I've been sitting around thinking about re-writing the beginning of Genesis :} and
thought maybe I should do something a little less sanctimonious. Something about making
the creaton of the world and the "logos" and the "image"... the idea
and the vision God had, just a little less ominous. Guess I'll get to that. :}
Just about the time I'm about to change the subject... my parents always used to say
things at the oddest times, and I'd notice I was the only one around to hear it, so it
wasn't like I could repeat it. Like, they always said things like "if someone's
walking along the road, and needs help, you ought to help them, because you neve know when
yo're going to come across and angel sent to give you a message." I though that was
weird for my dad in particular, because he didn't seem religious at all. But, wheneve I'm
driving along, or thinking about things, or getting impatient with someone and things, I
always think of this song. Try A Little Kindness.
The other thing they said a few times in a short period of time was that "people
say the son of man is in the world, and will reveal himself before this generation
passes". Grownups talk funny sometimes :}
I always tell the story of how James Taylor "taught me to play guitar"... and
what I mean by that is that "You've Got A Friend" got me to really take on the
whole guitar instead of just picking things up by rote.
But, a number of years before that, in Jacksonville, Oregon, and before, I was watching
the Smothers Borthers, who gave a summer replacement show to John Denver, who gave a
summer replacement show to you. I thought it was a great idea, sort of passing the mantle
from one great musician to another. (I hung out for a while in L.A. with John's set
designer... you know the round circle set?).
Anyway... I really liked Johnny Hartford, and Gentle on My Mind... and the great music
you guys made. In fact, Wichita Lineman was actually one of the first tunes I learned to
play, complete with the lead...and you really inspired me with your version of Classical
Gas. When you did that live, I knew you were the real thing. And so I made a tape of it
and learned to play it note for note.
Still, I couldn't figure out why you wouldn't do live tv. I thought maybe it was
because you wanted your hair to look perfect. Perfectionists. :} I used to do my hair
exactly like yours, too. Hair spray and all. :}
And when you started having Bobby Gentry On (Ode To Billy Joe) and you did the Let It
Be Me, duet... it was so beautiful. And then of course, at my young age, I got a crush on
her, and you didn't have her on anymore. I was really disappointed.
Back in the mid-80's, I decided to submit some demos through resources in the
Songwriter's Market book... that's how I ended up contacting Capitol Records... which was
the same time I was just about to send a package to your "songwriter's house"..
paying people to write... when I saw an article saying you weren't paying staff writers
anymore either.
Which is a real shame, because I always said, if anyone, that I would like to write a
song for you. Not an old one, a new one. What do you want to sing about?
I really regretted - while working at KWAV in Monterey - not stopping off at Pebble
Beach while you and John Denver were doing the impromptu shows before the golf
tournaments. I could have gotten access so easily. I even made a tape with songs on
it for both of you "Champs" to play. But, you know me, didn't want to overstep
the lines... :}
BTW: Caught you on Larry King a few years back.... just wanted to let you know that
THIS fan wasn't disappointed with you for what happened after that. You're still one of my
"idols", and I still hope you'll do one of my tunes one day. "Hey, Little
One"... I'm Back in the Race. :}
FTR: I don't know about Genesis, but I'm definitely working on the end of
Revelations... :}
Love ya...
--- Chuck
