V.J. Stanley is an ex Division 1 recruited athlete and a 21 year head coach in college hockey. He has also coached youth, Middle School, and High School, USA Hockey, NSCA Regional, and to NYSHS football coach’s’ annual conference.

 V.J. has been on WFAN in NYC and Toronto, The Wease Show 95.1 and WXXI in Rochester New York, and Connect FM in Dubois Pa. His most recent appearance was on 570AM The Mission in NYC.

He has published three books. His research and presentations on the connection between the mind and body for both physical and mental health are being recognized and used by experts on a national level as an integral part of long term athletic development and life skills. The balance between the two is integral for long-term performance and Holistic Long Term Athletic Development.

His latest presentation, “Creating the Championship Mindset”, has been endorsed nationally by Lou Vairo, the 1984 US Olympic Men’s Hockey Coach and USA Hockey Hall of Famer.

VJ and his company, Balanced Excellence, the parent company to Frozen Shorts, promote balance versus specialization. Their motto, peace of mind is victory, applies to athletics, academics, and life.

GENE WARREN, JR.

     My experience in the motion picture, television and commercial world began in 1962 at 21 years of age.  It was a one day construction job as a permit in the grip department on the I Love Lucy set at Desilu Studios.  I didn’t work again for 3 months.  Then it was a few days here, a month there, a couple of weeks at Warner Bros. then a month at MGM etc., for about 2 years until I earned union seniority while on the night shift at Columbia Pictures and was immediately bumped up to a day staff job as the number 8 crab dolly operator on the lot.  The youngest dolly grip staffer at the time in Hollywood I might add.  As a consequence I worked at least a few days on almost every feature and TV show  produced on the lot from mid 1964 until January 1969.  It was the old studio system and I was never laid off. 

     The reason I mentioned at length my early days as a grip and dolly/crane operator was because the dolly job most often positions you in the middle of the on set discussions between the Director, DP and the actors.  There was no school like it.  And since I was interested in my craft and film making in general I always paid attention and listened in.  A few examples of films and TV that I worked on most or all of principal photography in those years were; Walk Don’t Run, Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner, Murderers Row, Enter Laughing, Three On A Couch,  Trouble With Angels, Dead Heat On A Merry-Go-Round and the Monkees TV show.

     In 1969, not wanting to remain in the grip department the rest of my life, I left the steady job and began working off and on at my fathers visual effects company, Excelcior Animated Motion Pictures.  It was one of the few small effects companys in Hollywood before Star Wars changed everything.  The animation done at Excelcior was stop motion and it turned out that I had a natural talent and worked on and animated many Dough Boy, Hamburger Helper, Swiss Miss and Chuck Wagon commercials during the almost 12 years I worked at Excelcior.  We also produced the miniature work and dinosaur stop motion for the Saturday morning children’s show Land Of The Lost.  Also the miniature effects work for the TV series The Man From Atlantis, the Roger Corman film Avalanche and John Frankenheimers Black Sunday.

     Thru the hands on work I became an accomplished cinematographer, model maker, sculptor and stop motion animator.  I also helped break down scripts and plan how to do the effects.  Since my fathers studio did not have an optical printer until the last 2 years before he closed, we would try and do as much as possible in camera.

     Excelsior was closed in 1979 and I and two partners, Leslie Huntley and Peter Kleinow opened Fantasy II film effects in 1980.  We now had an optical department but continued to do as much work in camera as we could.  Both because it was usually more cost effective and tended to look better.  I believe that even today, in the digital age, the above holds true. 

     I, and my partners received an Emmy for visual effects in the mini series Winds of War in 1983.  Then in 1991 I received an Oscar for Terminator II Judgement Day.  The last significant miniature work I was involved in was Wes Anderson’s Moorise Kingdom.

     I still think there is a place for in camera effects of all kinds and my years of experience actually doing them would greatly aid students in USC’s film school.  Whether one wants a career in directing, producing, production design or cinematography, a thorough appreciation of the myriad techniques available, can only help develop a more well rounded filmmaker.  The choice of one method over another can affect both quality and the budget.

DR. SVETLANA TRANSKY

Dr. Svetlana Transky is an accomplished piano soloist, chamber music collaborator and music educator. Her musical training and background acquired at the prestigious Odessa Stolyarsky Music School for Gifted Youth in the former Soviet Union, stems from the pianistic traditions of eminent Heinrich Neihaus and Konstantin Igumnov. In Los Angeles, Svetlana continued her education with a reputable Master teacher Dorothy Hwang at the Colburn School of Music. Subsequently, she became a recipient of the prestigious John Crown Memorial Music Award and obtained her Bachelors, Masters and the Doctoral of Musical Arts Degree in Piano Performance with a minor in Music Education and Collaborative Arts under the tutelage of esteemed artist-teacher Daniel Pollack at the USC Thornton School of Music.

As a prizewinner of the Michelstadt International Music Festival in Germany and Missouri Southern International Piano Competition Svetlana had concertized as a soloist throughout Europe and the United States. Dr. Transky is in great demand as a chamber musician, as well as the vocal coach, collaborating with various chamber ensembles, prominent instrumentalists and vocalists.

She has performed for Sundays Live – KUSC Radio program from LACMA and was a recording pianist for PBS-NOVA movie special “Darwin’s Darkest Hour” shown on KCET. For several years, Dr. Transky was a pianist with Synergy chamber ensemble and performed in “Recovered Voices” series, founded by James Conlon. Svetlana is a frequent artist with the Enlightenment Chamber Music Series, as well as with the Artistic Soirees music events. Dr. Svetlana Transky is on a piano faculty at the Colburn School of Performing Arts, where she teaches applied private and group piano classes.

BOBBO BYRNES

Bobbo Byrnes is not a musician who remains still very long. Between The Fallen Stars, Riddle and The Stars, and solo performances, Byrnes plays about 150 shows every year. That being the case, it’s no surprise that from Billerica to Berlin, his songs are born from a life on the road. You need look no farther than “Heart like Mine”, in which he explores the theme by singing about the roads that take him from show to show.

Two Sides to This Town is an album that is a product of Byrnes’ busy touring schedule. However not all of the songs are road songs. “Angelia” is a contemplative song, and the one from which the album takes its title. “Angelia, is the spark, the kick in the ass that makes you get up and do something. It’s a song about the muse that inspires you to look beyond your own front yard and be a better version of yourself.”

Seeking is another common theme on this album, whether the object of the search is answers to a division of people, a car that doesn’t break down all the time, or simply the next show. With Byrnes the search for the next show is constant, which is a good thing because it means he’ll continue to write and record heartfelt songs like the ones on this album.

Over the past two years, I’ve played over 330 shows in 17 US states and 7 different countries. I was voted Best Best Band by OC Weekly magazine and Best Country / Americana Band by the OC Music Awards and the LA Music Critic Awards. I received another award from the OC Music Awards for “Best Live Acoustic Band” as well as the SoCal Live Music Comp. I was one of the nominees for the Toronto Independent Music Awards and the South Australian Music Awards. “Two Sides To This Town” landed on Number 25 of the best albums of the year and the song “Angelia” was nominated by NBT Radio in Germany as number 27 of the best songs of the year. 

Bobbo will be on tour in Texas, March, 2019, Arizona in April 2019, California in May 2019, U.K. in June, Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, Austria, Czech Republic in July and August 2019, East coast of the U.S. in November and Australia in December 2019. 

GABRIELLA WRIGHT

Gabriella wright is an actor, mother and activist. Born in London , she is of Anglo-Mauritian French and Scottish descent. Embracing her many cultures, she has developed an inquisitive nature… always pushing her further on a journey to truly understanding the world of today .

Her career foils her personality… She is involved in a diverse and compelling line of projects, encompassing acting, modelling and humanitarian enterprises.

She has recently featured in action movies such as “The Transporter – Refueled,” and “Security,” along side Sir Ben Kingsley; Indie Productions like “The Alcoholist,” and “The Perfect Husband,” and also political documentary features such as “OXI, an Act of Resistance,” directed by Ken Mcmullen.

She has worked with luxury brands such as Kenzo Perfums, Poiray and Cartier.

Gabriella is a passionate advocate for women and children’s rights. Fund raising and public talking are core to her engagement.

‘‘The most important teaching I gained from being an actor and model is that people look up to you, no matter what. Even if you have inner conflicts, the outer world needs hope and people project what they need on you. Dreams aspirations, role modelling etc… and you sometimes have no idea that by just being present you are affecting and influencing someone’s life. So This job really is not about you , its about them.’’

LIN EVOLA

Lin Evola is an American Contemporary Artist who has used her career as a platform to bring attention to the disturbing proliferation of violence which occurs in our neighborhoods and among nations. Evola holds a Master of Fine Arts degree from San Francisco Art Institute and has had solo exhibitions in museums and galleries in London, Paris, Monaco, New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Art historians have declared her work to be on the level of Leonardo da Vinci, Joseph Beuys and Robert Rauschenberg.  Evola is the recipient of numerous honors and awards, including having been declared Artist Life Member of New York City’s National Arts Club.

In 1992, Evola’s decision to utilize her artistic skills to galvanize the public to take action against needless violence was actualized when she discovered that 1,000 children were being killed each year through the use of illicit guns in the Los Angeles area. It was then that she founded the Peace Angels Project. 

Through the Peace Angels Project’s  USA Weapons Destruction Campaign, Evola requests surrendered weapons from communities and countries through law enforcement and government agencies, melts the weapons down and uses the melted metals to cast sculptures which she calls Peace Angels. Simultaneous to the weapons requests, she engages the media to transmit the message that the public should consider how to balance the need for protection against the desire for peace. 

Since 2008, Evola has attended the closed meetings regarding Disarmament at the United Nations in New York City at the Biennial Meeting of States, Small Arms and Light Weapons. In 2012 and 2013 she attended the United Nations Conference on the Arms Trade Treaty in the company of 193 international Member States where she bore witness to a global effort to address the issue of illegal arms trafficking among nations. Evola was honored to be the only artist allowed in the 2013 meetings, and in April 2013, history was made as the United Nations General Assembly voted to approve the first international Arms Trade Treaty ever to be adopted in the history of mankind. The Peace Angels Project is an official NGO of the Unites Nations.

Evola is best known for her Renaissance Peace Angel sculpture which was initially created in California in 1994. In the aftermath of the horror that took place in New York City on September 11, 2001, Evola had her thirteen-foot Renaissance Peace Angel immediately transported to Ground Zero to stand outside a 24-hour respite center and food canteen where the rescue and recovery workers who toiled at the devastated World Trade Center came for sustenance. This Peace Angel brought with it the embodiment of humanity’s yearning for peace, even in the face of unspeakable adversity, and in 2013 the Renaissance Peace Angel was taken into the National September 11 Memorial & Museum in New York City as a permanent part of their collection. The Renaissance Peace Angel was installed at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum in October 2018.

Over decades, Evola has created Peace Angel sculptures which range in height from one to thirteen feet and which reflect specific cultural indicators of regions throughout the world. Discussions are ongoing to create sixty four foot Peace Angel monuments, each of which is to be made from 1 million surrendered weapons. Two of those monuments are likely to stand in high-visibility locations in New York and California, and Evola has begun a project to create Peace Angels throughout Los Angeles.

TYLER CRAWFORD

New and upcoming Indie/Soul artist Tyler Crawford has a candidly soulful sound with a huge voice. Crawford’s music resonates his influences of vintage 1960s and 70s soul and R&B combined with subtle modern nuances of today’s pop music. Crawford’s vintage sound and style is something to look out for.

Hailing from the small town of Toledo, Washington, Crawford didn’t have any close family members who were musicians. The only access he had to an instrument as a kid was the piano his grandmother had in her living room where he taught himself to play by ear and fell in love with music. From there he explored his musical talent and discovered his vast assortment of influences on his own. He became inspired by artists such Michael Jackson, Sam Smith, Adele, Emily King, Allen Stone & much more.

Crawford is currently working on writing and recording his debut EP set to be released in spring 2019. He has also put together a team of skilled musicians to play show stopping live performances all around LA and beyond. Stay tuned for more news to come!

C   A   R   M   I   N   E

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LEGENDARY VANILLA FUDGE DRUMMER

RE-RELEASES 'CARMINE APPICE'S GUITAR ZEUS'

 FEATURING THE BEST & WORLD-RENOWNED GUITARISTS

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW!

As drummer for Vanilla Fudge, Carmine Appice set the grooves for the groundbreaking band's 1967 psychedelic debut, inadvertently inventing Stoner Rock in the process. The Fudge had no precedent. The band was totally unique. No rock group, up until that point, had ever so lugubriously s-t-r-e-t-c-h-e-d out well-known pop tunes. Vanilla Fudge went on to tour with Jimi Hendrix, Cream, and even had Led Zeppelin as an opening act.

Post-Fudge, Bogert and Appice formed Cactus (seen as an influence on Van Halen & King's X). Post-Cactus, the rhythm section found Grammy-winning Guitar Hero Jeff Beck to form the first supergroup: Beck, Bogert & Appice.

One of the premier showmen in rock, Appice became known worldwide for his astonishing live performances and a highly sought-after session drummer, recording with countless artists throughout his career. In 1976, he joined Rod Stewart’s band, touring, recording and writing two of Stewart’s biggest hits, "Do Ya Think I'm Sexy" and "Young Turks.” He left Stewart to record his first solo album, Rockers, and tour Japan and North America with an all-star band. In 1978, Appice played drums on Paul Stanley’s first solo album.

In the early 1980s, he toured with Ozzy Osborne, Ted Nugent. In the mid '80s, he formed King Kobra for two Capitol albums and international touring. In the late ‘80s, Carmine played on Pink Floyd’s "Momentary Lapse of Reason and formed Blue Murder with Whitesnake's John Sykes and The Firm's Tony Franklin. In the early '90s, he pounded away soul-style for The Edgar Winter Group.



As an educator, Carmine was the first to legitimize rock drumming with his landmark book, The Realistic Rock Drum Method, selling over 400,000 copies (now in dvd and ebook format). He was the first Rock Drummer and Rock Musician to conduct instructional clinics and symposiums around the world, a tradition he continues. In appreciation for his universal appeal, Los Angeles was one of four cities that have had "Carmine Appice Day.”  In 1991, he was forever immortalized via his induction in cement to the Hollywood's Rock Walk (next to his idols, Gene Krupa and Buddy Rich).

In 2016 Carmine wrote an autobiography titled “Stick It” which appeared on Amazon’s “Best Sellers” list.

As a true artist, Carmine stretches the limits of his talents, always pursuing new experiences with a broad spectrum of musicians. His high standards have earned him the respect of the world's most admired performers as well as captivating the loyalty of legions of fans. He has reshaped the path of music education, redesigned the very instrument he plays, and recreates excitement with every performance.

Carmine Appice is, truly, A Different Drummer!

Purchase Carmine Appice's Guitar Zeus

Also Vanilla Fudge Live at Sweden Rock 2016 (Live)

Spirit Of '67 Vanilla Fudge March 3, 2015

And Carmine’s best-selling book

STICK IT! MY LIFE OF SEX, DRUMS,

AND ROCK 'N' ROLL

Paperback – April 1, 2018 also available at amazon.com

by Carmine Appice (Author), Rod Stewart (Foreword), Ian Gittins (Contributor)

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For more information about Carmine Appice visit https://www.carmineappice.net/  and https://twitter.com/carmineappice1

http://vanillafudge.com/  https://www.facebook.com/VanillaFudgeOfficialSite