Tribute Artist Peter Mac Honored with Golden Halo Award

On Sunday December 16 at Oil Can Harry's in Studio City Peter Mac received the Lifetime Achievement Golden Halo Award from the Southern California Motion Picture Council for his outstanding recreation of Judy Garland onstage. Presenting him the honor was Council President Randal Malone and MGM stars Margaret O'Brien and Mickey Rooney.

It was a dynamite evening of entertainment which started with a buffet supper and a superb 90 minute show with Peter Mac presenting his Judy Garland in Concert. With three costume changes and 20 songs, Mac gave a bravura performance and sang at the top of his form. After the performance Margaret O'Brien joined Mac onstage for a replay of the tearjerking scene which won her a juvenile Academy Award for Meet Me in St. Louis back in the 40s. Mac as Garland as Esther Smith sang "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" in full costume - with the red dress Margaret Loved so much and long red wig - to O'Brien's Tootie, the little sister who agonized over moving away from St. Louis and broke our hearts in the process. O'Brien mentioned that Judy Garland helped Hugh Martin rewrite the lyrics to the dark song to make it less jarring for a little girl...and she refused to take credit for it. Mickey Rooney lauded Mac for his talent - "this is so much more than imitation..." - and perseverance. He said that through all her heartbreaks Garland never gave up; Mac reiterated how much she and her music influenced and sustained him through his teen years and beyond.

It was a great evening. Don't miss Peter Mac as Judy Garland at Oil Can Harry's every weekend now and throughout 2013!

Peter Mac with Golden Halo Award

left to right: Margaret O'Brien, Peter Mac and Mickey Rooney