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Blog Entries

New Song - Please Leave Me Alone
Posted by on December 10, 2009
I know, not exactly the song title one might expect to come out around the holidays. Though maybe what some might be thinking... Actually, this is a song I've been working on for quite some time. It's about addictions. Through the years I've struggled with my own, and started to write about that struggle, but couldn't quite finish. So I contacted my friend and songwriting partner-in-crime Ed Scheiblin,… (read more)
Proud to Play at Pride
Posted by on November 6, 2009
I had the pleasure to perform at the Atlanta Pride Festival in Piedmont Park on Halloween. The show went great, and we got a lot of great feedback and new fans on the email list.The highlights for me was playing "In These Shoes" by Kirsty MacColl - such a fun tune - and ending with our Saturday Night Live closer-inspired version of "Sing It Out," which really resonated well for the point of the event.Performing… (read more)
Turning Thirty raises another $1000
Posted by on October 24, 2009
Actually, over $1000. Our three performances of Turning Thirty have raised over $2000 for the American Cancer Society and over $4000 overall.The event was a terrific success, with excellent press in the Atlanta Journal Constitution newspaper and CBS Atlanta TV. See my previous posts about those.Special thanks once again to all the performers: Kristi Budd, Jose Cordero, Pam Duncan, Adam Coletta, Lee… (read more)
Turning Thirty on TV
Posted by on October 24, 2009
Tracye Hutchins of Better Mornings Atlanta on CBS Atlanta put this story in her Good Deeds segment that ran all day on October 8 on CBS Atlanta.Click here to see the story online, or click here to go straight to the video. (read more)
Turning Thirty Review in the AJC
Posted by on October 24, 2009
Jill Vejnoska of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution wrote a terrific article about the show. Check it out!Click here to see the online version of the AJC article called "Musical Recalls Cancer Survival." (read more)
Turning Thirty Rehearsal Video
Posted by on October 24, 2009
Friend and documentarian Louis Leon produced this video capturing the essence of a Turning Thirty rehearsal. (read more)
Turning Thirty - Oct. 9 - Buy Tickets Now
Posted by on September 28, 2009
'Turning Thirty,' a musical play by Tom Willner, musician and cancer survivor, will be performed at a special benefit event at the American Cancer Society Center, 250 Williams St. (previously The Inforum) in the street level theater on Friday, October 9, 2009 at noon. This compelling play about Willner's testicular cancer touches all those emotions felt by cancer survivors and their families and friends… (read more)
The New and Improved TurningThirty.org
Posted by on September 4, 2009
Yes, I am a geek. I can't help myself. As I mentioned before, I'm now working with someone who is helping me with marketing my musical Turning Thirty, and we agreed that its website needed to be updated. It is pretty much complete, and much more representative of the actual show we have been producing now for the past year. So go check it out and let me know what you think. Visit the new and improved… (read more)
Turning Thirty Show - October 9th
Posted by on September 1, 2009
I'm excited to report that shows number 3 and 4 of Turning Thirty have officially been booked. Pictured here is the venue of number 3 coming up on Friday, October 9, at noon at the American Cancer Society Center in downtown Atlanta. The theater is booked, rehearsals are scheduled, and my awesome marketing machine has begun its churn. (I say that sarcastically, though I now actually do have professional… (read more)
New Video - Urban Blue Performs Tom's Boogie
Posted by on August 20, 2009
I want to thank everyone who came out to my big birthday bash show at the Red Light Cafe this past weekend. With 10th street closed and tens of thousands of people flocking to midtown for the Paul McCartney concert in Piedmont Park, I am truly grateful to the large crew of you who braved it all to come a few blocks over to see me with Urban Blue and celebrate my birthday.And if you feel like reliving… (read more)
The Middle Ages
Posted by on August 5, 2009
It has arrived, my 40th birthday. I don't feel any different. A late night with good friends at Eddie's Attic listening to music (specifically Lynette Suzanne) and drinking Sweetwater 420 gives me about the same rough feeling in the morning as it did back when I was 39. So why all the fuss over this particular number?Well for me, it marks 10 years as a cancer survivor, or my 10 year "cancerversary"… (read more)
Recent Press
Posted by on July 13, 2009
In the last few months my music and story have appeared in print and online. I'd like to share those two articles with you.First, I had my story published by Joel Martin of the Columbia Basin Herald, the newspaper of choice in Moses Lake, WA, which many of you will recognize as the hub of operations for my west coast tour. It was a pleasure to speak to Joel, and I was honored by his article. Click… (read more)
New Song - Little Miss Magic
Posted by on July 8, 2009
One night, I was reading a bedtime story called "Little Miss Magic" to my daughter. She asked me for some milk, and on my way to the refrigerator I started snapping my fingers singing "Little Miss Magic, Little Miss Magic." A little while later, the first verse came out. And it stayed like that for quite a while. Sometimes songs do that to me.Then one day the bridge arrived, and the song came back… (read more)
The Stupid Cancer Show Interview
Posted by on July 7, 2009
It is always a pleasure to talk to Matthew Zachary. He has so much passion for what he does, he's funny, and his show is always interesting. It was a real treat to be on The Stupid Cancer Show once again. Yesterday's show is available in its entirety to stream and download here. If you missed it, it's worth a listen. I've posted just the portion of the show that was my interview below. I hope you… (read more)
Tonight on The Stupid Cancer Show
Posted by on July 6, 2009
I will be interviewed tonight on my second appearance on the Stupid Cancer Show, an internet radio show begun by I'm Too Young For This (i[2]y) founder, Matthew Zachary, for young adults affected by cancer. Tonight's show is called "Music Makes The People, Stupid Cancer," and features breast cancer survivor and author, Cindy Papale, and singer-songwriter Andy Dumiak and me as two contributing artists… (read more)
My 2009 West Coast Tour
Posted by on June 10, 2009
It was my one city, two show west coast tour, and it was a blast. I had the pleasure to meet and play with guitarist Marcus Ruffalo, performed at both the Relay for Life and at Michaels' On The Lake restaurant, and even got true rock star treatment. More on that in a moment. It all started at 5 AM on the east coast through two long flights to Phoenix and then to Spokane. From Spokane a rental car… (read more)
Relay For Life - Atlanta, GA
Posted by on May 28, 2009
Once again, I had the honor to perform at the Atlanta Adams Stadium Relay for Life. I performed "Every Candle Has A Name" and "Celebrate" at the Luminaria ceremony. The event has already raised over a half million dollars. Click on the photo for a larger version. The photo was taken by Kelli Rosenthal, and I shamelessly copied it to my flickr account without her permission. I also got to hang with… (read more)
Relay For Life - Cullman, AL
Posted by on May 15, 2009
It had rained for three days straight prior to the event, and puddles of water still remained throughout beautiful Heritage Park in Cullman, AL. But that did not dissuade the kind, generous folks of Cullman from hosting their Relay for Life. I had the honor of being asked to perform at the event, found online by my friend Keillian and the Tomb Raiders team, a team made up entirely of people under… (read more)
Turning Thirty - Take Two
Posted by on May 6, 2009
Thanks to all who made it out to the second ever performance of Turning Thirty, The Musical. Once again I am so grateful to everyone involved - Kristi Budd, Pam Duncan, Jose Cordero, Lee Hansen, Adam Coletta, Lee Nunn, Talmadge Hickman, Dan Browning, Bill Duncan, Sheryl Skelton, Allison Bower, Allyson Willner, Olivia Budd, Madeline Budd, Jack Duncan, Annie Duncan, and more. This version brought it… (read more)
Turning Thirty Video and Tickets
Posted by on April 6, 2009
Save the date - Saturday, May 2, 2009, 7:30 PM - and get your tickets. Once again, I'm excited to bring you Turning Thirty, The Musical, the show about my experience with cancer. It will be at the Paideia theater in Atlanta, GA, and proceeds will benefit financial aid for the Paideia School. Watch the trailer video above of the debut performance from October 2008. Here's what people had to say about… (read more)
Turning Thirty DVD and CD Giveaway
Posted by on April 2, 2009
I laughed. I cried. I'll see it again and again. Of course, I'm talking about "Turning Thirty, The Musical - Live Debut Performance" because now you can do just that. The DVDs and CDs of the debut performance of my musical about my experience with cancer have arrived. I don't have them completely available online yet, but if you'd like to get an advanced copy I have several options for you:1)… (read more)
i[2]y Benefit CD, Volume 2
Posted by on April 2, 2009
My song, Rescue Me, was chosen to be included on a benefit CD for the organization I'm Too Young For This (i[2]y), a non-profit for young adults affected by cancer. This is the second benefit CD they have created; their first was wildly successful. I'm excited to be included in this project for a great cause, and will be receiving 50 of them to sell to benefit i[2]y.You may remember that I was interviewed… (read more)
New Song - It Would Be Nice To Know
Posted by on March 19, 2009
Jazz. This new tune is straight up jazz. It's called It Would Be Nice To Know, and I co-wrote this one with friend Ed Scheiblin who I previously collaborated with on the song I Could Always Make Her Laugh. Ed came to me with these lyrics telling me he had Ol' Blue Eyes Frank Sinatra in mind. So I wanted to give it a melody and vibe in the vien of those classic jazz vocal songs. I love this style;… (read more)
What A Difference Two Years Make
Posted by on March 11, 2009
Two years ago, my then six year old daughter Klara began writing her first song. She came up with lyrics to a chorus, and I helped her with the music. Together we recorded a very simple version. This week, two years later, she wanted to re-record it. It was a fun project, and I threw on my producer hat and went to town. She was much more confident wearing headphones and singing into a microphone.… (read more)
Retroactive Video
Posted by on February 27, 2009
No, it's not a video that can go back in time and alter itself, though that would be pretty cool. I've created a video for my song Retroactive using creative commons photos from Flickr.com. This music video comes complete with 39 photos of superheros, bell-bottoms, a cat, a frog, cupcakes, and a half-naked, drunk batman.If you are not familiar with it already, come read more about the creative commons… (read more)
New Song - Retroactive
Posted by on February 18, 2009
If you could choose a super power to have, what would it be? I found myself faced with that quandary in a dream. I came up with an unusual choice, and to appreciate my reasoning probably requires a little background information.Having spent a significant amount of my waking hours in corporate America, it's hard not to come across the term "proactive." Everyone is always talking about being more proactive;… (read more)