By Danny Coleman
originally published: 09/01/2016
"I was 14 when my first album came out and then I turned 18 and wanted to do things differently and nobody knew what to do," said '80's pop icon Tiffany as she elaborated on her career then and now. "It was scary but I learned a lesson; do what you love."
Born Tiffany Renee Darwish in Norwalk, CA, this soon to be 45 year old singer, songwriter, actress and entrepreneur has had a tumultuous career. Launching herself into music by learning the words to Helen Reddy's "Delta Dawn" at the tender age of four, she went on to make her debut in a country and western bar in Chino, CA by the age of 10.
While singing in a venue in Northern Hollywood, Tiffany was "Discovered" by a gentlemen named Hoyt Axton, whose mother Mae, arranged for the young sensation to accompany her to Nashville, TN where she performed on a long running local TV program. By 1982, she had done a minor several city tour of Alaska and managed to share a bill with the likes of country greats George Jones and Jerry Lee Lewis.
An appearance on Ed McMahon's "Star Search," where she placed second, helped catapult her to signing with MCA Records and a debut album, "Tiffany" was released in 1987. The first single released off of this effort went fairly unnoticed but it was her remake of the Tommy James & the Shondells classic, "I Think We're Alone Now" which made the pop music world stand up and take notice. "People are surprised that I still do "I Think We're Alone Now," she said with a slight chuckle. "I think that I owe it to my fans, especially the ones who have stood by me to play that; don't you think? I'm proud that they've stood by me for all of these years. I never understand the bands that perform but do only their new or most recent music. Fans expect to hear the material that they loved, that which made you successful in the first place; so I try and do many of my most popular songs."
Ah but life is not without turmoil and as her career blossomed, so did her troubles. Tiffany's then manager became entangled in a battle with her mother and stepfather over the rights to her career; which in turn caused her grandmother to become her legal guardian. A nasty court battle ensued and all of this took place at the worst possible time; while she was reaching the zenith of her popularity. Pushing through the distractions, she released her second album, 1988's "Hold An Old Friend's Hand," which instantly went platinum and spawned a "Top Ten Hit," "All This Time."
The times, like so much else, change and Tiffany attempted to change with them but her "Urban" album, although doing well in Japan, received mixed reviews in the U.S. A harder edge and different vocal style, designed to allow her a smooth transition from teen pop star to a more mature artist didn't wow her fans who felt it was a bit too "Sultry" for their tastes and the record did rather poorly.
Always evolving, Tiffany married in 1992 and had a son, Elijah Garcia. Content to fade into the shadows of the music biz and raise her son out of the prying eye of the public; Tiffany continued to write and soon became part of the Nashville songwriting community, where she had relocated to in 2008. In 2011, "Rose Tattoo," was released, a product of her self imposed hiatus and signaled a return to her country and western roots. When asked, she readily admits that this was something which she enjoyed as it enabled her to relay the beginnings of her music career and revisit a very exciting time in her life."I've had lots and lots of good things happening since that album was released," she said. "I just returned from six weeks in England, I've been blending 28 types of music, doing a country album; I'm having fun again. My new album shows me once again as a vocalist but it also shows my songwriting and my ability as a producer as well; it shows how I've matured."
"A Million Miles," released in March of 2016, is a side of Tiffany which she has wanted to expose since her last effort in 2011. "I've been writing since my son was born," she explained."I love singing this material. I pride myself as a performer and I would perform and I'd get the same compliment, "I didn't know you could sing like that" and I thought; hmm it's time to do an album."
A spokesperson for "The American Heart Association" and heavily involved with her local Humane Society; Tiffany stays active in her community and says that this album is "Real life." "As much as I am so excited about this record, it is also part of a healing process for me," she stated with tempered enthusiasm. "I've lost loved ones to cancer and addiction and some of the material reflects that but I feel good about it and I'm very proud of what I've accomplished here."
The current leg of this "A Million Miles" A Dynamic Acoustic Tour just kicked off on August 24 in Nashville. Then it's off to Michigan for a couple of performances, then over to New York City followed by two local stops; one in N.J at The Wonder Bar in Asbury Park on September 8 and one in New Hope, PA at Havana on September 10. The tour has very little down time, often performing on consecutive nights with very little down time in between; something Tiffany doesn't seem to mind. "This tour will be good for me," she said with confidence. "I love getting out there and working and being interactive with the audiences; and my band? They are great to tour with and a lot of fun as well as so supportive; I couldn't ask for more."
A huge difference between her debut and now is the presence of social media; something she finds to be a blessing and mildly "Intrusive." "Social media? It's great, I mean you just push a button and you are instantly in touch with millions of people around the world but yet; there's no place to hide either. I love talking with my fans though, so I think the good definitely outweighs the bad. The music business has gotten hard on so many levels now and now that I own my own production company, I'm more business now. I've discovered that you really have to love music to stay in it. I love the challenges that I face and I love where I'm at now."
From teen pop star to mature songstress and business woman; Tiffany has not backed down from any challenges and has managed to stay in the public eye just enough to stay on the media radar. Appearances on multiple reality TV shows such as, "Rachel Ray VS Guy: Celebrity Cook Off," "Celebrity Wife Swap," "Celebrity Fit Club," "Celebrity Ghost Stories" and "Food Network Food Challenge," as well as roles in the SyFy Channel's, "Mega Piranah" and "Mega Python vs Gatoroid;" the latter featuring an intriguing, knock'em down, drag'em out brawl with rival pop star Debbie Gibson have managed to give us just enough Tiffany to pique our interest.
So what does the future hold for the now veteran performer? "I'm on the road until February," she said enthusiastically. "I'm putting together a collection of holiday music, have some studio work to do and some international touring too."
So whether it's in or out of the public eye, Tiffany remains busy and to discover more about this iconic pop star or for ticket information; please go to
www.tiffanytunes.com.
That's it for this week! Please continue to support live and original music and until next week....ROCK ON!
This week's event listings
Alchemist & Barrister28 Witherspoon Street Princeton
(609) 924-5555
Thurs. 6 p.m. The "Original" Dick Gratton Jazz Group
Sun. 9 p.m. Ed Wilson
Amarones Windsor Inn29 Church Street Windsor
(609) 448-7144
Fri. 8 p.m. Just Us
Sat. 8 p.m. Meg Hanson Band feat. Billy Hill
Blend Bar & Bistro911 Highway 33 Hamilton
(609) 245-8887
Tues. 8 p.m. Triviajam
Bowman's Tavern1600 River Road New Hope, PA
(215) 862-2972
Thurs. 6:30 p.m. Patrick & Debra
Fri. 8 p.m. Bob Egan
Sat. 8 p.m. Dave Dales Trio
Sun. 6 p.m. Lorenzo
Mon. 6 p.m. Andy Prescott
Tues. 6 p.m. Sherry St. John
Wed. 6 p.m. Lorenzo
Bruno's Bicycles19 Main Street Allentown
(609) 208-0544
Fri. 7 p.m. Radio Fiction, Emma, Becca and Friends
Candlelight Lounge 24 Passaic Street Trenton
(609) 695-9612
Sat. 3 p.m. Josh Lee Quartet. $10 (cover charge includes buffet)
Chickie's & Pete's183 US Highway 130 North Bordentown
(609) 298-9182
Tues. 8 p.m. Acoustic Music Night feat. The Dawgs
Wed. 9 p.m. Quizzo Trivia
Dempster's Pub437 Pine Street Mount Holly
(609) 261-0500
Thurs. 8:30 p.m. DJ DNIAL
Fri. 9 p.m. DJ Chris
Dog & Bull Brew House810 Bristol Pike (Rte. 13) Croydon, PA.
(215) 788-2855
Thurs. 8 p.m. Dane Rosenfeld
Fri. 9 p.m. Jack McTamney
Sat. 9 p.m. Jeff Selby
Sun. (11 a.m.) "Sunday Jazz Brunch" feat. Dick Gratton (4 p.m.) Gypsy Mother
Wed. 8 p.m. Joe Robinson
Fran's Pub116 S. Main Street New Hope, PA.
(215)862-5539
Mon. 8 p.m. Open Blues Jam
All shows age 21+
Havana New Hope105 S. Main Street New Hope, PA.
(215) 862-9897
Fri. 8:30 p.m. 52 Pickup
Sat. 8:30 p.m. Charma Train
Sun. 2 p.m. Midnight Sun Orchestra
Mon. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Hopewell Valley Vineyards46 Yard Avenue Pennington
(609) 737-4465
Thurs. 6 p.m. Louis Pettinelli
Fri. 6 p.m. Toby Mochel & A few Good Men
Sat, 6 p.m. Chris from "Rave On"
Sun. 2 p.m."Jazzy Sundays" Darla & Rich
Iron Plow Vineyards26750 Mount Pleasant Road Columbus
(732) 306-9111
Fri. 6 p.m. Tom Fuller
Sat. 2 p.m. Ed Wilson
Sun. 2 p.m. Jazz w/ Keith & Scot
Ivy Tavern 3108 S. Broad Street, Hamilton
(609) 888-1435
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Fri. 9 p.m. Kindred Spirit
Sat. 9 p.m. Blues In Disguise
All shows 21+
John & Peter's 96 S. Main Street New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-5981
Mon. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Wed. 9:30 p.m. The Invitational
All shows 21+
Killarney's Publik House1644 Whitehorse-Mercerville Road Hamilton
(609) 586-1166
Sat. 9 p.m. Back to School Dance Party
Laurita Winery85 Archertown Road New Egypt
(609) 752-0200
Thurs. 7 p.m. "Farm to Table" Winemakers Sunset Dinner. $99 (Reservations required)
Fri. 5 p.m. Super '70's Dance Party
Sat. 1 p.m. Ben Weiner
Sun. 1 p.m. First Call
Mon. 12 p.m. "Customer Appreciation Day" feat. Gregg Parker
Wed. 6 p.m. "Girls Night Out"
Levitt Amp Trenton 2016 Music SeriesCapital Green @ 201 Barrack Street Trenton
Sat. 7:30 p.m. New Jersey Capital Philharmonic
Mamma Rosa's 572 Klockner Road Hamilton
(609) 588-5454
Thurs. 6 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Richard Schneider
McStews Irish Sports Pub5316 New Falls Road Levittown, PA
(215) 949-9570
Thurs. 10:30 p.m."Beer Pong" w/ DJ RV & MC Slim
Fri. 9 p.m. DJ Favs
Sat. 10 p.m. "College House Party" w/ DJ RV & MC Slim
Tues. 7 p.m. Quizzo hosted by Mike
Millhill Basement300 S. Broad Street Trenton
(609) 989-1600
Tues. 10 p.m. "Local Artist" Hip Hop, Experimental EDM and Bass Music Showcase
O'Connor's American Bar & Grille1383 Monmouth Road Easthampton Mt. Holly
(609) 261-1555
Music Returns 9/9
Olde Liberty Tavern2114 Liberty Street Trenton
(609) 396-2262
Sat. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Palermo's Of Hamilton310 Klockner Road Hamilton
(609) 838-7979
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke
All shows 21 +
Patriot's Crossing1339 River Rd. Titusville
(609) 737-2780
Fri. 8 p.m. Zero8419
Sat. 8 p.m. Parker Redd III
Pete's Steak House523 Whitehorse Avenue Hamilton
(609) 585-8008
Fri. 9:30 p.m. 80's Undercover
Sat. 9:30 p.m. (TBA)
Randy Now's Man Cave134 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown
(609) 424-3766
Please check web site for upcoming events
RHO Waterfront50 Riverview Plaza Trenton
(609) 393-7300
Thurs. 10 p.m. "College Night" w/ DJ Paul Desisto. Ages 21+, $5 (cover charge w/ college ID $15 without)
Fri. (4 p.m.) "Luau Party" Buffet w/ Full Roasted Pig. $10 (8:30 p.m.) Soul Cruisers
Small World Coffee14 Witherspoon Street Princeton
Sat. 8:30 p.m. McMillan & Company
1867 Sanctuary 101 Scotch Road Ewing
(609) 392-6409
Please Check Web Site for Upcoming Events
Tara's Tavern 1 Cookstown-New Egypt Road Wrightstown
(609) 286-2300
Fri. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ Big Daddy G
Tavern On The Lake101 Main Street Hightstown
(609) 426-9345
Fri. 9 p.m. Out Of The Red
Sat. 9 p.m. Raze The Bar
Wed. 8 p.m. Karaoke Night
The Cool Cricket216 Burlington Street Fieldsboro
(609) 291-9110
Fri. 9 p.m. Karaoke
The HOB Tavern146 Second Street Bordentown
(609) 291-7020
Sat. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Tues. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Wed. 8 p.m. (TBA)
The Ivy Inn248 Nassau Street Princeton
(609) 921-8555
Thurs. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Ron
Fri. 10 p.m. DJ Fatha Ramzee
Sat. 10 p.m. DJ Jon Gosselin
Tues. 8 p.m. Quizzo w/ Bob E Luv
Wed. 10 p.m. "Wednesday Wheel Night Spin To Win Karaoke" w/ DJ Rockn Ron
The Roost 181 Rte. 539 Cream Ridge
(609) 208-0050
Sat. 9 p.m. Victar on Guitar
The Sticky Wicket 2465 South Broad Street Hamilton
(609) 439-0007
Fri. 9 p.m. (TBA)
Sat. 9 p.m. Einstein Bridge
Tues. 7 p.m. Karaoke
The Sun National Bank Center 81 Hamilton Ave. Trenton
(609) 656-3200
Check website for upcoming events
Tir Na Nog 1324 Hamilton Avenue Trenton
(609) 392-2554
Fri. 9 p.m. Oliver McElhone
Sun. 3 p.m. "Irish Sessions" w/ Kathy DeAngelo & Dennis Gormley
All shows 21+
Trenton Buzz702 Pine Street Trenton
(609) 392-6000
Fri. 8 p.m. Live Band & Open Mic.
Trenton Social449 South Broad Street Trenton
(609) 989-7777
Fri. 4 p.m. First Friday
Mon. 9 p.m. Monday Night Karaoke w/ Benny P
Tues. 7 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Wed. 6 p.m. Dick Gratton
Triumph Brewing Company (New Hope, Pa. Location)
400 Union Square New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-8300
Sun. 7 p.m. Open Jam Night (Sign-ups at 6:30 p.m.)
All shows 21+
Wildflowers Inn2572 Pennington Road Pennington
Sat. 9 p.m. Acoustic Rock
All shows 21+
Yardley Inn82 East Afton Avenue Yardley, PA
(215) 493-3800
Sat. 8 p.m. Mike Meade
Danny Coleman is a veteran musician and writer from central New Jersey. He hosts a weekly radio program entitled 'Rock On Radio' airing Sunday evenings at 7:00pm EST on ThePenguinRocks.com where he features indie/original bands and solo artists.
