Friday, October 30, 2015

Matt Braunger

He grew up wanting to live in a cool city. Only to learn... after all these years Portland, Oregon has finally hit that lane of fame. But where's Matt at? Touring the country! From the iHeart Radio Studio I'm Unplugged and Totally Uncut with Matt Braunger. Fans recognize Matt as cast member on MADtv and his many other TV appearances including CONAN, NBC's UP ALL NIGHT, The Late Show with David Letterman, Comedy Central’s @midnight, Chelsea Lately, MARON and more. Matt's newest comedy special "Big Dumb Animal" is available on Netflix and offers Matt's absurdist take on anger problems, his overly nice hometown, a stressful Bingo win and more. He also hosts the popular "The Ding-Donger" podcast on Nerdist. A popular comedy actor, Matt’s additional TV credits include cast member of the popular TruTV series How to Be a Grown Up and appearances on The Pete Holmes Show, The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson. Garfunkel and Oates, Family Tree, The Michael J Fox Show, Happy Endings, HBO’s Family Tree, United States of Tara, Pushing Daisies, Carpoolers, and more. November 3rd: Funny Business at the Millroom, Asheville, NC November 4th: The Comedy Zone, Charlotte, NC November 5th: Motorco Music Hall, Durham, NC November 6th: Dead Crow Comedy, Wilmington, NC

David Jacobs Walking Among Us

Halloween Weekend. My conversations with the oddly shaped minds of strange beliefs based on facts continues. Now that water has been found on Mars. Do you believe aliens are among us? From the iHeart Radio Studio I'm Unplugged and Totally Uncut with one of the worlds leading experts. David Jacobs. “Walking Among Us is a chronicle of human experience that contradicts every current theory about the universe that we think we live in. Jacobs’ human observers have experienced a concealed reality that is literally next door to some of us, and that he believes is about to interact, secretly and insidiously, with the rest of us. Walking Among Us explains why extraterrestrial UFOs are here, who is aboard them, and what they are doing. To put it mildly, the evidence from the people that Jacobs has interviewed shows that the extraterrestrials are up to no good. You will find Walking Among Us hard to put down. If enough of us read and pay attention to the evidence in this book, we might be able to avoid the disaster that its evidence portends.” —Don C. Donderi, PhD, associate professor (retired) of psychology, McGill University, Montreal, author of UFOs, ETs, and Alien Abductions “David Jacobs has written an extremely important book about UFO abductees and the meaning of their abductions.” —Ron Westrum, PhD, emeritus professor of sociology, Eastern Michigan University In his 1998 book, The Threat, Jacobs uncovered disconcerting reports about aliens’ plans for the future of Earth. He reported that a “change” is coming; a future when very humanlike hybrids would intermingle with humans in everyday life. “Soon we will all be together,” the aliens said. “Soon everyone will be happy and everyone will know his place.” This book examines a disturbing phenomenon that Jacobs began noticing in 2003. The alien integration action plan has kicked into high gear. The incidents of alien abductions have accelerated as have occurrences of alien involvement in everyday human life. A silent and insidious invasion has begun. Alien hybrids have moved into your neighborhood and into your workplace. They have been trained by human abductees to “pass,” to blend in to society, to appear as normal as your next door neighbor. This book illustrates in detail the process of alien integration into society and the strategy and support structure that has been developed to make this happen seamlessly. While he is not certain why they are doing it, the final chapter of the book will provide some chilling possible answers as to why they are here and what they want to accomplish. Jacobs is a careful researcher who has investigated more than 1150 abduction events experienced by more than 150 abductees. This book focuses on the experiences of thirteen abductees. ARTICLE ON DAVID JACOBS FROM PHILLY.COM THE WAY David M. Jacobs sees it, aliens from outer space have been kidnapping humans for aeons and sexually molesting them to create human-alien hybrids that walk among us today undetected and will soon take over Earth. He knows that sounds crazy. But he long ago quit caring what people think of him. As director of the International Center for Abduction Research, Jacobs, 71, has made it his life's mission to investigate claims of extraterrestrial abduction. "What I'm doing will either be an interesting but nonessential footnote to popular culture or the most important thing that's ever happened to humankind. I see it as the latter," said Jacobs, who's now working on his fifth book. While most people might write off UFO believers as deluded, conspiracy-theorist kooks, Jacobs isn't your typical believer. He was a tenured professor at Temple University, where he taught American history for 36 years before retiring in 2011. He's a married father of two who lives in a picturesque, 134-year-old Victorian just over the Philadelphia line, in Wyndmoor. He makes his case with well-reasoned, articulate explanations and applies a scholarly approach to his research, which he has shared in four books - printed by well-known and academic publishers. Jacobs has interviewed about 150 people who say they've been abducted by aliens, the forgotten details of their cosmic kidnappings resurfacing in relaxation sessions the self-taught hypnotist does in his home. Citing public polls, he estimates that aliens have abducted more than a million Americans. He readily admits that the evidence of extraterrestrial life and body-snatching is "weak," muddied by an abundance of blurry photos and confabulation (phony or misinterpreted "memories"). Yet he insists evidence exists: * Abductees independently report similar experiences and recall common details, such as the humanlike or insectlike appearance of aliens and their mission to breed. Many abductees told Jacobs that aliens stared deeply into their eyes, sometimes touching foreheads, in a neurological scan that enabled them to harvest human sperm and eggs. Women frequently claimed that aliens impregnated them, removed the alien-human hybrid fetuses from their wombs and forced the women to nurse the hybrid babies. * People are physically absent during the time they say they were abducted, Jacobs said. Some families even have reported loved ones missing or seen them vanish, he added. * Abductees sometimes are taken in groups; strangers who never met on Earth recall each other from their deep-space experiences, Jacobs said. * People return with unusual marks, injuries or scars - including scar tissue that formed overnight, "a biological impossibility that I have seen myself," he said. His inconvenient truth For years, Jacobs shunned speaking locally about alien abductions. "I knew that it was embarrassing to the university," he said, remembering one Temple donor who threatened to end his charity unless Jacobs quit teaching his UFO class, the only one like it in the country. But he didn't quit. Still, his beliefs carried a cost: Tenured in 1981, he said he was twice rejected for promotion and never became a full professor at Temple. "I was not rewarded for my views," Jacobs said. "But you do not often find yourself in the middle of a phenomenon that allows you to make a contribution to something that could be of unsurpassing importance in human history." Jacobs is among a small but surprising array of well-known folks who reportedly believe in extraterrestrial life, including former U.S. presidents Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan, former astronauts Edgar Mitchell and Gordon Cooper, theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking and celebrities Mick Jagger, Dan Aykroyd, Muhammad Ali and William Shatner. On the skeptical side, critics aren't swayed by the big names. Even smart people can believe weird things, said Michael Shermer, founder and editor of Skeptic magazine and a Scientific American columnist. Shermer interviewed Jacobs for his weekly NPR show, shortly after Jacobs' 1999 book, The Threat, was published. Shermer said Jacobs "spoke like an academic" but that his beliefs are rooted in his "circular, impenetrable argument" that sneaky aliens have lulled skeptics into disbelief and complacency. William Hartmann, a senior scientist at the Arizona-based Planetary Science Institute, described Jacobs' methods as concerning: "Dr. Jacobs' website describes 'alien abduction' reports extracted under hypnosis, but my sense is that most of the scientific community gives little credence to reports coming from hypnosis," Hartmann said. Hartmann said he and other scientists examined "photo evidence" of UFOs as members of the U.S. Air Force's "Condon Committee" in the late 1960s. "I went in hoping to find real evidence of some extraordinary phenomena, but I came out feeling we had no convincing evidence we could take back to Congress or the USAF or public, and that the sociology of the UFO phenomenon was much more interesting than any actual physical evidence like the alleged photos," he said. The SETI Institute is a private, nonprofit science group based in California that searches for signs of extraterrestrial life. But a spokesman declined to comment on Jacobs or the possibility of aliens on Earth, saying that SETI hunts for signs of alien life in deep space, not here. Jacobs himself says he has never seen a UFO nor been abducted by aliens. "I've never been to Japan either, but that doesn't mean Japan doesn't exist," he said. He remains undaunted by skeptics. He has been a believer since he first began researching extraterrestrial life in 1970. As a college student, he read about aliens and UFOs "for R&R" - but became entranced when he thought: "This could be real," he said. At the University of Wisconsin-Madison, he switched his doctoral dissertation from the portrayal of women in pre-1915 films to the UFO controversy in America. He began focusing on alien abductions in the 1980s and vows to continue that research even as it terrifies him more each day. "I used to think it was the most amazing, wowee, gee-whiz thing," Jacobs said. "But the more I learn about it, the more I fear it, the more I don't want to have anything to do with it." That's because he suspects that aliens are intent upon planetary domination, as humans remain mired in ignorance and denial. "This is a clandestine phenomenon," Jacobs said. "There is one thing that I can say for sure: They don't want us to know what they're doing - because what they're doing benefits them and not us." ABOUT DAVID JACOBS David M. Jacobs is an American historian and recently retired associate professor of history at Temple University specializing in 20th-century American history and culture. Jacobs is also well known in the field of UFOlogy for his research and authoring of books on the subject of alien abductions.

Travis Barker Can I Say

Journey's that move forward. No matter what you've been put through in the past. The next step is always going to be another connection. From the iHeart Radio Studio I'm Unplugged and Totally Uncut with Blink 182's Travis Barker. Travis Barker’s soul-baring memoir CAN I SAY: Living Large, Cheating Death, and Drums, Drums, Drums (William Morrow; On Sale: 10/20/15) chronicles the highlights and lowlights of the renowned drummer’s art and his life, including the harrowing plane crash that nearly killed him and his traumatic road to recovery—a fascinating never-before-told-in-full story of personal reinvention grounded in musical salvation and fatherhood. After breaking out as the acclaimed drummer of the multiplatinum punk band Blink-182, everything changed for Travis Barker. But the dark side of rock stardom took its toll: his marriage, chronicled for an MTV reality show, fell apart. Constant touring concealed a serious drug addiction. A reckoning did not truly come until he was forced to face mortality: His life nearly ended in a horrifying plane crash, and then his close friend, collaborator, and fellow crash survivor DJ AM died of an overdose. In this blunt, driving memoir, Barker ruminates on rock stardom, fatherhood, death, loss, and redemption, sharing stories shaped by decades’ worth of hard-earned insights. His pulsating memoir is as energetic as his acclaimed beats. It brings to a close the first chapters of a well-lived life, inspiring readers to follow the rhythms of their own hearts and find meaning in their lives. ABOUT TRAVIS BARKER Described by Rolling Stone as “punk’s first superstar drummer,” TRAVIS BARKER is a musician, producer, and entrepreneur who rose to fame as the drummer for the influential punk-rock band Blink-182. With Blink-182, he has sold over thirty million albums. When the group reunited in 2009 after a six-year hiatus, over a million fans bought tickets. Barker has also performed as a frequent collaborator with artists including LL Cool J, Eminem, Lil Wayne, Slash, Mary J. Blige, Tom Morello, and Cypress Hill, establishing himself as one of the most prolific rock drummers in the world. Also an entrepreneur, Barker founded clothing company Famous Stars and Straps in 1999 and LaSalle Records in 2004. He lives in California and is currently working on his second solo album.

Thursday, October 29, 2015

Judah Friedlander If The Raindrops United

Creative people don't know how to turn off their imaginations. Then again... why should we turn it off? Once you open the gate... the destination is a blizzard white canvas of experiences. You know him from 39 Rock. You've seen him in comedy clubs around the country in on move screens. On iHeart Radio I'm Unplugged and Totally Uncut with Judah Friedlander. You know JUDAH FRIEDLANDER from his role as Frank Rossitano on 30 Rock as well as his roles in acclaimed films like Wet Hot American Summer, American Splendor, and The Wrestler. But long before he became a stand-up comic and actor, Friedlander drew stuff. His new book, IF THE RAINDROPS UNITED (Hachette Books) is a collection of hilarious and surprisingly profound drawings and comics that shows a new side of Friedlander’s comedy and marks a milestone in the career of one of America’s most inventive comedians. It is out and Judah will be on tour in support -dates below & tickets at judahfriedlander.com Hailed by Tina Fey as “one of the all-time great weirdos,” Judah’s drawings and cartoons push boundaries, exploring absurdities from American life and sex to history and human rights. Whether imagining George Washington in Las Vegas, plastic surgery for imperfect triangles, or the Keystone Pipeline as a sex act, Friedlander’s riotous drawings in IF THE RAINDROPS UNITED are laugh-out-loud funny, thought-provoking, and conversation-starting. IF THE RAINDROPS UNITED book preview & order page: http://judahfriedlander.com/if-the-raindrops-united/ Judah is likely most recognized for his role as the trucker-cap-wearing "Frank Rossitano" on 30 Rock. Of course, he has been a stand-up in NYC hitting stages almost nightly for years and he also has numerous additional TV and film roles including Zoolander, Meet the Parents, Letterman, Conan, Fallon and many more. Judah is also a champion ping-pong player and can be seen in all kinds of videos for Major League Soccer. His upcoming projects include a new comedy album and a stand-up documentary concert film. He will be a series regular on FOX’s 2016 primetime animated series Bordertown from executive producer Seth MacFarlane. JUDAH FRIEDLANDER ON TOUR 10/20 – NYC @ Village Underground, stand-up show *ticket includes book and show 10/21 – Brooklyn, NY @ Powerhouse Arena, 7pm Signing / Talk / Q&A 10/26 – Boston, MA @ Brattle Theater/Harvard Bookstore, Signing / Talk/ Q&A 10/29 - Madison, CT @ RJ Julia Independent Booksellers, 7pm Signing / Talk / Q&A 11/3 – Washington, DC @ DC Improv, stand up show *ticket includes book and show 11/4 – New Orleans, LA @ Tulane University, stand-up show 11/11 – LA, CA @ Hollywood Improv, stand-up show *ticket includes book and show 11/13 – LA, CA @ Skylight Books, Signing / Talk / Q&A 11/18 – Toronto, ON @ Comedy Bar, stand up shows at 8pm & 10pm 11/19-21 – Buffalo, NY @ Helium –stand up shows 11/30 – Washington, DC @ Politics & Prose Book Store, Signing / Talk / Q&A 12/2-5 - Philadelphia, PA @ Helium, stand-up shows “Judah has drawn a weird and funny book in the grand ‘70’s tradition of B. Kliban! I think this book will probably fix the world.”—Tina Fey “An exercise in brilliant efficiency. One of the funniest and most insightful books ever drawn.” —J.J. Abrams “Some people meditate. Some people masturbate. But if you don’t have the time or patience for either of those, I recommend reading If The Raindrops United to calm down, have a little laugh or a big think.”—Susan Sarandon “Judah’s drawings are deceptively simple, yet they become more compelling with every page. His talent as an actor/writer/comedian is further conveyed in ANOTHER medium. He’s a Quadruple Threat. He wears many hats. Literally.”—Janeane Garofalo “I’ve known Judah for many years and I still don’t understand how his mind works, but it sure works. Seriously strange. Seriously funny. A national treasure. Sadly, I need to get a restraining order against him.”
—Paul Giamatti “Underneath his World Champion hat, Judah Friedlander is the owner/operator of a wildly creative and thought-provoking brain.”
—Wyatt Cenac "Judah thank you for writing a funny twisted book. It is such an easy read. Even dum dums like me can enjoy it!!! Buy this book."
—Dave Attell Follow Judah online: www.judahfriedlander.com | www.facebook.com/JudahWorldChamp | @JudahWorldChamp

Ozzy Inguanzo Zombies On Film

They have outlasted a fad. They are now woven into the threads of our everyday. Zombies! But where did it begin? Wanna see the pictures. On iHeart Radio I'm Unplugged and Totally Uncut with Ozzy Inguanzo. Author Ozzy Inguanzo's insightful, witty, and informative text is complemented by more than 300 photographs, movie posters, and behind-the-scenes images spanning nine decades of classic films including Bela Lugosi's White Zombie (1932), George Romero's landmark Night of the Living Dead (1968), and Lucio Fulci's cult classic Zombie (1979), as well as offerings from blockbuster directors such as Peter Jackson's Dead Alive (1990), Zack Snyder's Dawn of the Dead (2004), and more recent entries like the breakthrough series The Walking Dead (2010) and the international sensation World War Z (2013). Expertly curated and filled with images spanning the breadth of cinematic history, ZOMBIES ON FILM is ideal for film fans, students, and pop culture junkies. ABOUT OZZY INGUANZO Ozzy Inguanzo is a writer and filmmaker whose work in the motion picture industry spans all facets of moviemaking, from development and production through post-production and marketing. His experience includes Sam Raimi's Spider-Man trilogy, Green Lantern (2011), Oz the Great and Powerful (2013), and Wolverine (2013). Ozzy's documentary Tomas Milian: Acting on Instinct (2013) is featured on the newly restored release of the Spaghetti Western cult classic The Big Gundown (1966). He is the author of Constructing Green Lantern: From Page to Screen (Universe, 2011). AUTHOR Arroe Collins Arroe Collins 261 followers FIND US ON FACEBOOK

Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Linda Godfrey American Monsters

I love Halloween. The vampires and monster writers come out of hiding. Who better to know about American Monsters than Linda Godfrey. We are Unplugged and Totally Uncut on iHeart Radio. From pre-Columbian legends to modern-day eyewitness accounts, this comprehensive guide covers the history, sightings and lore surrounding the most mysterious monsters in America—including Bigfoot, the Jersey Devil, and more. Bigfoot, the chupacabra, and thunderbirds aren’t just figments of our overactive imaginations—according to thousands of eyewitnesses, they exist, in every corner of the United States. Throughout America’s history, shocked onlookers have seen unbelievable creatures of every stripe—from sea serpents to apelike beings, giant bats to monkeymen—in every region. Author, investigator, and creature expert Linda S. Godfrey brings the same fearless reporting she lent to Real Wolfmen to this essential guide, using historical record, present-day news reports, and eyewitness interviews to examine this hidden menagerie of America’s homegrown beasts. LINDA’S “MONSTER” BLOG FROM THE HUFFINGTON POST There's no shame in being afraid of monsters. Who wouldn't quail at the thought of a sudden tete-a-tete with Bigfoot or a brush from the wing of a giant, flying reptile? Most people, though, believe these mysterious creatures exist only in nightmares or horror movies--until they spy a nine-foot tall, shaggy beast sprinting through their own yard or must swerve to avoid hitting a bat-winged, human-sized thing taking dead aim at their windshield. Unlikely as it may sound, a surprising number of credible, sober citizens of all ages and from every walk of life say they have encountered unknown creatures in parks, fields, lakes, highways and, yes, urban areas all over the Americas. As a former newspaper writer, I've been collecting and investigating such reports ever since my 1992 story "The Beast of Bray Road" about sightings of a werewolf-like creature in southeastern Wisconsin. I believed then that the witnesses were sincere, and I still believe the great majority of those who have contacted me since are doing their best to describe the indescribable. Some beasts seem more monstrous than others -- I'd sooner meet a merman than a Chupacabras -- but all exhibit fearsome features. I've called out seven apex terrifiers from American Monsters (Tarcher, $16.95): Batsquatch With furry, humanoid bodies, glowing red eyes and bat-wings wider than a pickup truck, they seem to enjoy swooping at passing vehicles and pedestrians. Reports are most numerous in the northwestern US, but Batsquatch has been spied in rural Wisconsin, West Virginia, Pennsylvania and even downtown Chicago. Some researchers believe it's an unknown, giant bat species, others have suggested its fly-bys are out-of-time appearances of a Sumerian demon-god named Pazuzu. The Flathead Lake Monster One of the busiest lake monsters in America, the 20-30 foot long creature that many say inhabits this 188-square mile Montana lake has made at least 102 appearances between 1899 and 2013. With a large, horse-like head and a row of undulating humps leaving a wake behind it, the giant eel-like creature has brushed up against swimmers and lurked near stranded boats. Two have been spotted together, so perhaps they are breeding! Goatman Some say they're heinous genetic experiments gone wrong, others believe they're forest spirits similar to ancient Greek satyrs or the old nature god, Pan. The horns, hooves and upright posture, however, are likely to conjure the word "devil" in the minds of contemporary witnesses. Many urban legends claim that the goatmen guard old roadways and even snack on unwary travelers (goats, after all, are said to eat anything). Although they're sighted in all parts of the country, one of the most famous of these Billy Goat Gruff legends comes from St. George's County, Maryland, where let's just say it's unforgivably unkind to stray pets. Ear-Eater of Jasper County Sometimes, the scariest creatures are the ones you don't see. An unseen monster terrorized citizens of Jasper County, Mississippi during a few tense weeks in 1977 as it preyed on their pork population. Whatever it was, it had jaws formidable enough to bite the head off a 50-pound hog. It also tried to decapitate a 300-pound sow but only managed to tear its ears away. The thing still effectively raided nine different farms. It left large canine tracks and was never caught, although one of a pack of smaller, feral dogs that accompanied or trailed it was shot by a sheriff's deputy. Where the ear eater went next is unknown. Wampus Cat Also dubbed the Doberman-lynx or dog-cat by various witnesses, this creature resembles a huge, unholy hybrid of canine and feline characteristics. People have reported being stalked by these creatures in the canyons around Los Angeles and in some states in southeastern U.S. A supporting Native American legend of a woman cursed for spying on a men's council meeting hints at mythic origins of these creatures. The woman was doomed to roam in the shape of a human-like, great cat and, according to the legends, still haunts many southern forests. Sasquatch Perhaps the best known of the world's "unknown" creatures, many eyewitnesses are loathe to call them monsters since they appear so human-like and seem to confine most of their aggression to throwing rocks and snapping branches. But their sheer size (often eight feet tall and weighing 500 pounds or more), evident intelligence and amazing ability to elude capture or camera can scare the bejabbers out of those who somehow provoke the creature's aggressive side. In a human vs Sasquatch cage fight, there's little question as to who would come out on top. Gator Man Maybe it's just our instinctive mammalian response to things with scales and gaping jaws, but fear of reptiles is a common human trait. Up the ante with a man-sized gator that stands upright and stealthily shadows the eyewitness (a la the croc that trailed Captain Hook in Peter Pan), and you have a beast that pushes all kinds of fear buttons, physical and psychological. Such a creature lurks in the St. John's River in eastern Florida, according to one eyewitness, who still wonders why he was "chosen." It's that eerie, inordinate interest the beasts show in humankind that I find most disturbing in these accounts. And although many people tell me that they're eager to spot a monster themselves, quite a few witnesses wish that they hadn't, and that they could unsee it. The creatures, in the meantime, seem content to leave us wondering whether they're some elusive part of the natural world or an Otherworldly puzzle that will never be solved. Scare on. ABOUT LINDA GODFREY Author, investigator and artist Linda Godfrey is the author of 16 books on strange creatures, phenomena and people. She’s a frequent guest on national TV and radio shows, including Monsterquest (Seasons 1 and 4), Lost Tapes, Monsters and Mysteries, Sean Hannity’s America, Inside Edition, Coast to Coast AM, NPR, Wis. Public Radio and many more. She lives in the Kettle Moraine area of SE Wisconsin with her husband and monster dog, Grendel. Other books include Real Wolfmen: True Encounters in Modern America (Tarcher/Penguin, August 2012) as well as Weird Wisconsin and Weird Michigan in the B&N Weird US series, sequels Strange Wisconsin and Strange Michigan (Trails Books)

Count Domenick Dicce

It's not everyday that someone asks, "Do you want to talk with a vampire?" Wow! I've shared conversation with Larry King, Paul Stanley, Joe Perry and Tom Arnold. Why not break bread with a vampire? From the iHeart Radio Studio I'm Unplugged and Totally Uncut with Count Domenick Dicce. Have you ever wondered what kind of problems you would have if you were turned into a vampire? In “Count” Domenick Dicce’s unique spin on the monster survival guide, YOU’RE A VAMPIRE – THAT SUCKS!: A Survival Guide (Tarcher|Penguin Paperback; ISBN 9780399175886; On Sale October 13, 2015; $12.95), you’ll learn just what it’s like to be the one dodging wooden stakes rather than wielding them. “Count” Dicce’s exhaustive guide includes tips, tricks, and trade secrets on how to cope with your new existence, such as: • Understanding the vampire food pyramid • Creating a nest egg for eternity • Navigating your new vampire powers • Coffin selection • Recipes to die for Told from the first-person perspective of “Count” Dicce, YOU’RE A VAMPIRE – THAT SUCKS! arrives just in time for Halloween, when many of us discover that our lackluster fitness routine has allowed us to become an easy target, subject to an eternal transformation for which we are ill-prepared. Being bitten by and turned into a vampire isn’t the glitz and glamor that Hollywood makes it out to be. In fact, one out of five newly turned vampires will succumb to a slew of easily avoidable and common pitfalls within their first few months as a nightwalker—tempting garlic-laced Italian food and silver jewelry are only a few of the things that will have to go. ABOUT “COUNT” DOMENICK DICCE When Domenick discovered you could get paid for pretending to be a Ghostbuster, a Jedi or superhero, he knew acting was the career for him. It was watching the outrageously hilarious characters on Saturday Night Live that helped him shape the type of actor he wanted to become. Always on the lookout for ways to satisfy his intense desire to act, he began writing short YouTube sketches. These videos would unlock his love of writing. In addition to writing scripts, he began to create novels and short stories. Once again, he found himself drawn toward the more comedic characters and stories. Basically, he’s an actor, writer and all-around creator of fun. This is his first book.

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Sean Smith author of Kim

So much has been written about Kim Kardashian. The slight mention of her name either creates great conversation or sneers. Who and what is she? Is she the product of marketing? Is there truly a life being lived or is this a game played out by the media and social networking? From the iHeart Radio Studio I'm Unplugged and Totally Uncut with the author of Kim. Sean Smith. For today’s generation, fame has been defined by one person more than anyone else. People have grown up knowing incredible details about her childhood, her family, her turbulent love life and the multi-millionaire lifestyle. But bestselling author Sean Smith goes into incredible detail not just about Kim Kardashian West, but how she’s changed and shaped our culture and where her fame is taking her. In KIM KARDASHIAN (William Morrow/Dey Street Books; October 20, 2015; $26.99) Kim Kardashian West is a thoroughly modern woman. She enjoyed a privileged upbringing in a Beverley Hills mansion and, ironically, her childhood ambition was to appear in the long-running reality series The Real World. Instead she became the star of Keeping Up With the Kardashians while her own life story read like an X-rated version of Dynasty…murder, elopement, domestic violence, sex tape, quickie divorce, churchgoing and unbelievably glamorous designer dresses. Now married to one of the biggest stars on the planet, Kanye West, she has begun her own dynasty with the birth of daughter, North, and another baby on the way. “If everybody could do what Kim Kardashian does then we would all be multi-millionaires,” Smith says. “I was eager to find out how a woman described to me as ‘low maintenance and undemanding’ could become a worldwide superstar. The general public can’t take their eyes off her for a moment.” In a world that follows her every move, Sean Smith uncovers what it took to get her to the top and how she intends to stay there. He researched her family background extensively and analyzes what he may have thought of her fame. He analyzes her fashion sense, where even her missteps are brave. And he takes readers into the world of pornography, explaining the business of her sex tape and Joe Francis. From her fabulous fashion-sense and her world-famous physique, to her devotion to her family and her reaction to her stepparent’s transition from Bruce Jenner to Caitlyn Jenner, this is the truth behind the undisputed Queen of Celebrity—the real story of Kim Kardashian. “Critics and Kim-haters enjoy putting her down because they don’t understand that the world is changing,” Smith says. “Social media puts you in the room with someone. Kim is a master of this, even though it is an astutely cultivated image…making the extraordinary appear ordinary.” KIM KARDASHIAN is anything but ordinary. ABOUT SEAN SMITH Sean Smith is the UK’s leading celebrity biographer and the author of five Sunday Times bestsellers, with his titles being translated throughout the world. Described by the Independent as a “fearless chronicler”, he specializes in meticulous research, going on the road to find the real person behind the star image. He lives in the UK.

Johanna Basford

How willing are you? Imagine creating a coloring book. Not the type you grew up spreading an array of rainbows through and across the lines. But an adult coloring book that turns the passerby into a brilliant artist. Opening millions of imaginations around the world is the creator of these black and white lines that just so happen to take shape. From the iHeart Radio Studio I'm Unplugged and Totally Uncut with Johanna Basford. Since its release in spring 2013, Secret Garden has sold approximately 8 million copies worldwide and has been published in 40 foreign editions. Her follow-up, Enchanted Forest, is following a similar path with approximately 2.5 million copies sold worldwide and 33 foreign editions since it came out in February. With LOST OCEAN, Basford’s first foray into the underwater realm, she invites coloring enthusiasts of all ages to discover an enchanting world hidden in the depths of the sea. Through intricate pen and ink illustrations to color and embellish, readers meet shoals of exotic fish, curious octopi, and delicately penned seahorses. Basford’s unique and beautiful books are spurring on an adult coloring movement that shows no signs of flagging. Basford’s intricate drawings invite you to lose yourself in a whirlpool of ink, to let your creativity flow and pleasantly de-stress. She received inspiration for her newest setting from her parents, both marine biologists, and plenty of childhood weekends spent on research vessels and visiting scientific aquariums. As a child, Johanna loved exploring rock pools and discovering what creatures and curiosities they were home to. These days she’s taken this sense of curiosity beneath the waves and enjoys snorkeling and scuba diving when temperature and tide permits. Johanna Basford is an illustrator and ink evangelist who prefers pens and pencils to pixels. Her intricate, hand-drawn illustrations are loved the world over by those who have colored in (sometimes more than once) her previous bestselling books, Secret Garden and Enchanted Forest. Johanna is a graduate of Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Desi

Friday, October 23, 2015

Austin Kleon

I don't hide the fact that I write everyday. I believe everybody should. It opens your creative flow far better than a triple sized can of Red Bull. But how do you gain the confidence? Should you fear? What if you can't be original? From the iHeart Radio Studio I'm Unplugged and Totally Uncut with Austin Kleon.

Mariam Pare

Imagine being a 20 year old student of art. You're caught in the crossfire of gang violence. Everything that once filled a canvas with color was gone. Do you give up? This girl began putting the paint brush in her mouth.... from the iHeart Radio Studio I'm Unplugged and Totally Uncut with Mariam Pare.

Marty Balin

One of the most distinctive voices in Classic Rock history. Not just vocally but through his fingers his guitar expresses a language that has shaped three generations. From the iHeart Radio Studio I'm Unplugged and Totally Uncut with Marty Ballin from Jefferson Airplane and Starship. Michelangelo claimed that he did not create a sculpture. Rather, the form was contained within the block of marble; he merely removed the excess, revealing the work of art. “I feel the same way about music, and about all the projects I’m involved in. The projects do themselves; the music comes through me.” The same vision Marty had when he launched the Jefferson Airplane is present today. In fact, nearly everything he has worked on over the years has been fueled with his vision of art and music as vehicles for expressing a positive message. “I still have the same attitude. “I still love the positive, uplifting songs, and I believe in songs with those qualities. I believe that music can help change the world for the better.” Born Martyn Jerel Buchwald in Cincinnati, Ohio, on January 30, 1942, Marty was raised in the San Francisco Bay Area by parents Joe and Jean Buchwald. Joe became an important part in the 60s San Francisco music scene. As a lithographer, he was responsible for printing more than 200 different posters for shows at famous clubs like the Matrix, the Fillmore and Avalon Ballrooms. Jean started and kept the Jefferson Airplane scrap books featuring many of the photos and newspaper clippings that are exclusive to this site. Growing up, Marty was always involved in art, music and dance. He attended San Francisco State University; initially pursuing a career as a painter. After appearing in a production of West Side Story, Balin turned to music with the encouragement of his good friend Ralph’s brother, Johnny Mathis. In 1962 Marty renamed himself Marty Balin and began recording with Challenge Records, releasing the singles “Nobody But You” and “I Specialize in Love”. Balin was the lead for the folk music quartet called The Town Criers, followed by a brief stint with the Gateway Singers in 1965. Ultimately Marty wanted to electrify the folk sound. “I wanted to play with electric guitars and drums, but when I mentioned that notion in clubs that I played, the owners would say, “We wouldn’t have you play here, not with drums and electricity. This is a folk club. So I decided to open my own club.” Balin opened the Matrix night club on August 13th 1965 featuring his new band Jefferson Airplane. The Grateful Dead, The Doors, Janis Joplin/Big Brother and The holding Company and Steve Miller are but a few other iconic Rock bands who performed at the Matrix. “Marty was the one who started the San Francisco scene”, says Bill Thompson, Balin’s roommate back in the mid-’60s and former manager of both the Jefferson Airplane and Jefferson Starship. “Back in those days Marty was quite the businessman” said Paul Kantner. “He was the leader of the band on that level. He was the one who pushed us to do all the business stuff, orchestrating, thinking ahead, looking for managers and club opportunities. He was very good at it”. The Jefferson Airplane, initially a folk-rock venture, came to epitomize the psychedelic scene, scoring a gold record with their 1967 second album, Surrealistic Pillow. Balin’s soulful tenor proved a pivotal element of their sound. He also wrote key compositions including “It’s No Secret” “Today,” “Comin’ Back To Me” “Plastic Fantastic Lover” “Share a Little Joke,” and “Volunteers.” “In my formative rock days, Bill Graham was my manager, and you couldn’t have a better teacher.” – Marty Balin At the end of 1978, after contributing several major hits including “Miracles,” “With Your Love,” “Count on Me,” and “Runaway” with Jefferson Starship, Marty left the band. In 1981, he released his first solo album, Balin, featuring two Top 40 hits. “Hearts” and “Atlanta Lady.” This was followed in 1983 by a second solo album. Lucky, along with a Japanese-only EP called “There’s No Shoulder.” After touring the world, Marty came home to San Francisco in 1984. 1989 a reunion album and tour with Jefferson Airplane followed. The people who saw the live shows saw the real Airplane. We did not let down the legend.” In 1993, Marty reunited with Paul Kantner in Jefferson Starship – The Next Generation, and in 1997 he recorded a fourth solo album, Freedom Flight. Followed in 1999 by Jefferson Starship’s Windows of Heaven. Also that same year Marty recorded the cover album Marty Balin’s Greatest Hits with guitarist Mark “Slick” Aguilar. Marty, who is also an accomplished painter, entered the new millennium painting and exhibiting his work at various art galleries. He continued touring on and off with Jefferson Starship and released five albums of his own: Nashville Sessions, Mercy of The Moon, Nothin’ 2 Lose, Time For Every Season, and Blue Highway . All available for purchase on this site. 2010 came with a rockin’ start with the recording of the 2011 release album, The Witcher. Marty continues to tour around the world performing his classic hits as well as his new songs, soon to be released on his latest album. Marty lives for the powerful exchange of energy between himself and his audience.

Charlotte Rae The Facts Of My Life

Comedy has a source. Most comedians let you inside. Some still hide. This actress comedian tried very hard to get television writers to bring reality to the shows that still make you laugh. But something was truly fueling the laughter and it wasn't too funny to the maker. From the iHeart Radio Studio I'm Unplugged and Totally Uncut with Charlotte Rae. Actress and singer Charlotte Rae was born Charlotte Rae Lubotsky in Milwaukee, WI. The two-time EMMY nominated actress would be loved by generations of television fans, but Rae initially found success as a nightclub performer and theatrical actress. Rae fine-tuned her skills at the prestigious Northwestern University before becoming a regular in summer stock productions. She found work on television and radio programs showcasing her voice and comedic chops, until she tackled New York City. She made her Broadway debut in the musical comedy “Three Wishes for Jamie,” then appeared with Bea Arthur and John Astin in a revival of Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill's “Threepenny Opera.” She went on to originate the role of Mammy Yokum in the musical “Lil' Abner,” based on the popular comic strip. In addition to recording albums and musical theater, Rae landed many television guest spots on the “United States Steel Hour,” “The Phil Silvers Show,” and “Play of the Week.” In 1961, Rae became a series regular on the police comedy, “Car 54, Where Are You?” Before the show even ended, she was back on Broadway in “The Beauty Part,” with Alice Ghostley and Bert Lahr. Rae earned her first Tony Award nomination for her work on the original musical “Pickwick” and garnered another nomination for her role in “Morning, Noon, and Night.” It was the role of Edna Garrett on “Diff'rent Strokes” and later her own spin off entitled “The Facts of Life,” that made Rae a household name and TV Icon. "I still meet people who just want me to put my arms around them and give them a hug," Rae later told “Entertainment Weekly” with regard to the characters popularity. Today Rae continues to work on television and in the theater, most recently appearing opposite multiple Oscar winner, Meryl Streep in “Ricki and the Flash.” She has appeared on the sitcom “King of Queens” and the dramatic series “Strong Medicine.” In 2006, Rae appeared in a Los Angeles production of “70, Girls, 70” with Olympia Dukakis.

John Fogerty Fortunate Son

The most talked about era in music will forever be the days Classic Rock was given its place on the radio. Helping to shape it was a California born kid passionately in love with the R&B sounds of the South. From the iHeart Radio Studio I'm Unplugged and Totally Uncut with John Fogerty. An exclusive intimate, ‘one-of-a-kind’, evening will take place on Monday, October 12th at LA’s famed Troubadour in West Hollywood (tickets on-sale Friday, September 18 @ 10amPT). Celebrating the October 6th release of JOHN FOGERTY’s memoir, FORTUNATE SON: My Life, My Music, FOGERTY will be joined by longtime friend and American rock icon, George Thorogood. Billed as “An Evening In Conversation with John Fogerty” the event will feature an intimate Q&A session with “Bad to the Bone” George Thorogood interviewing FOGERTY about his life and the events detailed in this exciting memoir. “I spent many, many hours reflecting and writing about the details of my life, from childhood dreams, the passion behind my music, all leading up to my life today,” says Fogerty. “ I am very excited to have my fans read and share in my story. It hasn’t been easy, but where it leads certainly has been worth it all.” Creedence Clearwater Revival is one of the most important and beloved bands in the history of Rock ‘n Roll, and JOHN FOGERTY’s memoir tells a story that will keep music lovers and avid readers captivated. FOGERTY wrote, sang, and produced the iconic classics "Born on the Bayou," "Proud Mary," "Bad Moon Rising," and so many more. Now he reveals how he brought CCR to the top of the charts and how, one year later, CCR was falling apart. Their amazing talents and culturally-prophetic songs, however, have endured for decades despite the series of personal and legal issues. FORTUNATE SON takes readers from FOGERTY’s Northern California roots, through Creedence's success, his retreat from music and public life, to FOGERTY’s hard-won revival as a solo artist who finally, through it all, found love. FOGERTY was songwriter, lead singer, and lead guitarist for Creedence Clearwater Revival and is one of rock's most influential musicians and writers. FOGERTY has been named one of the 100 Greatest Songwriters (No. 40), 100 Greatest Guitarists (No. 40) and one of the 100 Greatest Singers (No. 72), by Rolling Stone and his most recent album was named one of RS's 10 Best Albums of 2013. FOGERTY has earned induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Songwriters Hall of Fame and now adds respected author to his accolades. John Fogerty will also be making the following additional appearances in New York and Los Angeles: New York: •Tuesday, October 6th, 2015 - 8:15 PM – Fogerty in Conversation at the 92nd St Y - Buttenwiser Hall at 1395 Lexington Avenue at 92nd street, New York, NY –LINK TO TICKETS/INFORMATION •Thursday - October 08, 2015 - 1:00 PM – SIGNING ONLY - Barnes and Noble 5th Avenue - 555 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10017 – LINK TO TICKETS/INFORMATION Los Angeles: • Monday, October 12, 2015 – 8:00 pm – Fogerty in Conversation - the Troubadour - 9081 Santa Monica Blvd. – West Hollywood, CA 90069 – LINK TO INFORMATION •Tuesday - October 13, 2015 - 7:00 pm – Fogerty in Conversation - Barnes & Noble The Grove - 189 The Grove Drive Unit K-30, Los Angeles, CA 90036 –LINK TO TICKETS/INFORMATION •Friday - October 16, 2015 - 8:00 pm – Fogerty in Conversation - Live Talks LA - the Grammy Museum Clive Davis Theater- 800 W Olympic Blvd Los Angeles, CA –LINK TO TICKETS/INFORMATION Check John Fogerty’s website for breaking news, new content and tour information: http://www.johnfogerty.com/

Thursday, October 22, 2015

Rosemary Gladstar Medicinal Herbs

Now that Fall has lifted its voice and gifted us with allergies. The first step is to hit the drug store and load up on man made chemicals. There are easier and less expensive alternatives. From the iHeart Radio Studio I'm Unplugged and Totally Uncut with Rosemary Gladstar. Spending hours in the cough & cold aisle of your local pharmacy, wondering what the difference is between a suppressant, an expectorant, and a decongestant, only to get home, dose yourself, and realize you just spent twelve bucks on something for a stuffy nose when you have a runny one? With so many brands, so many variations by the same brand, and so many scary stories of pharmacological side effects, it’s almost impossible to leave a drug store feeling confident about what you inevitably just paid too much money for. This is only one of the reasons why more and more people are returning to the ancient healing art of herbalism, and there is no better instructor in the practice of simple, safe, and effective natural medicine than ROSEMARY GLADSTAR. One of the most trusted and well-respected herbalists of her time – known as the godmother of modern herbalism – Gladstar demonstrates how easy it is to make safe, all-natural, low-cost healing remedies for common ailments in her new book, Rosemary Gladstar’s Medicinal Herbs: A Beginner’s Guide. Ideal for those embarking on an organic lifestyle or seeking to take better control of their health, Rosemary Gladstar’s Medicinal Herbs documents how to grow, harvest, prepare, and use 33 of the most common and versatile healing plants. Easy-to-follow recipes produce such remedies as aloe lotion for poison ivy, dandelion-burdock tincture for sluggish digestion, and lavender-lemon balm tea for stress relief. With full-color photographs and step-by-step instructions for drying, preserving, and incorporating these herbs in teas, salves, syrups, tinctures, oils, liniments, and even pills and capsules, Gladstar introduces the fundamentals in a straightforward manner, enabling anyone to take a gentler, less expensive approach to managing everyday, non-emergency health problems in the home. Rosemary will discuss: •Tell us a little bit about herbal medicine. What is it? Who should use it? Is herbal or natural medicine better than going to the doctor? •Cold and flu season is coming up – if we don’t pick up a packet of TheraFlu at the pharmacy, what should we do instead? •And what about all the stress and anxiety and general craziness that we experience during the holidays? Are there natural methods for coping? Stress reduction or even ways to help keep our energy up? •What are your favorite herbs for this time of year? Your favorite recipes? •How hard or easy is it to make our own remedies? Where do we get ingredients? Is this something that anyone can do? •What about side effects? •Does it really work? What would you say to the skeptics? •What’s the difference between taking vitamins and supplements you can buy at the pharmacy and using herbs and crafting medicines? •What advice would you give someone if they were considering trying an herbal remedy? •What is the best way for someone to learn more about herbalism and natural healing? About the author: Author bio: Rosemary Gladstar has been studying and teaching about herbs for more than 40 years. She is an educator, activist, and entrepreneur, serving as director of Sage Mountain Herbal Retreat Center, the International Herb Symposium, and the Women’s Herbal Conference. Gladstar is founding president of United Plant Savers, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the conservation and preservation of native American herbs. She was the original formulator for Traditional Medicinal Herbal Teas and currently leads herbal educational adventures around the world. She is the author of many books, including Rosemary Gladstar’s Medicinal Herbs: A Beginner’s Guide and Rosemary Gladstar’s Herbal Remedies for Vibrant Health, as well as Herbal Healing for Women, Herbs for Common Ailments, Herbs for Stress & Anxiety, Herbs for Children’s Health, and Herbs for Men’s Health. She lives in East Barre, Vermont.

The Rebel In Ricky Rebel

Discovered by Michael Jackson. Signed to a recording contract by Madonna. Toured with Britney Spears. From the iHeart Radio Studio I'm Unplugged and Totally Uncut with Ricky Rebel. In 1997, recording artist Ricky G. burst on the music scene as the lead vocalist of the boy-band No Authority who later toured with 98 Degrees, Destiny’s Child, Aaron Carter, Ashlee and Jessica Simpson among others. Rodney Jerkins (Whitney Houston, Jennifer Lopez, Britney Spears) produced their first album, “Keep On”, and Michael Jackson signed the band to his own MJJ Music custom-label at Sony. In 2000, they signed with Madonna’s Maverick label to release their namesake album. The album reached #18 on the Billboard Heatseekers Albums chart. Their signature hit, “Can I Get Your Number” peaked at #33 on the Billboard Top 40 chart while “I’m Telling You This” appeared on “The Rugrats in Paris” soundtrack. The band then embarked on tour with Britney Spears. Following the break-up of No Authority, Ricky became the lead vocalist of Harlow from 2004-2009 during which time he released "Unstoppable" (2005), mixed and engineered by Jay Baumgardner at NRG Studios and produced by Grammy-winning producer Randy Cantor (Ricky Martin). Ricky also leant his voice to films including “Apollo 13” starring Tom Hanks, “Anywhere But Here” starring Susan Sarandon and Natalie Portman and the “Anastasia” soundtrack. In addition, he appeared on episodes of “American Dreams”, “Boston Public”, “Audrina” (Vh1) and starred in Debbie Allen’s ballet, “Pepito’s Story” that opened at the Kennedy Center in New York City. NOW Ricky G. became Ricky Rebel and embarked on a solo career after My Chemical Romance invited him to co-star in their “NA NA NA” and “Sing” videos. In 2012, he won the Artist of the Year at the RAWards and released the “Manipulator” album featuring the hits “Geisha Dance”, “Get It On”, “You Need a Woman” and the title track. MTV’s “Good Vibes” also featured music from the album. In 2013, “Geisha Dance” spent ten weeks on the Mediabase Chart, the chart that powers “On Air with Ryan Seacrest”. Now, Ricky takes to the stage with band members Alyson Montez, a Grammy-winning violinist, and drummer Robert Platz, with his new release, “The Blue Album” mixed by Claudio Cueni (JLo) with remixes for the “Star” single by world-renowned DJs Hector Fonseca (15 Billboard number-one hits for artists including Beyonce, Katy Perry, Sia), Casey Alva (Billboard number-one hit for Erika Jayne) and Tommy Love. In addition, Ricky recently played with Grammy-winners Mya and Colbie Caillat, The Psychedelic Furs and is also a fashion contributor to Us Weekly (Circulation 2,000,000).

Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Hal Johnson Fearsome Creatures Of The Lumberwoods

Tis the season to scare the creepers out of the little people. The days are shorter and the nights come with shadows. The pages in this haunting collection of ghoulish stories glow in the dark!!!! You know I had to test it out for myself. From the iHeart Radio Studio I'm Unplugged and Totally Uncut with Hal Johnson. Beware!! In FEARSOME CREATURES OF THE LUMBERWOODS: 20 Chilling Tales from the Wilderness (Workman; September 2015; $14.95), author Hal Johnson introduces readers (ages 9 to 12) to the scariest and most supernatural beasts in American folklore, brought to life by the wonderfully creepy illustrations of Tom Mead. Hodags and hugags, squonks and wapaloosim, wassets and whintossers—when you venture into the wilderness, there’s no telling what horrors you may meet. So it’s best to come prepared. Through the voice of an unnamed cryptozoolologist with dubious ethics, Johnson leads his readers on a whirlwind adventure through the North American wilderness, from the swamps of Florida to the Mohave Desert to the Michigan woods to the snow drifts of Canada. Each chapter is illustrated in ghastly detail, some with glow-in-the-dark ink, making the book perfect for under-the-covers reading. These are the stories kids love—spooky, fantastical, gripping, gory, and surprisingly cheeky. •The acropelter of the north, the multi-elbowed, long-armed relative of the baboon that pelts its victims from above before tearing off their arms and attaching them to his own. •The roperite of the Mojave Desert, whose beak doubles as a noose. If they’re lucky, its prey are strangled immediately. If not, the roperite will drag them halfway across the desert. •Perhaps scariest of all is the snow wasset, which lurks beneath the Canadian snow, waiting to burst through the surface to snatch at its unsuspecting prey. Fans of R.L. Stine and Neil Gaiman will relish these tales, expertly spun by Johnson in a style that is as witty as it is macabre. FEARSOME CREATURES OF THE LUMBERWOODS is perfect for campfire storytelling, Halloween reading, or anybody staying up past their bedtime. A mix between Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, FEARSOME CREATURES OF THE LUMBERWOODS is a surefire hit for middle grade readers and parents alike. About the Author: Hal Johnson is the author of Immortal Lycanthropes. He reads a lot, plays Dungeons & Dragons, rides a bicycle, collects comic books, and lives with his wife in Queens.

Phil Collen Adrenalized Life

He's one of the greatest guitarists of our times. But what was it about Jimmy Page that forced the members of his band to keep from being focused on indifference? From the iHeart Radio Studio I'm Unplugged and Totally Uncut with Def Leppard's Phil Collen. In the mid-1980s, Def Leppard catapulted to rock n’ roll superstardom with their blockbuster album Pyromania – until tragedy threatened to put a quick end to their rocket ascent. Now lead guitarist Phil Collen reveals the truth behind the mythology of the band with his memoir ADRENALIZED: LIFE, DEF LEPPARD AND BEYOND (Atria Books; October 27, 2015/ ISBN 9781476751658/ $26.00), setting the record straight in a ‘no holds barred’ life story populated with the biggest names in music history. A voyeuristic peek into the inner-sanctum of Phil Collen, ADRENALIZED is more than the usual cautionary tale where Collen – an unlikely rock star from the start -- offers an inspirational portrait of self-discipline and human resilience. Phil Collen’s story is one of contradictions-rock n’ roll excess clashing with working class values. He was born in 1957 in working class Hackney, a borough of East London. His mother would tell him stories of how she survived the Blitz of World War II. Together his loving parents and grandmother instilled the values of frugality and the benefits of hard, honest work ethics. It was a neighborhood ethos: “We were the working class Blitz kids that were now having handed down to us that same strength and fortitude that helped our families survive.” Despite Phil’s practical upbringing, The Beatles and David Bowie ignited dreams of a music career. By the time he was a teenager and saw Deep Purple live in concert, his path was set: “Many professional musicians will reflect upon a specific time when they saw their future, their destiny, their fate, all converge in one spectacular and explosive moment. This was mine.” Phil got his first guitar, a red Gibson SG, on his sixteenth birthday. At age 21 he answered an ad in Melody Maker magazine for a glam rock band called Girl. Bandmate Phil Lewis was dating movie star Britt Ekland, and with her connections they landed a deal with Jet Records, owned by Sharon Osbourne’s legendary father, Don Arden. At the 1980 Reading Festival, Phil caught the attention of another performing band: Def Leppard, whose lineup included singer Joe Elliot, guitarist Steve Clark, drummer Rick Allen, bassist Rick Savage, and guitarist Pete Willis. The boys became friends. Pete was eventually replaced by Phil and the rest, as they say, is history. Now playing with an established band with two solid albums behind them and mega producer Mutt Lange (AC/DC, Foreigner) at the helm, Phil was poised for stardom. From the start, Def Leppard’s work ethic was a perfect fit with Phil’s ambitious drive. “I noticed right upfront that Def Leppard was different from other bands I had been in. This was a band that had a working class focus on making the best records and creating the best live performances as possible.” When Pyromania was released in January 1983, during the dawn of the video age and MTV, it went ballistic selling 100,000 copies a week. The band seemed unstoppable. And then disaster struck: drummer Rick Allen lost his arm in a car accident. It was unthinkable that he would ever drum again – until Mutt Lange convinced him otherwise. Miraculously, Rick recovered and played on their next album Hysteria. But the band suffered another blow while recording the album Adrenalize: the death of Steve Clark. The next hurdle came courtesy of the music industry itself: Phil recalls, “When I watched Nirvana from the wings at the 1992 MTV Music Video Awards, they blew me away. […] Unfortunately, their ascension only meant the worst for us.” The cultural landscape had changed, and by the time Adrenalized was released, it seemed outdated and completely out of touch. Against all odds, Phil Collen kept himself together. After blacking out during drinking binges on the Pyromania tour, he got clean and embraced exercise– and people were starting to notice. People would say to me [it’s not rock and roll of you to be in great shape.] I would counter with, “But rock and roll is about going against the grain and doing things different.” On “Gunter Glieben Glauesen Gloeben” from their hit Rock of Ages he writes: “Just to clarify some age-old rumors here, that’s (producer) Mutt Lange doing a mock German/Swedish accent and talking gibberish, as a colorful substitution for his usual ‘One, Two, Three, Four.’ The words mean absolutely nothing.” On what made “Pour Some Sugar on Me” take off: “Apparently, radio stations in Florida started getting lots of requests from strippers who were dancing in a frenzy around pole to ‘Sugar,’ their newest anthem,” he writes. On the then revolutionary idea of performing in the round: “Now, the only thing was, how do you get the band to the stage? The stage itself had no facilities for changing rooms or anything,” writes lighting designer Phay MacMahon. “After the opening band, Queensryche, finished up, we would drop the curtains to hide the stage. Then we had these big things that look like laundry baskets to help cart off Queensryche’s gear. What we would do shortly before it was time for Def Leppard to take the stage, was to put the guys in these baskets, cover them up and then secretly wheel them to the stage.” Most poignantly, he captures a moment in time in the music industry that is gone forever: “We actually had been allowed to invest the time and money to find an identifiable sound. We never knew that one day in the future, bands and artists would not have the luxury to be nurtured towards reaching their full potential.” Featuring never-before-seen photos of Phil Collen onstage and off, ADRENALIZED is an indelible chronicle of triumph over tragedy. It’s an intimate story of one starry-eyed kid chasing his dream come true -- and his discovery that the ultimate hero in life is the one he became for himself.

Jon Reep The Bushy Beard Tour

Performing tonight through Saturday at Charlotte's Comedy Zone. Jon Reep returns to the closest place to Hickory. And what does he walk into but another John. Having the last name Fogerty kinda sorta meant the funny man from the south had some down time. But wow! Did it every ignite some great conversation in the steps ahead. From the iHeart Radio Studio I'm Unplugged and Totally Uncut with Jon Reep.

Tuesday, October 20, 2015

Sean MaGuire from Once Upon A Time

ABC has always been the network that enjoys putting a twist on old mythical pieces of childhood teachings. Once Upon A Time is back for its 5th season and we thought it was time to talk to Robin Hood. From the iHeart Radio Studio I'm Unplugged and Totally Uncut with Sean MaGuire. Charismatic television and film actor Sean Maguire stars as Robin Hood on ABC’s critically acclaimed series “Once Upon a Time.” Currently in its fifth season, the series brings a modern element to old fairytales such as Snow White, Red Riding Hood among many others. Set in the mysterious, mythical town of Storybrooke, the residents have real and fictional lives based upon the fairytale stories. The highly rated series returns for its season premiere on Sunday, September 27th at 8pm ET/PT on ABC. Born in Ilford, Essex in the UK, Maguire received his first role at the age of five on “A Voyage Around My Father,“ followed by several others including the BBC hit soap opera “EastEnders” in which he played Aidan Brosnan, a young Irish football player. He later went on to pursue music and completed three albums and toured throughout the UK. Maguire retired from music in 1998 and went on to solely pursue acting. In 2001, Maguire starred in the made-for-television event “Prince Charming” opposite Bernadette Peters, Christina Applegate, and Billy Connolly. In 2003, Maguire starred in the hilarious UPN comedy “Eve,” in which he played Donovan Brink, an ambitious club owner from England. Since 2006, Maguire has starred on several network shows including “CSI: NY,” “Criminal Minds,” “Cold Case” and the beloved BBC detective series “Scott & Bailey.” ’ On film, Maguire has shown his wide acting range from comedic roles to the widely acclaimed Indie film drama “Songs for Amy,” in which his character creates beautiful music to prove his love and commitment to his bride to be. His performance received numerous accolades. When Maguire is not in front of the camera, he enjoys being a new dad, playing soccer with friends and enjoying music. An environmental activist, Maguire has volunteered with organizations to shed light on the effects of climate change and sustainable forms of energy. Sean welcomed his first child in July 2015; a baby boy named Flynn with wife Tanya Maguire. The new parents reside in Vancouver, Canada. ABOUT ONCE UPON A TIME, SUNDAYS AT 8 ET/7CT ON ABC This is Fairy Tale Land. It's filled with magic, monsters and all of the characters we all know from stories growing up. It's real, and so are the people in it. But unlike the "happily ever after" you may have heard about, their stories continued, and The Evil Queen cast a Dark Curse over the land.... This is Storybrooke. It's a quiet, little, New England town filled with people who go about their everyday lives with no idea who they really are. The Queen's Curse has trapped them here and placed her in near-complete control. They have no real memories and no real hope. Once Upon A Time is, at its core, a story about hope. "For us, that’s what a fairy tale is. It’s that ability to think your life will get better. It’s why you buy a lottery ticket—because if you win you get to tell your boss that you’re quitting and you get to move to Paris or wherever and be who you always wanted to be. And that’s Cinderella, right? One day she’s sweeping up and the next she’s going to the ball. Adam and I just wanted to write about something hopeful that for one hour a week allows one to put everything aside and have that feeling that your dreams just may come true."- Edward Kitsis, Co-Creator/Executive Producer

Lt. Col T Mark McCurley

Since the attack on the World Trade Center in September 2001. The way of war has changed worldwide. Before the men and women hit the soil the watchful eyes are filled with missions in motion. Drones and or Remotely Piloted Aircraft. From the iHeart Radio Studio I'm Unplugged and Totally Uncut with the man that flies them. Lt. Col T Mark McCurley. HUNTER KILLER is the first-ever inside look at the U.S. military's secretive Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) program. Commonly referred to by the media as drones, RPAs are a mysterious and headline-making tool in the military's counter-terrorism arsenal. Their story has been pieced together by technology reporters, major newspapers, and on-the-ground accounts from the Middle East, but it has never been fully told by an insider. Lt. Col. T. Mark McCurley spent a decade flying Predators and Reapers, during which he developed some of the tactics used by the program, wrote the first tactical manual used to fly the Predator, and witnessed the RPA’s evolution into the most sought-after aircraft in the war

Jon Anderson and Jean Luc Ponty from the Anderson Ponty Band

Within the elements of music there will always be the artist that doesn't stop. Just because radio elects to spin pop. The artist still finds ways to display that freely flows from their fields of creative expression. Jon Anderson from YES collaborating with one of the finest violinists of our era is a brilliant array of setting sail on the invisible waves of new worlds being discovered. From the iHeart Radio Studio I'm Unplugged and Totally Uncut with Jon Anderson and Jean Luc Ponty. One of the most eagerly awaited releases of 2015 by the AndersonPonty Band, featuring music icons Jon Anderson and Jean Luc Ponty, is scheduled to hit the streets early Fall 2015! The new CD/DVD titled “Better Late Than Never” features outstanding performances by the band from September 2014 at the Wheeler Opera House in Aspen, Colorado, as well as some innovative production. The AndersonPonty Band has created some breathtaking new musical compositions. “Better Late Than Never” also showcases rearrangements of classic YES hits like “Owner Of A Lonely Heart”, “Roundabout” and “Wonderous Stories”, as well as some of Jean Luc Ponty's beloved compositions, with Jon's lyrical vocals and melodies enhancing the music and creating a very special and unique sound such as “Infinite Mirage” a new song incorporating Jean Luc's classic tune “Mirage”. YES's original singer/songwriter for 35 years, Jon Anderson has had a successful solo career, which includes working with such notable music artists as Vangelis, Kitaro, and Milton Nascimento. International violin superstar Jean Luc Ponty is a pioneer and undisputed master of his instrument in the arena of jazz and rock. He is widely regarded as an innovator who has applied his unique visionary spin that has expanded the vocabulary of modern music. Together these two music legends have formed a musical synergy that is unparalleled! “A breakthrough feeling came as I sang with Jean Luc's music, to be in a band again is very exciting on many levels, we will play and sing our way around the world and have fun, for music is pleasure, music is all that is.” - Jon Anderson “Collaborating with Jon who is such a creative singer/songwriter is unlike any project I have done before. I knew that we had plenty of musical affinities to make it work, but the result is way beyond my expectations. It is also a lot of fun to reunite with these excellent musicians who played with me in the past, they really put their heart in this project and with Jon's creative input we are not just rehashing the past but giving a new life to the music we started developing decades ago.” - Jean Luc Ponty The AndersonPonty Band also includes Jamie Glaser on guitars - well known guitarist who has worked with Jean Luc Ponty, Chick Corea, Bryan Adams and Lenny White; Wally Minko on keyboards - virtuoso player and composer who has performed and recorded with many worldwide stars including Pink, Toni Braxton, Jean Luc Ponty, Tom Jones, Gregg Rolie and Barry Manilow; Baron Browne on bass who has played with Steve Smith, Billy Cobham and Jean Luc Ponty; and Rayford Griffin on drums and percussion, who has played with Stanley Clarke Band, George Duke, Jean Luc Ponty and Michael Jackson. The band visit the music created by Jon Anderson and Jean Luc Ponty over the years with new arrangements, virtuosic performances and new energy. Jean Luc Ponty was originally approached by Jon Anderson with the idea of working together as far back as the 1980's. Now 30 years later the dream has finally come to fruition! In support of the new release, a world tour is currently in the works. Also, a videography documenting the making of the “Better Late Than Never” album will be released along with videos and performances. AndersonPonty Band tour dates: OCTOBER 10/23 - Stroudsburg, PA - Sherman Theater 10/27 - Philadelphia, PA - Keswick Theater 10/29 - Red Bank, NJ - Count Basie Theatre 10/30 - Ridgefield, CT - Ridgefield Playhouse NOVEMBER 11/1 - Munhall, PA - Carnegie Theater 11/3 - St. Charles, IL - Arcada Theatre 11/4 - Milwaukee, WI - Milwaukee PAC 11/6 - Detroit, MI - Detroit Music Hall 11/7 - Toronto - Danforth Music Hall 11/10 - Washington, DC - Howard Theater 11/11 - Long Island, NY - Paramount Theater 11/13 - NYC - Ethical Culture 11/14 - Boston, MA - Berklee Performance Center 11/17 - San Francisco, CA - Regency 11/18 - Sacramento, CA - Crest Theater 11/20 - Los Angeles, CA - Saban Theater 11/21 - Scottsdale, AZ - Talking Stick For more information and forthcoming tour dates visit the official AndersonPonty Band website: http://www.andersonpontyband1.com/

Mathew Knowels The DNA Of Achievers

Getting the inside of a winning game doesn't require an armchair quarterback. If you value the end result of victory. There has to be a vision turned into reality. He's more than just Beyonce's father. He is a true master of leadership with the skills to see and motivate those who have the gift of success but have never been able to bring it out. Until now. From the iHeart Radio Studio I'm Unplugged and Totally Uncut with Mathew Knowels. It is no secret that before Mathew Knowles was a Grammy Award-winning executive producer, he was Xerox's top sales executive, worldwide. Also not hidden from the mainstream are rumors about his keen marksmanship when it comes to helping artists hit targets of success. He has strategized superstar careers-not just for himself, but also for what appears to be his entire bloodline and other top acts. After more than 23 years of music moguling, what is newly worthy of the media's attention is his explosive new publication, "The DNA of Achievers: 10 Traits of Highly Successful Professionals" (Music World Publishing, 2015). The book is an Amazon #1 best-seller even before its official release. Why such an early fervor? Many come compelled by the book's description: the 10 traits of successful people (Passion, Work Ethics, Vision, Risk-Takers, Team Building, Talk-To-Do Ratio, Planning, Learning from Failure, Giving Back, and Thinking Outside the Box), and curious about the experiences of Mathew Knowles and others. If any questions do arise over why to pick Knowles' book from the plentiful shelves of the 11 billion dollar self-help industry, the information shared by the achievers highlighted should answer them. Starting with Knowles' own acceleration from his days with Xerox leading over 250 marketing and sales seminars to his impact felt around the globe through award-winning, legendary music icons, and top catalog compilations. Under his leadership, his company Music World Entertainment grew into one of the world's leading conglomerates, with record sales exceeding #300 million. There is also the human-interest appeal to grab readers: Knowles shares a journey that starts in Gadsden, Alabama with parents who were entrepreneurs from the 1960's, who instilled the enterprising work ethic he has made legendary. He also walks you through intelligent discussions on the impact of poverty and racism, on into what tools he has used to overcome. His authority on the subject of success becomes clear after a while, and the final question becomes how much of what is highlighted in the book will rub off on the reader. What they will find is information designed for anyone looking to reach previously untouched heights. Musical up-and-comers are certainly going to wonder if Knowles will dispense any particular gems from his double-decade plus knowledge bank, and they will not be disappointed. The title of the book might appear to hint that success is indeed a trait woven into the genetic make-up of some high achievers, giving them a predisposed edge. For anyone trying to find a way to get their own shot at excellence, Knowles' book helps to breakdown the traits, and points out how to integrate them into your life. He dispels the myth that you have to own your own business to be termed an entrepreneur, rather he explains, "An entrepreneur is really a headset-it's a belief. So even as an employee I felt I was an entrepreneur in my approach, more so than a salesperson." Although such a visionary appears fueled by pure determination, Knowles is quick to point out that the electrifying element that ignites him is something more, stating, "The beginning of this DNA, the root of being an achiever is based on passion." "The DNA of Achievers: 10 Traits of Highly Successful Professionals" is itself a passionately rendered,blueprint for hitting the high notes of success in any industry. The worldwide release is set for October 15, 2015. . Meanwhile anxious readers can take away this inspirational nugget from Knowles about the primordial ingredient to it all: "The beginning of being an achiever is solely based on one's passion, because it starts right there. You can have all the other traits-in fact, they don't work without it. My philosophy is..."If you live in passion, you never work another day in your life." To self-help readers curious about if what he will deliver is another trick, mastered by the clever; or if the methods of unraveling the DNA of the entrepreneurial mind offer the ultimate keys to self-empowerment, Knowles says the answer is quite simple-"Read the book!" *Knowles is offering a special treat where, on a limited basis, you can get a free autographed, first-edition paperback book by going to www.dnaofachievers.com or go to Amazon for your pre-sale Kindle e-book.

Monday, October 19, 2015

Christopher Titus Born With A Defect

One of the most famous faces in American comedy. And he's got the defect to go with it. Rather than gnawing on a bone. Christopher takes life and turns it into a joke. Five television specials strong. The legendary laughter maker returns to Charlotte's McGlohan Theater at Spirit Square on Sunday November 8th at 8pm. This isn't a 45 minute romp in a stack of one liners. It's 90 minutes of the most brilliantly written and performed comedy this side of watching the political race for president.

Bello Sanchez

Tyra Banks said of Bello Sanchez: “Beautiful, polarizing you will be both loved and hated. And that's what makes a star a star.” He was on the streets of Los Angeles at the age of 19. Survival rate extremely low. How did he not only find the courage to lift himself out of hell. But put himself on a winning path of world wide success? From the iHeart Radio Studio I'm Unplugged and Totally Uncut with Bello Sanchez.

Fredrick Forsyth The Outsider

Being authentic. Using personal experiences to serve as the path for what becomes a New York Bestselling book. Now the writing instrument has turned. This author is sharing what truly took place while stories like Day of Jackal came into being. From the iHeart Radio Studio I'm Unplugged and Totally Uncut with Fredrick Forsyth. Forsyth traces his journey from English schoolboy during the Battle of Britain to Royal Air Force flyer, foreign correspondent in tumultuous Paris and paranoid East Berlin, debonair young lover, outraged witness of the famine in Biafra, internationally bestselling author, husband, and father. Along the way, he explains how the events of his own life provided the seeds for his first three blockbuster novels (The Day of the Jackal, The Odessa File, and The Dogs of War), and how he meticulously researched many of the others. There have been many adventures, noteworthy and deeply influential events throughout Forsyth’s life, all vividly chronicled with his recognizable wit and gifted storytelling abilities in THE OUTSIDER, including: •Carrying secret documents in and out of East Germany on behalf of Britain’s foreign intelligence service, the MI6, and getting stopped by the secret police in the process. •Landing in the midst of a bloody coup in the African nation of Guinea-Bissau, where Colombian drug cartels were sowing chaos. •Saving another prominent journalist from getting shot; miraculously avoiding his own death—and amputation—after a brutal car crash at the age of 20, which left him in a coma before an almost complete recovery. •Becoming the youngest pilot in the Royal Air Force and later, parachute-jumping with British Army trainees less than half his age. •Making a quick move from Ireland to England to avoid getting kidnapped by the IRA; almost dying in a typhoon in the Indian Ocean; traveling to Mogadishu, the war-torn capital of Somalia, for research against the wishes of his wife; and, at last, at the age of seventy-six, fulfilling his childhood ambition to fly a Spitfire. •Finishing The Day of the Jackal in thirty-five days, with no previous experience writing fiction. One of the most delightful, insightful, and entertaining memoirs in years, THE OUTSIDER will thrill Frederick Forsyth’s legions of devoted readers – and attract new ones – as he finally tells his most intriguing story of all: his own. About the Author FREDERICK FORSYTH is the author of fifteen internationally bestselling novels, from 1971’s The Day of the Jackal to 2013’s The Kill List, two short story collections, and two previous nonfiction books. A former Royal Air Force pilot and print and television reporter for Reuters and the BBC, he won the Diamond Dagger Award from Britain’s Crime Writers’ Association in 2012 for a career of sustained excellence. Five movies have been made from his novels: The Day of the Jackal (twice, the second time in 1997 as The Jackal), The Odessa File, The Dogs of War, and The Fourth Protocol. Icon was made into a television mini-series, and a major film based on The Kill List is currently in the works. Mr. Forsyth lives in England.

Friday, October 16, 2015

Jesse Ventura American Conspiracies

I love asking questions. I love it when I don't believe the answers. It gives me reason to begin a search. In every story there's a twist. It's the curve in the word that I want to capture. Now put Jesse Ventura and I inside a twenty minute conversation. From the iHeart Radio Studio I'm Unplugged and Totally Uncut. In the second edition of American Conspiracies, former Minnesota governor Jesse Ventura continues his investigative journey to prove there is more to the history of the United States and the implications of today’s political decisions than the government wants us to know. “This book is not about how extraterrestrials are abducting human beings, or the Apollo moon landing being a colossal hoax perpetrated by NASA, or that Barack Obama somehow is not a natural-born American citizen,” says former Minnesota governor Jesse Ventura about the second edition of his New York Times bestselling American Conspiracies. “I’m writing this book because I believe it’s vital to our democracy to see the hidden pattern that’s been undermining this country for most of my lifetime.” When it comes to secret trade deals between corporations and select government leaders such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), Big Pharma and the oil industry’s influence on politicians on both sides of the aisle, or Senator Bob Graham—the man who wrote the 9/11 Commission Report—calling for a new investigation into 9/11 and Saudi Arabia’s involvement, there’s no question that there are legitimate reasons to read the new evidence presented in American Conspiracies and decide for yourself who is hiding the truth and why. The second edition of American Conspiracies tackles the truth behind corporate and government conspiracies including: • The American Oligarchy: Corporations run our government. The same players that damaged financial institutions and caused the stock market to plummet still have a strong hold on our future. • September 11: Governor Ventura maintains that the George W. Bush administration knew about the plan and allowed it to proceed, or they had a hand in it themselves. New evidence presents even more unanswered questions, including how Saudi Arabia—our ally—was the primary financer and organizer of the terrorist attack. • Stolen Elections of 2000 and 2004—and Almost 2008: As 2015 and 2016 elections draw near, here’s hard evidence that previous elections were stolen by Republican operatives by manipulating electronic voting machines in deciding states, where votes were shifted from one candidate to the other. • DEA Involvement with Drug Cartels: Ventura reveals how our economy is secretly embedded in the global drug trade and the true reason why the “War on Drugs” will continue to be one of the government’s most expensive, purposeful failures. • The Corporate Conspiracy to Deny Climate Change: ExxonMobil, Peabody Energy, the Koch brothers, and their brethren are involved in a propaganda campaign to hide the truth from the American people about the dangers of fossil fuels and fracking. • America’s POWs/MIAs Purposefully Left Behind: Presidents, Pentagon officials, and intelligence agencies like the CIA and NSA find it politically inconvenient to rescue our servicemen and women. More than 8,100 of our troops are unaccounted for today. • Monsanto’s Chemical Warfare and GMOs: Unlike other countries, the United States has been reluctant to regulate GM crops or require labels. Monsanto not only has the FDA and EPA in its back pocket, but also is cornering the market, putting American farmers out of business, and hiding the fact that its chemicals cause cancer, autism, and many neurological ailments. American Conspiracies dissects the wide gap between what the government knows and when the government reveals to the American people. “It seems today that everything’s buried under this cloak of national security,” states Ventura. “I think it’s time to have that cloak raised up.”

Thursday, October 15, 2015

Frank Sinatra Jr

His music has never lost its new car appeal. His emotions became the way we drove through life. One of few true artists that have earned the honor of being the Bach or Beethoven of our time. This is year number 100. from the iHeart Radio Studio I'm Unplugged and Totally Uncut with Frank Sinatra Jr. Throughout his nine-decade career, Frank Sinatra performed on more than 1,400 recordings and was awarded 31 gold, nine platinum, three double platinum and one triple platinum album by the Recording Industry Association of America. He extends his record to 57 for the most top 40 albums on the Billboard 200 with this year’s new Ultimate Sinatra release. Sinatra has had Top 40 hits on the charts for eight decades which is as long as the Billboard charts have existed. He received nine GRAMMY Awards over the course of his career, including three for the prestigious Album Of The Year, and an Oscar. Sinatra demonstrated a remarkable ability to appeal to every generation and continues to do so; his artistry still influences many of today’s music superstars. He also appeared in more than 60 films and produced eight motion pictures. Sinatra was awarded Lifetime Achievement Awards from The Recording Academy, The Screen Actors Guild and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), as well as the Kennedy Center Honors, the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medal. Today, he remains a legend and an inspiration around the world for his contributions to culture and the arts. For more information about Frank Sinatra, visit sinatra.com and follow @FrankSinatra on Twitter.

Tab Hunter

He's one of the most famous faces of Hollywood. One of this nations first true teen idols. Away from the screaming girls. Tab was keeping a secret that he felt would destroy his career. From the iHeart Radio Studio I'm Unplugged and Totally Uncut with Film Legend Tab Hunter. Throughout the 1950s, Tab Hunter reigned as Hollywood’s ultimate male heartthrob. In dozens of films – and in the pages of countless movie magazines – Tab’s astonishing looks and golden-boy sex appeal drove his fans to screaming, delirious frenzy, making him the prototype for all young matinee idols to come. Bristling against being just another pretty face and wanting to be taken seriously, Tab was one of the few to be able to transcend pin-up boy status. He earned his stripes as an actor to become a major movie star and recording artist. But throughout his years of stardom, Tab had a secret. Tab Hunter was gay, and spent his Hollywood years in a precarious closet that repeatedly threatened to implode and destroy him. Now, Tab’s dramatic, turbulent and ultimately inspiring life story has become an explosive documentary feature directed by Emmy award winning filmmaker Jeffrey Schwarz. The film has the unique advantage of exclusive, unprecedented access to Tab Hunter himself who shares first hand, for the first time, what it was like to be a studio manufactured movie star during the Golden Age of Hollywood and the consequences of being someone totally different from his studio manufactured image. We will trace Tab’s dizzying rise to Hollywood super-stardom, his secret life in an era when being openly gay was unthinkable, and his ultimate triumph when the limelight finally passed him by. Punctuating Tab’s on screen presence will be rare film clips and provocative interviews with friends and co-stars including John Waters, Clint Eastwood, George Takei, Debbie Reynolds, Robert Wagner, Portia de Rossi, Noah Wyle, Connie Stevens, Robert Osborne, and dozens more. TAB HUNTER CONFIDENTIAL is an important piece of Hollywood’s hidden history that is more relevant than ever in today’s obsessive, star-driven, sexuality speculating media.

Dick Van Dyke

Casey Kasum once said to me, "If you want something in radio. Don't ask for it. Get it." When I created Unplugged and Totally Uncut I took those words from Casey and began a journey. Share your story or someone will write it for you. Today on iHeart Radio I'm Unplugged and Totally Uncut with the legendary Dick Van Dyke. In this entertaining and inspirational book—just in time for Christmas—Hollywood icon and New York Times bestselling author Dick Van Dyke shares his secret on aging well, staying resilient, and embracing happiness. Beloved Hollywood icon Dick Van Dyke will celebrate his 90th birthday in December 2015. He's an established legend, having starred in Mary Poppins, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and The Dick Van Dyke Show. And yet he's still keeping himself busy, entertaining America on television, movies, the stage, and social media. Everyone wonders, “How does he do it?” For the first time, Van Dyke will share his secrets and tips on old age: Just keep moving. In a fun and folksy way of addressing readers, Keep Moving will serve as an instruction book on how to embrace old age with a positive attitude. The chapters are filled with exclusive personal anecdotes that explore various themes on aging: how to adapt to the physical and social changes, deal with loss of friends and loved ones, stay current, fall in love again, and “keep moving” every day like there's no tomorrow. Praise for Dick Van Dyke's previous book, My Lucky Life In and Out of Show Business: "In my opinion, ‘Luck' has little to do with Dick Van Dyke's life. It is, rather, his innate kindness and talent that have had an extraordinary effect in shaping the man. And what a fascinating self-portrait he's given us in this book." — Mary Tyler Moore "From the time I worked with Dick on the movie Bye Bye Birdie, I have admired his many talents, not the least of which is the joy and enthusiasm he shares with audiences. I'm a big fan of his... and his book." — Ann-Margret "Van Dyke tells a wonderful story about himself and his times. And — in an often surprisingly relevant manner — our times. We've always liked the performer — it's hard not to like Dick Van Dyke — but this will make you admire him." — Playbill

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Surreal Neil from Super Diamond

Anytime the Charlotte Symphony invites modern waves of Rock into their house. You know its going to be a party. From the iHeart Radio Studio I'm Unplugged and Totally Uncut with Surreal Neil from the group Super Diamond. SUPER DIAMOND The Neil Diamond Experience Fri Oct 30 Belk Theater Albert-George Schram, conductor Super Diamond salutes the legendary Neil Diamond with a high-octane show as lead singer "Surreal Neil" and band perform hit after hit, including "Cracklin' Rosie," "Cherry Cherry," "I Am...I Said," "Sweet Caroline," and more. Super Diamond has performed on the Late Show with David Letterman and has received praise from the "Solitary Man" himself. "They're terrific," says Neil Diamond, "I've been to their shows and they're wonderful."

Elvis Costello Unfaithful Music And Disappearing Ink

He know he truly didn't fit in. And yet fans of music here in America pulled him in. A lot has been written. He admits there were several times he answered thing wrong. This is a book that allows the reader to step in. To live the life that is. From the IHeart Radio Studio I'm Unplugged and Totally Uncut with Elvis Costello. Elvis Costello is one of the most distinctive and innovative popular songwriters and performers of the last four decades. In his long-awaited, unconventional, and unforgettable memoir, UNFAITHFUL MUSIC & DISAPPEARING INK (Blue Rider Press; Publication Date: October 13, 2015), he explores the private and emotional foundation of his music, and the influence of three generations of his family’s history upon both the artist and the man. Costello also provides a unique, incidental survey of modern pop history, as he shares anecdotes about his many illustrious collaborators and reflects on the vagaries of fame. “A lot of people have got spoilt and ruined by sudden success and pushing too hard,” he writes. “I thought I was an exception but I wasn’t as smart or in control as I pretended to be.” [p. 371] The Grammy Award-winning recording artist and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee found his way into the English music scene in late ‘70s. Musically dynamic, lyrically intricate, and sometimes opaque, Costello’s outlook was skeptical, romantic, and darkly humorous, often within the same number. Although Costello only scraped the American charts with My Aim Is True, This Year’s Model, and Armed Forces, those albums are regularly cited among the most influential records in rock and roll history. The enduring songs from his early years include “Alison,” “Watching the Detectives,” “Oliver’s Army,” “Radio Radio,” and “Accidents Will Happen,” but Costello has gone on to extend his reach across an extraordinary array of styles, working with such artists as Paul McCartney, with whom he co-wrote the hit singles “Veronica” and “My Brave Face,” and Burt Bacharach with whom he composed “God Give Me Strength.” Costello imagined “Stranger in the House” and “Almost Blue” for the voices of George Jones and Chet Baker and eventually heard those songs recorded by his intended vocalists. “The Scarlet Tide,” his 2003 co-composition with T Bone Burnett, was recorded by Alison Krauss for the motion picture Cold Mountain, and received an Academy Award nomination. When Yoko Ono commissioned Costello to record a version of her song, “Walking on Thin Ice,” in 1983, it led to a series of collaborations with Allen Toussaint that would culminate in 2005 with The River in Reverse, as the great New Orleans songwriter and producer returned to work in his home city in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Born Declan Patrick MacManus in 1954 and raised in London and Liverpool, Costello was the son of a successful dance-band vocalist and the grandson of a trumpet player on the White Star line. For Costello, family history is inextricably intertwined with musical history, and UNFAITHFUL MUSIC & DISAPPEARING INK traces his story from playing a cardboard guitar in his parents’ living room to taking the stage at the world’s greatest concert halls, and even at the White House. Costello has shared those stages with Tony Bennett, Johnny Cash, the Brodsky Quartet, Anne Sofie von Otter, and Spinal Tap, among countless others. In the early 1970s, Costello settled in London after completing his education in Liverpool. He wrote songs in the dead of night, formed a band that went nowhere, and made solo appearances anywhere that would have him. He got married for the first time and had a son. While working in the computer department of the Elizabeth Arden cosmetics company, Costello wrote the songs that would appear on his first album. Although the first two singles—one of them the renowned “Alison”—failed to generate significant sales, the release of My Aim Is True along with Costello’s arrest during a publicity stunt, while attempting to snare an American release for the album, made him something of an improbable overnight sensation. Costello was not yet twenty-three when he formed the Attractions, who would be his band for the next decade during which they recorded nine albums together. However, before he was twenty-five, his career in pop music was derailed after a regrettable drunken episode in Columbus, Ohio that he cannot excuse, and the background to which he explores with his final words on those events. Costello continues to add one of the most remarkable song catalogues and impressive performance resumes of any contemporary popular musical artist. He has toured with Bob Dylan, written nearly four hundred songs and two ballets. He has composed for orchestra, leaving one opera and several stage musical scores unfinished. He hosted the television show, Spectacle, for two seasons, featuring guests from Sir Elton John, President Bill Clinton, and Lou Reed to Smokey Robinson, Levon Helm, Jesse Winchester, and Bruce Springsteen. Costello has also been an occasional contributor to Vanity Fair and deputized as the guest host of both The Late Show with David Letterman and Marian McPartland’s Piano Jazz, conducting a two-part interview with the pianist about her thirty-year tenure on the NPR show. Following his tours with the virtuosic acoustic ensemble, The Sugarcanes, and the success of The Spectacular Spinning Songbook in the company of The Imposters, Costello’s most recent concert appearances have been the highly acclaimed, largely solo presentation, “Detour,” in which he connects songs from his catalogue with many of the themes found in his memoir. Recent recording projects include Wise Up Ghost with The Roots and Costello’s contribution to Lost on the River, new musical settings for previously unseen Bob Dylan lyrics written and recorded by the New Basement Tapes collective. These are among the highlights of the past decade that has also seen the opening of a remarkable new and richly rewarding chapter in Costello’s personal life, with his marriage to world-renowned jazz artist Diana Krall and the birth of their twin sons in 2006. Like Patti Smith’s Just Kids and Keith Richards’ Life, UNFAITHFUL MUSIC & DISAPPEARING INK is destined to become a classic not just of the literature of celebrity or rock and roll, but of an extraordinary cultural era, and a document of one of the most fertile musical careers and original creative personalities of our time. ABOUT ELVIS COSTELLO Elvis Costello is a Grammy Award–winning musician whose career spans almost four decades. A prolific singer-songwriter, Costello has released several critically acclaimed albums, and in 2003 was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. ELVIS COSTELLO BOOK SIGNINGS 10/14/15 – Book Signing, 7pm Book Court, Brooklyn, NY 10/15/15 – “In Conversation with Dan Kois”, 7:30pm Sixth & I, Washington, DC 10/16/15 – “In Conversation with Paul Hodengraber”, 7pm New York Public Library, New York, NY 10/17/15 - “In Conversation with Peter Guralnick”, 7pm Berklee Performance Center, Boston, MA 10/19/15 - “In Conversation with Chuck Reece”, 8pm The Variety Playhouse, Atlanta, GA 10/20/15 - “In Conversation with Evan Smith”, 7pm Book People, Austin, TX 10/21/15 - “In Conversation with Chris Connelly”, 8pm The Wilshire Ebell Theater, Los Angeles, CA 10/22/15 – “In Conversation with Dan Stone”, 7:30pm City Arts & Lectures, San Francisco, CA 10/23/15 – “In Conversation with Michael Krasny”, 8pm The Lincoln Theater, Yountville, CA 11/3/15 – “In Conversation with Alison Cuddy”, 8pm Chicago Humanities Festival, Chicago, IL 11/10/15 – “In Conversation with Rosanne Cash”, 7:30pm BAM-Howard Gilman Opera House, Brooklyn, NY