Hi Friends,

Two major releases took place this past August. First and foremost was the birth of Richard and Mary's first child. Her name is Kristi Lynn and she was born at 8:16 p.m. on August 17th at Downey Community Hospital. She weighed 7 pounds, 3 ounces and measured 20 inches in Length. Mary and Kristi are doing well and Richard is a most proud Father. Mary delivered Kristi naturally with Richard present during the birth, both having completed the Lamaze Prepared Childbirth class.

The second release took place on August 31th and was, (as we all know) even longer in the making than Kristi Lynn. It is Richard's debut album Time. The first single, Something In Your Eyes, has gotten quite a bit of "AC" airplay and as of this writing appears to have peaked at 15 on the Radio and Records chart. The follow-up will be Calling Your Name Again / Time. Jon Konjoyan of A&M Records (single promotion) has requested that each of you phone your local stations and request the record. Richard and A&M Records would appreciate this very much.

An eight by ten color photograph quite like that an the album cover and exactly like the single sleeve to Something in Your Eyes is now being offered for sale through the Fan Club.

Richard has been busy promoting the album, having been interviewed for articles in USA Today and People Magazine (October 16th, page 139) a feature on Good Morning America and Entertainment Tonight and a trip to London, England from October 10th to the 14th. In addition, a video has recently been completed for - Something in Your Eyes featuring, of course, Richard and Dusty. The video is now airing on Video Hits One.

On April 14th, Richard performed with the United States Airforce Concert Band at the Dorothy Chandler pavilion in Los Angeles. The concert was filled to capacity with an appreciative audience where they heard Richard play the Carpenter Piano Fantasia.

Richard and Mary visited friends in Topeka, Kansas for a week in July before heading to Orlando, Florida where Richard again played in concert at EPCOT on the 18th and 19th. Perhaps some of you had the opportunity to attend one of these performances. From Florida the couple flew to Baltimore, Maryland where they enjoyed a week's visit with Mary's family.

On August 1st Mary and 30 of her friends enjoyed a baby shower which featured a lovely luncheon given by her sister-in-law and three close friends.

September 11th, 12th, and 13th found Richard at Santa Monica beach where he was guest artist at "Pops at the Beach 1987 - An American Salute." He performed the Rhapsody In Blue and the Carpenter Fantasia with the Los Angeles "Pop" Orchestra.

Future engagements include two Christmas concerts at the Don Wash auditorium in Garden Grove, California on Saturday and Sunday, December 12th and 13th. Richard will be accompanied by the Garden Grove Symphony Orchestra, conducted by a former high school classmate, Ed Peterson and the University Choir from California State University Long Beach under the direction of Frank Pooler. Richard will play and sing many holiday favorites as well as perform the Carpenter Piano Fantasia and the Rhapsody in Blue. He will also be joined by Scott Grimes whose debut A&M album is now being produced by Richard and Herb Albert.

During the month of September a deluxe double "CD" set was released in Japan. It is called Treasures and it features 28 of Richard's favorite Carpenters' "album cuts" as well as one heretofore unreleased recording Slow Dance. Nine of the songs where remixed for this set.

The Movie of The week of the Carpenters' story is progressing with Barry Morrow presently working on the fourth draft of the script.

In plenty of time for Christmas, we have received a supply of the Christmas Portrait music books. The price is $XX.XX each for both U.S. and foreign fans.

You, the Carpenters fans, may be interested to learn that you are responsible for the lovely stamp books that Richard now possesses. Since 1970 foreign and domestic stamps have been removed from your envelopes and placed in albums. Foreign stamps now occupy two large albums which will soon be expanded into a third one. The stamps are teachers of many subjects including geography, history, art, nature, industry, transportation, sports, architecture, resources, national holidays, animals, etc. The art work and colors are beautiful and the subjects depicted give an insight into each wonderful country. Many thanks to all of you for your contribution.

The Carpenters and their staff wish you the happiest of holidays. Until next time. EV,

Last changed: Sun Sep 25 20:42:33 EDT 2005