This blog is taken from an email to David Kaplan, curator of The T. Williams Festival In Province Town:
We just spoke and, while fresh, I thought I'd let you know my connection to Dana. We never met but I had a wonderful relationship with Dana's mother, Mary Nell Santacroce and her step-father Dante Santacroce. (Back in 1974, I was actually a cute, curly haired 180 pound 21 year old living in Atlanta)
I had just come off my first Equity tour of MAN OF LA MANCHA and Dante directed me in a memorable production of THE SUBJECT WAS ROSES. Mary Nell coached me in this role and Dante was a wonderful director and became a friend as did Mary Nell. I was hungry for more coaching and felt I needed to get a more solid foundation by getting into a good liberal arts school. All my instincts told me I was not ready for a professional career. I was 21 and incredibly insecure. Response to my work in both plays I did in Atlanta had been extremely positive but I was well aware of the well trained competition I would be facing and was in search for solid experience--this came in the form of a Drama scholarship at Birmingham Southern and I was enrolled and in rehearsals for Claudius in HAMLET by the 1974 fall term.
Mary Nell arranged a lunch at Harry Ellerbe's. It was just Harry and me and his older sister who was quietly charming but distant. She served us in the beautiful breakfast room and then disappeared.
I had no idea Harry had been the original "gentlemen caller" in The Glass Menagerie and he never brought it up--I only found that out a few years ago.
We enjoyed our lunch and he had many simple, solid pieces of advice for a young actor. He drove home the point that actor's today do not treasure the "words". This remained with me.
Just, if not awkward, pass on my deep affection to Dana for Mary Nell and Dante. I feel they must have both passed away at this point.
Mary Nell was quite wonderful as "the land lady" in John Houston's WISE BLOOD and did appear in several films. She would have worked non-stop in Los Angeles but chose to remain in Atlanta.
Dearest David, sorry to have allowed this little note to grow into a 'bio tale' but it just flowed........... I know how busy you are but once I begin a tale it sometimes happens! Hope the T. Williams Festival is coming together. My Sciatica should be better soon but, regretfully, I will miss the 5th Season. Very disappointed but health has to take the front seat this year.
Best to you and Jerry and Spot, Glenn
For those who can make it to Province Town, here's a link with info: http://www.twptown.org
Thursday August 5, 2010 was my first opportunity to see one of my life long inspirations. A social conscience with a voice that must have aroused envy amongst the most modest of angels. My fellow fans and travelers to see Joan Baez in Baton Rouge were Diane Tune and James Gunter. All Alabamians.
Growing up in and around Birmingham, Alabama I had some relatives who made it necessary to hide Joan's recordings along with other such "subversive" artists as Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones, and The Mamas and The Papas) under the mattress in my bedroom. These LP's all lay there quietly as in a bunker awaiting further orders. I listened to Pete Seeger at the home of a trusted friend. Patti Page seemed free to sing about little doggies in windows at will. Was it that pretty blonde hair that gave her clearance? These hidden treasures (Pete got lucky) all burned in a house fire December 5, 1970. They were later replaced with money I earned cutting grass or re-capping tires at my father' Goodyear dealership.
By late Thursday August 5, 2010 while the band loaded for their late night trip to Phoenix I got the opportunity to sit down with Joan for a few minutes. We returned from Baton Rouge the next morning.
Here are some photos from a memorable night in Baton Rouge
Glenn Shares some time with Joan Baez after the show.
Joan playing to a packed house in Baton Rouge.
The Baez Band
John Doyle----------Guitar, Vocals Dirk Powell----------Fiddle,Banjo Todd Phillips--------Bass Blair Woods---------Tour Mgr. Jim Stewart----------Merchandizing Emma Vasseur-----assistant to Ms. Baez
The bittersweet lone mic as Joan leaves the stage.
Tim Burton hosted several hundred of his friends and collaborators at a special preview Monday Nov 16, 2009 at The Museum of Modern Art in Manhattan. It was loving gathering of the folks who have worked with Tim over the course of his still blooming career. This amazing installation included work dating back to his High School days in Burbank. I arrived at MoMA with my nephew, Sam Teer, who is a senior, majoring in Graphic Arts, at The Alabama High School of Fine Arts, long time friend and mentor, director and founder of The Tennessee Williams Festival In Provincetown, David Kaplan and Nine Moon Productions associate, Joel Olgesby.
BEETLE JUICE pals Catherine O'Hara and Jeffrey Jones at MoMA
The collection of Tim's work was truly astounding. This MUST-SEE installation runs until mid April 2010. We all moved to an elaborate party at The Russian Tea Room after two hours of viewing Burton's art.
Glenn Shadix and Johnny Depp at The Russian Tea room
I am preparing a more detailed BIO TALE when time permits. Just got back from New York and wanted to share the joyous time we all enjoyed. Our Boy from Burbank has, indeed, been most prolific in the 22 years we have been friends. I glowed with pride and simply had fun with dear friends from my time in Hollywood.
Heard great reports about my work in FINDING GAUGUIN from Cherry Vanilla who saw a recent screening in Hollywood. Cherry is known as the Fairy Godmother of Pop Culture and is a loyal and trusted friend of so many in the crowd that gathered at MoMA.
Glenn Shadix and Cherry Vanilla
There will be much more in the BIO TALE I plan to upload before the end of the year. Appeared in a documentary for TRUTH WINS OUT which we shot on the terrace at Hotel Metro. So much more to tell but am in the midst of planning a big Thanksgiving at TUNE FARMS. My dear friend Diane Tune and her apprentices as well as close friends and family are gathering on her huge farm an hour north of Birmingham. Happy Thanksgiving All!!!!!
This last picture is my dear nephew and amazing artist, Sam Teer.
Sam Teer getting into his first "stretch limo". It was a surprise and more fun for him than a taxi!
It's been five years since I did my last "signing" at a convention and today was final prep day--hair cut, cleaners, pick up extra movie stills, promo poster, talk to the promoter and I suddenly felt this angst. I signed for four years starting in 2000 and flew all over the world and to every city in America (or so it certainly seemed) and I got the Big Burn Out. I was still in L.A. and working so it did not seem like the "Has Been Highway" (Although that's what I called it to make sure I said it before somebody else did!) and hell, I saw Japan, England, France, Germany, Holland Belgium etc but when I quit I did not think I'd ever "sign" again. If I had not just made a film in Maui that I love and have another offer on the table I think it would be harder on the ego (cause at least I AM working again) but I DO LOVE TO MEET PEOPLE WHO HAVE ENJOYED MY WORK!. That was never the problem. It's airports and setting up my Dog and Pony Show in a Convention Hall. Made me feel like a merchant but that's just not how I'm looking at my appearance in Nashville this weekend. I really want to see the southerners who are fans. I rarely ever signed in the South. Only once in Atlanta and an Orlando and a Miami appearance, but Nashville I love and it will be like the southerners I grew up with--I even lived in Tennessee for a year as a kid so I am forcing myself to change the way I look at this experience and go out and shake hands (and wash my hands--it's Flu season!).
The MAIN thing is I quit smoking almost three weeks ago and these things always gave me nicotine fits--SO, I am blogging out my fear with this announcement that I will go to Music City and see a Zillion smokers and return without having had one damn cigarette. That is a promise I am making out loud on this day's Blog. Gonna go have fun with movie fans, tell my tales, sign autographs and movie merchadise and when I get back to Birmingham next week I will walk into my smoke-free home not have had ONE of those damn death sticks! Thanks. I feel better now. If you are in the area and want to say hello here's the link with the info: http://comiccitytn.com/.
Had a great weekend working on the site with Gary. I am considering a producer's offer concerning a Home and Gardens Channel show I might co-host with a two time Super bowl Ring pro footballer. Now that would be quite a contrast to moi. Worked on a Bio Tale that is featured starting NOW on the main page. Off to see Dr. Angus McBryde this morning to X-ray the ankle and change the splint. Thinking about putting earnest money down Wednesday on a beautifully renovated Mountain Brook Townhouse built in 1925. Spectacular real estate deal and a gorgeous place to live atop Red Mountain with a view of Birmingham below. (Still have the California considerations and a real estate agent there.) We shall see.
Now to Madonna. I don't publicly speak often of my relationship to Ms Ciccone. We first met through a certain wonderful caustic lady comic whose name escapes me (it'll come to me soon) and Warren Beatty when Club Louie (a late night private dance club that the famous, late Herb Ritts rented for invited guests the first Friday of each month) back in 1989. I later worked with Warren and then Deb Mazar ----both close to M---- and we exchanged emails and I visited her Los Feliz home several times. When she married Guy Richie I was seduced into adopting Conchita, Rosita and Evita, Madonna's three Chihuahuas.
Miss M wanted to assure me that Evita was not rabid!
I do love the woman, but if she reads this (she's at the Paltrow's in NYC recovering from her SECOND fall from a horse) I hope LISTENS to what I have to say:
I grew up with horses. Trained in English equestrian (preferred western trail riding to showing but did both), owned two horses growing up and had my last ride in 2004, against my better judgement (and I paid a price). It was with friends on Shades Mountain at an upscale Appaloosa breeding ranch and both my horses (Bama and Apache) were Appaloosas. Had a nice trail ride through mountain trails on a frisky young mare and all went well until we were returning and Starburst saw the barn and surprised me--the experienced horseman (I thought, and WAS)-- and broke into a run up the hill at an angle and I held on until she jumped a small knoll and off I went soundly to the ground with a thud. I still have nerve damage in two fingers on my right hand and I was very lucky. In the South, Ladies traditionally put up the saddle at 50. Bones break so much easier and we must remember Chris Reeves. SAVE your daring for the stage---hell, in your case, THATS dangerous enough. Anyway, this is your second fall and I want you causing major trouble for decades to come. I KNOW you'll listen to me about as much as you would a teenage Manhattan cabbie, but I feel better for suggesting enjoying Lola, Rocco, and David and other kids mount the horses. And for God's sake, don't blame the paparazzi when you get thrown. No, not even if it's God's truth. Missed the tour, but look forward to seeing it when whoever you deal it out to gives it a showing. Just don't go breaking that tough but vulnerable neck of yours. Enough of that. I do adore you still!
Four more weeks and I get my walking boot! Ah, to be able put away these crutches forever. Orthopedic surgery (I've had SEVEN in my life) is no damn fun. (It's a damn miracle I'm ambulatory at all come to think of it.)
On a political note. GIVE OBAMA , angry folks, a break or at least keep the protest civil and not full of the ugly racial posters and names used by the Fox Network sponsored "Tea Party" over the weekend. We are hardly facing taxation without representation. I seem to remember an, uh..ELECTION recently. But do have a nice Monday all !
Had a fine time watching the Oscars and was on the money with all my predictions except Best Foreign Language film. I predicted and voted for WALTZ WITH BASHIR but the Japanese film won---still it was the closest I've ever come to a perfect set of predictions. Watched the ceremonies at my friends Joe and Bobby's grand old Victorian a block from where my old jewel stood. Joe has a great blog and I suggest you check it out: http://www.bessemeropinions.com/
Was particularly moved by the exception speech that Dustin Lance Black gave when he accepted his Best Original Screenplay Oscar for MILK. Wish I had heard an Oscar acceptance speech like that when I was a kid. Joe uploaded Dustin's acceptance and you can see it on Joe's blog today. Wasn't Hugh Jackman a fun host for the Oscars?! I Love when Ellen hosts but it was fun to have a real song and dance man with the orchestra on stage. It reminded me of the old musicals from that "other" Depression. Good to liven things up. Funny how movies do their biggest business during hard times. Something perfectly escapist to sit in a dark room full of strangers watching magic on the really BIG SCREEN! Hope this era produces some really fun as well as thoughtful movies...
Off to the gym for my 45 minute swim and then I've got my eye on some trout almandine and fresh vegetables at The Bright Star.
Ok its that time again and I'm going to throw out my predictions for who will be taking home the little Gold Man next weekend...
First off, These are who I think WILL win and not in every case, who I think ought to win. Its all for fun anyway because it was a terrific year and 'Best" anything is silly when its all apples and oranges BUT....its fun to make predictions and fun to watch the Oscars and so here goes:
Let's start with make-up because its gonna be interesting how the Academy votes on this one this year. Brad Pitt was in the make-up chair for 5 hours every day for his Benjamin Button BUT computer graphics had a huge contribution to the look. Its my pick even though its hazy who did what so that's the one they'll, in my opinion, hand the Oscar to for Make-up.
Sean Penn is my bet to win Best Actor for Milk. Lotta talk about Mickey Rourke but Penn will win.
Kate Winslett will win Best Actress for The Reader. If there was a second place it would be Meryl..
Heath Ledger will win Best Supporting Actor for The Dark Knight not because he died but because he was extraordinary in this under-rated film.
Penelope Cruz will win Best Supporting Actress for her work in Woody Allen's Vicky Christina Barcelona.
Slumdog Millionaire will win Best Picture, best adapted screenplay, best cinematography, best editing and best soundtrack.
Danny Boylewill win for Best Director for Slumdog Millionaire
Waltz With Bashirwill win for Best Foreign Film
The Dutchess will win for Best costume
Milk will win for Best Original Screenplay.
Wall Ewill win for Best Animated film
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button will win for visual effects
That's my prediction for next Sunday. By the way there is a cliche about actors keeping their Oscars in their bathrooms. It's a cliche because its often true---that's the room everyone will go into at some point at every party! The first Oscar I saw on top of the toilet belonged to Anton Furst who won Best Cinematographer for Burton's first Batman. (Anton's Clock Photo) The picture of Anton below was a Clock photo I did not use, but should have. I had to have someone to catch the clock for each shot because Anton wanted the effect of Time flying. I use it here and now to honor him and his memory. He committed suicide two years after this photograph was taken.
