Reply #21: Watched him when we came in from school. [View All]

[AnneD]

Mom really enjoyed him and he could hold the kids attention too. He had eye for talent and an affiable personality. He seemed a nice average Joe that was a good conversationalist.

About those ballads...I was watching a show on Woody Guthrie. They played a lot of his songs. My 16 yo daughter was so shocked that I knew so many of the lyrics (which she thought were cool song). She was amazed that even Grandma knew so many song and wanted to know why. I had to think a bit but I told her that when growing up, it was common for folks to sing a lot. A piano was an open invitation for anyone that could play. If they could play a common song, you'd have a crowd around singing after a few minutes of play. The cartoons that they showed before movies would have sing a long verses (now follow the bouncing ball). Of course she thought it was hysterical. Mike Douglas was very reflective of this public singing.

One of the 'gifts' I gave my daughter was whistling...which, like ballad singing, you don't hear very often anymore. She is the only kid I have seen (and I work around many kids) that whistles when she is happily working away. I don't even think she is aware of it.

I think now days everyone feels so left out these days that they have to shout to be heard. Good conversation, like courtesy, among differing viewpoints has become extinct.

RIP Mike, I'll raise a glass, and my voice, to toast you tonight.