Kate and Sarah Klise

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Whenever I Call You Friend

1/16/2015

 
PictureMy brother would have to grow a beard. I'd have to crimp my hair.

A while back I suggested a nutty idea to my brother, YA author James Klise, and my illustrator sister, Sarah. "Let's hire a vocal coach to teach us to sing a karaoke version of 'Whenever I Call You Friend.' We could perform it sometime at a publishing conference.

Sarah's response: "Whaaaa?" My brother's response: "Are you insane?"

Okay, maybe a little. But it's such a fun song. It always makes me happy. Too bad I can't carry a tune in a bucket.

But just now I heard an interview on NPR with Melissa Manchester, whose pal, Kenny Loggins, wrote the song with some help from Melissa. She took a demo tape of the song to Clive Davis, who was then head of Capitol Records. "You've gotta hear this," she told Clive Davis. "It's fantastic! It's a sure-fire hit. I've got to record it with Kenny." According to Manchester, Davis listened to the song and said, "Eh, it's okay." He passed on it, so Kenny Loggins took the song to Stevie Nicks and together, they made a hit out of it.

There's a lesson in here somewhere, though I'm not sure what it is. Trust your artistic instincts? Self publish? Or maybe it's just don't let the grumps get you down. If you love a project, maybe a song you've written, or a book, a drawing, a poem, support it. Be its advocate and friend. And remember, every moment there's a reason to carry on . . . 

Jean Webster
1/16/2015 06:28:38 am

You always know what to say and when to say it.

Mark T.
1/16/2015 06:30:09 am

If there is a part for a baritone I will sing it with you Kate.

Kate
1/16/2015 07:12:44 am

If you don't mind the sound of dogs howling whenever I sing, you're on.

Mark T.
1/16/2015 07:48:45 am

Just remember the dog pond scene from Lady and the Tramp. It is natural canine harmony.

Allyson
1/19/2015 10:59:06 pm

Cool! That song does sound pretty funny!

Brett
1/19/2015 11:01:45 pm

Remeber Disneys Lady and the Tramp.


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