Nard, you are AWESOME.

Please thank Mr. Bradbury for me and I presonally thank you for this opportunity. Kudos!

I see you got my post in time, unfortunately it was misinterpreted (I mean't as in writing for bands rather than musicals). Anyways, thanks for considering my question.

Now, reading about his response to meaning it made me wonder what he would say to being studied in school. He seems to emphasize interpretations, but my class was very narrow when it came to drawing conclusions. I wonder if he considers the thorough analysis of his stories, or even if he would approve of it. He seems like someone who feels as if to just read the book and take whatever you get from it in the end. As for me, I had to compare his life and events surrounding his life to his work in order to make a conclusion. Anyways, sorry for the ramble.

atroposmar: Nope. Didn't misinterpret your question. The problem was that Ray would have none of it. That is to say, he wouldn't think of purposely writing music for another 'artist'. That's not to be. But he'll write the lyrics for his own music for his own play. So the answer went that-away from your original intent.

As to Ray being studied in school, much of the high schools across the country have Ray Bradbury in their studies of reading. At least 1 or more of his stories are in school textbooks. If you want more, you'll have to sign up for Sam Weller's Ray Bradbury studies class at the Columbia College in downtown Chicago. Sam, of course, penned the biography of Ray Bradbury. Supposedly, he has the only full scale studies class strictly on the writings of Ray Bradbury.
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Thanks so much for doing this, Nard. It really brought a big flash of light into my grey little world (been down with the flu). I know it means a lot to all of us to be able to ask Ray our own question and get his answer. The questions and answers are really good, it's kind of a treasure trove of knowledge about Ray, inspiration and good advice for writers.

I got all gussied up for this.

*struts satin spats and saphire cuff links*

and I could not prepare myself for his answers.

I don't mean to come off as argumentive, but I wasn't refering to Bradbury writing the music. Ok, this is the best way to explain my intentions: The Rolling Stones approach Ray Bradbury to contribute lyrics to one of their newly recorded songs. They give him the music and somewhat of a melody to work with, and Bradbury will contribute words to the song. Oh well, I guess was an inane question to ask anyways. Bradbury probably doesn't know much of the concept of writing lyrics to be sung as it is a great departure for him. Sorry, to have wasted anyones time. Thanks for considering though.

atroposmar
Ooops! Now I made a misspoke. I mean 'write the lyrics"... No, I know what you meant in the beginning. But Ray works with his own music, supplies his own lyrics to his own play and music. I presented the question as you suggested, but Ray rebuffed with something like, "But my words have been put to music, in my plays!"

What I will do, therefore, when I have time, is go back and for your own interest, as well as mine, transcribe the exact back and forth conversation pertaining to your question so you can see just how it went. I'll post it later...

Okay, when do we do this again? This was fun!

Nard: Excellent. Thanks for doing this! Give him my regards when you see him, and be sure to take good care of him. Remember, he loves fun, so make him laugh! Remember the culminating scene in Something Wicked This Way Comes. What overcomes darkness and evil is laughter and love!!!!

Mr. Dark, it sounds like(and I might be wrong, probably am...)you are under the impression that this event is upcoming. If you flip back to page one, the questions from everyone and answers from Ray are posted. Of course, we are all hoping that it happens again soon...

No, I meant thanks for what he'd done. I enjoyed reading the Q&A, but I can see how my post may have sounded that way.

Mr. Dark, hopefully it will be done again in the near future. Good advice by the way!

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....Mr. Dark:

... Your comment about squelching evil was my point of contention with the laughter scene in 'Something Wicked This Way Comes'. Ray gathered a particle of truth concerning evil and good and spread it out to the extreme, that joyfulness obliterated the foul presence of the devil. A particle is not good enough. There are a lot of particles around. I wanted a chunk at the movie's end, at least that.

... So "Thanks", that you added 'love' to your comment. That's a lot more than just laughter. That's a whole big chunk!
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Something Wicked This Way Comes was still a very good movie. Probably has already been noted that some of the movie was re-shot, and was ultimately given a brand new musical director and musical score, replacing the original.

If the Q & A starts up again, either heard it around in the last year, or read something about it, that Bradbury may have had some dealings with Carl Sandburg. So my question would be if Bradbury ever worked on any projects whatsoever with poet Carl Sandburg?