Year: 2012

A Conversation With, Interview, Movies and TV

Actress Kristin Booth Discusses “Below Zero”
Actress Kristin Booth

Actress Kristin Booth is seeing double. The multi-talented and Gemini award-winning actress has dual roles in the horror/thriller “Below Zero”; a film in which she stars alongside Edward Furlong (Terminator 2) and horror legend, Michael Berryman (The Hills Have Eyes).

Written by Signe Olynyk, Below Zero tells the story of ‘Jack The Hack’, a once successful screenwriter who now suffers from a severe case of writers block. In a rather extreme attempt to cure him of his “ailment”, his agent forces him to spend five days in a meat locker to help clear his head. When the temperature drops, the lines between fiction and reality blur as both he and a young mother (Booth) are stalked by a cleaver-wielding psychopath…..or are they?

With exquisite cinematography and multiple story lines that keep you guessing until the very end, Below Zero is a thrill ride from start to finish.

I had the opportunity to speak with Kristin about her Below Zero experience and much more in this exclusive interview!

goJimmygo (gJg): What attracted you most to your role in Below Zero?

Kristin Booth (KB): The idea of playing two characters and the challenge of doing that really interested me and made me want to be a part of the project.

gJg: Are you a big fan of the horror genre?

KB: I am a huge fan! I had never actually been in one before but my best friend and I have rented pretty much every horror movie there is. We just love watching them and getting the crap scared out of us.

gJg: Well, then I have to ask you: What’s your favorite horror movie of all time?

KB: That’s a good question. We both had gone to see Texas Chainsaw Massacre when it was in the theater.  I remember, we ran screaming from the car to the house; that’s how scared we were! It scared the bejeezus out of us.  I’d have to say that film because of the sheer thrill we got out of it.

gJg: You were able to work with one of the real horror legends in Below Zero: Michael Berryman!

KB: Michael really is a horror legend and for me to have the opportunity to work with him was surreal and very exciting. I had seen him in “The Hills Have Eyes”, another movie that scared me; to the point where I had to close my eyes halfway through. <laughs>.

The funny thing about Michael is that you see him in all of these scary movies but in reality, he is the nicest man you’ll ever meet. He loves animals and has lots of great stories.  He used to work security for Bob Dylan. He’s one of those people who’ve seen and done a lot. Being around him was great.

gJg: What was it like working with Eddie Furlong?

KB:  Eddie and I were both actually in the movie “Detroit Rock City”. Even though we didn’t have any scenes together, that was a topic of conversation when we met for the first time. It’s funny how we were both in the same movie but had never met. Sometimes that’s just the nature of the business. I remember we both had different ways of approaching things for this movie, but it was great because the characters we played mirrored that so it worked out well.

Below Zero

gJg: Describe the story of Below Zero.

KB:  It’s a look into the mind of a delusional writer. It’s also a little bit like a “Choose Your Own Adventure” book because there are many different ways of looking at it. That’s what makes it so interesting!

gJg: What was your favorite scene?

KB: The cinder block scene was my favorite. I actually couldn’t wait to shoot it, although I’m sure the stunt man was a little nervous about it. <laughs>

gJg: What did you enjoy most about your experience making this movie?

KB: Meeting and working with Signe and Bob (Schultz, Producer). It was a small indie film but they were  both so passionate about it. I like to see people that passionate about their art make their dreams come true.

It was a pleasure to work with them and I hope to get a chance to work with them again in the future.

gJg: What do you like to do when you’re not acting?

KB: I studied to be a yoga teacher years back so I still dabble in yoga. I’ve also just had my first baby, so I’m knee-deep in mommy duty!

gJg: What projects do you have coming up?

KB: I just finished another indie movie called “Sex After Kids“.  It’s about a group of people who are all in the same boat of either having or trying to have kids and what happens to your sex life after these kids are introduced into the world. It deals with marriage and relationships and the challenges of keeping those relationships fresh.  It’s quite funny, and is actually five-story lines of different couples who interact and share their stories, or nightmares as the case may be. <laughs>.

Article first published as Actress Kristin Booth Discusses Below Zero on Technorati.

Kristin Booth Photo: Jonetsu Photography

Cars, Childhood Memories

I Was Born A Rambler Man

And when it’s time for leavin’, I hope you’ll understand … That I was born a ramblin’ man… (Allman Brothers)

I suppose it might have been a bit more apropos had I been riding in the backseat of a Greyhound bus when I saw it. But the truth is, I was sitting in the front seat of my 2012 Toyota Corolla on my way home from work.

I was driving over a hill near my home; one that I had ridden over countless times before and there it was, sitting majestically in the late afternoon sun: A rusted out 1964 AMC Rambler.

Now, you’d be hard pressed to find me discussing anything other than a Mustang when it comes to classic cars. I grew up with the pony car. My father, brother, cousins and uncles all owned them, and every Wood from the South Side of Easton to the outskirts of Palmer Township drove them up and down the strip from the late 70’s right to this very day.

But for some reason, seeing the beat up old Rambler sitting on the side of the road brought back the ultimate memory for me. For you see, not only is a Rambler the very first car I ever remember my family owning, it’s also one of my earliest childhood memories.

It was a beat up machine, much like the one that now sat idle on the hillside near my home. I couldn’t even tell you what kind of transmission it had or any of the optional equipment. All I knew was, it was green and a daily driver for my grandfather in the early 1970’s. From the very first day I had memories of my own, I remember him pulling it up along side the house, beeping the horn and asking me to go for a ride with him to the hardware store across town.

As a five-year old boy, the chance to ride shot-gun with your grandfather is an opportunity not to be missed. It was equivalent to the feeling of getting a new toy for Christmas. Time spent together was priceless, and I immediately dropped whatever it was I was doing at the time and hopped in.

I recall the front seat of the car was well-worn and had holes in it. To help keep the springs from coming up and poking us, my grandmother covered the seating area with one of her many summer dresses. I wasn’t the least bit worried that the pattern of the dress didn’t match the rest of the interior. All I cared about was the drive with my grandfather.

That car meant a lot to everyone. So much so that when my grandfather suffered a stroke and could no longer keep it, it was given to my Aunt and Uncle who lived next door. They had three children of their own and over the next several years the Rambler became the car each of them learned how to drive with. As I got older, I began to think of it as an heirloom; a car that would be passed down among all the children and would eventually wind up in my possession.

As it came closer to becoming my turn to take ownership of the green Rambler, the unthinkable happened. My cousin (who was the current owner of the Rambler) broke tradition and instead of passing it down, decided to sell the car instead. The last I ever saw of the little green Rambler was the day the new owner drove away in it. Although I would eventually learn how to drive in my cousin’s 1986 Dodge Colt; a car that was much easier to learn in than one 22 years its senior, it still wasn’t the Rambler.

Much like how the tooth fairy, Easter bunny and Santa Claus all became distant memories for me over time as I got older, so too did the little green Rambler. That was until today. If only for an instant, I was five again and it was wonderful.

As I drove off into the twilight and looked back at the Rambler, now fading into the distance, a smile came across my face. I thought how funny it was that an inanimate object could make me think of some of the best times of my life.

And what I wouldn’t give right now to take another ride with my grandfather in the Rambler.

Thought and Opinion

James Wood For Congress

You non-political junkies may be bored to tears with this latest post, but I encourage you to read it anyway. The future of our country is literally at stake.

It’s the time again. Time for the greatest nation in the world to go to the ballot box and elect a president and members of Congress. Ones that will represent us for the next two, four or six years. Partisan zombies who willingly do whatever the “R” or “D” say have already set up shop with their lobbiest friends and have begun the process of barraging us with radio and television advertisements in an effort to sway our vote.

Their mission? A promise of hard work to make America better?… Nope.  An honest look will tell you that their only goal is to hold on to their cushy jobs for another few years and then repeat the cycle all over again.

For the next few months, not a single thing will get done in Congress (by either party) out of fear of reprisal by the electorate. Everyone is out “Rah-Rah’ing” for Obama and Romney but no one seems to understand or care that NOTHING is getting done.

Liberals and Democrats refuse to budge on such things as cutting entitlements and Conservatives and Republicans refuse to budge on having the millionaires pay more. Meanwhile, the stock market has been rising and falling for months, the housing market is a complete wreck, gas prices are once again through the roof and unemployment is still hovering around 8% which, ironically is the same approval rating for Congress. When will these people understand that being an elected official who represents the people of the United States is a privilege and not a life time career?

Therefore, I am announcing my candidacy as an Independent for US Congress.

Unfortunately, I can’t promise you a chicken in every pot but here are the four oaths I will work tirelessly to do if elected:

First and for most: Every day on the floor of the House I will make a motion to pass a Constitutional amendment to impose term-limits on ALL members of Congress. This is my only reason for seeking this office.

I, like many of you, am disgusted with what’s happening in Washington. Our elected officials are not doing the will of the people and quite frankly, they really have no need to.  An incumbents re-election chances are around 75-80%. Pretty good odds considering that they really don’t do much. What you have to understand is that for a typical member of Congress, the first day of a new session is actually the first day their re-election campaign begins.

Second, I will NOT seek re-election. My term in Congress will only be two-years. I promise to do everything in my power every single day to make the 28th Amendment to the United States Constitution be to allow for members of Congress and the United States Senate to be re-elected to office only one time.

Examples to make my point:

Strom Thurmond (R): 47 years as Senator
Robert Byrd (D):  52 years as Senator
Charles Rangel (D): 40 years as Congressman
Bill Young (R): 40 years as Congressman

This member for life bullshit has got to stop. Our country depends on it. Back when pitchforks and torches were all the rage and our country was built on the backs of hard-working men and women we needed someone to do the will of the people for as long as possible. That is no longer the case.

Thirdly, for all other votes (you know, important ones like renaming french fries “Freedom Fries”) I will meet with individuals throughout my district every weekend detailing the upcoming weeks agenda and will vote strictly as my district suggests regardless of my personal convictions. I represent THEM. They do not represent ME.

Finally, I will not accept donations or gifts and will only meet with citizens of my district. This will remove any chance of lobbiest influence.

I promise to earn every single penny of the $348,000 I will make over those two years (you did know that’s how much each member of Congress makes didn’t you? Makes you feel so much better about the jobs they’re doing now doesn’t it?).

I do not care if I am a member of any sub-committee or if I am alienated by the current democrat and republican members. I do not want anything more than what I am proposing here

Lets begin the dialogue. For the good of our country. I am ready…. are YOU?

I’m James Wood and I approve this message…

A Conversation With, Interview

The Pride of Mike Tramp
Mike Tramp

Twenty-five years ago, White Lion released their breakthrough album, Pride.

The album, which featured two Top 10 hits, peaked at No. 11 on the Billboard charts and sold more than two million copies in the U.S. alone. Pride became one of the most-heralded pop-metal albums of the 1980s with Vito Bratta’s signature melodic guitar work and the heartfelt lyrics and vocals of Mike Tramp.

From his days in White Lion and Freak of Nature right up to his most recent project, 2011’s Stand Your Ground with Mike Tramp and The Rock ‘n’ Roll Circuz, the man who was the voice of a generation with hits like “Wait,” “Tell Me” and “When The Children Cry” continues to make great music.

You can read the rest of the article and my Guitar World interview with Mike by clicking  here

A Conversation With, Interview, Movies and TV

A Slice of Lauren Nash
Lauren Nash  (Photo: Nicholas Paulos)

Lauren Nash is forging her own path. The multi-talented actress, model and dancer is making a name for herself on-screen and off.

Not only does she have several film and television roles on deck (including an appearance on the new JJ Abrams show, “Revolution”, but Lauren is also busy writing and directing her own short films as well.

This fall, Lauren (herself a huge horror movie fan) will appear in CUT!, the David Banks/David Rountree film about a pair of filmmakers who decide that the best way to make a horror movie is to actually kill people for real.

I had the opportunity to speak with Lauren and get her thoughts on CUT! as well as some of her other upcoming projects!

gJg: Have you seen the trailer for CUT!?

LN: YES!!…. I LOVE it! <laughs>

gJg: Tell me a about how you got the role of Red.

Lauren Nash (LN): It was an early morning audition when I went in, but everything went great. A few days later they called me and told me they wanted to close the role after my audition because they thought I was perfect for it!”

What was the experience like filming your scenes?

The scenes were frighteningly real! <laughs>. We were all in a hotel that really fit the mood. Then of course, you’ve got the props and blood. It was one of the easiest transitions for me to get into character. And both Davids were so nice. The entire process was a great experience. We were able to film everything in one day.

gJg: Are you a horror fan?

LN: Yes, I’m a huge horror movie buff!! My all-time favorite is, “The Exorcist (Directors Cut)”. The only thing is, when I watch it I usually can’t make it past the scene in Iraq where the dogs start barking, only because I know what’s coming!! <laughs>

gJg: How did you get into it acting?

LN: I went to college in Florida and majored in literature and theater. I was living in a tiny little beach town and while I was there, I started getting into commercial work. From there, I began doing some HSN modeling and, after I had honed my skills more, started going on more and more auditions in the southeast. I got my credits together, moved to Los Angeles and here I am!

gJg: What do you like to do when you’re not acting?

LN: I love to dance. Since moving to LA, I’ve also gotten into hiking. I’m also an avid reader.

gJg: What other projects do you have coming up?

LN: I’m going to be appearing on the JJ Abrams show Revolution, which begins airing on NBC September 17th. My role has a potential to recur, so I’m very excited about that. I also have two films that I’ve completed earlier this year that are about to do the festival scene: “Heterosexual Jill” and “The Republic of Two”.

gJg: Tell me a little bit about those films.

LN: In “Heterosexual Jill” – I play a raunchy red-head named, Ruby. That was a lot of fun to shoot.

“The Republic of Two” is a project that’s near and dear to my heart. It’s my boyfriend’s movie and a lot of the film actually takes place in my home. I got to wear a lot more hats than just actor.

I’ve also written, directed and acted in a short film called “Plan B”. I was fortunate to be able to get the production crew from the show Workaholics to help me with it!  It’s the story about how far women will go to be able to afford acting. The truth is, it’s incredibly expensive to live out here, and being an actor is not something you can just do on the weekends. It’s something that you have to work on every day.

gJg: Between acting, writing, making props, editing; you really do it all!

LN: If I’m going to do this, then I’m not going to limit my opportunities! If I have the chance to learn all of these things, it gives me that much more appreciation for the people who actually do these jobs all the time. When you see all of the effort they go through each and every day by doing it with your own hands, you really respect it!

gJg: Where do you see yourself a few years from now?

LN: Continuing to do what I’m doing and being part of memorable projects!

Article first published as A Slice of Lauren Nash on Technorati.

Thought and Opinion

The Dream of Mark Abrahamian (1966-2012)
Mark Abrahamian (1966-2012)

I’ve never met him, but somehow I know him.

Mark Abrahamian, the guitarist for the band Starship, passed away over the weekend, following a concert in Nebraska.  He was doing the thing he loved to do most: playing music for people.

I never had the pleasure of hearing Mark shred on his Les Paul, but found many similarities about myself while reading his biography on his website:

Born February 23, 1966, Mark Abrahamian was taught to play guitar at the age of 10 after being prompted by his mother to “pick something to do this summer”. Mark chose the guitar and was encouraged by her to practice for 15 minutes each day. However, inspired by Kiss guitarist Ace Frehley, Mark was soon practicing on his own within a few months.

The turning point in Mark’s life came in the Seventh Grade when he heard Edward Van Halen’s song entitled Eruption from the album Van Halen..

“I went home and didn’t leave my room until the Ninth Grade.”

For the next few years Mark practiced for hours on end taking the guitar very seriously. He even modified his Dads record player by filing down the gear that drove the turn table so it would play at half speed, so he could take the riffs off the record. It wasn’t long before he was playing for his friends at parties as well as local bands.

When he was seventeen, Mark applied and went to GIT (The Musicians Institute). Being the youngest in his class, “I lived , breathed, ate and slept music.” It was during this period that he discovered such players as John Mclaughlin, Al De Meola, Allan Holdsworth, Jeff Beck, Stevie Ray Vaughan. Discovering different types of music was a big part of his development as a guitar player. Jazz, Funk, Blues and classical all intrigued and inspired him.

Like Mark, I too became inspired to pick up a guitar when I saw Ace Frehley is his KISS make-up. And Van Halen’s “Eruption” became the Holy Grail for me to someday learn how to play. Although I never went to GIT, there was a period of time where I too “lived, breathed, ate and slept music”.

The thing that inspires me the most about Mark’s story is that he made his dream come true. Mark shared the stage with many of the great artists and bands who’s music defined a generation: Starship, Survivor, Loverboy, Toto, AC/DC, Night Ranger and many others. He will surely be missed.

95% of guitarists are lucky to be gigging regularly (most never leave the garage). Fewer still get the opportunity to be the opening act for one of their favorite bands. And then there are those rare exceptions when players get to actually perform with their heroes and become part of the dream. That was Mark Abrahamian.

Mark made it to the “big leagues” as I like to call them. Imagine, growing up listening to your favorite bands and one day being in that band yourself. How cool it must be to walk on stage and see that band’s name on the drum head and know you are a part of it; part of the music you always loved. Mark was constantly reminded every day that he “made it”.

If I can take anything away from Mark’s untimely passing it’s this: Whether you’re performing in the garage or on the big stage always remember to live, love and laugh.

Dreams do come true.

RIP Mark.

1980's, Dear Diary, Life

Dear Diary: September 1987

Here’s another journal entry from twenty-five years ago. If you’ve been following along in my previous Diary entries, you already know about my dreams to make it big as a rock star.

For me, college was only a stepping stone towards reaching that goal. As far as I was concerned, as soon as the president of Atlantic Records showed up at my door with a contract for me to sign, I was gone.

Today’s entry deals with one of the best days of 1987 for me: the day I received my very first student loan check. I know what you’re thinking: “How can one of the best days of your life be about taking on a financial obligation?”

The truth is, words can not fully express how happy I was when I received the little white envelope at the Bursar’s office at Penn State. For you see, at the time it was money that I had very little concern or intention of ever having to pay back.

I found this entry particularly nostalgic when I re-read it again (and also a bit prophetic). First, it was written on the very first day of school in Easton; the first day I was no longer a student in the public school system. It reinforced the notion that I was indeed on my on again.

I also found it to be a sign of things to come. In the last paragraph, I mention the need of having someone “help” me when I become a rock star because I’ll waste all of the money I’ll be getting. In reality, I needed that “help” immediately. I wasted quite a bit of the money I received in student loans on such things as concert tickets and guitars. Loans that eventually took me nearly twenty years to pay off. A lesson well-learned.

***

Dear Diary: Well, here I am: Psychology 002 again. I’m really not in the mood for this today. I want my bed. Today, I’m going to once again find out if the refund check came back. (Notice that I didn’t say anything positive like, “I hope it’s here” because whenever I do, it isn’t). So I don’t get to get all worked up for nothing, I’m approaching it with an open mind. If it’s here it’s here, otherwise I just want a sure-fire date of when it will be.

I just thought of something: today is the first day of school in Easton, and the first year I don’t go there anymore. That’s weird to say. Weirder still, I can stay home on a Thursday and Mr. Jones (the principal) won’t call.  And I won’t get lost in Mr. Milisits’ music theory class anymore! I don’t even need a little yellow excuse. Radical Man!!

( a short while later)….

The check is HERE!! It’s out in the car and I think it’s only one of many: $1444! My knees were shaking. All that money at one time is really scary.

I swear, when I make it big as a rocker they’d better keep any cash in the thousands away from me. Sure, I want it, but I’d waste it. All I need is reliable equipment, food, a roof over my head, a car and maybe a couple of hundred to party or for clothes!

Interview, Movie Reviews, Movies and TV

Beside Her: A Short Film That Defines The Human Connection

Carrie Carnevale. Remember the name, because Carrie’s directorial debut in the movie Beside Her is nothing short of incredible.

The short film, a love story and fictional portrayal of the true human condition, will next be screened on Saturday, September 22nd at the Healdsburg International Short Film Festival in Healdsburg, CA.

Watching the film, you quickly forget that the lovers you see on-screen are female and become more enthralled with the deep love and connection they both share with each other.

Along with the amazing talents of actors Ashley Watkins , Erika Flores and Owen Conway, Carrie delivers a film that contains all of the elements that make up a great story: there’s love, tension, drama, passion, suspense and even a twist in the end for good measure!

But Beside Her is much more than a love story between two women. It’s a beautiful film about the human condition and the deep connection we all share but are often oblivious to.

Beside Her tells the story of Dr. Rachel Moretti (Ashley Watkins) and Sofia Rios (Erika Flores) and how, in one brief moment in time, their love for each other is measured beyond the norms of their everyday lives.

I had the opportunity to speak with Carrie and the cast of “Beside Her”.

goJimmygo (gJg): Carrie, congratulations on directing your first short film and all of your success!

Carrie Carnevale (CC): Thank You. I was lucky enough to have an amazing team, full of extremely talented people. It was a wonderful collaborative experience.

gJg: Tell me a little bit about the film’s origin.

CC: I wanted to write a story about the human connection; about the ways in which human beings connect with each other. Whether it be someone you’re dating, someone you’re married to, family, friends or even strangers; we’re all connected all the time. The problem is we tend to get distracted by the hustle and bustle of everyday life, that sometimes we forget that.

I wanted to concentrate this story on two people who are in a relationship because I think that type makes for a very complex and compelling situation. There’s an unspoken connection that two people in love share with each other that makes the connection a lot deeper.

gJg: Were you concerned at all about the content and subject matter of a love story between two women?

CC: No, not at all. Even when people initially read the script, they were glad to see that it was a story about love rather than a story about being gay. Showing that gay or not, love is love and we all have those same feelings of connectedness.

gJg: The musical score for the film is amazing. It perfectly complements the love scene and the ending as well.

CC: It really does. The song we chose for those scenes are an absolute match. Lyrically, it’s great and the mood it sets is just so powerful and amazing.

gJg: How did you get started in film making?

CC: I’ve always had a love for film making. I went to film school and spent time in the independent scene in the San Francisco Bay Area. Because of those years of work, I was able to learn so much about day-to-day production. I learned what to do and what not to do.

Along the way, I met some fellow artists who would hire me to work on their pieces, which I was honored and proud to do. In the past couple of years I felt it was time to start telling my own stories and producing my own projects and Beside Her was my first and I could not be more proud.

Ashley Watkins (Dr. Rachel Moretti)

It’s a project where it was the right time and the right place. Everything about it just felt natural!

gJg: How would you describe Beside Her?

Ashley Watkins (AW): It’s a story about love and that intuitive connection we all have and listening to it. 

We all go about our lives every day not really paying attention to that “little turn in your stomach” or the “ring in your ear”. It’s instinct.

gJg: What attracted you to this role?

AW: I’m very supportive and totally believe in equality for everyone. As an actress, there are no limits to the types of roles that I’ll play as long as I’m portrayed respectfully, and/or not exploited. If I can play something that emphasizes the common good for people and it’s something that I believe in, I love to do it. I was fortunate to get the opportunity to do that with this project and Carrie just has so much passion for the film.

Erika Flores (Sofia Rios)

It’s a story about two people who have a strong connection and in the end, there’s a twist. You don’t expect the ending at all.

gJg: Were you concerned at all about the subject matter?

Erika Flores (EF): No, not at all. I like portraying raw, challenging characters. I loved the idea of being connected and really showing the relationship.

What was it like working with Carrie on her first short film?

EF: It honestly didn’t feel like it was her first film, because the entire process was professional and handled so well.

gJg: What did you like most about the experience of filming Beside Her?

EF: Challenging myself with this role was fun. I also loved the location in Malibu where we shot my scene. That was beautiful.

gJg: If you had to briefly describe the story of Beside Her, what would it be?

EF: It’s a slice of life between two people and the relationship that they share. How their connection is so powerful that they can actually feel each other.

Owen Conway (Jeffrey)

gJg: What attracted you most to the role?

OC:  It was  a role that I really wanted to play. Jeffrey is a heavy character with a lot of desperation. It’s not something that you get to play very often.

gJg: Tell me a little bit more about Jeffrey.

OC: Jeffrey is  a “street” person who definitely has some issues. But the thing that struck me the most about him was the fact that he’s so young. 

For him, it’s just about survival.

gJg: What was the experience of filming Beside Her like?

OC: The entire shoot was fantastic. I remember seeing the final product for the first time at a screening a few months ago and being really moved by it. The whole thing came together beautifully.

You can keep up with Beside Her on Facebook and by following 17 Films on Twitter

Article first published as Beside Her: A Short Film That Defines The Human Connection on Technorati.

1980's, Music, Thought and Opinion

My Metal Method Story

It was sometime in the summer of 1985. I was a young, skinny, pimply faced teenager who had just started taking guitar lessons at the local music store. My Mom had rented me a Gibson Explorer with the only stipulation being, I take weekly lessons. Now a junior metal-head and armed with a black guitar, there was no stopping me.

I’ll admit, those first few months of learning how to play were rough. I had to endure my siblings berating me for playing “the same thing over and over” and to this day still have nightmares about muddling my way through a Mel Bay lesson book and painfully maneuvering my left hand in a futile attempt to form a “G” chord properly.

Fortunately though, my teacher always saved the best part of every lesson for last. Towards the end of each session, he would take a recording of any song I brought in from home and we (or should I say, “HE”) would figure out the chords to it for me. He was one of those little weasels who could figure out any song and lead on the guitar just by listening to it on the stereo. So songs by Bon Jovi, The Scorpions, AC/DC and Quiet Riot were all quickly added to my repertoire. My arsenal of music was slowly beginning to grow, and I was on my way to becoming the metal head I wanted to be.

But still, it felt like something was missing.

One day, I was at my local music store performing my ritual of staring at the expensive Gibson Les Paul guitars hanging on the wall when I happened to pick up my very first  guitar magazine. As a new player (and well before the advent of the Internet), those magazines were like the Bible. As I perused through the pages of gospel, I suddenly stopped when the face pictured in this post caught my eye. It was a picture of Doug Marks and an advertisement for his Metal Method guitar lessons.

These were lessons that were geared towards teaching how to play “METAL”, which was right up my alley. So, over the next few years I supplemented my weekly guitar lessons by purchasing all eight of the initial lessons and immersing myself in playing chords and leads geared towards the style of music I wanted to play. It was wonderful.

The thing I loved the most about Metal Method was the fact that there was always something you could use to make you better. And it wasn’t something that you had to rush to figure out; you could take your time with it. I’ll never forget the first time I learned how to play the two-handed tapping method that Eddie Van Halen made famous. If you listen to Eddie do it, you say to yourself: “This is impossible”. But the fact is, as long as you have the desire to play it, you can do it.

I’ve come a long way since the day I first picked up that tattered magazine. Today, I actually own one of the Les Pauls I spent years gawking at on the rack. And Metal Method is still going strong; continuing to make countless guitarists better players.

Even I, someone who now plays “G” chords with ease, recently checked out some of the updated lessons and still benefited from them. But I suppose that’s the real power and joy you get out of being a musician, no matter how long you’ve been playing.

You truly never stop learning.

You can read my Guitar World interview with Doug Marks from Metal Method Here.

Childhood Memories, Thought and Opinion

To The Moon: The Passing of Neil Armstrong
Neil Armstrong (August 5, 1930 – August 25, 2012)

I still remember some of the oddball things I used to think about while growing up; one of them being the day I was born. I always liked to brag about which celebrities shared the same birthday as me (October 5th).

Among the lucky ones were Larry Fine (The Three Stooges), Michael Andretti (the Indy Car driver) and Brian Johnson (lead vocalist for the band AC/DC). It was as if somehow, me coming into this world on the same day as these icons put me on an different level of cool.

But, the bragging rights I had for my actual birthday couldn’t compare to what I could shout from the rooftops about the year I was born. It was 1969 and I was roughly seventy-five days away from entering this world when Neil Armstrong first stepped foot on the lunar surface and said:

That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.

I’ll never forget the day I discovered that the first man to ever walk on the moon did so in the same year as my birth. For not only was it cool to be born in the same year as that monumental event, but it also made the date easy to remember on high school exams. If I ever needed to know in a pinch just how many years ago it took place, all I had to do was think about how old I was.

Neil Armstrong was a test pilot, an aerospace engineer, a university professor and a United States Naval Aviator. Those achievements alone are enough to inspire everyone, both and old, to reach for their dreams. But there will always be that one thing that Mr. Armstrong did during his lifetime that was the ultimate in cool.

Neil Armstrong was the first person to do something that no one else has ever done in the history of planet Earth. The same moon that Jesus and his Disciples taught under, the celestial body that Shakespeare wrote Sonnets to, the glowing orb that generations of lovers still hold hands and kiss beneath… Neil Armstrong was the first person there.

Now, think about it being near the end of your life and while you’re lying on your death-bed someone comes up and asks you what it was you did with it. What if you could look them in the eye and say, “I walked on the moon!”.

Godspeed Mr. Armstrong.