Today we have had the opportunity to interview
author and entertainer Jerry Castaldo on his book
BROOKLYN NY : A GRIM RETROSPECTIVE - A MEMOIR
author and entertainer Jerry Castaldo on his book
BROOKLYN NY : A GRIM RETROSPECTIVE - A MEMOIR
Jerry has also been kind enough to donate his book for our current giveaway
New York City born-and-bred. Jerry Castaldo is a well-reviewed musical entertainer, who consistently logs an average of 300 shows per year. He has opened for such stars as Jerry Seinfeld, David Brenner and Dom Deluise.
Welcome Jerry and thank you for talking to us
Who was your inspiration when growing up?
My dad and my mom. Growing up with a dad who played professional baseball made me want to play too. I learned to pitch and became a pretty good player, but I decided to go into music instead. My mom was a reader and seemed to know everything, so I wanted to someday have her knowledge.
What did you like to read as a boy?
Everything, including the entire volume of the World Encyclopedia.
How did you get your first break as an entertainer?
I started a band and started playing for money when I was about 12 years old. As far as “breaks”, I’m still getting them, it never ends. Just having the ability to work steadily and provide a nice home for myself is what I’m grateful for. Now it seems that my new book is taking me further, even in my performing career.
Who has been your favourite act to work with?
I recently opened for ‘60s superstar Lou Christie in February of 2011. He has sold millions of records through the years. His big hits are, “Lightning’s Strikin’ Again” and “I’m Gonna Make You Mine”, although there have been many other stars that I have enjoyed working with. The biggest star being Jerry Seinfeld, who I write an entire chapter about in my book. The relationship Seinfeld and I had together ended horribly with me being physically removed from his dressing room in NYC.
What led you onto the different path of writing a book?
Since I grew up in a violent, “Mafia-run” neighborhood in Brooklyn, NY, and was addicted to hard drugs and alcohol by the time I was 16 years old, I went through quite a number of horrifying experiences. When I got clean and sober years later, people would continually yell at me and say, “You have just ‘got’ to write a book about that!” So I did.
How does writing a book compare with the life of an entertainer?
It wasn’t much different for me. I had these incredible “street” stories and I wanted to tell them in an entertaining way, which I guess I did, judging by the over 200 “Five-Star” reviews I’ve gotten on Amazon.com. I’ve also had write ups in “The Village Voice”, “The NY Post”, “The Italian Tribune” and quotes by other celebrities like former “The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson” host David Brenner. This is sort of the same thing that happened with my performing career. I’ve got pretty decent reviews from the NY Times and the NY Post for my show too.
In one sentence, why should people read your book?
In the first sentence, of the first paragraph, of the first story, on the first page, I’m being violently stabbed at with a large knife through the window of a car, while I desperately swing a huge carpenters hammer, bashing it repeatedly into the face of a dangerous drug dealer, and the book “never” lets up from there on.
How did you feel when writing your memoir?
Relieved. Relieved to be able to “explain” to the world why I was the way I was, and that it really wasn’t me. I was totally honest when writing this book and I knew that I was revealing things that many people could never say out loud to others. I was also afraid. Afraid that the police and the “cold case files” department might start investigating me.
Do you have any plans to write another book?
No, not at this time. Although I must tell you. I only used about 20 to 30% of my notes for this book. I wanted it to keep “moving” and didn’t want to bog it down with minute details. Although, now with its success, I see that I could have included more. So, who knows? Right now I have many industry people pushing me to write a screenplay and have just gotten a new agent in NYC who may help me to develop a one-man show for the New York stage.
What else are you working on now?
I tour with my music show to make a living, record music and video when I can and am always promoting the book. On January 21st, 2012, I will be speaking at a very popular writers’ seminar in Birmingham, Alabama. I’m honored to be asked to speak to these educated people, especially since I dropped out of school in the 9th grade.
You live a very fast pace of life, what do you do to unwind?
I work a bit more, ha, ha. Actually, the movies, the gym, running and building computers for fun when I can.
What is your favourite book?
Dr. Wayne Dyer wrote a wonderful book called, “The Sky’s The Limit”. I read it as a teenager when I was being put in and out of jail and was trying to figure out how to better my life. Also, “The Road Less Traveled” is another favorite of mine.
Thanks for taking the time to talk with us Jerry, all the best for the future. x
Welcome Jerry and thank you for talking to us
Who was your inspiration when growing up?
My dad and my mom. Growing up with a dad who played professional baseball made me want to play too. I learned to pitch and became a pretty good player, but I decided to go into music instead. My mom was a reader and seemed to know everything, so I wanted to someday have her knowledge.
What did you like to read as a boy?
Everything, including the entire volume of the World Encyclopedia.
How did you get your first break as an entertainer?
I started a band and started playing for money when I was about 12 years old. As far as “breaks”, I’m still getting them, it never ends. Just having the ability to work steadily and provide a nice home for myself is what I’m grateful for. Now it seems that my new book is taking me further, even in my performing career.
Who has been your favourite act to work with?
I recently opened for ‘60s superstar Lou Christie in February of 2011. He has sold millions of records through the years. His big hits are, “Lightning’s Strikin’ Again” and “I’m Gonna Make You Mine”, although there have been many other stars that I have enjoyed working with. The biggest star being Jerry Seinfeld, who I write an entire chapter about in my book. The relationship Seinfeld and I had together ended horribly with me being physically removed from his dressing room in NYC.
What led you onto the different path of writing a book?
Since I grew up in a violent, “Mafia-run” neighborhood in Brooklyn, NY, and was addicted to hard drugs and alcohol by the time I was 16 years old, I went through quite a number of horrifying experiences. When I got clean and sober years later, people would continually yell at me and say, “You have just ‘got’ to write a book about that!” So I did.
How does writing a book compare with the life of an entertainer?
It wasn’t much different for me. I had these incredible “street” stories and I wanted to tell them in an entertaining way, which I guess I did, judging by the over 200 “Five-Star” reviews I’ve gotten on Amazon.com. I’ve also had write ups in “The Village Voice”, “The NY Post”, “The Italian Tribune” and quotes by other celebrities like former “The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson” host David Brenner. This is sort of the same thing that happened with my performing career. I’ve got pretty decent reviews from the NY Times and the NY Post for my show too.
In one sentence, why should people read your book?
In the first sentence, of the first paragraph, of the first story, on the first page, I’m being violently stabbed at with a large knife through the window of a car, while I desperately swing a huge carpenters hammer, bashing it repeatedly into the face of a dangerous drug dealer, and the book “never” lets up from there on.
How did you feel when writing your memoir?
Relieved. Relieved to be able to “explain” to the world why I was the way I was, and that it really wasn’t me. I was totally honest when writing this book and I knew that I was revealing things that many people could never say out loud to others. I was also afraid. Afraid that the police and the “cold case files” department might start investigating me.
Do you have any plans to write another book?
No, not at this time. Although I must tell you. I only used about 20 to 30% of my notes for this book. I wanted it to keep “moving” and didn’t want to bog it down with minute details. Although, now with its success, I see that I could have included more. So, who knows? Right now I have many industry people pushing me to write a screenplay and have just gotten a new agent in NYC who may help me to develop a one-man show for the New York stage.
What else are you working on now?
I tour with my music show to make a living, record music and video when I can and am always promoting the book. On January 21st, 2012, I will be speaking at a very popular writers’ seminar in Birmingham, Alabama. I’m honored to be asked to speak to these educated people, especially since I dropped out of school in the 9th grade.
You live a very fast pace of life, what do you do to unwind?
I work a bit more, ha, ha. Actually, the movies, the gym, running and building computers for fun when I can.
What is your favourite book?
Dr. Wayne Dyer wrote a wonderful book called, “The Sky’s The Limit”. I read it as a teenager when I was being put in and out of jail and was trying to figure out how to better my life. Also, “The Road Less Traveled” is another favorite of mine.
Thanks for taking the time to talk with us Jerry, all the best for the future. x
thank you- this was a really interesting interview and i want to read the book. lots of interesting experiences!
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