Open Letter to Lindsey Buckingham

[TrueFaith77]

I think I'm going to send this to his myspace:


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Dear Lindsey Buckingham,

Amidst the many rumours about upcoming Fleetwood Mac projects (touring & even new music!!), I wanted to offer some suggestions that I hope you will take in the proper spirit. Given the special investment your fans have in your career and in the fate of Fleetwood Mac, I'm sure everyone has their own ideas about what is best. I don't mean to add to that pressure.

However, perhaps I have some ideas you had not considered or that might inspire you or might even offer some support for you:

1. It might be interesting to consider creative marketing or distribution ideas for the next Fleetwood Mac project (ala The Eagle's lucrative Wal-Mart deal). My thought: iTunes! In the 90s, the band Wedding Present released a new double-A side single every month for an entire year. Each single contained one original track by the group and one cover on the flipside. This amounted to 24 single-worthy songs called The Hit Parade.

Just as an idea to encourage some brainstorming, Fleetwood Mac could release one or two tracks on iTunes, every month, for a year. Make an event out of it. I don't know how iTunes works, but this strikes me as a very cost-effective idea, as well. This might engender some good press too! To my knowledge, no artist has ever attempted such a thing. At the end of the year, the songs would be collected in a proper CD release. Then, fans would buy everything twice. I know I would! And, for the general audience, you would reach the most amount of potential customers with either iTunes or CD-shoppers.

2. There's been lots of talk about bringing in outside producers for the next Fleetwood Mac album. Although there are many talented producers out there, I have to make sure one in particular is added to the list of potenitals: Timbaland. In numerous interviews, Timbaland expressed his interested in working with rock bands. No other music artist today better defines the sound of today than Timbaland. He brings out the best qualities of a song and an artist, while placing his own recognizable stamp on the final product. He's a true pop artist. The thought of the Mac and Timbaland collaborating is staggering.

If not Timbaland, I think it's very intriguing that the Pet Shop Boys have expressed the desire to work with Stevie Nicks. Consider it. . . The work they've done for Madonna, Boy George, The Killers(!), and Robbie Williams resulted in their best work.

3. As you may be considering adding a new member to the group, I wanted to remind everyone of what the Rumours-era Mac singers/songwriters have always had in common:

A) Lindsey Buckingham is a genius
B) Stevie Nicks is a genius
C) Christine McVie is a genius

4. Will a second female be added to the line-up? Rumours have it. So, I wanted to make three suggestions in all seriousness:

A) Iris DeMent
B) Amy Winehouse
C) Sarah Cracknell

5. If there was ever a desire for a new guitarist to join the group along with you (for example, if Stevie Nicks decides not to participate this time), there is one guitarist alive who can look you in the eye: Johnny Marr. But don't forget Marr's Electronic cohort. New Order broke up recently, so Bernard Sumner might fit in the Mac fold nicely also. That said: I know it's all about the right chemistry.

6. The best advice I can offer is to remain true to yourself. If you do that, I know I'll love it!


Best wishes,

John


P.S. - The Say You Will album is a masterpiece.