Frankie Valli is his Biggest Inspiration - episode 144
Listen to the rhythm of his given name, Destino Rubiani, and his stage name is T-Bone Rube. That just begins to describe the singularity of this energetic, happy individual. We connected through Instagram and I could see in two-dimensions the vibrancy and passion of T-Bone. We talked about his dedication to Frankie Valli, and his love for the music of that time doo-wop, pop, rock ’n roll, and soul.
I got a kick out of Rocky, his French bulldog, bellowing in the background. T-Bone was able to give him attention while seamlessly sharing his unbridled passion for the projects that have captured his life. He’s parlayed his love of The Four Seasons, that started as a child, into different ventures to celebrate the legacy, and to pay homage. Plus he likes The Beatles too, especially John Lennon. I think it’s inspiring to follow the things you love. T-Bone is doing exactly that.
Energetic. Nostalgic. Rock ‘n roll.
— T-Bone Rube
When do YOU get Goosebumps?
Thoughts from Frankie Valli is his Biggest Inspiration
I can remember going to see Jersey Boys at La Jolla Playhouse in October 2004. (Had to look the ‘when’ part up.) I know I had goosebumps several times during songs, was so deeply moved I felt tears coming, and a lump started forming in my throat. There is something about being overwhelmed that translates into bodily reactions. Being inspired by the production we went two more times. There’s something about that feeling that is hard to explain adequately, and it is something that is beautiful to experience. Maybe even you want to chase it, feel it again.
What are goosebumps? According to the Cleveland Clinic they are an involuntary response to hormone surges caused by changes in temperature or emotion. They are also called goose pimples, goose skin, gooseflesh, and chill bumps (in the UK). The more scientific names are horripilation, piloerection or cutis anserina. (Yikes! Why do the official names always sound so official? I know, I know, it’s the Latin-based names for the anatomy.) The involuntary part is telling. You can’t make yourself have them.
So when do YOU get goosebumps? It would be fascinating to hear. These are the memorable times I’ve had them. Funny how they stick out in my mind:
In my early 20’s seeing a touring production of Dreamgirls when Effie sings, And I’m Telling You, I’m not Going. (I actually got them just now writing this sentence!) We were in the cheap seats. The performers looked like dressed-up teeny-tiny people but the powerful emotion that came out of whoever played Effie was so spell-binding there does not exist a word to do it justice.
Seeing A Chorus Line as a teenager in LA. When Cassie sings, God, I’m a dancer. A dancer dances. Then she breaks into this potent dance that gives me goosebumps once again writing about it. And of course in the finale One when the cast breaks into a clean, precise chorus-line dance as they sing the song. So dynamic. Goosebumps three times writing about it. Okay make that four, five, six times.
Our youngest, Taylor, was high-energy growing up. We would have ‘quiet time’ (as much for me as for her) while the TV show Baby Story was on Lifetime back when we all had cable. Each episode followed a couple during their pregnancy, culminating in the birth of their child. Every single time I ugly-cried and got goosebumps when the baby came! How could I not, being a witness to the miracle of birth, and the joy at their new arrival.
Those are three (and Jersey Boys above). There are, of course, more. You’ll notice performances are high on my list of reactions, as are babies. (Knowing myself I totally get why.) I find it a fascinating phenomenon mostly because you have no real control about when you get them. I imagine our personality factors into this process. I’m not just not sure how. While I could go down a rabbit hole of more in-depth googling, and reading studies, for now I will be content knowing goosebumps are a part of who we are in our human experience. I, for one, am delighted.
Go after whatever gives you goosebumps.
— Tara Stiles
This is about the age Taylor was when we watched Baby Story
