Hi Fans!

We hope you all enjoyed the Holidays, and that you will have a very happy 1975. Many thanks from the Carpenter family. Rosina, Patty & myself for the fantastic cards and gifts we received. All cards were on display during the Holidays, and will be placed in the Carpenters books of memories Christmas in the Carpenter home was busy. Aunts, Uncles and cousins jetted in from Maryland and Connecticut for a family gathering. The Christmas tree was a huge Douglas fir, so thick with branches and needles, that all the ornaments had to be placed at the foremost tips. The marshmallow castle Curt Mercer built for them last year, was displayed on the large cocktail table in the living room. This year Curt added to the scenery, including a moat to surround the castle, a pond (made from blue glass) with skaters, tiny animals, trees, snow, a lollipop meadow and a candy cane lane. Tiny colored lights enhanced the details which took him 144 hours to construct. The entire display was carefully transported to it's new home on the eye of the annual hristmas party, where it drew "oos" and "ahs" from delighted guests.

The party as always was a huge success. and Karen was a very delightful hostess. Tables were heavy with a variety of tasty food which had been prepared by Mabel Reed, a super cateress. I'm sure we all went away a few pounds heavier!

December 19 Richard & Karen staged two shows at Disneyland. It was Trojan night, and the big handsome men on the football team were being honored for earning their way into New Year's Day Rose Bowl game. It was a rare cold California night, and though our duo wore denim outfits, they were freezing cold on the outdoor stage.

Karen's thirst for knowledge of culinary art, had led her to enroll in a cookery course, a subject she loves.

Richard spends his daylight hours working on songs and arrangements for upcoming albums. Occasionally, for a change of pace and relaxation, he takes a jaunt on his new 450 Honda, with Karen following on her new 125.

It appears their long awaited three month vacation has gone down the drain. Demands for bookings have been so heavy, that vacation time has been replaced by concerts. The following schedule is tentative, and subject to changes, cancellations, and/or additions. I try to keep you notified of any alterations, but at times is impossible when it occurs between newsletters.

April 5th Ames, Iowa State

April 4th Hayes, Kansas, Kansas State

April 5th Denver, Colorado, Auditorium

April 7th Colorado Springs, Colorado, Air Force Academy

April 15th West Palm Beach, Florida, Auditorium

April 16th Lakeland, Florida, Arena

April 17th Jacksonville, Florida, Auditorium

April 18 & 19th Atlanta, Georgia, Civic Auditorium

April 20th Columbia, South Carolina, Coliseum

April 22-27th Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, Music Theater

May---Open

June 12-25th Las Vegas, Nevada, Riviera Hotel

July 11th Toronto, Canada

July 12-15th Toronto, Canada, O'Keefe Center

July 14-15th Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio

July 16-19th Independence, Michigan, Pine Knob

July 20th Erie, Pennsylvania

July 21-26th Ballingford, Connecticut, Oakdale

July 27th Saratoga Springs, New York, Performing Arts

July 28-Aug. 5th Ararwick, Rhode Island, Music Theater

Aug. 4-9th Holmdel, New Jersey, Garden State Arts

Aug. 10-11th Columbia, Maryland

Aug. 12th Chicago, Illinois-Ravinia

Aug. 21-Sep. 5th Las Vegas, Nevada-Riviera

Fans in England & Japan will be happy to learn of scheduled concerts in the countries this fall. England Sep/Oct., and Japan Oct/Nov. A detailed schedule is in preparation now, which I will confirm in a future newsletter.

By now you all know the latest single Please Mr. Postman is number ONE on all U.S.A. charts. Richard & Karen heard the good news Friday 17th, and the following Monday it reached GOLD!

Now for the frequently requested question & answer sessions:

Q. Where was the Close To You album cover picture taken?

A. On the rocky coast of Palos Verdes, California. The point of land in the background to the right of Karen's shoulder, is where the Greek freighter The Dominator was lost when it got too close to shore on a foggy night and foundered on the rocks.

Q. Where was the picture for The Singles album taken?

A: Lake Tahoe, Nevada.

Q: Do Richard & Karen wear platform shoes?

A. Occasionally. they each have a pair in their wardrobes.

Q: Where did Karen get the 'Tugboat' sweater she wore on the Perry Como Show?

A. She bought it at Fred Segal's in Beverly Hills, California.

Q: Where were their parents born?

A: Mom Carpenter via' born in Baltimore, Maryland. Dad in Fuchow, China.

Q: Are any of their grandparents living?

A: No.

Q: How many aunts and uncles do they have?

A. On their mom's side, two aunts. On Dad's side, two aunts and one uncle.

Q: Do Karen & Richard have brothers or sisters?

A. No.

Q: How long does it take the stage hands to set up their equipment?

A: Three to four hours.

Q: What is their favorite TV show?

A: All In The Family.

Q: Is Karen still an avid baseball fan, and which is her favorite team?

A: At one time she favored the Yankees, but she has no favorite team at present because she has no time to watch the game.

Q: Did Richard play baseball when he was a youngster?

A. Only occasionally. He much preferred playing the piano.

Q. What sport do they like now?

A. Karen still enjoys baseball. Richard prefers handball. They both like to ride their bicycles and motorcycles.

Q: What is their favorite season of the year, and why?

A. Summer. They both like the warmer weather.

Q: What is Karen's favorite perfume or cologne?

A. "Occur" by Avon.

Q. Of all the foreign countries they have visited, which do they like most?

A. Japan.

Q. What are their favorite flowers?

A. Karen loves roses (all colors) and carnations. Richard likes yellow roses.

Q. Have Richard and Karen ever been afraid to fly in a plane?

A. No.

Just received a copy of the tentative schedule for Europe.

Nov. 7th Amsterdam Concert Hall

Nov. 8th Rotterdarn Dloelen

Nov. 9th The Hague Congress Hall

Nov. 10th Eindhoven Jubilee

Nov. 11th Croningen Martini Hall

Nov. 12th Brussels Forest National

Nov. 14th & 15th Manchester, UK Belle Vue

Nov. 16th Wakefield, U.K. Leed Club

Nov. 17 & 18 Glasgow, Scotland-Apollo

Nov. 19th Edinburcgh, Scotland-Usher

Nov. 20 & 21 Southport-New Theater

Nov. 22nd Liverpool, Empire

Nov. 23rd Leicester - DeMonfort

Nov. 24th & 25th Birmingham-Hippodrome

Nov. 26th & 27th Bristol-Hippodrome

Nov. 28th London-Royal Festival

Nov. 29th & 30th Bournemouth-Winter Carde

Dec.1st-3rd London-Royal Albert Hall

One last question:

Q. Who is EV?

A. That's me - Evelyn Wallace - K & R's personal secretary. Been with them since 19??.

(SORRY I CAN'T READ THE YEAR ON MY COPY OF THE NEWSLETTER)

Rap in April. EV

Last changed: Wed Jun 15 23:52:33 EDT 2005