Directory of Boston: Boston’s Donnie Wahlberg- Standing the Test of Time

Here is an article from directoryofboston.com about Donnie's appearance at Bentley University last night.

If you were asked 20 years ago whether New Kids on the Block would still be performing or better yet whether Donnie Wahlberg was a solid working actor odds are you would have laughed. Last night I was able to attend a function at Bentley University in Waltham where Donnie Wahlberg was asked to discuss his take on “The Business of Entertainment“.
For those that may not be up to speed Donnie Wahlberg is from Dorchester, Massachusetts where he started out in the entertainment world as a member of the band New Kids on the Block who were quite popular in the 1980′s and 1990′s but have got back together in 2008 and have toured with the Back Street Boys. You would think that that was interesting enough but throughout the years he has also been a steady actor most recently on the series Blue Bloods which is still running on CBS.
Wahlberg’s segment of the evening started out with a video review of some of his work on his video work. Many of us including my husband were surprised he was in so many different movies over the last 15+ years. He has had a few stand out rolls that though small really stood out like in the Sixth Sense, Band of Brothers and Ransom. Wahlberg came across as a very humble, hard working normal guy who at 42 years of age has learned many lessons from the ups and downs of his careers in the entertainment industry.
Wahlberg came from a tough background growing up in a big family (9 kids) in Dorchester. His parents were hard working blue collar folks that unfortunately divorced in 1982. He discussed the lasting impact of his mother Alma on his life and how she reacted when he first told her of his “band”. He said “That she looked at him as though he had already sold 20 million records”. His father also supported him though he told him to make sure to “never forget where you came from”.
Wahlberg also discussed how bussing impacted his life for the better. Having been through the same thing since I grew up in Boston at the same time I have to agree. He spent a lot of time in Roxbury hanging out with producer Maurice Starr as they worked toward getting New Kids on the Block up and running. A white kid from Dorchester would not have been in Roxbury in those days unless he was bussed there. As a hispanic kid from the South End of Boston would not be in the North End of Boston learning Italian as was the case for me.
I have to say when it came to his brother Mark Wahlberg‘s early success I had not remembered that Donnie had written songs for him, never mind that he wrote and produced the hit “Good Vibrations” for him. I admit it the beat was too contagious to ignore. The conversation turned to New Kids on the Block where Wahlberg discussed the comeback that started back in 2008. Though he confessed he is not much of a techie he discussed how getting a video about the comeback on YouTube produced a huge amount of momentum that can not be duplicated by posting posters by hand like in the old days. In this segment he mentioned that continued success in the entertainment industry is about “putting in the time to learn at the beginning and being open to continuing to learn in an industry that is constantly changing”. The reunion has been good for other band members as well including Joey McIntyre and Jordan Knight who continue to pursue singing careers.
I think many in the audience were surprised by how personable Donnie Wahlberg is and many left feeling more motivated about life and how hard work and perseverence pay off. I am sure many in the crowd are going to be checking out “Blue Bloods” this week(airs Friday at 10pm on CBS.).
Here is a clip of Donnie on his current series Blue Bloods where as he says he is priveledged to be working across the table from Magnum PI(Tom Selleck) and Bridget Moynahan(another person raised in Massachusetts).

Donnie Wahlberg's The Business of Entertainment talk at Bentley University

Here are some highlights of what Donnie talked about at Bentley University last night (from their Twitter page).

Check out more photos here!

Success is being able to make someone's day.

@DonnieWahlberg: @bentleyalumni thank you for a wonderful evening!!!! I am humbled & proud to be an honorary member of the #BentleyBEC

@DonnieWahlberg just taught former BEC Chairman Les Vitale '74, MST '01 the moves toThe Right Stuff.

@DonnieWahlberg: 'Bluebloods is an amazing role that I feel at home in.'

When asked about taking chances, @DonnieWahlberg says that if he gives it his all, that's enough.

@DonnieWahlberg spoke to Carwood Lipton every day when he filmed Band of Brothers. It was a role that changed his life.

@DonnieWahlberg wanted to be involved in the Sixth Sense so badly he was willing to do it for free.

@DonnieWahlberg continue to impress the Bentley Executive Club crowd.

@DonnieWahlberg says the key to success in show business it to be constantly ready to adapt to the next challenge.

When NKOTB formed, @DonnieWahlberg remembers his dad telling him that if he hit it big, to never change

@DonnieWahlberg just complimented Bentley saying 'it's a real pat on the back to be invited to speak at such a great school.' Go Falcons!

@DonnieWahlberg remembers finding inspiration to chase his dreams when he was bussed to school in Roxbury.

The room is energized as we get ready to learn about 'The Business of Entertainment' from @donniewahlberg

President Larson chats with @DonnieWahlberg at the #BentleyBEC event.

Creative Arts to Honor Donnie Wahlberg At the 30th Anniversary Hatter’s Ball

Womanaroundtown.com reports that Donnie will be honored at the 30th Anniversary Hatter’s Ball on Friday, March 9. 

Here is the article:

Creative Arts to Honor Donnie Wahlberg
At the 30th Anniversary Hatter’s Ball
Wednesday, February 29th, 2012
by Woman Around Town on Living Around 

I’m putting on my top hat,
Tying up my white tie,
Brushing off my tails.
Irving Berlin 

It’s time to don those hats! Show your creativity and you may win a prize. The Hatter’s Ball will be held on Friday, March 9, with the proceeds going to support scholarships for the Creative Arts Summer Camp. Donnie Wahlberg, who stars as a New York police detective on CBS TV’s Blue Bloods, will be honored with an award presented by Kevin Wade, Blue Bloods’s writer and executive producer. 

“This is a wonderful event and a great way to help a child this summer,” says Suzanne Clifton Walsh, director of Creative Arts and a former Woman Around Town. (Click on her name to read her profile). Walsh invites everyone to join in the festivities at the landmark Burden Mansion on Fifth Avenue “for an evening of incredible prizes for best hats, amazing silent auction items and a live band!” 

The evening’s emphasis is definitely on “creative,” with partygoers expected to arrive with elaborately decorated hats. Grand prize for the best hat will be a trip for two to Anguilla.
The top raffle prize will be $10,00 with only 300 tickets being sold. Silent auction items include a trip to Bermuda, fabulous dinners, and theater tickets. 

Tickets are still available. For more information go to the Creative Arts website.

Watch Video of Donnie Wahlberg at Jimmy Marsh Release Party

Here are some videos from the Jimmy Marsh release party at Mohegan Sun last night. Donnie and Jimmy perform Tipsy in video #3 about starting around 1:20.







Videos courtesy of yikes77

Listen to preview clip of "Tipsy" by Jimmy Marsh featuring Donnie Wahlberg

Here is a preview clip of "Tipsy" (aka "150") by Jimmy Marsh featuring Donnie Wahlberg.

Watch Donnie Wahlberg's interview with CBS.com

Donnie answers some fan questions on CBS.com. He talks about Danny Reagan's character, Twitter, how he juggles all careers and more.

Update: video has been deleted, does anyone have it saved?

Donnie Wahlberg and Redd Hott

Donnie tweeted about working in the studio with singer/songwriter/producer Redd Hott

...I've been in the studio in between time. Oh! Did I say that? In the lab with the next new household name songwriter... Redd Hott! It's going to get fun again! Soon!

Donnie Wahlberg working with Naughty by Nature

Treach from Naughty by Nature was interviewed by Metro and said:

"And just know that we were in the studio the other night doing a little project with Donnie from New Kids on the Block, so we’ve still got love for the Bean"

Donnie Wahlberg in TV Guide

There is an article about Donnie in the February 20th issue of TV Guide, here is a color photo from @772DIVA.

And here is a black and white version from @pagirl1 with easier to read text (click on image for larger version).

Donnie Wahlberg at Super Bowl XLVI

Here are some photos of Donnie at the Super Bowl:

Photo from yahoo.com: Actor Donnie Wahlberg watches the teams warm up on the field before the NFL Super Bowl XLVI football game between the New York Giants and the New England Patriots, Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Photo from @T_Harryy

Photo from Boston Globe, Donnie Wahlberg with New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft.

Photo from @MsShaunRobinson

Watch Donnie Wahlberg's interview on WJZ 13 in Baltimore

WJZ 13 in Baltimore did an interview with Donnie Wahlberg. He talks about football, Blue Bloods and more.

Update: video has been deleted, does anyone have it saved?

Watch Donnie Wahlberg's Interview with WTKR News Channel 3

Here is a short interview Donnie Wahlberg did with WTKR News Channel 3. The interviewer (whose name is Laila) requested that he sing, so he sang a bit of "Layla" by Eric Clapton.

Update: video has been deleted, does anyone have it saved?

Watch Donnie Wahlberg on CBS This Morning

Here is an interview with Donnie on CBS This Morning.


Video courtesy of yikes77

Watch Donnie Wahlberg on WBZ Boston

WBZ Channel 4 in Boston talks with Donnie about the Patriots and Giants in the Superbowl.

Update: video has been deleted, does anyone have it saved?

Watch Donnie Wahlberg's interview with WKRC Cincinnati

Donnie talks about Blue Bloods and more in this interview on Local 12 WKRC Cincinnati.

Update: video has been deleted, does anyone have it saved?

Watch Donnie Wahlberg's interview with WFSB Channel 3

Here is Donnie Wahlberg's interview with WFSB Channel 3 (Hartford, CT). He talks about Blue Bloods success despite the Friday night time slot, and this week's episode.


Video courtesy of NKOTBPERU

Watch Donnie Wahlberg's interview on CBS Atlanta

Here is Donnie's interview with CBS Atlanta. He talks about Blue Bloods, Mark Wahlberg's recent controversial comments and more.



Video courtesy of NKOTBPeru

Watch Donnie Wahlberg's interview with Great Day St. Louis

Here is Donnie's interview with Great Day St. Louis on KMOV. He talks about his early days of acting, gun safety, and this week's episode of Blue Bloods.

Watch Donnie Wahlberg's Interview with CBS-19 in Cleveland

Donnie Wahlberg talks to Chris Van Vliet from CBS-19 in Cleveland about NKOTB fans, his character on Blue Bloods, possibly co-starring in a project with Mark Wahlberg, and a possible New Kids on the Block event near Cleveland this summer.



Video courtesy of chrisvanvlietDOTtv

Watch Donnie Wahlberg Interview with 8 News Now

Anchor Dave McCann and Dayna Roselli talked with Donnie Wahlberg about the upcoming episode Blue Bloods and his tour with New Kids On The Block!



Video courtesy of klastv