November has many events we commemorate, celebrate, recall. There’s Daylight Saving Time, Election Day, Veterans Day, remembrance of the assassination of president John F. Kennedy and Thanksgiving.
At Applause Radio Show (ARS) we thought we might touch on these in some way. As it is not an official month that has anything to do with the television show/band The Monkees, we were lucky enough to find some people who were and are affiliated with The Monkees. So, we could call November at ARS Monkees’ Month but also more than that.
On Nov. 1, we welcomed Valerie Venet.
Venet started playing small roles on the show but then became the girl who when they needed a girl, she was the girl. If you should watch the show and see a girl in the scenes, it is likely Venet.
Venet began her acting career at quite a young age. She was a receptionist on the Hollywood lot where they filmed “The Monkees,” “Batman,” “I Dream of Jeanie” and all those great shows during the time. She would be a stand-in for Davy Jones in-between scenes and they liked her so much that she didn’t just get a role on the show, she became family. Rumor has it that The Monkees’ song “Valerie” was written about her.
Once you see Venet, you will then recognize her from many “Batman” episodes as well. She is still acting, but during the pandemic, she is enjoying time with her grandchildren.
As we progress through the Monkee Month, Buffy Ford Stewart joins us in November as well. Buffy worked very closely with The Monkees too and has some other great stories to tell. Her husband John Stewart wrote “Daydream Believer.” Buffy will appear Nov. 22.
On Sunday, Nov. 8, we had a chat with musician/director duo Robyn Rosenkrantz and Michael Glover from Bright Blue Gorilla. Rosenkrantz and Glover were musicians who sold everything they had and decided to take off and travel the world. While doing so, they met many amazing and talented people.
They toured Europe and the US playing their music and promoting their movies. Their current movie, “36 Husbands” was released overseas Oct. 20. It is being released this week in the US. It is a spy comedy, their seventh film.
I love the theme song to the movie, “Love Potion Number 36.” The bass and the toms are kicking. I am very partial to the bass and drums.
You can check out the movie’s trailer on YouTube or you can enjoy the move at any online outlet. I am hoping to catch it soon.
Now regarding Veterans Day — we have two great songs we will air in honor of veterans and America. Bobby Pileggi from Aloha Records has a new song from the band Hana, from Hawaii. It is a fantastic song called “I Am an American Yeah” and Rick Ryan will be coming back for his song, “Shadowland.”
But before we get to our Veterans Day show, you may want to join us as we welcome actor Billy Gray. Not sure who Gray is? Well, he is Bud from “Father Knows Best.” He is a great guy, and I can’t wait to speak with him.
On Tuesday, Nov. 9, Anson Williams from “Happy Days” returns to the show. We will be discussing how he has been helping people with pandemic fatigue.
For detailed information, to see our full month of upcoming guests or to listen to our previous interviews, visit www.applauseradioshow.com.
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JoAnn Barton | Special to The Observer
Jo-Ann Barton is a singer/songwriter and musician for the past 25+ years who contributes entertainment-related stories to The Observer. Her last CD, 'POP and CIRCUMSTANCES,' spawned a number one hit song at college radio stations throughout the United States, including Hawaii, in 2001. She is the host of the Applause Radio Show, a platform JoAnn brings to an ever-growing audience tuning into listen to their favorite celebrities.