ASK ROD |
|
Photograph by Bob Gentry 8/5/99
A Thought for Today
Kind words are never forgotten, they reverberate down a
lifetime.
Welcome to Monday and remember it doesn’t
have to be blue. This is the time of year when no matter what your circumstance a
‘brave front’ always wins out.
VIDEO/DVD
Hi Rod, I have been
reading your flight plan for the 2nd December and was delighted to learn of your intention
to release some videos in the future - especially on DVD!
Next to a live performance, I think that his would rate very highly on each fan's wish
list. If you can get the BBC to release some parts of the series that you made for them,
that would be just wonderful. I remember the shows very well and think that they presented
you music in the best of settings.
Thanks very much for what you have given us in the past. All the best to you Alex Butler
Dear Alex, Thanks for the encouragement on the DVD/Video project. Turns out there’s
acres of material. Some of it has already been cleaned up and digitally restored. Soon
after the holidays and The Motion Picture Academy screenings (this year I’m on two
separate selection committees) I hope to get started on editing in earnest. Will keep you
apprised of the ongoing developments.
Had hoped to have my Christmas in New England with Dusty Springfield and the Boston Boys
Choir as guests ready for this holiday season. No luck, but it will definitely be released
in the coming year. Thanks again for the support, Alex. Affectionately, Rod
GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT
Mr. McKuen, I am writing
a report on you for school. I was wondering what you think your greatest accomplishment is
because I would like to include that in my report. I would really appreciate it if you
could take the time to do this for me. Thank you. Kathleen
Dear Kathleen, I know this won't help you much and I apologize, but whatever it is I
haven't accomplished it yet. All the best, Rod
A STAND IN FOR SUNNY
Dear Rod: The picture of
you and Sunny, which now adorns my office wall, I am afraid, has affected my feline
friend, Sam(antha).
She has taken to practicing that one-eyed pose. I noticed today that she positions herself
just right between the decorator pillows on the bed. Just one eye showing. Do you think
she has a chance for the position of stand-in for Sunny? By the way, when can we see
another pose by Sunny and Rod? Much Love, Nan
Dear Nan, A stand in for Sunny? Please don’t make him any more impossible than he
already is. Being the youngest, he runs the house. Dwight keeps promising to stop by with
his camera to take new pics any day now. Dinah, Cubby Too and Rocky are in line to be the
next co-stars. Warmly, Rod
WEEKEND AT BERNIE’S
Driving home last
evening I heard your name mentioned on the radio after "Jean" on a local
station. I came straight to the computer to find out just what had happened to that
wonderful artist who had spoken so much to my soul as a young man going off to a hitch in
the Army in the early seventies and leaving my first love. Wow. This is like finding a
cherished friend walking through your door.
This morning I dug out several crates of old vinyl and sure enough, I'm being wrapped with
those warm, sensual sounds from a pristine copy of "Rod McKuen's Greatest Hits
II".
One of the first thoughts that popped to mind was sharing. I own a coffeehouse across from
the New Mexico State University (where I heard you once in '72) and I'll be dragging the
turntable down to hook it up and treat the customers. Lots of them are going to remember
and love this work again. Thanks. Bernie Digman
Dear Bernie, Thanks for being there all these years and for turning new people onto my
work. Slowly but surely we’re turning all the old LP’s into CD’s. Four of
the five Greatest Hits albums have been digitally remastered and each with six bonus
tracks.
Like you, though, I still play LP’s. I like holding an LP in my hands & looking
at the liner notes. It’s a small price to pay for a few scratches and ticks. Even
with all digital advances, LP’s still sound warmer to me. Love CD’s too, though.
Great storage
medium. . am investigating MP3 and hoping the sound will be good enough to enable me to
once and for all record all 65 books as spoken word albums. Kindest Regards, Rod
SOULMATES
I read a poem
"Soulmate(s)” I’m not sure who wrote it or where I can get a copy. It is
most important to me and my "soulmate" to find a copy. Any ideas? Thanks' Mike
Dear Mike, I've never written a poem entitled "Soulmate," nor do I ever recall
using the term in a poem or lyric. But maybe one of the readers of Flight Plan can help
out. If anyone out there knows of such a poem, drop a line & I'll pass it onto Mike.
Thanks, Rod
OPRAH OR NOT
Dear Rod, Stargirl has
us describing, on the Board, what we would get YOU for Christmas. Rita just suggested an
appearance on OPRAH--and that gets to the nature of my inquiry, which I am making in only
the most devoted, loving way: Do you really WANT people to write to Oprah, etc.? You are
"reclusive" enough/private enough, would you REALLY appear if she invited you?
I'm not so certain that DEEP DOWN you would really WANT to at this point--for whatever
those reasons might be. If this group decides to "get noisy" and start writing
letters, etc., I want to be certain that you would really be receptive to the idea.
Otherwise, if the notion got anywhere, it would put unnecessary pressure on you. Just
asking, I think you have to ask yourself what you really want to do and not let "what
your fans want" get in the way. SO, should I write that letter . . . or not? Love,
Susan, with a smile.
Dear Susan, Thanks for writing and especially about this subject. Please encourage
everyone you know NOT TO WRITE letters to Oprah or anyone else in the media regarding an
appearance by me. Here's the reason why.
Television has become the major means for selling product, whether it's soap or CD's or
the latest film or series you've made. I don't want to go on television or be interviewed
until I have something to promote. If things go as planned I'll have a new book published
before long and I'd like to save any appearances on TV or elsewhere until that time.
Whatever publishing company I end up with will have a promotional department and they
should be allowed to do the job of orchestrating a publicity campaign that alerts the
largest audience possible to "A Safe Place to Land."
If I go on TV today all I'd be able to talk about is a forthcoming book; not one that
people can walk into a bookstore and buy immediately.
You know how much I appreciate all my fans and friends efforts on my behalf and there's no
way I can begin to thank all of you enough. But, any publicity now could do nothing but
muddy the water.
What can be done though is this, please tell everyone you know about this site and when
you visit other Web-sites or chat rooms alert people to the existence of this site. If you
like it mention it whenever you can. Spread the word about Stanyan By Mail, that way
Dwight can afford to stay on and keep it going.
Because so many of you already have my books and discs and others buy used copies online,
there is only enough work for Dwight to come in a couple of days a week. For his own sake,
he can't afford to hold down a job that doesn't offer him more employment. Dwight isn't on
salary; he makes a percentage from Edward of everything he sells. No sales, no salary.
And, since it was his idea to reopen Stanyan By Mail, no Dwight - no Stanyan. Obviously
this will change as more and more people find out about ASPTL and that "the late RM'
is still very much with us. He's depending on that and that's why he continues to hang in
there.
You might talk up the fact that most of the books he offers are first editions, can be
signed by me if requested; and many are definitely in short supply. For instance copies of
"Finding My Father," "Suspension Bridge" and "Alone " are no
longer available. And Dwight has dug up plenty of things for Stanyan that no one else can
possibly offer.
As to what I want for Christmas, I've got everything I could possibly need: Good health,
friendship, a platform where I can raise ideas and most of all the long and continued
support of all of you. Every day that all of the above remains in place is Christmas at my
house. Love, Rod
DENNIS MILLER'S MILLENNIUM SPECIAL
Dear Rod: Did you know
you were mentioned in the Dennis Miller Millennium show on HBO? I saw part of it last
night -- in a 1969 segment he made reference to a group of friends getting together and
listening to a "Rod McKuen 8-track tape." Jim
Dear Jim, Well at least they weren’t listening to Cylinders or 78’s. I’ll
look out for it. Dennis Miller is one funny man. Thanks, Rod
Have a productive week and try to stay in that holiday mood, especially when so many
around you are running around with long faces. Sleep warm.
- RM 12/13/1999 Previously Unpublished |
