Remember the book I helped edit? IT’S HERE! Read this poem and I dare you to tell me you don’t want to read this guy’s story. Fred Weintraub tells it like it is, like it was. He admits he can be a schmuck, but as for me, he’s a MENSCH – a real human being who knows how to laugh at himself, and when. The most powerful man in Hollywood you never heard of. So if you want to get a great slant on the 50s and 60s and beyond, follow this LINK to get your e- or hard copy of Bruce Lee, Woodstock & Me. (He even mentioned my “sharp little pencil” in the acknowledgments!) Thanks to my old friend David Fields for hooking me up to an incredible project. Peace, Amy
FRED WEINTRAUB will never rest –
in peace or otherwise
Fred’s not dead
Not by a long shot
He’s kickin like Bruce Lee
Full of chutzpah and
ready to tell the tale
Tasted the Bitter End
Made the brick wall a comedy club icon
Helped nunchucks whirl their way
into the American vernacular
as well as Bruce Lee
Woody, Cosby, Pryor
Peter, Paul & Mary
Wandered the world
Saw a Cuban jail and
a lot of women
Played piano in a cathouse
Anything to keep away from
the safety of a picket fence
and an ordinary life
If not for Fred
No footage of feel-good hippies
in Woodstock mud
No historical record of the
defining, deafening cry of the 60s
Vulnerable to sentimentality
Seriously blessed by serendipity
and occasionally a real pain in the ass
Fred’s not dead
Not by a long shot
And he’s telling all…
© 2011 Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
Sharp Little Pencil 
Debbie
Congratulations Amy! What a wonderful project for you to be a part of.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks so much, Debbie. Nice to know I am still growing…! Peace, Amy
Buddah Moskowitz
Wow, excellent – this has the gravitas of history and the immediacy of POW!
Happy New Year, my sistah!- mosk
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Buddah, my brothah – and I know you know your history, huh? Peace, honey – Ameleh
vivinfrance
Sounds like a wild one. Congratulations on the editing job.
Sharp Little Pencil
What a character is Fred Weintraub. I was honored to collaborate, even via computer, 2,000 miles away! ‘Twas my buddy David Fields who got me the gig, and he’s a whole ‘nother character…! Peace, Amy
Steve King
Hi Amy,
Thanks for visiting my spot on dVerse. Fred Weintraub was the stage manager of my ‘day’–the 60s. This is a great recollection of that. No, he won’t rest, peacefully or otherwise.
Sharp Little Pencil
Fred was everyone’s manager or mentor or tormentor (!) at one time or another. Editing his autobio, written by my good friend David Fields, was so entertaining and really took me back. Check it out! Thanks for stopping – I’ll come by now!
MISH
Hey Amy, just wanted to pop in and wish you everything of the best for the coming year! Have a great one! Thanks for your friendship & support during 2011 – see you in 2012.
Sharp Little Pencil
Mish, you know I’m here for you anytime. My off time gave me fertile ground for new thoughts! Peace, Amy
MiskMask
He sounds like a very colourful man who built a lifetime of memories for other people to enjoy.
Sharp Little Pencil
And he’s still at work! Thanks, Marilyn,,, peace, Amy
Renee Espriu
Way to go Amy and to Fred! Hollywood and its’ artists are what has made many dreams.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Renee. Hope his memoir sells well… he is such an interesting person, great storyteller and lots of colorful, famous characters in his stories! Glad to be back to blogging. Peace, Amy
kaykuala
Amy,
Congratulations. It must have been most satisfying to see your efforts in print (and acknowledged officially even) I’ll get a copy after this.You have friends that matter and that’s very important. It gets things moving at a faster rate. Best of 2012 to you and lots of fun.
Hank
Sharp Little Pencil
Hank, bless your heart. Sorry this took so long, but hiatus MEANS hiatus. Had to pack up everything for a move across town to a much better situation. More room to breathe, to grow, to write… to love! Peace, Amy
Altonian
I hate to admit it, but this is beyond my ken; however, your piece has made me think about getting hold of the book to fill a gap in my knowledge.
Sharp Little Pencil
Please do! We want this history out to as many folks as possible. The libraries will have it, too, I believe. I’m so proud to have worked on the editing piece. Amy