The producers needed to find someone that was tough enough to stand up to J.R.
Ewing and the rest.<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="335" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8QAAzM8cQGo" width="467" youtube-src-id="8QAAzM8cQGo"></iframe></div><b><br /></b><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Barry established himself as one of the busiest character
actors in Hollywood. Having roles in movies such as "The Best Little Whorehouse
in Texas" with Burt Reynolds and Dolly Parton, "Honkytonk Man"
with Clint Eastwood, and "The Man Who Loved Women" with Burt Reynolds
and Kim Bassinger.<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>In 1986, Barry played a Lyndon Johnson adviser, Judge Wirtz,
in the "LBJ: The Early Years" a miniseries with Randy Quaid. Barry
enjoyed that role because his father, Kilmer Corbin, knew the man he portrayed.
He also appeared in other miniseries such as "Murder in Texas",
"The Thorn Birds", "Fatal Vision", "A Death in
California", and "I Know My First Name Is Steven”.<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Barry guest-starred in several TV-Series, most of them in
Prime Time such as "M*A*S*H", "Hart To Hart" , "Hill
Street Blues", "The Duck Factory" with Jim Carrey, "The
A-Team" , "The Twilight Zone", "Matlock",
"Murder, She Wrote", and "Designing Women". But Barry never stopped doing movies. By the end of the 80's
he had worked with Tom Hanks and Jackie Gleason in "Nothing In
Common", with Keanu Reeves in "Permanent Record", with Tommy Lee
Jones in "Stranger on My Land" with John Candy in "Who's Harry
Crumb?", and with Tom Skerritt and Max Von Sydow in "Red King, White
Knight" among many others.</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpCcmyqR-O8GKf608V-MWQm1iMreJw8sfx6ozvkwyNmZ074rbTUvFo2HyjiGACMLpPYAzri9tOzfv36z3QoU3PFHS07tV7LXRJhiR8tNdHAz_xGtcCwcNaKZx7j1FxatvXYrkXzkUi4MJgTEvBlIH0KsCr6LsvNqis_BftFxBl4VKBekhDSJSsKw/s1024/barry_060101_032.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="812" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpCcmyqR-O8GKf608V-MWQm1iMreJw8sfx6ozvkwyNmZ074rbTUvFo2HyjiGACMLpPYAzri9tOzfv36z3QoU3PFHS07tV7LXRJhiR8tNdHAz_xGtcCwcNaKZx7j1FxatvXYrkXzkUi4MJgTEvBlIH0KsCr6LsvNqis_BftFxBl4VKBekhDSJSsKw/w318-h400/barry_060101_032.jpg" width="318" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Then there was "Lonesome Dove" in 1989..."Lonesome Dove" is a western hailed as a masterpiece by critics and
audiences alike. Barry played the role of Roscoe Brown, July Johnson's loyal
but bumbling deputy. If during the 80's Barry was noted for his work on many
hit mini-series, the 90's showed Barry in almost every prime-time TV show. Good
character actors such as Barry are most in demand by producers shooting pilots
for prospective series. Nothing impresses the network brass more than a
well-spoken line of dialogue.</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMj7PBhN5js7XS23GQdd3popuj_akUSbIArKVsX85hfdEJzkmEuz55VyU3vz2CO5pQMg83IyQz8Yylb67lhvtKY7HBUoK4hxjSkm19WQYznYvNcwW0d2ykQw68efBzMS2FRWSvEMlyZc3N1Lp2CllmynoEOh45zKQQSXW-bWsgZajPpWxg17zOWQ/s680/lonesome_roscoe05.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="385" data-original-width="680" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMj7PBhN5js7XS23GQdd3popuj_akUSbIArKVsX85hfdEJzkmEuz55VyU3vz2CO5pQMg83IyQz8Yylb67lhvtKY7HBUoK4hxjSkm19WQYznYvNcwW0d2ykQw68efBzMS2FRWSvEMlyZc3N1Lp2CllmynoEOh45zKQQSXW-bWsgZajPpWxg17zOWQ/w640-h362/lonesome_roscoe05.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><b><br /></b><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>At the time he was called by the producers of "Northern
Exposure," Barry had completed work on three pilots. For a time, he said
he was making a living from pilots, and that was fine with him. He didn't care
about a series. Barry was called in to read for "Northern Exposure"
in 1990. He auditioned for executive producers Joshua Brand and John Falsey,
doing pushups as he talked. Such bravado fit Maurice Minnifield's character
perfectly. The show premiered July 12, 1990, and delighted critics as well as a
small but loyal audience during its eight-week summer run.</b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7gtCZGcNloR2lMV2TWN0aLRROGWjXj50o-v-iOuMBoyqkKWpNHsWz2akimyI3c55rpmSk82aNMt1xhlV1jQ92NlXWX0Jo-lneNZwcPRrNa91woE41oRftVzOs_MrlJk4hyk8NfKdYuGvJFRJ359TPKaHJbMSoUYvm20ytj15DWNjLVyd8NdEXNw/s442/barrycorbin.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="442" data-original-width="400" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7gtCZGcNloR2lMV2TWN0aLRROGWjXj50o-v-iOuMBoyqkKWpNHsWz2akimyI3c55rpmSk82aNMt1xhlV1jQ92NlXWX0Jo-lneNZwcPRrNa91woE41oRftVzOs_MrlJk4hyk8NfKdYuGvJFRJ359TPKaHJbMSoUYvm20ytj15DWNjLVyd8NdEXNw/w363-h400/barrycorbin.jpg" width="363" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Those eight episodes were all Barry expected to do, but then
CBS decided to shoot seven more. The new episodes, plus repeats of the original
shows, were aired in spring and summer 1991. "Northern Exposure",
with its blend of urbane humor and deadpan whimsy, suddenly became the hip show
to watch. In the '91-92 fall season the show regularly placed in the
Top 20, and the network ordered nine more episodes. The show aired for 6
seasons from 1990 to 1995 and won several American Television Awards (Emmys)
and The Golden Globe Award. It continues to attract more loyal followers as it
continues on in syndication around the world and seen at least twice a day in
North America. Barry was nominated for an Emmy in the category of Best
Supporting Actor for his interpretation of proud former astronaut, Maurice
Minnifield, in the series "Northern Exposure".</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbXAJDhnxna8WkluC-9o0J_ueeEe1vjVcB84sPnSRacwiZgiksEGm3SDseHQbXtt2i2fwX9p-F1DgasVrYkPhg4EZZ81eRuXZaL6DBYCeNWX10Z-I2l3RUHqQy0f_i6JvIMuKdTnVGTawWtFJl9l5jpcPhdUlsvMYQldVMjQ5Uw-uxVKC-FZez6w/s900/Barry%20Corbin%2017%20BW.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="704" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbXAJDhnxna8WkluC-9o0J_ueeEe1vjVcB84sPnSRacwiZgiksEGm3SDseHQbXtt2i2fwX9p-F1DgasVrYkPhg4EZZ81eRuXZaL6DBYCeNWX10Z-I2l3RUHqQy0f_i6JvIMuKdTnVGTawWtFJl9l5jpcPhdUlsvMYQldVMjQ5Uw-uxVKC-FZez6w/w500-h640/Barry%20Corbin%2017%20BW.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><b><br /></b><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Alan Mercer: Barry, when you
were doing theater for all those years did you ever imagine you would have such
an illustrious career in film and television?</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Barry Corbin: That
was always my aim when I was a kid. I wanted to be in movies and television and
then I got sidetracked into theater. I was nearly 40 years old when I made my
first movie. I turned 39 during the shooting of ‘Urban Cowboy’.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: Wow, you auditioned
and got the part and never looked back.</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">BC: That’s right. I
did ‘Urban Cowboy’ and then I did ‘Stir Crazy’ and then I did ‘Any Which Way
You Can’. I did all those movies within a few months, and they all came out the
same summer. Then I played the sheriff in the TV show ‘Dallas’ which came out
about the same time as well. They were 4 distinctly different parts.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: You got lucky to
have 4 big hits one right after the other.</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">BC: It all fell into
place. From then on, I pretty much had all the features I wanted to do. I
didn’t want to do television particularly. Earl Hamner, who created ‘The
Waltons’ wanted me to do a show that he had written. My agent kept calling me
and they kept upping the price, but I kept saying no I don’t really want to do
a TV series. Finally, one day the phone rang so I picked it up and I hear,
“Barry, this is Earl Hamner. I really need you to do this television show that
I’m working on. How the hell can you say no to John Boy?<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: What did you tell
him?</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">BC: I told him I was
honored and thank you, so I did it. That was my first television series.<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ZuMYnJpz_Gz-H8414shFbmau2ok2cV5B5ldpEIAUyTPLteewMrMSq1JfYbKBFADQpj0XAIxc0BHb0xZQjSn3Mi8Yhh-hWxp6lecG4g4vUkcGKuPD4ABUlHBiD2_UFUifkePKRnw0UDcdpVDxSU9qS6FCFJlOYfBm_l0iL29h0AQYEsuCW-C5uw/s800/barry%20c%20on%20stage.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="637" data-original-width="800" height="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ZuMYnJpz_Gz-H8414shFbmau2ok2cV5B5ldpEIAUyTPLteewMrMSq1JfYbKBFADQpj0XAIxc0BHb0xZQjSn3Mi8Yhh-hWxp6lecG4g4vUkcGKuPD4ABUlHBiD2_UFUifkePKRnw0UDcdpVDxSU9qS6FCFJlOYfBm_l0iL29h0AQYEsuCW-C5uw/w640-h510/barry%20c%20on%20stage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: That was ‘Boone’,
and it didn’t make it past 13 episodes.</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">BC: No, this was when
the networks were switching their programs to urban cop shows and this was a fictional
show about the birth of rock & roll. Elizabeth Huddle, who is one of the
finest actresses in the business ended up being the artistic director of the Intiman
Theatre in Seattle Washington. She never was that interested in film, she was
always interested in theater.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: Did you ever get
concerned about being typecast?</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">BC: There was a
period of time for about three years I turned down any part who’s first name
was sheriff. I know actors who got stuck playing the same parts and were never
allowed to play the parts they wanted to play. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: After the TV show
ended you got right back into movies, especially Westerns.</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">BC: I always wanted
to do Westerns. I enjoy doing Westerns. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: You have had some
iconic work in Westerns alone.</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">BC: There are people
who think I’m a cowboy. I’ve had people write me and say from one cowboy to
another cowboy, I enjoy all your work.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: That’s an honor.</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">BC: It is an honor. I
did used to go out, just for fun and help people gather cattle on their
ranches.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: Well, that makes
you authentic. You really are a cowboy. Do you remember the first time you got
a role playing the bad guy?</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">BC: Yeah, it was in
the TV show, ‘Hart To Hart’ I think. I played a crooked sheriff who tried to
blow up a building with Stefanie Powers and RJ Wagner in it. I was a bad
villain. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: Was it fun to
play that kind of a part?</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">BC: Oh yeah, it’s
always fun. Whatever I’m doing is always fun. You figure out where you fit into
the story so you can fit in and not overwhelm the story. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: Speaking of bad
guys, I saw you in ‘Deadly Family Secrets’ with Loni Anderson and you were the
bad guy and it was fun to watch.</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">BC: Oh yeah, I played
that asthmatic guy! That was a lot of fun.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: You have co-stars
that are the biggest names in the business. Were you able to get along with
most everyone?</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">BC: For the most
part, yes. I’ve never had any problems with people, but I have been around
people who cause problems. I just walk off and go to my trailer. <o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPcfX2V3p_7jH-m6bT-3v2AunrSCJuN4tyew36A13JGQoizhvZjFqA-aF2tWeL315Hslxyyn_Tok4lLJHLY5TpPuirhhjYaCeBiJAbFPNu2yta8VKwJZjWoXZCTlmDWzkBxAyk4MzMVPkmy9hNVdwejBJm9gozqdh16SC8MhjyFZL3RjoHdTB7Pg/s900/Barry%20Corbin%2023%20BW.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="706" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPcfX2V3p_7jH-m6bT-3v2AunrSCJuN4tyew36A13JGQoizhvZjFqA-aF2tWeL315Hslxyyn_Tok4lLJHLY5TpPuirhhjYaCeBiJAbFPNu2yta8VKwJZjWoXZCTlmDWzkBxAyk4MzMVPkmy9hNVdwejBJm9gozqdh16SC8MhjyFZL3RjoHdTB7Pg/w502-h640/Barry%20Corbin%2023%20BW.jpg" width="502" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: How did you come
up with the idea to do a one-man stage show?</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">BC: I had done a
one-man show based on Charlie Goodnight. (a rancher in the American West)<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: When did you do this show?</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">BC: The last time I
did that show was ten years ago. The first time I did it was at the Cowboy Hall
of Fame in Oklahoma City. Then I toured with it in Washington and Oregon.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: This was a fully
scripted show, right?</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">BC: Yes, it was all
scripted and it lasted an hour and half. With my new one-man show, I don’t like
to be prepared. For this show I want to do a program that is like having people
over in my living room. I just want to talk.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: Many people can’t
do that. You shine when you are spontaneous. Many actors would freeze in that
situation.</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">BC: Oh yeah, most
actors don’t know what to do without a script. I just want to go through my
childhood and my theater days when things were a little tough. Sometimes when
we needed some dinner I would take some books to the used book store.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: Almost every
creative person has done that before.</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">BC: I did it
regularly. I would three or four books a week that I had already read and take
them off the shelf and go sell them. <o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvRiYqmvvPOXcLu5NFuTLqsdjMcrHRaeOKwat-qpufBVLrCm6jvf1xAAB0b8oqIx4d4MjZCbrfMzukvNySJe6VB9irbgBKb7968nPD1pOoypaoMlwyHomXglo7UVprKHL9SkkueD0du8pBqLZdFM2aXrTUYvlnI4O8LWc0UYxKpGwwIwRpKjvvgA/s1350/Barry%20Corbin%20collage%20email.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="398" data-original-width="1350" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvRiYqmvvPOXcLu5NFuTLqsdjMcrHRaeOKwat-qpufBVLrCm6jvf1xAAB0b8oqIx4d4MjZCbrfMzukvNySJe6VB9irbgBKb7968nPD1pOoypaoMlwyHomXglo7UVprKHL9SkkueD0du8pBqLZdFM2aXrTUYvlnI4O8LWc0UYxKpGwwIwRpKjvvgA/w640-h188/Barry%20Corbin%20collage%20email.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Barry on stage at the Isis Cowtown Theater</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: Do you have your
show booked anywhere else yet?</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">BC: Not yet. I’m
going to try and do a circle tour in West Texas with stops in Lubbock, Midland,
Odessa and down around in that area. I’m going to the Texas Poetry Gathering in
Alpine in February, so I’m going to try and do the show there sometime later.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: I think you’ll be
able to take it anywhere you want in Texas.</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">BC: I’d like to black
out a month and do three shows a week.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: Do you still have
a burning desire to make more movies?</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">BC: Yes, I want to,
but I only want to do what I want to do. I don’t want to do any of this CGI
bullshit. It’s not fun to make. I did a video game where I played a coach, and
they had lights all over me and a thing on my head. I never knew what was going
on.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: You spent a
longer time in the lobby talking with people than in the show. Is that kind of
what it’s about for you?</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">BC: That’s mostly
what it’s about. The question and answer segment and after the show talking
with people.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: You enjoy that
don’t you?</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">
</p><p class="MsoNormal">BC: Yes, to me that’s
the fun part. I’m interacting with people, and we have something in common
which is my career. I guess that’s egotistical, but that’s what people want to
talk about, and I don’t mind. I’ll talk about other people but I’m not going to
trash anybody. <o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQutc0OX4x1xonUm5BeNJF_IrCgRsLlv_UnF_jtbx6L7bK5wXesIj3sIvK6PhUpFmPniGQLbgXI4csZpPRTqgewC_eviOYD-pnxaLoElL4buRgilb0kM03RUHPynH8didxzbTjrY2vC6uowXuAjVPDEtLVbHs5fdOooQ1jhWRuJCuqSb4nlQeoCQ/s900/Barry%20Corbin%2024%20BW.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="706" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQutc0OX4x1xonUm5BeNJF_IrCgRsLlv_UnF_jtbx6L7bK5wXesIj3sIvK6PhUpFmPniGQLbgXI4csZpPRTqgewC_eviOYD-pnxaLoElL4buRgilb0kM03RUHPynH8didxzbTjrY2vC6uowXuAjVPDEtLVbHs5fdOooQ1jhWRuJCuqSb4nlQeoCQ/w502-h640/Barry%20Corbin%2024%20BW.jpg" width="502" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">To learn more about Barry Corbin visit his web site <a href="http://www.barrycorbin.com/">http://www.barrycorbin.com/</a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="354" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HxfFrJuAtzY" width="491" youtube-src-id="HxfFrJuAtzY"></iframe></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p></p>Alan Mercer's Profilehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17357664994049053766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620931384116236944.post-22306141296481832662023-02-07T05:45:00.005-08:002023-03-12T13:22:59.453-07:00Ernie Cefalu: The Beginning<p> </p><p style="text-align: center;">This is the first in a series of interviews with world renowned Graphic Artist & Designer Ernie Cefalu. As a young music lover and artist myself, growing up I was in awe of these album covers. It's such a pleasure and privilege to be able to talk with Ernie for my blog.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSf7yunCPJwzs1Wa5Bf1KblSBqolJoIuXkRRFaN4AHlXbuyaJEo343JOzbwU1QsqCN_zTncvzkNPTB9BOjeiWbMFYgJC-mZ63xQz5pDnGwa3ROhvkWRunjGhzf_V9mUJUU-3vxbjNFZoG83hHAb2dcc425SZ_BNYi5rAjNHqqXiJSKq_Wpv_QQxw/s1024/417c3b075be2e32fa8f4041b7f064d21b9dc8302.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="1024" height="572" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSf7yunCPJwzs1Wa5Bf1KblSBqolJoIuXkRRFaN4AHlXbuyaJEo343JOzbwU1QsqCN_zTncvzkNPTB9BOjeiWbMFYgJC-mZ63xQz5pDnGwa3ROhvkWRunjGhzf_V9mUJUU-3vxbjNFZoG83hHAb2dcc425SZ_BNYi5rAjNHqqXiJSKq_Wpv_QQxw/w640-h572/417c3b075be2e32fa8f4041b7f064d21b9dc8302.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Ernie Cefalu is a contemporary artist and Senior Creative
Director, currently working out of Southern California. He is known for designing
art for music albums.<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Cefalu attended the California College of Arts and Crafts
(now California College of the Arts) and graduated in 1969 with honors. Soon
after, he started his career on Madison Avenue at Carolini Advertising, where
his first assignment was to create the campaign and graphics for the
International Paper Company's 1970 national sales meeting. His solution took
the form of an elaborate, award-winning off-Broadway musical production, Dolls
Alive. In the early part of 1970 Cefalu became an Art Director at Norman Levit
Advertising where he created the Jesus Christ Superstar album and Angels in an
agency shootout with the Decca Records account as the prize.<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>At the end of 1970, Cefalu joined forces with Craig Braun,
Inc. in New York, and worked on The Rolling Stones Sticky Fingers album as well
as Grand Funk Railroad's E Pluribus Funk. Eight months later, in mid-1971, he
opened a satellite office in California for Braun, the head Creative Director.
There, he was the creative force behind a string of famous album covers for
Alice Cooper's School's Out, and Cheech & Chong's Big Bambu. He is also
credited with being one of the people to design The Rolling Stones "Lips
and Tongue" logo.</b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><br /></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuKGY6NChiyojuJ4Rs2gvuelmNVlI14X-4-jUaFb0N1tuqSa_P2jmobX2tEgP4Pe_m_W8v8jJ5si8C0TvrDvGgsWjsmoYmeGporVHV2di9MAwIyJRlY3H-_7ZISynKpWXB-dhVrkmlRtAUFxbNKWxdnYdhpu17-iFbBe-f93eDMXKHAyEC-uAfcQ/s639/278396734_5583435925018642_3052787967907128225_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="436" data-original-width="639" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuKGY6NChiyojuJ4Rs2gvuelmNVlI14X-4-jUaFb0N1tuqSa_P2jmobX2tEgP4Pe_m_W8v8jJ5si8C0TvrDvGgsWjsmoYmeGporVHV2di9MAwIyJRlY3H-_7ZISynKpWXB-dhVrkmlRtAUFxbNKWxdnYdhpu17-iFbBe-f93eDMXKHAyEC-uAfcQ/w400-h272/278396734_5583435925018642_3052787967907128225_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b><br /></b><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Cefalu opened his own agency, Pacific Eye & Ear, in
January 1972. Over the next 15 years, he created another 194 album covers for
rock artists such as The Doors, Alice Cooper, Aerosmith, The Bee Gees, The
Guess Who, Black Sabbath, Jefferson Airplane, the Modern Jazz Quartet, Burton
Cummings, Grand Funk Railroad, Iron Butterfly, and Black Oak Arkansas. Cefalu's
collaborations with then emerging illustrators such as Drew Struzan, Bill
Garland, Joe Petagno, Carl Ramsey, Ingrid Haenke and Joe Garnet led Pacific Eye
& Ear's quest to become one of the top album design companies in the
country. Cefalu has 212 total album covers to his credit.</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>In 1985, Cefalu formed David Hale Associates and broadened
his client roster beyond the music industry to include the food companies
Nestle and Kraft. Over the next decade and a half, his work helped more than 20
brands in five divisions post double-digit sales growth. In 1990 he was
retained by Panavision Motion Picture Cameras, NGK Spark Plugs and Rockwell
International. In 1996, Cefalu also added retail chain Kmart, motion picture
studios Paramount, Universal, and Disney, National Hot Rod Association and
Valvoline, and Wolfgang Puck's La Brea Bakery. Before the end of 2010 Cefalu
had expanded his client roster to welcome Fortune 100 companies InBev,
Honeywell/Novar and Avery Dennison.<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Today, as Owner/Creative Director of HornbookInc, the
Internet's first virtual agency, Cefalu is retained by four Fortune 100
companies as their internal Creative Director. He continues to take on select,
music-related projects.</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBfmePF9NMplhGklsPVY8sCyvfWczbxBGW-6-BEkimlRdtJ7PyH6z1cjOQWBIQ_ByrL65S3HgBmkk_IjAjGFC_vE2CHx5hFu-XW9bFe-NqvSk29J389QKNGd3pu8p1EPBd55FrsnloDuM8jglepSLRpcGoRMyr988ycblus3WR6Qs2y-D9I9FokQ/s973/174456364_4410994172262829_702309225739658104_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="753" data-original-width="973" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBfmePF9NMplhGklsPVY8sCyvfWczbxBGW-6-BEkimlRdtJ7PyH6z1cjOQWBIQ_ByrL65S3HgBmkk_IjAjGFC_vE2CHx5hFu-XW9bFe-NqvSk29J389QKNGd3pu8p1EPBd55FrsnloDuM8jglepSLRpcGoRMyr988ycblus3WR6Qs2y-D9I9FokQ/w400-h310/174456364_4410994172262829_702309225739658104_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Alan Mercer: You’ve been designing album covers and ads for
a long time. You must really love what you do.</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Ernie Cefalu: I love what I do. There have now been five
generations since I started doing this stuff. That’s a lot of people. There is
a site that is called Top Ten and they have the top ten of everything. They
have a Top Ten Creative Directors for album covers and Top Ten album designers
and I’m in the number one position in both those lists. What I like about this is
it documents everything and a way that it will live on forever. Let’s face it, we
all want to make a mark on the world. I feel blessed to be able to live forever
through my work. My goal in life is to keep on making history so I don’t become
it because it’s very easy to become history. It’s pretty crazy when you are in
the creative end of life. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: Did you always
know you would be going into graphic arts? </b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">EC: I always loved
it. As a kid I would wait for the Sunday paper so I could read the funny pages.
I’d sit there for hours drawing Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck. For the longest
time I wanted to be a cartoonist, but as I got older and realized what Walt Disney
paid his animators I knew I couldn’t do it. He was very cheap. In elementary school
I was the artist and in high school I was the artist, and I was always the
best. I met one of my first mentors when I was going to San Jose High School. Our
mascot was the Bulldogs and there was a Bulldog Studios that the art teacher
owned. He had a special group of people that would do all the art. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhik4VVdsKvBjQm2OQ3qxUAM54Eaa0cJsm3kb5siO4tPtwzYviq-DWpC3bYtWLg-Unlimz7gSvJ4-NYLwloWnnN7v5t-EB5n5KoUjjQtj6P4lXVU1m8z4IKi0Bjprby4odMUxU6NuqIiku3uJyjeqEZqSwVK3swPY3H6fSX8o4j5VovdcVfVuttIw/s860/Screen%20Shot%202023-01-29%20at%207.36.30%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="860" data-original-width="555" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhik4VVdsKvBjQm2OQ3qxUAM54Eaa0cJsm3kb5siO4tPtwzYviq-DWpC3bYtWLg-Unlimz7gSvJ4-NYLwloWnnN7v5t-EB5n5KoUjjQtj6P4lXVU1m8z4IKi0Bjprby4odMUxU6NuqIiku3uJyjeqEZqSwVK3swPY3H6fSX8o4j5VovdcVfVuttIw/w414-h640/Screen%20Shot%202023-01-29%20at%207.36.30%20PM.png" width="414" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: What were some
examples of what you created?</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">EC: We would make the
posters for the drama class plays or anyone running for class president needed
posters we would create. The art teacher really took me under his wing. Even
years after I graduated and was in college, he would have me come and talk to
his high school classes. It was neat. He kept a binder on me and a few of the
other people who went on to make art a career. I started out on the bottom rung
and ended up on the top rung.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: It seems like you
had an idea of what you wanted.</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">EC: Actually, I went
into the army because I didn’t have a sense of what I was going to be. I did a
short term being a carpenter and I joined the carpenters union. My father was a
master carpenter so that was probably the happiest day in his life.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: How long did you
last?</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">EC: After three
months I said I couldn’t do it. I need to do something else that I’m good at
and I knew I was good at art, so I put together a portfolio and went to Oakland
to the California College of Arts & Crafts. So, again I started on the
bottom rung but it was even worse because everyone there was an artist.
Everybody there wanted to do the same thing I wanted to do and that was become
an artist of some sort. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: How did you cope
with that in your mind?</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">EC: It was hard because
I was filled with ambition and ego that I was the best. It was kind of scary
but I never had fear because I loved what I was doing. And I was following that
dream. When you are younger people do try to disway you from being an artist.
They ask who is going to pay you to sit there and draw? Get a real job. Learn a
profession.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR-uDsLor_8uzq1hMOYK_XShT7CXW3uXz5N0qpIW3PBWYAMpwsekYKEiHRhoAvrBqBMqXQtXGwmsu2uebsJNGCS-Q4revKj91GkNs35Soj88dxzPQxvvEfQvcZ3-KERARGR9_wJzqS1jrh6a5XcpiNIQJ-YaZyWYfRPz2gC3wBCLbDRci7JGQgsA/s874/Screen%20Shot%202021-02-09%20at%205.12.26%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="874" data-original-width="738" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR-uDsLor_8uzq1hMOYK_XShT7CXW3uXz5N0qpIW3PBWYAMpwsekYKEiHRhoAvrBqBMqXQtXGwmsu2uebsJNGCS-Q4revKj91GkNs35Soj88dxzPQxvvEfQvcZ3-KERARGR9_wJzqS1jrh6a5XcpiNIQJ-YaZyWYfRPz2gC3wBCLbDRci7JGQgsA/w338-h400/Screen%20Shot%202021-02-09%20at%205.12.26%20PM.png" width="338" /></a></div><b><br /></b><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: Every artist goes
through that.</b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">EC: To make matters
worse, advertising and design was at the bottom because we were the whores of
the art world. If you were a fine artist, I couldn’t pay you money to change something
on your painting. That’s the difference between a fine artist and a graphic
artist. We will compromise our art for money. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: When did you realize
you were going to be a graphic artist instead of a fine artist?</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">EC: It was in my junior
year that I realized the only way I was going to make money was to get into
advertising. I always liked design so my senior year, I took a lot of
advertising classes, and I became the best. So, now what am I going to do with
that? I decided I was going to go to New York. I was already freelancing in San
Francisco and decided to stay an extra year because I had a few clients. If you
are going to New York, you have to show them actual professional work, not
school assignments. I was working with an agency called Walter Landers that was
a packaging and trademark firm that would create corporate identity and it was
on a ferry boat on the San Francisco pier. I worked on Dixie paper plates and
cups. That gave me some printed pieces.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: You really were
at the right place at the right time.</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">EC: For me, timing has
been everything. You can be the best artist in the world, but if the timing isn’t
right, you will sit there and that will be it. I know a lot of artists who are
much better than I am, but the timing wasn’t there for them. You have to be in
the moment and for me that meant going to New York. I had told my girlfriend
that in probably 3 weeks I’ll be able to send for you. I’m going to bring the
city to its knees. They are going to be awed by me and the value I can bring to
them. The ad agencies are going to fight to have me come work for them. I had
already set up some appointments with several agencies.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSQvMqWObU1rS_njJn1YA6LIoprk5v2yFcFmb8uhMrxdoiy0iuvTyES06HbN-e1fXHPlW9bptnpbfvnqFkNrGb_jkXFqECNhyYzTClMYl9swRAXcLCGCSPPztnxtfAF_TtqsFVJaf2Uq28UZ8jhPp_ZERWPo-o301sJmaPkgqw8pZ-ISHM69Hnyg/s550/6a00d8341e23e653ef011570b03f2d970b-800wi.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="543" data-original-width="550" height="395" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSQvMqWObU1rS_njJn1YA6LIoprk5v2yFcFmb8uhMrxdoiy0iuvTyES06HbN-e1fXHPlW9bptnpbfvnqFkNrGb_jkXFqECNhyYzTClMYl9swRAXcLCGCSPPztnxtfAF_TtqsFVJaf2Uq28UZ8jhPp_ZERWPo-o301sJmaPkgqw8pZ-ISHM69Hnyg/w400-h395/6a00d8341e23e653ef011570b03f2d970b-800wi.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: You knew what you
wanted.</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">EC: I thought we
would be the King and Queen of New York, but after two weeks of all this
rejection from all the appointments I had made, I called my girlfriend and told
her I had totally misjudged what I was getting into. I think I need to come
back to California. I have agencies that I already work with. When she heard
what I wanted to do, she said, ‘OK, you can come back but I won’t be here.” I
was like, where are you going? She said, “I can’t live the rest of my life with
somebody who will run form the first bit of adversity they encounter. I can’t
do that. You are running away, and you will keep on running away. Once you
start that you will continue, it’s like lying. It’s very easy to do because it
gets you out of the moment.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: She was very
wise.</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">EC: She was. I hung
up the phone and I realized what she was saying and that was I needed to follow
my dream. I was 22 and it was hard for me to understand that. Would she really
leave me? I didn’t want that, so I went on one last call, and I got the job. Then
three weeks later she was in New York with me. My dream was to work on Madison
Avenue. That was the ultimate goal for any advertising person. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: You must have already had your own unique style.</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">EC: Peter Max was a
huge influence on me, so my work did look more like California than New York. His
art was the look for my generation. He was working with the Beatles. It was a
reflection of the lifestyle that we were living at the time. The agency I
worked for assigned me a big job of coming up with a campaign for their biggest
client, an international paper company. They needed a theme and a design for
everything. I didn’t really have the skills yet. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNXBLKGTCekSzomf_dnZHkRBSJXe9stzaDd3RvuFhngDUgNKxkeES2Cub_3TiNHvLxl7DgX3VfbZ7hAXu9lfv5Rni4rZksrDRl6a_hK7LCGRirX85RReej-JFTh9chdFnwJByC9IDfPXpArTlCiEmpuOjLoov6IcjEr1IgQiHIlpDDfFh7WOSpJw/s985/Doll%20Alive%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="985" data-original-width="961" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNXBLKGTCekSzomf_dnZHkRBSJXe9stzaDd3RvuFhngDUgNKxkeES2Cub_3TiNHvLxl7DgX3VfbZ7hAXu9lfv5Rni4rZksrDRl6a_hK7LCGRirX85RReej-JFTh9chdFnwJByC9IDfPXpArTlCiEmpuOjLoov6IcjEr1IgQiHIlpDDfFh7WOSpJw/w390-h400/Doll%20Alive%202.jpg" width="390" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: That all sounds
nerve wracking.</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">EC: There were going to
be 500 people coming to this meeting. So, what was I going to do? I came up
with a concept that I called Balls Alive. It was singers and dancers and skits.
We hired Skip Redwine to write 10 songs about paper stock. So, we went and
recorded the ten songs and skits. That became a souvenir for the attendees at
the convention. The campaign was a huge success. We won a bunch of awards and
the whole thing was on display in the Union Carbide building in New York City.
In that same building was headhunter who placed artists with agencies. I got approached
by this agent who said he had an agency who could use me. I loved where I was,
but I was willing to go to an interview.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: Was it a bigger
agency?</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">EC: This was a huge agency.
It was my dream come true. They had great clients like Ralston Purina, Waring
Blenders and Mixers and Decca Records. While waiting for the interview to take
place, I realized I didn’t want to work there so when the president of the agency,
Norman Levitt asked me what I wanted I lied and told him I was making $40,000 a
year and I would need an extra $10,000 to make it worth leaving. He said that
was more than they wanted to pay so thanks, but no thanks. I left there elated
that I wouldn’t be working there and took a cab back home to Brooklyn. Then I realized
I was going to have to tell my girlfriend I lied so that I wouldn’t get the job.
When I got home, she greeted me with a message that Norman Levitt had called,
so I called him back and he told me he talked with his partners and even though
it was more than they wanted to pay, they wanted me to work with them. It was
great because I didn’t have to lie. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: Did the agency
want to place you with Decca Records?</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">EC: Norman wanted me in
his office that Saturday to tell me about these two art directors he had in the
office. Decca Records was one of his staple accounts. He had a good connection
with them and was doing a lot of work. The two art directors had befriended the
creative director at Decca, a guy named Bill Levy. They started their own
agency and were taking Decca with them. Norman went to the Vice President of
Decca and convinced them; they should have a shootout between the two agencies.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTIK1NrP_rd-hEZr5EknjvsO79MnUFNDNw96iut6o-Bf0mruIezJd9ybT2pOvpf_K2x9o2pQUYB4jqW0Tk9p832TsXnumWB75SpNlCBt6JcJMKFRqRFHoNAA4eFz81_c_XWYQobbvozKujwCY8l88n4unHmimgC3J4c8qevTWkM7yytTLtqYk0eA/s550/6a00d8341e23e653ef01156fbaf6e8970c-800wi.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="368" data-original-width="550" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTIK1NrP_rd-hEZr5EknjvsO79MnUFNDNw96iut6o-Bf0mruIezJd9ybT2pOvpf_K2x9o2pQUYB4jqW0Tk9p832TsXnumWB75SpNlCBt6JcJMKFRqRFHoNAA4eFz81_c_XWYQobbvozKujwCY8l88n4unHmimgC3J4c8qevTWkM7yytTLtqYk0eA/w400-h268/6a00d8341e23e653ef01156fbaf6e8970c-800wi.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: That seems like a
lot of pressure.</b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">EC: I wasn’t afraid
of a little competition. In fact, I welcome it. We went to the meeting with
Bill Levy, but you could tell he was only talking to us because someone higher
up told him he needed to do it. He wasn’t happy to be scrutinized by his boss. He
told us about two English guys who created a very controversial album called ‘Jesus
Christ Superstar.’ The assignment would be to come up with packaging and
graphics. Then he asked when we wanted to present our work for consideration.
Norman asked when were the other guys presenting? He told us in one week. This
was on a Monday. I blurted out that we would present this Friday. I looked at
Norman, who was biting a hole in his lip and clenching his fists. On the cab
ride home, Norman tore into me. I was told the account was very important to him
and what was I doing. You are only giving yourself four days to do this. In a
presentation when I am competing, I like to be the first one because you set
the bar and then it’s up to the other ones to surpass that. Norman kind of
understood that and he didn’t speak to me for the next four days.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: You must have
been busy coming up with a variety of ideas.</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">EC: I had five different
ideas and the angels were one of them. I came up with an angel, but it didn’t seem
quite right, so I made it symmetrical and put it in a box with Times Roman text,
very easy to look at and sophisticated. I liked a couple of the other designs
even better than the angels, but Bill Levy loved the angels. You could see his
whole attitude change from being forced to see us to this could be something
really good. I was feeling pretty confident at this point, but Norman was still
pensive. The other guys did present the following Monday and Bill called us
immediately after and told us he didn’t like what they showed him. He told us
to come in and we could get started. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWqQ09QRl7jzCDFSs0D6P0c27FVbXPA5WqAfvBZ9wb2CozLFZnLLnRWDlHr5KYt0iNDNYpypBglQ8Q820qTnq47bhw4qpdjVeQ4muQctSkxRMd4jSnVy_RPR6eQE8SAQ3S0dyFrWCQfXEpqK4F9-AKAfCv-GT9RQBY2Dz8zm_6BHciA6jZeXrjWg/s960/94778087_3393032830725640_4928033037205110784_o%20copy%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="861" data-original-width="960" height="359" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWqQ09QRl7jzCDFSs0D6P0c27FVbXPA5WqAfvBZ9wb2CozLFZnLLnRWDlHr5KYt0iNDNYpypBglQ8Q820qTnq47bhw4qpdjVeQ4muQctSkxRMd4jSnVy_RPR6eQE8SAQ3S0dyFrWCQfXEpqK4F9-AKAfCv-GT9RQBY2Dz8zm_6BHciA6jZeXrjWg/w400-h359/94778087_3393032830725640_4928033037205110784_o%20copy%202.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: Do you know what
the other guys presented?</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">EC: The other agency
took a different kind of approach. They felt like saying Jesus Christ Superstar
was sacrilegious and there would be a lot of negative feedback. They had a
drawing that looked like Moses and they called it Superstar. They dropped Jesus
Christ and that was their whole pitch. Bill Levy was wise enough to know there
was no way he could go to Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber and convince them to
drop Jesus Christ. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: What an
auspicious beginning designing album covers.</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">EC: That was the
first album cover I did, and it was such a big one.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: I remember it was
on the cover of TIME magazine.</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">
</p><p class="MsoNormal">EC: Yes, it was. When
they launched the album, there was a live performance at St. Peters Cathedral with
all the artists that were a part of the recording. I sat next to Time Rice and
Andrew Lloyd Webber. It was an amazing time for me.<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL8m--EF3vpjXHsibr0waAiOAsc7H-G64zFdDZHuG-mIGd5GX2bHir8Li_5cnOKMKSNdpD_pfKaWIKdSF3mAOvgBXHp5-KC4Bl3i_emLb-QEIqkinu4JOKogI1f5zeoOCuf7kDaMEIQSG5kwK4cjVywwIa-mwZAt9ZA_OtOGOyyzDa-y-9s8Ocow/s612/c9ec5914-8124-4744-884d-09fc8fdb5cdb_1.921d99b13466226b64b39e9be4d5aafb.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="612" data-original-width="612" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL8m--EF3vpjXHsibr0waAiOAsc7H-G64zFdDZHuG-mIGd5GX2bHir8Li_5cnOKMKSNdpD_pfKaWIKdSF3mAOvgBXHp5-KC4Bl3i_emLb-QEIqkinu4JOKogI1f5zeoOCuf7kDaMEIQSG5kwK4cjVywwIa-mwZAt9ZA_OtOGOyyzDa-y-9s8Ocow/w400-h400/c9ec5914-8124-4744-884d-09fc8fdb5cdb_1.921d99b13466226b64b39e9be4d5aafb.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You can order your own Ernie Cefalu art work here <a href="https://pacificeyeandear.com/">https://pacificeyeandear.com/</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here is a link to Part 2: <a href="http://amprofile.blogspot.com/2023/02/ernie-cefalu-part-two-right-place-at.html">http://amprofile.blogspot.com/2023/02/ernie-cefalu-part-two-right-place-at.html</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here is the link to Part 3 <a href="http://amprofile.blogspot.com/2023/02/ernie-cefalu-part-three-pacific-eye-ear.html">http://amprofile.blogspot.com/2023/02/ernie-cefalu-part-three-pacific-eye-ear.html</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here is the link to part 4 <a href="http://amprofile.blogspot.com/2023/03/ernie-cefalo-part-4.html">http://amprofile.blogspot.com/2023/03/ernie-cefalo-part-4.html</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here is the link to Part 5 <a href="http://amprofile.blogspot.com/2023/03/ernie-cefalu-part-five-continuing-to.html" target="_blank">http://amprofile.blogspot.com/2023/03/ernie-cefalu-part-five-continuing-to.html </a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p><br /></p>Alan Mercer's Profilehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17357664994049053766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620931384116236944.post-53531811446079687102023-01-30T05:09:00.004-08:002023-01-30T16:05:50.988-08:00Chris Estrada: Comedy With Depth and Intelligence<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN74sfLgUPk7YCOTQoR93_7gl6p5iyKLsGdqUUe_AG4jnRk2PYbCHWrMzR9KZPr8yQxMT43uqNg2OfLzHZfLfCqwqK70x6YnxlJWodDQvU10EFXkXqweo1U8ymjYgkNbzxxDE2UQORVyGl0l85SN9ZGWjHGpLABR2juMeKPauWIVY3zQzHyf6tKw/s900/Chris%20Estrada%20(15).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="710" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN74sfLgUPk7YCOTQoR93_7gl6p5iyKLsGdqUUe_AG4jnRk2PYbCHWrMzR9KZPr8yQxMT43uqNg2OfLzHZfLfCqwqK70x6YnxlJWodDQvU10EFXkXqweo1U8ymjYgkNbzxxDE2UQORVyGl0l85SN9ZGWjHGpLABR2juMeKPauWIVY3zQzHyf6tKw/w504-h640/Chris%20Estrada%20(15).jpg" width="504" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">All photos by Alan Mercer</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><b><br /></b></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Chris Estrada is a multi-talented actor, comedian and writer with a gift for making people laugh. he was born and raised in South Central and Inglewood in Los Angeles.</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>He is one of the most exciting up and coming voices in comedy, is a co-creator, star, writer and executive producer of the hit Hulu series 'This Fool' which is based on his stand-up comedy act and upbringing in South Los Angeles. A few years ago, Chris quit his day job in a warehouse.</b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><br /></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="378" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hxS5_fUSvTQ" width="412" youtube-src-id="hxS5_fUSvTQ"></iframe></div><br /><b><br /></b><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>'This Fool' tells the story of Julio Lopez (played by Estrada), who has a heart of gold and goes out of his way to help everyone by himself. It explores Julio's attempts to better his community, overcome his codependency issues with his family and navigate working-class life in South Central Los Angeles.</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>The series is also produced by Fred Armisen and was co-created by Matt Ingebretson, Jake Weisman and Pat Bishop. Chris Estrada has captured the attention of many with his comedy, having been voted "One of LA's comedians to watch in 2019," by Time Out LA and was an "Up Next" performer at Comedy Central's Clusterfest in 2019. His other credits include Comedy Central's 'Corporate' and the comedy special 'Entre Nos for HBO.'</b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxlBunAOlcdM0HGrjqJplSfu9ZRzuGYonsYX_oBP4DJFaOqMnoSQ2RbG_fXn2z9c2ML9zLXL9I03QVifa0P9yqEJunTloLwOvR3eOHEQ5gq2P3i5etuwJlh30gvKHzgGYCaYobSEYs-ULi8rszwYta_Lr6Trun8oP9qI_Lf1on6iql4gbqhPjXEQ/s900/Chris%20Estrada%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="711" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxlBunAOlcdM0HGrjqJplSfu9ZRzuGYonsYX_oBP4DJFaOqMnoSQ2RbG_fXn2z9c2ML9zLXL9I03QVifa0P9yqEJunTloLwOvR3eOHEQ5gq2P3i5etuwJlh30gvKHzgGYCaYobSEYs-ULi8rszwYta_Lr6Trun8oP9qI_Lf1on6iql4gbqhPjXEQ/w506-h640/Chris%20Estrada%20(2).jpg" width="506" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Alan Mercer: Chris,
when I first started watching ‘This Fool’ I didn’t expect it to be so funny! I
am looking forward to season 2. Have you started working on it yet?</b><o:p></o:p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Chris Estrada: We are filming it right now.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: Awesome, are all
the scripts finished?</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">CE: All the scripts
are done. We started writing them back in August and wrapped it up this past
December. Season Two will come out the same time season one did last year, in
August. I’m glad you liked it and think it’s funny.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: I really didn’t
expect it to be that good.</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">CE: I think a lot of people
didn’t expect it to be funny and not as a reflection of me or my co-creators.
We live in the age of dramedies. The single camera sitcoms are almost like
dramedies now, which are great. I really love ‘Reservation Dogs’, ‘Atlanta’ and
‘Ramy’, but they have more drama in them. We wanted to have a similar aesthetic
in the terms that we wanted to make a show that was cinematic. We pitched the
show as ‘Friday’ but directed by the Coen Brothers. We wanted it to have a lot
of texture and feel like a film. We want every episode to be somebody’s
favorite movie and that’s really the intention we went with. With that being said,
we also thought there weren’t a lot of hard comedies right now. We didn’t want
to sacrifice intelligence for comedy. We want the comedy we are writing to be
really funny and also have some depth to it.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAeHPrkJFuZFGXZjEZ45OvbVx8el1oFD75MfXroIAQGw1aA9l02DWkpJBYsHRuXTgnzcpwtfa5OgEfohBAPeuzNEoztYtgl9U8li-lbJbXgzLKKAgQA9Iqt-XXLlqVFJvXX170Fo7YTWqm8t8rQPPyyNa-y5o3VFv9EdSTugYmtW8dKLtDNn419Q/s900/Chris%20Estrada%20(5).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="694" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAeHPrkJFuZFGXZjEZ45OvbVx8el1oFD75MfXroIAQGw1aA9l02DWkpJBYsHRuXTgnzcpwtfa5OgEfohBAPeuzNEoztYtgl9U8li-lbJbXgzLKKAgQA9Iqt-XXLlqVFJvXX170Fo7YTWqm8t8rQPPyyNa-y5o3VFv9EdSTugYmtW8dKLtDNn419Q/w494-h640/Chris%20Estrada%20(5).jpg" width="494" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: Yes, the show isn’t
silly, it’s totally real.</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">CE: I come from a working-class
background. Sometimes you see a lot of TV, especially comedies, that are being
written by people who don’t know that world. Sometimes there are a lot of
talented Harvard TV writers, but the characters sound like Harvard TV writers.
Out goal was to make the characters sound like they were genuinely part of the
world. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: How much of the writing
do you do?</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">CE: Quite a lot. I’m
part of the writer’s room. I’m one of the executive producers so me and the
show runners who are my friends, Jake Weisman, Matt Ingebretson and Pat Bishop,
they used to have a show on Comedy Central. I knew them from the stand-up
comedy scene in Los Angeles. They had a show called ‘Corporate’ and it was a
very funny show. Before the writer’s room even starts, me and those guys meet
up and come up with ideas for the show. I take elements from my life and tell
them I’d love to see this fictionalized in some way. And then we work on it
together.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: The toilet paper
episode stands out in my mind.</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">CE: Thank you, that
came from my mom being a janitor. That’s why I wanted the mom character in the show
to be a janitor. My mom would steal supplies from her job, and it was the
shitty toilet paper. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: Do you go around
always looking for and thinking about what would be a funny scene or do you
sometimes just let go and forget about it?</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">CE: I think because I
am writerly based, I try to think of ideas and premises that happened in my
real life that I think are funny and I think about how can I make this funny and
slightly weird and smart. Or if I have a really weird idea that might be a
little subversive, the challenge becomes how do I make this more relatable to a
general audience so it’s not so esoteric. I like esoteric stuff and I never
want to lose that, but you want to make sure it’s not so referential that a
general audience won’t get what you are talking about.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="369" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sxNTH7A8cco" width="448" youtube-src-id="sxNTH7A8cco"></iframe></div><p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: You don’t seem to
have a typical show business ego. You actually seem the opposite.</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">CE: I think I was
influenced by Punk music when I was growing up and a lot of those guys are
really nice to you when you meet them. I also think a lot of it is the fact
that I’m 38 and I didn’t start stand-up until I was 29. By the time I started,
I was pretty grateful to be able to do stand-up. When I started at age 29 I remember
meeting some 19 and 20 year old kids. Their careers took off quickly and they
became a little pompous or Hollywood-like. I don’t blame them. They were very
young as opposed to me. I was already a little jaded by life by that point. I
was working in a warehouse and had menial jobs. I was just grateful to be doing
stand-up.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: Did you do the
casting for the show?</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">CE: Yes, we had a
casting director, but we picked all the cast. That was very important to me because
the world has to be authentic. We got Laura Patalano, who is a very talented woman
to play the mother and Michael Imperioli to play Minister Payne.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: He is everywhere
these days.</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">CE: He is everywhere
and working with him was amazing. We offered him the role and he read the pilot
and really liked it and thought it was funny. He said it was a very human
comedy.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Mq37HAx_auMCKjv2uolBE9DU64xHpZHcFFICKAK9zwdYLmfzgH_uzdcBwxp9_Mmv599YmChPByVKkvnhYD67WspOS_YwRQaTmMzuSpjo5PaXCOv3FHIOz0Kd7UfVQRmeJDRv6ajU6GwmpJzN-YB_Pppif68gHYPaPuKvV-9pBMV5rmyuHYf25A/s900/Chris%20Estrada%20(10).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="708" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Mq37HAx_auMCKjv2uolBE9DU64xHpZHcFFICKAK9zwdYLmfzgH_uzdcBwxp9_Mmv599YmChPByVKkvnhYD67WspOS_YwRQaTmMzuSpjo5PaXCOv3FHIOz0Kd7UfVQRmeJDRv6ajU6GwmpJzN-YB_Pppif68gHYPaPuKvV-9pBMV5rmyuHYf25A/w504-h640/Chris%20Estrada%20(10).jpg" width="504" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: Is everybody
coming back for season 2?</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">CE: Everybody is
coming back. Because we wrote the first season in a way where things end, it
gives us a change to reinvent a new world and bring back people in a new way.
We don’t want to be that conventional half hour like the world never changes.
We like television that has a film narrative that’s not afraid of the central
workplace closing down or relationships ending. I think that mirrors life a
little more.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: Will you have time to pursue any other roles in
other projects?</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">CE: I’m pretty busy because
I’m so involved in the show, but I did get a chance to do some voiceover for an
animation project. That was really fun. I get to audition if I have time. Sometimes
I am tempted to audition for something, but I am so consumed with the show that
I don’t have time. I’d rather invest my time in this one show that I am very passionate
about and that I think is a complete reflection of me. The free time that I do
get, I like to dedicate to stand-up and to having a regular real life. This
keeps me from feeling crazy and gives some normalness to my life. Luckily my
family lives in the same city I do, and I like to see them often and I like to
hang out with my girlfriend.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: Since you got a
second season, I am assuming you had a large audience.</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">CE: Streaming platforms
do not show you the numbers, but since we got renewed that tells us our numbers
are good. Hulu told us they were really happy with the numbers and the reception
the show got. We also feel lucky because we were able to get some critical
acclaim.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: You got a lot
actually, which made me feel good because I feel like I have good taste.</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">CE: Yeah, a lot and I
feel the same way. I do find validity in criticism. I grew up reading rock
music critics and film critics. I do find a validity and an art form to
criticism. As much as it means to me to have working people like it, also to
have some critical acclaim is really good.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: It sure is.</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">
</p><p class="MsoNormal">CE: There are two
kinds of TV viewers. The first kind are people who don’t look at things so
deep. They just like a funny show and that’s great and there is another kind of
TV watcher and that’s the kind of watcher I’ve always been, and I think critics
are like this, we watch with a little more depth and pick up on themes. So, the
fact that these critics picked up these themes and appreciated the narrative
and artistic vision of the show meant a lot to me. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhARI6IDoxk1ODwHqpif-bdSYex5DYrwflrgr2yVe4hzqDZthItxiGhXW9FPceYckeIqrUiWc7evpqnmzQ-abZdL_kkg0Rrs3dqjSE1oboXypGTWznuXcyKzTKcSiI1-Ou5_5pPIUlBfZtGRp_EE-ILNO5Qrx7EDCgS3Jn7IM0YY-JEPmXeZ4cTWA/s900/Chris%20Estrada%20(11).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="727" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhARI6IDoxk1ODwHqpif-bdSYex5DYrwflrgr2yVe4hzqDZthItxiGhXW9FPceYckeIqrUiWc7evpqnmzQ-abZdL_kkg0Rrs3dqjSE1oboXypGTWznuXcyKzTKcSiI1-Ou5_5pPIUlBfZtGRp_EE-ILNO5Qrx7EDCgS3Jn7IM0YY-JEPmXeZ4cTWA/w516-h640/Chris%20Estrada%20(11).jpg" width="516" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">To learn more about Chris Estrada visit his website<a href="https://www.chrisestradacomedy.com/" target="_blank"> https://www.chrisestradacomedy.com/</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="340" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8GJnRMuk_4Q" width="487" youtube-src-id="8GJnRMuk_4Q"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Alan Mercer's Profilehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17357664994049053766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620931384116236944.post-27835325080381833852023-01-15T12:15:00.000-08:002023-01-15T12:15:42.360-08:00Gloria Scott Waited 48 Years To Record Her Second Album And It Was Worth The Wait<p> </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_lA5pNUB8OsXkbs9QvvtJAhL9B6zQxPE4XULX_ZCebw7qE2626B4waDwIZcNNVaJxHn1FXp9niHd3ZIqDqQUr_sWLMPklBo2fWLQ3dJsdnqRUk7bVofyWAkxzqvuu0fTrKXAreB1sL1qTpEEZSmZng3ofoYAVsuKDqHRIofloa1dKJZ0rkNkGNg/s1000/gloria%20scott%20ac.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_lA5pNUB8OsXkbs9QvvtJAhL9B6zQxPE4XULX_ZCebw7qE2626B4waDwIZcNNVaJxHn1FXp9niHd3ZIqDqQUr_sWLMPklBo2fWLQ3dJsdnqRUk7bVofyWAkxzqvuu0fTrKXAreB1sL1qTpEEZSmZng3ofoYAVsuKDqHRIofloa1dKJZ0rkNkGNg/w640-h640/gloria%20scott%20ac.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">All Photos except What Am I Gonna Do album cover: Alan Mercer Make-up: Rudy Calvo Hair: Leverne Tat</span>e</div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Soul singer and songwriter Gloria Scott is revered among
soul aficionados for ‘What Am I Gonna Do’, her 1974 debut album produced by
Barry White. Although it featured a pair of charting singles, the LP was lost
in the shuffle during a year in which White cranked out album projects for
himself, Love Unlimited, Love Unlimited Orchestra, Tom Brock, and Gene Page
(the latter two of whom also assisted with Scott's sessions). Several songs off
the LP became deep classics, particularly in Europe, where Scott has continued
to perform into the 2020s. Active since the mid-'60s, she has enjoyed a lengthy
career with links to other R&B legends such as Sly Stone, Ike & Tina
Turner, and Mary Wilson. She released her second album, ‘So Wonderful’, in
2022.</b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Gloria Scott was raised in Texas and California. Born in
Port Arthur, she moved before her first birthday to Houston, where she started
singing and took piano lessons. She and her family relocated to East Palo Alto
in her early teens, and later moved to Sunnydale. At a school dance, she got
on-stage to sing with the Mojo Men, and ended up performing with the band on a
more formal basis. This led to the group's Sly Stone writing and producing
Scott's debut single, "I Taught Him," released on Warner Bros. in
1964. Scott continued performing in and around the Bay Area, and for a while
was an Ikette, touring with Ike & Tina Turner.<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><br /></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSFZmDbRxUz-RwWxIwkrbLgiNT0Ny_qUfQb6pjj0eTp9T34JOxvsaDjEv0jrYuMVmVuKn2cbHev_TRXfQLf6Eta_j4eKJ4su84kNtulccqAyLHDasYzrN1cMz-YcYSlROpYLtMKCQ9acbaZ0mZQg4W4qSyoeU7g1bBdB3jI4yAcoJAEUk4DFoT0g/s400/Gloria%20Scott%201%20album%20cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSFZmDbRxUz-RwWxIwkrbLgiNT0Ny_qUfQb6pjj0eTp9T34JOxvsaDjEv0jrYuMVmVuKn2cbHev_TRXfQLf6Eta_j4eKJ4su84kNtulccqAyLHDasYzrN1cMz-YcYSlROpYLtMKCQ9acbaZ0mZQg4W4qSyoeU7g1bBdB3jI4yAcoJAEUk4DFoT0g/s320/Gloria%20Scott%201%20album%20cover.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Gloria Scott 'What Am I Gonna Do' album cover</span></div><br /><b><br /></b><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Post-Ikettes, a song she wrote with Herman Chaney caught the
attention of Barry White, who ended up signing her. White produced Scott's 1974
debut album, ‘What Am I Gonna Do’. The second LP released on the Casablanca
label (after Kiss' self-titled debut and before Parliament's Up for the Down
Stroke), it yielded "What Am I Gonna Do" and "Just as Long as
We're Together (In My Life There Will Never Be Another)," singles that
respectively reached number 74 and number 14 on Billboard's Hot Soul Singles
chart. The second A-side received enough support from club DJs to scale up the
disco chart to number 14. Scott recorded a follow-up with H.B. Barnum as
producer, but it was shelved. Nothing else materialized from Scott and White's
affiliation.<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><br /></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="350" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KS1ZybpFwy4" width="492" youtube-src-id="KS1ZybpFwy4"></iframe></div><br /><b><br /></b><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Scott went on to perform and record with Mary Wilson for a
couple years. Thanks to the enduring support of European soul fans, Scott later
became an in-demand performer, regularly appearing at the annual Baltic Soul
Weekender in Germany, debuting there in 2008. Meanwhile, What Am I Gonna Do was
reissued in multiple editions. The title song, along with "(A Case Of) Too
Much Lovemakin'" and the B-side "That's What You Always Say,"
were licensed for numerous compilations. Scott recorded infrequently, releasing
the original song "It's So Wonderful" and a cover of Ten City's
"That's the Way Love Is," and in 2022 finally released her second
album, So Wonderful, produced by Andrew McGuinness and issued on the Acid Jazz
label.</b><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZZtYUfp0LOeCYsprLWvs95IXFsLWD1VswYXYzcvpELFwEIwAeJXgAV23ci2VH7ARKP_TrlydwI843MVvB6ov33rCXIsJSBLTWvXo5yNQrARJP_9edH_a9n9BnbIqDJxJmveb_JA-2KvRY361iJHSlbfrWsKukFnbRRDsfuZ0Vl30BRNg8kAeHHw/s904/Gloria%20Scott%20(159).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="904" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZZtYUfp0LOeCYsprLWvs95IXFsLWD1VswYXYzcvpELFwEIwAeJXgAV23ci2VH7ARKP_TrlydwI843MVvB6ov33rCXIsJSBLTWvXo5yNQrARJP_9edH_a9n9BnbIqDJxJmveb_JA-2KvRY361iJHSlbfrWsKukFnbRRDsfuZ0Vl30BRNg8kAeHHw/w638-h640/Gloria%20Scott%20(159).jpg" width="638" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Alan Mercer:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gloria,
I must tell you how exquisite your new album is. I didn’t think you could top
your first album, but you did!</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Gloria Scott:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am so
happy that music came out of me before I leave this earth.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did you write the
songs?</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">GS:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wrote most of
them. ‘So Wonderful’ was written way back when I was working with Barry White,
also ‘Running Away’ was written back then too. I was doing the Baltic Soul Weekend
one year and Andrew McGuinness had the music to a song, and I heard the lyrics
come to me out of the sky and it became the song, ’Real’. He had it on his
phone and we created it right there.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="347" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0PFbkvl-BOc" width="461" youtube-src-id="0PFbkvl-BOc"></iframe></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tell me about the
song you didn’t write called ‘Promise Land’.</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">GS:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I always did that
song when I was in Germany, but it didn’t seem complete. It didn’t have enough
meaning, so I wrote some more lyrics to it and got permission to use it. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a great tune
to end the album and also your opening song, ‘All Of The Time, You’re On My
Mind’ is a perfect opening song.</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">GS:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was the song
that Barry did for a second album he never released. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did you re-record
it?</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">GS: Yes, but sometimes the strings were a little too much
for me. I wish I would have been able to give my opinion of it when they were working
on the mix. I would have done things a little bit different. Sometimes the producers
don’t respect singers like they should. If Andrew produces my next album, I’m
going to be sure to sign a contract that gives me the final say.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You should. Someone
with your experience and longevity should be listened to.</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">GS:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I kind of want to
do it myself.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You understand
music.</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">GS:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know
music, but I do understand it. Barry was the same way.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="323" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-ZwWpNlcDH4" width="485" youtube-src-id="-ZwWpNlcDH4"></iframe></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t think you’ve
ever recorded a song like ‘Come Back Baby’ and it’s gorgeous.</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">GS:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was another
one that Andrew had the music for, and I wrote the lyrics. It came pretty naturally.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All the songs on
this album flow from one to another so seamlessly, just like your first album.</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">GS:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I played
Germany, they let me stay over a little longer, but the morning I was getting
ready to leave, they told me they were going to play a track and they wanted me
to write something and whatever I wrote the first time is what we would go with
and that’s it. It came out so systematically. The runs and the lines fit in so
well. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So overall, you
are very happy with the album.</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">GS: Yes, I am. I would always want to change a few things. I
was like that with my first album too. I don’t think they let me adlib enough on
the first album. I was just a babe then. I let them dictate to me everything and
they are still trying to do that. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="343" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/x4bG5r8D0TU" width="502" youtube-src-id="x4bG5r8D0TU"></iframe></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want to go over
your history because some people may not know that you have worked with some
legends. The first being Sly Stone who produced your first single, ‘I Taught
Him’ that we can hear on YouTube. It’s so good!</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">GS:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wasn’t that good?
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When Bobby Freeman heard that song, he
told Sly he wanted a song just like that and that’s when he came up with ‘The
Swim’.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You couldn’t have
known you were making history, did you?</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">GS:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was in knee
school. I met Sly at a school dance. From then on, we just started hanging out.
Whenever he had a gig, he would invite me to hang out. It was like a sock hop,
and we had so much fun. I wanted to be in his group when he started Sly and the
Family Stone, but at that time he was Sly and the Mojo Men. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also recently
learned that you worked with Ike and Tina Turner, but you were not an Ikette on
stage during the show for a while.</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">GS:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I met Ike and
Tina in San Francisco at the Fillmore West. I auditioned and I remember the
song I sang was ‘Come See About Me’. My family lived in Santa Cruz at the time,
so Ike and Tina drove me in their black Cadillac to say good-bye to my Momma. I
was 18 at the time and I went to all the gigs with them. The original Ikettes
were always performing. I told them I wanted to go home. I was a babe in the woods,
so they let me go home, but then they called me, and Ike asked if I wanted to
go on the Dick Clark Tour. There were three or four sets of Ikettes that went
on that tour and I was on one of them.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is so
exciting. You have always been known for your voice, haven’t you?</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">GS:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tina came to see
us one time and she told me I was the best one so when the original Ikettes
quit, Ike asked me if I wanted to be one and I said, “Yes, yes!” Tina let me
lead most of the songs that the Ikettes sang. Do you remember the song, ‘I’m
Thankful’?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: Oh yes.</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">GS:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was my song.
I got real hoarse on night and Ike told me to drink a shot of brandy and then
Tina said it was the best version of that song she had ever heard.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s quite a
compliment. </b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">GS:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was, she did
respect me a lot. One time we were performing in LA and P.P. Arnold walked up
to the mic and started singing my song. Tina told her to give Gloria back her
song. I didn’t make a fuss about it on stage. I just let her do it. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did you leave
show business for a while after you left Ike and Tina?</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">GS:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Actually, I did.
I was not in the mainstream. I had moved to LA and this guy I was writing songs
with told me I had to meet someone. We went to Barry White’s office. I sang the
songs, ‘It’s So Wonderful’ and ‘Can’t Keep Running Away’ and Barry signed me as
an artist. It was a terrible contract.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="339" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wHToJSrm--E" width="477" youtube-src-id="wHToJSrm--E"></iframe></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How did you get
on Casablanca at the very beginning?</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">GS:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was Warner
Bros. and Casablanca. It was mixed up. I don’t think I was ready for that yet. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is that why you
didn’t do a follow up album?</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">GS:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Barry’s career
got so big itself, I think that’s what happened and at the same time I was
feeling a little insecure about the whole thing. That’s why I dropped off after
that. I didn’t know the album was being played in Europe. I don’t know if Barry
promoted it over there or if it just got picked up over there. A lot of people
would tell me they heard my song, but it wasn’t one from the album. I found out
the guy who produced it put it out. There were just so many things I didn’t understand
back then. I didn’t know you had to copyright your songs.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did you ever
imagine it would be 48 years in between releases?</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">GS:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is
unimaginable, but it is the truth. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is unimaginable.
You must be the only recording artist who has that long in between albums. Will you be
performing in support of the new album?</b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">GS:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have several
gigs in England coming up. It starts in March. I’m really working on getting
myself in shape for that.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBY4FBPszetzAkPzBMvFuMB63aX8o1pvUye_T8zZWEOewXRfJlhAMF3FMJ_Svijyp2-ldJUkZbT-LeyTsq7s59HrofqFiaGJzTplgkra7tEWiMa1ZSvKfUb8EXa4V_KvtZEpPMrKcl5RZlc5-ONq8r4xSDeANjOckJkAZRqo-OdbIThS9CtaGfxA/s900/Gloria%20Scott%20%2042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="675" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBY4FBPszetzAkPzBMvFuMB63aX8o1pvUye_T8zZWEOewXRfJlhAMF3FMJ_Svijyp2-ldJUkZbT-LeyTsq7s59HrofqFiaGJzTplgkra7tEWiMa1ZSvKfUb8EXa4V_KvtZEpPMrKcl5RZlc5-ONq8r4xSDeANjOckJkAZRqo-OdbIThS9CtaGfxA/w480-h640/Gloria%20Scott%20%2042.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You can follow Gloria on her Facebook page <a href="https://www.facebook.com/scottgloria">https://www.facebook.com/scottgloria</a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="345" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/32cj16BeHSo" width="452" youtube-src-id="32cj16BeHSo"></iframe></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><br /><p></p>Alan Mercer's Profilehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17357664994049053766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620931384116236944.post-9112921598954100732022-11-13T12:24:00.000-08:002022-11-13T12:24:09.785-08:00Garrett T. Capps: The Cosmic Country Gonzo Space Cowboy From San Antone<p><b><br /></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsvS56P1S5wbRZZXbl9JYKkUffwcpEP7wPjJtdUDFw9RDg-vW9zloGEBGexg2MAVki9Xp2a8sncGTvDziHWm8ID-YpF9_3Iua0TnZaWx_dG8QpC3UGBw-brsK7qUZ0LflEJKikkGu-h7tfOQxDaL5gP5rpTppYfDQ34BDiFLsds67dclsoUG9wFw/s1500/1492-garretttcapps_peoplearebeautiful.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1500" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsvS56P1S5wbRZZXbl9JYKkUffwcpEP7wPjJtdUDFw9RDg-vW9zloGEBGexg2MAVki9Xp2a8sncGTvDziHWm8ID-YpF9_3Iua0TnZaWx_dG8QpC3UGBw-brsK7qUZ0LflEJKikkGu-h7tfOQxDaL5gP5rpTppYfDQ34BDiFLsds67dclsoUG9wFw/w640-h384/1492-garretttcapps_peoplearebeautiful.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><b>Strap in, space cowboy! San Antonio psychonaut Garrett T. Capps is a Bad mofo. He makes cowboy kraut with his band NASA Country & also lots of Tex-Mex rock n' roll. He is San Antonio’s resident cosmic country gonzo honky-tonk weirdo freak. He is a national treasure in Holland. He can usually be found at The Lonesome Rose, the bar he owns in the city he was born in.</b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>People Are Beautiful, the final installment of the “Shadows Trilogy”, was written in the early days of the pandemic, when the light at the end of the tunnel was very dim indeed and recorded in December 2020 at legendary border-town studio Sonic Ranch during peak uncertain times. And well, it’s only gotten weirder every day since then really, but NASA Country’s here to spread cosmic posi vibes, even if every sprint around the sun lands us in stranger territory…<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>From the jump People Are Beautiful sounds like dialing in to an alien wavelength, trans-dimensional frequency hiss being a major part of the album’s total feel. “Gettin’ Better” kicks things off with a jangly, feel-good two-stepper, punctuated by free-flow slipstream percussion and glimmering modular synth refractions.<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><br /></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="331" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hjVR8Qoq4Rk" width="466" youtube-src-id="hjVR8Qoq4Rk"></iframe></div><br /><b><br /></b><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>The vibe gets darker and the mood gets heavier on standout track “Rip Out the Darkness,” where a chuggin’ swamp blues riff disintegrates into a deep-space spiral, Capps switching between full-octave falsetto and a hoarse yell. “It’s gettin’ weirder every day” he says somewhere in between, in this ripper about the 24-hour news cycle blues.<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Elsewhere NASA Country revives the krautrock fiesta sound they’ve been kicking around for a few years now. “Time Will Tell” is built around a shimmering, retro-futuristic synth arpeggio that could have bedrocked an extended Neu! jam. The closing, title track is another nugget of Honky-tonk Kosmische, ending things with a brusque motorik shuffle.<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Across People Are Beautiful’s eight tracks, NASA Country surfs gravitational waves of carefully shaped reverb & frame-rattling feedback, moving at different speeds at different times. No matter how out-there they get, though, Capps never fails to connect with the slightly-freaked-out wit and charm he’s become famous for in San Antone.</b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><br /></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN7Um-QPpoGWgtSKBYMPnrNHcQW5vwppSA-XkUo2UBmm6pxYW5S4pP1-2R1thAoihqp18K_1Ud5p9iUPQPlHf-ApC58Ch55s6zRPImdROjrT0kDcVbMp1K2dsPqp0cHxcCpPC_dToQE1PWozQs2U6P7vp9xR1IkhcAUYA780dkBy3crC-VRuFomQ/s1509/gtc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1509" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN7Um-QPpoGWgtSKBYMPnrNHcQW5vwppSA-XkUo2UBmm6pxYW5S4pP1-2R1thAoihqp18K_1Ud5p9iUPQPlHf-ApC58Ch55s6zRPImdROjrT0kDcVbMp1K2dsPqp0cHxcCpPC_dToQE1PWozQs2U6P7vp9xR1IkhcAUYA780dkBy3crC-VRuFomQ/w508-h640/gtc.jpg" width="508" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Alan Mercer:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Garrett, I am so waiting for you to come to Fort Worth for a show.</b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Garrett T. Capps:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One day we will play Fort Worth.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When you do finally get here, I want to interview you again and take some photos of you and put you on the blog again.</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">GTC:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alright, thanks Alan.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s talk about your new album today and we will catch up on the rest of your career when I see you in person.</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">GTC:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Right on!<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your latest album is phenomenal, like all your albums really. I know this is the final chapter of a trilogy of albums and you put your band name in the title. Why did you decide to credit them in this release?</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">GTC:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We really became a band in 2020. I initially started working with the guys in the band when I recorded my album, ‘In The Shadows Again.’ That came out in 2018. They play on that album, but I also have a bunch of guest artists. I didn’t know what was going to happen after we made the record, but we ended up staying together as a band playing shows and going on tour.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When did you start taking it all seriously?</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">GTC: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We really started rehearsing once a week in 2020 when everything was shut down and we had never done that before. It became a hang out where we would jam and write songs since we didn’t have any gigs to prepare for. After doing that for the year, we decided our big event would be to record a new record.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love how it led to a record.</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">GTC:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were coming up with ideas together and writing lyrics together and working out different song structures together and that’s what you hear on the ‘People Are Beautiful’ album. So, it felt like NASA Country needed to be included in the title. It’s a big part of our lives and the whole band put a lot into the album. There are no musical guests on the record. That’s a first album that I haven’t had any guests, it’s just the band.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="333" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HhMMyJUsrWw" width="505" youtube-src-id="HhMMyJUsrWw"></iframe></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did you know it would be a trilogy when you recorded the first of the three?</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">GTC:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No, but the first time I went to Europe I came up with the concept. I went there with a bar band I put together when the ‘All Right All Night’ album came out and that’s when I decided I wanted to make it a trilogy because it seemed like a fun idea.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, I love a fun idea!</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">GTC:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, I incorporated some space sounds and some of the NASA Country guys on ‘All Right All Night’ just to make it a trilogy just for the shit of it. There’s no extreme science. ‘In The Shadows Again’ starts with a song called ‘Born Into A Ballroom’ and ends with a song called ‘Trouble’s Calling’ and the end of ‘Troubles Calling’ has this long soundscape and within that soundscape is part of ‘Born Into A Ballroom.’<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What made you think about doing that?</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">GTC:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know why we did that, but the trilogy idea spun off from that. It was some sort of epic idea. So, the first track on ‘All Right All Night’ starts off with sounds from ‘Trouble’s Calling,’ the last song on the album before and finally the first song on ‘People Are Beautiful’ starts off with sounds from the end of ‘All Right All Night.’ It’s a half-baked idea but anytime people remember that it’s a trilogy of albums I get a kick out of it.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It works. I also notice how you like to record the same songs more than once with different arrangements and styles. Do you think you can do a better job, or do you want to hear a different sound or are you just into experimenting?</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">GTC:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yeah, I do like to re-record songs and I think the reason is all the above.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I like what you do. It sets you apart from other artists. I love every version of ‘In The Shadows Again.’ I think you’ve recorded it 4 times.</b></p><p class="MsoNormal">GTC:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yeah, I think I have. I don’t think about that stuff when I’m doing it, but when I look back, I do say, there is that version. It takes a lot of time, effort, and resources to go into the studio, so I try to do all new stuff, but I do repeat myself. It seems like in Country music that is pretty normal, at least historically.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="312" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1gonjCTGyvA" width="450" youtube-src-id="1gonjCTGyvA"></iframe></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are you excited about being up for an Ameripolitan Award?</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">GTC:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yeah, I think it’s great. Other than just trying to make music I enjoy and play shows that I feel are successful and fun, I have a career trajectory in mind. Everyone does things differently. I’m trying to streamline my process. I feel like I am all over the place all the time. Whenever I work with a booking agent or a professional person of some kind, we have trouble trying to figure out where I fit in.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I understand why there are categories, but it must be frustrating.</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">GTC:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is, especially after the last few years. I had some momentum moving out of 2019 into 2020 that isn’t there anymore. Well, maybe it’s still there but I don’t know where it is. I feel like it’s been a rebuilding process. That being said, regardless of where I fit in, in the world of music, The Ameripolitan Honky-Tonk Male category makes sense because I am one of the owners of a honky-tonk in San Antonio.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, I know that, The Lonesome Rose. Most artists don’t own a club. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">GTC:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s the other side of my musical life. Music is my life in lots of different ways. Other than just wanting to perform and write original songs, I have always been fascinated with the concert business and the way it works. I want to know why certain artists come to town. San Antonio has always been mysterious to me when I was growing up. It always seemed to me that a lot of bands wouldn’t come to town. I grew up hearing about all this musical history and how San Antonio was the heavy metal capitol before I was born into the 90’s. It didn’t seem like it was there when I was a teenager going to shows. As soon as I could, I started trying to book bands that I thought had never been to San Antonio before or they had a bad show when they played San Antonio.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What type of bands were you booking?</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">GTC:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mostly rock bands and country bands. With that happening along with my own music thing happening, The Lonesome Rose organically came together. The other people I work with own other bars, and they wanted to open a honky-tonk and I said to myself I need a honky-tonk. I’m booking country bands at random venues. I’d rather have a venue to call home for myself, so it all works together.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you consider yourself a businessman?</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">GTC:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yeah, I definitely catch myself thinking business minded about lots of things. It can get annoying, but I think it helps more than it hurts.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Garrett, I notice your social media posts have a positive and optimistic outlook blended with humor. Is that on purpose?</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">GTC:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yeah, for sure. I mean, I don’t know what else to do.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Laughing) I think it’s awesome. I wish more people would do that. I also love how you end every post with the word “Foo”.</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">GTC:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know what’s going on with social media, so I decided at some point that if it makes me laugh, then that works for me.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your posts make me laugh, but they also open my mind and let me think.</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijyi2LlB-op_jGEgB_iYRq_jN1PhOoENOaXAvOidg4REW8SEtV3vY1vnjyLgaDIbD7q_xH21xGTKXKHDwu6cNUs6Ta0uu19zQYntIv5wc9F0uhIqJmpgz3KybIVBPUoagK6lJJS9YLb-_QHpJcGuaGhRsML0-jUPwGjXnxlZ9lvJ5JXVJGkM63AQ/s1600/Garrett-T-Capps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijyi2LlB-op_jGEgB_iYRq_jN1PhOoENOaXAvOidg4REW8SEtV3vY1vnjyLgaDIbD7q_xH21xGTKXKHDwu6cNUs6Ta0uu19zQYntIv5wc9F0uhIqJmpgz3KybIVBPUoagK6lJJS9YLb-_QHpJcGuaGhRsML0-jUPwGjXnxlZ9lvJ5JXVJGkM63AQ/w640-h480/Garrett-T-Capps.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">To learn more about Garrett T. Capps visit his website <a href="https://garretttcapps.com/" target="_blank">https://garretttcapps.com/ </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="370" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FKh5o4NVnAk" width="497" youtube-src-id="FKh5o4NVnAk"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /><b><br /></b></p><div><b><br /></b></div><p class="MsoNormal"><b><br /></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><br /></b></p></div><div><b><br /></b></div>Alan Mercer's Profilehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17357664994049053766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620931384116236944.post-12886187901675697182022-10-25T09:49:00.003-07:002022-10-25T10:00:36.372-07:00Remembering My Friend Leslie Jordan<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvKhMmeG6Hypiz_vwx7Ke1_ZBVOwRbguvLCn_KtlvjbXgzUg3kHXVFf5JBK0iDKTmzojVK7gh6sZ0McWVoizzHSJ7rSfkzR7gtIKlo5Z1p-Z8WQevwI9WRL9m84f5xjkb1hkepvqj81BBIv6hiwOmtLxtL6bjHXq-Gw5bD0-wfrq_3AdwpJSHDWQ/s1200/Leslie%20Jordan%20collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvKhMmeG6Hypiz_vwx7Ke1_ZBVOwRbguvLCn_KtlvjbXgzUg3kHXVFf5JBK0iDKTmzojVK7gh6sZ0McWVoizzHSJ7rSfkzR7gtIKlo5Z1p-Z8WQevwI9WRL9m84f5xjkb1hkepvqj81BBIv6hiwOmtLxtL6bjHXq-Gw5bD0-wfrq_3AdwpJSHDWQ/w640-h640/Leslie%20Jordan%20collage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">All Photos by Alan Mercer taken in Los Angeles on August 30, 2004</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The loss of Leslie Jordan leaves a giant hole in our consciousness today. It seems everyone loved him and rightly so. Very few people have the relaxed and friendly quality that Leslie excelled in. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I met Leslie in 2004 at a Dottie Rambo and Tammy Faye concert. (This is when I met Dottie and Tammy too) in West Hollywood. He was there with his group of Del Shores friends. They loved the concert as much as I did. I told Leslie I was a huge admirer of his comedic talents and that I would adore to photograph him. As it turned out he was actually needing photos taken for his upcoming one man show, so we set up a date and these photos are the result. They were a hit and for awhile I saw them everywhere. In the meantime Leslie turned into a bigger star and when I had relocated to Texas, he came to Dallas and we had another photo session in the Mary Kay Suite at the Anatole Hotel. You can see those photos here-<a href="http://amprofile.blogspot.com/2014/08/leslie-jordan.html">http://amprofile.blogspot.com/2014/08/leslie-jordan.html</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Every time I was around Leslie it was a good time. I went to all his one man shows and they never fell flat. He was a guaranteed riot of laughter.. He just had a way of making anyone feel comfortable and happy. He even recorded a Country Gospel album with all the big Country Music Stars! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I miss him already but I will cherish the memories of being with Leslie the times we were able to get together. Thank you for all the laughter dear friend, until we meet again. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="338" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IE-S_HUxDdY" width="512" youtube-src-id="IE-S_HUxDdY"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="337" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XYaNVQpyD0I" width="493" youtube-src-id="XYaNVQpyD0I"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>Alan Mercer's Profilehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17357664994049053766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620931384116236944.post-34827076692010682692022-08-29T05:24:00.000-07:002022-08-29T05:24:00.163-07:00The Wandering Spirit of Singer/Songwriter Rob Bray<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmvDHnkLtBPIxtR5oYC3z-bA-_w3WYzzZYYVzYvbIZlNPz-DKTFwijxKTgaW1si9zs-lwgLioDLuj1jOgmbISB-DtxRTuS8wRUhvWGmgQUCuldkXDlDM_pOexljHPQd-NHkBx_IN3ZuCTJ0KoV7ydBAQsNh3uNyM4axhHIBe04iuxJpzkSGPXnEw/s900/Rob%20Bray%2057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="712" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmvDHnkLtBPIxtR5oYC3z-bA-_w3WYzzZYYVzYvbIZlNPz-DKTFwijxKTgaW1si9zs-lwgLioDLuj1jOgmbISB-DtxRTuS8wRUhvWGmgQUCuldkXDlDM_pOexljHPQd-NHkBx_IN3ZuCTJ0KoV7ydBAQsNh3uNyM4axhHIBe04iuxJpzkSGPXnEw/w506-h640/Rob%20Bray%2057.jpg" width="506" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">All photos by Alan Mercer</span></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Currently in Austin, Texas, Rob Bray grew up in suburban New
Jersey and lived in the New York City area for 20 years. He formed the group
Gideon’s Army and released two critically acclaimed albums and a few singles in
the rock ‘n’ roll genre, before switching gears and deciding to focus on a
blend of country, roots, Americana, folk, and rock ‘n’ roll. <o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><br /></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="343" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XMt7BVEzx2Y" width="499" youtube-src-id="XMt7BVEzx2Y"></iframe></div><br /><b><br /></b><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Rob wrote and produced all the songs on those first two
albums and has a third Gideon’s Army album in the can ready for release. He
will soon be releasing songs from his first album as a solo artist, under his
name, Rob Bray. He is currently in the midst of a national solo acoustic tour.</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggw24zYgUhz06R-lwnbhqGGvVEp8NHZhKtyKSQ-7Po5OAyYVPclrhfgIfP_-M8UkffzCLWZE-_cJogfXeH3QDiBZ-IgUUBaL3wu6faR47cnTJmQiHcG5siUl_YJSHIQYIS9O8fNfAXrczM6CUiaKE1XBsjyZbcCzZh1PSg8iyZQY9ozfkDwjHy8g/s900/Rob%20Bray%2039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="704" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggw24zYgUhz06R-lwnbhqGGvVEp8NHZhKtyKSQ-7Po5OAyYVPclrhfgIfP_-M8UkffzCLWZE-_cJogfXeH3QDiBZ-IgUUBaL3wu6faR47cnTJmQiHcG5siUl_YJSHIQYIS9O8fNfAXrczM6CUiaKE1XBsjyZbcCzZh1PSg8iyZQY9ozfkDwjHy8g/w500-h640/Rob%20Bray%2039.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Alan Mercer: Rob, I
noticed after your first two albums you have released only singles. Are they
from a third album?</b><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<p class="MsoNormal">Rob Bray: Yes, that was going to be the third album, which was
completed at the very beginning of the covid period. I didn’t want to put it
out and not be able to play shows for people or be able to tour. I decided to release
a single at a time and do it slowly and gradually, which is what people are doing
now anyway. The whole thing went on a lot longer than I had planned.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: What else did you
do at this time?</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">RB: I moved to South
Florida because of the ability to play outdoors. It’s a great area for solo acoustic
performers.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: Did you put
Gideon’s Army on hiatus?</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">RB: It’s not on
hiatus. I’m still going to be releasing new music under Gideon’s Army. I’ve
still got seven unreleased songs waiting to go. I’m looking for music video
directors now.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtZqJOB-u1taAQSZZTXBWoLB2jlMaeLfp5OnDNSxXO0Mv67RNDBKlLovTQ5zOetG6y92yvoY-GBFzH8pxGQjvTZ-YxE65HStsuddfw-XmXsPJwHWS1oRR26eb8AvXXRcUDokTKQR0G0fq6_hbQnYw4SEu2k_pdlIUAyPG-NSELNMrnQkHynP1pPw/s900/Rob%20Bray%2053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="713" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtZqJOB-u1taAQSZZTXBWoLB2jlMaeLfp5OnDNSxXO0Mv67RNDBKlLovTQ5zOetG6y92yvoY-GBFzH8pxGQjvTZ-YxE65HStsuddfw-XmXsPJwHWS1oRR26eb8AvXXRcUDokTKQR0G0fq6_hbQnYw4SEu2k_pdlIUAyPG-NSELNMrnQkHynP1pPw/w508-h640/Rob%20Bray%2053.jpg" width="508" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: Everyone of your
music videos is simply amazing. I love every song. You have the charisma needed
to make great videos. I also saw you acting in a short film titled ‘The Other
Side of Love’ and you were great.</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">RB: I went to drama
school at the acting conservatory in New York City. That was my original goal.
It was through acting that I developed my love of music with all the voice and
movement classes.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: I’m sure you’re
performing a lot of classic Country music covers now.</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">RB: I do a lot of Country music covers and some Rock and Pop
covers too. The Country music songs are the ones best suited for a voice and a
strumming guitar. I have a profound admiration for the Singer/Songwriters. The
ones that write all of their own music and tell their own stories. That’s what I
want to do myself. I’ve grown more enamored of Country music over the years.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="314" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qgEAczLg4Zo" width="534" youtube-src-id="qgEAczLg4Zo"></iframe></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: How do you like
living in Austin?</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">RB: I love it. It
feels more in line with who I am and it’s where the shows are. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: Are you a
songwriter who writes all the time and is your songwriting style shifting into
a more Americana sound?</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">RB: Yes, I do write all
the time and I would say those Americana flavors are coming out to a great
degree. The Rock, Pop and Blues are still there though. I would say that Folk
and Americana and Country are taking over. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNmZFrGczQYRZKzpuA6URPnOSYAlvTgx-oIDMIRnFk0rVx55I6_tGspW5p7gX9fyRiPe5mqCSwSjkVJeB0Rfwc1ouUqvuMis8YgN_91tv7iDwJb5dmR-A1IULzaMZKKaFK29eMGRwFxnYKFNqMvvlU5CtQ9yxGXVgf87mhWdN6IoFoud5TSpqW_Q/s900/Rob%20Bray%2048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="710" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNmZFrGczQYRZKzpuA6URPnOSYAlvTgx-oIDMIRnFk0rVx55I6_tGspW5p7gX9fyRiPe5mqCSwSjkVJeB0Rfwc1ouUqvuMis8YgN_91tv7iDwJb5dmR-A1IULzaMZKKaFK29eMGRwFxnYKFNqMvvlU5CtQ9yxGXVgf87mhWdN6IoFoud5TSpqW_Q/w504-h640/Rob%20Bray%2048.jpg" width="504" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: Do you enjoy doing
these solo acoustic shows?</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">RB: I love it. I will
sometimes have a three hour show and I have to force myself to take a break because
I know I need to rest my voice and drink some water, but once I am up there singing,
I hate to stop. I love performing and singing so much. I also have quite a
range of what I like in music. I recently visited the African American Music
Museum in Nashville. I didn’t even get to see all of it because I spent three
hours in the first room. I barely got up to ragtime in the early 1900’s. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: I would love to
go there. <o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">RB: It could take me
two years to see it all. When I was growing up in suburban New Jersey I was obsessed
with R&B Music. I still feel like that period of the 90’s gave us some of
the best music. I love the Southern Soul period and Muscle Shoals and Stax
Records.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="344" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wcw40r0Wj8Q" width="511" youtube-src-id="wcw40r0Wj8Q"></iframe></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: I guess you’ve
made friends with being on the road a lot.</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">RB: I’ve always had a
wandering spirit. I love the feeling you get when you’re about to go on a
journey or adventure. I get that feeling often. It’s time for me to go live another
adventure. I get excited about that. It can get tiring hour after hour on the
road, but I am a huge music lover, so I listen the whole time. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: I love listening
to music in the car. It’s the best.</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">RB: I do a lot of
songwriting while I’m driving as well. Sometimes I’ll get triggered by a lyric
or an emotion and I’ll turn the radio down and start singing into my I Phone. A
lot of my songs get started that way. These are not wasted hours.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>AM: I get the feeling
you do not waste much time.</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">RB: No, I don’t. I have a work ethic. I do love my leisure
time as well when I feel I’ve had some productive hours. After I’ve had my
coffee and my breakfast, I am ready to get going. I take those hours seriously
and I put the work in seven days a week.<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7GUus3LBAal87fIOFMOdcYuWBC498tjaxjcve7c-j48JkCUBDYfBNadtFLTwRK4BrPTGMrdesM0mS_UNcaSSl3vfqDneNxtZjlGKRNAC4lh8nvyrr5muTXIbb8iYJhxGtWE4oLQhOs4EzqZJ7CE6YleP7X8eO8w_Enm50XVkaaKdfcHBBAD2ZtA/s800/Rob%20Bray%2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7GUus3LBAal87fIOFMOdcYuWBC498tjaxjcve7c-j48JkCUBDYfBNadtFLTwRK4BrPTGMrdesM0mS_UNcaSSl3vfqDneNxtZjlGKRNAC4lh8nvyrr5muTXIbb8iYJhxGtWE4oLQhOs4EzqZJ7CE6YleP7X8eO8w_Enm50XVkaaKdfcHBBAD2ZtA/w640-h426/Rob%20Bray%2014.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">To learn more about Rob Bray follow his <a href="https://www.instagram.com/robertmichaelbray/">Instagram</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="359" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zaHiU3kr7f4" width="542" youtube-src-id="zaHiU3kr7f4"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p></div><p><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><br /><p></p>Alan Mercer's Profilehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17357664994049053766noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620931384116236944.post-45990396524826175052022-08-22T05:13:00.002-07:002022-08-22T07:56:08.581-07:00Jessica Sherr Takes On The Legend of Bette Davis<p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI2UR7-8MEq2dWfvr5uFGGMzBPYqvSOPDZAh9hBeYkXwwBPL9e08mh01YctQSHXcSCHTwvu6DwkqGUneSAtJj41Aw9w7IvjlyfhHLhA7QZ-7cHG4KWgsnb3mqMacJiHtCn6pAOYw9t6beUvFobKNNss2btOiLjHdR-_N2nR3Vgf5SqZd5FT95kqA/s900/Jessica%20Sherr%2006.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="896" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI2UR7-8MEq2dWfvr5uFGGMzBPYqvSOPDZAh9hBeYkXwwBPL9e08mh01YctQSHXcSCHTwvu6DwkqGUneSAtJj41Aw9w7IvjlyfhHLhA7QZ-7cHG4KWgsnb3mqMacJiHtCn6pAOYw9t6beUvFobKNNss2btOiLjHdR-_N2nR3Vgf5SqZd5FT95kqA/w638-h640/Jessica%20Sherr%2006.jpg" width="638" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">3 photos in green dress taken by Alan Mercer in Fort Worth, TX at the Isis Theater </span></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p><b style="font-size: large;">Jessica grew up in San Diego and now lives in New York
City. She is an award-winning
Actress/Writer/Producer. Jessica appears
on CLAWS (TNT), CLOAK AND DAGGER (ABC FreeForm) and on BLUE BLOODS (CBS). </b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Jessica produced and stars in the award-winning series,
Scratch This, WINNER Best Web-Series Garden State Film Festival, Best Ensemble
Cast Bilbao Seriesland & NJ Webfest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Jessica’s dark comedy short, Wicked Image, screened at Lighthouse Film
Festival, WINNER Best Short Short Comedy at Cutting Room International Film
Festival and Best Screenplay Hang Onto Your Shorts. She acts and co-produced,
We are the Prototypes, World Premiere at Dances with Films, Dragon-Con
(Audience Choice Award), and Garden State Film Festival.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Returned to Dances with Films with another
short Dance Till Dawn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Jessica is the actress / writer of the acclaimed one-woman
show, BETTE DAVIS AIN'T FOR SISSIES directed by Drama Desk Award Winning Karen
Carpenter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had her international
debut at The Edinburgh Fringe Festival and had two successful 4-week runs in
Chicago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jessica has performed the show
over 350 times in 15 states and 3 countries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="321" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/L3-rvRbxlsE" width="491" youtube-src-id="L3-rvRbxlsE"></iframe></b></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></b></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Jessica feature film script, BETTE, based off her solo show,
was a finalist for ScreenCraft, Top 10% Nicholls Fellowship, Finalist for Scriptapalooza
2020.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Jessica studies with Geoffrey Blake at The Working Actors
Studio and has studied improv at UCB and The PIT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jessica is a certified personal trainer and
holds her Real Estate License.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jessica
is a dog mom to Wynnie the Wheaten Terrier. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When not acting you can find Jessica at the
beach surfing.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisosHemcFWbYADcBCSi275ujRATV7jdTOs_Q9RERatRqeqRUklLtKCsSTCFdS2L_uawoawPrRqMzV0hGNw6otN1uDUn3VsQYrFyFQvn1ganjonHSFn7IEaS6XD_GyRR6IcnfwBuY93H-LfxpHdnINv_JGNCH_nAxfxp14-e-bwOsYIn3zMke8PPg/s900/Jessica%20Sherr%2024.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="729" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisosHemcFWbYADcBCSi275ujRATV7jdTOs_Q9RERatRqeqRUklLtKCsSTCFdS2L_uawoawPrRqMzV0hGNw6otN1uDUn3VsQYrFyFQvn1ganjonHSFn7IEaS6XD_GyRR6IcnfwBuY93H-LfxpHdnINv_JGNCH_nAxfxp14-e-bwOsYIn3zMke8PPg/w518-h640/Jessica%20Sherr%2024.jpg" width="518" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Alan Mercer: Jessica,
you’ve been a working actress for a minute, and you have played a lot of
different roles. Do you have a favorite?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Jessica Sherr: I had a fun opportunity to audition for a TV
show, but I got the audition late, so I had other auditions to do, and I didn’t
get to the self-tape until midnight, and I was so tired. We did a self-tape
because I was in New York and the show was in New Orleans. I only taped it once
and I ended up getting the role for a show called ‘Claws’ so I was flown down
there to do the show. It’s funny to me to see how tired I was in my self-tape,
but it was a great experience, so that’s a favorite.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: Is it easy to get
neurotic about an audition tape?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">JS: Yes, you can get
too picky about it. Sometimes you get the best results when you just let go.
They always say you start booking work when you stop acting.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: What made you
want to start self-producing?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">JS: I started
self-producing because I wanted to do my own work. In 2019 I ended up raising money
with two other women. We raised enough money to do a web series. We filmed in
the Hamptons in 2019 and edited through 2020. We just started doing the
festival circuit and it’s so exciting to see a project you have started from
the very beginning to now. We just won a few awards for it, which makes us feel
better. We got an award at the Garden State Film Festival for the Best Web
Series.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: Let’s talk about
your incredible stage show, ‘Bette Davis Ain’t For Sissies’ and how that was
born.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">JS: I wasn’t a Bette
Davis fan at all. I knew so little about her that it’s uncanny I’m doing this
now. It doesn’t make sense to me. I was in New York in 2008, and someone dared
me to write a solo show and I was like whatever. This dare was serious. I was
told if I really wanted to be something in New York I had to do a solo show. I
decided I would take on the challenge and it just so happened that people were
constantly stopping me in the subway and telling me I looked like a young Bette
Davis. I wondered who this Bette person was. I didn’t even know to any extent
who she was. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: That is so wild.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">JS: Then I looked at photos
of her and I thought I looked like her a little bit. I guess it was the eyes.
It kept happening that people would comment on it so I thought I would look her
up and get a better sense of who she was. When I did look her up, I was so
impressed by Bette. Her life was so interesting. I put her in the back of my
mind as someone very cool.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="318" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XmElsO-53dM" width="516" youtube-src-id="XmElsO-53dM"></iframe></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: How did she make
it to the front of your mind?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">JS: I was taking a
class where I had to imitate a famous person and I was going to do Lucile Ball
since I am a funny redhead, but then this Bette thing was bubbling in my mind.
I read her book and I became fascinated by how smart she was and what a
trailblazer she was, so I decided to do this Bette person as an exercise. The
person running the class decided they were all good and wanted to turn them
into solo shows that will run off off off Broadway. Oh my gosh, here’s the solo
show I was dared to do. The guy that dared me came to see it and it just kept going.
<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: This is such a
cool story.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">JS: This uncanny dare
had turned into the excitement of creating a character and learning more about
the excitement of Bette’s life is really why I keep doing it. I kept learning
more about her and the world keeps changing and things that she said years ago
are making sense again and more than they have ever made sense. In a way, I’ve
grown with the show and the show has grown with the times. I won’t give up like
Bette Davis won’t. Every time I think of giving up an amazing booking or
something crazy will happen. It feels like Bette is giving me breadcrumbs that
I am following.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: I love that! You’ve
done this show in some really cool places.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">JS: I had the
opportunity to go to Scotland to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, so I sent my
script to the Bette Davis Estate. A lady named Kathryn Sermak called me on a
Sunday and told me they liked the script. She said she could tell I worked very
hard on it. She invited me to come over if I ever had any questions, so I did
go to Los Angeles and I sat with her. She was Bette Davis’s assistant for the
last ten years of her life. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: That was someone important
to meet and get approval from.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">JS: At the end of
that meeting she gave me a pair of Bette’s gloves, handkerchief, and scarf to
wear in the show. Now I can’t give up. So, I took the show to Scotland and that
was the first time I performed the show in front of not friends. I did 25 shows
back-to-back, and it was exhausting, but I was getting my stride. People were
coming to the show, and they were loving it. I could tell the show had
something. People were coming back and staying after and talking to me. Two
days before the festival ended an audience member said they knew someone at the
St. James Theater in London and were calling them and that I should go to London,
and I did. They brought me to London as a special engagement and I did the show
there before I came back to America.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: I did already watch
the show on Broadway on Demand and it was awesome!</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">JS: Did you see it on
demand? Oh my gosh! Thank you.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: Did I notice you
make Bette more intense and extreme as the show progresses?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">JS: Yes, I did that
purposefully because I originally wrote the show for 60 minutes. I didn’t have
the remaining part that you saw online. Over time, I realized I was missing
that. I had to show why she turned into that. She was young and plucky when she
went to Hollywood, but Hollywood changed her. She got saucy and drank more and
smoked more. I think if she had stayed in the theater world, she would have
been a completely different person. I do that to show the audience that she was
a great actress, but it came at a cost.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: You did an
amazing job writing the show chronologically.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">JS: Everything is
pretty much how it went. There were a few things we had to push together so it
would make more dramatic sense. I had to choose what not to include. There are
so many moments in her life. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMXcHOewclk7j804hJUoeByC4hbYFzUlEP-IrJZ88rHyAhZGB6-RcmoWu3UgmjNGqhPSzJuR2KTXbJTnMyaxNlFHWdSpDLlkHW7GkIlWUCj18qMGtiYIL4xfZnNGpesy9sWR_twArSgHaOdwXbeqd1ryIO1n8iVoiJBKc0PzEjbBoFLCR8X-1etA/s1875/JS%20poster.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1875" data-original-width="1275" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMXcHOewclk7j804hJUoeByC4hbYFzUlEP-IrJZ88rHyAhZGB6-RcmoWu3UgmjNGqhPSzJuR2KTXbJTnMyaxNlFHWdSpDLlkHW7GkIlWUCj18qMGtiYIL4xfZnNGpesy9sWR_twArSgHaOdwXbeqd1ryIO1n8iVoiJBKc0PzEjbBoFLCR8X-1etA/w437-h640/JS%20poster.jpg" width="437" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: Do people ask you
to imitate her now?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">JS: Yes. People don’t
believe I do a show about her until I go ‘into Bette’ and they see the
difference. My personality as Jessica is different than Bette, of course. The
biggest thing I have to play against is that I don’t play Bette as a drunk drag
queen. There are people who expect me to do that version and I tell them, “This
is high art.” I’m in a theater doing my show. This is a piece where you go on a
journey.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: What did Kathryn
Sermak think?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">JS: Kathryn told me
something so poignant when I met her in Los Angeles, and it really helped me
understand something. She told me, “Fans get mixed up. Most of Bette’s roles
were these terrible murderous characters. The real Bette was so kind, and she
was such a nice person. If you went to her home, she would be gracious and she
loved giving gifts. Make sure you don’t just see one side of Bette.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: That was sage
advice.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">JK: For a while, like
when I went to Edinburgh, the show was all about the star, Bette Davis, but at
the talkbacks after the shows, people were asking about the other part of her life,
and I thought that would be interesting. I must add that. She became a fully
realized character. She becomes older in the show. You see the four failed marriages
and all of that happening on stage.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: It’s amazing that
you didn’t know much or anything about Bette Davis and now you wrote and
perform an award-winning show about her. Do you like her now?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">JS: Yes! I very much
admire her for how strong she was and how she was able to stand up for what she
believed in, truthfully and honestly.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: Do you apply some
of her strength to your life now?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">JS: Yes, it’s
interesting now in my own life, I’ve started to take a larger step for the
kinds of roles I want to play. I have the ability to self-produce and I’m good
at it, so I can produce films myself. I have a film called ‘Wicked Image’ where
I play Satine, AKA Satan. It’s a female version of Satan and she is a woman of
power who is making certain choices. She’s not a dinky character. I
deliberately wanted to produce a film with strong female characters, and I
hired friends of mine to be part of it. Yes, I am definitely adding because I
don’t put up with bullshit either. All actors have to find where you can bend
but remain strongly confident. That’s what Bette has taught me. I would not be
who I am today if it wasn’t for her own confidence and being as badass as she
is. I learned that from her. She spoke up for herself. She had a career. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: She became a
legend.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">JS: Literally, a
legend.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbNw27XY6AY-h1RLGWjhH0fIF6H7Fx9qNWSAYMhH5D52SWsA2qgAmOtoJy1vEiI666P6x-5AKv2pp5-k__gFos9AMtExAPjDJb6sJDtsvpG0RoqA6rwAWirVYhlBlyu4Ppv-JvpjPXWEyHxB0DcwyPUOBHhym-pPWKcHxHCXygFEIZDZ8KZiBODg/s900/Jessica%20Sherr%2037.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="727" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbNw27XY6AY-h1RLGWjhH0fIF6H7Fx9qNWSAYMhH5D52SWsA2qgAmOtoJy1vEiI666P6x-5AKv2pp5-k__gFos9AMtExAPjDJb6sJDtsvpG0RoqA6rwAWirVYhlBlyu4Ppv-JvpjPXWEyHxB0DcwyPUOBHhym-pPWKcHxHCXygFEIZDZ8KZiBODg/w516-h640/Jessica%20Sherr%2037.jpg" width="516" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span>To learn more about Jessica Sherr visit her web site <a href="https://www.jessicasherr.com/">https://www.jessicasherr.com/</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Check out the play on <a href="https://www.broadwayondemand.com/series/jiYe9hOMHGgq-jessica-sherr-presents-bette-davis-aint-for-sissies?fbclid=IwAR3TYBGlhcS7J7m0apo2fm8XC0cRlD1dZXmtAtHjfoSlq2wTQYOquiRJpjc" target="_blank">Broadway On Demand </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The link for the show <a href="http://www.bettedavisaintforsissies.com/?fbclid=IwAR1QZtjB6JORGJK2_fN43EZ-6jjseY71hYmc31pl51r4bBfrFeyNCQNsWeI">http://www.bettedavisaintforsissies.com/</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="325" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0DsGzzvfW6A" width="498" youtube-src-id="0DsGzzvfW6A"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Alan Mercer's Profilehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17357664994049053766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620931384116236944.post-40376278175367648322022-08-15T04:46:00.000-07:002022-08-15T04:46:50.366-07:00Joseph Herrera Puts In The Work<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdy2yD2p0vhU3KoyV1VTivbGPRgA5ORmoXMYTp5qrr_GFWb-yRwNNu7ycsNb75HeI-EPVXX_k-JBf4irOdhZWb8Ec-RGY4U5fWFA5E-hBYX2D6X5abSnvQY3SCKBMwk9gr8kEnzeQdU9-Wu1Of9MM2P0U_47i8_h-3098ObbGuJQEtTQkWk6pXTw/s800/Joseph%20Herrera%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="647" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdy2yD2p0vhU3KoyV1VTivbGPRgA5ORmoXMYTp5qrr_GFWb-yRwNNu7ycsNb75HeI-EPVXX_k-JBf4irOdhZWb8Ec-RGY4U5fWFA5E-hBYX2D6X5abSnvQY3SCKBMwk9gr8kEnzeQdU9-Wu1Of9MM2P0U_47i8_h-3098ObbGuJQEtTQkWk6pXTw/w518-h640/Joseph%20Herrera%20(1).jpg" width="518" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">All Photos taken in Sundance Square Fort Worth, TX by Alan Mercer</span></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Dallas based filmmaker Joseph Herrea had the passion for
filmmaking before he could walk. He is an actor and filmmaker from Dallas,
Texas. Joseph made his directorial debut in 2015 in “Alone Inside”, which was
screened in the first annual Rack Focus Film Festival and Competition.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Joseph wrote, produced, and starred in the feature “Teenage
Wasteland” which was distributed by ITN Studios to Tubi TV and online
retailers. In 2021 he teamed up with ITN again to do a supernatural feature
which will be released this October entitled “The Apparition”. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">In addition to The Apparition, he has worked on numerous
other projects both for himself and others in the Dallas/Fort Worth film
community. Recently he accepted a full-time editor position for a popular true
crime YouTube channel.</span><o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><br /></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD-R0wMaeUYVIFSov7IiHQo8mH1zGewOmU7UNON-6p9m2jxvLMi4bsNkVq_61DsfMqVcsM0wkjnMDl4Ak4O-dMt3Rihejs977XqNFnYu6CopOZFog4SPpdzQW8v4nUK0RJPRo1ugyYejup3-VFY0PXbO8gHI9uaF2aqvtMLB_SKNUCGr5y_36ViQ/s900/Joseph%20Herrera%20(23).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="707" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD-R0wMaeUYVIFSov7IiHQo8mH1zGewOmU7UNON-6p9m2jxvLMi4bsNkVq_61DsfMqVcsM0wkjnMDl4Ak4O-dMt3Rihejs977XqNFnYu6CopOZFog4SPpdzQW8v4nUK0RJPRo1ugyYejup3-VFY0PXbO8gHI9uaF2aqvtMLB_SKNUCGr5y_36ViQ/w502-h640/Joseph%20Herrera%20(23).jpg" width="502" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><b> </b></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p> </o:p><b>Alan Mercer: When did
you realized you wanted to be a movie maker?</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Joseph Herrera:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
knew it when I was a little kid, and I would watch a movie at my grandmas’
house and then I would go outside and recreate the movie. I would play all the characters
in the backyard.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you remember a
specific movie you liked and recreated?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">JH:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, Scream was
one of them. In 1996 I would go and play that in the backyard. I was a little kid
playing all these adult parts and I would change things. That’s the writer in
me. I thought to myself that I will do things differently. Filmmaking is something
I am pursuing. I’ve been lucky so far and now I’m trying to catch that big
break.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have been
making short films. How many have you completed?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">JH:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not sure. It’s
less than ten. I started making shorts because I couldn’t get booked for anything.
I figured out I was going to have to start making my own stuff to show people,
look I can create stuff. Doing that did get me booked for other projects.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS3v9wCotAgTfhIrY-7ntPS-n1p-wsFVl-DKC_cSas0qKV7gtswKZ7-Ip76rcXnVoG461e8fAQUx-HTNlM8xfla6lRw03rly_MOxM53u6XC0EO5SRVIlAm3JIjs3GAovDyCVd6lI1g3j2ln9MM8zByfQtyoh6S4lqWFgldpOAUof2N9ROMQU_rcg/s900/Joseph%20Herrera%20(22).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="744" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS3v9wCotAgTfhIrY-7ntPS-n1p-wsFVl-DKC_cSas0qKV7gtswKZ7-Ip76rcXnVoG461e8fAQUx-HTNlM8xfla6lRw03rly_MOxM53u6XC0EO5SRVIlAm3JIjs3GAovDyCVd6lI1g3j2ln9MM8zByfQtyoh6S4lqWFgldpOAUof2N9ROMQU_rcg/w530-h640/Joseph%20Herrera%20(22).jpg" width="530" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You don’t star in
your short films, do you?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">JH:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No. When I first started,
I was acting in all of them because I felt that would get people to trust me.
Now that I have grown into my reputation here in Dallas, I don’t have to act in
my films anymore. Now I hire actors and focus on directing and producing. I love
working behind the camera.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you write all
the films?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">JH:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of my stuff
I have written. In the last year and a half people have started hiring me for
their work. I prefer to produce and direct someone else’s work, more than mine.
I like writing but I want to create other people’s magic and bring it to life.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I see you’ve
worked with an actor I really like and that is Leon. What did you do with him?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">JH:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was one of
the best projects I’ve done so far. It hasn’t been released yet. It’s called ‘Roman’.
I was hired by Amber Pickens. She is a Julliard trained actress and choreographer,
and she wants to step more into film. She just did a movie on Netflix called ‘Passing’,
so she got a taste of that. She was looking for someone in Dallas to co-produce
and direct her first short film. She had a budget and stated asking around who
would be good, and my name was thrown in the mix, so we met up. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3J6k2snxdZV1ax-ErEpReNVF5ptS4_B80pzG2fTLsXyczvgcc-NpcD9eMiac1VFgn1LYtM_tT4O5SHN12k5y47-LXlkvszP7IsJtPzOweM3_FFD_xb_3LqwUKOKVQH8yJHWUP4O2Mk3wQymsc_u1bs6RgbMHIBHx611ZPq8cxJbO648Rae8YAvA/s900/Joseph%20Herrera%20%20(3).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="620" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3J6k2snxdZV1ax-ErEpReNVF5ptS4_B80pzG2fTLsXyczvgcc-NpcD9eMiac1VFgn1LYtM_tT4O5SHN12k5y47-LXlkvszP7IsJtPzOweM3_FFD_xb_3LqwUKOKVQH8yJHWUP4O2Mk3wQymsc_u1bs6RgbMHIBHx611ZPq8cxJbO648Rae8YAvA/w440-h640/Joseph%20Herrera%20%20(3).jpg" width="440" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You shot that in
Dallas?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">JH:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, at the African
American Museum.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How long is this
short film?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">JH:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>30 minutes and it
took 3 days to film. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did you have fun?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">JH:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a
challenge. It was the first time I ever worked with actual actors who have been
in the business a long time. Leon was just one of them. There were a lot of
people on that set and when someone else’s money is involved, there is a lot
more pressure. I loved the challenge.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW7cezxy7pCv_mMIv0CuKyrLgq07m0Z07hdMlhsF5GyW45S9a8tYeEU8sQcC4Eug1fMIf5kDH78LzR9hBvUG1TwiXcIJgQOaFZcjAu4Fai9dMuxivZ-MmfaUhB7BAaDzKDjRzsg5StV7LmI0nwc_F7LnzVsiNtExXxaJhC6xG_23nS2MTxDgwrrw/s900/Joseph%20Herrera%20%20(19).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="604" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW7cezxy7pCv_mMIv0CuKyrLgq07m0Z07hdMlhsF5GyW45S9a8tYeEU8sQcC4Eug1fMIf5kDH78LzR9hBvUG1TwiXcIJgQOaFZcjAu4Fai9dMuxivZ-MmfaUhB7BAaDzKDjRzsg5StV7LmI0nwc_F7LnzVsiNtExXxaJhC6xG_23nS2MTxDgwrrw/w430-h640/Joseph%20Herrera%20%20(19).jpg" width="430" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: What was being on set like for you?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">JH:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Off set I might
seem like I’m a pushover, but once I’m on set, no one is walking over me,
especially if I am the director. That took a lot of people by surprise because I
am a quiet, shy guy in real life but when I’m on set in director mode it’s a
whole new ballgame. There were some tensions, but it was all good. We got it
done and it’s beautiful. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ve already
worked with a handful of other celebrities like Tony Todd and LeeAnne Locken.
Do find working with celebs different than unknown actors?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">JH:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s funny because
when I was growing up, I remember thinking I can’t wait to work with celebrities
and then when you’ve grown up and finally do get to work with them, it’s just
work. It’s no longer the fantasy, I want to be a fan, but that gets thrown out
the window. Working with experienced celebrated people is a little harder on
me, but I learn so much. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVTWtZgIphvdG3cDRAYqM-5hdHo4K2Fii17ki53lSKBN5PQKKAcxuDLCMAtKioQq9FQI8ofg3lG-TPBuhI3Je7yT5OcqAHzaR-NMiscMBCmcZYb0jA9lCY11QFjrEyY6vvkN8A4jXsqS5kixe1TzuTCydiONIZO9p3MypTJg66emOwFEsFdxb6zw/s800/Joseph%20Herrera%20%20(12).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="609" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVTWtZgIphvdG3cDRAYqM-5hdHo4K2Fii17ki53lSKBN5PQKKAcxuDLCMAtKioQq9FQI8ofg3lG-TPBuhI3Je7yT5OcqAHzaR-NMiscMBCmcZYb0jA9lCY11QFjrEyY6vvkN8A4jXsqS5kixe1TzuTCydiONIZO9p3MypTJg66emOwFEsFdxb6zw/w488-h640/Joseph%20Herrera%20%20(12).jpg" width="488" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Learning is
forever and that is what makes it all so stimulating. What are you doing this
summer?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">JH:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m booked all
summer with a couple film shorts where I am acting. I want to do more acting so
I can be on bigger sets. I did some background work last year just so I could
be on bigger sets. I was on ‘Walker’ which is a spin-off of the original ‘Walker:
Texas Ranger’ and it’s filmed in Austin. I have a full-length movie which is a
Latino film titled 'La Chancla el Diablo' we will be filming. I also have a lot of editing
work.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sounds like you
work constantly. What do you do with your rare personal time?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">JH:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sleep. I really
want to be busier.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I like how
ambitious you are. You don’t waste time. You don’t party away your life.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">JH:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No, occasionally I
will go have one drink with friends, but I can easily choose work over
frivolous fun times. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, what do you
tell anyone who wants to do what you are doing?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">JH:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just get out
there and network. It’s all about meeting certain people. I grew up in Fort Worth,
which is a different world than Dallas. As soon as I graduated from high school
in 2015, I made my way to Dallas and started meeting people. That was the only
way for me.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Were you well
received?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">JH:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No, I was hanging
around a lot of older, experienced people who saw me as a young boy toy, but
now they respect me because I’m still in the game seven years into it. I’m glad
I did all this because no one can ever say I didn’t put in the work.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKHoiqRVI1IPF2bi4FD98XjyoNi2e41u3STIvFF7fyt--Ljq1z_RrCNgNu3RwDwmvx58LGEPKtgEAeeNiOxkWu1JQfjdGhmWhTyoovPnMu3p9YwRc7gkevWGOv-jkf7dfZ5UN-tPJKUOQh0wu0zVO0ow1mDjv6fTk4uiyeN_FtLBnjn2QnHE-Uqw/s900/Joseph%20Herrera%20%20(7).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="616" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKHoiqRVI1IPF2bi4FD98XjyoNi2e41u3STIvFF7fyt--Ljq1z_RrCNgNu3RwDwmvx58LGEPKtgEAeeNiOxkWu1JQfjdGhmWhTyoovPnMu3p9YwRc7gkevWGOv-jkf7dfZ5UN-tPJKUOQh0wu0zVO0ow1mDjv6fTk4uiyeN_FtLBnjn2QnHE-Uqw/w438-h640/Joseph%20Herrera%20%20(7).jpg" width="438" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">To keep up with Joseph Herrera follow him in Instagram<a href="https://www.instagram.com/j0sephherrera/"> https://www.instagram.com/j0sephherrera/</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="333" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dmfeuzBGcmw" width="491" youtube-src-id="dmfeuzBGcmw"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><br /><p></p>Alan Mercer's Profilehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17357664994049053766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620931384116236944.post-47434110957635306702022-08-01T04:54:00.000-07:002022-08-01T04:54:09.223-07:00Jack Barksdale Impresses With 'Death of a Hummingbird' Album<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT0DaG9Vx-4nN4XWYix9ZXvjZx5wa4IjsDyEMB10abPHAboQPPcAFs-F8mWlE2f-EMLDx2nKW-_cQzEAnp1YnwzB-yQ90AYivx_AYzymJ4onzbZAKFcbVj6m0ZlXmVBQnGNGaAFcspxDES6C8FDUltInhCpLgSntqhUGWrmxE__IVDTH1EIg1izA/s909/Jack%20Barksdale%2076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="909" height="634" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT0DaG9Vx-4nN4XWYix9ZXvjZx5wa4IjsDyEMB10abPHAboQPPcAFs-F8mWlE2f-EMLDx2nKW-_cQzEAnp1YnwzB-yQ90AYivx_AYzymJ4onzbZAKFcbVj6m0ZlXmVBQnGNGaAFcspxDES6C8FDUltInhCpLgSntqhUGWrmxE__IVDTH1EIg1izA/w640-h634/Jack%20Barksdale%2076.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">All Photos taken outside Songbird Live in Cleburne, TX by Alan Mercer</span></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: #fafafa; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Assistant, sans-serif; line-height: var(--content-lineheight-number); margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Jack Barksdale has been called a “musical phenomenon” (Buddy Magazine) a “Texas force" (Paper City Magazine) “a singer-songwriter well beyond his years” (Baton Rouge Advocate) an "old soul” (<span style="box-sizing: border-box;">Fort Worth Weekly</span>) and “amazing to watch” (<span style="box-sizing: border-box;">DFW.com</span>). Texas Homegrown Radio said, “He might just be Townes Van Zandt reincarnated.” </i></span></p><p style="background-color: #fafafa; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Assistant, sans-serif; line-height: var(--content-lineheight-number); margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Jack Barksdale is a folk/blues/americana singer/songwriter from Texas. Inspired by folk, rock, and blues legends, Jack started performing original music at the age of nine and has already shared the stage with Wynonna Judd, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Bruce Robison, John Fullbright, and Hayes Carll. </b></span></p><p style="background-color: #fafafa; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Assistant, sans-serif; line-height: var(--content-lineheight-number); margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="background-color: #fafafa; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Assistant, sans-serif; line-height: var(--content-lineheight-number); margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="308" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nLBFtJtyzVI" width="510" youtube-src-id="nLBFtJtyzVI"></iframe></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><b><br /></b></span><p></p><p style="background-color: #fafafa; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Assistant, sans-serif; line-height: var(--content-lineheight-number); margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Recently Jack launched a podcast focused on songwriters and songwriting called Jack Barksdale's Roots Revival Podcast. In March 2022 Jack released his first full length album "Death of a Hummingbird." In June 2019 Jack released a live album recorded at famed Niles City Sound in Fort Worth, TX. And in September 2018, Jack released his debut EP, Revival. </b></span></p><p style="background-color: #fafafa; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Assistant, sans-serif; line-height: var(--content-lineheight-number); margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Jack tours nationally and wows audiences with lyrics wise beyond his years. Jack plays guitar, slide guitar, harmonica, mandolin, piano, and ukulele, but identifies first and foremost as a songwriter. His musical influences include Lead Belly, Howlin’ Wolf, Townes Van Zandt, Guy Clark, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Johnny Cash, The Carter Family, and Willie Nelson.</b></span></p><p style="background-color: #fafafa; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Assistant, sans-serif; line-height: var(--content-lineheight-number); margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfh1YZ-37WsTfPA5hQydPRg9hJ5vr29PkuWTJzkoAPfKMdiypFlDV8UWQ_Q45zdvOH53DjcWW279dW-1PIlQe6tAnjcU0OlNfo2VVtPzMYdb74O7BQ-dGpvFPISZweV6ANRcasrUxok3BCmMn_Fat5GQ6FVfu_DfSXR6Qa5yDFDcO67dG_Lt4wuA/s982/Jack%20Barksdale%2063.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="982" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfh1YZ-37WsTfPA5hQydPRg9hJ5vr29PkuWTJzkoAPfKMdiypFlDV8UWQ_Q45zdvOH53DjcWW279dW-1PIlQe6tAnjcU0OlNfo2VVtPzMYdb74O7BQ-dGpvFPISZweV6ANRcasrUxok3BCmMn_Fat5GQ6FVfu_DfSXR6Qa5yDFDcO67dG_Lt4wuA/w640-h522/Jack%20Barksdale%2063.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Alan Mercer: Jack, I must tell you that your new album ‘Death of a Hummingbird’ is a classic. Can you tell me a little about the process of creating it?</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Jack Barksdale: Thank you. The Bugle Boy Listening Room in La Grange, TX gives grants to musicians to help pay for an album, and just before the pandemic, they were kind enough to give me that grant. Then the pandemic happened so it was put off for a while, but I knew I wanted to make an album. So, during the lockdown I wrote a lot of songs. I believe all but one of the songs on the album were written during the lockdown. Finally, when I got the opportunity to make the album, I decided to do it with Mike Meadows, a really great drummer who releases his own solo music as well. He’s really cool. He produced the album, and he did a really good job.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: Where did you record it?</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;">JB: I recorded it at this really cool studio in Nashville, where Mike does most of his recording with Dex Green, who’s also really awesome.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: Did the album turn out the way you wanted it to?</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;">JB: I didn’t know exactly what I wanted. I knew I wanted Mike because he hears what will sound good. He knows what will work. He would say something like, “Hey, we should put some organ on that.” That is what he is really good at.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: Did you learn what you might do on the next record?</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;">JB: I like to try all sorts of things, so I might end up at a different studio and work with different people just to hear how it sounds.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: That’s a good idea.</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;">JB: It would be a whole different sound with a different group of songs and a different feel.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1V8LFZ8pLacBCys-aVKnsNC4q-BoA5hEZy5ItOPxgnFWoM8kyP-5EZAlKyLIFPDtXQ2FSfDNFTRxyOj_r-nazP5vpMjEKPpml1DlAVh4XDR2VBMCunoBLjWWqTOrtB3BWHOiDbrrtn3cBb6KPgTNNbTlD_nNFOblz_5Nt_Fv5G2wEmBZi91CqLA/s900/Jack%20Barksdale%2047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1V8LFZ8pLacBCys-aVKnsNC4q-BoA5hEZy5ItOPxgnFWoM8kyP-5EZAlKyLIFPDtXQ2FSfDNFTRxyOj_r-nazP5vpMjEKPpml1DlAVh4XDR2VBMCunoBLjWWqTOrtB3BWHOiDbrrtn3cBb6KPgTNNbTlD_nNFOblz_5Nt_Fv5G2wEmBZi91CqLA/w640-h640/Jack%20Barksdale%2047.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: I know you have done some co-writing now. How did you get started with that?</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;">JB: I got into co-writing during the pandemic, and I did it over Zoom. I did a good amount of the songs off the album over Zoom as a co-writer. It was a really fun experience. I got to learn different musicians and songwriters’ styles. So, it was fun, and I think I got some good songs out of the deal.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: When you are co-writing, do you write more music or lyrics?</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;">JB: I think it’s about the same. I like lyrics and music just about the same. They are both just as interesting to me.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: A lot of your lyrics seem so mature. You must have a large vocabulary.</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">JB: Well, my mom’s an English major and a teacher so that has really helped.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="336" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ucf_An1BoaQ" width="472" youtube-src-id="Ucf_An1BoaQ"></iframe></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: What do you like about writing lyrics?</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">JB: I like words. It’s kind of annoying when you can’t describe what you’re feeling, but if you know enough words, you will eventually be able to describe how you feel. I think lyrics are always just fun, because you are trying to encapsulate a feeling with settings and stories and music, and it’s all got to fit together and make its own little story. I find that very interesting.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: Jack, there are people who talk about how incredibly talented and skilled you are at such a young age. How does that impact you?</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;">JB: I’ve always been told not to let it go to my head. That’s also great advice, but I have also learned to give myself some credit as well. It’s about finding the balance in not relying on others for validation or invalidation.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="302" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tAqZa91rCo8" width="527" youtube-src-id="tAqZa91rCo8"></iframe></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: Do you listen to negative feedback?</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;">JB: Of course, I do. I take it into consideration. The default response to something is generally good. People will make nice comments and that outnumbers the critical things, but I feel like taking criticism is always a good thing to do.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: You are very mature. Do you ever feel a pressure to be a great artist?</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;">JB: I don’t know. I think I am still figuring out who I am. I try to write mostly about growing, I guess.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHuV4IKCm7luild-1uFFeuYgxo2UoOgPB9TjMsqNYFZcATzPTkWTK5O8b_CqAJt-_lWDbCA5-z-Wgap-GpkUpnZasizcZJkWNcMYPTgoNXBwIPa9W5gikuxGtua0VWNz_jO6JYuR6mtC_QQTJwm6bW42ppf5dvidBCS-cz4MqDqg0YdxxkBaMA-A/s900/Jack%20Barksdale%2065.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="619" data-original-width="900" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHuV4IKCm7luild-1uFFeuYgxo2UoOgPB9TjMsqNYFZcATzPTkWTK5O8b_CqAJt-_lWDbCA5-z-Wgap-GpkUpnZasizcZJkWNcMYPTgoNXBwIPa9W5gikuxGtua0VWNz_jO6JYuR6mtC_QQTJwm6bW42ppf5dvidBCS-cz4MqDqg0YdxxkBaMA-A/w640-h440/Jack%20Barksdale%2065.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: That would make sense. You interview musicians too. Do you like interviewing someone or being interviewed by someone better?</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;">JB: I don’t know. They are both pretty nerve wracking. (Laughter) It’s fun to get to ask questions you are really interested in. I like getting to learn about these people and how they make their music and who they are.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: You don’t go to public school, do you?</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;">JB: No, I homeschool, even before I started playing music, but it really worked once I did start playing.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: Do you ever hang out with kids your age?</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;">JB: Sometimes I do, but I find kids my age to be a little high energy. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: What are your other interests besides music?</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">JB: All sorts of stuff. Lately I’ve been getting into science, and I find it really interesting. I just started learning computer programming and it’s really cool.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: Do you think music will take up most of your future?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="im" style="background-color: white; color: #500050; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span class="im" style="background-color: white; color: #500050; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span class="im" style="background-color: white; color: #500050; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span class="im" style="background-color: white; color: #500050; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;">JB: Right now, this is what I want to do, and I hope that I can continue to do this, but mostly I just hope that I’m able to do what I want to do, whether it’s music or something else, or music AND something else.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiad_P-axBqeVzYSRmGiHLfTeE3byYh5cDj5ofB0wJmovj1OTyKgwqNSfJyWDQPPMmzXiU7B1z9LgWQCdNRzOSMhdnHUvvvMvaKwZcLZcYDXlLjVCForzS60CUzOYDeEIXyM5x8zQ00vtE5Ubl2Gjlt0Ni38lo00myclu_RXBXikq2C0bDZWkjchw/s900/Jack%20Barksdale%2090.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="666" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiad_P-axBqeVzYSRmGiHLfTeE3byYh5cDj5ofB0wJmovj1OTyKgwqNSfJyWDQPPMmzXiU7B1z9LgWQCdNRzOSMhdnHUvvvMvaKwZcLZcYDXlLjVCForzS60CUzOYDeEIXyM5x8zQ00vtE5Ubl2Gjlt0Ni38lo00myclu_RXBXikq2C0bDZWkjchw/w474-h640/Jack%20Barksdale%2090.jpg" width="474" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">To learn more about Jack Barksdale visit his web site <a href="https://jackbarksdale.com/home">https://jackbarksdale.com/home</a></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="339" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WgA3LeAOvmY" width="483" youtube-src-id="WgA3LeAOvmY"></iframe></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p><br /></p>Alan Mercer's Profilehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17357664994049053766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620931384116236944.post-31341819963530462102022-07-25T04:43:00.000-07:002022-07-25T04:43:07.486-07:00Will Banister: Rising Country Music Star From Portales, New Mexico<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaCXD6xkD4mhoPgeRB-M1MNAvmW2I5u5XS5WOZWW2MOMq9qi9Q8EFMg1diGFqWEjHC19aFFZABTLX5kLu7cxaFnOqAorKrId9x_JjDnGjEgHr8fDTSqYodCoNzn2Jd30B7eFUCTQflZKpUHNHphpRsXbjFSnkxqmFUdUVhez5bxtcVzt4LyMrAdw/s900/Will%20Banister%2094.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="686" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaCXD6xkD4mhoPgeRB-M1MNAvmW2I5u5XS5WOZWW2MOMq9qi9Q8EFMg1diGFqWEjHC19aFFZABTLX5kLu7cxaFnOqAorKrId9x_JjDnGjEgHr8fDTSqYodCoNzn2Jd30B7eFUCTQflZKpUHNHphpRsXbjFSnkxqmFUdUVhez5bxtcVzt4LyMrAdw/w488-h640/Will%20Banister%2094.jpg" width="488" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">All Photos taken in Old Town Burleson, TX by Alan Mercer</span></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Country music. That’s the first thing you need to know about
Will Banister. From the state of New Mexico, raised about 20 miles from the
Texas line, Will grew up with the sounds of Merle Haggard, Hank Williams,
George Strait, and Brooks and Dunn blaring through the speakers of his dad’s
pickup.</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">This music made a huge impact in shaping the sound of Will Banister’s
songs. The lyrics along with the fiddle and steel in Will’s music will have you
reminiscing about the days of country radio in the 1990’s, while still sounding
fresh with today’s sound. </span><o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><br /></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimBgGixduOsIp7mgVPyWoPUQxD5eAcbBcZ_pu-jfaZl2J83b2tuQiYh6Ondsh8C9SDj_wvllTIIYgt0MdSnmdIGC2-qmjaLAIrx4wu4N3t3rPjvbHt4mKnryRny2JFu2pkiUiWDWGUNXtQgh-jp75_9M5iv7wqC9AsLVS8lIkOFKsXGVfGoXIH5w/s906/Will%20Banister%2058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="906" height="636" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimBgGixduOsIp7mgVPyWoPUQxD5eAcbBcZ_pu-jfaZl2J83b2tuQiYh6Ondsh8C9SDj_wvllTIIYgt0MdSnmdIGC2-qmjaLAIrx4wu4N3t3rPjvbHt4mKnryRny2JFu2pkiUiWDWGUNXtQgh-jp75_9M5iv7wqC9AsLVS8lIkOFKsXGVfGoXIH5w/w640-h636/Will%20Banister%2058.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Will has performed all over the Southwest, in states such New
Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas, in addition to multiple tours in the U.K.
and Europe. His latest album “Everything Burns” consists of 11 songs, 10 of
which were either written or co-written by Banister, received a 5 star review,
and was announced as album of the month in the March edition of the U.K.
publication Country Music People Magazine. </span><o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><br /></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="326" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0yNPwcDfh5g" width="503" youtube-src-id="0yNPwcDfh5g"></iframe></div><br /><b><br /></b><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">His single "Ain't That The Truth" reached #38 on
the Texas Country Music Chart. On September 17th, 2021, Clint Eastwood's film
"Cry Macho" was released to theaters as well as on HBO Max, in which
Will performed the opening song entitled "Find A New Home". Find A
New Home was written by Grammy award winner Mark Mancina.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP3mZ0a_zRzSDO3uqF_Z26XFdPdcoYWftAA1Sm3iFcig0hK4VGFlTGzKX9BfxPmJMkQpqtLvYOLLmIdVhjEqCT3e4sUVWEihouQlStsM_MeO4TzPc1_ePQ4LksdkVIItwvfSDxaZ-a15JLcAnuvgxeusl9dYD2M4x4ZMefQ4vA6PL_g7h8E2pyeg/s900/Will%20Banister%2078.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="689" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP3mZ0a_zRzSDO3uqF_Z26XFdPdcoYWftAA1Sm3iFcig0hK4VGFlTGzKX9BfxPmJMkQpqtLvYOLLmIdVhjEqCT3e4sUVWEihouQlStsM_MeO4TzPc1_ePQ4LksdkVIItwvfSDxaZ-a15JLcAnuvgxeusl9dYD2M4x4ZMefQ4vA6PL_g7h8E2pyeg/w490-h640/Will%20Banister%2078.jpg" width="490" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Alan Mercer: Will, have you been in Portales, New Mexico
your whole life?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Will Banister: I have.
I was born and raised there.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: Do you want to
live there forever?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">WB: Yes, I do. I love
it there. It’s a great place to raise kids and I’ve got four of them. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: How long have you
been married?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">WB: I’ve been married
11 years. I always wanted a big family, but four is enough now. I came from a
big family. There are Banisters all over the place. My Grandpa Banister was one
of 14. There are Banisters scattered out all over the place back home. I’m
always running into kinfolk I’ve never met before.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="342" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KoFJynbx2Ko" width="494" youtube-src-id="KoFJynbx2Ko"></iframe></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: I have to ask
about your experience recording the song, “Cry Macho’ from the Clint Eastwood
movie, ‘Cry Macho.’</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">WB: Of course, that
wasn’t a song I wrote. That song was written for that movie and I was lucky
enough to get the call to record it.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: How did you get
that amazing career break?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">WB: I was sitting in
my music room, and I got a phone call from these producers. They told me they
were making a little movie and that they were looking for a Merle Haggard type voice
and my name was recommended, and they wanted to know if I was interested. I
said yes. I’ve never done that before. I was thinking it was a little
independent film. They sent me the track with the lyrics, and I recorded my
vocal there at the house. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmPpe2gliSgOJCVJojX2w9R_YrCQEPpOvXEoCJiFagruQ3-Y7ozVMmnujgpHEghUPfnz-8g6gTCGqWLqciC27zPc0V6GOz-o-R1abbHEV2cVwe1kW-Itj0qiryiLeIwweqNPblAPHOLm6exuGV6DnSEi_RdEEDz9PuM7T-bEMaYEECq67mbDN-Wg/s800/Will%20Banister%2049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="598" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmPpe2gliSgOJCVJojX2w9R_YrCQEPpOvXEoCJiFagruQ3-Y7ozVMmnujgpHEghUPfnz-8g6gTCGqWLqciC27zPc0V6GOz-o-R1abbHEV2cVwe1kW-Itj0qiryiLeIwweqNPblAPHOLm6exuGV6DnSEi_RdEEDz9PuM7T-bEMaYEECq67mbDN-Wg/w478-h640/Will%20Banister%2049.jpg" width="478" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">AM: That is amazing!</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">WB: The producers told me they loved it but they had to
make sure the director loved it. So, it took a couple months, and I got another
phone call and they told me they did love it. Then they told me not to tell
anyone yet, but the director is Clint Eastwood. I about fell out of my chair. I’m
a huge Eastwood fan. They initially were going to fly me out to California to
record it but they decided to go with what I recorded in my home. They did add
a second verse later and I did record that. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: So, did you get
to go to California?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">WB: I did go out
there. I recorded it in January of 2021, so I had to keep it under wrap for a
long time, which was tough, because I was pretty excited. A week or two before
the movie opened, they flew us out there, me and my band and our wives and we
got to perform for Clint Eastwood.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="339" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/F8aB10QqQ1s" width="514" youtube-src-id="F8aB10QqQ1s"></iframe></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: That sounds like
a dream come true.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">WB: It really was. I
never thought I’d ever get to do something like that. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: Did you notice an
upswing in your career from recording that song?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">WB: I did notice. I
was not familiar with the app Shazam, and I found out there is a chart based on
that and I got to number 2 on that app. My phone started ringing off the hook
with lots of interesting offers. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: So that song is
getting you booked more than before?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">WB: Oh, it is,
absolutely and it is so great.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: That song was
made for you, even if you didn’t write it.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP9i_YBAjQDCRHglp8muN5Hnmfi6RBJY4gT4psM6NUubb3m2_yF7jFvQdWkHOS0oif6wotizvvFMA-YBsfAt6dd24oDIsxau3XexGjGathXBGY6DkJsEeYdyiq4W5ouoqiASlrWuplTRtQlyfYWMNqmVhnnGN0OPiZC6mOqRc2zmFPNvkxvHEWsQ/s900/Will%20Banister%2055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="729" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP9i_YBAjQDCRHglp8muN5Hnmfi6RBJY4gT4psM6NUubb3m2_yF7jFvQdWkHOS0oif6wotizvvFMA-YBsfAt6dd24oDIsxau3XexGjGathXBGY6DkJsEeYdyiq4W5ouoqiASlrWuplTRtQlyfYWMNqmVhnnGN0OPiZC6mOqRc2zmFPNvkxvHEWsQ/w518-h640/Will%20Banister%2055.jpg" width="518" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><b><br /></b></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">WB: It’s a great song
that I love. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: I can’t believe
you recorded it in your own home.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">WB: I went in and cut
it and sent it to them and they asked me to re-record it with a little
different phrasing to be a little more storyteller style. So, I took another
approach to it and that’s what wound up on the record.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: Your fourth
album, ‘Everything Burns’ is so exceptional. I have all of them. You look like
you are about 10 years old on your first record.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">WB: I sound like I’m
ten years old on that one. I was writing those songs when I was 17, 18 and 19
so I hope I’ve grown as a songwriter. When I listen to it now, I sound so
young. Don’t get me wrong, I’m proud of all that stuff and it’s all been a
thrill.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP5TbgKzrKYmI_HfRmwLXOI0NhBr3br4sDc3tV3_QAlbmzRkABxYSJ_PZNVan6vNMfoWHtKIENd5J1JBFZ77fZZFGyotiFPOwrQaQyuWx1iPmDfB41mwwdG0FpooZYfD6rfsgttDtn5lqOCX-7MyuuGAZlOKYN4dck0Fg4F4LssDqirP3F4qB_xg/s900/Will%20Banister%2029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="709" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP5TbgKzrKYmI_HfRmwLXOI0NhBr3br4sDc3tV3_QAlbmzRkABxYSJ_PZNVan6vNMfoWHtKIENd5J1JBFZ77fZZFGyotiFPOwrQaQyuWx1iPmDfB41mwwdG0FpooZYfD6rfsgttDtn5lqOCX-7MyuuGAZlOKYN4dck0Fg4F4LssDqirP3F4qB_xg/w504-h640/Will%20Banister%2029.jpg" width="504" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: Do you spend some
time in Nashville?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">WB: I do write with
some guys out there in Nashville, some. I’ve written a lot with Roger Springer,
who has been a huge mentor to me over the last 4 years. He wrote a lot of Mark Chesnutt
songs like ‘"I Might Even Quit Lovin' You’ and ‘It's a Little Too Late.’
So, I’ve been going out there quite a bit and cutting some demos.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: Are you thinking
about recording another album?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">WB: I’ve got some
things in the works that I’m hoping will turn into another full-length album.
There is a possibility that I will put out some singles while I’m working on
the album. I can’t quite put out another full-length album yet. It’s the way
the music business works. I’ve got a lot of things going on, it’s all good.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigQOc58rwkVoflTh6Ilvnw8roge5Ck53Rme85goWwROclZvt3myxUi5vThLh52HPqG_C6RCq8aYpeKqB6yx0E3OcIUCdc3LmvLI98wijrTSXVA2MCDNi_HeTNe_zI2b-Ffydr8agdmF7zNpB7rHOfb4zDh5ui8khaJ4W6377FT95OSh8egrFSQUA/s800/Will%20Banister%2049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="598" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigQOc58rwkVoflTh6Ilvnw8roge5Ck53Rme85goWwROclZvt3myxUi5vThLh52HPqG_C6RCq8aYpeKqB6yx0E3OcIUCdc3LmvLI98wijrTSXVA2MCDNi_HeTNe_zI2b-Ffydr8agdmF7zNpB7rHOfb4zDh5ui8khaJ4W6377FT95OSh8egrFSQUA/w478-h640/Will%20Banister%2049.jpg" width="478" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: Who are some of
the singers who have influenced you other than the great Merle Haggard?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">WB: Merle and Hank Williams
Sr. are the two biggest influences. My dad had so many Hank Williams records so
I sang all that old stuff. I like Charlie Pride, Gene Watson, Marty Robbins,
George Jones and George Strait. Keith Whitley is a big influence too. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: You must be
touring all summer. Do you ever take your family with you?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">WB: Every once in a
while. We went to Florida last April. We flew the band out and my wife and
kids. We did the whole Disney World deal. We went to the beach and did it all
and had a great time. My wife is a teacher so it’s hard to get away during the
school year. They don’t get to come as much as I’d like, but hopefully one of
these days that will change.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="321" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SOSZGJgWD2s" width="485" youtube-src-id="SOSZGJgWD2s"></iframe></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: Are any of your
children musically inclined?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">WB: Yes, and they
all seem to love music. My oldest sings around the house and she wants to be a
singer. Recently my oldest son asked me if I could invite everybody over so he
can sing three songs. Two of them were Elvis songs. I’m a big Elvis fan too. I
got my guitar out and he started singing ‘Return To Sender’ and he knew all the
words. His pitch was great, and my oldest daughter has good pitch too. It’s an exciting and tough business.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: Was anybody else in
your family musically inclined?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">WB: My dad and my mom are both singers. They didn’t ever do it out and about, but they did sing
riding around in a pickup. They both have great voices.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: That must be
where you got your voice from?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">WB: I grew up around it.
We are all music lovers. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AM: Will, you have a
very specific and distinct voice that sets you apart from some of your contemporaries.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">WB: Well, thank you.
I love what I do. It’s my passion and I appreciate you saying that.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh30-vQVLSKKxHKliNkC1n7qmFmd0eGHzjiTvSD1KSoGX-NkKI-FSu8tYQnjIhyBTIlwNHyUkX-HUJxdiup73ZL8yYh0bFGzHMFZjZtKZyBuhHaC4wpCcRTlcHx8gZCzpxqUcbuelHRTfEkuRmcWWDtROFn8D6hCLgIkAUiFRvfu-1LtO1K5WdPRQ/s900/Will%20Banister%2018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="657" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh30-vQVLSKKxHKliNkC1n7qmFmd0eGHzjiTvSD1KSoGX-NkKI-FSu8tYQnjIhyBTIlwNHyUkX-HUJxdiup73ZL8yYh0bFGzHMFZjZtKZyBuhHaC4wpCcRTlcHx8gZCzpxqUcbuelHRTfEkuRmcWWDtROFn8D6hCLgIkAUiFRvfu-1LtO1K5WdPRQ/w468-h640/Will%20Banister%2018.jpg" width="468" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">To learn more about Will Banister, visit his web <a href="https://willbanister.com/" target="_blank">site https://willbanister.com/</a></div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="336" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3XMGXii1wf0" width="487" youtube-src-id="3XMGXii1wf0"></iframe></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Alan Mercer's Profilehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17357664994049053766noreply@blogger.com0