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"JOHNNIE RAY DAY"
WAS SEPTEMBER 21, 2002, IN DALLAS! |
The Statesman Journal of Salem, Oregon reported: |
On Sept. 21, 2002, Dallas will honor it's
favorite son with Johnnie Ray Day, a half-century after the first Ray Day in Dallas,
Oregon. The city has never forgotten Ray, but it hasn't tried to capitalize on his legacy,
either. Randy Ray of Salem, Johnnie's 57-year old nephew, said that when people find
out he is related to the singer, they still enjoy talking about Johnnie. "If there
hadn't been a Johnnie Ray, there never would have been an Elvis, or The Beatles,"
Randy ray said. "It's a story that's been overlooked."
Arlie Holt, 72, of the Polk County Historical Museum, is hoping
the event will help expand the museum's exhibit on Ray's early years. Those who grew up
with him are invited to share their memories of the singer. Some will be taped for a video
history.
The Polk County Historic Society will host Johnnie Ray Day at
the Polk County Museum on the Polk County Fairgrounds near Rickreall Fairgrounds on Sept.
21. The event will feature two showings of a British-produced documentary {The Southbank
Show} on the life of Johnnie Ray at 10:30am and 2pm.
The historical society will produce a video titled "Johnnie
Ray, The Dallas Years," as part of the museum's permanent archive. For more
information, call Arlie Holt, 503-623-2871. |
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LOOK FOR JOHNNIE ON THE NEW "VH-1
CLASSICS" CHANNEL ON SATELLITE |
| Music Video Channel VH-1's spin-off channel called "VH-1
Classics" plays all-'80's videos 24 hours a day, including "Come On Eileen"
by Dexy's Midnight Runners. This is the video that shows Johnnie Ray arriving in Australia
for the first time along with fans holding pictures of Johnnie and wearing shirts and
shoes that have "JOHNNIE RAY" printed on them. The opening verse of the song is:
"Poor Ol' Johnnie Ray sang a sad song upon the radio as he broke a million hearts in
mono..." The channel is available on most satellite packages and some cable
services around the world. The video with Johnnie in it is in regular rotation, I have
seen it three times in the past two days.
KEEPING JOHNNIE ON THE AIR: David
Sibbald from Harmony Radio 87.7 FM in The
U.K. played "Please Mr. Sun" on the air Wednesday night, July 11, 2001. Thanks
David!
Also, Doris Limbert of Manchester, England, has written a
book called "My Personal Tribute To Johnnie Ray" complete with 29 chapters, more
details soon!
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Mrs. Doris Limbert (above), a truly devoted Johnnie Ray Fan, was
featured in The Prestwich And Whitefield Guide recently in a full-page story
featuring this photo of Doris with a special memento: A photo of Johnnie with his
autograph, and THE PEN HE USED TO SIGN IT WITH! WOW! Doris is also a long-standing member
of The Johnnie Ray Society and a regular contributor to both the Destiny Magazine
and Cry, she also places Johnnie's photo in various publications as a
representative of The Destiny Dynasty on his birthday each year (as seen in the January,
1999 issue of Cry), keep up the gRAYt work, Doris!
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From Ann Lawlor in The United Kingdom: I am delighted and excited to announce the
new Johnnie Ray Website for the U.K. The address is www.johnnierayappreciation.co.uk. It
is about time a website was opened for us fans in the U.K. We will make Johnnie
proud of us and bring his name into the limelight once again where it belongs.
RAY-gards, Ann Lawlor |
"DESTINY": |
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British singer Alma Cogan (above), a great admirer of
Johnnie Ray, in Johnnie's London Palladium dressing room in April, 1955, as featured in
the latest issue of Destiny, issue #22, published by Chris Flanagan, 93 Fabian
Crescent, Shirley, Solihull, West Midlands B90 4SE, U.K. The cover of this issue is
Johnnie with Mitzi Gaynor in colour! |
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