Hello New York

"Hello New York" is a song about Hilary Clinton's senate race as well as a tribute to women who surmount the challenges that career and family present. New York, with all its glitz and hardness, is a metaphor for the jaded world that confronts women today in their pursuit of professional and personal success.

In May of 2000, a feature article on "Hello New York" and Olive President Richard Rached appeared in D.C.'s Capital Style, a magazine that covers "The Art of Political Living" in the nation's capital and beyond.

In the wake of a presidential impeachment trial that angered and divided the American people and undermined the public trust, Olive E released a single entitled "Only the Truth," a song that offers a message of healing and restoration. Receiving rave reviews in a number of Washington-area magazines and newspapers, "Only the Truth" rises above politics and polls and encourages us, both as individuals and as a nation, to repair the breach.
"He is a smooth, very approachable, very eloquent individual whose music epitomizes what many Americans are feeling today," says Brett Mannes of the edgy UR Washington magazine in his "Musical Messiah" feature article on Richard Rached, writer of "Only the Truth." "Lyrics like 'You think you know someone so well/ Suddenly they have changed/ Without warning they drift away/ And conversation is really not the same" are something we can all relate to," Mannes writes.
"With the sentiment of rebuilding trust, [Rached's] CD suggests sacrificing political gain for the truth; in essence they-Clinton and Congress-are supposed to be leaders," states Natalie Catalano, a reporter for the Arlington Connection newspaper. "The CD has a positive message without overtly supporting Clinton."
"[Rached] saw that in all of the partisan battles and vague language, something was being overlooked, sidestepped-the truth," writes Jared Featherstone, reporter for the Montgomery Sentinel newspaper. "The song is folky, lyrically and in vocal style, but has an almost dance-pop feel to it."
Rached's message is straightforward, yet profound. It is only the truth that will allow the nation to enter the new millenium as an example to the world, an example of a people and a legislature dedicated to the ideal of truth. "I think through this whole case, we've lost something," Rached says. "It's like a relationship that breaks up, you lose something, whether it be innocence or a compromised truth. I think we as people have changed and politics hasn't caught up."
In an effort to bring this message directly to the nation's leaders, Olive E recorded a special-edition, not-for-sale CD of "Only the Truth" and sent copies to President Clinton and all U.S. Senators and members of the House of Representatives. The song received a phenomenal response from Congressional lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, including messages of approval from President Clinton, Senator Daniel P. Moynihan, and Senator Don Nickles. "To hear a citizen express his opinions-is always a great pleasure," said Moynihan, "but especially so when that citizen speaks with such artfulness and compassion as you have." "You were kind to share your work with me, and I'm touched by your thoughtful note," President Clinton told Rached. "Hillary joins me in sending best wishes."
In a letter accompanying the "Only the Truth" CD, Rached urges members of Congress to take an ethical stand. "You have within your grasp the ability to seek truth, rather than political advantage; to exchange the correct choice for the honest one. Truth is seldom easy, but it's always right. To extend the hand of forgiveness and restoration requires the greatest courage of all. Be that person of courage. Help us individually and collectively to move past our weaknesses and challenges and embrace the future that lies ahead."
"Truth is the universal beginning for any form of true healing," Rached told President Clinton, to whom he dedicated the song. "You have been wounded by this process and the time has come for all of us to extend to you the hand of fellowship instead of the rod of condemnation. You have led this nation to new pinnacles of greatness, and you will continue to do so to an even greater degree as we provide a safe haven in our hearts for you honesty."
Rached believes that the greatest casualty of the Clinton impeachment has been the truth, and he believes that embracing the truth not only as a nation, but as individuals, is the key to closing this sad chapter in American history. "It's like a dirty, open wound," he explains. "Our first impulse is to cover it up, but unless we look at it squarely, clean it out and sew it up, it can't heal. Eventually, it festers and the infection poisons us, doing greater damage than the original wound itself."
"Only the Truth" is much more than a critique of the impeachment process, however; it is a song of hope that reminds us all that our best days as a nation lie ahead of us. The song reflects the current political landscape, but its deeper message applies to all of us. "America is a great place; it is a leader," Rached says. "Goals and rules and decisions made here affect the rest of the world. As someone who has lived in many different countries, I believe that America is very lucky. It's been blessed."
Rached and Olive E capture the mood of the country with this inspiring and thoughtful pop number. With its incisive, moving lyrics and Rached's fittingly bright vocal style, "Only the Truth" evokes the heart of an America on the edge of a new millenium, striving to bear the standards it has set for itself and the world.

Hello New York
[photo: CD cover]

"Hello New York"is a tribute to women who surmount the challenges that career and family present. New York, with all its glitz and hardness, is a metaphor for the jaded world that confronts women today in their pursuit of professional and personal success.

Hello, New York--
Let's sit down and have a talk.
I'll tell you a story,
About a lady from Little Rock.

She starts her life,
With that simple view
Of what people can do.
But then she realized
It's the sacrifices you get through.

In her life
Hello, New York!
With your city lights
And your endless nights . . .

And in her life
Hello, New York!
A play on Broadway . . .
Fashion with so much to say.

You know it takes someone very strong
To believe in someone for so long.
She had her ups and downs,
But never . . .
I said never . . .
Letting go!

You know it takes someone very strong
To believe in themselves for so long.
She had her ups and downs,
But never . . .
I said never . . .
Letting go!

No matter what she's been told
When you have the chance
To make a difference.

One New York minute
And a lifetime to get with it
It doesn't matter if your on
Fifth or penn avenue
She's been living it
In her life,
Hello, New York!
With your city lights
And your endless nights.

In her life
Hello, New York!
From your Hudson Valley
To your New York Yankees