Mickey's News and Views

February 5, 2001

Hi Everyone,

Boy do I owe you all an apology. It has been a while since I have done an update as to just what has been going on out here. Please forgive me. I feel like I have let you all as well as April down. . I will not wait this long again.

OK. Here goes:

First, I hope you and your family had a great holiday season. Our Christmas was wonderful. We stayed right at home and I loved every minute of it not having to travel anywhere. We were with our children and grandchildren. You can’t beat that. We also stayed home on New Year’s eve. That is the best and safest place to be. As a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, I receive all of the current movies to review for Academy nomination. We curled up and watched a couple of the latest films and cheered at midnight with a glass of champagne and Dick Clark.

January started off with a bang. On Saturday, January 6th, I signed autographs at the Easyrider Bike Show in Pomona, CA. That night I performed with Branscombe Richmond and The Renegade Posse. Branscombe and I being celebrity spokesmen for Indian Motorcycle did our best to let folks know about Indian Motorcycle. What better place to do this than at the Easyride Bike Show. It was a blast.

The following Saturday, January 13th, I did an appearance at the LA Auto Show. If you have never been to the LA Auto Show, you don’t know what you’re missing. You cannot see it all in one day. It is truly overwhelming. I went to the show to sign my new Indian Motorcycle photo cards at the Indian Motorcycle booth. Indian Motorcycle had a booth in conjunction with the Sherman Oaks Indian dealer. Boy, was there a crowd? I started signing and didn’t stop until I ran out of photos just before the show closed. The Indian Motorcycle booth was one of the most beautiful attractions at the show. We had a lot of fun.

I got real lucky in January. I actually got a job. As you may know, work in my industry has been very slow this last year. We were on strike against commercials for 6 months in 2000. This year, 2001, does not look very good right now either. There could be another big strike against film and television. That strike would also include the writers and the cinematographers.

I went to Phoenix, Arizona, on the 15th of January to star in a comedy western called “The Legend of Cactus Jack”. It also starred Christopher Atkins from “Blue Lagoon” and Bill McKinney from “Deliverance”. I play the baddest guy in the movie, Two Gun Sly Willy. I loved playing Two Gun. It was one of the most fun roles I ever played. I don’t know the release date, at this point, but I will keep you informed.

I got back home on the 23rd, just in time to emcee my best friend’s retirement dinner at the Sagebrush Cantina in Calabasas on the 24th. Bob Souza has been my best friend for over 35 years and now he is retiring from 40 years with Allstate Insurance. I put together a couple of very special videos for Bob. One was a look back at Bob’s life through photos and music and the other was a congratulatory video from some of Bob’s very close friends who couldn’t make there that night or either refused to come because they didn’t want to be anyplace where insurance salesmen would be present. That video consisted of people like Jay Leno, Kenny Rogers, Tim Allen, Richard Karn, Jack Palance, Ted Nugent and many others. This video absolutely brought the house down. Bob, I love you and congratulations.

January 26th, Phyllis and I went to Las Vegas for my friend, Andy Lang. I always go up to the Orleans Hotel to do an appearance for Andy at their big “High Roller” Super Bowl party. He always treats me like a King. It’s always great to see Andy and his wife Kristy. Even though it was probably the most boring Super Bowl ever, it was great to get away and just hang out with Phyllis. We see family and usually see a great game.

February 1st through 3rd, I participated in The Frank Sinatra Invitational Celebrity Golf Tournament. That is the best golf tournament. I have never seen that many stars in one place in my life. Barbara Sinatra and Robert Wagner host the event. This year’s co-host was also Gregory Peck. We raised right at $800,000. Pretty cool!

I leave on the 8th of February for Duluth Minnesota for the United Way – Winter Blast. Going up to take part in a celebrity snowmobile event. Ice fishing on Friday and snow mobiling on Saturday. I’ll be taking my wolf coat I got in Canada while touring there when I was the drummer with Kenny Rogers and The First Edition.

Saturday, February 17th, I play golf at Riviera Country Club, in the celebrity event for the Los Angeles Open Golf Tournament. That is always fun to get the chance to play with the pros. I look forward to that.

Then I go to Coco Beach, Florida on the 23rd to host the Mickey Jones Poker Run for ARC. ARC is our charity. It is the Association of Retarded Children. As you know, I am a sucker for kids so when I get the chance to do something for kids, I am there. Lisa Mazzarall is the gal that does all the work on the event. I get to go down and be a gracious host. We do a VIP ride on Saturday. We will be riding to Patrick Air Force Base for a special dinner. Then on the 25th, we do the poker run and we are expecting a lot of motorcycles. I am riding an Indian Motorcycle from Lone Star Indian Motorcycle. I really look forward to the opportunity of going to Florida and riding my Indian Motorcycle.

So much for January and February. I will keep you posted and try to get more photos next time. Till then, all my best and God Bless! Remember, I care for all of you and I’ll call April and we’ll set up another chat session.

My love to all and especially April.

Mickey