Happy Birthday Al McCree

Al and Jeanne are quite a team

 Happy Birthday Al  

   If you have ever been to one of Jeanne shows and had your picture taken with her, chances are it was Al McCree with the camera. Jeanne is always friendly and likes to meet everyone. Al likes to make sure everyone gets their picture taken with Jeanne. Then he uploads them to Jeanne's Facebook Photo page. Click here to see the thousands of happy, smiling people who have attended one of Jeanne's shows.  

     Al does many things for the shows, most of them behind the scenes, as the producer and PR department head. Al is her "opening act" for the Comedy With Class and many of her Just Jeanne shows. (Although they both insist they can't afford an opening act.) Al is very talented musically and a well known speaker. The following is from Al's website, take note that it's Lt. Colonel Al McCree, USAF Retired.

About Al McCree

Al McCree is the only professional business speaker in America to combine high value content with original songs.

Al McCree is a professional speaker, a musical entrepreneur, and a retired US Air Force Lt. Colonel. A graduate of the US Air Force Academy with a Masters Degree in Systems Management, Al spent twenty years in the military as a Fighter Pilot, a Chief of Quality Assurance, the Commander of a 550 person Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, and Aircraft Operations Officer, and a Deputy Base Commander. He has lived and worked extensively overseas in Vietnam, Germany and Athens, Greece.

Al owns and operates Al McCree Entertainment, a live entertainment promotions company. He also owns Musical Concepts Inc., a musical production company, and was a cofounder of Altissimo!, an independent recording label.

Mr. Bruce and Al

  Mr. Bruce and I first met Al (and Jeanne) in Louisville, KY at a show in March, 2011. We knew we were meeting new friends. Ain't life grand!! 


  

Al, Jeanne and Bucky

Al and George at KC show

 

Haywood Jackson Volunteer Center

     Jeanne is proud to join the good people at Haywood-Jackson Volunteer Center for a show at Lake Junaluska. The Haywood-Jackson center is the United Way Agency for several North Carolina counties. Please click here to learn more about them.   Please take a moment to "like" Haywood-Jackson Volunteer Center on Facebook. 
   The following information was taken from The Lake Junaluska's site.
       June 7

7:00 p.m.
Stuart Auditorium
Jeanne Robertson is coming to Lake Junaluska! The United Way of Haywood County and the Haywood Volunteer Center announce an evening with "Just Jeanne" to be held on June 7, 7:00 p.m., at Stuart Auditorium, located at the Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center, Lake Junaluska, North Carolina.
Proceeds will support United Way's Dolly Patron's Imagination Library Program and the Haywood Volunteer Center. Reserved seating goes on sale March 1, 2012, at ticketfly.com and the cost is $30.00. For more information, please call 828-356-2833 and visit Jeanne's website: www.jeannerobertson.com.

  LTThe Lake Junaluska Conference & Retreat Center is a beautiful venue. It is  located near the Great Smokey Mountains, about 25 miles from Asheville, NC. Their website is full of useful information; be sure to read about their history. 


  On a personal note, I think that The Great Smokey Mountains are one of the most beautiful areas in the good old USA. I spent several wonderful days visiting the area when I lived it Tennessee. (that was pre-Mr. Bruce era) A few years ago we visited the area together. Wonderful memories! We particularly liked the Cherokee Casino and would dearly love to go back there.

                  Don't forget Jeanne will be in Springfield, MO June 9. 

Recapping Bestest Friends

I don't know how to use a camera, these were taken just for fun. I often said that "I clacked instead of clicked" when on the computer. Same things with camera.
 

 
  There she is, signing autographs, having "pitchers" taken, and smiling after last show of the "Bestest Friends" event. How does she do it? Not only does she stand in high heels during the show, she is out in the lobby before and after show meetin' and greetin'. I sat for a few minutes and watched as Jeanne laughed and visited with everyone; we were all treated like long lost cousins. She was glad to see us. In the shot, a woman called someone and Jeanne talked to them. Funny scene, not sure Jeanne nor the person on the phone knew that was going to happen. 

Norma Rose, Merrilyn, and Patrick made "Redneck Wine glasses" for our goodie-bags. We each had a bright green Left Brain's Grocery Bag on our seats the first session. It was filled with neat, neat stuff. Oh yes, the tissue colors were coordinated by the fabulous Jane Tucker. I understand there was a big crew putting together 100s of bags. 

   
  Toni worked hours and hours on the show. In fact, several people did. This picture is Toni and Merrilyn, Patrick's Mom. Here they are at the product table in the lobby. 

I enjoyed every minute of my Louisville trip. It was an honor to meet everyone. I've one more stories to share next week, it's about more of the entertainers. Now, I am getting excited about Jeanne coming to my hometown  on June 9th. Click here for more information about the Springfield, MO "Just Jeanne" show.

A Funny Thing Happened at The Galt House

Lobby at the Galt House
Louisville, KY

   That funny thing was Jeanne's "Bestest Friend Event" held at the Galt House in Louisville, KY. (Love that hotel, more about it later) I am smiling and giggling still days after the last session. The fun actually started the minute we picked up Bestest Friend Georgia and headed to Kentucky. 
   Friday afternoon Georgia and I went to pick up our admission tickets, which were actually bright red buttons that said Bestest Friend in white. Patrick Henry just happened to be coming down the hall at the same time; naturally, I said "Aren't you Patrick" or some such intelligent remark. I made several of those clever remarks in my excitement over the next couple of days. Then LaDonna Gatlin came by, totally fun person. 
  We weren't the first ones to arrive that night, but close to it. I made a beeline to the table where "queen of the tickets" Toni was working and introduced myself. Big welcome again. Toni had a surprise for me, a big red button for Mr. Bruce so he could attend the whole event. (Mr. Bruce was grinning for 2 days.) A minute later, a lovely woman came up and it was Norma Rose. Of course, I knew all of these people by watching Jeanne's DVDs, but they didn't know me. Meeting everyone in person was a blessing. (I cried when I told Norma goodbye. It was like leaving a family reunion knowing you wouldn't see the folks for a long, long time.)
  Imagine a large meeting room filled with 450 women, all laughing and chatting at the same time. However, we were soon standing as Patrick Henry, LaDonna Gatlin, and Jana Stanfield sang the most beautiful rendition of our National Anthem I have ever heard. It gave me goose bumps. 

Now imagine the roar of applause as 

Jeanne took the stage for her opening remarks.

   Carl Hurley was on first, he made quite an entrance. It was hilarious, especially since Jeanne didn't know about this beforehand. Patrick, Alyse Eady, and LaDonna each entertained with their own brand of talent. Jeanne told several stories in between acts. She told the "Left Brain at the formal banquet story" and introduced Jerry aka Left Brain. That is one of my favorites, it is on the "Just For Fun" DVD. However, this was the first time that I'd seen Jeanne do that story it person. Priceless, simply priceless.
  Jimmy Travis closed the Friday session. Jimmy is an exceptional talented entertainer. Watch for him as he tours this summer. Or click here to go to his website for more information.
  This is chapter one, stay tuned for more as our "Bestest Friends Event" recap continues soon. Thanks for reading my stories.

Thank-you Jerry and Jeanne Robertson

Jerry and Jeanne at "Bestest Friends" event.
Photo by Cheryl Maggart

   Fantastic, marvelous, and FUNNY are the first words I have been using to describe the "Bestest Friends" weekend. Jerry (aka Left Brain) and Jeanne Robertson are an extraordinary couple and were super hosts. If I used every word in the dictionary twice and spelled correctly, I could not describe this event completely. It was perfect!!
   Can you say excited? I got to meet Norma Rose, Toni, and Patrick Henry. These amazing people and others made this weekend come together and run smoothly. I can only imagine how many days were put into the event. I also can't imagine how tired they all must be today.
  I am going have to dig out a larger dictionary to thank Mr. Bruce and bestest friend Georgia for this special weekend. They have to be the best, most patient people alive. Not only did they do the driving, they managed me and my walker, understood when I overdid and got cranky and made sure I was OK. I am one blessed woman.  
  I have several stories planned and will post them over the next few days. Today I am going to relax and relive all those happy memories of Jeanne's "Bestest Friend" event. I hope she does another one next year.


Facebook friend Cheryl Maggart has great pictures from the events. Be sure to look at all the fun pictures she took at the event. Click here to go to her Facebook page.  Thanks Cheryl for letting me borrow a couple.