Copyright 1977, The Laufer Company
16 Magazine, September, 1977, pg. 44
(Webmaster's note: Don't be an idiot! The information in this article is over 20 years old, and cannot be considered current.)
16: You've made many friends in the short time you've been a Brady, Geri- how does that make you feel?
Geri: Great! I can't really describe it very well though - the feeling I get when people tell me how much they enjoy my performance - I guess it makes me feel needed and useful.
16: Have you gotten any negative reactions to the fact that you've taken over Eve Plumb's role as "Jan"?
Geri: No, not really, Some people have asked why Eve didn't return to The Brady Bunch, but they haven't said they don't like the way I play "Jan". As a matter of fact, lots of people thought I was Eve - in the very beginning.
16: You do resemble her in a way.
Geri: Yes, especially since I started parting my hair down the middle - I used to have bangs. They said I'd look more like "Jan" if I changed it, so I did.
16: What other programs have you done?
Geri: Well, I think most people will remember Apple's Way best. Vincent Van Patten was a regular on that one. I acted and sang on Apple's Way with my own group The Sand Dabs. It was great fun!
16: Are The Sand Dabs still in existence?
Geri: Not as a group.
16: What sort of music did you play?
Geri: A little bit of everything, but mostly country western. I really love good country music -Lynn Anderson and Tammy Wynette are just a couple of my favorites.
16: What did you do in the group? Were you the lead singer?
Geri: Yes, I sang lead and played the guitar. I've been playing since the age of seven - my mother kind of saw to that.
16: Let's talk about about your family. You've said that you were born on New Year's Eve 1959 and adopted two days later.
Geri: That's right - and I consider myself very lucky to have such a great family. I have an older brother named Jack, too. Being a "chosen" child is kind of special - you feel very wanted.
16: Sounds like you've really got a super family. Just how did your mom influence you to play the guitar?
Geri: Well, she didn't actually influence me - she suggested it. I was always a bit of a ham - I'd sing at the drop of a hat. Mom said that learning to play a guitar was more practical than learning to play the piano. Know why? Because you can't take a piano with you! That's my mom- always thinking!
16: Is she helpful in other ways too?
Geri: Yes. She sews lots of my clothes - she's a great designer. I'm so small that buying clothing can sometimes be quite a problem. Having mom help me out is really an advantage.
16: How small are you?
Geri: I'm 5'2" and weigh 97 pounds. It may not sound that small, but it is when it comes to clothing.
16: What sorts of clothes do you like best?
Geri: Well, I can't say I have a particular favorite style - slacks and shirts are what I generally wear, but I love dresses too. I'd never give up dresses completely. Maybe that's a bit old fashioned, but that's how I feel.
16: Not at all. Skirts and dresses seem to be on their way back in.
Geri: Yeah, denim is getting a bit boring I guess. Maybe we'll get back to all the other things that are kind of sweet and old fashioned too.
16: Such as?
Geri: Such as guys who open up car doors for a young lady, or get up and give her their seat on the bus, or carry her packages - things like that. I don't really care for some of the very casual, sometimes thoughtless behavior of certain young men. I'm not into Women's Lib - I expect good manners and special courtesies from the guys I know. If a guy comes to my house to pick me up for a date, and he honked the horn instead of coming to the door, why, I'd just wave good-bye from the window!
16: If he did come to the front door to get you, where would the two of you go?
Geri: I usually like to go down to the pizza parlor, or go roller skating, or play a really great game of tennis. Active things are my most favorite things to do. I enjoy disco dancing also.
16: With what sort of boy?
Geri: Outgoing. The kind of person who likes to be around people, enjoy sports and music, and has nice manners.
16: What about marriage? You're seventeen - the idea must cross your mind from time to time.
Geri: I'm not one to get married when I turn 18. If I'm 25 and still not married, it won't bother me. In this sort of work you meet a lot of people, and I want to make sure I meet the right person, because there are so many divorces. It's like almost one out of every two marriages ends in divorce. And I want to be sure I meet the right guy. He would have to have a job and be financially secure.
16: And children?
Geri: At this point in my life, I don't know. If I decide to have a family, I may very well adopt one or more children - you know, sort of do for someone else what my folks did for me. A nice house, a cute little room, and lots and lots of love.
16: Describe your room Geri.
Geri: Well, it use to be all pink and white. I grew out of that and changed the room to Colony yellow. It's got all my stuff in it, my bed (of course), my records and things. I have to keep it real neat because you can see my room from the living room of our house. I wouldn't want to embarrass my mom when company comes.
16: What do you do when you have some free time at home?
Geri: I watch TV, or listen to the Eagles or Chicago albums I have, or I play the guitar. Often I'll sit down and answer fan mail, or if it's one of those "I don't feel like doing anything but I can't sit still" kind of days, I'll go outside and ride my bike.
16: Do you ever think about your future career plans?
Geri: Sure! I want to sing - a recording contract would be ideal! You know, one with a company that would back me up all the way. I'm a pretty versatile performer, I think, but singing is my favorite thing!
16: It's no wonder. You've got a terrific and powerful voice!