Fan Fare, What's New, Pussycat?
Here’s where you’ll find TJ photos and stories that don’t fit into any other categories. It is, as its name says, just for fans — and, hopefully, for fun.
Happy St. David’s Day (A Bit Early)
Thursday, February 28th, 2008We want to wish all our Welsh friends a very happy St. David’s Day. We know it falls on March 1, but we’re looking forward to reviews from Tom’s New Zealand concert (which, is actually on February 29 in most of our time zones) and we have a new Question of the Month ready to go. Thus, the early wish.
When Gill S. from Wales commented on one of the posts about the New Zealand concert that she wished Tom would be in his birthplace for the holiday, we mentioned March 1, 2005, celebrated onstage at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
That Tuesday night was cold and nasty outside. The Hollywood Theatre had, uncharacteristically, lots of empty seats. A fan had made a card to give Tom to commemorate the date and congratulate him, as that day was exactly 40 years since It’s Not Unusual hit number one.
The card was made of two pieces of white oaktag taped together. On it was a message in Welsh and a wish for continued success. It was decorated with a Welsh dragon. The photo accurately shows the size of the card.
Tom came out and did the opening, Tom Jones International, and, as he does all the time, moved right into the next song. Before the third number, he picked up a leek and a daffodil from the stool where he keeps his water and his Vocalzones.
He walked to the front of the stage and explained to the audience that it was St. David’s Day and the leek and the daffodil are symbols of Wales.
At that point, the fan who made the card and another fan sitting with her at table 5, stageside center, stood up and gave Tom the card.
He read the message on the outside and explained to the audience what March 1 meant in his career. Then the fan who made the card asked him to open it. He did and inside found messages written by scores of people; messages that had been collected from the audience and the staff at the Hollywood Theatre in the hour between the doors opening and the beginning of the show.
He was clearly moved by the card and the messages and, we were told by someone who visited with him backstage that night, he read all the messages and said repeatedly how surprised he was that people remembered the date. (But we know that’s what real fans do.)
We wish Tom and all our friends from Wales — and in Wales — the happiest of days.
February 28th, 2008 at 10:04 pm
Happy St. David’s Day, Tom.
February 29th, 2008 at 12:25 am
Ladies - lovely story. Thanks for sharing! As my dear departed mother would say about Tom, “what a lovely Welsh boy.”
Happy St. David’s Day to all..(my mother’s family hail from Wales). I’ll be flying my Welsh flag proudly here in California. As St. David said, remember to “do the little things!”
February 29th, 2008 at 4:19 am
Hi, This is Gill from S.Wales again.Thanks for highlighting my post.I thought all Tom’s fans would be interested in what was mentioned on the B.B.C. radio Wales this morning. Wales is running a Welsh Idol poll and Tom is in the final 10. However, this poll has been going since January and not made public.The closing date is St. David’s Day, 1st March. I feel Tom will lose a lot of votes because of this.
February 29th, 2008 at 4:51 am
Gill, according to the BBC website, this is only the start. The first part was to draw a shortlist from which the public will be able to vote. Quote: “From Saturday — St David’s Day — the public will be able to vote from the shortlist of 10 Welsh figures which has been drawn up.”
Since it’s a national poll it makes sense if only Welsh people get to vote. But if it’s open to the rest of the world let’s vote!
February 29th, 2008 at 5:02 am
Dragonlady, Thanks for the info I,ll check it out.
February 29th, 2008 at 7:19 am
A lovely gesture from a thoughtful fan: I’m sure Tom would have been deeply touched by it.
Happy St.David’s Day to all…….. and as Tom used to say at the end of his TV shows: “Gwyn Eich Byd a Dymunaf I Chwi Lawenydd”. (May you always be well and happy.)
February 29th, 2008 at 9:09 am
Gill, Dragonlady, All: We kind of believe that if it’s a Welsh poll, then it is for Welsh people. We don’t know enough about many of these people. The short list includes: Ray Gravell, Katherine Jenkins, St David, Gethin Jones, James Hook, Joe Calzaghe, Tom Jones, Bryn Terfel, Hywel Dda or Ryan Giggs. Most non-Welsh have only heard of Jenkins, Terfel and Jones. We just don’t think it’s cricket to vote if you don’t know the field. Unlike the Best of Las Vegas poll in January — which is specifically open to anyone and everyone — this seems to be open, yes, but the voter should be aware of who is who. Finally, how can one compare a saint with a singer with a TV presenter, with a rugby player, with another singer, with a 10th-century king, with a middleweight fighter, with a football player, with a rugby player and with another singer? On the other hand, a “Welsh Idol” vote doesn’t say the voters must be Welsh, just the people they’re voting for.
So, if you wish, vote away!
February 29th, 2008 at 10:59 pm
I have been voting….as an American, I think Tom should win the Welsh poll!!! And a Happy St. David’s day to Sir Tom!!!
March 1st, 2008 at 9:21 am
Dydd Gwyl Dewi hapus! Happy St. David’s Day everybody!