David Cassidy doesn't "think" he loves performing music - it's a genuine love that's been borne out by the many styles and configurations he's traversed in his three decades as a performer. He's portrayed a teen idol on television and then in real life, then switched from recording and touring to large stage shows. Cassidy performs Dec. 28 at John Ascuaga's Nugget. 

His career was launched in 1970 as Keith Partridge, star of "The Partridge Family" TV series, co-starring with his stepmother, Shirley Jones. Among the hits the popular TV show spawned were "I Think I Love You," "Doesn't Somebody Want To Be Wanted," "I Woke Up In Love This Morning" and "I'll Meet You Halfway."

Over the next five years, his official fan club grew to become the largest in history, and his likeness appeared on everything from posters to cereal boxes. He also had several solo hits - "Cherish," "How Can I Be Sure" and "Rock Me Baby." To date, his records have sold more than 25 million copies worldwide, and he's recovered 18 gold and platinum sales awards.

Best with that sudden fame came a price, and Cassidy said he was soon tired of being just "Keith Partridge."

"I was never uncomfortable with the Partridge Family," Cassidy said to the Bradenton (Fla.) Herald last year. "I just didn't want to be a nostalgia act. I wanted to go on and have a present, have a front (ended) career. And it took me a long time to create that, to where people recognized me formy talent as opposed to this demi-god."

After the "Partridge" show ended, Cassidy continued an acting career, including his own detective series spun off from an Emmy-nominated appearance on "Police Story." He also began stage work, including the Broadway production of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" and "Time" with Sir Laurence Olivier on London's prestigious West End in "Time." In 1994, he once again broke box office records in a production of "Blood Brothers," co-starring his teen idol sibling, Shaun Cassidy.

In 1996, Cassidy opened at the MGM Grand in Las Vegaas with a $75 million original show called "EFX." It subsequently became one of the most successful productions in Las Vegas, bringing more than 1 million paid customers to see "EFX." In 1999, Cassidy was named Best All Around Performer in the Las Vegas Review-Journal's Best of Las Vegas poll. Cassidy co-created two other late '90s Vegas shows, "The Rat Pack is Back" and "At the Copa."

In 2001, Cassidycame full circleand returned to recording and touring after a 15-year hiatus. With renewed interest in his '70s work from "Partridge" reruns on cable and a "Behind the Music" special on VH1, Decca released "David Cassidy: Then and Now." It features new tunes, classic covers and newsly recorded versions of his 1970s hits. It hit No. 5 on the United Kingdom charts in three weeks, going platinum.

"I'm an optimist," Cassidy said about his many career changes. "I mean, you have to be with my career (laughs). I've never gone out and changed my style to suit the times. I have always stayed true to myself by trying to sing about the human experience."

MASON CITY - The fund-raising goal has been met and Shirley Jones was in River City Saturday to celebrate.

Six years ago, Rosemary Willson, widow of "Music Man" Meredith Willson, pledged to match, dollar-for-dollar, up to $5 million raised for construction and operation of The Music Man Square.

Moments after Jones, who starred in the film version of "The Music Man," concluded a Christmas concert performance at North Iowa Area Community College Saturday night, it was announced that the $5 million goal had been realized.

"This is a wonderful day for Mason City and for the legacy of Meredith Willson," said Carl Miller, Mason City Foundation executive director, earlier in the day, smiling as he watched Jones wandering through the Meredith Willson Museum.

Jones' initial tour of the museum came shortly after she was named honorary chairwoman of the Mason City Foundation's 2003-2005 International Capital Campaign.

Sweeping a hand toward The Music Man Square streetscape, Jones smiled, saying, "This is just breathtaking. I believed in all this when it was just a dream. And I am thrilled and honored to be a part of the music education programs planned."

Plans are to raise $800,000 through the campaign, with funds earmarked for various education programs at the square. Programs include kindermusik, instrument purchases, equipment, staffing and scholarship expenses, Miller said.

"This complex, The Music Man Square, is not just about tourism," Miller said. "This building has very significant educational components and we can continue to build on those programs for young and old in the future.

For Jones, the afternoon was "like stepping back in time" as streetscape exhibits brought back thoughts of Meredith Willson and museum exhibits sparked memories of other Hollywood personalities she worked with over the years.

At one of the interactive exhibits, she pointed to photos of George Burns, Gracie Allen, Bing Crosby, Dinah Shore and others who performed on the Burns and Allen radio program.

Jones laughed softly and smiled. "Oh this is wonderful, I knew them all. And of course, here's Meredith, right up front." 

MASON CITY, Iowa (AP) - It was anything but trouble in River City for organizers of a campaign to raise money for The Music Man Square. 

Moments after Shirley Jones, who starred in the film version of "The Music Man," finished a Christmas concert Saturday at North Iowa Area Community College, organizers announced they'd raised $5 million for the project. 

Six years ago, Rosemary Willson, widow of playwright-composer Meredith Willson, pledged to match up to $5 million raised for construction and operation of The Music Man Square. 

"This is a wonderful day for Mason City and for the legacy of Meredith Willson," said Carl Miller, Mason City Foundation executive director. 

Jones, who starred with Robert Preston in the 1962 film, is honorary chairwoman of the foundation's 2003-2005 International Capital Campaign. 

"This is just breathtaking," the 68-year-old actress said, looking at The Music Man Square streetscape. "I believed in all this when it was just a dream. And I am thrilled and honored to be a part of the music education programs planned." 

"The Music Man," with book and songs by Willson — a native of Mason City — opened on Broadway in 1957. 

The Music Man Square Web site: http://www.themusicmansquare.org/