headerbg copy

Deana Martin: Welcome to Her World

Deana Martin
Submit to DeliciousSubmit to DiggSubmit to FacebookSubmit to Google PlusSubmit to StumbleuponSubmit to TechnoratiSubmit to TwitterSubmit to LinkedIn

 

 

When the light hits your eye and reflections of Dean Martin sweep by, that’s amore.

There’s no doubt that love will be in the air this coming weekend, September 13 and 14, when the spotlight at the South Point will be on entertainer Deana Martin, daughter of the late Dean Martin. Her fun fast-paced show consisting of great music home movies, videos and stories about her famous father and his renowned friends offers an intimate look into the life of one of our most beloved entertainment icons. And while, for Martin, there is nothing better than standing on stage and singing with great musicians behind her, she is also very aware that when it comes to her famous parent, where audiences are concerned, memories are made of this.

“Everybody loved Dean Martin,” she says. “He touched so many people. I think audiences come to my show wanting to love me, also. So there’s a lot of pressure on me to be wonderful and have them walk out feeling like they did when they left his show. My father had such a wonderful way about him. You could see the smile on his face when you heard him sing. He had a wonderful sense of humor and never took himself seriously. He went with the flow. He left the world a much better place.

“He’s with me all the time,” Martin continues. “I truly feel him with me. I feel him on stage – I almost become him when I’m performing.”

The middle child of seven, Martin remembers growing up in a house where friends like Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Judy Garland, Rosemary Clooney, Sammy Cahn and others always came to visit. Her godfather was Jimmy McHugh, who wrote “I Can’t Give You Anything But Love.” Inspired by Dean and all these other great legends, show business just became a part of her, as did her appreciation of the Great American Songbook.

“When they all came over, it would be a party,” Martin smiles. “Sammy would sit at the piano and everyone would sing parodies. I began singing professionally at around 16 or 17 but I was doing rock ‘n’ roll and country. Because of my age, I had to go to court to sign my first recording contract, which was with Columbia Records. My first hit was a country song on Reprise Records called ‘Girl of the Month Club.’ After that, I went to college to study drama and dance and I did plays. Then, about 10 years ago, I revisited the Great American Songbook. I wrote a book called Memories Are Made of This, which was a look at Dean Martin through his daughter’s eyes. It was then that people started asking me to do concerts and sing this music.”

What her father taught her the most, however, was something Martin says has stayed with her forever. That is to treat people the way she wants to be treated.

“That’s what my father did,” Martin acknowledges. “He had a connection with people. After my show, I go out and meet people, talk to them, hug them and share their memories of my father.”

Occasionally, however, Martin finds herself being taken aback by how her father is viewed. While Dean Martin is perhaps one of the most impersonated personalities of all time by celebrity impressionists, Martin admits that the image some depict of him in a drunken state is very offensive to her.

“In reality, my father didn’t drink much,” she reveals. “It was just his gimmick. But these people are putting the wrong impression of him out into the world and it isn’t right. People will come up to me and ask me how my dad did everything he did with his being drunk all the tome. And it is very shocking and hurtful to me. I don’t mind impressionists doing him as long as that person is being respectful to him.

“My father was very sweet, kind, funny and tender,” she adds. “He hugged and kissed us a lot. I can remember the smell of his cologne, Wood Hue by Faberge. When he .hugged me, I could smell it. When he passed away on Christmas Day 1995, I got a bottle from his bathroom. I still have a little left.”

Although it is the past that is currently prominent in her performing life, Martin, who says she is learning everyday, is very much looking forward to the future.

“I’d love to have a hit record; I’d love to go to Broadway; I’d love to turn my book into a Broadway musical,” she enthuses. “I love singing and entertaining people. I do write songs but I haven’t recorded them yet. But I’m working a lot and it’s wonderful .I’m singing with symphonies, big bands, at performing arts centers and with my quintet. What fun I’m having!”

Now that’s amore!

 

 

Submit to DeliciousSubmit to DiggSubmit to FacebookSubmit to Google PlusSubmit to StumbleuponSubmit to TechnoratiSubmit to TwitterSubmit to LinkedIn

We're Multilingual!

English French German Italian Portuguese Russian Spanish

Artistry by Bobbilynn

Lic Cosmetologist
Hair Extension Specialist
Formal Wedding Styling
Wig & Vintage Styling
Keratin Treatments
Balayage Highlights
Color & Haircuts

702.324.7688