Rafael's day with TMRC - video version

https://www.thecef.world/single-post/2019/09/28/TMRC-0009-w-Rafael-Noble



Finally got the video version of this one up at the CEF.  Lively fun stuff between Rafael and myself.  Hope you will patronize our effort.

theCEF.world

Drummer/Musician and Podcast Dude!

https://www.thecef.world/single-post/2019/09/24/Tomorrowman-on-Pluto-Radio



This is pretty cool for me... Many have figured out that I play a rather involved role at both LeeCrismanRadio (currently off the air) as well as Pluto Radio for my weird-space uncle Lee Crisman.  Well, Andrew Orozco, who happens to play drums w/ the Dresden Cowboy, as well as any to come bands that I sing with, and, it just so happens he also does a brilliant podcast.  Well, we are trying to line it up for Andrew to do shows on PlutoRadio.com, and, so, I guess, this is just my happy announcement of adding him into the mix.  He's a really interesting guy to listen to, I hope you will support us at both TomorrowMan, and theCEF.

My best!

Welcome Kurt McDonald to the Band

https://www.thecef.world/single-post/2019/09/23/Welcome-Kurt-McDonald-to-the-band



John Reneaud Music welcomes Kurt McDonald to the band.  Kurt will perform as the band's lead guitar/guitar player.  We expect to have new performance dates for late October, early November.

Seeking Guitar Player the The Dresden Cowboy Band

https://www.thecef.world/single-post/2019/09/20/Shopping-for-Guitar-Player-in-LA

Trying this musician's service BandMix...  Moan Red and Anthony Bernal have not renewed their contract with John Reneaud Music: AKA the Dresden Cowboy.  I hope to find an amazing player, I will also be adding a keyboard player to the band - and, first of the year I will be re-branding my musical endeavor - all for the better!


Anyone can see my BandMix page at the following.

https://www.bandmix.com/john-reneaud/

My version of Kick in the Head

https://www.thecef.world/single-post/2019/09/04/Aint-That-a-Kick-in-the-Head



As many of you know, I sing three nights a week with world famous Marty and Elayne at the Dresden in Hollywood.  As a homage to them I sometimes post songs referred to as American standards...  This is one of those songs.  I post them exclusively on a YouTube channel titled Drinking with Walter.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNpWR_Qj0hM8lNyfkC6TkLw

It's fun to sing these songs, and, truthfully, working around Marty and Elayne is were I got my first appreciation for them.

Enjoy!

The Call

https://www.thecef.world/single-post/2019/08/27/The-Call---in-



The following blurb is the official CEF promo of what's going on with this project... "Richard Dally (as Dylan) contemplates his impending demise in Laurence Moore's production of his digital short film titled, The Call.  theCEF.world is assisting Mr. Moore's development of this project."  The thing is, my friend Laurence has a brilliant eye for film and story telling, however, he does not have the means to create the vision he holds in his head, therefore, I have extended whatever skill and tools I possess on behalf of this effort.  The call is a well written short film about a young fellow having to face his own mortality.  Basically, I'm shooting the project and assisting in the production of this one.  I have really enjoyed working with Rich and Laurence on this.  And, over the next month, or two, I expect we have two more days of shooting.

As always... I will keep you posted with the outcome.  And you can always check in with what's going on at the home for all my projects at theCEF.world

Near and Dear...

https://www.thecef.world/single-post/2019/08/15/Kobras-Show-at-Los-Globos



This one's near and dear to me... My son has been producing music for the past several years produced his first live EDM (sort of EDM, mostly EDM) show at Los Globos in Silverlake CA!

Here's some video that I shot at the event - cut into a compelling montage of all the performances.

You can see more video work like this at my place - theCEF.world

Enjoy.

TMRC with Rafael Noble'

https://www.thecef.world/single-post/2019/07/29/TMRC-00009



Soundcloud version of my show...  Rafael's one of the most insightful cats on the planet!  I'd say this is a good listen, but, my ego tells me everything I do is at least a good listen!

https://soundcloud.com/themobileradiocarnival

Enjoy.

Video version of TMRC 0008 hosted by John Reneaud

https://www.thecef.world/single-post/2019/07/22/TMRC-00008-Birgitta-Baker-Video-Version

Fantastic Dresden Cowboy show in Hollywood...

https://www.thecef.world/single-post/2019/07/20/Fantastic-show-this-week-in-Hollywood



Regarding the Dresden 07-15 show.  "Thank you to Moan Red, Anthony Bernal, Dominic Martinez, and, Andrew Orozco (the band), and to everyone who showed up to support us last night. It was a fantastic, almost mystical experience (and, I might add, a great debut of my motorcycle pants). My best to all. And thank you to Mark @ the Dresden for supporting live music..."  -  John Reneaud

TMRC 00006 w/ Terry McCoy

Working with John DiFusco, again...

I shot an independent movie with Mr. DiFusco back in the nineties.  Today we started work on a new music video for my Dresden Cowboy catalogue.  We took a break at Tio's Tacos in Riverside.

Last Night's Show at the Dresden in Hollywood...

A Priest, a Rabbi, and a Nun...

Worked with Ken Fischman yesterday in the pilot production of his show titled A Priest, a Rabbi, and a Nun...  I played Soloman car salesman looking for absolution for lusting after a nun.

So, Happy Birthday to Me...

Birthday celebration for Frank and me 1989... I'm guessing.

Okay, so last week I celebrated yet another birthday - me, David Bowie, Elvis, Cecillie Arcari. and Mike, one of the owners of the Faculty Bar in Los Angeles. we all share January 8th.  So interesting that we mark our annual spin around the planet in the manner which we do.  My lovely wife asked me what I wanted for my birthday.  She suggested that she never knows what to get me...  So I pondered.  Well knowing that what I actually wanted we could not afford with our combined income, Regardless, I felt it fair to answer her inquiry.  And, as silly as it sounds, I dug deep and really questioned - "a can opener," was my response.  Now, admittedly, my wife considers me a bit of a smart ass (this may surprise anyone who knows us), so, she immediately questioned me on my choice.  Actually, she first laughed and then questioned me on my choice.  Only, I was dead serious.  The opener we had in our household at the time was a cheap, two dollar opener I bought some five or six years back, and, it is exceedingly difficult to use.  It pains the muscles in my hand, and, often, the top of the can distorts and does not properly open, also, it is an unbelievably slow process.  Late night tuna fish was a huge difficulty to facilitate, so, instead, I was opting for peanut butter and bananas with honey.  I digress.  I just wanted an opener that worked.  "Not electric," I told her.  "Just something that works."  Is that too much to ask?

I am happy to report, I got two can openers for my birthday this year.  Neither electric.  Both work exceedingly well.  Now I can eat tuna fish while ranting about my recent dreams late night on Facebook.  How wonderful it all turned out this year.  So, happy birthday to me.  I threw the old opener into the trash yesterday.

Dear Diary ..

Dear diary...  I had a dream last night, and, in that dream I was co-starring in a movie with Kurt Russell along with Barbara and Richard Reneaud (my parents).  I was driving a distressed old tan Plymouth Fury up a big hill in a large studio building on a movie set, and, we were all having a blast.   I don't remember much more, except it felt like the I Love Lucy episode where the Riccardos moved to L.A.,.  As a parting note, I would mention that I was surprised I got along with Mr. Russell - don't know why, but In my dream I remember thinking that.  (Oh, boy, I hope no one can ever see this entry, I'm afraid people might think it more strange then even my Aesthetically Incorrect Photography.)  Oh well, have a grand day dear diary.

http://www.plutoradio.com

alternative music, mostly rock..

A still shot from the film Happy Hour from back in the day.

I've worked as an actor for a good many years - on stage it was mostly black box theatre, and, I've always managed to find roles in films (usually outside of mainstream).  Mostly, I have enjoyed every outing.  Here's a shot of a character I played back in the nineties in a feature length movie titled Happy Hour.  It was shot in Michigan by an upstart company made up of mostly Northern Michigan graduates.  The director was this German fellow (Soren Shumaker) who's resemblance to Arnold Schwarzenegger was uncanny.  This film also featured a bunch of my favorite Michigan actors...  (Dan Jarslow, Harry Wetzle, Jim Porterfield, Ed Oldoni, Michale Talon, just to name a few).  Happy Hour also gave me the opportunity to work with Mr. John DiFusco - of Tracer's fame, which was great.   Above is one of my personal favorite still shots from my work as an actor.  I also enjoyed working on Kenneth Guertin's movie The Incorporated (Alan Freeling, pictured below). Both movies were shot in Michigan within the same year, which, I always considered a fantastic run since these two characters are quite different, and the movies were different as well.  One film is a dark comedy, the second a thriller.  A year previous to the shooting these lead characters I was given the opportunity to play Ranger Tony in Gary Jones' cult classic Mosquito.  It was a small role in which I avoided giant mosquitoes for a bit, but, eventually, two of the bastards pinned me to an oak tree and sucked me dry!  I got to perform some cool action scenes, it was tons of fun to work on, with, yet again, some of my favorite Michigan actors (Tim, Ron, Rachel...)...  Admittedly, much of my work as an actor in film projects has been lost to oblivion for what ever reason (Happy Hour is on a lonely shelf in Germany, The Incorporated is on a dusty shelf in Burbank), and it is said that success is all about "Timing" - well, after producing my own work I now really appreciate how difficult making and getting an audience interested in a movie can truly be.  Also the number of elements that come in to play is simply amazing.  Regardless, since I am at the beginning of my latest production, I thought it would be nice to give credit to some of the hometown filmmakers who have both provided me with an opportunity to work (thank you guys), and, have given me insight into the production aspects of movie making.  I would also like to mention that Ken Guertin is having a premier for his new movie "Antisocial Behavior." It is a thriller that one reviewer called "A truly twisted journey into a reality bending smorgasbord of surrealism body horror and nightmare inducing hallucinatory imagery..."  Antisocial Behavior at the Laemmle Music Hall on Dec 12th.  I'm sure to be there if I can find a way out of working that night.

Putting an end to my Aesthetically Incorrectness, well, at least for now...

Optics are amazing... I'm always baffled at what a difference the lens makes.  The shot with the cherry in one of two martini glasses with a third glass in the background was shot on a variable zoom lens and the focal length allows for a longer field of vision when compared to the shot below - fixed 50mm lens - a very tight field of vision.  Also, each lens allows for a difference in the amount of light into the camera.  I'd like to believe this all confounds me, but, rather it is a simple fixation with the relationship of things viewed through these contrived devices...  I merely make this note as a courtesy to those who have been kind enough to patronize my less-than-photographic genius, as, unfortunately, time dictates that I conclude with my Aesthetically Incorrect Photography series.  Yes, it is no doubt a striking blow in the face of almost true art, yet, keep in mind, it is as they say, all good things must come to an end.  Besides, I'm officially in production on my somewhat new film project (making rough looking bed legs for cheap motel scenes and driving to distant Mojave desert locations will be taking up much of my time.  Oh, and of course begging favors from everyone I know so I can complete this project...  And hopefully, somehow, still have time for my lovely family.).

A portion of the aforementioned Aesthetically Incorrect Photography series can be seen at http://johnreneaud.blogspot.com/2013/10/the-pursuit-of-better-framing-brings.html

Ilya and Johnny talking Iltalian ..

Okay, just because Ilya and Johnny know how to laugh...  I thought I'd add a bit of titling to this shot, and, it is perhaps the first in a series of One Framed Films by resident virtual artist Dresden Tony.  The log line is as follows: 

Two very different men desperately struggle to understand and get along with each other over the foreboding regions of an undisclosed cocktail bar...  One, a dashing upcoming Ultimate Fighter, a lover of whiskey and of the world, the other, a debonair singer-of-opera, a lover of wine, women, and song.  They both share only one thing in common, they are both... almost gumbas! 

FINITO.

'




 

My Friend Will Lovell III

Okay... Today, I'm doubling up.  For those who don't know I do work at the Dresden which is this amazing Hollywood landmark.  I work with Marty and Elayne, doing promotions and various things, regardless, a friend of mine passed to the unexpected surprise of drowning in the Bahamas due to ugly circumstance.  Therefore, I've posted the following on the Dresden Blogger page, and, feel compelled to pass along the info of Mr. Lovell here on my personal blog.  In ways he was beyond charming, he was an everyman with really cool vibe!  http://www.reverbnation.com/willlovelliii

A shot of Will from his Facebook - he jammed on that bass!

I would have to say I was lucky to end up with my gig at the Dresden when it came to me...  Mostly, at first, due to the fact that it was a job and like many Americans I was really in need of work at the time.  So, my wife's friend, who happened to be the wife of one of the owners, indicated that one of the doormen at the Dresden had been hospitalized and her husband needed a doorman for a month.  And, as life would have it, my schedule was wide open, so I offered to cover for the doorman who was out due to illness.  It was just weekends for a month.  Regardless, on my last night as doorman the then manager of the Dresden decided to move on, and, to my surprise, Jim, the owner/manager offered the position of Maitre d' to me.

Will w/ Fans @ the Dresden

The Point is ...  I've worked the Dresden now for just over three years, which, most importantly has allowed me the good fortune to meet an amazing number of relevant and interesting people - damn close to 96 percent I have enjoyed meeting and getting to know.  A luxury of the position. (the four percent is a discussion for another day).  Fast forward to this week when a lady I never met forwarded me an email indicating that Will Lovell had drowned in the Bahamas on Wednesday, November 6th.  Sad and tragic news indeed for us, both patron and employee.  Aside from being a large, gregarious, humorous character, Will Lovell III was great with a story, and, an accomplished bass player who loved performing along with Marty and Elayne here @ the Dresden.  It is out of respect for this once brilliant shinning light I have posted several photos of Will in this post.  Will was a joyful man, as I believe you can see from his smile.  Due to his size, and, more importantly, the size of his personality, I always thought of him as a charming Viking with a musical heart (and, obviously a bass in hand).  Sincere sympathies to all.  He will be missed.