Dear Dobie,
Since I was a boy I have always loved
your music and your style. "Drift Away"
is one of my ALLTIME favorite songs, and
the other day while on the "Tom Joyner
Morning Show" message board someone
started a post of "Who's the Best Black
Country Singers" well, someone posted
"Drift Away" and the whole board lit up
like crazy. Even though I never
classified you as Country Singer you're
one of the few singers around who can
interpret songs in different styles.
Well if you ever make a Country Record
again, please make a cut of Lenny
Kravitz's song "Can't Get You Off Of My
Mind" you would blow this song away with
your style!! P.S. there's another singer
out there named Jeffrey Gaines who has a
lot of Dobie Gray in him!!
Sincerely, Gary
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I just
wanted to let you know that I recently
purchased Dobie Gray: His Very Best,
because of the great song "Drift
Away". It has tremendous lyrics and a
great tempo to it. I wanted to thank
Mr. Gray for his great song and great
singing abilities.
Sincerely, Zachary Schultz
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Dear
Mr. Gray,
I know you probably hear this all the
time, but I am one of your biggest
fans. I bet you get tired of hearing
that all of the time. You are one of
my all-time favorite musicians. You're
a great role model for today's
children. I'm also really looking
forward to seeing any new projects
that you may have in the works.
I have Muscular Dystrophy and unable
to get out much. This past year has
been very difficult. I had surgery
making it more difficult to get out. I
keep in touch with the outside world
by watching sports, television, movies
and scouring the Internet. I have
begun a hobby of writing some of my
favorite celebrities for autographs. I
realize you probably receive tons of
fan mail, but I would greatly
appreciate your autograph. I
understand if you are unable to reply
to all of your fan mail. Thank you for
taking time to read my message. I wish
you and yours the best of luck in the
future.
Take Care, David G. Collins, Jr.
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I
think I have recently discovered the
intended interpretation of "Drift
Away". I never knew you were the
grandson of a minister, had I known, I
would have figured it out many years
ago. Through your song, I have
recently recieved a special gift. The
gift of proof and confirmation. Thank
you. Try singing this song to the lord
sometime, if you haven't already.
Charles Willis, inventor of the jetski
brake
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Dear
reader of this letter,
I would just like to say how thankful
I was to see a website dedicated to
this great musician. I'm only 15 years
old, and am a huge fan. I'm glad that
the website is here for people like
me, who can't find other websites
dedicated to him. I would just once
again like to thank you for making
such a wonderful site, and keeping it
up and running.
Sincerely, a fan, Kevin McGinnis
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Dobie
Gray,
Not sure if this come to you, or to a
fans website. I've heard your
classic's before, it's a part of life.
But the other night, I was watching "AMpop"
better known as AMC Classic's (I
think). Anyway caught the last part of
a movie called "Out of Sight". And I
believe you sang a song called "Out On
The Floor". It blew me away ....! "I
really dig it man".
Is this song available?
Gary Hoskins
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Dear
Mr. Gray,
I have been a giant fan ever since "Lovin'
Arms was first released. I won't take
up any more of your time. Thank you
for the music and especially your
rendition of "I Found A Rose". I put
that song on 16 years
ago, proposed to my girlfriend at the
time, and we have been together ever
since. I owe her acceptance and
continuous support partly to YOU!!!
Thank you for your time.
A forever fan, John S. Russ
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Dear
Mr Gray,
Your first album changed my life and
it's still my all time favourite album
and I have been a fan of your music
since I first heard your rock/country
spirit belting out your wonderful
songs. l have all your albums and I
have always thought that the best
night I can imagine would be listening
and watching Dobie Gray singing "Drift
Away" live.
I am an Australian guitar playing
musician and songwriter living in
London, England with my wife Hella and
son Jerome and our dog Rufus.
After spending more than half my life
on the road I have spent the last
couple of years writing and recording
in my small studio here at home. With
your permission, I have a song I've
written entitled Remember Me This Way
which I would like to send to you. If
you can spare the time and would like
to get a rough idea of what I'm about,
please visit my website at
www.werewolfmusic.ndirect.co.uk.
Finally, would you permit me to place
a link to your site on my links page?
Best Regards, John Charles Thomas
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Dobie,
I've enjoyed your songs and voice
since the early seventies when I was
in High School. There are so few
artists with lasting power like you
have, even if the pop or country
scenes do not recognize it. Among
others in my collection that I always
keep in touch with are Michael
Johnson, Stephen Bishop, James Taylor,
and others.
I'll definitely be getting your latest
release.
take care, john evans
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Hello
friend
Just a quick ate to say I heard your
In Crowd backup on that Target Comm'l!
Very nice- and unless I'm crazy- that
was YOU singing. I imagine that goes
nationwide- it's pretty cool after
like 35 years that song is still
making an impact.
Dobie- your STILL on a roll!!
Continued good fortune my friend,
XBoyd
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Greetings Dobie
Hope this finds you well.
You were very gracious to answer my
letter about Midnight Diamond. Thanks!
My son, who is also a BIG fan wanted
to borrow my last copy of Midnight
Diamond. I told him to dream on!
Couldn't chance it!!! Blood is only so
thick!
So, junior says, "how the heck can we
get all of what Dobie has recorded,
you know, like a Jumbo compilation"? I
told him I would write and ask if any
such animal existed.
Perhaps you would know of a site where
they have all your stuff.
Oh yeah, any updates on your upcoming
Gospel CD? Waiting anxiously.
So long for now Dobie, xBoyd
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Dear
Dobie,
Brother, your voice continues to touch
me very deeply. I still listen to the
original version of "We Had It All".
"From Where I Stand" mine & my wife's
wedding song.
"House Divided by Two"... all
masterpieces.
"Love Letters" - you knock me out.
And you've rocked me -The opening cut
to New Ray Of Sunshine - it don't
never stop...
You've blessed me with your voice &
writing. You're a Godly artist. Thank
you.
Yours truly, Gary Villapiano
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Dobie:
What a pleasure it was to stumble on
your web site while I was surfing the
net!
I've enjoyed your music for many
years, particularly the entire Drift
Away album. When it came out in 1973,
I was a senior in high school in
Memphis, Tennessee. People used to
think I was a PR person for you,
because when they got in my car, I was
always listening to an 8-track of
Drift Away.
The title song is obviously an
enduring masterpiece, but I also love
songs like Caddo Queen and City Stars.
I have tried in vain to find Drift
Away on CD, but it seems to be totally
out of print. Do you think it will
ever be re-released on CD?
I also love your Christmas song
Decorate The Night. I hope you plan to
include it on your upcoming Christmas
album.
Do you ever tour these days? Can
people ever see you in Nashville at
places like The Bluebird Cafe or at
the Ryman? I'd love to hear you in
concert sometime:
Thanks so much for enriching our lives
with your wonderful talent!
Kenny Bosak
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Dobie,
I've been playing guitar for
twenty-some-odd years and Drift Away
is one tune I always sorta got into
when it played on the radio. Today I
bought a rock classics CD & this song
was on there. I was playing along with
every song on the CD but when DRIFT
came up... oh MAN! ! ! This was the
first time I ever played along with
something and felt such passion!!
I looked your name upon the internet
and what jumped out at me on your
website was this: "Perhaps Dobie sums
it up best: "My goal is, and always
will be, to make music that comes
straight from the heart." I'm here to
tell you, Sir... you have reached your
goal! ! !
Thanks for your time. -Brad Warwick
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Mr.
Gray:
Your albums, DRIFT AWAY and LOVING
ARMS, are two of my favorite records
of all time. It would be difficult to
overemphasize their impact on my life.
Thank you for such great work, and for
so many hours of enjoyment. I moved
from Texas to Nashville six years ago
and I currently write for BMG Music,
and you're partly to blame. I hope
you're going to play out again in town
soon. I enjoy the web site, and plan
to buy one of the shirts as soon as
possible. My best to you. Peace.
Walt Wilkins |
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Dear Mr. Gray,
My name is John McGill. I know
that probably doesn't register
with you but a couple of years
ago you were very kind to me. My
wife ordered "Diamond Cuts"
after seeing you on television.
After some months went by
without receiving it, you called
us one Sat. afternoon to explain
that there had been some sort of
problem with the production end.
In the course of talking to my
wife, she mentioned that this
would make a good 40th birthday
present for me. You were
gracious and kind enough to
autograph the CD as well as send
an autographed picture and a
letter. (Which, by the way, we
have framed and hanging in our
family room.) I had intended to
write a letter of thanks, but
somehow never got around to it.
And for that, I sincerely
apologize. Well, thanks again.
You're still #1 in my book and I
hope you come to the Tampa FL.
area some time in the near
future.
Sincerely, John W. McGill
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Mr. Gray, my wife and I had the
distinct pleasure of hearing you
sing here in Nashville this
evening during the Lonnie Mack
show. Thank you for coming. We
have long enjoyed your music but
have never had the privilege of
seeing you perform live. Your
singing of Drift Away, as well
as your new song, was a
highlight of our evening. May
God bless you with continued
success with your new CD.
Sincerely, Tom and Bobbie
Branson
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Hello,
My name is Chris Dodson and I
have "Drift Away" on LP.
Unfortunately, the record is
quite warped and nearly
un-playable. I have yet to find
a replacement copy. I have been
told that the album is out of
print (of course).
I was wondering if there is any
way of getting a CD dub of the
album. Do they exist? Any
information would be
appreciated. I miss hearing "We
Had It All", "Rocking Chair",
and "City Stars".
Please help, Chris Dodson
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SINCE I STARTED LISTENING YOU
MUSICA I DID NOT ANY MORE FORGET
YOUR VOICE I LIKE TO MUCH YOUR
MUSIC I AM MOZAMBICAN AND IS NOT
EASY TO FIND YOUR MUSIC HERE
EVEN AT ALL AFRICA
I WILL TRY IN ALL MEN TO KEEP
YOU IN CONTACT
THANK YOU
PEDRO MAVONE
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Hey Dobie, With all the material
floating around today it's good
to hear a great song like Lovin
Arms be played on the radio. Man
did that bring back memories. I
hope you're doin good and thank
you for cutting Honky Tonk Angel
years ago. My dad wrote that
song. I never reaped no rewards
from it but it did wonders for
him and it was his claim to fame
along playin with Lonnie Mack.
Well take care now, Bryan Rice
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Just wanted you to know that you
are still the "BEST" of the
"BEST!" Great vocals on your new
stuff. No doubt, the best
efforts were on the self penned
"Love to Burn" and "Right About
Now". You should be singing YOUR
songs. They fit you like a
glove. I thought the vocals on
"Good Times" were wonderful but
the production lacked a bit. I
was screaming to hear a rockin'
piano and more horns on that
one. However, the vocals were
fantastic.
I hope your management finds
that niche for you. You have to
much to give not for the WORLD
to hear you daily!
I loved it and let me know where
I can get the Christmas CD when
its ready.
Danny
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I love "Drift Away". I'm sorry
to say I am not familiar with
your other work. I was just
listening to a live version of
Drift Away in my car and
thinking how much I love your
voice. It speaks to my soul. You
have a God given talent.
Jennifer Harris
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Dear Dobie, The shirt arrived
safely - and it fits. I will try
and send you a photo from my
party! The CD was wonderful, a
really nice mix of oldies and
your new interpretations of some
classics. I'm a big Sam Cooke
fan so was pleased to see the
tracks you covered. If ever you
come to England let me know when
and where you will be performing
and I'll endeavour to get there.
If you do come and you want to
take a few days off I'd be
delighted to put you up - North
Devon has a beautiful coastline
and the people are very
friendly. My local pub is very
old and serves a good selection
of beer. Let me know.
All the best (nearly forgot -
thanks for signing the CD)
Yours, Peter Christie
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Dear Mr Gray,
I am a UK based Soul Music
collector and I have you to
thank for my 30+ years
addiction.
The first 45 record I bought
was, by Dobie Gray, back in
1969. After hearing it played on
the radio, the immortal 'In
Crowd' changed my musical
direction and I've been a loyal
fan ever since. I later
discovered 'See You At The Go
Go' 'Out On The Floor' 'Look At
Me' and the tremendous 'Honey
You Cant Take It Back' which was
released on White Whale. 'Drift
Away' and 'Loving Arms' are only
a small part of your rich
musical legacy.
I now own over 10,000 Soul
records, but the In Crowd was
and still is No 1. As the song
goes ...'the original's still
the greatest'.
Eternally Grateful.
God Bless.
Sean Hampsey
Sheffield, England, UK.
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Mr. Gray,
It's a pleasure to find a way to
contact you. I am a big fan
(hence the email address). I
have been following your career
and music for as long as I can
remember. Do you tour at all? I
was really hoping that you'd
come somewhere in the Northeast
(Philadelphia) area. I would
really love to meet you and
maybe even get an autograph. Is
there an address that I could
send an album, or CD to get
signed? That would be fantastic.
Well, keep up the fantastic
work. I'm always looking for new
music from you.
Respectfully,
Jim Williams
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Dobie,
Hello, i have enjoyed your music
for a while, thank you for years
of enjoyment. I heard "Drift
Away" on the radio yesterday (i
live in Santa Monica,
California, but was listening to
a Riverside radio station,
KOLA-FM) and remembered how a
line from the first verse, "you
know it's a game that i hate to
lose..." was always one of the
last things that would go
through my mind as i backed into
the starting blocks at UCLA (i
ran the hurdles). As i listened
yesterday i was KNOCKED OUT by
the guitar in "Drift Away",
don't know why i never focused
on it before. Who played those
wonderfully sparse, distinctive
licks? Please let me know.
Thanks again for the music, it
was, is and always will be
greatly appreciated.
Best, Lynnsey Guerrero
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Just wanted to say thanks for
the great new disc: Soul Days.
Your voice is as rich as ever
and it's great to hear it again.
I only wish my copy was
autographed...
On another note, do you think
"Drift Away" or "Hey Dixie"
might ever get a good
remastering and release on CD?
I'd be first in line for 'em!
Thanks again, Dave Kakenmaster
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Dear Mr. Gray,
I have spent my whole life in
the music business down here in
the trenches since 1961. I was a
full time road player from then
until 1980 working all over the
US, Canada and Europe. During
that time, I was priveledged to
meet and play with some major
players and performers. You,
Sir, without a doubt toutch my
musical heart more than any
artist I have ever heard. When I
stumbled across your website (a
link from Lonnie Mack's site) I
accessed it and went through it
thoroughly. I played the clip of
"Loving Arms'" and "Drift Away".
Man did they bring back some old
memories. I ordered "Diamond
Cuts" just a few minutes ago. I
have never before written a fan
letter, and I feel a little
weird doing it now, but I felt
like I needed to tell you how
very much I have loved and
appreciated your music and the
great respect I have for you.
You are the best!!
Regards, Daryl S. Price
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Hi,
I just wanted to send you this
post to tell you how much I
enjoy your music. While "Drift
Away" is the most widely played
of your songs, my favorite is
"Loving Arms". It says a lot
about love lost and no more
chances. Been there and done
that. :-) When I hear it, I'm
reminded of a girl I knew in
School. :-/ Oh well, thanks for
the great music and a great
song.
Peace, Scott L. Spencer |
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