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. 4 NO. 8 - DECEMBER 30, 2005

GOOD NEWS: Well, the year is ending with perhaps the best news of all to come out of this thoroughly hellacious year: we still have Johnny Mathis. He's done his threescore and ten, but maybe he can borrow some time long enough to nab yet another Grammy award.

You'll recall that in my February 9th edition of The Grapevine News and Views, I predicted that the standards album, Isn't It Romantic, would be a shoo-in for a 2006 Grammy in the Traditional Pop category. Well, it's won half the battle with a nomination. Its competition? Rod Stewart, Michael Buble, Tony Bennett. I still say that it's got the category won unless two things happen: 1) Tony Bennett dies (and he's approaching 80), and 2) Michael Buble gets the youth vote. The others don't even have a chance as far as I'm concerned, but you know, as they say, "it's such an honor just to get nominated".

Bear in mind that they're not likely to televise either person getting the award, due to the fact that, well, Traditional Pop is just not where the Nielsens or the interests of the youth lie. As it stands now, they risk a grassroots poison pen campaign if they ignore my beloved Luther. That the TradPop category will rate little more than a crawler just before commercial is a given. However, there is the possibility that, as a previous Grammy winner, Mathis could be asked to present an award, and so we could see him that way.

I have yet to understand why no mention is made, on Mathis' official website or otherwise, why Johnny's last Grammy isn't mentioned. As I explained before, Johnny Mathis won a Grammy in 2005 not due to "Over The Rainbow", since that belonged to Victor Vanacore, but due to the fact that a recording he was on, the late Ray Charles' "Genius Loves Company", won Record of the Year. I know secondhand of someone who has a Grammy through this circumstance. Look, a win is a win, and a victory for Isn't It Romantic could increase Johnny's golden gramophone collection to four!

In more good news, Johnny's good friend Dionne Warwick is celebrating her 45th anniversary as a recording artist. With Johnny's 50th coming up, '06 will be a year for milestones, won't it?! David Gest, who's producing the show at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, California, has invited everybody who's anybody to be a part of the celebration. Check out the guest list so far: Yolanda Adams, Ashford & Simpson, Vanessa Bell-Armstrong, Shirley Caesar, Richard Carpenter, Deborah Cox, Andre Crouch, Sandra Crouch, The Emotions, Gloria Estefan, Edwin Hawkins, Lynette Hawkins, Tramaine Hawkins, Walter Hawkins, Cissy Houston, Olivia Newton-John, Kashif, Gladys Knight, Gerald Levert, Mary Mary, Donnie McClurkin, Brian McKnight, Mya, Milton Nascimento, The O'Jays, Jeffrey Osborne, Della Reese, Sir Cliff Richard, Smokey Robinson, Jill Scott, Richard Smallwood, The Spinners, Candi Staton, Angie Stone, B.J. Thomas, Leslie Uggams, Dee Dee Warwick, Nancy Wilson, BeBe Winans, Cece Winans, Stevie Wonder. Plus, it's going to be taped for television!

No mention is made of Mathis' participation on Dionne's album or possible participation in the concert special. However, I consider it unfathomable that Johnny Mathis won't be a part of it somehow. In the past, whenever Dionne had a televised show, her pal Mathis was never far behind. This, going back to the Solid Gold days, and even before. Those two go way back. I'd almost bet money that even though he's not mentioned by name, he'll be there. And he's free, the concert is January 26, and Mathis will be through with his Florida dates well before then. Besides, Mathis was due to be one of the 45 or so artists to duet with Dionne on her new Concord album. I mean, his not being a part of it is always a possibility, but personally, I can't see it.

HOPEFULNESS: So here's looking forward to a good year for Johnny Mathis. On a personal level, I hope 2006 is better, that there's not so much destruction in the world, that we can get a no confidence vote and sweep the executive branch clean, and that my loved ones stay safe and healthy. I wish the same for the people visiting The Mathis Chronicles and reading The Grapevine News and Views. May 2006 bring us all hope and peace.

©2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 Iris Gross Georg. All rights reserved. Absolutely NO part of this website may be used without my written permission.

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