Steven Sanchez

Nov 2020 21

Music Manager Dean Kasparian Brings Music Back to the Valley

2020 Articles, Music, Steven Sanchez, Web Series & Vlogs

by Steven Sanchez

Having worked in the music industry for the past five years, I can guarantee that every person employed in the field had the same reaction I did when the pandemic happened:...s***! Once the virus hit and the lockdown went into effect, the immediate activity banned was concerts. How can it not? All those people in an arena or bunched up in a club. So the venues shutdown, and the promoters, roadies, techs, staff, and musicians were left scratching their heads. How would the music industry be able to thrive when the outlet that makes the artists and record labels money—which is touring—was eradicated?

Nov 2020 7

Valley BMX Olympian Brooke Crain Rides Through a Rough 2020

2020 Articles, Sports, Steven Sanchez, Tales of Diversity

by Steven Sanchez

The year 2020 has undoubtedly been a rough one for everybody. I don’t need to make a list of what has transpired during the last few months that hasn’t already been talked about, and thrown in our faces every day. It’s been quite an adjustment for all the people who have had to cope with just existing in this first year of the new decade. Some have found a way to thrive; some, unfortunately, have had a tough time. There are those who are just taking it day by day, and taking the good with the bad. For Valley resident and Olympic BMX rider, Brooke Crain, this year has been one heck of a ride.

Oct 2020 3

Teaching During the Pandemic: A Local Educator’s Insight

2020 Articles, Education, Steven Sanchez

by Steven Sanchez

A lot of things changed once Covid-19 impacted the world. Despite the effect it had on employment, service industries, entertainment, none probably felt the deep impact of how severe the virus was capable of than the educational system. Once the lockdown hit, teachers and students were dealt a very big blow when the last months of the spring semester at all school levels were cancelled.

Sep 2020 5

Mental Health Advocate Kelsie Igasan

2020 Articles, Mental Health, Sports, Steven Sanchez

by Steven Sanchez

The Covid-19 lockdown has been one heck of a roller coaster ride for most Americans. The ones who are most definitely feeling the effects of this quarantine are the mentally ill. Mental health issues are rising among adults during the pandemic, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says. The facts are disheartening. From June 24 to 30, the CDC reports that U.S. adults reported mental health conditions in higher numbers due to COVID-19; out of more than 5,000 respondents who were contacted in late June, 25.5% of adults between the ages of 18-24 reported having “seriously considered suicide” due to the pandemic.

Aug 2020 8

Local Film Spotlight: Caleb Mueller’s NightCall

2020 Articles, Movies, Mysteryrat's Maze, Steven Sanchez

by Steven Sanchez

This has been the summer of movies. Actually, every summer is the time for movies. Not only has it been a time for film watching, but also a moment to go out and make movies yourself. We’re in lockdown because of the pandemic, so what else is there to do? The majority of Americans have spent most of their days in front of a screen watching stories, but Kings River Life for these past few issues has been covering local filmmakers who have taken their screens, reversed them, and have been telling their own stories.

Jul 2020 11

The Film The Great Outdoors: A Great Moment for Bass Lake

2020 Articles, Movies, Steven Sanchez, Travel

by Steven Sanchez

In June, 32 years ago in 1988, a film was released to the world, one that starred two comedic giants in the prime of their careers. You had Dan Aykroyd, former Saturday Night Live alum, who was fresh off the success of Trading Spaces (1983) and Ghostbusters (1984). Then there was John Candy, who was featured in a string of ‘80s classics like Splash (1984), Brewster’s Millions (1985), Spaceballs (1987), and Planes, Trains, and Automobiles (1987). That film was The Great Outdoors.

Jul 2020 4

Local Artist Spotlight: Disc Jockey/Actress/Activist Rebecah Rye

2020 Articles, Movies, Music, Steven Sanchez

by Steven Sanchez

What do you get when you mix the elements of intelligence, beauty, talent, attitude, drive, ambition, spirituality, and tenacity? The concoction result would be local on-air personality, actress, and now activist, Rebecah Rye. She’s the nighttime voice for 105.1 The Blaze, “Fresno’s Best Rock,” playing headbangin’ metal anthems and the traffic coordinator for the rock station and the hip hop format Q97.1.

Jun 2020 6

Local Movie Makers Making Movies During Coronavirus Lockdown

2020 Articles, Movies, Steven Sanchez

by Steven Sanchez

Film productions are known for its size and scale of people working together. Have you seen the end credits to a film? You just see hundreds and sometimes even thousands of names scroll up the screen, people representing different departments to make one complete project. You got the director, writer(s), producers, make-up department, casting director(s), production designer, cinematographer, composer, visual effects, special effects, and the list goes on.

May 2020 30

Q&A With Local Film Editor/Musician Robert J. Thissen

2020 Articles, Movies, Music, Steven Sanchez, TV

by Steven Sanchez

Filmmaker, editor, musician, producer, these are the many titles that shape Robert J. Thissen’s identity. This Central Valley artist has made a name for himself in Hollywood for his work as a television and associate editor on several TV shows ranging from Hart of Dixie, Life In Pieces, Rizzoli and Isles, and that’s just naming a few. He’s become a go-to from the big studios in Tinseltown, maybe you’ve heard of them, the selection being Warner Bros. Paramount, 20th Century Fox, Universal, Disney, along with others. But now he’s shifting gear and his focus to another craft...music.

Mar 2020 25

Korn Valley Music Heroes Return for Amazing Sold Out Show

2020 Articles, Music, Steven Sanchez

by Steven Sanchez

You hear the tapping sounds on a ride cymbal, the strums of a guitar, then chiming in is a funky bassline, accompanied by a second riff from a guitar, this continues on and builds up until you hear a guttural and primal scream shouting, “Are you ready?” These are the rhythms and lyrics stitched to the song “Blind,” that belongs to the band, Korn.