Ron Onesti: The power of a smile
Ironically, rarely does one associate a "smile" with going to the dentist. At least not when speaking of the experience itself versus the end result.
I was sitting in my dentist's chair recently, awaiting the arrival of a man who, in my opinion, has mastered the art of sensitivity in dentistry, Dean Lodding of Smile For Life Dental. But still, I am not looking forward to the inevitable drilling my choppers are in for.
I call him the "rock 'n' roll dentist" because he has several patients in the music industry who have entrusted their magical smiles to him, including members of the band Styk. But what I love about his practice most is that he focuses on the "smile."
He always has great music playing, mellow classic rock and R&B from the '70s. While I was waiting in a relaxing horizontal position, I sang along with Chicago's "Just You 'N Me" and Al Green's "Let's Stay Together." I was in a comfort zone ready to face my (smile) maker.
Then, almost in scripted fashion, the song "Smile" came on by Nat King Cole. That song is truly one of my top three favorites. The comforting, fatherly feel Cole's rendition portrays is hot chocolate and heavy socks on a snowy day for me.
It has always been one of those songs that has just been there throughout my life.
Michael Jackson brought a resurgence of the song to a new generation in 1998, as he included it on the "HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book l" album. Eleven years later, his brother Jermaine would sing it at the King of Pop's memorial. Both a tragic and wonderful memory for me.
As I was putting together the "Charlie Chaplin Little Tramp Room" at the Club Arcada Speakeasy, I was reminded that Chaplin wrote "Smile!" He composed the number for his 1936 film "Modern Times," and it has become an international classic. There are many compilations of the song with photos from Chaplin's vast catalog of silent films out there, something I strongly suggest you check out.
I also stumbled upon a video of Judy Garland singing the song on her black-and-white television variety show in the 1960s. Just like most any other of her performances, it is an epic rendition, one that would tear-fill the eyes of anyone watching it. It sure did for me.
After more YouTube surfing, I found that the song was recorded by well over 20 major stars. Diana Ross, Barbra Streisand, Dean Martin - even Nat's daughter Natalie Cole, covered this number. Robert Downey Jr., who is not necessarily known for his vocal ability, recorded "Smile" as part of his 1992 biopic "Chaplin," where he masterfully re-created the life of the comic genius. It really hit home for the film, I thought.
The song has power, as does a smile. It is a strong weapon used in the war against sadness. I think people sometimes forget just how much power they have when it comes to cheering someone up and brightening up somebody's day - just by using a simple, yet death-defying weapon: the smile.
And few elements of our society cause more "smiles" than music. That is why I feel so fortunate to do what I do. I literally see people enter our theater after a long, hard day at work, fighting traffic, then waiting in line for a beer. They finally get to their seat, and with a sigh of relief, take that first sip. The lights go down, I do my thing to introduce the band, then color fills their faces. The hands rise into the air, and the smiles make everything better.
After a great show and off-key attempts at vocal accompaniment by the joyful audience members, they return to their daily lives reinvigorated, ready to face their challenges with a bit more energy than they had when they got to the show.
Music is the magic wand that transforms sadness into happiness, and the "smile" is the product of that magic. Don't be shy to use the power you have, the power to turn a frown into a smile. All you need to do is smile yourself just a little bit more. Add some music, and the day is brighter for everybody!
• Ron Onesti is president and CEO of The Onesti Entertainment Corp. and The Historic Arcada Theatre in St. Charles. Celebrity questions and comments? Email ron@oshows.com.