CREATE- A Musical Life

Prelude- Radio airwaves

You're on the air with Roger Ramsey- on the Long Island Sound. The question of the day is a Long Island historical one. Three kids from the South Shore suddenly in the limelight. They begin their musical lives at the Long Island 1970 CYO Talent contest, which begins at the parish level. Three kids from Oakdale, compete at St. Mary's in East Islip on January 24, 1970. In early 1970, Richard, Ronald and Barbara Beattie win the St. Mary's competition and move on in February to win the Suffolk County competition in the Junior division. They are in the semi-finals in March of 1970 and win that competition to go to the finals. People still remember the performance - of songs from Oliver. And they win the grand prize. All Long Island loves the Beattie's - headlines in local papers call them "UnBeatable." Howard Lord writes in the Long Island Catholic, that the Beattie's are auditioning for Guy Lombardo's production of "The Sound Of Music." The audition at the Riverside Plaza in New York is a cattle call- hundreds - perhaps a thousand kids with Broadway Credits are there to audition. At the end of two days of auditions Richard as Kurt and Barbara as Gretel, are part of the seven Von Trapps with John Michael King as the Captain, Constance Towers as Maria. Ronald has to change his name, since there is another Ronald Beattie in Actor's Equity. He changes his stage name to Charles, the name of their Scottish Grandfather, who passed away in November. Ronald, now Charles is his brother's understudy and a villager. While this is a blow to the young man, he cheers up, when he finds out that understudies make more money! A main inspiration for the Beattie's to be where they are in an unlikely place given the competition. Open lines on this Long island Memory-

Joe from Canarsie - you're on the air with Ramsey.

Hi Roger- my family went to see the shows at Jones Beach. Richard played Kurt- for two seasons. Barbara Ann played the youngest kid-Gretl in 70 and 71, they were a big part of the show.

Roger- That's right and Charles is cast as the older brother Fredrich in 1971. The Beattie's turn out to be three of the 7 Von Trapp kids the second year!

Joe: After winning the CYO talent contest , the Beattie's did benefits during the school year. From 1970 to 1978, they played at Catholic Hospitals, Schools and Nursing Homes as Ambassadors. They also were part of the 10:30 Folk Mass at St. John Nepomocene for years.

Roger: Richard wrote a lot of songs for that Mass. He had been singing with the 10:30 Mass since 1969. His older brother Bob played guitar for the 10:30 Mass. Thanks for your call Joe. We've got Rich from Colorado on the line- Rich you're on the air with Roger Ramsey.

Rich: I saw something in the Suffolk County News in Ancient History, about all the interviews and performances they did in Oakdale and the South Shore for Catholic Charities. And there was a Long Island History Project show that had Richard Arnold Beattie. He has been digitizing and remastering the shows at Jones Beach.

Roger: Really? What a legacy! Do you know any of the Beattie's? What's your connection?

Rich: I am Richard Arnold Beattie.

Roger: It is an honor to meet you. Are you back on Long Island?

Rich: For my 50th High School Reunion- The Class of 76 from Connetquot High School.

Roger: and 56 years from the time you made your professional debut.

Roger: Happy Birthday, and thanks for calling.

On July 1rst 1970, the show opens. It is Richard's 12th Birthday. He makes his Broadway/off Broadway debut. At Vanderbilt's Wharf in Oakdale on July 1st 2026, Richard Arnold Beattie throws a Birthday Party- with family and friends. Ron Beattie has a gift for his brother. It is the CYO Talent Show First Place Trophy. (Song: A Musical Life)

On Wed, Jul 8, 2026 at 10:47 AM Richard Arnold Beattie <richardbeattie809@gmail.com> wrote:

I am back to tell my story, I am back to sing my songs

I came back to my laboratory, To set right what was told wrong

And I came back to say I'm sorry, for the things I have failed to do

I came back to set in motion, what may have been misconstrued

So I thank you for the emotion and the coming of the new day

I second the emotion, for the things we get to say

and I am here to walk the island, and the places we have never seen

and to tell you of the simple life and to paint some vibrant scenes.

I am back to tell my story, I am back to sing my songs

I am back with allegories that I hope you can follow along.

and may I introduce you, to my life long partner and wife,

and to sing of the future adventures, of our storied, musical life.

Beattie-A Musical Life