On March 20, The Blues Festival Guide was invited to attend the red-carpet gala L.A. premier of the movie What Love Is? (www.whatloveisthemovie.com).

The Executive Producer and Musical Supervisor of this "romantic comedy for men" (starring Sean Astin, Gina Gershon, Cuba Gooding, Jr and Ann Heche), is none other than Randy Chortkoff of The Mannish Boys, Delta Groove Records and partner company Big Sky Motion Pictures.

The film features music from Delta Groove recording artists Mitch Kashmar and The Mannish Boys.

We couldn't make the over-packed premier but BFG contributor Mary Ann Haskell and I were determined not to miss the after-party. Decked out in our finery, we drove the 2+ hours up from San Diego in a driving rainstorm to the Avalon Ballroom at Hollywood & Vine in Los Angeles. The art deco Avalon was bustling with beautiful people wearing everything from furs to jeans (in true California fashion) and were lined up at the various bars for Cosmopolitans and Heinekens. It seemed the majority were unaware that some of the finest Blues talent around was in the house.

The Phantom Blues Band, punctuated by the riveting vocals and keys of Mike Finnegan, succeeded to set the tone for an evening of fine Blues and Soul, as dancers trickled to the floor. Soul belter Jackie Payne, and his guitarist Steve Edmonson, joined in, adding another dynamic - musically as well as visually - and garnered even further attention to the stage. Meanwhile, backstage was teeming with who's-who's including Rich Del Grosso, Janiva Magness, Leon Blue and more, visiting plus enjoying the fried chicken, greens and potato salad. We met the effervescent Blues-Soul DJ Lynette "Fire Diva" Brown from Mobile, AL and ran into DJ, pal Brian Spencer from Las Vegas. Everyone was friendly, laughing… no attitudes here.

With a quick set change The Mannish Boys were onstage with Kid Ramos and Kirk Fletcher on guitar, Larry Taylor on bass, Richard Innes (Hollywood Blue Flames) on drums, Rob Rio on keys, and Randy on harp along with Johnny Dyer and Finis Tasby laying down some soulful, funky and inspired vocals. The girls were hollering; the dance floor full; the audience on its feet and at the stage. It felt good, really good. We were proud of Randy and his crew and proud once again to be a part of that big, happy family we call the Blues.