WV Uncommonplace : Uncommon Conversations

Metta Association is a nonprofit organization committed to advocacy and awareness for decriminalizing and destigmatizing that which concerns mental illness. Who also work toward reducing recidivism and helping formers inmates reintegrate into society.

Metta Association was founded by George Brooks, originally of Memphis, Tennessee, who was inspired to do the great work of philanthropy by instituting a non-profit agency emphasizing mental health wellness as he transitioned to the Dallas, Texas Metropolitan area. Metta Association is a grassroots organization and our bottom line is FundaMental Health - the psychological well-being of the communities we serve.

We get caught up in processes and overtime we turn these into our methods . I’m breaking down how I make an episode now

John Callas is a veteran writer/director/producer in the entertainment business. His experience ranges from the worldwide release of feature films to numerous motion picture trailers, national and international commercials, live action title sequences, a documentary shot on location in Russia, as well as having been the Worldwide VP for The Walt Disney Company while working at a large post production facility.

John’s prowess can be seen on live action teasers for Ransom, Dennis The Menace, Body Of Evidence, The Golden Child, Spaceballs, The Glass Menagerie, Cocoon II, Poltergeist III, Betrayed, My Girl, Glenngarry Glenn Ross, As Well As Title Sequences For The Two Jakes and A Few Good Men and a promotional film for an amusement ride from Showscan. John also directed an award-winning short film The White Gorilla.

While creating live action teasers for feature films, John had the opportunity to work with notable actors including Mel Gibson, Walter Matthau, Jack Nicholson, Madonna, Eddie Murphy and Mel Brooks.

In addition to working on feature film teasers, his work can be seen in projects for HBO, The Disney Channel, Show Time, the Broadway Play Phantom Of The Opera and the 1993 redesigned TriStar Logo.

John’s extensive background also includes over 200 commercials for such clients as Kellogg’s, Dodge, Sunkist, Sprite, Toyota, Fuji, Volkswagen, Honda, McDonalds, Mazda, Minolta, Jedi Merchandising, Kraft, Jordache, Sea World, Givenchy and Sonassage with celebrity George Burns and industrial projects for Corporations including Vidal Sassoon, Salomon North America, Nissan and The Kao Corporation Of Japan.

John’s television experience includes directing a 14-week series entitled Potentials, with guests Buckminster Fuller, Norman Cousins, Ray Bradbury, Gene Roddenberry, Timothy Leary and others. He also directed 80 segments for Bobby’s World, which has been rated the #1 show on Fox 11 Television in its time slot; garnering John an Emmy nomination.

A multi-faceted filmmaker, John’s work can be seen in music videos for Glenn Frey Of The Eagles, Bill Wyman Of The Rolling Stones, Jefferson Starship, Sammy Hagar, Rick Springfield, Doobie Brothers, Styx and more.

Some awards John has received include The New York Critics Choice Award for Lone Wolf, The Clio and Belding for his work on the Sunkist campaign, the prestigious Best of the West for his directorial work on a one-woman show, and an MTV award for best concept for Glen Frey’s Smuggler’s Blues.

John’s directorial sensitivity, creativity and humor combined with his thoroughness and ability to bring a project in on time and budget makes him a unique and valuable talent. John holds a Master Degree from Occidental College, and is a member of The Directors Guild Of America.

Cindy Burns 

I became a widow on August 2, 2011. I grieved, hard, for 2 months. Then life happened, as it so often does, and interrupted my grieving process. My family needed me and I was there for them; I was strong for them. Eventually, my adult sons no longer needed me on a regular basis. I felt lost; I had no reason to get out of bed in the morning. I was depressed and still grieving. I grieved for my husband and the life I thought we would have at this point in our lives. I hated the feeling of having no purpose. Would I ever feel normal again?

When a strong-willed princess refuses to wed a cruel sociopath, she is kidnapped and locked in a remote tower. With her scorned, vindictive suitor intent on taking her father's throne, the princess must protect her family and save the kingdom. Nebula Capsule https://nebula-us.pxf.io/c/3892135/1192823/13098 make sure you check out this projector and see what this projector can do

Finney Shaw is a shy but clever 13-year-old boy who's being held in a soundproof basement by a sadistic, masked killer. When a disconnected phone on the wall starts to ring, he soon discovers that he can hear the voices of the murderer's previous victims -- and they are dead set on making sure that what happened to them doesn't happen to Finney. Nebula Capsule https://nebula-us.pxf.io/c/3892135/1192823/13098 make sure you check out this projector and see what this projector can do

Reclusive author Loretta Sage writes about exotic places in her popular adventure novels that feature a handsome cover model named Alan. While on tour promoting her new book with Alan, Loretta gets kidnapped by an eccentric billionaire who hopes she can lead him to an ancient city's lost treasure from her latest story. Determined to prove he can be a hero in real life and not just on the pages of her books, Alan sets off to rescue her. Nebula Capsule https://nebula-us.pxf.io/c/3892135/1192823/13098 make sure you check out this projector and see what this projector can do

Gary Pratt is a singer, a songwriter, but most

of all, an energetic country entertainer who

connects with his audience. Gary is a 2021

International Singer Songwriter Association

Award Winner and a Josie Music Award

Nominee. His last two songs have hit number

one on the International Itunes Chart.

He grew up in the small, old coal mining town

of Slickville, Pennsylvania

Gary Pratt is a singer, a songwriter, but most

of all, an energetic country entertainer who

connects with his audience.  Gary is a 2021

International Singer Songwriter Association

Award Winner and a Josie Music Award

Nominee.  His last two songs have hit number

one on the International Itunes Chart.

He grew up in the small, old coal mining town

of Slickville, Pennsylvania. In addition to being

the front man for several local bands in the

Pittsburgh area, he has had the experience of

hitting the Nashville club and showcase scene.

He has had the pleasure of singing at the

Tennesee State Fair, Rocky Gap Music Festival

and CMA Fest.  Gary has been the opening act for such greats as Dwight Yoakum, Pam Tillis, Lorrie Morgan, Ronnie Milsap, Neal McCoy and Crystal Gayle to name a few.  His current recording project, "Something Worth Remembering", is dedicated to his brother who recently passed. The album is a combination of Gary's originals and songs written by credited Nashville writers. The title track was written by Grammy Award Nominee Tony Arata, who wrote Garth Brooks' "The Dance". This project has been in the making for over a year.  It was recorded at Tonic Studios with Engineer Doug Kasper, Producer Bryan Cole and Musician/Artist Adam Ernst. Excited about this new album, Gary invited MTS Male Vocalist Matt Westin and Female Vocalist Savannah Nider to help out on a few songs.  Savannah and Gary recorded the duet he wrote, "To Find Us", at Omni Studios in Nashville. It was the first time Gary and Savannah actually met and they are now making plans to write together in the future. Gary is forever thankful to God for walking with him through life, paving this music journey and for putting the gift of music in his heart.  Not only has music been an outlet emotionally and has helped Gary through some rough times, it has brought family together and has introduced him to some o

RED BEETS AND HORSERADISH is inspired by a relish or side-dish usually served around the holidays of Easter or Passover by various ethnicities of Eastern Europe. For the Serbs, for example, the red of the beets is symbolic of the blood of their people, and the horseradish the bitterness of their suffering. For others, the symbolism involves the blood of their savior and the bitterness of His suffering. People in the Jewish tradition also enjoy the dish, but there is no blood involved—the beets are merely for flavor—but the horseradish does represent the memory of bitter suffering in bondage.

The songs on the album involve vignettes and portraits of people who’ve suffered—old people, sick people, crazy people, people who are alone—but the heart of the songs lies not in the suffering of the characters but in the indomitable faith and humor that sustains them.

Drums--Mike Madden

Bass--John Carson

Piano--H.K. Hilner, Hollis Greathouse

Guitars--Robert Andrew Wagner

Lead Vocals—Robert Andrew Wagner and Rosa Colucci

Background Vocals—Emma Golebie, Jack Erdie, Rosa Colucci, Robert Wagner

Produced by The Little Wretches

Recorded by Hollis Greathouse

Mastered by Tom Dimuzio

All songs by Robert Andrew Wagner except RISE by Jack Erdie (with additional traditional lyrics), WINTER’S GRACE by Annette Dietz and Robert Andrew Wagner, and OLD HUNDREDTH by Traditional, arranged by Robert Andrew Wagner

Lady Redneck" is a Country artist from Dallas, Texas. She is Texas's own blonde bombshell. She is high energy and fun and it comes through in her music.

"Lady Redneck is making a mark in the Texas Country market, as well as among Americana listeners. Texas country has largely been dominated by men. Though she doesn’t necessarily look like a redneck, she has small town roots and little quirks that make her “Rednecky.” Lady Redneck’s songs are real. She writes about life."

"Singer-songwriter “Lady Redneck” - Stephanie Lee brings her sweet, sexy, and fun vocals and songwriting to readers of the Boot with this exclusive premiere of her song, “Rednecky Inside.” This track is from her forthcoming album with the title, “Rednecky Inside.”