TJ Questions, What's New, Pussycat?
Here’s where we post our “Question of the Month” and where you can send in a question about Tom and we’ll do our best to answer. To submit a question, please click on “Ellen” or “Ursula” in the “contact” link on the right of the page. Looking forward to hearing from you!
March Question of the Month: What does an entertainer owe to fans?
Wednesday, March 1st, 2006What does an entertainer — Tom Jones or any other — owe fans? Is it just a good show? Something more? Please tell us what is owed (if anything) and why.
March 1st, 2006 at 1:19 pm
Tom Jones owes us nothing but the best performance he is willing to offer on any given night. The price of a ticket does not and should not include a peek into his bedroom or his wallet.
March 1st, 2006 at 2:13 pm
Is it a question of “owes” or of giving more than the minimum?
I’ve heard that Barry Manilow saves the first few rows for fans and Julio Iglesias has parties for them Some people have said here that Wayne Newton will pose for a photo with fans who buy a VIP package. I think that’s kind of cheesy and I’m not sure what is correct for the artist to do. But the opportunity to meet Tom would sure be nice.
March 1st, 2006 at 2:45 pm
To: Delilahdarlin
I, too, would love the opportunity to meet Tom Jones in person. I have wanted to do that since I was 14 years old. However, with the number of nut cases running around, I can certainly appreciate a protocol that needs to take place to meet Tom. I have personally written his management for permission to meet him, but so far, no luck. I spend a ton of money on tickets, plane fare and hotel bills several times a year, but I have never felt that Tom “owed” me anything but a great show. He has never disappointed me.
I think it’s wonderful that Barry and Julio do what they do, and if Tom were to offer those options, I would be there with bells on. They certainly give more than the minimum. It is still Tom’s perogative to choose whether or not to do those things and we, as fans, should respect that. So many crappy things have been written about Tom from supposed fans, lovers, etc., that I don’t blame him for not offering “open season” to meet him. With all that said, it is still a dream of mine to meet him before I leave this earth, and if I do, I shall be grateful for the opportunity.
March 1st, 2006 at 3:19 pm
I don’t think entertainers owe us anything. They give us so much just by sharing their talent. My husband said Tom Jones has been responsible for some great nights.
I would also love to meet Tom Jones but I don’t want to know about his personal life anymore than I would want him to know about mine.
Just keep performing and that will be our gift.
March 1st, 2006 at 3:52 pm
I don’t like the idea of the vip package thing. It’s not very rock and roll is it? What happened to throwing the tv out of the hotel room window? Or the kettle at least.
“The only thing you owe the public is a good performance” - Humphrey Bogart.
March 1st, 2006 at 8:25 pm
I love Tom’s voice, stage presence and performances. I pay to see and hear the man sing and perform. I do not pay him my money with the expectation that he should tell me his life story. His private life is just that, private. As far as VIP packages, as I understand it, the people who pay top dollar or belong to the casino or club are rewarded with a meet and greet with Tom. I don’t agree with this because then all of his fans do not have the opportunity to meet him.
If given the opportunity, I would love to meet him. But I do not expect this to ever happen and if it does it will be a great surprise and treat for me.
It would be wonderful if all his fans could meet him. Besides the obvious impossibility of that, can you imagine some of the nutcases he might run into? It could be very dangerous for him.
So, I am completely happy with attending his concerts and listening to that God given voice and enjoying the performance of his band and singers.
May Sir Tom and his voice reign for many years to come!!!
March 2nd, 2006 at 7:44 pm
Honestly, this is how I feel: A performer really does not owe us a thing except a wonderful show, and they all do try to meet that expectation.I believe that most of them do. I also think that we fans feel a lot better when the performer does a little something special — whether a joke, a wink, a smile, or some other kind of gesture that lets us know that he or she acknowledges the truth that, no matter how talented they may be, without the fans their success may not be so great.
I think that Tom Jones does all of those things and then some by his cute little dance movements, his little sexy ways of suggestion, his little jokes. But for me the best thing is that he always outdoes himself at each performance and makes you want to go back for more.
I can honestly say that in the 10 years I’ve lived in Vegas I have seen many acts but whenever I go to see T.J. I notice that everyone in the audience walks out with a smile on their faces. Leaving the theater I have oveheard many conversations and yet they all sound the same: “Wasn’t he great?” or “Could you believe how good he still is?” From the women, of course, you always hear “He is still SEXY.”
I love the finale, Kiss, because he usually pauses and says, “Thank you, good night we love you” (and mentions the city where he is performing) and then belts out the word KISS for me.
I walk away thinking that he just planted a kiss on all of our cheek as a thank you for coming.and that means a lot to me.
March 2nd, 2006 at 10:53 pm
I think the question should be what as fans do we owe Sir Tom Jones.
I have been attending his concerts for 36 years now. He does not ask us to come. We go year after year because we recognize his amazing talent and his voice that sings to our hearts. He is like no other entertainer and there will never be anyone else like him.
While he is performing we owe him the respect not to be talking — especially during his ballads — as that is nothing but rude. It amazes me how fans can do that. After all, are we not there to enjoy his voice? i find it so disrespectful when there are some fans who feel they must sing LOUD AND OFFKEY to all of his songs. Of course, I understand that Tom does want audience participation and, yes, we sing to some songs. But, after all, he is “The Voice” and he can carry his own tunes very well.
We owe him the respect not to scream and shout disrespectful things to him from the audience when he doesn’t respond to us and, instead, acknowledes another fan. I have seen this happen many times — last time on February 19th in Atlantic City — and I personally just do not get it.
Sure, I want to meet him (that is one of my dreams and, God willing, someday I will) and at that time I will thank him for all the joy his voice and his persona has given me since my childhood. I have seen fans, when Tom is leaving restaurant where he has been dining, begin to scream at him because they had to wait while he ate dinner after the show. I have to question if a true fan would be angry because he did not want to be disturbed during dinner.
I have heard that Tom is very gracious to his fans when he is done eating and he signs autographs and takes pictures. I have never had this pleasure, but am so happy for those who have.
This man has earned our respect as he has been doing this for over 40 years. As his fans we need to realize that he is just that a man who deserves his privacy when he is not performing. He gives us all so much. We should always give him the respect he deserves..
March 2nd, 2006 at 11:39 pm
Maggie brings up an interesting question: What do we, as fans, owe a performer? She emphasizes “respect.” Anything else?
March 3rd, 2006 at 11:46 am
In theory Tom Jones doesn’t owe his fans anything, but a great show. We are NOT responsible for his success. We ARE responsible for his popularity. On and off stage he has always strived to please his fans.
March 7th, 2006 at 12:33 pm
Well, I can only speak for myself, but I think Tom Jones owes me a back rub. A really great one with scented oil and candlelight, not to soft, not too.. well, in any case, a languid and leisurely one and I bet he’d do an awesome job :=))
March 7th, 2006 at 12:36 pm
Ooops! Missed the Moderator comment.. so, in turn, I would definitely owe him a back rub full of the utmost respect, of course:=))
You’ll have to forgive me: I haven’t seen Tom Jones perform in awhile and I still have about six weeks to go! I know you call all sympathize with me.
Respectfully yours, Fay:=))