Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Alicia Dufour on Arts Talk

Arts Talk
Alicia Dufour
Sunday November 11, 2012
4 pm Eastern / 3 pm Central / 2 pm Mountain / 1 pm Pacific

Join us this Sunday on Arts Talk as we welcome actress-dancer Alicia Dufour to the show.
https://www.facebook.com/events/397225803684655/
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/artstalk/2012/11/11/80-alicia-dufour
 
Alicia has always been passionate about all things creative. She has been acting, singing and dancing since her youth and is currently pursuing a career in film and television. Alicia’s most recent project was as Karen Harper in the Lunatopia/Baylor Films production of VERTICAL, which will premiere in Jan 2013. She also recently worked with Twitchy Dolphin Flix and director James Christopher on their feature film 3 REFERENCES. She currently is in n
egotiations for several films, and continues to hone her skills as an actress through The fACTORy, working with actor Conor O’Farrell. When she isn’t filming, she belly dances professionally with THE DANCING BELLY.

Sunday, June 17, 2012

Heart of Texas (Music Store)

image: Ray Hennig with Franky Coronado.


Let me start by stating I'm not a musician. I have many friends that are amazing musicians and even joined a group recently where I can watch several gifted people recording music daily. I found out earlier today that Ray Hennig's Heart of Texas music store is going to be forced to close so that some new condos can be built. Some of you may not know about this store but it has been a big part of Austin's music culture for decades. Stevie Ray Vaughn purchase his famous guitar he affectionately called his “First Wife” from Heart of Texas. Willie Nelson, ZZTop, George Strait all purchased guitars from here and this is just a handful of the famous musicians others include 13th Floor Elevators, Jerry Jeff Walker and the Lost Gonzo Band. Most of these like George Strait purchased their guitars from here before they became famous. All this is being said because there is a lot of history in this store and I find it ironic that the Hennig family has been so instrumental in helping make Austin a great music scene all these years which has attracted people to want to live in Austin and now they are being forced out to make room for those people. So, if you are in Austin, take some time to visit Heart of Texas on Lamar and show you respect to a true institution because you may not be able to much longer.

Saturday, May 12, 2012

Koriander- That Girl 10/20/2011

Getting a little Koriander fix in the morning! Everyone check them out, Dennis and I had them on Arts Talk last year and we can tell you this band has what it takes to be great! So Erin Ashleigh , Erskine Ford Jr, AJ Gonzalez, and Andy Lewis as they use to say back in the day- KEEP ON KEEPING ON!http://youtu.be/cNH9yEMfqOY

Saturday, April 21, 2012

Courtney Gains 04/22 by Arts Talk | Blog Talk Radio

62 Courtney Gains 04/22 by Arts Talk | Blog Talk Radio

Courtney Gains (born August 22, 1965) is an American actor who achieved success during the 1980s with a variety of roles in films such as CHILDREN OF THE CORN, HARDBODIES, LUST IN THE DUST, BACK TO THE FUTURE, CAN'T BUY ME LOVE, COLORS, THE 'BURBS and MEMPHIS BELLE. His most recent credits include SWEET HOME ALABAMA, DORM DAZE(which he also executive-produced) and DESOLATION CANYON, as well as a cameo in Rob Zombie's HALLOWEENremake.  In addition to his film work, Gains has guest-starred on several notable television shows including SEINFELD, IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT, TALES FROM THE CRYPT, ER, JAG, PACIFIC BLUE, NASH BRIDGES, DIAGNOSIS MURDER, CHARMED, ALIAS, THE GUARDIAN, MONK and MY NAME IS EARL.  Gains has also worked as an acting coach and a musician; he once performed live on stage with Phish and has since released a solo album.
Besides being an accomplished actor, Courtney is also a musician. You can catch this singer-songwriter playing his guitar at many local clubs. His first CD "Gains" was released in August of 2000 and showcases a singer/songwriter with depth and creativity, and a lot more to say.
The band Ripple Street was formed in November of 2007, when Courtney and Steven met and began writing songs together. Courtney, a seasoned performer, first hit the LA music scene in the 90’s with his band “The Gathering”, which was a part of the coffee house/unplugged scene. Most recently he was the front man for the band “Benny Bliss and the Disciples of Greatness” which spun off a rock and roll anti-technology road comedy film that will be coming out on DVD this summer.

Saturday, March 24, 2012

59 Bob Martin 03/25 by Arts Talk | Blog Talk Radio


59 Bob Martin 03/25 by Arts Talk | Blog Talk Radio
Last week we introduced you to the music this week we introduce the man, don't worry there will be some music as well. Bob Martin has enjoyed a performing career spanning more than forty years and recorded several albums including the recent The River Turns the Wheel and Next To Nothin’ for Riversong Records. His releases have received numerous accolades, industry awards and extensive airplay on folk, country and Americana radio programs around the world. Martin has recently returned to performing live and has reissued his classic first album Midwest Farm Disaster and is releasing his second album Last Chance Rider onto cd.

Turtle Update

Here is a little update for you on the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles issue making news this past week. The director of the film has stated that the turtles aren't the aliens but the ooze that mutates them is an alien substance. So for now looks like everything is right in TMNT land again, but as actor Robbie RIst posted on his Facebook page, "I am satisfied with her verdict. But I am keeping my eye on you, Bay. I am watching. That little turtle from the meme is watching you. The Phuk Yu Croo is watching. And every turtle fan on the planet is watching. And we can be VERY.....persuasive......"

Friday, March 23, 2012

Comic Book to Film Alterations

Well this is the first significant post I've had in awhile that wasn't related to one of my projects. I've been following some of the news regarding the new Michael Bay film version of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT). Seems there is a lot of buzz regarding a statement from Michael Bay, "These turtles are from an alien race, and they are going to be tough, edgy, funny and completely lovable." So they are changing the background of the turtles which kind of changes the name to TANT. Actor Robbie Rist wrote in a letter to Bay that he posted online, "You probably don’t know me, but I did some voice work on the first set of movies that you are starting to talk about sodomizing,...I know believing in mutated talking turtles is kinda silly to begin with but am I supposed to be led to believe there are ninjas from another planet? The rape of our childhood memories continues." So here we have another example of Hollywood taking something that has a strong fan base and saying screw you fans, I have better ideas about what you want to see in this movie forget all that stuff you learned growing up reading the comic or from the first films. Now granted he didn't outright state that but that is the message fans are receiving. I've been a comic book fan my entire life and do own some of those first issues of TMNT form the early 1980's and as an artist I use ti love drawing them but I admit I was never a diehard fan. What I am a fan of is history and respect of that history. Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird devoted several years on creating that TMNT universe that the fans love so much that should be respected by Bay even if he is suppose to be working directly with one of those creators. What these people forget is that the fans are the ones that make their product possible as a film. If there wasn't already a built in audience they wouldn't be having someone like Michael Bay involved, he is known for big splashy shoot-em, explosions films with huge budgets. The only reason anyone green-lighted the project is because of the history and the fact that they have a 30 year long following with most of those people now having children to drag to the theater. I personally am tired of seeing the characters I grew up with being changed constantly, just last year DC Comics did an entire reboot of their entire universe, changing characters such as Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman etc... It seems like every 5-10 years they are doing that over at DC. Marvel has been doing some of the same over the years just hasn't attracted the attention DC has because their changes are usually minor. I haven't read the new Superman, I did read the first issue of the new Justice League and really didn't like it. Superman has always been referred to as the big blue boy scout and you know what, we need those kind of heroes in this world, we don't need all of them to be dark and grimacing like Batman. If the big comic book companies really want to build their audience back up, then they should really devote a little of their creative efforts on reaching younger audiences with children comics and have them grow into the darker adult fare. My generation grew up on Richie Rich, Hot Stuff, Caspar the ghost, and Archie comics. Where are these now or their replacements? Archie Comics is still around and publishing teenage story lines. Disney owns Marvel, yet I never see any Mickey Mouse or Donald Duck monthly comics, they were around when I was young. I know, I got off the original subject, but my point is don't rewrite history, some of these characters have been around for over 70 years, whether the powers that be like it or not they are part of history. The attached image is borrowed from TMZ, please go to their website if you want more information.