I have a confession to make.  It kills me to say this and I can’t believe I am about to admit this online, but here it goes. There was a time in my life when I wanted to be a musician instead of a hotel GM. Shocking I know, but revealing this to you folks is a huge relief.  Now that I am writing this I feel like a huge weight has been lifted off me. In looking back, I am not proud of that moment in my life. However, in my defense, it was the 80s and I was caught up in the excitement of yet another European vacation.

                While traveling through Ireland I popped into a bar in Dublin. Had I known that my thirst for a Guinness would have possibly derailed my ambitions of becoming a hotel GM I would have promptly turned around. But after throwing back a few rounds with a local band, I had become their drummer’s replacement while his broken hand healed. As we traveled from country to country and played show after show I grew tired of touring. We stayed in some ghastly hotels and in my opinion you should never settle on hotel accommodations. It pains me to think about the sub par thread count linens I slept on. It was fun times, but all the fans, attention and glamour was not enough for me. Despite the desperate pleas from my band mates, I turned in my sticks over to their original drummer so he could resume his spot behind the base drum and cymbals. To save the drummer some embarrassment I do not want to reveal the band name, but can give you a hint . . . . ..two symbols, one vowel and one number.

                Although I abruptly ended my music career, I never lost my love for music. Lucky for me, ASCAP will once again bring their “I Create Music” EXPO to the Renaissance Hollywood in 2011. From April 27^th through April 30^th the hotel will be filled with musicians, songwriters, producers and people involved in every aspect of the music industry networking with each other and listening to panel discussions from some of the best in the business.  As always, ASCAP will have in attendance and be honoring a who’s-who of the music biz.  This year, the list of panelists includes Lindsey Buckingham interviewed by Sara Bareilles, Pharrell Williams, Fergie, Ryan Tedder (OneRepublic), John Rzeznik (Goo Goo Dolls), Lukasz “Dr. Luke” Gottwald, Desmond Child, Rodney Crowell, Jermaine Dupri, Wes Craven and Rufus Wainwright to name a few.  Rod Stewart is also being honored With the prestigious ASCAP Founders Award at the 28^th Annual Pop Music Awards on the evening of the 27^th.  Past recipients include Jackson Browne, Elvis Costello, Heart’s Ann & Nancy Wilson, Billy Joel, Annie Lennox, Sir Paul McCartney, Joni Mitchell, Smokey Robinson, Patti Smith, Steely Dan, James Taylor, Tom Waits, Stevie Wonder and Neil Young.

                And if that wasn’t enough excitement, the RenHollywood’s Lobby Bar will be jamming each night from Wednesday through Saturday during the Expo with 3-4 live independent artist performances starting at 8:30pm.  These performances are open to the public and FREE to attend with no cover charge.  Try and say you’re not interested in that. For updates on the artists performing check our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter.  

Til next time my babies. This is Bruce, signing off.

As you can assume, I am not a man that loses his cool or scares easily. I once came face to face with a tigress and lived to tell the tale. While out on an elephant ride in the jungles of Bijrani, India with my guide Vasu, I decided that I needed to see the world’s most beautiful and deadly animal in the world; the Bengal tiger. We left the elephants and proceeded on foot trying to track the jungle’s most stealthy creature. We found tracks and knew immediately from their sharp edges that they were fresh tiger tracks. This filled me with both excitement and fear. I was so close I had to keep going. As Vasu and I crept through the jungle, communicating solely in sign language we heard a rustle in the bushes only 5 yards ahead of us. I pulled out my camera and prepared to aim and shoot, I held my breath and waited for the beast to reveal itself. Only problem was the beast I was anticipating  was nothing but a chital (a type of deer). As I turned around to head the other way, right behind Vasu and I was a full-grown tigress. I positioned myself between the animal and Vasu and in a quiet and relaxing voice, the tigress was calmed and relaxed. She even let me pet her. If you think tigers don’t purr you’re wrong, this lady purred like she swallowed a motor.

However, there is one tigress that I fear more and that that is the wrath of Mrs. Gorelick when I have not prepared the perfect Valentine’s Day. In years past I have surprised her with trips to the most romantic cities in the world. Venice, Paris, Monte Carlo, Vienna, just to name a few. While there I wine and dine her with the best the cities have to offer. In the romance department, I have that schmuk from The Notebook beat. This year I have decided to remain stateside and romance my darling at the Renaissance Hollywood’s Valentines Day Jazz Dinner.

To me the only acceptable third wheel to a Valentine’s Day dinner is a live jazz band. This year
Charmaine Clamor will romance the dinner crowd. Hailed as “a gifted vocalist” by the New York Times and deemed “one of the important and original new jazz singers of the decade,” Clamor is sure to set the perfect mood for the evening.

Dinner will start at 6pm on Valentine’s Day. First course will include tuna belly tartare, foraged
mushroom and avocado, American caviar, truffle wafer followed by an oxtail and fennel soup with Absinthe. To clear the palette an intermediary course of lavender sorbet will be served.
If your taste buds aren’t in a blissful sensory coma yet the main course will push them there. Each guest will have the choice between three different entrée course options.

•Pan Fried Grouper, Wilted Rocket Arugula, Crispy Yucca, Fried Green Tomatoes, Market
Crustacean Sauce.

•Center Cut Beef Tenderloin, Roasted Artichoke, Rosemary Potato Gratin, Beef Jus

•Braised Lamb Shank, Puree of Celeriac Root and Potato Reduced Pan Demi Jus

The meal will conclude with the sweetness of grilled fig and bitter chocolate tart with almonds, wild honey and exotic fruit panacota.

At $99 per couple, this offer is a real deal. To make reservations or find more information call
323.491.1000 or visit www.jazzblues.org.

Now I am off to find the perfect diamond ring that sparkles as brightly as my lady’s smile.

This is Bruce, signing off.

Kick back at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel & Spa’s Lobby Bar as we showcase exciting, independent musical talent every Thursday night from 7:30-9:30 PM. See July’s schedule here.

This week’s featured artist is The Quiet, a dynamic four-piece piano pop-rock band that draws comparisons to Ben Folds, Elton John and Van Morrison. The band is booking shows throughout the coast to support the release of their second full-length album, “Let It Fall.”

You can follow them on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook.

While enjoying the music, guests are encouraged to try the delicious appetizers, delightful entrees, and handcrafted signature cocktails available from the Lobby Bar.

All ages are welcome to these family-friendly events and, unlike a lot of venues in Hollywood, there’s NO COVER.

Kick back at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel & Spa’s Lobby Bar as we showcase exciting, independent musical talent every Thursday night from 7:30-9:30 PM. See July’s schedule here.

This week’s featured artist is David Thiele. Since moving to LA in 2003, David has self-produced his own album, won multiple songwriting awards, and featured music on hit network television shows. David has been named as one of Music Connection Magazine’s “Hottest Unsigned Artists” two years in a row!

Follow him on Twitter and become a fan of him on Facebook.

While enjoying the music, guests are encouraged to try the delicious appetizers, delightful entrees, and handcrafted signature cocktails available from the Lobby Bar.

All ages are welcome to these family-friendly events and, unlike a lot of venues in Hollywood, there’s NO COVER.

Kick back at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel & Spa’s Lobby Bar as we showcase exciting, independent musical talent every Thursday night from 7:30-9:30 PM. See July’s schedule here.

This week’s featured artist is Alina, who is recording a debut album with Grammy-recognized producer Preston Glass (Aretha Franklin, Natalie Cole). Known for having one of the most soulful voices on today’s music scene, Alina has been compared to Alicia Keys, Joss Stone and Amy Winehouse. Check out her music here and follow her on Twitter.

While enjoying the music, guests are encouraged to try the delicious appetizers, delightful entrees, and handcrafted signature cocktails available from the Lobby Bar.

All ages are welcome to these family-friendly events and, unlike a lot of venues in Hollywood, there’s NO COVER.