RV Resorts Booking Boomer Favorites
See the stars of the past at your favorite RV Resort
When I first saw the article in the Arizona Republic (Jan 9, 2008) about stars of the past being booked into RV Resorts, celebrities like Franky Avalon, The Smothers Brothers, Brenda Lee and even Patti Page, I have to admit that my first reaction may have been less than positive. Other than reminding me that I am smack in the middle of Boomerdom at the tender age of 58, I couldn't figure out why it should bother me. Then it hit me, that sinking feeling I got when I first saw Robert Wagner (with a paunch) selling that Senior Lending Network reverse mortgage stuff on TV. Being of a generation that scoffed at aging actors appearing in commercials, I just couldn't get past the stigma that I had bought into. All that is changed now, as I got older, I got over it.
Baby Boomers with targets on their backs.
These mortgage guys are smart to use a guy like RW, They are targeting us boomers with a plan for us to get cash for the equity in our homes - but, unlike our parents, does our generation really need something like a reverse mortgage? I don't much care for the term "reverse", but heck, maybe it's a good idea, I don't know. That's one reason (among others) they didn't hire me as their pitchman, they brought in the big gun, the aging but still, ultra-hip, Robert Wagner. The strategy here is that only a guy like Bob could ping our memory banks with enough nostalgic sonar waves to make us reach out and dial that reverse mortgage hotline, hypnotizing us with visions of where we were when Hart To Hart was a hit show and just what were we going to do with all that cash! Shhh, don't tell the kids!
Ageless baby boomers
I thought (and hoped) that guys like Robert Wagner, Dick Clark and Pat Boone would never age because as long as they were young - so was I. And if you saw Frankie Avalon on stage (from the 10th row back) you could almost swear he has found the fountain of youth and stopped the clock. Remember when we were growing up, every time we would see these guys on TV they always looked so young?! Year after year, even when we approached our forties and fifties they seemed never to age. I wanted to think that stars like Robert Wagner, Dick Clark and Pat Boone would look the same until they went to that great bandstand beyond. But did you see poor Dick ringing in 2008 at the New Years ball-drop in Times Square, NY? Who among us baby boomers did not appreciate the effort it must have taken him? My Mom had a similar "incident" at 80 and I know how frustrated she was, breaking all of our hearts trying so hard to communicate, God rest you Momma.
Laughing all the way to old age
That appearance by Dick Clark at the 2008 Times Square New Years party was a wake-up call for me not just because of the negative things I heard younger people saying about Dick's appearance. Whispers of "has been" and other things us baby boomers will be hearing more and more as we cruise into our 60's and 70's. But forget all that, these people are still great acts and entertainers, especially comedy acts like the Smothers Brothers who can make us laugh at growing old. They could be even funnier than they were at CBS during The Smothers Brothers Hour back in the Tvliveasuarus age. These are the kind of people who entertained us in the 50's and 60's and who still have the desire to entertain and the courage to pull it off.
RV Resorts booking the stars of yesteryear
So, I was glad to see the article again in my online issue of RV Travel. After I read through it for the second time it made me think twice about judging anyone like Wagner, or questioning the motivations of older celebs who accept work in TV Commercials, or the dreaded Infomercial- when you come right down to it RV Resorts are booking the stars of yesteryear, celebrities who might be past the height of their fame but who are down to earth enough to want to just keep on entertaining. We loved them in the 50's and 60's and we love them now. Hey, everyone has to get old, the difference between us and our parents is, even at our age, we still feel young!
Rockin' the RV Park
If this is the line up for ( Arizona RV Parks ) only, though March 08, what the heck is going on in other parts of our country. If you know of similar acts coming to RV Parks in your area please drop us a comment!
The Smothers Brothers were here at the Valle del Oro RV Resort January 11th and 12th and on the 13th and 14th at they appeared at the Mesa Regal RV Resort. I hear they were nothing short of fantastic and the consensus was they haven't lost a step! Who wouldn't feel better about getting older after these guys were through with you? And Tommy Smothers is one of those guys who looks young forever too.
The Lettermen ("the best thing to happen to romance since moonlight") were here at the ViewPoint RV & Golf Resort on Jan 20th. No reports have been received yet but I have heard they put on a good show too.
Ricky Skaggs (don't know much about him, any relation to Boz?) is appearing at Mesa Regal RV Resort on January 29th.
The Ink Spots The group that brought us My Prayer continues to captivate audiences with the wonderful harmonies and arrangements that made them a musical legend will appear at the Mesa Regal RV Resort on February 13th. February 14th at Valle del Oro and on the 15th they do a show at the Sun Life Golf Resort.
The Nelson's (Ricky's Sons) will wow the crowds at the ViewPoint RV Resort on February 16th - Hello Mary Lou!
Patti Page finishes off the winter schedule with her appearance March 14th at the Monte Vista RV Resort. (she was a bit before my time but I like her sultry voice).
The Platters, smooth as ever, with Twilight Time and other great hits at Canyon Vistas RV Resort on January 23 and on January 24th at the Val Vista Village RV Resort. Here is a treat for you from 1955, The Platters performing - Only You.
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