MAILBAG ARCHIVES:

- September 20, 2000

- July 04, 2000

- June 09, 2000

- May 18, 2000

- March 05, 2000

- January 11, 2000

- December 27, 1999

- November 02, 1999

- September 18, 1999

- August 27, 1999

- March 16, 1999

- January 30, 1999

- October 22, 1998

- April 26, 1998

- March 30, 1998

- March 17, 1998

January 11, 2000:

A long overdue addition to these pages -- a group shot of our friends at the very first Jemfest! For more info on Jemfest, which has its second gathering planned for Las Vegas in 2000, please do visit jemfest.com!

Four photos from Jay Cash. Notice Jay's tattoo? His other one is bigger, and is on the tattoos page!

Congrats to Steve for the Grammy nomination in Catagory 18, Best Rock Instrumental Performance: Windows to the Soul. This is truly great!

Kelly R.

Hello all,

I didn't have an e-mail address to send this comment to but I do now so here we go! I just wanted Mr. Vai to know that he does actually have female fans that know his music better than most males! Not all of us come to his shows to check out his bod!

He had made a comment on stage when he was introducing "Voodoo Acid" that "going to school at Berklee was like going to a Steve Vai show: 100 guys to 2 girls". Something like that, but then he was quick to say that there was probably some girl in the audience saying, "But I brought my boyfriend". Well, that was me!

We really loved the show and it was one of the best times that I had seen him. I drove all the way from Pittsburgh, PA to see the show too so talk about dedicated :)

Anyway, I just thought that I'd make that comment so that he doesn't think that all females are alike.

One "different" fan,

Jen

Hey there!

Although I'm not real familiar with your work, I have heard some and was quite impressed. I am in the process of marketing my poems and songs and it is indeed a bear, but the reason for this letter is what I read on the site about individuality and the way we are and that kinda stuff. You are obviously NOT another trendy big hair guy from the 80's! I have been playing around with the guitar for about 20 plus years, just for entertainment, and there are those times when everything clicks and I'm on cloud 9 and usually alone, but there is no greater feeling than being able to make music. Even though it's just for me!! Good fortune with your family and career!!!

Billy Azlin

From a couple of long time fans... The show in Raleigh, NC back in November just blew us away!!! Thank you Steve so much for coming to Raleigh! The whole band is awesome and so talented, and so friendly! What a great bunch of guys!

Hope to see you again!

Doug, Dale, Daryl, David

Here's a pic of Steve onstage at the Long Branch

Steve Vai and Steve Josovitz

Ladies and gentlemen, the talented and devoted Ms. Tamara Filas

Hi Steve!

I drew this little thing inspired by your own work as an artist. It's just my way of saying 'thanks' for your gift of music to my life. I know that it may appear a bit 'dark', which I know isn't really you, but that was not my intention. It just kind of developed into what you see here! My state of mind was that of creativity and mysticism, something that your music has always given to me. I know that you are a very busy person, but I would love to know what you think about it, if at all possible! Anyway, thanks again for all that you've unknowingly given to me over the years!

Sincerely,
Frederick Javier. :-)

Dear Steve,

Well, I really don't know where to start. You have been a major influence in my guitar playing. Although not famous (yet...) I hope to be sometime in the future. I've never seen you live (I don't believe you ever came to Stony Plain, Alberta, Canada) but hey, CD's are the next best thing (well, not quite as good as vinyl if you take care of it, but anyways....) So basically, "Passion And Warfare" was my first Vai experience. Oh, and Crossroads and the two tracks on "Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey" (excellent!). After finally piecing my way through "Eugene's Trick Bag", and actually getting good tone and speed out of it (which is extremely difficult on a primitive 21-fret guitar where I have to fret the 2nd string against the middle pickup to achieve the last note) I then listened to "Passion And Warfare". I think I still have a slight scar on my chin from when my jaw dropped to the floor. Awesome, awesome album.

I don't know. Maybe it's the caffeine talking, but all things considered, you are one of the greatest guitarists that I have ever had the privilege to listen to and be inspired by. I have been playing guitar for 10 years, and now I realize what I have been missing. I think I'm doing okay for 15. Hey, maybe if my little demo CD that I'm recording turns into anything, you never know - I might become a somebody. I love music, and love listening to people who show love for music (maybe that's why nowadays people in my school don't listen to the same music that I do? Or maybe because I have longer hair than most of the women in my grade...?). I think it's everyone's dream to become famous for something they love doing, and ever since I won the talent show at my school I knew that making music is what I really want to do. And now I'm one step closer having great musical inspirations like yourself (now the next step is a new guitar, when I can find a job at a business that won't go under...)

Take care, and keep up the excellent work!

Jonathan Stanbridge

P.S. Do you know of any 1st string that lasts more than a week with constant use of the whammy bar? Didn't think so.... Anyways, hope you come to Edmonton soon so I can come down and hear you live!