Subject: Harbor on CD
Hi Rick,
My wife and I are huge America fans. I thought I'd let you know that "Harbor" is available on cd. I found it in CD Universe. It's a German import and cost me $20.00. I'm still looking for "Holiday" and the Capitol collection. I thought you might want to post this on your page. By the way, your page is super and I visit it everyday. Talk to you later. Tom
"Robert Dutton"
Subject: America's Alaska Concerts
Date: Mon, 27 Jan 1997
America performed here in Anchorage on February 16, 1996 and on July 29, 1994. I wish I had
internet access at the time so I could have told you how great their concerts were. Nobody puts
on a warm, friendly concert like Gerry and Dewey.
Rob Dutton, Anchorage AK
From: TACrowl@aol.com
Date: Mon, 13 Jan 1997
Subject: Grange Fair
The Mrs. and I had the pleasure of opening for Gerry & Dewey at the Grange Encampment Fair
last August. Needless to say, it was an honor. This is the first chance I had to browse the web and
find anything related to them.
My homepage at: http://members.aol.com/TACrowl has a picture of us with them backstage
before the second show. Was wondering if you would mind if I link to your page.
Enjoyed browsing!
thanks,
Tom
From: The James Family
To: wahlgren@pacificrim.net
I'm only 15 but America is 1 of my favorite bands
And.........from another young fan!!!
January 29, 1997
Dear America,
My school is having an auction on March 4th to raise money to fix our sound system, lights, and
stage so our parents can see and hear us better at our performances.
We are writing famous actors, musicians, politicians, atheletes and authors to ask for a signed 8
X 10 photograph or any other piece of memorabilia they may want to send.
Would you please donate to us a signed photograph, or any other memorabilia that you think
might help our school. I would really appreciate it.
Sincerely,
Trippi
AMERICA NEWS FROM OPTEK MUSIC / SMARTLIGHT GUITARS
From: Rusty Shaffer
Subject: America and Optek Music Systems
Dear Rick,
Hi. I haven't talked to you in awhile but I wanted to update you on some important news.America
Greatest hits will be the FIRST album/songs to appear on the SmartLIGHT Interactivbe Systemú.
Check out our home page for details.
America's Greatest Hits will come standard with every SmartLIGHT Guitar shipped along with a
songbook.
Hopefully within two months Gerry and Dewey will be back in the studio on Optek's behalf
recording some "intro" tracks for the History CD. optek plans to re-release this CD which will be
speacially developed for the SmartLIGHT Interactive System. The intro tracks will allow the
player at home to listen to Gerry and Dewey talk about what they did (guitar wise) on each song.
Pretty cool huh? Eventually (six months) will do a video/CD Rom title and you'll be able to play
along with them at home.
Call me if you need additional info
Rusty Shaffer
919-878-7997 x22
(note: Optek home page link is found on "Van Go Gan" on America Home Page )
NEWSFLASH: CAPITOL MATERIALS TO BE RELEASED ON CD
Finally.....the NEWSFLASH that everyone has been waiting for........that was greeted by online
cheers and hoorays!
Reportedly, Silent Letter, Alibi, Perspective, and Your Move will be released this summer (June
or July) by One Way Records. Do yourself a huge favor, and add all to your collection. Also,
here's a message regarding this BIG news story!
I've heard from a music dealer in Arkansas that One Way Records is tentatively planning to
release Silent Letter, Alibi, Your Move,and Perspective on CD in either June or July of '97.
Perhaps you could pass the word on via your web page. Thanks, John Corbett
johnc@hemi.com
ALL MUSIC GUIDE BIOGRAPHY: AMERICA
While checking out America CD availability on CD Now (http://www.cdnow.com) I ran across
this All Music Guide Biography.................
America was a light folk-rock act of the early '70s who had several Top Ten hits, including the
number ones "A Horse with No Name" and "Sister Golden Hair." Vocalists/guitarists {Dewey
Bunnell,} {Dan Peek,} and {Gerry Beckley} met while they were still in high school in the late
'60s; all three members were sons of U.S. Air Force officers who were stationed in the U.K.
After they completed school in 1970, they formed an acoustic folk-rock quartet called {Daze
inLondon,} which was soon pared down to the trio of {Bunnell, Peek, And Beckley}. Adopting
the name {America,} the group landed a contract with {Jeff Dexter,} a promoter for the
Roundhouse concert venue. {Dexter} had {America} open for several major artists and the group
soon signed with Warner Bros. Records. By the fall of 1970, the group was recording their debut
album in London, with producers {Ian Samwell} and {Jeff Dexter.}
"A Horse with No Name," {America}'s debut single, was released at the end of 1971. In January
of 1972, the song --which strongly recalled the acoustic numbers of {Neil Young} -- became a
number three hit in the U.K. The group's self-titled debut album followed the same stylistic
pattern and became a hit as well, peaking at number 14.
Following their British success, {America} returned to North America, beginning a supporting
tour for {The Everly Brothers.} "A Horse with No Name" was released in the U.S. that spring,
where it soon became a number one single, pushing {Neil Young's} "Heart of Gold" off the top
of the charts; "America" followed the single to the top of the charts. "I Need You" became
another Top Ten hit that summer, and the group began work on its second album with {The
Beatles'} producer {George Martin.} "Ventura Highway," the first single released from this
collaboration, became their third straight Top Ten hit in December of 1972. In the beginning of
1973, {America} won the Grammy award for Best New Artist of 1972.
"Homecoming" was released in {January} of 1973, becoming a Top Ten hit in the U.S. and
peaking at number 21 in the U.K. Under {Martin's} direction, {America's} essential sound didn't
change, it just became more polished. However, the hits stopped coming fairly soon -- they had
only one minor Top 40 hit in 1973. "Hat Trick," the group's third album, was released toward the
end of 1973; it failed to make it past number 28 on the American charts. Released in the late fall
of 1974, "Holiday" was the third record the group made with {George Martin.} "Holiday"
returned {America} to the top of the charts, peaking at number three and launching the hit
singles "Tin Man" and "Lonely People." "Sister Golden Hair," pulled from 1975's "Hearts,"
became their second number one single. That same year, the group released "History / America's
Greatest Hits," which would eventually sell over four million copies.
Although America's 1976 effort "Hideaway" went gold and peaked at number 11, the group's
audience was beginning to decline. At the end of 1976, {Dan Peek} left the group, deciding to
become a Contemporary Christian recording artist. The group continued as a duo, releasing
"Harbor" to a lukewarm reception. {America's} last Martin-produced record, "Silent Letter," was
released in 1979 to little attention. {America} returned to the Top Ten in 1982 with "You Can
Do Magic," an adult contemporary pop number that featured synthesizers along with their
trademark harmonies. "The Border" became their last Top 40 hit in 1983, peaking at number 33.
{America} released their last album, "America in Concert," in the summer of 1985, yet the group
has continued to tour successfully into the '90s. --
Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All-Music Guide
AOL LIVE AMERICA CHATS
The first live America chat was held Wednesday February 5th starting at 6pm Pacific.....9pm
Eastern for all that were willing to brave AOL busy signals and try to get online! A private room
was created entitled VGG (for Gerry's Van Go Gan of course), and about 10 or so onliners
altogether joined in. The chat session lasted three hours......and it was fun, hilarious at times,
and......even had some good discussion about America!! Best of all, it was a chance for America
fans to meet each other live instead of just communicating via the AOL America message
board.
The next live America chat is scheduled for Thursday, Feb 13 at 6pm Pacific.....9pm
Eastern.........although we're urging anyone to form a VGG private room at any time, and see
who drops on by.
ISSUE: AMERICA MUSIC WAS BEST BEFORE OR AFTER GEORGE MARTIN
This question was brought up in the America Online folder, and will always be debated. Send me
your thoughts on this subject. Here's a few opinions already........
From: AmericaFan@aol.com
I have been thinking about this for a long time, but have been afraid to start this discussion out of
fear of how it may be perceived. But I'll be brave and just let it go. Was George Martin really
good for America? I don't think so. Before you start screaming at your screen and banish me
from the board for blasphemy, please read the rest of my post.
First let me say the Sir George is a musical genius and richly deserves whatever honors have
been bestowed upon him. He was THE revolutionary producer and changed the way record
companies did buisness with producers and greatly contributed to the Beatles success.
But when he started producing America, he slightly changed the direction I think they were
headed in. I think my point can be illustrated by listening to the Horse With No Name CD (which
wasn't produced by Martin) and the 1977 Live CD which he did produce. The Horse CD I think
shows where they were heading on their own. It is a simpler folk rock/ classic rock sound. The
Live CD is classic Martin. A lot of orchstrale accompaniment, more of a soft rock/ pop sound.
Don't get me wrong, I like them both, but I think Horse is better. Now I know it's not a perfect
comparison because the Horse CD was made before Dan left, but in general I think it's still a
valid comparison. Also listen to the song Horse With No Name on each CD. If Martin had been
their producer from the begining, I think he would done Horse With No Name like he did it on
the Live CD, which is good, but I think Dewey's simpler approach was better.
Also, listen to their first three, pre-Martin, albums. On the whole, I think they are slightly better
than their Martin stuff. Especially Hat Trick, which had a "classic rock" type of style to it. On
them Dewey was the musical leader of the group. Once Martin took over, Dewey seemed to slip
slightly into the background. Now part of that is due to Gerry and Dan growing musically under
Martin's direction. But I think that it may also be because Martin didn't know how to approach
Dewey's unique style of music. Because Dewey seems to return to the forefront with Alibi,
which Martin didn't produce.
Don't get me wrong, I'm NOT saying that their Martin produced stuff was bad. It was excellent!!
I just think that their pre-Martin stuff was better. It's hard to compare some of their post-Martin
stuff since Dan had left by then, and they different producers and brought in other song writers,
but I think Alibi and View From the Ground were just as good as any of their Martin stuff and I
think Hourglass was better!
Does anybody else have an opinion?
Mark
From: Beechlady@aol.com
I think that maybe they felt they needed a hand in the studio. Hattrick kinda stretched them to the
brink, and it got to be a bit much to produce and mix and write and tour and write and tour (you
get the picture...?).
They all must have agreed to Sir George.
When you get someone of THAT magnitude-it's bound to change your output in one way or
another....AND they still went back for more and more, with Sir Martin.... So I assume here that
THEY were pleased with the outcome (not to mention millions of fans of "Tin Man", "Lonely
People", "Sister Golden Hair", "Today's The Day" et.al.....).
I guess what I'm getting at (in my usual wordy way) is that THEY liked it. All groups end up
evolving (hopefully). How many times can you clone "Horse" anyway?
I do love their early stuff as much as the next fan, but I love the "newer" stuff as well. Maybe it's
like Oranges and Nectarines....
Just a thought...
TkH
Subj: Re:Discussion: George Martin
From: Kydaka@aol.com
The original America acoustic sounds will always be special to every America fan, because it
was that sound that made America rise to international stardom in the 70s.
As artists......Gerry, Dewey, and Dan felt the need to grow.....and coupled with ever increasing
responsibilities......the chance to have Sir George on board was a once in a lifetime opportunity.
After all, who could pass up the 6th Beatle and all that he offered. He was the master.......only a
chosen few would become his students.
From my standpoint, the original America music......and the America music produced by George
Martin are equally good, because George brought out other dimensions of America we may
never have heard.
An America concert today is a celebration of it all.....from the original sounds.....to the George
Martin era.........and to today........in which Gerry and Dewey are back to doing it all once again
with utmost professionalism and confidence.
Subj: Re:Discussion: George Martin
Date: 2/6/97
From: MurrellHB@aol.com
I think what Martin did to the band was for the most part, an incredible collaboration. While the
first two albums had hit singles, HAT TRICK (which I really like) did not. So, aliong comes
Martin and the next two albums, HOLIDAY & HEARTS produce "Tin Man" (#4), & Sister
Golden Hair (#1), not to mention others. OF course we all know that his work on HISTORY has
helped make it one of the best selling greatest hits albums of all time.
I remember Willie telling a few HOLIDAY stories. It's been a while so I hope I remember them
correctly. When he first went into the studio he sat behind his drums and waited. Martin asked
him what he was waiting for and Willie replied, "For you to tell me what to do". Martin replied,
"Whatever you feel". That freedom eventually led to the bossa-nova feel we get on Tin Man.
Also on "Hollywood", his drum track is really him keeping time on a padded piano stool. And
those car horns at the beginning of the song is a story in itself. From what I gathered, Martin
parked his car at one end of the street, blocking it...and Dan Peek parked his car at the opposite
end of the street, blocking it. Geoff Emerick (the engineer) hung a mic out the window and
recorded the pissed off motoroists honking at them. Very inventive. I love his
orchestrations...Listen to "Watership Down"...wow. Also I don't agree with your views about 77
LIVE album. I think it rocks. Listen to the orginal version of OLD MAN TOOK and the live
one..Big Difference! I think Martin was a big asset to the band. And I also think his departure
was well timed. The band was moving ina different direction and they parted ways. So there you
have my opinion... NEXT
Gene
RAVE REVIEWS FOR "IN THE BEGINNING"
Jim Nakao.........Jimnak@aol.com.........recently posted his In the Beginning series about America
on the America message boards on AOL. Steve Lowry said he was planning to include this series
on his America Fans Page.......so check it out. (site address at end of newsletter) It received rave
reviews from all on AOL. Also, Barbara Bickmore deserves a lot of credit for retyping the entire
series as well......and Jim made a few revisions/updates from the original.........................
Here's a segment of In the Beginning.......just to whet your appetite........
Well, when the guys graduated hs in 1969, they briefly went their separate ways; GERRY
worked in a warehouse, DAN went off to college & DEWEY tried acting school. GERRY did
consider taking his musical talents to a higher academia but dropped that notion & also
considered art or architecture as a profession. The guys soon reunited working in a snack bar in a
small town outside of London. As military sons, they learned how to pack up & move quite
frequently. This was probably very good training for the later rigors of touring & is it any wonder
that to this day they still tour. As you know, LP #1 was a smash. LP #2, HOMECOMING,
followed. More to follow. Won't know till the sun comes up again.........
WANTED!!!!!!!!!!!!! Send in any of the following items for the America Express Newsletter......
(see mailing addresses at end of newsletter)
1. Letters to the Editor
2. Suggestions (but..............please be gentle................don't expect miracles) :)
3. America *pictures* that you've taken for the AMERICA HOME PAGE........If you want
returned, send self addressed stamped envelope
4. Concert Reviews (past and present)
5. Trivia
6. America stories.......meeting the guys........news stories
7. Video Info
8. Good suggestions about where to purchase America CDs
9. America related newspaper or magazine articles......send copies
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Only one letter in the mailbox this time.......from a disgruntled fan no less.............
Dear Rick,
If I let you go to the Sparks (Reno) concerts, then you have to promise to take me to the America
concerts in Hawaii for our 25th anniversary present or else there may not be a 26th!!!!
Mary
Email: wahlgren@pacificrim.net (Rick Wahlgren) or kydaka@aol.com
Rick Wahlgren
1717 Matz Road
Ferndale, Washington 98248
phone: 360-380-6271
Home Page Sites.................
America Home Page (by Rick Wahlgren)
http://www.pacificrim.net/~wahlgren
America: Classic Rock Band in Pictures (by Ike Gauley)
http://www.harvestcomm.net/america/
America Fans Across America ... and the World (by Steve Lowry)
/america/index.htm
AOL America Message Board (this is a *permanent* folder we're happy to report)
Also......Gerry and Dewey are AOL members, and read the America message board
often.............
1. keyword mmc (for Musicspace Message Board) 2. Rock/Pop 3. Artists A-F (n/s)
4. America: Beckley and Bunnell (and you're there!!!!!)
TRIVIA ANSWER
Why of course........its Love Is Just Another Word from Dans All Things Are Possible
album!!!
SUE
Professor Sue Robbins asked me to take back over the America Express Newsletter because of
her committments to her new job as the Dean of Education. She has a prominent position in
education that is very demanding.
She has done a *professional,exceptional and admirable job* with the America Express
Newsletter, and is a very close friend........and a hard act to follow!!!
Sue will continue to contribute to the newsletter, and remains one of the neatest and devoted
America fans you'll ever have the pleasure to meet.
Keep your fingers crossed........hopefully Sue will find the time in the future to jump right back
in........and she knows she's always welcome!!!!!
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Last Revised: 24 July 1998