Mikey (John Gilchrist) 

1968 - ?

You might remember seeing John with his two freckled faced brothers, Micheal & Tommy, in the Life Cereral TV commercial (circa 1971). That Quaker Oat's commercial was named one of the 50 Greatest Commercials of All Time by TV Guide. 
 

That (brilliant) commercial started off showing two boys (Michael & Tommy) trying to make up their minds whether or not to try a bowl of Life cereal (that was suppose to taste good and to be good for you). The brothers would bicker back and forth: "I'm not gonna try it. You try it." After a little thought (and a glance at Mikey) they would slide the bowl of cereal to their four-year-old brother, Mikey (who was suppose to hate everything). But to their surprise, Mikey liked it and was chowing down. To which they would yell out: "He likes it! Hey, Mikey!"

It is said that Mikey (John Gilchrist) returned as a college student in 1986, and would again promote the cereal saga for the Quaker Oats Company. John would also appear in more than 250 commercials for such products as Pepto Bismol, Skippy Peanut Butter, and Jell-O. John was reported to quit doing commercials in 1988. During an interview with the Gilchrist brothers, they were asked why was it that John seemed to get all of the recognition from the cereral commercials? John had answered: "Well, I was the cute one."

The three Gilchrist brothers are (as far as I know) successfully employed: John as an advertising executive; Michael as a labor negotiator, and Tommy as an account executive. It was (and still is) rumored that Mikey died from eating Pop Rocks mixed with Coca-Cola; or he choked to death after biting off the head of a G.I. Joe Doll. (Maybe forming that behavior from watching too many Ozzie concerts?). Anyway, there are sources that claim Gilchrist is still alive and well, and working as a account executive in New York City.

I have to admit that Mikey (John Gilchrist) is quite the mystery man. I tried my best, but I cannot seem to find an adult picture of that once little freckled-faced, cute, Life cereal loving kid! Hell! Maybe the Pop Rocks and Coke did do him in!?

*inspired by Laurel Crowned

Patty Loveless

January 4, 1957-)

"I don't jump on bandwagons and try to do what Shania and Faith or any of them are doing. I know them both, and I like them both, but that's not me. It works for them yes- but I sing my songs. I sing my style." - Patty Loveless

Born Patricia Lee Ramey of Pikeville, Kentucky, her father (a coal miner) would unfortunately contract "black lung" disease, causing their family to move to Louisville, KY. Patty would become distraught, but would find escape in her depression through music. Her father would give her a guitar at the age of eleven. Lorretta Lynn and Crystal Gayle (Patty's cousins) would also later find their way to fame in country music. Loveless, herself, is one of country music's most popular female artists ever to hit the Grand Ole Opry stage and the air waves. Her music roots drawing from country's honky tonk tradition (adding a slight rock & roll edge), Patty would begin writing and singing songs with her older brother Roger before she was twelve years old.

At the age of fourteen she had written an impressive amount of original songs, and her older brother (Roger) would take her to Nashville. There she would meet Porter Wagoner, who would become a close friend and mentor (and was instrumental in helping her to get her foot in the Opry's door). But Patty would get her first break after meeting up with Doyle and Teddy (The Wilburn Brothers). She became their featured singer for three years, and was signed to their publishing company, Surefire.

She would marry ex-Wilburn drummer Terry Lovelace, and they would play together in several local bands. In 1985, Patty went back to Nashville and recorded a demo tape (which attracted the attention of several record companies) and two months later she signed with MCA; and, divorced Terry. 

Roger's producer friend, Emory Gordy, Jr., would later come into the picture and assist in helping Patty to release her first chart single, "Lonely Days, Lonely Nights," and her self-titled debut album in 1986. That album did receive some modest success, but didn't really make a big noise until the 1988 follow-up: If My Heart Had Windows. Thus, thrusting her recording career in an upward manner, and acquiring many new adoring fans. Patty would end up marrying Gordy in 1990.  

But after 1991's Up Against My Heart, and its Top Five hit "Hurt Me Bad (In a Real Good Way)," Patty would make some major changes in her career. She parted ways with her brother, and switched labels to Epic Records. Gordy would go along with her as producer. Patty would also have to undergo throat surgery to repair her vocal cords, before she was able to complete that label debut.

Patty Loveless has never lost her respect or fondness for the classic country that she grew up with. Or, has she forgotten her ties with bluegrass and mountain music. Grammy award-winner and multi-platinum recording artist, Patty Loveless is an amazing entertainer and a vocalist, extraordinaire.

Patty Loveless Albums:

Patty Loveless (1987)

Honky Tonk Angel (1988)

If My Heart Had Windows (1988)

On Down the Line (1990)

Up Against My Heart (1991)

Only What I Feel (1993)

When The Fallen Angels Fly (1994)

The Trouble With The Truth (1996) 

Long Stretch Of Lonesome (1997)

Classics (1999)

Strong Heart (2000)

Mountain Soul (2001)

On Your Way Home (2003)

Dreamin' My Dreams (2005)

*inspired by Diesel

To all my Blogstream friends and their families- Stuart

Jackie Gleason (as Minnesota Fats) 

February 26, 1916 - June 24, 1987

"I'm no alcoholic. I'm a drunkard. There's a difference. A drunkard doesn't like to go to meetings." - Jackie Gleason

I can bet you're thinking to yourself, 'With all the Honeymooner pictures that are available, why this one?' Well; lets just say that everyone gets "hustled" once in a while.

Anyway. Jackie was born Herbert John "Jackie" Gleason in Brooklyn, New York in 1916. He grew up as an only child and was abandoned by his father. His mother would take care of him until her death (when Jackie was around 16 years old).

There was no doubt in Jackie's mind about what he wanted to do or be when he got older. He would begin his dream of stardom by working as an emcee for the local small theaters. He billed himself as "Jumpin' Jackie Gleason" and it is said that he could take on any heckler with his quick-fire wit. This would make Jackie extremely popular in all of the theaters in the five boroughs of New York. 

Besides doing stage shows, Gleason would moon-light as a radio disc jockey, a boxer, a daredevil driver and even a pool hustler. Hence, he would later receive an Oscar Nomination for playing Minnesota Fats in The Hustler (Jackie actually made his own pool shots in the film).

Jackie would begin to get recognition by playing in the Broadway play Follow the Girls. He was also playing a few small parts in films at that time, but wasn't very successful during that period. Jackie would later try his hand at television (and how sweet it would be!).

In 1949, Gleason played the role of Chester A. Riley (The Life Of Riley) but the series didn't fare too well. That show did become popular when William Bendix took over the role of Chester in a later TV series. However, it wasn't all bad news for Jackie, because his nightclub act was starting to attract a lot of attention in New York. Which would prove to bring him bigger and better opportunities in his career.

It was during the time (1950-1952) when Jackie was hosting Cavalcade of Stars that he would come to create his many famous characters and skits. Jackie would leave that network in a few years and The Jackie Gleason Show was born on the CBS network. He would change his variety shows' format in 1955 and The Honeymooners would hit the air waves with a ton of laughs (incredibly, the show only lasted one season!). Thank Heaven for re-runs!

The Great One, would go on to star in many movies and television roles, and he even did some (mood music) recordings for Capital Records up until the early 60's (but I don't think The Beatles were too worried!) lol. His last variety show was Jackie Gleason and His American Scene Magazine, which was retitled back to The Jackie Gleason Show, and it would run for four more years. It was on that show that Jackie would often utilize one of his famous trademark phrases: "How sweet it is!"

There is a statue of Gleason (as Ralph Kramden) in New York City that was dedicated by by the TV Land cable channel. There is also another statue at the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame in North Hollywood, California. It shows Gleason in his famous "And awa-a-ay we go!" pose. 

Jackie's last film role was in the 1986 film Nothing in Common, which he starred in with Tom Hanks. Gleason would pass away in 1987 at the age of 71. He was truly The Great One!

Some of his more well known movies he starred in were:

The Hustler (1961) as Minnesota Fats

Gigot (1962) as Gigot (I thought this was a great movie).

Requiem for a Heavyweight (1962) as Maish Rennick

Soldier in the Rain (1963) as Master Sergeant Maxwell Slaughter

Papa's Delicate Condition (1963) as Jack Griffith

How to Commit Marriage (1969) as Oliver Poe

Smokey and the Bandit (1977) as Sheriff Buford T. Justice

Smokey and the Bandit II (1980) as Sheriff Buford T. Justice

The Toy (1982) as U. S. Bates

Smokey and the Bandit III (1983) as Sheriff Buford T. Justice

*inspired by Pioneer