Story & Photography by Kris Hilliard
The State Theater – Easton, Pa. -The legendary Johnny Mathis sang to a delighted sold out crowd last evening during his 60th Anniversary Tour at the State Theater. Mathis was accompanied by an outstanding orchestra. The crowd was clapping to the beginning and ending of every song. Listening closely, you could hear theater goers singing along quietly to Johnny’s unique tone, also gasps of joy as they reflected back to a golden age of romantic love songs. Johnny sounded the same and his voice did not skip a beat to his original tunes. Mathis sang songs such as “When I Fall in Love”, “I’m on the Outside (Looking In)”, “Shenandoah/Let It Be Me”, “It’s Not For Me To Say”, “Chances Are”, and “Gina”. Mathis stated he begged Henry Mancini to sing songs such as “Moon River”, “Days of Wine and Roses” and “Charade” and many more, the crowd cheered with delight.
Mathis’s friend and fellow golfer, Standup comedian Gary Mule Deer had the crowd roaring with laughter to all of his comedic act, he was quite a delight. Mule Deer is also known for his country singing and incorporated those hits into his act.
According to the State Theater Program Book, “Mr. Mathis has recorded over 80 albums and sold millions of records worldwide. He has had 3 songs inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, achieved 50 hits on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary Chart. He has received 5 Grammy Nominations, and in 2003 was given the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. He has also appeared in many films & TV shows.” Mathis will be 81 years young on September 30th of this year.
