I had the extreme pleasure of meeting some great people this past Saturday night at a birthday bash in Long Island. It was a mix of fellow entertainment business professionals, but more importantly real warm folks who welcomed me into their home as if we’d known each other forever as opposed to meeting for the first time. I spoke last week about my 5,000 friends on facebook and the importance of communicating through social media—personally and professionally.

I also explained that how once you are involved in “the biz,” whether it’s in TV, radio, movies, or whatever else, you become part of it forever and you will find yourself traveling in the same circles as your counterparts. Here’s how this night all materialized…

I have been watching the “Carfellas” web series faithfully via youtube and reached out to the gang about making a meatball eating contest episode and the show’s producer, Dan, loved the idea. So Dan suggested I first come to a gathering hosted by author Alysia Stern at her home in Levittown where they would be attending along with a lot of other producers and players in the industry, to introduce myself and be part of some filming they were doing. Although not having met Dan or Alysia, I thought this was a perfect fit for me and a great way to MEAT and greet everyone. And by MEAT, yes I brought some meatballs! I never go anywhere without them!

My Jersey radio paisan, Gregg Carlucci (host of The Carlucci Show, recorded live every Thursday from the Connecticut School of Broadcasting in sunny Hasbrouck Heights where I am a frequent guest) and I took the one hour drive to Long Island, not knowing exactly what to expect. When we drove up, we truly were treated like long-time friends. Although there were indeed major stars in their respective areas of show biz, nobody had an inflated ego—we all got along famously—and rolling cameras captured the play-by-play.

The Carfellas crew did not make it out for the festivities, but we did take a cruise in my Cadillac with a dashboard camera while Alysia and her partner Karin interviewed me from the back seat. It was wild, but a lot of fun and we all really got to know each other on that ride. Back at the house, we actually ended up filming an extensive food segment; where everyone tasted my meatballs—and seemed to really enjoy them. Then everyone took pictures wearing my “Got Balls” t-shirts! Even the kids!

Dan is an awesome producer, his company SawGrass Productions is making some real fantastic projects and it was a blast collaborating with him—something I definitely plan on doing again in the future. But more importantly, he’s a super down-to-earth guy and a real genuine dude. I can’t say enough good things about him and especially Alysia, who happened to be celebrating her birthday that evening as well. Besides being a beautiful person inside and out, she is also very accomplished as well—being a published author and talk show host on Madhouse TV. I am planning to visit her program as a guest, so check back for my announcement on that appearance.

Besides making connections and making collaborations, I would like to say I made friends with everyone and it was certainly a night that I will remember for a long time. You will be able to get a TASTE of what all the meatball madness was about very soon. Stay tuned for some crazy footage which I will be sharing in the near future…