=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= B E T W E E N T H E L I N E S [tm] Volume 6, Issue 5 - August 31, 1994 DDDDD D D D D GGGG D D G DDDDD G GGG G G GGGG A Debbie Gibson Discussion Forum =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -= CONTENTS =- ADMINISTRATIVE NOTES INTRO BY ALFRED LAM - Alfred Lam INTRO BY MICHAEL DEVERY - Michael Devery INTRO BY WILLIAM BIRCH - William Birch LOST IN HER EYES - Jeff Usher DEBBIE GIBSON THANKS GOD - Chris Foote I STAND BY DEBORAH GIBSON - Jeff Tharp BIRTHDAY WISHES GALORE! CLOSING REMARKS =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -= DISCLAIMER =- This forum does not necessarily reflect the views of Deborah Ann Gibson, Gibson Management Inc. (GMI), the Atlantic Recording Corporation, Electronic Music Industries, or any organizations to which members belong or represent. Opinions expressed in Between the Lines are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the entire forum. All lyrics by Debbie Gibson are copyrighted by Deborah Ann's Music, ASCAP or Possibilities Publishing, Inc./EMI April Music, Inc., ASCAP. Between the Lines operates on a non-profit basis. Distribution is permissible only under the condition that no part of it will be used for profit. "Between the Lines" and "BtL" are trademarks of Between the Lines. Copyright 1994, Between the Lines. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -= ADMINISTRATIVE NOTES =- Between the Lines has a new central account and e-mail address. Please send all administrative requests and submissions to: btl@egbt.org To submit articles by postal mail, please proofread and send them to the postal address listed below. Submissions should be typed or written legibly. To submit articles by FAX, please call (604) 322-5936. We reserve the right to edit, defer, or reject submissions without notice. Submissions become the property of BtL. BETWEEN THE LINES 2137 Qualicum Drive Vancouver, B.C. V5P 2M3 CANADA For those of you who do not have access to electronic mail, you may subscribe via postal mail. Issues are printed with a bubblejet printer which allows six pages of text to be printed on both sides of one sheet of paper. Back issues are also available on one MS-DOS 3.5" or 5.25" high density disk (please specify disk format when ordering). Prices are at cost and are subject to change: Canada $3.25 Cdn. for 5 issues / $2.75 Cdn. for back issues on disk United States $3.25 U.S. for 5 issues / $2.75 U.S. for back issues on disk International $5.00 U.S. for 2 issues / $4.00 U.S. for back issues on disk Please make a cheque or money order payable to Felix Ng and mail it to the postal address mentioned above. We are not responsible for cash lost or stolen in the mail. Issues are always mailed via first class. -= BtL moderators =- Myra Wong : mkwong@ucsd.edu mkwong@ucsd.bitnet Felix Ng : fng@acca.nmsu.edu 1:153/915 on Fidonet =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -= INTRO BY ALFRED LAM =- Alfred Lam - Markham, Ontario (as476@freenet.carleton.ca) July 22, 1994 I'm new here, so I will start with something about myself. My name is Alfred P. Lam and I live in Markham, Ontario, which is a suburb of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. I am really glad to find out about "Between the Lines," as I have been a Debbie Gibson fan for a long time now. I first heard about Debbie in early 1988, when songs like "Shake Your Love," "Only In My Dreams," and "Out of the Blue" were popular. Subsequently, I bought the _Out of the Blue_ cassette, and loved her music. I had a great debate in my heart between who was better, Debbie or Tiffany. I went to both of their concerts in the summer of 1988, at the Kingswood Music Theatre at Canada's Wonderland. While Tiffany was good, Debbie's show was spectacular, thus she stole my heart forever... I remain a faithful Debbie fan till this day, even though most of my friends have moved on. Why? Debbie voice is wonderful, and I still love all her songs, especially all the wonderful ballads. There has never been (and never will be, as far as I'm concerned) someone having such talent and emotions singing ballads. My favourite Debbie song of all time is "Foolish Beat," followed closely by "One Hand, One Heart," "Sure," and "Try." Just because I love her ballads doesn't mean I don't love her other work, either. "Shake Your Love," "Out of the Blue," and "Only In My Dreams" still manage to bring a smile to my face every time I hear them, and this is credited to Debbie, whose upbeat personality was always on my mind everytime I heard one of her high tempo songs. Over the years, I have managed to collect quite a few "Debbie" items, including posters, T-shirts, and an enormous amount of articles. I had hoped to go see her in Les Miz, since I know quite a few pieces from that play. I hope that Debbie keeps on doing stagework so that one day I can go see her in a play. One of the most interesting things that I found I had in common with Debbie is that we both play the flute. I adore that instrument and I'm sure that Debbie does too. Boy, I'll give anything to play with her once in my life! I'm really glad that so many people have the same interest in Debbie as I do, and please, feel free to contact me at any time at: 17 Stone Mason Drive Markham, Ontario L3P 6X3 CANADA Phone: 905-472-2925 Fax: 905-472-5366 I will remain a faithful Debbie fan for the rest of my life as Debbie and her songs were sometimes my only friends through some tough times in my life. I love you Deborah, and keep on making great music! Always, Alfred '94 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -= INTRO BY MICHAEL DEVERY =- Michael Devery - Melbourne, Australia (mpd@bing.apana.org.au) August 18, 1994 Hi there! My name is Mike Devery, and I am doing a Ph.D in Chemistry in Melbourne, Australia. I became a Debbie Gibson fan by the third album. The single "Anything Is Possible" was so fantastic that I went out and bought the album, and wasn't disappointed. Later I backtracked to the first two albums. Sure, I was aware of the singles from these first two albums (and sadly, in fact, the only hits that DG has had in Australia have been from these two albums), but it wasn't until the third that I considered myself a fan. The main thing I especially appreciate about DG is that we have been able to watch her grow through the phases of her career, from the simple and beautiful first album, to the sophisticated and sadly underrated _Body Mind Soul_, as well all the hard work that went into performing Grease month after month. This growth can only hint at what is to come in the future! I look forward to contributing to this digest in the future. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -= INTRO BY WILLIAM BIRCH =- William Birch - Tewksbury, Massachusetts (tree@mgate.lotus.com) August 29, 1994 Greetings... First a little history. My name is William Birch, I'm 24, and the Unix System Administrator at the Westford facility of Lotus Development. I play guitar, bass and I sing second bass for a semi-professional choral group called the New England Chorale. I also occasionally do sound for a local college sound and lighting company called Lens+Lights. Besides Debbie Gibson my favourite bands are Rush, Led Zeppelin, Cream, The Jimi Hendrix Experience, and Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble. (I also listen to many of the old 50s, 60s and _early_ 70s Rock & Roll bands.) I have always listened to music. Since before I was born my father had played in a band. Some of my earliest memories are of the practices my father and his band held in our house, and I can remember being very young and at a concert somewhere my father was performing. I always admired him for his ability and dedication. Following in my father's footsteps, I have been playing in bands since I was in high school. We of course have slightly different ideas on what to play, where he played CCR, we played Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan. Although I love to listen to many different styles of music, I have always preferred to play the blues. My _very_ first real performance was Sunshine of Your Love, by Cream (a one song performance), and since then I've concentrated my studies on the great blues guitarists. When I started listening to Debbie Gibson it was stylistically a very different direction for me, but I was very impressed with everything I had ever heard, and I have become a true fan of Deborah's music. The year was 1989, and I happened across MTV and lingered for a few minutes. As luck would have it, they played a Debbie Gibson video, "Lost In Your Eyes," as I recall, and I was hooked. I went out the following day and got the single for "Lost In Your Eyes." I then acquired the CDs of both _Out of the Blue_ and _Electric Youth_ within a short span of time afterwards, made a tape with both of the albums on it, and played it until it died. From that time on I've been looking and waiting for new material to arrive in the stores. Since that time I have been slightly more up to date on getting albums. I managed to pick up both _Anything Is Possible_ and _Body Mind Soul_ when they came out, and I'm now looking forward to getting the new album when it comes out next year. Although I felt that there had at some point been a radical change in certain aspects of her style between _Electric Youth_ and _Anything Is Possible_, I still find songs which stick with me for long periods of time. My alltime favourite songs are "Play The Field," and "When I Say No." I also especially like the ballads in which Deborah plays the piano herself. I would like someday to meet and get to know Deborah, to know the person behind the music. I find Deborah's music to be a bright light in the world of new music these days. I can say without a doubt that I will always be a true fan. Correspondence can be achieved by e-mail at: tree@mgate.lotus.com or by USnail mail at: William Birch 71 Patrick Road Tewksbury, MA 01876 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -= LOST IN HER EYES =- Jeff Usher - Bristol, England (jeff@jeffy.dircon.co.uk) July 30, 1994 It all started when my boss decided to send me on a four day computer course in London. It was not until I saw the address of where the course was to take place that bells started ringing. It was on Tottenham Court Road. What's more, it was next door to the Dominion Theatre. Wow, almost a whole week in London, paid for by the company, next door to where the person I had been longing to meet for three years was appearing on stage. Surely our paths would cross at least once wouldn't they? Let's just say that my lunch hours were not spent shopping or swatting up on the course. Nope, it was straight round to the stage door for an hour hoping that I would at some time catch a glimpse of my idol. I waited for an hour on the Monday, nothing... I waited for an hour on the Tuesday, nothing... Wednesday came and by this time I thought I might as well do some shopping and look around the stores. Now as anybody will tell you, Wednesday is matinee day for the theatres and the matinee performance of Grease was at three o'clock. Luckily we had a late lunch break that day so we didn't get away until twelve thirty. Hmmmmmm, I thought to myself, if the performance was at three, then the performers should be arriving about two hours before that, say one o'clock. I went shopping for half an hour and then returned to the Dominion Theatre around one o'clock. As I turned the corner to face the stage door a limousine had just pulled up outside. Nahhhh, I couldn't be that lucky, could I? Surely enough Debbie stepped out of the limousine and started chatting to the huddle of people who were also there. By this time I was panicking. There I was fifty yards away from the one person I had most wanted to meet in the last three years. I ran the fifty yards towards the stage door with my adrenalin level at dangerous proportions. I feverishly hunted for something that she could sign. Now please bear in mind that for the past two days I had been carrying my _Out of the Blue_ CD cover in case such an event like this happened. Today however all I had in my possession was my hotel booking receipt. Very sad. I stood by the barrier that was around the stage door. It was actually quite good because there were only five other people there, no crushing, lunging, shouting, nothing. Eventually Debbie turned to me and I turned to jelly. I handed her my hotel pass which she duly signed and returned to me. Then came the moment I shall never forget. We both looked at each other straight in the eyes, and she smiled at me in such a way that sent me to seventh heaven. It was only for a brief moment, but that moment will always be with me. Debbie then went inside after saying goodbye to the group outside. The rest of the day meant nothing to me. I learned nothing from the course and I didn't care anyway. All I could think about was Debbie's brown eyes staring straight at mine, and the smile that said everything. I could not believe how lucky I had been. O.K. I was joking to my friends before I went to London that I was going to try and meet Debbie Gibson but they just laughed and said no chance. Thanks Debbie for proving them wrong. And thanks also for that one brief moment you gave me that will be with me forever. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -= DEBBIE GIBSON THANKS GOD =- Chris Foote - Surrey, England (shufoote@reading.ac.uk) July 13, 1994 On Radio 1, on July 3rd, Deb was in a documentary about religion in America. This is what she said: Hi I'm Debbie Gibson, and I'm a theatrical performer, as well as a pop writer and performer. I like to make music that's real positive and upbeat, and try to kind of be a good role-model for kids. I definitely trust in God, and I've thanked God in all of my albums because that's were music comes from - there's like, I could be like in the middle of a crowded street, and all of a sudden the melody will pop into my head, and there's no logical explanation for it. That's why I definitely believe that music is God kind of coming through artists and writers. I certainly think that if you believe something comes from God, yes you should give thanks. If you don't, then obviously don't! But if you do, then don't thank your posse, and your this and your that and not God, if you do believe that's where the music has come from. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -= I STAND BY DEBORAH GIBSON =- Jeff Tharp - Indianapolis, Indiana August 15, 1994 On Friday, May 27th, just two days before the Indianapolis 500, I received a phone call from Jim Molnar, a Gibson pen pal of mine from New Jersey. With extreme excitement, he filled me in on Debbie's charity concert for the St. Mary's Children Foundation which would be held on June 24th at the Okeha Castle. At first I thought the $300 ticket was too much. I told him I would sleep on that thought and call him sometime during the Memorial Day weekend. That night, I had a dream about seeing her in concert. Afterwards, I hung out with Deb and her mom. I awoke Saturday morning thinking about Jim's phone call about the concert. I decided I wanted to go for several reasons. I wanted to know if it was really true that I went to London last March to see Debbie in Grease. After three months had gone by, it seemed to be only a dream. Only the three photos of Deborah and I and the Grease programme were the only evidence that showed it was true. I also thought the $300 ticket would be going to the children. I had always wanted to donate to charity since Debbie gets involved with them. I always wanted to do this for Deborah with her knowing I had helped. I also thought $300 for a night of a magical concert from Deborah with dinner and getting to meet her again was well worth it. This made more sense than spending $400 for a Barbara Striesand concert which all goes into her pocket book. June 24th 10:00 A.M. I arrived at Newark, New Jersey to meet my friend Jim. We headed off to Long Island for the big event. 1:30 P.M. We arrived at the Okeha Castle. We were puzzled not to notice any signs indicating that this was the right place. Uniformed maintenance people were working in the yard. We asked if this was the right place. We were allowed in from showing our invitations. We entered the Castle to where we met Karen (Deb's sister) with her daughter and the decorating crew, who were hanging up balloons along the stairway. We were told we were six hours early. We asked for help and directions in finding a hotel. So off we went. We found a place to stay which was only two miles away from the event. 7:00 P.M. We arrived at the Okeha Castle to find out we were the first to be there. We introduced ourselves to the ladies from the St. Mary's Children Foundation. They were very impressed with us after finding our names on the fan club list and that we were checked out in tuxedos. Shortly afterwards, everybody started showing up. I got to meet several of my pen pals including Dominique Fournier from Charlesbourg, Quebec, Canada and Michael Falkner. I won't go into detail about the concert; please refer to Falker's "Storm the Castle!" from BtL 6.4. There were a few highlights I'd like to mention that Falkner had forgotten to mention. Richard J. Alexander opened the show by announcing that Deborah had just come back from her stay in Nashville, Tennessee where she had been working on her 5th album. Debbie had announced during her show that she wanted to do Les Miserables again! This time she wants to play Fantine! She wants to continue doing Broadway and that she and Richard J. Alexander have several projects lined up for the future. My favorite part of the whole concert was when Deborah had the children from St. Mary's joined in on "Stand By Me." This part of the show brought tears to my eyes because of how magical this song was by Debbie and the kids singing. It was so cute! This made my $300 donation very special to me because I was able to help these kids who are in need of my help. Debbie's mom and sister Denise were standing beside me and Jim during the whole concert. We had to be on our best behavior and to show her that we were gentlemen instead of normal, immature fans from the fan club. Deb's mom watched us several times and smiled at me several times as I stood clapping a lot. This was after the big important songs that Deb sang that deserved an applause; I had helped the crowd get into clapping for her! So this was really neat to see that her mom noticed me and smiled at me. 10:30 P.M. Now it was time to see if my trip to London wasn't a dream and to see how much Deborah had remembered me. I was lucky to be in the first group of 20 people to meet Debbie. As my turn was coming close to meeting Deborah, I noticed Deborah would glance at the crowd to see who was next. While she was signing an autograph for a girl in front of me, Debbie glanced up to look at me and went back to the girl. Debbie quickly looked back at me and smiled really big at me! My turn! Debbie shouted, "It's nice to see you again Jeff! Jeff, is that right?" I answered, "Yes!" I presented to Debbie a notebook filled with several letters from my penpals to give to her which she was very happy to receive. I then presented an 8"x10" of me and Deborah which was taken on my last night of Grease, March 4, 1994. Deb's mom came up to see the photo and said we looked cute in the picture, so I knew for sure I was safe on meeting Debbie again. I had Debbie sign an extra photo of us for me. While she was signing the picture, I asked her if she remembered the teddy bear I had given to her in London. She stopped writing and thought for a moment. She soon smiled with laughter and said that teddy bear still plays music when she accidentally picks him up by the paw. It was a good feeling to know Deb remembered my gift! Now it was my turn to get my picture taken with Deb. Deborah's mom was taking everybody's picture. She refused to touch my professional Nikon camera. She was afraid she might drop it. Nobody there knew how to operate my camera; I shortly became depressed by this. Deb knew my feelings by watching my expressions. So Debbie asked for Kevin [Mazur], her professional photographer to take our picture! It was a great feeling to have one of my favorite professional photographers, whose photowork of Debbie and for Rolling Stone I had admired, take our picture. Before I had left, I gave a yellow card to her, which was a donation from Louis Adams from North Carolina. Debbie was really in excitement to receive this and shouted, "Mom, we must open this card before we leave tonight." Before I left, I told Deb I had a great time and enjoyed dinner. But the most response I got out of Deborah was when I told her how happy I was to make a donation to St. Mary's Children Foundation and to donate my time that night. Deborah responded with a big smile and said, "We were wondering what you guys from the fan club would think." She squeezed my hand awhile she said this. Deborah if you are reading this, happy birthday! Thank you so much for making my dreams come true. Thank you for the wonderful time at the St. Mary's Children Foundation concert and for the wonderful memories in London we had last March. Love you, Deborah! Hope we meet again! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -= BIRTHDAY WISHES GALORE! =- Many BtL members would like to express their sincere birthday wishes to Deborah for her 24th birthday. And so, we have a special section for all of their kind words... -------------------- Well Deborah, another step ahead in your electric career. Your 24th B-day! You know, I have been a fan for forever, and I'm really glad to find out about "Between the Lines" as I haven't been a long Internet user. The thought of having you reading something I have written is a thought that really blows my mind. Deb, I hope that the new year means a continual success in your career. And I hope that your new album is going to be out soon. I hope it is as good as all the previous ones, especially all the wonderful ballads. It's a tragedy if someone have never heard one of your ballads. I love listening to your ballads, they are all wonderful. They really sum up a lot of my feelings, especially when I'm down. (Don't consider this a bad thing 'cuz it not.) I certainly hope that I'll be hearing more and more new DeBBIE GIBSoN Ballads on my radio soon (as well as other songs). Enjoy your birthday, Deborah, and I hope to hear from you soon. Sincerely, from a devoted fan, Alfred P Lam (as476@freenet.carleton.ca) Markham, Ontario -------------------- Best wishes for your 24th birthday Deborah. I hope you spend the day doing either absolutely nothing, or in the studio recording half the new album! Thanks for including "Streets Of London" on the album. I also used to sing it in music class at school. I'd love it to be a single sometime in the future. PLEASE, try and visit Australia next year, for concerts or promotion - I've waited a long time to see your live shows. Most importantly, keep being creative. Scott McKenzie Ballarat, Victoria, Australia -------------------- There are some people who have such an impact in our lives that words can't even describe. To me, Deborah is this person. On this 31st of August, as Deborah celebrates 24 years...there are just a few things I feel I need to say. So Deborah...in case your reading this.....thanks so much for making my dreams come alive. You've touched my life in a way that could never be replaced by anyone else. You've brought GREAT friends into my life I would have never even met if it wasn't for you (Hi Carrie!). Most importantly though, you've taught me something. And that it to never give up and keep striving for whatever it is that I want. Thanks for Los Angeles...thanks for New York ("you are what you feel")...and special thanks for London 94! Deep inside I still know...the best is yet to come! The past seven...almost eight years of my life have been truly memorable...and remember, I'm with you all the way! Happy birthday Deborah...and I'll see you again soon!!! "Running through years gone by...we've both grown and I've watched you fly...." Love ya Girrrl!!! Tammie (NRGUPP@aol.com) D.G.I.F. # 104 -------------------- Happy Birthday Debbie. May all of your wishes come true. You are a very beautiful and talented performer. I hope my card arrives on time! Aaron Faber (AFABER@hsscam.mis.semi.harris.com) -------------------- DEBBIE. HAVE A GREAT BIRTHDAY. YOUR MUSIC IS VERY SPECIAL TO ME. IT MAKES ME FEEL GOOD WHEN I'M SAD. IF IT WASN'T FOR YOU I WOULD NEVER HAVE GRADUATED THE SPECIALIZED EMPLOYEE EDUCATION PROGRAM.... YOUR MUSIC WAS MY INSPIRATION. SAVE US SOME CAKE! James Sanchez -------------------- Dearest Deborah, I just wanted to include a short wish for you a Happy Birthday. I'm looking forward the new album, and many more years of your talent to come! Love, Channing Humphries (chumphri@uahcs2.cs.uah.edu) Huntsville, Alabama -------------------- Happy Birthday Deborah! I hope this year will be as successful as the last! Elena Jarvis (ElenaJ1433@aol.com) -------------------- Dear Debbie, I would like to congratulate you on your success in "Grease". Thanks for giving us another album to listen to (the soundtrack). I wish you a VERY HAPPY 24th BIRTHDAY and I hope your next album is a SMASH! Archie Medrano (amedrano@euclid.ucsd.edu) -------------------- Well, I would like to say to Debbie: May you have a very happy birthday and may your wishes all come true and may God bless you and your family in the year to come. Do more TV! Do a movie! Release another album! Thanks for bringing so many people a little happiness with your talent. --Steve Hammer (shammer@use.com) -------------------- Happy Birthday, Deb! Still listening after all these years, Chris Davis (cdavis@cdss.win.net) Atascadero, California -------------------- Happy Birthday Deborah! Thanks for gracing us with your beautiful voice and words. May your talent continue to brighten lives for many more years. Ted Beers tedb@hpcvrt.cv.hp.com Corvallis, Oregon -------------------- From Carbondale, IL.. I, Robert Louis Kupcek, bid thee the best of wishes and happiness on your birthday. May you find your heart's desires, your dreams fulfilled, and may your songs fill the world with the feelings you wish to express.. Sincerely, -Seeker- (SEEKER@SIUCVMB.SIU.EDU) -------------------- Debbie, I've been crazy about your music since I first heard "Out of the Blue" oh-so-many years ago! I hope you have a wonderful birthday! -- Gordon Zaft (zaft@bigdog.engr.arizona.edu) -------------------- Happy Birthday Deborah! All the best, and continued success. From one of many fans and friends, Jeff Croft (GEN3002@HUSKYV.STMARYS.CA) -------------------- To Deborah Ann Gibson: Happy 24th! I hope your next album is coming along well and I hope you can work with Grammy-awarding producer David Foster on at least one track. I'd like to see you make a real comeback since your tennybopper days. Speaking of producers, I spoke to Carl Sturken personally not too long ago (he's got a demo of some of my stuff; if you're interested to hear them let me know!) I think he wants you back; he told me he hasn't seen or heard from you in almost a year. He and Evan (Rogers) want to know how you're doing and they (as well as the crew over at Syndicated Rhythm Productions and Loft Recording in Bronxville) all wish you a happy 24th B-day as well! Just thought I'd send their wish to you..... Well, all I can say is, keep up the good work!!! -Pat L. (pl1h+@andrew.cmu.edu) -------------------- Debbie, I'm really looking forward to the new album. Your music has brought me much happiness and enjoyment over the past seven years. I'd like to wish you continuing success and happiness in the years to come. Happy birthday, and many happy returns of the day! May all your fondest dreams come true, byron (: Byron C. Go (byron@netcom.com) -------------------- A jolly good birthday to Debbie, the 8th wonder of the world! Lee Yu Jin (yujin@emtds1.nsc.com) -------------------- Happy Birthday Debbie! I Love you! Gerald (gfong@annex.com) -------------------- WHY I LOVE DEBORAH As Deborah Gibson approaches her birthday, I want to share my feelings as to why I love Deborah so much. I've mentioned in my BtL intro and in last year's birthday tribute of what Deborah means to me. She has all the great qualities a person could have and more. Deborah possesses many characteristics of other persons and yet, while blending them all into one, has created her own wonderful unique and great personality. Deborah Gibson is talented, friendly, wholesome, intelligent, and beautiful all at once. It doesn't get any better than that! Deb has everything I could want in a performer and person to appreciate for and well beyond that. I wish more people had Deborah's qualities and values. Everyone should know of someone who has Gibson's attitude even though I have yet to meet Deborah, I know I will one day and I know she is a great person. I want to meet more people who have Deborah Gibson's personality traits. The world needs more people like Deborah. As we Deb fans look forward to Wednesday, August 31st and another Deborah Gibson birthday, I wish Deborah a great birthday. On her birthday, I wish Deborah all the best. I have a message for Deborah and all her fans. Deborah, I wish you a happy birthday. You're a great person; so please stay that way. I'm deeply happy for you and for all your accomplishments. I'm glad to see that you achieved success in England when you performed in the play Grease. I know you're popular in Southeast Asia and in other parts of the world. It's great to see that you've attained success in many places. However, don't forget about your admirers here in the United States! We still love you and think about you. We want to see more of you in the future. The United States fans would love to see you perform in concert and/or in person soon. We haven't heard from you in such a long time. It would be great to hear from you again. My benediction for all Debbie Gibson fans is that may Deborah Gibson, her music, friendships, and attitude always be with you in all of your body, mind, and soul. My wish for Deborah is that you have a great birthday. You deserve it! Remember, Deborah, we love you as a person and as a performer. It's important that we realize that Deborah Gibson is a person. She needs and deserves to be treated as a friend and should be. We're always here for you. That's why I love the greatest electric youth of them all -- Deborah Ann Marie Gibson! Debheads, may your lives always be on the NRG^ side my fellow Electric Youths! I know Deb will! Deborah enjoy your birthday because you deserve it! Lost In Your Eyes, Marshall Weeks, Jr. D.G.I.F. #10818 Glendora, California P.S. - Deborah, thanks for being _you_! -------------------- Hello Deb! Happy Birthday and best wishes for the future! D.A. Campbell (DAVACAMP@ucs.indiana.edu) -------------------- Deborah - We all know you've come a long way since the sweet-sixteen-carousel- rider. As you've grown and matured over the years, both personally and professionally, so has my dedication and admiration for you. Each year, when I think that I could never be more proud of you, you did something even more spectacular that raises that pride even more. I know that 23 was one of the happiest and most exciting years of your life, and I predict that 24 will be just as wonderful for you. You've brought so much happiness to my life over the past eight years that I could only wish the same upon you. Happy Birthday Deborah! - Sara Gauchat -------------------- Deborah, I would like to wish you a very happy 24th birthday. You are a very special person, not only for me, but for all of your loyal fans all over the world. Your songs have been an inspiration for me to keep trying and to keep positive, even though I am very often quite optimistically challenged. I hope you keep doing what you love, not because of us, your fans, but because it's what you love to do. A person as special as you only comes along on the rarest of occasions. You deserve to be as happy as you have made us. Happy Birthday!!!!!!! Love always, your fan, Ray Warner (rwarner@oswego.Oswego.EDU) Oswego, New York -------------------- Deborah. You've changed a lot since I first became a fan, but one thing has remained constant: your positive energy. Whether you're riding a merry-go-round or stunning a Broadway audience, you consistently remind me of everything good about life. Your dedication to music and career will always be an inspiration. I look forward to what the years ahead will bring for you. I'm certain that the best is yet to come. Enjoy life's journey. -- Richard (neppie@mindspring.com) -------------------- Happy Birthday Wishes from Toronto! Another year of you is REALLY something to Celebrate! Take Care, and lotsa' love... Hayden Jones (cs922026@red.ariel.cs.yorku.ca) -------------------- Cool ... 1 year and 22 days apart (I just made the Sixties by 5 months) Happy Birthday Deborah, and may there be many happy returns... -William Birch (tree@mgate.lotus.com) -------------------- Dear Deborah, Happy 24'th birthday! Good luck with the new album (kinda sounds like a new baby, dosen't it? :) )... I really hope it turns out to be everything that you want it to be. What's more important, though, is that you just HAVE FUN! Enjoy yourself, and don't let anyone or anything get in your way. I hope you have a great year! -Chad Page (pageone@netcom.com) D.G.I.F. #8441 -------------------- Deborah, your performance at the Castle reinforced my faith in you as a performer and as a great person. May this next year be your most exciting yet. Happy birth Deborah, and I love you. Mike Falkner (mfalkner@csd.uwm.edu) -------------------- Dearest Deborah, Happy birthday, wishing you the best that life has to offer. May the saddest day of your future be no worse than the happiest day of your past. Love always, Karim Damji (karim.damji@deepcove.com) D.G.I.F. #5147 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -= CLOSING REMARKS =- According to Sunil Tanna (TANNAS1@VAX.LSE.AC.UK) on August 10th, Deb visited her fellow Grease cast members at the Dominion Theatre on July 14th and 15th since there was a party to celebrate the one year anniversary of Grease. According to Craig McLachlan, who had recently left the show, she wasn't in London for more than a few days, but she's been back there several times since she left. At that time, nearly half of the original cast had left the show. Apparently, GMI is now managing a country artist by the name of Bryan Austin, whose self-titled debut album was recently released on Patriot Records. Deborah Gibson is thanked in the liner notes of this album. According to Levien de Braal (L.deBraal@duticai.twi.tudelft.nl), the upcoming D.G.I.F. issue still had to be sent out to the printer as of August 15th. Also, there will only be three issues of D.G.I.F. this year. Today is Debbie Gibson's 24th birthday. Over the past year, we've followed Deborah's continued success in Grease, supported her as she put on a theatrical-based show to benefit the St. Mary's Children Foundation in the early summer, and now, celebrate her birthday. We're looking forward to Deb's fifth studio album, and wish her well in the upcoming year. H A P P Y 2 4 t h B I R T H D A Y , D E B O R A H !