August 2006

Hi Deana & John,

I have a good idea for a double CD; you should put your dad's first album & his last ‘Nashville Sessions’ with a bonus DVD track of all his studio recordings. His fans would love it, and don't forget LA is my home, for the Grand finale.

p.s. Ask Jimmy Bowen to come out of retirement to help you with it, he loved your Dad. I think he lives in Hawaii.

That’s Amore
Nancy Kibler

Hi Nancy,

That’s an excellent idea. I haven’t seen Jimmy Bowen in years. It would be nice to re connect with him. OK Nancy, I’m going to do it and I will let you know what happens. Thank you.

Deana

Hi Deana,

I have a dear friend that just lost his wife in June of 25 years. He was also a victim of Katina/Rita. He named his son after your father! Would it be possible to get an autographed copy of your new book for him for a Christmas present?  How would I get one?  Trying to bring some cheer to someone that has lost so much this past year. 

Thank you for your time.
Penny Schlueter

Hi Penny,

Contact my publicist, Charles Lago at the following address and he will see what he can do.
555 S. Sunrise Way, Suite 201
Palm Springs, CA  92264
charles@authorsontour.net

Deana

Hello Deana,

My wife and I live in Springfield and enjoy visiting Vegas at least 2 times a year and we read that you may take in Sonny King after his cancer treatment.  I understand that he was an old roommate and close friend of your Dad. We love the old Las Vegas and the old Las Vegas people that are still around deserve respect, which most of the younger generation seldom gives them. I applaud you for helping take care of your father's friends and if Sonny every feels like performing again, let us know. I enjoy you and Les on the radio when I am not at work.  I just wish you came on earlier, but I doubt that you do.

Good Luck
Neal and Alison Calton

Hi Neal and Alison,

I love my Uncle Sonny…and I miss him dearly.

Deana

Hello Deana,

I have been a fan of your Dads for 55 years. Of course have all his music and movies. I read your book and just wanted to thank you. It helped me to understand him better. He has gotten me threw some tough times in my life including losing my husband, would like to hear from you but if not thanks again.

p.s. God be with you

Mimi Harp

Hi Mimi,

I am happy to hear you enjoyed my book and I am deeply sorry to hear of your loss. Please stay well and write soon.

Deana

Dear Deana,

Hello, My mom is a huge Dean Martin fan. I bought her the singing doll, and she won't even take him out of the box. She has all of the CD's, I have ever seen of him. She attends the Steubenville show every year and she also sings some of his songs in the shows she performs in. Her favorite songs are the ones he did in Italian. I wanted to get my mom something special for Christmas this year. Every year I try to surprise her and every year I fail. I wanted to make her a Dean Martin quilt but I can't find the material. Is there a website or store I can look for it at? Anywhere that I could find anything on Dean would be great. I have searched the web, called special ordering places and ask pretty much everyone I know if they had ever seen anything. But I have hit a wall; there are not enough Dean products! I am also looking for a life size poster of him, which I couldn't find either. My mom buys all of the Dean Martin things she sees, so I want to get her something unique. If you can think of anything I could get for her for Christmas, I would welcome the help! I really want to surprise her this year.

Thank You,
Trina Socha
PS. I'll check back later to see when the store on this sight is opened.

Hi Trina,

My new tribute CD to my Father and his Pallies called, ’Memories Are Made Of This’ is currently available at all record stores and online. I know she will enjoy it.

Deana

Dear Deana,

When I was much younger I was so envious of you Deana as you were seeing Davy Jones of The Monkees. My Dad's favorite singer was Dean Martin and mine were The Monkees. I still have Tiger Beat magazines with pictures of you and Davy. Later on I discovered that my Dad was right - Dean Martin was a great singer. I have a lot of his CD's and when I drive on a long trip I pop one in and just enjoy! I just finished reading your book. It was great. I cried and laughed.

Take care,
M. McJannet
Winnipeg, Canada

Hi M. McJannet,

Oh my! Tiger Beat. Davy Jones was so cute…and still is. I would love to see your Tiger Beat Magazine. Is that possible? Please let me know.

Deana

Hello Deana,

I have been listening to your radio show on 730 AM here in Charleston SC for many months and just read your book. I've seen your biography of your Dad on TV and really admire who you are and what you've done with your life. The book was fabulous and very touching. I knew it would be. My Mom who passed away just a year ago tells a story about your Dad that has always touched my heart. Apparently late in 1939 or 1940 your Dad was playing in Lake Hopatcong, NJ and your Mom was in the audience. My mom was with a group of people that loved your Dad and his shows. Mom told me that Dean was the craziest entertainer she had ever seen, and that was something since she grew up next door to Frank Sinatra in Hoboken, NJ. However, that wasn't what touched me so....Mom told me that Dean's wife sat and just took in every song and everything your Dad did. Mom said she would never forget how much "that woman" just adored her husband! The club they were at was on the Lake and Mom said after the show your Dad and his friends just jumped in with clothes on and all and started being crazy. Life has been good for me and I miss my Mom very much, but when I read your book I realized just how wonderful, yet different your life must have been. God Bless you for keeping your Dad's image real and while it must of been difficult to admit some of the things your wrote it is heart warming to see your love for him is still so strong. My Mom was exactly your dad's age and I am exactly your age. It doesn't matter how old we get, love and memories are wonderful. I may see you on your trip to Tuscany.

Lina Costanzo

Hi Lina,

“It doesn't matter how old we get, love and memories are wonderful.” Beautifully written Lina, and so very true. Thank you for sharing your Mother’s story about my Father performing at Lake Hopatcong. I loved your email and I look forward to meeting you in Tuscany.

Deana

Hi Deana,

A few weeks back I shared how my then 18 month old daughter would sing along with "Lay Some Happiness On Me" while we were driving in the car and that I actually had videotaped her doing that. You wrote me back and suggested that I take it with me to Steubenville for the Dean Martin film festival. I have had surgery on my arm to repair a torn tendon and will not be able to attend. Would you want me to send a copy of that video (on VHS or DVD) to someone for the festival? I regret that I won't be able to attend, but it the video does strike me as hilarious and would be more than happy to send it along. Thanks! By the way, I am listening to your program right now (Sunday night at 10 PM) on my computer. Great show!

Hi Mike,

It’s nice to hear from you and I am sorry to hear you will be unable to attend the festival. I would love a copy of your video and DVD would be preferable. Please send a copy to:
Deana Martin
c/o Big Fish Records
3000 Green Mountain Dr., #107
Branson, MO  65616

Feel better soon and I'm happy to hear you like the show.

Deana

Hello Deana,

My name is Frank Ellis and your father was my lifetime idol. I was the featured performer at the first three Dean Martin Festivals. I walked with your father for two days at the Bing Crosby Golf Tournament at Pebble Beach. I was wondering if you would like me to make an appearance at you father's 10th anniversary celebration. I would love to hear from you Deana. And as your father would say.....Everybody Loves Somebody Sometime....and I love all of you!

Frank Ellis

Hi Frank,

I loved watching my Dad play golf. I hope you enjoyed those days. Rose Angelica handles all the scheduling for appearances for the Dean Martin Festival. You can reach her at: xrowrose@hotmail.com.

Deana

Hi Deana,

Just listened to the mp3 clips Deana, Nice job!

Frank Lamphere

Hi Frank,

Coming from you, another musician that means a great deal to me. Thank you.

Deana

Hello Deana,

What a great event. Just moved here to Pittsburgh from Detroit and had no idea!  I work in broadcasting am going to try to get over there to enjoy the vibe!  Big fan of Mr. Martin.

Alex Tear

Hi Alex,

I look forward to seeing you there.

Deana

Hello Deana,

No questions.....just thank you for keeping you dad's memory alive. I am 43 years old and still can remember begging my parents to stay up on Thursday nights to watch the Dean Martin show. I listen to him every day driving to work, Mambo Italiano is my ultimate favorite. He was and still is a very special person.

Janet Opalanko

Hi Janet,

I agree, he still is a very special person to me too. Mambo Italiano is also one of my favorites and I’ve recorded it on my new CD ‘Memories Are Made Of This.

Deana

Hi Deana,

I heard you mention on the radio that a list of the winners of your book would be posted on the web. Could you please direct me to that site? I would like to see if I was one of the winners.

Thanks,
Phil Manteca, CA.

Hi Phil,

Just go to my website, 'deanamartin.com' and click on 'Radio'-scroll down to 'Contest Winners'-then click on  -'You can view our current list of winners by clicking here.' You are one of the lucky winners Phil, so congratulations.

Deana

Hi Deana,

I’ve always been a fan and seen your father in London in 1983 he’s my idol I would like to know have you any plans for a Dino meeting in the United Kingdom

All my regards,
James Clements

Hi James,

What a wonderful idea; a Dean Martin Festival in England. Let’s talk.

Deana

Dear Deana,

Did Dean Martin ever record "Its A Marshmellow " world?

Thanks,
Joseph Forlenza

Hi Joseph,

Yes he did, but it is called “A Marshmallow World,” and I loved it. I am recording this song next month and hopefully it will be out for Christmas.

Deana

Hi Deana,

I listen to you and Les practically every day and thoroughly enjoy the music, banter and memories they evoke. I would love to receive information on your Italy trip this November. I lived in Saudi Arabia for 23 years and made and sold pizzas on camp. My slogan was "Pizzas created by a Slovenian with an Italian heart." I look forward to hearing from you.

Fran

Hi Fran,

All the information about our Tuscany trip can be found at : http://www.clubabc.com/?action=music
Hope to see you there; it will be a lot of fun.

Deana

Hi Deana,

Just read your book.  Fabulous.  Grew up with your father's music.  My mom and dad would play it when they came home from the clubs with their friends for the "after" parties.  I would wake up and listen. The best!  And the show, never would miss it and now I have the DVD’s. Just returned from my best friend's nephew's wedding weekend, where your father's music was prevalent at the groom's dinner AND the wedding dance.  My question, and the reason I looked up your site: is Grandma Angela's pasta fagioli recipe you provided in your book just that simple? So many other recipes call for tons of garlic and tomato.  I want to taste it the way your father liked it.  By the way, you are gorgeous, as beautiful as your pa was handsome.  I'd love to make the gig in Steubenville, is there a (second question) contingent of motorcyclists there? Again, thanks for the book.  It touched me on many levels.

Paul Eidsness

Hi Paul,

As you know, my recipe for pasta fagioli is from my Grandmother Angela. It was indeed my Father’s favorite and I loved making it for him. If you make it exactly as the recipe is written, you will know just how my Father loved it. And as for motorcycles, we love them. What type do you ride? A fun story; I rode with my Dad on the back of his Triumph, to see the Beatles in concert. Needless to say, an incredible evening.

Deana

Hi Deana,

We are long time fans of your father and all you do.  Do you ever need volunteers to help you in any of your endeavors?  We are school administrators and would love to contribute to all you do in the name of your lovely father. 

Thank you,
Kathy Shook

Hi Kathy,

We would be honored to have you join the Dean Martin Festival Committee. It is certainly a labor of love for those of us who participate. Please contact our director Rose Angelica at: xrowrose@hotmail.com. She is a retired teacher and her husband Rich is a retired principal. So you are in great company.

Deana

Dear Deana,

First, I just want to tell you that my two brothers grew up with Dino in our home. I'm 21, but my father is 62. He grew up in Ohio, also, so that's another connection that my father mentioned about himself and Dino quite often. I absolutely love his style, his look, his attitude, his humor, and his voice. He was a brilliant, brilliant artist, and is very greatly missed. I know that by my own personal experience with those like myself, who have grown up with Dino around. I was just a young boy when he died, but it hurt me. It hurt my father. It hurt my family. His is still dearly missed, to this very day. We attend the festival whenever possible, for we try to get all of our vacation times to coexist during Dino's week in June. Second, you are awesome. I love your voice, I love the book, and I love your efforts to make the ways of your father known to everyone. I was just wondering, though, if Dean had favorite cologne?

Alex Jackson

Hi Alex,

Yes, my Father had favorite cologne, and it was Woodhue by Faberge. Thank you for your very poignant letter. I miss him too.

Deana

Hi Deana, 

I have a very special friend that is a big Dean Martin fan.  Every year I try to buy something with Dean Martin on it.  I am having trouble finding anything this year. We live in Youngstown, OH and visit the festival. Would appreciate if you can help me in any way. 

Thanks,
Karen

Hi Karen,

My new CD ‘Memories Are Made Of This’ is a tribute to my Father and his Pallies. You can find it in record stores and on line now. It’s filled with my father’s songs and lot’s of great photos.

Deana

Dear Deana,

I hope your well. I have just read your book and I thought it was just great. I like you, work in radio, and I was wondering is it possible to purchase a copy signed purely for my own collection? All the best from all the Dean martin fans in Ireland.

Paul McDevitt

Hi Paul,

Yes, it is possible. This is directly from my web site. Just go to deanamartin.com. When the splash page comes up, look in the bottom right hand corner and click on the little box that says ‘Contact Information’. I hope this helps.

Deana

(I would like Deana to autograph my items. (Books, CD's, Videos, etc)
Deana is happy to sign your personal items.  Please send them through the postal system to Deana's mailing address on the left.  For a safe return, make sure you include a SASE (self-addressed stamped envelope) large enough to hold your items and please ensure that "Autograph Request" is printed clearly above Deana's mailing address.  Deana is happy to autograph your personal items, but please be patient with your requests. )

Dear Deana,

I had the happy experience to meet you last night, when you signed a copy of your book in the Borders Books of Westlake, Ohio.  It was fun to hear you speak so fondly of your dad.  It is perhaps an understatement to say that we all loved him.  It's hard to imagine the world without him.
I hesitated to mention last night that I had the good fortune to meet and work with your brother, Dean Paul, way back in 1970.  I was in an improv group at the time.  Together with your brother and others, we all appeared on a television show called, "Your All-American College Show," that taped in the Goldwyn Studios in Hollywood.  Dean Paul stayed friends with my group for a time, while my group performed in California.  I was always impressed by his simple sincerity and friendly manner.
You have quite a family and must be very proud of its contribution to the world, both through your father and his children!  It was such a pleasure to meet you.

Sincerely,
Steve Renier

Hi Steve,

Thank you for the wonderful email and for sharing your story. It was a pleasure meeting you also. I love and miss my darling brother Dean Paul.

Deana

Hello Deana,
Thank you for a beautiful love story..."Memories Are Made Of This", Thank you and thank all the wonderful people that keep his passion alive by continuing to listen to his music. Which is the greatest gift he left us all!!!

Maria Webbert

Hi Maria,

I couldn’t agree with you more and it was beautifully said.

Deana

Dear Deana,

In January 1954, a week before my 17th birthday, I attended my prom in NYC. Afterwards we went to the Copa Cabana where the entertainment was Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis. What a night.
I was also in attendance at the only performance of Dean, Sammy and Frank at the Oakland CA arena in 1988. I have a pristine copy of the evening's program, which I would like to make available to you, should you desire it. I was a great fan of all 3, as well as the dignified manner in which their children carry on with the torch.

Thank you for your consideration,
Manny Brooks
Tracy, CA

Hi Manny,

I would to have the program Manny, thank you very much. My address is:
Deana Martin
c/o Big Fish Records
3000 Green Mountain Dr., #107
Branson, MO  65616

Deana

Hi Deana,
I just have a quick question.  I often wonder about Sammy's wife Altovise (I think that was her name) I hope she's doing okay.

Debby Kydland
Lacey Washington

Hi Debby,

Altovise is doing wonderfully. I saw her not long ago and she as beautiful as ever. Thank you for asking.

Deana

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