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Firefall in Louisville, CO (August 2007)
Left to Right: Bil Hopkins, Steve Weinmeister, Bob Fisher, Jock Bartley, Sandy Ficca |
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Subject: Hi from New Zealand!
Hey..It was great to find this site and to see the music lives on!!..I`d like to tell the story of your song and how it affected me.I was in high school in the early 80`s.I had a crush on a girl at high school and never had the nerve to ask her out,despite liking her so much.....anyways,as I never had the chat up lines organised for her and was so scared of getting turned down, I decided I had to do something radical to show how I felt,so I recorded one of your songs onto a cassette and slipped it into her hand.
That song was "You are the Woman".........and to cut a long story short, We got together and to this day we are happily married,3 children and still smile at and enjoy the memories of me having to use that song to find each other`s hearts..To everyone involved in the band throughout the years,A big thank you for keeping the legend alive.Its hard work,but you gotta know it makes a difference in the lives of the fans who love the music!New Zealand is a long way away,downunder..but if you ever make it here.Susan and I will be in the front!!,Great songs and great bands cross the barriers of time and distance.
Kind Regards and Best Wishes,
Gavin.
New Zealand
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Subject: What a Great Show!!
Dear Firefall:
I wanted to tell you a not-so-quick story Sunday afternoon when you
completed your show at Mt. Vernon, Illinois. Because you were
exhausted, I thought better of it. But here the corny story now:
On a rainy November morning in 1993, after arriving at work, I asked a co-worker if she knew a song from the 70's with lyrics that went something like "...lookin' at my ceiling...starin' at my blues...lookin' at my blues in my ceiling..." and "Just remember...". I also told her that although I listened to and partied to music of the 60's and 70's, I
didn't really listen to "that type of music" back then.
In December of that year, some six weeks later, that same co-worker gave me a used album, (yes, that's right, an album), with "Just
Remember I Love You" on it.
In February of 2001, in a small church with 30 or so of our family members and closest friends, she and I walked down the aisle. But we could do so
only after playing Firefall's "Just Remember I Love You".
Thank you so very much for giving us some great music for our lifetime full of great memories.
Sincerely, (and with tears in our eyes),
Kevin and Dawn in Ohio
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Kevin & Dawn - You're welcome. Our pleasure. Thank you for your sentiments and great letter. Nice meeting you. Firefall's best regards to you guys. jb
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Jock,
I got to meet everyone in Firefall at the New York State Fair when they played at Chevy Court. Firefall sounded great!!! I want to thank all of you for being so nice to me and autographing my CD.
Firefall was my brother Rick's favorite band. On Labor Day September 5, 1977 around 2 AM my brother, Rick was killed in a motorcycle accident going about 20 mph near Cornell University. He was run off the road and hit a road sign with his chest and arm. The one at his chest ruptured his aorta. Rick was 20 years old. That morning about 8 am I heard your song "Just Remember I Love You" on the radio for the first time. It was almost like my brother was sending it to me. Since then I hear that song on the radio whenever I am upset about something or am thinking about Rick.
I bought your CD with that song on it at the fair and have listened to it whenever I drive my car. It always makes me feel better. I love every song on the CD. ALL of you are super. Again thank you for writing and recording such great songs that make people feel them.
Sincerely,
Connie
Ithaca, New York
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Connie - Thanks for your heartfelt letter. Very sorry to hear about the circumstances around your brother's accident.. and what can one say? If 'Just Remember' has helped you through difficult times back then, and makes you smile now, decades later.. well then, I'm glad we had a very small part in lifting your spirits. Music can certainly do that, huh?
You saw a special performance at The New York State Fair last month, we were rockin’ for sure. Tho extremely tired from our pre-dawn & all day travel, I felt we put out 2 exciting shows for a very appreciative crowd. Makes it all worth while.
Best regards. and.. just remember we luv ya. Thanks
Jock
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Hey Jock,
I just wanted to tell you how great your concert was this weekend at Virginia Beach Neptune Festival. I had not been to a Firefall concert since you guys were here at Harbor Fest in 1991. I am a die hard fan and was so glad I was able to come. All of my friends "our age" are treating me like a star since I have a picture of you!!!!! I hope you guys come back, whether it's a free concert or whatever, I will be there!!!!!!
Marie
Firefall Fanatic
Norfolk, VA.
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Hey Jock,
I wanted to say how much I loved the New york state fair show on friday the 24th of august. I first heard firefall when I started college in 1977 and bought the cassette that was out that year and listened to it the entire year. The show brought back some great memories and I have to tell you that you guys sound as good or better than ever. Just an amazing show. I was glued to the stage. I just went out and ordered your best of cd I want my 14 year old daughter to hear it, her dream is to be a singer. I tried to get her to go to the show, but she didnt think she would like it. When I called her from my cell phone during the concert and she heard mexico, she changed her mind in a hurry. I hope you guys come up this way again, I would love to see the band again. Keep rockin, you guys are awsome and please share this with the band. Sincerely;
Mel, Syracuse, NY
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Mel - Great letter. Glad you liked us. I thought we really rocked that day.. on next to no sleep because of our 4:30am airport check-in. The sound on stage was great for us, and from what I'm hearing from 3-4 people who were at that show, it was really good out front too. Glad you were there. Thanks for the wonderful comments.. wish your daughter luck in her musical endeavors. My daughter's a senior at C.U. in Boulder, a double physics/math major! Best regards. Later; JB
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I know that throughout your lives all of you have met lots of different people, but do you know just what an impact all of you have not only through your music, but also through your presence and kindness? I am one of those people in which you all had a profound affect on. I have always loved your music; it seems to have a sort of calming nature and healing rhythm, which always reminds me of special moments in time.
I never had the opportunity to attend one of your concerts until last year. The concert I attended was in the spring of 2004 at Hudson Gardens, and I will never forget it as long as I live. Not only was the setting impressive, the music was played with the same extraordinary original rhythm of the past; but there was one thing that most impressed me, and that was your kindness. I realize that you would not know who I am should you pass me on the street, but it is important that you know that somewhere out there is someone that will never forget all of you, and the small act of kindness you bestowed, which had a great impression not only on me, but all those that attended that concert that night. I am accustomed to going through life unnoticed at times, feeling as though I am just another number, but in June of 2004 you made me feel important, and I really felt that all of you truly cared about all of us that attended that concert. The fact that you took the time to speak to your fans personally and to sign autographs was compelling, but the manner in which you did it was striking. As I stood in line waiting to meet you, I noticed how all of you took the time to speak with those you provided an autograph to. It was as if you knew each and everyone of us on a personal level. Not once did I see any of you get impatient and dismiss a fan. Just watching the interaction was moving. I cannot remember a time when I seen so many grown people smiling as they were that night. When I approached the table I felt as though I was part of some big family, and that all you really were interested in this person that stood before you. As I approached the end of the line Bil Hopkins gave me a hug, which totally made my night. And as I was walking away Jock Bartley stopped me because he noticed that I was missing an autograph by Chris Ball, and he personally took it over for Chris to sign. WOW, here are these famous people who only for a moment, had their attention on me. How Cool!
I make an effort to tell everyone of my experience and the great music played on that occasion. Recently, I learned that Firefall will be back at Hudson Gardens, and you can bet that I, my husband, family and friends will be in the audience enjoying the atmosphere and the music, but most we will be standing in awe of those people before us, the very people who allow us to relieve memories of our past, and who will create unforgettable memories for the future. Firefall will always burn brightly in my heart and in my mind. And I will forever embrace from this experience the importance of those I encounter, and hopefully for just a moment in time, make someone else feel as special as you did for me. Sincerely;
Linda D.
PARKER, CO
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Hi Jock...
I have just recently REALLY listened to your songs and have fallen in love with your sound and lyrics. The rock, jazz country feel is so complete! I love the flute, harmonica, guitar, and drums....the sounds along with lyrics make my soul so happy and the combination of all of them cannot be touched by anyone else! It's simply magic to me!
I was such a stoned and stupid teenager when your first albums came out that I didn't know how to appreciate them (or anything then) until now. So just to let you know... you're appreciated here in Medford, Oregon and would like to see you in concert as soon as I can find you. Looks like you'll be in Corvallis and Redmond, OR. this summer.
Really enjoyed your biography's. You have really been around the block to have gained the respect of the greats.(As you are definitely among them!) I am so moved by the lyrics of your songs but wondered which ones were yours and what meaning they had in your life. Was it you or someone else in the band that had an unhappy relationship with a very unhappy woman for quite some time. She seemed so depressed and my heart went out to her when I heard how sad she was and that nothing you could do could make her happy. What ever happened with her? "Just Remember" and "Strange Way" talks about her. I think she's the same girl...
I sing karaoke here in Medford and sing your songs quite alot. ("Just Remember".. is my favorite) I really enjoy the music...the lyrics are very touching and meaningful. Cinderella is so unique! I love the feel of the music, the harmonica in the beginning makes me get up and dance!
Thanks for reading this, Jock, and hope to hear from you!
Debbie K.
MEDFORD, OR
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Hi Debbie -
Thanks for your wonderful letter. Great to hear from fans who have specific things they like about Firefall songs. My favorite song we play is Cinderella – because of the magic that the entire song captures. When we recorded it, from the 1st acoustic guitar, bass & drum tracks it was magical.. then my guitars, David’s flute & harmonica.. then the vocals. Amazing to have participated in that creation. It’s as perfect a song as we ever recorded.
I’m pretty sure Rick Roberts didn’t have the same woman in mind from ‘Just Remember’ to ‘Strange Way’.. Although when you write melancholy songs over time, sometimes those partially fictional tunes run in together and come from the ‘same place,’ regardless of who they’re actually about. Sometimes they’re not about anyone in particular (at least with a lot of my songs), it’s more a combination of experiences and people. I didn’t write many of the early FF songs on record, Rick & Larry had that covered quite well. I wrote ‘Sweet & Sour’ and a few others back then – I was kind of a late bloomer as a songwriter. One of my best songs I think is “Run Run Away” that’s on the FF Greatest Hits CD.. It’s about the adult victims of child abuse still trying to move on with their lives. I wrote 10 of the 12 tunes of the 1994 ‘Messenger’ CD, but that didn’t sell very well & not too many people heard any of those, though there are some strong material there too.
Hope to see you up in Ore. Thanks. JB
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Jock;
Saw your show on 7/2/2005 last Saturday at the Rams Head in Annapolis, MD. Tight group if I ever saw one. I appreciated the entire show and especially the fact that the entire Firefall group is fan friendly. Jock Bartley is the best guitarist-bar none. You got all the talent and my favorite part is that you look like you thoroughly enjoy playing-and, wow, you can play. Staggering. I also liked your comments during the show. Then, when I read your impressive biography, I got a better picture of you, realizing that your unpretentions on stage were genuine. You strike me as a genuinely good guy.
Keep up what you are doing. At the concert in Annapolis when you (kind of touchingly) said: "I have kept the band going for all these years because of all these beautiful Firefall songs" they were heartfelt words and I could tell you really meant it - you made a believer out of me. Thanks for keeping the band going - for true music lovers that is simply an awesome gesture.
Take care,
Ray A.
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hey jock,
my name is dave c. and I met you at the rams head inn in annapolis ,maryland on july 2nd,2005. I was the guy taking lots of photos of you guys and having one of the best times of my life.I gave you my card at the end of the show. anyway, my wife and I drove,believe it or not, from houston to annapolis to go to the show with our dear maryland friends. we all spent many hours in the late 70's listening to your great music, occasionally drinking a cold beer and perhaps more ! we would now like to forget about that part. your show ,we all agreed ,was one of the very best live concerts we had ever seen. having larry burnett and paul reed smith there was icing on the cake!!!! wow what an effort to entertain and the results were magnificant!!
dave c.
HOUSTON, TEXAS
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Dear Mr. Bartley,
I was listening to your debut album last night and thought I would search for a Firefall website. I found it this morning and noticed your e-mail address. Hope you do not mind me dropping you a line to say that I have been a huge fan of Firefall since you first hit the seen. Unfortunately I have never been able to see you play live. I noticed on the calendar that you may have a gig in Cincinnati coming up. Hopefully I'll be able to make that venue.
Anyhow - love your music and talent.
Long time fan,
Jack M.
OHIO
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Thanks Jack - The gig near Cincinnat is actually in FT. Thomas, KY. and will be a good one. Hope to see you there at your 1st FF concert. I’m participating in a ‘Suicide Prevention’ Event & 5K walk in Cincinnati the next day, Sunday 10/9. JB
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Hello, My name is Mike. I am 24 and play in a band from Reading, PA called S___. I just wanted to write to you and tell you that your guitar and writing style has been very influential to me personally. Thanks for the music. Hope to catch you guys the next time you are near Philly!
Mike N.
READING, PA.
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Hey thanks Mike. I appreciate the kind words. It's funny how stuff like that - influence and inspiration - is cyclical. When I was 15-20 years old, I was so influenced by players like Clapton, Hendrix, George Harrison and many others. Of course I'd been fortunate to have serious musical training from the jazz guitar legend, Johnny Smith. You learn stuff, get inspired.. absorb it and put some of it into practice and into your own 'style.' Then, if you're lucky enough to have gotten to play for awhile on the ‘big stage’ like I have, you hear from younger guitarists who say they've used your playing as a springboard & inspiration. Thanks. It's very cool & fulfilling when I get correspondence like this. Who knows, maybe you'll affect future guitarists too with your style and contributions to the musical world. It's cyclical. Soak it in.. Pass it on.
Best of luck with your band. JB
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Hello from Idaho!
I just wanted to take a moment and thank you for your great music I have enjoyed immensely! Recently a friend of mine, Dan, played "Cinderella" for me one evening when we were sharing our CD collections. I totally loved this song and had no idea why it disappeared from the radio - now I know "the rest of the story". Dan said he had written to you and learned it was an unpopular subject. Too bad. What a great song.
Shelley B.
IDAHO
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Hi Firefall – Saw you guys in San Diego the other night. I was particularly impressed with how strong your vocals were live. The band sounded better than the old albums, and that’s saying a lot. Thanks.
Barry R.
HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA.
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Greetings from Georgia! This is my first time ever e-mailing a member of one of my favorite bands.
As a fan of acoustic guitar music, in the 70s, I enjoyed Firefall's sound. I have been listening to my Firefall Greatest Hits CD for years now, and I just read the entire sleeve all the way through to review the band's musical history.
My interest was accelerated when I read you were a slide guitar player and that the band had some association with Chris Hillman, Emmylou Harris, and Byron Berline. I am familiar with those names through my expanded repertoire of acoustic music and bluegrass. Chris Hillman is one of my favorites and I enjoy his music on the (Tony) Rice, Hillman, (Herb) Pedersen, and (Wyatt) Rice albums. Great tunes.
Anyway, I made it to the FireFall website and enjoyed a little visit. I found your e-mail address and thought I'd say, "Hello" and "Thanks" for all the cool tunes.
Respectfully,
Lee M.
Headquarters 22nd Air Force
GEORGIA
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Budapest, 2005-05-30
Dear, Firefall !
Please let me introduce myself briefly. My name is Ermi I., I’m 39 years – old handicap young man. I live in Hungary (a small country in the Middle East Europe) in Budapest a small flat with my brother’s and his family.
I spend most of my time indoors the most happily as far as possible. Literature, theatre and various kinds of arts (such as film-, fine-, applied- and photography) all play a great role in my life. I am highly interested in technology, the nature and science, which I have a chance to get to know more about due to the different television channels. I am enthusiastic about sport and I can never have enough of it. I like all kinds of music. When I don’t watch TV, I always listen to the radio. I have a great passion for collecting signatures which makes my life whole. I have had this hobby for many years. It can help me forget my daily problems, take me to far places, meet new people and cultures meanwhile also bring wonderful moments into my life. I collect the signature of those people who can cheer me up and bring happiness to my life with their job and work regardless their place of living or work. Unfortunately, I am not comfortably off and since I haven’t got my own salary, my financial state is limited for correspondence. Along the many years I have become the happy owner of several thousands of signatures. Each signature is a treasure for me.
I would be tremendously glad to receive your dedicated photo as well so I could put it into my collection. (Photocopied signatures have less value in my collection.) I would like to kindly ask your for two dedicated photographs. They would be eternal memories for me from an interesting man.
Finally, I would like to express my grateful thanks for your help, understanding and for reading my letter. I wish you a lot of happiness in the future, joy in your life and success in your work.
Yours faithfully;
Ermi I.
Budapest, Hungary
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Hello Ermi – Thanks so much for the heartfelt letter. We’d be happy to send you an autographed photo of Firefall. I’ll have the rest of the guys
sign it when we go play in Dallas this weekend.. and I’ll send it out to you next week. We appreciate your request and are glad to have a fan in
Hungary. Take care. Talk to you soon. Thanks; Jock Bartley / FIREFALL
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Hey- just wanted to drop you a line - I really enjoyed the live show with you and Gram Parsons and Emmylou Harris. I am a Byrds freak and I'm just discovering Firefall. You guys are great! Thanks for the music!
Tim L.
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Dear Jock,
I was impressed to see your work with the many helping organizations including suicide prevention. Besides being a fan and a guitar player, I'm a psychologist and work at several Bay Area psychiatric hospitals. At one particular hospital I treat adolescents with serious psychiatric illness and most are suicidally depressed. It's very hard work, especially with the families. They feel very powerless to keep their children safe. Thanks again for your support.
I was intersted in your song writing video. Could you tell me where I might be able to but it.
Thanks
Chip F., PhD
BAY AREA, CALIFORNIA
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Dear FIREFALL -
Saw your benefit show last night in Melbourne, Fla. You guys rock! Especially after you said you had been up all night traveling from a show in Washington state the day before. Your performance and the fun you were having was very special. Loved the sax and flute. Keep up the great work. I hope you’ll be making a new album soon. Thanks;
Debbie S.
MELBOURNE, FLA.
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Hey Firefall
Congratulations on finally receiving your platinum record for your first album. Better late than never I guess. I heard about your Platinum Party at The Hard Rock at the last minute and blazed down. Got there right when Jock presented it to the the Hard Rock gal for their new Colorado Wall of Fame. Fitting that you guys are the first inductees. I remember how big you were around here back then. Colorado’s own!! Hell, I used to get girls by singing ‘You Are The Woman’ to them. Thanks for the memories. By the way, the show was fantastic. Keep it up.
Billy M.
DENVER, CO.
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Thanks Billy. Glad you made that show. It was a lot of fun.. and on my birthday too! You’re not the only feller that’s told me that about ‘U R The Woman’ or maybe ‘Just Remember I Love You.’ Glad we could be of help :) JB
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| Flood Relief |
KATRINA FLOOD RELIEF FUNDRAISER - 99.5FM The Mountain - 09/07/05
(Acoustic Firefall: Steven Weinmeister, Chris Ball and Jock Bartley)
Here are a few fan e-mails regarding Acoustic Firefall's performance on
the morning show for Mountain Homegrown Relief. Radio listeners called in with 'Pay For Play' pledges to hear a variety of songs (including 'Hotel California,' 'Landslide' and assorted Beatles songs. Firefall's 'Mexico' recieved a $500 pledge that was matched by another business and generated many other $50 & $100 pledges, and that one song generated around $1900. An amazing and wonderful time was had by all, with all proceeds going to the American Red Cross.
FROM: Laura Clark
COMMENTS: Archer and Mark - what a powerful show this morning. I can't
recall ever being glad before for being stuck in traffic. Firefall was
absolutely the best - their music, your show, Anton & Amy, the cause - I was
moved to tears. I am so financially strapped right now, I would love to
donate, but can't. Know that if love, hope, and appreciation had a price
tag, you would have gotten several thousand $s from me today.
Peace - Laura
FROM: Jennie Styles
COMMENTS: Thank you for doing something unique and postive with Firefall for
the hurricane victims. I was deeply moved by their music and Chris Seely's
interviews with the victims.
FROM: Kara Chapman
COMMENTS: I just wanted to say, I love Firefall and I have actually met
Steve a couple of times a few years back. I think he is a wonderful
performer and very talented. Could you please pass that along to him. Thank
you.
FROM: Ade Stouffer
COMMENTS: Archer, you may not want to hear this, but I like Firefall's
version of Come Together better than the Beatles! Please thank them for
their wonderful performance and dedication to humanity.
FROM: Lorie Dancer
COMMENTS: Good Morning - I would like to suggest that copies of this
challenge be made. I've been listening this morning to Firefall and
unfortunately I had to go to work. I've tried calling in but the lines
have been busy. Imagine that! Anyway, what you are doing is great. So, my
contribution would be $100 for a copy of the music the groups are playing.
Also, I would like to suggest that you let people know if you are making a
cd of the songs and maybe more would like to donate.
FROM: Sarah
COMMENTS: That was just one of the best versions of "Landslide" I have ever
heard. Keep up the great work!
FROM: bob boylan
COMMENTS: Heard you guys play Firefalls version of Hotel California which I
believe was recorded in your studio. Is that version available for purchase
anywhere?
FROM: ellen stark
COMMENTS: I am a big Firefall fan and have never heard a better version of
'Strange Way'. Please tell Chris Ball his solo made me weak in the knees
and of course Jock and Stephen were in top form too. I thank you for and
Mark for bringing together wonderful people to help the evacuees.
Peace out
FROM: Dean
COMMENTS: Firefall's appearance was so intriguing I went into work late so
I could hear it all. You have the best morning show there is and please
thank the band for "coming together" for the Katrina people.
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