April 18, 2005
Three huge parties over the weekend in our neighborhood. Woke up on Sunday to a big, golden innertube type balloon snagged in a palo verde tree across the street. I assume it floated down from Crystal and Brittany's big shindig over on Fleming Springs. Two of the parties were right next door to each other and Joel Klasky went to the wrong one—for two hours! He's drinking and dancing to the band and telling his wife Laurie, "I wonder where Crystal is? I wonder why the woman at the front door looked at us funny?" Finally they figured it out because there wasn't a comedian. They had a band, but Crystal had promised a comedian. So they then went next door and partied there til' midnite.

On Sunday night there was the first Arizona Entertainment Hall of Fame dinner and awards show. Our very own Jana Bommersbach was up as an inductee, and Carole Compton Glenn attended to accept the award for her late brother, the legendary William Edward Compton. I asked Carole for a full report and here it is:

"Hans Olson did a masterful job of putting this together. The entire program was done by volunteers. Hans was there to greet people as they came and was back stage making sure everything ran smoothly.

“The Master of Ceremonies for the first portion of the program was Marshall Trimble. Marshall is the Official AZ State Historian, teaches history at Scottsdale Community College, poses nude with BBB and writes for TW. The inductees were from eclectic backgrounds - as were the presenters.

"There was a brief slide show for each inductee. Dwight 'Red' Harkins was the first recipient. In the early 30's, at the age of 18, Red opened his first of a chain of movie theaters in AZ. He also helped to revolutionize FM radio.

"Mike Condello was a musician and music director for the long-running popular children's TV show Wallace & Ladmo.

"The founder (Mike Lacey) of newspaper, New Times was next. His award was presented by Renz Jennings. Mike was ill and did not attend. Renz looks great and told Marty Manning that he is farming in south Phoenix, since leaving the Corporation Commission.

“Dancer/choreographer, Dee Dee Wood was next. She choreographed movies like Mary Poppins and worked with Dick Van Dyke when he filmed his TV show from Carefree. Dee Dee has won many awards.

"Native American musician, R. Carlos Nakai performed a flute piece that was wonderful. He has earned two Gold Records and been nominated for six Grammy's.

“Wallace & Ladmo were inducted for their children's TV show. Bill Thompson (Wallace) appeared on stage with 2 of the coveted "Ladmo Bags" - which were given to two people in the audience. Had he made it to the correct row and seat for the second one, Bill or Emily would have received it!

“World renouned musician, Lalo Guerrero was inducted. Lalo passed away one month ago. His son, Mark, and his son's band played two of Lalo's pieces of music. Lalo recorded and wrote varied types of music - he's been honored by the Smithsonian and many other foundations.

"Recording artist, Floyd Ramsey and recording engineer, Jack Miller were inducted.

"Jazz pianist, Charles Lewis, was inducted and performed.

"Radio & TV personality and member of the Wallace & Ladmo show, Pat McMahon was inducted.

"Lew King of the Lew King Ranger Show was inducted - award presented by Gary Peter Klahr (remember him?!).

“Artist, Fritz Scholder, was inducted.

“Award winning writer, Jana Bommersbach, was inducted next. Jana writes for TW and has won too many awards to list.

“R & B group, Dyke & the Blazers, performed and were inducted - introduced by Johnny D.

“Marshall presented the AMEHOF award to Marty Robbins. Rollie Stevens and a wonderful C&W band performed one of Marty's songs.

“Bill Compton’s award was presented by his friend, Marty Manning. It was a lovely presentation - Bill would have been honored. [Carole accepted the award on his behalf]

“Concert promoter, Dan Zelisko, received his award from Alice Cooper. We left at entermission and there with performances and awards still to be presented - Jessi Colter, Waylon Jennings, and Glen Campbell. This was to be followed by a jam session and then people were to go to Cooper's Town.

“As you can see from those being inducted - this was very entertaining. Because Marshall grew up in AZ and knew many of these performers, he was a great mc and had touching and funny stories. The presenters had great insights about those they were presenting to and those receiving the awards had some great stories. Dan Zelisko told about his first sold out show in the coliseum - Bob Seger - being cancelled the day of the show at 5 PM - and other, now humorous, wins and losses.

"Photographer, Lissa Wales, was there taking photos. Some of you will remember her from the 'Radio Reunions'. Lissa is battling leukemia and hoping to find a bone marrow match. She looks and feels great and is beginning chemo for the second time today.

"There were some new and some familiar faces there - Julia Flannigan, Wonderful Russ, Lee Powell, Johnny D, Bob Gately, Andy Olson (Radio Free Phoenix), Jeff Parrets (sp), Dwight Tindle, and Dan Duffy (there with Jessi).

"It was fun and I know Bill would have enjoyed it all!"
—Carole Compton Glenn

I got a sell-thru report from my publisher Tri Star showing that we have sold over 50,000 books. Biggest seller: The Illustrated Life & Times of Wyatt Earp, fifth printing, going into a sixth, so far 23,000 books sold. Not bad for a book that every publisher I submitted it to predicted it wouldn't sell even 5,000.

Robert Ray and I worked hard on designing pages for CGII. Really some nice stuff in there.

"There is no such thing as a great talent without great willpower."
—Balzacc