Jan

23

2012

It is no secret that I as a Staten Islander am friendly and supportive in working with or spreading the word about fellow Islanders and their recent successes in TV and/or media (I.E: Priscilla BGC, but more recently, All of my friends on Mobwives, especially Angela Raiola a.k.a “Big Ang“).

I am not one to ever really lower myself or let certain things affect me, but last night, I exhibited normal human like qualities versus the professional public figure that I am, and ya’ know what? That’s Life… sometimes it happens.  Not everyone reading this right now knows what I am talking about, but I am going to go forward and tell you the story, and than open up the forum for you to comment on, because to me… this was a real life example of a lesson we can teach our youth of today in HOW NOT TO TREAT OR SPEAK TO OTHERS!!!

Last night I was invited to the Drunken Monkey in Staten Island which is Ang’s bar that she owns, and she has a weekly viewing party with various stars from the show including Jenn Graziano the producer of Mobwives. We get to all sit around and watch the show and live tweet about the events on the show. I thouroughly enjoyed this and it was cool to sit and watch the show with Jennifer Graziano  (the show’s creator).  It was extra great to get the perspective of the executive producer as the show was on… how many people can say they get to do this?

With that said, I took a photo with Ang and threw it up onto my facebook, and it was positively recieved by over 75 people in less than 5 minutes! Likes, comments and shout outs were threading quickly under the photo, until ONE person comments and changes the whole postive experience into a negative.  ALL IT TAKES IS ONE PERSON TO RUIN ANYTHING RIGHT!? A comment came posted under the photo which read “Big Ang has many gay friends, even in Staten Island..” (and I just wrote it legibly in correct grammar cause half of it wa spelt wrong.  So I proceeded to boil and steam up, and contemplated ignoring it and removing it and being a better person, but the rage inside me was so great, and all I thought of for some reason, was the little girl Amanda Cummings who succommbed to internet preditors.  Therefore I unleashed and said a multitude of things but basically pressed the issue and asked the individual what he insinuated in his comment, and assured him that I was not gay and didn’t take lightly to him calling me that or even insulting gays as a whole.  He fired back another comment about how he heard it was word on the street that I was and that it’s ok to be gay and that there are new laws for “their kind.”  So what he did was bash this select group of indivudals and assumed that I was part of them.  Well needless to say the first three letters of assume are ASS and that’s exactly what he made of himself; plus said something about me as if he knows me, when I hardly know who he is.

The exchange went back and forth for almost an hour and others were jumping in and firing good shots at him, but I basically saw that it was out of hand and I was hosting an open forum for people to stoop to the “shitty” level of one negative absent minded person.  Now I am an advocate for people and equality as a whole and for people to unite rather than discriminate or act in appropriate ways toward others, however, this has been a sore spot of mine for years.  I never really open up about it and speak, but I am going to today because I feel that I have been blessed with a platform to be able to help others in the situation who aren’t as strong as I am.

Being a young man in performing arts, having a multitude of talent’s and good looks, I was always teased in school and called gay, faggot, homo… etc.  (as was Elvis Presley) Now for most people reading this, you’d say, “but so what, who cares, you know you’re not, talk is cheap, brush it off and move on, they’re just jealous and ignorant….” yeah, all well and good, but when you hear it and have these feelings pent up of  rage, saddness, aggravation, and all the tell tale signs of being a victim of verbal bullying, it takes a toll.  So from a young age when you hear select people say something on a constant versus the majority of people enjoying what you do, it gets to you.  I thank God I always had a great support system in mom, dad, and my brother to come home and vent about it to, because words are hurtful!

It of course had died down and was almost seldom said in high school, and in college I almost NEVER heard anyone say any thing.  Last night stirred up a lot of aggravation and rage from the past, and made me say, with the recent events of this young girl not speaking up, lashing out, or fighting back, I am going to do so; and I did… I let him have it every which way including up, down , front and sideways, and I felt great after doing so. Than “my followers” jumped in and he ultimately apologized, which was half ass and not real, and removed himself from the thread as well as me than blocking him from my sites and social media services.

You may say, “wow all this for a stupid remark?” To you it’s a stupid remark, to me, it’s a whole history of stuff I went through on account of these words.  No disrespect to anyone who is gay, I am happy they embrace who they are and love life! I have students who have come out to me, friends who are openly gay, and even close musician friends… I am one to not discriminate what and who they are. By no means am I discrediting them as individuals, but for someone who is not that way, it is not a nice thing to have said about yourself.  

What people don’t know about me full fletched is that I am a man of high respect to the opposite sex, women are not objects to me, they are people as well. Most men today wanna hit it, and quit it. That’s not me, never was and never will be! I am a religious education teacher, and also have a deep rooted faith. So being well kept, well dressed, morally and socially correct must make me a “homo” cause I don’t have women hanging off of my arms, and my pants hanging off my ass?  The problem is today, people (and this was a grown man who said it yesterday) have no respect for others and should just back up and filter their brains before taking it upon themselves to interject an opinion where it is not needed or solicited upon.  This just goes to show ignorance affects everyone. No one is exempt from it. We as people in the public are open more to it as moving targets for envious people to fire at, as this guy did (yes I said guy, he was at least over 50 and I am 25, keep that in mind).

So what compelled me to write this blog today and speak out? Well I recieved a facebook inbox which very simply said, “you are an inspiration for a lot of youngsters and your success goes to show that morality is an important part of it! Much more success… and hopefully less ignorance from jealous and envious people!!!” So I am using my morality to show and tell people to lash out, speak back and fight for yourself to not be victimized to any form of bullying. 

This couldn’t have happened at a better time when I am working with various people across the area to raise awareness in self defense and speaking out against bullying.  So I ask you, was I wrong for doing what I did, or should I have ignored him?  Do you think he was ignorant, stupid or both? I say ALL OF THE ABOVE… your turn, lemme hear ya #teamvinnie!

By the way, writing this blog has made the negative situation I experienced, very positive and it feels great to speak with you all about this and share such an important topic.

Jan

17

2012

 

Vinnie along with an amazing team of people is looking for the top talent in Staten Island across selected High Schools to walk the runway and strut their stuff in an upcoming fashion show hosted by himself and Bad Girls Club Star (native Staten Islander) Priscilla Mennella.  Details about the amazing event are in the video!  Plus there will be a lot more awesome things to come.  ALL Seniors in the selected schools will be entered into a drawing making them eligible where 2 students from EACH school (a male and a female) will each receive a $200 PROM SHOPPING SPREE!  If your #TeamVinnie and care about yourself and your school, you’ll look to take part in this amazing event! ALL DETAILS AND SCHOOL VISITS WILL BE POSTED VERY SOON!

Jan

12

2012

Today while watching News at Noon a story was developed about a team of people campaigning for a Barbie doll that is bald. This is to educate kids and young women about still being beautiful while dealing with terminal illness and cancer.  The campaigners Facebook page issued a statement saying, “We would like to see a Beautiful and Bald Barbie made to help young girls who suffer from hair loss due to cancer treatments, Alopecia or Trichotillomania. Also, for young girls who are having trouble coping with their mother’s hair loss from chemo.”  

Read more →

Jan

1

2012

First and foremost, I turned 25-years old! In the quarter of a century that I have lived, I’ve learned, experienced, and took part in so many things, as well as made so many accomplishments.  I feel so blessed at my age to have the status I have, and to have begun the career path and really set my feet firmly in the grounds of where I wanna be, and what it is that I wanna pursue as an individual.  I can honestly say that in my 25-years of life, I have accomplished much more than most 50 and up adults I know, and hearing them say it is admirable, makes me strive more, because it is expected of our youth, and generation today to be go-getters and make something of ourselves rather than become nobody’s with dreams and aspirations.  We have the world at our fingertips, and there’s no excuse for us to become what it is we desire to be; and so with all of that said, this year (like most every) has been pretty amazing for me, and really began to take me to the next level of things on a personal, and professional scale.  I always get a lot out of each year, and that is why I write this. I write to share with you, so maybe something that I experience may help you at some point if needed.

 

MAGNETIC:

Rolling out of 2010 with a music video in the bag for release in early 2011 was a great way to end and start the next phase of what I was trying to establish as an artist.  I have seriously learned a lot from the entire production, as well as the people surrounding the project, and the people who were/weren’t part of it.  On a positive scale, I learned firsthand how to prepare, produce, and put together a marketing strategy and everything that goes with a professional video in branding oneself as an artist.  The whole video was a brainstorm that was inspired by “my titi” Judy Torres, who since my young adulthood has always guided me and given me a great outlook with motivation on future success for the industry.  Her release of Sugarlands “Stay” came out with a beautifully done, well constructed music video.  I was invited to her premier of the video, and was very inclined as an artist to wanna do what Judy did. She handled her video and its release so professionally and in talking to people at her release, turned a lot of new audiences onto her artistry and music. This is the ultimate gain one could want with their music, so I decided to take her inspiration and run with it.

Thanks to OnyxRai studios and my super genius “gal pals” Jenn Gellman and Milagros (Millie) Acosta, or as I call em’ Jennagros, we created something really special along with my dream team Lauren Hartnett, and Mike Sanders.  The video was also entered into the Staten Island film festival.  This was truly an honor! (Millie in picture on left, Jenn in picture on right)

After all of this had been set into place, and we nailed the shooting (and of course the first time for everything is a beneficial learning experience), we still had to edit and piece it together to fit the story line. I got to be very involved in the video, and as an artist it is important because image and brand are who you as the artist are, and the girls allowed me to express and really showcase me and who I am in the “Magnetic” video, which you can tell was a lot of fun and it radiated from within me. I thoroughly enjoyed it because a lot of love and determination went into the making of this video!

How did Priscilla from Bad girls Club get involved you ask? Well, first off, I knew her when she was Priscilla Mennella, and she still is! She is the BEST!!! I love this girl so much, it’s just not funny.  Her and I were a team of terror in college together, and always took the same classes and went for the same career and major, both of us wound up in our field and are doing fairly well, but I had always wanted to collaborate with her, because she is the female version of me. She is determined, is a go-getter, and knows that the early bird catches the worm.  She (like me) does not let the grass grow under her feet too long before she’s onto the next task!  We had always stayed in touch after graduation, and when Jenn and Mill said to me that I needed a pretty “it” girl to interact with on screen and compliment me, I looked no further than Priscilla Mennella, and am so honored to have had her part of this project.  Upon the filming of this, I remember her submitting the audition and info for BGC Season 7, and the anticipation was great to see her experience.  Low and behold (my girl grabbed the world by the b@ll$) she became the STAR of the show and kept it classy, even when she raised a fist.  Her and I are both planning on doing something again together real soon in the New Year, so stay thirsty on that.

To everyone involved in “Magnetic,” it was incredible and had a wonderful run, but with the positive comes the negative.  You cannot please everyone in this world, and that’s the first thing you need to realize. As long as you please yourself and own your actions, the rest don’t matter.  I had some creative or artistic differences with certain individuals who, to me only put a damper on future progression of other things but, I believe that there is growth in every situation, so if certain situations cause people to part ways, than it’s for a good reason, and maybe later on the waters will stream together again.  CASA Records was my original home, and will always be what allowed my dreams to come true as a dance artist, and spear head my career. I am so thankful to the mastermind and writing skills of Freddy Retro (who is pursuing other avenues with MMA fighting and Combat broadcasting).  Thanks to DEET promotions, and Harry Towers as well as all of the remixers, especially the Majik Boys (Jeremy Martoramo) for the amazing rendition of the song which immediately went viral with its current sound! His mix was by far the best of the production, and really gets a crowd going bonkers!  This was why we solicited it as the main mix and the one for the video.  Magnetic had an amazing run, and if nothing came of it, I received so much love on the track, and connected with a lot of people who believed in my artistry and supported me, so for me, it was a prosperous experience with a great start to a great year I knew was ahead.

 

ONE NIGHT ONLY:

Everyone knows, it’s no surprise I substitute teach and co-direct/product and run the productions of musical theatre and the arts in the school along with my friend and former instructor Nancy Delaney.  Together this year, we commemorated Nancy’s 20th year of putting together shows at the school. She was going to be modest and just put on a regular show, but I insisted on honoring her, especially since she gave so much to so many kids, and I knew a Revue of her past 20 shows would be the perfect way to celebrate the legacy she created in the school.  I learned a lot from her, and needed her to know how thankful I and the current students are and will always be for her!  I sat with her in the school and selected her favorite scenes/songs from the shows she directed in the past and comprised a Revue and script.  I also was able to invite back former teachers she worked with, as well as alumni students who performed in certain shows.  I even got to perform once again one of my favorite roles (the Emcee in Cabaret), and show my students a thing or two! All kidding aside, it was great to pass it on to them and perform with them, and give back to a place that I had gotten so much out of, and I am so proud to say I am still involved in Port Richmond High School, and am working towards my degree in teaching, on top of everything else I do…  The show may have been for one weekend or One Night Only, but this show, and everything it entailed, as well as the kids involved, took so much from it with them, and I was and still am so proud to have been able to be one of the people along with Lauren DelRe, Pattie Borelli, Eugene Palleschi, and Jenn Goldberg, who could honor their school, and their fellow thespians in the arts.  Here’s a little clip of me bragging at how amazing my kids are, when they were prepping for the show…

 

PROM JAM:

April brought about a great appearance for me in the center of The Woodbridge NJ mall called Prom Jam 2011. I performed The Reason and Magnetic on stage after an incredible Prom Fashion Showcase starring local students from the NJ area.  It was a great event and featured Briella from Jerseylicious, Kerry Schwartz from VH-1’s Frank The Entertainers Basement Affair, and Christina Hopkins from Bad Girls Club Miami.  I also got to share the stage with my dance diva friend Reina.  I wanna thank David Albertson who ran the event and runs all of the great mall events everyone sees me perform at here in the tri-state area.  Dave has in fact planned a big event for this coming March, and I will be part of it, and I can assure you that details will follow.

Here is a recap of that event produced by Jenn Gellman and Millie Acosta of OnyxRai:

 

DISCOPALLOOZA:

Aside from the actual Disco Concert produced by Michael Martocci, the word Discopallooza best describes what the entire scene is! Disco music has most definitely grown in resurgence since the late 70s and 80s.  It went on a hiatus locally, but now has been booming within these recent years.  I was most fortunate enough to be part of its rebirth and grow to be close friends with some pretty amazing artists like the incomparable France Joli, the very bubbly Joy Dorris of Lime, Bonnie Pointer, Butch of the Tavares brothers, Brooklyn’s Own Joe Causi (who is in my eyes one of NYC’s BEST radio personalities EVER), and a whole slew of others.  We are a nice tight knit community of artists, personalities, performers, staffers, agents, promoters, etc…

I also have to shout out my friends Angelo Russo and John Kosta of JKAR Entertainment for always including me on their amazing shows.  I get to step out on stage and sing with France, or guest host with Joe, and it is so cool to see a culture of people who appreciate a certain brand/genre of music like Disco, and they allow me to be part of that culture, that they once lived, and are trying to preserve.  I have such a love and respect for the true artistry and work that went into the music and original sound, and I feel, it should live on and stay relevant!  It is a facet of my performing and music involvement that I truly love being part of.  Whether it’s on stage or in a club, I am truly in an element of good energy and enjoyment.  Shout outs to all of those places I have appeared at this year especially, Eve Ultra Lounge, Bistro, Capri, Park East, The Count Basie Theatre, The Patchogue Theatre, and any of the other countless venues I was able to partake in great events at.

 

THE ULTIMATE 80s EXPLOSION:

The AC Hilton Hotel and Casino was the home for an amazing 9-act line up of performers who had chart-topping hits in the 1980s and I got to perform and co-host the entire show (along with Al Magliano) thanks to JKAR Entertainment!

This year, we wanted to do something special for the patrons of the show, so we invited some very special guests from reality TV, but not just any reality TV, Staten Island reality TV.  To me, Staten Island is being pushed more forefront than New Jersey, as in recent years of NJ having spotlight on TV. Shows like the RHONJ, and Jersey Shore, Jerseylicious etc… have all put Jersey on the map, but now this year, Staten Island took over with the dynamic Mobwives, Staten Island Cakes, and Bad Girls Club to name a few!

On stage co-hosting with me were the amazing Kristin Buzzetta of Staten Island Cakes, and the effervescent Renee Graziano of Mobwives.  This concert was absolutely incredible, and we are already working on the next big event for the summer season!

 

THE BIG BIG BANG:

…speaking of Mobwives and Renee, I was fortunate enough to be asked to be part of her birthday celebration along with Joy Dorris of LIME. Rob Hubertz (who is the male performer in LIME) was out of town on a family vacation, and Joy was asked to sing “Babe We’re Gonna Love Tonight” for Renee’s birthday party (which was shot for season #2 of Mobwives).  Renee came as a gracious guest and host of our concert, so it was a pleasure to return her kindness by surprising her and helping to make her party a little extra special.

Of course, the evening had events that were in true Mobwives fashion, but you’ll just have to stay tuned this season to see what unfolded, if I told you, it wouldn’t be fun… However, it was really cool to share a fun evening with Priscilla Mennella, Joy Dorris, Renee Graziano, Karen Gravano, Drita D’Avanzo, Ramona Rizzo, and Jenn Graziano. I was also able to see first hand how a TV show of this caliper is shot, and I must say, the people behind the scenes are the real stars for doing an incredible job. STAY TUNED FOR THE BIG BIG BANG!!!

 

FRANCE JOLI:

As 2011 began to come to a close, I was able to be part of something special that will soon be revealed to the world.  It’s no secret that France Joli has been working diligently on something amazing soon to be shared with the world! She had posted pictures performing in the studio, as well as, new headshots, and teasers of a new release.  I was able to sit in some sessions with her and watch her use her craft as an artist to put this outstanding release together.  When the big reveal goes down, you heard here first that it’s a hit! She is an amazing friend, and I am so proud of her taking the reins on this one and really seeing to it that her vision came to fruition.  I had to share this with you because it was a highlight of my year, to sit and watch it all unfold on the sidelines, while being there for some support and encouragement.  She is always there to support my endeavors, and it finally felt great to support hers!

 

CCD:

I am a man of faith and spirituality, but I don’t wear it on my sleeve.  I do however give back to my church and community by instructing religious education to students in the parish community.  I thoroughly believe that all of the blessings I receive daily and annually is because I incorporate the time into my crazy schedule to do some good and help spread the seeds of faith to those who want to expand on it.  This year I was asked to help assist the coordinator of the program, and do a lot of great activities and special projects with the kids of the parish.  I feel very blessed, and I thoroughly enjoy giving and taking so much through my faith.  This above all inspires me to continue being a good person in general because I feel I must live by example.  I can’t preach one thing and practice another.  Although this aspect of my life is private, I am very public about encouraging people to do good things through whatever faith it is they follow.  No matter what we as humans believe in, there still is one God above all, and while we are here, we should do his work!

 

VINCENTMEDUGNO.COM:

The birth of this website came at a time when I felt it was time to push myself to the next level.  I had sat and waited patiently for something to happen with the release of three records and a music video and realized the only way something is going to happen for YOU is if YOU do it for YOURSELF.

I have begun to create a brand for myself as a public figure and finally was able to start taking the steps to implement exactly what I want in order to market sell myself.

VM.com is a big step in the process and its all thanks to my friends at DAPS Media. Carlo Montagnino (who also worked on my brother Emilio Sparks’ website) sat with me and helped me to begin the process in creating my brand.

This website is my platform to speak about and share things with you as well as you to voice opinions and share things with me.  I think its great that we all have a place to reconvene and discuss whatever we want!

 

SING! THE 30th ANNIVERSARY:

SING is a school tradition in high schools across Brooklyn and Staten Island.  This year marked the 30th anniversary of it at Port Richmond High School and I was part of it.  I got to advise students, help them direct, write, choreograph and produce an amazing production.  These students realize the value of what we teach them and learn how to begin to perfect their crafts in a future of performing arts.  It is always an honor to give back to a school that I had gotten so much out of.  The students truly are the rewarding experience of it all.  I was part of SING in my high school years, and I must say it is always important to preserve the program to see to it that our kids get out of it what I did!

 

DO THEY KNOW IT’S CHRISTMAS TIME:

Yup, Christmas time came and went as always, but this Christmas truly was a blessing! I of course performed in the annual St. George Theatre Christmas Show in Staten Island.  It was a wonderful weekend, and truly puts islanders into the holiday spirit.  Even though the show is for the most part routine, it’s the traditional stuff we do annually that sometimes is what we all look forward to.

 

HEY MR. CHRISTMAS:

What else is there to say other than the fact that this album has given me so much! You might ask “but how if it was free?” My answer to you is, the riches I received in peoples love, support, stories of what the music did for them, was worth more than the value of any monetary wealth that may have come from people buying this.  I offered it as a gift simply because my followers are a gift to me each and every day.  You all look at my facebook and twitter to see what I am up to, and comment, like, post, and share my stuff as if I am someone of importance, so for me to not acknowledge how special you all are, it would be ridiculous.  Each song on the album has a special meaning to me, and that’s where the track listing came from.  The name of the album was God sent. I had no name for it until Fran Cafarella and Liz Decker started calling me Mr. Christmas and posted a song on my facebook titled Hey Mr. Christmas.  That’s where it came from.  The song was posted on my wall the very day I sat with my team and said, “we have no title track…”

WCBSFM had supported the album and played various cuts on it, and it was a simple joy this Christmas season that was put together with a lot of love.  I began working on it in June.  101.1 is not only one of my homes for work, but it is a wonderful radio station that has taught me so much and has given me so many amazing opportunities. If someone would have told me that at 25 years old I would get to work with the DJ’s I listened to growing up and producing shows for and with them, I would have said, “you’re insane,” but the fact of the matter is, every day that I wake up I am so blessed for so many reasons and this is one of them! (the picture on the right is me holding the Mr. Christmas bear sent to me by Fran Cafarella)

 

Of the many personalities and amazing people I got to work with this past year, here were some of the bigger named highlights that I got to know, work with, and spend some time with. Some were also on more than one occasion:

Teresa Giudice (Real Housewives of NJ)

Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi (Jersey Shore)

Renee Graziano (Mobwives)

Karen Gravano (Mobwives)

Drita D’Avanzo (Mobwives)

Kristin Buzzetta (Staten Island Cakes)

John Stamos

Bruce Johnson (The Beach Boys)

Lady Gaga

Traci DeMarco (Jerseylicious)

Gigi Locisio (Jerseylicious)

Joann Augello (FOX 5′s Real Housewife of Bensonhurst)

 

SOME MEMORABLE MOMENTS OF 2011:

HAIR on Broadway with my PRHS performing arts students

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Elvis Lives The Concert at Radio City Music Hall

 

 

 

 

 

 

I attended my first mass at the St. Patrick’s Cathedral for Easter with my parish family

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Performing in the Howard Beach Columbus Day Parade with Angelo Venuto honored as the Grand Marshall

 

 

 

Singing Ave Maria for my friends James and Tara Volpe (ne: Miceli’s) wedding I was asked by her mother Jodie to sing it, it was a very special part of my year because I ad introduced these two

 

 

 

 

 

The Glee Concert at the IZOD Center with Andrea Carnell

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vinnie… what about your love life?

Well, I choose not to really open up like a tell-all book in certain aspects of my life. Being very public, there’s a lot about myself in which I share.  When it comes to my dating life, there are few opportunities throughout my life yearly which allow me to meet a nice young lady here and there and hang out.  Right now I am focussing for sure on moving ahead for the future so when the time comes for me to marry and support a family, everything will be set into place!

 

What did I learn this year?

Well, not everyone in your circles are your genuine friends as are the people you associate with.  Theres a very huge difference between the two words friends and acquaintances.  The people you surround yourself with are who you are.  France Joli always says, “tell me who your friends are and I’ll tell you who you are…”  I couldn’t agree any more with this statement.  Sometimes people come in and out of our lives for a short while for a reason, but as long as you learned something from cutting those people out of your life, than it was most definitely worth dealing with them.

 

A quote that I most definitely enjoyed this year during holiday time when “It’s A Wonderful Life” was on is this one:

“each mans life touches so many other lives, and when he isn’t around he leaves an awful hole doesn’t he?”

But when it comes to friends this quote most definitely suits the rich man I am because of the people in my life for real reasons… “remember no man is a failure who has friends…”

This is a lot to look back on. I did a lot of stuff in the last year, and these were only the major highlights.  There were hundreds of appearances and performances, countless amounts of charities and all sorts of humble love and facebook messages, emails, tweets and calls of love and support.  Thanks for reading this, and I say Happy New Year to you and yours, be blessed, and may the coming year be prosperous and full of good graces for you all.  May you be rich with blessings, health, happiness, and all things wonderful. 2012 is going to be great, and I am ready to take you all on a great ride with me. God Bless you all!

Thanks for reading!

Respectfully submitted…

Vinnie Medugno

Dec

27

2011

Take a moment to see how Mr. Christmas himself celebrates the holiday with his family and loved ones. This virtual Christmas card is Vincent’s way of greeting you and yours this holiday season as he invites you into his home.  Enjoy this video along with Vinnie’s rendition of “I’ll Be Home For Christmas.”

Dec

24

2011

The home for New York’s Greatest Hits aired selections from Vincent’s Mr. Christmas album.  New York’s #1 rated radio station WCBSFM 101.1 Disc Jock’s and Air Personalities, Broadway Bill Lee, Sweet Sue O’Neal, and the Legendary Bob Shannon are heard talking about Vincent as an artist and his recent recordings.  Click the video below to hear airings of “Do They Know It’s Christmas” recorded with Angelo Venuto, and “We Wish You The Merriest” recorded with Brooklyn’s Own Joe Causi, who is also an air personality at 101, but performs often with Vinnie when the two do songs like Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin.

Dec

20

2011

Mr. Christmas shows you how to deck the halls if you haven’t done so already and are still procrastinating.  Here are some great tree trimming tips to make your tree look large, full, and extra bright this holiday season!

Dec

15

2011

In 2005 Vinnie was asked to be part of this amazing and annual Holiday tradition that comes to the tri-state area in his hometown of Staten Island New York.  Compared to the Radio City Christmas Show, but more affordable, the St. George Theatre puts out all stops in giving you the true meaning of Christmas with it’s incredible Nativity Scene as well as spreading cheer and getting its audiences into the spirit with its dazzling show stopping numbers. Close to 10,000 patrons attend the show annually, are you going to be one of them?

Experience The Magic Of Christmas At
There’s still time to get your tickets!  
December 16, 17 & 18
For tickets call (718) 442-2900 or online at www.ticketmaster.com
 

The Christmas Show ~ 2011

A magical experience for the entire family!It’s that time of year where we all need a little Christmas!

A family friendly musical all the way! Enjoy songs
of the season, and scenes from Santa’s Workshop,
Central Park, the World’s Largest Toy Store,
Lincoln Center, Rainbow Room and so much more!
Meet and greet the cast in the lobby… bring your camera!

SHOW DATES AND TIMES ARE AS FOLLOWS:

Friday, December 16 at 7:00pm
Saturday, December 17 at 3:00pm
Saturday, December 17 at 7:00pm
Sunday, December 18 at 3:00pm
Sunday, December 18 at 7:00pm*Tickets: $10, $20, $30, $40
*Sunday Night Special: All tickets $10 & $20*

CHECK OUT SOME VIDEO OF VINNIES PREVIOUS PERFORMANCES IN THE SHOW:

 

PLUS, PATRONS WHO COME OUT TO THE SHOW THIS WEEKEND WILL ALSO RECEIVE A FREE COPY OF MR. CHRISTMAS, THE NEW HOLIDAY ALBUM RECORDED BY VINNIE!

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Click the provided link below to download your FREE copy NOW:

vincentmedugno.com/MrChristmasVincentMedugno.zip

 

FEATURING 11 HOLIDAY FAVORITES…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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We here at VME (Vincent Medugno Entertainment) would love to know what you think of the album titled Mr. Christmas and what your favorite song(s) are on the album and why! It has gotten over 1400 plus downloads, and we wanna know what you think…

Please comment below with your name, and where your from! This is your platform to give us a full review of this awesome holiday collection that Vinnie has put out!

Below is a little behind the scenes from Vinnie:

My personal favorites on the album are “Do They Know It’s Christmas,” “Happy Holiday/It’s The Holiday Season,” “Driving Home For Christmas,” and “Last Christmas.”  I’m also very partial to “Ave Maria,” as well as “I’ll Be Home For Christmas.”

I started really getting into the idea of doing a Christmas album about a year ago.  I really wanted to release one last year, but with the recording and production of the “Magnetic” music video, I sorta got sidetracked.  ”Magnetic” and the making of were very near and dear to me as is any project that we as artists decide to dedicate our time and selves to.

I thought it best to wait until this year to start production on my dream Christmas album… so that’s what I did!

Everyone had gotten used to hearing me as a dance artist, but my true roots of singing and performing come from that of a crooner style. I grew up loving Sinatra and any one to come as a performer out of that era.  That’s the feel I wanted to put as the emphasis behind “Mr. Christmas,” although there are some dance tunes as well.

As for my favorites, well I’ll tell ya’ how they came about.  When selecting songs for this project, I thought outside of the box, wanted something more soothing, relaxing, something that one can sip some wine to, wrap a gift to, lay by a fireplace and relax with a romantic partner to, or even to drive around and stare at lights to.  I didn’t wanna do a “happy go lucky” all up beat album. I feel that my true artistry is represented in the song choice given.

Do They Know It’s Christmas: This was recorded with Angelo Venuto. That man is a true artist in every facet of the word. He made the entire track in his studio one night, and we recorded the vocals with a lot of love and fun. It was always one of my absolute favorite songs during the season. In fact, I sang it in a school show when I was in high school and decided to put it on this album, and I couldn’t have chosen a more suitable partner to sing the intricate harmonies and backgrounds with. Angelo and I have worked together before, and it only felt right to do it again.

Happy Holidays…: If you know me, you know I’ve performed this time and again in the fantastic St. George Theatre Christmas show, and it truly had become MY song. People stop me in the mall all through the year singing it to me or anywhere I am recognized they tell me they love my rendition of that song, so for me it was a no brainer. I didn’t even have to think twice about putting it on the album.  Aside from loving the song so much, it felt only right to have it on my album which was almost named after it!

Driving Home For Christmas: The true story behind this one is owed to my mother (Angela). She (as in the past, and always) tells me a lot of different songs that I should record or perform. Sometimes I look at her like she’s insane and other times (the few that I attempted), I never had negative results. It’s true “mother always knows best” right!? Anyway, she had heard this song while Christmas shopping last year in TJ Maxx, and rushed home to google the lyrics. When she matched it up with the youtube video of the original song by Chris Rea, she showed it to me and I fell head over heels for the song.  The emotion in it is incredible, the music is beautiful, and the overall feel of the song puts you in a great mood. I dare to say, it’s my favorite on the whole album! Not to mention France Joli (when she heard it), got very emotional and thought this song was incredible too.

Last Christmas: This song was also a recommended idea as well as a dedication to my mom cause it is one of her favorite Christmas songs too.  I thoroughly enjoy singing it, it’s a hard but great song to sing, and I respect and love Wham’s rendition of it too.

Ave Maria: I was asked by my friend Jodie Micelli, to sing this at the ceremony of her daughter Tara and new son-in-law James’s wedding which took place this past September.  I introduced these two amazing people three years ago, and Jodie felt it was a gift from God, and demanded that I sing this at their wedding. Once I saw the reaction to the people, and caught a feel of the emotion and meaning connected to the song, I immediately went into the studio that following week and recorded what you hear. In the final mix down of it, France and I looked at one another and said “WOW!” It’s a powerful, symbolic, and beautiful song. I hope you enjoy my rendition.

I’ll Be Home For Christmas: It’s simply an ode to Michael Buble! I love him as a performer, and I wanted to come close to, while making it my own, his version. I am very pleased with the outcome of that track too.

So there ya’ have it friends! That;s the back story of my favorites and how they came about on the album. Each of the songs mentioned were a gift to me and how they came about, so now you have a more in-depth look at why I would want to share them as a gift with you. I’m interested in hearing your comments and favorites, so please write below, and if you haven’t downloaded or shared the album with your friends and loved ones yet, I welcome you to do so whole heartedly.