Good News on the Doorstep

Connie Francis, International Singing Star, to be Honored by Hometown Belleville, NJ

People often ask  me to rattle off the 11 Secrets of Arimathea. Now that the book is being sold in the marketplace, I tell them to take a look at the preview on-line Google, Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, or Xulon. Or just come here to my  blog. 

For the less patient types from my neighborhood, I say one of the Secrets is at work in the Belleville Education Foundation commitment to the Connie Francis Gala in late October. See if you can pick the secret! And read below.

February 3, 1957: "The Day the Music Died"

I usually get a couple of calls during the last week of January through February 3. For those who have followed this blog and remember the February entry of 2006 (go back through the archives), you will know why. Indeed, in my first book Bad News on the Doorstep, it was all about the people and the times affected by that fateful day.

Yes, "the music died" on that date when Buddy Holly, the Big Bopper, and Ritchie Valens went down in the wee hours of early February 3, 1957. And, nearly 14 years later, Don McLean made rock 'n' roll history with his epic anthem, "American Pie."

But what was McClane really writing about in that most symbolic of songs?

Jukebox Novel to Follow Jukebox Musical?

Since 2001 there has been a stream of theatrical productions inspired by the music of beloved artists and bands, starting with the Abba bio-show Mamma Mia.

A recent USA TODAY headline, “‘Jukebox Musicals’ Pull in Some Coin” says it plainly: The American public loves this genre of the lives behind the music! While the true-story aspect is sometimes compromised, the result isn't. Audiences are dancing in the aisles and jumping to their feet with standing ovations.

The Jersey Boys

I traveled with mixed emotions into New York City with dear friends and my wife Maria to experience Jersey Boys.

Whether you're from Belleville, New Jersey or San Diego, by now you know it's the Broadway production of the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons.

Why the mixed emotions? I knew I would be seeing scenes from my book, Bad News on the Doorstep, right before my eyes, and the feeling of "Gee, we don't have the full story of Bad News... out across the country yet!"