When I first heard about them callin' it quits..and the final show, I thought, "no way!" But as reality set in, it was clear to me, that it couldn't happen without me being there. Tickets in hand and several communicato with Josh later, Von and I were there...the night had arrived. I was nervous, I was sad, I was happy. I was everything all rolled into one and then some. Never before has a group of people touched my life and my heart, like they have. There really isn't a way to tell them how important they were in my musical life and my heart. How do you convey something like that without sounding like a freak and a little too over the top?! I have no problem communicating this to Josh, but the others is where I fall short. I had these visions of presenting in grand fashion my final gift to them. But lost the courage during the M&G. I have always been the shy, move through the M&G line without too much conversation. I try to make eye contact, so that they know there is someone in there and I do have all these things I wish I was brave enough to say to you in your presence. But the night of the final show...no way. Too many people...and way too emotional. I feel like I have grown up with these people, matured right along with them in their quest for the musical holy grail. It isn't over. I know this. They are all too special, too talented and too charismatic not to continue to thrive musically and otherwise. Families have been started, other careers undertaken...life moves on. But it won't ever be the same. My life was blessed enormously through the gifts that you brought to me...friends with you in common, wonderful memories and most importantly...a hugely enjoyed library of wonderful music stamped with your own brand of style. Never to be forgotten and never to be replaced. My prayers are forever with each of you - may the Lord watch over you and your families, continue to bless you with life, love, health, wealth and much success.
For you deserve nothing short of that. Thanks guys.
~ ~April Gates
To my sidekick in all things 'Dillo, Von~
Where do I start? How do you say thank you for being a friend? Although we're not Golden Girls yet, and we've seen a few in our concert travels-one day we will be. One day we will sit and reminisce about the good old days and it won't be complete without an enormous chapter about The 'Dillos. It's where it all began. We started it together that night in 1994...and we'll end it together whenever the Lord says it's time. Whatever comes...whatever happens...I know that I will have you to shake my memory and give me a nudge when I need it. I know that we'll be on the same page when those memories come flooding back. Thank you for sharing your time...your affection...your money...your opinions...and your heart. There was only one person who could have shared it all with me...understood it all with me...endured it all with me...and loved it all with me the way I did...and that is...YOU. Thank you for being my fellow 'conert whore.' Thank you for sharing in the good and the bad...and the ugly...R.R. Thank you for being the best concert companion and my best friend through it all...camera bumping...kids...husbands...jobs...good shows and bad shows and for understanding my compulsive need to see this group a thousand times and support them in any fashion possible. I know you love them as much as I do...and that makes it all the easier to deal with. Thank you my friend...thank you...thank you...thank you.
~~Cow~~ |
