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Rod on Maui, August 2003.
Photo by John Scoggins.
©2003 by Stanyan Entertainment.
A Thought for Today
Every grief is the greatest grief until
the sorrow of tomorrow.
.ASK
ROD
TWO NEW PERSONAL APPEARANCES
Are you scheduled for any book signings in the L.A.
area?
Saw you perform at both the Actor's Fund and the William Holden Wildlife
Foundation and very much enjoyed both.
G. W. Fox
Dear G.W. I love doing benefits for causes I really care about but with so
many artists appearing at most of these big affairs we usually only get
the chance to perform a single song, or in the case of the shows you
mentioned, a medley. But today I have the pleasure of drawing your
attention to a new benefit consisting of just three performers and so we
will each get the chance to do longer sets. Actually it will consist of
three mini concerts.
I’m crazy about the other two performers, the great Tyne Daly and the
wonderfully talented Jason Graae. Since the three of us are good friends
it should turn out to be a ball. To top it off we all enjoy working with
Jerry Stembach. Here’s the dope.
West Coast Ensemble presents…
A HOLIDAY BENEFIT FOR THE ACTORS’ FUND OF AMERICA
AND WEST COAST ENSEMBLE
Dreidels and Sleigh
Bells
With performances by
ROD McKUEN
TYNE DALY
JASON GRAAE
with Gerald Sternbach at the piano
Monday, December 8, 2003 at 8:00pm
In the Skirball Cultural Center – Magnin Auditorium
2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd. (Mulholland exit off the 405 Freeway)
Los Angeles, CA 90049
Ticket Prices:
GOLD: VIP seating at performance, dessert reception with the stars,
special Holiday gift $150
SILVER: Performance and dessert reception with the stars $100
BRONZE: Performance only $50
FOR RESERVATIONS, PLEASE CALL: (323) 525-0022
Actors’ Fund and West Coast Ensemble are non-profit 501c3 organizations.
A portion of your ticket price is tax-deductible.
If unable to attend and would like to make a donation, please mail your
check to:
West Coast Ensemble c/o Jaffee & Assoc.
3151 Cahuenga Blvd. W, Suite 107 Los Angeles, CA 90068
I hope you can make it.
Now about your question. We’re working on a book signing in Orange County
in Mid-December. As soon as I know the exact date it will be posted here.
I finished going over the galley proofs of Rusting in the Rain, it has
been set in type and with any luck it will be out the first week in
December. Naturally in addition to the songs I’m performing in “Dreidels
and Sleigh Bells” I’ll read a poem or two from the book. Thanks for
writing GW and thanks too for supporting The Actors Fund & The William
Holden Wildlife foundation. If we don’t meet up at the Skirball Center I
hope to see you in Orange County. All the best, Rod
IN SEARCH OF EROS
Hi, Got this email address from "a safe place to
land" No Questions, just wanted to say how much I enjoyed the 60's CD
collection I got through P22. Really moving and fun and like life.
Cheers, Marcus
Dear Marcus, Thanks for the nice note. I trust you are referring to In
Search of Eros since it is the latest album of mine to be released by P22.
They also released Beatsville, which has extra tracks & the P22 Daddy-O
font as a plus. P22/Stanyan will be releasing a much more contemporary
album of mine next year and with it a P22 Stanyan Autumn font.
I'm a great fan of their fonts & I used four of them in "Rusting in the
Rain”. Speaking of fonts, have you checked out the P22 Website? If you are
a 'font freak', as I am, you'll have a ball playing with their type. They
even have font's you can download for test trials. I'm currently enamored
with their Operina font family. Here's a link to their site.
http://www.p22.com
Thanks again for writing. Warmly, Rod
A MAN ALONE
Dear Mr. Rod McKuen, I am writing to you in
reference to a book you have written by the name of "Sinatra: A Man
Alone". I went to your website searching for information on this book when
I found a posted message referring to it. I have come across a copy of
this book. The author note reads: "This book is not for sale. It is
limited to an edition of 500 copies signed and numbered by the author of
which four hundred copies have been presented to Frank Sinatra."
On the next page there is a place where it says: "This is copy number" and
filled in next to it in pen is the number "2" On the fourth page from the
cover it is typed: for Nancy, Tina and Frank, Jr. Below this written in
pen has a name written with a short message and signed on the bottom is
"Frank". What do you think of this? Do you think this is of any value? If
it is not too much trouble can you please write back to me your thoughts
on this, Thank You. Joseph Pupello
Dear Joseph, How about sending me a photograph of the signed page so I can
check out its authenticity? Only then could I try to put a monetary value
on it. If it's a digital photo you can send it to
rod@mckuen.com and if it's a snail
flick my address is Box G, Beverly Hills, 90213.
Stanyanhouse.com still has a few
'signed authors proof' copies of Sinatra: A Man Alone, otherwise the book
in any form is pretty hard to come by. Thanks for writing, Joseph and all
the best. Rod
REMEMBERING LORD BUCKLEY
Sir, I would be interested in hearing of your times
with / memories of Richard 'Lord' Buckley. Have you read the new book out
about him 'Dig Infinity' Mel Dean, Manchester England
Dear Mel, There isn't world or time enough to recount even a few of my
memories of LB. He was a true original and despite his craziness (and he
delighted in trying to be certifiable) a sweet man and a friend you could
depend on. Thanks for alerting me to the book, I'll try to track it down.
One vivid memory that blends a little zaniness with kindness involves a
day when we had lunch in the old tenderloin district of San Francisco. It
must have been the hottest day in many a San Fran. summer and kids were in
the street pouring buckets of water, carried from various apartments, onto
each other. The Buck went into a hardware store and bought a wrench kit,
then he and I proceeded to break God knows how many laws by opening fire
hydrants on half a dozen blocks for the kids to splash in. We ran like
hell when we heard police sirens and spent the afternoon and evening
getting drunk. Despite the fact that we were both broke that was a job
made easier because none of the bars we went to expected LB to pick up the
tab. After all, he was a Lord and everybody loved him.
I expect that kind of treatment these days in the city that holds all our
hearts is reserved for a very small circle confined to such citizens as a
visiting Mort Sahl, Enrico Banduci, Armested Maupin, round up the usual
gorgeous socialites, certainly Tony Bennett and Bellingham (who alas takes
nothing stronger than ginger ale – indeed a cheap date.)
I have heard that Our Lord & Master could be cranky, I never saw that side
of Richard, but then Kitty Kelly's account of Sinatra is totally foreign
to the man I knew and loved. Before I read it let me know if "Dig
Infinity" is a balanced account or a waste of time. I have read so many
lopsided biographies of friends (none of them saints but most deserving
better) that I've finally started discussions involving an authorized
biography. Until I get around to an autobiography I wouldn't mind seeing
something in print that took into account both the acne and acme of yours
truly. Truth should be the byword of biography and autobiography. Most of
us are probably better than we think we are but not as good as we should
be. So much for generalities.
Richard had, in abundance, what the French call Luxe De l'esprit
(the luxury of the moment). I flatter myself to think I caught it from
him. Was he a genius? Probably. But without doubt he was a charming,
complicated, fair, opinionated, slightly off balance, lovely human being.
Thanks for reminding me of 'Dick Daring' AKA Lord Buckley. Best Regards,
Rod
SO LONG
If you should die before me, ask if you could bring
a friend.
-Stone Temple Pilots
If you live to be a hundred, I want to live to be a hundred minus one day,
so I never have to live without you. -Winnie the Pooh, Dolores
Dear Dolores, Thanks for the nice thoughts. I have a different take on
death. Since I intend to out live everybody I've started saying good-bye
to my friends. I'll miss them. Luv, Rod
CYCLES
I understand you recorded Cycles. Please let me know
what CD it is on so that I may purchase it Peace, Charles Anderson.
Dear Charles, The great Gayle Caldwell song Cycles will be featured on a
new CD that is coming out in Great Britain this spring on Sanctuary
Records. The album disc will also contain one of the duets I recorded this
summer with Petula Clark.
The title of the disc is The Ultimate Rod McKuen and I hope that for many
of you that title will apply. Warmly, Rod
WHAT IS IT?
In the 70's I had a record of your poetry. On that
album was a poem that began (more or less): "It is hard to believe that it
is so quite after such a noisy Saturday night"
I have a slight thought that it might be Sunday Morning. but am not sure.
Can you tell me what it was and where I might find the complete poem. It
was a favorite and I have longed to become reacquainted with it as of
late. Thank you for your time and sharing you talent with us. Debora
Boelter
Dear Debora, I consulted Jay Hagan, “The Horses Mouth", where my work is
concerned and here’s his answer
“The song / poem Debora is thinking about is one of
my favorites ... Sunday, from The Earth.”
I have to admit liking it too Debora because I think Anita Kerr’s
beautiful music for “Sunday” suits the words perfectly. With best regards,
Rod
CANADIAN TOUR
I was wondering if you have any plans to tour close
to Toronto in 2004, We are old fans and attended a show once in Dublin
Ireland many many loves and trials ago. Thanks, Ed
Dear Ed, I wish Canada were on my touring schedule and Dublin too. So far
no Canadian promoters have come forward to sponsor such an endeavor. Stay
tuned though, because one never knows what might happen. Thanks for asking
and all my best, Rod
THE FINAL WORD
Pat sends along this gem.
Rod, Do you know what happened this week back in
1850?
California became a state.
The state had no electricity.
The state had no money.
Almost everyone spoke Spanish.
There were gunfights in the middle of the streets.
So, it was just like California today.....
only the women had real breasts.
Billy Iz who runs stanyanhouse.com
has suggested that we set a date for me to meet those of you who would
like to say hello in the Stanyan House Bar and Grill. Any thoughts on
this?
Sleep warm and don’t forget to join Webmaster Ken on Wednesday for “This
One Does it for Me".
RM 11/23/2003 11:45 PM PST.
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