CHILDRENS VENTRILOQUIST NEED TO COME UP WITH MANY TOPICS THAT INVOLVE THOSE CHILDREN

Children run the gamete of moods, of being picked on, in any local that they live or play in. An example could be 'children go to the zoo and are bullied by there classmates with various insults, you've heard may of them before, They may be on the ball park and are selected last, because they are considered to weak for that sport. They could be from another country and their eyes may be slanted, or the color of their skin is of another shade. They are gay and not excepted in playtime with the rest of the kids....how do you think all this might make a child feel? Not very good I would imagine. Ever been to another country where they speak a language you don't understand, instead of taking the time to learn or to teach a language where everyone can understand each other, they make fun of those children that are new. Here are a few other topics that can hurt the feelings of a child and what to do about it. A great example was made public while a child performer was presented, he informed the judges and the viewing audience that he was picked on due to the fact that he was in the choir...He proved them so wrong when he opened his mouth to sing and was immediately excepted by everyone who was viewing his performance... He made it all the way to the semi-finals.

THESE ARE MORE TOPICS TO PONDER LEARNING
Acceptence... Anger Asking for Help...
Belonging... Boys Who Play With Girls Toys... Bullying....
Consideration... Cooperation...
Differences.... Drugs....
Exclusion....
Feelings.... First day at School Jitters (stage freight)... Friends...
Girls Who Play with Boys Toys.... Grouchiness....
Hugs.... Happiness....
Invitations to Parties, ect....
Judging Others....
Kindness... Keep a Friend Be a Friend...
Laughter.... Listening....
Morals.....
Name Calling....
Opposites.... Ostracize....
Physical Bullying.... Psychological Bullying.... Put downs....
Respecting Others.... Rules and Regulations....
Sadness....School Violence....Self Awareness....Self Empowerment....Self Worth.... Sharing....Stereotypes....
Tattle-Telling....Teachers Pet....Teasing....
Unfriendly Behavior....
Verbal Bullying....Verbal Expressions (swearing, cursing)

YOU MUST HAVE BEEN ASKED AT LEAST ONCE IN YOUR CAREER 'WHAT IS VENTRILOQUISM?'

Here is how I visualize ventriloquism...Did you ever eavesdrop on a conversation that sounded exciting, just because it was? Well that's what ventriloquism is, its eavesdropping on a juicy and exciting conversation between the ventriloquist and his figure. Its like someone talking on a phone and you don't want to miss one juicy morsel of this, its funny, its sad its all the moods. Its exciting, it grabs your attention, It could take place in a supermarket, a Laundromat, on a cruise ship, it could take place everywhere, and you are invading the funny stuff.
So while writing your material write it in that form to give the impression that a conversation is going on and without you knowing your being intruded upon.

LESSONS IN STILL LIPS

The following lessons will have labial letters included within the word. If you find the word difficult at the beginning to say use your substitute letters. Of course, these are not all substitutes fixed in stone, you may choose one of your own that sounds like the original letter. I never said that these sentences had to make any sense.

B = D, F = eth, M = N, P = T, V = the, W = ooo

A = Abbi Alligator asked to be an astronaut.
B = already is a labial so be careful
Bobby has a brand new brown bike.
C = I can catch a crawling crab and a cowardly crocodile.
D = Daddy fell down after dancing with the dog.
E = Eddie eats eggplants early in the evening. (Wow, an easy one!)
F = WOW! another labial.
Four friendly fishermen fished Friday morning. (This made up for the last one...ha ha ha)
G = Gary's girlfriend gets goosebumps on a chilly morning.
H = Harry and Fred get hiccups hopping vigorously.
I = Ivy invented itchy ice cream.
J = Jeff eats jam and peanut butter, I eat peanut butter and jam.
K = Kimberly keeps kissing Kobe while he is eating his breakfast vigorously. (This sentence
uses all of the labials.)
L = Lawrence and Lucy love lollipops. (Keep an eye out for those lollitots.)
M = here's another labial.
Mommy makes meatballs and macaroni for Marvin and me.
N = Norman knows a newspaperman whose name is No.
O = Oswald is an optimistic octopus.
P = Here is one of the most difficult labials to pronounce.
Pam and her brother Peter plow very perfect rows on the farm. (All the labials.)
Q = Quit quacking said the queasy queen. (wait this is not a labial, but it is a semi labial, qu=k)
R = Robert Rabbit rides rough roads rigorously. (HEY! Wait a minute, what's that gh? What's
it sound like? An F. What's the substitute for F? Go back up and look. Another semi-
labial.)
S = Steven sews Sue's sweaters while swimming in a sewer. (Remember, I said they were
going to be silly.)
T = Twins Tim and Tabitha Terriffic eats taffy and twinkies every Thursday.
U = Underdog hid upstairs under the umbrella in his underwear.
V = here is yet another labial
Velma and Vivian, the vampires, have voices that are very voluminous.
W = and now for the last labial
William wanted a warm woobie when he went to west (Hahaha, so did the wascally wabbit)
X= Xavier went to the hospital to take an X-ray
Y= Young cowboys yearn for a yodle with yippies and yahoos.
Z = Zany Zebra Zack zoomed to the zoo zestfully.

The above alphabetic sentences are there to teach you your labials. Hopefully, you might have other sentences that you could use in its place. Do not be afraid to use mine as you will. Good luck with your still lips. Any questions? Feel free to contact me.

PUTTING TOGETHER A SHOW by Tony Borders

The words that you are about to see are exactly the words that was written by Tony on May 27, 2007, re-written here for your knowledge.

Here are some thoughts for putting together a theme show, whether it is for a library, school, church, birthday, ...

1. Choose the theme. (ex. bullying)
2. Study it. Pay particular attention to the things that are new to you. If it is new to you, it is probably new to your audience as well.
3. Pick 3-5 main points you want the audience to remember.
4. Pick little points under these main points.
5. List all the creative things you can do...pantomime, balloon twists, art, ventriloquism, magic, puppetry, story-telling, etc.
6. Match #4 with #5. What is the best way to teach something on list #4 using something from list #5 (ex. 4, tell an adult. 5, vent skit)
7. Start writing.
8. Review the 3-5 main points.
These examples have been added by N. Jay
1. Cooperation, Sharing, Caring, Respect, Consideration.
2. Time to do a lot of research, whatever you choose to discuss as an assembly be sure you know as much about it as possible, there will be questions asked.
3. This is very self-explanatory. There are points that must be emphasized and remembered regarding your topic. In your routine have them stand out by making your figure say something pertaining to that detail.
4. Now each one of these points have other issues in relationship to them.
5. With your talent bring out these issues on a level that is understandable to your audience.
6. Now with the talent such as ventriloquism using your vent figure talk about those topics and sub-topics.
7. Once you have this information in your mind in the order you'd like to present it, begin writing it down putting it into an outline form.
8. Now, it's time to practice, practice, practice. Know your topic. Know your routine. Know your audience. And, be polished and honed.
9. Even though there is no #9, in reality there is. #9 is research and the research is at your fingertips, the Internet is a warehouse of knowledge on every conceivable topic you can imagine. The Internet not only will help you with your topic but will help you locate jokes pertaining to that topic.
10. Depending upon the age group you are working with, a great idea could be to tell a story and have your vent figure play one of the main characters in the story whether he is being bullied or learning to cooperate, the children will not only learn faster but will also enjoy the assembly.
11. Be careful when putting your routine together for copyrighting, public domain. It is a well-known fact that a story becomes public domain 50 years after the author's demise.

Other things that can always be added: Audience warm-up, this day in history, examples from popular fiction or history, quotations, character build-up quick routines

THIS ENDS THIS PORTION OF THIS ENTRY..WATCH FOR MORE TO COME.

3 TYPES OF DISTANT VOICES

The ventriloquist has his hands full oops I mean his mouth full when it comes to the distant voice. Not only does the ventriloquist have to learn to speak for his friend in his normal vent voice, but he must also be able to speak in a near-distant, distant, and muffled voice. Now the near-distant voice would give the impression that someone is nearby but not immediately along side of him, they could be on the other side of the room. As for the distant voice, someone could be outside of the window, next door, upstairs in the attic or downstairs in the basement. The muffled voice gives the impression of someone who is behind closed doors, your character can still be in a trunk or there could be a blanket over him, or, as the Great Lester used in his vaudeville act 'on the other end of a phone line'. These are all variations of the same technique. When you master the 3 techniques you will find that there are innumerable types of distant voices as you can make the voice come nearer or further away.

How does a ventriloquist make the voice seem distant? It is by proper use of his diaphragm and compressing of his voice muscles when speaking so the vibration of the vocal chords are prevented from the voice actually sounding like its coming out of the oral or nasal cavity. Picture yourself lifting one end of a couch and when you are doing it make the sound of "aaaahh", like when you are lifting something very heavy, this is the sound that you are looking for. In your practice, actually lift something that is almost impossible to lift by yourself. Now concentrate on the sound that you make trying to do that. There is your sound. OK. Now depending on how hard you squeeze gives the illusion of being further and further away.

I would not recommend practicing too much at the beginning due to the strain that one puts upon their throat muscles. As you progress with this sound, your muscles will get stronger and stronger and your practice time will get longer and longer.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT-THEATRE MEETS VAUDEVILLE

SILILOQUY FOR TWO: June 12 & 13 - 8:00 - Main Stage

Benefit for EXIT Theatre, 156 Eddy, SF.
Tickets/info - http://www.theexit.org/ - 415-673-3847
Written and performed by: Actor/ventriloquists: Coulter and Star
Theatre meets vaudeville for puppetry that pulls your strings. A show of frivolity, drama and audience improvisation. This two act recital features edgy humor and short plays.
Ruby Lounge Confession proceeds from mirth to murder.
Inherit To Die is a deadly backstage battle of wills.
Voice illusionists, Ron Coulter and Sid Star, promise to “delight and amaze with virtuosity, comedy and the unexpected.” “I really enjoyed the concept of this show.... I enjoy being challenged..."
Richard Hinojosa
http://www.nytheatre.com/
Check out Talkin broadway.
http://www.talkinbroadway.com/allthatchat/d.php?id=1728531
Check out Broadway world.
http://BroadwayWorld.com/viewcolumn.cfm?colid=54168
This show combines the best of our recent New York show, Jihad for Vent and Dummy, our evening of one-act plays titled Last Act For Walter Gordon, and 50 years of fun-filled foolishness. You will find details, background, photos and reviews at our website.
Ron of
Coulter and Star ventriloquists
http://www.coulterandstar.com/
415/552-6672

THE MAGIC HE MAKES FOR ALL KIDS YOUNG OR OLD

His name is Mike Randall, he is a magician and ventriloquist and he says he never met a puppet he didn't like!
At the age of 7 Mike was in an automobile accident and had to be hospitalized for 3 months. Grandma to the rescue while in bed in the hospital, he needed something to keep his mind and hands busy, so grandma bought him 7 Disney puppets. Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Shaggy Dog and some other characters as well, this kept the young lad busy while waiting to be released to go home, but while playing with these puppets it started a young boy on a path that would open many doors.

For holidays and birthday gifts mike wanted just one thing, you guessed it puppets and vent figures. Not only were they given to him, he also learned to make his own, from what ever was laying around, socks, paper mache, plastic wood, even paper bags.

Like many baby boomers, Mike was entertained by the Ventriloquist Greats of the 50's & 60's Bergen and McCarthy, Winchell and Mahoney and Knucklehead and Jimmy Nelson Danny O'Day At the age of 11 or 12 Mike got his hands on Winch's "Ventriloquism For Fun & Profit" and immediately went to work talking to "himself" and building puppets.

After graduating he soon auditioned and won the role of the "Marvelous Magical Burger King"(1978) for Western New York, Pennsylvania and Southern Ontario. One of twenty "Kings" hired and trained by the Burger King Corporation, Mike learned first hand about performing magic for children, presenting hundreds of shows over a two year period. Soon becoming a leading king under the tutelage of Tony Hassini the great magician and special effects coordinator. Soon Mike was training other kings for Burger King.

Mike created his one man show of Mark Twain, performing nation all. While putting together his one man shows he is still performing his magic and ventriloquism. If you have further information on Mike Randall let us know here.

LET MAKE A FOAM PUPPET-ITS JUST THE BASIC

Everyone has at some point in their life built a puppet whether it was of foam or cloth while you were in elementary school, you must have done some thing.. Well lets go back to the basics and do it again... We will go to the next step at a futher date, I would appreciate some imput and or what you have built and how you did it.

What you'll need:

12 inch square of foam rubber, one-quarter-inch to one-half-inch' thick Scraps of felt, fabric, yarn, colored paper, buttons Stapler Rubber cement

Background:

Kids can go wild with their characterization of this puppet. The face and mouth can be very expressive. Experiment with the variety of movements that thumb and fingers can make.

Setting up:

Staple two sides of the foam rubber together to form a tube. This is your first test, if you were to make it for a child us glue, remember when gluing to fold the glue sides inside. Form the puppet's face by putting one hand in the tube and tucking the edges in to make a wide cuff. Thumb and fingers should be inside the cuff.
Bend wrist forward to form the head. Continue to shape the foam until satisfied with the look of the face.
Construct and glue on the facial features one by one, putting the puppet on the hand to guide each feature's placement.

Remember I said these were the basics...got any better ideas lets hear from you about them.

THIS INFORMATION WAS GOTTEN FROM VARIOUS SOURCES WITH SOME OF MY EXPERIENCES INCLUDED.

Reading is the key to most new experiences, so my frioends read, learn the craft, what I am attempting here is to open a door just enough to let you peek in, but you need to, get completely inside stroll around and get aquainted. Read up on everything you can get your hands on pertaining to puppet making, so you get the inside dope on the workings of that puppet. If you need to become aquainted with the world of puppets go to The puppeteers united Blog, which has one of the most extensive lists of puppet links available. Get a good glue gun and some sewing basic skills. Cut out the shapes and patterns on a posterboard. When you get your pattern, you should adhere it to some poster board and cut out the individual shapes. First cut the rough shape of the piece and then tack it down. Use double sided tape to hold your patterns in place. What takes up the most time is cutting the patters and material.

When you first begin go the cheap way out and buy your foam and fleese from a fabric store. Again - READ - and remember the terms 'Reticulated Foam' and Antron Fleece. here is a surprise for you, the head is just one piece of foam. Some suggest a firm material such as cardboard or foam, it helps hold the shape of the head, for the core for the mouth plate. The pattern is also made so that you can improvise. When forming the head you will make it with the hole for the hand to enter throught the neck. Make sure you make the hole big enough for your hand to slide in ansd out without any problem. I also like the method of joining the back/ inside of the mouth plates with one piece of fabric. The mouth is lined in front with black felt and ready for the next step.

Each part of the body has a seperate pattern, such as arm, hand, tongue. Your puppet can be made of fleece or foam your choice. You can make one hand arm pattern as well. You need to fill the hand and arm use a poly-fil. Make sure to make a joint at each area a joint is required, elbo, wrist, knee, ankle, What to use to form the rotary, a half or 3/4 of a ball the size of a ping pong might work for you. Lets make a face cut the pattern for the nose, eyes, eye lids ears mouth, lips, remember to use the hair wig line for the ears, and eyes positioning.

Be sure to give your puppet big eyes use a ping pong ball cut in half, and artistically color in the center of the eye in the color you desire. Be sure that each step you add to the finished product gets photographed, the reason for this is so that in the future you have a photographic record of your progress, also write down each step of your progress. You might want to place the parts in there desired location befor gluing them in place to see what it looks like. If you desire eyebrows cut a small piece from the wig, or a goatee as well, or mustache, you choose. When placing the red tongue, the roof should have a small black piece towards back to give impression of throat.

SO YOU WANT TO BE A STORYTELLER DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES-LETS SEE

1-Be sure when reading to your audience you present the characters personality into your story, this way you present the personalities in a very real way, and you yourself will enjoy the story as well.

2- When reading about a time frame be sure to bring that time frame into your character. Such as the Chinese dynasty, an accent of oriental flavor might work here, an English era may require more formal and rigid stance. So be sure you include that into the story.

3-When reading the narrators portion of the story change the tone of your voice, but keep that air of enthusiasm. Give each character their own voice and personality. Remember the narrator give the movement of events.

4-Like any other type of practice when it comes to showmanship, use a mirror, pretend you are looking out at your audience. Now read your story. Read to the level of the group that the story is meant for, even if the audience is mixed of that age, older and mixed family. If the story is meant for adults, use tones that would be used in general conversation among the characters with less facial expressions. Facial expressions are meant for the younger audience to get caught up in the story. The narrator is there for direction and information and tonal wise as well.

5-Turn on your educational shows for children, watch how each character speaks with the others, bring the same amount of fun and excitement to your stories when it comes to children.

6-When it comes to adults, classic movies always work to help a storyteller bring out the characters, the style and tone each uses with the others. Now put yourself into each characters part, be the character. The narrator is as clear as a bell. For that matter the entire story should be of the same quality clear and precise.

7-Go to your local library and get some taped books and listen to the way the story is read, and put the same emphasis into your stories. Take notice of all aspects the narrator and the characters in the story.

8-One of the most important parts of reading to children is to use bright and clear facial expressions., While telling the story search the room, look at each member of your audience, bring them into your story. Here is a trick for those who find looking directly at each member I
was taught that if you can't look directly at your audience look over their heads.

9-Try to put to memory as much of the story as possible, this is better when your speaking to a large group.

Practice practice practice in front of a mirror, with members of your family or friends, get constructive criticism from them, if they are honest in this regard.

11-Tape record and or video tape yourself and do a self critique, be honest and correct the mistakes, this is the time to clear away those bugs.

FOLLOW THESE TIPS AND YOU WILL BE A SURE FIRE STORYTELLER
A: Keep a positive frame of mind
B: Keep your face animated and lively when bringing in the characters
C: Show feelings in your characters voice tone
D: There could be mid sentence character feeling changes
E:PRACTICE...PRACTICE...PRACTICE...The quickest way to Hollywood is this way...hahaha!!!
F: Read out loud and use voice tone, put your whole self into your storytelling.
G: Read as if your having a conversation.
H: Be a good performer and you will be a good storyteller.

BET YOU DIDN'T KNOW THAT W C FIELDS WAS ONE OF THE WORLDS GREATEST JUGGLERS

During his younger years W. C. Fields was one of the most successful comedy juggler of that era. When was he born, was it? April 9th of 1879? or was it Jan 29th of 1880? Well according to difference sources, it was both. how's that for juggling? By his own records he claims to have begun his juggling at the age of 15 in Pennsylvania., after witnessing the juggling Burns Broythers. he was already working at the Pier in Atlantic City. By the time he was 19 he joined the keith Vaudeville circuit, for a11/2 years whicj brought him to NYC and the Orpheum Circcuit. On stage he was billed as the 'Eccentric Tramp Juggler' dressing as a tramp, donning a fake beard, and over applied eye makeup. His comedy was physical character comedy and never uttered a word while in character. Fields claims to have practiced for two years to perfect the trick of kicking a top hat up to a stick balanced on his forehead. Another difficult trick consisted of balancing a top hat, cigar, and whisk broom on his foot, then kicking them up so that the cigar goes to his mouth, the hat to his head, and the broom to his back pocket. In his act he used balls,hats, a cane and some cigar boxes, then developing the pool table gimmicks that was shown in his movies years later. his desire was to make the character more important than tricks (though his tricks were not easy), and turning his juggling act into a true performance. He soon went into burlesque with Fred Irwins 'The Majestics' , Martin Beck caught his act and booked him to the Opheum. From 1905-15 he toured Europe twice, endless trips to Europe and the best Vaudeville houses in the USA. In 1913 he did a command performance for the King and Queen of England. In 1915 while touring Europe he opened his mouth and out poured his new act, between 1915-21 he joined Ziegfeld Follies with his juggling act especially is pool stick routine, his tramp act was disappearing and his humor was replacing it. WC went on to to make the movies that would make him famous, he did broadway shows, radio and went on to world prominence and the rest is hollywood history. How much do you remember about WC Fields, bet you'd like to share some of it here.

WINNER OF THE RINGLING BROTHERS BARNUM AND BAILEY LIFETIME ACHEIVEMENT AWARD LOU JACOBS

Lou Jacobs has spent more then 60 years in the clowning world, and became one of the most famous. Lou (Ludwig Jacob) was born in Bremerhaven, Germany in 1903. He came to America in 1923 at the age of 19, changing his name to Lou Jacobs. He soon found work as a acrobat in outdoor fairs and vaudeville in NYC, soon joining Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus and like they say the rest is clown history. Throughout his life he kept love and kindness and compassion in his heart and taught it to the world. What he was given in love from his audience he gave back to the clown community twice fold. You might remember the red and white midget clown car, his idea, the car was 2 feet by 3 feet and Lou was 6 ft 1 in., due to his earlier days as a tumbler and contortionist he was able to do it with ease. Remember the big game hunter his dog who would play the part of a bwatty rabbit and be shot by Lou, then played dead , realizing the it was his dog he would mourn and cry, soon his fateful pal would wake up and reunite and everyone was happy. His dogs was his chihuahua, Knucklehead and he played in many of Lou's skits for the next 14 years. Lou made the most of his own gags, many of which became Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus classics. He brought his healing power to hospitals and even brought it to children who survived Nazi concentration camps in 1948. In 1952 he appeared in the movie "the Greatest Show On Earth" 1953 he married former model Jean Rockwell and aerialist with the circus. In 1966 he was honored with his face on a postage stamp. When he retired from the clowning he became one of the founding fathers of the clown college, giving the knowledge that took him a lifetime to learn, passed onto his students. Lou continued in this capacity till his failing health caused him to stop, but even though he was ill he still found it in him to keep the spirits that won him world fame high. He became the master clown, the clowns highest degree. He was showered with awards and accolades. In 1987 he was given the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Lifetime Achievement, 1988 he was given a star at Sarasota's Circus Ring of Stars. 1989 Lou was enshrined in the Circus Hall of Fame in Peru, Indiana, as well as the Clown Hall of Fame in Delavan, Wisconsin. He was also honored at the International Circus Festival of Monte Carlo. Lou lives on in the hearts of all that is circus and clowning, because he was the epitome of the clown, laughter and kindness, he lived his life in and outside the circus the same way.A clown in the truest of spirits.

THE CLOWN KINGS OF THE CLOWN HALL OF FAME AND WATCH FOR THEIR UPCOMMING STORIES

INTERNATIONAL CLOWN HALL OF FAME

“Clown Hall of Fame members”
1989 Lou Jacobs, Mark Anthony, Felix Adler, Emmett Kelly Sr., Red Skelton, Otto Griebling
1990 Leon “Buttons” McBryde, Bob “Clarabell” Keeshan, Joseph Grimaldi
1991 Bobby Kaye, Frankie Saluto, Michael Polakov, Glen Little, Dan Rice
1992 “Prince Paul” Alpert, Adrien “Grock” Wettach, Paul Jung, Gene “Cousin Otto” Lee, Arthur “Vercoe” Pedlar
1993 Roy “Cookie” Brown, Steve “T.J.Tatters” Smith, Albert Fratellini, Al Ross, Oleg Popov
1994 Annie Fratellini, “Bumpsey Anthony” Hulme, Jim Howle, Joe Jackson Sr., Nicolai “CoCo” Polisakoff
1995 “Edwin “Poodles” Hanneford, Dimitri, Jimmy “Happy” Williams, Don “Homer “ Bruda, Chester Sherman, Joe Vanni
1996 Bob “Bozo” Bell, Jackie LeClaire, Bert Williams, Bill “Boom-Boom” Bailey
1997 George Footit, Raphael “ Chololat” Padilla
1998 Robert Armin, Ernie “Blinko” Burch, Peggy Williams
1999 Bill Irwin, Richard “Snowflake” Snowberg, Charlie Rivel, Bob “Hambone” Hamilton, Umberto “Antonet” Guillame
2000 George Fox, Francios & Paul Fratellini, Duane “Uncle Soapy” Thorpe, Nola Rae, Francesco Caroli
2001 Billy Baker, Bill Balantine, Charlie Chaplin, Irvin Romig
2002 Alvin Eisenberg, Barry “Grandma” Lubin, Charlie Caroli, Harold “Happy” Kellems
2004 Earl “Mr. Clown” Chaney, Pinto Colvig, W.D. “Curley” Robbins, Giovanni “Nino” Zoppe

“Lifetime of Laughter Awards”
1990 Larry Harmon
1990 Willard Scott
1991 Max Patkin
1991 Aye Jaye
1992 Allen Hall
1993 Kohl & Company
1994 Ben Barkin
1995 Dr. Joel Goodman
1997 Charles “Chappie” Fox
1998 Alan Livingston
1999 Keith “Glitsy” Crary
2000 Meadowlark Lemon

THOSE WONDERFUL DAYS OF THE TV VARIETY SHOWS, TALK SHOWS, AMATUER SHOWS HIGHLIGHTED OUR TALENT

I remember fondly the days of the TV variety show, shows like Ed Sullivan, Milton Berle, Hollywood Palace,Laugh In, The Dean Martin Show, just to name a few who spot lighted many talents who would otherwise have gone unknown, we name one particular person who has just left our world for the big variety in the sky, Danny Gans...who I am sure would gone on to super stardom. Talk shows that spotlighted talent like the Johnny Carson tonight show, Letterman show, Joe Franklin (famous for making some bodies from no bodies)Merv Griffin, Mike Douglas were all talk shows that spotlighted variety show acts, let us not forget shows like the Origional amateur Hour and shows like that, they are all missed they all brought new talent to our living rooms each and every day. The problem today is they have just about done away with those shows, Its just to costly to have those kind of shows, once a talent gets going TV can't afford that talent any longer how sad is that? I say lets bring some form of it back... Maybe in the disguise of AMERICA'S GOT TALENT...who knows? Wanna make something out of this lets see what you all have to add...

LAS VEGAS ENTERTAINER DANNY GANS DIES AT 52

Gans has been a Las Vegas entertainer for more than 12 years at the Mirage, before Terry Fator took control,he has been performing as a self-described "musical impressionist." He was scheduled to perform his show tonight at the Encore Theater at the Encore Las Vegas Resort.

At this time his death is undisclosed. He dies at about 3:30am., complained of shortness of breath, by the time the ambulence arrived he was dead. He loved family God and vegas equally. Danny leaves a wife Julie 28 years and 3 children. He was known as the man of many voices, has won the entertainer of the year 11 times. He headlined in Vegas and the surrounding area for many years.

Larry King did a special tribute to Larry Gans as well as Sunday Morning on CBS did another tribute, for someone who wasn't that well known he was very much appreciated. Well I for one have enjoyed the talent of this man from his impersonations his comedy and his singing, he was a one man show with a stage filled with talent.

We in the entertainment world have lost a headliner. His talent went beyond Vegas...The sadness has left a young family without a heart..in time the love of that heart will find a place in their world again. Lord make a lot of room a big talent is comming your way. Prayers to the family.