YOU ARE WELL AWARE OF THE GREATEST AROUND STATEN ISLAND SURVEY TAKING PLACE… THE NOMINATIONS YOU HAVE GRACIOUSLY SELECTED ME FOR HAVE COME TO FRUITION. I ALONG WITH SOME FRIENDS AND EVEN FAMILY HAVE APPEARED ON THE BALLOTS FOR VARIOUS CATEGORIES. PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT TO READ MY ENDORSEMENTS BELOW AS WELL AS CHECK OUT THE CATEGORIES AND PLACE  YOUR VOTES. THE COMPETITION IS VERY CLOSE AND RUNNING LONGER DUE TO THE INFLUX OF VOTES IN EACH CATEGORY! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL OF THE CONTINUED LOVE AND SUPPORT.

VOTING CAN BE DONE HERE AT:

http://greatestaroundstatenisland.com/voting/

YOU CAN ONLY VOTE EACH CATEGORY ONCE A DAY PER I.P. ADDRESS, BUT VOTING IS UNLIMITED UNLIMITED UNTIL

MAY 20TH 2012… SO GET CLICKIN’!!!

The following are my endorsements for people and places who are my friends and supporters in the community and I am asking you to help them as well in the voting process.  All choices are up to you ultimately, but these people are dedicated to their categories as I am in mine.  That’s why they get my endorsement!

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT:

Category #2 – Mike Shane (photographer)

Category #7 – Screaming Broccoli (band)

Category #8 – Miss. Theresa’s Dance Land (dancing school)

Category # 9 – The Higher Concept (rappers)

Category #11 – St. George Theatre (local theatre/entertainment venue)

Category #12 – Vinnie Medugno (local entertainer)

Category #14 - St. George Theatre (local theatre/entertainment venue)

Category #15 – Dog And Pony Show Website (best local website – they’re also the hosts of this site VincentMedugno.com)

Category #16 – WSIA (local radio station where I started as a local radio personality and disc jockey)

Category #18 – Vinnie Medugno (solo musician)

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NIGHT LIFE:

Category #3 – Pier 76 (best bar)

Category #6 – The Drunken Monkey (best place for a girls night out, but also my girl Big Ang’s bar!)

Category #9 – Eve Ultra Lounge (best martini, they also threw the Magnetic release party VOTE!!!)

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PEOPLE & PERSONALITIES:

Category #2 – Monsignor Nicholas J. Soares – St. Michael’s Parish (My pastor and a great religious leader, who really DOES GOD’S WORK in this community and is all about faith, not the monetary values of the church!!! VOTE!!!)

Category #4 – Emilio Sparks (blogger… YES I am in this category too, but I’m moving over for Emilio… Why? HE’S MY BROTHER , he just don’t use our last name ’cause too many people compare him to me!!!! LOL VOTEEE!!!!)

Category #5 – Vinnie Medugno (local entertainer.. HELLO!!!)

Category #7 – Debbi Rose (she is a council person who really does for the community… I know her personally)

Category #10 – Mike Shane (photographer – he also does some of my headshots!)

Category #11 – Vinnie Medugno

Category #12 – Kathy O’Leary Garborino (best realtor – another PERSONAL friend of mine, and a true class act VOTE!!!)

Category #13 – Timothy M. Gannon (Port Richmond High School Principal, my high school, and a great friend of mine, he allows me to direct shows in his school and make a difference in the lives of students who want to pursue the arts… VOTE!!!)

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RESTAURANTS:

Category #14 – Deninos ( best pizzeria… love Carla Denino, she is the hardest working woman in the restaurant business, and the BEST pizza on Staten Island)

WE HERE AT VM.COM WANNA SEND A PERSONAL THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU FOR NOMINATING VINCENT FOR SUCH A PRESTIGIOUS AWARD TO HIM! IT TRULY MEANS A LOT TO HIM TO BE CONSIDERED FOR SOMETHING THAT HE WORKS SO HARD FOR… HIS COMMUNITY! YOU TRULY HAVE DEFINED HIM AS MR. STATEN ISLAND, AND IF HE WINS THIS AWARD, THERE WILL BE SOMETHING SPECIAL IN THE WORKS FOR ALL TO CELEBRATE!

If you  haven’t yet nominated Vinnie Medugno for Best Local Entertainer… here are some details:

• The nomination period will run until 23:59:59 on March 30, 2012. For a nominated listing (i.e. Joe Public Martial Arts Studio) to make it to the voting period (which runs from April 15, 2012 – May 15, 2012) it must receive a minimum of twenty five nominations.
• If any category (i.e. Martial Arts Studio) does not have more than five different qualified listings (i.e. Joe Public Martial Arts Studio), that category (i.e. Martial Arts Studio) will not be on the voting ballot come April 15th.
• The system will count only one nomination per day, per IP address (computer), per category (i.e. Martial Arts Studio). So come back daily to enter your favorites to ensure they get into the voting period! Should you have any questions please click the “connect with us tab” above.

So after you enter your nominations go and tell your patrons, friends and family to come and nominate their favorite places, too!

To nominate go to http://greatestaroundstatenisland.com/ae-nom/ and in category #15 type Vinnie Medugno

If you already nominated and are waiting for the voting process… here is some info:

GREATEST AROUND STATEN ISLAND VOTING PERIOD RUNS FROM 04/15/2012 – 05/15/2012

Check back soon for more details on when the voting opens up and how to find the ballot!

Did you nominate all of your other favorite “Greatest around Staten Island?”

Here’s how you can connect with the Greatest Around Staten Island Poll:

→ Twitter: @GAstatenisland
→ Facebook: facebook.com/greatestaroundstatenisland

Help spread the word!

I would love to know what you think about this amazing event that I really enjoyed being part of.

Woodbridge Mall and Staten Island mall were two amazing houses to hang, perform, host, and bring the top ultimate Prom fashions to for this coming Prom Season!

There were a lot of amazing students both inside and out, which helped to radiate the beauty behind all of the looks featured in this years annual showcase.

It was truly an honor to be the spokesperson for David Albertson (GGP Marketing Manager of SI and WB Malls), and his wonderful event which gives back to the local school communities.

If you have a prom coming up and want to share with us your AMAZING looks, please send us your photos via twitter by hash tagging the words #PromJam or #PromJam12!

HUGE THANKS AND SHOUT OUTS GO TO: Priscilla Mennella (BGC Season 7 my friend and Co-Host), Partners in Sound Productions (Mike G, Anthony Gerardi, DJ B-Rad, and Sean Fink, plus the incredible PISP Dancers), Manny DelValle, Scarlett Santana, Luminous (all recording artists), Raquel Castro (NBC’s The Voice), and YOU for coming out and supporting!  We also want to thank all of the amazing vendors who partook in this wonderful event, and the brains behind it all, David Albertson, Royce Stozki and Louis Moran with his incredible staff of stylists and fashionisto’s from Retail Reinvention!

More great events are coming to the malls, and I was asked to be part of them, and of course  will share them with you.

IF YOU WERE THERE AND HAVE A COMMENT, PLEASE SHARE!

OK! I can finally open up and share the big secret and news to you all about my long time and special friend France Joli…  There’s new music!  The long awaited come back of this legendary artist is finally here and about to take place in a big way!

Last year, after a tiring weekend of gigs and performances, France and I went to get a bite to eat at a diner, and began speaking about path’s in life and what’s to come for people like ourselves and the next phase of things.  We always have great conversation, which adds to a great friendship.

Many people think when people in the industry are friends, its all about business.  In the beginning, business ventures would be the primary focus of our meetings and gatherings, but now it’s about substance, learning, sharing, feeling one another’s emotions and hearing thoughts, stories and ideas.  We can advise one another, confide in one another and also agree to disagree on things! That’s what a real friendship/family is about.

With all of this said, we were in the diner, and Dean (France’s husband) stepped away for a moment, and I had a moment with her, where she locked into a zone of telling me how she has this vision and dream.  This idea of an incredible song, but almost a fear of not being able to bring it out of her head (where she heard every note, tune, tone, sound, lyric, etc…) and onto something tangible.  To me this was sad, but also a light that was shining because there was such hope in her that made me think of the book “The Secret.”

God is great, as is faith, and I would never shoot down a superior force that I respect so much, but in reading the book “The Secret,” it says clearly, that you need to put out into your universe what you want to come to you, and believe that it will, and it will.  This method has worked for me a number of times, and France and I were discussing and upon talking about ways to go, and people that she’d contact to work on this project, I told her, “France, think of the secret, put it out there, and let it come into your universe…”

After an emotional moment, but a hopeful one, she headed back to Montreal that week, and after a couple of weeks, I had received a call from her insuring me that she’d already began working towards making the vision, a reality, and she’d made calls, appointments, dates and plans, to come back to New York and work on this new project.

The summer came, and so did the immediate work on this idea of brilliance; a concept for a song that no one had thought of yet, but might.  See France is such an artist, that she indeed had some original visions of other songs in the past that she heard to become successes that other artists had come out with way after she’d thought about them.  This one she acted on.

Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah… At first when she had told me of this, I said “a ballad… I don’t think so Tim!” But than she began to explain to me everything going on in her head, and I immediately got goose bumps and thought to myself, and I quote… “holy shit, that’s a hit of an idea!”  She invited me to be there on the first day she’d sit down with amazing producer and remixer Giuseppe D, which in itself was an honor.

Giuseppe D has had a pretty star studded track record under his belt, and to sit with my friend France (who inspires me as an artist, and is a legend) and Giuseppe (who I would love to produce a record for me one day), in the same room doing something together, and to witness it coming to fruition, was surreal, but amazing for me to witness all at once!  This truly was good faith and the secret in action at its top best!

That moment, and I had always respected France musically, but that moment that I shared with her; made me truly see the true talent, and artistic ability that she had.  She with her intonation and perfect pitch would sing a melody, and Giuseppe with his blessed musical talent, would play it.  The two worked like a team, and she even picked out the exact sounds with him that were in her brain!  I sat and soaked it all in.  At times I would interject a point or two, but for the most part I’d only speak when spoken to because this was her vision, and I was there for support and be a spectator.  All the while, I learned the true professionalism and artistry in putting an amazing piece of work together.

On probably what was the hottest day of the summer, I remember recovering from a migraine (from the night before). France and I went to an appearance together in Howard Beach, and it was so humid and hot.  Not to mention I get terrible migraines at times, and this was one of them.  France had told me, “it’s okay I can go alone, you should rest,” but I remember saying, “Nope, I’m fine!” I truly was.  I slept off the migraine, and was ready to be the friend and support that she needed in the room for this to come to life the way she wanted it to.  Dean was golfing, he too offered to go, but he loves to golf, and I still don’t know how he played 18 holes in 102 degree weather with 85% humidity, but that’s how it was this particular day.

Hours went by, and before we knew it, the evening had arrived, and the foundation of Hallelujah was on a CD and playing back in my truck on the way back to Staten Island.  France reminded me of one of my high school students who had just received the lead role in a show I direct.  She was ecstatic! We must have listened to that song on repeat 15 times.  She sang it to me, and we sang together harmonies, and different variations, and low and behold a few months later, the whirlwind encircled her with good energy and great vibes, and here she is with a new release as of yesterday, a video on the way, and a positive new outlook on the next phase of her career and life, totally the opposite of the night we just sat and talked in the diner!  I was able to be part of something so amazing for her, and I am so proud to have seen the manifestation of it all.

I really love this woman so much it’s not even funny.  There is such joy in my life that she brings, with wisdom and guidance that is beyond anyone’s belief.  I do not think that I was the force behind her project at all.  I was just the ear that listened at a time when she spoke, and gave her the confidence that any friend would give to say what she says to me… “hey, go get it!” And she did…

Through her ambition, I fed off of it, and immediately began to follow my dream of recording that Christmas album that you all just loved so much this past holiday season, and than it got aired on WCBSFM and the energy continued.  From her energy and creativity, it stemmed to my energy and creativity, and all around on both parts, we’ve received nothing less than success to at least say WE DID IT.  What really made it special was her guidance and input during the final mixing of the album as well.  She made me (along with Mike Cash the producer) sound like a star, and I’ll never forget this.

In my heart of hearts, I feel that Hallelujah is going to be a hit.  I ask you all to keep the energy going and place a good thought or two out into the universe towards this project, and together we can all take this song to the top with love and support!  France has taught me, as an up and coming, and our youth or even adults today who feel it’s too late to chase something, the complete opposite.  She has taught me and us to go get it no matter what the cost.  She has taught me to make something count in your life that you never thought would count.  She has taught me to OWN and become RESPONSIBLE for what it is you are and wanna do, and do it.  For this and from this experience, I learned many important life lessons, which will remain with me all through my personal and public life for both career and private reasons.  I am so thankful to her, that all I can say to God above for bringing us together is HALLEJUAH!

CLICK TO HEAR PART OF THE SONG

HALLELUJAH is available now on iTunes, CDBaby, and Amazon, among other online retailers.

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.

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!

This is a great way to show young girls as well as the youth as a whole today, how to accept that there are different people, and different things that happen to all different people each and every day in our world.  I personally feel that using a toy to make light on a situation in this manner is tasteful and educational in that it opens the mind and eyes to something that some might be ignorant about.

The page continues on by saying… “Many children have some difficulty accepting their mother, sister, aunt, grandparent or friend going from a long haired to a bald.”

Toy company Mattell, who manufactures everyone’s favorite blonde haired, long legged, iconic doll says they do not take ideas from outside sources.

My reaction to that is… If Barbie can be pregnant and dressed way inappropriate as a teen, which we’ve seen as of late, than why can’t she be used for something more educational? Maybe Mattell should take this idea and be leaders rather than create a doll that fits and feeds into the conformity of a select population of people! Cancer affects everyone.  We all know, have heard of, or have been personally troubled by this horrid disease, so why not spread awareness and education to the younger generations.  It does a lot more than just open up the possibility of getting children used to seeing bald females.

I feel it lets kids see everyone is different, we are all not alike, it gets them asking questions like, “Mommy, why does that Barbie have no hair?”  This in the household can be where parents would be able to educate their youngings about such situations in life.  Plus, the doll’s revenue would also generate funds for cancer awareness organizations.  The page concludes by saying, “This would be a great coping mechanism for young girls dealing with hair loss themselves or a loved one. We would love to see a portion of proceeds go to childhood cancer research and treatment. Let’s get Mattell’s attention!”

I personally feel it is a win, win situation all the way around.  If you agree and want to support the campaign than you can direct your emails to baldbarbie@gmail.com or “LIKE” their Beautiful and Bald Barbie Facebook Page (by clicking the red underlined title).

I’ve taken part in numerous activities, charities, benefits, and events to educate, raise money and spread awareness for said conditions like cancer, and first hand have witnessed what it does to kids and families.  This is another passage way to open up awareness and education amongst people of all ages across our world.  What do you think?

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 20^th 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 30^th ANNIVERSARY:

SING is a school tradition in high schools across Brooklyn and Staten Island.  This year marked the 30^th 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)

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