Hi,
I wanted you to know that my 10-month-old niece Gracie loves your father's music.
Whenever she starts to cry in the car my sister puts in one of his CD's
and she quiets right down. My mother has a Dean doll that sings. Gracie
just loves it! She will be our families fourth generation Dean Martin fan.
Thanks!
Debbie
Hello Deana!
I live in Canton Ohio and I was so looking forward to your father's
festival in Steubenville this year and attend to your book
signing but I have to work this year during the festival weekend.
Perhaps next year I will make the festival.
I just wanted to let you know how much your father's music, movies
and TV's shows are enjoyed and appreciated! At this very moment,
while at work, I am listening to his recordings as I often do while
at work. I even have my co-workers listening to his CD's and they
enjoy them also!
Thanks for
keeping your father's legends and music in the public eye! I
truly enjoy his many talents from his Martin
& Lewis days to the present collection of his songs on CD!!!
I hope to make
next years festival and if you are there next year, could I bring
my book and could you possibly sign it for me please?
Thanks so much
Deana!
Max
Hi Max,
I look
forward to meeting you at the festival year, and I will be
happy to sign your book.
Deana
Hi Deana and
John,
My best friend Al and I (two Al's with Deana in the middle!) had
some pictures taken with you at the Waterfront (Homestead, PA)
book signing this winter. Since I am the guy who lost ALL of the
pictures from my new (confusing) digital camera at last year's
festival, I plan to come down from Pittsburgh to see if I can purchase
another (autographed) book for one of my sons and also respectfully
ask if you will autograph the picture for me. I plan to frame and
hang it beside your Dad's autographed picture. Hope to see you
on the 17th.
Very sincerely,
Al Vaccaro
Hi Al,
I am
always happy to see my two Als.
Deana
Dear Deana,
I really loved
your fathers singing and his shows. I am only sorry that when
they were first aired on TV I was only 10. I am purchasing his
shows and roasts now but would like to know why don't they offer
his complete shows by seasons. I am sure people would love to
purchase them. I know I would. The way they sell them now cuts
alot of things out and I would love to see it all. He was so
handsome and now that I am older I really appreciate him for
his music and his looks. I read your book also and think it was
wonderful. I am also going on June 30th to the Hearthstone Manor
to see your brother Rickie I can't wait.
Thanks,
Joy
Deana,
I don't have a question, just want you to know how much my son
who is Down syndrome, loves your dad so much. He is 38yrs.
old and he grew up listening to Dean all the time. Sunday dinner
background music was always Dean & Frank. Of course being
Italian helps, Ha! Read your book and loved it.
See you at
the Festival,
Teresa
Deana,
I have no question, just a comment. I was hired by you and your
husband to videotape your husband's dad's funeral at Arlington
National Cemetery, back in the mid 1990's. I gave you a ride,
in my big yellow Cadillac, back to your hotel and then to your
husband's family's home in Arlington, VA. I just wanted to
say that I have been to Las Vegas twice and have researched
more about your late father. He really had a good soul and
a good attitude. He may have been the best "diplomat" for
the Rat Pack. My late father loved his show and would shush
us kids up so as not to interrupt his attentive viewing of
it. I continue to videotape funerals at Arlington Cemetery
and am glad to have served you and your husband. Take care.
God be with
you folks,
Kit
Hi Kit,
It’s
nice to hear from you and yes we do remember you. Thank you
so much for the your kind words. We will always appreciate
the video and the ride.
Deana
Hi Deana,
I just wanted to let you know my name was chosen because of my
mother's love for your father. She had heard that Dean had
a daughter and she fell in love with the name. When I was born,
my mother said I was definitely a Deana!! I'm 33 years old.
Love,
Deana.
Hi Deana,
I’m
happy to hear that we are both named after my wonderful father
and I’m happy to see that you spell it correctly.
Deana
Hi, Deana,
I am a "Dean" and "Elvis" fan and was just
wondering if they ever met...How great it was to just click and
see the photo of you and your sibling with Elvis! Do you have a
photo you could post with Dean and Elvis? Thanks so much! I will
be at the Festival June 18th and hope to meet you!
Carol
Hi Carol,
I talk
about their friendship in my book, “Memeories Are Made
Of This.” They were Palies. Also in the book, there is
a very cute telegram that Elvis sent to my father. I’m
certain you will enjoy it.
Deana
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear
Deana,
Hi just writing
to thank you and John for making our visit to Steubenville best
vacation ever. You and John are a lovely couple and it was a
thrill and pleasure to meet you. I will treasure the book you
signed and thank you for the cards you signed with Mario to give
me. It was also great to be able to sing a couple of you're dads
song at the 909. I hope you come to a town near us later this
year on you're book signing tour it would be great to see you
both, failing that we hope to return for next years festival.
God bless you
both,
Bill, Celia and Maureen
Hi Bill, Celia and Marueen,
It's
great to hear from you and it was wonderful meeting you. You
helped to make the festival a a wonderful event. The book tour
starts in November and I hope to see all of you then. Keep
singing.
Deana
Hello Deana,
How are you
doing?
Hoping Mr. Garrison's death wont mean there aren't any more of
those DVDs of the show coming out! They were pretty great!
Still, I'd miss his warm, loving commentary!
By the way,
Regis said - ON JUNE 17th - That is was Dean's birthday! You
MUST get him back for this!! Be unmerciful!!
Hope things
are going well and you had a great time in Steubenville. Friends
say you were great and they had a wonderful time there!!
Best,
kimmmy
Hi Deana,
I'm still mesmerized
by the absolute smoothness that was Dean. I don't need to tell
you that he was the consummate performer. I still can't get enough
of him on CD's, movies, or T.V. He pretty much gave us (anybody
who thinks they can sing) all a template on how to conduct ourselves
no matter the situation and I honestly feel like I knew him.
That's the genius I'm guessing...Either way, so glad that you're
keeping the flame alive. My question to you is this: I know that
Dean's entombed in a mausoleum nearby Marilyn Monroe's crypt.
But I was wondering, did he ever think he would be placed there
and what do you think of Hugh Hefner's recent bid to be memorialized
there as well? Was this something that he ever talked about,
(I'm sure it would've been in jest either way, so I feel somewhat
comfortable in talking about it to you...) or was this just something
that occurred without much consideration? I did however think
that the inscription "You're nobody till somebody loves
you" was somewhat apropos. Was that his wish as well, or
did he want to do something along those lines because it was
such a big seller?
I still say
that there is a dearth of talent since your father left us and
am more than thankful that we still have so many things to remind
us of his myriad talents. I will always treasure his contributions
and still miss his every note, line, quip and humorous aside.
You know, his was a smile that was so genuine it should be listed
as "sincere" in the dictionary.
Although I
know it was and remains somewhat of an emotional burden to you
in some way, I just wanted you to know that I can honestly say
that all of Dean's fans, to a person I'm sure, would probably
say:
"Thanks
again for sharing your father with us, then and now, both you
and he will always be appreciated for not only his time spent
with us, but for your sacrifice as well."
"How I
love to hear the choir..."
Now he's with 'em and most of them are probably pissed because
his singing is so effortless and his robe and wings are so damn
stylish.... God bless him.
Thanks for
your time,
W. J. (Billy) Wright
Hi Billy,
Yes,
it was dad's wishes to be buried at Pierce Brothers in Westwood,
CA. My Grandparents , Guy and Angela are also there. As for
Dad's inscription, it was my suggestion that we use "Everybody
Loves Somebody Sometime."
And thank you Billy for the kind thoughts.
Deana
Deana/Dina/Deeeana,
(Just a joke)
I have always wondered was your dad right handed or left handed?
And I also just wanted to say I have read every book on your dad
and I love the way he sings not just to sound like everyone else
who loves him but he was the KING OF COOL, I guess I was just born
too late. People call me an old soul because I love singers like
your dad, Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Perry Como, Nat King Cole
and all the crooners of that time. I love Martin and Lewis!! I
am only 14 yrs old, I really do wish I had a chance to see him
and/or the Rat Pack perform. I also wonder if it is possible to
get autographs from both Jerry Lewis and yourself?
All the best,
Alex
Hi Alex,
My
father was right handed.
Deana
Deana,
I do not really
have a question. I just wanted to say how thrilled I am that
you wrote a book. I ordered it through Amazon. I can't wait to
read it. Growing up I got every magazine that featured your family.
I also purchased Riccis' book.
Janine
Dear Deana,
This is not
really a question but I just wanted you to know that I had a
very BAD childhood and I really got into Frank and your father
when I was about 8yrs old. I am 27 now and my kids really enjoy
your father. I have a 4yrs old who since he was 1 and a half
he had thought he is "Dean Martin" because he knows
EVERY Frank, Dean, Rat Pack song there is. He watches all the
movies he can. On your dad's birthday he didn't do Anything until
all of your dad's movies where off of the TV. Well I hope you
have a Great Day.
Thank you for
your time.
Aimee
Hi Deana,
I hope if you
were going to come to Illinois, I'm not too late in writing.
I live in the Chicagoland area. Bloomingdale to be exact. Will
you be touring in or around Chicagoland? Thank you so much for
taking the time to write me back, I know you must be very busy.
Sincerely,
Brenda
Hello Brenda,
Yes,
I will be returning to the Chicagoland area by the first of
the year. Hope to see you then.
Deana
Hello Deana,
I had the pleasure
of meeting you in Steubenville at Naples Restaurant. Thank you
for signing the menu! My question is what was the name of the
club in Steubenville your grandfather Guy was a member of? My
great uncle was also a member and I can't remember the name.
Thanks,
Pete
Hi Pete,
Theta
Chi Alpha is the name of the Italian men's club and it still
exists today. My grandfather Guy and my father were both members.
My father's friends Mindy Costanza and Mario Camerlengo are
still prominent members today.
Deana
HI
DEANA!
I hope all goes well for the festival! I made Rose some stickers
for it with you on them!:)
I was wondering
- Regis said he'd done another Variety Show ad on Dean's actual
set (wow - imagine having a piece of the actual furniture! Though
I guess you MIGHT ...:) Anyway, we're all HOPING the DVD club
will keep putting out more new videos.
We were all
so sad to hear Mr. Garrison died. He could make me cry, the way
he talked about your dad. He did such great intros to some of
the pieces and especially the 'That's Amore' one - I loved that!!
Anyway, a lot
of people on my Dinopallies list keep asking if there will be
more. I hope he had some stuff in the can or that someone can
take over it. We'd love to have all the episodes, complete, of
course. But we'll settle for ANYTHING!!
Well, I hope
the festival is GREAT!
Kimmy
And Dover
PS did you
see Empire Falls - which Dennis Farina was just in? It was great,
he was great (though he was a jerk in the story!). I really like
him.
Hi Kimmy,
It’s
always great to hear from you. Thank you for your kind words
about Greg Garrison. He will truly be missed. As for the Dean
Martin Shows, our hope is that the shows will keep coming and
who knows…we would love to see the shows released in
their entirety also. Love to Dover.
Deana
Hello Deana,
I am a member of Kim Fuller's 'Dinopallies' Yahoo Group and have
been a HUGE fan of your Dad's since I was 10 years old :) He
was and still is my first HUGE crush. I just ADORED him :)
Your Dad sent me an inscribed photo after I had written to
him when I was 10-years old. It was the mushiest letter I had
ever written and he must have been laughing hysterically after
reading it......... I cannot tell you what receiving that photo
meant to me. I cherished it and still have it displayed in
my home to this day :) It was the absolute highlight of my
life and is my most cherished piece of memorabilia.
I was so sorry to hear of Greg Garrison's recent passing. He
so loved your Dad and he expressed the kinds of feelings that
we all shared for your father. I was so grateful that he was
instrumental in the release of your Dad's
"Best Of The Variety Shows". I LOVE them!!! I have them
ALL on DVD and some on VHS when DVD's were not yet available. I
would have so loved to have the complete shows, but am just so
grateful to have the complete set of 25 volumes. I am hoping that
Mr. Garrison's passing will not put a halt to any future DVD releases.
Having complete shows would have been a dream come true. Also,
any LIVE Concert releases would be WONDERFUL to own as well. I
especially LOVED when your Dad sang his couch song each week. He
just put this 10-year old girl in a trance... One song that will
ALWAYS be one of my FAV couch songs he ever sang is "My Woman,
My Woman, My Wife". He sang that song with such emotion and
it was so poignant and ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL. With each new volume
of his "Best Of The Dean Martin Variety Show" DVD's,
I was so hoping that song would have been included, but it wasn't.
It is rare treasures like this that I would, and I know many fans
would, LOVE to see released. There is just so much still in the
vaults, I am sure. I know that speaking not only for myself, but
for my other Pallies as well, we would be the first in line to
purchase any additional DVD's so I am hoping that there will be
future material released. Your Dad's "That's Amore" DVD
is one of my FAV DVD's. I must have watched that DVD about 200
times. I have to tell you....my home is a dedication to your Dad....very
much like a shrine....filled with a multitude of photographs....some
signed and others unsigned. He was just such a WONDERFUL man as
well as the GREATEST entertainer and singer who ever lived...bar
none. He helped to shape my life in a very positive way. I just
want to say "thank you" for sharing your father with
us. Your book, by the way, was GREAT. I enjoyed your brother Ricci's
book too, but I felt that your book gave us a better insight as
to what your Dad was really like.... the good and the not so complimentary.
Thank you for letting us share in that part of your life and for
sharing your Dad with us. I hope that things with the Steubenville
Festival are going well. One day I plan on making a trip to attend
the festivities. Thanks again Deana!
Respectfully,
Susan
Hi Susan,
It’s
very nice to hear from you. Thanks for your kind thoughts concerning
Greg Garrison and my father. They are both missed.
Deana
Hi to you Deana,
I live in New Zealand while my father (a keen and long standing
supporter of your father's work!) resides in England. While
he likes to claim he has all of Dean's work on record (which
is pretty difficult to achieve, specifically the old 78's),
I still surprise him with some rare 45 finds that were released
in Australia over the years.
My family (we) is meeting up with my parents in LA at the beginning
of July 05, to do the Disney etc. BUT also, to give him a tour
of Hollywood Boulevard etc. Dad has many contacts and friends in
England for which he has exhausted the Dean Martin channels of "easy
listening" but has never managed to get to grips with the
U.S. record industry for the Rat Pack era. Can you give some pointers
to help with this? Specifically, contacts, places to go or people
to see (in and around LA and Las Vegas) - this is his first and
most likely last trip to LA and would be nice to make it special
Kind Regards
and much appreciation in advance for your efforts or any insights
Hope the festival
goes well over the next few days
Regards,
Chris
Hi Chris,
The
Dean Martin Festival was hugely successful with our greatest
attendance to date. Dennis Farina was the Grand Marshall and
we raised lots of money for the Dean Martin Scholarships. I
am happy to hear that both you and your father are Dean Martin
fans. As for your trip to LA, I would recommend that you have
dinner at my father’s favorite restaurant, Da Vinci’s
Ristorante, located at 9737 Santa Monica Blvd. Beverly Hills,
CA 90212.
Deana
Dear Deana,
I enjoyed reading your book very much. I even tried to make the
Pasta Fagioli. Any chance you can sneak me the secret ingredient?
I'm just turning 40 and have been a fan of your dad's since
I was a kid. My father introduced me to the old Martin and
Lewis movies. I lost my dad at a young age and the old black
and white photos of him with his curly slicked back hair always
reminded me of Dean. Perhaps that's why I'm such a huge fan
still today.
This past weekend I made my first trip to Beverly Hills/Hollywood
and the surrounding area to see some of Dean's old stomping grounds.
I visited Palace Theatre across from Capitol Records, Grumman’s
Chinese Theater (to put my hand in Dean's handprint), drove by
his 2002 Loma Vista Drive (former residence), and visited his grave
at Westwood Memorial Park. The red roses placed there were fresh
and beautiful and it appeared someone had recently put a few drops
of red wine on the ground below his grave. It was a meaningful
experience and a pilgrimage for me. I know much has changed in
this area of Los Angeles, but are there any restaurants there still
in existence that your dad frequented?
Tom
Hi Tom,
It
sounds like you had a great visit. Thank you for paying your
respects to my father. It’s very touching and greatly
appreciated. And, my father’s favorite restaurant was,
Da Vinci’s Ristorante, located at 9737 Santa Monica Blvd.
Beverly Hills, CA 90212. My husband John and I dine there often.
Deana
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