'The Wrecking Crew' Filmmaker Denny Tedesco is a Backer!

The campaign to publish "When We're Singin'" has now earned the backing of Denny Tedesco, filmmaker of the award-winning documentary, "The Wrecking Crew."

The critically acclaimed "The Wrecking Crew," tells the story of the session musicians who worked around the clock playing on thousands of records during the '60s and '70s. These players were the best of the best, and they were intrinsic to the creation of a sound for such acts as The Mamas and The Papas, Sonny & Cher, the Carpenters, and yes--The Partridge Family!

In fact, Denny Tedesco's father, Tommy Tedesco, was one of the lead guitar players for The Partridge Family, and Denny provides commentary in "When We're Singin'" about his young memories of the Partridge Family music!

Denny's "The Wrecking Crew" was finally  given distribution after a successful  campaign on Kickstarter in 2013 that garnered Denny the final funding needed to pay off expensive music licensing fees.

Denny has been a friend to "When We're Singin'" since the beginning of the project's development. He was the guy who connected me to the session players--the great Hal Blaine, Max Bennett, Louie Sheldon, and Joe Osborn to name only a few. 

With Denny on board the Partridge Family bus, it's time for you to join us in making "When We're Singin'" a published reality! C'mon Partridge Family fans! Board the bus NOW! There's only 12 days left!

The bus door opens HERE: http://kck.st/1DSL7zP

-Johnny Ray Miller

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame becomes a backer!

Calling all David Cassidy and Partridge Family fans! We are very humbled and proud to announce that The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum, Library and Archives has now officially become a backer of our new book, "When We're Singin' - The Partridge Family and Their Music!"

In recent months there has been a campaign by fans to get David Cassidy recognized by the prestigious Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and now the music industry's most identifiable museum  has said 'yes' to our book!  "When We're Singin'," focuses on the Partridge Family music and its legitimacy and credibility  to the pop music scene of the early '70s. If the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame says "yes,"  then show them that we want this book, too! Join the Kickstarter campaign along with The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and put this book on their shelves, as well as yours! But hurry! 18 days and counting....!

Bell Records' Beverly Weinstein is a Backer!

Beverly Weinstein, Bell Records' Vice President of Production has just become a backer of this campaign to publish "When We're Singin'!"

Beverly signed a limited number of Bell Records Souvenir Coasters especially designed for this campaign! On the back, she hand-wrote her title, VP of Production! A very rare collector's item! 

Beverly was with Bell Records from the company's earliest beginnings. She worked under president Larry Uttal until Bell Records was absorbed by Arista in 1974. Beverly was in charge of Art Direction for all of the album designs.  She spoke with us on several occasions and put us in touch with several other former employees who were also interviewed for this book! We are very proud to have her as a campaign backer!

Surprise Details Behind ALL the Partridge Family Album Jackets!

Did you know there is a story behind every single Partridge Family album jacket design? Read the never-before-told stories that start with "The Partridge Family Album" and end with the "Lost" album design! Told by the artists who created them!  Get each, detailed story in an entire chapter dedicated to these great Partridge Family album designs! 

Kickstarter's Staff more than Likes it, They LOVE it! Featured on their Blog!

Today, the staff at Kickstarter sent an email saying  they love this project so much the are featuring it on their blog! Check out the video clip of David Cassidy from an episode of The Partridge Family, as well as a plug for the book-- a book that cover the Partridge Family's music for the very first time! Here's the link:  http://kck.st/1F8Z8Ar

The biggest premium reward on our campaign! Signed by 'Wrecking Crew' session players! Includes real Partridge Family lead guitar player, Dennis Budimir, real Bass Players Joe Osborn and Max Bennett, artist Kirk Poffenberger and author Johnny Ray Miller. 

Tell all your friends, and pass the word! 

'A Very Partridge Kickstarter,' exclusive interview at The Huffinton Post!

When We're Singin' grabbed more national attention today, this time from The Huffington Post! We did an exclusive interview with contributor Mike Ragogna who strongly supports the Kickstarter Campaign to get the book published. The link to the article is here.

This Sticker Pack is just one of the many rewards that can be found at our campaign over at Kickstarter.com.

Don't wait one more second, Partridge Family fans! We need you at Kickstarter.com now! Help put this book on the shelves--a book that showcases The Partridge Family and their music. Help get this book published so the story of this music can be available to fans and to the new generations to come! 

We are selected as a Staff Pick at KICKSTARTER!!

Hello World Hear the Song that we're singin!!!!

I have just been notified by KICKSTARTER that "When We're Singin'" has been selected as a Staff Pick by the  KICKSTARTER team!! This is a HUGE endorsement for us! They choose select campaigns from THOUSANDS that are currently running! Tell all your friends! This is big news for us! Let's go for a wild bus ride on the Partridge Family campaign and get this book funded!!

24 Hours In, and 10% Funded!!

After our first 24 hours of launch, I am very pleased to report that we are showing an amazing 10% already funded towards our goal in bringing this book to life! 

There is certainly nothing quite like connecting with all of you who care so much about this project.  Your energy and eagerness to get on board and make this book a reality is fueled with an obvious passion, and you have sent us flying out of the gate!  Let's keep going!  Tell your friends and family!  Share it on Facebook and Twitter!  Get everyone on board that you can! 

Commemorative Lyric Sheet for "Doesn't Somebody Want To Be Wanted" signed by songwriter, Mike Appel! Only available on Kickstarter.com!

If you haven't already, please remember to sign up for our daily blog and you will get these daily updates sent automatically to your email. We will be doing a newsletter too, about once a month, and we'd love for you to sign up on that as well!

Back to the campaign trail....

Johnny

Songwriters, Boyce & Hart!

Other than Wes Farrell, Bobby Hart is credited on more Partridge Family songs than any other songwriter who wrote for the group. Bobby Hart offers up his memories to WHEN WE'RE SINGIN' on how his involvement with The Partridge Family came to be, and why his long-time writing partner, Tommy Boyce, was not on board for more of the songwriting efforts!

Hart wrote some of the greatest album cuts found on the later half of the Partridge Family albums, including “Sunshine,” “Looking For A Good Time,” “Money, Money,” “Girl, You Make My Day,” “I’m On My Way Back Home,” and many others, ALL of which are available as LYRIC COMMEMORATIVES at our campaign on KICKSTARTER.COM! 

We have just gone live with our campaign on KICKSTARTER.COM last night, and you can find a limited number of signed items by Bobby Hart available only from the campaign! We hope you will join us in this exciting time to produce this brand new book on THE PARTRIDGE FAMILY! 

A "Lost" Album Jacket Design!

Did you know there was a PARTRIDGE FAMILY album jacket design  that was never used? Get the entire story behind the lost design-directly from the artist who created it, and see the image, itself in the photo section of the book!

But we are keeping you in suspense! Join us on Kickstarter.com in only 24 hours and learn, much much more!  

Newly-revealed interviews, Courtesy of Ken Sharp!

In 1993, author, musician and music historian Ken Sharp began research on a Partridge Family book, but soon discovered that Joey Green was already signed to do one (primarily as an episode guide) so Ken dropped his project. But Ken had interviewed the legendary Wes Farrell (music producer on all Partridge Family album) and songwriting legend Tony Romeo ("I Think I Love You") in what turns out to be the last known in-depth interviews given by these two music legends on the subject of The Partridge Family. Shockingly, both Farrell and Romeo passed away within six months of each other, and only shortly after these interviews took place. 

(Bell Records president Larry Uttal on left; Wes Farrell on right.)

Well, guess what? Along the wild ride taken in researching this book, the president of the Just David Fan Club (Barbara Pazmino) introduced me to Ken Sharp. She knew he could help me.  Ken had worked with David Cassidy on his 2008 autobiography, David Cassidy: Could It Be Forever, and he was intrinsic in getting all the outside interviews used in that book.  

Ken wanted to do whatever he could to help make When We're Singin' become the definitive book on The Partridge Family and their music, so he has graciously and whole-heartedly offered up  both the Farrell and Romeo interviews, in their entirety, for use in When We’re Singin’! Both Tony Romeo and Wes Farrell share loads of commentary, heard in the pages of this book for the very first time! Romeo and Farrell elaborate on putting the albums together, and discuss all of their individual songwriting efforts! It is a sentimental and passionate exposition of their work on this amazing body of music.

Thanks, Ken, for your incredible support!

The Youngest of Memories

Little Ricky Segall joined The Partridge Family in the 4th season as the little boy next door. Ricky was only 4 years old when he got the part, and although his short stint on the show was brief, he walked away from this experience with a tremendous amount of opportunity going forward. His memories of being on the set of The Partridge Family and working with the other cast members are precious and heartfelt.

Ricky earned an album deal with Bell Records, thanks to Wes Farrell, who discovered the songwriting talent of Ricky’s father, Rick Segall, Sr. When We’re Singin’ offers up the memories of both father and son in a special segment discussing the album deal and the attempt to take The Partridge Family TV show into a 5th season without David Cassidy. 

Some Quotes from the book, "When We're Singin' "

How would you describe the voice of David Cassidy?

“ …an indelible sound…one of the most under-rated artists of all-time…L. Russell Brown, songwriter.

Why is When We’re Singin’ an exciting and important book for fans?

“It’s important they know the origin. It happens with a team of people. The creative dynamic is what really counts…that’s what makes us what we are.” Paul Anka, singer/songwriter.

“Of all the bands we had, David Cassidy was one of the nicest. As a live vocalist, he held his own.” Beverly Weinstein, Executive VP of production , Bell Records.

The Partridge Family was sentimental. It changed the way people think about TV. Jeremy Gelbwaks, actor, “Chris Partridge”

“I’m not surprised by the impact…the personalities of the younger boomers were forming when they were watching that show as kids…” Paul Junger Witt, producer

A Tribute to Dave Madden!

In a special tribute to the late, great Dave Madden,  When We're Singin' offers the final in-depth interview from our favorite band manager regarding his days on The Partridge Family. In capturing the sometimes wild, sometimes witty and sometimes sentimental Dave Madden, we have showcased  the interview in this book as a special remembrance in a segment all of its own. 

Dave was an inspiration for many young comedians, with his sharp wit and dry sense of humor, but he was most remembered for his role on The Partridge Family as  Reuben Kincaid. There is even a band named after him! Check out the "Reuben Kinkaid!"