Knicks-knacks
An unforgettable trip, my first crush, and a song with my hairbrush
Happy June!
First of all, thanks to everyone who read my Cats issue last month. I was delighted by the response – so many of you wrote to say it was your favorite issue so far.
It’s always a challenge for me to sit down and write my Substack. What should I write about? But once I’m in the act of it, time stops and I experience “flow.” Every single time.
So I’ve been asking myself, what is on my mind? I’ll tell you. The Knicks. And the unforgettable experience I shared with my son, Nicholas.
For those of you who aren’t into sports, I hope you’ll keep reading. This is more than just about basketball. It’s about my childhood, my Dad, my first crush, and community. And there are songs.
Let’s Start at the Very Beginning
When I was 7 years old, my Dad, John Callaway, was transferred to New York from Chicago where he was named Vice President of CBS Radio. We lived in NY for five years — first in Huntington, Long Island for 2 years and then Riverdale for 3 years.
It was during this time that the Mets won the World Series, the Jets won the Super Bowl and the Knicks won the NBA championships TWICE! And even though we moved back to Chicago, I remained a fan of my NY teams.
I was a tomboy. And Daddy’s little girl. While Ann would talk about philosophy and Hemingway with Dad, I would talk sports.
I listened to every Knicks game on the radio in my room. Marv Albert was the announcer, and I loved imitating him. When the games were on TV, my Dad would turn the volume off and challenge 10-year-old me to do the play-by-play.
in 2021, when Marv Albert retired, I tracked down my Dad’s WTTW colleague Joel Weisman and wrote to him. Here’s what I said:
“When I heard the news that Marv Albert was retiring, it made me think of my Dad. And then it made me think of you, who always appreciated my childhood call: ‘downcourt Bradley, back to DeBusschere, back to Bradley, his shot from 20 feet is GOOD…yesss, and it counts!’ It’s amazing the things one remembers.”
Joel wrote back: “They can say what they want, but imitating Marv IS your greatest talent. Just ask Walt Frazier or Earl the Pearl! …He so loved you girls and his only grandson.”
Nicholas had no choice but to be a Knicks, Mets and Jets fan. Sorry, pal! He says he just wants one of his teams to win a championship before he dies. This Knicks team has a shot.
My First Crush
His name was Bill Bradley. Number 24 of the Knicks. I was 8 years old. (24 has been my lucky number ever since.)
For fun, I googled “Liz Callaway and Bill Bradley” and this came up. (AI isn’t all bad!)
Yes, it’s true. I had his poster on my bedroom wall. I was a huge Fifth Dimension fan, and I would sing “Wedding Bell Blues” along with Marilyn McCoo to my Bill Bradley poster. With my hairbrush as my microphone.
Years ago I appeared at a benefit in Florida with Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr. and brought my prized album for them to sign. This live album is my favorite Fifth Dimension record—perhaps that’s why I find myself recording live albums…
I recorded “Wedding Bell Blues” on my album of 60’s music, The Beat Goes On. Rather than just link to my recording, I thought it would be fun to sing it today at home. Buckle your seatbelts!
And here’s my recording so you can hear me sing it 100% warmed up and with back up singers (including my pal Jason Graae and his hubby, Glen!)
When I was in high school, my Dad mentioned he was going to interview Bill Bradley at WTTW. I took the day off from school. I got to my Dad’s office, and there was Bill. My Dad introduced me and then said he had forgotten he needed to do something and would be right back. He left me alone with Bill Bradley.
I was speechless. Literally. I didn’t say a word.
Fast forward to 2004. I sang at a benefit where Stephen Schwartz and Bill Bradley were being jointly honored. I sang “Meadowlark,” of course. And this time I didn’t miss my chance. I went up to him after and told him the story of meeting him in high school and being completely speechless.
I left out the part about being madly in love with him when I was a kid.
Best Birthday Present Ever
Dan, Nicholas and I like to give “experiences” for presents—last year I took Nicholas to opening day of the Mets vs the Astros in Houston. This year for my birthday, Nicholas gave me a trip to an away Knicks playoff game. We didn’t know yet who they’d be playing, but his thought was Boston, Detroit, or Cleveland.
“How Do You Feel About Cleveland?”
We never imagined that the Knicks would sweep the first two series, and we found ourselves playing the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals. I booked a one-way flight for Game 4 on miles, just in case.
On Saturday night, May 23, after we beat the Cavs to go up 3-0, I texted Nicholas: I think we should go to Cleveland. It could possibly be the series clincher. He wasn’t sure. At midnight, really Sunday AM, he said, let’s do it!
In the morning, I texted fellow Knicks fans Marc Shaiman and his husband Lou that we were going to Cleveland. Thirty minutes later they booked the same flight, the same hotel, and four tickets.
We got to Cleveland Sunday night and Nicholas and I headed to the Ritz-Carlton bar. The place was filled with Knicks fans who’d had exactly the same idea. Within twenty minutes we saw Karl-Anthony Towns walk through the lobby—and then Walt Frazier leaving the restaurant. Clyde!
The next day, walking around downtown Cleveland, everywhere we looked we saw Knicks fans. Sensing something historic might happen, families had gotten in their cars and drove 8 hours, people had grabbed flights, and thousands of us had converged on Cleveland. It was so cool talking to strangers, connecting over something we all loved. “Go Knicks!” we’d say as we passed people in blue and orange.
On our way back to the hotel, Nicholas and I got into an elevator—and just as the doors were closing, I spotted Mikal Bridges (one of the Villanova Knicks). I stopped the doors. He got in. It was the three of us.
I said: You’re awesome.
Nicholas: Congrats on everything! This is totally random, but my cousin Claire played volleyball at Nova when you guys were there and she and her now husband were in Phoenix the same time you were. They speak the world of you.
Mikal: Yeah, Claire Crutchfield. She’s great.
Me: This trip is my birthday present from my son. Go get ’em.
We watched him walk out to the team bus while fans screamed. Nicholas and I looked at each other. Did that really just happen?
The Knicks won decisively. The arena erupted. We were going to the NBA Finals for the first time in 27 years!
I love this Knicks team. They play with tremendous heart and teamwork. They remind me of my beloved Knicks teams of my childhood. Tonight is the first game of the Finals, vs San Antonio, and we are underdogs. Dan and I will be watching with Nicholas at his favorite sports bar in Chelsea.
The last time we won the NBA Championship was 1973. Who knows what will happen this time, but what a journey, what a ride
My Knicks Fashion Statement
When I sang at the Broadway Celebrates Earth Day concert in Times Square, it was cold and a monsoon and my jeans got soaked. I had a few hours before joining Nicholas to watch Game 1 vs Atlanta and stopped into Rag & Bone to window shop. I spotted a pair of jeans in Knicks (and Mets) colors. I couldn’t resist—I’m wearing them as I type this.
And then NY Magazine did a piece on Knicks merch and I found this t-shirt—a riff on the Cats logo, but for KAT. Karl-Anthony Towns. I couldn’t resist this either. They only had XL left, so Dan’s getting it. Maybe.
Where in the World Is Liz?
Happily, I’m home the next few weeks, so can watch every finals game. But then I have some great summer gigs coming up, including my first solo show in Nashville. I leave on June 19th for the Playbill Cruise with my sister. June 19 would be Game 7. If that happens, I pray LOT Polish Airlines has good WiFi.
June 14 FLUSHING, NY God Bless America Mets vs Braves
June 21-28 BULGARIA TO BUDAPEST Playbill Cruise
July 5 ELDRED, NY The Wizard and I: Liz Callaway Sings Stephen Schwartz
July 15-18 NEW YORK, NY Boom! (with Ann Hampton Callaway)
July 18 LIVESTREAM Boom! (with Ann Hampton Callaway)
July 24-26 LONDON The Wizard and I: Liz Callaway Sings Stephen Schwartz
Aug 13 NASHVILLE, TN Liz Callaway: Broadway and Beyond
Aug 18 FLUSHING, NY National Anthem Mets vs Padres
Aug 21 HAWLEY, PA Broadway and Beyond
CLICK HERE FOR MY FULL SCHEDULE
A Final Song For You
On Sunday, Dan and I are going to the Tonys—one of the perks of his being on the nominating committee. This year my favorite show I saw was Ragtime, and I’m keeping my fingers crossed for Joshua Henry, who is breathtaking in it. I wrote about singing with him in Pasadena in last August’s issue.
Ragtime has a song that feels especially right for this moment—“Back to Before.” I’m going to be singing it on the Playbill Cruise. I recorded it live on The Essential Liz Callaway album, and found the original video of that performance.
That’s it for this issue of Between Flights. Thanks for reading.
GO KNICKS! 🏀
xoxo Liz
PS I recently had the great pleasure of being on the Follow Your Dream podcast with Robert Miller. I think you might enjoy our conversation.
I so enjoy these! Thanks especially for the impromptu "Wedding Bells Blues." Although I'm a Bucks fan, this week I'm saying "GO Knicks!"
Sorry, Liz, my message sent itself too soon. I’m watching the Knicks/Spurs
game as I type. (It’s neck and neck at
the half.)
I’ve never seen “Ragtime,” but I’ve always
loved your version of “Back To Before.”
(I read Doctorow’s book years ago.)
Thanks again for “Between Flights.”