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"We're raising a family, that's all," said William (Bud) Cowsill, father of seven. "And this is a good way to do it." For the singing Cowsills, it is a good way. It's a bit unusual but for them, it s fun,. it s exciting, It's lucrative and it keeps the family together. It means trips to Europe, U.S. tours, weekend concert dates, television appearances, record cuttings, photo sessions, interviews- and homework.
The Cowsills, the pop music group which has just completed a success- ful five-day appearance at Disneyland, include father Bud, mother Barbara, Bill, 20, Bob and Dick, 18- year-old twins, Paul, 16, Barry, 13, John, 12, and 8-year-old Sue. With the temporary exception of Dick, who is In the Army at Ft. Gordon, Ga., the family works together and plays together.
Variety of Instruments.
They play a variety of guitars, drums and organs and they all sing, except for the father. " I can't even hum," he grinned.
The group has won popularity singing songs as old as "Louise" and "Diane" and as new as their own "In Need of a Friend' and ' We Can Fly." 'Our new life Is an education in itself,' said Mrs. Cowsill. "After 20 years of being a housewife and mother - wow, what a change."
The family became a music group after Cowsill's retirement from the Navy five years ago. The kids have always been very close to music and one day a neighbor, one of these ____ guys, said 'Why don't you do something with all talent?' So I did,' said Cowsill. The group at first of the six sons, with Cowsill, acting as manager. 'Mom - she's the novice,and Sue joined us six ago," said Bill. Yes, they wanted to come along so we told them, 'You get in this boat, kiddos, you row,' " Cowsill added.
When the Cowsills aren't traveling, they live in a 24-room home in Newport, R.I., and two apartments on New York's Eighth Avenue. "But two aren't big ,though for us,' said Mrs Cowsill. 'We're waiting for a third." Bill and Bob attend Pace college in New York. Bill is studying English ("to Straighten his out," his father added) and plans to become a high school teacher, Bob, a liberal arts major, would also like to teach. The younger children are all students at the Professional Children's School in New York; where they do their schoolwork through correspondence courses. "And I usually keep 'em in line," said Bob. "We really don't miss much school," said Barry. "We keep up fine ."
Touring with six or seven is not as easy a task as most might find it. Each Cowsill, including Sue, carries his own suitcase and each is responsible for his own laundry ___ dry .
"Yeah Bill forgets to send his shirts out all the time but I don't lend mine to him _____" said Bob. "Bill ___ even dirty out of, the laundry and ironed," chimbed in father. None Of ___ too them ever had _____ _____ can read although they can create their own. And the elder Cowsills are at a loss to explain their children's talent. "It was just there, I guess"
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