Tonight.... My Debut On Stage With A Real Band!!!
June 13 2003

Over the past couple of days I had received emails about a band that plays in the Phoenix Area called Chuck E. Baby And The All Stars - The lady had sent me the email after she saw my web pages about Jerry Riopelle and the recent concert at http://everon.50megs.com/jerryriopelleattostidossalsachallenge.htm . Here is her first email: Hello Brett, My name is Susan Fox. I have my own recent close encounters with Mr. Riopelle and his lovely wife, Naomi. My 16 year old daughter plays bass guitar and we frequent a Famous Sam's in Chandler on Thurs. nights because it happens to be open mike night with Chuck E. Baby (and the Allstars) who just loves Jerry Riopelle and covers his songs quite often. I used to watch Chuck E. Baby play when I was not much older than my daughter. She has been playing with him for more than two years and for this wonderful experience, I wanted to give Chuck a really special "Thanks". Somehow, I managed to find Jerry's email address and told him my story about how nice Chuck is and how he reserves the first part of every Thurs. evening for the young kids that want to play along with him. I invited Jerry and his wife (figuring, what did I have to lose) and believe it or not, he accepted. So, several weeks later, he wrote and said he was ready to visit Famous Sam's and surprise Chuck. What a great evening it turned out to be!!! He and his wife and another couple came and sat with our group and they stayed the whole night. They were so nice! He sang everything! Attached are photos for your enjoyment. Well, this surprise has turned into the gift that keeps on giving. He and Chuck have become email friends. Chuck invited him to his show at the last Sun. concert by Tempe Town Lake. We were there for about 45 minutes, looked behind us and there was Jerry and Naomi. They joined us on our blankets and again, Jerry sang a few songs with Chuck. There are more stories to add, but I don't want to bore you with them. I would like to invite you to come listen (or join in if you play or sing) some Thurs. night. It's a lot of fun and you would be amazed at how many of the old classics the kids know. Music starts at 9 PM. It's the Famous Sam's at the corner of Ray and Alma School. Jerry Riopelle promised to come back and play again...who knows? My husband and I were volunteers for the Salsa Challenge and we saw most of Jerry Riopelle's show. What a fun time that was. We were in charge of pouring all those "Margies!" Several times we ran out and it got UGLY! I have really enjoyed your photos from this event. Thanks! We've been AZ residents and KDKB listeners forever. Hope you found this note interesting. Susan Fox So, Sandi and I went to Famous Sam's tonight. I took my guitar but left it in the car. Next time I'll take it in and play some originals. But tonight I got up on stage and sang five songs with the band - three Jerry Riopelle and two Dan Fogelberg. The songs we sang were: Jerry Riopelle Red Ball Texas Flyer Let's Get Loaded Buyin', Beggin', Stealin' Real Man Dan Fogelberg Someone's Been Telling You Stories Part Of The Plan It was the most exhilarating experience in my musical existence. I loved it. Chuck loved it. Sandi loved it. The audience loved it. Did I say I loved it... ...wow. No, stage fright at all. I walked in the door like I owned the place and yelled up to Chuck "I hear you play some Riopelle." He replied "Yes." I said "Susan Fox emailed me and said you did so I'm here to sing with you." He said "Come on up." So I did. We sang the first Riopelle song and I sat back down. Later went back up and sang the second one and sat back down. Then as the youngsters were dismantling their equipment and the older group was hooking up we sang the third one. Then I talked to Chuck about my Fogelberg web site and he said, I know some Fogelberg from way back. So I went back up and we did "Someone's Been Telling You Stories" and without stopping went straight into "Part Of The Plan". I wanna be in a band - it was so much fun and we will be going back often. So if your ever in the Phoenix area on a Thursday night, go to Alma School Road and Ray in Chandler. It is the Famous Sam's on the South West corner in the strip mall. Before I left the stage I promoted Dan's "Full Circle" and his Official Web Site - I didn't even mention mine to the audience - next time. Chuck E. Baby is at http://chuckebaby.com c]:{ Another Jerry Riopelle Fan Sends An Email Hi Brett, I just read in amazement your story about Jerry Riopelle, Chuck E Baby, and Famous Sam's. My amazement isn't so much about your experience with each of these people and the place. No. The fact that you got to be involved with all three is incredible. Why do I know this? Well, in a way, the same thing happened to me too! Granted, my story isn't as cool as yours, but worth telling I feel.  I'm from Southern Illinois and my radio station of choice is KSHE 95 in St. Louis. I started listening to it in 1970. They played Springsteen when no one had ever heard of him. They played your Robert Palmer's "Sneakin' Sally Through The Ally", "Hey Hey Julia", and "Sailin' Shoes". ALWAYS all three in a row as it should be played. They played Rare Bird's "Peace of Mind", Gypsy's "Dead and Gone", and many many more (now) KSHE classics. So, after many years as a devoted member of KSHE's rock n' roll army, I felt I knew a thing or two about music. Well, maybe I did.  I graduated high school in '76 and moved to Jackson TN to attend electronics school. I met and starting dating a young lady named Lisa Murphy. She had recently moved to Jackson from Tucson, AZ. One of the things we had in common was music. I was always turning her on to new stuff and she would reciprocate in turn. She had some good stuff. One artist she always kept bringing up was a guy she saw in Arizona named Jerry Riopelle. BUT, she didn't have any of his albums. Bummer eh? So, many years have passed and many brain cells gone and nearly forgot the and the times but I have never forgotten this guys name. Jerry Riopelle. I was always curious. Always. No one I spoke to had heard of him. Until.  Flash ahead to 2001. I move to the Tempe/Mesa area. I've enrolled in a school in Tempe to learn recording. The Conservatory. Maybe you've heard of it? I'm there a couple of months and decide to ask around about this guy named Jerry Riopelle. Hey, by now, this guy is a real mystery artist to me ya know? One day I'm at school and ask one of my instructors if he's ever heard of Jerry Riopelle? "Why sure," he says. He recommends I speak to the school's administrator. He told me he had a gold album of Jerry's on his office wall! Wow! I'm shocked. This guy really does exist!  So, I talk to the administrator and he turns me on to one of his recordings. I think its a greatest hits CD? MAN WAS I BLOWN AWAY! This guys music was more than I had imagined and bargained for. I can't get enough of it. "Talk to Me" sends shivers down my spine every time I hear it! Every song is incredible and he has such a diverse style too. Finally, I'm Riopellen. (like Jellin') It was definitely worth the long wait.  Next. I moved to Chandler. I lived just off Ray Road and Dobson in the Andersen Springs Estates subdivision. The closest place to drink a beer and hear live music was Famous Sams on the corner of Ray and Alma School. The first time I was there was a Thursday night. Are you starting to get the picture here? Another guy was there in Chucks place that night. Max was his name. What a great guy he is. Jesse, the young and very talented guitarist, was there too. Being an aspiring guitar player I decided to bring my guitar one night and see if I could jam with Chuck and friends. I got to jam a couple of songs. We did Fogelberg's "Part of the Plan" and some CSN and CCR. I was thrilled to say the least being a beginner and all. They never made me feel inadequate as a player either. Isn't it great to play with talented musicians! I loved it. Yes, they even played "Red Ball Texas Rider" too. What an experience! I will never forget those incredible nights at Sam's. I'm one of the luckiest people I know.  Well, Brett, that's my story. I hope these guys continue to invite young and not as young people to join them and learn. I feel they will. They have hearts the size of Texas ya know! If you see them, please give my regards. I didn't get the chance to say goodbye. Thank you for sharing your pics and stories. And finally, thanks for your patience reading this episode of my life. I will continue to seek out Jerry Riopelle and I will catch one of his shows someday. Maybe New Years eve?  Peace and love,  Rick Hicks,  Mt. Vernon, Illinois Where I work: http://www.outbackrecords.com  Someday: http://www.geocities.com/rocko_mtv  c]:{ Here's Something For Ya!!! I just received emails from several of the band members including Paul and Jerry.  They love the site but had to correct me in my errors.  I have now repented...  The drummers name is Tom Fillman and the Bassist is John Harris and not John Davis... ...but I knew that... ...don't know why I was typing in Davis... ...hmmm.   Thanks Jerry and the rest for setting me straight (I was crooked before) and I'm glad you like what I've done so far.   I will try to dig up some more pictures from past concerts for display.  EVERy ONe feel free to donate.  Lets see how big we can make this site.  Pictures of concerts, T-shirts, LP's etc.  I need a picture of all the LP's and I need all the lyrics.  For every one that contributes I will give them recognition for doing so. Brett - just a country boy - c]:{ Letter From Jerry Riopelle  Brett..this is a pretty amazing site..a friend just sent it to me...thanks ..jr  ALSO..if you respond to this email please respond to ******@***.com.      (notice *****  is spelled with a "*") ********  is my personal email address and this my business address..thanks again.. I really enjoyed it.. Jerry Riopelle Jerry, Is this THE Jerry Riopelle emailing me? Cool!  I'm glad you like the site.  I would like to make it as big as the Dan Fogelberg site at http://everon.50megs.com instead of just sub-part of it.   I have been listening to you since I've been listening to Dan - but You are actually the guy I have seen in concert more.  Don't ask me to tell you how many times because I only have 10 fingers and you wouldn't want me to take off my boots.   I have three of your songs up on my music page.  One I am singing and playing and the other two are you.  I know this might break some copyright law but I figured if I put two songs of you up on the net that someone just may go looking for albums or CD's to buy.  If all they had to listen to was me they might run the other direction.  So far it has worked at least three times if I recall or that they have told me so.  One woman bought me a copy of Tongue ~N~ Groove with the In The Round CD bonus.  She also bought herself a copy.   I get emails from people ALL the time from all over the country about how to get your stuff.  For the stuff that's in print I send them to Amazon.com and if it's out of print I tell them to send me blank CD's and I will make copies for them.  I have all of your stuff on CD except In The Blood.  I hope this is okay that I share your music with others being as it can't be purchased anymore.   If it can be purchased, please let me know where and I will put that information up.  I would love to have pictures of all the albums and the lyrics for all the songs to add to the web site.  And what I would REALLY love is to have a songbook with all the guitar chords so I could learn to play the songs instead of just sing when I go out to Famous Sam's to see Chuck-E-Baby.   That was a dream come true for me - on stage singing Riopelle and Fogelberg songs.   I just got an email from your son Paul about the name mix-ups on the web site (Bassist John Harris and not John Davis and to let me know that the drummers name is Tom Fillman.  I was making the changes as I noticed this email come in.   If you have any ideas you would like on a web site I will do it for free - for giving back to you for all you have given us for 30 years or so.  Yes, I was the guy at the Tostido's Salsa Challenge that yelled up "Sunshine Girl".   I think that was so nice of you to show up and surprise Chuck at Famous Sam's.  You're a good man.   Brett M. Smith 1916 N. Macdonald Mesa, AZ 85201   home: 480-969-6294   My music page is at http://everon.50megs.com/bretts_music_page.htm   Down at the bottom of the page is where I put cover tunes after they have been introduced at the top long enough.  I have my songs in alphabetical order.  Around 50 of them.  I can sketch too.. ...an art I didn't know I had until my brother gave me 1 lesson 3 years ago.  I will have to do a sketch of you next.  I also borrowed the name of one of your songs for one of mine.  "Baby Rose" . give it a listen.  I also sing a song a capella because I don't know how how to play a guitar piece for it - it is called "You Got Me Runnin' ".  If there are any of my songs you might be interested in... ...feel free to use them... ...it would bring me joy just to have them sung by a real artist other than me... ...my 15 minutes of fame.   Sincerely, Brett   PS... Is it okay if I include your email as part of the website?   I would of course leave off the email addresses and phone numbers.   Brett Sure you can print my email. Thanks for the great pics and art. I really enjoyed it..jr   Letter From Paul Riopelle Hi Brett, I just wanted to tell you that the web page (Riopelle @ the Tostitos Southwest Salsa Challenge) looks great! I also wanted to give you some info that you might want to correct/add : the bass players name is John Harris (not Davis) and the drummer's name is Tom Fillman.... Keep up the good work! Regards, Paul Riopelle Paul, I've corrected it... ...thanks Paul... ...it's amazing... ...I've been listening to your Dad longer than you have been alive... ...and from what I gather he and your Mother are still very much in love.  Something rare these days and especially in the Rock~N~Roll industry.   Is it okay if I include your email as part of the web site? - leaving out the email address of course.   Thanks,  Brett Brett,   The website's looking good!!   One more correction, though  (ha ha)  I noticed at the bottom you have the emails my Dad and I sent, but before the one that he sent the headline says letter from Paul Riopelle (as it also does before the one I sent)...   Have a good one!   Paul Paul, Got it - Thanks Paul for pointing it out!  If you ever want a web site built - I'm you man - and I'll do it for free - to give back all that has been given me through you and your Dad's music.   Brett   Letter From Michael Rosenthal Brett, Hi, I'm Michael Rosenthal, the Executive Director of the Hemophilia Association, the organization that puts on the Tostitos Southwest Salsa Challenge.  I think I remember seeing you that day.  I was introducing the bands. What an amazing job you did documenting this event.  You're a true fan.  I'm going to forward your web site to Jerry in case he hasn't seen it. --Mike Mike, Jerry and his son Paul  have both sent me kind e-mails - correcting me on names and such too.  I love building web sites.  This site is a sub web site of the bigger picture.  I have built the LARGEST Dan Fogelberg web site in the world at http://everon.50megs.com .  I would love to build one just as big for Jerry.  I would do it for free.  I would just need pictures of all the LP's, all the lyrics, stories from the road and anything fans would find interesting.  The reason I would do it for free is that I would be giving back to Jerry and the rest of the band members something for all they have given to me in music and memories over the years. If you need someone to build the web site for next years event I would do that for free too. Brett M. Smith 1916 N. Macdonald Mesa, AZ 85201 Home - 480-969-6294 email : bsmith3051@netzero.net   or   : ever_on@netzero.net