Gaetano Crochetti-Dino's Dad NBC Tour

It was the spring of 1967 and we had just finished the Sunday mid morning rehearsal for the Dean Martin Show. Greg Garrison asked me if I could walk Dino's dad, Gaetano, around the building and show him the different studio's. 

I introduced myself to Guy, he was decked out in a black tux, butterfly black bow tie, Dean's double but about 30 years older. I learned some Italian from my folks when I was younger, made him laugh when I told him I sounded like a "Gidrul." We spent an hour peeking in and out of rehearsal halls and studio's. We walked back to Dean's dressing room, two proud Italians, one from the old country and the other on top of the world. Gaetano Crochetti passed away later that year.

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Dino's Girls

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"The Boss Speaks!"

We hear Greg Garrison's voice from the control booth, after a commercial break, stage manager Bob Graner takes his cue, "action." Dean's standing at the library door, Ken Lane's sitting behind the piano, "the grand entrance,"

Dean hops on the piano, Les Brown's music fades, Kenny begins to play, Dino sings, "I didn't know what time it was, I drank my watch!" Lot's of fun back in the mid 60's working as an NBC Page in "beautiful downtown Burbank!"

The "Crooner"

Working on the "Dean Martin Show" for two seasons could be summed up in five words, "YOU HAD TO BE THERE !"

From my bedroom trying to "croon" like Dino back in my high school days (I wore my "Pretty Baby" album out!) then standing next to Dean 10 years later, a dream came true for this kid from Chicago. I know my mom was listening with a smile on her face. Fast forward a decade later. I got her and my dad front row seats to "The Dean Martin Show." Dean "winked" at them, I'll never forget the proud look on their faces that Sunday afternoon. They were two proud Italians!

"Contender"

"I coulda been a contender!" Greg Garrison Producer/Director of the Dean Martin Show stood out as an intimidating figure. Never get in his way!

One Sunday rehearsal Dean was in his dressing room taking care of business. Les Brown needed a sound check for "Welcome to My World," Garrison needed someone to block the shot and sing a few bars, I knew I could do Dino's voice and sing the lyrics, Greg Garrison paused five seconds looked around the room, I caught his eye, almost raised my hand, thinking I could do this! Not so fast Mike, remember you're a Page, you're at the bottom of the food chain, and just for a "second," I pictured myself in Dean's chair singing his big hit. Just then producer/writer Lee Hale took the stage, my "second" came and went!!! My big chance for "stardom?" was history. DeanMartinBlog.com (No Ads)

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The Control Room on the Dean Martin Show

We hear Greg Garrison's voice from the control booth, after a commercial break, stage manager Bob Graner takes his cue, "action." Dean's standing at the library door, Ken Lane's sitting behind the piano, "the grand entrance," Dean hops on the piano, Les Brown's music fades, Kenny begins to play, Dino sings, "I didn't know what time it was, I drank my watch!" Lot's of fun back in the mid 60's working as an NBC Page in "beautiful downtown Burbank!"

Everything Dean Martin

Working on the "Dean Martin Show"  for two seasons could be summed up in five words, "YOU HAD TO BE THERE !" From my bedroom trying to "croon" like Dino back in my high school days (I wore my "Pretty Baby" album out!)  then standing next to Dean 10 years later, a dream came true for this kid from Chicago.   I know my mom  was listening with a smile on her face. Fast forward a decade later. I got her and my dad front row seats to "The Dean Martin Show."  Dean "winked" at them,  I'll never forget the look on their faces that Sunday afternoon. They were two proud Italians!

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