Dear Joe:

I just finished reading your biography “Strange Beautiful Music, A Musical Memoir” and I must say your life as a musician has lived up to what I already anticipated before I picked up this book. Ever since I bought Not of the Earth on cassette tape back in ’85 I had this impression that you were this clean and sober guitarist that is going through life like so many of us trying to make something of the gift that we have been given. I remember growing up on the farm and late one night I was out plowing in the field and listen to 101.1 the WRIF out of Detroit Mi. I heard for the first time Surfing with the Alien. It was awesome!!!! I had listened to all the same classic rock artists that you did but this was different. It kept me awake that night because the melody kept going through my head. It was a good thing because I never put the tractor in the ditch. I rode ATV’s as a kid and the Surfing melody always raced through my head while I rode. It was not until I read this book that I understood why you wrote it.

Anyways, I believe your career success is based upon the response you received from your parents especially your father that is illustrated on page 20 in your book. I believe if your Father had responded very differently the course of your future would have been forever altered. I am thankful that I’m not the only one who had a father believe in him and you acknowledged this on page 273. Thanks for being you and for all the hard work in producing this fantastic music. I’m looking forward to what the future brings.

PS.

In 2010 a friend bought me an early Christmas gift, an Ibanez RG4 and I’m slowly learning to play. I have your VOX pedals and my next wish list item is a JS24P. Hopefully 2015 is the year. Thanks Joe.