=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= B E T W E E N T H E L I N E S [tm] Volume 8, Issue 8 - October 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 GREG STURTZ - Greg Sturtz INTRO BY STEVEN ROYKA - Steven Royka INTRO BY JERRY HOYT - Jerry Hoyt INTRO BY ERICA GRIESHEIMER - Erica Griesheimer INTRO BY LESLEY MUIR - Lesley Muir PRODIGY CHAT TRANSCRIPT - Myra Wong HUH?! - Misty Cochran "DARE 2 DREAM" CONCERT REVIEW - Sara Gauchat DEBWATCH 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. This issue, BtL 8.8, has been considerably delayed, so we are releasing a special "Funny Girl" issue (BtL 8.9) at the same time. Also, the number of article submissions has diminished noticeably over the past year. With the new album _Deborah_ being released next month, and Deborah starring in "Funny Girl" there should be plenty to write about. Aside from the articles we receive from occasional contributors, BtL is seeking a team of regular writers who are willing to write on assigned topics. If you are interested in being a part of this team, please send e-mail to BtL@btl.org. -= BtL moderators =- Myra Wong : mkwong@btl.org Felix Ng : fng@btl.org =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -= INTRO BY GREG STURTZ =- Greg Sturtz - Flagstaff, Arizona (ges@dana.ucc.nau.edu) August 27, 1996 Hi all you Deb fans. My name's Greg Sturtz, and I'm 22 years old and a senior history major at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, AZ. I found this great newsletter through the Web....and I'm very glad I did. I became a Debbie Gibson fan when I saw her live during the Electric Youth tour. I thought she was an absolutely awesome performer, and I was hooked. I have been doing my best to follow her in the news and such over the past few years. I've never met her in person, but I hope to someday. Her music has been an inspiration, and have keeped me going through some pretty tough times over the years. For that, I'll be always greatful, an eternally loyal fan, and ever looking forward to her next CD. Keep up the great work. Greg S. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -= INTRO BY STEVEN ROYKA =- Steven Royka - Little Ferry, New Jersey September 1, 1996 My name is Steve and I am a new member of BtL. I didn't know about it until I attended the convention in July. I had a great time at the convention. I was lucky because it was so close to my house. I live in Little Ferry, and East Rutherford is only three towns away. Anyway, I thought you might be interested in a poem I wrote using the letters of Debbie's name. Here it is: Dare to dream, it's the thing to do Electric youth is definitely you Beautiful songs in which you write Beautiful person day and night Inspirational to us all Energetic keep the NRG up and never fall Generous with the charities which you support Inventive with music and songs self-taught Broadway Les Mis, this was you on the great whiteway Sensation at an early age and here to stay Outgoing is a personality trait which you possess New and old songs bring us all happiness Looking forward to the next issue soon. Thank you, Steven Royka 113 Washington Avenue Little Ferry, New Jersey 07643-2008 U.S.A. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -= INTRO BY JERRY HOYT =- Jerry Hoyt - Norfolk, Virginia (jhoyt@whro.org) September 3, 1996 Hi all! I am a 28 year old who just recently graduated from college here in Virginia. I have a B.A. in Communications. I am currently working at the Top 40 station in the Norfolk market, WNVZ Z104. Unfortunately, many people who have written to this forum are right! Debbie's music hasn't been played in this market since the days of 97 Star WGH. Z104 will not play the new stuff from Debbie. Why? I don't know. This is disheartening for a fan who has purchased all of her albums, all the way back to _Out of the Blue_! Although I have never had the opportunity to meet her, my perception of Debbie is that she is very intelligent, and I know she is extremely talented! She has a very attractive personality, and appears even sexy, without trying to be! (I mean that in a nice way!!!) What I am saying is, it is a shame that a person who has tried to reach out to the world with her God giving talents, has been passed off by the radio industry! Best wishes to a very talented, positively oriented artist! Jerry Hoyt =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -= INTRO BY ERICA GRIESHEIMER =- Erica Griesheimer - Waterloo, Ontario, Canada (egrieshe@artsu2.watstar.uwaterloo.ca) September 9, 1996 Hello. My name is Erica. I am 22 years old. I'm a university student in Psychology. Although I have always liked Debbie Gibson's music, I didn't consider her one of my favourite musicians, until a few years ago. I like most of her songs and it's nice to know that when I buy one of her albums I don't have to worry about not liking it, because I always do. My favourite song, if I had to pick one, would be "Silence Speaks A Thousand Words." My favourite album by her is _Anything Is Possible_, because of the second side. I can't compare it with _Think With your Heart_, because I can only find it on import CD. As much as I like Debbie Gibson, 35 dollars is too much for me to spend on it. As for my other musical tastes, I still prefer music that came out in the 1980's. Other than that, I can't think of anything else to say. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -= INTRO BY LESLEY MUIR =- Lesley Muir - Cheney, Washington (jem@olivier.dementia.org) September 7, 1996 Hi, everyone! If you've been active on the Anything Is Possible mailing list, this name probably looks at least somewhat familiar to you. I've been subscribed to Between the Lines for about a year-and-a-half now, but I'm finally sitting down and writing up an intro for the newsletter... I'm Lesley Muir, a 21-year-old college graduate with a Radio-Television degree. I'm from Cheney, Washington (which is about 300 miles east of Seattle), and I'm getting married on November 23. Since this is a Debbie Gibson newsletter, I guess I should talk about how I got into Debbie Gibson: When I first heard the song "Only In My Dreams" during the summer of 1987, I knew I liked it, but had no idea who did the song. When "Shake Your Love" came out, I heard who did that song... and for a while, I DIDN'T like the song! Mainly, though, this was due to the fact that "Shake Your Love" was overplayed at the time (I remember riding the school bus, and how the radio was always on the Top 40 station... and I clearly remember how it seemed as if "Shake Your Love" was being played EVERY DAY! Also, when you add in the fact how often MTV was playing the video... that didn't exactly help matters any). It wasn't until the third single ("Out of the Blue") was released until I became a fan of Debbie Gibson; a couple of months later, my parents gave me the _Out of the Blue_ cassette for my 13th birthday. The next year (March of 1989), for my 14th birthday, I went down to a local music store and bought Debbie's second album, _Electric Youth_, with some birthday money that I had (just the night before, I'd just heard the brand new single from the album... "Electric Youth") . For Christmas of 1990, my older sister Shannon (who's also a BtL subscriber) bought me the _Anything Is Possible_ CD. And just a few weeks after Christmas of 1992, I bought Debbie's fourth album _Body Mind Soul_ on CD. After "Shock Your Mama" had been released, I hadn't heard anything about Debbie Gibson for two years. However, during February of 1995, I was logged on to a local computer bulletin board system and was reading the posts in the Majornet Music Forum, when I saw a particular post that caught my eye. It was from someone going by the handle of "The Electric Youth"... this individual posted that Debbie was currently working on her fifth album and that it was due to be released later that year. I wrote to that person, and they told me how I could access on-line information about Debbie Gibson by writing to the fan club's email address. I did that, and I was told about how to access the information. The rest, as they say, is history... For what it's worth, I bought _Think With Your Heart_ on CD when it was released to stores on July 4th, 1995... (and interesting to note: I also bought the Foo Fighters' self-titled CD the same day...) Over the past year, I've put together my own web site devoted to Debbie, and you can access it from the NRG^ page. If you visit the page, feel free to write me with comments... I like hearing from other Debbie fans! And I also wrote to D.G.I.F. recently to join the fan club... I hope to be a D.G.I.F. member soon! I'd just like to wish Debbie Gibson good luck in Funny Girl... and I can't wait to see it February when it comes to Spokane, Washington! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -= PRODIGY CHAT TRANSCRIPT =- Myra Wong - San Diego, California (mkwong@btl.org) September 20, 1996 Deborah Gibson was a guest on the Prodigy online service on September 17th at 9:00 P.M. Eastern. The chat lasted approximately half an hour. This is a transcript of that session, as it appears in Prodigy's archives. Moderator (Speaker) Good evening and welcome to tonight's chat session with Deborah Gibson. In the last 10 years, Deborah (formerly known as Debbie) has had a string of hits as a pop vocalist (including FOOLISH BEAT and LOST IN YOUR EYES). More recently, Deborah has focused more on musical theater, starring in shows like GREASE and LES MISERABLES... Next month, Deborah will begin a national tour as Fanny Brice in FUNNY GIRL. OK, Here's DEBORAH GIBSON!!!!! Deborah Gibson (Speaker) Hi everyone, thanks for joining me tonight. I hope we can get to a lot of your questions! Moderator (Speaker) Great to have you here, Deborah! Let's get right to the questions.... Yesenia23 (PRODIGY Member) Debbie......i remember when the "im lost in your eyes" song came out...i love it...how many copies of that song did you sell? Deborah Gibson (Speaker) I am not exactly sure. I think it went platinum, and I'm not sure what the numbers are for a platinum single. Thanks for the compliment! fireyred (PRODIGY Member) how did your career get started? Deborah Gibson (Speaker) I started in community theater and local talent shows. When I started writing songs I went to local studios. Then I realized I had ideas of my own and I set up my own studio. I released a single to the clubs and after a year of promoting "Only in My Dreams," things started to take off. Moderator (Speaker) By age 16, Deborah Gibson had landed a record deal with Atlantic Records, and her music career was launched... OUT OF THE BLUE, Deborah's first international release, sold over 5 million copies... By the age of 17, Deborah was the youngest artist in history to write, produce and perform a #1 hit... Now, at the age of 26, Deborah has sold more than 10 million albums worldwide... DGFan (PRODIGY Member) How did you come up with the name 'Espiritu? BTW, I like that name... Deborah Gibson (Speaker) Thank you. Basically, I wanted to sum up what I was all about and I think that Spirit sums it up because I think there are alot of people who have talent, but I think you have to be enthusiastic about it and do it with heart and I think that's what spirit is. For people who don't know, that's the name of my independent label. It's the label my new album is on. Moderator (Speaker) With solid performances under her belt (and rave reviews from critics) in shows like LES MIZ and GREASE, Deborah Gibson is about to embark on the "role of a lifetime." She headlines a national tour for FUNNY GIRL, beginning Oct 1 in Pittsburgh... The Pre-Broadway National tour of FUNNY GIRL opens in Pittsburgh in 2 weeks. It will play in the following cities in 1996: Pittsburgh (Heinz Hall); Richmond, Va (Mosque); Hershey, Pa (Hershey Theatre); Minneapolis (Orpheum); Green Bay, WI (Weidner); Denver (Buel Theatre); San Diego (Civic Center); Omaha (Orpheum Theatre); and San Francisco (Golden Gate Theatre)... Please contact the theatres for date and ticket info... The show will be in at least 18 other cities in 1997. In 1997, see FUNNY GIRL in Seattle (Paramount Thea.); Vancouver (Queen Elizabeth); Pasadena (Civic Center); Las Vegas (Aladdin Hotel); Costa Mesa (Orange Cty PAC); Portland (Civic Ctr); Houston (Jones Hall); Chicago (Shubert); Baltimore (Lyric Thea.); Cincinnati (Aronof); Memphis (Orpheum); Indianapolis (Clowes Thea); Phil, Pa (Merriam); Schenectady (Proctor's); Norfolk (Chrysler); Columbus (Palace); Toronto (O'Keefe); Dallas (Summer Musicals); and St Louis (Fox Theatre)... Please contact the theatres for date and ticket info... RS885 (PRODIGY Member) If "Funny Girl" continues to Broadway, how long do you intend on staying on as Fanny Brice? Deborah Gibson (Speaker) I have to admit, even though it is very grueling doing 8 shows a week, I feel I am making this role my own and I would have a hard time turning this role over to anyone else! A normal broadway contract is nine months, but I would love to do it for much longer! DGFan (PRODIGY Member) Will the tape of the convention that took place during the summer, include your entire concert? Deborah Gibson (Speaker) It should. neppie (PRODIGY Member) Will there be a 1997 D.G.I.F. convention? (please please please) Deborah Gibson (Speaker) The office is still recovering from the '96 convention! But I'd love to. HelloGorgese (PRODIGY Member) Hi Deborah. I can't wait to see Funny Girl (like my chat nickname). I wanted to ask you about the "Wedding of a Lifetime" special on Lifetime Cable the other night. What was that wedding like--was it weird to perform there. And what is the name of the song you performed (something like "For Better or Worse?") Thanks... Deborah Gibson (Speaker) It was "For Better or Worse," and it was kind of crazy, performing to somebody else's family. To have the mayor present as well! But the hosts, Catherine Hickland and Michael Lee Knight, are actually people who I have met before, so at least I knew somebody! :) The couple who were married came up to me after the day was done and said they realized now what public life was like. They kind of had a mini breakdown. It made me realize that I am not crazy when sometimes I do the same. Moderator (Speaker) Deborah sang the wedding song for a NYC couple that was married at Windows on the World in New York. The couple had won a contest that was sponsored by the Lifetime Cable Network. The network paid for the ENTIRE wedding and honeymoon. In return, the wedding was filmed, and it aired Sunday night on TV... DGFan (PRODIGY Member) When will you tour for your next album? Deborah Gibson (Speaker) I'm not sure, I'm going on the road with "Funny Girl" for nine months. It's supposed to go to broadway for a year, so I'll be tied up for a while. Happily tied up. After that, I'd love to do another full on tour, pull out all the stops. Moderator (Speaker) Some of the songs from FUNNY GIRL include PEOPLE; DON'T RAIN ON MY PARADE; SADIE, SADIE; and I'M THE GREATEST STAR... Many of you will remember that Barbra Streisand starred in FUNNY GIRL in one of the first starring roles of her career... neppie (PRODIGY Member) "Hello, gorgeous!" Dream role #3. How does it feel to take on a role with such a prestigious history? Deborah Gibson (Speaker) It feels amazing, in fact, just being asked that question gave me goose bumps. Every day when I go into rehearsal I am reminded of the history as we are dealing with the agents of deceased writers and Bob Merrill (lyricist). I feel that it is one of the best musicals there is, so I am absolutely thrilled. oriole19 (PRODIGY Member) Are you religious? Deborah Gibson (Speaker) I was raised Catholic going to church every Sunday. I believe in some of what I learned. I also have developed philosophies of my own. I would say that more than religious, I am spiritual. RS885 (PRODIGY Member) Now that you've decided to work through your own record label, do you see any changes in the direction you might take your music? Deborah Gibson (Speaker) When you don't have business people looking over your shoulder, you are able to be more spontaneous and I feel a freshness and an energy with a new album. And oddly enough, the direction of the new album is along the lines of what the major labels were after me to do for years and I kept trying to explain to them that you have to allow yourself to progress naturally or else it seems forced and people pick up on that. tiger teri 2 (PRODIGY Member) will you ever make a new album Deborah Gibson (Speaker) I'm listening to mixes of the new album as we speak! It will be out in November. It's called "Deborah." Del Goren (PRODIGY Member) What's touring like? Deborah Gibson (Speaker) Touring is grueling, it's exciting, it's a great feeling to be able to perform in cities that don't have as much of a choice of shows as we do here in New York. The hardest part about touring is staying healthy through weather changes, time changes...etc. I guess there is something about it I love because I keep going out on the road. DGFan (PRODIGY Member) What is your opinion of the current music scene (meaning what is now considered the new Pop music, alternative)? Deborah Gibson (Speaker) I prefer the more musical alternative music, like the Smashing Pumpkins and Alanis. There is some rap that I like, like the more storytelling kind, and more entertaining than negative. I feel the music business has, over the past ten years, gotten to be less about the music and more about politics and image, which is very disheartening to me. Striker Chic (PRODIGY Member) Debbie, I saw you in "Grease." Did you enjoy playing Rizzo or Sandy more? Deborah Gibson (Speaker) I enjoyed them equally in the sense that they both came at the right time in my life. Looking back, I guess I would have to say it was more fun to play the opposite of what people perceive me to be, which was playing Rizzo. Moderator (Speaker) Deborah Gibson met FUNNY GIRL composer JULE STYNE, in the last years of his life when he requested that she audition for FUNNY GIRL. For Gibson, the role of FANNY BRICE is a dream come true. "I've been using DON'T RAIN ON MY PARADE as an audition song since I was 8 years old," she says. "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 ambition... I'm so thrilled to play my absolute dream role!" DGFan (PRODIGY Member) Do you have any other 'dream roles' ? Deborah Gibson (Speaker) Gypsy Rose Lee, Eva Perrone, Maria Von Trapp and Peter Pan. I am also writing my own musical based on a film script called Skirts. That is probably my ultimate dream--to see something I've composed on Broadway. The other day while I was in my costume fitting for Funny Girl, I saw glimpses of Norma Desmond in trying on Fanny Brice's more divaesque costumes... but I could wait another thirty years for that. :) GQ Man (PRODIGY Member) Have you found it to be more or less difficult to achieve pop chart success as an adult rather that an adolescent? Deborah Gibson (Speaker) Oddly enough, it is easier for me to make good music now, but harder to achieve chart success. I think as you get older you stop jumping through hoops for publicity purposes and you gain more integrity which can sometimes work against you publicly, but personally it is the only way I live. DGFan (PRODIGY Member) How do you feel about people coming up to you while you are out? For example, someone comes up to you while you are with a family member? Do you mind if someone were to come up to you and ask for an autograph? Deborah Gibson (Speaker) No, in fact, the other night, I was out in the village with my boyfriend, and we have very limited time together at the moment because I am going on tour. Someone who had been at the convention came up and asked if they could take a picture, which was fine with me because she was very polite--and not intrusive and respected my private life. However, there was one time where someone followed me into a restroom and stuck a piece of paper under the stall with a pen. That definitely was not cool. Craig in SB (PRODIGY Member) I heard that you were a little 'under the weather' at the "Weddings of a Lifetime" shoot. You're feeling better, I hope? Deborah Gibson (Speaker) Yes, I was exhausted since we were rehearsing six days a week and that day was my "day off"! ILoveDeborah (PRODIGY Member) Deborah, I just wanted to let you know that your music totally changed my life and gave me a lot of happiness in times of my life when I really needed it. I just want to let you know and thank you soooo much for that! Deborah Gibson (Speaker) Wow, thanks... The power of music! It never ceases to amaze me. I have heard some very personal stories about how a song that may seem ridiculous or sappy to one person affects somebody's life in a profound way. GQ Man (PRODIGY Member) Did you go to college? Deborah Gibson (Speaker) No, I didn't. I definitely got a hands-on education. I think college is great for some professions, but as far as performing goes, learning by doing is the best way. ILoveDeborah (PRODIGY Member) What do you think is more important in today's entertainment world: actual talent or packaging and marketing for a group that is maybe not as talented as other performers? Deborah Gibson (Speaker) Bingo! You hit the nail on the head. For some strange reason, packaging has become more important, which to me, is just awful. But I have met enough people who can see through all that to make what I do so worthwhile. RayWong11537 (PRODIGY Member) Has little Jeffrey joined the family yet, or isn't he due for a little while longer? Deborah Gibson (Speaker) He is due in November, and that will be my sister Karen's third child and her first boy. DebbieGibson (PRODIGY Member) Deborah, you are the best!!! I love you and your music sooo much! Thanks for everything you've put out! Deborah Gibson (Speaker) No, no, thank you! redrockmania (PRODIGY Member) (#1 fan in Orlando) What do you find is your biggest inspiration when writing songs?? Do the lyrics just "hit you", or do you work around a planned theme and write the lyrics from that? Thanx for taking my question, and best of luck on tour!!! Deborah Gibson (Speaker) It varies from song to song. Sometimes it stems from a deeply personal place, like a song I am listening to right now, off the upcoming album called "I Will Let You Go." Other times I base a song around a catch phrase or general theme. Other times my life is so boring I have to make stuff up! ORRYMAIN (PRODIGY Member) Hi Deborah ... nice to have you here. I'm curious -- why the switch to Deborah in lieu of Debbie? (and by the way, I have always enjoyed your work -- thanks!) Deborah Gibson (Speaker) I've actually always referred to myself as Deborah but went with Debbie because people seemed to be uncomfortable calling such a young girl such a formal name. Now I am sick of it and want people to call me by my real name. WiLd ScArLet (PRODIGY Member) Debbie, my mother wants to know what you think about abortion? Deborah Gibson (Speaker) Personally, I don't think I could ever have one. However, there have been people close to me who have been in situations that unfortunately led to the decision to have an abortion. I fully supported it because of their circumstances. As I said, I would have a hard time with it, but I definitely believe in choice. XBoyyy2 (PRODIGY Member) I had the biggest crush on you back in high school in the mid-eighties...do you find it difficult to separate yourself from the image you had then and how you want to be viewed now? Deborah Gibson (Speaker) I certainly have no problem with it because I have lived with myself through the years. But I do realize other people's difficulty. It's like my cousin Albert who is 19 and I still think of him as being 10. But I think that through musical progression and through staying in the public eye, people become familiar with your changes and growth. Blampa (PRODIGY Member) What other artists, past or present, do you draw alot of inspiration form? Deborah Gibson (Speaker) Always Billy Joel and Elton John. In the theatrical world, Barbra Streisand, Bette Midler and Patty Lupone. Currently in my CD player is Luis Miguel, Counting Crows and the soundtrack from Rent. I like good music in general, no matter what the style. Moderator (Speaker) Our thanks to Deborah Gibson for chatting with us tonight! Best of luck (or should I say "break a leg") with FUNNY GIRL, Deborah... We really enjoyed having you on tonight! Deborah Gibson (Speaker) Thank you all, I'm sorry I didn't get to answer every question, but it is time to put the vocal chords to bed... No, that is not me typing, I'm speaking to a typist! I'm looking forward to seeing you guys when I hit the road next week with Funny Girl. Good Night! Moderator (Speaker) Once again... Moderator (Speaker) The Pre-Broadway National tour of FUNNY GIRL opens in Pittsburgh in 2 weeks. It will play in the following cities in 1996: Pittsburgh (Heinz Hall); Richmond, Va (Mosque); Hershey, Pa (Hershey Theatre); Minneapolis (Orpheum); Green Bay, WI (Weidner); Denver (Buel Theatre); San Diego (Civic Center); Omaha (Orpheum Theatre); and San Francisco (Golden Gate Theatre)... Please contact the theatres for date and ticket info... The show will be in at least 18 other cities in 1997. More cities to come... In 1997, see FUNNY GIRL in Seattle (Paramount Thea.); Vancouver (Queen Elizabeth); Pasadena (Civic Center); Las Vegas (Aladdin Hotel); Costa Mesa (Orange Cty PAC); Portland (Civic Ctr); Houston (Jones Hall); Chicago (Shubert); Baltimore (Lyric Thea.); Cincinnati (Aronof); Memphis (Orpheum); Indianapolis (Clowes Thea); Phil, Pa (Merriam); Schenectady (Proctor's); Norfolk (Chrysler); Columbus (Palace); Toronto (O'Keefe); Dallas (Summer Musicals); and St Louis (Fox Theatre)... Thanks for the great questions everyone! Good night from New York... =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -= HUH?! =- Misty Cochran - Clarksville, Tennessee (MistyBC@aol.com) July 24, 1996 Hi there everyone! I have had this article sitting in my DebDrawer for months now, but am just now getting around to typing it out for you all! This is a rather, um, strange article. I had a subscription to this magazine called "huH", which can only be obtained by mail...you can't just go in the store and buy one. Usually, I just skimmed through the magazine, not even looking at every page. But luckily, this time, I was fairly bored and read the whole magazine. If I didn't, I might not have seen the full page article on Deborah on the last page. I must admit, I was laughing out loud while I read this article! The guy who wrote it was obviously a fan, which made it more interesting. Anyhow, here's the article, for all to read.... "Debbie Does Wow Us" [The _Think With Your Heart_ cover is in the top left corner.] *The Lovely Debbie Gibson goes on a date with the lowly Paul Semel. Sort of.* The Boy Scouts taught me to "always be prepared," but when I left the office to meet Debbie Gibson the other day I had no idea what I was going to say to her, this former teen pop sensation turned Broadway star turned post-teen pop sensation. Sure, Debbie's a real person and all, but her life just seems so diametrically opposed to my own. Geez, even Henry Rollins has more in common with Debbie Gibson than I do: Debbie Gibson: Doesn't drink. Doesn't smoke. Doesn't do drugs. Made some records. Has never had sex for money. Henry Rollins: Doesn't drink. Doesn't smoke. Doesn't do drugs. Made some records. Has never had sex for money. Paul Semel: Likes a good beer. Wishes he smoked because he thinks it looks cool. Wishes he could do drugs so he could write about it. Has some records. Has never had sex. First I had invited her to our office to listen to the new Smashing Pumpkins album (she bailed, too tired), then I thought we could go out and get drunk (see above chart), and then someone suggested that Deb and I go out and get our belly-buttons pierced ("You might've been able to twist my arm with that one," she said later). But I eventually went back to my original idea: a Debbie Gibson musical taste test. (Well, my original idea was actually to have her come to my apartment, where we'd listen to music and we'd play Nintendo and she'd fall hopelessly in love with me but I'd turn her down because she has a boyfriend and it would never work out anyway because we're totally different people - see above chart, again - and we'd never agree on simple things, such as wedding music or what TV shows to watch, let alone names for our kids - but that's not important now.) So I split from the office, heading back to Chez Semel (a beautiful 300 acre Spanish-Style ranch up in the Hollywood Hills) to grab some CD's and that boom box my mom bought me when I got my own desk at my old job (thanks, mom). Now this is probably what yer thinking: Dear God, what horrendous music did he make that poor girl listen to? Which is kind of what I was thinking: Dear God, what horrendous music can I make that poor girl listen to? After all, Deb's got the goody-goody/Sandra Dee image still lingering from when she did Electric Youth, even if she did just sing on a Circle Jerks album. By the time Debbie walked into the lobby of her hotel, I had it all figured out. Well, not really. Me: What I want to do I play a couple of different things and get your comments. Deb: Cool. This is more interesting than telling people where you were born. Besides, I sang with the Circle Jerks, you cannot scare me.... MC 900FT Jesus, "If I Only Had a Brain," from One Step Ahead of the Spider. Deb: I liked that. I'd put that on if I was getting ready to go out and wanted to feel attitude-y. Nine Inch Nails, "closer to god," from the "closer to god" CD single. Deb: Uh-Oh, "parental advisory." Get my mother. Me: I notice you're not tapping your feet this time. Deb: Yeah, the static approach is turning me off. It's very distracting. It's not like a good, clean groove like the other one. Primus, "Jerry Was a Race Car Driver," from Sailing the Seas of Cheese. Deb: Sailing the Seas of Cheese. I like these guys already, because if you asked me what my place in pop music was - especially with the first album - it was the cheesiest place you could imagine. No one else ever would've written "Shake Your Love," I can guarantee you. Which song is this? Me: "Jerry Was a Race Car Driver." Deb: This is cool too, I like this. I'd go see them live if I was feeling really out of it and I just wanted to clear my head and bop around and not think. If that makes any sense. Belly, "Super-Connected," from King. Deb: I don't like this. I don't like to hear breathy voices like that. I like people who belt it out. Metallica, "Disposable Heroes," from Master of Puppets. Me: This would be for when you come home and want to trash your apartment. Deb (laughing): Oh, that is what this is for. This is cool, though. I could picture this being played on violin; I picture these psycho violinists going "dit-dit-dit, ditty dit-dit-dit." It's got a classic rhythm. (She starts to do those conductor moves.) That's my impression. Me: If you ever want a career in writing reviews, we always need people to write about metal. Deb (laughing): I've read enough cynical reviews about myself that I could write a good one. Bauhaus, "Double Dare," from 1979-1983 Vol. 1. Me: Did you ever go through a gothic phase? Deb: (shakes her head) Me: No? Come on! You never got really depressed and listened to Joy Division? Deb: 'Fraid not. I've always been stable and happy. Makes for a really boring article, sorry. What is this? This is not good at all. This I'm just dying to turn off. Blues Traveler, "But Anyway," from Blues Traveler. Deb: I know within the first eleven seconds that this could prompt a trip to Tower Records. I really like this. (Starts to dance in her seat; prompting images of Debbie Gibson doing that hippie dance in a tie-dye skirt). Me: Some of these others you must know, so we don't have to play them. How about R.E.M.? Deb: I like them and respect them, but I don't find myself listening to them. Me: Black Sabbath? Deb: I can't say I've ever listened to Black Sabbath. Me: Oh, we'll have to put them on. Nirvana? Deb: I like Nirvana. Me: Hole? Deb: Not into Hole, I'm not a Courtney Love fan. I probably relate to her as much as she'd relate to me. Black Sabbath, "Sabbath, Bloody Sabbath," from Sabbath, Bloody Sabbath. Deb: This is kind of cool. Y'know what I like about this? This is kind of like theatrical rock. I think. Y'think? That change was kind of dramatic...in the way Queen was dramatic. Their music was very theatrical. Faith No More, "Digging the Grave," from King for a Day, Fool for a Lifetime. Deb: (starts to smile). Me: You always start to grin when I put on the heavy stuff. Deb: I know. I like the energy. I like the energy of this. I have CD's like this at home that I've literally bought just out of curiousity. I still had a few to go - Green Day, Live, John Coltrane's 45-minute free jazz version of "My Favorite Things" - but Debbie's mom arrived to drag the kid off to practice. At Debbie's insistence, it was me, not mom, that drove her to rehearsal studio. Unfortunately, the transcript of that conversation was taken by men in ill-fitting suits and mirrored sunglasses, though I did learn the following: (1.) Though she's just 25 years old, it was Debbie Gibson on the grassy knoll. (2.) Aliens have visited our planet, and Debbie has proof. (3.) Debbie used to jam with Jerry. (4.) Debbie's been thinking about a belly button ring. The next day, I dragged my roommate to see Debbie perform at the House of Blues. The crowd was pretty much what you'd expect: lots of teen-age girls, women who looked like they were teen-age girls when Debbie was a teen-age girl, and a couple of guys who looked like they still lived with their parents and wished they could meet a teen-age girl. Nothing too cultish, though; which is probably why Debbie didn't announce, "The streets will flow with the blood of non-believers!" in a Beavis-like Mexican accent. But as I sat there, listening to her sing (and she has a very nice voice), it dawned on me that Debbie and I might never be partners, might never be lovers, might never be friends. But Deb, babe, if you ever do decide to get your belly-button pierced, I wanna be there. -Paul Semel =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -= "DARE 2 DREAM" CONCERT REVIEW =- Sara Gauchat - New York, New York (NRGUP94@aol.com) September 29, 1996 D.G.I.F. Convention '96 - "Dare 2 Dream" Concert One could assume that to D.G.I.F. members, all is right with the world when Deborah Gibson is standing onstage belting out "We Could Be Together" with her well-known ripped jeans, four-circle necklace and dancers Buddy and Keeth leading a crowd of enthusiastic audience members onstage behind her. So, when this familiar sight marked the close of a recent special Saturday night show, the spirit all around was one of total elation after a remarkable evening of surprises and heartfelt emotion. This concert was an excursion into uncharted territories (as of late) for everyone involved. As the closing event of "Convention 96," the First Annual D.G.I.F. convention at the Sheraton Meadowlands in New Jersey on July 13, 1996, the "Dare 2 Dream" concert served as the closing event of the day's activities. Not only was this the first time Deborah had performed for an audience comprised solely of many of her biggest fans, but it also marked the first full-blown concert -- complete with a six-piece band, two back-up singers, dancers, and multiple costume changes -- she has given since (arguably) 1991's One Step Ahead tour. Deborah was able to take advantage of an audience she knew would be clamoring for material that was a break from her standard repertoire, and she chose many songs that she had either never performed before or decided to perform in a different format. As the rollicking opening beats of "Dontcha Want Me Now?" swelled from the speakers, Deborah appeared dramatically on the stage clad in (appropriately enough) a little black dress, tight black jacket, black heels, black sunglasses and topped it all off with a big black hat. Looking one part Madonna and one part Audrey Hepburn circa-"Breakfast at Tiffany's," Deborah brought wonderful life to the already knock-em-dead song as she exaggeratedly vamped around the stage. The concert stage was looking as eclectic as the show itself would prove to be. A simple black set-up was enhanced with a large disco ball, an overstuffed vintage-looking armchair (upon which was prominently featured the winning artwork from the day's contest -- the joint faces of Deb as both Rizzo and Sandy sipping a milkshake together -- which made for some triple vision when she was sitting beside it), a ukulele, a fancy stool that Deborah dragged out from time to time to perch on, and, of course, her black baby grand, which was topped off with a lit candelabra and a mini-Deb marionette puppet that she had been given by her mother. Also featured on the stage was a tall oak mirror frame (missing the actual mirror) which prompted Deb (always the ham) to do a little early "Funny Girl" rehearsal by sticking her face into it and exclaiming "Hello gorgeous!" with a thick New York/Jewish accent. Right after her powerhouse opening number, Deborah peeled some of her black accessories in favor of the same dress with a translucent jacket over it, allowing her long blond hair to flow down behind her. Without wasting any time, she went right into a energetic medley of "Staying Together," "Tear Down These Walls" and "Anything Is Possible." As always, Deborah was in full command of the stage -- almost seeming to fly from one end to the other at times. She certainly has not lost any of her concert stage presence for not having used it recently. Remarking that she had never performed the next song live before (prompting her guitar player to say, "That makes nine of us," which would be a running gag throughout the night), Deborah stood at her microphone to croon "Mood Swings." Next it was time to get funky as Buddy Casimano and Keeth "Stepp" Stewart joined an ever-grinning Deb onstage for a hilariously great medley of "Shake Your Groove Thing," "Shake Your Booty" and "Shake Your Love" -- which would not have been complete without all the disco moves and actual booty shaking that was going on onstage. It was obvious that Deborah was just having a fabulous time up there on the stage, and she was more than eager to share her enthusiasm with her equally enthusiastic audience (who, despite being seated at tables, couldn't help but be grooving in their chairs at the same time). After all the energy that Deborah so obviously used during that number, it was a perfect time to slow things down a bit. This was done with a beautiful medley of "No More Rhyme," "How Can This Be?" and "Goodbye," which gave her a chance to not only showcase the growing strength of her voice, but also to please a crowd that was dying to hear her lesser-performed songs. Then it was back to the piano herself for an extremely moving version of "Didn't Have the Heart." The next segment was undoubtedly one of the most fun (not to mention unexpected) parts of the show. Deborah booted her band offstage and brought Buddy and Keeth back on, where they continued the day-long reminiscing about the wild club dates they played when "Only in My Dreams" was just taking off. So, they decided to let the audience stroll with them down memory lane. They did "Fallen Angel" to the extended tracks, just as they used to -- same choreography (which was certainly apparent from the very beginning) and all. After that number, which the three of them simply could not get through without cracking up repeatedly, Deborah left Buddy and Keeth in charge while she ran off to change. When she returned in a green T-shirt and baggy overalls, the trio proceeded to do "Only in My Dreams" with the exact same choreography they used on the Out of the Blue tour. That was a riot to watch -- not to mention the great appreciation the audience gained for the now-apparent marked improvement in Deb's dancing skills since then. Proving that she knows just how to keep a show flowing evenly, Deborah slowed the tempo down significantly then, going back over to the piano for a lovely rendition of "For Better Or Worse." Moving along, Deborah talked about her relatively new-found love of country music and explained how the style has become much more melodic and actually musical (as opposed to it being just about how some guy's wife left him and his dog died), to which she got a resounding "Yee-haw!" from an audience member (which would become another running joke throughout the show as she would periodically have the whole room shout it out). She said she would be doing a few of her favorite country tunes that evening, and the first one she chose was "Your Love Amazes Me," the John Berry song that she said was one of the songs that most got her interested in country in the first place. The song sounded wonderful, but it sounded that way because she made it her own -- coming from her mouth makes it sound much more like a "Debbie Gibson song" than like an actual country song, because she just doesn't have that twang in her voice (not that many Long Islanders do). Deborah followed that up back at the piano for "Let's Run Away" and "Will You Love Me Tomorrow?". She then hopped up on the piano to put on a pair of tap shoes that she had been as eager as a little kid to put on all night, and while putting them on, remarked offhandedly, "You guys paid 75 bucks to watch me put on shoes," which met with hoots and hollers from her adoring audience. Buddy and Keeth came back out, also clad in overalls, and the three of them put on an amusing act to Deb singing "Too Fancy," a song which always has so much extra personality and spirit when she does it live. The promise of the tap shoes came to life next, as Deborah basically stunned her entire audience by doing a very complex extended tap number with her partner, Mark Goodman (who, ironically enough, was her typist for the online chat she did a few months ago). She said that she had been taking private lessons with him, and it became apparent that they were well worth it, as she executed a nearly flawless and rather difficult routine -- losing her footing only once and even then jumping right back into it with no problems. The crowd was in for a real treat next as Deborah went right into "Call Yourself A Lover," a rare tune that can be found on the Japanese "Think With Your Heart" album, and it sounded absolutely great for the first time live, especially since it is a song that allows her to combine her unstoppable energy with her everstrengthening vocal prowess. Then the band jammed on its own for a few minutes while Deb ran off to change, returning in her Eponine coat and a brown hat to do a spine-tingling version of "On My Own" that garnered her a standing ovation from the beyond-enthusiastic crowd. Deborah removed her coat after that to reveal a black suit with a salmon-colored shirt underneath. Immediately, she went into the scene from Grease that occurs before she sings "There Are Worse Things I Could Do," with Deb playing Rizzo and her friend Melissa Hayden (from "Guiding Light") playing Sandy. The skit, which Deb said the two of them just ran through once while they were getting ready in the bathroom, added a nice touch to her mind-blowingly perfect version of the song. After that, Deborah did a song called "Bill" that is from the musical "Showboat," and it was with this succession of showtunes that she got to show off her theater voice, and prove beyond the shadow of a doubt why she is a musical casting director's dream come true. Then it was time to head back down south for the rest of the country segment of the show. Deborah hopped back onto the piano to do her take on Reba McEntire's "She Thinks His Name Was John," which was a haunting song that was actually co-written by Deb's accompanist, Steve Rosen. Then as she was performing the next bit, a combination of "The Dance" and "The River" -- two more country songs that Deborah made come to life and sound just gorgeous -- she left the stage and walked completely around the room for the duration of the number. She paused to smile, make eye contact, and hold hands with many (including her mother), which made the songs even more special and personal for the audience. After "Foolish Beat" and introducing her band members (and sheepishly admitting that she did not know their last names), Deborah recruited her saxophone player to sing with her on "You're The One That I Want" from Grease. He was no Craig McLachlan, but the two of them brought the house down with the playful, good-time, hyper feel of this last song. It was a great way to wind up the main set, leaving the crowd extremely pumped and screaming for more as Deborah left the stage with a smile that seemed to almost make her face explode. When she returned to the stage to mixed chants of "Debbie" and "Deborah," she was decked out in the ripped and patched jeans, white T-shirt and the silver four-circle necklace. She could not have done anything at that moment to make the crowd go any more crazy than to step out in that outfit. Deborah had several bouquets of roses with her and she called various people up onstage to thank them for all the hard work they had done and to give them the flowers. She almost seemed overwhelmed by emotion here -- following a show that had been emotional from the start, then being up there with her co-workers and her family members -- it was obvious how fulfilling this experience was for Deborah. Without further ado, Deb kicked off the encores with the only-released-in-Japan "Without You," which sounded fantastic and seemed to be a definite crowd favorite. Then she headed back over to her baby grand for the last time to do, of course, "Lost In Your Eyes" -- she even climbed on top of the piano (a bit precariously, because the bench started slipping away from her) like she used to do all those years ago. Deborah has performed this song countless times, and she must be extremely sick of it, but she always manages to make it sound magical and even better than the last time. Finally it came down to the last song, which, at this point, was not going to be a surprise to anyone in this audience. As Buddy and Keeth were looking for tambourines, and the opening guitar chords of "We Could Be Together" rang out, the crowd exploded, with many jumping to their feet to clap and dance along. Deb kept it true to its original concert form, and by the end she had a small group of ecstatic audience members dancing onstage with her (and she even had her old black hat on after a fan gave her one). This song, which is a long-term personal favorite of both Deborah and her fans in general, has really become the feel-good Debbie Gibson fan concert anthem of sorts. It has never sounded better than it did then, and there was no more appropriate way to end this magical, personal night (and day) of interaction between Deborah and her fans. "I can't think of a better way to spend a Saturday night," remarked Deborah at one point during the show, and no truer statement could have been uttered for any of the people who shared that concert room with her that night. The nearly-three-hour concert was a unique gift from Deborah to her adoring fans, and it simple could not have been better. She was in top form, both mentally and physically, and her voice has never sounded better. But perhaps the best gift Deborah gave to her fans that night was the look on her face at the very end of the show -- her eyes were shining with emotion and her face was beaming with pride as she looked out at her devoted followers. It was at that moment that a joint realization really hit home -- it seemed that we truly realized how much Deborah means to us at the same time that she truly realized how much we mean to her. For better or worse, we're with each other. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -= DEBWATCH =- 9/15/96 : Weddings of a Lifetime (Lifetime) Deborah Gibson performed "For Better Or Worse" for the New York couple who had been given a "wedding of a lifetime" by the Lifetime cable network. (The program repeated on September 20th and 21st.) 10/04/96 : Access Hollywood (NBC) A brief story about Deborah being in "Funny Girl" aired featuring a glimpse at the show's rehearsals, as well as Deborah recording one of her new songs "Only Words" in the studio. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -= CLOSING REMARKS =- D.G.I.F. Volume 8, Issue 2, the convention issue, was sent out at the end of August. It features many articles written by fan club members who attended the convention. It also contained many full color photos of the convention. D.G.I.F. has started their fundraiser early this year. Fan club members can raise money for Deborah's special charity St. Mary's Children and Family Services while qualifying for special prizes which include autographed photos and CDs, the SouthEast Asia tour video as seen at the convention, and trips and tickets to "Funny Girl." According to the New York DAILY NEWS, Deborah has filmed a commercial celebrating Italian American history. A CD sampler entitled "Sneak Preview" is now available from D.G.I.F. and at "Funny Girl" shows. This four track CD released by Deborah Gibson on Espiritu Records contains three original songs plus "Don't Rain On My Parade" from "Funny Girl." The other songs are: "Ode To A Would Be Lover", "Only Words", and "Naturally." Espiritu Records is a new independent label created by Deborah Gibson and her family. The label's first major release (after "Sneak Preview") is _Deborah_ which will contain 15 tracks (13 originals, "People" and "Don't Rain On My Parade" from "Funny Girl"). According to the Espiritu phone hotline at 212-849-8280, the album will be available on CD and cassette on November 1st.