The Smiley Smile Message Board

Announcement from this morning:

Article in Rolling Stone:
http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/brian-wilson-partners-with-mental-health-organization-books-benefit-20150917 (http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/brian-wilson-partners-with-mental-health-organization-books-benefit-20150917)

Press release on the news wire:
http://globenewswire.com/news-release/2015/09/17/769069/10149737/en/Legendary-Musician-and-Co-Founder-of-The-Beach-Boys-Brian-Wilson-Partners-With-Change-Direction.html (http://globenewswire.com/news-release/2015/09/17/769069/10149737/en/Legendary-Musician-and-Co-Founder-of-The-Beach-Boys-Brian-Wilson-Partners-With-Change-Direction.html)

WASHINGTON, Sept. 17, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Campaign to Change Direction, a national initiative to change the culture of mental health in America, today announced a new partnership with legendary musician and co-founder of the Beach Boys Brian Wilson.

Launched in March of this year, the Campaign to Change Direction is a national initiative to broaden our understanding of mental health by encouraging all Americans to take a pledge to learn the Five Signs of emotional suffering and to care for their mental well-being just as they do their physical well-being.

"My wife, Melinda, and I are very excited to be a part of this important campaign, not only to bring awareness to the mental health issues faced by millions of Americans, but also to encourage everyone to learn the Five Signs of emotional suffering," said Brian Wilson. "It's time for us to bring the conversation of mental health in America out of the shadows, and the Campaign to Change Direction is leading the way."

As part of this new partnership, Mr. Wilson will perform a concert on November 4 at the Hyatt Regency Tysons Corner Center. Proceeds from the event will benefit Give an Hour, a national nonprofit organization providing free mental health services to the military and veteran community, and the lead organization behind the Change Direction campaign. Information about the concert and where to purchase tickets can be found at www.ChangeDirection.org/Brian-Wilson.

Change Direction is proud to work not only with Mr. and Mrs. Wilson but also with the producers and cast members of Love & Mercy, a biographical film dramatizing Mr. Wilson's life and love story with his wife. Together they hope to inspire even more Americans to take the pledge to learn the Five Signs of emotional suffering.

"Give an Hour is thrilled to welcome Brian and Melinda as new partners and showcase Love & Mercy as we work to change the direction of mental health in our nation," said Dr. Barbara Van Dahlen, founder and president of Give an Hour. "By creating a shared mission to educate Americans about the signs of emotional suffering and using different tools and mediums to reach our audience, we can encourage awareness, compassion, and action to change the national conversation about mental health."

Joining Mr. Wilson at the announcement, made today at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., was his wife, Melinda Wilson; actor Paul Dano, who portrays a young Brian Wilson in the film; and the film's acclaimed director/producer Bill Pohlad – all of whom participated in a panel discussion on how Hollywood can help change America's attitude toward mental health. The panel was moderated by former West Wing star Melissa Fitzgerald, now Senior Director of Justice for Vets.

About Change Direction

The Campaign to Change Direction, a national initiative to change the culture of mental health in America, encourages Americans to care for their mental well-being just as they do their physical well-being. Led by Give an Hour, a national nonprofit organization providing free mental health services to the military and veteran community, Change Direction addresses common barriers to understanding mental health and raises awareness about the Five Signs that may indicate someone is suffering emotionally and needs help: change in personality, agitation, withdrawal, decline in personal care, and hopelessness.

More than 150 partner organizations across the United States are using their unique skills and opportunities to spread awareness; this collective impact effort will reach more than 30 million Americans in the next five years. Organizations and individuals who are interested in learning more or making a pledge can visit www.changedirection.org.

About Brian Wilson

One of the world's legendary musical figures, Brian Wilson was the primary composer for the Beach Boys and was responsible for the release of a slew of hit singles during the early 1960s, creating music that would come to epitomize a generation. The Beach Boys released three albums in 1963 alone: Surfin' U.S.A., Surfer Girl, and Little Deuce Coupe, all of which cracked the Top 10. In 1966 they went on to release the seminal album Pet Sounds, one of the most treasured albums of all time. After years of seclusion and battling mental illness, Mr. Wilson revitalized his career with the release of several hugely successful solo albums including Brian Wilson Presents SMiLE, his long-awaited masterpiece, and, most recently, his album No Pier Pressure. He is currently the subject of a critically acclaimed biopic, Love & Mercy, which is based on his contributions to the music industry as a musical genius as well as the mental health struggles he has overcome. One of the most influential musicians and songwriters in Rock and Roll history, Brian Wilson has earned numerous awards and honors including membership in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Songwriters Hall of Fame, two Grammy's, and the prestigious Kennedy Center Honors for lifetime contribution to the performing arts.

About "Love & Mercy"

The critically acclaimed film Love & Mercy defies conventional storytelling with the dual story line of Brian Wilson, the singer, songwriter, and leader of the Beach Boys. Set against two distinct eras in Brian's lengthy musical career, the film intimately examines his personal voyage from the period during which he shapes the early sounds of the Beach Boys to the time he meets his wife, Melinda. Golden Globe® nominee John Cusack (Best Actor, High Fidelity, 2001), in "one of the best performances of his career" (Hollywood Reporter), stars alongside Paul Dano (Little Miss Sunshine, Looper) as the troubled musical genius Brian in two pivotal stages of his life—the 1960s, at the peak of the Beach Boys' fame, and the 1980s, as Brian reclaims his life after a mental breakdown. They are joined by Elizabeth Banks (The Hunger Games franchise) as Melinda Wilson and two-time Golden Globe® winner Paul Giamatti (Best Actor, Barney's Version, 2011; Best Actor, John Adams, 2009). To learn more, visit www.loveandmercyfilm.com.

About Bill Pohlad

Academy Award®–nominated filmmaker Bill Pohlad has been producing quality films for over two decades. As founder and CEO of River Road Entertainment, he has honed his ability to seek out compelling material and bring it to light and established his reputation as a filmmaker unafraid to take creative risks.

Mr. Pohlad makes his return to directing with the feature film Love & Mercy, which centers on Brian Wilson, the mercurial singer, songwriter, and leader of the Beach Boys. The film paints an unconventional portrait of the artist by interweaving seminal moments in his life, from his artistic genius to his profound struggles, and the love that keeps him alive. Love & Mercy, which Mr. Pohlad also produced under the River Road banner, stars John Cusack, Paul Dano, Elizabeth Banks, and Paul Giamatti. It opened to rave reviews and is considered among the top films of 2015 so far.
Having started out as a writer/director in the late 1980s, Mr. Pohlad has spent most of the last fifteen years producing such acclaimed titles as the Academy Award®–winning Best Picture Twelve Years a Slave, Jean-Marc Vallee's Wild, Terrence Malick's The Tree of Life, and Sean Penn's Into the Wild.

About Paul Dano

Paul Dano first caught major national attention in 2006, when he played Dwayne in Academy Award nominee, "Little Miss Sunshine," for which he won the Critics' Choice Award for Best Young Actor. He later signed on the Paul Thomas Anderson historical drama, "There Will Be Blood," for which he received a BAFTA nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Dano also lent his voice to the big-screen computer-animated adaptation of the classic children's book, "Where the Wild Things Are," voicing the main character of Alexander. Paul also appeared in the Oscar nominated film "12 Years a Slave" before starring in "Love & Mercy" as a young Brian Wilson.

Information on the Nov.4  show and tickets:

http://www.changedirection.org/brian-wilson/#COStickets (http://www.changedirection.org/brian-wilson/#COStickets)

http://www.changedirection.org/ (http://www.changedirection.org/)

Photos from the press conference this morning:

http://www.changedirection.org/buzz/ (http://www.changedirection.org/buzz/)

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CPHO68JWwAAuScV.jpg:large)

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CPHLPM8W8AABEvu.jpg)

Great work BW! 8)

This is a very important issue that needs the public's support!

Great information/ Nice pics!  but I posted the info from Brian's FB 10 minutes prior to your posting, here: http://smileysmile.net/board/index.php/topic,22778.msg539980.html#msg539980

Agreed, good on you Brian. Very cool.   

This is a very important cause, and it's brilliant to see Brian involved with it. There needs to be more of a focus on mental health that examines traumatic emotional factors (other than *just* drugs) that have affected Brian and others greatly, and not simple, narrow-minded thinking from the usual suspects that avoids such discussion, and solely just hammers in the easy go-to drugs, drugs, drugs angle.

Gee, I wonder what you're referring to.

(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5792/21504162571_2366a4de6d_c.jpg)

I remember that interview... Yeah, I always thought that backdrop was in questionable taste! 

In interviews with Brian, when the subject comes up about his "problems", it is Brian HIMSELF who almost always says "I took too many drugs".

Right. it's simply easier to have people think you took too many drugs, than to confront the mental issues and have them think of you as crazy/demented

Well, to say "I have emotional problems and have experienced mental illness" is not exactly an easy thing for anyone to point blank say. The fact that Brian is directly associating with an organization such as this one is an admirable thing for him to do. This isn't just some "Just Say No" anti-drug organization. It's not as simple as that; never has been.

I'm not saying drugs weren't part of the problem; they obviously were *part* of it. Keep in mind that there's also a hereditary factor to self-destructive behavioral patterns, like being depressed and staying in bed for long periods of time.

It's well past time that not every single solitary aspect of Brian's challenges be blamed just on drugs - don't you think?

Is that you, Mike Love? ::)

Exactly, and through this program hopefully people like Mike Love will become more educated on the fact that drugs aren't the only factor when it comes to mental illness. And hopefully it'll also introduce a more open discourse on the subject so disinformation doesn't run rampant.

Bet it is. Yes, Brian took drugs and myKe luHv made a fortune, but continues to bitch on. Loser. ::)

Absolutely. It's about education, compassion, and understanding. There are grey areas and nuance, and more people need to understand that it's not a completely black and white situation. Brian taking this brave step by being part of this organization will surely help diminish such misinformation.

Ultimately, I hope this leads to more compassion, and a cessation of the "just drugs" talk, where one-sided (and frankly not-particularly-compassionate) points of view expressed in interviews such as the Lifestyles of the Rick and Famous will be widely regarded as outdated and misguided, with regard to drug-speak. There's more to the story than just drugs - and even if Brian himself has often in the past just focused on the drug angle, doesn't mean that there isn't room for careful deeper examination and reevaluation. I'll put it this way: Brian associating with this organization won't make it *easier* for Mike to just say the drugs, drugs, drugs thing in future interviews anymore. Maybe he'll still do it, but the public is gradually getting wiser to the full picture. Nature, nurture, and genetic predisposition are not to be dismissed as irrelevant.

Nearly every musician from the 60s took drugs.

But very, very few ended up like Brian. And he used far fewer drugs than most.

The stigma against mental illness is one of the biggest obstacles that people needing help face. It wasn't until Brian was finally treated by competent doctors, without immediate financial gain in mind, that he started on the road to long term health.

Yeah, a lot of them ended up dead, too. It amazes me how many of you are so flip about drug use.

I applaud Brian and Melinda for their needed work and advocacy on this issue...how did we get derailed from what really matters here???

This is why the tour to Europe was cancelled!

Because of Brian's mental health issues? Really?

No to promote this and the film!

"After seeing the movie, Van Dahlen reached out to Melinda Wilson. "We started talking and crying," she says. "We both said, 'We have to work together.'" In the coming months, Brian, Melinda and various Love and Mercy cast members will take active roles in the Campaign To Change Direction. "We're going to do some PSAs," says Van Dahlen. "We're going to screen the movie to various communities, sometimes with cast members present, and there will be additional interviews and articles to promote Brian's story."

Read more: http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/brian-wilson-partners-with-mental-health-organization-books-benefit-20150917#ixzz3m3FJ66nt
Follow us: @rollingstone on Twitter | RollingStone on Facebook

I would hope not. While a good cause, is it not something that could have either been delayed until after the UK leg or done through some kind of a video link?

As has been said here before, the UK venues were all wrong and were doomed to failure as soon as they were announced.

Just because an overdose of some drugs can kill a person -- in the same way an overdose of alcohol can -- doesn't mean that they somehow cause mental illness.

That's the point.

Drug use is a red herring in Brian's story. That's not being flip, it's just being informed.

Brian taking drugs to blot out his mental health problems was like trying to put out a fire with gasoline.

Over  80% of seriously advanced cases of  chemical dependence, are  persons with serious mental health issues. These folks often use mood altering chemicals or activities  to escape their mental health issues. They drink, snort, shoot, copulate,gamble, overeat, starve, binge  and vomit---to escape the emotional  or terrorizing symptoms  they  experience. Chemical Dependency  treatment is only  the beginning of a  long  journey  to a balanced life. For example, Dennis Wilson's possibly going to treatment  is often  thought to have been the  remedy to his health getting better. Even if  he had gone to treatment, it would have been only the start of a long road that would  have taken years for him to finish.

If this is one reason the European tour was postponed...well, let's just say at the very least people who were upset better be much more understanding now.

Peter - agree 100%...

Brian will reach and do the most good starting with veteran's groups.  No single group deserves it more.

Maybe it will help the veteran's hospitals "up their game" as they are are in great need of a "total makeover."  And this medical care area needs to come out of the shadows.

Go Brian!  :thewilsons

Here are a few media reports from the events yesterday, one short TV interview and a radio interview in the first two links.

http://www.wusa9.com/story/news/local/dc/2015/09/17/brian-wilson-music-madness-and-healing/72365666/ (http://www.wusa9.com/story/news/local/dc/2015/09/17/brian-wilson-music-madness-and-healing/72365666/)

http://wtop.com/entertainment/2015/09/brian-wilson-paul-dano-talk-love-mercy-beach-boys-music-mental-illness/ (http://wtop.com/entertainment/2015/09/brian-wilson-paul-dano-talk-love-mercy-beach-boys-music-mental-illness/)

http://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/in-the-know/254072-beach-boy-brian-wilson-speaks-out-for-mental-health-awareness (http://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/in-the-know/254072-beach-boy-brian-wilson-speaks-out-for-mental-health-awareness)

http://www.shfwire.com/movie-love-mercy-raises-awareness-mental-health/ (http://www.shfwire.com/movie-love-mercy-raises-awareness-mental-health/)

Melinda "Bedletter"?!?

That typo needs to be (make that should have been) corrected, obviously.  ???  :-\ ::) >:(

How many people that have mental problems, either mild or severe are aware of it?

How many people do you know, either very well or casually, that are not quite right but otherwise function fairly normal?

If you stop and think about it, it's really no mystery that Brian did not get up on a soap box in the 60's, 80's or whenever and declare that he suffered from some pretty serious mental heath problems. In so many cases, I would even argue the vast majority, people with mental issues are either not aware of it, are in denial, or just plain want to hide and bury it.

Brian did do a lot of street drugs and I'm sure they caused a measure of harm, but the crux of the most damage certainly seems due to his fragile mental state since way back, as well as the crap Landy fed him.

I read a review for L&M on amazon by another misinformed goof claiming the movie was not very good because they made it seem like Brian's father and others caused his problems when it was decades of drug abuse and that was why he needed to see Landy in the first place. Totally wrong. Brian and Melinda were consulted in the movie and say "they got it right". Not that Brian always gives us the truth, but in this case he did. It would have been a lot easier and marketable to do the... this is what happens when you mess your life up from drugs angle... than the complex story we got. Not to mention, the street drug abuse is seen and mentioned in the film a number of times.

An exclusive Q&A with Brian and Melinda has been posted to ESQ's Facebook page.  The credentials for the the interview were setup through ESQ, so that's where it has been posted. 

It will be posted to Examiner in a few days.

I gotta find a way to go this show.

Presumably this newfound sensitivity towards mental health issues won't involve you calling him "brain-damaged" again?

Any followup questions on Evan Landy's "interesting" tabloid piece perhaps? Cousin Mike thought it was so interesting, and you thought it was so worth spreading to readers. Surely BW/MW would too! Campaign to Change Direction, indeed... whew.

I found your reply to be hurtful, but I do understand why you wrote it.  I used the wrong professional terminology for Brian's condition.  I have apologized to Brian and Melinda.  We've moved on.  

Newfound?

Anyone who knows me realizes that I wasn't trying to cast any aspersions.  My 13-year-old son has Down syndrome — a chromosome disorder — and I have Epilepsy, something I have had to manage in my life since 1982.  If anyone has brain damage — due to the seizures I suffered in the early 1980s — it's me.

It was meant to be hurtful, if you want to swap life histories and compare loved ones... you'd know why I found your "brain-damaged" comment unbelievably nasty and misinformed. I'm not going to use them as props in an argument, tho.

 It seemed a lot more than just using "the wrong professional terminology" in the context of you portraying him as a near-vegetable with lines like "He sits behind the piano, and on occasion, when he’s finds the inspiration, he will join in and sing along with his band" -- so yeah, anger was definitely generated. Especially in a year when he's been doing kickass shows and has been fully engaged.

You should've known better, and it's good that you realize it now.

Also, what you want to avoid casting are aspersions. Casting dispersions just confuses people!

Not to mention David stating it's unfortunate Brian isn't the same person today as he was in the 60s. Just seems to be a pattern of comments like this.

Of my observations, nothing was made up or manufactured.

It was meant to be hurtful?  You purposely attacked me?

For the life of me, I don't understand how anyone who likes The Beach Boys or Brian Wilson's music would purposely attack someone on a Beach Boys message board, when the music has brought so much joy into our lives.

Brian and Melinda wouldn't have done the Q&A with me if there was an issue. 

Oh David, you said yourself you understand why I wrote it. Stop trying to make some ploy to have my comment deleted as a personal attack or something. You know you were wrong and apologized. Stop flailing about like that, it's undignified. 

What are you gonna do next, call some of Smiley Smile assholes again like you did last time? Gee that was so hurtful. I don't understand why anybody would launch such personal attacks when blah blah joy music blah blah joy.

Of course the music brings us such joy. Which is why I don't get why your NPP album review was all about defending Mike Love, why you put out that ridiculous piece stirring up trouble with Mike Love about Love & Mercy, why you called BW brain-damaged, why you made up that bullshit about how he only occasionally joins in and sings when inspired. 

Maybe you're just not the same man you are today as you were in the 90s? I dunno. 

It is unfortunate.  Ever since Pet Sounds music critics and fans have been historically waiting for the next great thing from Brian.  Personally, "That Lucky Old Sun" is a modern day work of art, and "Brian Wilson Reimagines Gershwin" is the icing on the cake.  

As for the Smile Sessions; THE BEST MUSIC EVER MADE BY ANYONE.  

Dude, just a couple months ago you called a lot of us here "assholes" last time we challenged a statement of yours that you yourself just called "wrong terminology" ::)

Yeah, I know! BW puts out a fun album like No Pier Pressure and for some reason, some reviews about it just revolve around defending Mike Love! Baffling.

I understand why you wrote it, but not why you would be purposely trying to hurt me.   You said it.  Your posts have venom in them.  I don't know you, or who this is, but the music matters… None of this means anything.

Then dear lord, put on a record and stop posting! The time you save may be your own!

FUNNY!  You obviously don't subscribe to ESQ… lots of coverage.  None of which mentions anyone not involved in the album.

Amen brotha'.  I am always listening to something when online.  Right now:  "Cabin Essence" sessions. 

Dr. John, "Desitively Bonnaroo." Alright, enough snipping back and forth. The point is frozen, the beast is dead. But where is the ambiguity? It's over there in a box.

To get back on topic for a second..... Anyone have any guess on how much the tickets for this benefit gig may cost. I really really wanna go but I'm also a poor college student who's already seen Brian twice and have tickets for a third show but still it's Brian F...ing Wilson! And I'm sure the crowd will be super small and the show super intimate.

I'm glad he's doing this. Mental health is really important and Brian definitely knows that. He's the perfect person to support this.

No ticket prices given yet but I suspect since this is a benefit they'll be kinda high. Should mention that 16 days later on Nov 20 Brian and Al do a show at the Robert Parilla theater at Montgomery College's Rockville, MD campus, about 16 miles away from where this show is. Tix there still available, about 120 of 'em, and start at $30. Info below.
http://www2.montgomerycollege.edu/departments/reppac/

New Brian interview/article re: this subject. Apologies if it has already been posted

http://www.classichitsandoldies.com/v2/66079/

Is this the first time B. Wilson has talked non-evasively in public about his mental illness? If so, it's not only very generous and brave but a huge personal step.

Actually, he gave an in-depth interview on the subject back in 2006. One of the best, if saddest, interviews he's done.

http://www.abilitymagazine.com/past/brianW/brianw.html

Wow. I've come across that link several times in Google, but never followed it, I guess because the headline seemed cheesy. What a mistake! Thanks. It was powerful.

No problem! Actually, that version is cut off -- IIRC, the full interview goes in-depth about his medication regimen, etc.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lloyd-i-sederer-md/the-five-signs-flotus-potus-rock--roll-and-brian-wilson_b_8233286.html

Nice letter from Michelle Obama.  I know there was reference to this before, but I can't find the thread.  I'm ready for the finger wagging on that one, but I thought others might enjoy this.  Thanks to a friend for finding it.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lloyd-i-sederer-md/the-five-signs-flotus-potus-rock--roll-and-brian-wilson_b_8233286.html

Nice things are happening! ;D

Super news. Thanks for posting Debbie

Awesome!

It's good that the recognition has reached this level. Well done on the part of the Obamas.

I see someone else posted this right after me.  It's nice not to be the last one, for once!

Excellent. I had a sense that this film would have far reaching influence. What a thrill - "The White House" letterhead.

 Bravo!  :thewilsons

There were several threads started on this topic, so I merged them all together to post and discuss all information and updates so far.

Really, really great developments all around, and a very worthwhile effort and cause.

Mr. and Mrs. Wilson go to Washington! How cool is that.  :)

(http://images.huffingtonpost.com/2015-10-02-1443796499-8787643-LetterfromFLOTUSHP9.20155Signs.JPG)

Outstanding!

The latest line of Beach Boys White House connections.

Extremely wonderful stuff, well done L&M (Whole of the Production Crew) and Mr & Mrs Wilson   :thumbsup

Wow -- good for FLOTUS!

Now, about the Gershwin Award for Brian... could you please put in the good word with the President for us? Thanks so much.

The Gershwin Award is definitely one that Brian - of all people - should have!  Maybe this is the year, given the wonderful work Brian and Melinda are doing with Messrs. Dano and Pohlad...

Very cool!!   Thank you for posting it!

To be brutally honest I hear about social causes all the time and roll my eyes, but upon reading about this initiative i'm pleased to see it's a really good cause and a step in the right direction.  Glad Brian's getting associated with this, i'll try to keep it in mind in the future....   Also nice letter from the first lady, I imagine Brian really enjoyed that. 

Tickets for the Nov 4 Tysons Center event now available at the link below, and as I predicted, they are quite steep. $500 VIP (soundcheck, autographed CDs) and $300 general admission. The hotel ballroom where this will be has a capacity of (I think) around 200 but I don't know if that many tix will be sold.

https://www.eiseverywhere.com/ehome/144243/328988/?&&

...

Yes?

Ok..why was this bumped?

That is the question.

Perhaps Mr. Beard would like to inform us why if he feels like joining in.

I read this way too fast and thought the topic was about a change in direction for Brian's career. 

If you move the comma, it takes on a whole new meaning:

UPDATED Brian and Melinda Wilson Campaign To Change Direction, News and Updates

I hope Brian isn't going to do a rap album again.