Hi Fans!

This month, I promised you a typical day in the lives of the CARPENTERS at home; so we'll begin in the wee small hours of the morning, between 2:00 and 3:00 a.m. which is about the time Richard and Karen arrive home from A&M Studios, after a fourteen hours recording session. They are dog-tired, and their beds look very appealing. They are soon fast asleep, and if visions of anything dance through their slumbering heads, it has to be visions of 'sleeping in' and arising at their leisure. Alas, this does not materialize. By 9:00 a.m. the phones are ringing and managers agents, business and professional associates are requesting time for meeting, interviews, photo sessions, publicity, taping etc.; etc.

They amble downstairs to the sunny kitchen for a light breakfast. (They love juice and cereal, and rarely eat a heavy breakfast.) Richard usually wears jeans and a T-shirt. Karen is comfortable in a robe and fuzzy bedroom slippers. They scan the morning papers, read some of their fan mail and it time permits, Karen enjoys exercising her brains with a crossword puzzle.

Breakfast over, they shower, shampoo hair and dress in readiness for their first meeting or interview. If they're lucky, it will take place in their home, and if on schedule, they might have time for a quick game of pool between meetings. When the meetings etc. are scheduled away from home, they find they must head many times in a direction many miles from the studio. They are obliged to fight time and freeway traffic to reach their destination on time. They may have strings or woodwinds coming in, and they don't want to keep the musicians waiting. Once at the studio, they know they will be there for another lengthy session, and won't see their beds until the wee hours again. They love their work, and truly pour their hearts, talents, patience and personalities into their music they express so uniquely.

Days off are rare indeed, but when they do pop-up occasionally, they want to relax. You might find Karen in the pool, doing needlepoint, or just sunning herself on the patio. In between naps, she 'roughs it up' with her dogs, Lady and Mush who have waited patiently for her loving and attention. Richard's loves on a day off are listening to his records or tapes, and/or buying new ones. He has a tremendous collection of singles and albums which include find old rare 33's. An ardent admirer of Spike Jones - he has a large number of his records which he treasures. When not involved with his music, he also enjoys a spin on this motorbike, and watching car races.

It can be said they never really have a day off, as they constantly plan ahead for upcoming concerts, new albums, etc.

Arguments between them are very rare. There is a deep understanding between them, and a strong brother-sister love for each other. With the busy schedule you have just read, they don't have time to fight! They are intelligent youngsters who have learned to enjoy each other's company - even in silence on the way home from a long hard day at the studio.

More next month.

EV.

Last changed: Mon May 23 22:24:33 EDT 2005