Jim Cherry's Blog - Posts Tagged "jim-cherry"

I think this is a first for me two reviews on the same day!

Jim Cherry Takes Us On A Trip Through Time!
By Nanci Arvicu

When I first started reading The Last Stage, I thought that this was Jims life! It's written with such great detail of events I believed it to be the story of Jims life, that he was the lead character, he was the one on stage, that he was Morrison. Crazy stuff! I was almost dissappointed to find that this was a work of fiction - but then to discover that Jim Cherry created this all in his own mind, fantastic!

I had the opportunity to talk with Jim about The Last Stage on Page Readers. Talk about an interesting person! Jim talked about how he took "everyones" fantasy - who doesn't ever dream of being the person on stage with fans screaming your name - and turned it into this wild ride into the past.

After reading the book and talking with Jim, I have to say to the main stream publishers who passed on this book - you missed out! Thank you Jim, for following your heart and making this book a reality. This is one any Doors or Jim Morrison fan - or anyone who has ever dreamed of being up on that stage - must read!


Nanci interviewed me on her Page Readers Radio Talk Show on 3/15/10


A Review of The Last Stage
by Patrick Monaghan

I enjoyed reading this book immensely. I found it hard to put down and when I did I couldn’t wait to get back to it. I was initially drawn to this book because I am a huge fan of The Doors. Although it is not a book about The Doors themselves it is inspired by them and the author includes so many great references and Doors related content that even a casual fan of the band will take an immediate interest in this material. This book drew me in from the first paragraph and although I liked the ending I found myself wanting more upon finishing the book. I just enjoyed reading it so much I didn’t want it to end. One of the things I can single out about this material that makes it so enjoyable is the character development. Author Jim Cherry carefully crafted each character so well I felt like they were real people. People I might encounter in everyday life. People that are very easy to identify with on an emotional level. This made it easy to invest in the characters and truly care about what has happened to them and what is going to happen to them. No character in the book is a better demonstration of this than the main character/narrator Michael Gray. Initially it was easy to identify with him to the point that I felt like I actually knew him or someone just like him. I almost felt like portions of his character were based on myself. Which obviously isn’t the case but it made him a more accessible. I found Michael to be a regular everyday guy in the beginning of the book and he was very likable. Which is interesting, because as I plunged deeper into the story I hated him at times. Michael’s character is certainly hard to nail down. You think you know what he wants until you realize that he doesn’t even know what he wants for a significant portion of the story. Michael Gray is the ultimate Doors fan. He even bears an uncanny resemblance to Jim Morrison. He has a chance meeting with Ray Manzarek and eventually concocts a tribute to his hero. His idea is to form a Doors cover band with him filling Jim’s leather pants, which he successfully pulls off when he convinces a young but talented band to back him up. This band puts their original material/career on the backburner as Michael and his vision takes precedence. Resentment and animosity builds the more Michael’s vision of the band gets distorted from a tribute to The Doors to more of a launch pad to turn him into a star. The cover band calls themselves the Unknown Soldiers and it isn’t long before they are on their way to becoming less unknown. They begin to tour and it is very enjoyable reading their tour chronicle. Everything from the 2nd hand van they travel in to the performances and venues themselves will peak your interest. Michael’s fantasy of becoming a rock star like Jim Morrison becomes more and more a reality on and off the stage. Michael seems to lose himself in his vision of what Morrison was really like as he tries to essentially become the reincarnation of him. Unfortunately for the band and most people Michael encounters it’s the negative things about Jim’s personality that rise to the surface. From what I gathered Michael was a tormented soul and he was afraid to let anyone know the real Michael so it was easier to attempt to be someone else. Being a jerk is a sure fire way of making sure no one could get close enough to get to know what you are really like. This however doesn’t completely turn you off to Michael’s character. He never loses 100% of his likeability. He is interesting through out whether you identify emotionally with him in his torment or you are excited to see what crazy stunt he will pull next. Michael takes his fantasy of becoming Jim Morrison to the next level when sets his sights on landing the role of Jim in a major motion picture. Eventually the band’s tour winds down and they have one final show at the Whiskey A Go-Go. This is a dream come true for any band on the rise but especially a Doors Tribute band given the Doors well documented history in the club. The big shots in charge of the movie were to be in attendance and this performance will serve as Michael’s audition for the role of Jim Morrison. This is a huge opportunity for Michael and without giving too much away it is a very climactic moment in the book. Several times while reading this amazing book I thought I had it all figured out only to find out I was completely wrong. This is a testament to the talent and skill of its author. Jim Cherry kept me guessing and taught me that one can not always trust his own premonitions. The ending of the book is great, it brings Michael’s character and the whole story full circle. This is a very satisfying read that I recommend to anyone and everyone. Get this book and by the time you are done with it, I am convinced that you will feel the same.

Thank you Patrick & Nanci!

The Last Stage is available at Jymsbooks

This Sunday (1/30/11) I will be a guest on the Big Blend Magazine's 1st annual Writers Round Up Expo. We will be talking about my books including The Last Stage, and some future projects. The show will be on between 12-3PM central time. I will be on approx. a little after 2PM (central time). For more information on the show including other guests http://www.champagnesundaysmagazine.c...

The direct link to the show on Sunday is http://www.blogtalkradio.com/big-blen...

For more information on the Big Blend Magazine including other shows http://www.BigBlendMagazine.com

I hope everybody can listen on Sunday! Please forward this to anyone you think may be interested!

Thank you!
Jim

Hello Everybody!


The Rants, Raves and Rock 'n' Roll Radio Show is this afternoon between 4-7 PM central time! I'll be on talking about my Rock 'n' Roll Manifesto starting at 6 PM central time, I hope you all can listen in!

Keep Rocking!

Jim Cherry

Writing under the influence of Rock ‘n’ Roll!
www.jymsbooks.com

Good Morning All Good Jymsbooks Peoples!

The Doors Examined will be officially published in England this coming Monday March 18th! But it will take about a week after that to filter through to Amazon, Barnes & Noble etc... If you're interested in some of the advance notice it's gettings here's some blurbs of the blurbs!

“The Doors Examined is an astonishingly insightful page-turner. Jim Cherry deconstructs the story of The Doors, examining all facets from every angle, exploring their history and contextualizing their achievements…” Robert Rodriguez - author of Fab Four FAQ 2.0


“A rich and wide-ranging set of articles from a writer who knows his stuff. Illuminating and informative throughout. An excellent addition to any Doors collection.” Michael Anthony, author of Words and Music: Excursions in the Art of Rock Fandom

“A true Doors expert, Jim Cherry has crafted a remarkable book in The Doors Examined that provides fresh insights into the fascinating saga of The Doors…” Rich Weidman, author of The Doors FAQ

If you would like to get more information on the book like chapter headings etc please go to http://www.bennionkearny.com/The-Door...
If you want to be notified by the publisher when the book is released you can send a blank email (with The Doors Examiner in the subject line) to: TheDoors@BennionKearny.com

Well, that seems like a lot to digest for today

Have a great day!

Jim

Hello Jymsbooks!

It looks like "The Doors Examined" is off to a grand start in it's first official week or so!

Last week I was on the Rants, Raves, and Rock 'n' Roll Show talking about "The Doors Examined" you can listen to the interview here: http://www.rantsravesrockmagazine.com...

The reviews for "The Doors Examined" are starting to come in, and so far they're all positive! Here's an excerpt from one:
"The detail is superb, the writing style easy to read and the whole book sucks you into the text.
Jim Cherry is an expert on this band and it shows. Shows? It leaks from every page.
If you really want to know about The Doors -read this." Buzzreader

If you want to read more Amazon reviews at: http://tiny.cc/y2rkuw

The U.K. won't be left out of this either, here's an excerpt from author, Ron Clooney on "The Doors Examined": "Having read much about The Doors, and written about them too, I was stunned by the content of this book.
If you thought you knew everything there was to know about this band , you probably don't: Until you've read this."

If you want to read the full review at Amazon U.K.: http://tiny.cc/p1rkuw

If you live in the western suburbs of Chicago "The Doors Examined" is available at the Oswego Public Library and you can get it through inter-library loan or request your local library to get a copy or two!

News of the Future! The Oswego Library has asked me to put together a program for "The Doors Examined" so look for that in July or August (their first opening) and hopefully I can put together a show that I can take to other libraries etc...!

Please forward this email to any friends, family, co-workers, associates who you think would be interested in it!

Keep rocking!

Jim

Good Sunday Morning! (still feels like morning to me)

It's kind of a scary proposition when a new review comes in, did the reviewer like it? Did they hate it? You very rarely think of the in between reviews. This morning I got the link to a review of "The Doors Examined" by The Pop-Culture Guy (Don Sauer) and he has a very cool review of the book at his blog: http://popcultureguy-don.blogspot.com...

Some other "The Doors Examined" news, circle August 13th at 7PM on your calendar's, I will be presenting a show at the Oswego Library, IL, on "The Doors Examined" it will be a power point presentation with music, video's and pictures a brief history of The Doors from their pre-history until today. Stay tuned for more details as they emerge!

Have a great Sunday!

Jim
Writing under the influence of Rock ‘n’ Roll!
www.jymsbooks.com

If you live the Chicago metropolitan area here is your chance to meet your friendly neighborhood Doors Examiner. The Oswego, (Illinois) Public Library will be hosting a presentation of my book“The Doors Examined” on July 12.

“The Doors Examined” is a compilation of the first three years of The Doors Examiner. As readers of The Doors Examiner, you know every aspect of The Doors is reported on, including The Doors history (including what’s available from their prehistory), reviews, influences of The Doors, the current events of the members of The Doors, the people that surrounded the band, and a few extrapolations or theories that you won’t read anywhere else. All these subjects and a few more are reflected in “The Doors Examined”.

The program at the library will include a presentation by Cherry on his book and subjects of interest to Doors fans, are The Doors still relevant 50 years after forming? Some of the history of The Doors, and hopefully some insight into the band. There will also be a question and answer period and when the presentation is over the opportunity to purchase copies of “The Doors Examined” and Cherry’s novel “The Last Stage” which will also appeal to Doors fans. The presentation will be held at the Oswego campus (32 W Jefferson St, Oswego, IL, 60543) on July 12 at 7 pm. The event is free and open to the public if you would like to register or need more information that is available at the Oswego Library’s website (http://tiny.cc/h9zkcy). Hope to see you there!

On the 45th anniversary of Jim Morrison’s death there’s probably some kind of synchronicity in announcing that The Doors Examiner won’t exist after July 10th. It’s not only The Doors Examiner, AXS Entertainment is pulling the plug on all its writers.

The Doors Examiner has been around almost seven years (August 29th would have been the 7th anniversary). We’ve written around 1500 articles in that time, gained thousands of subscribers and readers (from zero), and I think given The Doors Examiner a good reputation not only amongst Doors fans, but rock fans as well, and a level of respect from The Doors organization. After all The Doors Examiner has been in the top 10 most widely read national music writers since June of 2014 and in the top 5 since June of 2015.

I’ve heard nothing officially from The Examiner that July 10th is the day they will pull the plug, but in trying to confirm if it was true or some kind of internet rumor I discovered that The Examiner’s Facebook page has been taken down, their Twitter feed no longer exists and when I tried to confirm it with my “editor” at The Examiner I discovered he no longer works there (after only a few months) and was referred to sending emails to a generic email address. As I’ve only heard about this less than 24 hours ago I’ve taken some initial steps in seeing where I can take The Doors Examiner. Of course that’s not enough time for anything definitive to be resolved, but I’m determined that The Doors Examiner will live in some other iteration, what that form will is still unknown.

One thing The Examiner has never shared with me is a list of MY subscribers claiming it’s a proprietary list. But over the seven years I’ve built the subscriber list through my writing, and using the advantages of social media. I’m hoping my subscribers are willing to take the next step with me (whatever that may be). To that end I’m asking my subscribers and interested readers to please send their email address to me at jymwrite@gmail.com under the subject of Doors Examiner Subscriber and I will keep that list and when I’ve found a new venue for The Doors Examiner (or whatever its new name may be), I will add your email addresses to the list and we can start where we left off. I still have some ideas for articles on The Doors that I think fans will find interesting and I would love to bring them and their viewpoint and insights to you.

One of my goals when I started writing The Doors Examiner was always to bring a more artistic level of writing to the genre and hopefully that would attract readers and interest them in my other writings. I’ve been successful in that to some degree. I got a book deal through a review I wrote for The Doors Examiner, and one of my new projects, a book I’m working on “Strictly From Hunger!” have been previewed in past articles (“Strictly From Hunger: The Doors Open“(http://www.examiner.com/article/stric...), “Strictly From Hunger: Jim Morrison it Looks a Lot Like Paradise to Me” (http://www.examiner.com/article/stric...) and “A Night Out With Pam Courson”(http://www.examiner.com/article/a-nig...). I’m working on it with a member of Hunger! John Morton and we’re hoping for publication next year. The manuscript is out as a query to publishers now. If you wish to keep up with the project please like the Facebook page Strictly From Hunger! (https://www.facebook.com/groups/16345...)

I’ve also been doing some very preliminary work on a novel titled “The Third Day” and have recently finished a rough draft. If you wish to keep up with my literary endeavors you can follow me at Jymsbooks on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/Jymsbooks-22...), I’m on Goodreads, or my Amazon Authors page.(http://tiny.cc/cx9ncy)
I’m also going to be keeping my Doors Examiner Facebook page active.

I’ve enjoyed my tenure as The Doors Examiner, and I’ve been supported by so many cool people who have helped me build The Doors Examiner up to what it is, its truly A LOT of people and if I mentioned names I would forget somebody. It has also allowed me to talk to a lot of people who knew The Doors and Jim Morrison which I wouldn’t have been able to do or maybe wouldn’t have had the courage to do if I didn’t have the imprimatur of The Doors Examiner behind me. Thank you everybody for your help and support and for reading The Doors Examiner! Now we open the next door and prepare to step through it. Let’s keep the whole thing going baby! This is not the end, and nothing is over until we say it’s over!

P.S. Unfortunately until we find that new venue The Examiner will no longer allow me to publish articles. So please spread the word to your friends who read and/or subscribe to The Doors Examiner and get everybody on board.

Jim Cherry

July 1, AXS Entertainment took down The Examiner, including The Doors Examiner. They (AXS) subsequently asked me to continue to provide Doors related content for them. After some brief negotiations, I agreed. I posted my first article this morning (July 14, 2016) "Are The Doors Still Relevant" and they published it, but they edited out a whole paragraph. I asked them why and they told me because it was more of a rant and not material to the article, I said it was the crux of the article and without it the remaining portion of the article was vapid. I told them I would no longer provide content for them. Here's the unexpurgated article, see if you can tell which part was a "rant".

It’s been over 50 years since Jim Morrison and Ray Manzarek met on Venice Beach and formed The Doors. We’re quickly approaching 50 years since Jim Morrison added the Oedipal section to “The End” and The Doors became part of rock and roll legend. January 4, 2017 will be the 50th anniversary of the release of The Doors first album. So, after 50 years are The Doors still relevant?

The interest level of fans is still high. Robby Krieger still tours yearly, usually filling the venues he plays. He also plays on CDs by up and coming rockers, John Garcia being an example of one the latest. The Doors are still played in heavy rotation on classic rock stations, and every year eight to nine books are published on some aspect of The Doors or Jim Morrison.

Rap groups have taken to claiming The Doors as an influence. Snoop Dogg was in early with a cover of “Riders on the Storm”. More recently Tech N9ne has repeatedly stated in interviews The Doors were an influence, so-much-so that he named his production company Strange Records. Prior to Ray Manzarek’s death the surviving members of The Doors did a cover with Tech N9ne of “Strange Days” complete with samples of Jim Morrison’s vocals. The Doors have also kept their music in front of younger audiences playing with dubstep DJ Skrillex on “Breakin’ a Sweat”.

The 60’s are remembered as one of our most turbulent periods of American history. Today’s fractious political situation with members of both parties claiming the system is rigged against them, and both parties have mounted populist movements. Sociologically, events on today’s news unconsciously mirror those of the 60’s. Race relations are again a major issue with past reforms trying to be reversed. Youth movements have again taken to the streets to oppose and challenge the status quo in the form of the Occupy movement as well as Black Lives Matter, and again our television screens are filled with images of protesters confronting armor clad police officers, and images of riot and tear gas, while revolution isn’t in the air, justice is. Strange days have found us again.

The Doors seem as relevant to the times as they did 50 years ago. Their message reverberates in the air, and the music sounds as fresh and vibrant as it did when The Doors were first creating their music.

I've been working on"Strictly From Hunger!: A Rock and Roll Memoir" it's the story of John Morton and his band Hunger! and how they go from playing in their native Portland, Oregon to becoming one of the biggest bands on the Sunset Strip in 1968.

Chapter 1 The Doors Open For The Outcasts

Don Koss, the popular local DJ in Portland, Oregon stepped up to the microphone and introduced us. “And now we have the number one band and the winners of the Teenage Fair, The Outcasts!” Our drummer Don Marrs threw his drumsticks into the air, then slammed them on the snare. We broke into our medley of the Young Rascals tunes ‘Good Lovin,’ ‘Lovelight,’ and ‘Groovin.’ It was flawless. Our fans and the audience were cheering! We had beat eighty-five other bands. We were the number one band in Portland! All of the sudden we were celebrities. Standing on that stage, lights in our eyes, sweat pouring off of us, we were instantly hometown stars when only the year before we had lost the very same contest, we’d come in last place, and we weren‘t sure the band was even going to survive.
Read the rest at; https://jymwrites.wordpress.com/2016/...