Bette Midler, Elton John, Carole King, Harry Nilsson, John Prine, James Taylor, Valerie Carter, Bonnie Bramlett, Linda Ronstadt,Todd Snider, Natalie Cole, Phoebe Snow, Nancy Sinatra, Cat Stevens, Rod Stewart, Cyndi Lauper, Carly Simon, Billy Joel, Bruce Vilanch, The Harlettes, Barbra Streisand, Little Feat, The Rolling Stones, Mick Jagger....and more to come!
Well no that’s not true, actually I was born Don T. Bradshaw (aka, Mister D), July 14, in a little town called Lucedale, Ms. It had maybe 2 or 3 traffic lights and then you were heading to another hillbilly town. Since my father was promoted quite a bit, I tended to get moved around quite a bit, living in places like Moss Point, Ms, Pensacola, FL, Clinton, MS, Lancaster, PA, and eventually Nashville, TN, where I call home.
I attended Millsaps College in Jackson, MS earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration in 1978. Hated it! Made the rounds as managers of hamburger joints, restaraunts, and finally my dream job, as an area manager for a record store chain, but you’ll see what happened. Later on in my mid-30’s (shove 15 years of my life up your ass, S*U*D S*O*, ya anti-gay, record-whoring, sexist pigs!…oops, so sorry!), and after a nice, restful stint in rehab, I attended school again.
This time I earned my degree in Social Work and graduated around 1990. I got my next dream job, working as a case manager, then counselor, for The Escambia AIDS Clinic in Pensacola, FL. This had to be one of the highlights of my life, and yet, a lowpoint, as well. I loved what I did…the counseling, the education, the friendships made, helping people…but sometimes that help meant teaching them to “let go.” In some ways that whole journey made me stronger, but somehow, I think, it crushed something deep inside of me. But I was very good at what I did.
Soon around 1995, I resigned from that job and moved to Nashville with my partner, Barry. He got a fabulous job doing something with computers, don’t ask me what…it’s just that I never understand. I, on the other hand, for the first time, since I was 14, did not have a career. I took the first job cut, I mean job I could…but I was ill prepared. I was hired on to work with the mentally challenged and it was just out of my league. I had to teach them things I didn’t even know how to do, for goodness sake…like shopping for food. The girl I was helping that day overspent, thanks to me. Many of these people lived in the worst conditions I have ever seen, and to think they lived in one of the richest counties in the states! We’re talking dirt floors, tin roofs (”Love Shack”…sorry!), and rat-roach infested homes. I really tried the best I could to be stronger, to learn, and grow from the experience, but alas, I had to resign.
From then on it’s been a bunch of shit jobs and a bitch of a journey, but I’m still here dammit, and now I just want to have a little fun. And to do that I invented the Bruce Vilanch site, We Got Bruce, a Bette Midler site called Bootleg Betty, and my own, The Divine Mister D, which I rarely touch, but have big plans for in the future. After starting all of these damn sites and with the right damn attitude, someone blessed the hell out of me. I finally met Mr. Vilanch and Ms. Midler, and they did not disappoint. So my little sites continue…and I hope you continue to enjoy.
I currently reside in Franklin, TN with Barry and three cats - Squeak, Coco, and Bitsy. For fun and entertainment I love to write, play piano, sing, perform, pop pills and provoke people. But only when their policies, behavior, thinking, and/or outfits are stupid. And don’t ever sign off with, “please advise.” I’ll go apeshit and end up in the hospital!
Miiiiiissster D....the pleasure was mine! Thank you for being so sweet and for your continued support! Ill have Becci post that awesome pic of us!!! FUUUUUN! xo
i just wanted to say WOW!!! I can't believe that i am your myspace friend!!! LOL...I used your website Bootleg Betty as a reference for a speech I wrote about the Divine Ms. M for college! Thank you for that site! I am such a Bettehead!
yay I finally showed up in ur top friends! Lol anyways have a fun and safe trip...come back to us soon...us "Bette-Whores" can't live w/o u don't cha know...LOL
DON!!!! my dear , beautiful friend!! THANK YOU so much for the call and song!! I hope you do know when i called i was totally picking on you!! :) Thank you so much again! it meant so much to me. You were the first person to actually sing Happy Birthday to me and it was an absolutely beautiful rendition! I appreciate it so much Don, Thank you :) love ya! ANDY
First of all... please check out my pics and blog from VEGAS!! :)
Second of all... I just created a fan page for the amazing Kamilah Marshall! So EVERYONE add it, PLEASE!!! If you don't know who she is... then google her!! (She's a harlette).
