Jay Johnson and Mike Huckabee find out "what's up"

Jay Johnson meets Gov. Mike Huckabee. Could this be the GOP ticket for 2012? Photo courtesy Jay Johnson.

I received a phone call from Jay Johnson a few minutes ago. He's in New York, fresh from recording his appearance on former Arkansas governor and presidential candidate Mike Huckabee's Fox News talk show. (Jay's band Skinny Molly performed live music on the program.) Before turning in for the night, he wanted to give me a call and let me know how the taping went. After the call, he e-mailed me the pictures that accompany this post.

Jay told me an interesting bit of information. It turns out that the governor is a huge fan of What's Up, Tiger Lily?, the Toho spy caper that Woody Allen made into a successful comedy in the 1960s. After learning of Gov. Huckabee's admiration of the film, Jay told the governor that he's met several people from the movie. How's that for coincidence?

The episode with Jay's appearance should be rebroadcast this weekend, so check your local listings. All I can say is, congratulations, Jay!

ADDENDUM: Skinny Molly's performance has made it to YouTube:

Let loose the Damon of our galaxy!

Damon Foster and J.D. Lees at G-FEST 2007.

Following a three-year hiatus, Oriental Cinema editor and independent filmmaker Damon Foster returns to G-FEST this July at the Rosemont Hotel. Damon is already preparing sessions for the convention that will rival his previous presentations in terms of information and entertainment. What will he unleash? There's only one way to find out.

If you needed any more incentive to attend this year's G-FEST (as if the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet Akira Takarada weren't enough), you just got it!

For more information, please visit G-FEST's official Web site.

Akira Ifukube discography

Akira Ifukube's official English-language Web site (just click here) has posted the first page of Ifukube concert works that have been released on CD.

To view the discography, follow this link.

To say the least, this is a massive undertaking, and it's a work in progress. Much more information will be added in the coming weeks.

Enjoy!