The iconic veteran singer, also known for his humorous side, Pat Boone, wrote an extraordinary tribute to another veteran — author, broadcaster and journalist, Dan Wooding — the founder of the ASSIST News Service. Boone is also known for being a well-known author, inspirational speaker, and the father of another well-loved singer, Debby Boone.
The tribute Boone wrote was read out by Dan’s son – Peter Wooding, himself a British TV journalist – when Dan received the “Spirit of Love & Peace Award” on the final night of the “2017 Love International Film Festival” (LIFF) at the historic Saban Theater in Beverly Hills, California.
Dan Wooding and veteran actor Pat Boone.
In a letter to Wooding from the film festival organizers, he was told, “The Festival board is pleased to present this award to you for your inspiring achievements and work as an award-winning journalist and humanitarian. Also, as a recipient of this award, you have been selected as the Lotus Light Children’s Charity’s (TLLCC) honorary Love Ambassador around the world.”
Boone, the former teen idol who is still going strong today, said, “Dan, dear brother, behind your back, and occasionally to your face, I call you ‘Apostle Dan’, as in the Apostles Paul and John and Peter, in the Bible.
“Why? Because these others are recognized and honored ‘apostles’– or ‘messengers’ — of the Gospel’, which means, and is, Good News.
Dan Wooding with Peter and Garry Ansdell pictured after recording two “Windows on the World” TV shows for the Holy Spirit Broadcasting Network. (Photo: Bishop Andrew Bills).
“And that’s always been your specialty: Good news. Not sensational, or criminal, or critical, or morbid or salacious. Not slanted or biased or political… but instead, factual, objective, uplifting, commending, even inspirational… but unfailingly GOOD NEWS.
“You’re always searching for the best in people and their activities and projects… not the embarrassing, or titillating or morally questionable, although that would attract readers. No, you look for and report the stories of people and events that underscore the better sides of our natures and our efforts to make things better for others.”
Boone went on to say, “Whenever I get a call that you’d like to interview me, I stop and question: ‘Wait a minute… what has Dan heard about some hopeful or charitable or worthy thing I’m involved in? Whatever it is, I know Dan will present it in the most favorable light. That’s what you do… and who you are.
“I was just reading about you in Isaiah 52:7 – ‘How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who proclaims peace, who brings glad tidings of good things, who proclaims salvation, who says to Zion, Your God reigns!”
Elvis chatting with Pat Boone.
He concluded by saying, “Dan, you are a faithful and skilled apostle of Good News… and I’ll bet you have beautiful feet! Love Ya, Pat Boone.”
Dan Wooding, 76, who is also the host of a weekly radio show and two television programs all based in Southern California, says that he was “surprised and honored” to receive Pat Boone’s “kind message”.
He added that the timing couldn’t have been better, as Peter Wooding, his younger son, who is the London Bureau Chief for the recently-formed Global News Alliance, is over from the UK for a vacation with his wife Sharon, and three daughters, Sarah, Anna Beth and Abigail, and this has made it possible for him to have read the message from Pat Boone.
Note: Charles Eugene “Pat” Boone, who was born on June 1, 1934 in Jacksonville, Florida, first came to Hollywood in 1957 and his first movie was Bernadine, which he described as “the first teen musical,” and he said the theme song, Bernadine was “my first million-selling movie title song.” He went on to say, “In the same film was Love Letters in the Sand, which became the biggest-selling hit record I ever had.”
Along with Elvis Presley, Pat Boone was one of the undisputed icons of the 1950s and early 1960s, with a string of hits like his versions of Fats Domino’s Ain’t That A Shame, Little Richard’s Tutti Frutti, the Flamingo’s I’ll Be Home, Ivory Joe Hunter’s I Almost Lost My Mind, and Big Joe Turner’s Chains Of Love, among others, which were all wildly popular.
Boone also had other hits like Speedy Gonzales, as well as Moody River, and, along with his big rival at the time, Elvis, he starred in a string of movies, his first being Bernadine, where he also recorded the theme song written by Johnny Mercer.
Ata Servati co-founder of the Love International Film Festival.
Like Presley, Boone was a humble country boy aspiring to croon his way to pop chart fame; both made their entrée through the budding R&B-based rock ‘n’ roll scene.
But as we all know, Elvis Presley tragically died on August 16, 1977, at the age of 42. The cause of his death was allegedly covered up, but it is suspected that it was from an overdose of prescription drugs that caused his heart to stop.
What is so extraordinary about Pat Boone, is that he is still working as hard as ever, even though he is now in his eighties. He invited Dan to his 80th birthday party, and arranged for him to interview his favorite TV interviewer, Larry King, as well as Hollywood actor, Jon Voight, and his pastor, Jack Hayford. But the highlight came when he allowed Dan to sit on his famous Harley Davidson motor cycle.
The “Love International Film Festival” was co-founded by Ata Servati, a spiritual prize winning poet/writer/actor/director and film maker. All proceeds from the film festival are being given to The Lotus Light Children’s Charity (TLLCC), which he started.
Dan Wooding with Pat Boone, who shows his humorous side by wearing a kilt for a golf tournament.
The awards night, at which Dan Wooding will receive his award, takes place on Saturday, July 22, 2017, at the historic Saban Theater in Beverly Hills, and before that at 4:00 PM will be a Red-Carpet event. Later, a private party will be held at the theater, where over 30 high-profile celebrities are expected to attend.
Tickets for the festival and closing ceremony can be purchased at Event Brite or Love International Film Festival
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