Former Member Returns After Four Year Abse...
Portlander
13 Sep 2007
My name is Jim and I'm pleased to be back as a member of the best Carpenter site on the planet. Reason for the four year delay was a divorce, my ex wife got the computer and I was too lazy to buy a new one! I did however, keep up with the lastest on our favorite duo thanks to friends and family computer sessions.
I had the honor of meeting Karen and Richard prior to a concert in Chicago in 1976 while in the US Navy. Everythng you have heard about them concerning their interactions with fans are true. They were genuinely warm and friendly, both autographing a PR photograph for me and invited me backstage for a pre concert lunch with them and the band. I loved their music from the moment I first heard "Close To You" on the radio in the summer of 1970, I was only twelve! But after meeting them in person and seeing first hand how nice they really were, I became a loyal Carpenter fan for life.
That autographed photo of Karen and Richard is framed and proudly hanging on the wall in my house! Back in high school, my affection for girls, cars and sports made it uncool to show outward admiration for the Carpenters. Now it's cool to be a Carpenterphile, and with worldwide record sales exceeding 120 million, we have a lot of company out there whether they want to admit it or not!
The CARPENTERS deserve to be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, I'm just not sure if the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame deserves the CARPENTERS!
Edited by PortlandMainer, 13 September 2007 - 07:59 PM.
I had the honor of meeting Karen and Richard prior to a concert in Chicago in 1976 while in the US Navy. Everythng you have heard about them concerning their interactions with fans are true. They were genuinely warm and friendly, both autographing a PR photograph for me and invited me backstage for a pre concert lunch with them and the band. I loved their music from the moment I first heard "Close To You" on the radio in the summer of 1970, I was only twelve! But after meeting them in person and seeing first hand how nice they really were, I became a loyal Carpenter fan for life.
That autographed photo of Karen and Richard is framed and proudly hanging on the wall in my house! Back in high school, my affection for girls, cars and sports made it uncool to show outward admiration for the Carpenters. Now it's cool to be a Carpenterphile, and with worldwide record sales exceeding 120 million, we have a lot of company out there whether they want to admit it or not!
The CARPENTERS deserve to be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, I'm just not sure if the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame deserves the CARPENTERS!
Edited by PortlandMainer, 13 September 2007 - 07:59 PM.
Bruce
13 Sep 2007
QUOTE(PortlandMainer @ Sep 13 2007, 07:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
My name is Jim and I'm pleased to be back as a member of the best Carpenter site on the planet. Reason for the four year delay was a divorce, my ex wife got the computer and I was too lazy to buy a new one! I did however, keep up with the lastest on our favorite duo thanks to friends and family computer sessions.
I had the honor of meeting Karen and Richard prior to a concert in Chicago in 1976 while in the US Navy. Everythng you have heard about them concerning their interactions with fans are true. They were genuinely warm and friendly, both autographing a PR photograph for me and invited me backstage for a pre concert lunch with them and the band. I loved their music from the moment I first heard "Close To You" on the radio in the summer of 1970, I was only twelve! But after meeting them in person and seeing first hand how nice they really were, I became a loyal Carpenter fan for life.
That autographed photo of Karen and Richard is framed and proudly hanging on the wall in my house! Back in high school, my affection for girls, cars and sports made it uncool to show outward admiration for the Carpenters. Now it's cool to be a Carpenterphile, and with worldwide record sales exceeding 120 million, we have a lot of company out there whether they want to admit it or not!
The CARPENTERS deserve to be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, I'm just not sure if the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame deserves the CARPENTERS!
I had the honor of meeting Karen and Richard prior to a concert in Chicago in 1976 while in the US Navy. Everythng you have heard about them concerning their interactions with fans are true. They were genuinely warm and friendly, both autographing a PR photograph for me and invited me backstage for a pre concert lunch with them and the band. I loved their music from the moment I first heard "Close To You" on the radio in the summer of 1970, I was only twelve! But after meeting them in person and seeing first hand how nice they really were, I became a loyal Carpenter fan for life.
That autographed photo of Karen and Richard is framed and proudly hanging on the wall in my house! Back in high school, my affection for girls, cars and sports made it uncool to show outward admiration for the Carpenters. Now it's cool to be a Carpenterphile, and with worldwide record sales exceeding 120 million, we have a lot of company out there whether they want to admit it or not!
The CARPENTERS deserve to be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, I'm just not sure if the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame deserves the CARPENTERS!
You got to have a pre-show lunch with them!?
*faints*
Wow, that is too awesome.
I was around ten when Close To You came out, so I kinda have the same history with the Carps.
Well, welcome back! I found this place after a divorce as well, which is a good thing in a few different ways.
I'm Bruce, and I'm in Florida.
Marty
13 Sep 2007
Welcome, Jim!
I'm Marty, 18, from Chicago but live in Indiana now. You're so lucky to have met them! I wish that I could've got that chance.
I hope that you enjoy it here as much as I have!
I'm Marty, 18, from Chicago but live in Indiana now. You're so lucky to have met them! I wish that I could've got that chance.
I hope that you enjoy it here as much as I have!
puppy
13 Sep 2007
QUOTE(PortlandMainer @ Sep 13 2007, 08:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
The CARPENTERS deserve to be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, I'm just not sure if the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame deserves the CARPENTERS!
Nice! Glad to have you here.
I'm Linda, 31, from Canada.
Goofus
13 Sep 2007
I read about your story in your first post long ago and thought that was SO COOL that you actually got invited to have lunch with them. I recall you said you didn't accept the invitation though cause you were shy and probably too shocked. lol. But I'm so jealous at the thought, I wish I could have seen them in concert or had a moment to speak with Karen.
I'm Leanne and I'm 31 years young from Canada.
I'm Leanne and I'm 31 years young from Canada.
Cathy Panzeca
14 Sep 2007
Hello Jim, i'm Cathy from Atlanta, nice to meet ya, and welcome back.
LeadSister
14 Sep 2007
Hello and welcome back to the forum Jim! So cool and lucky that you got to meet them and have a pre concert lunch! I'm jealous!
Great to have you back and see ya around!
and welcome back to the forum Jim! So cool and lucky that you got to meet them and have a pre concert lunch! I'm jealous! Great to have you back and see ya around!
DR Drummer
14 Sep 2007
QUOTE(PortlandMainer @ Sep 13 2007, 08:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I loved their music from the moment I first heard "Close To You" on the radio in the summer of 1970, I was only twelve! But after meeting them in person and seeing first hand how nice they really were, I became a loyal Carpenter fan for life.
The CARPENTERS deserve to be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, I'm just not sure if the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame deserves the CARPENTERS!
The CARPENTERS deserve to be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, I'm just not sure if the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame deserves the CARPENTERS!
Wow, I was also 12 and camping with my family at The Saco River Campgrounds in Conway, NH when I first heard "Close to You "on the radio. They were playing it so much I remember myself saying, "Oh no,...not again"...
. . 
Your post is very interesting and well received. Welcome back.Dave form SC.
Edited by DR Drummer, 14 September 2007 - 08:23 AM.
34rfgyu
15 Sep 2007
Hi! Nice to see you to see you nice.
Four years without a 'puter, gulp. I'm seriously thinking about giving mine up, I just don't like the way the internet is going. I have Orwellian issues. Will this be achieved? Watch this spot, I don't think it will be easy.
Silv...
Four years without a 'puter, gulp. I'm seriously thinking about giving mine up, I just don't like the way the internet is going. I have Orwellian issues. Will this be achieved? Watch this spot, I don't think it will be easy.
Silv...
JadensMom02
15 Sep 2007
QUOTE
I had the honor of meeting Karen and Richard prior to a concert in Chicago in 1976 while in the US Navy. Everythng you have heard about them concerning their interactions with fans are true. They were genuinely warm and friendly, both autographing a PR photograph for me and invited me backstage for a pre concert lunch with them and the band. I loved their music from the moment I first heard "Close To You" on the radio in the summer of 1970, I was only twelve! But after meeting them in person and seeing first hand how nice they really were, I became a loyal Carpenter fan for life.
Hiya, Jim! Welcome back! I'm Jena, from the Chicago area. Oh, and I'm also immeasurably jealous of you for having been one of the privileged few here who have met Karen in person.
We're all very glad you're here!Now, about that lunch backstage....
I take it you didn't go?? Butterflies, I'm sure. But how nice of them!! I can't get over that. 
Very, very cool. What were they wearing? (We girls always went details, you know!)
CarpsButtonFan
15 Sep 2007
QUOTE(JadensMom02 @ Sep 15 2007, 01:55 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
What were they wearing? (We girls always went details, you know!)
That's very true
Welcome back LS Jim. I'm mafer, 16 from ecuador.
You're very lucky...If I would have had the chance of meeting them...I dunno what would have happened
ReDuende
16 Sep 2007
Hi Jim, welcome back! I have been somewhat of a stranger here lately myself. That is really cool that you got to meet them!!!
Randy
Randy
whsoxfan
17 Sep 2007
Hi Jim!
Good to see you back!!! I'm Jayne, I remember you from before.... I saw the Carps at Arie Crown theatre on November 9, 1973! Very cool story!
Good to see you back!!! I'm Jayne, I remember you from before.... I saw the Carps at Arie Crown theatre on November 9, 1973! Very cool story!
