The DAVID FOREST Sunday Serenade

I don’t know about you … but, I’ll be so glad when this damn Mercury Retrograde is over next Saturday night (May 30). Between my computer monitor dying, my car battery and brakes freaking out … and … a problem with a transfer into my bank account causing all hell to break loose … I’ve had my fill of retrograde crap (oh, there’s more, but it’s not stuff I can write about here). Good News …. TONY CAPUCCI has agreed to do 1 more XXX movie for Falcon. Details are being worked out. Tony and his buddy, Johnny Castle, really packed them in this weekend at Stockbar in Montreal … where they have total nudity/hardons … like the old Gaiety in NYC. JOHNNY CASTLE has been booked for his first Salt Lake City appearance on Sat., June 6. And, ZEB ATLAS just told me that he’ll do his first, ever, Northwest appearance on Fri. June 26 at Neighbors in Seattle (part of Seattle Gay Pride). Speaking of ZEB ATLAS ... major congratulations to “The King” and ADAM KILLIAN for their GRABBY AWARD (in a tie with Vinnie D'Angelo & Logan McCree) for BEST DUO SEX SCENE (“Best Men 2 – The Wedding Party,” Falcon Studios).

The Grabby Awards were held in Chicago, last night (Sat., May 23). Initial reports began hitting the internet and Twitter waves moments after the last award was given out. Click Here for a full list of the winners. BRENT CORRIGAN not only “co-hosted” the event (with Chi Chi, Honey West, Blake Riley and Wolf Hudson) … but, he also won awards (both as a performer and producer/director). Lucas movies/stars were not to be found amongst the winners, nor were Colt or Jet Set. Titan and Falcon each had a few trophies, Channel 1 did fantastic (congrats, Chi Chi), Raging Stallion needed a Brinks Truck to haul their stash of gold back to SFO. Congrats to Steven Scarborough for his Lifetime Achievement Award AND multiple Grabby’s for Hot House films and stars.

Last week I talked about the problems at “Playboy” and my predictions for the future of that company. This week the N.Y. Post reported that Playboy IS looking for a buyer ($300 Million is supposedly what it will take).

TELEVISION

This coming week (May 25-29) will be Jay Leno’s last one as host of the “Tonight Show” (he’s moving to a new 10pm show). Conan O’Brien takes over June 1 … and … Conan will be Leno's final guest (May 29).

I was not shocked that the supposed, American Idol “front runner,” ADAM LAMBERT (quite flamboyant and certainly gay), didn’t capture the title, when all the votes were counted (the public calls or texts certain numbers to cast their votes). ADAM is certainly a very talent young man … has a great voice and a wonderful stage presence. He definitely was MY choice for this year’s champion. BUT, this country is still very conservative … and, when they had a choice between a “down-home,” southern kid … KRIS ALLEN … or, a glam-rock, eye-linered, jet-black haired, pretty boy … ADAM LAMBERT … the majority of voters went with “country” KRIS. The first night of the 2-night finale was, unfortunately, the night where people voted. If they had done the voting on the 2nd night … I’m sure ADAM would have won. His “guest star stint,” on-stage, with KISS was totally outrageous. He sang like he was a full-time member of the band. FOX-TV really put on a “final night” extravaganza, this year. In addition to KISS, there were segments with CARLOS SANTANA (who has been signed for a 2 yr run at the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas), ROD STEWART, STEVE MARTIN, LIONEL RICHIE and QUEEN. Since there is no “prime-time” network TV available for rock acts … the American Idol finale is a great outlet for top acts, even though it’s all for promotion (they probably just get AFTRA scale).

LIVE TOURING

There hasn’t been much hype for it, but, Dame Edna’s, “My First Last Tour”, comes to the Music Center’s, Ahmanson Theatre in L.A., June 9-21. If you’ve never seen her … you need to get tickets for one of the nights in the 2-week run. She’s hysterical.

I must not be keeping up on things in the “rock concert” world. I had no idea that PINK was a big enough draw to do a coast-to-coast “arena tour.” BUT, she is. It’s called, “Funhouse Tour 2009” … and Southern California fans of this rocker gal can see her at Staples Center on Fri., Sept. 18 with “The Ting Tings.”

I guess it’s the year for the gals to tour. Australian superstar, KYLIE MINOGUE, is getting ready for her first, headlining North American tour (in her 20 year career). KYLIE will appear at L.A.’s, Hollywood Bowl, on Sun., Oct. 4.

SPORTS

Today, as it’s been for years (on the Sunday of Memorial Day Weekend), was the Indianapolis 500 … the biggest car racing spectacle of the year. 300,000 fans were treated to another thrilling race (200 miles/250 laps) at the “Brickyard” in Indianapolis. When it was over, HELIO CASTRONEVES, the pole-sitter for today’s race, won his 3rd Indy 500. Helio had recently been acquitted of all charges in a very long, emotional federal trial (tax evasion) … so, it was especially fitting that he won this event.

The 2nd leg of the Tennis Grand Slam, The French Open, begins today (and runs for 2 weeks, ending June 7). Defending men’s champion, Rafael Nadal, will be going for a never been done, 5th consecutive championship. Roger Federer, however, who recently beat Nadal (Madrid Open) … hopes to keep Spain’s wonder boy from winning in Paris, this year. Roger needs to win the French Open in order to achieve the coveted tennis Grand Slam (Australian, French, British and U.S. Championships). He’s already won the others.

The NBA 2009 Playoffs are providing the most exciting basketball of the entire year. The Lakers & Denver Nuggets each won a game in L.A. and the series moved to Denver last night for game 3. Both teams played great basketball … but, LAKERS came away with the victory. They now lead the series, 2-1, with game 4 in Denver on Monday. Orlando and Cleveland also split their 2 games in Cleveland. The Cavs superstar, LeBron James, hit a game-saving, last second 3-pointer to give Cleveland a much needed win in game 2 Friday night. That series now moves to Orlando, with game 3 TONIGHT. It is very likely that both series will go the full 7 games in order to have one team win 4. The winners of the 2 Division Championships will face each other in a best of 7 series for this year’s NBA title (mid-June).

BILLY BRANDT

Coincidentally, there were threads on both ATKOL and the Muscle Forums looking for info about our former superstar, BILLY BRANDT. Below, is what I posted on both sites. Billy is doing OK. He's not having an easy time getting himself into a normal lifestyle ... but, he certainly IS trying. Last time we spoke (a few months ago) he had moved from Denver (where he had been living/working for the last few years) to an aunt's home in Missouri. He felt that he'd be able to find work in that area and, at least, have a rent-free living situation.

Below, is one of Billy's favorite shots, taken by famous photographer, Doug Cloutier, for "Freshmen" magazine back in March of 2000 (I think it appeared in the September issue). We were at the Bonaventure Hotel for the 3rd GAYVN Awards. I had rented the Presidential Suite for our "pre" and "post" Awards Parties that year (immediately before AND directly after the Awards) ... and offered to let them shoot Billy, in the suite, on the morning of the Awards. I remember he was tired that morning, having shot his famous "Playgirl" spread (as a hockey player) the day before the awards ... then, going to a special "Awards Eve" Cocktails with the Stars at Micky's afterwards, followed by a "signing meeting" later in the evening (after we got a release from his Falcon contract, I got him a 3 picture deal with Pacific Sun for $25,000). Those were the days ... 9 years ago.

Billy Brandt in 2000

Back to 2009 ... he told me that he was keeping his body trim and hard ... but, enjoyed having facial hair (beard). He was not interested in ANY further work in the XXX business, not even "privates." He told me that he had laid "Billy Brandt" to rest.