Letters

Dear Jose Feliciano:

How do you do?

I am a fan from China, been paying close attention to the recent developments of you all the time! I think the official Web site of you, is very well detailed to substantiate content, it lets me feel very glad!

All I want to say is whatever happens, please be strong and walk on. If you feel blue just because you walk with your back to the sun, and you will embrace all the brilliance when you turn around. You can see a whole new world in a grain of sand, find heaven in a flower, and feel warmth in your palm. I hope these words can encourage you to conquer very peak you have to face in the future.

I know that your time is limited, but China is really a very beautiful country , so welcome to China !

What I hope that you give me by return a letter of yours, because this has been my dream all the time, I hope that you can agree to my small request.

Yours,
Wangjian

Qiqihaer City

CHINA

Estimado José,
La presente tiene por motivo saludarte y contarte que soy una persona de Chile, tengo 59 años y que entre las cosas que han pasado en mi vida en algo has influído. Yo vivía en Santiago y despues de estudiar dos años en la Fuerza Aerea de Chile, fuí destinado en el mes de Enero del año 1971 a trabajar a la ciudad mas alejada del pais. Era la primera vez que me alejaba tanto de mi madre y mis hermanas. Para resumir, te contaré que en la Navidad de ese año me tocó hacer guardia, justo la primera Navidad que estaba lejos de mi hogar. Esa noche un compañero cuando me vió que me iba a mi pueto de guardia me dijo : Toma y me pasó un tocacassete y un cassete de Navidad de José Feliciano, lo escuché durante las cuatro horas que duró mi turno en un lugar muy solitario. Yo soy una persona que ama la Navidad y soy muy creyente del Señor Jesús.

Desde esa oportunidad busqué el LP en esa época de Navidad y lo encontré, y a lo largo de estos años lo he escuchado mil veces, aún lo conservo eso si que lo traspasaron a un CD. Cada año adorno mi casa para Navidad y el día de ayer estaba en eso escuchando tus canciones y le dije a mi mujer, Voy a buscar la página de José y le voy a contar lo que ha significado para mi vida ese trabajo de Navidad que hizo, pues cada vez que lo escucho vuelve a mi memoria la soledad y tristeza de esa noche de guardia y me emociono tanto como estoy escribiéndote en este momento. Quería contártelo y darte las gracias, pues está tu alma en esas interpretaciones.

Tengo mucha música de Navidad, y no se cuantas interpretaciones de canción Noche de Paz hay en mi colección. Y quiero decirte que tu interpretación es la mas hermosa que he escuchado, es inigualable y ha llenado mi corazón por años y no la he escuchado solo en Navidad sino durante el año. Mi esposa Soledad tiene el mismo sentir y adora tus interpretaciones , y le gusta mucho el Villancico del cerezo.

Quiero desearte una Muy Feliz Navidad Junto a tu esposa Susan y que el Señor siga bendiciendo tu hermoso don, Voz y Guitarra.

Un cariñoso abrazo para ti.

Leopoldo P.

It was so great to discover some of Jose's music this evening on YouTube.

I remember as a teenager listening intimately to his music, the songs are timeless and cross generational barriers. Our 18 year old son was impressed as well as our daughters!

Would be great to see you in Wellington New Zealand sometime if possible :)

Judith A.

Dear Jose,
I have been listening to and enjoying your music for many years, Until I discovered your web site I never know how you acheived your unique musical sound from a guitar like musical instrument.

Thank you for your music and I wish you many many more sucessful years in music.

Respectfully yours,
Richard D.

Dear Mr. Feliciano,
I just wanted to thank you for the years of joy you and your music have brought me, my friends and family and people all over the world.

I am 37 and find your music to be a huge healer. My parents are ill and I put my life on hold to take care of them and make them as comfortable as possible. I listen to your music to help bring us around and feel good again. I've become an even bigger fan of you and your music since I started really digging in and feeling your music.

You're indeed a special angel that God sent to us!

God bless you and your family and thank you very much !

Rob Francis
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

Your music is incredible!

I am 11 years old and just started taking guitar lessons. I am playing Feliz Navidad at my school's Christmas program and watched some of your performances on-line this morning.

If you are ever around Rockford, IL. I will be there to see you! You rock!

Merry Christmas.
Ben K.

Hello!
I just finished watching the Concert of Hope performance and was once again reminded of the extraordinary person, Jose Felciano is.

I met Jose about four years ago in the summer at the Alameda Co. Fair in California. My cousins made special arrangements for me to talk with him in person after I sat through two of his outstanding performances. They knew that I had always admired and appreciated his talent since my college days majoring in music and education during the late 60's and early 70's. We own every single one of his CDs. He is truly an inspiration - his talent is a gift from God to all of us.

He gave me a hug and a kiss on the cheek and when I told him I was from Carnation, Washington, with his great sense of humor, he asked me, "Do they drink a lot of milk there?" I was sure he was referring to the once famous Carnation Farms, which was recently purchased to become one of Paul Neuman's "Whole in the Wall Camps" for terminally ill kids. We only live 2 miles from it. I have pictures of Jose taken with me and my husband after his concert and I will never, ever, forget that day.

Thank you and God Bless you, Jose, for the many ways you share your musical gifts to make a better and more peaceful world.

Best Regards,
Louise from Carnation, WA

I'm 27 years old guitarist from Croatia,Zagreb.

I play mostly blues influenced rock and my songs are pretty much going in that direction.

I heard yesterday on youtube 'che sera' by Jose Feliciano. I was impressed with vivid and lifefull singing and was deeply touched with the energy of his performance.

From this point, Jose will probably be a great source of inspiration for me.

Ivan

My father & I were in the front row last night.....he has seen Mr Feliciano perform many times - but this was my first time & I was blown away by the love and the passion Jose played with.

I am now and will be for the rest of my life a devoted & inspired fan...I just wanted to say thank you for all the joy you bring to our hearts. I have played guitar since I was 9 ( i am now 31) & i really love the technique & style Mr Feliciano uses...

I hope you will pass along my thank you & I also hope that Mr Feliciano is feeling much better.

- God bless!
-Joey M N

Dear Mr. Feliciano,
I certainly hope that this message gets relayed to you.

My name is Marti and I am a Deacon at a church in Washington, DC. At one of our Christmas caroling trips to a nearby retirement home - with three different levels of medical care - we sang your "Feliz Navidad"; one of my fellow Deacons can play guitar so it worked out nicely.

I just wanted you to know that in the Alzheimers Care Unit some of the patients knew and remembered your song! These were persons in their 70s and 80s, and their faces lit up with smiles.

I am weeping as I type this, so I had better stop now. I thank you for very much for writing such a joyous song.

Bendiciones y paz,
Marti

Dear Jose,
I want to thank you so much for your recent performance in our town and I hope your come back again soon. We had a wonderful time and we also had a small Puerto Rican contingency in the audience that night spanning several generations. We are a close knit Puerto Rican family from Aguadilla and Jayuya who have grown throughout the years listening to your wonderful music. I personally have enjoyed your music since I was ten and at fifty-one I still think your are great. This performance was very special to us since i had my father, brothers, mother in-law, nephew and nieces (ages seven to seventy).

But, that evening was very special for both my wife and I because my 17 year old son Andrew was with us. He plays the guitar locally in a heavy metal band. He has only heard of you through name and a few songs. But, that night he was blown away to pieces to see you in person and watch a true legend playing his favorite instrument and some of his favorite songs. He couldn't find any words to describe you, all he could say to me was "DAD, HE IS AMAZING". He was fascinated and at the same time he was soaking it in like a sponge. We don't know where he will eventually go with musical abilities, but he will never be the same.

I pray to the Good Lord that He Bless You always and keep in exceptional health and let you continue spreading your wonderful gift for the world to enjoy for many, many more years.

Best wishes and Blessings to you and your family from two faithful fans:

Wilson y Yolanda

My name is Jason M*****, and I live in the Rep. of Ireland. I am a lifelong fan of Jose but never had the privilege of seeing him live in concert. I am very interested to find out what his tour schedule is for I am prepared to travel anywhere in the world with my wife, who is also a big fan. It would be a dream come true.

I thank you for your time and hope to hear from you soon.

For over 40 years, I've been listening to your music, your songs, and your voice... bravo.

Growing up a Puerto Rican boy in New York, I can still remember the ruckus you caused when you made the national anthem your own, a feat since then often imitated -- but never equalled. I remember asking one of my older brothers, "Who sang that?", to which he answered, "Jose Feliciano, a brave young man".

Your musical talents are nothing if not remarkable, regardless of whatever "handicap" you may be percieved as having. I, myself, have been blessed with eyesight but, I dare admit, I don't have your vision. I wonder what it must be like to see with the soul, and not just the eyes.

Your music has made my life more complete, both in English and Spanish; I hope to be able to continue enjoying your works for many years to come.

I bid you farewell. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for allowing me to share in the wonder that is your music.

Sincerely
Eric T.

I have been a fan of your since there was black and white TV's! I was about 8 years old and my father was the one who had me watch you sing on TV. You are right -- music is good for the soul.

Now I have an 8 year old daughter and every Christmas we listen to you sing Feliz Navidad. This was the first year she asked questions about you, so I read your story from your web site as she asked a lot of questions about you. Thank you for the wonderful years of music you have given all of us and all the years to come! I wish you toured through the midwest (St. Louis), as I have never seen you perform live. It would be one my daughter and I would attend.

Thank you for your time an again thank you for all your wonderful songs and making all of our lives more enjoyable with your music.

Thank you so much.
Earl L

I could not help the tears in my eyes reading through the fan messages.

Seeing the LOVE that we have for you. And your gift that you have given to us. I am so GLAD to live at the same time, at the same planet with you, to know you, your talent your music and feed my soul with your wonderful masterpieces.

Thank you for being who you are.

Thank you for giving this world a real talent like you. You unite people from all over the world and whatever, whoever we are we come together at one point, love for Jose & his music.

Thank you Jose. For reminding us that we are humans..We have emotions..

I would really really love to HUG you and thank you from the bottom of my heart. God Bless You!

Your great fan from Istanbul,Turkey

Deniz, 30

I thought I'd take a moment to let you know that your music has brought me so very much joy for most of my life. My parents took me to a concert you gave in St. Louis in the seventies, and I have been a devoted fan ever since.

As an adult, I have come to appreciate the genius of your guitar playing, but as a child, it was your voice that won my heart. Even now all I need to do is hear one of your songs and I'm filled with happiness! Thank you for all the joy you've given me!

Ann

You have the voice of an angel . Your live version of Que sera is the best song I've ever heard . The vision you share through your music is that of pure beauty.

May God continue to bless you Sir.

Thank You.

Landrus

India misses you, especially me as I missed your first concert in India (I was travelling) and would want you to come, play and be amongst us for few days.

You have a great number of "dedicated" fans in India.

Do come soon.
Abhi

I would just like to thank you for your music over the years. I have been a fan since the 60,s and in Scotland we would hope one day you may tour the city of Glasgow.

I was widowed 5 years ago and it was your music that helped me through the difficult times.

Once again thank you from a fan in Scotland - Ann

Hi my name is Nils B******* and I am 11 years old.

I have been your biggest fan forever and it would be so awesome if could just send me an autograph and I would frame it, copy it and put it all over the house.

I love you and I hope i will get to meet you someday!!!!

Nils

Dear Jose,

thank you for the music that has changed my life and I am honored to let you know that you have influenced me alot and I love you and your music.

gino

dear jose, i recently turned 60, and became somewhat nostalgic about my youthful years at ohio state university, and my love then, who is my husband now. the year was 1968 and that was the summer of your "light my fire" which wafted through the summer breezes and on every radio station. your voice was the musical expression of the feelings i was experiencing during those late teen years, and i cannot revisit those times without thinking of you, your music and how much i loved it!

coming from a very modest home, i only had a couple albums, yours, herb alpert, and andy williams. also, the covers you choose, like "always something there to remind me", "since i fell for you", and "lyin eyes" were all my favorites. i feel a kindred spirit in you!! i would love to see you perform.

all the best to you,
diane

Susan,

Feliciano is blasting from our speakers, shaking the walls, vibrating the floors, snapping the blinds, even Sofie our Doberman is dancing! And it's hard to get a Doberman to dance! Jose is brilliant! Thank him for us, and tell him to keep on making music!

"Wow, why can't people see that a love like ours is meant to be?"

gerald

Tu musica es una caricia a mi alma.

GRACIAS,

Fernando

I have been listening to your music for the past 38 years, and in this brief letter I wanted to express just how special your music has been to the human kind. I can try to describe the magic, the gift, the genious, the artistry behind your music but simple words would not do justice. I am not a well known musician myself, however, I consider myself to have the utmost understanding, taste, and knowledge about what is true music.

As you know, over the past 50 years, there have been not only hundreds but thousands of great and talented musicians throughout, however, just as there are only 7 wonders of the world, as in the Grand Canyon, etc., there are only 6 "Wonders of the World" when it comes to music (Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, Earth Wind & Fire, The Eagles, Andy Williams, & YOU). You have been given a most unique gift from God in your gift of music. I consider all 6 of you as a National Treasure - that's the only way to describe the special gift you have allowed us to be part of. I hope you will soon be back in the Seattle area so we can once again experience the magic.

Blessings to you and your family.

- Jay -

Good morning!
I just wanted you to know how much you are appreciated. Back in the 1970's I saw you in person at the Robinson Auditorium in Little Rock, Arkansas. Such a moving wonderful experience. It stays with me...whether in times of sorrow or great joy. Thank you for just being you.

Kindest regards,
Rita B.

Dear Jose,
I heard your version of the national anthem years ago when i was a boy. I thought it was the most beautiful version i had ever heard, and you inspired me to sing and play guitar. Tonight, for some reason i was surfing the web and heard you singing the star spangled banner again...and it actually brought me to tears. You may never actually read this, but i want to thank you for your gift to the world of the beautiful music you create. God Bless you and your family!
Sincerely, Joe P.

My father & I were in the front row last night ...he has seen Mr feliciano perform many times - but this was my first time & I was blown away by the love and the passion jose played with. I am now and will be for the rest of my life a devoted & inspired fan...I just wanted to say thank you for all the joy you bring to our hearts. I have played guitar since I was 9 (i am now 21) & i really love the technique & style Mr Feliciano uses...

God bless!
-Joey M N

Dear Jose, your music is so inspiring to me.

When I was a young girl, back in the early 70's , my mother loved your music and it was always playing in our house. We lived in San Antonio Texas at that time. Her 2 favorite songs where "High Heel Sneakers", and of course, "Light my Fire". My mom passed away in 1999, and since then, I have moved to Memphis Tennessee. I am now 47 years old, and I recently came across a CD of yours, so I bought it. Those 2 songs are on that CD, and when I heard them for the first time in a long time, it made me cry. It took me back to a place I had not thought of in so many years, and I closed my eyes as you sang, and I almost could see my mom singing and dancing to your music just as she always did.

Thank you for that memory.
Leslie, Memphis Tennessee

Hola Jose, primero que todo que tengas un feliz año nuevo!

te escribo para agradecerte por tanta buena musica! creo que tus canciones fueron las primeras que escuche en mi vida... creo que es una de las razones por las que me gustan tanto!
Espero que te vaya muy bien en tu vida y que sigas teniendo exitos con tu buena musica!

Atentamente y con mucho mucho cariño desde Aragua - Venezuela, Elizabeth R.

Your music has become a recent inspiration to me, yet my wife, has been listening to and inspired by you since she was in elementry school (early '70's), she is the one that has introduced me to you.

It is refreshing to see an artist choose to work at progressing in their talent vs. living only in their early successes. This is one of the things we admire. It's obvious that God has and still is giving you much to say to the world and we appreciate the peaceful way you present yourself. Too many artists seem to be yelling their ideas from the rooftops these days, which make people hear but then easily forget. There is strength and longevity in a steady character, which I'm sure can explain why all that you say through your music is still reaching people. Thank you for giving from your heart.

Thank you, Mark L.

P.S.
My wife loves the photo of you and Susan in the earlier days. She is a photographer and wants me to mention to you both that this image has touched her and inspires her when photographing couples in her own work. She finds it projects such a warm romantic feel that it clearly comes across as a special moment caught in time. M.L.

Dear Jose,
I just love your music, both in English and Spanish. After listening to one of your songs, I find myself hearing it in my head for hours after I've heard it. I can't tell you enough how much I enjoy your music. I have most of your CD's. Well, I did have most of your CDs before Hurricane Katrina payed me a visit. I live in New Orleans and my house was destroyed by the storm.

There are lots of Latino people here helping to rebuild our community. It amazes me what Latino people go through just to make a living. Their dedication to family is remarkable. Thanks to them I'm in my home. I've revisited your music too. In fact, some of the guys washed my CD's with soap and water, trying to save a couple them. After seeing how hard they work for a better life here in USA gives me an educated respect as to how difficult their journey really is.

Jose, you're a blessing to all of us. But, especially to the people who come to this country with next to nothing, just trying to build a better life. Not only do you give them good music you give them hope to follow their dreams.
Thanks again. Aileen