A Happy Birthday shout out to a friend who doesn't spend much time on social media, but it's understandable with her busy career. I met Maureen McGovern in the mid 1970s soon after she was suddenly vaulted from coffee house singer to becoming a mega star in music with her hit "The Morning After" and followup, "Nice To Be Around." Thanks to then night club director, Don Frantz (now a Broadway producer), Maureen initially spent a week filling the bill and the house at the classy night club in the Hershey Motor Lodge.
As an entertainment columnist, I was captivated by her incredible vocals and repertoire of sophisticated standards and jazz classics, some of her own composition. She was far from a diva personality as she was personable, soft spoken, had a fun side, but focused with admirable dedication to music. Don and I had fun helping her plot "revenge" on a band member (pie in the face after she had sat on one at a previous gig). She also introduced me to Orange Julius and, in the days before the Internet, we drove around to various local media to promote her music. It was a time when she was in battles with her record company and talent management who were mishandling her career and leaving her nearly broke. She feared for her career, but with that voice, I was convinced that she would be around a very long time. I've found that few things in show biz are more satisfying than seeing a friend achieve greater heights, even when the odds seem overwhelming. I still cherish my copy of her vinyl album cover on which she wrote, "You'll get the world to listen yet!" Soon after I went to Chautauqua's arts festival where Maureen was the artist of choice after Anne Murray cancelled. She worked very hard to succeed. The rest is history.
Maureen didn't need me to get the world to listen. Her "Stradivarius Voice" led to recording various movie themes, a dozen albums, a starring role on Broadway, being a concert headliner around the world, and using her celeb status to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association. You may remember her days as a blonde, but I really like her with red hair (Irish "roots" and all), don't you?
Maureen, I told you so!
Visit Maureen's Web site at: http://www.maureenmcgovern.com/
