Tom Jones International

Tickets are now on sale for Tom’s shows at the MGM Grand August 6 through 19.

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As we’ve noted, Tom will be honored June 18 by the Songwriters Hall of Fame at the New York Marriott Marquis. That is not the only honor for him this month. The Friars Club hosted a testimonial for Tom in 1970 (1970 photo of Tom at right) and over the years he has attended many of these events, including one for George Raft (left). Well, again, on Tuesday, June 16, at the elegant Manhattan restaurant Cipriani the Friars will honor Tom, along with Natalie Cole and CBS President Leslie Moonves with Lifetime Achievement Awards. By the way, the Dean (President) of the Friars is now Freddie Roman. Remember him, North American fans?

The evening, as you can read in the official press release below, benefits the Friars Foundation, which serves to support the arts. The event is open to members only and tickets are prices at $600. If anyone is interested in buying a table (10 tickets) please let me know ASAP. (They made an exception and extended the same privilege to Manilow fans when he was honored, too.) Meanwhile, you can contribute — any amount welcome —by sending a check to the:

Friars Foundation
57 East 55th St.
New York, NY 10022

If you do donate, be sure to mark it “In honor of Sir Tom Jones.”

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Philanthropic Friars Honor Entertainment Industry Greats Natalie Cole, Leslie Moonves and Tom Jones with Lifetime Achievement Awards

Unforgettable singer Natalie Cole, CBS President and CEO Leslie Moonves, and international heartthrob Sir Tom Jones will be honored at the Friars Foundation Applause Award Gala, on Tuesday, June 16, at Cipriani 42nd Street, New York City. The Friars Foundation is the charitable arm of the legendary Friars Club, founded in 1904.

Ms. Cole will receive the Friars Foundation Creative Achievement Applause Award, Mr. Moonves will receive the Friars Foundation Lifetime Achievement Applause Award, and Mr. Jones will receive the Friars Foundation Artistic Scholarship Applause Award. All three awards are given, respectively, to artists and industry titans who have shown outstanding merit and achievement, and whose careers have contributed positively to their industry and to the world of entertainment.

Prior recipients of the Friars Foundation awards include Stephen Wynn, Tony Bennett, Ted Turner, Alan King, Harry Belafonte, John Catsimatidis and Frankie Valli, among others over the organization’s history.

Former US Ambassador to Spain and Chairman of the Friars Foundation, Ambassador Joseph Zappala says: “We are enjoying a triple threat at this year’s Applause Award Gala with Natalie Cole, Leslie Moonves and Tom Jones being honored. Our mission to foster the performing arts could not have better examples of the achievements individuals can make in the entertainment industry. The Friars Foundation is proud of their accomplishments and we’re pulling out the stops for a successful fundraising event.”

The Friars Foundation was established in 1977 as the charitable arm of the Friars Club. The mission of the Foundation is to help small performing arts groups create innovative and affordable programs that will educate, entertain and enrich the lives of diverse audiences and participants. Additionally, the Foundation helps prepare the next generation of performers and musical artists through scholarship programs for students studying the performing arts.

The daughter of legendary Nat King Cole (who was the recipient of a Friars Club Roast in 1964), Natalie Cole has forged a stellar career, first performing R&B/urban contemporary and then later redefining the American Songbook as a jazz-based pop artist. Capturing 1975′s Best New Artist Grammy®, Cole recorded a slew of No.1 hits throughout the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s. Yet it was with the release of her 1991 album, Unforgettable…with Love that Cole touched an astounding chord in modern music, resulting in U.S. sales that topped 7 million and multiple Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year, Record of the Year and Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance.

Leslie Moonves has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of CBS Corporation since 2006. In this role he oversees the business operations of one of the biggest media companies in the world whose properties include the #1 ranked CBS Television Network, The CW (a joint venture between CBS Corporation and Warner Bros. Entertainment), CBS Television Stations, CBS Paramount Network Television, CBS Television Distribution Group, Showtime, CBS Radio, CBS Outdoor, Simon & Schuster, CBS Interactive and CBS Films, among others.

Born Thomas John Woodward in Pontypridd, South Wales, Tom Jones is one of the most enduring personalities in music. His unique vocal power, ability and charismatic persona has led Jones to multi-platinum and gold records throughout the world. Tom has sustained his popularity for more than four decades. His recordings have spanned the spectrum from pop, rock and country to classic standards, rhythm and blues to boogie-woogie and rockabilly through to contemporary dance and urban soul.