14th
& 15th June, 2008
New concerts announced!
Click HERE for details.
July autograph signing
event.
Click HERE for details.
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Photo by Dan Chapman ©2001
Stanyan Entertainment Group
A Thought for Today
Don’t forget to salute the flag on
Saturday and ‘Pop’ on Sunday.
TO BEGIN WITH
Lots of mail today, from Holland to New Zealand and all over the USA ––
so let’s get to it.
.ASK
ROD
SAY GOODBYE
I used to use a movie you did a voice over for
called Say Goodbye on endangered species and would love to show it to my
classes! Any chance there is a way to get a copy of this in any kind of
video format? Thanks, Gary Miller
Dear Gary, It’s taken awhile to answer your note, but after a lot of
research here’s the skinny. The David Wolper documentary I narrated,
“Say Goodbye,” is missing and apparently out of action. Despite both an
Emmy nod and an Oscar nomination it no longer seems to be available.
As you probably know it was a very controversial work to begin with.
Among other things members of The Alaskan Fur Industry threatened to sue
everyone connected with the film for showing the brutal clubbing of baby
seals. Despite their objections, concerned teachers like yourself
continued to show it to their students and I dare say helped draw
attention to loss of wildlife to several generations. I know I’m very
proud of my participation in the film.
I’ll continue to keep an eye open for any further news on the film and
inform you accordingly. Thanks for caring. Warmest Regards, Rod
YEP
Dear Rod, I've been a fan of yours since the 1970s
when I fell in love with your music and poetry. I now live in New
Zealand. Just thought I'd let you know. Glad you're still alive (but
probably not as glad as you are!) Best wishes, Gregg Smith
Dear Gregg, Glad we’re both alive and kicking and pleased that you took
the time to write. On the tours I made of NZ I must have played every
town from Dunedin to Timaru. Definitely God’s country. Wrote a song,
with Prince Tuiteki, about my travels there, “These Gentle Islands We
Call Home.” All my best to you as your world starts winter.
To give you an idea of how age hasn’t changed me all that much, here’s a
photo Edward snapped on me this afternoon. All Good Wishes, Rod
Rod 6/13/08
APRIL PEOPLE?
Hello, I am trying to find the book in which
"April's Child" is published. Can you help? Thanks, Barb Owens
Dear Barb, While I have written poems entitled April Man, April in the
East, April Fifth and April 32rd, I’ve a feeling you might be referring
to the lyric for the song April People. It can be found in my 1983 book,
The Sound of Solitude. Here are the words:
APRIL PEOPLE
Verse:
April, April, laugh your happy laughter
But a moment after cry your gentle tears.
Chorus:
April People try to smile
Even when they’re sad
Cause they know behind the rainbow
Things can’t be that bad.
April People all are lonely
That’s the general rule
And more than once a lonely heart
Has made an April fool.
Born in April, sad of heart you’re a lonesome child
But you can make the sun shine with even half a smile.
April People live for love
Nothing else will do
So come along and take my hand
I was born in April too.
©Copyright 1957 & 1969 by Rod McKuen & Stanyan Music Group. ©Renewed.
Hope this answers your question, Barb. Warmly, Rod
THE EARTH
Hello, I have a question about an album titled
"The Earth". Is there a CD out for it? Thank you, Toni Stevens
Dear Toni, No CD on The Earth is available yet. But, lots of other San
Sebastian Strings albums have made it to compact disc. Check out
Stanyanhouse.com. Thanks for
writing and asking. All My Best, Rod
THE ROCK
I am looking for a poem I believe is called THE
ROCK, it was short filler on an album I had some time ago. Unfortunately
the album was destroyed when stored and I no longer know the name.
However this poem had a great deal of meaning for me at a somewhat
lonesome time in my life. I remember most of the poem, but can't seem to
get the middle to sound right in my head. I know it started " I love
you, remember that” and ends "Somewhere every night sleeps a man who
loves you".
Many years ago my brother-in-law Joel Timothy, was in LA trying to break
into the business and stayed in an apartment downstairs from you. One
Christmas he gave me a signed copy of your poems, it was the best gift
of the year and the photo of me opening it is a riot.
This Christmas my niece, Joel's daughter, found your web site, and
knowing my albums and books are gone, gave me a CD making sure it
contained "Solder’s Who Want To Be Heroes" and "Jean" for very
significant reasons. Another special and delightful gift. Thanks for
help on “The Rock.” Jean
Dear Jean, “The Rock” is a paragraph of prose I wrote for my first
spoken word album, “Time of Desire.”
Here’s the text:
I love you. Remember that when people are rough with you, when things
don’t go well with you, remember that somewhere every night, sleeps a
man who loves you.
-from Time of Desire, 1958. ©Copyright 1956, 1977. ©Renewed
All my best to you Jean and please thank Joel and your niece for me too.
With Warmest Wishes, Rod.
SEATTLE
Hi Rod, My friend who lives in Seattle has told me
that you will be appearing there, but she had no details. Please let me
know if this is so, and if so, when. I may be making an "appearance"
there myself. Thanks. Nina
Dear Nina, The news about an appearance in Seattle came about because I
took on the project of writing a PBS TV Special entitled “I Hear America
Singing.” I was also set to narrate and perform on the program as one of
a number of guests that included The Brothers Four, Josh White Jr. and
Mason Williams among others.
The program, originally set to tape this spring at the Seattle PBS
station has been postponed indefinitely due to ongoing cuts in PBS
funding. The producers are still trying to work out details so if and
when it happens I’ll let you know. Thanks for asking and sorry we didn’t
have our rendezvous. Warmly, Rod
HOLLAND, 1
Dear Rod, It is gettin' you will be performing
again in Holland. When may we expect you? Kindest regards.... so long
stay well, Cees Mentink
Dear Cees, What a delight to hear from you my old friend. Wish I were
coming to Holland for a concert soon but so far no Dutch presenter has
come forward with a suggestion. I always miss Holland and particularly
remember good times we had together. Lets hope a European promoter comes
up with a tour plan soon that includes The Netherlands. A still
unrealized dream is to record another album there, this one with some
great Dutch Jazz musicians.
Hope things are well with you and those you love. All My Best, Rod
NOTE: Cees Mentink headed up a Dutch record company that released many
of my albums in Holland and help land several of my singles at the top
of the charts there.
HOLLAND, 2
Dear Rod, I have seen you in Utrecht Holland a few
years ago. I was very happy with your signature and your kiss. Please
tell me when will you come again to Holland. I look forward to it and if
I am still able to come to your concert, I will be there and please
repeat the kiss you gave me. Thanks, Gelske Bonink
Dear Geiske, No plans to come to Holland in the near future but when I’m
next booked in The Netherlands you can count on a repeat performance of
our kiss. Best, Rod
TEXAS
No, I'm not a native Texan - I am and always will
be an Oklahoman. But I live here now with my daughter and her family
(she has three children: 12, 9, 2). I am now a travel agent and I listen
to music while I'm at work - on a web radio station: Rod McKuen. And
when "Jean" begins, I stop whatever I'm doing, close my eyes, and
listen. I have been an admirer of yours since I saw "The Prime of Miss
Jean Brodie" many, many years ago, and since I saw you perform live in
Dallas at the Music Hall. Any plans to return to Texas for a
performance? I just want to thank you for the years of happiness you
have brought through your songs and books. You have always had a special
little corner of my heart. Jeanette
Dear Jeanette, Thanks for your kind words. No concert plans for Texas
this year but assuming I finish my new book in time I’m hoping to be
invited back to The Austin Book Fair next year.
My only performances this year take place the first weekend of November
at Buddy Greco’s Dinner Club in the high desert town of Cathedral City,
California.
Next month I’ll be spending Friday and Saturday (7/11&12) at Ray and
Sharon Court’s annual Hollywood Collectors Show in Burbank. Other
friends on the same bill include Margaret O’Brian, Peter Brown and
Celeste Holm (Celeste and I share a birthday). Other than those two
engagements I’m traveling, working on the book and hibernating.
Keep good thoughts Jeanette & maybe Texas next year. Affectionately, Rod
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