Ozzie Nelson, Hal Linden, Spring...and MORE!

Happy Birthday, Hal Linden

Harriet Nelson: You know, it's none of my business, but don't you think taking riding lessons is a pretty expensive way to meet a girl?
Ozzie Nelson: Yeah, especially since you don't need the lessons?
Ricky Nelson: Oh, well, we made a deal. See, I'm gonna teach her how to play the guitar, and she's gonna teach me how to ride.
Ozzie Nelson: Well, that sounds like a good idea.
Harriet Nelson: What happens, if she finds out you can ride?
David Nelson: Probably hit him over the head with the guitar.

David Nelson: One of these days I'm going to write a book.You know what I'm going to call it?
Ozzie Nelson: What?
David Nelson: "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet!"

Happy March, 20th 2016!
It's spring!  March 20 is the 80th day of the year . There are 286 days remaining until the end of the year.
Typically the March equinox falls on this date, marking the vernal point in the Northern Hemisphere and the autumnal point in the Southern Hemisphere, when both day and night are of equal length.
As I sit down to begin this blog, Judy Garland is singing Rockabye Your Baby (With a Dixie Melody) on the radio. We are gearing up for what will hopefully be the last snowfall of the year.
Forget success. Forget fame. Forget fortune. Happiness is something everyone wants, and wants to feel a lot more often--because where happiness is concerned, too much is never enough. This is a favorite time of year for me.

From the pen of Chan Lowe, Carol Channing's son

Today is the International Day of Happiness.
There is a LOT to celebrate today. I'm going to begin by acknowledging the the birthdays of two of televisions icons. Ozzie Nelson and Hal Linden.
Oswald George "Ozzie" Nelson (March 20, 1906 – June 3, 1975) was an American band leader, actor, director, and producer. He originated and starred in The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, a radio and long-running television series with his wife Harriet and two sons David and Ricky Nelson.

Spring is in the air!

The second son of George Waldemar and Ethel Irene (née Orr) Nelson, Nelson was born in Jersey City, New Jersey. His paternal grandparents were Swedish and his mother was of English descent. Nelson was raised in Ridgefield Park where he was active in Scouting, earning the rank of Eagle Scout at age 13. He played football at Ridgefield Park High School as well as during his college years at Rutgers University. He was a member of the Cap and Skull fraternity,and entered Rutgers School of Law–Newark. As a student he made pocket money playing saxophone in a band and coaching football. During the Depression, he turned to music as a full-time career.
For all of my Christian religious friends, today is also Palm Sunday.
HAL LINDEN is an American actor, singer and musician whose career has spanned more than 65

years with memorable roles on stage, television, in film and a cabaret-style variety show that he tours nationally. Linden is perhaps best known for his portrayal of police precinct captain Barney Miller in the hit television series that aired on ABC from 1975-1982, earning multiple Golden Globe and Emmy nominations for his work.

I received the following from Trent Armand Kendall: 

Had the pleasure of working with Hal for several months in the Los Angeles premiere of Kander and Ebb's THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS, direction/choreography by Susan Stroman.

Photo courtesy: Trent Armand Kendall

Hal is a talented pro, as you well know, but it was an added pleasure that this Tony and Emmy winning icon from my childhood who appeared on my living room console television, once a week for several years was open, kind, gracious, funny and giving of his time. 

I enjoyed private moments during rehearsals and backstage chewing the fat about nothing in particular, yet he made each encounter feel profound.

He is a STAR.

La Belle Paree featuring Al Jolson (NY debut) opened on Broadway (1911).

Sigmund Romberg's Maytime opened in London (1925).

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Ted Bessell, Leif Tilden, Natalie Gumede, Jakub Gierszal, Susannah Hoffman, Woo-sung Jung, Chip Zien.

Play On opened on Broadway (1997)

Thank to ALL of the artists mentioned in this blog for the gifts they have given to the world and continue to give!

With grateful XOXOXs ,

 

 

Check out my site celebrating the legacy of Jerry Herman's Hello, Dolly!

NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED.  FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY!

Please do what YOU can to be more aware that words and actions DO HURT...but they can also heal and help!    

            

Here's to an INCREDIBLE tomorrow for ALL...with NO challenges!

La Tanya Hall has worked with some of the world’s most celebrated artists including Diana Ross,
Bobby McFerrin, Donald Fagen, Quincy Jones, Aretha Franklin, Michael Feinstein, Patti Labelle,
and Harry Belafonte. TV shows: Blue Bloods, Law & Order, 100 Centre Street, The Sopranos.
Broadway and theater appearances: Dreamgirls; Promises, Promises; A Christmas Carol. Her
first solo album, It’s About Time, garnered rave reviews and La Tanya is in the studio finishing her
latest recording project. Find more details at www.latanyahall.com

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Keeping Entertainment LIVE!
 

TILL TOMORROW...HERE'S TO AN ARTS FILLED DAY

Richard Skipper, Richard@RichardSkipper.com

PLEASE CELEBRATE WITH US April 7th in NYC


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