Country Hunks 2

Country music is filled with good-looking men. This is my sequel to my previous post on Country Hunks. A lot of these guys are new to the scene, but I am sure they will be breaking hearts and selling music for years to come.

Brantley Gilbert

Love and Theft

Love and Theft

Jake Owen

Jake Owen

Florida Georgia Line

Florida Georgia Line

Corbin Easton

Dustin Lynch

Chris Young

Brantley Gilbert

Brantley Gilbert

Dustin Lynch

Brantley Gilbert

Hunter Hayes

Hunter Hayes

Brantley Gilbert
This singer-songwriter from Georgia is engaged to country beauty Jana Kramer. He has also written songs for Jason Aldean. Essential songs: “Country Must Be Country Wide” and “You Don’t Know Her Like I Do.”

Hunter Hayes
This cutie from Louisiana, was nominated for the Best New Artist Grammy Award in 2013. His debut album “Hunter Hayes” earned him an opening gig on Carrie Underwood’s tour. Essential songs: “Wanted” and “Somebody’s Heartbreak.”

Jake Owen
This hunk from Florida looks like he could have been a male model. He has toured with Kenny Chesney and has released 3 albums. Essential songs: “Eight Second Ride” and “Alone with You.”

Florida Georgia Line
This country duo get its name from the 2 states the guys are from: Brian Kelley (FL) and Tyler Hubbard (GA). After releasing 2 EPs, the guys finally released their first full-length album in 2012. Essential songs: “Cruise” (remix w/ Nelly) and “Get Your Shine on.”

http://vevo.ly/YrKcCe

Easton Corbin
Another signer-songwriter from Florida, he once worked at a hardware store in Nashville before making some contacts through a cousin. Essential songs: “A Little More Country Than That” and “Lovin’ You Is Fun.”

Love and Theft
They started off as a trio, but they are now a duo made up of Eric Gunderson and Stephen Barker Liles. Stephen even inspired a song on one of Taylor Swift’s albums (“Hey Stephen”). Essential songs: “Runaway” and “Angel Eyes.”

Dustin Lynch
This hunk hails from Tennessee. He is opening for another country hunk, Keith Urban, on tour this summer. Essential songs: “Cowboys and Angels” and “She Cranks My Tractor.”

http://vevo.ly/Uqyqpt

Luke Bryan
This man has been raking in the awards lately, including winning Entertainer of the Year at the ACM Awards. Plus he seems like a nice guy too. Essential songs: “All My Friends Say” and “Country Girl (Shake It for Me).”

Chris Young
A winner on the reality show Nashville Star, he recently released his 4^th album “Neon.” Essential songs: “Tomorrow” and “You.”

As long as there is country music, there will be good looking men in cowboy hats and jeans singing the songs. So did I leave any one out? I would love to hear from you.

Spice69man is a Los Angeles-based writer and designer. Be sure to check out the latest T-Shirts for sale here, including Marriage Equality and  Rock the Kilt lines. They make great gifts for friends, family and loved ones.

Goodbye 90210/Smash

Saying goodbye is never fun or easy. Two of my favorite shows are ending in a few weeks. One was a reboot of a classic Aaron Spelling soap, the other was a pedigreed show that never quite lived up to expectations. I am talking about 90210 on the CW and Smash on NBC.

The original Beverly Hills, 90210 ran for 10 seasons on Fox from 1990 to 2000. It launched the careers of Jennie Garth, Shannen Doherty, Jason Priestly and Luke Perry. The reboot 90210 debuted in 2008 and will be ending its five year run this coming May. Though not as long running as the original, it still had a decent run (compared to the rebooted Melrose Place which only had 1 season).

90210 concerned a bunch of rich kids in Beverly Hills, first attending West Beverly High and then California University, if going to college at all. This version at least added some people of color, with Tristin Wilds as Dixon and Michael Steger as Navid. It also updated viewers on some of their favorite ladies from the original series in the first year or 2 of the show.

I watched all of season 1, part of season 2, missed season 3, and picked it up again for seasons 4 and 5. There was always plenty of beautiful people having a lot of drama in their lives with school, careers and love lives. It seemed like everyone dated everyone on that show. And they had a lot of fun too, fabulous parties and crazy getaways.

I got to know these people and liked spending time with them. Shenae Grimes as Annie Wilson; Tristan Wilds as Dixon Wilson; Jessica Stroup as Erin Silver; AnnaLynne McCord as Naomi Clark; Michael Steger as Navid Sharazi, Jessica Lowndes as Adrianna Tate-Duncan; and Matt Latner as Liam Court. They fought, they loved, they cried, but at the end of the day they were still friends.

Smash debuted in 2012 as a mid-season replacement on NBC. Headlined by Katherine McPhee and Megan Hilty as dueling divas, both vying for the same job — playing Marilyn Monroe in a fictional Broadway musical named Bombshell. Other stars include Debra Messing, Anjelica Huston, Jack Davenport and Christian Borle.

The Encounter

Life is weird sometimes. Who knows when you will meet someone special. It could be when you are taking the garbage out, at a dinner party, or in my case, it could be at a rock concert. This one happened to take place at the Britney Spear’s concert at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

I was there by myself. I noticed a guy checking me out. I was dressed in concert regiment for me: kilt, tight shirt and Mohawk. He seemed to be following me around. I moved from one area to another, looking at souvenirs and what was offered at the food stands. Just when I thought I lost him, I would see him out of the corner of my eye scoping me out.

He moved near the entrance to the Men’s Room, and motioned for me to follow him. What the fuck?  Are you serious?  Here I was out for a fun night at a concert, and now I had the possibility of hooking up with a hot stranger in a stall at the venue.

Was I crazy to consider it? After all, I had a lover at home and we were getting along well. But he has a sort of lax attitude about outside sex especially when it comes to getting a blow job. Or giving one, ask me how I know…

So I threw caution to the wind and followed the guy into the bathroom. We took over one of the stalls, and started kissing passionately. And then grabbing at each other’s crotches. And the next thing you know, we were taking turns going down on each other, until both of us came. It was a very hot, dangerous and exciting adventure.

When Pop Goes Country

Here’s the sequel to my previous post “When Country Goes Pop.” I will highlight artists whose careers have followed more the pop/rock vein and then ventured into country occasionally.

Darius Rucker
Lead singer of 90’s hitmakers Hootie and the Blowfish, he’s found a second act in his career as a country crooner. He even toured with Lady Antebellum. Essential songs: “Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It,” “Alright” and “This.”

Kid Rock
Notorious rap-rocker Kid Rock has been able to capitalize on country’s love of classic rock and come up with a few hits on the country chart. Essential songs: “Picture” (with Sheryl Crow), “Cowboy” and “All Summer Long.”

Kelly Clarkson
She is from Texas after all, so this is not surprising. She’s got love for Reba (one of her idols) and is friends with Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert. Essential songs: “Don’t You Wanna Stay (with Jason Aldean), “Because of You (duet version with Reba) and “Mr. Know It All” (country version).

Aaron Lewis (Staind)
Lead singer for rock band Staind, he has recorded a few albums in the country genre. Essential songs: “Country Boy” (w/ George Jones and Charlie Daniels) and “Forever.”

Tommy Shaw (Styx)
One of the founding members of 70-80’s hitmakers Styx, he has also shown a love for country music too recording a country album between touring dates with Styx. Essential songs: “The Next Right Thing” and “Boat on a River.”

Gays and Scouts

The Boy Scouts will be reaching a decision in the coming months about whether to admit gay people into their ranks (As scout masters and as scouts themselves). This is coming after the recent victories at the ballot box for gay marriage, the end of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” and the President’s support for gay marriage too.

While I was never a Boy Scout as such, I was part of the Cub Scouts (Webelos to be exact). Cub Scouting is part of the Scouting program of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA), available to boys from first through fifth-grade, or 7 to 11½ years of age and their families. Its membership is the largest of the three BSA divisions (Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting, and Venturing). Cub Scouting is part of the worldwide Scouting movement and aims to promote character development, citizenship training, and personal fitness.

I remember going on an overnight camping trip with the group. We hiked, did crafts, played games, sang and more. I didn’t know at the time I was in the Scouts that I was gay. I did feel different at times, because I was more of a book worm, and not an athletic person. And I was shy too.

I didn’t stay on with the Scouts for whatever reason, but I enjoyed the time I had with them. As for allowing gay people in the troops and as troop leaders, I am glad that they are having this discussion. I see similar conversations happening around dinner tables, in churches and in the workplace.

Wouldn’t it be nice to know that being gay didn’t matter? I didn’t choose this for myself, I just happened to be. I believe that I was born gay. I want a world where all children are treated the same. They are encouraged, mentored and challenged to be the best young people they can be.

Growing up can be tough on anyone… but more so for gays and lesbians. You often don’t have the love or support of your family or your church for who you are or even who you might be. You tend to beat yourself up and put yourself down because you don’t quit fit the norm.

A decision from the Boy Scouts was supposed to be made back in February, but it is being delayed until May. The Boy Scouts acknowledged the delay saying the issue of sexual orientation was too complex and needed more time for study.

The approximately 1,400 voting members of the national council will take action on the resolution at the national meeting in May in Grapevine, Texas. The move came amid declining membership, questions by corporate sponsors and public pressure from activists who oppose the current national ban.

“Today the Boy Scouts of America have chosen to remain irrelevant by delaying the vote,” said James Dale, who was expelled from the Scouts in 1990 for being openly gay. “For over 23 years, since I was expelled from the Scouts, I have held out hope that the Boy Scouts would end their discriminatory policy. With each passing day the Scouts will continue to lose members, sponsors and funding. No parent or child should associate with an organization that sends a toxic message telling children they are immoral if they are gay.”

GLAAD, the nation’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender advocacy group, condemned the decision to wait. “An organization that serves youth and chooses to intentionally hurt dedicated young people and hard-working parents not only flies in the face of American principles, but the principles of being a Boy Scout,” GLAAD President Herndon Graddick stated.

“The Boy Scouts of America is choosing to ignore the cries of millions, including religious institutions, current Scouting families, and corporate sponsors, but these cries will not be silenced. We’re living in a culture where hurting young gay people because of who they are is unpopular and discriminatory. They had the chance to end the pain this ban has caused to young people and parents; they chose to extend the pain.”

Those seeking to keep the ban were also vocal. A majority of the Boy Scout organizations are sponsored by local churches, many of which have religious objections to homosexuals.

President Obama even weighted in on the issue: “My attitude is that gays and lesbians should have access and opportunity the same way everybody else does in every institution and walk of life,” said Obama, who as U.S. president is the honorary president of BSA.

Whatever happens, I am glad that they are having this discussion. I hope the message they send with their decision is one of inclusion and diversity.

Spice69man is a Los Angeles-based writer and designer. Be sure to check out the latest T-Shirts for sale here, including Marriage Equality and  Rock the Kilt lines. They make great gifts for friends, family and loved ones.

 

When Country Goes Pop

It may be criticized by critics and genre-purists, but when country artists go pop they often hit gold (as in gold records). Some have been more successful than others, but as long as people have varied influences and backgrounds, it will continue to happen. For some reason, women have been more successful at it than the men. So here’s my list of artists who have straddled the lines between country and pop:

Taylor Swift
She’s had her foot in both genres from the beginning of her career. She has won MTV awards and country music awards too. Her latest CD “Red” is pure pop. Essential songs: “You Belong to Me,” “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” and “Teardrops on My Guitar.”

Shania Twain
When she hooked up with producer Robert John “Mutt” Lange, she went from nobody to country pop diva. He brought his wall-of sound production skills that he used for Def Leppard and Foreigner and took her to the next level. Essential songs: “Still the One,” “Up,” and “Man! I Feel like a Woman!”

Faith Hill
Another pretty lady who can sing, she has had big hits on both the pop and country charts. Plus she’s married to country hunk Tim McGraw too. She’s done some acting too, but at heart she’s still a ‘Mississippi Girl.’ Essential songs: “This Kiss,” “Breathe” and “The Way You Love Me.”

Lady Antebellum
Their first CD had more of a country feel, but when they went more pop they got more popular and won a few Grammys too. This trio with their great vocal blend has had major success in the last few years. Essential songs: “Need You Now,” “Just a Kiss” and “Run to You.”

LeAnn Rimes
Dianne Warren is a great songwriter. She has written for tons of great female vocalists over the years. When LeAnn sang some of her songs for the movie “Coyote Ugly”, the result was a hit record and a sort of coming out for the ground-up more mature LeAnn. Essential songs: “Can’t Fight the Moonlight,” “How Do I Live” and “I Need You.”

Keith Urban
Described as country for people that don’t like county music, this wonder from down under is one of the new judges on “American Idol” this season. He’s obviously been influenced by a lot of rock musicians. Essential songs: “Making Memories of Us,” “Once in a Lifetime” and “You’ll Think of Me.”

Tim McGraw
More country than pop, he had had some success crossing over. He’s done duets with Def Leppard and Nelly, plus is married to Faith Hill. He’s also dabbled in acting. Essential songs: “Over and Over,” “Live Like We’re Dyin” and “Real Good Man.”

Kenny Rogers
Back in the 80’s, he had an incredible run of hit singles on both the country and pop charts. Plus one of his biggest hits was written by Lionel Richie. Essential songs: “Lady,” “The Gambler” and “Islands in the Stream.”

Dolly Parton
Sure she had humble beginnings, but Dolly has also made her mark in Hollywood too, with her outrageous clothes and wigs and self-deprecating humor. She dueted with Kenny Rogers on one of country-pop’s biggest hits (written by the Bee Gees by the way). Essentials songs: “9 to 5,” “Here You Come Again” and “I Will Always Love You.”

Tammy Wynette
Her left-field collaboration with the British electronica group The KLF “Justifed and Ancient” earns her a spot here. Nobody could have predicted the “Stand By Your Man” singer would have a hit with this strange, but entertaining song.

Rascal Flatts
Another county trio, this one made up of 3 guys. They have also been influenced by classic rock. Jay DeMarcus even produced an album for the band Chicago. Plus they have covered AC/DC and Bon Jovi in their concerts. Essential songs: “God Bless the Broken Road,” “What Hurts the Most” and “Life Is a Highway.”

Carrie Underwood
The biggest star to emerge from “American Idol,” she had found great success straddling the line between the 2 genres. She even famously performed with Aerosmith at the Grammys. Essentials songs: “Before He Cheats,” “Last Name” and “Jesus Take the Wheel.”

Spice69man is a Los Angeles-based writer and designer. Be sure to check out the latest T-Shirts for sale here, including Marriage Equality and  Rock the Kilt lines. They make great gifts for friends, family and loved ones.

Top Ten Places to Wear a Kilt

As long time readers of this blog, you should know that one of my favorite items of clothing is my kilt. I am often seen around town wearing it. Yes, it took some getting used to… but now I barely give it a second thought when I put it on. So hear are the Top Ten places to wear a kilt:

1. Concerts: You can be as dressy or playful with it as you want. I have worn it to fancy Christmas concerts (with sweater, shirt and tie), and to big arena rock shows like Lady GaGa too (with my mesh shirt). Great for dancing, and shows that you like to have a bit of a edge too.
2. Nightclub: Did I mention it is confortable? And again shows off a man’s legs nicely and gets people guessing about what you are or are not wearing under it. I have heard of plenty of women buying drinks for guys in kilts. (Somebody’s got to be into that… now if it was cute guys… now that’s another story)
3. Dinner Party: Dressier than jeans, but not as dressy as slacks, with a nice shirt and tie, you will be good to go. A great conversation starter, people take notice and love to ask what it’s all about. Hey, it’s comfortable, I’m artsy… I’m Scottish, etc.
4. Wedding: Only did this once, and it was a gay wedding too. But it was a nice warm day, and I made sure that I coordinated the outfit with my partners. If they ever bring back gay marriage in California, I want to be married in one.
5. The Mall: This I do on the regular…. Window shopping, going out to the movies/dinner, maybe even doing some real shopping too. I look good, and know that I make it work.
   

Why We Deserve To Be Married

It seems fitting that I publish this post this week, given what is happening with the Supreme Court. It was originally written for the Courage Campaign, in response to why we deserve marriage equality.

My partner and I am have been together for 24 years. It hasn’t always been easy, but we love each other and are committed to our relationship.  We still make each other laugh, and we enjoy each other’s company. We are each other’s best friend.

We came together in the age of AIDS and watched as friends died off. We have seen societal changes in gay acceptance… from people being afraid of gays and wishing they could change — to today, when it is seen as just something that is and not something that needs to be fixed or cured. Not everyone is straight and that is OK.

We shop together, go to the movies, go on hikes, do all the normal stuff that all couples do. We recently had a scary episode where my partner passed out at a friend’s place… we ended up in the emergency room that night. I was able to sit by his bedside as they tried to find out what was wrong. I was glad that I could be there for him and not out waiting in the lobby.

This incident just confirmed what I already know. I love this man, he is my life partner. I don’t want to live my life without him.

Our relationship is special and I would love to marry my partner. We missed our chance to get married when it was legal in 2008… I never thought it would be taken away so easily. I long for the day when we can make it legal in the state of California. And to celebrate that special day with family and friends.

Sincerely,

Daniel LaVenture

Spice69man is a Los Angeles-based writer and designer. Be sure to check out the latest T-Shirts for sale here, including Marriage Equality and  Rock the Kilt lines. They make great gifts for friends, family and loved ones.

Innocence and ‘In Your Face’

I have had this title for a while, and I am finally tackling it. It was said to my partner by a friend after spending the day with me at the gay pride parade. He was referring to me when he said it. I laughed when I heard it, and I agree with it.

Hollywood Bowl 2013

People are complex. You can love your family and love violent video games. You can sing in the church choir but love heavy metal in the car. You can love eating a burger one day, and salads the rest of the week. I can love men, and love God.

I grew up in a strict Catholic household. We went to church every Sunday and holy day, plus I went to Catholic school for 13 years too. For grammar school, we had to wear uniforms. For high school, we had a strict dress code.

Sometimes I do like pressing buttons like my idol, Madonna. She has always been one to question the norm. She wore her underwear on the outside, with rosaries and crucifixes hanging down. She has danced and posed provocatively for the camera and on stage.

So as for me, I can be dressed in dockers and a dress shirt for work, and then I enjoy walking down Santa Monica Blvd in my Speedos for Gay Pride. I can be in jeans and a polo shirt some days, and other days I am in my kilt with a concert T-shirt and  a Mohawk. These are all the sides of what makes me Dan.

Am I doing something to be  ‘in your face’? Maybe. Nothing wrong with giving them something to talk about as the song says. When I wear my Speedos at the pool at the gym, that is expected. When I wear them to the pool at the apartment, it is a little different but still not unexpected. When I wear them to take the trash out when it’s 110 degrees in the Valley, then I am being a bit in your face. But hey, it’s hot! And hey, it’s me! Just being comfortable in my opinion. I don’t think they would want me to do that naked!

With the kilt, it is all about me being me. It just fits me. I am comfortable and feel good about myself.  I know it is not “the norm” but why should I be normal? I fought so hard over the years to fit in… when I realized I was born to stand out! I can dress very rocker kilt guy with boots and mesh shirt one day, and then I can dress it up with a shirt and tie and dress shoes for going to church.

As for the innocence thing, well, I think that goes back to me being sort of a shy and quiet person. I was never one to slut around, and I have been in a relationship for over 24 years. But hey, I enjoy flirting from time to time, and being sexy too. I still know who is going to be in my bed at night!

So I will keep living my life and giving people something to talk about. As Madonna says “Poor is the man whose pleasure depends on the permission of another.” So if you see me strutting down the street in a camo kilt with a shaved head, just know that I am comfortable in my own skin. I hope you are too.

Spice69man is a Los Angeles-based writer and designer. Be sure to check out the latest T-Shirts for sale here, including Marriage Equality and  Rock the Kilt lines. They make great gifts for friends, family and loved ones.

Who Will Win American Idol 2013?

So we are into the Top Ten on American Idol. This is where the competition really gets interesting. Sure, Idol is the older statemen of all singing competitions, but it is still the best of them. Let me remind you, we are at season 12 here. The Voice (3 seasons), The X Factor (2 seasons) have yet to yield the level of talent or cultural relevance, that Idol had by Season 3 (Kelly Clarkson, Clay Aiken, Ruben Studdard, Fantasia, Jennifer Hudson). Here’s my take who will win the crown for Season 12 (and the order they will leave the competition from 9 to 1):

9. Paul Jolley — He’s described himself as wanting to be the male version of Taylor Swift, doing country pop. While I think there is room in the market for someone like that, I don’t think he is it.

8. Devin Velez — He’s got several things going for him: cute, hispanic and nice voice. He’s been making poor song choices though. I would love to see him let loose more and have some fun.

7. Lazaro Arbos — Cute, stuttering boy has gotten a lot of mileage from his back story. Not sure it will carry him very far. Uneven so far in the vocal department. He may be this season’s Sanjaya.

6. Janelle Arthur — Country has done well in this competition. Her voice does seem to be a bit of a throwback to Patsy Cline. But then again, that is not what is selling in country now.

5. Burnell Taylor — He is definitely a very distinctive singer, and that is a good thing. He might be too mellow for his own good though. He should try some more uptempo numbers.

4. Kree Harrison — Not sure exactly where she is headed, she loves country, rock, blues. But she is good at all of them. Still not seeing a star, even if her voice says otherwise.

3. Amber Holcomb — Another big voiced young woman. If she believes in herself, she will go far. Unfortunately, she is pretty, and the cards are stacked against pretty girls going all the way on Idol.

2. Angie Miller — She’s a singer/songwriter type, and is best when she stays in her lane. We’ll see how she adapts to the theme weeks. She has the appeal of the girl next door.

1. Candice Glover — I remember Candice from her tryouts in past seasons. This is definitely her time, and I am glad she came back. She is a powerhouse, and the one who is “in it to win it” as Randy says. Her take on songs by Mary J. Blige and Jordin Sparks were both excellent. I look forward to hearing her album!

So that’s my predictions! Please sound off and let me know what you think.

Spice69man is a Los Angeles-based writer and designer. Be sure to check out the latest T-Shirts for sale here, including Marriage Equality and  Rock the Kilt lines. They make great gifts for friends, family and loved ones.