Just introducing myself...

dedife · 04-12-2008, 07:22 PM

I can’t believe that I’ve found you – it’s like finding the family I always knew was there, but missing somehow…

In the late seventies, I was sure that Gord had read my mind, and that someday we’d meet in person and the sparks would fly, and happily ever after would soon follow! I saw him several times in concert (usually making my brother tag along for safety). One morning the two of us got the address of his studio off of one of the albums and called up to see if we could just talk to Gord. (Can you imagine?) Well, we did get to talk to Beverly Lightfoot and quizzed her about all the things every fan asks: birthday, marital status, number of children, etc.

Anyway, sometime in there real life set in. My brother had better company to keep than his sister, and being from a very small, rural town, no one shared the passion for Gord and his music on the same level as I. Long story short – I got married like everyone else, and had a passel of kids.

I went to the Merrillville concert, my first in about twenty years, and couldn’t believe what I was seeing and hearing. First of all, in my mind’s eye, Gord still looks like the cover of the Sundown album, with the curls and sandals. (Please let me digress here for a moment – at one point, I took a 35mm camera and shot a bunch of pictures of the album, trying to convince a friend of mine that Gord had stopped in over the week-end!) I’m not going into any depth here, but suffice it to say that during the concert, I felt like I was in mourning.

I immediately came home and started a web search, and found you. Since the evening of the 5th, I’ve poured over all the archives, acclimating myself to all that’s gone on during my absence from Gord’s life. I came away with this: this one man, through his music, has given me unlimited joy for years and years and years. He may be paying physically for choices he made in his youth, but so are we all. While I have never met him in person, I love this man and will continue to attend his concerts whenever it’s feasible. Long ago I made a poster than read “Massey Hall or Bust!” and I might just see that to fruition yet.

Let me also compliment you all on the website. It’s informative and creative, and it’s obvious that you’re a warm and caring group of people. Thank you for letting me be a part!

charlene · 04-12-2008, 08:01 PM

oh dear..in mourning? wow..I'm not quite sure what that means..
In mourning for time lost over the years that you didn't keep up with Lightfoot news/concerts and changes in his life/health/music/voice?

I am glad to hear that you still feel the same as you did and hope to make your Massey plans come true..

You're right on about the folks here - our love and devotion for all things Lightfoot is reflected in the care and respect we have for each other..

welcome!
Char

Doug · 04-12-2008, 08:16 PM

Welcome,

As you read and stated, this is a great group with a love for all things Lightfoot. Quickly make your plans for the trip to Massey. You won't regret it.

See ing Lightfoot at "Home" and meeting other fans is a great experience!

Jesse Joe · 04-12-2008, 08:17 PM

Welcome to Corfid dedife,

I sure can agree with a lot of what you say,

"I can’t believe that I’ve found you – it’s like finding the family I always knew was there, but missing somehow… In the late seventies, I was sure that Gord had read my mind, and that someday we’d meet in person and the sparks would fly, and happily ever after would soon follow! "

KHester · 04-12-2008, 10:58 PM

Welcome Dedife,

Hope you enjoy enjoy all the posts, and getting to know some of the group here.
We'll all try to help you with your questions and of course your learn our opinions.
Feel free to join in, whenever you can. I've found these to be a wonderful group of people.

I'll finish up by quoting one of my favorite lines from "I'm not supposed to Care"

" I wish your good spaces......"

Kevin

Nightingale · 04-13-2008, 12:39 AM

Hi dedife,

Hope you enjoy your time here and meeting all of us. We all have our love for Gordon Lightfoot and his music in common so that's a great place to start.

I was at the Merrillville show too. That was my first GL concert. I am actually a new fan unlike most of the people that post here. Even though I am just discovering a great deal of his music(with everyone's help around here) I can honestly say I think he is one of the most gifted singer/songwriters of our time....it's very easy t see why you would have a crush on him when you were young.

I love the story about the 35mm camera pics off the album cover....lol. That's great!
So, was Beverly Lightfoot nice when you talked to her?

Anyway, glad you are here and hope we all can get you through your mourning period.
Let's face it...don't we all wish we still looked like we did when Gordon released "Sundown"...lol.
Time marches on.....

JohnStinson · 04-13-2008, 09:44 AM

Welcome dedife,

Same with me ....I came back to listening to Gord's music about 3 years ago.
Same same..loved it early in life...but got married..got a mortgage...got kids..etc etc...Thats all good mind you. But my musical life drifted in and out of various artist or non at all or what my 4 kids listened to. I woke up one day put a Gord CD on... Then wammo!...That was it.

In some way I felt like I was saying to myself and others. I love this stuff and I don't care if everyone else wants to listen to whatever...I'm playing Gord music cause its GREAT!!

happy lightHEad
john

dedife · 04-13-2008, 12:31 PM

Ah, a fellow Hoosier! Yes, Beverly was very nice - that was way before I had a computer, so she put me on a list to have a newsletter sent with all the concert dates.

My mourning is essentially over - it was based on all the things that Charlene listed, but gradually lessened as I read through all the years I had missed. Now I see that I just plain had unreal expectations! It was actually your post that started my own quest - where I thought that his voice had seriously declined, you stated that it was strong throughout, so I knew that I had needed to investigate.

I was impressed with the warmth of the crowd that night, were you? It seemed everyone wanted to just openly share their love for him and his music. I got a kick out of my brother too - my sister-in-law was singing along softly with him (as were others) and he said that he could "hear her sing every day of the week, would she hush so he could hear the man on stage?". He did say it in a kind manner though. lol

Dream Street Rose · 04-14-2008, 03:54 AM

Hello dedife and welcome to corfid. Happy to hear you have found us. I know you will enjoy your new "family". Please stop by often.

DSR

ELizabeth · 04-14-2008, 05:35 AM

Welcome to Corfid Dedife. You will find the people here friendly and well informed on things Lightfoot. Hope to see you here often.

BILLW · 04-14-2008, 06:03 AM

Welcome aboard. Glad you've joined us on the voyage !

Bill

Patti · 04-14-2008, 03:23 PM

Hi there. Welcome.

Nice to see you here.

lighthead2toe · 04-14-2008, 03:44 PM

Welcome to the family Dedife. Most of the folks you get to talk to here will have a similar experience such as yours to relate. Many of us thought we were alone in our own little world of Lightfoot music until the Internet connected us and now we have evolved into a social network of like minded folks and when we connect at the big gatherings in Toronto during the week of Gord's Massey Hall concerts it's a joy to behold. It's hard to describe the feeling when the instruments come out and we start playing the tunes. Even though we don't know each other all that well, we all know the music and that's what binds us together as a family. Hope you meet you when the opportunity arrives. Cheers, Ron J.

joveski · 04-14-2008, 05:52 PM

welcome along!

Nightingale · 04-15-2008, 01:31 AM

Hi Dedife,

Yes, I was impressed with the warmth of the crowd at Merrillville. I think that is one of the reasons that I loved the concert so much.

I think Gordon is at the point in life where there is nothing left to prove.
He has penned so many wonderful songs...had many hit albums...sold out concert venues all over the world...accolades and awards to numerous to mention...what is there left to do?
I love it that he sings for his fans just for the pure joy of doing so.

You can see that he really appreciates the fans that still come to listen to him perform. It shows in the way he shines on stage. He has such warmth and love that becomes apparent when he sings...it's really a special experience to see him live.
I still have the smile on my face from that night...lol.

Yep, I sang along too. How can you not?

Glad to have another Hoosier around. Hope you have a good time and enjoy it all.

mandoann · 04-15-2008, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnStinson

Welcome dedife,

Same with me ....I came back to listening to Gord's music about 3 years ago.
Same same..loved it early in life...but got married..got a mortgage...got kids..etc etc...Thats all good mind you. But my musical life drifted in and out of various artist or non at all or what my 4 kids listened to. I woke up one day put a Gord CD on... Then wammo!...That was it.

In some way I felt like I was saying to myself and others. I love this stuff and I don't care if everyone else wants to listen to whatever...I'm playing Gord music cause its GREAT!!

happy lightHEad
john

Hi John,

I know exactly what you're talking about; I came back to my musical life when I bought a mandolin and re-discovered my GL music. I have a particular friend who is a great listener, but I think even he's tired of my talking about the man, so it is SO great to know you're out there. I won't be bringing the mandolin to Toronto, but I hope the jam sessions are open to people without instruments! The scope of GL's music is "truly" awesome! Guess I better quit before I get totally carried away...

mandoann · 04-15-2008, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnStinson

Welcome dedife,

Same with me ....I came back to listening to Gord's music about 3 years ago.
Same same..loved it early in life...but got married..got a mortgage...got kids..etc etc...Thats all good mind you. But my musical life drifted in and out of various artist or non at all or what my 4 kids listened to. I woke up one day put a Gord CD on... Then wammo!...That was it.

In some way I felt like I was saying to myself and others. I love this stuff and I don't care if everyone else wants to listen to whatever...I'm playing Gord music cause its GREAT!!

happy lightHEad
john

Hi John,

I know exactly what you mean. My musical life came back (after way too long) when I was looking for music to play on my mandolin last year and re-discovered my vinyl albums and sheet music. And then I discovered that GL was playing Portland! That concert has changed my life. I listen to his music all the time (it is truly amazing all the music he has written), and truly have come to believe in the power of music. It's so great to be able to communicate with this group...

lighthead2toe · 04-15-2008, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mandoann

Hi John,

I know exactly what you're talking about; I came back to my musical life when I bought a mandolin and re-discovered my GL music. I have a particular friend who is a great listener, but I think even he's tired of my talking about the man, so it is SO great to know you're out there. I won't be bringing the mandolin to Toronto, but I hope the jam sessions are open to people without instruments! The scope of GL's music is "truly" awesome! Guess I better quit before I get totally carried away...

Hi Ann. The sessions are wide open to everyone who would like to have a part and I wish you would change your mind and bring along your mandolin. I would love to hear you play it for us (even in the hangdog hotel room) but if not it will be good to have you there regardless. The idea to have something musical in a venue outside the hotel is because in the past we found that we were disturbing hotel guests who had rooms adjacent to the "banquet room" in the hotel where we would normally gather for our musical sessions. We tried several ways to resolve the issue but it just became too complex. The pub site was chosen as it is so close to Massey Hall, The Eaton Centre, and the Delta Chelsea hotel where most folks stay. The Massey concerts are so special and so many folks arrive with their guitars etc. hopefully the sessions will be an opportunity for everyone to have a chance to strut their stuff. When the idea to do the pub sessions came about originally Char asked me it we need to do two. I said to her that the first one is the rehearsal. Cheers, Ron.

timetraveler · 04-20-2008, 10:01 PM

Hey Dedife. I hope your kids enjoy his music as much as you do.

dedife · 04-21-2008, 06:51 AM

Dear Timetraveler,

Actually they do! Initially they had no choice, of course, but evidently it grew on them. Wait a minute - I think that's the way brainwashing works...

timetraveler · 04-28-2008, 10:54 PM

If it is, then it can't hurt the person or persons that are.


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