Suzanne Whang Opens Up about Her Journey with Breast Cancer

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Suzanne Whang Opens Up about Her Journey with Breast Cancer

Popular TV Host and Comedian Suzanne Whang Breaks her Silence, Asks Fans and Friends for Help

Los Angeles, CA, April 1, 2011 – Suzanne Whang is probably best known as the host of HGTV's #1 show House Hunters for ten years, and from her role as the outrageous and hilarious "Polly" the spa manager on NBC's Las Vegas. She recently spent 6 weeks playing the funny and loathsome wedding planner Carol Cheng on General Hospital opposite her real-life best friend and former Las Vegas co-star Vanessa Marcil Giovinazzo. Suzanne is also an award-winning stand-up comic, published author, keynote speaker, ordained minister, and political activist and yes, she was the first person to give Oprah a copy of The Secret.  Many fans also remember her as the co-host of ABC’s TV’s Censored Bloopers with Dick Clark, and as a roving reporter on FOX After Breakfast with Tom Bergeron. After careful consideration and encouragement from her loved ones, this extremely private woman has chosen to openly talk about her 5 year continuing journey with breast cancer. She is also learning a big lesson in humility and is asking her fans and friends for help on her path to recovery.

Suzanne was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006. In typical Suzanne fashion, when she got the news, the first thing she said was, “Wow, this is going to be great stand-up comedy material someday.” After her lumpectomy, Suzanne named her tumor Igor and sent out a birth announcement to her closest friends. Choosing to approach this challenge holistically, she made major lifestyle changes for the health of her mind, body and spirit. Still, a year later, another tumor appeared. A second lumpectomy was performed in 2009. In February of this year, she was rushed to the hospital, underwent emergency back surgery, and learned that her cancer had metastasized. Her doctors also recommended preventative hip replacement surgery, which she completed three weeks ago.

Suzanne has approached this disease with a great deal of courage, optimism, and humor. She has spent countless hours reading about, researching, and participating in many treatments (Western, Eastern, alternative) throughout her five year ordeal, she has traveled the globe, and she has spent her life savings on her path back to health. She even used revolutionary new technology called ECM (extracellular matrix) powder to successfully regrow skin, tissue and blood vessels in her left breast after her last lumpectomy. Suzanne is currently undergoing concentrated radiation treatment targeting the most affected areas of her body, and is in the process of deciding her next steps.

In the last five years, Suzanne hasn’t let the cancer prevent her from continuing to act, write, host, speak at political rallies, volunteer for her favorite charities, give guest sermons, and perform her award-winning comedy. In fact, just two weeks after her back surgery, and less than two weeks before her hip replacement operation, you could find Suzanne co-hosting live commentary throughout the 2011 Oscar telecast on Oscar.com!

“I plan to create a website for people going through cancer where they can share their stories, resources and experiences, and create a community. Other possibilities include a web series, a documentary, a book, a one-woman show…  so that I can take what I’ve learned and experienced, and share it with the world.”

Suzanne has learned many spiritual lessons about surrender, acceptance, asking for help, and receiving the love and support she is so accustomed to giving. Now that she has spent her life savings on medical costs not covered by insurance, and cannot work while she is recuperating, she has thrown pride out the window and is humbling herself by asking her fans and friends for help. It is not common for a celebrity to do this, but Suzanne leads an unconventional life.

The first fundraiser for Suzanne will be on Thursday April 14^th, 8-10 pm at The Talking Stick, 1411C Lincoln Blvd., Venice CA 90291. $50. Performers include Laraine Newman, Tracy Newman and the Reinforcements, and Eric Schwartz. For more details and to RSVP (required): tnewman1@ca.rr.com.

Check out www.SuzanneWhang.com to make donations, and for updates on Suzanne’s journey back to health.

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A Really Nice Plug For Tracy from Larry Wines: Acoustic Americana Music Guide, August 12 to 31 (and into the Fall & beyond)

From Larry Wines' Acoustic American Music Guide, August 12 to 31 Posted Thursday August 12th

Sat, Aug 14; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
7 pm TRACY NEWMAN & THE REINFORCEMENTS, with guest SHAUN CROMWELL, at the Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N Lake Av, Altadena 91001; reservations 626-794-2424; venue phone 626-398-7917; info www.coffeegallery.com. (“the venue named in FolkWorks as L.A.’s best intimate acoustic listening room venue”).
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She’s the only singer-songwriter who has both an EMMY and a PEABODY AWARD. If she can get a GRAMMY, she’ll have the trifecta. She’s working on it. It’s taken TRACY NEWMAN a while to get back to her musical dream. Along the way, she worked as a TV writer, with a partner – Jonathan Stark. Their first steady job was on "Cheers." After that they were on staff at "Bob" (starring Bob Newhart), "The Nanny," "Ellen" and "The Drew Carey Show." In 1997, they won the Emmy and the prestigious Peabody Award for writing the ground-breaking “coming out” episode of “Ellen.” In 2001, they created the ABC comedy, "According to Jim," starring Jim Belushi, which recently completed it’s eighth and final season of production. Tracy has been writing songs all along, and is once again performing full-time. Her debut CD, “A Place in the Sun,” debuted on radio’s “Tied to the Tracks,” en-route to global airplay.
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THE REINFORCEMENTS have changed some and expanded a lot. They are longtime sideman Gene Lippmann on guitar and vocals, plus Rebecca Leigh on vocals and guitar, John O’Kennedy on mandolin, Doug Knoll on drums, and John Cartwright on bass – he played with Harry Belafonte for 35 years. Tracy Newman and the Reinforcements put on a funny, moving and memorable show.
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Plus, SHAUN CROMWELL is a bluesman who was born in the unlikely blues incubator of Detroit (Royal Oak, Michigan, actually) and he lived there for many years. In Detroit he rocked in various jam-type groups, studied jazz and played in groups where he could play swing music. Shaun will tell you that he moved to Los Angeles because he no longer cared for snow and ice. Once here, Shaun took to, as he says, “finger picking his guitar and coming up with half-assed arrangements of traditional tunes.” He adds, “Too lazy to actually memorize a piece of music,” Shaun likes to perform his songs in an "improvised" fashion, resulting in slightly different versions each time he plays / sings them. While Shaun's primary influences on the guitar tend toward the Mississippi John Hurt, Ry Cooder, and Rev. Gary Davis ilk, his overall sound is one borne out of his varied musical influences garnered over a lifetime. Tix, $20.

From Jim Greenleaf of the ilivetoday blog: "Tracy Newman / Katy Moffatt Rock the Full-moon"

Tracy Newman / Katy Moffatt Rock the Full-moon

Posted on June 29, 2010. Filed under: Butler's coffee house,Katy Moffat,Tracy Newman,american music | Tags: Jim Greenleaf, Tracy Newman, Katy Moffatt, american music, butlers coffee |

"Palmdale, CA 06.26.2010 JG – As I cruised down the 14 Freeway at dust the Full-moon spotted me. The cool blue globe smiled at me and winked in the warm summer eve. I knew tonight would be something special. I had no idea how special, but, the closer I got to Butler’s Coffee house the more I sensed I better make the most out of this experience."

See Jim Greenleafs' blog with videos by clicking here

From Kevin Burton Smith of Butler's Coffee: "Post-Mortem on Saturday's Show at Butler's: Why Portland?, Tracy Newman& Katy Moffatt"

Wow.

That's all I can say.

This Saturday's show at Butler's was just one of those very special shows that just wowwed anyone lucky enough to be in attendance.

Openers WHY PORTLAND?, who've only been together for a short while, may have a ways to go, but their strongest material ("Like Owls," "200 Miles," "Outro") shows what awesome potential this young local trio has. Dynamite take-no-prisoners vocalist Kara, ably bookended by the intricate and inventive acoustic guitar interplay of friends and bandmates Frank and Ryan, show just how far they can go with their sweet-and-sour but defiantly upbeat approach when presented with the right tunes -- most notably those that lay big, bright, big-hearted pop hooks over their jingle jangle indie folk roots. This was their first full set at Butler's but I can guarantee you it won't be the last.

Next up were tried-and-true Butler's vets TRACY NEWMAN & HER REINFORCEMENTS, back by popular demand. Tracy, a former TV sit-com writer (Ellen, The Nanny, Cheers, According to Jim, etc.) has returned to her first love, music, and anyone who appreciates sharp, perceptive wit, heart-on-its-sleeve compassion and pointed pokes at the trials and tribulations of growing older in a youth-obsessed society will dig Tracy's unique and charming musical takes on life, liberty and the pursuit of a decent night's sleep from meditations on the trial of carpooling teenage girls, middle-aged couples stoked on weed and Merle Haggard. Sympathetically flanked by six-string maestro Gene Lippmann on acoustic guitar and new Reinforcement Rebecca Leigh on backing and harmony vocals, and backed by seasoned pros John Cartwright on bass, John O'Kennedy on mandolin, dobro, and other stringed instruments and Doug Knoll on drums, it was a musically rich and diverse set that the fortunate few will be talking about for a long time, but then it got even better.

Midway through her set, Tracy called up a special surprise musical guest: KATY MOFFATT to play a few numbers. Katy is, of course, the highly acclaimed, almost legendary Texas-born singer/songwriter and back-up vocalist whose unapologetic blend of country, folk, rock, pop, and blues has earned a substantial following among roots-music fans in the know. She's worked with the Allman Brothers, Willie Nelson, Jimmy Buffett, Poco, John Prine, Tanya Tucker, and Lynn Anderson, and has released so many albums she herself says she's lost count. Accompanied by John O'Kennedy from Tracy's band on mandolin, and accompanying herself on acoustic guitar, Katy belted out three songs: two she co-wrote with Tom Russell ("Walkin; on the Moon" and "Ain't I a Woman") and a jaw-dropping take on Phil Ochs' adaptation of the legendary ballad "The Highwayman."

It was an awesome performance, one that was only topped by Tracy and the rest of the Reinforcements' return to the stage for the completion of their set, capped off nicely by the one-two punch of "Laraine," a open-armed tribute to her sister, Laraine, formerly of the original Saturday Night Live Prime Time Players and their trademark closer, the infinitely catchy "Goodbye, Aloha."

Best of all, Tracy and Katy both had such a great time they've both agreed to come back and split a showcase between them, and maybe even work up a couple of numbers together.

But that's the kind of music that goes on at Butler's Coffee every week: fresh, exciting, engaging and passionate, open to rising young talent and seasoned pros alike. The kind of music that makes it worth leaving the house for. And all for the price of a great cup of coffee or a delicious sandwich or snack. The kind of music that makes my job as Butler's "music guy" such a pleasure.

The kind of music that puts the boots to the lie that there's nothing happening in the Antelope Valley...

Like, this July, besides our regular Saturday night Showcases, besides our monthly OPEN MIC (July  16), and our OPEN MEETING of the ANTELOPE VALLEY GUITAR SOCIETY (July 13), we'll be featuring well over twenty different musical acts, ranging from the goateed experimental jazz of TRANSWORLD JAZZ PROJECT (July 2) to the dusty old-time cowboy folk of JOHN BERGSTROM (July 13).

Along the way we'll have Celtic, country, rock, pop, soul, folk, punk folk, classical, blues, Broadway and some stuff there isn't even a name for yet, with acts as diverse as JULIAN CORPENO, LAURA BROWNE-SORENSON, RYAN BEUDER, ELLE CARPENTER, MISHA, COLTON SAYLOR and a zillion others. All playing their hearts out, and all right here in the Antelope Valley.

Butler's is conveniently located  just down the road at 40125 10th St. West in beautiful downtown Palmdale, right next to Buffalo Wild Wings and right across the street from Wal-Mart. Their telephone number is 661-272-9530, and they're open seven days a week, serving up some of the finest java and light meals you're ever likely to swallow.

As always, local musicians or singer-songwriters interested in performing both original music and well-chosen covers oughtta drop by BUTLER'S web site and fill in an application. I'm ALWAYS looking for new talent: jazz, blues, bluegrass, 40s, 50s, rock, soul, rhythm'n'blues, doo-wop, whatever. If you wanna play, make like Debbie Harry and call me. I ain't that bad a fella, really.

Don't miss some great music! You can always find out who's playing next at Butler's by checking their calendar at http://ww.butlerscoffee.com/calendar.com .

Kevin Burton Smith
Butler's Coffee Music Guy
"Good honest coffee, good honest music."
http://www.butlerscoffee.com/

SAVE THE DATE: Fathers' Day at the Talking Stick, a new show by Charlotte Dean

My daughter, Charlotte Dean is having an art show at The Talking Stick on Father’s Day, Sunday, June 20 from 1:00-5:30PM.  This is a SAVE THE DATE flyer.  I’ll send a reminder closer to the date. There will also be readings of her short stories at 3:00. Very funny.  Food, drink, good work.  I hope you’ll mark your calendar!  

Here's a Link to the Facebook Evite
- Tracy

Listen to my California One Care Song

California OneCare 365 Ad #66 Tracy Newman Click here to see the video Any good social movement needs a song,  and Tracy Newman has it:  "California OneCare--for all, for less, for you.  Doctors want it, nurses want it, don't you  want it, too?" DONATE TO GET SINGLE PAYER,  UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE IN CALIFORNIA .  Please support the California OneCare 365  Ad Campaign.Help us produce a new thirty-second  ad supporting single-payer health care on websites  and television throughout California every day  for one year.   Click here to donate.	Help Support the CaliforniaOneCare 365 Campaign Make your donation today!
Copyright © 2010 California OneCare - All Rights Reserved

Our Boulevard Music show, in Culver City , April 17, 2010

This series is presented by Gary Mandel.  The venue is a guitar store by day, so the walls are filled with beautiful guitars, like at McCabe’s. They offer lessons there, too.  The sound is the best of anywhere we’ve ever played.  It’s perfect.  It felt like we were in someone’s living room.  Very natural.  The system itself is excellent, and the sound man, Max Mayo is a young, enthusiastic easy-going guy.  The lighting is really good, too.  Not many of the places we play even have what you’d call “lighting.”  I like theirs because from the stage you can only see the faces of the people in the first three rows, then it’s black.  You could be playing a huge concert hall, so it’s good practice.  I guess you’re getting the idea:  This gig was a pure pleasure.  The ticket price was $15 and it was a totally full house… maybe I should say “packed.”  That would be about 60 people. 

 

Shaun Cromwell (www.shauncromwell.com) opened the show and was his usual brilliant, charming self.  I love seeing new people discover Shaun.  They understand how special his playing is right away.  I love “The Rise and Fall of it All.”  I’ve probably heard him do that song 20 times, and I find something new in it each time.  You can see a video of him doing it at the 2009 Tucson Folk Festival on his website – it’s the second one down under “videos” (the video is also linked to the song title above).  Shaun Cromwell is the real deal.

 

After a short break, we got up.  It was me, Gene and Lorie, Doug Knoll on drums, John O’Kennedy on mandolin and dobro, and John Cartwright on bass.  We did songs from “ A Place in the Sun,” and songs from the new CDs we’re working on.  Gary Mandel requested “Waffle Boy,” which I don’t always do anymore, and there was a man in the second row, crying.  I love that!  Actually, “Table Nine,” “All Coming Back to Me Now” (my carpool song), “Laraine,” “Diane” and “I Just See you,” all seemed to elicit tears from various audience members.  I needed to break them up with lighter songs like “I Can Be Bad,” and “My Kisses.” Speaking of happy songs, we did a very new one called “Nothing Better than You,” which was pretty ragged but fun.  I haven’t enjoyed doing a show on that level in a long time.  Thank you, Gary Mandel for understanding how to set up a great situation for performers.  Oh, and it helps to have a crowd that likes your work, comes to listen and is warm and appreciative.  Thank you to them.

Acoustic Americana Music Guide says Tracy Newman & The Reinforcements plus Shaun Cromwell at Blvd Music Sat, Apr 17 is a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick

Acoustic Americana Music Guide

Sat, Apr 17; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
8-10 pm TRACY NEWMAN & THE REINFORCEMENTS plus SHAUN CROMWELL in a double-bill at Boulevard Music, 4316 South Sepulveda Blvd., Culver City, 90230; 310-398-2583. www.boulevardmusic.com. 

Venue’s web site has a helpful local dining guide. Doors at 7:30 for the best seats. The music of both has been heard on radio’s “Tied to the Tracks,” and Emmy & Peabody Award-winner Tracy Newman has performed live on the radio show numerous times. Many of her clever original songs debuted there, as well. Shaun Cromwell is a fine young blues singer-songwriter. More at www.tracynewman.com,  www.myrecordlabel.com/tracynewman, www.myspace.com/tracynewman1.

From The Acoustic Americana Music Guide

Entire contents copyright (c) © 2010, Larry Wines. All rights reserved.