DJ at The Make-A-Wish Sport/Celebrity Tournament, 6/17/89

[DJAngel]

Post MV, we took several road trips to see Don:happy:On June 17, 1989 Don appeared at The Make-A-Wish Sport/Celebrity Tournament at Blackhawk Country Club, Danville, California.Here is our trip story (written by Andrea) and photos.Life is amazing...You just never know when you wake up in the morning, what gifts the day can bring!Saturday, June 17, 1989, was such a day for me and my friends, Bonnie Skaggs and Margaret Fletcher. On that day, the three of us got to see Don Johnson, LIVE, at the Make-A-Wish Golf & Tennis Tournament in the Blackhawk Community of Danville, California (the San Francisco East Bay Area).For those who might not know, Make-A-Wish Foundation is a volunteer organization which benefits terminally ill children and their families, by trying to grant the child's wish (such as trips to Disneyland, meeting a favorite celebrity, other vacation ideas). It's one of Don's favorite charities. The Golf & Tennis Tournament in the Blackhawk community was the first annual tournament to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Blackhawk is a very exclusive community, where many rich and famous live. It has its' own golf course, tennis courts and sports arena so it lends itself beautifully to such a special event.For several weeks prior to the day, we had heard rumors that Don was to be the host, then that he had to cancel, then that he might be there briefly. Thanks to the tenacity of my friend, Bonnie, who kept calling Make-A-Wish, we finally learned that same day that he would be there about 4 p.m. to give out the golfers awards. Our little cars never flew faster to get us to the Blackhawk area. Bonnie and Margaret had gotten us special passes into the tent area where the awards would be given out.By 4:00 p.m. tension was mounting. People were milling and the Blackhawk officials were only beginning to put up the bulletin board with the golfers' names on it, and setting up the table that looked like it would be where they would be giving out the awards. We knew it would be standing room only so Bonnie, Margaret, and I spent some time trying to psyche out the best place to stand for the best view.They were running behind schedule. It was hot and people were getting nervous with excitement! We saw some celebrities--actors Granville Van Dusen and Mark McClure, Seattle Seahawke running back Curt Warner, and a Bay Area newscaster, Pete Wilson. Pete, who was very friendly, told us Don was already on the grounds, but there were still a few foursomes out on the course. About 5:00 p.m. we saw Elliot Mintz, Don's publicist, and we kept a watchful eye on him. After a few minutes, he disappeared behind the celebrity bulletin board. We got closer o that spot. Then Elliot returned, followed by Greg, Don's bodyguard, followed by Don! The crowd roared and screamed. Don smiled."Oh my God, the man is gorgeous" was my overwhelming reaction! He was smiling, but seemed a little shy. He was wearing his hair shorter, sort of like he wore it the end of the second season, layered, a little longer in back and falling softly onto his forehead. He was wearing a light gray knit shirt, white jacket, gray jeans, and gorgeous gray leather shoes, no socks. He smiled and waved, looking a little nervous until he got the feel of the crowd. He talked with the Blackhawk people to get an idea of his duties, then turned back to the crowd and started giving autographs. Most people handed him their brochures, and I suddenly realized that I had some of the 100th episode party pictures in my purse, thanks to a friend who sent them to me. I handed Don one of him and Melanie from the party with my pen, and said, "One more please, Don?" He smiled, took my pen and picture, and as he started to sign it, asked, "Where did you get this one?" I answered that it was from the 100th episode party. He looked at me as if to say, "You guys!"Once the presentations began, Don took charge, joking with the winners and the audience easily. On a few occasions, he jokingly claimed there was a conflict of interest when one of the winners was Curt Warner (third place) and his coach, Ken Billingsley (first place). And again when another winner was Mike Belson, Don's agent. Don introduced Mike as "the guy who got me all those terrible parts before Miami Vice." He kept saying, "A guy's gotta eat!"When one of the winners stepped away, Don asked the golfer's wife if she would like to accept for him. When she did, Don gave her an extra prize--a kiss on the cheek, and then promptly announced that none of the guys would get kisses.Don was smiling and accommodating throughout. After the presentations, he said he enjoyed his first stint playing Monty Hall, and he would see us all later. Elliot and Greg escorted Don to the limo, with Don signing autographs all the way, and again said "see you later!"We left Blackhawk and drove over to the San Ramon Marriot Hotel, where we had heard Don was staying, and where there was to be a dinner for Make-A-Wish that he was expected to attend. The dinner was $350/plate and up and all sold out. We were hoping to catch another glimpse of Don or more updates.We ate dinner at one of the hotel's restaurants and reflected on our remarkable day. Don had shaken Margaret's hand, he had autographed my picture, and Bonnie had taken many shots of him with her camera. I had taken some, too.Bonnie and Margaret had met Don several times before on their trips to Miami, and to L.A. where they saw him filming "Dead Bang", and at the "Sweet Hearts Dance" premiere, but now I had the joy of experiencing his charm and charisma for myself. He really could not have been nicer or more accommodating, and I suddenly felt sad about all the bad press he gets for being a prima donna. As we all reviewed what he said and how he looked, we collectively decided that Don is "very nearly perfect!"And that's how the day felt, too, very nearly perfect! One we would treasure in our memories and in our hearts forever!P.S. On July 6, 1989, Bonnie, Margaret, and I are going to the Make-A-Wish Division Meeting to learn more ways we can volunteer our services to such a fine organization. Since we got our wish on June 17th, we would like to give something back. See what a good influence Don is on all of us!

[Flamingo]

What a wonderful experience und great photos.Thanks for sharing it!

[JonnyDaytona]

Sounds truly like a once in a lifetime occasion! Thanks for sharing, DJ!

[DJAngel]

More Blackhawk Photos

[DJAngel]

[crocketsgrl]

First off Bon, I have to tease you about this one pic on here, from the waist down? love it!Oh you are so lucky, meeting him so many times in Miami on Vice and the Golf Tournament and now this. And he remembered you guys too! Again I am going to thank you and Adria for saying and showing that DJ treats his fans well. I'm so tired of hearing that he doesn't and snubs his fans. I just look at the photos and you can see. Thank you so much for sharing this story and all the pictures. You have anything from Dead Bang and the Sweethearts Dance that Andria mentioned? I know I was watching The Hot Spot last night and Noticed this had to be around the second season and Dead Bang right after MV. So Dead Bang would probably be around the same time as this was done? And funny I thought his body guard was Ronny. Was that an old body guard or his double in MV? I can't remember now.....Again a million thanks, hope you put this also on Org. if so pm me so I can go and comment on there too. Can't wait for more. This gets me so excited you are so so lucky, girl!

[DJAngel]

Sue, the picture of Don from the waist down - I took it because of the shoes:) as well as the jeans;) I know us fans want to see the complete ensemble, right :DMargaret, Andrea, and I love sharing these special memories of Don with his fans. He certainly made us feel good about being fans. There is lot more to come with some very special moments that we will be sharing in the near future for those who want to know about it.I will be posting our trip stories for the SF OPT race in 1990, Don's appearance on a local SF talk show before that race, his 3 appearances at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am Golf Tournaments 90, 92, 95, plus our trips to set of Dead Bang (filmed in Summer of 88), Sweethearts Dance Premiere in LA (Sept 88), Harley Davidson & the Marlboro Man (Dec 90), and some very special memories on the Nash Bridges set in 97 & 98.I think Hot Spot was filmed in the summer of 89 in Texas--shortly after we saw him in Blackhawk. I believe Don and Melanie were married the week after Blackhawk, and then he started filming Hot Spot soon after that. We did not try to go there, but I think some fans did.His bodyguard was Ron, who was with him during the NB filming and also appeared in some episodes, but I don't remember which ones. The guy at Blackhawk in the dark shirt and sunglasses also acted as bodyguard, and his name was Greg, and he also was with Don at the golf tournaments.Stay tuned for more of Donnie Wayne:happy:

[MV86]

It's nice to see DJ at these events. As for the waist down pic,yeah will go with the "whole outfit" excuse

[DJAngel]

It's nice to see DJ at these events. As for the waist down pic' date='yeah will go with the "whole outfit" excuse [/quote']You don't believe me:cry:

[crocketsgrl]

Sue' date=' the picture of Don from the waist down - I took it because of the shoes:) as well as the jeans;) I know us fans want to see the complete ensemble, right :DMargaret, Andrea, and I love sharing these special memories of Don with his fans. He certainly made us feel good about being fans. There is lot more to come with some very special moments that we will be sharing in the near future for those who want to know about it.I will be posting our trip stories for the SF OPT race in 1990, Don's appearance on a local SF talk show before that race, his 3 appearances at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am Golf Tournaments 90, 92, 95, plus our trips to set of Dead Bang (filmed in Summer of 88), Sweethearts Dance Premiere in LA (Sept 88), Harley Davidson & the Marlboro Man (Dec 90), and some very special memories on the Nash Bridges set in 97 & 98.I think Hot Spot was filmed in the summer of 89 in Texas--shortly after we saw him in Blackhawk. I believe Don and Melanie were married the week after Blackhawk, and then he started filming Hot Spot soon after that. We did not try to go there, but I think some fans did.His bodyguard was Ron, who was with him during the NB filming and also appeared in some episodes, but I don't remember which ones. The guy at Blackhawk in the dark shirt and sunglasses also acted as bodyguard, and his name was Greg, and he also was with Don at the golf tournaments.Stay tuned for more of Donnie Wayne:happy:[/quote']Oh ok, thanks I thought his body guard was Ron, maybe he had two. I forgot his stunt doubles name, do you know from Vice and did he use the same one for NB"S? Ahh, now I thought Sweethearts dance was second season......before that spike look..lol....I don't remember him filming anything but Vice with the spike look. I really thought it was 89, the print is way too small on the VHS box..lol..or I need glasses..lol....thanks and can't wait for more!Oh and I agree with Amber about the waist and down for his shoes........uh huh whatever you say my dear Bonnie......:D;)

[maggievice84]

Bon - great story from Andrea and great pics from you! As I was there, too, it felt good to look back on such a fun day! For the folks who are commenting on the "waist down only" pic, it truly was taken to show off his shoes - not kidding! However, the fact that Bon took a picture of his pants, too.......oh, well.....

[crocketsgrl]

Maggie you are here! Did you post in the welcome board I'll have to check. But I do think there were other reasons for that pants picture.......We know Bonnie's cover story, but also the undercover story....:D