MOVING WEEK (UPDATED)!

Dear Friends: I'll be moving all this week.

But once I'm situated, I'll be back! I

really appreciate your patience. :)

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SEE YOU SOON!

----Michael

WILLIE NELSON: A FRIEND TO ANIMALS!

A Man Fighting The Good Fight!

Photo: Courtesy of Rolling Stone

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My mother is so shocked by the physical abuse people seem to forever be inflicting on each other in the news on television, that she often says, "My God, I can't even see an animal treated with such cruelty". These words came to mind when I heard the positive news that Willie Nelson has filmed a television commercial funded by the Utah-based Best Friends Animal Society. The commercial is aimed at stopping one of the most sickening acts of animal cruelty. His television spot supports an anti-dogfighting bill that is moving through the Georgia Legislature. Since I've copy written many commercials, I took note of the effectiveness of this ad copy: (Nelson looking into the TV camera): "Dogfighting is against the law in Georgia, but the laws are so weak, the beautiful state of Georgia has become a haven for dogfighters from around the country," he says. The bill has already passed the state Senate and goes before a House committee in January. I hope it passes! If it does, it would make it a felony for anyone to sell, trade or transport dogs for the purpose of dogfighting.

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Another thing I like about Nelson (aside from his CD "Teatro") is the fact that he is a sincere advocate for horses and their treatment. He has been campaigning for passage of the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act (H.R. 503/S. 1915) with the Society for Animal Protective Legislation. Further, Nelson is on the Board of Directors and has adopted a number of horses from Habitat for Horses. I've Blogged about this Act twice now on this website because I feel my late Cousin would want me to do it. And besides, it comes from my heart. So, for the Third time, I'll say this. We have three foreign-owned mills in this country that are slaughtering horses and I'll spare you the rest. This is just so warped. If you have a moment, write a short, but to the point letter as I have to your Congressional Representatives and tell them to support the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act H.R 503/S.1915 today!

Hope You Enjoy the Weekend!

---Michael

FRIDAY MOVIE SUGGESTION NIGHT PRESENTS:"MARTY"!

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Can you believe that Ernest Borgnine is 90 years old? Me neither! But I saw him the other night as a Guest on "The Tavis Smiley Show" on PBS. Borgnine spoke in detail about the late writer Paddy Chayefsky and says he stays busy to stay young. "Can you believe it? People are still offering me roles at 90!" said Borgnine. A jovial fellow who still looks like the mischievous lead character he played on the TV sit-com "McHale's Navy" (in re-runs worldwide), the movie "Marty" was discussed out of the hundreds Borgnine acted in. After it was filmed, Borgnine received a call from his agent to star in the TV sit-com about a wacky Navy unit. "When they called me about McHale's Navy, I felt I was above that and turned them down", said Borgnine. Then fate lent a hand. A paperboy knocked on Borgnine's door to collect for the subscription, and Borgnine asked the youngster if he knew who he was? "Nope", replied the paperboy before walking away. Borgnine immediately called his agent back and said, "Tell them I'll do it!" To this day around the world, he is recognized as "McHale". But this movie is altogether different. You'll soon realize why I picked it.

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Marty (Ernest Borgnine) is a 34-year-old butcher whose Italian family is constantly after him to get married. His self image is that of an unattractive man that no woman wants. He meets a plain-looking schoolteacher named Clara (Betsy Blair) who has felt the same way her entire life. When their unpleasant lives draw them closer, perceptions change and so do their lonely, unloved existences. The slow dance scene in the club is pivotal. This tender, sensitive portrayal of two people on the fringes of society who rise above the ugliness other have cast over them is heartwarming. "Marty"---to my knowledge---is the only Academy Award Winner for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor and Best Screenplay (and Nominated for Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Art-Direction and Best Cinematography) to also win at the Cannes Film Festival. You will loose your heart to this one. Here is the extraordinary Cast: Ernest Borgnine is Marty Piletti; Betsy Blair is Clara Snyder; Ester Minciotto is Mrs. Theresa Piletti; Augusta Ciolli is Aunt Catherine; Joe Mantell is Angie; Karen Steele is Virginia and Jerry Paris is Tommy. Screenplay and Story by Paddy Chayefsky; Directed by Delbert Mann.

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HAPPY HOLIDAYS! AND FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH, I'M THANKFUL FOR EACH AND EVERY ONE YOU WHO VISIT MY FEATURE "FRIDAY MOVIE SUGGESTION NIGHT". AND IF YOU ARE A LURKER, PLEASE...KNOW THAT YOU ARE WELCOME TO BECOME A BLOGGER ANYTIME. THE DOOR IS ALWAYS OPEN HERE! ENJOY THE MOVIE...

---Michael

NEIL YOUNG IS A CAR BUFF!

Photo: Courtesy of CNN

Neil Young after taking his 1959 Lincoln Continental for "one last spin" before the car is refitted with an earth-friendly bio-diesel engine.

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It used to be that I fell in love with my cars (dangerous-because they bleed you financially). I've restored a couple of them and don't wish to do that again. But the closest I can come to sharing a "one last spin" story was the night before I sold my rare MGB-GT in Texas to two millionaire brothers who own a storage business in Wisconsin. Oddly enough, my car (which stranded me 14 times in the 3 months I owned it) ran superbly the night before the sale, with the dual-carburetors in synch. I found an abandoned road and opened her up to 115 miles per hour--(back when I was stupid--DO NOT try this). The next morning, the MG was loaded onto a car carrier and I lost $600 getting rid of a car with multiple electrical and mechanical issues. But Neil Young's story is quite different.

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He took his 1959 Lincoln Continental for "one last spin" before a team of mechanics (when you're a millionaire rocker you can afford a "team of mechanics") removed it's large block V-8 to make way for an electric motor. Car buffs may have had a fit. But Young wanted a snazzy fuel-efficient hybrid. "If we're going to make a difference, truly make cars more environmentally friendly," Young said. "We have to make that emotional connection." I nodded when Young said that because most everyone has a connection with an old car like his Lincoln. Weighing in at 2 and a half tons, the 19 foot-long car will run on bio diesel fuel until the electric motor is recharged. Young said , "It can get 100 miles to the gallon, not 10 miles to the gallon." The only drawback to this type of cool conversion is the price tag. Ready? $40,000.00 (US). Joining Neil Young is California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who's having his Wagoneer converted to bio diesel. So, as much as I loved seeing Jon Bon Jovi's appreciation for his 1972 Chevelle and fellow car enthusiasts like Jerry Seinfeld and Jay Leno, my guess is that like VCR's and Cell Phones after they first came out, you'll see the price gradually fall and even the conversions themselves will become simpler. But it's nice to see that one can "have their cake and eat it too" for a great cause. Oh, before I go...Neil is naming his car the "Link Volt"!

FRIDAY MOVIE SUGGESTION NIGHT PRESENTS "EXPERIENCE": JIMI HENDRIX AT ROYAL ALBERT HALL!

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Once again, we break ground with a "first" for "Friday Movie Suggestion Night": a movie that is available on DVD, but did not receive a traditional release in any theater! The CD "Experience" was the soundtrack from this film that I played in my car along with a handful of others to make time pass by more quickly during my recent travel on the Interstate Highways. While not as dramatic as The Monterrey Pop Festival where Hendrix lit his guitar on fire before smashing it to pieces at the end of his set, this is really a fine performance. Here we have Jimi's backup band, "The Experience" with Noel Redding on Bass (even though he had never played bass before auditioning; he was a guitarist), and Mitch Mitchell--a well-known London drummer who brought jazz chops and a lead style of playing to the band. Jimi Hendrix and The Experience followed the lead of Cream and Grand Funk Railroad as among the first "power trio" pioneers in Rock music. Just Guitar, Bass and Drums at high volume. However, Hendrix mixed fascinating lead and rhythm guitar duties together while being among the first to use guitar feedback and a wah-wah pedal. "The Experience" was also one of the first integrated bands. Given the racially troubled times, the idea of having a black front man with two white men was quite a strong political statement. This was the band that Hendrix recorded his three most successful albums, "Are You Experienced?", "Axis: Bold As Love" and "Electric Ladyland". The band dissolved in June of 1969 at The Denver Pop Festival where Hendrix announced "This is the last gig we'll be playing together." Two separate personnel line ups evolved: a larger one for The Woodstock Music and Arts Festival, (I found a great 2-CD copy of Hendrix's full Woodstock performance at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday August 18th, 1969 with only 25,000 remaining in the crowd) and "Band of Gypsy's" which found Hendrix returning to a "trio" format. Hendrix died later that year. "The Experience" was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992. This filmed performance turned out to be the last U.K. appearance of The Jimi Hendrix Experience on February 24, 1969. I hope you enjoy it!

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Set List

1. Sunshine of Your Love



2. Bleeding Heart



3. Fire



4. Little Wing



5. Voodoo Child (Slight Return)



6. Room Full of Mirrors



7. Purple Haze



8. Wild Thing



9. Smashing of the Amps

REMEMBERING SAHARA ALDRIDGE

Dear Friends: Shortly after 12 Noon I was contacted by Greg Talbut, Manager of The Show-Me Center Concert Arena (site of Rick Springfield's "Concert for Sahara" last December 8th) to advise me that Sahara Aldridge died last night after a valiant battle with cancer over the past 17 months. Like many of you who have followed Sahara's brave battle, my heart is shattered. But I celebrate her sweet soul. I would like to encourage those of you who care to leave a message for Sahara's sweet parents, Amy and Shannon on Sahara's website at: http://saharaaldridge.blogspot.com/. They are both beautiful people. They need our prayers and positive thoughts at this tragic time. I thank the Good Lord for allowing me to meet Sahara, Amy and Shannon, her Grandma Dooley and Jennifer Hecht, Saraha's 6th grade teacher. Sahara was 13. Never in my life have I met someone with such a beautiful spirit and humanity. To those of you who pray, please lift them up. To those of you who worship differently, please keep them in your heart today and in the difficult days ahead. They need our unconditional LOVE and SUPPORTIVENESS most immediately.

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A LAST FRONT-PAGER FOR 2007!

My Cover Story: An Interview with CEO Bryan Bedford!

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As I head off for Chicago for a 2-day rest and relaxation trip, I was heartened to see my late summer interview in Indiana with the CEO of Republic Airways, Bryan Bedford made the cover of Airways magazine. If you've ever flown on a Regional Jet as part of your journey with United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Frontier, US Airways, Continental or American Airlines, the chances are very good that you were being flown by a Republic Airways aircraft and crew. If you are interested, we are distributed in fine bookstores nationwide (U.S.) such as Borders and Barnes & Noble and fine newsstands on November 4th. We are set for a U.K. and Worldwide release a week later. Enjoy your week!

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Michael

FRIDAY MOVIE SUGGESTION NIGHT PRESENTS: "FROM HERE TO ETERNITY"!

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Serendipity has caught up with "Friday Movie Suggestion Night" for a fourth time in 2007, with this feature and the recent loss of actress Deborah Kerr. Above and beyond how this past Summer and Fall has turned out with such "meant to be's"--as some might be inclined to judge--here is a tale of enlisted men just prior to the attack on Peal Harbor in peacetime Hawaii on the island of Oahu. Much like director Fred Zinnermann's epic "High Noon", he chose to similarly shoot this film in Black & White to capture the isolation and personal complications of the characters. Imagine the following reverse-casting: Donna Reed as a hooker, Deborah Kerr (who replaced Betty Davis) as an adulterous sexpot, and Montgomery Clift as a former boxer and an otherwise insubordinate soldier! The political corruption in the military finds Burt Lancaster cast as the rugged Sergeant. Based on the 1951 novel of the same name, Columbia Pictures chief Harry Cohn gambled with a complex story originally with raw violence and sexual content deemed unsuitable for the times. The task to clean it up was given to Oscar-winning screenwriter Daniel Taradash. However, Taradash's subjects of prostitution, adultery, military injustice, corruption and violence, alcohol abuse, and murder remained intact. It has long been rumored that Frank Sinatra's alleged Mafia ties pressured Columbia's Cohn from giving the role of Maggio to Eli Wallach. This was later fodder in 1972's "The Godfather" (with the alleged Al Martino singer and the "I'll make them an offer they can't refuse" line). Indeed, Sinatra's career had slowed considerably, and this movie worked to reignite his popularity. The most likely reason for his casting was due to the campaigning of then-wife Ava Gardner. Sinatra's popularity had waned so much, that he was paid just $8,000 for his role. Shot for three weeks in Hawaii's Schofield Barracks, this movie garnered 13 Academy Award Nominations and 8 Wins: including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Supporting Actress (Donna Reed), Best Supporting Actor (Frank Sinatra), Best Screenplay (Daniel Taradash), Best B/W Cinematography (Burnett Guffey), Best Sound Recording, and Best Film Editing. Yes, this movie won more Academy Awards since "Gone With The Wind" (1939). For the curious at heart, the 5 Nominations were: Best Actor (Montgomery Clift and Burt Lancaster, who split the votes), Best Actress (Deborah Kerr), Best Scoring, and Best B/W Costume Design.) The Cast: Director: Fred Zinnemann; Written by: James Jones (Novel); Daniel Taradash (Screenplay); Burt Lancaster is Sgt. Milton Warden; Montgomery Clift is Pvt. Robert E. Lee "Prew" Prewitt; Deborah Kerr is Karen Holmes; Donna Reed is Alma "Lorene" Burke; Frank Sinatra is Pvt. Angelo Maggio; Ernest Borgnine is Sgt. James R. "Fatso" Judson and Jack Warden plays Cpl. Buckley. The name of both the book and movie are taken from Rudyard Kipling's 1892 poem "Gentlemen-Rankers", about soldiers of the British Empire who had "lost their way" and were "damned from here to eternity". The famous "beach scene" awaits you...and Pearl Harbor awaits this cast.

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THEY DON'T MAKE EM' LIKE THIS ANYMORE!