Dee Dee Phelps

Welcome to the Dick and Dee Dee Blog by Dee Dee Phelps

Jun 11th, 2007 by deedee

Hey! I’ve received hundreds of wonderful e-mails over the past year and a half. People have contacted me to talk about Vinyl Highway, Dick and Dee Dee, vintage videos, memories and many other interesting and informative topics. It’s opened up a new world of information and friendship and I’m very grateful. Now this new blog will allow even further communication (isn’t the internet wonderful?)( smile).

I returned from New York City a week ago, where I attended the PMA publishing conference. We went to Ground Zero on Memorial Day, a sobering experience. It’s so still there. The area is vast, larger than I could ever imagine. Several burned out buildings still surround the site. We sat in a park for awhile afterward, staring at a fountain, no one saying much of anything. The area will always be a memorial and should be honored as such.

Coming back to upper Manhattan by crowded subway (people were returning to the city from the holiday away) we stood clinging to poles as the subway swayed back and forth. It was too crowded to sit. Suddenly, from the far end of the car I heard singing. It started soft and grew in intensity. I recognized the old rock song “Come Go With Me.” A doo wopp group was singing it in four part harmony. It sounded incredible and identical to the original record. Of course I started smiling and swaying to the music. I half expected everyone in the subway car to break into song, like they did in the Blues Brother’s movie when Aretha Franklin sang Respect in the diner. But the other subway riders pretended it wasn’t happening, their eyes fixed on the floor. Why was I the only one with a big grin on my face? At the next stop the car doors swished open and the doo wopp group walked by me, still singing. I realized they were a little down on their luck. Several men were missing teeth and they were taking collections in a brown paper bag (of course we gave a donation). I think singing on the subway is way cool.

In February, Vinyl Highway was picked up for national distribution by IPG (Independent Publishing Group), which means it will be released in bookstores and libraries on September 1st. The back cover has been redone and the last 22 pages of the book re-edited. I think people will like the new version. If you have one of the earlier versions, hold on to it. You never know what might become a collectors item (smile). Please let me know your comments about the Dick and Dee Dee site. I know several of you want me to post a video of D&DD singing The Mountain’s High and I’m working on getting one. Again, the site web address is: www.dickanddeedee.com Happy Posting!

Posted in Vinyl Highway | 8 Comments

8 Responses to “Welcome to the Dick and Dee Dee Blog by Dee Dee Phelps”

on 14 Jun 2007 at 2:03 pm1Carol

I am a big fan of your music and also your writing. It was very interesting hearing about the latest on the book, and how the progress is going with publishing. I can’t wait for the new edition of Vinyl Highway to come out!!
on 15 Jun 2007 at 12:28 am2Vanessa

I am so excited that you are blogging and keeping a website! I have read ‘Vinyl Highway’ and thought it was wonderful. What an incredible time to travel the country with an integrated band. Your recanting of your experiences in the segregated states during the civil rights movement kept me on the edge of my seat! I applaud you for standing against injustice and hatred, even though it must have been scary and strange.
Th scopitone link on your website is very cool. How fun to see the video of “Where did all the Good Times Go?”.
Take care, Vanessa
P.S. -Can’t wait for the next book…
on 19 Jun 2007 at 3:17 pm3Dick Cronk

Hello DeeDee,
I was just visiting your website, http://www.dickanddeedee.com/
and wanted to send a thank you for the song “Turn Around.”
Our daughter got married on May 19, 2007. In preparation for the
wedding and reception, she asked me what song I wanted played
during the father-daughter dance at the reception. I immediately
replied “Turn Around” and sent her a link to your Dick Clark interview
video on U-Tube.
I survived walking her down the aisle without getting teary-eyed.
But listening to the words of your song during the father-daughter
dance made me misty-eyed.
The DJ had some trouble finding the song, but eventually tracked
down a copy of your CD “The Best of Dick & DeeDee.” He gave
the CD to me as a gift at the reception. Every time I play the song,
it still brings back fond memories of my daughter’s wedding.
Attached are two images taken during the father-daughter dance
as my way of saying “thank you” for making a fond memory for me.
To quote the late Bob Hope, “Thanks for the memories.”

A proud father
Dick Cronk
on 19 Jun 2007 at 3:24 pm4Dee Dee Phelps

Hi Dick:
Thanks for sharing your beautiful memories of your daughters wedding. Turn Around was one of my favorite songs of all the ones Dick and I recorded. I’m glad it helped make the wedding extra special.
We send our best wishes to your daugher and her husband.
Thanks again for contacting me through the site.
Dee Dee
on 22 Aug 2007 at 2:24 pm5wisedup

Cool story Dee Dee, I too got looked down on because I liked,Chuck Berry,Fats Domino and Little Richard and MANY more. I met a fellow USMC once and he was shocked when he found out the Richious Brothers were white..lol. I asked him,”Does their music sound any different, knowing they are white?”…..he said : “NO”…lol. I got to meet Bill Medley once,and told this story. He said LOTS of people did..and we both laughed. Bill and I both lived in Santa Ana at the time,and he said his neighbors complained about his music in his parents garage…until they had that first hit…then they all wanted to claim they were his neighbors!….lol.
on 08 Sep 2007 at 4:17 pm6Skipp

Dear DeeDee,
my cousin, Peaches, and I met you a thousand years ago at a concert in Jacksonville, Fl. I believe, the Crickets with Johnny Goldsborough were there as well. The next day (my memory is a bit foggy) you came to my parents home for dinner. Dick played the piano. The drummer from the Crickets had a collapsed lung and was in the hospital. (Realize, I may have 2 concerts mixed). I was sorry to read of Dick’s death. You both were older than me by a few years. So glad to know you are doing well. You have passed through my thoughts many, many times.

Skipper
on 13 Sep 2007 at 2:22 pm7Rennie

the dick van dyke show
how many others remember the song bupkis(or however it’s spelled)from that show-if i remember it was something about a copyright or plagerism problem–but anyway i thought the sing how many others remember the song bupkis(or however it’s spelled)from that show-if i remember it was something about a copyright or plagerism problem–but anyway i thought the singers sounded familiar and watched the credits-and there you were!!–years ago(early ’80’s)i used to listen to k-earth(when they actually had variety)and enjoyed your songs –plus my brothers were born in’46 and ‘55(me-1962)so i always enjoyed their record collections-usedto play them in the garage for the neighborhood kids when i was 8–well now thanx to my computer i can see all these great performances that regular tv never bothers to show(a current fave-neal sedaka:i hope he breaks your heart,which i watched til youtube removed it-guess i’ll have to buy the dvd)anyway i look forward to buying your book soon
regards,rennie
on 04 Oct 2007 at 5:23 pm8Jeff

Hello again Dee Dee,

I finished reading Vinyl Highway in record time. It was great!! Reading it, I felt as if I were traveling right along with you and Dick. I have always been a Dick and Dee fan and learned so many new things from the book. It was very nice of you to share such an important part of your life with us. I also enjoyed listening to your radio interview and seeing the short clip of your reading. Again, thank you for sharing them with us. Can’t wait for your next book.

Jeff

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Welcome to the Dick and Dee Dee Blog by Dee Dee Phelps

8 Responses to “Welcome to the Dick and Dee Dee Blog by Dee Dee Phelps”

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