Happy Birthday Beard of the Day - Paul Rudd

Paul Rudd

Paul Stephen Rudd was born in Passaic, NJ.  His parents, both natives of London, were  Jewish and were descended from immigrants from Russia and Poland  (Hmm... I wonder if Paul knows that I too descended from Russian Jews... I always sensed that we were connected on a level other than the physcial...);  the family's original surname, "Rudnitzky", was changed by his grandfather to "Rudd".   His father, Michael, was a historical tour guide who was formerly the vice president of World Airways, while his mother, Gloria, was a sales manager at the television station KSMO-TV. When he was ten, Rudd's family moved to Kansas, where he was raised; his family also spent three years living in California, because of his father's occupation. He attended high school at Shwanee Mission West and college at the University of Kansas (sorry for your loss) where he was a member of the Nu Chapter of Sigma Nerd, I mean, Sigman Nu.  He spent three months studying Jacobean drama at the  British American Drama Academy based in Oxford, U.K.

Rudd made his breakout performance in the 1995 film Clueless, which turned him into a minor teen idol. Additional early-career credits include Wet Hot American Summer, Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers, The Cider House Rules, William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet and The Object of My Affection.

 

He also garnered recognition with a recurring role on the television sitcom Friends as Mike Hannigan, who married Phoebe Buffay as. Rudd'sBroadway acting credits include The Last Last Night of Ballyhoo (1997), Twelfth Night (1998), and Three Days of Rain (2006). In 2005 he starred in one of my all time favorite movies, one that is extremely underrated, The Baxter. He guest-starred as a has-been 1990s rock star, Desmond Fellows, on the television series, Veronica Mars, in an episode titled "Debasement Tapes". In 2006, he appeared in several episodes of Reno 911 as "Guy Gerricault" (pronounced "jericho"), the coach of a lamaze class, and portrayed a drug lord in the film Reno 911 Miami! In 2012 he signed to appear on three episodes of NBC's Parks and Recreation as Bobby Newport, a candidate for City Council and a rival of Amy Poehler's character Leslie Knope.

Rudd became a full-fledged comedy star with his roles in Judd Apatow pictures The 40-Year-Old Virgin and Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgandy.

In 2007, he starred as frustrated husband Pete in Knocked Up, his third collaboration with Apatow and Seth Rogen. That year he also starred in indie favorite  The Oh in Ohio and The Ten, which reunited him with David Wain and Michael Showalter. The former film was a box-office and critical disappointment as was his next starring vehicle, Over Her Dead Body with Eva Longoria. He bounced back with a memorable supporting role as Kunu (Hawaiian for "Chuck"), the drug-addled surf instructor in Nicholas Stoller's  Forgetting Sarah Marshall which also starred Jason Segal and Kristen Bell (Veronica Mars) and was produced by Apatow. The film was a hit, as was his next comedy Role Models, where he and co-star Seann William Scott portrayed energy-drink salesmen forced to perform community service in a child mentoring program. Rudd also made cameo appearances in Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story, Year One and Night at the Museum.

In 2009, Rudd again appeared with Jason Segel in I Love You Man. He lent his voice to the star-studded computer-animated hit movie Monsters Vs. Aliens. In 2010, he reunited with Steve Carell for the first time since for the Jay-Roach directed comedy Dinner for Schmucks, which also featured Zach Galifinakis and Ron Livingston.

To see a fill list of Rudd's upcoming films as well as his entire filmography, visit his IMDb page.




A few facts you may not know about Paul Rudd:

- Was a DJ at Bar Mitzvahs before his career took off.
- His favorite music is that of Tom Waits
- He is a self-described "mega-fan" of the TV show "Lost". He volunteered to interview "Lost" star Emile de Ravin, whom he has never met, for "Interview Magazine" because of his love for the show.
- Came up with the idea of the "Kelly Clarkson!" call-out during 'Steve Carell''s infamous chest wax in The 40 Year Old Virgin

- As part of a running gag during his appearances on "Late Night with Conan O'Brien", Rudd often brought a clip from the film Mac and Me where the wheelchair-bound Eric flies off a cliff while Mac watches on, instead of showing clips from the actual movie he is there to promote. The only exception was when he came to promote  Knocked Up. Judd Apatow showed up specifically to make sure Rudd wouldn't do it.

Sources: IMDb and Wikipedia

GAB of the Day - Kyle Smith

R.I.P. Beard of the Day

Orson Welles (1915-1985)

George Orson Welles (May 6, 1915 – October 10, 1985), best known as Orson Welles, was an American film director, actor, theatre director, screenwriter, and producer, who worked extensively in film, theatre, television and radio. Noted for his innovative dramatic productions as well as his distinctive voice and personality, Welles is widely acknowledged as one of the most accomplished dramatic artists of the twentieth century, especially for his significant and influential early work—despite his notoriously contentious relationship with Hollywood. His distinctive directorial style featured layered, nonlinear narrative forms, innovative uses of lighting such as chiaroscuro, unique camera angles, sound techniques borrowed from radio, deep focus shots, and long takes. Welles's long career in film is noted for his struggle for artistic control in the face of pressure from studios. Many of his films were heavily edited and others left unreleased. He has been praised as a major creative force and as "the ultimate auteur."

After directing a number of high-profile theatrical productions in his early twenties, including an innovative adaptation of Macbeth and The Cradle Will Rock, Welles found national and international fame as the director and narrator of a 1938 radio adaptation of H. G. Wells' novel The War of the Worlds performed for the radio drama anthology series Mercury Theatre on the Air. It was reported to have caused widespread panic when listeners thought that an invasion by extraterrestrial beings was occurring. Although these reports of panic were mostly false and overstated,they rocketed Welles to instant notoriety.

Citizen Kane (1941), his first film with RKO, in which he starred in the role of Charles Foster Kane, is often considered the greatest film ever made. Several of his other films, including The Magnificent Ambersons (1942), The Lady from Shanghai (1947), Touch of Evil (1958), Chimes at Midnight (1965), and F for Fake (1974), are also widely considered to be masterpieces.

In 2002, he was voted the greatest film director of all time in two separate British Film Institute polls among directors and critics, and a wide survey of critical consensus, best-of lists, and historical retrospectives calls him the most acclaimed director of all time. Well known for his baritone voice, Welles was also an extremely well regarded actor and was voted number 16 in AFI's 100 Years... 100 Stars list of the greatest American film actors of all time. He was also a celebrated Shakespearean stage actor and an accomplished magician, starring in troop variety shows in the war years.

Source: Wikipedia

Beard that Rocked my Sunday of the day

Neal Casal

Neal Casal is an American songwriter, singer, multi-instrumentalist and photographer who has maintained an acclaimed solo career as well as playing guitar for The Cardinals.

Casal began work on early solo demos from 1990 to 1993 at studios in Los Angeles, New York and New Jersey. During this period he teamed up with his manager Gary Waldman, keyboard player John Ginty and vocalist Angie McKenna. After signing a publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music, he forged a long standing professional relationship with producer/engineer Jim Scott.

In 1994, Casal signed with Zoo Entertainment and recorded his debut album at Palacio del Rio, formally owned by James Stewart and Dean Martin in Santa Ynez, California with producer Jim Scott. The album featured musicians Don Heffington, Bob Glaub, Greg Leisz. Casal released Fade Away Diamond Time in September 1994 that to critical acclaim and supported by a US tour with his band.



Casal parted ways with Zoo Records in 1996 and recorded Rain, Wind, and Speed released by Buy or Die Records.

In 1997, Casal signed with the Glitterhouse Records label and went on to release five albums, including Field Recordings and The Sun Rises Here. In 1998, Casal released the self-produced album Basement Dreams, named Americana Album of the Year in Mojo Magazine.

During the Spring of 1999, Casal teamed up with Six String Drag front man Kenny Roby and toured Europe, later that summer recording the live album Black River Sides.

Casal released his sixth solo album Anytime Tomorrow in 2000, produced by Jim Scott. Anytime Tomorow was the last album to be released by Glitterhouse in 2000 and prompted an extensive European tour into early 2001.

In 2002, Casal co-wrote, produced and released the EP Ran On Pure Lightning collaborating with Shannon McNally and other musicians which included Benmont Tench, Greg Leisz and Brent Rademaker. Around this time, Casal also started playing with bassist Jeff Hill and drummer Dan Fadel, forming Hazy Malaze.

Railroad Earth’s 2002 album Bird in a House featured a cover version of Casal’s song “Dandelion Wine”.



Shortly after signing to Paris based Fargo Records in 2003, Fargo released the compilation album Maybe California resulting in a European tour and Casal's first solo tour of Japan. The following year, Fargo released two compilation albums, Leaving Traces, a selection of Casal’s original songs from 1994–2004, and Return in Kind, a compilation of covers and he began recording his eighth solo album.

Casal joined Ryan Adams and The Cardinals in 2005. In December of that year he embarked on his third Japanese tour, which featured his first photography exhibition and upon his return released No Wish to Reminisce in early 2006. The album, produced by Michael Deming (Beachwood Sparks, Lilys), took his music in a different direction from his previous work, with a more layered, psychedelic production. All Directions, a compilation album of live and unreleased songs, was released in 2007.

In 2009, Casal teamed up with engineer Don Sternecker and recorded and produced Roots and Wings. The album included musicians Jon Graboff, Greg Leisz, Johnathan Rice, Jeff Hill, Dan Fadel and Andy Goessling.

Casal began recording his tenth solo album in March 2010 with producer Thom Monahan. While Casal toured Europe, Fargo re-released the albums Basement Dreams and Rain, Wind and Speed.

On March 6 it was announced that Casal had joined the Chris Robinson Brotherhood.

The album Sweeten The Distance will be released in June 2011.

Hazy Malaze

In the summer of 2002, while touring with Shannon McNally, Casal formed Hazy Malaze with fellow band members Dan Fadel and Jeff Hill. Their debut album Hazy Malaze was recorded and mixed at Village Recorders in Los Angeles in eleven days. Later that year they toured opening for Robert Randolph and the Family Band and during 2003 continued to tour the US, while beginning work on their second album Blackout Love.



In 2005, Hazy Malaze released their second album Blackout Love, supported by a French tour.

In 2009 Hazy Malaze released their third album Connections.

Ryan Adams & The Cardinals

Casal joined Ryan Adams & The Cardinals in 2005, shortly after the release of Jacksonville City Nights, replacing J.P. Bowerstock, and toured the US in the Summer of 2006, followed by a UK and European tour in the autumn.

In 2007, the Ryan Adams album Easy Tiger was released an went to number seven on Billboard album chart, resulting in a yearlong world tour and the album's producer, Jamie Candiloro, added to the lineup on piano. Candiloro also produced the Follow the Lights EP, released in October 2007, and reaching number 40 on the US Billboard 200 chart.

In 2008, Ryan Adams & The Cardinals released Cardinology, recorded at Electric Lady Studios in New York and produced by Tom Schick. The album was reached number 11 on Billboard album chart and number 14 on Rolling Stone’s best albums of 2008 list. The Rolling Stone magazine also placed "Magick" at #13 on the 100 Best Singles of 2008 list.

In January 2009, Adams announced that he was leaving The Cardinals after their final show on March 20, 2009 at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta. The band has been on indefinite hiatus ever since.

In December 2010, Ryan Adams & The Cardinals released their final album Cardinals III/IV, a compilation of unreleased material. The album was recorded in 2006 during the same sessions that yielded Easy Tiger.

On April 16 Ryan Adams released Class Mythology, which is an EP of unreleased tracks recorded with the Cardinals during the Cardinology period.

Session Work/Collaborations

Casal contributed guitar work on Tift Merritt’s 2005 album Tambourine, featuring Mike Campbell, which as nominated for a Country Album of the Year and three Americana Music Awards. Casal played on Gin Wigmore’s 2009 album Holy Smoke” produced by Mike Elizondo, which won four of the six New Zealand Music Awards it was nominated for and went Quadruple Platinum.

Willie Nelson’s 2007 album Songbird produced by Ryan Adams and released by Lost Highway Records. Adams, along with The Cardinals, performed on the album’s eleven tracks, featuring Casal on guitar and piano. Songbird peaked at #87 on the Billboard 200 on November 18, 2006.

                                                           Photography

In 2004, Casal provided photos for Tift Merritt’s second record Tambourine.

In 2007, Casal shot the album cover photos for the Ryan Adams album Easy Tiger and the Ryan Adams and the Cardinals EP Follow the Lights. In 2008, he provided photos for the Ryan Adams and the Cardinals album Cardinology.

  

Casal provided photographs for the final album of Ryan Adams and The Cardinals Cardinals III/IV, which was released in 2010.

In January 2008 Casal exhibited his photography at the Bauhaus Gallery in Tokyo.

Casal shot the album cover and all photos for the artwork for Sarah Lee Guthrie and Johnny Irion’s 2011 album Bright Examples.

Casal shot the album cover for Courtney Jaye's The Exotic Sounds of Courtney Jaye, released on January 10, 2010.

In 2010 Casal provided photographs for Danny And the Champions Of The World album Streets Of Our Time.

Casal provided never before seen photographs for the Ryan Adams and The Cardinals EP Class Mythology, released in April 2011.

Casal’s photographs have appeared in publications such as Mojo, Rolling Stone, Spin, Harp, USA Today.

Movies and TV

Director Ray Foley made a documentary about Casal’s influences and inspirations during the making of his sixth album in 2001 entitled Neal Casal: Anytime Tomorrow.

In 2009, two Hazy Malaze songs were featured on Private Practice season three, episode seven “The Hard Part” and Casal’s single “The Losing End Again” appeared in Fringe season two, episode seventeen “Olivia. In The Lab. With The Revolver.”.

Casal was Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn’s voice coach for the 2004 movie Starsky and Hutch and played guitar on Owen Wilson’s performance of "" which was also featured on the soundtrack.

Sang the lead vocals on “The Game” and “The Music of Jason Crigler”, released on Rudy Records. Casal co-wrote and sang backing vocals on “The Truest Kind” on the album “Danny and The Champions of The World”.

In 2011, Casal worked as Garrett Hedlund’s guitar instructor for the movie Country Strong and also appears in the film as Gwyneth Paltrow’s guitar player.

Books

In March 2010, Abrams Image published Casal’s first book of photography A View Of Other Windows. The book is a photographic documentary of life playing and touring with Ryan Adams and The Cardinals.

Source: Wikipedia

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RIP Beard of the Day





Jerry Garcia

(August 1, 1942 – August 9, 1995)

Band leader, guitarist, and songwriter. Born on August 1, 1942, in San Francisco, California. Garcia was the son of a Spanish immigrant who grew up to become a bandleader popular in the San Francisco area. He studied piano as a boy but turned to the guitar in his teens. He dropped out of school at age 17 and served nine months in the U.S. Army before being discharged for poor conduct.

He began to play folk and blues guitar, alone or with pickup groups, in clubs in the San Francisco area while working as a salesman and music teacher in a music store.



In 1965 he formed a band, the Warlocks, but on discovering another group with that name, it was changed to the Grateful Dead (1966). Closely involved with the San Francisco hippie movement and the use of drugs such as LSD, the band first played "psychedelic" rock but moved on to a more diverse repertory of rock styles in the 1970s. From around 1974 the band's members began to go their own ways, and Garcia made solo appearances and albums.

In the 1980s he became heavily addicted to drugs, and after being arrested in 1985 was sent to a treatment center. After emerging from a diabetic coma, he decided to turn his life around, and the band made a comeback (1987) with a hit single, "Touch of Gray" and an album, In the Dark.



Garcia and the rest of the band enjoyed this new wave of success and continued to tour, drawing legions of fans - new and old - to their shows. The Grateful Dead had built quite a following over the years and their loyal fans, sometimes called "Deadheads," were known to travel around the country to catch their concerts.



Unfortunately, the show could not go on forever. Despite Garcia's efforts to improve his lifestyle, all of the years of hard living caught up with him. He died of heart failure on August 9, 1995, in Forest Knolls, California.

Source: Biography.com

Flight of the Beard

American Idol Beard of the Day

GAB#39 - Tim Jones