Tom Jones International

Be sure to visit TJI Sunday, Christmas Day, for very special holiday videos! It will be posted at 12 a.m. Pacific time on December 25.

Back in the day when there were active Tom Jones Fan Clubs, Tom sent a a holiday greeting to club presidents and members. It wasn’t personal, of course, but it gave everyone a sense that fans were important. As we know, these days there are few, if any entertainers who mail such stuff. Why should they when they can post a greeting online?

Anyway, to download a PDF of Tom’s 1980 holiday greeting to “Fan Club Presidents and Members,” click here.

Because this is one of your moderator’s favorites: Do you remember (around 2004) when Tom would sing What Am I Living For? He’d always say the same thing before he sang the song. He’d say this. Of course, as noted here before, Chuck Willis recorded the song in 1958.

Tom recorded it in 1969 for the BBC sessions. When he brought it back in this century, people just loved it but that early recording never did much and, therefore, wasn’t heard much. Tom did record it more recently. It is on the CD and DVD of the 2005 Australian tour he did with John Farnham. Here is Tom singing What Am I Living For? on the terrific live CD of that tour.

Finally, if you click here you can listen to that 1969 version of What Am I Living For?

Happy Chanukah to all!

File this under “Rumor or Reality” and, as you know, it’s not official until you see it on OFFICIAL TomJones or it’s announced on Sky TV.

Apparently Tom told BBC Radio 2 that 22 year-old Lianne La Havas (right) will be his assistant on The Voice. The assistant’s job is to…..well, assist. She will work with contestants, with the coach (Tom) and help keep things running smoothly.

LaHavas is a singer herself. She released an EP this year and, signed to Warner Bros. Records, she will release her first full album in 2012.

When she was on TV with Jools Holland (who I really wish would tour North America) she sang a song she wrote called Age. It’s terrific (and, ironically applicable to this topic). She has played in North America and next month has two dates in the Netherlands — in Amsterdam and Rotterdam. Then it’s a tour around England. She is surely one to watch. You can check out her website.

Click here to watch Lianne La Havas on Jools Holland’s Later singingAge.

You can go to her website for a free download of a live EP recorded in Los Angeles.

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And, speaking of Tom Jones on TV, Comedy Central News in the UK & Ireland is, like so much of the UK press really nasty about the story that Tom will do the Sky TV sitcom. (They call it a “romcom.”) It’s not a new story, but the headline is rude — as we’ve come to expect when the UK press talks about him. They write, “But can he be hilarious as well as orange?” And, yet, someone who arranges things for Tom apparently isn’t bothered by this kind of crap, not caring that his treatment in the press is leagues better in other European countries, the US, Canada and around the world. It is really disgusting.

If one is a native of New York City and happens to know anyone of a certain age who went to Brooklyn’s Erasmus Hall High School – the first public high school in the USA — then one probably has met at least one person who went to Erasmus and who claims to have been there at the same time as the school’s most famous alumna, Barbra Streisand. Now, it doesn’t matter if the person is older or younger then Streisand. As long as the approximate age is close, the claim is often made — even when totally untrue. (I know, PNR, you never claimed to go when Barbara did! I didn’t mean you!)

Ceri Haggett (right) is a Welsh singer/songwriter with, I think, a good — if sometimes a tad tasteless — sense of humor. And he’s written a song. The premise is:

“YOU’VE EVER SPOKEN TO SOMEONE FROM PONTIPRIDD, I GUARANTEE THAT WITHIN 30 SECS THEY’LL MENTION A CERTAIN PERSON….THEY CANNOT HELP IT….THEY ALLLLLLL RECKON THEY KNOW HIM!…….IMPOSSIBLE I SAY!”

In the song he mentions how Tom’s CD (Praise and Blame) was supposed to be number 1 but it was number 2…and so on.

Anyway, it’s a bit gross and infantile in spots and you stand warned. If you don’t think you can deal with it, don’t watch it. But it is (according to the moderator’s informal survey) funny. There’ll be special holiday stuff up soon.

Meanwhile, click here to see Living Next door To Tom Jones.

Haggett was a friend of the late Stuart Cable and he posted a video in Cable’s memory. Check that out, too.

Bridgend is a town in Wales, 22 miles west of Cardiff. Each year, it is the location of the Bridgend Feastival, an alternative food festival.

This year, local artist Nathan Wyburn used toast and Marmite as his media to draw celebrity pictures. to draw celebrity portraits.

Marmite is a spread for toast made from yeast. Its flavor is interesting — so interesting that its ad says,”Marmite: Love It or Hate It.”

Of course, it was Wales and the topic was celebrities, so one of those he drew on toast was Sir Tom Jones. Click here to see the creation of Sir Tom Jones’ portrait in Marmite.

Do you think it was yummy?

Note: Working on some really nice holiday video and audio posts. Be sure to check back.

There are two (2) calendars remaining for sale. If you want one, please hurry!

And, if you missed it, be sure to catch the Mars Attacks! material linked in the post below. Lots of fun and a taste of Sir Tom Jones, the actor.

Tom’s official site commented on the story that he’ll be doing a sitcom next year. The “exclusive” story in The Sun said in part:

“The 71-year-old — famous for being pelted with knickers while on stage — will be fought over by a number of women of a certain age.

“Two will be played by British acting royalty Brenda Blethyn and Alison Steadman.

“A show source said: ‘It’s very top secret but Tom has agreed to do it which is pretty exciting as he doesn’t really do acting.

“’He won’t be playing himself but his character isn’t a million miles away from his own. Essentially it’s a very British love story. Tom’s character is the subject of attention from hordes of women but his heart is not in the sleeping around game.’

“He ends up getting together with a childhood sweetheart, played by Alison, and the show is all about how sweet that kind of love is.’

“The new show, provisionally titled King Of Neds, will air on Sky Arts.”

From Tom’s official site Tuesday comes a comment:

TJ.com Comments on The Sun’s “Tom Jones to play ageing lothario” Article

December 13th, 2011 | By TomJones.com

Regarding the article published in The Sun newspaper on December 12: this is a piece full of misinformation and inaccuracies. Check this space early next year for an announcement about this exciting project from Sky TV.

Moderator’s Note: One might assume that Management was upset about remarks in the article about Tom’s personal life. Also, I know for a solid fact that Tom’s management does not like any announcement about his career that does not come from them. While that may be understandable, in today’s world it’s pretty difficult to contain news of general interest. As a journalist and a publicist (I don’t ever write about what I publicize) I am very, very aware that the person who releases the story has most control over it. Right now, this story is controlled by the tabloid press. That’s why a professional publicist who knows how to deal with such breaks may well be very a necessary addition to the Mnagement’s team.

Whatever, if the show happens with that cast, Sir Tom is in good company. Brenda Blethyn is a terrific actor, seen in Secrets and Lies, Little Voice, A River Runs Through It and many other films of note. Steadman, too, (The Singing Detective) is also an award-winning actress. It should be terrific.

It is also worth noting for TJ fans in the USA that a sitcom series in the UK is not an entire 32 week season as it is here. There, a season is six or seven weekly episodes so that, at least, is good news.

Finally, which Jones? Yahoo UK& Ireland asks “Who’s your favourite Tom – Jones or Hanks…?” You might want to cast a vote for Jones. He didn’t do well in the first eight responses. There are a couple of days left to answer.

Some people received their calendars on Saturday. Linda G. wrote: “Just received my calendar. Great pictures and job well done again!!! But could I get a full-sized copy of the August photo on the left? Looks like the picture was cropped and I’d like to have it all. LOL. Thanks Ellen for giving a great holiday gift. Hope we get to see him in person again soon.” Janice wrote, “Got my calendar today!! Awesome!! Great job!!”

It’s very gratifying to get comments like these because the annual calendar is, really!, a labor of love. I have fun doing it. (Sadly, I have to disappoint Linda about the August photo on the right. That’s the way it is.) The money is nice but, considering the time and work put in, it is rather incidental (though appreciated). This year, with prices for printing and postage going up, keeping it the price same as before was sort of difficult. Next year, with postage already costing hundreds of dollars and due to go up next year, the price may go up a bit. But, I really, really, hope you like it. Please share your reaction when you get it.

This year, also, there was a press overrun and more were printed and sent than I ordered. So, there are still a two (2) calendars available for purchase. I’ve reposted the button at right. If you’re interested, please hurry, as there are just a few. I will get them in the mail quickly in an effort to get them to you before the new year. It will arrive in the US; try my best outside.

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Rumor or Reality? The Sun claims in an exclusive article today by Colin Robertson that Sir Tom will act in a comedy on Sky TV next year. Remember! It’s not official until it’s posted on OFFICIAL TomJones. They say:

Tom Jones to play ageing lothario
BUSY Sir Tom Jones has signed up for another TV slot – and this time he’s ACTING, in a comedy.

The Welsh singing legend, last week unveiled as a judge on BBC1 talent show The Voice UK, will play an ageing lothario in a Sky TV rom-com.

The 71-year-old — famous for being pelted with knickers while on stage — will be fought over by a number of women of a certain age.

Two will be played by British acting royalty Brenda Blethyn and Alison Steadman.

A show source said: “It’s very top secret but Tom has agreed to do it which is pretty exciting as he doesn’t really do acting.

“He won’t be playing himself but his character isn’t a million miles away from his own. Essentially it’s a very British love story. Tom’s character is the subject of attention from hordes of women but his heart is not in the sleeping around game.

“He ends up getting together with a childhood sweetheart, played by Alison, and the show is all about how sweet that kind of love is.”

The similarities with Tom’s real life are obvious. He married his childhood sweetheart at 16 and they are wed to this day. But it hasn’t all been plain sailing, especially for wife Melinda, who has had to put up with his serial womanising.

The new show, provisionally titled King Of Neds, will air on Sky Arts.

It is set for broadcast next year before Tom gets busy with The Voice.

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Tomorrow, December 13, is the 15th anniversary of the release of Mars Attacks! The movie starred Jack Nicholson, Glenn Close, Annette Bening, Pierce Brosnan, Danny DeVito, Martin Short, Sarah Jessica Parker, Michael J. Fox, Rod Stieger, Lukas Haas, Natalie Portman, Jim Brown, Lisa Marie, Sylvia Sidney Christina Applegate, Joe Don Baker, Pam Grier, Paul Winfield, Jack Black and — oh, yes — Tom Jones.

Watching the movie, it is very clear that Tom has a good time doing it. To illustrate the fact that the movie was fun, TJI.com has for you today:

One of two trailers (“Trailers” is what we call “previews” or “coming attractions” in the USA.): This one has as its theme the subtitle of the movie. Click here to see Mars Attacks: Nice Planet. We’ll Take It.

There’s a clip of Tom being interviewed on Entertainment Tonight about the movie, as well as the other trailer (the one with “Tom Jones — Yes! Tom Jones!”) and Tom’s big sequence in the movie with Jim Brown (in the gladiator costume), Danny DeVito and Annette Bening.

You can watch these — edited together as one video — in the TJI.com Video Library.It’s all great fun but, due to the video source (the ET video) and the size constraints of the Video Library site, it’s not as sharp as it should be. Still, lots of fun. And it includes my favorite quote from the movie. It’s what Tom responds when Jim Brown asks him if he can fly a plane. Enjoy!

Occasionally, one comes across old news stories that may hold interest for Tom’s fans. In the brief item below, it’s easy to understand — in light of the disaster that was news worldwide just weeks before — why Tom didn’t want to be a miner and wanted so badly for his father to leave that life. It’s a very human, natural, response.

On November 20, 1968, at 5:30 a.m., an explosion in a West Virginia coal mine was so large it was felt 12 miles away. At the time there were 99 miners inside. Of those, 21 managed to escape and the other 78 were lost. Of those who died, 19 bodies were never recovered.

Talking about the disaster the following January, Tom Jones said, “My father was a coal miner. He didn’t seem to mind, but I wouldn’t do it. As soon as I made some money, I tried to get him out. He wouldn’t listen. He was the father and didn’t believe I could support him and my mother — and my own wife and son — by singing. So I got my mother to work on him; he quit. He just learned to drive a ca. It’s a good time they having, but he still talks about the old mining days as though he missed them.”

It’s official! This world’s worst-kept secret was made pubic Thursday, December 8, by the BBC and OFFICIAL Tom Jones. Tom will be a coach on The Voice to be broadcast this spring on BBC One. Tom’s statement on the subject: “I’m excited about The Voice and thrilled to be participating as a coach. This is a strong show, it’s all about talent – but it’s also exciting, competitive and compelling television.”

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A new Facebook Tom Jones group: You may enjoy joining “Tom Jones Fans,” a new group on Facebook. They post photos and videos of Sir Tom and all seem to be ardent fans. Some of the members are very active. In the times since a friend joined for me on November 20, I’ve received 274 posts from them — and that’s only the ones I’ve kept. Of course, you can set your preferences not to receive messages.The difference between this group and others on facebook is that this one doesn’t get cute (“sexbombs”) or pretend that by joining you’ll connect directly with Sir Tom. You can check them out here. If you like what you see and want to be part of it, click “Request.” And, of course, don’t forget the group, “Tom Jones Please Come Back To North America.”

In a lovely blast from the past today we have a cultural exchange between Bob Hope and Tom Jones.

On November 16, 1970, Tom — billed as a “special guest” — was on the The Bob Hope Special. (photo left) Also on the show, but billed merely as “guests,” were George Burns, Danny Thomas and Lucille Ball. This was certainly pretty good company for Tom to be in.

The video has Tom singing Cabaret and duetting with Hope on Join The Navy To See The World, Heart and Let’s Fall In Love. You can watch the 13+-minute video in the TJI.com Video Library.

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Also performed on that show, but not included in the video in the TJI Video Library, Tom sang one of the best songs to come out of the Great Depression of the 1930′s. (Even worse conditions than we have today.) The video I chose — I think it’s super — for that terrific performance uses the iconic photos of Walker Evans and Dorothea Lange to illustrate the era. It’s a perfect setting for the music. (If you have the opportunity, listen to Mandy Patinkin’s version of the song. Angrier than Tom’s but also so very good.) You can click here for Tom Jones singing Brother, Can You Spare A Dime. (And, yeah, that’s how they say “khaki” in the UK:))

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Buzzfeed.com has listed “12 Extremely Disappointing Facts About Popular Music.” Check ‘em out and, please, share your reactions. (Thanks, Tracy.)

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Finally, today is the 70th anniversary of Pearl Harbor Day and it’s appropriate, I believe, to pause to remember all who gave their lives in the war that followed that “day that will live in infamy” and those who began fighting years before that in Europe.

Be sure to check this out! If you want to treat yourself, buy a gift for a Tom Jones fan or for someone who shared a Tom Jones experience with you, you absolutely must check out The Tom Jones Collectors Page. It is the website of The Flash, an ardent collector of Tom (and Elvis) — and good friend of TJI.com — who has a collection probably unmatched anywhere and products available that I just about guarantee you will not find elsewhere. FYI: PAL DVDs can be played on some DVD players and just about all computers worldwide. If you have any questions about anything you see on the site, ask The Flash using the “contact” link on the homepage.

More On The Voice: In an article about the ever-so-charming:) Jessie J in the Daily Star in which she talked about habitually peeing in a cup, they say, “But the singer didn’t get off to the best start with her new bosses when she let slip that Tom Jones and Will Young would also be on the panel, even though the BBC haven’t yet announced it.”

She also said of anticipating the show, “The Voice is going to be amazing. I’m shitting myself but in a good way.” Sorry, I am not a prude, but is the best company Sir Tom can find to keep?

On November 21, 1976, Tom Jones — along with Redd Foxx and Chastity (Chaz) Bono — were guests on The Sonny and Cher Show.

In keeping with the holiday season, it was a festive event and Tom did quite well in the comedy sketches.

You can watch 14+ minutes of video from that show in the TJI.com Video Library. Enjoy it!

Interested in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominating process and in what it can mean to an artist? If so, a very interesting article in Sunday’s New York Times is well worth reading. It’s called Battle of the Bands (and Egos) for the Rock Hall of Fame.

The 2012 Tom Jones Fan Calendar will be mailed Thursday morning, December 8, from the west coast of the United States. By the way, I forgot to mention before that the calendar goes through January, 2013, so there’s an extra photo.
DVR/TiVo Alert! This weekend, a most special show will premiere on PBS. It’s called Human Nature Sings Motown with Special Guest Smokey Robinson. Human Nature is an Australian quartet who began singing publicly as a boy band. They grew up and so did their audience, so they turned to the music they loved best — Motown. They’re the resident show at the Imperial Palace Hotel and Casino on the Las Vegas Strip and they are just splendid. The show is “presented” by Smokey Robinson who will join them. I’ve seen Human Nature four times — once with Smokey — and tend to encourage people to see the show. (Right, Donna?) It’s well worth seeing. In fact, if you close your eyes while they’re onstage, you’d swear you were listening to vintage Motown. This TV show, from the bit I’ve seen, looks to be the terrific show they do at the Imperial Palace. They’re newest CD, Songs From Sin City features the music of the performers most closely associated with Las Vegas. Sir Tom is represented with It’s Not Unusual.

The show will be on this weekend and you must check your local listings because the time depends upon the place. For instance, in New York City, it’s on Saturday. Here in Las Vegas, it’s Sunday.

Rumor or Reality? I tend to doubt this is true but, according to one source, on Wednesday, November 30, after the tree-lighting at Rockefeller Center in New York City (photo left) there was a party. The news story says that, among the guests at the private party following the lighting private party at the Rock Center Café down on the ice, were “Music Legend Tom Jones,Tony Bennett, Justin Bieber, Michael Bublé, Cee Lo Green, Carole King, Katharine McPhee, ‘The Voice’ winner Javier Colon and The Radio City Rockettes.” It was said that Sir Tom sang.

It would be terrific to see Tom and Bennett perform together, wouldn’t it? There are no other news stories and no photos from this event but, if Tom were on his way home to LA, it makes sense he could have made a quick stop in New York City. If you spot any news, please email TJI (link bottom right) and share it. Thanks!

Please don’t forget the TJI Question of the Month in the post below!