MARK J. PRICE - AKRON BEACON JOURNAL : A FRIEND TO US and THIS BLOG

MARK J. PRICE, a writer for the AKRON BEACON JOURNAL has been a friend to us and this blog since 2003, when he first connected with me, Wes Bryan, in order to do an article about me for his column. The AKRON BEACON JOURNAL was an important part of my discovery as THE NEXT JAMES DEAN, which lead to recording and acting contracts with UNITED ARTISTS. (The links to the articles we posted in 2007 are now expired.)

Last year Mark and I reconnected and I did another short interview with him which still appears on some databases. It was fun for me and me and my family feel gratitude.

Just wanted you all to know that MARK is now WORKING ON HIS OWN BOOK!

We want to wish him the best with that and say hello again.

Wes

Breaking News ! We read it on the net too... JAMES DEAN LOOK ALIKE WRITES HIS ...

Well, today's Business Week article says it's an autobiography, but actually it's a MEMOIR!

And "The Lonely Idol" isn't the actual title on the manuscript, just a way of referring to the book till it's published... but that's OK...

This book is a literary effort, coming from a place of heartfelt honesty, and the wisdom of maturity, several years in the writing and finely honed, a truly enjoyable read, not in the least bit boring...

(OK. We've been told it's a page turner!)

Besides Wes' remarkable life, just how many actual (rather than poser) close friends of Elvis Presley are alive who have not yet spoken... ?

... but WOW!

It's always interesting to see what shows up on the net about Wes Bryan, who I've gotten to know well through the years and feel honored to have worked with. Unlike so many others who have let fame go to their head he remains down to earth and at times amused by this celebrity.

Hollie's web site is Hollie LA. She's Bryan and April's daughter and they are so very proud of her! TO GET TO HOLLIE's Web Site go to the Link to the right!

(Wes is sometimes the King of Understatement and I just love his Smokey Mountainisms! Sugar Shack indeed!)

We've sourced the article to Mark J. Price of the Akron Beacon Journal, who wrote about Wes a few years back. Here (click on the Title above!) is the article as it appeared last week and which Business Week and California Chronicle, picked up.

THANK YOU MARK J. PRICE !

(7) AKRON, THE RUBBER CITY, OHIO I'M DISCOVERED TO BE THE NEXT JAMES DEAN!

I traveled to build homes with my father as his apprentice. I wanted to be a finish carpenter. Dad and I built in several states. We were adding garages and additions to homes in Akron Ohio, The Rubber City, in 1957, when I was discovered to be THE NEXT JAMES DEAN off a cover of the Akron Beacon Journal - Roto Section.

In September of 2003, Akron Beacon Journal write Mark J. Price published an article about my discovery, which the newspaper back in 1957 was so instrumental in. The article was entitled THE AKRON IDOL!

A teaser of Mark J. Price's article is under Cuyahoga Falls History-Kippy Articles on the net. (Down temporarily!) Kippy's was the diner I hung out in where all the Akron Beacon Journal people came to have lunch, and where a photographer named Irving Waitzkin took an interest in me. Irving took me to the staff photographer, Bill Samaris, who shot the cover photo. Once the cover hit the stands my life was changed forever!

LINK TO ARTICLE REMOVED - EXPIRED on JAN 11, 2011

THE AKRON BEACON JOURNAL has an archive of articles written by Mark J. Price, who frequently mines the archives for old stories as inspiration for new articles.

*** Here's Mark's Article on My Discovery and Kippy's Restaurant

LINK TO ARTICLE REMOVE -EXPIRED on JAN 11, 2011 CT

PLEASE NOTE THAT MARK J. PRICE IS STILL WORKING ON THE AKRON BEACON JOURNAL and is working on a BOOK of his own right now!