The "Or Else" Podcast Episode 10: The Rap

The latest episode of The "Or Else" podcast is now on Soundcloud.  Episode 10: The Rap is a special episode (although, they are all special in their own way).

In this episode, Tommy talks about the origin of his Body Magic rap.  It's a story full of humor and emotion.  It's an important topic, because it represents the first mildly bad experience for Tommy at RPro.

RPro Musical Director Sheri Shaw is a big part of this episode, because she wasn't really a part of the final version of the Body Magic rap, but I'll let you hear the whole story on the episode.

Sheri was one of the first people I contacted in RPro about an interview.  Much like Tommy, she got her shot in RPro without any history in wrestling.  Sheri had success in music and was part of sstaria with Brian Judy, but wrestling themes would be a new challenge.  To her credit, she boldly contacted Billy Corgan, sold herself and asked for the opportunity.

That took tremendous guts and confidence.  Sheri lived up to her promises and came through with entrance music for all of the talent.

The Body Magic rap might have created some tension between Sheri and Tommy and that is a shame.  I understand both sides and to me, it comes down to a bit of miscommunication between all parties involved.  As a good friend of Tommy's (and an occasional confidante), I know Tommy never intended any ill well towards Sheri.  It was all about getting the rap done under the constraints of time.

I can see how Sheri felt uncomfortable with how it played out.  I know Tommy did.  It was two good, well-intentioned people, trying to do their best for RPro and it just got mishandled a bit.

Despite it being a bit of a bad blip in Tommy's RPro story, it was also the beginning of what would become a huge part of his career.  Tommy's (or ESV's) rap was a fan favorite right from the start.

I think Tommy did a good job of telling the story.  Although it has some bittersweet parts, the bottom line is that the Body Magic rap was a major hit.

Sheri was among the folks who departed RPro after Billy's exit.  We'll get to that part of the story down the line though.  Sheri is still with Billy, producing music for his NWA wrestling promotion.

Check out Episode 10: The Rap to hear the latest episode.  Go to The "Or Else" podcast on Soundcloud to hear every episode.

Sheri Shaw, Brian Judy and me in Chicago, IL-May 2011.

On the Beat at Resistance Pro's "The Real Thing"

It was a sweltering night in the Barn in Willowbrook, but that did not prevent the folks at Resistance Pro Wrestling from putting on another great event.  "The Real Thing" featured an evening full of wrestling, along with several extra cameras, as the long-awaited reality show tapings started to happen.

The AMC film crews were not the only ones doing any video recording.  As usual, JohngysBeat.com grabbed a few stars of RPro for some interviews.

The Slobberknockers were making their return to the ring, after such an emotional debut a couple months ago.  We also got them for a return interview.  Despite the best efforts of a few joker wrestlers, the Slobberknockers held their composure throughout (most) of the interview.

Special Correspondent Jonathan McMahon interviewed Referee Mario Scruggs and I interviewed Referee Drew Thomas.  These were our first interviews with both of these refs.

After months of trying, I finally got to interview Musical Director Sheri Shaw.  Shaw is usually a whirlwind of activity, but we got her right before her day began.

We also spoke to Matt Knicks.  The Marvelous One discussed his recent attitude change and his split from former partner "Big C" Chris Castro.

Lasty, in a short video presentation, we gave Eric St. Vaughn a trophy commemorating his 40,000 YouTube Views for one of our previous interviews.  It was the first interview we have done (and only one so far) to have reached that mighty milestone.

On the Beat with R Pro's Positive Outreach Program

Between games at the Kicks for a Cure event last summer, Resistance Pro's C Red talked about starting a Positive Outreach Program.  He had a vision of R Pro reaching out to youngsters.  A few weeks ago, that vision became a reality when we appeared at the Southside Occupational Academy.  Since then, we have held events at Fenger High School and at Neil Armstrong Elementary School.
I have been privileged and proud to have been at each event.  I have seen the grateful students and teachers. I have also seen the proud, humble and emotional members of the R Pro family.
Each event was a wonderful experience.  Believe me, I got far much more than I gave at each event.  I am sure my friends at R Pro all feel similarly.  Rather than me speak for them, I am including interviews from them right after the events.  I love the passion and emotion.
R Pro is doing something special here.  They are making a difference.  They are proving they are not just a another wrestling company.
After you watch the interviews, head over to the R Pro POP (Positive Outreach Program) Facebook page.  Give it a "LIKE" and show R Pro your support for this great cause.

Now This is a Tag Team!

One of the best parts of Resistance Pro Wresting happens after the actual night of wrestling.  Most of the R Pro talent either appears at their table selling their stuff and posing for pictures or just mingles with the crowd.    They are all cool about posing, even though they get asked a lot.
I scored a two-fer at the last show.  Nikki St. John (a top contender for the Women's title) and Sheri Shaw (Musical Director) were standing together, when I jumped between them and asked for a photo.  I could not miss the opportunity to be surrounded by two beautiful women!
The really awesome thing about them is that in addition to their beauty, both ladies are as sweet as can be.  Oh sure, Nikki will kick your butt in the ring, but she is great to her fans.  It has been a pleasure knowing them and enjoying their work.
If my passion for R Pro isn't enough to get you to come to an R Pro show, perhaps the idea of meeting these beautiful, talented and sweet women might get you to attend a show.  As a matter of fact, there is a show tonight in Willowbrook.  For more info, go to ResistancePro.com.

Nikki St. John, me and Sheri Shaw in Merrionette Park, IL-May 2013.

Friendly Encounters: Sheri Shaw Meets CM Punk

This is a regular series featuring my friends who have met celebrities.

With over a year of being around Resistance Pro Wrestling, I have made a bunch of new friends and they are not all wrestlers.  One of the first people I contacted and interviewed about R Pro was Sheri Shaw, R Pro's musical Director.  Along with Brian Judy, Sheri is also part of sstaria.  Sheri is as talented and busy as she is nice.
Sheri is also a huge Veronica Mars fan.  For a musician and VM fan, it must not get much better than having the Director of the show/movie put sstaria's version of the Veronica Mars theme song up on the Movies YouTube channel!
She freely announces that she is super-excited and she should be.  This is big news and we are excited for her.  It really could not happen to better people than Sheri and Brian.
We encourage everyone to check out the sstaria YouTube video "We Used to Be Friends."  It is fantastic and I am not just saying that because Sheri is a favorite of JohngysBeat.com.  We honestly really enjoy sstaria.  As a matter of fact, sstaria's Resistance Pro Themed cd is in my car's cd rotation right now..
I borrowed the picture below of Sheri with (then) WWE champ CM Punk.  One champ deserves another.  Sheri was excited to meet the champ, but we think he should have been happy to meet Sheri.  We know we always are!
For more info on Sheri and sstaria, please visit the sstaria Facebook page or ResistancePro.com.  Most important right now, check out "We Used to Be Friends" on YouTube!

Sheri Shaw and CM Punk in Chicago, IL-Summer 2012.

Friendly Encounters:Sheri Shaw Meets Billy Corgan and Harry Smith

This is a weekly series featuring friends who have met celebrities.  If you have a celebrity encounter picture you are willing to share, I'd love to run it here in the future.  Just let me know.

I have written many times about Resistance Pro Wrestling.  R Pro is a great organization and it has been so much fun covering their live events and meeting everyone involved with them.  I have had nothing but great experiences with everyone with R Pro.  I like to think I have gained several new friends, along with gaining story subjects!
One of those friends is Sheri Shaw.  I contacted Sheri about a year ago, when I heard she was in charge of music for R Pro.  It took a while to actually connect for an interview, but eventually we got together for one and even got her music partner Brian Judy in for another.
Sheri is a great asset to R Pro.  She is as friendly as she is cool...and her music is great.  Her music sets the stage for the wrestlers and the crowd.  I think Sheri will play an even bigger role as time goes on and R Pro gets bigger.
Resistance Pro's next show is Friday Sept. 14 at Excalibur.  Come on out and see some great wrestling action, accompanied by some great music.  Sheri and R Pro are a winning combination!

Billy Corgan, Sheri Shaw and Harry Smith in Chicago, IL-Early 2012.

On the Beat with Sheri Shaw and Brian Judy of Resistance Pro Wrestling

Together, Sheri Shaw and Brian Judy are sstaria and together they make great music in and out of Resistance Pro Wrestling.  We got to talk to Sheri at "Obsession", but at "A Small Deadly Space", we finally got to meet her sstaria partner Brian.
Sheri is the Musical Director for R Pro.  Sheri and Brian provide all of the music for R Pro.  With a good sized roster and several new appearances every show, they have their hands full keeping up, but they are definitely up to that challenge.  They help keep the R Pro audience charged with their tunes.
They also have music outside of R Pro.  Their songs can be found on iTunes.  Johngy's Beat contributor Scott Beatty (a self-described music expert) loves sstaria's music.  I have just average musical expertise, but I love sstaria as well and will be getting their tunes from iTunes.
We talked to Sheri and Brian about writing music for and being involved with Billy Corgan and R Pro.  They talked about their future projects with R Pro and sstaria.  They also answered our "special" question about a theme for Johngy's Beat..  Check it out.  It's recorded here, although I am not sure if we can actually hold them to their answer, but how awesome would it be to have a Johngy's Beat theme!  Yeah, as if they aren't busy enough.
Seriously, we love these two.  They could not have been any nicer.  We hope you give them a listen.
After you watch the interview, go to sstaria.com and the sstaria Facebook page and follow sstaria on twitter to learn more about them and to get all of their updates.  Also, as always, check out ResistancePro.com to learn more about this cool organization!

On the Beat with Sheri Shaw

For me, some of the fun parts of any sport or organization, are those not usually center stage.  One such example is Sheri Shaw, Musical Director for Resistance Pro Wrestling.  However at Obsession, Sheri was unexpectedly on center stage and she shone in that spotlight.
As the Musical Director, Sheri is responsible for all of the music played, including the entrance music for each wrestler.  Her choices set the mood and help keep the fun going all night long.
At Obsession, we got a chance to talk with Sheri before the show.  She explained how she got involved with R Pro, her work with entrance themes and other fun stuff.
After the interview, Sheri gave us a scoop!  She was going to be pressed into service as the ring announcer (filling in for a sick Chet Coppock).  It was a different role for Sheri, but we knew that she would do great...and she did.
During the show, Sheri stepped into the ring and grabbed the attention of the crowd with just the right amount of excitement in her voice as she announced the various wrestlers.  She was professional and energetic.  The crowd, especially the Johngy's Beat crew, was really behind Sheri!
Congrats to Sheri on a job (well actually two) well done!
Sheri and her sstaria partner Brian Judy both work very hard on their music and the wrestling themes.  According to her boss Billy Corgan, "Never underestimate the clout of Sheri Shaw".  Johngy's Beat certainly doesn't doubt her.  We are big fans!
After you watch the interview, please be sure to check out sstaria on Facebook and follow sstaria on twitter.  You can also find some sstaria music on iTunes.  Also, be sure to check out ResistancePro.com and the R Pro Facebook page to learn more about the great wrestling organization and to get updates.