Archive for Category 'barry'

21 Jan

Hello Second Life

written by Barry Williams in Blog, barry | 2 comments

‘Greg or Barry?’

That’s me or both of us getting ready for a conversation in Second Life. If you can, join me today at 4:00 EST.

Just Click Here.

20 Jan

Sam, thanks for the memories

written by Barry Williams in Blog, barry | 10 comments

‘Sam at Work’

My friend Magic Matt Alan called from his Outlaw Radio Show Saturday (Magic because when he is not doing radio shows he likes to saw people in half) to get my thoughts about the passing of Allan Melvin our dear Sam the Butcher. After we got passed the usual jokes - did he ever give Alice any free meat, where did they really go on their bowling dates, will the Brady’s ever get to eat meatloaf again, we talked and shared a bit about this kind, talented character actor.

His television career goes back to the days of Sgt. Bilko with Phil Silvers. He was already a veteran by the time he joined our show in 1970 having worked in other series such as The Andy Griffith Show, Gomer Pyle USMC and The Dick Van Dyke Show. Most of the scenes Allan did were with Ann B. Davis and did not include us kids. We were usually busy in the school room. But I can recall the extra energy he brought to the set, even when I was just passing through, and the ease with which those two pros brought their relationship to life. One thing I found interesting and just recently learned is that he is the voice of Magilla Gorilla.

18 Jan

My Son is Five!

written by Barry Williams in Blog, barry | 3 comments

‘Dad and Little B’

My son, Brandon, turned five years old yesterday. We are together in New York City for the week. I was looking to do something special to celebrate. According to Brandon, I scored. This past November and December I starred in a new off Broadway musical called Growing Up 70’s. In that show I took a young 10 year old talented actor, whose name is Trevor Braun, on a tour of the seventies. At points in the show he also played the role of my son. Brandon and Trevor became friends. During my production Trevor landed the role of Flounder, Ariel’s loyal sidekick, in the Broadway musical of the Little Mermaid. That happens to be Brandon’s favorite story, I think it has something to do with the sea and kissing the girl.

Well, with the help of Trevor’s parents, I arranged tickets to Wednesday’s matinee to see the show with Trevor in it.

16 Jan

Hey Joe, throw me the ball

written by Barry Williams in Blog, barry | 3 comments

The Super Bowl is just around the corner and in the world of football we’re down to four teams: Giants, Packers, Chargers and Patriots. For most people it’s the holidays that stir that nostalgic emotion. For me the connection with a particular time of year is the big day that brings two teams of gladiators together for that annual test of mettle - the Super Bowl. It all started with a man known as Broadway Joe.

On the Brady Bunch, we weren’t known for our “guest stars” although we had several. Joe Namath is one guest star who is particularly memorable and, one could say even inspirational. Already a legendary football player by the time our fifth season of the Bunch got underway, I was able to spend a couple of days on the set with him. Unfortunately for me the episode called MAIL ORDER HERO, focused around little Brady brother Bobby. I didn’t let that get in the way of playing receiver of his passes in patterns of down and outs and going long in-between takes. Joe was, simply put, a gracious guy. He didn’t avoid everyone by staying in his dressing room until he was called, he didn’t sit in the corner waiting to get it over with, he was social, friendly, and oh yeah… pretty good with a football.

I ate it up.

12 Jan

Farewell Johnny

written by Barry Williams in barry | No comments

‘My Friend Johnny Grant’

I was saddened to learn of the passing of Hollywood’s Honorary Mayor, Johnny Grant this past Wednesday. Johnny was the torch and the light of Hollywood. He was a great ambassador for the city. I have had a chance to be with him on various occasions and twice in the past year. Once was at the Hollywood Museum and just three months ago at the dedication of an enormous 600 million dollar development in the Hollywood & Vine area that was just breaking ground. He arrived in a wheelchair, but stood and delivered a wonderful talk about what a great impact this project will have on the city. His passion resonated throughout the Pantages Theatre, where the dedication was being held, and an inspiration for me watching one of his life long dreams was about to become a reality.

When the condominiums, apartments and retail space are completed, I plan to go into the new W Hotel that is being built and drink a toast to Hollywood’s finest Mayor, Johnny Grant.

11 Jan

Growing Up 70’s

written by Barry Williams in barry | 4 comments

Greetings, It’s hard to believe we are already into the second week of 2008. Last year closed out perfectly as I completed my run with Growing Up 70’s in the Theatre at HA on December 30^th in New York. It has always been my dream to be in on the ground floor of a new musical to run in New York City, the home of theatre. As one of the co-producers of this show I was involved in every aspect. I helped write it, develop it, cast it, rehearse it and I even got my name above the title with my picture on the marquee right in Times Square! I had a wonderful creative team that included owner Anthony DiNapoli, and director/writer Jason Summers. The cast was wonderful, I felt privileged to work with such talent. A couple of our talented but less experienced cast members were able to take advantage of being in this show and joined Actor’s Equity.

Growing Up 70’s is everything about the 70’s. The music, the styles, television, movies, commercials and of course lava lamps. I had a blast revisiting the decade and singing the songs such as Drift Away, Knock Three Times, Good Old Time Rock n Roll, and Joy To the World. It was an ensemble piece, a pleasure to do and I foresee more productions in the future. I am looking ahead now to the next project and excited about sharing what’s new and current with me and hearing from you as we go blogging together into the new year.

10 Jan

No Love on This Boat

written by Eric Greenberg in Blog, The Brady Bunch, barry | No comments

Let’s raise the bar here at The Greg Brady Project by presenting a little piece of maritime history. After 40 years at sea, the famed cruise ship Queen Elizabeth II set out on its final voyage this week. Vacationers and historians will mark this as the end of an era for the vessel that hosted the likes of Margaret Thatcher, Sir Paul McCartney, and the Queen herself. Now let’s bring the bar right back down as Brady gossip hounds honor the great ship, not for its seaworthiness, but as the site of Barry’s last documented attempt at a little Brady family funny business.

It was Barry’s 18th birthday, and thanks to Robert Reed, the cast was aboard the QE2 for a cultural journey to London. All the kids were there, but Barry only had one Brady on the brain. Here’s his account in “Growing Up Brady” (available for purchase in The Greg Brady Project store): “I was positive, absolutely positive, that the warm sea breezes and lack of parents would combine to finally allow my relationship with Maureen [McCormick] to…uh…expand to its fullest potential.  So Barry took his A game and headed over to the room Maureen was sharing with Eve Plumb. How’d it work out?

31 Dec

Welcome to The Greg Brady Project

written by Barry Williams in Blog, barry, greg | 3 comments

I am thrilled to have this medium to share ideas, maintain relationships, and encourage an ongoing dialog. This exceeds my 70’s wildest imagination of an ability to stay connected. This blog is not intended to be your typical former child star, current star, future star blog. Indeed most of them don’t even get the technology yet. We’ll help bring them along. My intention is to create a forum for discussion, to contribute regularly, to manage daily, and explore together the journey of lives, schedules, events, adventures and in short; to go boldly go where no man has ever gone before - well at least this man.

For years I have met fascinating people and I discovered those relationships were cut short by logistics or busy schedules. I have worked with wonderfully talented people on projects that have made significant contributions to my life only to find that the relationship foundered after the show/tour/job ended due to a lack of an open space to stay connected. This blog is the machine and the medium to help me keep relationships alive and active. It’s a great way to discover possibilities that have never been available to you and me before.

Thanks for Googling me and/or Gregory B. I invite you to explore my blog. You’ll find all types of information regarding schedules, events, appearances, thoughts and opinions here, and… you fill it in, the potential is without boundaries. Most of all I appreciate your interest in the multi-generational experience that we share.

Barry Williams aka…. Greg Brady