GQ "Men of the Year" Awards

HOST: Dennis Miller

It’s been said that Dennis Miller is "One of the premiere comedy talents in America today…"
Miller is a five-time Emmy Awards winner for his critically acclaimed half-hour live talk show, HBO’s DENNIS MILLER LIVE, which just ended its nine-year run after 215 episodes. Week in and week out, DENNIS MILLER LIVE was "Biting social commentary laced with humor." Dennis continues his relationship with HBO with his fifth stand-up special set for early 2003.

In October of 2001, Harper Collins published the fourth edition of Miller’s ever-popular RANTS, THE RANT ZONE, now out in paperback. Miller’s previous books, I RANT, THEREFORE I AM; RANTING AGAIN and THE RANTS have all been New York Times best sellers.

Miller got his start in the late 70’s, honing his skills in Pittsburgh area clubs and eventually relocating to New York where he performed at such famed clubs as Catch A Rising Star and The Comic Strip.

After touring the country in 1982 as a comedy club regular and establishing himself as one of the most assured, accomplished and, of course, funny comics on the scene, he was spotted by SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE Executive Producer Lorne Michaels at the Comedy Store in Los Angeles.

Michaels auditioned Miller and subsequently offered him the coveted "Weekend Update" slot on the show that he held for six years before exiting in 1991.
Over the years, Dennis has become both a public and critical favorite.

The New York Times said "Mr. Miller is exquisitely attuned to contemporary foibles…his material can be scathing, his delivery low key…Mr. Miller reaches a bit farther than most comedians for the scorching comment…this smart aleck has an uncommonly sharp eye…"

PERFORMER: The Wallflowers

The youngest of five children, a 12-year-old Jakob Dylan came home determined to learn the electric guitar after seeing the Clash perform during the their glorious "Combat Rock" tour. After graduation, Dylan took a brief detour in 1988 to study art at the Parson’s School of Design in New York City, where he also ended up writing what he calls his first real song – "6^th Avenue Heartache." Later that year, he returned to Los Angeles to launch what, by 1990, would become the Wallflowers.

Two years later, the young band released its self-titled debut on Virgin Records, earning critical praise in the pages of Rolling Stone and Musician. Extensive road work followed, with the group undertaking tours with 10,000 Maniacs, Cracker and Spin Doctors. Following a series of line-up changes, the Wallflowers moved over to Interscope Records and in 1996 release the T-Bone Burnett-produced top 5 breakthrough "Bringing Down the Horse."

Certified quadruple platinum by the RIAA, the album ushered in two-and-a-half years of near non-stop touring, during which "6^th Avenue Heartache" became an alternative rock hit and "One Headlight," a top 10 Billboard "Hot 100" hit, earned Grammy Awards in the "Best Rock Song" and "Best Rock Performance (Group)" categories.

Following the 2000 release of the RIAA gold Breach, the band hit the road for an extensive US club trek and a memorable five nights opening for the Who at the venerable Madison Square Garden in New York City.

The Wallflowers third album for Interscope Records is set for release November 5^th, 2002. The album’s twelve original songs reflect Jakob Dylan’s continued growth as a writer, and find him in a triumphant but pensive frame on such rock and roll as first single "When You’re On Top," "How Good Can It Get" and "See You When I Get There."

Wallflowers are Jakob Dylan (vocals, backing vocals, guitar), Rami Jaffee (keyboards, vibes), Greg Richling (bass, Mini-Moog) and Mario Calire (drums, backing vocals).

PERFORMER: Eve

Passionate, powerful, fearless and aggressive, Eve is a force to be reckoned with. A dynamic woman of unparalleled talent, persistence and ambition, Eve served as the primary creative force behind her new album, EVE-OLUTION on Ruff Ryders/Inter-scope Records. The resulting offering portrays her as a woman who will not, has not and never will be ignored.

While it’s true that her solo output was an excellent indication of her fast-rising fame, EVE-OLUTION solidifies her as the preeminent first lady of hip-hop. The new album’s sixteen phenomenal cuts show why Eve will always be that girl — a highly empowered woman who exudes strength, femininity and bravado. The enticing premiere single, Gangsta Lovin’ (featuring Alicia Keys) will rock your body with a gripping intensity that only Eve has mastered.

A native of Philadelphia, Eve has come a long way. Eve is about to excel to new and uncharted heights as she ascends to multimedia icon. With a fashion line (Fetish) and two new films (XXX, Barbershop) Eve has become a versatile vixen who can move between music, movies and fashion with equal success.

PERFORMER: Chis Isaak

When the time came for Chris Isaak to begin writing songs that would become his fresh new Reprise recording Always Got Tonight, the ever-vital singer/musician/actor/TV star employed a unique method of tune crafting. "I literally wrote some of these songs in the sand," he says, flashing a grin that’s made millions of hearts flutter.

His "castaway" method took place after playing some concert dates in Hawaii. For a week, he cut himself off from his hectic lifestyle. He checked himself into an isolated, old, out-of-business beach-side hotel along the island’s coast where he was alone with his thoughts and emotions — no phones, no distractions. "I’d start in the morning at one end of the beach and I’d etch the words with a stick as I walked along the water’s edge over the course of the day. From there, the ideas flowed," he says.

It was also the catalyst for what is perhaps the strongest recording of Isaak’s long and illustrious career. Always Got Tonight shows the artist adding a distinctly modern feel to the classic pop and rock sounds that have elevated him to the highest plateau of respect amongst artists.

Although Isaak considers himself a musician first and foremost, he enjoys doing The Chris Isaak Show largely because it allows him to incorporate his music and his actual band, comprising Rowland Salley (bass), Hershel Yatovitz (guitar) and Kenney Dale Johnson (drums) who co-star with him weekly.

"The show has allowed all of us to express different parts of our personalities. I don’t think I could do a show that didn’t directly tie-in with my musical life. My musical life is just too important to me."

Which brings him back to Always Got Tonight, an opus that affirms Isaak as an artist who proudly walks his own special path — a path that millions are compelled to follow.