=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= B E T W E E N T H E L I N E S [tm] Volume 7, Issue 4 - April 30, 1995 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 ROSS SMITH - Ross Smith INTRO BY BENJAMIN LAW - Benjamin Law INTRO BY KENNY SMITH - Kenny Smith INTRO BY FABRICE COURTOIS - Frabrice Courtois TIN PAN SOUTH '95 - Ron Coulter DEBBIE GIBSON QUOTES - Carrie Sapp/Natalie Krug OPINION TIME - Mike Falkner DEBBIE GIBSON IN NASHVILLE - Rodney Burlin CLOSING REMARKS =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -= DISCLAIMER =- Between the Lines (ISSN 1201-4826, electronic publication ISSN 1201-4834) 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 1995, Between the Lines. This forum does not necessarily reflect the views of Deborah Gibson, Gibson Management Inc. (GMI), Electronic Music Industries (EMI), 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 EMI April Music, Inc./Possibilities Publishing, Inc. (ASCAP). =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -= ADMINISTRATIVE NOTES =- Between the Lines has a 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 laser 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 5 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 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -= INTRO BY ROSS SMITH =- Ross Smith - Newark, Delaware (smith@cccc.com) March 28, 1995 I was a Debbie Gibson fan from day one. From _Out of the Blue_ through waiting anxiously for _Think With Your Heart_, her music has always been a motivating and inspiring influence in my life. I took a fair amount of heat in high school and college (I was a senior in HS / freshman in college when OOTB was doing well) for admitting I liked her music, and even more for being in the fan club (#2627) but I managed to survive. Anyway, I'm a 25 year old (7/25/69) computer programmer, working for a computer company in center city Philadelphia. Got my B.S. in Computer Science and joined the real world a while back. I'd rather be back in college; I may have more money now, but I had more fun then. When I take vacations, it's almost always to go back to visit people I know where I went to college. I'd rather be playing basketball than working, and I'd rather be watching the Eagles play football than anything else. I'm list owner/moderator of the Philadelphia Eagles mailing list, and have two season tickets in the infamous 700 level of Veterans Stadium. I spend as much time as I can outdoors, preferably playing basketball. Other diversions are in-line skating, tennis and running. I used to be rather overweight at 240 lbs. (I'm 6'0") but finally managed to realize that health is relatively important and have since lost 55 lbs. (no secret... just ate right and got plenty of exercise, and it took almost a whole year so put patience in the formula too) down to a respectable 185. Other than that I've read just about everything by Tolkien, Asimov, Donaldson, McCaffery, and Saberhagen. As is obvious, my tastes lean towards SF/fantasy. Stick Niven, Pournelle, Zelazny, Bear, and Brin on the list of liked authors, but I haven't read more than 6 or 7 books each by those guys. For some balance, Jack London and Dave Barry also make the list. I consider Deborah to be one of the biggest influences in my life. It was seeing her being successful, motivated and sure of herself at year younger than me, that led me to gain enough focus to bear down and work my way through college. At the time I was extremely confused, far from home and totally unsure of my future. Her upbeat music and driving energy were real sources of strength whenever I had doubts about my abilities or my future. I have only been able (due to having been in college in North Carolina for the bulk of Deborah's prime touring time) to go to one concert a few years ago, and am anxiously waiting to see where/when she will be performing for the upcoming album. You can bet that now that I have the time and resources that I will be going to any event in within day-trip driving distance (which would be New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, Atlantic City) and would be willing to do some real travelling to see her if it came to that. Ross Smith =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -= INTRO BY BENJAMIN LAW =- Benjamin Law - Hamilton, Ontario (u9210154@muss.CIS.McMaster.CA) March 30, 1995 Being the sort that would try to read the whole list of newsgroups, alt.fan.debbie.gibson seemed to stick out from all the rest. I just had to subscribe. Even though I was a newbie, I knew that a small percentage of posters would be die-hard fans, and the rest would be the occasional spam. I lurked for a bit and tried to figure out where I should go. Pop music in general has lost its hold on me. To me, it seems formulaic, overly synthesised, and it no longer holds my interest. The top 40 world where musicians come and go, many of which have little talent made for an unstable way to focus any devotion (you're a fan of who?). Having developed an ear, of sorts, I have gradually moved away from the pop scene to music somewhat more innovative. Boston showed me what production can do to traditional instruments without artificial sounds. Iron Maiden showed me what can be done through lyrics thematically. Rush demonstrated how these two are combined with new technology to make music that is far more complex and telling. Perpendicular to them, artists like Sarah McLachlan, Kate Bush, and Milla have reached success without sounding anything like anyone else. I like to think that I have somehow progressed in my taste in music. Yet some eight years ago, a younger and unskilled guy like me was discovering music, and was listening to it closely for the first time. I was brought up as a first generation Chinese Canadian who took a long time adapting to the diversities of the rest of society. Music was a way in, and popular music was all I was exposed to. When I listen to what I used to play some years ago, I wonder why it used to influence me. When I listen to Debbie Gibson, I think no differently. But here I am on the 'net, and I see strong support for this particular artist. Is it because she was hired by some bigwig who thought she was most marketable to sing other peoples' songs? Is it because her image is so shocking-- bordering on criminal--that she attracts media attention? The fact is, Debbie Gibson holds no special message for me in what she sings, and I feel fished in by the hype that somehow being close in age helps one relate. She had achieved far more than any average person in the same span of years which makes her unique, and has given her chance in the spotlight. Then, the Deborah Gibson I have come to know, at least through what I have read and what I have seen near the end of her heyday, is not one of politics and marketing I have found so often in my early influences. There is the honesty about her that does relate to me not in what she achieves, but in the manner that she achieves it. That honesty is what strikes me as most valuable. Her knowledge of music and production, her little known ability to act--these skills are of worth to others as well as to herself. This is what I see Deborah Gibson contributing to the entertainment industry and I have few dire predictions for her next album. I began composing this message on my twenty-second birthday (March 29). I am an Engineer/English student/Amateur graphic artist/budding guitar player. I see in Deborah Gibson no shortage of skills, and find myself with no less. Her influence on me has been a subtle one, and I thank her for being so honest with her fans, and to herself. I am Benjamin Law. I am a Deborah Gibson fan. As a small addition: I do wish to call attention to the devoted fans running this show on the 'net. It is no effort for me to lurk and subscribe to things, but it is a lot of work for them. Thank you very much for all the fine work. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -= INTRO BY KENNY SMITH =- Kenny Smith - Rialto, California (kenneths@chaph.usc.edu) April 15, 1995 Hello, my name is Kenny, I just turned 19, and I'm a student at the University of Southern California. I haven't been a Debbie fan for very long, I was introduced by a friend. I frequented the BBS's in my area, modemming from place to place, and I met an interesting little character by the name of Matt D. Gibson (found out he changed his name to that). His handle was The Electric Youth, and he was always razzed by the BBS populace for his love of Debbie. I hadn't listened to Debbie too much, but when I was looking through the CD's at the music store in my area, I found _Electric Youth_. I grabbed it and ran over to the clerk and asked him to play it. I really enjoyed the small part that I heard, so I took it home with me. I fell in love with Debbie's music after that. It was so uplifting, and made me feel good. Even got me through some hard times. I recently acquired a not-so-good copy of _Anything Is Possible_. Not too surprising that it's hard to find Debbie Gibson stuff in South Central Los Angeles, huh? I was able to get an Electric Youth poster (from Matt) and it's one of my two favorite posters (the other being "The Princess Bride"). I can't wait for the new album to come out. My friends are starting to get sick of me talking about it. Best wishes to all, I hope to be around here for quite awhile. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -= INTRO BY FABRICE COURTOIS =- Fabrice Courtois - Montreal, Quebec (fabrico@CAM.ORG) April 15, 1995 UNBELIEVABLE... I think we're going through an immense revolution at D.G.I.F. The idea of communication at it's best to unite the greatest group of people I know of, is real sharp. Risking to make a mistake in believing that Karen was responsible for the connection of the Internet and the fan club, I say, she is so smart! I can't stand it. Great job. Not to flatter myself, few days before I received the first newsletter to announce it, I was considering something similar to communicate to the fans, ways to help the next album explode in sales. But, Karen, you got one step ahead. I am a 5 feet 11 inches, 145 lbs. guy. When I first noticed Deborah, it was in spring of 1988. I and my employee went in a record store to buy an Ofra Haza record and I noticed Deborah's album right there. _Out of the Blue_ it was. He told me she was hot lately and I bought it: the album and what he said. I have to explain that years before, I was a radio and club DJ. But, at that time, I was not listening to mainstream music anymore. I listen to CD now and my collection is: _Out of the Blue_, _Electric Youth_, _Anything Is Possible_, _Body Mind Soul_, _A Very Special Christmas 2_, _Les Miserables_ and _A Portrait of Vladimir Horowitz_ from the late pianist. That's it!! Less is more, I've heard. I went home, listened to Ofra's album which is great: mellow and interesting for it's ethnicity. Then I 'spinned' Debbie's album, recognized a few songs, put it back in its sleeve and didn't touch it for six months. Then I went into retail sales, and at the store, I wanted to listen to some record I had at home. So one morning I browsed at my records and got reaquainted with the white cover. I said to myself, "Give her a chance." Soon, I was flipping only that cassette all day. My work mates were sick of her. Christmas 1990, I got _Anything Is Possible_ as a gift from my brother. When I read the thank you to Iris ("You are fabrice!"), I turned red. Wanting to know what it meant, I sent letters to the fan club, but no answer came back. Six months later, I decided to call GMI, and bugged them until they told me when and where she would perform for the One Step Ahead tour. In August of 1991, she came to Toronto. I brought some friends and had a long weekend at Canada's WonderLand. At the venue, Deborah was great. She hit Chris Cuevas with her microphone, smirked and by the end sang "On My Own." I didn't have a clue what it was nor where it came from. (Les Miserables came to Montreal, but failed to attract me.) The show was great but I didn't get to meet Deborah THAT time. I was unprepared. I got in the fan club by her birthday and met a fellow fan club member living in Montreal, which had just won a contest for bringing a lot of people in D.G.I.F. After the holidays, in 1992, we heard she was going to play in Les Miserables. Memories came back from the previous summer and we decided to go watch Deborah realize one of her dreams. This time, I wanted to meet her; I was going to prepare myself good. Well, we wanted to make sure to be at the same place at the same time. I called the Imperial Theatre many times and they told us, "...yes, of course she signs autographs at the end..." I managed to get the Imperial Theatre stage phone number. Was that crazy or what!? I called and ask again the person that answered, only to be told the same thing. I was reassured. We had bought tickets for the Saturday night show, so the night before we strolled down Broadway, shopping and sightseeing. And around 10:20 P.M., I realized she must be wrapping up the Friday night show by now. We tried to find the theatre and after few runs, did. At the stage door, there was a policeman and a man which I found out back in Montreal that he is a casting director. E-mail me to know how I found that one out. We stood there for 15 minutes. Those guys were going in and out of the theatre many times. At one point the casting guy goes and calls me, "Are you waiting for Debbie Gibson?" "Yes, of course," I said. He replied that we would die of hypothermia if we did not get in the coffee shop across the street because the show would end much later. We went there, ordered a cup of coffee and watch attentively what was happening outside. We were so nervous, I couldn't stand it. The tenant there knew exactly why we were there. We talked about Deborah, I saw limousines starting to come by, we talked about politics, more limousines, about the free trade and told us that it was a normal car that would come to pick her up and that when it'd come, he'd tell us. More politics and more free trade, "Oh, there is the car! See you guys!" and we left. We got next to the door, waited again and the casting guy comes to me and says, "You better stand here. This way, when she comes out she'll see you first." Right. One actor came out and stood there, then another came out, hugged the other one and weeped! I was in shock and suspected that when Deborah went on "Live! with Regis and Kathie Lee" and said that it was an emotional show, it was true. I doubted her. Tsk, tsk. The driver of the car that would pick Deborah also went in and out of the theatre, as he was watching fans gathering around. He came out another time and you better believe I was watching his every move. He was counting us, looking into each of our in the eyes. Then, a young woman asked him, "Are you her boyfriend?" with a certain whimseyness. He thought for a moment, "No, I'm not," he replied. What was he thinking about before answering? Hmmmm. I was very excited and understood that the next time he'd come out, he would be with her. And I was right. The casting guy too. I looked at her and the first eye contact she had was with me. From then on, the nervousness had disappeared into oblivion. Oh, yes. The driver, before she came out said to us, (that probably why I knew she'd come out next time), "...it's cold, she's tired, no personalized autographs please." While Vincent Deblois was preparing his camera, Deborah was signing autographs, large ones. They were all personalized! I asked her, arboring the camera, "Can we take a picture?" She agreed, and I took a picture of Vincent and her, but little did we know, the flash wasn't ready for another picture. "Go sign some other autographs and when it's ready, I'll tell you," I proposed. Vincent, after a few signatures, called us into posing. She grabbed me, I did the same and the camera's flash sealed that moment forever in my heart. Deborah was rushed to get in the car and left as we were Ta-ta-ing her away. We still were to meet her the next night, but this time I had a red rose, of course, it's so standard. Vincent brought his _Between The Lines_ and I, my _Electric Youth_ music book. We got them autographed. As Deborah was signing my book, I said to her, "This is helping me play piano, this book is my teacher." In fact, she was, not the book. She handed me the book and I handed her the rose. "This is for me, and this is for you," I whispered. Privacy 'oblige.' She was so shy, I had to look up under her hat to see her reddish face. It was all very funny. Later, I interjected, "You guys actually made me cry tonight," she laughed, meaning no pun intended, I guess. Yes, I did cry, secretly in my seat. I can remember Vincent telling me after the first act, choked up, "I think we're in for a ride!" I looked at him, and couldn't answer. It's only then that I realized the power of emotions communicated only in good quality theatre work. Deborah was part of it, I was so proud of her, still am. There is only one way that would make me feel more for Miss Gibson, a friendship band. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -= TIN PAN SOUTH '95 =- Ron Coulter - St. Paul, Minnesota (GBSB67A@prodigy.com) April 27, 1995 I spent all day doing the historical tour of Nashville, and then the tour driver dropped me off at the Loew's Vanderbuilt Plaza Hotel at about 5:00 P.M. I saw the other fans waiting for Deborah's scheduled 5:30 appearance. When we didn't see her by 5:45, I looked up the phone number and someone called GMI and got a recorded message saying we should meet Deborah around back after her portion of the show. We then got over to the Ace of Clubs, which is about 19 blocks away from the Vanderbuilt. Prior to the show, they played songs from one or the other of Frank Sinatra's _Duets_ albums. The show started at 7:20, and the first two performers made their appearances at Tin Pan South Piano Night, Part 1. The Ace of Clubs seemed to be a decrepit old warehouse that had been converted into a small nightclub. The seating was a very uncomfortable set of circular high seats with rings around the bottom for your feet. The tables were mostly long platforms with very little room. It would have been harder to come up with a more awkward, uncomfortable arrangement. After an hour, the first two finished their acts. One of the Board of Directors of Tin Pan South gave Deborah a wonderful introduction, saying how she invited Deborah to come participate in Tin Pan South and gave the standard list of her many accomplishments. She finished that up by saying "and she did all that by the age of 24." Then Deborah came out on stage and does seven songs. I scribbled what I could of the names on a papersack filled with historical booklets from my tour. They were all truly magnificent renditions, and one sort of floated along from one to the next. Wonderfully magic moments. It was very hard to describe them after only one hearing, so I will just say that no one will be disappointed. She did one song by another artist and introduced it by saying how much she had come to love country music. Many people started taking flash pictures and no one seemed to mind or care, so I got my camera out and snapped three or four. Pretty soon it was all over. The same woman who introduced Deborah closed by saying how much more she'll accomplish in the next 24 years. After a few minutes we waited by the bar until the bouncer lead us back out the front door and around to the back, where Deborah and Diane Gibson came out fairly soon. Deborah told one fan how she enjoyed the warm weather, since it was still cold back home. She had just flown in the day before. Well, pretty soon it was my turn with Deborah. We started discussing the song names on the bag and we pieced together the following list: 1) FOR BETTER OR WORSE - On the new album 2) DIDN'T HAVE THE HEART - On the new album 3) YOUR LOVE AMAZES ME - Recorded by John Berry - Not on the new album 4) TOO FANCY - On the new album 5) LOST IN YOUR EYES 6) LET'S RUN AWAY - On the new album 7) WILL YOU LOVE ME TOMORROW? - (By Carole King) - On the new album I told her they were really great and she seemed rather embarrassed by it. I asked her to sign my program, and then I looked up and wondered whether I'd had my picture taken and then we posed to make sure. I then snapped a few pictures of Deborah, and Deborah posing with other fans. After a while, I walked the six blocks or so back to my hotel and remembered that it'd been 10 hours since lunch. I was the only patron in the hotel restaurant by then, and I was radiating so much positive energy and good feelings the waitress said as she walked away after taking my order that the place was my castle and I can have anything I wanted, so long as it's decent. That seemed an odd thing to say. Well, the next day I was off on a full day tour of Nashville-Music City U.S.A. and then a full evening at some of Nashville's nightspots. Ron Coulter =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -= DEBBIE GIBSON QUOTES =- Carrie Sapp - Columbus, Ohio (csapp@capital.edu) Natalie Krug - Melbourne, Australia (natalie@suburbia.apana.org.au) April 25, 1995 In the LIFE section of USA TODAY (Tuesday, April 25), there is an article about Tin Pan South. Among other musicians, there is a quote from Debbie Gibson. She writes: "I live and breathe songwriting. I was 10 minutes late tonight because I had a song idea. I was in my makeup and my dress and at the last minute I went, 'Boy I've got to write this idea down.' That's just how my life is all the time." Carrie ------------------ My friend found an article in a magazine here on sex before marriage and they had a survey, and interviews with people on the street, and so forth, and a couple of Australian celebrity comments. Then, in the corner is a big picture of Debbie (looks like from the _Body Mind Soul_ days) and it says: "I definitely believe that the ultimate thing in a sexual relationship is to have one partner for your whole life. Nowadays it's really dangerous to be free with your body" - Debbie Gibson, Singer. It's funny because Deb was the only international celebrity in the piece, and she hasn't really had a profile here since '89-'90. Natalie =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -= OPINION TIME =- Mike Falkner - Milwaukee, Wisconsin (mfalkner@csd.uwm.edu) April 22, 1995 I didn't get as many responses to this poll as I did the first one, but there were some interesting results... 1> What are your three least favorite Debbie Gibson songs? Red Hot 6 Tear Down These Walls 1 Little Birdie 5 In The Still Of The Night 1 Shades Of The Past 4 Come Home 1 One Hand, One Heart 3 When I Say No 1 Negative Energy 3 Free Me 1 It Must've Been My Boy 3 Mood Swings 1 Play The Field 3 Over The Wall 1 Love In Disguise 2 A Medley Of Rhymes 1 Fallen Angel 2 Any Ana/Jo Beth Taylor work 1 Reverse Psychology 2 Deep Down 1 Shock Your Mama 2 Love Or Money 1 Kisses 4 One 2 This So-Called Miracle 1 Lead Them Home My Dreams 2 We Could Be Together 1 Silent Night 1994 1 Wake Up To Love 1 2> What is your favorite song from each album? Out of the Blue: Foolish Beat 8 Staying Together 2 Wake Up To Love 1 Out of the Blue 4 Between the Lines 1 Only In My Dreams 3 Play the Field 1 Electric Youth: We Could Be Together 6 Lost In Your Eyes 3 Who Loves Ya Baby? 2 Electric Youth 4 No More Rhyme 3 Should've Been The One 1 Anything Is Possible: One Hand, One Heart 5 Sure 2 Without You 1 Deep Down 2 Try 1 One Step Ahead 1 This So-Called Miracle 2 In His Mind 1 Where Have You Been? 1 Another Brick Falls 2 Mood Swings 1 Anything Is Possible 1 Body Mind Soul: Goodbye 5 Do You Have It In Your Heart? 2 Losin' Myself 3 Free Me 1 Tear Down These Walls 2 Little Birdie 1 How Can This Be? 2 Shock Your Mama 1 3> And what is your least favorite song from each album? Out of the Blue: Red Hot 8 Play the Field 3 Shake Your Love 1 Fallen Angel 4 Wake Up To Love 2 Electric Youth: Shades Of The Past 6 Love In Disguise 2 Electric Youth 1 Helplessly In Love 2 Silence Speaks 2 We Could Be Together 1 Over The Wall 2 Who Loves Ya Baby? 1 Anything Is Possible: Negative Energy 4 Reverse Psychology 2 One Step Ahead 1 Lead Them Home... 4 One Hand, One Heart 2 Try 1 It Must've Been My Boy 2 Deep Down 1 In His Mind 1 Body Mind Soul: Little Birdie 6 Love Or Money 2 Tear Down These Walls 2 Shock Your Mama 4 Do You Have It... 2 When I Say No 1 4> Inspired by the D.G.I.F. bonus issue survey: If you had the money, and the item was offered, what one piece of Deborah's memorabilia and the like would you want, and how much would you be willing to pay into the charity fund for it? Some people thought this was a flawed question, either in not wanting to show how much they would pay or that they didn't feel it right for me to ask. Some did have some interesting choices: Myra Wong: "I would love a demo tape of any unreleased song, and the original lyric sheet to go with it, because I am constantly intrigued by Deborah's *creation* of songs. I'd surely pay $1,000 for such an item a) if I had the money and b) because it's going to charity." Jason Luck: "I think that would probably be her scrapbook(s) from her childhood, through her teenage years, and of the present. Obviously she wouldn't want to part with it/them, but I can dream, cant I? I really would like to re-live her life from her point of view...From the first moment of public singing (singing for ice cream!) to signing the new contract with SBK. If I had the money, I'd easily pay over $500, especially if it's going to a charity." Kazuto Okayasu: "_THE_ 'notebook' (I suppose you know what this refers to) - must take up an entire room by now. Considering the volume of material in there by now, I'd say at least $1/song." John Dobbin: "What I'd most like from Deb is to have her write a song for me. Getting to know me in a brief period (a few hours) and writing a song inspired by me. I'd pay probably 1000 for this if I had the money." 5> [I had phrased the question that the person I was referring to was an intern at SBK, and then he clarified that he was not an intern there. Of course, I had wanted to conceal his identity, until I read later in the issue that he had posted his thoughts on the album... That said, I asked:] I can tell you that one member of the AIP list does work as an intern for SBK Records. If you had the opportunity to do this, what would you tell SBK Records about Deborah, and what would you tell them to do with this album? Robert Evans: "I would tell SBK Records that Deborah has too much talent not to promote her new album to the best of there ability, and I would never give up on the possibilities that Deborah could enjoy a long and fruitful singing and songwriting career for years to come. She has already achieved so much at such an early age not to have continued support from her record company. And I would say, let's not let this talented singer/songwriter sit on the back burner...ever!" M. DiFlorio: "PROMOTE! Give it a chance! Don't kill it like the last two albums were killed! Debbie is a true talent, who deserves a fair chance. Artists with her talents don't come around very often. She's the 'total package' so to speak, singing, playing, and writing her own music. Don't spoil it by forcing her into the current trendy image." Fabrice Courtois: "Put more time in the communities, signing autographs, meeting the fans at release time than on TV with some VJ that won't care the least when the interview is done. A full blown promotional tour." Anna S. Man: "To have publicity to show her off in a positive light: - by promoting her and her music through AC stations since that is her next avenue - by giving her a push in sales by telling record stores to play her music and encourage buyers 'to try' her music - lastly, somehow get her back on the 'good' side of the general public. Most of the non-fans have a stigma against her, a sense that she is not 'cool' to listen. How you change that perception is hard. Even I do not know how to answer this challenge." Misty Cochran: "Well, they already know how talented she is, so I guess I'd just tell them to listen to Debbie and do what she says 'cause it's her career." 6> A question often asked of Deborah in interviews is: "If you had to do it again, what would you do differently?" Let's turn that question around: As a FAN, what would YOU have done differently if you had to do it all over again from 1987? Many would not change a thing. Some did have ideas, though... Rob Polinsky: "I would've met Deb after the OSA tour! There were only about 50 people waiting outside, but it took her forever to come out after the EY tour. I was 80 miles away from home at near midnight and had my little sis with me. I thought she would take a long time before she came out. I heard that she came out about 15 minutes after the show and talked to _everyone_ that was waiting. Had I know this, I would've stayed for sure!" Sara Gauchat: "I would have started collecting Deb stuff at the very beginning, and I would've taken more opportunities to see her live, especially in the very early and the most recent (i.e. Earth Day, Oheka, more OSA shows) years. But, as everyone has been saying, hindsight is 20/20!" Tom Armbruster: "I would make a much larger effort to meet Debbie in person. I've always had the desire to converse one on one with Debbie, without all the pressure of negative publicity. As a musician, and aspiring producer, I've always found inspiration in Debbie. I would, to date, like the opportunity to discuss the industry, and life in general, with a successful, multi-talented artist my age. She will always be an inspiration to me." 7> Finally, with the album release just a couple of months away, what kind of performance [using whatever criteria you choose] would you think that _Think With Your Heart_ must have to be a success with you? Basically, most people either said it'd be a success anyway or that they weren't sure. Andre LeBlanc: "I think it should have at least one top 10 hit in order to be a 'comeback' success. But personally, all that matters is whether I like it or not." Sara Gauchat: "Looking back at the last two albums, I have to say that TWYH would have to go at least gold and have at least one single do well on the charts in order for me to consider it a commercial success. But in terms of the quality I know already, based on what we've heard, that I'll consider it a musical success for Deborah." Kazuto Okayasu had a long and very interesting answer: "Focus around ballads. Her writing and voice just lend themselves to them, although I have to say it was OOTB/SYL/OIMD that first caught me back in junior high. Somehow, previous collaborations haven't worked out too well in terms of the 'quality' of the songs, so unless it's really going to work, don't do it! Pick an _awesome_ track to release as the first single. Almost always the first single sets the pace for the entire album in terms of success. I think if LIYE wasn't the first release off of EY it wouldn't have done as well. Why would this be important to me (as opposed to success in the public eye)? Because it's a good indication of the 'direction' of the album. Do a great cover of a good 60's or 70's song, one that doesn't necessarily have to have been a colossal success the first time around. Big problem is that if it's a song that everybody already knows well, there will be the inevitable comparisons to the original, and that can often kill a remake. It'd probably also help if its done in a different style than the original. A lot of my favorite songs have been remakes, but just about each time I didn't initially know that. It really shows an artist's talent to take a good song and somehow make it better!" That said, here's some questions for this poll. First, some questions by Levien de Braal: 1> Considering what you've heard about it so far, what is your prediction of commercial success for _Think With Your Heart_? (number of albums sold?) 2> Do you regard Deb's career commercially-oriented (on scale 0-10)? 3> If you had to make a choice between D.G.I.F. and BtL membership, which would choose and why? [Editor's Note: BtL encourages all of its members to join D.G.I.F. as well.] 4> How many hours a week do you nowadays listen to Debmusic? Robert Evans sent in this one: 5> What made you a fan of Deborah's, and likewise why do you continue to be a fan of hers? And a few from me: 6> Do you believe that Deborah's publicized recording with the Circle Jerks will: HELP THE NEW ALBUM HURT THE NEW ALBUM MAKE NO DIFFERENCE 7> Do you feel that D.G.I.F., in being on the Internet, is getting away from dealing with those fans who are not on the 'Net?? YES NO 8> Do you think that Deborah could _EVENTUALLY_ cross over into country music? YES NO 9> In your opinion, what lasting legacy will Deborah leave on music? Finally, a question akin to number 5: 10> You're talking to someone in the music business, and you tell this person that Deborah is one of your favorites. This person tells you words to the effect of, "Look, this woman is past her prime. She hasn't had a top ten hit in 6 years. Why don't you move on??" How do you respond?? (Before I get a zillion questions about it, I feel #5 is asked more as self-justification. The question I ask here is more to justify your feelings to someone else. Or will you not justify it and walk away in a huff??) You can either e-mail your responses to me at or snail-mail them to me at: Mike Falkner 2636 N Newhall St. Basement Apt. Milwaukee, WI 53211 Deadline for poll responses is Monday, May 22nd, 1995. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -= DEBBIE GIBSON IN NASHVILLE =- Rodney Burlin - Mt. Juliet, Tennessee (lonewolf@frank.mtsu.edu) April 24, 1995 Well, where to start??? I am a very happy man now. I went to the Tin Pan South '95 at Ace Of Clubs where Debbie was supposed to be performing. I was very enthusiastic about the show. It took everyone else too long to sing their songs. I couldn't wait to finally see Debbie. There were people there with large teddy bears, roses, and pictures and albums for her to sign. I wish I could have had a picture to have her sign or at least a camera to take a picture but I was very unsure of her being there. She finally came out... she was drop dead beautiful. I couldn't help but stare at her the entire show even though people were busy buzzing around me. People would start talking to me and I had to get them to repeat it several times because she was singing "Lost In Your Eyes." I would stare and listen to her and forget them. I was very surprised that what you hear at her performances is what you hear on her records. A lot of performers have so much mixing that when you finally hear them they sound like crap...not the case with Debbie. It was crisp clear and hit you right where it should. After the show half of the audience got up and left to go to the back door to meet Debbie. I was the last out and when I stopped to look back at the crowd, I noticed very few people were left. We all hustled around the building and formed a line. For those BtL'ers that were there, I was the tall guy with the blue Air Force Academy ball cap on. I am usually a talker but when I finally got up there stupid, ignorant, pathetic me basically stuck my foot in my mouth and was mumbling the whole time. I have never been so embarrassed or humiliated or so ticked off at myself before in my life. I wish I could have spent more time talking to her but I about ran over myself trying to get out of there because I knew I must have appeared like a total retard. I still curse myself for it. Anyways, with a sad heart I left. Knowing the one chance I got to meet/talk to Debbie--I blew it and I mean big time. If she would have said kiss my feet I would have said how many times? (If I would have said anything at all.) Well, I believe I have probably said enough to mail bomb someone so I will end with this. If anyone has NOT met/seen Debbie in action DO IT!!! You will completely and entirely fall in love with her. I did. She has it all - talent, beauty, a great heart, and an awesome personality. It is quite hard to believe she is still single. Even if she wasn't an artist she is still the best thing I have seen out there in a long time. And I do mean a long time. She has no trouble with identity, she knows who she is and what she can do. I admire that a lot. I said I was finished, okay, so now I am. C'ya L8r PPl Lone Wolf (aka. Rodney Burlin) =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -= CLOSING REMARKS =- According to Neil Brookins who attended the St. Mary's 13th Annual Dinner Dance on April 7th, she performed "Think With Your Heart," "Too Fancy," and "Will You Love Me Tomorrow?" At the meet-and-greet session that night, Neil was able to give Deborah BtL 7.3! According to Myra Wong, the original 7" version of "Only In My Dreams" which is different than the album version is finally widely available on CD. It is track 2 of _80's Greatest Rock Hits Volume 11: Teen Idols_ (Priority Records, P2 53773). The following are the currently known song titles for eight of the eleven songs on _Think With Your Heart_: "Can't Do It Alone," "Let's Runaway," "Didn't Have The Heart," "For Better Or Worse," "Think With Your Heart," "Too Fancy," "Two Young Kids," and "Will You Love Me Tomorrow?" The first single will be "For Better Or Worse." Myra Wong's 100 point song poll is still going on. You may vote for as many or as few of your favorite Debbie Gibson songs as you want with your 100 points. E-mail votes to by May 12th. BtL 7.5 is already in the works and will be released in early May. Expect more articles about Debbie's Nashville performance. Any articles to be printed in BtL 7.5 should be submitted within the next week or two. Don't forget about our ongoing best article contest. The first set of articles from this year will be judged in early summer by the BtL moderators.