"Hi-de-Hi ShinDiggers!"

Rhino also had a thriving video division in 1991, and they were preparing to release a collection of 12 videos from the seminal 1960's ABC TV show "Shindig." "Shindig's" smiling Host Jimmy O'Neill had been at KRLA Radio back when I had started in the mid-'60's. It was great to re-connect with him, and he became the centerpiece of our campaign to launch the "Shindig" series. These shows included rare performances of-Jackie Wilson, The Righteous Brothers, The Yardbirds, The Mamas & Papas, The Byrds, Bobby Sherman, the Turtles, and my old friends Sonny & Cher. The videos were well received. I was then off to new projects, and getting used to being back in the craziness I had so desperately wanted out of. I guess I had a new appreciation of L.A., and of what could be done, now that TV and cable had embraced the entertainment industry with the newly launched "E Channel", MTV, VH-1, and, of course the very successful "Entertainment Tonight, all of whom covered our "Shindig" kickoff party.

In late 1992 I went to Jensen Communications, owned by former journalist Michael Jensen, who was one of the "kids" we had "adopted" in the'70's at Gibson & Stromberg. Michael was a writer for the Pasadena Star News then, reviewing rock'n roll concerts, and writing up interviews with our clients. Now, he was a mega-successful public relations whiz, who had headed up CBS Records' tour publicity Department, and was now doing projects for Mikhail Gorbachev and more. While at Jensen, I worked with the mega-talented actress/producer Shelley Duvall, whose "Faerie Tale Theatre" had captivated me in the early days of Showtime Cable. Now, she was producing "Mrs. PiggleWiggle," and her energy and creativity was a wonderful thing to behold. Children's Entertainment, which I had not yet worked in, was becoming a huge industry, and through this project, I worked with some magical people. Speaking of magic, I also re-connected with the wondrous Jon Anderson, when our client, Kitaro, made a lovely album with him. "Dream," was released on Geffen Records, and eventually became a Grammy nominee. Kitaro and Jon did a couple of concerts together, and it was great fun being involved with such music again.

"In Which I Become the Queen of the Singing Cats..."

While at Jensen, we became partners with a bizarre guy who recorded his 12 cats and made a Christmas album out of the results. The Jingle Cats' "Meowy Christmas", released independently, sold over 120,000 CDs & tapes the first year, and the follow up, "Here Comes Santa Claws" should keep Jensen and producer Mike Spalla in kitty litter for years. The PR was a hoot, the fan letters were amazing! In certain circles, I will be forever known as the Queen of the Singing Cats. Why not?! We ended up the campaign over the 1994 Holidays on a promotional tour, and once back in L.A. a satellite TV tour, complete with the Spallas and their kitties in the world's longest limousine, trailed by CNN's camera crew.

Also at Jensen, we helped with the publicity campaign to launch the first line of authorized rock'n' roll comic books, with Rock-It Comix. Gold Mountain Management's Jack Jacobs and Ron Stone were the brains behind the concept, although the first wave of Rock-It Comix, as executed by Malibu Comics, was extremely well done, and well received. These included comics on Ozzie Osbourne and Lita Ford. The line has continued, with comics from the PharCyde and YES, among others. Now, Marvel Comics owns the Rock-It line.

The year 1995 brought me to my friend Don Williams? Music Group, and introduced me to the world of the Internet. This somewhat lengthy and entirely true history was written during that time, and enjoyed a cyber-residence with the good folks at Indie Space (formerly Kspace) for the last several years, until I was able to update. As previously mentioned, I worked for Warren Cowan & Associates for approximately two years, and, among other projects, had the pleasure of working with the late comic genius Steve Allen. I realized what a great influence that his creation, the ?Tonight Show,? was on my life, and that perhaps the streak of wild silliness that resides in me somehow came from those late nights watching him on my parents? TV. He is and will continue to be missed.

I also had the joy of working with the respected producer and songwriter Steve Tyrell, whose nearly perfect CD ?A New Standard? on Atlantic enjoyed more than a year on the Billboard Jazz charts. Tyrell (who nobody realized was the incredible singer he has apparently been since birth), created an album of the 20th century?s most wonderful songs, working with legendary musicians. I helped to get him exposed to the public, booking him in the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel?s CineGrill, where he (and his great band) dazzled sold out audiences. He received great reviews, and was discovered by the younger generation in glowing stories in college press. We worked at getting him on TV where he charmed the Donny & Marie Show audience, and eventually the Tonight Show booked him. I can only hope that he continues to make albums, as I believe he?s the new century?s Tony Bennett, and personally, I could listen to him sing forever. ?A New Standard? will probably sell well into the 3rd Millennium, as it is truly timeless.

While at Warren Cowan, my friend Herb Dow, Emmy-award winning former Film editor and lifelong PeanutButter lover, started his long dreamed-of Peanut Butter company. With Florida-born country singer Sorrells Pickard (who grew up on Uncle Stanley?s Peanut Farm), Herb launched Sorrells Pickard Gourmet Peanut Butter, a delicious new addition to more than 6000 store shelves in eleven western states. We had wonderful press, particularly when the ?Spread the Bread? foundation donated tons of peanut butter to cities, shelters, and schools. Sorrells did a historic Jar-Signing tour of Supermarkets, and sales reached more than 3 million jars. I became known as the Peanut Butter Princess, and Sorrells became known as the Peanut Butter version of Colonel Sanders. We even had a page in Forbes Magazine over the Christmas 2000 holiday, before a downturn in the economy prevented the company from expanding to keep up with the demand. At this writing, Herb has several interested investors, hundreds of testimonials from Peanut Butter Lovers, and plans to bring back Sorrells Pickard sometime this year.

Following a disaster-prone few months, where I underwent surgery for a perforated appendix, then shattered my ankle in 3 places, Warren and I parted company, and it was back to indie projects. I?ve worked with a marvelous artist/sculptor named Gerri Dalzell, who creates magnificent Sea Horses and Mermaids for environmental organizations (Heal the Bay), hotel and office lobbies and private estates in SoCal and Hawaii. I?ve recently worked with the Reflect Monitor software company, developer of a Parents? protection software, which is also a method whereby parents can ?spy? on their kids while they?re online. A recent project for the Hyperbaric Systems, a California-based biomedical company, has announced a new method of extending the life of blood platelets from 5 to 10 days. This project marks an important new development for blood bank administrators, who have issued recent warnings of blood shortages at a 20-year low.

A sense of adventure prevails, as I anticipate the next chapter of this saga. Maybe I?ll turn this all into a book, as this process has brought up more and more stories and recollections, some I?ve added to this site, some more private and personal. Publish or perish? I don?t know?but for now, the story and stories continue.