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Re PBS, Buffalo, New York ~ August 7, 2000

Hi everyone,

While I didn't get to go to see him live last night, like so many other lucky ones did, I DID volunteer at the Buffalo station downtown, and it was PHENOMENAL!  I had the BEST time there!  And it was a GOOD thing I went, too!  I was the ONLY fan club member, and they knew it when I got there.  I had my tour shirt on from last year, so they really liked that for the cameras.  They had me on television at least 10 times telling how I went to see him last year and how I'm going again this year.  They really played it up, and it helped them sell the products and get pledges in.  And the BEST thing about me being there to help out was being able to actually CLUE them in about Michael!  AND the volunteers themselves!  It gave them more ammunition to throw at the viewers to get more pledges and my telling the WHOLE place about Michael and what he's done helped the volunteers be more knowledgeable in talking to the people on the phones.  I had two people actually UP their pledges to me by $50.00 each just because they liked talking to me and how much I knew and was into Michael!  I know they raised a TON of money from him. I won't tell just how many of my family members I FORCED into pledging during that hour and a half, but it was QUITE extensive!  They love me!  LOL!  And all the other volunteers, myself included, had every one of our pledges during Michael's showing, tell how great his voice was!  And Sarah Brightman was on right before and Michael Junior before that, and some people said it was the BEST night of television they have EVER had!  So it all went well, and Michael is QUITE liked, especially the Canadians!  TONS of Canadians called in!  Our station broadcasts past Toronto, so the viewing area is quite extensive.  Michael needs to come HERE in person if he wants to make a killing!  The S. Brightman show had a REAL seller!  For $300, you got TWO tickets, best seats in the house, to Sarah's new tour in Toronto, BEFORE they even are on sale!  We sold out!  If Michael comes on tour here, all he has to do, to make sure there's a  full house, is sell blocks of tickets to PBS!  NO PROBLEM!  We had to turn people down, we had so many pledges from that!  I'd go work the station again, just because!  Food is catered by a big fancy restaurant EVERY day, and you meet GREAT people down there and have a blast!  If he's on more next week, I'll go again!

Have fun at all the stations with Michael everyone!  I'll be seeing him live in Detroit on Wednesday!  Can't wait!  And those who can't go to a live taping.....GO HELP YOUR LOCAL STATIONS!  It REALLY helps Michael's cause with real fans they can point to in the audience and to help them sell. 

Hugs,
Darlene Beckett

The Night Michael Captured New York

From Elaine Matzen ~ New York ~ August 9, 2000

Hi Jackie,

   For the past year, I have been hearing from people lucky enough to have seen and met Michael in person.  I have been a fan of his ever since The Tenth Anniversary Concert of Les Miserables, and have enjoyed every minute of The 50th Andrew Lloyd Webber Celebration and Hey Mr. Producer.  I was always stunned and inspired by his amazing performances.

   When I heard that he would be in New York City, and that his concert would be on PBS, I was so excited.  Finally Michael would get the recognition he deserved here on the other side of the Atlantic.  I couldn't wait until the magical night that I would see Michael on my television for his very own concert.

   I found out that I had a final on that night, but I knew I wouldn't let that stop me.  I programmed the show, and was counting the minutes until I could see
him (and also until my final was over, of course).

   I got home that night, and immediately rewound my tape to display "Michaelness."  I already own the CD to this concert, so I thought that I knew everything that would happen.

   Boy, was I wrong.  I already knew about his incredible vocal talents and energetic performances, but I was not expecting his charming and cute self.  His "dimple action," I must say, was definitely part of that.  I was laughing and smiling throughout the commercials, which is not something many people can say.  What I normally fast-forward through (those advertisers that I could shoot for so much repetition) I actually found myself anxiously waiting for.

   He is really something, and I would have LOVED to be in that station where I could see him and meet him in person.  As I was watching, however, his persona
and charm seemed to come through the TV and hit me right in my room.  I understood, finally, what all of those people I have been talking to were saying about
him. 

   His stories were really wonderful, and I was very impressed with him.  He was funny and kind, and I loved the parts when he would speak to the camera (and
the viewers) when the phone rang.  His remembrances of how he started out in musicals was also very interesting to hear.  His accent was adorable, and his
involvement with the volunteers was great to see.

   All in all, Michael came across as funny, charming, intelligent, sincere, and caring, things that many people as popular as he is don't seem to be.  Thank you Michael, for all of those qualities that make it so easy to love you and look up to you.  I enjoyed this program, and hope that there are MANY more like it in the near future!

   Elaine Matzen

The Night Michael Captured New York ~ reply

A very special friend of mine once told me that "sharing one moment of your life in the presence of Michael, and being touched by his very beauty, is to be blessed with the greatest gift that life can bestow upon you.  A gift that will capture your heart, and a gift that will live within your heart for always."  She also told me that "Sharing that moment in time is your greatest honor, and to hold the moment forever, for this is the night that memories are made of."  She also told me that "Michael will change your life forever."

I've never forgotten those words that I've just quoted to you, the lady that said them  wrote them for me on the very first night that I ever saw Michael perform, I guess those of you who have seen Michael will understand them like I now do,  but I thought about them today knowing some people were going to be meeting or seeing Michael for the first time, as those people return home
tonight they will probably understand them now too.

So this was the night that Michael came to New York, and Michael brought us memories that we will never forget, but Michael leaves New York not only having made his mark, he leaves with something of his own, the hearts of the City that he won over tonight.

I will end my note as I started, one more quote from someone who can sum up Michael better than I ever could "It will be a night when dreams come true, a night of magic, the magic that is Michael"

For New York tonight it was!  Thank you Michael from America.

Michaela

Nun-Sense from Jayne in Pennsylvania

From Jayne Childs ~ Pennsylvania ~ August 14, 2000

Hello Everybody
I just had to share this.  I work in a school as a teacher's aide and went there today to help set up for the new student orientation at the end of this week.  Well I of course took my Detroit PBS pictures and was showing them around.  The principal of the school started looking at them and when she got to the first one of Michael she said and this is a direct quote  " Oh my Oh my!! There is a God!!  No wonder you go ga-ga over him.  Can I have a copy of this?  I will put it on my desk.  It will certainly wake me up in the morning."  And the best part of the story is the principal is a nun with 35 years in the sisterhood. 
Jayne

I have written to all the stations to thank them for helping to introduce our Michael to America.  I do encourage everyone to do the same as it might remind them to keep showing the video and to have him back if possible. We are on a mission, are we not??? :-)
Linda Z

Hi Linda

YES WE ARE ON A MISSION!!!  I talked to WLIW by phone today when they called me.   I was inquiring about getting a copy of the interview from Laura Savini (Metro Guide)  - Hopefully, I will get a positive answer back.  Sherri was wondering if he comes back  to this area would we be interested in going back.  SILLY GIRL - I said we'd be there in a New York minute!   When I have more news  I will send it on. 

Helena

I was scrolling through my TV channels this morning when I hear Michael singing from the ALW birthday celebration on the PBS station.  What a great way to start Sunday morning and a very nice surprise.

This PBS station did not show Michael's video but at least is showing the ALW video.  I called to make a pledge and to tell them that they are missing a wonderful show in Michael's video and proceeded to tell the volunteer all about Michael.  She said that she'd pass the word on to the manager at the station.  Well, at least I tried! 

Take care!
Terri ~ California  :)