TUESDAY
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Rod &
Kubby. Photo by Bob Gentry, ©2002 by Stanyan Entertainment Group.
A Thought for Today
In choosing a path in life always select
the most challenging. The easy road is crowded and boring in the
bargain.
.ASK
ROD
Like everyone else I feel entitled to get pissed off now and again. I
received a rambling letter full of thoughtful words from Rita telling me
she was attending the autograph session in January. So far so good but, as
is her want, she negated what went before with the last three lines of her
e-mail. Below are those three lines plus my ever so gentlemanly response.
EDUCATING RITA
(It's hard for me to imagine you selling an
autograph since you have given so many away so very freely. But you know
you'll have at least one devoted fan their. (there) Rita Bartlow)
Devoted perhaps, Rita, but enough is never plenty for you.
Always, but always, you seem capable of turning lemonade back into lemons.
I know you have plans to attend this event but do me a favor and skip it.
Paying your ten bucks does not entitle you to read me out BEFORE the
appearance. Even the reviewer who enters the theater prepared for the
worst waits for confirmation before sitting down to write his report.
For the record, no way am I "selling autographs". Books & CD's will be
available but I've signed many a ticket and the backs of hundreds of
envelopes in my lifetime and I have no plans to start charging for my
signature any time soon. Guess you don't know me as well as you think you
do, but be honest you really do know better than that. Stop
self-propagating yourself as a bitch by acting bitchy. :)
Don't tell me it hasn't occurred to your far-right brain that I'm doing
this autograph session as a payback for not being able to meet fans after
the concert at Citrus College?
I assume you can read. Go back and read the announcement of the autograph
session. People who come to this event pay $10.00 to meet with perhaps as
many as three dozen or so people in the entertainment world. I'm but one
of them. I am not the promoter of this session and receive no payment for
participating. Any monies earned from the sale of my CD's or books goes to
charity. Where does it say I'm charging money for autographs? Too bad the
wild leaps you take don't even occasionally include a leap of faith.
You may think it's my idea of a good time to spend all day Saturday and
Sunday smiling and signing autographs, particularly in the middle of the
foreign films screenings when (as a member of the committee) I'm required
to see two films a night for eight weeks in order to nominate four for The
Motion Picture Academy's final list of nominees for the 2003 Academy
Awards. These screenings don't stop to accommodate whatever else is going
on in my life.
On the other hand if you know a performer more committed to his fans
(friends) than this one please advise me of such a worthy and I'll be glad
to sit at his or her feet and take lessons. Thank God that as a
self-proclaimed 'devoted fan' you are one of a kind. Obviously I've been a
little slow coming to the realization that one Rita Bartlow is more than I
can handle. Get thee to a Barry Manilow. Devotedly, Rod
SANDY FROM ENGLAND
Hi there Rod, I have been a fan of yours for such a
long time now. I can remember watching you on BBC TV when you sat on a
stool and had your lovely Old English Sheep dog with you.
I married early in life with tragic consequences but nevertheless had two
wonderful children from that marriage. Sadly four years ago my son Steve
died aged 34 in a tragic car accident and the lyrics of your songs have
been a form of counseling for me.
My parents divorced when I was eight years old (1953) and my father moved
to California, I did not meet him again until I remarried in 1984, this
time in Las Vegas (wonderful). Whilst in the States he asked me if there
was anything he could get for me to take back to England, I had
considerable problems
buying any of your records here, I asked him had he heard of you and to
both of our amazement's he was a great fan of yours (about the only thing
we had in common) so he recorded your LP's and sent them to me on tapes.
Since then I have failed miserably to attain any of your recordings and
naturally now I would like them on CD's and also perhaps a video or DVD.
It would mean so much to me now at my 'latter' years of life to be able to
see and hear you again, please can you help me, I have even thought of
trying to get to LA next year for your concert but not possible. Look
forward to hearing from you
Take care God Bless, Sandy Clark
Dear Sandy, Another friend of mine recently lost his son to a tragic
accident. None of us are supposed to outlive our children and that’s why
it seems so mean and out of the ordinary for death to take people with so
much of life ahead of them. There has to be some divine reason for this
but I've yet to be able to figure it out. Even though it's been four years
since you lost Steve I'm sure your grief is still great and you have my
warm thoughts and condolences.
I'm glad your life has been touched by more than just pain. What a reunion
that must have been with your father after such a long time apart. When I
was a boy I lived in Las Vegas for several years. I was located in North
Las Vegas, which is quite a way from 'the strip' & at that time there were
only three casinos on the great neon highway, Wilbur Clark's Desert Inn,
The Last Frontier & El Rancho Vegas. None of these fabled gaming palaces
exist today.
By the time you receive this I'm sure Ken will have posted a link from A
Safe Place to Land to the brand new
Stanyan By Mail website that Dwight Michaels has constructed. Much of
it still has the 'Men At Work' sign up but I'm sure you'll find a few CD's
and books of interest so I hope you'll check it out.
Thanks for writing and for your kind words. Sincerely, Rod
PHOTOGRAPHER BOB
Hi, Rod, I wanted to tell you that Bob & I so
enjoyed seeing you at Citrus College a couple of weeks ago. You were
incredible. Saw you last in Detroit in the early 70's. I promise I won't
wait another 30 years to see you again :) we are hoping somehow to get to
your birthday concert next year even though it is a trek from California
to NY as you well know.
I wanted to ask if the pictures in ASPTL that are labeled "Photo by Bob
Gentry" are taken by the same Bob Gentry you did the 4 songs with? If so,
he is multitalented. Bob and i are still hoping to get you to one of the
train steam ups at some point; will keep sending you dates & times. Your
schedule is so full now (and rightfully so; your show was tremendous), but
perhaps we will catch you on a clear day. love & hugzzz, Jackie Ward & Bob
Starr
Dear Jackie and Bob: Glad you could make it to Covina. Sorry I had to
leave for the second act of "Something Wonderful" in such a rush without
having the chance to stay behind and shake hands. I made it just in time.
Bob Gentry the photographer and Bob Gentry the songwriter / entertainer
are indeed one and the same but his talents don't stop there. To keep the
wolf from the door he also designs websites. With a little input from
Dwight he developed the new Stanyan By Mail Website. Thanks again, hope to
see both of you soon. As ever, Rod
JOSH GROBIN
Rod: I listened to Josh Grobin last evening on Ch
10, PBS, and found it to be an extra ordinary concert. This guy reminds me
of you in 1960, except he doesn't write his own lyrics. Yes, his voice is
ultimate quality, he is so clear with pronouncing everything. He could
have made you a fortune with your lyrics, however he is 30 years younger
than you and me. If he just had your writing talent, food for thought,
maybe.
Well, I cared enough to write you, as I was reminded of you. I know you
won't reply, and that is okay, I'm 58 and I don't care one way or the
other anymore either, but something's are still important, like you
getting me through college, still sane, and loving your music still today.
But, just but, it would be good to know if you noticed him too. I feel he
is worth the effort you might take.
Best regards, STAN RIFFLE, (A Santa Barbara architect, and your fan
forever, thank you)
Dear Stan: I've been a fan of Josh Grobin from the first time I heard his
album last year. In fact even a few months before the album was released I
had the pleasure of hearing him sing at a charity event and was knocked
out by his talent. With a vocal instrument like his this young man doesn't
need to write his own material.
There are a wealth of Standards created by Porter, Kern, Rodgers, Mancini,
Mercer and dozen of other tunesmiths that I can't wait to hear him sing.
And of course, Stan, the best news about his success is that even in this
age of Star Search clones, artists with real talent such as Grobin and
Diana Krall can still make it on the charts.
Thanks for your kinds words about my work and by the way Santa Barbara has
to be one of the more inspiring places in this world for an architect to
live and work. With affection, Rod
PS: I tracked down Josh Grobin’s web address. Here it is:
www.joshgrobin.com
CITRUS
COLLEGE
Hi, Mr. McKuen...I just got back from your show at
Citrus College in Covina and just wanted to let you know that I thought
you were fantastic! I hope to see some of your other shows at a future
time, but I just wanted to let you know how wonderful I thought your show
was. Take care, a fan, John Morgan
Dear John: Thanks for taking the time to write me regarding the Citrus
College concert. I had a great time on that Sunday afternoon and just as
much fun the following Saturday night when I performed at DuPage in
Illinois.
As much as I enjoy making records and even singing in the shower there's
something very special about the eye to eye, heart to heart contact that
exists between a performer and his audience. Thanks for being part of that
audience, John. Warmly, Rod
BRING ON THE WOLFBAIN
Dear Mr. McKuen: A couple of years ago (as I reckon
time) you drove from Denver to Colorado Springs on a back road and were a
little late for a reading. We all forgave you. The reading was a delight.
A few moments later in my life I related the experience to a lovely lady
who then went out and bought me one of your books.
Her motivation was a line in one of your poems that went something like:
'There are bigger wolves out there, and someday you will meet one.' What
is the name of that poem and which collection of yours must I buy to find
it?
I'm glad you found your way that night on the Gold Camp Road. It was a
pleasure to hear you. Cordially, Roger J. de Longpré
Dear Roger: You have a great memory. Trust me the reading in Colorado
Springs was more than a couple of years ago: Try 20 or so. I remember the
night well and my thanks for being a member of that forgiving audience.
Your question really stumped me since the line is obviously a paraphrase.
So, what do I do when I can’t remember something I’ve written? I call on
Jay Hagan. Here’s his reply to your query:
Good Morning Rod, Not sure on this one but lets try
this one from We Touch the Sky. Waterfalls, Jay
In Summing Up
It’s a long way back
to San Francisco
and the starting point
where I learned
to make up truths
and make them so
for those who shared
my pillow and my life.
I know that I’m accountable
and that the bill
is adding up
mounting like a hill
of shifting grain.
One day I’ll come
face to face
with bigger animals than me
and I'll be carried off
the way the cats
were taken by coyotes
from the backyard hill
one summer.
Till then
even if it’s only my own words
that keep me company
I am not alone.
The animals are coming
and I wait.
-from "We Touch the Sky", 1979
I’m not sure if this is what you are after Roger and if someone else out
there knows of something I’ve written that comes closer to the phrase you
mentioned I’m sure they will write and let me know. I’ll pass it along.
All my best, Rod
THE STORM
I'm looking for the words to one of your songs that
I think was on "The Sea." Something about “I'd like to sit in your throat
and come up on every word that you speak. I'd like to sit behind your eyes
and see you the way you see me.” Ripple Mom
Dear Ripple Mom: Again I consulted Jay and we both got a kick out of your
version of The Storm. Here is our exchange:
‘Dear Jay, Sounds uncomfortable. For the sitter and the sitee.
Luv, R
Rod, The poem / song that Ripple is looking for is
from The Sea album.’
So there you have it, Ripple Mom. All my best, Rod.
Thanks to Jay for his help. Don’t forget to come back tomorrow for
Webmaster Ken’s This One Does it For Me. Sleep warm, Rod.
12/3/02 1:35AM PST
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posted November 25.
ROD McKUEN
CONCERTS & APPEARANCES
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