Finally May 23rd had arrived! It was the long awaited day of Gretchen Bonaduce’s new Reality Show – “Re-inventing Bonaduce” on Fox Reality Channel.
The show follows Gretchen Bonaduce, fresh off her divorce from bad boy TV/ radio personality Danny Bonaduce, as she sets out to prove that she can make it on her own while juggling her children, and all her endeavors. Plus, this mom must now also decide if it’s worth sacrificing her hefty monthly alimony to pursue another marriage.
I was one of the lucky ones to be invited to this Premier. Huddled together with most of the guests having dinner, we gazed excitedly at the TV in the cozy private room of the famous Colombo’s Italian Restaurant and Jazz Club in Eagle Rock, California.
The room was filled with great food, laughter, close friends, band members, her two adorable children, Isabella and Dante, and lots of 
support for Gretchen’s new reality show. Many celebrities showed. Just to name a few, of who I recognized were, Cherie Currie of the Runaways, her twin sister – Marie, Denise Ames – Focus in the Mix TV show, Vicky – Rockin Queen Clothing, Billy Blade of Ankhesenamen and Peppermint Creeps. Stacy Starr – also known as Kevin, Bernie Corrigan, Beth and Alyson, all of Gretchen’s awesome Band - Ankhesenamen. Freekshow and Lenka Danger of Middle Finger Mob, Ron Whitaker of Voodoo Church, Will Stenner – Singer/songwriter, and many more were there. The place was totally packed elbow to elbow!
I had the fortunate chance of first meeting Gretchen about a year ago at the taping of the 1 year anniversary episode of “Focus in the Mix with Denise Ames” TV show. Fast forwarding to Gretchen’s Premier night, also marked the 100th episode taping of Denise’s TV show, with her interviewing her guests and taping on location in the same room. You could just feel the electric buzz of excitement all around!
Getting back to Gretchen, her journey seems to have been a long, challenging wild ride at times, a fascinating one, now with a feeling of being sort of reborn, re-invented, fresh and alive! From being married to Danny Bonaduce on their first date, to 16 rollercoaster years following, having two children, to winning her very own reality show, it’s been a white knuckler! Life for her now is fast paced, never a dull moment, whirlwind, with blessings seemingly tossed onto her path.
From being a Soccer mom, singing with her band Ankhesenamen, designing Rocker wear jewelry called “Back Stage Passes”, creating her own line of Fashion clothing, and her very own Perfume – “Unearthly Beauty?” How is it that she NEVER ever looks tired! I personally think she has secretly found the mysterious fountain of youth! Or is it that she is so alive and happy? Yes, this I think is truth. She is an epic of beauty and perfection, down to her beautiful red luscious locks of hair, and her perfectly pedicured petite feet! I have had the pleasure to learn that she has as golden of a heart inside, as is her beauty on the outside.
To meet Gretchen you would soon learn that she truly likes all people, and is a very gentle, kind soul. As people watched her show and joked, she came alive. As Kevin - Stacy Starr the drummer of her band, also of Lords of Altamont, better known as – “her man”, came into the room, the vibe got really interesting. After all the first show had stressful scenes of her asking him to be patient while she dates others. It was high tension wires Oooh la la!… as the show continued the crowd became so involved with comments, it was hysterical. All good fun!
We soon learned that we will all stay tuned for the next episode to really find out how Kevin and Gretchen made it through that first one! As the smiles on their faces, and the glow in their eyes shined towards each other, you could clearly see that they were meant for each other, and things were going very well. I certainly can’t wait to see the next episodes to see what exactly happens!
All in all the evening was a terrific Saturday night in LA! With Great food, great peeps what more could anyone ask for? Only Positive Energy, happiness and good times seem to be in order for Gretchen now, for she has made it through the rain, and her Karma definitely seems to be giving her the world in her hands!
Stay tuned!
