Hello to everyone and welcome back.

 

If you’ll remember reading this next paragraph in your May letter you best pour yourself a coffee before you begin reading this months letter. Bernie had kept June pretty well clear for this purpose and here are the results…

 

Bernie has been kept busy this month along with Jamie Shear producing the more up temp Roy Orbison Black & White Night venue. There has been a lot of interest shown to this production. Bernie has received a request to take this venue to different locations, of which, we will speak about when all is said and done…stay tuned!

 

Paula Marie, a fan, informed me that it’s the 20th Anniversary of Roy’s Black & White performance and that, in her opinion, was the most prolific musical event ever, and it NEEDS to be honoured in the way I know Bernie is more than capable of. I would hope that he would take this particular show, and deliver it all across North America , so that we may all re-live that magical night of Roy ’s legacy.

 

I searched the web once again under Roy Orbison Black & White and came across a revue written by Colin Jacobson…

 

A special one-time event documenting one of rock and roll’s greatest and most unique performances. Recorded live at the Cocoanut Grove in Los Angeles , 1987. Roy Orbison is joined by an eclectic ensemble of rock and roll superstars. Highlighting this all-star line-up are – Jackson Browne, Elvis Costello, T-Bone Burnett, J.D. Souther, Jennifer Warrens, k.d. Lang, Bonnie Rate, Bruce Springsteen and Tom Watts. Orbison and fellow performers spent a scintillating hour performing many of his greatest hits. Songs; Only the Lonely, Dream Baby, The Comedians, Ooby Dooby, Running Scared, In Dreams, Crying, Candy Man, Go Go Go, Mean Woman Blues, It’s Over, Oh Pretty Woman, Dream You, Blue Bayou and Claudette.  

 

On June 8th 2007 , 20 years later, at the Johnny B Club in Whitby ON . and as Paula Marie said, Bernie was more than capable.  He was! If you were there then you know she was correct…

 

To start with Bernie had new suits, which went very well with the new show, new and different. Bernie never misses a beat; new show, different songs, new suits, new bolo tie. Never thought to check and see if he had new shoes! I’m partial to the regular bolo tie he wears because it matches his guitar strap and gives even more brilliance to his show. Even with the new bolo tie his performance was exceptional as usual.

The band was first-rate. Lori and Jane Shear, Jamie’s wife, were certainly an active part of the show as background singer. What was most noticeable were their ever lasting smiles during the entire show.  Like the band that also had smiling faces which made it all seem like this were fun and not just another job. During the show I turned my head looking into the audience and what I saw was a mirror image of the bands faces…all smiles, good times were being had by all.

 

Bernie enters the stage to an applauding audience and begins singing. He continues through his show with Roy ’s songs, we all love, to more applause, whistles with people standing and clapping during his more than pleasing performance. There was a short break then Bernie was back on the stage entering once again to the applause that said…welcome back. The show continued with more of our favourite Roy songs. When the show was over Bernie left the stage with the audience standing, clapping and asking for more. I was sitting next to three of Bernie’s fans by the names of Bernice, Marlene and Marilyn. I said to them how dare Bernie not sing Oh Pretty Woman? We talked about letting him know that was not the thing to do. Obviously Oh Pretty Woman is our favourite song. A few minutes later Bernie appears back on stage to do the crowd requested encore and started singing, you guessed it… Oh Pretty Woman to which there was a great applause from the audience and four very happy fans in the front row including me! Bernie then comes out to greet his fans and thank them for coming, but it wasn’t for long, as he was ushered out for a photo shoot. There was also a movie made of the show that, as I understand it, will be on his web site.

 

Before the show was underway I saw Garry Wesley – Elvis, Elaine Wesley – Patsy Cline entering the hall along with Nancy, Bernie’s wife. Garry told us that the power was off at the Hilltop, due to the storm that had just passed through and therefore their performances were cancelled and would take place Sunday afternoon, which it did. Here we have another first for Bernie’s new venue… Elvis is in the audience and our Bernie on the stage. I had an urge to announce…Elvis is in the building! Refrained from doing that but, what I did do, as I was leaving the building, which at this time was only a few friends, including Elvis; I called out…Elvis is leaving the building! To which came a response from Garry, [Elvis]… Good night Elvis! 

 

Bernie had yet, another first that Fri. evening – as he was putting on the famous Roy glasses one arm fell off. As a line from an old familiar song says… along came John, no Jamie, to save the day with a little safety pin in hand that took care of the situation. I wonder if Bernie is superstitious enough to leave that pin there to have his Black & White presentation be that perfect every time?

 

We are now at the Hilltop and its Saturday June 9th.  We have had another delicious dinner and are now waiting for the show to begin; which it has and Elaine is opening with her Patsy Cline rendition. Elaine has the Patsy sound which we all recognize. The crowd is singing along while keeping the beat, including me. She tells a few facts about Patsy’s songs and life.  Here we have another lady who, like the Friday night show, has that smile that shows us that she likes doing what she’s doing. For some reason, for me anyway, her show seems too short. Once again, I searched Garry Wesley and choose the following website. If you would like to see and hear her then go to the website shown below with my Elvis story. You’ll experience what we’re hearing at her shows, also, you will see her in costume. At the end of her show she asks the audience are you ready for Elvis?  The response is an over whelming yes by 160 something woman. The music starts; Elvis enters the stage to a very loud welcoming response. Elvis entertains us all by his singing, walking around to tables while placing scarves around his fans necks with a little kiss. There were two ladies that actually wept when Elvis gave them their scarves…lucky ladies! During the show I gave Elvis a black scarf on which I had embroidered – Garry, thank you for keeping the memories alive. Luv Darlene and your Hilltop fans. 2007.   He mentioned he was going to hang it in his office. There are no words to tell you how much Garry sounds like Elvis except for actually hearing him and also, as mentioned above, not only see Elaine in costume but hear her as Patsy Cline.  http://garrywesley.net/our_music.html   Enjoy!

 

On May 13th at the Hilltop there was to be a Mother’s Day Dinner & Show with tribute artist’s Michelle Berting performing her Peggy Lee tribute and Terry Basile with his Dean Martin tribute. Bernie had been approached to do such a show but it turned out not quite enough people were interested. As Bernie said to me, nothing ventured nothing gained but we tried for our patrons and that’s what counts.

 

Another item from last months letter where I was speaking about the Beach Boys Dinner Show at the Hilltop, the answer to the question the Beach Boys asked…What was the title of their last number one hit? The answer is…KOKIMO!

 

Bernie being the chairman of the Courtice Carnival, which took place the weekend of June 13th, provided the entertainment. We had an awesome carnival; the problem was that it was very poorly attended. We put a lot of work into it, tried our very best and were sorry more people didn’t attend. The ones that did attend thought the entertainment of CCR on Fri. and Josie & The Boys on Sat. were both awesome.   

 

   

The Super Car Cruisers will also appear at the Super Car Show at Mosport on Saturday, August 4, 2007.

The Super Car Cruisers will be playing tribute to the best music of the Beach Boys and singing Car Tunes from the 60’s and 70’s era of the classics. Hot rods, sports and muscle cars. Songs are being composed by the band to commemorate the new Camaro and Challenger launchings. Will the Mustang be harnessed? Reserved tables of 8 tickets - $200.00. Reserved tables for 10 tickets - $ 250.00 Individual tickets are $ 30.00 ea. For registered show & Cruise participants, tickets - $25.00 ea. Cash bar, table munchies, late luncheon buffet, silent auction and door prizes. Call Walt for tickets – 905-432-2434

 

There are three venues to this weekend…Super Car Show, Mosport –Sat. Aug. 4th. 9:00 – 4:00    SuperCarShow.com;   

Super Car Cruise, Oshawa Sat. Aug. 5th 11:00 – 4:00 Civic Auditorium Complex   SuperCarCruise.com;

Super Car Cruisers, , Oshawa , Aug. 5th  7:00 – 11:00  Jubilee Pavilion

Call Walt for tickets – 905-432-2434 and visit SuperCarShow.com for show updates

 

Bernie’s future shows – His Hilltop Dinner Shows, plus his personal appearances. Now you can make a note of it, make time for it, order your tickets early for it, that way you won’t miss it, and now enjoy it!

 

At The Hilltop  www.thehilltop.ca

July 20th & 21st – Roy Orbison, Buddy Holly, & Jerry Lee Lewis – Dinner and I’ll bet you a dance!

 

Personal Appearances..

July 6th Terrace B.C.

July 14th – Zurich , ON

 

Tickets - $50.00 plus tax…

Bernie Jessome Entertainment – 905-433-8838 Visa

The Hilltop – 905-433-7001 Cash - visit after 12:00 pm at

1540 King St. E. Courtice , ON