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. 2

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU:Monday, Jan. 21, 2002, the nation celebrates the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. His actual birthday was Jan. 15th, one month after mine. He was born in 1929, so he would have been 73 years old. You can see that he died a very young man. At 41, it's very odd for me to think that I have lived longer than he has, but there you go. I'm going to do something I've never done before, and reprise a piece I wrote a year ago this week. I'm doing it because people tend to have short memories, and because a lot has happened in the last four months and it has a message which still needs to be heard, and because when I reread it tonight, I marveled at the fact that this is damn good writing coming from me! So here, from the Jan. 15, 2001 issue of the Mathis Chronicles: 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.

ANOTHER LEGEND GONE: Peggy Lee, one of the great singers of her generation, and a favorite of Johnny Mathis, died Monday Jan. 21 at the age of 81. On the official Peggy Lee website, www.peggylee.com (which is a VERY impressive website, indeed...the way such things should be), her daughter, Nicki Lee Foster, reports that her mother died at about 8 p.m of a heart attack, or "myocardial infarction", the result of a stroke suffered three years earlier. What sad news.

GET WELL WISHES:I suppose everybody's heard the news about singer Rosemary Clooney who is recovering from lung cancer surgery. I hope she's back on her feet soon. I hate to hear about what could be the end of another singing career. I heard she was the one who invited Johnny Mathis to become a member of the Society of Singers. I'll have to research that one. At any rate, she's a legend. I can remember seeing her and Johnny Mathis together on the Gary Collins show back in the mid 80's before I had a VCR, unfortunately. It was fun to listen to the two of them reminisce about the good old days, when they had to sing garbage to make a living. Her website says that flowers, cards, and gifts can be sent to Rosemary Clooney, 1216 Second Street Southwest, Rochester, Minnesota, 55902. There are some wonderful articles that keep her fans abreast of her condition. Would that Johnny Mathis' site would be so considerate. Get well soon, Rosie...God bless you.

WHERE'S THE BEEF: I've been asked about the whereabouts of the accompanying CD to the Live By Request video, the one that Kenny Rogers, KD Lang, and the Bee Gees get to have but somehow has been forgotten by those put in charge to package this for Johnny Mathis. The answer: how should I know! But I have a theory about this. Four years ago when the show came on the air, the Ultimate Collection was released timed just about right to coincide with the LBR broadcast. Not surprisingly, every "live" request seemed to match every song on this album. (If you think these shows are actually spontaneous productions, you are really naïve!). So although it's not live, I think one could pretty much consider the Ultimate Collection as the CD. But you'd think they'd package all the LBRs the same, wouldn't you?

HE'S GOING HOME: Imagine my excitement when I learned Johnny Mathis has booked a return date to San Francisco, California! Dates booked are July 26 and 27. I hope, #1, that it won't be a swan song, and #2, that he will be healthy by then. Will I return to Frisco as well? News at 11!

He's also coming to Cohasset, Massachusetts the South Shore on August 17 & 18.

CAN YOU BELIEVE IT: The Mathis Chronicles will soon be 4 years online! My baby is almost old enough for kindergarten!