Hi Deana,
First I must tell you how I came to e-mail you. I watched a very
good biography on your Father just now on the biography channel.
I do not remember watching a lot of him as I am 46, but I do remember
some shows and scenes. I saw you on there and thought you are very
pretty, so I wanted to see what you looked like in the 70's. That’s
the truth; ANYWAY, while looking for that I ran across your filmography
and thought it was wild you were on a Monkee's show. So I guess
that was pretty cool huh? Sooo, my real question through all of
this was... On your dads biography show, it looked like a couple
of like home film clips were shot on a yacht or big boat. Being
I'm a Riverkeeper and into boats etc I was wondering if he had
a big boat? If so do you remember it and know how big, what kind
etc and what ever happened to it. I'll bet some good times were
had on it and think it would be really cool if it was still around
and preserved. I also think it is really cool you take the time
to talk to regular folks like me. I hope life blesses you. You
can find out what a Riverkeeper is at www.blackwaternottoway.com
If your ever in Virginia and would like to see a pretty river and
get away from the crowds, I can certainly make that happen.
Peace,
Jeff Turner
Blackwater Nottoway Riverkeeper
Dear Jeff,
I love Virginia. My sister-in-law Eva and her family live
there and I have always found it a beautiful place to visit.
The boat you saw on Biography belonged to John Wayne. Dad used
to call it Duke Wayne’s Boot.
Deana
Deana,
My wife & I enjoy your radio show each AM and we are driving
from Indiana to join you in Branson. If you have a question & answer
time I have a couple (we will be buying your book & record
so maybe its in your book). We know about your brother’s
tragic accident but do you have any other siblings & are they
in the business? Is your Mom still alive & if so where does
she live? Natalie Cole made a record using her Dads voice & she
sang along with him, would you ever consider doing the same.
Thank YOU,
J.D. Green
Hi Mr. & Mrs. Green,
I sign a duet with my Father in my concerts and I love doing
it. The response is overwhelming. My Mother is great and lives
in Beverly Hills thank you for your email and I look forward
to seeing you in Branson.
Deana
Hi Deana,
I look forward to meeting you when we go to Tuscany together.
This will be my first trip to Europe and I am so looking forward
to it. Is Tuscany the region that your family comes from? My radio
comes on every morning to you and Les, I love your banter. I live
in Springfield, MO so we are close neighbors.
Well, see you in November,
Judy
Dear Judy,
I am happy to hear you will be joining us in Tuscany. It
will be a magnificent trip and we will have a terrific time. My
family roots are from Montesilvano, Italy, near Pescara. Ciao.
Deana
Hello Deana,
Thank you for the wonderful music. I’m sitting here listening
to your new album and just had to write to you. The way you sing
these songs is just beautiful and you are bringing back many memories.
There is one song that I have not heard before, What if I loved
you. Is this new?
May God bless you and your family,
Ruth
Hi Ruth,
Yes, the song “What If I Loved You” is a new
song and was written by a very good friend of mine named Joey
Gian. I wanted one song on my album to be mine. I hope
you like it.
Deana
Hi Deana,
I enjoy your morning hosting of the Music of Your Life with Les
Brown, Jr. Your father is one of my favorite all time artists.
On a show earlier this week, you referred to Red Skeleton. His
name was Red SKELTON, not Skeleton. Continue to share the anecdotes
about your dad.
Keep up the good work,
Bill Crowe
Springfield, MO
Hi Deana,
I just want to say thank you for writing such a special
book. You made the reader feel like part of the Martin family.
As a child, I listened for the first time your father's song "That's
Amore" and was so proud to be Italian. Pasta fagioli is one
of my favorites - I can't wait to try the dish with your grandma's
secret ingredient. Best Wishes to you and your family.
Claire D'Occhio Heinrich
Dear Deana,
We would love to visit your Festival sometime. Could you tell
me when it will be held in 2007. Loved your Dad's TV show
and watched it faithfully as a teenager.
Sally Finn
Hi Sally,
The Dean Martin Festival is held on the 2nd or 3rd weekend
in June every year. As soon as a date is selected, I will post
it here on my website. Thank you for asking and I look forward
to meeting you there.
Deana
Hi Deana,
I wanted to thank you for sharing your memories of your father.
I am 28 years old but I did grow up with your father's music. My
father and grandfather were huge fans and my favorite childhood
memories come rushing back when I hear a Dean Martin song. Your
father's music and his legend have become such an important part
of my life. A few years ago my grandfather, who was also my best
friend, lost his long battle with diabetes and on that night I
stayed with him in the hospital. He was medicated heavily and the
doctors told us he wouldn't make it through the night. I stayed
with him all night and held his hand. It was around 2am and I remember
Regis Philbin talking about your father and his Variety Hour television
show. As crazy as it sounds, when they played a clip of your father
singing, my grandfather squeezed my hand. He passed away the following
evening and at his wake we played "Your Nobody Till Somebody
Loves You." A year later I read your book. It is difficult
to find the words that truly express my gratitude. Your book helped
me get through such a difficult time....so thank you for writing
such a beautiful story.
Elizabeth
Deana,
I am looking forward to The Dean Martin Festival in Steubenville
again this year and I was wondering who the parade Grand Marshall
is going to be.
Bev Gaughan
Hello Deana,
I came across one of your dad's CDs and played it in my car one
day. My 11 year old granddaughter fell in love with Dean Martin.
Since the very first time she heard the CD she has been singing
along and always makes sure that it is in the car. She never sings
to any other music, no matter what is in the player or on the radio,
we always end up with Dean Martin. We stopped at a flea market
one day last month and one of your dad's CDs was for sale. My granddaughter
didn't want to see the picture on the cover because she said that
she had her own idea of what he looked like and thought it better
to keep him in her head. In a way that is what all of his fans
do...we keep him in our heads and also in our hearts. This past
weekend a movie starring your dad was showing on TV and my granddaughter
walked into the room. She picked him right out...and said that
he looked just like he is in her head, except in her head he doesn't
wear a hat. We are going to get your new CD as soon as it comes
out...we look forward to singing along with Deana and Dean! Thank
You for sharing with OLD and NEW fans...God Bless!
Judy
Hello Deana,
I have no questions but I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed
your book. I felt it was a very touching and yet honest story
of growing up in a world of "glitz & glamour". You
did a terrific job of relating that along with the wonderful things
of that world, there was sadness & heartaches. Just as
in everyone else's lives. Thank You for a glimpse into the life
of a man I (like so many) really admired.
Wishing you happiness & good health!
Jim R.
Deana,
I am a General Counsel of an international conglomerate, an individual
who, unfortunately, never has time to run any kind of personal
errand during any typically overscheduled busy business day. But,
nonetheless, I had to run one yesterday. I had just heard about
and, as a result, had to purchase your new CD, "Memories are
Made of This," a tribute to your father and his music, as
well as the music of some of his closest contemporaries. I'm part
of the second generation of Dean Martin fans (out of how many now,
three or is it now four generations?). Caught onto him somewhere
around the age of ten, through the release and success of my favorite
western "The Sons of Katie Elder," through "Everybody
Loves Somebody" and his Reprise hit singles and albums that
followed, and, of course, through "The Dean Martin Show" every
Thursday night. Locked into his music when I was otherwise listening
to nothing else but rock (and guess which prevails in my household
still today?). He taught a very shy kid music and the art of the
incredibly well timed one liner that could break up an entire room
with laughter. The only entertainer to make it to the absolute
top of stage, motion pictures, recordings, and weekly hit television,
while being the least likely individual to ever make such an observation.
Your father has brought more music, more laughter, and more smiles
during the best and even the worst of times to this now 50 year
old's world than any other entertainer. And, now, even though he
is no longer with us, I have this strange little ol' feeling inside
that you just did (once again) the exact same thing to him.
My warmest congratulations,
Brett C. Campbell
Dallas
P.S. Deana, your version of "Everybody Loves Somebody" alone
brings on such a smile that it even brings on tears! Absolutely
superb. Thank you, and please express my personal gratitude to
your entire talented recording team.
Brett Campbell
Hi Brett,
Thank you for taking your time to share that wonderful story.
I will always remember your heart-warming comments about my
Father and my music.
Deana
Hello Deana,
It is wonderful how you host your father's festival. It is amazing
that you are holding a free concert for the town of Steubenville.
It is great that you help the committee during the festival.
Frankie DiCarlantonio
Hi Frankie,
Thank you for your kind words and I look forward to seeing
you in Steubenville.
Deana
Hi Deana,
I have just finished reading your book and loved it. I'm 44 years
old and grew up watching your Dad's movies. Every weekend the Saturday
movie was Your Dad and Jerry followed by an Elvis Movie and as
a result I'm an Elvis and Dean Martin Fan. My favourite song of
your Dad's is Memories Are Made of This. I have purchased Airport
and Sons Of Katie Elder on D.V.D. Hollywood or Bust was on T.V.
here recently and my daughter Sophie (who is 14) and I watched
it together and she loved it. Her favourite song by the way is
Sway. Sophie also loves watching Here's Lucy, so she got a kick
out of the fact that she was of friend of your family. I also have
a private pilot's license and flew regularly for 10 years taking
my kid's and friends up for joy flights. I have since stopped,
as it is an expensive hobby especially while raising a family.
But as you know the passion for flying never leaves you and will
go back to it one day when I have less commitments. I stopped flying
in October 2003 the very time you started! I had to laugh when
I read that in your book. In closing I would just like to say listening
to your Dad's music and watching his movies brings me a lot of
joy and he has a new fan in Sophie.
All the very best Craig Stidworthy
P.S. Is your new CD Memories are Made Of This going to be released
here in Australia?
Hi Craig,
I know that my new CD will be released world wide in the
coming months, but I cannot say exactly when. As soon as I
find out I will publish the information here on my website.
For now you can purchase it from amazon.com or right here on
my web site. And you are right about flying being expensive
but I find it so freeing. I concentrate only on flying and
leave everything else on the ground. Please give my best to
Dad’s newest fan, Sophie.
Deana
Hello Deana,
I was only 19 the first time I saw your dad at the MGM GRAND.
I was captivated from that time on until his retirement. I flew
to Vegas to see him. I have a picture of myself giving him roses
during his 1985 performance. His smile can be seen and is beautiful.
I have a life size statue of him sitting at my bar, along with
other items I have collected. My Chihuahua is named Deana, from
pictures to golf balls, ashtrays and dolls, along with every book
written. I have continued enjoying him as if he never left. I
truly enjoyed your book.
With warmest regards,
Tina McMahon
Hi Tina,
I love that your Chihuahua is named Deana. She is probably
very petite and cute. I’d love to see the picture of
you giving my Dad the roses.
Deana
Dear Deana,
Just wanted to say love your CD and still waiting in hope you
come to the UK.
Gina
Hi Gina,
We are coming to the UK. We are currently putting together
a tour for this coming year. I’ll keep you posted.
Deana
Dear Deana,
I recently, in August, discovered the local AM station here in
the Charleston, SC area that carries your "Music of Our Lives" show.
Up until then I had quite forgotten that Your Dad was also the
father of a daughter. Today I bought your tribute album, "Memories
Are Made Of This", and boy did it. In looking at the photos
in the cover I spotted the one of you, your dad and Frank & Tina
Sinatra, on one of the Christmas Shows. Now I don't remember what
year that was. I was too busy being at sea with the US Navy. As
a result I did not catch a lot of the shows, but I did catch that
one. It is very obvious to me, as I listened to the album, that
it was a labor of love. My older sister & I grew up listening
to Elvis and Dean. She was number 2 & I am number 3 of 6. I
will tell you that you now have a new fan for life. The first thing
I did with this album was put in the computer & I will keep
the CD in my truck so I can listen to it while away from home.
Keep up the good work and, to quote Red Skelton, "May God
Bless".
James
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