=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= B E T W E E N T H E L I N E S [tm] Volume 8, Issue 7 - August 31, 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 GUY CHURCHILL - Guy Churchill INTRO BY NG CHOON BOON - Ng Choon Boon INTRO BY DEBORAH EILERS - Deborah Eilers DEBBIE GIBSON ON BILLBOARD ONLINE - Levien de Braal DEBSOURCE IS ONLINE! - Shannon Muir DEBBIE GIBSON FAN TEST ON THE WEB - David Bohr DEBBIE GIBSON IN SEATTLE TIMES - Kimberley Kline BIRTHDAY WISHES 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 GUY CHURCHILL =- Guy Churchill - Perth, Western Australia (guychur@dunamis.rph.uwa.edu.au) July 25, 1996 G'day, I'm a 25 year old Australian, employed in Nursing Administration. My first exposure to Debbie Gibson was "Foolish Beat," I heard this song on a compilation album whilst at University, (Hits of 1988, Volume 2 Million). It was the last song on the cassette (one of those "Bonus" tracks) and 9 times out of 10, friends would fast forward past it. Then the smash hit "Lost In Your Eyes" was released and instantly became a classic. My attraction was simple, the piano melody (I'm a Mozart and Gershwin fan too). Remembering the "Foolish Beat" song I resurrected the tape and was pleasantly surprised it was by the same artist. After buying _Electric Youth_ and a back order copy of _Out of the Blue_ my fan status was established. I've always found her songs uplifting, full of energy and hope. I followed DG for some time then, she only came "Down Under" once, much to my dismay. _Think With Your Heart_ is suffering the same fate in Australia as _Body Mind Soul_ and _Anything Is Possible_ did, i.e. no airplay at all. I tested the largest local radio station and requested they play "Do You Have It In Your Heart?" or any other Debbie Gibson song from BMS and they had to admit they had never heard of it. I find people tend to cringe if you mention you actually like Debbie Gibson's music. I get the feeling from this forum, that this is not an uncommon reaction. But like most of her fans it doesn't worry me. The next best option to hearing Debbie live is listening to her albums or videos on my home cinema setup, if you have the opportunity you must try this. With a quality system you can create the feeling of a live concert, or the close intimate contact of a jazz club, and for the dance tracks the deep bass of a Tokyo discotech. My favourite songs are: OOTB - "Staying Together" and "Foolish Beat" EY - "Should've Been The One" and "Lost in Your Eyes" AIP - "Negative Energy" BMS - "Do You Have It In Your Heart?" and "How Can This Be?" TWYH - "Too Fancy" and "Didn't Have the Heart" My all time favourite is "We Could Be Together." _Think With Your Heart_ was released on July 4th 1995, and never officially made it "Down Under", (I've only just obtained a copy of it, and I'm still waiting for my imported CD copy). I'm interested obtaining any of Debbie Gibson's official video releases, various singles remixes, and album posters. If a fan overseas can help me with these pursuits I will be much indebted. I don't use analog tapes any more because I've converted all my old recordings to Minidisc. I'm more than happy to correspond with anyone who wishes to talk about Debbie Gibson, Australia, Hi-Fi or Nursing. Discovering this forum and others who feel passionately about Debbie and her music is an incredible revelation, I look forward to sharing experiences with fellow Debphiles. -phil (French -phile) a word element meaning "loving","friendly". P.S. Scored 57 in the Debbie Gibson Fan Test. (Failed miserably in the Concerts and Performance sections due to living "Down Under"). =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -= INTRO BY NG CHOON BOON =- Ng Choon Boon - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (e93cbng@fk.um.edu.my) August 3, 1996 Hi, I am a Debbie Gibson fan from Malaysia. I joined the Between The Lines mailing list last month and I am really glad to have found it because I have learned so much about Deborah through it. I am going through all the past issues of BtL, and just finished with Volume 7 (!). The Internet is helping me discover so much about Deborah and her fans. I can't wait to share my thoughts with you all...so here's a start, an intro. I am a 23-year-old final year undergraduate in a local university here, majoring in Electrical Engineering. I have liked Deborah's music ever since her first hit "Only In My Dreams." I enjoyed her songs, but wasn't a fan-atic... yet. _Out Of The Blue_ was the second tape I bought when I started buying tapes (mind you, those days I didn't freely patronize music stores). It did take a while for the non-singles songs to grow on me, (In fact, I didn't quite like "Foolish Beat," the first No. 1 song, until a few years later.) Then came _Electric Youth_, when her popularity reached a peak here. As the rest of the world, I loved "Lost In Your Eyes." My favourite songs were "We Could Be Together" and "Should've Been The One." That was also when I got to know how talented she is, writing and producing her own music, her love for music since a young age, the garage studio and everything. I didn't pay much attention to _Anything Is Possible_, because it didn't get much airplay, especially on TV, as compared to the previous albums. Then in 1993, Deborah came over here for a promotional tour of _Body Mind Soul_. I did not meet her, but I enjoyed listening to her in the several radio shows where she guest-appeared. She was also appeared in a TV show specially focusing on her. I guess all these experiences and impressions of her sort of simmered in my subconscious and came to a sudden boil, because in late 1994 I simply turned a fan-atic, out of the blue ! I realized what a special person Deborah was, what great music, what a sweet voice, what talent...and OOTB became my most played album then. In 1995, when _Think With Your Heart_ came out, she also came over to Malaysia for a promo. She appeared live over television in a Saturday night entertainment show and sang "For Better Or Worse" and "Will You Love Me Tomorrow?". (I am kicking myself now for not having recorded that.) Early this year, I got a CD player. Since then, I am discovering the rest of Deborah's music. The EY CD was the hardest to find here. I searched high and low for it and was overjoyed to have found it finally...and the first sound that emanated when I played the EY CD was like magic. OOTB and EY are now my favourite CDs. How I wish I could travel back in time and be a fan right from the early days! What I admire most about Deborah is her passion and belief for what she does, staying true to herself, her down-to-earth and easy-going nature and her humour. My ambitions now in relation to Debbie Gibson: 1. To see her perform live in concert. 2. To meet her in person. 3. When I can afford my own phone-line, to get a personal Internet account so that I can download everything on her from the ftp sites. I'd be glad to hear from other fans all over the world. Ng Choon Boon e93cbng@fk.um.edu.my =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -= INTRO BY DEBORAH EILERS =- Deborah Eilers - Storm Lake, Iowa (eilersdj@bvu.edu) August 10, 1996 Nervous jitters prevented me from eating the delectable Chinese meal. Overcome by thoughts of the night's possibilities, I failed to keep up with the dinner conversation. I was in some far-off realm -- dreaming of a day I thought I would never have the privilege of living. My arms were already starting to feel the results of my constant pinching, and I was finally beginning to accept this night of total perfection was not a mere figment of my imagination. The entire weekend of October 11, 1991 existed, and will remain in my memory as one of the most fantastic weekends in my life thus far. It was the weekend I traveled to Los Angeles, California as a winner in the Caboodles/Debbie Gibson sweepstakes. "Hi, my name is Deborah Eilers, and I am a Deborah Gibson fan." To many others, who have moved on in their musical journey, this might seem like admitting alcoholism at an AA meeting. However, I take pride in this phrase because being a fan of Deborah Gibson has not only influenced my musical style, but also helped shape my attitude toward life. I am 19 now -- a corporate communication and graphic design major at Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, Iowa. My fascination with Deborah's music and personality began almost 10 years ago. My brother was the one who started me on this path. He was listening to his _Out of the Blue_ tape one evening. The music danced its way down the hallway and into my heart, and it has been a part of my identity ever since. I thank my lucky stars for that night. Without Deborah's positive attitude and the messages she conveyed, who knows what I may have turned out like? There were so many slumps in my life -- like squabbles with friends, breakups, and so on -- when I distinctly remember popping in a DG CD, lying on my bed, thinking, and singing at the top of my lungs to relieve the nervous tension. There were also times with my piano that I felt very insecure and discouraged, but remembering her positive attitude toward her abilities, I was able to get by it because I wanted to be "just like Debbie Gibson." Now I am in college, and I don't want to be "just like Debbie Gibson." I want to be just like Debbie Eilers. Nonetheless, that doesn't mean that I admire her any less. I only hope I have acquired her ability for setting and achieving goals! So, what can I say? How could I *not* be a fan of Deborah Gibson? She helped to make one of my most memorable weekends in my life a reality and helped me attain the spirit to be able to combat the less-than-ideal situations in my personal life. If you are reading this and feel the same way, write to me! I love to correspond with other fans! In addition to being a fan, I also like to play piano, paint, walk, swim, ski (water and snow), roller blade, and many other things. You can also check out my ever-changing home page at: http://www.bvu.edu/students/eilersdj Deborah Eilers eilersdj@bvu.edu =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -= DEBBIE GIBSON ON BILLBOARD ONLINE =- Levien de Braal - Atlanta, Georgia (levien@cc.gatech.edu) August 19, 1996 This article appeared for one day at http://www.billboard-online.com/ Here is the text of the article for those without World Wide Web access: GIBSON GETS FUNNY: Audiences throughout America may feel like the luckiest people in the world when a reworked version of the musical "Funny Girl" comes to their town. Former teen sensation Debbie Gibson will lend her talents to the revival, a play based on the life and loves of Fanny Brice, the legendary star of the Ziegfeld Follies. Gibson joins the production after a spate of successful musical theatre performances, most notably in "Les Miserables" and in the U.S. and U.K. runs of "Grease!". The role of Brice is a "dream come true" for Gibson. "I've been using 'Don't Rain On My Parade' as an audition song since I was 8 years old, and I relate so much to the life of Fanny Brice. Everything from her teenage club dates to talking her way into amateur shows to her raw ambition." "Funny Girl" begins its tour Oct. 1 in Pittsburgh and travels to 30 North American cities in roughly 12 months. The picture was a small black-and-white image of Deb during the late EY-era (considering the hairstyle) with a microphone in her hand. Thanks for the notification and link, Joe (JoeMoose@ix.netcom.com)! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -= DEBSOURCE IS ONLINE! =- Shannon Muir - Los Angeles, California (s.muir2@genie.com) July 29, 1996 Many of you have seen my name before on previous BtL articles. Writing is something I've loved to do for many years. Also, I had a strong desire to do my own Deb-related web site but didn't feel I had anything new or important to offer to the fan community. And then in early June, as I was packing to move to Los Angeles, it hit me: nobody had a web site dedicated to ARTICLES about Deb! I mean, we've had stuff transcribed in BtL or posted to Electric News... but who wants to go searching through all those issues for article transcriptions? So, DEBSOURCE -- the Debbie Gibson Bibliography -- was born. Debsource can be found at http://members.aol.com/debsource, or linked to from the www.nrgup.com site. Also, I found out there's a Debsource link at http://www.wwwomen.com -- which bills itself as "The Premier Search Directory for Women Online!" Thanks to an excellent suggestion from Levien, I've been putting in time when I can to see if any of the articles I find out about are posted on any web sites. If I find an article is available online, I set up a link to it from the Debsource listings. Currently, the site DOES NOT include original articles written for BtL or articles written for D.G.I.F. This may change in the future, I'm still deciding about that. Right now I still have lots of work ahead as I continue my quest for articles! Please e-mail debsource@aol.com if you have any suggestions or comments. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -= DEBBIE GIBSON FAN TEST ON THE WEB =- David Bohr - Annville, Pennsylvania (D_BOHR@lvc.edu) June 19, 1996 I have recently put The Debbie Gibson Fan Test on the World Wide Web. This is a test to see how loyal you are to Debbie, the greatest singer the world has ever known. The page has ten pictures of Deb, and many questions for any individual to see just how loyal, or fanatical, one is to her. The URL address is: http://oanorth.math.psu.edu/bohr/DEBQUIZ.html After you look at the page, please e-mail me if you have any comments or questions that you'd like to see added to the page. Thank you, and long live Deborah. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -= DEBBIE GIBSON IN SEATTLE TIMES =- Kimberley Kline - Seattle, Washington (mystic@serv.net) August 9, 1996 Tuesday's (August 6) SEATTLE TIMES had the following article on Deb: SINGER DEBBIE GIBSON NOW A 'FUNNY GIRL' BY ANTHONY SCADUTO Newsday Four years ago, Debbie Gibson says, the late composer Jile Styne asked her to audition for a revival of "Funny Girl." Eventually, she did - and starting in October she'll star as comedian Fanny Brice, the role that made Barbra Streisand a superstar. The show's national tour kicks off in Pittsburgh (and includes a Jan. 14-26 run at Seattle's Paramount Theatre). It may be on Broadway a year later. She has no trepidation about stepping into the part that Streisand made her own, says the former pop star, who recorded her first hit, "Only In My Dreams," when she was 16. "It's the same thing with any revival," she said in a phone interview. "There's always somebody who came first. But you do the best job you can and you don't worry about whether you're imitating someone else. The last thing I want to do is play Streisand; she's a hero of mine." Before starting rehearsals, Gibson will be recording material for an album, "because if I don't go into the studio now I won't be able to do it for a year." It will contain mostly new songs she's written, plus two numbers from "Funny Girl": "People" and "Don't Rain on My Parade." Like many singers, she says, "I've been having trouble with major record labels, so I'm making the album myself and it'll be sold out front of the theaters where 'Funny Girl' is playing, and then I expect to make a distribution deal." The album will be released under the name "Deborah Gibson." "I've never liked 'Debbie,' she says, "but I'll be billed as 'Debbie' for the tour. I'm just making a slow transition to 'Deborah.'" Gibson, 26, says she's no stranger to the songs from "Funny Girl." "I've been using 'Don't Rain on My Parade' as an audition song since I was 8," she says. She also is no stranger to musical theater. She recently toured in "Grease," playing Rizzo; she starred in the London production of the show for 9 months in 1993 and she made her Broadway debut later that year as Eponine in "Les Miserables." Gibson sounds almost fatalistic when asked about the chances of "Funny Girl" making it to Broadway. "That's (the producers') intention," she says. "But I've always believed that nothing comes until it comes." =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -= BIRTHDAY WISHES =- Deborah, For the ten years that your music has been a part of my life, you have been a constant light and inspiration. God has blessed you with many wonderful talents and I thank you for sharing them with all of us with so much enthusiasm and sweetness. I hope your 26th year will be your most successful yet; no one deserves it more than you. Happy Birthday. Sara Christensen (maggie@harbornet.com) Gig Harbor, WA ------------------ Hi Debbie! Happy 26th! Thanks for all the great music and positive vibes. It was great meeting you at Planet Hollywood and seeing you in Grease! Looking forward to the new album and a road trip to San Diego to see Funny Girl. Your fan, Rob Burke (dittoman@getnet.com) Phoenix, AZ ------------------ Deborah; I thought your 25th year on this planet was a wonderful one for you and all of your fans, but it looks like your 26th may top it! I know there must have been a few imperfect moments in the last year, but we all know we can't learn from a flawless existence. Best of luck with 'Funny Girl' and the next album; I'm looking forward to them. Happy Birthday! Kazuto Okayasu (kokayasu@uci.edu) Irvine, CA ------------------ Happy Birthday Debbie... I've been in love with you for so long & would love to meet you one day. Have a GREAT day!! James Nick (MIGHTYMEH@aol.com) Nutley, NJ ------------------ Happy Birthday to You, Happy Birthday to You, Happy Birthday Dear Deborah. Happy Birthday to You! Best Wishes to you on this special day! I wish you luck with your role in Funny Girl! Loved Ya in Grease! Thanks for so many years of GREAT music! (I'll see you in Chicago!!!!) Michael J Domark Jr. (bm0768@aol.com -or- bm0768@enteract.com) DGIF# 011812 ------------------ Happy 26th Deb! You're a true inspiration to us all. Don't forget to include Australia on your next tour! We Miss You!! From, Jason Schuster, Adelaide SA Australia (jasons@adam.com.au) Kelly Windsor, Werris Creek NSW Australia ------------------ Happy Birthday to someone who can make the flowers bloom, the sun shine, and the heart sing. -The Le (tle@keystone.westminster.edu) Pittsburgh, PA ------------------ Gee, Deb, another birthday? Stop growing old! ;-) (Just kidding!) Anyway, I just wish you have a blast on your birthday, and if you can, do spend it with your family and closest friends. Good luck, Fanny Brice! See you in December when you come to San Diego (twice in a year, amazing!)! Archie Medrano (amedrano@euclid.ucsd.edu) San Diego, CA ------------------ Hi Debbie, I wish you a very happy birthday and good luck with everything you do in the future. Your music makes me so happy. Please go on with it always! Big hugs from John Jensen in Denmark (jjensen@login.dknet.dk) ------------------ To Deborah Ann "Debbie" Gibson, On behalf of all your fans in the Philippines and the rest of Asia, I'd like to wish you a happy 26th birthday. May your songs remain immortal in our hearts. And may the next generation be Electric Youth...forever. Jeremy Lapus (lapus@cnl.net) Quezon City, Philippines ------------------ Deborah: As a fan of yours since Day One, I just wanted to wish you the best of Birthdays and continued success in all of your endeavors. Jamie D Rowe, I (JROWE3@ms.docisd.csc.com) Dayton, OH ------------------ Deborah - Thanks for another year you can be proud of. Your music seems to always pick me up when I'm down. I think its because it is a true reflection of the artist. The music you write, produce, and perform is the greatest gift you can give your fans. It will last forever. I want to wish you all the happiness in your 27th year, the rewards and recognition will come with time. Fred Schuppan (fschuppan@ets.org) Robbinsville, NJ ------------------ Your songs I dearly treasure Your lyrics are so true I've been your fan for many years HAPPY BIRTHDAY AND MAY YOUR DREAMS COME TRUE Nripinder Dhillon (ch392@torfree.net) Mississauga, Ontario CANADA ------------------ I wish that something (or someone) brings you the same happiness that your music has brought most of us. Peace, and long life! -=- James R. Twine (jtwine@prodigy.com) ------------------ Dear Deborah, Here's wishing you a Happy 26th Birthday! May this new year bring new beginnings, new surprises and new opportunities!! Emily Quek (s6700016@singnet.com.sg) Singapore ------------------ Hello Deborah, I just wanted to take this time to wish you a happy 26th birthday. I hope you have many more enjoyable ones to come. Keep up the good work and hope to see you in Funny Girl. Chris Grabowski (flipper@demosys.gcomm.com) Buffalo, NY ------------------ Deborah- Happy birthday, best wishes, peace, love and happiness. May the future hold as many good times, good feelings and great music as the past. William Birch (billb@lyte.org) New Ipswich, NH ------------------ Deborah, Have a happy 26th birthday.. and I hope you accomplish your goals over the next 365 days! And good luck with the upcoming production of "Funny Girl" -- I'm going to finally see you on stage in February when you come to Spokane, Washington! Lesley Muir (jem@olivier.dementia.org) Cheney, Washington ------------------ Happy Birthday Debbie All my Love and Prayers for more to come I love you keep the faith can't wait to hear any new albums in progress :-D))) Michelle Teal (mteal@cswnet.com) Hot Springs, AR ------------------ Deborah, you've done a lot of good for this planet. Have a good birthday. You've more than earned it! Luther Thompson (luther@cc.gatech.edu) Atlanta, GA ------------------ Happy birthday Deborah! Only 26 years old and you've already accomplished more than most people do in a lifetime. God bless you as your life goes on. David Bohr (D_BOHR@LVC.EDU) Annville, PA ------------------ Hi Deborah - I wish you all the best for success with Funny Girl and the new album. Happy birthday from a 'Hopelessly Devoted' fan in Ireland! Martin Byrne (mjbyrne@iol.ie) Dublin, Ireland. ------------------ HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!! I really enjoy listening to "Think With Your Heart". It really makes me think. BEST WISHES Allen Weiskittel (zeorngrx@leblink.com) ------------------ Happy 26th, Debbie! I mention you on my web page (www.ucs.usl.edu/~kjf4890/debbie.html) when I used to stay up til 2:00 AM to get you on TV to tape your videos because I didn't have MTV in the sticks! Good luck with all of your endeavors and don't ever change from that innocent 16 year old girl who was so intelligent way back when in the 80's!!!! Kirk Fontenot (kjf4890@usl.edu) ------------------ Dear Deborah, As long as you continue to perform and make music I will continue to watch and listen, have a very Happy 26th Birthday, stay just the way you are and you will continue to have many fans for a long time. Bruce Roubitchek (roubiche@mail.sdsu.edu) Torrance, California ------------------ Hi, Deb! I've been a loyal fan of yours since the beginning...and look forward to hearing any and all future songs that you make, write, sing, or produce. As long as you sing, I'll listen. :) My car doesn't leave the driveway without at least one of your CDs in the changer. :) My very best wishes to you; I hope your birthday is GREAT, Deb. -Darren MacKenzie Ottawa, Ontario, Canada ------------------ I am a 19 year old fan, I have liked your music since the first album, but lost track of you after Electric Youth. I found your greatest hits album in the store and then this list. I can't wait to see you in Funny Girl. Hope you have a great day! Karen Kennelly (kkennell@s-cwis.unomaha.edu) Omaha, NE -\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-HaPpY BiRtHdAy,DeBoRaH-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- I hope all the wishes in your heart turn into dreams*come*true, and make today the perfect start of birthday joy for you. I wish you the best with Funny Girl and can't wait to see you in Hershey. You are the woman, happy birthday. =D -\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-Kelly Ehritz Allentown, Pa-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- Happy birthday Debbie !! Keep up the good music ! Hope to see you once here for a concert in The Netherlands ! I really love your music ! Greetings, Peter/2 (Peter.Lindeman@bundy.idn.nl) ------------------ Deborah, are you sure you're not having birthdays twice a year? It seems like yesterday we celebrated your 25th. Well, a BIG Happy Birthday to ya, Funny Girl!!! Love, Shelley Hayhurst #792 (Shelleysh@aol.com) Jacksonville, Florida ------------------ Deborah, Thanks for all the joy you have given me in your songs. Have a great birthday, and good luck with Funny Girl and your up coming album. You are truly inspirational. Peter Vasey (pvasey10@scu.edu.au) Sydney, Australia. ------------------ Happy 26th birthday, Deborah. It has been wonderful following your career over the past 10 years, and I look forward to seeing you in "Funny Girl" this fall. Best of luck with this latest chapter in your career and the many chapters that will follow. Andre LeBlanc (debgfan@aol.com) Fargo, ND ------------------ I have been listening to your music for 7 years now. That is longer than any other band or artist that I listen to. Your music is beautiful and aspiring, and so are you. I just can't say enough good things about you!!! : ) Happy Birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) Dan MacDonald (AlleyEWP1@aol.com) Fremont, California ------------------ To Deborah, my favourite singing voice - You are the best... Wish all your dreams come true and have a great 26th birthday. Ng Choon Boon (e93cbng@fk.um.edu.my) Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia ------------------ Happy birthday Deb!!! I would like to see you come back to Minnesota for your next tour. I saw you on the Electric Youth and One Step Ahead tours at the St. Paul Civic Center and the Guthrie Theatre and loved the shows. Hope you head back here soon! By the way, I beat you to 26 by 8 days (Aug. 23). Love ya. Chris in St. Cloud, MN (CTheisen@gnn.com) ------------------ Deborah, I wish for you to have a very Happy Birthday. The best part is you can celebrate your birthday all weekend long. Try not to party too much. Erica Gravett (ESGRA@aol.com) Cincinnati, Ohio D.G.I.F. # 1526 ------------------ Not just another fan letter... because nobody is "just another fan." Your messages of optimism and self-confidence are such tremendous gifts, and we hope we can return some of that love to you. The only way to say it is to say it simply and truly: happy birthday; many, many happy returns; and thank you. -- Andy Evanson (BaronMind@aol.com) Oak Park, IL ------------------ Happy Birthday Deborah May the light of sun always warm your face, And may the troubles you find be as clouds in the sky. Hope your birthday is as happy and joyful as mine was (August 26) and have fun but don't eat too much cake :) Richard Barta (lonewolf@tcgcs.com) ------------------ Dear Debbie, Have a wonderful day, and please come and visit us Downunder again. I loved Think With Your Heart, and I thank you for the gift of your music. Happy Birthday, with love and best wishes from Ronald James Owens (Video Entertainments) (ronnie@fan.net.au) Gold Coast Queensland Australia ------------------ Happy 26th Birthday, Deborah! Hope "Funny Girl" is your ticket back to the top. --Andy Rodriguez (Andy459@aol.com) ------------------ Happy 26th birthday dear Debbie. Keep on reaching for the stars and keep on hanging tough. You have been a solely true inspiration to me. I look forward for you next concert in Malaysia. Love ya. Ezlin Yusoff (mygazee@pc.jaring.my) 18/59 Rantau Petronas, 24300 Kerteh, TG, Malaysia. ------------------ Deborah- Thanks for the cool convention! I've already secured my tickets to see you in October and I'm much looking forward. Have a happy birthday! Paul Barongan (BARONGAN@pcmail.cbil.vcu.edu) Richmond, VA ------------------ Thank you Deborah so very much for sharing your gift of music with the world over the last 10 years. My sincere appreciation, gratitude, and affection for you cannot possibly be translated into sentences, but I know that the love of your fans will surely transcend these pages into your heart and touch you deeply. Have a wonderful birthday, Deborah. May those beautiful melodies forever sing through your head and onto your piano keys magic will occur. Brian Yung, Ottawa, Ontario ------------------ Dear Deborah, An old, wise (though fictional) sage once said, "Luminous beings we are..." For you it is so true! Please keep on singing, smiling... and of course have a joyous 26th year. Dan Williams (dbw11@columbia.edu) New York, NY ------------------ Happy Birthday Debbie on your 26th birthday! May all your wishes and dreams come true. May God continue to bless you with your great gift of song. Thanks for the wonderful music. Love, Nathan Getty (NGetty@aol.com) Franklin, TN 37064 ------------------ Deborah- I hope your birthday is spent well, and is fun-filled. You truly deserve an awesome birthday, for your year is getting to be even better, with "Funny Girl." I can't wait to see you in it, you're coming here (Seattle) in January! Hope to see you soon, good luck and god bless! :) Patrick Shin (Pfunk562S@aol.com) Issaquah, WA ------------------ Hey Deb! Just think, in another nine months I'll be as old as you! Just kidding. Have a Happy Birthday, and a great year to come. Can't wait to see you on stage again in Funny Girl! Steve Varricchio (JLWinston@aol.com) Wickliffe, Ohio ------------------ HaPpY BiRtHdAy DeBoRah!!! gosh, it's hard to believe that it's almost been TEN years since "out of the blue" came out! so much has happened since then...i went from a little second grader to being a legal driver, and *you* went from a baby faced high schooler to the sophisticated woman you are today...WOW!! i hope you have a GREAT year...you're gonna be awesome as "fanny"!! i'll see ya in memphis! we love ya!! Misty Cochran (MistyBC@aol.com) Clarksville, TN ------------------ Dear Deborah, With every year that passes, you become even more of an inspiration to me. I wish you every success in "Funny Girl". Thank you so much for the great friends I've met because of you. Christine, Britta, Misty and I will never forget the wonderful time we had at your convention! Have a wonderful birthday and take good care of yourself. See you in Philadelphia at the play or sooner! Love always -- Al Cresci, Piscataway, NJ -- DGIF #8682 ------------------ Happy Birthday Deborah, thank you for creating music that has gotten me through some dark days! Love, Darren Breland (darren@datasync.com) Mobile, AL ------------------ Happy Birthday, Deborah! Thanks so much for the music you've made over the years, And for caring for your fans and sharing with us. I hope this year that your dreams continue to come true. Good luck and God bless! Rob (milan@mindspring.com) ------------------ Deborah: Happy Birthday!!!!!! 26th, I think? I hope all is well with you, congratulations on your part in "Funny Girl"... Speaking of birthdays, I will be seeing you in "Funny Girl" in San Francisco, on my birthday Dec. 17... my "33rd"... Yikes!!! I am getting old... anyway it will be good to see you perform live again, the last time I saw you was in 1987... Again, have a great birthday!!! Joel Patrick Rose (gregm@calimetrics.com) San Francisco, CA ------------------ Happy Birthday Deborah. Hope this year more of your dreams will come true. Seeing "Grease" in Vancouver this year was a blast. Hopefully I'll be able to catch "Funny Girl" in Seattle. Karim Damji. DGIF 5147 Vancouver, Canada. (karim@vcn.bc.ca) ------------------ Happy Birthday from everybody in England and see you in "Funny Girl" James Minter. Preston, Lancashire, England. ------------------ Deborah, I met you last year at the House of Blues on the eve of your 25th birthday, and then again February in Grease. Thank you for sharing your life with your fans. I'm looking forward to your next album. Happy 26th birthday! Michael Dern (mdern@email.microcadam.com) North Hills, CA ------------------ HAPPY 26th BIRTHDAY DEB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hello Deb.....this is one of the many Mikes from Chicago.....hope ya have a great year with the new album, and best of success with the Funny Girl tour all over the US!!!! I hope to see you at some point *grin* Mike Pietrusinski (petro@flowbee.interaccess.com) ------------------ Happy Birthday Doll !! Joe & Emmy Corsello (joie@nyc.pipeline.com) Staten Island, NY ------------------ I'd just like to wish Debbie a happy 26th birthday. I've been a fan of hers since her "Out of the Blue" album was released. She's a talented singer, songwriter, and producer. Good luck and best wishes for her future. Jarrod Kinoshita (jarrodk@hawaii.edu) ------------------ Deborah, A happy 26th birthday! I hope you'll have a wonderful day followed by a wonderful year. Keep up your good work! And I wish you good luck with your new 'Funny Girl' Tour, and of course also your new album. You're the best! Jan Gol (jgol@worldonline.nl) Uffelte, Holland. ------------------ Happy Birthday Deb ! Your Music has meant so much !!!! Mykol Ledesma (Mykol@prodigy.com) Austin, Texas ------------------ Deborah, HAPPY! HAPPY! JOY! JOY! Thanks for all the years of pleasure you have brought us. You are a ray of sunshine in my life. The convention was great! Happy Birthday!!! Martin Coats (cn1879@coastalnet.com) Rocky Mount, NC ------------------ Happy Birthday. I've really enjoyed your singing over the years. Ralph P T. (ikthus@juno.com ) ------------------ hey deborah!!! HaPpY BiRtHdAy, U FuNnY GirL! hope u have a wonderful day, full of love and smiles. thank u 4 EVERYTHING; 4 being u. you're such an inspiration 2 me, and i love u more each and every day! congrats on funny girl--can't WAIT 2 c it!!!! good luck in everything, and take care of yourself! love, britta reida, cape cod ------------------ Greetings from Canada! I hope you have a wonderful birthday Deborah, and thanks for a great convention this summer. Gee...9 years sure seem to have flown by quickly! I look forward to many more years of your wonderful music and best of luck in Funny Girl! Love and God Bless...Daniel Wong (dd103@freenet.carleton.ca) Ottawa, Canada ------------------ Deb, With Convention '96 just past and a new show and album to look forward to, we're all celebrating with you this year!! Good luck, and thanks for giving so much to so many. Richard ("I'd rather be in Seattle") Dean (rdean@ppp.bekkoame.or.jp) Osaka, Japan ------------------ Dear Debbie, Happy birthday to you, Wow 26 years old now. I wanna use this moment to first of all congratulate you on this great day, and to let you know again how much you and your music mean to me. "Without You" is without a doubt one of your most beautiful songs, I love that song! I wish you every bit of luck and happiness this following year to come. Hugs and best wishes from Tine, Denmark. (tinen@dorit.ihi.ku.dk) ------------------ Thank you for putting rhyme and music to my feelings, for caring, for inspiring. Happy Birthday, Debbie Gibson ! Irv Giles (IrvGiles@aol.com) Toms River, NJ, USA ------------------ Best wishes on your birthday Deb, and thank you for all the joy your music has given me over the years since I first heard you sing. Neil Strachan (DGIF#9834) (forenth@albury.net.au) Albury, NSW, Australia ------------------ Have a _FUNNY_ Birthday Deborah! Malaysia loves you. Lee Yu Jin (yujin@emtds1.nsc.com) Malacca, Malaysia DGIF#9778 ------------------ Dear Deborah, Happy Birthday!!! May there be more great songs coming from you and here's also wishing you better record sales. Most of all, I wish you happiness always. Birthday greetings from Singapore Angie Yan (yanling@singnet.com.sg) ------------------ Happy Birthday Debbie Gibson from your favorite fan in Scott Depot, West Virginia.........Eric Drennan (drennoe@wvsvax.wvnet.edu) ------------------ Deborah - What've you been wishing for on your birthday candles each year?!? It seems all your dreams are coming true! Happy 26th -- make another wish! Thanks for an *amazing* year, and see you soon! PINKS! Myra Wong (mkwong@egbt.org) San Diego, CA ------------------ Roses are red Violets are blue Deborah - happy birthday to a classy lady so true (Have fun with "number 26" and best wishes on your next album and musical you "Funny Girl" you!) Leslie Eng (leng@merak.com): Calgary, Alberta ------------------ Deborah, I hope you have the best birthday yet! You deserve it! Thanks for all of the wonderful things you do for us fans all year. You are truly inspirational person to us all. Good luck to you this year, and may happiness follow you wherever you go! Take care and God bless! Melissa Kramlinger (MmK7DGF@aol.com) Saint Paul, Minnesota =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -= CLOSING REMARKS =- An article similar to the SEATTLE TIMES and BILLBOARD articles about "Funny Girl" appeared on Playbill Online on America Online on August 14th. Deb was on the Z-100 morning show in New York on July 31st for about forty minutes, chatting with the DJs about "Funny Girl" and taking phone calls from listeners. It would be great if a BtL member who heard/recorded this interview wrote and submitted a review or transcript of this radio appearance for BtL. The following is the schedule for the 1996-1997 national tour of "Funny Girl" starring Debbie Gibson. It has been compiled from various sources: a cast member's route sheet, the D.G.I.F. hotline (212-803-5425), and individual theatres. Lines that have been changed since the last issue of BtL are marked with an asterisk (*). The first two tour stops (marked with a plus sign) are at the below listed venues, not at the Beneden and Mosque Theatres, respectively, as reported by D.G.I.F. Schedule subject to change without notice. Please call individual theaters for show times and ticket prices. Oct 1 - Oct 6 Pittsburgh, PA + Heinz Hall * Oct 8 - Oct 13 Richmond, VA + Landmark Theatre Oct 15 - Oct 20 Hershey, PA Hershey Theater * Oct 22 - Nov 3 Minneapolis, MN Historic State Theatre Nov 5 - Nov 10 Green Bay, WI Weidner Hall * Nov 12 - Dec 1 Denver, CO Buell Theatre Dec 3 - Dec 8 San Diego CA Civic Theatre Dec 10 - Dec 15 Omaha, NE Orpheum Theatre Dec 17 - Jan 12 San Francisco, CA Golden Gate Theater Jan 14 - Jan 26 Seattle, WA Paramount Theatre Jan 28 - Feb 2 Portland, OR Civic Center Feb 4 - Feb 9 Spokane, WA Opera House Feb 11 - Feb 16 Las Vegas, NV Aladdin Hotel Feb 18 - Feb 23 Costa Mesa, CA Orange County Performing Arts Center * Feb 25 - Mar 2 Pasadena, CA Civic Center * Mar 4 - Mar 9 Houston, TX Jones Hall Mar 11 - Mar 30 Chicago, IL Shubert Theater Apr 1 - Apr 6 Baltimore, MD Lyric Opera House Apr 8 - Apr 20 Cincinnati, OH Aronoff Center Apr 22 - Apr 27 Memphis, TN Orpheum Theater Apr 29 - May 4 Indianapolis, IN Clowes Memorial Hall * May 6 - May 25 Philadelphia, PA Merriam Theater May 27 - Jun 1 Schenectady, NY Proctors Theater Jun 3 - Jun 8 Norfolk, VA Chrysler Hall Jun 10 - Jun 15 Columbus, OH Palace Theater * Jun 17 - Jun 23 TO BE ANNOUNCED Jun 24 - Jul 6 Toronto, Ontario O'Keefe Center * Jul 8 - Jul 20 Dallas, TX Music Hall * Jul 22 - Jul 27 TO BE ANNOUNCED * Jul 29 - Aug 3 St Louis, MO To Be Announced As Deborah Gibson turns 26 years old, BtL looks back at all that she has accomplished in the last year. After guest starring on the television show "Step By Step," the prospect of her own sitcom lingered, while Deb toured a full four months with national tour of Grease. Deborah and D.G.I.F. put on a fantastic convention in July, amidst her own writing and recording of album number six. It was none too soon that it was announced that Deborah would be playing her third dream role--Fanny Brice in the revisal of "Funny Girl." BtL would like to wish Deborah a wonderful birthday, and all the success her heart desires for the coming year. Happy 26th Birthday, Deborah.