AZ SPRING
TRAINING
BASEBALL: SUN,
SWINGS, AND
CACTUS LEAGUE
KINGS
WELLNESS OF
MIND & BODY:
LIFE—IS A WILD, UNPREDICTABLE ADVENTURE
WHERE YOU DEFINE YOUR OWN GOALS,
ALL WHILE RACING AGAINST AN UNKNOWN
CLOCK. +
SO MUCH MORE
SEE PAGE 9
COTTONWOOD
ARIZONA’S
VINEYARDS
COVER STORY
THE HOLLYWOOD
CONNECTION
THE VERDE VALLEY, ENCOMPASSING
JEROME AND SEDONA, HAS LONG
ATTRACTED HOLLYWOOD FIGURES AND
ARTISTS LIKE MAX ERNST AND MAYNARD
JAMES KEENAN, DRAWN BY ITS STUNNING
LANDSCAPES AND CULTURAL RICHNESS,
CEMENTING ITS NICKNAME “LITTLE
HOLLYWOOD” WITH A LEGACY OF OVER
100 FILMS AND A VIBRANT CREATIVE
COMMUNITY.
SEE PAGE 34
DTPR
TM
DISCOVER THE PHOENIX REGION
L I F E S T Y L E • W E L L B E I N G • H A P P E N I N G S
M A R C H - A P R I L 2 0 2 5
$13.99 US DISPLAY UNTIL 4/30/25
Photography by: Greg Bernstein
COTTONWOOD
ARIZONA’S
VINEYARDS
COVER STORY
THE HOLLYWOOD
CONNECTION
THE VERDE VALLEY, ENCOMPASSING
JEROME AND SEDONA, HAS LONG
ATTRACTED HOLLYWOOD FIGURES AND
ARTISTS LIKE MAX ERNST AND MAYNARD
JAMES KEENAN, DRAWN BY ITS STUNNING
LANDSCAPES AND CULTURAL RICHNESS,
CEMENTING ITS NICKNAME “LITTLE
HOLLYWOOD” WITH A LEGACY OF OVER
100 FILMS AND A VIBRANT CREATIVE
COMMUNITY.
SEE PAGE 34
⁄ 34
DTPR MARCH THROUGH APRIL 2025 / COVER STORY
Photography by: Greg Bernstein
⁄ 35
The Hollywood Connection
By: Annabel V Sclippa
1. HOW THE WEST WON THEM
2. LANDSCAPE LOVE OF ARTISTIC VISIONARIES
3. AND THE WINE GOES ON
4. I LOVE LUCY AND HOW
THE BALL FAMILY ARRIVED IN THE VERDE VALLEY
5. AND ALONG CAME A
LUCY-LOVER, WORTHY OF HER SETTING
6. MORE MUSICAL MELODIES
7. A STAR IS BORN
8. HOLLYWOOD TO OLD TOWN COTTONWOOD
9. THE ROMANCE OF TRAINS AND OLD WESTERN
WAYS
10. HOTEL LOVE AFFAIRS
11. SETTINGS FOR SCREENS
12. FACT OR FICTION?
How the West Won Them
The Verde Valley is a surreal landscape that begs a picture-perfect
sunset on its dramatic red rocks, and one can readily imagine cowboys
and Indians suddenly appearing. Just like you’re in an Old Western,
and thus many have been filmed right here. Heart of the Land of
Enchantment, and home to two of the three most visited sites in
Arizona: sultry Jerome and stunning Sedona. Perhaps this is why
Sedona was known as “Little Hollywood” from 1923-1973, and was
the home of over 100 movies in the heyday of Hollywood westerns
and cult classics.
Perhaps, also why handfuls of famous people have come from Hollywood
to find peace, to be healed, and to forge new frontiers. So many, it seems,
that it’s easy to get carried away, attaching any name who passes through to
the list of ‘have lived here,’ making it a challenge to define fact from fiction.
DTPR MAGAZINE #15-2: March - April 2025
⁄ 36
Landscape Love of Artistic Visionaries
Perhaps one of the most historically famous creative inhabitants of the
Verde Valley, Max Ernst, had painted the landscapes of Sedona before
laying eyes upon it. Ernst was both flushed out of Germany for being
Anti-Nazi, and out of France for being a Nazi, then was packed up
and shipped, with the majority of his paintings, to the USA, by the
grace and finance of Peggy Guggenheim. On his cross-country journey
from Guggenheim’s patronage in New York, to his bright new future in
California, he came upon Sedona. Without hesitation, he and his wife,
Dorothea Tanning, began their plan to return, to build a home, and to
settle here. This wonderful article delves deeper on Ernst’s life and his
Sedona connection:
https://thewanderlife.com/sedona-arizona-imagined-landscapes
Once stating in an interview with Fox 10 News “I didn’t even know
anything about it. I saw it in a dream, several times,” may presently
be the most public figure who lives here: Maynard J Keenan. Keenan
is lead singer of three bands, still creating new music, and touring the
globe with mostly Tool, then Puscifer, and at times A Perfect Circle.
Multi-dimensional in his life experience, he moves gracefully between
being this Rock Star, to Earth Worker, Wine Maker, Restaurateur,
Wine Cooperative Visionary, Author, Filmmaker, holds a black belt
in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, is a fine Family Man, and what one would call a
Homesteader. He believes in The Art of Work and walks the talk,
as exemplified in this series by Revolver:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrcJz63En94
If you’d like to take a tasting tour of Keenan’s creations, in Old Town
Cottonwood he owns Four 8 Wineworks, Four 8 Fried Chicken,
Merkin Vineyards Hilltop Winery & Trattoria, and Velvet Slippers
AKA Caduceus Ventura Room: an omakase-style dining experience.
He also owns, with his wife, Queen B Vinyl Cafe. Queen B features a
bar & restaurant, plus vinyl store, in-house seamstress In The Design
Studio, and top barbering services by Barbifer. Need a fun take-home
gift? The Design Studio offers DTG printing = Direct To Garment
Printing = buy a coffee, take a pic with your friends, leave with your
fav new pic printed on tote bags = be instant cool cats!
https://queenbvinylcafe.com
DTPR MARCH THROUGH APRIL 2025 / COVER STORY
Photography by: Greg Bernstein
Merkin Vineyards in Old Town Cottonwood
Maynard and Jen Keenan
⁄ 37
I’ve been to each and every location, plus all of the ones they
previously had in Jerome and Clarkdale, and can solidly vouch
for the consistently fantastic food and drink. The intentional
wines, meads, hard cider and sparkling wines are well-balanced
and delicious. The location menus are creatively crafted, and
headed up by Chef Chris Smith, Chef Brian Laughlin, Chef Ray
Ortiz, and Chef Brett Vibber. My favorite ATM is Chef Chris’s
Four 8 Fried Chicken with the sides of Fennel Slaw and Hush
Puppies. My favorite Tasting Room ‘hostess with the mostest’
is Lindy at Four 8 Wineworks. For those not catching it yet
- Arizona is the 48th State - thus, the Four 8. We will save
descriptives of the other chosen names, for another article.
https://merkintrattoria.com
When I write Keenan is homesteading, I mean for real.
A couple ‘for examples’: the duck eggs used to make the
pasta come from animals on their property, and the apples
in the scratch apple pie (my other favorite, it’s as big as
my face, is an MJK original, and only available at Queen
B Cafe) are from their orchards. As well, the coffee and
gelatos they serve are their own. Maynard’s wife, Jen, keeps
me straight on details, “We don’t grow the coffee beans,
but we do roast them in-house, personally by MJK when
he is not out on tour.” I mean, what doesn’t the man do?
The wine comes from their vineyards, and the grapes they
grow. Also, many of the vegetables and herbs are sourced
from their very own greenhouses and grounds.
https://four8friedchicken.com
https://four8wineworks.com
Keenan was based in Los Angeles for a spell before he
moved to Jerome, “I moved to LA in ‘90, and ran screaming
in ‘95,” said Keenan in that same Fox 10 interview. When
he made his way to Jerome 30 years ago, he had an instant
connection, so strong it was a “no brainer” for him to open
his PO Box the very same day. Keenan is a multi-Grammy
winner, returning him to LA for stints, as well as his voracious
touring schedule, but his albums are mainly recorded in
Arizona.
https://www.toolband.com
DTPR MAGAZINE #15-2: March - April 2025
Photography by: Jim Louvau
Maynard J Keenan
⁄ 38
And the Wine Goes On
Also in the Verde Valley wine industry, is actor,
editor, writer and movie producer, Sam Pillsbury
of Pillsbury Wine Company, serving 100% Arizona
Estate Grown wines in an historic home just
outside of Old Town Cottonwood. Pillsbury
himself has directed 32 films to date, including
Free Willy 3: The Rescue, and Where the Red
Fern Grows.
Now he is racking up wine awards. He has brought
home to Arizona, no less than 120 medals over
the last ten years just from the annual prestigious
San Francisco Chronicle’s Wine Competition.
These include two “Best of Class,” eleven “Double
Gold,” and fourteen “Gold” medals. Also of note:
his 2009 Pinot Gris was served in the White
House. Pillsbury has grown many single grape hits:
Chardonnay, Malvasia, Mouvedre, Syrah, Petite
Syrah, Grenache, Viognier and Symphony.
Mr. Pillsbury himself often appears for events at his
wine room, imparting many vibrant details of the
entire wine-making process. Equally knowledge-
able is his curated staff, include Manager Val Fisch,
her husband Jason Fisch, and previous TR Manager
who has returned home to Pillsbury to roost: Sara
Massey. His crew have been hands-on: from
understanding the land, to the grape selection,
and having partaken in the melangeing of the perfect
blend, many sounding like a book title: One Night
Stand, Diva, Inappropriate, WildChild, and more
covers to come. Check out their two tasting room
locations and online wine shop here:
https://www.pillsburywine.com
DTPR MARCH THROUGH APRIL 2025 / COVER STORY
Photography by: Debby Wolvos
⁄ 39
I Love Lucy and How the Ball Family Arrived in the Verde Valley
After you turn into Cottonwood from SR260 onto the 89A, just past the drive
named Camino Real, you may notice on your left a big arrow announcing The
View Motel, swooping up a mysterious drive. This motel has an outstanding view
and a unique history. It has been owned by the Ball family since 1977, and was
originally purchased through the sale of three other of their Cottonwood lodgings.
First, let me give you a little Ball Family history. When Lucy and Desi Arnaz
(character name Ricky Ricardo) divorced in the 50s, Lucille Desiree’s (nee Ball)
brother, Fred Ball, had recently lost his job in the film industry. Everyone needed
a change, so Fred’s next job was to go search out land in the desert. One of the
brokers Fred worked with had a stunning cousin named Nazoma Roznos’s (Zo),
and the rest is history.
Fred and Zo married, and because of her roots here, they purchased numerous
pieces of land in Cottonwood. When they moved to town permanently in 1970,
they first bought the Motor Inn Trailer Court. Still a trailer park today, it is located
at the corner of Coconino and N 16th Street.
Sometime between 1970 and 1977 they purchased two more lodging properties,
starting with the Verde Valley Motel. According to Zo and Fred’s son Geoff Ball,
the Motel was, “so cute, hidden by all the growth and mesquite bushes. It had just a
little dirt drive, and was a little rock thing.” It had only five rooms, and Lucy’s mom
Dee Dee stayed in Room #5 every Thanksgiving to cook dinner for all of them.
That little Verde Valley Motel is now Concho’s Mexican Restaurant, and still a sweet
little rock building right on Main Street. The current restaurant’s booth seating was
the Motel Office back then. The area to the left with a patio in front of the parking,
and the cashier and kitchen inside, was the five rooms for lodging, each with their
own bathroom.
Lastly they bought The Little Daisy Motel, with the same name and location as
today. As a side note: some consider the spot in front of The Little Daisy the
geographical center of the State of Arizona. When I look at a map of our State
I concur, but back to the Ball Family. In 1977, they sold the Motor Inn, the Verde
Valley Motel, and The Little Daisy to purchase The View Motel. “A good draw
for folks rambling into Cottonwood who are up for stumbling upon a place
without a plan,” Geoff told me, reminiscing the words of his father Fred. Today,
The View Motel is still owned by the Ball Family, by Geoff and his sister April
Jackson, who remain in the area. For bookings and rates, visit:
https://www.theviewmotel.com
DTPR MAGAZINE #15-2: March - April 2025
Photography provided by: Geoff Ball
Fred and Lucy in Costume
Fred and Lucy Boarding The Train
⁄ 40
Terrie Frankel, the surviving Doublemint Twin of the 1965/66 pair, owns
and lives in the Seven Arches House AKA the ‘Lucille Ball’ house, which
overlooks Tlaquepaque in Sedona. Lucy and Dezi never lived there,
but Ball at one point owned the hillside, and her brothers, including
Fred Ball, as in the Fred portrayed in I Love Lucy, and the father of
aforementioned Geoff, built two houses, one of which Frankel now
occupies.
The Frankel twins had a career thick with activity, and not just chewing
bubblegum. They wrote the New York Times’ Best Seller You’ll Never
Make Love in this Town Again, and co-penned the movies Lunch Wagon,
and High Heels, and with others, wrote the books Tales from the Casting
Couch, Unfinished Lives, and on their own wrote the musical Heaven
on Broadway.
They came to Sedona to escape the hectic world of Hollywood, and
reflect on their lives, from their simple start of volunteer performances
in Chi-Town, through their rise to star status. When you pass the
Ball-Frankel house, you can see life-sized figurines of The Twins, Lucy,
and, at Christmas, Santa Claus, waving to you from the balcony. Inside,
Frankel has greatly honored Lucy with images and relics of her (mingled
with Frankel’s own) Hollywood histories. Proudly displayed is even
the old small upright piano Lucy herself used to play, a gift from Geoff
Ball, and a rare piece of Lucy’s musical story. Frankel remains active in
the Sedona community. Visit her website here:
https://sedonasevenarcheslive.com/meet-terrie-frankel
And Along Came A Lucy-Lover, Worthy of Her Setting
DTPR MARCH THROUGH APRIL 2025 / COVER STORY
Photography by: Greg Bernstein
Seven Arches House wtih
the Sedona Red Rock High
School Girls Basketball
Coach and Team on the
Patio
Doublemint Twins play the
Accordion Terrie & Jennie
Frankel at 17 years old.
Photography by:
Maurice Seymour
Doublemint Twin
Terrie Frankel today.
Seven Arches House.
⁄ 41
More Musical Melodies
Local legends who started here, then bloomed into Hollywood fame,
include James Roy Horner. Horner attended Verde Valley School in
Sedona. He went on to become an American composer, conductor
and orchestrator of film scores, writing over 100 of them. This was all
before his tragically early death at only 61 years old; the result of an
accident in his turboprop airplane, of which he was the sole occupant.
Horner’s first major score was in 1979 for The Lady in Red, but he
established himself as an eminent film composer with his work on the
1982 film Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. His score for James Cameron’s
Titanic is the best-selling orchestral film soundtrack of all time, for
which he won two Academy Awards. He also wrote the score for
the highest-grossing film of all time, Cameron’s Avatar.
His list of movie scores continues to read as a list of Best Movies Ever:
Aliens (1986), Field of Dreams (1989), Apollo 13 (1995), Braveheart
(1995), A Beautiful Mind (2001), Legends of the Fall (1994), Jumanji
(1995), The Mask of Zorro (1998), Deep Impact (1998), The Perfect
Storm (2000), How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000), Troy (2004),
The Legend of Zorro (2005), The Karate Kid (2010), The Amazing
Spider-Man (2012), and the list continues.
Singer/Songwriter Michelle Branch is from Flagstaff. Born prematurely,
at only 3lbs 11oz. Branch says, “I was eager to get into the world.” And
to start singing. She recorded her first Beatles’ cover, reworded, “She’s
Got a Chicken to Ride,” and mailed it off to her grandmother, at three
years old. At eight, the family moved to Sedona. By 15, she had left
school and was being homeschooled. It was later that year she signed
with music manager Jeff Rabhan, who is still her manager today.
Michelle eventually signed with Madonna’s label, and worked with Lifehouse, Jude,
The Calling, Sheryl Crow, The Dixie Chicks, and Carlos Santana, gaining Michelle
worldwide recognition. That final duet ‘made her,’ afterwards being nominated for
“Best New Artist” and winning “Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals” at the Grammy
Awards in February 2003. She has gone on to perform at the Superbowl, Latin VMAs,
headlining the Pepsi Smash, Humanitarian of the Year, MMVAs, and was the first
person to perform on top of the Madison Square Garden marquee. Her fifth
and latest record, The Trouble with Fever, was released in 2022. Voila, my favorite
review of the album:
https://thatmusicmag.com/album-review-michelle-branch-the-trouble-with-fever
DTPR MAGAZINE #15-2: March - April 2025
James Roy Horner
Michelle Branch
⁄ 42
A new shining star whom I have been
hearing right and left about in Sedona,
is Tyler Carson - AKA - the Fiddler on
the Rock. Tyler moved here after a
life-changing trauma, to find inspiration,
hope and healing.
Carson started playing the fiddle
at five. Eventually his younger sister
joined him and their music ignited.
They started busking on the corners
of Victoria, Canada, and released an
album. Carson wanted to make a bigger
impact. So, he moved to Nashville in
his 20s, hoping to find like-minded
performers, and dreamed of inspiring with his singing. When he was diagnosed with
Spasmodic Dysphonia, and started losing his voice, he had a complete breakdown. For
years he struggled, until he re-discovered the power of his violin. “It became my voice,”
Carson describes on CBS Mornings. He creates and performs regularly now, “inspired by
Sedona’s surroundings.” More here:
https://www.fiddlerontherock.com (Tyler Has Been Selected For Our Next Cover Story)
Christy Fisher, a Jerome resident, has mostly been known for her fashion design, and Midas
Touch of hanging with famous folks. She moved here in 1990 after she, “took a left instead
of a right, and fell in love with the town immediately.” She saw a For Rent sign, handed a
man the first and last month’s rent, then went home to Florida to pack up. Her next words
ring a repeat of what I have heard from many here: that her move to the area happened
“just like that.”
Now Fisher is dedicated to her music, more than fashion. She used her first Social Security
check to buy a PA for her ‘Rock & Roll Band,’ which didn’t exist yet. She then used her
second check to cut a CD. No stranger to LA, she lived there for a few years, and at
a young age was carrying around fabrics to shows, where she would brazenly sneak
backstage and offer to transform them into outfits, which she did for the likes of Prince,
Cher, and Jimi Hendrix.
Magical music influences seem to follow her: In Gainesville, Tom Petty was her neighbor; in
Boulder, Eric Clapton, and on Sunset Boulevard, it was David Lee Roth. Visit her in Jerome,
or on her website to see her perform at one of her many local shows, and ask her more
about her wild stories:
https://christyfishermusic.com
DTPR MARCH THROUGH APRIL 2025 / COVER STORY
Christy Fisher Music
Christy Fisher with
her clothing designs
Sedona’s New Shining Star
Tyler Carson
The Fiddler on The Rock