A Letter to All of My Great Friends

I'm sure by now most of you have heard a rumor to the effect that 2006 will be my last year of doing what I love best, entertaining. Sadly I must tell you that it is more than a rumor, it is true.

Due to continuing health concerns, I simply cannot keep up the pace that is required to travel, rehearse and give the kind of "high octane" performances that I love to give and to which you have become accustomed. The really strange irony in all of this is the fact that we have gotten so many comments, letters and e-mails telling us that our recent shows are the best yet. And I truly feel that I am currently doing some of my best work. Maybe that is because as the end of an era is in sight you really want to be better than you ever were. Or maybe it's that old thing about "wine getting better with age." Who knows? But one thing I do know is that I made a promise to tell myself many years ago that when the time came and I felt I could no longer perform up to the high standards which I set for myself and which are the only benchmark that is acceptable tome, I would step aside and make room for another "much younger" Danny Marona whoa as been waiting in the wings for his shot at "the dream."

I recall a wise old sage telling me many years ago, "always listen to your body and do what it tells you to do." Well, my body is telling me that I have about one more good year of performing at a level that produces shows in which I can really take great personal pride. At the end of 2006 I will have completed fifty years in this great industry and I think the one thing of which I am the most proud in the fact that I can honestly say that each time I have ever performed on stage I always gave it all I had. I never knowingly cheated an audience. And I would like to leave it that way.

Finally, 2006 promises to be the best yet. I promise if you do your part, I'll do mine. Your part is to show up and I think you know what mine is. So keep your eye on my website for our limited number of engagements and we'll come sliding into home plate with our cleats up in a cloud of dust.

I truly love all of you,
Danny Marona