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A couple of nights ago we caught the marvelous Cowsills' TV special on NBC. The family, which made its move to the coast a few weeks ago, will soon be seen on Jonathan Winters' Show (Nov. 27), Operation Entertainment (ABC on Dec 20th), the Hollywood Palace (Jan. 11 and Feb. 1st) and "The Wonderful World of Pizazz" (another NBC Special on March 8th) and can be heard in the new MGM film "The Impossible Years," which premieres at the Radio City Music Hall Xmas week. The song, incidentally, was arranged and produced by the septet and is available on MGM Records, backed by
The Candy Kid," their latest single. Check all this activity with the Cowsills' office we reached mama (Barbara) Cowsill, folkophile housewife and mother, who explained that the Cowsill saga all began "about 21 years ago when I met poppa Bud ... it stayed in the house for a number of years with each child (starting with Bob, age 20, down to Susan, age 9) joining the act as they came of age." Until a few years ago it was strictly a living room act. "But when it got too big for the living room we voted to take it out the world."
"It was decided at a meeting of the family to take a crack at show biz. I told them they were all insane."
Barbara got on the gravy train last September, joining the group which has had five singles released thus far on MGM (all chart records, three top tenners including their first "Rain, the Park and Other Things" which is on its way to the 2 million mark).
Barbara will, incidentally, be soloing on the Jonathan Winters' show (a Civil War balled, "The Cruel War").
David Ray, a former night club proprietor, heads the Cowsills Prod. and Cowsill Publishing (BMI) operations on the coast and explains the Cowsill coast move as "necessary for anyone who wants to get actively involved in TV, films and record production. Our first new act is Twice Nicely, a cross between the Bee Gees and the Jefferson Airplane, four fellows and a gal ... we're negotiating with Apple Productions." About 80% of the Cowsill songs have been written by members of the family, Barbara, Bud, and brood have leased a Santa Monica home for the next two years. Office is located at 9255 Sunset in L.A.
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