 |
 |
2008 Concert Schedule, Appearances and Honors
Concerts
9 July 2008
Event:Concert
American Music Theatre
2425 Lincoln Hwy East
Lancaster, PA 17605
Jim Nabors concert
Special Events
29 January 2008
Event: Mr. Nabors is doing a recorded phone interview. The interview will be aired on Tuesday (night), 1/29/08 - somewhere between 6 - 8 CST. Those interested may listen via the Internet on the website at www.wtbc1230.com (the site does not require you to register and you can simply click on the listen live icon).
WTBC 1230 will also be sending a copy of the interview for the website.
Appearances
2 February 2008
Event: Navy Seal - Benefit Dinner
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Location: USS Missouri
Jim Nabors will be in attendance and singing the "National Anthem"
25 September 2008
Event: Convention for the Association for Retired Agents of the FBI
Time: pending (approximately 8-9 a.m.)
Location: Hilton Hawaiian Village
Jim Nabors will be in attendance and singing the "National Anthem"
Updates will be posted as available (posted 16 January 2008)
Honors
Jim Nabors being promoted to Honorary Corporal
in a sunset ceremony held at Fort DeRussy in Waikiki Sept. 25, 2007
full story
U.S. Senator Daniel K. Inouye and Jim Nabors were honored on Friday, January 19th 2007 at "A Night of American Heroes," a patriotic musical salute to
recognize individuals who epitomize the ideals of American heroism and values.
The event benefited the restoration and maintenance of the "Mighty Mo," the Battleship Missouri Memorial at Pearl Harbor.
The program featured Jimmy Borges, Danny Kaleikini, Karen Keawehawai'i, Cathy Foy, Emma Veary and Jim Nabors' rendering of "The Impossible Dream."
Fellow of the Pacific Award received on 9 January, 2008.
Hawaii Pacific University's highest honor - recognizing individuals in the local and national community for their humanitarianism, wisdom and dedication to the ideals of higher education.
Hawaii Pacific University Article
Hawaii Theatre Farewell Information
A MERRY CHRISTMAS WITH FRIENDS & NABORS performed its 10th anniversary, and final, performance run 15-17 December 2006 at the historic Hawaii Theatre.
|
|
||
|
It's the final bow for "A Merry Christmas With Friends & Nabors," a holiday tradition at the Hawai'i Theatre for 10 seasons.
"I'm going to miss it," Jim Nabors said about the rehearsals, the excitement, the joy of putting together a lavish production. "You always say 'never say never,' but this is it. Truly. It's no bull."
The veteran of the classic TV sitcom "Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C," which canonized Pvt. Gomer Pyle in a spinoff from "The Andy Griffith Show," said his decision to end the concert series was largely based on the death earlier this year of his longtime friend and show director, Tom Hansen.
"Tom's passing certainly was a factor," he said. "I miss him. We were together for 30 years, after meeting when he was shooting his TV show next to mine. When I started going to Nevada and doing shows in Las Vegas, I got him to stage my shows." (Hansen was choreographer of "The Red Skelton Show.")
Nabors said Hansen's work style — choreographing amateur and professional performers at the downtown theater with troop like movement on stage, off stage, in the aisles and in the balcony — was masterful.
"When I first asked Tom to come on over, I told him, 'Don't expect to make any money; it's a freebie.' And he came."
The production has been Nabors' gift to the residents of Hawai'i that ultimately "became one big lovefest," said Nabors, who received no pay as the centerpiece of the show.
"It's been a wonderful gift for me, too," he said. "I've enjoyed every single year of doing it. There was genuine love from everybody in the cast."
He has no doubt that John Rampage, artistic director of the Diamond Head Theatre, will successfully fill Hansen's shoes for this weekend's finale. "I know John will do a fantastic job," Nabors said. Whether the concept of the variety show continues after his departure is uncertain.
Nabors' cast from the get-go included singers Karen Keawehawai'i and Emma Veary, who convened each year in a reunion not unlike a family homecoming. In recent years, Jimmy Borges joined the roster of singers.
The Hawai'i Theatre Orchestra was organized a couple of years ago to provide music, tapping the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra musicians and conductor Matt Catingub.
The show also has traditionally boasted the puppetry of Phil Huber & the Huber Marionettes, the Diamond Head Theatre Shooting Stars, several chorales and hula halau dancers, plus the keiki of Hula Hui O Kapunahala O Nu'uanu, which often provided impromptu but lasting moments when Nabors would talk story with the wee ones.
"Over the years, I've run into so many youths who did our show earlier," Nabors said. "They're all grown up and are good-looking, handsome kids. The little ones will say, 'I was only so-and-so (age)' and it's been a real pleasure for me. But I will be 77 next year; it's been a hell of a run. It's time."
So what does he plan to do for that inevitable exit?
"I'm not very good at this," he said of goodbyes. "So I'm not planning anything. To be honest with you, sometimes I fear I'd get too emotional. It's hard not to be sad. I want to go out happy."
He sighed.
"I've been totally blessed with a great career and great friends. After a while, you stockpile your memories."
By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer
Article used with Honolulu Advertiser Permission
Team Creations Inc.®