PHOENIXVILLE - In the April 2005 issue of Main Line Today, one of the featured 39 People To Watch is none other than local celebrity, Diane Canney, host of "Showbiz Rap."

As part of Greencastle Video Productions, Canney writes, produces and hosts the half-hour talk show that appears on WYBE (PBS), Radnor Studio 21, and locally on Phantom TV 4, Phoenixville.

Featured alongside heavy hitters such as Will Smith, David Boreanaz, and Blythe Danner, Canney said she heard from Main Line Today in the beginning of the year.

"After the holidays, I received a call from an assistant editor from Main Line Today," she said. "The editor said she knew of what I do, and they’d like to add me to their 39 People To Watch. Honestly, I was jumping up and down, but was trying to stay composed on the phone."

Canney said she spoke several times to Main Line Today, who assured her that she’d be featured in the April 2005 issue.

"We conducted several phone interviews, consisting of what we do and what we cover," she said. "They told me that I was going to be in the issue, but didn’t tell me who else was going to be in there as well."

It was a friend of Canney’s who informed her that the issue was out, and that sent Canney into a frenzy to get her own copy.

"A friend of mine called me and said she saw it while at the beauty parlor," she said. "I went to Barnes and Noble in Valley Forge that day to buy one, but they informed me that the issue didn’t come out for another week. They were nice enough to sell me their subscription copy."

Since then, Canney has been scouring the local newsstands for additional copies of Main Line Today.

"I bought several copies," she said. "I show people the story, and they ask me if they can keep the issue, so I give it to them. However, I have to run out and buy more."

Being honored by Main Line Today, said Canney, gives validity to the work she does on "Showbiz Rap."

"To know where I started from, with a hope and a dream, and people telling me that this is just a hobby - how everything has grown over the past five years is remarkable," she said. "It is very rewarding and I’m honored to share what I’ve learned over the last five years with everyone, especially with young women."

Canney said she came up with "Showbiz Rap" after watching public access television one evening.

"I was watching what was on TV, and there was a lot of sports on," she said. "There was nothing highlighting arts and entertainment. Movies are a great thing, and at the time, the Colonial Theatre was being revitalized and the Oaks Marketplace 24 was being built. I’ve always watched movies, stemming from Dr. Shock Theater to classic black and whites, and I thought it’d be neat to create an entertainment show.

"I pitched a show idea to Tom Ramsey (formerly of PCTV), and explained what I wanted to do. He told me to send him a demo, but I had to produce it myself. I’ve learned a lot of on-the-job training with production, and got him the demo. Now we’ve grown into 30-minute segments. I’m grateful to Tom Ramsey for taking a chance on me."

Growing up as the older daughter with four younger brothers, Canney, along with husband Kevin Sr., now has two sons, Kevin Jr. and Brian. With all of the men in her life, Canney said she wants to make a difference in the lives of young women.

"When I first started doing the show, I wouldn’t have thought of myself as a role model," she said. "But with all of the possibilities, I hope to be a good one for the youth, especially to girls, to look up to, because hard work pays off in the end.

"There are the sports kids, the academic kids and the art kids. Art is a great way to develop yourself and art is important, despite that some of it has been taken out of the schools."

Canney said that Greencastle Video Productions has partnered with the Phoenixville Area School District (PASD), Communities That Care (CTC) and Chester County OIC of Phoenixville to help educate young people.

"Our mission is to educate and promote diversity in the arts and social issues relevant to today’s youth and adult populations," she said. "We want to give students the practical experience they need in the broadcasting field and provide an alternative from the school curriculum with specialized instructional material and skills relating to broadcast and television production. Students will gain self-esteem, work creatively and learn time management and administration skills. We’d like to provide better opportunities in life for young adults, which is truly amazing."

Over the past five years, Canney and Greencastle Video Productions has covered everything including BlobFest; Firebird Festival; Oscar Night at the Colonial Theatre; Ted The Fiddler’s Birthday Bash; and The Philadelphia Folk Festival.

They’ve also tackled important issues such as interviews with producers and actors of "The Negro Zone," a dialogue on stereotypes among whites and African Americans; interviews with members of "Broad," which deals with ageism in Hollywood; and an interview with a poet/comedian about living with HIV and AIDS.

One other project Canney is working on is establishing a satellite studio for Greencastle Video Productions inside the Phoenix Village Art Center.

"All of the arts will be right there in town," she said. "There are different options available for the youth in this community, from media to painting. We’ve gotten equipment donated to us so far, like a MAC editing computer from Teamchildren, another non-profit organization. We want to make ourselves present in the art center. We hope to have it finalized by this fall.

"With us moving into the art center, we’re working on new sets to branch into, and you’ll never know what background you’ll get to see on the show from now on."

Canney said the best thing about "Showbiz Rap" is all of the topics it’s covered, and the people she’s met.

"Who would’ve thought that a housewife like me, with the help of her husband and volunteers, would be able to produce a show that affects as many people as possible," she said. "I’ve met a lot of people, from important individuals to stars. It still gives me hope that only in America, with hard work and perseverance, that one door will open after another one has closed. It’s amazing to be seen in so many homes. With all of the joy and gratitude I have, this is my chance to work with the youth to give them the same opportunity that I had. This is the hardest thing I’ve ever worked on, besides being a mother, and both are rewarding."