The PDFs of this issue can now be found at http://rhodeways.com Please keep in mind that many of the addresses, e-mail addresses, URLs or record labels aren't correct anymore. Samson dropped Happy like an anvil on Wile E. Coyote's head. After reading this issue, read Issue 12, then go here and read this. It'll burn your brain: http://www.auntiesocialmusic.com/manyworlds/archive/nov2000.htm ======================================================= Terra Incognita Issue 11 The International Happy Rhodes Forum Winter 1997/1998 [Graphic Break] [Picture Break] The Happy Medium . . . ...has changed its name. Let me explain where the name Rhodeways came from in the first place. Way back yonder on the timeline, back when I was a wee thang, back when I was busy runnin' a Sam Goody store for fun and profit, a friend and co-employee was dashing back and forth from the back room to the counter where I was a-situated one day, trying to put out CDs and help me come up with a suitable name for this new fanzine I'd started. Needless to say, there are lots of things you can do with Happy's name, since she was lucky enough to be blessed with both a noun and an adjective. After a few hours of laughing over various dumb combinations ("Rhodekill," "Happy Hour") I settled for Rhodeways because it sounded kinda like Rhodesongs and frankly, I was getting tired watching my friend run back and forth. Well, four years later when I was thoroughly sick of people calling it Rhodesongs, and others asking me "What the hell is Rhodeways?" I was just about ready to make a change (or a slice in my neck). The final straw came when I decided to bag AOL and discovered that my new server would only allow eight letters in my e-mail address. "Rhodeway" was out of the question and just - accentuated how dumb the name sounded in the first place. Perhaps no one else will agree with me, but I always thought Rhodeways sounded a bit goofy, especially since the woman's name is not "Rhode." So, to make a long story short (too late), Terra Incognita sounded infinitely cooler, and I picked it and that's the end of the story. No big mystery about it. Now to tell this to my bank . . . and the post office. . . From this point on, please make out checks and money orders to "Terra Incognita." Please, not Aural GratifIcation. TERRA INCOGNITA. Look it over. Say it. Please spell it correctly. It is Latin for "an unknown or unexplored land, region or subject." Yup. It is also the title of a Happy Rhodes song and this zine. And now it is the title of a new website (and quite certainly the name of a billion other websites). Those of you with web access will find it at http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Studios/3450/terra.html. Don't expect a giant art project, for that is not its purpose. The site is insanely up-to-date as far as info, but Terra Incognita is first and foremost a paper zine. This forum will contain articles and contributions from Happy that will never appear on the website. This is to encourage subscriptions. Unfortunately, current subscription numbers still do not support printing costs. Speaking of printers, thanks to Bob Dreano for the masterful Laserwriter, and an advanced thanks to the guys at Smith Printing for doing a better job than HomoErectus Printing. Here's to a better lookin' 'zine. Oh, by the way, Sis Boom Bah, Big Guy with a Brass Band and Top Hat Trumpets 'Round the Globe: HAPPY GOT SIGNED. The record company is called Samson Music and there's plenty about it in the following pages. Folks, dance yer jig! --Sharon Nichols, Editor and stuff (Graphic Break) Credits Cover photo: Melissa McGill/Hippogriff Design photos pg 2 & 9: Kevin Highnight pg 3: Kerry White pg 7: Patrick Varker pg 11: Happy Rhodes (Picture) Happy-nings Happy signs recording contract Happy signed a five-record deal with Samson Records in October 1997. You can contact Samson at Gold Circle Entertainment, 13906 Gold Circle, Suite 201, Omaha, NE 68144 or call them at (402) 330-2520, fax (402) 330-2445. Their webpage is at www.samsonmusic.com. Please write or call and congratulate them on a clever move! The Album Happy, acting as solo producer for the first time, has just finished her tenth album. It features Carl Adami, Kelly Bird, Mitch Elrod, Kevin Bartlett, Rob Taylor and Jerry Marotta. Mastering took place at Precision Mastering in Los Angeles with Stephen Marcussen in late December. Photographer Melissa McGill of Hippogriff Design and graphic design artist Auriea Harvey of Entropy8 are combining their talents to create a captivating CD booklet. You can see some of Auriea's other work at www. entropy8.com. The album will be released mid-May on Samson. Astronomical. Happy Featured on Project Lo Album Bon Lozaga of Project Lo, a friend and fan since "the early Philly days" and talented artist with his own label, invited Happy to do vocals on two songs for his latest album, Black Canvas. She recorded a cover of Peter Gabriel's "Mercy Street" and a Bon tune called "Perfection." The album is now available and can be ordered through most record stores. The address for Bon Lozaga and LoLo Records is: P.O. Box 122, Riverton, NJ 08077.. On the web: www.hgmktg.com, www.artist-shop.com, and http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/lolorecords. Performances Happy toured with Project Lo at the following venues: Nov. 7 The Metro, Saratoga, NY Nov. 14 Old Swedes Church, Philly, PA Nov. 15 Orion Studios, Baltimore, MD Nov. 20 The Bottom Line, New York City Nov. 21 Phantasmagoria, Washington D.C. I attended the first Project Lo gig on November 7th. The band consisted of Bon Lozaga on guitars and loops, Caryn Lin on violin and backing vocals, and Caryn's band boys Bob (bass), Jim (guitar) and Reg (drums). Happy stepped into the second set for five songs (and a little schtick): "To Live in Your World," "Perfection," "Mercy Street," "D.I.E. (Didn't I Explain)" Bowie's "Station to Station," and "Warpaint." There were a few problems with sound (i.e.: monitors, noisy bar people), but the band sounded terrific and lent a nice new feel to some classic Happy Rhodes tunes. HR sang back up on the Bowie tune, and I must say the band did a DAMN FINE rendition... Happy also stepped on stage briefly at the PagaNet News Harvest Faire in Yorktown, VA on September 6. This was one of Kevin Bartlett's gigs, a marvy one-man-in-a-blacksuit show, complete with groovy llghts, his hair, and lots of equipment that I cannot pretend I know anything about. Happy casually joined him on his final piece with some lovely, yet indecipherable, chanting. (Picture) Troy Music Hall '97 Happy R. leaves Kevin B.'s Aural G. President Kevin Bartlett's official announcement, November 14, 1997 (Graphic Break) Good evening and now the news.... Officials in the State Department and in Iraq have confirmed reports of the signing of Happy Rhodes to Samson Music. After two or three months of negotiations and contractual back and forth Happy Rhodes signed on the proverbial dotted line (I saw it and it wasn't dotted) October 27th if my memory serves me. Who the hell is Samson Music? you ask. Samson is a new label (slated to unleash itself on the world around the first of the year) based out of Omaha, Nebraska. Owned by half of the original Gateway Computer brothers (Norm), the label is headed by the illustrious Mike Delich of American Gramaphone fame, Michael Shrieve (of Santana fame) runs the A&G Department and various other cool people, who are as in love with Happy's music as we are. Our good pal David Torn was approached by them this past summer to produce one of their first artists, a woman named Christine McKinley (a.k.a. McKinley). Great record by the way.....'They also asked David who else he thought was talented and deserving of their attentions. David asked us to forward a Rhodes package with discs, sales charts, etc., along with some 10 other artists he thought were worthy. Well one thing led to another, a few months went by, more packages were sent phone calls were made, faxes were flyin', and then the boys from Omaha wanted to set up a meeting with us here at A&G to meet the Diva and hear some of the new stuff. They flew out and we all had a lovely afternoon of coffee, grape soda and chat. (They're as sick as we are.) They had pretty much already made their minds up to sign the girl. and negotiations began shortly after. That's pretty much the story. Samson LOVES Happy as an artist. They are the greatest bunch of folks with the highest integrity and respect for the music she's doing. She has indeed found a great label. She has crafted herself a wonderful arrangement with them and retains full artistic control at all levels. (After overhearing some of her phone calls, I think her true calling was as a lawyer, but anyway...) Her album is most likely slated for an April 1998 release, with supporting tour and all sorts of appearances and God knows what else. Maybe Europe, maybe TV, you know... record company stuff. Her final day of recording is Sunday (she's in Philadelphia tonight with Project Lo as we speak) and mixing begins Monday morning, with mastering slated for mid-December. Then the Samson wheels go into motion. Believe me you'll know about it. We're very glad here at the "old" label that Happy has connected with a label that has the resources to do all the things we could only sometimes or partially do. If all goes well, she has a five album deal with them, so we can count on a lot of music (Yey). As of this writing, her entire back catalog is still available from us here at AG, although that may go to Samson as well in the near future (more negotiations). First things first! I'll write again to hook y'all up with the Samson website and what not. You can always email them and let them know how cool they are for signing Happy Rhodes. Introduce yourselves. They're part of Gold Circle Entertainment maybe you can track it down yourselves, I don't have their address handy at the moment. {see page 2} I'd also like to take a moment and let you folks know that there wouldn't have been much of an Aural Gratification or Happy Rhodes for that matter, if not for the love and support of you Ectophiles. I mean it. We've met the gentlest nicest most giving, respectful, intelligent and caring people. Happy and I could never thank you enough for the support, belief, camaraderie, and faith that you've shown us. For me, it's been a long strange trip, as they say. Meeting this 18-year-old gifted musician. Trying to figure out a way to work with her. Spreading the gospel. Duplicating and hand-labeling tapes in the middle of the night, brow beating D'J's, pressing CD's, booking shows, buying ads, auctioning guitars (ha ha), flying off to radio stations in East Jesus, and basically doing everything and anything I could think of to keep her name, voice and gift in some kind of light. I was always fueled by the fact that I wasn't alone or crazy, because I was continually confirmed by you people. You don't know. Bless you all. And lucky me..... Happy's travels took me to some of the most amazing, nutso, fun and scary experiences ever. I had a lot of great times on a great many stages with her, met some very cool musicians and fans, saw cities I'd never go to in a hundred years, ate at some really fucked up diners, got to and still get to hear her make this stuff up (What a Muse!!!!!) It's been a blast. Thanks to Happy Rhodes and thanks to all of you. I got to ride on both of your wings. Aural Gratification will remain as a production house, recording studio, and still as a label for those really special projects and artists, and like I mentioned we're still in the business of selling nine Happy Rhodes albums for the time being. Congratulations to Happy Rhodes, congratulations to Samson Music. and congratulations to you! So see ya around..... I'm gonna go make a few records." Happy talks about Samson ... and her future TI: How do you feel about your signing onto Samson? BR: I'm excited and hopeful about my signing with Samson Music. These are extremely nice people. They've made me feel safe and respected. TI: Why did you choose them? BR: I haven't had too many offers and I haven't gone looking for them. This union happened through the good word of a friend. I decided to go with Samson because they're striving to maintain a standard of high-quality music. They aren't interested in one-hit wonders. I'm honored that they felt I would fit in. TI: How would you describe the new album? BR: I don't think I would try to describe the new album. They are always sort of eclectic and this one is no exception. I produced it alone this time and the listeners will have to judge if there's growth. I believe there is. TI: What demographics do you think the new album will appeal to? HR: Hopefully, the same demographics as always. I usually appeal to people with computers. That means college-aged people through middle-aged people. TI: Regarding your upcoming tour, where would you most like to perform? HR: I've never had a particular space where I've wanted to perform. I think I'm just looking forward to seeing new places. Australia would be cool. TI: What kind of instrumentation or performance approach might you use? HR: I can't comment on what kind of live presentation I'll be looking at because I'm still figuring it out. I don't want to start spewing things that don't come to fruition. TI: How do you feel about the possibility of widespread fame? HR: "Widespread fame" is a term which can have various definitions. I seriously doubt that you'll ever see me in a courtroom being sued for punching out the paparazzi. But recognition on a grander scale would not be scary to me. As long as no one ever camps on my front lawn, everything will be swell. TI: What is your career goal? HR: My career goal is to be as good as I can be, at whatever I do. As long as I'm always improving my skills, I'll consider myself to be successful. (Graphic Break) Terra Incognita, P.O. Box 1233, Woodstock, NY 12498 Sharon Nichols, editor Phone/Fax: (914) 679-5795 E-mail: terra@ulster.net Website: http://www.geocities.com!SoHo/Studios/3450/terra.html Terra Incognita is a non-profit organization which exists solely to promote Happy Rhodes and has the fu1l support of Ms. Rhodes and Aural Gratification. Subscriptions (four issues) are $18 in the U.S. and $20 outside the U.S. (U.S. Funds only). Terra welcomes correspondence, stories. photos and artwork. Issues #2-10 are available for $5 each; autographed issues are $10 each. Terra Incognita is copyrighted 1998. (Graphic Break) Did you miss an issue? Get 'em while they're still gettable... Issue # 1, Spring 1994 (out of print) --Welcome from Happy/news/Happy bio w/childhood pictures/info on Aural G/Happy on performing and recording BTC/discography/Happy on Kate Bush/fan art/3 photos Issue #2, Summer, 1994--news/more Happy on recording BTC, BTC songs/History of Colossus of Rhodes/Kevin on Happy, pt 1/ game/letters/fan art/Happy Rhodes art/6 photos Issue #3, Fall/Winter 1994--news/Kevin on Happy, pt 2/Happy at YesFest/game/Happy's graphoanalysis/off-the-wall interview w/Happy/letters/fan art/5 photos Issue #4, Spring 1995--news/survey/Happy on her band/Happy on her childhood/Rob Woiccak review/B-Side review/letterslHappy Rhodes art/fan art/l photos Issue #5, Summer 1995--news/Philly review/Happy's monster doll/survey results/Happy on her songs/letters/Happy's art/fan art/5 photos Issue #6, FallI995--news/Happy on "Just Like Tivoli" w/childhood photos/Happy on her albums/liner notes of The Keep/Happy on AG volumes 1 & 2/letters/Happy Rhodes art/fan art/nine photos Issue #7, Winter 1995--news/Kevin on distribution, retail issues/Happy on her songs, pt 1/Happy on her life-size monster/Happy monster doll mutations/letters/Happy Rhodes art/fan art/3 photos Issue #8, Spring 1996--news/Kevin on Philly gigs/Happy on her songs, pt 2/game/Happy's musical heritage/discography/cats/letters/ Happy Rhodes art/ 7 photos Issue #9, Summer 1996--news/survey/PNN interview, pt l/reviews/Happy on her songs, pt 3/fan art/6 photos Issue #10, Spring 1997--news/Happy interview pt 2/Troy reviews/survey/websites/Tin Angel reviews/Troy preview/Keep lyrics/Happy Rhodes art/4 photos Who is Samson? (Picture) No, it's not Son of Sam. Nor is it that long-haired burly beef from the Good Book. Samson Music, a new record label out of Omaha, is named after founder Norm Waitt, Jr.'s son, Sam. Yup, that Norm. The one who co-founded Gateway 2000. You know, the computer with the cow box. Yup, that box. Samson isn't just any ol' record label. You won't see any screeching sell-outs. No bubble-headed puff-tarts. This is music with meat. Samson artists are bold, creative, original. Samson's music will drive you crazy until you find it. When you hear it, you know it. Music that will make you ask, "What was that?". That is Samson's promise. "Few if any record companies are focused on what music buyers want: says the collective Samson vox. "They only want to 'move units' as though they were toasters or toothpaste. Our philosophy is to develop music that entertains and market it with the respect and attention it deserves. We are signing artists who are building careers that will carry them into the millennium. We want you to still be excited and passionate about their music years from now. Only very special artists make music like that. Those will be Samson artists." One such deserving artist: Happy Rhodes. Director of Marketing Richard Musil had many praises for Samson's newest find. "Happy is unlike anything we've ever heard. She's extraordinary. Happy Rhodes is a classic right brain/left brain person and her music is multi-dimensional. She's so talented in both music and prose--I mean, when the muse strikes ... ! She really hit her. We at Samson are completely charmed by her." Samson is made up of a bale of potent music business professionals with decades of performing, management and marketing experience. Michael Delich is the President of Samson Music. He was Director of Sales and Marketing for American Gramaphone Records for 11 years and previously worked at Records and Tapes, a one-stop wholesaler as Director of Operations. The afore-mentioned Richard MusiL was Vice President of Sales and Marketing at SITEL Corporation and worked for seven years at American Gramaphone Records as Director of Promotion. Michael Shrleve, Director of A & R, was a founding member and original drummer of Santana, recording eight albums with the group and a number of solo projects. And David Kronemyer handles Samson's business and legal affairs. He is former Vice-President of Business Affairs for Capitol Records and Senior Vice. President of Business Affairs for Atlantic Recording Company. Samson released their first CD in January of 1998, "Big Top Shop Talk" from Seattle-born McKinley, who lists Kate Bush, Suzanne Vega and Elvis Costello as influences. "Sweet To Be Strange," a new CD from the trio The Day I Fell Down, is next on Samson's agenda, followed by two Canadian artists. Happy Rhodes' latest will follow in the spring. The record company, founded in 1996, is a division of Gold Circle Entertainment, Inc., whose good stuffs will also include production companies, radio stations, internet-related enterprises and maybe even satellite broadcast operations. In a world where Spice Girls reign and are allowed to make movies, Samson, Music is to be congratulated for their integrity and for supporting artists like Happy Rhodes. Contact Samson at 13906 Gold Circle, Suite 201, Omaha, NE 68144, or by phone (402) 330-2520; fax (402) 330-2445. Their website can be found at www.samsonmusic.com. BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU SAUTE IF YOU EVER SEE THE GRILL AGAIN, YOU'LL KNOW WHAT'S COOKIN' IN HAPPY'S KITCHEN! MEATS OUT LIKE A LAMBCHOP BOX H.A.M. OFF FROM OUT FROM UNDER MEATBALLS I'M GOING BABY BACK RIBS SEAFOOD SAVE OUR SOLE GRUNION RUNNERS MOTHER SEA CRABS WHEN THE RAINBOW TROUT CAME DOWN TUNA BE E. MORTAL I CANNOT ESCARGOT ON THE ISLE IS: SQUID SIDE DISHES OLLY OLLY OXTAIL SOUP HE'S ENDIVE SALAD UNDER & OVER THE BRIE (& CRACKERS) LOOK FOR THE CHIVE DIP (& CRACKERS) I'LL LET YOU GOAT CHEESE (& CRACKERS) WRETCHES GONE ARICE ONE ALIENCHILADA I HAVE A HARD-BOILED EGG EQUI-POI TACOHABITANTS POULTRY CASE OF PHESANT UNDER GLASS PLAY THE GAMBIRD VEGETABLES I YAM A LEGEND BABY CORNS, DON'T GO ALL THINGS (MIA IAIOKRA) FRIEND YOU'LL BEANS SUMMER SQUASH FOR WE BE-LEEKS BEET IT OUT COLLECTIVE ARTICHOKE HEARTS DESSERTS BYE MOONPIE HE WILL KUMQUATS ROCKY RHODE WALTZ BIG DREAM PIE, BIG LIME PIE PRALINES OF THE STRANGE BEVERAGES OH, THE BEERS MANY NIGHTCAPS MOONSHINE FRIENDS I'M NOT AWAKE, I'M NOT ASLEEPYTIME TEA SUI-CIDER SONG REARMA-MINT JULEP FOR VEGANS ONLY TEMPEH AND ETURNIPS I SOY ECTOFU (Picture) You've Made it This Far...That's Better than Most By Kevin D. Highnight, Ypsilanti, Michigan On Saturday, March 15, 1997, my friend Gwen Jones I and I embarked on a Great Journey we like to call "Our Pilgrimage." I have been a fan of Happy's since March 1995. After reading Sharon's article about Happy in the Tori Amos 'zine Really Deep Thoughts, I purchased RhodeSongs. I was an instant fan and shortly thereafter owned all of the albums. Around this time, I also introduced Gwen to Happy's music; she purchased RhodeSongs, and once again the domino effect began. For two years I dreamed of seeing Happy live--reading every Rhodeways concert review with jealousy. But since I live in Michigan, and as close as Happy performs is Philadelphia, I knew it would be a while before I could save the money and find the time to make the trip. When I got the e-mail from Sharon about the two shows at the Tin Angel, it sounded like this would be the last shows before Happy was signed with a major label. I knew I had to get there. I didn't want to wait until a label would bring her here. I wanted Happy to know I was a fan long before her new label. I had to show Happy I was true enough of a fan to support her music and make a few sacrifices. . .including leaving my newborn son, Jackson, for the first time. (My wife still won't let me forget that one!) Our Pilgrimage began at 5 a.m. when we left the metro Detroit area to begin our 1,200 mile car trip. After quickly listening to the weather, I popped "Rainkeeper" in the tape deck. I had transferred all of Happy's albums to tape for our trip. We would start at Rhodes I and go through all the albums, promos and ambient releases. The trip went very smoothly--no heavy traffic or construction backups. We actually made it to Philly in eight hours, just as "Glory" was ending on the rental car stereo. Listening to Happy's albums made the trip go by so quickly. It was so fascinating to hear how Happy's music has evolved over all the years. Everyone should experience this--listen to all the albums back to back in chronological order. Since we made it to Philly early, I was on a mission! It was fate! I was determined to find the last piece to my Happy collection--the Philadelphia-pressed Live at the World Cafe, Vol. 1. I had waited too long to order it before it went out of print. But I found it at the third store I checked in! We still had a few more hours to spare before the shows, so we headed back to the Tin Angel (where we had parked) in hopes of catching Happy coming in for sound check. And that's exactly what we found: Happy in an equipment van parked in front of the Tin Angell!! Happy, Kevin, and Carl Adami began unloading & carrying their equipment up the long flight of stairs to the Tin Angel. After watching Happy lug a big case up the stairs, I had to ask her on her second trip up if I could do it for her. I couldn't watch my idol breaking her back carrying her equipment up a flight of stairs! She thanked me and I told her, "Well, I came all the way from Michigan, I have to do something!" Needless to say, this was becoming a day I'd never forget! The Tin Angel opened at 7 pm, and at 7:30 Jen Hess began her opening act. Finally, at 8:15 the quartet graced the small stage: Carl Adami, Kelly Bird, Kevin Bartlett and Happy Rhodes. Kevin instantly started a subliminal background track and Happy began playing a hauntingly familiar guitar melody. What began to evolve was a song I never thought would be performed live: "I'm Going Back." I hope the recording of this performance is released someday. It was so hypnotic, the four of them swaying as if in a trance. It was so different live, yet so familiar. Next was an oldie, "Possessed," which was performed much like the original recording. This was followed by a song Happy referred to as a song of suicide: "Lay Me Down." "Down, Down" was beautiful, and next, Happy said, was a song about UFOs: "Save Our Souls." A cover song was done next, "another song about UFOs": David Bowie's "Space Oddity." Here is another recording I hope will emerge from AG vaults. Happy's rendition was much better than her idol's. I would love to hear it again! At this time in the show, Kevin, Carl and Kelly left the stage and Happy performed a beautiful solo, "In Hiding." The three made their way back on stage for "Phobos," which was followed by the new song Happy calls 'Jork." Then Happy pulled out her trusty pocket sound effects toy! After teasing Kelly with it, Happy placed it against Kevin's guitar strings and played a prerecorded spoken voice saying, "She breathes by steel, by steel." This was recorded through the guitar and played throughout the next song, "The Issue Is." "All Things" was the following song, after which everyone left the stage. Happy and Kelly came back on stage for the encore and performed a beautiful rendition of 'Just Like Tivoli." Kevin and Carl then came back and the four ended the show with "Look for the Child." (It was nice to be able to hear this version at home on The Keep!) I was in shock--I had finally seen Happy live! It was so awesome! If anyone from a major label were to watch one of her shows; they would be stupid not to sign her on the spot! The second show began at 10:30 pm, once again with Jen Hess opening. At 11:15, Happy & Co. stepped onto the stage for another outstanding performance. The set list was almost the same, except that when Happy's solo appearance came, she said that next would be a "beautiful song written by Jon Anderson." It was great to hear "Soon" complete (it is part of The Keep's "Yes Medley"). After "Soon," she once again played the solo "In Hiding." During this solo time, I knew it would be the perfect time to request my favorite song, "Ode." It wouldn't require any other instruments and this was the most personal time of the show. So, I wrote ODE in big, bold letters on a piece of paper and held it in my lap in hopes Happy would turn to her left and see it (I was on the side of the stage about 10 feet from her). But she didn't catch sight of it until the gang came back on stage. Just before "Phobos" began, she saw my sign and did a double take. She went up to the mike and sang the lines, "Never cry for the rain," and Kelly turned and looked at her. Happy told everyone it was a request, then said jokingly rude, "I don't do requests!" Kelly went, "Oh, how long has it been since you sang that?" and Happy answered, "When hell froze over!" The rest of the concert was the same set as the first, but this time during "The Issue Is," the sampled voice spoke, "the woman just stared while the cat lay dying." This made the song even more wicked! This was definitely the best concert experience I have ever had. I suggest that anyone who hasn't experienced Happy live should try to get to a show no matter how far it is. It was well worth the trip for me! I want to close this by saying thanks to Kevin, Carl, Kelly and especially Happy for giving such a great performance and being so kind to me after the shows. Thank you. . . I will never forget that night! (Picture) These Glorious Songs Matthias Monk of Wetzlar has painstakingly compiled a Happy Rhodes songbook consisting mainly of her older songs broken down into both chords and tablature. Here is one for the more musical of you to try. Note that in Germany, H is written for B-chord and B for B() chord. (Graphic Break) (Picture of Rainkeeper Capo III) Oh, what a tangled web... Have you checked out these Happy homes? http://www.timesunion.com/library The Albany Times Union. At one time, Albany, New York was lucky enough to have Happy as a resident performer. She headlines five articles on this newspaper's site, and is mentioned in numerous other articles. For a buck, they'll let you read them. http://www.rahul.net/hrmusic/discos/htframe.html Harmony Ridge Music features female singer/songwriters. Though Happy's links on this page need some updating, photos that we love accompany her entire catalog, which can be purchased online. http://www.tela.bc.ca/ecto An offshoot of the Eeto mailing list, this is Neil Guy's Ecto Homepage, which divulges just who Happy is, her discography and lyrics up through BTC, transcripts of Philly '95, many great pics and other Ectophilic info. http://miso.wwa.com/-vickie/happy Vickie Mapes' Collective Heart is undoubtedly the queen of all HR sites. With it's many links and fancy photos, you can feast on Rhodes tidbits to your heart's delight. Also home of the Happy Rhodes FAQ. http://miso.wwa.com/-vickie!happy/concerts/concerts.html More from Vickie, this page features some beautiful photos and reviews of performances from 1992 to 1996. http://miso.wwa.com/-vickie!happy/css/css.html An interesting piece of nostalgia lives here. Happy's history at Cathedral Sound Studios with some nice photos. (Picture) http://www.smoe.org/ectoguide/rhodes.happy.html You will not find the meaning of"smoe" here. What you will find are the Ecto digest archives and extensive album information on Happy and other "ectophilic" artists. The Ecto mailing list is at ecto@smoe.org. http://www.furia.com/twas/twasOO51.html The War Against Silence features many artists of substance. This page has a very nice review of Happy's albums, and more. http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Studios/3450/terra.html A bad URL. A good news site. It's Terra's bad new baby sister with all the latest Rhodes dirt. Lost in cyberspace??? The Happy Rhodes Encyclopedia. Hope it resurfaces soon. i remember now how it goes How Happy Rhodes entered my life and what it all means By Sharon Nichols I first heard the name Happy Rhodes as it tumbled from my own lips. The corporate music masters who signed my paycheck every week decided that in a giant "pulldown" of CDs to be returned to the Musicland Corporation, one of them would be a disc entitled Warpaint. I pulled it carelessly from its spot in the CD bin, balancing my clipboard on my hip. What a strange name for this black-haired woman, her fingers plastered to her cheek. Something Native American, I mused. I placed a "1" in the appropriate spot on the form and I tossed the CD into the large box at my feet. A year later, still standing behind the counter of that music store in Orem, Utah, I watched as ~ interesting fellow rush in. I had seen him before ... he admired Tori Amos, as did I, and had brought me a little gift. A cassette tape he had made for me contained an interview with Ms. Amos, and some IDler. What was this other stuff? I asked him. He said I would like it. I took the tape home, anxious to hear the interview. Yet what I heard--truly heard-was something that I could not define. Something that reached inside me and yanked on my guts, compelling me to play the tape over and over and over and over. It was the "filler." It was Happy Rhodes. Was this a real person singing? Or was it something that was being transmitted from outer space ... perhaps the voices of angels as new worlds burst into existence? Deeply hungry for exquisite music, I'd found a phenomenal feast. I wanted to know more. No one I knew had heard of her. I didn't know how to find out more about her ... except from her. I wrote a note one day expressing how talented I thought she was, and how glad I was that she was sharing her gifts with those who would listen. I asked one question of her: what was she all about, since her music seemed so profound and esoteric? I sealed up the envelope and sent it to Aural Gratification. Not expecting a response, I was surprised to find a reply waiting in my mailbox two weeks later. I mentioned this correspondence to a friend at work, who, at the time, was carrying around a beautifully printed fan magazine, The Erasure Information Service. He had heard me play Happy's music in the store and had noted that she was on what seemed to be an independent label. He suggested that I start a famine for her, since I was a writer and she might appreciate having one. On the tail end of a five year heartbreak, I decided that this might also be a worthwhile project to help take my mind off my moping and broaden my artistic horizons. My friend was right. I proposed the idea to Happy and she agreed to it. She sent me a list of the admirers she already had, and I started sending out postcards. People enthusiastically wrote back to me with letters and subscriptions. I printed my first issue of Rhodeways in early 1994, and consequently, began getting to know Happy Rhodes through letters, faxes and phone calls. Strangely, she seemed so familiar. Today, it seems I've always known her and always will know her. There is more to Happy Rhodes than meets the eye ... or ear. At first listen, one can only marvel at that flawless, hypnotic vox. A second listen allows an exploration of her unique musical artistry. A third will crack open the door for a mere peek into her vivid world of fantasy, tragedy and hope. Before you know it, she has woven her art into your DNA without your permission. From Rhodes I, song one, you know it to be true. On a more personal level, Happy is the grande dame. She is comical and animated, yet modest and collected. Her macrocosmic view sets her apart as a sage, yet her wisdom comes from the very marrow. Her truest love is her art. And her reason for being is to be heard. Her time is now. Happy Rhodes is a person I respect, a sister and confidant I treasure. It has been a tremendous experience knowing her. She deserves the very best the world can give her. Congratulations, kiddo. I'm proud of you.