Thank You All So Very Much! Now the bus pulls out...

As we get ready for the next part of our ride, I would like to express my deepest gratitude once again, to you, my backers, who collectively decided this book must come to the shelves. Thank you so very much.

Plans for the Kickstarter campaign began over a year ago, and I’d also like to thank some of the behind-the-scenes people who worked with full energy and commitment to make this campaign succeed. 

Let’s start with my good friend and incredible talent, writer/musician Ken Sharp. The Kickstarter campaign was Ken’s idea and he kept me grounded and focused. Thank you, Ken, a thousand times over.

Ken was introduced to me by Barbara Pazmino, President of the U.S. division of the “Just David” Fan Club who knew of the "Partridge Connection" we shared. Thanks Barbara, for recognizing the potential, for connecting us, and for spreading the word about this campaign every day. 

From the very early stages of planning, Kirk Poffenberger  sat with me in his office at The Design Studio and said “let’s do it.”  Kirk is the guy who designed the book jacket and all the variations of its “look” used on many of the items—the denim patch, the sticker pack, the book marks, the lyric sheets, the website and most notably the guitar—our grand prize. Thank you, Kirk!

Speaking of which, I’d like to announce Debbie Daum as the grand prize taker! Debbie grabbed the guitar towards the final days of the campaign and pushed our numbers wildly up! We will be featuring a photo of Debbie with the guitar in the coming months. The guitar, a Squier by Fender, is signed by 3 of the greatest session guitar players of all time. Thanks, Debbie, for hopping on the bus and landing with a splash!  Which brings me to….

…the very special thanks I have to all the artists, producers, actors and executives associated with The Partridge Family TV show and albums who so graciously signed countless pieces of memorabilia for this campaign. Each and every one of them truly wanted to see this campaign succeed. Beverly Weinstein, Bob Claver, Mike Appel, L. Russell Brown, Ken Jacobson, David Price, Bobby Hart, Diane Hildebrand, Jeremy Gelbwaks, Brian Forster, Terry Cashman, Steve Dossick, Marty Kaniger, Dan Peyton, Glen Hanson, Joe Osborn, Hal Blaine, Max Bennett, Dennis Budimir, John Bahler, Tom Bahler, Jackie Ward, Ron Hicklin, and the great Henry Diltz--Thank you all so very, very much. Your generosity was over-flowing. 

Tim DeBacco--Pittsburgh boy,  and Partridge Family Fan! Tim is responsible for the website you see, and the ease by which it can be navigated. He spent countless hours working on this, and continues to keep it maintained. He also designed the newsletter. Thank you, Tim, from the depths of the Partridge Family garage!

Mary Hertweck, Stacy Jo Coffee-Thorne and Mary Lou Nelson-- who relentlessly kept the campaign alive on all the David Cassidy and Partridge Family fan sites with their time and enthusiasm. Thank you all so very much.

Tina Funk-- my dear friend in Germany who runs the other half of the “Just David” Fan Club for the German and European fans, also continued to pass around the information I sent each day, along with Barbara. Thank you, Tina, for all the heart.

Jane Reaburn-- All the way from Australia, Jane manages David Cassidy’s Official website and Facebook page. Jane had those offers and posts up on David’s Facebook page faster than lighting! Thanks Jane, so very, very much! 

Jim Salamanis--also from Australia, Jim exudes so much energy across the entire planet that no one can possibly miss it! Jim sent countless emails out to fans all over the world for weeks on end. Thank you Jim for all your amazing support!

And Dave Thomas—my film-making, writer-director-of-all-things “whimming” who disguises himself as an entertainment attorney by day. What would I ever do without you, dude?

Last but not least, Donna Spencer—our copy editor who hopped on the bus in faith it would all happen. Ready Donna? The bus stops at your place next! 

As we move forward, please, everyone, make sure that you sign up for BOTH the newsletter AND the daily blogs. The newsletter will only be put out once a month at most, but the blog will hit your email with more immediate news as it happens. Both will be delivered right to your email.

I'll be back with you as news unfolds. For now, we proceed with copy editing. The bus is moving forward...

Thanks everyone!

Johnny Ray Miller

Final Offers: Diltz Photos, "Whale Song" Bundle

There is still one more photo from Henry Diltz available, and some other offers to look at as we head for the final 2-days left in the campaign.

David and his dog, Bullseye!

Henry Diltz offered a total of 11 photos for the campaign. This is the one remaining photo yet to be seen. It is David with his beloved dog, Bullseye. 

If anyone would still like to pick any of the previous special offers, they are back on the table through the close of the campaign. Each 8 X 10 photo is $35 for new backers, and $30 for current backers. Henry also offered us a limited number of signed 11 X 14's as well. Of the limited quantity offered, there are only 4 slots left. The signed versions are $225 for new backers and $195 for current backers. Please send me a note if you choose the 11 X 14 signed version so I can confirm that there is availability.

"Home Is Where The Heart Is" photo outtake.

David on horse, from the "Cherish" photo sessions.

Quintessetial David!

David playing Eukele!

"Dreams Are Nuthin' More Than Wishes" photo outtake. 1973.

David promoting "Keep Australia Beautiful" campaign.

For our final offer, we have the "Whale Song" Bundle. You get a lyric sheet commemorative of "Whale Song" along with one of the hand-written lyric sheets, written and signed by Marty Kaniger, for $250. These are quite special in that BOTH of the songwriters who wrote this song have signed BOTH the commemoratives and the hand-written lyric sheets. 

"Whale Song" lyric commemorative, signed by BOTH songwriters, Dan Peyton and Marty Kaniger. 

"Whale Song" hand-written lyrics. Written by Marty Kaniger and signed by Marty Kaniger and Dan Peyton.

"Whale Song" was one of the rare times Shirley Jones sang solo on the show, and certainly the most memorable. It has become one of the most-requested unreleased songs. The story behind "Whale Song" is also one of the most intriguing stories behind any of the Partridge Family songs! Guaranteed to surprise and engage! 

Thank you, my good friends, supporters and incredible songwriters, Marty Kaniger and Dan Peyton for this one! We are so grateful! 

Hop on the bus, last bend!

"I'm On My Way Back Home" original demo!

Offered here as an exclusive Memorial Day special, is the original demo for "I'm on My Way Back Home," courtesy of the Jack Keller archives! The offer also comes with a signed Bobby Hart Lyric Commemorative! An incredibly rare and exclusive offer, and there are only 5 available! 

Jack Keller and Bobby Hart teamed up only one time for "The Partridge Family," and this was their offering. "I'm On My Way Back Home" is a fan-favorite and a favorite among insiders who worked on the song and the outstanding 3rd Partridge Family album, "Sound Magazine," on which this appeared!

"I'm On My Way Back Home" song lyric commemorative signed by songwriter Bobby Hart!

In the the new book you will get a lengthy story behind "I'm On My Way Back Home," and here, only until midnight on May 31, you can be the recipient of the original demo submitted to Screen Gems by the late, great songwriter Jack Keller and Monkees pioneer Bobby Hart! It is a pledge package for you, from both the songwriters!

Keller was at the top of his game as a songwriter. He wrote music for many movies, and became synonymous in the '60s in writing music especially for television. 

This is a $250 offer with only 5 available!! This rare demo will NOT be found anywhere else. It is offered to us from the family of Jack Keller strictly to benefit this campaign. But hurry, because the offer expires Midnight, May 25, 2015.

New backers can open a general pledge at $250 and join in on the excitement, while current backers can simply increase their existing pledge category by $250. 

Remember...every pledge moves us that much closer to winning the campaign for publication of "When We're Singin' - The Partridge Family and Their Music!" Hop on the bus now! 

Book & Photo Bundles now Available!

An original Henry Diltz photo of David Cassidy taken on the Columbia Ranch back lot during the  sessions that produced the photos for David's first album, "Cherish." Offered exclusively to this campaign, in limited quantities by Henry Diltz.

A gorgeous, colorful shot of David taken in Paris by good friend Henry Diltz  during David's  international concert tour. Offered exclusively through this campaign, in limited quantities by Henry Diltz!

Get the "I Think I Love You" or the "Come On Get Happy" Book and Photo bundles! Each package comes with an exclusive Henry Diltz 8 X 10 Color photo of David Cassidy, a commemorative lyric sheet, and a signed copy of the book!  There is also a category for those who just want the photo! CLICK HERE TO ORDER: at: http://kck.st/1DSL7zP  

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame becomes a backer!

Calling all David Cassidy and Partridge Family fans! We are very humbled and proud to announce that The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum, Library and Archives has now officially become a backer of our new book, "When We're Singin' - The Partridge Family and Their Music!"

In recent months there has been a campaign by fans to get David Cassidy recognized by the prestigious Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and now the music industry's most identifiable museum  has said 'yes' to our book!  "When We're Singin'," focuses on the Partridge Family music and its legitimacy and credibility  to the pop music scene of the early '70s. If the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame says "yes,"  then show them that we want this book, too! Join the Kickstarter campaign along with The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and put this book on their shelves, as well as yours! But hurry! 18 days and counting....!

Bell Records' Beverly Weinstein is a Backer!

Beverly Weinstein, Bell Records' Vice President of Production has just become a backer of this campaign to publish "When We're Singin'!"

Beverly signed a limited number of Bell Records Souvenir Coasters especially designed for this campaign! On the back, she hand-wrote her title, VP of Production! A very rare collector's item! 

Beverly was with Bell Records from the company's earliest beginnings. She worked under president Larry Uttal until Bell Records was absorbed by Arista in 1974. Beverly was in charge of Art Direction for all of the album designs.  She spoke with us on several occasions and put us in touch with several other former employees who were also interviewed for this book! We are very proud to have her as a campaign backer!

Kickstarter's Staff more than Likes it, They LOVE it! Featured on their Blog!

Today, the staff at Kickstarter sent an email saying  they love this project so much the are featuring it on their blog! Check out the video clip of David Cassidy from an episode of The Partridge Family, as well as a plug for the book-- a book that cover the Partridge Family's music for the very first time! Here's the link:  http://kck.st/1F8Z8Ar

The biggest premium reward on our campaign! Signed by 'Wrecking Crew' session players! Includes real Partridge Family lead guitar player, Dennis Budimir, real Bass Players Joe Osborn and Max Bennett, artist Kirk Poffenberger and author Johnny Ray Miller. 

Tell all your friends, and pass the word! 

'A Very Partridge Kickstarter,' exclusive interview at The Huffinton Post!

When We're Singin' grabbed more national attention today, this time from The Huffington Post! We did an exclusive interview with contributor Mike Ragogna who strongly supports the Kickstarter Campaign to get the book published. The link to the article is here.

This Sticker Pack is just one of the many rewards that can be found at our campaign over at Kickstarter.com.

Don't wait one more second, Partridge Family fans! We need you at Kickstarter.com now! Help put this book on the shelves--a book that showcases The Partridge Family and their music. Help get this book published so the story of this music can be available to fans and to the new generations to come! 

We are selected as a Staff Pick at KICKSTARTER!!

Hello World Hear the Song that we're singin!!!!

I have just been notified by KICKSTARTER that "When We're Singin'" has been selected as a Staff Pick by the  KICKSTARTER team!! This is a HUGE endorsement for us! They choose select campaigns from THOUSANDS that are currently running! Tell all your friends! This is big news for us! Let's go for a wild bus ride on the Partridge Family campaign and get this book funded!!

Songwriters, Boyce & Hart!

Other than Wes Farrell, Bobby Hart is credited on more Partridge Family songs than any other songwriter who wrote for the group. Bobby Hart offers up his memories to WHEN WE'RE SINGIN' on how his involvement with The Partridge Family came to be, and why his long-time writing partner, Tommy Boyce, was not on board for more of the songwriting efforts!

Hart wrote some of the greatest album cuts found on the later half of the Partridge Family albums, including “Sunshine,” “Looking For A Good Time,” “Money, Money,” “Girl, You Make My Day,” “I’m On My Way Back Home,” and many others, ALL of which are available as LYRIC COMMEMORATIVES at our campaign on KICKSTARTER.COM! 

We have just gone live with our campaign on KICKSTARTER.COM last night, and you can find a limited number of signed items by Bobby Hart available only from the campaign! We hope you will join us in this exciting time to produce this brand new book on THE PARTRIDGE FAMILY! 

Newly-revealed interviews, Courtesy of Ken Sharp!

In 1993, author, musician and music historian Ken Sharp began research on a Partridge Family book, but soon discovered that Joey Green was already signed to do one (primarily as an episode guide) so Ken dropped his project. But Ken had interviewed the legendary Wes Farrell (music producer on all Partridge Family album) and songwriting legend Tony Romeo ("I Think I Love You") in what turns out to be the last known in-depth interviews given by these two music legends on the subject of The Partridge Family. Shockingly, both Farrell and Romeo passed away within six months of each other, and only shortly after these interviews took place. 

(Bell Records president Larry Uttal on left; Wes Farrell on right.)

Well, guess what? Along the wild ride taken in researching this book, the president of the Just David Fan Club (Barbara Pazmino) introduced me to Ken Sharp. She knew he could help me.  Ken had worked with David Cassidy on his 2008 autobiography, David Cassidy: Could It Be Forever, and he was intrinsic in getting all the outside interviews used in that book.  

Ken wanted to do whatever he could to help make When We're Singin' become the definitive book on The Partridge Family and their music, so he has graciously and whole-heartedly offered up  both the Farrell and Romeo interviews, in their entirety, for use in When We’re Singin’! Both Tony Romeo and Wes Farrell share loads of commentary, heard in the pages of this book for the very first time! Romeo and Farrell elaborate on putting the albums together, and discuss all of their individual songwriting efforts! It is a sentimental and passionate exposition of their work on this amazing body of music.

Thanks, Ken, for your incredible support!

Some Quotes from the book, "When We're Singin' "

How would you describe the voice of David Cassidy?

“ …an indelible sound…one of the most under-rated artists of all-time…L. Russell Brown, songwriter.

Why is When We’re Singin’ an exciting and important book for fans?

“It’s important they know the origin. It happens with a team of people. The creative dynamic is what really counts…that’s what makes us what we are.” Paul Anka, singer/songwriter.

“Of all the bands we had, David Cassidy was one of the nicest. As a live vocalist, he held his own.” Beverly Weinstein, Executive VP of production , Bell Records.

The Partridge Family was sentimental. It changed the way people think about TV. Jeremy Gelbwaks, actor, “Chris Partridge”

“I’m not surprised by the impact…the personalities of the younger boomers were forming when they were watching that show as kids…” Paul Junger Witt, producer