Is it raining where you are? I mean, it doesn’t have to be, but it is here in Houston, and I’m finding very entertaining and kind of comforting the latest CD by Mike Burns. It’s called “Chapter Twenty-Seven” and is a nice companion to his 2010 release “Courage & Longing.” His bio says he…

When I was on vacation to San Francisco in June of course I made a pilgrimage to Amoeba Records, a huge over-whelming experience. One 45 rpm record that caught my attention was called “Bradley Manning.” Now, of course I recognized the name, that of the gay Army soldier and whistle blower/traitor/victim/hero (your call) behind passing…

Just my opinion, but I think not enough folks know about the talents of the late Paul Jabara. He died of AIDS in 1992 and while his own records may be hazy disco memories, the huge hits he wrote for others are certainly not. I was reminded by this when I dug out a couple…

In our queer history it is probably Gertrude Stein and Oscar Wilde who have inspired the most works by others over the years. Shown above and below are two vinyl LPs of readings of Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas. I do admit it’s Alice explaining how to make hashish brownies that draws more attention.…

Billie Lee has at least two accomplishments, in the 1950’s he opened the first gay bar in Miami, called Billie’s Backroom, at the Mayflower Hotel; and he was a gay comedian and singer in his club and others. His only album was recorded at Billie’s Backroom, with the unmistakably risque title of “A Daisy Chain…

Gotham was a cabaret trio formed in 1973 by Gary Herb, Michael Pace and Jonathan Morrow. David McDaniel replaced Morrow in 1975. The group was known for their comedy as much as their singing, and they became enormously successful in the 70’s and 80’s. An important aspect of the group was that they did it…

Sometimes when working on my website I get side tracked, like when I put together a large collage of “Naked Musicians.” The first few are shown above, and are all early shots for which the code phrase was “physique” photos. They are not really naked, of course, because in the 1950’s it was illegal to…

Click to Watch the Video I really doubt that in 1966 Herman’s Hermits, in their song “This Door Swings Both Ways,” were singing about bisexual love, but it’s fun to imagine it. And for the most part in our history of GLBT music, imagine is what you almost all of the time had to do…

While surfing Youtube I ran across an old favorite video and wanted to share it, as I think no one should have missed this one. The caption calls it “Leather Bar: The Musical,” which I like better than its real name, “Boot Camp.” It’s a delightful juxtaposition of ballroom style dancing in a leather bar,…

One of my absolute…do you hear me? ABSOLUTE favorite Broadway songs is “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going,” as done in showstopping form by Jennifer Holliday, in “Dreamgirls.” The song accomplished the unusual recent feat of coming from a Broadway show and crossing over to be a hit by itself. And it has…