Whole Life Magazine

August / September 2017

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26 wholelifetimes.com art & soul G ood Fortune (89 mins), a touching, fast-paced documentary about self-made philanthropic billionaire John Paul DeJoria will give you a desire to do something about the world in which we live. The fi lm is directed by Joshua and Rebecca Tickell (Fuel and The Big Fix) and stars John Paul DeJoria, Eloise DeJoria, Dan Aykroyd, Cheech Marin, Michelle Phillips, Danny Trejo, Arianna Huffi ngton, Robert Kennedy Jr, Sea Shepherd Paul Watson, and Ron White. Many people know John Paul as the co-creator of John Paul Mitchell Systems, an environmentally conscious beauty company that stands up against animal testing. Or maybe you know him as the founder of Patrón, a spirits company that has been environmentally conscious since 1989. With the help of Dan Aykroyd, who boldly narrates, we get an inside look at John Paul's poverty-stricken beginnings. John Paul was homeless twice. He joined the US Navy right after high school, where he received poor marks and was told he would never amount to anything. He rode with the Hell's Angels. He went door-to-door selling encyclopedias for three entire years. From dozens of careers, John Paul chiseled his powerful, meaningful business ethic. And along the way he has met people whom he has not forgotten. In John Paul, we see a truly humble man. A man who has dedicated his life to protecting the environment. A man who has taken serious environmental issues into his own hands. There is a stereotypical image of a billionaire. Someone who makes money for the purpose of making money so it can be squandered. However, John Paul has set the mold for environmentally conscious business people. He reminds us that "success unshared is failure" and that when we hit the bottom, the only way to move is UP. Available on iTunes. (Big Picture Ranch) —Henry Johnston FILM I t's a wonderful thing when you listen to a CD and feel like you are experiencing a live event. So it is with Floyd Lula's Live Launch, a recording by musicians and vocalists Jami Lula and Gary Lynn Floyd. Positive energy and harmonious musical blending emanates from these two talents, who (with others) recorded the CD at Ku- lak's Woodshed, in North Hollywood, in 2016. "I'm So Grateful I'm Alive" opens the "concert." Written by Floyd and Lula (as are all the songs), the lyrics are sparse, almost evoking a chant. The next cut, "We All Share," continues the simplicity of the message, and opens with Floyd's rich piano playing and Lula's accompanying guitar work. Its "we all share stories and prayers" phrase makes me feel united and joyful. "One and One and One" (…"Make One") is catchy, capturing Lula's strong soulful vocals. "I'm Not My Story" is a standout with its folk infl uence. Lula's energy and personality, which I fi rst experienced at the Center for Spiritual Living in Westlake Village, shine through this release. "Maybe I Am" and "God in Everyone" plus the other tracks, the moving tribute "Sweet Mary," the sentimental ballad "Oh My God," "Drifting," and "What's Your Gospel Gonna Be" building with its hand-clapping crescendo, will keep you enter- tained—if not inspired—for about a good hour and a half. Floyd and Lula are both Angelenos. Accompanying the song- writing partners are Jeff Dean on bass and Gordie Germaine playing electric guitar. (Spirit in the House Records) —Gordon Durich Floyd Lula MUSIC Directed by Joshua Tickell and Rebecca Harrell Tickell Good Fortune Live Launch

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