WHOLE LOTTA LOVE: An All-Star Salute To Fat Chicks (BBW Tribute CD)

[AJ!]

Hello everyone,

My name is AJ and I am the producer of the abovementioned tribute album. Though I am new to this forum, I am no stranger to the size acceptance community. I've attended countless BBW events and functions over the past 20 years and have even made my share of appearances on daytime talk television, extolling the virtues of loving the big, beautiful woman.

As a man who has dated such ladies his entire adult life, this album allowed me to combine two of my favorite things into one landmark project. A rock & roll tribute to the grace and beauty of the plus-sized woman is an idea whose time has surely come, and I wanted to be the one to make it happen. Supporting me in my efforts are members of some of rock's most legendary acts, along with some bona fide BBW talent.

I'm paying a visit today to let everyone know about this cool new project and to catch you up on what's been revealed so far. Beyond this, I hope to check in periodically with updates as new talent and songs are announced. If anybody has any comments on my efforts (pro or con), I welcome the chance to read and respond to them. This unique venture has been a labor of love for me over the past 18 months and I thank you all for allowing me to tell you about it. I very much hope you'll like what you see and hear.

AJ

"WHOLE LOTTA LOVE: An All-Star Salute To Fat Chicks" is a musical homage to the big, beautiful women who make the rockin' world go 'round. The tribute will feature all-new recordings of popular songs praising the fuller female figure, originally made famous by some of the biggest names in rock and pop music. These anthems to abundance will be performed by renowned rock & rollers from yesterday and today, along with a select few rising stars. In direct opposition to the "no fat chicks" mantra espoused by some, "WHOLE LOTTA LOVE" will be a star-studded celebration of large and lovely ladies.

Songs confirmed so far include Queen's arena rock classic "Fat Bottomed Girls" by L.A. Guns singer Phil Lewis, with guitarist Paul LaPlaca and drummer John Macaluso. Also on tap is a high-octane version of the AC/DC concert staple "Whole Lotta Rosie" by Rufus Fontain, featuring Cinderella guitarist Jeff LaBar and original Jackyl vocalist Ronnie Honeycutt. The Poison chart-topper "Unskinny Bop" is ably recreated by party rock outfit Evick, featuring members of the Bret Michaels Band. And the bass-heavy Spinal Tap dirge "Big Bottom" is given a 6-string revamp by Twisted Sister guitarist Eddie Ojeda and his Band of Steel. Plus-sized songstress Celisa Stratton brings all-new meaning to the title track "Whole Lotta Love" by Led Zeppelin, in conjunction with veteran Quiet Riot drummer Frankie Banali and guitarist Alex Grossi. Additionally, rock & roll comic C.C. Banana offers up a faithful rendition of the Kiss track "Spit" (a.k.a. "Split"), featuring bassist David Z of ZO2 and guitarist Angus Clark. The album boasts an inspired cover by pop artist Les Toil, known for his bold and beautiful "big girl" pin-up art.

Additional artists and track listings will be announced as they are confirmed. Samples of all tracks are available at the official "WHOLE LOTTA LOVE" MySpace page.

http://www.SplitScreenEntertainment.com

[AJ!]

Hi folks,

Another new track has just been revealed, so I'm checking in to give everyone the lowdown. This latest one is an interesting choice, since its "fat girl" quotient might not be immediately apparent!

The song is called "All Lips N' Hips" and it was an MTV hit for the Electric Boys in 1990. The version on the tribute is performed by vocalist Ted Poley (of the band Danger Danger, another MTV staple of the day) along with his righthand man, Vic Rivera.

So why is this song on the tribute if it's not specifically about big, beautiful babes?

When I was a wee college lad who worked at the campus radio station, this was one of 4 songs that made its way onto my first attempt at a "fat girl mix tape" (along with "Fat Bottomed Girls," "Unskinny Bop" and "Spit"). Let's face it, there simply weren't a lot to choose from! Not only was this song wickedly catchy, it described a woman in delightfully curvaceous terms. From there, my young mind filled in the rest!

Apparently this song had a similar effect on the aforementioned Vic Rivera, who is a fellow admirer of larger ladies. So when I asked him if he wanted to participate in the album, I was floored when he told me that he wanted to record "All Lips N' Hips" -- especially since I hadn't yet told him it was an option! So you see, even though the original song was not intended to describe an overabundant woman, it still had a way of connecting with the men who appreciate them.

In fact, here's a comment from Vic to describe how it all went down:

"I was very happy when they approached me to be a part of this next project, especially since I have a great appreciation for full-figured women! Even before they told me which songs were up for consideration, I knew I wanted to do 'All Lips N' Hips'. I've always interpreted this song to be about an especially curvy and voluptuous girl, so we adjusted a few lines to drive that point home. Naturally, I had to involve my partner-in-crime Ted Poley to sing. All in all, it's the perfect addition to this long overdue tribute to the zaftig woman!"

Anyway, that more or less sums it up, gang. A song sample is available at the MySpace page, go check it out and see what you think!

http://www.myspace.com/WholeLottaLoveTribute

[Meilyne]

Many thanks for this great project you are working on. Good luck and keep us updated. I, for one, am definitely interested in the final product.

[AJ!]

Thank you so much for the positive feedback, Meilyne!

Very glad that my project is striking the right chords with you, this tribute is meant as sincere praise for all BBWs!

I will indeed check back with more info, new song to be revealed this Tuesday.

Here's a hint -- it's a HUGELY popular rap number from 1992, performed by someone who currently has a hit rock show on VH1 Classic.

Til Tuesday...

[AJ!]

As promised, here's the info on the next track... you probably guessed it already, right?

FROM THE PRESS RELEASE:

Comedian Don Jamieson, Emmy Award winner and co-host of "That Metal Show" on VH1 Classic, becomes the latest addition to the upcoming tribute album "WHOLE LOTTA LOVE: An All-Star Salute To Fat Chicks." In a surprising first, Jamieson provides lead vocals for a rap/rock version of the hip-hop smash "Baby Got Back." An homage to thick and curvy women with an abundance of junk in the trunk, the song was first popularized in 1992 by rapper Sir Mix-A-Lot (who has himself taken to performing a metal version of the song in recent years). A sample of the song is now available at the official "WHOLE LOTTA LOVE" MySpace page.

http://www.myspace.com/WholeLottaLoveTribute

FROM YOURS TRULY:

I can also tell you that since this song is not specifically about BBWs, we changed a few lines to make it more on-message. We removed the reference to "an itty-bitty waist" and changed other lines describing the woman as small in size (though big in bottom). Here's one such replacement that turned out especially well...

Original: I like my women like FloJo
New: Only big girls work my mojo

Fear not, the spirit of the song remains unchanged but now it is more inclusive of the BBWs who have embraced it over the years! Naturally, it also has more of a rock/metal vibe, to better fit alongside the other material on the album. And there's even a humorous David Lee Roth reference thrown in for good measure!

Lots more name talent and fat girl songs included, check it out and see what you think!

[AJ!]

Two more tracks were just announced! Here's a bit of info about them...

FROM THE PRESS RELEASE:

Trixter guitarist Steve Brown has joined the roster of the upcoming tribute album "WHOLE LOTTA LOVE: An All-Star Salute To Fat Chicks." Steve puts a rock spin on the hit single "Big Girl (You Are Beautiful)," made famous by current pop sensation Mika. A celebratory affirmation of plus-sized women, it was written as the theme for the Butterfly Lounge, a California nightclub catering to larger ladies and their admirers. The song was an international Top 40 hit in 2007 and has been featured on such TV shows as ABC's "Ugly Betty" and "Good Morning America." Brown took the dance beat of the original and infused it with his own patented guitar stylings, adding a hard rock coating around its pop center.

FROM YOURS TRULY:

I'll admit that this is NOT my favorite fat girl song, but Steve's rock reworking actually made me like it! You may remember Steve from MTV's hair band heyday, when Trixter was all over the tube with multiple hit videos. The band recently reunited for some reunion shows (with their Riverdale, NJ date drawing over 700 people), but personally I think Steve shines brightest when doing his solo stuff, as he does here.

FROM THE PRESS RELEASE:

Also confirmed for the tribute is the inclusion of a track from newcomers Triangle Exception, who contribute a cover of the song "Big, Fat, Sexy Mama." Channeling the spirits of the Rolling Stones and the New York Dolls, "Big, Fat, Sexy Mama" is a raucous ballad extolling the virtues of making love to a fuller figured woman. The song originated with New York City underground sensation The Compulsions, hailed by "Classic Rock" magazine as "The Coolest Band in the World" and featuring frontman Rob Carlyle, alongside current Guns N' Roses members Richard Fortus and Frank Ferrer.

FROM YOURS TRULY:

This is one song you may not know yet, but once you hear it you'll be singing it to yourself all day long! I stumbled across it via a friend's MySpace page about two years ago and attempted to get the original artist to let me include it on the album. When that fell through, I gave the opportunity to an up-and-coming duo from Philly to put their own version together, and they knocked it out of the park! The lyrics are awesome and offer unabashed praise for all women fat, fleshy and fine!

Samples of both songs are available at the album's MySpace page, check 'em out and see what you think! And please feel free to leave your thoughts (pro or con), I'm always eager to know what everything thinks. Naturally, posters at the rock sites are making fun of this project mercilessly, so I'm hoping folks around here are a little more in sync with my efforts.

http://www.myspace.com/WholeLottaLoveTribute

[Meilyne]

Love the rework of Big Girl - very catchy - still singing it

Thanks AJ!!

[Junebugmom68]

Wow, very cool project! 

[AJ!]

Thank you, June!

And I'm glad you like our new version of "Big Girl," Meilyne! No slight to the original, but I find the new one far more appealing.

Final new talent announcement is now at hand, someone near and dear to my heart...

Plus Size Blues Icon Candye Kane is Final Addition to Fat Girl Tribute CD

Celebrated blues diva Candye Kane, recent cancer survivor and 2010 nominee for the B.B. King Entertainer of the Year Award, becomes the final name player added to the upcoming tribute album "WHOLE LOTTA LOVE: An All-Star Salute To Fat Chicks." The voluptuous and curvaceous Candye appears courtesy of her size-positive original recording "You Need A Great Big Woman," as showcased on the Lifetime network and "The Maury Povich Show." This guitar-laden swing rocker features the incomparable Ms. Kane belting out the benefits of loving a large and luscious lady like herself. A sample of the song is now available at the official "WHOLE LOTTA LOVE" MySpace page.

http://www.myspace.com/WholeLottaLoveTribute

As Candye Kane reveals in the very lyrics of the song, "I like to sing the virtues of a big girl because I never did see myself (or women like me) on the cover of 'Cosmo' or 'Vanity Fair.' I only saw myself on the cover of 'Plumpers & Big Women' and 'Hefty Mamas!' But my message to you is, you've got to love your body and love yourself... and love everyone else's body if you get the chance! It works for me, baby."

Candye is one of but few women on the roster, which consists largely of members of such hard rock bands as Quiet Riot, Cinderella, Twisted Sister, Danger Danger and L.A. Guns performing songs about plus-sized women like her. Despite her minimal association with the genre, she does recall an encounter she once had with Kiss bassist Gene Simmons (who has publicly acknowledged his own appreciation of full-bodied women).

"Even though I'm honored to be included here, I'm not normally in the company of rockers," admits Kane. "I think the closest I got was back in the '80s when Gene Simmons hit on me! This was when I was recording my first album and he was producing some Japanese band (EZO) in the same studio. I turned him down, so I'm probably one of the few women who can say that! Back then I was more into country music so I said, 'Maybe if you were Dwight Yoakam!' I'm sure he wasn't accustomed to hearing that!"

Also confirmed for the tribute is the inclusion of the track "BMW" by the mysterious Dogwhistle, a funk/rock fusion combining two of man's favorite things: girls and cars. "BMW" is a brand new song composed expressly for this project and is available nowhere other than the tribute. A sample of the song is now available at the official "WHOLE LOTTA LOVE" MySpace page.

As previously reported, "WHOLE LOTTA LOVE: An All-Star Salute To Fat Chicks" is a musical homage to the big, beautiful women who make the rockin' world go 'round. The tribute will feature all-new recordings of popular songs praising the fuller female figure, originally made famous by some of the biggest names in rock and pop music. These anthems to abundance will be performed by renowned rock & rollers from yesterday and today, along with a select few rising stars. In direct opposition to the "no fat chicks" mantra espoused by some, "WHOLE LOTTA LOVE" will be a star-studded celebration of large and lovely ladies. Songs confirmed so far include Queen's arena rock classic "Fat Bottomed Girls" by L.A. Guns singer Phil Lewis, with guitarist Paul LaPlaca and drummer John Macaluso. Also on tap is a high-octane version of the AC/DC concert staple "Whole Lotta Rosie" by Rufus Fontain, featuring Cinderella guitarist Jeff LaBar and original Jackyl vocalist Ronnie Honeycutt. The Poison chart-topper "Unskinny Bop" is ably recreated by party rock outfit Evick, featuring members of the Bret Michaels Band. And the bass-heavy Spinal Tap dirge "Big Bottom" is given a 6-string revamp by Twisted Sister guitarist Eddie Ojeda and his Band of Steel. Plus-sized songstress Celisa Stratton brings all-new meaning to the title track "Whole Lotta Love" by Led Zeppelin, in conjunction with veteran Quiet Riot drummer Frankie Banali and guitarist Alex Grossi. Additionally, rock & roll comic C.C. Banana offers up a faithful rendition of the Kiss track "Spit" (a.k.a. "Split"), featuring bassist David Z of ZO2 and guitarist Angus Clark. Danger Danger frontman Ted Poley lends his trademark vocals to the Electric Boys hit "All Lips N' Hips," alongside his Poley/Rivera partner Vic Rivera. And the Sir Mix-A-Lot hip-hop smash "Baby Got Back" is given a metal makeover by comedian Don Jamieson, co-host of "That Metal Show" on VH1 Classic. Trixter guitarist Steve Brown puts a rock spin on Mika's international Top 40 single "Big Girl (You Are Beautiful)." Plus "Big, Fat, Sexy Mama," a song by NYC underground sensation The Compulsions, is expertly rendered by newcomers Triangle Exception. Rounding out the roster are founding Twisted Sister guitarist Jay Jay French, Tuff vocalist Stevie Rachelle and longtime W.A.S.P. drummer Stet Howland, who collaborate on a cover of the Ted Nugent cult favorite "Thunder Thighs." The album boasts an inspired cover by pop artist Les Toil, known for his bold and beautiful "big girl" pin-up art. Additional artists and track listings will be announced as they are confirmed. Samples of all tracks are available at the official "WHOLE LOTTA LOVE" MySpace page.

"WHOLE LOTTA LOVE: An All-Star Salute To Fat Chicks" is scheduled for an August 31, 2010 release and is now available for pre-order directly from SplitScreen Entertainment. The first 500 pre-orders will receive a free instant digital download of "Fat Bottomed Girls" as well as a bonus mini-print of the cover art upon delivery of the album. Further details can be found at the SplitScreen Entertainment website.

http://www.SplitScreenEntertainment.com