Still Standing…: My Journey from Streets and Saloons to the Stage, and Sinatra

You don't have to be a Sinatra fan to enjoy Tom Dreesen's "Standing Tall." He begins his journey to becoming the warm-up act for the "Chairman of the Board" with the story of his growing up poor in Harvey, Illinois as one of eight children. His parents were less than ideal but there is no self-pity, j Along the way there are more than a few surprises and more than a few laughs. As an enthusiastic Chicago Cubs fan, who was too poor to play Little League, Dreesen knocks it out of the park .

Stand up comic Tom Dreeson grew up dirt poor in an underseved suburb of Chicago. He literally wore hand-me-down rags given to him from his older brother, one of eight siblings in his family. His father was a drunk who said little to him and his other children, a fact of particular consequence since his father was really his uncle and his uncle was in fact his father, something not told to him until many years later. He was a true rags to riches Horatio Alger story. After Navy service he came back home and worked several jobs, some blue collar , some white. A chance meeting with friend Tim Reid got him into show business as the first black and white integrated comedy team. They achieved some real success but Dreeson knew he wanted to do a single stand-up act, writing his own material. After struggling and paying his dues, he performed at Mitzi Shore's Comedy Club in LA which led to his first appearance on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. After fifty more Tonight Show appearances and more stand-up performances in the best casino clubs in the country Dreeson was deemed a success. That's when Mr Frank Sinatra saw him perform and asked him to be his opening act. This was a dream come true for Dreeson and he stayed with Frank for 14 yrs until Sinatra retired from touring. Dreeson writes in a very smooth conversational style and his many show biz stories are insightful, entertaining and he shows the realistic side as well of show business and its many vagaries. He casually analyzes other performers he's admired and tells many mostly loving stories about Sinatra. They became close and Dreeson is grateful for this lifetime opportunity he had. Dreeson's character comes across in his writing as a truly humble person who worked hard to get the success he deserved. This is a person who sees the glass as half full, not half empty. He's had a great ride and he appreciates it. If you're looking for behind the scenes show business episodes, its there. If you're looking for an uplifiting success story its there. If you want to know what a stand up comic goes through, its there. I highly recommend this book. Ray Starman, author of The Sitcom Class Wars.

Tom Dreesen is the ultimate storyteller, especially when it comes to "Old Hollywood" and the history of stand-up comedy from the 1960's to today. I must say that I'm a bit prejudice because my earliest recollection of Dreesen and his former partner Tim Reid was them performing at a local bar within a bowling alley / ice rink when I was a teenager. I was able to catch about five minutes of their act, peering through the bar entrance."Still Standing..." is a great read because it's written in such detail, but more so because of the love Dreesen has for his family, friends, and show business acquaintances...in particular the great Frank Sinatra. The book details his rise from poverty in Harvey, Illinois, a stint in the Navy, working the clubs in the late-1960's and 1970's, getting his break at the Comedy Store, performances on most of the talk show (like many, his validation by appearing on the Tonight Show hosted by Johnny Carson), and finally his long relationship with Sinatra, both professionally and personally.But most of all, Dreesen's love of life propels his stories, wrapped around his appreciation and love for achieving his goal of being a professional comedian. And having so much along the way...which he always considers a gift from God.Dreesen's writing style is a breezey, free and easy, much in the same way he performs his stage act. If you've ever seen him perform you can quickly imagine sitting in a club listening to him speak these words.Many times I laughed out loud, but also shed a tear or two, the humanity of this man is unparalleled in show business. Best of all, Dreesen gives a wonderful insight into old Hollywood, in particular Sinatra, told by someone who knew him best on a day-to-day friendship."Still Standing..." is one of the best books I've read this year. It'll make you go back to YouTube to view clips of his performances of this great comedian. I highly recommend this book.

What a wonderful and candid life story of handling life with perseverance, grace, respect for self and others and living with a sense of mission.There are so many great stories about famous people most of us only get to see on screen, and Tom Dreesen draws us into his world so we get to know them through his eyes and experiences.

Livro de um cara que simplesmente estava ao lado do Frank Sinatra.. muito legal biografia desse show man.!! Recomendo a comra do livro

The man has lived an interesting life, and caroused with fascinating people along the way.