16 Magazine - July 1970

Bobby's Secret Son

At last it can be told - Bobby Sherman has a blond-haired, blue-eyed, six-year old bundle of joy whose name is Bobby too!

You all know that Bobby Sherman is a very talented singer, actor and all around super-star.  You even know quite a lot about Bobby's personal likes and dislikes and about his private life, after reading the many stories Bobby has confided to you right here in 16 Magazine and in 16 SPEC.  But there is one thing you don't know - something that's been a big secret till now.  Bobby Sherman has a son!

Now don't jump to any conclusions and don't get upset!  Bobby isn't hiding a wife and a baby from his faithful fans!  The truth is - Bobby Sherman is not even married!   His secret son is a beautiful little boy - who happens to be Bobby's one and only "godson"!!

Being a "godfather" is quite an honor.  And it's especially meaningful to Bobby cos he loves children and wants to one day settle down and raise a family of his own.  So having a godson is the next best thing to having a little boy of his own - and needless to say Bobby Sherman is very proud of his godson and loves him very much.   And who can blame him?  For the blond-haired, blue-eyed six-year-old bundle of dynamite has brought much happiness and warmth into the sometimes lonely life of Bobby Sherman.  Not only that - but Bobby's godson just happens to be named "Bobby" too!

UNCLE BOBBY - Little Bobby's mother is Bobby Sherman's only sister Darlene.  Darlene has four children, altogether - Debra "Debbie" Lynn (14); Michael Wayne (12); Mary-Ann Elizabeth (8); and Robert "Little Bobby" Craig (6).  That means Bobby is the baby's uncle as well as his godfather!  Of course, Bobby dearly loves all four of his nieces and nephews - each and every one of Darlene's wonderful children is extra-special to him.  It's Little Bobby, though, who in addition to being Bobby's godson - is also Bobby's "lucky mascot"!

HIS LUCKY MASCOT? - If you think it's silly for Bobby to regard Little Bobby as a mascot - listen to this:  A "mascot" is a person, animal or object that brings good luck - and that's just what Little Bobby has done for Big Bobby!

Bobby's good luck began on the very day Little Bobby was born - which, by the way, was only two days before Bobby Sherman's own birthday in 1964.  Bobby had been hoping that his godchild would share his birthday, July 22nd, but the baby had other ideas and was born on July 20th.  And as it turned out, in addition to being the birthdate of his godson - July 20, 1964, was a very lucky day for Bobby Sherman career-wise!  For on that very day, Bobby was signed as a regular for ABC-TV's Shindig!

Before Shindig, Bobby Sherman was feeling down on his luck.  He thought about giving up his dreams of being a star and settling for a different career - even though show business was and is his first love.  Well, that day and that lucky break of being signed for Shindig was a turning point (for the better) in Bobby's life.  And although it may have been just a coincidence that Little Bobby was born on that day - Bobby truly feels that his godson is his lucky mascot.  And no one can convince him otherwise!

LIKE FATHER - LIKE SON? - Bobby and Little Bobby seem to have quite a bit in common.  They have the same first name; they just missed sharing the same birthdate (even thought they are both "moon children" - born under the astrological sign of Cancer); and they look very much alike too.  Little Bobby even has beautiful, big blue eyes - just like his godfather!   To watch Little Bobby at play - well, it's like seeing Bobby Sherman growing up all over again!

Little Bobby loves to sing, dance and play-act.  Would you believe that this mischievous little boy enjoys playing with his older brother's drums, guitar and bugle?   Well, he does!  And do you know who else liked musical instruments at an early age?  Bobby Sherman - that's who!  So don't be surprised if ten years from now Little Bobby decides that he wants to pursue a show business career!  They say talent runs in a family and if that's true, all of Darlene's children must be super-talented - since Bobby Sherman is their uncle!

KEEPING IN TOUCH - Because Bobby lives in California, and Darlene and her family live in Maryland, Bobby rarely gets to see his little godson.  It bothers Bobby that he isn't able to spend time with his godson or be able to watch him growing up.  In fact, Bobby often wishes he could take time off to visit Darlene and her family, cos he loves them all so very much.  Yet, even with the distance that separates them - Bobby is able to keep in close contact with his sister's family.  That's because Bobby's mother (who lives near Bobby in California) talks to Darlene and the children on the telephone very often and keeps Bobby up-to-date on the family news and relays all the wonderful stories.  You can image how heartwarming it is for Bobby when his mom tells him how Little Bobby sings to all of Bobby's records (his godson's favorite song is La La La) or that the baby won't miss his "Uncle Bobby" on Here Come The Brides each and every week!  Little Bobby loves the show, thinks "Candy" is so pretty - and he's probably Bobby's biggest and best fan!

One day Bobby may very well have a son of his own, but you can be sure that even then his little godson (and all of Darlene's children - for that matter) will always have a very special, very loving place in Bobby's heart!