Today I went to my voice lesson with Bruce Eckstut up in the Hollywood Hills and ran into Janis Paige as she finished her voice lesson. We had run into each other because Janis is rehearsing for her upcoming show in New York and I am working on new songs for my upcoming album and, by coincidence, we have appointments ending and starting at the same time. The first time we met Bruce introduced me as Jeanne Crain’s granddaughter. Janis was so delighted, told me how fond she was of my grandmother and has been kind to me ever since.

Janis Paige was a 40′s pin-up girl like my grandmother. She knew my grandmother from way back in the studio days (and she knew my grandfather, too– I can only imagine how!!! She commented that he was a very naughty man! LOL! There were a few Freudian slips– that is all I will say!!!)

Regardless, today Jan is my inspiration, my hero– booked for her 90th birthday at the top club in San Fransisco! Proving that when you love what you do, you never want to quit!

Every once in a while I come across some old timers who worked with and knew my grandmother– but very few are still working. I love Janis Paige— I love that she still keeps going and will do what she loves until the end and it will live on forever. She is close to 90 years old- a feat in itself AND she is raring to go! It’s a marvel! People comment that I have the drive of a twenty year old at, well over 30, but she has the same vitality in what some would consider retirement years and get her up on that stage and she takes it over– she still glows and shines. Amazing! She knows ALL the tricks. She did movies along side my grandmother, but took off and left Hollywood for Broadway where she was a huge star. Eventually she came back and did movies and television and she still performs, singing in very prestigious clubs— She has worked all of the medias and that’s how she knows all of the tricks. This afternoon, she reminded me that you can do what you love and follow your dreams no matter how old you are. Thank you Janis! (Gram Jeanne, Janis says hi!)

By the way, my FAVORITE part of our time together was when she said, as she was leaving, that she was having trouble “with that one note.” Ha Ha– I can so relate!!!! I love that in life, even at close to 90 we still have THAT NOTE to work on! Love it! Love it, Love it! Bless all the world who does what they LOVE. (It is it’s own blessing really) Success to all!

WINK, WINK