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1-29 of 29
- Music Artist
- Actor
- Music Department
Freddie Mercury was born on the Tanzanian island of Zanzibar. His parents, Bomi and Jer Bulsara, sent him off to a private school in India, from 1955 til 1963. In 1964, he and his family flew to England. In 1966 he started his education at the Ealing College of Art, where he graduated in 1969. He loved art, and because of that, he often went along with his friend Tim Staffell, who played in a band called Smile. Also in this band where Brian May and Roger Taylor.
When Staffell left the band in 1970, Mercury became their new singer. He changed the band's name into Queen, and they took on a new bass-player in February 1971, called John Deacon. Their first album, "Queen", came out in 1973. But their real breakthrough was "Killer Queen", on the album "Sheer Heart Attack", which was released in 1974. They became immortal with the single "Bohemian Rhapsody", on the 1975 album "A Night At The Opera".
After their biggest hit in the USA in 1980 with "Another One Bites The Dust", they had a bad period. Their album "Flash Gordon" went down the drain, because the movie Flash Gordon (1980) flunked. Their next, the disco-oriented "Hot Space", was hated not only by rock critics but also by many hardcore fans. Only the song "Under Pressure", which they sang together with David Bowie, made a difference. In 1983, they took a year off. But, in 1984 they came back with their new album called "The Works". The singles "Radio Ga Ga" and "I Want to Break Free" did very well in the UK but a controversy over the video of the latter in the USA meant it got little exposure and flopped. Plans to tour the USA were cancelled and the band would not recover their popularity there during Mercury's lifetime.
In April 1985, Mercury released his first solo album, the less rock-oriented and more dance-oriented "Mr. Bad Guy". The album is often considered now to have been a flop, but it actually wasn't. It peaked at number six in the UK and stayed on the chart for 23 weeks, making it the most successful Queen solo project. The band got back together again after their barnstorming performance at Live Aid (1985) in July 1985. At the end of the year, they started working on their new album, "A Kind Of Magic". They also held their biggest ever world tour, the "Magic Tour". They played Wembley Stadium twice and held their very last concert in Knebworth, in front of 125.000 people.
After 1986, it went silent around Queen. In 1987, he was diagnosed with AIDS but he kept working at a pace. He released a cover of the 1950s song "The Great Pretender", which went into the UK top ten. After that, he flew to Spain, where he made the magnificent album "Barcelona", together with Montserrat Caballé, whom he saw performing in 1983. Because Mercury loved opera, he became a huge fan of her. For him, this album was like a dream becoming reality. The single "Barcelona" went huge, and was also used as a theme song for the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona.
After "Barcelona", he started working with the band again. They made "The Miracle", which was released in early 1989. It was another success, with hits such as "Breakthru", "I Want It All", "The Invisible Man" and the title track. At this point, Mercury told the band he had AIDS, meaning that a tour of the album was out of the question. After Mercury told the band, he refused to talk about it anymore. He was afraid that people would buy their records out of pity. He said he wanted to keep making music as long as possible. And he did. After "The Miracle", Mercury's health got worse. They wanted to do one more album, called "Innuendo." They worked on it in 1990 and early 1991. Every time when Mercury would feel well, he came over to the studio and sang. After "Innuendo" was released in January 1991, they made two video clips. The first one was the video clip of "I'm Going Slightly Mad", shot in March 1991. Because Mercury was very thin, and had little wounds all over his body, they used a lot of make-up. He wore a wig, and the clip was shot in black and white.
Mercury's final video clip was released in June 1991. The clip, "These Are The Days Of Our Lives", later turned out to be his goodbye song, the last time he appeared on film. You could clearly see he was ill, but he still hadn't told the world about his disease. Rumours went around that he some kind of terrible disease. This rumor was confirmed by Mercury himself, one day before he passed on. His death was seen as a great loss for the world of popular music.- John lives in Harlem, NY. By way of Atlanta, GA. Stone Mountain, GA. To be specific.
Most recent credit: Luke Cage, Alex Wesley, Mariah (Alfre Woodard's Assistant).
Mission: He is a Storyteller whose sole mission is to tell the truth. An Actor, Writer/Poet, Singer-Songwriter, and Mentor John is drawn to and wants to tell the story of those in the margins of society. Storytelling is the lens through which the culture both dreams and heals. Healing, not in a kumbaya way, but rather in a expose the truth, air it out, come face to face with the darkness so that we can live in the light.
John is an advocate for the evolution of Black and Brown Men, and the innocence and education of Black and Brown Boys. Toxic masculinity, Patriarchy, Misogyny, all of these systemic realities require self reflection, examination, and active change/allyship. Exploring through his own writing John values vulnerability and authenticity as a means to dismantle the thought of MAN-ness, and instead exploring what it looks like to get better at being Human. Not a authority, just a person in process.
Love and light - Deborah Strang was born on 12 November 1950 in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, USA. She is an actress, known for Eagle Eye (2008), Kiss the Girls (1997) and Ramblin' Gal (1991).
- Actor
- Producer
Thomas Q. Jones is a captivating force on and off the field. While best known as an unstoppable all-time leading running back that played twelve seasons in the National Football League (NFL), Jones has turned his post-NFL focus to the world of acting in both film and television, and the world of technology as the Chief Executive Officer of the mobile application developer, Castar Applications, Inc.
In film, Jones headlined the independent film, "Runaway Island," alongside Lorraine Toussaint and Aisha Hinds. He filmed "Straight Outta Compton," the feature film based on the lives and careers of the hip-hop group, N.W.A. He shared a memorable scene with Paul Giamatti. The film opened on August 14, 2015, and debuted in the number one box office position, and remained in the top position for three consecutive weeks. In 2016, Jones is both a producer and actor in upcoming screen adaptation of the graphic novel, "Loyalty," with Lucien Laviscount, as well as an actor in the independent short film project, "Love and The Line," and the innovative independent feature length film, "9 Rides," shot entirely using 4K video with an iPhone 6s.
In television, Jones guest-starred in Seasons 2 and 3 of the BET hit drama series, "Being Mary Jane," in a multi-episode arc as "Brandon 'Cutty Buddy' Gibson," love interest to "Mary Jane Paul," played by award-winning actress, Gabrielle Union. On the TV ONE comedy series, "Born Again Virgin," Jones guest-starred as the irresistible commercial pilot, "Vince," a love interest to the series lead, Danielle Nicolet. He also appeared in featured roles in the acclaimed Showtime series "Shameless," and IFC's "Comedy Bang! Bang!"
In technology, Jones developed his first mobile application through his company, Castar Applications, Inc. The launch application, Castar, is an iOS, Android and Windows social business application for creative, talented individuals to showcase their special skills, network with industry professionals, connect with targeted audiences and agents, grow and manage their fan base, and earn money. Jones plans to develop more mobile applications that enhance users' social media and e-commerce experiences.
Drafted 7th overall in the 2000 NFL draft by the Arizona Cardinals out of the University of Virginia, Jones went on to become one of the 25 all-time leading rushers in NFL history, with more than 10,000 rushing yards. In addition to the Arizona Cardinals, he played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New York Jets, Chicago Bears and the Kansas City Chiefs, becoming an AFC Rushing Leader, a 2006 NFC champion, 2007 Super Bowl XLI player, and 2009 Pro-Bowl selection within his career. In 2010, Jones was nominated for "The Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year" award recognizing an NFL player for his excellence on and off the field. In 2017, Jones will be eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Jones grew up in Big Stone Gap, VA alongside five sisters, one brother, and his coal-miner parents. He collaborated with his parents to publish "Blessings from the Dust," a book inspired by the struggles the family endured coming from the poverty-stricken coal-mining camps of Virginia. A feature length film based on this book is in development.
Jones received his Bachelor's degree in Psychology in three years from the University of Virginia and established the "Thomas Quinn Jones I Academic Scholarship" at his alma mater. Committed to helping the NFL evolve, upon his death, he committed to donating his brain for research to the Sports Legacy Institute which studies the link between high-impact sports and brain trauma. As a tribute to his twelve years in the NFL, he is also developing a documentary, "The NFL: The Gift or the Curse?"
Jones splits his time between Los Angeles, CA and Miami, FL, with his dog and a hairless cat.- Actor
- Executive
Stan Collymore was regarded by some as one of the most gifted, charismatic and outspoken soccer players of his or any generation. After several high profile, multi-million pound moves in English soccer, and scoring some of the most amazing goals in recent football history, combined with a highly intuitive mind, natural screen charisma and athleticism, he decided to make the break from pro sports, and move into his second love, movies.
After being quoted as wanting to be "the first black James Bond", in a tongue-in cheek magazine interview, casting agents and directors alike sat up and started taking the Maverick from the Midlands seriously, especially after his 2004 critically acclaimed autobiography, Tackling my Demons saw Collymore as an intelligent, multi-talented phenomenon, rather than the one dimensional character that had seen him grab the front pages of the UK tabloids as often as the back.
One thing is for certain, it seems that after his movie debut in 2005 alongside Sharon Stone,in the eagerly awaited Basic Instinct 2 sequel, Stan Collymore's talents are as diverse as his persona.- Leanza Cornett was born on 10 June 1971 in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, USA. She was an actress, known for The Tick (2001), CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2000) and Still Waiting in the Wings (2018). She was married to Mark Steines. She died on 28 October 2020 in Jacksonville, Florida, USA.
- Actress
Jakki Degg was born on 20 February 1978 in Stone, Staffordshire, England, UK. She is an actress, known for EuroTrip (2004), Clubbing to Death (2008) and Goal! III (2009).- Director
- Producer
- Writer
Adriana Trigiani is the bestselling author of twenty books of fiction and nonfiction, including the instant New York Times bestseller The Good Left Undone, the blockbuster epic The Shoemaker's Wife; the Big Stone Gap series and more. Trigiani directed the feature film Then Came You (2020), starring Craig Ferguson and Kathie Lee Gifford, filmed on location in Scotland. Her screen adaptation of Very Valentine (2019) debuted on Lifetime television in June 2019. Trigiani wrote and directed the major motion picture Big Stone Gap (2014), based on her debut novel and filmed entirely on location in her Virginia hometown. She is the award-winning filmmaker of the documentary Queens of the Big Time (1996). She was an award-winning writer/producer of The Cosby Show (1984) and A Different World (1987) and show runner and executive producer of CityKids (1993).- Selina Majors was born on 12 June 1967 in Stone Mountain, Georgia, USA. She is an actress and writer, known for POWW: Powerful Women of Wrestling (1987), WOW: Women of Wrestling (2000) and LPWA the Super Ladies: Best Vol.1 (1994).
- Camera and Electrical Department
- Cinematographer
- Additional Crew
Carlos 'Los' Jackson was born on 3 July 1974 in Stone Mountain, Georgia, USA. He is a cinematographer, known for Prom Night (2008), The Two Pamelas (2016) and The Initiate (1998).- Jordan Michael Thompson was raised in the Appalachian Mountains of East Tennessee. He was acting from an early age and always excelled in painting and the arts. During college a chance meeting with an agent brought him to Hollywood.
Jordan has studied for many years with one of Hollywood's beloved acting coaches, John Kirby. Shortly after moving to Los Angeles, he made his on-screen debut with a leading role in "Blue Boy". The film had its World Premiere at Tribeca Film Festival. A second leading role entitled "Ghost Light" from the American Film Institute and Lucas Films, went on to screen at festivals worldwide.
Jordan has also appeared on stage five times and his latest play "Washed in the Blood" won Best in Show at the Hollywood Fringe Festival.
Just this year, Jordan has completed another leading role for festival circuit and just finished shooting a feature film entitled, "Boys About Town". - Actor
- Soundtrack
David Warrilow was born on 28 December 1934 in Stone, Staffordshire, England, UK. He was an actor, known for Barton Fink (1991), Radio Days (1987) and Simon (1980). He died on 17 August 1995 in Paris, France.- Julius Jones was born on 14 August 1981 in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, USA.
- Writer
- Actor
A.N. Wilson was born on 27 October 1950 in Stone, Staffordshire, England, UK. He is a writer and actor, known for Victoria (2016), Queen Victoria's Letters: A Monarch Unveiled (2014) and Queen Victoria's Children (2013). He was previously married to Katherine Duncan-Jones.- Actor
- Additional Crew
- Director
Neill (aka. Neill Eddie ) Calabro is a writer, filmmaker, actor, and musician. He is best known as writer/director/scorer for the documentary Fried Green Tomorrows: Juliette, GA Lives (2006) which was featured in the Summer Film Series for the Southern Chapter of 'The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences [us]'
His novel, Hanging Angels, is the first civil rights story to incorporate the supernatural. His book, Any One Can Be In Movies is a step-by-step process for the beginning actor and also an informative and hilarious account of his travels with Emmy Collins, across the United States, from movie set to movie set. He has collaborated with filmmaker Steve Balderson. He was a founder member of the group Insanity (of Athens Ga), and a former percussionist for The Swimming Pool Q's.- Beverly Ann Bailey was born on 11 September 1933 in Stone Mountain, Georgia, USA. She was an actress, known for Mini: The Adventures of Jenny (1986) and Just a Friend (1985). She was married to Jackson Bailey. She died on 6 March 2022 in Rutledge, Georgia, USA.
- Robert Pittard was born on 23 March 1922 in Stone Mountain, Georgia, USA. He was an actor, known for Roar of the Press (1941) and Andy Hardy's Double Life (1942). He died on 25 February 1964 in Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
- Melvin Dillon was born on 21 October 1984 in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, USA. He is an actor, known for Untied Strangers (2008).
- Director
- Editor
- Cinematographer
Davin Swade Stanley is a teen of Appalachia, Virginia. Born on January 24, 1993, to Pat and Amy Stanley, Davin developed an affinity for the film and television industry at an early age. Moving back and forth among Jacksonville, North Carolina, Big Stone Gap and Appalachia, Davin continued to dream of making it big in the entertainment industry and at the age of 14 years old, he began a stint as a camera operator for his church's broadcast that aired on a local television channel. This experience led Davin to a job as a television editor and camera operator for the Christian TV program, "Walking in the Kingdom."
With some experience under his belt, Davin became even more involved in television production. In early 2009, he helped produce a documentary about a supernatural entity in West Virginia called, "Dark Wings: The Mothman Chronicle," with an award-winning production company and in 2010 he was hired to produce sports promos for the local NBC and FOX affiliates.
Upon graduation from Appalachia High School in 2011, Davin relocated to Los Angeles, California to pursue his dreams in the entertainment capitol of the world. Davin briefly attended Los Angeles Valley College, where he studied television broadcasting. He holds a position at Anheuser-Busch (Budweiser) and Warner Bros. Entertainment.
Although residing in Los Angeles, Davin remains a southern boy at heart with deep roots to his native region. His favorite sports teams are the Tennessee Volunteers and the Atlanta Braves.- Writer
- Additional Crew
C.C. Swiney AKA Christopher C. Swiney, was born in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, to E.C. (Tate), and Joyce Swiney. He attended Powell Valley High School. He later went to Carson-Newman College and the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville.
Upon arriving in Los Angeles, C.C. took jobs with 3-Ball, Mentorn and various production companies as a PA, Logger and eventually Story Producer.
C.C. performs at stand-up and improvisation comedy throughout the country and resides in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.- Chris Gardocki was born on 7 February 1970 in Stone Mountain, Georgia, USA.
- Additional Crew
- Producer
- Actor
J.T. Steele was born January 1, 1969 in Stone Mountain, Georgia as John Steven O'Kelley. He attended High School at Brookwood High School in Snellville, Georgia. Brookwood's claim to fame was Jason Elam, kicker for the Denver Broncos. Following High School, J.T. enlisted into the United States Army. Basic Training at Ft. Leonardwood, Missouri, AIT Training at Ft. Lee, Virginia, Jump school at Ft. Benning, Georgia and finally stationed permanently at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina.
Following his initial military enlistment, J.T. moved on and joined up with Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey Circus (Blue Show). He joined the show in Macon, GA and continued up the coast to New York City where the show spent five weeks at Madison Square Gardens. Working on props for the show left him a good amount of time to write. As the show was packing up to leave the Spectrum in Philadelphia, PA, J.T., left the show and headed west to Los Angeles.
Arriving in Los Angeles, he took an instant liking to the weather and the laid back atmosphere of the west coast. This is were he began his rise up the ladder on the entertainment industry. Starting out as an extra, he decided that acting wasn't his calling and moved behind the camera. He felt more at home here. Within one year, he moved from PA to extras coordinator for many films, a few with Chris Grey Casting but most in the employ of VMI Casting, now defunct. It was during this time that J.T. realized that he would rather assist others in realizing their dreams which would in turn help him to realize his.
He moved into the management arena and began to take on some clients until 2000 he started to devote his time to his passion...music. He was a singer as a kid and traveled with the Atlanta Boys Choir to Europe, where the group sang for the royal family, including the Queen of England, as well as attended a party at the American Embassy. It is a little known fact that his chaperon on this overseas excursion was Lillian Carter, mother to Former President, Jimmy Carter. Following the European tour, a special concert was given at the memorial of the Holocaust, where the singing group and J.T. met the president and his family.
In 2000, J.T. began working exclusively with Creative Horizons and Tenacity Records, companies by Michael Ricciardi, songwriter/composer. J.T. was the resident music producer and vocal coach for the recording sessions as well as handing Mr. Ricciardi's career. In the employ of Creative Horizons, J.T. produced over 30 tracks, mostly demos used by Mr. Ricciardi that would be submitted to production companies for use in soundtracks for films and television.
In 2004, J.T. started Jay T Steele Entertainment. He will be scouting, developing and releasing new talent found in the Los Angeles area. He believes there are diamonds hidden the rock pile of L.A. Included along with the management division, there is production for music and film. J.T has several scripts in the works as well as a poem that is being published in two books.
He is currently a freelance writer and can be seen in the new online E-Zine "In The Scene" Magazine. His first published article is in the October issue in the Nightlife Section regarding The Shark's Cove in Hermosa Beach.
There is more to J.T than meets the eye. Getting to know him is to respect him.- Jerry Blackwell was born on 26 April 1949 in Stone Mountain, Georgia, USA. He was an actor, known for WWF Championship Wrestling (1972), AWA All-Star Wrestling (1972) and World's Strongest Man (1977). He died on 22 January 1995 in Cumming, Georgia, USA.
- Actor
- Producer
- Director
Kenny Kilfara was born on 24 June 1978 in Stone Mountain, Georgia, USA. He is an actor and producer, known for Blacklist: Recovering the Life of Canada Lee (2008), Say Yes Quickly (2004) and Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been? (2010).- Erisse Peterson is an American actress and musician born on March 7th, 1993, in Stone Mountain, Georgia, USA. She got her start in acting at an early age, after her family relocated to Los Angeles, California in 1996. As a child actor, Erisse was represented by Bob Feldman (father of actor Corey Feldman) and studied ballet, tap and jazz dance.
Later, Erisse Peterson attended Mississippi School of the Arts, the state's only residential arts high school. She intensively studied theatre arts under her instructors, Dr. Robert Brooks and Tammy Stanford, and performed in numerous stage plays. She also developed a passion for all aspects of film, including directing and film scoring. During 2011-2013, Erisse attended Mississippi State University, where she studied Philosophy & Religion.
In 2016, Erisse Peterson won the audition for Adrian Tofei's upcoming feature film We Put the World to Sleep, where she stars in a supporting role.
Erisse ventured into music 2018, releasing her first EP "Somethingmissing" under the stage name Planes.