DIVAGALS EXCLUSIVE: Soap Opera Vet Brian Gaskill Does Comedy AND Poetry!
By Lisa Bricker | March 26, 2012 | Entertainment, Relationships
Former soap star Brian Gaskill is about to step onto the comedy stage, but not before getting ΓÇ£realΓÇ¥ with us about his new poetry CD “Make it Real.”
For years now, Brian Gaskill has wowed us with his good looks, charm and amazing acting skills in a medium thatΓÇÖs now just about history, the soap opera.
I would take the time to name all of the daytime dramas that Brian has appeared in, and the countless roles that he thrilled us with, but if youΓÇÖre a soap fan, you know who Brian is, or do you?
Best known for his role as vampire slayer-turned-angel Rafe Kovich on ABCΓÇÖs now defunct Port Charles, the chameleon of daytime is now determined to ΓÇ£Make it Real.ΓÇ¥
ItΓÇÖs the title of BrianΓÇÖs new CD filled with 21 tracks of poetry, written and spoken straight from the heart and soul of the actor, writer, director and yes, mortal man.
ΓÇ£When I was writing this, I had to feel like no one was ever going to see it,ΓÇ¥ Brian told me.
Ten years ago, I had the privilege of meeting Brian for the first time when I interviewed him during a promotional shoot for the Port Charles book Naked Eyes.
As I recalled our first interview, I remember Brian being kind, forthcoming, honest and open. He wasnΓÇÖt your typical celebrity; therefore, I wasnΓÇÖt surprised by my reaction when I first listened to ΓÇ£Make it Real.ΓÇ¥
I found it to be raw, real, non-traditional, inspirational, heartfelt and simply moving. ItΓÇÖs not like any poetry that IΓÇÖve ever been exposed to before. With that being said, I was curious about why Brian decided to share some of his most intimate thoughts with us, his fans.
ΓÇ£It was time, personal stuff is what people are craving these days,” responded. Based on his 5,000 friends on Facebook, IΓÇÖd say his timing was perfect. ΓÇ£I hope it affects people in a personal wayΓÇ¥ Brian shared, adding it already has for one very special lady.
This longtime fan has spent her life battling Cerebral Palsy and coping with crippling depression, but now her outlook on life is much brighter these days. Inspired by what she heard and wanting to make a change in her own life, she reached out to Brian like many of his fans do, sharing her story and seeking advice from one of her favorite actors.
Not one to shy away from his fans, Brian reached right back as he often does. ΓÇ£I gave her a mantra that she says now is her motto that helps her do things she is afraid of: ‘Breathe … and then jump.’ And now she is doing so much, she is actually inspiring me more. I will need to start taking my own advice … breathe then jump ΓǪ I did it with the album.ΓÇ¥
Brian told me that heΓÇÖs applying his mantra to other projects as well, which include a screenplay that heΓÇÖs working on and an upcoming guest appearance at the famous ACME comedy theater in Hollywood on Saturday, April 14.
DonΓÇÖt worry, if you canΓÇÖt be there in person to see Brian try out his untapped comedic talent, you can stream it online that night; just go to www.acmecomedy.com for more information.
Ironically, the theme of the night is called, ΓÇ£Hollywood Dream RoleΓÇ¥ and so I asked him, ΓÇ£What is your Hollywood Dream Role?ΓÇ¥ His answer was simple, ΓÇ£not sure yet.ΓÇ¥
One thing is for sure; ΓÇ£Make it RealΓÇ¥ takes BrianΓÇÖs art to a whole new level!
My advice? Take time to ΓÇ£Make it RealΓÇ¥; itΓÇÖs available for digital download at www.cdbaby.com or on iTunes.
About the young woman who I mentioned earlier, sheΓÇÖs now writing her own poetry and is planning on studying acting.
BRAVO!
