Get Out! GAY Magazine – Issue 330– August 30, 2017

BY EILEEN SHAPIRO
CELEBRITY CORRESPONDENT
THE WINNER OF
VH1 RUPAUL DRAG RACE
Sasha
Velour
The dashing, avant-garde queen Sasha
Velour joyfully accepted her treasured
crown at the grand finale of season nine
of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” amidst a titanic
explosion of brightly colored rose petals
cascading onto the stage during an
“Emotional” Whitney Houston ballad.
With some incredible depth in
representing the true meaning of
radical artistry, bohemian fashion,
contemporary insanity and most
importantly the meaning of creative
drag, Sasha Velour quickly became a
fan favorite during the season nine
competition. Her victory over other
finalists—Shea Coulee, Trinity Taylor
and Peppermint—was a self-proclaimed
struggle, according to the jubilee
queen, who will also be present at Drag
Con on September 9 and 10 at the
Jacob Javits Center.
Velour was born Alexander Hedges
Steinberg in Berkeley, California, and
attended Vassar College and the
Center for Cartoon Studies, where she
received a Master of Fine Arts. She was
also a Fulbright Scholar in Moscow,
where she worked on a project that
strived to understand the role of art
forms in contemporary Russian society.
She is currently Brooklyn based and
is also a designer, creative director,
illustrator and editor of her own
magazine dedicated to drag. Velour also
produces a monthly drag show called
Nightgowns.
Admired on “Drag Race” for her spirited
“I Feel So Honored and
So Lucky Everyday”
sense of fashion (Vivienne Westwood,
watch out), her overwhelming dress
creations would make any fashion
designer seethingly jealous. However,
aside from her exclusive talents, Velour
is a kind, warm and humble queen. We
spoke in depth about her experience
while on the Emmy-nominated
competition, her winning celebration
and her future aspirations.

I just heard about your
Italian greyhound.
The true star of our
household.
What’s his name?
His name is Vanya, a nice
Russian name, like Uncle
Vanya.
How cute! So first of all,
congratulations on your
fabulous victory.
Thank you!
I felt from our first interview
that you would be the
victor.
Thank you. Yeah, you and I
had a special connection from
that first interview.
What went through your
mind as they announced
you as the winner? What
were you feeling at that
moment?
Oh my gosh, I was so
thrilled. I was so proud. It
hadn’t been the most simple
journey, from the very first
day of the competition. I
had many moments where I
think lots of people doubted
me: people watching, the
judges, sometimes even
myself. So getting to the
end and getting to win was
a huge accomplishment and
such a huge battle. All my
competitors had been so
talented. I think this was one
of the most talented seasons
of “Drag Race” ever. So it was
really tough.
I have to agree with you
about the talent this season.
Everyone was so extra on
point.
Yeah, and it’s been interesting
since the competition,
getting to travel with the
other contestants and
perform alongside them. I do
see just how talented they
really are, and what a tough
competition it was. These
girls are capable of doing
really impressive stuff.
Yes, but so are you, and I’m
glad a New York girl won.
Those New York queens have
done quite well on the show.
I think it’s because it’s so
hard to make it in New York.
There is so much drag, there
is so much competition, and
it is such a hard lifestyle. We
enter already with a bit of an
advantage, because of the
New York lifestyle.
You might be right about
that. I was speaking to
Peppermint, who thought
that because there was
such a special camaraderie
this season between all
of the girls—there was no
wig snatching or drinks
thrown—so there might
have been some audience
flack regarding that. What is
your take on that?
The fan base of the show
loves to complain about
the show. As a lifelong fan
myself, I can absolutely
speak to that personally. I’ve
always complained about the
show. [laughs] I think that it
is great that people are so
opinionated about the show
and about drag at the end
of the day. It’s great to say,
“Well, drag needs more this,
or drag needs to be more
that.” Those feelings have
motivated me to do a lot of
different drag. Everyone who
thinks this show should be
different should go put on
some drag and give it a try to
personally shift the direction
that drag is going in.

They need to walk in your
high heels for a moment.
Exactly. I think “Drag
Race” itself is somewhat
responsible for making
different types of drag
performers get along better.
I think that before the show
started there were some
really big divisions within
the drag world, between all
these different categories
of drag. The show kind of
introduced people to all
these different categories
of drag. Now, people across
the categories are able to
understand and respect
each other more. The kind
of inner drag tensions and
dramas of drag are the kind
of things you saw in season
four, when people were
saying, “That’s not drag;
this is what drag is.” Those
don’t exist within the drag
community, because we’ve
sort of seen everything.
We’ve grown to love it all.
That’s a very true
statement. So how has
winning “Drag Race”
changed your life?
Literally - it’s not a joke to
me - how hasn’t it changed
my life? Every aspect of my
life has changed, except
that I’m doing what I’ve
always wanted to be doing.
What I have always been
able to do on this side of
things, I now get to do
every day, and that’s the
main thing. That is, I feel so
honored and so lucky every
day. In this position, through
“Drag Race,” we get to
reach people like us, queer
people who are struggling
and looking for forms of
self-expression all around
the country, and really
connect with them.
Did you have a bestie on
the show?
I kind of had two besties.
People saw my friendship
with Shea. It’s beyond
a personal friendship.
We really see eye to eye
creatively. Even after we
had to face off at the final
battle, we still have just the
most love and appreciation
for each other and for
each other’s drag. Then, of
course, Miss Peppermint
from New York. I’ve been
able to see her throughout
the year. Kind of jokingly we
live on opposite sides of the
A train. We have an hour
and a half on the A train
between us, but we still see
each other.
I’m glad you mentioned
her, because Peppermint
mentioned you regarding
that same question.
Oh, that makes me happy.
Aside from “Drag Race”
tours and traveling, what
other plans are there in
Sasha’s future?
So, I have what I call “The
House of Velour.” That’s
the production side of the
things that I do, because
there’s my own drag, and
it’s a career. However, I
also have always been a
producer of drag too.

I edit a magazine that
features lots of different drag
artists. It tries to describe
what drag is all about for an
audience, kind of the way
“Drag Race” does. I also
produce a live show called
Nightgowns. It’s a bit of a
dream cabaret of drag. It’s
really heartfelt and creative
drag performances from
across the spectrum of what
drag can be in terms of style,
in terms of gender. And I
want to expand that side
of what I do, really make
my mark as someone who
curates and produces drag.
I want to give other drag
performers opportunities
the same way that I have. I
think the world needs more
drag, and I want to play a
role in helping to expand the
conversation in terms of that.
There is nothing in the
world like a drag queen.
I love hearing you say
that. That combination of
heartfelt earnestness with
sharp, bitchy wit—it really is
the most perfect thing.
If you could say anything to
your fans and followers, what
would that be?
Just to keep staying openminded
and full of love. The
people that follow me and
support me have such an
open mind and such a kind
and creative spirit. I think
that’s exactly what we need
more of right now. So I just
want to thank the people
that support me for their
amazing energy. I hope they
just keep it up, because we
have a tough year to get
through together. I hope
that drag can keep pushing
people to be courageous
in their everyday life. I’ve
gotten to see in the last
couple of months the way
drag can inspire people. I
hope we can all keep doing
that together.
Aside from winning, what
was your most glorious
moment on the show?
I think just walking on
set. There is such a glory
to just being part of the
“Drag Race” experience.
It’s already a competition
just to walk in the door. I
felt like stepping into the
workroom itself was a victory.
Maybe that’s why I walked
in screaming. I did feel
pretty triumphant just to be
there in the first place, and
open-minded to whatever
would happen. I got to leave
screaming too! So it all
worked.
You’re going to be at Drag
Con I’m sure.
Yes, exactly. I’m going
to have a nice big setup.
I’m going to be there all
day. Then I’m doing a
Nightgowns performance on
Sunday night, following Drag
Con weekend, as a final
performance. It will have
some queens from “Drag
Race” and some performers
from Brooklyn. I am very
excited. It’s going to be at
NYU’s Skirball Center at 9
p.m.!

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AGOTA CORREA
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CONTRIBUTORS
CELEBRITY CORRESPONDENT
EILEEN SHAPIRO
IAN-MICHAEL BERGERON
ISSUE 331 - AUGUST 30 2017
Cover: Sasha Velour
Photo by Magnus Hastings

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CELEBRITY CORRESPONDENT
D I N A D E L I C I O US
REVERSE
THE BEAT
Trans pop diva Dina Delicious has just
released her newest track titled “Reverse the
Beat,” an optimistic, positive, buoyant tune
that celebrates the pride of self. It is available
on iTunes and other digital venues.
Raised in Brooklyn by a single mom, Dina
Delicious is a well-known NYC-based transgender
nightlife personality, recording artist
and actress. She proclaims that her music
“is an extension of my personality: wild and
unpredictable,” set in the dance music/
club genre. She goes on to say, “Ultimately, I
want my music to get fans a gorgeous party
experience that everyone is invited to.”
I spoke to Dina, who is busy touring various
clubs all over the country, partaking in several
Prides and preparing to release more music.
She believes that, “People matter. I feel so
blessed to be a part of this community, and
if there is anything I could do to change
people’s lives for the better, I’ll do it, forever.”
I love your new release.
Tell me about it.
Oh, I’m so happy with it.
We started to shoot the
music video a few weeks
ago. I rushed it, because
I had to perform it for
Pride, for ABC. Usually
I would have the video
ready and done, but
everything happened kind
of quick. Then I went to
San Diego Pride. In the
interim, I’m also in a film
and theater conservatory,
so I just had a busy few
months. I can’t complain
about that at all.
Busy is good.
Yeah, busy is good.
So are you planning
to tour with this new
release?
Well, we’re going to finish
the video, then I had the
two dates in New York
and San Diego, and now
I have six other cities that
I’ll be going to in the fall.
I’ll be going to Florida,
Chicago, Atlanta, Palm
Springs, I’ll be back in
San Diego for a club
booking...yeah, it’s great.
It’s going well. There
will be a whole bunch
of songs coming out
that I’m going to release
individually, and then
package them as an EP

instead of bringing it all out at
once. People don’t consider
music the way they use to.
Especially for an independent
artist.
That’s a great idea!
I feel like “Reverse the Beat” will
be a song that will live forever.
It’s a classic theme. It’s relatable
to everyone.
It’s a great song.
I’m so happy with it. Thank you
for saying that. I love hearing
people’s reaction to it. In San
Diego I really got a great
reaction, because it was a huge
crowd, and New York City Pride
it was a huge crowd, but we
were doing it more for TV, for
ABC. For the broadcast, you
kind of don’t know what’s going
on, because you’re dealing with
different cameras, and the march
was going on. So it was a little
different for me. I’m used to
doing New York City Pride in a
different way. So this year it was
a totally brand-new experience
for me. It was fun, because it
was different. It caught me off
guard, which kind of pushed me
a little bit more. I didn’t know
what to expect. It wasn’t like
regimented, because I’ve been
doing it for a while. It was also
the first time I ever performed
the song. I never performed it
before. So I didn’t know what to
expect. It was a good moment.
I’ll never forget it. I liked New
York City Pride.
So did you name the new EP yet?
No, it’s not named yet. I haven’t named it yet,
because there’s one more song I really would
like to add to it, and I think the last song
might be the name of it. I’m not exactly sure
what I’m going to name it. I have more than I
need, but I have to kind of go by the thread of
the EP, and then I’ll name it.
Did you write all the songs?
Yeah. I have some co-writers after I write it, but
musically I come up with the whole concept.
The song, the lyrics, everything. Then we sit
down and rework it and what have you, but it
basically comes from me.
I didn’t know you were a songwriter as
well.
I’ve had “Reverse the Beat” in my arsenal of
songs for so long, but I changed some words,
re-recorded it and just let the baby go. I knew
now was the perfect time to release the song,
especially with the political climate being
what it is. I wanted to do something very
empowering.
I love NYC pride. There’s
nothing like it anywhere.
No, not at all. That’s why it’s
getting bigger and bigger,
because it’s preparing for
World Pride. There is a lot of
preparation. Everything has got
to be down to a T. It’s going to
be beyond.

Do you have an idol?
I would definitely say that I’m
very influenced by some of
the legends of pop music. I’m
definitely influenced by Madonna,
Britney Spears and Nile
Rodgers—he’s very inspirational
to me. As far as production wise,
I look at Dr. Luke as a producer,
because I think he’s just amazing.
I refer to a lot of that work when
I’m working on my mixes. Pop
music and dance music has
changed, and it’s all evolved, I
think in a good way. I’m all about
harmonies; harmonies are very
important to me. I like it to have a
bubbly feeling to it, and there has
to always be a sweetness. Even
if I was to put out a dark song,
there would have to be some sort
of sweetness to it. There has to
be a yin and a yang to everything.
I don’t think anything comes just
one way.
I wanted it to be a really feel-good and
empowering song that speaks to so
many communities. I never try to write
from a place just for a specific audience; I
always write for everyone. This song is for
everyone, because we all go through stuff.
Sometimes we need a little push, a little
bit of positivity. There is so much negativity
going on. I’d rather focus on the positive. I
don’t have the energy to give to negative.
What would be your ultimate stage
fantasy?
For me, I’d love to be with a live band,
definitely with some crazy sets. I would
love to have some dancers. I’m not really
big on having tons of dancers, because
sometimes they can be a distraction. A
great band and of course amazing clothes
and good hair help, people there to have
a good time and just people there that
are full of life. The best way to entertain
is playing for a lot of people at once. I
guess Madison Square Garden would be
my ultimate fantasy, or Radio City Music
Hall—something really historic, something
that has a history, that you could say, “I did
that!”
Anything else that you wish to
promote?
I’m doing club appearances, the
music video. I’ll be touring across
the country with the music for the
next few months. Look out for the
music video, which will probably
come out at the end of August,
then there will be a new release.
Follow Dina Delicious on
Facebook and Twitter,
Instagram @DinaDelicious

stories / GET OUT! MAGAZINE >> GETOUTMAG.COM
BY IAN-MICHAEL BERGERON
@ianmichaelinwonderland
When it comes to friends
with benefits, one of two things
typically seems to happen:
You become straight-up fuck
buddies, only calling each other
for a booty call, or one of you
falls in love.
I was pretty certain I didn’t see
M in a romantic way, but I’d
never really thought about it
before. He’d never asked me
on a date, and when we fooled
around I was the one who came
onto him.
Surprisingly, our friendship
seemed to stay the course.
We’d get food, go out to bars,
get drunk—and, occasionally,
return to his apartment
afterward and fool around.
But friendships, just like
anything else, do change with
time. After a year or so, I got
a new job that changed up my
schedule, and M moved into
deep Brooklyn. We stayed in
touch, of course, but our weekly
nights of debauchery mostly
came to an end.
PART THREE
Friends with Benefits
Three years after we first met,
we went out to the Ritz for
our tri-yearly night of drinking.
“Seeing anyone?” I asked, four
(or five?) drinks in.
“Just ended something,
actually,” he shrugged. “I
made it clear that I didn’t want
a relationship, but he stuck it
out for five months, hoping I’d
change my mind.”
“And you didn’t?”
“Eh, I’m not ready for a
boyfriend now anyway.”
“Even me?” I teased, poking
him in the rib.
“You’re a special case for me,”
he said seriously, not making
eye contact.
I choked on my drink. “What?”
“I never let down my emotional
guard for him, I guess. With
you, I did right away.”
Baffled, I leaned back against
the wall. I didn’t expect that,
and if I were expecting it, I
wouldn’t have had so much to
drink.
“You asked,” he went on. “I
can’t lie to you.”
“Are you saying you have
feelings for me? Like, real
feelings?”
“I always have.”
“But you never said anything to
me. For three years you never
said anything.”
“For two and a half of those
years you kept getting back
together with The Ex Fiancé,”
he said evenly, not allowing
himself to get upset. Not to
mention, he wasn’t wrong.
“Maybe I dodged the issue all
those years. The timing was
never right, I guess.”
“But you never let on. At all.
Not a bit. Not even a hint.”
“I guess I thought that I did.”
We stood there in silence for
a while, then paid our tab.
He walked me to the subway,
nodded goodbye, and hopped
into a cab.
Maybe it’s possible to be friends
with benefits, but for M and me,
that was not the case.
We never talked about it again.
PHOTO BY STEVE BRENNAN
WARDROBE: NATHAN AYON

BY EILEEN SHAPIRO
CELEBRITY CORRESPONDENT
RANDY
JONES
STILL
MAKING
NOISE
The achievement of having a song chart on Billboard is enormously prodigious in
itself; however, celebrating a hit on the charts approaching the eve of the 40th
anniversary of the first time you appeared on the charts ever is triumphant. Randy
Jones, the original cowboy of the Village People, is the only member of the disco
phenomenon recognized for their onstage costumes representing American
masculine cultural stereotypes who has charted as a solo artist, with his newest
release, “Hard Times.”
“Hard Times” is the one thing Jones is certainly not having these days, with a hit
record on his hands; starring in, writing and producing horror films; working on an
EP; making personal appearances at national Comic Cons; and traveling around the
country performing. With barely a moment to breathe, I was fortunate enough to
catch Randy in New York. We made arrangements to meet at the legendary Bowery
Bar in The Village, following his television taping for “MetroFocus” on PBS.
It was an exceptionally humid August day as I sat on the electric blue and white
striped couch, sipping my ginger ale brimming with ice and adorned with a
chartreuse lime. I observed the eclectic decor, the variations of ivy climbing the walls
of the outside enclosure, the brick floors and burnt orange and turquoise fireplace,
thinking that nothing matched, yet it all worked.
Ultimately Jones sauntered in, tall and full of smiles, looking not very different
than he did 40 years ago, proudly giving out his new remixed CD to myself and the
restaurant hostess. Within seconds of being seated, Randy was informed that the
kitchen employees were blasting “YMCA.” He then strolled into the kitchen and
happily posed for pictures with the staff, definitely making their day and leaving
them thrilled. They were young and spoke an array of native tongues, yet even they
recognized Jones as a legend.
We sat during a long lunch and spoke in depth about his career spanning over 50
years in the entertainment industry. He is still going strong, with his new Billboard
hit song and his vast movie endeavors, as well as all of his scheduled appearances
around the country and internationally.

You have been in the
entertainment industry
since 1966. Do you recall
your first gig entertaining
people?
Yes I do. It was in “The Music
Man.” I think I played Tommy
Djilas, the dancing boyfriend
of the mayor’s daughter. I
was 15.
Then you actually began
acting before singing?
I am an actor. I would say that
before singing or anything,
I am an actor. That’s how I
really do approach every
song from the point of view
of an actor. Most pop songs
that I consider a real song
are a verse and the chorus,
verse and the chorus, and tell
a story. It’s kind of like a play
in three or four minutes. You
have a beginning, middle
and an end, with a certain arc
of drama. For me, I choose
songs because in some way
they help illustrate a story I
want to tell. That’s how I’ve
always appreciated songs
and singing from an actor’s
point of view. My mentor,
who totally revitalized my
interest in singing and also
gave me the best perspective
I believe, that helped me
crystallize my thoughts as
a singer and an actor, is
Julie Wilson. She said that
when you are in front of an
audience, whether it be a
big concert hall, a cabaret or
just singing to someone at
the dinner table, the words
are what you use to tell the
story with. You’ve got to be
able to engage that audience
with what the story is that
you’re telling. You’ve got to
get them involved from the
beginning to the end. She
helped me understand that
as an actor the words are
really the most important part
of the song.
Where were you the first
time you heard one of your
songs on the radio?
I had heard “Macho Man”
just a little bit. The first time
I ever got out of the car was
with my sister. I was in North
Carolina seeing my family.
I remember when “YMCA”
came on. It was a local radio
station in Raleigh, North
Carolina. We stopped the
car, and we jumped out and
ran around it three times,
like a Chinese fire drill. It was
just that exciting! “Macho
Man” was the first song that
got radio play, but not to
the extent of “YMCA.” It
was on everybody’s list and
played all the time. It was a
pretty remarkable feeling. If
I were to look at YouTube,
it’s approaching 100 million
views, just “YMCA.” With
all of the stuff I’ve done with
Village People, and all of the
stuff I’ve done as a solo artist,
I have close to 400 million
views on YouTube, which is
approaching half a billion.
That is a remarkable
statistic; however,
considering “YMCA” is
probably still one of the
most popular
songs in the
world, and
with the
fact you are
still making
music that’s
charting,
I’m not too
shocked.
And YouTube
hasn’t been
around that
long. If you
think about
the times on
television,
YouTube and
radio, over 50
years... I don’t
think about it a
lot, only when
I’m asked or
prompting.
There are
millions and
millions and
millions, if not billions of
eyeballs and ears, that I have
had the blessing and the
luxury of performing for. I am
very grateful at this ripe old
age that I am still able to do
that, and enjoy doing that
and have had the balls to
put out a CD last year called
“Mister Right,” where I sat on
a chair on the cover with no
damn pants on.
What is your proudest
career moment?
It’s nice to play for the
Queen of England. It’s nice
to perform for the presidents
at inaugural balls. It’s nice to
do outdoor concerts with a
quarter of a million people.
It’s nice when the helicopter
picks you up on the rooftop
of the hotel and flies over
the crowd, like in the movie
“The Rose.” It’s nice to make
a movie with Bruce Jenner
and Paul Sands and all of
those great people. However,
I think one of the proudest
times I ever had was on a tour
when we did 56 shows in 70
days.

I remember when we played
Greensboro Coliseum in
North Carolina, an hour and
a half from the town I was
born in. My family booked
four buses, and family and
friends came to that concert.
They were in the audience
with posters, and they had
big blowups of me when I
was three years old, dressed
as a cowboy. I remember my
mom and dad and brother
and sister and grandparents
were there. That was a very
proud moment, especially in
the light of thinking about
my dad, because they were
all alive, and they got to see
me do something that no
one else in our family had
ever done.
It seems like you are the
only one out of the Village
People with a very active
and thriving solo career.
Do you ever see any of the
others from the Village
People? Do you know
where they are today?
Glenn Hughes who was
the biker, the leather guy,
has passed away. He died
in 2001. The construction
worker, Dave Hodo, does
not perform with the group
anymore. I think he retired
about three or four years
ago. Alex Briley, the soldier,
he was performing with the
group until recently; he may
still be. Felipe Rose, the
Native American, has been
performing. Those are the
only original ones.
Since the Village People’s
songs are still looked
upon as gay anthems in
many cases, I know that
people wonder if the
group members were gay,
straight or whatever?
First of all, I never did
anything with any of them,
so I can’t tell you first hand.
I do not think that every
member of the group was
gay. I can tell you I’ve been
with my husband 34 years.
The Village People was a
mixture of ethnicity, races,
lifestyles, sexualities, sexual
orientations. It was a true
village. It was a mixture of
everything. I know everybody
in the group was not gay.
Would you sing with them
again?
They’ve approached
me, but I just don’t have
time. I’m booked through
next year, with film, with
appearances. I think it would
have been remarkable, if
everybody had survived, to
do a reunion as a group.
We charted as a group 40
years ago this summer with
“San Francisco,” and that’s
something I’m really glad I
did. But 40 years later I’m
the first and only one of
the Village People that has
charted as a solo artist. I
really love that.
Recently you completed
a horror film titled “Tales
of Poe.” I understand that
you are a big fan of horror
films. What inspired that?
I love the genre. I was
raised up in the ‘50s and the
‘60s when TV was young.
Universal and RKO would
allow the movies to be
played on television. So I
saw the werewolf movies,
all the Dracula movies, the
Frankenstein movies, all on
television. “Tales of Poe”
is an anthology of three
different stories. I’m in the
middle one called “The Cask
of Amontillado.” I think it’s
on Netflix. It’s on Amazon.
Have you seen any of “Child
of the ‘70s”?
I haven’t; that’s another
series you recently did.
I heard it was like an
homage to sitcoms of the
‘70s?
It’s like a novela. Like a
Spanish soap opera. Michael
Vaccaro has created this Web
series called “Child of the
‘70s.” It’s got Ann Walker,
Bruce Vilanch. Ann and I kind
of played love interests with
each other.
You also have a new film
coming out shortly?
It’s called “Prepper’s Road,”
where I play a righteous but
evil backwoods preacher. It’s
a horror film. He’s a minister
for the West Nile Baptist
Church.
West Nile, like the virus?
Like the virus.
You also appear at Comic
Con to sign autographs.
I do these signing shows
with Tony Todd, the African-
American guy from “The
Night of the Living Dead.”
He does all the “Candy Man’
movies. I’m trying to collect
a portfolio of horror films,
because I know that the
fans and followers for these
horror movies are very loyal,
and there is so many of these
signing conventions. So I
am putting together in my
career three or four or five or
as many as possible horror
films, so that I have that
audience.
So “Hard Times” is charting
right now?
“Hard Times” is the single
that’s charting right now.
It’s the first time that I have
charted as a solo artist. It’s
number three Break Out.
By the time you put this
together, it might do better.
It’s the first single from the
upcoming album that comes
out in 2018 called “Still
Making Noise.”
What a cool name.
I think it’s a great title. “Still
Making Noise,” because I
am. That’s out early this year,
February I think.

Sum up all the noise you’re
making, besides your hit
song “Hard Times.”
We’ve got “Tales of Poe”;
it’s out on Google Play, it’s
on Amazon, it’s on Netflix,
and that’s the horror film. I
just finished “The Rack Pack”
earlier this year, it’s that one
you saw about the bomb
going off. It’s a comedy,
family and children-friendly
adventure
film. Then
there’s the
one I’m
shooting
in October
called
“Prepper’s
Grove,” and
that should
be out early
next year.
To me as
an actor, I
remember
a teacher
I had said,
“Once you
complete
something,
have
something
else to look
forward to.
Keep doing
what you’re
doing. If
you’re an
actor, act.
Keep going
from one
project to
another.”
That’s not
always the
easiest
thing to do, but I like my
agent, and if I’m not having
something to act in, I’ve got
a record that I’m working on.
Working on a record takes a
lot, not only to record it, but
to write it. Also, you have to
promote it. You’ve got to be
photographed for it, perform
it on TV, and then if all of
that’s not enough, I’ve got
an agent for those signing
conventions. You go for two
or three days with 68,000
people that come in, and you
sign all those autographs.
I was just there with Run
DMC, Ralph Macchio, Lee
Majors (the “Six Million
Dollar Man”), and then there
are the video games, the
characters in video games. I
don’t even know them, cause
I don’t play them. But, I’m in
one called “Postal lll.” It’s a
shooter game. It’s worse than
“Grand Theft Auto.” I didn’t
realize when I did it that the
object of the whole game is
just to shoot people.
I think the older kids play
those kinds of games.
They do, totally do. It’s kind
of crazy. I play the leader of a
biker gang. “YMCA” is used
in Grand Theft Auto, too.
“YMCA” will always be a
phenomenon.
It crosses all boundaries, all
age levels, all cultures. It’s
one of the most precious
things that I can carry around
in my pocket.
For more about
Randy Jones:
randyjonesworld.com
cowboyrandyjones
@vpcowboy1

stories / GET OUT! MAGAZINE >> GETOUTMAG.COM
BY SHAUN MELADY
@ShaunMelady
Listen, when I lived in Orlando, brunch was a
time that was coveted by many people. If you
could not make brunch at Ember for Sunday
Fun-Day, you were having a serious case of
FOMO (fear of missing out, for those of you
who may not know). Here in Manhattan, you
can turn the corner and find brunch at the
nearest Dunkin Donuts for all you know.
This time of day that falls at the quintessential
hour. This meal. This gathering of momos,
straights, trans-folk and all sorts of people.
This is a time of fellowship. Can I get an amen
from my fellow brunchers? Literally all of
NYC should be saying “amen” right about
now. It’s a thing here.
Brunch is all about drinking as many
mimosas, margaritas or bloody Marys as you
can within the seemingly short 90-minute race,
or plotting with your gal pals about going to
see Chicago on Broadway over the coming
weeks. Shout out to my friend who made this
promise to our small, fun-filled group, and you
know who you are - I’m holding you to it. It’s
in writing, ya hear … or … see?
After the marathon of unlimited spirits and
the bloated stomachs from eating too much
delicious food, one would think that it would
be all over and time to take a nap. Nope!
It’s time for more. Time to see which bar or
lounge we can hit next in order to continue
this celebration that happens only once a week
- well, twice a week, depending on how badly
brunch is calling your name.
Brunch. Need
I Say More?
Since we were feeling great and carrying
on our brunch day, we ended the day at
Therapy. For those of you who do not know,
Therapy is more than a wonderful session
with a professional counselor. It’s also a gay
nightclub on 52nd Street. Instead of a trained
psychologist or psychiatrist listening to
what you have going on in your life, you are
venting, laughing, crying and much more with
your old and new friends who are throwing
one back with you, all while watching a drag
show on the stage of the second story.
Needless to say, brunch is more than just a
meal here in fabulous NYC: It’s a staple.
There are hundreds of restaurants that
concoct an immaculate meal, and I’m ready
to experience them all - and then hit the gym
right after, because I do not
want to gain the LBs.
Who’s with me?
After my posse and I were finished engorging
ourselves at Fonda in Chelsea, we decided that
we were going to this open-air bar right in the
middle of Hell’s Kitchen called Atlas Social
Club. It was great! It seemed as though the
small bowl of Chex Mix sitting at the lounge
table at the front was working miracles and
casting out drunken demons, because we were
able to continue and be fine for more. It was
amazing!
PHOTO BY: SHAUN MELADY

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