Hi Fans:
Good news today! After months of taping 12-14 hours a day, the new album Horizon is completed, and will be released world wide this month. It's very difficult to select a favorite from Richard's superb arrangements but I'm partial to I Can Dream Can't I?. Reminds me or the Big Band era.
Determined to lose weight. Karen has melted down to a mere 93 pounds. Exhausted from the demands or taping etc. she spent a short vacation with friends in the Virgin Islands who forced her to relax and rest by denying he the use or the telephone and trade publications. She returned with a lovely tan. Meanwhile, back home Richard spent some time enjoying his motorcycle. He and Karen thoughtfully took time to plan a fantastic surprise party for Mom & Dads 40th wedding anniversary.
A roomful or guests greeted them upon arrival at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, which amazed them, as they were under the impression they were going to meet Richard & Karen only, for a quiet family dinner. The white and green floral centerpiece or the banquet table reached end to end, consisting or huge orchids, carnations and apple blossom. The 7 course meal included filet mignon, quiche Lorraine, individual chocolate cakes with whipped cream.
More surprises at gift opening time as Richard & Karen's gifts topped one another. First to be opened was a luxurious set or sterling silver and gold flatwear. (From friends, they received an elegant two drawer chest to house it in.) The second gift revealed a snapshot of their dining room, with a tiny pair or curtains and drapes affixed to the windows - an indication they would receive new ones for their Downey home. The next unwrappable gift item was a new car to replace the one that had been stolen from a shopping center parking lot. To warn them a new car would be forthcoming, a huge key (36" long) was created from silver art board, glued atop styrofoam, and placed on a length or chain with a fob closely resembling the one on the Carpenters keychain. The last girt to be opened was a real puzzler, and it was amusing watching Mom & Dads expressions as they tried to figure out the contents.
A tiny sail boat, sporting the Carpenter logo on the sails, and flying a minute American flag at the bow, sailing on a blue tissue paper ocean, and heading for a styrofoam flower covered island, indicating a forthcoming long dreamed of Caribbean cruise. They were not convinced or this until they saw the actual reserved tickets inside the package. So ended a superb party for two people who truly deserved this elaborate celebration.
As promised - here is a thumbnail bio for Cubby O'Brien. His wife's name is Marilyn, and they have a daughter, Alicia, 6+. He was born in Burbank, California on 14 July, and was raised in the Sun Valley area. At an early at he joined the Disney Mouseketeers, and played with them until they disbanded. As a drummer with Lawrence Welk Jr.'s band, he also sang and danced with Janet Lennon. At the ripe old age of 13 he conducted a big band comprising adult members, and played drums with them too. He played for a time with Spike Jones Sr.'s band, and was featured as drum soloist. He appeared in various t.v. commercials, and did some acting with Clint Walker in Cheyenne on t.v. At Harrah's Club in Tahoe and Vegas, he appeared with Ann Margaret, and has guested on all her t.v. specials. Jim Nabors, Juliet Prowse, Sergio Frankie and John Davidson are other celebrities for whom he has drummed and/or conducted orchestra. As a drummer, he was a Carol Burnett regular for 5 years, and it was on her show that he met Richard & Karen when they appeared as her guests. This past March he celebrated his second anniversary with the Carpenters. Cubby is friendly, though relatively quiet, with a dry sense of humor. His hobbies include scuba diving and spear fishing. He enjoys also cooking an occasional meal.
Those of you who have had an opportunity to attend a recent Carpenters concert, are no doubt delighted with the new program book. Richard & Karen were finally persuaded that it should contain some of their baby pictures. There are also a few pictures of Mom & Dad, past and present. John Bettis, the lyricist, is also featured in the book, plus the Carpenter Road family.
These books are obtainable thru the fan club.
NOTE TO JAPANESE FANS! There are tentative plans for a baseball game to be played in Japan, between the Carpenters team and Japanese disk jockeys. I hope to give you further details in the August newsletter. To-date there is no confirmation of exact location of the proposed four games to be scheduled in the U.S. Please consult your local D.J's or watch your local paper concerning the location of diamonds on which these games will be played.
We've had numerous inquiries pertaining to the Carpenters single Please Mr. Postman. The question: Why did they release Please Mr. Postman at the same time as the Boone family released theirs? The answer: The Carpenters actually recorded their version several months before the Boone family's release, and although the Carpenters version was released five weeks after the Boone's, they certainly did not get the idea to record Please Mr. Postman from the Boone family.
Now for a question and answer session by popular demand.
Hope to have more tour news next time. Rap later. Ev.
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Last changed: Thu Jun 16 23:25:33 EDT 2005