Musicians and fan mail

Subject: Musicians and fan mail
From: Marion
Date: 14 Dec 00 - 09:58 AM

So who here writes fan mail to their favourite performers? Do you ever get answers?

So who here gets fan mail? Do you ever answer?

I'm thinking of writing to singer-songwriter Aengus Finnan and telling him, among other things, of a change I've made in one of his songs that is a remarkable improvement in my own opinion. Is this a breach of etiquette?

Marion

Subject: RE: Musicians and fan mail
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 14 Dec 00 - 10:47 AM

Hi Marion. Fan mail seems to have been replaced by e-mail but it's still fun to get. I think Rockers probably get more than folkies, but the best fan letter I ever got was from my grade 9 teacher (librarian actually). He lives wayyy out West and had just heard a cut on the radio and wrote to say congrats, and to remind me that he was the one who first got me interested in folk music. I remembered all right. He was the high-point of my schooling.

Yeah, write Aengus and tell him. He's been in the Toronto scene for a while now, and is a very approachable guy. I know the album well...what was your change?

Rick

Subject: RE: Musicians and fan mail
From: sophocleese
Date: 14 Dec 00 - 10:53 AM

I met Aengus last spring when he did a concert here. I bought his CD and he signed it and I said that I hoped to learn a couple of the songs as they were lovely. He said to e-mail him if I needed help with chords or anything. He's a nice guy.

Subject: RE: Musicians and fan mail
From: GUEST,black walnut
Date: 14 Dec 00 - 12:57 PM

i've gotten emails back from Tony Furtado, Jenny Lester, Cate Friesen....i think that most musicians write back if they have the time. they seem to genuinely appreciate the fan mail.

~'nut

Subject: RE: Musicians and fan mail
From: kendall
Date: 14 Dec 00 - 01:02 PM

I've written to performers I admire, and, I have received letters from a few folks who like what I do. In fact, I still have both of them!!LOL

Subject: RE: Musicians and fan mail
From: black walnut
Date: 14 Dec 00 - 01:10 PM

....and Fear of Drinking....

(my memory is slow these days)

~'nut

Subject: RE: Musicians and fan mail
From: Little Neophyte
Date: 14 Dec 00 - 04:48 PM

If you truly enjoy someone's music I figure it is really imporant to let that artist know.
I am quite sure it would mean a whole lot to that person, even if you do not hear back from them.
The key for me is to do it the minute I think of it. Otherwise time goes by and so does my good intensions.

Bonnie

Subject: RE: Musicians and fan mail
From: mousethief
Date: 14 Dec 00 - 05:11 PM

I've written a fan email (to Randy Stonehill) but got no response.

I wrote a letter to Charles M. Schulz about 16 years ago, and got a nice letter back from his secretary.

I wrote a letter to Walter Hooper (keeper of the keys of the C.S. Lewis estate) and got a very nice letter back from him personally.

That's all, I think.

Alex

Subject: RE: Musicians and fan mail
From: Kim C
Date: 14 Dec 00 - 05:49 PM

I wrote to Bob Copper asking about a song, and about three weeks later, here comes a letter from England, answering my question.

Subject: RE: Musicians and fan mail
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 14 Dec 00 - 06:15 PM

When I was sixteen I wrote Pete Seeger, telling him how much his music was changing my life. Boy he must have had hundreds of thousands of those. He wrote back with encouragement. I was over the moon for weeks!

Rick

Subject: RE: Musicians and fan mail
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 15 Dec 00 - 03:01 AM

Kendall and I mail each other fan letters all the time! Seriously, I write to performers I admire because sometimes when I try to talk to them in person, I get all fumble-mouthed. In almost all cases, they write back. I also get mail - snail and "e" - from folks who like my stuff and also from people who sometimes object to my stuff. I always reply. Common courtesy and/or self defense. All the best.

Seamus

Subject: RE: Musicians and fan mail
From: CarolC
Date: 15 Dec 00 - 03:27 AM

I sent an e-mail to Barry Mitchell, resident accordion player for ABC World News Now, asking for the sheet music for the "World News Now Polka".

He sent me the sheet music by snail mail, and a picture of himself as an e-mail attachment. The picture is of him, in bed, naked except for a red satin sheet draped over the x-rated parts, with his accordion lying next to him.

I was only able to print it out in black and white, but I treasure that picture.

Carol

Subject: RE: Musicians and fan mail
From: CarolC
Date: 15 Dec 00 - 03:31 AM

If you don't believe me, ask Allan C. He's seen it.

Subject: RE: Musicians and fan mail
From: Kim C
Date: 15 Dec 00 - 11:29 AM

Wooohoooo!

Subject: RE: Musicians and fan mail
From: kendall
Date: 15 Dec 00 - 12:54 PM

A few years ago, Utah Phillips, produced a brochure with a quote which said "I have very few heros, but, Utah Phillips is most certainly one of them. His humor, compassion and passionate belief in what is right make him an unforgetable performer. I'm honored to call him friend, and fellow storyteller." Kendall Morse

And, in my brochure, Pete Seeger said "I didn't realize how lovely that song (Lorena) was..thanks for giving it back"

Subject: Phan Maille
From: Clinton Hammond2
Date: 15 Dec 00 - 01:01 PM

A bunch of years ago, I sent a letter to Garnet Rogers, and got mail back from him and his mom... I was invited to correspond regularly, but I'm a sporadic letter writter at best...

I do frequent, for instance, the James Keelaghan website... occasionally posting on the MB there... I've recieved a couple of email responses from James...

Face to face conversation is still better...

;-)

Subject: RE: Musicians and fan mail
From: John Routledge
Date: 15 Dec 00 - 02:24 PM

Generally people assume that good performers get many compliments. Usually this is NOT the case particularly in the Folk World.

So if you like an artists work please tell them.

The only singer that I have written to replied in delightful terms. GB

Subject: RE: Musicians and fan mail
From: mousethief
Date: 15 Dec 00 - 03:01 PM

Okay, does anybody have an address for Tom Paxton or Gordon Bok? They would be the first two folk (or folk-like) artists I would want to write to.

Alex

Subject: RE: Musicians and fan mail
From: black walnut
Date: 15 Dec 00 - 03:14 PM

...and snail mail from lorraine hammond, and larkin bryant~cohen....

~'nut

Subject: RE: Musicians and fan mail
From: Jim Krause
Date: 15 Dec 00 - 03:57 PM

I think I may have posted this little bit before, but here goes again. It seemed geramin.

Some years back feeling frustrated with the lack of progress in my guitar playing, I bought a series of fingerpicking instruction tapes from Homespun Tapes. Later on I decided to send Happy Traum a little cassette of me, documenting my progress. Time goes by, and I almost forget about it. Here comes a tape in the mail addressed to me. Happy sat down at a tape recorder and on the back side of my tape, sent me a talking letter. Wow. Talk about walking three inches off the ground for a few weeks.

My songwriting hero is Bill Staines. I met him briefly in Omaha a couple years ago. Took the opportunity to tell him that I enjoyed his work, and hoped he would keep it up for a long time. He replied that he hoped he could too, for his biggest fear was that he might run out of things to say. What a surprise.
Jim

Subject: RE: Musicians and fan mail
From: CarolC
Date: 15 Dec 00 - 04:06 PM

mousethief,

Paxton has some connections with some people I know around here. Do you want me to ask around and see what I can find out?

Carol

Subject: RE: Musicians and fan mail
From: mousethief
Date: 15 Dec 00 - 04:22 PM

Sure! I'd just like to write him and tell him I think he's a national treasure and I love his sense of humor and his sense of pathos and his guitar-playing too.

Alex

Subject: RE: Musicians and fan mail
From: CarolC
Date: 15 Dec 00 - 04:31 PM

I'll send you a PM if I get anything.

Subject: RE: Musicians and fan mail
From: mousethief
Date: 15 Dec 00 - 04:32 PM

Thanks!

Alex

Subject: RE: Musicians and fan mail
From: kendall
Date: 15 Dec 00 - 05:02 PM

Gordon Bok po box 840 Camden Maine 04843

Subject: RE: Musicians and fan mail
From: mousethief
Date: 15 Dec 00 - 05:29 PM

Cool!!!! thanks, Kendall!

Alex

Subject: RE: Musicians and fan mail
From: GUEST,Judy Predmore
Date: 15 Dec 00 - 08:26 PM

I've been very surprised at how helpful performers are, & how much it means to them, to get positive feedback. Especially specific positive feedback, not just "I love everything you do",(which is always nice), - but what & why... And I've been surprised at how much their responses have meant to me. It's like completing the circle - I'm not just passively listening to a stranger, & they're not playing to a bunch of passive strangers.

Email is a wonderful thing for fans & performers, and especially songwriters who don't perform & have limited contact with fans. Phone calls are a bit invasive, & snail mail is tedious & slow, but emails are JUST RIGHT! I tried to keep in touch with a couple of my favorite performers who I'd helped host when they were on tour, & now that we all have email, we do keep in touch now & then. But most of my contact with performers is just one time questions or one time praise - just perfect for email.

I've found when you ask about specific songs or techniques they're very likely to respond, because that's what they're doing this for - the love of the music. I wish folk performers made the kind of money they deserve. But since they don't, they really deserve being appreciated. Alot of them are people persons, & enjoy contact with fans. Some of them are incredibly insecure, no matter how great their musical talent. Folkies tend to be a very humble bunch, so you probably can't go overboard in expressing your praise, interest, or questions.

From my experience, I'd say you have a very good chance of getting response from a performer, unless they're incredibly busy, or are extremely well known. (Other than someone like Pete Seeger, who is both, but people contact is hugely important to him...)

Subject: RE: Musicians and fan mail
From: kendall
Date: 15 Dec 00 - 09:01 PM

On the other hand, I sent a piece I wrote, to Ray Stevens, and he didnt bother to answer. It is in the dt now, it's called IT SURE AS HELL AINT COUNTRY.

Subject: RE: Musicians and fan mail
From: GUEST,Judy Predmore
Date: 15 Dec 00 - 10:14 PM

I think I'd put Ray Stevens in the "well known by too many people" category. But no harm in trying...

Subject: RE: Musicians and fan mail
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 16 Dec 00 - 08:53 AM

I've only used the send me a message thingy on a web sites.

I remember Denny Bartley once asking me to let him know my email adress using that method but he never got back to me... I also used thier board to try to pass a message on to Damien Barber after I learned he lost part of a finger in a battle with a car fan belt but I doubt it reached him.... not to worry, Chris and Denny are great people and I have enjoyed their company. As for Damien, I once sat up till 6 in the morning with him sharing his home made wine and exchanging songs - he is another great person!

I recently sent a message to Meg Davies who I learned through a post in umf was no longer able to perform (she played in Llandudno a few times when I was part of the folk club resident group) and got a lovely reply back from her so I guess these things do work.

Jon

Subject: RE: Musicians and fan mail
From: Judy Predmore
Date: 17 Dec 00 - 05:07 AM

Jon, Damien Barber would most likely respond to you. He emailed me when I hosted him in Boston(USA), & later about arrangements for a tentative future tour. His email is [e-mail]

As for his missing finger - it hampers him about as much as Jerry Garcia's - With that much talent you don't need 10 fingers... He just started playing guitar within the last year or two, & he plays better than many long time guitar professionals...

Subject: RE: Musicians and fan mail
From: John P
Date: 17 Dec 00 - 09:31 AM

I've only written a couple of fan letters and have received nice replies both times, but both of them were rather obscure people who probably don't need to hire a secretary to answer the mail.

We have received lots of fan mail, and whether or not we answer it depends on what the writer wants. Someone writing to tell us they like the music, or to comment on it, or to ask a questions about it, will get a full response, and a lengthy conversation if they want. Someone asking personal questions, or making assumptions about our personal lives will not. Someone asking for lyrics to a song will get them, if the lyrics are already in the computer or if we have time to type them up. Or they may get a referral to a source. Someome who wants lyrics to five songs probably won't get them -- we got a lot of lyrics when we first started out by listening to an album 30 times in a row, or by haunting libraries and used book stores until we found the song we were looking for. It's good for the moral fiber. The internet has made a lot of people lazy about doing research. Some letter writers clearly want to write about themselves, and want us to share their high regard of themselves. We don't usually respond. Many people don't seem to have a good sense of appropriateness, limits, or boundaries. We've twice had people fall in love with us (once with me and once with Anna) and assume they were going to become important parts of our lives, including our sex lives. Their letters didn't get any response. A vast majority of our fan mail these days is email, and the percentage of inappropriate email is way higher than it ever was with snail mail. I think it's easier for lame-brains to actually get it together enough to send an email than to post a letter.

I'm sorry to sound so negative. The fact is that we love getting feedback from people, we love getting questions about the music, we love people letting us know what they did with "our" songs. We've been thrilled when a couple of people have told us about the emotions they felt when they were at some critical place in their lives and they heard one of our albums and it spoke to them in some important way.

John

Subject: RE: Musicians and fan mail
From: Branwen23
Date: 17 Dec 00 - 04:41 PM

Kendall,

Couldn't find your song in the DT, might it be listed some other way, or am I just a git who can't search properly?


-Branwen-

Subject: RE: Musicians and fan mail
From: Marion
Date: 02 Feb 01 - 08:10 PM

Whoops, I forgot about this thread.

I've just written to Aengus Finnan, so we'll see what happens. The change I proposed is in War Bride's Waltz: I think "In death we all look the same" should be "To death we all look the same." And lame-brain that I am, I used my prettiest handwriting and said something that implied I'm single, so we'll see what happens.

Once I wrote to the Arrogant Worms, with a song I had written about worms I thought they might find entertaining, but I got no response.

On the other hand, I once left an answering machine message for Pigeon Hole (a new soft-edge rock band from Montreal) saying that I had made a copy of their CD onto tape because I didn't have a CD player and offering to send them a cheque for the illegal copy (my policy is that I will bootleg from musicians who are established or dead but not from struggling beginners). They called back saying that they were just pleased that I enjoyed the music, not to worry about the cheque, and that I could send them a tape of my own instead. Thus began an infrequent but steady connection in letters, calls, and in person between myself and the band that I'm grateful for. Honesty does pay off sometimes, it seems.

Marion