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Photo by
Edward Habib McKuen. ©2006 by Stanyan Audio Video Archives
A Thought for Today
The older we get the more we realize that
what was often wasn’t.
TO BEGIN WITH
All of those TV shows that promise and after much anguish, suspense and
voting succeed in giving deserving amateur talent a chance at the big
time, are not the only game in town. The hunt for new talent has now
extended to the internet, most notably with NBC’s new Star of Tomorrow
show.
OUR OWN BOB
Seven weeks ago Star of Tomorrow started off with 100 contestants and
guess who has wound up among the seven semi-finalists? Our Own Bob
Gentry.
Many of you met Bob for the first time a couple of years ago when I
introduced him and performed with him at several of my concerts. We even
wrote some songs together. Since then his career has begun to move to
the fast track. He has his own terrific web site, a blog, downloads,
photos and even a store where you can buy among other things ‘Bob
Boxers.’ No kidding.
Here’s the deal, without wasting any more time I urge you to go to the
Stars of Tomorrow website and vote for Bob. It’s a big deal because the
winner of the competition gets a recording contract with an album
produced by the multi-Grammy winning ace David Foster.
Hurry, Hurry because the semi-finals end tonight.
Here are the directions for voting:
1. To Vote...you'll need to Log In to the site. Hopefully some of you
might already have a username from the 1st time... but if you're new to
this, here's the magical link that lets you register a name:
http://www.startomorrow.com/fanpro_account_info.php
2. Once you Register or Log in, just click on the Vote Tab at the top of
the screen...you'll see us there under "Bob Gentry" in "Week 7"
3. The most important step: The VOTE. Under the video that plays and
under the picture of me is a button that says "choose" with a thumbs up
graphic. Click on that and the page will refresh. You should then see
the button has changes to a Red Thumbs Up; that's a Vote.
By registering and voting you can even win iPods and other prizes.
Again, hurry the polls close at 5:PM California time Monday September
18. VOTE EARLY & OFTEN.
As an added inducement for your vote, if Bob wins I'll pose in my Bob
Boxers for a week on the Flight Plan. Or not.
On to the mail.
.ASK
ROD
TAKING THE TIME
Dear Rod, Hope the work is going well. Do you do
any concerts? Any news on the release dates for any CD's?
I've had quite a year so far, I've been quite pre-occupied! Met a young
lady (in the local supermarket at the fresh fruit and vegetable counter)
last September. We got married on 15th August. I thought you might like
to know we have chosen your poem 'Taking the Time' as the reading during
the ceremony. It has always been a favourite of mine. Just to let you
know I purchased your book some 30 years ago when at University - it's
one of the few books of thoughtful verse that has stayed with me and
given me food for thought. Thank you Kind regards, Keith
Dear Keith, Thanks for the kind thoughts and for remembering me all
these years and most of all CONGRATULATIONS. I’m honored that “Taking
the Time" was part of your nuptials.
Am happy, healthy and altogether in a good frame of mind. Like most of
us I lead a life pretty much of my own choosing, though these 14 hour
work days (every day) need to stop. But hell I've been saying that for
decades.
Been recording new songs and digitizing older LP's for CD release. No
release dates set but there will be some stuff out soon. Even working on
and off on a new book. No publication date or deadline for a change,
just the enjoyment of the writing process.
Nothing in the way of a full concert set at the moment but if you click
on the Appearances button it will lead you to an annual all star gala
I’m part of again this year.
My best to you Keith and to your new bride. May the honeymoon last
forever. Warmest Regards, Rod
WORDS TO AN OLD SONG
Dear Rod, Can you print the lyrics to “Some Trust
in Chariots.” Thanks, Chuck.
Dear Chuck, Here they are:
Some Trust in Chariots
There were those who must have thought us mad
Spending all that time and money that we never had.
Well... some trust in chariots and some in marble banks
Some of us just love each other and never ask for thanks.
There were those who must have thought us daft
From the way we cried together and the way we laughed.
Well... some trust in chariots and some in big machines
Some of you save diamonds some of us save dreams.
Some trust in chariots with great big yellow wheels
I had a ride in a chariot and oh how lonesome it feels.
There were those who must have thought us fools
Loving like a house on fire and breakin’ all the rules.
Well some trust in chariots in chariots they ride
We ride the wings of love together side by side.
Some trust in chariots with great big yellow wheels
Well I had a ride in a chariot and oh how lonesome it feels
Some trust in chariots, in chariots they ride
We ride the wings of love together side by side.
Words & Music by Rod McKuen. ©1963, 1965 By Rod McKuen & Stanyan Music
Group. Copyright Renewed. All Rights Reserved.
Thanks for asking Chuck, Best Regards, Rod.
PHYLLIS DILLER
I was watching, "BOY MEETS WORLD." On the FAMILY
channel yesterday, Ms. Diller was playing a fortune teller in a yogurt
shop. I had forgotten how hilariously funny that Gal is! I was in
hysterics just sitting here all by my self laughing so hard I wet my
pants! Dear, I wish she was still on the go. I miss her dry sense of
humor, I miss her! Take care of yourself. Sending love always. Rose
Dear Rose, Phyllis is as funny and endearing as ever and while she has
retired as a stand up comedian she still makes occasional TV
appearances. As for being on the go, most days she’s in her studio
painting. As you may know she has a brand new and very lucrative career
as an artist. I’m not alone in calling her work masterful . . . and I’m
a collector. Cheers, Rod
IN SHOCK
& SORROW
Rod and Edward, Been catching up on past Flight
Plans as I've been working out of the office for the past week and was
shocked to learn about Sue Richardson.
What a tremendous loss for all of us...and what a wonderful and
fun-filled wise woman she was. All those years with us --- and her
closeness to you two --- makes this all the more difficult to bear.
Certainly am thinking of her with fond memories - and my thoughts and
love are with you as well. When will it end - all these people leaving
us? Sigh. Love, Wade
Dear Wade, Sue had been seriously ill for some time and we had spoken to
her several times over the months. We never really inquired as to the
complete nature of her illness and she never volunteered much in the way
of an explanation.
Even toward the end when we talked with her she managed to keep up a
brave front. There was always that very catching laugh and she tried to
steer the conversation away from herself and seemed genuinely curious
about what was going on with everyone else.
She spoke of you often Wade and never tired of hearing about your
exploits on The Great White Way. Her memory was terrific and she was
always bringing up various of our collective adventures that I had
forgotten. She loved reminding me that she had met Ken in South Africa
and so was one up on me. Ken too is still devastated by the news of
Sue’s death and was the first to write me when we received news of it.
Her friend Rosie is sending me the name of an animal charity that we can
contribute to in Sue’s memory. I’ll print it in the flight plan so that
her many friends who drop in here can pay their respects by sending
along a little something. Love, Rod. And Edward too.
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