American Idol Contestants don't die ...

... They just keep singing away ...


Former Taft resident and former American Idol contestant Jon Peter Lewis. Nice guy. Still trying to make it.

Apologizes for the lack of new random stuff. I'm still sick, but ... eh ... let's just get to the news o' the day ...

JON PETER LEWIS - STILL SINGING: Remember when Kern County had two American Idol connections? A pink-haired, community thespian known as Amy Adams and a former Taft kid Jon Peter Lewis? Well, Jon is still out there fighting the good fight trying to make it as a musician. That's it, Jon! Dig in your heels! You ain't going nowhere! He's still recording. (Get a free download of his very Supertramp-esque recording "Stories From Hollywood.") And his voice, not surprisingly, is much better on this recording than on the show. (He's not really that kind of singer. His voice always seemed to sound like exhausted, shredded crap on that show.) Show him some love, Bako!


Local aspiring rapper C-Blo.

C-BLO AND SKINNY C.: Becoming more and more fake famous in Bakersfield are local aspiring rappers C-Blo and Skinny C. Mostly because their rap video for their song "Armpit of the State" is hilarious. Sure, it's not genre-breaking by any means, but it's a good time to be had by all. Download the video here and check out their MySpace here where they have a new song posted.


Kelly 95.3 FM's "Primetime" team featuring Partyboy Bueller (he's the fellow in the middle.)

PARTYBOY BUELLER: A while back someone wanted me to get the scoop on Kelly 95.3's Partyboy Bueller. He's not married and he likes Mojitos. Sorry it took me ten-thousand years. I did chat with him (via the magic of MySpace) and here are your questions, belatedly, answered:

Q: Where does the name "Partyboy Bueller" come from?

A: We'll... haha... long story! At the age of 16 my radio career started and I went by my first name, Forrest. Once I joined a morning show in Austin, TX at the age of 19 my name started to evolve into other things! My cohosts said I looked like Matthew Broderick (AT THE TIME.) I had my own studio which had a window looking into theirs and when they called me into their studio I'd hear "Bueller... Bueller.... Bueller!" It was a joke at first but then listeners caught onto it. It soon became annoying but people liked it. Then I moved over to KXMG which was a CHR/DANCE format radio station. I soon turned 21, would drink A LOT, and made appearences almost nightly at different clubs and venues around Austin. It's so easy to get caught up in the party scene in Austin and being a well known radio personality in that town got me all kinds of VIP treatment and free drinks anywhere, anytime. My cohost and I would just run wild every night on the streets and party till rediculous hours! Haha... not too proud to admit it but it controlled my life to a point - people expected me to be a party animal everywhere I went. I soons picked up the name Partyboy from coworkers, magazine articles, club goers, and in the paper! I think I still live up to my name, but in moderations, haha... and a lot more responsibility!

Q: How would describe your approach to radio?

A: There definently is no method to my madness... haha A lot people try to be something they aren't on the air, or say things to reveal what they'd like people to think about them. Ugh! Thats lame to me! I'm myself 100 percent of the time I'm on the air. I dont mind getting angry about something even when were "on live", admiting to being jelous, telling people I'm obcessive compulsive, or that I got caught in bed with someone's girlfriend one weekend! I'm very honest, and very real... think of it as reality-radio... that would describe my approach.

Q. What's a common reaction listeners have when they meet you in person?

A: Most women expect me to be much taller. I've heard most often, "How old are you? I thought you'd be taller!" I've quite frequently laughed about my height on the air openly, I'm no freakin midget - but here it goes - I'm 5'5!

Q: A blog reader wants to date you? Is that possible?

A: There's no ring on my finger at the moment - I guess anythings possibly! *grin*


Panic! At The Disco playing Jerry's Pizza Dec. 10.

AND MORE RANDOM CRAP: Check out Panic! At The Disco coming to Bakersfield Dec 10 at Jerrys Pizza. Get your tickets at Ticketweb.com. Tickets are $8 in advance and $10 at the door. They'll be playing with The Honour Recital, Weather Box, The Higher and Kane Hodder ... KSMJ 97.7 FM "The Breeze" is now soft rock station. It used to be a smooth jazz station but made the switch yesterday afternoon. The John Tesh Radio Show will be moving to nights from 7 p.m. to midnight with the morning show being helmed by Brent Michaels starting Monday ...

And lastly ...

SCARY FASHION ITEMS OF THE DAY

Exhibit "A"


Meet Kimora Lee Simmons. She's pictured here at the Vibe Awards and three things are terribly, terribly wrong.

1) My fellow St. Louisian, former fashion model Kimora Lee Simmons is half black and half Asian. Two types of people not really known for their ability to go flaxan and have it make any kinds of sense. She really, really, really shouldn't have blonde hair. Really. Really, really shouldn't.

2) Kimora used to model for high end fashion houses, like Chanel, but ever since she hooked up with Russell Simmons and started smoking ganja and eating sandwiches again she's had this nasty habit of looking ... utterly ridiculous. I mean, come on. The Las Vegas showgirl look is not working for me. Pink, sparkly mini dress? Silver heels. No honey. No.

3) She totally looks like a drag queen now. Why? Kimora, why??? You can take the girl out of St. Louis but you can't take the St. Louis out of the girl.

Exhibit "B"


The ugly winter boot of the day, submitted by an eagle-eyed blog reader. I dub this boot "Flashdance - Oh What A Feeling!"

Get Rich or Die Tryin' to Watch This Movie

50 Cent's new film is out, but you can't see it here in Bako.



Not since I was a fresh-face youngster eagerly awaiting the release of "New Jack City," have I seen one hip hop inspired movie scare the crap out of people like Fiddy's "Get Rich or Die Tryin'."

Just like how in the 90s (and even today) certain concert venues would not book rap acts, movie theaters often dread the coming of a popular hood film for fear that someone will shoot someone else in the middle of the movie. Usually these fears are unfounded. After all, drunk parents sometimes beat the crap out of each other during Little League games, but no one's suggesting we get rid of baseball. Most people go to a hood movie (which is a movie about street hoods, mind you, and other hoodlum activities) and manage to come out unscathed. Still, Bakersfield theaters are taking a "watch and wait" approach to the film.

The movie, good or bad, will have an audience. 50Cent is as big as they come right now. The kids like him. I'm not much of a fan, but if "Get Rich or Die Tryin'" does half as good as the Eminem movie it should be fine. And even though 50's acting skills are getting mixed results out of critics, no fear Fiddy, Ice T. sucked his first time out the gate too. C'mon. You know he was horrible in "New Jack City." But as bad as he was I truly can't see another actor doing his part. Either way, he's on "Law & Order: SVU" now and is considerably less horrible.

Someday Fiddy will be considerably less horrible too. And then he'll join the likes of Ice Cube, Tupac, Queen Latifa, LL Cool J and Snoop Dogg as rappers who became actors. Heck, maybe even pull a Will Smith aka "The Fresh Prince," the rapper who became an actor who eventually became an Oscar nominee. Will Smith is such an actor now I'm semi-offended whenever he does something to remind me he used to be a rapper ... like actually rap.

That said, I hope Fiddy has a successful acting career. With the acception of Tupac Shakur, rappers who become actors tend to live longer.

Butt Ugly Footwear of the Day

Because I really hate this year's boots ...



It's what all the hookers on the frozen tundra are wearing this year.

What's Going On ...

Staind show in Bako a no go.

Goodness? Has it been a week since I updated? Apologizes all around. I'm sipping lemon tea, battling a sore throat, but why should that stop the frickin' blog! Let's play catch up ... First off ...



Fall Brawl was cancelled: I found out on Saturday the show wasn't happening. I didn't get a formal reason why until yesterday. Apparently Staind had some promotional obligations to attend to, hence had to cancel the show. I was pretty bummed since I had a really cool interview with P.O.D. already in the can. Perhaps I'll still write it and put it on the blog. Drummer Wuz had some cool things to say about spirituality, rock music and former Korn bandmate Brian "Head" Welch.


LKN to play Riley's Tavern next weekend.

Greyday Productions artist LKN (that's multi-talented musician Lauren K. Newman) is playing Riley's Tavern Nov. 20 with Boyskout. She's promoting her album "In the Leap Year" ... Commedians Edwin San Juan, Flye and George Perez are doing the Hot 94.1 Comedy show at the DoubleTree Hotel Wednesday, Nov. 16. The show will be hosted by DJ Cooch. Doors open at 7 p.m. Show starts at 8 ... Blues/rock musician Monty Byrom is playing Fishlips at 9 p.m. Nov. 12 and 19 ... Auditions for burlesque/cabaret show "Toulouse" are going on this Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at The Empty Space. Fake Famous in Bakersfield citizen Ashley Bretz is directing. It's a one-hour show for 18 and over only, opening in January as The Empty Space's late night offering. Ashley is looking for men and women, specifically "hot men" of all nationalities and beautiful women of all colors and sizes ... And Going Underground Records has moved! Check them out at their new site at 1822 G St. to get your delicious vinyl ...

Maybe I'll get to use Ahmed Ahmed's number after all

"I love you more, baby. I love you more," Vince said as drunk Bakersfield women screamed that he was hot, in unison, over and over like really old varsity cheerleaders this September.

Attention all Jennifer Anniston spotters (re: stalkers), her "Maybe it's real, Maybe it's Maybelline" boyfriend is coming back to town.

Yes. You heard me right. Vince Vaughn and his comedy buddies are coming back to Bakersfield. I know. You're like, I just saw them! And didn't you write, like, ten-thousand stories about it? Yes and yes. They were here in September as part of the Wild West Comedy Tour which officially ended Oct. 11. But, whatever. Who keeps track of those things? Weirdly enough a drunk comic gave me his phone number because ... ahem ... I'm apparently have enough charisma to get drunk comic's cell phone numbers.

Well, Ahmed Ahmed, the drunk comic who gave me the number to his "Bat Phone," and the rest of the Get-A-Long Gang are coming for Buck Owens' New Years Eve Party (Dec. 31st) at the Crystal Palace with Buck and Dwight Yoakam ... so be still your pitter-pattering little hearts.

If you missed the show the first time around this is your second chance. The swami in me tells me that this shindig will probably sell out pretty quick, so, um ... be prepared when you make your reservations at the Crystal Palace.

Tickets go on sale this Saturday, Nov. 5. Call the Crystal Palace at 328-7560 for more info.

Hot or Not?

In light of everyone's fascination with that butt-ugly boot I posted last week I thought, "Hey! Let's do a whole bunch of picks of clothes that boarder between cute and fugly and let the readers be the judge." So here's what's hot this fall. As they used to say in radio land, circa 1992, "Pump it or dump it?"

Exhibit A: Gauchos with boots

I like it. But then ... I don't like it. I do like that wide leg pants are "in" again. Plus I love boots with almost anything.


Exhibit B: Fug with boots

A similar outfit with a different outcome - it's ugly. I mean, what is that? Velvet? And the boots? Cute, but why were they sentenced to such an ugly outfit? Did the cute boots shoot a man in Reno just to see him die?


Exhibit C: From Russia With Love

Um, love the man. Hate the hat. Can I just get the man? I'll take the man, please.


Exhibit D: Austin Powers he's the man for you ...

She went for Mod and Mod is nice, but, dude, the jewelry and the swirlies? I like retro but this is a time warp I'll pass on.

Exhibit E: Poncho eats little girl

Uh ... no.


Exhibit F: Coming to a JC Penneys near you - Grandma Fug

I know the model is trying to make this sexy but my mom totally wouldn't wear this and she's 60. The black cuffs on the pants are literally killing me.

Sorry for the lateness, folks

"Should we forgive Danielle for not updating her blog?," he asked. "Danielle who?" she said. (Photo by John Harte)

I've been sick. But I'm back and ready to roll! Updates and blog entries a-comin'! Look for fall/winter fashion starring Wyndi Balden and Mike Miranda this Sunday! Stories on Jerry Seinfeld, Junior Brown, Delirious? and Earth, Wind and Fire this Thursday. All in The Californian!

The boot that uglified the world

I'm going on the record with this and you can quote me people. This boot is ugly and it must be stopped.



It's from Mervyn's holiday collection. First Uggs, the Mukaluks, now this. The uglification of winter footwear is driving me mad, people! This so called "Canada" boot is not cute! On anyone! That inlcudes you too, Mary Kate and Ashley Olson. UGLY! And we're in frickin' California, people! Who NEEDS this boot? I've worn flip flops in friggin' JANUARY! ARRRRGGGGGGGHHH!

Fashion, Rock 'n' Roll and David Zent gone from the Gaslight Melodrama

An afternoon stroll ... for fashion.


It's a day of fashion between fake girlfriend Wyndi (who's a married college student) and fake boyfriend Mike (who's real girlfriend was there the whole shoot). But don't they look so cute together! (Photo by John Harte, The Californian)

My fall fashion spread, with concepts and outfits picked by aspiring fashion maestro (and Casablanca DJ) Luis!, is slated to run Nov. 6 in The Californian, featuring a picture story of Wyndi, a local ballerina I used last year for our holiday fashion shoot and Mike, who's with the McCright Agency.


She ain't no hollaback girl.

IN OTHER NEWS: Who isn't coming ot Bakersfield in November? Rob Thomas, Earth Wind and Fire, Gwen Stefani, Jerry Seinfeld, Staind, P.O.D. and George Lopez are all stopping by next month ... The Syndicate on Eye Street is having its grand re-opening Oct. 28 with its new addition. I've already caught a glimpse of the gorgeous bar and that saltwater fishtank. Renee knows what she's doing, man. That place is going to be ... ahem ... off la chain ... Word on the street is local thesp David Zent was fired/let go/quit/walked away from the new Gaslight Melodrama in Rosedale. Rumor has it creative differences killed it. Either way, the Gaslight lives on. Zent's son-in-law Hal Friedman is directing David's production of Zorro which is now playing at the theater. I've also heard that David is looking to put together his Christmas show at the Best Western Hill House. What have you folks heard about David leaving?

The Good Life

Me, photo intern Sarah Gettys and my friends AJ and Alex Nunez got to ride around in a limo and go to bars and clubs for a story. Sarah took some amazing pictures.


"I think we should become rock stars," said Alex.


"I hope I don't get punched," said AJ as we pulled up to Chuy's.

I've said it before, but I'll say it again. My job is weird. You can read about our adventure in absurdity in Thursday's entertainment section.

Jon Coley: The Kerouac of Kmart

Why has this local man been dubbed with this title?

Because he asked me, very nicely, to start referring to him as that. For those who don't know, Jon Coley is the promoter at Jerry's Pizza & Pub. I stopped by there for a story Saturday night after going to the symphony orchestra (which was great. Bravo, John Farrer & Co.!). While I was there Jon and I chatted about the newspaper business and I got to check out The Ettes, a band out of LA who are ... fantastic. They were totally 80s in a good, hot n' dirty Detroit rock way. And the drumer had Sheila E.'s hair, circa 1984.



How cool is that? Totally makes me want to dump the 'fro and break out the perm rods. Although they're supposed to be a girl band and totally had some dude playing bass, they were still hot as hell. I've been listening to their CD all day at work. I love every track.



The Ettes are hot! Love 'em!

The Mack Will Set You Free!

This is almost better than my flyer with the breakdancing Star Wars figurines.

Read about the flyer (and why this is so darn funny) in tomorrow's Californian.

Happy Birthday to Me!

Last weekend on Oct. 8 I celebrated my 28th birthday with friends at Mama Roomba on Wall and Eye Streets. Nick Belardes was there, had a camera and it was passed around. Here are the results.


Hey, hey, the gangs all here. Moi is the one waving. Starting with the fellow in the cap, that's Drew aka Bam Bam, his bro Cale aka Yogi, me and Mimi Dorsey is engrossed in some conversation because she's not looking up. The fellow with the long hair is the ActionFolkSinger himself, Enrique Acosta, sitting next to Christine Peterson, then David Burger, Gretchen Wenner and James Burger.


Cale and Drew.


Me looking like I'm going to slap Mimi over some fried calamari, but I'm not. I think I'm just eating.


Something's funny. I don't remember what.


Eating. We did a lot of eating.


And drinking ...


Local actress Monique Gomez stopped by to eat and make faces at the camera.


Mimi Dorsey tosses back a smile while everyone else goes, "mmm ... food."


And look, it's Nick Belardes.


And finally a blurry picture of me.

Potato Power! Um ... OK?

US potato farmers, so desperate to fight back that low carb fad that is soooo 2004 have enlisted the help of a famous potato to be their spokespud.


Meet Healthy Mr. Potato Head.

He's just like regular Mr. Potato Head only he runs, comes with rollerblades and carries a sports bottle. He also has little spud muscles to show that he does a body good. Oh wait, that's a different ad campaign.

Why, oh why to marketing folk send me these things? Oh. That's right. So I can make fun of them.

Potato Power!

Cause You Can't See Faces On the Radio! Part 2

More faces! More jocks! More radio fun! You listen to them everyday. You love them. You hate them. Here's your Bakersfield DJ boys and girls! Nothing but music folks this time, guys. No talk show hosts. More on them some other time. Or if Inga sends me a bigger, blonder picture.

RANDY, HOT 94.1 FM, 2 P.M. TO 6 P.M.

Hey man, wanna buy a monkey?

RACHEL, 98.5 FM THE FOX, 10 A.M. TO 3 P.M.

Isn't she just the cutest girl-next-door type?

KENN AND LARAE, THE BIG SHOW ON KBKO 96.5 FM IN THE MORNINGS

They're on Bakersfield's other country station and they will not be denined! Don't you deny them!

DON DE LA CRUZ, THE FOX 98.5 FM, 3 P.M. TO 7 P.M.

Insert your own cutline here. What do you think is going on with Don?

DEAN AND RACHEL IN THE MORNINGS, 101.5 KGFM

I've interviewed them both before and they're cool people. Plus, I need my soft rock talk. Keeps me from killing people.

ROMEO IN THE MORNING, HOT 94.1 FM

I don't know if there's another morning jock out there who doesn't inspire more love/hate and encourages said love/hate. It's fascinating to listen to.

CHRISTINA MARTINEZ IN THE MORNING, THE GROOVE 99.3

This is actually one of my favorite stations in town because I love some old soul. And Christina just sounds so chipper at 6 a.m.! I, alas, do not.

STEVE KING, THE FOX 98.5 FM, MIDNIGHT TO 5 A.M.

And you can't see his face on the blog either! Steve is a man, a myth and he doesn't want you to see his face!

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I'm going to keep looking for more DJs! Is there someone you want to see? Just post a comment below!