IF I WERE A RICH MAN

To me the three loveliest words in the English language are “I love you.” But to the young Internet entrepreneurs, Chad Hurley and Steve Chen, the three loveliest words have to be “I love YouTube.” And if I were a rich man (Ya ha deedle deedle, bubba bubba deedle deedle dum) I would gather up 1.8 billion dollars and out bid Google’s Larry Page and Sergey Brin’s 1.7 billion dollar bid for YouTube just to get the rights to run their video web site all by myself.

It makes me homesick when I see all those amateur YouTube videographers making music so visual and funny. Music you can not only listen to, but also watch and laugh at. I say “homesick” because that is what I, and the thousands of kids on my show, did for so many years back in the wonderful 60s. That’s what the Lloyd Thaxton Show was all about.

The audience available today on the Internet is mind boggling. More people than my show ever reached in its best days watch YouTube videos. Some clips have been watched by more than 40 million viewers. Neilson (ratings), eat your heart out.

I was introduced to YouTube by a LT fan who saw a clip of Marvin Gaye lip-syncing his big hit “You’re a Wonderful One” from a 1965 Lloyd Thaxton Show. It’s a great clip. Here’s the link. Check it out now because I don’t know how much longer it’s going to be available.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrWCzw49NDg

The reason I said “I don’t know how much longer it’s going to be available,” is because there was also a Lloyd Thaxton Show video of Johnny Rivers, “Secret Agent Man” on YouTube.

Yesterday I checked in to see it and I got this message instead:

“THIS VIDEO HAS BEEN REMOVED DUE TO TERMS OF USE VIOLATION.”

This could be the future for a lot of videos on YouTube. The problem is that most videos are being played without paying for the rights to use the music or, as in the case of the Marvin Gaye video, the clip itself. Example: The Marvin Gaye clip was licensed by me for use on the Marvin Gaye DVD. The producers also had to pay for the rights to use the song. It is considered illegal to play that clip anywhere else without having the required licensing rights to do so.

I have to say that I have mixed emotions about this. I do feel that the composers who write the music and the owners of the video clips should be compensated when their music is on TV, the Internet or a DVD. That’s how they make a living, by writing songs and producing shows.

However, at the same time one must agree that YouTube is one of the most effective promotion venues around today and with proper use could financially benefit all parties concerned. For example: if YouTube would plug the Marvin Gaye DVD each time a person clicked on that particular clip, somewhat like I used to do when I plugged the same record each time it was played on The Lloyd Thaxton Show, that might be compensation enough. When “You’re a Wonderful One” became a big hit it was helped considerably by its TV exposure. If YouTube plugged the source of every song each time it was played on the web site, this could sell more CDs (like the Marvin Gaye DVD) and it would be money in the bank for the record companies, the composers, AND the producers of the DVD; a win-win situation for all concerned.

When the DVD of my show is released I wouldn’t think twice before offering my finger people presentation of “Jose He Say” free on YouTube as a promotion video. I would be willing to go down on my knees (the little kid) to thank YouTube for the 40 million people who might click-in for a bit of a sample.

The song “Jose He Say, recorded by Linda Laurie,” was a big favorite on my show 40 years ago and the video clip would not only make more people aware of my DVD, it might even put Linda Laurie’s wonderful version of the song back on the record charts.


40 million viewers? You can’t pay enough for that kind of exposure.

It would be interesting to hear what all you Mouse Cliquers think. Do you feel the music recording industry is missing a big bet here by coming down too hard on all free Internet exposure of their product?

Before the rest of the YouTube videos are “removed” like Secret Agent Man, “due to terms of use violation,” don’t you feel a compromise should be attempted? Apple did it with music downloads by introducing a “Favored Nations” fee of 99-cents per downloaded song. And they don’t even offer the advantage of plugging the music. YouTube is on the front line of revolutionizing the art of promotion and choices have to be made. Either we join the Internet promotion revolution … or, like Cuba Gooding Jr. in the movie "Jerry Maguire," just keep yelling,

“SHOW ME THE MONEY !!!!!’ until it all goes away.

My opinion? The train has left the station.

What do you say, Jose?

Stay tuned.

P.S. Since writing this blog I have found that YouTube has put up a new link for "Free Hugs." It's possible they got permission from Sick Puppies, the group playing on video. I would imagine that the producers of Sick Puppies recognizes the value of the millions of people who clicked onto their video. They even use YouTube to plug their yet to be released album and the fact you can buy the song on iTunes for 99-cents. This is more than "promotion." This is "Premotion." They just made my case.

Here's that new link IN COLOR. I love YouTube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vr3x_RRJdd4

GIVE US A HUG

About 30 years ago, I met Barry Menes, a young, energetic, talented, and forward-thinking attorney. Barry’s last name is pronounced “Menace,” as in “Dennis the Menace.” (Is that a great name for an attorney or what?). Barry became my lawyer representing me when I was producing TV shows back in the 70s. He also became a friend. However, as stuff in life so often happens, our business affairs changed directions and we lost touch.

As most of you regular readers of my blog know, I have been in the process of putting together a Lloyd Thaxton Show DVD, “My Name is Lloyd Thaxton – So What” This project is most likely the one most dear to my heart. It is also something that I could not do alone.

The idea hit me like a flash. Suddenly after not seeing Barry for over 25 years, it dawned on me. Music was always his specialty and he was not only good at it, everyone in the music industry respected him. And, he was a friend. Perfect!

I picked up the phone and called his office. It was so great. Barry loved the idea. He radiated enthusiastic confidence and without one moment’s hesitation, I suggested a partnership and Barry immediately agreed.

Everything happened so quickly. We not only structured a deal, we put our long absent friendship back together again. It was obvious that this was to be the beginning of a very exciting era for both of us.

We spoke on Friday October 6, 2006. We were going to meet on the following Tuesday, October 10th, to put the final touches on an agreement and finally move forward on the DVD. Late Saturday night, October 7th, while dining alone at a local restaurant, Barry got a piece of meat stuck in his throat and died ... poof ... gone!

He was 59 years old.

It was a blow unlike anything my wife Barbara and I had ever felt. Less than five days later while watching Barry’s casket lowered into the ground, we couldn’t help thinking (actually hoping) it was all just a movie. We kept waiting for the director to yell "Cut!" It was all just too quick. Too unreal to be true.

There were hundreds of people at the funeral and at the reception that followed in their home; a testament to the positive impact that Barry had on so many lives.

It wasn’t fair.

Barbara and I sat there stunned. Watching the many mourners who lined up to hug Barry’s grieving family, my mind started to drift and I asked myself, “Have these people ever hugged each other before?” I thought of a video I had recently seen on YouTube called “Free Hugs.” It was crazy. I suddenly wanted to run out and make my own “Free Hugs” sign and hold it up for everyone to see. It would be a wide open offer.

If you missed this video, take a few minutes and look right now.

NEW LINK FOR FREE HUGS

FREE HUGS

And then, go hug someone. Your wife, your mother, your sister, daughter, husband, kids and all your friends. Yes, all of them. That’s why I’m writing this blog; to remind you to do it NOW!

I will never forget the moment Barbara and I saw Barry for the first time after all those years apart. We were waiting in a restaurant ready to have lunch together. Happily I reached out to shake his hand as he walked toward us. But, Barry opened his arms wide and gave both of us a big hug.

He was that kind of guy.

Stay tuned

WHERE HAVE ALL THE BLOGGERS GONE?

If you've been tuning in for a new blog and kept finding the same old, same old, I apologize for being so remiss. I've been working on a project and time was at a premium. However, that is no excuse (or is it?).

Thankfully, just before my Blog almost went down in neglect, the cavalry, in the name of Blas (The Oldies Time Traveler) Vallejo, rode to my rescue. He came up with 40 more Baby Boomer Top 40 songs and saved the day until I can rise to a new task myself (couple of days).

Blas, who broadcasts his oldies show on:

www.oldiessuperhighway.com ( tune in and listen to some really good stuff)

sent me this email ...

"Hey Lloyd:

I read your blog and was impressed with the Boomer's Top 40 idea so this prompted me to make up my own. Thanks Lloyd for the inspiration. This was fun. Many of these song did not need to be changed they speak for themselves.

Blas"

Blas is right when he says that some of the songs did not have to be changed to fit in the BB Top-40. I especially like "Drip Drop" by the Drifters

To help give the list a little authority, I 'm including a picture of me as I was sitting in for "Gary Bryan in the Morning" at oldies station KRTH in Los Angeles.


Had I had this list at the time, I might have announced, "And now ... The Baby Boomer Top 40 rides again!"

40.. Big Girls Huge Thighs/ Big Girls Don’t Cry-Four Seasons
39. Donna The Pre-Med DonnaDonna/ The Prima Donna/Dion
38. Drip Drop/Drifters
37. Get A Nose Job/The Silhouettes
36. Don’t You Step Up My Blue Shield Dues/Elvis/ Blue Suede Shoes
35. I Almost Lost My Mind/Ivory Joe Hunter
34. He’ll Have To Go/Jim Reeves
33. Operation Gone Bad-Put Your Head On My Shoulder-Paul Anka
32. The Examination-Don’t Make Me Over/Dionne Warwick
31. Let’s Think About Livin/Bob Luman
30. Breaking In A Brand New Broken Heart/Connie Frances
29. I’ve Hit Every Little Bar/Linda Scott/ I’ve Told Every Little Star
30. I’m Blue/The Ikettes
29. Anyone Who Had A Heart/Dionne Warwick
28. Blame It On Ginko Baloba/Eydie Gorme/Blame It On The Bossa Nova
27. One Broken Heart For Sale/Elvis
26. You’re The Reason I’m Living/Bobby Darin
25. I Guess You’d Say What Can Make Me Feel This Way, Midol (My Girl)/ Temptations
24. Extra Dose-(Exodus) Ferranti & Tiecher
23. How Can You Mend A Broken Heart/Bee Gees
24. A Change Is Gonna Come/Sam Cooke
23. I Can’t Help Myself/Four Tops
22. It’s Growing/The Temptations
21. Hey Mr. Dexedrine Man/The Byrds/ Mr. Tambourine Man
20. Nothing But Heartaches/Supremes
19. Where Have All The Flowers Gone/Kingston Trio
18. 19th Nervous Breakdown/Rolling Stones
17. Eight Miles High/The Byrds
16. Doctor Exam-Over Under Sideways Down/The Yardbirds
15. When I’m 64/The Beatles
16. I Can See Clearly Now/Johnny Nash
15. Doctor My Eyes/Jackson Brown
14. Hurts So Good/John Cougar Mellancamp
13. The Thrill Is Gone/BB King
12. Live & Let Die/Wings
11. So Very Hard To Go/Tower Of Power
10. You’re So Vain/Carly Simon
9. Touch Me In The Morning/Diana Ross
8. We May Never Pass This Way Again/Seals & Crofts
7. Go Where You Wanna Go/Fifth Dimension
6. Autumn Of My Life/Bobby Goldsboro
5. If I Can Dream/Elvis
4. Piece Of My Heart/Janis Joplin
3. I Wanna Live/Glen Campbell
2. And When I Die/Blood Sweat & Tears
1. Only The Strong Survive/Jerry Butler

Thanks Blas. We now have 80 songs. I have about 10 more I haven't posted yet. Just a few more and we'll have "The Baby Boomer Top 100 - Songs you can identify with"

Stay tuned

VERRRRY INTERRRRRRESTINNNG

That’s my daughter Jennifer in the picture above looking lovingly at LT Show guest Johnny Crawford. I would estimate that picture to be circa, 1963. Jennifer, now a little larger, lives in Maui.

Shortly after posting my “Waxing Nostalgia” story, which included a picture showing me holding my head from my long departed Hollywood Wax Museum
statue (?) … figure (?) … candle (?), Jennifer wrote:
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“Hi Pappy,

I had to comment on the wax head. I thought you looked particularly handsome in that picture on the blog. Not the wax guy, the real guy. It was so creepy to walk in (the wax museum) and see you in there. I 'm so lucky to have had such an interesting childhood.

Jennifer”
------------------------------------------

Jennifer, I must mention here, has also had a very interesting ADULTHOOD. After a successful eight-year European country music career (five albums) with her husband Willy Wainwright (the best fiddle player in the world), she wanted to relax in the sun. She said good-bye to Geneva, Switzerland and took up residence in Maui.

I couldn’t help but find the statement, “I’m so lucky to have had such an interesting childhood” to be very interesting in itself.

So I emailed her back …
-------------------------------------------

Dear Jennifer:

I just glommed onto your statement, "I 'm so lucky to have had such an interesting childhood."

When I was at the same age as you when you used to come down to the TV studio to see me work, I would go and see my Dad work. After school my mom would give me a quarter and I would hop on a streetcar (five cents). It took me downtown to the Toledo YMCA (I was learning to swim). At 4 PM, I would walk about three blocks to the corner White Tower and buy two hamburgers (five cents each) and an orange drink for five cents.

To this day, I can still taste those award winning burgers. Then I would walk about ten blocks to the Toledo Blade, climb up onto a first-floor window ledge that looked into my Dad's office and watch him work. It was very exciting with the newspaper presses roaring in the background. I would stay there until he could leave and give me a ride home. I would sit there for about an hour literally watching the news.

So, you see, I was also lucky to have had “such an interesting childhood.”

Pop

P.S. The best part is ... I still had a nickel left over.

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Don’t you agree that it is the old simpler life we remember the most? The life that seems so lost today? When I look back I find it amazing that I, as a 9 year old (and my parents), had no fear getting on a street car, stopping at a corner burger joint and walking ten blocks through the city alone (key word here is ALONE). What happened to all those “interesting childhood days?”

I'm posing a question for all you Mouse Cliquers: “What interesting thing do you miss about your childhood, that you feel your own children (grandchildren) might be missing today?” You might even offer an opinion as to why those days are gone. You can post your comments in the … eh … comment section. We could then file them in the “Lest we forget” section.

In the meantime, Jennifer is now putting together a new country band in Maui. She blew off my suggestion of naming the group “The Maui Wowies.” And completely turned her back on my suggested name for the group’s first album, “Jennifer Weatherly in Mauiburro Country” She wasn't too thrilled about my idea of her pictured riding a Maui donkey on the CD cover. Can you believe that?

Just thought of something. Maybe the reason I felt safe while surfing the city of Toledo at 9 years old is because of how I looked at the time. Mafia Don Lloyd Thaxton at nine is pictured at right in his first suit.

Life just keeps getting more and more interesting.

As Perry Como might say (Perry Como?), “Keep those cards, letters, and comments coming.”

Stay tuned.