Dan Fogelberg Musical
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Jean Wrote Back

12/16/2010

30 Comments

 
The day after I sent my e-mail, Jean wrote back.  I couldn’t fathom that she had responded herself.  I felt sure that one of the gatekeepers of all things Fogelberg would be reading my e-mail and that perhaps it would never reach her.  When I saw that the return e-mail was signed by Jean, I called Richard at work and then drove to Karen.  We jumped around like kids, barely able to contain our excitement.
 
Jean’s response was short and sweet:
 
Dear Kate,
 
I have received so many letters over the last three years, from people who have ideas for all kinds of projects. Sometimes I just don't answer because the time it would take to write a letter that would politely decline the offer while not discouraging their creative energy is just more than I can spare. But I do try. However, in reading your letter, I felt something. I've had people ask about doing an ABBA-type show before, and I love the idea, but have always passed. Perhaps it was the way you express yourself, maybe it's because today is the 3rd anniversary of Dan's passing, but I feel like I would like to hear more. I warn you, I'm a tough sell - it has to be classy and something I feel Dan would approve of - but I'd like to at least hear more about the storyline. How would you be most comfortable doing this?
Sincerely,
 
Jean Fogelberg
 
Not only were we thrilled, but the idea that I had sent the e-mail the day that I did, without realizing the import, was unbelievable.  Our gut instincts told us that we had one shot only to present our idea to Jean.  So when she suggested we meet over Skype, we resisted.  We knew we had to present in person, so Jean could see and feel  the full impact of what we wanted to accomplish.  We would fly ANYWHERE, we told her.   

After several e-mails back and forth, Jean said, “I’ll be in Nashville in February, do you want to meet me there?”  You bet we would!  Richard, Karen and I booked our tickets and began to gather what we needed for a full-on presentation!
 
We went to Victor Vanacore’s studio, where we took video of him arranging six of Dan’s songs on the fly.  We played Victor Dan’s version of BELIEVE IN ME, and explained to him that our 16 year-old ingenue would first sing this song to her newborn baby boy before she had to turn him over to be adopted.  Victor turned BELIEVE IN ME into a lullaby before our eyes.  
 
Karen had the brilliant idea of putting together a mock PLAYBILL to show the WHO’s WHO on the team, as well as the MUSICAL NUMBERS, CHARACTERS & SETTINGS, and all the usual  items one finds in a Playbill at the theatre.  We had a great time working on the design...
 
A week  before we were scheduled to arrive in Nashville, Jean e-mailed to ask if we’d mind if she brought Norbert Putnam (Dan’s longtime record producer) and his wife Sheryl along to hear our pitch.  Of course she could!

With our materials, my laptop, and Victor’s videos in hand, we got on a plane and flew from LA to Nashville, Tennessee.  It would be the six of us in a conference room in the Vanderbilt Hotel on Feb 19, 2011.

- Kate Atkinson
Picture
Jean Fogelberg
Picture
Norbert & Sheryl Putnam
30 Comments
Kathy Barnes
6/19/2013 06:24:41 am

Amazing. I can't wait to read more.

Reply
Richard Lambert
4/29/2014 07:56:54 am

Wow...getting to meet Norbert and Jean at the same time. What a total treat! Two people who were so close to Dan and such an important part of his life.

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char
6/19/2013 07:32:38 am

This blog in itself is a play of sorts...I FREAKIN LOVE IT... MAN YOU
GUYS SO ROCK!

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Monica (Mon) Allegro
6/19/2013 07:41:48 am

What a great blog! It made me feel like I was watching a documentary while reading it. So excited for all of you!

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Mary Ann
6/19/2013 08:16:00 am

Love this! Looking forward to the next installment . . .

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Phyllis Viola
6/19/2013 08:35:11 am

Jean is correct. Your writing is compelling.

More!! Please!

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Kate & Karen
6/19/2013 08:48:05 am

Thank you ALL for your generous remarks. We love hearing what you have to say. We'll keep writing... Karen's point of view coming soon ;-) Stay tuned...

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Linda Roberts
6/19/2013 08:48:32 am

Following with great admiration.

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Paula
6/19/2013 09:11:19 am

Can't wait to read more....great storytelling!!

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Don Hensiak
6/19/2013 10:53:00 am

Longtime Dan fan - Memories of "Souvenirs" in my new '78 Camaro driving to and from UW Whitewater...and in 2010 my own bout with prostate cancer. If it wasn't for Dan, not sure I'd have been ahead of the psa curve. Watching your blog with great interest!

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Kate & Karen
6/25/2013 08:25:32 am

We are so glad that you pulled through and that Dan helped you along the way. He's like a guardian angel to so many! Thanks for following us...

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Debbi
6/19/2013 11:00:11 am

Can't wait to read more about this exciting production!!

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Lisa M
6/19/2013 01:31:59 pm

After Dan died, I found hours I didn't even know I had available to me that I spent scouring the internet for every shred of info I could find about his life. I had already been a fan for 35 years and thought I was well-versed on his music and the tidbits of his personal life that he had offered up over the years, but I continued this endeavor as those hours brought me comfort - especially as I tried to understand the deep grief I felt for the passing of someone I had never met, but whose life had made such a difference in mine. During that time I discovered that he had never been asked to compose a musical score for a movie - huh? Such a poetic, brilliant composer and musician - how could he have been overlooked. Perhaps that opportunity has finally come around in the form of this musical. Sounds like a very exciting project!

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Phyllis Viola
6/19/2013 02:01:34 pm

Well said Lisa. I grieve each December now. For a man I never met.

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Kate & Karen
6/25/2013 08:30:51 am

It's amazing how deep the grief was for Dan's fans, and how many of you so eloquently express what it was like losing him. But know that he's still with us. We've all got his music! I know for us, we are so honored to be entrusted - by Jean and all of YOU - with this endeavor.

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Susan W
6/28/2013 03:48:47 am

In the late '70s, my mother came back from a trip with a copy of "Netherlands" for me. From the moment I put it on the turntable of my little Juliette stereo, I was hooked. The title song is nothing less than majestic. There is no other word for it. I went to a record store (oh, how I miss those!), found his other albums, and fell in love. "Netherlands" and "Souvenirs" continue to be two of my most cherished possessions - now on CD! - and I am so excited about this project. Keep us all informed, please!

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Mary
6/28/2013 03:53:44 am

Would love for the musical to become reality! I started loving Dan's music as a young girl with an older sister who had all his albums. I have found myself missing him as much as a complete stranger could (though probably more). . .

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RONN SCALA
6/28/2013 04:01:22 am

Dan was one of the greatest men I've ever met. His music is timeless!!!! I will forever be great full for the moments we spent and the kind words he said about my music.
God only made one DAN FOGELBERG

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Tom Kohlmeyer
6/28/2013 04:45:50 am

Kate:

Looks like you have certainly done your homework and have come up with a winning formula. Have met and spoken with Jean myself in 2010. She was good to warn you that she is a tough sell. Her bringing Norbert on board was a good sign that she felt fairly certain that you had a viable concept in place.

I have a suggestion: Mike Hanna, Dan's touring keyboard player and arranger from the "Windows and Walls" album forward lives in the Nashville area and would likely be very interested in working with you regarding your project. He's a super nice guy and knows Dan's music inside and out. He can be contacted via Facebook and goes by Michael Hanna on there. I'd be more than happy to assist in helping you make contact.

All the best, and my complements on the fantastic idea you've come up with.

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Kathy Maxwell
6/28/2013 05:28:35 am

I agree--the making of this is as awesome as actually play. Have been fan since my Exiles (understood the emotions as going thru breakup myself then)--but rediscovered him a few years back and started collecting earlier works and amazed at how much they still speak/connect with me--even after all this time. Looking forward to followups!

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Carl Castner link
6/28/2013 05:32:31 am

Some people just do not understand, this is a blessing and they need to hear and see what we are all about. You see Dan changed so many peoples life from heart ache to happiness and then some. His music will always be apart of me and my soul, I own every one of his records and never get tired of hearing his words,,, Sing on Dan F. sing on through the night

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Kathleen Hendrickson-Reed
6/28/2013 05:41:50 am

Thank-you to everyone involved in keeping the music alive . I hope that many will come to know the genus of his work. And, that he will be acknowledged; for all the effort that it must have taken him to produce, all of his dreams.

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Amy
6/28/2013 05:56:21 am

As a devout Dan Fan who loves all things Broadway...I am super excited about this. I used to reach a type of Nirvana from every concert. I am afraid that no other experience would make me feel that way.

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Nancy Winters
6/28/2013 09:26:33 am

I am hooked. Can't wait to hear the next part of the story. Am so excited for this musical!

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John
6/28/2013 11:32:08 am

As a Peoria native and big Dan fan, I would love to see this take shape. I do not believe Dan Fogelberg ever got the recognition he deserved as a serious artist. So many people wrote him off in their obit as "a 70's soft-rock singer" or worse. When he was making stellar albums in his prime, the critics were merciless when they reviewed him. Nothing would validate his legacy as an artist more than a Broadway show. Dan deserves it. It's not about his fans or about how he passed away. It's about Dan's songs, which are timeless and tell beautiful stories. Hell, "The Innocent Age" alone is one full act! You wouldn't have to change a word. Keep us all posted. and thank you!

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Jarod
6/28/2013 06:23:17 pm

This sounds amazing... I grew up on Dan Fogelberg and I know that you will honor his memory. Can't wait to hear more

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Harry Carlin link
6/28/2013 09:45:18 pm

Dan was such an amazing singer and songwriter who I had the pleasure of seeing live a few times. I own every released recording he ever made and considered him my favorite male singer.
I was devastated to hear of his passing and was hoping that there was something in the archives or that some sort of tribute would be made.
I am so anxious to hear more

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Cathy oNeill
6/29/2013 12:56:59 pm

Millions of us would go! Do broadway!

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вакансия удаленный журналист link
5/14/2014 02:49:18 pm

I love blogging when it really is for or about something I believe in. I also read news blogs often and locate that it makes me feel significantly a lot more intelligent every time I read them. I also feel like I'm a pretty good person who tries to treat others with respect, no matter what their view is. There are some real haters out there. Thanks once again. I learned several points about blogging. I will certainly put your internet site on my speed dial.

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Aleta Boyette
2/24/2018 03:24:04 am

When I start to think about Dan and all that beautiful music, I do get a bit sad, but then I only need to google any one of his songs and remember him fondly.

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