The Underground Experience Presents Recording Artist C.J. EMMONS & Producer/Writer/Actor MR. MARTIN PAPAZIAN (“LEAST AMONG SAINT’S”)!

Wednesday 5/30/12   & Thursday 5/31/12

The Underground Experience Presents Recording Artist C.J. EMMONS & Producer/Writer/Actor MR. MARTIN PAPAZIAN (“LEAST AMONG SAINT’S”)!

ALSO – Another episode of  “THE CASH EXCHANGE” with Moni Cash!

C.J. EMMONS

Born and raised in Houston, TX, C.J. Emmons’s talent is true to the statement, “Everything is bigger and better in Texas”, Including his six-octave range.

He began singing at church as a child. His mother, not knowing what to do with his talent, encouraged him by playing, Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Luciano Pavarotti and Leontyne Price. He then began singing in local talent shows competing with Houston artists such as Beyoncé Knowles, and Tamar. He was even scouted by Chuck Norris. Soon, he featured in local commercials and performed in local theater houses including Alley Theater, Encore and Ensemble Theater.

In the Summer of 2003, C.J. moved to Los Angeles to follow his passion. By the Fall of 03 and early winter of 04, he booked and sang in Emmy winner Mike Ajakwe Jr.’s “If You Don’t Believe” with Fresh Prince star Tatyana Ali and 1970s songbird and Grammy winner, Deniece Williams. Mike Ajakwe Jr saw his talent early on stating, “C.J. Emmons is one of the best singers I’ve ever worked with. His enormous talent is only eclipsed by his even bigger heart. I know he will accomplish a lot in the entertainment industry.”

After opening to rave reviews and auditioning for countless television shows, C.J. finally made his T.V. debut in the summer of 2007, as a featured singer on NBC’s The Singing Bee. On the show, he performed with American Idol’s music director, Ray Chew; Grammy winner, Barry Manilow; Taylor Dane; Little Richard; Debbie Harry; Emmy Award Winning choreographer, Toni Basil; and N’SYNC’s, Joey Fatone. Phil Gurin, the producer of  The Singing Bee, hailed C.J. as “an enormous talent” and Ray Chew said, “Once you hear C.J. You know you have heard the truth.” 

After this, C.J. appeared on a number of awards shows and celebrations including the Espy Awards, B.E.T. Awards, MTV Music awards, and Barbara Walters’s Birthday Celebration on ABC’s The View. The year ended with a bang when he garnered a Kids Choice Award nomination. He was a also a judge on the Hit ETTV ASIAN Talent Show “TOP IDOL” For 3 Years.

C.J. soon began to gather ideas to record his own album. He worked with noted producers, the Underdogs, and found their creativity inspiring. In the fall of 2008 He teamed up with Grammy Winning Engineer Reggie Dozier, (brother of Motown Legend, Lamont Dozier, of Holland, Dozier and Holland) And began the Blueprint of making an album. He started his own Label, 13th Floor Music, and began playing with his band around L.A. One performance is forever etched in his mind, “Stevie Wonder came to my show at Bardot in Hollywood and asked me to do four Encores that is one night I will never forget”

He then reached out to Grant Nicholas (Ne-Yo’s first producer) and they began work on C.J.’s album in the fall of 2010,with additional help from another Texan, David “Smitty” Smith. The album took one year to complete, and the title of the album left everyone asking the same Question

“Whatever Happened 2 Christopher Jermain?”

In the summer of 2011, C.J. embarked on a world tour with music legend Bobby Womack. When visiting Sweden, London, and Holland, C.J. solidified his reputation as “The Entertainer.” Bobby Womack raved, “C.J. is one hell of a singer!” and Rachelle Farrell, (who was also on tour in the same countries) in her classic way, crooned, “Sang, Brother C.J. Sang.” Overseas, C.J. says, “the tour deepened my understanding of how limitless music truly is.”

Recently, C.J. performed in front of Berry Gordy and the Motown Family at the 2011 Motown Heroes and Legends Awards Show. He was asked to sing at the tribute to The Temptations. Not only did he receive a standing ovation, but he was also personally congratulated by Mr. Gordy himself, and Grammy Award winning singer, Brandy who was in attendance. He also shared the stage at the 2011 Artist For Peace event at the Gibson Amphitheater with Flora Martirosian, Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan, Eric Benet, Lalah Hathaway, Malina Moye, Pras Michel, Michael Stone, and Alexia Vassiliou.

C.J. understands his singing as a gift. As he told the LA Times, “I always felt as if my life and talent, wasn’t my own, but it was for the world.” 

C.J. Emmons is truly an artist for the new millennium.

 

MARTIN PAPAZIAN

Least Among Saints marks Papazian’s debut as a feature film director and writer. Papazian cut his teeth acting and directing in Los Angeles and New York. He previously directed the award-winning short film In The Wind, about a soldier’s return to Katrina-ravaged New Orleans. The film won Best Picture at the New Orleans and Vail Film Festivals, and selection at other festivals.

As an actor, Papazian burst onto the scene in Universal Pictures’ Jarhead directed by Academy Award winner Sam Mendes. He most recently acted opposite Charlize Theron in Fox Studios’ The Burning Plain, written and directed by Guierrmo Arriaga. He appeared in DreamWorks’ The Island directed by Michael Bay. His TV network appearances include 24 (recurring), Lie to Me, CSI:NY, Monk, Without a Trace, N.C.I.S., Dexter, and The Unit, episode directed by David Mamet.

Papazian holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from the Arizona Reparatory Theater at the University of Arizona, and spent a semester in London training with The British Academy of Dramatic Arts.

Born in Los Angeles, Martin is the third of four boys. His youngest brother Joey was handicapped at birth and is the glue that holds together the proud family of award-winning producer Robert Papazian and his wife Sandy, best known for authoring her heartfelt book Growing Up with Joey.

Least Among Saints is produced by Robert Papazian and partner James Hirsch of Papazian Hirsch Entertainment, regarded as one of Hollywood’s most respected and successful independent production companies.

LEAST AMONG SAINTS June 4, 2012, 7:00 P.M. The Albert and Dana Broccoli Theatre, SCA 112, George Lucas Building, USC School of Cinematic Arts Complex, 900 W. 34th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90007 Coming home to a broken marriage and unsure future, veteran Anthony Hayward thinks he’s at the end of his rope. But when his troubled ten year-old neighbor, Wade, calls out for help, Anthony can’t seem to turn away. To the dismay of the boy’s embattled social worker, Anthony sets out on a fool’s quest to help this heartbroken but hard to reach child find his long-lost father, who might not even exist.

Musical Artists Include: C.J Emmons, Ajay Mac, Charlie Turner, Brelain, The Originalz, Heather Cole & Shawn!

Broadcast # 123

Wednesday  5/30 4pm – 5pm (PST) at www.KCLAFM.com (PC) and http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/5758/vlc-media-player (MAC)

Thursday 5/31 9am – 10am (PST) & 9pm – 10pm (PST) at www.KLEDLive.com

Direct Links also on website: www.UltimateUnderground.com

Podcast will be available on iTunes. Podomatic and Website!

“Least Among Saints”

Martin Papazian & Tristan Labeau

C.J. Emmons

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Moni Cash

A-Jay Mac Music Xray

Charlie Turner Deuce Mgmt

Benjamin Brelain Deuce Mgmt

The Originalz Music Xray

Heather Cole Music Xray

Sean