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RENOWNED LYRICIST RAY EVANS SUPPORTS LUCY-DESI CENTER
18-Dec-2006
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The man who has the words “Silver Bells” ringing through the air this time of year has become a major supporter of the Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Center in Jamestown, New York.
Ray Evans, who with his musical partner Jay Livingston wrote such enduring standards as “Mona Lisa”, “Silver Bells”, “Que Sera, Sera”, “Buttons and Bows”, and the theme songs to Mr. Ed and Bonanza, was born just down the road from Jamestown in Salamanca, New York. Evans and Livingston won three Oscars and seven Academy Award nominations, they had 26 songs that have sold a million records or more, they have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and the total number of their records sold exceeds 400 million.
Ray Evans and Lucille Ball had more of a connection than just being from the same “neighborhood”. Evans and Livingston also wrote the music for two of the Queen of Comedy’s movies with Bob Hope, Sorrowful Jones (1949) and Fancy Pants (1950).
Recently Evans met Ric Wyman, the director of the Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Center in Lucy's hometown. They were introduced by Shirley Mitchell, Jay Livingston's widow, who had a recurring role in "I Love Lucy". As a result of that encounter, Mr. Evans made a $20,000 donation to the Lucy-Desi Center’s expansion plans.
Asked about his gift, from his home in Beverly Hills Mr. Evans responded: “I’m glad to be part of the Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Center in Jamestown, New York. I was born and grew up in Salamanca, right around the corner, and this is a real hometown kind of program. I knew Lucille Ball very well, and in addition to writing songs for several of the movies she did with Bob Hope, we talked about our common background. I get back to Salamanca once a year, and I’m planning to visit Jamestown on my next trip.”
Wyman noted, “Ray Evans is a remarkable man. It was an honor to be able to meet and spend some time with him: he has terrific stories to tell. The Lucy-Desi Center is extremely grateful to Mr. Evans for his support and generosity. We look forward to giving him the V.I.P. tour when he comes to Jamestown.”
For more information about the Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Center, call or visit the Lucy-Desi Gift Shop, 300 N. Main Street, Jamestown, NY 14701, (716) 484-0800 (toll-free: 1-877-LUCY-FAN) or online at www.lucy-desi.com. Hours for the Lucy-Desi Museum at 212 Pine, the Desilu Playhouse at 2 W. 3rd Street, and the Lucy-Desi Center Gift Shop are 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1-5 p.m. on Sundays.
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