Hello Friends!

The following good news will hopefully counteract the delay in getting back to you!

I am very happy to advise you Richard married his longtime girlfriend Mary Rudolph on 19th. May. In accordance with Richard's wishes, the ceremony, officiated by Rev. Michael Winstead at Downey United Methodist Church was a private occasion, witnessed by family, close friends and associates numbering 120.

A natural beauty, the bride was stunningly radiant as she and the groom exchanged their marriage vows. She was attended by five bridesmaids attired in charming pink chiffon dresses. The groom, Dad and ushers sported black tuxedos. Mom Carpenter was dressed in an old fashioned Victorian style pink gown, and the bride's Mother's gown of pale blue was a similar style. The bride was given away by her father, and Wes Jacobs was the choice of Best Man for Richard.

An elegant reception at the Tiffany Terrace of. the Hilton At The Park Hotel in the city of Anaheim followed the ceremony. Music and dancing continued until the wee hours of the morning. Needless to say Richard and Wes did not escape "work" as guests pleaded with them to add their expertise to the group of top notch musicians.

As Richard and Mary cherish this momentous occasion in their lives, I am sure you will understand, having devoted so much of his life to the public, he and Mary do not wish to commercialize their marriage, so there will be no pictures available through the fanclub. We wish them God's Blessing and all the happiness they deserve.

We can expect a new Christmas album later this year. Titled An Old Fashioned Christmas. It will be released worldwide in album, cassette and compact disk format.

Richard and John Bettis wrote the title song. Seven of the previously unreleased tracks feature Karen on vocals, and newly recorded tracks have been added. In conjunction with the album, Richard leaves for London, England soon to collaborate with his friend, arranger/conductor Peter Knight. The overture and piano orchestra numbers will be recorded at E.M.I.'s Abbey Road Studios.

Sales have been buoyant for the television advertised Yesterday Once More album, and will continue at this outlet until it reverts to the retail level at a later date We regret it is not available to residents outside the United States.

At the request of his old buddy and former Carpenters group member Doug Strawn, Richard flew to Florida recently and enjoyed playing the piano at 4 performances with students of the All American College Orchestra, sponsored by the Disneyland Organization as part of their Work Experience Program. Doug is Director of Entertainment at Disney World's Magic Kingdom and Epcot Center. He also conducted one of the performances.

The family's last surviving "4 legged friend" Mush succumbed to a lengthy illness recently, and we all miss her so much.

As referred to in the last newsletter, the Voice Of The Heart music books have arrived, and are available for $XX to USA and overseas members. The price includes shipping etc.

The cover features a replica of the album cover, and insert of the back of album. An unusual picture of Karen with shorter hair, and a couple of Made In America pictures are also embraced in the book. This same poignant cover picture of Karen is now available in poster form 24"x 24" for $X.X USA members, and $XX.XX overseas members, and in 8x10 size for the usual price of $X.XX USA and $X.XX overseas.

Richard just recently appeared as a judge in a taping of a new Dick Clark Production show called Putting On The Hits. The show will hit 100-125 markets around the country late September or early October. Richard judged 2 shows.

Negotiations for the "Movie Of The Week" are still in progress, but nothing too concrete to report at this time.

Now for a Question and Answer session:

Q. Were any of the tracks from Voice Of The Heart pulled from existing tracks, or cut from another album, If. so, which?

A. Your Baby, Two Lives, Make Believe and At The End Of A Song were all recorded during the Made In America sessions. Too many tracks were cut for one album.

Q. Does Richard presently have plans to produce another LP from cut material or Karen's solo album?

A. He's giving that some thought, and is going to record a solo LP for A & M.

Q. I recently purchased a copy of The Carpenters Collection (another TV release), why isn't this country in the number of albums recorded?

A. Because it's a compilation - one of many released worldwide.

Q. I own a copy of the poster "One Little Heart". You mentioned in a previous newsletter it was from A Song For You album, however, my album doesn't have that picture. Was this photo deleted in later editions?

A. To our knowledge, yes.

Q. Which is your favorite musical era, Baroque, Classical, Romantic, 20th Century?

A. Romantic.

Q. Which classical composers are Richard's current favorites?

A. Tchaikovsky, Greig, Rachmaninoff, Borodin etc.

Q. Is Richard still interested in orchestra conducting, and does he plan to get involved with that in the future?

A. Yes and Yes.

Q. Has Richard written for a string quartet, and what did he like or dislike about same?

A. As of yet, no.

Q. Who previously recorded Your Baby Doesn't Love You Anymore?

A. Ruby And The Romantics, in 1965.

Q. Are any Carpenters albums released on the new Compact Disk?

Yes. The Singles 1969-1973 and Voice Of The Heart.

Q. Will there be any Carpenters video tapes on the market soon?

A. Richard is contemplating possibility but nothing definite at this time.

Q. Have the Carpenters ever endorsed a product for commercials?

A. Yes, back in 1970 they did one for Morton's Potato Chips, one for Bell Telephone System, a public service one for the Highway Patrol, plus a couple of Japanese ones; for Suntory Pop and Hi-Crown Chocolate.

We trust you are all enjoying fabulous summer vacations, and as usual Richard and family extend warmest congratulations to all graduates.

God Bless You All. Rosina.

Last changed: Mon Sep 12 23:28:33 EDT 2005