Hi Fans!
As we reach half time of summer vacations, Carpenters and staff wish you all a pleasant and safe one.
We extend gratitude for the numerous expressions or appreciation for the new album Horizon, which was shipped GOLD. Solitaire was released Friday, July 18th and we hope it follows suit.
Richard has decided against making a 'live' U.S. album, as most of the songs they do in concert are already on albums. Some are on two, such as The Singles, and he felt a third time around was a bit much.
We have some tour news, starting at the municipal Auditorium in Sioux City, Iowa. They had played there three years prior, and recalled with delight the concert they performed then with the Sioux City Symphony Orchestra.
Steve Martin, a relatively new comic, opened the show by playing a 5 string banjo and doing a hilarious comedy act.
Their next stop was the Civic Arena in Bismarck, South Dakota. Two year prior (on their first appearance there) the Carpenters ware the second show to be booked there. Lawrence Welk was first. Their stay at the brand new Kirkwood Motor Inn was a very pleasant one with a very nice atmosphere.
In Jamestown, North Dakota, the concert had been sold out in advance. Although the weather was chilly, the audience was warm and receptive, giving a standing ovation.
The sound system in the arena at Duluth, Minnesota was a rare treat, and they managed to work in a second show. Dinner was sent in for the group between shows.
Richard & Karen were very impressed by the new Marquette Inn that was home to them May 17th. Richard described it as a super modern high rise. The hotel lobby located on the third floor, was beautifully decorated with red wallpaper, black furniture and white lamps etc. The Minneapolis Orchestra Hall was an elegant theater, and Richard was intrigued with the acoustics, he said the piano was as terrific as the audience.
The next day they hit four states and five cities. Here's how: From Minneapolis, Minnesota where they stayed overnight, flew to Chicago, Illinois and from there drove to South Bend, Indiana where they did a quick sound check at the theater, then on to the Royale Inn where they had day rooms to eat, shower and change clothes. Back to the theater to stage their show, after which everyone helped to break stage and pack in record time. They drove back to Chicago, where they boarded a plane to New York, NY. From there they hit the trail for Rye Town, Westchester county, where the weary travelers bed down at the Rye Town Hilton. They placed a big stamp or approval on the Premier Theater which Richard described as being like a theater-in-the-round cut in hair, and stage access was excellent. All shows went well, and WNBC TV came in to tape their performance of Top Of The World which they aired later on the local t.v. news.
The weather was so good, they held baseball practice, then went to a nearby ice cream parlor, and indulged in gourmet banana splits. They soon discovered practice was sorely needed. Skiles, Henderson, Strawn & Woodham were so far, their best players. The rest of the group were rather out of shape. Gene, a hotel security guard, offered to get a team together to play against the Carpenters. WHAT friends they turned out to be: All giants, and all state champions: First up they really creamed the Carpenters with a 6-0 score. The group felt better by the second game when 'the giants' lost to them 14-10.
When Karen round she had been assigned the 3 room Presidential Suite at the Hilton, she told the hotel manager she didn't need that much room, and would be happy with just the bedroom section, so they rented the living room section to a very nice business gentleman, but failed to advise Karen. Imagine her surprise and embarrassment when later that evening, she entered the suite via the living room and found it occupied!
A very unusual and edible gift was presented to Richard and Karen by Gale O'Mally, chief pastry maker at the Hilton. He created a beautiful grand piano and drum set or peanut brittle. The piano keyboard was made of marzipan and chocolate. Inside the piano lay a luscious bed or strawberries, coated with clear sugar glaze. The cymbals and the peg to drop open the piano were also made of chocolate. It looked too good to eat, but they enjoyed the beauty of it as long as they could before it began to melt, and they were forced to eat it.
The Riviera, Las Vegas was jammed with Carpenters freaks every night, and the shows went exceptionally well. The very talented Jose Feliciano had the opening spot which complemented the Carpenters show beautifully.
Richard had bought a new Cadillac Eldorado just prior to the Las Vegas gig, so he enjoyed driving it up there, being careful to use the cruise control to ensure he didn't exceed the 55 mph speed limit, consequently it took five hours to drive from Downey to Las Vegas.
He and Karen had the use or a lovely modern house there, with a pool and Jacuzzi for relaxation between shows. A pool in the middle of the desert with blazing 100 plus temperatures was a god-send indeed:
NOTE TO CHICAGO AREA FANS: An extra day has been added to the schedule at the Ravinia. Carpenters concerts will be staged August 12th and 13th.
I have room for a brief question and answer session listed below.
ITEM U.S.PRICE FOREIGN PRICE
Charm bracelet $2.00 $2.50
Sew-on-patch 2 for $1.00 2 for $1.25
Book covers 6 for $.50 6 for $1.00
Posters $2.00 $3.00
Playing cards (double deck only) $2.00 $3.00
T-shirt (Adult) all sizes $2.50 $3.00
T-shirt (Child) sizes 6-16 $1.50 $2.00
Concert programs (old) $1.25 $1.25
Needlepoint kit (Belt or frame) $4.00
(PLEASE NOTE THIS IS INFORMATION IS FOR COLLECTING
REFERENCE ONLY,
DO NOT TRY TO ORDER THIS STUFF TODAY !!!)
Rap in October, EV.
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Last changed: Thu Jun 16 23:35:33 EDT 2005