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| Interviewing Micky Dolenz of The Monkees in the '80s. Check out my Swatch and bad hair. |
Many bloggers work closely with PR groups hooking up with freebies and all sorts of fun stuff. This doesn't really fit the Fourth Grade Nothing format. Readers stop by to remember and share experiences about our favorite '70s, '80s and '90s movies, music, books, toys, celebrities, foods and more. I put my own personal spin on it from my childhood. I sometimes even spice things up with random retro diary entries.
Okay, back to the PR issue. I was a massive Monkees fan between 1986-1987. I attended conventions, had a fanzine with more than 160 subscribers worldwide and even had my very first article published in New York's popular Newsday newspaper. I was 12.
This year, the group is touring for their 40th Anniversary. Last night they did a show here in Florida. I contacted their PR group suggesting I attend and document the experience here for my readers at FourthGradeNothing. I was turned down. I expected that would happen as I'm not the St.Pete Times. Ya know?
Rewind to my teen reporter days. After publishing about twelve articles with Newsday, I was asked to actually interview the Monkees. As a kid, this was a dream come true. To read more about this amazing event, check out my blog post over at Masshole Mommy's crib.
Don't let that discourage you from trying to do future PR related things on your blog. I actually think the retro style could work great for some promotional things.
ReplyDeleteSucks they said no though. You being the super fan you are, I know it would have been awesome.
Sooo fun! I LOVE The Monkees ;)
ReplyDeleteecwrites.com
Ah! Thanks for posting this - saves the search I was going to do. I read the guest post and would really like to know what questions you asked Micky.
ReplyDelete(or have I missed a link to this somewhere?)
Shame you couldn't go. I loved the show. But at least you actually got to MEET a Monkee!
Great now I have that their television theme song stuck in my head... Hey! Hey! We're the MONKEEES!! People say we Monkey AROUND!
ReplyDeleteOh yeah, thanks!
Thanks TS! Very sweet! I should start workin' it!
ReplyDeleteMoon, it was so long ago, I honestly don't remember the different questions. Ha ha. Even worse, for whatever reason we didn't save the published copy from the paper. I think I was just along for the ride because the weekend interviews were done by school or camp groups. My name wasn't included in the byline. It was more of a favor the editors did for me knowing I was a fanatic.
Their loss. They just don't realize how many followers you have.
ReplyDeleteYou just gave me a great idea.
ReplyDeleteOh man! I'm really, really sorry. Having been a Monkee wanna-be groupie back in the day, I share your pain, girl!
ReplyDeleteI loved them too. I had a crush on Davie Jones but I bet Mikey was/is more fun.
ReplyDeleteGood for you for giving it a try to document their reunion concert. Stupid of them to turn you down.
PS Your comment lifted my spirits. Thank you! You're incredible too.
Love ya,
Robyn
The Monkees were a great band and I think they deserve more recognition along the big greats!
ReplyDeleteI was a teen in the sixties and loved the Monkees show. I bought their album too. The Beatles were the ones I loved, but I liked the Monkees songs a lot.
ReplyDeleteIt is so nice you got to interview Mickey and see them sing. Wonderful!
pr groups? what? im not aware
ReplyDeletei love the monkees!
ReplyDeleteWhen I was 10 yrs old The Monkees was the first "rock" concert I had ever been to! It was in Cleveland. I remember going with my sister (I had pigtails in my hair) lol and I was soooo excited! I had an ENORMOUS crush on Mickey (I always have liked the funny guys!) Right before they came on stage, they turned the lights out and everything was quiet......I yelled.......SUPER LOUD........"I LOVE YOU MICKEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!" and everyone laughed! He HAD to have heard it, at least that is what I always told myself!
ReplyDeleteI'm poor enough that I would totally shack up with PR companies for freebies if I could, but I do understand that it might be ethically weird to do so.
ReplyDeleteThe Monkee's in the 80's? I thought they were dead by then. ;o)
ReplyDeleteI was just getting over the Bay City Roller crush at that time.
Those crazy monkees!!! BTW...made you blog of the day.
ReplyDeleteSeeing as how they have about 4 fans these days, I can't believe they said no to any PR.
ReplyDelete