Shoutout to Curtis Shumaker
I’d like to give special recognition to New York actor and acting coach Curtis Shumaker. Curtis acts for stage and screen (eg. Mrs. America, The Blacklist) and voiceover for [...]
Make Decency Great Again
I watched the almost full-hour episode of the Oval Office meeting between President Trump (and team) and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy this morning on C-Span's YouTube channel. One thing I'd [...]
Shoutout to Josh Hemphill
I had a fun audition read with New York actor Josh Hemphill the other day. Born in New Jersey, Josh has been performing for most of his life in [...]
A Playlist for Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Today is Inauguration Day as well as Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a rare and ironic collision of the calendar. I suppose it is also an accurate metaphor for [...]
Behind the Scenes of the OFS Photoshoot
I took a quick trip to Huntingburg, Indiana back in December for a photoshoot with OFS and thought I'd share some behind-the-scenes photographs. OFS is a family-owned business founded [...]
Photoshoot with Elisabeth Donaldson
Last year I had a photoshoot with Elisabeth Donaldson. Social media introduced me to her but I don't remember how. The Nashville acting community is smallish and I'm sure [...]
Shoutout to Jules Franchetto
One of the things that's fun about using WeAudition to record my self-taped auditions is meeting other actors from all over the world. I had one of those experiences [...]
The Keeper Audiobook: Behind the Scenes
I just finished five days in the recording studio with Nashville Audio Productions for the narration of The Keeper by New York Times Best Selling author Charles Martin!I got to [...]
BOOKED – Retail Modeling
I'm headed to Indiana next week for a photoshoot for a retailer's social media and website marketing. Thanks and shoutout to Chad Michael Broskey and Heyman Talent for pursuing [...]
Happy Birthday, Matthew!
Twenty-three Words for My Son's 23rd Birthday He is kind and compassionate. His plans got thwarted, but he’s figuring it out. He has great hair. Sometimes, [...]
Shoutout to Kelly Thiebaud
Ya’ll. I did one of those self-tape auditions where the memory card stopped recording in the middle of my performance and I didn’t realize it until I ended the [...]
Backing Up Andrea Bocelli
What a wonderful night singing in the backing choir for Andrea Bocelli at the Bridgestone Arena February 9, 2023. Bocelli, along with guest vocalists Nadine Sierra and (recent Nashville [...]
Shoutout to Britt Allen
This is Britt Allen. Britt is an Australian actor, television host, dancer, and model (what can't the woman do?!) now living in Texas. I had the privilege of having her [...]
Happy Birthday, Caleb!
Eighteen Words for My Son's 18th Birthday Our youngest is 18 now. He dyed his hair pink. His name is Caleb and I love him. [...]
“Son of Man” Audiobook Now Available
The audiobook Son of Man by Charles Martin and narrated by yours truly is now available. The book is a collection of 20 short stories pulled from his earlier works What [...]
Shoutout to Gina James
Hey, ya’ll. This talented actress and model is Gina James. She is based in Toronto and recently read for me for a self-taped audition on [...]
BOOKED – Charles Martin’s audiobook “The Keeper”
Woot-woot! I just booked a recording project as the narrator for the upcoming audiobook The Keeper by New York Times Best Selling author Charles Martin. This will be my 7th [...]
The Greatest Night in Pop: We are the World
I was in junior high when I first heard "We are the World." I was telling my classmates about it, saying it was a recording of bunch of [...]
Happy Birthday, Brooke!
Twenty words to celebrate my daughter's 20th: Brooke Riggs She’s no longer a teenager, my Brooke. She finally learned to drive and doesn’t dance as much [...]
Shoutout to Megan Zerga
What a joy to reconnect with actor and filmmaker Megan Zerga on a recent audition! She was awesome. I was a creeper. Megan is the [...]
Two Tales and the Truth: why I’m a union member in a right to work state
THE RUNDOWN As a young singer, fresh out of college with a music degree from one of the most prestigious music schools in the South, I sang [...]
Not Far From the Tree: Like Father, Like Son
Me and my dude. The first picture is of me at Opryland USA, a now-defunct amusement park in Nashville, TN. I was in one of [...]
The Clovehitch Killer is Back on Netflix
I received a text message over the weekend that a colleague saw me in The Clovehitch Killer. She didn't know that I was in it and I didn't know [...]
Happy Birthday, Emily
Twenty six words to celebrate my daughter's 26th: Emily Riggs Long I received the greatest gift 26 years ago when you made me a dad! Now [...]
Nationwide Insurance PhotoShoot: Behind the Scenes
In the spring of 2023, my agent secured a self-tape audition for Nationwide Insurance. My instructions were to record myself telling a story, reading, and listening. Sometimes, that's all [...]
Sharp-Dressed Riggs Men
The boys and I got dressed up for a wedding last summer. They're finally at an age where they kind of get into it. [...]
The Godfather II — a Great Movie by Francis Ford Coppola
MICHAEL Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer I’ve started watching or re-watching the films in Roger Ebert’s The Great Movies book and blogging [...]
Jennifer Aniston Deepfake and Why We Need AI Protection
The Scam Ad I saw this ad the other morning during my workout while I was watching CBS Sunday Morning's YouTube channel. It featured Jennifer Aniston selling MacBooks at [...]
Come Along with Me to Carol at the Opryland Hotel
Come along with me to sing with The American Caroling Company at Nashville's Opryland Hotel. Featuring Laurel Fisher, Melissa Selingo, Matthew Benenson-Cruz, and me as we sing "White Christmas" [...]
A Playlist for Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Martin Luther King Jr. poster by Lorenzo Belmonte Here’s a great Spotify playlist to keep you inspired on this Martin Luther King Jr. Day! Featuring James Taylor, [...]
The ELVIS Act Protects Music Artists from Artificial Intelligence
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee speaks at a press release in Nashville regarding the ELVIS Act. Photo by Stephanie Amador of The Tennessean. Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced [...]
I’m a “Yes” Vote for SAG-AFTRA’s Contract with the AMPTP
I voted "YES" on the proposed 2023 SAG-AFTRA TV/Theatrical contract. Here are my reasons. SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland First, I trust our [...]
The Israel-Hamas War is Breaking my Heart
Source: The Star Democrat
Happy Birthday, Brooke!
Nineteen words to celebrate my daughter's 19th: This year she completed her first year of college. And she aced chemistry. I love her. Happy Birthday, Sweetheart! [...]
BOOKED – Modeling Shoot
Image by Freepik Woot-woot! I just booked a modeling shoot in Columbus, OH. Shoutout to Kenny Packer and Heyman Talent. Thanks, Kenny! Stay tuned for details. [...]
Happy Birthday, Emily!
Twenty-five words to celebrate my daughter's 25th: Yesterday was Emily’s birthday! I love her. She’s in Big Sky Country right now. Last year she made me a grandfather! [...]
What’s the Deal with Buc-ee’s?
So, what's the deal with Buc-ee's? I had some colleagues get so excited over this gas station chain coming to Tennessee, I decided to check it out for myself. [...]
Vote No on Amendment 1
PROPOSED TENNESSEE STATE CONSTITUTION AMENDMENT 1 as stated on the November 8, 2022 ballot Early voting has begun in Tennessee and I cast my ballot [...]
Happy Birthday, Matthew!
Twenty-one words to celebrate my son's 21st: Matthew turns 21. Hard to believe. He is smart, caring, and has LOTS of ideas to change the world. Godspeed, son. [...]
Happy Birthday, Doodlebug!
Sixteen words to celebrate my son's 16th: Doodlebug in "My Son Pinocchio, Jr." The Academy Tutorial, 2021. Photo by Ed Houk. “Doodlebug” is 16 and he’s [...]
The Godfather — a Great Movie by Francis Ford Coppola
KAY I've never seen anything like it. MICHAEL I told you I had a lot of relatives. As you may know, I’ve started watching or [...]
Notorious — a Great Movie by Alfred Hitchcock
You can add Sebastian's name to my list of playmates. – Alicia in Notorious I've started watching or re-watching the films in Roger Ebert's The [...]
“The Record Keeper” Audiobook Now Available
My latest audiobook, The Record Keeper is now available on Audible.com or wherever you get your audiobooks! This action-packed Contemporary Christian Romance (so-called by Amazon) is written by New [...]
Support my Daughter with these “Stand with Ukraine” Stickers
I've been following Kelsey Montague on social media for a while now. She's an interactive street artist and, if you've been to Nashville, you've likely seen her murals that [...]
The Eyes of Tammy Faye
Oh, I remember this time! I come from a long line of preachers and Christian ministers from my father's side of the family. My grandmother played piano for [...]
Happy Birthday, Brooke!
Eighteen words to celebrate my daughter's 18th: As a child, I called her Blue Eyes. Her real name is Brooke. We crack each other up! [...]
Happy Birthday, Emily!
Twenty-four words to celebrate my daughter's 24th: Today is Emily’s birthday! She has my heart. She lives across the world from me and is doing God’s work. I [...]
BOOKED – Charles Martin’s “The Record Keeper” Audiobook
Woot-woot! I just booked a recording project as the narrator for The Record Keeper by New York Times Best Selling author Charles Martin. This will be my fifth book [...]
My Missionary Daughter
Many of you have heard bits and pieces about our daughter in Ukraine. (She is now safe in Romania). The reactions of some have been along the lines of [...]
A 1-2 Suckerpunch: Breast Cancer and the War in Ukraine
I know there's gonna be lesson somewhere I'm gonna think a lot about it later Right now I'm miles away — Marc Cohn, "Miles Away" If I seem [...]
A Year of the Quiet Sun – a Great Movie by Krzysztof Zanussi
Does a person have a right to happiness? Does everyone have that right? Or is it only some and not others? – Emilia in A Year of the Quiet [...]
“The Letter Keeper” Audiobook Now Available
My latest audiobook, The Letter Keeper is now available on Audible.com or wherever you get your audiobooks! This action-packed Christian adventure/romance is written by New York Times best selling [...]
A Week Away
I was surprised by how much FUN this movie musical was! And I'm super proud that it was made in my hometown of Nashville and by such talented [...]
Do the Right Thing – a Great Movie by Spike Lee
DA MAYOR I hope the block is still standing. MOTHER SISTER We're still standing. – Do the Right Thing I've started watching or re-watching the [...]
The Great Movies by Roger Ebert
Of all the arts, movies are the most powerful aid to empathy, and good ones make us into better people. – from the introduction of The Great Movies by [...]
BOOKED – Charles Martin’s “The Letter Keeper” Audiobook
I'm excited to announce that I've booked a recording project as narrator of The Letter Keeper by New York Times Best Selling author Charles Martin. This will be my [...]
BOOKED – Modeling Shoot
I gotta practice this look from Ben Stiller in Zoolander! I’m excited to announce that I booked a modeling job in Louisville, KY this week. A very [...]
The End of the Chapter
The Table Troubadours Last Monday, November 2, marked the end of my seven and a half year tenure as the music leader for The Table. I loved [...]
