Monday, March 29, 2010
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Happy Passover!
Every year for my entire life, during the Passover Seder Dinner we'd say 'next year in the land of Israel'. Well, finally, at long last...I'm here! It's Passover time and I'm in Israel. This is truly one of the most thrilling experiences of my life. To see the whole nation changing its routine. Stores ditching the bread, and stocking their shelves with unleavened bread. Every window display, devoted to Passover. Wow.
Below is a video I made about what Passover means to me. I hope you enjoy it:
Below is a video I made about what Passover means to me. I hope you enjoy it:
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Health Care Not Abortion
I live in a country with national health care, and I am grateful for it. I think President Obama is right to push for major changes in America's dispicable excuse for a health care industry.
But, if he signs a health care bill that includes funding for abortion, it will haunt his legacy until the day he dies.
I admire a lot about Ronald Reagan, but I have never fully respected him for the unforgivable way he chose to ignore the early days of AIDS during his administration. Out of ignorance that it was a 'gay disease' he turned his head away, and cost us precious years on a battle that has now claimed millions of lives. Just think if we could have cut this monster's head off right at the beginning.
I believe in much the same way, if President Obama allows abortion funding to become part of a new federal health care plan...it will cast a shadow over him and his presidency like nothing else.
I didn't vote for Obama, but I've admired a lot about him and thought him to be a good man with a vision.
But if he signs that bill, any last shred of respect I had for him will be gone. Nothing else he ever does will ever matter.
Take that for what it's worth Mr. President.
And look around...see that brave 'DEMOCRATIC' congressman (Bart Stupak of Michigan) is the one leading the campaign against this plan. When members of your own party are leading the charge 'against' you....maybe that should tell you something.
But, if he signs a health care bill that includes funding for abortion, it will haunt his legacy until the day he dies.
I admire a lot about Ronald Reagan, but I have never fully respected him for the unforgivable way he chose to ignore the early days of AIDS during his administration. Out of ignorance that it was a 'gay disease' he turned his head away, and cost us precious years on a battle that has now claimed millions of lives. Just think if we could have cut this monster's head off right at the beginning.
I believe in much the same way, if President Obama allows abortion funding to become part of a new federal health care plan...it will cast a shadow over him and his presidency like nothing else.
I didn't vote for Obama, but I've admired a lot about him and thought him to be a good man with a vision.
But if he signs that bill, any last shred of respect I had for him will be gone. Nothing else he ever does will ever matter.
Take that for what it's worth Mr. President.
And look around...see that brave 'DEMOCRATIC' congressman (Bart Stupak of Michigan) is the one leading the campaign against this plan. When members of your own party are leading the charge 'against' you....maybe that should tell you something.
A Breath Of Fresh Air
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand issued the following statement today on the recent developments in the Middle East:
“The close bond between the United States and Israel remains unbreakable, and America must continue to show unyielding support for Israel’s security.
“While the timing of the East Jerusalem housing announcement was regrettable, it must not be used by any party to stall peace negotiations or cloud the most critical foreign policy issue facing both countries – Iran’s nuclear threat.
“As a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, I am focused on strengthening international pressure on Iran’s regime to derail its pursuit of nuclear weapons.”
“The close bond between the United States and Israel remains unbreakable, and America must continue to show unyielding support for Israel’s security.
“While the timing of the East Jerusalem housing announcement was regrettable, it must not be used by any party to stall peace negotiations or cloud the most critical foreign policy issue facing both countries – Iran’s nuclear threat.
“As a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, I am focused on strengthening international pressure on Iran’s regime to derail its pursuit of nuclear weapons.”
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Monday, March 8, 2010
Oscar Recap
As a television producer, it's hard for me to watch the Oscars without fixating on the production itself. Last year, producers Bill Condon and Laurence Mark and host Hugh Jackman, took a stale traditional show and re-invented it, into a fun, fresh, lively, don't want to miss a moment 'event'!
Sadly, last night, producer Adam Shankman reverted to everything old and unwatchable about the previous 80 years of Oscar telecasts.
I don't blame hosts Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin for being bad. I think they were onstage for a combined 4.5 minutes. They didn't even have a chance to be good.
I can't even imagine some of the conversations that must have taken place at production meetings. "Neil Patrick Harris was so great hosting the Tonys and the Emmys...let's have him do the opening song and dance at the Oscars!" What? That's like saying "Tim Tebow did so great at the National Championship Game, let's have him start in place of Peyton Manning at the Super Bowl."
Here you have Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin, two of the most talented guys around...hosting the biggest event of the year in Hollywood...and you start the show with Neil Patrick Harris, essentially doing a spoof of previous/lesser award shows?
And then, the production isn't even good! On my transmission of the show, i was unable to even hear the lyrics Harris was singing. And they kept doing cutaways of people in the audience, but they forgot to turn the lights on, so all we saw at home were dark shadow figures. Just ridiculous for a show with a mutli-million dollar budget.
I must admit I did say 'wow' when I first saw the stage/set. It was impressive.
But whose idea was it to put a small stairway, going up, right next to the winner's area? When someone's name is called at these award shows, they understandably turn into shaky, deer in headlights! At every award show, upon finishing their speech, the winners undoubtedly turn the wrong way, and can barely hold it together, walking off stage. I know...let's add to that awkwardness, by making them climb stairs!
Baldwin and Martin's opening duo-logue had more nazi and crotch jokes than a teenage skin-head's beer bash. Thank you Bruce Vilanch. Classy, so classy. Not.
And on and on I could go. From the decision to have the presenters say 'And the winner is' rather than 'And the Oscar goes to' to the removal of performances of the nominated songs, to a bizarre modern dance routine, to the tribute to horror films (since when are Edward Scissorhands and Beetlejuice horror films?)....it was just bad production decision on top of bad production decision. Oh and how about the decision to have Tina Fey present the screenplay award...again! Last year she and Steve Martin did a fantastic job making that presentation funny and fresh. Having Fey do it this year, without Martin, was anything but funny or fresh. Oh and nice job by whoever was supposed to help Ben Stiller with props from off-stage during his bit. Good grief, it was like watching a bad high school production.
And who didn't love the orchestra's decision to play "I Am Woman Hear My Roar" as Kathryn Bigelow left the stage, after her historic win as Best Director? "I Am Woman Hear Me Roar?" What is this, the Friar's Club Roast? They even managed the shlock up a truly special moment.
What I thought was going to be a tribute to Patrick Swayze, turned into just the opposite. Demi Moore (Swayze's 'Ghost' co-star) came on stage, with the music from 'Ghost' playing in the background. She never mentioned Swayze by name, but instead did a generic introduction to the annual 'In Memoriam' segment. The first person in the special memorial tribute was Swayze...but the Camera was on a super wide shot of the theatre, so you could barely see Swayze's photo. By the time the Director got a clue...Swayze's photos were gone, and so the biggest movie star death of the year was completely unacknowledged at the Oscars.
Even the decision to revert back to the tired old music that has been played at every Oscars for decades was baffling. 'Arthur' is my favorite movie of all time. But if I have to hear 'When you get caught between the moon and New York City' one more time during the Oscars, I'm going to scream! Last year's visionaries brought in all new music (sparing no detail)...but this year's crew just couldn't resist resuming a tired cliche'.
And how about that big moment at the end? The announcement of Best Picture from Tom Hanks. I blinked and missed it! Hanks walks on stage as the crowd is still digesting Bigelow's win. They don't even have him re-read the nominees, there's no drumroll, it's just 'hi, i'm Tom Hanks and the winner is 'The Hurt Locker'. Wow, way to create some drama.
And why were there 10 best picture nominees...but then the show did nothing special with them? Just boring clip introductions like usual. It would have been nice to see something really creative done to help explain why the number of nominees doubled.
The cutaways of a bored and annoyed George Clooney in the audience, said it all. A look, no doubt, seen on couches around the world. I won't even begin to discuss the "official red carpet show". Kathy Ireland, please stick to posing in Sports Illustrated...and let Ryan Seacrest and Joan Rivers handle red carpet shows. Note to the academy...next year team up with the good folks at 'E!' who invented the red carpet show...and let Seacrest do what he does best.
OK, now that I've vented all of that, there were a few (very few) nice moments. Here are my favorites (in no particular order):
1) The Tribute to John Hughes (very classy to honor this special filmmaker, so cool to see almost the entire Breakfast Club back together, unfortunately Emilio Estevez was the only one not there)
2) The Best Actor and Best Actress award presentations. That was really cool to hear from people who know and have worked with the nominees, giving very personal salutes. I especially loved Tim Robbins talking about his former 'Shawshank Redemption' co-star Morgan Freeman. And Oprah's tribute to Gabourey Sidibe was so surreal. If you saw the movie 'Precious' you know about the constant fantasy's that Gabourey's character would envision in her mind. I couldn't quite separate reality from fantasy during that special moment.
3) Having Barbra Streisand present the Best Director award. Most agree Streisand should have been the first woman to win that award a few years back for either 'Yentl' or 'Prince of Tides'. Very classy, very classy to have her be the one to hand out the historic trophy to Kathryn Bigelow.
4) Loved a lot of the winners. Most of my favorite movies of the year were honored, and that's what I always hope the Oscars will be about. 'Up', 'Star Trek', 'Precious', 'Avatar', 'Crazy Heart', 'The Blind Side', 'The Hurt Locker' were all good movies and I'm happy they were recognized as such.
I do not think 'The Hurt Locker' was the best movie of the year. 'Avatar' or 'Precious' should have won best picture in my opinion. 'Avatar' was the only movie I said 'wow' during, about 100 times. It has changed the way movies are made and watched forever. I don't know why academy members chose 'The Hurt Locker'...it was a powerful film and I'm happy it allowed for multiple tributes to our fantastic U.S. troops around the world...but I didn't agree it was the year's best.
I'm hoping Meryl Streep wins an Oscar this century. Most assume she's won recently. Not true. It's actually been 18 years since she's won an Oscar! She won two very early in her career for 'Kramer vs. Kramer' and 'Sophie's Choice' but hasn't won since 1982. It is time! Jack Nicholson has 3...she should too!
So, those are my Oscar thoughts for 2010. As an Israeli I'm proud that my country's growing film industry has been honored 3 years in a row with a nomination for Best Foreign Language film. I'm hoping they actually win, one of these days.
Until then...I'll be seeing all the great movies the talented men and women of the film industry keep bringing to us. Film is my favorite artform, I am grateful for the talented people who make them....it's why I take the Oscars seriously to the extent that I do....I just like to see the best work honored in the best way.
P.S. Following Roger Ebert's live tweets during the show was a real highlight! He may have lost his voice, but not his brilliance when it comes to all things cinema!
Friday, March 5, 2010
The 'D' True Nashville Story
7 years ago I was driving around in my car, somewhere in the Chicagoland area...and I heard a radio ad for the 'Dove Awards'. The Dove Awards? For some reason, those words made something inside of me click. I thought...'there is an award show, that has a "Christian"-bent to it. I love award shows. I love Christ. This is totally up my alley. I need to be a part of this.'
I picked up my cell phone, I called information, and asked for the telephone number for the Gospel Music Association in Nashville, they gave it to me. I called and got a sweet young woman named Missy Zahn on the phone. Missy has since become a great friend, but at the time, we had never met. I asked her if she knew who the producer was of the Dove Awards. She told me it was a guy named Steve Gilreath. I asked if she had his phone number, and for some crazy reason...she gave it to me! (we would laugh about that years later).
I said thanks, and I dialed Steve's number. I didn't know Steve. Steve didn't know me. But I figured, hey...why not?
I got his voicemail, left him a message telling him a little bit about myself. That I was a TV producer for NBC in Chicago. That I had had many Christian music artists on a morning newscast I was producing. I knew many of the artists and the publicists and I hoped that combined with my years of production experience...would make him want to hire me. To do....something?
And that was it.
To my surprise, he called back. He was very nice. He said most of the staff had already been hired, but that he could always use more production assistants. That if I paid my own way down there, he could use me for 3 days during show week, pay me about $100 or so a day, and I could have a fun experience and he could see what kind of a worker I was...and who knew, in the future maybe we could do more work together.
I was very happy with that, I said 'thank you'. And so I had an invitation to be a part of my first Doves.
The next day, I woke up and saw there was a voicemail on my phone. I listened to the message and it was Steve Gilreath. He had sort of a panic in his voice. He said something to the effect of:
"...we don't really know each other, but I'm a bit desperate, and this just might be your big break. The Regal Cinema movie theatre chain, has just decided they want to show the Doves live in their theatres around the USA. But while the TV audience is watching commercials, in the threatres they want us to have a live backstage, behind-the-scenes show. The show will be hosted by Rebecca St. James, and it should include live interviews with the winners and presenters and show people what's going on backstage. So, that's what they want...but I have no one to produce it. If you think you can do it, call me and the job is yours."
Wow...I was floored! I think there was some sort of happy dance that followed in my bedroom. How did this happen? One minute I'm listening to an ad for this show on the radio, and the next thing I know, I'm going to Nashville to produce a live show at the Doves hosted by Rebecca St. James.
And so...we were off and running.
It's hard to believe that was 7 years ago. It's hard to believe I've now been a part of 6 Dove Awards. And it's even harder to believe, my Dove Awards career is now over.
I won't be going to Nashville this year. The GMA was nice enough to invite me back to produce the 'Pre-Telecast' or "Pre Show" as we call it (that's where 95% of the awards are handed out, but it's just not shown on TV, it's a show only for the audience in the theatre). But, due to GMA budget constraints this year, and due to the fact that I live in Tel Aviv, it's pretty expensive to bring me across the world to produce the show...and it just wasn't a financial reality for the GMA or for me this year.
But I 'retire' from the Doves with so many fantastic memories. I am so grateful to Steve Gilreath and to Lisa Kent and all the wonderful people that have worked at the GMA over the years, especially John Styll. What a great ride I was priveleged to have.
Below are some of my favorite memories of the past 6 years. But before I do that...let me first give shout-outs to some of the wonderful people I've worked with over the years, who I love dearly and will miss seeing this year
-All the publicists. You are some of the coolest women (and Brian Smith) that I've ever met in my life! I love you all so much and hope we'll always stay in touch. Jackie, Velvet, Mandy, Stacie, Lori, Courtney, Christina, Jackie, Jordan...you guys are the best! And to all the mangers and handlers...thanks for being so great to work with!
-To the Doves Family that assembles together each year, from the four corners of the globe. John Calton, Anne and Joey Ciccoline, Jayme Butler, Zana, Misty, Denny Keitzman, Cornelius, Emanuel, Lindsay, Spence and on and on...I already miss seeing your faces. (The Doves also gave me great friendships with people who worked on the show in years past...especially the great Rebekah Hubbell and Allison Abbott.)
-To 'my boys'. Elch and 'the other' Darin. I love you guys dearly. You are my brothers and you made this show so much fun to work on each year. You are brilliant and talented and we're just gonna have to find some other project to work on together.
-And finally to Steve Gilreath. Thanks for a great ride. One of the highlights of my life, for sure. You sure did make me feel loved and appreciated and for that I am grateful.
I'll never forget Steve coming backstage during that first show. He put his hands on my shoulders and looked me right in the eyes and said 'I don't know what you're doing, but you are creating such an amazing atmosphere in this place, you're doing great, keep it up'. Wow. I felt so in over my head at that moment, I had no idea what we were doing, so to hear him say that and to see the joyfully shocked expression on his face sure was fun. After that, I was just floating on air.
Steve, for all the opportunities, for all the great lunches and breakfasts and dinners and snacks in between, for the plane tickets, the free stay at the cabin, my first iPod(engraved no less) and the very computer I'm typing on as we speak...I say thank you, from the bottom of my heart. I'll never forget the kind words you wrote about me in the Doves program 2 years ago. Or the countless letters of recommendation you've written for me. Your incredibly generous hospitality. You are one of the best, and it's been a blast.
Thank you, that at the end of every show, you'd come over, put your arm around me and say 'see you next year'. That was the best compliment you could ever give me. I love you, Chief.
Wow...I'd have killed any artist that gave a speech that long. But, hey, I was saving up for 6 years.
And now, some Dove highlights:
My first show will always be my favorite. Working at the Municipal Auditorium. The show was supposed to be on UPN (it never happened for some reason, but the Doves are still around and UPN isn't, so.....) so we had big stars that year.
I got to hang out with Smokey Robinson (a huge deal for a kid from Detroit). He and I teased Rebecca St. James for not knowing much about Motown.
Cornering CeCe Winans while she had her make-up done...to talk about Oprah's theology.
Watching as Stephen Baldwin asked Rebecca if she'd call his daughter to say hi, and seeing the joyful look on his face as he listened to the conversation.
Getting to arrange a partial dc Talk reunion between Toby Mac and Michael Tate. Hearing the fans scream when Toby walked in during Michael's interview. (even sweeter was Toby's reluctance to do it at first, since he didn't want to risk hurting his dear friend Kevin Maxx who wasn't at that years show).
Being out to dinner with Steve Gilreath and seeing Chris Rice at the restaurant we were at. Steve begging me not to go over to say hi to him, me not listening to Steve, and as I stood up, I banged my head on some low-hanging speaker. And feeling like a total idiot.
Working with Amy Grant and Vince Gill...and Bono (not really) Amy and Vince introduced a video Bono made for the Doves that year, where he thanked the Christian music community for helping in the fight against AIDS. We had Amy and Vince on the backstage show afterwards. Bono, however, was not in attendance.
My best friends Jason and Heidi Judy actually went to a Regal Movie theatre to watch the show. As a thank you, I arranged for two of Jason's favorite people to be on one segment. I got David Crowder and Louie Giglio to come backstage to do an interview. Just before, I called Jason on his cell phone and said 'this is because I love you'...and hung up. The next thing he saw on the screen in Chicago, were David and Louie. What a kick!
That year this young woman who won a singing contest on the Oprah Winfrey Show, was invited to be a presenter. She came all the way to Nashville, but then got hurt backstage and wasn't able to be on the show. During my research on all the presenters, I had read that she was a big fan of Yolanda Adams, who was that year's host (along with Deion Sanders). So, after the show, I went to Yolanda Adam's bus and asked if she'd come say hi to this woman, to cheer her up. I got to take the photos of the two of them together. So much fun!
I can't believe this was all just from the first year! And it's not even everything!
I'll never forget meeting legends like Joanne Cash (the sister of Johnny Cash) and Pele'...the soccer icon!
Pele' came on with his wife who was nominated in the Spanish Language Album category. The two were going to be presenters on the Pre Show. I don't know what was more fun, working with Pele' or watching all these big time singers backstage, freaking out that Pele' was there (and coming to me to get autographs from him, because they were too nervous to ask him themselves).
Pele' was nervous about mis-pronouncing the names of the nominees he was supposed to read. He kept asking me to go over pronounciations with him. After trying certain names a few times, he'd look at me and say 'do you mind if my wife reads that name'. 'Ofcourse not Pele'', I'd say. It was too cool.
When show time came, Pele' and I were backstage and he was listening to the presenters on before him. He heard one of them make some mistakes while trying to pronounce some names. He came up to me and said 'did you hear that?' I said 'yeah'. He said 'that guy made some mistakes'. I said 'yes he did, but I know you're gonna do great Pele''. How could this icon of sport be so nervous about reading names at an award show? It was too great!
Soon Pele' and his wife went out, presented the awards, did a great job...and when he came backstage he looked right at me and said 'did I do ok?' I said 'you did great!' And with that, he spread his arms and grabbed me in a bear hug! The hug was long enough that I had the thought in my mind...I'm being bear-hugged by Pele' right now. I love my life.
I remember begging Sara Groves ( my favorite singer in the world) to be on the show, and rejoicing when she said yes. I remember hanging out backstage with her and making an idiot of myself going on and on about how much her music means to me. I remember how cool she was, and at some point we did arm pit farts together. I don't remember why, but that really doesn't matter. I had a photo of us doing it, but it was on an old cell phone that is now in a landfill somewhere. Too bad.
I remember asking Stryper lead singer Michael Sweet if he'd speak to my friend Carl on the phone. Carl had come to faith in Christ, after being heavily influenced by Stryper's music. He said 'yes'...and I know that meant so much to Carl.
From flirting with the Barlow Girls to talking about spirituality with Wynonna Judd to being knocked out when Natalie Grant noticed I had lost weight, to the chaos of explaining to artists why after waiting around for hours there would be no dress rehearsal, to watching the shocked look on singer Ana Laura's face when she saw a George Bush impersonator and freaked out thinking the President was there but then seeing her even more freaked out when she saw Pele', chatting with Billy Baldwin, Carrie Prejan, Randy Travis, Michelle Williams (from Destiny's Child) the Blind Boys of Alabama, Dennis Jernigan, Don Chaffer, Matthew Ward, some guy pretending to be in the group Modest Mouse (he wasn't but I totally believed him), laughing my butt off with John Gray (and later walking in on him doing an interview where he was talking about me), almost walking in on Kirk Franklin changing clothes in the production trailer but hearing him say 'don't come back I'm naked'...begging Shelly Giglio to bring the Passion tour to Israel, telling Brian Littrell of the Backstreet Boys what a big fan I was, and on and on...
it's just been so much fun.
It's also a kick, when you get to play a small role in the encouragement of some young artists. I always smile whenever I hear 'Tenth Avenue North' on the radio. I remember their publicist Jackie calling me a couple years ago, telling me she had this great band. Their first album wasn't out yet, but she wanted them to perform on the Pre Show. I told her she was crazy, but she encouraged me to watch this video they had made on their website and she told me how uniquely special they were. I watched the video and she was right. I had them on the show...and one year later they were named Best New Artist! I love their music, it has so ministered to me over the last couple years. When they won the award last year, I rushed backstage to congratulate them. What an honor to see from the beginning,this journey God is taking them on.
I also got to work with the Jonas Brothers, before they were mega-stars. I remember their publicist calling me the night before the show asking if I'd have these 3 brothers on as presenters. I had no slots for them, it was the night before the show! I told Steve Gilreath about it and he said, I should try to help that publicist out and make some sort of spot for them. All I could think of, was to have them introduce our host at the top of the show. So, the next day, the Jonas' and their dad came backstage...and I told them my idea. I wanted them to sing the introduction. "And now here's Carrie...." They just looked at me with these dumbfounded stares. 'Um, yeah, they'd rather just say the words, not sing them'. Their dad told me. I was like...'oh come on, it'll be fun...just go with it'. 'No', they said. 'Whatever', I thought to myself. 'These kids are dorks and are going nowhere'. Boy was I wrong....
I especially remember my first time walking in to the Grand Ole Opry. I love country music and used to watch TNN all the time as a kid growing up. I remember driving to the Opry for the first time, driving up to the guard shack behind the threatre, him finding my name on the list, letting me drive in, walking in the artist entrance, going on stage and standing on 'the circle' (all you country music fans know 'the circle')....it was such a hoot! And for 5 years, everytime I drove to that backstage entrance at the Opry, I always felt like the coolest person in the world!
[The only thing I remember not liking about the Opry is that insanely large hotel that makes you pay for parking...one time it took me almost an hour to find my room....really does every hallway have to look exactly the same! But I digress...]
So, that's just a little of the blessing in my life that was the Dove Awards.
Thanks for reading. Thanks for indulging all my name-dropping.
Thanks most of all to the inspiration for the music and the show. Yeshua. He is the reason we sing...and the reason we celebrate. To God alone be the glory...
I picked up my cell phone, I called information, and asked for the telephone number for the Gospel Music Association in Nashville, they gave it to me. I called and got a sweet young woman named Missy Zahn on the phone. Missy has since become a great friend, but at the time, we had never met. I asked her if she knew who the producer was of the Dove Awards. She told me it was a guy named Steve Gilreath. I asked if she had his phone number, and for some crazy reason...she gave it to me! (we would laugh about that years later).
I said thanks, and I dialed Steve's number. I didn't know Steve. Steve didn't know me. But I figured, hey...why not?
I got his voicemail, left him a message telling him a little bit about myself. That I was a TV producer for NBC in Chicago. That I had had many Christian music artists on a morning newscast I was producing. I knew many of the artists and the publicists and I hoped that combined with my years of production experience...would make him want to hire me. To do....something?
And that was it.
To my surprise, he called back. He was very nice. He said most of the staff had already been hired, but that he could always use more production assistants. That if I paid my own way down there, he could use me for 3 days during show week, pay me about $100 or so a day, and I could have a fun experience and he could see what kind of a worker I was...and who knew, in the future maybe we could do more work together.
I was very happy with that, I said 'thank you'. And so I had an invitation to be a part of my first Doves.
The next day, I woke up and saw there was a voicemail on my phone. I listened to the message and it was Steve Gilreath. He had sort of a panic in his voice. He said something to the effect of:
"...we don't really know each other, but I'm a bit desperate, and this just might be your big break. The Regal Cinema movie theatre chain, has just decided they want to show the Doves live in their theatres around the USA. But while the TV audience is watching commercials, in the threatres they want us to have a live backstage, behind-the-scenes show. The show will be hosted by Rebecca St. James, and it should include live interviews with the winners and presenters and show people what's going on backstage. So, that's what they want...but I have no one to produce it. If you think you can do it, call me and the job is yours."
Wow...I was floored! I think there was some sort of happy dance that followed in my bedroom. How did this happen? One minute I'm listening to an ad for this show on the radio, and the next thing I know, I'm going to Nashville to produce a live show at the Doves hosted by Rebecca St. James.
And so...we were off and running.
It's hard to believe that was 7 years ago. It's hard to believe I've now been a part of 6 Dove Awards. And it's even harder to believe, my Dove Awards career is now over.
I won't be going to Nashville this year. The GMA was nice enough to invite me back to produce the 'Pre-Telecast' or "Pre Show" as we call it (that's where 95% of the awards are handed out, but it's just not shown on TV, it's a show only for the audience in the theatre). But, due to GMA budget constraints this year, and due to the fact that I live in Tel Aviv, it's pretty expensive to bring me across the world to produce the show...and it just wasn't a financial reality for the GMA or for me this year.
But I 'retire' from the Doves with so many fantastic memories. I am so grateful to Steve Gilreath and to Lisa Kent and all the wonderful people that have worked at the GMA over the years, especially John Styll. What a great ride I was priveleged to have.
Below are some of my favorite memories of the past 6 years. But before I do that...let me first give shout-outs to some of the wonderful people I've worked with over the years, who I love dearly and will miss seeing this year
-All the publicists. You are some of the coolest women (and Brian Smith) that I've ever met in my life! I love you all so much and hope we'll always stay in touch. Jackie, Velvet, Mandy, Stacie, Lori, Courtney, Christina, Jackie, Jordan...you guys are the best! And to all the mangers and handlers...thanks for being so great to work with!
-To the Doves Family that assembles together each year, from the four corners of the globe. John Calton, Anne and Joey Ciccoline, Jayme Butler, Zana, Misty, Denny Keitzman, Cornelius, Emanuel, Lindsay, Spence and on and on...I already miss seeing your faces. (The Doves also gave me great friendships with people who worked on the show in years past...especially the great Rebekah Hubbell and Allison Abbott.)
-To 'my boys'. Elch and 'the other' Darin. I love you guys dearly. You are my brothers and you made this show so much fun to work on each year. You are brilliant and talented and we're just gonna have to find some other project to work on together.
-And finally to Steve Gilreath. Thanks for a great ride. One of the highlights of my life, for sure. You sure did make me feel loved and appreciated and for that I am grateful.
I'll never forget Steve coming backstage during that first show. He put his hands on my shoulders and looked me right in the eyes and said 'I don't know what you're doing, but you are creating such an amazing atmosphere in this place, you're doing great, keep it up'. Wow. I felt so in over my head at that moment, I had no idea what we were doing, so to hear him say that and to see the joyfully shocked expression on his face sure was fun. After that, I was just floating on air.
Steve, for all the opportunities, for all the great lunches and breakfasts and dinners and snacks in between, for the plane tickets, the free stay at the cabin, my first iPod(engraved no less) and the very computer I'm typing on as we speak...I say thank you, from the bottom of my heart. I'll never forget the kind words you wrote about me in the Doves program 2 years ago. Or the countless letters of recommendation you've written for me. Your incredibly generous hospitality. You are one of the best, and it's been a blast.
Thank you, that at the end of every show, you'd come over, put your arm around me and say 'see you next year'. That was the best compliment you could ever give me. I love you, Chief.
Wow...I'd have killed any artist that gave a speech that long. But, hey, I was saving up for 6 years.
And now, some Dove highlights:
My first show will always be my favorite. Working at the Municipal Auditorium. The show was supposed to be on UPN (it never happened for some reason, but the Doves are still around and UPN isn't, so.....) so we had big stars that year.
I got to hang out with Smokey Robinson (a huge deal for a kid from Detroit). He and I teased Rebecca St. James for not knowing much about Motown.
Cornering CeCe Winans while she had her make-up done...to talk about Oprah's theology.
Watching as Stephen Baldwin asked Rebecca if she'd call his daughter to say hi, and seeing the joyful look on his face as he listened to the conversation.
Getting to arrange a partial dc Talk reunion between Toby Mac and Michael Tate. Hearing the fans scream when Toby walked in during Michael's interview. (even sweeter was Toby's reluctance to do it at first, since he didn't want to risk hurting his dear friend Kevin Maxx who wasn't at that years show).
Being out to dinner with Steve Gilreath and seeing Chris Rice at the restaurant we were at. Steve begging me not to go over to say hi to him, me not listening to Steve, and as I stood up, I banged my head on some low-hanging speaker. And feeling like a total idiot.
Working with Amy Grant and Vince Gill...and Bono (not really) Amy and Vince introduced a video Bono made for the Doves that year, where he thanked the Christian music community for helping in the fight against AIDS. We had Amy and Vince on the backstage show afterwards. Bono, however, was not in attendance.
My best friends Jason and Heidi Judy actually went to a Regal Movie theatre to watch the show. As a thank you, I arranged for two of Jason's favorite people to be on one segment. I got David Crowder and Louie Giglio to come backstage to do an interview. Just before, I called Jason on his cell phone and said 'this is because I love you'...and hung up. The next thing he saw on the screen in Chicago, were David and Louie. What a kick!
That year this young woman who won a singing contest on the Oprah Winfrey Show, was invited to be a presenter. She came all the way to Nashville, but then got hurt backstage and wasn't able to be on the show. During my research on all the presenters, I had read that she was a big fan of Yolanda Adams, who was that year's host (along with Deion Sanders). So, after the show, I went to Yolanda Adam's bus and asked if she'd come say hi to this woman, to cheer her up. I got to take the photos of the two of them together. So much fun!
I can't believe this was all just from the first year! And it's not even everything!
I'll never forget meeting legends like Joanne Cash (the sister of Johnny Cash) and Pele'...the soccer icon!
Pele' came on with his wife who was nominated in the Spanish Language Album category. The two were going to be presenters on the Pre Show. I don't know what was more fun, working with Pele' or watching all these big time singers backstage, freaking out that Pele' was there (and coming to me to get autographs from him, because they were too nervous to ask him themselves).
Pele' was nervous about mis-pronouncing the names of the nominees he was supposed to read. He kept asking me to go over pronounciations with him. After trying certain names a few times, he'd look at me and say 'do you mind if my wife reads that name'. 'Ofcourse not Pele'', I'd say. It was too cool.
When show time came, Pele' and I were backstage and he was listening to the presenters on before him. He heard one of them make some mistakes while trying to pronounce some names. He came up to me and said 'did you hear that?' I said 'yeah'. He said 'that guy made some mistakes'. I said 'yes he did, but I know you're gonna do great Pele''. How could this icon of sport be so nervous about reading names at an award show? It was too great!
Soon Pele' and his wife went out, presented the awards, did a great job...and when he came backstage he looked right at me and said 'did I do ok?' I said 'you did great!' And with that, he spread his arms and grabbed me in a bear hug! The hug was long enough that I had the thought in my mind...I'm being bear-hugged by Pele' right now. I love my life.
I remember begging Sara Groves ( my favorite singer in the world) to be on the show, and rejoicing when she said yes. I remember hanging out backstage with her and making an idiot of myself going on and on about how much her music means to me. I remember how cool she was, and at some point we did arm pit farts together. I don't remember why, but that really doesn't matter. I had a photo of us doing it, but it was on an old cell phone that is now in a landfill somewhere. Too bad.
I remember asking Stryper lead singer Michael Sweet if he'd speak to my friend Carl on the phone. Carl had come to faith in Christ, after being heavily influenced by Stryper's music. He said 'yes'...and I know that meant so much to Carl.
From flirting with the Barlow Girls to talking about spirituality with Wynonna Judd to being knocked out when Natalie Grant noticed I had lost weight, to the chaos of explaining to artists why after waiting around for hours there would be no dress rehearsal, to watching the shocked look on singer Ana Laura's face when she saw a George Bush impersonator and freaked out thinking the President was there but then seeing her even more freaked out when she saw Pele', chatting with Billy Baldwin, Carrie Prejan, Randy Travis, Michelle Williams (from Destiny's Child) the Blind Boys of Alabama, Dennis Jernigan, Don Chaffer, Matthew Ward, some guy pretending to be in the group Modest Mouse (he wasn't but I totally believed him), laughing my butt off with John Gray (and later walking in on him doing an interview where he was talking about me), almost walking in on Kirk Franklin changing clothes in the production trailer but hearing him say 'don't come back I'm naked'...begging Shelly Giglio to bring the Passion tour to Israel, telling Brian Littrell of the Backstreet Boys what a big fan I was, and on and on...
it's just been so much fun.
It's also a kick, when you get to play a small role in the encouragement of some young artists. I always smile whenever I hear 'Tenth Avenue North' on the radio. I remember their publicist Jackie calling me a couple years ago, telling me she had this great band. Their first album wasn't out yet, but she wanted them to perform on the Pre Show. I told her she was crazy, but she encouraged me to watch this video they had made on their website and she told me how uniquely special they were. I watched the video and she was right. I had them on the show...and one year later they were named Best New Artist! I love their music, it has so ministered to me over the last couple years. When they won the award last year, I rushed backstage to congratulate them. What an honor to see from the beginning,this journey God is taking them on.
I also got to work with the Jonas Brothers, before they were mega-stars. I remember their publicist calling me the night before the show asking if I'd have these 3 brothers on as presenters. I had no slots for them, it was the night before the show! I told Steve Gilreath about it and he said, I should try to help that publicist out and make some sort of spot for them. All I could think of, was to have them introduce our host at the top of the show. So, the next day, the Jonas' and their dad came backstage...and I told them my idea. I wanted them to sing the introduction. "And now here's Carrie...." They just looked at me with these dumbfounded stares. 'Um, yeah, they'd rather just say the words, not sing them'. Their dad told me. I was like...'oh come on, it'll be fun...just go with it'. 'No', they said. 'Whatever', I thought to myself. 'These kids are dorks and are going nowhere'. Boy was I wrong....
I especially remember my first time walking in to the Grand Ole Opry. I love country music and used to watch TNN all the time as a kid growing up. I remember driving to the Opry for the first time, driving up to the guard shack behind the threatre, him finding my name on the list, letting me drive in, walking in the artist entrance, going on stage and standing on 'the circle' (all you country music fans know 'the circle')....it was such a hoot! And for 5 years, everytime I drove to that backstage entrance at the Opry, I always felt like the coolest person in the world!
[The only thing I remember not liking about the Opry is that insanely large hotel that makes you pay for parking...one time it took me almost an hour to find my room....really does every hallway have to look exactly the same! But I digress...]
So, that's just a little of the blessing in my life that was the Dove Awards.
Thanks for reading. Thanks for indulging all my name-dropping.
Thanks most of all to the inspiration for the music and the show. Yeshua. He is the reason we sing...and the reason we celebrate. To God alone be the glory...
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
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