Eleven Days to the Promised Land

Dino Pavlou, wanting to tell his story, Dino now 80+ years, shares his story of faith, courage and love. As a boy of innocence he had no choice but to, very quickly, become a man. Being forced to fight extreme turbulent circumstances, he triumphed over everything and everyone that dared to strip him of his dignity and integrity.

Join us as Dino shares excerpts from his book ELEVEN DAYS TO THE PROMISED LAND the true account of an impoverished boy who finds success in America against all odds. Fighting his way out of a tiny town in war-torn Greece he finds his way to what he thought was the promised land meeting Frank Sinatra, George Steinbrenner and mafia members who helped him ground his footing in the odd and foreign land.

Tune in for this philosophical conversation at TalkRadio.nyc or watch the Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here.

Segment 1

Georgeann begins the show by introducing the guest for today’s show, Dino Pavlou, explaining that he is on this week’s show to explain the story of his life. Georgeann brings up Dino’s book Eleven Days to the Promised Land, which is based on the true events of his life growing up in Greece and moving to the United States. Dino discusses how he understands how the people in Afghanistan feel, and he finds similarities between his time spent in war-torn Greece and the lives of the people in Afghanistan currently. Dino explains his first impressions of the United States when he arrived when he was 17, explaining the first things he remembers are the Statue of Liberty and the New York Skyline. Georgeann and Dino discuss Dino’s village in Greece and Dino mentions that the skyscrapers in New York reminded him of the trees in Greece, as in his village there were only one and two story buildings. Dino discusses how when he traveled to the United States was the first time he had ever seen the ocean.

Segment 2

Georgeann and Dino discuss how when Dino left Greece he was given a sheepskin coat from a shepherd, and when he arrived in the United States, his Uncle joked about the coat to welcome him into the United States. Dino continues to explain how he was drafted into the US military during the Korean War, and his experience during training. Dino tells an anecdote about when he was called to see the commander, and he was nervous that they would kick him out because he didn’t speak English that well, but instead they offered him to be a part of the program that would help send money back to his family. He was incredibly thankful and accepted immediately. Dino continues to explain what he learned in the military, and how he would never have been able to learn in a university, including discipline, survival skills, and brotherhood.  Dino gives an anecdote about when he met Audie Murphy, when he was assigned to be his driver, and in the short time they spent together while Dino was in the army they became fast friends.

Segment 3

Georgeann and Dino discuss who Audie Murphy was only the beginning of all of Dino’s celebrity friends, and Dino explains how he became friends with Frank Sinatra and how they first met. Dino explains how he met Frank Sinatra when he was working at this club the Byline, which many celebrities attended.  He explains that Frank Sinatra was questioning the manager about why Mabel Mercer, a singer who was facing racism at the club, why she wasn’t being allowed to perform anymore at the club, and Dino stood up for both Sinatra and Mercer against his manager, saying the manager was in the wrong, ending up losing his job. Even though he lost his job, soon after Mercer was able to get Dino a new position in a high end club where she was performing. There Dino met Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., and Ella Fitzgerald among many others. Dino continues to explain how Frank Sinatra saved his life in the early 1980s.

Segment 4

The two discuss Dino’s time working at Jimmy Weston’s Supper Club, and his relationship with Weston. Dino continues to explain all the different types of people who were patrons of Jimmy Weston’s Supper Club, ranging from mafia members to celebrities to politicians. Dino explains how he met Weston, and how he was an ex-Detective when they first met, even though Dino isn’t too sure that Weston could arrest someone. Dino explains what he describes as the “swinging years” and his experience during those years. Dino also tells an anecdote of when former president Richard Nixon came into the club. Georgeann and Dino discuss his life currently, and how his daughters and the VA hospital are helping him out. Dino also discusses his grandson, whom he is very proud of.