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The next photo is the PROMPT. Remember, all photos are property of the photographer, donated for use in Friday Fictioneers only. They shouldn’t be used for any other purpose without express permission. It is proper etiquette to give the contributor credit.
PHOTO PROMPT © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields
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Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100
STEPPIN’ STONES
Janelle thumbed through Variety. “NBC’s airing a new program called ‘Circus Boy.’” She ruffled her ten-year-old son’s blond hair. “Would you like to audition?”
“Nah.” Micky wrinkled his nose. “I got a baseball game.”
“You know what Dad says. ‘You have to follow the fish; the fish won’t follow you.’”
Micky, who enjoyed watching his father act on television, thought for a moment. “Okay. I’ll go.”
Two years later, Micky “Braddock” aka Corky learned about fleeting fame when “Circus Boy” ended.
Opportunity knocked again via NBC when 20-year-old Micky Dolenz snagged the role of the “Pre-Fab-Four’s” drummer in “The Monkees.”
In case you never caught the 1956-58 show (I didn’t), meet Micky Braddock
And one of my favorite Monkees songs with Micky singing lead.
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
Life is brief. Art is eternal
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Que profundo.
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I wonder where you get your compilation from 🙂
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Dear Reena,
Google is my friend.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Great 👍
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The Monkees programme used to be on television every Saturday around 6.00pm in the UK. It didn’t quite garner the top viewing slots because I think it was thought they were more a ‘commercial’ band thrown together than a group of musicians who’d naturally evolved through a love of music. But there’s no denying the nostalgia of revisiting those times. Thanks for the trip.
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Dear Sandra,
There’s no denying they were just that. A commercial band thrown together by the TV network. However, like Pinocchio becoming a real boy, they did go on to become a real band that played and toured for decades following. I did enjoy their music. Glad you enjoyed the trip. Next week back to my regularly scheduled stories. 😉 Thank you for coming along for the ride.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Yet another wonderful piece of historical fiction. You make the characters come alive with your words, Rochelle!
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Dear Joy,
Thank you for your affirming comment. I did have fun with this series of stories and learned a lot about these four actor/musicians myself. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I have to say, m’lady, that their TV show was not to my taste.
But some of their music was pretty good.
So next week are you going to start on the New York Philharmonic Orchestra?
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Dear CE,
To tell the truth, I never cared for their TV show, not even as a teen. I recently turned on one of the reruns and lasted less than five minutes. I do, however, like a lot of their music. And I find their history compelling. I think I’ll pass on the Philharmonic, although I really love their music. 😉 Next week it’s back to my regularly scheduled writing. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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An interesting and informational story based on the life and career of Micky Dolenz, a member of the Monkees group on TV. He’s really earned his career with hard work and ambition, Rochelle. Thanks for the additional information. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Dear Suzanne,
Micky is my favorite Monkee and I’m not afraid to admit it. He did come from a show business background, but not a musical one. Yet, he rose above and sang lead on most of the Monkees’ songs. Thank you for reading and your affirming comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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The Monkees’ theme is now in my head. Thanks for that 🙂
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You’re welcome, Peter. Happy to share. “Here we come…walking down the street…”
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’ve been enjoying your Monkees’ flashbacks/mini-bios. For being the non-musician of the bunch he did alright.
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Dear Trent,
Isn’t it interesting that for being the non-musician in the group, he sang the most leads? And I love his voice. He did confess that it took him a year to really learn to play the drums. But he did it. One has to admire that. I’m pleased you enjoyed this series. Thank you for taking the time to say so.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Ah, blast from the past! I loved the Monkees when I was a kid. Davy was my heart-throb! 🙂
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
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Dear Susan,
Davy was a cutie for sure and his untimely death saddened me. And I started this series with Davy. https://rochellewisoff.com/2020/12/30/1-january-2021/ Micky’s still my favorite. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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And, as I wrote on you post about Mike, he introduced the pop/rock world the the Moog synthesizer. I like his voice better than Davy’s voice.
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Which reminds me. A long time ago I wrote a story re the Moog synthesizer. You might enjoy it. 😉 https://rochellewisoff.com/2013/10/23/25-october-2013/
Mickey’s leads, which seem to have been the majority, were always my favorites. 😉
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Incidentally I sent the above story to Mr. Moog’s daughter and she thanked me. 😀
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Dear Rochelle,
This wonderful series has proven that everyone has a story to be told. Thank you for introducing us to each member proving just that. They may have been put together for a TV show but look how well they did after. This show was a stepping stone to a life they probably never imagined would happen in the first place.
Shalom and lotsa story-filled love,
Dale
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Dear Dale,
It has been a fun series to write. They really did grow into the role of a real band. 😉 The truth is that Mike could’ve retired and lived off Liquid Paper for life. Their story really is a compelling one regardless of their less than Kosher beginnings. Thanks for coming along for the ride, my friend.
Shalom and lotsa melodious hugs,
Rochelle
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I love that you dig to bring out the stories of each person. Loved the ride!
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It’s fun to find out the differing ways they all came together on their journey.
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Dear Iain,
I’m glad you enjoyed the journeys. 😀 Thank you for taking the time to say so.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Interesting history there. this week’s pic is going to be really charged. 🙂 ~Shalom, Bear
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Dear Bear,
Thank you. This has been a fun history to pursue. As for the pic, timing is everything, isn’t it?
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Timing indeed. I’m off to home, so I’ll try to write something. Hard pic in some ways. Careful what is said in others.
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Ah Mickey. His daughter had a brief career in the movies as well. Interestingly enough, Jimi Hendrix’s drummer Mitch Mitchell was a childhood star of a British TV show before becoming a musician. The Jimi Hendrix Experience opened for the Monkees in 1967, a bad idea if ever there was one. Great story!
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Dear Josh,
The Media Maven has returned! 😀 Thank you. If you want to catch my stories of the other three Monkees you can rewind to my January 1 story and continue. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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😀
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Your recent posts have all been good but Why are they about the Monkees? Is it an anniversary of theirs?
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Dear Larry,
I’m glad you’ve liked my recent posts. Why not the Monkees? I started with finding out that Davy Jones was on Ed Sullivan the night the Beatles first appeared on Ed Sullivan. From there I decided to give the rest of the Pre Fab Four equal time. No deep meanings. No anniversaries. Just felt like it and I can. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I always like finding out about them too. At their beest they’re quite good
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I love the line about following the fish; one to remember. Another great history lesson, thank you, Rochelle
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Dear Elmo,
I can’t claim originality for the fish line. It was a direct quote from George Dolenz. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What a great little series you have written on the Monkees. I wasn’t a TV series fan but, they had some great music..
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Dear Jan,
I wasn’t a great series fan either. Still find the old show painful to watch. I’m good for 5 minutes and I’ve had enough nostalgia. 😉 But they did put out some good music. The show was definitely their steppin’ stone. Thanks m’luv.
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Dear Rochelle,
I’m enjoying this trip into musical history. Very rarely do parents encourage their kids to go into show biz, so Micky’s blessed to have had that support. I loved this line: “You have to follow the fish; the fish won’t follow you.” So true.
Shalom,
Dora
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Dear Dora,
I’m so glad you enjoyed my story. Finding out more about the four lads from TVLand has been a lot of fun. 😀 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Cute. kid, and his smile didn’t change much over the years. So interesting to have been introduced to this group who were and are part of pop culture. I even recognized “Stepping Stone.” although in a totally different style and era. If songs are worthwhile, they tend to recirculate 🙂
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Dear Linda,
I had no recollection of Circus Boy or Micky when he was a child actor. This has been a fun series of stories to research and write. 😀 Thanks for coming along for the ride.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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An excellent piece with which to finish your months-worth of Monkees! Their music was pure commercial pop and a lot of fun.
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Dear Keith,
I’m glad you came along for the ride. I had a lot of fun with this series. Thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Me too!
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Nice tactile story, (thumbed, ruffled, wrinkled) . Good to see the sense of touch featured – it’s so often ignored!
Shalom
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Dear Penny,
I’m glad you noticed. I love to involve as many senses as possible in a piece. It’s what makes a story breathe, isn’t it? Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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“Circus Boy” looks more than a little creepy, but I think Mickey has been cuter than a bug’s ear from the beginning. He seems like a genuinely happy person. Great story and I’ve been enjoying your “Monkee Series” very much.
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I grew up wanting to run away with the circus, thanks to that show! Thanks for the snippet, Rochelle, I hadn’t forgotten the song but I forgot Micky sang lead.
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Dear Genia,
That song is my favorite Monkee song and I love Micky’s singing. 😀 Glad you enjoyed the CB snippet. I really don’t remember that show at all.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Lisa,
I’m glad you’ve enjoyed my Monkee series. I certainly enjoyed the research and writing. Micky was a cutie indeed although I didn’t remember Circus Boy at all. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, you are very welcome. My older son was a blondie as a kid also but now he’s brunette.
Shalom,
Lisa
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I had a blondie, too. But his was light brown by the time he was 2.
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That would be me. “No. I want to play baseball.” It worked out well for him though.
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Dear Nobbin,
Apparently young Micky took show business in stride. 😉 So many child actors grew into screwed up adults. But a few like Micky Dolenz and Ron Howard had parents who treated them as children and kept them grounded.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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One of the US TV staples I remember from growing up. The A Team, Airwolf, Knight Rider, Happy Days and The Monkees 🙂
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Dear Ali,
I find it interesting to learn what shows made it across the pond. Here we can thank you for Monty Python and Benny Hill…oh and can’t forget Dr. Who. 😉 to name a few.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Opportunities seem to land at people’s feet. It would be nice to leave behind a tv show, movies or songs from when we were young. In a way, these people are immortal.
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Dear Tanille,
It’s true. No matter how the Monkees came about they are forever etched into our memories, aren’t they?
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Absolutely, it’s great the younger generations have access to old pop songs.
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His face didn’t change a bit!
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True story, Liz. 😀
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Thanks for the ‘musical’ education series, Rochelle.
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You’re most welcome, Neel. Glad you enjoyed.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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i like the idea of following the fish. what a wonderful advice. 🙂
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Thank you, Plaridel. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What a cool bit of history! Nice!
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Thank you, Na’ama. This has been a fun series to write at a time when I really needed fun. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Fun is a good thing. We need some every day for mental stability (or whatever level of mental stability we manage to maintain, eh? 😉 )
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Oh gosh, now the Monkees’ song is running through my head nonstop! lol I had never heard of the Circus Boy before so that was a nice discovery. Enjoyed this trip down memory lane, thank you!
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Dear Kristen,
Glad you enjoyed the trip down Memory Lane. I had a blast writing the series. Incidentally, I never heard of Circus Boy until I started digging. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Such a little cutie!
Ahhh I’ll have to get out my old Monkees dvds. You’re making me nostalgic for light colourful music and singing!
Hey hey…
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Dear Laurie,
Your comments make me smile. We can use some light and colourful, can’t we? Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Hey Rochelle,
You’re just a Monkees mashup. Great stuff. Thanks.
Peace,
Bill
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