Good Times With Webbie belowthebelt.com

On Wednesday May 19, 2010, I had a blast being interviewed by Al Sotto, producer of "Below the Belt,"(www.belowthebeltshow.com) the popular entertainment radio & internet talk show on WMBC/Baltimore, which also streams on the web.
To listen to the interview, please click here.

RUF is FUR Spelled Backwards!

Bow-sa! Here's a clip from my appearance on Fox News Boston Monday, during the filming of my PSA for animal rights, for your viewing pleasure.

http://www.myfoxboston.com/dpp/news/local/nick-mitchell-visits-northeast-animal-shelter-20100520

WENDY WILLIAMS SHOW

How you doin'? This morning, my girl Wendy Williams gave me a shout-out on her show, announcing my first single "Brit Slap!"

TV APPEARANCE ON FOX CONNECTICUT

On Tuesday, May 18, the fine folks on Fox News Morning Show interviewed me and Gentle band members/producers DNA, in Hartford, Conn.
 

'Brit Slap'

"A couple of weeks after Middlebury's Katie Stevens was voted off "American Idol," another Connecticut "Idol" reappears.

Nick Mitchell, better known as Norman Gentle, has released his first single, "Brit Slap." The 27-year-old Brookfield resident was among the top 36 contestants last season before getting voted off. The song is a playful jab at Simon Cowell, who once told Gentle: "I hope I'm speaking on behalf of America when I pray you don't go through to the next round." The single was released on iTunes today, and a video — starring a cardboard cutout of Cowell — will appear later this month." 

"WAKING UP WITH THE WOLF" Radio Show

Had a fine time being interviewed by Mickey Damage for "Waking Up With The Wolf" radio show on Channel 103.1 in Albany, New York.

MY CHAT WITH THE HOUSTON CHRONICLE

Joey Guerra says: "I have scored the big one for you, my Idol friends. Wednesday's live chat will feature none other than:

That's right. NORMAN GENTLE IN THE HOUSE.

The season 8 semifinalist brought something sorely missing from this year's batch of contestants -- a sense of humor. Was he going to win? Of course not. But he was fun to watch. Can you say that about anyone this season?Since Idol, he's continued to work the Gentle wave, appearing regularly on the Wendy Williams Show and releasing his own single, Brit Slap:

A video featuring America's Next Top Model judge Nigel Barker is due soon.

Come back at 1 p.m. CST Wednesday to chat LIVE with Norman about this season's singers, the big finale and his own career.

Are you excited? I'm excited."

YAHOO GETS GENTLE

Yahoo MusicBrit Slap! Norman Gentle Gives Simon Cowell The Ultimate Sendoff
Posted Wed May 19, 2010 12:42pm PDT by Lyndsey Parker in Reality Rocks

As loyal "American Idol" fans face the truly depressing prospect of a Simon Cowell-less 10th "AI" season (not to mention a truly anti-climactic Season 9 finale), what they could use right now is some comic relief. So it's the always amazing Norman Gentle to the rescue, here to give Simon a truly memorable sendoff and give "Idol" fans some much-needed laughs.The flamboyantly headbanded, Bermuda-shorted comedic genius of "AI" Season 8--occasionally known as Normund Gentle, Nick Mitchell, or the "Idol" answer to Weird Al Yankovic--is now also known as the lead singer of the eponymous band GENTLE. ("Daughtry is the biggest male success from 'American Idol.' I did not realize that all you have to do is drop your first name and form a band to sell a million records. Sign me up, America! From now on we are GENTLE," Norman explained on his website.) GENTLE recently released their Cowell-roasting debut single, "Brit Slap" (available now on iTunes! woot!). And I am telling you...it's actually really good! No jokeSeriously. This ought to be the coronation song on the Season 9 finale next week:FYI, an eagerly awaited (by me, at least) "Brit Slap" video was recently shot in Times Square starring a cardboard Simon cutout, Norm's fellow Season 8 "Idol" semifinalists Jackie Tohn, Casey Carlson, and Kristen McNamara, and another surly reality-TV Brit, "Top Model" judge Nigel Barker. Said Barker via his blog: "[This] outlandish character is known for his theatrical performances, and unusual and flirtatious relationship with Simon Cowell. When asked to join him on the set of his music video, I couldn't think of a better way to poke fun at my fellow Brit-transplant reality show judge. Adorned in matching red headbands, I joined Norman and had a great time."

Norman also reportedly sports a Beyonce-style black catsuit in some of the video's scenes. Awesome.The video will also feature a "Brit Slap Dance," which a GENTLE press release excitingly describes as "a refreshing replacement to the Macarena, Time Warp, and that birdie dance, of which Norman Gentle believes even Paula Abdul will approve." So get out your headbands and keep checking this space to experience this soon-to-be-released, sure-to-be-brilliant work of small-screen cinema.

"Who'd have believed?" Norman gushed in a press release. "Isn't it wonderful to know that you don't have to have a rich papa, a mountain of plastic surgery, and Simon Cowell's blessing to get a shot at the American dream? I feel Gentle-uinely blessed to have this opportunity to slap my positive vibe around the globe."As a longtime "Idol" watcher, I personally feel Gentle-uinely blessed that someone like Norman Gentle ever made it to the semifinals on this show. Simon Cowell should feel blessed too. After all, what better way to end nine seasons of "Idol" than by going Gently into that good night?

Gettin' Jiggy With Gentle

We were rehearsing for a series of upcoming live gigs with my band members and producers of my first single "Bitch Slap!" DNA, a.k.a. Ayhan Sahin and Dennis DelGaudio.The "family-friendly" "American Idol" send-off to Simon Cowell, "Brit Slap!" is available on amazon.com, while both versions, "Brit" and the "explicit" "Bitch" are being hawked on iTunes.

So much great stuff is going on as my song gains traction... DNA and I filmed a hilarious video in support of ASPCA on Monday, we appeared on Fox News in Hartford, Conn., Tuesday morning, followed by five radio phoners Wednesday. I also participated in an interactive online chat today for an hour with The Seattle Times.

In addition, Yahoo! Music writer Lyndsey Parker devoted her column today to Gentle, writing that the "truly anti-climactic Season 9 finale (of 'American Idol') could use some comic relief. So it's the always amazing Norman Gentle to the rescue, here to give Simon a truly memorable sendoff and 'Idol' fans some much-needed laughs." She also offers about my soon-to-be-released video for "Slap," "Get out your headbands to experience this sure-to-be-brilliant work of small-screen cinema." You know it, cool cats.

In addition, check out the link on votefortheworst.com.

May 18, 2010: VOTE FOR THE WORST ANNOUNCES THE LAUNCH OF "BITCHSLAP!"

"The very first Normund Gentle single, Bitchslap!, is now available for purchase on iTunes. A second version titled Britslap has been available as the edited version, but this is the raw, uncut, explicit Normund. So if you've ever wanted to see Normund bitchslap someone, your dreams have come true. Buy his song."

May 17, 2010: WIRELESS FLASH NEWS INC.

Monday, May 17, 2010 17:27 GMT
BROOKFIELD, Conn. (Wireless Flash - FlashNews) – American Idol’s most memorable reject is hellbent on making his musical mark.

Singer/comedian Nick Mitchell made the top 25 on American Idol last year by performing as his wacky, headband-wearing alter-ego, Norman Gentle.

Simon Cowell couldn’t stand him, but that hasn’t stopped Mitchell from recording an independent debut album simply dubbed, Gentle.

His first single, “Brit Slap,” is a farewell ode to Cowell who’s leaving Idol after this season.

Mitchell, who aspires to be this generation’s Weird Al Yankovic, says the accompanying music video will be out within days.

In it, he sports a black catsuit “just like Beyonce” and gets followed around by bootylicious back-up dancers in Times Square. Cowell himself is even in the video – well, a cardboard cutout anyway.

If all goes according to plan, Norman Gentle will be the next great pop star. Mitchell says he’s dropping the Norman and going just by Gentle though, since that worked for Daughtry.
© Copyright 2010 Wireless Flash News Inc

SUN SHINES ON GENTLE'S MOHEGAN LIVE APPEARANCE

Norman Gentle held court Sunday May 10 at Connecticut's premier casino Mohegan Sun before a crowd of Northeast royalty. Read: A fabulous ensemble of drag queens, their court and festive Gentle-men.

Gentle's live performance of "And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going" had the crowd on its feet, sashaying in unison and partaking in the wondrous charms of Norman's Gentle-cosm.

‘AMERICAN IDOL’ FINALIST NORMAN GENTLE’S DEBUT SINGLE

Accompanying Video Clip, Radio Are Next, With Biggest ‘Slap’ Waiting In The Wings

The release of Norman Gentle’s debut single Tuesday, May 4, became the slap heard around the world. The “American Idol” season eight top 25 finalist’s saucy toast to outgoing judge Simon Cowell, “Brit Slap!” has generated a firestorm of media attention from the likes of USA Today, Dallas Morning News, votefortheworst.com and more.

The simultaneous launch of gentleofficial.com—which includes daily updates about his “Gentle-cosm,” including opinions on “American Idol,” tips for living Gentle-y, being a proper Gentle-man, Random Acts of Gentle-ocide, and other rants and raves about pop culture—fostered more than 12,000 hits in its first week.

In addition, Gentle’s cumulative presence on Youtube.com now exceeds 1.35 million hits. On Google, “Norman Gentle” brings in more than 2 million results. The up-tempo sing-along “Brit Slap!” was also released to iTunes and amazon.com, last week.

The next slap-happy event is destined to hit mid-month, with the debut of Gentle’s music video for “Brit Slap!” on a national network. The clip features a cameo from “America’s Top Model” judge Nigel Barker (www.nigelbarker.tv), a cast of Broadway dancers—and Cowell himself (okay, as a stand-up cardboard cutout)—which literally stopped traffic in Manhattan’s Times Square when it was lensed in March, as thousands of passers-by joined in the tribute.

Following release of the video, Gentle will launch at top 40, hot AC and dance radio, followed by a cross-promotional campaign that will highlight his pet causes: support for animal rights and a fervent anti-fur stance. And there’s more in store: with the biggest and best slap waiting in the wings, to be announced Tuesday, May 25.

Norman Gentle’s giant following has made the comedian a hero among “Idol” worshippers. When his alter ego, 27-year-old Nick Mitchell from Brookfield, Conn., ambushed the No. 1 TV show in North America last year, the character’s slapstick persona served up unexpected vocal finesse, via a memorable performance of “And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going” from “Dreamgirls,” which drew high praise from three of the four “Idol” judges. Perhaps not surprisingly, holdout Cowell scowled, “I hope I’m speaking on behalf of America when I pray you don’t go through to the next round.”

But it was too late: The media fell in love with the headband-wearing, tuxedo jacket-sporting, khaki shorts-donning character, recognizing a bona fide talent. MTV News deemed his appearances an “insanely brilliant—if not brilliantly insane—move. We’ve made up our minds. Norman Gentle is the greatest contestant in ‘American Idol’ history.”

In 2010, Gentle was booked as a correspondent on the syndicated “Wendy Williams Show” (www.wendyshow.com), offering predictions about “American Idol” season nine. He appears weekly, opening the show and chatting with Williams about the leading finalists.

Gentle also signed with New York-based Young Pals Records International, which is issuing “Brit Slap!” with a succession of releases to follow that will capitalize on the comedic talent, while evolving him in surprising new directions.

CONTACT: Ghia
Telephone: 617-997 6554
Email: hydrangea4563@vzw.blackberry.net, gggarth83@hotmail.com

WEB LINKS:
www.gentleofficial.com
www.youngpalsrecords.com

‘AMERICAN IDOL’ SEASON EIGHT FINALIST NORMAN GENTLE RELEASES FIRST SINGLE ‘BRIT SLAP,’ A TOAST TO SIMON COWELL

Accompanying Video Clip, Featuring ‘America’s Top Model’ Judge Nigel Barker,

Scheduled For National Network Launch; Song On iTunes

The world is poised to become slap-happy with the release of Norman Gentle’s debut single Tuesday, May 4.

The season eight “American Idol” top 25 finalist offers a saucy toast to outgoing judge Simon Cowell via his up-tempo sing-along anthem “Brit Slap!” featuring a maddeningly catchy chorus, throbbing beat and an accompanying video clip featuring a cameo from “America’s Top Model” judge Niger Barker (www.nigelbarker.tv), a cast of Broadway dancers—and Cowell himself (okay, as a stand-up cardboard cutout)—which literally stopped traffic in Manhattan’s Times Square as thousands of passers-by joined in the tribute.

Already, Gentle’s giant following has made the comedian a hero among “Idol” worshippers. When Norman, a.k.a. 27-year-old Nick Mitchell from Brookfield, Conn., ambushed the No. 1 TV show in North America last year, his slapstick persona served up unexpected vocal finesse, via a memorable performance of “And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going” from “Dreamgirls,” which drew high praise from three of the four “Idol” judges. Perhaps not surprisingly, holdout Cowell scowled, “I hope I’m speaking on behalf of America when I pray you don’t go through to the next round.” All in love, yes?

While anxiously counting down his 15 minutes of fame, the mainstream media acknowledged Gentle’s headband-wearing, tuxedo jacket-sporting, khaki shorts-donning character as a bona fide talent. MTV News deemed his appearances an “insanely brilliant—if not brilliantly insane—move. We’ve made up our minds. Norman Gentle is the greatest contestant in ‘American Idol’ history.”

Fox News offered that he “might not be the most commercial contestant on ‘American Idol,’ but he’s certainly proved to be the most memorable.”

Even celebrities weighed in, with Ellen Degeneres—pre-“Idol” judge—saying, “He makes it interesting. I hope he makes it”; and Neil Patrick Harris commenting, “He’s the abomination of the show, everything (it) is not supposed to be, and I was laughing my head off.”

Subsequently, in 2010, Gentle and Mitchell were booked as a correspondent on the syndicated “Wendy Williams Show” (www.wendyshow.com), offering predictions about “American Idol” season nine. He, uh, they, have appeared weekly, opening the show and chatting with Williams about the leading finalists.

Gentle says, “I learned from ‘Idol’ that Simon Cowell inspires everyone to be their best true selves. His is like that little voice in everyone’s head demanding, ‘Get up and do it better!’ So I suppose I can honestly say that everything that’s happening to me now is his fault… I mean, to his credit. Thank you, big daddy. Who loves ya, baby?”

Gentle’s foray into the music business was hardly a conscious effort. Last fall, renowned music journalist Fred Bronson—an “Idol” expert and frequent guest on the show—gathered a random collection of allies for lunch in New York, including “Idol” alumni Kimberley Locke and Diana DeGarmo, legendary singer Neil Sedaka, fellow entertainment writer Chuck Taylor, and production duo DNA—Ayhan Sahin and Dennis DelGaudio—where it was suggested that Mitchell parlay Gentle toward a legitimate recording career.

“I was like, ‘you want me to sing? That’s silly. I’m a comedian,’” Gentle and Mitchell note in unison. “But Ayhan, who has staged a bunch of theatrical productions in Turkey, and Dennis, who was Billy Joel’s guitarist, pressed me to come to their studio in Brooklyn and toss around some ideas. They had this song that was a perfect send-off for Simon. I laughed my tuckus off. It was pretty much impossible to resist.”

Now signed to DNA’s Young Pals Records International, Gentle’s “Brit Slap!” launches on iTunes May 4, with the video clip set to debut on a national network in mid-May. In addition, the just-launched www.gentleofficial.com offers daily updates about his “Gentle-cosm,” including opinions on “American Idol,” tips for living Gentle-y, being a proper Gentle-man, Random Acts of Gentle-ocide, his support for animal rights, and other rants and raves about pop culture.

Gentle’s video shoot throughout New York fostered press in The Los Angeles Times, the NY Daily News, Life.com and CBS News online, while Nigel Barker, on his blog, noted, “(This) outlandish character is known for his theatrical performances, and unusual and flirtatious relationship with Simon Cowell. When asked to join him on the set of his music video, I couldn’t think of a better way to poke fun at my fellow Brit-transplant reality show judge. Adorned in matching red headbands, I joined Norman and had a great time.”

Following release of the single to iTunes and the North American debut of the video, additional footage will be available on YouTube and www.gentleofficial.com, while a second surprise slap will be announced May 25.

“Who’d have believed?” Mitchell, uh, Gentle, says. “Isn’t it wonderful to know that you don’t have to have a rich papa, a mountain of plastic surgery and Simon Cowell’s blessing to get a shot at the American dream? I feel Gentle-uinely blessed to have this opportunity to slap my positive vibe around the globe.”

MEDIA ALERT: To hear excerpt of “Brit Slap!” please access www.gentleofficial.com

CONTACT: Ghia

Email:            gggarth83@hotmail.com

WEB LINKS:

www.gentleofficial.com, www.youngpalsrecords.com

FIND THE HIDDEN MESSAGE

Dear Viewer,

Please email us at youngpalsrecords@gmail.com if you think you found the HIDDEN MESSAGE in this song.

What do you think it is?

We will post your answer on www.gentleofficial.com




Tweenies and teens are buzzing on Facebook trying to figure out the hidden message.

THE WORD ACCORDING TO GENTLE

"Daughtry is the biggest male success from 'American Idol.' I did not realize that all you have to do is drop your first name and form a band to sell a million records. Sign me up, America! From now on we are GENTLE!"—NORMAN GENTLE