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Showing posts with label Andy Williams. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Andy Williams. Show all posts

Monday, December 28, 2009

Last 2 Reads of 2009

Finished Andy Williams' autographed memoir, "Moon River and Me" which I bought in Branson at his theater.   Absolutely enjoyable reading and a keeper.   I loved it.  I have long been a fan and if you read my posts on this blog about Branson and our experience at his show/theater, you know that. 
I did not know as much about Andy but learned he is from a small town, Wall City Iowa and Des Moines was the first big city for the Williams Brothers to hitch their star. Their father was the driving force. Andy is now 82 and a true legend of our lifetime. Reading this memoir, I learned he is a perfectionist to whom good enough never occurs and he remains a workaholic. He describes in detail his early hard way to go on the road in 1954 while in Cleveland and he eats dog food. Sadly some of the worst times were in Pittsburgh (my home area) and to this day he’s averse to going there. In his early days he is quite drawn to older women, some are 20+ years older than himself. But later in life that changes where today now with his 2nd wife where he is the certain  elder.

Poignant chapters about Andy’s life endeared him more so to me. There is humor, for example, when he is in Paris France working with Quincy Jones to produce his first album. Persistently knocking on the wrong apartment door for the key gets him kicked n the shins! The retreat to enjoy hot buttered rums in the lodge while golfing with friends and how Fred Mac Murray who was tighter that  the skin on a wiener loses dice three times in a row to buy the rounds is a hoot.

I  had forgotten that he and his brothers sing the background on  "Would You like to  Swing ona Star" with Bing Crosby.  This is one of the first songs I rmember singing and something that stayed with me all my life.  I have a pair of  earrings with angels sitting on the side of the moon ready to swing on a star and a pin a long gone friend, Roberta, bought me  with the star dangling and the angel ready to take off and swing on it.   No wonder I love Andy, he's part of  my circle of life.

There is pathos when he describes his father’s death and his eldest brother’s dementia. There is example after example of his perseverance. There is history when he descries the early days of his San Diego golf tournament and how these came to be sponsored and then directed by commercial venues. Over several chapters, Andy describes his deep friendship with Bobby Kennedy; they were in Los Angeles at the hotel waiting to join him for dinner when Bobby was killed. He sang the Battle Hymn of the Republic at Bobby’s funeral, something he did with a heavy heart and tears. It’s interesting how a Republican became so close to Bobby but also demonstrates that Bobby Kennedy was idealistic and beyond a party. Andy writes about his first marriage to Claudine Longet, his children and accepts total responsibility for the end of that marriage as he was working all the time. He also shares the tragedy when Claudine shoots Spider Savich in Aspen, CO. I had forgotten that story.

So many wonderful chapters were favorites but perhaps the best was reading the details about how he came to Branson and his efforts (perfectionist top notch) engaged in construction of his magnificent Moon River Theater. His interest in artwork and paintings derives from his early days of poverty where he spent time visiting any and all galleries and museums. Today he is an avid collector. Many treasures are displayed in his Theater in Branson. Today he is at the point of contentment in his life which he divides between Branson, MO & La Quinta, CA. I treasured every page and recommend this book to anyone who likes to read biographies. I learned a lot about Andy and enjoyed this immensely. I am going to write a fan letter to Andy about this book and our experience at his theater. I have never done that in my adult life and we will see if I get a reply. Our next trip to Branson, we are going back and will stop at his Moon River Grill. Andy visits it almost daily, when in Branson, he says, because the food is free!

Andy Williams is a dear man who is not bitter but who is I am sure very demanding.  Most perfectionist are.  But what a voice! 


In order to read Andy's memoir, I had to finish Sarah Pailin's "Going Rogue." It was a coincidence that she was speaking at the college of the Ozarks in Branson when we were there. I had her book with me and if we had not already purchased tickets to Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede, we would have gone to hear Sarah. When John McCain chose her as his running mate, VP, I vacillated between puzzled and miffed. I now believe she made the most positive difference in the campaign and if she had been given a freer reign, McCain could have done better. Maybe no one would have beat Obsama and the Bush hating media, but Sarah is a force. Maybe she won't run again, but she is going to be active and  will not go away!

I usually don’t buy books as soon as they are released, but when I saw this in Sam’s that day I put it in my shopping cart to support her. Contrary to what the hateful liberal critics say, I did not read any whining in this book. She is merely getting her side out there. Because I spent a long career in high levels of CA state government in several departments I absolutely believe what she says. I encountered some of the very same situations in my career. I know it happens. She is a woman of her word, unusual in politics. When Sarah says she will do something, count on it. Her allegiance to principles made many enemies for her early on in Alaska, even in her own Republican party. It certainly upset the Exxon oil company. I believe many of the difficulties she encounters still today have deep roots there. Repercussions of messing with big oil? I can believe it.

I now understand why she resigned as Governor, though I still wish she could have toughed it out. She was absolutely paralyzed by the ethics charges filed left and right by the DNC and the liberals. Alaska law allows anyone to file these, regardless of whether or not they are an Alaskan citizen.

I have been intrigued by her marriage to a blue collar guy because I have lived similarly with marriage Jerry for 42+ years. There is not the breadth of personal information in this book that I might have preferred. There is a bit about her childhood in Alaska and her college years and many photos. Most of the book is about her political experiences which are good reading too. She does describe life in the salmon fisheries, dog sledding, the Iditarod and life in Alaska. Nevertheless I absolutely enjoyed this book and it will remain among my collection. One of my favorite quotes is on page 386 where she espouses her belief that the “role of government is to protect us not to perfect us.” I hope her dad is right on when he says that, “Don’t worry about Sarah. She is not retreating, she’s just reloading!”

Friday, December 4, 2009

Branson Update 12-4 Friday

Back in our motor home now recovering from the morning business & resting up for tonight’s Andy Williams' Christmas show. Andy Williams’s birthday was yesterday and he is 82 or 83! That is hard to believe, Mr. Moon River is an octogenarian. That happens to be the name of his theater too, Moon River. What a place it is, one of the most magnificent here in Branson. Waterfalls, cliffs, ornamental huge statutes of moose, deer, more wrought iron and brass outside and all around the area thousands of trees with white lights. When I picked up our tickets yesterday, the box office said there were 400 seats left. I don't know the seating capacity but will ask. We are in the third row from the front. Lucky, but picture taking has been prohibited in all the shows so cannot imagine that Andy Williams venue will be different.
The Twelve Irish Tenors were superb entertainers. In an over two hour long show, they performed a great array of wonderful songs: (well yes there were arias in that array. yuk, yuk. Enough with the corniness, I have been hanging around the Branson shows too long. There are usually several corny jokes...this is an encouraging influence for someone like me who thrives on that type of play.)

• Irish medleys including Danny Boy and McNamara's Band which has been wandering through my head ever since we heard it yesterday; why do some things stick in the head?

• Pavarotti's selections from Puccini;

• Tributes to Mario Lanza'(memories of my grandmother who idolized Mario );

• Beatles Medley;

• Barry Mani low songs;

• Christmas songs including an Irish drinking song;

• Frank Sinatra songs;

• Josh Groan songs including my favorite "You Raise Me Up";

• And my tear jerker’s, "You'll Never Walk Alone" from Carousel; (This was my mom's favorite. I used it at her funeral and at Steve's service.). The other, "I Believe" another that Mom liked and one I have often hummed to myself when I could call up music in the dark times of my life. Why does this one remind me of the old TV show, Hit Parade? Must have heard it a lot then.

• Too many more to list.

The Branson Variety Theater seats 1600, but was only about half full and most of that with busloads. I have friends in La Crescent who have been to Branson on these bus tours. We have ever slightly considered doing that. Right decision because after observing the herds of elderlies on these tour busses, we would not be happy! Got to hand it to the folks, at least they are getting out, but several can barely walk and many look like they don't know where they are. Some use a cane or walker with someone on each side to hold them up. Looks like they emptied out care facilities. On the other hand Baptist churches from Texas, Arkansas, and Arizona and all over bring bus loads.

We drove over to the Lawrence Welk Theater, far outside the main Branson strip. The Welk resort is another small town, with condos and a gold course. My 92 year old friend Rena, from CA called me with a request when she got the email that we were going to Branson. Another assignment from Rena! I used to tease her that I was moving out of CA to avoid further assignments from her. She is a dear friend and up to teasing. It's the way this southern lady asks, no one ever refuses her. She is quite active and can keep her family and many of us friends busy. It was Rena who lured me to the Rose Societies and had me elected president twice! I have known her for a long time. She invited me to Business and Professional Women in the late 70's and had me elected President, and then expected me to go on to be district president. She was just waiting for me to retire to join the Arrangers Guild and the Garden Clubs. Ash, Rena is a story unto herself. But she wanted a Christmas CD by the Lennon sisters and cannot find one in CA, can I find out. Of course we would. Jerry likes her as much as I do, and remembered we had a task from Rena. The Welk Theater is where the Lennons perform along with Tony Orlando, the "Tie a Yellow Ribbon" guy. The Christmas show is on now. While I cruised the gift shop, Jerry checked out the auditorium--he said it must seat 3000. And the busloads were pouring in! But when did Tony Orlando, my contemporary reach the age of Welk performance? My 92 year old mother in law delights in Lawrence Welk reruns on PBS. When did Tony Orlando get so old? This is getting scary. I know I and my friends have our Medicare cards, but come on....we're not that old!

I just asked Jerry what has been his favorite so far and he concluded that it is impossible to pick a favorite. Each show has been so different that they can't be compared. He was stuck before he said it's not possible to choose one. The Duttons are a talented family of 4 generations now with the grandkids being added to the singing dancing, song writing, instruments; The Stampede was fun and western; the Tenors have magnificent voices, this morning's Christmas show was spectacular. Nope can't just pick one! This makes me smile and say, "YES" I selected these for an array of entertainment and we got it! I did well if I do say so meself...

One short coming was my booking us into this morning's Christmas show at 10:00. The show was the Broadway review of singers, dancers, costumes, and a mime and put the holiday mood into our hearts. But we had to get up and be about this morning before we wanted to do so. It has been freezing cold here and we'd have been happy to stay inside till later in the day. We came south for warm weather but MO has been colder than MN. These same phenomena occurred in 2004 when we went to spend Christmas in Louisiana with our friends and it froze. That year it snowed in New Orleans and Houston! We will be happy to head to the warmth of the north!

The Broadway Branson Christmas show was delightful from opening curtain. We were surprised when we noticed three of the Irish tenors in the cast; why not though, the pay must be better to perform in two venues. I noticed that most all the performers are small people, with the exception of the one tall blond tenor who is over 6'. Most appeared 5' 8" max with the girls maybe. How different from the Radio City Rockettes all of whom are to be minimum 5' 9" if I recall correctly, the taller the better. Costume changes and sequins galore. Sparkles for the season. This is the same theater where the tenors perform. Busloads came in for this performance too. We were familiar with our seat area from yesterday so we were standing for a bit because it would be a long time in the seats and ours were at the end of the row, so we were letting the row fill up.

It really is a small world, and I can hear God say, "I know, I made it!" We were talking with another couple from Mission, TX discussing the different venues. Most frequently when we say we are from La Crescent, MN no one has ever heard of it. But this man smiled. "So do you know Mac Dahl?" With mouth wide open and Jerry laughing, I replied, "very well. We go to the same church. We are frequently at the Legion together. Barb, his wife and I have the same birthday!" He revealed they are cousins! Can't wait to share that story back home.

Last night we ate at Starvin' Marvin's a Cajun seafood buffet among other foods. We got the senior discount of $19 each at the seafood buffet which included crab legs, fried catfish, boiled crawdads, shrimp (fried and boiled), other fish, and frog’s legs. For non seafood eaters or to balance out the proteins, fried chicken, and pork ribs Umm umm umm, Did we ever fill up! Hush puppies, fried okra, potatoes, green beans, giant size onion rings. Salad bar was full with veggies and all the expected standards and the very best ranch dressing I have ever had! Well I love crab but hate cracking it. Jerry usually foregoes the experience. The crab was so good that I got into it and then some, cracking and pulling it through the shell, dipping it into butter. Not only did I feast, I wore that crab! Although a roll of paper towels is provided it does get messy. I've not had crawdads since our Louisiana trips. Most of us just eat the meat from the tails, but we talked about our friend Marilyn who likes to suck out the bodies! After all that food, vanilla ice cream and choice of fresh cobbler. We both chose blackberry. Was it any wonder I had indigestion last night requiring dousing with Canada Dry ginger ale? I never have indigestion, so this was an event. I made a trip to the ladies room to scrub up and woke right up, only cold water wash! I really scrubbed up when we got home, had to get that crab, shrimp, fish smell gone! Worth the experience one time!

We will top all this with Andy Williams tonight. It has been a pleasurable trip and we are glad we came in the off season. Our short visit to Dick's 5 and 10 in old downtown Branson today sent us gladly to the motor home. Just seeing 5 and 10 advertised took me back to the glory days of New Kensington and Murphy's 5 & 10. Dick's is a massive variety store, a full city block. The herds of folks discouraged me from looking too long. Weekend is arriving and the final crowds for the season are arriving. Sadly I noticed most items made in China, so much for 5 & 10! Have not bought trinkets this trip. Only my two tops at Dressin Gaudy!