149: Violet Gaitan Booker Special

Violet Gaitan Booker joins host Elise Capron, with guest co-host Velo Kristina, for an incredible discussion around her time working for the King of Pop, Michael Jackson. Violet (known as Violet Gaitan Silva at the time) was a key staff member at Michael Jackson’s Neverland Valley Ranch from 1991-2005. Violet started at the Ranch as a security officer, eventually becoming Chief of Fire and Security, and finally oversaw Safety and Human Resources for twelve different departments, from Fire/Security, to Grounds-keeping, House-keeping, the Amusement Park, Zoo, and much more. Violet also gave testimony in the 2005 trial, in which Michael Jackson was found not guilty of all abuse allegations, and, after she left Neverland, she went to work as an investigator for Robert Sanger, defense attorney for Michael Jackson alongside Tom Mesereau.

In this discussion, the ladies discuss Violet’s amazing stories of working for Jackson for fourteen years, including how she began working at Neverland, what is was like working at the ranch on a day-to-day basis, the logistics of hosting large groups and VIP guests, interactions with staff, her memories of Michael Jackson as a boss and insights about him as a father and individual, and much more. They also talk about the time period around the allegations, clarify some statements made during the trial, and discuss in detail her unique feelings about this special place where she spent so much time.

This episode was edited by Jamon Bull and Charlie Carter. It was saved by John Cameron.

Additional Links
• Violet Gaitan Booker’s Facebook page
• TheMJCast 005: Kerry Anderson Special
• TheMJCast 097: Bill Whitfield Special

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!

137: He Is Not Committed to the Lean

In this regular episode, host Jamon Bull is joined by returning guests Rickey Alexander and Velo Kristina for a big update on news in the world of Michael Jackson. They discuss a restored version of the HIStory album teaser, several upcoming films related to Jackson, including Marcos Cabotá’s greatly anticipated “Sonic Fantasy”, updates on James Safechuck’s lawsuit, a newly released photo of MJ, a new article on Jackson’s time in Bahrain, and much more.

This episode was edited by Charlie Carter.

Discussion Topics
• A restored version of the HIStory album teaser is coming.
• A new Netflix documentary on Michael Jackson is imminent.
• The second trailer is out for Jin Chohan’s “Trial By Media” has been released.
• Marcos Cabotá’s has released a trailer for his documentary “Sonic Fantasy”.
• James Safechuck’s lawyer has filed a late appeal.
• Billy Porter and Lang Lang have paid tribute to Michael Jackson at the Global Citizen concerts.
• Glen Ballard is interviewed on working with Michael Jackson.
• A new photo of Michael Jackson, shot by Greg Gorman has surfaced.
• Moonwalkers documentary, now titled The Three Michaels, finally has a theatrical screening date coming up soon.
• A Tokyo baseball team is collaborating with the Estate on merchandise featuring MJ and their team mascot.
• A new article has been released on MJ’s post-trial year in Bahrain.

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!

135: Christian James Hand Special

Christian James Hand joins host Jamon Bull and regular guests Andy Healy and Velo Kristina for a special interview about Christian’s amazing history in the music industry, his work dissecting Michael Jackson’s multitracks via his “The Session” events on Instagram and live in-person, his deep appreciation of music production, and much more.

Hand is a British-born, LA-based musician, music producer, radio personality, and voice-over artist. In his years in the music industry, he has worked in A&R at the British hip‐hop Label, Gee Street Records, as a Stager Manager for major tours, managed a live music venue, and was a radio production assistant and then a radio DJ. During his time at Sirius/XM’s “Faction” channel and “Alt Nation”, he created the hugely popular ”Naked Vocals” segment, which would lay the foundation for his future musical dissection work, including “The Session” events. His methods would continue to evolve through his radio-personality positions on different stations, ultimately leading to popular live music breakdown events called “The Sound Sessions at Swing House”, as well as the radio show “If You Like That” on 100.3 The Sound.

Today, Hand’s 20-minute sessions can be heard on Monday mornings at the legendary 95.5 KLOS, and live on Instagram most weekdays. On Wednesday nights, he has a tradition of featuring Michael Jackson songs. Hand has also produced music for many different artists and groups over the years, including The Mowglis, Alexa Melo, The Jet Morgans, The Absolute, Analog Saint, and Mark Mackay.

Hand has a unique, deep appreciation for music production, is incredibly well connected in the world of music (Gregory Phillinganes, Jimmy Jam, and others are regulars at his Instagram events), and brings fascinating insights into Michael Jackson’s work as an artist in the studio.

This episode was edited by Charlie Carter.

Additional Links
• Christian James Hand’s website, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook pages.

Sponsors
• Roberta Martin Interiors. Full-service interior design based in Pasadena, California. Founded and run by a long-time Michael Jackson fan!
• 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 any thoughts, opinions, or 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.comKeep Michaeling!

131: A Tale of Two Estates

In this regular episode, host Jamon Bull is joined by regular guest Charles Thomson, Friend of the Show Casey Rain (creator of the Prince-focused YouTube channel, The Violet Reality), and first-time guest, mega-fan Velo Kristina. The team deep dives into all the latest news around the King of Pop, including upcoming auctions of Michael Jackson items, a big update on Wade Robson’s case, recent interviews with Teddy Riley, Michael Bush, and Greg Phillinganes, Howard Weitzman’s passing, re-releases of The Jacksons’ albums, and much more. Plus, the group digs into the question of whether the Prince or Michael Jackson Estates have handled each icon’s legacy most effectively.

Discussion Topics
• The Jacksons continue their run of reissued albums with “The Jacksons Live” on vinyl.
• The Jacksons have released “Can You Feel It (Jacksons X MLK Remix)” as a promo single for their Triumph reissue.
• Remixed by Nick* has released “Give It Up (Nick* Stripped Mix)”.
• A new illustrated anthology, Michael Jackson in Comics, has been released.
• The Sessions Live on Instagram, breaks down MJ tracks in live weekly sessions.
• Howard Weitzman, Michael Jackson’s lawyer, dies at 81.
• Michael Jackson’s bronze statue collection from Neverland up for auction.
• Rob Swinson is auctioning some of his Michael Jackson items.
• Michael Jackson tapes and other items are up for auction.
• New interviews. Teddy Riley, Michael Bush and Greg Phillinganes.
• Wade Robson’s case against Michael Jackson has been dismissed.
• The Violet Reality recently released a video on Prince’s legacy five years after his death. How does the Prince Estate’s new project compare to the Michael Jackson Estate’s efforts?

Post Show
• The Prince vs. Michael Jackson debate.

Sponsors
• Crack Corn. Delicious premium puff corn.
• 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!