My Sort-of Book Club

I've been reading some amazing books lately, and decided to mention them here, in the hope of developing a dialogue about them. Previously, I mentioned ten lessons for being an authenic gay man, from The Velvet Rage by Alan Downs, truly a must-read for gay men.


Have you ever read something, or perhaps worked on learning a new language, and it literally made your head hurt from the new information you were gleaning, almost as though you could feel your new neural pathways forming? That's what's happening to me now, as I read this completely amazing analysis of how our worldview is (literally) mediated. The book is Mediated: How the Media Shapes Our World And The Way We Live In It, by Thomas De Zengotita. I heard it mentioned in passing by Adrein Grenier of "Entourage" when he was on "The View." He didn't even say much about it, beyond remarking how much it changed his view of the media.


I will never see the world the same way, thanks to this amazing book.

If any of you read these books and would like to offer your thoughts on them, I'd love to hear what you have to say!

Happy Fall-
Bill

EVERYTHING POSSIBLE Re-released!

At long last, after many years out-of-print, my debut recording, EVERYTHING POSSIBLE, is back and available for purchase!

As the updated liner notes attest: "I could have dreamt for days on end and never imagined the many blessings brought my way by this simple little album, recorded and mixed in only five days back in 1992: new friends, touching letters and stories shared, hearing "I listen to your cassette in my car" become "your CD is always on my disc changer" become "I have you on my iPod" (who knew from iPods in 1992?!)...

Although I have far fewer copies of my second CD, the winter-themed (not just holiday!) recording THE CLOSING OF THE YEAR is also available.

You may access my online store by clicking either album cover, or via this link:
http://shop.billmckinley.com

Facebook and Mad Men

Okay, I've belonged for a year, but just started in earnest yesterday, accepting all my accumulated friend requests. I love it! So much more cohesive and less-ADD than myspace. Whew!

Also, two words: Mad Men. Just amazing.


I'm off to do volunteer massage at an HIV clinic, and to watch the Rockettes do a number so I can write some promo info on them. What diversity :)

xo
Bill

Now On YouTube!

I've finally made the jump to YouTube! Below are links to two clips from my recent run at the Metropolitan Room in "Does A Bear Sing In The Woods?"

The first is of "Everything Possible," and the second is "My White Knight."

More to come!

Happy Summer-
Bill

Thank You!! Time to Hibernate...

I wanted to take a moment to thank everyone who came to see "Does A Bear Sing In The Woods?" during its run here in NYC.

The show grew and changed greatly during the four-week run, and I'm looking forward to taking it on the road, to bear events and pride events and anywhere else that'll have us.

It was exactly what I wanted it to be: a show that appealed to bears and non-bears, was fun, moving and entertaining for a wide audience (but not for everyone--how boring is *that*?), and a chance to develop a new show.

The reviews were largely positive, and my favorite one happens to be the worst one, from Backstage, which said "There's such a thing as good bad taste and such a thing as bad bad taste. McKinley's travesty of (blah, blah, blah...) is very bad bad taste."

I should point out that I featured that quote in my last promotional email for the show (here), and had the best response and best audience for the entire run.  Thank you, Steve Flaherty, for affirming that "Bad, Bad Taste," is a money quote ;)

As I told my audience that last night, I'm so proud of myself...it takes a LOT these days to stand out as having bad taste...the bar has been set so low! Britney Spears, watch out!!

Clearly, I'm a Bad Bad Boy!!!

Fondly,

Bill

Ten Lessons on being an Authentic Gay Man

Hello, Friends :)

The following ten lessons are from a wonderful book I recently read, "The Velvet Rage," by Alan Downs.  A dear college friend of mine, Joe Lupariello, loaned it to me when I saw in in LA this past May. I found the book to be extraordinarily powerful, and these lessons, from the last chapter were like icing on the cake; an unexpected bonus in an already-rich experience. Btw, these are each headings for much more in-depth writings on each ideal.

Happy Summer-

Bill

1. Don't let your sexual tastes be the filter for allowing people into your life.

2. Adopt a nonjudgemental stance as often as possible.

3. When you have a problem with someone, speak with them first (instead of everyone else).

4. It's never a bad idea to be completely honest about the facts.

5. Others are often put off by perfection.

6. Don't act on every emotion you feel.

7. Put off having sex until you feel comfortable that you really know him.

8. Actively practice accepting your body as it is right now.

9. Intentionally validate those you love, but never validate that which is not valid.

10. Whenever you encounter a relationship problem, first access your own responsibility before blaming someone else.

"Does A Bear..."

As you may know, my new show opened two weeks ago at The Metropolitan Room.

An interesting aspect of doing cabaret work is that one's opening night is often (usually) the first time an act benefits from the response of an audience. Such was the case with "Does A Bear...", and it was good to finally get it on its feet in front of people other than myself and Christopher Marlowe, my brilliant musical director.

Things went well, and we made some great adjustments for week two. Crowds have been light, and with two weeks remaining, we're hoping things pick up.

If you can make it, please come! And you don't have to be a bear to enjoy it--the show, like all good cabaret theme shows, has a universal appeal, I promise :)

Best,

Bill