I had a serious surgery 20 years ago which made an almost certainly fatal condition into a chronic one with various interventions over the years. The surgery was the first and most necessary though not sufficient of measures. At 5, 10, and 15 years I wrote a brief update and thank you to the surgeon at Duke Hospital and this year for #20 I see he has retired and he received the 20th and last message. It makes me more grateful.
We will jump on "Ride or Die" as soon as we finish the latest rewatch of "Leverage," which holds up very well. As for music, I hope you're in on Rhiannon Giddens. She is best known for the banjo, but plays many other instruments, and was included in that Oscars live performance from "Sinners," but her vocals are to die for. This song is from a children's book about enslaved folks who could fly away, and those who stayed behind.
I've gotten to interview Rhiannon twice--once for Our State and once for SouthBound. What a treasure. Plus she can rhapsodize about the old K&W cafeteria in Greensboro!
Thanks for this reminder. It gave me the kick in the pants to write my local city mayor and councilperson about the great services the city has offered this summer. I guess that's not exactly a fan letter, but I've always thought that writing the boss is often the best way to praise someone's work. When their inbox is full of complaints, hopefully a positive note is a bright spot.
This is a fan letter to you and this newsletter. The monk in the Time magazine article suggests that I ask myself about my internet reading, “After I engage with this, do I feel more curious, more grounded, more kind?” The answer, when I read your newsletter and the things you take the time to connect me to, is a full-hearted YES. Thank you for your writing. As Chris Farley would say, it’s awesome!
Then there are fan letters that are scams. Lately I've been getting what are obviously AI generated letters telling me how wonderful my recent book, Leander's Lies, is. The "writer" is offering to publicize it for me. A writer acquaintance fell for the scam. Not until there was a request for money did she become suspicious.
I had a serious surgery 20 years ago which made an almost certainly fatal condition into a chronic one with various interventions over the years. The surgery was the first and most necessary though not sufficient of measures. At 5, 10, and 15 years I wrote a brief update and thank you to the surgeon at Duke Hospital and this year for #20 I see he has retired and he received the 20th and last message. It makes me more grateful.
That is an amazing commitment and a hell of a story. What a lovely thing to do.
We are in the middle of “Ride or Die” and loving it! Those two women are fantastic!
It's a blast!
To a newly recognized, “hot”, young actor taking the world by storm, I commented on his Instagram page as any mother would; could not help myself.
“You are a beautiful actor and person. Keep it in the road. All the best in life to you.”
Good for you!
Amen, brother.
I was unfamiliar with Alabama Shakes, but thank you for the introduction!
Go back and listen to "Hold On" and "Sound and Color." Great songs.
We will jump on "Ride or Die" as soon as we finish the latest rewatch of "Leverage," which holds up very well. As for music, I hope you're in on Rhiannon Giddens. She is best known for the banjo, but plays many other instruments, and was included in that Oscars live performance from "Sinners," but her vocals are to die for. This song is from a children's book about enslaved folks who could fly away, and those who stayed behind.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFitzERXbqg
I've gotten to interview Rhiannon twice--once for Our State and once for SouthBound. What a treasure. Plus she can rhapsodize about the old K&W cafeteria in Greensboro!
Thanks for this reminder. It gave me the kick in the pants to write my local city mayor and councilperson about the great services the city has offered this summer. I guess that's not exactly a fan letter, but I've always thought that writing the boss is often the best way to praise someone's work. When their inbox is full of complaints, hopefully a positive note is a bright spot.
I'm guessing those folks don't get many fan letters :) Good for you1
So excited to know Alabama Shakes has new album coming! Thank you Tommy!
Such a beautiful post! I can definitely relate to it.
This is a fan letter to you and this newsletter. The monk in the Time magazine article suggests that I ask myself about my internet reading, “After I engage with this, do I feel more curious, more grounded, more kind?” The answer, when I read your newsletter and the things you take the time to connect me to, is a full-hearted YES. Thank you for your writing. As Chris Farley would say, it’s awesome!
(bows deeply)
Then there are fan letters that are scams. Lately I've been getting what are obviously AI generated letters telling me how wonderful my recent book, Leander's Lies, is. The "writer" is offering to publicize it for me. A writer acquaintance fell for the scam. Not until there was a request for money did she become suspicious.
Yeah, I get those too ... they're a plague.
Love this piece! Longtime fan. And in the "Great Minds Think Alike" category, I posted this last week, which includes your buddy Joe P:
https://paulsaxmd.substack.com/p/writing-fan-letters
Really appreciate The Shed, Tommy, every time.
RIP Glen Hansard. Your rave reviews of "Once" helped me discover that great movie. Thank you!