16th
& 17th June, 2008
New concerts announced!
Click HERE for details.
July autograph signing
event.
Click HERE for details.
|
|
Photo by Dan Chapman ©2001
Stanyan Entertainment Group
A Thought for Today
Prayer works if you believe it works.
TO BEGIN WITH
As I write this America is mourning the untimely death of veteran
newsman Tim Russert on Friday. At his death from a heart ailment he was
only 58 yet he had over two decades of being a distinguished journalist
behind him.
I met Russert years ago through my friend John Scali and though I never
really got to know him all of us who watched NBC news and particularly
Meet The Press felt he was a dependable friend. The questions he asked
his guests, just about everyone in politics, were to the point and he
brooked no stonewalling when it came to the answers he expected and got.
His two books about his father ‘Big Russ’ indicated that farther and son
were both straight shooters. He will be greatly missed.
I really enjoy receiving follow up letters to something I’ve written or
presented on The Flight Plan. The same holds true for comments pro and
con regarding books, albums, poems, songs and concerts. A
writer/performer needs an audience and does his work to reach them. What
follows is a little back talk.
FEEDBACK
A NEW GI BILL 5/30/2008
Dear Rod, Today's Flight Plan is right on. There
was a man on TV on one of the talk shows who was injured in this war and
horribly disfigured and all his medical expenses were not being paid.
Where is the compassion our officials in charge should be showing this
man? He has a wonderful wife beside him and children to raise. Shame on
this administration. I have lived all my adult life as a Republican and
I will spend what is left of it as a Democrat and will die a Democrat. I
don't want my grandsons to die in this war. I don't believe in it and I
want us out of there.
And the boys fighting this war shouldn't be there but since they are
they should be sent to college, no question about it!! Dolores Cooper
Dear Dolores, Scott McClelland’s “What Happened” is the current number
one book on all the best-seller lists and it says a lot about why our
current administration is so hell bent on war and not all that concerned
about our brave men and women sent off as warriors. Few people were
closer to the Bush gang than McClelland, the former White House Press
Secretary and Bush buddy since his Texas days. If the president could
misrepresent the facts and lie to his good ol’ boy buddy almost on a
daily basis what does that say about his regard for the troops or the
American people in general?
Apparently the White House ghouls of greed feel the 3100 plus casualties
in Iraq so far are expendable and those who make it home, maimed or not,
are deserving of little or no help with their future after serving their
country. The president has gone on record as saying he plans to veto the
new GI Bill because it is too generous and will drive too many soldiers
out of the military. The Bush light candidate, John McClain –– unlike
Bush, a decorated veteran and long-time prisoner of war –– agrees with
his opposition to the bill.
No one in his or her right mind can defend this war. Our troops who
fight, are wounded and die in it deserve our allegiance, gratitude and
support while they do the dirty work of the old men who sent them off to
fight. That support and honor must continue to be extended to them upon
their return home to uncertain futures because of this administrations
indifference and neglect. Stay mad as hell until that situation is
remedied. And come November don’t forget to VOTE! As Ever, Rod
THE AMSTERDAM CONCERT
Decades ago I was at the Amsterdam Concert (is it
really more than 35 years ago?) For years I listened to your music from
a cassette tape till it broke. Now I just purchased the double CD that's
made from that concert. And after all those years I hear the same songs
and I can feel the same intensity I felt then. How timeless an endless
music can be, that it still touches me after all these years. "Chapeau"
to you. Dutch greetings, Eef
Dear Eef, Over the summer I intend to write more about some of my most
memorable (for me anyway) concerts; including those in Rio, South
Africa, London, The Carnegie Hall series in New York and the
unbelievable experience of being the first pop act to play The Sydney
Opera House. And, of course more on The Concertgebouw in Amsterdam.
The music, the audience response and the ambiance of The Amsterdam
Concert still gets to me every time I hear it too. Thanks and So Long,
Stay Well, Rod.
MARTY’S ALMOST FINAL WORD 6/12/2008
Thanks for today’s much needed laugh. The bit from
"Marty" I read and hit the web address. I laughed 'til the tears formed
–– I've been having a battle trying to get some dental assistance here
and the frustration is getting to me. Today's Flight Plan lifted the
aggravation. Katy
Dear Katy, Marty -- and by the way today (Monday) is his birthday --- is
an old friend and sends along good stuff. Now retired after 47 years as
an in demand director/producer Marty Passetta directed my first TV
special for NBC way back in 1969. It was his first national exposure &
he went on to direct some of the most inventive entertainment shows
during TV’s Golden Age of Variety. Elvis: Aloha from Hawaii, Sinatra: Ol’
Blue Eyes is Back, American Film Institutes salutes to Fred Astaire,
John Houston, Henry Fonda and Alfred Hitchcock, among others; Jimmy
Carter and Ronald Reagan’s inaugurals from Washington and for 17 years
he directed the most prestigious TV show of the year, the annual Motion
Picture Academy Awards. Other events Passetta masterminded include
specials by Carole Burnett, The Beach Boys, Steve Wonder, Crosby, Como,
Durante, George Burns and, well you get the idea.
I had the pleasure of working with him again on The Kraft Music Hall and
The Monte Carlo Shows.
As you can tell from the item under discussion, Marty has a slightly
twisted sense of humor. As I write this on Sunday the 15th here was The
Happy Father’s Day Greeting he sent me.
Rod, I laughed out at Marty’s Almost Final Word
and in these times boy did that feel good. Ralph Harmen.
Dear Ralph, Not much to smile about these days so every guffaw is a
gift. Onward, Rod.
ANDY WARHOL / ROD McKUEN DIARIES 6/7/2008
Oh that's priceless! Thanks for giving us that
window to look in to! I think it's even better that you can go back to
your own diary and compare notes. My, my how they differ. I see why you
were up for answering this, lol. McDonald's?
You know what my next question will be –– when are you releasing YOUR
diaries? ;-) Eric
Eric, When will my diaries be released? In a word, never. Nice try.
Cheers, Rod.
THE LATE SHOW ON NOVEMBER 8th
Hey Rod, Re. the announcement on 6/5/08: Is the
all request 11:30 PM show on Saturday the only show for that night or is
it in addition to an 8:00 PM show? If you're planning to do 2 in one
day, may I remind you, it'll seriously cut into your Costco time. You
MUST keep your priorities straight, you know. Ann
Ann, Two shows. Both around ninety minutes. Probably no intermission on
2nd show, And, since the late show is an all request program don’t
forget to send along suggestions for songs you’d like to hear. Need the
titles no later than October 1st so I can learn them & teach them to the
band.
As for Costco, I have a feeling Mr. Amex & Ms. MasterCard (or is that
Mistress) are beginning to access the damage even before our November
rendezvous. I’m sure Edward is, he makes out the checks –– I only, under
protest, sign them. Broiling it down, the longer I’m on stage the less
time my auto is in the Costco parking lot. As Ever, Rod
THE TENDER EARTH 3/3/2008
Ah Me! I thought you could never surprise me but
you did. I don't think I ever read that one and I love it. I spent so
much time in the fields and woods when I was a child and as soon as I
read that I could smell the earth and see all those little creatures and
bugs that so fascinated me when I was a child. I go back there a lot
lately, in my mind. I think I'll go find a woods and lie down on my
belly and watch it all again. I'll look a bit silly maybe but who cares?
I'll be 77 this month and I probably look it but inside I'm still me.
Love You---thanks for today—D
Dear D, The Tender Earth is from The San Sebastian Strings album “The
Earth”. You can be sure my words were inspired by Anita Kerr’s beautiful
music that scores the selection. All My Best, 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
|
