TUESDAY
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Polaroid photo by Edward McKuen, August
2002 ©2002 by Stanyan Music Group. All rights reserved.
A Thought for Today
Friends are angels in old clothes.
.ASK
ROD
OH! OH! A POTENTIALLY BIG PROBLEM
I’m double booked! Suddenly I find I have to be in two places at once.
Fortunately I’ve figured out a way to solve the problem but it means that
for the first time in memory I won’t be available to sign autographs after
a concert. Let me explain.
For the past several years I’ve been lucky enough to be included in the
all star cast of the twice-yearly shows that David Galligan directs to
benefit AIDS related causes. In most cases the show in the fall is usually
a one-performance affair while the spring gala lasts three performances.
Unbeknownst to me at the last minute this fall’s salute to the Richard
Rodgers Centenary has booked another performance. The show scheduled for
Saturday evening November 9th has added a matinee on Sunday the 10th. (You
can see where I’m going with this.)
I have a Sunday afternoon concert at Citrus College in Glendora scheduled
for 2:PM on Sunday the 10th and the Richard Rodgers matinee begins the
same day at 3:30 PM. While both theatres are in Southern California, they
are miles apart.
Here’s the plan:
The Citrus College performance will start promptly at 2:PM and continue
for 90 minutes with no intermission. In true “Elvis has left the building”
fashion a driver will have the motor running at the stage door at exactly
3:31 PM. Assuming there are no hitches and we can work out a police escort
the drive should take a little over an hour. This will enable me to go on
stage at the Luckman theatre right around 5:PM.
I have no intention of cancelling either performance but it will take some
fancy foot and roadwork. The whole thing should be pretty exciting but
there is one downside. I will not be able to meet and greet fans and sign
autographs as I usually do in the lobby after the Citrus show. Given the
time element there can be no exceptions to this rule. I hope all of you
planning to attend the Citrus concert will understand the situation and
give me your support on this.
Next week Ken will be publishing information on the “Richard Rodgers
Centennial Gala” so that those of you who are planning to come to Citrus
will have first crack at tickets for the Saturday night show. I’m
performing two major Rodgers songs including one written with Larry Hart
and another with Oscar Hammerstein. As usual the concert will be recorded
and the list of performers being recruited daily for this event is really
impressive
CONCERT DATES
We were lucky enough to see you in Aurora...then we
moved to Winston-Salem, NC...anything coming up in our area? Back in the
time before CD's when my husband and I were dating we used your records as
mood communicators...you were a big part of our relationship...then when
we rediscovered you and went to the concert in Aurora we met a number of
really great people.
You have been responsible for much that has happened in our lives. It has
to be unbelievable to know that so many people have been touched by your
music, books and personal appearances ... so glad that you are keeping on
doing what you do. Love and All the Best, Susie B.
Dear Susanne: Thanks for writing. My fans (I prefer to think of them as
friends) are the best. Some have been with me and supported my work all of
my professional life. It turns out that others are third generation;
having been turned on to my books, recordings and concerts by their
parents and grandparents. Their youngsters have also drawn their parent’s
attention to my website. All this ought to make me feel old but being
relevant to different age groups can't help but give me a young attitude.
Every time I get a letter from someone who is just discovering my "stuff"
my smiles get broader and my commitment to work even harder so as not to
disappoint any of my friends is renewed. The one thing I've never done and
will never do is take my public for granted.
You would be very much surprised at how many inquiries I get from the
Southern and Midwestern states regarding concerts. If it were up to me,
I'd tour the whole country but alas where I appear is governed by local
theatres and organizations. So to get me to your area somebody there would
have to find a local promoter to present and publicize the concert.
Again I appreciate your writing to me and thanks for being there. Luv, Rod
ORLANDO
Rod: Do you have plans to come to Orlando? Please
say yes, I would love to see you. When I was a teen-age girl, in the early
60s, I used to fall asleep reading your poetry. I felt so close to you,
your poetry soothed me. Thanks for your consideration. Donna Fuerman
Dear Donna, So far no Orlando promoter has come up with concert plans or a
venue in your city for me to play. But, I'm certainly open to an
invitation. Thanks for asking and for your nice letter. All the best, Rod
NEW YORK CITY
Rod: Are you planning any appearances or concerts in
the New York area soon? A Safe Place To Land is a wonderful addition to my
library -- looking forward to another in the near future. Isabel
Dear Isabel: Thanks for the nice thoughts about "A Safe Place to Land." My
next appearance in New York will be at Carnegie Hall on April 30th to
celebrate the 30th Anniversary of my 40th Birthday concert. Thanks for
asking and I hope to see you there. Warmly, Rod
THE BRITISH ISLES
It is good that your concert calendar in your native
country appears to be active and full. However, for those of us in UK who
do not have the means to travel the Atlantic to hear your thoughts and
music, are we only to have the memories of an evening in years gone by
when you held spellbound an audience in the Albert Hall? Have we to
satisfy ourselves with aged, well-leafed favourite books and worn vinyl or
are you, once more, to find the energy to come to these shores? Electronic
words do not have the same appeal as the riveting atmosphere of a live
performance nor do they linger in the memory or warm cold nights. With
good wishes. Stephen
Dear Stephan: Me lack energy? That will indeed be the day. Especially when
it involves coming back to a country I love as much as Great Britain. But,
at the risk of endlessly repeating myself, so far we haven’t been able to
turn up an English promoter with enough desire – and yes, ENERGY to
present me in your back yard. It will happen, because I want it to.
Perhaps after my “Ultimate Collection” is released on your shores and goes
Gold. As you and I both know it will.
Oh, that’s right, I haven’t yet mentioned my forthcoming CD release in
England. Well, I better table that news until I’m a little further along
in programming it. Meanwhile my energy is up and I’m awaiting a serious
booking in Great Britain. Warmly, Rod.
SOUTH CAROLINA
My Dearest Rod, I come to this site almost every
day. I wrote to you one hundred years ago (!) and just figured out how to
look up the countless letters you must receive. You answered me! Are you
ever going to come to South Carolina? If ever you could find it in your
heart to make a complete strangers dream come true then please Rod make it
be this one. I am a very fortunate and blessed person so I cannot feign
sickness or poverty (severe anyway) in order to play on your sympathies to
honor this request but I would not be above lying if you tell me that
would help. I am your number one fan and I always leave your site a better
and more enlightened person.
Please, Please, Please come to SC. I always look for your concerts and
none are ever close enough to be feasible. I would spend my life’s savings
to go to a concert of yours in another area but it would be futile if my
children could not come and I truly could not afford to take us all. Pam
Dear Pam: Having read my answers to the letters above, you know the drill.
As soon as we do know about concerts, wherever they are, Ken posts the
information right here on the Flight Plan.
I really appreciate the encouragement Pam. Keep the faith. I’ll make that
southern swing one of these days. Warmly, Rod
HOUSTON
I have started to write several times, but have
stopped short because there is so much I want to say to you. You have been
a part of my life for over 30 years. I am now 51 and still enamored by
your poetry. About 2 years ago, I was lucky enough to find ASPTL. I visit
every morning. I have been able to purchase the books that I did not have
originally through Stanyan by Mail. Now, I am proud to say that I have in
my possession ALL and I mean All of your books. The ones that I have
purchased recently (8 of them) are all signed, dated and to me especially.
I can never convey to you how proud and honored I am that you would take
the time to personalize these books for me.
One of the books I purchased was Finding My Father. It was especially
moving; the last chapter (25) blew me away. You have captured in words all
that I have felt, but was unable to put down so succinctly. I understand
that you may do concerts in 2003. I hope so. The last time I saw you in
concert was in Houston in the early 70's.Will Houston be on your
tour/concert schedule?
There is so much more I want to say, like how you have enriched my life. I
am a graduate of Texas Tech University with a degree in English. I taught
at the high school level for several years and you and your poetry were
ALWAYS included. I really appreciate all you do. Take care and as you say,
stay warm. Best regards, Nancy Baumbach, Crosby Texas
Dear Nancy: What a collection. You probably have more of my first editions
than I do. Your letter helps a lot on a day when I’m having my first major
pollen attack in years and scratching all over with a heat rash as
Southern California starts a September boil.
To quote what has become a modern cliché, “Houston we have a problem.”
That problem, of course, being Texas booking agents. Still why should they
be any different from those in South Carolina, Florida or The British
Isles? Of course if more people like you keep rediscovering me on The Net
we’ll soon be ripe for an uprising that demands promoters take notice.
I don’t think there is a concert hall, theatre, university or college in
the state of Texas that I haven’t played at least once. Will I be playing
the “Lone Star State” again? You bet. So far the crystal ball hasn’t yet
revealed just when. Keep gazing Nancy and thanks for the loving letter and
words of good cheer. Luv, Rod
MOON CHILDREN & OTHER DELIGHTS
Dear Rod, This morning at work I wanted different
mood music and I tried a Stanyan CD called Exotic Embers Forgotten Moons.
WOW what a nice collection of music of many moods and tempos. Suddenly an
unfamiliar tune played and I fell in love with it. It is the 11th cut and
it is an instrumental called “Cancer: Moon Children.” I don't recall ever
hearing it before but there are parts of it that are vaguely familiar. Of
course I had to check and see what it was and of course it happens to be
your music. Have you included this on any of your other CD's? I've had
this CD for a couple of years now and am just getting around to listening
to it. What a find.
Hope your week is off to a good start. Exotic Embers has started my Monday
nicely. Rita
Dear Rita, “Cancer: Moon Children” is from my Zodiac Suite which was
recorded in the 1960’s by Dick Jacobs. It’s been out of print for many
years but will be released next year with “Something Beyond” on a single
CD.
There is a different track from “The Zodiac Suite” on many of the “Love
Handle Lounge” CD’s I produced for Delta in 1999.
Those albums were a trip to compile. Each has a ‘punny’ title such as
“Safe Sax” (romantic balled featuring saxophone solos – including one by,
I kid you not, William Jefferson Clinton – “Love Organs” (romantic music
by organists), “El Raunch OH! Grande” (sexy Latin music) and “How Big is
Your Woofer.” They are all out of print now but a few copies of each are
still available from Stanyan By Mail.
If you like “Moon Children” wait till you hear the music I composed for
the other eleven zodiac signs. Edward’s favorite is Pisces: Beneath the
Reef.
A lot of folks forget, or don’t know, that in addition to the other things
I’m involved in I’ve produced over 500 CD’s and LP’s by artists as varied
as Louis Armstrong, Rosemary Clooney and The Royal Philharmonic. Since
receiving rave reviews in among other publications The New Yorker, my
compilations of Antonio Carlos Jobim, Andre Previn and Acker Bilk are
selling better than ever at Stanyan By Mail. Both 5-disc sets of “Songs
That Won the War” are about to be taken out of the catalogue because we’re
near the sell-out point on them.
All of the recordings I produce reflect my own tastes which is why they
sell so well to my fans. Last week I finished compiling three new
Christmas CD’s for Varise Saraband (Winter Wonderland, Santa’s Greatest
Hits and Beautiful Instrumental Music for Christmas).
While I’m happy with the sales of the non-McKuen discs I’ve produced I
still hope more Stanyan customers will discover some of these neglected
goodies in our catalog. Thanks, Rita, for drawing attention to the Love
Handle Lounge series. As ever, Rod
AND STILL THEY ARRIVE
Dear Rod, I read through the FAQ page but didn't
find an answer that offered hope (that thing with feathers that perches in
the soul, etc.). Only The Sea, it says, is available in CD.
Can one hope that your album "The Earth" will one day be re-released in CD
form? In other words, has the original recording been preserved? Would the
original parties be agreeable to re-releasing the album? Are there any
legal impediments that would prevent it?
After 30-plus years, my vinyl copy of The Earth is, like its owner,
showing its age. (I suspect that this is a common plaint of many visitors
to your site.) While the prospects of getting a new me seem rather slim
this side of eternity, I wonder whether a new recording of The Earth might
be a possibility in time.
Thanks, Sid.
Dear Sid: Honest, all of us are doing what we can to cut through the red
tape that seems to be holding up the re-release of the San Sebastian
Strings material . . . if only to stop the avalanche of letters like
yours. :) (Check out the Ask Rod column of August 22nd). There is, alas,
nothing new to report since I addressed the problem 400 hours ago.
Seriously Sid, we're working on it and now your e-mail address has been
added to the growing list of SSS activists. Be afraid Sid, be very afraid!
Cheers & thanks, Rod
A SAFE PLACE TO LAND: THE BOOK
Hi Rod: Sometimes it seems we are so busy adding up
our troubles that we forget to count our blessings and believe
me your new book and CD's are my new blessings! What a masterpiece of
brilliance and your work proves that you love what you do and feel that it
matters, how could anything be more fun? Especially realizing that all our
dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them! How special is
that?
Just wanted you to know how I am enjoying your new work. I don't really
know how you manage to know the secret of success so well, I only know
that the main key to failure is to try to please everyone which doesn't
work. Congrats on a great new book and CD! See you in November 2002!
Sincerely, Maryellen
Dear Maryellen: Thanks for the kind remarks regarding the new book. Since
it’s only available by mail order and at my concerts it got off to a slow
start but despite a lack of publicity and no reviews we now sell several
hundred a month. Considering that in addition to the full text of the book
it contains two CD’s it’s quite a bargain and Dwight lowered the price by
ten bucks.
A lot of my heart went into “A Safe Place to Land” and I’m glad to hear
you find the wait of dozen years between my last collection and this one
worthwhile. Luv, Rod
###
Rod: I have ordered your book "A Safe Place to
Land". I can not wait to read the book. I have needed a safe place for a
long time. Thank you, Mr. McKuen for continuing to write and bringing us a
quiet and safe corner to rest in. Kay
Dear Kay, Thanks. Let me know what you think once “ASPTL” arrives. I hope
you enjoy it as much as Maryellen seems to and I’m glad you’re a regular
here. With affection, Rod
GLENN YARBROUGH
Hello, This is probably a rude question to ask you,
but do you know whatever became of Glenn Yarbrough? I have a few records
of him singing your poetry, which I have always enjoyed. I even pass that
music to my children who love the lilt in his voice.
I have copies of Stanyan Street and Other Sorrows - because they remind me
so much of the Bay Area. But until accidentally bumping into, and then
rummaging through your website I never realized how prolific you are and
how much of your works I have come to enjoy. Back in the 60’s I listened
to "If You Go Away" so many times, and never realized until today, the
songs I loved came from your creative spirit. Thank you for the memories
and soul searching that your works always make me do.
Back to Glenn, last I heard he was growing orchids on some Island - is he
still doing that or was that another time so long ago. Best Regards, John
Holden
Dear John: Glenn Yarbrough probably introduced more of my songs to the
world than any other performer, so there is nothing you could ask me about
him that I would consider "rude." I am happy to report that Glenn is alive
and well and still giving concerts. This coming January 12th he'll be a
ripe, young 73.
To find out more about what Glenn's up to these days try typing his name
into one of the search engines and it will lead you to his Website and
lots of other information about him. You can also go to the bottom of my
Flight Plan page and do the same after you've clicked on the 'Archives'
button – only be sure to put quotes around his name when you look for him
in our archives. You'll find more listings regarding Glenn and his work in
my files than you can handle.
And, to prove that one learns something new every day, I had no idea that
my friend of over forty years shared my passion for orchids until your
letter arrived.
"If You Go Away" is my English adaptation of Jacques Brel's "Ne Me Quitte
Pas" (Don't Leave Me.) I'm glad you like it.
All my best to you, John and thanks for the kind thoughts.
Sincerely, Rod
###
Love bless you Rod McKuen. I learned of you through
the singing of Glenn Yarbrough, who I discovered as I listened to an old
reel to reel tape my parents had made. I am thankful that those who choose
Love are and can be recognized. Please know that some hear and appreciate
Truth and Love. James D. Blair
Dear James: Thanks for the thoughtful letter. I owe more than I can ever
repay Glenn for having helped to introduce my work to so many people. What
a voice that man has! Again thanks for the compliments and for writing.
Warmly, Rod
HAPPY PEOPLE ON THEIR BIRTHDAYS
Rod: If "Happy Birthday To Me" is the same as
"People On Their Birthdays" then I believe it's on the "At Carnegie Hall"
CD. Is I right or is I wrong? (I hope I'm right-I love being right). Bob
Doell
Dear Bob: You’d be wrong if you were not right. And you isn’t – wrong.
(See I too can mangle the English language.) Thanks for pointing out where
to find “People on Their Birthday’s.” Here are the lyrics to both songs.
Luv, Rod
Happy Birthday to Me
Words & Music by Rod McKuen
Happy birthday to me I’m older, you see
And there are still some things I don’t know.
Like why does it take a birthday to make
You wonder how little you know.
I’ve played ‘Kick the Can’ and ‘Hide and Go Seek’
‘Run Sheep Run’ and the lot
‘Hearts and Flowers’ by the hours
Play ‘em and what have you got?
Happy birthday to me I’m older you see
But there are still some things I don’t know.
Like why when you give all you’ve got you can give
Do people get frightened and go.
Off and running as though in a race
Afraid to laugh or cry
Gone to wherever seldom if ever
Stopping to tell you goodbye.
Happy birthday to me.
Happy birthday to me.
I’ve read all the books that I own
But none of them say why it takes a birthday
To show you how little you’ve grown.
© 1965, 1970 by Rod McKuen & Stanyan Music Group. All Rights Reserved.
Used by Permission.
People on Their Birthdays
People on their birthdays will take a drink or two
And tell you how they won the prize in nineteen forty-two,
Some other Sunday before the swing came down
And papa smashed the car up on his way in from the town.
People on their birthdays all live in yesterdays
Before the kids grew up and went their own ambitious ways,
Wasn’t it something that long-ago July
And that’s about the time birthday people start to cry.
Happy Birthday, drink a toast to me.
I’m all of ten and goin’ on a hundred twenty-three.
People on their birthdays are fond of looking back
To half remembered yesterdays when things were not so black.
Some other summer when playin’ ball was fun
And life’s rewards were chocolate bars and nickel bubble gum.
Happy birthday, one more toast to me.
The race is nearly over
And we can come in free.
People on their birthdays should have a chocolate cake
And be prepared tomorrow for a memory bellyache.
Looks like a rainstorm beyond the cloudy sky,
Now birthdays come so often I’ve forgotten how to cry.
© 1967, 68, 69 by Rod McKuen & Stanyan Music Group. All Rights Reserved.
Used by Permission.
CAUGHT IN THE QUIET
Thank you so much for including your book in .pdf
format. I have the book and many others but have not had a chance to read
them for a long time. Now, I can pull up this one and read it every day if
I so choose. Thank you again. Connie Adams
Dear Connie: I'm glad you enjoy the download of "Caught in the Quiet" and
thanks for letting me know. I hope you've had a chance to check out some
of the songs on ASPTL available for downloading as well – and thanks to
Eric Yeager our music Guru there will soon be more. Warmly, Rod.
Whew, The last few days here in Southern California have seen a heat wave
of unprecedented magnetite. My sinuses have been acting up and . . . well
enough of my problems. Don’t forget to check out Webmaster Ken’s “This One
Does It For Me” tomorrow. Sleep warm.
RM Labor Day, 2002 2:30 PM Previously unpublished
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