Forest Retires and Hands Over the Reigns to FabScout
With the rumor mill buzzing for months, David Forest and Howard Andrew finally held their press conference this afternoon in the posh ballroom at The Universal Hilton where they announced that David Forest would be retiring and handing over his company, Forest Entertainment, to Howard Andrew of FabScout Entertainment. Among those in attendance at the press conference, moderated by Suite703.com promoter Angel Benton, were GayVN Magazine editor Harker Jones, XBiz Magazine editor Joanne Cachapero, GayPornTimes.com blogger J.C. Adams, Unzipped editor Ken Knox, RentBoy.com Vice Preisdent Brandon Baker, directors Paul Barresi, Jett Blakk, Doug Jeffries, Jamie Hendrix, Edward James, Jim Steel and Phil St. John, and performers Sharon Kane, Tony Capucci, Johnny Castle, Dempsey Stearns and Chet White.
Marking the first merging of two talent agencies in the history of gay adult entertainment, Forest was said to be teary eyed over the announcement of his retirement though he hinted he may return at some point to organize special events from time to time.
He'll certainly be writing his autobiography over the course of the next year as well, that will tackle his controversial career as a Hollywood "madam," and span his career managing the likes of Stevie Nicks and KISS in the beginning of the "sex, drugs and rock and roll" era of the 60's and 70's as well as the gay porn superstars like Ken Ryker, Ryan Idol and Mark Dalton of the 80's, 90's and today.
FabScout is not only acquiring the rights to Forest Entertainment, but also ForestMen.com and the title "Meet the Stars" though it will no longer be used for "fan appreciation meetings" or serve as an escorting link of any kind.
Now, let's talk about what they're not telling you elsewhere...
- Though rumors are still circulating that David Forest is heading back to prison, this is not the case. His sentence is a four month stay in a residential rehab facility. Part of his decision to get out of adult entertainment after a successful 27-year career is that when he is released from rehab, he hopes to make a fresh start of his life at the age of 60 and stay clean and sober.
- Though Howard Andrew will eventually set up his own L.A. based headquarters over the next four months, he will be moving into David Forest's own apartment and office as soon as Forest heads out on Monday.
- Paul Barresi stood up and made quite the scene at the conference by claiming that he shouldn't have to pay agent's fees at all after paying to feed the performers and shelter them while they are in town on top of their $2500.00 fee. ...To which David and Howard both laughed and asked when the last time was Barresi ever paid a model that much money. That got quite the round of applause, as Barresi is known for talking his performers down to the lowest fees in the biz.
- Forest confirmed during a question and answer session (of which there were very few) that Zeb Atlas will not be performing his first full-on sex romp with Falcon Studios exclusive Matthew Rush following the complaints Rush made following their oral-only scene for Part One of the company's movie. He says it is up to Falcon and Atlas to negotiate together on where they will go from here.
- The press conference lasted under 30 minutes.
On a personal note, I don't think the reality of any of this really hit me until writing this story. So I have to say I don't know where JasonCurious.com would be without David Forest. When I started the site in 2001, I had already been working in the straight XXX industry as a reporter for three years but had only dipped my toes into the pool of the gay genre. Forest took me under his wing and invited me to every party, fed me every bit of gossip for my column and booked me as many interviews with stars as I needed to get the site's content up and running. He knew there was nothing like what I wanted to do with JasonCurious.com at the time and he saw the potential gain for everyone mentioned on it. There was no web site out there showing who porn stars were behind the scenes, no one with a camera and a microphone on a red carpet and no one bridging the gap between the straight and gay adult entertainment worlds. My, how times have changed in the 7 years I have been able to call him my friend!
From the "Jason's Diary" archives:
Wednesday, June 27th, 2001
Well, I have to say the highlight of my day was meeting manager David Forest for the very first time at his home in the valley. He is a trip! We looked over all the boys he manages and discussed his history as rock producer, Hollywood madam, and agent to the porn stars. After years of having been out of the industry due to an arrest for pimping his boys to some of the hottest mainstream celebrities in America, David is back, running a clean business and a sober life! (Well, most of the time.) His clients are the crème de la crème of gay porn and fortunately, David decided right there on the spot that I am his new best friend so you'll be seeing lots of his guys on the site in the near future! He took a real immediate liking to me and I to him.
I remember that day like it was yesterday. We both knew it was the beginning of something really big. And here, seven years later, everyone and their dog has a blog about who gay porn stars are behind the scenes and you're liable to find a half-dozen cameras on the any red carpet gay porn event.
Thank you, David, from the bottom of my heart for all that you have done to help me through the years. I have always considered it an honor to be an honorary member of the Forest Family since 2001 and while you may have been famous for giving everyone in this business a sleigh ride to hell when it came to dealing with you on a professional level, I appreciate that you went easy on me most of the time.
...You know what's funny?
I also remember the day I met Howard Andrew. I've been wanting to tell him this story in private for a while over lunch, but we never seem to get a chance to breathe and this seems as good a time as any.
I was hosting Cocktails with the Stars at Micky's bar in West Hollywood and Howard was telling me about his plans to start FabScout Entertainment. He took me aside and said something like, "I'm really just doing this as a hobby. I just want to help the boys as much as I can. I don't want to give people a hard time. I'll never be the kind of manager or agent who threatens to pull my boys from events if things don't go my way like David Forest does. I'll never -- ever! -- become David Forest."
And what do you know, Howard? Here you are... literally... becoming David Forest.
Congratulations to you both. You deserve everything you're both acquiring today.
posted by Jason Sechrest at 10:51 PM
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10 Comments:
Great post Jason honest and you don't gloss over Davids problem, one too many of us in our community have faced and dealt with.
Sadly we have also lost friends who could not cope with drugs or alcohol.
At some point we must all realize the party must come to an end or it will END US!
David is to be commended for seeking help and a change in his life. May you have many many sober and satisfying days ahead Mr. Forest.
Howard has a great rep in this buisness and hopefully his new West Coast presence will encourage more "left coast" boys to sign up!
Who really looks out for you in a cutthroat biz but your agent, there is no SAG/AFTRA for porn models and the Agent is all they have, sadly most are completely without representation!
Howard's a big old hypocrite!!He did just what he said he wasn't going to do. At last years Rentboy pool party, Howard was crying and screaming and told his guys to pack up and leave because there were people videotaping the festivities. Hello, Howard you control freak! The party was for the fans. Of course they were going to bring their cameras, you stupid dipshit. God, I hope he stays in Florida and leaves LA alone.
And my best to David. He is definitely a pioneer. The XXX Gay Porn Biz would not be what it is today without him paving the ways and bringing us some of the hottest men in the biz! Good Luck in the future and stay sober!!
I am going to remind you guys the rule about what gets through comment moderation and what doesn't. There's no reason to be rude but if you must feel free -- so long as you've got a legitimate point and something to share with the discussion. If you're just calling people names, your posts won't get through. And boy were there a lot of those on this one! Thanks guys! :-) xo L, J.
i have been a member since u launched. i remember that diary. wow. everyone has come very far. howard has more boys than any agent ever and that proves his strength i think. he is going to do really well with davids boys. for the people with nasty comments they need to remember david is a legend and howard will be and is still learning.
to be honest sometimes a hobby can leads to a future full-time career.
OK I wasnt going to comment, But I will.
Antone that was there knows WHY I pulled a power play and did what I did...
Was to PROTECT the models.... there was a "certain" company there filming all the sex and having DRUNK models sign releases (illegally).. I tried to stop them, they refused to stop, I did what I did to protect my models..... (all tapes were destroyed) it was NOT Festivities "Dipshit" it was the sex in the back areas of the resort filmed by people with lights and camera's and drunk models. This is FULLY verifyable, You think I did it for me.. Thats a laugh, I was a sponsor, I did it to protect the image of certain models and a "Certain" resort".. AND If you are so Bold, reveal who you are and lets hash it out..
What ever will Jason do now without his sugar daddy?
Howard - Makes sense to me. Seems like you were just looking out.
12:10 - That wasn't sugar. ;-)
Howard - Makes sense to me. Seems like you were just looking out.
12:10 - That wasn't sugar. ;-)
Blogger Jason Sechrest said...
Howard - Makes sense to me. Seems like you were just looking out.
12:10 - That wasn't sugar. ;-)
JASON Dammit you did again! When am I ever going to learn DON'T drink and Read Jason Curious at the same time! ;)
God that was mess last year that Howard was referring too He ABSOLUTELY did the right thing.
I have talked to a fair number of models repped by Howard and every last one says Howard is a friend, professional and many do not believe they would be nearly as successful in porn without Howard.
Hope you have a Happy Fourth Jason!
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