Recently we found these screen tests on YouTube and thought you'd enjoy taking a look at them. James Dean and Marlon Brando have both become acting legends.
AND MARLON BRANDO testing FOR THE ROLE THAT JAMES DEAN GOT
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Sunday, March 27, 2011
HELLO GARY HOLLIS ! RETRO1260. LOS ANGELES
We recently heard from an old friend of mine, DJ. GARY HOLLIS! Last time Gary and I talked he was on his way to the James Dean festival in Indiana and meeting up with my friend Christine White.
Here is some of what Gary had to say:
"Wes! It's Gary Hollis...I'm a DJ on retro 1260,playing standards, but 50s & 60s oldies as well.. on from 9a to 2p M-F... Sunday I host a showing of a documentary about the Wrecking Crew at Vitello's @1pm..."
You can also listen to Gary by linking to the web site that broadcasts his show linked above!
Here is some of what Gary had to say:
"Wes! It's Gary Hollis...I'm a DJ on retro 1260,playing standards, but 50s & 60s oldies as well.. on from 9a to 2p M-F... Sunday I host a showing of a documentary about the Wrecking Crew at Vitello's @1pm..."
You can also listen to Gary by linking to the web site that broadcasts his show linked above!
Thursday, March 24, 2011
(352) THOSE ACTING SINGING SONGWRITING SENSATIONS! (DO YOU THINK JAMES DEAN COULD HAVE MADE A HIT RECORD?)
A number of the artists we're talking about here (including me) fell under the category of "ACTING - SINGING SENSATIONS."
Elvis Presley was probably the most successful at turning a music career into a musical acting career. Bobby Darin did it well. Pat Boone, Frankie Avalon, so many others sang as actors in movies.
James Dean played the bongos. He liked Jazz.
DO YOU THINK JAMES DEAN COULD HAVE MADE A HIT RECORD?
Many of us had multiple creative talents or interests.
For me it was (way back then) sculpture and photography.
Today I still play my guitar and it seems I'm always working on a song in my head.
Elvis Presley was probably the most successful at turning a music career into a musical acting career. Bobby Darin did it well. Pat Boone, Frankie Avalon, so many others sang as actors in movies.
James Dean played the bongos. He liked Jazz.
DO YOU THINK JAMES DEAN COULD HAVE MADE A HIT RECORD?
Many of us had multiple creative talents or interests.
For me it was (way back then) sculpture and photography.
Today I still play my guitar and it seems I'm always working on a song in my head.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
DEBBIE PERKINS ON HER DAD (FROM JOHN EDWARD'S BOOK "CROSSING OVER")
page 163
"My father was bigger than life to me and to many. He penned many songs that were recorded by many people. But he was Daddy to me. Not only was he the greatest daddy a girl could ever have, he was my best friend. From the other side, my father sends me signs that he is alive and that he will always be with me. Death is only a separation in the flesh and not in the spirit. The past year has been difficult. I long to see my father one last time, and yet I feel closer to him in so many ways now that I can't physically see him every day. I know he watches over me and speaks to my heart."
NOTE: Debbie went to John Edward to talk to the dead, and this book recounts that experience.
CROSSING OVER
The Stories Behind the Stories
John Edward C 2001
Jodere Group, Inc. Publishers
"My father was bigger than life to me and to many. He penned many songs that were recorded by many people. But he was Daddy to me. Not only was he the greatest daddy a girl could ever have, he was my best friend. From the other side, my father sends me signs that he is alive and that he will always be with me. Death is only a separation in the flesh and not in the spirit. The past year has been difficult. I long to see my father one last time, and yet I feel closer to him in so many ways now that I can't physically see him every day. I know he watches over me and speaks to my heart."
NOTE: Debbie went to John Edward to talk to the dead, and this book recounts that experience.
CROSSING OVER
The Stories Behind the Stories
John Edward C 2001
Jodere Group, Inc. Publishers
Friday, March 18, 2011
SURPRISING CARL PERKINS STORY IN JOHN EDWARD'S NEW BOOK "CROSSING OVER" AND CARLS WORK FOR ABUSED CHILDREN
Christine here: Recently I picked up a copy of JOHN EDWARD'S new book CROSSING OVER.
I wasn't expecting to run into a story about Carl Perkins, his daughter Debbie, and Paul McCartney!
So very many of the people Wes worked with or was inspired by or made friends with have passed on. A couple years ago we were lighting a candle every time we heard the news. Since then we usually write an acknowledgement, a little obit, and the list gets longer.
Both Wes and I believe we have experienced a ghost or two in our lifetimes and are intrigued by the mystical.
Carl Perkins was a heavy smoker who was diagnosed with throat cancer in 1991. According to the book (page 148) he made a deal with God that, if he came out of surgery with a voice, he would do good. He started THE CARL PERKINS CENTER FOR THE PREVENTION OF CHILD ABUSE, which became the largest center in the country for abused children.
Carl grew up in Tennessee and was sold by his family to a farmer. He was beaten and abused. When he was facing cancer he finally started to deal with this part of his past.
We're linking here to the EXCHANGE CLUB : CARL PERKINS CENTER which has expanded to 13 Counties in West Tennessee!
I wasn't expecting to run into a story about Carl Perkins, his daughter Debbie, and Paul McCartney!
So very many of the people Wes worked with or was inspired by or made friends with have passed on. A couple years ago we were lighting a candle every time we heard the news. Since then we usually write an acknowledgement, a little obit, and the list gets longer.
Both Wes and I believe we have experienced a ghost or two in our lifetimes and are intrigued by the mystical.
Carl Perkins was a heavy smoker who was diagnosed with throat cancer in 1991. According to the book (page 148) he made a deal with God that, if he came out of surgery with a voice, he would do good. He started THE CARL PERKINS CENTER FOR THE PREVENTION OF CHILD ABUSE, which became the largest center in the country for abused children.
Carl grew up in Tennessee and was sold by his family to a farmer. He was beaten and abused. When he was facing cancer he finally started to deal with this part of his past.
We're linking here to the EXCHANGE CLUB : CARL PERKINS CENTER which has expanded to 13 Counties in West Tennessee!
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
WE'RE MOVING OUR STORY FORWARD THROUGH 1964!
Friends, we've decided to move forward in our story while continuing to update. We've kind of been doing that over the last couple weeks anyway, and though we like the smooth flow of the story, we also don't mind interrupting that with posts such as the recent ebay auction of old photos of me and records that I wrote songs on.
We are always open to finding pennies from heaven right on the pavement we walk on!
We'll be inserting some older posts with great stories from our archives between new ones.
Back when we started blogging Youtube was a brand new thing and we were not sure of it and didn't know if we should include videos in our blog - even though this is a MUSIC BLOG - and the whole INTERNET was burgeoning; we were just learning. Well, we're still learning. And in the process of updating we've been realizing we forgot a few artists along the way!
Some of these people should really be included in this blog because if I met them, knew them, worked with them, became friends with them, or was inspired by them, they belong here!
If these artists are still with us, I hope to hear from them, and if they aren't this blog serves to give them the honor they deserve!
Wes Bryan and Christine Trzyna
We are always open to finding pennies from heaven right on the pavement we walk on!
We'll be inserting some older posts with great stories from our archives between new ones.
Back when we started blogging Youtube was a brand new thing and we were not sure of it and didn't know if we should include videos in our blog - even though this is a MUSIC BLOG - and the whole INTERNET was burgeoning; we were just learning. Well, we're still learning. And in the process of updating we've been realizing we forgot a few artists along the way!
Some of these people should really be included in this blog because if I met them, knew them, worked with them, became friends with them, or was inspired by them, they belong here!
If these artists are still with us, I hope to hear from them, and if they aren't this blog serves to give them the honor they deserve!
Wes Bryan and Christine Trzyna
CONGRATULATIONS DARLENE LOVE ! ! !
Congratulations to DARLENE LOVE, who was just inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
FROM OUR ARCHIVES (246) BOBBY DARIN stars with NICK ADAMS
(246) BOBBY DARIN stars with NICK ADAMS
My friend Bobby Darin came out to LA from New York to pursue an acting career, had a whirlwind romance with actress Sandra Dee, and married her. I got to pitch songs to him on the set of some of their movies and in the offices of his music publishing house. Bobby continued to make television appearances as a singer, as he did on the Judy Garland show, while pursing an acting career.
Bobby made a World War II story film in 1962 that also stared Nick Adams, my friend and Elvis'.
My friend Bobby Darin came out to LA from New York to pursue an acting career, had a whirlwind romance with actress Sandra Dee, and married her. I got to pitch songs to him on the set of some of their movies and in the offices of his music publishing house. Bobby continued to make television appearances as a singer, as he did on the Judy Garland show, while pursing an acting career.
Bobby made a World War II story film in 1962 that also stared Nick Adams, my friend and Elvis'.
Friday, March 11, 2011
BOBBY DARIN ON BROADWAY 1963
By 1963 Bobby Darin was recording "Classics" like this cover tune "On Broadway," first made famous by the Drifters. The song always reminds me of New York, Actors Studio, and my ambitions to be an actor, The Next James Dean.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
RARE OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR MY SONG FREEZE
Friends, Christine just alerted me to an e-bay auction of a promo copy (for DJ's) of my second record on United Artists, called Freeze. We've been watching Youtube for this, but it turns out an auctioneer has posted most of the song on a sample. Click on the title above and you'll get to this link. We don't know how long it will stay up so seize the moment! Wes
The saxophonist was BEN ALEXANDER. Ben and I practiced the song, over and over again, at his place in Harlem, then went into the studio. I thought his playing pushed this song over the top. I played the song on Dick Clark American Bandstand (my second live appearance on the show). The song inspired a dance craze across the nation and ended up giving me my second Gold. Freeze was also THE FIRST SONG I WROTE (with writing partner and friend Don Darcel) that became a record!
UPDATE SEPTEMBER 2011: Here is Freeze from one of our YOUTUBER FRIENDS!
The saxophonist was BEN ALEXANDER. Ben and I practiced the song, over and over again, at his place in Harlem, then went into the studio. I thought his playing pushed this song over the top. I played the song on Dick Clark American Bandstand (my second live appearance on the show). The song inspired a dance craze across the nation and ended up giving me my second Gold. Freeze was also THE FIRST SONG I WROTE (with writing partner and friend Don Darcel) that became a record!
UPDATE SEPTEMBER 2011: Here is Freeze from one of our YOUTUBER FRIENDS!
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
ROCKIN COUNTRY STYLE (RCS DISCOGRAPHY) REMAINS ONE OF OUR FAVORITE SITES!
RCS DISCOGRAPHY was one of our early Internet inspirations when we thought about posting a blog. Started as a volunteer project out of a University, Terry Gordon and his team took the site Independent several months ago. It's like a Rockabilly Encyclopedia, a terrific research tool for all of you who have told us that you use the web for school projects, offering a lot of sound samples, regional label information, and more. Besides the Rockabilly Hall of Fame site, RCS was one of the first to list me, Wes Bryan, back when I was in awe of any mention at all of me on the net.
In updating the links for WES BRYAN - MY LIFE IN MUSIC, RCS Discography is one of our important updates. We will continue to do so, knowing that this esteemed site is to be relied on!
In updating the links for WES BRYAN - MY LIFE IN MUSIC, RCS Discography is one of our important updates. We will continue to do so, knowing that this esteemed site is to be relied on!
Sunday, March 6, 2011
OUR ARCHIVE REVISITED (127) ELVIS AND MOVIE ROLES/MARLON BRANDO? JAMES DEAN? ELVIS PRESLEY?!
From Thursday, April 3, 2008
(127) ELVIS AND MOVIE ROLES / MARLON BRANDO? JAMES DEAN? ELVIS PRESLEY?!
Now, friends, Elvis is criticized for his movie roles these days and I have to admit that he came to be disappointed with his acting career and where movies took his music, but in the early 1960's Elvis was generally open and enthusiastic with making movies. Hollywood was still a movie-making town and it was important to Elvis to be in the Los Angeles area to make them.
Elvis was being offered roles that had been written for actors with great prestige like Marlon Brando and James Dean.
"King Creole" was written by Harold Robbins with the original title, "A Stone For Danny Fisher." James Dean was supposed to star in it. (The movie James Dean is most often known for, "Rebel Without a Cause," was also offered to Marlon Brando, who did a screen test for it.) Marlon Brando was supposed to star in "Flaming Star," which had been written with him in mind but Elvis stared instead.
Elvis would think "If this role is good enough for Marlon or James Dean it's good enough for me." The studios would add some songs, turn a script into a musical, give the job to Elvis... Elvis could read a script one time through and know his lines and he was the consummate professional on the set, treating people from all walks of life with courtesy.
(127) ELVIS AND MOVIE ROLES / MARLON BRANDO? JAMES DEAN? ELVIS PRESLEY?!
Now, friends, Elvis is criticized for his movie roles these days and I have to admit that he came to be disappointed with his acting career and where movies took his music, but in the early 1960's Elvis was generally open and enthusiastic with making movies. Hollywood was still a movie-making town and it was important to Elvis to be in the Los Angeles area to make them.
Elvis was being offered roles that had been written for actors with great prestige like Marlon Brando and James Dean.
"King Creole" was written by Harold Robbins with the original title, "A Stone For Danny Fisher." James Dean was supposed to star in it. (The movie James Dean is most often known for, "Rebel Without a Cause," was also offered to Marlon Brando, who did a screen test for it.) Marlon Brando was supposed to star in "Flaming Star," which had been written with him in mind but Elvis stared instead.
Elvis would think "If this role is good enough for Marlon or James Dean it's good enough for me." The studios would add some songs, turn a script into a musical, give the job to Elvis... Elvis could read a script one time through and know his lines and he was the consummate professional on the set, treating people from all walks of life with courtesy.
Friday, March 4, 2011
JAMES DEAN OR MARLON BRANDO?
If you could be either
the Next James Dean or The Next Marlon Brando
which would you be?
Thursday, March 3, 2011
WE HEAR FROM A NEW FAN OF OUR BLOG FROM NETHERLANDS
Dear Wes and Christine,
Finding your website is for me the ultimate prove that the web can (is) connecting people from all over the world. I just want to thank you for making this website. I haven't read your site completely, I haven't really got started, but I will keep your site as a favourite, for those dreary days, when the weather doesn't invite you to go out!
I wish you a lot of succes continuing your blog, I will follow (song by U2).
Greetings,
Ineke Tilburg, The Netherlands
WES AND I ARE ALWAYS HAPPY TO HEAR FROM SOMEONE WHO APPRECIATES OUR BLOG because we do work on it, in labor of love time. There are a thousand considerations, believe me!
Finding your website is for me the ultimate prove that the web can (is) connecting people from all over the world. I just want to thank you for making this website. I haven't read your site completely, I haven't really got started, but I will keep your site as a favourite, for those dreary days, when the weather doesn't invite you to go out!
I wish you a lot of succes continuing your blog, I will follow (song by U2).
Greetings,
Ineke Tilburg, The Netherlands
WES AND I ARE ALWAYS HAPPY TO HEAR FROM SOMEONE WHO APPRECIATES OUR BLOG because we do work on it, in labor of love time. There are a thousand considerations, believe me!
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
FRIENDSHIP QUOTE
"Good friends warm you by their presence, trust you with their secrets, and remember you in their prayers."
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Sunday, February 27, 2011
FABIAN BREAK DOWN AND CRY : 1962 : JIMMY BOWEN and WES BRYAN SONGWRITERS
FABIAN was hot and we were happy to place a song with him!
Recently we saw that this record, a promo copy and the LONDON -AMERICAN record put out in England were up for auction, and more, it finally showed up on Youtube!
Additional Notes March 23, 2011 Wes said, "Jimmy Bowen and I wrote "Break Down and Cry" with Frankie Avalon watching ... but we had Pat Boone in mind for this hit... Pat had just taken over the management of Fabian, and Jack Spena at Pat's company had also taken over Fabian management... "Break Down and Cry" was a strong song... Pat Boone felt it would fit Fabian better."
Thursday, February 24, 2011
SONNY BURGESS WITH THE BLASTERS
Sonny Burgess is one of the original SUN RECORDS artists and first recorded "Red Headed Woman" on Sun. He's going to be playing at the Rockabilly Festival in Vegas coming up in April.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
ROCKABILLY HALL OF FAME SITE IS TERRIFIC !
We're linking to the ROCKABILLY HALL OF FAME which has a listing of about 5000 Rockabilly Artists! (I'm on the list!) We've linked to this site quite a bit over time, since Rockabilly is one of our subjects here! Revisit and enjoy!
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
VIVA LAS VEGAS ROCKABILLY FESTIVAL IN VEGAS : APRIL 2011
We're linking to the ROCKABILLY FESTIVAL coming up in APRIL 2011, in Las Vegas, which promises to be a rolicking good time, with RECORD HOPS, CAR SHOW and FASHION SHOW included.
JERRY LEE LEWIS is the headliner... THE BLASTERS, THE DYNOTONES, and the LUSTRE KINGS will be playing. And from the 1950's. JOE BENNETT and the SPARKLETONES, SONNY BURGESS and the PACERS, and the Original MEDALLIONS. Besides Jerry there will be a few from the old days and lots of bands that are playing Rockabilly today! DJ's from Japan, Texas, Spain, Michigan, California, and Switzerland.
JERRY LEE LEWIS is the headliner... THE BLASTERS, THE DYNOTONES, and the LUSTRE KINGS will be playing. And from the 1950's. JOE BENNETT and the SPARKLETONES, SONNY BURGESS and the PACERS, and the Original MEDALLIONS. Besides Jerry there will be a few from the old days and lots of bands that are playing Rockabilly today! DJ's from Japan, Texas, Spain, Michigan, California, and Switzerland.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
OUR ARCHIVE REVISITED : (85) THE NEXT JAMES DEAN? NOT !
OUR ARCHIVE REVISITED:
Post (85) THE NEXT JAMES DEAN? NOT ! from December 7, 2007
If you're wondering what happened to THE NEXT JAMES DEAN, as I was called by United Artists when I first signed with them in 1957, and as they promoted me, well, once he got to Hollywood, he couldn't help but give some thought to pursuing acting again.
At first, when Elvis introduced me to people, he too brought up the James Dean comparison. Then one day I asked him not to do it. And he never did again.
Still, Elvis asked me a few times if I would like a bit part or to be an extra on one of the movies he was filming. I always turned down the idea. More than one of Elvis' friends or employees did take a bit part or act as an extra on his films. To Elvis this was more of a way of keeping his friends around him than giving someone their big break into better roles, but it was interesting and fun to be on a set with Elvis. I visited him on sets from time to time.
Elvis made more money for his acting than James Dean ever did.
I have to admit that my acting aspirations were also so high at one time that I just couldn't imagine taking a bit part or being an extra. And, as it turned out, I had two close calls with acting stardom before I finally gave up on that aspect of my career, that is if you consider close calls with stardom to be part of a top agent's stable...
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
EBAY AUCTIONS HOT ON WES BRYAN !
I HAVEN'T SEEN THIS PHOTO OF MYSELF IN YEARS! WHILE THE ONE BELOW IS A BLACK AND WHITE OF MY RECORD COVER. Both pictures were taken by my then manager and used by United Artists for Press releases. Of interest is the back of the second photo which mentions my record as the United Artist Label's first release on a typed sheet of paper. And that these photos prove my likeness to James Dean.
You've seen this one before since it was used IN COLOR for the first colored record cover for a 45 RMP ever! (Elvis' came out very soon after!)
The Morning Call, according to the poster, was the Allentown, Pennsylvania local newspaper circa 1957. Now the Tribune, if we're reading that correctly! In some archives there are lots of press release materials.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
JAMBOREE
This Jamboree promo video has excellent quality and since it includes BUDDY KNOX and the RHYTHM ORCHIDS singing Hula Love, JIMMY BOWEN singing Cross Over, as well as CARL PERKINS and FRANKIE AVALON, we thought we'd post it. We're still working on our updates... check the pages for UPDATE PROGRESS!
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