Thanksgiving is in a few days, and I really am thankful for a lot of things this holiday season. I’m thankful first and foremost for my family. For my wife and kids and for our health. (The wealth is coming.) I have had so many challenges and triumphs over the past year but I really wouldn’t change anything because even when something doesn’t go exactly according to plan, one must be thankful for learning experiences.

I don’t have a publicity firm and I never did. I am all about being direct with my fellow cugines. When my Meatball Song first launched and when my cookbook was published, I told everyone about those things on facebook and right here on this blog. I take a lot of pride in my blogging, and haven’t let a single Tuesday go by in over a year and a half without sharing a story or recipe or update on the latest Meatball Family adventure. So this week, before it’s published elsewhere, I’d like to make a few announcements.

It was exactly one year ago that I was a cast member on the weekly docuseries “My Big Friggin’ Wedding.” The series lasted ten episodes and aired from November to January on the Vh1 Network. Filming that reality show for six months and then being with my family watching ourselves all on television in the living room for three more months was quite a surreal experience. It led to many subsequent TV and radio appearances as well as lots of prominent internet, magazine and newspaper spots. I did not skyrocket to instant “Cake Boss” stature but the experience was not just a forgettable fifteen minutes of fame for The Meatball King by any means.

Recently, “Friggin’” got its first run airing in places like Australia and Ireland, and I continue to get new fans and followers who want to see more meatball madness. Even to this day, I still get so many e-mails and facebook friend requests all across the globe from viewers who are so supportive and complimentary. And it’s not just for the fact that I took a once in a lifetime chance and chose to expose myself and my loved ones to all the risks of a daily camera crew (which, in many cases have not exactly showcased individuals in the best light.) Let’s face it, even I had a few not-so-flattering moments during those ten episodes. But it is more for the fact that I utilized that experience to tell the world how it is my dream to launch my meatball business and be a successful entrepreneur. I think a lot of people can relate to that and respect that. Being famous just for being on TV was never something I strived for and I see no gratification in that.

Now, a year later, my little brush with show-biz has led to two huge opportunities. I directly attribute them to my Vh1 run and all of the dedication and persistence I’ve had since then to continue to stay relevant and not let people forget me. I was never about becoming the next “Snookie,” and in the coming months, all my hard work in building The Johnny Meatballs Empire will hopefully be reflected. As I’ve teased in past blogs, Johnny Meatballs will indeed be returning to TV!

I cannot say exactly what day or what network just yet, but I will say that I have two separate agreements with two separate production companies for two different projects. I can say that both will revolve around the meatball business—and as I’ll reiterate—that is just what I had hoped would eventually occur from the day I went on my first initial audition over a year and a half ago.

There’s still a share of detractors out there who continue to put me down or judge me without even knowing me. To them I can only say, hopefully one day you will all change your tune. I know who I am and I believe in myself. Stay tuned, the formal announcement will be coming very soon!

I’m gonna take the next few moments to answer some reader questions. This one I get a lot…

“So where will the meatball cart go now that summer is over???”

I know fall is in full swing, but that doesn’t mean that the world’s first mobile meatball cart is hibernating anytime soon. Although the feasts and farmers markets are all pretty much coming to an end, we are currently working on several partnership arrangements to secure a new daily outdoor spot for Johnny Meatballs On A Roll. We have been looking hard to find a small storefront to open up a Johnny Meatballs Cafe but this has not yet materialized. We have not given up taking the cart from the streets to indoors. Keep checking back for developments as we are targeting this for 2012. In the meantime, we aren’t just gonna park the cart in the garage to collect dust. No sir, we will be rolling out in the very near future to a permanent outdoor location in the Bergen County area. Expect the announcement real soon on where you can continue to get your Johnny Meatballs fix for the rest of 2011 and beyond.

“What About Johnny’s Frozen Meatballs?”

Frozen six-packs of Johnny’s Meatballs In Sunday Gravy will finally be available again, as we have a new agreement with a manufacturer to produce the best tasting meatballs on the market. And many more markets and specialty stores will be carrying them since we also have a new agreement with a major distributor. In time, the product will also be shipped across the country to homes everywhere. We will have brand new packaging and colors to compliment our bigger and better meatballs as well. The target to launch everything is before Christmas but at the latest, look for the new and improved version of Johnny’s frozen meatball six-packs in early 2012!

Have a very happy and healthy Thanksgiving!

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This Weekend On A Roll…

No we aren’t talking turkey sandwiches on a roll! After you’ve all enjoyed your food, football, family and friends, come out on Saturday and Sunday to the GROUND ASSAULT Paintball Park at 245 Paterson Plank Road in Carlstadt, NJ. We will be set up with the cart from 11am-6pm both days, selling meatballs and hot dogs. Visit us at this awesome new park located in the heart of the Meadowlands…whether you wanna come play paintball or just wanna mangia!