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. 3 - FEBRUARY 10, 2003

MATHIS SAID SO, THAT'S ENOUGH: Michael Jackson was one of my very first loves. And I have to say I'm more than a little disgusted with the way the British press, and their surrogate daughter, the American tabloid press, treats him. They seem to want to make a freakshow out of his every move. Now, I'm the first to say Mike's a little "eccentric", but I also realize he didn't grow up, nor does he live, in the same world I do, either. So what if he doesn't look the same way he did when he was a teenager. Can any of us say we do? So, he let a surgeon carve up his face like an ice sculpture. It's HIS face, to do whatever he wants to with it, not yours, not mine. I have NEVER been, and never will be, a fan of judgmental journalism, this "we think you should be disgusted by this man and here's why" style of news writing that is purely meant influence public opinion. Well, in MY opinion, that kind of writing belongs in the op-ed section of the New York Times, not passed off as credible entertainment news on prime-time television.

Well...at any rate, it seems there's a lady in who's willing to give Mr. Jackson the benefit of the doubt. Her name's Gaynor Morgan, and she's been interviewed by the infamous British press about it. You can read the story here, if you like. She's going to stay with Johnny Mathis while her son goes to visit the Neverland ranch and spend time with the Gloved One. Why? Johnny Mathis is a family friend, and she asked his advice. Mathis called Jackson "a very kind, generous and loving person who has done a lot of work for children over the years." That glowing endorsement was good enough for her! According to this article, the boy's grandfather, who knows Mathis, is cool with it, also. It's good enough for me, too.

INTERVIEW: Cool story about Mathis from this weekend's Florida Today newspaper. Mathis performed over the weekend in Melbourne. Florida, not Australia.

CORPORATE GIG: Looks as if Mathis will be performing at a benefit for a hospital in Beaumont, Texas on April 5th. Ticket prices are astronomical. Read here for more information.

KINDERGARTEN: On February 14, 2003, The Mathis Chronicles turns five years old! That's longer than a lot of marriages last, and I'm frankly VERY surprised at the interest I've kept in such a difficult subject, as well as the interest you the reader have in what I have to say about Johnny Mathis and related subjects. Thank you to all who've kept the hit counter going, and let's see how year number six goes!

TOUR BUS: The bus stops next in Memphis, Tennessee. Visit See Mathis Live! for details.

©2002 Iris Gross Georg. All rights reserved.

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