1 00:00:02,190 --> 00:00:04,820 Speaker 1: Welcome back to the Florida Keys Weekly podcast. I'm your host, 2 00:00:04,869 --> 00:00:07,570 Speaker 1: Brett Myers. I'm excited. I have an incredible guest today, 3 00:00:07,750 --> 00:00:11,229 Speaker 1: one that I'm personally, uh, just, just pumped up in 4 00:00:11,228 --> 00:00:13,520 Speaker 1: an awe about. This is a nostalgic moment for me. 5 00:00:14,560 --> 00:00:16,709 Speaker 1: Before we get started, I want to thank our listeners 6 00:00:16,709 --> 00:00:19,000 Speaker 1: in Radio land who get up early. I appreciate you 7 00:00:19,000 --> 00:00:21,959 Speaker 1: guys and ladies and gentlemen and and and humans who 8 00:00:21,959 --> 00:00:24,870 Speaker 1: get up at uh the crack of dawn at 103.3 9 00:00:24,870 --> 00:00:26,770 Speaker 1: FM WKWF, thank you. 10 00:00:27,420 --> 00:00:30,170 Speaker 1: Of course, all of our podcast listeners on Spotify, Apple, 11 00:00:30,299 --> 00:00:34,380 Speaker 1: Amazon or or uh Keys Weekly.com, you can grab this 12 00:00:34,380 --> 00:00:37,220 Speaker 1: podcast and others there and I just wanna thank everyone 13 00:00:37,220 --> 00:00:39,339 Speaker 1: for continuing to listen and support and we are brought 14 00:00:39,340 --> 00:00:43,259 Speaker 1: to you by Overseas Media Group, that's OMG Overseas Media Group.com, 15 00:00:43,270 --> 00:00:44,580 Speaker 1: that's your local digital company. 16 00:00:45,279 --> 00:00:47,759 Speaker 1: Brings you all the world of services and expertise with 17 00:00:47,759 --> 00:00:50,279 Speaker 1: the local with the local service that you need to 18 00:00:50,279 --> 00:00:52,318 Speaker 1: come out and take care of you. So, uh, websites, 19 00:00:52,389 --> 00:00:54,200 Speaker 1: digital marketing, you name it, those are the folks you 20 00:00:54,200 --> 00:00:56,520 Speaker 1: wanna give a call to overseas Media group. Now with 21 00:00:56,520 --> 00:00:59,919 Speaker 1: that I'm, uh, incredibly excited. First of all, uh, I'm 22 00:00:59,919 --> 00:01:01,720 Speaker 1: gonna do a quick intro and get and get this 23 00:01:01,720 --> 00:01:05,238 Speaker 1: person started because you want to hear from her, I promise, um. 24 00:01:06,250 --> 00:01:08,010 Speaker 1: But I will say this, and she's heard this, she's 25 00:01:08,010 --> 00:01:10,489 Speaker 1: gonna roll her eyes right now because she's heard this, um. 26 00:01:11,160 --> 00:01:14,509 Speaker 1: As a 10 year old boy, I had a reoccurring 27 00:01:14,720 --> 00:01:16,919 Speaker 1: dream that I had a date with Debbie Gibson and 28 00:01:16,919 --> 00:01:19,199 Speaker 1: if you were 10 years old in my day, everyone 29 00:01:19,199 --> 00:01:20,750 Speaker 1: dreamed that that was just, you know, you were in 30 00:01:20,750 --> 00:01:24,839 Speaker 1: awe she's amazing, um, sing, you know, singer, actress, songwriter, 31 00:01:24,959 --> 00:01:27,238 Speaker 1: she is an icon so you can try try to 32 00:01:27,239 --> 00:01:29,459 Speaker 1: take a guess who is on the podcast today, but 33 00:01:29,680 --> 00:01:31,910 Speaker 1: I will say we had a podcast set up yesterday 34 00:01:31,910 --> 00:01:34,690 Speaker 1: some things fell through the crack and my dream of 35 00:01:34,690 --> 00:01:37,639 Speaker 1: being stood up by Debbie Gibson after about 40 years 36 00:01:37,639 --> 00:01:39,930 Speaker 1: came true, so I, I miss Debbie but. 37 00:01:41,800 --> 00:01:44,300 Speaker 1: But I will say I am so honored to have 38 00:01:44,300 --> 00:01:47,739 Speaker 1: the Debbie Gibson, um, on the podcast today and Debbie, 39 00:01:47,819 --> 00:01:51,260 Speaker 1: I could go through your catalog, your debut album 1987 40 00:01:51,260 --> 00:01:53,540 Speaker 1: out of the blue went triple platinum. We can talk 41 00:01:53,540 --> 00:01:56,540 Speaker 1: about Foolish Beat. You're the youngest female to write, produce 42 00:01:56,540 --> 00:01:59,419 Speaker 1: and perform a Billboard Hot number one single. That's a 43 00:01:59,419 --> 00:02:02,269 Speaker 1: Guinness World Book of Records still stands today. I could 44 00:02:02,269 --> 00:02:05,809 Speaker 1: go on and on even all your 20 Billboard hits for, uh, 45 00:02:05,900 --> 00:02:08,580 Speaker 1: you know, Songwriter of the Year back with Bruce Springsteen 46 00:02:08,580 --> 00:02:09,380 Speaker 1: at 89. 47 00:02:09,660 --> 00:02:12,199 Speaker 1: Uh, Electric Youth of course is ingrained in all of us. 48 00:02:12,309 --> 00:02:14,479 Speaker 1: Double platinum, number one song Lost in your eyes. We 49 00:02:14,479 --> 00:02:16,869 Speaker 1: can all sing it by heart. Uh, please don't make 50 00:02:16,869 --> 00:02:18,440 Speaker 1: me do it because you don't wanna hear it. I 51 00:02:18,440 --> 00:02:20,679 Speaker 1: could go on and on about your accolades and who 52 00:02:20,679 --> 00:02:23,918 Speaker 1: you are, but everyone already knows, everyone, the Debbie Gibson 53 00:02:23,919 --> 00:02:25,959 Speaker 1: on the podcast today. Debbie, thank you so much for 54 00:02:25,960 --> 00:02:26,520 Speaker 1: joining us. 55 00:02:27,360 --> 00:02:30,240 Speaker 2: Thank you. What an intro. And you know, I, I 56 00:02:30,240 --> 00:02:32,739 Speaker 2: didn't think I was fulfilling a dream of standing you 57 00:02:32,740 --> 00:02:36,270 Speaker 2: up when that, when the schedule got crazy yesterday, but glad, listen, 58 00:02:36,440 --> 00:02:38,199 Speaker 2: glad to be a tourist. I'm glad that I had 59 00:02:38,199 --> 00:02:40,630 Speaker 2: like a side benefit. 60 00:02:41,949 --> 00:02:44,520 Speaker 1: That's awesome. Absolutely. Well, the big news is, and I 61 00:02:44,520 --> 00:02:46,080 Speaker 1: want to point this out before we talk here for 62 00:02:46,080 --> 00:02:47,929 Speaker 1: a little bit and uh catch up on what you've 63 00:02:47,929 --> 00:02:48,519 Speaker 1: been up to. 64 00:02:48,919 --> 00:02:51,029 Speaker 1: And a little about about your life that we all 65 00:02:51,029 --> 00:02:52,788 Speaker 1: love to hear about and talk about, but you are 66 00:02:52,788 --> 00:02:57,270 Speaker 1: coming down to Key West and you will be performing here. Yeah, so, uh, 67 00:02:57,309 --> 00:02:59,508 Speaker 1: February 16th, I want folks to know about that. I 68 00:02:59,508 --> 00:03:02,229 Speaker 1: don't know if tickets are left. If they're not, I 69 00:03:02,229 --> 00:03:03,910 Speaker 1: mean if they are, they will not be left 70 00:03:03,910 --> 00:03:06,429 Speaker 2: for long. I think there are literally a few because 71 00:03:06,429 --> 00:03:09,678 Speaker 2: it's an intimate, intimate theater, the Key West Theater. I'm 72 00:03:09,679 --> 00:03:11,830 Speaker 2: so excited to see it. I hear great things. 73 00:03:12,460 --> 00:03:16,258 Speaker 2: We're always very particular about where we book shows and 74 00:03:16,258 --> 00:03:18,740 Speaker 2: this is an intimate kind of like in in the 75 00:03:18,740 --> 00:03:22,220 Speaker 2: um in the spirit of it being Valentine's Month. 76 00:03:22,970 --> 00:03:25,580 Speaker 2: Um, and my, this show is called Love Songs. I've 77 00:03:25,580 --> 00:03:27,660 Speaker 2: written a love song or two, and I realized doing this. 78 00:03:27,740 --> 00:03:30,720 Speaker 2: I've also written a sad love song or two. 79 00:03:32,110 --> 00:03:33,949 Speaker 1: Well, I, I think those are ingrained in us. That's 80 00:03:33,949 --> 00:03:36,429 Speaker 1: February 16th. Debbie, you're gonna be here in just a 81 00:03:36,429 --> 00:03:38,630 Speaker 1: few days, and that's you can get if tickets do 82 00:03:38,630 --> 00:03:42,199 Speaker 1: remain by the time this airs, uh, here shortly, uh, 83 00:03:42,270 --> 00:03:45,419 Speaker 1: you can try and find those at the Key West Theater.com, 84 00:03:45,470 --> 00:03:49,369 Speaker 1: the Key West Theater.com. February 16th. Debbie Gibson, I'll be there. Uh, 85 00:03:49,470 --> 00:03:51,020 Speaker 1: there is a buzz in the air down here in 86 00:03:51,020 --> 00:03:52,229 Speaker 1: Key West to come see you. 87 00:03:52,509 --> 00:03:55,169 Speaker 1: And I can promise you by the time you get 88 00:03:55,169 --> 00:03:56,960 Speaker 1: here there will not be tickets left. I can guarantee 89 00:03:56,960 --> 00:03:58,690 Speaker 1: you that. So if you if you're listening, you get 90 00:03:58,690 --> 00:04:00,820 Speaker 1: a chance, now is your time to grab a ticket 91 00:04:00,820 --> 00:04:03,309 Speaker 1: or two to see Debbie Gibson. Debbie, have you been? 92 00:04:03,550 --> 00:04:07,809 Speaker 2: Yeah. We, we just sold out, we just sold out 93 00:04:07,809 --> 00:04:09,889 Speaker 2: the two shows in New York that I just did. 94 00:04:09,970 --> 00:04:12,970 Speaker 2: So come on, Key West, bring it. We want to 95 00:04:12,970 --> 00:04:14,389 Speaker 2: keep the streak going. 96 00:04:14,860 --> 00:04:16,928 Speaker 1: Debbie, you've been everywhere, all over the world, you've toured, 97 00:04:16,970 --> 00:04:19,209 Speaker 1: you've seen it, you've done it. Um, have you been 98 00:04:19,209 --> 00:04:20,200 Speaker 1: to Key West before? 99 00:04:21,329 --> 00:04:25,449 Speaker 2: You know, in passing through, like I've not ever spent 100 00:04:25,449 --> 00:04:29,848 Speaker 2: time and all I keep hearing is, uh, how beautiful 101 00:04:29,848 --> 00:04:33,408 Speaker 2: it is. That's all I keep, um, so you have 102 00:04:33,408 --> 00:04:37,389 Speaker 2: to tell me what do you and the locals recommend 103 00:04:37,389 --> 00:04:39,449 Speaker 2: I do see, I mean, listen, I'm kind of in 104 00:04:39,449 --> 00:04:40,139 Speaker 2: and out quick. 105 00:04:40,670 --> 00:04:43,910 Speaker 2: But if I had to grab a nice meal somewhere, listen, 106 00:04:43,950 --> 00:04:46,190 Speaker 2: I'm a girl, if I had to go to a 107 00:04:46,190 --> 00:04:50,339 Speaker 2: little boutique or something unique, what would be the recommendation? 108 00:04:50,549 --> 00:04:52,829 Speaker 1: Well, the boutique you've got to go to is Kirby's Closet, 109 00:04:53,109 --> 00:04:54,750 Speaker 1: so I can tell you that right now it kind 110 00:04:54,750 --> 00:04:57,190 Speaker 1: of now I don't know what you're wearing today when 111 00:04:57,190 --> 00:04:58,750 Speaker 1: I think of Debby Debbie Gibson. 112 00:04:59,049 --> 00:05:01,549 Speaker 1: Uh, and here's a, uh, a hint on my bias 113 00:05:01,549 --> 00:05:04,420 Speaker 1: that's my wife's boutique, but it is well known down here. 114 00:05:04,630 --> 00:05:07,169 Speaker 1: In fact, she's putting on a fashion show today for 115 00:05:07,170 --> 00:05:10,940 Speaker 1: uh LGTBQ event that she's doing for the community, and 116 00:05:10,940 --> 00:05:13,859 Speaker 1: then that, yeah, so that, that boutique, if I, if 117 00:05:13,859 --> 00:05:16,190 Speaker 1: I'm being selfish, you wanna visit Kirby's closet, there's some 118 00:05:16,190 --> 00:05:18,510 Speaker 1: great ones out there though, not just hers. There's some 119 00:05:18,510 --> 00:05:20,589 Speaker 1: really good ones. Float's a great one. There's some other 120 00:05:20,589 --> 00:05:22,428 Speaker 1: great boutiques, the food, Debbie. 121 00:05:22,839 --> 00:05:25,119 Speaker 1: Um, you can't go wrong because if I say something 122 00:05:25,119 --> 00:05:28,149 Speaker 1: on the podcast, we've got so many supporters, uh, restaurants, 123 00:05:28,320 --> 00:05:30,359 Speaker 1: you really can't go wrong. Key West. Just grab some 124 00:05:30,359 --> 00:05:33,369 Speaker 1: seafood while you're here, maybe try some conch chowder, maybe 125 00:05:33,369 --> 00:05:35,959 Speaker 1: try some uh conch fritters, you know, just indulge in 126 00:05:35,959 --> 00:05:38,450 Speaker 1: some shrimp, uh, in Rams Head, your folks over at 127 00:05:38,450 --> 00:05:40,880 Speaker 1: the Key West Theater, they'll have plenty of places for 128 00:05:40,880 --> 00:05:43,000 Speaker 1: you to go as well, but, um, I just hope 129 00:05:43,000 --> 00:05:45,029 Speaker 1: you get to get out and enjoy it and and Debbie, 130 00:05:45,119 --> 00:05:46,238 Speaker 1: let me ask you, when you get out. 131 00:05:46,750 --> 00:05:48,899 Speaker 1: And you walk around today. I, I mean for me, 132 00:05:48,920 --> 00:05:51,510 Speaker 1: you're so recognizable, um, I know there's a younger base 133 00:05:51,510 --> 00:05:54,619 Speaker 1: of fans. I know that you continued on in your career. 134 00:05:54,660 --> 00:05:56,619 Speaker 1: I don't know how many people realize how busy you've 135 00:05:56,619 --> 00:06:00,339 Speaker 1: been with Broadway, uh, how talented you are on television. 136 00:06:00,750 --> 00:06:03,489 Speaker 1: Uh, whether it be Lucifer, uh, you know, you really 137 00:06:03,488 --> 00:06:05,899 Speaker 1: just are an icon, but when you go out to today, 138 00:06:06,410 --> 00:06:08,409 Speaker 1: do you still get mobbed by people? Do you find 139 00:06:08,410 --> 00:06:09,970 Speaker 1: places you can go where someone says, you know, we're 140 00:06:09,970 --> 00:06:12,320 Speaker 1: gonna leave Debbie alone or don't necessarily recognize, you know. 141 00:06:12,329 --> 00:06:12,529 Speaker 1: You 142 00:06:12,529 --> 00:06:16,089 Speaker 2: know, people are just friendly. Like they treat me like 143 00:06:16,089 --> 00:06:21,519 Speaker 2: I'm an old friend. Um, so it's, it's really, really awesome. And, 144 00:06:21,570 --> 00:06:24,109 Speaker 2: you know, being like, listen, when we were all kids, 145 00:06:24,250 --> 00:06:27,329 Speaker 2: you know, kids, there's like, there was that maniac period. 146 00:06:27,660 --> 00:06:29,659 Speaker 2: And then there was a quieter period where I did 147 00:06:29,660 --> 00:06:31,630 Speaker 2: theater and people came to see me on Broadway and 148 00:06:31,630 --> 00:06:33,670 Speaker 2: they waited outside the stage door and all that. But 149 00:06:33,670 --> 00:06:36,789 Speaker 2: now it's like, so like people will kind of be like, 150 00:06:36,950 --> 00:06:38,869 Speaker 2: you know, I'll walk into Starbucks and they'll turn around 151 00:06:38,869 --> 00:06:40,269 Speaker 2: and go, oh my God, you know, and it's just 152 00:06:40,269 --> 00:06:42,469 Speaker 2: a lovely moment of recognition. 153 00:06:43,079 --> 00:06:47,459 Speaker 2: Um, here's a, an interesting one too. People recognize my 154 00:06:47,459 --> 00:06:50,619 Speaker 2: speaking voice. and people turn around online, like, you know, 155 00:06:50,779 --> 00:06:54,500 Speaker 2: at a grocery store or getting coffee, and they're like, 156 00:06:54,738 --> 00:06:57,488 Speaker 2: I knew your voice, and I think to myself, 157 00:06:58,130 --> 00:07:01,779 Speaker 2: I, how many interviews or whatever, like, how do they 158 00:07:01,779 --> 00:07:06,799 Speaker 2: know my speaking when we were kids. But, but they do, 159 00:07:06,829 --> 00:07:09,820 Speaker 2: like all that press and, and all the stuff, you know, I, 160 00:07:09,899 --> 00:07:11,940 Speaker 2: I guess we all spent time with one another is 161 00:07:11,940 --> 00:07:14,130 Speaker 2: what I'm trying to say. But people are super respectful, 162 00:07:14,540 --> 00:07:17,260 Speaker 2: super excited. My favorite thing in the world and it 163 00:07:17,260 --> 00:07:20,700 Speaker 2: never gets old, is for people to tell me, uh, 164 00:07:20,779 --> 00:07:23,049 Speaker 2: you know, kind of what, what my music meant to them, 165 00:07:23,260 --> 00:07:25,339 Speaker 2: how it fit into their life. You know, you mentioned 166 00:07:25,339 --> 00:07:27,089 Speaker 2: the LGBTQ community. 167 00:07:27,609 --> 00:07:32,209 Speaker 2: Um, I constantly hear about how, um, you know, my 168 00:07:32,209 --> 00:07:36,410 Speaker 2: being an ally helped them in their youth, um, helps 169 00:07:36,410 --> 00:07:39,570 Speaker 2: people in that community. And so there's just, uh, there's 170 00:07:39,570 --> 00:07:43,369 Speaker 2: a lot of nostalgia, a lot of meaning right now 171 00:07:43,369 --> 00:07:46,769 Speaker 2: for people in the music of this era and artists 172 00:07:46,769 --> 00:07:48,970 Speaker 2: like myself. So it's a really nice time. 173 00:07:49,470 --> 00:07:52,140 Speaker 2: Uh, to be me out in the world because people 174 00:07:52,140 --> 00:07:53,559 Speaker 2: are really, really lovely. 175 00:07:53,859 --> 00:07:57,019 Speaker 1: That's amazing and and Debbie, I think about when I 176 00:07:57,019 --> 00:07:59,339 Speaker 1: say our time, I, I'm, I'm close to your age 177 00:07:59,339 --> 00:08:02,140 Speaker 1: and we you know growing up in the 80s and 178 00:08:02,140 --> 00:08:04,579 Speaker 1: for people like you that found stardom, now you know, again, 179 00:08:04,660 --> 00:08:07,059 Speaker 1: you're still unique, the way that you wrote your own songs, 180 00:08:07,140 --> 00:08:09,940 Speaker 1: I feel and I and I know somewhat of your story. 181 00:08:10,420 --> 00:08:12,059 Speaker 1: Uh, but I'd like for folks to hear it from 182 00:08:12,059 --> 00:08:13,100 Speaker 1: you and me to hear it from you to know 183 00:08:13,100 --> 00:08:15,059 Speaker 1: the whole story. I feel like you controlled a lot 184 00:08:15,059 --> 00:08:17,100 Speaker 1: of your own destiny. I know you were discovered like 185 00:08:17,100 --> 00:08:18,980 Speaker 1: a lot of young people during that time. You were 186 00:08:18,980 --> 00:08:21,828 Speaker 1: particularly young in your teens and sent a tape to 187 00:08:21,829 --> 00:08:23,700 Speaker 1: a radio station, I believe like a lot of people 188 00:08:23,700 --> 00:08:25,790 Speaker 1: did and and then you yeah 189 00:08:28,399 --> 00:08:30,820 Speaker 2: yeah. Well, I won a songwriting contest, but that wasn't 190 00:08:30,820 --> 00:08:33,539 Speaker 2: really like the discovery per se. That was just one 191 00:08:33,539 --> 00:08:36,179 Speaker 2: of the many things that I did that kind of get. 192 00:08:36,789 --> 00:08:41,189 Speaker 2: My music heard and, um, my late great mom, Diane 193 00:08:41,189 --> 00:08:44,838 Speaker 2: was one of the original mas, if you will. And 194 00:08:44,838 --> 00:08:48,749 Speaker 2: she really protected my creative freedom, you know, she knew, 195 00:08:49,189 --> 00:08:52,109 Speaker 2: she knew that I was writing songs as a young person. 196 00:08:53,690 --> 00:08:58,819 Speaker 2: Yeah. Particularly speaking to people my age. And at the time, 197 00:08:59,039 --> 00:09:04,669 Speaker 2: nobody was writing for people my age, except older people. Um, and, and, 198 00:09:04,750 --> 00:09:08,939 Speaker 2: you know, not that that's obviously, now, that's not a thing. 199 00:09:09,039 --> 00:09:11,669 Speaker 2: Now it's common, which is, which does my heart so good. 200 00:09:11,760 --> 00:09:14,659 Speaker 2: I mean, it's like, to know that there's a Billie Eilish. 201 00:09:14,885 --> 00:09:19,734 Speaker 2: And a lord and a chaperone and, you know, speaking 202 00:09:19,734 --> 00:09:24,695 Speaker 2: directly to their generation is amazing. But when I, when 203 00:09:24,695 --> 00:09:27,973 Speaker 2: I was starting out, the thing was, oh, we're gonna 204 00:09:27,974 --> 00:09:30,694 Speaker 2: get an older male to write a record for a 205 00:09:30,695 --> 00:09:33,895 Speaker 2: young girl singing to primarily young girls and boys, but 206 00:09:33,895 --> 00:09:35,934 Speaker 2: like young people. And it was like, huh? 207 00:09:37,099 --> 00:09:40,978 Speaker 2: Um, so, you know, I, there's a, by the way, 208 00:09:41,020 --> 00:09:42,940 Speaker 2: I'm working on my book and this, I go into 209 00:09:42,940 --> 00:09:46,340 Speaker 2: great detail in the book, um, uh, on my early 210 00:09:46,340 --> 00:09:49,449 Speaker 2: childhood and how I got my record deal, but essentially, 211 00:09:49,460 --> 00:09:52,968 Speaker 2: my mom just did not stop helping me knock on doors, 212 00:09:52,979 --> 00:09:55,380 Speaker 2: and we eventually made our way to Atlantic Records, but 213 00:09:55,380 --> 00:09:58,020 Speaker 2: it was a, it was, uh, it was a, a 214 00:09:58,020 --> 00:10:01,619 Speaker 2: lot of hoop jumping, a lot of goals. They had me. 215 00:10:01,744 --> 00:10:03,744 Speaker 2: weeks before they would go for the next, you know, 216 00:10:03,864 --> 00:10:06,304 Speaker 2: like they didn't just say, Hey, here's a million dollar 217 00:10:06,304 --> 00:10:11,184 Speaker 2: record deal. It was actually, um, you know, it was 218 00:10:11,184 --> 00:10:13,664 Speaker 2: a lot of legwork. And now you can sit in your, 219 00:10:13,705 --> 00:10:16,224 Speaker 2: and listen, I think it's a great thing that kids 220 00:10:16,224 --> 00:10:17,924 Speaker 2: can sit in their room and make a video on 221 00:10:17,924 --> 00:10:20,265 Speaker 2: TikTok and get a million views and launch a career, 222 00:10:20,304 --> 00:10:22,864 Speaker 2: but I had to literally pound the pavement, you know, 223 00:10:22,914 --> 00:10:26,125 Speaker 2: and perform for 100 people at a time in a club. 224 00:10:26,354 --> 00:10:28,054 Speaker 2: Clubs and, and, um, 225 00:10:28,710 --> 00:10:31,159 Speaker 2: And radio promo and all the things, took a lot 226 00:10:31,159 --> 00:10:34,030 Speaker 2: of hands and kissed a lot of babies, so to speak. 227 00:10:34,840 --> 00:10:36,679 Speaker 1: Yeah, and I would think it's gotta be a, you know, again, 228 00:10:36,719 --> 00:10:39,728 Speaker 1: I'm not comparing, you know, competing between the two arrows, 229 00:10:39,799 --> 00:10:42,189 Speaker 1: but I feel like it had to be more difficult, uh, 230 00:10:42,200 --> 00:10:44,988 Speaker 1: to do that, but you did it with such grace, um, 231 00:10:46,109 --> 00:10:47,520 Speaker 1: and I think about people like you that came into 232 00:10:47,520 --> 00:10:49,960 Speaker 1: stardom as a teenager and just knowing that world from 233 00:10:49,960 --> 00:10:52,679 Speaker 1: that point on because you're such an icon, people recognize you. 234 00:10:53,119 --> 00:10:55,329 Speaker 1: Um, do you ever look back? I mean, and I 235 00:10:55,330 --> 00:10:57,108 Speaker 1: asked it I always wanna ask this question of everybody 236 00:10:57,109 --> 00:10:59,049 Speaker 1: who's made it at that age. Do you ever look 237 00:10:59,049 --> 00:11:00,369 Speaker 1: back and are you one of those people who wish 238 00:11:00,369 --> 00:11:02,309 Speaker 1: you had more of a childhood, or do you have 239 00:11:02,309 --> 00:11:04,450 Speaker 1: any regrets with that or do you feel like that was, 240 00:11:04,650 --> 00:11:06,729 Speaker 1: that was your path and and you're happy with that 241 00:11:06,729 --> 00:11:08,090 Speaker 1: because I mean you were writing such 242 00:11:08,090 --> 00:11:08,189 Speaker 2: amazing things at that was my path. Yeah, 243 00:11:11,609 --> 00:11:15,000 Speaker 2: that was my path. Every choice I made was my own, um, 244 00:11:15,049 --> 00:11:18,340 Speaker 2: but there were sacrifices, you know, I definitely sacrificed having 245 00:11:18,340 --> 00:11:20,369 Speaker 2: a normal, even though I stayed in high school. 246 00:11:20,969 --> 00:11:24,489 Speaker 2: Um, it was an abnormal existence to be, like, everybody 247 00:11:24,489 --> 00:11:26,369 Speaker 2: wants to blend in high school. I don't care who 248 00:11:26,369 --> 00:11:30,799 Speaker 2: you are. You just want to blend. Um, and so 249 00:11:31,090 --> 00:11:33,409 Speaker 2: that's not gonna be possible when you're doing what I 250 00:11:33,409 --> 00:11:36,478 Speaker 2: was doing. So, you know, but it's not, it's, it's 251 00:11:36,479 --> 00:11:39,289 Speaker 2: not a world's smallest violent story. It's like, that's what 252 00:11:39,289 --> 00:11:42,590 Speaker 2: I chose. Um, and 253 00:11:42,909 --> 00:11:45,030 Speaker 2: Yeah, I would, I wouldn't have it any other way. 254 00:11:45,080 --> 00:11:48,869 Speaker 2: It was so much my path. And like you said, 255 00:11:49,119 --> 00:11:52,640 Speaker 2: I kind of create, I've, I've created my own world 256 00:11:52,640 --> 00:11:55,200 Speaker 2: my entire life, and I continue to do so. I 257 00:11:55,200 --> 00:11:58,159 Speaker 2: continue to design and again, this is the book about. 258 00:11:58,570 --> 00:12:02,190 Speaker 2: Uh, I continue to design my life, you know, the 259 00:12:02,190 --> 00:12:04,549 Speaker 2: way I want it. And I feel like a lot 260 00:12:04,549 --> 00:12:09,909 Speaker 2: of people, obviously, if you have kids, um, your life 261 00:12:09,909 --> 00:12:13,309 Speaker 2: is going to be geared towards them. Um, you know, 262 00:12:13,469 --> 00:12:16,309 Speaker 2: people have to earn a living or I think. I've 263 00:12:16,309 --> 00:12:19,590 Speaker 2: somehow managed to kind of maintain a freedom about my 264 00:12:19,590 --> 00:12:23,190 Speaker 2: life that really suits me. Um, and I hope that 265 00:12:23,190 --> 00:12:24,020 Speaker 2: people can. 266 00:12:24,549 --> 00:12:27,070 Speaker 2: Kind of gain inspiration from that. Like wherever you can, 267 00:12:27,150 --> 00:12:30,109 Speaker 2: wherever you can design your life to suit you, do it. 268 00:12:30,150 --> 00:12:33,909 Speaker 2: It's like, people are so stuck on what society deems 269 00:12:33,909 --> 00:12:38,950 Speaker 2: as conventional. Um, I don't have children. Uh, you know, 270 00:12:39,150 --> 00:12:43,460 Speaker 2: I'm not married, like that marriage could happen in my 50s. 271 00:12:43,469 --> 00:12:46,739 Speaker 2: Who knows? Um, I'm open to everything, but I'm not 272 00:12:46,869 --> 00:12:49,589 Speaker 2: stuck on anything, you know, and that's how I was 273 00:12:49,590 --> 00:12:51,949 Speaker 2: as a kid. And so my path has really been 274 00:12:51,950 --> 00:12:53,390 Speaker 2: my own, and it's, uh, it's. 275 00:12:53,989 --> 00:12:56,579 Speaker 2: It's been amazing. Like, like my fan community and I 276 00:12:56,580 --> 00:13:00,539 Speaker 2: have such an unbelievable relationship. I hardly even ever use 277 00:13:00,539 --> 00:13:02,179 Speaker 2: the word fan because they're beyond. 278 00:13:02,659 --> 00:13:05,309 Speaker 2: Um, they're, they're, they're like family, and they stuck with 279 00:13:05,309 --> 00:13:08,140 Speaker 2: me through all the twists and the turns. And so 280 00:13:08,549 --> 00:13:11,270 Speaker 2: the thing that we've all managed to build and, and 281 00:13:11,270 --> 00:13:16,710 Speaker 2: maintain and, and celebrate for now 38 years is extraordinary. 282 00:13:16,869 --> 00:13:18,108 Speaker 1: But I was, I was joking, you're gonna have a 283 00:13:18,109 --> 00:13:21,109 Speaker 1: line of guys out at the theater but um um 284 00:13:21,109 --> 00:13:23,150 Speaker 1: you know, talk about being married but you have, you 285 00:13:23,150 --> 00:13:24,989 Speaker 1: have kind of carried your life to your own beat 286 00:13:24,989 --> 00:13:26,619 Speaker 1: and I think that's what people love about you. 287 00:13:27,080 --> 00:13:29,750 Speaker 1: Um, you know, I will ask you, you talked about 288 00:13:29,750 --> 00:13:31,549 Speaker 1: you being younger and writing songs at such a young 289 00:13:31,549 --> 00:13:35,789 Speaker 1: age and being a singer-songwriter, um, and all the talent 290 00:13:35,789 --> 00:13:38,590 Speaker 1: that you have to write those songs at age at 291 00:13:38,590 --> 00:13:40,830 Speaker 1: that age and for those to be timeless songs that 292 00:13:40,830 --> 00:13:44,039 Speaker 1: people still know today and still resonate with people, um, 293 00:13:44,109 --> 00:13:45,789 Speaker 1: do you look, are you ever in awe of yourself 294 00:13:45,789 --> 00:13:46,950 Speaker 1: to know that, hey, I wrote that when I was 295 00:13:46,950 --> 00:13:49,400 Speaker 1: 16 or 17? Like how, how old were you when 296 00:13:49,400 --> 00:13:50,950 Speaker 1: you wrote Lost in Your Eyes? You had to be 297 00:13:50,950 --> 00:13:52,880 Speaker 2: what, 16? Yeah, I mean I was like 15 and 298 00:13:54,429 --> 00:13:55,719 Speaker 2: you know, I 299 00:13:56,150 --> 00:13:59,468 Speaker 2: Uh, it's more like I'm mystified by the art of 300 00:13:59,469 --> 00:14:04,228 Speaker 2: songwriting because, you know, yes, I, I've studied classical piano 301 00:14:04,229 --> 00:14:07,909 Speaker 2: and I, I know the, the structure of songwriting and 302 00:14:07,909 --> 00:14:12,030 Speaker 2: all of those things. But to me, songwriting is a magical, 303 00:14:12,270 --> 00:14:15,868 Speaker 2: mystical thing that nobody can explain, in my opinion, like 304 00:14:15,869 --> 00:14:16,590 Speaker 2: those songs. 305 00:14:19,489 --> 00:14:19,900 Speaker 2: Oh 306 00:14:20,880 --> 00:14:23,219 Speaker 2: Oh, is that a song I already know, or is 307 00:14:23,219 --> 00:14:25,059 Speaker 2: that a song coming to me that I'm supposed to 308 00:14:25,059 --> 00:14:28,940 Speaker 2: write down? Now, I fine-tune it and, you know, try 309 00:14:28,940 --> 00:14:31,260 Speaker 2: to come up with the best possible ways of saying things. 310 00:14:31,340 --> 00:14:35,500 Speaker 2: But those early songs in particular, literally, the, the very 311 00:14:35,500 --> 00:14:38,460 Speaker 2: first time I kind of heard them in my head 312 00:14:38,460 --> 00:14:39,260 Speaker 2: and played them. 313 00:14:40,039 --> 00:14:43,190 Speaker 2: Not much changed from what you heard on the radio. 314 00:14:43,280 --> 00:14:47,989 Speaker 2: It was so direct from, again, whatever that, you know, 315 00:14:48,159 --> 00:14:50,679 Speaker 2: like the universe is kind of, I'd say the song fairies, 316 00:14:50,760 --> 00:14:55,119 Speaker 2: the song angels. Um, it, it is astounding. Like, yes, 317 00:14:55,239 --> 00:14:59,280 Speaker 2: to see a crowd of, um, you know, yes, there 318 00:14:59,280 --> 00:15:01,840 Speaker 2: are younger fans too. I have fans from 8 to 80, 319 00:15:01,880 --> 00:15:03,919 Speaker 2: but like, you get the fans in their, you know, 320 00:15:04,000 --> 00:15:07,440 Speaker 2: 40s and 50s and 60s, and they're all singing we 321 00:15:07,440 --> 00:15:08,669 Speaker 2: could be together and 322 00:15:09,010 --> 00:15:11,210 Speaker 2: Um, you know, it's. 323 00:15:11,890 --> 00:15:14,789 Speaker 2: It's like those melodies that stand the test of time 324 00:15:15,159 --> 00:15:19,320 Speaker 2: and the sentiments, the very simple sentiments stand the test 325 00:15:19,320 --> 00:15:21,520 Speaker 2: of time. Like when I was a kid and I 326 00:15:21,520 --> 00:15:24,200 Speaker 2: was writing, I was not trying to be something else. 327 00:15:24,280 --> 00:15:28,309 Speaker 2: I was just, I was just singing very universal themes. 328 00:15:28,599 --> 00:15:31,080 Speaker 2: And it was, yeah, those universal love themes. 329 00:15:32,010 --> 00:15:35,780 Speaker 2: Um, you know, and, and themes of, I I think 330 00:15:35,780 --> 00:15:40,239 Speaker 2: I use the word together a lot, togetherness, unity, um, 331 00:15:40,500 --> 00:15:43,460 Speaker 2: they stand the test of time, and, and, and I 332 00:15:43,460 --> 00:15:46,059 Speaker 2: think people need that now more than ever. People, people 333 00:15:46,059 --> 00:15:49,340 Speaker 2: need what music does because music does unify and we're 334 00:15:49,340 --> 00:15:51,770 Speaker 2: in a, we're in a world right now where we're, 335 00:15:51,940 --> 00:15:55,219 Speaker 2: we are trying to be divided by outside forces and 336 00:15:55,219 --> 00:15:57,380 Speaker 2: so to, to be in a room and, and to 337 00:15:57,380 --> 00:16:01,150 Speaker 2: have music as that unifying thing and to 338 00:16:01,820 --> 00:16:03,669 Speaker 2: For me to be at the helm of that, but 339 00:16:03,669 --> 00:16:05,700 Speaker 2: for me to be the person on stage kind of 340 00:16:05,700 --> 00:16:07,380 Speaker 2: leading that party is 341 00:16:07,380 --> 00:16:08,020 Speaker 2: incredible. 342 00:16:08,179 --> 00:16:09,880 Speaker 1: So we got a couple more minutes with uh Debbie 343 00:16:09,880 --> 00:16:11,979 Speaker 1: Gibson here and getting ready for her to come down 344 00:16:12,299 --> 00:16:15,380 Speaker 1: to the uh Key West Theater February 16th. A couple 345 00:16:15,380 --> 00:16:16,900 Speaker 1: more questions. I know how busy you are, and I 346 00:16:16,900 --> 00:16:19,140 Speaker 1: was just saying I've never had anyone jump on a 347 00:16:19,140 --> 00:16:21,260 Speaker 1: podcast as early. It shows you your work ethic, how 348 00:16:21,260 --> 00:16:24,419 Speaker 1: busy you are, um, just a couple quick questions for 349 00:16:24,419 --> 00:16:25,700 Speaker 1: people that might be interested. 350 00:16:26,119 --> 00:16:28,159 Speaker 1: Uh, I'm always interested because you came up at such 351 00:16:28,159 --> 00:16:30,479 Speaker 1: a young age, who, who were your influences, Debbie? I 352 00:16:30,479 --> 00:16:32,150 Speaker 1: get you, I'm sure you get that question a lot, 353 00:16:32,190 --> 00:16:33,640 Speaker 1: and then who do you follow today? Who do you 354 00:16:33,640 --> 00:16:34,320 Speaker 1: like to listen to? 355 00:16:35,780 --> 00:16:38,929 Speaker 2: Oh my gosh, there's so many artists today that I 356 00:16:38,929 --> 00:16:42,770 Speaker 2: like to listen to. But growing up, um, I was 357 00:16:42,770 --> 00:16:45,289 Speaker 2: a huge Billy Joel fan. It's funny. I just saw 358 00:16:45,289 --> 00:16:48,489 Speaker 2: Pink with Billy Joel on Howard Stern, and she was 359 00:16:48,489 --> 00:16:50,690 Speaker 2: talking about she was saying something I've always said, which 360 00:16:50,690 --> 00:16:54,099 Speaker 2: is nobody tells, nobody tells a story like Billy Joel, 361 00:16:54,210 --> 00:16:55,059 Speaker 2: in my opinion. 362 00:16:55,570 --> 00:16:59,890 Speaker 2: There's like it's just unparalleled with uh with his, with 363 00:16:59,890 --> 00:17:02,530 Speaker 2: his writing and Elton, but, you know, because I, I 364 00:17:02,530 --> 00:17:05,689 Speaker 2: was a piano girl. I own one of Liberace's pianos. 365 00:17:05,770 --> 00:17:08,609 Speaker 2: I was a piano fan. Um, and then I was 366 00:17:08,609 --> 00:17:11,050 Speaker 2: always a fan of the theater women and all and 367 00:17:11,050 --> 00:17:11,969 Speaker 2: the timeless. 368 00:17:12,928 --> 00:17:18,598 Speaker 2: The timeless ageless women Sha Tina Turner inspirational to me. 369 00:17:20,430 --> 00:17:23,479 Speaker 1: And uh and that makes sense and I and and 370 00:17:23,479 --> 00:17:25,449 Speaker 1: today I I had to have a selfish question real 371 00:17:25,449 --> 00:17:27,040 Speaker 1: quick before we go. There was a song I've always 372 00:17:27,040 --> 00:17:29,280 Speaker 1: wondered about this because I'm such a movie fan you 373 00:17:29,280 --> 00:17:30,919 Speaker 1: wrote a song one time for Ethan Coen when he 374 00:17:30,920 --> 00:17:33,310 Speaker 1: was doing a movie, uh, the Naked Man, but it 375 00:17:33,319 --> 00:17:35,859 Speaker 1: it never released. Is that still right? Is that a uh, 376 00:17:36,359 --> 00:17:38,239 Speaker 1: I was amazed that you had a song as as 377 00:17:38,239 --> 00:17:39,199 Speaker 1: amazing as you are and. 378 00:17:39,479 --> 00:17:42,310 Speaker 1: And your body of work, is that song ever released 379 00:17:42,310 --> 00:17:44,510 Speaker 1: or is that still something that's that's secured? 380 00:17:44,680 --> 00:17:47,349 Speaker 2: No, it wasn't released and it was something on the 381 00:17:47,349 --> 00:17:51,150 Speaker 2: business end between the labels or something happened. I don't 382 00:17:51,150 --> 00:17:54,910 Speaker 2: quite remember exactly what. But yes, I got to spend 383 00:17:54,910 --> 00:17:57,359 Speaker 2: a moment in the studio with those guys, which was awesome. 384 00:17:57,790 --> 00:17:59,699 Speaker 1: I got you. Well, last couple of questions with you, Debbie, 385 00:17:59,750 --> 00:18:01,430 Speaker 1: I know you gotta go. This is one that everyone. 386 00:18:01,542 --> 00:18:03,493 Speaker 1: likes to ask you, and I'm just curious, did you 387 00:18:03,493 --> 00:18:05,613 Speaker 1: and Tiffany know each other, uh, you know, did you 388 00:18:05,613 --> 00:18:07,932 Speaker 1: guys ever speak, you ladies ever speak and someone you 389 00:18:07,932 --> 00:18:10,012 Speaker 1: still know today, or, uh, I I wouldn't say there 390 00:18:10,012 --> 00:18:10,253 Speaker 1: was a, 391 00:18:10,503 --> 00:18:12,891 Speaker 2: I, I guess, I guess you did not see the 392 00:18:12,892 --> 00:18:15,652 Speaker 2: sci-fi movie we did together or the tour we did 393 00:18:15,652 --> 00:18:16,003 Speaker 1: together or 394 00:18:16,932 --> 00:18:21,213 Speaker 2: or or Good Morning America. We did, yes, we've done 395 00:18:21,213 --> 00:18:23,552 Speaker 2: a lot of things together, uh, she's a 396 00:18:23,605 --> 00:18:25,115 Speaker 2: Dear friend of mine always has been. 397 00:18:25,316 --> 00:18:25,536 Speaker 1: That's 398 00:18:25,536 --> 00:18:29,275 Speaker 1: awesome, alright, because uh you know you get mentioned together. Uh, 399 00:18:29,355 --> 00:18:31,546 Speaker 1: last question, we're gonna let you get out of here, uh, 400 00:18:31,715 --> 00:18:33,715 Speaker 1: and we won't talk about Tiffany anymore, but it's really 401 00:18:33,715 --> 00:18:36,315 Speaker 1: cool that you two really shaped music, uh, the way 402 00:18:36,316 --> 00:18:40,025 Speaker 1: you did, particularly you, Debbie, and um I'll ask you now, 403 00:18:40,234 --> 00:18:42,515 Speaker 1: when you come to Key West, um, what, what can 404 00:18:42,515 --> 00:18:46,494 Speaker 1: we listen for, um, what will you be performing and, uh, uh, 405 00:18:46,505 --> 00:18:48,156 Speaker 1: anything that's gonna stand out for us here when you 406 00:18:48,156 --> 00:18:49,406 Speaker 1: when you do this show here in Key 407 00:18:49,406 --> 00:18:49,796 Speaker 2: West. 408 00:18:50,750 --> 00:18:55,530 Speaker 2: Well, of course, it'll be the hits, mainly the love-related hits. Um, but, 409 00:18:55,750 --> 00:18:58,180 Speaker 2: but as my diehards will tell you, anything can happen. 410 00:18:58,270 --> 00:19:01,069 Speaker 2: Like I did two shows in New York and both 411 00:19:01,069 --> 00:19:03,910 Speaker 2: nights were completely different. I mean, like, there's a certain 412 00:19:03,910 --> 00:19:05,989 Speaker 2: amount of the setlist that's set, and then there's a 413 00:19:05,989 --> 00:19:10,619 Speaker 2: certain amount that it's like anything can happen. So, um, 414 00:19:10,829 --> 00:19:11,670 Speaker 2: you know, a couple. 415 00:19:11,829 --> 00:19:13,500 Speaker 2: Came up and they made a request and I did 416 00:19:13,500 --> 00:19:16,369 Speaker 2: it on the spot. I mean, things, things like that 417 00:19:16,369 --> 00:19:18,250 Speaker 2: happen when you have a piano and you can kind 418 00:19:18,250 --> 00:19:19,770 Speaker 2: of be off the cuff. And I love to be 419 00:19:19,770 --> 00:19:24,929 Speaker 2: off the cuff. So expect the unexpected, uh, expect, you know, 420 00:19:25,130 --> 00:19:27,969 Speaker 2: definitely traditional love songs, but love songs can mean anything. 421 00:19:27,979 --> 00:19:30,250 Speaker 2: It doesn't mean it's just an evening of ballads. There's 422 00:19:30,250 --> 00:19:33,079 Speaker 2: some energy to the show, uh, as well. 423 00:19:33,650 --> 00:19:34,290 Speaker 1: Awesome. And 424 00:19:34,290 --> 00:19:34,329 Speaker 2: a 425 00:19:34,329 --> 00:19:34,448 Speaker 1: lot 426 00:19:34,449 --> 00:19:36,810 Speaker 2: of banter. My, my sister Karen always says I need 427 00:19:36,810 --> 00:19:40,969 Speaker 2: a stand-up comedy. You'll see it's a, it's a lot, 428 00:19:41,130 --> 00:19:42,489 Speaker 2: it's a lot of fun. I love to play with 429 00:19:42,489 --> 00:19:45,119 Speaker 2: the audience and be in the moment, and that's really 430 00:19:45,239 --> 00:19:46,310 Speaker 2: what my shows are about. 431 00:19:46,650 --> 00:19:48,198 Speaker 1: Well, we can't wait to see you. You've been very 432 00:19:48,199 --> 00:19:50,209 Speaker 1: gracious with your time. I had a few my few 433 00:19:50,209 --> 00:19:53,129 Speaker 1: technical difficulties this morning after we talked about yesterday, so 434 00:19:53,130 --> 00:19:55,170 Speaker 1: you have my sincere apologies, but we can't wait to 435 00:19:55,170 --> 00:19:56,089 Speaker 1: see you, Debbie Gibson. 436 00:19:56,400 --> 00:19:59,319 Speaker 1: Um, so honored to have you on the show today 437 00:19:59,319 --> 00:20:03,010 Speaker 1: and so thankful, yeah, so thankful for your career, uh, 438 00:20:03,020 --> 00:20:04,869 Speaker 1: the way you've carried yourself, what you mean to so 439 00:20:04,869 --> 00:20:07,130 Speaker 1: many people, uh, of all ages. I mean you've really, 440 00:20:07,319 --> 00:20:10,290 Speaker 1: you've really resonated and touched so many different generations, which 441 00:20:10,290 --> 00:20:14,229 Speaker 1: is difficult for any entertainer, performer, artist to do what 442 00:20:14,229 --> 00:20:16,290 Speaker 1: you have. So thank you for what you do and 443 00:20:16,290 --> 00:20:17,849 Speaker 1: thank you for joining the show today, can't wait to 444 00:20:17,849 --> 00:20:18,489 Speaker 1: see you down here. 445 00:20:19,890 --> 00:20:21,959 Speaker 2: Thanks so much, Britt. Have a great day. 446 00:20:22,329 --> 00:20:24,448 Speaker 1: Thank you. OK, 447 00:20:24,569 --> 00:20:25,030 Speaker 2: bye.