When We're Singin'

Day 4: The Partridge Family Up To Date

John MillerComment

It was a calendar unlike any other. It contained music.

When designer Mary English was putting together the layout for the second Partridge Family album, she wanted to line all the cast members up, left to right across the cover, in order of their birthdays. When it proved impossible because of contract requirements, she modified her plan.

Inside the cover was the second batch of PF songs and two more top ten singles including "Doesn't Somebody Want To Be Wanted" and "I'll Meet You Halfway." Three of the songs on this album were written by the talented Gerry Goffin who found this work worthy of more than its perception.

This album differed from the first album in several ways. The number of Wrecking Crew musicians were now cut by half and given more focus. The mixes, including David's voice, were now up front to match the sound of a band playing to us through TV as we had come to know them. Several of the songs were done without strings, and the overall look and feel was more pop in design, even though a blues influence was audible throughout.

Now, with their faces (and birthdays) planted on the cover, these actors would forever live in the minds of the public as a singing family who would stick together through thick and thin.

I am always tuned in to the last song on this album ("I'll Leave Myself a Little Time") with its influential and introspective lyric:

"...for what it's worth, I'll make a home on this earth, and I will hope that love will see me through."

*All the PF studio albums are currently available at our merchandise page*

Day 3: The Partridge Family Album

John MillerComment

Day 3: The Partridge Family Album

What an album.

It had blues. It had pop. It had soul. It had rock. It had country influences and it had Spanish influences. It had David Cassidy and it had no David Cassidy.

OK, we all know what the marketing image became in order to brand it and sell it, but underneath was this incredible body of work that still holds up.

"I Think I Love You" alone contains friggin' quotes from Brahms! It is complexity and simplicity weaved together into one. It's about that shocking moment of self-awareness.

When this album came out no one knew what would happen. Originally titled "Shirley Jones & The Partridge Family," it was retitled when The Music Agency was contracted to do all the album covers. They were primarily an advertising agency, so their marketing expertise came into play a lot.

The collection of songs assembled on this album includes at least three without any lead vocal from David because they were experimenting with sound. The album is free-spirited in design and perfectly represents the sounds of the late '60s and early '70s.

"Point Me In The Direction of Albuquerque" is one of the first story songs of the decade, and "I'm On The Road" was originally planned for the theme song! "I Can Feel Your Heartbeat" was so loved by David he traditionally opened all his concerts with it at nearly every bus stop on his 45-year tour.

Ah yes...I could go on and on. But for now..

Where were YOU in the fall of 1970?

Check out the merchandise section—we have copies available for purchase!

Day 2: The PARTRIDGE FAMILY ADVENT CALENDAR!

John MillerComment

When Henry Diltz photographed The Partridge Family during filming of their Christmas episode exactly 50 years ago this fall, he was relatively new to the set and working for Tiger Beat at the time. Consequently, he had to give them most of the photos he shot.

After sifting through literally ten thousand photos, this is the only full cast photo of The Partridge Family we could find still in his personal archives, and it happened to be from the Christmas episode.

In a casual phone call late one evening last year, and during the height of the pandemic, we realized it might be the only photo of the full family he could ever offer signed for the fans, so he made it available in both 8" x 10" and 11" x 14."

With the full family--complete with Reuben Kincaid--it's a rare offering. We're throwing in a special sticker pack this year as a gift. Tis the season, you know...

Launching "The Partridge Family Advent Calendar"!

John MillerComment

It's December 1st....and time for THE PARTRIDGE FAMILY ADVENT CALENDAR!

Every day from now till Christmas, we will be sharing factoids and offers that tie to our beloved Partridge Family! Let's begin!

During this month in 1971, The Partridge Family was at its peak and David Cassidy was launching his solo career. At this time there were 4--count 'em--4 Partridge Family albums on the Billboard Charts and David was hot out of the gate with his new single, "Cherish," climbing the charts at accelerator speed. Check out this beautiful album cover, shot by the masterful Henry Diltz!

The full album wasn't released until the new year of 1972. David put so much energy and effort into this album that, when Vocal Arranger John Bähler was asked about David's greatest Partridge Family performance, he had to say "Cherish," even though it was a solo effort, because David "sang his heart out" on that one.

David would sing this song in concert to the day he died.

Henry Diltz releases 45 (single) outtake photo of David Cassidy!

John MillerComment

This very special photo was once considered as a David Cassidy cover image for a single release. Henry Diltz has dug it out of his archives and made it available for the first time in 50 years to celebrate the launch of David's solo career in the fall of 1971--only one year into the Partridge Family TV series. The photo comes in a special 8" x 8" size to commemorate the good ol' days of the 45 (single). It's also available in 11" x 14" and both signed by Henry. Exclusively offered at www.whenweresingin.com and released today! Thanks again Henry! We are forever grateful!

The Hollywood Show Returns this Weekend! August 27, 28, 2021

John MillerComment

Hey friends! For the first time since January of 2020, and after 7 postponements due to Covid-19, The Hollywood Show Returns this weekend, August 27 and 28, 2021! We are looking forward to being there and being part of it all, once again.

As you know, The Hollywood Show has been one of the greatest supporters of WHEN WE’RE SINGIN’ and the venue has been a staple in the marketing and selling of the book. I hope to see some of you in the L.A. area if it is safe and convenient for you to join us.

Here’s the link for the upcoming return: www.hollywoodshow.com

HENRY DILTZ and BRIAN FORSTER Join DJ Dennis King and me--Tomorrow, June 28, on WBWC Radio! 10PM EST

John MillerComment

I'll be joining DJ Dennis King, tomorrow night with special guests Henry Diltz and Brian Forster on WBWC Island Time Radio, 10PM-1AM EST! Henry will revisit some of the good ol' days he had with David Cassidy during the height of his breakout fame, and Brian will share stories and reminisce about their time together on the Partridge Family. This is going to be a very special show! Hope you will all tune in! https://www.wbwc.com/


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Happy Birthday, Brian Forster!

John MillerComment

Springtime is full of Partridge Family birthdays. Today is Brian Forster's birthday--the only Partridge whose birthday doesn't exist on the cover of an album!

Brian is a great friend to When We're Singin' having supported the book with full force from the very beginning.

While Executive Producer Bob Claver originally envisioned the series with only three kids, it was creator Bernard Slade who insisted there be five. "Crizntracy" as Brian likes to Joke, were the two youngest in the cast that many fans could relate to, simply because a lot of fans shared the age range of these two young characters. And there have been many a musician who credit Brian for their career inspirations.

Happy 61st Birthday, Brian, from all of us at When We're Singin'!

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Henry Diltz Releases photo on David Cassidy's Birthday!

John MillerComment
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Available for the first time, this energy-packed photo of David is now exclusively available on our merchandise page here at www.whenweresingin.com! This dramatic and powerful photo comes signed, courtesy of Henry Diltz and Henry Diltz Photography and can be special ordered for the next 7 days, through April 18th! It’s available in both 8”x10” and 11”x14” and represents David at his very best during his 1974 record-breaking World Tour.

Happy 87th Birthday to Dear Shirley Jones!! 3-31-21

John MillerComment

Our dear friend Shirley turns 87 today! Be sure to wish her happy birthday over on her Facebook Page. This photo is from the first convention I did with her in 2017 after the book came out. It is one of my favorites. Here’s to many more good times ahead. We love you, Shirley!

Shirley was featured on the cover of Closer magazine in tribute to her birthday. Attached here is the link to the article inside. Her youngest son Ryan Cassidy was also interviewed.

https://www.closerweekly.com/posts/shirley-jones-says-her-biggest-blessing-is-her-sons-and-family/

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Henry Diltz Offers Rare Partridge Family Christmas Photo!

John MillerComment
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In celebration of the 50th Anniversary of The Partridge Family, Henry Diltz has dug deep into his archives to unearth a rare, full cast Partridge Family photo taken during the filming of the Christmas Episode, “Don’t Bring Your Guns To Town, Santa,”

Diltz was hired as the only on-set photographer and took hundreds, maybe thousands of photos. But the catch was that he had to turn them over to Tiger Beat. There were a few he took for himself, and this is one of the only full cast photos of the family at Christmastime. Now offered for the very first time, this rare image is available here at the website merchandise page in both 8” x 10 and 11” x 14. Be sure to check it out!

WHEN WE'RE SINGIN' Second Printing Released Dec. 15, 2020!

John MillerComment

The first edition of "When We're Singin'" officially sold out on September 25, 2020. The second printing is currently on back order, with shipping date scheduled for December 15, 2020. Anyone wishing to purchase a copy can get it 25% off retail and signed by the author through the December 15 shipping date. Purchases can be made now at our website, www.whenweresingin.com. Be sure to check out The Partridge Family on Antenna TV for a very special Thanksgiving Marathon all weekend long! A Happy Thanksgiving to all and safe wishes to you and your families!

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