Musicians, Actors, and Athletes Come Out For High Hopes

Joshua with Jonathan Moffett (drummer)

This past weekend the non-profit organization, High Hopes Head Injury Program, held their First Annual Celebrity Bowling Tournament and I had the chance to go and help support the cause. My cousin Joshua attends High Hopes in order to rehabilitate his daily functions of walking and talking. In 2001 he survived a bad accident after making a, not-so-good, decision. But he had shown great improvement since my aunt and uncle found High Hopes, which led to their relocation from Florida out here to California.

What is High Hopes Head Injury Program? It was started in 1975 and was dedicated to the rehabilitation and retraining of individuals that have been set back by traumatic, unexpected head injuries. Through their physical programs like conditioning classes, physical therapy, weight training at a local gym, and a therapeutic swimming pool High Hopes works with these individuals to strengthen and retrain their motor skills. For their social and psychological challenges they have music classes, independent living classes, occupational and speech therapy, and more. At High Hopes, skills thought lost forever are regained. High Hopes' goal is to provide the best and lowest cost program to as many families, who need help, as they can. If you would like to know how to get involved with High Hopes Head Injury Program or donate to the non-profit organization click here.

"High Hopes is the first nonprofit brain injury program in the country which was formed to serve the needs of the brain injured and their families. In the United States there are over 1.5 million traumatic brain injuries annually.  Many who survive need "High Hopes." As a one of a kind program, High Hopes does not give up on anyone; but rather, finds solutions to help each brain injured person recover abilities once thought lost forever. High Hopes is a local charity, yet is recognized nationally for its success. The support of entertainers, sponsors, patrons, and yourself, make it possible to many to overcome great obstacles," says Director of High Hopes Brain Injury Program, Mark Desmond.

High Hopes reached out to multiple celebrities to help with the first annual bowling tournament fund raiser. It was great to see so many celebrities take the time out of their crazy schedules to come support the organization.  The event was held at Irvine Lanes on Sunday, November 21, 2010. With 40 Lanes there were 46 celebrities! Each celebrity was paired up with a lane and there were 3 games that were played during the event.  Between each game the celebrities rotated lanes. The cool part was, even though they were paired up with lanes/teams, they still made an effort to mingle with everyone. Among them were actors, athletes, and musicians. Here are some photos and the list of the celebrities that attended.

Chrystee Pharris, Josh, Wesley Jonathan

Dave Shelton doing his thing!

Jose Solano & I (DesireeRose)

Josh & Nicholas Purcell

Jonathan Moffett & I

Jose Solano Breaks 200!

Me with Matt Desmond

Josh & Matt Desmond LOL

Me with Dave Shelton

Josh with Dave Shelton

  

Me (DesireeRose) with Wesley Jonathan

Me meeting Mike

Thumbs Up Mike!

Jose Solano with Joshua

Milauna Jemai & Josh

Host Pat Boone making his rounds

1. Pat Boone - The Host (Film "Journey To The Center Of The Earth, Author "Twixt Twelve and Twenty," and musician)
2. Danny Arroyo (Actor for TV's The Resistance and General Hospital)
3. Bob Bergen (Voice Over King, Porky Pig for The WB, Movies - UP, Toy Story 2, Iron Giant, and more)
4. Patricia Bethune (Actress for TV's Mad Men, True Blood, Cold Case, Grey's Anatomy, Desperte Housewives, and more)
5. Melissa Biggs (Actress for TV's Baywatch and Films like Luckytown and Rush Hour 2)
6. Blanca Blanco (fastest rising young Hispanic actress)
7. Angelique Cooper ("Miss High Hopes" and discovered by David Mirisch, who also discovered Farrah Fawcett in 1978)
8. Amanda Gist (Actress, appeared on Desperate Housewives, How I Met Your Mother, and The Mentalist)
9. Lydia Cornell (Actress from TV's Too Close For Comfort and has her own show, "Kelsey Grammer Presents Lydia Cornell Live)
10. Patrika Darbo (Actress, recently filmed "In Search For Santa Paws" due out this Christmas, from TV Soap Opera "Days Of Our Lives"
11. Diego Diego (Latin artist, knows as "Mayan God of Pop")
12. Ann Meyers Drysdale (Athlete, the first 4 time Kodak All-American Basketball Player, played in both World Championship Games and the Olympic Games)
13. Kelly Edge (Nationally recognized designer who is featured weekly on HGTV's "Decorating Cents)
14. Kiko Ellsworth (Actor, Soap Star "General Hospital," Series "Port Charles" "Dexter" "Heroes" and more)
15. Daniel Goddard (Actor, currently stars on "The Young and The Restless")
16. Brenda Epperson (Actress/Singer, Soap Star "The Young and The Restless" and opened for Lionel Richie on his TIME tour)
17. Millena Gay (Actress, Soap Star "General Hospital" & "One Life To Live" and guest starred on Jamie Foxx's "Nighttales")
18. Felix Giles (Athlete for Offroad Desert Racing and starred on shows like "Quantum Leap" & "Chicago Hope"
19. Melissa "Mojo" Hunter (Reality Star)
20. Venice Glenn (Athlete, former Defense player of the San Diego Chargers)
21. Devon Graye (Actor, TV's "Dexter" and just finished shooting the movie "The Discoverers")
22. Stoney Jackson (Actor, "Angels In The Outfield" and TV Series "Room 227" and more)
23. Howard Hewett (R&B Gospel Singer)
24. Wesley Jonathan (Actor, TV's "What I Like About You" and NBC's "City Guys")
25. Milauna Jemai (Actress, ABC's "Lincoln Heights" and appeared on "Without A Trace" "Dexter" and more)
26. Jacee Jule (Actress, "3rd Rock From The Sun" "Days Of Our Lives" "Miss Behave")
27. Peter Kwong (Actor & Choreographer, "Boston Legal" "General Hospital" "JAG" and more)
28. Kate Linder (Actress, "The Young and The Restless")
29. Chase Masterson (Actress, "Star Trek Deep Space Nine")
30. Heather Michaels (TV Personality for MTV, Nickelodeon, Inside Edison and CBS)
31. Marisa Petroro (Model on "Deal or No Deal")
32. Jonathan Moffett (Musician, Drummer for Madonna and Michael Jackson on tour)
33. Anthony Montgomery (Actor, "Star Trek: Enterprise" "House M.D." and "NCIS" film "Why Am I Doing This?" and more)
34. Robert Patteri (Broadway Performer, "Phantom" "South Pacific" "Beauty and the Beast")
35. Chrystee Pharris (Actress, played Simone Russell on PASSIONS)
36. Dave Shelton (Writer and Cartoonist, Creator of Cartoon Groupies and Snuggy Bear Children's Products and a Writer for the hit sitcom "Everybody Loves Raymond)
37. Nicholas Purcell (Actor, "The Troop" "As The World Turns", Films "Surrogates" "Dangerous Crosswinds")
38. Ann Sidney (Former Miss World)
39. Cephus Weatherspoon (Former NFL Player for New Orleans Saints and Denver Broncos)
40. Bruce Sievers (Nominated by Congress to be the Poet Laureate of the United States)
41. Lance Zeno (Former NFL Player for St. Louis Rams, Green Bay Packers, and the Browns)
42. Jim Weatherly (Former NFL Player for the Raiders, Redskins and Falcons)
43. Jose Solano (Actor, TV Series "Baywatch" and Films "Resurrection Boulevard" "On Edge" "Rubberneckers" and more)
44. Sterling Weatherly (Athlete, Pro-Surfer)
45. Al Joyner (Olympic Gold Medal Winner for the triple jump)
46. Paul Gonzalez (Olympic Gold Medal Winner in light-flyweight boxing division)

Danny Jones - Performs Alongside Grammy Nominees

Photo by Tony D Photography

I told you to keep your eye out for this guy!

On November 11, I had the opportunity to go to a fund raising event for The Trevor Project, hosted by Chris Isaacson, at the Upright Cabaret here in LA. Chris Isaacson brought together this phenomenal line-up in light of the recent events of the 6 young men that took their lives due to bullying and tormenting.  This was a ONE NIGHT ONLY event held to raise money for The Trevor Project, which is our nation's largest GLBT Suicide Hotline.

First and foremost the event was AMAZING and the entertainment was AWESOME! You could not have asked for a better line-up of performers to perform on a night like this. Some of these performances gave me chills! And when that happens you know it's good. Just to give you an idea, here was the roster: 

• Harlem Lee's (NBC's Reality Competition 'Fame' Winner)
• Scott Nevin's (Comedian & Celebrity Interviewer)
• Jimmy James (Vocal Impressionist Performance Artist)
• Danny Jones (Season 9 American Idol Contestant)
• Jake Simpson (Star Search Winner, winning recording contracts with Sony Music and A&M Records)
• Tapiwa "Taps" Mugadza (student at MI here in Los Angeles)
• Our Lady J
• Matt Cusson
• Maxee Maxwell (member of Grammy Nominated group Brownstone)
• Frenchie Davis (American Idol Season 2 Finalist, Grammy Nominated artist, Broadway star)
• Taylor Dayne (3x Grammy Nominated & "Tell It To My Heart" Singer)
• Yvette Cason (Dreamgirls - played alongside Beyonce Knowles)
• Nita Whitaker (13x Star Search Winner)
• Laura Dickinson (from Disney's Phineas & Ferb)
• Elizabeth Brackenbury
• Walter Afanasieff (Grammy Award winning Producer & Songwriter)

Elite Fashion Academy LA not only did the wardrobe and styling for the event, but EFALA's very own, Danny Jones, performed and he did an awesome job! Let me tell you this kid is putting himself in all the right places at all the right times.  And I have never met someone with such confidence in their talent. And he has every right to be. Just listen to how he landed the gig...

Danny landed this spot about a week prior to the show when he was heading up the elevator to meet with the CEO of Elite Fashion Academy LA and in the elevator was Maxee Maxwell! Maxee is good friends with the CEO of EFALA and was meeting her for lunch after her meeting with Danny. Neither of them realized they were going to the same place until they both got off the elevator and went for the same door. Maxee even told him in the elevator, "You should be in the entertainment business. You have a great look." Talk about EFALA having an eye for talent. Once in, Danny was asked to play a song for Maxee so she could see and hear his true talent. Within minutes she had made 2 phone calls and Danny was booked for this event!

While at the event, Danny was approached by Chris Isaacson about his performance. He had given him great praise. I happened to be standing with him, and the CEO of EFALA, while he and Chris were chatting. Chris mentioned to Danny, "You have no idea who is in the room tonight, some very important, big names in the music industry," and told him again that he did a great job. Then, my favorite part, he reiterates and stresses that "there are some very important people in the crowd." And without giving Danny a chance to respond he says,  "We'll talk more later." THEN JUST WALKS AWAY!!! Danny just turned to me with a surprised look on his face, speechless, and all I said was, "Good thing he didn't tell you that before you went on."

So like I said before... Keep your eye out for this guy; he is doing big things!!

Check out some photos from the event taken by celebrity photographer, Tony DiMaio.

Danny Jones performing his original "See Me"

Danny Jones

Tapiwa "Taps" Mugadza

Taps performing "The Rose" by Seal

Maxee Maxwell performing at the Upright Cabaret

Maxee Maxwell

Frenchie Davis performs a capella

Frenchie Davis

Taylor Dayne performs "Hero" with Walter A

Taylor Dayne

Michael Jackson - The King of Pop Lives On

As you all know, Sony Music Group is releasing an album next month on December 14 by Epic Records. This album contains 10 tracks which include collaborations with 50 Cent, Akon, and Lenny Kravitz before his passing in 2009.

The first single being released from this album is titled, Hold My Hand, a duet with Akon. Michael Jackson and Akon recorded this back in 2007. In 2008, when the unfinished version was leaked  there was talk that this may land on Akon's album. But as we all know, it didn't.

Hold My Hand's official release is today, November 15, 2010 at 12:01AM. This song could not be coming out at a better time. Just listen to the lyrics and you'll get it. Take a listen...



It's great to know that Michael Jackson will live on in music history and continue to influence generation after generation.


ALBUM TRACK LISTING:

1. Hold My Hand (Duet with Akon)
2. Hollywood Tonight
3. Keep Your Head Up
4. (I Like) The Way You Love Me
5. Monster (Featuring 50 Cent)
6. Best Of Joy
7. Breaking News
8. (I Can’t Make It) Another Day (Featuring Lenny Kravitz)
9. Behind The Mask
10. Much Too Soon

Jeronimo - Talented Drummer

I know this is  little out of the norm. But I though this guy was great when I saw him performing yesterday.




I went to the Santa Monica Pier with my friend Mona for a weekend fun day.  We were trying to decide whether or not to get some food and all of a sudden we heard Jeronimo start hittin' the percussion. He sounded great and is super talented.  I got a talk to him for a brief minute and he told me he's been playing for 15 years! That explains a lot. 

Check out the video I got of him playing!



He'll be performing off and on at the Santa Monica Pier over the next year....so go and show your support!

Jennie Laws - The Hit Maker

Photo by: Jae Feinberg

Traveling back and forth between Toronto and Los Angeles, Jennie Laws is definitely making her stamp here in California. Not only is she a brilliant singer and songwriter; she is also a phenominal composer and multi-instrumentalist.  Jennie Laws' music is so captivating that it caught the attention of King Kooba of OM Records and Derrick McKenzie of Jamiroquai that they produced remixes for remix EP - Jennie Laws: The Remixes.

On Wednesday, November 10th, she performed at Zanzibar in Santa Monica playing fan favorites, like Heavenly, and debuting her track, Karma. It was the first time that the band had performed it live together. Check it out!!!







After the show I was able to get a few minutes with Jennie Laws and asked her a few questions. Keep reading to see what she had to say about her music, recent Remix EP release, future shows, and what we can expect from her over the next year.

DesireeRose: Well first off, great set.

Jennie Laws: Thank you!

DR: So, the first song was a single that you guys had just first performed, Karma. It's the first time you all performed it, right?

JL: Yea!

DR: Now, will we hear this one on the remix EP that you just put out?

JL: No, we didn't perform any of the remixes. We did an remix EP release show about a month ago and I did two of the remixes at that show. And because remixes are electronics and everything it was cool, but it wasn't something I wanted to keep doing live. It's more electronics, you know, you use equipment and make it sound good on the computer. Live, we did it, it was cool but I just felt like I want to do more of the organic, acoustic stuff for the original versions of songs when it comes to live shows.

DR: So what can we expect on the remix EP? Is there anything different you did on this EP, like new songs?

JL: No, there aren't any new songs on this one, it's just remixes. But it's cool. There were actually two remixes from the drummer on Jamiroquai. Remember that band?

DR: Yea!

JL: He did two of them, really smoothed out kind of loungy ones. Then there's this producer from Canada that did some remixes. And he did the hip hop version of "Heavenly". He changed it 'cause Heavenly has a 3 kind of feel. You know 1-2-3, 1-2-3 (here she actually says it in tempo and then sings a capella, the original version); he changed it to a 4 (and then she sings the remix tempo), so he changed the timing. And there's this guy that did some Beyonce remixes, his name is Maurice Tamraz. He did this fun house remix of my song, "You Choose" (she then spits out another a capella moment). My manager's brother, he's a great producer too. He did two of the remixes on there. One is a house and one like a trip-hop version of my song "I Just Want To Be Close To You." So, it's again really loopy. So, different genres, more loops instead of the different chords I usually use. They simplified it. And King Kooba did a, they call it Cubana, kind of version of my song "Space." So they brought the islands; it has a Miami kind of sound. There's a lot of flavor on there; something for everyone.

DR: So then how would you describe your styles for those just learning about you?

JL: I come from soul, jazz, folk, pop. And I'm moving away from jazz. So if you're going to listen to my old music you're going to hear a lot of jazz influence. Then if you're going to here my new stuff you're going to notice the jazz is gone and that it's going to be more rock. With the new album, it's more simplified and little more of a rock edge. Still soulful, always soul music and hopefully the melodies are catchy and memorable. I used to be the sweet voice over sweet music; but now it's the sweet voice over sweet music with an edge.

DR: So just expanding on the roots?

JL: Yea!

DR: You're from Canada right? How long have you been out here in LA?

JL: I've been visiting on and off for 2 years, spending a lot of time here.

DR: What can everyone expect from Jennie Laws over the next year?

JL: I have been doing a lot of songwriting with other people and for other people. So, I hope that I can have some songs that come out that other people will sing, like a Christina Aguilera or a Keisha Cole. I would love for that to happen. Also, I've been working on my full length project. I'm going to be coming with something a little different, a little "refreshing" - is the word that I hear. You can expect that. I'm hoping to release it by the second quarter of next year.

DR: For those who want to find your music where can they find you?

JL: You can go to my website, it's the main place to get everything. It's www.jennielaws.com or you can go on iTunes, or Amazon, Reverb Nation. Basically any digital outlet out there. Then there's my facebook, my fan page. If you "Like" my page then you can hear all the music.

DR: Basically anywhere online.

JL: Yea we've got the digital covered. But the retail we don't; there's not really much retail left. It'd be nice to get into Starbucks! (laughter) You go get your coffee and it's like, "There's Jennie Laws!" That's the goal. (laughing)

DR: Yea! (laughing) Everyone goes there so they will definitely see your face.

JL: That's what I want.

DR: Do you have any other performances coming up?

JL: Well, I am going to be going back to Toronto! I'm going to be doing something called 'Intimate and Interactive' in Toronto. We don't have a date set but it's going to be close to my birthday, December 20th.

DR: Well thank you for your time! Good luck with everything and I'm sure I will be at one of your next shows when you're in LA.

JL: I hope so!

 Me (DesireeRose) and Jennie Laws at Zanzibar

Enter Shikari - Perform at Troubadour in Hollywood

Enter Shikari @ Troubadour in Hollywood, CA

Forget the Jersey Shore fist pump...

Last week I went to Troubadour here in Hollywood to watch, UK-based rock band, Enter Shikari. They are one of the most entertaining shows I have seen in a long time. When I arrived the place was packed and fans were anxious for them to get started. For a minute all you heard was chanting then you could see the band start entering the stage. Then all the lights are off, it gets silent in anticipation. Then the lights start going and then the electronic beats play and the crowd starts jumping in unison and cheering. And if you're wondering what an Enter Shikari show will consist of, here you go...


Crazy lights, jumping on cages, jumping off speakers, climbing on the lighting fixtures like monkeys, joking with the crowd (great interaction), creating human totem poles with the guitarist and bassist, 1 hour of non stop performance, crowd surfing, moshing, and most importantly, ABSOLUTELY NO FIST PUMPING!!!

In 2003 Enter Shikari was formed in St. Albans, England.  The band's members are Roughton "Rou" Reynolds on vocals/electronics, Chris Batten on bass/backing vocals, Rob Rolfe on drums, and Liam "Rory" Clewlow on guitar/backing vocals. I had a chance to interview Rory after the show and one question I was curious about was why Rob mentioned during the show that it's nice to be back in the states after 2 years, because it seemed that they have a pretty big following here in the states already. Well, it seems that he had some visa troubles due to some infractions that kept Rob out of the states. Unfortunately, that meant that he was unable to perform on the Warped Tour back in June/July this year.  In September he was passed through customs, just in time for their next North America tour, Destabilise, which started on October 2nd in Houston, TX and is ending in San Antonio, TX on November 10th. Once this tour is done they are back to the UK to tour with 30 Seconds to Mars on their Into the Wild Tour. The best way for me to explain their music is a mix of screamo, hardcore electro-rock, techno/house. But according to their Myspace page, they describe themselves as Happy Hardcore/Progressive/Rock. But regardless how you describe their style they are unique in their own right and they are definitely something you do not hear every day. Which is okay in my book and makes it all more worth your while to check them out when they are in your neighborhood.

The band has put out 2 albums since 2007. The first, Take to the Skies, which reached #4 in 2007 on the UK Album charts. Then in 2009 their second album, titled Common Dreads, debuted on the UK Album charts at #16. Pretty impressive; I must say.


I had an opportunity to talk to Rory after the show while they were breaking down the stage.  Here are a couple of the questions.

WATCH PART OF THE INTERVIEW WITH RORY HERE

DesireeRose: So, in your show Rob mentions that it's been 2 years since the last time you've been in the states?

Rory: Oh no, (laughs) it's been 2 years since HE'S been in the states. He got into a little trouble and had some problems with his visa -

DR: Oh! Ha! Well I guess that will set ya back from traveling a little bit huh?!

Rory: So it's been a while since he's been here.

DR: And I know that you guyrs are on your North American tour right now and you only here in Cali for a couple more shows, then it's off to Arizona?

Rory: Yeah, (and he makes a face like he SURPRISED that I knew that! I do my research Rory!)

DR: So who is your musical influence? Because I notice when you guys play you have a lot of different genres that you play, like screamo, hard rock-

Mona Pev: Davie Havoc!!!

DR: Yea, Davie Havoc, we saw the sticker.

Mona Pev: We love it...we love the sticker!

DR: And electronics....

Rory: Basically a little bit of everything. In the UK hard rock is very popular so that is kind of our influence.....But mainstream wise... we listen to everything, but I guess Prodigy is probably the first. Lots of drum and base is the main influence.

DR: So my final question is... I notice the name of your band, Enter Shikari,  is written in all Greek letters. What is the meeting behind the Greek Letters?

Rory: It's actually pretty deep. We were looking through the different fonts. And the Greek letters looked the coolest!

DR: HAHA nice.... It does. Definitely an eye catcher for sure. Well, I know you have to get back to your set but thanks for taking the time to answer a few questions!

Rory: No problem. Cheers.

Left to Right: Me (DesireeRose), Rory from Enter Shikari, Miss Mona Pev (my photographer/videographer)

Be sure to follow them on FACEBOOK, MYSPACE, and TWITTER.
Find more information on their upcoming tours at their website, www.entershikari.com