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 Internet and elsewhere, that had been overlooked by the "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 experiences here also. So enjoy and thanks for coming.

VOL. 2 NO. 17 - DECEMBER 31, 2003

HAS IT BEEN THREE MONTHS?: My, how time flies. 2003 is overwith! Well, I've been on quite an adventure since the last issue. I appreciate the inquiries, I'm "as right as rain", just took time off. Hopefully, the people who needed records and CDs found the links on the main page helpful. Other than the newer concert dates, not much has changed actually since September. No Christmas specials, no new Christmas album. Well, yes, Columbia insists on re-issues once again with a new Merry Christmas, which is actually the same old shit from the 20-something Mathis with a couple of tack-ons added: "Christmas Eve" and "My Kind of Christmas". Fanatics will be delighted; the rest of us sigh in disgust.

It's been an interesting year! Earlier this year, I was surprised by e-mails from author Tony Jasper and Karen Pershing, widow of legendary Mathis arranger D'Arneill Pershing, who were nice enough to comment about the website. I was deeply saddened by the loss of Nell Carter, who helped Johnny Mathis do a fabulous production of "Seasons of Love" on his Mathis on Broadway CD. There was the shock of learning about Mathis' prostate cancer treatment. There was the joy of his Lifetime Achievement Award, and my disgust at the casual attitude of the Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences toward the ceremony honoring him. I still want PBS to take over the Grammy Awards from CBS so that lesser known acts can get their time in the spotlight alongside the young up-and-comers, the way, sigh, the Tony Awards used to be.

I was honored to stay at the home of my dear brother Jon-Daniel in October for the first real vacation I'd taken in three years, and among the places he took me to was the Seacoast Repertory Theater in Portsmouth where former music director Roy Rogosin and his wife put on shows. Johnny Mathis is on the board of directors there, although his participation seems to be, at first glance, in name only. Big brother also surprised me for Christmas with a new nightshirt from the souvenir table at the last Boston concert (I am grateful...I know he didn't get that cheap!), and he also found for me something very curious and interesting...a book about the life of Nelson Riddle called September in the Rain. Johnny Mathis gives back cover notes, and also is featured throughout the book. After I get a chance to read this rare gem, I'll provide excerpts! Thanks, Bubba, for spoiling me once again!

This year, now past, has been brutal on the arts and entertainment front. Thankfully, Mathis remains. And now, it's time for me to do some reflecting, and to be frank about it, as frequent readers have come to expect:

HOPEFULNESS: Even in the aftermaths of the loss of so many of our important stage, screen, and recording icons, I remain hopeful, in the year 2004, that the surgeries did their job, and Johnny Mathis remains in good health throughout the year.

I'm also hopeful that Johnny Mathis understands that he is loved. Not just for his music or for who he has been made out to be by the fan club spin doctors or even Mitch Miller. Not just because at the age of 68 he remains a very handsome man that both genders can appreciate, and not because of the unfair and inescapable image of the "romantic singer" that ignores the total package Mathis is.

No, I'm hopeful that Johnny Mathis knows he is loved, not only by me, in my own way, but by millions all over the world regardless of the image in the minds of students and fanatics. Because he represents something different to everyone who listens to him, or sees him, and supports him.

Let's face it -- few people really know the man. Even good friends describe him as "enigmatic". He seems to always be on stage, even when he's off stage. That's been part of the fallout from being a Black gay man living with the stupid "romantic singer" image, in my opinion. As Will Rogers might have said, all anybody really know about Johnny Mathis is what we end up reading about him in the papers, books, and magazines, if you can find anybody who will write about him at all.

But make no mistake -- if he were anything but a decent human being we'd ALL know about it, because if someone's a jerk or somehow perceived as immoral, nobody really cares how good you do what you do.

People all over the world, not just in the United States, and not just in those states with casinos, love Johnny Mathis. It's NOT just the music. The music is a pleasant by-product. Followers and fanatics of Johnny Mathis actually internalize him to the point where it clouds reality.

Mathis should reward this worldwide love with his presence now and then. The rich and healthy can afford to travel to the States to see him. It would be fair to say the common man doesn't have that option. So, I'm also hopeful that the almighty dollar takes a back seat to compassion for the people who love him who don't belong to the in-crowd.

Talk about enigma? This is one of the many things I don't understand about Johnny Mathis. Here's a man who doesn't seem to care much about fame, supposedly doesn't care much about money, has been living in the same home for over 30 years and so likely doesn't have a mortgage, and thus doesn't need a whole lot of money.

Yet, he plays corporate birthday parties, and he plays casinos because, I assume, of the lucrative fees he can command at these places. I just wonder if just once this millionaire couldn't visit Brazil or France and perform for the people who love him there and not worry about whether he makes money on the engagement. After all, he's said before that he simply loves to sing. So, finally, I'm hopeful he'll see it's not just Americans who want to see him, and that he'll venture abroad once more and let the common man and woman show him how right he was to come.

UNTIL YOU COME BACK TO ME: Luther Vandross is doing great! Join me in sending love his way. NEVER underestimate the power of prayer! We'll see you at the Grammys, Luther!

TOUR BUS: It's a new year! The bus stops next in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Visit See Mathis Live! for details.

©2003 Iris Gross Georg. All rights reserved. Absolutely NO part of this website may be used without my written permission.

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