Thinking about Suzanne

Dear friends,

As the day has worn on, I have been unable to do anything but think about Suzanne Crough and her family. It is all quite shocking and devastating. Before I could bring myself to continue promotion on the book, I felt the need to take this extra day of silence, if you will, in memory of Suzanne.

When I first met Suzanne, she was like talking to an old friend. She had that way about her. She was instantly personable and casual. Some years later, I saw her an an autograph show, and to my surprise, she remembered me. The photo I have posted here is the one in which Suzanne signed for me that very day. Coincidentally, it was this particular day that I spoke with her about my interest in doing a book. It was just a seed in the back of my mind at the time, but she  encouraged me to follow through with it. Flash forward a couple years.

When Suzanne spoke with me on the phone during our interviews, she was that same instantly casual, fun, sincere person I had met several years before. She still had that very broad sense of humor--the kind that makes you not just laugh out loud, but ROAR out loud! It is one of the things I will remember most about her. It isn't something I wrote about in the book because it is more of my own personal memory. But I find myself wanting to share it with all of you.  

One time we spoke while she was in her car, and she had to put me on hold because she said she was at the Starbucks Drive-Thru. It just made me laugh for some reason. Once again, there was that quality she possessed that made you feel like you were talking with your closest of friends. She had the ability to make you feel very special.

I have no photos of The Partridge Family framed or hanging on my wall, but this photo is going to be my first. In the days and months to come,  let's continue to wish the best for her family as we all remember her with our hearts.

Johnny Ray Miller

In Loving Memory - Suzanne Crough

Only moments within posting our previous news item did we discover that the world has lost Suzanne Crough. 

Feeling shocked and stunned, as I am sure all of you are as well, all of us at When We're Singin' send our most heartfelt sympathies to Suzanne's family, and we hope and pray they are comforted by their loved ones during this most difficult time. 

In Loving Memory.

Bell Records

Larry Uttal was president of Bell Records, a record label on top of the world during the run of The Partridge Family. When the show went off the air, Bell Records was also changing hands. Uttal went on to a new venture and Clive Davis took over, renaming the label Arista.

For the first time ever, former Bell Records executives are interviewed about The Partridge Family and share stories and insights about the record label and how it worked in tandem with the television show! Find out who came up with all the record album cover designs and the powerful and unbreakable image of The Partridge Family that was marketed to the entire world!

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

The Partridge Family Bus

There is no Hollywood TV vehicle out there that can rival the great Partridge Family bus! Hear the stories behind the creation of the bus for the very first time, as told by series Creator Bernard Slade, Producer Paul Junger Witt, and several former executives of Bell Records!

Shirley Jones tells stories of learning to drive the bus, and the countless number of replica busses she has seen along the way! Brian Forster, Danny Bonaduce and producer Mel Swope all offer up stories of working on the bus and the difficulties of shooting out on the road!

The details behind the Partridge Family bus are mostly untold to date, and When We’re Singin’  has the scoop!  As a featured story, you will hear new revelations on what happened to the bus after the series cancelled. It is a story filled with twists and turns and a very surprising road map told for the very first time! Rest assured, It's worth the weight in Partridge Diesel fuel! 

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!" 

Casting The Partridges

David Cassidy and Shirley Jones have a great story about how they first discovered they were cast together on The Partridge Family, a story that is frequently repeated on the talk show circuits.  But did you know there was more to the story? Much more!  

Read the behind-the-scenes complications from the casting director herself, Renee Valente, who recounts with great detail the very scenario about casting real-life family members--in this case a step-mother and step-son--on the same show, and what drama it created for the powers that be!  

Eighteen days until the Kickstarter campaign begins!  Keep spreading the news!!

The Music + The Image = Global Phenomenon

When We're Singin' explores the effort behind matching the image of the Television show to the sound of the music.

While the producers and creators of the TV show were crafting the look and feel of the show, the music was being done at Western Recorders, Studio 2, and Wes Farrell was in charge. Farrell was highly driven, and it was his responsibility to come up with credible pop music, but it had to match the desired image of the show.

He pulled the best musicians, singers and songwriters of the day into the project, and as a result the music was truly rooted in an adult contemporary, or easy listening sound.  With the music as believable as the strength of its image created through the magic of television, (thanks to some really terrific actors and directors) the marketing of this product took off on an international roller coaster ride that proved to be bigger than any TV/Music marketing package ever created up to that point. 

20 Days and Counting...

There's only 20 days left until our campaign begins on Kickstarter.com! In the coming days we will be previewing some of the exciting items that will be available as premiums on the site! We have limited edition song lyric commemoratives signed by the songwriters, themselves! Retro clothing patches with our logo on it! Commemorative magnets, guitar picks and even book marks that have been especially designed for autographs, and hand-signed by Partridge Family Executive Producer Bob Claver!  

Remember The Partridge Family in the Aztec version of their matching outfits? :) 

Amazing Vocalist, David Cassidy

When We're Singin' not only reveals the stories behind the songs, but it takes a good look at the voice of David Cassidy.

Cassidy's voice is one of the most underrated of his generation. A good listen to any of The Partridge Family records, or Cassidy's solo records for that matter, reveals a rich, versatile voice able to communicate to his audience. This is why The Partridge Family, as a legitimate body of adult contemporary music, holds up today.

In my book, When We're Singin', you will hear testimonies and commentaries on the voice of David Cassidy, from the cast, producers, musicians and singers who all worked with him on the albums and on the TV set. They applaud and recognize Cassidy as one of the great voices of his day.

Help Spread The Word!

Well, our first weekend out of the gate has been a fantastic explosion of excitement from fans of The Partridge Family and David Cassidy all over the world! I am thrilled to see such a response! As we move toward our Kickstarter launch, I wanted to share one of the inspiring stories behind my attempt to self-publish. 

When I began research on this book in 2010, one of the first people I met along the way was Denny Tedesco. Denny is the son of the late, great Tommy Tedesco--one of the greatest session guitar players of all time. In fact, he played on the Partridge Family albums--the very reason for which I originally reached out. 

Denny put me in touch with several other musicians who played on the Partridge Family albums, and they were all interviewed for this book. Every one of them had great stories to share about the Partridge Family music, David Cassidy, and working together in the studio on the Partridge Family albums!

When I first spoke with Denny, he had recently completed a documentary about his dad and the other musicians from that era. His documentary is called "The Wrecking Crew." He spent several years out on the road, showing the film, raising money, all in hopes of paying off the costly music rights so a theatrical distribution could be had. He refused to cut the music from his film to lower the budget, and he stayed on path to make sure the fans got what they wanted and deserved. 

In the fall of 2013, he ran a campaign on Kickstarter.com and it was HUGELY successful!  I encourage everyone to check it out. It is amazing what can be done when the fan base gets to decide the outcome! Tedesco exceeded his budget, making over $300,000 and ultimately landed a distribution for his film. 

Our campaign for When We're Singin' is scheduled to begin on May 1, and it has been modeled after the success of Tedesco's campaign. But the real key to success is getting the word out to all the fans interested in The Partridge Family and David Cassidy. There are thousands of fans worldwide, and it is our job to find them and let them know what's happening. I hope I can count on all of you to keep spreading the word. We have 24 days left before the campaign begins.

In the coming days, I will be sharing more with you about the content of my book and the amazing experience it has been so far! In the meantime, here is a recent quote from Denny Tedesco about his experience in independent funding: "It's all about marketing, spreading the word," Tedesco said. "That's the reason we're here today, because of the people from Wichita to New York to Japan that either donated or talked about the film."

So are you ready, Partridge Family/David Cassidy fans? Let's keep spreading the word! Get everyone you can to come join us on this site, and subscribe to the news blog! Tell them about our launch on Kickstarter.com beginning May 1, 2015! Only 24 days and counting...

When We're Singin' Web Site Launched - Kickstarter Soon To Follow!

Campaign to launch on KICKSTARTER.COM on MAY 1, 2015

Well, as you already know--by virtue of reading this blog message, the When We're Singin' site is live. Coming next will be our campaign on KICKSTARTER.COM to fund the publication of the book!

KICKSTARTER.COM has become revolutionary in today's world, funding independent films, starting new business ventures, and yes, getting books published! In fact, many within the publishing industry say that KICKSTARTER is changing the way the entire publishing industry operates.

If you would like to have this book as part of your Partridge Family collection, book collection, or music collection in general, we hope you will join us for the exciting 30 days on KICKSTARTER.COM in our attempt to get it published. But remember--we only have 30 days! KICKSTARTER'S model is "all-or-nothing." So the funding goal must be reached within 30 days, or the campaign is null and void and all the pledges are cancelled. 

In the coming weeks, watch for updates on our KICKSTARTER page as we get ready to  launch! Check out our live countdown clock on the  home page so you know exactly how many days there are left until the launch!

And there's more! 

We have a ton of cool, rewards and premiums that will be available!

On KICKSTARTER.COM  You will be able to view our list of premium rewards that will be available to donors at every level! We have tons of exciting items for you to peruse! It promises to be loads of fun for Partridge Family and David Cassidy fans worldwide! We will be previewing it in the days to come! And tell all your friends and family about it! Crowd-funding is the name of the game!

Fans of the Partridge Family, David Cassidy, and pop music from the 70s in general can rejoice in that an exciting new book is ready for the shelves, showcasing the music of The Partridge Family, as well as the hit ABC-TV show.

Let's get everyone we can on the bus!

Stay tuned to this blog for more updates and breaking news! And be sure you are signed up on the subscriber list--you will get updates automatically delivered to your email or phone!  Stay tuned!

-Johnny Ray Miller and the team!