Gina Villalobos has performed on countless stages throughout the world. Her songs appear simple, but don’t let that fool you. There are far-reaching meanings hidden behind her lyrics. Her voice borders on tough, yet tender, at times. And after a few listens, you can’t help but read between the lines. As a live performer, she is a treat—there is a polished difference between her actual recordings, but that is all. I appreciate a good raw live performance, and I appreciate a well engineered recording. Gina delivers both with her arsenal of CDs: Tiles Away, Rock ‘n’ Roll Pony, Beg From Me, etc..

Interview with Justin Jouvenal – Communications Director

Most independent artists struggle with getting exposure like radio airplay, mass distrrbution, etc. And unless they are signed to a big label, rarely do the masses hear about them at all. Sure, with MySpace and CD Baby and the plethora of digital distributors like iTUNES, the playing field hasn’t capsized, and these musicians do have their small fan base. But will the playing field for Indie artists ever rival that of the signed artist on a major label? Will the Madonnas and Beyonces of the independent world ever reach the fame they so justly deserve?

Slide guitars, consistent drum beats, raw emotions. These three elements encompass Miles Away, Gina Villalobos’ newest release. Gina has a knack for extracting her listener’s emotions with her lyrics in each one of the 10 tracks.

Allah Ali and Kosmic Flight was a pleasure to listen to. How nice to hear some damn good folk music and guitar. This man has a voice, similar in type to Elvis, but softer and with a strong vibrato that works well with his expert acoustic sound.

Ben Johnson, a classically trained artist, is someone who seems to really be suffering for his art. On the cover of his debut CD, he appears to have a self-inflicted wound—a self-styled tattoo spelling out the word “Wait.” You will not want to wait to hear his self-titled CD, Ben Johnson.

Carol Martini has been a songwriter since she was a child. She started out with the violin, and because she is a songwriter, settled on the acoustic guitar. The Rose in the Boxcar is her fourth independent CD, which is a compilation of her original material.

If you like not too hard-edged punk with a little bit of rock, you’ll enjoy Liza and the WonderWheels’ CD, Meet the Animal. This is a group of musicians that know their craft. The songwriting is great and the vocals are good. Liza Garelik has a decent voice and the instrumentals are tight and somewhat complex—they are interesting on their own with vocals reminding me of Blondie from the early 80s.

Marilyn Anderson’s write-up and reviews on the recent Broadway Musicals that originated as movies. You’ll read about:

Legally Blonde The Musical – entertains at full throttle pink!

The Color Purple – presented by Oprah Winfrey and starring Fantasia!

Grey Gardens – a riches-to-rags story!

The New Mel Brooks Musical YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN – It’s ALIVE and on Broadway!

….and much more!

Forget the big impersonal hotels. Treat yourself to a more intimate hotel where they treat you special. Where you’re a name, not just a room number. Where the emphasis is on providing distinctive amenities and unique surroundings. Where it’s not just a room for the night. After all, you’re special. You deserve it!

(Marilyn Anderson & Dennis Lanning)

The second annual Hot In Hollywood Fundraising Event packed a huge crowd at the Henry Fonda Music Box Theater in Hollywood on Saturday, August 18. The hottest television actors from the shows “Ugly Betty,” “Heroes,” “Crossing Jordan,” “ER,” “House,” “The Office,” and more were on hand to entertain, sing, and perform comedy skits for the occasion.