Broken Italian

The Dean Martin Show. Most of us grew up with parents from the “Old Country.” Italian was spoken in our homes nearly 80% of the time, so as kids we learned colorful expressions and the everyday language. Between my mother’s Sicilian heritage and my father’s Barese dialect, we could understand and speak just about everything. Like Dean, as we got older we lost some of it and forgot many of the words and phrases. Still, those roots never leave you. Dino muttered old phrases during bloopers, it was fun listening to his "mangled Italian. It's good to be Italian. "Let's have a Vino for Dino!"

"Vieni Su"

The Dean Martin Show. "Vieni su, vieni su, vieni, Come along through the years with me, Can't you see how I adore you, And how long I waited for you? Vieni su, vieni su, Won't you say you love me too?" One of my favorites. "Let's have a Vino for Dino!"

Tom Dreesen RIP

Tom Dreesen has passed. Back when the DC-8s ruled the skies, I boarded a flight from Chicago to Los Angeles and found myself seated next to Tom Dreesen. What started as a chance meeting turned into one of those unforgettable conversations that only happen once in a lifetime. We talked about Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, life on the road, and a few private stories that never made it into the headlines. I told Tom about my little comedy club in Belmont Shore, "The Comic Strip," he said he'd stop by someday. Most people make promises, Tom didn't. He showed up. Over the years, I had the pleasure of seeing him many times, including those classic nights when he opened for Sinatra. Watching him command a room with effortless timing and genuine warmth was something special. Talented, loyal, approachable, and always gracious. In an industry filled with larger-than-life personalities, Tom Dreesen stood out because he never forgot how to be real. Those were remarkable days, and the memories remain priceless.