Ashtabula and the Marine Museum

David,

I am writing to thank you for the wonderfully moving song Ashtabula. My late father, who grew up right near the current site of the Ashtabula Marine Museum, shipped out as a night cook (dishwasher) in the 1930s.

He retired as senior deck officer in the old Cleveland Cliffs line in 1976, bought a sailboat and went right back out on the water. He passed away peacefully of old age on the 24th anniversary of the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, November 10, 1999.

This past summer my two sisters, their spouses, various kids, and my wife and I got together in Ashtabula for FinnFest 2007. Nancy and I had a surprise waiting for the rest of the family, a display at the Ashtabula Marine Museum honoring our dad's distinguished career as a Great Lakes mariner. (See enclosed photo. That's me flanked by my sisters.)

Then a friend turned me on to your beautiful song. It brought tears to my eyes. I've ordered two more copies of the CD to send to my sisters as holiday gifts. I'll bet folding money that both will bawling like babies after hearing Ashtabula.

Anyhow, thank you again for that amazing song. All the best to you and yours in the new year.

BG, Berkeley, Calif.

Black Sheep Inn

"thanks again for a wonderful experience -
as always, beautifully crafted songs that make the ordinary extraordinary" C & D

As heard on WUMB

"I heard David's music on WUMB Boston this morning on the Dick Pleasants
show. Beautiful! I have just ordered Torn Screen Door from your site.
Cheers!" J

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! to David on winning a Canadian Folk Award

"Beth,
Please pass on our CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! to David on winning a Canadian Folk Award for Right of Passage!

The accolades he has received in such a short time as a performer are mind-boggling, and a testament to his songwriting and storytelling talents! Sometimes nice guys do finish first!

Happy Holidays to you and David and your families!" S & T

Trek to Rossland

Hello,
Received your newsletter today. Thank you. It's very interesting & informative.
We had the great pleasure of seeing David & Craig, in Rossland, last Thursday night. It was just by fluke that we heard of the performance & were able to attend. WOW! We first heard of David on CBC Radio & have wanted to see him ever since. We certainly were not disappointed.The combination of David & Craig is magical. We purchased his latest cd,"Right of Passage" & have been playing it nonstop ever since.
We would have liked to stay & chat after the performance, but I had to be at work for 6a.m. the next day & we had to travel back to Grand Forks....we were very glad that we went, anyway, as it looks like he won't be back this way for quite some time.
Once again, David & Craig, thanks for a wonderful evening!
D & K

Fan in Boston

"I heard David's music on WUMB Boston this morning on the Dick Pleasants show. Beautiful! I have just ordered Torn Screen Door from your site.
Cheers!" J.

Thanks to Beth!

"Hi Beth!

I'm the guy that e-maild you about becoming a Francey fan from Metallica.

Well, I finally was able to see my hero in concert. I opend your newsletter, and read that he had a show at Hughs Room, so I took along 2 of my 3 sisters and one boyfriend (my sisters!), and LOVED the show, all of us. (the newsletter's are working!)

Wow, I must say, David paints a beautiful picture of you through his words, he certinly loves you, all of us Francey fans feel like we know you because you're the #1 topic at a show!

I now own every CD you guys have put out, and know just about every single lyric. Oh, and Craig Werth was fantastic, I knew a bit about him from reading up on Davids music often, and listening to radio shows they've done together. His Tiny Star and Fog Free Zone are wicked.

Anyway, this was too long of an e-mail from a fan, you have a thousand more to go through I guess. So here's a pic of Daivid and I, it was a special moment for me I tell ya. I was more eager to meet him than anyone on earth. No joke. And one picture of my sister Kristan and David.

Thanks Beth!" B.

Well-wisher in Sarnia

Hey David, ..., i just wanted to drop you a line, and say how much i enjoyed mixing you and Craig at the Sarnia and London shows.... I'm pleased to say that the the new Cd has not left the player in my car since that night, i love it! I cannot wait for the next time you're back this way, I'll be there for sure... Take Care, Godspeed, and safe travels!" C.