Video Killed the Radio Star

Awesome! It’s only been 3 months since I last posted. I’m sure you’ll all see this post cuz you’ve been checking my blog every day for the last 90 days is eager anticipation. Well, something has happened in my life that I just have to write about.

So, one day my wife sends me an ad from Craig’s List. A production company is looking to cast a “Kevin James-type” person to be the lead man for an upcoming country music video. Now, when it comes to country music I am ignorant. So, I didn’t even know the singer – Jason Michael Carroll (JMC). My wife did, but I sure didn’t. So, I said, “What the heck?” I sent in an e-mail with my picture… didn’t hear a thing for about 3 weeks.

Then I get an e-mail saying I’ve been chosen to attend the casting for the role. So, on a Wednesday evening I auditioned and by Friday the part was mine! We shot the video the following Wednesday and Thursday.

Here is the gist of the video: I play the dork in accounting at the office. JMC plays the cool guy from the mail room. He has a band and they’re playing at a local bar all week. I have somehow connected with him, and he has dragged me to the bar every night that week. So, I’m kind of torn between wanting to be cool (which I’m not) and still trying to climb the corporate ladder.

So, the video shows the band guys dropping me off at my house every morning – here you will see several shots of me getting nailed in the face by a newspaper. There are also shots of me at the office struggling to stay awake. Then there are shots of me at the bar with the band – and girls hanging with me because they know I know Jason.

Without giving too much detail, that’s the idea. It was a great experience! I enjoyed it thoroughly… although, it wore me out… a lot of hurry up and wait and standing around. Jineen came on the second day to play an extra in the bar scenes.

The video should be out in the next 2-3 weeks. I will let you know for sure. So, if you have CMT and/or GAC, be looking out for it. Oh, I was also interviewed on the set by CMT Insider… pretty funny. Jason mentioned to me as I left the set that it would be funny to bring me to a few concerts and bring me on stage once the video is out… we’ll see.

Jineen and I went to the Grand Ole Opry last night… Jason was performing. He got us backstage passes, so it was pretty cool. We saw him, Jewel, Joe Nichols, Jason Aldean, John Anderson, John Ricn and several others. Hanging with the fellas in Jason’s dressing room was probably the highlight for me. Jason is the real deal… a really kind, genuine guy. Well, I’ll keep you posted on when the video is out.

Greatest Story in Music

So, I just came across one of the greatest stories in the music industry that I’ve heard in a long time. I’m an 80’s kid. I lived most of my childhood and into early adolescence in that decade. So, my early music influences were bands like Chicago, Journey, etc. I grew up on bands that were defined by their lead singer. So, when Chicago lost Peter Cetera and Journey lost Steve Perry that was pretty much it for me. These bands have replaced their lead singers with really great vocalists, but they just don’t compare to the originals… until now!

The story goes like this… Arnel Pineda has been a musician in Asia for 25 years. (Sidebar: he’s 40!!! He looks like he’s 20.  I couldn’t believe it when I found that out.) His most recent stint was with a band called “The Zoo.” They did some original music but mostly covered Journey, Van Halen, Air Supply and others. Journey had once again lost their lead singer. Neil Schon (the only original Journey member) is quoted this way on Journey’s website, “I was frustrated about not having a singer, so I went on YouTube for a couple of days and just sat on it for hours. I was starting to think I was never going to find anybody. But then I found The Zoo and I watched a bunch of different video clips that they had posted. After watching the videos over and over again, I had to walk away from the computer and let what I heard sink in because it sounded too good to be true. I thought, ‘he can’t be that good.’ But he is that good, he’s the real deal and so tremendously talented. Arnel doesn’t sound synthetic and he’s not emulating anyone. I tried to get a hold of him through YouTube and I finally heard from him that night, but it took some convincing to get him to believe that it really was me and not an imposter.”

What an incredible story! Here is a clip of “The Zoo.” You are not going to believe your ears!

My Views on the Writers’ Strike

Hey Writers,
Get back to work!  Hey, I understand why you’re striking.  I get it.  I’d probably do the same.  Here’s the problem… you’re messing with my TV schedule.  I get that you’re getting screwed out of some money… but just think about me sitting in my house in January not watching “24”!  Am I the only one seeing the obvious ramifications of no “24” in January?  Not to mention other shows with abbreviated seasons!

Hey TV Networks,
Until the writers see the mayhem they’re about to cause, quit running re-re-runs and put on some TV classics… Cheers, Cosby Show, etc.   Seriously, Peyton Manning hosted Saturday Night Live just a couple months ago and I’ve seen it 4 times since.  That’s a little ridiculous!  Time to pull out the creative caps!  Let’s go people!

That’s my take!  Anybody else feeling the sting of the strike?

Phobias

I have never considered myself to be a phobia person. Sure, I have fears. But I never thought I struggled with anything to the extent that I could be prescribed as having a phobia… until today. I think I’m afraid of toilets that hang on the wall. Not urinals… but the actual commodes that are just attached to the wall… no base of any kind.

I’m a fairly big-boned guy. Unfortunately, I usually go into a stall with a purpose, so turning back is not an option. So, I have to face my phobia. However, unlike other paranoid phobia people, I really do have a legitimate justification for my phobia. Am I really supposed to believe that a little caulking will hold me up? There better be some steel rebar or something running through that commode. Am I the only one?

What are your phobias?

GOOD V. EVIL

So, I’m going to write this post and just ignore the fact that I haven’t posted in like 2 months. I’ve read so many blogs that start out, “I’m really sorry. Life got hectic. I know it’s been a while…” blah… blah… blah. So, I’m going to ignore it and assume you understand.

I just had to bring attention to this. To this point, I have not blogged on sports. I’m a pretty big sports fan, but I’ve stayed away from it because it tends to polarize my audience. I’ve always blogged with the vision of appealing to all people. Plus, I’m constantly trying to gain approval from my wife, and for the most part she couldn’t care less about sports. However, this story has to get out.

I am originally from the Indianapolis area (born and raised). Therefore, since 1984 when the Colts arrived from Baltimore, I’ve been a huge Colts fan. As you can imagine, last year was the most exciting year of my life as a sports fan! (I’m not exaggerating… consider the fact that I’m also a Cubs and Pacers fan.) Over the past several years I have developed a severe hatred for the New England Patriots… mostly because they’ve been really good and until last year appeared to have the Colts’ number.

This year these teams are the only undefeated teams in the NFL. However, it is the Patriots who have gotten all the “run” in the media. I guess you hear more about them because they have the big stars and are blowing teams out – in sports jargon the Patriots are the “sexier team.” So, November 4th they play each other in Indianapolis. Assuming they both win this Sunday, they’ll come into the contest undefeated.

I said all that to say this… regardless of where you are on your journey to severe and utter hatred of the Patriots, you must read this article. It will help you see that this is not a contest to see who the best team is in the NFL. This is a battle of GOOD & EVIL. The moral balance of the universe is at stake. Not a sports fan? Great!!! This is your chance to stand for all that is right and good in this world! Read this article and tell me you are not moved!

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=easterbrook/071023&sportCat=nfl

Mike Huckabee for President!!!

Well, I don’t know that he’ll go far. I’m sure he won’t even get the Republican Nomination, but this is very powerful. You know what it is? Regardless of what you believe, it’s refreshing to hear someone answer from the heart… not from some aide’s list of things to say/not say in order not to offend any potential voters. So refreshing! Props to Mike Huckabee from Arkansas! I love it because Wolf Blitzer is like, “Uh, I think this was the actual question… blah, blah, blah.” And Huckabee said, “Yes, I know. I answered the question.” Check this out!

Feeling Despair???

So, having grown up in church, been involved in youth group and attended a “Christian” college… I have seen my fair share of dramas set to music. I’ve even performed in several. I just saw this drama and it really gripped my heart. I saw it at work, and I almost started sobbing at the end of it. It’s very similar to many dramas that I have seen… it might even be a conglomerate of a few dramas. So, even though it was familiar to me, it totally gripped me… or should I say… convicted me. Take a look…

Maps Will Save Our Children!!!

Thanks to the Miss Teen USA Pageant this past weekend, I found out that a recent study shows that 1/5 of Americans cannot locate the United States on a world map. Is this possible? This question was posed to Miss South Carolina… “why do you think that is?” My initial reaction was that education in our country is jacked up, and we need to do something about the level of academia we’re putting out there… maybe even expect more from our kids!!! But I was so wrong!!! Miss South Carolina’s answer absolutely rocked my world. You can watch for yourself here…

If this is what we can expect from pageants in the future, you can be sure I’ll be tuning in! This pretty much quiets all the critics who say pageants are superficial… all about judging the outward appearance… etc. I mean seriously… put that one in your pipe!!! You critics might say, “You’re proving our point! You saw the interview and she still came in 4th!!! It’s clearly about looks!” to which I would respond, “No, you saw the interview and she came in 4th. Just think about how amazing the other 3 interviews must have been. She gave us the remedy for our education woes and was still beat out by 3 brilliant women.”

Here’s the sad part: is anyone out there really surprised that this display of “intelligence” occurred at a beauty pageant? What’s wrong with this picture? Why have pageants gotten this rap? I’ll tell you why… because it is a contest to see who is the prettiest… NOTHING MORE NOTHING LESS! Over the years they have added talent and interview portions to ease our consciences because judging people on their outward appearances would be shallow!

So, let’s give the girl a break. She’s there to be judged on her looks. She’s being forced to answer these difficult questions so that our culture feels better about holding such contests. This is just a bridge to greater things for her… speaking engagements with the Girl Scouts, photo ops at golf outings… and then later on even greater opportunities… college scholarship, Playboy centerfolds, etc.

Here’s the deal… I have no issues with girls entering pageants. If that’s something you really like to do… go for it! There are definitely some great benefits of winning. I just think we’re kidding ourselves if we think it’s based on anything but outward appearance. If you have a different point of view, I’d love to hear it!

Regardless of your opinion on beauty pageants… you have to admit that Miss South Carolina has struck a nerve and we are now obligated to get world maps into every home in this country in order to be able to educate South Africa, Iraq and Asian countries! What?

GLOBAL WARMING???

I know… I’m the worst blogger ever.  I’ve had several of my fans ask me when I was going to blog again… well, my mom has asked me.  In the way of excuses, I’ve been really busy at work… I’ve been painting on the side… and we just moved.

So, I have to address this global warming thing.  Here in Nashville it’s been really hot.  I know… it’s summer, but it really has been extremely hot.  On Thursday we hit 104.  On days like that I hear, “Man, this global warming is getting out of hand.  It’s going to be too hot to bear one day.”  You’ve got to be kidding me!  Now, I’m no expert.  I haven’t done much research at all.  But comments like that just seem to be ignorant to me.  Your belief in global warming is based on the fact that it’s hot today?  Well, guess what?  It was 104 today, but the hottest day recorded in Nashville is 107… that was in 1987!!!  

Hey, I’m not mad at you.  I’m disgusted that our country is full of people who just believe anything they’re told.  If you buy into the global warming thing, have you really researched it?  Have you read both sides of the argument?  Or do you just believe it because Al Gore said?  Honestly, I haven’t researched it.  I tend to lean one way, but I truly haven’t taken the time to examine the facts.  In the mean time, I argue against it just because so many people give blind trust to the media and politicians.  I do this… play devil’s advocate to get a rise out of adamant people.  So many people become dogmatic about things they know nothing about save what they take as fact and truth from people who will do anything to get their votes in November.

Here’s the deal… it’s not just global warming.  I would urge you to examine your values… examine what you know to be truth.  Global warming… war… God… Christian values… etc.  I’m not trying to sway you from buying into global warming.  I’m trying to convince you to develop your own stance on issues and values… not what your parents told you… not what Michael Moore told you… not what Sean Hannity told you… not what your Sunday School teacher told you.  Work these things out!

Christian Comedians

Wow! It’s been almost a month since I posted. I know… that’s ridiculous. So, if you’re reading this, thank you for not giving up on checking it out over the last 4 weeks. My problem is I struggle with just sitting down to blog without a thought prompting me to do so. Several times over the last month I’ve logged on to my blog and just sat there. I began typing a few times, and it just wasn’t worthy. So, here we go…

So I’m at a company event last night and the opening entertainment was a “Christian comedian” named Jeff Allen . He was absolutely hilarious! I’ll be honest, I was a little concerned when I heard the phrase “Christian comedian.” I am a Christian… I love Jesus. However, my experience with Christian comics (and there have been many) has been forgettable. Seriously, the denominational jokes just aren’t funny… “If you’re a Baptist here tonight raise your hand… it’ll be the first time you raised your hand in church I know.” WHAT A RIOT! The bulletin and church sign jokes are tired… “Welcome to the First Baptist Church. If you’re here for the weight loss class, please use the DOUBLE DOORS around the side of the building.” HILARIOUS! Needless to say, I’m pretty jaded by Christian comedy.

However, my confidence in Christian comics was partially restored last night. This guy was hysterical! If you ever have an opportunity… Christian or not… to check this guy out, I suggest you do it!