Tom Jones International

Moderator’s Note: Tom opened his two-week run here in Vegas on March 2. As Scoop notes, the regulars are beginning to turn out (often they’re absent from January to March and their numbers pick up for the spring, summer and fall shows). We saw the show Friday night, March 3rd and, as usual, Tom was great. Some of the material he did — St. James Infirmary, Love Letters and The Glory of Love — seemed to be unfamiliar to much of the audience, be we loved them and hope he continues to do them. The more stuff like the numbers from the CD with Jools Holland, the better. We do miss Hanging Up My Heart (also from that CD), tho. We’re seeing more shows and we — and Scoop — will keep you posted. And we hope any of you who see Tom’s this run at MGM let us know what you think.

Now, heeeeeeeeeere’s Scoop:

Activity on the Strip is busier than ever. Las Vegas is definitely thriving. It continues to be the fastest growing city in America. Tourism is at an all-time high and casinos are expanding to handle the unprecedented activity.

For Tom Jones this means sold-out shows each night during this current spring run at the famed Hollywood Theater, inside the massive MGM Grand Hotel & Casino.

The shows are going well. The weekend shows have been typically more lively. Maybe because it’s the weekend? Saturday night was no exception. Mr. Jones commands the Hollywood Theater like no other entertainer has. Which explains why he’s booked at the joint twelve weeks this year.

The regular Tom Jones west coast fans are here as expected. Sometimes they are acknowledged by the star with a smile or a nod, sometimes a handshake, and on rare occasion, a kiss!

Mr. Jones appears in the Hollywood Theater in the MGM Grand through the 15th of March. There’s lots to do in Vegas. Seeing Tom Jones in Vegas is a must-do. Place him at the top of that list! See you there.

Scoop… out!

A tomjonesinternational.com t-shirt is the contest prize for the best true, suitable-for-posting story of Tom Jones fan devotion.


We’d like you to share your tale of the most devoted Tom Jones fan you know. It can be you, or someone you’ve heard about. We want stories of how fans spread the word about how great Mr. Jones is. True stories.

Since he’s being knighted March 29, we’d like all entries by then.We’ll post the best entry.

Check out our first story, the tale of Taxi Tom the Ticket Man, then send your entry to href="http://tomjonesintl.com/wp-admin/post.php#" mce_href="http://tomjonesintl.com/wp-admin/post.php#">us.

Taxi Tom drives a taxi in Las Vegas and, as a big fan of Tom Jones, you can guess his response when a fare — usually a visitor to the city — asks him to recommend a show.

But Taxi Tom takes it one step further.

Three times in the last few months he’s picked up couples on their way to one of the more than 60 wedding chapels in Las Vegas. But, before he’ll take them, he brings them to the MGM Grand and insists that, as a wedding present to themselves, they buy tickets to see Tom.

They get out of the taxi, go into the MGM and, when they return to the cab (and — surprise! — they all have returned so far) Taxi Tom asks them to, “Show me the tickets.”

When they do, he takes them to the chapel.

Do you have a story of fan devotion equal to Taxi Tom’s? If so, please share it with us. The writer of the best entry will win a tomjonesinternational.com t-shirt just like the one Mr. Jones is holding in the photo on our homepage. Entries due by March 29, the day Tom is knighted, please.

(And, remember, they must be suitable for posting on the site. And true.)

Send your entry to href="http://tomjonesintl.com/wp-admin/post.php#" mce_href="http://tomjonesintl.com/wp-admin/post.php#">us. Please note: all entries must be emailed using the link below, but you are free to comment in the “comments” area under this post.

[People who are already fans of Tom’s by the way, can have a Tom Jones Wedding in Las Vegas presided over by Harmik, the self-proclaimed top TJ impersonator.)

We are hoping that there will be lots of reviews of Tom’s current Las Vegas gig — and we know Inside Scoop will be filling us in — but, meanwhile, Tom confirmed that his knighthood investiture is March 29. And he practiced bowing.

All hail Sir Tom Jones!

[This really doesn't have much to do with Tom and he's not quoted until the end of the story, but the name of the festival — "The Full Ponty" — is so great and, if it all works out, he will have started a tradition that will help revitalize his hometown's economy.]

Goldie Lookin’ Chain to follow in footsteps of Tom Jones
Mar 3 2006

Karen Price, Western Mail

A major annual music festival is being launched in Pontypridd following the success of Tom Jones’s homecoming gig last summer.

Top Welsh bands like Feeder, Goldie Lookin’ Chain and Kerrang! Award winners Funeral For A Friend will be among the line-up for the first ever The Full Ponty event, which will be staged at Ynysangharad Park during the May Bank Holiday weekend.

The two-day festival will open on May 27 — exactly a year after Tom returned to the Green Green Grass of Home for his 65th birthday gig at Ponty Park.

It was the first time that such an event has been staged in the park but, at the time, organiser Emyr Afan said he hoped that more concerts could be held there in future.

Now his company, Pop Factory Events, is behind The Full Ponty, which will also feature a fringe festival programme.

The main bands will perform in a special 11,000-capacity tented area within the park.

Although Tom is unable to return to Pontypridd again this year, organisers hope he will be back again in future.

“Following on from the Tom Jones homecoming last year, Tom really, really was keen for an annual event to happen in Pontypridd,’ said Pablo Janzcur of Pop Factory Events.

“We talked about it a lot with him and his manager and the idea just grew from that.”

It is hoped this year’s festival is the first of many.

“We have a three-year plan to expand and establish this festival,” said Janzcur.

“The aim is to get the town of Pontypridd fully involved so it is not just a concert in the middle of a field somewhere.”

Chepstow-born Grant Nicholas, lead singer with headlining band Feeder, said, “We’re really pleased to have been asked to headline the first Pontypridd festival, it looks like being a fantastic weekend.

“We had a brilliant time playing Cardiff last December and can’t wait to get back to Wales.”

Around 25,000 fans packed into Ponty Park when Tom performed there.

His fans danced the night away to all his greatest hits.

Before he took to the stage he admitted he would be feeling emotional to be performing in his home town.

“You have got to try not to get emotional when you sing. If you’re too emotional, your throat closes up,” he said.

“I always feel emotional when I play in Cardiff but not so emotional as I will be doing a live show at Pontypridd for the first time since I left in 1964.”

The Full Ponty is at Ynysangharad Park, Pontypridd, on May 27 and 28. Tickets go on sale today and cost £22.50 for the Saturday and £19.50 for the Sunday. They’re available from the box office on 029 2023 0130 or online at www.seetickets.com

What do you think? Check out this version of Sexbomb.

(Thanks, Cathy)

What make of wrist watch does Tom prefer to wear? During his recent shows he has been wearing a large silver wrist watch. Is this a particular make or one specially made for Tom?

— Dale, UK

We think has several watches including a diamond Rolex. Our favorite (which may actually be the diamond Rolex or the one you’re referring to, Dale) is the one he was given in 2004 when he appeared in the VH1 Diva’s concert to benefit MusiCares at the MGM. That one could light up the night sky.

If anyone else can more fully answer Dale’s question, please let us know.

I would like to know when did his beautiful green hazel eyes turn to blue and why?????? Tell him to go back to his green eyes!!!!

—Donna, Pennsylvania

Well, Donna, we think Tom’s eyes change with the lighting, with what he’s wearing and, perhaps, with his mood or, maybe, with contacts. Who knows? We’ll take him any way we can get him.

What does an entertainer — Tom Jones or any other — owe fans? Is it just a good show? Something more? Please tell us what is owed (if anything) and why.

Recorded in London on November 11, 1964, on March 1, 1965 — 41 years ago today — It’s Not Unusual hit #1 on the UK charts. A group of devoted fans noted the 40th anniversary when Tom played the MGM Grand on March 1, 2005 when they made a card and asked audience members to sign it (photo below).

Today is also St. David’s Day, the Welsh national holiday named in honor (well, it’s a Welsh day, so we’ll write “honour”) of the patron saint of Wales. Saint David, or “Dewi Sant,” as he is known in Welsh, was a Celtic monk, abbot and bishop, who lived in the sixth century. During his life, he was the archbishop of Wales, and he was one of many early saints who helped to spread Christianity among the pagan Celtic tribes of western Britain. To read more about St. David follow this link.

The traditional St. David’s Day emblem — worn on a man’s buttonhole — is the leek, which also figures in a meal that day and (leek is the national veggie of Wales) and the floral emblem is the daffodil which, historians say, really has no significance except, they guess, that it looks nicer in the buttonhole.

Dydd Gwyl Dewi hapus! Happy St David’s Day!