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Rod &
Kubby. Photo by Bob Gentry, ©2002 by Stanyan Entertainment Group.
A Thought for Today
I'd as soon lie down with sleeping bears
as track the does by moonlight.
-from "Caught In The
Quiet"
.ASK
ROD
Neither rain nor sleet . . .
Later this week I’ll be heading off to San Francisco for next Monday
night’s performance but before I go I thought I’d see if the send button
on my e-mail screen is still in working order.
WITH SIX YOU GET EGG ROLL
Dear Rod, For years now I've been reading your
poetry and listening to your music. For the last couple of years I've had
to sit here while my friend Rita went off to see your concerts. Finally I
get a chance to see you live and in person. I'm looking forward to the
concert in Illinois and am hoping that after the concert I might get a
chance to meet you.
I just can't let Rita (the bitch) have all the fun (just kidding). But if
you're half the man you must be from all your poetry than maybe you'll
want to come back to the apartment and let six women take care of all your
needs. I double dog dare ya.
Rita said she'd even try to find some tomatoes and Vidalia onions, but
they aren't in season. I am so looking forward to seeing you and getting
you to autograph An Outstretched Hands for me. Rita gave me a copy of that
last Christmas. Love You! Bea
Dear Bea: Maybe I should have titled your letter “The Bitch is Back”:
Thanks so much for coming to Glenn Ellyn. It was a pleasure meeting and
greeting you face to face and thanks for bringing Rita.
Boy could we have used her tomatoes and onions. By the time Bob and I got
back to the hotel we were starving to death, the snow was falling and room
service had closed. All either of us had eaten all day was a burger at
sound check. Fortunately we were in receipt of Jana's vodka and a tin of
cookies I'd been given so before Bob retired to his room for the evening
we shared martinis and cookies. Ah, the glamorous life of being an
entertainer.
As for six women taking care of my needs, if I had thought for a minute
any of you cooked I might have taken you up on it. Five on a given night
is about my limit but I probably could have passed one of you off to Bob
(not that at his age he needs the practice.) Cheers, Rod
ANN IN ARIZONA
Dear Rod, A friend I met three years ago introduced
me to your music and words. I am 55 years old and love music and the
beautiful words so many are blessed with the creativity to write. Your
words are some of the most touching I have ever heard. Your CD's now play
in my car and at home.
My life has not been easy. I have been married for 36 years and my husband
has been sick for 20 of them. His story is one of great strength and the
power of the mind to survive the tortures of illness. My story is that I
have done all that was required of me and have survived only through the
help of someone like yourself who provides the words to cry by and to
dream by.
My friend is 57 and a Vietnam Vet. He has seen many hard times and your
words have brought him much comfort over the years. He and I share a
friendship built on two lonely people who love the beauty of the written
word and who have suffered greatly in their life. I live on the East coast
and he has moved to Arizona.
I have such a strong desire to hear you in person and I know that your
performances are few and mostly on the West coast. If you would consider
Arizona at any time in the future I will be on the first plane out! I can
only imagine the joy we (my friend and I) would feel at the privilege of
listening to your words in person and together.
I write you these words to let you know how much an impact you have had in
two human beings existence's, to let you know that we appreciate your
work, and enjoy it every day. Thank you for sharing your inner self with
all of us I wish you good health and peace. Ann Sideri
Dear Ann: Being a caregiver to someone you care about over a long period
of time is one of the most difficult and unenviable tasks anyone can
imagine. Twenty years is a major part of anyone's lifetime and while I'm
flattered that you give my words credit for being of help I doubt they
would have made any difference without your own inner strength and
resolve.
That we are never given anything we can't handle may by now be a cliché
but I believe it to be true. And, how nice that you have a friend you can
lean on, though based on what you tell me about his experiences in Vietnam
it sounds like you manage to help hold him up as well. How difficult it is
for any of us to find 'someone special' that we can share our problems and
joys with.
Bringing stability and comfort to two diverse relationships may at times
seem challenging but the rewards for helping others are enormous and far
outweigh any difficulties we encounter by doing so. I guess what I'm
trying to say is 'Thank You' for letting me be of use and for writing to
tell me your story.
I hope one day I'll be appearing in Arizona and be given the chance to say
'thanks' in person. My best to the three of you. With affection, Rod
VISITING THE UK
Just discovered you on the net. Glad you are well and performing again.
How about a concert in England? It is over 20 years since we saw you over
here! Take care and sleep warm, Valerie Beeston
###
Hi Rod: I was at a concert you gave in Coventry, England many years ago,
so long ago I can't remember the date. What are the chances of you ever
giving another concert over here? It would be great. Warmest regards, Jim
Callaghan
Dear Valerie & Jim: Ah! The nearly daily letter regarding my next visit to
Great Britain. What would I do without them? And today there are two,
count them, two.
So far, despite all the requests no British promoter has come forward to
offer me a tour of The British Isles but I'm packed and ready to go when
it does happen.
Trust me I’m saving all your letters, now if I can just find a concert
presenter in England to drop the pact on. Thanks for keeping the faith.
Warmly, Rod
WOOF
Dear Mr.
McKuen: I believe I ran across a book written by you in the early 70's
called "We Bark at Midnight." Is this a title of yours? It was a most
unusual book; I recall a hole in the middle of the cover, words written
along the margin etc.
As a baby boomer that loves all your work, have I lost my mind? I have
searched for this book for years to no avail. I would appreciate a
response when the time is right for you. Kindly, Kathy Collins.
Dear Kathy: Thanks for your letter and for the question. Alas I think you
might be barking up the wrong tree on this one. They say everyone has a
double in life and perhaps that other Rod McKuen is the author of "We Bark
at Midnight."
By the way, what a great title for a vampire flick? All my best,
Rod
SOMEPLACE GREEN
Hello
Rod, Did you record a song called "Someplace Green"? My father was sure
you did, but I can't find it anywhere. He is a big fan of yours and I want
to find him this song. Please let me know. Thanks so much, Carrie
Dear Carrie: I wrote and first recorded "Someplace Green" way back in the
early sixties. It's made its way onto several of my LP’s and was even a
45RPM single.
Try a good used record store and I'll bet you find “Someplace Green”
featured on more than one album in my section. Thanks for writing and say
hello to dad. Warmly, Rod
CHANNING WAY
I need
your help. Back in the early 70's my best friend gave me a book of your
poems. It has long since been lost. There was one poem in particular that
I am looking for but I don't know the name of it. All I can remember is
that it was about heartfelt love and it said, "the ones who do the most
damage are the ones seen in passing cars. . .”
I am desperately seeking one of your books with that poem in it. Any help
you can give me will be greatly appreciated. I'm at a time in my life
where I have teenagers of my own and your book of poems gave me something
so special that I want to find it and give it to my 16 year old daughter
who is a hopeless romantic like me and if it gives her just half the
insight into her heart that it gave me, it will be worth it. (whatever the
cost) Sharon Lackey
Dear Sharon: The poem is entitled "Channing Way, 1". It first appeared in
"Stanyan Street & Other Sorrows" and later in "Valentines." Both books are
available from Stanyan By Mail.
I'm delighted that you have helped spawn a 'sixteen year old romantic' and
even happier that you want to pass my poetry on to her. With affection,
Rod
A NEW BOOK
Rod,
Where the hell are you these days. Do us all a favor, and find someone to
publish your work. I KNOW you can. I've lived all these years with your
work, and your "words" and miss them. I have most all of your books, but,
I need " to spend awhile more with you" , I believe you, yourself, have
used that last phrase. Bonnie
Dear Bonnie, Thanks for caring enough to write.
Check out Stanyan By Mail online, there's a link to it below. You'll
discover I published a new book last year with (surprise) the title "A
Safe Place to Land." It even contains a double CD, I'm working (slowly) on
another one. Warmly, Rod
Today we celebrate the birth date of among others, the dazzling diva Maria
Callas and Tuesday the darling devo Ozzy Osbourne turns a year older.
More mail tomorrow and another Christmas card from past years. Sleep warm.
RM 11/02/2002 1:24AM
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posted November 25.
ROD McKUEN
CONCERTS & APPEARANCES
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