Saturday, December 31, 2016

David Minasian Newsletter #8

2017 is just a few hours away and I am really looking forward to what the New Year may hold. 2016 was quite exciting to say the least, filled with a myriad of adventures involving friends new and old. January started the year off with a win for Best Documentary Featurette from the Idyllwild International Festival of Cinema for The Story Behind Nights In White Satin. February saw a visit to the Oscars where we had the opportunity meet and chat with the likes of Tim Allen, Gene Simmons, Steven Tyler, Charlie Sheen, Kelly Osbourne, Gordon Ramsay, Beck and of course Elton John and his band. That same week saw a trip to Nashville to film a music video featuring Justin Hayward of The Moody Blues for a new song we co-wrote together called The Wind of Heaven, which is also the title of a new major film being produced by Trinity Houston through her company IM3Global Entertainment. 

Then there was the finishing up of a new book called Brooklyn Baby, co-written with actress Joan Steiger, followed by a trip to Tokyo in May to film Camel for a new Live Concert DVD. It was wonderful beyond words to rekindle friendships with Andy Latimer, Colin Bass and Dennis Clement, as was visiting the country of Japan itself. Guitarist Steve Hackett from Genesis was on hand to join in the festivities as well. Also in May was the premiere of The Wind of Heaven music video on the big screen at a theater in Cambridge, MA along with the release of our new Justin Hayward DVD titled Live In Concert at the Capitol Theatre. A lively Q&A session followed the screening hosted by Sal Cirrincione with Justin and myself seated before a theater filled with Moody Blues fans gathered from around the country. The entire event was streamed live worldwide for those unable to attend in person. 

During his US and UK tours, Justin performed The Wind of Heaven live, receiving an amazing response wherever he went. I was there at the very first live performance of the song in New Hampshire, and it was simply stunning. In fact, the response to the song has been so incredible, Justin chose to name his Spring 2017 tour  after The Wind of Heaven. And his label, Universal, decided to include the song on his career retrospective compilation CD release All the Way. 

Further trips to Cancun, Phoenix, Las Vegas and San Francisco for various production related business meetings (along with a visit to the Emmy's) filled nearly every minute to the brim with activities. Unfortunately, this took a toll on my ability to work on the follow-up to Random Acts of Beauty. But hopefully there will be some time in the New Year to get things back on track. Visit www.davidminasian.com for all the latest news and details. 

All my best and have a safe and wonderful 2017;

Dave