Mark's story about the 100,000 lp's was just perfect: subtle and spot on. Wish I
coulda been there. I'd have packed a lunch and maybe a couple of valium. Talk
about yer kid in a vinyl ear candy store!

And Will's story about Stan Ridgeway was way cool too! Wow! I had a similar
encounter with the wonderfully talented and kind Janis Ian. Sometimes you reach
out and people really respond! As many of you will well remember, Janis was
quite outspoken and most articulate back when the Napster Wars were first
starting. That's how she and I got to chatting. Just a great woman.

My own quick Smithereens story: Managing music retail in late '89 when my
assistant manager and I found ourselves on the list for a show down in Ocean
City, Maryland (also where I saw the Ramones, oddly enough, several years
earlier). You hear stories about marathon shows down through the years by
different acts, but this is the first one I'd ever actually attended. The
Smithereens played for *over 4 hours* with one short break in the middle. By
1:30 A.M. my friend and I both knew for sure that we'd seen the best live show
either of us had ever seen. One of those moments when you look at your watch and
figure it's about 11:30, then you realize you've been totally plugged in to a
performance and the time has absolutely flown. God Save the Smithereens! I'd
never seen a band have so much fun together on stage.

Jeff T.
Del.

NP: The High Dials, New Devotion (just picked it up via emusic.com)