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As press agent for the Cowsills, I'm associated with them almost daily. It's kind of difficult to see changes in people you see day to day—but ...
Bill Cowsill, with his lead guitar and beautiful balladeering voice, has always amazed me with his creativity in musical arrangements and song writing. I honestly didn't think there was room for improvement. But that only shows how mistaken I can be, because I see now that his improvement has come in more depth in his lyrics and more sophistication in his arrangements. It's exciting to be around him as he grows.
Bobby has always been good with words and new ideas—that's why he's always worked with Bill on the writing and arranging. But he's bashful. And a year ago I wouldn't have believed he could get onstage and be as glib as he is around his friends. But now he's so relaxed on stage that his beautiful spirit and sense of humor come out to everyone in the audience — making everyone feel they are a part of the act.
Barry's like that, too. He can make everyone he's singing to believe it's a personal message — only because it is. But that's nothing new for Barry — audiences have always felt his sincerity. I think the change in Barry is his wisdom. He seems to understand more of what'sgoingon around him. He's not just a spectator. In fact, it's just been this past year that he stopped watching his older brothers go out on dates — now he's too busy going out on his own dates!
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Since it is so difficult to see changes in people you associate with daily, I figured I should do some research. First I studied the kids pictures from the beginning of 1968 to now. It didn't take much concentration to see the difference! I guess the most startling changes were in Susan and Johnny. For the first time, I realized Susan's not a baby — she's a lady! And my little imp of a Johnny — why, he's taller than I am!
At the beginning of 1968 pictures of Paul were scarce because he had just joined the group. But as the year went on, and pictures of Paul became more plentiful it was easy to see the changes he had gone through. In the pictures I could see him lose his timidness and gain the poise he now possesses. He thought he belonged behind the scenes — and at the beginning I guess a lot of us agreed with him! But now it's obvious that on stage is where he definitely should be. (I guess Papa Bud proves right again!)
It's interesting to see what an insight I got into my adopted family just by going through their pictures — it made me realize something about these wonderful people I probably wouldn't have recognized without this research — they're all growing up — becoming individuals. They work together now because they want to — but each now adds his own identity to the group.
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Even more than the photographs lending this insight, was my exploration into their change in sound over the past year. Phenomenal!
A year ago it was the darling Cowsill singing family. But now it's the Cowsill SOUND. I think this has a great deal to do with their achieving their own identities. Now each person's strength comes across adding to a fuller sound. The Cowsill Sound. Listen to their latest single, "Hair," for instance. The sound is of a group of professionals — a talented group of professionals putting out a sound that is solid and sophisticated. Now they're a top-notch rock group that just happens to be a wonderful family.
And what a family. They change every day, just as we all do. But thank goodness that in growingthey haven't lost the inner beauty that has made me feel a part of this wonderful family for the past two years.
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