May 7 - 13

Dan, My best wishes for a positive outcome in your battle. I've been a fan since I saw you in concert with the Eagles in the late 70's. I also have P.C. but mine was discovered in the early stage by sheer chance. I have undergone treatment and the outcome appears good. I just wanted to say that your music helped me through some tough times in my life and help me celebrate some good ones. May you continue to make music for many years to come. ~ Brian Smith Your music was an important part of my youth - I listened to those albums so many times I feel I came to know you personally. May you be well - may you be healed - may you feel the strength of all the prayers being said for you. ~ Lori Dear Dan When I was growing up, I had to do it very quickly.  Having older  parents, it wasn't easy, and especially when both of them fell ill with heart  problems.  My mother had a heart problem and a degenerative spinal disease  which took her mobility completely rendering her bedfast.  Then she  developed cancer.  My father had a very serious heart condition.  From  the age of 10, I was a caretaker for both of them (I am now 42). Your music played  such a big part in my life. I remember the first time I heard "Longer", I  had just finished my routine for the night, and had my radio on. It was, to me,  the most beautiful song I had ever heard and the first time I had listened to  the lyrics of a song. Over the years I continued listening to you on the radio,  but here in England, they didn't really play much US music.  My mother died  in 1985 when I took over sole care of my dad. Our local library had a sale of  tapes which they were selling and among them was a Dan Fogelberg Greatest  Hits.  I bought it.  Since that day, I have continued to listen to  it.  My dad moved in with us when we married and stayed with us til he died  in 2002.  I dug the tape out again, and it has been a total source of  comfort to me since then.  I have now developed the same spinal disease as  my mother, and I know it will eventually take my mobility.  My son who is 12 helps to look after me, and today I found him playing the same tape I  did.  It has come full circle. Your music was there for me, now it is there  for him. I truly hope and pray every night for you and your family.  You have  been there and touched so many people with your music.  I pray that  you will win this battle. You know there are people there, maybe who you don't  know but have touched, who are fighting with you. I send my love to you and Jean. ~ Angela (Bolton, England) Hey Dan- While driving into work this morning I had one of your greatest hits CD's playing and the song, "Lonely in Love" came on and I don't know why, but that song always gets to me. I crank the volume up, singing with tears running down my face. I'm sure you've received these emails before, maybe a different song with the same effect. I've been a fan of yours from the get-go, so many moons ago. I still have the first album on vinyl...the very first time I heard "Stars" on the radio-that was it, I was a fan for life. May God bless you and your family. ~ Janice Dan, I hope and pray for a successful recovery for you. I came to love your music while I was in the Army deployed overseas. After that I always anticipated your next new release. I was able to see you perform once live at Star Lake Amphitheater outside Pittsburgh, Pa. and it was great. I wish you nothing but happiness and strength and honor.Take Care ~ Eric I am so saddened to hear about your illness.Your music touched me deeply through the years. Actually helped me through "rough spots". I even saw you twice and was moved to tears...you sing from the heart. There will never another DF...God bless You and your family. Hang in there... Sincerely ~ janet walker It's been awhile since I've written so I thought I would just let you know that you are still thought of and prayed for.  Your music has been the soundtrack to my life.....graduating from high school then college, falling in love with an Illinois boy, marrying then later feeling the pain of divorce, only to experience the joy of renewed spirit and love when the time was right.  Your words and music can bring back memories, both painful and joyful but I know you would agree that we have to experience both to live a full life.   I'm grateful for what you've shared with us and hope you know how important your music has been to us.  I continue to be a faithful listener and cherish the concerts I was able to attend.  I, too, am a Leo, having been born the day after you.  I feel a special bond because of that, not to mention the central Illinois connection.  My prayer is that you are feeling strong and healthy and are surrounded by all that you hold close to your heart.  My love to you and Jean.. ~ Pamela Dear Dan, I pray you are doing better and that you are winning.  I cannot tell you how much you have meant to me since my college days many moons ago.  Your music was always something that reached my heart and my soul; it helped me to see things more clearly during difficult times and often moved me.  In college, I wanted to share your music with everyone I came in contact with.  I'd play your albums for people who had not heard of you and immediately get them hooked.  I was so inspired by you I thought one day I would meet you but of course those are silly kid dreams.  You probably now realize how important you were, and are, to so many of us.  Thank you for making all of our lives, in big and small ways, better.  You have truly been a blessing to us all and I hope these blessings in some way are coming back and embracing you.  ~ Julie Caspar, A kindred spirit from Illinois I was sitting in my living room one summer day in, I think, 1974 listening to CSNY on the stereo when a friend of mine burst through the door with an album in his hands.  He says "this album is going to move whoever you have at first place on your playlist to second".  He was holding "Souvenirs". He was right.  He still is.  Your music has gotten me through more trials in my life than I can begin to count.  Any time I'm feeling down, I just have to play something Fogelberg.  It heals me.  I pray that it heals you as well. ~ Michael, Austin, Tx. Having lost my father to prostate cancer, I really do appreciate your efforts to publicize the need for tests, to save more lives. Daddy was diagnosed very early, actually, and then lived for 12 more years, until it came back and spread throughout his body. I want to wish you the very best, and send blessings your way, that for all the light and music you have brought into our lives, you may receive the blessings you've bestowed on so many of us. ~ Kathi Thomas Dan, I just wanted to let you know I have continued to pray daily for you and your wife...that your health would be fully restored and that you might one day grace us with your musical magic and ecstasy which you alone possess. Obviously, the latter desire is born of my selfish desire to see and hear you compose and perform once again!  Take good care, my dear friend and keep all in balance as I know you will as you contemplate returning to "the Life you've known so well" after you've defeated this malignancy! I will steadfastly keep you and Jean in my prayers daily that full health and vigor and total recovery will soon be yours.  Sincerely ~ Greg Tuttle, M. D., Chapel Hill/Durham, NC Hey it's spring! And I hope you are savoring all the beauty!  I hope you are well and happy! It's spring here in Utah and I think of you singing up at Deer Valley-wow- What a great summer! I feel so lucky to have seen you here! Your music transports me to a special place. HOW CAN A SONG MAKE SUCH A DIFFERENCE?? I don't know- But yours do- Stay well and happy! I started listening to you when I had to ride with my older brother to school (which he and I hated) but you seemed to be common ground. I have grown up and really respect your music from start to beyond and I hope you find peace and happiness. God Bless you for all the feelings that you have expressed and know what to feel really means. Thank you ~ Jayme Shirley I "met" you in 1974 on a trip to Florida listening to  "Souvenirs". Owned and knew by heart every Fogelberg record, CD and song for  many years.  I saw you opening for Dave Mason at the Richmond Mosque in  1975, and at ODU in 1977. You are in my prayers as you battle your  illness. ~ KCG, Richmond, VA Dan, I had no idea you were going through this ordeal. I work at Santa Monica College and my friend and co-worker was just diagnosed with third stage prostate cancer. He is a black man over 55. I am a practicing Nichiren Buddhist and I will add you (and Jean) to my list of people to chant for. Warmest regards ~ Gayle Sosa Hey Dan, Keep fighting! I've been listening to your music since my musician/ski bum days in Tahoe circa the '70s through now-family man/contractor days.  My father was diagnosed w/prostate cancer last month & it has spread into his lymph glands. Surgery occurs on the 15th of this month. I had my PSA last month and physical today with "the exam". Good luck & stay positive. ~ Jim Mault Dan, Hope your "Run for the Roses" of healing is going well...Kindest Regards ~ Lesa Good day Mr. Fogelberg: Spent the last few months being way too busy and missing time in the San Juans' - which, of course, led to loading your music to help me get through the latest work crush and deadlines.  Two songs into the mix, I began to wonder how you're doing, how you're feeling - and trying to imagine the challenges you've endured.  Suddenly, deadlines didn't seem important.  Out came the D-41DF (139 of 141) and again, your work provided a song book to help me find a balance. Your musical life messages remind me to celebrate family and the beauty that surrounds us... ...and while your music continues to give me a place and some peace, I wonder if you have been able to find the same.  To that end, please know that I send you many well wishes and positive energy. With thanks and respect ~ Dave Dodson - Colorado Dan, I am 28 yrs old. Although I was not able to follow your life since the beginning, I have listened to you music since I can remember. When I heard about your diagnosis, a huge shock went through me and for at least 3 seconds, I couldn't move. My eyes were fixated on the word 'cancer'. I had a loved one that died of cancer, but it was lung cancer. But in any case, I would sit in my chair and ask myself why I couldn't do more. And I guess the same goes for you. What can I do to help?  I can't begin to fathom what kind of pain or feelings you are going through. Even though I am only 28, I have already had myself checked for prostate cancer and was clear. The doctor kinda looked at me funny when I told him why I was there, but he understood when I mentioned your name. The day I heard about your cancer, I prayed for you and your family for help from God. Even though death (for any person) is inevitable, I know you'll be playing your perfect music in heaven, and I'll definitely be one of the first in line for that concert! Thanks for all of your music and don't stop playing it. You ROCK! ~  Ryan My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.  I hope that you are making a full recovery.  Your music has accompanied me and inspired me to continue through the happy and difficult times of my life.  Your music has simply made my life richer--thank you.  Over the years I have seen you in concert several times--Knoxville, TN., Johnson City, TN, and more recently in Hilton Head, SC.---I would love to see you perform again.  Until then I will hold you and your family in my prayers and continue to sing along with your music in my car.  God bless you and yours ~ Susan. My prayers and hopes are with you.  Your music has helped me through a few rough times and I can only hope that that music spirit can be returned to you now. ~ Cindy Maze Dan - I was checking your website with the hopes of a local concert  date.  I was saddened to hear about your diagnosis.  I met you many  years ago at a concert in San Diego at Sea World.  You were so gracious with your time and words.  Your music has been the soundtrack of my  life.  My friends and I have spent hours listening and singing along with  you for more than 20 years.  Thank you for sharing your life with us....I  wish you happiness and healing. - KC Dan, I was introduced to your music over 20 years ago in college. I continue to find inspiration and meaning to life through your music. "Part of the Plan" expresses so well answers to the questions we all come back to. I have also admired your interest and involvement in environmental causes and remember your contributions. While looking for your next concert, I learned about your illness. I immediately thought of a way of helping others who are affected by cancer by donating a DVD my husband recently directed and produced for cancer fundraisers and perhaps making it available to patients directly. Just want you to know how much your music has touched my life and what an inspiration you are. My prayers are with you. ~ Susan Dear Dan, I am sending along my prayers for a long and wonderful life for you on this earth. I listen to your incredible music often and hope that strength comes to you in multitudes. I know that your gift of poetry and song cannot be silenced . Love and happiness to you and your family ~ Erika, from CT I have enjoyed your music since the early years. I remember when Home Free was released, I almost wore out the record playing "More Than Ever" over and over and over. It is still one of the best songs ever written and recorded. It's hard to put into words the beauty of your music, the poetry of your lyrics and I always admired your album cover designs and self portraits. A new album release was an entire event! Your music continues to inspire an entirely new generation of listeners today. My teenage son loves your music as well. We put the CD on in the car and crank up "Crow" to full volume and sing along in chorus. You were so ahead of your time in creating an enduring artistic vision. I've been a fan of yours for many years;when I hear your music I travel back to my high school and college days with fewer cares.  As with many things from the past they are often neglected or backburnered and such it is that I only just visited your website and saw the news.  Having personal experience with this disease I applaud anyone with the courage to fight it and even more encourage others.  Keep up the fight! Dan, your music has been such a huge part of all of the defining moments of my life.  From my wedding song ("Since You've Asked"), to sadness in the marriage ("Lonely in Love"), through the divorce ("Tell me to My Face" - boy did I sing that at the top of my lungs to keep the sanity)...  Songs that would be a dream come true if someone wrote them for me ("Dancing Shoes"," Anastasia's Eyes").  And most importantly, the song that was playing on the car stereo when my father went for his last radiation treatment for lung cancer.  You see, my brother pulled the car up to the hospital and was attempting to load him into the car when my father died in his arms - "Leader of the Band" was playing when he took his last breath - and it was always the song that my brother John associated with my Dad.  My father was and is the "hero" in both of our lives. Thank you for all of the wonderful music, poetry and love you have spread over the years. I will always treasure the magical experience of seeing you at Red Rocks (three times) and at the Wolf Trap in Virginia. My thoughts, prayers, and love are with you and Jean.  Fight this with everything you have and come back to us Dan!! Love ~ Lynnette Spencer O'Keefe Mr. Fogelberg:  I am a 53 yr. young Cheyenne Indian from Oklahoma......singer/songwriter, vietnam era vet....father, and ceremonial person.  I play acoustic music with a longtime partner for the past 25 years, and your music has indeed influenced both of us.  We do a killer version of  "The Reach", (which was an incredible choice of background musicians using Michael Brewer), as well as "The Last Nail".  We wish the very very best for you and your family during this time.  It's almost cliche to say that you have had a huge impact on what I write but it's true.  My eldest son is participating in our Sundance ritual this summer....we come from a long line of ceremonial folks; and we plan to tie a prayer ribbon in the top of the arbor on your behalf.  Thank you, thank you....for so many years of inspiration.  I live in Tulsa, and have seen you every time you came to this town. Hopefully, one day you'll return.  For now, enjoy your life with your family.  We miss you; but no doubt......they have too.  You deserve this well-earned break.  Na ishshivim ~ Jon West. Dan, I had no idea of your condition. Your music has always brought peace and solitude to me in times of sadness or despair. I have followed your career and music since the 70's. You have given great inspiration to many in your words and music. Your music is a celebration of life! May you receive the same in return. God Bless and keep you! ~ Jonathan Scott Bernal Hi Dan, As a professional muso [guitar /mandolin] of over 30 years I've bought, listened, loved and even cried to the odd Fogelberg tunes. Loved every album and every turn they have taken. Lately I've managed to have some health problems as well so I understand the Rocky Road. All the best with beating your illness in the future. By the way thanks for making me learn some your songs, I didn't seem to have a choice, not many artists have done that. Cheers ~ John Allen [Brisbane Australia] It's hard to express how much your music meant to me over my lifetime.  I've been a fan since the very early days.  I had pictures of you in my high school locker back in the 1970's.  I picked the song "Part of the Plan" as my English assignment for analyzing poetry in music.  I've seen you in concert many times and have always remained a big fan.  I wish you the best and I pray that you get some positive news in the future about your illness. With best wishes, love, and prayers ~ Suzanne Not a week goes by without my listening to your music and poetry. I recently caught your Sound Stage show and was blown away by your guitar solo as well as your piano. Saturday last, Kentucky Derby day immediately evoked thoughts of you. As an owner of a thoroughbred race horse I can tell you that you nailed it all around on that one. My all time favorite album is "The Innocent Age" and I often wonder how one person could evoke the range of emotions on display there. Saw you in person in Boston about  10 years ago and I look forward to seeing you again. God will bless you Dan for the contributions you've made with your beautiful music and the humanity of your lyrics. My prayers are with you.

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