In the spirit of the holiday season, Award-winning Americana/Roots 'n' Country recording artist Natasha James releases "Hotel Christmas" on WHP Christmas Songs Volume 5 (website: AirPlay Direct Link: www.AirPlayDirect.com/whpchristmassongsvol5). "Hotel Christmas," Natasha James' latest release, features the legendary Bobby Black on pedal steel, Steve Evans on bass, Rafael Padilla on percussion, and Woody Vermeire on violin among other stellar talents, and engineered by Ronnie Rivera at Prairie Sun Studios. "Hotel Christmas," which has been released to radio in the U.S. and abroad, was described as a "country classic" by Paul Loggins of STS and New Music Weekly.
James, who seamlessly blends Americana, Blues, Country and Rock into her music, just garnered "Producer's Choice: Country Songwriter of the Year" and received her plaque at the Los Angeles Music Awards' Main Event gala in November, at Paramount Studios on the storied Paramount Theater Lot in Hollywood, Calif. This marks the second consecutive year James has taken home a win at the longest-running independent music awards show of its kind. Last year she captured "Country Album of the Year" honors for her critically-acclaimed CD TEQUILA TIME (Highway One Records).
"Winning the LAMA Award for the second year in a row is such a wonderful reaffirmation that what I am doing matters," says James. "Winning 'Songwriter of the Year' makes me feel doubly glad, not just to make a difference as a performer, but that what I write is seen as worthwhile."
Natasha will be a judge, contribute a song, and perform on "FALL IN LOVE WITH AMERICA - AGAIN," a documentary-style web and mobile-based audio/video/multimedia series highlighting stories from across America. In addition to being made into a feature-length documentary film, the project includes live web cam updates, a touring exhibit, interactive websites, and social/networking sites. In her judging capacity, James "will be looking for the next great American song! and working with some of the selected new songwriters," says Executive Producer, Dennis Gelbaum. http://fallinlovewithamericaagain.blogspot.com/.
Dennis Gelbaum To Appear At Flag Still Stands For Freedom's 2010 Veteran's Day Virtual Telethon - Hosted by LauraKennedyLive & The Flag Still Stands For Freedom Campaign.
"I am very excited and honored to be part of the Flag Still Stands For Freedom's 2010 Veteran's Day Virtual Telethon. The funds raised during the telethon will help support numerous veteran's groups around the country. The telethon is scheduled for Saturday, November 6th. I will be appearing via webcam at 11:00AMEST to talk about the Fall In Love With America Again project!"
What began as a radio talk show 2 years ago is now blossoming into a full scale virtual telethon. This campaign not only shares the experiences and memories of Veterans and their families but highlights the success and triumphs that our Veterans have brought to this country, not just on the battlefield but back here on our home soil.
The goal of the “Support our Veterans” campaign is to remind each of us that our “Flag Still Stands For Freedom” and our Veterans need to know we are supporting them both here and abroad. Using the POWER of Social Media, we will again make our flag and its colors blatantly visible across the globe with a unified statement of support for our troops, both past and present.
In conjunction with this campaign, Laura Kennedy (and her broadcast partners) will once again air a 24 hour live talk show on LauraKennedyLive and simultaneously over several other broadcasting networks; a show dedicated to sharing memories and stories of our “fallen” soldiers; celebrations of the servicemen and women who are still serving this country; and showcasing the talents and successes of our returning Veterans.
Tell your friends, families, co-workers, and everybody you come in contact with to get involved with this campaign today! For more information about how you can contribute to this campaign, please visit www.FlagStillStandsForFreedom.com or contact Laura Kennedy, USN-RET, at 516-442-9126.
Dan Smee, (Veteran, Author, Motivational Speaker), Shoba Sreenivasan, (Forensic Psychologist, Author) and Vince Taschetti, (Writer, Photographer) have joined the 'Fall In Love With America Again!' Project.
'Fall In Love With America Again!' (created by Evie Evangelou, Amber Roniger and Dennis Gelbaum) is an innovative, timely and important new documentary style broadcast, web and mobile based interactive multimedia series highlighting stories from across America…our stories - about why we love America and why others need to Fall In Love With America Again!
Here's how it works - we are inviting everyone to have fun, be creative, entertaining and inspiring - tell us your story - told through short stories, letters, videos, photographs, original songs, illustrations, poetry, recipes and more. Post your work on the web, tell everyone you know (tell us too) where 'it' is, make sure they comment about your work and pass 'it' along to their friends who should pass 'it' along to their friends… Our panel of judges will select the top ten winners (based on the number of views/likes/votes you get and the quality of the work...from each category. (Yes, this is a competition - we are looking for the next great American song, video, photograph, illustration…) The 'winners' - the work, the author, the artist, the performer - will be recognized through our sites/media and invited to join us on tour as part of the Fall In Love With America Again! National Touring Show and Interactive Exhibit.
Check out our promotional video at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1OGAVgiVD4&feature=player_embedded
DAN SMEE FALLS IN LOVE WITH AMERICA AGAIN! "Being involved with the 'Fall in Love with America - Again' project is right up my alley. I love the opportunity to meet other patriotic Americans who display their love for country through song, story or poem. It's this unwavering devotion to the principles that the Founding Fathers based this country - to allow for individual creativity, self-reliance, optimism, no limits to what you can be - that makes my heart pound with pride. American draws others to her because of the strong belief in the individual's right to liberty and pursuing happiness according to their talents. We truly are the luckiest people earth!"
Dennis Gelbaum adds, "Dan joins us as a participant, judge (short stories) and goodwill ambassador. Dan is an inspiration. His values of integrity, honor and personal courage have given him the motivation and drive to succeed and help others succeed…and we are sure his passion will motivate others to Fall In Love With America Again!"
Dan Smee was the first person in his family to join the military. He became a Medic and then a Paratrooper. He was discharged from the Army in 1987 and began a long civilian career with Federal Express. When 9-11 hit Dan knew he had to do something to defend our country and so he joined the Army National Guard. He was deployed to Iraq in March of 2004 and served as a combat medic in "Operation Iraqi Freedom" (O.I.F.). That one-year tour in Iraq was profound and life changing; war has a way of cutting to the chase what is important in life. Dan's core values define who he was, is, and will always be--to be disciplined, fulfill his obligations, and have integrity, honor, and personal courage His book, Totally American (http://www.holymolypress.com/home) reflects those core values and that of other returning veterans- i.e., to take advantage of the opportunities that this great country of our offers, and whose ideals they were willing to die for.
SHOBA SREENIVASAN FALLS IN LOVE WITH AMERICA AGAIN! “I am honored to be involved in the 'Fall in Love with America-Again" project. As a child of immigrants from India, I grew up with a keen awareness of how much I was given just by this choice of my parents to move here. As a scientist my father saw the enormous opportunities that America afforded to all. And I grew up with that awareness - that this was a unique place on earth where hard work is rewarded, where creativity is fostered. Just think of the Americans whose unique ideas and inventions changed how we live: Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, the Wright Brothers - just to name a few. I do love America, our fierce independence and individualism. And so, I look forward to reading about love of country!"
Dennis Gelbaum adds, "Shoba joins us as a participant, judge (short stories) and goodwill ambassador. Shoba holds an academic position at USC, publishes papers, and works at the V.A. and has been inspired by veterans - their valor, their pride, their optimism and their loud proclamations in support of our country. Her appreciation for America's work in progress with all its good steps, bad steps, and missteps and that we are a country of reflection, of change, of hope, and of assimilation of the world - will inspire others to Fall In Love With America Again!"
Shoba Sreenivasan was born in Columbus, Ohio, and moved to India at the age of three. Her father’s heart was captivated by the United States, and they returned a few years later. Shoba hated the question, “Where are you from?” because she wanted to say, “Right here, the U.S. of A., just like you.” When Roots, the TV series became a hit, and the hyphenation of American identity came into popularity, suddenly, “Where are you from?” was an acknowledgement that we were all from somewhere else; this is a country composed of a tapestry of people. Shoba obtained a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from UCLA and received post- doctoral training in forensic psychology from USC. It is her work with countless veterans that has touched her the most. She is awed by their valor, their pride, their optimism, and their loud proclamations in support of our country. She co- wrote Totally American. (http://www.holymolypress.com/home)
VINCENT TASCHETTI FALLS IN LOVE WITH AMERICA AGAIN! "Asking me to be a part of this important, powerful and timely project renews my strong sense of pride as an American. Growing up in New York and having been raised in a strong and dedicated family devoted to honor and respect for our country and each other gave me the courage and the privileged to travel across this amazing country. Our America is filled with beauty, history, creativity, and dreams, a land dedicated to freedom. We seem to have lost our way in America. Perhaps a project as exciting as this will bring us to unity and once again we’ll share a more positive view of this great land. Dennis Gelbaum is a longtime friend and visionary. I honor him. I look forward to giving my time and efforts to help others ‘Fall In Love With America Again!"
Dennis Gelbaum adds, "We are very excited to welcome Vince as a participant (photography, illustration and short stories), judge (photography and illustration) and as a goodwill ambassador. He is not only brilliant and so very creative/talented, he is passionate about life, living and the pursuit of happiness. Vince's energy is sure to be contagious and help us attract more contributors and supporters and help others Fall In Love With America Again!"
Vince Taschetti is a graduate of the School of Visual Arts in NY, majoring in advertising design, film and photography. He also attended the National Academy of Design in NY, studying painting and fresco and The School of Practical Philosophy. As a Creative Director at BBDO Worldwide, New York, Vince handled such accounts as GE, Gillette, Apple, Pierre Cardin, L’air du Temps, Firestone, Chrysler/Dodge, Navy, Avis, Caress, Pizza Hut, DuPont and many others. His work on GE and Gillette won him many creative awards and international recognition. Vince has co-written some of the most well known advertising campaign lines; Gillette . “The best a man can get”, Pizza Hut. “You’ll love the stuff we’re made of”, Apple. “The power to be your best”, “You’re drinking Diet Pepsi and it shows”. Vince carries his cameras with him everywhere and he has exhibited his work at the BBDO Gallery in NY and recently at the Marie Selbey Gardens in Sarasota, Florida, where OneDesignVST, his design and branding company is located. Vince is presently working on “The Art of the Taxi” as well as establishing the TaschettaGallery in Florida, NY and Italy.
Just had to share this with you all... WHY I LOVE AMERICA June 29, 2010: "I wrote this in 2007. A lot has changed in our country since then. But this "America" I love DOES still exist. I worry about "America". BobLee says we can still save "America". If you share these thoughts, maybe we can save it." Posted by permission from Susan http://www.sotheblondsays.com/Home/June-2010/Why-I-Love-America.aspx
I love the Bill of Rights - which defines the limits on government. Free speech means you can criticize the government and there is nothing they can do about it, absolute privacy and religious freedom were unique when the Constitution was written and remain rare in the world even today.
I love the rule of law - that it applies to us all, no matter our station in life. It may seem that the rich and powerful are treated better in the system, but in America the rich and powerful can and do go to jail from time to time while the least powerful and the poor have the right to confront their accusers, the right to an attorney, the right to remain silent, the right to refuse admission to government officials wanting to enter their home or office.
I love Wal-Mart and capitalism (the greatest economic ism of all.) Wal-Mart started as a one man rural, somewhat rinky-dink operation in Arkansas and grew to be the biggest retailer in the world because serving the customer served the business. That is how capitalism works. Socialism and communism claim to spread the wealth, but only spread the inefficiency and misery. You don't even have to shop at Wal-Mart to benefit. Their massive competitive presence in the retail world lowers prices for everyone.
I love baseball...it is the perfect democratic sport. ..... Anyone can play. Not in the big leagues but in the vacant lot down the street. You do not need to be big, strong, fast, smart, broad, tall, black, white, male, female, smart, rich to play. .....Anyone can play with minimal equipment.... Your individual excellence is just slightly more important then the group effort. Just like America...It is pure. Yes, ruined by money and fame and steroids. .... But at it's essence, it is pure and America.
I love that elections in America are contentious, messy, rancorous and maddening, but we vote without fear. And then a peaceful transfer of power takes place and nobody gets shot.
I love that America was one of the very first nations in the world to put an end to slavery. The story of slavery in America was no different than anywhere else except that we stopped a lot sooner. That needs to be mentioned whenever the topic comes up.
I love freedom of religion. I love my religion. I may not love yours or I may be indifferent to it. Doesn't matter. It is yours and you are free to practice it as long as it stays within the law regarding the rights of your fellow citizens. We don't really care for the sacrificing of virgins on a mountain top.
I love the upward mobility and self realization that is possible here. Poor men from towns with no traffic lights have grown up to become president. One day a woman will take the job and so will people of all ethnic backgrounds. Most millionaires did not start out wealthy. They make it on their own and they can do it because in America we have the opportunity to profit from our skills and effort.
I love how charitable Americans are. A recent report reconfirmed that Americans give more private money to charity than the citizens of any other country. We also give our time and expertise. When we give to disaster relief, as we did for Katrina, we know that some of it will be mismanaged, we give it anyway. A lot of it will help out, and that is what matters.
I love hot dogs and hamburgers and pancakes and popcorn and hushpuppies. American food.
I love that jazz, the blues, rock and roll, gospel and country music are all American, even though I don't know a lot about jazz, but love to hear it, and very little about the blues. I do know that without them the rock and roll I love would not be what it is.
I love that America's voluntary military is voluntary and powerful. Most armies are neither.
I love that I can hop in my car and go where ever I want and no one cares.
I love all the memorials in DC. But the WWII has this big fountain in the center where groups of school kids laugh and play around the fountain - carefree and happy. ..... Sitting on the benches, around the fountain you can see older men with their veteran hats on watching the children. ..... The kids are so care free because those men fought for them. It made me weep on the spot. I love that.
I love the regional differences we have...north, south, east, west, Midwest. While those differences are diminishing with technology, there is still a difference that you can really only know if you live in a place for a while. But yet, even in our differences we are still Americans. Different in so many ways, connected - a family.
I love that we are so free that we have the time and energy to invent things like iPods and iPhones and Viagra.
I love the flag. It is so simply beautiful to me. It is cheerful and optimistic. It is just cloth but such a hopeful piece of fabric.
I love that my daughter has so many options open to her. The sky is the limit and the world is her oyster. Her only limitations are ones she puts on herself.
I love that America takes care of the world. While we get little or no credit or thanks, often we get only criticism, we still do it. We are always there to help with all of our resources.
I love our history. The old fashion kind we learned in school before political correctness. I love all of those dead white men, who with all of their own prejudices and flaws, built a nation that affords freedom to men and women of all colors and creeds to a greater degree than, even they might have imagined.
Check out the entire article at: http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=201337 Check out http://www.fallinlovewithamericaagain.com to learn more about the project.
A new campaign launching Sept. 11 is asking Americans to look past the political morass and economic uncertainty of today, and tell what they see: the novelty of natural arches in Utah's desert, an antique car in front of the Golden Gate bridge, a wild bear, their families, main street, libraries and downtowns, Route 66 and wheat fields, among just a few of the nation's attractions.
It's time to "Fall in Love with America Again."
The message is from a group of marketing specialists who are starting a multi-year, two-stage program, "Fall In Love With America Again." Group spokesman and Ramp-It-Up-Entertainment founder Dennis Gelbaum says the purpose of his campaign is straightforward.
"It's not brain surgery. We began to realize that with everything we hear in the news, with high unemployment, the failure of the banks and people stealing money from each other, and just the negative feeling about America all over the world, and in our own backyard, what we've forgotten is how great this country really is," Gelbaum explained.
The program, he said, is "really about embracing your love for your country, for America and telling stories about why you love America and what America means to you and your family, to your friends, your neighbors, your city and towns."
"It's really about sharing everything about America's life and about the fact that this is the greatest country on the planet and embracing that," Gelbaum added.
The program creators also include Evie Evangelou and Amber Roninger. They emphasize that the program is aimed at everyone.
The first phase of the program is the year-long window for the public to submit stories, videos, photographs, songs, poems, recipes, paintings and other forms of expression that communicate their love for the United States. After using the website to submit suggestions, Gelbaum said the contributors have to get people to visit the website where the work is published. A panel of judges will evaluate the work based on the number of hits the item gets on the "Fall in Love with America Again" website and the overall quality of the work.
Gelbaum adds that after the year-long submission and evaluation period, there will be a touring show. "This will be like no other touring show ever. It will be like a museum exhibit except that instead of just having an exhibit of great photographs about America, travelling with us will be the photographers of those shots," Gelbaum said. "Instead of just having a great painting about America, you'll actually see the artist. Instead of just seeing the film or video about America, you'll meet the stars, the producers, the directors and the writers," he added.
The program is being publicized first through the Internet and social networking media such as Facebook, Twitter and blog sites.
The project creators say that they're tired of hearing criticism about America, and this is their way of countering the negative publicity.
The Pew Research Center for the People and the Press released a study immediately following the 9/11 terrorist attacks that showed a balance of love and hatred for the United States. Most of the people around the world surveyed said they thought it was a good thing for America to feel vulnerable.
Public opinion surveys in the U. S. show a growing discontent among Americans about the country and its direction.
Pollster Scott Rasmussen says that Americans' negative opinion is mostly directed at the government."Americans are concerned about the future and many fear that our best days have come and gone. They are angry at the government and perhaps the most disturbing statistic that I've come across in all the years I've been doing this is that only 23 percent believe that our government has the 'consent of the governed,'" Rasmussen stated.
"In our American heritage, that's the only legitimate source of authority for our government. There's a lot of discouraging data there," he said. But he said, "Americans still tend to love their country and believe it's the best country on earth and think the world would be a better place if there were more countries like us."
"Most Americans think this is a great place but believe the government is out of touch," Rasmussen said.
Rasmussen points out that the anti-government feeling doesn't transfer into a dislike of the country.
"There's a lot of anger at the government. There's a lot of anger at both major parties. There's a lot of anger at the way things are played out with federal spending and taxes and deficits," Rasmussen explained.
"But, it is totally separate from their feelings about the country. The fact that people don't feel that their government has the consent of the governed is one of the key indicators that they see a big distinction," Rasmussen continued.
"There is a very strong belief in the country's founding ideals, in the founding documents and in the belief that we as Americans should be free to govern ourselves," he added.
Rasmussen agrees with Gelbaum, saying that there are many Americans who love their country and believe in the ideals of the country.
"Most continue to believe in American exceptionalism and most continue to believe that America is the last and best hope for mankind. There are many positive feelings about the nation itself," Rasmussen said.
Gelbaum believes that the media is partly to blame for the negative feelings about the country, because the media doesn't focus on the nation's strengths.
However, Gelbaum doesn't think his campaign is going against any prevailing trend.
"Everyone we speak to still loves America. Everyone we speak to is looking for a spark. Everyone that we speak to is looking for a way to take their voice and to have people hear them," Gelbaum observed.
"We are all frustrated. We are all angry and we are all disappointed. Yet, we all understand that we have done this to ourselves. In other words, there are lot of people who are pointing fingers, we're all blaming someone else. But we have to start taking responsibility for our situation," Gelbaum continued.
"This is an opportunity for you to say whatever you want to say. The goal is to tell why you love America and why this is the most important country in the world," Gelbaum added.
Rasmussen believes the Fall in Love with America Again campaign's ability to be a positive influence on the country depends on the perspective the campaign takes. "If the effort is to highlight and educate some of the key principles of our founding and to help us celebrate those, that will connect with people and perhaps reinforce those ideas," Rasmussen said.
Darryl Tookes, singer, pianist, composer, arranger, poet, educator, and humanitarian has joined the 'Fall In Love With America Again!' project as a participant, judge (original song, music video and short story competition) and goodwill ambassador.
"I am honored to be an official participant, judge and goodwill ambassador in this great new project: Let's all FALL IN LOVE WITH AMERICA – AGAIN!" - Darryl Tookes, singer, pianist, composer, arranger, poet, educator, and humanitarian.
'Fall In Love With America Again!' (created by Evie Evangelou, Amber Roniger and Dennis Gelbaum) is an innovative, timely and important new documentary style web and mobile based interactive multimedia series highlighting stories from across America…our stories - about why we love America and why others need to Fall In Love With America Again!
Here's how it works - we are inviting everyone to have fun, be creative, entertaining and inspiring - tell us your story - told through short stories, letters, videos, photographs, original songs, illustrations, poetry, recipes and more. Post your work on the web, tell everyone you know (tell us too) where to view it, comment and pass it along to their friends. Our panel of judges will select the top ten winners (based on the number of views/likes/votes you get and the quality of the work...from each category. (Yes, this is a competition - we are looking for the next great American song, video, photograph, illustration…) The 'winners' - the work, the author, the artist - will be recognized through our sites/media and invited to join us on our National Touring Show and Exhibit.
For more information about the project, check out www.fallinlovewithamericaagain.com/ and our promotional video at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1OGAVgiVD4&feature=player_embedded
For more information about Darryl Tookes, please visit www.darryltookes.com and see/hear Darryl at www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2izGbrnzXA
'My American Family – Not a Hyphened Nation' by Darryl Tookes One of my young students once said that he has never written a song to, for, or about God. I thought about his statement for a minute, looked into the face of this gifted young man and replied, "I think every song you write is to and for God ... whether you realize it or not. Whether about a tree, a forest, a love lost, a love found." He paused, looking puzzled, pondered, and then smiled. Knowing.
People routinely recite and sing Irving Berlin’s "God Bless America, land that I love." We hear Kate Smith’s famous recording among many renditions during the 7th inning stretch. We see the bumper sticker. Do we think about this at all?
Yes, this is my home. My great-grandfather Tom Tookes was born in this land before the Great Emancipator freed the African slaves. He was born into slavery. I knew him, and remember him well. He was my pal. We went to basketball games together. Great-grandpa Tom talked, and I listened.
Like the folkloric genealogy found in many American families, my father’s racially mixed great-grandmother Martha Whitaker – Cherokee and European – helped to raise him in the pre-integrated south. The first high school graduate in his family, my father went on to success in college, graduate school, postgraduate and life.
My maternal side were northerners. Descendants of Freedmen, and literate. This was my mother and father. Before the word was born of sacrifice and pride, they were truly African Americans. Before the hyphenation. An American family – My American family, not a hyphened nation.
My father and my brother were soldiers. The elder achieved the rank of sergeant in a segregated US Army platoon; the younger, a pilot with the rank of lieutenant in the US Navy – less than 30 years later.
This is my heritage – OUR heritage. Our America. To paraphrase Samuel Francis Smith’s “My Country, ‘Tis Of Thee,” America is the land where my parents died, the land where my children were born – in this wonderful place called freedom, justice, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
I am an American, and I love my country. I am honored to be an official participant, judge and goodwill ambassador in this great new project: Let's all FALL IN LOVE WITH AMERICA – AGAIN!
"I am honored to be an official participant, judge and goodwill ambassador in this great new project: Let's all FALL IN LOVE WITH AMERICA – AGAIN!" - Darryl Tookes, singer, pianist, composer, arranger, poet, educator, and humanitarian.
'Fall In Love With America Again!' is an innovative, timely and important new documentary style web and mobile based interactive multimedia series highlighting stories from across America…our stories - about why we love America and why others need to Fall In Love With America Again!
Here's how it works - we are inviting everyone to have fun, be creative, entertaining and inspiring - tell us your story - told through short stories, letters, videos, photographs, original songs, illustrations, poetry, recipes and more. Post your work on the web, tell everyone you know (tell us too) where to view it, comment and pass it along to their friends. Our panel of judges will select the top ten winners (based on the number of views you get and the quality of the work...from each category. (Yes, this is a competition - we are looking for the next great American song, video, photograph, illustration…) The 'winners' - the work, the author, the artist - will be recognized through our sites/media and invited to join us on our National Touring Show and Exhibit.
When you post your work use this title format: Fall In Love With America Again - (type of content ie Music Video) By (your name)
"Darryl is truly an inspiration and having him join us on our journey will make the experience even more special. Darryl will be one of the judges in the original music, music video and short story competitions." Dennis Gelbaum, co-executive producer, adds.
Darryl has recorded and performed with George Benson, Diana Ross, Sting, Leonard Bernstein, Paul Simon, Burt Bacharach, Quincy Jones, Carly Simon, Laurie Anderson, Dave Grusin, Gerry Mulligan, Patti Austin, Rod Stewart, Elton John, Steve Tyrell, and many others. In spite of these collaborations, Tookes’ style is completely original. He has what has been described as an “angelic” voice (NY Newsday), which along with his message of love, are at the core of who Darryl Tookes is an artist.
Studying physics in college gave Tookes a perspective on harmony that informs his music in surprising ways. From his first hit single, Lifeguard, Darryl Tookes has been seen and heard as a prophetic messenger of love and spirituality, essential elements in all of his songs. He has never wavered from this path.
Tookes’ voice has been featured on commercials for Coca-Cola, AT&T, American Airlines, and the US Army, among others, and on the television show, Sesame Street. His other television appearances include Late Night with David Letterman, Conan O’Brien, Saturday Night Live, The Morning Show with Regis Philbin, Great Performances, Everyday with Joan Lunden, The Joan Rivers Show, and NBC’s Today Show. He has performed at the White House, and received a standing ovation at Carnegie Hall for his duet with Roberta Flack.
An educator, Tookes is Adjunct Professor at the Tisch School of the Performing Arts at NYU. He also mentors a growing number of private students at the Lagond Music School in Westchester County, NY. Further, Tookes is a clinician, having taught master classes at several universities and secondary schools. He has arranged for student a cappella groups, and has been awarded numerous commissions for composing and arranging choral works. In the realm of sacred music, Darryl Tookes is artist-in-residence at First Presbyterian Church of Stamford, CT, and is frequently an invited guest soloist at interdenominational services. He also performed Duke Ellington’s Mass with Jessye Norman at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine.
Darryl Tookes has participated in many charitable activities – concerts and recordings – including Arts for Healing, Best Buddies, A Better Chance, UNICEF, Hands Across America, Songs of Love, Comic Relief, The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS/HIV Foundation, Daniel Pearl Foundation, Rainforest Foundation, 9/11 Memorial, Fall In Love With America – Again, and Fun In Learning Tutorial, and Creative Learning @ FPC. He is in partnership with the global humanitarian organization, AmeriCares, serving as a goodwill ambassador, traveling the world to provide aid and crisis relief to victims of natural and manmade disasters.
For more than three decades, Tookes has been an active member of ASCAP, AFTRA, SAG, NARAS, and AF of M. He served two terms as Chairman of the New York Singers Collective, and three terms on the board of directors for the Society of Singers. Tookes was founding musical director for Black to Broadway. He is also musical director, pianist and arranger for Lesley Gore.
For more information about Darryl Tookes, please visit www.darryltookes.com
In addition to being a prolific author and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Elie Wiesel is a professor in the Division of Religion and Theological Studies at Boston University.
Why do you love America? Here's one reason why I (and Elie Wiesel) love America: "America stands as a living symbol of all that is charitable and decent...a country in which every person is entitled to dream of happiness, peace and liberty; where those who have are taught to give back. America has always been about hope..." Why do you love ...America?
The 'Fall In Love With America Again!' project is all about you and why you love America! Share your stories, videos, songs, photos, illustrations, poetry, recipes - it's all about what we think America is, who American's are, how we see ourselves, and how we welcome the world to our home.
Check out this article by Elie Wiesel/The HyperTexts: http://thehypertexts.com/Essays%20Articles%20Reviews%20Prose/Elie_Wiesel_The_America_I_Love.htm
Photo from an article which appeared in SF Gate, home of the San Francisco Chronicle. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/nwzchik/detail?entry_id=13385
(June 10, 2010 - Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images North America)
Share Your Reasons Why You Love America! Here's One - "I Love America because I got to see Kid Rock perform his new song, 'Born Free' on the CMA Music Festival last night on ABC! And "...the title track from the Detroit rocker’s upcoming album, has been enlisted by TBS as the official marketing theme for the network’s Major League Baseball postseason coverage." You gotta love it!
Check out this article from the Detroit Free Press, written by Brian McCollum at: http://www.freep.com/article/20100901/ENT04/9010333/Kid-Rock-s-Born-Free-to-be-MLB-play-offs-theme
You should love America because of its freedom of promise for all people regardless of race, creed, color or religion. You should love Americans because of their proclivity to accept all cultures into its land of opportunity. The individual spirit of the United States of America manifests destiny of good fulfillment for honest hard work. Great Americans are the people who withstood and flexed their strength against enormous odds to reach goals for their lives and for their beloved country. It is not a coincidence that In God We Trust is written on American currency and written sparingly on important historical documents. Americans belief in themselves and in their country is the unbreakable fortress that stood there whenever democracy was pitted with obstacles in the way of individual freedoms. The great men and women of America looked up in times of struggle and did not look down.
You should love America because of the amazing doctrines set forth that has stood the test of time and history. America is home of the proud and the home of the free. America is the melting pot for all people to find opportunities from hope to dreams. Neil Diamond sings “They come to America.” Why do they come to America? They come to America because of the countries dependence on the unbending spirit of the American people. Destinations of greatness are in the melting pot of America for all who with honest hard work do their best in whatever path of success they choose.
You should love America because of the richness of the cultures, experiences and enduring strength of its inhabitants. A strong love of country is written indelibly on the hearts of all American like an in-erasable tattoo. Americans seek to make their lives, towns, cities, nation and the world a better place. The promise of freedom, its melting pot of cultures, and its stamp of individual freedom is why you should love America.Linda
I read this article...and thought about how important it is that we Fall In Love With America Again! Check out: http://www.forbes.com/2010/02/11/americas-most-miserable-cities-business-beltway-miserable-cities.html
85 Broads member Evie Evangelou is one of the creators and co-executive producers of ‘Fall In Love With America – Again!’
85 Broads is a global network of 25,000 trailblazing women who are inspired, empowered, and connected. The "founding members" of 85 Broads were women who worked for Goldman Sachs at 85 Broad Street, the investment banking firm's former NYC headquarters. Over the past decade, 85 Broads expanded its membership to include women who are alumnae and students of the world's leading colleges, universities, and graduate schools worldwide. Members are located in 82 countries around the world and work for thousands of for-profit companies and not-for-profit organizations.
Check this out: https://secure.85broads.com/in_the_media And https://secure.85broads.com/experts/evie-evangelou/fall-in-love-with-america-again
'Fall In Love With America - Again' - (created by Evie Evangelou, Amber Roniger and Dennis Gelbaum) is an innovative, timely and important new documentary style web and mobile based multimedia series highlighting stories from across America - stories from big cities, small towns, communities, neighborhoods, streets, homes, rooms… It's all about what we think America is, who American's are, how we see ourselves, and how we welcome the world to our home.
The 'Fall In Love With America - Again' project is an expression of freedom, of creativity, inspiration and love of country. It is a declaration of the best of America by the people and for the people. I am certain that this campaign and project with its positive message and novel point of view, will create a halo effect around everyone involved." Evie Evangelou, Co-Executive Producer.
The 'Fall In Love With America - Again' project includes live webcam updates, producing a feature length documentary film, broadcast series and special, live events, touring exhibit, multimedia content produced by the project's A/V production team and submitted by folks all across America. The project will also include a series of contests and unique promotions - looking for the next great American song, video, photograph, illustration, short story, poem, chef, fashion designer, teacher, business leader, volunteer, local heroes and more.
"The 'Fall In Love With America - Again' project is about connecting and re-connecting, using all media to tell stories that will have everyone fall in love with America, again! Check out this article, it is exactly what I am talking about…" Dennis Gelbaum, Executive Producer adds. http://www.silive.com/news/index.ssf/2010/07/lobaido_accomplishes_his_missi.html
For more information, check out our promotional video at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1OGAVgiVD4&feature=player_embedded
"When I was first introduced (by Dennis Gelbaum) to the 'FALL IN LOVE WITH AMERICA - AGAIN!' project, I got very excited about what this project can do to restore pride in our great country. The timing for such a nationwide initiative such as this could not have been better. Having traveled around the world and seen what other countries are like, I know first-hand that this is the best country on the planet and to have an opportunity to play even a small part in this giant undertaking is both an honor and privilege. I am looking forward to my involvement in some of the many unique opportunities that 'FALL IN LOVE WITH AMERICA - AGAIN!' will provide for our citizens, states, cities, counties and the business community to help restore the pride we all need to have in this great country of ours. God bless, America!" Rick Barry, named (in 1966) by the NBA as one of the 50 Greatest Players in history!
Dennis Gelbaum (Executive Producer of the 'Fall In Love With America Again' project - created by Evie Evangelou, Amber Roniger and Dennis Gelbaum) adds, "Having Rick Barry join us as a participant, judge (Rick will be judging videos, photos and short stories about the great outdoors...he enjoys fishing, hunting, mountain biking...) and goodwill ambassador is fantastic! His passion for life, his love for his family and friends and for America is inspiring."
NBA Hall of Fame forward Rick Barry, (born March 28, 1944, in Elizabeth, New Jersey), is the only player ever to lead the NCAA, NBA, and ABA in scoring. His name appears near the top of every all-time offensive list. He scored more than 25,000 points in his professional career and in four different seasons averaged more than 30 points. He was named to 12 All-Star teams, four All-NBA First Teams, and five All-ABA First Teams. In 1966, Rick Barry was named by the NBA as one of the 50 Greatest Players in history.
Rick is one of the most celebrated players in NBA history — not only for his game, but also for the competitiveness he brought to the court. In 1965, following a stellar collegiate campaign at the University of Miami (FL), Barry was drafted third in the first round of the NBA Draft by the San Francisco Warriors. He quickly established himself as an elite player, garnered NBA Rookie of the Year honors, and was selected to the NBA All-Pro First Team. The next season, Rick proved he was for real by leading the league in scoring (35.6 ppg), and being named MVP of the All-Star Game. He was selected again to the NBA All-Pro First Team.
Rick Barry is an accomplished sports broadcaster - covering a wide range of sports on both radio and television for over 30 years! He is also the two-time reigning World Champion in the Grand Champions Division of the ReMax World Long Driving Championships. (In 2007, his winning drive was just shy of 350 yards.) Rick is now involved in a myriad of businesses including Personal Equity Institute: Your Wealth Advocate, specializing in growing and preserving people’s wealth with a safe and secure process.
'Fall In Love With America - Again!' - (created by Evie Evangelou, Amber Roniger and Dennis Gelbaum) is an innovative, timely and important new documentary style web and mobile based multimedia series highlighting stories from across America - stories from small towns, communities, neighborhoods, streets, homes, rooms… It's all about what we think America is, who American's are, how we see ourselves, and how we welcome the world to our home.
"Fall in Love with America Again! is an expression of freedom, of creativity, inspiration and love of country. It is a declaration of the Best of America by the people and for the people. I am certain that this campaign with its positive message and novel point of view, will create a halo effect around everyone involved." Evie Evangelou, Executive Producer, 'Fall In Love With America Again!'
The project includes live webcam updates, producing a feature length documentary film, broadcast series and special, live events, touring exhibit, multimedia content produced by us and submitted by folks all across America, interactive websites and social networking sites/communities, etc. We will be having a series of multimedia contests - looking for the next great American song, video, photograph, illustration, short story, poem, chef, fashion designer, teacher, business leader, volunteer, local heroes and more.
Our adventure will take off September 11th, 2010 (with the launch of our websites, social networks, blog, video and audio channels) and the project will continue through September 11th, 2011, when we launch our interactive multimedia touring exhibit/show.
"This project is about connecting and re-connecting, using all media to tell stories that will have everyone fall in love with America, again!" Dennis Gelbaum adds.
Check out our promotional video at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1OGAVgiVD4&feature=player_embedded
Dennis Gelbaum, Co-Executive Producer of the 'Fall In Love With America Again' project, (created by Evie Evangelou, Amber Roniger and Dennis Gelbaum) will be participating in the 2010 Veteran's Day Virtual Telethon - "Every American has a story to tell - doesn’t matter who they are - where they come from, where they live, what they do. Showcasing the talents and successes of our returning Veterans, sharing memories and stories of our fallen soldiers, celebrating the servicemen and women who are still serving this Country - is all part of our 'Fall In Love With America Again' project. I look forward to participating in the 2010 Veteran's Day Virtual Telethon and sharing some great stories about America." Dennis Gelbaum
“Joining forces with the “Falling in Love With America – Again” project was an easy decision since both of our campaigns are about remembering why we love our Country, our Flag, and our Freedom. As a 21 year Navy Veteran and 9/11 survivor, there is nothing that makes me prouder than seeing our friends and neighbors showing their love and respect for this country by flying our country’s flag and sharing their stories about why they love America!" Laura Kennedy, USN-Ret
As a consultant, Laura Kennedy works one-on-one with both employers and employees to increase their productivity, work place attitudes, and teamwork, as well as the all important bottom lines! Laura’s real passion revolves around helping others. Laura spends countless hours volunteering with the homeless & mentoring with Veterans.
Michelle Obama adds (in a letter to Evie Evangelou about our Fall In Love With America Again Project): "We are at a critical moment in our Nation's history, and we need an allhands-on-deck approach to solve the problems that we face. Thank you for daring to innovate, for dreaming big, and for finding ways to create a better tomorrow. America needs your hands, your hearts, and your hard work now more than ever."
'Fall In Love With America - Again' - (created by Evie Evangelou, Amber Roniger and Dennis Gelbaum) is an innovative, timely and important new documentary style web and mobile based multimedia series highlighting stories from across America - stories from small towns, communities, neighborhoods, streets, homes, rooms… It's all about what we think America is, who American's are, how we see ourselves, and how we welcome the world to our home.
"Fall in Love with America Again is an expression of freedom, of creativity, inspiration and love of country. It is a declaration of the Best of America by the people and for the people. I am certain that this campaign with its positive message and novel point of view, will create a halo effect around everyone involved." Evie Evangelou, Executive Producer, Fall In Love With America Again.
The project includes live webcam updates, producing a feature length documentary film, broadcast series and special, live events, touring exhibit, multimedia content produced by us and submitted by folks all across America, interactive websites and social networking sites/communities, etc.
Our adventure will take off September 2010 (with the launch of our websites, social networks, blog, video and audio channels) and the project will continue through the summer of 2011. We will be having a series of multimedia contests - looking for the next great American song, video, photograph, illustration, short story, poem, chef, fashion designer, teacher, business leader, volunteer, local heroes and more.
"This project is about connecting and re-connecting, using all media to tell stories that will have everyone fall in love with America, again!" Dennis Gelbaum, Executive Producer, Fall In Love With America Again.
“From the time I was a child in the foothills of Missouri, I knew that America was a special place. I was raised in a home where a Korean War Veteran happened to reside and I was privileged enough to call him my father. I went on to serve in the U.S. Army as well as my son who is currently serving as a Combat Medic. I know personally the sacrifices that have been paid to ensure that this beautiful land of ours remains free. The “Fall In Love With America – Again” project has touched my heart in a way I cannot explain; let it touch yours. I am extremely proud to be associated with this project and let us never forget that Our Freedom is Not Free: Won’t You “Fall in Love With America – Again?” Jim Lederle, American Veterans Radio
As of July 25, 2010 – American Veterans Radio is ranked number 25 of 600 tracked military websites which places AVR in the top 4% of the best military websites worldwide! More than 150,000 listeners, from all fifty states and the District of Colombia, six of the seven continents, sixty-seven countries!
"From day one, the purpose of American Veterans Radio has been to bring a small piece of home to our military veterans - wherever they may be, to recognize our 1st Responders for being available 24/7, spotlighting the wonderful talents of the Indie Artist and last but surely not least, bringing great music to our listeners worldwide!
In the spring of 2009, while working on a CD collection project to send CD’s to our troops in the sandbox (AKA Iraq), the concept of broadcasting live to our troops and launching a free internet radio station, began to take shape.
After lengthy discussions with my wife and with the passion and compassion I had (and have) for our veterans (my father served in Korea, I served from 1980 – 1988, and my son is currently serving our country), American Veterans Radio was created.
After turning on the switch, as I like to call it, on August 31, 2009 we began thinking about all of our dedicated 1st Responders and the sacrifices they also have to make on a day to day basis (My wife is a Nurse and my brother is a Police Officer). So it was decided we were going to do all we could to give them the respect and dignity they deserved.
And lastly while listening to some excellent tunes a friend of mine had self recorded, I couldn’t for the life of me figure out why this individual didn’t have a contract with a record label; they were that good! So I told them that I would showcase their music on my daily show. As is well known now within the Indie Artist World, American Veterans Radio dedicates a full week, every week, to highlight and spotlight an individual Independent Artist.
It has been hard work with literally 1,000’s of hours dedicated to the radio station but one thing is sure: it has been well worth it.
While doing my live show “The Mixin’ It Up Show” if I receive a request from a Veteran serving in Afghanistan, Iraq, Korea, Japan etc. then I feel that all is right with the world.
American Veterans Radio was just a part of allowing our brave men and women to be back home if only for a moment – what better place to be." Jim Lederle, American Veterans Radio
"It is not often you get asked to participate in a project that immediately strikes you as exciting, valuable, timely and interesting. In short, one that has all the elements that can bring wide interest and reception, the elements that ring that doorbell called, SUCCESS. In addition, it is even more rare, to be able to contribute and participate in all the very areas that are the most exciting to you. In my capacity as Judge, and writer, and performer, among other areas I am involved in with this project, I look forward to being able to uncover some gems of songs and work with the songwriters to be able to bring them to the spotlight. Dennis Gelbaum, one of the show's Executive Producers, (and co-creator) has brought such a project to me: FALL IN LOVE WITH AMERICA - AGAIN. This is the story of all of us, for all of us, by all of us." Natasha James
Meet Natasha James - the consummate singer-songwriter and the kind of unique artist who can craft visuals merely through her songwriting. Natasha pens works that cross many musical genres and pull at the heartstrings all music lovers... especially country music enthusiasts. (Natasha was nominated for the 20th Annual Los Angeles Music Awards for "Country Artist of the Year," - awards to be given out November 18th, 2010!) Check out Natasha's website at: http://www.natashajames.com
Natasha says, "Anytime I pick up my guitar or sit in front of a piano, I have the ability to write a song. I never intentionally try to pen a tricky hook or intricate melody. I write for myself based on stories that come from my life experiences."
She says, "I don't like a lot of rules. I even hate sidewalks. 'The Restless Kind' reflects the stage in my life where I realized I had been blessed and attained many of the things I had desired including a great home in a nice neighborhood and kids that I love. I had consciously put my music aside to achieve many of these things. But as I moved forward in my life, I missed connecting with people through my music and was becoming...restless. That album brought me back to my music and my desire to connect with people through my recordings and live performances."
Natasha has in fact actually been the "restless kind" from a very young age. Born in San Francisco, and raised in Southern California, Switzerland, Italy and England, at 14 Natasha started playing and singing in local Los Angeles jazz and blues clubs. Two years later, she moved to San Francisco and worked the 'folksy' clubs: Coffee Gallery and the Boarding House, among others.
After two years, she resumed modeling and acting in Los Angeles, studying at Lee Strassberg's while landing small roles as a character actress. Moving to Europe again at 18, she continued singing and playing folk-blues along with her own music while studying for a degree in languages and literature. Quitting school, she moved to London, and then teamed up with a reggae band playing regularly upstairs at Ronnie Scott's and touring northern England. While in London, she ended up writing lyrics to a song composed by Jeff Hunter, which resulted in a move back to L.A. to continue recording, songwriting/arranging and performing with a number of different known and unknown artists.
By this time, Natasha James was modeling on a regular basis, working in films on both coasts, performing her own music in New York and Los Angeles and recording with other artists. She settled in New York City, playing local clubs with her band, Good 'N Dusty', and was being heard on WFMU as well as Channel J for Videophile.
Of late, Natasha James has been a Bay Area staple, performing and recording in different line-ups with material covering Country, Rock, Bluegrass, Blues, Jazz, Americana and Funk. Her favorite tracks on the album include "Just Enough" -- for its compositional value.
She adds, "I love the process of writing and developing a song and especially collaborating with other songwriters. It MAKES you stretch when you work with somebody else and I enjoy that part of the exercise."
On performing live, Natasha's all about the crowd. She says, "I love the feedback and interaction of a live setting. I'm not a person that wants to perform in a vacuum. I once heard a very famous artist say to a live crowd, " I'm not here to entertain you." That's not me. I absolutely am. I'll change a set list or do whatever I need to roll with the feel of the crowd or take us on a journey together." Natasha concludes, "I feel so fortunate to do something I love as an artist."
'Tequila Time', the latest release from Highway One Records recording artist, Natasha James, is a triple shot of Triple AAA/Americana already making waves at radio with roots rock hits from country rock, to Tex-Mex, to swampy country blues. From the Stonesy vibe of "Straight to Hell," to the Latin vibe of the title track, "Tequila Time," to the Allman Bros. like slide on "Get Out Of My Way," Natasha James delivers. Her vocals have been compared to Bonnie Raitt, Janis Joplin, Stevie Nicks, Joan Baez; her music to Van Morrison, Los Lobos, Allman Bros, Neil Young, Johnny Cash…see for yourself…you might just wanna join her "south of the border, livin' on Tequila Time." From the opener, "Takes Alotta Love," to the last track, "Modern Life," you'll find yourself tapping and humming to high-energy, upbeat songs of broken hearts, desert sunsets, south-of-the-border bars, NYC east village dawns, and that endless highway always behind and always ahead.
The production is superb, with Ronnie Rivera engineering (Lisa Marie Presley) and 6x GRAMMY winner, Gavin Lurssen, mastering (Allison Krauss/Robert Plant, "Raising Sand"; Oh Brother, Where Art Thou), and a rare musical maturity in the songwriting we also saw on her last record, Bad Judgements (the single, The Restless Kind, went to #10 on the FMQB charts staying in the top 100 for 10 months, and her Billboard article received more than 144,538 hits!).
With Tequila Time, an impeccable collection of songs with soulful driving vocals, Natasha shows us that she's here to stay. The musicianship is excellent with her own band consisting of Steve Evans (Charlie Musselwhite, Roy Rogers, Etta James) on bass, Ian Lamson (Elvin Bishop) on guitar, Herman Eberitzsch (Jules Broussard, Jorge Santana, Malo) on keys, and friends and fellow contributors Rafael Padilla on percussion (Chris Isaak, Shakira, Sara Bareilles), Bobby Black on pedal steel (Commander Cody, Asleep at the Wheel), just to mention a few.
When asked about this latest record, Natasha says, "At first, we were going to call it Modern Life, which is one of my favorite songs -- we also have a video coming out of that one - but Tequila Time is bouncier, and really, don't we all wanna be south of the border, livin' on Tequila Time?"
"I want to try to get people to love America," he said. Read this great story - it fits right into our new series, 'Fall In Love With America Again!' (*Thanks Vince Taschetti for sending this to me!)
LoBaido Accomplishes His Mission In Texas Published: Sunday, July 04, 2010 Staten Island Real-Time News, From the Print Edition Stephanie Slepian
Photo Courtesy of Scott LoBaido. Grasmere artist Scott LoBaido has completed painting his largest American flag on the rooftop of Lamons Gasket Co. in Houston, Texas.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- All Scott Lobaido needed was 900 gallons of paint and one Texas-sized rooftop.
It was the perfect canvas for the all-American artist from Grasmere to paint his version of Old Glory, the largest he's ever done -- and he's done a lot of them -- and quite possibly, the largest anywhere.
His project atop the corrugated metal roof of Lamons Gasket Co. in Houston began on Flag Day, June 14. He completed it today, the Fourth of July, after outlasting the Texas sun as well as the wind and rains of Hurricane Alex.
It covers 3.5 acres, the size of five football fields.
"I've played the rain card and I've played the heat card when I've painted outdoors, but I've never played the hurricane card," said Lobaido, 45, on Friday while waiting for the weather to break. "This is something I've always wanted to do. It was just a matter of finding someone as patriotic as me."
He found that person in Kurt Allen. Born in England, raised in Australia and an American citizen since 2008, Allen has employees hailing from 22 countries. All 22 of their flags are hanging in an international array at his gasket factory. And he had a roof to spare in the shadow of William P. Hobby Airport.
A Houston mom, the mother of an American soldier, called the flag a "big Welcome Home" for her son -- expected to fly into Hobby from Iraq this weekend. "I cannot wait for him to see this," she told Lobaido last week.
Lobaido began his patriotic journey in 2006 when he traveled the country -- a beat-up Chevy Suburban and the nation's colors as his guide -- to paint the stars and stripes on 50 rooftops in 50 states.
"I want to try to get people to love America," he said.
Is his work finished? "Not yet," he said, "but when a kid comes up to me and shows me a flag they drew and what it means to them, well that's mission accomplished."
Fall In Love With America Again! is a documentary style broadcast, web and mobile based video/audio/multimedia series highlighting stories from across America - stories from small towns, communities, neighborhoods, streets, homes, rooms. It's all about what we think America is, who American's are, how we see ourselves, and how we welcome the world to our home.
Check out: http://fallinlovewithamericaagain.blogspot.com and our promotional video at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1OGAVgiVD4&feature=player_embedded
The project includes live webcam updates, producing a feature length documentary film, broadcast series and special, live events, video/audio/multimedia content produced by us and submitted by folks all across America, interactive websites and social networking sites/communities, etc. It is a fantastic way to connect you and your advertisers to consumers/fans and it all starts in the heartland of America.
Updated Details About Our Adventure 'Fall In Love With America - Again' is a documentary style web and mobile based video/audio/multimedia series highlighting stories from across America - stories from small towns, communities, neighborhoods, streets, homes, rooms. It's all about what we think America is, who American's are, how we see ourselves, and how we welcome the world to our home.
The project will include live webcam updates, producing a feature length documentary film, broadcast special, a picture book, photo series, book of short stories, the release of a new song and video about America (think 'We Are The World'.) live events, a multimedia interactive touring show/exhibit highlighting America, Americans, our/their stories, music, videos, photography, arts, fashion, food, history, culture, language, etc - video/audio/multimedia content produced by us and submitted by folks all across America, interactive websites and social networking sites/communities, etc. We will promote a variety of contests and promotions to engage and interact with folks across America and it all starts in the heartland of America. Think about the great, inspiring and motivating stories folks will tell - stories that will motivate and inspire us.
Our adventure will take off September 2010 (with the launch of our websites, blog, video and audio channels) and the project will continue through the summer of 2011. We will have two crews starting off from the middle of America. One crew goes west, the other goes east. Our web sites/series - updated daily - will be fast paced - with montages cut to original music, short stories and highlights from our trip. Once a week we will feature a longer length story providing more details and background content.
We are looking for sponsors...and if your are interested in connecting with consumers/fans in a very real way - all across America - this is an opportunity for you to be part of something very special. Join us on our adventure.
Fall In Love With America - Again'. A documentary style web and mobile based multimedia series highlighting stories from across America - stories from cities, towns, communities, neighborhoods, streets, homes, rooms...It's all about what we think America is, who American's are, how we see ourselves, and how we welcome the world to our home (s). The project includes creating a documentary-feature length film, broadcast special, live events - touring show/exhibit, video/audio/multimedia content, websites and social networking sites/communities, etc. It is a fantastic way to connect brands to consumers/fans and it all starts in the heartland of America.
Fall In Love With America - Again' - the reality series starring America!
The plan is to take the concept internationally, Fall In Love With Italy, Paris, England, Jamaica...you get the idea.
