A CELEBRATION OF COURAGE: Today, we here in America celebrate the life of a man who was not afraid to say controversial things in order to educate; to do what nobody else seemed to find the time or the inclination to do; share his vision of things which could be because his love extended beyond the boundary of his immediate family; and to die while giving hope to those who needed it the most. In doing so he became an inspiration, not just to me, but to everybody, I believe; for by his example we all can benefit, not just a minority of people. January 15 is actually his birthday...a full month after mine, in fact. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., I salute you.
We can't all be leaders. Some enjoy taking the wheel, while others would rather just send money for gas. Dr. King, Jesse Jackson, the Freedom Riders, all were willing to take the wheel. Johnny Mathis, Nat Cole, and others used their wealth to help pay for gas. Both roles are important, especially when compared to those who would seem to prefer to do their driving from the backseat, which is no help to anybody.
Nevertheless, even though everybody's not cut out for the front line, I'm a firm believer that each of us in our own way is a kind of ambassador. Each of us, regardless of color or station, represents something to somebody. At some point somebody we don't know will look at how we present ourselves to the public and form opinions of us based on that first impression. Take my trip to SanFran last summer, for instance. Because of my experiences, I take a dim view of United Airlines as a company, but not of their flight staff, who although harried, were kind and helpful. I also have a ton of respect for the airplane mechanics, without whom my departure and return would not have been successful. I have a fairly favorable opinion of San Francisco's people. Sometimes, setting an example doesn't have to go any further than how you present yourself at the local WalMart. Go ahead and tell somebody where to find the paper towels even if you DON'T work there. Who knows, that one act of kindness could make a tourist or even a neighbor think, "gee, those Vermonters (or Californians or British or young people or whatever group you fit in) sure are nice people," thus placing the public image of a whole group of people squarely on your shoulders! Not fair, perhaps, but there it is. So, the gist of this story is, you don't have to be somebody "important" to make a difference. Sometimes just being yourself, and being considerate, is enough. I'd like to think Dr. King would agree.
GOLD LABEL: Remember Pat Boone? If you're my age you know his daughter Debby better, but he was one of the many recording artists who, back in the 50's, took the blues and rhythm and blues recordings by black artists, stripped it of nuance, innuendo and beat and re-released it for the benefit of the sensitive ears of the "mainstream" (white) audiences for commercial success. In the 90's he did something similar to heavy metal recordings; you've never heard anything so awful. Well, this time, he's back, and he's doing something good for a change.
Pat's put together a compilation called The Crooners Collection on his Gold Label. It features old standards by classic artists such as our Johnny Mathis, Nat King Cole, Vaughn Monroe, Bing Crosby, etc. Also, you can search his database and buy Johnny Mathis' Sony recordings as well, including some imports available only overseas.
Pat Boone is a regular on the Music of Your Life weekend radio netcast, and I think he's doing a good thing making the music of the older artists available to the public. Also, the artists who have signed up on his Gold Label, which is a real record label, is growing. Already he's got Cleo Laine, Foster & Allen, Glen Campbell, Patti Page, Roger Williams, the Ventures, The Lettermen, the Four Freshmen, and Toni Tennille, and even Merv Griffin has come out of the woodworks to record a new album on the label. Wouldn't he like to get his hands on Johnny Mathis?
THREE YEARS OLD SOON: In exactly a month The Mathis Chronicles celebrates its third anniversary. How time flies. Thanks to everybody for over 35,000 hits.
MATHIS IN CONCERT: Tickets are on sale online for the Valentine's Day show at Soaring Eagle Casino in Mount Pleasant, MI (somewhere near Flint).
San Diego's a nice WARM place to be in February...while there, take in one of the Johnny Mathis concerts on Fri. Feb. 2 and Sat. Feb. 3rd. Prices are very reasonable.
Housed in the Playhouse Square Center in Cleveland Ohio's performing arts district is the Palace Theatre. Johnny Mathis will perform there on February 16. Call the box office at 216-241-6000 to inquire for tickets.
I see future dates in: Westbury New York; Fort Wayne, Indiana; Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Antioch, Tennessee; Palm Desert, California; Atlantic City, New Jersey; Buffalo, New York; Reno, Nevada; and Beverly, Massachussetts. Sorry, no Canadian or other foreign dates that I can see. (I know. You guys count, too.)
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