Bloody Round 1 in Battle of the Band

Photo Courtesy- www.aceshowbiz.com

John Rich, the “Rich” half of the Country band Big and Rich was allegedly involved in an altercation at a Hollywood hotel early this morning. Hollywood police were called around 4:00 am, when an argument turned into an all-out brawl between Rich and Jerry Montano, the former bassist for Rock band Danzig. According to sources, John Rich shattered his beer bottle across the face of Montano. When paramedics arrived on the scene, the floor was covered in blood and Jerry Montano’s nose was visibly broken. One source says that Montano could be heard mumbling, “the little guy hit me.” John Rich may be small but with a beer bottle, it’s apparent that he can do some serious damage. No arrests have been made and both Montano and Rich say that they do not wish to file charges.

This disorderly conduct seems to be a new trend with celebrities. Recently, Gary Coleman hit a man with his truck after a bowling alley altercation. I’m not exactly sure why people of celebrity status think that they can act in such a way. Is it money? Do they just think they can get away with it? I’m not sure but I do know that they are not above the law and should be punished like the rest of us. As Rich’s or Montano’s publicist, I would IMMEDIATELY have them release a statement to apologize for behaving in such a manner. I would also encourage the two to partake in some alcohol awareness and or anger management classes. Both of these stars know better than to conduct themselves in such a manner and should do whatever possible to repair their publicity in the public’s eye.

Til’ Next Friday,

John Michael

From Hero to Heroin?

picture courtesy of USA Today

                                                                          

Well, the sports world has delivered us another “riches to rags” story. Tim Montgomery, a gold medalist in the 2000 Olympic games, was sentenced to five years in prison for possession and the intent to sell a controlled substance, heroin. These charges shed light on Montgomery’s history with breaking the law. Tim can’t even begin to serve the time for the heroin charges until he completes a four year sentence for his involvement in a check-kiting conspiracy in New York. It seems to be a trend in the sports world for athletes to be on top of their game athletically and constantly in trouble with the law. The list of legally troubled athletes is seemingly endless. Michael Vick, Tank Johnson, Pete Rose, Ray Lewis, OJ Simpson, OJ Simpson again, Mike Tyson, Michael Irving, even Tonya Harding have all been successful athletes who cannot take care of their business off the field, off the ice-skating rink, and out of the boxing ring. In the aforementioned case regarding Tim Montgomery, there is not much that his publicist can do at this point. However, other publicist can use Montgomery’s situation as an example. If I were an athlete’s publicist, I would simply refer to this case time and time again when talking to my client about how he/she should act outside of their respected sport. This scare tactic should be enough to show an athlete that should they act like Montgomery, there is nothing I can do to maintain their public image while they are sitting in a jail cell. Athletes, hear me loud and clear. Please get your act together and break this cycle that you all seem to be in. You are public figures, even heroes to some, so just know that people are watching you. What you do affects not only your reputation but the reputation of sports as well.

 

photo courtesy of BlackPoliticalThought.blogspot.com

Til’ Next Friday,

John Michael

A-Rod Trying to Get to Second Base With Madonna

Photo courtesy Perezhilton.com

Just because the Yankees didn’t make the playoffs, doesn’t mean that Alex Rodriguez hasn’t been putting his post season work in. The Yankee superstar was spotted having dinner with “old flame” Madonna. The two were spotted sitting rather close together at the back of the New York restaurant Dos Caminos. Controversial? Yes! A-Rod recently went through a divorce with his long-time wife after speculation of cheating with pop star Madonna. According to Rodriguez, he and Madonna have been “friends” for some time. In fact, he has been a long time donor to Madonna’s charity Madgesty’s Raising Malawi.  Apparently he donated a significant amount of time along with his money to Madonna. Well now that A-Rod is single, I suppose that he can do as he pleases, but it does seem a little ironic that he trying to round the bases with the one that he was accused of cheating with. I’m hoping that Alex’s publicist is doing what I would do and tell him to see a few pitches before striking at the first ball that comes his way. It is most definitely too soon  to be putting his reputation on the line with Madonna, seeing that his previous marriage hasn’t been over for more than a month. A-Rod should be aware that whatever he does will be documented by the media. Dating soon after a marriage is over will only spark the media to bash Rodriguez and defame him. In, turn his publicist is going to have a hell of time trying to maintain his/her client’s reputation. America’s pastime has always been baseball, but it seems as if the PASTIME of one baseball’s most popular players is going on dates with someone who perhaps half of the reason his previous marriage failed.

Til’ Next Friday,

John Michael

Claynation Joins Gaynation

Surprise! Clay Aiken, the recent father of a test-tube baby, has finally come out of the closet. The extremely feminine, always flamboyant American Idol runner-up admitted in an interview with People Magazine, that he is, in fact, gay. Speculation on the matter has been abundant since his days on Idol. In addition to this, Aiken is the new, “proud” parent of a baby boy, which was carried by surrogate mother and producer of Clay’s latest album, Jaymes Foster. Apparently, this whirlwind of news doesn’t seem to be slowing Clay down, as his fans seem to be sticking by him and his sexuality. As Clay Aiken’s publicist, I would encourage him to become active in the gay community. I believe that his fans are not going to flake out on him due to his sexuality. Rather, they will probably respect him more for his decision and sticking by it. Trends show that when those in the entertainment industry come out, their popularity usually doesn’t change. Look at Ellen. Aiken’s publicist shouldn’t have much of a hard time seeing that Clay will probably be active willingly. Possible spin off for Clay’s new album: ” I kissed a Boy and I liked It”

 

Til’ Next Friday,

John Michael

Ellen and Portia’s Same-Sex Marriage

This blog is for those interested in film and/or those interested in juicy politics pertaining to those in the entertainment industry.

Daytime talk show host, Ellen Degeneres, and long time actress/model Portia de Rossi were recently married at a private ceremony. Wedding Though this has been in the works for several months, it wasn’t until the California Supreme Court ruled in favor of allowing same-sex marriages last week, that the two could be legally married. Ruling

 Ellen Degeneres has done a fine job of publicizing this issue on her daytime show, Ellen. As result, the couple has gained a tremendous amount of support for this issue.  The two were married at Ellen’s posh multi-million dollar home in front of an extremely private crowd of family and friends. According to Ellen, allowing same-sex marriages is right up there on list with allowing desegregation and women’s voting rights. I believe Ellen and Portia hope to be an influence for those seeking same-sex marriage and the rights of those who are in heterosexual marriages.

As Ellen’s or Portia’s publicist, I don’t think I would change a thing. The two have done a fine job of using their celebrity status to promote and publicize an issue that they both see as important. Often times, with issues like this, the publicity generated seems to be negative. That’s not the case here. The two have done an excellent job of generating positive publicity for themselves and for this issue. In turn, I believe that they have made their publicists’ job much easier.

Til’ next Friday,

John Michael Taylor  

Jessica Simpson- Country When Country Wasn’t Cool

Jessica Simpson—Country When Country Isn’t Cool

 

Interested in music? This blog is for anyone who would like to take a look inside the music industry from a publicists’ perspective.

  It has been a while since we’ve heard anything musical come from the mouth of former pop star, Jessica Simpson, but that’s about to change. Simpson released her debut country album “Do You Know,” September 9, 2008. The switch from Pop to Country seems to be fruitful, seeing that she holds the top spot on iTunes.  However, I’m a firm believer that people will soon come to their senses and Jessica Simpson’s country career will soon fade. Anyone that has sense or good taste in music, most definitely knows that Jessica Simpson is not country! In fact, the closest she has come to “good” country, was when she starred in the film “Dukes of Hazard” with Willie Nelson. Perhaps this switch was generated by her money hungry and sometimes creepy father/manager, Joe Simpson.  On the day her album hit stores, Jessica performed live on the GMA stage in New York and if her performance was any indicator of how her country music career is going to be, she should probably consider sticking to making affordable shoes and handbags.  Simpson had to stop in the middle of the performance stating, “I know this is live TV but I can’t hear anything.”  Shaky Sound. This “audio malfunction” pretty much sums up her career as a pop star and sheds a little light on what’s in store for Simpson as a country singer. In the link below, you will find a picture of Diane Sawyer and Simpson on the GMA stage. Give me a break  Did you notice the look on Diane Sawyer’s face? Sawyer’s expression is pretty much calling “BS” on Jessica’s excuse for a sub-par performance.

Next, I know that Jessica thinks that talking with an extreme southern accent (which is most definitely fake) is gaining her many fans, but she couldn’t be any further from the truth.  This country act is going to ruin her popularity and make her publicists’ job a nightmare. If she were to have me as her publicist, I would have to sit her down and let her know that this “act” must stop. I would then go on to tell her that if she wishes to continue doing music she must get a grip on the English language and gain some sense of what makes music good.

                In closing, Jessica Simpson, you are attempting to be country when country isn’t cool. Even if country was cool, your sub-par performances and obvious fake southern draw would scare anyone from listening to it in the first place.  Do us all a favor and stop what you are about to do in the music industry, it takes away from the credibility of it and it’s not cute.

 

Til’ Next Time,

John Michael