3.4: Named: /etc/rndc: file not found, yet file exists

["K4rL" <k@libraryx.org>]

Now, i'm sure this has been discussed, and running through the archives has
been informative, but the error persists.  I'm wondering if my FTP install
bombed in some subtle way.

ls shows /etc/rndc.key in fact exists, and several attepts and perm
changes, rndc.key still unseen by the following error:

ns1# named -t /var/named -u named
ns1# Feb  2 11:51:23 ns1 named[28414]: starting BIND 9.2.2 -t /var/named -u
named
Feb  2 11:51:23 ns1 named[28414]: none:0: open: /etc/rndc.key: file not
found
Feb  2 11:51:23 ns1 named[28414]: none:0: open: /etc/rndc.key: file not
found
Feb  2 11:51:23 ns1 named[28414]: couldn't add command channel
127.0.0.1#953: file not found
Feb  2 11:51:23 ns1 named[28414]: none:0: open: /etc/rndc.key: file not
found
Feb  2 11:51:23 ns1 named[28414]: couldn't add command channel ::1#953:
file not found

-can someone advise me as to the essential mistake i'm making?  i've done
the rndc-confgen with both -a and *standalone*, no dice.

-karlski