January 2011

Dear Candice, I hope this e-mail will get through to you personally. My name is Alexander Schachten and I'm living in Hamburg, Germany. I am a fan of Ritchie since 1974 and a Blackmore's Night fan since the early beginnings. Ritchie has been the major inspiration for me to become a guitar player myself, and he contributed quite a lot to my path of life in becoming a professional musician, composer and music producer. My sons (Linus, age 22, and Dino, age 20) are great fans of Ritchie and Blackmore's Night as well. My daughter Letizia (age 6) is a great fan of you personally. She really grew up with you and Blackmore's Night from the very first days of her life and already begged me regularly to watch your videos at the age of just a few months. Everytime, when she was not feeling fine and saw you on screen and heard you singing, she lightened up instantly. Since summer 2003 me and my family have been to at least one Blackmore's Night concert per year throughout Germany. Letizia has been with us the first time in 2006 (at nearly age 2) and was so impressed to see you live on stage. I think she really couldn't believe it. At the last concert in Hamburg this year I took her to the front of the stage, and when you spotted her you seemed to be very delighted and waved at her a few times.
And here she is:



Sorry, but I really tried to keep it short. So, the reason why I'm writing you is that my children (including Letizia) did a recording of the song Emmanuel and made a very beautiful video just a few weeks ago, which from my point of view is a real homage to you and Ritchie and the inspiration we have got from you. I really would be happy, if you would take a look at it and maybe show it to Ritchie as well (I think as an AOL user you have to copy and paste the link into the browser window): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CuK-kpv1-WA  Thanks very much for your attention.
All the best for you, Ritchie and Autumn Esmeralda Alexander Schachten

Dear Alexander,
Oh, I absolutely LOVE it! Great job! Love to you all for the holidays and lots of hugs for Letizia. I did show Ritchie and we watched the video quite a few times. How beautiful....Thank you for sending...
Much love,
Candice
 

Dear Candice,Ritchie and little Autumn Esmerelda, i wish you Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2011. I saw your last Concert at 26,Sept.2010 in Duisburg,Germany,Theater am Marientor. It was a great Show.Wonderful. My favourite song from the New CD Autumn Sky is Barbara Allen. I hope,we see us on Your German Tour in 2011. Many Fans looked for Pictures from Ritchie and little Autumn Esmerelda. You can posted Pictures on Your Website ? God bless You all.
With best Wishes from Germany.
Ulrich

Dear Ulrich,
I am so glad you liked the concert and the cd. Ritchie often says the song Barbara Allen gives him goose bumps when he hears it. He used to sing it in school many years ago. Of course I will be sharing more photos of Autumn! She is my pride and joy...true magic!
Happy New Year!
Love and light, Candice

Thank you so much for letting us hear your beautiful voice. I first saw the cd “Shadow of the Moon” filed under heavy metal in a shop here in Sydney and was intrigued by the name of the group. The guy sitting playing the stringed instrument looked relatively familiar, so I thought I would ask to listen to some of the music. I heard about 30 seconds and took the headphones off and bought it.

After hearing Deep Purple and Rainbow, this was something I knew Ritchie was capable of, but I didn’t ever anticipate that he would go in this direction. But to couple his playing with your voice brought a whole new magic to my ears and for that I can’t thank you enough.

I could go on and on saying how wonderful and refreshing I think your music is, but what I would really like to know is whether there is any chance you will ever visit Australia.

Congratulations on the music you have made together, and congratulations on creating your daughter, you will be given many new things to write about and they will all be beautiful.

Thank you for the music and songs. I hope to hear more.

Have a merry Christmas and a happy New Year

Robert Rodgers, Sydney, Australia

Dear Robert,
What a beautiful letter. Thank you. Isn't it funny how we can always be found in heavy metal shops and magazines, when our music is so far from that. I mean, I listen to all kinds of music, but when you hear what we do, heavy metal doesn't jump to the forefront of your mind. Right?
I have to say, I hold a very special place in my heart for Australia. It is truly one of my favorite places on the planet. And I haven't even been to Sydney yet! There is so much I would still like to explore in your country. It has a true magic all its own.
I would love to tour there, and I know that we have had offers and there are fans but it is so far... I will keep working on it and keep my fingers crossed and hope that I will be able to bring the whole band there soon. And if not, I will certainly be returning myself to experience more of Oz....I would love to bring Autumn when she is older!
Thank you for your letter!
Love and light,
Candice