Beyond Top 40
(Ellis Dawson Photography) Douglas Lyons caught the eye of “Un-Block The Music”. First, he was an original cast member of Beautiful, the Carole King Musical. But, while his acting caught my eye, the fact that he is a writer…way beyond a triple threat….is what impresses me even more! Originally from New Haven, CT, Douglas was... Continue Reading →
Why would a kid want to perform 8 shows a week rather than hang out at the mall (when malls were open anyway)? It takes a certain kind of devotion and a lot of maturity. “Un-Block The Music” can tell you that first hand having been a theater mom for a long time. Jaiden Klein... Continue Reading →
A new episode of “From Bullets To Broadway, Anatomy of A Broadway Show, Featuring Emergency The Musical” will air on Saturday, January 16 at 12 noon on WFYL 1180AM. This episode promises to make clear why the legendary warning for actors has been “never act with kids or pets”. This week’s special guest is Jaiden... Continue Reading →
Once again…with “Un-Block The Music,” I have found another soul sister of sorts…Emily Marshall, the musical director for Ratatouille! Like myself, Emily’s musical genes came from her mom’s side of the family. “My grandfather on my mother’s side had his own band. He conducted, arranged, played sax and clarinet. He taught himself to play sax... Continue Reading →
Happy 2021!!! All of our problems might not disappear overnight, but I choose to look towards the light at the end of the tunnel. Despite this past administration’s neglect of the arts, we are on the horizon of a new day! And…there is no time like the present to shake up your music tastes and... Continue Reading →
Happy Holidays Everyone! “Un-Block The Music” has been off the spectrum! Christmas is always my favorite time of year. I usually love to be in the middle of NYC seeing shows and visiting the beautifully decorated department store windows, visiting Rockefeller Center and the holiday markets in Bryant and Central Parks. Of course, seeing family... Continue Reading →
Musical theater students have told “Un-Block The Music,” that one of the biggest problems with theater training in school is that “timing” is unrealistic. Shows come together in weeks, not months. And, although this pandemic has seemingly allowed artists more time for projects, in reality, creation time has been sped up not slowed down. Case... Continue Reading →
It’s no surprise when “Un-Block The Music” writes that artists often work for no money. It’s even less of a surprise when I say artists during the pandemic are working for no money. HOWEVER, it may be a bit surprising to realize how many people in the theater industry have been out of work since... Continue Reading →
1986 was a year or two before my music journalist career really started taking off. I was relentless as a newspaper stringer (in essence a freelancer who gets paid $25 for a story if they are lucky). At any rate, I would also use phony credentials to get invited to events. You could do that... Continue Reading →
If you have been reading “Un-Block The Music” and listening to WFYL 1180Am’s “From Bullets To Broadway,” you know what a fan I am of Dr. Jeff and Jacob Foy. You also know that I have a daughter who is a musical theater writer/actress. You may also know that Debbie Galante Block was a pop... Continue Reading →
