I have been a member of the Philadelphia chapter of the National Association of Catering Executives since about 2003, but I had my doubts about rejoining the organization this year. There were several reasons for my hesitation, but primarily I think it was somewhat of a bad taste I had in my mouth for some of the other ‘professional’ organizations in Philadelphia. In January of 2009 I had pretty much decided not to renew, but something changed my mind, or rather someone.

Adam Rineer, the reigning president of N.A.C.E. Philly, phoned me when he saw I didn’t renew. Unlike folks from some of the other organizations, Adam didn’t try to sell me on rejoining, and didn’t seem overly concerned with pushing me to make that monetary commitment to membership.

Instead, Adam simply asked “Why?”

My response was partly sarcastic, yet genuine at the same time. I said “Well, I’d be more than willing to tell you if you’ve got a few hours to kill.”

To which Adam cooly replied, “I’ve got an appointment in a few minutes, but can we talk after that?”

I was honestly taken by complete surprise. I agreed, and he phoned me back about an hour later.

I’m not sure how long it was that Adam and I spoke on that day, but from what I recall it was easily over an hour. Adam asked some questions, but did a lot of listening. He expressed genuine interest in not only the reasons why I wasn’t rejoining, but in the ways I felt the organization could improve. Adam cared what I had to say, and although he ultimately wanted me to come back to N.A.C.E. Philadelphia, he afforded me the time to communicate not only what I wanted to get out of the organization, but also what more I felt the association could do for all of its members.

At the conclusion of our conversation, I offered to renew my membership.

Adam Rineer is a great salesman, but more so, he’s a great leader. It was the fact that Adam was willing to take time for me that made me so willing to be a part of the organization he was the president of. I suppose that might have been the premise of my whole issue in the first place, and Adam reinforced for me the belief that N.A.C.E. was not just about the association or the membership dues, it was about the people and the professional relationships established in such an organization.

A leader’s greatness is measured by the willingness with which people choose to follow them.

Recently Adam moved to Houston, Texas and will be stepping down as chapter president very shortly. He will be missed. He has praised me when I deserved it, and brought me to bear when i needed to be. I cannot imagine him to be anything less than an amazing manager of people, as he is truly a people person. Adam did not command my respect, he earned it.

Good luck Adam, and Hail to The Chief.

-Craig Sumsky

Photo by Phil Kramer – www.pkphoto.com

In some way I felt like I was being asked to define myself through these three images. I took the request very seriously. I thought about what was important to me. Who was I as a photographer, and what do I want folks to take from this?

In my opinion, the three images I have chosen may not be representative of the best work I’ve ever done, most technical, award winning, breath taking or stunning images, but they are me and what I’m about.

The first image I call “The Last Ride” (June 2000). I had the privilege to witness and photograph Mario Andretti drive in his last auto race as a competitor in the very prestigious 24 hour ‘Le Mans’ endurance race in France. Mario was driving for the Panoz racing team from Atlanta, Georgia. The Panoz was a front engine throwback hot rod with a very muscular and loud Ford V8 power plant. This car was beyond cool.

The Panoz was competing against the mighty and well funded German Audi factory teams. The Audis were the top of technology but we were the class of cool and we had Mario Andretti.

I have never been to the Olympic games, but Le Mans is kind of like the Olympics of Auto racing. I can only imagine the joy when your country wins anything, so to be In France as an American covering the greatest American driver made me proud. Let me tell you there was no greater moment as an auto racing fan sitting on the main straight Le Mans with grandstand on either side watching and hearing that mighty American V8 thunder through the canyon of seats with Mario Andretti at the wheel.

The “Mud People” (August 1994). I graduated high school in 1979. For all of you who don’t remember the 70’s, they were pretty lame. For people my age we were kind of caught between eras. The 60’s was a time of change, revolt, hippies, peace, love and very cool music while the late 80’s were when all the technology was beginning to take hold.  Did I miss something??

One day a friend of mine came by and said “Hey, I’m going to Woodstock… wanna go?”

So I checked it out… There were at least 200,000 in attendance. I was too young to go to the first one (August 1969) although you can find folks (my age) who will tell you they were there.

I remember seeing footage and movies about Woodstock, and I must say this was as close as I’ll ever get to the original. What a wonderful time. Just like the first time around it rained and behold out came the mud people.

The last photo is called “Precious” (July 2004). I will never forget the moment when this image happened.  It was around when we first started with digital so it was great to see the images right away.  I remember checking it out right after the moment turning to my assistant and saying, “This is why I’m a photographer.”

This Image defines me as a wedding photographer… it is what I set out to do.  Moments that portray emotion.  I wish that every bride could understand where my heart is and how I wish I had the kind of relationship with my parents that this father and daughter have with each other. When I see that kind of relationship I want to give it back to them so they can cherish it forever. When I see love I feel compelled to share it.

Thanks Craig for letting me show my work and tell my stories.

Sincerely,

-Kevin

You are welcome Kevin.  Your contributions to the Cutting Edge Entertainment blog this year have been invaluable.  You are an amazing photo journalist and your work has taught me so much about how photography can literally tell a story.  Thank you for everything.

-Craig

Kevin York Photography – www.kevinyorkphotography.com

www.cuttingedgedjs.com

There has been much frenzy around the life and death of the late Michael Jackson, but I am here, as an entertainer, to pay a small tribute to a man who may arguably be the greatest entertainer to ever grace the stage. I discovered at an early age that I loved entertaining, and I looked to MJ as a role model and an inspiration on how to perform in the spotlight. I separate Michael’s life on and off the stage. Some will say what they want about his private life, but very few can deny that no entertainer put on a show like Mike. I learned to sing and taught myself to dance because of the way he captivated people, but the thing that Michael taught me most was something that can’t be learned in a studio. When MJ was on stage, you could FEEL his aura. He brought a passion and charisma to the stage that had never been seen before, and perhaps may never be seen again. As he sang, jumped, screamed and glided all over the stage, Michael Jackson was no longer a person. He became an entity when he performed, a force of pure energy that could change the way you felt and truly excite and move you when he put on a show. Many athletes want to “be like Mike”, but when it comes to entertaining nobody will ever “be like Mike.”

Michael Jackson was the King of Pop because of his unique perception and connection with the performance that he was giving to the world. I went to see ‘This Is It’ last weekend and was absolutely blown away. Not only was the show out of this world, but Michael was moon walking on some other planet as well. This brings me to the point of this blog post. I suggest to any and all entertainers out there – whether you like MJ or not – to go and check this movie out. I know that, personally, as an entertainer, I try to be in tune with every facet of an event possible. I like to be immersed in it, so that it can be made into an unforgettable moment. Michael did this in a way that was truly mind boggling. There is a scene that shows Michael beat boxing one of his songs, so that the band could hear how it was supposed to sound. He was so in tune to the sounds and the instruments that he could repeat back the PROPER way for them to perform it. Later on, he vocally mimics his guitarist’s solo so that she doesn’t feel alone on the stage. His ear for music thoughout the film was astounding, while his ear for a performance was unmatched. He knew how music would make energy, and how the lights and visuals could compliment the sound. He sang all out during duets in rehearsal, because he knew the others fed off of him. He saw the big picture, knowing where everyone should be and exactly how they should be performing. Michael was showing off his performer’s intuition. He told his band to pause in the middle of ‘The Way You Make Me Feel’ because he was locked in on the energy that filled the room. He told them “let it simmer…don’t rush the moment.” During ‘Smooth Criminal’, Kenny Ortega asked MJ how he would know when the screen changed to cue him, since it was behind him. Michael simply said, “I’ll feel it.” While all these moments were amazing in their own way, nothing took my breath away like Michael performing ‘Billie Jean.’ In the beginning, it seemed as if MJ was just going through the motions, but as he stood on stage by himself, a transformation occurred right in front of my eyes. Encouraged by the cheers of his backup dancers and the production staff, and fueled by the life of the music, Michael took off, as the spirit of a younger MJ took over the body of this fifty year old man. He sang and danced as if no one was watching, although he knew everyone was watching. In an instant everyone was taken to another place. In that moment, I realized what made a show in his eyes. taking his audience to a place far from reality.

Every time I step into the spotlight, I try to give the same world to my audience and clients. I believe all entertainers have this inside of them, and like MJ, we just need to figure out exactly how to free it. Michael said it best at the end of the movie when he stood in the middle of all his staff, “Don’t be nervous or scared. We are on an adventure, a fun adventure to take these people to another world.” I strongly suggest that everyone see this movie for it is truly moving in many ways; but I urge every entertainer out there to go see it as well, because in his final moment, Michael Jackson gives the lesson of a lifetime… This is the way to entertain. This is it.

Thank You Michael. Rest In Peace.

-Tony Azzaro

Photos by Kevin York

www.cuttingedgedjs.com

In a previous blog about my Beatles Journey, I reviewed the book ‘Lennon Revealed’ by Larry Kane, which I didn’t realize would be so… ‘revealing.’

Kane’s book led me to Bob Gruen, the next step in my journey to discovery.  After I had completed writing my blog about Mr. Kane’s book, I shot a raw and unedited copy of it off to Bob Gruen in an email, asking his permission to use a photo.  One might say that Mr. Gruen was the Lennon’s (John & Yoko’s) personal photographer, who knew John Lennon and his entourage personally.  I have to admit I’m still in shock that I got a response, and even more surprised that it was a yes.

Once again, into the car and off to the bookstore… this time for Bob Gruen’s book ‘John Lennon, The New York Years.’

It took me three reads.  The first read, I tried to be thorough, but the pictures were so captivating that I was distracted and just flipped through for the images.  The second read I stayed the course, and though I thought Larry Kane’s book was touching, as the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words.   My third read was a deeper look at the pictures, with a better understanding of their meaning, and Bob’s personal experiences that went along with them.

Bob Gruen is an amazing photographer.  I’ve looked at his website, checked out a lot of his work and let me just say this guy is the real deal.   More importantly, I really get the impression that Bob Gruen is a good man. With each page I turned I felt the love through his lens.

Sure, when presented with the opportunity to photograph John Lennon in his most intimate moments, a photographer would have to be a fool to pass it up.  Even for no pay, we’re talking about John Lennon here, a Beatle. How good would that look in a photographer’s portfolio? Bob Gruen was one lucky guy.

But was he the luckiest?  I think not.

In looking at the photos, and reading Mr. Gruen’s tale, I believe John was the lucky one, or perhaps he just had a gift.  You see, in choosing Bob Gruen as a photographer and chronicler,  John chose wisely… Very wisely.  Perhaps it was luck that put these two together, but whatever it was, Bob Gruen’s book is filled with love.  Each photo, each word, each page tells its own story.

I really didn’t get the impression that this book was about John Lennon the superstar, or John Lennon the musician.  For me it was much more John Lennon the person, and the many faces of that person within a decade’s time.   One cannot read this book – pictures and words – without coming out of it feeling like they know John a little better.

I wonder if John knew that when he and Yoko offered to let Bob Gruen take so many personal and intimate photos that he was again bringing someone into the fold who would do justice to his legacy when he was gone.  To tell the story the right way, the way John – or anyone for that matter – would have wanted their story told.

So yeah, I really love this book.  So much so that it wasn’t enough for me to just say how much I loved it or to write about it in a blog, I had to go a few steps further… I went out and bought twenty-five copies.  Not only do my friends and family get to hear me talking about The Beatles on a daily basis, but now they get a book as well.  It’s just that good.

-Craig Sumsky

P.S.  Thank you Sarah for all of your help and patience.

www.bobgruen.com

Photos by Kevin York

www.cuttingedgedjs.com