Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Maz Jobrani is Back

Performing tonight at Charlotte's Comedy Zone. Actor, comedian, author of a book and a Dad. He'll never run dry of things to have fun with. Beautifully in tune with the vibe of the planet and still able to leap over the way the rest of us are. I love a guy that can turn the experience into a reason to laugh. Unplugged and Totally Uncut on iHeart Radio with Maz Jobrani.

Don Juan and Miguel and Barely Balanced

You know their faces. You know how they entertain. To be part of a Renaissance Festival. What does it take? Now its time for you to see beyond their name. Unplugged and Totally Uncut with Don Juan and Miguel and Barely Balanced. Saturdays & Sundays, Oct 3rd - Nov 22nd, 2015 16445 Poplar Tent Rd Huntersville, NC, 28078 10:00 AM - 5:30 PM, FREE Parking, Open Rain or Shine, No Pets Please Toll Free (877) 896-5544 or (704) 896-5555

Tuesday, September 29, 2015

James K Kaufman

I've always believed if the reader could hear the physical voice of the writer. The relationship between the two dots would create a sold line. To put words on paper only seems like an easy task. The goal is to get them to move. This author has mastered the art. From the iHeart Radio Studio I'm Unplugged and Totally Uncut with James J Kaufman. The creative mind behind The Collectibles Series. The Conciliators, by James J. Kaufman, is the highly anticipated third book of The Collectibles Series, was released September 8, 2015. The multi-award winning Collectibles series has reached over 100,000 readers worldwide. A dramatic page-turner, The Conciliators is chock-full of danger and excitement featuring successful but beleaguered car dealer Preston Wilson in the fight of his life. Set in New York City, Wilson faces his toughest challenges yet. Whether it's the FBI, the Mafia or the bank, Preston stands to lose everything and bring down everyone close to him. In Kaufman's new book, The Conciliators, Preston Wilson's life is imploding and he is surprised to learn who the catalyst is for this crisis. Under fire, thanks to the diabolical financial shenanigans of a prep school roommate, the CEO finds himself in trouble again. If he doesn't come up with a plan—and quickly—he could lose everything and find himself, his wife, and his shareholders in prison. Inspired by Joe Hart's life lessons, Preston sets a new course, vowing to fight for what matters most: his family, his friends, and the Collectibles. In the first two books, readers get to know The Collectibles and how they have changed Preston's life for the better. In The Collectibles, Book I, Preston Wilson's automobile empire is in danger and he seeks the help of attorney Joe Hart, who he believes is the only man that can help him. Two strong men from different worlds, both touched by tragedy, who are brought together by a promise that changes six lives forever. In The Concealers, Book II, readers meet Katherine Kelly, a budding journalist, driven to find the truth. As she finishes her degree, her professor challenges her with one final assignment that leads her to the identity of her father. As she starts to build a relationship with her father, she is torn when she discovers that he is a suspect in a Federal bank fraud investigation she is covering. About the Author: James J. Kaufman is a bestselling and award-winning author. In writing The Collectibles Series, Kaufman draws heavily upon his experiences as an attorney, judge, CEO, and board chairman of several companies, and his interactions with people from widely different backgrounds. Kaufman knows firsthand what it feels like to fight for what you believe in. There is more to his writing than great stories—the underpinnings of what life is all about: Relationships matter. Kaufman works and lives in Wilmington, North Carolina, with his lovely wife Patty. For more information on James Kaufman and his books, visit www.jamesjkaufman.com or www.downstreampublishing.com. The Conciliators THE COLLECTIBLES SERIES, BOOK III Author: James Kaufman Downstream Publishing www.DownstreamPublishing.com ISBN: 978-0-9897571-3-3 Hardcover, pp. 400, $25.99 Release Date: September 8, 2015 Midpoint Distribution

Leornard Maltin The Classic Movie Guide

No matter what page of history the moment lands on. This man has the perfect guide for those wishing to explore and or enjoy a Hollywood Classic. From the iHeart Radio Studio I welcome back the always fun and very entertaining Leonard Maltin Unplugged and Totally Uncut. The ultimate guide for fans of classic films both familiar and obscure. The Classic Movie Guide covers thousands of films, from the silent era to the 1960s, including The Birth of a Nation, The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, Grand Illusion, and The Maltese Falcon (all three versions: 1931, 1936, and 1941), Singin' in the Rain, and Godzilla, King of the Monsters! With entries spanning across the decades, this comprehensive guide has expanded star and director indexes, and capsule reviews of obscure and forgotten-the sort that turn up on Turner Classic Movies in the wee hours of the morning. This is the perfect companion for anyone who loves the thrill of discovering vintage movies on DVD or cable.

Monday, September 28, 2015

Sean Naylor Relentless Strike

You didn't just read the headlines. You lived the history. You've seen movies based on the men and women that shape Joint Special Operations. Post 9-11 changed the way those in the military play. From the iHeart Radio Studio I'm Unplugged and Totally Uncut with the author of Relentless Strike Sean Naylor. ABOUT SEAN NAYLOR, AUTHOR OF RELENTLESS STRIKE In the wake of September 11, 2001, the way the United States’ military fights wars changed forever. There will never be another storming of Normandy; traditional warfare is a thing of the past. Instead, we now enact war through clandestine battles—or special ops missions—on almost a daily basis. These secret missions are carried out by special ops teams under the umbrella of Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) in some of the most remote corners of the world. And though we’ve all heard of their successes—they captured Saddam Hussein, rescued Captain Phillips, and killed bin Laden and al-Awlaki—the general public doesn’t even know most of these missions are happening, or even that JSOC exists. In RELENTLESS STRIKE: The Secret History of Joint Special Operations Command (St. Martin’s Press; September 1, 2015; $29.99), award-winning defense journalist, and presently intelligence and counterterrorism correspondent for Foreign Policy, Sean Naylor reveals the full inside story of JSOC—including Delta Force, SEAL Team 6 and the 75th Ranger Regiment. Based on exclusive interviews at the highest command levels, Naylor details how an organization originally designed in the 1980s for a limited mission set transformed itself post-9/11 to become the U.S.’s premiere weapon in the war on terror, and how it continues to evolve today. Riveting and informative, among the exclusive revelations are: • Delta Force knew the identities of and was tracking the ringleaders of the attack on the U.S. diplomatic compound in Benghazi within a week of the attack • The allegation that the SEAL Team 6 commander nearly resigned in over then-JSOC command Bill McRaven’s micromanagement of the mission that killed bin Laden • The first revelation of undercover Syrian missions by U.S. special operations to conduct close-target reconnaissance of foreign fighter networks that were funneling jihadists through Syria into Iraq An insider’s account of the most powerful—and secretive—military organization in US history, RELENTLESS STRIKE provides crucial insights into US foreign policy and defense. ABOUT SEAN NAYLOR Award-winning defense journalist SEAN NAYLOR is the intelligence and counterterrorism correspondent for Foreign Policy and contributes to the New York Times. He previously focused on special operations as an exclusive beat for Army Times. He has consistently broken news on JSOC operations since 9/11. He has also earned the White House Correspondents' Association's prestigious Edgar A. Poe Award for his coverage of Operation Anaconda, which led to his New York Times bestselling book about the operation, Not a Good Day to Die

Friday, September 25, 2015

Rod Argent and Colin Blunstone from The Zombies

What was the first British act to top the charts after the Beatles busted free in America? The band is still together today. They've brought incredible fun and music to South by Southwest. Plus they've got a new album. From the iHeart Radio Studio I'm Unplugged and Totally Uncut with Rod Argent and Colin Blunstone from The Zombies. Having returned to the studio in early 2015 to begin work on a new album – only taking breaks to debut new songs live during a triumphant return to SXSW, a Yahoo! Screen Live broadcast from House of Blues New Orleans, and their first appearances at the UK’s Great Escape and Glastonbury Festivals, iconic British psychedelic-pop legends, The Zombies are back! Aptly titled, Still Got That Hunger , the new album, produced by Chris Potter - The Verve Urban Hymns, Rolling Stones Steel Wheels is scheduled for digital and physical release October 9th via The End Records/ADA. “We're really excited to be signing our new album to The End Records - it somehow seems fitting that it should be released on a Brooklyn based label, as our very first American concerts way back in 1964 took place at The Brooklyn Fox Theatre!” – Rod Argent The past three years have marked a major resurgence for the band, with two U.K. and five U.S. tours including stops at SXSW in Austin, NYC’s Central Park SummerStage, an appearance on Austin City Limits, the American release of Breathe Out, Breathe In (the group’s fifth studio album released in 2011) and the announcement of their first nomination to the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame . In 2015, The Zombies make another mark in the U.S. history books with the first time live performance of their 1968 masterpiece Odessey & Oracle . For the first time ever , the group will bring Odessey & Oracle to American stages. All four surviving original members will recreate the seminal album in its entirety with full instrumentation. Founding and current members, vocalist Colin Blunstone and keyboardist Rod Argent , will be joined by original bassist/co-songwriter Chris White and drummer Hugh Grundy for their first American tour together in five decades. The show will also feature the acclaimed current Zombies’ line-up featuring bassist Jim Rodford (formerly of ARGENT and The Kinks) , Rodford’s son Steve Rodford on drums, and renowned session guitarist Tom Toomey , performing material from their forthcoming studio album. The Zombies U.S. Tour: An Evening With THE ZOMBIES - ODESSEY & ORACLE The Odyssey Continues… Sep 30 – Dallas, TX @ Majestic Theatre Oct 01 – Austin, TX @ Paramount Theatre Oct 03 – Provincetown, MA @ Provincetown Town Hall Oct 06 – Boston, MA @ The Wilbur Theatre Oct 08 – Washington, D.C. @ Lincoln Theatre Oct 09 – New York, NY @ New York Society for Ethical Culture Concert Hall Oct 10 – Cranston, RI @ Park Theatre Oct 11 – Glenside, PA @ Keswick Theatre Oct 13 – Ridgefield, CT @ The Ridgefield Playhouse Oct 14 – Munhall, PA @ Carnegie of Homestead Music Hall Oct 15 – Kent, OH @ The Kent Stage Oct 16 – Merrillville, IN @ Star Plaza Theatre Oct 17 – Milwaukee, WI @ South Milwaukee PAC Oct 19 – Denver, CO @ Paramount Theatre Oct 21 – Seattle, WA @ Benaroya Hall Oct 22 – Portland, OR @ Revolution Hall Oct 24 – Beverly Hills, CA @ The Saban Theatre Oct 27 – San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore About The Zombies: The second UK band following the Beatles to score a #1 hit in America, The Zombies infiltrated the airwaves with the sophisticated melodies, breathy vocals, choral back-up harmonies and jazzy keyboard riffs of their 1960’s hit singles “She’s Not There” and “Tell Her No.” Ironically, the group broke-up just prior to achieving their greatest success – the worldwide chart-topping single “Time of the Season,” from their swan-song album Odessey & Oracle , ranked #100 in Rolling Stone’s ‘500 Greatest Albums of All Time.’ To this day, generations of new bands have cited The Zombies’ work as pop touchstones, and the band continues to be embraced by new generations of fans. Following the break-up of the original band, Blunstone went on to develop an acclaimed solo career, and Argent rocked ‘70’s arenas with his eponymous band ARGENT, but the legend of The Zombies continued to take on a life of its own. By the start of the new Millennium, Blunstone and Argent were inspired to resurrect The Zombies. The media excitedly welcomed their return, leading to a 2011 performance on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon. 2013-2014 marked a major resurgence for the band, with two U.K. and five U.S. tours (including stops at SXSW in Austin, NYC’s Central Park SummerStage, Seattle’s Bumbershoot Festival and Milwaukee SummerFest)…the American release of their new album, Breathe Out, Breathe In (Huffington Post’s David Wild called the album “inspired” and said “some songs recall the haunting melodic heights of the group’s 1968 masterpiece Odessey and Oracle.”)… the debut on RollingStone.com & VEVO of their first-ever music video for “Any Other Way”… a PBS Special filmed on the legendary Austin City Limits stage….Eminem’s sample/cover version of “Time of the Season” on his comeback album… the amazing Keira Knightley "She's Not There" campaign for Coco Chanel… and the announcement of their first nomination to the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame. For More Information On THE ZOMBIES: Website YouTube Spotify Facebook Twitter Instagram

Steven Wright

Steven Wright. His lines are quick. His laughter is a lifetime. From the iHeart Radio Studio I'm Unplugged and Totally Uncut with the kid that stood in front of the TV every night knowing he would one day perform on the Tonight Show. Steven Wright. Fri 10/02/15 Red Bank, NJ Count Basie Theatre Sat 10/03/15 Atlantic City, NJ Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa / Music Box Sun 10/04/15 Ridgefield, CT Ridgefield Playhouse Fri 10/09/15 Charlotte, NC McGlohon Theater Sat 10/10/15 Durham, NC Carolina Theatre Fri 11/06/15 Orono, ME Collins Center For The Arts Fri 11/13/15 Modesto, CA Gallo Center For The Arts Sat 11/14/15 Scottsdale, AZ Talking Stick Resort Fri 01/08/16 Spokane, WA Bing Crosby Theater / Met Theater Sat 01/09/16 Coquitlam, BC Hard Rock Casino Vancouver Tue 02/16/16 Richmond Hill, ON Richmond Hill Centre For the Performing Arts Fri 02/19/16 Burlington, ON Burlington Performing Arts Centre Sat 02/20/16 Kingston, ON Grand Theatre Sun 02/21/16 Ottawa, ON Centrepointe Theatre October 9th McGlohan Theater in Charlotte. October 10 Carolina Theater in Durham.Academy Award winner Steven Wright is a prototype comedian that many others continually try to follow. One of four children, Wright was raised in Burlington, MA. Upon graduating from Emerson College and holding a bevy of odd jobs, Steven attended an “open mike” audition and became a regular performer at Ding Ho’s Comedy Club and Chinese Restaurant in Cambridge, MA. It was during this time that Steven got his big break and was booked for his first “Tonight Show” appearance on Friday, August 6, 1982. The king of late night enjoyed the performance so much he invited Steven to appear again the following Thursday, a rarity on “The Tonight Show.” His back-to-back appearances helped put his fledgling career into high gear. The comic soon found himself performing his off-beat routines on “Saturday Night Live,” “Late Night with David Letterman,” and numerous trips back to “The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson.” Wright expanded his comedy career to include comedy albums, film and television appearances. His 1985 debut album, I Have A Pony, earned him a Grammy nomination. In 1985, Steven starred in his first HBO Special “A Steven Wright Special.” In 1989, Steven was honored with an Academy Award for Best Short Film for his film entitled “The Appointments of Dennis Jennings” in which he starred and co-wrote. Other stars of the film included “Roseanne’s” Laurie Metcalf and British comedian, Rowan Atkinson. In September of 1990, Steven starred in his second stand-up special for HBO called “Wicker Chairs and Gravity.” The special included stand-up from The Winter Garden Theatre in Toronto and a short film shot on location in New York and New Jersey. Steven has been seen in numerous films including “Desperately Seeking Susan,” Mike Meyers’ “So I Married An Axe Murderer,” Oliver Stone’s “Natural Born Killers,” and Nora Ephron’s “Mixed Nuts.” Steven was the voice of the DJ, K-Billy in “Reservoir Dogs” and starred with John Cleese and Jack Palance in New Line’s animated film, “The Swan Princess” as the voice of Speed, the turtle. Steve also appeared as a sitcom actor in MGM’s “Speechless” with Harry Shearer, and as a Mountie in the MGM release “Canadian Bacon”, opposite the late John Candy. In 1999, Steven played a guest starring role in Albert Brooks’ film “The Muse” starring Brooks, Sharon Stone, Andie MacDowell, and Jeff Bridges. In ‘98 he played a supporting role in Dave Chappelle’s “Half-Baked” and was a featured voice in “Babe 2: Pig in the City”. -more- 2-2-2-2 Wright Bio Steven wrote, directed and stars in the 1999 short film, “One Soldier,” the story of a man obsessed with the unanswerable questions in life. The film was screened at numerous film festivals and can be seen on the Independent Film Channel. Steven was also seen in the Jim Jarmusch film “Coffee and Cigarettes” and the film “The Aristocrats.” In October of 2006, Steven premiered the hour special, “When The Leaves Blow Away,” on Comedy Central. The special was released on DVD in April 2006 and includes Steven’s 1999 short film “One Soldier” and a segment of a 1988 performance at a Boston comedy club. Steven’s second CD, “I Still Have A Pony,” was released by Comedy Central Records on September 25, 2007. The CD earned Steven his second Grammy Award nomination for Best Comedy Album. Steven was honored as the first inductee into The Boston Comedy Hall of Fame on December 15, 2008. The ceremony included performances by legendary Boston comedians Tony V, Don Gavin, Lenny Clarke, Kenny Rogerson, Steve Sweeney, Mike Donovan, Barry Crimmins, Mike McDonald and Fran Solomita. On June 2, 2009, Warner Bros. Records re-released Steven’s groundbreaking, Grammy nominated first CD, “I Have A Pony,” packaged with Steven’s first HBO special, “A Steven Wright Special” on DVD; part of Warner Bros. Records 50th anniversary celebration. On June 15, 2013 Steven received The Johnny Carson Comedy Legend Award. The award is given each year to a celebrated comedian who has been influenced by Carson in some way and has left his or her own mark on the comedy world. In past years, award recipients have included Dick Cavett, Cloris Leachman and Ed Asner. Steven was nominated for an Emmy Award as a Producer on the 2014 season of the hit FX series, Louie; he also guest starred in a previous season of the show. Steven is a regular guest with David Letterman, Conan O’Brien, Jimmy Kimmel and Craig Ferguson and continues touring the U.S., Canada and overseas. For more visit www.StevenWright.com, @StevenWright or https://www.facebook.com/StevenWrightOfficial

Thursday, September 24, 2015

Jason Hanson Spy Secrets That Will Save Your LIfe

He first gained recognition around the nation not as a CIA agent. But rather when he stepped out and revealed himself on Shark Tank. Now he's locked in on making sure every corner of the nation is protected. From the iHeart Radio Studio I'm Unplugged and Totally Uncut with Jason Hanson. According to a recent NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll , nearly half of the American population feels less safe now than they did before 9/11. Every day we’re exposed to news of violent crime, kidnappings, carjackings, acts of terrorism, and natural disasters that fuel our sense of insecurity. So what can we do to prepare ourselves? In SPY SECRETS THAT CAN SAVE YOUR LIFE: A Former CIA Officer Reveals Safety and Survival Techniques to Keep You and Your Family Protected (Perigee Hardcover, on sale September 22, 2015, ISBN-13: 978-0-399-17514-5), Jason Hanson shows that you don’t have to be an intelligence officer to remain safe in an uncertain world. A security specialist and former CIA officer with a booming Spy Escape and Evasion business (thanks in part to a successful Shark Tank appearance), Hanson helps everyday citizens attain “survival intelligence” – having the confidence to know that you can respond quickly and wisely in an emergency situation using the tools you have on hand. Readers will feel empowered to act appropriately in any dangerous situation that comes their way, including how to thwart kidnappings, prevent home invasions, defend against would-be attackers, avoid carjackings, and pack a perfect emergency kit. Some of the techniques included in Spy Secrets that Can Save Your Life include how to determine if you’re being followed; escape handcuffs, duct tape, rope, and zip ties; pick a lock; escape from car trunks; and improvise a weapon if necessary. Other topics that Hanson can speak to include: • Tips on how to survive and save lives during a natural disaster, a plane or car crash, a terrorist attack, a robbery, or a school shooting

Bill Bellamy

Naturally funny and totally in tune with everything that moves around him. No matter what stage he's playing movies to comedy clubs. The moment will bust your gut into huge bolts of laughter and fun. From the iHeart Radio Studio I'm Unplugged and Totally Uncut with actor comedian Bill Bellamy.

Paul Rodriguez from Gravy

A new age of Halloween Horror. Comedy combined with everything that makes you grit your teeth to hide under your seat. From the iHeart Radio Studio I'm Unplugged and Totally Uncut with Paul Rodriguez from the movie Gravy. Starring Michael Weston, Jimmi Simpson, Sutton Foster, Lily Cole, Molly Ephraim, Paul Rodriguez, Gabriel Luna, Lothaire Bluteau, Ethan Sandler, Dule Hill with Gabourey Sidibe and Sarah Silverman FILM OPENS IN LOS ANGELES AND NEW YORK ON OCT 2, 2015 AND AVAILABLE ACROSS MAJOR ENTERTAINMENT PLATFORMS EVERYWHERE (On Demand and National Home Entertainment Shelves) OCTOBER 6, 2015 FROM SCREAM FACTORY™ This All Hallows Eve, dare to indulge in a late night of gluttony filled with unhinged humor, carnivorous terror and high camp spills. From the vivid imagination of renowned actor-writer-producer-director James Roday comes the wickedly-fun horror comedy GRAVY, opening in cinemas (Los Angeles and New York) on October 2, 2015 and arriving on Blu-ray™, DVD, Digital HD and across all major On Demand entertainment platforms October 6, 2015 from Scream Factory. Directed by James Roday (Psych) and written by Roday and Todd Harthan (Psych, Dominion), GRAVY boasts an all-star ensemble cast of Michael Weston (State of Play, Garden State), Jimmi Simpson (Westworld, House of Cards), Sutton Foster (Younger, Bunheads), Lily Cole (Snow White and the Huntsman), Molly Ephraim (Last Man Standing), Paul Rodriguez (Ali), Gabriel Luna (True Detective, Wicked City), Lothaire Bluteau (Vikings, The Tudor), Ethan Sandler (The Bourne Supremacy, Crossing Jordan) Dule Hill (Ballers, Psych), with Gabourey Sidibe (Empire, Precious) and Sarah Silverman (). It’s Halloween night. A trio of costumed misfits with very special dietary requirements seizes a Mexican cantina and forces the staff to engage in a late night of gluttony. The only caveat is what’s on the menu…and who will survive ‘til morning! This deliriously demented horror-comedy is a true feast for genre fans. Stuffed with an outstanding ensemble cast and perfectly seasoned with laughs and scares, you’ll be sure to ask for seconds on Gravy. TRT: 90 minutes Country: United States | Language: English Watch the official movie trailer for James Roday’s GRAVY https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=66&v=WAIPyXadmog Link to download the official movie trailer: http://we.tl/MCz86GiFWR GRAVY opens in Los Angeles and New York on October 2, 2015 and is available in stores and On Demand across all major entertainment platforms October 6, 2015. For more information about the movie, please visit www.GravyMovie.com

Joan Lunden Had I Known

My first words to breast cancer survivor Joan Lunden, "This journey you've been on. You didn't ask for it. Yet you are teaching the world to rebuild their mind body and soul.." From the iHeart Radio Studio I'm Unplugged and Totally Uncut with Joan Lunden. In September 2014, beloved television journalist and host Joan Lunden bravely graced the cover of People magazine with a shaved head, publicly removing the wig she wore while undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer. In doing so, Lunden, the former host of Good Morning America, hoped to empower the many other women who were facing the same battle. Now, in HAD I KNOWN: A Memoir of Survival (Harper; On sale September 22, 2015; $26.99) Lunden shares the inspirational story of her personal fight against cancer—from that first moment of shock when she realized what was happening to her, her first impulse to keep her diagnosis private as she faced the day specter of her own mortality, and, ultimately, path that not only saved her life, but helped her redefine her values and become healthier than ever before. “When I first heard the words, ‘You have cancer,’ deep down, I knew exactly what that meant,” Lunden writes. “It meant CANCER…The BIG ‘C.’ It also meant this is the real deal and yes, I could die from this. But then I started the battle, the fierce fight against the cancer cells and the warrior in me hoped I had what it would take to win—that when all of my treatments were over—the chemo, the surgery and the radiation—that my disease would be gone for good, never to return.” Although she always had regularly scheduled mammograms, Lunden’s cancer was discovered when she took the advice of breast cancer expert Dr. Susan Love, who told Lunden that because she had dense breasts, she should have an ultrasound as well as a mammogram. She was shocked when her own Stage 2 diagnosis came through. As the mother of seven, with a hectic career, Lunden had no choice but to fight, and she won the battle with the loving support of her husband, children, family, and friends, as well as millions of fans who had spent all those mornings with her over many years. As she underwent treatment, she learned much she didn’t know about the disease and the impact that lifestyle choices can make. She gained a new perception of beauty, and with a new diet regime she lost 30 pounds and managed to avoid many of the worst side effects of chemo. Joan’s journey also reconnected her to her late father, a cancer surgeon who died in a plane crash when she was a teenager. Through her new role as a cancer spokesperson and go-to media expert on cancer, she is continuing the work her father, devoting time and energy to saving lives. Joan Lunden joined Good Morning America in 1976, where she went on to become the co-host beside David Hartman for over 17 years. During her tenure, she reported from 26 countries, covering everything from presidential elections to the Olympics. After announcing her battle with breast cancer she quickly became a spokeswoman for fiercely battling breast cancer. “The key to being a survivor is not letting that fear overwhelm you,” Lunden writes, offering hope to the many women who are also facing cancer. “You must find the strength and courage within yourself to let go of that fear and enjoy life, otherwise that monumental battle you just fought to overcome your cancer will have been for nothing.”

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Dr Oz

The new season of Dr Oz puts total focus on the mind body and spirit. He says something as simple as breaking away from your desk to go sit on the bathroom counter will do incredible things for your health. He knows we are a sick nation. He realizes the stress of your job is taking us out. He is the leader that has located a simple path. From the iHeart Radio Studio I'm Unplugged and Totally Uncut with Dr. Oz. The Dr. Oz Show - Season 7 Themes: •Healthy Mind Project We will focus a lot of energy on exploring the mind-body connection. The Healthy Mind Project breaks down behavioral health into 3 areas - mental health, addiction, and happiness. We have decided to work with former Surgeon General David Satcher’s Health Leadership Institute at Moorehouse School of Medicine and the National Council for Behavioral Health to provide content. They will be our collaborator on content. •Blueprint for Balance Goals – to find our best selves that is able to cut through the noise, clutter, obligations and the highly connected digital culture that is robbing us of “me time” and an ability to be present and mindful. We are being pulled in a million directions 24 hours a day now. And we all just want to find a way to a more peaceful/balanced existence. UPCOMING SHOW INFORMATION Wednesday, September 23rd – “WHY DOESN’T CHICKEN TASTE LIKE GRANDMA’S USED TO?” All New: Remember when chicken actually tasted like chicken?! We went straight to the farm to find out what happened. The facts about what you’re really eating and where it comes from. Why Doesn’t Chicken Taste Like Grandma’s Used To? •Dr. Oz asked one of his core team experts, Mark Schatzker to go on the road and find out the truth about what we’re really eating, starting with the question… why doesn’t chicken taste like it used to? •Dr. Oz and Mark Schatzker discuss how it was discovered that chickens are changed by breeding during WWII and how that opened the floodgates for cheap and fast chicken. •Pastured or heritage chicken is better than today’s chicken because they have more vitamins in their eggs and more omega-3s, pastured, slow-growing chickens have DHA. •Dr. Oz reached out to the National Chicken Council for their reaction Thursday, September 24th – “THE FOOD FIGHT OF THE YEAR: GMO LABELING” All New: What Congress is doing right now that may deny your right to know what’s in your food. The vote that could change everything. Plus, you demanded change and you got it! The food companies eliminating GMOs from their foods. The Food Fight Of The Year: GMO Labeling •Dr. Oz talks about how the House of Representatives passed “the safe and accurate food labeling act of 2015” which specifically prohibits states from passing laws to label GMO foods •In a “consumer reports” poll, 92% of people said they favor labeling GMO foods •Elisabeth Leamy talks about the new law and why it has become such a hot button issue •Scott Faber, the Senior Vice President of the “Environmental Working Group”, has been fighting for food safety and our food rights for almost 30 years •Ways of knowing if your food contains GMO products: Friday, September 25th – “COULD A DAILY ASPIRIN KEEP YOU FROM GETTING CANCER?” All New: It’s the big story everyone’s talking about. Can aspirin prevent cancer? The one question you should ask your doctor to see if you should be on an aspirin regimen. Could A Daily Aspirin Keep You From Getting Cancer? •It has been discovered that Aspirin has been recommended for primary prevention of colon cancer. •Dr. Oz welcomes Dr. Heather Yeo to discuss about this new Aspirin phenomenon. •Just because this is a new discovery doesn’t mean that it is always right for everyone. •Possible dangers of taking aspirin on a daily basis. •Dr. Roshini Raj discusses possible risks. MAGAZINE: Dr. Oz THE GOOD LIFE – October Issue Talking Points It’s All In the Way You Wash Your Face There are more products than ever that offer potent clarifying, hydrating, and antiaging ingredients. Dermatologists come clean about the perfect cleansing solution: •Water temperature matters – lukewarm is always best for washing your face •Take your time – you need at least a minute to dislodge the built-up dirt and bacteria that should be rinsed away •Makeup remover is optional – cleansers, especially new oil-based formulas, can dissolve makeup without irritating your eyes •Bubbles aren’t evil – look for mild sodium cocoyl isethionate or sodium N-cocoyl glycenate foaming washes •You missed a spot – pull your hair back off your face and rinse until you no longer see suds or feel a slippery residue •You don’t need special tools, but oscillating cleansing brushes are an option if you wear a lot of makeup or sunscreen – they help flex your pores and sweep away dead skin cells Food News to Cheer For It’s the best kind of headline when a product you love gets a healthy upgrade. Here’s a look at good-for-you changes these companies are making: •Less Artificial, More Real – companies like Kraft, Unilever, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, Panera Bread, and Nestle are ridding their products of artificial flavorings, dyes, and better-without-them ingredients •Fewer Antibiotics in Meat and Poultry – Bacteria can become resistant to antibiotics leaving the ones humans need when they’re sick to not work as well. Costco, Perdue, Tyson, and McDonald’s are some of the companies changing their old ways •Foods Are Less of a Salt Lick – It helps to have control over how much salt we pour in our bodies, and Campbell Soup Company, Walmart, General Mills and Subway are helping to keep it in check Plus: 3 Great Updates on Sugar •Sodas are off kids menus at several fast food restaurants •It’s easier to spot added sugar thanks to more transparency in labeling of candy bars by Mars •Yoplait slashed the sugar in its yogurt by 25% Super Spices Not only do spices spark up flavor in a big way, there are specific spices that may also help fight diseases such as cancer and arthritis. Here are some spices that are essential in any stay-healthy eating plan: •Tumeric – this curry powder is a regular with beans, soups, veggies, rice eggs, and is nicely tangy with a touch of sour •Ginger – it makes an excellent addition to veggie side dishes and hot drinks •Cinnamon – it’s sweet and spicy warmth is made for fruit, nuts, and of course, hot chocolate •Smoked Paprika – with its addictive hints of char, this simple spice turns meals into standouts

Elizabeth Gilbert Big Magic

Is there peace in creative energy? To feel one way then change your mind so quickly? Who is ignoring who? Her book Eat Pray Love changed several nations of searchers. Now she's back with Big Magic. From the iHeart Radio Studio I'm Unplugged and Totally Uncut with Elizabeth Gilbert. Eat Pray Love made Elizabeth Gilbert one of the most iconic and beloved writers of our time. While Eat Pray Love was Gilbert’s personal memoir, many readers took it as stimulus to make changes, large and small, in their own lives. In the decade since Eat Pray Love was published, people worldwide have sought further advice from Gilbert on how to lead a bold and creative life. Gilbert’s TED talk about creativity has nearly 10 million views, making it one of the most viewed TED talks of all time, and this past fall Gilbert went on tour with Oprah, speaking to over 100,000 people along the way. Out of this decade of investigating the source of creativity and courage in her own life, Gilbert has now written a transformative nonfiction treatise on creativity: Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear. In Big Magic, Gilbert digs deep into her own generative process to explain where inspiration comes from, how ideas form and grow, and how to overcome the fears and suffering that inevitably arise when we push at boundaries and take a leap into the unknown. With all the humor, big-heartedness, wild vulnerability, and wisdom that have already won Gilbert millions of devoted fans, she delivers a vibrant and inspirational book, one sure to be eagerly received and cherished this fall–both by the legions of Gilbert’s existing fans and followers, as well as by new readers, who will have the distinct joy of discovering Gilbert’s writing and warmth. ELIZABETH GILBERT is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Eat Pray Love and several other internationally bestselling books. Gilbert has been a finalist for the National Book Award, the National Book Critics Circle Award, and the PEN/Hemingway Award. Her latest novel, The Signature of All Things, was named a Best Book of 2013 by The New York Times, O, The Oprah Magazine, The Washington Post, and The New Yorker

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Rick Seratte from Foreigner and Whitesnake

The passion to write and produce music while playing in front of thousands of fans with some of the biggest bands in the world seems like the path to chase. It's what this man does with our U.S. soldiers that makes him a real rock star. You know him from Foreigner, Whitesnake, Poco and so many more. Now get to know who he truly is. From the iHeart Radio Studio I'm Unplugged and Totally Uncut with Rick Seratte. “Born to Country….raised on Rock” Friends know him as a real straight shooter and a man never afraid to speak the truth. This honesty is reflected in the music he makes and in the songs he writes. Early Life Seratte was born and raised in California’s San Joaquin Valley on the family ranch where he learned hands-on working skills of ridin’ and ropin’,along with the value of hard work and what true grit determination was all about. His natural musical talents in piano and singing had surfaced at a young age and, by the time Seratte was a young teen, music was his main focus. Prior to his teen years, he was influenced by his parents’ record collection listening to everything from Nat King Cole to Sons of the Pioneers. The now legendary Bakersfield Sound was evolving at the time and was the prevalent music throughout the Valley, including Bob Wills and The Texas Playboys headquartered in Fresno. Seratte fondly remembers sitting with his family every night to watch the now legendary “Cousin Herb’s Tradin’ Post”, a Bakersfield regional tv show. The show featured a young Buck and Bonnie Owens, Merle Haggard, local and regional acts like Roy Buchanan as well as newcomers Willie Nelson, Marty Robbins, Wanda Jackson, Johnny Cash, Lefty Frizzell, Hank Williams along with Gene Autry, Ernest Tubb, Texas Ritter and many more. Family member “Uncle Jelly ” Sanders was a regular member playing fiddle and guitar on the show, and also doing live shows with cousin Bob Wills quite often. Jelly is on many of Buck’s early recordings. When Jelly decided to stay in town, Buck had to find someone to replace him, so they found a young handsome champion fiddle player and handed him a Telecaster guitar. His name was Don Rich. ( A tribute to Jelly Sanders is included in the Country Music Hall of Fame’s Bakersfield Sound Exhibit as a founding member, having performed, toured and recorded with many of these pioneers of The Bakersfield Sound.) Seratte is Blessed by exposure to his heritage and bloodline, as a part of musical history. Influences Good music was ingrained in Seratte. Growing up he was fully exposed to everything from “The Bakersfield Sound”, Rock, R&B, Blues, Motown and Jazz. Seratte absorbed the musical influences of legendary artists such as; Nat “King” Cole, Crosby, Stills, and Nash, The Byrds, The Beatles, Buffalo Springfield, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gay, Bad Company, Oscar Peterson, Poco, Faces, The Allman Bros., The Rolling Stones, Deep Purple, Ray Charles, Brian Auger, Modern Jazz Quartet, Bill Evans, The Sons of Champlin and so many more. In high school, he sang and played in bands throughout the San Joaquin Valley and all along the west coast. Seratte already knew he wanted a career in music and performing. After graduation and a brief college stint in pre-med and music, he headed to L.A. to make his dream of music a reality. Professional Timeline In L.A., Seratte worked hard at his craft, and it paid off. Asylum Records took notice and Seratte was offered a deal. As with so many in Hollywood, people changed chairs, left the company, and the deal fizzled after a year, but his talent was recognized. Seratte’s keyboard and vocal skills also earned a solid spot on the “A” list of musicians in town and he was cutting tracks with the best players in town. He was in-demand in the studio and for live performances, as well as keys and vocals on film work, T.V., and commercials. After taking an audition , Seratte was asked to join Poco. Seratte’s keyboards and vocal blend were a perfect fit for the band and their signature harmonies. As a member of several multi-platinum and Grammy winning acts, Seratte has performed from Budokan to The Meadowlands, for audiences in stadiums, arenas, studios and television all over the planet, including ; Whitesnake, Foreigner, Three Dog Night, Spencer Davis Group, Stan Bush, Rick Springfield, Lion/Bad Moon Rising, ShadowKing, Masters of Reality, Debbie Gibson. Seratte joined as a member of the Baxter-Entwistle Band (Skunk Baxter, John Entwistle, Mickey Thomas, Zack Starkey, and Seratte), a project he wrote for and co-produced. Recording sessions, producing, writing songs , singing jingles, music for television and film and more was packaged between the touring. Seratte lended his keyboard/vocal talents on many projects and recordings, most are listed at allmusic.com or a general discography search. Intermission Life happens. Seratte suddenly found himself a single dad with two young children to raise alone. He moved the family from L.A. to establish a new life in Nashville. With calls and offers coming in, the children were his number one priority and leaving town was out of the question. During this time period, this single dad was busy at work caring for his family and working in town to stay home. Never an easy task for any single parent. Seratte’s spare time was spent writing songs, producing and performing only when the schedule allowed. Fast forward several years, the kids are now grown and off on their own. With a new found perspective called “Life Happens”, and an everlasting passion for music, Seratte’s main focus is again back on the music. New CD “Rock Country” is a project Seratte has wanted to record for a long time. Seratte gives the listener a unique glimpse into a side of the man that’s never been heard or talked about and says, “It’s so easy to lose yourself in all the high profile tours, sessions, and wide varieties of music and personalities. I needed to find myself again. There’s more to me than one kind of music. Like Ray said “There’s only two kinds of music, good and bad.” I decided to take all my experiences and influences, go back to the beginning, and start there.” Giving credit to his friends and big-gun players themselves making it a special recording, Seratte produced and engineered on the cd, sang vocals, played keyboards and wrote/co-wrote all of the songs. “Rock Country” is a music lover’s album for all. www.rickseratte.com

Jimmy JJ Walker

Performing at the Comedy Zone tonight and nearly next to every day on ME TV. From the iHeart Radio Studio I'm Unplugged and Totally Uncut with Jimmy JJ Walker.

Roy Clark The Hee Haw Collection

One of the most famous laughs from inside the world of entertainment. Hee Haw wasn't primed for prime time. It was a summertime replacement for the Smothers Brothers. The weekly characters became household names. From the iHeart Radio Studio I'm Unplugged and Totally Uncut with the legendary Roy Clark. Pickin’ and grinnin’, singin’ and spinnin’ tall tales and corny jokes, the citizens of Kornfield Kounty landed on television in 1969 with the arrival of HEE HAW as a summer replacement series for The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour. Each week, co-hosts Buck Owens and Roy Clark and the cast of comedians and musicians welcomed the biggest stars in country music to perform their songs and help deliver the legendary corny one-liners. Though a hit, CBS dropped the show in 1971 in an attempt to “de-countrify” the network’s programming; however, it was quickly picked up and became the longest-running weekly syndicated series in television history. And, this September, Time Life invites home audiences back to rural Kornfield Kounty for some timeless, down-home entertainment with THE HEE HAW COLLECTION. The 3-disc collection features 5 episodes never-before-available at retail. These vintage episodes from the late 60s and early 70s, rarely seen since their original broadcasts, feature all the Kornfield Kounty regulars and their hilarious comedy plus country legends like Conway Twitty performing “Hello Darlin’,” Merle Haggard singing his classic “Okie from Muskogie,” Donna Fargo performing “Funny Face,” Tammy Wynette performing her #1 hit “Ways to Love a Man,” an unforgettable duet with Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn performing “Pickin’ Wild Mountain Berries,” plus other country legends like Charlie Rich, Hank Williams Jr. and many other chart-toppers; gospel classics “I Saw the Light” and “I’ll Fly Away” with Tennessee Ernie Ford and of course, even more country classics from HEE HAW co-hosts Buck Owens and Roy Clark. The collection, certain to thrill any Kornfield Kounty denizen or classic TV aficionado, also includes bonus interviews with show regulars including Roy Clark, Lulu Roman, George Lindsey, Charlie McCoy and Jim and John Hager. Additional bonus programming includes all-time favorite comedy from the early years in “Hee Haw Laffs,” featuring “Board Fence,” “Cornfield,” “Moonshiners,” “Doctor Spot,” “Old Philosopher,” “General Store,” “Haystack,” “Schoolhouse” and other knee-slappers. Conceived as a rural alternative to Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In, HEE HAW honed in on country music and rural Southern culture. With Clark and Owens co-hosting, Minnie Pearl, Grandpa Jones, Archie Campbell and the rest of the HEE HAW gang traded knee-slappers and gut-busting one-liners in memorable sketches including “Doc Campbell,” “PFFT! You Was Gone” and “Gordie’s General Store”-- as well as the all-time favorites “Rindercella” and “Trigonometry” and the unforgettable menagerie of animated donkeys and pigs. And because HEE HAW was a favorite stop for country’s greatest stars, the show featured hundreds of performances by top country stars at the peaks of their careers, like Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers, George Jones, Waylon Jennings, Hank Williams Jr. and so many more. Though the last “new” episode aired in 1992, HEE HAW remains one of the longest-running and best loved television variety shows of all time. In addition to this latest DVD release, HEE HAW is getting the Broadway treatment with the world premiere of the new musical Moonshine: That HeeHaw Musical September 2 at Dallas Theater Center. The musical distills the spirit of the iconic television series and bottles it into an original musical comedy. Set in present-day Kornfield Kounty, this highly anticipated show introduces a new generation of irresistible characters as it tells the story of Misty Mae, the ultimate hometown girl who heads to the big city and returns home with her slick city-boy beau. Featuring an original score by Grammy® Best New Artist nominee Brandy Clark and Grammy® Award winning songwriter/producer Shane McAnally (two of today’s most critically acclaimed country music singer/songwriters) and a book by Robert Horn, the musical adds an exciting new chapter to the long-running HEE HAW story. For true HEE HAW fans, Time Life will also be releasing several exclusive sets, only available online at http://timelife.com/products/the-hee-haw-collection or by calling 1-800-950-7887. The direct response HEE-HAW COLLECTION offers either 11 episodes across 8 DVDs or 23 episodes across 14 DVDs, for approximately $100 or $190, respectively. Both sets arrive with hours of bonus programming including in-depth interviews and Hee Haw comedy classics.

Monday, September 21, 2015

Greg Renoff Van Halen Rising

The majority of us know Van Halen 1978 forward. But few know the journey before fame grabbed their name. How did Eddie dominate the music scene in Pasadena? Did David Lee easily convince the brothers that he could lead the band? Gene Simmons brags of putting Diamond Dave in his first pair of leather pants but he doesn't say anything as to why he couldn't lead them to fame? From the iHeart Radio Studio I'm Unplugged with Greg Renoff. Back in 2009, I had a two-part revelation about my favorite band, Van Halen, and its place in the pantheon of rock's greatest acts. The first part involved Van Halen's history. When I started to research the group's pre-fame years in Los Angeles, I discovered that very little specific (much less accurate) information about those years had been nailed down. Here's just a sampling of the aspects of Van Halen history that remained shrouded in legend: ◦When did the brothers' form their pre-David Lee Roth power trio? Which songs -- other than those by Cream -- did this band (first called Genesis, later renamed Mammoth) play? When did this band become "Van Halen"? ◦What did Roth's band, Red Ball Jet, look and sound like? ◦When and how did David Lee Roth team up with the Van Halen brothers? ◦What are the facts concerning Van Halen's backyard party exploits? Were they really as wild as legend suggests? ◦What actually happened when Gene Simmons tried to get Van Halen a record deal? Is it true that he tried to poach Eddie for KISS in 1977? ◦How did Van Halen end up on Warner Bros. Records? Was it all just a matter of label executives wandering into Hollywood's Starwood Club one night "because it was raining outside," as Roth claimed? ◦Did Van Halen, as an opening act, really steal the show from well-established bands like Journey and Black Sabbath in 1978? Once I started getting satisfactory answers to these questions from my interviews with Pasadena natives and with Van Halen luminaries like Michael Anthony, Ted Templeman, Donn Landee, Pete Angelus and Marshall Berle, the second revelation hit me: ◦If I wanted to learn the details of how The Detours became the Who, an explosively powerful band that wrote some of the most timeless songs in rock history, I could read that story in any number of books. ◦If I wanted to learn the details of how the New Yardbirds became Led Zeppelin, a group that stormed the globe and released some of the best albums in rock history, I could read that story in any number of books. ◦But if I wanted to learn the details of how Mammoth became Van Halen, a band that recorded one of the most successful debuts in rock history and wowed stadium crowds in 1978, I couldn't read that story. This was a major problem. Not just for me, but for Van Halen fans across the globe, because this story needed to be told. Somebody, I thought, needed to write a comprehensive, carefully documented, and compulsively readable book about this lost period in Van Halen history. That person, I decided, should be me. You see, I came to believe the reason why rock fans didn't mention the original lineup of Van Halen in the same breath as Led Zeppelin, for instance, is that no one really knew how hard Van Halen had worked to make it and all the adventures the band members had experienced before their 1978 breakout. Consider the following: ◦The Van Halen brothers started playing backyard parties about a year after Woodstock. They were still playing backyard parties in 1976. ◦The band started playing dive bars sometime around 1973. They were still playing these dumps when 1977 dawned. ◦Record companies rejected Van Halen as early as 1974. In fact, Gene Simmons, then one of the most powerful musicians in America, couldn't get the band a record deal in late 1976. Despite all these obstacles and setbacks, the quartet refused to quit. They gigged everywhere in Los Angeles, playing in front of anyone who'd listen for next to no money, for years. In fact, they played live, during one stretch, for twenty-three nights in a row. They wrote and demoed song after song, even though label executives at the time thought little of these original compositions. They heard time and time again, from everyone from KISS's manager Bill Aucoin to A&M Records' head Herb Alpert, that Van Halen wasn't a commercially viable band. Even after they got their Warner Bros. deal in 1977, many in the industry expected that this heavy metal band's debut LP would make zero impact on the Billboard charts, in light of the fact that disco and soft rock ruled the airwaves during those years. Then something funny happened in the spring and summer of 1978. Van Halen, an album heavier than anything else at the top of the charts, started selling like crazy. Van Halen went from a third billed band on a theater tour to a group that sent stadium crowds into delirium. Van Halen became superstars. Once that happened, critics and cranks thought they knew the band's story. An overnight sensation, they surmised. Bullshit. Roth's daddy had money, so that's why the band made it, some whispered. Bullshit. Here's the truth, which will be fleshed out in Van Halen Rising when it's released via ECW Press later this year. It was during the years when almost no one outside of Los Angeles had ever heard of Van Halen that this band became talented enough to record one of the greatest debut albums in history and tight enough to blow the biggest bands in the world off the stage. Van Halen, it turns out, became The Mighty Van Halen in the biker bars, ballrooms, and dance clubs of Los Angeles. That's when and where the magic happened for this band. And so to this day, even the biggest Van Halen fans don't know the details of rock's biggest success story: How Van Halen went from a backyard party band to a band good enough to keep heavy metal alive as it faced extinction at the hands of punk, disco, and soft rock. Van Halen Rising will provide these missing chapters in Van Halen history, ones that will conclusively demonstrate the legendary greatness of this band. So next time some loudmouth tells you that Van Halen can't match up with the Who and Led Zeppelin, tell this misinformed person that they don't know the full Van Halen story. Yet.

William R Forstchen One Year After

Rather than sitting around asking, "What if?" This author turns physical events into characters and stories. Before he know it... the hardcover shapes are wrapped around the world. Why? Because its what he writes that makes "What if." into what are you doing to prepare for it? From the iHeart Radio Studio I'm Unplugged and Totally Uncut with William R Forstchen. – Soon to be released from Forge Books in hardcover and e-Book title is One Year After (ISBN 978-0-7653-7670-1; $25.99; Sept. 15, 2015), by William R. Forstchen. Months before publication, One Second After was cited on the floor of Congress as a book all Americans should read. Hundreds of thousands of people have read the tale. One Year After is the thrilling follow-up to that smash hit. The story picks up a year after One Second After ends, two years since the detonation of nuclear weapons above the United States brought America to its knees. After suffering starvation, war, and countless deaths, the survivors of Black Mountain, North Carolina, are beginning to piece back together the technologies they had once taken for granted: electricity, radio communications, and medications. They cling to the hope that a new national government is finally emerging. Then comes word that most of the young men and women of the community are to be drafted into an "Army of National Recovery" and sent to trouble spots hundreds of miles away. When town administrator John Matherson protests the draft, he's offered a deal: leave Black Mountain and enter national service, and the draft will be reduced. But the brutal suppression of a neighboring community under its new federal administrator and the troops accompanying him suggests that all is not as it should be with this burgeoning government. William R. Forstchen is the New York Times bestselling author of One Second After—which spent four weeks at #11 on the New York Times bestsellers list for the hardcover edition—among numerous other books in diverse subjects ranging from history to science fiction. He also collaborates on New York Times bestselling novels with Newt Gingrich. Forstchen holds a Ph.D. in history from Purdue University, with specializations in military history and the history of technology. He is currently a faculty fellow and professor of history at Montreat College, near Asheville, North Carolina. The film rights to One Second After have already been optioned by Warner Brothers.

Friday, September 18, 2015

Alexis DeJoria

Off the track she's kept her personal life off the radar. But once inside the thunderous roar of the Patron XO Cafe funny car this girls continues to take the NHRA to levels of success few have attained. From the iHeart Radio Studio I'm Unplugged and Totally Uncut with Alexis DeJoria. Pilot of one of the world’s most powerful race cars, NHRA superstar Alexis DeJoria brings a different energy to the sport with her ‘rock n roll’ vibe. Alexis was bitten by the racing bug early on and currently drives a 10,000-horsepower nitro Funny Car. These nitromethane-burning, fire-breathing machines exceed speeds of over 300 mph, and can cover 1,000 feet in less than four quick seconds. Rather than jump right in to the cockpit of one of the fastest accelerating cars on the planet, Alexis wanted to learn the ropes and work her way through the NHRA’s slower Sportsman classes before suiting up to drive a nitro Funny Car. She began her NHRA career in 2005, first competing in the Super Gas category and then moving into a rear engine Super Comp dragster. Within eight months of her NHRA debut, she advanced to two final-rounds and went on to win the coveted Sportsman Nationals in Fontana, Calif. Always looking to go faster and feeling comfortable with her success, Alexis moved in to a Top Alcohol Funny Car (TAFC) spending two years with a two-car team, competing primarily on the West coast. In 2009, Alexis made a major commitment in her racing career by building her own team, Stealth Motorsports. She co-owned and operated the team for three years, and is one of the few females ever to do so. While racing for Stealth, Alexis made her way to four national event final-rounds, won a divisional event, and at the 2011 NHRA Northwest Fall Nationals, raced her way to the top spot, claiming her first ever NHRA national event win in TAFC. She was only the second woman ever to accomplish this feat. After a year of testing in a nitro Funny Car, Alexis made the highly-anticipated leap from Top Alcohol Funny Car to Funny Car at the 2011 Texas Fall Nationals, joining the legendary Kalitta Motorsports team as their fourth member and second Funny Car driver. During her 2012 rookie season, Alexis impressed fans everywhere when she raced her way to a final-round appearance at the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals in Bristol, Tenn. Throughout her high-profile first professional season, Alexis dominated headlines off the track, receiving a stunning display of media attention, and was able to realize her lifelong dream of riding in an F-15 Strike Eagle fighter jet. During her sophomore season, Alexis raced to an impressive four semi-final finishes, but it was in her third season where she really caught her stride! In 2014 Alexis enjoyed what can only be described as her ‘breakout season.’ In Pomona, Calif. during the NHRA Winternationals, Alexis made history when she became the first woman ever to make a sub-four second run, with a 3.997-second ET. At the very next event in Phoenix, Alexis finally realized her goal of winning her first race in the Funny Car category. Just one month later, she picked up the second win of her professional career in Las Vegas, March 2014, and raced her way to the final round at Epping later that summer. Adding more excitement to her third year, she later broke a Funny Car track record at Atlanta Dragway in May 2014 (4.012-second ET) while earning her the Number One qualifier position. Later that summer, she broke Brainerd International Raceway’s Funny Car ET record when she ran a 4.010-second pass. That same day, she reset her own record with a 3.998-second run, the first sub-four second Funny Car run recorded at BIR. She then went on to win the prestigious U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis in September, and later, capped off 2014 with another No. 1 qualifier and three second run at the season closer. Now in her fourth year as a professional Funny Car racer, Alexis is looking to build on her 2014 momentum and add even more Wallys to her growing trophy collection while representing the Patrón Spirits Company’s newest brand, Patrón XO Cafe Incendio. She recently re-set her personal ET and speed records (3.946-seconds/321.88-mph) and in September 2015, qualified 10th for her second Countdown to the Championship playoff run. Alexis, currently the only driver to have claimed wins in each the Super Comp, Top Alcohol Funny Car, and fuel Funny Car classes, has made the commitment to make NHRA drag racing her career. Having the support of Patrón XO Cafe Incendio has helped Alexis continue to live her dream of competing at the highest level and help drive her appetite for success as a professional drag racer. Alexis’ Sponsor: Recognizing the growing enthusiasm for intense taste and flavor, Patrón Spirits has introduced Patrón XO Cafe Incendio, an innovative fiery-hot chile chocolate liqueur. Patrón XO Cafe Incendio combines the spicy, distinctive flavor of Mexican arbol chile with the rich, decadent essence of Criollo chocolate, brought together with the crisp, smooth taste of Patrón Silver tequila. The Chile de arbol is a small and slender Mexican pepper typically found in the states of Jalisco, Chihuahua and Zacatecas. Thought to be derived from the cayenne pepper, arbol chile is characterized by its smoky and spicy complex flavor, and is the main component in many hot sauces. The high-quality Criollo variety chocolate in Patrón XO Cafe Incendio is produced in Mexico’s Tabasco region. Perfect as a shot, or as the base for a high quality cocktail, Patrón XO Cafe Incendio is distilled at 30 percent alcohol by volume, 60 proof. Produced and bottled at the Hacienda Patrón distillery in the highlands of Jalisco, Mexico, Patrón XO Cafe Incendio is handcrafted with the same attention to detail and quality as all Patrón tequilas and liqueurs. It is available in 50ml, 375ml and 750ml sizes and packaged in the eye-catching handmade Patrón XO Cafe glass bottle, a frosted version of the iconic cork-closed Patrón tequila bottle. The red, yellow and black label features imagery evocative of smoke and fire. www.alexisdejoriaracing.com

Jimi Hendrix Foundation's Joe Rosignolo

The Jimi Hendrix Foundation is dedicated to the betterment of the world community through music. In honor of the love and giving spirit of Jimi Hendrix, the Foundation works to improve the quality of life for children and the world community through encouragement and understanding, diversity and peaceful resolution to conflict and to inspire creativity in music, arts and sciences. OUR MISSION: Expressing Life Through Music OUR VISION: Committed to using the "Star Power" of Jimi Hendrix, to establish platforms of learning and Expression and Experience, to raise funds to create initiatives and programs in music, art, education and health in our communities and around the world. Thanks for helping! Joe Rosignolo-CEO/President of the Jimi Hendrix Foundation

Thursday, September 17, 2015

Dee Snider Still Not Taking It

Yes we talked about Paul Stanley. Yes we talked about Donald Trump. Yes we hit the subject of this being the 30th anniversary of him talking on Capitol Hill. From the iHeart Radio Studio I'm Unplugged and Totally Uncut with Dee Snider of Twisted Sister. September 19, 1985 was a historic day for all of us who work in the music business. That was the day that three musicians--Frank Zappa, John Denver and Twisted Sister singer DEE SNIDER--were called to testify at a Senate hearing instigated by the Parents Music Resource Center (PMRC), who wanted to introduce a parental warning system that would label all albums containing “offensive material.” The system was to include letters identifying the type of objectionable content to be found in each album (e.g. O for occult themes, S for sex, D for drugs, V for violence, etc.), which resulted in the “Parental Advisory” sticker now found on new album releases with “questionable content.” To mark the 30th anniversary of the hearings, DEE SNIDER would love to do a satellite radio tour about this historic event. He wrote an Op-Ed story about the hearings for the HuffingtonPost.com, which is attached. You can watch DEE’s entire testimony on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0Vyr1TylTE

Heather McDonald The Goddess Of Social Media

Mastering the art of the digital platform continues to be the connection to the outside world. Heather's light is brighter than ever. From comedy club stages to Netflix. Her Twitter and other social media galleries have linked her to huge levels of play. Making her one of the most magnetic personalities on the planet. From the iHeart Radio Studio I'm Unplugged and Totally Uncut with Heather McDonald.

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Christopher Moore Secondhand Souls

Getting onto the path and into the mind of one of the most creative writers in America today. Words aren't just things you toss to the side. This man puts thoughts, phrases and experiences to work. He has a humorous way of turning the lights on inside darkness. From the iHeart Radio Studio I'm Unplugged and Totally Uncut with NY Times Best Selling author Christopher Moore. CHRISTOPHER MOORE is the author of fourteen previous novels, including Lamb, The Stupidest Angel, A Dirty Job, Fool, Sacré Bleu and The Serpent of Venice. When he’s not writing, Chris enjoys ocean kayaking, scuba diving, photography, and painting with acrylics and oils. He lives in San Francisco. Over the last 15 books, bestselling author CHRISTOPHER MOORE has wowed readers with tremendously hilarious, heartwarming and zany stories about everything from Jesus' “missing years” (with the funny parts left in) in Lamb, to government conspiracies and the deep humor in whale researcher’s lives in Fluke, to a satirical take on the Bard of Avon in Fool. Now, Christopher returns with a delightfully funny sequel to his 2006 bestseller A DIRTY JOB! It's called: SECONDHAND SOULS! And on SEPTEMBER 16, Christopher will tell you how he uses humor to tackle serious issues like death, violence, suicide, the afterlife, religion, parenting and partnerships!! And how it's so helpful and effective at southing the soul!! Christopher has been featured in many national news stories as of late including: USA TODAY: http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/books/2015/08/27/secondhand-souls--novel/32431559/ WASHINGTON POST: http://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/books/secondhand-souls-review-a-wildly-entertaining-sequel-to-a-dirty-job/2015/08/24/f591fa56-4500-11e5-846d-02792f854297_story.html

Kenny Loggins and Blue Sky Riders All Access Pass

Kenny Loggins wanders in Nashville and comes out with a trio that's taking music to a level unseen. If you're a songwriter, musician or a producer The All Access Pass puts you in the studio as the songs are being created. From start to finish. From the iHeart Radio Studio I'm Unplugged and Totally Uncut with 1/3 of Blue Sky Riders. Kenny Loggins. Following the success of their critically-acclaimed debut album, Finally Home (released: January 2013), Blue Sky Riders are ready to ride again with All Access Pass, a behind-the-scenes docuseries, which chronicles the writing and recording of their highly anticipated sophomore album, Why Not (expected to release in 2016). In celebration of the band’s Kickin’ It Back Tour this September, memberships to view All Access Pass can be purchased at a special sale price of $25 during the month of September through their official website: BlueSkyRidersBand.com. Thanks to the supporters who contributed to Blue Sky Riders’ successful Kickstarter campaign, Kenny Loggins, Georgia Middleman and Gary Burr were able to fulfill their dream of recording Why Not by embracing today’s crowd-funding and social media-influenced world. The band takes it a step further with All Access Pass and allows us a glimpse into the trials and tribulations, the joys and pains of the trio’s creative process. Once again, Loggins, Middleman and Burr deliver on what the audience has grown to love them for: honest lyrics, beautiful harmonies, and amazing music. As The New York Times said, “The three songwriters have found an unusually comfortable fit.”All Access Pass documents the award-winning songwriters as they create and record original compositions on which Kenny, Georgia and Gary take turns singing lead vocals. “I don’t think I have ever heard Georgia sing better than on the beautiful, ‘Nothing Matters More Than Love,’" says Gary, “the same goes for Kenny on ‘No Fool Like An Old Fool.’ He is stunning and heart wrenchingly committed to that song.” Georgia chimes in, “I love ‘I’m Lucky Like That’ because it’s so dang sexy...classic Kenny Loggins!” As for Kenny, “I’m really fond of, ‘Thank You (For Reminding Me),’ a tune we recorded with The Kickstarter Chorus. It was a special experience to share with contributors who, literally, helped make this album.” A limited number of special-edition pre-release physical CDs of Why Not were pressed to thank Blue Sky Riders’ Kickstarter contributors. The few copies remaining will be available for purchase at the band’s live shows in September and on Blue Sky Riders’ official website (BlueSkyRidersBand.com) while supplies last. In conjunction with their successful Kickstarter campaign, Kenny, Georgia and Gary held the Kickin’ It Back Opening Act Contest to give back and help budding artists make their own dreams come true. The pair of winning entrants will open for the band at two of their September performances. Joining Blue Sky Riders at City Winery, Nashville, TN (September 11) is Ashley Leone, followed by J. Klein, who will open for the band at The Coach House in San Juan Capistrano, CA (September 25). The full Kickin’ It Back Tour schedule is as follows: • 9.9.15: Nashville, TN @ City Winery • 9.11.15: Nashville, TN @ City Winery (Opening Act: Ashley Leone) • 9.15.15: New York City, NY @ City Winery • 9.16.15: New York City, NY @ City Winery • 9.18.15: Livermore, CA @ Livermore Valley PAC – Bankhead Theatre • 9.19.15: Malibu, CA @ Pepperdine University / Smothers Theatre • 9.20.15: Poway, CA @ Poway Center for the Performing Arts • 9.25.15: San Juan Capistrano, CA @ The Coach House (Opening Act: J. Klein) • 10.24.15: Frankfort, KY @ Grand Theatre

Tuesday, September 15, 2015

JR Todd

The NHRA hits Charlotte's ZMAX Drag Way this weekend. History will be rewritten Friday when driver JR Todd rips off the cover and unveils the biggest meanest engine on the planet. And it has a lot to do with Classic Rock legend Jimi Hendrix. From the iHeart Radio Studio I'm Unplugged and Totally Uncut with JR Todd. Kalitta Motorsports announces a partnership with the Jimi Hendrix Foundation for the remainder of the 2015 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Season. The Jimi Hendrix Foundation will be the primary partner on J.R. Todd’s entry in the first three events of the Countdown to the Championship.The scheme will be unveiled on the 45th anniversary of the passing of the legendary musician, September 18th, in front of the zMax Dragway Tower in Charlotte at 1pmEST. J.R. Todd Born: 12/15/81 Single Hometown: Lawrenceburg, Ind. Resides: Indianapolis, Ind. The Car Driver of the Jimi Hendrix Foundation Top Fuel Dragster for Kalitta Motorsports Crew Chief: Connie Kalitta Asst. Crew Chief: James Riola Career Best ET - 3.703 seconds (Brainerd 2015) Career Best Speed - 330.88 mph (Brainerd 2015) Will be the 8th seed in the Countdown for the Championship Driver Facts: - Despite joining Kalitta Motorsports late last season, finished runner-up in the point standings, a career-best - First African-American driver to win in Top Fuel racing (Denver 2006) - 8 career wins in 12 career final rounds; 2015 winner - Seattle - 8 career no. 1 qualifiers; five in the past two seasons - Two final round appearances and three no. 1 qualifers in the 2014 Countdown to the Championship - 2006 Auto Club Road to the Future Award winner (top performing rookie driver) - Away from the track, Todd is a huge Cincinnati Bengals fan and enjoys attending dirt track events and bowling.

John Thavis The Vatican Prophecies

Pope Francis coming to the United States opens the door for this side of the world to feel what others have already known. This is just a sliver of the journey. Those that stood before him have been part of miracles that seem explainable. What truly takes place in the Vatican when the answers don't come so easy. From the iHeart Radio Studio I'm Unplugged and Totally Uncut with John Thavis. Apocalyptic prophecies and miraculous apparitions are headline-grabbing events that often put the Catholic Church’s doctrine of “rational faith” at odds with the passion of its more zealous followers. To some, these claims teeter on the edge of absurdity. Others see them as evidence of a private connection with God. For the Vatican, the issue is much more nuanced, as each supposed miraculous event could have serious theological and political consequences. In response, the Vatican has developed a highly secretive and complex evaluation system to judge the authenticity of supernatural phenomena. In THE VATICAN PROPHECIES: Investigating Supernatural Signs, Apparitions, and Miracles in the Modern Age John Thavis once again takes us behind the scenes at the Vatican to explain the process by which saints are canonized, how miracles are investigated and verified, and yes, exorcisms. ABOUT THE AUTHOR: In 2012 John Thavis retired as the Rome bureau chief of Catholic News Service, the world’s largest and oldest religious news agency, after covering the Vatican for 30 years. He has won numerous awards for reporting, and in 2007 was presented the St. Francis de Sales Award, considered the highest honor given by the Catholic press. His first book, The Vatican Diaries A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Power, Personalities and Politics at the Heart of the Catholic Church, was a New York Times bestseller. He has lectured extensively on Vatican affairs, and now divides his time between Minnesota and Rome. His blog, Decoding the Vatican, is found at www.johnthavis.com. Follow @JohnThavis or visit www.johnthavis.com

Monday, September 14, 2015

Beatles Animator Ron Campbell

He will be in Charlotte this Friday thru Sunday. I've always played a game called: Look Behind The Fame. For every moment of greatness there's always a collection of people that happened to come together in the moment to help turn something simple into an avenue of success. This is one of those chapters. From the iHeart Radio Studio I'm Unplugged and Totally Uncut with Beatles Animator Ron Campbell. In 1964 the Beatles invaded the United States, performing for 73 million people on the Ed Sullivan Show and dominating the US pop charts for years. Now over five decades later, the Fab Four continue to be the most celebrated musical group in Rock history. Ron Campbell, director of the 1960’s Saturday Morning Beatles Cartoon series and animator of the Beatles film Yellow Submarine will make a rare personal appearance at Charlotte Fine Art Gallery at 7510 Pineville-Matthews Road in Charlotte, Friday, September 18th through Sunday, September 20th. Ron will showcase his original Beatles cartoon paintings created specially for the show and create new Beatles pop art paintings live at the exhibit. The exhibit is free and all works are available for purchase. Who: Ron Campbell, Director of the Beatles 1960’s Saturday Morning Cartoon series and animator of film Yellow Submarine. Also involved in Scooby Doo, Rugrats, Smurfs, Winnie the Pooh, Flintstones, Jetson’s, George of the Jungle and many others. What: Ron Campbell will be offering for sale original cartoon paintings of the Beatles both in their ABC Cartoon and Yellow Submarine roles as well as various other works from his 50 year career in animation. These works of art were created specially for the Charlotte Fine Art Gallery exhibit. Where: Charlotte Fine Art Gallery, 7510 Pineville-Matthews Road, Charlotte, NC 28226 (704) 541-0741 When: Friday, September 18 – 10:00 am – 6:00 pm Saturday, September 19 – 10:00 am – 6:00 pm Sunday, September 20 – 12 noon – 4:00 pm

Dr Travis Stork from The Doctors

Most Daytime talk shows are either politically driven or invite guests onto the program that best fit who their viewing audience is. The Doctors put focus on one subject. Your health and lifestyle. Suddenly there was a connection. Celebrating their 8th season on the air today. From the iHeart Radio Studio I'm Unplugged and Totally Uncut with Dr Travis Stork.

Friday, September 11, 2015

Scorpions Return To Forever

We've all been there. You hit a certain point and the natural thing to do would be to set aside what you love doing most. Then the creative ideas wouldn't go away. In fact they became stronger. That's how this band has lasted 50 incredible years. From the iHeart Radio Studio I'm Unplugged and Totally Uncut with the Scorpions. “There’s something unreal about the number,” reckons Klaus Meine...the video for “Wind Of Change” has been viewed more than 108 million times on YouTube to date. VEVO meticulously recorded the view requests and certified them. With this, Scorpions are the first German band cracking the 100 million click mark. Once again, Scorpions have written a piece of music history. The number is not only impressive, it also highlights Scorpions phenomenon. 50 years after a very young Rudolf Schenker founded the band in the profoundly provincial, post-war Hannover, Scorpions remain a band that is able to attract masses of new fans at any given time. A fact that surprises even the musicians themselves, as they gladly admit. “It’s really remarkable,” says Rudolf Schenker, “how well and mostly unharmed we’ve survived those years, in which our kind of music seemed to have gotten out of style completely. When the grunge wave hit the shore, we simply went to Asia to tap new markets and gain new fans. We were able to continue playing and keep on winning new friends for our music.” “Today,” they all marvel, “we’re not only as hip as we were at our best times, our audience is becoming younger and younger as well.” The insight that new generations worldwide are just now discovering Scorpions inspires them. In 2010, the band had reached a point where the perpetual cycle of studio sessions, album releases, and subsequent mega tours had in the end worn them out to such an extent that they seriously considered winding down and planned to retire with a farewell tour. 2013 however, a world tour later, brought a breath of fresh air. The sensational MTV Unplugged concert at the Lycabettus open-air theater in Athens was the most urgent reminder of how dreamlike and intense performances in front of an audience can be, and what challenges still await them. Either way, the hunger for more had returned, for all of them. So the band once again met up with their two favorite Swedes to realize a project, which initially had been intended to be rather plain. Mikael Nord Andersson and Martin Hansen had already produced Sting In The Tail, and re-arranged the whole material for MTV Unplugged together with Matthias Jabs. “Actually, we only wanted to finally record some song ideas for the fans, which we had worked on in the past but never put on an album, and then release them without much fanfare,” Matthias Jabs remembers. “There had been quite a few over the years, ideas that were really good, but in the end didn’t make the cut back then due to the limited space on vinyl and later on CD. We quickly had eight songs, which partly had to be finalized first and were then recorded from scratch. During the work, increasingly new song ideas were added from our end, as well as from the two Swedes. We had so much fun working and suddenly we found ourselves in the middle of the songwriting process once again. And in the end, it turned out to be a brand-new Scorpions album after all.” The fact that the fiftieth band anniversary was coming up as well, hit Rudolf rather accidentally: “Not long ago I found an old cash account book of my mom’s, in which she meticulously recorded the earnings and expenses of my band Scorpions fifty years ago. My parents had lent me the money for the first equipment back then, and I had to pay off in installments from the earnings. 50 years are a long time. Apart from us, at most the Rolling Stones, the Beach Boys or The Who managed to do that. In that sense, the timing for the new album is perfect, we’re celebrating half a decade of Scorpions with the record and the upcoming tour.” Ultimately, the band recorded 19 songs altogether. They all present the Scorpions at the peak of their creativity once again. Tracks like the first single “We Built This House” are as contemporary as the sweeping “House Of Cards” (a guaranteed live hit). Also belonging in the category live hit is “Eye Of The Storm,” a track, that transports a notion of the unbelievable dynamic and joy of playing, characterizing the Scorpions’ stage performances. In songs like “We Built This House” the band reflects the past fifty years; their philosophy and the lessons, their unusual life taught them. Klaus Meine: “In the end, it tells our story. We’ve built this house called Scorpions brick by brick and often quite arduously. From the first days in Hannover, the first concerts abroad, until this very day. We’ve weathered severe storms, but the house withstood everything, turned out to be weatherproof and stable. However, building the house was never just cumbersome, but joyful as well. The joy of music, the joy of having experienced and still experiencing it all, the joy of – and the thankfulness for – the fans’ affection. We have been working hard for this dream, but we’re thankful as well for having been able to live it, and for still being able to live it today.” In these fifty years, the world has changed rapidly. When Scorpions started, the present with its smart phones, the Internet, intelligent fridges, holograms, and online streaming services was hardy imaginable even for the boldest science fiction authors. Scorpions have witnessed and participated in all of these changes, were up to speed with these developments as artists and musicians, while at the same time staying true to themselves at all times. That too, is documented on Return To Forever. The band was never in need to make concessions to the respective zeitgeist, their own creative potential was much too extensive for that. For this, they have earned highest recognition worldwide, and in these fifty years have contributed an inestimable share in restoring the profoundly damaged reputation of Germany in the world after the Second World War. The fact that this contribution is now being acknowledged is not least proven by the bestowal of the Lower Saxon State Award for 2014, which the band received February 3, 2015. Just how much the band is still charged with high voltage is demonstrated by classic arena rockers like “Going Out With A Bang” or the fantastic “Rock 'n' Roll Band.” Songs like these already whet the appetite for the upcoming world tour kicking off middle of next year, which the band is already looking forward to. Not least, “because it’s simply unbelievable and inspiring to look into the faces of very young fans, who discover us and our music in a whole new way.” And who, this might be added, experience the magic that characterizes Scorpions concerts since their early days, for the first time. The tour will take the band around the globe once again. The brand-new Scorpions studio album “Return To Forever” releases September 11 via Sony Music/Legacy Recordings and will be available on CD, vinyl and digital formats. The first single “We Built This House” can be downloaded as an Instant Grat on iTunes and Amazon.mp3 as of now! More info at: www.the-scorpions.com and www.facebook.com/scorpions

Brent Morin

Before he jumps back onto the set to put another season of Undateables together. Actor Comedian Brent Morin has hit the road to do the craft he's mastered: Comedy. Connecticut born. California adult raised. His goals are to make movies and TV shows. And why not? The world of entertainment is totally digital and millions of opportunities come to life every day. Trust me... it won't be long before we start saying, "Do you remember when he was doing a sitcom?"

Amy Weinstein and Damon Dimarco The September 11th Memorial Museum

14 years have quickly passed. We still remember where we were when news arrived. As we age the memories begin to fade. Now there's a place that takes the moment and gives it a story that can't be lost. From the iHeart Radio Studio I'm Unplugged and Totally Uncut with Amy Weinstein from the September 11th Memorial Museum and author Damon Dimarco. "Never forget" was the heartfelt refrain after the World Trade Center attacks on September 11, 2001. And now, 13 years later, the National September 11 Memorial Museum has opened, to memorialize those who lost their lives -- and to ensure, once again, that the world will "never forget." The museum’s power rests, first and foremost, in its location: The 110,000 square feet of exhibition space are within "the archaeological heart of the World Trade Center site." The museum takes visitors underground -- literally. It lies 70 feet below ground, so entering the museum involves descent from the light of the outside into dimly lit depths, which adds to the overall power and pathos of this hallowed ground. A variety of fascinating exhibits reveal the makeup of New York City’s impressive bedrock, like a 450-million-year-old chunk of Manhattan schist, excavated in August 2008. WTC’s architectural grandeur is also showcased via a large-scale model, originally built in 1969 to 1971, which is one of the largest and most detailed WTC presentation models still surviving today. It’s a powerful piece, because it highlights what the World Trade Center was, rather than what became of it. And what became of the WTC is displayed throughout the museum, including the Survivors’ Staircase, which was the last visible remnant of the buildings after the attacks. The stairs served as a critical life route for many to escape, and in 2008, the 58-ton stairway moved to the museum, where it looms today. Visitors can also view a massive twisted piece of "impact steel" -- a portion of the north tower facade that suffered a direct hit from American Airlines Flight 11. One side of the museum encompasses the slurry wall, a retaining wall that was built to keep the Hudson River from flooding the site. But though the museum is filled with massive pieces that bear the scars of tragedy, it’s the small personal objects that are perhaps the most haunting: smudged reading glasses, a pair of heels, a trampled wallet splayed to reveal its contents of coins and credit cards, a flight attendant’s wing lapel. As New York Times art critic Holland Carter beautifully summed it up: “Infused with lost life, they make the experience of moving through this museum at once theatrical, voyeuristic and devotional.” Above all, the museum is a tribute to the victims, to the survivors -- and to their loved ones. Numerous exhibits feature photographs, audio, videotapes and recorded testimonies connected to September 11, 2001 and also to the February 26, 1993, WTC bombing. In many ways, the museum is as much about the WTC’s demise as it is about New York City’s resilience. This is especially evident above ground, at the sun-washed memorial, where parapets engraved with the 2,983 victims’ names surround the twin Memorial pools, which shimmer in the footprints of the Twin Towers. Here, beauty has taken the place of tragedy.

Thursday, September 10, 2015

Kim Campbell

Preparing for this interview was extremely difficult. Nobody grows up to one day talk about the artists that helped shape your passion for music. I was that kid in my bedroom playing Glen Campbell pretending to be a radio disc jockey. Only to find myself on KOYN KOOK KXLO EZ 104 and countless others truly pushing the needles on full volume to reach listeners just passing by. From the iHeart Radio Studio I'm Unplugged and Totally Uncut with Glen's wife Kim. Virgil Films Proudly Announces The VOD and DVD Release of James Keach's GLEN CAMPBELL...I'LL BE ME. Available on EST Digital Platforms on August 18th. Available on DVD and VOD on September 1st. Virgil Films announces the VOD and DVD release of Glen Campbell... I'll Be Me, a new documentary film about the country/pop superstar produced and directed by filmmaker James Keach (Walk the Line). The film, which will aired on CNN on June 28th, became the most-watched CNN Films broadcast in the franchise's history with over 2.76 million viewers on the night of its premiere. Glen Campbell... I'll Be Me will be available on digital platforms (EST) on August 18th followed by a DVD and VOD release on September 1st. Glen Campbell... I'll Be Me was directed by James Keach (producer of Walk the Line) and produced by Trevor Albert (producer of Groundhog Day) and Keach. Keach and Albert also collaborated on the award winning film, Waiting for Forever. "The making of this film has been an exhilarating, joyous and inspiring ride. I attribute that entirely to the heroic spirit of Glen Campbell and his extraordinary family," said producer Trevor Albert. In 2011, music legend Glen Campbell set out on an unprecedented tour across America. They thought it would last 5 weeks, instead it went for 151 spectacular sold out shows over a triumphant year and a half across America. What made this tour extraordinary was that Glen had recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. He was told to hang up his guitar and prepare for the inevitable. Instead, Glen and his wife Kim went public with his diagnosis and announced that he and his family would set out on a "Goodbye Tour." The film documents this amazing journey as he and his family attempt to navigate the wildly unpredictable nature of Glen's progressing disease using love, laughter and music as their medicine of choice. Special appearances include Bruce Springsteen, The Edge, Paul McCartney, Blake Shelton, Sheryl Crow, Keith Urban, Brad Paisley, Taylor Swift, Steve Martin, Chad Smith and Bill Clinton among many others. "We are honored to bring this portrait of Glen Campbell to American audiences," said said Joe Amodei of Virgil Films. "This great entertainer and his indelible music have been a part of so many lives for decades, we look forward to reminding everyone of what's so special about him." Keach added "the legacy Glen Campbell and his incredibly courageous family share in this film is one of the most important movies I have been blessed to have worked on. Glen Campbell...I'll Be Me will forever inspire me as a filmmaker and a man. Glen is a real life hero on and off the stage." MAY 2015 ARTICLE ON KIM & GLEN CAMPBELL FROM ABCNEWS.COM Glen Campbell's Life Living With Alzheimer's By Michael Rothman Glen Campbell is a Grammy-winning country music icon, but his wife Kim Campbell says one of the most important things the legend has done in his life is to "help remove the stigma of Alzheimer's disease." Glen was diagnosed with the disease in 2011, went public and embarked on a farewell tour with his family, including his wife and their three children -- Cal, Shannon and Ashley -- which ended in 2012. Kim said the experience touring with their father only brought the immediate family closer together and really shed light on the disease. "I'm so proud of the kids and the time we had on the road during the goodbye tour," she told ABC News. "It was such a gift to us to be able to celebrate his life. They learned so much from him ... not only as a musician, but as a human being." The tour was featured in the documentary "Glen Campbell…I’ll Be Me" and Kim said her daughter Ashley "actually wrote a song for her dad in the documentary called 'Remembering.' I'm hoping in the summer, it will be played on the radio, so we are excited about that. The documentary is uplifting and positive." That's the message Kim wants to spread. "A lot of people are afraid if it's Alzheimer's in the subject, it's going to be very depressing," she said. "It's something people have kept under the covers and felt like they needed to be discrete about, but it's a disease that affects 5.4 million people in the United States and almost every single family is touched with it, and it's nothing to be embarrassed about. People rally around you and want to give you all the support that's possible." For that reason, she has continued her husband's work of raising awareness for the disease, while he cannot. The Campbell family just celebrated Glen's 79th birthday on April 22, and Kim said "it was a really good day." "The kids and I went [to see him]," she said. "He was a little sleepy at first, but we brought him burgers and fries, his favorite food. Once he got up and moving around, he was just having a great day." Campbell is unable to communicate more than just a few, short sentences, but that doesn't stop him from cracking jokes. "He was communicating better than I've seen him in a long time that day," she said. "We were sitting there eating ice cream cake and he told the punch line to one of his jokes. Then, I told the set up for it. He just laughed and laughed and laughed." She continued, "He's still got his same twinkle in his eye ... he just has trouble communicating now and of course his memory. We had a great day filled with laughter, love and hugs ... you have to make the most out of each moment you have with him." With Campbell now in a long-term care facility since March of last year, the support community has helped Kim exponentially, as well as her husband. "It's really sad to be losing the one you love day by day, drip by drip, there's nothing you can do about it though. I go to bed depressed, I wake up depressed, but you have to tell yourself 'I have so much to be thankful for.' ... I'm visiting Glen everyday in the memory support community, I know all the other patients and their families, we are a community and I try to be a blessing to them everyday too." She continued, "I have been blessed with such a great family ... when the doctors advised me Glen would really benefit from being in a support community for people with cognitive issues, I tried it out and it made a big difference for his happiness and his well-being. We can't do anything about the disease, but we can try and make life as good as possible. It's helped me too with my depression, because now my support team is even bigger. That's given me the piece of mind to be able to go out and speak about it."

Chris Hardwick and Dave Yarovesky The Hive

Actor Chris Hardwick and filmmaker Dave Yarovesky both break free from Hollywood and have some fun with me talking about their new movie The Hive. Premiering this Monday Night. What? A new movie on a Monday? From the iHeart Radio Studio I'm Unplugged and Totally Uncut with Chris and Dave. Nerdist Presents: The Hive,’ a Fathom Premiere, Comes to Select U.S. Cinemas September 14 Fathom Events and Nerdist Industries Debut the Next Generation of Horror on the Big Screen for One Night From the producer of “Scream,” Cary Granat, Chris Hardwick’s Nerdist Industries, and musician/producer Steve Aoki, “Nerdist Presents: The Hive,” is a cross-genre sci-fi horror thriller set to turn the contagion genre on its head. “Nerdist Presents: The Hive,” a Fathom Premiere, will debut for a one-night event in select U.S. movie theaters on Monday, September 14 at 7:30 p.m. (local time). Directed by Dave Yarovesky, it features a soundtrack from Aoki, and stars Gabriel Basso (“Kings of Summer,” “Super 8”), Kathryn Prescott (MTV’s “Finding Carter,” “Skins”), Jacob Zachar (“Greek”) and Gabrielle Walsh (“Vampire Diaries,” “Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones”). Tickets for “Nerdist Presents: The Hive” can be purchased online by visiting www.FathomEvents.com, or at participating theater box offices. Fans throughout the U.S. will be able to enjoy the event in nearly 500 movie theaters through Fathom’s Digital Broadcast Network. For a complete list of theater locations visit the Fathom Events website . “Nerdist Presents: The Hive,” which “Guardians of the Galaxy” director James Gunn calls “The most horrifying love story ever!” taps into the anxiety and emotions of a post-online world to create a parable for the digital age. When Camp Yellow Jacket has fallen into chaos, teen counselor Adam wakes up in a boarded up cabin with no memory of who or where he is. His only clues as to what’s happening are the notes he’s scrawled for himself on the walls and the disturbing physical transformation he must overcome. The only memories he has aren’t his own, yet those memories may be the key to Adam’s survival. "The Hive is RIDICULOUSLY fun,” said Chris Hardwick, CEO of Nerdist Industries. “Yarvo has managed to tell a horror story in a fantastic new way that is super creepy and intimate, yet ultimately unfolds into a much larger movie. I'm so excited that we could help bring to the world! I just want people to be able to see it ASAP.” “Nerdist has created something truly innovative with this production,” Fathom Events CEO John Rubey said. “We are pleased to be a part of bringing Nerdist Industries’ first feature to the nation on the big screen.” “We’re excited to partner with Fathom Events to share this unique project with the world,” said Adam Rymer, president of Nerdist Industries and Legendary Digital Networks. “‘The Hive’ is sure to captivate audiences in an exhilarating and terrifying way.” View the trailer here: http://nerdist.com/start-screaming-with-the-first-trailer-for-nerdist-presents-the-hive/ More information is available at http://nerdist.com/tag/nerdist-presents-the-hive/