Dearest Friends,

I can't thank you enough for broadcasting Barn Dance Bluegrass on Friday nights.  I've told you before that I would come home from school on Fridays looking forward to your program.  Listening to the selections and knowing that you're a musical family yourselves transported me to the times our family would get together and sing at home.  Our mother would suggest the songs.  Sometimes we would grumble about it but if only we had our dear parents and sister Juanita with us today, we wouldn't be grumbling. Ma and Dad were our biggest fans and sister, Fern (Juanita) was the best at singing harmony and playing piano.  She was a musical genius in my book. How we all miss them.

 Not only did your show bring comfort while missing our parents and sister, it also was company for me.  My husband passed away of Covid in 2021. Laureen and I would text back and forth with our likes/dislikes and "what would Ma and Juanita think of that song/version? This little activity helped pass the time and bring life to me.

Thank you for featuring Larry Lee, Jeanette, Laureen, and Neal and his band on your program. I may be their biggest fans.

Thank you for all you did for the Belvidere Community Club and the Rattling Brook Bluegrass Festival too.  I hope you will be able to attend this year.  It's not that far away now.

I'm showering you with God's blessing as a family and individually.  Here's to friendship and bluegrass!

Still looking up,

Emily Brown Lapan