On Sunday I lost a pal. Mort Viner was one of those characters that only comes along once in a lifetime. He was my friend, but also played the roles of Manager, Agent, Music Librarian, Chauffeur, Dresser, Car Dealer, Baggage carrier and Bodyguard.?

He even insisted on supervising my wardrobe. For my first appearance on the tonight show with Johnny Carson I had decided to wear a favorite fifteen year old jacket in blue seersucker.?Mort however had different ideas "You"re gonna buy a new sports coat?and wear?a shirt and a tie and look like a star."

"Great" I said? "I'll look like bloddy Andy Williams"?"I wish you could f****** sing like him" was Mort's reply.???

Mort was from the old days. We met thirty-five years ago on the set of Hello Dolly when he was representing Gene Kelly. ?They were two of a kind: Highly respected professionals, amazing senses of humor and most importantly, full of integrity.? Mort had great vision and a tremendous passion for this business. He helped me to realize so many of my dreams.

Without Mort I would never ever have had the courage to stand on a stage for the first time as myself, not a character, but myself and sing to audiences around the world... sharing my inner most thoughts and treasures of this lifetime. ?Without Mort I would never have had a recording contract with Atlantic records. Nor would I have had the opportunity to open in an amazing Las Vegas show at the MGM Grand, [Even though it ended sadly, I have absolutely no regrets. The aftermath was a life experience, we all have them!]?

I consider myself such a lucky man to have had him in my life all these years.? And I shall miss him greatly.?We've spoken to each other every day, with few exceptions, for the last fourteen years. And I've never missed Mort more than I did yesterday, when I landed at LAX from London.?I got in the car and the phone didn't ring. There wasn't a call to say "It's Mmoort. I checked the flight, it was on time, I knew you'd be in the car by now, talk to you later"? ?God bless you Morty and thanks for everything.