Re: Induction into the TV Hall of Fame:
Emmys are wonderful and I’m thrilled to death that I have mine. But they’re representative of a specific achievement, where this sort of thing is representative of how you've grown in your own industry. It’s not given to someone for having the biggest hit two years in a row. It’s a reminder along the way that you’ve hung in there and really accomplished something.
I’d like people to remember that I really tried everything within my range of reality. And that whatever I did, I did with all my heart.
They were looking for a singer for his national radio show, Time to Smile, and Eddie’s daughter asked me to come in and audition. I sang the regular four songs, then five, then on and on until I could hardly stand up. Finally, this very spare, intense, vivid man – unmistakably Eddie Cantor – walked out and said a lovely line I’ve never forgotten. He said, ‘You’ll forgive me for keeping you singing so long but I figure it’s the last time I’m going to hear you for nothing.’
When rock came along the lyrics and melodies became less important and it bothered me to think that perhaps they might not regain the value they have to music – they are music. But I see some good signs. In country music the lyric is important and the melodies get a little more complex all the time, and you hear marvelous new singers who are interested in writing and interpreting a lyric and in all form of popular music.
I’m not really a country singer, although I did make a couple albums and love its simple, straight-from-the-heart approach, but I have always sung a lot of jazz, show tunes, pop tunes, gospel and blues. My tastes are eclectic.
ABOUT DINAH:
Bob Hope: Dinah was one of the most talented, charming and gracious women of this century.
Frank Sinatra: I met Dinah in the early 40's at the very start of our careers when we broke into radio in New York. Throughout our long and treasured friendship, she was a steadfast, true friend and neighbor. Dear Dinah was a wonderful ray of sunshine -- always ready with a word of support, a funny anecdote, a smile.
Hollywood Director, Delbert Mann: She was quite a gal. She had a simplicity of singing, a style that was not overtly stylish. It was sincere, kind of really from the heart with an enormous amount of energy and enthusiasm. I think that bubbly enthusiasm she presented, which was part of her personality and not anything she put on, appealed to the public.
Betty White: We shared Dinah. We always have. But she left us with so much of her warmth and love -- her very essence -- that there is enough to go around.
Beverly Sills: I've known Dinah so long I can't remember when I didn't know her. We always considered each other sisters. When I was much, much younger, we resembled each other enormously and we decided it was our little buck teeth. Dinah was kind. She wasn't goody goody, she was just kind.
President Gerald Ford: Betty and I have lost a very dear friend, one of the finest, most generous and thoughtful persons we have been privileged to know. Dinah was five-star in every way.
Peggy Lee: I worked with her on so many of her TV shows and she was so full of happiness and kindness -- that's what made her so popular. She had this love of life, she played golf in those tournaments, she was always doing something that embraced life. All of those things showed what a beautiful soul she was, and I think that played into her music.
Amy Alcott: I always liked Dinah. She was a very special person who cared not only about having a golf tournament, but she cared about women athletes and promoting them. She just cared.
Dick Clark: The thing I appreciated most about her was her genuine kindness. Many people in our industry are attractive and have gained great wealth and fame. It's hard to find the few that remain good, kind and thoughtful. Dinah Shore was one of those few.
Burt Reynolds: She was the sunshine in my life and millions and millions of others. She was the only person I ever knew who had nothing bad to say about anyone.