Terry Fator Has Talent And His Own Theatre!

Things have sure changed for Terry Fator, winner of season 2 of America's Got Talent, in the past few years.  The struggling ventriloquist went from playing fairs and schools to signing a multi-million dollar contract with the Mirage Hotel and Casino and performing in a theatre bearing his name. 

His story is quite fascinating and I am glad I had the chance to talk to him about his incredible journey.  Fator says that he "could not have been more stunned" when he won America's Got Talent.  He says that he was convinced that he was not going to win and didn't think that America would vote a ventriloquist as the #1 act.  He tried really hard to make his act appeal to the masses, though, by using songs that people really liked and by adding puppets that he thought people would find entertaining.  He says he could never have prepared , however, for how he seemed to capture America's heart and is still amazed that people "really, really" enjoy his show.  Enjoy they do!  His show is sold out almost every night in Vegas. 

The coolest thing about Terry Fator is that he truly seems grateful and thankful for his success.  Don't think that success has come easy though.  Fator spend twenty plus years working his act before he won the popular TV show contest and the hard work didn't stop when he won.  In fact Fator says that if you think "that success is when you can start taking it easy, it's exactly the opposite.  Success is when the work really starts."  Being a self described workaholic, however, Fator seems to be handling that work load just fine. 

Terry first started to sing when he was only 3 years old and started doing impressions at the age of 6.  Then at the age of 10, he found a book on how to do ventriloquism.  That's right.  He taught himself from a book!  That's when he got a puppet and started touring with a band for about 15 years.  He broke out on his own in 2002 and started to focus on how to do a routine that people would really want to see.  His repertoire has since expanded into impersonating country acts Garth Brooks, Brooks and Dunn, and Big and Rich.  He also throws in some Cher, Justin Timberlake, and Pussycat Dolls in his Vegas act. 

Fator also believes in giving back.  All of the proceeds from the merchandise he sells in Vegas goes to various charities that support our troops.  Mainly those that help the wounded or help children that have lost a parent in combat.  That is something that is very important to Fator.  So important, that he also donates a portion of those proceeds when he heads out on the road.  You can catch him on the road when he performs at the Allegan County Fair in Allegan, Michigan on September 17th. 

America got it right.  Terry Fator is living the American Dream and what a humble entertainer he is because of it all!

Not A Belt!

It seems that my five-year-old doesn't want to go to Kindergarten anymore.  You can imagine my concern when he announced this to me yesterday.  What could have happened?  Is he missing me too much, or his baby brother?  Daddy?  Is it hard for him?  Was someone mean to him?  All kinds of scenarios raced through my head and I was wondering how in the world I was going to handle this one. 

"Why don't you want to go back to school, sweetie?"  I carefully asked.  He replied with, "because you have to wear a belt!"

The relief rushed out of me as a crisis was diverted.  At least for me, the belt crisis still exists for Jonathan.  You see, he must wear a uniform to attend his public school.  The shirts must be tucked in, and a belt must be worn with dress pants or khakis.  I bought him a dress belt to go with his cute little dress shorts when we were school shopping, but that proved to be a little too difficult for him to master.  It was too hard to figure out how to get off.  So, Daddy took things into his hands over the weekend and bought him a belt "he used to have as a kid" thinking the sliding device would be easier for Jonathan to operate. 

I guess we have both failed on the belt buying front, because Jonathan came home from school yesterday with his new belt broken.  I guess it wasn't as easy to get off afterall. 

If he could tie his shoes, I'd just throw some rope around his waist and call it good.  In the meantime, he'll have to keep shimming his pants off with a very loose dress belt around his waist. 

Taylor Swift's "Mine" Hoopla

Okay, so did you watch the "big reveal" of Taylor Swift's video "Mine" on Friday night? I have to admit that I got caught up in the hoopla, even though I complained about it as I was glued to CMT. I hadn't seen the Dateline interview that aired prior to the big special to premier the new video, and it really intrigued me. I laughed pretty hard a couple of times. Especially the "wax in my eye, wax in my eye" ranting Taylor did after blowing out candles in the "chill tent" backstage when the fire marshall was on his way.

I'm really torn on my feelings towards Taylor Swift.  I don't think it is a secret that I find her singing less than desirable, in fact I think she is out of tune pretty much all the time.  However, I think her songwriting is amazing and she has managed to intrigue so many people and appeal to the masses.  On one hand I love her wholesome appeal and influence on young girls, but on the backside of that hand, I wonder how much of it is genuine.  I am getting a little tired of the "I can't believe you guys love me" look on her face when the crowd screams for her.  She even eggs it on, which really annoys me.  Then there is the hair flipping.  C'mon, Tay, get a new move, PLEASE before you give us all whiplash!  All that said, I can't help but sing her songs at the top of my lungs when her songs come on.  And I have mentioned many times that it is on my bucket list to sing back up for Ms. Swift (although if Reba calls, I'll drop her like she's hot) mainly because it just looks like whatever world she is in when she is on that stage looks like so much fun.  She just looks like I did dancing and singing in my room as a teenager--pretty much the reason why I think she appeals to the masses.  It is also the same reason I couldn't turn off the TV Friday night until I saw the stinkin video for "Mine."

Taylor Swift   More CMT Music   More CMT Music Videos

While I think the song does not live up to all the propaganda it has been given, I liked the video.  Particularly the part where she is standing among pictures hanging from string outside.  I also liked that we get to see a glimpse of Taylor as an adult with kids.  Perhaps giving us hope that as she ages, we'll still be in love with young girl that took the world my storm. 

Maybe I'll ask LeAnn Rimes what she thinks. 

I Found The Croissanwich Commercial!

Here it is folks...from 1985!  By the way, my husband wants to know how I can remember such useless information when I can't seem to remember what I did yesterday.  I told him, that's an easy one.  It was B.C.  Before Children!!!

Enjoy the video!

Can I Get A New Jingle Package, Please?

I was talking with a co-worker a couple of weeks ago about having a certain song stuck in my head.  It wasn't a country song or a pop song, but rather a French children's song.  If you have a baby swing, bouncer, or any infant toy that plays music at all, you know what song I am talking about.  Yep, "Frere Jacques." 

That's when this co-worker complained to me about the ice cream truck that has been circling her house all summer playing the same "I can't get it out of my head even though I don't know the words" song!  Why does anything and everything having to do with kids use this song?  That's when we decided that baby gear needs a new jingle package. 

Can I get some Laurie Berkner or They Might Be Giants?  Heck even Kenny Loggin's craptapular "Pooh's Corner" would be welcomed six-months into this baby thing.  At least it would be something different! 

By the way.  Does anyone even really know the words to Frere Jacques?  I had to look it up just find out how to spell it, there is no way I could sing it all.  When I did look it up, though I learned a few things.  First of all, here are the rest of the words:

Frere Jacques, Frere Jacques, dormez vous?  Dormez vous?
Sonnez les matines!  Sonnez les matines!
Din, dan, don.  Din, dan, don.

Whatever....
 Here's the English version:

Are you sleeping? Are you sleeping?
Brother John, Brother John,
Morning bells are ringing! Morning bells are ringing!
Ding, dang, dong. Ding, dang, dong.

Uh, all this time I thought the words were "Croisan'which has more stuffin than the Egg McMuffin."  Which is exactly what has been stuck in my head all these years.  Whose to say 1980s advertising didn't work? 
 
 

Throwback Thursday!

Believe it or not, Mel Tillis used to do commercials for What-A-Burger!




Now a country music icon, Mel Tillis is probably know for his stutter more so than his music.  That's not to say he didn't make great music, because he did!  He wrote many hits songs and sang a few too.  He is also the father of country crooner Pam Tillis.  Mel has more than 36 top ten hits and is probably most know for writing "Ruby Don't Take Your Love To Town" for Kenny Rogers.  He also had a very successful film career, starring in "Smoky and The Bandit" with Burt Reynolds.     

Tillis has a new album coming out on September 21st.  It's a comedy album!  Can't wait ttttto hhhear it!

Just Call Me Mom, P.I.

Okay, so yesterday I took the day off of work in order to send Jonathan off to Kindergarten.  I wanted to be able to kiss him goodbye and take his picture in his cute little uniform and wish him the best day ever.  What I did not plan on, was morphing into a spy. 

I did not want to change his routine just because I was home, so Daddy, baby brother, and I all took him to his "Bright Beginnings" program at a very dark and early 6:30am.  He was a little hesitant to stay there, and I can't say I blame him.  He was tired and didn't know a sole in a place he had never been.  Funny, actually.  We had plenty of visits to the new school and got to meet his teacher in advance, but was not allowed to visit this program before the first day of school.  Perhaps I'll send that idea the school district's way for future kiddos....ANYWAY....as soon as I turned around to leave, the tears began to roll.  Poor, baby brother...he got more kisses and hugs than he wanted yesterday.  And some tears on the top of his head. 

After being at home for awhile, I looked at the clock and realized that the bus should be picking Jonathan up soon to take him to his school.  So, Tyler and I decided to drive past the school to make sure big brother got on the right bus.  Boy, was the place packed.  There, among the slew of insanity, was my little Kindergartner waiting patiently in a line for his bus, sporting his cute little dino backpack.  There were no parking spaces, so I did a few laps.  After all, there were buses coming and going, so his had to be coming soon.  I figured I'd just wait until he got picked up. 

Worried that someone was going to call the police on me, I decided to stop circling and park across the street in a church parking lot.  It was the perfect view.  I got to see my boy and all the bus numbers.  All of the bus numbers except the bus number I so carefully wrote on a picture of a bus and taped to Jonathan's lunchbox so he would know what numbers to look for.  Panic started to ensue.  It was getting later and I still didn't see his bus and at times, I couldn't see Jonathan because of all the ciaos.  There were buses everywhere...all but bus #130!  Where the #$% was bus #130?  Where's Jonathan?  Oh, no.  He's not there anymore.  There is a bus leaving, he must be on that one! 

So off I went, following that bus!  Needless to say, I am not a good follower and was outrun by a school bus and I lost track of it.  Well, now I had to drive past his school to see if I can see him getting off.  What if they took him somewhere else? 

I could see a group of kids waiting by the doors, but could not see Jonathan.  I went ahead and parked in the lot, because there was actually a parking spot, but by this time school was about to start in 5 minutes.  I waited so long that Tyler decided it would be a good idea to take a nap, so I then decided I could hang out a little longer, I mean, the baby was sleeping, no need to risk waking him up by moving. 

After a couple of buses came and went the teachers waiting at the doors closed up shop and I was left sitting there alone wondering if my sweet, innocent, 5-year-old was inside or lost somewhere in a transportation nightmare. 

I debated on whether or not I should go inside to see.  Nah, then I would really be considered crazy and be labeled the whole school year as one of those moms.  So, I went and filled my car up with gas, because my low fuel light dinged on the way over to the 2nd school, and went home. 

I couldn't stand it though, and ended up calling the school just to make sure.  I could breathe easy again, he was there.  I wish that I could say that was the end of my drama for the day, but it wasn't....

When it was time for Jonathan to come home, I packed Tyler in his stroller and off we went to wait for his return.  We were outside for awhile, because I was a little eager, but it was such a beautiful day, we didn't mind.  We even chatted with a couple of neighbors. 

When I spotted the bus down the street, I got all excited.  "Here comes big brother, Tyler!  He's home from school!"  As I stepped back from the street a little to let the bus stop, I was shocked as it went right past me!!  I waved at the driver to stop, but she kept going!  If ever there was an OMG moment, that was one.  I tried to run around the corner, pushing Tyler the whole way, but again, I was outrun by a bus. (Maybe they need to slow down.)  What in the world was I going to do now?!  I ran up the other end of the street thinking that maybe he was let off somewhere down the street.  No sign of him.  I kept looking behind me, no sign of him.  This was it.  My son was going to be the one in the newspaper in the morning as the Kindergartner left on the bus. 

Just then, as I was now running down the street, I saw the yellow giant carrying my baby.  I pushed Tyler into the grass and waved like a crazy woman for that bus to stop!  When it did and the driver opened the door I believe I said, "You have NO idea the heart attack you just gave me by passing me up like that!"  Okay--NOW I have been labeled as one of those moms.  She explained to me that her route has her passing our house on her way to another stop first, then she circles back around to let Jonathan off.  Sounds dumb to me, but luckily Jonathan threw such a fit at passing his house that the bus driver turned around. 

Boy did he EVER get hugs and kisses after getting off that bus!  And the tears fell again.   

I'm going to chalk it all up to the first day back to school, but if that crazy bus passes me again, I might just have to home school!  At least put out an APB!