A Clear Channel - Day 26

Well the Oscars are over for this year and the stars are probably still celebrating. I started not to watch but I had a feeling I would feel like I missed something if I didn't. I'm glad I tuned in. Lots of new stuff this year. Couldn't stop thinking about when I was a stand-on for Whoopi years ago. I had good behind the scenes look at what goes on and I certainly had several rehearsals presenting and accepting the award. Even got to hold Oscar and see what he feels like. Heavy. So I'm ready for MY Oscar!! Guess I better get some awesome film roles first huh? Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin were hysterical. Great writing and delivery. I'm sure Bruce Vilanch had a lot to do with that but I don't think he is the only writer on the show. I liked the opening: Neil Patrick Harris' song, and the nominees walking out on stage. I thought it was a nice touch to have those awesome dancers dance the nominated songs instead of 5 sometimes boring performances (I not talking about the year when It's Hard Out Here For A Pimp for Best Song!). Also enjoyed the live and personal tributes given to the Best Actor/Actress nominees. Speaking of Best Actress, didn't think that Gabby S. (can't spell her name) would win, but who cares after that glowing tribute from Oprah. Even she was wearing a blue gown. I love that all the Precious women wore the same color. They looked beautiful and what a show of solidarity. I can't remember if Mariah was wearing blue or not and I didn't see Robin Thicke's wife Paula at all.
Well congratulations Mo'nique. We all knew that was coming, but after watching the final Barbara Walter's post Oscar special, did I really need to know that Mo'nique doesn't shave her legs? Also found out that she and her husband have an open marriage. Hmmmm....interesting. And she was abused by her brother from age 7 to 15. All of that and she didn't cry!
All in all I was happy to see so many brown faces up front this year. The youngsters/first-timers, Gabby and the brothas from The Blind Side and Hurt Locker, Oscar winner for Best Adaptation (?) for Precious, Tyler Perry, Sapphire to my man Morgan Freeman...shoot, I almost started crying. Well gotta go work on my acceptance speech...."I would like to thank God and The Academy......"

A Clear Channel - Day 25

Just got back from MCC Los Angeles where Mormon Boy (Steven Fales) did his second cabaret show in two nights. Tonight I had the privilege to be a part of it. I filled in for Leslie Jordan who had another commitment. The show was off da chain!! The energy in that church was electrifying. We had amazing musicians, singers and comics and of course our headliner, the sexiest Mormon I know, Steven. That boy can sang!! He's a gifted songwriter and so clever. I'm so grateful to Gabriella Francis for bringing us together. Steven is to new to the LA area after traveling around the world with his solo show, Confessions of a Mormon Boy (and it is quite a story) and living in New York. I don't think he needs my help but if there is anything I could ever do for him and his career I would do it in a heartbeat. I just started my new business called Stage Mom where I coach and consult actors, comics and solo artists. I could take Steven on as a client. What am I saying? As talented as he is, he should be coaching me.
I met some great people at the show tonight, performers and audience members alike.
So what's next for me? Getting ready to do a part of my solo show in WeHo April 1st. Gotta meet with my director, tech rehearsals, publicity, etc. Gonna be a busy week. Right now I'm about to chillax. I will be watching to Oscars tomorrow. I have a feeling Mo'nique is going to take a little gold man home with her.

A Clear Channel - Day 24

Very productive day getting all my materials ready for The Los Angeles Women's Theatre Festival show on April 1 in WeHo. No drama here (except for on the stage).
Went to see Steven Fales aka "Mormom Boy" in concert at MCC Los Angeles in preparation for my performance with him tomorrow night. Great show and I'm excited about writing a tailor made act for the MCC audience.
What's heavy on my mind at the moment comes out of two conversations I had yesterday. One with my friend Harold who is setting up a meeting for me with a very good friend of his who manages some heavy hitters in the music industry. This came out of me telling him about The Dublin Adventure. He thinks maybe his friend can help me, possibly manage me or point in the right direction so I don't have to go through a situation like that again. It's tough on talent to have to handle everything and be brilliant on stage. The other [facebook] conversation was with my friend Candace who jokingly said, "Don't make me have to call Junebug on that producer guy." (I paraphrase). Both of my friends have a point. I do need a Junebug. Someone to take care of everything and everyone from messy producers to stalker-like groupies who distract me before and after....and sometimes even during my performances. If I had a Junebug, I could just say, "handle that for me please". So...I'm putting it out there...I'm looking for my Junebug either in the form of a personal assistant or a manager/producer for my solo show. Someone who really knows what they are doing. A self-starter, take no prisoners kind of person. (Sounds like a classified ad doesn't it?) "Junebug" needs to be fearless and able to take care of me as far as business is concerned. I'm low maintenance but high performance. And I have to be able to call them.....Junebug.

A Clear Channel - Day 23

Whew! I'm beginning to think clearly again. That little Dublin Adventure had me eating comfort food and we all know comfort foods are not raw! Not that I've been eating all raw, but I have been incorporating more raw foods into my diet lately. As a matter of fact, I am now following a raw food sista here on Blogger. Saw another friend on facebook this evening who has lost 35 lbs. and she looks fabulous!!! I feel a mission coming on.
So, today's email from the Shamrock smoking Leprechaun producer in Dublin was short and (sweet?). After accusing me of not sending in my travel plans and apparently finding out that I had, it sounds like I still have an open invitation to come and do his festival. What? He said why would I want to waste the ticket, it's up to me whether I want to come or not. Now you know I cancelled that flight two days ago. I didn't even know how to answer. It was so nice not to have to read a bunch of negative comments today, I just didn't want to stir the pot again. See, that's how I get fooled...because I want people to be nice but he has already proved to me that he's not. So what do I care if he's nasty again? I'll tell him I cancelled the flight and let the chips fall where they may. I just want him to go away. I've got to focus on my work here. Getting ready to do an excerpt from my solo show in West Hollywood on April 1st. Plummer Park. 8PM. Tickets $10. I'll be posting it on facebook. Come check it out.

A Clear Channel - Day 22

Another accusatory email from Mr. Dublin Producer today. Gee, I'm not surprised. More BS, blah, blah, blah....whatever. I don't know what kind of shamrocks he's smoking over there in Dublin, but that little leprechaun better back off. I am not to be messed with and he is getting on my last nerve. I refuse to be intimidated by some email thug. From now on, if he wants to communicate with me he needs to pick up the phone or talk to me to my face. I got Skype. That's how you handle business. That's how we roll in Hollywood. It has become very clear to me that I am dealing with a person who is operating far below the standards of professionalism to which I have become accustomed. I am so glad I found this out now before I got to Dublin because you know it would only get worse. Once in Ireland what would be my choices? Dorothy could either click her heels and home to go home or end up in jail.
Thank you for your support. You know who you are: Mr. Mystery Man who is in Vegas this week; my graphic artist for her beautiful email; and all those who have listened to and read about (as Wesla calls it) "The Dublin Adventure".
I want to say stay tuned, but honestly I hope this chapter is finished. This is my life we're talking about so you know another adventure is waiting right around the corner!

A Clear Channel - Day 21

Well, I did receive an email from Mr. Dublin Producer today and just as I anticipated, he wasn't happy. But not because there was such a breakdown in communication than I no longer wanted to work with him, nooooo. He's unhappy because apparently I'm the only performer in the whole festival that needed clarification on the word "artwork". He seems to be annoyed that I ask questions and he denies any inconsistencies. As a matter of fact, he has challenged me to list each and every "discrepancy" I have observed. In his words, "I defy you to point out any discrepancies." He wants me to "prove my statements" and then says that I am fully aware that he cannot fill my spot. Geez. Where is the love? The deadline was just two days ago and if artists didn't have all their materials in they would be out of the festival. Soooooo? I know for a fact he has a waiting list and was going to notify people on March 1 in case someone dropped out (or whatever). That seems to be standard procedure for most festivals.
As a producer myself, this is so baffling to me. Why wouldn't he want to make sure his artists had everything they needed to ensure a pleasant working situation and enthusiasm to be a part of his project? I would never treat any of my comics they way he is treating me. If I'm so "incompetent" as he has implied, I don't even know why he wants to work with me at this point. He invited me to participate in the festival but his behaviour is so hostile. Maybe it's a need more than a want. Hmmmmm....? This is beyond confusing. I just want it to be over. I told him I don't intend to go back and forth about this and I will not be corresponding with him anymore. I wish I could say I'm not even going to read his emails (I know there will be more) but that's not going to happen. Besides, I need to know what this guy is up to. I don't trust him.
So, if this is how I feel now.....need I say more?

A Clear Channel - Day 20

Lord, what a day! Woke up this morning with the intention of taking care of all my business for Dublin. There was a list of things that the producers needed and the deadline was yesterday. I had been asking questions over the past several weeks (I have emails to prove it) about specifics so that I would give them exactly what they requested in a timely manner. Or so I thought. I couldn't figure out why my questions didn't seem to be getting answered. I would ask a question, get an answer but still not know what I was supposed to do. The producer kept saying the information was in my contract but it wasn't matching the information he was giving me in his emails. And some questions he didn't even bother to answer so of course I would ask them again. Finally, today I had had enough so I decided to call Dublin (the number they had on their website) and got a voice mail message (of course) which wasn't accepting any new outside messages. What? It referred me to another website that I had no knowledge of, so of course I had to check it out. It was for a festival similar in name, sponsored by a well known alcohol company, with the exact same festival dates and performer's information that was also on the other website. Let me add, my show information was nowhere to be found on either site. I emailed the producer. Again. And he told me to ignore that other website and just do what he told to me do. Well what the ---- was that? At that moment, I heard the voice. It said, "You don't have to do this". I checked in with my posse (real people not voices) and they agreed. So I sent an email withdrawing my show from the festival. Dublin is nine hours ahead of LA, so Mr. Producer will receive my email in the morning. And then I get to wake up to his response. I've got two auditions tomorrow so I'll check my email later...much later in the day. I'm disappointed but I know in my heart it was the right thing to do. If you are confused after reading all of this imagine how I must feel. What would you have done?