Dave Cummings - From the trenches - some bit-and-pieces

OK, now it’s time for some bit-and-pieces. Recently, the Free Speech Coalition engaged California Legislators during its annual lobbying trip to Sacramento. As always, our Industry’s Lobbyist adroitly trained and prepared us Industry folks to represent the adult world in a positive and All-American way. The Legislators and their Staffs welcomed us as professionals who vote, pay taxes, and contribute to the California economy. The big, but informal, “message” we heard from key folks in State Government was the need for our Industry to get everyone registered to vote so that we have political clout for future legislative matters, especially those affecting the Adult Industry. Somehow, we must find a vehicle to make this happen! I urge everyone to become informed voters, and to encourage others to do likewise.

HBO is presently filming an extensive documentary in California; it will be aired next April, and it doesn’t appear like it’s going to be the hatchet job that so many other programs have ended up being. The Director seems objective, informed, and interested in presenting the truth instead of looking to validate already pre-conceived marching orders from others. Besides being on numerous and varied sets, HBO is also conducting extensive interviews (I followed Christian Mann’s interview, and my interview was followed by Danni Ashe). Hopefully, this is going to be a professional documentary that will fairly show the realities of our Industry, one that everyday viewers are interested in seeing and enjoying.

As my past columns frequently mention, I film almost every month for Wildlife Productions (www.wildlifexxx.com), hosting their popular “Screw My Wife, Please” and their “Screw My Husband, Please” series. I’ve been on hundreds of adult sets, but Wildlife’s is one of the most coordinated, professional and fun companies to spend an all-day shoot with. Yes, part of my personal motivation on their sets is to make certain that I get some “action” during as many of the five sex scenes as I can, but I also have to objectively report that super-caterer Marty Rudy does an absolutely magnificent job of providing gourmet food throughout the entire 12-hour day; here’s a company that treats talent and crew like VIP’s. Director Bobby Rinaldi is gifted and hard working. Likewise, in a recent VCA shoot, I marveled at the way Director Jane Hamilton did her usual superb job in putting together the myriad of details and coordination for the mega-production of “Misty Beethoven—The Musical” starring Sunset Thomas, Chloe, Randy Spears, and many other “A-list” actresses and actors. I’m still gleaming about the hand job I got on film from Sunset. I personally and professionally learn a lot from observing talented super pro’s like Bobby Rinaldi and Jane Hamilton!

As last year’s winner of the X-Rated Film Critics Organization (XRCO) “Unsung Swordsman Award”, I was recently privileged to be one of the presenters for this years award show/party. The lovely Felicia Fox and new performer Vandalia and I took the stage to read the list of outstanding nominees, followed by ripping open the envelope and announcing Brandon Iron as this year’s winner.

On a personal note before ending this column, let me urge everyone to get checked for skin cancer during your next doctor’s visit. I had a basil cell skin cancer spotted on my upper lip and cut out by two Navy surgeons a couple of years ago. This week, I had to undergo surgery for one on my nose/cheek, this one requiring over 20 stitches. I’m told that my years of being in the sun during my youth (which at age 63 was a long time ago!) and during my 25 years in the U.S. Army, and sometimes being lax about using sun block in recent years, is taking a cumulative toll. So, please be conscientious about applying your sun block, and in getting routinely checked for suspicious spots.