Rubbing Elbows: My Brushes with Celebrities chapter 12

It was at the Metropolitan Room in Manhattan where I met Julie Budd, She has a residency there and aways brings in a full house regardless of the weather.

Though she has fawning gay fans in her crowds, I was rather taken aback by her homophobic stance when I blogged about her show and mentioned that my friend, promoter Nick Lion and I went to a gay bar, The Monster in the West Village, after her performance that night. Julie felt it was sleazy and

Julie had a promising career as another Barbra Streisand. They expected her to be a superstar singing sensation and she should have been. But maybe show biz has room for only one Barbra.

Still, Julie is basically a lovely individual and sweet soul. Richard Skipper does a wonderful job promoting her.

NYC cabaret is where established stars meet the upcoming ones and the wannabes. It makes for an interesting mix and mingle.

Incidentally, I'd like to bid a fond farewell to Dana Lorge who passed away from lung cancer just around the time I was putting this chapter together. We had met in passing several times at shows at the Metropolitan Room She was a lovely woman and did a magnificent job hosting her variety show at the club.

Dana had a rather eclectic group of her guests in her show. She was diagnosed with cancer briefly before her final presentation at Metropolitan Room. A trouper to the end, I pray she rests in peace.

Exclusive Q&A with Bernard Furshpan of NYC's Acclaimed Metropolitan Room

Bernard Furshpan was on his way, driving to the Metropolitan Room, when I placed my call to do this Q&A. Bernie has become a friend over the year, and it has been nothing but a pleasure knowing him and his wife Joanne. He has had a great year at the club but a difficult one for him personally, as his beloved father passed away during the summer. Here, then, is our Q&A:

Buddy Beaverhausen: Hi, Bernie! Let's begin with my asking you something a lot of readers may not know. You had a prior career as a chiropractor. How did you segue from that to becoming Managing Director/ Booking Partner at the Metropolitan Room?

Bernard Furshpan: Yes, I started as a chiropractor but retired from that career to do something I loved more. Life's too short! I had a certain amount of fame in that profession, however, as I cured a girl with chronic hiccups. Her doctors said there was nothing they could do, but as a chiropractor, I cured her and it got a lot of media attention.
I went into managing companies on-line and, at the time, the Metropolitan Room's management, who also run Gotham Comedy Club in Chelsea, needed help. That's how I got involved. Ultimately, we thought it was best if I just took over.

Bernie, Joanne & Nick Lion

BB: It's always such a pleasure to see you and your beautiful and gracious wife, Joanne, at the club. How did you two meet?
BF: On-line, actually. We communicated back and forth a lot before we even dated. When we met, it was love at first sight.
BB: Can't wait for you to meet my great friends, Merv and Tracey, who also got into ballroom dance lessons, just like you and Joanne. And they, too, met on-line.
BF: Thank you. I never knew I could be so graceful, though Joanne studied ballet. I'd love you to bring your friends.

BB: I see Joanne is General Manager at Metropolitan Room, which I didn't know until I was researching for this interview. What does her job involve?
BF: Supervising the staff, basically.
BB: She does an excellent job as your staff is especially courteous and graceful.
BF: Yes, our current staff is wonderful, and we don't tolerate difficult people.

BB: Your show room has such an elegant Art Deco look to it. Who designed it?
BF: We brought people in to do that, with our ideas. When I took over the club, it looked like a mess.

BB: You have lived in NYC all your life, currently in Queens. However, you were born and raised in Brooklyn. What was your growing up there like and what music did you listen to growing up?
BF: Yes, I grew up in Brooklyn and, in our house, we always had the radio or the record player on. and I heard everything, especially jazz and pop.
BB: I moved to Bay Ridge from Manhattan and love it here. Have you ever been to Bay Ridge?
BF: Definitely. Love that neighborhood!

BB: You have great talent booked which I'm sure is a large part of your success. Julie Budd always brings in a full crowd. What is your professional relationship like?
BF: Joanne and I adore her, just like she was family. She's been in the business for a very long time and is an absolute professional.
BB:Ever deal with less professional talent?
BF: We realize some artists are just insecure. You know, they're people too, so we smooth their feathers and reassure them everything will be fine.
BB: I once worked at The Bottom Line when I was young, and they had Esther Phillips there when she was hot off her success of the disco version of "What a Difference a Day Makes." She was so abusive to the technical people and staff that, despite her two sold-out shows, the club refused to ever have her back.
BF: Wow! Same here, we have zero tolerance for that kind of behavior. We will not allow our staff or technical people to be treated in a disrespectful manner. Luckily, we never had to deal with this.

BB: Melba Moore's recent birthday show packed the club to the rafters. What was that night like for you?
BF: Crazy but a total delight. Melba is a favorite, and so un-presuming off-stage.

BB: There's a resurgence of interest now in cabaret as one of NYC's unique and lively art forms. Why do you think that is?
BF: I think because it's become less "stodgy" and has embraced a wider spectrum or variety of sounds.

BB: What are the best and worst things about running a club in Manhattan!
BF: Best: Location and a very sophisticated audience. Worst: How expensive it all is.

BB: Before we ever met, I came to see Pia Zadora, at your club, as a guest of Bob Esty's. I brought Nick Lion, and Bob had us seated right up front. Pia made her Piatinis for Nick and I and handed them to us from the stage. What was it like dealing with her?
BF: She was a complete professional in every way. Like Julie Budd, she has been in the business her whole life. She was a doll. Bob was a pleasure to deal with as well. And what a voice! We'd love to have her back sometime.

BB: So many artists enjoy dealing with you. Many feel you exude a warmth and feel you're like an old friend. Are you aware of this charm you seem to have?
BF: Well, Joanne and I both try to make artists feel comfortable with us and at home in the club.

BB: Any last shout-outs?
BF: Thanks to everyone who has come to see our shows and who has supported the Metropolitan Room. Thanks to our business partners and to our incredible and devoted staff. Thanks to you, Buddy Beaverhausen, for your wonderful reviews of our shows. We love reading your blog. And for introducing us to great talent like Denise Spann-Morgan and Debby Cole.
BB: And thank you, Bernie, for taking out the time to do this Q&A with me.

On the Town with Buddy Beaverhausen: Julie Budd, the Boys & the Booze

Me, Julie, Nick (l. to r.)

Julie Budd returned to the Metropolitan Room to belt out Frank Sinatra and Sinatra-associated tunes last night. She was delightful as always from start to finish.

Her talent to amuse was evident, from start to finish, in her patter. It was a night of both laughter and thunderous applause. The joint was jumpin'!

Ms. Budd was in no-holds-barred mode. When she finished off with "I'll Be Seeing You," Nick and I both wept because it was a favorite tune of our mothers -- who left us exactly two and three years ago to the day.

Julie's heartfelt renditions are her forte. Although her voice is frequently compared to Streisand's, Nick and I agreed Julie's voice is even better as it rarely slips into vibrato mode.Viva la Julie!

Incidentally, I thought Julie's guitarist, Sean Harkness, bore a strong resemblance to my doctor (Spinelli), so I asked him if we could take a picture of us together. Honestly, Dr S and he could be twins!

After the show, Nick and I went down to our haunt, The Monster, on Grove Street in the Village. Must have been my lucky night as I met two very tall, good-looking young men who took a distinct interest in me for whatever reason.

The first guy (left) lives in neighboring Bensonhurst. I make it my policy not to take people home on the night that we've just met. Besides, my house was kind of messy, but a date is in the cards. I offered him a ride back in the cab with me, but he declined. I also got mystery date #2's phone number. My pheromones must have kicked into high gear after Julie's show! Just some innocent fun at Nick's and my after-party.

By the way, Nick and I had VIP seating at the Metropolitan Room, thanks to both club manager Bernie Furshpan and performer Dorothy Bishop. The cheese platter was fabulous! I was scrupuously clean-shaven tonight at Nick's insistence as, in my last photo with Julie, I was a little grungy under the chin line. Thanks once again to friend Richard Skipper, Julie's press manager, for inviting us... and for taking our picture (at top)!

As for tonight, how much more fabulous could it get?! Seems I'm officially back On the Town again.

Julie's new album, Remembering Mr Sinatra, is available on cd and for downloading on-line. It can be purchased through Barnes & Noble, Amazon, iTunes and CD Baby.

Julie will return to the Metropolitan Room on December 10. The club is already taking reservations.

https://juliebudd.com

http://metropolitanroom.com

http://www.richardskipper.com

Buddy Beaverhausen's Random Thoughts: Buddy B Gets His Head Examined!

Ironically, on 9/11 this year, I had my own personal emergency and ended up in Brooklyn's NYU Presbyterian Hospital. On the mild late-summer's morning, I decided to go to Brooklyn Market and do my week's grocery shopping. Out in Bay Ridge, it's our Trader Joe's, basically; our Whole Foods. Brooklyn Market has its own sauces and soups, fresh vegetables, fish and meat and much more.

So, there I was, among the Mafia wives and other discerning food shoppers, on my way to the registers with my hand basket, when I unexpectedly fell backwards. A wave of dizziness suddenly overcame me and I went down for the count, bashing my head on the hard tile floor.

It seemed as if I'd been cast in a Brian DePalma movie as I saw a pool of my own, very red blood spreading out from under my head. Customers were shocked, horrified, appalled. This was hardly the thing to put shoppers in the mood to have that store-made tomato sauce they'd just purchased.

As for me, I thought I was dying as the blood kept spreading around me. The store immediately called for an ambulance. The manager stayed with me until they arrived. All I wanted were some groceries. From now on, I'll stick to delivery and the downstairs deli. It's safer.

I couldn't get to my feet but the two paramedics who arrived carried me onto the stretcher, bandaged my head and wheeled me out. It was one of the few times in my life that I actually regretted being the center of attention. Still, I would have waved goodbye to my riveted audience as I exited through the sliding glass doors if my arms weren't strapped down. I was the morning's accidental drama queen. I should have sang "Don't Cry of Me, Grocery Shoppers" as I left.

The paramedics were two handsome guys, happy to say, especially the middle-aged one. They wheeled me into the hospital where the nurses took over. I was put in a private room. (What becomes a legend most?) All I could think at the time, however, was "I was at the Julie Budd show at the Metropolitan Room last night and now, look at me, bleeding to death in a hospital!"

Surgical staples were punched into the top of my head. Ouch! My vital signs were checked and I was shot up with various meds. Turned out my blood pressure had dropped much too low. The doctors, nurses and attendants were all pleasant despite the pressure of their jobs. Thankfully, my insurance is footing the bill 100%, or so I was told.

I was originally instructed I'd be in the hospital overnight. Around 5:00, the doctor said that, considering I had no concussion and my vital signs were back to normal, I could go home if I could demonstrate I could walk without help down the corridor, which I did. I werq'd it. It was my runway moment.

It was a good thing, as the windowless ward's a/c was not enough for my comfort, the bedding was too hard, the air was stale and I thought for sure I'd develop bed sores. This was my Princess and the Pea moment, of course.

Ultimately, I got home via livery car around 9pm. Oh, and that hot paramedic? He actually came up at the end of his work day around 6 to see how I was. I'm gonna wash that blood right outta my hair because I think I'm in love.

On the Town with Buddy Beaverhausen: Julie Budd Live!

Julie Budd looked elegant when she took to the stage in a black gown with a hint of glitter on it, a white bolero jacket with shoulder pads, and high heels.

Julie thanked the sold-out crowd for coming out in the rain to see her perform. She apologized, however, about the weather making her hair frizz out. She need not have as she looked just delightful.

Ms Budd told numerous amusing backstage stories about working with Frank Sinatra as his special guest in Vegas at age 16. Her patter also included anecdotes about working with Jimmy Durante (apparently a very tough taskmaster).

At the Metropolitan Room, Julie Budd had the world on a string, to paraphrase her opening number. "In the Wee Small Hours" was a special stand-out in her set.

Julie knocks every number out of the ballpark with her belter's voice, always perfectly on pitch and with little vibrato. I do feel, however, that some of her ballads, like "I'll Be Seeing You" and "Someone to Watch Over Me" require more constraint which would showcase a gentler side of her tremendous voice.

I thought, from our interviews and all I've read about Julie, that she was a Manhattan girl born and bred. In this show, it came as news to moi that she is Brooklyn born. How much talent has come out of this borough?!

Julie's voice is a force of nature, just like today's weather. She expressed her worries, to the sold-out audience, that the inclement weather might have her playing to a nearly empty house. Julie, we love you, Come Rain or Come Shine!

Audio Beaverhausen: Frank Sinatra Remembered by Julie Budd

Hot off the success of her album, They Wrote the Songs, comes Julie Budd's Remembering... Mr. Sinatra. She covers 11 songs in all therein (two being part of a three-song medley) that are associated with the legendary crooner.

Ms Budd shares a personal connection to Sinatra, actually. At age 16, she was invited by him to appear in his act at Caesar's Palace in Vegas. Perhaps that's why her interpretations of these standards sound so warm and embracing.

Her perfectly modulated voice can be restrained or strong depending upon the dramatic requirements of the material. The production is by long-time associate Herb Bernstein with Ms Budd.

The cd launches with "I've Got the World on a String" followed by "All the Way." Julie covers both beautifully with her usual flare.

With a voice as clear as crystal, Julie Budd again proves herself to be one of the best vocal interpreters of the Great American Songbook. On this latest effort, I especially enjoyed "In the Wee Small Hours" and Duke Ellington's classic "Don't Get Around Much Anymore." "How About You?" makes for a wonderful finish to an essentially flawless album.

Sinatra, born in Hoboken (where I lived for a year in the '80s), is a fellow Jersey boy. This year is his centennial celebration globally.

Remembering... Frank Sinatra is available for pre-order at Amazon.com as the official release date is September 1st. Cabaret Scenes magazine has a cover article coming out this week, Julie will be promoting the album September 28th in NYC at Barnes & Noble on 86th and Lex., and appearing at NYC's Metropolitan Room on Sept. 10th at 7 pm. The show will sell out, so call for reservations now at 212-206-0440.

Again, a special thanks to Richard Skipper, Julie's press manager. http://www.richardskipper.com

On the Town with Buddy Beaverhausen: Ms Julie Budd!

It was another wonderful Richard Skipper event at the Metropolitan Room last night as Julie Budd took to the stage to a packed house and received thunderous applause throughout, and not one but two standing ovations at the end! I was so happy to experience the diva live and to meet her, at last, in person. Our three-part Q&A was done by phone.

I was early to help form the que to congratulate the singer, but a few people jumped the line! One very rude woman got in front of me, saying "Sorry but I have another event to get to." The cheek!

I took the cell phone pic to the left up-close and personal and it's more than a bit overlit and blurry. I didn't have my glasses on at the time. Can you tell by any chance?

Promoter Richard Skipper's Richard Skipper Celebrates press kit was something on which he truly outdid himself this time. And I was grateful that it included a cd copy of Ms Budd's new album, They Wrote the Songs, which she is promoting through this series of shows. I was seated at a long table with other press, all with our boffo press packages. We got to schmooze, and the subject of zodiac signs came up. Asked my sign, I said Taurus and mentioned it was my birthday yesterday. I got a round of birthday greetings and cheers! The clinking of wine glasses to toast with my new friends was an incredibly bonding experience.

Julie opened the night's set with a rendition Sondheim's "Being Alive" that was electrifying. She followed that up with Michele Le Grand's "I Will Wait for You" as an anniversary tribute to Metropolitan Room club owner Bernie Furshpan and his wife Joanne for their wedding anniversary. The Great American Songbook was celebrated -- everyone from the Beatles to Duke Ellington. She did a boffo version of "Home" from The Wiz! And her Rogers and Hammerstein, and Anthony Newley/ Cyril Bricusse medleys were sensational.

I'll Be Seeing You was Ms Budd's encore and it was absolutely heart-melting!

A medley of Jerry Herman included "I Am What I Am." The last question of my original Q&A with Julie was whether she had any shout-outs to her gay fans. "Shout-outs? Like Right On? Keep On Going?" We both laughed and I said she could say whatever came to mind. Ultimately, she said she doesn't like to categorize her audience but supports mutual respect and measures for equality. I didn't include this in the published Q&A only because I thought it may have been a bit heavy-handed and, also, it was perfect to end the published Q&A as I did, the editor within felt!

Nonetheless, our diva showed up in a vaguely '50s outfit of stunning glamor! Black top, cinched waist wirh belt and a gray skirt, with a black cape embroidered with gold that she twirled and swirled and used to best divaesque touches of drama and glamor.

The four-piece, all-male band was stunning as well with long-time collaborator, musical director Herb Bernstein on piano. Brava, Diva!

"How are your sinuses today?" Julie asked me when we met after her show. "Mine are killing me! I was so congested! Could you tell?" I honestly assured her we'd have never known given her performance.

I wanted to thank Richard Skipper on my way out but he was swamped by people wanting to buy up Julie's cd. So I'll say it now. Thanks so much, Richard for Something Wonderful indeed!

www.RichardSkipper.com
www.metropolitanroom.com
www.juliebudd.com

Budd and Buddy: My Exclusive Q&A with Julie Budd, part 3

Julie Budd is a real New Yorker, there was no denying that when I heard her speak with me during this Q&A. An astoundingly gifted performer, she has done recordings, live shows, tv and film. After 40 years in show business (starting out at the ripe old age of 12), she is still a much sought-after, popular and in-demand entertainer. She has a new album, They Wrote the Songs. And she has a residency coming up at The Metropolitan Room, NYC starting May 14th. Press inquiries, please contact Richard Skipper Celebrates at 845-365-0720 or at RichardSkipper.com. 
At this point, I understand, the show is sold out. Personally, I found Julie Budd to be down-to-Earth, considerate and just a complete delight. Enjoy!
juliebudd.com

Buddy Beaverhausen: When you're not performing and you want to relax, what do you do?
Julie Budd: Oh, gosh! I like to do a lot of little things. I like to get in touch with my sisters, spend time with my family. And I usually tell people I'm out of town, so that I can stay home and the phone doesn't ring.
BB [Laughs] Sounds like something I'd do!
JB [Laughing] Have you done that? You know, "I'm on the road, I'm in Tahiti, whatever." You know, people think performers are always on the go, always on and I just like to stay quiet and relax. I like to go to museums or shop with my sisters or go to the gym. I keep it very private and quiet. But it doesn't usually last that long. Because, say you have a month off. After the first two weeks you have to start preparing and rehearsing for what you're going to do once you come back.
BB Well, as someone who just retired from his day job, I understand because I am busier doing the things I want to do now.
JB Do you love that?
BB Yes! Because I have that time to devote now to what I like to do. If I were working, it would be very unlikely I could talk with you at 12:30 in the afternoon.
JB Beautiful.

BB Could you complete this statement? If there's one thing people don't know about me and I wish they did, its [blank].
JB That's a tough question because I don't concern myself terribly with what people think or know about me. I mean, you never know what people are thinking and if you concern yourself with that, you really aren't it the moment, are you!

BB People think that if you are a performer or if you are on the show business scene, you are an extrovert. I know I'm an introvert and I suspect, from your answers, you may be too. True?
JB Yes, I'm not one of these people who has to be noticed or anything like that. I don't have to constantly be on. And I think there's something about having a vivacious personality opposed to "being on" which is a persona. If there's a party and people are at the piano, I'm usually at the back of the room. And when I finish a show, I go back to my room and straight to bed.
BB I always say my favorite activity is sleeping.
JB [Laughs] But you know, it relaxes the vocal cords.

Cinco de Mayo with Julie Budd

What a fabulous soiree yesterday at the Metropolitan Room! The glitterati all turned out. Why, I even met a daytime soap opera star!

It was Cinco de Mayo, which, let me just inform you, has nothing to do with mayonaise, though I believe there was mayo at the buffet. Cinco de Mayo is Spanish for the fifth of May, which celebrates the Mexican festival, Day of the Dead.

But we were together to celebrate life! And, more specifically, to honor Julie Budd on her upcoming residency at the club. Metropolitan Room is one of my favorite venues in the city with its intimate yet swank, vaguely art-deco design. I saw and met Pia Zadora there and numerous other luminaries. Bob Esty was Pia's musical director and I met him in person at the club for the first time. I have so many happy memories there.

And they would have to include yesterday's meet and greet. It was wonderful meeting Ms Budd at last. Unfortunately, I left in such a rush, I left my cell phone at home. So, sadly no photos of us.

Friends Andrew Martin and Tym Moss and event promoter Richard Skipper were there. I met the club owner, Bernie Furshpan. It was a terrific, sophisticated and beautifully done event. There was finger food and flutes of wine and everything had a very easy and welcoming feel to it.

Julie took to the stage with a guitarist. She wore a simple but elegant black dress. She sang a very poignant rendition of "Moon River." She was the epitome of class and restrained, understated talent.

This event was made possible by Richard Skipper Celebrates in honor of her residency at the Metropolitan Room. Tickets for her opening show May 14th almost sold out. For tickets, contact Richard at 845-365-0720 or at Richard@RichardSkipper.com.

Thank you, Richard, thank you Bernie and, most of all, thank you Julie!

Budd and Buddy: My Exclusive Q&A with the Delightful Ms. Julie Budd, part 2

Julie Budd is a real New Yorker, there was no denying that when I heard her speak with me during this Q&A. An astoundingly gifted performer, she has done recordings, live shows, tv and film. After 40 years in show business (starting out at the ripe old age of 12), she is still a much sought-after, popular and in-demand entertainer.  She will be at The Merry-Go-Round Playhouse in Finger Lakes, New York this Saturday, May 2. She has a new album, They Wrote the Songs. And she has a residency coming up at The Metropolitan Room, NYC starting May 14th. Press inquiries, please contact Richard Skipper Celebrates at 845-365-0720 or at RichardSkipper.com. Personally, I found Julie Budd to be down-to-Earth, considerate and just a complete delight. Enjoy!
juliebudd.com

Buddy Beaverhausen: So tell me more about your act at the Metropolitan Room.

Julie Budd: I'm their artist in residency. I'm going to be there in May, in September, October, December this year.

BB: That is great! And what can audiences expect from your shows?

JB: All four shows are called "They Wrote the Songs," which is also the title of my new cd. But each time I come to the Metropolitan Room, it will be another version. Like, this time, it's going to be s combination of the older and newer writers. This time, I'll be sure to add some of the more traditional songwriters because they set the standard for what the younger writers did. And, in December, I'll add some holiday songs. So, each show will present a different take on the same theme. Just so the audience doesn't get bored!

BB: You just won a BroadwayWorld Award.

JB: Yeah, I was thrilled by that.

BB: What other awards do you have at this point?

JB: Oh, I have others but, to be honest with you, I never really think about that stuff. I mean, I have memories and think "Wow, I can't believe I did that" or "I can't believe I knew that person or met that person."  But it's really, for me, about looking ahead to what I plant to do, not looking back I'm much more focused on where I'm going tomorrow and not where I've been.

BB: I listened to and thank you for sending a copy on to me. It's very lovely and your voice is still as strong as it was 40 years ago! What do you do to keep it in such good condition?

JB: I'm constantly training. I know some people feel they've done their training and they warm up before they go on-stage. I'm a little more diligent than that. I think, especially as you get older, you really need, you need to train. I mean, our voices do change through various points in your life. When your very young, your voice is changing, as a young adult, in middle age....  So, your voice is always changing. It's not about can you still hit the notes so much as can you still sing them today with as good quality as you did before. So when you say my voice is as strong today as it was years ago, it's thrilling for me to hear because I think, "Good, my work is paying off."

BB: What was the experience of recording that album like for you?

JB: As they all are, it's a lot of work to record. There's an enormous amount of detail to be concerned with. But when you start to see it becoming what you wanted it to be, you just can't wait for it to be in the hands of the public

[More to come in Part 3.]

Budd and Buddy: My Exclusive Q&A with the Delightful Ms. Julie Budd, part 1

Julie Budd is a real New Yorker, there was no denying that when I heard her speak with me during this Q&A. An astoundingly gifted performer, she has done recordings, live shows, tv and film. After 40 years in show business (starting out at the ripe old age of 12), she is still a much sought-after, popular and in-demand entertainer.  She will be at The Merry-Go-Round Playhouse in Finger Lakes, New York this Saturday, May 2. She has a new album, They Wrote the Songs. And she has a residency coming up at The Metropolitan Room, NYC starting May 14th. Press inquiries, please contact Richard Skipper Celebrates at 845-365-0720 or at RichardSkipper.com. Personally, I found Julie Budd to be down-to-Earth, considerate and just a complete delight. Enjoy!
juliebudd.com

Buddy Beaverhausen: You have been performing since you were 12! Although you're not quite as old as I am, you started at the time of girl group music. Most young women singers at the time, even Marilyn Michaels & Betty Buckley, have done the "girl" thing) in the style of, say, Lesley Gore or Dusty Springfield. Did you ever venture into that territory back then?

Julie Budd: No, no, not really. I mean, back then, I was hoping to have a hit record so I chased the market a little, But I was never seriously in that particular market.

BB:  I understand you were brought to national attention by Merv Griffin on his talk show, then also appeared on Johnny Carson. What was it like meeting these classic talk-show hosts? And how has the talk-show circuit changed since then?

JB: The talk-show circuit has changed a lot. They're very different now. I think, when I did them, everybody did that. Now, it's very, very hard to get tv, unless you have a hit record or movie or tv show to promote. When I started in show business, there were the variety shows on television, and they had all types of talent on. Variety entertainment then was really in the mainstream. Everybody did it! Today, television is very different.

BB: I remember, growing up, watching the talk and variety shows -- even on afternoon tv, like The Mike Douglas Show -- and it was different because the celebs didn't have people advising them on what and what no to say. So, it was more candid.

JB: Yes, I think that's absolutely right.

BB: What music did you listen to growing up, and what singers influenced you the most?

JB: The first person who really struck me and influenced me was Julie Andrews. She was the ultimate to me. She could sing, dance, she was fabulous on Broadway! She could do everything! Also, when I was a girl, I had an extremely high voice and I could sing in her range. I loved her! And my mother and dad used to go out on Saturday nights and once they brought me back to original cast recording for My Fair Lady. They bought it at Colony Records. Remember Colony?

BB: Yes. I the Brill Building. I loved that place!

JB: Right, the biggest record store in NYC at one time. A little above the theater district. Anyway, one night they brought me home My Fair Lady and I thought it was the greatest record I ever heard in my life! I learned all the songs and sang them for my dad. I did little shows for him when he came home from work. And my mom would tell me, "Leave daddy alone and let him have his dinner." [Laughs] My dad would say, "No, no, that's ok. Let her sing."

BB: That's so funny. I'll tell you, very briefly, that when I was about six or seven, my mom took me to our downtown record store where she always bought me 45s. Well, this time I wanted an album. She thought I'd buy a Disney soundtrack or rock'n'roll, but I wanted My Fair Lady!

JB: [Laughing.] Isn't that something? Well, you know, my mom could really sing. But she was too shy for show business. You know, this business is very tough. And there I came, you know, all ready to go into show business. I think it drove them crazy. It got to a point where they couldn't deny it any more so they let me try it. So I started out at 12 years old and there I was meeting Merv Griffin. Meeting Herb Bernstein changed everything. He got me on Merv's show. And I'd never done anything before like that. It was a whirlwind but I didn't know anything else, so I thought, "Well, I guess that's the way it works."

Part 2 to come.