=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= B E T W E E N T H E L I N E S [tm] Volume 8, Issue 5 - June 25, 1996 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 DAVID BOHR - David Bohr INTRO BY ANDRE CORBEIL - Andre Charles Corbeil INTRO BY JOE BUCKLEY - Joe Buckley INTRO BY DAN WILLIAMS - Dan Williams DEB TALKS TO FANS ON AMERICA ONLINE - Shannon Muir DOES THE MIX CHANGE THE MEANING? - Shannon Muir DEBORAH, "THEN & NOW" - Kazuto Okayasu 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 1996, Between the Lines. This forum does not necessarily reflect the views of Deborah Gibson, GMI Entertainment, Inc., Electric And Musical 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 Deborah Ann's Music (ASCAP) or 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@btl.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 $4.25 Cdn. for 5 issues / $2.50 Cdn. for back issues on disk United States $4.25 U.S. for 5 issues / $2.50 U.S. for back issues on disk International $6.00 U.S. for 5 issues / $3.50 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 t-shirts are available for $7.50 U.S. plus shipping costs. Please send e-mail to BtL@btl.org for more information. -= BtL moderators =- Myra Wong : mkwong@btl.org Felix Ng : fng@btl.org =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -= INTRO BY DAVID BOHR =- David Bohr - Annville, Pennsylvania (D_BOHR@lvc.edu) May 2, 1996 Hello! I have been a Deb fan since _Out of the Blue_ came out all of those years ago. Since I only recently became computer literate, I did not know about BtL until last month. It is good to know that there are so many other fans out there! Deb and her music are very big parts of my life. Like most of us, I dream of meeting her, and, like most of us, I have not experienced that (yet). But I never back down from a good argument against someone that does not appreciate Deb's music. The best one came when I was still in high school, at a dance when some of my friends were mocking me for liking Deb. They thought the only music she could make was "Shake Your Love" and "Electric Youth" type songs. I tried to argue that these were excellent songs, but they would not listen. So I requested that one of her ballads (I forget which) be played to end the dance. Sure enough, everyone, including those I argued with, were out on the dance floor with their partners for what was the most romantic point of the evening. My friends were shocked to find out it was one of Deb's songs. I think she won a few fans that night. I have many other Deb stories in my past, but if I wrote them all, it might take up half the newsletter. I just would like to encourage everyone else out there who wants to meet Deb but hasn't yet to Dare to Dream. Only those who Dare to Dream can have their dreams come true. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -= INTRO BY ANDRE CORBEIL =- Andre Charles Corbeil - Yellowknife, Northwest Territories andre@internorth.com May 26, 1996 I come from The Land of the Midnight Sun and the Aurora Borealis. Living in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada, I am Andre Corbeil, 26 years old, McManager and positive thinker. Yellowknife is a wonderful place to live if you can handle cold and darkness for a good portion of the year, which is balanced out during the summer with brilliant non-stop sunlight and warmth from that sun to keep anyone outside and active. What brings us all together is a wonderful person named Deborah Gibson. I do remember the first time I saw and heard Deborah was when I was home sick from high school and discovered "Hollywood Squares" on daytime television. Deborah was one of the celebrity guests. What instantly drew me to her was that she and I were roughly the same age and that she was on television writing and performing her own songs; she simply spilled over with talent. The story is much the same as other people...bought the albums as they were released, joined the fan club when I saw the address on the back of my _Electric Youth_ cassette case. There have been far too many coincidences to keep me connected to Deborah and her music to make it anything but meant to be. GMI and D.G.I.F., BtL, the Electric News, AIP, and DebCon mailing lists, as well as the scattered web pages dedicated to Deborah do something that I easily relate to something in life here in the North. The Northwest Territories is a very large and expansive barren land. The Inuit, by nature, are a nomadic people that travel following herds of caribou to keep their people alive. Out on the tundra you'll rarely come across other people. With that in mind, the Inuit build statues out of rocks that are meant to be an image of a person. They are called Inukshuk. The purpose of the Inukshuk is pure and simple - to serve as a beacon to others who may pass this way, to let them know that people have been here before, and that this is the correct direction. Inukshuk are built out of friendship to others...that they will likely never meet, but have so much in common with. Although I have never met any of you, we all have a bond because of Deborah Gibson. She provides the link that has made all of this possible. That's why I am a fan of Deborah Gibson. Oh...she sings oh so sweetly also. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -= INTRO BY JOE BUCKLEY =- Joe Buckley - Los Angeles, California (YoBuckley@aol.com) April 9, 1996 From The Heart As a recent BtL mailing list subscriber, I have been reading some recent BtL issues and I am noticing that as a 39 year old, married male, I am one of the older Debbie Gibson fans. I remember hearing songs from her _Out of the Blue_ album on the radio, then buying the cassette in 1989. As I was just starting to roller-blade then, I would pop that cassette in and skate for miles and miles on the beach bikepaths on many of the warm and sunny days in Los Angeles and Long Beach. I never tired of listening to each side as I flipped it over and over. Later I bought the _Electric Youth_ tape and I enjoyed it just as much. Debbie's sweet voice combined with her extremely positive lyrics lifted me above my everyday problems and pressures releasing my inhibitions and creativity. At the same time I had just started a program of eating right, aerobic exercise and losing weight, so listening to such inspiring music helped to open up my spiritual side even more. As most men can attest to, we must work on developing the right side of our brain. You know what I mean, right? Like working on developing our emotions, our spirit, our creativity, our appreciation of all of the beauty in this world, and of all of those earthly and other worldly things that are NOT logical. For me, Debbie Gibson's music helps me to discover that side of me. After buying _Anything Is Possible_, I noticed that Debbie seemed to take a long time off from producing albums, so when I heard last year that she was coming out with a new album, I rushed right out and bought the _Think With Your Heart_ cassette. When I listened to the title song, I also realized that, through the expression of her feelings, Debbie was helping me not only to understand myself, but how to understand women too, and for a man who only had brothers as siblings, that was very helpful. O.K., I'll admit that I cried a little when I heard those songs from _Think With Your Heart_, but I had also taken a short hiatus from my emotions and realized that I had needed this kind of spiritual boost. I am a manager for an international company, and like it or not, all managers are going to have to learn how to "manage from the heart." The latest quality movements go beyond just the "theory y" style of management and into the fact that each one of us want to be treated as well as managers treat themselves. If we are in touch with our own feelings, then we can be in touch with other's feeling too, and we would want to treat them as we would want ourselves to be treated. So lately, after having recently acquired a CD player, I have been buying up her earlier CDs and listing to details in her music I had never heard before. It's like listening to a different artist almost. So much so, that if I truly want to experience the emotions that I felt while listening to the cassettes, I have to listen to those old scratchy tapes. I guess it's because the faint background hiss added to the character of the music and set me off to daydreaming while I skated. I don't have many friends who share my music interests and even fewer, like myself, who are Debbie Gibson fans. But more of them should be, because there would be less uptight men in this world, and women who would appreciate them for it. Addendum: Now, as it is already June of 1996 and I have been a BtL and AIP subscriber for only a couple months, I have met the most wonderful and beautiful people out there from these lists...and you know who you are too! As always, I would love to hear from anyone who shares my feeling for life, or anyone who would like to chat. Me, I'll talk about (just about) anything, just e-mail me. I also love to listen to Tiffany, Stacey Q, Kylie Minogue, Cover Girls, Expose, and Nena, and of course I find Debbie the most inspirational with Tiffany or maybe Kylie a close second. Bye for now! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -= INTRO BY DAN WILLIAMS =- Dan Williams - New York, New York (dbw11@columbia.edu) June 9, 1996 Hello, fellow Debbie fans! It is such a relief to say that. I don't think I underestimated Deborah, but I underestimated the number of people who feel the way I do. My name is Dan Williams. I am currently a graduate student at Columbia University in New York City. Sometimes I think subconsciously one reason I came to New York is because Debbie is from here. As usual, my timing was "perfect;" when I came to New York, she was in London or touring. Anyway, allow me to tell my story. It's nearly 10 years now so please humor me if I go long. And occasionally if it sounds like it is more to Debbie herself than to her fans, forgive me, but that is how I have always wanted to tell it: to her. Actually it began as jealousy! "She looks young," I commented to my brother when I saw Debbie for the first time via the "Out of the Blue" video on MTV. "She should; she's 16," he said. I was jealous someone 16 years old was famous, and successful, and I, 15 at the time, was not. Really I still am not famous, and probably never will be, but for what I do, and for my age, now 24, I've been decently successful. Thanks goes to Debbie for playing a role in it. I quickly discovered I could not remain jealous of someone who came across so cheerful and energetic. I began to use Debbie as an inspiration: if she can do well so young, so can I, I thought. That began a ritual I still follow to this day; the night before an exam or an important talk, I have what I call a "Debbie concert," i.e. I do nothing but listen to one or more of her CDs. I liked to think I was the "potential mastermind" in "Electric Youth." It works. I thank Debbie too for other help. Her songs, especially "Goodbye" on _Body Mind Soul_, and her picture, kept me decently sane after a couple girls I liked said, well, goodbye. For anyone looking for a song idea you can try their reason: I was "too nice," as opposed to "Too Fancy" or something worse. Please note: if it is successful, I want a cut. You can contact me via e-mail. To coin a cliche though: I won't hold my breath. So of course Debbie has the longest dedication in my Masters' thesis: "To Debbie Gibson, although I have never met her, and likely never will, I thank her for the five plus years of uplifting songs whenever I got discouraged, lonely, or just needed her." My diary is named after her too, for the same reasons. Let me vent some grief to people who understand now. I am really irritated at the nonexistent playtime on radio Debbie gets, especially now the songs from _Think With Your Heart_. Her lyrics equal those already out there. Her instrumentals are much better and more beautiful than everything out there. Occasionally I replace songs of similar themes, like "eyes," with one of hers; I get so frustrated. Then I feel better. Now back to the story. The Masters' dedication is a couple years old now. The time frame is closer to 10 years. And hopefully I will meet her at the convention. If not, I can always still dream we'll stumble across each other here in Manhattan. I've got the plea: Eric Carmen's old "Hey Deanie!" slightly corrupted to "Hey Debbie!" Though the way I sing, it may be more accurate to say "very corrupted." That is a good lead into my most favorite Debbie songs, besides ones not already alluded to. "Only In My Dreams" seems obvious. "In His Mind" I like too, especially the lines of "he keeps a journal ...." And though it is not an original choice my top favorite still after all these years is "Lost In Your Eyes," simply because it is so pretty and so true. Debbie, I am "lost in your eyes." Please do not ever lose that sparkle. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -= DEB TALKS TO FANS ON AMERICA ONLINE =- Shannon Muir - Cheney, Washington (s.muir2@genie.com) June 1, 1996 March 27th was an incredible evening for many Deb fans... Deb held her first on-line chat on America Online's Center Stage, sponsored by Oldsmobile. My sister Lesley and I stopped in to check out what was going on (actually it was my screen name and she read over my shoulder). During the course of the chat, we managed to locate Britta, Patrick and Al Cresci. So I know at least five of us were there, and I'm sure there's more of you we didn't connect with that night. While waiting for Deb's answers to questions collected way in advance of the presentation, we chatted amongst ourselves in our row and had -- at least I know I had -- a fabulous time. Some people have theorized that it was the efforts of loyal Deb fans on America Online that helped Deb get the chat gig. Earlier in the year, Deb was nominated in America Online/Reebok's First Annual Online Music Awards for Best Rock/Pop Female Artist (please see BtL 8.2 for more information). While I don't have any absolute proof, I think the attention Deb gained from that event may have helped people realize that she was still out there and going strong. Regardless of how it came about, I hope that this venture won't be the last Deb makes into cyberspace. Even just through words alone, she was exciting, encouraging, and energetic! The only real downside to the chat, like the Online Music Awards earlier this year, is that is wasn't accessible to more fans. But, thanks to BtL's well-thought-out decision to reprint the America Online chat, the same information can now be shared with Deb fans across the world. While it can never beat being there, it's a start. The influence that cyberspace has had in bringing Deb fans together is nothing short of monumental. Now that Deb has made her first small step into it, our closeness can do nothing but grow as we learn more about Deb, _from_ Deb, in the medium that unites us. Come back to cyberspace soon, Deb... I know lots of fans are looking forward to it. ------------------ OnlineHost: At the age of 25, Deborah has accomplished more than most artists do over an entire lifetime. "I always knew I wanted to be a performer," she states. "Music and theatre have both always been my true love." Now, to learn more about her true loves, let's welcome Deborah Gibson to Center Stage! AOLiveMC10: Welcome to America Online and the Bowl, Deborah Gibson. DbrhGibson: Thanks. This is my first time doing this! AOLiveMC10: We have lots of questions from our audience Deborah. I'm sure you'll have fun here. DbrhGibson: NOBODY TOLD ME THEY WOULD SUPPLY ME WITH MRS. FIELDS' COOKIES. I'm in heaven! AOLiveMC10: Cookies? DbrhGibson: White chocolate Macadamia nut!! Jealous? AOLiveMC10: Our first question is from Deb TandA: Question: I saw you in Grease in Huntsville AL., I met you there also. You were fabulous and very nice. I know that you love 50's music, so is that the main reason you wanted to do Grease? DbrhGibson: I guess like everybody else in America I grew up watching the movie Grease. And yes, I also love everything about the fifties. So I guess there were a couple of different reasons for wanting to do the show. Doing it here in the US was particularly intriguing because I got to play Rizzo after being Sandy in London and also being Sandy my whole life! AOLiveMC10: MitchLiNY asks: Question: Debbie I have been a longtime fan. Do you plan to release any more albums? DbrhGibson: Yes, I hope to record my whole life. And I hope to have a new album out before the end of the year. AOLiveMC10: KC1358 would like to know: Question: Debbie who is your favorite singer? DbrhGibson: Oh boy.... DbrhGibson: I have several Barbara Streisand, Billy Joel, Elton John, Patty Lupone. AOLiveMC10: Manswella asks: Question: Do you have any albums in the works? DbrhGibson: Funny you should ask - Mark (my typist) and I were just discussing the fact that I write songs every day and have several new ones that I can't wait to record. AOLiveMC10: Deb TandA poses this question: Question: Debbie, was it harder for you playing Sandy in London, or Rizzo here in the States? DbrhGibson: Ummmm...Rizzo was in some ways, more challenging from an acting standpoint because I wasn't exactly looking for negative attention in my real life high school days. DbrhGibson: I had to figure out what it is that makes people want to be mean. I should have gone to my next door neighbor, Mrs. Friedman, for THAT part of the character study. AOLiveMC10: Jackie121 asks: Question: Hi Debbie -- I'm a big fan of yours from Massapequa. I'd like to know if you will be appearing anywhere in Long Island? I hope you will appear at the Westbury Music Fair as I am in the Inner Circle Club. Jackie S. DbrhGibson: Yeah, A long Island Gal! DbrhGibson: I used to go to Massapequa Bowl all the time. There are no plans at the moment but, if I do tour anytime soon, I will definitely hit Long Island. Westbury is one of my favorite venues. AOLiveMC10: Deb TandA asks another question: Question: Debbie, did you want to change your style of music on Body Mind & Soul, or was it the decision of your recordable? DbrhGibson: Good question! DbrhGibson: Being that I come from a musical theatre background, I had to learn how to be versatile. However, I realize now, that as a writer, I always want to remain true to myself. So to answer your question, it was a combination of being pressured and also experimenting with a new style. It was really both. AOLiveMC10: For late arrivals, we're talking with singer, Deborah Gibson AOLiveMC10: KC1358 asks: Question: Do you think that music is in some cases a bad influence on children? DbrhGibson: I think that the more negative angst-ridden music stems from someplace very real and it is the real-life situation's influence on music that I worry about more than music's influence on a child's life. If a child has a great upbringing, they won't be easily swayed by pop-culture. But it is also the responsibility of performers to be aware that some children may use their favorite musician as their role-model. AOLiveMC10: GFCORP wants to know: Question: Deb are you doing any movies soon? DbrhGibson: At the moment my attention is focused more on TV, However, I am constantly meeting people in the movie-world and reading scripts and if something clicks, then I guess I'll be in the movies! AOLiveMC10: KiethM163 asks: Question: I have a 14 yr. old daughter very involved with piano, flute, and voice. What advice would you give her to keep her spirits high and in terested? DbrhGibson: In the meantime, I go to the movies often. (HA HA) I think that she should get out there and perform because nothing lifts your spirits more than a live audience. Community theatre and talent shows are great places to start. AOLiveMC10: DNISSEL would like to ask: Question: Hello Debbie Gibson! When is the new TV Show starting? DbrhGibson: I signed the papers to do this "Phantom TV Show" yesterday. It's just a matter of finding the perfect script. In the meantime I watch TV often! AOLiveMC10: SRockeye81 wants to know: Question: Wasn't your mother a big influence in the beginning of your career? DbrhGibson: HA HA She was my biggest supporter, however, she never had any involvement in music until her 4 daughters started doing Living Room Concerts. In fact, I just did a living room concert last night, for some friends of mine in LA! AOLiveMC10: Grimjack4 asks: Question: Debbie (or is it Deborah): Have any of your Les Miz performances been released on CD? I'd love to hear your "On My Own." DbrhGibson: I plan on doing a Broadway Album soon. In the meantime have you heard Mandy Patinkin's latest? And by the way, friends and family have always always called me Deborah. AOLiveMC10: DSKern11 would like to ask: Question: Hi Debbie, What are some of the things you enjoy doing when you just want to get away from music and acting? DbrhGibson: Today, I painted pottery. AOLiveMC10: DNISSEL asks: Question: Are you married? DbrhGibson: No, is that a proposition? AOLiveMC10: SRockey81 asks: Question: Will you be touring for your new album? DbrhGibson: I hope so. AOLiveMC10: Grimjack4 asks: Question: Deborah: How do you deal with the "fan" aspect of performing - autographs and such? DbrhGibson: I do it happily so long as someone doesn't come up to me when I have a piece of lettuce hanging out of my mouth. AOLiveMC10: DYiengst asks: Question: Do you plan to do any more concerts? DbrhGibson: Yes, 'till my legs fall off! AOLiveMC10: ScottB170 asks: Question: Debbie, I read you took ballet for a while. How serious were you? Did you do pointe work? DbrhGibson: Yes, I did take Ballet, I am a complete klutz. And I do point(E) at funny looking people! AOLiveMC10: RbSayre would like to know: Question: Debbie, I loved "Think With Your Heart"- the album was wonderful! It really reminded me of older Billy Joel albums *ESPECIALLY* "Dontch a Want Me Now"! Will your next album be similar to that? DbrhGibson: I will continue doing melodic ballads and fun up-beats, but I think that there is another element in my writing that has developed lately. You'll have to wait and see what it is. And thanks for the compliment. AOLiveMC10: For late arrivals, we're talking with singer, Deborah Gibson AOLiveMC10: Kris10227 asks: Question: Have you done any more touring/recording with the Circle Jerks? How did your relationship with the Circle Jerks come about anyway? DbrhGibson: No, that was a one off thing. Ummm the guy who mixed my album, produced their album and they asked him if I'd sing backup vocals on "I want to destroy you" and from the title, it sounded like it was right up my alley! AOLiveMC10: SRockey81 would like to know: Question: How easy do you think it will be to shake that Tiffany/mall type image that I'm sure many think of when they hear the name Debbie Gibson? DbrhGibson: Mark (my typist) just wanted to let you know that I'm wearing Snoopy earrings, overalls and a Mall of America Shirt. I don't think it'll be too hard at all! DbrhGibson: But seriously folks..over time people's perception will change but it will be an uphill battle, like it always has been. AOLiveMC10: WASHFM asks this unusual question: Question: Kevin (of Kevin and Kim at WASH-FM). Debbie, played Battle of the Sexes lately? :-) DbrhGibson: Hey what's up? and, no, I haven't. AOLiveMC10: Beyond36 poses this one: Question: Who inspired you the most? DbrhGibson: Personally, my mother, and professionally Billy Joel and Elton John. AOLiveMC10: FinToRite asks: Question: Do you still live in Long Island and if so do you still record in your parents basement studio? DbrhGibson: No I don't. And my studio HAS moved. AOLiveMC10: CHAR ED asks: Question: What's Chris Cuevas doing these days? I met him a few years ago (his brother, Kevin, and his wife, Karen, used to babysit my kids). DbrhGibson: Oh my god! well it seems you're more up on his life than I am. AOLiveMC10: KMFDMxxxx would like to know: Question: Is there going to be a new single out soon? DbrhGibson: Call SBK Records and ask them. ooooohhhhhhh!!!!!! AOLiveMC10: KW Shark asks: Question: Boyfriend Debbie? DbrhGibson: No, it's just plain 'Debbie' (Ha Ha). NO. The road thing was not particularly helpful in my last relationship. AOLiveMC10: Ed Cosner wants to ask: Question: Just wondering, how old is Debbie now? DbrhGibson: Debbie looks great for 42 doesn't she? No No No. I'm 25. AOLiveMC10: CRI ML asks: Question: My daughter's favorite song of all time is Lost in Your Eyes. Did you do all the arrangement? DbrhGibson: I co-arranged with Fred Zarr and produced and played the piano. Thank your daughter for me. She always was your favorite child wasn't she?! AOLiveMC10: NOTHGIEL would like to know: Question: Hi Deborah. Could you please explain the desire or passion inside that motivated you to pursue this career of songwriting... performing..especially when the industry is so competitive? DbrhGibson: Wow... DbrhGibson: I've always felt like a creator and communicator and music was always a natural outlet for me. It's hard to explain in words the way music makes me feel connected to so many people. I mean, music has us all staring at a small screen right now. DbrhGibson: Competition doesn't come into play for me in this industry anymore. It is simply about expressing myself. AOLiveMC10: KeithM163 asks: Question: Heard you on NY's Z100 way back when you tasted your first White Castle Hamburger. (Belly bomber) Have you acquired a taste for them? Since I moved to Colorado, I can't get them anymore. DbrhGibson: No, I still look for the Golden Arches!!! AOLiveMC10: Leadfut45 would like to ask: Question: What genre of music do you classify yourself being an artist of? DbrhGibson: That's a good question. DbrhGibson: I have heard from many a radio program director that my music is "Too Musical." So I will call my music 'Musical Music'. AOLiveMC10: Michm4u: Question: Hi Debbie why so long out of spotlight? DbrhGibson: I continue to do my thing with the same energy and enthusiasm I have always done it with. Two weeks ago I finished a National tour of Grease, So for me, it feels the same and I don't notice how bright the s potlight is and I never have. AOLiveMC10: Sean728 asks: Question: How do we get to join your fan club? DbrhGibson: Thinking here....... DbrhGibson: The Fan club is called D.G.I.F. DbrhGibson: The current mailing address is escaping me... so if any members are out there can you help me out? AOLiveMC10: CVSmitty would like to ask: Question: What is your favorite quote? DbrhGibson: Thinking...... DbrhGibson: I'm going to go the sentimental route with my quote....(Slightly religious even) "What you are is God's gift to you and what you become is your gift to God." DbrhGibson: I also loved Jennifer Aniston's character's line to Ross on Friends when he touched her butt...something along the lines of.. "Oh, MY god...Ross is touching my butt." AOLiveMC10: We have time for one more question. AOLiveMC10: Ken P 199 asks: Question: What is the most rewarding thing of your career? DbrhGibson: Well, of course, there's the personal fulfillment and realization of dreams. But even more than that music heals people and success gives people like me the power to help people less fortunate through charity work. DbrhGibson: Also, I love people and I get to meet TONS of 'em! OnlineHost: All good things must come to an end. Time is up for this event. AOLiveMC10: Thank you for joining us tonight, Deborah Gibson. Any closing comments, Deborah? DbrhGibson: Now it's time to say good-bye to all my Fam-I-LY M I C see you real soon! K E Y Why? because we love you! DbrhGibson: Thanks, guys this has been a BLAST!!!!!! AOLiveMC10: And thank you to our audience members for being here. OnlineHost: Thanks for joining us in the Oldsmobile Celebrity Circle this evening. Remember, Oldsmobile brings an exciting guest online every Monday through Friday, and transcripts from the events can be downloaded using keywords: "Oldsmobile" or "CenterStage" within 24 hours after the event has ended. OnlineHost: Copyright 1996 Oldsmobile; licensed to America Online, Inc. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -= DOES THE MIX CHANGE THE MEANING? =- Shannon Muir - Cheney, Washington (s.muir2@genie.com) May 25, 1996 Have you ever noticed how a Shakespeare play can be done with a wide variety of interpretations? Or how a remake of a film can be drastically different than the original, just because of the viewpoint of the creative people involved? The same thing seems to happen when a singer's musical works come into the hands of master mixers. Songs that are well known one way can take on whole new moods or even meanings. So what effect have master mixers had on some of Deb's songs? Have they completely changed the direction or meaning of Deb's original intents, and is it for the better? Here's what observations I made while comparing different versions of the following songs: "Anything Is Possible," "Losin' Myself," and "Shake Your Love." These selections have been chosen because I have multiple mixes of these songs readily available. Also, I readily admit that I am NOT a musician, so I can only rate the mixes on overall sound and appeal and not on any musical specifics. I just wondered what I'd be like to compare and review remixes, and here's what I discovered. ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE (all mixes from 12" single) The "Dance Mix" of AIP opens with a long instrumental full of synthesizer twangs mixed with heavy percussion. After a bit, in comes Deb's vocals with a heavy echo behind them. The song seems to be near complete and in the exact order of the album content. Though a tad long, I kind of liked this one. The "Radio Edit of Dance Mix" begins with the rap done by the male singers repeated about eight times under strong percussion, then breaks into a long string of heavy driving beats. After a bit we do get a near-complete performance of the song, but Deb's voice is heavily echoed and only the heavy percussion backs her most of the way, with the occasional keyboard synth popping in. These versions makes the AIP album version seem quite tame, and personally I feel that the album version is more "danceable" in some ways. This dance mix is definitely for those who like to tear up the floor versus just casual dancing. An interesting observation though: the driving performance on this version seems to lend more assertiveness to the persona Deb is singing about, as if finding out anything is possible has given her added strength. This energy came through even stronger than on the full "Dance Mix" version, at least for me anyway. The "Dub" version of the song borrows the male singers' rap for a refrain, but other than that steers fairly far from the original song. You can hear a lot of the elements of the instruments that were overdubbed into the mixes though, and this really is a fairly decent musical track... even if Deb herself is nowhere to be heard. An instrumental version of AIP isn't obviously so on initial listen. The basic music of AIP appears (in my uneducated opinion) to be heavily overdubbed with synthesizers and drum tracks. To hear it makes me THINK of AIP, but I wouldn't call it that if I didn't know that's what it was meant to be... at least not until I hit the chorus part and later the rap by Lamont Dozier and company that is used toward the end of this version. The verse portions are completely indistinguishable. That said, this instrumental is really cool, with tons of positive vibrant energy. LOSIN' MYSELF (selected mixes from double 12" promo single plus _Greatest Hits_ remix) The "12" Masters at Work" version of this song is actually my favorite version of "Losin' Myself," and that includes the _Body Mind Soul_ album version. I really like the emphasis on drums and horns and the sultry feel it lends to the song. Personally, I've always found the BMS album version to be just a tad too flat. I do, however, miss the verse starting "Love like an ocean/Feel it rushing over me/You are the treasure/That I search for desperately..." because these lyrics, to me, have always been some of the strongest lyrics of the song -- they are replaced by a repeat of the verse that originally appeared before it. Also the ending on the "Masters at Work 12"" version is a bit repetitive, in my opinion. You'll find this mix on the _Greatest Hits_ CD instead of the BMS album version. Now, to further confuse things, there's also the "12" Masters at Work Dub." It doesn't sound even remotely close to the "12" Masters at Work" version described above, so I'm not quite sure what the relationship of the two pieces actually is. The lyric snippets from the chorus are edited well, though repetitive. The music in this version has some percussion but sounds like it's also heavy on horns as well. While it clearly works as a dance floor cut, any emotion of the original song does not remain. It isn't highly sultry or showing a lover lost in fast-paced chaos. It's rather flat, really. The "12" Instrumental" seems to be very similar to the arrangement of the "12" Masters at Work" version -- nice, coherent, and flowing. Percussion seems a bit more prominent than in the vocal version, but I think it's to make up for the lack of vocals. Very sultry, full of emotion. I would definitely listen to this track again, as I would the "12" Masters at Work" track. "T-Ray's Acoustic Mix" puts a heavy emphasis on piano, sometimes completely overpowering Deb's vocals. It also gives us a rather irritating "woo-hah" going on in the background that detracts from Deb's performance (even though it generally appears in the instrumental sections). Percussion is not eliminated but greatly de-emphasized. Frankly, this version sounds like it's torn between becoming a _Think With Your Heart_-style ballad (which it really wouldn't be bad as, in my opinion) or a get-down-jam-like-crazy-on-the-dance- floor thing. Personally, I found it to be tough listening... but far better than the next version I heard. "T-Ray's Hip-Hop Mix" only retains Deb's vocals from the original track. Instead of a sultry drum track, this remix offers a strong R&B groove complete with "uhs" and "Woo-hahs." Deb sounds very hollow in this version, and often we hear more of the background perfumeries providing the sounds and long runs of percussion. Very grinding on the nerves and not very danceable or enjoyable for me, personally. An instrumental version of "T-Ray's Hip Hop Mix" is precisely that -- the same kind of mix minus Deb's vocals., with absolutely no discernible musical resemblance to Deb's song. It is, however, a well done track for the dance floor. The "12" Dub" sounds like the "12" Masters at Work" version... except, well, kind of dissected. Deb's vocals are there, but we only seem to hear a few instruments at a time instead of all of them blended together in a coherent mix. Occasionally heavy reverb is employed on Deb's voice, which doesn't happen on the "12" Masters at Work" version. And midway through the dub, even the vocals begin to become dissected! Lastly, the "AM Mix" is, in my opinion, a well-edited dance mix. It only utilizes snippets of the song's chorus laid over a steady drumbeat and occasional keyboards. While the lyrical content is very repetitive, the quality of the edits and the musical arrangement make this exciting and energetic. The lyric editing is similar to the "12" Masters at Work Dub" but the snippets -- as well as the music -- have more variety. I would really have liked to have heard a complete version of "Losin' Myself" at this faster tempo. Though it would be less sultry than the other renditions, it seems like it would imply being lost in sheer energetic chaos. SHAKE YOUR LOVE (selected mixes from 12" single plus remix from _Greatest Hits_) The "Club Mix" from the _Greatest Hits_ CD layers in additional percussion on the original track. While it adds to the energy of the song, I also tend to find the added layers distracting from the vocal track. There's also additional percussion bridges with Deb repeating "Shake..." over and over that just get on my nerves. I'll just stick with the original, thanks. The "Vocal/Bass Apella" offers a pared-down version of the song, with unusual but strong percussion and Deb's vocals, occasionally even bringing in alarm clocks and whistles too!. To me, this rendition makes Deb's lyrics clear to understand, which I like. However, the lack of other instrumentation and a tad too much repetition makes it something I wouldn't listen to often. I would however have no problems dancing to it. This is a version a wide variety of folks could find different grooves to, I think. The "Shake the House" version of this song contains very little of the actual song, either lyrically or musically. Except for the occasional snippet of Deb echoing "Shake Your Love," I wouldn't even think of Deb when hearing this. Heavy percussion dominates with no other instrumentation readily apparent. Definitely a dance track, but little Deb substance here. It almost doesn't qualify as a Deb song in any way, shape, or form. After reading all this, you might be asking yourself, "What's the point of discussing various mixes of older songs if Deb's going in more an Adult Contemporary direction?" That's a fair enough question. My response is this: even though none of her new material has been remixed YET, in the future some of it just might be. For example, just take a look at Madonna's relatively recent single, the ballad "Love Don't Live Here Anymore." The version of that ballad released to radio (and also on the _Something to Remember_ album) was a REMIX. The original appeared on the album _Like A Virgin_ back in 1984 but never was a single. Being remixed with different instrumentation brought new life to the song and it was chosen as the second single OVER another track done specifically for the _Something to Remember_ album. Also, the single that was released also contained two additional mixes of the song. So even in the Adult Contemporary field, remixes are not entirely to be counted out. Remixes definitely can make changes to the feel and mood of a song. Often, in my experience, it seems to be for the worse, but every now and then an exciting "alternate take" can come along... like the "Losin' Myself (12" Masters at Work)" version was for me. Thanks to Lesley Muir for lending me her vinyl copies of many of these mixes. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -= DEBORAH, "THEN & NOW" =- Kazuto Okayasu - Irvine, California (kokayasu@uci.edu) June 13, 1996 There's a reason supermarkets sell magazines, candy, and other things by the cash registers. They catch your attention and make you want to buy them, and knowing that, I leave them alone, thereby leaving my money in my wallet. However, a routine trip to the market last weekend changed that. Knowing it was still two days until its official release, I was rather surprised to see the June 17th issue of People on the rack, next to yet another "300 pound alien baby!" headline. Seeing that I still had a short wait in line, I picked it up, flipped through it, and put the magazine with the rest of my groceries. The piece on Deborah is one in a compilation of articles on singers who had faded from the spotlight, (called "Rock 'n' Roll Then & Now") including many 70s and 80s favorites like The Village People and Roberta Flack. Though most people got one page of text and pictures, Deborah was one of the few with a full two-page spread, which was put to great use with a picture of her lying across a mirror-covered piano formerly owned by Liberace, dressed as described in the text. Also included is a small inset picture from Deb's "Hat-and-Swatch" days, hence the "Then & Now" aspect of the article. The article does a credible job of covering the last five years of her career, along with a quick look at what's to come. Rock 'n' Roll Then And Now by People staff pages 62-63 Years past her _Electric Youth_, the teen prodigy takes to the stage Debbie Gibson Clomping around her New York City apartment in a slinky black blouse, tight leather pants and five-inch platform heels, Debbie Gibson, 25, isn't shy about admitting that she'd like to put her teenybopper past behind her. "When you start young, people find it hard to let you grow up and change," laments the singer who rose to fame with the late '80s pop confections "Electric Youth" and "Only In My Dreams." "It takes a long time before you're known as an adult." But Gibson, who moved out of her family's Long Island home three years ago, isn't content to sit back and wait. Although her last three albums have met with little acclaim - and less airplay - she has found new musical mountains to climb. For three months in '92 she starred as doomed waif Eponine in Broadway's _Les Miserables_, then she headed to London, where she played virginal Sandy in _Grease!_ Last fall she took the role of bad girl Rizzo in that show's U.S. touring company. "Broadway was my first dream," she says. "I love the challenge and the tradition." In the past year, Gibson has also written for an animated film she'd like to produce and made her TV debut on an episode of ABC's _Step By Step_. Now she is negotiating for her own sitcom. "TV is a great way of reaching a lot of people, and she needs to rebuild her image," says her agent Richard Weitz. "And she looks great on-camera. She really has all the right qualities." Still, Gibson, who at 17 became the youngest performer ever to write, produce and sing a No. 1 hit ("Foolish Beat"), would like a second chance at the pop charts. She has written several songs for an album (due later this year) that she describes as "a little more sensual, less formula." When not working, Gibson, who is single, bikes around Manhattan and visits with her parents, now divorced, and three sisters. "If I've one major struggle, it's learning to relax," she says. "I really have a hard time doing nothing." Photo caption: "People have the perception that I resorted to Broadway," says Gibson (at home atop a piano once owned by Liberace and in 1989). "Come on. Resorted to Broadway!" =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -= CLOSING REMARKS =- On "Entertainment Tonight" on June 6th, there was a short clip of Deb in the story on People magazine's "Then & Now" feature. They showed her doing the photo shoot, two performing clips from Celebrate The Miracles in 1988 and a private press party in 1991, and the following interview bit: "People just expect me to be this one thing. They don't realize that in theater you can be anything and that's the great thing about it." "Lost In Your Eyes" can be heard in the recently released movie "Welcome to the Dollhouse." However, the song does not appear on the film's soundtrack. The latest issue of D.G.I.F. has been sent out. Vol. VIII No. 1 is an 8 page newsletter with the latest news (there'll be a new album by the end of 1996 according to Deborah), two interviews by fans plus highlights from the AOL interview, Grease farewell party photos, contest information and a word-search puzzle. D.G.I.F. has set up an e-mail autoresponder that contains basic fan club information, a membership application form, merchandise list and ordering information, and a news update. To automatically receive a message, send an e-mail message to: DGIFNews@infofree.com D.G.I.F. Convention '96 will be held on Saturday, July 13th in New Jersey. BtL will be at the convention, so for those attending, please stop by and say hello. BtL 8.6 will be released after the convention in late July.