Just Because: Zach Porter

This morning in line for coffee I spotted Zach Porter singing on the flat screen above the wall menu. Zach, with band mates from AllStar Weekend were singing on Regis & Kelly. When I got home tonight I had to a search... Now, I just hope the music is as appealing!


Below Zach with Cameron Quiseng.


Below: Zach with lead guitarist Nathan Darmody and bassists Cameron Quiseng (missing drummer Michael Martinez)

'I'm Into You'

One of the most viewed posts on FH was a feature from two years ago featuring one of the hottest Cuban actors and telenovela stars William Levy. (Favorite Import of the Day: William Levy Gutierrez) Levy is a huge star and has turned many female singers who wanted his incredible face and body in their music videos. William did not however say no to Jennifer Lopez who brought him on to star in her new video for her single I'm Into You.

Below: William has so many hot modeling shots but these casting Polaroids have to be some of the hottest!!!



Image Source:

'Tell Me 'Bout the Good Old Days'

As a kid one is often 'forced' to watch and listen to the tastes of your parents. Growing up in the 80's we had one radio and one television set. Our radio, dominated by my mother mostly blared country. Loretta Lynn, Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton and The Judd's were her favorites. It is funny that this love of country music followed me into adulthood. Not all country mind you, mostly I still listen to what my mother played. I followed Wynonna's music most closely and bought all her cassettes into the 90's with Girls on Guitar being one of my favorite tracks.

Country music is often described as 'down home' and 'real'. Why then is it so then that so many of these 'real' country stars now look so damned scary. Parton and Rogers, two of the most popular country stars ever look like they are auditioning for the grandparents roles in Broadway's The Addams Family. Parton sort of makes it work as she has always had 'plastic' intertwined into her images. Besides the woman has so much personality and likability it does not seem as off putting. Rogers on the other hand does not pull it off quite so well...



Seeing shots of The Judd's walking the red carpet at the CMA's the other night (below), was just sort of sad. It was not that they looked older, that would have been fine. The family, who were once identified for their realness, family values and their relationship have been slowly exposing a family so unlike who we all believed them to be in the 80's. Now I know they never claimed to be perfect, their songs were all birthed from pain and dysfunction, but what we are seeing now is much more sordid.

The oddness is not new. It was always strange to see a duo perform when it was clear one of them had little to no vocal ability. (they are not the only duo with this though) The emotional manipulation of their fans when Naomi was diagnosed with Hepatitis C and the many heartfelt goodbye performances. These teary eyed goodbye encores all seem rather staged and cold when looking back on them, especially given how often Naomi jumped back on stage whenever attention could be gained. The duo continues to tour together, now however the tours are labeled 'special'.

On top of all this, we have revelations of abuse, sister Ashley's comments about the family, her book and own strange behavior and the oddness just continues. It is also a mystery to me that although I think Wynonna looks great at any size, she continues being told how much weight she has lost by those who interview her even though...has she...really? Of course now they have their own reality show on Own. This show seems a big mistake. The two women obviously love each other, it is questionable whether they actually like each other. I don't dislike the Judds, I still enjoy their music. I guess it's just...with each attempt to remain what they were, whether it be through plastic surgery, books, revelations or the reality show, they get further and further from what we loved about them in the first place. The not so quiet desperation to be something they never were.



Take a lesson Judds, if it is not already too late...As greats such as Bette Davis and Katharine Hepburn aged they never lost who they were. Bette Davis was always Bette Davis no matter how old she got. The Judds....not so much.

Just Because: Dennis Deyoung

This post travelled an odd road. It began as a thumbs down to those on facebook who announce on their page that they are purging their friend list. (it is so dramatic, ego driven and threatening). In real life you would never tell your friends some of them are getting the ole heave ho. I usually defriend anyone who makes such a statement. While writing that post I was listening to one of my favorite musicians, Dennis Deyoung. I decided for some odd reason to weave Dennis into the post, discussing that although he is one of my all time favorite singers I have never really vocalized it to many, (somehow I connected that ones love for something is not related to how loudly you say it but how you feel it).

As often happens the post was rambling (more than I usually do), and going nowhere. So...Instead I want to encourage anyone who has not experienced the vocal power of former Styx Dennis Deyoung to give him a listen. Deyoung's Back To The World and 10 On Broadway are two albums that have been a big part of many great times in my life.

My favorite track on 10 On Broadway is Pilate's Dream from Jesus Christ Superstar but I could not find a video to share. But this version of Summertime will give you an idea of the power of Deyoung's vocals.




Deyoung singing Come Sail Away, that voice!!!

Kudos to Celine Dion

First let me say I have never been a huge fan of Celine Dion. The only cd I own by her is 1990's Unison which I was given at a surprise birthday party when I turned 16. I did take a date to a Celine concert a few years later, this was still during the time half her stage show was in french. It was after became more well known for singing 'Beauty and the Beast' but before becoming huge with the release of Titanic.

I could always see the woman had an amazing voice and her energy on stage is to be respected. I liked some of her music, I just found her a bit annoying and was always more into alternative rock. The female singers I did listen to were not been the big voices but the singer songwriters like Melissa Etheridge (and currently LOVING Adele).

It struck me recently that Randy Jackson continues to tell the female singers on American Idol to be careful when singing the big three, Celine, Mariah and Whitney, once in awhile he will also throw in Christia. When I was growing up these women dominated the radio, MTV and were constants at my school dances and every wedding I ever attended.

We all know know that Whitney's voice is shot. It is obvious Mariah's is gone as well. For the past three or four years Mariah has either lip synced, or painfully limped her way though her live performances with tv hosts and audiences all in on some sort of 'play' to convince those of us watching at home on television that she actually did a good job. Christina's voice is not gone, but there are hints it could be heading wherever Mariah's went.

This past week I saw several stories about Dion on tv promoting her new Vegas show and they have given me a new appreciation for her worth ethic and her talent. The woman cannot possible need the money yet is back to sold out shows. Whether Dion (and of course Streisand) are just more talented than the others or if they are just more professional is not clear. It is clear however that Dion has not ruined her instrument, instead has kept it strong through work outs and rehearsal's. Kudos to Dion remaining at the top of her vocal game.

Just Because: Gays Against Gaga

'Sometimes it is difficult to find words to make a critique when we find ourselves attracted by some aspect of a performer’s act and disturbed by others, or when a performer shows more interest in promoting progressive social causes than is customary. We may see that performer as above critique. Or we may feel our critique will in no way intervene on the worship of them as a cultural icon. To say nothing, however, is to be complicit…'
Gays against Gaga

Not sure how I feel about this site GAG, but when someone posted the link on Facebook yesterday I was intrigued. I enjoy Gaga (don't LOVE her, do enjoy her and see her talent) but... there have been times the confusion in her message has bugged the shit out me (that meat dress and gay marriage link is still suspect...).

I felt the same way about Madonna, both she and Gaga are seen by many as CHAMPIONS of gay causes but don't you, just every once in awhile, question whether they and their marketing machine, saw us the best way to make tons of money (we due spend a lot and are very loyal!).

Don't throw rotten tomato's, I am still on the fence but, just because...it is interesting.

Silly Love Songs

Above: Darren Criss & the cast of Glee

It is always interesting to discover the origin of favorite song. When I heard 'Silly Love Songs' on Glee's Valentine Show I had a bit of a déjà vu but could not quite figure out why. Now the song is very famous and has been around for decades so it is not surprising the song is familiar. It was more than that however, there was a specific memory of that song that I could not put my finger on until I did a little research on Youtube.

Elephant Love Medley from Moulin Rouge


It was both fascinating and hilarious to see the many versions of the song. Many artists from Shirley Bassey through the Replicants have recorded it, but I never heard any of their versions. (love Shirley but not a fan of her version). It was also a part of The Elephant Love Medley in Moulin Rouge but I am ashamed to say that is one musical I have never seen. (some say it is brilliant but although I LOVED The Hours, I tend to skip most projects involving Kidman...).

Shirley Bassey


I loved seeing Donny & Marie sing it on The Sonny & Cher hour but I was barely a year old when it aired so I doubt my déjà vu was connected.

Donny & Marie on Sonny & Cher


It was of course the original version, Paul McCartney's version with Wings that I remembered. When I was a kid my older brother was a huge Wings fan. I think I was introduced to the music of Wings even before I heard anything by the Beatles. In the early 80's there were still records and my déjà vu was cranking Wings on my beige plastic square record player while dancing around my room. I think the reason the déjà vu was so vivid was because I had completely forgotten how I could only do this when my brother was not home. He never let me borrow his records and often he would come home mid-dance and slam into my room to retrieve his music screaming at me for taking his shit.

Silly Loves Songs is just that, a silly love song. But for many, a good silly love song often has a rich history with a connection to our past that surges forward even when we hear it decades later.

Paul McCartney & Wings:

Towards Spring: Samuel Boux

21 year old musician and model Samuel Boux is one of my favorite guys to post about on FH. Not only because I love his look and that he is immensely talented. The self described '24/7 thinker' always has interesting things to say.



I like to let FH reader know whenever Samuel posts new music on his ReverbNation page. Samuel's last two songs reflect the changes he has gone through over the past few months. Samuel tells me 'Returning To The Spring' is not about the season, but refers to water, spring water from a well or stream. 'pure, clean, untouched, back to the roots when we were drinking living water'. Although not directly about the season, both definitions of spring are rooted in the earth, soil, water and a more organic way of living. Samuel also has given up veganism which he practiced for the past year. 'If we eat fresh and are in balance with nature we will be healthy. I don't think that we need a 'ism' label.' Samuel talks more about this change on his Model Mayhem Page.



'Returning To The Spring' might also connect to Samuel's returning home. Samuel had been living in San Fransisco the past six months with his boyfriend Jesse. Jesse has moved north to Montreal with Samuel and both are looking forward to getting married in Canada. Samuel says the song, 'Heading North' is about the move and was written for Jesse.

You can check out more of Samuel and show him support on:

REVERBNATION HERE:
Model Mayhem HERE:
His Facebook Fan page HERE:


Shots of Samuel included by Pierre Jean.

Samuel Boux by Pierre Jean

'I am interested in how the relationship between the camera and the model can capture an essence that transcends plain portraiture. I am also interested in abstract "bodyscapes".'
Pierre Jean








Since returning to Montreal, Samuel Boux has shot with several photographers from the area. These striking images were the first to catch my eye. Pierre creates dynamic images using basic shapes, crisp lines and vibrant blacks and whites to create almost an solitary strength exuding from his subjects.



I first became aware of Pierre's work last fall when I was researching the profile I posted this past Sunday of Stefan Alexander. I have become a huge fan of his work, his style and especially of the interesting models he chooses to showcase with his talents.

Check out more of Pierre Jean on MM HERE:

Brett Gleason by Thomas Evans

FH favorite, musician Brett Gleason who I have profiled in the past just shot with New York photographer Thomas Evans. Evans, who is dubbed the “Photographer Extraordinaire” due to his attention to detail is known for embracing the dark side, the extreme and the bizarre? His work with Brett is not extreme but it does masterfully encompass the power and drama of Brett's music especially his #1 hit 'I Am Not'.



Speaking of 'I Am Not', the song spent 20 weeks on Logo's the click list including hitting the #1 spot (thanks to all from FH who voted!). The song has now been nominated for the Top 10 of 2010 and you can vote up to this Friday at 5pm. It's the seventh video down on the right, 'I Am Not'. Voting is unlimited and you don't need to fill out the form! Head over to LOGO and help Brett make the list!!!!

Check out more of incredible work of Thomas Evans at his website HERE:
Check out more of Brett on FH HERE:

Favorite Song Of The Day: Remember to forget by Shane Mack

Last week I saw the beautiful film 'Shelter' (more on that on another day). I fell in love with the music from the film especially the haunting closing theme Remember to forget by Shane Mack. Give it a listen!

It's.....

Samuel Boux


Earlier this summer Photographer Chris Teel introduced me to model Samuel Boux. At first I was enchanted by his look and work in front of the camera. Quickly it became his music that took me over. I have written before that Samuel's songs have become a part my days. After my work day is done and the dogs are walked I like a few moments listening to Samuel to ease me from my day to whatever is going on in my evening. Thanks to Samuel for sharing not just your photo's, not just your music, but your story.

Samuel has a new song out this week "La Rivière qui Chante". Take a listen at REVERBNATION HERE:

Samuel Boux on FH HERE:
Samuel Boux on Facebook HERE:
& on Model Mayhem HERE:

Samuel on his music:
'I used to listen to Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd and The Beatles on vinyl all day because there was no tv or computer for a while at my first house before my 3 moves.
Now i like Gypsy Kings, City and Colour (Dallas Green), Don Ross(acoustic guitarist). I like classical and ambient/trance music as well.
My dad has been playing for 40 years now, I also get that a bit from him, but he plays a completely different style mostly blues/rock.
I cannot read music, therefore when I record a song I will never play it again and instead compose a new one each time. I finger pick, never used a pick.'


2 shots of Samuel above by Chris Teel.

Samuel Boux by Matt Kulisch

Samuel Boux by Matt Kulisch (October 2010)

Matt's work with Samuel parallels the feelings I get when listening to Sam's music, beautiful, soothing, peaceful and ethereal.

'Matt is a lyrical artist who has also a passion for photography, he keeps his photos real and simple, one of my favorite so far.'
Samuel Boux



'Working with Sam is a gratifying experience for a photographer! He brings the precision & attention that comes with career-mindedness, and also an inadvertent lucidity that invites art. In the end, when everything comes together, working with Sam just doesn't feel like work: it's fun & interesting, opening & natural, good & good & good.'

'I am interested in the articulation--through image--of Desire and Distance. As Sontag says, "all activities that...can be conducted from a distance, and with some detachment." I think art, especially photography, necessarily requires that distance.'
Matt Kulisch

Check out more of Matt's work HERE: & HERE: