My $.02 on Richard Nanes...I have often wondered what the critical
thinking would be of his music if all of that money hadn't been spent on
his promotion.  By comparison...for me his music is not any worse than the
"classical" pieces written Rod McKuen...my favorite being his Symphony No.1
"All Men Love Something." I think I like it best because of its title...I
appreciate the absurd.

Writing this makes me think about posing a question to the group...as a
group we are so very good about putting lists together...music for specific
holidays and so forth...

How about a list of concert works written by composers known primarily for
their popular music efforts.  For example McKuen has well over 50 works in
his catalog including at least 4 Symphonies.  Some names that come to mind
are

Meredith Willson: two symphonies (a tape of the second shows it to be a
                        decent piece); Suites for Orchestra and works
                        for band and chorus
John Green: Symphony and Waltz Etudes for Orch.

Karl