PRESS RELEASE CHRISTMAS 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
DECEMBER 11, 2012

JIMMY JAMES PERFORMS LIVE at
The BONHAM EXCHANGE!411 Bonham
San Antonio, TXDEC. 20, 2012 / 8pm
Tkts: $15. advance online / $20 at the door
BROWNPAPERTICKETS.COM 
A portion of all proceeds to benefit St. Jude's Childrens Hospital.

Back for his 3rd Annual Christmas show: "JOY TO CHRISTMAS"
Singer-Songwriter, Recording & Tribute Artist will again astound audiences with his vocal prowess.
A native of San Antonio, James set out to New York City & Los Angeles in the mid 80's to search for his dream to become an entertainer. Soon he became a darling of the talk show circuit with numerous television appearances on CNN, ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT, E!, DONAHUE, GERALDO, SALLY, JOAN RIVERS and others...

He attracted international attention as the world's best Marilyn Monroe impersonator. To this day his natural-like uncanny recreation of the iconic star is even to this day unchallenged by anyone. James was an actor who played the part live! He could actually sing and talk like her! But by 1997 he retired the 'Marilyn' part of his show to evolve as an artist and broaden his horizons into song-writing and recording and to expand his increasingly popular repertoire of Voice Impressions. Today his show includes vocal tributes to: Cher, Elvis, Barbra Streisand, Madonna, Stevie Nicks, Amy Winehouse, Shriley Bassey, Liza Minnelli, Judy Garland, Macy Gray, Bette Davis, Eartha Kitt, Patsy Cline and so much more...

The Jimmy James Show today also include a couple of his own original songs, one of which became a world wide hit and rose to the top of the BILLBOARD charts entitled 'FASHIONISTA.' The song comes from his original album JAMESTOWN (iTunes, Amazon). James has performed for celebrities such as Whoopi Goldberg, Elton John, Demi Moore, Patti LaBelle, Jane Seymour, Cyndi Lauper, Boy George, Debbie Harry, George Burns, Eartha Kitt, Norman Mailer, John Waters and many more...

James has recorded and released 5 albums and 5 singles in 10 years - a feat rarely achieved by even by most established recording artists. Jimmy James music is available on iTunes including his Christmas album: "HAVE YOURSELF A JIMMY JAMES MERRY CHRISTMAS."

Please credit photo with black gloves.
Photo by: Dusti Cunningham

The Set-List:
JOY TO CHRISTMAS 2012
JIMMY JAMES ............................ FAMOUS
SHIRLEY BASSEY ...................... HISTORY REPEATING 
EARTHA KITT ............................. I WANNA BE EVIL
AMY WINEHOUSE ...................... LOVE IS A LOSING GAME
MADONNA .................................. SANTA BABY
CHER ........................................... BLUE CHRISTMAS
LIZA ............................................. SINGLE LADIES
JUDY GARLAND......................... HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS
ELVIS ........................................... DON'T BE CRUEL
JIMMY JAMES ............................ FIRST CHRISTMAS WITHOUT U
BARBRA STREISAND ................ EVERGREEN
JIMMY JAMES ............................. FASHIONISTA
BETTE DAVIS .............................. FELIZ NAVIDAD

DECEMBER GIGS! 2012

DECEMBER 13, 2012 ATLANTA, GA!

After more than a decade away, I'm finally coming back to perform in Atlanta, GA! 

Atlanta is like the New York City of the South. It's filled with great people and great energy. I have fond memories of my time in ATL. Wild. Fun - maybe sometimes too much fun...lol. From what I understand this is a prestigious room and I have some special numbers planned.

 MIXXATLANTA.COM

 DECEMBER 20, 2012  SAN ANTONIO, TX

JOY TO CHRISTMAS!

My 3rd Annual Christmas Show at The BONHAM EXCHANGE in San Antonio, TX.

I'll be performing on the main dance floor. Limited seating but lots of room. 

Come have fun with me in my hometown. 

Showtime: 8pm (approximately 70 minutes long)

$15. advance online / $20. at the door.

http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/303363

AS GOD IS MY WITNESS...ATLANTA!

 After more than a decade! I return to Atlanta!
Atlanta truly holds fond memories for me. I'm very excited to be going back to Atlanta, GA. It's been more than a decade since I've played there. Atlanta is an incredible place but I find myself at a loss now. So many friends I've had in Atlanta are gone. Either moved away or died. Or they are off my radar. But out of the blue a past friend contacted me on Facebook and is going to pick me up at the airport and let me stay at his house. I'm traveling alone to ATL so an old friend will be a nice thing.

DECEMBER 13, 2012
MIXX Nightclub:
http://www.mixxatlanta.com/

David Magazine Interview (Atlanta):
http://davidatlanta.com/2012/11/jimmy-james-marilyn-mixx/

LITTLE TOUR, LITTLE TOUR

Nov. 16 & 17 I started out at CASITA del CAMPO in Silverlake, CA. My new multi-media show 'HISTORY REPEATING.'  It rained. It poured and in LA when that happens most people do NOT like to leave their homes. Nonetheless, I had respectable houses and standing ovations. Pre-show music videos play before the show to entertain the audience from the moment they walk in. As the show unfolds, every performance is enhanced with video visuals.

Tue. Nov. 27 I drove to Palm Springs with a fun new assistant (Benn Mendoza). Everybody was in love with him. He helped me keep it together. He sold merchandise after the show. I did my Christmas show at my once-a-month at STREETBAR on Arenas St. 8pm.  The place was packed and we had fun. Ran into a lot of old friends from my past.

 Benn Mendoza wearing the Tshirt on our way to STREETBAR.

Shot at The WARM SANDS VILLAS who is my sponsor for accommodations in Palm Springs.

Wed. Nov. 28 we drove to San Diego. Almost ran out of gas because I never looked at the gage. Checked into The Sommerset Suites. Room 108.
Thur. Nov. 29 I performed at MARTINI'S ABOVE 4th. The restaurant, cabaret, martini bar was packed solid. I did my show with a sampling of Christmas songs from my Christmas album on iTunes. What warmed my heart was a sailor telling me that on the ship, he and his buddies would listen to 'SUMMER SUN' from my JAMESTOWN album as well as 'OLD SCHOOL DISCO.' He mentioned that his mom plays my album all the time and has been telling all her friends about me.

ALSO...people were buying my Christmas album for my original song "First Christmas Without U." I included "First Christmas Without U" as a bonus track on my Christmas album at the last minute before uploading it to iTunes. I wrote it in '98 after my Dad died from Cancer. But it was not produced until last year by Bob Esty who has worked with Barbra Streisand, Donna Summer and Cher. The show was packed! Basically Sold-Out! The owners said they want me back.
It's a nice place serving dinners and over 50 different Martinis. 

 

 'Martini's Above 4th' San Diego with Benn at Sound Check rehearsal.  The stage is in the distance with the piano on it. 

After the show in SD. Do I know how to find my light or what?! Haha...

Nov. 30 We had some Indian food. Then headed back to LA. Rainy. Drizzly.  I was exhausted. I got a call from my friend actress, comedian, writer Nadya Ginsburg asking me if I could do her makeup tomorrow morning as Madonna for a pilot she was working on. I agreed because I still love makeup. Makeup & dance classes were my first love when I was just starting out in my early 20s - until Marilyn "interrupted" everything. I love the art of transformation.

Dec. 1 I got up at 6am to prepare the makeup and be at Nadya's house at 8am. It's kinda fun painting someone else instead of myself. Below is the before & after:

Nadya Ginsburg as herself.

Nadya Ginsburg as Madonna.

 

 We've been working on my schedule. Lots of hard work but it's all good. I'll try to fill you in on details as they come in. Otherwise you can usually Google the venue for more info. More gigs coming soon...         

                 UPCOMING SHOWS:
Nov. 27 - STREETBAR - Palm Springs, CA 8p
Nov. 29 - MARTINI'S ABOVE 4th - San Diego, CA 8p
Dec. 13 - MIXX - Atlanta, GA
Dec. 20 - BONHAM EXCHANGE - San Antonio, TX 8p

                            *2 0 1 3*
Jan. 1 - STREETBAR - Palm Springs, CA - 8p
Jan. 27 - LA MIRADA Perf. Arts Cntr. -La Mirada, CA
Jan. 28 - LA MIRADA Perf. Arts Cntr. -La Mirada, CA

Jan. 29 - STREETBAR - Palm Springs, CA 8p
Feb. 1 - ANNENBERG Perf. Arts Cntr.- Palm Springs, CA
Feb. 10 - (Venue TBD) 2 SHOWS - San Francisco, CA
Feb. 26 - STREETBAR - Palm Springs, CA 8p
March 2 - 60th ANNUAL DIANA AWARDS - Houston, TX

HISTORY REPEATING at CASITA DEL CAMPO

http://cavernclubtheater.com/JIMMYJAMES.html

I'm thrilled that I get to do my NEW Multi-Media Show at Casita del Campo's 

CAVERN CLUB THEATER. The video screen stays down the whole time while I do my tributes. This is one of my favorite shows. We have beautiful images for the Amy Winehouse tribute, also Elvis has a beautiful haunting visual as well as Sonny & Cher, Liza Minnelli, Judy Garland, Eartha Kitt, Billie Holiday and more surprises! My last song FASHIONISTA gets a fun treatment too.

Presale tkts at: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/293654

ON MY WAY TO REHOBOTH BEACH AGAIN!

YAY!
One of my favorite beaches! Rehoboth Beach, Delaware is where I will be Sept. 5.
I'll be performing at The Blue Moon. I think the show is at 8pm. If you wanna splurge have dinner in the restaurant then see my show. The food is AWESOME! Chef Lion does incredible work and the owners Tim & Randy have been running this place with style and class.

http://bluemoonrehoboth.com/


After Rehoboth I fly to San Antonio, TX to visit Mom. I will have time to catch up on this blog. I'm going to be back-tracking. But I have no choice, I've been sooo busy with things in Los Angeles.

I want to show pictures of Marilyn's 50th Memorial and how they got me FRONT ROW SEATS! Fans from all over the  world were there and wanted my autograph. As it turns out they've all seen my 'Marilyn Years' on YouTube! It was so cool.

I'll write more about it later.

xoxo
JJ

STANDING OVATION in L.A. !!! MY SHOW WAS ALIVE!

I sent out a promo on Facebook about my new visual show "HISTORY REPEATING."
I played in downtown L.A. (July 27) and I had a full house! I was very nervous before the show but I think it wound up going well. I got a standing ovation. :)  People in L.A do not give standing o's that easily.

I worked hard with Tim Hicks on the editing. Tim was able to bring my show to a whole new visual level. I loved the visuals for Amy Winehouse, Elvis, Billie Holiday, Judy Garland, Liza Minnelli, Sonny & Cher, Fashionista and so much more... The videos did not distract, they enhanced my show. I felt the show was more beautiful - more alive.

"HISTORY REPEATING" AN AUDIO / VISUAL EVENT

Yesterday I had my first rehearsal for my show "HISTORY REPEATING." 

I am so exhilarated by the guys I hired who will handle the VIDEO VISUALS on stage.

We have put together a special video tribute to Amy Winehouse. We will also be including other video visuals as well including my "Marilyn Years" "Judy Garland" "Bette Davis" "Liza" "Cher" and more...

This show is ONE NIGHT ONLY.  

SHOW DATE:  Fri. JULY 27, 2012 / 9p

BAR FEDORA located inside FIRST & HOPE American Bistro Restaurant is very nice and intimate. Dinner / Show packages are available in the restaurant or you can just come into the cabaret for Tapas / Drinks & Show.

The link for tickets/ info:

http://barfedora.tunestub.com/show.cfm?id=79477

DIRECTIONS: It's really easy.

- Santa Monica Blvd. East take Right onto 101 South 3.5 mi

- Exit Temple St. (Disney Hall Exit) go 0.3 mi

- Continue straight ... you'll cross N. Hope St. go about 800 ft

- Right on 1st St.

- Then a Left.

- Then a Left into Valet garage. 

- Elevator 1 flight up.

- Step out onto the Plaza.

First & Hope Restaurant / Bar Fedora will be on your right in the corner of the Plaza.

FYI: There is an ATM machine conveniently located outside before entering.

Performing Artists (Click on Artist for Reviews and Previews)

• 

• When: Friday 07/27/12 9:00 PM (Doors open at 08:30 PM)
• Show Type: Music
• $20 food or drink minimum (waived with the platinum dinner package)
  Showroom Seating at 8:30pm

Description: New York City Award Winning Recording & Tribute Artist brings to life some of the most legendary voices of all time:
Cher, Streisand, Elvis, Judy Garland, Liza Minnelli, Bette Davis, Billie Holiday, Eartha Kitt, Diana Ross, Stevie Nicks, Madonna, Amy Winehouse, Tina Turner, Patsy Cline, Mae West and more!
A multi-media event with special video presentations.
Jimmy James is a rare and unique talent with his own brand of shows blending Music, Comedy, Drama & Tributes to great American icons.
His vocal prowess astounds audiences everywhere. As a Voice Impressionist, his vocals are spot-on. As a Recording artist he has enjoyed his own original Top 10 BILLBOARDHit: FASHIONISTA from the full length original album JAMESTOWN available on iTunes and Amazon.
WINNER - of The New York City M.A.C. AWARD (Manhattan Assoc. of Cabaret & Club performers).
WINNER - of The New York Backstage Bistro Award
WINNER - of The New York Glammy Award
WINNER - of The Provincetown Lifetime Achievement Award

Jimmy James has been featured on: CNN, ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT, E!, Joan Rivers, RuPaul, VH1, Sally, Geraldo, Donahue, Maury and more...

"Cabaret holds a special place for people like Jimmy James...uncanny" - Don HeckmanL.A. Times

HEARING IS BELIEVING!

My show just got booked for ONE NIGHT ONLY July 27 / 9pm at BAR FEDORA inside FIRST & HOPE RESTAURANT in downtown Los Angeles.

I'm doing my full show. Multi-media and all. It's a beautiful room and seats 70 people. I've made an appearance in this room before and I really liked it.

It's located across the street from Disney Hall - on the side in a plaza.

$20 Tickets / $20 food-drink minimum / $8. Valet
Dinner packages available (in the restaurant)
Cocktails & snacks (inside the cabaret room)

This is going to be a fun show.

http://barfedora.tunestub.com/show.cfm?id=79477

I'M IN 2 NEW BOOKS THIS YEAR!

TWO BOOKS! Have come out this year with photos of me from my Marilyn Years. Rare photos.

The first book -  FRAMED Greg Gorman.
This is a beautiful book containing remarkable photographs by Greg Gorman who has shot the
l.a. Eyeworks ad campaign for over 20 years. The shot of me as Marilyn Monroe was done in 1991. It ran only ONE time for the 20 year anniversary of INTERVIEW MAGAZINE with Ziggy Marley on the cover. After that publication the Marilyn Monroe estate lawyers (Roger Richmond) threatened l.a. Eyworks with a lawsuit and no ads were run of me after that. The lawyers owned the rights to her image and likeness. Roger Richmond got me on the phone somehow and I yelled at him for trying to extort money out of me by trying to procure a percentage of ALL of my earnings from ALL of my shows. He eventually relented but I was forever damaged after that. I realized doing the Marilyn thing was going to be very limited for me. Why should I kill myself working so hard to create something so beautiful if all I'm ever going to see are these shysters trying to take my money? They could put her name on all kinds of crap but me doing a beautiful tribute to her was not ok. I knew then I was going to do the MM thing for a few more years and let it go. Who needs the shitty aggravation - the homophobia (at that time), the greed, the closed mindedness, the pitfalls of not being yourself and making your own statement.

 I knew I needed to make plans for MYSELF - MY OWN IMAGE, MY OWN NAME, MY OWN MUSIC - and I would need to OWN it. I retired from performing as Marilyn in 1997. No regrets. NONE. I was completely done. 17 years of doing MM was enough.

The Second book - dr.a.g - Christopher Logan.
Interesting the letters refer to the Elizabethan era in Shakespeare's time when men played the part of women or girls and the script's abbreviation means: "Dressed as girl" (dr.a.g.).
The book contains many many photos of drag performers. Some rare photos of me as Marilyn are in there as well... in fact it's really cool, I have a 4 page spread as well as a photo in the back cover.

SCHEDULE UPDATE

Just a few changes & additions from the last posting. I've added Seattle, WA. Also the gig for Rehoboth Beach, DL is now on Sept. 5.
Stay tuned. More gigs on the way.
I played Las Vegas last week and it went great. I'm still working on projects. Fingers always crossed.

My website for now is abandoned by the webmaster. I have no idea why. I'm trying to get a new designer to handle the site and relaunch a new design. I'm always looking for responsible workers. Hard to find.

*GIGS*

  JIMMY JAMES Schedule (more soon):

• May 25...West Hollywood, CA – Hamburger Mary’s

• May 27...Columbus, OH – Wall Street 25 Year Celebrate (2 shows)

• May 28-Jun 7...San Antonio, TX - Time off visiting Mom.

• Jun 8...Palm Springs, CA – Annenberg Theater

• Jun 9...West Hollywood, CA - Gay Pride

• Jun 10...La Mirada, CA – La Mirada Theater for the Perf. Arts

• Jun 15...Thousand Oaks, CA – Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza

• Jun 17...Hollywood, CA – Catalina Jazz Club

• Jun 23...Seattle, WA – ReBar

• Jun 26...Palm Springs, CA – Streetbar

• Aug 16...San Diego – Martini’s Above 4th

• Sep 5...Rehoboth Beach, DL – Blue Moon

• Oct 5...Denver, CO – Lannie’s ClockTower Cabaret

• Oct 6...Denver, CO – Lannie’s ClockTower Cabaret

• Nov 10...Austin, TX – Private Event

GIGS FOR A GUTTER WHORE!

Working, Working on getting my name out into the Universe again. It's not easy. The rules of fame have changed. Infamy is now confused with fame. Nobody knows the difference anymore. If you get recognition for being a Gutter Whore, suddenly everyone thinks you're "famous."
An Example of INFAMY is: Adolf Hitler.
An Example of FAMOUS is: Marilyn Monroe
That's an extreme example but unfortunately nobody understands the difference anymore. The rules of fame have changed. The Octomom is infamous, Lady GaGa is famous...oh wait...she's infamous too...

Now days Gutter Whores (car wrecks)  have claimed their right to be "famous." Some of them are making millions of $$$ to justify popularity. And who am I to complain? Who am I to judge? I'm nobody compared to their earnings. I better deal with the new world of fame or crumble.

In efforts to circulate my name, I've had to go into some trenches to REMIND people of what maybe they might be missing. Every time I perform in the trenches, the people go wild. Sometimes they scream with delight as if to say, "Yes! This is something that we've been missing!" or "Oh yeah we forgot about this kind of entertainment."
I don't think I'm all that special, but I have talent. Just because you have talent doesn't mean, anybody is going to help you or give you anything.
All I can do is try to file my claim on whatever spot I can grab on to now. There used to be a FEW famous people but now the infamous and famous are all thrown into a big sloppy bowl. At the point that you see the beautiful, talented and brilliant Selma Hayek in a BURGER KING commercial, I'd say the definition of fame has changed.

Believe me, it's not beneath me to be a Gutter Whore. I've done it before, I can do it again.

For JIMMY JAMES Bookings call: 212-714-5300 
(State which show you'd like: Classy or Gutter. Just tell me where to stand)

JIMMY@JIMMYJAMES.COM

I'm playing at The House of Blues on Sunset Blvd. with my good friend Calpernia Addams
May 13. Doors 5p Show 6p.
NO COVER for this opening night

JIMMY JAMES Schedule (more soon):
(I'm grateful to all these places for booking me)

• May 9...Long Beach, CA – Hamburger Mary’s

• May 13...West Hollywood, CA – House of Blues

• May 17...Las Vegas, NV – SHARE Nightclub

•May 21...Palm Springs, CA – Harvey Milk Breakfast Charity

• May 22...Palm Springs, CA – STREETBAR

• May 25...West Hollywood, CA – Hamburger Mary’s

• May 27...Columbus, OH – Wall Street 25 Year Celebrate

• Jun 8...Palm Springs, CA – Annenberg Theater

• Jun 9...West Hollywood, CA - Gay Pride

• Jun 10...La Mirada, CA – La Mirada Theater for the Perf. Arts

• Jun 15...Thousand Oaks, CA – Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza

• Jun 17...Hollywood, CA – Catalina Jazz Club

• Aug 29...Rehoboth Beach, DL – Blue Moon

• Oct 5...Denver, CO – Lannie’s ClockTower Cabaret

• Oct 6...Denver, CO – Lannie’s ClockTower Cabaret

• Nov 10...Austin, TX – Private Event

Lyrics | Human League lyrics - Together In Electric Dreams lyrics
I love this song from 1984. This was just at the beginning of computers.
The song's message is really sweet. Music production by Gorgio Moroder. Singer Paul Oakey from Human League. You can get this on iTunes.

So much to report but where do I start? I'll just get to the point.

 MY PALM SPRINGS SHOWS ARE A HIT!
My once-a-month gigs at STREETBAR in Palm Springs, CA are going great! Thank You to the owner Dick Haskamp and the staff! I am so happy to finally have a place to work out new material. The crowds are packing in to the newly remodeled venue and I think this gig will be going on for a while. My next show falls exactly on my Birthday May 22nd! 8pm. NO COVER!
I AM GOING TO HAVE FUN! 

CAMEO APPEARANCES AT HAMBURGER MARY'S!
I have jumped into a few little appearances on Saturday night at Hamburger Mary's in West Hollywood just for fun and as a favor to my friend Calpernia Addams. It's been fun just to stop in and do couple numbers (I live only 1/2 block away...talk about lazy!).  Sometimes I'll do a number that I've never done in public before. It's a good experiment. A couple weeks ago I sang my original song "Old School Disco" from my album JAMESTOWN (iTunes). I've never sung it live but it actually went over VERY WELL! They liked it a lot! Why have never sung this live before? Nerves.

HOUSE OF BLUES DREAMS COME TRUE!
I will be getting the chance to work at The House of Blues in West Hollywood. Calpernia Addams is putting together a show (I'm included in the lineup) for Sundays. Doors open at 5pm, show at 6pm.
May 13, 2012 is the first trial run.  NO COVER for this first night. If all goes well, I hope to make this place a part of my life. Another venue very close to me...no air travel!

MARILYN MONROE 50th COMMEMORATION!
I am TRYING to put together a retrospective showing of some of my private collection of photos of me as MM. Fingers crossed that I can pull this off. If anyone has photos of me as MM in the past, perhaps amateur snap-shots, feel free to send them to HOLLYWOODGLITTER@GMAIL.COM
Please understand, I can't pay for the use of the photo but I will give you photo credit.

Photo: Greg Von Mirsky '97 NYC

Photo: Michael Boulter '94 Sydney Australia

Provincetown Carnival Parade circa 1992

ORDER THE OFFICIAL FASHIONISTA T-SHIRT

The NEW Official FASHIONISTA Tour T-shirt!

The letters FASHIONISTA are in permanent washable Siver Glitter.

All soft 100% cotton V Neck XCEPT for size L which only comes in a scoop neck.

SIZES: XS, S, M, L, XL, 2X, 3X

JUST 3 EASY STEPS TO GET YOUR T-SHIRT:

1. Place your order on PAYPAL: Jimmy@JIMMYJAMES.COM

2. $25.00 each T-shirt / USA orders only.

3. Write in the Message box the SIZE/S you want & SHIPPING ADDRESS. 

THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

JIMMY JAMES

NEW PHOTO SHOOT / I Wanna Be Evil / Palm Springs

This is from my latest photo shoot in Los Angeles with photographer Lisa Reilly. I'm homaging Madonna's early look but in my own way. I have to say soft black tshirts chains and black leggings is kinda comfortable. I'm kinda going to work this look for the rest of the year - variations of it.

Little leaks have started already for Madonna's upcoming album. Sounds good. She's back to reclaim her gays. She ignored them for a while until she saw how much mileage Gaga was getting. Then M had to say that "reductive" word on in a Nightline interview when describing Gaga. Ouch! Mean!

Mean is something I'm  trying to work on. I have to be meaner. Showbiz has always been cut-throat but somehow now it's really more fucking cut-throat with all the outlets for every retarded person being able to get famous on YouTube, Facebook etc... I mean it's a dog eat dog world more than ever. Idiots are getting famous. And I mean idiots. I gotta fight for my right to entertain you. I gotta be meaner. Next time you tell people I'm a bitch, remember I'm wearing it proudly and getting booked for it.

PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA
I started a once a month gig at STREETBAR in Palm Springs.
http://psstreetbar.com/
I played there February 28 and the place was  packed!
The owner booked me on the spot for March 27! 8pm.
This is finally a place that I've dreamed about. A place like what I had in New York City from 1995-2000. A place where I can try out new material. Try out my comedy. Record every show to critique myself. Come by. There's no cover!

RSVP. STEP BY STEP. GOODBYE WHITNEY

 I'm back after a week long RSVP Chartered Cruise upon The Holland America Nieuw Amsterdam ship.  http://www.hollandamerica.com/cruise-vacation-onboard/NieuwAmsterdam?WT.mc_id=PPC_HQ_Google_US&WT.srch=1

I was opening night headliner. The gig was that I perform 2 shows in one night for 2 seatings in a luxurious theater with state-of-the-art facilities. Then I would be off for the rest of the week to enjoy the cruise. RSVP is a great company who enhances the cruise experience for the people of LGBT. I loved the whole experience. It was incredible!

That first night was a bit nerve wracking for me because slight adjustments had to be made to the show to accommodate an oncoming bout of laryngitis. It seems just before the flight I developed a cough that had been going around and it was starting to make me hoarse. I got through the show ok, but I know I could have been so much better if only I had not come down with that nasty cough. But necessity is the mother of invention and I was able to come up with a NEW set list that I thought was kinda cool:

HISTORY REPEATING......Jimmy James Tribute to Dame Shirley Bassey with authentic original track from songwriter Alex Gifford of The Propeller Heads.

SUMMER SUN.......Jimmy James w/Holland America Dancers in bathing suits and beach balls.

I WANNA BE EVIL....................Earta Kitt

I WILL ALWAYS LOVE U.........acappella short tribute to Whitney Houston

LOVE IS A LOSING GAME.......Amy Winehouse

WALKING IN MEMPHIS...........Cher

PRIVATE DANCER.....................Tina Turner

SINGLE LADIES..........................Liza (from Sex In The City II)

WHAT'LL I DO..............................Judy Garland

MARILYN YEARS TRIBUTE (DVD)........Jimmy James

WHATEVER HAPPENED TO BABY JANE (Bette Davis)

8 DIVAS.........................................8 Voices in one song.

FASHIONISTA ............................Jimmy James & Holland America Dancers.

Feb. 11, Saturday evening when I landed in Ft. Lauderdale before the cruise, my gang and others boarded the hotel van to take us to the overnight hotel. I had a gig to get ready for in Ft. Lauderdale that night called Bill's Filling Station.  While I was in the van, I was texting my friend Billy in L.A. when he suddenly texted me back that Whitney Houston died! I immediately texted back "You are kidding right?" He replied "No! It's on CNN right now!" I was in the front seat of the van and I immediately looked back to see if anyone was realizing it too on their smartphones. But the news was too fresh at that moment and people were just enjoying the evening ride to the hotel. Although I'm very shy with strangers, I had to blurt it out. It was so shocking and astounding. Audibly everybody was stunned and in disbelief. Gasping. NO!

With all of her spirituality, beauty, talent and support, she could not overcome that nasty demonic addiction. Somehow she couldn't. As of now, the toxicology reports are not in so I really should NOT assume.

When I was at a serious turning point in my life (mid to late '90s) in New York City trying to make my music happen (trying to break away from the the "drag" and go a different direction) there were so many naysayers discouraging me. So many said, "Why are you trying to get out of drag?"  "You can't record music you're too old" "You can't just stop doing Marilyn Monroe...." "Why are you sabotaging yourself?" etc, etc, etc...  I needed, at that time as always to really BELIEVE in myself. I needed to stay the course and keep the eye on the prize.  It was around that time that Whitney Houston's recording of "Step By Step" was released just in time to inspire me. The lyrics by Annie Lennox gave me hope to take it step by step and bit by bit, to achieve my dream - my vision. I needed this song to hold me up. It helped me keep the focus. In fact, VH1 did a piece on me and my journey and about what the song meant to me. I wish I knew where that tape was. 

My dream for my music and a turn-around in my career did happen. No longer do I have to perform in "drag."  I have explored and enhanced my show with the release of several recordings and Billboard charting songs. I have developed and gone beyond just being a sound-alike - I'm an artist. I'm not just an "imitator" but I'm an accomplished songwriter - Published!

I stayed the course and did it - STEP BY STEP. BIT BY BIT. MILE BY MILE. And I went MY OWN WAY through my journey.

As I said in the VH1 piece, "Thank You Whitney for the inspiration."

Now I've got Whitney on YouTube and her spiritual soulful singing will live on.

Good-bye Whitney...
May you & "the Voice" Rest In Peace.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVyO0I_kJuw&feature=results_main&playnext=1&list=PL973010DCC856C83E