BijouBlog

By Josh Eliot

The 1978 Alex DeRenzy film Pretty Peaches was made during what many call the golden age of pornography in America. Desiree Cousteau’s performance won her the 1979 AFAA Award for Best Actress, but she wasn’t the only standout in this classic film. A brand new starlet was cast in a scene opposite Joey Silvera and even though it was her first time on-screen, the audience and critics noticed her energy and gave rave reviews of her performance. This rising star with charisma was none other than Sharon Kane. Sharon Kane and Desiree Cousteau were both working as dancers in DeRenzy’s theater, The Screening Room at 220 Jones Street in San Francisco, when he offered her the role. Little did she realize at the time that she embodied the qualities that superstars are made of. With decades of work featuring the inclusion of diverse roles, great performances and the introduction of her original music into the productions, it’s no wonder that her star shines like no other.

In 1991, Sharon Kane began work on her first project as a director on the movie Stairway to Paradise for VCA Studios. The cast was considered A-list, a testament to Sharon’s nurtured relationships within the industry over the years. She cast Nina Hartley, Randy Spears, Aja, Peter North, Victoria Paris, Lee Carroll, Kay Parker and her very first co-star and friend, Joey Silvera. Based on an original story by Sharon, the script was formed by the man responsible for making her directorial debut possible, Jim Holliday. Holliday and Kane met on the set of Sorority Pink (1989) and continued a true friendship and working relationship with each other throughout the years. The movie itself follows Nina Hartley’s other-worldly experience, including a regression into her previous lives. The movie’s mystical edge, added to both the storyline and sex scenes, sets it apart from the more mainstream themed features of the time period. Sharon waited to read the finished script before writing the official theme song so that she could incorporate a good deal of the movie’s content into the piece. The 1991 original theme song, “Stairway to Paradise,” has a holistic feeling and is enhanced with an addicting melody.

She is credited with creating an enduring legacy within the industry, which included working on set in the role of art director, make-up artist, musician, production assistant and producer. She’s won numerous awards for Non-Sexual Performer, as well, including for her role as Joan in my bisexual movie, Cracked! She’s credited with a solid reputation for creating songs and musical scores used by top directors throughout the gay, straight and bisexual industry. In 2011, Sharon Kane left the industry and relocated to a quiet, rural community. In 2022, she was introduced to musician Jimmy Michaels, who was working on a project with adult actor Richard Pacheco.

Jimmy Michaels started making music at a very young age and, as a member of the hard-rock duo, Waco, he produced and recorded the song “Dark Lady” in 1995, which became a local rock hit in Philadelphia. When the band broke up in 1996, Jimmy thought he was done with music. Nearly a decade later in 2007, associates convinced him to open a studio and label to begin producing and recording indie rock bands. By 2009, he was honored with a listing from the Independent Music Guild of America as one of the top ten mix and mastering engineers in the United States. In addition to engineering music from 2007-2014, he released solo albums, including writing and recording with 1970’s Disco icon, D.C. Larue. With the introduction of “at-home” mixing technology, Jimmy closed the doors to his studio in late 2016. He currently manages the worldwide licensing for Dick Hieronymus and his publishing firm, Mumbles Music.

In 2022, Jimmy was producing audio books for adult film star Richard Pacheco’s two novels he had written. They had the idea of finishing the second book with an original song that Jimmy would write about Richard’s life, and they wanted a female in the adult industry to perform it. Richard suggested Sharon Kane as his choice; the problem was that she was retired and living out in the boondocks somewhere, so it turned into a huge challenge to track her down. Finally, success!

To say that Jimmy and Sharon hit it off on their first phone conversation is an understatement. Aside from sharing the same birthdate, they connected on many levels musically and personally. It was like two kindred souls finding each other. When Jimmy noticed that Sharon added background vocals to his original song, and those vocals enhanced it, he was sold on her talent and immediately asked her to come out of retirement and work on a project he was producing. The project involved 1970’s and 80’s pop hits, and once that was complete, they started working on the Stairway to Paradise album.

Jump forward to the present as Sharon Kane and longtime collaborator, Jimmy Michaels, announce the re-imagined version of her song—with an additional third verse added and an expanded running time of 7:23. The completely new recording gives this 35 year old song a big, bright, beautiful new life! Not only was that 1991 classic given the special treatment by Sharon Kane and Jimmy Michaels, it is also just one song of a complete album. The album, also entitled Stairway to Paradise, features an otherworldly cover of both Kane and Michaels and is packed with new recordings and reinterpretations of works from both Sharon and Jimmy.

On the Paradise album, as well as other releases the duo worked on together, Sharon uses the pseudonym Char Char. When I asked her about it, this was her exact reply:

“I used to have chickens. Jimmy and I would be discussing music and I would abruptly mention I had to 'go feed the chickens'. So he started calling me farmer Char Char. At the time the first album was being released, I was debating whether I should use my real name or another name. So I said, 'What about Char Char?' And there you have it! 😁 It was a nickname from Jimmy.”

This album is one awesome collaboration, and I want to thank them both for sharing the songs with me. The full album is now available, for a reasonable $7.99 price, at Bandcamp.com.

A new interview with Sharon Kane was released recently on Barefoot and Independent’s YouTube Channel, where they discuss her directorial debut movie, Stairway to Paradise, and the new release of her song and music video. The interviewer, Jason, does an extensive comparison between the original song and the re-imagined disco version, before screening his PG-Rated cut of the movie and a follow-up chat with Kane. The full uncut, extended interview between Sharon and Jason was also just released.

UPDATE: I’m happy to announce that their newest project was just released as I was finishing up writing this blog! The pair released yet another album, this one called To Josh With Love. This new album is a remastering and re-working of the songs Sharon Kane wrote and performed in movies I directed for Catalina Video. I am very honored by the title, obviously, and am so thrilled to now have the full uncut, remastered versions of these songs available, complete with all the bells and whistles.

I’ve had a lot of people ask where they can find the soundtrack music from many of my movies, and now I can let them know that for $7.99 they can download them. Unfortunately, Sharon was not able to locate “Friends and Lovers” (CatalinaVille), even after going all the way back to her floppy disc collection! That one will be missed.

I’ve added some great links for you, including:
-The new Sharon Kane interview with Barefoot & Independent and their censored Stairway to Paradise cut
-The new “Stairway to Paradise” music video
-The album download page for Stairway to Paradise
-The newest album release, To Josh With Love
-And the most important—The Official Sharon Kane Bandcamp Page, featuring all of Sharon’s (aka Char Char's) musical releases, past, present and future.

She’s also on Spotify, which I also linked, so add her to your playlist! Her legacy continues!

SIDE NOTE: If you still haven’t had your fill for all things Sharon Kane, check out my blog from two and a half years ago, “The Many Faces of Adult Film Star Sharon Kane,” where I wrote about all of the amazing characters she portrayed in my movies.

Bio of Josh Eliot:

At the age of 25 in 1987, Josh Eliot was hired by Catalina Video by John Travis (Brentwood Video) and Scott Masters (Nova Video). Travis trained Eliot on his style of videography and mentored him on the art of directing. Josh directed his first movie, Runaways, in 1987. By 2009 when Josh parted ways with Catalina Video, he'd produced and directed hundreds of features and won numerous awards for Best Screenplay, Videography, Editing, and Directing. He was entered into the GayVN Hall of fame in 2002.

Hi folks! Will here with tales from the West! (I know, another wacky title...but, there's a story behind this, of course!)

First off, my 2,000 mile trip across our vast, beautiful country was delightfully uneventful...just the way I like it when travelling solo. Truth be told, I did have several of my favorite house plants tucked in the back of the car. I have had some of these guys since my apartment in San Francisco and some of them are still adorning our home today. The trusty steed, my SAAB 9000, took very good care of me across the country, sipping ever so gently on the petrol and keeping me safe throughout the journey. (There will be a chapter devoted not only to this car but of all of my automotive favorites in the very near future!)

My trusty steed!

OK...the title. Upon arriving, I wanted to dig in and find out about the history of this country's oldest state capital. Not only is it the oldest capital city in the country, but it is the highest in elevation—7,199 feet! My breathing apparatus took a couple of weeks to fully adjust to the altitude change. Founded in 1610, it was originally called La Villa Real de la Santa Fe de San Francisco de Asís. Translated, this means The Royal city of the Holy Faith of St. Francis of Assisi.

Playing tourist in my new home town!

The basilica pictured is located in Santa Fe's historical downtown area near The Plaza, a very popular tourist attraction. Great food and local art is to be found everywhere in this district. It was fall when I arrived. So, I had picture perfect weather to enjoy the sights. Speaking of the weather...I had never seen skies as blue as those in Santa Fe (or the rest of New Mexico!). Cerulean blue, to quote the locals!

Alan enjoying the sights of The Plaza.

 

Again, playing tourist at the gates to the ancient church at Chimayo.

I gave myself a week or so to settle in from my trek to do some sightseeing before starting my job that was waiting for me at Home Depot. That was a good thing, as the fall quickly changes to winter at this elevation. And, with that comes snow...lots of it. Not being a skier, I wasn't aware that just north of town was the internationally renowned Santa Fe Ski Basin. Boy, was I surprised when the first foot or so of the white stuff fell in mid-October! It was a harbinger of the length and conditions of the New Mexican winters. In our new and cozy casita I hunkered down to learn about my new environs. 

Winter in Santa Fe.

 

Christmas at the casita, followed by my birthday!

At first, the houses we lived in were rentals. My Alan got the bug to move about every year or so. I don't know where all of this restlessness came from. He had lived in the same apartment in NYC for many years. But, in hindsight, it gave us the opportunity to see different sections of the city and its surrounding areas. We treated every house as if it were our own. The landlords loved us and always gave us great referrals as we moved from house to house.

Better homes and gardens!

 

"Family scene."

Alan finally set down roots in Santa Fe about about three months after I got there. He had a lot of business ventures to tidy up before leaving New York. Almost immediately, he found a job at a local tobacco company. Not a smoker...this was only a stopgap position. Soon after, he put his styling talents to work for a very old and respected N.M. furniture company. He slowly climbed their corporate ladder over the years, resulting in a lot of our moves. But, it was worth it as he just celebrated his 25th year with them as their Visual Director!

My tenure at Home Depot was not a long one. Pictured at my desk in the Floor and Wall Department, I dipped into my experience in carpet sales from my past. I was frequently frustrated by being dragged away to do some cumbersome and non-related task elsewhere in the store. There were politics to deal with, as well. I guess that's the case with most larger companies. But, as I mentioned before, I do not do well with politics. I put my feelers out to find new employment.

"Just let me sell carpet!"

Serendipity struck when I was on a simple trip to a local Hi-Fi store to get some blank tapes. Although it was a Sunday and the store was shut, there was a simple handwritten sign on the front gate, stating that a position for electronics sales and/or department manager was available. I did a double take. After I caught my breath, I jotted down the contact number. I was thrilled to have an opportunity of a redux in electronics sales! That following Monday morning, I called "The Candyman," the legendary electronics retailer in Northern New Mexico.

Midnight blue magic.

My appointment was at 2PM...and with the owner of the company. It was time to pull out my magical Midnight Blue Giorgio Armani good luck suit! The owner did a double take when I walked into his office. It was clear from his reaction that few interviewees arrived in such attire! He asked me to take my jacket off and be more comfortable. After giving him my resume and chatting for a half an hour or so, he asked me if I wouldn't mind working for "a couple a three" hours on the floor to see if I would be a good fit. It worked...I worked...and I got the job! He was originally from the New York metropolitan area and we hit it off.

So, it seemed that I might be retracing my steps from "The Other San Francisco" after all. From Castro and Market Streets to St. Michaels and St. Francis Drives, a redux was in the making. Stay tuned for details!

Bio of Will Seagers:

Will Seagers (also credited as Matt Harper), within his multifaceted careers and participation in numerous gay communities across the country in the '70s and '80s and beyond, worked as a print model, film performer, and DJ, just to name a few. He made iconic appearances in releases from Falcon, Hand in Hand, Joe Gage, Target (Bullet), J. Brian, Steve Scott, and more, including in lead roles in major classics like Gage's L.A. Tool & Die (1979) and Scott's Wanted (1980). He brought strong screen presence and exceptional acting to his roles and was scene partners with many fellow legends of classic porn.

Will Seagers, present day

You can read Will Seagers' previous blogs for Bijou here:

Welcome Matt/Will | What's For Dessert? | On and Off the Set of L.A. Tool & Die | Wanted, Weekend Lockup and Weekends in Hermosa Beach | Honeymoon in the Palms | Birds of a Feather | The Stereo Maven of Castro Street | The Pass Around Boy | The Ecstasy and the Agony | Fitness and Fantasy | Chasing the Boys and Chasing the Sun | Becoming Invisible | The Reverse Story of Dorian Gray | Pin Money | One Organ Leads to Another! | The Wheels of Steel | Feast and Famine | An Alphabet Soup of Powders and Pills | Merry Christmas (and Getting Re-Organized) | Now and Then | DEEP INSIDE THE CASTRO: The Badlands | DEEP INSIDE THE CASTRO: Moby Dick Bar | DEEP INSIDE THE CASTRO: "Just Another Stroll Down the Castro!" | Diving Into SoMa/Folsom: Hamburger Mary's | Diving Into SoMa/Folsom: Long Live the Stud! | Diving Into SoMa/Folsom: Club Life..."Hit me with your Rhythm Stick!” | A "Split Ticket": SoMa/Folsom and The Haight! | Staying Vanilla in a Flavorful Culture | A Little Secret | Recollections of the 1977 S.F. Gay Pride Parade | Life's a Beach | Flora & Fauna | Once Is Just Not Enough! | A Love of Cultures – A Knack for Languages! | For the Birds | It's About Time! | The Perfect Storm | Hello Chicago/Adieu Fire Island Pines! | Sex in the Woods! | My Life at the Gym | The Last Picture Show | Cumming Attractions! | The Peter Pan Syndrome | Valentine's Day Reflections | The “Idus Martias” and a Peacock! | Taxing I.M.H.O. | Nope...This Sure Ain't Kansas! | The French Connection | Water Baby | Pride: You Wear It Well! | Life Goes On... | The Dance Floor and the Booth, Part 1 | The Dance Floor and the Booth, Part 2 | The Dance Floor and the Booth, Part 3 | A Christmas Haiku | It's My Party & I'll BLOG If I Want To! | "Werk!" | Heart Throbs from the Past! | Homage to the Stars & Studios of My Era | Traveling the Arc | Music Is My Way of Life, Part 1 | Music Is My Way of Life, Part 2 | Music Is My Way of Life, Part 3 | Music Is My Way of Life, Part 4 | "Brick Wall" | A Gap! | Life in South Beach | Club Memories of South Beach | Finding Love on a Dance Floor? | My First Week Back in the Big Apple | A Long Honeymoon! | "Go West Young Man!"

Hi folks! Will here. Telling a life story can be a bit challenging... especially, if you are trying to keep facts in an accurate timeline. I discovered that I had a gap between the ending of my last blog and the lead-in to my move to Florida.

Before I headed to sunny South Beach, my last year in the bleak and wintry northeast had some (of what I considered) warm and fuzzy parts to it, too. I made two friends... one from the gym and one from the legendary beach at Sandy Hook, N.J.

A great (nude) beach with a spectacular backdrop!

I was at a pivotal point with my musical/sales career. My position in the company had become increasingly political. My immediate supervisor/general manager was uncomfortable with my successes that were being noticed by the company's owner.

In my last year with them, I was shuffled around the stores like a game piece. And, the moves were not to bigger and better offerings. It was under the guise that I could "improve" these less profitable showrooms. With a waning income, I made my plans to bail from the company.

It was my friend from the gym who offered me a lead to another sales job - this time to a popular Northeast retail electronics chain. This liaison not only gave me a great opportunity for a smooth job move, but we also became roommates. It was perfect timing, in that I had not renewed my apartment lease after the "endless winter."

He was "the one that got away." Although proclaiming to be straight, he gave off the most intense sexual vibes. I thought he was very cute. He was medium in height, had a very tight, muscular body and had "nice junk," to boot! I never took advantage of this situation, as I wanted to keep the home front as secure as possible. But, I sure had my fantasies.

After mentioning that I frequented the nude beach at Sandy Hook, he became very curious and asked to come along to see what it was like. I said sure! So, we drove to "The Hook." My curiosity about him was piqued when after laying out our towels et al, he sprung a lovely woody! It took everything in me not to react in kind. I often look back and wonder why I didn't jump on him right there. But, I feared if anything got complicated, I would not only lose a friend but also my (temporary) home. I had already started making my plans to move south while living and working with him.

Another curious thing was that he took me to his parents' home in Staten Island. He introduced me as his "new friend" and roommate. I thought at our respective ages, 33 and 43, there might have been some shade thrown. But, they didn't bat an eye. Maybe I should have at least "tried something" with him. Still... cooler heads prevailed... mine, unfortunately!

And, from this very same beach came the person with whom I drove to Florida. We had started flirting the year before at Sandy Hook. I mentioned my intention to move south within a year or so. Surprisingly, he said he had thought about that, too. The next thing I knew, I had another quasi-sexual relationship in the works. We never did anything. It seemed like it was being "saved" for the future.

I had set September of 1994 as the travel date for my move to Florida. My beach buddy asked if he could join me. I said sure! Little did I know how ill-fated this journey would be.

Meanwhile, my other friend (and roommate) got ready for the split up. I had thanked him profusely for letting me share his apartment. There was an air of tension mixed with sadness in his behavior. Maybe I was right all along. I sure wish I had at least tempted fate!

In the weeks leading up to my leaving his apartment, he was fixated on trading cars with me. I couldn't figure it out. He had a nice red Toyota MR-2. I had a rather plain Toyota Tercel hatchback. Go figure. I think there was something up with the registration or title. But, the transfer of titles went without a hitch. And that's the car that I piled high with my belongings for the trip down the Eastern Seaboard. In retrospect, I think he wanted something of mine to remember me by.

My ride to Florida... exact right down to the wheels!

What a trade!

My other friend and I stayed at his mother's house the night before we left for Florida. That night was as chilly as the overly air-conditioned bedroom where nothing physical happened between us. I should have paid attention to that harbinger.

We left the next morning, heading for I-95 South. He had a van that he had packed to the rafters. He was a rather slow driver. That became a point of contention. He asked why I was speeding and losing visual contact on the road. I wasn't speeding. By the time we reached our motel for the night, a fight was brewing.

I thought it was a little early for regrets. But, from then on the tension was thick enough to cut with a knife. Tired from all the driving, we rented a motel room at the midpoint of the trip and slept in separate beds. And, by the time we reached our Miami condo sublet, we were in separate rooms. Need I say more?

We both circulated around South Beach looking for jobs. I lucked out with (what I considered) an excellent opportunity, which I will expand upon in the next installment. My friend did not enjoy the same luck. Within two weeks, he had decided to return home to N.J. We were staying with a friend of his - meaning I was shit out of luck and homeless in Miami!

This brings me right here, where I want to be - a place to correctly start the tale of my adventures in South Beach. Stay tuned!

Bio of Will Seagers:

Will Seagers (also credited as Matt Harper), within his multifaceted careers and participation in numerous gay communities across the country in the '70s and '80s and beyond, worked as a print model, film performer, and DJ, just to name a few. He made iconic appearances in releases from Falcon, Hand in Hand, Joe Gage, Target (Bullet), J. Brian, Steve Scott, and more, including in lead roles in major classics like Gage's L.A. Tool & Die (1979) and Scott's Wanted (1980). He brought strong screen presence and exceptional acting to his roles and was scene partners with many fellow legends of classic porn.

Will Seagers, present day

You can read Will Seagers' previous blogs for Bijou here:

Welcome Matt/Will | What's For Dessert? | On and Off the Set of L.A. Tool & Die | Wanted, Weekend Lockup and Weekends in Hermosa Beach | Honeymoon in the Palms | Birds of a Feather | The Stereo Maven of Castro Street | The Pass Around Boy | The Ecstasy and the Agony | Fitness and Fantasy | Chasing the Boys and Chasing the Sun | Becoming Invisible | The Reverse Story of Dorian Gray | Pin Money | One Organ Leads to Another! | The Wheels of Steel | Feast and Famine | An Alphabet Soup of Powders and Pills | Merry Christmas (and Getting Re-Organized) | Now and Then | DEEP INSIDE THE CASTRO: The Badlands | DEEP INSIDE THE CASTRO: Moby Dick Bar | DEEP INSIDE THE CASTRO: "Just Another Stroll Down the Castro!" | Diving Into SoMa/Folsom: Hamburger Mary's | Diving Into SoMa/Folsom: Long Live the Stud! | Diving Into SoMa/Folsom: Club Life..."Hit me with your Rhythm Stick!” | A "Split Ticket": SoMa/Folsom and The Haight! | Staying Vanilla in a Flavorful Culture | A Little Secret | Recollections of the 1977 S.F. Gay Pride Parade | Life's a Beach | Flora & Fauna | Once Is Just Not Enough! | A Love of Cultures – A Knack for Languages! | For the Birds | It's About Time! | The Perfect Storm | Hello Chicago/Adieu Fire Island Pines! | Sex in the Woods! | My Life at the Gym | The Last Picture Show | Cumming Attractions! | The Peter Pan Syndrome | Valentine's Day Reflections | The “Idus Martias” and a Peacock! | Taxing I.M.H.O. | Nope...This Sure Ain't Kansas! | The French Connection | Water Baby | Pride: You Wear It Well! | Life Goes On... | The Dance Floor and the Booth, Part 1 | The Dance Floor and the Booth, Part 2 | The Dance Floor and the Booth, Part 3 | A Christmas Haiku | It's My Party & I'll BLOG If I Want To! | "Werk!" | It's My Party & I'll BLOG If I Want To! | Heart Throbs from the Past! | Traveling the Arc | Music Is My Way of Life, Part 1 | Music Is My Way of Life, Part 2 | Music Is My Way of Life, Part 3 | Music Is My Way of Life, Part 4 | "Brick Wall"

By Josh Eliot

Recently I discovered an awesome channel on YouTube called Barefoot and Independent. Ryon Heath came up with the title and his brother Jason Heath has the largest presence on the site. The most prominent postings on the channel in recent years are segments that fall under the “Squeaky Clean Adult Films” category, but as I learned, the site contains much more diverse viewing material than you would ever expect, dating all the way back to 2012. Featuring a stylish Warhol-esque vibe to every post, there is literally something for everyone. I love quirky and cool, and I consider this channel to be both. I discovered, through my conversations with front man and director Jason Heath, that there is a much larger presence behind all of their diverse postings. Jason and Ryon are part of a film troupe known as The Broken Spoons, who describe themselves as “a group of music-obsessed filmmakers that were raised on television.” The channel features postings related to Jason’s first 16mm film, Trite This Way, and his second feature, The Boy That Dripped Blood, as well as an editing project, The Battle of the Broken Spoons, which Jason describes as “a bunch of weirdos with a lot of problems.” He is currently working on a new short film titled Intersection and Union, to be released this year.

Jason was part of the sketch comedy show The Written Word & The Blank Page, and in 2017 while spit balling ideas for the channel, he proposed “G Rated Adult Films,” where he would take classic adult films and edit them so they could achieve a G rating. The group did not warm up to the idea, so Jason decided to do it on his own. He started with postings under “G Rated Pornos,” but found G was too difficult and quickly switched it to “PG Rated Pornos.” Like with many companies, posting adult content the series got many strikes, suspensions, warnings and copyright violations from YouTube. When the channel was struck down for the first time, they came back as “Squeaky Clean Adult Films,” dropping the “P” word. Unfortunately, that did not stop it from getting thirty-day suspensions a few more times with no instructions from YouTube as to how to fix the problem. At his wits end, Jason reached out to a famous YouTuber friend, who had what turned out to be the solution. This YouTuber informed Jason that YouTube wanted a transformation. Jason argued that going from XXX to G rating is a transformation, but his friend explained that the edit alone was not transformative enough. He told Jason that if he added “personal commentary” to the adult-themed segments, YouTube would leave him alone. He explained that they want personalities and commentary, like an influencer, but anyone who has watched Jason would notice that the influencer thing is not for him. He’s more like: “Don’t subscribe, don’t like, don’t share, just watch.” 

Having said that, Jason makes a pretty damned good influencer, in my book; he started adding his own personal touch to introduce the G and PG-rated movies, and packs the intros with lots of movie trivia. The “Squeaky” series contains a wide variety of vintage adult movies, classics like The Devil in Miss Jones (1973, 57K views), Pretty Peaches (1978, 118k views), Debbie Does Dallas (1978 - 136k views), Behind The Green Door (1972, 213k views) and the sites’ most viewed posting, Taboo 2 (1982), with 2.3 million views! The site is not strictly straight-oriented; like any great artist-run venture, it also includes postings of gay and bi content like H.I.S. Video’s Total Corruption 2 (1996), Catalina Video’s Morewood Contractors (2005) and Boy Band (2002) and Richard Mailer’s Switch Hitters series, to name a few.

As of last week, in addition to Boy Band, I have another one of my titles featured on their site: my bisexual movie titled SwitchCraft, with Sharon Kane, Chi Chi LaRue and Tina Tyler. SwitchCraft was based on the 1970’s TV movie The Girl Most Likely To, starring Stockard Channing and co-written by Joan Rivers. Jason reached out to me and asked if I would like to be part of his “All Celebrity Request March” for 2026. The recurring celebrity series was started in 2025 and featured interviews with actor Richard Pacheco (from Irresistible), writer Cash Markman (from House Arrest), actor Sean Elliot (from Debbie Does Dallas 2 and Scoundrels) and podcaster Patrick Palmer (from JizzTalking.com). Over a four-week period, Jason has his celebrity guests pick one of their favorite movies, interviews them for the intro, shows the PG version of the movie, then finishes their chat after the film. This year the series included actress Amber Lynn (Jane Bond Meets Octopussy), actress Melissa Hill (Penetrator 2), director Josh Eliot - me (SwitchCraft) and actress Porsche Lynn (Girl With The Million Dollar Legs). These iconic actresses’ segments were incredible to watch, and I had a blast talking to Jason. Having the opportunity to show my bisexual movie to a much more diverse crowd than would normally view it felt great, and the comments were very positive.

In addition to the great “Squeaky” series that I’ve been writing about, there is so much more content that deserves praise. Jason is smack dab in the middle of his episode-by-episode salute to his favorite viewing experience ever, Twin Peaks, which is totally giving me flashbacks to when I saw the pilot in Palm Springs before its debut on television. The cast was sitting in the two rows behind Chet Thomas (Catalina editor) and me, then giddily made their way to the stage for Q&A after the screening.

The site also has a lot of photography postings from the troupe, Jason and others - so stylized and unique that any or all of the photos could make several amazing coffee table books! The imagery is so interesting and fun, it’s like going to a gallery opening! In addition, Jason’s VHS tape collection that he shares photos of is probably one of the best in the country! I just love looking at old movie posters and source material from yesteryear, and the first-edition VHS boxes from classic horror movies that he possesses had me glued to the site for hours! How I wish I had kept my old VHS tapes instead of selling them two for $1 at yard sales back in West Hollywood! I actually just found and purchased an original VHS of William Higgins' Big Guns online for $20, pristine quality! That title is quite a find for my “mini” collection! In my mind, Barefoot and Independent is a mash up of Waiting For Guffman, Multiple Maniacs and my favorite “bizarre” web page, Something Weird Video, all mixed together to make one amazing scrolling experience. As of this writing, the official site(s) Barefoot and Independent has a presence on YouTube with 37.8K subscribers, Instagram (15K), and Facebook (42K). I’ve packed this page with links, so click anywhere above where you see blue and it will direct you to each particular posting on their site! 

Bio of Josh Eliot:

At the age of 25 in 1987, Josh Eliot was hired by Catalina Video by John Travis (Brentwood Video) and Scott Masters (Nova Video). Travis trained Eliot on his style of videography and mentored him on the art of directing. Josh directed his first movie, Runaways, in 1987. By 2009 when Josh parted ways with Catalina Video, he'd produced and directed hundreds of features and won numerous awards for Best Screenplay, Videography, Editing, and Directing. He was entered into the GayVN Hall of fame in 2002.

Hi Folks! Will here with an "Upbeat" look at a force that has helped propel me throughout my life - Music. Some of you might recognize this title as one of Patti LaBelle's biggest hits from a few decades ago. With this title, I recognize and celebrate her talents along with my own lifelong love of music. 

Some of my earliest recollections of music were sitting on my mother's lap and learning to harmonize with her singing. I would have to guess that was around age four or so. My mother had a great voice and used to sing at most family gatherings back in the 50s. Like I said, my musical participation began with hearing a harmony part in what she sang and "chiming in" to the best of my young ability. And, according to the applause we used to get, I guess we did a pretty good job.

As far as playing instruments, it all started one Christmas morning with a toy clarinet by the Eminee company. I think my parents initially regretted buying this for me, thinking I would be blaring it all around the house making a racket. But, much to everyone's surprise, by the end of that day I had figured out how to play "When the Saints Go Marching In" and a couple of other standards. Before I knew it, clarinet lessons were booked for yours truly. A musical "door" had opened that continues to usher in the wonder and joy of playing music.

It should be mentioned that the house we moved into in the mid-50s came with an upright grand piano in the basement. It was a huge and wonderful instrument. My father used to love to dabble with it and even took some lessons. Monkey see, monkey do. I started to have regular sessions with that keyboard and found it much easier to navigate than the holes and levers of the real clarinet that replaced my Christmas toy. Once again, with my picking out melodies on that piano by ear, music lessons soon followed.

I was a bad student, in that I easily drifted from my lessons to messing around with tunes by ear. My parents were not pleased by my straying from the printed page. So, after a year or so, my lessons were suspended. That didn't stop me from banging away and discovering more about music... especially chords. (It seemed like the harmonizing I did with my mother was showing up again.) 

It was about 1963 or 1964 when a musical arrival completely changed my life. My mother and father used to like to go out "clubbing" with their friends from our new Jersey Shore home location. In their travels one Saturday night, they dropped by the Hammond Organ store in Asbury Park (about ten miles south of our new home).

It was late one Sunday morning when a rather large delivery van pulled up in front of our house. Sprawled on the side of it was (you guessed it) Hammond Organ of Asbury Park. Instantly, I knew what was going on. They bought an organ: a beautiful Hammond A-102, a full-sized console organ in French Provincial cherrywood finish! I guess the style and finish were to appease my mother, as everything in our new house was of that ilk.

The delivery men eased in the three large pieces - the main console, the pedal clavier and the handsome matching French Provincial bench. I was not only awestruck, but I couldn't wait to get my hands (and feet) on this beautiful instrument. It fit beautifully into a corner of our rather large living room opposing a lovely Mason & Hamlin baby grand. My father and mother finally came down from their slumber to see the new musical entry. After being shown how to turn it on, I was well on my way to picking out some of my piano favorites... even using the pedals... as these were obviously just another keyboard - just for your feet!

My mother and father were once again spellbound watching me dive into the musical unknown without missing a beat. I was sorry to say that upon the organ's arrival, I never looked back at the piano again seriously. These instruments are really two separate universes, and I had chosen mine.

I was about twelve or thirteen when the organ came into my life. It rocked my world. A dozen or so complimentary lessons came with the organ's purchase. I took to this instrument like a duck takes to water. My musical world was further broadened by the available LPs that were sold at the organ store. I quickly started an organ record collection... mostly theater organ with a few classical organ records, too. I learned to play a lot of songs by listening to these albums. My musical "ear" was on the move!

Once again, music lessons followed. Although I was grateful for these lessons and the enhanced ability to read music that came with them, I mostly liked to play by ear and read what I needed. Unfortunately, the same pattern followed. I was not the best student in terms of practicing my lessons. As a result, my rather prestigious organ teacher gave me the boot. 

An unfortunate financial time befell my father and our family. One day, that French Provincial beauty disappeared from our living room. Soon, we moved out of that house altogether. We relocated to the small shore town of Spring Lake about fifteen miles south of our prior West Deal location. I was in high school by this time, and was totally pissed off about moving and leaving my school and friends that I loved. There was one small caveat - my father did get another, albeit smaller, Hammond L-101 spinet. With our family's financial climate, even that spinet only lasted for a couple of years. Alas, we were totally instrument-free in our household!

In all my teen years that I had been listening to theater organ records, I had promised myself that, by hook or by crook, I was going to have either an Allen or Conn electronic theater organ. They really sounded a lot more like the theater organs that I heard on my records. But, it wasn't until my early thirties (and with the help of my new "porn income") that I finally purchased the first of three Conn 651 three manual theater organs. I was in heaven!

One of three Conn 651s

It took all my will and determination to get one of these behemoths into my tiny one bedroom apartment on 10th St. in San Francisco. Not only did the apartment door have to come off its hinges, but the frame had to be dismantled, too. Then, with some furniture blankets and a dolly, I turned the organ on its side and rotated it into my little abode! I bought this beauty from a priest in the East Bay with the understanding that if I ever sold it, he could buy it back. And, that's the way it wound up almost ten years later - back in his hands. This was shortly before I moved back to the East Coast in 1991.

Friends gathered in the San Francisco apartment with looming Conn 651 organ in profile.

I was shell shocked after my move back to NJ. Arriving in the "Garden State" after fourteen years of "Sodom and Gomorrah" in San Francisco was like hitting a brick wall!

Thank God for the speed and arrival of my new job on the East Coast... selling organs! It is one of two fulltime jobs in my life that fit like a glove!

The brother of my sister's fiancé was working at a piano and organ store. And, they were looking for sales people. I don't quite remember the interview. But, what I do remember was that I was hired on the spot. I did quite well with that company and managed, sold and taught elementary organ lessons for them until my move in 1994 to South Beach.

At a client's house, invited to dinner and to play the Lowery console that I sold them.

Let's fast forward to my move to the Southwest with my spouse from our NYC apartment in 1999. As soon as I arrived, I started scouting out music stores where I might attain gainful employment. There were only a couple of organ stores in a sixty mile radius from where we lived, and no one was hiring. But, I did manage to find a nice little Lowrey spinet organ. Back at the keyboard(s) and having laid some groundwork, another Conn 651 three manual console organ became available from the same dealer, and I snatched it up. That Conn stayed with me for about three years until I made the (permanent) switch to Allen Organs.

My first Allen was a two manual model, and was quickly followed by two three manual models. Once you have three manuals, it's hard to go back to two! All of these models were purchased through an eBay seller who was a franchised dealer in upstate NY. My last and grandest Allen three manual was purchased in 2015 and is still with me.

My current Allen three manual organ.

So, here I am some sixty years later with my dream come true. I have my beautiful (and third) Allen three manual theater organ. Now retired, I have the time to play to my heart's content. No, I am not a concert organist. But, I play for my friends and my own pleasure. I cherish the moments when this huge, majestic instrument can either bring the house down or sing like an angel. I am grateful to have travelled this musical journey!

An after work organ performance video! (Click to play.)

 

Bio of Will Seagers:

Will Seagers (also credited as Matt Harper), within his multifaceted careers and participation in numerous gay communities across the country in the '70s and '80s and beyond, worked as a print model, film performer, and DJ, just to name a few. He made iconic appearances in releases from Falcon, Hand in Hand, Joe Gage, Target (Bullet), J. Brian, Steve Scott, and more, including in lead roles in major classics like Gage's L.A. Tool & Die (1979) and Scott's Wanted (1980). He brought strong screen presence and exceptional acting to his roles and was scene partners with many fellow legends of classic porn.

Will Seagers, present day

You can read Will Seagers' previous blogs for Bijou here:

Welcome Matt/Will | What's For Dessert? | On and Off the Set of L.A. Tool & Die | Wanted, Weekend Lockup and Weekends in Hermosa Beach | Honeymoon in the Palms | Birds of a Feather | The Stereo Maven of Castro Street | The Pass Around Boy | The Ecstasy and the Agony | Fitness and Fantasy | Chasing the Boys and Chasing the Sun | Becoming Invisible | The Reverse Story of Dorian Gray | Pin Money | One Organ Leads to Another! | The Wheels of Steel | Feast and Famine | An Alphabet Soup of Powders and Pills | Merry Christmas (and Getting Re-Organized) | Now and Then | DEEP INSIDE THE CASTRO: The Badlands | DEEP INSIDE THE CASTRO: Moby Dick Bar | DEEP INSIDE THE CASTRO: "Just Another Stroll Down the Castro!" | Diving Into SoMa/Folsom: Hamburger Mary's | Diving Into SoMa/Folsom: Long Live the Stud! | Diving Into SoMa/Folsom: Club Life..."Hit me with your Rhythm Stick!” | A "Split Ticket": SoMa/Folsom and The Haight! | Staying Vanilla in a Flavorful Culture | A Little Secret | Recollections of the 1977 S.F. Gay Pride Parade | Life's a Beach | Flora & Fauna | Once Is Just Not Enough! | A Love of Cultures – A Knack for Languages! | For the Birds | It's About Time! | The Perfect Storm | Hello Chicago/Adieu Fire Island Pines! | Sex in the Woods! | My Life at the Gym | The Last Picture Show | Cumming Attractions! | The Peter Pan Syndrome | Valentine's Day Reflections | The “Idus Martias” and a Peacock! | Taxing I.M.H.O. | Nope...This Sure Ain't Kansas! | The French Connection | Water Baby | Pride: You Wear It Well! | Life Goes On... | The Dance Floor and the Booth, Part 1 | The Dance Floor and the Booth, Part 2 | The Dance Floor and the Booth, Part 3 | A Christmas Haiku | It's My Party & I'll BLOG If I Want To! | "Werk!" | It's My Party & I'll BLOG If I Want To! | Heart Throbs from the Past! | Traveling the Arc