Tuesday, December 30, 2014

12/30 FRANK SINATRA JR., CHEF RICK TARANTINO

Francis Wayne Sinatra (born January 10, 1944), professionally known as Frank Sinatra, Jr., is an American singer, songwriter and conductor.

Frank Jr. is the son of legendary musician and actor Frank Sinatra, Sr. and his first wife, Nancy Barbato Sinatra. He is the younger brother of singer and actress Nancy Sinatra, and the older brother of television producer Tina Sinatra.

Early life
Born in Jersey City, New Jersey into the household of one of the most popular singers in the world, Frank Jr. hardly saw his father, who was constantly on the road either performing or working in films. However, Frank Jr. recalls wanting to become a piano player and songwriter from his earliest days. His father wanted to name him after Franklin D. Roosevelt, who was President at the time of his birth.

Personal life
Frank Sinatra, Jr. married Cynthia McMurry on October 18, 1998 and divorced on January 7, 2000. He has had one son from a previous relationship, Michael Sinatra (born March 1, 1987) who lives in Japan.  Sinatra has denied speculation about the existence of another son named Frank Sinatra III.

Career
By his early teens he was performing at local clubs and venues. At age 19 he became the vocalist for Sam Donahue's band. He also spent considerable time with Duke Ellington, learning the music business.

Frank Jr. spent most of his early career on the road. By 1968 he had performed in 47 states and 30 countries, had guested on several television shows.  had hosted a summer replacement show for The Dean Martin Show, had sung with his own band in Las Vegas casinos and had been the opening act for bigger names at other casinos. During that time he gained a reputation for rigorous rehearsals and demanding standards for his musicians.

Sinatra appeared in the Sammy Davis, Jr. drama A Man Called Adam in 1966. Sinatra also appeared on the television crime drama Adam-12, in the episode (originally broadcast on March 13, 1974) titled "Clinic on 18th Street". He played a deputy district attorney named Gino Bardi.

The National Archives now houses a fifteen-minute song and monologue composed by Sinatra in 1976, Over the Land. It evokes the memory of the nation's flag and the nation's experiences with the flag since the War of 1812.

Starting in 1988, at his father's request, Frank Jr. placed his career on hold in order to act as his father's musical director and conductor. Poet/vocalist Rod McKuen said this:

As the senior Sinatra outlived one by one all of his conductors and nearly every arranger, and began to grow frail himself, his son knew he needed someone that he trusted near him. [Frank Jr.] was also savvy enough to know that performing was everything to his dad and the longer he kept that connection with his audience, the longer he would stay vital and alive.

In 1989, Sinatra sang "Wedding Vows in Vegas" on the acclaimed Was (Not Was) album, What Up, Dog?, later performing the song with the band on Late Night with David Letterman.

During the 1995–1996 television season, Sinatra was offered the role of Vic Fontaine on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Despite being a fan of the show and finding the role interesting, he turned it down, declaring that he only wanted to play an alien. James Darren accepted the part after demurring at first because he found descriptions of the part too "on the nose", changing his mind when he read the script.

Sinatra guest-starred on an episode of Son of the Beach in the episode "You Only Come Once" playing the villain Stinkfinger, and he sang his own theme song for the character. He had a guest spot playing himself on The Sopranos, in a role either mocking or acknowledging all the stories about his father's involvement with the mob - he lets Paulie Walnuts refer to him as the "Chairboy of the Board."

Sinatra appeared in a 2006 episode of Family Guy, "Brian Sings and Swings" (Season 4, Episode 19), where he was introduced as the "Member of The Board". He performed several tunes during the show, accompanied by Stewie and Brian. During the ending credits, he sang the Family Guy theme song. He also recorded a commentary for its DVD release. He returned in a 2008 episode, "Tales of a Third Grade Nothing", where he sang with Brian again, with Stewie returning as a sideline investor supporting the duo.

In 2006, Sinatra released an album entitled That Face! including the songs "You'll Never Know" and the self-penned song "Spice".

Sinatra made a brief cameo appearance in the series premiere episode of the 2010 CBS legal comedy-drama The Defenders, as well as the show's series finale.

UPCOMING APPEARENCES
New Year’s Eve Celebration with Frank Sinatra Jr.

We are pleased to announce a very special New Year’s Eve celebration taking place at The Riviera Palm Springs featuring Frank Sinatra Jr. along with a spectacular 8 piece band.

An iconic playground of the past, characterized today by its Old Hollywood glamour with a fresh, contemporary twist, the Riviera Palm Springs will evoke a magical evening of entertainment, dancing and culinary delights, including a four course dinner prepared by Executive Chef John Roberts and New Year’s party favors and a Champagne Toast at midnight, for up to 650 guests.

Doors will open at 7:30pm and prior to Frank Sinatra Jr.’s performance at 10:45pm, which will continue through midnight, the hotel will amuse guests with the Riviera Palm Spring’s pianist Martin Ross.

A favorite destination of Rat Pack icons, such as Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr., as well as stars such as Elvis Presley, Bob Hope, Sonny and Cher and Elizabeth Taylor, the Riviera continues to attract Tinsel-town’s elite with its rich history and famed pool parties.

To kick-off this memorable evening and in celebration of the New Year, the Riviera Palm Springs is offering a special New Year’s Eve Package:
One night accommodations
Two tickets to the Frank Sinatra Jr. Dinner Show
25% off treatment in SpaTerre
$50 daily resort credit
Package starts at $1100

Tickets for the Event only can be purchased separately and start at $289.00 per person.

Information & Reservations:
Call 760-778-6617


THEN OUR PAL CHEF RICK STOPS BY WITH SOME AMAZING RECIPES

Rick Tarantino or Chef Rick as he is know in the media has a diverse back ground that has helped him build a successful career as a celebrity chef. He attended the University of Massachusetts, Amherst Campus and graduated with a Bachelors' of Science from the School of Food Science and Nutrition. Then began his work experience at the prestigious chain of Sheraton Hotels and Resorts from Los Angles to New York's five star St Regis Hotel, Rick worked his way up the corporate ladder. But that was only the beginning, with years of experience in the family hotel business that he was raised in and now with corporate hospitality business under his belt, he began his entrepreneurial career and started Inn Vision a state of the art in-room movie company in hotels around the country. After successfully selling that venture he went back into his family hotel and restaurant business with his father. Emerald Hotel and Resorts International, owned and operated hotels and restaurants in New England.

Rick then returned to school and received his Masters of Science degree from Johnson & Wales University, the world leading hotel and culinary school. Wanting to give back he began teaching at the school. That lead to an opportunity to develop an alumni and development office for the Chancellor, so when his father retired, they sold the hotel company and Rick began his next career as an educator, author and fundraiser. During the ten year period at Johnson & Wales, Rick met Justin Miller a young inspiring 6 year old who loved to cook. Rick trained Justin to become the Guinness Book of Records Worlds Youngest Chef and the two travelled the world cooking and inspiring others. This launched Rick in to the Television and Media industry.

The pair appeared on almost every national television show venue from Good Morning America, David Letterman, Disney, to the Food Network. Rick also became a research chef for many national brands like Westinghouse, Rival's Crock -Pot, Cattlemen's, BBQ sauce, Kraft Foods, and VacuWare to just name a few. In addition he now appears regularly on HSN ( Home Shopping Channel ) and The Shopping Channel Canada as well as National Infomercials and Tradeshows.

Chef Rick has experience in many media outlets, live appearances, press tours, news shows, morning shows, radio, infomercials, cook books, and currently co-hosts a cable cooking show called You Won't Even Miss it. He worked with Celebrities like the late Julia Child, Emeril Lagasse, Jarred Fogle from Subway and Martin Yen. He is sought after for recipe development by food companies and supermarkets. He develops many of the free recipes you pick up at the grocery store and tours supermarkets regularly teaching customers recipes and how to enhance their meals to get out of the "Food RUT". You can see him at Hannaford's, ACME, Lowes, Sweet Bay and Shaw's. He also endorsees his own line of products called Chef Rick Spices, Chef Rick Seafood , Proware Professional Kitchen Products and Bold Chef. He does product development for companies like All-Clad , Williams Sonoma and Westinghouse.

Go to www.myrastellidirect.com/chefrick!

Tuesday, December 23, 2014

12/23 MATT FORBES

MATT FORBES | ‘THE TWELVE MINUTES OF CHRISTMAS’

ABOUT THE EP
The Twelve Minutes of Christmas is the debut release from the 26 year-old Canadian pop crooner, Matt Forbes. Hailed for his hip, youthful approach to the Great American Songbook, Forbes recorded the album ofholiday favorites at the world-famous Capitol Studios in Hollywood. The Twelve Minutes of Christmas features brand-new arrangements of four timeless classics, performed by a group of world-class, first-call musicians. In reimagining these songs for 2014, Forbes enlisted the talents of acclaimed composer and arranger, Callum Au, whose recent assignments have included arranging for the BBC Big Band, RTE Concert Orchestra, Metropole Orkest and Grammy® nominee, Jamie Cullum. !

The EP kicks off with a hard-swinging (and decidedly-cheeky) rendering of Irving Berlin's 'White Christmas', which then leads into a wistful, contemporary reimagining of Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane's, 'Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas'. Jule Styne and Sammy Cahn's lesser-known gem, 'The Christmas Waltz' is given a warm, unabashedly nostalgic treatment here while Forbes concludes the EP by paying homage to that grandfather of all Christmas music, Bing Crosby, with R. Alex Anderson’s charming and ever-catchy, 'Mele Kalikimaka'. In a market over-saturated with Christmas releases from would-be pop stars, Forbes has managed to craft an album that cuts through the noise and evokes those classic Christmas albums of yore, all while giving audiences a fresh
contemporary sound that's all his own.

ABOUT THE ARTIST
Matt Forbes is the 26 year-old Canadian who's setting a new standard for standards. Originally from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Matt has drawn considerable acclaim for bringing, hip, youthful interpretations to the Great American Songbook. His authentic approach, rich baritone voice and sly, comedic charm evoke the spirit of a beloved bygone
era. Matt regularly performs at top jazz venues in Los Angeles with his own Big Little Band, including Herb Alpert’s Vibrato, Upstairs at Vitello’s and The Dresden Room.

More recently, Forbes had the pleasure of opening for the Emmy award-winning Seth MacFarlane (creator and star of Family Guy, Ted) at Catalina Jazz Club in Hollywood. Matt also regularly fronts the acclaimed 22-piece Influence Jazz Orchestra, led by the Grammy® and Emmy-nominated composer, Ron Jones (Family Guy, American Dad, Star
Trek: The Next Generation). He is a graduate of NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts.

For the latest music, news and live dates, please visit the Official Matt Forbes Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/MattForbesLive EP available for purchase worldwide via Amazon.com & iTunes

Tuesday, December 16, 2014

12/16 CCH POUNDER, NCIS: NEW ORLEANS, SOA

Carol Christine Hilaria Pounder (born December 25, 1952), known professionally as C. C. H. Pounder (styled "CCH Pounder"), is a Guyanese-born American film andtelevision actress. She has appeared in numerous films, made-for-television films, television miniseries and plays, and has made guest appearances on notable television shows. From 2002 to 2008, she starred as Detective Claudette Wyms in the FX police drama The Shield. In 2009, she appeared as Mo'at in James Cameron's film Avatar. She starred in recurring roles as Mrs. Irene Frederic on the TV series Warehouse 13until its series finale on May 19, 2014 and DA Tyne Patterson on the FX TV series Sons of Anarchy. Currently she portrays medical examiner, Dr. Loretta Wade, on NCIS: New Orleans.

Early life
Pounder was born on December 25, 1952, in Georgetown, British Guiana (nowGuyana), the daughter of Betsy Enid James Arnella and Ronald Urlington Pounder. She was educated in England and moved to the U.S. in 1970, where she attended Ithaca College. Pounder made her acting debut in the 1979 film All That Jazz.

Career
Pounder starred in the film Bagdad Café,[3] and has made smaller appearances in many other successful films. She has focused primarily on her television career. In the early 1980s, Pounder first appeared in guest roles on Hill Street Blues, and then on several popular shows (The Cosby Show, RoboCop 3, L.A. Law, The X-Files, Living Single and Quantum Leap) before landing a long-running recurring role as Dr. Angela Hicks on ER from 1994 to 1997. In the midst of this she had a large co-starring role in the 1995 Tales From the Crypt feature film Demon Knight. She then returned to guest appearances on other shows, including The Practice, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Millennium, The West Wing (where she was considered for the role of C. J. Cregg) and the short-lived sitcom Women in Prison.

From 2002 to 2008, she starred as Detective Claudette Wyms in the FX Networks police drama The Shield. For this role she was nominated for an Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in 2005. She had previously been nominated for Emmys in 1995 (for guest starring in The X-Files) and in 1997 (for her supporting role on ER). She has also lent her voice to several video games and animated projects, including Aladdin and the King of Thieves, True Crime: Streets of LA, Gargoyles as Desdemona and Coldfire, and most recently Justice League Unlimited as government agent Amanda Waller, a role she reprised for the animated movie adaption of the comic book Superman/Batman: Public Enemies as well as the video game Batman: Arkham Origins, its companion/sequelBatman: Arkham Origins Blackgate, and another animated film that takes place in continuity with the games, Batman: Assault on Arkham.Also, Pounder was one of the readers for the HBO film Unchained Memories: Readings from the Slave Narrative that aired in 2003, directed by Ed Bell and Thomas Lennon. She appeared on the Syfy series Warehouse 13 until its finale on May 19, 2014. Pounder also was one of the stars of the cancelled Fox sitcom Brothers. Pounder was nominated for the Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series for her appearance in the BBC/HBO series The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency. She co-starred in The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones (2013).

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

12/09 JOE CARNAHAN, STATE OF AFFAIRS

JOE CARNAHAN - Executive Producer, “State of Affairs”

Joe Carnahan serves as an executive producer on the NBC drama “State of Affairs.” He also directed the pilot episode.

Carnahan was born a storyteller. As a writer and director, he is known for seamlessly merging action and drama, creating an onscreen intensity that captures the audience.

Carnahan’s first feature film, “Blood, Guts, Bullets and Octane,” which he wrote, directed, edited and starred, premiered at the 1998 Sundance Film Festival. The independent action-comedy would be the first in a long line of daring, original and smartly written films touching on loss, longing and morality.

Since, he has written and directed films that include the explosive crime drama “Narc,” a nominee for the best director Independent Spirit Award and a competition film at the 2002 Sundance Film Festival; the cult classic “Smokin’ Aces”; the 2010 big-budget remake of the classic television series “The A-Team,” which grossed $200 million worldwide; and 2012’s “The Grey,” starring Liam Neeson and which The New York Times hailed as one of the top 10 films that year. Times film critic A.O. Scott described it as a “stripped-down, elemental tale of survival in brutal circumstances, as blunt and effective — and also, at times, as lyrical — as a tale by Jack London or Ernest Hemingway.”

Known for his innovative and character based action storytelling, Carnahan is currently riding a hot streak in television with multiple projects either on the air or being picked up. He wrote, directed the pilot and serves as executive producer on NBC’s hit “The Blacklist,” starring James Spader.

Carnahan is a successful commercial director, having launched his advertising career in 2002 with “The Hire: The Ticker,” which is part of BMW Films’ groundbreaking web series and stars Clive Owen, Don Cheadle, Ray Liotta and F. Murray Abraham. Since, he has directed commercials for brands including Honda, HSBC, Cadillac, Allstate, Coors and Nintendo.

Carnahan is known for his on-set DJ’ing and creating soundtracks for each of his characters. He owns a massive vinyl collection that includes the first album he ever purchased, the soundtrack to “Saturday Night Fever.”

“STATE OF AFFAIRS” - 10 p.m. Mondays 

Each day the president is faced with dozens of life-and-death decisions, and to prioritize the biggest international crises facing the country, one top CIA analyst — Charleston Tucker (Katherine Heigl, “Grey’s Anatomy”) — assembles the President’s Daily Briefing (PDB). This list of the most vital security issues facing the nation brings with it moral and political judgment calls for Charleston and her trusted group of brilliant analysts at the agency. Aside from the political minefields she has to walk, Charlie has a close personal relationship with President Constance Payton (Alfre Woodard, “Desperate Housewives”) because she was once engaged to her son before a tragic terrorist attack took his life. Charlie survived that attack and is now determined to bring the perpetrators to justice. Navigating a complex personal life and a pressure-cooker profession is, of course, a challenge, and Charlie sometimes engages in boundary-pushing behavior to avoid facing her grief. But when the clock strikes 2 a.m., she is all about her job — protecting her nation, serving her president and still trying to get to the bottom of her fiancĂ©’s murder that will reveal itself as a shocking mystery.

The cast also includes Adam Kaufman, Sheila Vand, Cliff Chamberlain, Tommy Savas and David Harbour.

Writer-director Joe Carnahan (“The Blacklist”) serves as executive producer with Dario Scardapane, Katherine Heigl, Nancy Heigl, Robert Simonds, Sophie Watts, Henry Crumpton, Rodney Faraon and Julia Franz. “State of Affairs is a production of Universal Television, Bob Simonds Company and Abishag Productions.

Please visit the official show site at: http://www.nbc.com/State-of-affairs
For the latest “State of Affairs” news, videos, and photos, please like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

https://www.facebook.com/NBCStateofAffairs
https://twitter.com/NBCStateAffairs #StateofAffairs

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

12/02 DAWN WELLS, GILLIGAN'S ISLAND

In connection with the 50th anniversary of the unexpected hit series "Gilligan's Island," Dawn (who portrayed the lovable farm girl next door, Mary Ann Sommers), has released "A Guide To Life: What Would Mary Ann Do?" through Taylor Trade Publishing and Rowman and Littlefield Publishing Group, Inc.

Book Tour Schedule: New York, Denver, Chicago, Reno, Palm Springs, as well as dates in Las Vegas (TBA) and appearances at Vromans (Dec 9th), The Santa Monica Library (Nov 22nd) as well as the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Authors program (Dec 6th) in Los Angeles and more..

Wells, who was a former Miss Nevada, auditioned for the role of Mary Ann Summers opposite such noted competition as Raquel Welch, Patricia Ann Priest and the actress, Nancy McCarthy, who shot the pilot episode under the character name of "Bunny." The role of Mary Ann became a simple farm-girl from Winfield, Kansas and spawned one of the most popular questions of all time "Ginger or Mary Ann?"

Dawn writes about the meaning of the Mary Ann character and observes the cultural shifts that have occurred since she was on the island.  From the get-go, the Mary Ann character was different. She wasn't a Hollywood creation. She was molded by Dawn, from Dawn.  The Character that was originally listed as "And the rest" on the credits became the fan favorite, garnering more fan mail that even the title character.  With over 150,000 fans on her FaceBook page and fan clubs across the U.S., her following has remained faithful.

Dawn says that Mary Ann fits today just as she fit two generations ago, because she is timeless. In a world where the industry and society has been celebrating their "Bad girls," Mary Ann continues to be, for many, the breathe of fresh air as the “Good Girl.” Pop culture is too powerful and too pervasive to be controlled by parents, siblings or colleagues. It can be confused with reality. This leaves young people in a vulnerable position - they have to make decisions that are normally beyond their maturity. Dawn discusses decisions we make in life and even goes straight to the BIG DECISION and delivers her concept of the meaning of sex.  In a world of participation trophies, easy praise, and entitlement attitudes, how do you define achievement? Dawn describes it as a journey of failure and learning and tenacity that requires a constant personal re-examination of what success really means.

A song highlighting Dawn's famous role was performed by a group, named "The Southern Gentlemen," for the TV icon entitled "There will always be a place in my heart for Mary Ann". Miss Wells remarked "I embraced the publics love or Mary Ann years ago.  In fact, she seems to have grown more popular every year."  Why? she explains "I think there are fewer Mary Ann's today than there used to be.  There are many Gingers, both on TV and in real life, but far fewer Mary Ann's ... and I think the public remembers her fondly and misses her terribly."

When asked about the most memorable Mary Ann moment, she responded, "There are too many. However, recently I was brought in to surprise Sandra Bullock with a coconut creme pie as celebrity interviewer, Gino Salomone, was speaking to her about the film "Gravity. We had great fun. I am such a fan!"  The video has been released and can be seen at here!

Since the show ended on September 4, 1967, Wells has continued to work on both screen and stage.  She published Mary Ann's Gilligan's Island Cookbook with co-writers Ken Beck & Jim Clark, which included a foreword by castaway cast mate Bob Denver, and even starred as Lovey Howell in Gilligan's Island: The Musical, a musical stage adaptation of the TV show.  Wells most recently starred along with fan favorites such as Rip Taylor, Lee Merriwether, Bruce Vilanch and others in "Silent, But Deadly" and the stage production of "Lion In Winter" as Queen Eleanor.

Dawn has just completed three stage productions in 2013 including "Love Letters," "Steel Magnolias" and off Broadway in "Love, Loss & What I Wore."  She is currently working on the idea of a new reality show "Hunter History" as well as a new book entitled "A Guide To Life: Why We Love Mary" to be released this year (Sept).

RECIPE OF THE WEEK:

BEEF TENDERLOINS CON BALSAMICO

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 large onions (thinly sliced)
4 (8 ounce) beef tenderloins
1 cup balsamic vinegar
salt and freshly ground pepper

Heat a skillet with 2 tbls extra virgin olive oil over medium heat and add the onions, cook until the onions are golden and caramelized for about 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. If the pan is getting dry add some water and set aside.

In another skillet on high heat add the remaining olive oil and place the beef in the oil when hot. Sear both sides for about 30 seconds, turning once. Add the balsamic vinegar to the beef and deglaze the pan. Cook until balsamic is reduced to a syrupy consistency.

Plate the beef tenderloins with the caramelized onions on top. Drizzle the beef with balsamic reduction.

Serve hot!!