17th & 18th October, 2005
Rod in Concert
Holland, December 2005!
San Sebastian Strings
albums now available on CD! Order
now!
|
|
Photo by Edward McKuen 9/24/2005
A Thought for Today
Working out is a great idea but working
on the inside first develops stronger muscles.
TO BEGIN WITH
While preparing the program for my portion of the December concerts in
Holland and mastering double compact Discs for Zone Records in London
and BR in The Netherlands I didn’t want to neglect passing along the
latest info on next months Actor’s Equity Benefit.
HOORAY FOR LOVE celebrates the great
music of the Broadway and Hollywood composer Harold Arlen and takes
place at The Luckman Fine arts Complex on Saturday, November 12th. So
far the cast includes Ian Abercrombie, Paul Ainsley, Susan Anton, Sam
Arlen, Loretta Devine, Kevin Early, David Engel, John Glover, Ilene
Graff, Sam Harris, Mimi Hines, Jane A. Johnston, Melissa Manchester,
Sharon McNight, Barbara Morrison, Kevin Odekirk, Tonya Pinkins, Henry
Polic II, Billy Porter, Alice Ripley, Sally Struthers, Lillias White,
Wesla Warfield and yours truly. As usual David Gallagan will stage and
direct the production and this year’s musical director is John McDaniel.
The prolific Arlen’s compositions include Over the Rainbow, That Old
Black Magic, Stormy Weather, Come Rain or Come Shine. The Man That Got
Away, I Got a Right to Sing the Blues, I’ve Got the World on a String,
Get Happy, Paper Moon, Anyplace I Hang My Head is Home, If I Only Had a
Brain and One for My Baby and One More for the Road.
For more information you can check out the concert & performance section
of this website or go directly to
http://www.luckmanfineartscomplex.org/
And now to some questions and answers.
.ASK
ROD
SLAM, BAM! POETRY JAM
Mr. McKuen, between you, my creative writing
teacher and a cute cheerleader in the 70s I met my calling as a poet.
Your words inspired, the teacher guided, the cheerleader dug poets. And
so I became one.
Now I have a question, as I'm being approached by more Sr. poets in ‘the
Scene’, what is your personal opinion of poetry slams? And the type of
poets/people who put them on?
Sincerely n' Thanks The Blue Coll'r off the Cuff Poet "Just Ned"
Dear Ned, I have to confess that the closest I’ve ever come to a Poetry
Slam is watching Def Poetry Jam on TV! As such I have no personal
experience with the phenomenon. I do sincerely believe that anything
that gets more people to write and read poetry is worthwhile.
Since I continue to be motivated by love and human kindness in my own
work I do find the anger that drives many contemporary poets a bit
off-putting. Anger and frustration are part of the world’s condition and
our poetry should reflect all aspects of life, but balance in life is
everything. Dwell only on hate and you become your poem just as
concentrating on just the brighter aspects around us renders one a
useless Pollyanna.
Always try to be part of the solution not the guy who adds to the
problem. No subject, as long as it is dealt with honestly and written
well should be off limits as subject matter for a poem. I probably stay
away from Poetry Slams because I prefer quiet to noise. That may come
more from being a musician who feels a need to protect his ears than a
poet who thinks shouting is the only way to be heard above the crowd. It
isn’t and if nothing else I have proven that.
In short Ned, write as much as you can, read your poems aloud as often
as you are asked and above all don’t give up. Good luck and my best
always, Rod
PS: And yes, poetry is a good way to meet girls . . . and boys.
ON BIRTHDAYS: NORTH & SOUTH
Isn't life strange that we will celebrate the
talents of June Allyson and Andy Devine and Vaughn Monroe and the
musical genius of Charles Duitoit and Yo Yo Ma as well as the Great
Humanity of Archbishop Tutu on the same day that we must acknowledge the
mistake known as Oliver North. . Love, Rocky
Dear Rocky, You're right, I probably should retire Oliver North as we
did O.J. Simpson . . . still that section of Flight Plan is titled
"Notable Birthdays." To be notable or notorious doesn't necessarily mean
to be great or good, only known or recognized.
North is a jerk, but he is our jerk, meaning we as a country produced &
gave him notoriety. With the help of Fox News he seems to be stretching
his fifteen minutes of fame to infinity. Alas if we only acknowledge the
"good guys" and "the peacemakers" we fail to remind people that "black
hats" existed & exist as well. We forget Hitler, Stalin & Joe McCarthy
at our peril. Worse, contemporary villains go on being alive and
thriving in high places.
Happy Birthday (fill in the name). As Ever, Rod
DVD’S
Hi Rod, Do you have anything out on DVD. Have fond
memories of all your concerts in Melbourne the time you took to sign
your Books & LP's for me. We used the words from Bend down and Touch me
in our wedding vows.
Warm regards, Rob Richardson Melbourne, Australia
Dear Rob, No DVD’s yet but we're working on them. Look for both a
documentary & performance DVD in the coming year. Thanks for asking.
With affection, Rod.
THE GOOD TIMES
Dear Rod, from which poem did the line, "...you
have to make the good times for yourself..." come from? Where can I get
a copy of that poem, or book that it is printed in? I have lived my life
by the truth of that one line.
Thanks so much for your poetry that feeds the soul! Peace, Cindy.
Dear Cindy, The line comes from “Eight” published in Listen to the Warm.
It is more popularly known as “Pushing the Clouds Away” after being
featured on The San Sebastian Strings album “The Sea.” Both the book
Listen to the Warm and the CD The Sea can be ordered from
Stanyan House.
You can also Google the poem by going to the search link at the foot of
this page and punching in “Pushing the Clouds Away.” Best Regards, Rod
BY ANY OTHER NAME
Rod, What do your friends call you, In other words
do you have any nicknames? Phil Adelmo
Dear Phil, Long ago when I worked as a cow-puncher, grave/ditch digger,
etc. the guys I worked with called me “Mac.” During my on and off
schooling most of my class-mates referred to me as “Get the hell out of
here you little wimp.” Most of my life it’s been Rod because I worked so
hard at getting rid of Rodney (what was my mother thinking?)
Lately my new friends at The Stanyan Store have started referring to me
as “The RodFather. It probably fits. Cheers, Rod
OZ AGAIN
Hi, My mother is a great fan of yours and I was
wondering whether you have any future plans of visiting/touring
Australia. I know Mum would love to attend one of your concerts again!
Cheers, Tara
Dear Tara, I wish! The Lucky Country is one of my favorite places to
play (on stage and off) but alas no Aussie promoter has extended an
invitation for me to tour there. Frankly I fear I've outlived all my old
contacts & the younger bunch probably haven't a clue to who I am or what
I do.
Still hope springs eternal & maybe one of this days . . . Keep a good
thought & give your mum my love. Regards, Rod
A GENUINE . . .
Hi, was just wondering, is that a Maine Coon cat
in the picture? It looks so much like the one we had named Bobcat. We
lost him to kidney failure and still miss him. Animals add so much to
our lives but when we lose them it hurts so much.
The lady I bought this mobile home from had two dogs and I fell in love
with one of them and two weeks ago she gave her to me and it is a great
pairing since she loves me too. Her name is Little and she is a black
lab and cocker mix. I want one of those Golden Boogles. Have you seen
them? They are a mix of a golden retriever and a cocker. They are
adorable but I probably won't spend the money for one when the animal
shelter is so full of dogs that need homes, we'll see. Love Dolores
Dear Dolores, Maine Coon’s are beautiful and have great dispositions.
KubbyKat Too is a real thoroughbred, a genuine American Shorthair (in
other words an alley cat.) He was a kitten found abandoned in a dumpster
by a friend of mine. After he was weaned he adopted me and now he pretty
much runs the house even though he shares it with Rocky, Dinah, Sunny,
Edward & myself.
Congratulations on your new pup Little and I agree the best source for
the best pets is always our local animal shelters. As ever, Rod
WEEDS
Rod, I was just watching "Weeds" on Showtime and
they mentioned you. One of the streets in their town is "Rod McKuen
Lane." Amazing show, by the way. BLM.
Dear BLM, The mind buggers. I love being in the public domain. I’ve seen
a couple of episodes of “Weeds” and it’s a genuine kick. Good writing
and acting. As ever, Rod
(Weeds is on Showtime at 10:30 PM Sunday nights,)
MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS
Hello! My mother is a great fan of your work, and
about 25 years ago, my family went to one of your book signings at a
Famous Barr store in St. Louis. (Remember me? Haha!). My mother was so
thrilled to meet you, and truthfully so was I, even at age 7.
I remember you being so nice to her and friendly to me. In fact you
picked me up, very high in the air, to pose for a few photos. We have
those photos in an album. I just wanted to thank you for being so nice
to us. I hope you're doing well. Dani McDowell
Dear Dani, Thanks for the remembrance. What can I say, I love mums and
kids (as long as both are well behaved.) I’m well thanks and reasonably
happy. Hope you and your mother are the same and I send my love and best
wishes to you both. Rod.
Click
on the Stanyan House logo to buy Rod McKuen books, CD's and lots more
Click on the heart logo to
subscribe to the Rod McKuen mailing list
Catch Rod McKuen live!
Click on the links below for details of
concerts and appearances.
ROD McKUEN
CONCERTS
ROD
McKUEN APPEARANCES
|
