Look To The Stars News: John Schneider

Elvis' Hit Making Team Returns For Charity

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 11:30:00 -0000

The unmistaken Memphis Sound is back in full force. For the first time since the death of Elvis Presley in 1977, the King’s entire “Hit Making Team” recently returned to the recording studio with the singer/songwriter John Krondes to make new music and keep the dream alive.

A celebrity red carpet CD launch and book signing event hosted by Elvis’ friend George Barris with Joe Esposito – Elvis Presley’s best man – will rock the music world on Tuesday September 22nd. The event will benefit Elvis’ favorite charity, the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

The guest list for the event is incredible and includes Suzanna Leigh (Elvis’ co-star “Paradise Hawiaan Style”), Darlene Tompkins (Elvis’ co-star “Blue Hawaii”), Ray Walker (The Jordanires), Jay Leno, Bo Derek, Shirley Jones & Marty Ingels, Lou Ferrigno, Nancy Sinatra, John Schneider, Phyliss Diller, Joe Mantagna, ZZ Top, Billy Bob Thornton, Erik Estrada and many others.

Featured in the new recordings are all of Presley’s vocal groups: the Jordanaires, the former original Stamps Quartet, Imperials, and Sweet Inspirations. Both of the King’s Bands rock the house for the comeback; included are the TCB Band and the “Memphis Boys” – the American Studios Band. Elvis Presley’s first drummer DJ Fontana, and star drummers Ronnie Tutt, Gene Chrisman, Steve Gadd and Anton Fig keep the beat for the “Hit Team”. This heart-Stirring project also includes scores of super talent who accompanied the King; Millie Kirkham, Shane Keister, Bobby Ogdin, Gary Herbig, Lanny Morgan, Elvis Presley’s original Horn Section, Arrangers, Elvis composers Paul Evans, Paul Parnes, Al Byron, Jimmy Krondes, Randy Starr, and many others.

John Krondes and the “Hit Making Team” salute the King and dedicate this epic CD as a fresh start and New Beginning for the music. Spectacularly friends, the melodious Memphis Sound is Back, the spirit has risen, and the music will never die.

The event takes place tonight at Barris Kustom City, 10811 Riverside Drive (at Lankersham Blvd. north of Universal Studios) N. Hollywood, CA 91602

LTTS Exclusive: Aviation Angels

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Rachel Zeskind

Look To The Stars’ Celebrity Ambassador Rachel Zeskind recently had the chance to find out about Aviation Angels, a philanthropic iniative that has a number of celebrity supporters.

What one passionate man and Hollywood can do in the heart of Los Angeles’ most gang riddled areas to make an impact on the community and the future of Compton’s youth is astounding. In fact, it is almost unbelievable that kids who had no escape from gang violence and drugs have found a safe haven, a realistic hope and a new direction for their future by just looking up to the sky.

Founder, Robin Petgrave

Robin Petgrave, a top Hollywood pilot and successful entrepreneur, changed his aeronautical course drastically after re-evaluating his dreams for the future and the future of the next generation. He had achieved the ultimate success; both financially as well as by reaching the top of his field. That’s when he decided to change his mission. Robin said ‘Why don’t I make my business helping these kids’, and that’s exactly what he has done.

He not only created an after school program – Aviation Angels, where kids ranging from 6 to 18 can use computers, learn about aviation, train as pilots, learn healthy community skills, and even have an opportunity to work towards building up a college fund – but also inspired these kids to explore and go after a whole new future, one that would have never been available to them if it weren’t for Robin and his program. Since it’s start, Robin’s program has had four teens set seven world records in aviation.

Aviation Angels

The program’s goal and message is strong and clear: to empower today’s youth. Today’s youth is faced with many hurdles such as gang and domestic violence, and many other types of dangers, which prevent them from reaching their full potential. The Aviation Angels is a group of advocates that want to help bring these children of tomorrow to a higher ground utilizing tools such as Tomorrow’s Aeronautical Museum and other types of positive programs that will enrich their lives.

The program is partially financed by Robin’s business, Celebrity Helicopters, which captures some of the most intense aerial shots seen on television and in films today. Turning to the Hollywood community for support, a number of celebrities joined forces with Robin to grow the after school program as well as open a museum, Tomorrow’s Aeronautic Museum, which is dedicated to the history of the Tuskegee Airmen.

Celebrities such as Randy Jackson, John Schneider (Dukes Of Hazard), Michael Dorn (Star Trek), Christine Devine (Channel 11 News), Richard Gant (Rocky V, Nutty Professor, NYPD, Smallville), Frank Lozano (Producer, Director, Videographer), Justin Urik (How High), Lou Gossett Jr (Roots, Iron Eagles, The Punisher), Billy Zane (Back To The Future, Orlando, Posse), and Omarosa (Celebrity Apprentice) have pulled together in order to help these programs gain exposure as well as to roll up their sleeves and pitch in by donating their time to inspire these youngsters.

On any given day, not only do the children of Compton and the public in general have access to the museum, but the Tuskegee Airmen themselves who drop by to help carry on their legacy and history to tomorrows generations. The Tuskegee Airmen who are involved in the Tomorrows Aeronautical Museum are Otis Cowley, Levi Thornhill, Lee Archer, Col. Charles McGee, Edward Tillman, Ted Lumpkin, Burton Lowe, Jerry Hodges, Franklin Henderson, Lowell Stewart, Bob Maxwell

The Tuskegee Airmen

Until recently when both the museum and Robin’s program, Aviation Angels, gained some sponsorship from UPS, Southwest Airways and Boeing it was Robin’s own personal sacrifices that kept the lights on and the propellers spinning. Now, little by little, with the support of Hollywood and the Tuskegee Airmen, not only are lives changed everyday but also the program continues to grow despite all the odds.

For more information on Robin, the Tuskegee Airmen, Tomorrow’s Aeronautical Museum and these programs visit:
www.tamuseum.org
www.obap.org
www.tai.org
www.nbcfae.org

World Magic Awards To Feed The Children

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 14:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

You can help make the problem of starving children disappear by attending the 2008 World Magic Awards this Saturday, October 11.

Hosted by Neil Patrick Harris at the Barker Hanger in Santa Monica, the show will benefit Feed the Children, an organization that provides food, medicine, clothing and other necessities to individuals, children and families who lack these essentials due to famine, war, poverty, or natural disaster.

Featuring a host of the world’s best magicians – including Hans Klok – the World Magic Awards will attract John Schneider, Corbin Bernsen, Melora Hardin, Jonathan Schaech, Debbie Matenopolous, Ernie Hudson, Buzz Aldrin, Cristian de la Fuente, Ashley Jones and many others.

Last year’s show was hosted by Roger Moore and was attended by Joan Collins, Pamela Anderson, Marla Maples, John Schneider, Robert Vaughn, and Eric Roberts.

More information about the event – which has an organizing committee that includes Tony Hawk, Vince Gill, Adrian Paul, Montel Williams, Michael Caine, Pat Boone, Monique Coleman, and Jason Alexander – can be found at www.worldmagicawards.com.

Jenny McCarthy And Lance Armstrong Host Autism Poker Night

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Jenny McCarthy and Lance Armstrong are teaming up this Friday, October 3, for a special poker event to raise money for autism research.

Ante Up For Autism will raise money for TACA (Talk About Curing Autism), an organization for which McCarthy is a spokesperson. It will feature a night of celebrity poker at its very best – featuring Tony Hawk, Ryan Sheckler, Jim Everett, Ernesto Fonseca, Jeremy McGrath, John Schneider and many others – as well as a live and silent auction.

The event will take place at the St. Regis Hotel in Monarch Beach/Dana Point, California, and there is a $500 per person buy-in for general admission tickets and a $1000 per person buy-in for poker tournament tickets. If you can’t make it on the night, special Ante Up For Autism playing cards can be purchased from TACA for $5.50.

Tickets and playing cards can be purchased by clicking here, and the silent auction can be accessed through the Gavel Group website. More information about the event can be found at www.anteupforautism.org.

Melissa Etheridge, Kelsey Grammar, Matthew Perry - A Week Of Charity Events

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 14:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Is the change of seasons bringing you down? Are you bored with waiting for winter to roll in (or, for you in the Southern Hemisphere, are you getting impatient for summer to hit)? Well, this week sees three great events to put a “spring” in your step.

Later tonight, September 30, singer and breast cancer survivor Melissa Etheridge is kicking off the Hard Rock Café’s month-long Pinktober campaign with a show in Universal City.

Pinktober is the ninth annual breast cancer awareness campaign launched by Hard Rock Café, and will feature special Pinktober parties and live music events at Hard Rock Cafes and Hotels around the world raising awareness and money for local, national, and international charities, such as the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. A huge range of music events are listed on the official Pinktober website, as well as awesome pink merchandise. Hard Rock Hotels will also be donating 25% of every room rate to breast cancer research.

After a late night tonight, you’ll have to be up early in the morning to catch the USO of Greater Los Angeles’ Fourth Annual Celebrity Golf Tournament. The event – to be played at Trump National Golf Club, One Oceans Trail
Drive, Palos Verdes – will feature a range of familiar faces, including Kelsey Grammar, Home Improvement’s Richard Karn, John Ratzenberger, Michael Reagan, Mickey Dolenz, and Kevin Farley.

Tee Off is at 8:30am, and the event will raise funds and support operational programs at the Bob Hope Hollywood USO at LAX and the USO Centers at Palm Springs and Ontario, California International Airport. These USO Centers serve as recreation and service areas for American troops and their families on the move to and from duty stations worldwide. The centers serve more than 55,000 troops annually and have been increasingly active due to the continuing conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

And finally, keep your calendars open for Saturday, October 4. That’s the night of the 11th Annual Lili Claire Foundation Benefit Dinner and Concert, hosted by Matthew Perry.

The evening will take place at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium and promises to feature a talented line-up of performing musical guests, including Ed and Dean Roland of Collective Soul, Terri Nunn of Berlin, and many more. Guests expected to attend the event, chaired by Randy Jackson, include Joely Fisher, Brad Garrett, Bianca Kajilich, Sara Rue, John Schneider, and Bradley Whitford.

Due to the new venue hosting this year’s event, concert only tickets are available at an affordable price which includes a California wine tasting party. All guests will have the chance to enter the draw for three luxurious vacation giveaways, as well as a diamond raffle where one lucky drinker will win a diamond from Simon G. Jewelry!

For more info – and tickets – visit the Lili Claire Foundation website.

The Osmonds Are Back For Charity

Mon, 02 Jun 2008 11:34:00 -0000

Written by Dawn Fantasia

Words can not express the gratitude that Marie Osmond has for the staff at the Children’s Hospital for Wales after they saved her five-year-old son Stephen’s life during a severe asthma attack.

“I was in my bus touring, and he stopped breathing and turned blue and his machine didn’t work,” said Marie. “I remember I said a prayer, and we drove probably 100mph down the road in a bus, and there was a children’s hospital. They rushed him in there and they saved his life.”

She and her brothers plan to show their appreciation with the support of the Noah’s Ark Appeal to purchase new state-of-the-art equipment for the hospital to help make it one of the best hospitals in the world. Marie Osmond is co-founder, along with John Schneider, of the Children’s Miracle Network, a project of The Osmond Foundation. The initiative has raised over $3.4 billion since 1983 for children’s hospitals throughout the U.S. and Canada.

The Children’s Hospital for Wales joins Bristol and Dublin hospitals in becoming a partner. In 2009 they will have the opportunity to nominate a “champion child” to go to Disney World. Each year one child and their family is chosen from each of the children’s hospitals in the Children’s Miracle Network to represent the hospital at Disney World.

Marie Osmond also has asthma, which may have caused her to faint during the reality show “Dancing With the Stars”. She said, “Right at the beginning I started getting light-headed. And the only thing I could think of [is] I have allergies, there’s almost half a million people being evacuated, the air quality is terrible – and I just couldn’t get my breath.”

Over 6.8 million children under age 18 have asthma. Asthma is the leading cause of school absences and the third leading cause of hospitalizations for children. The cost of treating these children is over $3.2 billion a year. American Lung Association Asthma Clinical Research Centers are involved with working on asthma prevention and treatments. Many communities have developed asthma-friendly schools and emergency plans to educate school staff and students with helping someone during a severe asthma attack.

If you would like to make a difference in a child’s life, contact www.noahs-ark-appeal.org. For more information about asthma, contact a Local Lung Association in your area at 1-800-LUNGUSA.

A Little "Moore" For Charity

Wed, 17 Oct 2007 11:29:52 -0000

Written by Crystal A. Johnson

What more could Bond star Sir Roger Moore do than receive a star on the walk of fame this week? The answer would be, host one of the biggest charity events of the weekend, the World Magic Awards on Saturday October, 13th.

The charity event benefitted the Feed the Children organization. Sir Roger was not the only the star on the scene to support the event. The legendary scene stealer Joan Collins was there as well as blonde bombshell Pamela Anderson, magician Hans Klok, Donald Trump’s ex-wife Marla Maples, John Schneider, Robert Vaughn, Eric Roberts and many more. Famous magicians from around the world put on quite a show.

This magical event will be televised in December. Proceeds from the network licensing fee and sponsorships will be going to Feed the Children organization. The mission is to use magic to make a happy and healthier world for children.

Look To The Stars News: John Schneider

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