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Michael's familiar blonde Gretsch guitar (below, left) has been at his side since returning to the concert stage with The Monkees in 2012. It's not, however, the original blonde Gretsch that Michael owned in the 1960s, but a reproduction. His current blonde Gretsch guitar is a twelve string Country Classic I. It was custom made for him by Gretsch when he did a concert for them in the 1990s at the NAMM Show, a music products industry trade event. This was also the guitar used during recording sessions for the 1996 Monkees album, Justus. The Gretsch sunburst guitar (below, right), reminiscent of the Gretsch Viking guitar Michael played in the 1960s, was given to Nez by Andrew Sandoval in 2013. Michael played both guitars during the 2018 and 2019 "Mike & Micky Show" tour. (And that's pedal steel extraordinaire Pete Finney in the background of the photo below!)  (Photo courtesy of The Monkees Tour Facebook page)
If you are wondering what happened to Michael's original blonde Gretsch, it was stolen in the 1970s (along with Michael's white Gibson guitar, most famously seen during the "Circle Sky" live sequence in Head). Nez spoke about his affection for these instruments on Facebook in 2010, as well as his desire to have them returned. "I know they are out there still and I miss them and would like to have them back after all these years. Whoever has ended up with them, please return them, no questions asked. They were and are an important part of my life."
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Monkees archivist and producer Andrew Sandoval remembered his friend Gary on Facebook:
The Monkees' 1969 television special 33 1/3 Revolutions Per Monkee aired 50 years ago on April 14, 1969. Monkees archivist and producer Andrew Sandoval documented the making of the special in his book, The Monkees: The Day-by-Day Story of the '60s TV Pop Sensation:   (Click images above and below to enlarge)  Thanks a lot to SirQ for alerting the Live Almanac to his personal restoration of 33 1/3:
Last night, "The Mike & Micky Show" stopped at The Paramount in Huntington, New York. Thanks to Monkees archivist and tour producer Andrew Sandoval for sharing the evening's set list!
Micky Dolenz also happened to be celebrating a birthday yesterday. Prior to the performance of "Randy Scouse Git," Andrew presented Micky with a cake and a special birthday gift. He shared a photo of the gift and the story behind it on his Facebook page:
(Photo by Paul Undersinger and courtesy of Micky Dolenz on Twitter)
(Photo courtesy of Christine on Twitter)
Micky with Christian Nesmith (Photo courtesy of The Monkees Tour Facebook page)
Monkees archivist Andrew Sandoval is the author of The Monkees: The Day-by-Day Story of the '60s TV Pop Sensation and has produced The Monkees' concert tours since 2011. Andrew honored Peter Tork today on Facebook:
Ken Mills is joined by Monkees Tour Manager Andrew Sandoval to talk about the busy touring schedule in 2019, including Mike Nesmith and Pete Finney dates in January, the Mike and Micky Show US dates in March, and Aussie and New Zealand dates in June. Plus, Bronwyn Knox-Lawler talks episode 3 of the Monkees: Monkee vs. Machine…& More!  Today, Andrew Sandoval announced on Facebook that Michael Nesmith will perform the songs from his 1972 album And The Hits Just Keep On Comin' with pedal steel guitarist Pete Finney for a series of shows on the West Coast throughout January 2019. Here is the text of Andrew's announcement: "I am pleased to announce that in a few weeks, Michael Nesmith will return to the concert stage to perform his classic 1972 album, And The Hits Just Keep On Comin’ for a series of West Coast shows. Accompanied by just his trusty pedal steel guitarist, Pete Finney, these performances will mark the first time Nez has toured in a duo format since 1975. Tickets will go on sale Wednesday, November 21, 2018. VIP Meet & Greet packages will also be available in limited numbers. "Although his recent performances have focused on his legendary 1970s albums recorded for RCA, this is the first time he will perform any of his albums in its entirety. And The Hits Just Keep On Comin’ is significant in Nesmith’s catalog, because it returned him to his roots as a singer-songwriter where his career began before The Monkees. Featuring just the accompaniment of Red Rhodes on pedal steel, his music and message achieved real purity on the album’s ten original songs. "Hits served as the truest songbook that Michael would ever issue on record and it remains among his most satisfying albums. In addition to the album’s ten songs, you can expect to hear many of Nesmith’s other key tracks of the era, such as “Joanne,” “Silver Moon,” “Some Of Shelley’s Blues” and “Propinquity.” If I don't see you in January for these shows, I hope to catch up with you for the Mike & Micky Show, which is hitting the Northeast & Midwest in March!" A complete list of venues and cities appears below, and tickets go on sale this Wednesday, November 21: January 17: Neptune Theatre / Seattle, Washington January 19: The Rogue Theater / Grants Pass, Oregon January 20: Sofia Center For The Arts / Sacramento, California January 22: Troubadour / West Hollywood, California January 24: The Coach House / San Juan Capistrano, California January 26: Sweetwater Music Hall / Mill Valley, California   Micky Dolenz, Michael Nesmith, and Andrew Sandoval (Photo by Chris Willman and courtesy of Variety.com) Video: Micky Dolenz & Michael Nesmith celebrate the 50th anniversary of "Head" in Hollywood11/2/2018 Last night's 50th anniversary celebration of Head at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood featured special guests Micky Dolenz and Michael Nesmith. Monkees archivist and producer Andrew Sandoval hosted a Q&A session with Micky and Michael after the sold-out screening which can be seen in this video, courtesy of Ed Heffelfinger: Variety reported on the golden anniversary celebration of Head and the joint Dolenz/Nesmith appearance. And here's a great photo from the night's festivities of Nez and Micky with Davy's daughter, Annabel, courtesy of the Davy Jones Equine Memorial Fund page on Facebook: 
Micky Dolenz and Michael Nesmith will celebrate the 50th anniversary of The Monkees' feature film Head with a special screening in Hollywood on November 1 at the Egyptian Theatre. Monkees archivist Andrew Sandoval will host a Q & A session with Micky and Michael after the screening.
More details are available below, courtesy of The Monkees' official Facebook page.
"We are pleased to announce that The Monkees in association with RHINO will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the motion picture, HEAD, with a special screening at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood on Thursday 11/1/18 - 7:30pm.
"Michael Nesmith & Micky Dolenz will appear in person to answer questions following the screening, which will be from an original 35mm print. Andrew Sandoval will conduct the Q&A and you are welcome to contribute your questions in advance online. That way everyone can join in! "There will also be merchandise available inside the theatre - which is directly opposite the original venue that HEAD premiered in November 1968. You may also visit The Monkees star, which is on the walk of fame opposite the theatre. Please join us for this incredible event!" Tickets are now available Michael & Micky will also be holding a special meet & greet 
(Image courtesy of the official Monkees Facebook page)
UPDATE 10/25/2018: According to Andrew Sandoval, the 50th anniversary screening of Head is now sold out:
The last four dates of “The Monkees Present: The Mike & Micky Show” tour have been officially postponed.
This afternoon at the Keswick Theatre in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, site of what was to be this evening's sold-out performance by Michael Nesmith and Micky Dolenz, tour manager Andrew Sandoval addressed approximately 40 pre-show VIP attendees a little after 5pm and announced Michael was ill and that he was returning to Monterey, California to see his personal physician. The remaining shows in Philadelphia, New York, New York, Huntington, New York, and Red Bank, New Jersey, according to Andrew, will be rescheduled for January 2019. I am leaving Philadelphia at the moment. More information later. The Monkees Live Almanac would like to extend well wishes to Nez for a speedy recovery!
UPDATE 6/21/2018 @ 7PM: Andrew Sandoval shared the following message on Facebook about the postponement of the remaining shows on the tour:
I was in the lobby at the Keswick Theatre this afternoon when Andrew addressed the fans gathered for the VIP soundcheck experience. Andrew handled what was obviously a very challenging situation with grace and poise. And the fans, while disappointed, were grateful to Andrew for coming to speak with everyone and vocally expressed their concern for Nez. A special thanks goes to the accommodating staff at the Keswick Theatre.
UPDATE #2 @ 8:30PM: Thank you to John Hughes of Rhino Records for submitting the following statement to The Monkees Live Almanac:
"Michael Nesmith had a minor health issue today in advance of his tour date in Philadelphia tonight. He visited a local medical facility and, although the issue was not serious, was advised to rest for the next week, so unfortunately the remaining four dates on The Monkees Present: The Mike & Micky Show tour have been postponed until a later date. Nesmith has been dismissed from the hospital and is traveling back to his home in Carmel Valley. He is in good spirits and thanks all the fans for their support and understanding. He looks forward to getting back on the stage again soon."
UPDATE #3 @ 9PM: Andrew Sandoval posted on Facebook for the second time this evening to dispute an article published by TMZ about Michael's condition:
TMZ later updated its original piece to clarify errors in their reporting.
UPDATE #4 @ 9:15PM: Various statements about the postponement of the final four shows have been shared on social media from Videoranch, the official Monkees Facebook page, and Peter Tork:
UPDATE #5 @ 9:40PM: Kyler Schwartz posted a photo on Facebook from inside the Keswick Theatre in Philadelphia after tonight's cancelation. VIP attendees were ultimately permitted to enter the theatre to use the restroom if needed. Band members John Billings and Rich Dart were mingling with fans inside. By the time I went to take a picture of the stage, the backdrop had already been removed and the stage was beginning to be cleared by the crew.
UPDATE #6 @ 10PM: The mainstream press are reporting about Michael's health issue and the postponement of the remaining dates on the tour:
UPDATE #7 on 6/25/2018:
UPDATE #8 on 6/26/2018: Micky Dolenz, in an interview with Billboard, speaks about Michael Nesmith, the postponement of the final four "Mike & Micky Show" dates, the potential for a live album from the tour, and more:
UPDATE #9 on 6/29/2018: Michael's daughter, Jessica, posted the following message on her Facebook page:
UPDATE #10 on 7/3/2018:
UPDATE #11 on 7/12/2018: Michael's oldest son, Christian, posted the latest information about Nez on Facebook while also confirming that the previously announced First National Band fall tour will still take place:
UPDATE #12 on 7/25/2018:
UPDATE #13 on 7/26/2018:
From Andy Greene's Rolling Stone interview with Michael:
Nesmith says he’ll definitely make up the four postponed Mike and Micky shows early next year, including a Red Bank, New Jersey show at Count Basie Theater on March 5th. The other three rescheduled dates should be announced in the near future. No plans are in place for additional Mick and Micky shows beyond the make-up dates, but Nesmith says he’s willing to book them should the market demand it. “I’m wide open in terms of what’s going to be,” he says. “I don’t have any reason to say no to anything.”
The Monkees are spotlighted in an exhibit now on display at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame entitled "Stay Tuned: Rock on TV." Monkees archivist, author, and tour producer Andrew Sandoval visited the exhibit today in Cleveland, Ohio, where "The Mike & Micky Show" will stop tonight at Cain Park.
On this edition of THE RHINO PODCAST, host Dennis is in the booth with the one and only Micky Dolenz and Monkees reissue producer Andrew Sandoval to talk playing concerts in supermarket parking lots, Don Kirshner, JC Penney, long hair, Look Magazine, and why only 12 tracks originally made it on to MORE OF THE MONKEES. Find out what was left on the cutting room floor and how you can now hear those songs when you tune in. In this interview with Ken Mills, Andrew Sandoval discusses a wide range of topics about the upcoming Micky Dolenz and Michael Nesmith tour and confirms that a live album will indeed be officially recorded: 
Andrew Sandoval is The Monkees' archivist as well as a Grammy-nominated producer and author who will be producing "The Monkees Present: The Mike Nesmith & Micky Dolenz Show" this June. And don't forget that you can listen to Andrew's radio show Come To The Sunshine on demand!
The general on sale for tickets to "The Monkees Present: The Mike Nesmith & Micky Dolenz Show" began yesterday. In a message on Twitter, tour producer Andrew Sandoval relayed that he was pleased with the initial sales reports:
Here's the latest from Andrew Sandoval on Facebook:
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