Query data from a different database?

[lisagreenfern]

I am trying to display a list of events from Joomla, which is on a different database and server. I am new to writing VB plugins, but here is what I have so far (real information replaced with *****):

$this->dbobject->connect('**databasename***','***hostname***','3306','***user***','***password***',false);

$result = $db->query_read("SELECT title FROM jos_events");  
or die(mysql_error());  

$row = mysql_fetch_array( $result );

echo "Event Title: ".$row['title'];

It doesn't display anything when i include it in template with $upcomingevents (the name of the plugin), and I'm REALLY hoping someone can look at this and give me a clue what's wrong. I've been working on this for hours! I think what I'm trying is possible because of this post: https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?p=1314797 I just don't have the experience to know what's wrong.

Any help would be appreciated.