I was performing regularly in Galveston at the Mob Bar, a former brothel turned into a bar and nightclub near the Strand historical district. Galveston was where I had my first professional performance of my career. My family was from there, and it held so many positive memories that I moved back there before Covid hit, around 2001. The Galvez hotel was a mainstay, it was there way before me, and a beautiful, historical landmark in the area. The picture above was taken in front of the entrance, on a perfect spring day. Bond...Jimmy Bond. Way cooler than I can even imagine!

What a great place to play... This was taken at the grand opening of a Confetti-style revival club called Blink, in the same place as the previous, then defunct Blue Planet and Yellow Rose nightclubs. This is one of my favorite photos, taken by one of my favorite people, Houston's favorite juggler, Claude Sims. He loved bringing out his camera and taking artistic shots of events where he was performing. Claude caught the audience members applauding and having a good time, without any prompting or set up...totally real time. Blink wasn't long lived, but the photo has served me well over the years. Haven't changed a bit ;)

Back in the early eighties, pop star Nancy Ames called my home, and my mom answered the phone. "Hi, this is Nancy Ames, may I please speak with Jim?" My mom shrugged it off, discounted it, and continued her day. Nancy was calling to book me while I was still a high school student. Later, my mom voiced her disbelief, and I explained that Nancy now owns Ward & Ames Entertainment Agency. She still didn't believe me. That's okay. I still got the gig... and MANY more, including an intimate show for the mayor of Houston, local media news celebrity Shara Fryer, and the Smothers Brothers!!! After seeing my act, Dick Smothers commented that it was too short, and that he wanted to see more, and Tommy asked if he could use my yoyo jokes and material for informal gatherings and at golf tournaments to show fans while waiting in the gallery for the previous players to clear the fairway. Wow, of course! You're Tommy Smothers!!!!