Matt Zarley Ramps Up For 2014 Release Of 'Hopeful Romantic'

Over the past several years, The Smoking Nun has given round after round of applause to singer/songwriter Matt Zarley. In 2011, his "Forgive Me (For Not Forgiving You)" was No. 17 among the Taylor Top 40 for the year and "Change Begins With Me" was No. 26. And in 2008, "Had I Known" was No. 28.

And now, following his hit-packed full-length "Change Begins With Me," 2014 is looking sweet with his upcoming "Hopeful Romantic." Mr. Z was bestowed both Album and Single of the Year honors at the 2012 OutMusic Awards, and he has now launched a Kickstarter campaign to foster support for the full-length CD—collaborating with longtime producer and Grammy winner Andy Zulla—and four music videos.

First single "You Just Gotta Believe," produced by Mark Picchiotti, will be released February 4. The album and second music video are scheduled for April/May release.

Matt tells us, "Although the concept for 'Hopeful Romantic' is based on personal experience, it's a universal story told through an optimistic lens. It's about love at first sight, heartbreak, letting go and having the faith that there is somebody for all of us out there"—those same themes that made "Change" such a wondrous musical journey.

Help a brother out, you hear? Find out all about supporting Matt's Kickstarter campaign right here. And here him talk about his earnest journey as an artist here. Can't wait, cool cats!

Matt Zarley's Best Single Ever: 'Change Begins With Me'

At last! The song I've been waiting for: The fourth single from my sweet, adorable, hunky pal Matt Zarley's current album Change Begins With Me is the beautiful power ballad title track. Written by Zarley, Andy Zulla, & Chris Curtis, and produced by Matt's long-time collaborator, the Grammy-winning Zulla, “Change Begins With Me” is a wildly intense declaration of self acceptance, responsibility and ultimately, forgiveness.

Matt sings, "I can see it now, it's all so clear, all my answers were always here/I've turned a new page, I can see it now... If I want my life to change, the change begins with me."

And I tell you what. A year ago, when I first heard this soaring anthem, it stood by my side time and again as I weathered my own divorce. Watching the video for the first time last night, I couldn't help but tear up again. Every time that thunderous bridge and final chorus start scraping the clouds, I feel the chills coming on. And I feel change, brothers and sisters.

In the video clip below, Zarley invited fans to become part of the message. Over the past few months, dozens submitted home movies with messages of change, which are featured in the clip's finale. The vid was directed by Robert Bottoms and also features the Broadway Inspirational Voices singing the requisite gospel background chorus.

Want to know more? Check out Matt's webbie or The Smoking Nun archives! Now, sit back and prepare to swoon. Celine, girl, are you listening? You can also access the video directly on YouTube.

Olivia Newton-John & Sheena Easton Share Chi-Town Queer Event

I think I just passed out... For the first time ever, Olivia Newton-John and Sheena Easton will be performing at the same event, the same night, albeit on slightly different stages.

Livi is the headlining act Saturday night for the Chicago Northalsted Market Days, the largest two-day gay street fair in the Midwest. The 31st-annual event, which spans six city blocks, takes place August 11-12. Sheena, meanwhile, performs on a separate stage earlier in the evening. In addition, our longtime fave Matt Zarley is on the roster, as are The Pointer Sisters.

"Northalsted Market Days has a long tradition of bringing in music acts that complement the spirit of the event. This year's entertainment reaches new heights for us," says Jeff Durbin, Market Days chairman.

It also features 400 food and arts & crafts vendors, not to mention thousands of hot Midwestern gays. I better start hitchhiking now if I expect to make it in time for the festivities (if only).

And to celebrate the news, here's a video clip I've never seen: Sheena performing 1989 No. 1 Dance hit "101" on "Sick Sack," a Swedish TV show. Includes interview footage at the end. She looks fucking amazing. (Thanks to Mike Easton!) *

Matt Zarley's New Single & Video: 'Trust Me'

One of our consistent fave artists Matt Zarley has released a new single and video for "Trust Me" from his stellar album Change Begins With Me. The music clip features a remix by Cahill (Lady Gaga, Leona Lewis) about a fictional sweater-vest-wearing GOP Presidential candidate who gets caught in a hot tub with his male lover—while his all-knowing wife enjoys the fruits of his political success.

It's certainly not out of the realm of the many homophobic Republicans we've seen over the years who hide their pathetic homo tendencies behind a veil of hatred, right? (And likewise, whose wives turn the other way, because the ride is just too bountiful to resist.)

The storyboard, in a nutshell: When video footage of GOP Prez candidate "Matt Zarley" surfaces showing him at a '70s party making out with a sexy younger man, he miraculously recognizes that coming out from his faux marriage and a life of lies makes him a braver man. In the finale, America embraces his honesty and—eureka—elects its first openly gay president!

The video, directed by Benjamin Pollock and choreographed by Benjamin Allen, is a blast, with its era-ripened facial hair, furry chested men, disco balls, Playboy bunnies and hot tub... not to mention it's sexy as all get out. See it below, or here on YouTube.

"Trust Me," written by Matt, Mark Picchiotti and Joe Hurt, is already scaling the European dance chart, catapulting from No. 30 to No. 7 in two weeks. It was also a standout at the recent White Party in 2002, while Matt is scheduled to perform at numerous Pride festivals this summer and will the closing act of Broadway Bares at Fire Island this June.

“Trust Me,” is the third single from Matt’s CD Change Begins With Me. He was my No. 1 Male Artist for 2011, with three singles in the year-end countdown: No. 9's "WTF," No. 17's "Forgive Me (For Not Forgiving You)" and "Change Begins With Me" at No. 26. Check out mattzarley.com for more. *

The Taylor Top 40 Songs Of 2011

At last, cool cats... the year 2011 in music. Since 1980—geez, more than 30 years—I've conjured the Taylor Top 100 each passing year, though admittedly in the past few years as I've discovered fewer and fewer new songs that tickle my audio fancy, I've downsized to a crisp Top 40.

In the past, I've also come up with exhaustive lists of the Top Albums, Artists, etc. Again, not so much anymore. All the same, the good in 2011 was absolutely superlative. And so...

Top Singles Artist: Much like the rest of the world, Adele was my year's chieftain goddess, manning the No. 1 TTT song of the year, "Set Fire To The Rain." Originally, the Moto Blanco Edit ruled, but by year end, the single edit and April's live performance on the U.K. Graham Norton Show were equally beloved, so I stripped off any specific version. Adele also delivered the No. 3 song, the heartbreaking "Someone Like You," which I remain convinced she wrote just for me; as well as No. 11's Lenny B Remix of Billboard's 2011 No. 1 song, "Rolling in the Deep."

Top Singles Artist, Runner-Up: Lady Gaga made a stellar showing this past year, with the most entries of any artist in the year-end countdown, at five: No. 5 "Born This Way," No. 12 "The Edge Of Glory (Sunshine Radio Edit," No. 19's playful "The Lady Is A Tramp" with Tony Bennett (his first appearance ever on a year-end tally), No. 22's "Judas" and "Eh Eh (Nothing Else I Can Say)," a sweet pop song obviously recorded before Gaga found her true grit.

Top Male Artist: While Darren Hayes made his best showing ever on the TTT at No. 2 with the maudlin "Black Out The Sun," Matt Zarley's three singles propelled him to masculine glory on this year's countdown: No. 9 with "WTF," No. 17's "Forgive Me (For Not Forgiving You)" and "Change Begins With Me" at No. 26.

Best New Artist: 4Q entry Christina Perri's haunting break-up songs hit me upside the head (thanks to Donna Mae intro'ing), with oh-so-dark "The Lonely" at No. 6 and equally commiserative "Jar of Hearts" at No. 15. Already in 2012, her "A Thousand Years" is scoring points.

Sheena Easton made a profound impact on the year's top 40 with vintage hits "You've Learned To Live Without Me" and "To Anyone," both top entries on my fall post-breakup playlist "Cry Baby." "You've Learned To Live Without Me" improved its original showing as 1995's No. 53, catapulting to No. 7 for the year; while 1991's No. 22 "To Anyone" encored this year at No. 38. Sheena also gets props via the No. 24 kitschy "beautiful music" version of "Morning Train" from Paul Mauriat.

While Celine Dion has not recorded anything new in years (new English and French projects are due in 2012), she scores a top 10 appearance with her stunning encore performance of "The Prayer" Live in Central Park with Andrea Bocelli.

Best Album: Sorry, there's really no such thing anymore... In good faith, I cannot claim that a single long-play project worked me in 2011.

Worst Singles of the Year: Much easier: "Just Can't Get Enough," a typical piece of horse dung from Black Eyed Peas; "Super Bass" from no-talent harlot Nicki Minaj; and "Party Rock Anthem" from LMFAO. Sadly, the latter novelty act had the last laugh, with this gruesome dance-crap loop finishing for 2011 at No. 2 on Billboard. I deem it the year's "Macarena," a song that fans will be ashamed of liking a year from now. *

And now... the 2011 Taylor Top 40
 1. Set Fire To The Rain—Adele
 2. Black Out The Sun—Darren Hayes
 3. Someone Like You—Adele
 4. Price Tag—Jessie J f/B.o.B.
 5. Born This Way—Lady Gaga
 6. The Lonely—Christina Perri
 7. You've Learned To Live Without Me—Sheena Easton
 8. Daze—Beu Sisters
 9. WTF—Matt Zarley
10. The Prayer (Live in Central Park)—Andrea Bocelli & Celine Dion
11. Rolling In The Deep (Lenny B Remix)—Adele
12. The Edge Of Glory (Sunshine Radio Edit)—Lady Gaga
13. I'm Into You—Jennifer Lopez w/William Levy
14. Summer Rain (Almighty Radio Edit)—Matthew Morrison
15. Jar of Hearts—Christina Perri
16. Last Friday Night (DJ Mike Bass Mix)—Katy Perry
17. Forgive Me (For Not Forgiving You)—Matt Zarley
18. My Heart Is Broken—Evanescence
19. The Lady is a Tramp—Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga
20. Love Is A Losing Game—Amy Winehouse
21. Moves Like Jagger—Maroon 5 f/ Christina Aguilera
22. Judas—Lady GaGa
23. Grenade—Bruno Mars
24. Morning Train—Paul Mauriat f/Sheena Easton
25. Eh Eh (Nothing Else I Can Say)—Lady Gaga
26. Change Begins With Me—Matt Zarley
27. It's Not Goodbye—Laura Pausini
28. World Keeps Turning—Sylvia Tosun
29. I'm Not Ready—Michael Bolton & Delta Goodrem
30. Best Thing I Never Had (Mike Dre mix)—Beyonce
31. Sleeping Satellite—Kim Wilde
32. Please Stay—Westlife
33. Above All—Sylvia Tosun
34. Try Sleeping With a Broken Heart—Alicia Keys
35. Say Hello To Goodbye—Shontelle
36. Goodbye Girl—Rumer
37. California King Bed (Goon Rock Remix) Edit—Rihanna
38. To Anyone—Sheena Easton
39. Boys Do Fall In Love (Long Version)—Robin Gibb
40. Heartache All Over The World (Megamix)—Elton John

Matt Zarley Proffers Pop Perfection With CD 'Change Begins With Me'

When Matt Zarley rallies through the finale chorus of “Change Begins With Me,” the muscular title track to his third full-length CD, it’s as if the sky has filled with a sonic kaleidoscope of bottle rockets, Roman candles, firecrackers and razzle-dazzle sparklers.

Zarley has long been anything but the archetypal openly gay ghetto entertainer whose career is based on beats per minute, and while Change has its moments of frolic, this is one of the year’s most idyllic pure pop collections. The handsome singer/songwriter (named one of People mag’s Hottest Bachelors in 2002) co-wrote all eight tracks alongside such collaborators and producers as Grammy winner Andy Zulla and Mark Picchiotti.

The piano-driven, string-laden midtempo "Perfect" hearkens the best of 90s’ boy band anthems—you'd swear Backstreet Boys were back—while peppy, harmony-drenched "I'll Always Remember" turns what could have been thematic sour grapes into a tasty wine cooler, as Zarley looks beyond an expired relationship. "I know I'm wiser than when we began, now I'm doing all I can to insure that I'm a better man," he reflects, gliding effortlessly across a melody so glossy and effervescent, it feels like summer will never end.

Another highlight, "Trust Me," amps the tempo, cleverly conjuring Toni Braxton’s "You’re Makin’ Me High," with its "baby, baby, baby" pre-chorus and tantalizing tease, "How do you know you won’t like something you haven’t tried/Surrender yourself, take a chance and trust me."

Back to the ballads: "Forgive Me (For Not Forgiving You)" addresses the predominant lyrical mandate of the album: You broke my fucking heart and I’m working my way back to health. The lyric offers an honest and wholly universal take on the fact that it’s just not that easy to put the past to bed: "I loved you but there’s not much I can do, you know how much it hurt to let you go/Why couldn’t you say what you mean, why didn’t you mean what you say, I cannot continue feeling this way…"

And then, as healing begins, Zarley reflects in the beautiful and mournful "Apology," "I’m sorry for the way we said goodbye, even though we’re over, I hope this closure will finally let me let you go."

There’s hope on the horizon, however, thanks to the launch single from Change, “WTF,” a maddeningly catchy dancefloor twirler that expresses disdain over a cheating lover, however, with a playful nod and a wink (not to mention a hot video with a happy ending). The track, which reached No. 21 on the Billboard Dance Club Play chart, was accompanied by a staggering 23 remixes, including Wideboys, Moto Blanco, Cutmore, Cevin Fisher, Joe Gauthreaux and Edson Pride.

While it may be unrealistic to think corporate top 40 radio will indulge the hitworthy Change Begins With Me, does that really matter anymore? The album has already fostered a mountain of press from the likes of The Advocate, Radar, Playbill, The Washington Blade, The Dallas Voice and every gay-friendly blog known to man. For anyone that hears Matt Zarley, he’s an immediate favorite, straight or gay. This is indeed music for the masses. And that is the greatest change anyone could hope for.

Change Begins With Me is available on iTunes. Click here. 

Matt Zarley's Full-Length 'Change Begins With Me' CD Due August 23

Fave singer/songwriter Matt Zarley, whose "WTF" is destined to be among our top singles of 2011, will release his new album Change Begins With Me, on Aug. 23. You can lap it up at iTunes and Amazon.

Zarley, one of the first openly gay men to appear in People magazine's list of Top 50 Bachelors in 2002, is drumming up plenty of buzz for the new release, with recent features on radaronline, The Advocate, Homorazzi, Instinct—and, natch, The Smoking Nun.

Here's a teaser trailer for the new disc. See the music video for "WTF," which has reached No. 21 on Billboard's Hot Dance Play chart, here.

CHANGE BEGINS WITH ME Trailer from Matt Zarley on Vimeo.

Matt Zarley Launches 'Change' LP With 'Fucking' Frisky Frolic 'WTF'

I met Matt Zarley in New York in 2008 via publicist extraordinaire Michael Caprio, and became a fast follower, reviewing EP Here I Am for Billboard, calling it "a beautifully produced EP of power pop tunes; a marquee mainstream artist is born... Here's a crush for grown-ups, whose earthy machismo is quite the complement to his musical muscle."

How's that for "writing" between the lines? Matt, who is openly gay, is not only a wildly talented singer/songwriter, but quite the comely gentleman—and a sweetheart, on top of it. Score!

Zarley's single "Had I Known," was my No. 25 song for 2008. And now, 2011 shows all the more promise with upcoming album Change Begins With Me and launch single (available on iTunes) "WTF," a giddy dancefloor twirler with a chorus as adhesive as a gallon of Gorilla Glue.

Ironically, the lyric is about a contemptible cad who cheats on poor Matt, as he laments: "You wrecked my heart, should have known from the start you're too good to be true/Now the guilt is on you, but what the fuck... it's just my luck..." with the moral, "Why couldn't you be simply honest with me?"

Breaking up has never sounded so fun... But unfortunately, the song is based on real life. In a fresh interview with Radaronline, Matt explains, "You can never really expect people to change and sometimes it requires you to change things in your own life to find happiness. Those changes first have to start within."
Below is the wonderfully crafted, joyously delivered (and deceptively positive) music video. WARNING: The video contains extremely explicit images: Matt kisses a cute little dog. Caution!

WTF: CLEAN VERSION from Matt Zarley on Vimeo.

Matt Zarley: 'We Belong' To A Fab Sunday Brunch

I met openly gay singer/songwriter Matt Zarley several years ago through uber-publicist and pal Michael Caprio, who reps two of my top-tier fave acts, Olivia Newton-John and Jon Secada. My first impression was, gulp, hot, sexy, to the point that I found myself bashful in our first conversation.

But once I heard his music, I was able to see Matt more objectively, and realize he is a wildly talented entertainer, and I was happy to review his single "Here I Am" in Billboard. I wrote-->>

Now that I know Matt better, I recognize he has a heart of gold to match his iron-clad demeanor (okay, he's still hot as shit). His latest single is a remake of Pat Benatar's "We Belong," which, lyrically, is a wondrous mantra for young gays finding their way in a still-often hostile world. He is donating all proceeds to gay youth organization Trevor Project.

Meanwhile, he is working on full-length project "Change Begins With Me," which is slated for release this summer. On Sunday, Ayhan—who provided one of the remixes for "We Belong"—and meese, with our mutual bud (and Caprio's partner) Randy, had a grand catch-up, brunching at Chelsea hot spot Elmo.

Why All This Norman Gentle Stuff?

Wondering why I am continually posting updates on Norman Gentle, cool cats? You see, I'm a huge fan... that is, of my partner Ayhan, who has been working like a mad dog for 10 years to gain traction in the music biz, producing, recording and writing with indefatigable dedication.

He's released a handful of CDs with the stellar Karine Hannah, as well as Jose Promis, Matt Zarley and Mitch Zorba, while producing full albums for Adam Shenk, his own DNA (with partner Dennis DelGaudio), and collaborating with the likes of Emre Yilmaz, Sertab Erener, Sezen Aksu, Sandra Bernhard, Melba Moore, Tinatin, "American Idols" Anthony Fedorov, Jon Peter Lewis, Vonzell Solomon... on and on. He also launched his own indie label, Young Pals Records International.

Ten years, waiting for the click. For some semblance of a payoff that goes beyond personal satisfaction. Ayhan's spirit never wanes; he continues to be the most dedicated, disciplined individual I know.

So when a surreal lunch took place last October, arranged by pal Fred Bronson—with Ayhan, Dennis and me, along with "Idols" Kimberley Locke and Diana DeGarmo, Norman (a.k.a Nick Mitchell)... and Neil Sedaka thrown in for good measure—which led to the alliance of Norman Gentle and DNA, it was a match made in melodic heaven.

They've all been good for each other: Nick parlayed his comic genius into a burgeoning recording artist; while Ayhan and Dennis had the chance to work with an act whose fan base is established—to extend his acclaim, while hopefully establishing theirs.

With the addition of Ghia, who entered as a lyricist and energized into an all-round brain trust, Team Gentle fell into place—with one element missing: a crackerjack writer who could put all progress into words via press releases and a persistently updated webbie for Norm. Well, I'll be, that'd be me.

So this is truly a labor of love. And it's a blast to have Ayhan at last tickling at the success he's tirelessly worked toward. The road is still long, there are of course no guarantees, but the attention Nick-o's first single "Brit Slap!"/"Bitch Slap" has achieved already is mighty and gratifying... and the story is building day by day: Having his phenomenally produced, good-time music video for "Brit Slap!" launch on Yahoo! Music Friday was another high.

Yes, high times. It's about time. Congratulations, Myhan.