| Clearwater, Florida is a wonderful place to escape from the freezing, ice-capped cities of the North. When you add the extra excitement of seeing Johnny Mathis in concert ,it all adds up to the ultimate heavenly vacation. On April 1, 2004, my daughter, Melinda and I grabbed the wings of a bird, and flew to Tampa, Florida's airport ,then drove to the nautical town of Clearwater with tickets to see Johnny on both nights of his concert at the Ruth Eckerd Hall on April 2 and 3, 2004. After shopping, beach-walking, sailing, and sightseeing, we headed to the newly remodelled Eckerd Hall for Johnny's nearly sold out performance. On the first night, our seats were not together, and the box office clerk could offer us nothing better due to the impending crowd of ticket seekers. So we shuffled our way through the crowd into the theatre, bought some souvenirs, and waited for Johnny. The audience was packed. After what seemed like forever, Johnny walked onto a darkened stage to a spot-lit microphone wearing a light khaki colored suit, and tan earth shoes, with the first two buttons of his white shirt unbuttoned. AH! How my hands imagined themselves roaming down that shirt to his chest. The orchestra led by John Scott Lavender along with guitarist/production manager, Gil Reigers, started the intro to a tune I was all too familiar but...(Oh no, you didn't, Johnny) my least favorite Mathis song "LIFE IS A SONG WORTH SINGING" (but he did sing it) and he sang it well. Can you imagine that? A voice so magical it makes you like a song you hate? That was how the rest of the night went...Johnny sang many of his old standards with some variations to songs he hasn't performed as often, like YOU'LL NEVER GET TO HEAVEN, but his voice on each and every song was like silky smooth velvet. I felt that I was listening to a young 1960's Mathis, but even better. Yes, Johnny was better than his best. On "MISTY" he took his middle falsetto "on my own" and made the audience swoon. There was a standing ovation over and over as he sang his way into the hearts of everyone. Squeals and shouts of affection eminated from everywhere. John introduced a comedian, Derrick Cameron, to take over "while I change my suit". During the intermission I met with a fellow Mathis Music Messenger (an internet message board group), Regina, and we exchanged Mathis stories and took pictures. Regina and Marquita Melinda Johnny returned, after the intermission, in a beautifully tailored black suit accesorized with a black and while barber striped tie. He invited Gil Reigers to join him on the Brazilian medley of Mahna de Carnaval , Tres Palabras , and Felicidade/Generique...as well as 99 Miles to LA and the Twelfth of Never. Gil played the guitar as if it were an extension of his hands,,,,John Lavender directed the orchestra as if his middle name was "music perfection". It was a night that we'll always remember. Johnny melted "Brazil" into the end of the previous song, and started the audience swaying. Then, Johnny finished the night with an angelic sounding "HOW DO YOU KEEP THE MUSIC PLAYING", and I am sure everyone shared in one way or another the same feelings, that Johnny Mathis keeps the music playing in our hearts, forever. "...and I still got some sand in my shoes." Musical Selections: - Life is a Song Worth Singing - Gina -Stone in Love With You -The Greatest Gift -It's All in the Game -Secret Love -It's Not for Me to Say -You'll Never Get to Heaven -Chances Are -99 Miles to L.A. -Hold Back, Let Go -Twelfth of Never -Because of You -Mahna de Carnival -Misty -Felicidade/Generique -Tres Palabras -Let Me Be the One -To The Ends of the Earth -Bauble, Bangles, and Beads -Let Me Be the One -Kismet (Sands of Time) -You Make Me Feel Brand New -Stranger in Paradise -Brazil -How Do You Keep the Music Playing |
| SUN, SEA, SAND, SEASHELLS, ....and JOHNNY |
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| Sun, Sand, Sea, and Seashells Pictures |
| ...Mariadia down my the seaside siftin' sand for seashells |
Tour boat pictures (Seas were choppy) |