My Correspondence W/ The Nicksfix

ricohv · #1 12-14-2004, 04:46 PM

I wrote the Nicksfix w/ some suggestions and received a very thoughtful response. I will post both:
Dear Mr. Kinney,
I wanted to offer some ideas for the Nicksfix. There seems to be a fair amount of fans who feel Stevie is very removed from her fans and question whether she evens writes the very short answers to her Q. & A. Perhaps when there are forms for Christmas or birthday greetings at the Nicksfix, the e-mail addresses from senders could be automatically collected. Stevie could then write a short note to those fans that could be sent out to that list. Or perhaps a note automatically sent to those who send in questions that read something like "Hello and thank you for your interest in sending me questions at the Nicksfix. I am sorry time does not all me to answer them all, but I will try to get to as many as I can. All my love, Stevie Nicks.".
I'm not sure how much direct contact you have with Stevie but it seems like she could even dictate a short response for people who send in questions, birthday greetings and Christmas greetings in a very short time. I also am not terribly computer adept but I would imagine there are programs that could collect the e-mail addresses and send the responses to them directly.
Personally I have sent fan letters over the years and sent messages and questions through your forms numerous times. I've never received any type of response. I understand that Stevie would never have time to answer every single message she received, but I think many fans would be overwhelmed to even receive a group e-mail.
Just a thought-thanks for your consideration and for running such a great site.
Sincerely,
Ricoh Vigen
p.s. I was also thinking maybe on the Nicksfix you could have a section about your experience as a fan, what led you to making the site and then how it went on to become the "official site", and your experience of meeting or working with Stevie. Was she what you thought she'd be like? Do you work with her much personally? Does she have much input as to what is posted on the site? e.g. Does her camp supply you with pictures for the "weekly picture" or ever come up with ideas or information for the site to keep it interesting and fresh? These are just curiosities that I think I share with other fans. Thanks again!

John Kinney's response:

Hi Ricoh,

Thanks for the comments and question. I know Stevie's answers are often short, but I think it's just a time issue...she tries to do as many as she can with the time allowed. I usually send her a batch of maybe 20 and she answers them all and sends them back. I then post them slowly over a week or so. Stevie does answer her greetings as a group response typically. She just did that earlier this summer for her birthday. I usually ask her to do it in her own handwriting so people know it's her answering and not her assistant. I'm happy she does this forum and I won't make too many suggestions that she change the way she does it.

We have about 5000 questions in the queue now for Ask Stevie so I'm not surprised that yours may not have been answered. She agreed to answer them as her time allowss and I'm OK with that. She often takes time to share other things with her fans such as her 911 journal and the recent Thanksgiving message to the troops. I think she does OK. Here are some of the replies I mentioned:

http://www.nicksfix.com/birthday_note_2004.htm
http://www.nicksfix.com/stevies_journal.htm
http://www.nicksfix.com/thanksgiving2004.htm
http://www.nicksfix.com/letter_to_troops_mar18_2003.htm
http://www.nicksfix.com/birthday_note_2002.gif

Stevie also goes through a lot of fan mail. I get a handfull of cards and letters every day and I box them up and send them to her when I fill up a box. I'm sure she's overwhelmed, but she took time to send autographed photos to many of them while catching up after the FWMac tour. They had really piled up.

Regarding my experience as a fan...I actually prefer to work behind the scenes. The tourbook for Stevie's last solo tour had a page devoted to the Nicks Fix and told my story there. That's really more attention than I am comfortable with.

Another feature we will be adding over the holidays is the "Ask the backup singer" section, where fans can ask questions of Sharon and Lori. I have had a lot of interest in this in my personal polls.

I hope this answered most of your questions. Thanks again for your comments and suggestions..they are always welcome.

regards,
john

I just thought thought I would post these as it does make me beleive Stevie writes her responses and I beleive John wants to keep that credibility. I'm looking forward to the "Ask the Back-up Singer" section!!!

GateandGarden · #2 12-14-2004, 05:03 PM

Thanks for posting that. It's cool that there's going to be an "Ask the Back-Up Singers" and very cool that you got such a thoughtful response! This does lead me to believe that Stevie answers those Q&A questions, though I've been on the fence about that for a long time.

Hillary

Serrart · #3 12-14-2004, 05:24 PM

Maybe John Kinney should start a personal Q & A too on the site, his response is very accurate and nice

. I also like a lot the "ask the back-up singers" idea, hope it would solve some misteries about the SYW setlist.

Romy

ShangriLaTroubl · #4 12-14-2004, 05:25 PM

I'm glad he's still doing the ask the background singers thing, he had told me about that about 2 months ago in a chat conversation on AIM we had..I never thought it would actually come to life though..

Chris

ricohv · #5 12-14-2004, 05:31 PM

I know, it gave me more faith, too. After our initial correspondence, I e-mailed back asking permission to post his reply, which I (again very politely) received. Now I'm shrinking in a corner hoping he doesn't read the "3 retarded questions..." thread, or more specifically my response to that thread:
And how unfortunate that three retarded questions begat three retarded answers.
Stevie, oh Stevie, why can you babble away to interviewers and talk show hosts and magazine journalists (the very people who are so ruthless to you sometimes) about holes in your nose you could fly Don Henley's learjet through, and menopausing on tour, and even occasionally such "easy target" fodder like "I married my best friend's widower" (say "I married an axe murderer", less eyebrows would raise!), but can't open your heart (and your mouth) to those of us who have lived like paupers so that we could spend all our $ on you. Our money in your pocket, patrons of your art if you willl, to maintain your rock n roll ballerina lifestyle. And yet you throw us crumbs, as if it's part of your High Princess duties to acknowledge the commoners (BUT NOT TOO MUCH!) by answering our Q's (only brieif ones that don't thought provoke) with your A's (extremely short so as too avoid risk of carpel-tunnel in your typing/tamborine hand!)
And I'm just being sarcastic guys!!!
Ricoh
Well, hopefully he (and/or Stevie) could have a sense of humor about this, too!?!

Sorry Stevie!

GardenStateGirlie · #6 12-14-2004, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ricohv

Another feature we will be adding over the holidays is the "Ask the backup singer" section, where fans can ask questions of Sharon and Lori. I have had a lot of interest in this in my personal polls.

Um...WOOOOOOOOOT!!!!!!!!)#*!)#&!#

NicksIllume · #7 12-14-2004, 05:40 PM

Why am I more excited about the ask the back-up singers than ask Stevie?

ricohv · #8 12-14-2004, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Serrart

Maybe John Kinney should start a personal Q & A too on the site, his response is very accurate and nice

. I also like a lot the "ask the back-up singers" idea, hope it would solve some misteries about the SYW setlist.

Romy

I would be very interested in that as well, but his response to me asking him for a page on his experience, how the site became "official", etc. etc. was:

Regarding my experience as a fan...I actually prefer to work behind the scenes. The tourbook for Stevie's last solo tour had a page devoted to the Nicks Fix and told my story there. That's really more attention than I am comfortable with.

That makes me think we are not going to see a John Kinney Q & A anytime soon. Anyone feel like transcribing that page from the tourbook, or even just giving the highlights of the Nicksfix story from it?

Ricoh

GateandGarden · #9 12-14-2004, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ricohv

I know, it gave me more faith, too. After our initial correspondence, I e-mailed back asking permission to post his reply, which I (again very politely) received. Now I'm shrinking in a corner hoping he doesn't read the "3 retarded questions..." thread, or more specifically my response to that thread...[/COLOR]

I can understand why you would feel uncomfortable with the idea of Stevie and/or John reading that, but I just think it's brilliant. I laughed out loud when I read it because it is very obviously sarcastic, yet there is a genuine sentiment of admiration for Stevie as an artist behind that sarcasm. I like how you see her as a real person with just as many flaws as the rest of us but love her just the same. I know that shouldn't be so difficult, but there are so many people out there who think she's truly some kind of goddess we cannot touch. This will be even more cliche than the rest of my post, but I like how that post was very real. Sure, there are more interesting terms out there than "real," but I felt that one summed it up.

Hillary

DeadliestPoison · #10 12-14-2004, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ricohv

Another feature we will be adding over the holidays is the "Ask the backup singer" section, where fans can ask questions of Sharon and Lori. I have had a lot of interest in this in my personal polls.

WHAT ABOUT ELISECIA!!!!!!!

-_-

amber · #11 12-14-2004, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NicksIllume

Why am I more excited about the ask the back-up singers than ask Stevie?

because you want to ask them dirt about stevie!!!

BTFLCHLD · #12 12-14-2004, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ricohv

...I always say what I want to, then quickly throw a blanket of diplomacy over it...

Quote:

Originally Posted by ricohv

...Dear Mr. Kinney,...There seems to be a fair amount of fans who feel Stevie is very removed from her fans and question whether she evens writes the very short answers to her Q. & A...

Thanks for posting. I am curious...how many would you consider a "fair amount?"

IMO John is and always has been very thoughtful, respectful, fair and real.

I personally would not want Ms.Nicks to send auto-responses (Bruce Almighty) to the 5000+ "ask stevies", and appreciate that as available she brightens the smiles of those she has answered. I also appreciate the special notes/letters she writes/shares and John posts for all to enjoy.

IMO A "fan" expecting more from her than her music and NOT hoping that she enjoys her life spending her time as she wishes is

Granted, there may be those of the opin that reading/responding to a kazil notes is

So, perhaps an opening on the "filter" committee would be

GODDESS6 · #13 12-14-2004, 08:16 PM

i have dealt w/ john alot thru emails & he is a wonderful person

~ 1 of the ladies who helps w/ the nickfix mailed me this awesome framed & matted sketch print

she thought i should have it 4 my stevie room~ it means a whole lot 2 me!!!~ she said she had it in her home over 20 yrs~ i 2 have ?'s sent in not answered yet, but hoping 1 day when i check the updates, mine will b there~ i am glad however that stevie does anything w/ the site even if it seems miniscuke sometimes, john has told me, she knows "we" r out there & she appreiciates is a bunch~