Part one can be read here.

ALL ABOUT NIKKI IN 11 QUESTIONS

Nikki Sixx. What hasn’t he accomplished?

He’s a legend of rock. A fashion designer. A photographer and a bestselling author. And, oh yes, he’s (naturally) a record label president. Nikki Sixx wears many hats; just don’t mess up his perfectly messed-up ‘do. His accomplishments as the founder, bass player and songwriter of Motley Crue, by themselves, are enough to make him an icon. But Sixx’s voracious quest to just be himself has taken him down the much-less traveled path well past “music superstar.”

Besides the 80 million albums Crue has sold worldwide, Sixx also topped The New York Times Best Seller list for more than six months with his autobiography, The Heroin Diaries. The book’s soundtrack from his supergroup Sixx: A.M. spawned the song “Life is Beautiful,” the most played rock track of 2008. Nikki is the president of the record label Eleven Seven Music. He’s a photographer, a philanthropist and the co-founder of the rock couture fashion line Royal Underground.

On radio’s “Sixx Sense,” he talks a mile a minute, but during our interview, he’s a quiet burn, reflective and sharp in tone.

MG: Platinum albums, bestselling books, syndicated radio shows. What’s next? 


NIKKI SIXX: Television.

MG: As a rocker, the type of music you play attracts a certain audience. Do you get resistance from certain regions or countries around the world?


NS: No, I think people who are open-minded attract open minded people.

MG: In the studio do you feel like kissing Kerri or duct taping her mouth?


NS: A little of both. No, we have a great energy between us, and we’re both learning from each other daily how to have an on air relationship.

MG: What made Kerri the perfect co-host?


NS: It just clicked.

MG: Your last tour was an amazing success. Are there plans to go back out? 


NS: Yes, Europe and America this summer. Hopefully a little time off in the fall just doing radio and writing music.

MG: What inspires you?


NS: Adversity.

MG: Have you ever been in the Middle East?


NS: No, but it’s a dream.

MG: Who knows more about music? Kerri or you? 


NS: Me for sure. I think.

MG: What do you say to the critiques who think your type of music leads to drug use and violence?


NS: I am sure they are correct on some level.

MG: You seem to be a fan of tweeting and social media. How has that affected your career and life?


NS: I use it to interact with people; people are what we are. It’s what we do; it’s important.

MG: Dream living. Where would you live? 

NS: If I lived outside the chaos (say in the middle of South Africa) and was completely unplugged from the world for a few months, I might never come back. I need the madness to push me forward. Someday I might just disappear into the shadows, only a camera in hand. Oh, and a microphone so I could still do radio.

The original article appeared in ALO magazine (print) and can be found online here.

The post A Little Ditty About Kerri and Nikki: Part Two appeared first on Media Guy Struggles.

They joined forces in 2010 cohosting radio’s “Sixx Sense,” heard coast to coast from New York to San Francisco for five hours every weeknight. With their live celebrity interviews in their Los Angeles studios and their irreverent takes on music and lifestyle, their no-holds barred radio has taken root. Sixx has been known to take his now classic on-air battles with Kasem to the Twitter scene, tweeting about the day’s topic. However you slice it, these two have carved out an incredible hunk of listeners and fans nationwide.

KERRI!

She’s got the talent, the sparkling personality, the looks of a Hollywood siren, the endless quick wit and the kind of laugh we keep coming back for. The only question is who really is Kerri Kasem?

It’s hard for a writer not to sound more like a bag of wind when he’s attempting to elevate musicians and especially radio personalities to the status of artist. But if you’re thinking of Kerri only in the context of music, or even in the context of her and Nikki’s “Sixx Sense” radio show, then you’re missing the more fundamental and exciting thing about her: When she’s on the mic or in front of the camera, she’s as beautiful as any human expressing her-orhimself verbally in any way.

Turns out it’s not so easy to bring this up in your typical celebrity/personality interview though. We have 10 more minutes? Hmmm, okay, let me just see.

Anchoring a top rated iTunes podcast, “The Kerri Kasem Podcast” with Ashley Marriott. Teaching America about motorcycles via the nationally syndicated “Racing Rocks” radio show for nearly a decade. Going toe-to-toe with the big boys hosting Ultimate Fighting Challenge specials. Yep!

Oh, yeah, there is this one other thing. I was thinking that when you say whatever you feel like, tweet to the universe that your co-host should be in a headlock courtesy of World Wrestling Entertainment wrestler Chris Jericho, and when you paralyze your listeners with your voice rather than your immense beauty—well, it seems to me that at those moments you’ve transcended radio.

MG: Kerri Kasem, you invaded the entertainment scene through radio? Are you more at home in radio? Or is a return to TV in your future?

KERRI KASEM: Television hosting has always come in and out of my life, and I’m definitely not finished, but I love radio, and I do feel at home behind the mic. Don’t laugh, but I’d love to be on “Dancing with the Stars” and end up hosting it like Brooke Burke.

Right now, I have three radio shows, and I am also on the “Sixx Sense,” radio show that I do with Nikki. We are on over one hundred FM stations, XM Radio, iHeartRadio and the Internet. And now we get to listen to our show five days a week right here at home in Los Angeles on 98.7! Plus, we have “The Sideshow Countdown” that runs on the weekends as well.

MG: You have a unique partnership with Nikki Sixx. How did you know this would be a fit?

KK: Actually, getting this job was not up to me, I had to audition like everyone else. However, Nikki and I had instant chemistry when we did our demo tape, and it was just a perfect fit.

MG: Who is the real Kerri? We hear some comments from colleagues and friends that you are quite special. What differentiates you from the rest?


KK: Wow, thank you for that compliment. Now how much do I owe you? I’m genuinely interested in people, and I think that shows. I have a strong work ethic, and I believe that kindness is one of the most important traits in a human being.

MG: Many would never think you are of Middle Eastern heritage? What impact has this made in your life?


KK: Actually, many people do ask me if I’m Middle Eastern or Persian. My dad Casey Kasem is very proud of his heritage. The Lebanese side of my family is made up of very warm, hospitable, fun people that are always trying to feed you. I think that I absolutely inherited those traits.

MG: You visited many countries in the Middle East. What will you embrace, and what would you change?


KK: I would give the Middle East the gift of tolerance and acceptance. And I embrace the rich culture and beauty. There is so much beauty in the Middle East that so many people will never see because of fear and propaganda. Some of the most beautiful historic sites that I’ve seen were in Syria, where I felt like I was experiencing a part of history.

MG: You have shown us that you are all about the rights of the living―women, children, animals, the underprivileged. What made this such a passion for you?


KK: Most people don’t know about the Declaration of Human Rights, signed by 53 countries and stating: All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.” It’s very important that people know their human rights. It empowers them. And I am passionate about empowering others.

MG: You have the voice, the gateway and the audience to deliver a message. What is that message today?


KK: There are many messages I deliver depending on what show I’m doing. With my real estate investment show and my mortgage show, those topics are exactly what I talk about, and with “Sixx Sense” we talk about our lives, pop culture, music etc. The podcast is where I get to really send my message about health and wellness and questioning what we deem to be “authority.” I love diving into conspiracy theories as well!

MG: We have had the privilege of hearing you sing, and you are impressive. A career there?

KK: I’ve been singing since I was a little kid, and one of my dreams is to be on Broadway. Who knows, maybe you’ll see me there one day.

MG: A place that Kerri finds her inner peace? Where is that? 


KK: When I’m with people that I love, and when I’m doing what I love.

MG: Nikki in one word? 


KK: Determined.

MG: The role model for you―personally and professionally?

KK: My dad for both.

MG: Entertainment lacks inclusion when it comes to Middle Eastern celebrities. What are your tips to “making it.” 


KK: I don’t agree with you there. Here’s a list of people of Middle Eastern descent who have “made it”: Jerry Seinfeld (Syrian mother); Shakira (half Lebanese); Salma Hayek (Lebanese); Sammy Hagar (partially Lebanese); Vince Vaughn, rock musician and former lead singer of Van Halen (partially Lebanese); Paula Abdul (Syrian Jewish father). Just to name a few. And, of course, my own well-known father.

MG: The public image that you like to portray?

KK: I think there’s a bunch of different sides to me depending on what show I’m doing. Fun and outgoing for the “Sixx Sense,” serious and savvy for my mortgage and real estate shows, and bold, smart and a bit out there for my podcast.

MG: How is your private life different?

KK: My private life is private.

MG: The most adventurous thing you ever did?

KK: I’ve done a lot of adventurous things in my life like skydiving, riding motorcycles, scuba diving, bungee jumping etc., But the biggest adventure and the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done was grabbing my backpack and sleeping bag, buying a ticket to the Dominican Republic and hopping on a bus that broke down on its way to Haiti a week after the earthquake. When the earthquake hit and devastated that country, I had to help, and nothing was going to stop me. I’m planning my next trip now.

MG: A woman of wisdom is:

KK: Wise.

MG: An independent women is:

KK: Sexy.

MG: What is next for Kerri Kasem?

KK: To keep doing what I can to help others.

MG: Your dream accomplishment in the next five years?


KK: To have the number one show in radio and to be on Broadway.

Part Two can be read here.


The original article appeared in ALO magazine (print) and can be found online here.

The post A Little Ditty About Kerri and Nikki: Part One appeared first on Media Guy Struggles.

Eve Nightclub presented the ALO Hayati magazine party where guests enjoyed Femme Fatale Fridays alongside Fakih with DJ KrisCut and DJ Supra entertaining the crowd behind the turntables. Then, the knockout weekend continued with Floyd “Money” Mayweather joining the party.

Come a take a look…

Rima prepares for the big night

Miss USA 2010 with Miss Nevada

She says to call…and I will.

Thousands on hand to enjoy the night.

The champ, Floyd Mayweather with the queen

Criss Angel stopped by too.

The post Rockin’ with The Champ and Miss USA appeared first on Media Guy Struggles.

The post Miss USA 2010 Rima Fakih to party with the Media Guy appeared first on Media Guy Struggles.

People from all walks of life are finding that “mental days” in Egypt are just the passport in improving life perspectives.

For some, the search for inner wellness starts in Giza.

The chants resonated from deep within the Pharaoh’s Chamber of the Great Pyramid of Giza: aaaaaa (a as in ah), eeeeeee (e as in eat), ooooooo (o as in oh), uuuuuuu (u as in blue), mmmmmmm (m as in room).

These eerie sounds alternately invited me and haunted me. They made me pensive, but at the same time I felt a strange desire to giggle. All the while they urged me forward, releasing my curiosity and untapped energy, so this chanting would not be wasted. The trip up to the innermost part of the pyramid was not like anything I had ever personally experienced. Mysterious. Dark. Laborious. The oxygen was sparse, or at least seemed that way, and the humidity was abnormally high. I stopped frequently to catch my breath.

This was a far cry from the cult-like chant fest I had expected when I first heard those strange sounds in the pyramid. Instead, here was a group of new thinkers, open to augmented spirituality. One that would not override or infringe on their long practiced faiths. And these were not gullible fools, but people in their prime, like so many well educated members of spiritual tours, who tend to be doctors, engineers, business consultants or have other respected professions.

“Sure I get chuckles and finger pointing,” says Parmet. “That’s not a concern of mine. I am here on a different kind of adventure travel. Some people find their peace by climbing mountains and looking at the world below them or going to the spa and pampering themselves for a day. I climb inside pyramids and elevate my mind to improve myself.”

New Age tours are big business these days. Emad Al-Aziz, of Summit Tours in Egypt, reports that his trips for furthering understanding of spirituality and metaphysics have grown 70 percent in the past three years. His tours cover such marvels as Citadel, Al Abaster Mosque, Hanging Church, Bab Zuwela, Khan El Kalili bazaars, Giza Pyramids, Khufu Pyramid, Khafra Pyramid and the Great Sphinx.

The cosmological ideas of Egypt were long told through a series of myths and symbols which easily translate into metaphysical concepts,” Al-Aziz says. “Based on the interest in these kinds of trips and the fulfillment of our clients, we can only expect more growth in this type of travel around Egypt and the entire Middle East.”

There is a great belief among spiritual travelers that they derive much spirituality from great places on earth that were built for specific reasons known only to the most powerful people of their eras. As Parmet explains, “We know that the most intelligent engineers of the world built their great creations—the Taj Mahal, Eiffel Tower, Stonehenge—on the points where the most powerful energies existed. But we are taught that the pyramid is the ideal shape for this type of energy and power.”

The idea that a simple geometric shape or drawing could generate an energy field seems absurd at first. The nineteenth-century Scottish mathematician and physicist James Clerk Maxwell’s famed mathematical studies showed that luminiferous ether flowing into mass is the cause of gravity, magnetism, inertia and other fundamental forces, and if such, then it is deduced that certain geometry could disrupt the flow slightly to generate an energy field. The energies produced by the cone of the pyramid proved the cone to be the best collector of energy because that shape interacts better with ether.

As we spoke of energies and inertias, Parmet was eager to demonstrate how luminous and palpable they could be. She whipped out her camera and produced her evidence: pictures with brilliant loops of illumination, even though there wasn’t enough light in the chamber, which to her was proof positive that orb spirits were dancing in celebration to the chanting and the readings of Thoth.

“Living in Dallas pushes me so far from the center of New Age culture that I need to reconnect once a year,” she goes on. “It helps me escape the misery of seeing criminals parade in front of our justice system day after day. I sometimes imagine that if these wayward people could have found a way to connect with their inner world better, they would not have strayed from a balanced, focused and good life.”

Journey to the Center of the Pyramid (Click image to enlarge) The journey to the King’s Chamber (aka Pharaoh’s Chamber) is a claustrophobic one. Walking bent over through a long, 45-degree crawl space no more than four feet high and wide is no easy task. An opening in the grand gallery allows you to stand and ascend carefully up a sharply inclined path lined with long wood planks. After reaching the top of the grand gallery, you go on your knees through two three-foot-high passages to reach the Pharaoh’s Chamber at the center of the Great Pyramid.

Originally published in ALO magazine. Photographs and article by the Media Guy, that’s me(!), Michael Lloyd.

The post World Travels: The Inner Peace of Egypt appeared first on Media Guy Struggles.

From the cloak of Wadi Rum serenity to the nutrient-rich mud from the Dead Sea, Jordan delivers to the heart and soul.

Why do we travel? Most of us have everything we need within a few miles of home: a place to sleep, our jobs, luxuries of life and entertainment and more. So what is it? For the majority of pleasure travelers it’s simple: the eternal unveiling of the mysteries of a dissimilar land, the search for the perfect view and clearest waters, and yearning to connect with something new and old.

Jordan’s history and places have been hinted about in popular culture. From Indiana Jones’s wild horseback ride through Petra, to Cleopatra’s thirst for the finest beauty products from the Dead Sea, to Peter O’Toole leading the Arabs through Wadi Rum, we have been teased with the beauty and mystery of a land typically known as a kind neighbor to Egypt, Israel, Saudi Arabia and Syria.

“Even without the buildings carved into the side of the mountains, the vast rock formations and canyon walls are worthy of “breathtaking” status. Centuries of earthquakes and neglect have left much of Petra’s history covered in sand and silt, which makes the mystery that much more alluring.”

The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan has no oil and is officially a water poor nation. But it has one incredibly valuable resource in the troubled Middle East—peace. It is not an easy item to export, but people flock there when they need it, making use of a plethora of five-star resorts and hotels until it is safe to go home. Iraqi business people who can no longer function in their own war-torn country are immigrating to Jordan in droves. They have created a massive building boom. Palatial homes and modern apartment blocks are springing up everywhere.

When I traveled there this past spring, I was struck by the misconceptions the West has of the Middle East. Americans, especially, tend to think of it as a menacing place, but nothing is further from the truth, considering that Jordan enjoys a crime rate well below that of Sweden. As soon as I said I was American, I was greeted with big smiles. People were not only friendly, but well-informed about our country and its current events, and they were eager to meet Americans.

For my complete take on Heshimite Kingdom of Jordan and the beauty of it all, here’s the ALO magazine URL: http://tinyurl.com/ykdhjev

The post World Travels: Jordan, an Oasis of Peace and Beauty appeared first on Media Guy Struggles.

For Immediate Release

GREEK SUPERSTAR COVERS ALO HAYATI SPRING, 2010 ISSUE

Los Angeles, California…March 17, 2010…Greek superstar Anna Vissi graces the Spring 2010 issue of ALO Hayati, the world’s premier, English language Middle Eastern culture and lifestyle magazine. The singer details her climb to best-selling female artist and wide appeal – from pre-teens to those over 50.

Never a stranger to dissecting controversial issues, the 1.2 million circulation ALO presents dueling views on the 2010 U.S. Census. The Spring, 2010 issue is on newsstands today.

“Should you give a damn about the 2010 U.S. Census, or should you just damn it?” explores the three decade road the Arab-American population has traveled to be counted in the census.

Northridge, CA-based Unique Image Inc. has published ALO Hayati for five years, despite a failing economy that has rocked the publishing industry. In an effort to save production costs, the Spring 2010 issue will switch from sheet-fed to web-fed press. Readers should experience no change in the quarterly’s quality. Distribution will increase, through new outlets in Europe and the Middle East and via an agreement with Kable Distribution Services.

“ALO’s mission – to promote cross-cultural awareness especially between the West and Middle East – has never been more crucial,” says Michael Lloyd, Editor-in-Chief. “Companies are increasingly looking to us as a valued international media consultant that brings stellar connections to the table.”

The magazine continues to increase visibility, readership and subscriptions. Publisher Wafa Kanan cites the vision that corporations, advertisers and community leaders have in “risking investment in an ethnic, breakthrough publication, the portal for the fastest growing community in the U.S. We look forward to greater interest from Fortune 500 companies as well.”

The rich culture and positive influence of the Middle East is becoming more known. Such awareness requires open communication, which ALO Hayati represents.

Each ALO Hayati issue showcases the most elegant and daring fashion from international designers – from Parisian catwalks, Hollywood red carpets and New York sidewalk haute couture. This month: Elie Saab unveils nine sexy bridal looks.

Other Spring 2010 features include examination of the growing trend of Middle Eastern single women over 40; “The Man with Four Wives,”; “Best of the Middle East,” which details power brokers, destinations, music and food that demand notice in the Middle Eastern region; how an Arab-American dealt with an arranged marriage, forcing her to navigate a labyrinth of cross cultural mores; and “Never Judge a Country by a State Department Warning,” which takes readers deep inside Syria, a fascinating country packed with antiquities and dichotomy that is surprisingly safe.

ALO Hayati Founder Wafa Kanan recently led the first North American delegation to visit the Syrian Arab Republic. As Founder and President of Northridge, CA-based Unique Image, a branding and marketing firm, Kanan assembled a select group of influential media “to connect cultures through lifestyles and commonalities we all share,” she said. Kanan’s non-profit ALO Cultural Foundation shares a similar mission to heal rifts in cross cultural understanding.

Kanan, a Lebanese entrepreneur and humanitarian, moved to the United States in 1990 after coming of age amid Lebanon’s destructive civil war. ALO magazine was launched in April 2005, with a current worldwide distribution that includes retail giants Barnes & Noble and Borders franchises, international hotels and airlines, VIP lounges, travel agencies and tourist bureaus.

Fashion, film, television, destination travel, cuisine, health and fitness tips—all topics one expects to read about in a lifestyle magazine—also fill the pages of ALO Hayati. The focus remains on the Middle East, North Africa and the Mediterranean, but the target audience extends to people of all cultural backgrounds.

“Alo, hayati” is a common Arabic expression of affection. Literally “Hello, my darling.” The phrase is shared between parents and children, spouses, lovers and friends alike. It expresses the open-ended, positive mission of the magazine. ALO Hayati is not beholden to any religious or political viewpoint, and so has the freedom to address fascinating and sometimes controversial topics with candor and openness.

ALO Hayati Website

ALOMAGAZINE.COM is the definitive Middle Eastern culture and Lifestyle website with thoughtful and provocative editorial and feature content. The ultimate source and voice of Middle Eastern, North African and Mediterranean culture both in the region and in Diaspora. Reporting the latest styles and Entertainment with extensive fashion and music showcases, comprehensive coverage, streaming videos, travel guides to the region all within an interactive forum aimed at bridging diverse audiences. The site offers surveys, on line shopping, blogging and more.

Website: www.alomagazine.com

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So there she is. Statuesque somehow on her curvaceous 5’3″ or so frame tightly wrapped in an Elie Saab number. Working out with her band prior to the Connecticut performance at the MGM Foxwoods, hitting high notes while swiveling her hips in that flirtatious voice. I’ll tell you this, she had me at “high heels.”

If that microphone had kept talking, it probably would’ve advised Haifa to stay right there. Whenever she takes a the microphone, the room stops; eyes mesmerized in fantasy.

At the MGM, the singer wasn’t content to stay in one place for very long, seducing us with her hips and airy voice. Her 100-minute, 22-song set was a jumble of seduction that had men doing standing ovations while sitting down and women hitting their dates for staring.

She was riveting and our eyes drink her in like a fine French wine.

The post Haifa Mesmerizes the States appeared first on Media Guy Struggles.

When I was a kid, occasionally Leonard Nimoy’s mug would pop onto my Sunday evening television and take me to a world of unsolved mysteries with strange and unusual occurrences. In his 22-episode “In Search of” series, he looked at places and situations that defied explanation and understanding—Bigfoot, Stonehenge, UFOs—and provided “a possible explanation for the phenomenon being examined.” Since then, I’ve been on my own search for people, places and cultures that challenged the norm. 

Something away from the coastal lifestyles and experiences that defined my own existence in the boroughs of New York, Seattle’s waterfront, and the suburbs of Los Angeles. Often when I am cooped up in my office, I do what millions of other vacation-bound travelers do: search for the magical place, loved by Mother Nature, untouched by Father Time and not ruined by tourism that tramples the land and disrupts the atmosphere.

It is easy enough to place myself across 12 hours of time zones and conjure the emotional pleasure of breathing pure air and then donning a dishdasha—aka the national dress for Omani men,as I head off to work. It is a simple ankle-length gown with long sleeves; a muzzar—a turban of finely woven cotton fabric wrapped around an embroidered cap known as kummar; and comfortable leather sandals.The Oman I’ve come to know is not some repressed society where women are bottled up and illiterate or where dirt paths serve as infrastructure. It is the vision of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said, who took power nearly 40 years ago from his father. Oman now stands as a picture of peace and prosperity. Forty years ago, this country’s outlook wasn’t as bright. It was a medieval land where the twentieth century barely infringed upon daily life. With only three continuous kilometers of paved highway in the entire country, talk was more about the civil war in the south and countrywide tribal tension than how Oman could recapture its stature as the primary and historic seaport in the region and capitalize on its treaties and trade agreements with Great Britain and the United States. In 1970, its single major hotel, the Muscat Intercontinental, was known as the “hotel in the desert,” surrounded for as far as you could see with nothing but desert. There were 3 schools with 900 students, and now there are 1,000 schools with 65,000 students—over 50 percent of which are women. Indeed, it’s not His Majesty’s father’s Oman.

“There are people who come across many oceans to Oman, and many don’t even know where they are,” Hamad says. “Sometimes when people say ahlan wa salan, it hurts my ear.”

The post WORLD TRAVELS: In Search of Magic appeared first on Media Guy Struggles.

Kuwait

Syria

Italy

Turkey

Sudan

Palestine

Germany

Israel

Libya

Qatar

Jordan

Armenia

Iran

Lebanon

Egypt

Syria

Iraq

Original published in ALO magazine by the Media Guy, that’s me(!), Michael Lloyd

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