|
May
11 , 2010
WHAT A HAPPY BIRTHDAY !!!!! |
SEPTEMBER BIG BAND CONCERT UPDATE
-
WHAT A HAPPY BIRTHDAY !!!!!
-
On May 8th, the morning of my 70th birthday, I drifted up from a
lovely dream, cozily wrapped in the arms of my husband of 35+ years.
The day could not have been more beautiful. It was the kind of morning
where you wake up full of joy and grateful for being alive. The
first thing my dear Captain said to me was.... ”Are you awake?”
I snuggled down even more, relishing the warmth and comfort of the
cozy bed. “Huh?”, I mumbled. “I have a birthday card
for you,” he said. “Oh, how sweet,” I said, still
only half awake. Then he reached over to his nightstand and handed
me an envelope . “Can you see it? Do you need glasses?”
he asked. “NOPE!!!!” I said, smiling, “ I can see
just fine!”
-
Daryl and I have a tradition of giving each other birthday cards
the moment we wake up. The cards are usually store-bought, but we
always write a special note inside. I must say that this was the
sweetest note he has ever written to me! I think I’ll have
it framed!
-
That was just the beginning of what would turn out to be a perfect
birthday. Daryl
planned and hosted a birthday dinner for me with a few close
women friends and my youngest sister Melissa who was able to drive
over from southern California for my “special day”. The
dinner was held at a romantic gourmet restaurant called THE ROSE
in downtown Prescott. He wore his Captain’s hat and looked
quite handsome. He was the ONLY man there! At his request, the table
was decorated with beautiful pink roses, with pink and orange balloons
arranged about the room. The restaurant even printed up a special
birthday menu for me. I was so proud of Daryl! .
. .
He even paid the bill, with
a limited amount of moaning and eye-rolling at the expense, with
his own credit card! That card hasn’t seen the
light of day in YEARS!!!!
-
I want to make sure to thank all of you who took the time to email
birthday wishes to me! It was so heartwarming to read your kind
words. You know, even if I wanted to let my 70th birthday slip away
unnoticed, many of the newspapers and magazines still print it each
year, so I still receive emails and ecards from our fans, and it
is a joy to read them.
-
I have to say that I have never been happier in my life. I never
thought that, at 70 years of age, I would have such a happy and
fulfilling life. I don’t really know what I thought it would
be like, except 70 sounded pretty darned OLD. But, surprise! Other
than the fact that my
body occasionally reminds me I’m not 30 anymore (especially
after running Smoky in agility trials), I’m feeling great!
I have a wonderful husband, four beautiful and accomplished sisters
that I love, and many, many dear friends. And yes, I have “gone
to the dogs.” Smoky, my Australian Shepherd Therapy Dog
partner, and I visit patients and families at the local hospital
every week. He and I were also on hand at the regional Special Olympics
a few weeks ago to offer friendly support to the athletes and their
families. Starting in June, we will again visit children every other
week in Sedona at the Kids and Kritters Day Camp at the beautiful
Humane Society facility there.
-
I am also proud of Daryl for the way he is coping with his Parkinson’s.
His attitude is wonderful and getting better all the time. He exercises
at the gym three days a week and walks every day... often with Smoky
and me. He practices his keyboards every day, and thinks he will
be ready to do a C&T song or two with me during my big band
concert this September.
-
SEPTEMBER BIG BAND CONCERT UPDATE
-
Speaking of my September Big Band concert..... tickets went on sale
yesterday, the morning of May 10th. As of 4:30 PM we had sold half
the house! I was totally surprised, but so pleased. The Yavapai
College Performing Hall is a beautiful 1100 seat theatre, and there
are really no bad seats in the house. If you are thinking of getting
tickets and haven’t done so yet, you should probably do so
soon. I’m hoping that everyone who wants a ticket will be able
to get one. Probably the best way to order tickets is through tickets.com.
They take orders 24 hours a day. You can also order by phone through
the Yavapai College Performance Hall Box Office Monday through Friday
from 10 AM to 4 PM.... or you can go there in person on Thursdays
and Fridays.
-
Once again, thank you all so much for your birthday wishes. It could
not have been
a more perfect day to turn 70! Until next time, Keep
A Song of Joy Inside Your Heart. -
[
Birthday Photos above, courtesy of Kathy Bryan, Prescott,
AZ ]
April
3, 2010
WE HAVE A CONCERT DATE!!!!! | WILL
DARYL BE APPEARING?
-
I am very happy to officially announce that I will be performing a
Big Band concert here in Prescott this fall. The concert will
be held at 7:30 PM on Saturday night, September 25th at Yavapai
College Performance Hall. Tickets will go on sale Monday, May
10th.
-
As many of you already know, for the past two years I have donated
my performance to the Prescott
Jazz Summit to help raise money for young musicians. I did this
to help out the brilliant musician who created the Jazz Summit, Mike
Vax. Mike was lead trumpet with the legendary Stan Kenton Orchestra
and is a music educator. He now leads the Kenton Alumni band, which
tours all over the country.
-
However, I was never really comfortable in a pure Jazz setting, since
I am definitely NOT a "jazz
singer" or "jazz
singer-II". If I had to categorize myself, I'd
say I am a "pop" singer who is comfortable in several pop
genres. Most of you also know that I have had a "side career"
singing the great American standards of the '30s and '40s with symphonies
and big bands and have recorded several CDs in that mode.
-
Last year's big band concert for the Jazz Summit was so much fun for
me, and the audience seemed to love it.... especially when Daryl strolled
out on stage at the end and said, "Prescott" ('Press-kitt').
He
brought the house down with just that word (after
I had been singing for at least 75 minutes!!!).
-
Although last year's concert at the 700 seat Ruth Street Theatre here
in Prescott was wonderfully well received, I was very uncomfortable
with several technical aspects of the concert over which I had absolutely
no control..... things like sound, lighting, ticket sales and audience
seating. Reportedly, the concert was oversold by about 200 seats.
My friends had to go into classrooms to find seats for people, and
some people had to listen to the concert in the lobby since there
was no room in the theatre. There were no assigned seats so it was
first come first served. Frankly, if the Fire
Marshall had been there, I believe he would have shut us down.
-
I really can't stand this kind of situation for my audiences. Daryl
and I discussed last year's concert over the next several months.
I so wanted to do it again, but I didn't want to go through the same
kind of situation for another concert.
-
I started to talk to Daryl about whether or not it would be possible
for us to produce a concert this year by ourselves. That would mean
that we would be able to control all aspects of the presentation.
It would also mean that we would be "gambling"
with a great deal of money. The expenses involved in the show of this
type, with 16 top flight musicians (salary, travel, hotel, etc), sound,
lighting, rental of Yavapai College Performance Hall and all of its
facilities, event insurance, ticket and program printing, advertising,
would all fall on us.
-
Our wonderful Personal Assistant, Becky Greenlaw, crunched
all the numbers for us, factoring in all of the expenses that
we would and might encounter. One of my main requirements was that
ticket prices MUST be as low as possible so people in this economy
could afford it. Once again, I will NOT receive any payment for my
performance. This will be our gift to the Prescott community, and
it will be flat out fun for me! I love to sing, and don't get to do
it very often any more.
-
Becky determined that if we sold out the Yavapai College Performance
Hall (1100 seats at ticket prices of $40 for the front row and $35/$30
for the remaining seats) we would be able to cover all of our expenses.
-
Daryl and I decided to go for it!
-
The show will consist of wonderful songs written by legendary American
composers such as Johnny Mercer, Harold Arlen, George
Gershwin, Sammy Cahn.... and many more, with arrangements
by the GREAT Sammy Nestico and terrific Matt Catingub.
WILL DARYL BE APPEARING?
-
Now....as to Daryl's possible participation. I have asked him (actually
he volunteered) to join me towards the end of the show to do two or
three C&T songs with me. However, most of you know that he is
dealing with Parkinsons Disease, and we'll have to just see how he
feels on September 25th. Although the disease is causing hand tremors,
some rigidity in his left hand, and some difficulty walking, he tells
me he can still play, and practices every day. So.... I cannot PROMISE
that you will see Daryl onstage.... BUT, I'd say is it a good possibility.
-
What I hope those of you who come to the concert will experience is
an evening of musical joy... some nostalgia perhaps.... a few songs
about the folly of love, the sadness love can occasionally bring,
the true joy of real love... and some SWINGING big band charts! I
hope you leave the concert hall with great big smiles on your faces!
-
Hope to see you there! Here is ticket information.
Yavapai
College Performance Hall
1100 East Sheldon St.
Prescott, AZ 86301
For
Even MORE DETAILED INFO..
- SEE TT-NEWS-GAZETTE PAGE HERE
!
-
Tickets will go on sale Monday, May 10th, '10
-
Ticket prices: $40 (front row), $35, $30
-
Box Office Info
Local phone (928) 776-2000
Toll free phone 877-928-4253
Phone orders taken Monday - Friday from 10:00 AM to 4:00
PM
Lobby hours are Thursday and Friday from 10:00 AM to 4:00
PM
-
Online Ticket Sales
Convenience and service fees apply and are non-refundable
www.yc.edu/communityevents
OR
www.Tickets.com
|
-
Until next time....
Keep
A Song of Joy Inside Your Heart.
March
7, 2010
-
RACING TOWARDS SEVENTY | WHAT MY PRESCOTT
FRIENDS HAVE TAUGHT ME | UPDATE ON DARYL | POSSIBLE FALL CONCERT IN
PRESCOTT |
-
RACING TOWARDS SEVENTY
!!
-
I am fast approaching seventy years of age. On May 8, 2010 I land
smack into elderliness. I simply cannot believe it. I don't FEEL
elderly, but nevertheless the physical signs are there. I notice
more wrinkles on my face and elsewhere, more "age" spots,
skin more easily bruised or broken by even slight trauma. I recently
got my first "floater"...a piece of vitreous
humor in the eye that breaks off and forms little black spots
or blobs one's vision., but it seems they crop up often when you
are "70 or older." It is annoying, but Daryl has had them
for years and thinks I am a wimp for even mentioning it.
-
I am noticing hair where there never was hair (chinny chin chin
mostly), and much less hair where there used to be plenty (head,
and nether regions). The only good thing about that is that I no
longer have to shave under my arms. Whoopee.
-
My body is not as flexible or strong as I used to be..... muscles
are flabbier despite my active life style. I have developed "love
handles".... may have to resort to Spanx for special occasions....
not that we have that many such formal-type events here in Prescott..
-
My brain seems to function about as well as ever..... not too many
senior moments... although I notice that I occasionally lose my
train of thought in conversation. I have decided to cut way down
on my attempt to multitask. Too much info..... most of it, in my
opinion, useless, superficial and a waste of time.
-
My feet have been majorly traumatized by 30+ years of tromping around
onstage in 3 1/2 inch heels. Now I wear mostly sneakers or Merrell
Chili Stitch slides.... my very favorites.
-
I wear dressy flats the rare times I appear onstage. My dress shoes
here in Prescott are western-style boots, which are amazingly comfortable.
I have given away or donated all of my high heels..... just can't
wear them anymore.
( See ANDY ROONEY's comment on 'aging'... HERE
)
-
In spite of all this, I do worry a bit about what people think when
they meet me in person around town. I hate to disappoint everyone
who remembers me as that tall vibrant gal who danced and sang on
TV, when they see instead a
much older version of myself. Just about every day
I think how blessed I am that Daryl and I decided to move to Prescott
and to get out of the Hollywood/Show Biz pressure to be thin, glamorous,
and ageless. When we were still in the public eye, I would get Botox
treatments every six months or so...... especially if I had a TV
appearance or photo shoot coming up. But now.... why bother? Except
for my own vanity of course. I have even toyed with letting my hair
go gray. It certainly wants to do that and it is quite expensive
to keep up the color.
-
-
WHAT MY PRESCOTT FRIENDS HAVE TAUGHT ME
-
But here is the good news.....I am happier than I have ever been
in my life! Daryl and I are closer than we have ever been. I have
made wonderful friends in my neighborhood who have taught me many
useful things, such as.....
- When
you have people over for dinner, don't worry if your wine glasses,
chairs, place mats, etc. don't match. Don't worry if there is
dog hair on the floor.
-
It is as easy to host 14 people for dinner as it is to host 4
people when everybody brings a side dish or a dessert.
- You
can find great deals on chicken or vegies at certain local markets
at certain times.
- You
can find terrific jackets or suits at Good Will to wear when showing
your dog. My friend Myste just found a perfect little sleeveless
jacket for me to wear while showing Smoky in the summer....cost
six bucks and is in perfect condition.
- You
can get cheap dark glasses at Tuesday Morning.
- You
can do your own hair color, and go to a nice barber when you need
a trim (my hair is very short.....easier to take care of). I still
go to an excellent hair stylist in town, but she's so busy she
can only see me once every four or five weeks and my hair grows
faster than that. I can save money and time by doing it myself,
and I am getting ready to make that change.
I
lived in the rarified and often superficial air of show biz and
fairly wealthy people for many years. My new friends have reminded
me how "regular" people live..... how they budget and
deal with health care issues... how they share what they have with
each other..... how they come to each other's aid in tough times.
These are the people who make up the majority of our great country.
I was one of them until Daryl and I had our first hit. We were lucky
enough to have success in the music business, which was very good
for us financially. But is very truly wonderful to be reminded of
the reality most people experience.
-
In our neighborhood I have friends who are younger than I am, and
those who are older. The younger ones set the bar pretty high to
keep all of us active and engaged, The older ones set a fantastic
example for me, showing me all that is still possible in the later
years. You wake up in the morning. Something aches. You get up and
keep going anyway. You do what needs to be done to the best of your
ability, and you live life to the fullest. You laugh as much as
you can....... you comfort and help when needed..... you try to
live "straight ahead" ....no games in your relationships.
You do your best to contribute to your community in some way.....
Smoky
and I are a Delta-certified
Therapy Dog Team at our local hospital, and I receive such satisfaction
from our work there.
-
I have especially enjoyed the friends I have made through the Northern
Arizona Australian Shepherd Association and our local canine agility
club, Top Dog. Competing in trials and going to conformation shows
is fun... as long as you don't take it too seriously!
-
-
UPDATE ON DARYL
-
Incidently, you might check out my friend Kathy Bryan's website,
redrockaussies.com.
Kathy is Smoky's breeder, and Daryl is her webmaster. Most of you
will recognize Daryl's sense of humor in various elements of her
site. Bless Kathy's heart, she goes along with just about anything
Daryl wants to add to her site. He definitely has his own style!
-
Speaking of Daryl...... he is dealing fairly well with his Parkinson's
Disease. It is a slow-moving variety, and he received a definitive
diagnosis only a year ago. He still goes through various stages
of acceptance..... I don't have Parkinson's... maybe I do.... but
he is doing his best.
-
-
POSSIBLE FALL CONCERT IN PRESCOTT
-
There is possibility that I will be doing another big band concert
in Prescott this coming fall. This time it will not be associated
with the Jazz Summit. I was uncomfortable in that format since I
am not a jazz singer. If I must be categorized, I'd call myself
a Pop Singer. Daryl and I will be producing the concert ourselves
as our gift to the Prescott community. I will not take a fee for
my performance so we can keep ticket prices as low as possible.
We will just be trying to cover our expenses..... performance hall,
ticket and program printing, musicians, lighting, sound, etc. Although
the show will be my Big Band show (remember.... I don't do C&T
without The Captain), Daryl has been implying that he might come
onstage and do two or three C&T songs with me. I am not pushing
him.... I only hope that he will do it. It will be his decision,
and it will depend on the stage of his health at that time.
-
Anyhow, I do love to sing, and my voice still seems to be there
regardless of what is happening to the rest of me! We will let you
know if we are able to put the concert together. Our long-time Personal
Assistant, Becky Greenlaw, is working on the details right now.
We are waiting to hear if we can get the date we want at the Prescott
venue we prefer. I will let you know if it all works out. Prescott
is beautiful in the fall!!!!
-
-
ONE MORE THING
-
One more thing.... I often get email notices that someone is trying
to add me as a "Friend" on Facebook. Daryl and I don't
do Facebook, Twitter, or other social-networking sites. I barely
have the time to do everything I want to do in my Real life....
much less a Virtual life. If you see a presence for us on Facebook,
I can assure it is isn't Daryl and me.
-
Well...that is all for now. I've been sitting at the computer for
almost three hours, and I have many things to do on this rainy day
in Prescott. Until next time....
Keep
A Song of Joy Inside Your Heart. -
Jan.
01, 2010
-
NOTICE: Please click on the 'ARCHIVES' Link
above. No new 'Toni's Takes' have been added since November, 2009.
Toni DOES plan to add some new 'T-Takes' soon.
Repeat: No recent 'TONI's TAKES' text have been added since 2009.
Sorry.
| UPDATE:
11/12/2009:
Daryl's tremor HAS been diagnosed as PARKINSON'S
DISEASE. - - Read
more. |
..
but in any case - - always continue to ..... Keep
A Song of Joy Inside Your Heart. -
|
