Vinni Hamilton Productions and Starburst Records Present: Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
Oct 23 2025
This festive collection reimagines beloved holiday standards through a lens of soulful sophistication. Featuring standout performances by Melixxa, Kevo Gitz, Vanya Allen, and acclaimed saxophonist Jesse Jones Jr., each track infuses the warmth of Contemporary R&B, the intimacy of Neo-Soul, and the class of Smooth Jazz.
From the romantic elegance of Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas to the nostalgic depth of The Christmas Song, the album radiates both modern charm and timeless beauty. With pristine production, emotive vocals, and expressive instrumentation, this release invites listeners to celebrate the holidays with style and heart.
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas is available now on Bandcamp via Starburst Records here:
https://starburstrecords.bandcamp.com/album/have-yourself-a-merry-little-christmas
New Streaming Milestone for Starburst Records
Jul 7 2025
I’m incredibly humbled & honored by the overwhelming support from music lovers around the world that has brought me to a new milestone: > 200 million streams of my music! While this nu. includes releases from the 60 artists on my indie record label, more than 90% comes from my own lofi beats, shared through my four lofi artist projects: Tokoname, distant.face, L O F I L U V, and Strewing. I can’t express enough gratitude to everyone who’s embraced this chill style of instrumental music—thank you!
Movie Trailer
Musica Magazine Publishes In-Depth Article / Interview with Jay Carney/Starburst Records
Oct 1 2024
October 1, 2024...Musica Magazine has just published an in-depth article / interview with Jay Carney / Starburst Records here: https://musica.radiosparx.com/flip-book/296098/1494494 Once you've opened the link, if you click on the "Full Page" icon at the bottom right corner, it will increase the size to a readable level.
"The Promise" Wins Film Festival Award!
Aug 31 2024
Movie Review: The Kidnapping of Jasmine Delray
Aug 24 2024
Directed by Penny Towers, Jay Carney and Frank Farbehind; ‘The Kidnapping of Jasmine Delray’ is a 2024 film noir black comedy.
by Shawana Rafique August 24, 2024
See Full Review here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1va9Va5uuekunHAdsZ9iWruzRIh42nneu/view?usp=drive_link
The Kidnapping of Jasmine Delray is an electrifying cinematic experience that grips you from the opening scene and never lets go. This film is a masterclass in suspense, blending psychological depth with relentless tension in a truly mesmerizing way. The plot is tightly woven, revealing layers of intrigue that keep the audience guessing. Every character is meticulously crafted, with performances that elevate the material into something profound and haunting.
Jasmine Delray played with exceptional nuance and embodied vulnerability and strength, profoundly affecting her plight. The film's portrayal of her journey through fear and resilience is remarkable. The kidnapper, a character shrouded in mystery and malice, is a chilling presence whose motivations are revealed gradually, adding to the film’s psychological complexity. The interplay between these two central figures is riveting, a dance of power and desperation that keeps you on the edge of your seat.
What truly sets The Kidnapping of Jasmine Delray apart is its sophisticated narrative structure. The film deftly uses flashbacks and shifts in perspective, revealing critical details at precisely the right moments. This non-linear storytelling heightens the tension, making each revelation feel like a punch to the gut. The pacing is impeccable, with quiet, contemplative moments punctuating the high-stakes drama, allowing the viewer to absorb the story's emotional weight.
Visually, the film is stunning. The cinematography captures the claustrophobia and isolation of the settings, using light and shadow to create an atmosphere thick with dread. Every frame is meticulously composed, enhancing the storytelling with visual cues that add depth to the narrative. The sound design, too, is worth mentioning—subtle yet effective, it draws you further into Jasmine's world, amplifying the tension with every creak of a floorboard or distant whisper.
Thematically, the film delves into the darkest aspects of human nature, exploring how fear, power, and control can warp the human psyche. It raises profound questions about the nature of captivity—both physical and psychological—and the lengths to which individuals will go to survive. The film's exploration of these themes is intelligent and courageous, making for a thrilling viewing experience as thought-provoking as it is exciting.
The Kidnapping of Jasmine Delray is a rare gem—a thriller that manages to be both intellectually engaging and emotionally resonant. It will stay with you long after the credits roll, haunting your thoughts with its profound insights and unforgettable imagery.
Starburst Records Recording Artist Greg Johnson reaches new lifetime streaming record!
Aug 16 2024
A Great Big Congratulations to Greg Johnson for having reached a whole new landmark in your musical career! Greg has now achieved 3,192,524 lifetime streams of his songs on all music streaming platforms!
VERMONT ACTING TROUPE TO RELEASE MOVIE & OST ALBUM Aug 3, 2024
Jun 18 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, June 7, 2024 Central Vermont…Today Directors Penny Towers, Jay Carney and Frank Farbehind announced the upcoming Aug 3, 2024 premiere of the film “The Kidnapping of Jasmine Delray”, a Film Noir Black Comedy Detective story with an accompanying original soundtrack Album! Shot entirely on location in Central Vermont, 25 roles are played by 14 actors. 19 of these 24 characters, representing 76% are from Central Vermont making this very much a Vermont home grown motion picture event! The actors in this feature length movie are: Penny Towers, Jay Carney, Donny Osman, Jackie Frazier, Fred Wilber, Janna Osman, Andree Frazier, Vasillious Pamboukes, Mark Carney, Frank Farbehind, John Larouche, Valarie Morgan, Patty Morgan and Tommy Morgan
In the film, Penny Towers plays the lead role of Gumshoe Detective, Tony Labatchi, Jr. in 1946 Los Angeles along with several different characters of various temperaments who will immerse you in the dire circumstances within which they find themselves. It’s a quirky take on the Film Noir detective genre with both serious and comical results. Tony Labatchi, Jr. is assisted in his investigation by his father, Tony Labatchi, Sr. (played by Jay Carney), a once retired private investigator called out of retirement to assist his son. In addition to playing the lead role of Tony Labatchi, Jr., Penny Towers also plays 6 other roles.
The original soundtrack album for the film is being simultaneously released digitally online. The film includes significant original music created by indie artists of Starburst Records, a label founded & owned by Jay Carney of Massachusetts.
Both the movie and the album are being simultaneously released coincident with the World Premiere of the movie on Saturday, August 3, 2024 at the historic art house theater, “The Savoy Theater”, Montpelier, Vermont, 7:00 pm Screening.
Tickets will be available at the door as well as online at The Savoy Theater website.
Contact Information:
Jay Carney / Starburst Records, Telephone: (650)475-6608, email: jay@StarburstRecords.com
The Savoy Box Office: (802) 229-0598
The indie artists of Starburst Records reach an all time new lifetime streaming level!
Jan 3 2024
After conducting its usual & customary year end audit, Starburst Records realized it had been missing its previous 10+ years of AudioSparx/RadioSparx streaming in its lifetime totals which when added in brought us to this new lifetime total today!
World Wide Movie Premiere
Oct 23 2022
VERMONT ACTING TROUPE TO RELEASE MOVIE & OST ALBUM DEC 9
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, October 11, 2022 Central Vermont…
Penny Towers & Starburst Records announced the upcoming December 9, 2022 release of the film “The Case of The Time Traveling Serial Killer”, a Film Noir Black Comedy Detective story with an accompanying original soundtrack Album! Shot entirely on location in the Greater Montpelier, VT Area and with 17 of the 21 roles in the film being played by actors from this area, this is very much a Vermont home grown motion picture event!
Official Movie Trailer here: https://youtu.be/G3hBbqQMOeY
In the film, Penny Towers plays the lead role of Gumshoe Detective, Tony Labatchi, Jr. in 1946 Los Angeles along with several different characters of various temperaments who will immerse you in the dire circumstances in which they find themselves. It’s a quirky take on the Film Noir detective genre with both serious and comical results. Tony Labatchi, Jr. is assisted in his investigation by his father, Tony Labatchi, Sr. (played by Jay Carney), a now retired private investigator on the case of his life. In addition to playing the lead role of Tony Labatchi, Jr., Penny Towers also plays 8 other roles detailed in the Credits below.
The original soundtrack album for the film is being simultaneously released digitally online and as a two-disc set containing a DVD of the movie and a CD of the original soundtrack. The film includes music by the following independent musicians and producers: Alan Hovden, Greg Johnson, Rapazzi (Bobby & Leslie Sahlen, Jay Carney & Nery Bauer), Penny Towers, Frank Farbehind and Lar Duggan.
Both the movie and the album are being simultaneously released coincident with the World Premiere of the movie on Friday, December 9, 2022 at the historic art house theater “The Savoy Theater” in Montpelier, Vermont with a showing at 7:00 pm (doors open at 6:30 pm). Tickets are now available:
· online at eventbrite at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/world-premiere-showing-of-the-case-of-the-time-traveling-serial-killer-tickets-418913630947
· online at the theater’s website at https://savoytheater.com/
· and will also be available at the door.
Film & Music Credits
Character Actor
1 Veronica Lancaster Penny Towers
2 Amelia Lancaster Penny Towers
3 Mengele Frank Farbehind
4 Tony Labatchi, Jr. Penny Towers
5 Tony Labatchi, Sr. Jay Carney
6 Renaldo, Jazz Club Waiter Mark Carney
7 Ingrid, Jazz Club Singer Penny Towers
8 Jazz Club Patron #1 Penny Towers
9 Jazz Club Patron #2 Penny Towers
10 Detective Myers Penny Towers
11 Police Officer Mack Mark Carney
12 Mitch, Forensics Detective Donny Osman
13 Obnoxious Paparazzi Reporter/Interviewer Janna Osman
14 2nd Obnoxious Paparazzi Donny Osman
15 Beverly Brickmyer, Secretary Penny Towers
16 Romani, Psychic Andrée Frazier
17 Bartender @ Satan’s Lounge Mark Carney
18 Bartender @ Svengali's Place Donny Osman
19 Bartender @ Mengale's Revenge Penny Towers
20 TV Breaking News Reporter Donny Osman
21. Breaking News Gina Sanquez Penny Towers
Music Credits:
1 Time Travel Is Possible Alan Hovden
2 Scene of the Crime Greg Johnson
3 Back In Time - Vocal Greg Johnson
4 Back in Time Orchestral Greg Johnson
5 Photo Ops From Hell Rapazzi (Bobby & Leslie Sahlen, Jay Carney & Nery Bauer)
6 NoirDoubleTimeInstrumental Greg Johnson
7 Cruisin' Gregofi
8 Noir Sci-Fi Greg Johnson
9 Noir Texture Greg Johnson
10 Satan’s Lounge Greg Johnson
11 Dark Side Transformed Penny Towers, Frank Farbehind
12 Pleasant Sedated Dreamatorium
13 Pandora's Remorse Dream
14 Gathering Force Penny Towers, Frank Farbehind
15 Unless You Mean It Penny Towers, Gregofi
16 Spirit of the Camp Penny Towers
17 Tracked Penny Towers
18 “Suspense Accents 1”, Swish1”, Thud”, “Restaurant Dining Room”, Apple Final Cut Pro Sound Effects
19 All My Days (vocal & instrumental versions) Penny Towers
Photos & Video Clips Courtesy of:
1. Pexels
2. Canva
Shutterstock