From: owner-shindell-list-digest@smoe.org (shindell-list-digest) To: shindell-list-digest@smoe.org Subject: shindell-list-digest V4 #183 Reply-To: shindell-list@smoe.org Sender: owner-shindell-list-digest@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-shindell-list-digest@smoe.org Precedence: bulk shindell-list-digest Wednesday, June 26 2002 Volume 04 : Number 183 Today's Subjects: ----------------- [RS] An Open Letter to Charlie Hunter [eric ] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 25 Jun 2002 19:17:37 -0700 From: eric Subject: [RS] An Open Letter to Charlie Hunter Charlie, Sincerest thanks you for all your hard work and effort over the past five years. Here are a few thoughts I've had since reading of your decision to move onward and upward a few days ago: We've never met, but you have always been there, going back to the "old days", when the RS list was much smaller, and when building a larger internet (and by association, a hoped-for general public) fan base seemed a Sisyphean task. In my opinion, Richard's music has always spoken for itself, but I know it took quite an effort to spread the word (especially pre-Cry Cry Cry), and you have been instrumental in achieving that goal. One of the main reasons I first bought a computer (why didn't I invest, why, oh, why didn't I invest?) and went online was to learn of upcoming music events before they hit the mainstream public. As a deadhead, I used to call the East Coast (and on occasion, West Coast) hotlines at strategic times to learn of upcoming tour information: concert dates, on-sale dates, etc. As soon as I "discovered" Richard for myself about five or six years ago - he was a walk-on "guest" on a few songs with Dar, who opened up for Greg Brown at the Bottom Line - I made it a point to start looking into his tour schedule on the internet and seeing him on his own. What I found on the internet was incredible: an all-stripped down, no-nonsense web presence that pretty much reflected exactly what appealed to me about Richard's music. Here was this previously unknown (to me) entity called "Young/Hunter Management" that not only kept the information flowing, but responded to queries directly and in a timely manner. And offered new releases to those in the know sometimes months before the official release date for a grand sum of $15, sometimes with postage added, and always with a bonus compilation cd and a sense of thanks that was heartfelt. It was as if you were pulling for Richard to make it big as much as we always knew he deserved. A big part of me misses those days when I could go to The Turning Point in Pierpont, NY (where I first met other great listers like Ron G.) on a Sunday night and watch and listen to Richard play to a full house for the first show, and then be lucky enough to be in a crowd of maybe fifteen or seventeen (including family) for the late show. That is, of course, incredibly selfish of me. Yet those late shows remain some of my most cherished memories. Bill Monroe once played (with his full band) to a crowd of three people, due to a promotional screw-up. The promoters urged him to cancel the show, because it wasn't going to make them any money. Bill replied something along the lines of "those three people paid good money to come see Bill Monroe play, and Bill Monroe ain't gonna disappoint them, goddamnit!" I always got the same vibe from Richard. If it was a small turnout, it didn't matter. In fact, it was better: because of that sparse late show crowd I first got the chance to meet him and share a pint of guinness or two, and learn that the person is as genuine, funny and honest in person as he is in his music. Now that I'm living in Vermont, I don't get to see Richard as often. But the intimacy is still there when he makes it to my neck of the country (be it solo or with some up-and-coming talent like Joan Baez). He still recognizes me (whether either or both of us is sporting a beard at the moment or not), and we still talk about the fun things in life that matter: families, music, and the new york yankees (okay, the last doesn't really matter, but it's a shared passion). So Charlie, congratulations on a job exceptionally well done, and an endeavor that is appreciated by many, whether you hear from them or not. I wish you all the best on your future journey, wherever that road may take you. And if your past job performance is any indication of future profession, I will do my best to put you in charge of the folks looking into the future of Amtrak. Many, many, many thanks again, and cheers! - - eric ------------------------------ End of shindell-list-digest V4 #183 ***********************************