Long Time Fan But New To The Forum!
mark
19 Feb 2008
Hi Everyone,
My name is Mark, and I have been a Carps fan since 1970 when I heard "Begun" for the first time.
Sorry for the delay in doing this, not meaning to be rude but- I didn't know an "Intro" section even existed...
Had the honor of seeing them live in Vegas in 1976 and 1978, with 1978 including a short Christmas medley as well as "When I Fall in Love"- absolutely wonderful.
Saw the Karen tribute conference in '83 and visited A&M Studios in 1989, where I did get to see a pressing of the solo album in its rose/mauve/lavender/blue color scheme.
Married with 4 kids, I live in Denver and am also an avid fan of the Disney Theme Parks.
I am the associate pastor of a small Christian church in Aurora, Colorado. Prior to the professional ministry, I worked for AT&T for 15 years, half in Southern California, half in Colorado. My wife is a school teacher, 5th grade. Miss the beach but love my life in Colorado- I hate snow, though!
Love to travel and we just visited Europe for three weeks alone after saving for a decade! (LOVE Paris and Tuscany!)
I am certainly thankful for the wealth of knowledge on these boards and enjoy hearing other's thoughts and opinions on K&R, A&M. and the music industry at large. My other favorite artists are Sting, Amy Grant, Michael Buble, with a wide range of other artists from different genres: George Strait and Donna Summer to Olivia Newton-John and George Benson, Jeremy Camp to Chris Tomlin.
Look forward to posting hear and reading here as well.
Mark
My name is Mark, and I have been a Carps fan since 1970 when I heard "Begun" for the first time.
Sorry for the delay in doing this, not meaning to be rude but- I didn't know an "Intro" section even existed...
Had the honor of seeing them live in Vegas in 1976 and 1978, with 1978 including a short Christmas medley as well as "When I Fall in Love"- absolutely wonderful.
Saw the Karen tribute conference in '83 and visited A&M Studios in 1989, where I did get to see a pressing of the solo album in its rose/mauve/lavender/blue color scheme.
Married with 4 kids, I live in Denver and am also an avid fan of the Disney Theme Parks.
I am the associate pastor of a small Christian church in Aurora, Colorado. Prior to the professional ministry, I worked for AT&T for 15 years, half in Southern California, half in Colorado. My wife is a school teacher, 5th grade. Miss the beach but love my life in Colorado- I hate snow, though!
Love to travel and we just visited Europe for three weeks alone after saving for a decade! (LOVE Paris and Tuscany!)
I am certainly thankful for the wealth of knowledge on these boards and enjoy hearing other's thoughts and opinions on K&R, A&M. and the music industry at large. My other favorite artists are Sting, Amy Grant, Michael Buble, with a wide range of other artists from different genres: George Strait and Donna Summer to Olivia Newton-John and George Benson, Jeremy Camp to Chris Tomlin.
Look forward to posting hear and reading here as well.
Mark
Bruce
20 Feb 2008
Welcome to the forum Mark, that is quite a background you have.
I've vacationed in Colorado, well, all over the west, and love it. Really big on Disney too, but I can by no means claim a monopoly on that!
How does your wife like teaching? I am in the Elem. Ed program myself, and hope to teach after I retire from the Air Force.
Again, welcome!
Bruce, from Florida.
I've vacationed in Colorado, well, all over the west, and love it. Really big on Disney too, but I can by no means claim a monopoly on that!
How does your wife like teaching? I am in the Elem. Ed program myself, and hope to teach after I retire from the Air Force.
Again, welcome!
Bruce, from Florida.
LeadSister
20 Feb 2008
Hi 
Mark and welcome to the forum! No worries on your first post... just was giving you a heads up. 
You have quite an intro there. You're one of the lucky ones that got to see them live and a big plus to have seen them in '78! Very cool. I became a fan in '96. I was born the year they signed with A&M so I missed all the good years.
You are living in the wrong place for not liking snow! LOL I'm not a big fan of it either here in Connecticut. And lucky that you got to visit Europe. I've always wanted to visit Germany and Italy.
Anyway... hope you enjoy yourself here. Lots of information and fun people.
Mark and welcome to the forum! No worries on your first post... just was giving you a heads up. You have quite an intro there. You're one of the lucky ones that got to see them live and a big plus to have seen them in '78! Very cool. I became a fan in '96. I was born the year they signed with A&M so I missed all the good years.You are living in the wrong place for not liking snow! LOL I'm not a big fan of it either here in Connecticut. And lucky that you got to visit Europe. I've always wanted to visit Germany and Italy.
Anyway... hope you enjoy yourself here. Lots of information and fun people.
RobinB
20 Feb 2008
Hi Mark-Wecome to the forum. You will be amazed at the wealth of knowledge that some of these members have. I learn something new just about every day and I've been a Carpenters fan since they first burst onto the seen in 1970. Robin
mark
20 Feb 2008
Just to answer a few questions- and then to share something major that I forgot to say...
Yes, Bruce, my wife likes education quite a bit, although after 10 years this go around and including a few years teaching before we had kids, she has seen quite a negative difference. Much more of an attitude of "my kid is perfect and does nothing wrong" than there used to be! But still alot of great people, kids, parents, and teachers. Colorado is beautiful but I love the beach, so there you have it!
Pamela, you may have missed the "great years", but you are helping us remember them by staring this site and board! Thanks!
Italy is just beautiful and the people are very friendly and helpful. We found the same thing true in Paris. Contrary to popular thought, the Parisians are nice but they are not smiley. I do not understand that as they live in such a beautiful city! If you have the chance to ever go, you won't regret it.
(For another other Disney park lover, we went to Disneyland Paris. It was so beautiful and so different than the American parks. Even the insides of the attractions were redesigned. If you are into Disney, spend a day to see it if you are in Paris.) We were in Germany as well. Both Bavaria and in Munich. Loved them both. So clean and green and beautiful. Terrific pastries...
I am getting old- I can't believe I forgot to mention this..................................................................
In 1976, I saw K&R twice in one weekend when they were playing the Riveria. After the second show, my brave sister talked to the security guard, who had met or known someone in the Carpenters entourage. All this to say, we went backstage and I got to meet both of them! (How could I forget that!) Unfortunately, my camera was broken, so no picture!
Met Karen first. She was slender but not alarmingly so- and so small, dainty features with a warm smile and sparkling eyes. She was very kind, asked if we enjoyed the show, where we were from, etc. I had a small gift (a cookbook for two) that I gave her. I was amazed I could speak at all but I did ok. Told her I'd been a fan for years, that the concert was great, and fought all my instincts to gush! (I was 19 years old and "smitten".) When she needed to leave, after saying goodbye, we were escorted to see Richard. He was in a separate room on a sofa with about 4 lovely ladies around him!!! He did take time to wave and say hello.
Needless to say, I didn't sleep much that night- and my sister was my new hero for a long long time!
Nice to chat with you all.
Thank you for making me feel so welcome.
Mark
Yes, Bruce, my wife likes education quite a bit, although after 10 years this go around and including a few years teaching before we had kids, she has seen quite a negative difference. Much more of an attitude of "my kid is perfect and does nothing wrong" than there used to be! But still alot of great people, kids, parents, and teachers. Colorado is beautiful but I love the beach, so there you have it!
Pamela, you may have missed the "great years", but you are helping us remember them by staring this site and board! Thanks!
Italy is just beautiful and the people are very friendly and helpful. We found the same thing true in Paris. Contrary to popular thought, the Parisians are nice but they are not smiley. I do not understand that as they live in such a beautiful city! If you have the chance to ever go, you won't regret it.
(For another other Disney park lover, we went to Disneyland Paris. It was so beautiful and so different than the American parks. Even the insides of the attractions were redesigned. If you are into Disney, spend a day to see it if you are in Paris.) We were in Germany as well. Both Bavaria and in Munich. Loved them both. So clean and green and beautiful. Terrific pastries...
I am getting old- I can't believe I forgot to mention this..................................................................
In 1976, I saw K&R twice in one weekend when they were playing the Riveria. After the second show, my brave sister talked to the security guard, who had met or known someone in the Carpenters entourage. All this to say, we went backstage and I got to meet both of them! (How could I forget that!) Unfortunately, my camera was broken, so no picture!
Met Karen first. She was slender but not alarmingly so- and so small, dainty features with a warm smile and sparkling eyes. She was very kind, asked if we enjoyed the show, where we were from, etc. I had a small gift (a cookbook for two) that I gave her. I was amazed I could speak at all but I did ok. Told her I'd been a fan for years, that the concert was great, and fought all my instincts to gush! (I was 19 years old and "smitten".) When she needed to leave, after saying goodbye, we were escorted to see Richard. He was in a separate room on a sofa with about 4 lovely ladies around him!!! He did take time to wave and say hello.
Needless to say, I didn't sleep much that night- and my sister was my new hero for a long long time!
Nice to chat with you all.
Thank you for making me feel so welcome.
Mark
whsoxfan
21 Feb 2008
Hi Mark
I'm Jayne from Illinois - welcome to the forum! That was quite a story! How exciting that you got to meet K & R in person! I was fortunate enough to see them in Chicago back in '73...... I treasure that memory!
I'm Jayne from Illinois - welcome to the forum! That was quite a story! How exciting that you got to meet K & R in person! I was fortunate enough to see them in Chicago back in '73...... I treasure that memory!
DR Drummer
23 Feb 2008
Hey Mark. Wow, like some other members and recent introductions, you have some real interesting memories and stories from way back. 
I'm Dave from SC and I remember the Carpenters well in the 1970s', though I became a big resurgent fan in 2004. Welcome to LS site and forums as it's full of all kinds interesting people, insight and information. 
I'm Dave from SC and I remember the Carpenters well in the 1970s', though I became a big resurgent fan in 2004. Welcome to LS site and forums as it's full of all kinds interesting people, insight and information.
Pookeysmom
26 Feb 2008
QUOTE (mark @ Feb 20 2008, 08:47 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I am getting old- I can't believe I forgot to mention this..................................................................
In 1976, I saw K&R twice in one weekend when they were playing the Riveria. After the second show, my brave sister talked to the security guard, who had met or known someone in the Carpenters entourage. All this to say, we went backstage and I got to meet both of them! (How could I forget that!) Unfortunately, my camera was broken, so no picture!
Met Karen first. She was slender but not alarmingly so- and so small, dainty features with a warm smile and sparkling eyes. She was very kind, asked if we enjoyed the show, where we were from, etc. I had a small gift (a cookbook for two) that I gave her. I was amazed I could speak at all but I did ok. Told her I'd been a fan for years, that the concert was great, and fought all my instincts to gush! (I was 19 years old and "smitten".) When she needed to leave, after saying goodbye, we were escorted to see Richard. He was in a separate room on a sofa with about 4 lovely ladies around him!!! He did take time to wave and say hello.
Needless to say, I didn't sleep much that night- and my sister was my new hero for a long long time!
Nice to chat with you all.
Thank you for making me feel so welcome.
Mark
In 1976, I saw K&R twice in one weekend when they were playing the Riveria. After the second show, my brave sister talked to the security guard, who had met or known someone in the Carpenters entourage. All this to say, we went backstage and I got to meet both of them! (How could I forget that!) Unfortunately, my camera was broken, so no picture!
Met Karen first. She was slender but not alarmingly so- and so small, dainty features with a warm smile and sparkling eyes. She was very kind, asked if we enjoyed the show, where we were from, etc. I had a small gift (a cookbook for two) that I gave her. I was amazed I could speak at all but I did ok. Told her I'd been a fan for years, that the concert was great, and fought all my instincts to gush! (I was 19 years old and "smitten".) When she needed to leave, after saying goodbye, we were escorted to see Richard. He was in a separate room on a sofa with about 4 lovely ladies around him!!! He did take time to wave and say hello.
Needless to say, I didn't sleep much that night- and my sister was my new hero for a long long time!
Nice to chat with you all.
Thank you for making me feel so welcome.
Mark
Hi, Mark,
Similar story to my backstage visit in '75!!
I didn't get a picture either. 
Welcome and hope to hear more from you on the boards.
Cheryl....49....in Charleston, SC
