Dark Monday • I Can See It

I still remember the first time I saw Sam Harris, a young singer from Oklahoma. He was appearing on 'Star Search' in 1983, coming out on stage with his fluffy mullet, high top sneakers, his long formal jackets with the big flower in the lapel. What is this funny little man going to do?, I wondered. Then he started singing. The firs time hearing Sam sing, you couldn't really help but stare, your jaw hanging open, not sure this was real. But it was. And I have no problem telling you I cheered for him the rest of his season. After all, he was Star Search's 'Kelly Clarkson'...

Sam was signed by Motown, and had some radio success. He also went on to play on Broadway, sharing that amazing instrument with so many. He also worked with other artists, and continued to sing live. At one show, he sang on of my favorites from the iconic off-Broadway musical, 'The Fantasticks'. I first discovered "I Can See It" on Barbra Streisand's "My Name Is Barbra" album, and thought it so wonderfully dynamic. When I thought about this post, I was interested to see who else might have sung the song, and was intrigued when Sam Harris came up. After all, he has that spectacular voice. And after listening, I so so very glad I did find it. So here is Sam Harris singing "I Can See It" from the 1960 musical 'The Fantasticks', written by Harvey Schmidt and Tom Jones.

Only recently, I mentioned Sam's collaboration with Levi Kreis for the new album. And only last week, Sam was on Jimmy Fallon's show 'recreating' his big moment on 'Star Search', when he sang "Over The Rainbow". For more about Sam Harris, visit his official website. You can also 'like' him on Facebook, and 'follow' him on Twitter.

Sunday Morning with Sam Harris

I thought today we would spend the morning with Sam Harris, a man who leaped to fame after his appearance on the original Star Search program. He was the little guy from Oklahoma on the first season of the show, with the huge voice. When he owned the stage as he sung "Over The Rainbow", he also stole the hearts of many in the viewing audience. His career has included stage, television, and records, and still goes strong, adding directing and producing to his list of talents. In 2003, he recorded a sweet and subtle mash-up of the songs "The Voice" and John Lennon's "Imagine" that was used by many to solute the brave members of the armed forces.



Sometimes you can tell when a singer truly feels deeply about a song they are performing. You can see that is the case when Sam sings Paul Simon's anthem for the ages, "Bridge Over Troubled Water".



Sam has done his fair share of musical theater, in Regional theaters, national tours, and on Broadway. That includes Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber's Joseph and His Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, a wonderful show, to be sure. Watch and listen to the stunning performance of the beautiful song, "Close Every Door To Me".



You can find more about Sam Harris on his official website. You can also follow him on Twitter and Facebook. He is also singing a song on the upcoming release from Tony-winner Levi Kreis, something I look forward to hearing. You can find him music on Amazon and iTunes.

Sunday Morning with Sam Harris

In 1983, there was no American Idol, no Simon, Randy or Paula on our televisions. But there was a premiere of a show some of us might remember well, Star Search. The talent show was hosted by Ed McMahon, and featured performers in music (both groups and vocalists), dance, comedy and the innocuous category of 'Spokesmodel. It was reminiscent of the old Ted Mack Amateur Hour, as the talent shows were an old staple of the entertainment industry. That first season, there was a young man from Oklahoma with tuxedo jacket that didn't quite fit, converse high-tops and a booming voice that took the world by storm. Sam Harris seemingly came from nowhere, but of course, the singer had been doing shows all around Los Angeles, and winning the Frank Sinatra Pop Singing Award, and the endorsement of Frank himself before going on the show. But it was his soaring rendition of Over The Rainbow that earned him high praise and attention. Soon he was on the radio, taking to the Broadway stage, and being featured on television shows. Sam also came out as a proud gay man, and he and his partner adopted a baby a few years ago.



Sm really does have an incredible voice, and a style very much his own. He would often infuse his songs with great emotion, or with biting comedy. Take, for example, his lovely performance of Jonathan King's Everyone's Gone To The Moon.



Sam has been very active online, and would make videos for his online fans. One of those videos he made was this clip of Sam covering a song by the great Bonnie Raitt, I Can't Make You Love Me.



Flor more about Sam Harris, check out his official website here. You can find his official YouTube channel here.You can also find him active in the social medias, with Twitter here and FaceBook here. However, I would be remiss if I didn't include one gem that I found on his YouTube channel. It is Sam singing Bust Your Windows.

A Christmas Fireplace

A Merry Christmas To All! May the warmth, joy, and love of the season be with you and all you hold dear this holiday season. Just thought I would post this Christmas Fireplace for all to enjoy, with music by the talented Sam Harris.

Seeing Double

Yes, Sam Harris, that is how I feel when dealing with my optometrist. I went to my appointment at noon yesterday, and after signing in and sitting there for 25 minutes, the woman at the desk asked me if I was there for a reason. I tried hard not to get sarcastic and announce I was there to spend my day in their waiting room for my health, and told her I was there for my noon appointment. And she told me I wasn't on the schedule. I explained I called last Thursday, was told this was the earliest appointment I could get, and have been trying to cope with an outdated prescription since. Yes, I was getting annoyed. I guess she could tell, cause she went to the back, and came out to say they could squeeze me in, since there was a no-show for a noon appointment. Well, it was 12:30 already, so I thanked her, but also realized squeezing me in isn't what happened, someone screwed up the schedule...

So I went in the back, did the testing thing, and came out with a new prescription. I will say, the doctor was very nice, considering I was in a mood. It was time to pick out new frames. So I brought out a printout of the glasses I had on the post yesterday, and the gentleman - who was very nice - said he got it, and proceeded to bring me 10 frames, only 2 of which were remotely resembling the pictures. Even remotely. As I was looking at the one frame, we discovered it would not come in my size. So I was down to one, and he priced it out - the frame alone was almost $300, or over $600 with the lenses. That was just not happening. I mean, really? What drugs did they think I was doing? So I looked at the other frames, and I would be hard-pressed to come up with a line-up that was more dull and lifeless.

So I paid for my appointment, got a printout of my prescription, and left the office with no order. I have been prowling the internet for frames, and found plenty of frames that matched what I was looking for, and they were under $140. Like these, for instance, from the unknown brand called Ray-Ban.



So I will have to see where I get my glasses, and where I will make my next appointment when I need my eyes checked. I am pretty sure it won't be the same place, because between the mix ups the first time I was there, to the second (yesterday), I have no faith in their customer service. And I get to add on a few extra days with an old prescription. Yes, this whole thing could have me seeing double soon...

Dark Monday - Grease

Clockwise: 1972 logo, the 2007 logo; and the 1994 logo.

Grease originally opened on Broadway in 1972. The unknown show had come from Chicago to off-Broadway, and finally moved to Broadway in June of that year. The cast were relatively unknown, with Barry Bostwick making his debut as a leading man and ending up with a Tony nomination. And there was Adrienne Barbeau playing Rizzo, the 'bad girl with the heart of gold.' The show ran for over seven years, or record-setting 3,388 performances, the longest run in Broadway history at the time, only to be surpassed two years later by A Chorus Line. Throughout the run, cast replacements included Jeff Conaway, Marilu Henner, Peter Gallagher, Patrick Swayze, John Travolta, (director) Jerry Zaks, and Treat Williams. Richard Gere was an understudy for many roles in this production. It opened in London the following year, and unknown understudy Richard Gere was cast as leading man Danny Zuko.



In 1994, Grease was called back to Broadway, a revival starring Rosie O'Donnell as Rizzo, soap hunk Ricky Paul Goldin as Danny, Star Search winner Sam Harris as Doody, and pre-Karen Walker Megan Mullally as Marty. This cast was meant to sell tickets, and that is what they did. Once Rosie left, she was replaced with Brooke Shields. Four months after the show opened, a US tour was in place, with former Monkey Davy Jones playing Vince Fontain, Brooke Shields as Rizzo [before she went to Broadway], Sally Struthers, Rex Smith, Mickey Dolenz, Adrian Zmed, Debbie Gibson, Lucy Lawless, Mackenzie Phillips and Jasmine Guy in the cast at various times.



In 2007, producers launched a reality television show to cast the next revival, the show called You're The One That I Want! The show eventually cast Max Crumm and Laura Osnes and the show opened with a construct closer to the 1978 film starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton John than the previous Broadway productions, utilizing songs from the movie and story lines as well. Soon it was time for cast replacements to be made, and the casting of former American Idol winner Taylor Hicks as Teen Angel, and former Idol finalist [and yesterday's birthday boy] Ace Young as Kenickie. Also, once the YTOTIW winners moved on, other contestants were brought in to play the leads.



The revival closed in January of 2009. The tour continues, with Taylor Hicks headlining for some time to come. As part of the 'finale,' Hicks sings several of his songs from his most recent album and hawks them in the lobby afterwards.I guess that is what happens when you are released from your label contract and have to fend for yourself. You can find more information about the tour here.