Monkee Shines
The Purple Flower Gang July 2003 Issue 56
Monkee Shines Operation Frontier Days: Shock and Awe!
Micki, Colleen, Shane, Janet. Tom, Cindy, Hannah, & Kimmi Photo by Bonnie Borgh
Inside:
He Said/ She Said Part X :A Tale Of Two Cities
Shock And Awe (“Borrowed From “Dubya”)
INCOGNITO INTERACTIVE— Emergency Response System
A Tree Grows in Louisville Birthdays
Pen Pals When The Girls Come Out All Jones All The Time Shock And Awe Davy News Peter News Mike News Micky News Words!
Editor: Cindy Bryant with a little help from my friends, The Road Crew. Monkeeing around since 1987
Monkee Shines
Table of Contents
Membership dues are $10 (US & Canada) and $15 (Overseas). Ads are $25 for a full page, $10 for half page, and $5 for a quarter page. Money orders are preferred. Cash at own risk. Make all payments payable to Cindy Bryant NOT the PFG. Mail to: The Purple Flower Gang, 1803 Lucas Street, Muscatine, Iowa 52761.
Letter From The Editor ........................... 2 Personal Ads ............................................ 4 Wasted Days & Wasted Nights .............. 5 Bright Side Of The Night ....................... 5 Birthdays .................................................. 6 Pen Pals .................................................... 8 A Fish Tale From Waukesha .................. 9 Peter’s News ............................................ 11 Micky’s News .......................................... 12 Mike’s News ............................................ 13 David’s New’s ......................................... 14 Incognito Interactive ............................... 15 Shock & Awe .......................................... 17 A Tree Grows In Louisville .................... 20 He Said She Said Part X (A Tale Of Two Cities) ....................................................... 21 Aida .......................................................... 48 All Jones All The Time ........................... 50 When The Girls Come Out ..................... 52
If you find a stamp in this area, your membership has expired with this issue. Please renew as soon as possible to assure your next issue. This is the only notice you will get.
Special thanks to: The PFG Road Crew (Bonnie, Shane, Kimmi, Colleen, and Tom & Janet) who are the best family anyone could ever have—I love you guys! Craig Borgh for his travel expertise and Grandpa Borgh for just being one of the Gang and for asking the really tough questions!, Micky, Mike, Peter, and David and their families for changing our lives more than they could possibly know or
Monkee Shines is printed by Mailboxes & Parcel Depot pfg@machlink.com
http://purpleflowergang.tripod.com/
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Monkee Shines
From the Editor! didn't pay much attention to what he said.......but he did say he was on his way to 2 concerts this weekend......Detroit according to the schedule.....and was thinking about renting a car and driving. . This afternoon on the noon news there was a special segment about the famous stranded passenger.....again David......more footage. He said he wasn't worried about it.....he loves Chicago and started singing the song Chicago, Chicago.....said he may just stay here. Janet
Dear Gang, Got this email from Janet Litterio during the power outage that hit the eastern half of the US: Hi Cindy, Last night I was listening to the news at 9...we just got home from dropping Brian off at school and I was putting some things away. Last weekend, they had a story on the news about a pet monkey that had escaped and was on the loose in an area of Chicago, so they kept talking about the loose monkey. Ok, so on the news last night, they said they managed to find a stranded monkey at O'Hare last night due to the flight delays and cancellations. I thought that someone's pet monkey had escaped in the airport, or something equally as stupid. So I'm listening...my back was to the screen and I hear a familiar voice with an English accent. Seems as though David was the stranded Monkee at O'Hare...not someone's pet. I was so shocked to see him, I
You just never know where the guys are going to pop up, do you? This newsletter is just a little late because we wanted to include the Arlington Heights story and the Aida story. Thanks for your patience. Hope you all are getting into some Monkee Business this summer. We need your stories so let us know what you are doing! Until next time! Cindy
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Do you know who you are?
Shanie, FANTASTIC!! Signed the little snot
Bonnie
Colleen, The Ex-President and her husband are sorry they missed you. Maybe next time! Your Chaauffer
The Craig Borgh Travel Agency “He’s everywhere you want to be!”
Hannah, I need a sugar fix! You bring the juice boxes and I’ll bring the cotton candy! Love Your PIC
Shanie, Do you like Jazz? Cindy
Aunt Bonnie, I’ll be thinking of you in October. And only you! We’ll road trip to PA with Hannah and show the others what for! :-D The Other Unfortunate One
Yes, I’m a guy who slept in a canopy bed. I’m okay with that. Deal with it … You know who!
Mumsy, It’s a pirate’s life for me! Savvy? Barbossa, baby!! But why is the rum gone? Love your evil child
Colleen, What? You don’t like the blues? How about a little JAZZ? Shane
Janet,
Shane I hear that Wallace Furniture is having a sale this month on canopy beds. :o)
Thanks for the great seats!:-) Kimmi
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Monkee Shines It’s always nice to hear David sing “new” material. “Wasted Days and Wasted Nights” by Freddy Fender and “Bright
Bright Side Of The Road Van Morrison
Side of the Road” by Van Morrison were two selections which he performed at Frontier Days on July 5, 2003.
From the dark end of the street To the bright side of the road We’ll be lovers once again On the bright side of the road.
Wasted Days And Wasted Nights
Little darling’ come with me Won’t you help me share my load From the dark end of the street To the bright side of the road.
Freddy Fender (1st Verse) Wasted days and wasted nights, I have left for you behind For you don’t belong to me, Your heart belongs to someone else.
Into this life we’re born Baby sometimes we don’t know why And time seems to go by so fast In the twinkling of an eye. Let’s enjoy it while we can Won’t you help me sing my song From the dark end of the street To the bright side of the road.
(2nd Verse) Why should I keep loving you, When I know that you’re not true? And why should I call your name, When you’re to blame For making me blue?
From the dark end of the street To the bright side of the road We’ll be lovers once again On the bright side of the road We’ll be lovers once again On the bright side of the road.
(Chorus) Don’t you remember the day That you went away and left me? I was so lonely, Prayed for you only, My love.
Http://www.elyrics.net Photo by Bonnie Borgh
(2nd Verse) (Lead) (Chorus) (1st Verse) (2nd Verse) Http://www.lyricsxp.com 5
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October 2 8 9 13 14 17 18 20 22 23 24
Talia Jones Bill Martin John Entwistle Lisa James Cliff Richards Gary Puckett Chuck Berry Jay Siegal Ward Sylvester Annette Funicello Jennifer McLeod Bill Wyman 28 Dave Evans 30 Grace Slick 31 Denise Gauthier
September 1 3 4 5 6 8 9 10 12 14 16 17 18 19 22 23 24 26 27 28 29
Barry Gibb Georgia Dolenz Alan Jardine Jessica Jones John Stewert Henry Diltz Irwin Charone Stu Philips Jessica Nesmith Nurit Wilde Danny Hutton The Monkees’ TV Show Premiered in 1966 Barry Cowsill Helene Winston Steve Blauner Frankie Avalon Paul Williams David Pearl Kathleen Scott David Price Gerry Marsden Michael G. Bush Carl Ballantine Kimmi Janvrin Tommy Boyce James Frawley Jerry Lee Lewis
November 1
Larry Gelman Lulu 5 Peter Noone Rob Grill 6 Colleen Johnson 7 Johnny Rivers Celine Allan 9 Severn Darden Maria Tereza Pinho Gomes Da Silva 11 Jack Keller Paul Cowsill 12 Neil Young 14 Freddie Garity 15 Petula Clark 22 Diane Klosak 24 Jim Yester 6
Monkee Shines 26 Tina Turner Bonnie Borgh 29 Denny Doherty Felix Cavaliere 30 Dick Clark
22 Ivan Iannoli-Thorkelson Robin & Maurice Gibb 23 Cyndi Torres 25 Little Richard Phil Spector 29 Ray Nitschke 30 David Jones Michael Nesmith Red Rhodes Bo Diddley Beverly Ann Clark
December 2 3 8 9 11 14 15 17 18 20 21
Janelle Scott Len Lester Joe Korowski Donny Osmond Teri Garr Richard Devon Doug Marion George Furth Rodney Bingenheimer Dave Clark Anita Jones Keith Richards Charlie Callas Frank Zappa Carl Wilson James Elswick
Blast from the past: Micky at the 19987 Chicago Auto Show.
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Photo by Cindy Bryant
Monkee Shines
Celine Allan 9208 Angora Street Dallas, TX 75218
Debbie Kolbaba PO Box 89 Holstein, IA 51025
Beverly Ann Clark 2710 Crestmont Drive Garland, TX 75040
Rachel Walker 1514 Sunnyhills Drive Brandon, Florida 33510
Christina Gautreaux 1221 11th Street Lot 5 Dewitt, IA 52742
Kathy Brewer 1198 Turkey Blind Road Crossville. TN 38572
Diane Klosak 2101 Nicholas Ct Bettendorf, IA 52722
Colleen Johnson 9104 Lemona Drive St. Louis, MO 63123
Joyce Lopez 358 Superior St. Paul. MN 55102
Joe Korowski 6 Bluebird Lane Atkinson, NH 03811
Cyndi Torres 3703 Country Club Drive #11 Long Beach, CA 90807
Shane Worden 306-A Waugoo Avenue Oshkosh WI 54901
Susan Bragga 4222 West Robin Meadows Lane Eau Claire. WI 54701
Write to your favorite Monkee at:
Davy Jones PO Box 400 Beavertown, PA 17180
Maria Tereza Pinho Gomes Da Silva Rua Virginia Vidal No 59 Tanque Rio De Janiero RJ Cep22.735-080 Brazil
Peter Tork 524 San Anselmo Suite 102 San Anselmo, CA 94960 Micky Dolenz DP Productions 15030 Ventura Blvd Suite 812 Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
Julie Harris 3611 185th Street NW Lot 207 Oranoco, MN 55960
Mike Nesmith Video Ranch 8 Harris Court Suite C1 Monterey, CA 93940
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Monkee Shines
A Fish Tale from Waukesha Little did this girl, or anyone else know, David had also spotted this goldfish. He’s telling a story and without missing a beat tells the girl to “open the bag so the oxygen can get into the water so the fish can breathe.” These instructions sound like part of the show…so the girl is sitting on Mom’s lap grinning, with the bag closed. David then says…. “Really, you do need to open the bag or when you get home, the fish will be belly up.” No response from the proud pet owner. David looks over…taps on the mic…. “Is this on? I’m telling you that you need to OPEN THE BAG.” Now everyone in the band, and the people in the front row are looking over at this girl and the goldfish. She’s still sitting there on Mom’s lap, holding up the fish with the bag CLOSED.
By Janet Litterio
They say that everyone at some point in their lives has their 15 minutes of fame. Who knew that applied to a goldfish won at a carnival!!!!!!!! Sitting intently watching David’s show in Waukesha, I did not realize a girl possibly around the age of 10, was standing next to me trying to get over to her parents who were sitting on the other side of us. I noticed a big smile on this girl’s face as she was holding a cherished carnival prize…a goldfish secured inside a Ziploc bag, yes there also was water inside the bag. She finally made it over to her Mom and after showing off her prize, sat on her Mom’s lap holding her new pet enclosed in the bag and watched the show.
Now the girl is probably thinking that DAVY JONES cannot possibly be talking to ME…so she still is sitting there possibly wondering when he’s going to start singing. I think everyone else was wondering that too. At this point, David doesn’t seem to understand WHY this girl hasn’t opened the bag… he’s on a mission now to save this fish. It’s obvious this show will not continue until this fish has a half a chance at life. So he says something into the mic…walks to the edge of the stage, hops down, Photo by Tom Litterio
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Monkee Shines
Photos by Tom Litterio
walks over to the girl, takes the bag and OPENS THE BAG. But of course, in David’s style, he just doesn’t open the bag and hand it back to its rightful owner. No, the goldfish has suddenly and miraculously become a piranha and this now man eating fish has bitten his finger, taken off flesh and bone nearly to the first knuckle!!!!!!! At this point, it was a toss up of who was getting a bigger kick out of all this, the girl, her Mom, the band, the audience, or David. But the goldfish has now stolen the show!!!!! Eventually the fish in an OPENED bag is given back to the girl, with specific instructions to KEEP THE BAG OPEN!
stage. Not a problem at all as he hoists himself up onto a speaker and then on to the stage without missing a beat! I am sure that the people in the audience that witnessed the heroic measures of David saving this finger eating piranha will now be bringing a little something extra with them to the next show they attend…a goldfish in a CLOSED Ziploc bag. This fest was held alongside a river, but I never expected to come home from David’s show with a fish tale from Waukesha!
So now David is, as always, the hero. He has saved the life of a carnival goldfish. His mission is accomplished, walks back up to the stage, and now has the dilemma of how to get back UP on the 10
Monkee Shines
Peter’s News
Peter's studio album with Shoe Suede Blues, "Saved By The Blues", has been reissued with new cover art through Beachwood Recordings to reflect the personnel changes that have taken place over recent months. The album itself has not been affected in any way. Peter Tork will be appearing at the 2003 Super Mega Show in Secaucus, NJ on September 20 & 21 with the famed MonkeeMobile. During Peter's time there, he will be signing autographs and performing concerts. More information can be found at http://www.supermegashow.com Peter also has a concert scheduled with Shoe Suede Blues for 9/1 in Greenbelt, MD at their Labor Day celebration.
Visit www.petertork.com for the latest news on Peter & Shoe Suede
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Monkee Shines
Micky’s News
Micky is finishing up his summer tour as a part of the cast of AIDA with performances at Uihlein Hall in Milwaukee in the end of August. Closing night is scheduled for 8/24. There is still talk that Micky will take his performance as Zoser to Broadway in the coming weeks and months. There are also solo shows with Coco schduled for Peachtree, GA at the Frederick Brown Ampitheater on 9/12 and 9/13. Rhino & King Biscuit News For those who have been wondering about when Rhino intends on releasing the 2nd season of the Monkees series on DVD, the latest word on the internet suggests that there is a tentative release date set for October 14th. There has been no mention of extra features or commentaries yet. Some eager fans on the internet who were unhappy with King Biscuit's editing of the Monkees' Anaheim, CA performance featured on the "Live Summer Tour" DVD have been spending time petitioning KB for a full, uncut edition of the show. After weeks of persistence, KB suggested the release of a limited run of the full show at a price of $49.98 per unit, with the catch that at least 500 orders must be placed for production to commence. As of this writing, that goal has not yet been met. You can pre-order a copy at www.king-biscuit.com.
Visit www.mickydolenz.com for all the latest news on 12
Monkee Shines
Mike’s News Interviews: Videoranch has received copies of ArtistPro Magazine, whose current issue has a wonderful cover story on Nez! It's a great article full of information about his career from start to present, and pictures of his studio. This is a subscription based magazine and can be hard to find if you're not a pro but ArtistPro has agreed to let us make their May-June issue available at Videoranch for a short time Nez also had a recent interview with IGN. You can read the interview online at http://filmforce.ign.com. You'll see a link to the article from the front page of their web site. This is the first part in a series where Nez discusses the Internet, online music, and the economy. New Album from Jason Nesmith: Jason Nesmith (Nez' son) has a new album out! If you liked the 'Nomedia' EP and 'Greetings from Pleasure Island' then you'll really enjoy 'Portrait' Brad Waddell reports that "for anyone who has not heard Michael Nesmith's solo work, or if you just want to hear it pumped through the internet to your computer (legally), sign up for a free trial of Rhapsody, the new music service at Listen.com. Michael has licensed the Pacific Arts/Rio section of his catalog to the service and you can listen to it online for free as well as burn tracks to CD for $0.79 each. The complete albums available are: Timerider From a Radio Engine to The Photon Wing Infinite Rider on the Big Dogma The Garden / The Prison (Box Set) Tropical Campfires The Newer Stuff The box set notion for "The Garden / The Prison" exists only on-line."
Visit www.videoranch.com for the latest on Mike! 13
Monkee Shines
David’s News
Some new information on Davy Jones hosting the new TV series "Meet The Royals" has popped up... Although the show was previously reported to be airing on A&E, it will be shown on the E! Channel. The show, which Davy filmed in Boston, MA, will be about the secrets and scandals of England's royal family. At this time, a specific premiere date for his episodes is unknown. Some reports say September 10th, while other sources state the show will begin on September 5th. More information will be known soon. Stay tuned to davyjones.net David's solo concert schedule reads as follows: 09/01/03 Dundas, ON Flamboro Downs Sat09/13/03 Florence, IN Belterra Casino & Resort Sat10/04/03 Tulsa, OK Tulsa State Fair Sat10/18/03 Lockport, IL East High School (ROAD TRIP!!!) Sat11/29/03 Pala, CA Pala Casino Wed12/31/03 Maricopa, AZ Harrah's AK-Chin Casino Sat02/14/04 Tiffin, OH Ritz Theatre
Visit www.davyjones.net for the latest Davy news! 14
Monkee Shines
INCOGNITO INTERACTIVE virtual communication system managed and configured (Go figure!) by The Headquarters Command via the web. (For more information, please see:http:// purpleflowergang.tripod.com/)
An Emergency Response Plan By: Bonnie Borgh slash Cindy Bryant Are you (In Need Constantly Of Good Networking In Tense Occasions)? INCOGNITO Interactive, the original Major Babe service provider, operates cooperatively by fans for fans to enhance the communicative interaction between the Major Babe and his fans.
The Headquarters Command virtually creates network groups and unites fan clubs of any size. The Headquaters Command balances the existing communications infrastructure (Internet, wireless, and traditional telephone) and is able to initiate and enable the Emergency Response Teams (ERTs) as they become conscious.
INCOGNITO Interactive members are infamous for using the Internet and Interactive Voice Response (IVR) systems, i.e. the wireless cell phone and traditional telephone, to reach virtually all Major Babe fans and members of the Gang.
If this is at all confusing to you, the following is a simplified version of how INCOGNITO Interactive can (and will) work for you during an actual emergency. For example, follow this step-by-step outline:
With individual members strategically positioned within the continental United States as well as spanning the globe, INCOGNITO Interactive offers up-to-the-minute information, and it’s all free!
I. Shane physically notifies Micki
INCOGNITO Interactive helps fans to communicate with others within their radius using landline phones, wireless phones, e-mail, etc. It is a
II.
Cindy calls Bonnie
III.
Bonnie calls Colleen
IV. Cindy physically notifies Kimmi V.
Laura calls Janet
and so on and so on 15
Monkee Shines sponds promptly and efficiently in order to facilitate individual interaction with the Major Babe. There are two very important phrases to remember: (1) The early bird gets the worm. (2) You snooze you lose.
It is absolutely imperative that all lines of communication remain open at all times. First responders implement the Handy Emergency Little List Outline (HELLO) with the universal signal, “Oooh Oooh!” This alerts the secondary individual that a sighting has occurred. Do not panic and wait for further instructions. Remain calm at all times. Ask simple questions in the event your first responder may be unable to verbalize freely Always be sure to remember your language codes. Move as quickly and quietly as possible to the specified location where you will be prompted to notify the next individual on your HELLO. It is necessary that everyone re-
I’m A Believer with INCOGNITO Interactive you will never again miss a once in a lifetime opportunity and will never be left in your camisa de noche. To join INCOGNITO Interactive, contact The Head Quarters Command. You’ll soon be one of us!
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Monkee Shines breakfast and a red, white, and blue beach ball that was ultimately chosen. Team PFG had quite unknowingly managed to hit a landmine.
‘SHOCK AND AWE’ A True Story of Strategy & Surprise
According to a knowledgeable intelligence source from Litterio Company, the real break came when a virtual new recruit from same was innocently provided with some unbelievable yet confirming information: where The Major Babe would sleep the night of July 5, 2003.
Arlington Heights Eyewitness Bonnie Borgh ‘What will follow will not be a repeat from any other campaign…It will be of a Devine force that has been beyond what has been seen before...The Purple Flower Gang must ask themselves if they want to “Take A Giant Step” and seize a ‘target of opportunity’...
On April 16, 2003, before any ground forces were actually deployed in Illinois, a cooperative covert operation was discussed and subsequently authorized in some little out of the way place (the precise location unbeknownst to even The Headquarters Command) in Kentucky. Although the operation seemed like a relatively easy mission during the initial days, it was not until May 23, 2003 when word was received direct from Mr. Ray that the secretive subject had finally been planted. On June 5, 2003, four actual Kodak photographs of the evidence were sent to the Eyewitness Reporter depicting the exact location of the dig and positive identification of its material existence.
It was a bold move, but Team PFG had a man on the inside. Craig Borgh was the ultimate bargain hunter who selflessly surfed the internet for hotel accommodations. For months, he had been working on the extraordinarily difficult job of trying to secure the best rate which included breakfast. It was the Ameri Suites who offered a $69 “Make A Break For It” weekend rate which included a buffet
Team PFG mobilized and infiltrated late Saturday morning, July 5, 2003, to set up camp at the Main Stage at Recreation Park in Arlington Heights, Illi17
Monkee Shines nois. Key players in securing the site were the Litterio Company who daringly positioned their purple-flower comforters slash bunkers amid the mass of embedded multi-colored and textured lawn blankets in virtually unoccupied terrain.
Infantry Division marched (oneby-one from a brief selfintroduction at the microphone) to their respective stage positions until The Major Babe arrived and resonated unequivocally despite remarkable scenes of friendly fire (minicams, cameras, etc.)
Team PFG discussed and concurred that logistically a revision in strategy was required and seized a window of opportunity. The front line slash desk approach was chosen rather than suffer unspeakable losses in a previously arranged operation to send goods through unknown territory to reach the The Major Babe. According to undisclosed reports later that afternoon, the delivery of goods for The Major Babe was successfully transferred at approximately 1300 hours.
A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You Valleri Look Out (Here Comes Tomorrow) Wasted Days And Wasted Nights (Freddy Fender) see song lyrics Girl Is You Is Or Is You Ain’t My Baby? I Wanna Be Free (I’ll) Love You Forever She Hangs Out Dave Alexander’s “Meatloaf” impersonation Bright Side Of The Road (Van Morrison) see song lyrics It’s Nice To Be With You Papa Jean’s Blues (I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone Daydream Believer Encore: Listen To The Band I’m A Believer No Time
During the early afternoon of July 5, 2003, an elite member from Team PFG aided by several henchwomen (in an attempt to maximize every inch of available lawn space), repositioned the initial campsite to a nondescript location approximately twenty feet closer to the primary focal point.
At approximately 2145 hours a cease fire (of photographical equipment) occurred as The Major Babe retreated to an undetermined destination.
Reinforcements (hot dogs, brats, pizza, etc.) were located nearby the campsite and restroom facilities (albeit primitive) were available.
It was not until Sunday, July 6, 2003 when the mission would reach it’s final stages. Two
A diversionary tactic followed at 2000 hours sharp when the 18
Monkee Shines members from Team PFG were unarmed, i.e. no audio or visual recording devices whatsoever, fully dressed, and in the mess hall by 0630 hours. It was shortly thereafter when the male member of Team PFG made an astute observation and inconspicuously said, “Ooooh ooooh!” This warning immediately alerted The Headquarters Command post. INCOGNITO Interactive’s Emergency Response Plan (HELLO) was fully engaged. Coalition forces noted no resistance or obstacles preventing an encounter.
operation completed on May 23, 2003 was indeed received and “wonderfully” approved. It was learned that additional clarity was required to convey the particulars of the operation as well as practical function mentioned to The Major Babe. At approximately 0700 hours, the Eyewitness Reporter returned to base camp to check on the consciousness of her unit and to notify the next individual on the Emergency Response Plan (HELLO). The Eyewitness Reporter then promptly returned to Ground Zero armed with the actual photographic images to share with The Major Babe of the completed maneuver explaining it’s initial concept and execution.
At 0645 hours, the Eyewitness Reporter from Team PFG received a phone call direct from the Headquarters Command post. In an effort not to disturb the off-duty (familial) unit, limited words in soft tones were exchanged. Headquarters asked the Eyewitness Reporter a simple question and briefed her with concise and direct instructions. Without tarry, the Eyewitness Reporter (also unarmed and fully dressed) instantly relocated to Ground Zero slash the mess hall.
At 0730 hours, the “perky” Major Babe excused himself for a radio interview with the media. At approximately 0845 hours, the Major Babe returned to Ground Zero to announce his departure and bid a fond farewell. It was a true “Pleasant Valley Sunday”, and Team PFG’s ‘Shock and Awe’ endeavor was successfully accomplished. Victory at Arlington Heights was achieved.
It was not until landing at Ground Zero that the Eyewitness Reporter realized the urgency of the communication. Fe Fi Fo Fum...Hark the voice of an Englishman!
Kudos to the March 31, 2003 Newsweek Magazine (‘Shock and Awe’) for it’s invaluable inspiration.
It was conveyed to the Eyewitness Reporter that the covert 19
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A Tree Grows in Louisville! To commemorate the anniversary of the passing of David’s horse, Digpast, on May 27, 2001, the PFG Road Crew did a little investigating and after finding where the horse was buried and making a few phone calls we were able to have an Eastern Redbud Tree (with purple buds each spring) planted at the grave site so that David would always have shade when he visited his friend’s grave. We gave this plaque to David on July 5th. David’s response was, “Wonderful!”
The plaque reads: In Memory Of Digpast An Eastern Redbud Tree was plated on May 23, 2003 behind ********* in memory of Digpast with a little help from Carl Ray Nursery, Jim Couch, and your friends: Bonnie Borgh, Cindy Bryant, Kimmi Janvrin, Colleen Johnson, Diane Klosak, Janet Litterio, Shane Worden The frame, by the way, is a clear acrylic with purple violets imbedded in it.
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A Tale Of Two Cities
Photo by Tom Litterio
Shane, dressed in his best formal attire…
dulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way.”
Colleen: This I gotta see. Cindy: A … uh … Monkee suit so to speak! …takes the stage… the lights dim… He approaches the podium, opens his book, dodges the assorted fruit and paper airplanes thrown by his cohorts sitting in the audience, and begins to read.] Ahem...."It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incre-
Colleen: Who writes this stuff? Cindy: It kind of writes itself, don’cha think? Shane: Yes, this quote from A Tale of Two Cities, (with all due apologies to Dickens), seems a perfect place to start this latest adventure. And while I doubt 21
Monkee Shines that the cities of Bettendorf and Arlington Heights were around when the story was written, there seems little doubt that this passage sums up our experience this time quite well. How could a show where things seemed to go wrong end up finishing so right? But I get ahead of myself. Let us start at the beginning, and for that, we must delve back a few months to Bonnie and her wonderful idea of honoring the memory of David's prize racehorse, Digpast.
nie had put together a wonderful certificate on her computer, complete with a nice picture of the tree, detailing the steps we had taken, and had purchased a beautiful frame (with purple flowers all around the edges), that we had initially intended to have put backstage for David at the Frontier Days festival. More about that later. This road trip actually started two days before the road trip to Arlington Heights. Since this one took place over a holiday weekend, we thought it would be nice if we were all able to arrange to spend the 4th of July holiday together, as well. That was a blast as far as I was concerned! We've never been able to spend a holiday together as a group (at least not since I have been a part of the road crew), so that combined with the fact that Colleen was actually going to be crawling out of her shell down there in St. Lou-
Cindy: See the preceding article. Shane: Since we were unable to determine for sure whether or not David had gotten an opportunity to visit Digpast’s gravesite prior to our road trip to Arlington Heights, we had made some plans to use this show as our way of letting him know what we had done. Bon-
The PFG Road Crew: Cindy, Janet, Colleen, Shane, Bonnie, Hannah, Kimmi, and Micki Photo by Tom Litterio
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Monkee Shines going to be waiting for us in Arlington Heights, as well, and we were all looking forward to seeing her again over the weekend, too. Janet: Peoria was wonderful, beyond words actually, but I was looking forward to this show, as this was my first trip as an official member of “The Road Crew.” Tom was looking forward to this too!
Photo by Bonnie Borgh
Shane: My trip started as it usually does (say it with me kiddies), on that darling of mass public transit, the Grayhound…
ie-Louie to join us…
Colleen: Shane, isn’t that Grey with an “e”? Or is that how they
Colleen: And what a nice shell it is. Cindy: But sometimes “The GIRLS” just have to come out! Shane: as well as Cindy's niece, Micki, who we've heard so much about over the years and was so much a part of the early days of the PFG, and I guess you could say that I was pretty stoked! Bonnie: Remember, Shane, this is a no-smoking organization! Shane: Janet Litterio, who we met for the first time at the Peoria show last November, was
Photo by Shane Worden
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Monkee Shines spell it up there in the Nort country? Shane: ‌okay, okay the GrEyhound bus, the day before the 4th. I was expecting the worst, with it being a holiday and all. And yes, I have to admit that the terminal in Chicago was the busiest that I had seen it in quite some time, but believe it or not, I was blessed with some really capable drivers this time around, and my bus into the Quad Cities arrived right on the dot. Not any earlier than expected, mind you, but not any later, either.
Photo by Shane Worden
Cindy: Kimmi came in that afternoon and we spent the evening visiting with the Borgh’s, eating spinach enchiladas (excellent Bonnie!), and watching Monkee videos while wait-
ing for Shanie to arrive. Shane: I called Cindy on my cell phone as we were starting to come in through the area so she and Kimmi (who had come in to help get the party started that afternoon), Kimmi: How nice of you to remember me. :P Next time I'll have to leave a harder impression! Shane: were able to come and pick me up when I got into Davenport without them having to wait at the terminal for me for an inordinate amount of time. Once I arrived, we were off to the nearest fast food place, so I could clog my arteries with grease before bed, (although the brownies that Bonnie had given to Cindy and Kimmi earli-
Photo by Shane Worden
24
Monkee Shines
Photo by Tom Litterio
er in the evening to give to me were ever so much better!) and then to the hotel to drop me off for the night. Cindy and Kimmi, along with Micki, had reservations booked at the same place for the next night. We stayed at a new place in the Quad Cities this time--Jumer's Lodge-interesting place. Very nice hotel rooms; mine had a canopy bed! Never slept in one of those before!
stay in Bettendorf because “The Lodge” (formerly known as “Jumer’s Castle Lodge”) is closer to our house. Of course, it really didn’t matter because the Borgh family was never able to visit you at your home away from home anyway. I think it was a cheaper rate, too. (Dollars for Davy!)
Colleen: Shane, I thought only girls slept in canopy beds?
Colleen: and all by yourself in your canopy bed…
Kimmi: Princess Shanie. He's no Michael Nesmith!
Bonnie: Yes, Shane, and you missed your golden opportunity to watch the annual Bettendorf Fourth of July Parade. You could have had enough Tootsie Rolls to last you until Halloween!
Shane: The next morning, I slept in quite late,
Shane: I guess you oughta tell that to the reservations manager, then. They sure didn't ask me if I'd like a feminine or a masculine bed in my room!
Shane: … figuring (rightly so) that it would be the last oppor-
Bonnie: It was nice of you all to 25
Monkee Shines tunity to do so on this particular trip. So I got up late, meandered about, ate the pop tarts that Cindy and Kimmi had given to me as "giftie supplies", and watched the Weather Channel. Bonnie: “The Weather Channel”! A man after my own heart! Did you happen to catch our local meteorologist, Erik Maitland, on KWQC? (We’ve skated together at the Quad City Sports Center. Nice guy.) Shane: No, I didn't, sorry! I was thinking on a more "global" scale. The weather had been a bit of a pre-occupation with me that entire week, since most of the weather forecasts seemed to hint at a chance of strong thunderstorms in our part of the Midwest for most of our time together. (As luck would have it, the only real time I encountered any rain at all was on my return trip back home, but of course I didn't know that then.) This morning I was glad I was where I was for the time being, as it appeared as though we were getting some pretty rough storms back home in Wisconsin. But yet, it was a very hot and sticky 4th of July, and the girls …
Photo by Shane Worden
Bonnie: That’s a fact! It’s that Jones front coming in to heat up the Midwest. Janet: I think we just about predicted the exact time David’s flight landed as we felt extreme heat in the afternoon. And NO, it was not hot flashes!! Shane: Around 10:00 or so, housekeeping knocked on my door to make up my room, Colleen: New sheets and all on that canopy bed. Shane: so I ducked out
Colleen: Ah yes, the girls more about that later in the story.
Colleen: Quack, Quack Shane: for a few minutes, and tried calling Cindy on my cell phone to see how she was progressing with Kimmi and Micki. Little did I know that they had
Shane: …kept telling me that before the weekend was over it was gonna get much hotter... 26
Monkee Shines quite right, so after determining that changing rooms would be the best idea, we moved around again, and then proceeded to spend the day out shopping, eating WAY too much, (our usual haunt on these road trips, Lunardi's, was closed for the holiday, so we settled for Olive Garden), watching movies, (may we recommend Bruce Almighty? There are several new lines that are going to wind up in our PFG lexicon...especially the bit about "jazz music") Photo by Shane Worden
Bonnie: I was wondering where that “jazz music” line came from on your e-mail messages. I didn’t think it had anything to do with Bix (who by the way hails from Davenport, Iowa.)
just arrived in the front lobby and were checking in! Cindy: Kimmi bunked on my couch on Thursday night and Micki joined us when she got off work. We were off bright (well some of us were not as bright as others, were we Kimmi?) and early the next morning … after removing something like a ton of debris from Kimmi’s trunk to make room for luggage. I always wondered what it was like to be one of those street people who scavenge through dumpsters!
Shane: and watching fireworks with the Borgh family at a park Bonnie: (It was basically a park -ing lot.) Shane: in Bettendorf. (It was the best of times.) I had bought a small little stash of fountains and sparklers with me from home, as well, and we had a good time shooting those off at the park before the big stuff filled the sky.
Kimmi: Where do you think your Christmas presents come from?
Bonnie: Hannah really enjoyed those, by the way, but you’re totally corrupting our child with explosive devices!
Shane: So, I rushed right down and helped them get settled. Their first room had an air conditioner that wasn't working 27
Monkee Shines Kimmi: That was the best!! Wheee!!!!!
to get her clan together in her car and then hit the road for Arlington Heights!
Shane: Once we finally found our way out of the postfireworks traffic (it was the worst of times), and made our way back to hotel, it was just about time to call it a day, as we had a busy schedule ahead of us for Saturday! The plan was to meet Colleen for breakfast at the Isle Of Capri buffet, (this is the hotel/casino where we have had so many great memories seeing David before), head over to the florists' to grab some backstage flowers for David, and then make our way over to Bonnie's place in order
Saturday morning found us up bright and early at 6:30 (I think it was even a bit earlier than that, actually) and heading over to the boat for breakfast. Originally, Colleen's mom, (who she was visiting with in the Quad Cities while we cavorted about the day before) was going to join us as well but backed out at the last minute. Apparently, our reputation precedes us! ;-) Colleen: You got that right … ;) Cindy: Chicken! Shane: But Colleen joined us in short order, while Kimmi gambled on the boat, losing her life savings, and then rejoined us only to decide that she wanted breakfast too, after we all had finished. Fickle, fickle, fickle..... Colleen: Boy we were glad that the boat didn’t cruise that morning, unlike it did that one September morn a couple of years ago. It was the worst of times, wasn’t it Cindy? Cindy: I have a new respect for ships after seeing Pirates Of The Caribbean my friend! Savvy? Kimmi: Welcome to the Caribbean, Luv!!
Photo by Shane Worden
28
Monkee Shines
Photo By Tom Litterio
Bonnie: Who was it that said, “If you remember ‘those events’, you weren’t really there?”
Heights while the rest of us went to the festival. Kimmi: Grandpa rocks. Hannah and I had fun beating him with the pillows!
Janet: Micky Dolenz???????? Bonnie: Sorry Monkee.
dear,
wrong
Bonnie: Yes, Craig was adamant about wanting to leave by 8:30 am (no later than 9:00 am) because my husband and his father wanted to get to “the track” when it opened at 1:00 pm. Meanwhile, guess who had to stop for money at the ATM and then gasoline for the car before we finally got out of Dodge?
Cindy: Memory is the second thing to go you know! By the way, Micky DID say it first …the little Monkee stole it from him! Shane: After the boat, and the quick stop at the flower shop to pick up our nice bunch of roses, we stopped at Bonnie's, where everybody was scattering all over the place getting last minute things ready. I should point out that Grandpa Borgh was staying with the family that week, visiting from Minnesota, as well, so there was an extra person to help get ready. The plan was for him and Craig to visit the racetrack in Arlington
Shane: So, off we go, with the Borgh's in one car and the rest of us in Kimmi's car (with the great sound system). Micki, Colleen, and I managed to cram in the back seat without too much of a problem. Hey, we've done it before, …and we had the cell phones to keep in contact with each other as we 29
Monkee Shines went along. Things were going pretty smoothly…
place with you! Cindy: And be late for Davy Jones! Ronald Reagan is NO Davy Jones!
Colleen: …once we passed exit 41 on East I-88. See the carload I was riding with threatened to throw me out there. You see I made the mistake of mentioning that we ought to stop off and visit the birthplace of Ronald Reagan. Poor Hannah thought they had thrown me out, but they didn’t. Cindy, you shouldn’t scare little people like that.
Bonnie: You do have a point there. Shane: There was no bad weather or foreseeable traffic delays, when all of a sudden I hear an ugly cry of pain next to me in the back seat. Have any of you ever seen the movie Alien, where an ungodly monsters pops out of somebody's chest? Well, this is what I thought was going to happen here. Poor Micki sounded like she was going to give birth or something! But when you gotta go, you gotta go, and I guess she had to go! I know it must have
Cindy: Damn Republicans! Bonnie: Excuse me, I resemble that remark! I forgot about that, Colleen! Yes, Hannah did think you were thrown out the window, Colleen. We would have visited Ronald Reagan’s birth-
Photo by Tom Litterio
30
Monkee Shines been hell for her, but the rest of us were just about ready to die laughing...we had to take an exit off the highway just before our planned rest stop in Dixon, IL…
shining moment and torture you with it until your dying day!
Colleen: Uh Shane, I think you meant to say DeKalb.
Cindy: It “depends” on your vantage point in this situation!
Shane: DeKalb, Dixon, I knew it was a "D" town…We found a place where she could run in and do her thing. We managed to find a Best Western or some such hotel close by, and man, you should have seen her wobble to that door, hunched over like an old lady! If only we had taken photos ....what were we thinking?! :-) (It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, depending on whom you ask!) Cindy couldn't even tell Bonnie what was happening when she called on the cell phone. We had to wait until our stop in Dixon…
Shane: It wasn't much longer after that rest break that we reached our destination of Arlington Heights, and it turned out that our hotel, the AmeriSuites, was very easy to find off the highway. Checking in proved to be a different kettle of fish, however.
Bonnie: I didn’t quite understand the humor at the time, but I guess you had to be there.
Colleen: “Kettle of fish?” OK, that must be Nort country jive. Shane: No, Colleen, that would be "keg of beer"...There was only one poor, over-stressed guy working the front desk, and with each of us trying to check in under our own reservations, it made the going slow. Add to that the fact that Janet Litterio, who had made her own rezzie at the AmeriSuites, and would be joining us shortly, was told that David was staying at OUR hotel overnight,
Colleen: Shane - DeKalb, it was DeKalb! Shane: …until we could stop laughing enough to explain it! Cindy: It truly wasn’t funny but I bet next time Micki will rethink the giant glass of juice at breakfast! And I felt bad for her until she waddled into that hotel to use the facilities and that was all it took. I could not stop laughing …poor kid! God knows this group always manages to latch on to your one less than
Janet: And in case you were wondering, I did NOT ask. When I made our rezzie, I was quoted a room rate. When I mentioned we were staying over because we were going to see Davy Jones at Frontier Days, the gal at the desk said 31
Monkee Shines ‘well why didn’t you say that in the first place?” I felt like I was talking to the Wizard of Oz…but I didn’t remember going “Over the Rainbow.” She lowered our rate by $20 and said that ‘Davy’ was staying here. Poor girl is now probably out of a job…we probably should send her the $20 we saved. This was the second time we went on a road trip to see David, and the second time mentioning to the hotel we were staying over after one of his concerts, and was the second time when mentioning his name our room rates were lowered. Thanks David, you saved us some money!
"important" is staying there, and it certainly isn't hotel policy to share that info. Go figger, huh? Bonnie: That whole scene is unbelievable. I was unable to email for several nights because Craig was diligently pursuing on -line the best accommodations for our dollar in Arlington Heights. He was toggling between wanting to stay at the Embassy Suites (which included swimming pools, no movie stars) or the AmeriSuites (which included no swimming pools, movie stars). No, seriously, the Embassy Suites offered a swimming pool and buffet breakfast whereas the AmeriSuites offered no swimming pool and buffet breakfast. However, if you booked the special “Make a Break For It” weekend rate of $69, you also got a free red, white, and blue beach ball. That sealed the deal. We had absolutely NO idea until several days before the show when Janet made her reservation that she was told that “Davy Jones” was also staying there. (I thought that sort of information was confidential, too, but what do I know about the hotel business? I know even less about show business.) Do you know how many hotels there are in the Arlington Heights slash Chicago-land area? What are the odds Craig would pick the same one?
Shane: and well ....I don't think the poor front desk clerk knew what hit him. Before you could say "Daydream Believer", we were handing him flowers, cards, the framed certificate for Digpast’s tree ....we just figured that having these things in David's room when he showed up, in a place we knew he was going to be, would be a lot safer than handing it over to somebody at the festival who may or may not put the stuff in a safe place. And since we *really* wanted David to learn about Digpast’s tree, we thought that this was the safest route. (It was the age of wisdom.) I just found it "Hard to Believe" that the hotel staff was so forthright about the facts of David's stay at the hotel...I work at a hotel, too, and most of the time I don't even know when somebody
Cindy: Sometimes things just are meant to be. 32
Monkee Shines lective memory. Janet: The operative words here “WAS TOLD” as in voluntarily being told without being asked! Craig now has a new job….the official hotel chooser for road trips. He’ll be sorry!
Shane: and greet Janet and her husband Tom who met us at the hotel. It should be pointed out here that Janet and Tom, who happen to live in the Chicago area, showed up earlier in the day at the festival and saved us some seats…
Shane: So, we finally get settled in our rooms...I figure out how the handle on my door works, so I can actually get IN my room (it was the age of foolishness)…
Bonnie: …Purple Flower comforter slash blanket seating… Janet: I like things wellcoordinated slash organized!!!
Colleen: Did your room have a canopy bed?
Shane: as close to the stage as they could get. (It was the epoch of belief.)
Shane: Jealous, Colleen? …we find Grandpa Borgh after he wandered away down to the convenience store down the street,
Colleen: A new word for Shane - epoch.
Kimmi: We? There's that se-
Shane: Apparently, the way
Photo by Shane Worden
33
Monkee Shines things are run at this festival is vastly different from the way most others are. It seems as though about half the population of Arlington Heights was just poised at the ready, waiting for the previous evening's act to finish up, so that they could claim spots for David the following evening once the clean-up process was through. And since lawn chairs were not allowed in front of the stage (where they came up with that rule I'll never know--it was the epoch of incredulity)…
some transportation issues at the hotel (who was riding with who, where exactly is the park, etc. etc.), and saw Craig and Grandpa Borgh off to the racetrack, the remainder of the afternoon was an exercise in patience and tolerance of the heat and humidity at the Frontier Days festival. Kimmi and Hannah were on a mission to indulge in as much junk food in an afternoon as humanly possible. First it was the cotton candy, and then it was the slushies…
Colleen: There it is again.
Kimmi: No, no, no. It was cotton candy, then hotdogs, more cotton candy, Italian Ices, cotton candy, more hotdogs and more cotton candy. Oh what a night! Then blowing bubbles on Shanie's head and then spinning really fast until we fell down. Good times.
Shane: gotta love the classics..... Janet: The amount of blankets when we arrived a little after 11 was incredulous! It must have looked like a giant quilt from an aerial view…from a ground view, there was a sea of blankets.
Bonnie: Those “Italian Ice” drinks were good! I had “cherry” flavor, Hannah had “lemon”, and I think Colleen had “watermelon”.
Shane: …all they had to do was spread blankets out on the ground to sit on. So, when Janet and Tom showed up earlier that day, they found quite a few patches of "staked turf" already, but managed to squeeeeeze us in a few good spots as best they could. Cindy: It certainly was not the best-organized situation I have ever been in.
Shane: …and Lord knows what other goodies the two of them snuck in when they were perusing the fair. Most of the rest of us just hung out, talked with a few people we recognized from past shows, and waited it out. As always, I had brought a book with me to help pass the time.
Shane: After we worked out
Colleen: “Tale of Two Cities”? 34
Monkee Shines
Photo by Tom Litterio
gie on Ebay, and are considering changing her name to Valleri after being petted by Davy Jones.
Bonnie: No, I think it was “War and Peace”. Cindy: “They Made A Monkee Out Of Me” slash “Daydream Believin’”?
Bonnie: Don’t you know by now that “stars” never do sound checks! Right, Cindy?
Shane: "The Gunslinger" by Stephen King...the newly revised and expanded version. You gotta read this before "Wolves Of The Calla" comes out in November, or you'll miss an important plot point! Somewhere in mid-afternoon, David's band showed up for sound check and treated us all to a small taste of some of the music for that evening, but da big man himself was nowhere to be found.
Cindy: Oh …uh …yeah … RIGHT! Shane: Perhaps he was back at the hotel at that very moment, discovering the goodies we had left for him. We could only hope. By the time evening had arrived, Kimmi's friend, Jane ,… Bonnie: Excuse me, Shane, but I thought her name was Susan.
Janet: He may have been petting my friend’s dog back at the hotel around that time. They tried to sell their poor dog Mag-
Cindy: Just ask Hannah! Shane: yeah, you're right. But 35
Monkee Shines it's no worse than when Kimmi called Cindy's friend Dawn, Emma in the newsletter!
Shane: …made our way back to the stage to wait for the show to begin. In due time, Sherrill and Susan, selling the latest in David gear showed up stageside, and we were able to chat briefly with them as well. There are some really neat, new items being sold recently that you all should take a look at. The new silver key chain is especially nice!
Kimmi: It's only funny when I do it. Shane: Kimmi knows Susan through a different band's following Kimmi: Eh hem, Enuff Z'Nuff. Shane: and happens to live in the Chicago area, so she joined us for the concert and before long we… Colleen: Girls”.
Shane
and
Janet: Yes, as of yesterday, I am the proud owner of one of those silver key chains! They are very nice!!!!
“The Kimmi: Micki and I each got
Photo by Tom Litterio
36
Monkee Shines super-cool-totally-fantastic Monkee T's for 10 bucks I believe. Dude.
reaches of the impressive-sized crowd. (It was the season of light.) Throughout the concert, I snuck in a couple of furtive glances Bonnie's way, and I saw, (as usual), that she was keeping diligent track of the set list, so I will let her get into those details herself.
Bonnie: I never left my “chair” this time. I was hoping for some new musical releases. Shane: The main stage presentation actually started off that night with presentations of some local scholarships (yawn...I understand the importance of honoring the local youth, but could they have found a more worse time to do this? Did they think any of us there really gave a hoot?)
Bonnie: I can’t help myself taking notes. You can take the secretary out of the office, but you can’t take the office out of the secretary. Janet: Next time we bring EtchA-Sketches or Magna-Doodles!
Bonnie: You think that was bad, Shane. You should have sat through the introductions of local honorary dignitaries before the “Walcott Day Queen Pageant”. In fact, Hannah even reminded me it was a lot like the Arlington Heights presentations. I guess when you have a captive audience…
Bonnie: I something!
knew we forgot
Shane: There are just a few things I noticed that I wanted to bring up. First, I felt very sorry for Cindy, who had to relegate herself to the side of the stage in order to stay standing up for the show, as her knees wouldn't allow her to sit on the blankets with the rest of us. I felt really bad for her...the seating for this show really sucked.
Shane: …But then, *the* moment had arrived, and Dave Alexander took the stage, and began the up-tempo jive on his keyboard that has begun Jones' solo shows lately, where each of the band members comes out one by one and introduces themselves. (I noticed that Aviva still plays a little bit of everything--grrrrowl!) But then, with the introductions over, David graced the stage with a huge smile that I imagine could be seen from the furthest
Cindy: Old age ain’t what is it cracked up to be. But it was no big deal …I hardly noticed the pain …until the show was over! Janet: I guarantee the October show will have much better seating. Sorry Bonnie!!! Bonnie: Unfortunately, my seat is going to be in a pew at a 37
Monkee Shines wedding! By the way, may I remind you, Shane, this is a family show. We don’t say that word you used above…
almost every song. She was smiling and hugging me the entire time. Davy's littlest biggest fan!
Shane: Even the Osbornes are a family! But I can think of other words, if ya know what I mean. Festival seating is never a picnic to begin with, and this one was even more of a hassle than usual. I trust our next show will work out much better in that regard. But as far as the concert itself goes, I was surprised and delighted to hear some new songs in the set list this summer. One of them, a Van Morrison cover, even featured Robey playing the harmonica. Nice, catchy tunes...I enjoyed hearing those. Jones also performed "Papa Gene's Blues" this night, which I hadn't heard in quite some time from him, but always does such a nice job on. Of course, there was the usual barrage of stage banter and wise cracks, including the Archie and Edith bit…
Shane: …as well as some mentions of what the other Monkees were up to (I appreciated the plugs for Peter's band and Micky's stint in AIDA) and even David's new grandchild as well. This was a nice, full show this time, and not an abbreviated version which we have gone through a few times before when David was on the same bill with other acts. Bonnie: Other acts? Cindy: Who?
Bonnie: Hannah loved that routine. Will the real “Edith and Archie Bunker” please stand up? Cindy: But she was disappointed that he didn’t sing “Happy Birthday Mickey Mouse!” Bonnie: I know, but we have it on video slash CD. Kimmi: Hannah was fantastic! She clapped and sang along to
Photo by Shane Worden
38
Monkee Shines Bonnie: I saw the “Who” in 1982 (Hey, that rhymes!); They’re too loud!
Bonnie: Who’s Jane? I thought her name was Susan? Cindy: It was!
Shane: The audience seemed very receptive and into the show. I'd be curious to know how the attendance the other nights of the festival compared to this one.
Kimmi: Isn't that dumb? And unoriginal! Phllt! Bonnie: I asked Hannah what Kimmi’s friend’s name was. She thought for a second and said, “Susan!”
Bonnie: You mean there were other “stars” there, too?
Shane: I'm old, I'm tired, and I'm starting the story. Give me a break! :-) Hannah obviously has the best memory! She's gonna be my consultant on the next story! Back at the AmeriSuites, Bonnie and Hannah decided it was time to knock off for the night…
Cindy: Where? Shane: But, all to soon as always, the familiar refrain of "Daydream Believer" began, which always signifies, for me anyway, the beginning of the end. (It was the season of darkness.) The entire audience was on its feet by this time…and so as an encore to leave ‘em dancing in the aisles, the guys topped that off with "No Time", a rare treat that we don't get to hear in concert all that often. And all of a sudden--poof--it was over. Where did the time go? Weeks and weeks of antici...pation, and all of a sudden it's over! NO! Reluctantly, we made our way to the back part of the festival grounds where chauffer Kimmi made sure that the Borgh’s, Cindy, Colleen and myself got back to the hotel in one piece before she drove her friend, Jane, home. If you're reading this, Jane, it was nice to meet you! Please come and see a show with us again!
Bonnie: ...That was my thought, too, but there was a “Sponge Bob Square Pants” marathon already in progress on the Cartoon Network. I finally convinced Hannah to turn out the lights at 10:30 pm. Shane: …but Cindy, Micki, Colleen, and I (and eventually Kimmi too, once she got back) decided that we were just a little bit *too* wired to go to bed just yet. So we watched some videos in Cindy's room (Did I mention that they have VCRs at the AmeriSuites! Oh, joy!) and ordered a pizza from some local joint that was WAAAY too big for us to manage. My share of it was still talkin' back at me well into the next day. Colleen had 39
Monkee Shines made some copies of a really NICE quality print of the infamous Ed Sullivan show that features David's American TV debut, as well as some 4 guys I had never heard of before from Liverpool, so we were having some fun watching that.
the continental breakfast when it opened up. Believe it or not, I was the first one downstairs for breakfast at 6 AM… Bonnie: ...I would have been down earlier, but the sign in the lobby indicated the breakfast began at 7:00 am on weekends. Can’t anybody read? They don’t even follow their own rules!
Colleen: Time out, Shane. It was a copy but was purchased through a TV infomercial. Are you trying to get me in trouble?
Shane: ...but Cindy soon followed, and we were just beginning to puruse…
Shane: Not at all! I said "copy", not "bootleg"! Janet and Tom turned up back at the hotel to say goodnight, too, and before too long I was about ready to hit the hay myself.
Colleen: Another one Shane’s favorite words.
of
Shane: ....among others that I could make you very familiar with!
Colleen: Must have been a let down sleeping in hay instead of a canopy bed. :-D
Bonnie: Yes, and he should not use words he cannot spell. I think he meant ‘peruse’. Do you not have spell check on your computer, young man?
Shane: Ah, but haven't you heard? Only girls sleep in canopy beds! But just as I was opening Cindy's door, getting ready to head down the hall to my room, I quickly saw something and shut it again.
Shane: …the paper for any articles or pictures from the previous evening's concert when lo and behold, (It was the spring of hope.) we were graced with the real thing right in front of us! We both said some cursory hellos to him, and as David sat down at a small, secluded table in the corner…
Colleen: What happened Shane, what did you see? Shane: There was bassist, Mark Clarke, at the vending machine about two feet away. All this David talk all night, and there's his band, right there in earshot! Cindy and I, since we are so used to being up around the crack of dawn most days, were downstairs in the lobby for
Bonnie: …Do you mean some little out of the way place where nobody goes?
40
Monkee Shines Cindy: We were the only ones in the breakfast area. Shane was facing the doorway and I had my back to it. Suddenly Shane whispered, “Oh oh!” and I just knew. I looked up and there David stood alone…it was almost like he was waiting to be noticed. I said, “Hi David,” and he said, “Hello,” and started towards the buffet.
ing the tree to David. Cindy: As David passed, he thanked us for the goodies we had left for him and mentioned the “picture”. For some reason, by the way he said it, I got the feeling he did not “get” what it was. So I asked him if he understood what it meant. He gave me a quizzical glance and I explained that we had a tree planted at Digpast’s gravesite. He apparently thought we had gone to the grave ourselves and asked me if we had walked around and seen where the horse was buried. I explained further that we had not been there but, rather, had contacted the man in charge and had the tree planted with his help. David responded with, “Wonderful.” I told him that we had heard he planned to visit the grave every year on the anniversary of Digpast’s death, and we wanted to make sure he had a nice shady tree to sit under when he did. David shook his head while pondering this and said, “You guys are really something.” He, then, told me how he had a piece of Digpast’s mane cut off and he carries it with him. I think that says a lot about how he felt about the horse.
Shane: …Cindy nudged me and told me to run upstairs and wake Kimmi and Micki up. Cindy was especially interested in getting Micki downstairs, as it had been a great many years since she had seen him and really wanted her to have a chance to say hi to him. It was while I was doing that, that Cindy had the privilege of explain-
Bonnie: It’s kind of like how you snip slash save the first lock of your child’s hair. Shane: Meanwhile…I had made a mad dash back up to our floor to try and roust the
Photo by Shane Worden
41
Monkee Shines "living dead" Jones’ fans in Cindy's room. One series of knocks. Nothing. Another knock on the door. Nothing. I tried yelling from out in the hall, remembered that half the band was probably within earshot of my antics and cursed myself, and tried knocking again. Nada. (It was the winter of despair.) I was just about to head to my room in order to try using the phone when Micki, half asleep and probably wondering where the heck she was, finally answered the door. I tried to explain to her that David was downstairs right now, and if she wanted her chance to say hi to him before the place got busy, that she had to get her butt down there pronto. Confused and befuddled, she followed me to the elevator and came downstairs. I imagine that when she pictured herself meeting David again, it would certainly not be like this! But the rest, as Dolenz would say, is a hysterectomy!
table away having breakfast, chatting with us on occasion, the rest of the Gang showed up…
Bonnie: I thought his line was, “It’s not brain surgery!”
Colleen: Hey Bonnie, thanks for the phone call!
Cindy: Well, Bonnie in all fairness a hysterectomy is NOT brain surgery, is it?!
Bonnie: You’re welcome. It’s all a part of the Emergency Response Plan.
Bonnie: Let me see. The head bone’s connected to the neck bone, the neck bone’s connected to the shoulder bone…
Janet: Trust me, when you don’t listen to yourself and continue to snooze, you DO lose!!!
Cindy: One by one the Gang showed up for breakfast. Micki got her few minutes to say hi and was walking on air. David signed a photo of her and him when she had last seen him (she was 9 then, now she is 18), Bonnie explained more about the tree and showed him the rest of the photos. Even Bonnie’s father-in-law spoke with David, of course they talked about the track and horse racing. Bonnie: Believe it or not, Grandpa Borgh thought “Davy Jones” was a pretty down-toearth guy. He never understood why his wife (Grandpa Borgh) always liked Frank Sinatra. Perhaps he had an opportunity to see the “flip side” of entertainers.
Shane: …eventually, as did Sherrill and Susan, and all of the band members, so very quickly breakfast turned into a
Shane: The rest of the morning, prior to our leaving anyway, was pure bliss. David was a 42
Monkee Shines not get into specifics, as I certainly *never* hold a grudge-razza frazzin, bleepity bleep) who was following David around like a hawk and just wouldn't let him have a moment's peace. I can only imagine how people like that must get on his nerves. But Jones *did* stop by our little gathering on his way out the door to say goodbye to all of us… Colleen: The Girls. Oh my, Girl took on a new meaning for me, boy look what you’ve done to me…
Photo by Bonnie Borgh
Janet: ...with your SMILE, you did it ….
great little get-together between friends and acquaintances. (We had everything before us.) We even enjoyed some of the local sights as we gazed out the window (slash) admired the fashion statements (slash) and sung a few verses of "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes". Bonnie: I thought we were singing “Smokin’ in the Boys’ Room”…
Shane: …mentioned that he was heading home to PA for a couple of days, and that he looked forward to seeing all of us again the next time around. And with that, he was gone...most of the band was still mulling about the lobby and whatnot, but as B.B. King put it-the thrill is gone, baby.
Shane: (We had nothing before us.) After a while, David left to do a radio interview over the phone, and the next time that we saw him, he had luggage in tow, and was getting ready to leave on a waiting limo parked patiently outside. That made me glad that we had the time with him earlier on that we did, as people were starting to wake up around this time, and there was one particular man (I shall
Cindy: When he was gone Sherrill Sunseri came in and asked me if he had come back in to say goodbye after packing his luggage into the car. I told her he had and she said that when he had finished loading the car David had announced that he was going back in to say goodbye to “The Girls.” And what a goodbye it was. There were probably 30 people in the room by this time. Only a hand43
Monkee Shines ful was actually fans, the rest were simply hotel guests. No one with a camera or asking for autographs (only one who was a pain, right Shanie?) Shane: Oy vey! Cindy: It was like he was holding court. No one was talking or eating, they were too busy listening to David, politely from their seats and tables. Before he left he gave Micki a huge hug and almost called her Tiffany …she says with a smile he can call her anything! As soon as he left a woman at the next table jumped up and ran over to us excitedly asking if THAT was DAVY JONES! I smiled and said yes it was. She was all a flutter and her husband, at the next table, grinned saying he remembered him from the Monkees. They hadn’t known anything about the show but had been in town for a wedding. I have no doubt they spent the rest of the day calling everyone they knew to tell them they had stayed in the same hotel as THE Davy Jones.
Photo by Shane Worden
certainly had been a long weekend for them. Arlington Heights was their third show in as many days that spanned just about half of the United States, so they were certainly suffering from that Oriental disease known as "dragon a$$", but it was great to hear what they had been up to, and moreover, to hear how Barry
Shane: Reluctantly, Janet and Tom left for home, and in short order, we started packing things up ourselves.
Bonnie: Williams? Cindy: Manilow? Bonnie: Isn’t he the one who wrote the songs? Perhaps it was Gibb.
As I was heading past the front desk to get a luggage cart to bring up to Cindy's room, I stopped and talked with Sherrill and Susan a bit longer, who are always so nice to be around. It
Shane: Whitwam, you nuts! ....how he and the Hermits 44
Monkee Shines were doing in the UK, as Peter No-one has been pretty good at keeping them at bay here in the USA for quite some time now, sadly.
done, so nobody but Cindy knew that I was gone until after I left! I feel really bad about that too--honest! Kimmi: Uh, yeah. I'm sorry I missed ya but these darn wonderful memories keep getting in the way of my guilt.
Once we got Cindy squared away in her room, I figured that it was time to get myself situated for my return trip home. Since Arlington Heights is relatively close to downtown Chicago, I spared myself the added expense of having to take the bus home from the Quad Cities, so I had the front desk call me a cab that would be able to get me to the downtown area. I never thought in my wildest dreams that one would be available as quickly as it was...I was rather shocked when the front desk attendant told me that the cab would be there in five minutes!
Bonnie: Sure you do! At least David took the time to say “Goodbye” to “The Girls” before he left! Cindy: I guess we know who really loves us, huh, Bonnie! Shane: But as luck would have it, my timing that morning couldn't have been any better. I got to the Greyhound station in downtown Chicago just as a bus to Milwaukee was getting ready to leave, and from there it was just another short little ride back to Oshkosh. I don't think I was in one place for any more than 15 minutes at a stretch on the way back....I even beat Cindy and Kimmi back to Muscatine! (That'll never happen again!) I did have a chance to say my goodbyes to most of the Gang on the cell phone as I was on the bus…
Colleen: I guess cabs aren’t quite that fast up there in the Nort country, aye? Shane: No, Colleen, we're too busy with our kettles of fish and our canopy beds. So, as hurriedly as I could, Colleen: I hope you didn’t trip over anything as I wasn’t there to say goodbye.
Bonnie: I’m still waiting…563 332-9259.
Shane: I got my things together, and just as I was saying goodbye to Cindy, there was my ride. Unfortunately, everybody else was back in their own rooms getting their own packing
Shane: headed towards Milwaukee. It was such an eventful weekend, and it ended on such a positive note, that it was really a shame to see it end. (We 45
Monkee Shines were all going direct to Heaven.)
Cities on Saturday, October 18. She knows I’m totally joking, but I told her I might be crying at Tracy’s wedding, but it will be because I’m missing the concert!
Bonnie: Will you be waiting for us at the gates of heaven, too? Shane: I just hope that we can have just as many great memories in the trips yet to come as we have had on this one, and those that have come before it ....I gotta tell you folks, it was certainly some sort of culture shock to go from eating breakfast with all of my friends and Davy Jones that morning, to eating cold leftovers from the fridge, all by lonesome, back at home later that night. Where Did It All Go????
Kimmi: I'm going to be in Florida and I'll be snapping at poor Kevin and crying at the drop of a hat and he won't have a clue! Shane: Of course, I want to thank everyone who made the trip a success--The Borgh’s, (Bonnie, Craig--you couldn't have picked a better place to stay!, Hannah and Grandpa), Cindy, Colleen, Kimmi, Micki, Janet and Tom, Jane…
Colleen: The ride back to the Quad-Cities was uneventful. Micki and I had the whole backseat to ourselves. Thanks Shane! We only got lost once but not by too many miles. Kimmi thanks again for driving. It was great getting together with all of you again. Micki it was nice to finally get to meet you after all these years. Janet and Tom, so nice to meet you both. It turns out that I won’t be able to make the show in October. I forgot about a business trip to Orlando. I am bummed to say the least.
Bonnie: Susan! Shane: Jane/Susan…the Hercules gals--Sherrill and Susan, Jim Carey for making "Bruce Almighty" and providing us with that great jazz music, Kimmi: Most importantly The Olive Garden, Whitey's, Frontier Days cotton candy and icey's, Aunt Bonnie's home cooking................ Shane: and of course, David, and all of his crew for making this 4th of July weekend something that will be very hard to ever forget. Thank you guys so much! I love you all! And, oh yes... have I forgotten "we were all going direct the other way"? Nah! There's always next time! Peace everyone!
Cindy: Such a let down, wasn’t it! Bonnie: You’re bummed, Colleen! My girlfriend’s daughter is getting married up in the Twin 46
Monkee Shines PFG Road Crew… Bonnie: I think the line is: “Peace and love and everything else!”
Cindy Bryant Bonnie Borgh Shane Worden Kimmi Janvrin Colleen Johnson Janet Litterio
Kimmi: And candy. Cindy: What they said! Until our next adventure…..”Happy Trails” from the
Photo by Tom Litterio
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Monkee Shines
Micky in Aida Review by Shane Worden Hey guys! I just got back from seeing one of the final shows on this summer's AIDA tour with Micky in the role of Zoser....I was really looking forward to this show for a couple of reasons. It had been a number of years since I had been to the Weidner Center in Green Bay to experience a show, but more importantly, I have always wanted to see the guys doing things that didn't necessarily lean on their Monkee-images, but instead on their own talent. This show was a first for me in that regard, and I must say that Micky did not disappoint! Although Micky's role is a supporting character, it is very important to the story nonetheless. Zoser is the father of Radames, an Egyptian captain, who in battle took a number of slaves as captive in the fictional nation of Nubia. Radames, however is unaware that one of his slaves, Aida, happened to be the princess of Nubia as she keeps that knowledge secret from her captives. Her fellow captives haven't forgotten, though, and look to her for help and a way home, as she becomes more than just a humble servant, but a handmaiden in the kingdom. The main thrust of the action of the show takes place amid the growing love that Aida and Radames begin to feel for each other, while Zoser tries his best to thwart Radames' attentions and
thrust him towards a pre-arranged marrage to Amneris, an Egyptian princess. This union will only help to advance Zoser's own lust for power and riches. Zoser is mainly a dramatic role, although he has some of the best funny lines in the show. One memorable piece of dialogue between him and Radames takes place when Zoser comments that if he had known that his son's betrothed (Amneris), would have turned out to be such an exceptional beauty that he would have saved her for himself. Radames, already falling desparately in love with Aida, says that he can have her! Later on, once Zoser discovers the ever deepening relationship beteen his son and Aida, he comments that Radames can have his little flings on the side, but he should wait until he is married like everybody else! Although Micky has action and dialogue sprinkled throughout the entire show, including one particularly intense sword fight scene (!!) where he kills one of the Nubian servants, he has two major musical numbers, one in each act of the show. The first, "Another Pyramid", is an uptempo tune--a duet between Zoser and Radames as his son returns from battle and is updated on the changes that have taken place in his land while he was gone. This particular number 48
Monkee Shines ends with a rather impressive dance sequence that is wonderfully choreographed while Zoser prods the dancers on. The second number, "Like Father, Like Son", takes place amid the conflict that Radames and Zoser have over his son's choice of love interests, intensified by the fact that his wedding is about to take place under difficult conditions. I was unsure of how well I would enjoy Micky's role. Some comments I had read on the internet from certain fans gave the impression that Micky played his role too stiffly, and was not dramatic enough. I tend to disagree. I will conceed somewhat that Zoser was "stiff", but I argue that a certain amount of that quality is needed in order to pull off the role. This is a guy who has a goal in mind and will do anything in his power to make it happen. This isn't a loose, roll with the flow, type of guy by any means. For those who are interested, the fact that Micky has a role in this show was downplayed to a very large degree in the advertising in this area. The radio and television ads that ran weeks prior to the show made absolutely no mention of Micky's involvement, and it wasn't until just before the show made it's run that his presence was made known on a few television news spots. (In fact, there were some people sitting behind me that were not aware of Micky's involvement at all until they looked at the merchandise that was being offered and spied copies of last year's "Monkeemania 2002" live
CD being sold to patrons.) Depending on how you look at that, this may be a good thing--it could be that Micky and the Powers That Be were looking to downplay the Monkee image, and concentrate on how Micky can do on his own, as an entertainer in his own right. If the packed house that I saw was any indication, that is quite well! I've been thinking about how I want to end this little mini-review for a little while now. I can't very well tell you to go out and see the show, as by the time you read this, the show will already have come to a close on the road. Let's just say that Micky was fantastic, and I am sure that should he take on his role on Broadway, as is the rumor, that he will continue to wow the audiences. The only thing that I hope is that a new cast album is recorded which features Micky, as well as some of the other fantastic musicians and singers in this touring production, and that he returns to the area again soon for an encore. Ya did good, Micky...kudos on a job well done.
Micky as Zoser from the tour program
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Monkee Shines
ALL JONES, ALL THE TIME Who Writes This Stuff? Inspiration By: Janet Litterio Written By: Bonnie Borgh and Cindy Bryant For all of us “Baby Boomers” who are approaching the “Shades of Gray” days of our lives, here is a proposal for David Jones to consider:
Manic Mondays A great way to begin the week and exercise degenerating brain cells, is to play “Name That (Monkees) Tune”. Instead of using musical chairs to eliminate resident contestants, there will be comfortable rocking chairs.
As most Monkees’ fans know, David has purchased an old Lutheran Church in Beavertown which he is transforming into a memorabilia museum slash youth club. David always jokes about the other Monkees being in the “Actor’s Home” in Hollywood. Perhaps David might want to ponder an addition to his project and include a “Home” for wayward Monkees’ enthusiasts. No doubt he’s thought we have all needed a place to go for some time now.
Show and Tell Tuesdays If you have ever had the desire to share your Monkees’ collectible treasures with your friends, now you will have a totally captive audience. Karaoke Wednesdays Invite A Band Member To The Home Nite and enjoy Monkees’ karaoke at it’s finest. Vegas Thursdays David always talks about “Someday Man” wearing a silver suit and performing in Las Vegas. Here’s his chance to bring Las Vegas to U2 (Imagine that! Wrong group!) in Beavertown!
Just think of residency at “All Jones, All The Time”! Growing old no longer has to be an unpleasant stage of life. At “All Jones, All The Time”, you can hang out “Eight Days A Week” with friends just like you!
Day-Tripping Fridays An absolute must for all old nags! Perhaps David would be willing to hitch up his team and offer horse and buggy rides around picturesque Amish Country.
Pleasant Valley Sundays There will be charcoal burning everywhere, and where there’s charcoal, there’s food! Good nutrition is very important to the elderly. 50
Monkee Shines Saturday’s Child Play time! Do you remember watching Saturday morning cartoons like Scooby Doo meets Davy Jones? Playing Monkees’ cards and putting together Monkees’ puzzles is a great way to keep the mind sharp. There’s always Monkees’ episodes to revisit, too. They will still be as funny as the first time we saw them because we won’t remember having seen them before.
overs! There will be popcorn and (Monkees) movies galore. Wear your favorite pj’s and join the fun! Do You Remember Who They Are Night? Do you ever question, “What ever happened to ‘Sajad Khan?” “All Jones, All The Time” wonders that as well. Every attempt will be made to contact former teen idols and invite them to take a stroll with you down memory lane.
Special Events Annual Davy Dash Dust off your orthopedic shoes and get out your inhalers! David will begin the 1B (that’s one block) race, and whoever catches him first, is declared the winner. Finding Davy Jones’ Locker Scuba Doo...Where Are You? If jogging isn’t your cup of (English Breakfast) tea, then just “Pool It!” Find your fins and your oxygen tank and start searching. As “Dory” in Finding Nemo says, “What do we do? We swim, swim, swim!”
Sajad Kahn-He’s no Davy Jones! At “All Jones, All The Time” every day will be like “the good ole days” where you can still Monkee around!
Prom Night There’s no longer a reason to be sad just because Davy Jones never sang at your high school prom. Now is your golden opportunity to feel just like Marsha Marsha Marsha! David will host a lovely evening of song and dance. Formal attire is required.
[Author’s Note: While we all may not be able to live on “Easy Street” in our twilight years, it would be nice to live on “Jones Street”. This article is obviously written in “Good Clean Fun,” but on the flip side, “All Jones, All The Time” might be something for David to think about if he is still contemplating plans for his renovation project.]
Pajama Party It will be just like old times with overnight sleep51
Monkee Shines When the girls come out
WHEN THE GIRLS COME OUT
Well, wouldn’t you like to have one? Wouldn’t you like to get one for your own? Wouldn’t you like to get one all alone? (baby) When the girls come out
Perhaps some of you will recall this song which David performed yester decade ago (December 1, 1991) at Shikellamy High School in Sunbury, Pennsylvania. For those of you who do not, here are the Words:
When the girls come out in the summertime showing what they’ve got, And they oil their skins, and they like to lay out when it’s hot. When those girls come out (yeah) When the girls come out Well, wouldn’t you like to have one? Wouldn’t you like to get one for your own? Wouldn’t you like to get one all alone? (baby) When the girls come out I said, baby, when the girls come out I said, baby, when the girls come out
When the girls come out in the summertime showing what they’ve got, And they oil their skins, and they like to lay out when it’s hot. When those girls come out (yeah) When the girls come out
Thanks to Bonnie Borgh for tracking down the words to this song.
When the girls come out in the wintertime, they like to shed their clothes, And the boys go wild on the beach and shout, ‘cause everybody knows. When those girls come out (yeah) 52