\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t $\"Fb-Button\"$ \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>

LINDA CHORNEY: Music, Passion and her film, \u2018The Opening Act\u2019\u00a0 A Review\u00a0 bY Calvin Schwartz\u00a0 3-24-16<\/strong><\/p>\n

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$\"1\"$ <\/p>\n

$\"Linda$
Linda Chorney<\/p><\/div>\n
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The refreshing documentary, The Opening Act, shoots from the hip. There is never a lull or lapse.\u00a0 Linda asked me in a Sally Field childlike enthusiasm and innocence, \u201cYou really liked it?\u201d\u00a0 Chorney, although secure with her musical ability, was not so sure if she had any business being in the film business. After viewing The Opening Act, she does.\u00a0 I answered, \u201cYes, it was a purist form of frenetic Linda.\u201d \u201cWhat\u2019s frenetic?\u201d she asked. \u201cFrenetic Linda means frenzied but in a good way. You are non-stop energy and spontaneity.\u201d She creates a special microscope of a film dedicated to creative people like herself. Her energy coming to life in the film is purposefully, obviously for the armies of future musicians coming up; they should all see this film. She explains, \u201cThis is about independent musicians. You are not alone. It\u2019s to show the \u2018non-musician\u2019 world how much time, money, pulling favors and groveling goes into the process and hopefully acts as a cheap therapy session for musicians.\u201d<\/p>\n
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$\"Linda$
Linda on an Asian tour<\/p><\/div>\n
$\"Variety$
Variety & Linda & the Grammy<\/b>‘s<\/p><\/div>\n
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Since I watched the film a day before we talked, I was replete with emotional recall. I told Linda, \u201cThe film gives the audience a great picture of what life is like in the music business. It isn\u2019t all Adele. It\u2019s not really just about you.\u201d<\/p>\n
She dug my description, and continued, \u201cYeah, a lot of people were expecting this film to be about my story \u2013 ya know, the Grammy<\/i> thing. That\u2019s coming later, in a feature film with a bigger budget. But I thought this message was important and timely, as the music business has drastically shifted, causing musicians to be paid fractions of pennies, rather than dollars for their recordings.\u201d<\/p>\n
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$\"with$
with Linda Chorney after an interview a few years ago<\/p><\/div>\n
$\"on$
on the set of Opening Act<\/p><\/div>\n
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Linda Chorney is a muse of sorts; a force inspiring thought and creativity.\u00a0 I know firsthand.<\/p>\n
It seemed like old times; sitting down and chatting with her for this interview. It seems like only yesterday when Scott Fadynich, her husband, invited me to hear her sing at Olde Freehold Day. That was August, 2011. Scott saw my posts on Facebook and thought I was a quirky writer\/blogger, so he reached out. He is always promoting Linda. It was also my second month as a journalist. A few months later, I did my very first journalistic interview with Linda in Sea Bright, overlooking a river with Jersey seagulls flying overhead. Perhaps the birds were harbingers. Linda\u2019s interview that day helped to launch my new career. And now, five years later, there\u2019s a full circle here. \u00a0And no treatise or interview with Linda should proceed without mentioning the fact she made history for being the first Independent artist to be nominated for Best Americana Album Grammy<\/u>; after playing in bars for 30 years.<\/p>\n
I told Linda right from the start of our interview that I wanted not only to share my adjectives about \u2018The Opening Act,\u2019 but it was quintessential to my thought process to highlight the unexpurgated Linda with my readers. Yes, I suppose a bit out of the \u2018Private Parts\u2019 school; people always want to hear what she has to say. I\u2019d gladly go down the quirky question brick road. But taking a page from her book; I\u2019m going to digress, egress, progress and jump into her movie and glittering, unique personality that radiates from Arizona to Jersey.<\/p>\n
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$\"Linda$
Linda at book release party<\/p><\/div>\n
$\"LOS$
LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 12: Singer Linda Chorney arrives at the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards held at Staples Center on February 12, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n
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The film moved basically frenetically. (There\u2019s that word again) Honesty was mirrored in a roller coaster of her emotions; you felt her depression worrying about weight gain or the long hard road for the film\u2019s financial success. The fact she wore no make-up in many shots was a special effect in itself. She wanted it to be natural and real as possible. \u201cI did everything including the editing. I had to cut out 37 minutes.\u00a0 It was a challenge. I didn\u2019t want it to be boring. I shot most of it myself, asides to the camera, \u201cselfie-style\u201d. I hoped there was a certain charm to that.\u201d<\/p>\n
There was. The film is charming; a perfect adjective to describe Linda\u2019s labor of love. She also did the sound, color correction; and, of course, the music. She actually calls herself \u201cJackass of all Trades.\u201d<\/p>\n
I asked about the title of the film, The Opening Act. \u201cThe original title was actually \u2018Why Bother?\u2019\u00a0 In this new millennium of streaming, hardly anyone buys albums anymore. Musicians are losing money recording these days, hence, at some point they have to ask themselves, well, at least I do, over and over again while bashing my head against the wall \u2013 why bother?\u201d She reached out to her cousin Robin Russin, a successful screenplay writer and filmmaker in Hollywood, who also helped edit her book, \u201cWho the F**K is Linda Chorney\u201d, and asked him to screen the film before she released it. Expecting him to \u201crip her a new ahole\u201d, she was pleasantly surprised when he called her with a rave review. There was just one thing; the title. \u201cIt has a negative connotation, and I found the film to quite frankly be inspiring. How about calling it \u201cThe Opening Act?”<\/p>\n
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$\"after$
after reviewing a music gig along the Jersey shore<\/p><\/div>\n
$\"at$
at Sea Bright Pizza<\/p><\/div>\n
While watching the film, you feel like you are right there in the passenger seat, as she recruits friends, family, and strangers to do a new wacky music video. In typical Linda panache, this wonderful song (full of messages, but in diversionary Chorney style) is called \u2018The Cantina\u2019 which describes inane Arizona laws where you can carry a gun but can\u2019t drink a beer in public risking arrest. Her \u2018embraceable you\u2019 personality and spontaneity invites a local mariachi band, Mariachi Sol Azteca, to partake in the insanity. They are very entertaining.<\/p>\n
You will come to appreciate her fortitude by working in 102-degree heat and many sleepless nights, as she creates. She is a perfectionist. And although you will laugh through her winging it style and journey, you may also shed a tear.<\/p>\n
I am a movie snob; totally appreciate the art of making a movie. Movies helped change my life. I\u2019ve walked out of movies that didn\u2019t meet my expectations or wasted my time. So in critiquing movies, I must call it as I see it no matter what. There is my need of walking away from a film with knowledge and intestinal lining feelings; emotion. I remember the scene of her waiting to hear if she\u2019d be opening for the Beach Boys. It was weeks. She was down and said, \u201cPeople have important things to do and you\u2019re not one of them, so get over it.\u201d This sustained her. For me a riveting quote. Linda Chorney made a good film.<\/p>\n
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$\"from$
from the film, local mariachi band, Mariachi Sol Azteca<\/p><\/div>\n
$\"on$
on the set of Opening Act<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/p>\n
Not to give away the plot, but she did open for the Beach Boys. I asked how it felt.\u00a0 She chuckled first, \u201cIt was awesome although I don\u2019t know if Mike Love knew he was standing on top of my Mom\u2019s ashes.\u201d Her mother\u2019s death was that recent. A typical Linda thing to do. \u201cMy mother was a HUGE influence on my music. Everybody\u2019s parents; all they want for their kids is happiness and success. I\u2019m sure parents of musicians, who supporting their kids learning an instrument, or any of the arts, will relate to the film.\u201d<\/p>\n
I told her it was quirky question time. \u201cBe Linda.\u201d\u00a0 Q1 – What makes you cry? \u201cMostly tears of joy for beautiful things. Nature. When I see real family love. Friggin\u2019 strangers in an airport greeting each other with hugs \u2013 like grandparents hugging their grandchildren. Waterworks. Then there are the sad ones; sometimes when I drove home from my gigs in smoky bars. I\u2019d think why am I here?\u00a0 When am I going to get my break? Then I did or so I thought. The backlash from the Grammy nomination made me shed a tear. Then I look at problems in the world. I make fun of myself. \u201cOh, poor Linda got nominated for a Grammy, wah wah. Shut the fuck up! Your life is good.\u201d<\/p>\n
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$\"Linda's$
Linda’s Book<\/p><\/div>\n
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Q2 – Is there a philosophy by which you live? She was quick to answer, \u201cKeep it real.\u201d\u00a0 Q3 – Is there a best time in your life? \u201cWhen I am creating.\u201d Q4 – Is there a worst time? \u201cWhen I am standing still, not creating.\u201d Linda is often awake at night. \u201cEverything keeps me up. My brain.\u201d Q5 – Strongest childhood memory?\u00a0 \u201cPiano Lessons, listening to great music and dancing with my family, lots of Beatles, being bribed through quiet contests in the car, and rewarded with Chinese food every Sunday\u2026I always lost.\u201d Q6 – I wondered if there was a big misconception about her. \u201cMy honesty is misconstrued for being blunt or rude.\u201d Q7 – fill in the blank. \u201cBefore I leave this earth, I won\u2019t be satisfied until I _____________.\u201d Also a quick response, \u201cMake the movie about my book.\u201d (She is currently working on the screenplay, and might do a little shooting while on the Jersey Shore in April.)<\/p>\n
Of course I asked about her fondest memory of the Jersey Shore. I knew her answer. I\u2019ve been there with her and Scott a few times. \u201cSea Bright Pizza!\u201d She continues, \u201cAnd that will be the first thing I eat when I get back for the film fest. Wanna meet us for a slice of eggplant?\u201d<\/p>\n
There are interviews and interviews. I\u2019ve done my share. Musically speaking of course, my time spent with Linda Chorney for this interview was rare, precious and beautiful. I can\u2019t wait for Saturday, April 9th for the premiere of \u201cThe Opening Act\u201d at the Asbury Park Music in Film Festival at the Salt Theater at noon.\u00a0 She will do a little talk, a little singing and Q&A. Yes, it seems like old times having her and Scott back by the Atlantic Ocean making music and sharing passions.<\/p>\n
Film, Festival Tickets are available at http:\/\/apmff.com\/schedule-tickets\/<\/a><\/p>\n
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\u201cOpening Act\u201d Movie Trailer: https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=qZypajZ6_sA<\/a><\/p>\n
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Linda Chorney website:\u00a0 http:\/\/www.lindachorney.com<\/a><\/p>\n
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Calvin Schwartz \u00a0website:\u00a0 vichywater.net<\/p>\n
Facebook:\u00a0 Cal Schwartz\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 and\u00a0 Calvin Schwartz-Cerebral Writer<\/p>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t $\"Fb-Button\"$ \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>
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LINDA CHORNEY: Music, Passion and her film, \u2018The Opening Act\u2019\u00a0 A Review\u00a0 bY Calvin Schwartz\u00a0 3-24-16 Linda Chorney The refreshing documentary, The Opening Act, shoots from the hip. There is never a lull or lapse.\u00a0 Linda asked me in a Sally Field childlike enthusiasm and innocence, \u201cYou really liked it?\u201d\u00a0 Chorney, although […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[14,399,119,116,398],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.vichywater.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3428"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.vichywater.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.vichywater.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.vichywater.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.vichywater.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3428"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"http:\/\/www.vichywater.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3428\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3443,"href":"http:\/\/www.vichywater.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3428\/revisions\/3443"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.vichywater.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3428"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.vichywater.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3428"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.vichywater.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3428"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}