Thanksgiving - 2008

Well, of course it is, tomorrow.

In the spirit of the season, I thought it might be a good idea to offer our thanks to Chad and Jeremy, for several things. Personally, not only am I greatful to have their wonderful wit and music back again in both live and recorded form this year, but I'd also like to thank them for the new friendships I've been able to make because of their music. I've met a bunch of new friends who share my interest in the musical magic that these two gentlemen create, and, as a way of making this effort sort of a group thanks, I'd like to share a bunch of reviews that I've culled from the many posts over the past 2 years on the Yahoo Chad & Jeremy group (plus two outstanding reviews that came to me outside of the group). And, though Liz and Shirely from the UK haven't seen any of the live shows yet, I'll mention them here because they are huge fans, and have been wonderfully supportive of this blog :).

So, without further bustle and fuss, here we go:

Black Oak Casino
Happy Birthday Jeremy! It was fun seeing you and Chad at the Black Oak Casino a week ago (the 15th)! My friends and I had to drive 3 hours to get to your show there but it was well worth it! We had TONS of fun! Take care!
Paul

I saw them at Black Oak and it was a dream come true. Best part was being able to speak with Chad & Jeremy after the show and thank them for the beautiful harmonics that have meant so much to me.....what a joy to look them in the eye, shake their hand and have a few sincere words. Black Oak always has free concerts with headline performers.
Vicky H.

Moondog Coronation Ball
I was at the Moondog Coronation Ball in Cleveland last night and I totally FLIPPED when Igot Chad and Jeremy's autographs! I'm only 21, but my mom (who also freaked out) raised me right and we always watched the Dick Van Dyke Show... and one of my favorites was "the Redcoats are Coming"...Well, they did! They came to Cleveland and it was amazing!!!Alma

Westerly, RI
I had the pleasure and privilege to attend Chad & Jeremy's acoustic concert in Westerly RI on Friday. What a night!!! I have been to many concerts of performers from the 60's and this was the best! I closed my eyes at one point and felt like I was 15 again listening to my 45s of C&J. Their voices and harmonies were beautiful. I always thought they were great singers but now I truly appreciate what great overall musicians they both are...from writing their songs to awesome guitar, and mandolin playing. It was an intimate, wonderful venue to see them. And they were so gracious at the autograph signing…. The hour ride home was filled with lots of singing! I'm still on a Chad & Jeremy high!Thank you...thank you!!!!
Sharon M.

Hi- I also saw Chad and Jeremy in Westerly, RI. It was a fantastic show. I have seen them twice before when they opened for Peter Noone (I am a Noonatic), but seeing them with their own show in this intimate venue was really special. I think it's fair to say that Westerly loves Chad and Jeremy, and I hope they will have them back again.If you read these messages, thanks Chad and Jeremy!
Meri


Tampa, FL
The concert was excellent! The beauty of the concert was seeing Chad's developed talent in instruments. Their showmanship was fantastic and their ability to interplay together was a natural.I can see the heart felt songs they created in their youth are now matched with life long experience in the songs they created.The most priceless moment and I hope Jason kept this... was Jeremy's senior moment upon starting a song they had not performed in some time. It was a very poignant moment of C & J today. I cannot wait until their pbs special will appear or bio DVD. Two great songwriters and singers... 2008 Lets hope TX this time.
Yvonne

Hey - I was there last night and thoroughly enjoyed the performance - it meant a lot to me since I have waited 42 years to see them - I am 59 and at the time in 1965 I was 16 - I loved them then but seeing them now and knowing about what happened to them I have so much more respect for them. But the fact that these two very special gentlemen (lad's) carried on and made successful careers despite not being to carry on as Chad & Jeremy. I would love to know more about their careers in the last 30 years.I want to get the DVD when it comes out. As I grow older it is good to see that C&J have aged well but they feel OK about their age - they are not like Mick & the Stones- In other words they feel good in their own skin because they are accomplished in the arts. They have gotten past the "rock star" stage.
Ann E.

Narragansett, RI
Hi- It was at the Pier in Narragansett, and it was great! It was the first acoustic show in a new venue, and it held about 200 people. Chad and Jeremy did a sort of musical history of their own music, with narrative. They played for an hour, had a 15 minute intermission, then played for a second hour. I hope we see them again next tour.
Meri

New Hampshire
Peter and Gordon are playing in Conn at the Mohegan Sun May 4, I believe, FYI. When are C&J in Vegas? I hate Vegas but they are worth it ...I saw C&J in in NH in Sept, front row center, got to chat a good bit after...still on cloud 9...they are so sweet and still talented.
CherylAnne in NH

Ormand Beach, FL
Oh, Bonnie, it was great! It truly was a house concert. I thought it was going to be at a clubhouse but was actually in the home of a very nice couple. This was in Ormond Beach, Florida, just north of Daytona.They sounded teriffic. Chad had some technical difficulties with a guitar but he was able to switch out with the hostess. As our host owns a music store, they were in the right place. Jeremy did a sort of history of C&J monologue in between the songs. From what I could tell by looking at the set list upside down, it was 25 or 26 songs total, divided into two sets. I might add that they looked teriffic, too. I must confess, when Jeremy came in and sat down on his stool,the angle was perfect for eye contact. There went the heart pounding, just like when I was 20 years old or less all those years ago, at seeing those beautiful eyes. They both appear much younger than their age.It was a great night out, I couldn't have asked for better. The setting was as good as it gets. Wow! All concerts should be like this.
Pat

I went to see C&J in Oct 2007 - I was shocked at how great they look and how good looking they are in person - not to mention how talented they are. My husband was not a fan when we went but he really enjoyed them - it makes me feel great to see them looking as good as they are since I just turned 60. I have been a fan since High School.
Ann E.

Sellersville, PA
Hi Gang, I was at the Sellersville PA concert last nite, along with Pat Mancuso of the P&G Fan Club, Bonnie Margolis and her sister, and Lance Blair and his mother. Our seats weren't right up front, but they were pretty good. The concert was awesome, as usual. The songs were terrific, humor fun, music perfect and, of course, voices were absolutely beautiful. They received well-deserved standing ovations. They did do a meet and greet after the concert and our group waited til everyone else had left so we had some extra time to chat with the guys and take photos These men are so sweet and congenial, not to mention talented, I'm so glad I've actually had the opportunity to meet them several times over the past year. .. Thanks, C&J!
Nancy

I apologize for not having any (pictures) of C and J onstage or of the theater. It is a cozy venue and the staff were helpful and kind.C and J were, as always, so entertaining. The interaction between them is sweet....my sister remarked, more than once, "kind of like watching an old married couple."I traveled from CT and it was well worth it. I would urge anyone equivocating about whether to go the extra mile(s) or not to get to a show to go. You won't be disappointed.They were very kind through the exhaustion of traveling to stay and graciously spent some time with anyone in the audience who wished to see them.Totally made my weekend to be able to share this with my sister and Nancy and Pat and Lance and his Mom too.
Bonnie

Mohegan Sun
I may be 55 but I felt 15 last night!!! Chad & Jeremy transported me back to my long lost youth. 40 some years ago, I never dreamed that I would not only get to see them perform live but also get to shake their hands and speak to them. They are an absolutely genuine, talented...and very handsome...duo. Their voices were so rich and clear....their harmonies better than ever. I was lucky enough to see them in Westerly last year too...so I am just over the moon! Their show is not just about the singing. I love their chatting with the audience. They shared stories and anecdotes with us. I could go on and on. I also want to say thank you to Caswell for making this happen. I love that C&J play in RI and CT and hope you continue to book them here whenever possible....maybe the weather will be nicer next time....but they made the sun shine for me last night!Thank you Chad & Jeremy for a magical night!
Sharon M.

Hi from CherylAnne, who also was at the show...and who got to meet Tony and his lovely wife. And Caswell, and C&J. WOW.
Tony got it perfectly...it was amazing on so many levels. They are talented, delightful gentlemen, who clearly have more to give. No "one-hit wonders" here. They continue to grow, evolve, and amaze.
See them if at all possible!
CherylAnne

Mohegan Sun - The Performance
Thanks for the observations Tony, I enjoyed reading them. I was at the Mohegan Sun concert, and thoroughly enjoyed myself. I was delighted to finally be able to see Chad and Jeremy, after years of enjoying them. It is fair to say I was addicted to Of Cabbages and Kings make when it was released. Their voices are still strong and true, they seem like they enjoyed being there as much as I did. I love seeing some of these talented musicians touring still, and letting us have the opportunity to see them. Thanks C&J for a great evening!
Jenney

Westbury 5/2
Having been a big British Invasion fan for over 40 years, I enjoyed all the acts last evening but I was absolutely blown away by Chad and Jeremy. They look great and they sound amazing!! The last time I had seen them was at a British Invasion show in the mid-80s at the Felt Forum behind Madison Square Garden. It was lovely to hear "Distant Shores" and a song which was new to me called "You Are She" (not only beautifully done a cappella but also grammatically correct!!). Another beautiful song was "Zanzibar Sunset". I have some CD purchases to make so that I can add these songs to my collection!! I will be keeping a close eye on C&J's concert schedule and hope that they will be in the NY metro area again soon.
Carroll

Chicago, IL
Re: [chadandjeremy] Re: Chad and Jeremy Message to America
I agree--My cousin and I saw the house concert in Wilmette, Illinois, and Chad & Jeremy were the most talented and genuine two men that I have had the pleasure to meet.
Pat

After reading Tony's C&J blog, I decided to check Clark Weber's Senior Moment website to see if the July 8 program is now available to hear. When my husband and I attended the house concert in Chicago, we happened to sit by Clark and Joan Weber. He had been a top disc jockey with WLS in the 1960s. However, I grew up in the South and didn't know his connection.
When Chad and Jeremy came into the room and began chatting with the guests, Clark greeted them. I, however, panicked and couldn't move. Clark brought them over to meet me. Then, I couldn't shut up.
A few days later, we returned to our St. Louis area home and found a radio script in the mail from Clark. He asked if he could use the story without mentioning our names. Of course, I loved the idea of Chad and Jeremy receiving publicity, even if I was called a "mature woman" (ouch). But I did ask Clark to please refer to my favorite duo as "ageless" instead of "old," which he graciously did. Clark just published a book, "Clark Weber's Rock and Roll Radio The Fun Years: 1955-75." It comes with a CD and is available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
Anyway, I don't know if anyone else is interested in that night, but it was wonderful for me.
Janet

Chico, CA
Hi everyone! Chad and Jeremy's Coopers Bluff show, Chico, CA, last night was AWSOME! It was in a private residence, in the area between Chico and Paradise, near one of the largest wildfires here in California. I am not a journalist and my memory is rather poor. If you have been to any of their recent concerts this one was basically the same. I guess the night before Chad and Jeremy performed to a sell out crowd in San Diego! They sold out all the CD's they had along, so they had none for sale last night. They did though take pre orders for their new Arkeology CD that should be out soon! We hope, lol Both Chad and Jeremy were in high spirits and joked with those who came. Most who came were neighbors from down the road. I probably came the furthest distance. Took me about 3 or so hours to get to Chico. A couple came from Placerville, a drive of about 2 hour or so.
Paul


And, in general…..
Re: [chadandjeremy] gigs
Hi Shirley and All, I had the extreme pleasure of seeing and meeting C&J in Whippany NJ in September, and thought they were so terrific, I treated myself for my birthday and drove 200 miles to Rhode Island to see them again the following week (a birthday gift from me, to me). I was fortunate enough to see them in the '60s (my very first concert) and when I heard they were touring again, I HAD to see them again! It's like your first love; you always have a special place in your heart for them. If you have the opportunity, please go see them! Time has been good to them; they look great and sound terrific. Even without a band behind them, they are wonderful! They chat, tell jokes, backgrounds of their songs, etc. Chad plays close to a million instruments...
Nancy H.

RE: [chadandjeremy] Jeremy on the radio again
there is no doubt that he is a very talented man and almost as easy on the eyes as he is talented. Last time we saw them, I was walking through the casino as he and Chad were heading for the show room. I passed with in inches or them and Oh My... I had to just tell myself not to drool or trip or..... They were both dressed to the nines and what a pretty duo. ANd they are also very nice. I had been a fan for so many years before I actually got to see them live and I would have been crushed if they had been jerks... like a couple of others we met.
Dorothy

I remember working as an usher at the Studebaker Theater, in downtown Chicago, back in the 70's, and Jeremy was appearing in a play, and we would sometimes hang out between the Saturday matinee and evening performances. Someone organized a trip to a children's orphanage, and Jeremy went, too. I remember thinking what a nice man!
It was so long ago, that's all I can remember. What a nice man!
Michaline, Cary, Illinois

So excited about this show (Chatham, NJ). I saw them in NJ, RI, and NH last fall...definitely the best live act anywhere…A friend of mine told me that at Mohegan Sun they guys cut out "Some Small Town" and a few others. I'd be crushed if they didn't play "Some Small Town" tomorrow...my favorite new song of this entire decade!
John P

Chad and Jeremy at the Boulton Theatre, Bay Shore, NY, 10-24-08
Dr. Deborah Dullahan
The Boulton is a small theatre with small seats and small aisles, which makes it an intimate venue, just right for acoustic music. We glimpsed the piano, two guitars, and another curious instrument onstage, in anticipation, as we knew we were in for a rare treat. Even with this knowledge, we were not prepared for the evening to come. Chad and Jeremy, old friends, back again, suddenly in command of the audience and stage, by means of sheer talent, the sweetness of their music and personalities, and their utter enjoyment of what they were doing, were in perfect voice and in rare form, telling their story, in a relaxed and humorous fashion, to an audience that knew it well but was eager to hear it again. We also knew that this was no oldies concert. New arrangements, at times daring or just never before considered, but gentle and melodic, made classics new, and new songs, in the same tradition we all loved, lulled us into the growing realization that autumn leaves need not fall yet. We were a diverse, yet unanimously captive audience no longer by virtue of the impossibility of moving anywhere in the rows or aisles.
The curious instrument turned out to be Chad’s mandolin, imported from China, taken up during one long, snowy winter at home in Sun Valley, Idaho, another testament to the musicians we saw before us, who had also retained and refined their musical and writing skills, as well their sense of humor, over the years. Chad skillfully played the mandolin during a newer song with a French title, joking that Jeremy was “not the only one who could speak ze French,” and demonstrated other uses for the instrument as well, finally hitting the now familiar ping pong ball into the delighted audience. His rendition of another new song, “The Memory Song,” complete with confused facial expressions and glasses on top of his head, was one of the highlights of the evening, and had everyone, even the children of the many boomers who, like myself, could relate all too well, laughing out loud. Jeremy’s performance of his “Tell You Something Else,” a dry yet “forceful” commentary on “communication” in relationships, was in perfect contrast to his sweet singing of “Willow Weep for Me.” We were treated to the delicate harmonies of the “acapulco” version of “You Are She,” to the Shadows’ “Apache” (with choreography), to the Chad-and-Jeremy-improved “Avocado,” and finally, to a kazoo-accompanied performance of the last song they recorded together in the 60’s, the inimitable “Feet.” Mention should also go to wonderful renditions of Buddy Holly’s “It Doesn’t Matter Anymore,” the Beatles’ “I’ll Be Back,” and another new song, “Some Small Town,” a gentle folk ballad.
To borrow a line from John Lennon, who, according to Chad, also gave us better-looking glasses, if you go to see Chad and Jeremy in concert, “a splendid time is guaranteed for all.” Thanks, fellas. Glad to have you back!

Chad and Jeremy at the Cutting Room, 11-07-08
Dr. Deborah Dullahan
Chad and Jeremy, now number one on Amazon.com with their wonderful new Ark-eology album, conquered NYC’s very cool Cutting Room on Friday night, playing to a sold-out audience. Possibly encouraged by fellow British invader Billy J. Kramer, who has played the Cutting Room before, Chad and Jeremy recognized their colleague from the stage, and proceeded to “wow” the dinner theatre audience with their very special blend of music, stories, satire, and comic relief. The harmonies and guitar and piano work were, as usual, perfect, and the performance seemed more relaxed and confident than previously; perhaps Chad and Jeremy had realized that things were again coming together in a big way, and that nice guys could actually finish first sometimes.
This concert boasted the first performance in forty years of “The Ark,” the title track of the album of the same name which was their last for Columbia, whose anniversary was the impetus for Ark-eology. The guitar-driven, non-studio version of this profound offering was just as powerful, its anti-war message as appropriate today as it was when the song was first recorded. This was followed by another “first performance in forty years” of “Pipe Dream,” a sultry, bluesy song also from the Ark; while also “of its time,” according to Jeremy, “maybe those times are coming ‘round again. We have a lot of hope.” The crowd, fresh from the historic election of three days before, perhaps recognized the message of change and unity more readily, and responded with extended applause.
Other highlights included particularly fine performances of “Early Morning Rain,” Jimmy Reed’s “Take Out Some Insurance on Me, Baby,” Jimi Hendrix’s “Purple Haze,” a tribute to Chad’s student, Tyler, “Zanzibar Sunset,” the title track of an upcoming album of new material, “A Summer Song,” dubbed “the little song that could” by Chad, due to its uncanny ability to turn up in various media, even today, and of the Beatles’ “I’ll Be Back,” which has become an audience favorite. The concert ended as all Chad and Jeremy concerts do these days, with a standing ovation and an audience reluctant to leave.
Congratulations to the duo that still can, forty years later! Thanks, guys. We are privileged to be part of this spectacular Renaissance. We always hoped that we’d hear more from you, but never imagined that it would be this sweet or this sure. This night was a triumph, a warm “summer” evening perfect for celebrating the success of two immensely talented and deserving friends whose time had come, yet again.

So, thanks for the music, thanks for the memories, and thanks for what's yet to come.

Tony