CATCH A FALLEN STAR: That race of remarkable human beings known as the singers of American popular song lost yet another one of its lifetime members over the weekend.
Perry Como died in his sleep on Saturday, ironically just before the anniversary of the death three years ago today of another lifetime member, Frank Sinatra. I barely remember his TV show, but loved his "Don't Let the Stars Get In Your Eyes" and "Hot Diggity". He is remembered as one of the smoothest singers ever next to Mathis, and also as a decent human being and all-around nice guy.
To acknowledge the loss of "Mr. C" is also to grudgingly acknowledge the gradual extinction of a race of people the next generation (the sons and daughters of the SGMFs, for example) will very likely never see, so we must honor not only Mathis but all the ones still with us, and give them their flowers while they yet live.
We do not yet have Live By Request featuring Johnny Mathis or any other performerfeatured in the series in the stores as of now. "By Request" means these people were CHOSEN: Mathis, Tony Bennett, Willie Nelson, Phil Collins, all of them, by fans of the show who wanted to see their favorite performers on cable television. How presumptuous is it, then, for Sony or anybody to assume that there is no market for these videos, when they were chosen for these TV programs precisely because there WAS a demand? According to A&E, it is Sony that is gumming up the works at this point. So what are we, as the ones who chose these performers, to make of this? It is dishonorable of Sony to treat its artists in such a fashion. I think it's a very sad situation.
A dear friend of mine suggests that perhaps a lifetime achievement Grammy award from the National Association of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS) based on body of work alone would be one of the best ways to honor Johnny Mathis while he is yet with us. My own feelings about this are mixed. I personally feel that the Grammy Award has all the value of a spittoon; but on the other hand, some recognition from a major televised award show would be gratifying. I think a People's Choice award would be a whole lot more meaningful...unfortunately, even the people aren't choosing anyone over 40. At least there was the recent recognition by the National Songwriters' Hall of Fame, an organization nobody's ever heard of that was formed by people who, thankfully, have not only heard of Johnny Mathis but appreciate him.
ON WITH THE SHOW: NEW DATE Tickets went on sale this past Saturday for the shows in Hyannis, Massachusetts, at the Cape Cod Melody Tent on Saturday, August 4 and Sunday, August 5. New Englanders can still buy tickets for the North Shore Music Theatre concert in Beverly, Massachusetts, north and east of Boston near Salem, on Wednesday, August 15 and Thursday, August 16.
Tickets are on sale for the Nashville Symphony concert in Antioch, Tennessee (June 14). There is an 8-ticket limit with strict enforcement, which is good, as 8 should certainly be plenty for anyone!
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.
Mathis returns to the Westbury Music Fair on July 20th & 21st. Tickets are on sale NOW online via Ticketmaster for these new dates.
Tickets for the concert in Saratoga, California (a suburb of San Jose) on August 30th go on sale to the public on April 13th. There is a ticket limit and prices are from $60-$100.
Don't know yet if tickets can be bought now for the Foxwoods Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut (don't ask where that is) on October 5th and 6th.
NEW CONCERT DATE FOR 2002! Ticketmaster shows a date for Jones Hall, Houston, Texas, on Thursday, February 7, 2002. Obviously tickets are not on sale yet, but I think the fact that he has started booking next year's shows is WONDERFUL. Is Johnny Mathis not amazing? Soon to be 66 years old and still very much in demand!
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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