INTERESTING EVA-RELATED PEOPLE, EVENTS, AND PLACES, FROM THE ARCHIVES:
Because this is an archive page, some of the links will likely be obsolete, and my past-present-future tenses are going to be all over the place.
IMPORTANT ANNIVERSARY: “20 years ago today (March 18, 2021), Eva Cassidy’s Songbird album climbed to Number 1 on the Official UK Albums Chart.” It’s hard to believe it was 20 years ago. Today there have been TEN UK GOLD ALBUMS, as illustrated in this plaque (pardon my inartful snapshot):
IN SUBSTACK’S THE HONEST BROKER: Music writer Ted Gioia says “The response to my piece on Eva Cassidy, on the 25th anniversary of her death, was heartwarming — especially the feedback from readers discovering her music for the first time. This has already proven to be one of the most popular articles on The Honest Broker, and had around a thousand shares on Facebook alone. That’s a testimony to the enduring power of her music.” It’s an excellent, passionate article and some good reader responses as well. “Her songs have given her the kind of immortality that Shakespeare and Villon and the poets have written about, and which only art confers. We benefit from it, even if she didn’t. And still do after twenty-five years. I just wish she was here to see how it all turned out.”
The next day Ted Gioia shared more with his readership about Eva.
OLD ARTICLE ABOUT HUGH CASSIDY: I don’t think I have posted this before, because I’m not sure I ever saw it before! This is a link to a 1983 Washington Post article about Eva’s father, who made an unusual transition from weightlifter to metal sculptor. I love his work.
‘BYGONE DC’ DOCUMENTARY: One of the public television stations in the Washington DC area, WETA, has been showing a new documentary, “Bygone DC.” “As Washington, D.C. and its communities usher in the future, iconic local establishments often disappear right before our eyes. [This] local production takes a walk down the region’s memory lane, spotlighting the places that once defined Greater Washington and exploring the impact of their legacy.”
Eva Cassidy is one of the featured artists (as you will already have guessed). Eva’s producer Chris Biondo was interviewed about Eva, and some video clips were shown. Eva’s sister Margret wrote me that “It truly was a very interesting and enjoyable program! But near the end, seeing Chris Biondo talking about Eva, and the clips they showed of Eva performing… well, this truly was the ‘icing on the cake.'” The premiere showing was this past weekend, but it will also be aired on Tuesday, October 17th, at 8 AM, 11 AM, and 5 PM, and other dates and times (check at https://weta.org/tv/program/bygone-dc). Many thanks to Bryan McCulley and Margret Cassidy Robinson for keeping me up to date. (Try this link as well: https://www.pbs.org/show/bygone-dc/ )
Interestingly, Chris Biondo and Lenny Williams were already involved with the program before Eva’s name ever came up. “Lenny and I were hired to do the music for the documentary,” Chris says, “but then they found out we had worked with Eva, and they put me into the documentary.” He also told me, “They didn’t put in one of the things I said, that I especially asked them to include, because people who aspire to be singers might benefit from it. That is — There was no ego involved in what Eva did. She sang for the love of singing. That is the difference between Eva Cassidy and almost everybody else.” (2017)
FAR OUT MAGAZINE ARTICLE: Mick McStarkey, writing for the UK’s Far Out Magazine, gives what he terms “The ultimate beginner’s guide to Eva Cassidy” in his description of “Six definitive songs.” (Is your favorite listed? Before you read the article, jot down your guess about what six songs will be highlighted.) McStarkey makes the often-seen comparison with singer Jeff Buckley.
HALL OF FAME: Yes, Eva Cassidy and the members of the Eva Cassidy Band are going to be inducted into the Hall of Fame! But it’s the Maryland Entertainment Hall of Fame, not yet a national one. (Baby steps.) The event will be held at the UAW Hall in Baltimore on December 10, 2017, and members of Eva’s family will be present. Click here for more information. I’ll update closer to the event.
September 28, 2015: BAKE-OFF SOUNDTRACK: Apparently one of the hottest reality shows in the United Kingdom is the “Great British Bake Off.” According to this article, there will soon be an album of songs chosen by the contestants, including Eva’s “Fields of Gold”! (Good news — one season of this show is available in the United States on PBS, and on Netflix, under the name “The Great British Baking Show.” You won’t hear Eva’s music, but I really love the show.)
EVA AT THE 2015 EMMY AWARDS!!! Eva’s “Over the Rainbow” was heard by over 11 million people tonight on the Emmy Awards during the “In Memorium” segment. Here’s a link to this section of the Emmy broadcast, on the Television Academy’s YouTube channel. As described on the Entertainment Weekly web site: ‘The lives of Joan Rivers, Leonard Nimoy, Jan Hooks, Wes Craven, Harris Wittels, and many more were remembered Sunday at the Primetime Emmy Awards in a moving segment honoring their contribution to television. The montage featured Eva Cassidy’s rendition of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” and had Mike Nichols opening and Nimoy closing the reel.’
The recording used for the Emmys was the studio recording from the album THE OTHER SIDE, and later included in the anthology SONGBIRD. The instrumental section was edited out. By the way, if you haven’t read my article about “Over the Rainbow,” please do!
THIS ONE’S WEIRD: Someone has invented a self-playing piano that will play along with the music on your iPod. Britain’s Daily Mail featured a video of the “Edelweiss” device accompanying Eva’s recorded voice for “Fields of Gold.” (2016)
Henrik in Denmark has found an interesting link for people who enjoy recreating Eva’s arrangements. “A guy called Kirk Lorange has written a detailed analysis of the chord structure of Eva’s OTR with advice on how to play it. This was published on the web on April 23, 2001, but I have never noticed it before. Maybe it is new to guitar playing Evangelists as well.”
EVA AT THE WINERY: I’ve been running this website for 20 years, and I’m still tickled pink to find stray mentions of Eva’s name online. Here’s a cute one from an article about Capo Creek Winery in California: “They’re big music fans, Mary explains, as the croon of the late Eva Cassidy wafts from the kitchen alongside savory scents. It’s not a random play from streaming music: they named the vineyard below the rustically landscaped tasting area Eva’s after one of Mary’s beloved recording artists.”
FUELLED BY THE GOOD MUSIC WE LOVE: This is a lovely article from a site in New Zealand. Writer Sam Harris analyzes the “heart and soul” that typifies Eva’s performance style. ‘I’m reminded of St Paul’s words in his letter to the Colossians: “Whatsoever you do, do it from the heart, as to the Lord, and not to men” or as another translation has it: “And do all that you do with all your soul.” There’s a purity and strength in Cassidy’s music that perhaps points out the creative work of the Spirit in the background as Cassidy offers these songs to her listeners.’
12/30/2015: BLOGGER: “How did producers not recognize this talent? They were professionals. This was their business. When would would they ever find someone like this again?” Financial adviser Gary North is another one who had never heard of Eva Cassidy. He has now, is spreading the word, and writes on his web site, “This is a reminder: if you have a talent, record it. Put it on YouTube. Encourage talented people you know to do the same. No one knows when the public will discover talent. Sometimes this is posthumous.” Gary North’s takeaway from Eva’s story is different from my own cri de cœur about supporting live local music, but it is valid.
2/17/2016: From the financial blog “The Simple Dollar,” here’s an article about many sources of inspiration, including Jimmy Carter, Bismarck, Vincent Van Gogh, and Eva Cassidy. I urge you to read the article, because you too may find inspiration in many of the items listed. Regarding Eva, after a simplified explanation of her story, the moral drawn is this: Never give up. Never stop making things. You might never see the impact that it can have on others.
Isn’t that beautiful?
EVA’S MUSIC ACCOMPANIES DANCER ON FOX PROGRAM: Sheri in Northern California writes, ‘Eva’s rendition of “Fields of Gold” was featured tonight [June 28, 2007] on the show “So You Think You Can Dance”. One of the dancers used it as their music for their dance routine. It’s an American show in its third season. It’s on the Fox network, from some of the people that do American Idol. Eva’s song was used in last night’s result show. There are 3 couples with the least amount of votes. Those 3 couples dance as individuals (6) in their own style of dance for a short routine. The judges then
deliberate and kick 1 guy and 1 girl off the show. Whenever a dance routine (whether as a couple or individual) is performed on the show, they show the name of the song and artist being used for that routine. Eva’s rendition of “Fields of Gold” was used by one of the girls in the bottom 3 during her individual dance routine. She was the last girl to go and the routine was about 30 or 40 seconds.”
UPDATE: Mike in Syracuse was watching the program and sent me more information. ‘So You Think You Can Dance on Fox Network was on Thursday 6/28 from 9-10PM EST. The competitors with the lowest TV audience votes had to compete for an elimination from the competition by the judges. Anya Garnis did her dance solo to Eva Cassidy’s “Fields of Gold.” On the screen during her performance Eva Cassidy’s name and the song name were graphically inserted. Anya is the judges favorite, if not the TV voters favorite this week, and was voted through by the judges after this dance-off. Anya is originally from Russia and is a ballroom dancer from New York City.’
“OVER THE RAINBOW” FOR BRASS: Virtuoso cornet player Alan Morrison released a new album in October 2004 entitled OVER THE RAINBOW. According to his website, “the title track is the award winning arrangement by Alan of Eva Cassidy`s emotive version of the Wizard of Oz classic.” Award-winning? “Alan Morrison has won the Fodens Richardson Award for arrangements. His stunning new cornet solo with band accompaniment `Somewhere Over the Rainbow` taken from the Eva Cassidy album `Songbird` has come out on top of over 120 entries…. Alan`s arrangement of `Somewhere Over the Rainbow` is published by Crabtree Music and is now available to purchase online. Versions for piano accompaniment and quintet will be available soon.” Fodens Richardson describes Morrison’s arrangement as “simply breathtaking.” Apparently this was the inauguration of the award, sponsored by an acclaimed brass band, with the intent “to encourage new and established composers and arrangers to arrange new concert repertoire that would be accessible to all listeners.” Amazon.co.uk does not list Morrison’s newest CD but it is available through his site (link above). **UPDATE: Soon to become a “single”? According to the Huddersfield Daily Examiner, “[Morrison’s] new version of the song has been going down well at B and R concerts throughout the year and so impressed someone from the recording company that made the original Eva Cassidy recording when he heard it on BBC2’s Listen To The Band, that he got in touch. Now Over the Rainbow is to be released as a CD single backed by the sort of publicity that a major recording company can generate. Soon, Alan Morrison’s name and that of Brighouse and Rastrick will again be as well known as the band was in Floral Dance days.” (Updated December 17, 2004)
ODD COINCIDENCE at the Eva Cassidy Band Reunion Dinner: The former Eva Cassidy Band recently got together at a local restaurant for their annual holiday dinner (December 2003). At the end of the evening, it was discovered that Jim Campbell, the former drummer for the band, was actually performing at an unrelated event at the same restaurant. Those of you who are interested in historical minutia will recall that Jim was the drummer for the band Method Actor, and played some early engagements with the Eva Cassidy Band. Due to his other musical commitments, he soon left the band and Raice McLeod replaced him.
Jim B. writes, ‘I have a CD which contains a dedication to Eva. The CD is titled: “Every Man I Love Is Either Married, Gay, Or Dead” by Kacey Jones, on Nashville-based IGO Records (copyright date is 2000).
The CD is a mix of serious and comedic tunes. One of the straight numbers is “Over the Rainbow”. Kacey’s dedication reads: “This album is dedicated with love to my family and to the memory of Bob Manning. To Denver Smith, your courage will be remembered always…And, to Judy Garland, Eva Cassidy, and my mama, Carmen Jean…I’ll meet you beyond the rainbow.” I had the pleasure of seeing Kacey Jones, in person, last week, and we’ve exchanged a couple of e-mails ; in one of them, she comments: “For the record, my favorite version of ANY song ever recorded is the Eva Cassidy version. Her OTR is stunning.”
By the way, Kacey is an excellent writer and musician, and screamingly funny. If any other of Eva’s fans are looking for something new to listen to, they might consider giving her a try. Her web address is kaceyjones.com. Her non-serious material tends to be sometimes risqué, but in a good-natured manner, rather than in a mean-spirited one.’
A friend in the United Kingdom, who asked to be anonymous, sent me the following true and touching story (only slightly edited for length):
I feel the story I am about to tell has Eva’s spirit interwoven throughout and perfectly illustrates how Eva touches peoples lives far beyond the boundaries of Bowie Maryland. I do believe that it also captures those qualities in life that we hold dear to our hearts – compassion for one’s fellow man, a kindred spirit, thoughts of peace, to love someone with all your heart and soul – and the quality that was the only one left in Pandora’s box – HOPE.
Last November a work colleague – Annette – was organising a Charity Auction for an organisation called Maggie’s Centre. She was trying to raise £5,000 to go on a Charity walk over the Sahara desert, and her personal drive to do this was in memory of her dear friend Eleanor who had died of Cancer at 36 years of age.
Here in the UK there are a number of Maggie Centres devoted to providing respite care and support to terminally ill cancer patients – I mentioned the auction to Alex, my daughter in law, who is a nurse, and she told me that working in the Maggie’s Centre had been the most rewarding, inspiring and moving experience she had done as a person and as a professional nurse.
Just prior to the auction, while speaking with Annette,- Eva’s name came up in the conversation. Annette let me know that Eleanor was a great fan of Eva and that particularly during the last months of her life, Eva played a significant part in helping Eleanor cope with her emotions and positively help her to reflect on her life and appreciate the values of one’s life.
The night of the action was so much fun and Annette raised loads of money – it was wonderful that night to see so many people prepared to give so much for such a worthwhile cause. While my own small contribution to raise funds was to “buy” a game of golf – I really wanted to try and do something a little more personal for the Maggie’s Centre and for Eva. So I asked Annette if she would wear an Eva T shirt on the Sahara Walk and have a picture taken so that I could forward it to you. In return I pledged to make a further contribution to the Maggie’s Centre.
So Eva has walked the Sahara and her music has filled the air – I am sure she smiled down on them all.
I don’t know that I have really done this story the justice it merits – I find it difficult to say the right words when tears well up in my eyes and I have had to walk away a few times while typing this – Eva’s was blessed with an unique ability to move and connect into people’ s hearts and souls – Glad Eva touched Eleanor’s and those left behind were able to keep both of their memories alive.
December 28, 2002: The Tennessean newspaper interviewed the Chancellor of Vanderbilt University, and asked him that famous question about what albums he would bring with him to a desert island. The second album he named was EVA BY HEART (my own favorite Eva album), and the Chancellor said, “This young diva died too young and was not truly discovered until after her death. Her music is timeless.”
December 13, 2002: The Guardian used Eva’s name in passing, in a review of a book about the extinct bird, the Dodo: “Like Eva Cassidy and Vincent Van Gogh, the dodo has achieved far greater fame in death than it ever did in life.”
October 28, 2002: Just spotted in a UPI press report from critic Ken Franckling: “Every label these days seems to be looking for the next Diana Krall, Norah Jones or Eva Cassidy….”
Here’s a funny one from the Guestbook: Brian in Kent wrote, “Oh dear! A contestant on the UK’s Weakest Link this evening did not know what singer named Eva with a surname begining with C had an album released after her death called Live At Blues Alley. Any suggestions as to the answer?”
September 2002: Here’s a funny Eva mention, in an article from the Belfast (Northern Ireland) News Letter, reviewing a new model of Volvo: “Upgrading to the XC90 D5 SE or T6 SE (pounds 30,400 or pounds 33,640 respectively) offers as you’d expect even more luxury such as leather, better wheels and so on, There’s the obligatory communications pack with integrated sat nav, phone and hi-fi so you can call your partner and tell them the co-ordinates of the corner of the car park you’re sitting while listening to the latest Eva Cassidy.”
From Henrik: “This spring term, at the Department of Music of the University of York, the first of a series of seminars on ‘Meaning in singing: style and technique in context’ took ‘A detailed look at “Over the Rainbow” as recorded by Judy Garland and Eva Cassidy (two versions separated by about 50 years), focusing on ideological considerations and questions of performance practice.’ (http://www-users.york.ac.uk/~jcs7/noticeboard.htm) Isn’t it amazing! From all I have read about Eva I can only imagine that she would have been utterly dumbfounded to learn that her work had become an academic topic at an English University.” WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Steve sent me this link about the professor who teaches the course.
EVA ANAGRAMS: Mick in the UK, whose hobby is anagrams, worked out this one : ‘ “Songbird” by Eva Cassidy ~ is vibrancy by a goddess. ‘ Another one, which Doug in Pennsylvania read on an Anagram website called anagramgenius.com, was created by David Bourke: “The Late Eva Cassidy” ~ “Lady Achieves Taste”
4/23/2001 Eva Cassidy’s prominent placement in the BBC’s list of “Voices of the Century” is receiving press mentions internationally. What a remarkable tribute to Eva from the music lovers of the United Kingdom. Now I hear that BBC radio announcers are practically bickering over who “discovered” Eva Cassidy on behalf of BBC Radio 2! Was it Mike Harding, Terry Wogan, or Bob Harris? I have been investigating, and the answer is… none of the above. Paul Jones was actually the first to put Eva on BBC 2, with ‘Wade in the Water’ on his blues show. (Note: According to Brian in Scotland, “this is Paul Jones the singer, from the 60’s band Manfred Mann.”) The following week, Mike Harding was the first to play ‘Fields Of Gold.’ Very shortly thereafter, Paul Walters and Terry Wogan introduced Eva to the audience of the most-listened-to “Wake up with Wogan” program (did I get that name right?) and Bob Harris brought her voice to the discerning listeners of his eclectic Saturday night show. Thanks, gentlemen, you are all wonderful!
“I DREAMED THE WORLD WOULD ALL AGREE TO PUT AN END TO WAR….” Gerard in Ireland writes, “Listening to the news, and hearing mention of the new Middle East peace talks, I again think of Eva, as I always associate her with Annapolis, and she would surely wish them success in their talks.”
Amen! I’ve been pondering about which Eva song would be a good theme for a peace conference. My answer (sorry) is a recording that has not yet been released: “Last Night I Had the Strangest Dream,” written in 1950 by folksinger-songwriter Ed McCurdy. I found this tidbit on Wikipedia: ‘In 1980, [McCurdy] was gratified that two of his compositions, “Last Night I Had the Strangest Dream,” and “King’s Highway,” as recorded by his old friend Josh White, Jr. became the official theme songs for the Peace Corps and VISTA…. In 1989, Ed experienced one of his most emotionally satisfying moments when the NBC-TV News cameras and Tom Brokaw, broadcasting from on top of the Berlin Wall as it was being dismantled, showed school children on the East German side of the wall singing en masse “Last Night I Had the Strangest Dream.”‘
Eva learned the song in childhood, probably from her father; it was a family favorite. She performed it at Pearl’s in Annapolis on one of the nights that happened to get taped. The recording is flawed but (I think) fixable. What does Eva “do” with the song? She sings it. She just sings it. With this song, that is enough. (2007)
John in Vermont offers news from Hawaii: ‘Fans of Hawaiian music take note! A bonus track closes the new “Amy & Willie Live” CD. It is the “Eva Cassidy arrangement” of Autumn Leaves sung beautifully by Amy Hanaiali’i Gilliom. Amy and Willie K enjoyed a fruitful partnership, both musical and personal, back in the late 90s before going their separate ways. Earlier this year they joined forces for a limited West Coast tour with this CD resulting. Want to expand your idea of contemporary Hawaiian music? Buy this. It is great fun with Willie being, well, Willie K: irrepressible as always. You can order it from Auntie Maria at www.mele.com or pick it up at a Borders near you. (Note: most of the songs are sung in Hawaiian, a most beautiful language. Lyrics in the CD insert.)’ John adds that the album notes do specifically mention that it is Eva’s arrangement of “Autumn Leaves.”
More Hawaiian music news from John in Vermont: ‘Eva is once again part of a very special new release from the island of Maui. After a four years wait between offerings, Keali’i Reichel, one of the most popular and important artists in Hawaiian music today, returns with what may be his most personal release, “Ke’alaokamaile” (The Scent of Maile”). Eva fans take note: track #4 is Fields of Gold”. In the CD booklet Keali’i explains: “This arrangement of Fields of Gold, inspired by the late Eva Cassidy, evokes fond memories of long summer days spent at the beach at Paia. How I dearly miss those golden sands, the sound of the wind blowing through the coconut trees, the feel of the sea spray on my skin and the voices and laughter of loved ones.” Nature-lover that she was, it sounds like Eva would have felt right at home.
It is a simple presentation. Kapono Beamer plays guitar and there are about a half dozen strings players (yes, wonderful, living breathing classically-trained musicians!) together with vocals by Keali’i. I imagine Eva would have been charmed.
The 15 song CD has 4 songs in English with the remaining 11 in the Hawaiian language, with superb translations provided in the CD booklet. There are good reasons why his fans have filled Carneigie Hall, the Hollywood Bowl and his tours of Japan play to SRO crowds. Buy this CD and find out for yourself. If you’re not near a Borders, you can order on-line at www.mele.com.’
COMPARISON WITH SANDY DENNY: Eva’s friend Elaine Stonebraker writes, “In the November issue of Irish Music magazine, there is an article about Sandy Denny, the singer in Fairport Convention. The first paragraph ends with, ‘She should have the same aura of reverence as Eva Cassidy… maybe the time is ripe for her memory to shine once again.’ Wouldn’t Eva LOVE to be compared to Sandy Denny? I know she learned a couple songs from her albums.” (Added December 23, 2004)
12/1-3/2001 : Congratulations to Tony Bramwell, who has been promoting Eva’s music to such good effect in the United Kingdom. He has been named “PLUGGER OF THE YEAR” by the British Record Industry. He will receive the award on TV next Saturday, December 8th, as part of the “Record Of The Year” show. That same day, Tony will also appear on BBC 2 TV as part of a program called “THE TRUE STORY OF TOP OF THE POPS.”
Although he is delighted about the award, this is a sad week for Tony Bramwell — a native of Liverpool, he was a childhood friend of George Harrison. Tony told me, “When I was 11 I had the pleasure of meeting BUDDY HOLLY when The Crickets played in Liverpool. I was pointed out as the kid who met Buddy. George Harrison was our local butchers delivery boy and he used to borrow records from Buddy, Gene, Little Richard, Everlys etc and we became friends, going cycling and in gang things together. He then disappeared until I met him on a bus going to what was THE BEATLES first real gig and I carried his guitar in to get in free, I did this for all the group up until the record contract and Brian Epstein asked if I would work for him full time which I did. George remained my friend calling round to see my mum and taking us out for drives in his new car. My mother knitted the famous black scarves! I worked alongside The Beatles throughout their career, leaving eventually after the end of APPLE. Through all those years George remained a true friend to all he liked. He was never happier than when he could play with good musicians especially his idols Carl Perkins, Bob Dylan etc. In the Beatles he played probably the most familiar guitar pieces ever recorded, and when his catalogue of solo material and the wonderful WILBURY albums are eventually C.D. issued the world will be able to make a re-evaluation of some great work. He’ll be missed by his friends and fans and fellow musos like mad.”
BRIEF CASUAL MENTIONS:
April 23, 2003: LITTLE THINGS MEAN A LOT. Have you noticed how often Eva’s name is mentioned casually in unrelated articles? I am so thrilled that Eva is becoming well-known enough for such passing references. Here’s the most recent, from a column about grandmothers in the Press of Atlantic City. Features editor Alice Cranston writes, “Of course, I need to improve my traveling skills. No more zipping past exits because I’m listening too closely to a Jonathan Kellerman mystery or singing along with Eva Cassidy.”
Keith Grimes spotted an “Eva mention” in the latest issue Guitar Player Magazine. He said that in an article about T-Bone Walker, Eva Cassidy was listed as one of several singers to record the song “Stormy Monday.” Keith was struck by the fact that Eva was included in the list so matter-of-factly, “as if everybody would know who she was.”
January 30, 2004: INFLUENCED BY EVA: In today’s Richmond Times-Dispatch (Richmond, Virginia) an article about musician Jackie Frost contains the following: “Frost and the boys describe their music as acoustic Americana, a satisfying harmony-driven blend of bluegrass, blues and folk, shaped by the influences of artists such as Eva Cassidy, Tim O’Brien, Etta James, Doc Watson and Bonnie Raitt.”
MORE MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS:
METAPHOR NEEDED: I need a bit of help with something I’m writing. Radio Two’s Terry Wogan is very well-known in the United Kingdom but not in the United States. I need a point of comparison. For example, I have said that the ITV news magazine program “Tonight with Trevor McDonald” is roughly equivalent to “60 Minutes” in the United States. What would be the parallel for Terry Wogan, in terms of how well-known and influential he is? If you have any ideas, please e-mail me.
**UPDATE: Some interesting suggestions have been sent me, but it has become clear that there is no American equivalent of the incomparable (!) Terry Wogan. Dave writes, “There are only a few radio voices that are known coast to coast. Rush Limbaugh, Howard Stern, Dr Laura, and Paul Harvey. …I cannot think of a single radio personality whose fame comes from music.” John in the UK muses, “I would say Terry Wogan is unique. You might liken him to the best of deejays in the US, which would mean one who is not only the most recognizable personality but who presents an eclectic mixture of music with taste and a unique and infectious humour: but Terry has in the past also had his own chat show on TV, comparably popular to Leno or Letterman at the time, and even at one time was somehow persuaded to become a recording artist, his rendering of the ‘Floral Dance’ rising to the top of the British hit parade, if memory serves. It amused him hugely, I am sure. It’s tough to pigeonhole him by an analogy to a US personality. Terry Wogan is Terry Wogan, there aren’t any others.” Hilary adds, “It is well known in the UK, that Terry hosts the top breakfast show. His audience figures are through the roof. None of the other national stations can match his listening figures.”
More thoughts and suggestions: Jimmy Campbell (quick, where did you hear his name before?) writes, “How about Casey Kasem? I think that he would be a comparable TV and radio personality to Terry Wogan.” Stephen suggests, “How about Wolfman Jack?” Olivia in Ireland had an alternative idea: “In reading the suggestions for Terry Wogan, they all try to refer to the music industry but the person that came to my mind was Arnold Schwarzenegger . They are both from another Country (Terry Wogan is Irish) and have found household fame in their adoptive countries. Where Arnold has done Movies and is now in politics, Terry Wogan is involved in Radio and TV. His name might not be as worldwide as Schwarzenegger but hopefully you get the comparisons.” Anne in Wisconsin writes, “I vote for Dave Marash of ABC without whom I doubt I would ever have heard about Eva Cassidy.” And finally, from Kimberly, “I’d venture, from what little I’ve heard of the BBC, to compare Terry Wogan to Charles Osgood. (The person who anchored CBS Sunday morning). Not the same style of course, but someone nonetheless who took notice of all the beauty around him and brought it to the attention of the world. Osgood often focused on the beauty of people and their stories and talents.”
FINAL WORD ON THE SUBJECT: Pat D. went straight to the source and asked the question of Paul Walters, the producer of “Wake Up With Wogan.” Walters graciously replied: “I don’t think there is a Radio comparison to Terry… I suppose there are a few TV people that might be vaguely similar. The radio in
the US is so totally different to here. The main difference is, that me, as Producer, can programme what I like, I have no constraints, that’s
how I discovered Eva in the first place and put it into our programme. I was absolutely certain that TW would like it, but it would not have
mattered if he didn’t, I choose the music…! Anyway, that’s all history. He loved it too!”
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A SERIOUS MESSAGE:
Eva Cassidy died on November 2, 1996, of melanoma — the deadliest form of skin cancer. After Eva’s death, her parents suggested that
instead of flowers, her friends and fans might consider making a donation in Eva’s memory to “http://www.med.jhu.edu/cancerctr/melanoma/support.htm”>The Fund for Melanoma Research at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland. If you are moved by Eva’s music, and by her story, please consider supporting this worthy cause. I am also signing this website up for the Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk “Associates” program. There are now some specially coded links from the website to Amazon. When people use those links to make purchases, a small percentage of the sale price will go directly to the Fund for Melanoma Research at Johns Hopkins University. I will show the amount of money raised on the “What’s New” page in the Navigation Box at the top.
This article in the Boston Globe discusses the dangers of melanoma and mentions Eva.
More melanoma information here, with mention of Eva Cassidy in connection with this dangerous form of cancer. Did you know that reggae musician Bob Marley also died of melanoma?
The website for the
Melanoma Education Fund contains some very useful information about this deadly disease.
June 19, 2003: Today I heard from Dr. Mona Mofid of Johns Hopkins University, who wanted to thank me personally for the donations to melanoma research. I must pass along those thanks to all of you, who use the special links to Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk! 5% of those purchases are donated to cancer research, and so far it has totalled over $3,700.
Dr. Mofid writes, We are so extremely grateful for your efforts to fund melanoma research and education and for honoring Eva’s legacy is such a profound way. I think that each of wishes that when we leave this earth, our lives will have impacted others in a positive way, and as I am sure Eva’s
music brings joy into so many people’s lives, in this particular way it also is saving lives.
Last week we conducted a free skin cancer screening (open to the public) and screened over 260 people, of which we found more than 25 lesions
that were highly suspicious. Those participants will now be having biopsies. The new skin cancer statistics, which are alarming, are that 1 in every 39 Americans has a lifetime risk of developing melanoma! So even though we are aggressively pursuing research, educating the public and screening is crucial as well. All of your funds are used to help support research and for that I am personally grateful.
Dr. Mona Mofid of the Dermatology Clinic at Johns Hopkins University has sent me some very important information about melanoma. As most of you know, Eva died from this form of cancer. Please take a few minutes to educate yourself about melanoma, because “If caught early, melanoma is one of the most curable of all cancers; however, left untreated it can be fatal.” The article also gives some interesting information about the melanoma program at Johns Hopkins, which is the beneficiary of the Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk fundraiser on this site.
Linda in Kansas City sent me information about her website, which is dedicated to the prevention and treatment of melanoma. It is at http://www.sunblitz.com. Linda is a six-year survivor of melanoma. Please take a few minutes to educate yourself about this potentially fatal, but often curable, form of cancer.
AMAZON ASSOCIATES FUNDRAISER:
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FUNDS RAISED FOR MELANOMA RESEARCH:
AMAZON ASSOCIATES UPDATE: This website is pleased to participate in the “Amazon Associates” program as a fundraiser for cancer research. Over the past several years we have raised well over $6,500 in Eva Cassidy’s memory. These funds are sent directly to the melanoma research fund at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland. Please, if you want to order ANYTHING from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com, and now from Amazon.ca, link from here, please! It doesn’t cost you any more, and these little bits of money mount up. The quarter-to-date totals are shown in the “navigation box” on this page. THANK YOU SO MUCH for your participation!
As many of you know, melanoma is the form of cancer that took Eva from us. Johns Hopkins University Hospital in Baltimore was where she received her medical treatment, and the Fund for Melanoma Research benefits medical research into this most deadly form of skin cancer. Did you know that Johns Hopkins has the largest medical research facility in the United States, and that it is also the largest private employer in the state of Maryland? By the way, the full name of the charity is the “Melanoma and Cutaneous Oncology Research Fund.” If you are interested in sending them a direct donation, use this address:
JHU Melanoma and Cutaneous Oncology Research Fund
Attention Amy Helsel
1 Charles Center
100 North Charles Street, Suite 436
Baltimore, MD 21201
USA