Happy Thanksgiving

*11/24/07 Rt 63 Roadhouse Millers Falls, MA

*12/21/07 Church Boston, MA

Hello Stuntfans - Happy Thanksgiving. We just wanted to make sure that you all know about our Thanksgiving Tradition which will be taking place this Saturday, November 24 at the Rt. 63 roadhouse in Millers Falls, MA. The Bluegrass band Yarn, From Brooklyn, NY is opening the show at 8 PM. After that Stunts will be performed for you viewing pleasure until 1 AM. Come to this show if you want to see Freddy and Steve before they head of to France for a three week tour with the Young At Heart Chorus.

There will be a Boston DVD release party for the Drunk Stuntmen/Young at Heart Chorus Back To Back, at Church (formerly the Linwood Grill) in Boston, MA. Mike Flood is opening the show. More info to follow. If you can't make it to Boston, (tapping my foot and giving you a look that sez, you'd better be Dead or in Jail)you can purchase the DVD by going to Dynamite Records in Northampton where Bow Bow will gladly sell you one. Have you hit him up as a myspace friend yet? It is also available online at Filmbaby.com and the Catalog section of Drunkstuntmen.com

Steve let me know that he went into the Studio to lay down four harmonies which completes State Fair which is due to be released March 1, 2008.

Freddy had a close encounter of the photogenic kind with Leonard Nimoy of "In Search of" fame.

Again Happy Turkey Day and we'll see you on Saturday.

In search of....the Alpha Male

By Freddy Freedom

I just took my black t-shirt off and threw it on the floor behind me so I could trim my beard. When I turned around, I thought I almost stepped on my dog. I don't own a dog.

As I walked down the stairs of the familiar old entrance it felt exciting and alive. It had once been the descending staircase to Unmi restaurant a few years back. Unmi had been a valiant attempt to bring high-end, slow food to Northampton by Unmi Abkin, former owner of Cha-Cha-Cha. Like too many great and special things it was too good to last. It's been a yoga studio for a few years now but today, it was something great and special for a few lucky people. I am one of those few. Here's my story:

I met Leonard Nimoy three years ago at an exhibition at R. Michelson Galleries where I work part time. He was in town for the opening of an exhibition of photographs from a book called "Shekinah". The book features beautiful women in black and white, some nude, some wearing traditional sacred Hebrew garments. Oy Vey Smir!

It was a blast to meet him, shake his hand, and have a picture as a memento.

http://www.rmichelson.com/Artist_Pages/Nimoy/pages/Shekina-show.htm

(The group shot 3rd down on the left. I'm all the way to the right.)

Well, Spock just came back through town and it's a whole new ballgame.

This time he was in town for a whole week. There is a new book called "The Full Body Project" which contains photos of women who don't conform to modern society's ideal of beauty. Vast women, clothed and nude. Refreshing, daring, and cool. Much like Mr. Nimoy.

I got to work security for the opening again. This time I had some major face-time with "The Boss". I was to stand near the signing table and guard this great American icon.

Well, that, and to show people where the exit was.

Moreso on the guarding part from my perspective.

Before he was whisked away in a waiting car, I managed to get an autograph. Clearly signed between the lines on a placcard which said: "Please note that Mr. Nimoy will be unable to sign books or memorabilia not purchased during the weekend events."

Yeah, right.

So, this time he 's sticking around for a couple of days after talking about the photos he's taken. Instead, he's going to do a shoot at the goddamned gallery and I'm on the list.

The shoot is/was for a project entitled "Who Do You Think You Are?" Participants are encouraged to show their "Secret Self" to Leonard Nimoy as he takes photos and video. "The self never revealed" is what he wants to capture. Sound easy? Maybe.

When I showed up at 10:30 am I was not the first one to arrive. Before me was a woman who was wearing traditional Native American garb. She had brought her own music and it was filling the air through the boutique stereo system that had once accompanied the BEST PORK CHOPS I HAVE EVER HAD. Sorry to shout but it's true. I miss Unmi. But I digress. As the fervent new-age techno (if I may dare) filled the air it was cut many times with the pop of expensive photo equipment and a loud boomin baritone shouting: "YEAH!...SHOW IT TO ME! YEAH!..THAT'S IT!... YEAH! " It was Leonard.

Oh my god. Too fucking weird. That voice...that famous voice. Just beyond a thin curtain and he's excitedly yelling at his subject short words of approval. Will I meet such sweet fate? Maybe.

A few minutes later, the woman in question was back in her street clothes and was hurrying up the stairs. She was trailed by a man, presumably hers, with a gigantic gym bag full of stuff. Props and such. I won't know exactly what until I see the book/documentry. It was a funny sight.

I was shown to the waiting area. I smoothed my shirt and pants and checked my hair in the mirror. I was ready.

The model before me appeared around the corner, concerned. "He took all day with some of the others. He only took 2 pictures of me." I dunno lady. Outtamyway.

So It's my turn up. I am ushered to what used to be the servers station. There's confusion with my name. There's always confusion with my name. The slate is clicked and Alex Jo-hanson is announced. It's on. All attention turns to me. Leonard shake's my hand and asks my to come over and step on the mark. "Mark" is studio talk. It means where you stand when they are about to make you nervous. So there I am. F. Alex Johnson on and in front of a white background. There's god knows how many high powered lights on me as well as what was at least 3 videographers. He's talking to me. This time it's not just "Thanks" like in '04. This time he is asking me questions. What is my "secret self". I was going to go with either raccoon, garbage man, or courageous alpha male. I chose alpha male. I wore a Scoutmaster's shirt I had owned for years. Nimoy notices my tattoos and remarks how they are certainly not very beta. I concur and hold out my arms for the cameras. I had goosebumps all over and I'm sure it showed up on the HD cameras. Someone's a little overstimulated. But this is OK. I explain my profession as a musician with the Stuntmen and the Chorus. He's very interested in the Y@H and so I explain. I try to remember that he is 76 and could very well join. Who knows. So, he asks me to show him the "Alpha Male" and I start to point. I point and appear to view a golden opportunity for bravery in the distance.

"YEAH! THAT'S IT!!"

Oh my god. He's shouting at me. Mr. Leonard Nimoy is shouting at me.

I fold my arms over my chest and he yells: "YEAH, SHOW ME THE DEFIANCE! YEAH!"

A couple more pics and he says: "I think we got it."

Awesome. Motherfucking awesome.

I get to see a couple of the shots on the monitor of what I learn later is a $35,000 dollar piece of equipment. I own a Kodak Easyshare. It takes pretty good pictures. I left it at home.

I'm off the camera mark now, talking to Leo, and his wife. As my eyes adjust I spy not one, but 2 camera men on me like glue. We talk about David Byrne and how the Chorus had just worked with him. The Nimoy's had just had lunch with the David last week. Small world.

So, my time is up at the big photo shoot. I can't help but wander over to the catering table to grab a water and a piece of Jarlsberg w/ cracker (a new favorite). Look out for my cheese reviews in upcoming installments entitled "Just My Fromagination".

I walk past some others waiting in the foyer. A man in a biker outfit, a woman in boxing gloves. It all seemed so surreal.

The Scoutmaster's shirt is hanging back up in the closet. In the strangest way, I feel it has brought me closer to the courageous alpha that lies inside me.

The moral here I think is: Don't quit your day job. It may just be the thing you need to help your career.

Yours,

F.A.M.J