The Stevie Ray Vaughan Experience
Joe Hickey
May 15, 2001

Stevie,

Just wanted to let you know I spoke with Tommy and Chris the other day. They were playin a gig in Boston and had some free time after the show......they were gracious enough to spend some time with me.

I know you are enjoying their new album as much as everybody else......they sound great! I can still here you on stage performing with the guys......your influence weighs heavily upon them still to this day....and always will.

They love you so much........and miss you terribly......as I do.

I was a junior in high school when I first heard "Couldn't Stand the Weather". The radio station in my hometown always played your music.....and whatever I was doing at the time became secondary........

"Stevie's on the Radio......I can't do another thing until I hear this entire song!!"

You see.......... I didn't have enough money to buy CD's.........so I would listen to the radio for as long as I had to in hope that your music would be played. In the course of a day......I would have the privilege to hear 2 or 3 bad ass songs ring from your guitar......it was awesome! I would run around playing "air guitar"......pretending I was you......playing in front of thousands of fans and ripping it up!

That was 14 years ago.....and I can honestly say......I am inspired, touched, drawn, motivated, captivated and hooked to your music today more than ever! You have helped me through some pretty hard times and have been there on some of my best days!

You are a true friend........ someone I can always depend on........someone who is there to help......and make me realize that everything is going to be ok.......

I can remember June 30th, 1987.......that day in Philly....... when you spoke the TRUTH about this life......one of your quotes touched me beyond belief and has changed me forever.........you said........

"It took me quiet a while to find out that the real deal is to be able to be enough of a person on your own to know when somebody loves you and cares about you. You see, we are here, as far as I can tell, to help each other; our brothers, our sisters, our friends, our enemies. That is to help each other and not hurt each other.

What I am trying to get across to you; is please take care of yourselves and those that you love; because that is what we are hear for, that's all we got, and that is what we can take with us."

While it may sound simple to some......... it's the IDEA that grabs us!

I don't have to wait for the radio to play your songs anymore.........but when I hear your music on a local station, from a jukebox, from an open window on the street, or on TV...............I still get that same feeling! The volume goes up and whatever I'm doing is put on hold........until I hear Stevie finish playing........

I'm hoping to have many more years on this earth.........and many more years enjoying your music and our friendship.

Thanks Stevie........

Joe Hickey

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