http://bravenewfilms.org/topics/nita 2008-12-02T14:54:36Z http://bravenewfilms.org/blog/51561-in-a-world-without-don-lafontaine 2008-12-02T14:54:36Z SamHarris <object width="375" height="308"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/xxxjwUzxl8g&border=0&rel=0"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/xxxjwUzxl8g&border=0&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="375" height="308"></embed></object> <a href="/blog/51561-in-a-world-without-don-lafontaine"><img src="http://bravenewfilms.org/pictures/medium/62595" width="140" height="105" border="0" align="left" style="border: solid 1px black;" /></a> <div class="post_content"> <p>Sam remembers his dear friend, Don LaFontaine who passed away suddenly on September 1, 2008.</p> <p>Our world is silent.</p> <p>---------------------------</p> <p>Don LaFontaine is a native of Duluth, Minnesota. After graduating from High School, he joined the army and eventually was stationed at Fort Meyer, Virginia, outside of Washington DC. He was assigned to the United States Army Band and Chorus as a recording engineer. </p> <p>After his discharge from the service, he moved to New York City where he found work at National Recording Studios as a sound engineer/editor. Late in 1962, he was assigned to a young radio producer named Floyd L. Peterson, who was creating radio commercials for "Dr. Strangelove". They worked so well together that, in January of 1963, LaFontaine joined Floyd Peterson, making it a two man operation, working out of Floyd's apartment. </p> <p>Over the next couple of years, the company rapidly grew to employ thirty people and expanded into its own building; a carriage house on west 57th street. Floyd L. Peterson, Inc. was one of the first companies to work exclusively in motion picture advertising. Prior to that time, most film promotion was done in-house by the studios. It was during this period that the format for the modern Trailer (Previews of coming attractions) was developed, and LaFontaine and Peterson were among the first to create the catch phrases that still dominate trailers; "In a world", "A one-man army", "No where to run, no where to hide and no way out" etc. </p> <p>In 1965, a mix-up in scheduling prevented an announcer from making a session, and LaFontaine was forced to create a "scratch" narration for radio spots for the film "Gunfighters Of Casa Grande" in order to present something to the client, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. To his surprise, they bought his performance, and over the next 16 years he voiced thousands of spots and hundreds of trailers. </p> <p>He spent a number of years as a head of production for Kaleidoscope Films, Ltd; one of the premiere trailer production houses. In 1976, he started his own production company, Don LaFontaine Associates. His first assignment as an independent was "The Godfather, Part II." </p> <p>In 1978 he was asked to join Paramount Pictures, heading up the trailer department. Over the next three years, he became literally the "Voice" of Paramount. In 1980 he was named Vice President, but he missed being involved in active production. </p> <p>He left Paramount in 1981 and moved from New York to Los Angeles, again as an independent producer. One of his first phone calls was from a young agent named Steve Tisherman, who urged LaFontaine to pursue voice-overs more aggressively. He signed with Steve Tisherman, and never looked back. </p> <p>Over the past 25 years, LaFontaine cemented his position as the "King of Voice-overs." Aside from his continuing work in the trailer industry, he has also been the voice of NBC, CBS, ABC, Fox and UPN, in addition to TNT, TBS and the Cartoon Network. By conservative estimates, he has voiced hundreds of thousands of television and radio spots, including commercials for Chevrolet, Pontiac, Ford, Budweiser, McDonalds, Coke, and many other corporate sponsors. At last count, he has worked on nearly 5000 films, including appearances as the in-show announcer for the Screen Actors Guild and Academy Awards. Based on contracts signed, he has the distinction of being perhaps the single busiest actor in the history of SAG. </p> <p>LaFontaine is married to Singer/Actress Nita Whitaker, and lives in Los Angeles.</p> <p>For more information about Don, please visit: <br />http://www.DonLafontaine.com</p> <p>---------------------------</p> <p>http://SamHarris.com</p> </div> <a href="/blog/51561-in-a-world-without-don-lafontaine">Watch the video</a> http://bravenewfilms.org/blog/48666-hollywood-concert-rehearsal-of-he-is-and-before-you-go 2008-12-02T14:54:37Z SamHarris <object width="375" height="308"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/_A_luY7c1H0&border=0&rel=0"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/_A_luY7c1H0&border=0&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="375" height="308"></embed></object> <a href="/blog/48666-hollywood-concert-rehearsal-of-he-is-and-before-you-go"><img src="http://bravenewfilms.org/pictures/medium/58633" width="140" height="105" border="0" align="left" style="border: solid 1px black;" /></a> <div class="post_content"> <p>► <a href="http://samharris.com/free">samharris.com</a> </p> <p>Sam gives you a behind the scenes look at rehearsal a day before his next show in Hollywood CA on August 11. You hear pieces of two songs from the new album called "Free". All studio versions of the songs are available on iTunes now at: <a href="http://SamTunes.NET">SamTunes.NET</a> </p> <p>HE IS (lyrics): <br />http://samharris.com/free/he-is.htm <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9v8Ddp4Vbdo</p> <p>BEFORE YOU GO (lyrics): <br />http://samharris.com/free/before-you-go.htm <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISeRDmyWZTA</p> <p>► <a href="http://SamTUNES.net">SamTUNES.net</a> <br />... to download Sam Harris songs and full albums. </p> <p>* August 11 <br /> Sam Harris in Concert <br />Lloyd Cook on percussion <br />Todd Schroeder on piano <br />Nita Whitaker backup vocals: <br />http://youtube.com/watch?v=B7xwe5n3FSw <br />with Comedian Shawn Pelofsky </p> <p> Summer Stars Concert Series <br /> 88's at Republic <br /> West Hollywood, CA <br /> (310) 360-7070 <br />http://www.eightyeightscabaret.com</p> <p>* August 31... <br /> Sam Harris in Concert <br /> Sam with MASSIVE choir! <br /> BOK Center Concert <br /> Tulsa Convention Center <br /> 3 p.m. Event will honor its opening with a multi-faith celebration with Sam and a community choir of more than 300 people. <br /> Event is FREE and open to the public. <a href="http://www.tulsaworld.com/TWPDFs/2008/Final/W_062208_A_1.PDF">www.tulsaworld.com</a> </p> <p>* October 4, 2008... <br /> Sam Harris in Concert <br /> Cal Poly Arts Center <br /> San Luis Obispo, CA <br />http://www.calpolyarts.org</p> <p>* October 26, 2008... <br /> Benefit Concert Appearance <br /> Desert SIDS Project <br /> Los Angeles, CA <br />http://www.shelterfromthestorm.com</p> <p>* November 29, 2008:... <br /> Sam Harris in Concert <br /> Pike Performance Center <br /> Indianapolis, IN <br />http://www.pikepac.org</p> <p>* December 7, 2008:... <br /> Sam Harris Christmas Concert <br /> VanTrease PACE Performance Center <br /> Tulsa, OK <br />http://www.tulsacc.edu/page.asp?durki=98</p> <p>--------------------------------------</p> <p>► <a href="http://AskSamHarris.com">AskSamHarris.com</a> <br />... ask Sam anything, and he'll reply via a vlog.</p> <p>► <a href="http://SamHarris.com/answers">SamHarris.com</a> <br />... answer link from the "Ask Sam Harris" series.</p> <p>► <a href="http://MySpace.com/SamHarrisMusic">MySpace.com</a> <br />... keep up to date, and be Sam's MySpace friend!</p> <p>► <a href="http://SamTUNES.net">SamTUNES.net</a> <br />... to download Sam Harris songs and full albums.</p> <p>► <a href="http://SamHarris.com">SamHarris.com</a> <br />... information, biography, discography and buy cds.</p> <p>LEGAL & BUSINESS CONTACT: <br />http://SamHarris.com/contact.htm <br />© All videos property of Sam Harris</p> <p>--</p> </div> <a href="/blog/48666-hollywood-concert-rehearsal-of-he-is-and-before-you-go">Watch the video</a> http://bravenewfilms.org/blog/34103-sam-harris-friend-friday-17-with-singer-nita-whitaker 2008-10-25T03:31:39Z SamHarris <object width="375" height="308"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/B7xwe5n3FSw&border=0&rel=0"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/B7xwe5n3FSw&border=0&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="375" height="308"></embed></object> <a href="/blog/34103-sam-harris-friend-friday-17-with-singer-nita-whitaker"><img src="http://bravenewfilms.org/pictures/medium/37218" width="140" height="105" border="0" align="left" style="border: solid 1px black;" /></a> <div class="post_content"> <p>► <a href="http://www.SamHarris.com/FF">www.SamHarris.com</a> </p> <p>Hello Vlog People!</p> <p>Sam visits with good friend, `Nita Whitaker, who he says has a "voice from God." She won Star Search, she sings with Andrea Bocelli, she sang with Sam on the backgrounds for WAR ON WAR, and happens to be married to another very interesting person.</p> <p>We get to meet Simba, who's father, Mufasa recently went to the great ocean in the sky, we also catch a glimpse of Michael Jackson, Puff Daddy (or P. Diddy depending on his attitude), and then the great Don LaFontaine! They also talk about people in their lives like Oprah Winfrey, Andrea Bocelli and Stevie Wonder.</p> <p>The friends relive great memories of how they met on a stage show Sam wrote called "Hard Copy". </p> <p>At the close of the video, Nita sings YOU ARE MY FRIEND from her "LifeStories" CD.</p> <p>Groomed in gospel, trained in opera, honed in pop, Nita's voice is a remarkable instrument that's difficult to define. But when you hear her power chops and sweet high tones, you know you are in the presence of greatness. Pulling all these elements together, Nita has found a beautiful blend of music that soothes the soul on this her latest CD LifeStories showcasing her songwriting and producing abilities as well.</p> <p>A former Miss Louisiana, Nita took her southern roots, charm and show-stopping talent to Los Angeles were her incredible voice carried her to Female Grand Champion on "Star Search", after winning an unprecedented thirteen times.</p> <p>With a vibrant and dynamic stage presence that is unequaled, Nita is comfortable singing in any setting, from an intimate club to the arena stages. In 2005, she was the guest performer at The Freedom Awards honoring Oprah Winfrey, Rubie Dee and Paul Rusesabagnia. She sang duets with Andrea Bocelli during his 2006-2007 city Winter Tour. </p> <p>Nita often travels with Multi-Grammy winner David Foster as his featured artist (and one of his favorite singers) and her performances invariably end in standing ovations. She has performed and shared the stage with countless celebrities including Faith Hill, Celine Dion, Richard Marx, Josh Groban, Stevie Wonder and Yolanda Adams. Nita's current CD follows two other independent projects titled "Nita Whitaker" and "One Voice".</p> <p>► <a href="http://NitaWhitaker.com">NitaWhitaker.com</a> ... Nita Whitaker Official Web Site!</p> <p>► <a href="http://WarOnWar.INFO">WarOnWar.INFO</a> ... WAR ON WAR VIDEO CONTEST!</p> <p>► <a href="http://SamTUBE.com">SamTUBE.com</a> ...</p> <p>► <a href="http://SamVLOG.com">SamVLOG.com</a> <br />... behind the scenes in the everyday life of Sam.</p> <p>► <a href="http://SamHarris.TV">SamHarris.TV</a> <br />... archive of Sam's performances and appearances.</p> <p>► <a href="http://AskSamHarris.com">AskSamHarris.com</a> <br />... ask Sam anything, and he'll reply via a vlog.</p> <p>► <a href="http://SamHarris.com/answers">SamHarris.com</a> <br />... answer link from the "Ask Sam Harris" series.</p> <p>► <a href="http://MySpace.com/SamHarrisMusic">MySpace.com</a> <br />... keep up to date, and be Sam's MySpace friend!</p> <p>► <a href="http://SamTUNES.net">SamTUNES.net</a> <br />... to download Sam Harris songs and full albums.</p> <p>► <a href="http://SamHarris.com">SamHarris.com</a> <br />... information, biography, discography and buy cds.</p> <p>LEGAL & BUSINESS CONTACT: <br />http://SamHarris.com/contact.htm <br />© All videos property of Sam Harris</p> <p>---</p> </div> <a href="/blog/34103-sam-harris-friend-friday-17-with-singer-nita-whitaker">Watch the video</a>