Carl Palmer (Photo by Michael Inns)

By JESSICA A. BOTELHO

Renowned rock drummer Carl Palmer makes music with drumsticks and creates artwork with them, too. He’ll be showing off both talents at the Narrow’s Center for the Arts in Fall River, Mass., this Sunday, May 5^th, as he and his band will celebrate the music of Emerson, Lake and Palmer (ELP) during a two-hour performance.

The show is part of his extensive world tour, “Twist of the Wrist,” also the name of his fine art collection, which features a series of visual images constructed by capturing the rhythm of drum performances through photographs.

The images, crafted in conjunction with California’s Scene Four Art Studios, combine motion, color and LED lights. He uses what he calls “special drumsticks” that emit four colors: blue, green, yellow and red, while playing drums in a dark room. The scene is photographed and then printed on canvas. Each print is signed and numbered.

“I don’t paint with paint; I paint with light,” he said. “I’m extremely proud of it.”

His art will be showcased, as well as available for purchase, during the performance at the Narrows. A meet and greet will follow for anyone who has purchased a ticket to the show.

“I like to give the fans an opportunity to not only meet myself and the band, but to give autographs,” Palmer said. “It does take a bit of time, but I enjoy doing it. It’s a nice payback to fans for supporting us and they get to meet (guitarist) Paul (Bielatowicz) and (bassist) Simon (Fitzpatrick), who are great musicians. And they can purchase my new DVD “Decade” and get it signed by the band.”

“Decade” pays homage to the fact that Palmer began playing ELP hits as a power trio, replacing keyboards with electric guitar, more than a decade ago in 2001. The DVD captures a multi-camera video shoot recorded at Pittsburgh’s MusikFest in 2011 and features Bielatowicz, who has been performing with Palmer since 2006, and Fitzpatrick, who came on board about three years ago.

Palmer is grateful for the enthusiasm they bring to the band and is happy they help deliver his fresh take on ELP to fans of all ages.

“They give me the satisfaction to be able to push this music to the future using different instruments – where Emerson, Lake and Palmer left off, I’ve just carried on,” said Palmer. “People can hear this through a new format, which is using guitars instead of keyboards and techniques that are available to us today. They give me that chance to push this music far along down the line.”

Palmer, best known as a founding member of ELP, as well as ASIA, has been performing for more than 40 years, taking on new projects such as the power trio and artwork to keep things interesting and fresh. He doesn’t plan on slowing down anytime soon.

Even a serious bout with E Coli, which sidelined him for more than two months and caused the cancellation of ASIA’s 2012 UK tour, can’t hold him back. It was the first time one of his tours had to be cancelled in his professional career.

“I love to play,” said Palmer. “I have no reason to stop or retire. People only retire when they don’t like what they do and I love what I do. I’m in a very fortunate position to have a job that I’ve loved all my life. Why stop working? I’m still improving and that’s more encouragement to keep going. I’ve been blessed by God and I’m still in good health. I’m very happy.”

Currently, Palmer has been on tour with his ELP Legacy since February. The tour kicked off in Japan before Palmer and his crew hopped aboard a Caribbean-bound cruise ship during the last week of March for Cruise to the Edge, which featured ELP Legacy, YES, Steve Hackett, and UK.

“We really enjoyed doing that,” Palmer said. “I played inside in the main room and then decided I wanted to play outside on the top deck. Unfortunately, it was rather windy when we started – winds were up to 35 miles an hour – but we played a good 45-minutes and had a great time. I was able to display my art aboard the ship.”

After the cruise, Palmer toured South America before beginning his North American leg earlier this month. So far, it’s been smooth sailing.

“It’s been going very well,” he said. “All in all, it’s been tremendous.”

The Narrows Center for the Arts is located at 16 Anawan Street in Fall River. Tickets can be purchased online at www.narrowscenter.org, by calling 508-324-1926 or in person at the box office Wednesday through Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Tickets will also be available at the door on the day of the show.

Ever want to be on the cover of Limelight Magazine? Well, here’s your chance to make it happen with our “We Got You Covered” Competition that will take place at 3065 Live in East Wareham on Saturday, June 8, 2013. All proceeds from the event will go toward covering the production costs of the summer issue of Limelight Magazine. Click HERE to read the official rules and to get an entry form. If there are any issues with the link, please e-mail us at limelightmagazine@gmail.com and we’ll gladly send the info to you as a PDF or Word document. A summary of the contest appears below.

Registration

All musicians wishing to register for the “We Got You Covered” Competition must read and accept the following rules and regulations before completing the registration form. Please note there is NO entry fee for this contest, but we need you to submit your completed registration form and a CD or MP3 by Friday, May 17, 2013, at 5 p.m. EST. CDs can be mailed to Limelight Magazine, P.O. Box 79263, Dartmouth, MA 02747, while MP3s can be e-mailed to limelightmagazine@gmail.com.

Summary of Rules, Regulations, and Scoring Criteria

1. This contest is for any band or solo musician from New England performing any genre of original music who has not previously appeared on the cover of Limelight Magazine.

2. After the co-owners of Limelight Magazine have reviewed the entry materials, six to eight finalists will be selected and contacted on Saturday, May 18, 2013.

3. The finalists will perform at 3065 Live, located at 3065 Cranberry Highway in East Wareham, MA, on June 8, 2013. Each band will have 20 minutes to perform. (For every minute exceeding the 20 minute limit, the band will be penalized 5 points from their total score.) All musicians should be at the venue at 5:30 p.m. to draw their time slots. We ask that everyone stays to support the other musicians.

4. The songs must not include profanity. All songs and performances must be family-friendly. Only one cover song is permitted.

5. All competing bands are strongly encouraged to partake in ticket sales for the advantage of crowd applause, which will be one of the criteria for which judging is based.

6. There is no limit to the number of bands who wish to apply for the competition, but no more than eight will be chosen.

7. Each competing band receives two complementary tickets in order to gain awareness and build their fan-base for the show. All other tickets will be full price at the rate of $10 general admission.

8. Judging is done on a 1-10 scale by four qualified judges. The criteria on which the bands will be judged are explained below. The final criteria, however, is crowd reaction which is done on a 1-20 scale. How loud can you make the venue? BRING YOUR FANS!!!

9. The winner of this contest will be asked to play an encore after the final judgment for 10 minutes. Please have a second set prepared in the event of victory.

10. The winner is required to be available for a photo shoot with music photographer Kristen Pierson (www.rok-pix.com) between June 12 to June 16 and must be able to travel to and within the state of Rhode Island. Limelight Magazine will provide the winner a hi-resolution JPEG of the cover in which they appear when the issue is published. If you are unavailable between the dates listed above, you will be disqualified and another winner will be selected.

11. A backline drum kit and vocal mics will be provided. Bands must provide their own instruments, guitar and bass amps, and pedal effects. Drummers must supply their own snare and cymbals. Vocalists may supply their own mic if desired.

Judging Scale and Criteria

1) Music (This criteria is based on clarity, lyrical content and overall musical performance) 1-10

2) Stage Presence and Crowd Interaction (This criteria is based on how well the band “rocks out” and how well the band connects with the crowd) 1-10

3) Appearance and Personality (This criteria is based on the overall look and personality. If you want to be a rock star, you need to look the part)1-10

 4) Original Material (This criteria judges the most important part of your act, your original material! Musicians want to show originality in both their lyrical and instrumental performance to impress the judges) 1-10

 5) Crowd Applause (The key ingredient to rock stardom: THE FANS!) 1-20

FOR AN ENTRY FORM CLICK HERE.

Dear Readers:

In July 2011, Limelight Magazine shifted its operations from a quarterly print publication to an online magazine. During our six-and-a-half years of existence, we’ve seen many, once vibrant, publications, such as Spin Magazine, shift to a digital model, while others, such as The Boston Phoenix, ceased their operations entirely. Moreover, many newspapers in New England have been forced to lay off employees, reduce circulation, and change their focus in order to be viable.

Despite the decline of traditional print media, we are continually asked by our readers to come out with another print issue of Limelight Magazine. To do this, we would need to generate approximately $3,750 in revenue to cover the costs of production, which includes printing, paying staff (i.e. managing editor, staff writer, photographer, graphic designer) and distributing the issue. Based on past experience, it’s been a challenge to get enough advertisers on board with each print issue because our editorial content is narrowly focused on the local music scene in New England. We could venture off and cover other topics to gain more advertisers, but that’s not who we are or what we are about.

Since we’ve never been one to shy away from a challenge, we’ve decided to come out with another print issue of Limelight Magazine this summer. However, we need your help to make it happen. Over the next 45 days, we’ll be taking a much different and more creative approach to generating revenue to produce the issue. While we’re still going to rely on advertising from businesses, we can no longer view that as the sole source of revenue. Therefore, we’ve decided to launch a Kickstarter campaign to fund one-third of the issue’s costs and a fun contest, called the “We Got You Covered” Competition, where musicians can perform live to be featured on the cover.

For details on donating to the Kickstarter campaign, visit this link at http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1046174475/limelight-magazine-special-summer-issue-2013.

For details on the cover contest, please click HERE.

As always, we thank you for your continued support and look forward to seeing Limelight Magazine in print again this summer!

Sincerely, 

Katie & Jay

Photo by Kristen Pierson

LOWELL – Katie Botelho and Jay Kenney, co-founders and co-owners of the JKB Entertainment Group, which publishes Limelight Magazine, were the recipients of the prestigious Scene Award presented at the New England Music Awards at Lowell Memorial Auditorium on Saturday, April 13^th.

This award is given annually to an individual or individuals for their outstanding dedication, involvement, and contribution to the New England music scene. It was presented to them by last year’s recipient of this award, Cat Wilson, co-founder of the weekly radio show The Cheap Seats, which airs Sunday nights from 6 to 8 p.m. on COOL 102 (101.9 FM).

“It was great to receive the award by someone who’s helped us out so much in the past and who also gives back to the local music scene,” said Botelho in regard to Wilson presenting the award. “Being recognized for the work we’ve done really means a lot to us and we couldn’t have asked for a better award!”

“This is truly an honor to be recognized for our contributions to the local music scene,” said Kenney. “While this means so very much, we wouldn’t be receiving this award if it weren’t for the many talented musicians we have here in New England. We accept this award on behalf of them.”

The New England Music Awards (NEMA) are presented every year to the musicians who call New England their home and whose dedication, spirit, and achievements have established themselves as a contributing force to the most robust and diverse music scene in the country. The NEMA nominating committee consists of journalists from music publications, radio personalities, talent buyers, and record label execs collectively representing all six New England states.

The goal of NEMA is to celebrate and recognize some of the areas best musical achievements. Every year NEMA nominates over 100 artists and/or bands spanning a number of categories and genres of popular music in New England, including the coveted individual state awards which select one band/act from each of the six states as its Best In State. The NEMA Nomination Committee also selects one winner in three Individual Award categories which are presented to individuals for their years of outstanding achievement and contribution to the New England music scene.

For more information about the New England Music Awards, visit www.nemusicawards.com.

By LEAH ASTORE

After nearly five years since his last solo CD, singer/songwriter/guitarist Charlie Farren is releasing a new studio record, Tuesday.

The title and track by the same name serve as a tribute to the late Brad Delp of BOSTON. When Farren first heard Delp’s song “Tuesday,” it left a lasting impression on him.

“I loved it immediately,” Farren said. “It reminded me of ‘Yesterday’ by The Beatles.”

The first time he heard a demo of the song he was in Delp’s car after judging a songwriting contest for Rock 101 (WGIR-FM). Years passed and Delp’s song was never released. However, inspiration struck recently when Farren heard the song “Yesterday” while driving in his car.

Farren called Delp’s family members and asked them to send him a demo of “Tuesday,” and for permission to record a cover of the song for his newest record.

“They were very, very supportive and enthusiastic,” Farren said, adding, “[Delp] was a fantastic guy and an incredible singer.”

Local DJ Lisa Garvey who wrote a review of the song said, “I honestly think ‘Tuesday’ could be the new ‘Yesterday.’”

Due to Farren’s background in hard rock with his band FARRENHEIT!, his other songs on the album have a similar influence mixed with a “jazzier and more eclectic” sound, he said.

At the moment Farren is also working on around 30 or 40 songs, which he said is a regular creative process for him.

“Everyday I pick up the guitar,” Farren said. “Most of the time I’m not just playing it, I’m writing my songs.”

For Tuesday, Farren recorded the acoustic guitar and vocals at his studio, The FMansion. Then the tracks were finished at producer Anthony J. Resta’s studio, Studio Bopnique, where cello and ambient guitars were added. Farren sang all the vocals, with the exception of the songs “That Kind of Girl” and “Middle of My Heart,” where his daughter Veronica Farren joins him on backup vocals.

While some of the songs on his album will not lend themselves to full solo performance, Farren said, half are songs he will incorporate into his set list. Farren has four upcoming shows in New England in April, including an intimate CD release party on April 5^th at The Center for the Arts in Natick, Mass.

“It’s been a blast to get back into music,” he said. “I’m psyched to be performing solo again.”

Tomorrow, March 29, Farren is playing a show at Purple Pit Jazz Club in Concord, N.H. where he said he might preview some of his new songs.

“I’ll probably be previewing the ones I feel strongly about,” Farren said.

As for the rest of his newest tracks, fans can attend his CD release party and show The Center for the Arts in Natick. Tickets are available on venue’s website.

For more information about Farren, visit his website at www.charliefarren.com.

By JESSICA A. BOTELHO

 The multi-talented Audrey Landers, 56, secured the role as singer Afton Cooper on “Dallas” when she was 24-years-old, appearing in 84 episodes and a television movie. Now, she just released a new album and is reprising the part, with fans eagerly awaiting her comeback to the popular prime time drama tonight (March 25).

“It actually feels like going home,” she said of returning to the show, which first debuted on CBS in 1978 and went off the air in 1991. A revamped version premiered on TNT last year and is still going strong during its second season. “It’s almost as if no time has gone by. It was great reconnecting with cast members, and I love the way my character has developed.”

According to Landers, Afton, a nightclub singer, was a “19-year-old gold digger” who did the “dirty work” for J.R. Ewing, and then had an on-again, off-again romance with Cliff Barnes. The lovers share a child, Pamela Rebecca Barnes, now an adult played by actress Julie Gonzalo.

It’s no secret Afton’s relationship with her daughter hasn’t been perfect, but these days, said Landers, Afton is a strong and devoted mother, as Monday’s episode finds her rushing to a pregnant Pamela Rebecca’s bedside after an accident jeopardizes her unborn twins.

Aside from the drama, Afton is still singing, yet the extent of her career isn’t clear at this point.

“It’s evident in the new series that she’s self-confident and I like that about her,” Landers said. “She seems to have made a good life for herself. She’s no longer struggling and she married well. But you don’t know how much Afton is involved in all this. It’s going to be exciting to find out where Afton stands with all the business deals that are going on.”

One thing is for sure: the episode won’t include a reunion for Afton and Cliff.  It’s a bit of a bummer for Landers, as she was hoping to reunite with Ken Kercheval, who starred as Cliff in the original series. Still, she’s optimistic that writers and producers will include him in the script down the road.

“I hope that they don’t disappoint the audience in the future,” Landers said. “I think the audience is really asking for that reunion and I do believe the writers and producers respond to the fans, which is wonderful.”

Landers is referencing the fact that there was recently a Facebook movement to “Bring Audrey Landers Back to Dallas,” which she believes helped influence her return. She said she will be forever grateful for the support.

“I’m so touched by it,” she said. “The fact that they created the page is just so heartwarming and flattering. I appreciate it so much and I think it made a difference because they brought the character back. The producers look at that and they respect it. It’s very nice.”

Speaking of fans, many of them often ask her to release songs she performed – and wrote – on the original series. While her music never made much of a splash in America during the 1980s, Landers exploded as a singer and composer in Europe, earning 10 gold singles, four gold albums and two platinum albums. She’s taking another stab at it in the U.S. with “Dallas Feels Like Home,” her latest release, which debuted on iTunes Saturday, March 23^rd.

“It has some of the country-style songs I sang on ‘Dallas,’ such as ‘Steal Me Away,’ and some of the other contemporary productions,” said Landers.  “And the liner notes have photos and the original sheet music I hand wrote in 1981.”

Additionally, she’s set to perform at a benefit concert with Shirley Jones, former star of the hit show “The Partridge Family,” April 26 at the International Ballroom at the Fairmont Hotel in Dallas, Texas. Proceeds will be donated to the Dallas Area Rape Crisis Center, as well as the Women’s Center of Tarrant County-Rape Crisis/Victims Services. Landers will open the show as a tribute to the late Larry Hagman, who starred as the man everyone loved to hate, J.R. Ewing, on “Dallas.”

Landers fondly remembers working with Hagman in the original series, and said she’ll never forget her first day on set, during which she was filming an intimate scene with Hagman.

“I was a total newcomer – completely nervous and intimidated – and he was always a prankster,” she said. “We got under the covers, and as soon as they called action, Larry took a handful of ice then put his hands on me. I was trying to keep it together and show my professionalism, but finally the director called cut because the whole cast and crew was in on it. I think I disappointed them because I didn’t jump up and scream.”

As much fun as it is to reminisce, she also is pleased to work with the newer cast members, describing them as “terrific” actors. She spoke highly of the writers and producers , too, saying that she is thrilled that they are able to recreate the show in such a way that keeps the interest of the original fans, but is modern enough and relevant to “younger” viewers.

“We don’t have a lot like it for this generation, so for the new fans it’s sort of a new genre,” said Landers. “The writing is great and everything is fast-paced. I think everybody is ready for a show like this.”

She’s also ready to continue her stay with the show. If it gets renewed for a third season, she’s hoping to be back.

“There’s been talk about it,” Landers said. “That would be really fantastic. I love the character. She’s been a part of my life for decades.”

If that doesn’t happen, Landers has plenty to keep her busy. Aside from her own music career, she serves as manager for her singer-songwriter son, Daniel, 19, who is studying under the Bruce Hornsby Creative American Music Program at the University of Miami, and working on an album of his own.

“He’s a phenomenal songwriter and his musical range as a singer is amazing,” she said. “Guys don’t usually have three and a half or four octaves; he has an amazing pop-rock voice.”

Her son isn’t the only family member she’s working with: she recently co-created a fashion business, the Landers STAR Collection, with her mother Ruth. But the business partnership is nothing new, as Ruth once managed her daughter’s career.

“Every time I had to do a live performance, she was very much involved, especially with wardrobe,” Landers said of her mother. “So many people would often ask, ‘where did you get that dress?’ or ‘where can I get one like it?’ so we decided to create a line of affordable, glamorous clothes for women. Every woman is a star and she deserves to shine, so our fashions have a little glitz and bling here and there just to make you feel special.”

Landers likes making her fans feel special, and that’s one reason why she attends conventions, such as Chiller Theatre in New Jersey and The Hollywood Show in Los Angeles, to sign autographs and pose for photos with fans. She enjoys meeting fans in person, as well as interacting with them on social media outlets.

“It’s an awesome way to be able to have a personal connection to your fans,” she said. “You can connect with everybody from around the world, and I love being able to answer people when I can. Back in the day, we didn’t have Twitter and Facebook; we didn’t have that immediate response when the show was on air.”

She’s sure fans will take to Twitter to express their feelings about the upcoming episode and the fate of Pamela Rebecca’s twins by the end of the episode, as Landers will be live tweeting during the show under the tag name @AudreyLanders.

Until then, learn more about Landers and her projects at the following links: www.AudreyLanders.com; www.LandersStarCollection.com; http://www.landersproductions.com/; https://twitter.com/AudreyLanders; www.Youtube.com/DanielLandersVideos; www.DanielLandersOfficial.com; http://www.facebook.com/DanielLandersMusic; https://twitter.com/Daniel_Landers.

Here’s one final run down of all the nominees, including the winners and runner ups. Kudos to every single one of these great musicians for making the local music scene vibrant in New England!!!

Legend Award

BOSTON

From left, Gary Pihl and Tom Scholz of BOSTON

Unsung Hero Award

Lisa Guyer

Lisa Guyer (center) with Jay and Katie

DJ Most Supportive of the Local Music Scene

Lisa Azizian & John Shea (of Almost Famous)

N.E. Tribute Band of the Year

Beast over Boston: Tribute to Iron Maiden

The Great Escape: Tribute to Journey (winner)

Gun Powder Gelatine: Tribute to Queen (runner up)

Holy Diver: Tribute to Ronnie James Dio

Human Clay: Tribute to Creed

Klassik Kiss: Tribute to Kiss

Lotus Land: Tribute to Rush

LoveSexy: Tribute to Prince

Live Act of the Year

Awesome Express (winner)

Jeff Byrd & Dirty Finch

Indiana Handshake

Tony Jones & The Cretin 3

Lansdowne (runner up)

Lisa Markovich & Beyond Blonde

Fly Kite Canvas (previously Scarlet)

Thurskills Vision

Female Vocalist of the Year

Lauren Bateman

Keturah Burgess

Dorian Havers (runner up)

Tammy Laforest

Erin Elizabeth Ollis

Jessica Prouty (winner)

Jessica Scalese

Jenny White

Male Vocalist of the Year

Corey Amaral

Joseph L. Auger

Walter Barlow

Norman Bishop

Mark Cutler (runner up)

Steven Scott Haidaichuk

Spogga Hash

Jesse Liam (winner)

Album/EP of the Year By Group

Closer Than We Appear – Evaluating Expressions (winner)

Fall and Bounce – Kickknack Avalanche

The Few – Headstock

Hemlok – A Cautionary Tale

Omega Reign – Arise

Satellites Fall – Lines On The Road (runner up tie)

A Simple Complex – Come Undone (runner up tie)

We Own Land – The Plan

Album/EP of the Year By Solo Act

Chris Allen – The Power of Chris Compels You

Sam Chase – Every Time I’m Home

Ian James – Grand Delusions

Brian Jarvis – Beautifully Broken

Ken Macy – Outline

Jay Psaros – Simply (runner up)

Hayley Reardon – Where The Artists Go

Sarah Swain – Every Little Bird (winner)

Metal Act of the Year

Bigtalkahh (winner)

A Dying Breed

The Folly of Man

Fuel of War (runner up)

Nothing Left to Give

Omega Reign

Santagata

To Die This Night

Country Artist of the Year

Krista Angelucci

Dalton and the Sheriffs

Kiley Evans

Brianna Grace (runner up)

Highway Ghosts

Shanna Jackman

Ashley Jordan (winner)

Erin Ollis

Breakthrough Artist of the Year

Closer Than We Appear

Consuelo’s Revenge

Tammy Laforest (runner up)

Nymphidels

popALERT (winner)

Carlin Tripp

Weld Square

Zanois

Video of the Year

Krista Angelucci – “C R E E P” (winner tie)

Birch Hill Dam – “Fathom’s Below” (winner tie)

Sarah Blacker – “Knocked the Winds” (runner up)

Brad Byrd – “On My Way Down”

Ashley Jordan – “Fading Away”

J. Kelley Band-“Shake You”

Greg Lato – “Help You Out”

PopALERT – “I Don’t’ Deserve It”

Singer-Songwriter of the Year

Joseph L. Auger

Samuel Bowen

Nick Duane (runner up)

Joanne Lurgio

Amanda McCarthy (winner)

Danielle Miraglia

Hayley Reardon

Carly Tefft

Song of the Year

“Only Human” by Bigtalkahh

“One More Spin Around” by Kiley Evans

“Second Time Around” by Brianna Grace

“Wicked” by Sara Leketa (winner)

“Won’t Ever Quit” by Joanne Lurgio

“I Don’t Deserve It” by popALERT (runner up)

“One Night” by Satellites Fall

“Silver Wishes” by Jenn Zapata and the Dan Kirouac Band

Band of the Year

City of Squares

Dead Nobodies

For the Love of Sloane

J. Kelley Band

Lisa Markovich & Beyond Blonde (winner)

The Mighty Good Boys

Grace Morrison and the SRO

Naked Stills (runner up)

A packed house!

Jeremy Carnrike as Lex Luthor

By JESSICA A. BOTELHO

Not all actors are willing to change their physical appearance to land a role, but for Jeremy Carnrike, 32, shaving his head full of red hair to star as Lex Luthor in the non-profit fan film, Superman: The Golden Child, was a no-brainer.

“That was the thing that got me the role in the end,” said Carnrike, who in addition to being an actor is also the guitarist for the East Coast Runaways, a rock band based in Worcester, Mass. “The director called me and we did a phone interview and it came down to, ‘let’s just cut to the chase. Are you willing to shave your head?’ And I was like, ‘Absolutely.’”

As the film’s genre explicitly suggests, a fan film is a movie or video inspired by a film, television program or comic book, which is made by fans, as opposed to the source’s copyright holders.

Considering that, it should be no surprise that Carnrike, along with everyone involved in the film, is a huge Superman fan. Starring as Luthor is something he’s wanted to do for a long time, however, he used to fantasize about playing The Man of Steel.

“As little boys watching Superman, we threw the towel around our neck as a cape,” he said. “I grew up with that, but I’m a little guy and I’m a redhead, so if I can’t be Superman, I wanted to play Lex Luthor. It’s a lot of that built up, redhead anger,” he joked. “It almost let me be myself, only a little more moodier.”

Carnrike, who said this was his first big movie role, learned about the available part about a year and a half ago on SupermanHomepage.com, one of the world’s largest Superman fan sites. He saw a posting about the movie, but ignored it at first.

“I thought, ‘I’m just some little Massachusetts guy with big dreams,’” he said. “But then a few months later I saw it posted again, so finally I sent in an email.”

A week later, Andrew List of AList Productions, the film’s writer, director and producer, interviewed Carnrike via phone. By the end of the following week, Carnrike emailed List again inquiring about the role.

“Within five minutes he got back to me and said, ‘the role’s yours,’” Carnrike said.

Made on an $850 budget, most of the funds for the 22-minute film came out of List’s pocket. Originally written as a full-length film, List decided to shorten the script as time went on. It was shot from July to October of last year in San Angleo, Texas, with a Panasonic DVX100 and a Canon Rebel T3.  There were never more than two crewmembers working on any given scene, one of them always List.

“He pretty much did everything on his own,” said Carnrike, who served as an executive producer with List and List’s wife, Taylor Moehnke. Moehnke also did the photography stills for promotions.

The film made its online debut in December. According to Carnrike, it stays true to the classic Superman plot, as it highlights the intense power struggle between Superman and Luthor.

It is comprised of two main actors: Carnrike, along with Texas native Joshua Boultinghouse, who starred as Superman/Clark Kent. Boultinghouse is the official Superman at the “Superman Celebration”, an annual Superman festival that takes place in Metropolis, Illinois during the late spring or early summer. List is trying to secure a screening of the film at this year’s event.

“He’s the closest thing to the real Superman; his persona fits it perfectly,” Carnrike said of Boultinghouse. “He’s easily two or three times my size and he’s all natural muscle. He has the height, the chest build – there’s not extra padding. It’s real bodybuilding. And it’s not just his physique; just talking to him – there’s never a bad thing that comes out of his mouth. He works really hard and it’s been his life dream to play Superman.”

So far, the film has received lots of positive feedback from fans. Carnrike said people have commented about it on Superman Homepage.com.

“The people who go to those pages are hardcore fans and they love it,” he said. “They love seeing new fan stuff because it’s more accurate to the original story line.”

Carnrike, who studied music business and education at Berklee College of Music, was happy that the East Coast Runaways contributed to Superman: The Golden Child, as they wrote and recorded a song of the name for the film. In other band news, he said they have been working on a two CD project for the last year called, “Nosebleeds and Maybelline.”  The album has already been recorded, with each CD comprised of seven songs. They are in the midst of mixing and mastering it and plan to release it soon.

“It’s a concept album, so the songs flow with each other,” said Carnrike. “We’re trying to reach back to the Pink Floyd days where they put real albums together where it was more of a story.”

In addition to the upcoming album, Carnrike has been working on a Superman script of his own. He started it about eight years ago and it’s based on the Doomsday storyline that came out in the 1990s. He’s also trying to bulk up for a short fan film based on Superboy, which is Superman as a young man in his late teens or early 20s.

“It hurts a lot,” he said. “All my muscles are aching.”

But Carnrike understands that sometimes there is no gain without pain and he’s willing to tough it out to follow his dreams. After all, starring as Luthor in “Superman: The Golden Child” was a dream come true.

“It was a great experience all the way around,” he said.

As for List, he’s focused on creating another Superman fan film based on the “Kingdom Come” storyline.

“The reception to this is even bigger than the Golden Child,” said Carnrike.

Watch Superman: The Golden Child at www.supermangc.com and click the “support” link to help fund future projects. Learn more about the East Coast Runaways at http://www.reverbnation.com/eastcoastrunaways.