10/22 Lorenzo Lamas

Lorenzo Lamas-Craig (born January 20, 1958) is an American actor. Lamas-Craig is known for playing Lance Cumson on the popular 1980s soap opera Falcon Crest, Reno Raines on the 1990s crime drama Renegade, and Hector Ramirez on the daytime soap opera The Bold and The Beautiful. Lamas appeared in reality television, served as a judge on ABC television's short-lived Are You Hot? and starred in his own reality show,Leave it to Lamas, a series about his real-life family.

Early life

Lamas-Craig was born in Santa Monica, California, the son of Argentine actor Fernando Lamas and Norwegian-American actress Arlene Dahl. He is the stepson of swimming film star Esther Williams, who married his father when Lorenzo was 11 years old. Williams was also the best friend of Jane Wyman, who would later play along with Lamas-Craig on Falcon Crest. Lamas-Craig was brought up in Pacific Palisades, California, and moved to New York City in 1971, when he was 13 years old. He graduated from the Admiral Farragut Academy in Pine Beach, New Jersey, in 1975.

Acting career

Longing to be an actor since the age of five, Lamas first studied acting in Tony Barr's Film Actors Workshop and quickly thereafter obtained his first TV acting role in 1976. He had a supporting role in the 1978 film Grease. Early in his career, he also had guest-starring parts in Switch, Sword of Justice, Dear Detective, Secrets of Midland Heights, Fantasy Island, The Love Boat and Hotel.

In 1980, Lamas auditioned for and won the role of Jane Wyman's playboy grandson and henchman, Lance Cumson, for the pilot of a new series entitled The Vintage Years. The pilot was later retooled to become the hit prime time drama series Falcon Crest. During a 2006 TV interview with a Norwegian television team, Lamas said that to get the role on Falcon Crest, he had auditioned twice and beat out five other guys for the part. During his stint on Falcon Crest, Lamas was nominated for two Soap Opera Digest Awards and a Golden Globe Award. Lamas was the only actor to appear in all 227 episodes of the series. In an interview, Lamas said of Jane Wyman's persona into a hard-working legend, not a diva, who referred to her as a friendly woman on Falcon Crest: "With Jane, she expected you to know your lines, but she played poker with the crew at lunch. She was just a great gal; and I think that set the tone for the rest of us. She wasn't a 'spoiled diva,' and believe me, if anybody had a right to be a 'spoiled diva,' it was Jane because she has done so much, Oscar Award-winner, I mean, incredible actress, and she was just like clockwork, right there on time, always knew her lines, always ready to rehearse and she had this great affable quality. You just never talked about Ronald Reagan, that's all, that was one thing we never did, everything else was opened." At the beginning of the ninth and final season of Falcon Crest, off-camera, Lamas received some devastating news about his TV grandmother when she was sent to the hospital that he paid visit to see her to offer her some words of comfort.[1] After cancellation, he did not keep in touch with her for years, on September 10, 2007, he lost his TV grandmother and decades-long friend. Prior to Wyman's death, Lamas released a statement: "Next to my parents, Jane was the most influential person in my young career," he added, "She has left an incredible body of work and accomplishments that cannot go without being recognized and celebrated. I will miss her greatly."

In 1984, Lamas was nominated for Worst Actor at the Golden Raspberry Awards for his performance in the film Body Rock. Lamas also performed a song on the soundtrack for this film, and the track "Fools Like Me" became his only single to date to crack theBillboard Hot 100 chart.

In the early 90s, he began carving out a niche for himself as the next big action-hero, showing off his martial-arts skills and starring in such movies as the Snake Eater-trilogy, Terminal Justice, Gladiator Cop, Bounty Tracker, and many similar low-budget action-films, that unfortunately failed to reach a mainstream-audience.

However, in 1992, Lamas played the role of the falsely accused cop Reno Raines in the syndicated series Renegade. The series was seen in over 100 countries,[citation needed] and during its final season, it moved from first-run syndication to the USA Network. The show ended in 1997 after a run of five seasons.

From February 2004 until February 2007 Lamas played the role of Hector Ramirez on the CBS daytime soap opera The Bold and the Beautiful.

In August 2007, Lamas starred as the King of Siam in The King and I at the Ogunquit Playhouse in Ogunquit, Maine. That fall, he performed at Kean University Premiere Stages in Union, New Jersey, in the title role in Steven Dietz's Dracula. Lamas performed as El Gallo in The Fantasticks at the Casa Mañana Theatre in Fort Worth, Texas, in June 2008. In June 2009, Lamas returned to the Ogunquit Playhouse as Zach in A Chorus Line.

Lamas began appearing in the Zaxby's restaurant chain television advertisements in May 2008.

In 2008, Lamas appeared in season 2 of CMT's Gone Country.

In 2009, he starred in the Asylum's Mega Shark Versus Giant Octopus as Alan Baxter, a government agent who wants to destroy both the Mega Shark and the Giant Octopus to protect the world from their destructive fights.

Recipe of the Week

STEAK LORENZO

2 New York Steaks (about 1 lb. total) cut into bit sized pieces
4 tbs. of Olive Oil
2 tbs. of Butter
4 cloves of Garlic finely chopped
1 tsp. of Rosemary (dried)
1 tsp. of Sage (dried)
1/4 cup Red Wine

In a skillet heat the butter and Olive Oil. Add the Garlic and cook until slightly brown, do not burn Garlic. Crush Rosemary and Sage between your fingertips to release the oil and add to skillet. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly.

Season Steaks pieces with Salt and Pepper and increase the heat to high and add in the meat.

Cook to desired doneness. It cooks very fast. Add the wine and cover for one minute. Serve and Enjoy!

10/15 Deana Martin

Ms. Martin made her television debut in 1966, performing on her father's legendary television show, “The Dean Martin Show”. She soon became a frequent guest, taking part in both musical and comedy numbers with a wide array of guests including Frank Sinatra.

Having trained professionally as an actress at the Dartington College of Arts in the United Kingdom, Deana amassed an impressive array of theatrical credits, including the English productions of Romeo & Juliet, The Taming of the Shrew, Hamlet and A Taste of Honey.  She made her North American theatrical debut with George Hamilton in the critically acclaimed Neil Simon play The Star Spangled Girl, while later adding to her list of stage credits with appearances in Wait Until Dark,Six Rms Riv Vu, A Shot In the Dark and The Tunnel of Love.

Concurrent with her theatrical work, Ms. Martin was a Reprise Records recording artist. Her hit single, "Girl of the Month Club", was a radio favorite and a chart topper. In demand as a performer, Ms. Martin appeared on many of the top television shows including The Joey Bishop, Merv Griffin and Mike Douglas Shows. She also made a fabled appearance playing the dual roles of Daphne & William on a memorable episode of the popular series The Monkees entitled "Some Like it Lukewarm."

Ms. Martin was introduced to motion picture audiences in 1968's "Young Billy Young", a classic of the western genre, in which she co-starred with Robert Mitchum and Angie Dickinson. Her promising debut led to subsequent film lead roles in "Strangers At Sunrise" with George Montgomery and "A Voice In The Night" with Vito Scotti. In addition to her film and television work, Ms. Martin was a busy nightclub entertainer headlining at the nations top showrooms including Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas and the Whisky-A-Go-Go in Hollywood.

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Ms. Martin channeled her enthusiasm for health and exercise into a successful fitness company -- Bodies by Deana. This lead to her top selling workout video, The Deana Martin Total Body Workout. She also stared in her own talk show, The Deana Martin Show, which ran for four seasons and over 40 episodes.
She currently entertains audiences internationally with her “Memories Are Made Of This” concert tour and also tours internationally with her best selling book “Memories Are Made Of This.”

Deana's desire to continue her fathers lifelong tradition of support for various children’s charitable causes has lead to her role as the driving force behind The Dean Martin Festival, a yearly event in her father’s hometown of Steubenville, Ohio. Proceeds from this event fund the Dean Martin Music Scholarships; awarded to worthy young people in the Steubenville area.

In 2003, Deana returned to television with a memorable musical performance with Jerry Lewis on the annual MDA Telethon.  Martin and Lewis were together again as Deana and Jerry performed a touching duet of Time After Time in honor of her father. Also that year she was invited to speak in Washington D.C. where her father, along with Sophia Loren and Robert DeNiro, where honored by the National Italian American Foundation. This event served as the launch of a new Dean Martin Music Scholarship.

In 2004 Deana broke new ground as an author with her best-selling memoirMemories Are Made of This: Dean Martin Through His Daughters Eye’s, published by Random House which became an instant best-seller in the US and subsequently attained No. 6 in the Australian best-seller list and reached to 10 in the UK best-seller list. Memories Are Made Of This continues be a best-selling book around the world.

2005 brought Deana back to the concert stage with her critically acclaimed national concert tour Deana Sings Dino. Also that year, Deana joined the Music of Your Life Radio Network, where she hosts the Deana Martin show, a daily nationally syndicated show.

In 2006 Deana began the “Memories Are Made of This” concert tour, in which she sings the fabulous hits of her father Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Judy Garland, and many other of her father’s Pallies. She has performed from Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas to the legendary Paramount Theatre in New York, from the Coral Springs Center for the Arts in Florida to Harrahs in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Recently Deana was the special guest star, performing with Regis Philbin at the prestigious Grand Palace Theater, in Branson, Missouri. Their largest performance Art Theatre and in a reunion concert with Davy Jones of the Monkees at the Arcada Theatre in St. Charles, Illinois.

In 2007 Deana performed in over 200 concerts with Les Brown and His Band Of Renown.

In 2008 Deana is touring Domestically and Internationally. She has recently returned from a sold out concert tour with Les Brown Jr. and his Band Of Renown. From the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts in Cerittos, CA to 5 shows at Benaroya Hall, in Seattle WA. to the Ford Theatre in Dearborn, MI. Deana is also turning Internationally, from London, England to Dubai in the UAE. Later this year she will be returning to England, as well as performing in Wales, Scotland, Spain and Italy.

A favorite of the media, Deana has been profiled on countless televisions shows both domestically and internationally such as, CBS Sunday Morning Show with Bill Geist, The BBC, The Today Show, Live With Regis and Kelly, The Tony Danza Show, Larry King Live, Entertainment Tonight, A&E Biography, CMT (Country Music Television), Sky Italia, all the BBC top rated shows including Big Breakfast and many BBC Documenteries including Bruce Forsyth On Vegas. She has been profiled in publications such as, Jazz Times, with a feature story in July 2008AOPA, one of the US’s top selling Aviation magazines, Family Tree magazine, a feature profile in 417 Magazine, Razor Magazine, and featured in one of the largest selling magazines in the world HELLO, as well as numerous newspapers and publications around the US and abroad including, England, Italy, Germany, Japan and Australia and being an accomplished pilot, Deana was also featured as a cover story for Twin Cessna Flyer.

Her debut album, “Memories Are Made of This,” was released August 2006, and has to date, remained on the top 10 charts for 40 consecutive weeks. Deana’s arrangements were written by the world-renowned arranger/conductor Charles Calello. Deana will continue her extensive concert tour throughout the US and abroad.

Today, Deana remains very busy hosting two top nationally syndicated radio shows. One on the largest adult contemporary radio network, “The Music Of Your Life Network”. Deana hosts a daily show with her husband John Griffeth that has over 120 million listeners domestically and 26 million listeners worldwide. On the XM Satellite Network, she hosts “The Strip” (as in Las Vegas). “The Strip” is one of XM’s top rated shows.

Deana Martin is an internationally acclaimed entertainer, performing to sold-out audiences worldwide. She is an accomplished actor, Top-10 recording artist, and daily nationally syndicated radio personality. In her best-selling book, "Memories Are Made Of This", Dean Martin Through His Daughters Eyes", Deana delights in sharing wonderful, never-before-told stories about her father and his "Pallies" known as the Rat Pack. Her book is soon to be made into a movie directed by actor Joe Mantegna and screen play written by actor/writer Bonnie Hunt. In 2009, Deana released her new hit CD "Volare", working with multi-Grammy Award-winner Al Schmitt at Capitol Records in Hollywood, California.

Deana and her husband John Griffeth divide their time between Beverly Hills, CA and Branson, MO.

Recipe of the Week

Penne with Asparagus & Gorgonzola

1lb Penne Pasta
1lb Asparagus (cut in pieces & pre-cooked)
8 oz Gorganzola Cheese (crumbled)
3/4 cup Heavy Cream
Olive Oil
Salt & Pepper

Bring a large pot of water to a boil, don't forget to salt it and add pasta. Cook 8-10 minutes or until a dente.
Combine cream, chesse and salt and pepper and put aside. Drain pasta when done and add asparagus and the cheese mixture and toss untill the cheese has melted and the pasta is coated with the sauce. You can drizzle a little extra virgin oil over top. Serve immediately.

10/08 Frankie Avalon

Frankie Avalon (born September 18, 1940) is an American actor, singer, playwright, and former teen idol.

Life and career

Avalon was born Francis Thomas Avallone in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the son of Mary Loretta and Nicholas J. Avallone. By the time he was 12, Avalon was on U.S. television playing his trumpet. As a teenager he played with Bobby Rydell in Rocco and the Saints. In 1959, "Venus" (5 weeks #1) and "Why" went to number one on the Billboard Hot 100. "Why" was the last #1 of the 1950s. Avalon had 31 charted U.S. Billboard singles from 1958 to late 1962, including "Just Ask Your Heart" (U.S. #7), "I'll Wait For You" (U.S. #15), "Bobby Sox to Stockings" (U.S. #8), and "A Boy Without a Girl" (U.S. #10). Most of his hits were written and/or produced by Bob Marcucci, head of Chancellor Records. He was less popular in the U.K., but did still manage four chart hits with "Why", "Gingerbread", "Venus" and "Don't Throw Away All Those Teardrops".

Teamed frequently with Annette Funicello, Avalon starred in a number of popular "beach party" comedy films during the mid-1960s. The wholesome and romantic coupling of "Frankie and Annette" in summer movies such as Beach Party and Beach Blanket Bingo became iconic figures in American films during that era.

Avalon also had straight dramatic parts in the John Wayne historical western film The Alamo, as well as the science-fiction story Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea (1961) with Barbara Eden.
Materializing as a character called Teen Angel, his performance of "Beauty School Dropout" in the hit 1978 film of the musical Grease introduced Avalon to a new generation of viewers.

Avalon appeared in nearly two dozen TV episodes, including ABC's The Bing Crosby Show and The Patty Duke Show, appearing often as himself. Later, he became a national television spokesperson for Sonic Drive-In. In 1965 he appeared in the Combat! episode "Brother, Brother" as a childhood friend of Pfc.Kirby, played by Jack Hogan.

The 1980 film The Idolmaker, written by Ed Di Lorenzo and directed by Taylor Hackford, was a thinly-disguised biography of Avalon ("Tommy Dee" in the film) as well as 1950s teenage star Fabian (called "Caesare" in the film), along with songwriter/producer Bob Marcucci (called "Vinnie Vacarri"). In the movie, Dee clashes with the record producer and younger singer Caesare, who he feels threatens his career. Eventually, Dee and Caesare quit the label, but their record careers collapse just as the British Invasion begins. The real Fabian threatened a lawsuit, despite the filmmakers' insistence that the film presented only fictional characters (though Marcucci was a paid consultant). Avalon denied most of the movie's events.

Avalon married Kathryn "Kay" Diebel on January 19, 1963. She was a former beauty pageant winner, and Avalon met her while playing cards at a friend's house. He told his friend that Kay was the girl he was going to marry. His agent warned Avalon that marriage would spoil his teen idol mystique. Still together, they have eight children - Frankie Jr., Tony, Dina, Laura, Joseph, Nicolas, Kathryn and Carla. They have 10 grandchildren. Frankie Avalon Jr. is a former actor who appeared in the original The Karate Kid and is now a musician, and Tony, the second oldest son, plays guitar and taught at the Rock Nation School. Both sons play on tour with their father.
In 1987, Avalon and Annette Funicello returned to movies with Back to the Beach. In 1989 they also appeared as themselves in cameo roles out jogging the streets in Troop Beverly Hills. Not long afterwards, Funicello was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and retired.

Afterwards, Avalon turned to marketing and created Frankie Avalon Products, a line of health and cosmetic aids. Avalon promotes his products on the Home Shopping Network with host Bob Circosta. He made a cameo appearance as himself with Robert De Niro in the 1995 film, Casino.

In recent years, Avalon has starred in stage productions of Grease in the role of Teen Angel and Tony n' Tina's Wedding as a caricature of himself. Additionally, in 2007, he performed "Beauty School Dropout" with the four remaining female contenders (Kathleen Monteleone, Allie Schulz, Ashley Spencer, and winner Laura Osnes) for the role of Sandy on the NBC television reality show Grease: You're the One that I Want! On April 8, 2009, he performed on American Idol.

Legacy

He was mentioned in the System of a Down song "Old School Hollywood". The song supposedly is about Daron Malakian's experience in a celebrity baseball game, where he and Avalon were both ignored.

Avalon is also mentioned in "It Takes Two", a song from the hit musical Hairspray, sung by the character Link Larkin, and in a song by the Wu Tang Clan called "The City" which refers to his experiences of being a big part of the beach party film genre ("Ride the wave like Frankie Avalon").

One of numerous obscure cultural references present in Midway's video game Mortal Kombat 3 was a lo-res image of Frankie Avalon's face that would dart up in the lower right-hand corner of the screen when Goro killed his opponent by knocking him into the spike pit on the Bridge level.
His song "Venus" was featured in Cranium Command (1989–2005), an attraction at Epcot's Wonders of Life Pavilion (now closed) at Walt Disney World. In the attraction, a 12-year-old boy named Bobby (Scott Curtis), tries to survive the pressures of life and falls in love with a beautiful girl named Annie (Natalie Gregory) at school.

He and his song "Venus" are mentioned in Wendy Wasserstein's 2005 play Third. The main character, English professor Laurie Jameson, watches a PBS reunion show featuring Avalon singing the song, and sings a line of it to her daughter. In stage productions of the show, part of the song is played and a portion of the supposed PBS special is screened as part of the scenery.

He is also mentioned in Adam Sandler's 2008 comedy, You Don't Mess with the Zohan, for his haircut, which the Zohan (Sandler's character) thinks is the latest hairdo. He is also numerously referenced in the 1994 film, The Stöned Age, in which he makes an ending scene cameo appearance.
His song "Venus" additionally appeared in season 4 of the TV series Dexter in which John Lithgow's character, Arthur Mitchell, plays it to remember his deceased sister.

Avalon is also mentioned in The Vaccines song 'Teenage Icon'. Where they claim they are no teenage icon, "no Frankie Avalon".

www.frankieavalon.com

wikipedia.org/wiki/Frankie_Avalon

09/24 Cristina Ferrare

At the early age of sixteen, Cristina started a career in modeling with the Ford modeling agency in New York. Her career as a super model spanned over twenty-five years. Max Factor put her under contract as their spokesperson while still a teenager.  During that time her career took off as she graced the covers and pages of every major fashion magazine including Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Cosmopolitan, Good Housekeeping, Ladies Home journal and traveled the world as a sought after international cover girl. During this time she soon became a trusted spokesperson and endorsed numerous commercial products.

In the early 80’s, Cristina co-hosted “AM Los Angeles,” which was the #1 rated morning television show during her five year tenure.  Between many TV appearances, she has hosted her own shows:  “Cristina and Friends” and a two hour live show from Universal Studios’ “Home and Family”. She was a substitute co-host on “Good Morning America” and co-hosted numerous times with Regis Philbin on “Live with Regis and Kathie Lee.” Her primetime series for CBS, “Shame on You,” was one of the first magazine format shows that featured consumer fraud and awareness. It set the stage for other prime time magazine formats that followed. For NBC, she co-hosted “Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus” with Dr. Drew Pinsky. At one time, Cristina had three shows on the air at the same time: the afore mentioned live morning talk show, “AM Los Angeles,” “The Home Show,” and the primetime series “Incredible Sunday” all for ABC. In feature films, she starred opposite David Niven in “The Impossible Years” and the critically acclaimed “J.W. Coop” with Oscar winner, Cliff Robertson. Cristina is an accomplished author, with her New York Times bestseller, Okay, So I Don’t Have a Headache, and bestseller Cristina Ferrare’s Family Entertainment, Cristina Ferrare Style and Realistically Ever After, a humorous view of finding happiness when he’s not Prince Charming, you’re not Snow White and life is not a fairy tale

Her fifth and most recent cookbook, A Big Bowl of Love was released on Mother’s Day 2011 and has been widely accepted and has received raving reviews from bloggers across the country. She is already hard at work on her next cookbook! The success of her books attests to her expertise in the areas of women’s health, wellbeing, culinary arts, stylistic design, as well as her great zest for life and her humor.

Cristina completed 28 shows that air on the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) that debuted on January 3rd, 2011. Cristina’s show, “A Big Bowl of Love” featured celebrity guests along with members of her family and friends serving up great ideas for all kinds of situations that happen in real life!

She has been hosting a series of web episodes for “Oprah.com” that includes cooking classes with the emphasis on how to prepare delicious meals for families, who are struggling with money, time and idea issues. She is writing weekly blogs for Oprah.com that include recipes and answers to questions from fans.

Cristina completed Kellogg commercials for OWN and appeared with her Kellogg recipes on over 20 million Kellogg cereal boxes.

In addition to her complete and extensive web site www.CristinaFerrareCooks.com. Cristina has become a curator on the new and exciting shopping web site www.OpenSky.com as well a key taste maker on the new and fastest growing recipe web site www.Foodily.com

Cristina has been able to harness all the experience she has had over the years interviewing different types of people including entertainment executives, major motion picture and television stars, directors, producers, writers, medical professionals, politicians, designers, and chefs and let it fuel her entrepreneurial spirit into starting her own design business. In 2006, Cristina, along with her partners Brian Thorson and Tim Hosier, started a line of home accessories through their newly formed “Ferrare With Company.” It included picture frames, napkin rings, lamps, scented candles, candle sticks, accessories for the table, and show stopping, one of a kind mirrors and chandeliers using only the finest materials. Swarovski crystals and semi-precious stones, pearls, shells, and metals are placed by hand, piece by piece, onto each object and are true works of art. The pieces are sought after by top interior designers around the country and sells to over 60 stores including Bergdorf Goodman and Barneys on line. In early spring of 2012 they sold their successful company to a leading worldwide manufacturer and distributor of life style products.

Cristina has spoken at various conventions around the country including the 2004 “The Women’s Conference” where she monitored a session about women’s health and sexual well being. In 2007 she hosted, along with Chef Art Smith, a session on cooking for 300 women! She sat on the Board of Directors for “The Women’s Conference” which was headed by California’s First Lady Maria Shriver. Once a year, over 14,000 women come from all over for a life-changing day. It is a true day of transformation and empowerment that encourages women to be their own “Architects of Change” for a better life for them, their families, and their community! She was the keynote speaker at the Creative Connection annual meeting held in St Paul, Minnesota 2011.

Cristina lives in Los Angeles with her husband, entertainment executive Tony Thomopoulos. They have a blended family of seven children and four grandchildren.

09/17 Alex Shaw

Alex Shaw is a 12 year old lead guitar prodigy, who is currently the front "man" in his own band. Backed by various professional, seasoned musicians, The Alex Shaw Band has become quite well known in this area because of it's uniqueness. This 12 year old rock star lights up the stage with his Classic Rock and Blues and has been wowing crowds with his talent from coast to coast.

Alex has only been playing guitar for about 4 years, but started performing only 3 months after picking up the guitar. Alex can be seen performing both locally and nationally volunteering his time and talents at various local charity events to help raise money for those less fortunate.

In March 2011, Alex was featured at the "Rock Out Kid's Cancer" Music Festival in Jupiter, Florida, making a special appearance with the headlining band, Big Vince and the Phat Cats and also sharing the stage with legendary saxophonist, Clarence Clemons, long time member of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band, just before his passing. Local radio hosts from the Gater 98.7 and Wild 95.5, have raved about Alex on the airways after seeing him perform. Alex was also interviewed on various local radio stations.

In 2009, at only 9 years old, Alex's accomplishments earned him an artist endorsement with one of the largest guitar manufacturers in the world, Samick Music Corporation. Alex is considered Samick's youngest endorser and proudly rocks Samick Greg Bennett designed guitars. As a Samick artist, Alex has had the privilege to attend the 2011, 2012 & 2013 NAMM Shows, (National Association of Music Merchants) in Anaheim California, one of the largest trade shows in the music industry, where Alex represented Samick Music and demonstrated his guitar skills before 10's of thousands of people.

In 2011, Alex was discovered on YouTube by Barbara Strauss, executive producer for the Sarasota Blues Fest, and was chosen to participate and be featured in her latest project, a kid's TV pilot called "Harmony's Kitchen;" which is a show that features child prodigy musical talents. During the shoot, Alex was privileged to work and record with legendary producer Bud Snyder (Allman Bros) and Berry Oakley Jr. (son of Allman Bros. bassist)

In fall of 2011, Alex was one of the opening acts for the 21st Annual Sarasota Blue Fest. It is traditional for the Blues Fest to invite a young musical prodigy to open the show and Alex was honored to be in the line-up with such great national acts as Shaun Murphy (Little Feat, Meatloaf, Bob Seger) and grammy award winning band, Los Lobos.

Also in 2011, Alex's Youtube videos also caught the attention of the producers of the Ellen Degeneres Show who called him up and interviewed him with interest of Alex making an appearance on the Ellen Show. He is also being sought after by the casting directors of America's Got Talent and was invited to a private audition in front of producers this past November.

In March of 2013, Alex was invited to perform at Runaway Country, a three-day music festival which featured headlining bands such as Lynyrd Skynyrd, Lady Antebellum, Charlie Daniels, Dierks Bentley, Sara Evans, Billy Currington, Craig Morgan, and more. While he was performing he was noticed by the writers and photographers from US Rockstar Magazine, who interviewed him and featured a story about Alex in the June issue of the magazine.

This young artist is making his name known both locally and nationally performing at such venues as, BB King's blues Club (West Palm Beach), Seminole HardRock Casino (Hollywood, Florida) Bitter End (NYC's oldest and most famous rock club) to name a few. Alex has also performed at conventions in Nashville, Las Vegas and New York and most recently, at age 12 toured Chicago with the School of Rock Allstars and played such venues as Metro Chicago, Beat Kitchen and Lollapalooza 2013.

Alex is an old soul, mature beyond his years, inspired by all of the great guitar legends and determined to follow in their footsteps. If he keeps it up, I'm sure we'll be hearing great things about this kid! It is safe to say that the future of Rock n' Roll is in good hands!

www.reverbnation.com/AlexShaw

www.facebook.com/AlexRocksFans

09/10 Chef Rick Tarantino

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 to get wonderful Chicken Breast!

09/03 Shecky Greene

Shecky Greene (born Fred Sheldon Greenfield; is an American comedian. He is known for his nightclub performances in Las Vegas, where he has been a headliner for more than thirty years. He has appeared in several films, including History of the World, Part I and Splash, and has guest starred on such television shows as Mad About You, Laverne & Shirley, Love, American Style, and Combat!

Shecky Greene is considered by his peers to be the consummate nightclub performer. As a headliner in Las Vegas for more than 30 years he has been seen by millions of people. He does not have a repetitious act, but each performance is tailored to his audience. Quoting Bob Hope, he is truly a "comedian's comedian" who not only tells jokes, but sings, tells stories, improvises songs during a show--and occasionally becomes quite physical on stage.

Las Vegas is known for featuring the world's best and most talented performers, and Shecky's has always been the show to see--not only for hotel guests, but for those who live there as well. His comedic talent is enjoyed by other entertainers who on their nights off stay after their own engagements to watch him perform. Jerry Lewis calls him "the epitome of comic genius."

Greene hails from Chicago and began his career near Milwaukee while still in college. He left college for good when Martha Raye asked him to play her club in Miami, and later returned to Chicago to work the famed night spot, The Chez Paree.
His move to Las Vegas was a natural step in his career. It was there that he introduced Elvis to the Las Vegas audience when Presley performed as his opening act.. His work in films include Splash, Mel Brooks History of the World Part 1,and Tony Rome.

He was the guest host on Johnny Carson's Tonight Show, the Merv Griffin Show and The Mike Douglas Show, but he is probably best remembered for his role as Braddock in the hit action drama Combat. Although there were numerous offers for more films, tv series, etc. Shecky's love for stand up comedy always came first......

sheckygreene.com