MATHIS SPEAKS: In a refreshingly intelligent interview for the Advocate (no, not that one), Mathis talks about the trials of performing with a cold, his relationship with Henry Mancini, an upcoming Christmas project with Mannheim Steamroller, as well as other things. It's good to see Mathis deliver some of the missing pieces now and then. The article speaks of an upcoming concert in Baton Rouge, Louisiana at the Riverside Complex exhibition hall on this Thursday, March 22 to benefit Our Lady of the Lake, whatever that is. Click here to read John Wirt's article.
MATHIS ON THE RADIO: BBC Radio 2 station continues its broadcast of a half-hour long, 6-week duration program simply called Johnny Mathis which airs every Friday starting March 9th. It's a radio biography featuring comments by Mathis' brother Ralph and sister Elizabeth Mathis-Douds, singers Dionne Warwick and Deniece Williams, producer Thom Bell, George Avakian, and even Pat Boone gets his two pence in! Here's a link to a description of the show. Sounds like a virtual "Johnny Mathis, This is Your Life" show that shouldn't be missed if you can help it (most of us still have to work)! The broadcast can be easily picked up on Real Audio/Real Player...click "Listen" on the BBC page referenced above, and you can hear it on the pop-up player. If you don't want to use their pop-up player, type the following into the Location bar of your RealPlayer: http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/realmedia/fmg2.rpm.
By the way, I notice there is a "Voice of the Century" link there, where one can vote for popular artists as the top 100 voices of the last century (you know, ending a few months ago). So why not? Here's the link...vote for your top three singers. I believe the winners will be featured on a special Easter broadcast on the BBC. [Incidentally, I put Johnny Mathis in all three choices and it went through!]
MATHIS AT WESTBURY: Paula, who lives on Long Island, went to both shows in Westbury despite feeling under the weather! Chances are (sorry) these shows made her feel a lot better! She shares this editorial of the concerts.
For those of us who go to concerts a few times a year, just seeing Johnny again is half the enjoyment. The response of the crowd, many of whom have never seen him, is always an affirmation of how I feel. He does indeed look great, not just to my eyes. He does sing with obvious pleasure and the people love him. A friend of mine went for the first time and she told me that "she fell in love immediately" when he walked out (in chinos and navy pullover). This is pretty amazing for a 65 year old, to still have that power.Friday night's show was more relaxed than Saturdays. Johnny was quite talkative and sang beautifully. He even responded to a request, singing "More Than You Know" with his hands spread out at the end like ta-da! The crowd went wild....this is what we wait for. He did his usual program, mixed up a little, with the addition of "Secret Love" (quite enjoyable, with only the harp playing in the beginning) and "Gina" sounding very much like the recording. Saturday night John was less talkative, but he seemed to have a cough (I could sympathize) and between numbers he coughed off to the side. Thankfully this did not interfere with his singing (amazing).
He consistently gives us our money's worth and even though many of the songs are songs we've heard before zzzzzzzzz, a great majority of the people have either never been to a concert before or not for a long time. They come to hear the "favorites", but there is always something new for the rest of us and for that I will keep going, even if it's just that one song.
From the last few reports I've gotten from concertgoers, it sounds like Mathis is getting the message finally about putting some different songs in the concert mix! Hooray! That's great news a long time coming.
MATHIS IN CONCERT: I see NEW DATES for Saratoga, California (a suburb of San Jose) on August 30th, and for the Foxwoods Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut (don't ask where that is) on October 5th and 6th.
The tickets to the Saratoga concert are pricey ($60-$100), and are on sale now to "select members". They go on sale to the public on April 13th. There is a ticket limit.
Tickets are on sale NOW for the Nashville Symphony concert in Antioch (June 14). There is an 8-ticket limit with strict enforcement, which is good, as 8 should certainly be plenty for anyone! Tickets are still on sale through Ticketmaster for the Fort Wayne, Indiana show on March 29. Click here for seating chart/more info.
Tickets are still on sale for the shows in Fort La-Dee-Dah (April 13 and 14). Click here for more information.
The late shows at Caesar's Atlantic City are on sale now. At $60, it's a fairly hefty price. The shows are set for April 27 and 28th.
I believe tickets are on sale now for the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra shows on Friday, May 11 and Saturday, May 12. Looks like they're not selling online, though. Some folks insist on doing things the old-fashioned way! I would call 1-800-699-3168 and ask about tickets to that show. Here's an online ad for the show. The BPO has a cool lady conductor, and I'll bet they'll make Mathis sound fantastic!
Tickets are on sale for the shows at the Silver Legacy Casino in Reno, Nevada. Prices are $50, $44, and $30; call (800) 687-8733 for details or use the online form.
The Westbury Music Fair has added two NEW dates for the summer: July 20th & 21st. Tickets are on sale NOW online via Ticketmaster for these new dates.
Tickets for the North Shore Music Theatre concert in Wednesday, August 15 and Thursday, August 16 in Beverly, MA are on sale online NOW!
Sorry, still no Canadian or other foreign dates that I can see. I think I'd find some way to let Mathis know you guys want to hear him sing, too.
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