dear music lover,

you don’t hear from me often. and just like that uncle of yours who calls around the holidays to ask for money, when you do hear from me, my tidings are unsolicited, irrelevant to your own goings-on, and often include subject matter that you don’t want your children overhearing (see my past posts on our blog, but make sure you have your parents’ consent first). i guess the only real difference is that i’m not looking for a handout. well, that, and unlike your delinquent kinsman, i’ve never been convicted of a felony. key word: convicted.

i’ve decided, for reasons that are too multifaceted to expound upon here, to end my tenure with good night, states. okay, wipe the tears from your eyes and/or that shocked expression off your face. we’re still friends. at first, it’ll be a little awkward when we both show up to your party and one of us is there with somebody new, but after a while, you’ll just forget about that time we asked you to be the dj at our wedding reception.

i’m hopeful that for everyone involved this change will be an opportunity for continued musical endeavors that are even better. i certainly expect much more great music from good night, states, and i hope you’ll still be listening when their next release becomes available.

i’ll leave it to your imagination as to whether or not i’m leaving good night, states to join the folk-rock band that may or may not have been alluded to in the title of this letter. for my sake, i sure hope not.

to all of our fans and all of my friends and relatives, thank you so much for your open ears and moral support. i hope that you will continue to follow good night, states as they move forward without me. i’ve still got my band email account for now, so you can direct your well-wishes/death-threats here . if you’re a friend or a family member, just call me with your death-threat, preferably after 9:00 pm or via the at&t network.

farewell,

joe

p.s. i did actually receive a death-threat once on a good night, states postcard, but if you were hoping to be the first, be consoled: i take the time to read all my fan mail, and if you really are plotting my assassination, you may even get a reply.