CHICAGO--DAY 2: THE GRABBYS
The day began with a trip to Martins Big & Tall Men store. I always pack lightly for my annual Chicago Grabbys trip in anticipation of stopping there to get a shirt or two, usually to wear to the event. And they had a shirt I liked, but not in my size. Dammit. I decided Id wear one of the ones Id packed.
Next, it was time to shop for CVK, so off to Water Tower Place. We rode the elevator up all 7 floors, checking out each store, then began with the mens department at Marshall Fields, where the hubby (whod thought it would be rainy most of our trip but found it was going to be sunny every day and had only packed long pants) needed some shorts. I got him some nice brown ones and a fun pair of tropical ones with some matching shirts. Then we had a quick lunch at California Pizza Kitchen. Knowing we needed to keep it light, we each had a half-salad. A quick stop at Godivas for some macaroons and a chocolate-covered strawberry and back to the hotel. CVK saw a rip in one of his new Banana Republic shirts, so I took a quick lie-down while he ran back to the mall to get a refund.
I called JACOB SLADER to make sure he had arrived in town, then TY HUDSON to see how rehearsal went. Ty said he was presenting the award (with RICK JAMMER) for Best Director. I told him that when he opened the envelope, if the name was anyones other than mine, to read mine instead. We laughed, and I took a few seconds to wonder if I could really get away with it. Naaah.
We showered and dressed. I wore a green button-down shirt over a black sleeveless T and black jeans. The two of us jumped in a waiting cab (one of the best things about the House of Blues Hoteltheres ALWAYS a cab waiting) and travelled up to Boystown to Las Maninitas for dinner. Delicious food and a couple of margaritas, and I was ready for what the evening had in store.
Another cab dropped us off at the Vic Theater, which I remember as the Brew n View when I lived there (you could watch a movie on the big screen and eat and drink). There was a minor snag at the ticket window, then the doormen wanted us to enter the theater through the middle door six feet away, for some reason. But I was in too good a mood to care. We found our table, which was near the stage, off to the right side next to ADONIS PICTURES and RAGING STALLION. The table wasnt real big, and I could see that with four of us there, it was going to be close quarters.
Ty Hudson and Jacob sat with us. At the Adonis table were JEREMY SPENCER, TREVOR KNIGHT and ROSS CANNON. Jeremy had a pink Magic 8-Ball in his gift bag and was asking it questions like Will Jett Blakk win Best Screenplay? A couple of Too early to tells then Positively. At the Raging Stallion table were J.D. SLATER, TONY SERRANO and MICHAEL BRANDON, who wished me luck. I also saw Jason Wood, the cute young thing from the night before, sitting on Tonys knee! Grrrrr
At one point, I turned around to see Jacob making out with TOMMY RITTER, and JASON RIDGE came over to say hello. He still looks great! Better than when I discovered him.
PETER DIXON and STACY from Gay Chicago Magazine were running around like mad, and the show finally started 15 minutes late. The opening video began.
It was Chicago darling HONEY WEST from the opening of last years video, which turned out to be a dream. She fell back asleep for another dream about sharing a tent with CHI CHI LARUE in a BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN spoof. Next, everyone came to her house for a party. As the footage rolled, we all climbed out of the hummer. When I wiped my mouth off, the audience laughed and clapped. Yay! It worked. They applauded again when DAMON PHOENIX sat in my lap and kissed me, which he did whenever he saw me all night. He has the softest lips. When I grabbed my cell phone in the video and took a picture of his ass, the crowd laughed again. I was happy with my performance. lol. But I noticed something about me in the video that I wasnt happy with. More on that later.
After the video, Chi Chi and Honey came onstage in matching outfits, looking fabulous as always. Chi Chi started things off by throwing ice at the Raging Stallion table, acknowledging the GayVN incident. Their co-hosts were BRAD BENTON, CHAD HUNT and ROD BARRY. Everyone did a great job hosting and were very natural and entertaining.
The award for Best Screenplay was announced about four or five awards into the show, taking me by surprise. Wow, that was quick, I whispered to CVK and suddenly, there it was. They said it: Jett Blakk for DIRTY LITTLE SINS. Im sure I had an ear-to-ear grin as I got out of my seat and climbed the stairs to the stage. The stunningly perfect TONY MICELLI handed me my award and said, Congratulations. I held the block of Lucite in my hand and faced the microphone. Now, two years ago, I had been taken by surprise and stumbled through an acceptance speech. Not this time. I had memorized something and repeated it intermittently for the past several days to make sure I got it right. As I looked out into the darkness at the crowd of people, this is what I said:
I want to thank everyone at Gay Chicago Magazine, as well as the wonderful actors who brought my words to life, especially Brad Benton, Jacob Slader and DILLON PRESS.
Applause.
I also want to thank my husband Cliff for his love and support.
HUGE applause. Youd have thought they all knew him. Half the table at Raging Stallion turned to look at him. lol. And he almost began crying.
Were spending our anniversary in Chicago this weekend.
Applause which continued as I said:
Its been 10 amazing years!
HUGE applause. lol. It continued as I said:
Thank you, honey! Thank you all! Keep watching!
And I left the stage. As I got back to my table, Ty and Jacob both hugged me. Jeremy got up and hugged me. Trevor Knight asked me when I was putting him in a movie. lol. I sat down and felt a hand on my shoulder. It was DOUG LAWRENCE from GayVN magazine. Congratulations, he said.
A little later, the winner of Best Supporting Actor was read, and it was Jacob. He went onstage and said:
"I want to thank Jett Blakk. It takes a certain kind of director wholl let a model cry in a film without a fist up his ass. Great line. Then: This is actually my 2nd award for this film. My first was getting to fuck Jason Ridge. Huge laughs. I looked over at Jason and could see him blush from 20 feet away.
Later, I was stunned when Brad Benton won Best Solo for SINS. He came out on stage, looking like he was in shock, and said, This is amazing because I never have sex alone. Anyway, thanks to Gay Chicago Magazine. and walked off. Hello, Brad? Who directed you? Hello?
Several baskets from various studios were raffled off. Ours, I have to say, looked the nicest: a big wicker basket wrapped in red cellophane crammed with goodies. Good luck to the guy who won it.
During the intermission, I decided to stretch my legs and walk around the auditorium to see who was there. Climbing the steps toward the back, I ran into PETE ROSS, who congratulated me (he reads this blog, too!) and told me he had been thinking of e-mailing me his contact info about doing film work. I told him he definitely should. Many fans offered their congratulations and anniversary wishes. I also heard from THOR STEPHANS, J.D. Slater, Damon Phoenix, Mr. Ridge, Ross Cannon, MICHAEL KNIGHT and Dillon Press, who introduced me to JOHNNY HAZZARD, distracted as we shook hands by someone else he wanted to talk to. When I let go, he bolted without so much as a goodbye. Ah, youth.
As I headed back to my seat, someone said, Congratulations on your award and your anniversary! I turned to see two big butch leather daddies. One of them said, We just loved it when you thanked your spouse. The other one said, Weve been together 10 years, too, and we dont know why more winners dont thank their partners. Leather Daddy #1: It even made me cry, and with that, he pulled a red hanky from his back pocket and began to dab at his eyes. Which pocket did you pull that from? I asked. The left one, he said. I smiled. Now I know everything I need to know about you. They congratulated me again, and I headed back to my seat, only stopped by Brad Benton who apologized for not mentioning me onstage. I thought I was late for my next cue, he said, and they pushed me out there. When I realized Id won an award, I was so flustered, I didnt even think about what I should say. Good luck on that law career, Brad. lol.
Back at my chair, a reviewer from Gay Chicago approached me. He told me that he loved SINS and had voted for it for Best Video, even though he didnt think it was going to win. It deserves to, he said. I thanked him and reviewer RYAN WILLIAMS gave me his congratulations, too, as did MARK NAGEL.
Well, Chi Chi won Best Director, and WRONG SIDE OF THE TRACKS won for Best Video (Ms. LaRue was backstage doing a costume change and had to accept it with just her voice!).. I could breathe a sigh of relief now. Then came the Wall of Fame, a large poster of the Grabbys logo mounted on a tripod. This is to honor people who have made lasting contributions to the industry. Chi Chi read off the names while Honey handed the marker to the inductees as they signed their names on the poster. First was MATTHEW RUSH. Then CAESAR. Then CHAD HUNT. Then, director/camerman STEVEN WALKER. One more to go.
Chi Chi said, Our final inductee is also a director. Hes very good at putting story to his videos.
Everyone at the Adonis table and ours whipped their heads to look at me. Could it be true?
He looked like he was about to fall out of the hummer in the opening video, Cheesh continued (that was Jim Steel, Ms. LaRue. lol). As I said, he puts story to his videos, our final inductee is Jett Blakk! Lots of applause as I ascended the stage again. Honey gave me the marker and I bent over to write my name on the poster.
Did you get your name from JOAN JETT BLAKK? Chi Chi asked. No, I said. I got it from my cat. Which is true. At the time I began my porn career, my original name was JETT BLAKK KATT, named for my black cat Blakk and the rest just sort of went well with it. Ive since shortened it by dropping the Katt (although I keep the K for my initials).
It would have been funnier if youd just said yes, Ms. LaRue said, walking away. I returned the marker to Honey. Now, as you may remember from my entry about shooting the Grabbys opening video, I wrote that when I said goodbye to Honey, it was obvious that she didnt remember me, which was fine. But when I gave the pen back to her, she smiled and said, Congratulations then my real name!" Okay, Honey, I take it back. You remember me. lol.
The show ended with a 15-minute celeb signing, and I headed for the bathrooms, which frankly, were vile. Mr. Blakk is pee-shy, so I had to use a stall where the door wouldnt lock, which means I have to force my piss out faster than normal so I can finish up before someone opens the door. Zipping up with success, I headed for the bathroom door and ran square into BRUCE VILANCH. I introduced myself and he said, I know. Congratulations. I thanked him and headed back upstairs.
CVK had no interest in the Military Ball after-party at CIRCUIT, so we kissed, and he cabbed it back to the hotel as I waited for Ty to change clothes. He met me in front of the Vic, and we grabbed a taxi, climbed in and headed for the party.
To be continued
JBK
Next, it was time to shop for CVK, so off to Water Tower Place. We rode the elevator up all 7 floors, checking out each store, then began with the mens department at Marshall Fields, where the hubby (whod thought it would be rainy most of our trip but found it was going to be sunny every day and had only packed long pants) needed some shorts. I got him some nice brown ones and a fun pair of tropical ones with some matching shirts. Then we had a quick lunch at California Pizza Kitchen. Knowing we needed to keep it light, we each had a half-salad. A quick stop at Godivas for some macaroons and a chocolate-covered strawberry and back to the hotel. CVK saw a rip in one of his new Banana Republic shirts, so I took a quick lie-down while he ran back to the mall to get a refund.
I called JACOB SLADER to make sure he had arrived in town, then TY HUDSON to see how rehearsal went. Ty said he was presenting the award (with RICK JAMMER) for Best Director. I told him that when he opened the envelope, if the name was anyones other than mine, to read mine instead. We laughed, and I took a few seconds to wonder if I could really get away with it. Naaah.
We showered and dressed. I wore a green button-down shirt over a black sleeveless T and black jeans. The two of us jumped in a waiting cab (one of the best things about the House of Blues Hoteltheres ALWAYS a cab waiting) and travelled up to Boystown to Las Maninitas for dinner. Delicious food and a couple of margaritas, and I was ready for what the evening had in store.
Another cab dropped us off at the Vic Theater, which I remember as the Brew n View when I lived there (you could watch a movie on the big screen and eat and drink). There was a minor snag at the ticket window, then the doormen wanted us to enter the theater through the middle door six feet away, for some reason. But I was in too good a mood to care. We found our table, which was near the stage, off to the right side next to ADONIS PICTURES and RAGING STALLION. The table wasnt real big, and I could see that with four of us there, it was going to be close quarters.
Ty Hudson and Jacob sat with us. At the Adonis table were JEREMY SPENCER, TREVOR KNIGHT and ROSS CANNON. Jeremy had a pink Magic 8-Ball in his gift bag and was asking it questions like Will Jett Blakk win Best Screenplay? A couple of Too early to tells then Positively. At the Raging Stallion table were J.D. SLATER, TONY SERRANO and MICHAEL BRANDON, who wished me luck. I also saw Jason Wood, the cute young thing from the night before, sitting on Tonys knee! Grrrrr
At one point, I turned around to see Jacob making out with TOMMY RITTER, and JASON RIDGE came over to say hello. He still looks great! Better than when I discovered him.
PETER DIXON and STACY from Gay Chicago Magazine were running around like mad, and the show finally started 15 minutes late. The opening video began.
It was Chicago darling HONEY WEST from the opening of last years video, which turned out to be a dream. She fell back asleep for another dream about sharing a tent with CHI CHI LARUE in a BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN spoof. Next, everyone came to her house for a party. As the footage rolled, we all climbed out of the hummer. When I wiped my mouth off, the audience laughed and clapped. Yay! It worked. They applauded again when DAMON PHOENIX sat in my lap and kissed me, which he did whenever he saw me all night. He has the softest lips. When I grabbed my cell phone in the video and took a picture of his ass, the crowd laughed again. I was happy with my performance. lol. But I noticed something about me in the video that I wasnt happy with. More on that later.
After the video, Chi Chi and Honey came onstage in matching outfits, looking fabulous as always. Chi Chi started things off by throwing ice at the Raging Stallion table, acknowledging the GayVN incident. Their co-hosts were BRAD BENTON, CHAD HUNT and ROD BARRY. Everyone did a great job hosting and were very natural and entertaining.
The award for Best Screenplay was announced about four or five awards into the show, taking me by surprise. Wow, that was quick, I whispered to CVK and suddenly, there it was. They said it: Jett Blakk for DIRTY LITTLE SINS. Im sure I had an ear-to-ear grin as I got out of my seat and climbed the stairs to the stage. The stunningly perfect TONY MICELLI handed me my award and said, Congratulations. I held the block of Lucite in my hand and faced the microphone. Now, two years ago, I had been taken by surprise and stumbled through an acceptance speech. Not this time. I had memorized something and repeated it intermittently for the past several days to make sure I got it right. As I looked out into the darkness at the crowd of people, this is what I said:
I want to thank everyone at Gay Chicago Magazine, as well as the wonderful actors who brought my words to life, especially Brad Benton, Jacob Slader and DILLON PRESS.
Applause.
I also want to thank my husband Cliff for his love and support.
HUGE applause. Youd have thought they all knew him. Half the table at Raging Stallion turned to look at him. lol. And he almost began crying.
Were spending our anniversary in Chicago this weekend.
Applause which continued as I said:
Its been 10 amazing years!
HUGE applause. lol. It continued as I said:
Thank you, honey! Thank you all! Keep watching!
And I left the stage. As I got back to my table, Ty and Jacob both hugged me. Jeremy got up and hugged me. Trevor Knight asked me when I was putting him in a movie. lol. I sat down and felt a hand on my shoulder. It was DOUG LAWRENCE from GayVN magazine. Congratulations, he said.
A little later, the winner of Best Supporting Actor was read, and it was Jacob. He went onstage and said:
"I want to thank Jett Blakk. It takes a certain kind of director wholl let a model cry in a film without a fist up his ass. Great line. Then: This is actually my 2nd award for this film. My first was getting to fuck Jason Ridge. Huge laughs. I looked over at Jason and could see him blush from 20 feet away.
Later, I was stunned when Brad Benton won Best Solo for SINS. He came out on stage, looking like he was in shock, and said, This is amazing because I never have sex alone. Anyway, thanks to Gay Chicago Magazine. and walked off. Hello, Brad? Who directed you? Hello?
Several baskets from various studios were raffled off. Ours, I have to say, looked the nicest: a big wicker basket wrapped in red cellophane crammed with goodies. Good luck to the guy who won it.
During the intermission, I decided to stretch my legs and walk around the auditorium to see who was there. Climbing the steps toward the back, I ran into PETE ROSS, who congratulated me (he reads this blog, too!) and told me he had been thinking of e-mailing me his contact info about doing film work. I told him he definitely should. Many fans offered their congratulations and anniversary wishes. I also heard from THOR STEPHANS, J.D. Slater, Damon Phoenix, Mr. Ridge, Ross Cannon, MICHAEL KNIGHT and Dillon Press, who introduced me to JOHNNY HAZZARD, distracted as we shook hands by someone else he wanted to talk to. When I let go, he bolted without so much as a goodbye. Ah, youth.
As I headed back to my seat, someone said, Congratulations on your award and your anniversary! I turned to see two big butch leather daddies. One of them said, We just loved it when you thanked your spouse. The other one said, Weve been together 10 years, too, and we dont know why more winners dont thank their partners. Leather Daddy #1: It even made me cry, and with that, he pulled a red hanky from his back pocket and began to dab at his eyes. Which pocket did you pull that from? I asked. The left one, he said. I smiled. Now I know everything I need to know about you. They congratulated me again, and I headed back to my seat, only stopped by Brad Benton who apologized for not mentioning me onstage. I thought I was late for my next cue, he said, and they pushed me out there. When I realized Id won an award, I was so flustered, I didnt even think about what I should say. Good luck on that law career, Brad. lol.
Back at my chair, a reviewer from Gay Chicago approached me. He told me that he loved SINS and had voted for it for Best Video, even though he didnt think it was going to win. It deserves to, he said. I thanked him and reviewer RYAN WILLIAMS gave me his congratulations, too, as did MARK NAGEL.
Well, Chi Chi won Best Director, and WRONG SIDE OF THE TRACKS won for Best Video (Ms. LaRue was backstage doing a costume change and had to accept it with just her voice!).. I could breathe a sigh of relief now. Then came the Wall of Fame, a large poster of the Grabbys logo mounted on a tripod. This is to honor people who have made lasting contributions to the industry. Chi Chi read off the names while Honey handed the marker to the inductees as they signed their names on the poster. First was MATTHEW RUSH. Then CAESAR. Then CHAD HUNT. Then, director/camerman STEVEN WALKER. One more to go.
Chi Chi said, Our final inductee is also a director. Hes very good at putting story to his videos.
Everyone at the Adonis table and ours whipped their heads to look at me. Could it be true?
He looked like he was about to fall out of the hummer in the opening video, Cheesh continued (that was Jim Steel, Ms. LaRue. lol). As I said, he puts story to his videos, our final inductee is Jett Blakk! Lots of applause as I ascended the stage again. Honey gave me the marker and I bent over to write my name on the poster.
Did you get your name from JOAN JETT BLAKK? Chi Chi asked. No, I said. I got it from my cat. Which is true. At the time I began my porn career, my original name was JETT BLAKK KATT, named for my black cat Blakk and the rest just sort of went well with it. Ive since shortened it by dropping the Katt (although I keep the K for my initials).
It would have been funnier if youd just said yes, Ms. LaRue said, walking away. I returned the marker to Honey. Now, as you may remember from my entry about shooting the Grabbys opening video, I wrote that when I said goodbye to Honey, it was obvious that she didnt remember me, which was fine. But when I gave the pen back to her, she smiled and said, Congratulations then my real name!" Okay, Honey, I take it back. You remember me. lol.
The show ended with a 15-minute celeb signing, and I headed for the bathrooms, which frankly, were vile. Mr. Blakk is pee-shy, so I had to use a stall where the door wouldnt lock, which means I have to force my piss out faster than normal so I can finish up before someone opens the door. Zipping up with success, I headed for the bathroom door and ran square into BRUCE VILANCH. I introduced myself and he said, I know. Congratulations. I thanked him and headed back upstairs.
CVK had no interest in the Military Ball after-party at CIRCUIT, so we kissed, and he cabbed it back to the hotel as I waited for Ty to change clothes. He met me in front of the Vic, and we grabbed a taxi, climbed in and headed for the party.
To be continued
JBK
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