My dear friend, multitalented funnyman Mark Wirtz, has made the Top Five round in the Famecast comedy competition - thanks to many of you! It’s now the final week of voting, and Mark needs to get as many votes as he can in order to take it all the way!!!  Please check out Mark’s NEW comedy video by clicking on the graphic below, and cast your vote for Mark.  Please vote for him DAILY - every vote counts!

Mark is a renowned music producer, arranger, composer, singer, author, artist, and stand-up comedian (whew!) who is best known as the creator of the Teenage Opera concept in the UK - in the 1960’s when Keith West had a hit with the Wirtz-produced "Excerpt From a Teenage Opera" (aka "Grocer Jack," which Mark also cowrote with Keith) - as well as the cool "A Touch of Velvet, A Sting of Brass."  Chances are you’re familiar with Mark’s work even if you don’t know his name.  Since shifting his focus from music to comedy, Mark has been appearing regularly at comedy clubs in Georgia, Florida, and beyond.  His style is dry, edgy, British - and very funny!  (For more info, please visit my The Music and Comedy of Mark Wirtz on Oldies Connection.)

Registration on the Famecast site is fast, free and easy (like Mark!); it takes just a few minutes to do so and, after you’ve registered, you can remain signed in to the site and vote once a day.  Please vote for Mark every day - with your help, HE WILL WIN!

VOTING ENDS at 12:00 p.m. (NOON) on FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2008.  EVERY DAY COUNTS!

Warning: Mild Adult Content (language)

Click here to view the new video and vote

From the 1961 movie Hey, Let's Twist.

Enjoy,
Laura

Hi, oldies music lovers,

I've recently created a couple of groups on YouTube for the purpose of paying tribute to two very talented guys.  The Jeff Barry YouTube Group showcases videos that feature music written and/or produced by Jeff.  The Neil Sedaka YouTube Group presents videos of Neil performing in concert and on television, from the 1960s to the present.

If you have a YouTube account, feel free to join one or both of the groups, add videos, and post to the discussion boards.

Enjoy,
Laura

In 2001, A&E's Biography channel premiered Hitmakers: The Teens Who Stole Pop Music.  This fantastic documentary, shown in five parts starting with a two-hour installment, featured the giants of the Brill Building era - songwriting teams such as Doc Pomus/Mort Shuman, Burt Bacharach/Hal David, Jerry Leiber/Mike Stoller, Neil Sedaka/Howard Greenfield, Carole King/Gerry Goffin, Barry Mann/Cynthia Weil, and Jeff Barry/Ellie Greenwich.  The series, which is available on home video, is chock-full of music, rare footage, and interviews.

Below is the first Hitmakers special in nine parts, courtesy of YouTube.  Enjoy!

Laura

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Part 6

Part 7

Part 8

Part 9

Here's a cool performance by the cast of Jersey Boys, with a medley of fantastic Four Seasons tunes!  Enjoy!!!

Hi everyone,

Take a look at this cool video of singer/songwriter Ed Rambeau performing for Carnival Cruise Line.  Afterwards, stop by Ed's MySpace page and official website and check out all of his great music, as well as a couple more videos including two gems from 1965!

Posted By:Ed Rambeau

Get this video and more at MySpace.com