That's Entertainment!

A salute today to two of the entertainment industry’s Stars who, just through their dedication to the things that they did or do provide inspiration for those who like to write.  

Today is the birthday of actor and director Ron Howard and the anniversary of the birth of Bandleader/musician Glen Miller.  

Howard, 65, is a native Oklahoman who started his career as the child star on the Andy Griffin Show and went on to do hits like Music Man and American Graffiti and the wildly popular TV show Happy Days before moving into his real passion – and some might argue ultimate success – directing.  A multiple Academy Award director, he continues to turn out hit after hit and said his love for directing gets him going each day and, luckily for the rest of us, “creating” new worlds for us to explore and enjoy on the big screen.

Miller, who died in World War II while traveling to entertain U.S. troops on the European Front, was born in 1904 in Iowa, grew up in Nebraska, Missouri and Colorado, and for a time thought about going toward a professional football career (he was a high school star in Colorado).  But music, particularly his love for the trombone, drew him away from sports and ultimately into history as the creator of such famous songs as Tuxedo Junction, Moonlight Serenade, Chattanooga Choo Choo and, of course, the song everyone hears when they listen to the “Big Band Sound,” In The Mood. 

Miller was also branching into movies at the time of his death and probably would have succeeded had he survived the war.  He was good friends with Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby, and people said he reminded them of actor Jimmy Stewart, who was about his age.  Ironically, it was Stewart who played the title role in the 1950s movie, The Glen Miller Story.

So, here’s a shout-out to two people who inspire us as as role models for everyday life and living.  And happy writing.