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Keeping up with the Joneses>> Home >> Past Issues
September 1, 2004 Okay where was I? Now where did I leave off? Oh yeah, we were in Texas -- or was it Ohio -- Did Cyndi Lauper really come to the show and sing a chorus of "Daydream Believer" with us? You bet your sweet bippy. Gotta say how sorry I am that August didn't work out for a trip to Australia -- However, maybe it can be put together again with a more reliable source soon. Auntie Florrie, Uncle George's wife (my dad's brother) died this past July. Auntie Florrie was strong, tall and a cut above -- a classy dame and will surely be missed by her sons Geoff and Gerald, their wives Sue and Geraldine, grandkids, friends and neighbors.
- Love Still Abides - She has passed on beyond the range of sight Weep not for her, say not she is dead -Patience Strong- Uncle George was also a cool guy. A decent man who played soccer as a young man and went on to scout for a division team -- he used to wiggle his ears (I can do that) he used to call me the mystro -- "Have you heard from the mystro? When is the mystro coming home?" I also want to mention my uncles Harry and Graham Hollingworth, who both died recently -- such intelligent kind and caring guys -- well traveled, well rounded and just all around nice people -- sons of my first agent, Auntie Jessie, my dad's sister. I was thinking back to what it was like when the Monkees first started -- the four of us got together … looking back we were all as green as the hills. I had a career pre-Monkee mania, but I was very young. Mike, Micky and Peter were struggling artists. Micky was basically out of show biz, enrolled in college, mapping out a career as an architect -- Mike was writing, hustling to get his show biz recording career kick started, and digging into the Peter, file what can I say about Peter? Peter is so very talented musically -- but very extremely without question, unpredictable. They all had quite an undertone of street-wise sense -- street smarts, something I didn't have -- or even know about. I had lived in Hell's Kitchen from 15-18 year old, alone on W 45th street behind the iron gates. I was the only white kid on the block but I handled it. I thought Mike, Micky and Peter could be kinda mean to people sometimes -- and they seemed to get worse as things went on -- I was just trying to go with the flow, I thought, for goodness sake I was in a TV show -- in Hollywood -- what a great gig. So last month I'm talking to an old friend of mine about all that and I told her I thought that Mike, Micky and Peter were still kind of like that -- and really I didn't understand why -- maybe it was because they had to struggle harder and that the way they acted was really a protective thing. But then she said something that made me think -- she said they are not street smart at all. Strangers on the street don't treat you the way they treat people. They're a bit rude. And there is the difference. You are plenty street smart David -- Also you give of yourself a lot and sometimes when you don't even want to or have to, but you still keep giving because you think it's the right thing to do -- and then under pressure you lose your temper because you've stretched yourself to the breaking point. Well, what can you do -- Hey, have I ever told any of you about the song my friend Harold Jones wrote for a TV idea we had in the mid
70's? What does the "E" stand for? Everybody! We were ahead of our time on that one. Bit like most ideas, someone else is having the same one, only 28 years later. I actually have the original tape of me singing that with a piano -- send me a stamped self-addressed CD travel pack and I'll post you a copy. Now for the Band News:Sandy was off in Holland doing a gig -- and I'm sure if he spent any time in Amsterdam from what I've been told about the place, he will be back before he knows he's been gone. Eric was also in Europe, Germany on last report. Talented young man both as a musician and writer/producer. We all wish him the best. Gregory still plays with the symphony in New York. I can't believe his son is already one year old. Sam is playing his sax and hitting a golf ball once in a while. Aviva is still doing a little bit of everything and speaking of angels, her mum is like a new penny, shining and bright. Dave is never without a guitar, which I find handy, and the Robicheaus, Dave, Deb, Jacob and Jeff are healthy and as positive as the day is long. Loafie Alexander needs to be getting a call from the Saturday Night Live crew so he can inject some talent, some funny desperately needed -- he did a gig with Micky and Coco. Speaking of Johnny J Blair, he subbed for Mark who flew away to Coliseum who had a number of dates in England and Germany. Patty is recovering from a nasty accident. We just can't and don't see the danger in our four legged friends. And talking about four legged friends, Emma and Paige are growing fast. They love our yearly visit to Disney/Epcot/Sea World and all the other fun places we are able to go. Anyway, speaking of Johnny J Blair, producer/artist/guitar player/banjo player, oh yeah, and piano player -- he's been a great friend over the years and we have managed to work on many projects together. He's a really good friend and all around nice guy. He's head of publicity for the Williamsport Symphony with whom I hope to play with next season. Cassie, John's wife has also contributed with album designs, edits, and the occasional background vocal. Cassie is a huge talent. Their daughter Jade is home again for a while as she is taking a break from college this year. Mr. Phillipe Torres joined us for our Canadian gig in North Bay and delighted us with his no less than perfect performance. He brought uncomplicated, exciting, superb refreshment to the show. Thanks Mr. Torres, you were great! Mind you after all he was directed by one of the best, Sandy Gennaro, even if it cost his dad half the bakery's profits once a week. I was told 27,000-30,000 people attended the concert and air show. Thanks to all our Canadian friends for making the trip to see us. Let's see, what else was there … This piece appeared in The Hollywood Reporter and Variety:
Sorry Oshkosh WI on June 10th and Lyle, IL on July 3rd got canceled. We hope to return one day to sing and play for you … we may be coming to your town..la..la…la.. again one day. As the saying goes, "Rain stopped play" As for September, we have the following dates: Sept. 11, 2004 Sept 18, 2004 Sept. 25, 2004 Things to look for soon: The church is under construction…again. Horses, horses, horses on the run - We are working on dates for 05-watch this space Well, I'll tell you- It takes a lot of people to get me out there on stage. Not that I don't want to get out there. It's a lot of work to put a show together … from contracts exchanged, air tickets, airport pick ups, sound checks, equipment set ups, publicity calls to radio, television and newspapers. The band have to eat and get ready for the show, it is quite a tight schedule. From the time we leave our homes until we play the final song of the night, back to the hotel, ears in place, wake up calls, hotel airport pick ups, the flights home, the cabs home, home. We the band, we the agent, we, we, we Deb Robicheau. We Renee Favor -- who spends hours on the phones setting up just one gig, one show. Deb and Renee are my right and left hands; I could not do it without them. All the people deserve the applause I get, and then there is you-with out you there is no we. Infinite patience produces immediate results. Great things have no fear of time and patience. -- Confucius sez: With Time and patience the mulberry leaf becomes a silk gown -- Until next time -- DJ & we
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