Good music, live performance (i.e., theater, concerts, stand up, etc.), fine art and photography, painting, illustration, dancing, singing, songwriting, psychology, technology, Media Communications, sharing new ideas, and socializing with people who appreciate and understand why Drivers Ed., Music 101, and Art in schools are STILL very important.Also interested in world events, culture, and social politix. It is what it is!!! Ever changing and evolving.
Well for one, Tony Bennett. Because he is an amazing vocal artist with an enduring career, major appeal to various age groups still (including 20-somethings), AND he also happens to be a very accomplished painter, who sells his work constantly, and he makes people happy when he sings (he enjoys it so much). That takes passion. And I would also like to get to meet other muse minded creative types. Artists, musicians, singers, actors and the like. Serious minded and fun individuals who are evolving towards their craft (whatever it may be). Also looking for peepz who can appreciate (or tolerate?!!) all the above. [smile]
Jazzanova, The Black Eyed Peas, Timbaland, John Mayer, Ashford & Simpson, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Zero 7, The Doobie Brothers, Rufus and Chaka Khan, Renee La'Mour, Stephanie Mills, Sean Paul, Nikka Costa, Three 6 Mafia, Rhianna, Joss Stone, Maroon 5, Bach, Men At Work, Pharell, Hootie and the Blowfish, Tchaikovsky, Handel, Debussy, Ella Fitzgerald, Linda Hopkins, Dorothy Dandridge, Eartha Kitt, Tony Bennet, Imogen Heap, Macy Gray, Moby, Will.i.am, Scritti Politti, The Art of Noise, Yes, Seal (and anything else produced by Trevor Horn), Gwen Stefani, No Doubt, Level 42, DJ Spinna, Marques Wyatt, Miguel Migs, Paul Oakenfold, Queen Latifah AKA Dana Owens, Goapele, Massive Attack, Ananda Project, Sarah Vaughn, Marlena Shaw, Dwele, John Legend, Lauren Hill, Kim Hill, Gino Vanelli, Stevie Wonder, Madonna, Mary J. Blige, Miles Davis, Nancy Wilson, Corinne Bailey Rae, Louis Armstrong, Eminem, Patti Austin, Jill Scott, 4Hero, Bilal, Public Property, Mark Ronson, Sandra Bernhard, Grace Jones (especially "Slave to the Rhythm", Trevor Horn again), Wally Badarou, TOTO, Fela and Femi Kuti, Led Zeppelin, Brand New Heavies, Sheila E. (my girl...holla), Jamiroquai, Janet Jackson, Thievery Corporation, Sondra Lerche, Ultra Nate, The Gypsy Kings, Lalah Hathaway, Angie Stone, Incognito, Traci Chapman, John B., Vikter Duplaix, Groove Armada, Blu Six, Shakira, Amel Larrieux, Kansas, Queen, Bob Marley, The Eagles, The Rolling Stones, Aerosmith, Herbie Hancock, John Coltrane, Parliament Funkadelic, Whitney Houston, Diana Krall, Roberta Flack, Donny Hathaway, The Police (and Sting), The Doors, John Lennon (and Paul McCartney), Patrice Rushen, Mariah Carey, Billy Joel, Queen, Kansas, Chicago, Toto, T-Rex, Gloria Jones (holla mama), Etta James, The Little River Band, Electric Light Orchestra (Out of the Blue), Chic, Donna Summer, Phyllis Hyman, Shalamar, Sister Sledge, Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam, Jane Child, John Williams, Sade, Michael Jackson (especially "Off the..Wall" and "Thriller"), Jody Watley, C&C Music Factory, Groove Theory, Earth Wind and Fire, Tisha Cambell (especially "I Don't Want To Be Alone Tonight"), Shirley Bassey, Gale Garnett (the singing voice for Francesca in "Mad Monster Party"), The Bee Gees, early Motown (especially Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell, Diana Ross, The Jackson Five, and the great songwriter Smokey Robinson), The Basement Jaxx, Mike McDonald, Minnie Riperton, Kenny Loggins, Prince, Elton John, Fleetwood Mac, Quincy Jones, James Ingram, and of course The Beatles (just to name a few). I have a truly eclectic taste in music overall, AND an awesome CD collection to prove it. Very much into RnB/Dance, Classic Rock, Rap/Hip Hop, House, Reggae/Dance Hall, and Electronica. I really dig Soundtracks and Experimental/Alternative cuts. Just give me some great music and I won't resist. Music is it for me. Such a big part of my life. I must represent.
Too many to even begin listing, but for a basic stack of favorites...I do like, The Gods Must Be Crazy, Tootsie, Before Night Falls, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, The Usual Suspects, Philadelphia, Soapdish, The Color Purple, The Philadelphia Story, Amadeus, It's A Wonderful Life, American Beauty, Tender Mercies, Shortbus, Goodfellas, Memento, Mad Monster Party, Back To The Future, Mars Attacks, The Rules of Attraction, The Aviator (DiCaprio), Et tu Mama Tambien, Bad Education, The Devil Wears Prada, Swingers, Rear Window, Strangers on A Train, Raising Arizona, The Main Event, What's Up Doc?, An Officer and a Gentleman, L.A. Confidential, Lawrence of Arabia, Almost Famous, Get Shorty, Galaxy Quest, Election, Something New, Postcards From the Edge, Sophie's Choice, A Prairie Home Companion, The Wizard of Oz, The Incredibles, Bonnie and Clyde, The Horse Whisperer, The Grapes of Wrath, The Adventures of Baron Munchausen, Old Yeller, Gone With The Wind, Being Julia, Do The Right Thing, She's Gotta Have It, The Thin Man (series), Broadway Melody of 1938, To Kill A Mockingbird, Carmen Jones, Lolita, Blue Velvet, A Clockwork Orange, Dangerous Liasons, Colors (I'm in it), 2001 A Space Odyssey, The World According To Garp, Happy Endings, The Heights, The Station Agent, The Shining, Fiddler on the Roof, Cool Hand Luke, Kung Fu Hustle, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, The Matrix, Elizabeth, Midnight Cowboy, Capote, Tender Mercies, Midnight Express, What's Love got To Do With It?, Waiting To Exhale, Whatever Happened To Baby Jane, Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm, Bright Eyes, Curly Top, The Gay Divorcee', Top Hat, Psycho, Sunset Boulevard, A.I. Artificial Intelligence, Raging Bull, The Iron Giant, Chicago, Lolita, Strangers on A Train, and the list goes on. I'm a big movie fan (across the map).I love comedies, foreign films, dramas, thrillers, musicals, animated films, and documentaries. I like older classic films (BW and Technicolor), and the current crop of digital cinema that's become the norm. I love the movie-going "experience", but I'm not a "movie snob" (so I can really get into silliness sometimes). So why do ALL films cost the same in theaters? Shouldn't there be levels of ticket prices from excellent to mediocre?!! Most go straight to DVD these days anyhow. So I purchase DVDs more than paying for duds. My DVD collection is large, but NOT like my CD collection. I'm so hooked I can't help myself.
Samantha Who?, Dirty Sexy Money, Dexter, Tell Me You Love Me, Weeds, Brothers and Sisters, Ugly Betty, Entourage, Frasier, Law and Order, Cheers, Scrubs, Friends, Girlfriends, Grey's Anatomy, Desperate Housewives, Jake in Progress, 24, Judging Amy, Sex in the City, The Olympics Winter Games, The Simpsons, Tennis Matches, The L Word, Oprah, ER, Mary Hartman-Mary Hartman, SOAP, Malcolm in the Middle, Lost, Medium, The Simpsons, King of the Hill, The Sopranos, Curb Your Enthusiasm, HUFF, NUMB3RS, Will and Grace, Big Brother, Bewitched, The Little Rascals, PBS/KCET, Showtime, Bravo, Sundance Channel, CNN, IFC, HBO, AMC, TNT,... yada-yada-yadah!!!
Race Matters (Cornel West), Tales of the City, Flowers for Algernon, This Business of Music, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Aesop's Fables, Grimm's Fairy Tales, The Shining, Christine, The Stand and Misery, Picture of Dorian Gray, Tab Hunter/Confidential, Walt Disney "The Art of Film", The World According to Garp, The Hotel New Hampshire, Confessions of a Record Producer, The Songwriter's Handbook, Voice for Dummies, Guitar for Dummies, Bass for Dummies, Photographer's Handbook, Who's Who Almanacs, and The Bible. I like to read biographies and autobiographies of people's lives the most, also many self helps (inspirational), how to books, fiction and non-fiction, computer technology tutorials, and magazines galore. I guess whatever interests me at the moment. I'm a curious, quizzical kind of guy. I like to learn something new everyday, and that's the secret to a child's wonderment...always learning something new, and really experiencing life fully...moment to moment. Check it out!!!
Well firstly Mom. She's an awesome, patient and strong, spirit-filled woman of God. I'm proud of her for she is such an exceptional human being and has taught me a lot. On the other hand, my contemporary heroes are Walt Disney (talk about changing the world with your imagination), Oprah Winfrey and Tom Hanks (for keeping their heads on straight in superstardom), and John Lennon/Paul McCartney (for inspiring me to want to write songs at age seven), Frida Kahlo, Salvador Dali, Anderson Cooper ("rich" with his own purpose and his own goals, despite being the son of Gloria Vanderbilt, and like me, losing an only brother...but forging on), and Gordon Parks (I want to be like him the most...artist,film-director/photographer/writer/student of life). Now, my NOT so contemporary heroes would include Leonardo Da Vinci (such a vision for invention, the helicopter?!!), and Michaelangelo for the Sistine Chapel, The Pieta, AND the statue of David (there IS strength in Art), and Rembrandt (for creating staged depth with his stark, contrasty portrait lighting), P. I. Tchaikovsky (for ALL that he was and more). There are a few others who, for many reasons, I am duly impressed with, but the bottom line is that I tend to respect and admire people who have overcome obstacles and succeed in spite of them; people with inspiration and aspirations, people who are true to themselves and know who they are. Also open and fair-minded thinkers, and humble yet powerful people who strive to make a difference. My heroes AND "she-roes" are regular people who may volunteer their time, are constant hard workers, and especially those who are very loyal to true friendship and family (even through the rough patches). And lastly, anyone who is serious about trying to better themselves as human beings. Yes life can sometimes be difficult, but these are the kind of people that give me hope (and keep me in awe of all the great human possibilities). Whoa, startin' to sound like Miss Universe, so 'Nuff said!!!