Bobby's Online Interview on Prodigy

Moderator (Speaker)
From his television debut on "Shindig" through the phenomenal "Bobbymania" years of hit records, sold-out concerts, and a starring role in the popular series "Here Come the Brides," our guest tonight has touched the hearts of a generation of adoring fans. His days as a teen idol during the sixties and seventies is now documented in a new book, "Bobby Sherman: Still Remembering You." Please give a warm welcome now to BOBBY SHERMAN...

Bobby Sherman (Speaker)
Hi, this is Bobby... peace and love, and welcome aboard!

Moderator (Speaker)
Let's get right to the questions... Our first one is from ISHMAAR...

ISHMAAR (Prodigy Member)
What will you be doing for Thanksgiving?

Bobby Sherman (Speaker)
Actually I'll be with my mom (which is mandatory!), and one of my sons, Christopher, who lives close by. My other son, Tyler, will be in Idaho, but we'll be talking to each other.

ANNIECAT (Prodigy Member)
Hi Bobby! I have been proud to be a fan since Here Come The Brides. If you do tour next summer, will you be coming to the midwest?

Bobby Sherman (Speaker)
There's no doubt. We'll probably end up doing somewhere between 30 and 40 cities in the U.S., and then we'll do Canada and Europe.

wuzupwitu12 (Prodigy Member)
How old are you?

Bobby Sherman (Speaker)
I don't know... how old are you? [g] Basically, I'm 51, going on 45. Or as Jack Benny might have said, I'm still 39!

NIRMY (Prodigy Member)
I HAVE BEEN A FAN OF YOURS FOR YEARS. WHEN YOU WERE ON THE ROSIE O'DONNELL SHOW, YOU MENTIONED GOING ON TOUR. HOW CAN I LEARN OF YOUR ITINERARY?

Bobby Sherman (Speaker)
We're just gathering all our data right now, and thinking of possibly putting up a web site. Stay tuned!

NIRMY (Prodigy Member)
I AM A NURSE AND WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT YOU LIKE THE MOST AND DISLIKE THE MOST IN REGARDS TO YOUR CAREER AS AN EMT.

Bobby Sherman (Speaker)
It's very simple: saving is a joy; losing is a bummer!

ANNIECAT (Prodigy Member)
Is there a chance that Here Come the Brides will be released on a video collection?

Bobby Sherman (Speaker)
I know there have been some inquiries, but to my knowledge I don't believe so. I have not heard of any plans, with the exception that it might start airing on one of the cable channels.

relb (Prodigy Member)
Did you feel threatened by David Cassidy's popularity?

Bobby Sherman (Speaker)
Not at all. We had two separate camps, and I felt both camps got along beautifully. In fact, we did a pilot that was a spin-off of The Partridge Family. We've worked together and got along just fine. I've never seen David since we did that, around 1971, so how could there be any animosity? [g]

Queral (Prodigy Member)
Who was Julie from the song "Julie do Ya love me,"?

Bobby Sherman (Speaker)
I wish I knew, and God bless her! That was a song that was written in approximately 20 minutes by a songwriter named Tom Baylar. We had a little bit of extra studio time... it was well after "Hey Little Woman" and "Easy Come, Easy Go." We said, what are we gonna do with this extra time? And we just went with Julie because that name hadn't been used in any other popular songs at the time. After that song came out, a lot of girls wanted to change their name to Julie... God bless 'em!

Moderator (Speaker)
Bobby Sherman's new autobiography, "Bobby Sherman: Still Remembering You," is a memoir that includes interviews with family, friends, coworkers, fans, and fellow teen idols of the '60s and '70s, as well as reproductions of rare memorabilia--including Bobby's "Tiger Beat" covers and articles. Bobby's recording career includes the hits "Hey Little Woman," "Easy Come, Easy Go," "Julie Do Ya Love Me," and "Cried Like A Baby."

gotomall II (Prodigy Member)
Mr Sherman what have you been doing for the past few years? i thought u were great... i had the biggest crush on u when i was in school

Bobby Sherman (Speaker)
Gosh... for the past 10 years or so I've been with the EMS (Emergency Medical Services) as an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician). I've also been lecturing, and giving birth (we've had 5 o.b.'s), and saving lives... a lot of freeway accidents. In the last 5 years I've been working with the LAPD, training police officers in first aid and CPR.

NIRMY (Prodigy Member)
IF YOU GO OUT IN CONCERT THIS SUMMER, ANY CHANCE YOU WILL BE COMING TO THE ORLANDO, FL AREA? I KNOW HOW YOU LOVE DISNEYLAND, SO COME SEE DISNEYWORLD.

Bobby Sherman (Speaker)
Absolutely. There's no doubt about it. I've done that area before, and there is no doubt I would go back. I have a lot of friends and fans in Orlando, and I'd love to see them again.

gotomall II (Prodigy Member)
do u ever perform in vegas?

Bobby Sherman (Speaker)
I haven't in the past. There have been offers, but it really hasn't appealed to me. It's a possibility, but at this point I'm not that attracted to it yet.

Sal Anthony1 (Prodigy Member)
Did you enjoy doing the Partridge Family?

Bobby Sherman (Speaker)
We had a great time, a terrific time. Shirley, Susan, David, the kids... we had a delightful time.

Olympian2004 (Prodigy Member)
WHERE is an address we can write to you?

Bobby Sherman (Speaker)
You can always write to me care of my publisher, Contemporary Books, Two Prudential Plaza, Suite 1200, Chicago, IL 60601-6790. It will get to me; they're very good and responsive, and your letters won't get lost.

TeleViddle (Prodigy Member)
Bobby- I heard you bought Mickey Dolenz' Moog Synthesizer back in the early Seventies. Do you still have it?

Bobby Sherman (Speaker)
Mickey, is that you? [g] Yes, I did buy it, but no, I don't have it anymore. He bought it when it was considered state-of-the-art, and I bought it from him for a song! They were very, very difficult to work, so I gave it to someone who had more time to try to make it work!

JudePatti (Prodigy Member)
Hi, Bobby. I don't know if you remember me from your two book signings (the first week with an armload of books and the second with my 2 children, Kimberly and Christopher) ... but my daughter would like to ask you a question. She is reading your book for a class project where she needs to read a biography and write a book report. She is 10 and would like to know how did it feel to be so famous when you were so young?

Bobby Sherman (Speaker)
Yes, I remember you, and both signings. Thank you so much for being there. And there is virtually no way to describe the feeling of being recognized by so many. It was overwhelming, without a doubt. And tremendously humbling, to say the least.

TeleViddle (Prodigy Member)
Have you spoken with any of your "Brides" cast mates recently?

Bobby Sherman (Speaker)
Oh yes, I have. Bridget Hanley (who played Candy), and Susan Tolsky (who played Biddie), and I've been trying to reach Robert Brown, who played Jason... and David Soul and I have been talking over the years.

Kay Raoki (Prodigy Member)
Are you looking forward to someday sharing your backyard Disneyland with your grandchildren?

Bobby Sherman (Speaker)
(laughing) How dare you! Let's not go too fast! [g] I would adore the time, but I'm not looking forward to it!

Moderator (Speaker)
Bobby is the father of two sons, Christopher and Tyler, for whom he hand-crafted a 50-foot square replica of Disneyland's famed Main Street, built to a one-fifth scale (more details coming up soon). It is located at his San Fernando Valley estate, which includes waterfalls, lagoons, and a small rain forest.

TeleViddle (Prodigy Member)
What ever happened to Wes Stern (Lionel Poindexter from your show Getting Together)?

Bobby Sherman (Speaker)
Good question, but I don't know. I've tried a couple of follow-ups, but have been unsuccessful.

TeleViddle (Prodigy Member)
Do you still have the replica of Disneyland's Main street that you built way back when?

Bobby Sherman (Speaker)
Yes, I do. It's still there and I'm dusting it off every spring and fall! It's one of those things that you'd have to see to believe. There are pictures of it in my book.

FIREMAN5 (Prodigy Member)
I am a musician, and I was wandering if you advise people to be in the business?

Bobby Sherman (Speaker)
Absolutely. Again, talent is the real import of being in the business. If you've got talent, stick with it... because talent wins out, without a doubt.

Moderator (Speaker)
Now you can get a listing of upcoming celebrity and newsmaker Prodigy chat guests automatically by e-mail! To subscribe from our Web page, Jump: MAILING LISTS, select ENTERTAINMENT, and then select the CHATUPDATE list.

Clingy (Prodigy Member)
Bobby, what is one of your dearest charities?

Bobby Sherman (Speaker)
There are so many good causes, it's hard to pin down a specific one. It really comes down to a personal approach to whatever motivates you. But there are many, and I'm a supporter of a great deal of charities. Humanity is my favorite charity!

ANNIECAT (Prodigy Member)
Did you know there was a Bobby message board on AOL?

Bobby Sherman (Speaker)
I've heard that, but since I'm computer illiterate I don't know how it all works. But since I'm on Prodigy tonight, I'm learning a lot through my typist, Peter.

ITSME38 (Prodigy Member)
Hi Bobby i was a very big fan in my teen days. Do you miss being in a weekly series?

Bobby Sherman (Speaker)
I miss doing a series, but I don't want to do a series for a series' sake. I have to be motivated, and I'm sure time will avail itself.

Moderator (Speaker)
The first personality in television history to star in three series before the age of 30, Bobby Sherman has earned a fine reputation not only as an actor and singer, but as a producer, director, and composer as well.

Kay Raoki (Prodigy Member)
Do you have plans for any future television appearances? You did such a great job on Rosie's show. I was glad to see that, like fine wine, you just get better with age. ;-)

Bobby Sherman (Speaker)
(laughs) Thank you! How sweet it is! Yes, I'm supposed to go back to New York to do Geraldo, and we're going to be doing The Tonight Show. I've just finished an infomercial for K-Tel on the history of rock 'n roll, which will be released in late December. I'll get back with you to let you know what's coming up next.

Queral (Prodigy Member)
What was your worst moment on screen?

Bobby Sherman (Speaker)
I think the only thing I can remember as being the worst, or most comical moment, is when I did a Love Boat with Annette Funicello, and we had a kissing scene. Every time she would kiss me, I'd wind up with lipstick all over my face, and every time she'd pull back she'd start laughing! I thought, this isn't bad, kissing Annette, but when is it going to end? [g] It was wonderful working with her; she's a terrific lady.

KPara (Prodigy Member)
I remember hearing that when you were a kid you constructed a model of Disneyland. Where on earth did you get such a great idea?

Bobby Sherman (Speaker)
One I built when I was a kid, and it was a real miniature of Disneyland. I fell in love with the park when I went there with my parents on my 12th birthday. The second one was the one in my backyard, and it's a 1/5 scale model that you can walk through. I wanted to build something for my sons Chris and Ty. I originally wanted to build a treehouse for them, but I was worried they might fall out and injure themselves. So I decided to build an authentic, old-time western street. I decided what would be better than the first two blocks of Main Street, Disneyland... with all the gingerbreading, the glitz, and the sparkle. I went to work on it, thinking it would take 3 months. Two and a half years later I completed a 1/5 scale (plus or minus 1/4-inch accurate!) replica of Main Street. If you look at pictures of them side-by-side, you can't tell the difference between the real one and mine. You have to see it to believe it. The tallest building is 10-1/2 feet high, and the entire structure is 50 feet long, 50 feet wide, and you can literally stroll down the street. It's just like being there.

copycat3 (Prodigy Member)
U like Sports?

Bobby Sherman (Speaker)
I love sports. I'm more akin to football than I think anything else because that's what I played in high school.

swjrrj29A (Prodigy Member)
Hi Bobby!! What role did you play on the Partridge Family? What advice would you give to young "teen idols"?

Bobby Sherman (Speaker)
The part I played was Bobby Conway, who was supposed to be a young songwriter. As far as advice to potential teenage idols, there is no formula. You don't find *it*--*it* finds you.

Moderator (Speaker)
Mr. Sherman, what is your favorite cigar and favorite cocktail?

Bobby Sherman (Speaker)
(laughing) Unfortunately I'm not a smoker, so cigars have never been a part of my agenda. However, I love the smell of a good pipe. A pipe and coffee... if they would just taste as good as they smell! As far as a cocktail, I do like good wines, basically with meals, and good champagnes. But as far as cocktails, a couple of ladies that I've dated in the past really loved Rum and Coke. So I like that occasionally, with a twist of lime.

Moderator (Speaker)
Let's have one for the road...back to your questions, folks!

kbstudio (Prodigy Member)
Did you find all of the attention--and being in the spotlight--a bit overwhelming at that young age?

Bobby Sherman (Speaker)
Extraordinarily so. For a good five years I didn't know where home was, I barely had very much time to think about anything but doing what I was doing. I had time for nothing else. It was overwhelming.

XmasFrogPrnc (Prodigy Member)
Have you thought of making a comeback like The Monkees, or David Cassidy and the 70's revival ?

Bobby Sherman (Speaker)
Yes, I'm planning to go out again next summer, on concert tour, as a result of the success of the book and the CDs. I have to thank the fans, who have been supporting me all along.

Moderator (Speaker)
Bobby Sherman has sold millions of albums (including the hit singles "Julie, Do Ya Love Me?" and "Little Woman") and played in front of crowds of 150,000 and more.

GEISHA Doll (Prodigy Member)
Do you have a favorite "relaxation" technique to pass onto us?

Bobby Sherman (Speaker)
Yes. Every chance you get, play with Prodigy! [g] Oddly enough, my partner went on Prodigy when it first came out, and I ended up playing with some of that stuff!

Moderator (Speaker)
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KPara (Prodigy Member)
How old are your boys now?

Bobby Sherman (Speaker)
Christopher is the oldest, and they're 14 months apart. They're 22 and 23 years old. I delivered them both, and they're two of my best friends. I'm very proud of them.

kbstudio (Prodigy Member)
Now that you see how easy it is to be in touch with the rest of the world (and you can do it incognito) by keyboard...do you plan to "log on" with the rest of us at any time?

Bobby Sherman (Speaker)
I'm a neophyte when it comes to this process. This has been my first time, and my typist, Peter, has been gentle! I'm learning a lot, and I intend to learn more and perhaps get more involved. I find it fascinating.

Moderator (Speaker)
Complete info on upcoming Prodigy Spotlight guests is now available on the Web! Jump: SPOTLIGHT, which will open the Web browser and take you right to our home page. You'll find a calendar of events, bios and photos. There are even direct links from the Web page to our auditoriums. Jump: SPOTLIGHT and check it out!

Life Goes 0n (Prodigy Member)
Hi...what in your career gave or gives you the most heartfelt satisfaction?

Bobby Sherman (Speaker)
I'd have to say that's a twofold question. It depends on whether you're talking about my career as a medic, or my show business career. As far as show business, it's the gratification of doing something that pleases the fans. As a medic, saving a life. That will make your whole year. But there are no "Take Two's". In show business, if you make a mistake, you can do it over again. Being involved with show business gave me a lot of experience in dealing with stress, which, in a way, prepared me for my career as a medic.

Moderator (Speaker)
Upcoming Chats: Exercise ® Actress LINDA BLAIR (Mon, 12/2, 9pm ET); Actor CORBIN BERNSEN (Mon, 12/2, 10pm ET); Personality ROBIN LEACH (Tues, 12/3, 10:30pm ET); Actress/comedienne LARAINE NEWMAN (Tues, 12/3, 11pm ET); Actor/producer HENRY WINKLER (Wed, 12/4, 9pm ET); Actor WAYNE ROGERS (Wed, 12/4, 10pm ET); Star of MTV's "The Real World" JOE PATANE (Thurs, 12/5, 10pm ET); Actor TONY GOLDWYN (Fri, 12/6, 9pm ET). Doors open 45 minutes prior to event.

KPara (Prodigy Member)
Bobby, how were your days on "Shindig?" Boy, there was some incredible talent on that show.

Bobby Sherman (Speaker)
It was the best time, it was my baptismal to the business, to the media of television. I worked with everybody, the best, and they actually paid me money to stand next to the people I idolized. The only person who didn't do Shindig was Presley. But everybody else did it... the Beatles, the Supremes, the Beach Boys, the Rolling Stones... I'm remiss for the number of people who I'd love to mention. It was the greatest time... it was a shindig!

Moderator (Speaker)
If you missed any part of tonight's chat, you can Jump: CHAT TRANSCRIPTS in a few days for a complete copy of this and many other Prodigy Chat events. You can read a transcript online, or print it out, or save it to a file for later use.

GEISHA Doll (Prodigy Member)
I remember you, in my mind's eye, with that terrific head of HAIR ... so .. has your "look" changed from your TEEN IDOL days

Bobby Sherman (Speaker)
The photo on the cover of the book is what I look like now, so I'll leave it up to you to decide. Rosie O'Donnell showed the book on her show, so you might have seen it there. MJ Twelve (Prodigy Member)
You delivered your own sons? Why? Couldn't make it to the hospital on time, or you wanted to?

Bobby Sherman (Speaker)
No, actually Patty, who is my ex-wife, we had decided to have our children Lamaze, and I got a little more involved than most people do. I wanted to. With Christopher we almost didn't make it. But both of them were delivered in a perfect setting, in a hospital, but under supervision. The five o.b.'s I had in the field were different, but they weren't my kids!

jZGenee (Prodigy Member)
Who is your favorite recording artist at this point in your life??

Bobby Sherman (Speaker)
I'm such a lover of music that it would be very hard for me to pinpoint it to a particular artist. I am moved by music, and certain things just make my day. Recently I heard Sheryl Crow and I loved her, she was terrific. Tomorrow it will be someone else, though! I'm not nailed down to a particular artist.

ZGenee (Prodigy Member)
I am sooooo excited to get to talk to you ...even if it is with only with my fingers...[S]...Do you have any idea how much we "girls" really loved you and what it did to me when you got married?? LOL

Bobby Sherman (Speaker)
God bless all of you for being fans. My love for you has not ceased, and thank you for sticking by me... sans marriage!

jZGenee (Prodigy Member)
Just wanted to hug ya...[S]... {{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{Bobby}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}} You were my very first crush...[S]

Bobby Sherman (Speaker)
{{{{{{{{{ jZGenee }}}}}}}}}

kbstudio (Prodigy Member)
Did you ever find that being who you are got in the way of getting your job done as a medic? I mean by that, did any of the "victims" feel somewhat intimidated by being treated by a star?

Bobby Sherman (Speaker)
It bothered me at first that there might be a problem. But very early on, I found that they responded in the most positive ways... it literally took the pain away from their minds while they decided to talk about "being treated by Bobby Sherman." I became a human placebo. It's never ever gotten in the way. It's always been a plus... thank God.

KPara (Prodigy Member)
Hi Bobby. What did you ever do with all of those great fringed suede jackets?

Bobby Sherman (Speaker)
(laughing) When the power goes off, they make for a good fire! God bless you all. Take some time to learn first aid and CPR. It saves lives, and it works.

Moderator (Speaker)
Thanks for chatting with us tonight, Bobby! And thanks to you members for some great questions. If you missed any part of tonight's chat, you can Jump: CHAT TRANSCRIPTS in a few days for a complete transcript. Good night, everyone!

Bobby Sherman (Speaker)
Thanks, and good night
13:02ET