Phil- READ THIS

Phil- I've been a fan for more than 20 years.  I've never written a fan letter to you or anyone else for that matter but having seen your comments on pulling out of the business, I felt compelled to give it a shot.  

First off, as many others have said, the day you stop making music, you WILL be missed.   So many fans have followed you from the beginning and we aren't all so shallow as to let overplay of hits dilute our appreciation of the amazing music you have brought into the world. The "scene" may not be for you any more but there are millions of avid music lovers who stopped caring about the scene years ago.

I am sorry to hear about your health problems and I have a lot of respect for you for wanting to spend more time with your kids.  What I really want to say though is this.....business aside, PLEASE DON'T STOP MAKING MUSIC!  At the risk of sounding like an optimist, couldn't this be a chance for you to explore some new musical avenues?  Even if drumming is out of the question, you still have your voice and songwriting talent.  I would love to hear some very simple acoustic stuff from you.  Call up Mark Knopfler or Elvis Costello, open a good bottle of scotch, roll the recording deck, and see what happens.  Children's music?  Check out the stuff that Chris Ballew from Presidents of the United States of America has done.  Blues?  That would be different for you.  I'd buy a ticket for the show!  

Phil, we're not quite ready for you to take that bicycle trip just yet.  Screw the music business but please keep bringing your music to the world.  It desperately needs it!

 

David Neale