Applause

     Donna McKechnie was born in Pontiac, Michigan in 1942, the same year as my Mother.  She began taking dance lessons at the age of five at a studio in Royal Oak. Her interest led her to an audition for the American Ballet in New York City.  Although her parents were not very keen on the idea, she persuaded them that it was the right thing for her.  Once in New York, she continued with dance eventually doing commercials, even becoming the Leggs pantyhose girl.  Her first Broadway show was, “How to Succeed in Business Without Even Trying,” appearing as a chorus member-which is what they called the dancers in musicals back then. Working a with famed choreographer, Bob Fosse who was just one of prominent professionals working on this show.  Donna spent a career working with some of the best in the business of Broadway and live entertainment.  Probably the highlight of her early career was a key role that was written for her, that of dancer, Cassie Ferguson.  Donna’s future husband, Michael Bennett, who wrote and produced A Chorus Line, based on the life of dancers who made up the chorus lines of Broadways shows.  The character of Maggie was also influenced by Donna’s life. She ended up winning a Tony Award, for the Best Actress in a Musical, for her portrayal of Cassie Ferguson in “A Chorus Line.” From there, Donna went on to have a long career on Broadway, even appearing in the currently popular, “Wicked” currently. Whether it was the love of performing, the theater or love of the applause from live performance, Donna had what it took to succeed in a very comeptitiove business over a long career, and StILL does.

     The Kennedy Center for the Arts in Washington DC-and my opinion is that it should remain named The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts-announced on Wednesday this week, their choices for the recipients of the Kennedy Center Honor for the Arts.  This year’s selections are George Strait, of country music success, Writer, actor, and action hero performer, Sylvester Stallone, British singer and actor, the original star of the Andrew Lloyd Weber hit, “The Phantom of the Opera,” Michael Crawford.  Next, is Gloria Gaynor best known from the disco era and her hit song, “I Will Survive.” Finally, rounding out the list is the American Rock Band, KISS.  What a list, each standouts in their respective area.  The awards are given at a reception at The White House with a dinner, followed by an evening of performances that honor each performer. The events take place in early December and in the past, PBS or CBS has aired the performance a few times usually around mid-December just before Christmas.  I have watched it for years.  It really is something.  A few years back when they honored Tina Turner, Beyonce’ was one of the performers who performed some of Tina’s songs.  It truly is a treat or a performance to look forward to. This year, the performance will be carried by CBS. When you look at the list of this year’s recipients and those of past years, they really are the BEST of the BEST, from Tina, to Billy Joel, to Tony Bennett, Aretha Franklin, Bono, Rita Moreno, Paul McCartney, Carol King, George Lucas, Cicely Tyson, Sting, just to name a few. 

     When you think of the best of the best in the arts, one thinks right off the bat is talent.  Yes, of course, talent is why they are there.  A few of other things that come to mind to me are grit, perseverance and a sense of confidence that “I’ll make it no matter what.”  That take guts.  To pursue a career that is known to ‘eat you alive,’ in an area where there are few who ‘make it,’ your tenure can be short lived.  In addition to the talent, this whole part of the equation is just as admirable.  One has to be really hungry for the success and maybe a little crazy to take the risk.  That’s to be commended as well…

     Take George Strait.  A son of a teacher and rancher, he grew up learning what it was to work. When his parents divorced, he and his brother lived with his father and worked the ranch.  He eloped and married his high school sweetheart shortly after graduation-and they are still married to date. Back then music, music was more of a hobby. He played with the group called Ace In The Hole at Texas honky-Tonkin in the 70s. The success in music didn’t come easy. Shortly after their marriage he enlisted in the army and began performing with an army sponsored country music band. He was in the army for four years and ultimately attain the rank of corporal. After leaving the army, Strait began his studies at Southwest Texas State University, where he graduated with a degree in agriculture. His band, Ace In The Hole continued to play around Texas. He had a hard time getting a record contract. He was about ready to quit when his wife encouraged him to give it one more year. In that year he eventually got a record contract with MCA. George Strait went on to be one of the best selling music artists of all times selling over 120 million records worldwide. He’s known as the king of country music. in my opinion, what sets George Strait apart from some of the other performers is his ability to relate to his fans. He’s worked the ranches and performed in the Honky Tonks. He and his wife experienced the loss of a teenage daughter in a car accident. He sings of the plight of the average person. He’s been very generous, giving back to his community in Texas, his Alma matter, giving opportunities to up and coming musicians in the country music industry and just trying to be a good husband, father and grandfather.  At age 71, he’s still giving…

     Sylvester Stallone had a rough start in life.  During his birth, the doctor used forceps which damaged a nerve in his face, causing paralysis on the left side of his face-also damaging his lip, tongue and chin. This caused his slurred speech. His parents had a ‘rocky’ marriage, so much so that he was placed care until about age 5.  A school counselor told his parents that he would be lucky to be an elevator operator and that he’d have limited skills. Sly went on the study acting, taking bit parts here and there to make ends meet-even in an adult film to pay the rent.  He got the idea to write about a boxer and wrote the script for “Rocky”, the rough draft, in three days.  After refining it, he was able to sell it, finally, after pitching it to several movie companies, Irwin Winkler and Robert Chartoff made him an offer. He took a hit on the sale, in order to play the part of Rocky himself. Other names thrown out to play Rocky were Robert Redford and Burt Reynolds. Sly just couldn’t see anyone else playing the role. He made only $350,000 from the movie, but the movie was nominated for ten Academy Awards, the film ended up winning Best Picture, Best Director and Best Film Editing. Could any of us see any other person playing Rocky, other than Sly?  Absolutely NOT.  Although the movie was a financial hit, for himself not so, yet Rocky propelled Sylvester Stallone into a major action hero and movie star.  However, the accolades and success didn’t insulate him from the ups and downs in life. He went through a divorce, the death of one of his sons, another divorce and some high profile legal matters. Now married with three adult daughter also, and  through it all at age 79 Sylvester Stallone is well worthy of a Kennedy center honor…

   Michael Crawford grew up in England. His mother’s first husband was killed during World War II. He was born out of wedlock from a relationship his mother had following her husband’s death. He was raised by his mother and her parents. From an early age Michael was very interested in music in theater. He had success on the stage, one thing led to another. He had some success in television and film in Great Britain and then crossed the pond.  He landed a role in the film version of Hello Dolly, starring Barbra Streisand and Walter Matthau.  Eventually, he was selected to play the lead role in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s hit, “The Phantom of the Opera.” When we think of that show, we just think of Michael Crawford. He was the perfect person to play that role with his talent. However, with all of Michael success, it couldn’t insulate him from the hard blows life can through you, like a divorce, to the mismanagement of his financial advisor, which was a huge hit to him and then a severe injury in a fall while performing in Vegas in the show EFX. eventually, he recovered from an injury to come back to play Phantom here and there for short stents and for anniversary performances. These days Michael enjoys spending time with his partner, Natasha MacAller, daughters and grandchildren.  His body of work and musical theater, movies and television both in Great Britain and America make him a worthy of this award…

   Glory Gaynor grew up in New Jersey in a family that had an interest in music. Although the family hit some hard time financially, they always managed to find some time to enjoy some good music. The family moved to the projects when they hit a financial low, but this did not discouraged Gloria from pursuing a career in music she played in several bands in the New York and New Jersey area. She gained prominence in the disco scene and her hit “I Will Survive,” which tells a story of a woman gaining her independence after getting out of a bad relationship. Many young women have sang that song or sang it with their friends after exiting a bad relationship. Gloria went on to record more music after that, but that is the song that put her on the map. One of the greatest regrets she said in an interview she has after divorcing her husband in 2005 is that she didn’t have children. She gave that dream up because she married a man who didn’t want to have children. How sad.  Gloria gained world wide success with her music. She continued to record and perform.  “I Will Survive,” has inspired so many for a variety of reasons and it is clear to see how she made the list…

     KISS is one of the most successful Rock and Roll bands of all times.  Like most successful bands, they paid their dues.  The Band was formed by New York City musicians, Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Ace Frehley and Peter Criss.  Each having their own set of circumstances to over come. For example, Gene Simmons was born in Haifa, Israel, his original name was Chaim Witz, born to Jewish refugees from Hungary. His Mom and her brother were the only members of their family to survive a concentration camp and the Holocaust. His parents were very poor and after they divorced, he and his mother, immigrated to the United States when he was eight. Although the other band members didn’t have as rough of a beginning, they each struggled. Maybe it was the struggles that made KISS tough and able to keep pushing on, performing in small clubs, traveling in a station wagon, eating fast food on the way, night after night until they made it big. They were unique with the make-up, special affects with fire and lighting during their shows, but they hit world wide success. Critics likened their font of “SS” in their name to the Nazis.  Probably a stretch, especially after learning Gene Simmons story. They had a different logo for albums in Germany, Austria and Switzerland so as not to offend those fans. Although the band has had some members come and go, they have maintained their sense of prominence in the music industry. They have remained relevant since their formation in 1973.  At one point, during the early MTV era, they removed their make-up during an event and to this day, they still have remained true to themselves as unique performers in a very tumultuous industry.  Hats off to them on making this year’s Kennedy Center Honors…

     All of these performers are well deserving of their place as Kennedy Center Honors recipient. They have paid their dues. They have given back of themselves and they’ve given all of us so much entertainment in their performance and talent over the years. Every area of life has standouts we see standouts in athletics. We see standouts in the business world, we see standouts, in  education in the “Teachers of the Year” and we see people who do the everyday jobs necessary, who stand out in their fields as Moms, Dads, clergy, police officers fireman doctors nurses and on and on.  These standouts across the board, inspire us to do our best at what WE do.  I was about 12 or 13 when Rocky the movie came out.  Viewing it at the Dort Cinema on Dort Highway in Flint,  I remember in the fight scene towards the end with Apollo Creed, the audience cheered and  some were on their feet. I also remember that run Rocky took before the fight with the theme song by Bill Conti playing, “Gonna Fly Now” playing as he ran up the steps in Philadelphia, the crowd too was cheering.  After watching the running scene in “Rocky,” I was inspired to start running. We all love to see victory and victory, despite hard times and hardships is that much more sweet and enjoyed.  Performers sing the songs and tell the stories of life. Donna, George, Sylvester, Gloria, Michael, the band, KISS and all the great performers in life from those who performed in ancient theaters to those performing in theaters and stadiums today, love the pursuit.  The applause is the reward and acknowledgment of their hard work.  It’s nice, but the best possibly, is knowing that they gave it their all and they gave the best of them available that day or night.  A good lesson for us all that may even lead to many a Great Days ❤️