My
teacher once said that "right and true art is infinitely generous",
and I know that this is so. I know because I read "fan mail"
that so generously gives back that which was so fully received
and which matter so much that no one can pretend to own it or
to have created it. It can only be passed on freely, with
infinite generosity, for this is what makes us human.
This is just a note of thanks and appreciation from an old, tired, burnt-out
truck driver from Arkansas.
From
the hustle and bustle of delivering merchandise around
the Midwest, to the constant worries, fears and the
like of having a wife with terminal cancer, peace of
mind is a rare commodity indeed.
I
have been able to achieve a large degree of peace of
mind and relaxation from your DEEP BREAKFAST
album. It has really been a help to me.
Having
never met or seen you, I still wanted you to know that
you're a good friend to finish a hard day with. Its
really great to be able to listen to your music and
reflect on things, clear your mind, and get your priorities
back in order.
Thanks Mr. Lynch
J.M.
Decatur, Arkansas
I, for one, appreciate all of your hard work.
Dear
Mr. Lynch,
I
have a stepson named Jason. Jason is profoundly handicapped.
He cannot see, or walk, or talk, or do anything else
that might give you a sign as to what level he has contact
with the world. But Jason can hear, and when we play
your music, it is obvious that he does listen. In a
world of darkness,your music is his rainbow. Thank you
for helping us bring the very best of experiences to
Jason.
Sincerly,
R.B.
Miami, Florida
Dear
Mr. Lynch,
This is going to sound quite weird, but I credit you with saving my life.
I first heard your music at an audio store about 10
years ago. I was never able to forget how rich and unique
your music was. About 4 years later, I was in the hospital
with a very critical case of pneumonia. I couldn't rest
or sleep because I couldn't breathe. I remembered your
name, but couldn't remember what the album title was.
Luckily, a sales clerk at our local music store showed
my wife which album was yours. It was DEEP BREAKFAST.
While listening to your music, I was finally able to
relax enough to rest. Every night I was in the hospital,
I listened to that tape. I even had some of the nurses
listening to it. I really believe in my heart that if
I didn't have your music to listen to, I would not have
survived. I would just like to say THANK YOU for making
such beautiful music, and I am very much looking forward
to your next album.
Thank you again,
D.P.
Dear
Mr. Lynch,
I wanted to write and share with you the peace and happiness your music
has brought to me and my Mother. DEEP BREAKFAST
has played an important part in my family's enjoyment
of music.
When
my Mother, aged 80, first heard DEEP BREAKFAST
the music brought tears because of its beauty and depth
of feeling. This was a lady that enjoyed opera and classical
music of all types. Your music became a part of our
holidays, and Mother never ceased to enjoy and identify
with the feeling of the music.
Regretfully,
Mother became a victim of Alzheimer's Disease at age
81, and after keeping her at home with me for nearly
two years I was forced to place her in a nursing home.
She comes home for each holiday and I am still able
to take her for Sunday rides. I now have a CD of DEEP BREAKFAST
and NO BLUE THING
which I play during the rides. Mother listens intently
and is still able to express pleasure with the music.
The last time I brought her home was Mother's Day, 1990.
During the meal, DEEP BREAKFAST
was playing. She suddenly stopped eating and looked
off into the distance, deep in thought. She then looked
at me and said, "Isn't that beautiful music"?
Mother is now nearly 85 and music, in spite of the disease,
is one area with which she is able to communicate. She
remembers none of her past, but she still identifies
with your music.
Thank
you for your music! It has meant so much to us, and
I look forward to your next album. As a musician I thought
it would be important to you to know how your music
has affected one family.
Sincerely,
C.R.
Richmond, Virginia
Dear
Ray Lynch,
Every night I go to bed all the sadness and depression from the day goes
into my mind. I try to cure this depression by listening
to loud music like rock, heavy metal, and rap, but it
doesn't work. Then one of my friends introduce to me
THE SKY OF MIND,
NO BLUE THING,
and DEEP BREAKFAST.
I
listen to this music. Wow! It gives me a different feeling.
This music takes my mind with it. I feel like floating
on the sky or being in heaven. I left all the sadness
and depression behind; and float with the music. There
are so many good feelings that I can't even describe
them in a word. I would like to thank you, Ray Lynch,
for making this beautiful music that could cure my depression
and I am looking forward to your new album.
H.D.
19 years old
Wilingboro, New Jersey
Mr.
Lynch,
Hi! My name is K.K. I live in Edina, Minnesota. This is probably just
another one of those dumb letters, but I hope you
get the chance to read this because I want to say
how awesome your music is. I'm only 14 years old and
I mostly only listen to Bob Marley, AC/DC,
and Eric Clapton but when I heard your disc DEEP BREAKFAST
I loved it. I don't know what I'm trying to say but
you seem like a really cool guy, and I love your music!
I have one favor! Will you please write me
back? My address is on the back.
K.K.
Edina, Minnesota
14 years old
P.S. Thanks!
Dear
Ray Lynch,
I am sitting here in my office on this historic day as the stock market
crashes listening to your spiritually moving DEEP BREAKFAST
which I purchased in Bar Harbor, Maine one week ago.
There
is panic and chaos all around me (I am a financial Consultant
dealing with Financial Institutions and Mutual Fund
Managers) but I feel secure in the spiritual realm of
the music you have been inspired to compose and record.
I
would be pleased to be put on your mailing list and
also hearing from you.
I
have heard your music awhile back on the "Hearts
of Space" Program.
The
music is wonderful and beautiful, to say the least.
I'm doing a "very lonely" 8-year prison sentence
in a California State Prison.
This
music makes it bearable. With no one caring enough to
write or visit me, this is my barrier against insanity.
I'm
just a sad, silly and lonely white male, age 39 and
going on forever. My profession for the next 20 more
months is and will be heavy equipment operator here
at the Fire Camp.
I'd
love to be put on your mailing list also.
Light, best wishes & white time magic to you!
M.P.
San Luis Obispo, California
Dear
Mr. Lynch,
I wrote to you once before wondering where I could obtain your earlier
tape entitled THE SKY OF MIND.
I found it in New York City finally and I love it just
as much as DEEP BREAKFAST.
You are so extremely talented. I am really looking forward
to your next tape.
I
don't know if you want or need to read what I am writing
next but it's pertinent to what I'll write later on.
I'm an injured dancer for three years now. I was very
good - they said I had what it took to become a professional.
I was doing a performance of "Peter and the Wolf"
and we had to go out in the audience. A boy about 15
years old tripped me. It wrecked a lot of things in
my knee - I had open surgery two and a half years ago.
I've been in therapy ever since. I used to have a fear
of pain because my pain was so bad. I became dependent
on pain medication. I took it 4 times a day and I was
scared to do things with my knee. About 4 months ago
I finally quit taking pain medication because I realized
I was letting the pain rule my life. I had had very
unpositive things said to me by various doctors like
I'd never dance again, etc., and I finally realized
that if I was going to beat this I'd have to do it on
my own. My family has been very supportive and I was
told a few months ago that there was a very good chance
I'd be dancing in a year. I'm still in therapy but I'm
striving for that new goal. My problem is I'm 13 (just
turned 13 in Oct.) and many people my age don't understand
the emotional damage that's caused from an injury besides
the physical damage. My younger sister is a dancer also
and it's been hard for me to watch her progress. I'm
very happy for her - she just got Clara in the Nutcracker
Ballet - but still it's hard. So since I have no one
to talk to, I've become a person who hides her emotions.
I'm very pleasant on the outside, but inside I could
be sad or mad or depressed, etc. But then I listen to
your music. Your music is very emotional so sometimes
when I hear it I either cry or think real hard about
my problem and usually by the end of the tape I am feeling
better. So I'm thanking you for your music and the feeling
behind your music because it makes the rest of us feel
so good when we hear it. Keep up the good work! Thank
you again!
Sincerely,
S.B.
New York City, NY
13 years old
Dear
Mr. Lynch,
Over the last 6 months, I have been in the process of divorce and a protracted
in-and-out-of-court battle over the custody of my
8 year old son. In all aspects, it has been a great
tragedy, particularly on my son, who is very close
to both of us. Shortly after acquiring your collected
works, I was awarded primary custody, and my son was
returned to me (he had been taken from his home).
The first night that he was back in his home, we spent
the early evening in a customary manner; and when
it was time to go to sleep, we jumped into the family
bed and turned out the lights. I said that I wanted
him to hear your new album, NO BLUE THING
(he was already familiar the DEEP BREAKFAST).
I hit the play button and almost immediately upon
hearing the first sequences he said: "That's
awesome!".And he just broke down and began to
cry in really deep grief. (For good reasons and psychologically
beneficial reasons, he had, until this time, been
denying his sadness and I was getting concerned that
he just might repress it entirely with it shunting
later into some maladaptive expression).When he started
crying, I said nothing, but simply held him; and we
both cried for about 15 minutes as your music flowed
over us. My son said that it made him cry because
it was so beautiful and that it reminded him of all
of the good times the three of us had had in the past.
After
a while, the sadness passed, and he said once again:
"That's really awesome", referring to you
music. But this time his mood completely changed;
and he turned to me with great intensity and said:
"You know, I think I could use some of that music
to go with my MegaMan" (MegaMan is a Nintendo
computer game). He jumped out of the bed, got a note
pad and the case of your disk with the titles of the
various cuts. He then hit the replay button and, from
the beginning, in the street light from the window
behind the bed, proceeded to correlate the various
compositions with different segments of his MegaMan.
I fell asleep in the process.
It
was an unbelievable transition - from the depths of
grief to choreographing your music with his computer
game.
All of our best,
C.E., Ph.D.
Berkeley, California
Dear
R. Lynch,
Hello! Several months ago my father got the tape DEEP BREAKFAST
as a gift.
I
have become very attached to this tape. I'm almost 14
years old, and have read many books. By reading I'm
carried into other worlds and other times. I credit
this to my mind's eye. I must say I have a very good
mind's eye. With it I have had many adventures, romances,
etc.
When
I listened to this tape I was amazed. It was the only
tape that has ever got my mind's eye going. Every time
I listen to it, I live another lifetime.
I
can't express my joy enough. I must admit my envy in
not being able to create such music.
Thank you,
H.B.
Oak Hill, Tennessee
14 years old
Dear
Mr. Lynch,
I attend to school 41. I am in 6th grade and I am 12 years old.
I
can't begin to tell you how beautiful your songs are.
You can say that the first time I heard your songs,
I fell in love. I think of beautiful things such as
people in a wedding party drinking wine, eating cake,
and laughing and having fun.
My
two favorite songs are Celestial Soda Pop
and Falling in the Garden.
When I hear these two songs I feel as if I am in heaven.
You musn't think I am bluffing or just writing for no
reason, just because I am twelve years old. I really
think that you are a magnificent and a very creative
composer.
The
songs are simply beautiful masterpieces of art. You
are very creative, so keep doing a great job! Thank
you so much.
Very sincerely,
E.H.
12 years old
P.S. All I ask of you is that you should remember that
I think you're the best!
Dear
Mr. Lynch,
Your DEEP BREAKFAST
tape has helped me survive after the death of my husband
3 years ago. WhenI couldn't sleep at night I would put
my headset on and listen to the tape — feeling
both sad and happy because it is such a beautiful expression
of music. When I take long walks in the mountains it
went with me on my walkman. So you see it has been a
constant companion and even though my grief has subsided
I still play the tape frequently.
I
am 76 years old so you know your music suffers no generation
gap. My best to you and many thanks.
E.S.
Colorado
76 years old
Dear
Mr. Lynch,
In my nearly 70 years I have never written a "fan letter", and,
strictly speaking, this won't shatter that dubious record,
because it is merely a sincere expression of appreciation
for a superb piece of work I acquired a month or so
ago: DEEP BREAKFAST.
I
don't have sophisticated sound equipment, but in this
case, none is needed. I just hear it through a small
stereo cassette with ear phones ... over and over again.
Each time I hear something new...no, not new, just something
I missed before.
I
tried to describe it in a letter to a friend: "I
lay there - in the dark - with stereo ear phones, and
within a few minutes it's like being suspended in warm
water - touching nothing. All thoughts of frustration,
anxiety, and futility are gone as I drift aimlessly
through the cosmos".
In
the midst of the cacophony which passes for popular
music today, you have created an artform, and I am glad
for you - and for all the rest of us who are fortunate
enough to hear it.
Sincerely,
E.A.
Indiana
Dear
Mr. Lynch,
I thought you would like to know that your music is special. I selected
one of your pieces, "Homeward at Last",as
one of two musical compositions honoring a favorite
nephew, Steve Voolems, who died this August in Evansville,
Indiana. As an uncle, not a minister, I gave the funeral
service for Steve — a great guy, a coal miner,
a Vietnam vet, a wonderful husband, and the father of
two kids, and a country western fan. I don't know if
he ever heard your music before he died, but he sure
has now.
When
Steve died at age 41 after fighting cancer for 13 years,
I wracked my brain for just the right music to set the
mood for a funeral service worthy of him. I love new
age, classical, opera, and, yes, some country western
too — very eclectic taste. After considering everything
I've ever heard over the years, I thought two compositions
would be just right for Steve: your "Homeward at
Last" and the ageless "Amazing Grace."
Steve's
funeral was large, about 400 people, and several later
made a point of asking about your music, which I identified
during the service. Hope you gained some new fans; you
certainly deserve them.
Ever
since I first heard "Celestial Soda Pop"
on a car radio while commuting several years ago, I've
been a big fan of yours. I finally tracked down CSP's
album, DEEP BREAKFAST
and recently added NO BLUE THING
from which, of course, I found "Homeward at Last."
Main
thing, I simply wanted to acknowledge your talent and
say thanks for helping me devise a memorable tribute
to my nephew. May your music always be magical.
Sincerely,
M.H.
Woodbridge, VA
Dear
Mr. Lynch,
Recently,
my mother-in-law, Georgia Windsor, had the opportunity
to see and speak to you while she was attending a retreat
at the Sanctuary in Northern California near Clearlake,
CA. At that time, she told you about a letter that I
wrote to you in 1995 telling you about the calming effect
your album DEEP BREAKFAST
had on me and others during Operations Desert Shield
and Storm. You did not know if you had received the
letter or not, since it was being delivered through
a third party.
You
were kind enough to provide your E-mail and mailing
address to her so that I could contact you. For this
kindness, I will always be grateful. In case the original
letter did not make it to you, I've included a copy
of it in this E-mail.
Again, please accept my thanks for your music.
Sincerely,
Gary D. Mitchell
CW2, U.S. Army, Retired.
Dear
Mr. Lynch,
My
wife and I were introduced to your music by my mother-in-law,
a devotee of Bhagavan
Sri Adi Da. She gave us a copy as a gift in 1987.
At that time, I was a member of the U.S. Army.
In
September of 1990, I was deployed to the Kingdom of
Saudi Arabia where I was a participant in Operations
Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Understanding how inspirational
the music could be, my wife insisted that I take the
tape with me. Throughout Desert Storm, I carried it
in my vehicle and listened to it frequently. It was
one of the very few peaceful moments that I would have
through March of 1991. The amazing thing is that everyone
that rode in my vehicle would listen to it and find
it as moving as I did. As a matter of fact, nearly all
of them wanted a copy. At the risk of copyright infringement,
I made numerous copies from my original and quite a
few of the U.S. Army members that were members of my
advisory group had copies. Also, of those that wanted
copies, some were the Arabic interpreters (my interpreter
was a Saudi Arabian citizen, and a follower of Islam,
which makes it even more fascinating).
When
Operation Desert Shield became Operation Desert Storm,
the tape became even more important to me. Since this
was probable the most stressful thing in my life since
Vietnam, the nature of the music and the effect it had
on me was something that I will never forget. I could
come out of a extremely frightening situation, put the
tape in, and in moments, be very calm. It had the same
affect on all of my peers that were serving with me.
One example of this is my involvement in the battle
fought at Al-Khafji, the first land battle of Desert
Storm, and the only battle fought on Saudi Arabian soil.
As we would come out of the city on a rearmament or
re-supply mission, I could turn the tape on and literally
watch the fear and tension fade from my interpreter's
face, knowing it was having the same effect on me. Obviously,
we would have to turn off everything except our communications
equipment while we were in the city so that we would
have no hindrance to being able to hear, but we would
continue to listen to it until we were ready to enter
the city again.
My
wife and I now have DEEP BREAKFAST
on compact disk, but I still have the original tape
that I listened to many times through those long months.
Granted, the quality is a little less for wear and desert
dust, but I do still have and cherish it.
Your
gift is something that has had a positive influence
on me. I am very thankful for your having shared it
with those of us that have only the ability to hear,
love and appreciate it.
Even
though I am sure you receive many letters such as this,
I felt it essential that I share with you how much your
music has personally meant to me.
Sincerely,
Gary D. Mitchell
CW2, U.S. Army, Retired.
Rio
de janeiro, Brasil
Dear friends,
Here,
from Brasil, I'd like to tell you that your song it's
like a blade which cut our heads and distribute colors,
lyrics and feelings of the spirits into the body.
Your
song still let us near of god, I really think that it
is therapeutical and the medicine will discover some
day this truth. Anyway, I beg to God bless you and your
partners even great work.
Thanks
a lot for your fantastic songs and I ask for you never
stop.
Sincerely,
Marcos Duriez
Mr.
Lynch,
I
wish to thank you for all of the music that has been
dear to me for the last ten years of my life and hope
that you continue your work so that my children (when
I have them) will know what music is and that no matter
what language you speak or where you're from on this
planet, music is the only language you need to know
one another.
Thank you Sir,
Matthew Stewart
Dear
Ray,
Two
years ago on May 5, 1989, our son Kyle was seriously
injured in a lawn mower accident. While recovering from
his first of many operations, we were reminded of the
peacefulness and tranquility that "DEEP BREAKFAST"
can bring to a young mind. During times in the hospital
when no drug could relieve the pain, Kyle would play
"DEEP BREAKFAST"
on his walkman, and quietly and peacefully fall asleep.
Again
last summer while recovering from twelve hours re-constructive
surgery on his knee, Kyle knew it was your beautiful
music that once again carried him through some long
scary nights.
We
have since completed our "Ray Lynch Trilogy"
by adding "NO BLUE THING".
But
most of all it has given, a now 10-year old boy, the
ability to use music as an important part of his ongoing
recovery.
Affectionately,
Stephen, Kathy, Kyle, & Molly Bergeron
Dear
Ray Lynch,
I
am a 12 ½ year old girl who loves your music
from DEEP BREAKFAST.
I don't how your music means to me, but I can tell your
this; I vividly see things that uplift me. I think you
should make more music like the ones you have in DEEP BREAKFAST.
Me and my mother love your music. It is like (to me)
a movie of delight with no dialog. My favorite single
of yours is "Rhythm in the Pews". Just listening
to it makes me happy. I don't know why, but it does.
I hope in the future you become more successful that
nobody has before.
A fan,
Azalea Lee
Bob
Goodfriend called because he's too frail to write. He
is recovering from heart surgery and received a "DEEP BREAKFAST"
cassette as a get-well gift. He had surgery about a month
ago and is home from hospital now, but was unable to listen
to tape until his daughter gave him a walkman(because
he couldn't go up and down stairs, he couldn't get to
his home deck). Anyway, he's 65, and has traditional music
tastes. He was feeling antsy and finally listened to "DEEP BREAKFAST"
yesterday. Although it's not the type of music he'd ordinarily
listen to, he found it to be "exquisite", "never
heard anything like it!", and it "has done more
good" for him than anything so far. He says Ray is
"a talented artist and performer with a God-given
gift". Thank you, thank you and would you put him
on the mailing list?
KE
(Gloria Goodfriend has since written us: "Bob
passed away on 4/15/96 I am sad to tell you.")
Dear
Mr Lynch,
This
morning my husband was called away at 2.45am to go to
the crisis in the Middle East (Air Force). Our family
has gotten through crisis of this nature before, but
there is something else - very unsettling of this one.
Anyway, I went to a bookstore to find a bit of good
reading to help occupy my mind tonight. While I was
browsing, I listened to the music on the store's P.A.
system. It captured my thoughts and held them. Well
it was your "DEEP BREAKFAST"
recording. So I brought it home and as I write, I'm
listening to it. Not only is it extremely soothing,
but positive and uplifting! Slowing me to reflect peacefully
and constructively. I am an anesthesia technician and
see and handle stressful situations daily, your music
really helps me to "unwind".
When
my husband comes home (I don't know when, due to the
nature of his mission), I look forward to sharing my
musical discovery with him. Thank you for your music,
it is truly helping me over a rough spot in life right
now.
Sincerely
Terri Bloomberg
Dear
Ray,
I'm
43, am ex-Marine, a Viet vet and not in the habit of
writing fan letters. But it just seems fair that I should
tell you how important your music has become for me.
Here
is a man who speaks the language of my soul, I found
myself saying, "a kindred spirit". I never
stopped to realize that no composer, even the great
ones, ever really spoke accurately for me, put into
sound the feelings and expressed what I'm unable to
share for lack of a vocabulary like yours.
Several
month ago, my wife left me for greener pastures. "Too Wounded"
and "Your Feeling Shoulders" have become
a balm for me. They remind me that even the deepest
pain can have dignity within it, even nobility.
Thank
you again for showing the rest of us your personal image
of beauty and enriching our lives.
Paul
Reading
the favorite letters brings absolutely no surprise to
me. I, too, have been affected by the beautiful sounds
of DEEP BREAKFAST.
The music of Ray Lynch was unknown the me until 1995
when my husband introduced me to DEEP BREAKFAST.
I was hooked!
My first child, a precious baby boy, was born in December
of 1998. The early stages of labor were uneventful,
but when the time for hard labor arrived...we were in
trouble. Both the lives of myself and my son were in
jeopary due to complications which have still not been
explained to me to this day. I was in danger of having
a stroke and Joshua's heartrate continously dropped
below critical levels. The words 'emergency cesearean
section' were thrown around the room fervently...it
was the only way to save both mother and child. Just
as the obstetrician was preparing to administer the
anesthesia I would need for surgery, my husband pops
in our DEEP BREAKFAST
CD and the room got quiet. Believe it or not, it was
enough to relax me to the point that I was able to deliver
my son safely into this world without any further complication.
I don't know if DEEP BREAKFAST
saved our lives, but it surely saved us from a lot of
pain. As for my son, he required little resuscitation
before being handed to me. I saw a rosy, glowing, curious
little creature...a miracle. He came into life with
DEEP BREAKFAST
in the background . . . WHAT AN ENTRANCE!! Thanks be
to God for giving Ray Lynch the gift of life through
his music.