Tom Jones International

Jack White’s Third Man Records is doing a great project to help students born after the age of vinyl, learn about analog recording and about the full vinyl record experience. I was fortunate to be asked to write about it and you can find my column in the Huffington Post. Please check it out.

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Tom was one of three co-hosts of the American Music Awards, January 30, 1995. The big winners that night were — are you ready? — Mariah Carey, Michael Bolton, Babyface, Toni Braxton, Boyz II Men, Reba, Garth, Alabama, Tim McGraw, Snoop Dogg, Nirvana, Counting Crows, Prince and Led Zeppelin. And, I don’t think Tom owns the house in Wales any more. How do you think the family would feel about the grandchildren being called “American?” (Although they are entitled to dual citizenship.)

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It’s Not Unusual: Jones’ role as awards host is only natural
Bob Thomas, Associated Press, January 25, 1995

LOS ANGELES (AP) — One of the hosts of Monday’s American Music Awards broadcast was playing to screaming crowds before most of the nominees were born.

That’s Welshman Tom Jones, an entertainer who refuses to join the Over-the-Hill Gang.

Jones teams up with country music’s Lorry Morgan and rapper Queen Latifah to emcee the three-hour ABC broadcast of the 22nd annual awards, which cover the full gamut of popular music — country, soul, heavy metal, hard rock, rhythm and blues, rap, hip hop, you name it.

Jones has been there, done much of it. He has refused to become a museum piece, stuck in the nostalgia of the ’60s. Oh, he’ll still sing the oldies for the grandmothers who once threw their panties onstage. But he also updates hepertoire.

His re-emergence began in 1988 when he recorded the Prince tune Kiss with the British avant-pop group, the Art of Noise. It restored Jones to the charts and his video won an MTV award.

“Since I made Kiss and got records back in the top 40 again, the general public is rediscovering me,” he said.

Based in Los Angeles since 1976, Jones plays 200 dates a year, averaging 10 months on the road. Doesn’t that get a bit tired for a 54 year-old?

“No,” he said emphatically. “Being on stage is physical, but it’s not as physical as being an athlete. I can still do what I’ve always done.”

“I have a guy here in the house in Los Angeles, a gym in my house in Wales. I’m in there most days, trying to keep it together.”

Doesn’t he get tired of singing It’s Not Unusual and other chestnuts after 30 years?

“No, I don’t, because the audience keeps them alive,” he insisted. “I don’t sing them in the shower anymore. If I was in a club and they asked me to get up, I would prefer to do stuff that I wouldn’t ordinarily do — a blues song or a country song.”

“But if I go to see somebody like Jerry Le Lewis, whom I’ve always liked, and he didn’t do Great Balls of Fire, I’d say, ‘What’s up?’ I feel the same way. The big hits I always keep in. Delilah is always there, Unusual is always there, The Green Green Grass of Home, What’s New Pussycat? the big ones are always there.

“It’s funny, because I have a new album out. I do most of the album onstage, plus the old songs, and they all seem to work. I slip the old songs in amongst the new ones. The old songs are still powerful; they don’t seem dated to me.”

He never tired of travel, he claims, “except if I get physically tired. I’m just getting over a cold now. I had a bit of bronchitis when I got back from a British tour…I never take long periods of time off. After about two weeks, I want to get back.”

Thomas Jones [sic] Woodward has been on the move ever since he left his hometown of Pontypridd in 1963. Songwriter Gordon Mills convinced the young singer to try his luck in London with the name Tom Jones, cashing in on the popular Albert Finney movie. Mills and Les Reed wrote It’s Not unusual for him, and that’s all it took.

He received a Grammy as Best Newcomer in 1965, and tours of Europe and America consolidated his fame. His tight pants, gyrating hips and adoring fans launched a thousands quips by TV comedians.

This is Tom Jones became a TV hit in Britain, and an ABC show ran from 1969 to 1971. Jones became a fixture in the Nevada sin spots and in concerts around the world.

And the beat goes on.

“In the ’70s, I was doing a lot of shows in the States, things like Madison Square Garden and the L.A. Forum, 20,000-seaters,” he said. “Meanwhile, the Labour government got in and the taxes went nuts. So I thought, ‘I’m making my living basically in America and then taking the money back to Britain for no reason, just for staying there a couple of months.’

“So I settled here, my son married an American girl, and I’ve got two American grandchildren.”

Five and a half years ago, Jones and wife Linda were staying in a Cardiff hotel during a British tour. “It seems strange staying in a hotel when we come back to where we lived,” she remarked.

So they bought a house and periodically return to his roots in the hills of Wales.

On the Tom Jones Facebook page, someone posted a comment allegedly from Sir Tom: “We’ve finished filming the blind auditions of The Voice. I have my 10 contestants and what a great bunch they are! I can’t wait for the next stage, but I don’t want to see anyone go!”

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A little bit o’news from The Voice UK. Must say that Will.i.am is no slouch in the “cool” department himself, but it’s so nice he’s saying that about Tom.

Will.i.am praises his ‘igloo-cool’ fellow The Voice coach Tom Jones

TellyMix.co.uk | January 27, 2012 | by Matt Scott

Black Eyed Peas frontman will.i.am has praised his fellow The Voice panellist Tom Jones, describing the Welsh singer as ‘igloo-cool’!

The 36-year-old rapper gushed about him in an interview with The Mirror, stating: “Tom Jones is a frickin’ legend. He’s like ‘Damn, man, let me tell you all about the time me and Sammy Davis Jr and Frank Sinatra hung out.

“And then the time I partied with Elvis, we were rocking’.

“I love working with him, he’s too cool. Tom Jones is like igloo-cool.”

He also had kind words for the other two coaches, describing The Script frontman Danny O’Donoghue as ‘dope’ and ‘talented’, and adding that he’d like to make a song with ‘fresh’ talent Jessie J.

The Voice UK, which will be presented by Holly Willoughby and Reggie Yates, launches on BBC One in the Spring.

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If you missed the post below, do check it out. It was posted in fun and there was a lively discussion of impersonators. Some guy named Jon, calling himself (the appropriately icky screen name) “Goo Moo” deeply objected that I responded to any posts, saying the moderator has no right to do so and that I am choosing to remain anonymous, hiding behind the word “moderator.” He informed me that no other websites have moderators and insulted everyone who posted with the advice to “get a life.”

The guy was ignorant – his spelling was awful and it isn’t because he comes from a non-English-speaking country, just California — and I cannot imagine what caused his furor. He lied and said he’s “a personal friend” of Tom’s and Tom is not aware of my site or of the one or two people who visit it. For better or worse, I know for an absolute fact that Tom is aware of TJI.com and has been for six years.

It’s nice to know that the hundreds and hundreds of people who visit are a lot smarter and heaps nicer than Goo Moo. As your moderator, I want to say loudly and clearly and emphatically that I appreciate each of you.

TJI has heard from a few people about the recording of The Voice that took place on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. More to be recorded today.

The show, they were told, will be on the air in March but no date was given. They apparently fell a bit behind schedule that first day — but it is TV where that does happen — and KT said that she’ll send more details later — check back later today — but that “Tom looked great but nervous. Tom got the first girl who was on to coach. She’s a very intense singer.”

On Saturday, KT said, “Tom was more laid back and looked even better than the first night. He wore black jeans, a black jacket, black jeans and boots. Security was very tight with security people planted in the audience. They said they’d track down anyone who posted anything on Twitter and FB.The audience was full of fans and they cheered every time he said anything. Tom also said, since Etta James had died Friday, he wanted to find someone like her.”

“This time they talked more to the contestants. We saw nine singers this time. Each coach is allowed to pick 10 singers. Tom has one duo and the rest are all girls.”

Meanwhile, according to the Irish network RTÉ the coaches — Tom Jones, Will. I. Am, Jessie J and Danny O’Donoghue — performed together.

The coaches on The Voice UK formed a supergroup to launch the forthcoming BBC talent show, according to a report.

The Script’s Danny O’Donoghue, Jessie J, Tom Jones and will.i.am teamed up to perform a version of the Black Eyed Peas hit single I Gotta Feeling, according to The Sun.

Their performance took place during auditions at the BBC Television Centre in London on Thursday, an onlooker told the newspaper.

The source said: “It was incredible to see such big names in music perform together. Hopefully this has set the bar for the rest of the show.

“Everyone was jumping out of their seats and dancing along. It was really exciting. The whole concept seems to be very different from The X Factor, which will be very refreshing.”

The Voice UK is expected to air on BBC One in the Spring.

It’s a perfect song to mark the beginning of the show. I saw the Black Eyed Peas do it in October 2009 when they opened for U2 here in Las Vegas. You can listen to the original and judge for yourself if you agree that it’s a fine number. Click here to listen to I Gotta Feeling.

Maybe the next party song they do as a group can be the number from 24 Hours that Tom used to close his show in 2010, Take Me Back To The Party.

TIME TO GET TICKETS FOR THE VOICE

The first chance to get FREE tickets to see Tom on The Voice! The dates are Wed 18th Jan 2012 – Time: 13:15; Thu 19th Jan 2012 – Time: 13:15; Sat 21st Jan 2012 – Time: 13:15; Sun 22nd Jan 2012 – Time: 13:15. You must be 18 or over to attend. (I believe these are the dates the show will be recorded, not broadcast.)

If you can be there, you may want to visit the Applausestore.com for free tickets to The Voice. After you register, just move your cursor to the right and click The Voice on the list of shows. More dates will be announced soon. (Thanks, Chas)

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First, let’s take a moment to think of Elvis Presley on this day that would have been his 77th birthday. He lives on through his music and we’re still so fortunate that he shared it with us!

Their fans know Tom and Elvis were great friends — singing gospel together and gaining inspiration from each other.

Their friendship is part of the reason we’ve been given such wonderful gifts of music from each of them.

We are, indeed, fortunate, aren’t we?

MORE NEWS! The record — yes! the vinyl! — Tom recorded with Jack White will be released on March 7 and will be available digitally on iTunes the same day. Come back for the next post (Tuesday) for more news about that. (By the way, you can see Jack White Monday night in the USA on American Pickers on the History Channel. It’s on a few times, so check listings.)

So, of course, with a release date announced, this recording happening and we apparently don’t, in this instance, have to wait for the “OFFICIAL” word that it’s true. Though dozens of news organizations have carried stories about this. OFFICIAL Tom Jones is still touting those recipes (in which you learn that the “ingredient in pork shank” is — wait for it! — “pork shank”). You’d think they’d care more about discussing a much-anticipated recording than telling his fans what Sir Tom enjoyed eating last year. Really.

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Tom Jones ends his 42-year love affair with Las Vegas

Wales On Sunday | 8 January 2012

HE’S made everything from the Statue Of Liberty to part of the Orient Express disappear, but now David Copperfield has gone one bigger – he’s made Sir Tom Jones vanish from Las Vegas.

The award-winning US illusionist has taken over from the Voice Of The Valleys’ resident Vegas slot –putting an end to the legendary Ponty singer’s record-breaking 42-year run.

But, for the legion of fans who’ve made the pilgrimage to Sin City to catch Jones in action since his 1969 debut at The Flamingo Hotel, the biggest mystery is why the singer seems to have voluntarily given up his crown as The King of The Strip.

“People would literally come from all over the world to see him here and they just can’t get their heads around why this decision’s been made, I know I can’t,” said Ellen Sterling, the Vegas-based journalist behind the online US fansite dedicated to the star, www.tomjonesintl.com

“The Hollywood Theatre at the MGM Grand is a wonderful, intimate venue and would always be packed out for Tom. It was much more than just your standard gig experience too, because you could rub shoulders with Tom by the hotel pool and in the restaurant or casino.

“He’d always be very accessible and would happily pose for pictures, sign autographs or just have a chat – he’d would never fail to be polite and welcoming.”

And Sterling estimated that Sir Tom’s tally of Vegas appearances since that first late 60s foray probably ran into thousands.

“I once counted all my ticket stubs from 2005 to 2010 and figured out Tom was doing roughly about 10 weeks there each year, that’s about 140 shows every 12 months,” she said.

“In August 2010, the last time Tom came here, the tickets were $92.50 – but even then the majority of his 14-night stint was sold out, with the remaining shows close to the 700-seat capacity. So it’s not like he was failing to do good box office business.”

However, there is speculation that the move could be a further attempt to reinvent Jones’ credibility and image away from that of the medallion-wearing, hen-party favourite.

It was announced late last year that Sir Tom would be a “mentor” on new BBC talent show The Voice.

The 71-year-old performer recently ditched the hair dye to embrace his natural grey look, as well as taking a new musical direction on his 2010 album Praise & Blame.

It was also announced this week he would be teaming up with former White Stripes frontman Jack White to cover the Howlin’ Wolf song Evil.

“Put it this way, I don’t think anything that happens in Tom’s career happens by accident, everything is subject to careful thought and planning and I’d imagine that’s the case here too,” said Sterling.

“Ultimately, only those who manage Tom’s career can say why this has happened, but I know there are lots who’ve been deeply saddened by the news.”

And the sentiment was borne out by many of the subscribers to Sterling’s website.

One, calling herself SusannePDX, said: “Tom has callously tossed aside his old band (Jones ditched his veteran backing group for a younger model in 2009) and now us. Happy New Year Tom!”.

Meanwhile, Cyndy Stiff wrote, “This is heartbreaking. Tom is so loved over here and I just feel like he or his management have turned their backs on all of us.”

Another posted: “Stunned and saddened, my Vegas trips were the highlight of the year,” while one Llantrisant-born Californian called Shirley recalled first seeing Jones live in his early days at Wood Road Working Men’s Club in Pontypridd.

“We could only afford to have one night out a week and we always made it one of the nights Tom would be singing somewhere,” she said.

“Since moving abroad though, I saw Tom at the MGM almost every time he played. He’s been part of my life for so long and I never thought that would end.”

Jones’ management were unavailable for comment at the time of publication.

Big News! This is in every online music site that deals with this kind of music and lots of newspapers. It’s great for Sir Tom and can go a long way in reestablishing a very credible presence for him — no more “crooner” perhaps? — in North America.

For example: from Rolling Stone.com January 5, 2012 6:45 PM ET:

Jack White to Collaborate with Tom Jones
It’s Not Unusual singer joins White’s Third Man Records 7-inch single series

The latest collaborator in Jack White’s unusual arsenal? None other than Tom Jones, the contemporary Welsh crooner behind such pop hits as “It’s Not Unusual.”

Jones will join White’s Third Man Records in its Blue Series, which has pressed special one-off 7-inch singles from Insane Clown Posse, Stephen Colbert and other guest artists. Jones rerecorded Jezebel, a track from his 2002 album Mr. Jones, and also tackled the blues great Howlin’ Wolf with a cover of Evil.

A release date for his Blue Sessions disc has not been announced, but the sessions went well; White reportedly said of the 71-year-old pop icon, “He impressed the shit out of everybody.”

Meanwhile, White’s Third Man has also reached a business deal with Document Records to reissue the blues label’s albums on deluxe vinyl. The first release will be a compilation featuring early 20th-century blues musicians Charlie Patton, Blind Willie McTell and others.

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In response to a request from a friend, I’m posting the Howlin’ Wolf original of the song Tom is supposed to have recorded, Evil. I’d love to hear him sing another Howlin’ Wolf song, Built For Comfort. It’s perfect for him, along the lines of Git Me Some.

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Consequence of Sound.net says: “Jack White has revealed his latest strange bedfellow and it’s none other than 71-year-old singing legend, Sir Tom Jones. According to this month’s MOJO Magazine, Jones is the latest participant in Third Man Records’ infamous Blue Series, which has previously offered releases from Stephen Colbert, John C. Reily, and Insane Clown Possee. For his part, Jones recorded a rendition of Jezebel from his 2002 album Mr. Jones, along with a cover of Howlin’ Wolf’s Evil. As White notes, ‘He impressed the shit out of everybody.’”

If you are not familiar with Jack White, Rolling Stone says: “Weird and passionate, with burning eyes and an old man’s sensibilities, Jack White spent the 2000s going from promising garage-rocker to international rock star. He was one of the most important guitarists of the decade — on the strength of his forcefulness and ingenuity rather than virtuosity — as well as a great conceptualizer and a top-flight songwriter who could draw on a seemingly bottomless bag of riffs and melodies.” You can also check his official website, White Stripes.com.

Moderator’s Note: Of course Tom was impressive. According to the Third Man Records website: Singers and bands that are traveling through Nashville, are invited to stop by to record one or two songs at Third Man Studio to be produced by Jack White. The songs are then, as soon as possible, made available on 7” vinyl and digitally on iTunes. The cover photos are taken in Third Man’s “blue room” photo studio/live venue.

The first thing I bought that White produced was the Loretta Lynn album, Van Lear Rose. It was wonderful and, as someone who really loves vinyl, I love the idea of a 45! Of course, we’ll have to file this under “Rumor or Reality,” but I’m sure it’s true and it will show very soon up on OFFICIAL Tom Jones, as it should.

So, what do you all think of this?

For a vintage 1980s article about Tom’s allegedly favorite recipe/meal, please click here to (more…)

It was Mike Weatherford, the entertainment reporter from the Las Vegas Review Journal who, back in 2008, first alerted TJI to the fact that Tom Jones was about to open for the 40th consecutive year in Las Vegas. That, he reckoned, was more consecutive years than any other entertainer on The Strip could boast of accumulating. (Although some may have played here longer they didn’t do so consecutively.) (An interview request by another reporter working on the story was denied.)

In today’s (January 29th) Las Vegas Review Journal Weatherford writes about “Two Las Vegas Legends” leaving The Strip, comic Shecky Green (“forced”) and Tom Jones (“retiring voluntarily”). He tells of an issue with Greene’s last appearance here and then says:

But some fans of Tom Jones claim that barring a last-minute miracle, 2011 will break the eternal sex god’s streak of performing on the Strip every year since 1968. It should be said that Jones has played only a handful of U.S. shows this year, but here in town David Copperfield basically took over the MGM Grand theater Jones has played for years.

“People are honestly upset, hurt and angry,” says Ellen Sterling, who runs a Jones-devoted website. “People have invested a lot of money and time” to see him in Las Vegas.

One of them is 81-year-old New Yorker Mary Pascale, forced to break a tradition [of seeing Tom Jones annually] for “the first year in my life since 1969. … It’s most depressing for me.”

Would it rub salt in the wound to mention that age-old rival Engelbert Humperdinck returned to the Strip this year after an exile in the suburbs?

Moderator’s Note: So unless Tom shows up in the next two days and plays a public gig in Las Vegas, the book on his record is closed. That is so sad because fans come to see him there from around the world — literally “from around the world” — and Tom has said many times that enjoys playing Las Vegas.

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One of the few shows Tom played in the US in 2011 was at the New Orleans Jazz & Blues Festival on May 1.HitFix Blogger Melinda Newman included Tom’s NOLA show in her best of the year. She’s got great credibility, is the former West Coast Bureau Chief for Billboard Magazine with more than 15 years of experience in the music industry. She covers music and entertainment for the Los Angeles Times, the Washington Post, Associated Press, MSN, AOL and other outlets. She wrote in a post titled, “My top nine concerts of 2011 featuring Adele, Death Cab for Cutie and Tom Jones?:”

“Tom Jones, Jazz Fest, New Orleans, May 1: How can he still be this hot and sexy at 71? Maybe it was the magic in the New Orleans air or he just has his own brand of voodoo that follows him wherever he goes, but even the men were swooning as Jones soared through hit after hit with that sultry baritone of his to close out the first weekend of Jazz Fest. He paid tribute to *NOLA with St. James Infirmary and Hey Pocky Way, but, of course, left room for She’s a Lady, and It’s Not Unusual. His encore of Prince’s Kiss was fun, but left everyone wanting more.”

*NOLA=New Orleans, Louisiana

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.

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.”

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!

UPDATE: NOVEMBER 28: In an “exclusive” story today The Sun says that, “As TV Biz [The Sun's column] predicted, Pop Idol champ Will Young, Black Eyed Peas frontman Will.i.am, Welsh legend Tom Jones and pop princess Jessie J have all said they’ll appear.” Although The Sun seems to be sure of this information, other news outlets are less so. Of course, you know the drill — it’s not official until you see it on OFFICIAL Tom Jones.

Tom ends his winter tour with a 7 pm show tonight, Monday, November 28, in St. Petersburg, Russia. It’s very cold there so one hopes the crowd is very warm. This is the last show scheduled (thus far) this year and there is nothing yet made public on his schedule for 2012. Hopefully, he will be back home and can drop by Las Vegas for a show before the end of the year. Sir Tom being a coach on The Voice.

Playing catch-up: On November 17, when Tom played in Bucharest, Romania, Kevin Costner and Bill Paxton — there filming a History Channel mini-series about the Hatfield-McCoy feud — attended his concert. According to observers, they came into the hall quietly and sat about 20 meters (65 feet) from the stage.

Sir Tom Jones named Wales’ Greatest Living National Treasure

WalesOnline | November 25, 2011 | By Jessica Flynn

We may never see a £1m bank note in circulation but if there was one then Sir Tom Jones should feature on it – according to a national survey.

Sir Tom pipped the likes of Sir Anthony Hopkins, Dame Shirley Bassey and Catherine Zeta-Jones to be named Wales’ Greatest Living National Treasure and will now be featured on a unique Christmas £1m note.

The nationwide poll by The EuroMillions’ Millionaire Raffle National Treasures was commissioned to celebrate Millionaires Month, with 50 Brits guaranteed to win £1m between November 25 and December 23.

More than 4,000 adults took part in the poll which asked the public to vote for the person they believed to be our greatest national living treasure and best represent the nation on a unique £1m note.

A shortlist of national icons was compiled by a panel led by former Heat magazine editor Mark Frith.

The shortlist focused on living luminaries and included names representing every region of the UK in a comprehensive study of living national icons.

The overall winner and the names judged to be the greatest national treasure in each of the nation’s 13 regions will be honoured on the special notes.

Pontypridd-born Sir Tom, 71, who has enjoyed chart success with classics including Green, Green Grass of Home and It’s Not Unusual, received 25% of the votes in the Welsh poll.

The rest of the top five were Sir Anthony Hopkins (17%), Dame Shirley Bassey (13%), Holyhead-born Dawn French (7%) and Catherine Zeta-Jones (5%).

A EuroMillions spokesperson, said: “Sir Tom Jones rightfully holds a place in the nation’s hearts and is considered one of the greatest entertainer of all time, as well as being considered to be our greatest living Welsh treasure.

“With 50 new millionaires being made before Christmas it would make life much easier if we could just hold a stock of notes adorned with Sir Tom Jones’ image. Until then we are going to have to rely on giant cheques.”

When it came to the national vote of 4,000 adults from all over the UK, Sir David Attenborough was named as Britain’s Greatest Living National Treasure with 24% of the votes, followed by Stephen Fry with 13% and Sean Connery who had 8%.

Financial forecaster and statistician Geoff Ellis predicts that based on the current rate of inflation we will have to wait until the year 2170 before the £1m note will be in circulation.