Tom Jones International

As the year ends — a great year for Sir Tom Jones and, therefore, for his fans — there are a few things left to note:

• Tom’s next scheduled Atlantic City appearance is in August, 2007 and he will play there November 30 through December 2, too.

• Tom is returning to the Netherlands on April 21 at the Heineken Music Hall in Amsterdam. We’re happy for our Dutch fan friends who find it difficult to make it to the UK for his more frequent appearances there.

•We note with sadness the passing of two of Tom’s musical influences — the Browns, Ruth and James. Luckily for us, their music will live far beyond their years.

• Our MusiCares auction winner was Paula, a British fan who is a frequent visitor to this site. The auction ended December 9 and she got the package December 12.

At that time she wrote to Ellen: “I am really thrilled with all of it and will read the book thoroughly as soon as I can: I think I showed remarkable restraint today (for me!!) by just having a quick skim of everything (actually I do keep sneaking a quick peek…) because having only just moved house and being blessed with a family that expects the whole Christmas thing to appear as if by magic, I’m really rushed off my feet just now. I read all about the book on the JTV site and regret I didn’t get my act together in time to send in my own tribute. I’m so pleased to get a copy of it and can’t wait to read it properly; gorgeous picture on the cover. I have read your Afterword and it is beautifully written. I’m sure Tom was very touched by that. The icing on the cake for me is that Tom has signed the book and the picture which makes them both so special. I tried everywhere in Australia and on the net to get a copy of Music Week but missed out so it’s great to finally see it. Oh, and the T-shirt! How could I forget to mention that? A bit on the large side for me but very nice nonetheless!

“Anyway I just wanted to let you know that this particularly besotted TJ fanatic is a very happy bunny today……..

“Thank you so much to you and Ursula for donating such a great package and I’m glad the money raised is going to such a worthwhile cause.”

The highlights of our year? Well, in addition to good health and happiness for our family and friends, the TJ-related highlights include (in no particular order): Tom’s new show, his knighthood, the ability to participate in the above-mentioned auction, the overwhelmingly positive response to this site from fans, the opportunity to meet so many of you and — of course — the opportunity to see Sir Tom Jones, still amazing at 66, perform and — night after night — wow the crowd. We’re lucky to have him and look to many more years.

Finally, as we leave 2006, we want to take note of the most original Christmas gift of the year. It was given with a great deal of love to Shirl, a Welsh fan now living in California whose family — not particularly TJ fans themselves — understands and appreciates her. A photo of the gift is at the bottom of this post.

We wish each of you a happy healthy new year filled with joy, peace, health, love and music.

—Ellen & Ursula

NOTE: As you can see, we posted some of our favorite photos from 2006. Upper left is by Damon Winter from the Los Angeles Times September 15, 2006. Photo on the upper right is, clearly, from March 29, the day Tom was knighted. The picture below that on the right is a publicity shot done for the release of Stoned in Love. And, finally, the photo to the left is uncredited, but it’s from the Observer magazine, October 21, 2006.

And, tomorrow, please look for our first “Question of the Month” for 2007. Meanwhile, have a safe New Year’s Eve.