SICK DAYS: Well, I guess Mr. Mathis called in sick last week and cancelled his Westbury shows. Oh well. He'd been there once before this year anyway. Considering it's only two months until his 66th birthday; I think he's allowed a sick day or two in a year. Hopefully he'll come back strong of voice and of body when he comes to Massachusetts next month. At least he won't have to roast in the heat like we here in South Central United States have been! In the meantime, the Mathis Chronicles would like to convey best wishes and Godspeed to Mr. Mathis on behalf of myself, and also Paula, Norma and Bill in Long Island who were sorry to have missed the show. A little chicken soup with lots of garlic in it and he'll be fine, I'm sure!
BRAVO FOR BRAVO: According to a July 13th press release, cable television is due to get very interesting for pop music history buffs and Mathis aficionados alike. A cable channel called BRAVO! will be hosting an eight-part series on the history of popular music!
It's called POPULAR SONG: SOUNDTRACK OF THE CENTURY, and it'll have performances as well as interviews of just about anybody who's had anything to do with the evolution of American and European popular music!
According to the press release, Part Two will talk about the American jazz age, and will also have contributions from Tony Bennett, Artie Shaw, Harry Connick, Jr, Johnny Mathis, Burt Bacharach, Elvis Costello and Willie Nelson.
This sounds like one of those don't-miss documentaries that should have been done on PBS! Part One of this show airs Sunday, August 12. As always, check local schedules or BravoTV.com for more information.
ON WITH THE SHOW:To my knowledge, tickets are still on sale for the shows in Hyannis, Massachusetts, at the Cape Cod Melody Tent on Saturday, August 4 and Sunday, August 5. New Englanders can also still buy $52 Super Saver 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 If you see my good bud Jon-Daniel there, tell him hello for me.
It's still a GO for the concert in Saratoga, California (a suburb of San Jose) on Thursday, August 30th. Since it's on a Thursday night, it's probably not a good gig for out-of-towners unless one no longer works for a living. There is a strict ticket limit (6) and prices are from $65-$100.
Three casino shows are set for the fall: Foxwoods Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut (about 50 miles SE of Providence, Rhode Island) on October 5th and 6th, at the Las Vegas Hilton in Las Vegas, Nevada on October 19th and 20th, and at Caesars Atlantic City November 9th and 10th. Tickets may not be available yet, call for details.
MORE NEW CONCERTS FOR 2002! Looks like February 2002 is booked solid! I don't see a Valentine's day concert yet, but he's spending a lot of time in South Florida. I see dates for Fort Myers, Florida on George's birthday (22nd) at the Barbara B. Mann Hall, and Miami Beach, Florida (is this different from plain old Miami, Florida? I don't know!) at the wonderful Jackie Gleason Theater on the 24th. Earlier in the month shows a Feb. 7th concert in waterlogged Houston, Texas at Jones Hall, and a Feb. 9th show in Savannah, GA at the Johnny Mercer Theatre. Later in the year I see a show in Charlotte, North Carolina (watch out, Fab) at the Ovens Auditorium on May 4th. I doubt that tickets are on sale yet. 2002 is looking wonderful (nope, won't do it) with Johnny Mathis is still very much in demand!
Unfortunately, still no Canadian or other foreign dates that I can see. Looks like he's left you guys for good.
In the meantime, to those who have lived in the United States without having seen Johnny Mathis in concert, what's up with that? There is ample opportunity, so you don't have any excuse in the world. Mathis is one of a kind, and while he remains at the top of his class he's getting older, so if a date with Mathis isn't important enough, and you'd rather be home watching a TV sitcom, well, ultimately it's your loss.
| 
|
| At least [] people love Johnny Mathis! |  |
 |
 |
|
Web page design and all text Copyright ©2001 Iris
Gross Georg. All rights reserved. | All questions/comments welcome |  | Disclaimer | Netscape/AOL Instant Messenger: imgeorg2 |
