“CRANK: HIGH VOLTAGE” CRANKS UP “TEARS ON MY PILLOW” 

Jason Statham is back in “Crank: High Voltage” and like the previous “Crank” it is action-filled from the beginning to the end. In case you are unfamiliar with Jason, he starred in three “Transporter” films and did two features with Jet Li to name a couple. You may remember how he covered his body in “Transporter” with what looked like oil to fight a garage full of bad guys. I watched a “making of” recently and the “oil” was really molasses and it was a night shoot. The garage was freezing cold and with molasses on, Jason said his teeth chattered constantly for the whole evening.  

I haven’t seen “Crank: High Voltage” yet, but a promoter friend of ours, Peter Gallo/Carolina Entertainment Group sent us a review he came across. It seems there is a scene where all these low-riders have their radios blast out “Tears On My Pillow”. That is amazing. “Tears” is over 50 years old and it seems as though it has to be one of the most beloved songs in the world. Ron Wood made it a point to tell me “Tears” is one of his all-time favorites and everywhere I go, people sing it back to me. I love how “Tears” communicates like no other. It is our first hit and like the Rock HOF, it is the gift that keeps on giving.  

I wonder if “Tears” is out on a “Crank: High Voltage” CD soundtrack? In any case, The Imperials and I just love how our hits have gone full circle and how they are finding new audiences for us. I’m going to make it a point to take in “Crank: High Voltage” not just to hear “Tears On My Pillow” but to enjoy “a guy’s guy action film” while I’m home here in Vegas. My son and I usually take in a midday movie and share some time as well.  

I can’t wait for The Imperials and me to go on tour of the UK. We haven’t been overseas in concert for 10 or 20 years, I think. The time is right and we’d knock them for a loop. We are on a roll, man. The last UK tour fell through at the last minute but you learn to accept those flukes in stride. I’ll keep you posted. 

A THREE-PEAT WEEKEND 

About that mini-tour we did this past weekend, well it was huge success. All three dates were sold out: Westhampton Theater for the Performing Arts (LI), Harrah’s Casino in Chester, PA., and the Lyric Theater in Baltimore, MD. These were the first concerts we did after our induction into the Rock HOF on April 4^th. The reason I mentioned that is, I was curious to see how much of an impact the “Rock induction” would have as we continued our “You’ll Never Know Tour 2009”. To all of those who attended the above-mentioned concerts, I thank you one and all for your support and the ovations. 

We did the bus thing for these dates and I have to tell you, that is the way to go. I love touring by bus and our bus driver, PJ deserves a round of applause. We were on time for every sound check and show thanks to PJ.  

The bus also allows you to bring along “guests” and we had promoter Peter Gallo with us. I mentioned Peter in the previous item and he has booked us to do several shows down South starting in September 2009. I like Peter and he’s not like other promoters we’ve had to deal with. Peter gets it – you know? Peter is putting the shows together and there are plans to have us do shows with Petula Clark, Denise Williams and possibly Dionne Warwick. We will have a full orchestra with a string section, tympani drums, and a couple of lovely background vocalists and enhanced by an excellent sound and light company.  

Peter feels that Charlotte, NC, Atlanta, GA, Charleston, SC and Savannah, GA are ideal markets for a show of this caliber. Traditionally speaking, the South loves R&B shows that combine the opening act as “female” and close with the “male artist”. As these dates are confirmed, I will post them and oh, by-the-way, we are organizing our own online store which should open in the months to come. Man, the 21^st century is good to me! 

THEY ARE SURE (ANCE) DRIVING ME CRAZY 

The Imperials and I have a great friend in Keith Galliher, Esq. and I had to contact him regarding a dispute I ran into with the DMV and the AAA Auto Club. I had filled out all the necessary paperwork but the DMV claims they did not receive it. The DMV said that AAA must be at fault. Here we go folks, passing the buck – the great American excuse. You guessed it - it is an insurance notice that fell through the cracks. I called AAA and they assured me it would be straightened out.  

I’m still waiting and if I get stopped, a policeman will look at my insurance card and ticket me for expired insurance, which is not the case. I might have to shop for another insurance company and then, I can say, “I just saved a bunch of money on my car insurance by switching to Geico”.  

To make matters worse, I also received a summons for expired license plates. The trouble is, my tags are good through 2009. My son Daniel dropped me off at the airport last Thursday – all well and good. Daniel was pulled over by the LV police on the way home and he was asked for his ID and registration. Daniel asked the officer why he was stopped and the officer replied, the car you are driving (my car) has cancelled plates. He added it shows up on his computer as the tags as being expired.

How can this be? I have to go to court in July showing that my plates are 2009 and the police computer listing is in error. What ever happened to “innocent until proven guilty”?  

THE ROAD HOME – THE REAL LAS VEGAS 

I mentioned that I just got off the road from a mini-tour back East. It was so fulfilling to be received in concert and after-the-show meet-and-greets in a way we have not experienced in years. The Imperials and I are not complainers and we take it in stride most times. But the acclaim, respect and numerous standing ovations warm my heart and give me a breath of satisfaction. You are walking on air and then, you head back home - return to real life. It takes one minute. I checked my mail and there are a bunch of bills. Reality sets in fast. 

Don’t get me wrong, I love being “Little Anthony”. This year (and last) is everything I hoped and prayed my career in show business would be. Although I am a New Yorker, Vegas is now home and with The Imperials, I’ve spent so much time here performing, it easily became a second home. Moving to Las Vegas was one of the best things I’ve done in life and my family echoes that sentiment. I still love New York but at this point in my life, Vegas rules. It’s not all glitz and neon as you may think. It’s family-oriented, neighbors, local shops, churches, shopping malls, friendly taxi drivers, working people, schools, etc.  

I can still hear the applause from this weekend, conversations with fans, the encores, jokes on the bus, etc. but coming home, you get grounded. That’s a good thing because life on the road is, at times, an illusion and you can get caught up in it. Las Vegas grounds me and for you who do not live here, that may sound strange. Like Frank sang, “I’ve been up, over and out and I know one thing.” Only in my case, the thing I know is that home is Las Vegas now and I’m proud of it. That’s life! 

WILLIAM PATERSON UNIVERSITY RADIO’S APRIL 30th “BRAVE-ATHON” 

Our PR pro George Dassinger is, get this, a professor at William Paterson University – Music Dept. in Wayne, NJ. I did a one-on-one filmed interview there some months ago and I understand that it is posted on the university’s Music Dept. site. Also, on Thursday, April 30^th, the university’s radio station, 88.7 FM is doing what they are calling a “Brave-athon”. It will be 15 hours of live music and an online auction which will be streaming on WPRadio887.org – ah, the beauty of being an internet radio broadcast. We donated a special Rock HOF signed poster which 88.8 FM had framed to add to its value.  

This special Rock HOF poster was available only at The Agora concert we did in Cleveland on April 3^rd. There were only a couple of hundred and this signed poster is a keeper man. The station has a “Pay Pal account” and if you are interested send them a bid. The monies raised will go to helping WSPC – FM 88.7 “Brave New Radio” – it compensates for all the ancillary expenses a college radio station has on any given day.  

Aside from our signed poster, there is a one-of-a-kind autographed song list from ZZ Top, signed merchandise from area groups, collector photos, etc. They are also presenting guitar legend Les Paul with the “Bravery In Radio Award 2009”.