Tony Orlando shared the history of the significance behind his famous song, "Tie A Yellow Ribbon" and the veterans. It all started with Bob Hope in 1973 when the song first came out.
Bob had heard his song and called to talk to Tony about doing the song at the Cotton Bowl. Bob said, "Tony, the first line in the song, ‘I'm coming home, I've done my time...’ it's every mother’s wish and prayer. I want to welcome home every POW from Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam at the game. They will be all sitting on the 50-yard line. There will be over 70,000 people there." He further asked, "Will you open the show for me, singing this song?" Tony replied, "I would love to, but I have to warn ya, this song has only been out for three weeks, no one is going to know this song!" Bob replied, "Tony Orlando, you are talking to Bob Hope; by the time you get to Dallas for the game, it will be number one in Dallas!"
So, when Tony arrived in Dallas, he entered into a cab, and the driver had the radio on and the announcer came on and says, "Number one song that will be performed at the Cotton Bowl by Dawn and featuring Tony Orlando." Tony couldn't believe it, and the cab driver says, "It's all Bob Hope!" When he arrived at the stadium, he was able to sing his song to 500 of the bravest men that he had ever met. Tony was so humbled and honored about it. He remembers all the reactions from the POWs. Tony made a commitment that if God blessed him with a career performing that enabled him to raise money for the veterans, that he will commit to it. He came to Branson for the Veterans Day parade. He couldn't believe that no one was around for the Veterans Day celebration. He got the idea then to give a "free show" to the veterans right then. The first year there were only around 300 veterans attending, the following year over 5,000 on a waiting list.
He spoke about how he and other theater owners "honored" the veterans with free show tickets. "It took some work to get the other theater owners and performers to agree, but with the 'Blessing' of Boxcar Willie, the rest of them followed suit," Tony explained. During his meeting with the business owners, city people were there. And he was able to convince them to all go for the 'free show.'
Jack Herschend says, "I think it sounds like a good idea, it would be great for the city, the country and most of all, the veterans!" Tony also emphasized on how Sherry and Jack Herschend responded and supported him.
"Sherry and Jack have guided and supported me through so many things, and I sure appreciate their love and friendship," expressed Tony. He explained how the Veterans Day show connected with the 'Christmas time' in 1994. Pete Herschend told Tony, "You want to do a veterans show and a Christmas show together on November 11th? There are no Christmas shows here; there is no activity here after October. If you can draw a crowd, then I will give you my word that I will buy the Radio City Rockettes Christmas Show, if you have sold-out shows." So, Tony was able to convince Andy Williams, The Osmonds and so forth to do Christmas shows along with him, and they all had night after night of sold-out shows. And, the following year Pete Herschend kept his word on getting the Rockettes.
Tony was able to get Bob Hope to help open the show under one condition—if he could sell his merchandise at the show. He sold his merchandise and then donated the money to Tony for any Veterans organization of his choosing.
Thus, the birth of the Veterans Day shows and Christmas shows following. And, still great success to this day, all thanks to Tony!
Tony is humbled that so many people and countries recognize and use his song, "Tie A Yellow Ribbon" to support their veterans and military from the first time that the song became a hit to today! He stated, "It is a recognizable symbol and song now!"
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