At BlueRodeo.com, we receive hundreds of email messages and discussion board postings every day. Some people write to share their love of Blue Rodeo and their music; some share their art and inspiration; some write to air a complaint or express their appreciation.
Although we can't always respond personally to each and every message we receive, we sincerely want to thank everyone who takes the time to write to us. On this page, we showcase snippets from some of our favourite letters.
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Your Music
Hi Mr. Cuddy,
I am a huge fan of yours and Blue Rodeo. I cannot remember how many times I have seen your shows, but I had to tell you something about the show you did last December on your birthday at Johnny B's in Whitby.
As I mentioned I have seen you perform countless times and the show in Whitby was especially poignant for me as you sang your song "Pull Me Through", you introduced the song by telling a story about your aunt and uncle. That night in Whitby was the first time I had been out for a night of fun since my mother passed in late October. It was a night with 3 of my girlfriends to get out and enjoy (which I always do when I see you perform). My parents were just shy of their 65th wedding anniversary and when you told the story of your family and then sang... you touched my very being as I understood so very well the lyrics of your song.
I just wanted to thank you for a lifetime memory.
I could go on forever about the lyrics to your music and how they have touched me but I am sure you have heard so many times how another favourite of mine "Bad Timing" got someone through a relationship's end.
Thank you for your time and thank you for your words and music.
Barbara
Posted on Thu, Jun 21, 2007 at 4:20 PM | permalink | discuss this!
Friday, June 15, 2007
Thanks So Much!
Dear Blue Rodeo,
Words cannot express how grateful we are that you would send my daughter, Lena, an autographed CD to sell tickets on at her yard sale. We held the yard sale on June 10 at Smooth Hermans and it was a huge success again this year. We had several items to sell tickets this year and they all sold extremely well. Your CD was one of them. It is because of people like you and your kindness that we could raise close to $2000.00 this year in this event alone. Every bit of the money is being donated to the Canadian Diabetes Association. This money is being used for research so hopefully one day they will find a cure for this disease and my daughter will no longer have to take her blood and give herself needles.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your kindness,
Lynnette, Albert, Joseph and Lena
Posted on Fri, Jun 15, 2007 at 11:07 AM | permalink | discuss this!
Thursday, April 19, 2007
A Letter to Jim
Hello Jim,
My name is Steve Yule, I am 21, and live in Newcastle. I have been a huge Rodeo fan for as long as I can remember. Just to put it out there I am just writing u this e-mail because I am a huge for of music all kinds, and I can easily say that Blue Rodeo is constantly in a battle for first, with the Hip 4! Haha.
I have seen you 10 times, always with Blue Rodeo; I have yet to make it out for the Jim Cuddy Band! One day! A few shows that stand out would be this summer in Port Elgin, me and my buddies made the trip from Newcastle for the weekend to catch the show, best weekend of the summer, amazing show, so many good songs I loved every minute of it. "After the Rain" was a highlight for me!
But one show that stands out for me among all shows, any band, would definitely be the 20th anniversary show at Lees Palace, that was by far the best night of my life, I would have never expected so much action, you guys rocked out very hard, that was the only time I saw the original Blue Rodeo. I consider myself very lucky to have been there, extremely lucky!!
After the show in Port Elgin I got a pic with u and u signed my hat, talked to u for like 3 minutes, that was cool, hard to say all the things especially when you are as drunk as I recall I was!!
Steve
P.S. You and Greg should get the boys and play in Newcastle, I guarantee that you would be blown away with how intense the crowd would be, I don't know if u guys know but you are so huge with the younger crowd, I think at the one Amphitheatre show in TO, there were 54 ppl on the lawn, all from, Newcastle, Kendal Newtonville, Orono. It was hilarious, huge lawn party, hahaha, but anyway, hope to c u and rodeo in Newcastle this summer!
Posted on Thu, Apr 19, 2007 at 3:03 PM | permalink | discuss this!
Thursday, February 08, 2007
The Ford Plant Show
Dear Blue Rodeo,
Many thanks guys, for coming to Brantford's "Ford Plant", on February 1st. What a great effort on your part to do something nice for some very nice kids. I enjoyed the show, but I'll remember more what you guys did for these people. The expression on the face of young Mr. Petty when "on stage" with Blue Rodeo, and how you seamlessly backed him up, was priceless. I'm sure that Scott, Josh and Tim will forever tell tales of their day with you, and they are probably still pinching themselves to see if this was just a dream.
Always liked your music, more so after seeing you at the Norfolk Fair a few years ago, even more after seeing you up close and personal at the Ford Plant. You are great musicians and wonderful people. Your music is important and so is what you did. So once again, thank you for coming to Brantford. You earned my respect as men.
Yours truly,
Paul
Posted on Thu, Feb 08, 2007 at 11:45 AM | permalink | discuss this!
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
A Letter About "Pull Me Through"
Jim,
Although I don't really, I feel a little like I know you. Your music, and music in general have been an important part of my life for a long time. I think of the good and bad times in my life in terms of the music that I remember from those points in my life.
That brings me to the point of this message. In late July my Father died from complications resulting from bypass surgery. His death was the worst thing I have ever experienced. To this day I spend much time feeling lost and alone despite the wonderful support of my wife, extended family and great friends. Soon after that time "Pull Me Through" hit the radio. The first time I heard the song I was alone in the house and your words and melody sent me back to the times that I shared with my Father. Once again, and here's the corny part, I cried, which is something I don't do very often when I listen to music or watch fictional things on television.
Thank you for sharing the story in that song, Jim. My dad was one of the people whose quiet strength helped "pull me through" many of the challenges I have faced in my time. He left this world too young and suffered much more than any one person deserves to, but I'm proud of him and I strive to live a life that would make him proud.
I treasured the time I got to spend with dad and I am thankful for the music that keeps those memories alive in my heart.
Steve
Posted on Wed, Jan 17, 2007 at 2:53 PM | permalink | discuss this!
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
Truely a Good One!
Hello mister Cuddy!
As I am listening to your new song, I am writing you this message in my second language so sorry if it doesn't come out all correct!!! I just wanted to let you know that I have been a fan of yours, even when I did not understand a word you guys were saying. Your song "Try" made such an impression on me that i have been following you ever since... And to this day you still impress me with your talent and the way you can totally convey the message you are trying to send to us your fans.
A few days ago I saw you in Ottawa at Bluesfest (for the 36 time); what an incredible show that was again. Truly unbelievable that after all these years of singing these incredible songs, you guys do it with such conviction as if it was the first time you were singing them. I am an usher at the National Arts Center and I do see a lot of shows and I have seen many but you would have to be the classiest act of all acts I have seen. Je vous lève mon chapeau!!! As we say en français!!!
Please keep writing songs, you make our life so much easier to take! Stay true to who you are too for I also have had the chance to meet you twice and what a treat that was!!! I am very much looking forward to your new album, that new song of yours is wonderful! Hope to see you again soon! Any chance you may play the NAC in Ottawa with your Band? It would sound so good!!! And let me tell you that a lot of ushers would be pleased! Good luck with your new album!
Anne Marie
Posted on Wed, Aug 02, 2006 at 3:31 PM | permalink | discuss this!
Friday, July 28, 2006
A Letter from Bancroft
G'day Jim, Greg, Basil, Glenn & The Bob's!
My name is Kaylie, I'm from Bancroft, Ontario - which you probably haven't heard of, it's a small town about 3000 population (about 20,000 in the summer- a real tourist town for sure) surrounded by Coe Hill and Whitney (where Algonquin Provincial Park is located) and I'm writing to you today because of the great interest I express in the band. I want to compliment you on the terrific songs you've produced over the years.
I began to express an interest in Blue Rodeo several years ago when my friend Dave from Orono, Ontario introduced me to your band. This is when I decided to attend a concert. We went to your concert in Barrie at Molson Park in the fall of 2005 - my greatest compliments! It was terrific. Well worth the 2.5hr trip for sure! From then on in, I couldn't get enough of the music. I now own most of the CDs!
I come from a household where my two brothers play guitar, we enjoy having a gang over to play Blue Rodeo around the campfire. Some fantastic licks indeed! Myself, I've taken up harmonica. All the credit I can possibly send via the net goes out to you Jim. Like anything, it certainly is NOT as easy as it looks.
I also recently attended a concert in Owen Sound, Ontario- month of May. A much smaller venue for sure, I sat pretty close too. And while I know the number of fans you have is infinite, I would like to say thanks to you guys as after the concert, we met you around the back exit just before you jumped on the tour bus; this REALLY made it worth the 4hr trip for me. I appreciated that a lot, and admire how down to earth everyone of you are.
After just a few months of admiring your music, I decided that "Lost Together" would be my wedding song. After meeting you, it was suggested to me by friends that since we were so tight, I might as well have Blue Rodeo simply come and play "Lost Together" at my wedding! HaHa, I assured them I was one fan, one handshake and on the road they would go again! However, if you're ever looking for a town to play a gig in, consider Bancroft-- we'd absolutely love to welcome you to our community. Also, I attend the Havelock Country Jamboree every year and from my understanding you've played there before. Why not come back? Great times had by all I will assure you of that!
Anyways, Thanks very much for taking the time to read my letter, I realize I'm "just another fan sending another letter" but I hope you know just how much your music has influenced me as a person (I'm only 18 years old). My vehicle has a 6-disc changer -- all 6 are Blue Rodeo, and I guarantee you this will never change!
Yours Very Truly,
Kaylie
Posted on Fri, Jul 28, 2006 at 12:50 PM | permalink | discuss this!
Monday, May 22, 2006
Request Heard At Dublin Show
Dear Jim,
It was really great to meet you in Dublin after listening to your music for so many years. Thanks so much for playing "Rain Down on Me" (it only took you 3 years to get to my request!). I was so happy I cried. I hope that you are loving life and life loves you back. If you are back in Whelan's next year I will see
you there. Take care!
Melissa
Posted on Mon, May 22, 2006 at 8:02 PM | permalink | discuss this!
Saturday, May 13, 2006
Great Time at Bedford
Dear BlueRodeo,
Thanks for putting on such a great show at the unusual Bedford venue! I brought a friend from South Africa, Australian, and a Brit and we all enjoyed it beyond words. Unfortunately we left during your encore, as we had to catch the ridiculously slow train back to London, hope you didn't notice or take offence.
Your music obviously stands on its own, but seeing it live again (last time was at Kaslo Jazz Fest.) and at a small venue, this show will remain a highlight of my time in the UK!
Also, thanks for taking the time to talk to me and my friend Gemma before the concert Jim.
Hopefully you guys have a blast on the UK tour!
Regards from a fan, and 3 new fans.
Chris, on behalf of Kat, Gemma, and Nick
Posted on Sat, May 13, 2006 at 4:03 PM | permalink | discuss this!