RE: KIM CARNES/DON’T CALL IT LOVE

Hey, Bob. Thank you so much for your very kind words about “Don’t Call It Love.” You’ve given an old songwriter a big lift and I’m grateful.

Tom Snow

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Original Tom Snow version of “Don’t Call It Love”

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3YMY6oz

Hyperbolium

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Hi Bob,

You don’t know me personally, but after reading your Feb.15th letter I feel like you do. I was heavily involved in “Mistaken Identity” being the arranger on “Bette Davis Eyes”, “Mistaken Identity” and writing the music for “Draw Of The Cards.”

I wanted to give you a quick back story regarding “Don’t Call It Love”. EMI wanted that for the first single, but Kim was adamant about it being too commercial despite being the obvious choice. She felt it wan’t unique to her, instead wanting something that was more of a game changer and more in the direction she was seeking.

Jim Mazza, Gary Gersh, Don Grierson all complained that BDEyes was not suitable for a radio single: No chorus, no guitar solo, synth based etc., etc.. Kim went to EMI daily to plead her case and finally got EMI president Jim Mazza to acquiesce. Of course, the rest is history along with the execs applauding “their decision” to release “Bette Davis Eyes” as the first single.

I was fortunate in having a long time relationship with Kim (still hang with her and husband Dave today) in that she was always open to hear new ideas. I never thought she would like the music, but I played her the song that would become Draw Of The Cards and she along with Val Garay (producer) loved it. The result was a waltz that rocked. By the way, the laughing at the end is Kim’s husband Dave.

You are so right about memorable music. The home computer/studio opened the floodgates and the gate of talent required was removed. These days I rarely work in the studio unless I’m making music of merit (indie films) and also not expecting anything to become of it. I realize I am battling 2 fronts: Ageism and Public numbness. However that doesn’t stop me from getting together to work with old friends like Dann Rogers who I’ve known for decades and putting out some quality pieces of work. We just put out a song (Let Go and Be Still) and if anyone listens, that’s a bonus. Really can’t ask for anything more. The pleasure of creating is always there.

Best regards,
Bill Cuomo

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Should have been the 2nd single off that album as you’re right it was a hit song and he gave me a demo of it when I was buying his Yahama C5 piano. But she insisted it be “Draw Of The Cards” which I co-wrote with her and it was written about Josh Leo getting cancer and I said it was all in the draw of the cards and so the song was written.  Interesting insight Bob and yes Jerry’s solo was killer. He called it playing “Elephants” where he would play a tenor and alto sax together at the same time. 

Val Garay

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I can’t begin to tell you how happy I was to read your post about the song, “Don’t Call It Love”.

I spent most of my career as a song plugger and truth be told, you are only as good as the songs you pitch.

I was at Arista Music in 1984 when we acquired Dean Pitchford’s catalogue and I was put in charge of going through it and finding songs to pitch.

At my initial meeting with Dean, I told him how much I loved “Don’t Call It Love”. Knowing it had been cut a few times before I asked him what his “Christmas wish” was for it. He said immediately, Dolly Parton.  Challenge accepted.

I booked a trip to Nashville and played it in person for David Malloy, who was producing the next Dolly Parton album. He put it on hold immediately and was in the studio within weeks cutting the record.

In 1985, it was released as a single and reached number 3 on the Billboard country charts and awarded the grand prize for Song of The Year at BMI.

 

As a song plugger, one of my prouder moments.

Thanks for bringing attention to the song and the song writers!

Kindly

Judy Stakee

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I was a baby rock critic when Dolly had the hit… and it has that full stop heading into the chorus, which just grabbed you.

It took a few listeners to realize it WAS the song from MISTAKEN IDENTITY, which everyone I knew obsessed with after Kim Carnes opened for — I believe — James Taylor at Blossom. She was so cool, in her oversized tuxedo jacket, that smoky, salty voice just sandpapered down to raw emotion.

The cleaner synth track of Carnes’ track seemed poppier, but her vocal was delivered through (we thought) a lot of life.

Dolly’s version, once I figured out it was the same song,  was silkier, her voice a bit more rooted in the vibrato and the the full-on pledge. It was less fraught, more sweet.

Each woman, though, had iconic tone — and were able to be all-in and then some without sounding like a cliche, over-emoting or having that amyl nitrate/coked up enthusiasm.
AND you;re right about the sax solo, too.

and if you really wanna hear Carnes’ at her finest, a ballad called “Still Hold On.” WHOOOOOOwooooooooooWH!

Holly Gleason\
Nashville, TN

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I’m pretty sure my little brother’s finger[prints are
all over Kim’s album, most definitely Bette Davis Eyes.
FYI.

Jimmy Wachtel

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“Don’t Call it Love”

Yes, written by Tom Snow.

He wrote lots of great songs.

Had a few solo albums.

His first band was called ‘Country”

There was a song on there called “Sylvie”

Lowell George plays slide guitar on it.

Ta-da!

Marty Bender

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You forgot to mention that Kim Carnes didn’t write Bette Davis Eyes either.

Original version here:

Best Regards,
Zach Goode

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RE: FRED ROSEN PODCAST

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Wow Bob

Blown away by that interview and wish it went another couple hours!

I hope he writes some sort of book.  Hearing his perspective on the Pearl Jam fiasco, Dean Budnik’s book, Telecharge’s litany of bad business decisions, and how he ran TM… just wow.  It all just seems like a no-brainer now, but clearly here’s a guy who knows where the money is and how to make a deal, and then how to see the deal through.

I’m sure I could come up with better words to express how amazing that interview is, let’s just say that if Fred Rosen was as truly authentic during his time at Ticketmaster I certainly would have run through walls for him.

Not many in this biz inspire that kind of emotion in me that’s for sure!

Get him back for round two!

Cheers

Dan Millen

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How great to hear Fred‘s voice again.

Early in my career I was a Ticketmaster client in several markets, part of a number of Ticketron conversions, and never had a bad day using the service, striking new deals, getting data or payment or dealing with a smart, talented and diverse staff.

Later in my career, as a TM Vice-president (after Fred), we blazed new trails in Asia, cutting deals with global impact. Pound for pound probably the smartest group of people I’ve ever worked with.

Now, as an occasional consumer, but knowing all the history and backstories, I’m still amazed at the costs and machinations involved in selling a ticket.

Alan DeZon

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SPECTACULAR Interview!!!

Steve Gerardi

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Wow. Completely fascinating. I love hearing about the underbelly of the ticketing business. I’m no businessman but I was enthralled.

Russ Turk

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Great interview!

Kyle JF

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RE: SPRINGSTEEN TICKETS

Most of the third and fourth row behind the pit went unsold in Dallas. Even the $405 face value was too high for the folks who didn’t fall prey to the “platinum” pricing.

I bought a side-stage ticket with an amazing view from a scalper 45 minutes before the show for $20.

Charles McGarry

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RE: JACK ANTONOFF ON TOURING

As a former small market promoter, Mr. Goldsmith’s comments are spot on. 

 

As a former concert ticket buyer, the day the fees and parking exceeded the ticket price was the day I quit going to live events.

Add to that utter disregard for attendee safety shown recently by some artists in Festival settings and there is no way I’m going to or allowing my kids to go to such an event.

Allen Craft

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RE: DAVID CROSBY

Hi Bob

Here’s my David Crosby tale:

It was probably the late 80’s. I used to eat breakfast at Saul’s Deli (later Delmonico’s) on Ventura in Encino. I’d occasionally see David Crosby there doing the same with his wife. We’d exchange, ‘hi’s’ in passing. One morning, as I was walking by, he stopped me. HUH?! He gestured at a yellow, lined pad on the table in front of him containing scribbling, ’actually, my wife and I are having an argument about this song,’ he said, ‘I’m trying to finish it. Maybe you could help us out.’ I picked my teeth up off the floor and responded with an enthusiastic, ‘sure.’ He smiled and pointed at the paper, ‘she thinks it should be this. I think it should be the words of the hook.’ I read through the words and said, ‘well, being a songwriter (he’d never heard of me), I’m generally biased in favor of using the words in the hook.’ He smiled broadly and said, ‘me too!’He turned to his not-as broadly-smiling wife and chided, ‘there – TOLD you!’ We all laughed – nervously. The song eventually appeared on a solo album, but I remember no more than that – except the title was amazing. What writer’s percentage should I have requested?! But seriously, that throw-away moment for him has always been one of my favorite memories. R.I.P., David.

Best,

Manny Freiser 

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RE: THE SHANE MCNALLY ARTICLE

“New Musical ‘Shucked’ Headed To Broadway This Spring With Songs By Nashville Hitmakers Brandy Clark & Shane McAnally”: https://bit.ly/3xChUz7

Janet Richardson

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RE: FOX NEWS SCANDAL/DAVID MURPHY

Proves what point, Bob?  CNN’s news reporting isn’t inclined to cover Don Lemon’s idiotic remark (on CNN, of course) about women over 50 being past their prime, either.   Like people everywhere, news networks endeavor to protect their own reputations. Call it human nature.

Kevin Green

Washington, DC

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Note: 

“Don Lemon apologizes to CNN colleagues for sexist remarks: ‘I’m sorry that I said it’: https://cnn.it/3xD7KhC

By Oliver Darcy, CNN

Published 11:31 AM EST, Fri February 17, 2023

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Thanks for sharing. David is a smart man

Richard Carlson

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And your point?
The majority of the country agrees with him. Myself included.
I feel like we’re living in “All Along the Watchtower.”

Thanks,
Ernie Canadeo
Chairman and Founder
The EGC Group
egcgroup.com

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Note: My inbox does not concur. Criticism of Mr. Murphy’s opinions outnumbered those supporting them by a ratio of thirty to one.

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Your emails have been so spotty lately that I’ve relegated them to the “read last” group. The just published string of replies you’ve received from Mr Murphy, however, have given me hope. Going forward, if you’re to feel compelled to get political, please consult with him first.

Mark Terry

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You really should listen to this David Murphy..I don’t even know who he is, but he’s spot on.  Big disconnect that you’re trying to make an example him and yet you cant see it.

Funktion808

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Geez – thanks Bob.
You make me look pretty good here.

David Murphy