Believers at Social

By Aaron Holcomb

ORLANDO, Fla. – The smell of smoke, sweat, mildew in the dimly lit downtown establishment, The Social, welcomed the olfactory senses of the believers and curious passers-by.

Local band Thomas Wynn and the Believers opened up at the Social on Saturday night for resident singer and songwriter Matt Butcher. Though the evening festivities revolved around Matt’s recent CD release, following the Believers energetic performance, one particular fan was left wanting more.

“This is my first time ever seeing these guys live,” said Tony Cook, “the headliner’s are putting me to sleep…Thomas should have just stayed on stage.”

Being a part of the Orlando music scene for the past 8 years has earned the Believers front man, Thomas Wynn quite a bit of notoriety with the local media as well as his devote fans.

In a review written by Jim Abbott of the Orlando Sentinel, Nov. 16, 2008 said: “This band is better every time I see them. On the outdoor stage, it was apparent that Thomas Wynn is plenty comfortable with being a demonstrative front man, accentuating the band's hard-charging hybrid of Southern rock and gospel with a magnetic stage presence. Musically, the band also makes the most of the triple-threat vocal combination of Wynn, his sister Olivia and guitarist Justin Beckler in moments such as that incendiary "Shot of Love" chorus.” (OrlandoSentinel.com)

Saturday nights show precedes Thomas’ much anticipated CD release set to launch this winter. At the helm of this project was producer Tony Battaglia, veteran in the music industry known for his influence towards artist like Shinedown, Mandy Moore, Backstreet Boys, K.C. and the Sunshine Band, *NSYNC, Aaron Carter, and Run DMC.

When asked about the record or the rumors of an upcoming tour Thomas said “I’m very hopeful but money is tight, so we’ll just have to wait and see.”

Factoring in the significance of this upcoming record with a major producer as well as the band’s ability to make “believers” out of audiences at every show, it is no doubt that one can only expect to hear more of them in the future.

To contact the Believers or check out their music, go to: http://www.myspace.com/thomaswynnandthebelievers

Sarah-Jane Kenyon Overcomes Social Physical Obsticles

By- Aaron R Holcomb

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Australian born golfer, Sarah-Jane Kenyon earns herself a spot as the newest addition to the LPGA Tour after almost three years playing on the Duramed FUTURES Tour.

Kenyon, 24, was born in Geelong, Australia. She attributes her father as the reason why she picked up golf. "My dad was the main influence as to why picked up golf...and dropped swimming," said Kenyon.

"America is the best place in the world to play. It has the best tours, the best players come to play here...it just seemed like a great learning experience," said Kenyon.

After arriving to the United States in 2005 to play on the Duramed FUTURES Tour, Kenyon found herself hitting a brick wall in her performance. When diagnosed with Celiac's Disease "I wasn't to worried about my career, I was more worried about what i was going to eat. All I ate was bread and pasta so I was pretty upset about that. Though there are some pretty good substitutes out there, it's just a matter of finding them," said Kenyon about Celiac's Disease.

After placing 27th and 19th in tournaments during 2006 and 2007, Kenyon decided it was time to make a change.

Thanks to a new coach as of July, 2007, Phil Rickson of Orange County, and the diet to help lessen the side affects of Celiac's, Kenyon is now back on track and playing better than ever.

"I changed my diet...I stopped eating wheat or gluten. I cut out bread and pasta and it's really helped," said Kenyon during an interview with the Duramed FUTURES Tour. "I feel better on the course and the new diet has given me more energy. It requires a lot of planning, though. You can't just grab a sandwich when you go out on the course. Now, I eat a lot of gluten-free energy bars, fruits and nuts, and rice cakes with wheat-free peanut butter."

Kenyon's current record and acceptance into the LPGA, is truly evidence of her hard work and determination paying off. Her story is an example and inspiration to young girls and women as well as men.

Though "I Don't think women will ever get paid as much as men because people do not watch the sport as much as the men's tournaments," said Kenyon, my advice is "be patient and work hard. If you work hard there can be a lot of rewards."

Cook Addresses Coffee Shop

By Aaron R Holcomb

ORLANDO, Fl—For college students that frequent the trendy java joints on a more than often occasion, it is likely you have been exposed to the single most common display of our countries First Amendment; open mic night.

At Rainforest Coffee Co. in Longwood, this weeks past Wednesday night harbored all the usual suspects. From the twenty-something college students coming to drown the days stress with copious amounts of tea and espresso to the middle aged aspiring poets and comedians, open mic attracts them all.

Regardless of who was there and why, this particular Wednesday we were all there to hear one speaker in particular.

In front of a small audience of 11 people not including the venue's employees, Zachary Cook stepped up to the corner next to the fake palm tree, which incidentally was also the stage and addressed his audience.

“ I’m not really sure whether or not he believes what he’s saying, or if it’s just for shock value,” said long time friend of Cook, Dalton Maynard, “either way it’s more than worth sitting through the same old material just to watch the audiences reactions.”

Cook’s act consists of randomly inserted parodies and one-liners amongst a collection of conspiracy theories that easily make your head spin.

"I Like to coat my messages with a layer of sarcasm and humor, it makes the audience feel more comfortable when they think I'm only joking," said Cook following his stand-up.

This particular evening he addressed the imminent threat of human cloning and nuclear war. “Who is to say that Russia is not out there—or Sweden for that matter…cloning genetically engineered humans that are resistant to nuclear radiation,” said Cook.

“The funniest part about his act, is that he never finishes an argument completely,” said Ryan Pugh, “he is much better proving is audience wrong than he is at proving himself right.”

“How is what I am doing any different than those sentimental saps and their poetry readings,” said Cook in response to a heckling spectator, “ I just believe in drawing emotion from my audience in a different way.”

“Whether I choose to sing my sorrows to you in a song, or convince you to avoid watching MTV because it is a ploy by communist to dumb down the American public; either way it makes you think about things critically and draw your own conclusions,” said Cook.

So next time you find yourself and your ears at the mercy of an extemporaneous speaker, consider that you have two options: bravely stay and lend your attention to what they might have to say, or quickly leave before they point out the ambiguous lady’s jacket you’re wearing.

Zachary Cook was born on May 19, 1987 in Maitland, Fl.
All questions, contact ee920@yahoo.com

Experienced Journalist Delivers Informative College Lecture

By Aaron Holcomb
October 16, 2008

ORLANDO, Florida— Local Floridian and former Oklahoma native, Dan Shepherd, delivered a spur-of-the-moment lecture to a class of journalism students this past Thursday on his life as a freelance producer and the test and trials of the job as well as the possible pay-offs.

Shepherd graduated from University of Oklahoma in 1986, with a Bachelors of Arts in the field of Journalism. Shepherd graduated on a Saturday and then promptly started work on the following Monday.

His work experience has led him to cover stories for all the major networks (ABC, NBC, & CBS) as well as some privatized work for various other companies and production teams including: Disney Cruise Lines, The Oprah Winfrey Show, Americas Most Wanted, The Discovery Channel, and Fox Sports.

“My job as freelance producer is primarily to locate and find ‘experts’ for interviews,” said Shepherd when asked about his current role in journalism.

Shepherd’s covered and produced a multitude of major news stories over the years such as, the Terrorist Attacks of Sept. 11, the destructive 2004-2005 Hurricane seasons (including Hurricane Katrina), and also responsible for the coverage of the Shuttle Colombia Tragedy; February 1, 2003.

“Sometimes as a producer, when I have a really good story, I will go knock around some heads in order to really pitch the story,” said Shepherd, “though it is a delicate balancing act because you do not want to upset or insult your employer.”

“The nice thing about being a Freelancer is that you can always say ‘no’,” says Shepherd. However producers want dependable and flexible journalist covering their stories, so availability is just as much as important as the quality of work you deliver.

“The thing about this business is; it can change at any moment. One year you are making six-figures and the next you are barely scraping by. You have to be flexible in this business and be ready; you are always on call,” says Shepherd.

“The best way to get into this business is through word of mouth, references, and recommendations. Make contact with people and then stay in contact with them and follow their progress. Once you get your foot in the door and finally get your chance, DON’T SCREW IT UP,” said shepherd in answering one students question about the business.

“Most of all, ask a lot of questions,” said Shepherd.

Dan Shepherd continues to work as a remote coordinator and freelance field producer for NBC and many of the other networks. To contact Dan Shepherd: Soundbite@cfl.rr.com

Dodge-Ball for Charity

By: Aaron R. Holcomb

               

                ORLANDO, Florida—September 27, 2008. What were you doing this past Saturday morning? The members of Orlando Baptist Church and roughly 400 athletes and spectators spent their Saturday intentionally hurling rubber gym balls at one and other all for the sake of charity.

                That’s right folks, charity dodge-ball. An event sponsored and organized by the members of Orlando Baptist and The Independent Dodge-Ball League in support of the Nicole Ganguzza Foundation; a fund set up in memory of the late UCF student murdered June 10, 2008.

                “Our church has always wanted to organize a dodge-ball tournament for the community, though it was Kristi Strampach (former classmate of Nicole’s at the University of Central Florida) that suggested a charity event for Ganguzza,” Said Brittany Walsh. “There is a $ 500.00 prize to the winner of the tournament and a $100.00 prize to the second place team, after that all proceeds and cash go to Nicole Ganguzza Foundation.”

                As one might guess, this event was festooned with all the usual suspects: sweat bands, knee-high socks, and hot-head attitudes typical of any dodge-ball tournament. Dodge-ball is a team-based sport watched primarily for the humorous accidents and injuries that occur to every contestant. And in the case of this tournament, each match had its fair share of the classic peltings , the well-placed accidental face blocks, and the colorful team names such as: Shake-n-Bake, Chuck Norris, The Team for the Children Who Can’t…, and the winners, Probably the Best Team Ever.

Though even in light of this comically painful competition, it was obvious that each team understood what they were playing for.

                “I am doing this for Nicole and her foundation…the tournament…all of this is for her,” said Kyle Underwood, a member of The Flying Dutchmen.

                Each team of the total 50 teams in the tournament contributed a $50.00 donation toward the charity, along with all the proceeds from food and raffle sales. In total, over $2000.00 was raised as the first deposit in support of the N.P.G. Foundation Inc.

                “We needed to do this,” said Youth Pastor Derek Janney, “for Nicole, and for the entire community as a whole. It is our mission as a church to reach out to and impact the lives of our UCF and Valencia college students.”

“I am so grateful for everything that has been done in honor of Nicole’s memory,” said Brendan Ganguzza, husband of the late Nicole P. Ganguzza.

                Following the tournament, Brendan Ganguzza was found shaking hands and exchanging words of gratitude with the winners ‘Probably the Best Team Here,’ and Orlando Baptist's youth pastor.

                “Nicole was a real prize winner. This is just the start of the good things that will come from this foundation,” said Ganguzza.  

To keep up with the upcoming events taking place at Orlando Baptist’s FUSE Ministry, you can look them up on www.fuseorlando.org, or to follow the future events and current status of the Nicole Ganguzza Foundation please go to www.npgfoundation.com .        

New Artist in Coffee Shop Music Scene

By Aaron Holcomb

APOPKA, Florida - The recently established café Rainforest Coffee Co., which can be found on the corner of state road 436 and Hunt Club Boulevard, offers a growing variety of food and entertainment. The attractions range from freshly brewed coffee and meticulously prepared espresso drinks, to hand-made pastries and hot panini’s, free WI-FI internet access, and its newest installment: Open Mic Mondays.

This weekly event draws a number of artists and spectators from all around the greater Orlando area and surrounding Apopka community, offering an opportunity to relax, taste some great coffee, and experience some local music in a comfortable environment.

This weeks highlight act was Longwood’s own, R. J. Harman, a new artist to the Central Florida music scene.

“ I like to go by my stage name, Espinosa Slim”, says Harman, “…though it changes nightly.”

R. J. was born in Fairfax, Wisconsin, and later relocated to Central Florida with his family: “My family has moved a lot.”

“I’ve been playing music since high school, and have been playing the harmonica for about 4 years.” Harman claims, a brief stint of time considering the level of musical genius he displays on such an unlikely instrument.

Having heard of Rainforest and its open mic night through some friends, Harman decided to check it out. “I just walked in one evening and before I knew what was happening, I was invited to play with another local act on stage.”

Since his impromptu debut, Harman has frequented Rainforest, every time delivering a stunning performance for an enthusiastic crowd.

“I really enjoy playing here,” says Harman. “It gives me a great opportunity to get exposed to different audiences as well as an environment to gain and build possible contacts.”

“We love R.J,” comments Jon, the establishment’s chef/barista. “He is always friendly and very open to whatever song request the audience throws at him.”

When asked about the success of open mic night, the owner and creator of Rainforest, David Wax commented: “I have seen a noticeable influx of business since the addition of live musical acts such as R.J.”

Harman is currently an enrolled student at Seminole Community College studying jazz music and set to transfer to UCF on two full scholarships, one for baritone performance, and the other for stuttering.

When asked about his speech impediment and how he acquired his scholarship, Harman casually replied: “I just asked, ‘Pah-pah-please let me go to college,’” he said with a laugh, “and they did.” It is clear that speech impediments did not hold this musician back from achieving his goal as a great performer.

“I really just want to continue playing music and see where it takes me, as well as educate people about the unknown capabilities the harmonica possesses.”

You can check R.J. Harman out on his website, www.myspace.com/rjharmanmusic, or at his next musical appearance at Rainforest on September 27.