Look’s like Sig’s Alaskan Adventure package raised, $13,000. That’s not bad.

Toby Keith’s sixth annual golf and music fundraising weekend to benefit Ally’s House raised more than a half-million dollars to help children with cancer and their families in Keith’s native Oklahoma. The $550,000 raised brings the to-date total to nearly $3 million. The dinner, music and auction saw several big ticket items drawing huge bids. A dinner party for 20 with Keith earned $32,500. The Alaskan Adventure with Deadliest Catch boat captain Sig Hansen brought in $13,000, and a Costa Rica getaway to the Four Seasons drew a $19,000 bid. More than 40 sports and music celebrities were in attendance, including Keith’s Beer For My Horses co-star and co-writer Rodney Carrington, and baseball player Roger Clemens.

The reason is simple, it’s real people doing what they would normally do with or without cameras much like Deadliest Catch. The real appeal for us is the synergy Anthony and Billy have on and off set and the comedy of the two. I ‘d agree with you much like Conan portrayed last week as he and I am not the types who buy from direct marketing spots. But the show is about real people, real jobs and real life. Young Billy furthers the real life aspect by his use of twitter over the most trying times of his life again further showing the “Real Life” aspect.

This post doesn’t represent the views of the Hansen’s or Discovery Channel but I for one  would like Sully, YoungBilly and Arwen to go into production on Season 2 and see the full number of episodes from the can to the cut and onto the air. Perhaps Sully and Young Billy can form a sullivan-mays production company and use that for charitable work. Better yet sullivan-B-mays (the big B for Big Billy). I know Anthony already has a production company, but his interview with MJ, allowed Anthony to say things in the public view that normally wouldn’t be said and that Billy was part of who Anthony is today.

It’s the best way in my opinion to honor the memory of Billy Mays, if it wasn’t for his talent the show would have never gotten off the ground. I don’t know Thom Beers personally but I think it’s fair to say he appreciates the interaction between people and his shows are about the people who—well are usually the forgotten souls that make the world go round.

I know TV Shows are about the audience and media buys, but I think another season that spotlights pitchmen and the struggles of the industry is worth it for us the fans of the show as well as the pitchmen of the industry and of course for the memory of Billy Mays.

I’ve received numerous emails about, “I must have known Billy”. I didn’t know him personally. However Thom, Sully, YoungBilly and Discovery let me and my family and thousands of others know Billy, the products and the art of the pitch. As a Web Boss (jack of all trades media) I have a natural fondness of seeing video productions, behind the scenes, media editing and I like comedy. It was the perfect show—pitch perfect some said.

-PS

The audio clip Anthony talks about season 2 was signed on for with Discovery and Billy was to be the official Taco Bell spokesperson.

Update: 6/30

Be sure to find @YoungBillymays on twitter as he is planning to start a foundation as a memorial to his late father. I’ve expressed to him I am willing to help in way I can. Also note that the writer has corrected the online version of the article and no-longer refers as StepSon, I recieved this email today so be sure to thank Drew for the correction.

Patrick,

Tampa police reported that he was Mays’ stepson, so we wrote it that way. I have changed the story to say “son” in the online version and referred this to an editor. Thanks for your e-mail.

Drew Harwell, staff writer
St. Petersburg Times

Also a fan sent these in to us last night at our fans@fvnorthwestern.com addy and yes we know it’s the time bandit boys but they are true friends of Northwestern and Crew.

(L-R) Capt Andy, Billy Mays, Capt Jonathan & Jeff?

Capt. Johnathan & Captain Pitchman Billy Mays

 

Also don’t forget, #wearblueforbilly

Here are some list of clips, articles and other news related to the day’s events.

EXCLUSIVE AUDIO: MJ Talked To Anthony Sullivan via Phone from London.  CLICK TO PLAY (Courtesy the MJ MORNING SHOW)

JOIN IN ON THE DISCUSSION

Saundra M.

I saw your products in the freezer isle, and being a fan of both Deadliest Catch and The Northwestern I immediately picked up a box. Of course they were awesome. I’ll never eat the name brand minced meat fish sticks again! The texture was great and they tasted really fresh, nothing like the bland and mushy ones I grew up eating. I seriously can’t wait til next payday to try the other four varieties. So when am I gonna be able to pick up a box of Captain Sig’s Crab Legs or Crab Cakes? That would be beyond awesome.

Keep fishin!

-Timm B

PS- My cat Harry couldn’t keep his paws off. He’s also a fan.

Judge Bob Moon

Judge Bob Moon, is a General Sessions Court Judge in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He is also an avid fan of Captain Sig Hansen and the crew of the Northwestern. Judge Moon has a long history of off shore fishing primarily in the Gulf of Mexico and has weathered high seas and gale force winds personally. Understanding the dangers of off shore fishing, especially in the Bering Sea, he was inspired to write the poem, “Prayer of the Northwestern,” for Captain Sig and crew. Judge Moon said, “I suppose that if there is magic on earth, it is in the sea. The per centage of salt content in most seas is the same percentage as the salt content in a man’s body. There has been a long and historical connection between men and the sea. I suppose there always will be.”

The Judge concluded, “I wrote the poem primarily for the “Northwestern,” but the first verse is for all captains and crews who make their living on the seas and oceans throughout the world. I very much appreciate what these brave men do, and I am very honored to be on board with them in the spirit of the prayer.”

Judge Moon’s Poem Is Now Part Of “Northwestern” Sea Vessel

Press Contact: Shea Communications Inc.
                               Richard Shea, Alexis Schneider Gerbracht (212) 627-5766

FOR RELEASE:

GREAT AMERICAN SEAFOOD COOK-OFF TO GATHER

COUNTRY’S FINEST CHEFS IN NEW ORLEANS

Sig Hansen, Star of Deadliest Catch, Will Host the Annual Seafood Showdown

NEW ORLEANS, June 12, 2009 — Accomplished chefs from throughout the United States will gather in New Orleans on July 18^th to compete in the 2009 Great American Seafood Cook-Off, which is presented by the Louisiana Seafood Promotion & Marketing Board.  This will be the sixth consecutive year that the popular culinary contest has occurred.  The event, which has featured both up-and-coming and celebrity chefs over the years, underscores the importance of cooking with domestic seafood and encourages the use of products from sustainable fisheries.

“Since first introducing the Great American Seafood Cook Off in 2004, we have advanced the cause of sustainable fishing and also had a lot of fun,” said Ewell Smith, executive producer of the Cook-Off and executive director f the Lousiana Seafood Promotion & Marketing Board.  “I look forward to continuing this tradition and welcoming America’s most talented chefs to New Orleans this summer.”

NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service, the event’s chief sponsor, uses the cook-off to highlight to American seafood consumers the agency’s management of the Nation’s marine ecosystems. “Rebuilding U.S. marine fisheries so they can support the highest sustainable harvest for future generations of Americans is a significant challenge,” said Jim Balsiger, acting NOAA Fisheries Service assistant administrator.  “We are on target to end overfishing and set annual catch limits as required by U.S. law.”

Governor Bobby Jindal of Louisiana recently sent letters to the governors of all 50 states asking them to appoint a chef to compete in the event.  To date, 12 states have registered chefs including Kentucky, Idaho, Illinois, Maryland, Maine, Mississippi, New Jersey, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Texas and West Virginia.   Louisiana will be represented by Chef Tory McPhail of Commander’s Palace.  The 2009 Great American Seafood Cook Off is endorsed by the National Restaurant Association and will be audited by the National Fisheries Institute.

Sig Hansen, the commercial fishing captain who stars in the popular documentary television show Deadliest Catch, will host the 2009 Great American Seafood Cook Off.  Hansen began fishing at age 14 and currently captains the Northwestern, a fishing vessel based in Seattle. The Northwestern won the final derby seasons for king crab (2005) and opilio crab (2006), taking home titles for both the highest poundage caught and the highest dollars earned among the boats featured in Deadliest Catch.

“I am very excited to visit New Orleans and participate in the Great American Seafood Cook Off,” said Hansen.  “Coming from a commercial fishing family, I recognize the importance of sustaining our fisheries here in the U.S., which keeps the rich culture and heritage of our coastal fishing communities alive.”

The Great American Seafood Cook Off will take place at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans during the Louisiana Foodservice Expo.  Open to the public, the event asks attendees to make a $5-$10 donation at the door. This donation is for cook-off entry only and does not include entry into the expo. The Cook Off will begin at noon and conclude at 4pm.  Participating chefs will create unique dishes with domestic seafood, and utilize fish that’s native to their home state whenever possible. 

Prior winners of the Great American Seafood Cook Off include John Currence of City Grocery in Oxford, MS, Tim Thomas of the Ocean Forest Golf Club in Sea Island, GA, Justin Timineri, Executive Chef for the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Randy Evans of Brennan’s of Houston, and John Besh of Restaurant August in New Orleans. 

Great American Seafood Cook Off sponsors include NOAA and FishWatch, Michelob Brewing Company, Whole Foods Market, Loubat Food Service Equipment, Louisiana Restaurant Association and the Royal Sonesta New Orleans hotel. Acknowledgement is also in order to the supportive seafood organizations; the National Fisheries Institute, Gulf and South Atlantic Fisheries Foundation, Texas Department of Agriculture, Jones Seafood Solutions, Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board and Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.  A special thanks also to media sponsors, Gulfscapes Magazine and Louisiana Public Broadcasting. 

For more information, visit online at www.GreatAmericanSeafoodCookoff.com.
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