Dallas Smith

Here in the states he's looked upon as being the newcomer to an extremely hot world of Country Music. Back home in Canada he's been to the top and played in front of 40 thousand plus. From the iHeart Radio Studio I'm Unplugged and Totally Uncut with Dallas Smith. Sometime in the distant future, when a wizened Dallas Smith is rocking back and forth on his front porch, stroking his chin and fondly recollecting his astonishing career, he’ll pinpoint this precise period – the release of his second full-length album, Lifted, with its scorching #1 single “Wastin’ Gas”, the ecstatically received ensuing tour, and succeeding win for “Country Album of the Year” at the 2015 JUNO Awards – as the moments when everything came completely together. It’s not just the music and accolades that find Smith having a huge year in 2015, though you can bet dollars and donuts that Lifted, with its twangy mix of guitar-goosed corkers, rollicking sing-alongs and tender ballads drawn both from his critically acclaimed 2014 Tippin’ Point EP and from new sessions, is hands-down his most dynamic record. Smith’s confidence as a performer on the ridiculously vibrant country music live circuit also points to someone at the peak of his powers. That’s saying something considering the platinum-selling singer/songwriter has already racheted up accolades including but not limited to his recent 2015 JUNO win, and eight CCMA Award nominations. His current single, “Lifted” recently went top 10 at radio, making Smith the first Canadian artist to have a top 10 hit for every single released. Named by Mediabase as 2014’s most played Canadian country artist at radio, Smith has skyrocketed to the top of the Country music scene becoming the only male Canadian artist to spend multiple weeks at the top of the Country Airplay Chart in the Nielsen BDS era for the #1 single “Wastin’ Gas”. Additionally, the GOLD certified track broke the record for the highest one week spin total at country radio in Canada ever. Oh, and did we mention that before emerging as a country star to reckon with, the B.C.-based Smith served as howler-in-chief with gazillion-selling rock brawlers Default (see 2001’s smash hit, “Wasting My Time.”) Yup, if Smith hasn’t already got the words “boundlessly versatile and amazingly talented” scripted somewhere on his heavily inked bod, he could rightly do so, although he’s far too modest to cop to that reality. “With this record, the main thing was of course to record the best songs possible,” Smith says of tracks crafted by hit-makers including Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard of Florida Georgia Line and Jaren Johnston of The Cadillac Three. “But I also really wanted to take the EP we had and create a full-length record that had a lot of variety… little bits of all the influences I have.” “Compared to my first record (2012’s Jumped Right In), Lifted is like night and day. We took different approaches with my voice and there are different layers. We also expanded the production.” Thanks for the last bit goes to songwriter/producer Joey Moi, who brought similar flair to the Tippin’ Point EP and Smith’s before-mentioned debut. “Joey has a knack for knowing when a song is right,” Smith confirms. “And his work ethic is second to none. He makes me dig in to make the vocal takes better and better. As frustrating as it can be at the time,” he chuckles, “I am always amazed when I look back. Joey always makes me proud of what I have done.” Of course, long-time partners Smith and Moi had heaps of outstanding material to work with when approaching Lifted, which was variously cut in Nashville and Canada in the fall of 2014. As Smith explains, his association with the celebrated Big Loud Mountain label and Big Loud Shirt music publishing company gave him access to some of the best songwriters scribbling in Music City plus dibs on their newest work. “Rodney Clawson was heavily involved in this record again,” Smith says, “Jaren Johnston and of course Joey Moi. And there are some new guys. Matt Dragstrem is a fresh face in the Big Loud Shirt camp and he co-wrote ‘Wastin’ Gas.’” Ask Smith what criteria he looks for when choosing songs and he pauses thoughtfully. “There are a million things. There has to be an interesting melody and I need to be challenged vocally. “I wanted this record to be really dynamic – more so than anything I have done in the past - so with song selection, I wanted breadth, not a bunch of songs drawn from the same bucket. So there are a couple of ballads and a couple of really straight-ahead fun songs and a few that are lyrically more mature sounding.” There were also challenges to be surmounted. For instance, Smith feared the song ‘Thinkin’ ‘Bout You’ – with its punchy, mouthful chorus – would be a recording nightmare. In fact, “It was the easiest song on the record. I banged that off in a couple of passes.” By contrast, ‘Just Say When’ seems like a straightforward mid-tempo country/pop love song. “And I thought it was going to be easy for me to sing. Unfortunately, it was not,” Smith laughs. “We had to mess around with the key a little bit, and it was really hard to match the magic in the demo. You just never know how things are going to shape up until you get in there and start recording.” At the other end of the spectrum is the rowdy slice-of-life vignette ‘Cheap Seats,’ soon to be a much-requested staple of contemporary country radio and possibly the only song to utterly nail the concert experience in a few vivid verses. “The demo for that song was actually sung by Sarah Buxton who wrote it,” Smith explains. “So it was interesting to take a song demoed with a female voice and translate it to what I do. But as soon as I heard it, I knew I had to cut that song before anyone else could get a chance.” Smith’s intuition rarely steers him wrong and he’s felt nothing but encouragement from country radio, the country establishment and, most importantly, from fans both at home and south of the border. He’s selling out shows, smashing both radio and sales records and he consistently fills the airwaves with hook-filled, stadium-worthy anthems. By all accounts, Smith, whose vocal delivery sets him apart from his contemporaries, is a critical and commercial breakthrough in the world of country music – equal parts endearingly traditional and chart topping country star to the core. He’s leading the charge and he’s here to stay.

Heather Storm from Garage Squad

Garages and backyards across America have been overtaken by masterpieces of heavy metal. Classic cars that would look incredible back on the road if we could get them to start. Velocity TV has the keys to the engine. From the iHeart Radio Studio I'm Unplugged and Totally Uncut with Garage Squads Heather Storm. Heather Storm is a professional host and actress with a passion for environmental conservation, delicious cocktails and adrenaline pumping fun. From a classy woman who appreciates fine wine and to one of the guys in the shop, Heather’s charm and quick wit ensite the enthusiast. Heather is currently on Velocity working on classic cars with the Garage Squad team, but you may have also caught her as the slick Mercury Insurance agent, or on the golf course in the Top Flight Gamer commercials. Heather has always been athletic, gravitating towards gymnastics, track n field & cross country throughout her youth and later becoming an NASM Certified Fitness Trainer. While attending Oregon State University, Heather signed with an sports modeling agency & started working for local companies, including Nike & Adidas, she’s now appeared in commercials, films, TV, and fitness videos worldwide. Cleverly comedic, she’s appeared on Tosh.0, several Spike TV shows and in teen comedy features, “Epic Movie” and “Dorm Daze 2”. Heather is the co-founder of Black LAB, a mobile mixology company with and eco-conscious mind. Black LAB’s fresh juice cocktails and dedication to sustainable events are setting new industry standards. Heather hosted the EDM cocktail series, “The MixDown” on Complex TV and is a recurring guest mixologist on “The Playboy Morning Show” where she shares homemade cocktail recipes with over 1 million listeners monthly. Carrying an Environmental Science degree from Oregon State University and a SCUBA Rescue Certification, Heather’s an adventure seeking science nerd who has traveled the globe. She studied the queen conch population off South Caicos Island, designed green practice toolkits for the Caribbean Alliance for Sustainable Tourism in Puerto Rico and trekked through remote areas of Asia and Central America. Her love of nature and affinity for heights draw her to extreme sports including skydiving, surfing and rock climbing. She’s agile, quick and not afraid to get dirty. A life long pescatarian, Heather recognizes the importance of living consciously and shares her blog, Eco-Conscious Living. Discover recipes, reviews and travel tips that encourage the evolvement into a more sustainable future.

Lachlin Patterson and Joe Machi

Very rarely do radio people locate the right sidekick to generate success on the twin speaker stage. They're thrown together by out of control program directors and lost consultants. Then something happens. You bump into a couple of comedians that have that perfect connection. Two separate sides of the planet and yet they work incredible together. Performing at Charlotte's Comedy Zone this weekend. I am Unplugged and Totally Uncut inside the iHeart Radio Studio with Lachlan Patterson and Joe Machi.

Kunal Nayyar Yes My Accent Is Real

I began our conversation with a simple statement, "You are the most mysterious man in Hollywood." His reaction and story will captivate your imagination. From the Big Bang Theory I'm Unplugged and Totally Uncut with Raj! Kunal Nayyar on iHeart Radio. Kunal Nayyar’s life, both onscreen and off, can be properly summed up in two words: lovable underdog. Luckily for readers, i>YES, MY ACCENT IS REAL: AND SOME OTHER THINGS I HAVEN’T TOLD YOU (Atria Books; September 15, 2015; $26.00 hardcover) is a much longer book. Nayyar’s literary debut traverses the globe without following a map, by combining autobiographical essays with cocktail napkin scribbles, alphabetized rundowns, and amusing interstitial non sequiturs. The resulting book is refreshingly frank, and offers both homage to Nayyar’s New Delhi childhood and a wry nod to the listicles and first-person storytelling that populate much of the modern Internet landscape. YES, MY ACCENT IS REAL unfurls as an intercontinental journey replete with nostalgia by way of familiar cultural references and lighthearted musings on the origins of Indian holidays and traditions. Chapters romp through standard-issue coming-of-age tropes in a fashion that is anything but standard. Strange juxtapositions of the utterly embarrassing and the ultra-smooth abound—for instance, Nayyar grabs your heart in the book’s first pages by detailing the defining occasion of his very first kiss. He deftly muddled through the occasion, with only Kevin and Winnie from TV’s The Wonder Years as inspiration, only to be paired with the one and only Danica McKellar (a.k.a. Winnie Cooper herself) in a Big Bang Theory kissing scene years later. After bluffing his way into his first “real job” writing a manual for computer software, he spent his shifts masquerading as a tennis star in chatrooms and got a promotion anyway. He found himself auditioning for plays as a college business administration major at the University of Portland—not because he fancied himself a star or envisioned a luxurious future in the biz, but because he saw it as a way to make friends and get girls. Nayyar illustrates poignant relationships in his uniquely droll style, tempered by tenderness and respect. We meet his French expat college roommate, Diaby, a 6' 8", 250-pound power forward who defines the term “gentle giant” and lends Nayyar an assist with both losing his virginity and nearly becoming the next Mark Zuckerberg, among other more typical collegiate exploits. Nayyar expertly recounts some of his father’s advice—including “Use a spreadsheet” (“Dad was an accountant, so I knew how to use Excel before I knew how to unhook a bra”) and “Treat a king and a beggar the same” (“This says it all”). When he first meets his first true love, Sarah, she’s wearing intoxicating Egyptian Musk perfume, a smell that haunts him to this day. She also makes him lick her eyeball, and then introduces him to Radiohead—all in the same night. Throughout YES, MY ACCENT IS REAL, Nayyar’s quirkiness and self-deprecation imbue even the most commonplace scenarios with levity and intrigue. We learn that Nayyar’s sport isn’t cricket or track, but badminton—and that a birdie is technically named a shuttlecock. We come to understand that the holiday tradition of Dessehra (a Hindu festival that celebrates the victory of good over evil) also closely resembles a real life Game of Thrones. Nayyar teaches himself guitar by learning Poison’s seminal hair-rock hit “Every Rose Has Its Thorn,” ultimately parlaying his talents into a two-man emo band called the Prince and the Pauper (he’s the Prince). They play their first gig at the Java Bean—a gig you can reenact by following the lyrics included to the Prince and the Pauper original “So I’m Lonely Again,” (sample lyric: “I note I was barely breathing / Did you feel the same?”). As far as his first big break as an actor goes, it was for the play Huck and Holden, for which he auditioned not on a stage or via video, but in a New York City Apple Store, via iChat with the play’s L.A.-based director. Nayyar insists on the spelling aeroplane; he is addicted to mints, estimating he’s consumed over 19,000 Altoids since The Big Bang Theory began taping; and his wife, Neha, is an actual beauty queen. (Their meeting is touchingly described in the chapter “And Then I Fell in Love” and their “Big Fat Indian Wedding” recollected in a dizzying blur of one thousand guests, a band of friendly neighborhood eunuchs, Prince of Persia outfits, and time honored traditions, including riding a bejeweled horse into the wedding ceremony.) YES, MY ACCENT IS REAL will embolden anyone whose name has been mispronounced countless times, whose background has been constantly misunderstood, or whose social awkwardness has been a consistent barrier. The ultimate achievement of the book is in collecting all of these happenings, which add up to the meaningful life that Nayyar enjoys today—convincing us to believe in a sliver of advice from his father: “If it happens, good. If it doesn’t happen, very good.” Accidental miracles and relationships forged in inexplicable circumstances give Nayyar’s life story its own patently believable Big Bang Theory. You will be inspired, amused, and mildly appalled—at least as much as you are when you watch Raj fumbling through life as an astrophysicist on TV. And at the book’s completion, you’ll be compelled to follow a bit of Nayyar’s own advice, jotted on a reliable aeroplane cocktail napkin: “Keep pushing forward. You’re stronger and more resilient than you can imagine. We are incredible creatures.”

Paul Williams and Tracey Jackson

People tell me I work all the time. I laugh out loud because I know I'm addicted to creativity. Addiction isn't always attached to shopping, drugs and alcohol. From the iHeart Radio Studio I'm Unplugged and Totally Uncut with the legendary Paul Williams and the very creative Tracey Jackson. Williams, the award-winning songwriter, actor, and performer, has embraced a traditional alcoholism recovery plan for more than two decades of sobriety. Jackson, a well-known TV and film writer—and veteran of many years of traditional therapy—though never an alcohol or drug abuser, has struggled with other negative behaviors to numb her pain such as men, cigarettes, and over-spending. Jackson realized that many of the tenets of Williams’s program could apply to her. Together, they have written GRATITUDE & TRUST: Six Affirmations That Will Change Your Life, applying the principles of the recovery movement to help countless individuals who are not alcoholics or addicts, yet seek effective help with their difficulties — credit card debt, anger issues, a victim mentality — and pain. Please let me know if you would like an interview with Paul Williams and Tracey Jackson. In GRATITUDE & TRUST, Williams and Jackson ask: What happens to those who struggle with vexing problems yet are not full-blown addicts? Are there any lessons to be learned from the foundational and time-tested principles of the recovery movement? Whether you’re tethered to your phone or you turn to food for comfort; whether you’re a perfectionist and can’t let things go or are too afraid to fail to even try; whether you can find intimacy only on the Internet or you’ve been involved in a string of nasty relationships—the first step toward feeling better about yourself and your life is the realization that you are what’s standing in your way. Williams and Jackson have designed a new, positive program, based on a half-dozen new affirmations, that can help conquer your vices, address personal dysfunction, and start to brighten the darkest moods. Paul Williams is an Oscar-, Grammy-, and Golden Globe-winning Hall of Fame songwriter (“Rainbow Connection,” “Evergreen,” and “We’ve Only Just Begun”). Winner of a 2014 album of the year Grammy as a collaborator on Daft Punk’s “Random Access Memories” and President of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), he is a major public force in the recovery movement, a graduate of UCLA’s Drug and Alcohol Counseling Certification Program, and has served as a member of the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence Board of Directors. He was a founding board member and counselor for the Musicians Assistance Program (MAP), now the treatment wing of MusiCares. He has been a passionate public advocate for the recovery movement for the past twenty-five years. Follow Paul on Facebook and @IMPaulWilliams on Twitter. Tracey Jackson wrote the films “Confessions of a Shopaholic,” “The Guru,” and “The Other End of the Line,” among others. She has also written twelve TV pilots, and created the series “Babes” for Fox TV. Tracey wrote, directed, and starred in the controversial documentary “Lucky Ducks,” which can be seen on Amazon, Journeyman Docs, and pay for view. Her first book, Between a Rock and Hot Place: Why Fifty is Not the New Thirty, came out in 2011 and was optioned for a TV movie by Lifetime. Tracey blogs on www.traceyjacksononline.com, and has blogged for Huffington Post, WOWOWOW, Society for Drug Free America, Tiny Buddha, and various other sites. Follow Tracey on Facebook, Pinterest, and @TraceyJackson4 on Twitter.

Dennis Bryon You Should Be Dancing

The Bee Gee's were three brothers with a guitar and harmonies. They were often accused of being the Beatles. B, G. Beatles Group. Something very interesting happened while playfully mixing the music for something called Saturday Night Fever. The laid back harmonies that brought them to world had suddenly shifted. And this man was there. In fact it was his drum beat that became the infection. From the iHeart Radio Studio I'm Unplugged and Totally Uncut with Dennis Bryon. With worldwide sales of over 220 million records, the Bee Gees are the 6th bestselling music artists in history. Now—for the first time ever—acclaimed musician Dennis Bryon tells the story of how he became the Bee Gees drummer for 8 years during their peak period, including the Saturday Night Fever explosion, in his new book You Should Be Dancing: My Life with the Bee Gees (ECW Press, August 1, 2015). Dennis goes behind the scenes to present never-before-told stories of his experience on one of the wildest rides in pop/rock history. Along the way, he shares his unforgettable personal encounters with many of the world’s most famous musicians, including the Bee Gees themselves, Michael Jackson, Jimi Hendrix, Stephen Stills, Olivia Newton-John, Andy Gibb, and Bruce Johnston of the Beach Boys. Peppered with photographs from Dennis’s personal collection and rare Bee Gees memorabilia, You Should Be Dancing is a must-have for any Bee Gees fan, drummer, or pop/rock junkie. Dennis Bryon is the acclaimed drummer who first tasted success with Amen Corner, the celebrated Welsh rock band that had six hits in the U.K., including a number one. In 1973, Dennis joined the Bee Gees and played drums on nine #1 singles and on the 40-million-copy album Saturday Night Fever. Dennis lives in Nashville, Tennessee. "It’s all here — the gold, the glory and the groove! This book is essential reading for anyone who loves music, history, and the adventure we call life." — Zoro, award-winning drummer for Lenny Kravitz, Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons, and Bobby Brown "You Should Be Dancing: My Life with the Bee Gees is an engaging and fun insider’s look at an important time in music history, as chronicled by the drummer of one of rock’s most iconic bands. Dennis Bryon’s charismatic autobiography features history, insights, and stories from his captivating adventure, and we are enveloped, once again, in the unique and wonderful music we’ve loved and celebrated throughout our lives." — Marley Brant, author of Tales from the Rock 'n' Roll Highway

Dale Brown Iron Wolf

Do you remember when authors would release books like 1984 From Orwell that would scare you into thinking the pages were possible? Wait until you feel the war raging with the pages of Iron Wolf. You'll be convinced that we are inches from the final buzzer. From the iHeart Radio Studio I'm Unplugged and Totally Uncut with USAF Captain Dale Brown. In IRON WOLF, it’s the spring of 2017, the U.S. economy is finally starting to show signs of life under President Stacy Anne Barbeau, the country’s first female president. But in Eastern Europe, all hell is breaking loose. Russian president Gennadiy Gryzlov has sent Special Troops forces, disguised as pro-Russian activists, into Ukraine and Moldova under the pretext of protecting Russian-speaking citizens. NATO is outraged, but does little in response, leading former U.S. president Kevin Martindale to take matters into his own hands. Martindale approaches Polish president Peter Wilk with a radical solution: strike back at Russia not with the Polish army, but with a covert force of Cybernetic Infantry Device (CID) manned robots. Eventually, Martindale argues, the series of hit-and-run raids will force the Russian troops to withdraw. Wilk signs on, financing the operation with his own personal fortune. Operation Iron Wolf is underway. The initial strikes are successful, destroying a Russian base in Western Ukraine, and drawing the furor of Gryzlov. Barbeau, still completely in the dark as to Martindale’s scheme, pledges to aid the Russians in an investigation, and an epic standoff between Russia, NATO, and the Martindale-Wilk coalition ensues. Will Martindale’s secret alliance, supported by the best military technology, win the day? Or will the Russian forces emerge victorious in the end? In this newest high-powered installment from New York Times bestselling author Dale Brown, tensions in Eastern Europe inform a political thriller of the highest order. ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Former U.S. Air Force captain Dale Brown is the author of numerous consecutive New York Times best-selling military-action-aviation adventure novels. Dale's novels are published in 11 languages and distributed to over 70 countries. Worldwide sales of his novels, audiobooks and computer games exceed 10 million copies. Dale was born in Buffalo, New York. He graduated from Penn State University with a degree in Western European History and received an Air Force commission in 1978. He was a navigator-bombardier in the B-52G Stratofortress heavy bomber and the FB-111A supersonic medium bomber, and is the recipient of several military decorations and awards including the Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster, the Combat Crew Award, and the Marksmanship ribbon. Dale was also one of the nation's first Air Force ROTC cadets to qualify for and complete the grueling three-week U.S. Army Airborne Infantry paratrooper training course. Dale is a director and volunteer pilot for AirLifeLine, a non-profit national charitable medical transportation organization who fly needy persons free of charge to receive treatment. He also supports a number of organizations to support and promote law enforcement and reading. Dale Brown is a member of The Writers Guild and a Life Member of the Air Force Association and U.S. Naval Institute. He is a multi-engine and instrument-rated private pilot and can often be found in the skies all across the United States, piloting his own plane. On the ground, Dale enjoys tennis, skiing, scuba diving, and hockey. Dale and his family live near the shores of Lake Tahoe, Nevada.

Daniel Morgan

What kind of person was ABC News Anchor Peter Jennings? Brian Williams is nothing. Why wouldn't Bill O'Reilly celebrate with the staff that kept him on the air. If you love dirt. The kind of stuff about those that break into your tv show with news. You're going to love the man that was right there while it happened. From the iHeart Radio Studio I'm Unplugged and Totally Uncut with Daniel Morgan. Peter Jennings had a 'radar for women' and 'would sleep with a tree if it had a skirt', while a young Bill O' Reilly thought he was too good to drink champagne with his show's crew, according to TV network vet Daniel Morgan. These are just some of the things Morgan learned while working behind the scenes for 50 years as a stage manager for CBS, ABC and NBC - and with the networks' biggest talents. Morgan, 69, said he threw 'everyone' under the bus for his new memoir Last Stage Manager Standing, detailing a career where 'every day was like One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest'. 'I had the pleasure and misfortune of working with probably almost everyone who was involved with New York television at one time,' he told Branching Out TV. The TV veteran, who left the business in 2013, said he learned early on that the people behind the camera are 'far more fascinating' than those who make it on to our television screens. But Morgan still found plenty to share about these on-air personalities that became staples of TV in the twentieth century. Beloved late ABC anchor Jennings had no problem when it came to women, Morgan wrote in an excerpt obtained by the New York Post. 'In between wives and girlfriends, he did very well,' wrote Morgan, who revealed Jennings required the studio to be 48 degrees at all times. 'He was a good-looking guy - tall, intelligent, well-spoken.' Morgan recalled one memory when Jennings, who had just recently returned from a trip, was talking about how country singer Barbara Mandrell was 'naughty', his smile 'like the Cheshire cat'. Jennings later said to his makeup artist, 'And what about those photos Sheena Easton sent me?' 'The smile on his face,' Morgan wrote. 'I could see all his teeth!' Morgan also wrote about another night when both Jennings and UN Ambassador Richard Holbrooke, who also happened to be married to his ex-wife, were in the studio at the same time. 'They were literally 30 feet apart, with a thin door separating them', Morgan wrote in an excerpt obtained by The Reporters. Morgan said he had a stagehand tape a piece of cardboard over the window 'to create a no man's land'. O'Reilly was anchoring at local New York affiliate WCBS-TV that night when a producer invited the entire crew, Morgan included, to have a glass of champagne before midnight struck. 'Bill was beside himself,' Morgan wrote. 'He didn't think that the crew was "worthy" enough to have a glass of cheap-a** champagne with the producers or himself.' 'Bill's panties were really in a knot, and he was muttering to himself as he walked around the newsroom.' In his half-century working in television, Morgan had his share of unusual tasks. While working on the soap opera Search for Tomorrow in the 1970s, a producer told Morgan his job for the day was to make sure the show's star, Morgan Fairchild, was wearing a bra. 'I guess the day or week before, she hadn't been wearing one and there were problems with Standards and Practices,' Morgan wrote. He went into her dressing room and started talking to her about cats 'as a pretext to look down her blouse'. 'She was wearing a sheer something,' he wrote. 'But she was wearing something.' And while working on Martha Stewart's show, Morgan was told one day that the most important part of his job was to make sure Stewart 'knew where her salt and pepper are at all times'. 'A week with Martha was a month without sunshine,' Morgan wrote about his short time working on her show. O'Reilly wasn't Morgan's only story from working CBS' New Year's Eve Time Square coverage for 10 years. Morgan remembers one specific night when the control room 'burst into chaos' after the cameraman failed to get the ball drop in his shot. 'Everyone was screaming, "Get the ball! The f****** ball isn't dropping!', he wrote. The camera, Morgan said, had been framed and focused on a full moon all night long. Morgan said Bob Keeshan, who played the title character of the long-running CBS children's program Captain Kangaroo, was known for his temper. 'I came back from lunch one day and I noticed he'd gotten angry and annihilated this bird cage, Morgan wrote. 'I said to a stagehand, "Should we call the ASPCA?" He said, "Don't worry. It was a plastic canary.' Despite his tantrums, Morgan said Keeshan was always generous at Christmas time. 'Each year he would find a hot gift for everyone,' he wrote. 'Like a Texas Instruments calculator or a Casio watch.' Whether the experiences were good, bad or just downright a little crazy, Morgan wrote that he missed the bygone era of television news and entertainment he once helped create. 'I was blessed in the sense that, you know, people were still personalities,' he wrote. 'Unfortunately, they've become robots.' ABOUT THE BOOK LAST STAGE MANAGER STANDING Daniel B. Morgan, a veteran TV Stage Manager with over 50 years of experience, has completed his first book “Last Stage Manager Standing”: a poignant recall of all those years behind the scenes and is a vibrantly crafted work that flows beautifully through the mind and heart. On how he would describe his book, author Daniel B. Morgan summed it up succinctly with, “Each day was like 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.” Published by New York City-based Page Publishing, Daniel B. Morgan’s poignant tale gives you his insight into how the production crew works together to run and direct a show. He attempts to explain the producer’s indecisions, and offers up tasty vignettes of the talent’s foibles. Television is one of the most significant and notable inventions of the Twentieth century. Over the years, people have seen an overabundance of glitz and glamour on television. Homo sapiens used to turn on televisions in their living rooms to enjoy their TV dinners while watching the early movie, now we are pulverized by news and fluff. But what is really going on behind the camera? “Last Stage Manager Standing” exposes the trade secrets and the politics behind the television industry.

David Orr The Road Not Taken

When it comes to American literature Robert Frost shaped a standard that's still inspiring imaginations around the world. Including several generations of Presidents. John F Kennedy was nervous to have Robert Frost speak fearing that he would steal the show. From the iHeart Radio Studio I'm Unplugged and Totally Uncut with the author that puts into motion the piece of poetry that changed the world. David Orr... Two roads diverged in a yellow wood . . .” One hundred years after its first publication in August 1915, Robert Frost’s poem “The Road Not Taken” is so ubiquitous that it’s easy to forget that it is, in fact, a poem. Widely admired as the poetry columnist for the New York Times Book Review, David Orr deftly illuminates the poem’s enduring greatness while revealing its mystifying contradictions, in THE ROAD NOT TAKEN: Finding America in the Poem Everyone Loves and Almost Everyone Gets Wrong. With diligence and humor, Orr examines the poem’s cultural influence, its artistic complexity, and its historical journey from the margins of the First World War all the way to its canonical place today as a true masterpiece of American literature. Please let me know if you would like an interview with David Orr. Published for the poem’s centennial—along with a new Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition of Frost’s poems, edited and introduced by Orr himself— THE ROAD NOT TAKEN is a treasure for all readers, a triumph of artistic exploration and cultural investigation that sings with its own unforgettably poetic voice. ABOUT DAVID ORR David Orr is the poetry columnist for The New York Times Book Review. He is the winner of the Nona Balakian Prize from the National Book Critics Circle, and his writing has appeared in The New Yorker, Poetry, Slate, and The Yale Review. He holds a BA from Princeton and a JD from Yale Law School, and is a visiting professor at Cornell University. ABOUT ROBERT FROST Robert Lee Frost was born in San Francisco in 1874. When he was ten, his father died and he and his mother moved to New England. He attended school at Dartmouth and Harvard, worked in a mill, taught, and took up farming, before he moved to England, where his first books of poetry, A Boy's Will (1913) and North of Boston (1914), were published. North of Boston brought him recognition as the preeminent voice of New England and as one of America’s major poets. In 1915 he returned to the United States and settled on a farm in New Hampshire. Four volumes of his poetry, New Hampshire (1923), Collected Poems (1930), A Further Range (1936), and A Witness Tree (1942) were all awarded the Pulitzer Prize. He died in 1963.

Simeon Rice

It's early Monday morning but the action on the field is already in full motion. What happens to the elite players of the NFL after the game? Simeon Rice headed back to school to become a writer and director of movies. This is the week. Friday is the night. UNSULLIED. The directorial debut for former NFL superstar Simeon Rice. The film opens in Charlotte on Friday, August 28 at AMC Concord Mills. Watch the trailer. Find out more about the actors. The story and to get tickets for this incredible event. http://www.unsulliedthefilm.com/ From the iHeart Radio Studio I'm Unplugged and Totally Uncut with Simeon Rice.

Jack Tempchin Learning To Dance

He was the writing instrument that penned out Peaceful Feeling and Already Gone for the Eagles. Plus numerous other songs from George Jones to Trisha Yearwood. From the iHeart Radio Studio I'm Unplugged and Totally Uncut with the legendary Jack Tempchin. April 28, 2015, Los Angeles, CA: Famed songwriter Jack Tempchin, known for writing some of the most durable tunes in American music, is set to release Learning To Dance, a new album of original music on August 21, 2015 through Blue Élan Records. Earlier this year Tempchin released a new EP titled Room To Run, which was highly regarded by many outlets including No Depression, Elmore Magazine, Beatweek, and many more. The new releases span his breadth as a writer and performer, showcasing his flexible tenor voice. Both warm and intimate, his voice soars with unbridled joy, and is gracefully reflective. His powerful arranging skills and musicianship – strengthened by more than four decades of experience – can be heard throughout. Best known for penning “Peaceful Easy Feeling” and “Already Gone” for the Eagles, Tempchin has written music for a variety of artists that includes George Jones, Glenn Frey, Randy Meisner, Glen Campbell, Emmylou Harris, Trisha Yearwood, and many others. He’s also co-written with a who’s who of American roots, rock and country composers that embraces Tom Waits, J.D. Souther, Bobby Whitlock, Jim Lauderdale, and Beth Nielsen Chapman. Despite his storied musical history, Tempchin says, “I’m looking at myself as a new artist. These are all new songs and I’d like to be accepted based on them. I don’t believe in living in the past. I have millions of songs rushing through my head today, and a real passion for recording them and playing them live.” Room To Run and Learning To Dance, Tempchin’s ninth and tenth releases respectively, are his first solo recordings for a record label since his 1978 eponymous debut on Arista. And, his signing inspired an outpouring of songs that has continued since the recording of the two new discs. “Knowing I’ll have a home for my songs now is very inspiring,” he attests. For more information, visit: www.tempchin.com

Emily Ann Rigal Author Of Flawd

We read about bullying in schools. But rarely do the troops come out in numbers when it comes to abuse at the workplace. The creator of We Stop Hat dot org has masterfully come up with a way for you to use your flaws as a powerful tool. From the iHeart Radio Studio I'm Unplugged and Totally Uncut with Emily Ann Rigal. When Emily-Anne Rigal was in elementary school, she was bullied for being overweight so severely that she had to transfer schools. But with this change came another unanticipated transformation: she went from being the bullied to the bully. The messages she had received (being fat = no good) compelled her to treat others poorly in an unconscious effort to make others feel bad about themselves too. Thankfully, by surrounding herself with positive peers that accepted her for who she was, Emily-Anne began to accept herself and those around her—and she did something extraordinary. Inspired by her experiences, she founded the non-profit WeStopHate.org to help others share their experiences with bullying by posting videos to YouTube and help foster good “teen esteem.” In the process, her organization garnered nearly 1 million views and the support of Meryl Streep, Lady Gaga, Whitney Port, and Josie Loren, among others. As teens across the country head back to school, it is the perfect time for a discussion on how to combat bullying and increase understanding and tolerance on American campuses. The founder of WeStopHate.org, EMILY-ANNE RIGAL is one of Newsweek’s “150 Most Fearless Women in the World.” She is a recipient of the Peace First Prize in partnership with Family Circle magazine presented by America Ferrera, and recipient of the Nickelodeon H.A.L.O. (Helping and Leading Others) Award presented to her by one of her chief supporters, Lady Gaga. She is an activist, speaker, YouTube personality, and media darling who counts everyone from Lady Gaga to Meryl Streep to Dove’s Global Self-Esteem Ambassador among her thousands of supporters, mentors, and fans. She has appeared on TODAY, Good Morning America, MSBNC, MTV and many others. Rigal resides in VA and currently attends Barnard College of Columbia University in NYC.

Amy McCready

I believe it all began the moment Cabbage Patch Kids became a riot at Christmas time. Giving kids what they want when they want it has turned into a price that parents friends and family have to pay. I had to go to the expert. The Me Generation has to be put in time out. From the iHeart Radio Studio I'm Unplugged and Totally Uncut with Amy McCready. Parenting expert Amy McCready is a “recovering yeller” and the Founder of Positive Parenting Solutions. A champion of positive parenting techniques for happier families and well-behaved kids, she reaches a worldwide audience with her Positive Parenting Solutions Online parenting course, web and print articles, live webinars, and media appearances. Amy is a frequent guest on the TODAY show and has also appeared on Rachael Ray, CNN, Fox & Friends, MSNBC, and elsewhere. She lives in Raleigh, North Carolina with her husband and two sons. Learn more at www.AmyMcCready.com. We all want our children to be happy…but should parents jump through hoops at all costs to keep them that way? Or are the parents who do so hurting their children in the long run? Whenever Amy McCready mentions the “entitlement epidemic” to a group of parents, she is inevitably met with eye rolls, nodding heads, and loaded comments about affected children. It seems everywhere one looks there are preschoolers who only behave in the grocery store for a treat, narcissistic teenagers posting selfies across all forms of social media, and adult children living off their parents. In her newest book THE “ME, ME, ME” EPIDEMIC, parenting expert Amy McCready derails the entitlement train so many kids are riding and shows how parents can raise their children to become confident, resilient, and successful. By applying positive strategies, correctly using consequences, exploring preventative measures, and understanding the difference between a reasonable request and an entitlement issue, parents can change their tactics so that their kids (of any age) learn to pitch in around the house, solve disagreements respectfully, take responsibility for their actions, and even put down their smartphones once in a while.

Casey Fallen

I call them modern day Folk Rock artists. They don't vibe with the rhythms of fad and popularity. They stay true to the streets that masterfully develop their experiences into lyrics. From the iHeart Radio Studio I'm Unplugged and Totally Uncut with Casey Fallen Introducing: Casey Fallen Website: http://www.caseyfallen.com Genre: New Wave Pop Alternative Rock with Electronic Production Members: Casey Fallen – Singer / Songwriter, Guitar, Keyboards. Doug Osborne – Lead Guitar, Bass, Backing Vocals, mixing. Discography: Atmospheric Disturbances - 2014 Fox in a Box (single) - 2011 Orbis Pictus - 2005 Sounds Like: - Lorde, Coldplay, Capitol Cities, The Naked and Famous - A modern take on The Psychedelic Furs, The Cure, The Smiths, and Depeche Mode all mixed up into a delightful sound scape. Reviews: "A" Rating - " From the hushed and gentle tones of My Bloody Valentine and Mazzy Star to the sensitive delivery of Elliott Smith, vocals on the album go down pretty smooth with the melancholy lyrics." - AJ Garcia - http://shakefire.com/review/casey-fallen-atmospheric-disturbances "The whole CD is wonderfully conservative yet a bit refined and full of what I would call powerful melodic energy with music that appeals to so many different senses on so many different levels." - Amy Jensen - http://www.rocknrollview.com/blog/2014/12/15/casey-fallen-atmospheric-disturbances/ 8 out of 10 stars - "The album feels like a slow, groovy dream, where you never know what to expect round the next bend. - Jarred Kelly -http://www.musicemissions.com/artists/albums/index.php?album_id=18082 4 out of 5 rating - "Ninety seconds into the first track “Fragile” two of the first things crossing your mind is: 1) How undeniably truthful and honest the music sounds, and 2) why the heck haven’t I heard of Casey Fallen yet?" - Trace Williams - http://gigband.com/casey-fallen-atmospheric-disturbances/ "When you hit play and listen to the first few tracks: “Fragile”, “Last Glance” and “city Lights” and “Fox in a Box” you will quickly be blessed and enlightened by the musical presence of Fallen and Osborne." - Thomas Neff - http://www.indiemusicreviews.net/casey-fallen-atmospheric-disturbances/ 4 out of 5 stars - "These songs are passionate, real, interesting, alluring, and consistently well delivered." - Sharon Pike - http://www.indieartistsalliance.com/2014/12/casey-fallen-releases-atmospheric-disturbances/ Achievements: The latest album Atmospheric Disturbances has been charting in the top 100 peaking at #3 on college radio stations across the U.S. Casey Fallen has had two songs chart on the professional STS artist charts for the Orbis Pictus album, having not one, but two songs chart in the top 20 at the same time. Casey Fallen has also had their music video win at the Babelgum Music Video awards, making the music video available inside all new i-phone and Nokia phones purchased in 2007 across the U.K. and Italy. Casey Fallen has gained over 16 thousand Myspace friends and a half million visits to their artist page during the Myspace hay day. Casey Fallen has been seen walking the red carpet at the New Music Awards for the contributions they made at the award winning radio station i-RadioLA. Casey Fallen hosted a show directed towards helping fellow indie artists. Casey Fallen is featured on the MT.V. artist profiles at:http://www.mtv.com/artists/casey-fallen and has rated in the Top 40 and top 10 several times for best artist on MT.V.s "Ourstage" Casey Fallen continues to achieve top 10 ratings at several networking sites including Reverbnation on a monthly basis. Live: Casey Fallen has played shows at mainstream venues like B.B. Kings in Hollywood, as well as opened for major artist such as "Sick Puppies

William Michael Morgan

Growing up in Mississippi with a music loving father and a passion for traditional Country Music has opened a new level of play for Nashville's William Michael Morgan. It's not just a passion for six strings on a guitar but the true roots that inspired him to become a musician. From Marty Robbins to Keith Urban. From the steel guitar to modern waves mixed and produced by two of biggest names in the studio. A deep rich baritone vocal range of Randy Travis and the calm appeal of George Strait reminds you that Country Music still has a place for music with a purpose. From the iHeart Radio Studio I'm Unplugged and Totally Uncut with William Michael Morgan.

Chris Carr

Saturday August 29th. The Don Tilley Memorial. AMA Flat Track Motorcycle Racing returns to Charlotte Motor Speedway. They're bringing in the muscle and the machine.. And that means the legend Chris Carr. We are Unplugged and Totally Uncut on iHeart Radio Chris Carr was the dominant rider in the AMA Grand National Championship during the early 2000s. Through the 2007 season, the Northern California native won seven national championships and was second on the AMA Grand National all-time wins list. He rode for Harley-Davidson as a factory rider for much of his early career, but gained the majority of his success as a private team owner. He was also one of the few riders in his era of Grand National racing to attract major corporate sponsorship, being backed by Ford Motor Company. In 2006, Carr became the fastest man on two wheels when he set a motorcycle land speed record of 350.884 mph piloting Denis Manning's BUB Enterprises streamliner at the AMA/FIM International Motorcycle Speed Trials by BUB on the Bonneville Salt Flats. Carr was born on May 6, 1967, in Stockton, California. His father was an amateur racer and put young Chris on a motorcycle at an early age. He lived only a few miles from the Lodi Cycle Bowl, which spawned the racing career of many top riders. His parents were members of the Lodi Motorcycle Club and young Chris (an only child) practiced countless hours on the track and began racing at the age of 6. His first racer was a 38cc Moto Villa. He counted Alex Jorgensen and Kenny Roberts his heroes as a kid. He progressed through the junior ranks chasing older Northern California riders such as Doug Chandler and Fred Merkel. By the time he was 17, Carr had earned numerous Northern California and national amateur championships and was already turning lap times comparable to the top pros. In 1985, Carr turned pro and embarked on his rookie season in the AMA Grand National Championship. He showed great promise in his debut. In his first national, the Houston Astrodome TT, he scored a ninth-place finish. It was but a preview of things to come. In his first pro season, Carr tallied a slew of top-10 finishes, including podium results at the San Jose Short Track and Peoria TT Nationals. He finished ranked seventh in the championship and was named AMA Flat Track Rookie of the Year. Carr continued to climb the ladder in 1986, his sophomore pro season, taking fourth in the final Grand National standings and scoring his first national win in August of that year in the Peoria TT. It would mark the first of many wins at Peoria for Carr. He became so dominant at the historic race in the 1990s he became known as the “Prince of Peoria.” “I remember in my rookie year I finished third at Peoria behind Ricky (Graham) and Bubba (Shobert) and realized I needed to be in better shape to run that pace,” Carr said. “The next year, I came back better prepared. The Woods Rotax kept getting better too, and by then I think it was better than the factory Hondas. I cut some blazing laps that year and won my first national fairly easily.” Carr’s steady climb continued as he scored two wins in 1987 and then finished third in the final AMA Grand National Series standings in 1988. He was made a full-fledged Harley-Davidson factory rider in 1989. In 1990, he nearly reached the pinnacle, holding the points lead longer than anyone else that season. But an engine failure in the Labor Day Springfield (Illinois) Mile took him out of the series lead. He was unable to match Harley teammate Scott Parker's late-season drive and had to settle for the runner-up spot in the final standings. In 1991, it was even closer between Carr and Parker. The two tied in the final standings, but Parker won the title based on more national wins. In 1992, Carr’s time finally came and he scored his first AMA Grand National Championship, taking four national wins along the way. He was by now becoming a complete rider, winning on Miles, Half-Miles, Short Tracks and TT courses. Only 5’ 5” and 135 pounds, Carr developed a unique riding style, learning to finesse his race bikes rather than muscle them. “I always felt if you could find a way to use less energy that it would pay off in the closing laps of tight races,” Carr said of his finely tuned technique. In 1993, Carr lost his title to a red-hot Ricky Graham and in 1994 Parker again nipped him by a scant three points. Carr was offered the opportunity to compete in the AMA Superbike Championship in 1995 as part of the Harley-Davidson factory team. That year, he contested both the AMA Grand National and Superbike Championships and still managed a third in the Grand National Series, despite focusing on road racing. Harley-Davidson’s VR1000 Superbike proved to be underpowered against its competition, yet Carr did an admirable job as a road racer. He won AMA Superbike Rookie of the Year in 1995 and in 1996 gave Harley-Davidson its lone AMA Superbike pole, topping qualifying at the Pomona (California) round. His best Superbike result came in 1996, a fifth on the factory Harley at Sears Point Raceway in Sonoma, California. Also in 1995, Carr earned a record seventh AMA 600cc Dirt Track Championship, making him the all-time king of the single-cylinder dirt track racing class. The 1998 season marked a return to the AMA Grand National Championship for Carr after a two-year absence. Early in the season he split his time doing select road races in addition to his full Grand National schedule. He had a notable runner-up road race finish in the Laguna Seca Formula Xtreme race aboard a Muzzy Kawasaki. He again led the Grand National Flat Track Series most of the season, but was caught by rival Parker in the closing races and lost the title by two points. The turning point in the long Carr/Parker rivalry came in 1999. Carr, now running as a privateer, dominated the season, scoring nine podium finishes, including five wins. Carr finally dethroned Parker in what he calls his most satisfying championship. “Scotty and I pushed each other throughout our careers and raised the level of competition,” Carr explained. “He was six years ahead of me in experience and gained a lot of speed during the years of him chasing the factory Hondas. It was also a Mile-dominated series during much of that era and Scott was a master of strategy on the Miles. It took me a while to discover the nuances of winning on the Miles. By ’99, I was at the top of my game and it was very gratifying to win the championship in a dominant fashion.” After a short sojourn winning the Formula USA Dirt Track Series in 2000, Carr returned full time to AMA Grand National racing in 2001 to begin one of the most commanding runs in AMA Grand National history, winning every AMA Grand National Championship from 2001 through 2005, including the 50th anniversary season of the championship in 2004. Tuner extraordinaire Kenny Tolbert built Carr’s bikes during this fruitful period. Carr was named AMA Pro Athlete of the Year in 2003 and persevered to become the second-winningest rider in AMA Grand National Championship history. In 2002, Carr brought Ford Motor Company on board as his team’s sponsor, marking one of the few times a major corporation backed an AMA Grand National team during that era. Carr made history in another genre of motorcycle competition in September of 2006 when he became the fastest motorcycle rider in the world. At the Bonneville Salt Flats, he was the first motorcyclist to crack the 350 mph barrier. In one pass, he rode the BUB Enterprises streamliner to 354 mph. His record average for two runs was 350.884 mph. Carr followed in the footsteps of Cal Rayborn, another AMA Grand National racer, who set land speed records. Carr continues to race and run his racing team. He and wife Pamela are raising a family in eastern Pennsylvania.

Emily Mortimer Ten Thousand Saints

There's a place in music history that singers/songwriters and performers ran away to discover. That era became a movement. The 1980's... You know the music but do you know what it influenced? From the iHeart Radio Studio I'm Unplugged and Totally Uncut with actress Emily Mortimer. Set in the 1980s, Jude (Asa Butterfield) spends his high school days in small-town Vermont getting high with his best friend Teddy. Beneath Jude’s mind-numbing activities lurks a desire to reconnect with his estranged father, Les (Ethan Hawke), who abandoned the family when Jude was nine. Following a tragedy, Jude’s mother sends him to live with Les in New York City. In the roiling and raw East Village, Jude struggles to establish an identity within the cultural upheaval downtown. He forms an unlikely surrogate family with Teddy’s straight-edge punk brother (Emile Hirsch) and a troubled, rich uptown girl (Hailee Steinfeld). Together, they embark on a journey of self-realization in a neighborhood on the verge of riots. Based on the novel Ten Thousand Saints by Eleanor Henderson and featuring an authentic soundtrack of music from the era, TEN THOUSAND SAINTS was written and directed by Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini and produced by Luca Borghese, Anne Carey, Amy Nauiokas, Celine Rattray and Trudie Styler. ' *Official Selection of the 2015 Sundance Film Festival* Here's the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAf60vbBR-Y

Ricky Skaggs

SkaggsWhiteCooder_235.jpg Get Tickets Box Office: (704) 372-1000 Tell a Friend OnlineChatSoftware RY COODER, SHARON WHITE, AND RICKY SKAGGS AUG 19 , 2015 · MCGLOHON THEATER AT SPIRIT SQUARE PRICES BEGIN AT $49.50 WITH SPECIAL GUESTS MIKE STRAUSS & JACK LAWRENCE PRESENTED BY: MAXXMUSIC, VISULITE THEATRE & BLUMENTHAL PERFORMING ARTS In a most exceptional pairing, master multi-instrumentalists Ry Cooder and Ricky Skaggs come alive on stage to deliver a revelatory program of blues, gospel, and bluegrass. They are joined by Sharon White, one of the purest voices in Country music, Joachim Cooder on drums, and Mark Fain on bass with occasional guest performances by Buck White.

Lisa Jakub

At the age of twenty-two, Lisa Jakub had what she was supposed to want: she was a working actor in Los Angeles. She had more than forty movies and TV shows to her name, she had been in blockbusters like Mrs. Doubtfire and Independence Day, she walked the red carpet and lived in the house she bought when she was fifteen. But something was missing. Passion. Purpose. Happiness. From the iHeart Radio Studio I'm Unplugged and Totally Uncut with actress Lisa Jakub. Hello. I’m Lisa – a writer, traveler, devoted yogi, wife and dog-mom. I also make really good spinach gnocchi. I began my acting career at the age of four in Toronto, Canada. For the next eighteen years, I worked consistently in the film industry in Los Angeles, in projects that ranged from Hollywood blockbuster to cutting room floor. At the age of 22, I realized that there must be more to life than premieres and pretending to be other people. I suspected that there was something outside of movies that would feel more authentic to me. I left the film industry under the guise of following the man I loved to Virginia. Luckily, the man I loved really was in Virginia, so it all worked out and we lived happily ever after in our own version of a Hollywood ending. While figuring out how to be a normal person, I have dedicated myself to my lifelong love of words and my profound respect for a well-told story. My memoir, You Look Like That Girl, is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble or by requesting it from your favorite independent bookseller. It is the story of growing up in the film industry and making the decision to leave in search of some peace. My writing has appeared in Newsweek, Today.com, LA Times, NY Daily News, Huffington Post, DailyMail, US Magazine, Parade, Elephant Journal, Thought Catalog, Vanichi Magazine, ASPCA, Yoga Magazine and Hello Giggles, where I am a contributing writer. I’ve appeared on HuffPost Live, MSNBC and CNN. I also do speaking events at high schools, colleges and conferences where I run workshops about living an authentic life.

Luther Campbell Book Of Luke

I was that jock on the radio when the calls were pouring in from both sides of the fence, "Can you play 2Live Crew? And why are you playing 2Live Crew?" The music industry was changing and completely under fire. This man had a plan. He created the warning label you see on compact disc's even today. From the iHeart Radio Studio I'm Unplugged and Totally Uncut with Luther Campbell. You may think rapper Luther Campbell (formerly of 2 Live Crew) is the kind of guy you would find in a dance club or on a crazy reality show. But the truth is that these days, he is likely to be found coaching football to inner-city kids, or at a city council meeting, fighting to get more funding for education, housing, or youth programs. It may be surprising to some, but Luther has been fighting for justice for himself and others his entire life. And, at a time when our communities are under attack from police brutality, abysmal public education, and poverty, Luther’s amazing life story THE BOOK OF LUKE: My Fight for Truth, Justice, and Liberty City (on sale: August 4, 2015) shows how one person can change a community, a country—even the world. Born in Miami’s notorious Liberty City neighborhood, Luther saw poverty, despair, and crime firsthand. His Uncle Ricky didn’t want him to get trapped by the “invisible chains” of systemic racism, and schooled him on the necessity of a man “owning his own ass”—controlling his own livelihood and owning property (land and/or home). Embracing this line of thinking, Luther discovered his gift for entrepreneurship. Starting out in a shed in his mom’s backyard, he built a multi-million dollar company, Luke Records, which was the first hip hop music label. As a rapper on his own label, Luther became known as the “King of Dirty Rap” who pioneered the worldwide phenomenon known as the Miami Bass sound. While Luther and his fans saw his music as wildly funny, not obscene, his popularity infuriated the establishment, and Luke became Public Enemy #1 when hip hop crossed the color line into white America. Luther spent over a million dollars of his own money fighting cops and prosecutors all the way to the Supreme Court to protect his—and every other artist’s—right to free speech, setting landmark legal precedents that continue to shape the entertainment industry today. Twenty years later, this one time King of Dirty Rap is better known as “Coach” to Miami high school students, and leads his players to state and national championships on the gridiron. He is a columnist for the Miami New Times, where he holds politicians accountable for their silence on important issues. He has even run for mayor of Miami on those same issues. Luther Campbell has taken his fame and fortune and returned to the streets of Liberty City, where he works tirelessly every day to save young men from the street corners. And THE BOOK OF LUKE is a passionate call to action for us all to embrace community and never give up the fight for justice. ABOUT LUTHER CAMPBELL Luther Campbell, 53, is a record label owner and rap artist. He was the leader of 2 Live Crew, whose music was at the center of landmark Supreme Court decisions. Campbell still mentors in Liberty City, Miami, and coaches with his Liberty City Optimist Program. He has coached football at Miami Central and Miami Northwest—one of the top football schools in the country—and now coaches at Miami Norland High School.

Carlos and Salvador Santana Fantasy Reality

The kind of quote that will change your life, "Shift happens..." Carlos Santana has been a major part of the world music scene for over fifty years. His son Salvador is part of the shift. From the iHeart Radio Studio I'm Unplugged and Totally Uncut with the shaman of music Carlos Santana and his son Salvador. Los Angeles, CA - August 10, 2015- GRAMMY®-Award Winner Salvador Santana is set to release his second full length album, Fantasy Reality on August 21, 2015 with a pre-sale available via iTunes HERE. Three tracks are available for immediate download with the pre-sale, including the album's first single, "Fantasy Reality." The official video is premiering today on ArtistDirect. Later this week, Salvador will be hitting the road as a featured guest on his father, Carlos Santana's "Corazon Tour". The dates run from August 14th-August 30th and will span most of the northeast starting in Forest Hills, NY and wrapping up with two shows in Chicago. Despite the fact that Salvador has opened for his father's band in the past, this marks the first time ever that the legendary Santana will actually be performing Salvador's music. The album, Fantasy Reality, is a collection of 12 tracks that vary in subject matter yet all with the common thread of conscious lyrics and uplifting music at their core. Artist Direct said of the album, "On his new album Fantasy Reality, Salvador Santana brings a new level of consciousness to hip-hop. However, the record out August 21, is a lot more than that. He's got an indie vibrancy, rock energy, world flavor, and pop palatability, making for a dynamic and diverse experience throughout. Of course, as an MC, his bars stand out, but the music is global enough to make everyone worldwide really listen." Salvador teamed up with Veva Entertainment to create the "Fantasy Reality" video with visuals to match the message of turning a positive into a negative. Working closely with Director Fernando Cordero and Producer Marco DeMolina, Salvador's first official video from the new release reflects the album's overall concept alongside showcasing his true passion- performing! GRAMMY®-Award Winner Salvador Santana Premiere’s First Official Video, “Fantasy Reality” Today on ArtistDirect Pre-Sale Available Now with Three Tracks Available for Immediate Download Salvador to be featured as a Special Guest on Carlos Santana’s Tour Kicking Off This Week

Huggy Lowdown and Chris Paul

You can't be any more real than these two walking into the iHeart Radio studio and suddenly turning on the funny. The gift of performance is the art of knowing who your listener is. Being live on the radio stage is what I've always called the universal connection. We are Unplugged and Totally Uncut.

Jane Lynch Live At Joes Pub

Not only one of the most famous faces on television. But this decades most recognized voice. But have you ever heard or watched her sing? From the iHeart Radio Studio I'm Unplugged and Totally Uncut with the endless amounts of talent of Jane Lynch. Fresh from her iconic portrayal of Sue Sylvester on “Glee” and her Broadway debut as Miss Hannigan in “Annie,” Jane Lynch returns to New York City to perform her new musical comedy “See Jane Sing.” The show comes full circle for Jane as she debuted the act at 54 Below last year to rave reviews. Taking the stage at Joe’s Pub for a four day run, Jane’s show has evolved to include special guests like Kate Flannery of “The Office,” who plays Jane's mischievous vocal partner, and Tim Davis, the talented former musical arranger on “Glee.” The Emmy and Golden Globe winner also designed a fresh song list boasting delightful new takes on “If Wishes Were Rainbows”, “Mr. Monotony”, “Far From the Home I Love”, and “Skeletons/Blood” from A Mighty Wind. Not your typical Broadway narrative, Lynch, accompanied by a five-piece band, builds the evening around her musical chops and comedic wit and charm. See Jane Sing! w/ Jane Lynch August 16, 17, 18, 19 Joe's Pub Ticket Price: $25.00 - $75.00 Doors at 6PM; Show at 7PM Doors at 9PM; Show at 9:30PM JANE LYNCH BIO Jane Lynch cut her theatrical teeth at The Second City, Steppenwolf Theatre and in many church basements all over the greater Chicago-land area helping her become the comedic talent she is today. Jane was seen in the Golden Globe and SAG Award winning Ryan Murphy television series Glee on FOX as the one-liner powerhouse coach Sue Sylvester. With her magnificent comedic timing, Jane has earned herself an Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress, a Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role, and a SAG award nomination for her role as Sue Sylvester on Glee. With her wit and luminous stage presence, Jane served as the host for the 63rd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards. Some of her other recent television credits include the STARZ series Party Down, Lovespring, a Lifetime original series, Desperate Housewives and Weeds as well as the last season of The L Word opposite Cybill Shepherd. She has recurring roles on Two and a Half Men, where she was nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actress, Criminal Minds and The New Adventures of Old Christine. Jane also has a long list of film credits to display her acting talents. Past film work includes A.C.O.D., The Three Stooges, Paul, Julie & Julia, The Post Grad Survival Guide, Brownie Masters, Christopher Guest's For Your Consideration, A Mighty Wind and Best in Show, as well as Role Models, The Rocker, Spring Breakdown, Walk Hard, Talladega Nights, The 40 Year Old Virgin, Margaret Cho's Celeste and Bam Bam, Alan Cumming's Suffering Man's Charity, Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events, Sleepover, Surviving Eden and many more. Jane has also taken her acting chops to the world of animation in the Disney/Pixar feature Wreck-It Ralph, Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs, Space Chimps, Alvin and the Chipmunks, The Cleveland Show, The Simpsons and Shrek Forever After. Jane recently added author to her repertoire. Her memoir, Happy Accidents, was released in September 2011 and includes a foreword written by the legendary Carol Burnett. Jane's play Oh Sister, My Sister! had runs at the Tamarind Theatre and Bang Theater garnering the LA Weekly Comedy Ensemble of the Year Award. Lynch recently completed her stint in the Broadway production of Annie as Miss Hannigan. She also serves as host of NBC’s Hollywood Game Night, inspired by the raucous game nights at executive producer Sean Hayes' own home. Jane Lynch, with her comedic timing, fantastic look, and remarkable wit makes her an actress to watch.

Luke Bryan

I'm just minding my own business. The studio phone rings. And on the other end was the most unexpected laugh. Luke Bryan wanted to talk about his new cd. Country Music is the new frontier. The artists have the guts to take chances. In doing so... the entire industry of music is changing with it. One of the front runners of an endless supply of fresh new cuts is Luke Bryan whose new collection of songs are ready for your passion for brilliant sounds. From the iHeart Radio Studio I'm Unplugged and Totally Uncut with Luke Bryan....

Mason Zgoda

There are no age limits when it comes to writing and producing a new level of sound. Just as much as there are no labels as to what is Punk versus Hip Hop versus Top 40 Country. Music presentation is on an all time high with no reason to stop on a fad. From the iHeart Radio Studio I'm Unplugged and Totally Uncut with Charlotte's very own Mason Zgoda. Mason Zgoda, born in Lexington, Kentucky and raised in Harrisburg NC, began writing and playing music at age eleven. Her parents bought her a guitar for Christmas, and she began taking lessons. "A few months after beginning lessons", Mason says "I was listening to the 'Fearless' record by Taylor Swift, and I thought 'I wish I could write songs that expressed my feelings as much as this album does.' And then I thought, 'Hold up!! I play guitar! Let's do this!' and I took the only four chords I knew, and wrote the chorus to Superman." 'Superman' appears as the second song on her Black & White album. "For me, music has always been about communicating and expressing. I'm not so good at talking about how I feel, but I feel. so. much. Somehow, with music, I could put it into words." Mason Zgoda Mason has done an excellent job of putting her feelings to words on her debut album, 'Black & White', which releases on August 15th, 2015. The album weaves a beautiful, emotional story, and presents a contrast in more than just the title: from the hard-hitting pop/rock single "She's Gone" to the gentle, tender acoustic "More of You" to the upbeat, fun yet laid-back "My Love", the album artfully navigates the highs and lows of a young woman's life as she learns lessons of love, heartbreak, loss, and ultimately how to live with confidence in herself and have hope in the future. "I tend to see the world that way, in black and white. I think and feel in extremes." Mason says. "For me, this past year has been one of the most impactful ones of my life, and has taught me how to find the balance, and how to handle the areas of life that are grey." Mason hopes to continue writing and playing music while she pursues higher education in Los Angeles, California.

Regina Hall

She's always been that character that instantly pulls you into the role she plays. From Brenda in the Scary Movie series to her most recent role as Diane in People Places Things. Everyday life is the script and she loves to bring it forward for you call it part of your Movie Soundtrack. From the iHeart Radio Studio I'm Unplugged and Totally Uncut with actress Regina Hall. Staking claim on her fame with her role in the comedy-horror spoof Scary Movie, Regina Hall has frequented the big screen in roles that far from betrayed her age. Born in 1971 in Washington, D.C., Hall earned a degree in journalism from N.Y.U. before embarking on a film career. In 1997, she began appearing in commercials at age 26, and then made the giant leap into movies. Her recurring role in Scary Movie and the sequel Scary Movie 2 exhibited the 30-year-old's ability to maintain her youthful appearance, as she portrayed the high-school-aged Brenda Meeks. Hall's first film role had come in 1999 with a small role in Malcolm D. Lee's drama The Best Man. The following year, she made several film appearances, including her starring role in Scary Movie. In addition, she played small parts in two films directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, the drama Love and Basketball, and the TV movie Disappearing Acts, featuring Sanaa Lathan and Wesley Snipes. In 2001, Hall's list of credits grew to include her first television role, as Corretta Lipp on the prime-time drama Ally McBeal, which was a recurring role for several episodes. Also that year, Scary Movie 2 was released, in addition to the Mandel Holland comedy The Other Brother, featuring Hall as Vicki. One year later, she starred in the action-drama Paid in Full, directed by Charles Stone III. She reprised her role as Brenda Meeks yet again for Scary Movie 3 (2003) and Scary Movie 4 (2006), and played a supporting role in the 2009 crime thriller Law Abiding Citizen. The following year she had some success for her supporting role in Neil LaBute's remake of Frank Oz's black comedy Death at a Funeral, in which she co-starred with Danny Glover, Peter Dinklage, and Martin Lawrence, among others. She co-starred with Kevin Hart and Michael Ealy in Think Like a Man (2012), which was adapted from Steve Harvey's non-fiction self-improvement book Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man ABOUT HER MOVIE PEOPLE PLACES THINGS When we meet quirky, offbeat Will Henry (Jemaine Clement), things are going pretty well. He’s making a decent living as a graphic artist and professor in Brooklyn and throwing an over-the-top fifth birthday party for his two lively twin girls, Collette and Clio (Gia and Aundrea Gadsby). But then he walks in on the twins’ mother Charlie (Stephanie Allynne), only to see his longtime partner in a compromising position with their mutual friend Gary (Michael Chernus), a shlumpy but surprisingly successful performance artist. In a heartbeat, Will’s world collapses. A year later, Will has relocated to a tiny apartment in Astoria, and though he still puts in a good effort to mentor and inspire his students, his own artwork has grown as grim as his droll but self-deprecating sense of humor. When Charlie decides that Will needs to take on more responsibility in raising their daughters, Will finds that he lacks both the confidence and the experience to be an effective dad. And navigating the single life is no easy task either – at least until one of his more promising students, Kat (Jessica Williams) approaches him with a proposition. She sets up Will with her mother, Diane (Regina Hall) – something that both Will and Diane treat as a bit of a courtesy to Kat, rather than show much interest in each other. An accomplished professor at Columbia, Diane isn’t much impressed with Will’s “comic book” art or his somewhat self-defeating attitude. But as time goes on, Will starts to find unexpected delight in the travails of fatherhood and bachelorhood. As he realizes that he’s going to have to learn how to both let go of and get along with Charlie, he also starts to open up more when he gets another chance with Diane, who sees the impact that he is having on her own daughter. Ultimately, it’s unlikely Will will find himself back exactly in the happy place he started – but he learns that there are always new people, places, and things that make the unexpected events in life that much more special and meaningful.

Kevin Farley I Am Chris Farley

Last nights television ratings are in. One of the most watched programs was Spike TV's broadcast of I Am Chris Farley. I wanted more. i needed more. There's always a story beyond the story. From the iHeart Radio Studio I'm Unplugged and Totally Uncut with Chris' brother Kevin Farley. From the directors of A Brony Tale, I Am Evel Knievel, and the upcoming Johnny Cash - American Rebel, I AM CHRIS FARLEY tells Chris Farley's story, from his early days in Madison, Wisconsin and at Marquette University, through his work at the legendary club Second City to his rapid rise to the top of the comedy world on "Saturday Night Live" and in hit films like Tommy Boy and Black Sheep. Sharing insights into the beloved funnyman are such co-stars and colleagues as Christina Applegate, Tom Arnold, Dan Aykroyd, Bo Derek, Pat Finn, Jon Lovitz, Lorne Michaels, Jay Mohr, Mike Myers, Bob Odenkirk, Bob Saget, Adam Sandler, Will Sasso, Molly Shannon, David Spade, Brian Stack, and Fred Wolf. The filmmakers also speak to Farley's four siblings, including his brother Kevin, a comedian and actor, and his brother Tom Jr., who wrote the biography "The Chris Farley Show: A Biography in Three Acts." With the full cooperation and participation of the Farley family, I AM CHRIS FARLEY showcases the performer's most memorable characters and skits from television and film, paired with iconic photographs, home movies, family snapshots and personal artifacts, to fully round out the story of this comedy legend - a bear of a man who nevertheless had remarkable grace and physicality. Clips from Farley's most memorable performances fill the documentary, from his breathtaking Chippendales audition alongside Patrick Swayze, to his comically ill-fated salesman in Tommy Boy, to his diatribes as Matt Foley, the motivational speaker who "lives in a van down by the river!" Farley lived his life full speed and committed to make everyone around him laugh out loud, and I Am Chris Farley will tell his hilarious, touching and wildly entertaining story for the first time ever. I AM CHRIS FARLEY was executive produced by Paul Gertz (I Am Steve McQueen, I Am Bruce Lee), Kent Wingerak (I Am Steve McQueen, I Am Bruce Lee) and Robert Pirooz (I Am Steve McQueen, I Am Evel Knievel). www.iamchrisfarley.com Here’s the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPSu9C4G_CQ&feature=youtu.be

Andrew Hodges Jr

An injury kept him out of World War II. So he joined the Red Cross. While serving others something horribly went wrong. It led to him being captured and placed in a Nazi prison. But he didn't let it take him out. He learned early in life the power of negotiating. Such skills is what earned the freedom of 149 POWs. From the iHeart Radio Studio I'm Unplugged and Totally Uncut with the son of that American Hero. Andrew Hodges Jr. An elite British S.A.S. operative on an assassination mission gone wrong. A Jewish New Yorker injured in a Nazi ambush. An eighteen-year-old Gary Cooper lookalike from Mobile, Alabama. In 1944, hundreds of Allied soldiers were trapped in prisoner-of-war camps in occupied France, fighting brutal conditions and unsympathetic captors. The odds of their survival were long. The odds of escaping, even longer. But one man had the courage to fight the odds. In BEHIND NAZI LINES: My Father’s Heroic Quest to Save 149 World War II POW’s, Andrew Hodges tells the true story of his father’s brave mission behind enemy lines to negotiate the safety of prisoners. Join Andrew Hodges on Thursday, August 6th as he shares this remarkable true story of one man’s selflessness, ingenuity, and victory in the face of impossible adversity. Andy Hodges had been excluded from military service due to a lingering shoulder injury from his college-football days. Devastated but determined, he refused to sit at home while his fellow Americans risked their lives, so he joined the Red Cross, volunteering for the toughest assignments on the most dangerous battlefields. In the fall of 1944, Andy was tapped for what sounded like a suicide mission: a desperate attempt to aid the Allied POWs in occupied France—alone and unarmed, matching his wits against the Nazi war machine. Despite the likelihood of failure, Andy did far more than deliver much-needed supplies. Miraculously, local villagers were able to smuggle out a message from the camp, one that reached the Allies and sparked a remarkable quest by an unlikely—and truly inspiring—hero. By the end of the year, he had negotiated the release of an unprecedented 149 prisoners—leaving no one behind. This is his amazing story. About the Author: Andrew G. Hodges Jr., M.D., is the firstborn son of World War II hero Andrew Gerow Hodges. He is a psychiatrist in private practice and has served as assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine. Dr. Hodges has helped pioneer a breakthrough to the brilliant unconscious mind, which he explained in his groundbreaking book, The Deeper Intelligence. Criminal investigators and journalists have sought Hodges’ expertise as a forensic profiler in cases ranging from the murder of JonBenet Ramsey to the disappearance of Natalee Holloway. He is also the author of Jesus: An Interview Across Time (A Psychiatrist Looks at His Humanity)—a fascinating portrait of Jesus as man and God. Dr. Hodges lives in Birmingham, Alabama, with his family.

Susan Southard Author Of Nagasaki

One day after the 70th anniversary of the second atom bomb dropped on Japan. We're Unplugged and Totally Uncut with the author that has spent decades researching the aftereffects. From the iHeart Radio Studio its Journalist Susan Southard.. Susan Southard spent over a decade interviewing survivors, atomic bomb historians, physicians, psychologists, socials workers, educators, and archivists to unveil this critically-neglected story of twentieth century. By expanding our understanding of the atomic bombs and their impact, NAGASAKI will help shape public discussion and debate over one of the most controversial wartime acts in history. About the Author Susan Southard holds an MFA in creative writing from Antioch University/Los Angeles and was a nonfiction fellow at the Norman Mailer Center in Provincetown, Massachusetts. NAGASAKI was the finalist for the J. Anthony Lukas Work-in-Progress Award, sponsored by the Neiman Foundation at Harvard University and the Columbia School of Journalism. Southard is the founder and artistic director of Essential Theatre, a professional ensemble now in its twenty-fifth season presenting interactive performances for marginalized communities. She lives in Tempe, Arizona.

Chris Lane

The UNCC 49er's have always been about producing pretty incredible basketball, soccer and soon to be football players. But what about musicians resetting the format in Country Music? Chris Lane has developed a style that is catching on very quickly and he isn't shy to talk about his 49er's!!!! From the iHeart Radio Studio I'm Unplugged and Totally Uncut with Chris Lane. Chris Lane hails from Kernersville, North Carolina where he began to play live shows after his college baseball career ended. Over the last few years, Chris has played over 500 shows, opening up for Florida Georgia Line, The Band Perry, Eli Young Band, Chris Young and Brantley Gilbert among others. Chris Lane has also been featured on Lee Brice’s “The Otherside Tour” and will continue to be on select dates with Florida Georgia Line throughout the year. Chris, who signed with Big Loud Mountain, is currently recording his first EP with producer Joey Moi.

Jason Ramos Smoke Jumper

Billy Joel once sang out loud, "We didn't start the fire." When the state of California, Montana, Idaho and others are feeling the heat of raging flames. Who do you call? Smoke Jumpers. From the iHeart Radio Studio I'm Unplugged and Totally Uncut with a man designed to cool off the devils bite. Considered the Special Operations units of the firefighting world, smokejumpers are on the front lines of “the worst drought on record”*. This perfectly timed first‐hand account offers a dramatic lens through which to cover the crisis facing the American West. Forest and wildland fires are growing larger, more numerous, and deadlier every year — as record drought conditions, decades of misguided forestry science, and the increasing encroachment of development into the wilderness have combined to create a powder keg that threatens millions of acres and thousands of lives annually. Yet little is known about the select group of men and women who serve as the nation’s front‐line defense against fire, perhaps the most vivid and dangerous consequence of our changing climate: smokejumpers. Considered the nation’s tier‐one wildland firefighting resource, smokejumpers are highly skilled and rigorously trained airborne firefighters who parachute into the most remote wild areas of the United States, serving an essential role in the fight against the growing threat of nature’s blazes. In SMOKEJUMPER: A Memoir By One Of America’s Most Select Airborne Firefighters (William Morrow Hardcover; On Sale 7/17/2015), Jason A. Ramos, a United States Smokejumper who has devoted 26 years of his life to the fire service and fought some of the biggest fires in modern memory (including 2014’s 250,000‐acre Carlton Complex fire, “the largest fire in [Washington] state’s history”), gives a rare inside look at the extraordinary world of these men and women who put their bodies on the line to protect their country. An extremely select group, only 450 to 475 jumpers are on duty in the U.S. every year on average, and fewer than 6,000 people have ever earned their smokejumper wings in the 75 years that the program has existed. In this gripping and elegant memoir, Ramos gives readers an under‐the‐parachute look at the life of a jumper, and the impressive though little‐known legacy of the smokejumper program, whose early members served as World War II paratroopers. Ramos tells stories of his humble beginnings as a 17 year‐old volunteer in Southern California, his years as part of a Forest Service helitack crew, and, ultimately, achieving his dream of becoming a smokejumper. He shares stories of comradery from the base, thrilling missions from the field, as well as the tragic turns their jobs can take, reflecting on the 1994 South Canyon Fire, 2001 Thirtymile Fire, and 2013 Yarnell Hill Fire, among others. In SMOKEJUMPER, Ramos observes, “Wildland firefighting as changed dramatically in the past decade. As fires have grown, the mind‐set of fighting them has shifted, too” (pg. 209). He makes a compelling case that jumpers are the ideal tool for these extraordinary times—a fact that he argues in book’s final chapter has unfortunately not yet been fully grasped by decision makers. ABOUT JASON RAMOS JASON A. RAMOS has devoted 26 years of his life to the fire service. His career began at the age of 17 as a volunteer with the Riverside County Fire Department, then progressed to wildland firefighting in Southern California. Now a smokejumper in his sixteenth season, he is based in Winthrop, WA, at the North Cascades Smokejumper Base, the “birthplace of smokejumping.”

Jay Pharoah Is Live In The Studio

Performing this weekend at Charlotte's Comedy Zone. One of the funniest people on television today. Plus he does celebrity impersonations. A constant writer. His stage is always a brand new canvas. Saturday Night Live isn't the peak of this mountain. But this is a sneak peek into his life. From the iHeart Radio Studio I'm Unplugged and Totally Uncut with Jay Pharoah.

Cindy Williams Shirley I Jest

She first appeared in the hearts of American's in the movie American Graffiti. Then each week on Lavern and Shirley. But what was her connection to Jim Morrison of the Doors? From the iHeart Radio Studio I'm Unplugged and Totally Uncut with Cindy Williams. Actress, writer and producer Cindy Williams has starred in some of the most historical movies and television programs in entertainment history. Her career began in the 1970s in prestigious movies like Travels with My Aunt (with Maggie Smith, directed by George Cukor), American Graffiti (with Ron Howard, Harrison Ford, and Richard Dreyfuss and directed by George Lucas), and The Conversation (with Gene Hackman and directed by Francis Ford Coppola). Once she and Penny Marshall played “loose girls” on the hit TV show Happy Days, the network quickly ordered a spin-off of the dynamic comedy duo. After changing their characters to blue-collar workers in the mid-West, they made their debut in Laverne & Shirley in 1976. The show quickly became the most-watched American television program, surpassing Happy Days in popularity. The show remains in syndication around the world and has a very loyal following of original and new fans. Cindy continues to work in her first love, the theater, as she performs in musicals all over the country, and she is currently promoting her book, SHIRLEY, I JEST. ABOUT CINDY’S BOOK SHIRLEY, I JEST, AVAILABLE NOW ON AMAZON.COM Actress, writer, and producer Cindy Williams shares some of her most memorable stories in this hilarious and heartfelt new book -- including her role as Shirley Feeney in the iconic TV show Laverne & Shirley. Cindy Williams is one of the most recognizable names and faces of 1970s & 1980s television. While millions have been entertained by her good-natured personality and comedy antics, she has rarely spoken about her life in entertainment, and how she came to star in one of the most popular shows of all time. Without privilege or wealth, Cindy worked as a waitress at diners and clubs like The Whisky a Go Go until she finally got her big break, first in movies like American Graffiti and The Conversation, and then in television. In fact, Laverne & Shirley debuted in the number 1 spot with over 60 million viewers -- something unheard of in today’s fractured TV landscape! With her trademark humor, Cindy shares stories of her experiences in her personal life (growing up in a blue-collar family), show business and her encounters with entertainment giants like Gene Kelly, Lucille Ball, Little Richard, Cary Grant, Jim Morrison, Ron Howard, and many more. Of course, she also talks about her professional partnership and personal relationship with her co-star and friend Penny Marshall. Cindy also reveals the real reason she left the popular TV show, Laverne & Shirley – something that would (hopefully) never happen today – and should not have happened then! Many people think she walked out, but that's not what happened. She had even started filming the 8th season, without a contract. Here’s what others are saying about Cindy Williams and her book, SHIRLEY, I JEST: "Cindy Williams: Talented in everything she does. Writing her first book is NO exception...get ready to enjoy."- Henry Winkler "Cindy Williams has the comedic timing of Lucille Ball and the physical prowess of Dick Van Dyke. She's one of our best!" - Suzanne Somers "What can I say about my best friend? She is hysterically funny, loves dogs, and over-tips. Get ready to go on a wonderful roller coaster ride that is Cindy Williams' life." - Lynne Stewart "Cindy's book brings back a lot of great personal memories, but it also entertained the hell out of me. The lady can write!" - Ron Howard "You thought she could act, well wait and see how well she writes. Great book by a great friend." - Penny Marshall “A great read – I couldn’t put it down. Not a word of it is true. Cindy who?” - Harrison Ford

Colin Wilson from The Australian PInk Floyd Show

In an age of instant pictures and easy downloads. There still lives a sound that was once the biggest attraction on Billboards charts. Dark Side Of The Moon wasn't just an album. It became a way of life. Today the fans of Floyd are convinced their band will never play together again. But what the movement inspired was a revolution called The Australian Pink Floyd Show. On tour now. Coming to Charlotte August 21. From the iHeart Radio Studio I'm Unplugged and Totally Uncut with Colin Wilson. Having sold over four million tickets in concerts that have taken place in 35 countries, The Australian Pink Floyd Show is rightfully hailed as one of the most in demand touring entities currently operating; The Times described them as “The Gold Standard”. This act is so good they were even engaged by David Gilmour to perform at his 50th birthday celebration! The band has spent a long time getting to this level; the years have been invested in getting things right: the sound, the feel, the experience. Whilst the Daily Telegraph rightly described them as being at “the top of the tribute band tree”, the journey has been a long one and began in 1988 in Adelaide. Lee Smith, a local guitarist obsessed with Pink Floyd, and needing to augment his band [featuring drummer Grant Ross and bassist Trevor Turton] placed an ad in Allan’s Music store. It read: “Vocalist and Keyboardist required for band. Professional attitude expected. We only play Pink Floyd”. Steve Mac and Jason Sawford each saw the ad and soon the now five-piece band commenced regular weekly practice. Whilst learning and practicing the songs they constantly referred to Lee's extensive collection of Pink Floyd albums and bootleg recordings. They also started to create the sounds necessary to perform Pink Floyd correctly, and this became, and still is, one of the most important aspects of the band. The first live show was performed to a select group of family and friends – including Richard Guest and Greg 'Bear' Sutton, both of whom would serve time in the band’s road crew. Having settled on the name ‘Think Floyd’, the quintet soon secured their first paying gig at the Alma Hotel. More gigs followed with the band banking $600AU for a show at the Tivoli witnessed by Colin Wilson, who would later join them. Though the reaction was positive, it seemed hard to find a regular audience, and the line-up drifted apart, until 1992 saw a refocusing and a redoubling of efforts. Peter Whitely replaced Trevor Turton and the band aimed for bigger and better, often using a quadraphonic sound system that they ended up lugging to venues themselves. The band was back on track, and soon had their first big break. While on a trip to the UK to visit family, Steve Mac made contact with the publishers of 'Brain Damage' magazine, the biggest Pink Floyd fanzine at that time. Glenn Povey, the owner of the magazine, was planning a Pink Floyd fan convention at Wembley in August 1993, and decided that 'Think Floyd' should perform. In order to raise money for the trip, the band began gigging furiously in Australia, clocking up serious miles but honing what they did ever more. Colin Wilson was drafted in to replace Peter Whitely who could not make the trip to the UK. The five band members, plus long time 'roadies' Richard Guest and 'Bear' Sutton, boarded their BA flight to Heathrow on August 8, 1993. Upon arrival, British customs impounded all their equipment! Not a good start but everything was back on track for the warm up show on Friday 13th... The band by this time had changed their name to 'The Australian Pink Floyd Show'. At the convention TAPFS put on a three hour spectacular that is talked about to this day. Glenn Povey was so enthused that he started booking the band more shows, and would continue to do so for three years. 1993 had been an incredible year - but it ended with the departure of homesick founder Lee Smith, and also ‘Bear’ Sutton. During 1994 the band's audience continued to grow, not just in the UK but also in Europe. Then, in September of that year, came a show which changed everything. David Gilmour visited the band backstage after a show in Croydon, pointing out that he’d never had the chance to see Pink Floyd perform. He was very complimentary, posed for pictures and invited the band to perform at Pink Floyd’s party to mark the end of their “Division Bell” tour. Due to curfew restraints at the venue, this plan fell through but, when the phone rang not long after, the band found themselves asked to perform a handpicked set at an event marking Gilmour’s 50th birthday. The Australian Pink Floyd Show topped the bill at the evening’s festivities at the Fulham Town Hall, performing Pink Floyd to the members of Pink Floyd themselves, and other stars. Toward the end of the performance Pink Floyd bassist Guy Pratt joined the band on stage along with Rick Wright for a rendition of “Comfortably Numb”. This was followed by David Gilmour, Gary Wallis, Tim Renwick and Claudia Fontaine, along with Guy and Rick, performing a number of edited versions of Floyd songs including “Money” and “What Do You Want From Me”. It was an incredible ending to an unbelievable night. Following that was always going to be hard, but it gave the band impetus to push forward even harder and deliver amazing shows for their fans. In 1997, the band performed a show at Battersea Power Station - the iconic building known to all Pink Floyd fans as the “Animals” album cover, and the scene of the famous flying pig. The Australian Pink Floyd Show’s similar image of a flying kangaroo had been used to promote the band since the early days. 1998 saw the band perform at Glastonbury Festival. TAPFS were confident of drawing a good crowd but the fact that they had been added to the Acoustic stage – which had a roof – meant that there was standing room only, in a year famous for rain and, of course, mud. This was the year too when founder member Grant Ross decided to return to Australia, as did Richard Guest. Though the losses would be keenly felt, the band regrouped and Salford lad Paul Bonney and his two drum kits were welcomed into the show. The band’s touring schedule continued on an upward trajectory over the next four years, the band getting tighter and the venues getting bigger. In 2003, the band were faced with a choice: to keep doing the same as they had for the past 10 years, or to step up a gear. TAPFS made a big decision and embarked on their most ambitious period to date. 2003 was the 30th anniversary of Pink Floyd’s landmark album “The Dark Side Of The Moon”; there was no better time for TAPFS to perform this album in its entirety. Backing vocalists and saxophone were added to the line up and new , improved animations were produced for the tour. The band toured “TDSOTM” throughout 2003 and into 2004, taking the whole show to North America for their first full tour, and continuing in Europe. Everywhere the band played they received incredible reviews and it seemed the world had now fully embraced TAPFS. The tour continued well into the next year and a DVD of the show was recorded in Liverpool at the ‘Summer Pops' show. The 30th anniversary of the legendary “Wish You Were Here” album fell in 2005 and was marked by a slew of UK dates, a tour in South America and a show in Malta that drew 10,000 fans – including the Maltese Prime Minister – and was acclaimed as the nation’s largest ever paying concert crowd. The annual Liverpool ‘Summer Pops’ in July 2005 gave the opportunity for TAPFS to make another first. On July 15th the band performed and recorded “Wish You Were Here” and, on the following night, performed “Animals” in its entirety for the first time. The end of 2005 saw TAPFS back in North America for a 35 date tour. In 2008 the band celebrated its twentieth year as the shows kept rolling and the band kept on doing what they love. The tours continued to extend, the audiences increased and the venues became larger, with the band playing Wembley Arena for the first time in 2009, followed by London's O2 Arena in 2010. The 2011 dates saw the debut of some remarkable 3D projections, the first time this had been attempted extensively by any touring band. This Year also saw the band enlist the talents of David Domminney Fowler, Alex McNamara and the backing vocalists Emily Lynn, Lara Smile and Lorelei McBroom. Lorelei was also one of the backing vocalists who performed on Pink Floyd’s ‘Delicate Sound of Thunder Tour’ In the same year Guy Pratt made a guest appearance with the band at Hampton Court Palace. The following 3 years saw the band perform at major European rock festivals and go on to produce 3 DVDs of their shows. In 2013, the 40th anniversary of “The Dark Side Of The Moon” was celebrated with a brand new tribute to the classic album, performed to capacity audiences in Europe and at the band's first ever concerts in Russia. TAPFS have constantly striven to seek out new audiences and turn in jaw-dropping performances to reconnect people with the music that they love. Next year will bring more innovation, hard work, and great crowds, demonstrating that it is still all about the great music of Pink Floyd and delivering the absolute best performance each and every night.