A picture of myself with a good friend of mine, Ellis Nassour, who coordinated tours headlining Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash, Peter, Paul & Mary, Al Hirt, Peter Nero, Connie Stevens, Julie London and Bobby Troupe. His first interview was with Bob Hope. He is at work on Marvelous Gals from Movie-Musicals and his first novel, The Scent of Magnolia. He's an international media journalist, veteran of The New York Times and New York Daily News and writes extensively for Playbill and Broadway Stars.com. Ellis has conducted creative writing seminars at Rutgers University, the Space Coast Writers Association, the University of Kentucky, Hinds College and the University of Mississippi. He is on the Executive Board of theatrical organization Drama Desk. September 2005 saw the dedication of the Mamie and Ellis Nassour Arts & Entertainment Collection at the University of Mississippi in memory of Ellis' parents [presently housed in the John D. Williams Library]. The launch of his 1993 Patsy Cline biography at New York's Cowgirl Hall of Fame Restaurant began the annual St. Patsy's Day event (look-alike contest) on St. Patrick's Day night. Ellis was instrumental in getting Patsy Cline named to the Cowgirl Hall of Fame. An updated trade edition of Ellis' Patsy Cline biography will be published in 2008. Ellis has made it really big in New York. He attended St. Aloysius which was run by the Brothers of the Sacred Heart. I attended St. Francis Xavier Academy, which was run by the Sisters of Mercy. It is now called the Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation. Ellis and I also worked together part-time at the Strand Theatre after school hours. I told him one day at work that he would make it big one day. I was right! This picture was taken about five years ago at the Yeager Plantation in Mound, LA, at a small class reunion get-together. I am so proud of my hometown friend!
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