Lullabies and Grampa Jake

As a part of the interview with ABC's Peter Travers, Jake was asked to sing a song. Travers told him whatever came to mind and even threw him a softball, and said something from Damn Yankees. Jake's choice a lullaby.



This is not the first time he has mention this song. He talking about The Fox, when he as talking to the KCRW around the promotion of Brothers. He talked about how he was influenced by his parents’ musical tastes and "repaid the favor with a Guest DJ set dedicated entirely to family – from the folk song that his dad sang him to sleep to the live track that makes him sob on set."

He talks about crying when listening to the River while on the set of Brothers and what the song reminds him of: "I think a lot of it has to do with, it’s connection to my family, listening to Bruce Springsteen when I was a kid with my dad. My first concert I ever went to was the Born in the USA tour concert and I remember being with my father. I just think the story between father and son and the complications between those two positions in a family has always been a huge thing in my life." It is not the first time Jake's use The River as part of his process, it was an important piece back when he debuted on the London Stage for This is our Youth.

Next is the song he sang for Peter Travers. The Fox by Burl Ives. "My father used to sing this to me -- and I love Burl Ives just as a character, just as a musician -- and when I was a little kid we were robbed outside of our house. We were driving home, we pulled up and we were robbed and ever since I was always really nervous about falling asleep, you know, naturally, and so my dad would sing this to me before I’d go to bed.
My father, has this guild guitar, which he still has, beautiful kind of mahogany color, and again it comes back to my father who was a big musical influence on me when I was a kid and continues to be."

Then it was a song connected to his mother. Inchworm by Danny Kaye. "So I would say “Inchworm,” would be my next choice because Danny Kaye was and is still a HUGE influence on me as an actor and a performer. I just watched him so much when I was a kid and he had this love of entertaining, I think I’ve heard also about him this real love of children and caring for them, and you can tell that it in this song. Just like, wonderful, wonderful movies, “Five Pennies,” and “The Court Jester,” and then “Hans Christian Anderson,” which this song is from. My mother was a big Danny Kaye fan and would always play me these movies. She is, in fact, the person who always calls me up and is like, *imitating his mother’s voice* ‘You should redo “The Court Jester!"

Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso "And this in particular, I’m taken so many places with this song. It really broke me out as a kid into the emotions and the intensity of classical music. This is another one of those things where I just remember being in the car and this is something that my father played me."

And lastly "Father and Son" by Loudon Wainwright. "This song somehow encompasses, I guess, what I was saying about family. At the very end, Loudon Wainwright says “Maybe its hate, probably its love.” Man, *chuckles*, that sort of says it. And I think, somehow, the fact that he’s the patriarch of this family that is so kind of extraordinary is something to look up to, something to admire. They are, I know at least publicly, they have complications and are open about it and it’s wonderful because we all try and pretend like everything’s ok, or that things are perfect or try to make them the way they’re ‘supposed to be,’ quote unquote, and I think this song is really about him being as honest as he can about his relationship with his son and just loving him deeply."

While the movie Brothers was about family, Jake was saying much more than just that when he did shared these songs.

As for Grampa Jake? This could be him in twenty years or thirty with Hollywood medicine. What is it? It's a 18" prototype of a Dastan statue for $300.00. The interchangable arms come free. (Kotaku)

VH (#)1?

Jake might have gone on the radio to talk about his favorite music.

But is Austin telling is who one of his favorite bands is?


On his FOREHEAD???????



Uh Uh Uh.... yeah .... Van Halen. Wonder if he's a Diamond Dave Guy or Sammy fan? Wait what am I thinking! It's gotta be Sammy, we're talking the guy who loves his tequila, and probably Sammy's too. (Now you know what goes through my twisted head while I'm watching OTH)


Reminder: Jake is on Jimmy Kimmel (ABC check local listings) tonight. You think anyone slipped Jimmy an embarrassing video of Jake from high school too?

And on Sesame Street tomorrow next Friday on PBS (check local listings)
Sorry about the date mix up. I thought it was Dec 4. the correct date is December 11.

Hmm you know this is better than a few of his choices of chapeaus. But maybe a little too clingy.


Don't forget: To kick off the holidays, OMG's 2nd Annual Cooking Klatch Friday December 11th.

Photos: Austin Nichols Journal (Thanks Spooky and Vesperlynd), OMG Screencaps, Sesame Street

Sister Sister

Jake and Austin have co-starred with some of the same people, Jake's worked with his own sister, but did know you they've co-starred with sisters?

The Deschanel Sisters.

Most will remember Zooey in Good Girl as the Cheryl who worked at the Rodeo Round Up, and her overhead announcements , make over tips, and her unique way of saying thank you to the customers.


And then of course the musical routine she and Jake did for Sundance.



But did you know that Emily Deschanel was in Glory Road with Austin? She played Mary Haskins, Coach Don Haskin's (Josh Lucas) wife.

We know that Austin loved Zooey's latest movie 500 Days of Summer from his recent . Wonder if he's a fan of former co-star Emily's show Bones?


Musical Mystery Tour Day 2

Fran Healy and Andy Dunlap from the band Travis performed at an event "billed as 'An Evening with Fran Healy and Andy Dunlop from Travis: A Chronological Acoustic Journey Through the Travis Back Catalogue- Laugh Out Loud Stories, Scottish Accents, Handsome Scottish Men, Naked Torsos.' "

During the course of the show they gave the back story to their music. And in the course the evening Jake was mentioned as inspiration.

The question is which Travis song was inspired by Jake? (I'm trying to figure this one out too.)

Check out this review and see if there are any clues to the answer.

Fran Healy & Andy Dunlop from Travis at The Swedish American Hall, 10/8/09

Who's and Where's

Whole lot of Austin today and it's a boatload and it's not even Austin Friday, and its all about the who but the where too.

First - a shout out to Spooky2th over at Austin Nichols Journal who posted two great posts.

A great color portrait of Austin by during his high hair JFC'ing complete with big blue.
Is that rattlesnake or a diamond back wrapped around his waist.

And the next a clip from the cast of One Tree Hill. Austin talks about Chad Michael Murray's directorial debut.
Something about this little clip feels familiar, hmmm who else does it remind me of?




Now for the wheres.

It's that time of year again, when music, movies, and interactive descend on funky Austin for 10 day feast for the eyes and ears.

SXSW 2009 - opens tomorrow starting with movies first. SXSW is chance for filmmakers to debut some films to get the recognition they deserve but get lost in the crush of the industry. While also bringing in some industry film debuts, and young Texas filmmakers to create an array of filmmaking from the entire spectrum. Movies that have gotten some pre SXSW buzz include: The Horseman, Humpday, Make-Out With Violence, Best Worst Movie, Observe and Report, Grace, Made in China, We Live in Public, Ong Bak 2, Sin Nombre, Anvil! The Story of Anvil, Lesbian Vampire Killers, True Adolescents, and The Hurt Locker. And one other movie who's premise caught my eye, Moon, starring Sam Rock well, the story a contract worker for a corporation with a mining base on the far side of the moon. And after three years of working in the cramped base, Sam is about to go home — but not before some strange, strange situations begin to emerge around him. Now he must question everything about his own existence in order to find a way back home. It sounds familiar to another moon project doesn't it.

And then something really cool. Metropolis with Original, Live Score - The Golden Hornet Project is presenting a special film event, the playing of Fritz Lang’s 1927 classic silent masterpiece Metropolis with the live, original score, on Wed. 18th. What cinephile wouldn't want to see that?

And music. SXSW's has had that cover for 22 years, and this year is no different.
Among some of the expected highlights: some of the first live shows from Ben Harper’s new band, the Relentless7; the first SXSW appearance by Scottish folk-rock favorites the Proclaimers; reunion shows from ‘80s faves Devo and Echo and the Bunnymen; and the debut performances of Tinted Windows, a pop-rock supergroup featuring current and former members of Cheap Trick, Smashing Pumpkins, Fountains of Wayne and Hanson. (Can't make that up, and it is one one of the hottest tickets.) The Decemberists debut their entire new album, The Hazards of Love, along with performances by K'Naan, The Heartless Bastards, Circle Jerks and hot and emerging bands.

Every year, artists appearing at SXSW offer a track for free public consumption and this year brings the largest collection of music so far—over 5GB of MP3s (1,045 tracks at last count and more are reportedly on the way). If you’d like to sample some of this music while sitting at your computer, check out the SXSW ’09 Music Player. (Wicked - deep breath, you have plenty of time to download it all).

Now my question is, there always to seem a little "no one's around/no one's in town" around this time of year and we have speculated before that maybe a trip for some southern exposure may bring spring for some. Do you think that there could be a little blending in a big crowd and enjoying a little home cooking and some good Tex Mex, some movies, music, and some Magnetic magic a possibility? You know I've heard there's great biking there too.

Name that tune - OMG 's first music discussion

Music. Music. Music. Is there anyone who doesn't love music? But what kind do you love? Classical? Jazz? Country? Musicals? Blues? Classic Rock & Roll? Old School Rap? R&B? 70's Funk? 60's soul? Disco? Polka? Soul? Punk? Dance? Alternative? Pop? Hip Hop? 80's? Grunge? Techno? Zydeco?

What you listening at the moment? What's on the Ipod? What are those desert island albums? Your all time favorites? You guilty pleasures? What do you sing in the shower? What songs makes you want to dance or sing or get pumped up? What's your go to for karaoke or Rock Band? What's that first album, cd, or download that you heard that changed it all?

Music change lives, it brings people together.

So join us and let us know what you love about music.

M& M's

With Destiny's suggestion that with all the Austin this month (think she was feverish) that maybe move the JFC discussion to February and with the enthusiastic response over a music discussion it looks like for January will do Move & Music this month.

OMG Movie Club will be Friday night January 23rd - Saturday January 24th

The question is - what movie? The Dying Gaul, with Peter, Campbell Scott and Patrica Clarkson, the "always the bridesmaid never the the bride" of OMG Movie Club(thanks again Dest) has been suggested and also The Good Girl, Jake's film with Jennifer Aniston.

Which one would like? Or are there any other suggestions?

We Music

To celebrate a fifth weekend in January OMG is getting down to discussing music. Friday night January 30 and Saturday January 31 will be all about music. Don't be shy come and join and talk about your favorites, what you are listening to now, songs you love way too much, your absolute worse songs ever, and those guilty pleasures that you would rather not admit liking so much.



Movies

Music

and candy....

OMG would like to extend our thoughts, prayers, support to Jersey Tom in the loss of his sister. May your best memories of her be your comfort. We here at OMG are there for you Tom. Sending out our biggest hugs and giving you a shoulder to lean on.

Outspotlight XXXII

On April 26, 2008 Rufus Wainwright was presented the Stephen F. Kolzak Award to Rufus Wainwright. The Stephen F. Kolzak Award is presented to an openly lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender media professional who has made a significant difference in promoting equal rights for the LGBT community. But it is more than just coming out after gaining success, Rufus Wainwright is one of the first male musicians to rise to fame while living an openly gay life.

Born in 1973 to folk singers Loundon Wainwright III and Kate McCarrigle, it didn't take long to know that he was going to go into the family business. "It was painfully obvious to everyone from the age of about two," Rufus recalls. "I was banging on the piano, banging on pots, putting on top hats. I think everyone knew right away." Music mixed with comedy and drama and stirred with passion his life could be written in a cross between folksongs and arias, and in a way a good description of his songwriting and music.

Photo: NY Times

His parents divorcing when he was a child, he lived with his mother in Montreal for most of his youth. Both a U.S and Canadian citizen. He attended high school at the Millbrook School in New York (which would later inspire his song "Millbrook") and later briefly studied piano at Concordia and McGill Universities in Montreal. He began playing the piano at age six and started touring at thirteen with "The McGarrigle Sisters and Family" (a folk group featuring Rufus, his sister Martha, his mother Kate, and aunt Anna. His song "I'm A-Runnin", which he performed in the movie Tommy Tricker and the Stamp Traveler, earned him a nomination for a 1989 Genie Award(for Best Original Song). He was also nominated for a 1990 Canadian Juno Award (for Most Promising Male Vocalist of the Year).

Rufus came out as a teenager, and has said many times in interview, he could never be in the closet because he's a terrible liar. His parents may have recognized that his son was gay, but could not handle him being gay. "We never talked about it really." He lived in fear he had been infected with the AIDS virus after he was sexually assaulted at the age of 14 when he was attacked in London's Hyde Park after picking up a man in a bar. Claiming that he survived only by pretending to be an epileptic and faking a seizure. In one interview he commented his first homosexual experience traumatized him so much, became chaste. In another interview he mentioned embarking on a promiscuous spree. He says, "I had a string of straight boyfriends. "Guys I would occasionally have sex with, maybe only make out with, but never be allowed to say they were my boyfriend."

But it has always been the music. Through weekly shows at Cafe Sarajevo in Montreal, Wainwright became a fixture on the club circuit and eventually cut a series of demo tapes,DreamWorks acquired the demo tapes and signed him. Moving to New York City in the spring of 1996 and performing regularly at Club Fez, he built a loyal local audience. He relocated to Los Angeles that fall, and began recording his first studio album, Rufus Wainwright Wainwright's self-titled debut received critical acclaim; Rolling Stone magazine recognized it as one of the best albums of the year and named the singer "Best New Artist" of the year. Wainwright toured with Sean Lennon in the summer of 1998 and began his first headline tour later that year. In June 2001, his second album, Poses,was released to critical acclaim, but limited record sales. From 2001 to 2004, he toured with Tori Amos,Sting,Ben Folds, and Guster, as well as headlining the 2001 and 2002 tour in support of Poses. Despite a growing cult following and critical success, Wainwright has experienced somewhat limited commercial success in the U.S.

While working and support Poses he became addicted to crystal meth and experience temporary blindness from his addiction. It reached its peak in 2002, describing it as "the most surreal week of my life." During that week, he played a cameo role in the UK comedy television programme "Absolutely Fabulous"; spent several nights partying with the president's daughter,Barbara Bush; enjoyed a "debauched evening" with his mother and Marianne Faithfull; sang with Antony of Antony and the Johnsons for Zaldy's spring 2003 collection; and, throughout, experienced recurring hallucinations of his father. He decided shortly after that he "was either going to rehab or I was going to live with my father. I knew I needed an asshole to yell at me, and I felt he fit the bill". Seeking guidance, he telephoned his friend Elton John who persuaded him to check in to rehab which he has claimed in several interviews gave him a second chance.

He released two ep's Want One and Want Two filled with story songs of life, love, addiction, family, religion, and his sexuality; common themes in all of his work. They were repackaged together in the album Want. In May 2007, he released Release the Stars to growing and widening group of fans, some who discovered him through his contributions on such soundtracks as Moulin Rouge, I am Sam, Shrek, Meet the Robinsons and for his work on the Brokeback Mountain's soundtrack.

In 2006, Rufus took to the stage in tribute to Judy Garland and of her live performance at Carnegie Hall. He went on to do the tribute at the London Palladium and the Hollywood Bowl, release an album and DVD of the show.

He is currently working on writing his first opera, Prima Donna which he says will be about "a day in the life of an opera singer. I've been wanting to write an opera ever since I was 14, when I first heard Verdi's. After that I became an opera fanatic. All I could listen to was opera. I have more of an appreciation for pop because that's the world I live in, but my main passion is opera. So I just decided to write it, finally.

He shares his Gramercy Park home with his boyfriend, Jörn Weisbrodt, an arts administrator.

"I find that, especially in America, because being gay is relatively tolerated, now we're totally part of society and now you have to act like everyone else and move to the suburbs, and have kids, and be responsible. My argument is that all this acceptance could all change on a dime, so you always have to be a little smarter. You can't expect the world to be handed to you, and it's tremendous folly to think that now that we have totally blonde hair and act like everyone else, we will always be given the same rights and privileges and everything will be rainbows and sunshine. Life will always be a battle. But maybe that's just me. I love life as a battle."

Rufus and Jake : Release the Stars Tour

Music Man

He's said that the "kid" can sing, and sure he has heard Jake many times. From Jimmy Kimmel, know that the he rocked show choir. They both love music and have been out to catch some shows. Jake has talked of drums in the past and a brief bit of band past, but what about Austin? Do you think he's gotta some more musician in him than just singing? Past band geek? Or garage band? A lead guitar? Or funky bass man? Alternative? Rock? Texas Blues?











Rock Band or Guitar Hero must be sitting on the shelf always ready to play. Somehow you can picture them and friends rocking out on the X box. Makes you wonder what songs get picked. But can totally picture the hilarity of Blue Oyster Cult's Don't Fear the Reaper as they try to give it more cowbell like Will Ferrell. And forget about it there is definitely some karaoke in the past present and future, without a doubt.

One thing is certain is that this duet makes beautiful music.



Black & White Photo courtesy of Austin Media.