Larry Weiss - Rhinestone Cowboy, Who's The Boss? and a whole lot more in-between!

I’m rewatching Who’s the Boss, and I got to thinking about the fact that a theme song can influence the success of a show. With Who’s the Boss, you only have to hear the opening strains, and even before you hear the first few words “There's a time for love and a time for living,” you’re transported back to a time of Tony, Angela, Mona, Jonathan and .. a time when Alyssa Milano was little. 

I had an obsession with theme tunes even then. I recorded them all on a 60 minute Safeway cassette. Minutes before the show started I’d run round the house telling everyone to shut up, then I’d stand in front of the TV with my cassette recorder and hit record when the song came on. Often I’d get it wrong or someone would talk, or the dog would bark – and we’d have to repeat the same thing the next week. I ended up with a lot of theme songs and played the tape so much – and recorded so often in little short stretches – that it eventually became warped and unusable. But in those days, that’s where it ended. If I
wanted to know any more about a theme song I’d have to watch the beginning or end credits very intently and more often than not I’d miss the credit I was looking for!

Thank goodness for the dawn of the internet!! A two minute search told me the information I’d wanted all those years ago. Three versions of the theme song were used throughout the series' run, which were performed by Larry Weiss (1984–86), Steve Wariner (1986–90), and Jonathan Wolff (1990–92). 

On googling Larry Weiss, I discovered that not only had he sung the “Who’s The Boss”
theme song, he also wrote and performed the very popular country song “Rhinestone
Cowboy” before Glen Campbell did his version of it. 

Both of these songs have impacted my life and it was incredible to discover the
connection between them. Here's the Larry Weiss original version of Rhinestone Cowboy! 




I had to know more, so I fired off an email to Larry and was thrilled to receive a response very fast! I have been very struck by his humility and modesty! 

I think Rhinestone Cowboy’s about surviving and overcoming hardship, and having ambition and working hard to reach the top. Would you say this is true? What inspired you to write the song?

I really put two ideas together. The first was about what was going on in my life..I wanted to be a more recognized writer and possibly a singer songwriter which didn’t happen then. The second was my love of the cowboy culture as a kid. The Saturday afternoon movie heroes such as: Tex Ritter (my favorite Country & Western singer), Roy Rodgers, Gene Autrey, John Wayne, Buster Crabb, and so forth. And by the way..my favorite song is ‘Ghost Riders In The Sky’. 

20th Century Records Rhinestone Cowboy - Larry Weiss
Source: http://www.45cat.com/record/k5460

“THERE’S BEEN A LOAD OF  COMPRIMISIN’ ON THE ROAD TO MY HORIZON” – that’s a magic line in a magic song! I think anyone on earth can relate to this. Was this based on something you were or had been going through at the time? 

The answer to that was in the second verse, ‘there’ll BE a load of compromising
on the road to my horizon’. That philosophy was the reason Glen recorded the song.Sure he recognized the commercial viability of the chorus, but it was the power of those lines that mattered most to him. Actually, I had the whole song written excluding that last line change. It took me some months to arrive at it. Sometimes us writers just download a bunch of stuff, some mental..some spiritual..it’s the spiritual that make the difference. 

Let’s face it there’s a bit of a difference in selling textiles (your family business) and
performing from your soul. How did you get into the entertainment side of things? 

I grew up in a house that played all kinds of wonderful music. From Classical, to show
tunes, Blues, Folk, and lots of Jazz. I couldn’t tell one fabric from another and I think
my father finally saw the light, and financed my first little demos. I began to hang out
on Broadway in Jack Dempsey’s right next to the Brill Building. The late Wes Farrell,
was working for Roosevelt Music, and encouraged my writing, and the rest became a slow history of wonderful experiences and growth.

Rhinestone Cowboy was your own single which charted off your debut album “Black and Blue Suite” in 1974. How did you feel about Glen Campbell picking it up a year later? 

Back then I had mixed feelings about it. A number of my contemporaries called me and told me that I had the definitive version, but in retrospect how could I possibly complain having one of God’s greatest entertainers wind up singing it, and being branded by it. Some say my name attached to that song seems strange..unless they would have called me the ‘Rhinestone Rabbi’ :) 

Rhinestone Cowboy’s an internationally recognised song well known to all generations. It broke the mould of country and charted mainstream. Was this something out of the ordinary for a song to be extremely popular both mainstream as well as country? 

Not at all. After all, Ray Charles had tremendous success against all odds singing classic
Country songs that went Pop, R&B, and A/C. The only difference I think, is that Glen’s  record was very Pop, crossed from Pop into Country. I believe that happened because Glen is a true Southerner (Arkansas), and luckily for me, the phrase learned after
moving to Nashville, had been around since the late 50’s, when the great couture’ designer, Manuel, made up some of the most dazzling rhinestoned outfits for country singers, and later, Rockers as well. So, I kinda fell into it with what I wrote, and what it wound up meaning for people. 

How did Rhinestone Cowboy change your life? 

I got cards and letters from people I didn’t even know..and royalty checks galore.. !

Larry Weiss
Source: http://nashvillearts.com/2009/11/03/larry-weiss-cuts-and-scratches/

At a very similar time (mid 70s) John Ritter was answering a question about how he would like to be remembered, by saying he would like to be remembered as someone who tweaked the golden thread of humanity. You are somebody who has definitely done this and in potentially a very unassuming way. Your songs and lyrics have touched generations and nations. I think particularly the country genre is something that touches people. Would you say this is something you wanted to do intentionally or always had in you?

Yes I would. Inspirational is something that comes through to me, because I need it as  much as the next person might. 

I’ve seen that Nat King Cole and Barry Manilow have also worked with your songs. What a great experience! Does working with other artists and not exclusively limiting your work to yourself expand your reach and your message to the world? 

I did not meet Nat ‘King’ Cole, but was so honored to have him sing one of my songs so
early in my writing career. Barry is one of the greatest musicians I’ve ever met. And
’Lay Me Down (Roll Me Out To Sea)’ is one of his all time favorite songs. It’s a rather sad/
dark song, at least the way I intended it. It was in my first album, ‘Black & Blue Suite’.
The first time he performed it was at the Universal Amphitheater in L.A. I was in the
audience of probably 20,000, and before singing it, he mentioned that, ‘he hoped I was feeling better since I wrote it’..I reminded him about that when I saw him here in Nashville a few years ago..he remembered the moment too. 

Brand New Life 

I think that Who’s The Boss’ theme song had a large deal to do with the success of the show. The song is catchy, uplifting (again about someone being able to make a new start for himself and achieve greater things) and we all knew it instantly. How did the opportunity come about to do that? 

A buddy of mine, Errol Sober, who I’ve written with and rides both sides of the desk, creative and business, was an agent at the time, and suggested to the show’s producer that I sing the theme. When they decided to change the singer, there a bit of flack about it from the public. My Mom sent me a piece of the Newark Star Ledger showing some fan complaining about it. Cute..huh? 




Did the success of the show affect your career in any way?

Unless it’s a very recognizable singer, and a theme that steps out to become a hit, no one really knows who sings a TV theme. No one except you! 

You were part of a team that got it right. I always used to wonder if it was Tony Danza
singing the song. This is another instance where you have touched the golden thread by being involved with a show that so many love and remember. Please describe the
experience of being involved in the show and doing the song. !

I was thrilled to be a part of it in my own small way..but my participation was merely overdubbing a track in the studio..did not meet the cast..until years later when I met Tony Danza. 

You’re quoted on your website as saying “Art has no age. It’s ready, when it’s ready.” I LOVE that. It kind of makes me feel that unfinished manuscript I have sitting somewhere on this computer could still be born one day. It actually kind of takes the stress off that we tend to put on ourselves trying to get things done. Is that why you waited a while between your two albums – just to give yourself time to get it right? 

I haven’t really given myself a chance to develop a performing career..I was busy living life..raising a family..getting a movie done..working on a musical (“Rhinestone Cowboy The Musical’), and developing the Rhinestone Cowboy brand in other ways, i.e a hotel franchise. But I felt it was time to do a continuation, and I feel more confident vocally
so I’ve taken the plunge. The album has been out a few years, but it’s finally starting to get some attention both here and abroad. I hope to have a tour of sorts next year.
I actually have a Christmas single out in the UK getting some play, called ‘Christmas Without You’.  (available HERE in iTunes)

You relocated to Nashville in 1992 and it took a while to become a successful decision. But something drove you to keep going and you produced “Cuts and Scratches”. Please walk me through that album. 

Larry Weiss
Source: www.rhinestonecowboy.com

I was burnt out on L.A. If you ever heard Glen’s last single on Capitol Records,
‘Hollywood Smiles’, you would have heard my point of view. I haven’t had much
success as a writer in Nashville..yet, so I decided to make another album. It’s quite
personal and deep if you check out the lyrics..a few of the songs in it will be part of
my song score for the musical. I’m also pulling a few songs from my first album. My
youngest brother Mitchell calls me ‘the recycler’..I hoping that I am.. 

You speak of battling through the depths of depression at that time. I’m a fellow sufferer and have been to hell and back myself – did you find that the new album helped with this?

Depression is something you’ve learned and a lesson you have re-learn to overcome
it..if success would be the only cure for it, I’d have to be successful all the time..am
not at that level professionally…yet. So I work it from the inside out one day at a time..try to catch the reasons I might fall victim to it and ‘change the channel’ whenever possible. The most valuable commodity one has in life …is time..all the money in the world can’t buy it back.. 

I’ve heard about a Rhinestone Cowboy Musical – please tell us more about this?

I can’t discuss the story line, because I’ve been living with it for some time and see no
reason to give it away..but I will say that it’s inspirational..colorful..poignant..and
identifiable..the the reason I wrote the song. 

What’s in the pipeline for you now? 

Getting my projects done. And..they are on the way! 

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ONE AND ALL FROM THE ‘RHINESTONE RABBI’..LARRY WEISS

Find out more and follow Larry's activities on his very informative website here

Liefling the Musical with Zak Hendrikz

When I was younger, my parents took us to theatre all the time and I suppose I got a bit blasé about it but now that I’m older, I know we mustn’t take things for granted and I cherish the opportunity to go to the theatre. Each and every performance has something unique and special  - something beautiful.  Liefling was beautiful from start to finish.

The last time I chatted to Zak Hendrikz he was in I Have Life, the story of Alison Botha who was brutally raped and disembowelled by two attackers in 1994 – and how she survived and triumphed.  Zak played one of the rapists and I was so impressed with his performance that I had to meet him and when I did I found out that he in fact is really nice, and a very talented actor.  So I couldn’t wait to see him again when I found out he would be in Liefling, the first Afrikaans musical to be held at the large venue the Teatro at Montecasino.

Let me start off by saying that Liefling is going to be a smash hit. If you haven’t got your tickets already, you’d better get them quickly! (click here to book)

In a turbulent world of loadshedding, crime, corruption, and particularly today’s story of the resignation (forced?) of the underqualified or unqualified CEO of the SABC Ellen Tshabalala, Liefling is a breath of fresh air. It also proudly announces  “Geen Load Shedding by Liefling - die musiekblyspel; Montecasino Teatro. They have enough backup power to ensure the show goes on. 

I’m a first language English speaker, but my father is an English / Afrikaans translator. Rather shamefacedly I admit to the fact that when I start talking Afrikaans, people respond to me in English. But I love the language with its picturesque descriptive way of saying things, and I listen to it as often as I can. So what a privilege it was to attend the opening night of Liefling and sit in the audience for the top performers in their field in the wonderful language of Afrikaans doing what they love!  Liefling is not only for Afrikaners.

The production was excellent with  smooth and fast scene changes and sets, and it was the first time I've seen the legendary Sonja Herholdt live too.

You may have seen Liefling The Movie a few years back, which featured Bobby van Jaarsveld, and now he is back in the role of Jan on stage.  Liza Bronner stars as Liefling.

The story is the classic ‘boy meets girl, loses her, but meets her in the end.’

Zak Hendrikz stars as Liefling’s brother Kobus and he answered some questions for us.

This is such a different role to the last one I saw you in where you played in I Have Life – Alison’s story.  What’s it like coming from such a hateful character to a story all about love? Kobus seems like a bit of a troubled guy and he carries a kind of pain – and love changes Melanie as well. Any tricks that you can share that you use to bring that across as well as you do?

Thank you for the compliment Gaynor. As an actor you need to be as versatile as possible.  Through a lot of hard work and experience I have taught myself to adapt and grow as a performer.  For me to go from a hateful character like Frans du Toit  in I HAVE LIFE to that of a romantic lead as Kobus in LIEFLING, is something as a performer I love to do. As an actor to go into the psyche of different characters is not only exciting but a huge challenge.  Especially when the characters are so removed as these two characters I have portrayed recently.  There are not tricks in order to bring your character to life.  Rather to commit yourself to the role, regardless if you relate to the character’s personally or actions and just play the truth.

What was it like playing alongside legends such as Sonja Herholdt, Cobus Venter and all the other stars?

Zak with Cobus Venter and Edrien Erasmus (source Zak Hendrikz)

Sonja and I have walked a long journey together.  My mom and dad where varsity friends with Sonja, and I remember playing at Sonja’s house when I was a little boy.  I haven’t seen Sonja in years.  So when I heard that she would be playing my mother in LIEFLING, I was over the moon.  Sonja is an incredible human being that is always cheerful and giving and adds a lot to this production.  Working with my fellow colleagues like Cobus Venter, Nadia Beukes, Edrien Erasmus, Marleee vd Merwe and Bobby van Jaarsveld is always a pleasure.  I have worked with all these brilliant performers at some point in my career, and working with them again is like one big family reunion.

There’s nothing quite like musical theatre to lift the spirits! And I heard that the cast of The Rocky Horror Show  which is playing in the Pieter Toerien theatre came to see you. That must have been quite an experience and wow! What a fabulous time it is in South African theatre that we have two such incredible shows playing in the same complex.  Do you feel the same playing to someone like Brendan van Rhyn or to the average Joe?

It is always daunting to know when your fellow performers come and watch a production.  We as performers instinctively criticize, whether it be positive or negative.  Through critique we grow as artist because with observation we judge and then learn from others mistakes, or their brilliance to become better performers.  So yes, there is more a sense of pressure when your colleagues come and watch to that of a normal audience, but when you know you are doing a killer job, then it is more exciting than daunting, because you can showcase why you got the role in the first place.

I personally don’t believe that Liefling is only for Afrikaans audiences, after all I myself am an English speaker and I loved it, and I saw a friend of mine in the audience, Chris Avant Smith, who also loved it. But whilst I was there it struck me that I am so glad for Afrikaans speakers that there is  something for them.  I may be barking up the wrong tree but I think it’s possible that Afrikaners feel sidelined as a culture in today’s South Africa and when we met previously you told me that although most of the Teatro’s audience was Afrikaans, they had never had an Afrikaans show there.   Do you think there’s a resurgence in Afrikaans theatre? How have people responded?

Theatre in South-Africa has become very unpredictable.  Some producers use the same gimmicks as previous productions that made their shows a success, but when they try and do it again it fails.  The only genre in my opinion that has a loyal following in South-Africa, be it theatre, film or TV is that of the Afrikaans market.  I believe that over the years producers have noticed that and it is a safer option for them to do something in Afrikaans than gambling on a new project that might fail.  So in a sense there has been a rebirth in the Afrikaans market, and yes, especially the musical theatre industry.  This year alone we had 3 huge musicals in Afrikaans in Gauteng alone, whereas in the past there would only be one or two during the course of the year.  The Afrikaans market will stay loyal to its language whether they feel side-lined or not, when they enjoy a production like LIEFLING, audiences will flock from all over the country in order to come and support. The proof is in the pudding, LIEFLING is a massive success with sold out performances, and this is the first time in history that Monte Casino Theatro has put on a Afrikaans show in this venue.

Do you have a favourite scene or part of the musical? I really enjoyed the piece you sang with Cobus Venter – as well as the dancing!

I wouldn’t say that there is a specific scene or moment in the show that I enjoy more than the next.  I really enjoy the production as a whole and believe that this is a top quality production.  But it is really exciting for me to be playing a character where I can sing.  I haven’t been in a production where I have had the opportunity to sing as much as I do in this show.  It was a daunting thought that I would be exposed to a genre that I am not absolutely confident in.  I know my strengths as an actor and dancer, but this was new territory for me.  But I am blessed that I have had the opportunity to challenge myself in this field, and am thoroughly enjoying it.

You’re a busy guy! After this you’ll be in Ballade Vir ‘n Enkeling asGavin Greeff . He’s also a bit of a powerful, manipulative type of person. Is that role more about a ‘darker’ side?

Indeed.  Gavin Greeff is definitely not your average nice guy. The Gavin that I am portraying is also quite far removed from the previous Gavin Greeff that was seen in the series.  It is always exciting to play those characters, more meat on the bone as they say.  Do not want to give away to many details about the character at this point, don’t want to spoil the movie.  You will have to go and watch it for yourself to see what Gavin is up to in this new version of Ballade.

Tell me about your other pursuits – you do farming as well as make music videos

I haven’t been doing music videos for a while now, I suppose I wanted to challenge myself to see if I was capable of doing it.  Making music videos is not something that I would give up doing yet, but my path has steered into other directions at the moment.   I do direct about two productions a year which is definitely one of my other big passions. But this year I have been blessed with amazing opportunities in the acting field and I feel that I have to channel my energies into that direction at the moment.  And yes, I do own a farm. We specialize in miniature goats and donkeys on the farm. The farm is situated between Randfontein and Carltenville in the West Rand.  Even speaking about it, it still feels strange to me.  If you would have told me 4 years ago that this would happen to me, I would have laughed in your face.  It is funny how one’s life can be steered into a different direction in an instant.  Once again, I am blessed with the opportunities that has been given to me and knowing that I am a BOER-ACTOR that specialize in donkeys and Stanislavski is quite unique.

Book your tickets for Liefling here, but be fast - there aren't many left!