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. 7 -- APRIL 23, 2002

GUESTBOOK OBSERVATIONS: It's the third week of April, 2002, and I have to say I am very pleased with the contributions to the guestbook! Thanks everyone for participating, and I have to apologize about some of your comments being cut off...apparently there's a word limit of 255 characters I wasn't aware of, and I haven't found a way to increase it!

I have to make a comment about one of the submissions, a guest who wishes Mathis would record the song, "Sir Duke." It's funny he mentions that particular song. "Sir Duke," which Stevie Wonder wrote in the 70's shortly after the death of Duke Ellington, is a song which, as recorded by Mr. Wonder, would seem to be the LAST thing you'd expect Johnny Mathis to touch as a singer. However, I'm told by a very good friend of mine that, believe it or not, Johnny Mathis once did a fantastic version of this in concert. This seems to be corroborated by submission in the guestbook.

Once upon a time, a source told me that everything Johnny Mathis has ever done on stage has been recorded somehow, someway, and that these recordings are in storage somewhere, either at Rojon Productions, or at Columbia Records, or somewhere. Whether this is in fact true, I cannot corroborate, but I do know one thing. All who have followed Mathis throughout his very long career know that he does songs in concert that we haven't ever heard either in analog or digital format. Now, it could be that "Sir Duke" may be one of the legions of songs which have never seen daylight in the record stores, whether as part of an album or as a single, but if anyone overseas or otherwise knows of a recording of it, please drop me a line and let me know!

I'm seeing quite a range just from the few guestbook participants I have so far. It's actually very exciting to see how diverse and global my readership is! Not counting myself, I have as of this writing 13 from the United States, 1 Brazilian, 2 Canadians, and 7 Europeans. Of the Europeans 7 are from the United Kingdom, 1 from Germany and 1 Swiss.

The age participation is VERY satisfying as well. The youngest ones are 28, born during the time that wonderful album, Me and Mrs. Jones was brand new! None is actually Mathis' age, but ten in their 50's and above, while five are in their 40's (again not counting myself), and one is in their thirties. A couple chose not to give their age, and that's cool (although I can probably guess!) So far there's about 35 years between the oldest and the youngest!

THEY HAVE TO BE TAUGHT: That age gap is getting ready to widen, at least it will when these ladies are old enough to write in the guestbook! I've recently been introduced to some TGMFs: Third-Generation Mathis Fans! Notice the little one has a handle on her own copy of the Personal Collection boxed set! Their grandmother tells me that even now as five-year-olds they LOVE the sound of Mathis' voice...as I can well imagine, it's very soothing to them. See their happy faces as they color together!

I can remember when I first became aware of that magical talking box on top of Mother's bureau, when I was barely tall enough to stand tiptoe and see it! I remember hearing the song "Rescue Me" and then walking around saying "Fon-tella-Bass!" Kids remember their first musical experiences, I believe. That's why I feel sorry for so many of them today for what's coming out of their radios. Today's youngsters are raised on rap music, sampling, and lyrics they dare not repeat in the house. It does my heart good to see that some kids are being taught what good music is all about.

SPEAKING OF GRANDMA: Getting back to the girls' grandmother, whom I met thanks to the Mathis Chronicles guestbook, is writer Do-An Keller from Switzerland. Between e-mails I mentioned that I am eager to hear about the European Johnny Mathis experience, and she asked if I was also interested in how one becomes addicted to an artist such as Mathis while living so far away and never seeing him on television. Of course I am! So she was nice enough to share this piece with me, which had been published before in a British fan publication. I've edited it some for clarity. Here it is:

Isn't this a beautiful hand?

This was actually the third time I felt an attraction to the same person.

First there was the voice:

Many years ago I was really thrilled by this voice. That was so strange because at this time my musical preferences were far away from this kind of music. But I really felt some trouble and I awaited the announcement of the name at the radio. So at least I knew the name of that singer: Johnny Mathis.

Weeks or even months later I was in a record store, and I remembered that name and was curious about the looks and eventually the records of this performer.

Bang!! That was the second attraction! And so I bought my first Johnny Mathis record: Johnny's Greatest Hits. I played it again and again but was not ready to become a fan of anybody at this time. My life was so full then, with a son to raise and a career to start.

So, afterwards I had to fly to Paris for the seasonal "Prêt-à-porter" (ready-to-wear), since I was working in the fashion industry. As I arrived at my hotel, I realised that I had left my wrist watch at home and I really needed one to honor the schedule I had organised. So I went to the nearest drugstore to buy one and found myself in the middle of Johnny Mathis posters hanging everywhere. He was there for concerts, and I felt frustrated, since there was no possibility to go any of the concerts, and I had no time left. During the days I had to run from one manufactory to the other, and both evenings I was there I was invited for dinner by business partners. But that was the moment I bought my second record: Johnny Mathis à Paris.

I really became a fan later and went to a concert for the first time in London (1991). Since then, I have travelled many times to the U.S. to hear and see him. In May 2000 I went to his concert in Las Vegas and of course wanted to see the wax figurine. I walked in the museum and...Bang !!! I was attracted by one hand between many others. I searched for my glasses to read the name of the hand's owner.

I suppose you know whose hand I'm talking about...

DOVE AWARDS: Well, Thursday, April 25th we find out how Mannheim Steamroller's Christmas Extraordinaire, featuring Johnny Mathis on the song O Tannenbaum, will win a Dove Award in the Instrumental Album of the Year category. The holiday CD became an instant classic, far and away outselling any other holiday recording this past season. I'm rooting for you, Chip!

The 33rd Dove Awards will be presented on your PAX television network. Check local listings.

TOUR BUS: Next stop, beautiful Charlotte, North Carolina on May 4th! Check out See Mathis Live for details.