What's Your Addiction?

Addiction specialists SIRPAUL, Anthony Callea & Ace Young.

I have been feeling just all kinds of funny lately, and it is affecting me in ways I didn't imagine. You see, after just over 32 years of smoking, I have stopped. When I was sick several weeks ago, I couldn't smoke for a few days. Well, I just decided that seemed like a good plan, and kept it going. So it has been over 5 weeks now, and I will fully admit it has not been the easiest thing I have done in my life. And, I have to say, it seems just as tough now, in a different way, than it did when this all began. I was thinking by week 6, I would not be looking up from typing on my computer, looking to grab a cigarette.

To aid in all this, I purchased a new iPad. I figure it like this: I spent a certain about each week on cigarettes, and applied that money to buying the new electronics. So, I need to go a couple of months to break even, and have the iPad paid for. And, hopefully, some of the addiction will be subsiding.

But it does give me the opportunity to feature three songs I really love, all with "addicted" in the title. I will start with a favorite, SIRPAUL's Addicted. So sexy, so smoky, so delicious.



Another favorite of mine is the good-looking man with the voice of an angel, Anthony Callea. Since I first caught a video of him singing The Prayer on YouTube, I have been hopelessly addicted to his music. I got the CDs, and got the DVD. I would love to hear this talented Aussie sing live, but fear literally traveling to the other side of the world might be a little much. This is Anthony Callea's Addicted To You



As we approach the 10th season of American Idol, I can think back to the handsome young man who grabbed my eye, Ace YOung. Young has certainly been working hard during his career, with stints on Broadway in lead roles in Grease and Hair. And, every year, he is one of the cohosts for the Muscular Dystrophy telethon over Labor Day weekend. He also released a self-titled album, with is pretty damn good. On that album, his first single was the sexy Addicted.



So, one of the side effects of the detox I am going through it a problem with focus or concentration. I find myself staring at the computer screen, not sure what I am going to write, or even what I shall write about. Hopefully, this too shall pass soon. There is some great new music on the horizon, and I hope to be telling you all about it!

Sing For Hope - Play Me, I'm Yours

Sing For Hope is a non-profit organization that mobilizes professional artists in volunteer service programs that benefit schools, hospitals and communities. From June 21 until July 5, Sing for Hope takes music to the streets with Play Me, I’m Yours, a public art project that will bring 60 pianos to the parks and public spaces of New York City. The Play Me, I’m Yours “street pianos” will be placed throughout the city’s five boroughs to be played by all who pass by. The following video is the first promotion of the new program. It features Tituss Burgess, Nathan Gunn, Monica Yunus, Diana Degarmo, Kyle Riabko, Ace Young, Kevin Mambo and Nial Djuliarso



For more about Sing For Hope, check out their official website here.

Dark Monday - Seth's Broadway Chatterbox With Ace Young

Seems Ace Young has been a busy boy while working in his second Broadway show in 18 months. First, he appears on Seth's Broadway Chatterbox, a weekly radio show/web video featuring Seth Rudetsky, one of the brightest and funniest minds commenting on Broadway these days. The video is from BroadwayWorld.com, one of the more interesting and informative theater sites on the web. Ace, currently playing Berger in Hair at the Al Hirschfeld theater, stopped by to talk to Rudetsky, who does his broadcast from Don't Tell Mama, a piano bar in the theater district. I remember going there in the 80s, when it would have some of the more talented and interesting cabaret shows in the city.



Ace talks about his background, from growing up in Boulder, Colorado, to living in Los Angeles, the American Idol experience, to auditioning for his current role in Hair. Now that BroadwayWorld is posting the interviews, I hope to bring Seth to the blog more often. He is insightful and so funny.



Young also took the time to pose with some eco-friendly products, totally in keeping with the organic life of Hair. The spread appeared in Time Out magazine.




To check out Ace Young's non-theater music, visit his website here. I will admit I am a fan of Ace, and have seen him on several occasions. I hope to make it to see him in Hair, where is is rumored to be signed on to get naked 8-times a week through October.

Good Friday - You Redeem Me

When he isn't working on Broadway in either Grease or the current revival of Hair on Broadway, Ace Young can often be found raising money for kids in need. He also has time to working in his own music, be it writing for himself and others, or interpreting the work of other writers, like the great Diane Warren. She wrote You Redeem Me, which appeared on his self-titled debut album. Here he sings it in 2008 when he worked as a co-host on the Muscular Dystrophy Telethon. And You Redeem Me sounded like a perfect song for Good Friday.



You can check out more of Ace's music at his website here. You can also find him on Twitter here. You can also go see him in the revival of Hair: An American Tribal Love-Rock Musical. Visit their website here.

Hair Replacement on Broadway

Tuesday afternoon, the producers of the Broadway revival of Hair announced the replacement cast of the hit show, as covered by Broadway.Com. I am particularly interested in the casting of Ace Young and Diana DeGarmo, both former finalists on American Idol who have parlayed their talent into several Broadway roles. Catch up with them in this interview on the New York Fox Station after the announcement.



You can get all your Hair information on the official website, here. The following is courtesy of Broadway.Com.


DeGarmo in the center with the black vest, Young in white t-shirt on right.

Oskar Eustis, Artistic Director of The Public Theater, has announced the Broadway cast of HAIR: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical. The new Tribe will debut on Tuesday, March 9, at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre (302 West 45th Street, NYC). As previously announced, the original Broadway cast will be moving to the West End to open at London's Gilegud Theatre. Previews begin on April 1, 2010 with Opening Night set for April 14.

Eustis commented, "We've got a new Tribe- utterly unique, and just as talented and joyous as our first company. They are going through a full rehearsal period with Diane Paulus and her wonderful team, and when they burst out on the 9th of March, it's going to be an electric event."

The complete new Tribe of HAIR is as follows (in alphabetical order):
Annaleigh Ashford (Jeanie), Jeannette Bayardelle (Dionne). Diana DeGarmo (Sheila), Vanessa Ray (Crissy), Kyle Riabko (Claude), Wallace Smith (Hud), Jason Wooten (Woof) and Ace Young (Berger). Also announced were Justin Badger (Tribe), Nicholas Belton (Swing), Larkin Bogan (Tribe), Natalie Bradshaw (Tribe), Catherine Brookman (Tribe), Briana Carlson-Goodman (Swing), Antwayn Hopper (Tribe), Jay Armstrong Johnson (Swing), Rachel Bay Jones (Mom), Mykal Kilgore (Tribe), Josh Lamon (Margaret Mead/Dad), Nicole Lewis (Tribe), Anastacia McClesky (Tribe), Paris Remillard (Tribe), Arbender Robinson (Swing), Kate Rockwell (Tribe), Cailan Rose (Tribe), Rashidra Scott (Tribe), Jen Sese (Tribe), Lawrence Stallings (Tribe), Terrance Thomas (Tribe), Emma Zaks (Swing) and Lee Zarrett (Tribe).

Tickets for HAIR (starting at $37.00) are available via Telecharge.com or by calling (212) 239-6200. The schedule is as follows: Tuesday at 7:00 p.m., Wednesday at 2:00 & 8:00 p.m., Thursday - Friday at 8:00 p.m., Saturday at 2:00 & 8:00 p.m. and Sunday at 3:00.

HAIR also offers a pre-performance ticket lottery for box-seat tickets, aptly renamed "BE-IN BOXES." Those wishing to purchase these tickets are asked to show up at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre 2 1/2 hours before each performance for a drawing that will take place 2 hours before curtain. For every performance, a limited number of lucky audience members will receive $25 "be-in box" tickets, promising to make their experience of the show both affordable and unique. Limit one entry per person, and two tickets per entry. Winners must be present at the time of the drawing and show valid ID to purchase tickets. Tickets can be purchased from the box office in cash only.

You Might Have Noticed

There is a chance you might have noticed I am working a bit on the look of the blog. Starting this morning you will have seen a new header, comprised of photographs I have taken when attending live performances I have enjoyed. I have been trying to work out how I was going to get this done, and I finally did.



Appearing in the banner are: Tom Goss, Bucky Covington, Stewart Lewis, Jordin Sparks, Eric Himan, Ace Young, Allison Iraheta, Adam Lambert, Aiden James, and Chris Daughtry. So I will be trying to think of some ways to upgrade the blog, which will more than likely be small things, such as the header. Just thought I'd let you know. Thanks!

REPOST: Pictures I Have Taken

As part of a year-end review, I will be putting up an occasional repost of the first 6 months of Soundtrack to my Day this week.

In preparation for the Tom Goss show I am attending this coming weekend, I revisited some of the pictures I have taken over the last few years. I tend to bring my camera, and for the most part have had no problem getting it to the shows. I love taking the pictures, and they certainly bring back some memories of fantastic shows.

Aiden James




Eric Himan




Tom Goss






Ace Young

Weekend Twits

So, I just thought I would share a couple of Tweets that were placed over the weekend. All these are crossed my screen, most with links associated with them. So, this is a bit random, but enjoyable, I think.

Ricky Martin will often tweet a link to a video, and he offered the following on Sunday night.





Chris Daughtry took a moment to record his version of O Holy Night to fans Sunday night. Just a boy and his guitar, and the rocker sounds pretty darned good.





Daniel Cartier, whose music I love, tweeted a link to a new video for a song from his seasonal CD, This Christmas. The song is Carol of the Bells, and stylistically, it is very Daniel. I love it.





Josh Groban often just makes me laugh. He'll just toss out a little tweet hither and yon, and just make me laugh.



Apparently, Shayne Ward was asked to confirm it really was him on the Twitter account. Shayne, who won the second season of X-Factor in the UK in 2005, is in the studio working on a new release. And he looks damn good for a str8 boy. And reminds me I should post about him sometime.





MJ's Big Blog focuses on all things American Idol, and ran a link to one of my favorite AI contestants, Ace Young. The singer and his fiancee have joined Taylor Hicks on the Grease National Tour, but before that, he took part in the Hollywood Christmas Parade and sang Silent Night.

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.

Happy Birthday Ace Young

Happy Birthday, Ace. Today Ace turns 29. The former American Idol contestant and Broadway star is still looking and sounding good. He is busy these days preparing for his wedding to former Grease co-star Allison Fischer.



So, have a happy birthday, Ace, and looking forward to getting to hear more music soon. Until then, here is a cut from his first album, You Redeem Me, as he performed it on the Labor Day Telethon




For more information and music from Ace, click here.

Friday Night Party - Ace Young

Photos by me of Ace Young in Binghamton, NY

Ace Young singing Fast Life, a song about partying all night long. I get the feeling we might be doing just that in NYC tonight.



For more about Ace Young click here.

Str8 Boys Need Love Too - Ace Young

Photos by me from Binghamton, NY, Washington DC & Uncasville, CT

My appreciation of Ace Young has been documented by my driving 6 hours to catch him performing live, seeing him a couple of times playing Kenickie in Grease on Broadway last fall/winter. It was about a year ago Ace released his first self-titled CD, with a release party at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Connecticut. It was produced by Desmond Child, the musical genius. It is a pretty good freshman offering, but established no traction with resistance from radio to play non-studio songs. There were some select combo CD/DVDs for sale, with the first video and some behind-the-scenes footage. That footage included scenes of a shirtless Ace working out to get ready for a shirtless photoshoot. That alone could be worth the price of admission.

Screencaps from the Behind The Scenes DVD

Well, the fanworld of Mr. Young was thrown in a tizzy recently when he announced his engagement to Allison Fischer, whom he met during the stint in Grease. I wish them the best of luck, and hope we get to see and hear much more from the both of them. Until then, this is the video for Addicted from his eponymous CD. It is a song I still love.

Ace Young Addicted Video Premiere

You can listen to more of Ace's music on his MySpace, buy the CD from iTunes and most other retail and online stores, but I think the CD/DVD package can only be purchased in Target.