Oscars in La-La Land

My night, on movies' biggest night!


L.A. at its best! As the entertainment industry converged on the City of Angels for the Oscars this town is abuzz. The Oscars are a night for actors to be recognized by their own and the academy... and watched by the world.


As a fellow actor I have great appreciation for the complex characters and the craft on full display. Stiff competition in all categories as I found the diversity in the films so amazing. For me, I thought Silver Linings Playbook was an amazing film and Bradley Cooper's performance worthy of a winning  statue. Congrats to Jennifer Lawrence. Great character and greatly deserved win for Best Actress.



My Oscar Sunday started with an early morning audition class with Adam L White.  Then it was off to the Night of 100 Stars viewing party. After several years of attending, this year, we sat at a raucous table of character actors including my buddy Jack McGee(The Fighter, Crash). He filled me in on his new pilot to begin shooting soon. His co-star was an Oscar nominee for Best Supporting Actress for Silver Linings Playbook. Also at the table, Robin Weigert, my fellow actor on Sons of Anarchy("Tara's" lawyer). You may know her from Deadwood.

The Night of 100 Stars party at the Beverly Hills Hotel packs in actors of all likes. There are two red carpets a mile long. Perhaps the cutest interviewers were two little girls in party dresses who gave me and the Mrs. mini-Oscar key chains. Thx Norby Walters for the bash!

w/Jamal(Nexus)

After that, was the Children Uniting Nations(CUN) after-party. Actor Dennis Quaid's band rocked the house. Then, our very own took the stage. 

The Mrs. works with a young hip hop artist who performed two songs. Jamal(Nexus) proved solid rapping along side R&B singer Lotis. Also, yours truly, Seany Mac, contributing lead vocals with the boys. Talented young men. 

The great thing about this party is that CUN advocates for kids in foster care and this party was a fundraiser. Founder Daphna Ziman is a passionate host.

Other performers: R&B/Gospel singer Kenny Lattimore, songstress Mikki Howard and a host of talented kids sure to be our future. Keep an eye out for Lela Brown, a ten year old rapper who brings the rhymes!

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And now from the movies and music... to the motorcycles part of my blog:

Every blog will have a featured bike. The "Bike of the Blog" this time is a 2002 Texas Ironhorse Chopper w/ S & S 107 cu' motor

(if you have a cool bike you'd like to see in the "Bike of the Blog" tweet me your pic w/details. @SeanMcNabbLA)

McNABB at NAMM

NAMM one week later

Who went? Who survived it?

After a general survey of the show Thursday the performance schedule kicked into full gear. That evening was the Bonzo Bash at Observatory(formerly Galaxy Theater). The spirit of John Bonham and Led Zeppelin was felt by all. www.observatoryoc.com/events/bonzo

Some of the greatest drummers and musicians in the world came together on one stage to honor Bonham and Zeppelin's music. Great job Bonzo Bash founder Brian Tichy and staff for putting together the 5th annual. It was an honor to be involved performing "The Rain Song." http://tomcarmichael.zenfolio.com/p52853822/h537#h53765fc8

Friday, started off with tagging along with the "Mrs" and Fox 11 News on their story on one-time Presidential candidate Mike Huckabee. Not only is he a politician and Fox News Channel host but also a bass player! We talked shop and traded a few licks at the Ernie Ball Music Man booth. I was completely impressed by his knowledge of music and when he pulled out a Grand Funk Railroad tune on bass I knew I had a new friend! And, yes, like the rockers, he too once had long hair!


After finding out at rehearsal for the evening's Living Legends jam that Chuck Negron had dropped out we quickly switched gears. Spencer Davis stepped in and performed two songs in Chuck's place. For the first time, The NAMM Show had a killer full-production stage outside in between the Hilton and Marriott hotels. Many thanks to David Harris and staff for bringing one of NAMM's best live concerts again this year. Over 30 performers graced the stage. Everyone from Blue Oyster Cult to Martha Davis(Motels). Musicians from MSG, Whitesnake, Joe Cocker, BB King and Queensryche etc. also hit the stage with an incredible two-hour show.

Saturday it was Dean Markley day while the "Mrs" went to a class on "Managing the band." In a weird twist, she too is taking on the music biz working with a hip hop artist, Nexus. He's a kid she knew from foster care and Fox 11's Wednesday's Child. He's a talented rapper. It's cool to help mentor a kid. Scatted some lead vocals on his track "Foxy Lil Lady". http://www.myfoxla.com/story/20809156/healing-through-hip-hop

Feeling blessed to be part of the Dean Markley family, an endorser for more than 15 years. The booth is a NAMM highlight. Signed autographs with friends Jeff Pilson(Foreigner) and Dave Amato(REO Speedwagon). On one side of us was Orianthi(Michael Jackson/Alice Cooper) and gearing up next Nikki Sixx(Motley Crue).  www.deanmarkley.com/



NAMM truly rocks because of the fans. They come from all over the world! To meet them face-to-face is an honor and a privilege! Without them, we are nothing. Always great hangin' with my musician buds and catching up.

If you love all things music and gear, The NAMM Show 2014 is the place to be! www.namm.org/thenammshow/2013

Anyone planning to go?  Here are five things I've learned over the years:

1.  Hotel room: Trying to commute every day is total BS! (LA traffic is a beast)

2.  Comfortable shoes: A must! (your dogs will be barking!) The Anaheim Convention Center is three floors.

3.  Breath mints/gum: You don't want to offend any rockstars while your getting your stuff signed! (Unless of course, their breath stinks) Hand sanitizer is a must!

4.  Know what booths you want to see in advance and get the NAMM app or guide so you can find them. (no worries, the Dean Markley is easy to find!)

5.  Know which parties and shows you want to attend so you can work on getting tickets or passes.
(the Mrs. regretted working Friday night and missed the Legends jam)

Nostalgic Strip

January 19, 2013.  The night was reminiscent of the Sunset Strip in the mid-80's. Music was music and nobody played to a CD. It was real musicians singing and playing real songs.

Key Club was once the world-famous Gazzarri's run by the Godfather Bill Gazzarri. The place was known to aid in the start-up careers of The Doors, Van Halen, Guns 'n Roses, Motley Crue. Bill gave everyone a shot on stage. It was THE place in the 70's and '80's.

"Burning Rain" took the stage around 11pm. The band is comprised of veterans of the scene. Doug Aldrich, Sean McNabb, Keith St. John, and Matt Starr. You'll know the names from Whitesnake, Dokken, Montrose, Quiet Riot, Ace Frehley, and Dio.  https://twitter.com/Burning_Rain/status/292528431281868800/photo/1

The band delivered a hard-rocking set with three new songs from our up-coming release on Frontiers Records and some crowd favorites from their other bands. Also on the bill, Ritchie Kotzen, "S.U.N."
http://www.keyclub.com/event/202225-richie-kotzen-burning-rain-west-hollywood/

It was a pre-NAMM party. Next blog, NAMM! But before we go... YOUR memory of Gazzarri's?