This Issue on SOHM: The Music Issue! Exclusive Interviews with these three Multi-taled Singers and Songwriters Jay Denton, Michelle Lewis, and David Hernandez, PLUS many more Recording Artists

Welcome to the November-December Holiday issue of Shine On Hollywood Magazine, Top Music Industry Professionals! As we celebrate the holiday season, 2020 is drawing to a close. It has been a challenging year, especially for the entertainment industry, but many artists have found innovative ways to keep performing and bringing joy to audiences with their art. Thus, the theme of this issue is “The show must go on!”
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We are continuing to bring you “Real Stories, Real People” by shining our spotlight on people who are using their success to make a difference in the entertainment industry and the world. As always, we are committed to remaining a gossip and negativity-free publication by avoiding discussion of politics, religion, lifestyle choices, and other divisive content. Instead, we are highlighting positive things which are happening in the arts and entertainment industry.

We are honored to present music producer Jay Denton as our cover feature. Born in Dallas, TX, Jay majored in international relations at the University of Southern California, where he began recording music and became interested in global conflict resolution. After graduating, Jay worked in India and East Africa, learning that making music had a bigger impact in the developing world than his other skills. Back in Los Angeles, he began teaching Krav Maga and defensive tactics while pursuing songwriting. In 2018, he founded ENDURE Studios, through which he aims to take a trip every year to a different conflict zone or destabilized region of the world. By writing and recording with local artists in areas affected by war, crisis, or persecution, he gives these artists a voice. In 2019, he traveled to Lebanon to record an album of refugee musicians. The trip produced not only a global album, For Home, but a documentary about its making, Endure: Lebanon. 

We are also proud to feature Michelle Lewis. This singer and songwriter comes from a musical background, since her father was a saxophonist for Louis Prima’s band, and her mother was a lead singer with Benny Goodman’s band. Michelle joined the “family business” early, singing her first jingle at age five. She went on to become a successful pop singer and songwriter, writing cuts and singles for artists like Cher, Amy Grant, Kelly Osbourne, and British girl group Little Mix. She and her writing partner, Kay Hanley, wrote the music for all five seasons of Disney Junior’s hit animated series Doc McStuffins. Since 2015, she and some friends have been fighting for sustainable digital rates for songwriters through Songwriters of North America (SONA).

Also in this issue is Daniel Hernandez, an American Idol finalist. Always singing as a child, he got a part in his first musical at age six. In his school years, he also pursued gymnastics, winning a gold medal at the Grand Canyon Olympics, and broadcast journalism, his major at Arizona State University. However, he ultimately decided to focus on music. He was signed to a major record label at age twenty-two, so he dropped out of college after three and a half years. After not making it past the first round of American Idol’s Season 3, he re-auditioned for Season 7 and went on to take twelfth place. Since then, he has been featured on the Today Show, Entertainment Tonight, Access Hollywood, and many other television shows and live events.He has recently been keeping busy by hosting a live stream every week on Facebook and Instagram.

Due to the continuing pandemic, we haven’t been able to review live performances for months. However, we are pleased to now bring you a review of one of the only live Nutcracker performances in Southern California. Performed by The Ballet Studio, Inc. at Europa Village Winery’s outdoor Christmas fair in Temecula Valley Wine Country, this unique ballet performance brought much-needed holiday cheer to its audience members and performers alike. SOHM contributor Tiffany Brannan, who was in the cast, interviews choreographer and director Mark Erickson about how he created his unique version of The Nutcracker, which he has been performing in Temecula since 2004, and why he thought it was important to put it on this year, despite all odds.

In January, we will bring you special farewell coverage of Marion Ramsey, a talented actress known for her role in Police Academy (1984) and for her many Broadway appearances. We also will be bidding farewell to tap dancer Bill Bartlett, a bright light in the film industry who dedicated his life to inspiring others. Thank you for your continued support of Shine On Hollywood Magazine! We can’t wait to bring you more uplifting content in 2021. Merry Christmas!

Enjoy,

SOHM Team

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