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The following tribute is dedicated to those whose music has inspired me to overcome many adversities in my lifetime. The Verve Pipe has influenced me in many more ways than anyone can imagine. For this inspiration I am eternally grateful. Hopefully you enjoy my story in tribute to Brian, Donny, A.J., Brad & Doug...

1991 was a very bad year for me. Due to the lingering effects of living with diabetes since childhood, I quite unexpectedly lost my eyesight. With no warning I was blind! I had recently completed the hard work that resulted in earning a college degree and was looking forward to starting out in the "real world". Then in quick succession my father passed away and I was left to cope with a world of blindness.

Faced with a decision at this pivotal juncture of my life I could either do the best I could given the conditions or let this setback be the end of me. I was very depressed. I greatly needed inspiration at this time and The Verve Pipe was there. I was a fan of the Mick Furlo Band (featuring the guitar mastery of A. J. Dunning) and Water 4 the Pool (with Donny Brown on drums) when they played Saginaw bars in the late 80's. So when their debut CD "I've suffered a head injury" was released in late 1992 you bet I was there to buy it! Listening to music has always been my passion in life but something struck me about this 10-song independent recording unlike any other music in some time. I was moved beyond belief and much needed inspiration was found.

Still in somewhat dire straits when "Pop Smear" was released in December 1993 I was truly moved by its greatness. It quickly became one of my favorite albums of all-time. Those of you that have heard me sing its praises over the years know the power this recording has over me. Sometimes I asked myself "Is it worth it?" and realized it sure is! Unfortunately during my time living with this "condition" I could not go out much less drive to see The Verve Pipe live. So I made the most of my predicament and just stayed in and was engrossed in the musical inspiration the verve pipe's 23 recorded songs provided me. For 3 years I battled to regain my vision. I did everything in my power and concentrated on health matters the best I could with the thought of

seeing (literally) a Verve Pipe live performance filling my head. The doctor did not say my plight would go on this long, but after many surgical procedures the day finally came when I could see again. In my eyes (pun intended) the healing really was a "miracle" and my doctor wrote a piece detailing my experience that was chronicled in a medical journal. I was a survivor of a predicament that would be the end of most! It was 1994 and I was still young (26) but finally ready to get on with life as we know it.

It was sad, during these "lost" years many of my friends moved on, married, got on with their lives. I did not know anyone else who liked the verve pipe. I was in my own little world and The Verve Pipe was the focus. I wore their T-Shirts religiously to promote the band. Unable to travel or do many of the things "normal" fans are able to do (like write the band and thanking them), I was unable to join the mailing list until December 1995. Well, after they were signed to RCA and missed out on gaining the VIP status rightfully granted longtime fanatics. The Verve Pipe had been my guiding light in life for years now and I was so glad they were going to "make it". They taught me that hard work really is rewarded. Anyone who knows this band understands how hard they have always worked to strive and fulfill their dreams.

As tribute (and to remember the mountain I have climbed) I have listened to at least one song by The Verve Pipe every single day since discovering "ISAHI". I have made it my goal in life to acquire every obscure recording that exists because I am indebted to them so much. At every concert I attend I seem to be moved to tears at least once during the proceedings due to the fact that I remember the long hard road that their music has helped me cross so that I have become a fully functioning member of society once more. I honestly believe I would not be able to enjoy the success I currently have in life without The Verve Pipe there to guide me.

When I was finally able to witness the majesty of The Verve Pipe live it floored me beyond belief! It is a day I will never forget- Ann Arbor, MI April 13, 1996 "Villains" release party. As I drove the 90 miles from Saginaw to the show I was very nervous because it was the first time I had driven on a highway in almost 5 years! I was motivated to overcome the fear that sometimes crept into my everyday life. When they burst on stage with one of my favorite tunes "Cup of Tea" I felt a feeling come over me I had never felt! It continued throughout the unbelievable show (which included "Martyr Material" & the original version of "The Freshmen"). I left the

Michigan Theatre without my feet touching the ground! Years earlier, I was disappointed with the fact that I could not see a show (literally, again) featuring all my "older" favorites (such as the "Pop Smear" release party). My dream is to have The Verve Pipe play either my bachelor party or wedding and do all the songs from the era that so shaped my life. Of course it would take place at Saginaw's renowned Hamilton Street Pub!

I am proud to be a "goodwill ambassador" for The Verve Pipe. As many of you know, I will do anything to help further their much-deserved success. If I truly believe in something I will support it with all my strength until the day I am no longer here. Whether it be providing empowerment speeches on "Living with diabetes" (I always give credit to the verve pipe when retelling my story in public) or just telling people that life is a gift and should not be taken for granted. Through the verve pipe I have truly become a better person. If you could eliminate all of the music in my collection except for my 23 TVP CDs I could live with that (and still thrive).

I continued living a healthy lifestyle with no noticeable side effects. My struggle had taught me the value of having a positive attitude all the time. There were no "rainy days" around me. Then, out of the blue, it started pouring! In November 1996 I was diagnosed with neuphropathy or chronic kidney failure. My kidney function was a startling 30 percent. I had another fight ahead of me! I was on my way to the University of Michigan Medical Center to be placed on the waiting list for a lifesaving kidney transplant. It is a scary thought that I am literally waiting for someone to die so that I may continue to live. To borrow an appropriate line from the aptly

titled Semisonic song "Closing Time", "Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end" corresponds quite well to my wait for a cadaver kidney to enhance and lengthen my life.

When I first became an online subscriber to the "Pipeings" list in September 1996, it changed my life for the better. Upon learning that the recovery time for a kidney transplant requires a 2 month hospital stay I investigated the possibility of purchasing a laptop computer so that I would not miss out on any of the goings-on in our little community. I realize I need the transplant to live, but the thought is scary. I decided to live life to its fullest while I still could. I took in 8 shows on the "Villains" tour and hoped I would get "the call" while TVP recorded the new album. Since that time is upon us and I am still waiting, I hope to participate when the 1999 road jaunt kicks off. I had an enjoyable "Pipeings Party" in September 1997 where I made many new friends. I plan to do the same in 1999.

For the past two plus years I have patiently waited for a modern medical miracle. It sounds scary, but after what I've been through it is just another river to be crossed. The transplant process is no sure cure and the recovery period is up to a year, so I am doing my best to live life for the moment because my days really are numbered. Due to the lack of donor organs I may wait up to a year longer before I face the critical stage. I have looked death in the eye and not blinked yet! My favorite words of wisdom are (and always have been) "Live and learn....and then continue living!"

The moral of my story is that great music has an unreal power (whether it be healing, inspiration or whatever) and that good health and life itself should never be taken for granted. I hope to meet many more of you on the road in 1999. I plan on using all of my allotted vacation days (believe it or not, I do have a real full-time job) on taking in as many of the sure-to-be spectacular shows as physically possible.

i believe that you are truly gifted in spirit and courage. some people are born into a life with much more dynamics than others, and that can be fortunate and unfortunate. i have been fortunate, and i can't help but believe in many ways you are fortunate as well. anyone with the will and passion that you have has been inspired by many things in life, whether it be by the love from their family and friends, their God, or even the musings of a rock and roll band. to know that we have been an inspiration to you by even the slightest means, makes our music that much more valid, and our own lives that much more precious.

i speak for the entire band when i say that we wish you the best in what seems to be a life of adversity. in many ways, you are chosen, my friend. know that everytime we say how grateful we are for the fans, we will be thinking of you especially. also know that we love you and will be there for you whenever you need it.