Rated LGBT Radio

Filmmaker Jan Miller Corran and Her New Film CONCERTO FOR ABIGAIL

In the new film Concerto for Abigail,  Samantha Porter is a world-renowned jazz pianist. At the age of 40-something, she is diagnosed with progressive hearing loss which will soon end in total deafness. How can she go on when hearing the music and composing is her life, and soon she won't hear it? Superfan Abigail McCarthy comes to the Empire Club to listen to Samantha and her trio. As the music unfolds, the thoughts of a relationship begin to take hold. Soon, a love affair brings much-needed joy into Samantha's life. How can she go on? Abigail just may be the answer.
Today we talk to the film's director/writer/producer Jan Miller Corran. President of Three Women in a Box Productions, Jan is a writer, producer, filmmaker and playwright. She's produced and/or written over twenty films including Snapshots (2018), Along Came Wanda (2021), as well as the film we will be discussing today,Concerto for Abigail . She produced the renowned film I'll See You in My Dreams and others. She's co-written numerous screenplays and served as dramaturge on plays and scripts. New works in development are screenplays for the films "BURIED TRUTHS", "EMBRACE OF THE SENSES", and "JAZZ HANDS REUNION". In recent past was the world premiere of her new play "THE LAST WORD" in Los Angeles in November 2019. The film version of THE LAST WORD was released in late 2023. 
With co-host Brody Levesque
 
 

GIRLS ON THE BUS and PROM DATES Non-Binary Star Terry Hu is in the House!

Called "this year's rising star to watch" is Chinese-American queer actor Terry Hu (pronouns they/them) who stands out as a love interest on Max’s drama series “The Girls on the Bus”and in Hulu’s comedy film “Prom Dates”. Terry has previously made headlines for playing the first live-action non-binary character in a hit Disney movie franchise “Zombies 3,” and has previously been seen on Netflix’s “Never Have I Ever.”
Terry  is a first-generation Chinese-American queer actor from New Jersey. Terry was always told that there wouldn't be any roles for them in Hollywood and was encouraged to focus on school instead. While they did take this advice, eventually getting a Neuroscience degree from UCLA and getting into the top Physical Therapy schools in the nation, they ultimately took a leap of faith and turned down grad school to pursue their childhood dream of acting. 
Fortunately, this leap paid off. Within a year, they won ABC's nationwide Digital Talent Competition and received their first Netflix lead role audition. Though they didn't book, it was still a huge win to them, given that they used to regularly google "how to audition for Netflix" (true story). Shortly after, they booked the lead in the Oscar-qualifying short film "Americanized" and the rest is..."history"..in quotes because they know this is just the beginning, and are so excited and grateful to keep going!
With co-host Brody Levesque

Jonathan Merritt and His New Children’s Book MY GUNCLE AND ME

You wouldn't think it a "defiant act" but in today's environment, it almost is. In a world where LGBTQ supportive material in schools is under attack comes a new book My Guncle and Me by author Jonathan Merritt. The book celebrates individuality and inclusivity, reminding young readers that they are unique, seen, and celebrated for who they are. The main character, Henry Higgleston struggles with being deemed an oddball by other kids at school. When his fabulous gay uncle arrives for a weekend with his French bulldog, Jimmy Chew, in tow, Guncle is on a mission to teach Henry that it’s what makes us different that actually makes us special. Illustrated by Joanna Carillo and endorsed by New York Times bestselling authors Kate Bowler, Shauna Niequist, and Marianne Williamson, MY GUNCLE AND ME is a joyful story of self-acceptance and self-love that will resonate with anyone who has ever felt different.
We have Jonathan with us today! He is an award-winning columnist and commentator on politics, spirituality, and culture. He is a contributing editor for The Week and has been featured on prominent national outlets including The New York Times, USA Today, The Washington Post, The Atlantic, and CNN. Jonathan has authored four critically acclaimed books and was a ghostwriter on dozens of others, many of which became New York Times bestsellers. Jonathan is a proud biological Guncle to five little ones in Georgia and a proud adoptive Guncle to ten nephews and nieces in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan, where he resides.
With co-host Brody Levesque.

Director /Writer G.S. Foxwood & the New Suspense Fantasy WILD EYED and WICKED

Recently named one of the 2024 "25 Screenwriters to Watch" by Austin Film Festival and MovieMaker Magazine, G. S. Foxwood is our guest today. We will talk about his new film Wild Eyed and Wicked.  Written by G.S. and Executive Produced by Elizabeth Foxwood and their company New Mythology Productions, His previous, award-winning short films, Ten Shots (2020), Ghosts & Fashion (2019), and Lara (2018) screened at over twenty film festivals in the US and around the world.
"Wild Eyed and Wicked"  follows Lily Pierce in her attempt to strike back at the medieval creature that’s haunted her family for generations. In order to do so, she must reconnect with her estranged father, Gregory, a disgraced history professor, and learn how to draw upon a time of steel and blade when armor-clad knights rode out and dueled monsters to the death. Her girlfriend Willow is along for the ride with love and support.
The film will be released across North America on June 11, 2024 on TVOD/Digital and cable On Demand, with further details on the worldwide roll-out still to come. It is s coming off premieres at Dances with Films NYC and Austin Film Festival where it won the Dark Matters Audience Award. 
 

Pop Sensation Wils Debuts DANCING LIGHTS, the Hot Dance Track, with us Today!

Singapore pop singing sensation Wils is releasing his final single, Dancing Lights, today.  “My journey in music is complete,” the singer-songwriter confirms.  “It has been a heartening ten-year ride that has taught me to live fearlessly as my authentic true self and I am ready to now follow the ‘Dancing Lights’ to wherever they lead me.”
The song is an uplifting dance track that explores moodier, more subdued hues than past releases from Wils. Built around vocal effects and vintage synths, it’s an understated sound that sets the atmosphere of a young man coming to terms with life’s inevitable highs and lows. Along with the single, the video directed by Stro and filmed at various locations in Los Angeles including Matador Beach and City Walk, captures the essence of grief as a person emerges from the dark hole of depression into the final stage of acceptance.  “I’m incredibly proud of the video,” Wils says.  “It reflects on the beautiful times I shared with my friend and reminds me that even through the pain, I can embrace the love we once shared.”
Wils first gained fame with his 2014 album, WTF.   It was named Best Pop Album of the Year at the Hollywood F.A.M.E Awards.   At the Los Angeles Music Awards, it was nominated for Best Album.  Wils was also nominated Pop Artist of the Year (male) and International Artist of the Year and his single, “Less is More”, won Music Video of the Year for its superb integration of technology, music, fashion and art.
With co-host Brody Levesque

Singer/songwriter Anne Stott Premieres New Climate Change Anthem WATER TO BLOOD

Incisive. Vibrant. Dramatic. Anne Stott is a singer/songwriter of cinematic alt rock, an actor and apolitical rabble rouser. Her “bad girl to the good girls and good girl to the bad girls” energy infuses her music and live performances with an edgy compassion while her elastic style embraces eighties pop and nineties grunge infused with modern moody atmosphere. Her second album LOVE NEVER DIES peaked at #19 on the Relix Magazine radio chart  and SHE Magazine called her “a bewitching cross between Joni Mitchell and… Chrissie Hynde.” 
Anne will be releasing her Climate Change track "Water To Blood” produced by legendary NYC producer Barb Morrison (Blondie, Rufus Wainwright) on April 19th to coincide with Earth Day. Her album ‘Born Under A Full Moon” comes out later this Summer/Fall. (Also produced by Barb Morrison). We will play Water for you today!
 
With co-host Brody Levesque

David Archuleta is Hotter Than Ever, and Live With Us Today!

David Archuleta is hotter than ever. His new hit single Hell Together debuted in the iTunes top 10, He won the GLAAD Media Award for “Outstanding Breakthrough Music Artist” 2024 . His latest songs are award-winning, he kicked off 2024 as the telecast opening performer at the 2024 Tournament of Roses Parade, and he is on the verge of releasing a memoir.
In 2008, more than 30 million television viewers fell in love with him; with his angelic voice, bashful sweetness and megawatt smile, over 44 million votes made him the first runner-up in Season 7 of American Idol - and a star at age 16. Shortly after “Idol,” David’s first single, “Crush,” debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The track sold more than 2 million digital copies to become double platinum. Three months later, his self-titled album, David Archuleta, sold more than 900,000 copies worldwide.  He has a faithful social media following (3.5 million Facebook followers, 1.1 million on Twitter, and over 1 million followers on Tik Tok. 2023 quickly shaped up to be the Year of Archuleta, not the least of which is because of his return to television. The Masked Singer saw David spread his wings (and end up a finalist) as the Macaw, a bird known for its exuberant personality. An audience favorite, David rose to the top against other heavyweight vocalists such as Pentatonix, Michael Bolton and Sara Evans. 
Today we will be playing Hell Together in celebration of David's turning up the heat of his career. 
 

Hot new songs from singer songwriter Tom Goss!

Tom Goss is live with us today! We will be talking about his latest album Remember What it Feels Like and playing the first two releases! The album is an expansive 15-track collection of happy and light-hearted pop songs punctuated by beautiful ballads and raucous rock. Featured artists include comedian and musician Deven Green, hip hop diva Maya La Maya, wry chanteuse Anne Reburn and Goss's longtime collaborator de ROCHE.
Tom has been singing for more than 15 years, creating a large and varied body of work (nine albums, five EPs, 40 music videos) that tracks his development both as a man and as an artist. He has transformed the facts of his life—a troubled teen and college wrestler; a student studying to become a priest; touring the country as a gay singer-songwriter; falling in love and getting married; the heartbreak of infidelity and the challenges of an open marriage; and, now, being conned by a lover with a secret life—into songs of remarkable range, strength, and beauty. His songs have been featured on ABC, HBO, Disney+, and in several films. His music videos (including “Son of a Preacher Man,” “Breath and Sound” and “Bears”) have been viewed more than 20 million times.
Not My Problem, one of the songs we will be playing today, is a bit angstier than other tracks on the album. It acknowledges the heartache and pain Tom Goss experienced after learning the truth about his ex’s largely fictional life but also acknowledges that there is a day to every night.  
With co-host Brody Levesque

The Trans Man Who Embedded with the Taliban: The Hot New Doc TRANSITION

Our guest today is Australian journalist/filmmaker Jordan Bryon, a trans man, who embeds with a Taliban unit, as they retake control of Afghanistan. Jordan shares the spotlight today with co-director Monica Villamizar, as they discuss the making of the intense documentary Transition. 
In the film, Jordan gains incredible access to a Taliban unit during the fall of Afghanistan. The countryʼs transition coincides with his own physical transformation as a trans man. While he and his local videographer, Teddy, embed with the Taliban. From rural Australia, Jordan conceals his physiology and is accepted as a man. However, if the Taliban were to find out, he and Teddy would likely be in grave danger, Jordan struggles with the moral and ethical dilemmas that come with his unique situation. The film follows Jordan’s journey, as he paradoxically gains more freedom as he transitions, while deftly chronicling the increasing oppression of women as the Taliban transitions to power.
Jordan is a recipient of two BAFTAs, two Emmys, and a Human Rights Press Award.  His feature film, Birds of the Borderlands. delved into the lives of queer Arabs in Jordan and Lebanon and resulted in his deportation from both nations. Thereafter, Jordan moved to Afghanistan for a six-year journey making films that showcase the country’s complex tapestry.
Monica Villamizar is a Colombian-American director, producer, and on-air reporter. She has won three Emmys and was nominated for the prestigious One World Media “Journalist of the Year 2015 Award.” 
 
With co-host Brody Levesque
 

New Film TOLL’s US Premiere with Filmmaker Carolina Markowitcz in Our House!

The critically acclaimed drama "TOLL”  from rising star filmmaker Carolina Markowicz (“Charcoal,” “The Orphan”) premiers in the US this week! As a filmmaker, Carolina focuses on work that is in tune with the current political climate. The things that have happened in Brazil recently have been unimaginable to the filmmaker in many ways.  Brazil is a very conservative and homophobic society, where a minister of human rights, now a senator, stated that kids shouldn’t play with Frozen dolls because the character of Elsa was a lesbian. In the film TOLL, the main character, a toll booth attendant, realizes she can use her job to raise some extra money illegally. But this is only for a so-called noble cause: to send her son to an expensive gay conversion workshop led by a renowned foreign priest. The film is is a drama permeated with dark, irreverent humor. 
We talk to Carolina today, along with film star Maeve Jinkings, about the film. She has written and directed 6 short films, which were selected for more than 300 festivals and the recipients of many awards.  The Orphan , her most recognized film, premiered in Cannes Director’s Fortnight in 2018 and won the Queer Palm. Her debut feature, Charcoal, premiered in competition at Toronto International Film Festival and made its European Premiere at San Sebastian International Film Festival in 2022.
Maeve is an award winning actress born in Brasilia.
With Co-host Brody Levesque