Monday
Jeff Oskay
Jeff Oskay has made finding faults in himself and others an art form. Through his tales of ‘Bad Life Choices’, he shows us that we are all human and that we should all laugh at ourselves. Whether you’re eighteen or eighty, you will find his comedy accessible and hilarious. Along with comedy, he’s divorced, has a child, always take the easy way out, and once had a day job where he did nothing but slice fruit for nine hours straight every day, seven days a week. He also appeared on the B&T album “Crushed Nuts” and hosts his own podcast. Get his new comedy album, Dream Killer, on iTunes here. Follow Jeff on facebook and twitter.
Tuesday
Dick Vitale
Dick Vitale, college basketball’s top analyst and ambassador, joined ESPN during the 1979-80 season — just after the network’s September 1979 launch — following a successful college and pro coaching career. In 2008, Vitale received the sport’s ultimate honor when he was selected as an inductee into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Vitale’s also authored nine books, including one children’s title. Follow Dickie V. on twitter. (Photo Credit: Getty Images)
Wednesday
Ringo Starr
“Ultimately what’s most impressive about Ringo Starr isn’t what he’s been, but rather who he is,” wrote Rolling Stone rock critic David Wild. “The man’s great heart and soul, his wit and wisdom.” Indeed, his music has always emanated from his warmth, humor, and exceptional skill, manifesting in the songs we know and love: “With A Little Help From My Friends,” “Don’t Pass Me By,” “Octopus’ Garden,” “Photograph,” “It Don’t Come Easy,” “Back Off Boogaloo,” “You’re Sixteen (You’re Beautiful and You’re Mine),” “Don’t Go Where the Road Don’t Go,” “The No No Song,” and “Never Without You,” to name a few. Since beginning his career with The Beatles in the 1960s, Ringo has been one of the world’s brightest musical luminaries. He has enjoyed a successful, dynamic solo career as a singer, songwriter, drummer, collaborator, and actor. Drawing inspiration from classic blues, soul, country, honky-tonk and rock ‘n’ roll, he continues to play an important recording, touring, and unofficial mentoring role in modern music.
“When I was 13, I only wanted to be a drummer,” remembers Ringo. Four years later, he joined the Eddie Clayton Skiffle Band, and in 1959 hooked up with the Raving Texans, who later became Rory Storm and the Hurricanes. Just three years after that, Ringo was asked to join The Beatles. Worried that he might cost the Hurricanes a summer-long residency if he left, he delayed his departure until they could find a replacement. On August 18, 1962, Ringo Starr officially joined Paul McCartney, John Lennon, and George Harrison in what would become one of the most important popular music acts of all time.
In 1970, EMI released Ringo’s first solo album, Sentimental Journey. It was exactly that: a record of the music he’d grown up with and which remained close to his heart. (He later said, “I did it for my Mum.”) Ringo followed up a year later with Beaucoups Of Blues, a country and western album recorded in Nashville with Pete Drake in just two days. That same year, The Beatles disbanded.
But Ringo’s passion for creating music continued to propel him and those around him forward. In 1971, he began his unprecedented run as the first solo Beatle to score seven consecutive Top 10 singles, starting with “It Don’t Come Easy.” His second hit single, “Back Off Boogaloo” followed in 1972, and was written with and inspired by T. Rex frontman Marc Bolan. Ringo released his eponymous smash hit album in 1973. It yielded three Top 10 singles, including the #1 hits “Photograph” and “You’re Sixteen (You’re Beautiful And You’re Mine). The album Ringoalso marked the first time since The Beatles’ break-up that all 4 band members participated in the same project (though not at the same time).
Between 1974 and 1978, Ringo released such hits as the Top 10 singles “Only You (And You Alone)” and “The No No Song,” and the albums Goodnight Vienna (1974), Blast From Your Past (1975), Rotogravure (1976), Ringo The 4th (1977), and Bad Boy (1978), which was complemented by a television special with Art Carney and Carrie Fisher. In 1981, he recorded Stop and Smell the Roses, his most critically acclaimed record sinceRingo, followed two years later by Old Wave, for which he teamed up with producer Joe Walsh of The Eagles. A hits collection, Starr Struck: The Best Of Ringo Starr, Vol. 2, was released in 1989.
The 1990s saw some of the best records of Ringo’s career, and he found consistent success as a live act with his revolving All Starr Band “I got a message from a producer asking if I’d be interested in putting a band together,” Ringo would later recount. “I had been thinking the same thing, and so I went through my phone book, rang up a few friends and asked them if they’d like to have fun in the summer.” Those friends included Joe Walsh, E-Streeters Clarence Clemmons and Nils Lofgren, former Band members Rick Danko and Levon Helm, Dr. John, Billy Preston, and Jim Keltner. The tour met with great success, yielding his first live album, Ringo and His All Starr Band, in 1990. “I’ve said this over and over again,” Ringo remarked, “but I love being in a band.”
In 1992, he released Time Takes Time, which The New York Times hailed as “Starr’s best: more consistently pleasing than Ringo, it shows him as an assured performer and songwriter.” Later that year, Ringo put together his second All Starr Band, featuring Zak Starkey (his son), Burton Cummings, Dave Edmunds, Nils Lofgren, Todd Rundgren, Timothy B Schmidt, and Joe Walsh. It marked the first time Ringo had toured Europe since his Beatles days. The band’s second incarnation also yielded a new concert album,Ringo Starr and His All Starr Band – Live From Montreaux. The third All Starr Band toured the U.S. and Japan in 1995, again featuring Zak Starkey, as well as John Entwistle, Felix Cavaliere, Mark Farner, Billy Preston, Mark Rivera and Randy Bachman; Ringo Starr and His Third All Starr Band, Vol. 1 was release in 1997. The fourth band – with Gary Brooker, Jack Bruce, Peter Frampton, Simon Kirke and Mark Rivera – toured the U.S. and Europe, and with them Ringo became the first former Beatle to play in Russia.
1998 brought the release of Vertical Man, recorded with Mark Hudson, and the first collaboration between Ringo and “the Roundheads.” It was one of his strongest records, due largely to his deep involvement as drummer, singer, co-writer, and co-producer. He followed with an appearance at NYC’s Bottom Line and on VH1’s “Storytellers.” 1999 began with the creation of the 5th All Starr Band, consisting of Gary Brooker, Jack Bruce, Timmy Cappello, Simon Kirke and Todd Rundgren. In October that year, Starr released the irrepressibly festive holiday album I Wanna Be Santa Claus, mixing classics like “The Little Drummer Boy” with originals like the title track. The 6th All Starr Band was launched in 2000 and featured Jack Bruce, Eric Carmen, Dave Edmunds, Simon Kirke and Mark Rivera touring the U.S. together. The following spring, Ringo put together the 7th band, including the first female All Starr, Sheila E, as well as Greg Lake, Roger Hodgson, Ian Hunter, Howard Jones and Mark Rivera. He celebrated more than a decade of All Starr tours with the release of Ringo and His All Starr Band: The Anthology, So Far.
In 2003, The Roundheads launched the release of Ringo Rama with another impromptu Bottom Line performance. 2003’s 8th group of All Starrs – Paul Carrack, Sheila E., Colin Hay, Mark Rivera and John Waite – hit the road, their tour resulting in another live album,Ringo Starr and His All Star Band: Tour 2003 and DVD. “If you look at all the bands I’ve put together, it’s an incredible array of musicians, all these different people,” Ringo said of the All Starr experience. “Everyone has hit records, hit songs. The show consists of me up front and then I go back behind the kit and support the others. It’s just good music and I’m having a lot of fun and that’s what it’s all about – great music and fun.”
Genesis Books printed a limited edition 2004 run of Ringo’s book, Postcards From The Boys, the proceeds of which went to the Lotus Foundation charity. He described it as “a presentation of postcards John, Paul and George have sent me over the years. What’s incredible about them is that some are actual art pieces.” His Choose Love album, full of inspired songs of innocence and experience, was released in 2005. Two years later, Capitol/EMI Music Catalog Marketing released the first-ever career and label-spanning collection of Ringo’s best solo recordings, PHOTOGRAPH: The Very Best Of Ringo Starr, featuring 20 standout tracks released between 1970 and 2005.
Ringo released Liverpool 8, his first new album with Capitol/EMI since 1974’s Goodnight Vienna, in 2008. He co-wrote its 12 original tracks, recording them in the UK and California, and the title track became the first in a series of autobiographical songs. That summer, he toured with his 10th All Starr Band – Gregg Bissonette, Colin Hay, Billy Squier, Hamish Stuart, Edgar Winter, and Gary Wright, across the U.S. and Canada, winding up at The Greek Theater in Los Angeles with a show recorded and later released as a live DVD by UMe.
Y NOT, the first album Ringo himself produced, came out in 2010, showcasing collaborations with old and new friends, Paul McCartney among them. Their duet and the album’s stunning first single, “Walk With You,” served as a moving tribute to the power of friendship. Ben Harper also sang on the album, his band supporting Ringo on a promotional tour for the release. Ringo received a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame and launched a tour with his 11th All Starr Band: Gregg Bissonette, Rick Derringer, Wally Palmer, Richard Page, Edgar Winter, and Gary Wright. Over the following year, the band would tour the US, Canada, Europe and Latin America.
Ringo 2012, again produced by its namesake, featured 9 tracks, including new versions of “Wings,” and “Step Lightly.” In June that year, Ringo assembled His 12th All Starr Band – Gregg Bissonette, Richard Page, Steve Lukather, Mark Rivera, Gregg Rolie and Todd Rundgren – who would, by 2013, tour through the U.S., Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Japan, Mexico, and South America. The live DVD Ringo at the Ryman was recorded with this band as well, on Ringo’s birthday, July 7, 2012.
In June 2013, The GRAMMY Museum opened “Ringo: Peace & Love,” a record-breaking undertaking that hosted more than 90,000 visitors and is the first major exhibit to focus on a drummer. It will remain open through March 2014. Ringo was awarded the prestigious French Medal of Honor, being appointed Commander of Arts & Letters in recognition of his musical and artistic contributions, in September. Photograph, a limited edition collection of never-before-seen material, including Ringo’s photos and exclusive images from his own personal archives, was published that December. It features over 300 photos and 15,000 words of text.
On January 20, 2014, Ringo’s musical and personal legacy will be celebrated as he is awarded a “Lifetime of Peace & Love Award” by the David Lynch Foundation at this tribute performance event. One week later, CBS will tape a Beatles tribute celebrating the 50th Anniversary of their first U.S. visit and appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show. In between, Ringo will perform on the GRAMMY Awards, as a recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award, presented to The Beatles. In February 2014, Simon & Shuster will publish Octopus’s Garden, a children’s book based on his lyrics.
Ringo’s candor, wit and soul are the lifeblood of his music. As he sang on the autobiographical Liverpool 8, “I always followed my heart and I never missed a beat.” Peace and love are his life’s rhythm and melody, and he propels this universal message in everything he does: his evocative artwork, his enthused live performances, his legendary songs, all imbued with the joy, reflection, and wisdom of the music icon the world knows and loves simply as ‘Ringo.’ Get Ringo’s new album here. Visit his website here.
Tim Cavanagh
Need a song about your governor? How about Flag Day? Tim Cavanagh is the man for the job. Hey, he’s even written a ditty about Writer’s Block! No subject is taboo – uh, oh, yeah, he’s even written a song about that! You never know what Tim’s next target will be. On the show, Tim is famous for previously being the ”One-Minute Song Guy” and currently for his Cavalcade of Celebrity Birthdays feature. He hails from Chicago and is a huge White Sox fan!. Follow Tim on twitter and facebook. Check out his website here.
Thursday
Matthew Perry
Matthew Perry is an Emmy, Golden Globe and SAG Award-nominated television and film actor best known for his role as Chandler Bing in “Friends.”
Perry last co-starred in and executive produced the comedy series “Go On.” His other television credits include a guest starring role in “The Good Wife,” on the Network, “Mr. Sunshine,” which he also executive produced and co-wrote, the television movie “The Ron Clark Story,” “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip,” “The West Wing,” and a guest starring role in an episode of “Scrubs” in which he made his directorial debut.
Perry starred in the feature film “17 Again” alongside Zach Efron. He also starred in “The Whole Nine Yards” and the sequel “The Whole Ten Yards,” opposite Bruce Willis. His other credits include the independent films “Birds of America” and “Numb,” as well as the features “Three to Tango,” “Almost Heroes,” “Fools Rush In,” “Serving Sara” and “A Night in the Life of Jimmy Reardon,” which was his feature film debut.
He made his stage debut in London’s West End in David Mamet’s “Sexual Perversity in Chicago,” starring with Minnie Driver, Hank Azaria and Kelly Reilley.
In 2005, Perry hosted the ESPY Awards for ESPN.
Perry supports and hosts an annual gala for the Lili Claire Foundation which raises money for those born with Williams Syndrome and other neurogenic birth defects.
Born in Williamstown, Mass., Perry was raised in Ottawa, Canada. He resides in Los Angeles. His birthday is August 19.
Follow him on Twitter at @MatthewPerry.
THE ODD COUPLE stars Matthew Perry as endearing slob Oscar Madison and Thomas Lennon as uptight neat freak Felix Unger, two former college buddies who become unlikely roommates after the demise of their marriages. It’s not long after Oscar lets Felix move in that Oscar fears he’s made a monumental mistake. Oscar’s jack-of-all-trades assistant, Dani, and his long-time agent, Teddy, have their hands full trying to keep Oscar’s career as a sports radio host on track as he deals with his new living situation. Fortunately, their quirky next door neighbor Emily helps Felix adapt to his new life as a bachelor and rein in his copious eccentricities. Despite how exasperated Oscar and Felix make each other, in the end, these mismatched friends agree they can help each other move on from their divorces and somehow make this crazy living arrangement work.
Justin Willman
Comedian/Magician Justin Willman is a standout hit in the alternative comedy scene who is currently on tour with his new live show, Fake Believe. His live performances have sold out Largo (LA), Moontower Comedy Festival (Austin), Bumbershoot (Seattle), and Sketchfest (San Francisco) and he is a staple performer at The Meltdown with Jonah and Kumail. Among his numerous TV appearances, Justin has become a regular guest on The Tonight Show, The Ellen Show, and @Midnight on Comedy Central, and his hit web series, Magic Meltdown led to his upcoming Nerdist produced Comedy Central special, Sleight of Mouth with Justin Willman, airing April 6. His greatest trick yet, however, was receiving a standing ovation from President Obama, following a private performance at the White House. How did he do it? Magnets. Follow him on twitter. Visit his website. (Photo credit: Jillian Sipkins)
“Subway Jared” Fogle
Best known as “The Subway Guy,” Jared tipped the scales at 425 pounds while a student at Indiana University. After unsuccessfully attempting numerous diets, Jared grabbed a nutritional information brochure at his local SUBWAY restaurant and started a reduced calorie diet by eating two SUBWAY submarine sandwiches a day. In a year’s time, and by incorporating exercise into his daily routine, Jared lost 245 pounds. Jared appeared in his first national television commercial for SUBWAY restaurants in January 2000. Today, Jared still eats at SUBWAY, but he does eat other foods as well. He watches his calories, limits his fat intake and walks wherever he can. He ran the 2011 NYC ING marathon.
Friday
John Roy
A recipient of life saving heart surgery, John Roy grew up an only child in Chicago’s ethnically diverse Rogers Park neighborhood.
John began his career performing in independent rooms in Chicago. After honing his act in clubs around the Midwest, John competed and was crowned the first champion of CBS’ “Star Search,” in 2003.
He has performed stand up on numerous television shows, including “The Tonight Show,” “The Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson,” and “Last Comic Standing,” where he was a semi-finalist. He made his debut on “Conan,” in 2012. His web series, “Marc Maron in Space” with Marc Maron and James Adomian, premieres in 2013, produced by IFC. John’s second album will be released on AST Records in 2013. John’s CD “Dressed for Recess,” was released in 2008 on RBC records and continues to receive frequent airplay on Sirius Satellite Radio.
John was a guest at the 2004 HBO Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen, the 2009 Just For Laughs Festival in Chicago, and has been an annual guest at the Bridgetown Comedy Festival in Portland since 2010. Follow him on Twitter.
Keith Alberstadt
Keith Alberstadt grew up the son of a Vanderbilt professor and a craft artist. The result . . . a very clever comic with sharp perception, unmatched creativity, and a treasure trove of unique material. His likable personality and down-to-earth charm invite people into his brand of humor—one that is smart but not brainy and relatable but not hacky. While performing, Keith takes pride in laughing at himself and his “inner dork”, which he attempts to prove is something in all of us. Current events, popular trends, personal details… Keith shares his witty insight on everything, all the while doing it with a mischievous smile that quickly becomes infectious. A regular performer for the U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, Keith has been described as “absolutely hilarious” by Armed Forces Entertainment and “a hidden gem” by the Boston Globe. He’s also a contributing writer for Saturday Night Live’s Weekend Update, National Lampoon and various online magazines. Follow him on Twitter and Facebook. Visit his website here.