128: An Exotic Location Called Ohio

We’re back for Season Seven of the The MJCast! In this regular episode, hosts Jamon Bull and Elise Capron are joined by mega-fan Rickey Alexander, who was most recently on the podcast for the #History25 Roundtable. In this in-depth discussion to kick off 2021, the team digs into loads of news in the world of Michael Jackson, including the sale of Neverland Ranch, a new podcast by Brad Sundberg, two compelling new MJ books, fan community drama, Superbowl chat, expanded re-releases from The Jacksons, a frustrating John Branca interview, updates on the Cascio Case, and much more. The MJCast team is excited for the season to come. Thank you for joining us!

Discussion Topics
• Neverland Ranch has been sold to Ron Burkle.
• Brad Sundberg has launched his In The Studio podcast.
• We copped some heat on our stance regarding RazörFist and John Ziegler.
• MJNewsDigest has featured The MJCast in his ‘Exposed’ series.
• Talitha Linehan has released her book called ‘Michael Jackson and Me’.
• Aileen Medalla has released her book called ‘The King of Pop and I’.
• Is The Weeknd’s video for ‘Save Your Tears’ a reference to Michael Jackson?
• The Jacksons have released expanded digital versions of their eponymous album, ‘Goin’ Places’ and ‘Destiny’, as well as a vinyl-only re-release of ‘The Jacksons Live’, available for pre-order on Amazon.
• Chinese company PureArts is releasing a crazy-expensive Michael Jackson figurine.
• Tom Mesereau is a featured guest on the legal podcast “Hashing Out the Law” with Arash Hashemi.
• Possible book and documentary coming from Hamid Moslehi?
• New interview with John Branca.
• Michael Jackson Chart Data Year In Review.
• Rickey Alexander’s new essay on Medium, ‘What is Michael Jackson’s Magnum Opus?

Additional Links
• Rickey Alexander’s Twitter page.

Sponsors
• Audible – Great audiobooks. Great a free one-month trial (including one free audiobook) and help support the podcast by using our custom MJCast promo link.
• The MJCast’s official shop. Support The MJCast and Michael Jackson all at the same time by buying some of our merchandise.

Connect with Us
• TheMJCast.com
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram
• YouTube

If you have feedback on this Michael Jackson podcast episode, we’d love to hear from you. Contact us at themjcast@icloud.com or find the links to our many social networks on www.themjcast.com. Keep Michaeling!

122: Eddie Garcia Special

Eddie Garcia joins host Jamon Bull for an incredible discussion in celebration of the King of Pop’s 62nd birthday. A world-renowned dancer, choreographer, and director, Eddie exploded onto the scene at just 16 years old, when he was hired to dance in several of Janet Jackson’s most iconic music videos. A year later, Michael Jackson hand-picked Eddie to join his team, bringing him on to perform in short films such as ‘Smooth Criminal’, ‘The Way You Make Me Feel’ and ‘Speed Demon’. Eddie also spent five years traveling the world as a principal dancer for the ‘Bad’ and ‘Dangerous’ world tours, and appeared on stage for Jackson’s Superbowl performance. In addition to working with Jackson, Eddie has collaborated with a wide range of superstars over the years, including Jennifer Lopez and Paula Abdul, and has appeared on stage and screen. He also directs a summer camp for young dancers.

In this deep-dive chat, the guys discuss Eddie’s memories of being hired by the King of Pop, appearing in some of the most famous music videos ever made, performing on stage with Jackson, and much more. Eddie also drops a couple of exclusive stories that are sure to get even the most hardcore Michael Jackson live performance aficionados speculating.

Additional Links
• Eddie Garcia’s Twitter, Instagram and Facebook pages.
• Camp Me’s Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube pages and website.
• Be sure to check out MJ Radio‘s original interview with Eddie in Spanish. We’re proud to have partnered with MJRadio for this dual language release in honor of Michael’s birthday.

Sponsors
• Instacart – Convenient, inexpensive, and reliable same-day personal shopping for U.S. and Canada-based #MJFam.
• The MJCast’s official shop. Support The MJCast and Michael Jackson all at the same time by buying some of our merchandise.

Connect with Us
• TheMJCast.com
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram
• YouTube

If you have feedback on this Michael Jackson podcast episode, we’d love to hear from you. Contact us at themjcast@icloud.com or find the links to our many social networks on www.themjcast.com. Keep Michaeling!

118: Steven Paul Whitsitt Special

Steven Paul Whitsitt joins host Jamon Bull (and launches The MJCast’s #HIStory25 celebration) for a deep-dive discussion about Steven’s incredible experience as the King of Pop’s personal photographer. Growing up near Detroit, the music of Motown had a huge influence on Steven’s life from an early age and shaped his career as a photographer and photojournalist. He has shot album covers, music video stills, and concerts for many iconic musicians, including, Steve Miller, Bruce Springsteen, Pearl Jam, Dave Matthews Band and Willie Nelson. Steven has also published his work in a wide range of internationally well-known magazines. But his most memorable music industry experience was as Michael Jackson’s personal photographer. During their years working together, he shot publicity portraits and stills for the “Scream, “Childhood” and “You Are Not Alone” videos, as well as single covers. Michael entrusted Steven to work with him on capturing a range of events, including private moments. Plus, The Official Michael Jackson Opus features Steven’s photography.

The guys discuss how Steven got into photography, how he came to work with Jackson, what it was like during the HIStory studio sessions and the “Scream” video shoot, as well as Jackson’s personal photography preferences, Steven’s insights into Jackson as a person, and much, much more.

Additional Links
• Steven Paul Whitsitt’s main website, fashion website, Facebook, and Instagram.
• Selected, professional-quality Michael Jackson photography available for a limited time through Steven’s online shop, in collaboration with MJ Music Day. Please note: These photos are formatted for European standard sizing. If you are based anywhere other than Europe and are interested in purchasing a photo, contact Steven in advance so that he can adjust the print size.

Ad Breaks
• Audible – Great audiobooks.
• The MJCast’s official shop. Support The MJCast and Michael Jackson all at the same time by buying some of our merchandise.

Connect with us
• TheMJCast.com
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram
• YouTube

If you have feedback on this Michael Jackson podcast episode, we’d love to hear from you. Contact us at themjcast@icloud.com or find the links to our many social networks on www.themjcast.com. Stay BAD!

064: Vincent Paterson Special

Choreographer Vincent Patterson was at Michael Jackson’s side for many of the key moments which helped cement his status as an entertainment legend, first working with Michael as an assistant choreographer and lead dancer on the pioneering Beat It and Thriller music video shoots. When it came time to devise the videos for Michael’s next album, Bad, Vincent was brought back into the fold, working on the short films for The Way You Make Me Feel, Speed Demon, Dirty Diana and Smooth Criminal.

But it wasn’t just short films he collaborated on with Michael. He also helped shape some of the most historic live performances of Michael’s career, from directing the Bad World Tour to helping to choreograph Michael’s 1988 Grammy Awards performance.

Vincent’s association with Michael continued throughout the 1990s. He choreographed for the Black or White music video and Michael’s MTV 10th anniversary performance, helped devise Michael’s groundbreaking Superbowl half-time show and directed the Blood on the Dance Floor music video.

Today he joins Jamon and Q to discuss Michael Jackson as both an artist and a man, explaining their collaborative working process and telling the stories behind some of pop culture’s most historic moments. He also discusses his involvement in the documentary, The Man Behind the Throne, which is the focus of his work with Michael Jackson, Madonna and other celebrities.

Links
• 
Vincent Patterson’s website, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube
• Madonna’s Blonde Ambition World Tour
• Strike a Pose documentary trailer
• Mikail Baryshnikov in Giselle
• Alvin Ailey – Cry
• Evita film trailer
• Michael Jackson – Beat It
• Making of Michael Jackson’s Beat It
• Michael Jackson – Thriller
• Making of Michael Jackson’s Thriller
• Michael Jackson – Black or White
• Making of Michael Jackson’s Black or White
• Michael Jackson – Smooth Criminal
• Making of Michael Jackson’s Smooth Criminal
• Girl Hunt Ballet from Fred Astaire’s Bandwagon
• The Man Behind the Throne documentary website
• The MJCast – Episode 011: June 25th Special with Darren Hayes

Music Breaks & Ads
• 
Michael Jackson – For All Time (Eric Hudson Remix)
• Cyrano, Esq – Peace For Your Soul (Michael Jackson Tribute)
• LaToya Jackson – Home
• Michael Jackson Orchestral Medley – London Symphony Orchestra

Connect with Us
• TheMJCast.com
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram
• YouTube

If you have any thoughts, opinions, or feedback on the show, we’d love to hear from you. Contact us at themjcast@icloud.com or find the links to our many social networks on www.themjcast.comKeep Michaeling!

Thanks to listener Cody Covington, we now have a full transcript available for this episode. Our deepest thanks and gratitude, Cody.