Photo: Lisa Vollmer Photography
Many Rural Intelligence readers are familiar with John Davidson, the singer, actor and television host, but now they can meet him and take a front seat at his performances. As a new resident of Lenox, Mass., he takes center stage at The Gateways Inn lounge in Lenox every Thursday from 7:30-10:30 p.m. throughout the summer. I’ve been in show business for 50 years. I started my career as a singer, graduating with a degree in theater arts from Dennison University, and performed on and off Broadway in regional theaters and movies. I still go out on tours — I was in the Broadway revival of "Oklahoma!" playing Curly, and most recently I was the wizard in "Wicked." I’ve hosted variety shows, my own daytime talk show and "The Hollywood Squares," and I’m proud to say I hosted "The Tonight Show" for Johnny Carson more than any other singer, some 70 nights. When "Wicked" played Boston, we stayed with my daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter, and that’s when we visited the Berkshires and started looking at real estate. We chose to live in Lenox. Even though I’ve played Las Vegas and sung all over the country, I can be the most expressive and free by singing with just my guitar. I’m able to give a more candid show at The Gateways Inn than I’ve ever been able to before. I sing tunes by songwriters like Harry Chapin and John Denver, and original songs, too. I think there should be more music venues in Lenox, and I’d like to eventually open one here so I can have a place to sing on a regular basis and where other musicians can also perform. I feel comfortable with the people in the Berkshires. They’re more in line with my political sensibilities. It’s great being so close to Tanglewood and all the other cultural organizations. And we’re close enough so I can take a train to New York to audition for shows, which I’m always doing. I’m on hold for another national tour, but I can’t reveal more than that right now!
