tom dreesen

The show begins with Tom telling why growing up in poverty was the greatest thing that happened to him. How he decided to pursue of being an entertainer which includes the background from being a drug education presenter to teaming up with Tim Reid to become the first biracial standup comedy team. They even wrote a book! (See show notes).

Going from Illinois to LA, sleeping in an abandon car and getting his start with The Comedy Store and going back to Harvey, IL to record his LP: That White Boy’s Crazy in front of an all-black audience.
The story behind how he met Mickey Rudin the lawyer for Frank Sinatra which led to 14 years of opening for him. Tom tells us a few stories about singing in a car with Frank, Harry Carey and Frank drinking, and a night when he forgot his lyrics on stage.

Tom tells us two EXCELLENT life lessons he learned from Sinatra.
His work with different charities and his new endeavor The Illinois Fatherhood Initiative.
His book: Still Standing- My Journey from Streets & Saloons to the Stage & Sinatra. Which has over 400 five stars on Amazon. His one-man show called- The Man Who Made Sinatra Laugh.

Tom Dreesen Links:
Website: https://tomdreesen.com/
Book Still Standing: https://www.amazon.com/Still-Standing-Journey-Streets-Saloons/dp/1642933600
Book Tim and Tom in Comedy: https://www.amazon.com/Still-Standing-Journey-Streets-Saloons/dp/1642933600
Video of Tom Dreesen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEcyJOExzOE
Illinois Fatherhood Initiative:  https://www.4dads.org/

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Part II: Tori returns in delight with one of her favorite spirits, a true comedian's comedian and one of the world’s most groundbreaking, well-respected, and beloved entertainers. A true pioneer and legend in the entertainment industry with 52 years of comedy, relationships, stories, and wisdom to share. He has made over 500 national TV appearances as a stand-up comedian, including more than 60 appearances on The Tonight Show, and was a favorite guest of David Letterman. For fourteen years, he was the opening act for Frank Sinatra, and performed countless times with artists like Smokey Robinson, Liza Minnelli, Natalie Cole, and Sammy Davis, Jr. He is currently appearing to rave reviews around the country in his one-man show “An Evening Of Laughter and Memories of Sinatra.” In this spirited Part 2 conversation, they talk about the inner workings of show business, how to have balance in life, your ego vs spirit, what brings him pure joy, and so much more! Here's to the man who made Sinatra laugh, and Tori's beloved "Uncle Tom" ... Tom Dreesen.

“The day I met him, my life forever changed. The day he passed away, I knew my life would never be the same.” - Tom Dreesen (on his relationship with Frank Sinatra)

CREDITS:
Guest:  Tom Dreesen
Host and Producer:  Tori Reid
Executive Producer:  Patrick A. Howell
Co-Executive Producer:  Tori Reid
Writers:  Tori Reid and Patrick A. Howell 
Post Production:  We Edit Podcasts
Add'l Editing:  Cutting Edge Editing 
Post Production Assistant:  Sydney Rhone 
Music Supervision:  Another Place in Time Music  
Voiceover Artist:  Vïntóry Blake Moore
Premier Advertising Sponsor:  Vivreau Water Systems
Advertising Sponsor:  Hilton Sacramento Arden West
Ad Voiceover Artist:  Ginger Levert
Logo Photography:  Bobby Holland / MPTV Images
Photo credit for Tom Dreesen:  James Devaney

Music:
"Jazz Intimate 6" by Magnus Ringblom
“A Warm Welcome” by Martin Landstrom
“Ready for New York” by Tiki Tiki
“Tropic Swing” by Sarah, the Illstrumentalist
Vivreau Ad Music - "That's What Left Us Behind" by Christian Anderson

a Victory & Noble production
@ 2022 Victory & Noble LLC  All Rights Reserved.

Connect with the Guest:
Tom Dreesen Official Website
Still Standing: My Journey From Streets and Saloons, to the Stage and Sinatra

Here's to Life with Tori Reid is a show about living your best life, living it out loud and always using the reservoir of the spirit to fill in life's valleys and mountain tops. Find more of our shows at www.HerestoLifeEveryday.com, also find out more about our host Tori Reid on Instagram at www.instagram.com/iamtorireid.