PRESENTS

Welcome to the Grapevine News. This section of the Mathis Chronicles contains my views about anything I find or am sent about Johnny Mathis on the 'net and elsewhere, that isn't being discussed by any "official" sites. Occasionally, I report on things not directly related to Mathis but have a connection, may even make up a question to ask myself and try to answer. Readers are welcome to share their news here also. So enjoy and thanks for coming.

VOL. 1 NO. 12 - AUGUST 28, 2002

THE JOYS OF CLOSED CAPTIONING: It's amazing, I've only had my TV 20 months, and I only recently started using its full capabilities. My JVC 20" has Closed Captioning!! Let me describe what this means. You activate it, and little subtitles appear, in any size you set it to, on your  screen. A well-captioned piece varies the position of the caption to where it doesn't interfere with the picture. It's fantastic, like watching a foreign movie! It's especially useful during documentaries, or if somebody's talking during a newscast and you don't understand their accent. It even gives the lyrics as someone is singing! I have PBS' Jazz series on tape, and closed captioning actually tells you the name of the background music that's playing! I'm having a blast re-watching all my old video tapes and movies now, including my Mathis videos " Chances Are" and "Live By Request". I suppose the inventors of this technology knew that it would come in so handy to a person who doesn't really need it.

MAGICAL NIGHT ON THE CAPE: From the account I have, the show at the South Shore Music Circus in mid-August was one of those don't-miss shows that I wish I hadn't. Mathis was apparently at his 1970s best with his song selections and physical condition. I was heartened that he was giving the kind of performance that I personally would have enjoyed: a feast for the eyes and the ears with little emphasis on "Johnny's Greatest Hits". Frankly, it was getting disheartening and disappointing to hear about all the injuries and surgeries, and to hear people from different areas recount virtually an identical song list. Maybe now, finally, things will be as they should be, and I can go to a Mathis show and be surprised by what I hear. In fact, the most exciting thing I heard about the show was the absence of Gary Mule Deer and the appearance of who Mathis called "a new friend", a black young comic who gave a rather decent performance! I no longer remember his name, I'll have to research him further. I had hoped a "field reporter" would give me written details of the South Shore show that I could share, but perhaps other things once again came up. At any rate, it sounds as if it was a night that could make a person like me fall in love with Johnny Mathis all over again. Just the kind of experience I need.

MILESTONES: The Mathis Chronicles has very quietly surpassed the 50,000 hit mark four and one-half years after its creation. It's unbelievable that there is that much interest in what I may have to say, but I thank the readers for this website's popularity. It runs mainly on auto-pilot now by design, and it's not as labor-intensive for me, and I can pursue other hobbies away from the computer. The guestbook will soon be archived as it is getting full, and I thank everyone, regardless of age, for their contributions.

TOUR BUS: Next stop, Pittsburgh!

©2002 Iris Gross Georg. All rights reserved.

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