Tom Jones International

The woman in this photo is named Anita McGraw, a Tom Jones fan from Winter Park, Florida. Having fought lung cancer for about two years, she passed away in her sleep Sunday morning.

I met Anita via this website. We corresponded and, as she was diagnosed with cancer just after she made reservations to come to Las Vegas to see Tom in January 2009, for awhile it was a toss-up if she could actually make the trip. Her doctor gave her clearance and I picked her up at the airport and brought her to the MGM Grand where kind hotel staff, told of her illness, had given her room near the elevator so she wouldn’t have to walk far.

Even then, walking was difficult and even the relatively few yards from, say, Fiamma to Craft Steak were an effort. But Anita did it and always with a smile or a joke. At the time she had undertaken the task of distributing postcards to fans and having them signed and, then, collected, as a petition to get Tom into the Hall of Fame. But, she had a great deal of trouble simply carrying the cards so, in the end, she couldn’t do what she’d tried to do. Sadly, the people who asked her, called and harassed her while she was still here and, after she got home, bombarded her with demands that she still deal with the cards. The entire episode upset her greatly. I was upset that these people, who knew she was ill, didn’t just drop it. But, ultimately, we were able to joke about the incident and the people involved.

Anyway, we talked — as two native New Yorkers —about lots of topics. These included cancer, she as someone new to the disease and I as a long-time survivor. I never met anyone with such a great attitude about illness and about the potential of not surviving. That attitude was very realistic and she had great faith.

Remember, this was just after 24 Hours was released and, to honor that, she brought a gift for Tom, a pair of boxer shorts decorated with Sugar Daddies. (In addition to being the name of a song Tom sang, it is the name of a caramel candy in the USA.) She didn’t get to give the gift to him in Las Vegas but managed to do so in Florida a few months later.

Anita’s cancer progressed steadily and, hearing that, I was able to send her a personally autographed photo of Tom wishing her the best. She was thrilled; told me she cried when she opened it.

Anita’s son, John, called me Sunday morning with the news. She died peacefully in her sleep. John said he was able to take her outdoors a few days ago to watch the Space Shuttle launch (they live near Cape Canaveral).

He said, “I just wish she could have lasted a little longer so I could have taken her to see Tom Jones one more time.”

I wish that, too.

Anita, my friend, may you rest in peace and may your memory be for blessing.

First, a personal note: Today marks six years that I’m living in Las Vegas. It’s been….interesting and, sometimes, lots of fun. You who visit TJI are a big part of that fun and I thank you. And, remember, there’s always lots to do in Las Vegas, so consider a visit with or without Sir Tom performing. If he is, it’s a bonus. If not, it’s just great fun.

The photos are right were taken at Abbey Road Studios in London Thursday night as Sir Tom performed for Cancer Research UK in the Sound and Vision show. He sang six songs and it looks like he had a lot of fun.

It is such a worthwhile cause! Some loyal fan donated £3,400 ($5,511.06) for a meet-and-greet. That is a nice tribute to the cause and to Tom Jones.

On Friday, a radio interview — apparently recorded Thursday — was broadcast. It’s relatively brief, but it a lot of fun. I love what Tom said in relation to The King’s Speech. You can listen to it here.

Enjoy it!

Don’t forget the contest for a CD in the post below!

Priced at $64 and $89, Tickets are on sale to see Tom at the Tennessee Theatre in Knoxville at 8 pm April 28. Strangely, the US dates are being called “An Evening With Tom Jones,” rather than the Praise and Blame tour, as the European dates are called. On one hand, it’s somewhat peculiar that the Praise and Blame music isn’t being touted in its native land. On the other hand, that probably means a show more like the last one at the MGM, with a terrific mix of material — both old and new and, as Sir Tom says, “some surprises.”

Grey power ... hair gives a clue to his advancing years, but Sir Tom Jones can still cut it on stage . / Photo: WENN

By MATT BENDORIS | 24 February 2011 | The Sun

MUSIC legend Sir Tom Jones has vowed to “kick ass” when he becomes one of the oldest stars ever to play T In The Park.

The Green, Green Grass Of Home singer will have turned 71 just weeks before taking to the King Tut’s Tent at Balado, Perthshire, in July.

That makes him just one year younger than when the late Godfather of Soul James Brown played the festival in 2005 at the age of 72. In an exclusive interview with The Scottish Sun, Sir Tom reveals: “I can’t wait for this old man to show the young crowd what he can do.”

The Welsh superstar – whose career has spanned six decades – was the surprise addition to this year’s bill, which also features Coldplay, Foo Fighters and Arctic Monkeys.

But Tom admits he still enjoys making and breaking records.

He says: “My last album Praise And Blame narrowly missed getting to the top of the charts when I was pipped at the post by Eminem.

“If I had made it to No 1, I would have been the oldest male to have an album at the top.

“It’s a shame because I’ve always enjoyed making and breaking records.

“I hear James Brown was the oldest to play T In The Park.

“So I hope they keep inviting me back – it’d be an honour to be the oldest artist to have played T In The Park.”

But it won’t be Sir Tom’s first festival.

The star, who had the raunchy worldwide smash Sex Bomb in 2000, played Glastonbury in 1992 and Latitude last summer.

He said: “Van Morrison had been on the stage at Glastonbury before me and I asked him ‘how is it out there?’

“He said, ‘They need a good kick up the a*** – they’re going to sleep’.

For the rest of the article, and a fine vintage photo, please click here to (more…)

To win a copy of the CD, please answer the question below. The winner will be drawn from the correct replies. Only people living outside the UK are eligible.

In the British Isles, one in 100 people bears the surname Jones. In Wales, Jones is the most popular surname. It comes from “John” which, itself, is from the Hebrew name “Yochanan,” meaning “Jehovah has favored me with a son.”

But, there’s something a bit odd going on.

In fact, it is unusual that “Jones” is such a common Welsh name.

Looking at Welsh culture, do you know why this is so?

To be entered into a drawing for the Sunday Mail CD, please send your response in an email to TJI.com.

Do not post your answer as a comment.

You have one week to answer. The contest closes Friday, March 4, 12 midnight PST. The winner will be chosen from the correct replies.

Please note: Because getting a copy of the Sunday Mail was possible only in the UK, this contest is open to anyone outside of the United Kingdom.

New Date Announced: Tom Jones will headline the Tatton Park Picnic Concert on Sunday, July 31 in Knutsford, Cheshire. Tickets are priced at £32.50 and it is a benefit for Francis House Children’s Hospice. No sale info at the moment this is being written, but their website said for tickets, call 0870 899 3339 or 0870 060 1768.

I was notified about a new Facebook page that may interest you.

It’s called Tom Jones: Please Come Back To North America.

As we all know, Facebook campaigns have worked before and, perhaps, will work this time.

You can “Like” the page and ask your friends to do the same. (Even if they’re not as interested as you are, they’ll surely help you, won’t they?)

The page description says: “Tom Jones has been celebrated around the world — including North America where he’s made his home for more than half his life. His performances here are legendary. But now it seems that except for a few scattered dates he’s abandoned North America for places like Sweden, a fine country to be sure, but one that doesn’t offer a performer the opportunity North America does. Yes, he is European, but “Praise and Blame,” the album judged to be his best work ever, is purely American music just like, ironically, “Green Green Grass of Home.” However, since “Praise and Blame” hasn’t been properly promoted here, it hasn’t been properly celebrated here. That’s a pity. Come back, Tom!”

It’ll be interesting to see how many people sign up and what, if anything, happens. Remember, you don’t have to be from North America to support this campaign.

Finally, you can use the social media links just below to get news of the page out to your network of contacts.

Hope all in the US are having a good three-day weekend! I’d say, “Happy Presidents Day,” but that sounds dumb.

Watch for a special announcement tomorrow and a contest Wednesday!

Tom Jones fan Joe Murray began singing as a small boy. His first public gig took place on the fabled boardwalk in his hometown of Atlantic City as part of the Easter pageant. It was a singing competition and he won second prize. His grandmother got introduced him to Elvis and that, he says, “made my mom happy because I was listening to Boy George and Culture Club.

“I entered a few talent shows and we were off and running,” he adds. “Prior to singing I was very shy. I credit singing and Elvis for bringing me out of my shell.”

While he thought of making a career of music, he says, “I ultimately didn’t continue it because the music business is so cutthroat.”

Today, after a brief stint living in Las Vegas, Joe lives in Mississippi, and practices law in nearby Memphis, TN. He often sings for charity. “I’ve performed for cancer awareness, in nursing homes, at Ronald McDonald House,” he says. “I will sing at any charity who asks. I also sing at county fairs. One gig that was great fun was a Juneteenth Festival — the annual celebration of the abolition of slavery in the state of Texas — where I sang Black Betty. The audience saw the humor of skinny white boy up there singing this song.”

In addition to his charity work, Joe has performed on TV, in clubs and just about anywhere he’s asked to sing. In 2005 he recorded a CD, Weapon of Mass Seduction. You can find lots of his work on his YouTube page, jrm1835.

Here are two samples of his work. First, a TJ hit you all know, You Can Leave Your Hat On. Then, a song that may be less familiar to you, Catwalk Queen.

If you want to book Joe (or just friend him), you can find him on Facebook.

Tom brings Praise and Blame to the wonderful, historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville April 30 at 8 pm — the night before he goes to New Orleans. This is an amazing venue which, along with the churches TJI suggested would have been the perfect spot to promote Praise and Blame last summer, when it first came out. From 1943 to 1974 the Ryman was home to the Grand Ole Opry. It is a beautiful theater that is a national historic landmark and it’s in a beautiful city. (BTW: The Nashville daily newspaper said this is a P&B concert. The venue site doesn’t say that and it’s not on his official site. But, as the ticket sale date and prices have been announced on the Ryman site, one may assume it’s happening.)

If you live in the UK, TJI hopes you haven’t forgotten to enter the Daily Mail’s contest to win a signed gold disc (is it really “gold?”) or one of 10 signed Praise and Blame CDs.

TJI was asked to help publicize this very worthwhile event next week in an email from Sound and Vision. Note: Neither the auction at the event or on eBay has any memorabilia from Tom Jones. But there is a ONCE IN A LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY TO MEET TOM JONES (THAT NIGHT AT ABBEY ROAD STUDIOS). Bidding starts at £0.99. And there’s other interesting stuff, too.

The note said: We have an amazing opportunity on the 24th February to meet Tom Jones as well as getting our last remaining tickets to the event Sound & Vision.

The auction is on eBay for 5 days.

Details of the event were included:
ANNOUNCING TOM JONES AND THE FEELING…

You are invited to join patron ‘Whispering’ Bob Harris and founding patron Sir George Martin at the legendary Abbey Road Studios for one amazing evening to celebrate music, the people who make it and the
imagery it inspires.

Enjoy champagne, canapés and intimate live performances in this iconic building alongside 400 leading figures from the music and creative industries. Past performers have included Robert Plant, Paul Weller, David Gray and Kelly Jones.

Throughout the evening, take the opportunity to bid on a stunning exhibition of previously unseen or very limited edition music photography and artwork which is dramatically suspended from the ceiling. The 50 pieces will include Noel and Liam Gallagher by David Bailey, Frank Sinatra by Terry O’Neill, The Beatles by Tom Murray and Jimi Hendrix by Gered Mankowitz.

In addition you will have exclusive access to a live auction of memorabilia and incredible money-can’t-buy experiences including: lunch with Sir George Martin, a once in a lifetime trip to Vegas, the ultimate Beatles experience in Liverpool and an incredible guitar signed by legends Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and ZZ Top.

Cancer Research UK is the world’s largest organisation dedicated to beating cancer through research. Our groundbreaking work has saved millions of lives. However cancer statistics remain devastating; 1 in 3 of us will develop the disease in our lifetime. One of our goals is that by 2020 two thirds of cancer cases will be diagnosed at a time when they can be successfully treated. Your support at Sound & Vision will help make this a reality.

There are very limited tickets to this fabulous event.

For more information or to book tickets, please contact Claire Daniels at 0203 469 5487 or email soundandvision@cancer.org.uk. Check the official Sound and Vision website.

I’ve been noticing a blog called Singer Saved Me since it debuted online a few months ago.

In it, a woman from southern California named Judi details how Tom Jones “saved her” from despair and suicide, how his music has impacted her life and what seeing him perform and listening to his records have meant to her.

Below are the first two paragraphs of her first entry last August. If you scroll down the home page (link above) to the bottom, you’ll find it. New entries are on above it.

It is a sad, but lovely story that, on some level, many fans can probably relate to.

“I have loved three men in my life, respectively, my father, singer Tom Jones, and my husband. My father was married to my mother for over 60 years before he passed away days before his 91st birthday. It is well known that Tom Jones married his first love. And I am married to the love of my life.

“Tom Jones is what I like to call the object of my transformation, but in object relations theory of psychology, he was technically my object of transition. He came at a time and place in my life when, as a teenager, I was teetering in the abyss of a black hole. While life appeared so simple for so many, it felt so complicated for me.”

Note! TJI will have one of these Daily Mail CDs to give to one of you. Just have to (1) get it in the mail and (2) figure out how to give it away. Suggestions are welcome via email.

Above, obviously, is the cover of the promotional CD included in Sunday’s Daily Mail. Now, I won’t argue that this would be a wonderful gift on Valentine’s Day or, in truth, any day. The first 13 tracks were recorded live at Wembley Stadium and the 14th is from Praise and Blame. But, as this is being promoted as an album of love songs, one must ask, why, why, why is Delilah included?

Tom himself has commented many times that people who love the melody often forget the lyrics tell about a brutal murder…..Just thought it was amusing so I’d point it out.

To see a brief promo ad for the CD, you can click here.

Happy Valentine’s Day, all!