Classic Nick Wed. –
An Email from
George "Jake" James
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
This will be a very short
post but it is definitely one of my favorites so far.
On Wednesday, September 5,
2012 I posted my second Classic Nick Wednesday article which was simply called “Pinwheel”
where I discussed the history of one of Nickelodeon’s main programs which I
also blogged. ( http://classic-nickelodeon-fan-blog.blogspot.com/2012/09/classic-nickelodeon-wednesday-2.html
)
For anyone who grew up
watching Pinwheel the name George James will be very familiar to you; he
played “Jake” on Pinwheel. He was the resident singer and musician. Yesterday when I
checked my email I almost screamed when I read this email. Yes you are reading
it correctly, “Jake” emailed me and I am VERY honored to share his email with
you.
Please note that I have
deleted both his personal email and phone number (yes he sent me his phone
number!) for privacy reasons.
Subject:
Thanks
From:
George James (Personal Email) Sent: Tue 3/11/14 3:46 AM
To: peggysueclay@hotmail.com (All of you know my email.)
I have perused your blog and
read your interview on blogspot and am impressed by your knowledge of classic
nick.
Thanks for keeping the good
old days alive!
George Jacob James
("Jake" from Pinwheel)
George James
(Personal Phone
Number Included – deleted for privacy.)(Personal Email Included – deleted for privacy.)
Subject: Thanks
From: peggysueclay@hotmail.com
Sent: Mar 15, 2014, at 1:27 PM
To: George James (Personal Email)
Good Afternoon Mr. James,
Thank you so much for your
wonderful email, I’m so honored that you have read my blog and that you approve
of it, I just can’t tell you how much that means to me. It has taken me several
years, and countless hours of research, to be able to maintain my Yahoo group,
website, Facebook pages/groups and blog all in an effort to preserve the
memories of the early to mid-80’s Nickelodeon programs. In a way I consider
myself an advocate for Classic (80’s) Nickelodeon.
Ya know this may sound a bit
strange but I was getting ready to send out a search party for you. Every week
in the Sunday paper I see the Parade or the American Profile magazines and at
least once a month I think about writing them to ask them about you. What have
you been up to lately, how you got involved with Pinwheel and so forth? I did
write to one of them about a year ago to ask who took over the role of Coco the
Mime after C.C. Loveheart left but never received an answer. Many of us believe
it was Lindanell Rivera but there is no way to confirm it other than Wikipidia
and to be honest I think someone found that on one of my sites and posted it.
Mr. George, if I may be so
bold, may I ask you something? Well, two somethings actually.
1) May I have your autograph?
2) My friend Andy, from
Facebook, interviewed Ms. Loveheart for my blog and I was wondering if we may
ask you for one as well? It’s okay if you say no but it never hearts to ask.
Thank you again for your
email, it truly made my whole week and thank you also for giving me your phone
number. I would love to call you but to be honest I’m afraid I would be too
excited and my words would come out in a jumble. (I know that sounds a bit
silly.) Besides, I’m a writer and I sound much better on paper, or at least for
now I do.
Have a wonderful weekend and
thank you for such wonderful memories when I was growing up. I was about twelve
when I started watching Pinwheel but my Mom babysat so I’d watch with the kids
and in all honesty I loved it myself they were just an excuse for me to watch J.
Peggy Sue - aka - Ice
Writer, Artist, Crafter, Face Painter
A New Beginning for Classic Nickelodeon
Subject: Re: Thanks
From: George James (Personal Email) This sender is in your contact list.
Sent: Sun 3/23/14 10:14 AM
To: Peggy Sue - (peggysueclay@hotmail.com)
Dear Peggy Sue (Ice),
Great to get your email and
sorry for the delayed response.
Your advocacy and
understanding of the early days of Nickelodeon is impressive and heartwarming.
You seem to have grasped the well-meaning intentions of the people who took
pride in producing "Pinwheel" and the other early programs on
"Nickelodeon". It was certainly something that I took much pride and
joy in and remains a bright spot in my life. The fact that you value and are
promoting the spirit of those early programs is commendable, as they were
indeed for and about people. The traveling that I did with the Pinwheel Road
Show gave me a chance to actually meet the smiling faces that came to know and
love us via the show. To have our intentions confirmed in person was and will
always be among the most meaningful experiences of my life.
I can confirm that Lindanell
Rivera was indeed the second mime on the show after CC Loveheart. Both were a
pleasure to work with. As for your two questions, I would be happy to send you
an autograph. Somewhere I have a few promotional pictures which after I find
them I will send you one. I will of course need an address to send it to. I
will also be happy to to partake in Andy's interview. It will be fun to credit
many and make clear some of the fuzzy areas that may exist if I can. I was
involved in "Pinwheel" from the development stage so I have knowledge
of most that went on.
Since "Pinwheel" I
have been involved in many things including writing for "Sesame
Street", producing, directing and traveling.
I feel that you truly enjoy
what you are doing, and that of course is the key to doing something well.
All best to you Peggy Sue!
George (Jake) James
At least you got a connection! Perhaps an interview is in good order!
ReplyDeleteHi Chris, I just posted Mr. James' response. I think you'll be very happy to know that he has indeed agreed to an interview!!! **happy dance**
ReplyDeleteHe helped raise so many of us!!! I'm 42 and still have vivid memories of the whole Pinwheel crew. I love that you have reached out to Mr. James.
ReplyDelete