CRAPPY SHOWS STAY but JACKIE BEAT Leaves :( 7/20-26

The bathroom self portrait @ The Post Office Cafe (Provincetown, MA) just for the heck of it.
There was a lot of drama this week. AND a lot of RAIN. My voice has held up so well. I'm surprised. I don't know what has happened??? My voice has been very good to me lately.
I have received more standing ovations.

As I wrote in the previous blog, I wanted the crappy shows to close down and leave. BUT unfortunately, we lost a GOOD show - "JACKIE BEAT."

We both were working at the same venue - The Post Office Cabaret. I helped Jackie cross promote in my show by letting her do a spot in my show nightly. She always got big laughs. I wanted him to succeed because we're friends but he has true talent for entertaining. It's hard to make a name for yourself in Ptown these days due to the over-abundance of shows - many of which are NOT GOOD. Unfortunately Jackie was up against several obstacles. A talent like Jackie's is gone because the bad shows are like stubborn roaches that practically force the neighbors out of the hood.

Jackie worked tirelessly to promote her show here in Ptown but ultimately realized he could make more money on the road with a lot less effort and CRAP. I look at these left over tired shows in town (that somehow manage to remain) with contempt.

I lost my buddy to pal around town with. We had lots of laughs keeping each other entertained until we go back to civilization after the Season.

Last Summer we helped each other get through the demands of this grueling Summer show schedule.

When I moved to California a few months ago, Jackie took me to his beautifully decorated home with his 2 dogs, giant backyard with fruit trees. We watched DVDs and other friends would come over to visit too. Lots of fun.

Jackie Beat is a very talented and popular performer around the country with television and movie credits, and one of the most prolific writers I know. He doesn't need the Ptown aggravation. So onward and upward. Check out Jackie Beat's videos on YouTube, they're very cleaver.

Some interiors of Jackie's home in Los Angeles, CA. Here's the red office. All in tribute to Carrie.

Here's a pic with a floating orb. Do you see it in the upper corner?

Front door entrance.

Bar for company (Jackie doesn't drink alcohol).

COMPETITION FROM CRAPPY SHOWS! JULY 16-19.

It's hard enough when you have to compete with a known television star who comes into town to perform. But then when you have to compete with crappy shows who lure unsuspecting tourists in who often walk out of their shows...it's exhausting to my promoters.

I'm speaking of some shows that are drawing only 4 to 10 people in, and in some cases folks are walking out of the show. TAKE THE HINT! YOUR SHOW SUCKS! CLOSE IT DOWN. It's expensive to be in Provincetown and if you are not bringing in the revenues close your show down. Don't blame the tourist for being dumb, blame yourself for not being entertaining enough for the tourist. If you think your show is too "smart" for the tourist then book your sketch comedy show on college campuses. Get out of town. Are you that much of a HAM that you would continue to try to play to 4 or 10 people for NO MONEY? I never want to impose my show somewhere that it's not working. If I was pulling in tiny audiences, I would be gone so fast, your wig would spin.

A moment of weakness in Welfleet. I did a bad thing.

Another Robust FULL STANDING OVATION! 7/16

Yesterday, I cleaned up around the condo. I eventually got out the door around 5pm to sorta jog/walk into town. I'm feeling kinda weak or fragile. I don't know why. I think the pressure of being good every night is weighing on me. So far my voice has been sooooo good to me. Strong and clear. My reputation around town seems to be very good this season. Someone told me that they heard that this was my best show ever this season. With that kind of word of mouth comes lots of pressure to deliver. I'm grateful but this show is demanding.

Before the show I warned my assistant Mick that I was feeling fragile. Maybe it was the coffee I drank...I don't know. I said let's get it started. I pulled it off very well because I got a full Standing Ovation! I only do about a 50 minute show but it seems long to me because I do so much in that 50 minutes. Also people are on vacation and I think I more and more people have short attention spans - I know I do. My adrenalin kicked in for the performance and my voice was so good and strong. Patsy Cline's 'Crazy' was really good. I could hear people moaning in appreciation. My new Elvis voice 'Don't Be Cruel' is doing really well. Stevie Nicks 'Gypsy' is a show stopper. It sounds so cool and modern. A true rock classic. I've only ever done 'Landslide' for Stevie or once in a while I would do 'Rhiannon' but 'Gypsy' is new for me and so suited for my voice. I don't know why I never did this song. It's fun to do.

I'm getting a full cross section of people for my audiences - Gay, Straight, Young, Old...everything! Even teenage girls! I love this.

I'm going to try to record some of my show on my ipod so I can upload it here to the blog.

Toddler dances to FASHIONISTA on Ptown's Commercial St.

Before my shows, I usually go outside to meet customers as they start lining up. It's called "hawking" your show. I put on my big headdress just to be seen and attract attention. This little boy was dancing to FASHIONISTA which was being played. I only captured a small amount of it. He actually stopped his Mom & Dad from walking so he could dance. So cute!

W/ my little friend Donna. Her father does Psychic readings next door.















Before going on stage.

'IMPRESSIONISM' is a BIG SUCCESS!

Impressionistic painting by: Henri Matisse
Morphing by: MacAnthony Specht

My friend MacAnthony took a Matisse painting and morphed my face into it. It was so cool I had to use it for my flyers and ads.

So far so good with the shows here in Provincetown. I have finally landed on a good layout for the show. It's an action packed show called 'IMPRESSIONISM.' I do a lot of Voice Impressions crammed into a 1 hour show. So far the reviews are good and I feel good with the pace of it all. It's an energetic show and I keep threatening that I'm not going to make it for the 50-60 shows I have to do.

Original Matisse painting.

I've done 3 weeks so far (Thurs-Sun shows 9pm). My voice has surprised me lately by being very strong and good. I open the show with 'FASHIONISTA' and close with 'SUMMER SUN' but in between are a whole bunch of impressions: Billie Holiday, Eartha Kitt, Diana Ross, Patsy Cline, Bette Midler, Alicia Bridges, Sylvester, Cher, Elvis, Stevie Nicks, Bette Davis, Barbra Streisand, Lionel Richie, Judy Garland, Mae West and more...also video tributes to my Marilyn Years.

Today (my day off) I went to Hyannis with Jackie Beat and Suzanne Whang (from House Hunters). We went to see the movie "Bruno." For me it was hillarious! I laughed like crazy at the grossness and absurdity of it all. Sasha Baron Cohen is uncanny with what he does.

A lot of things are going on for me lately but I'm not announcing anything until it's all for sure.

Front and Back of flyer: I hate the retouching on the front. It's out of control but I was on deadline and it had to be done quickly. They distorted my face. Maybe I'll have it redone for the next batch. I also wanted the painting to be the front but the owner of the club was afraid it looked too solemn or sad, so I chickened out.

TUESDAY JULY 6, 2009 REQUIEM FOR A KING. GOODBYE MICHAEL JACKSON.

This photo was taken of me January 16, 2004 in Las Vegas by my friend Larry Edwards. He had the hat and glove laying around his apartment and I just put it on and struck a pose. Come to find out the hat belonged to MICHAEL JACKSON! It was given to Larry by a director who worked with MJ on a music video.

Fast forward years later to this Tuesday July 6, 2009. I woke up early (around 9am) in Provincetown, MA. It was a beautiful crispy Sunny day. I made some coffee and watched The View. I was anticipating the Michael Jackson Memorial Service. Strange, as the Memorial got under way the day turned gloomy and overcast. My windows were open and a cool breeze was blowing through my room. I stayed upstairs in my bed and watched the service on TV while Mick stayed downstairs watching that TV. We kept our kleenex boxes close to us. Later in the afternoon it poured yet again like crazy with rain.

First of all I hope the producer wins an Emmy for this incredible show. It was tasteful and reverent and full of talent - true talent. Some were Superstars and others not famous but they all had TALENT. This show was like a requiem.

Mariah sang one of my favorite Jackson 5 songs "I'll Be There." I had tears.

Stevie Wonder killed me when he sang "I Never Dreamed You'd Leave In Summer." It's one of my favorite Stevie Wonder songs. Kleenex.

Brooke Sheilds made me cry because she stole my looks. She was so damn beautiful. Her hair looked so pretty and shinny. Her stories were very moving and human. More kleenex.

Jermaine killed me too when he sang "Smile." When he started singing, he sounded very Michael. Family harmonies are always the best because genetically they are similar.

I don't even know how Jennifer Hudson got through her performance, especially given what she herself has been through... and she's pregnant! That always makes you more emotional.

Everything was so moving. The memorial was drenched in talent from aritists who came to give of themselves. It's a funny thing talent. It's magic. An artist can touch you with their talent and inspire you in your life.

For me, as a young boy with a high voice, Michael Jackson made having a high voice cool on a massive scale. He made looking androgynous cool too. As he said in his Thriller video, "I'm not like all the other guys." I liked that and related to it. I saw hope. I saw there was a chance and a hope for me somewhere.

I won't go into Michael's excentricities because whatever...we all know about them and it is what it is. Much of what he did was to stir the pot and was self-imposed for publicity sake. I don't even care. He was playing the game. We all have to play the game to some extent.

In this memorial I looked back on Michael Jackson's life, and saw that little guy who was so full of talent. He could really sing, dance, look cool and shine. Even as a young boy he had a cool swaggar. He had a certain confident walk when he was performing. He had that certain something that made you take notice.

I was touched by his talent when I was very young and it's even inspired me lately in my shows.

I'm not remembering him like some saint or king or deity or anything like that. I just want to remember the purity of his talent. I just want to remember his magic and how it touched me. That's all.

Later on at 7pm (the weather cleared) I went to The Crown & Anchor to see Ryan Landry's musical "Willie Wanker." It was a 2 hour show with an intermission. Then I went to hang out at The Arthouse. Jeff Roberson (Varla Jean) came out after his show (sans the drag) with his assistant to chat. We were grumbling over how more rain was falling...yet again tonight. I'm wearing hoodies in July! Wow. I'm sorta reliving Winter. Jeff said The Farmers Almanac said it was going to be a rainy Summer.

JULY 6, 2008 / MONDAY

Jackie Beat and I left up cape to Orleans (30min away). We are being careful to stick to our diets. We had salads w/ chicken at a restaurant that is known for some good home cookin'. We were strong. Then we went to TJ Maxx and Stop & Shop in Orleans. Jackie's Toilet over-flowed this morning. The whole town seems to be having a septic problem. She's having a shitty day.

We also went to The Christmas Tree Shop which has nothing to do with 'Christmas' except around Christmas time. It's kinda like a Dollar store but more. I love this store. I bought 4 ice trays for 89Cents and a cute mug with sunflowers on it for $1.99. I have a mug fettish - it's a weird weekness.

Later on tonight Jackie and I joined about 25 other acts to participate in the long running Monday night open mic night at The Crown & Anchor called SHOWGIRLS. The night is very popular. Sold-out with over 200 people. It's hosted by Ryan Landry. I sang FASHIONISTA. I think it went over pretty well.

JULY 5, 2009. I GOT A STANDING OVATION!!!

Earlier in the day I sat down with my assistant Mick and made a list of all the things that have to go on during the day through show time so that we can run everything smoothly and precision. We have to have a clear understanding of the job at hand so it makes both of our jobs easier. Then the owner Phyllis called on the phone and I put her on speaker phone. She stated very clearly that she wanted him to use the big sound system she just bought to be set up outside before the show to play my music to get people attention for my show. For some reason when I got there to stand outside with my headdress before the show, all I saw was a little radio clock with the ipod attached.

In spite of this I think I did a good show. It was action packed and 50minutes. I GOT A STANDING OVATION. A standing ovation is something that the audience owns and they don't give it up too easily. I'm grateful beyond. So grateful.

Jackie Beat was watching the show as well as The Naked Boys Singing (all play The Post Office Cabaret as well). Also sitting with Jackie was Suzanne Whang who does comedy at The Art House.

Afterwards Jackie, Suzanne and I had dinner downstairs in The Post Office Cafe. Then we took a little night drive through the town.

JULY 4, 2009 Ptown FIREWORKS!

July 4th was my day off because my show is at 9pm and so are the fireworks and I don't want to compete with that. I was bad. I went to the candy store and bought some candy. Just a small amount but I was aware that I was eating high fructose corn syrup which is gross. I got some Mike & Ike Tropical, 4 mini Reeses PB cups and a few other things. The only thing without high fructose corn syrup was the Toblerone chocolate bars. I got 4 minis of that.

Provincetown was packed with people. All the clubs were jumping. I was tired because I didn't get enough sleep the night before. It was a beautiful cool night. I'm so grateful for this because I know my friends and family in Texas are burning up with 100 degree weather. I came home to the condo and got in bed. My 2 windows were open and the cool breeze was beautiful. My friend Marky called from Boston and I fell asleep while he was talking on the phone... lol. Oh well.

We were on a deck above Mojo's watching the Fireworks.

PTOWN SHOW IS FINALLY COMING TOGETHER -YAY!

My show is finally coming together here in Ptown. My Stevie Nicks voice impression ("Gypsy") is going over very well and so is my new Elvis voice ("Don't Be Cruel"). Even I'm amazed at how I sound. I know that sounds arrogant, but sometimes when I practice, I really don't know how it's all going to sound until I sing it on the big sound system.

I also added Bette Midler ("Do You Wanna Dance"). I'm also doing a disco medley and Cher singing "Don't Leave Me This Way." When I saw Cher in Las Vegas she took out "Take Me Home" (one of my favorites) and instead sang "Don't Leave Me This Way." That's ok because I love that song too. It's a disco classic originally by Thelma Houston. As a kid I remember buying the vinyl 45 rpm. I played it in my room over and over and over.

Last week, my shows were "exploratory" if you will. I was kind of work-shopping the show. I think those people got special shows. They got to hear me trying to find my way around my abundant repertoire and my voice is always so good and fresh at the beginning of the Season.

People are lining up at The Post Office Cabaret and I'm so grateful. My calling has always been to entertain and it feels good to have a loyal following after all these years in this magical little town.