Interview with Don Bradshaw, from online scrapbook 'Bootleg Betty.'

In my fourth 'Luke Martin-Jones Interview,' I have had the pleasure of speaking to Don Bradshaw, from  'Bootleg Betty.'  This fantastic website is an online scrapbook, chronicling the life and career of one my favourite actresses, entertainers and singers, the wonderful Bette Midler.

I have been a fan of Ms Midler's, since I was a small child. Whilst growing up in the 1970s and 80s, coming to terms with my sexuality, Bette became a big part of my life. I remember going to clubs and pubs, frequently hearing her voice, as I finally began to discover who I truly was.

Don (62) has created an online archive, covering every aspect of Ms Midler's life. It is packed full of photographs, videos, quotes and words from the great lady herself and is an absolute joy to read. As a fan, I have discovered much about Bette, that I never knew before; a lady that isn't only a star of stage and screen and an accomplished singer but is also a devoted campaigner and activist.

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Two of my favourite Bette Midler Films. If you haven't seen them, take a look!

Don would love the readers of 'Spanish Views,' to take a look at his online Scrapbook, 'Bootleg Betty;' (Click on the banner above to take you to his site) it comes highly recommended from me. All of you, young, old, curious or like me, a devoted fan, will enjoy what Don has built, over fifteen years of hard work and dedication. Leave comments and play a part in this archive of irreplaceable material, collected by Don, on display for all of us to enjoy. If you have any Bette Midler memories, stories and items, you wish to share with Don, he would love to hear from you!

Many thanks to Don Bradshaw for agreeing to take part in this interview. I wish you continued success in all your endeavours. Thank you for your innovative online scrapbook, I look forward to reading further stories, listening to more of her music and introducing my readers to the wonderful world of 'Bootleg Betty.'

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What made you decide to start an online scrapbook and Bette Midler?

I have been a fan of Ms. Midler since I first saw her on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson when I was 14 years old. She sang a sad torch song called, Am I Blue, Something in that performance connected with me and I knew she was going to be a big star, so I started following her career. I started saving cllppings of articles and photos right away. When the internet came along it was just a natural progression to start my collecting online.

How long have you been writing ‘Bootleg Betty’ for?

I started Bootleg Betty in October 2002.

What is the best and worst thing about publishing an online scrapbook?

The best thing about publishing online is that you can expand from just articles and photos to videos and audio. All of this you can organize in one place online. You can make notes, comments, your own thoughts on the subject matter and also share all this with others who have the same interest. I don’t advertise, so people have to hunt me out because of their special interest. It keeps the fan base very organic.

The worst thing is that you’re really violating a lot of copyright rules. I’ve been lucky so far in my sixteen years that I haven’t been sued. A couple of times I’ve had someone ask me to take a photo or an article down. I really don’t know what would happen if I got sued since I’m on disability, I really don’t have much they could take. I guess they could take my site down. However, I don’t really see it as stealing. I see my site as a preservation of a unique talent that could be used for educational purposes. There just has to be a way where you can legally have an online scrapbook.

What is your favourite Bette Midler performance and why ?

Hands down, it would be any of her versions of the song Stay With Me from her movie, The Rose. It is a magnificent performance in its grandeur. Bette Midler puts her whole being in this song, physically and emotionally. It’s exhausting to even watch.

Do you have a favourite Bette Midler movie or role in a movie?

My favorite movie of hers is The Rose. It’s a film about the last several days of a rock icon who is on a destructive turn. It’s got music, drama, comedy, and a raw, emotional performance by Bette Midler that shows the highs and the lows of the performer that holds everything together. She was nominated for an Oscar for this performance and she should have won. She lost to Sally Field in Norma Rae. I dare your readers to compare the performances and not voting for Ms. Midler. The year was 1979;

I am personally a big fan of Bette Midler and would love to meet her one day; have you ever met the great lady? If yes, could you tell my readers about that experience?

Yes, I’ve met her several times and keep in contact through her personal assistant. She heard about my site during the Kiss My Brass tour and asked to meet me. I was so honoured. She turned out to be everything I thought she’d be. She was very kind, personable, attentive, We didn’t talk much about her career, She was more interested, at least with me, in talking about politics, the environment, and the educational system.

What is your most precious Bette Midler memory?

It would have to be the first time I met her, which was in Hollywood, FL for the Kiss My Brass tour. I met her backstage after the show. She acted as excited about me as I was about her. She told the people around her that I was the guy who was keeping her career alive when she wasn’t working. She wanted to know about me and she acted like she was interested. I hope she wasn’t acting. LOL No, she really came off genuine, excited, and caring. I’ll never forget that night

What was the one moment, that got you hooked on Bette Midler?

It really was her first appearance on Johnny Carson like I answered in the first question, Her subsequent appearances afterward just solidified my fandom. She represented all the things I wanted to be when I was 14. She was different, but accepted. She was funny, outrageous, vulnerable, and relatable. And when she sang it was like she inhabited each song. Just amazing,

Finally, can you tell readers, to my blog, ‘Spanish Views’, a little bit about your scrapbook and how they can get involved?
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Well, my scrapbook has everything. Articles from the beginning of her career to the present, quotes, songs and lyrics, videos, reviews, etc, People can get involved by commenting on the posts, listening to the jukebox which I change out monthly; educate themselves on the rare and new audio I have posted, Take a look at all the performances I have put up. See what a great entertainer she is. Also they can send me things they see that I don’t have. I’m always looking for rare items or things I may have overlooked. I’m also open to suggestions. Just enjoy all the site has to offer. Thank you for giving me this opportunity to talk about my site.

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