Guest Links
From the official Richard and Karen Carpenter Web site: "During the last week of May 1971, while Rainy Days And Mondays was rapidly climbing the charts, Karen and Richard were rapidly videotaping their songs and sketches for "Make Your Own Kind of Music."
Fans ask: "I'm trying to find out if "Make Your Own Kind of Music" will ever be released completely on DVD?" Richard answers, "Absolutely not. Obtaining guest artists' releases, taking care of payment for publishing, director's fee, musicians' fees, etc. would prove to be a Herculean task and one that would not be practical given the meager amount of sales the package would generate. Plus, I don't care at all for the show."
The "New Doodletown Pipers"
"Augie, Danny, Dean, Hansel, Janelle, Jeanne, Lorna, Mary, Mic, Michelle, Oren, Paulette, Susan, Tom, Tony, and Theresa"
"Have so many fun memories of being in the group" - Tony Sands, a "Piper"
The New
Doodletown Pipers
(Courtesy of Dean Chapman)
The guys singing an "oldies" song
(Courtesy of Dean Chapman)
Dancing to an "oldies" song
(Courtesy of Dean Chapman)
This is a letter written to George Townsend in December 1998 shared to the public on George's fan tribute site to Perry Como.
"I was in the Doodletown Pipers (at the time Perry was recorded "Live" at the International Hotel in Las Vegas) and will never forget how talented and gracious Mr. Como was. I appreciate your interest in Perry Como, as well as the Doodletown Pipers.
Perry Como in Las Vegas
Regarding how the Pipers came to perform with Perry in Las Vegas, I'm not sure how that came about. It might be helpful, however, to give you a brief rundown on the Doodletown Pipers. I joined the Doodletown Pipers in 1970. From what I understand at the time, the Doodletown Pipers were formed in the mid-1960's, by Ward Ellis and George Wilkins. (Note: a man named Bernie Brillstein was also involved in some way. Mr. Brillstein is still a powerful figure in show business). All three men had many show business connections. (Regarding the connection with Perry Como, I remember that on at least one occasion, we rehearsed the Perry Como act at a network studio (I think it was ABC), where Perry had done a lot of work. Perhaps one of the owners of the Doodletown Pipers has connections with ABC).
Back to the Pipers. Ward was a well-known dancer/choreographer, and George Wilkins was musical director. Ward was the heart and soul behind the Pipers. He not only developed all of the group's choreography, but he rehearsed us, as well as accompanied us on the road. The Doodletown Pipers performed with Perry Como at the International Hotel in Las Vegas at least twice during the 1970-1971 period. (I say at least twice, because I'm not sure if they performed with Perry Como before I joined the group). As you know, on one of those occasions, the performance was recorded and became the "Perry Como Live" album. Our show with Perry was probably my favorite show with the Pipers. (We worked extensively in Las Vegas, on television, and throughout the country, with such entertainers as Bing Crosby, John Wayne, Bob Hope, Frank Gorshin (not sure of the spelling), Sarah Vaughn, Ed Ames, Rowan and Martin, and Alan King). Perry was always kind and gracious. We would open the act, and also accompany him during his portion of the show. There was only one downside; we had to learn a little Italian for some of the arrangements. (Just kidding!) In 1971, the Doodletown Pipers (now called the "New Doodletown Pipers") were regulars on the NBC summer replacement series entitled "Make Your Own Kind of Music." Also on the show were the headliners, the Carpenters, as well as Al Hirt, Mark Lindsay (from Paul Revere and the Raiders), Tom Pachett and Jay Tarses. The show was on every Tuesday night from July 20, 1971 to September 7, 1971.
Also, in 1971, the "New Doodletown Pipers" were signed to Bell Records. Our producer was Mike Post, who had recently won a Grammy Award for producing "Classical Gas" for Mason Williams. We recorded a number of songs of which were broadcast on the "Make Your Own Kind of Music" television show, and one of which was briefly played on a major Los Angeles radio station. (This was a song entitled "Only Me"). Throughout the remainder of the mid-1970's the Doodletown Pipers continued to perform in Las Vegas, Reno/Tahoe, and throughout the country.
Gradually, the jobs became less and less frequent, and finally, by the late 1970's the group was disbanded. Some of the group members who went on to perform in other groups or in other capacities are Myself (became the lead singer in the "Archies" in the mid-1970's) Theresa Graves (was the star of the 1970's television series "Get Christie Love") Oren Waters (has sung background vocals for scores of artists, among them, Michael Jackson and Neil Diamond) Michele "Mic" Bell (performed as "Joe" in the recent Broadway revival of "Showboat") Augie Johnson (performed in the 1970's recording group "Side Effect") If you would like any further information regarding our shows with Perry or the Doodletown Pipers, please don't hesitate to ask.
One more thing. I was talking to my mother about my Internet discussion with you, and she wanted me to ask you something. She and my father have a very old Perry Como record that was recorded during a musician's union strike. Evidently, there are no musical instruments on the record, only Perry, background singers, and sounds made by the background singers. My parents are trying to locate the record, and when they do I will let you know the name of the song, if it sounds familiar, please let me know."
