I posted this on FB, and thought I would copy and paste it here.
Hey Andy, and the band. I gotta say something. After talking with a friend, a friend I made because of your band, I just wonder if you all realise just how much you mean to not only me, but so many others.
I really didnt know of the band until about 1999. But from that point on, you really became a central point in my life. Since then, I have made lasting friendships with many, and my life has been improved by untold quality because of these friends and because of your music.
But wait a minute, I am being self centered here. Let me expand. By becoming aware of WA, my brother and sister both became aware as well. My brother became a huge fan and travelling companion when seeing you all over the US. My sister, well that is a different story. She is mentally retarded. You brought a smile to her face with the song Peace off the Bonafide album. That alone is priceless in my mind. Anything that can make her smile and give her enjoyment, deserves my eternal gratitude. May not mean much to you all, or anyone else, but means the world to me.
I have had so many good times at your concerts, and combined many of those trips with seeing other sites. I mean, going to Scranton, I flew to Niagara Falls and then rented a car. Would have never seen Niagara Falls had it not been for you. Would have never rode the Sandia Tram in Albuquerque if not for you. Would have never discovered Waterfall Highway in Oregon if not for you.
But not only seeing places, but because of you, I have discovered other music as well. I didnt know of such bands as Camel, Epitaph, and several others before knowing of you. Had it not been for you, who knows, I may never had made of those discoveries. And there are bands of shall I say lesser importance that still have made a difference in my life all because I saw them before or after one of your shows. Maybe a band that opened for you or the other way around. Or a band I saw while on the road before or after seeing one of your concerts.
I write all of this because I just wonder if you realise how much your music touches the lives of everyone who you play to. To you, maybe it is just a job that you have done over your lifetime, but I often wonder if you REALLY know how much of an impact you have made on other peoples lives, and how much that impact has made on other peoples lives. Its like a chain, and once you change one person's life, that changes another and another.
Anyway, thank you Andy for keeping the music alive. You, and Mudman and Bob-O and Crabber, and the guys before then, BennyBoy, Ray, Tony, and yes, even to all before that, even those you have had a legal battle with. I hope you continue to keep jamin as long as possible. It will be a sad day when you retire, but your music will live on forever. You have earned my respect and my gratitude for the rest of my life, no matter if I dont like a certain album or song or whatever.
Thank you for just being you. Can I say more?