S
Want
to send Todd a letter? You can write him here Send
Todd a Question and
his response will be posted along with your question. Please
do not request backstage passes, ask to meet the band, request
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keep your questions to a musical/drumming nature. Thank you!
April 2007
Hey Todd
Wolfgang Zank here. I was at your clinic in LaCrosse Tuesday night. I thought your clinic was great. I picked up some tips and enjoyed listening to your stories. It was fun watching you play drums. I have a question I didn't get a chance to ask. Do you ever consider playing digital drums? I have a 10 piece digital Roland TD-20 that I play. It works really well for me. Just wondering how you feel about digital drums compared to a trap set.
Thank you, Your friend
Wolfgang Zank
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Hi Wolfgang,
Thanks for coming to the clinic and I'm happy that you enjoyed it. I used ddrums a lot in the '90s and owned 2 different rigs. I still have my ddrum3's but I used them out of necessity for recording jingles in small studios. Often times, space and recording time were limited and it worked for small projects. The Rolands are fun for sure.....but......we are talking the difference between a flight simulator and a real airplane here. You can spend your whole life developing your touch, time and feel on one ride cymbal. Whacking a piece of rubber is not the same thing to me.
Thanks for your question and for your attendance at my clinic. Take care and I wish you much fun with your playing!
Todd
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Todd:
I attended the Ft. Collins clinic last night and just want to again say thank you for an excellent clinic! I was the one who asked the 'Moeller method' question and discussed with you afterwards, drummers who do so much with so little. That said, I discovered jazz about 10 years ago and have been passionate about that music ever since.
Though, I'm no jazz caliber drummer - I aspire to be. For me, it's something to set the bar higher and work towards. For someone who is essentially just starting out with jazz, can you recommend a good book, rudiment(s) music and/or musicians that I can perhaps school on?
Many Thanks,
Dane
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Hi Dane,
I remember you----thanks again for showing up to the clinic and for your kind words. I never went through the book, but I know a lot of guys have used Ted Reed's Syncopation book for working of their jazz time playing. By keeping the swing ride pattern and the hat on 2 & 4, they would play the patterns with their left hand on the snare. Then, you can play the shorter note values with the snare and the longer note values with the bass drum---and vice versa. I'm sure you can find some info on that online. I think Gary Chaffee might have a book dedicated to swing feel. Again, I haven't used these materials myself.
Listen to Tony Williams, Jack DeJohnette, Elvin Jones, Art Blakey.....all the way through the modern swing masters. You can spend hours on drummerworld.com checking out vids of hundreds of amazing drummers. Go see live music and seek out other musicians. It's all part of the journey.
Good luck, Dane! Have fun and thanks again--
Todd
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Todd,
It was a great privilege to meet you at the Music Center clinic last night, and also ironic to find out that my friend Todd had some mutual acquaintances(Skip and Chip) with your brother Paul.(we were the last two guys in line) I know your time is valuable and I'll try not to ramble, but I have a couple questions, 1. I cannot recall the fist selection of music you played along with to open the clinic and would like to get a hold of a copy of it somehow. 2. As kind of a part two of question one, is there a source that you know of or would recommend that offers drum-less soundtracks???? As with many of us I've resolved myself to playing as a hobby but in the quest of finding my "own" feel and sound after 26 years(on and off) am tired of playing over someone Else's drum track. This is in no way a discredit to all the drummers that inspire me but a way that I feel could help me personally to be more creative and inspired by myself. Before I go, I wondered last night if you had ever thought of doing a completely acoustic segment in your clinic to show some of the younger drummers who more or less never get a chance to mic their drums what a properly tuned kit would and should sound before being mixed. I know when I first started the the loudness alone was enough to intimidate me NOT to play, however after learning some proper tuning techniques and getting some QUALITY cymbals this intimidation faded. But even now, after knowing how perfect we can make our drums sound thru mixing, a good sounding acoustic kit is hard to achieve taking into account all the variables that effect sound quality, drum material, heads&tension, striking force, sticks, room size and even atmospheric pressure. Alot of younger drummers probably wouldn't consider all this and might be encouraged by how well a good sounding,well tuned kit actually does sound without mics, mixers and amps. Thanks for a n awesome presentation last night, and I look forward to having the opportunity to see you again in the future. Mike Cousins
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Hi Mike,
It was cool to meet you at the clinic. It's a small world indeed. Anyway, thanks for showing up and enjoying it!
To get to your questions in order, the first track I played to is a song by Jerry Goodman called "Tears Of Joy." That particular track Jerry created for me to use at clinics. The original version was from the 80s and was on his brilliant live album called "It's Alive." The Jerry Goodman Band records from the 80's are hard to find but well worth it when you do. I can't personally put you in the proper direction for drumless tracks. I know they are out there, but it'll take some internet hunting on your part. Sorry I can't be of more help on that. Your suggestions for the acoustic angle and tuning are valid. However from my perspective, I've seen others do that at clinics. I know there are DVDs out on those subjects. Therefore I try to do some things that aren't always done and avoid things that have been done by many others before me. I try to keep a large part of the presentation organic---and if those questions arise---I will be happy to discuss those topics. The Q&A is different at every clinic and I like that freedom and interplay. That way information gets passed on and it truly becomes an educational event as opposed to a display of playing for 90 straight minutes. Again, if you don't ask the questions, you don't always get the answers.
Thanks again Mike, and I wish you luck with your playing! Take care,
Todd
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Todd
My husband (Tom) picked me up from work Monday (5pm--Kohler Co.--factory). When I got in the car he said he found out that you had a drum clinic at 7pm and did I want to go...well YEAH!!! We had never been to one before and didn't know what to expect. It was WAY COOL!! Tom was drumming since he was 14 (57 now). He played off and on with local groupings of his friends, including BLUE FEELING and the MADADORS (that might be MATADORS...it was before we met).
Tom bought a pair of your sticks before you got started. Of course I told him to get a pair for my grandson, Kalin too. Tom loves them! Kalin won't get them until tonight. I won a pair in the drawing. I hope you had a chance to watch the vhs I gave you...Kalin was a preemie...1lb 9oz at birth---13" long...he is 7 now and is considered to have/be "high-functioning autism... He sat on Grandpa's drums when he was 3. By the time he was 4, we got him a small set (Tom has modified it with Remo skins and extra drums and Sabian/Zyljian cymbals AND rigged up a double base drum pedal for him!! He LOVES to play and he's getting better at keeping a beat. His best is probably TELL HER NO, cuz he knows all the words. He watches videos of Buddy Rich (and you) and the goes to try to imitate what he saw. I hope the vhs was clear enough for you to make out...he hasn't done a whole STYX song yet.
Sheboygan,WI fan
Trish
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Hi Trish,
Thanks to you both for coming to the clinic and I'm happy you enjoyed it. I'm sad to truthfully tell you that the VHS was accidentally left behind at one of the other clinics along with a couple of other items, never to be found or returned. I suppose it's OK as I don't have a VCR anymore---and wouldn't have been able to really see it anyway. Nonetheless, I wish your grandson luck and fun---and I appreciate your support of the younger generation of musicians.
Thanks again and I wish you all the best--
Todd
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Todd
I recently attended your clinic in Kenosha, Wisconsin and was blown away by your playing. It was nice to see a drummer who plays with such emotion. My question is about your cymbals, You mentioned a pair of cymbals that you incorporate, a China and a splash? What models are they and how do you get that "trashy" sound?
Thanks for being such an inspiration,
Dale Blaske
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Hi Dale,
Thanks so much for you kind words and attending the clinic. It's really appreciated!
The cymbals in question are a 14" Sabian HHX Evolution Mini China, and a Sabian 12" HHX Evolution Splash. I've also used a 12" and 10" combo in the past as well. They are on a closed hi hat apparatus held by a clamp coming off a cymbal stand. Pearl makes the arm and I can't remember the model number. It's just a "trash hat" for lack of better description. They are annoying and must be used sparingly!
Thanks again, Dale. Good luck with your playing--
Todd
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Hi Todd,
I recently had the opportunity to see your clinic at SSE Music in LaCrosse WI. I was blown away with your performance, but moreover Todd I was so impressed with your attitude. You were just so down to earth and so approachable it give me the impression that I could have talked about almost anything with you even raking leaves in my front yard. That alone speaks volumes to me, and is something I will not soon forget!
As I mention that night I had seen the jazz fusion band “Vital Information” with Steve Smith in Oshkosh WI. Mr. Smith is also one excellent drummer and performer however he certainly was not as approachable and not very cordial (almost cold) at all. Many musicians could take a page from your book on the importance of good PR! It will pay dividends for year to come.
As for my question on drum tuning, is there any special method that you use such as cross tuning or maybe a gauge of some type etc.? The kit you use at the SSE clinic sounded just amazing! The 16” floor tom however didn’t quite cut it, the 14” mounted tom I thought kicked its’ butt big time!
I truly hope that one day I’ll have the opportunity to see you play again Todd until then God Bless!
Sincerely
Neil
P.S I check out Taylor’s Myspace.com, she has the voice of a goddess! I anxiously await the release of her CD no doubt it will be great!!
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Hi Neil,
Thank you for your wonderful compliments. I appreciate it and it's great to get feedback like yours. Thank you very much!
I'm sorry your experience with Steve Smith was less than wonderful. You know, you never know what sort of night someone is having or what is going on in one's personal life....so......I don't know. I've met him many times through the years and he's always greeted me with a hug. I wrote him a letter when I was 12 years old and he wrote me back a 6 1/2 hand written letter. I think the world of him, so I try to give people the benefit of the doubt if I have a weak experience with someone.
As for the floor toms----and I might be wrong---but I think the 16" was from a different kit or possibly from a lower line than the Masters series (the rest of the kit) at the LaCrosse clinic. Perhaps that had something to do with how it projected to where you were sitting for the clinic. I never use a gauge or device to tune. I use my ears. Every kit is different and the better the kit, the wider the sweet spot where the drum wants to live and sing. I try to tune evenly lug to lug and have the bottom tom heads slightly higher in pitch than the top heads. Try that out. New heads on the bottoms are often overlooked---they wear out too in time.
I'm glad you dug the songs from Taylor's record. It might be my favorite thing I've ever done. You can check out Taylormillsmusic.com to hear clips and pre order for the May 22nd release. I hope you check it out and enjoy it!
Thanks again for your kind note and I wish you luck with your playing.
Take care!
Todd
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Dear Todd,
Thank you so much for the Drum Clinic you performed in Kenosha on Thursday evening, I got some very good information from you. You are an amazing drummer and I hope to be as good as you one day, I wanted to ask
you what you think the best rudiment to practice to get faster and maintain the most control is and if I did rudiments with my feet would that make my feet get faster. One more thing, what is the best way to warm-up before you play.
thanks a lot,
Evan Keefe
P.S. after I finish my eagle scout my parents said they would help me buy a new set of Pearl drums
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Hi Evan,
Thanks for coming to the clinic and I'm happy that you enjoyed it. Thanks!
Well, all the rudiments are important. There's no shortcuts, and there not just one "thing" that will develop speed. You need to study, work, and put your time in for both feet and hands. That what I do when I warm up......singles, doubles, tripled, compound stickings, hand and foot combinations, it's endless really. So when I warm up I make sure that all four limbs are loose and ready to go. Like I said, there are no short cuts and there's no substitute for time on the instrument. I'm sure the new drum kit that awaits you will help provide some inspiration for you!
Thanks again and have fun with your playing--
Todd
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Hi Todd!
My name is Tom. i've been playing drums for about 40 years. Just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed your playing. You are a very mucical drummer! No need to reply.... just wanted to let you know what an inspiration it was to see you play. That's what it's all about!!!
You rock mister!
Tom Cooley
ps..... I dug Taylor's music too..........can't wait to her the cd
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Hi Tom,
My sincerest thanks! I hope you dig Taylor's record as well. Thanks for coming to the clinic and dropping me a note.
Take care,
Todd
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This is more of a straight forward, to the point comment more than anything. Todd, you have inspired me to pick up drumming again. Thank you.
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Hi________,
Thanks, man. Keep playing!
Todd
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Hi Todd -
First of all Congratulations on this awesome site, it is an inspiration to myself as a person that has been playing the instrument since I was 5 ( I'm now 32 ).And i dare say that it will continue to do so for quite a while.
Secondly can you help me with some measurements for your drum wall in the studio. You see... I have a number of drums which I want to display in this manner & I've tried to gauge the dimensions from pictures but I can't do it accurately enough, also can you tell me what kind of wood it's made of?
Stay well man, ( Any chance of you guys coming to Australia soon? )
Cheers,
Anthony, G, Judd
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Hi Anthony,
I'm on a tour bus traveling up the motorway in England, so I'm unable to give you any measurements. I can give away the secret though.....they're book cases from Ikea. Not sure if you have Ikea in Australia or not but I bet you do. They were about $80 a piece and I have five of them I think. They come in white, black, and birch which is what I have. So you might be able to hunt them down yourself. As far as us coming to Australia, I wouldn't hold my breath. I don't think Styx meant much in Australia back in the hey day, much less now.
Thanks for the kind words and I wish you luck with your collection and display.
Take care!
Todd
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Dear Todd,
You are such an awesome drummer... I really enjoy listening to u play the drums on my Styx Live with The CYO CD.... I listen to that CD all the time so I`m either called a music freak, Styx freak, a Todd Sucherman freak, or a Tommy Shaw freak by my friends but I really enjoy it. I have like 3 questions for you??
1. How old were you when you started playing the drums?
2. How old were you start playing with Styx?
3. What year did you start playing the drums in Styx?
If you will answer I would appreciate it?
Thanks, and Love you.. Becky Mosher
Michigan
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Hi Becky,
Thanks for your enthusiasm and support! Here's the answers to your numbered questions:
1. Two years old.
2. Twenty-six years old.
3. First recording in 1995, first tour in 1996.
Thanks again, Becky!
Take care,
Todd
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Hey Todd!
This is a really simple question, don't think you would need to post it or anything. But I just saw one of your clinics last week, and you played Tears of Joy, which I just absolutely LOVE! I really want to get that CD, but I forgot who composed it, you mentioned it, but I forget. So who wrote Tears of Joy?
anyway thanks for your time!
Kevin-
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Hi Kevin,
Thanks for coming out to the clinic. Tears of Joy is by Jerry Goodman. Try to find Jerry Goodman--It's Alive, his live record from 1987. It might be hard to find and you'll do some internet hunting but it's worth it.
Thanks again and good luck--
Todd
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I know nothing about drumming, but I am and always will be a huge Styx fan. I have seen the band 13 times live and have tickets purchased for my 14th show. Twelve of those shows you have been the drummer. They could not have made a better choice when it came to replacing John. When will you be posting the entire summer tour dates on Styxworld?
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Hi_______,
Thanks. Dates are up, as you know by now.
Todd
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Hey Todd
This is Everett from WI again. I was just wondering if you would ever make your drums look like Bryan Hitt's from REO Speedwagon you know having the band's logo on them. I think that would be totally cool. I'll see ya in October (or hopefully sooner) at the crystal grand. Keep on rockin.
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Hi Everett,
Hmmm. Why would I want my drum set to look like Bryan's, or anyone else's for that matter? I want them to look like MY kit. As well, I don't need the Styx logo on my bass drums because I assume the audience knows who they are seeing and don't need to be beaten over the head with it.
Thanks anyway, Everett!
Todd
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Hola again!
I cant seem to quit bugging you (well I hope I’m not bugging you). I just read that you will FINALLY be making a DVD!! I cant tell you how excited I am to hear that. Now I know it may be far to early to get any details...or at least limited ones at that. But do you have an idea of what info. you will put on there. Will you do it solely based off ideas and techniques you use to play. Or will it involve a lot of STYX corrolation? Also, are you doing it through Hudson Music or another company? Im sure it will be next year before we should expect to buy it? (which is a good thing...should never rush a good thing). Thanks for he info...sorry fo all the questions....but being you are my "Vinnie Colaiuta"...im rather excited. Best news ive heard ALL year lol.
Thanks Todd!
Eddie...again.
P.S. Im still to this day infatuated by the sound of your Ayotte kit. Do you know how thick the shells were? Did they have reinforcement rings on the inside of the shell? Also, did you have a 6" tom on that kit? Thanks again.
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Hi Eddie,
Thanks, man. I'll start with the Ayotte question. I believe they were six ply shells with reinforcing hoops. I indeed had a 6" on that kit. I sold it to my buddy Randy Walker when I went with Pearl. I bought that Ayotte kit (was not given to me) so I figured I could do what I want with it.
As far as the DVD goes, I really am not at liberty to speak about business details. Nor do I want to divulge any content and hope you understand. It will be a long while until we even begin, so it would be 2008 at the earliest---maybe 2009--who knows?
OK. Thanks again Eddie! I appreciate your interest and support a lot. You might want to check out the Taylor Mills record to tide you over until then!
Take care--
Todd
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Hey Todd,
Just wonder'n if you guys are ever com'n to Florida? I also saw a quick note on the Def Leppard page that you might be in concert with them here and there. I'm in Central Florida and saw Def and Journey last year at the Tampa Amphitheater. Awesome!!! I would love to see you guys in concert!!!
Thanks,
Beth
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Hi Beth,
Dates are up at Styxworld.com. I hope we are coming near your town---
Take care!
Todd
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Hi, Todd!
It's Ciana from MySpace! I know you've already been at Billy Bob's once this year (back in January), but I missed the concert. Will y'all be coming back again, and do you know when? I've never seen you guys in concert, so I don't have an intelligent question to ask you. Just know that I can't wait to finally see you!
Ciana
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Hi Ciana,
Well, I have no idea about BB's.......but I know we'll hit Smirnoff this summer.
Thanks again and take care!
Todd
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Hi Todd.
Your website is awesome. I'm so impressed by the fact that you take time to answer so many questions. I noticed in one of your reponses that the 18 song medley might be put on the shelf for good. That would be disappointing as it was by far my favorite segment of the last 3 Styx shows I've been to. Might I suggest another. There are so many great Styx songs out there that it could be just as entertaining as the first. Especially since a lot of the shows have been shorter as you are paired up with other bands. This would give the fans a chance to hear a lot of those songs that they don't get a taste of during a 1 hour set. I was curious as to how much time you spent putting the original medley together. Also just curious what your other hobbies are when you're not drumming?
Thanks for filling in for John. Your drumming is absolutely amazing. My fellow band mates in our cover band are always asking me when I'm going to learn to play like you. I assured them "Never!" Keep up the good work.
Matt Breakey
Pickerington, OH
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Hi Matt,
Thanks a lot for all your kind words. Much appreciated!
Well, I'm not sure what to say about the medley as I won't be the one making the executive decision on it's fate. I can tell you that another will not happen. That was THE one. No that we are playing a lot of 60 or 70 minute sets this summer, there is no room for a medley of any kind. About 90% of the medley I put together on one lazy Sunday afternoon. It was refined shortly after that. Hobbies? Just being happy to be home and with my wife. Anything over that is icing on the cake!
Thanks again, Matt. I wish you luck with your drumming--
Todd
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Hey Michael Reece bro’! How ya doing?? A friend from XM is heading over to the UK to see you guys play…. Make him HAPPY!
I’ve been thinking….. Where are you on MySpace??
Have a great weekend!
-Kandy
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Hi Kandy!
Myspace.com/toddsucherman Did you search?
Hope all's well with you!
Take care,
Todd
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Dear Todd,
Hi there and you was fantastic on the drums at the Cardiff international arena last night on 25th wed April 2007 and is there a chance of a signed photo of you please please if so email me back how too please,keep drumming.
Andrew
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Hi Andrew,
Thanks so much. I appreciate it very much. Sorry I can't honour your request.....as it states on the Dear Todd page, I can't honour requests of backstage passes, autographs, etc. Hope you understand!
Cheers and hope to be back soon--
Todd
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Hi Todd,
What a week. Saw you in Cardiff (Weds 25th) and Wembley (Sat 28th) and well, what can I say. Awesome. Ive got to say though that I can only assume you guys were gutted in Nottingham when you had a monitor failure and could only do three songs (I know you mentioned an 60 minute set for you was like warming up, but a 15 minute one must have been crap) Well done for getting up there under those circumstances. Was REALLY chuffed to see the response Styx were getting form what essentially wasn't 'your crowd' A great move by the band management to put you infront of arena size audiences. I hope Tommy, JY, Chuck, Ricky and Larry have also thought this tour worthwhile. I will tell you being a hardened Styx fan for 10 years (stil only 25!) I was nipping out after your set and watching the merchandise stand to check on how 'we' were doing and (after buying my tshirts) I can honestly say that their was a really healthy trade on all the styx stuff at both venues.
Jamie whose two loves are drumming (as you know) and lighting had a chat with Libby (Lighting tech) at Cardiff and she invited him to the booth on Saturday at Wembley for a chat. He was made up. I dunno, he met you two years ago and this time he was in with the Styx lighting tech! What luck! Libby was great by the way (and did a great job with your lights). We took a video of the opening of your set w/blue collar man at wembley which is on youtube. My dad also managed to have a chat with Gary Loizzo, so happy days all round.
Jamie will be emailing Libby when he can now (building his way up to ask for a AAA pass next time)
Just one question Todd, will their be a 'next time' for Styx in the UK?
P.S if so play Plymouth Pavilions its only 50 miles from me! Ha, only joking, I'll travel hundreds of miles if I have to!
All the best for the rest of this year, and regards to all the other guys in the band.
Ross
(Exeter, UK)
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Hi Ross,
Good to hear from you and regards to Jamie as well. I'm exhausted in Glasgow and recharging for tomorrow's gig. We've been having a blast and there will certainly be a next time, no doubt. Nottingham was indeed a drag but what can you do? That's show biz. But glad you all had good experiences at the gigs----and Libby is great!
OK. Gotta get some rest over here. See you next time and thanks for your enthusiasm and support!
Cheers--
Todd
