LOS ANGELES -- Oscar winning actress Sandra Bullock has abruptly dropped out of the London premiere of her film "The Blind Side," due to "unforseen personal reasons."
Warner Brothers released the following statement from the Academy Award winning actress:
"Due to unforeseen personal reasons a trip abroad to support "The Blind Side" has been deemed impossible at this time.I apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused and thank you for your continued support of the film."
Bullock's decision not to participate in the premiere comes amid recent reports that Bullock's nearly 5 year marriage to Jesse James,40, may be in trouble.
Tabloid rumors have surfaced of infidelity involving the star's husband of nearly five years, West Coast Choppers CEO Jesse James.
"Tattoo model" Michelle “Bombshell” McGee claims she had a months-long affair with James while Bullock was away filming "The Blind Side."
People Magazine reports that Bullock has left the L.A. home she shares with James.
Many in Hollywood say the news is a surprise after seeing the couple together during the recent awards season. The seemingly happy couple repleatedly expressed their mutual admiration and affection for each other.
Bullock "is old-school Hollywood," James told PEOPLE magazine at the Oscars on March 7 just after her win. "Nobody deserves this more and works harder. I'm so proud of her."
For those members of the LA Chapter of AFM (Local 47), there is an interview and pictures of me and the orchestra of Camelot at the Pasadena Playhouse in this month's "Overture" magazine. Have a look at my blog for pictures!
After a whirlwind of a year, being away from home (LA) for a month, then closing Pasadena Playhouse with "Camelot", it has been time for some "personal" time with friends and most important, family. I've been lucky with the weather so far on the east coast - the major snows hit just before I got here. However, you've never seen snow piles so high! Most have melted now, but boy do I remember how much I love CA weather!
I'm busy writing, and will have new things to post about very soon, in the meantime, if you haven't, take a listen to some of my music, and let me know what you think!
This story has captured my attention in particular. I'll share my thoughts on it soon - if you have thoughts as well, please post.
The Dalai Lama commented on Tiger Woods' sex scandals Saturday, saying self-discipline is among Buddhism's highest values, one day after Woods said he had strayed from his Buddhist faith.
Tiger Woods photos
Tiger's apology
Tiger Woods broke his long silence and apologized repeatedly on Friday. We've got complete coverage. Analysis:
* Lusetich: Where does he go now?
* Hench: Tiger to follow different path
News:
* Tiger: 'I am so sorry'
* Finchem on Tiger's speech
Videos:
* Watch Tiger's full statement
* Lusetich's take | Whitlock | Kriegel
* Alleged mistress wants apology
Photos:
* Images from Tiger's speech
* Tiger's Thursday practice
Tibet's exiled spiritual leader told The Associated Press in a brief interview in Beverly Hills that he had not heard of Woods, but when the circumstances were explained to him he said that when it comes to adultery, "all religions have the same idea."
"Whether you call it Buddhism or another religion, self-discipline, that's important," he said. "Self-discipline with awareness of consequences."
In his first public comments since the Nov. 27 car accident that set off a series of shocking allegations of rampant extramarital relationships, Woods said Friday that he was raised Buddhist but needed to focus anew on finding balance between his religion and professional life.
After several months of to-the-grindstone arranging and rehearsing, Camelot has finally started previews at Pasadena Playhouse. I have an orchestra of 13, which I am very excited about, and a fantastic cast of 8. Working with Director David Lee (Frasier, Cheers), on this production has been wonderful. Mark Esposito (Musical Staging) has also put his mastermind into the production. Here's what Playbill has on their website with a few more details...
I'm still pinching myself from meeting Alison Krauss in Nashville last week - she came backstage and then sat in the pit for Wicked - WOW! Would love to actually work with her one day.
Next up for October is re-orchestrating "Camelot", and finding some great keyboard and sax players for my new music "partners" Cirque du Soleil. Yes, that's right! I'll be finding the best musicians for Cirque's shows - so keep checking back here (my blog) for current listings. Then I'll hit the road again with Wicked for November/December. Where, do you ask? Let's just say I can say "Hello, Cleveland!" and mean it! Time to buy some winter clothes - BBBRRR!
I'm also performing with my friend Craig Meyer's award-winning act "Almost Elton John"! Can't wait, it's gonna be so much fun!
Of course, there are random projects in the air, but waiting until I know a little more about them. Who knows? Maybe with a little luck my name will be on a pilot this season (which would be just fantastic!).
I arrived in Cleveland to be with Wicked on tour until mid-December. It's my first time to the birthplace of Rock 'n Roll, and I must say the people of Cleveland have been a pleasure! The weather? Well, I won't hold that against them. Here on opening night, we had a beautiful private cast party at "Star" Restaurant. If you're in Cleveland, come by the Palace Theater and say hello!
Or now, if you're on facebook, you can keep in touch on my page:
It's hard to believe summer is over! Wicked in San Diego was a lot of fun, and looks like I'll be traveling to Nashville as "Acting Associate Conductor" with the tour in a couple of weeks. In the meantime, I've started working on a few things at home, first on my plate is the ProSingers Workshop here in LA on September 26. Our guest is Michael Orland, Assoc. Music Director of AMERICAN IDOL. I've had the privilege of working with Michael, and you can be assured that it will be an event LA singers won't want to miss!
I'm also gearing up for an exciting project here in town - I'll be Music Director of "Camelot" at the Pasadena Playhouse, directed by David Lee (he created the TV sitcoms Cheers and Frasier). David has an amazing vision for the show, which also involves it being re-orchestrated. Hence me starting on the project now! The show will cast in late Oct/Nov, rehearse Dec, and run in Jan/Feb 2010.
I'm also going to do my best to get back on the ball with my blog - yes, in all my "free" time.
I have lots of feelings today about the passing of MJ, as I'm sure many of us do. For my generation, there has been no one close to his impact culturally and musically - I remember getting his "Off the Wall" album and playing it over & over in my room. I remember programming my Sequential Circuits keyboard for just the right sound for the beginning of "Beat It". I remember Moonwalking at the school dance. As the world celebrates his life today, I hope we all can take a minute and really think about the contributions he made, and what he constantly kept striving to do. Sure he had some eccentricities - but who of us doesn't? I will miss knowing that you're around, MJ. And I am sad to know that we will never have the opportunity to work together, but I am glad for the friends of mine who have had the chance. Your legacy will live, here and beyond.
It's going to be a busy summer! Going to see "Ice Age 3"? Hope so - it SOUNDS great!! Composer John Powell created an excellent score, made even more excellent with the best LA session singers in town. We had so much fun on the date - I can't wait to see it in the theater!
Voices Within is a program with the Los Angeles Master Chorale that I am honored to be a part of as "Composer and Vocal Arranger". Our term this time is with The Harmony Project, and the kids are outstanding! Over the next ten weeks we'll be creating songs that will be performed with the LA Master Chorale at Forest Lawn on August 2nd.
AND THEN...
WICKED!!! I'll be filling in on keyboards while the 1st National Tour stops in San Diego. If you're coming to San Diego in August, drop me a note! Now I'll get back to practicing :)
This month, "No Doubt" will be appearing not only on American Idol, but on the hit show "Gossip Girl." What you don't know unless you're in the know is that the on-camera band in the same scene, playing their song "Stand and Deliver" was recorded at my studio! What a fun day!
And - Soundtracks! If any of you saw the movie "The Uninvited,", score by Christopher Young, I was the Choir Conductor on the session. I also recently sang on the TV shows "The Simpsons" and "The Secret Life of the American Teenager," as well as on the scores for "Ice Age 3," and "A Thousand Words."
On May 2, 2009 in LA session singer/vocal coach Gerald White and I are conducting the first ever nuts & bolts seminar about the world of session singing. For more info please email: info@prosingersaccess.com
After a couple of crazy rehearsal weeks, The Producers opens tonight at the California Performing Arts Center. I'm very proud to be the Music Director/Conductor of this production starring Broadway's Larry Raben as "Leo", and Nathan Holland as "Max." Here we go!
Here's wishing everyone a Happy Valentine's Day! I hope you can take a moment to tell someone close to you how much they mean to you - and if they're REAL close, give them a hug! Me? I'm celebrating by going to see "Confessions of a Shopaholic". Enjoy this "day of love"!
I had the pleasure over the weekend to play for the super-talented and fun Loretta Devine, at Dorothy Chandler pavilion in Los Angeles. The event was for a fundraiser for Center Theatre Group, and was followed by a special performance of their production of Pippin.
Listen and download my composer, songwriter, piano, singer, and arranging demos here! And please drop me a note and tell me what you think!
Listen here to all my musical "reels" (they're also on the MUSIC page) OR - do a search of my catalog! AND don't forget to check out "my first on-camera job" video below...
New year, new website! Actually, it's been more like 4 years.
Well, in putting all this together, I found some real gems in my archives. Here's one of them from my first "on-camera" gig as a musician - I've added a little to it, just for fun.
ENJOY, and Happy 2009! I look forward to working with you!