Amy Armstrong

What a packed week. This girl’s dance card was full! I began my week at a screening of the side-splitting Brit farce Death at a Funeral. Then I was thrilled by the lavish productions of Jersey Boys and Wicked. I ended the week with the delightful musical, The Marvelous Wonderettes, which is playing in the NoHo District here in L.A. Today, I delivered meals for Project Chicken Soup, a nonprofit devoted to serving nutritious hot meals for those living with HIV/AIDS. Coming home, I kick off my ankle-strapped red pumps at the door and melt into my favorite blue recliner that’s generously sprinkled with pussy fur—my cats. The rest of the evening I watch the new DVD signature collection of Barbara Stanwyck, which includes such classics as Jeopardy, East Side West Side, and the luscious drama, My Reputation, costarring my favorite of faves, Eve Arden. Watching Stanwyck gets me to thinking about the divas I know. My pal Amy Armstrong instantly comes to mind.

This woman defines the word “diva”: grand, talented, divine, distinguished, a singer. On top of that, she’s witty, bawdy, voluptuous, and vulgar. Think Sophie Tucker. Amy is half the team of Amy & Freddy. Freddy’s the arranger, director, and plinks the 88’s as Amy belts out or croons tunes in her rich, sultry voice. He is the Desi to Amy’s Lucy. The Will to Amy’s Grace. They’ve been a duo for thirteen years and have opened for Phyllis Diller [A&U, November 2001], Bea Arthur [A&U, September 1998], and Jennifer Holiday. They’ve produced four CDs and their latest one is entitled, Feeling Good. Both have been active in the HIV/AIDS community and are strongly connected with Test Positive Aware Network, Howard Brown Health Center, and Vital Bridges.

Ruby Comer: [I call Amy in the Windy City] Hey, sister.
Amy Armstrong: Ruby, honey! I’m getting a pedicure right now. I feel so L.A. Tomorrow I’m off to Europe with back-to-back cruises. [Amy & Freddy have steady gigs playing aboard cruise liners.]

I’ve never asked you, have you lost anyone to AIDS?
When I was performing in Grand Rapids, Michigan, my home state, a few regular guys used to come and see me. At one of the shows I was told that one of them was sick and that he wanted to talk with me. They got him on the phone and we had a nice conversation. He died soon after. [She clears her throat.] I wish people wouldn’t forget about this disease. They think it is curable now and it’s all good—and that’s not it at all. Even though it’s not in the media every day, that doesn’t mean there’s no problem!

How do we get it back on the fire?
People in the media need to keep it visible. I can’t believe it continues to be pushed under the rug. We need more people like the spirited Tammy Faye [A&U, December 2000], who recently died. Tammy was the first [in televangelism] to bring an infected person onto the airwaves on her show, The PTL Club. She hugged and kissed him and explained to the audience that they were getting the wrong information about AIDS. [She answers the pedicurist.] Sorry, Ruby.

It’s okay, sweetie.
I have to tell you this story. Several years ago, my father dated this woman who told him that he might need to get an HIV test because she had slept with someone who was positive. So I had to educate my sixty-four year-old dad about HIV! It was very hard because I had to be direct and blunt. He initially visited several doctors and a “straight” healthcare facility to get an HIV test, but the follow-up was lacking. So I told him to find a place close to him that was an advocate for HIV and AIDS. Finally, the Rainbow House gave him the test and provided him with more information than any of the doctors he had seen before!

That’s tragic that in some communities they don’t even consider the HIV test….
You need to ask to get the test?! If I were a doctor I’d be offering the test automatically. It’s scary that the test is still so secretive! [She pulls away briefly from the phone, talking to the pedicurist.] Oh, yes, I like that color.

I know you need to go, but before we end I want to thank you for the work you do with the HIV/AIDS community. Honey, what color are you painting your tootsies?
Cobalt blue. Ain’t that delicious?! Ruby, I will do any event that will help. I am hardcore about helping out.

Get divafied at www.amyfreddy.com.

Ruby Comer is an independent journalist from the Midwest who is happy to call Hollywood
her home away from home. Reach her by e-mail at MsRubyComer@aol.com.

September 2007