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From Hollywood and everyone at HollywoodYates.com, we wish you and yours the very best this new year!  2010 is going to be the "Year of the Wolf!"

As a child I can remember spending nights on end with my father in front of the television watching the American Gladiators in its original run. When it was cancelled I was devastated. The recent resurrection of the show peaked my interest but of course was met with many questions about how it will hold up in comparison to the original. That was of course until what would become a familiar howl echoed across the gladiator arena. That howl belonged to Don "Hollywood" Yates, simply known on the show as Wolf. Yates has been a part of the entertainment business in a variety of ways from being a rodeo clown, to a professional WWE wrestler, to working as a Hollywood stuntman, which is where he earned his nickname. His latest dive into the entertainment industry sees him focusing on country music and working on his debut album. We had the chance to catch up with Yates and chat with him after a showcase performance at Nashville's 3rd and Lindsley to talk about the music, the live shows, what country music fans can expect from him, and much much more.

 

Official Don "Hollywood" Yates Website
Don "Hollywood" Yates Myspace
Don "Hollywood" Yates Showcase Review

1. A lot of people will recognize you from your time spent on American Gladiators as "Wolf." How do you feel your time on that show is going to help you the most as you dive into country music?

It opened up a huge fan base for me. I’ve got worldwide recognition from that show. We were the #1 show on TV and now we’re in 91 countries as well. I was just over in Italy and Korea and people were recognizing me over there, so I think that’s what will help the most from that show. It put my face out there.

2. As we said, you are taking the plunge into country music, which may surprise some people out there. Can you fill people in on what made you decide to make this career move now?

I’ve sung all my life. I started as a singer when I was seven years old singing in my grandfather’s nightclubs. I was an Elvis impersonator and stuff like that. Through the years I sort of just dabbled in it, as I was involved with all of my athletics knowing that it would eventually come back to singing. I just wanted to get all the beating the body up out of the way first and then use my voice once that was gone and my body is screaming out now go back to singing because we’re not going to hold up much longer.

3. What is it about the country music scene that attracted you to it?

It’s real. It’s everything that everybody lives. It’s just something that hits the heart deeper and means more to people. It’s just real life.

4. What is country music to you?

A good country song is a great story and I am all about stories; telling stories, living stories, etc…

5. You are really just starting to introduce your music to people so for those that haven't heard it yet, what can they expect from it?

They can expect an outlaw country, southern rock, mixed with the older and new so it will be some of the Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, Waylon Jennings, mixed with Aerosmith. So it is going to have a little bit of an edge to it, but it is going to have the same old morals and same type of stories.

6. Which one of your songs is the one that you feel is a must hear for people to understand what your music is all about and why?

The one that I started with is called “Put Me In The Ground.” It is basically saying that there are a lot of changes happening in this world and I am going to let some of those go by, but there’s going to come a point where I’m going to draw the line and get in your face because if you mess with me or my family I’m going to put you in the dirt.

7. When people come to see you live what can they expect from your performance?

Once I get the backing to do it the way I want to do it they are going to see something that very few country artists have ever done. It’s going to be a stage show and it will be all about entertainment. I am a larger than life character and I’ve shown that with Wolf, and the rodeo persona when I was a rodeo clown and bullfighter. I love stage shows. I went and saw Michael Jackson’s This Is It. That was going to be a phenomenal stage show. Pink puts on a phenomenal stage show. Tina Turner I saw twice this year. They put on these incredible stage shows that are so entertaining. Garth used to be the man when it came to entertainment and I want to surpass that. I want to have all kinds of stuff going on. I want video. You might find me swinging out of the rafters or jumping out of a building.

8. Tonight you are showcasing in front of the music industry here at 3rd and Lindsley. How important is a showcase like this one for advancing your career?

This is huge for advancing my career. Everybody in the industry has heard that I was wanting to do music and I have had people like Shy Blakeman, Keith Anderson, Randy Houser, throwing me songs and helping me out. Even the labels have heard that I was wanting to do it so this is huge for me and hopefully we can get some of the labels out here tonight to see that I am legitimate. I’m not just a gimmick that is coming up and howling or anything. I am actually singing.

9. With so many artists in Nashville doing showcases like this one, what will make this one stand out amongst the pack?

I think I’m a larger than life character. I have a voice, and I hate to talk about my own voice, but it is a very powerful, very booming voice. I do have a lot of range. I like to have fun. I have never been out before to someone else’s showcase and it kind of made me a little nervous because I hadn’t seen what they do at one of these and then I was like it doesn’t matter what they do I have to do what I do and that’s entertain. I have been an entertainer for my entire life.

10. With so much experience across the board in the entertainment industry, what advice can you offer someone that is looking to break into it?

If you want to be in it find what you want and just stick to your guns. Don’t let anyone tell you what to do or discourage you. Don’t let them tell you that this is the way Nashville works or this is the way Hollywood works. I have heard that so many times that it makes me sick. My manager at one point said to me that Hollywood doesn’t work like that, and I said back “really, because my name is Hollywood and that’s how I work, so I guess Hollywood does work like that.” I say things sometimes that my manager doesn’t necessarily think should be said out loud, but I was always brought up with you say what you mean and you mean what you say. If you shake a man’s hand and look him in the eye; your word is your bond. If I don’t like something I am going to say I don’t like it because if you don’t want to help me out someone else will. I just say stick to your guns, believe in your dreams, and believe in yourself, then push push push.

 

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 Hey Ya'll

 

I just shot an episode for Disney XD for a new show called "I'm in the Band" I play Ernesto the bands ex roadie who is now a cage fighter bent on destroying them for embarrasing him along time ago.This show will air sometime in January or February, Hopefully it will become a recurring role. I'm still waiting to see if I get a contract to go to Lebenon for another show, but was suppossed to have left Aug 31st to go there and I haven't heard a word from them yet. I am heading to Iraq Nov. 6th thru the 13th for a USO Tour to support the Troops, and I am really looking forward to that. I have been in the studio working on my album and have 5 songs finished and will get 1 or 2 more done this week. I think I am going to go to Nashville in Sept. sometime and start shopping Labels and possibly do a showcase. I just got my Music Page up on Myspace so please go check it out and join my friends. It's www.myspace.com/hollywoodyatesmuzik let me know what you think. Well gotta run and try to find more work bills are pile'n up and about to crash down on top of me. I hope everyone is well and healthy. Take Care!
 
Believe in Dreams!
Hollywood

Check out Hollywood as he joins his friends Trailer Choir on thier new video "Rockin' The Beer Gut." Click here to view on CMT.com!

Sorry It's been a while since I caught you up on what's going on. Well I've been busy trying to find more work in the T.V. and Film industry. I just shot a project with Jason Alexander for a new Web series he is developing. It was a fun project to work on and I'll let you know as soon as it's out. I have also just returned from Nashville where I was all over the CMA Fest. 

Monday, I bowled in the Lonestar bowling tournament which bennefitted the St. Jude Children's Rearch hospital.

Tuesday,  I was Celebrity Bartending at the Stage, I got up with Lee Ann Womack, Darryl Worley, Chuck Wicks and Jamey Johnson and sang with them on the third verse of In Color.  From there I headed over to Cadillac Ranch where I sang Folsom Prison with Suzi Dobbs Band, then Jamey Johnson and I went over to Loosers to finish out the night and the Jack! 

Wednesday,  I had the Country Weekly Fashion show at the Wildhorse Saloon then later I went and watched as Brad Paisley shot his latest video. 

Thursday, I had a charity Poker Tournament with Andy Griggs and friends at Cadillac Ranch.  After the poker tournament, they had a guitar pull and I did a song accoustic with help from Trent Wilmon and also one song accapella.   The crowd seemed to really like it. 

Friday,  I signed autographs for a couple of hours at the convention center then went to LP Field to hang with my boys the Zac Brown Band, Jake Owens and Kid Rock. What a show!!  Also on the show that night was Lady Antabelum, Jason Aldean and special guest Martina McBride. 

Saturday was another busy day with three hours of autographs at the convention center, then over to the River Front Stage to hang with Keith Anderson. After that I had dinner with my friend Lawrence Mathis before i headed back to LP Field to watch Jamey Johnson.  Then off for a late meeting at The Palm, where I met with some folks from ABC about a show idea. 

Sunday, I went on a charity motorcycle ride for the T.J. Martell Foundation.  Also riding were Little Big Town, Martina, Jamey, Jason Michael Carrol, LoneStar, Ricky Kelly, Jamie O'Neal, Kate and Kasey, Ray Scott and Shelly Fairchild.  The ride was filmed by American Thunder so look for it.

Monday was a chill day for the most part but I did have Shy Blakely and Charlie Oxford come by the condo and we wrote a kick ass song!

Tuesday,  I went and shot a Video for Trailer Choir's Rock'n The BeerGut watch for it 4th of July Weekend.

Wednesday, I came home and back in the studio working on the album. You'll be able to hear a single in the next few weeks hopefully.
Wheewwww!

Well that's it for now. Take Care.
 
Believe In Dreams!
Hollywood