My husband and I had the wonderful opprotunity to hear Jim in concert at Kansas State University in Manhattan just a week or so ago. I love the fact that his music is so postive and uplifting.

I am a public school educator and have been for 27 years. I am currently a middle school/junior high principal. Public schools get a bad wrap and there is a lot of stress on quality teachers to meet the demands of state testing while more importantly meeting the real needs of kids.
I think we need some postive music directed at education.

I wrote the following poem when I was an assistant principal several years ago...it speaks to the truth to us adults and as a society. As silly as it seems, I wanted to share it with you.

Can You Hear the Music?
The chatty voices, incessant laughter and the screams of excitement
Pounding out a tune that resounds in my mind It is their song…their future!
Loudly proclaiming joy and delight-
        a sense of awe, perhaps some uncertainty in a world filled with hate and harm.
We must protect them, empower them and prevent the evil from silencing them.
Individual notes on a page… Connected with purpose…powerful and passionate---
Creating music that boldly pierces the dark.
In the innocence of youth… a melody of hope.
Can you hear the music?
Are you listening?

Cleion Morton Revised 3-9-06

Mr. Brickman
I'm sure you get a lot of letters like this, but I really need to thank you because two of your songs hold important places in my heart.

In late 2002, we found out my wife Lynn had stage 3 cervical cancer.   Although she battled as best as she could, in 2003 it was terminal. On our last anniversary, we danced to "Your Love," which perfectly described my love for her.  It was the last song we danced to, and it was the song I played as I scattered her ashes.

Fast forward to 2008. I met an amazing woman completely by chance in a supermarket. There was an immediate connection, and in September of 2011 we were married. "My Destiny" was our first dance song, since it described our relationship perfectly.

We attended your Valentine's concert in Denver and enjoyed it very much. Thank you for your songs...

Dave 

Jim,
"I have been listening to you for several years, and I love your music!

We live in Mpls, and last week I surprised my husband by driving to Fargo for supper and your show, and then driving back that night. I have told everyone, we were gone exactly 12 hrs, 7 of it in the car, and it was worth every bit of it!!! My niece and her husband drove down from Grand Forks to join us. They had heard about you when friends of theirs (who are good friends of Ben Utecht) told them about your music as well.

At supper I explained to the 3 of them what your music is, and does for me. Then, at the show, when you said, "here's what I hope my music does..." it was pretty much verbatum to what I had said. We laughed, and I said---I gues he's doing for me exactly what he's supposed to be. It was so fun to hear you talk, and get to know your story. You have a wonderful sense of humor, and I just thought I would let you know how much we thoroughly enjoyed your performance! We look forward to seeing your show again. There definately will be repeat performances on our part."

I just wanted to personally thank you for sharing your talents with the world! I have so many of your CDs and have loved your performances for years now.

Just this past year my 10 year old son was having a hard time unwinding at the end of the night. In the fall of 2011, I gave him your Picture This CD and had him put it in his radio to listen to when he turned his light out at bedtime. He was hooked! He said to me the next day, "Mom I love that CD!"

So began his nightly relationship with your music. In early November I gave him your "Homecoming" Cd and through the month of November he listened to that. In December he had one of your holiday albums in his CD player and filling his room with your piano playing every night.  Now he is back to a non-holiday album and still listens nightly. I told him when you come back to Pittsburgh I would bring him to see you. 

I just wanted to personally thank you for filling our lives with music and relaxation and enjoyment!! Thank you for sharing your talents, it means so much to us!

Melissa

Dear Jim,
" . . . Melaina truly is your "Shortest #1 Fan". Her Christmas list contained "CD's from Jim Brickman" not  Justin Bieber, or Lady Gaga, or some other pop star, you made her list  . . . "

(Jim was so touched by her Mom’s letter, he helped put together a gift box  for her)

I so wish you could have seen her face when I told her the story behind the box.
"He did that for me?!"  I told her "Yes, he and a good friend who works with him did this for you."

The look of pure joy and astonishment that someone of that caliber and magnitude would do that.  She was fan before but now she is enamored.  Thank you for creating awe and wonderment for her.

Tuesday at her Young Chef's Academy class she took her I-pod in with her and was playing some of Jim's music for her teacher and the other student there.  So they were "cooking with Jim".  Her teacher fell in love with the music and said she was going to down load some of his music when we left.  

So I guess now we can put her into his "Shortest PR rep".  She's a riot.

Please share this with Jim Brickman.....

During 1997, I was walking around with a broken heart and all my friends were getting engaged or married, I heard the GIFT on the radio and instantly it gave me hope!  I knew then, that my MUTUAL LOVE would come along soon enough, I prayed every single day. 

I took on a part time job to keep busy and met  Ken, a wonderful man in 1998.  We were engaged in 1999.  I handed Collin (Raye) our VERY FIRST wedding invitation on stage at Star Plaza, Indiana at his Dec 1999, Christmas show. 

These were my license plates for many  years because "The Gift" is still our dating, engagement, and wedding, and going gray song.

Thank you to both you, Collin and Susan Ashton, for creating an INCREDIBLE song.  Your fans wish you the absolute best !  XO

 Jim, you are very blessed with your life changing music. 

 Kim

It was a pleasure to meet you tonight an listen to your music live for the first time! 

My husband and I both did two tours in Iraq and it was your music that brought us together and really helped us get through some hard deployments! The first time I ever heard your songs was on a bus from Kuwait to Iraq! My future husband was listening to your music and let me have one ear bud to listen to on the long ride. It was the most beautiful thing I had ever heard and it brought me so much peace in such a horrible place at the time!!!  Thank you for writing and playing your music, it has brought light to our hearts and we are forever grateful for that! Tiffany Purrington

I have been a fan for over 10 years. I just wanted to send a special thanks to Jim.
I am in the United States Air Force Reserves and spent the first 5 months of this year in Iraq. With all the stress and chaos overseas I found it hard to put myself at peace to sleep. Every day after working a 13-15 hour night shift I layed in my bunk bed trying to find a way to allow myself to sleep.

I finally found my peace of mind to fall asleep by listening to Jim's music. It provided me with comfort, peace, and hope while I continued my journey overseas and eventually returned to my two boys (4 and 5).

I thank you Jim for your special gift and what it has done for me. After returning from Iraq I knew the one treat to myself was to see your concert tonight. You are truly an inspiration in my life and I thank you for sharing your music with me.

Thank you too for ending my night with Angel Eyes.
Special Fan--Emily

Hello!
I've been listening to Jim on WSRS in Worcester, MA lately. It has been bringing back fond memories.

In 2005, my daughter, Caitlin, was the head intern in the Tantasqua Regional High School music department. She heard about a contest on WSRS where you could send in a recording of your vocal group and win a contest to sing at the Jim Brickman concert at Mechanics Hall in Worcester, MA. She went to school, told the Fine Arts Director that the Vocal Jazz group should enter the contest because they would definately win. So, she got the recording done quickly..sent it in... and they won! It was a great night with Jim at Mechanics Hall!

Caitlin has just recently graduated from Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston, Ma. and has gotten engaged. She and her fiance, Joe will be married in July, 2012. They will be married in Sturbridge, MA where she grew up. Their reception will be at Mechanics Hall in Worcester, MA. When I asked her why she wanted the reception to be at Mechanics Hall instead of some place in Sturbridge, She said,  Mom, I have such great memories of singing with Jim Brickman at Mechanics Hall!!!

Needless to say I hope these contests continue because they make a lasting impression on anyone who enters and especially on anyone who wins! Hopefully we will be dancing to Jim Brickman music at Caitlin and Joe's Wedding.

Thank You for Listening to a Grateful Mom!
Regards, Susan M

I've been singing since age 2 and also play piano professionally. I thank my parents for making me stay in lessons when I was a kid. One of my favorite things to do when I need to relax or be inspired is to play all your piano and vocal music on my baby grand in our living room.

Of course, my piano teaching isn't complete without introducing my students to your piano books with all the best music. Every one of my students (including vocal students) have been influenced and inspired by your music and I never get tired of seeing people's faces when they experience it for the first time.

Thanks for continually inspiring me and my students! ~ Meghan M

Hello Jim, my name is Cody. I am a 15 year old who is just starting marching band.  This year I am wanting to broaden my instrument range from just being able to play the trumpet to being able to play the piano and some other woodwinds.

One of the reasons why I decided that piano would be the first instrument that I would learn to play because of listening to a lot of your music. I know that my generation's definition of music is hip hop and rap, but there is something that intrigues me when listening to your music and the genre you play. A lot of people in my grade and at my high school don't take the time and appreciate the kind of music you play, but some how I do.

My favorite song that you wrote would probably be Lake Erie Rainfall. I guess I like it because you make the dirtiest of the great lakes sound so beautiful.

Thank You for writing such great music.

                          Sincerely,
                            Cody

Hi Jim!

I'm a huge fan of yours and have been playing your music since I was
11.  I used to sit at the piano and play through whole books at a
time--such lovely melodies!  I have to say, your music really helped my sight reading, and helped me to better understand the rhythmic interplay between both hands. 

I just wanted to write and say thank you!
 I'm also a huge fan of your Christmas music--play your books every year :)
I'm 24 now and still play your music regularly--looking forward to the new albums!

Again, thanks for the inspiring music and for helping me to become a better musician,

Chris B
Montreal, Quebec--Canada

I am really enjoying your CD "Home" and I have been playing it often. I especially love the song "Welcome Home" because the words and the music really touches my heart.

As a mother of a US Marine, I thought and prayed for his safe return daily. I've saved his letters, cards, and a place next to me. He did finally return home in 2008 (after 2 tours in Iraq) and has been medically discharged from the military on 2/2011. He had sustained a brain injury during his second tour in Iraq due to a roadside bomb; but he is home (with his wife, now), attending school, and is doing well.

I mentioned this song to him and I have sent the CD to him. He enjoying the CD, too. Thank you again for your beautiful music.

Eriko N

My name is Chett.  I am 8 years old.  I have autism. 

I go to St. Adalbert's in Berea, OH.  You are my favorite piano player.  My favorite thing to do is listen to 'contemplation' and 'reflections' while I am working in school.  I listen to your music all day.  It helps me work hard when I am in school.  I like to listen to your CD in the car with Dad.

My teacher found out you were playing a concert soon, and it would be my dream come true to see you play
my favorite songs live.  I am your biggest fan!

Thank you!
Chett

(Jim met Chett after his performance)

Mr.Brickman,

You are one of my favorite musicians. Your inspirational work has brought a lot of people like me to appreciate the beauty of a piano solo. I really believe God works through your hands.
I'm currently working in Iraq and I believe I'm wearing out your cds (Grace & Unspoken) that I brought with me! They are a great stress reliever.

I never played the piano but at 48 years of age, I'm going to start! I believe it's never too late to learn to do new things in life. So, learning to play your music on the piano and learning to ride a motorcycle are on the top of my To-Do list once I return to a 'normal life'.

In the interim, I'm going to try to order some more of your new music to get me through my time here. A died-in-the wool blues, jazz and rock-n-roller, I find your music a pleasant escape and works like "Glory" downright trance like.

Please keep up the great music.
God Bless,
Paul